This started off promising but sadly it ended up just not working for me at all. I'm extra disappointed as I requested this as soon as I saw it on netgalley because the synopsis sounds great.

So I really liked Harper as a character and I felt really bad for him. I thought all the characters around him treated pretty poorly, mostly the love interest Kian and Harper's best friend, Johannes. I'm all for enemies to lvoers but not when it's super hypocritical. For example, neither Kian or Harper is good with communication. But Kian has this whole inner monologue about how he hates when anyone mentions his dad, and hey maybe someone will tell Harper he doesn't like it and maybe someone else will tell Harper about how Kian operates after races. In the meantime, he'll just be mean to Harper for not like, divining out of the ether or something. But when Harper isn't good with communication, apparently that makes him the most selfish person alive.

Same with Johannes, Harper's best friend. If Harper self destructs by partying, that's selfish! And he doesn't care about his career! But if Johannes does it, that's fine! I mean WHAT

Also the writing kept me at a distance. The romance was underdeveloped. It was all hate to love and sexual tension but the instant anything intimate happens it like a flip was switched and all of that went out the window. I mean this actually genuinely. Within ten percent after the first intimate scene, Kian is saying 'i'm seeing someone and he makes me so happy!' YOU HATED HIM 5 MINUTES AGO???? There was also a lot of telling and not showing, e.g: 'we cuddled and he told me about his sister'. We never see any of this. And then there's something sad that happens to a character later on and we're supposed to be emotional about it I guess, but since we quite literally never see this character on page I had a hard time actually feeling anything.

I just ended up with no understanding of how these men would work as a couple. And by the end they were talking to each other like they were in a therapy session.

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐.5

Pole Position is the first M/M romance I've read so I can't really comment to much on that as I don't have anything to compare it to but I was hooked from the start and loved every minute of it 💕

Kain and Harper are definitely opposites of each other Kain's grumpy, likes routine and straight to the point while Harper is like an excited puppy that's the only way I can describe him. Both characters go through a lot of hurdles through the book, watching them get through it all and come out on top just made it that much better, I actually wish this book was longer!

This review is hard to write I can't seem to find the right words or even try to explain how I feel about the book but all in all I highly recommend so save the date! 

Thank you @onemorechapterhc for the eARC of Pole Position via @netgalley

This was a good book! It combined the grumpy/sunshine trope with the world of racing and had two very likable main characters. While there was just enough outside drama, I will say that the continuous push and pull and hot and cold between Harper and Kian did eventually make me want to start skimming—there was a little too much of it for me. All told, I think this story was worth the time it took to read it, and I would definitely take a look at Johannes’ story if it comes!

A queer F1 romance with rivals to lovers is everything I’ve been dreaming about!! Yes, I did imagine my favorite drivers as the main characters (I’m delusional). Harper is a rookie who’s been called up to be Kian’s teammate. Kian’s older and way more experienced - they are very much opposite personalities. The forbidden aspect of them being on the same team kept me so invested.

My favorite part of this story was how queerness was presented and spoken about. The characters were both comfortable in their identities and didn’t have any real issues talking about their queerness with their friends and family. In the end, the team was immediately so supportive. I love to see so much acceptance in a male dominated sport, even if it’s fictional. Their relationship and overall character development was so sweet to witness.

F1 girlies add this to your TBR!!

It might not be realistic, but it was refreshing and nice to not see any homophobia surrounding the sport.

- ”He’s also too drunk to be able to consent” *proceedes to kiss him* ??
- Kian walks in on Harper recieving head by random dude 48% in
- I don’t want to hear about doing Tik Tok’s when reading, pls stop

Kian:
He’s a judgemental and uptight asshole in the beginning, but only towards Harper. He was great with his nieces, family, colleagues and friends. But unfortunately I was not a fan of his at all. Kian tried his best to be considerate of Harper’s abandonment issues.. but he did not succeed at all. I get that he wanted to move forward with their relationship but when someone have trauma to deal with first, you can’t push. And if you really love the person, you shouldn’t want to push. You have to take it at the person with issues pace or not take it at all. Kian is an adult and have been for over a decade. Be patient or leave. He’s mature and clearheaded most of the time, just not around Harper.

Harper:
Purehearted and misunderstood. He did have his slightly childish moments but I over all really liked him. He came in like an excited puppy and got treated like the plague by Kian, his former idol. I felt so bad for him.

Over all I really enjoyed this. Read it in one sitting. Great plot. Never a boring moment. If Harper’s friend gets a book, I’m there immediately. He wasn’t always a great friend to Harper though.

Harper & Kian:
When they had good moments together? Loved.
Them trying to figure out their issues? Clown show.
When they finally figured out their shit? Very adorable together.
I’m not sure about the pacing of their relationship development though. The sexual tension was there but once they’d messed around once, it became the new normal out of nowhere. Sleeping in the same bed and cuddling. It threw me of a bit.
The third act was a shit show of proportions, things had been a lot easier had they known what ”communication” and ”understanding” is. There is some character development, I’m just not sure how real it felt. I wouldn’t say the pacing was off, but things happened off page and we were just quickly informed it had happened. ”Harper went to therapy” Okaaay and how is that going for him???? We also missed moments like when Kian found out Harper used to be a fan. I WANTED HIS REACTION?? Harper finding out Kian’s dad was shit?? WHERE? The story did lack proper depth, but it was a fun and quick read.

I don’t know why the blackmail was thrown in there, it served no purpose.

(Note: I know nothing about motor sports and I can not tell you how well written or thought through that part of the book was)

I was debating on whether to give this 3.5 stars or 3.75 stars because this book had it’s flaws, absolutely, but I really enjoyed it anyway. And since I always rate on how much I enjoyed a book:

3.75 stars

What sets "Pole Position" apart is its ability to capture the electrifying energy of Formula 1 while delving deep into the complex emotions of its characters. As Kian grapples with his insecurities and Harper confronts his own demons, their journey towards love and self-discovery is as captivating as it is heartwarming.

With its dynamic characters, pulse-pounding action, and swoon-worthy romance. Buckle up and prepare for a thrilling ride that will leave you cheering in the stands and rooting for love to take the checkered flag.

I absolutely loved this book, it was such a heartwarming and light romance and just what I needed!

I love a reformed playboy and Harper fit the bill! Kian was just so loveable even when he was being a grump and as a couple I really liked them!

Thank you so much for the opportunity to read this book and I’ll definitely be looking out for more by this author!

RW&RB but with F1? I was ready to devour this book, except the story, and the characters fell flat for me. I didn't like either of the main characters, the golden boy Kian and the fuck-up Harper. they both grated on me, and I didn't feel their 'chemistry' in the slightest. disappointing as I enjoyed the author's previous book Olympic Enemies.

I read "Red, White and Royal Blue meets Formula 1" and I was SOLD. I devoured this book page by page and enjoyed every second of it. When this book comes out, it deserves as much popularity as RWRB. A male main character that's grumpy but isn't a total nuisance? This book has it. Another male main character that's fun but not completely immature? This book has it. A love story as cute as Red, White, and Royal Blue? You guessed it, this book has it. I ate this book up and so did the author. FIVE STARS! Will be reading again during summer when it comes out.

Thank you to One More Chapter for giving me the opportunity to read Pole Position by Rebecca J. Caffery via Netgalley!

I was super excited for this book since I heard about it, having grown up watching F1 with my dad. Pole Position follows Kian and Harper as they become teammates following Elijah’s injury, which means Harper replaces him. The angst between these two and their chemistry was off the charts throughout the book! I loved seeing their relationship form and grow, the tension was so high! The spicy scenes were so well written, and they definitely showed the passion that Kian and Harper had for eachother.

I really enjoyed seeing all the racing aspects and the inbetween races, and I loved the fact that there were other elements in the plot other than the growth of their relationship, such as their friendships wirh other drivers and their families. There are quite a few characters, however it is easy to keep up with who is who, and I felt like everyone got enough page time. I do hope that there will be another book where we follow Johannes as I found him to be a really interesting character, and I feel like he should have his story told too!

Overall, I really enjoyed this book, I felt like writing flowed well and therefore the book was a good, easy read, full of high emotions of varying degrees. I am giving Pole Position 4.5 stars and I am looking forward to whatever the author comes out with next!