I absolutely loved this book. Even though I started it with some doubts, it quickly turned into a page-turning book and I couldn’t stop reading.
The thing that I want to highlight about this book, the one that I liked the most, is the way of writing of the author. I really enjoyed how she doesn’t introduce many unnecessary details. Besides, it is extremely easy to read, being an outstanding book for when you don’t have time or you just don’t want to read more dense stuff .
However, there are two things that made me refuse giving this reading 5/5 stars:
- The age gap. I really hate that the main characters are not of the same ages so at the middle of the book I decided to ignore their real age.
- The spicy scenes. I found them really cringe and definitely didn’t like them.
Nonetheless, I gave it 4/5 and I really enjoyed it. Thank you so much for the opportunity to read it!

F1 + mm + haters to lovers + bit of an age gap

I really enjoyed this book. I am a huge F1 fan so I did have to push by a few inaccuracies of the sport and the drivers but overall it was one of what I felt like was the best researched sports book. I loved the dynamic between Kian and Harper. Kian had that quiet determination vibe going on and Harper had the chaotic gay energy which especially once they started their little situationship, I feel like they really meshed well as a couple with Harper being able to help Kian through his overthinking while Kian was able to help Harper focus more on the sport. I loved how Harper really took his therapy seriously and we could see his growth through the story from being so anti-relationship to being the shout it to anyone in love guy.

The few issues I took with this book were mainly that it felt like certain things were magically solved with no context to how. Main example is Harper going from idolizing Kian's father but we don't really see any conversation between the two or reasoning for why later in the book Harper suddenly turns on him for being a bad father.

All in all though I really did love this book. I will definitely be purchasing myself a physical copy and I can see myself rereading this as a quick and easy comfort book.

🏎️ Pole Position - Rebecca J Caffery 🏎️

Pole Position is an MM opposites attract romance following Harper James and Kian Walker, two F1 drivers. After an accident leaves Kians long time teammate unable to compete, rookie driver Harper steps up to fill the role and the aftermath is chaotic.

The banter between the MCs really made this book for me and the relationship felt genuine and unforced. If you’re looking for something light or a palette cleanser this book is it! Coming into pride month it’ll work really well for any challenge prompts too ❤️

Pole Position will be available to buy from 30th May 2024

Thank you so much to @netgalley for my copy in exchange for an honest review.

See, this book had its charm but it's one of those cases where I didn't stand them before they got together but then I actually really liked them when they got together but then the third act conflict ruined it for me because I really don't do severely damaged characters with self sabotaging tendencies.

Well, safe to say that one really ought to manage one's expectations because mine were sky high when it came to this book, mainly due to the fact that the cover is bomb and I had never read an F1 romance before, and well... It was fine, I guess.
Thank you to the publisher for sending me an early ARC of Pole Position in exchange for an honest review!

The pros:
. The cover, duh.
. You know what? The characters themselves were pretty interesting and I'm not going to lie about it.
We got Kian on one side, the 35 year old F1 veteran whom the world is trying to force to retire and he's fucking sick of it, especially dealing with an ill mother and the career of an F1 driver that has him away from his family 9 months out of the year.
On the other side, Harper James, the guy with the party boy reputation that he never seems to be able to shed quite easily (not that he really tries at the start of this book).
They were complex and multidimensional which is honestly something we can't guarantee anymore in romance books.
. I appreciated how the author never really went into the technicalities of F1 as I do not care nor would I have actually read those parts.
. I really felt for Kian throughout this book, as he was struggling what with his mom, the way he's being pressured to retire and then the nasty ass attitude of party boy Harper in the first half of the book, when all he wanted to do was do his yoga and just race his lil car.
. Look, once they actually got together (some of that is in the cons section), I finally started to enjoy this book.
There's something about sexual tension and just breaking it to get along that works for me and that was the case here. They just clicked once they stopped bitching to one another and it was pretty fun and enjoyable and downright filthy.
. I enjoyed the sexy bits of the story.
. While I certainly did not appreciate the third act conflict and how stupid it was, I definitely liked how they got back together as it was pretty cute and slightly emotional.

The cons:
. The whole first half of this book is a con for me. These two absolutely did not click and it felt like they were going out of their way to be just absolute cunts to one another when it really did feel like they could've just been a touch more chill and professional and I didn't like that.
Specifically on Harper's side, as he spent the majority of the first half of the book being the aggressor, and it made me dislike him a bit.
. While I liked what happened after they fucked, the book felt a bit disjointed because they went from hating one another and being such assholes to just... Happy couple? It doesn't really work like that y'all.
. It really fucking hurt when Harper turned Kian down when he asked him to go on a date and it just felt like such an ugly thing to do to a guy you know you like and he likes you back. Harper just was not it at this point.
. I don't care that Harper had his mental health problems, that shit does not excuse you from intentionally going out and posting slutty photos with a random guy just to push Kian away. Like, I don't care but that shit is inexcusable.

That's about it.
I don't know, I had high hopes for this book but we just did not click, which is fine, so I shall be moving on and I can't say that I actually recommend it, but if you read it then I hope you like it more than I did!

Kian wanted to get as far away from his father's reputation as person and f1 race driver during his career. With a few world championships and a great friendship with his teammate
In crashes into his life, Harper a rookie replacing his teammate this season. Harper is everything he doesn't want to be and idolised his Kian's father (and Kian too).

This book has such a great story and had me almost crying in parts then laughing then blushing. Did I say who needs one bed when it's one moterhome. Touch of I'll look after you when sick and paddock tension

*Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.*

A M/M Formula 1 romance for all those people that got super into Formula 1 after that doco show on Netflix. It was generally pretty good, and I did enjoy my time reading.
I think overall that it wasn't quite for me. I don't care about Formula 1, and while I do enjoy a sports romance, and a M/M romance, Formula 1 takes up a lot of space in this book. It was never something that I felt like I couldn't follow along with, it just didn't add anything to my enjoyment.
My main reason I haven't rated it higher is that I didn't really like one of the main characters. I found Harper to be incredibly annoying. Maybe I'm just getting old, or it's my introvert personality. But when Kian was feeling exhausted and annoyed by Harper early on, I felt that. And he never really stopped annoying me.
The age gap of 25 and 33 didn't necessarily bother me, but the maturity divide did. I'm still not sure I believe that they had any more of a connection than physical attraction.
Writing wise I think it could have done with another light edit. There were a few times where I stumbled over the phrasing or description of something due to the sentence structure not being clear.

Pole Position had just the right balance of sports and romance. The Motorsport side was fun, the romance side sweet and fluffy. I did find the spice a little lacking, but that’s just personal preference.

I loved the tension between them at the beginning, their rivalry turning to lust, the sweet caretaking when Harper was sick.
The push and pull from Harper was a little too much towards the end, but I still really enjoyed their love story and am glad they got their HEA.
This was a very sweet read, and I can’t wait to see more from this author and if this becomes a series.

4.5!

Pole Position has filled my F1-loving heart! I had such a blast with reading this and I could definitely tell that Caffery is a big fan of the sport.

Pole Position features Kian and Harper as they become teammates right before the start of a new Formula One season. Kian is the son of a racer legend but his father mysteriously left the sport abruptly a long time ago and Kian has never talked to or about him in Kian's own years of racing. Harper is the new rookie in town and gets called up from the Formula 2 (lower level) teams last minute when Kian's original teammate suffers an injury before the season begins. Kian is not happy about this change and Harper's attitude and off-track behavior mean they immediately don't get along.

I had such a fun time both with Kian and Harper as well as with the wide range of side characters. I loved seeing some traits and characteristics of people that *might* have come from some real Formula 1 adjacent people. Kian and Harper's fictional team felt real and seemed to be pretty fleshed out. For people who are aware of the sport, we see the various types of people that would hang out in the Paddock, Team Principals, Race Engineers, PR Managers, etc.

Kian was probably my favorite of the two main men mostly because I was super endeared to his personal life and his mental habits. Kian's mother has Alzheimer's and his twin sister is taking care of their mom while he is away. He faces guilt and worries over not being a part of the care process and his anxiety around his career was one of my favorite parts.

Harper was definitely a young twenty-year-old. He hadn't really needed to grow up before getting brought up to the F1 team and his growth is pretty visible. Harper has issues of his own in regards to relationships and that comes into play when Kian and Harper start fooling around. I think I was just mostly frustrated at a lot of Harper's actions and that made him a little less likable.


There were some plot points that were briefly mentioned throughout and then never really expanded that I wish were. There's a small thing for each of the main characters that seemed like it would play a MUCH bigger role than it did and I think the overall plot was lacking because of that. I expected more external conflict and instead, I feel like we see more internal and interpersonal conflicts.

🏎️🖤 Pole Position ARC Review 🖤🏎️

Thank you so much to Rebecca J Caffery and Harper Collins for the opportunity to read and review this book!

Pole Position is a standalone contemporary sports MM romance. Kian is a star race car driver and looking forward to the upcoming season. When his teammate is sidelined with an injury, arrogant playboy Harper James is recruited to be his new teammate. In a sport where the risk is high and trust is necessary, can these two opposites learn to get along?

This book was such a fun read! I really enjoyed Kian and Harper so much. They were both well developed characters and I loved their stories together. This book was a great combination of romance, competition and beautiful feels and I really enjoyed it

Overall this was a fun four star read. I loved the characters, the story and the competitive sports world building. This book had some heavy elements, so please check triggers if you’re sensitive. This book did have some delicious spice throughout, so overall three flames for spice

If you’re a fan of sports romance with opposites attract, rivals to lovers, and delightful competition, then absolutely pick this one up!

This was my first Rebecca Caffery book, as well as my first book involving F1!!! When I saw it was f1 + MM + rivals??? I was literally sold. Say no more. However this fell a little flat for me. I did have fun reading it, but I felt annoyed by the characters most of the time and feeling strung along at times and just wanted to be done with it… id even notice myself skimming. When their relationship was going, it was sweet and I truly wanted more of it! Overall, id give it a 3✨

-age gap (33/25)
- rivals to lovers (ish)
- teammates
- grumpy × sunshine
- secret relationship

Thank you for the ARC!

This was addictive and spicy and I cannot look a single person in the eye to talk about it. If you’re an F1 fan and down for a sexy read HELLO THIS IS IT

Pole Position was a fun and sexy read! F1 is a great setting for a m/m sports romance and honestly I've been dreaming of this type of sports romance. I wish the book had been longer and gone deeper into the character’s backgrounds and internal emotional lives. I’m hoping there will be a follow up about Johannas because that side story left me wanting!

Literally the cutest! Harper was my favourite character - I just love a character who comes across as super fun and carefree but is actually a sad lil soft boy who needs to be in therapy lol.

I'm actually not a big F1 girlie but I do like other motorsports and know a bit about cars. I felt like this was just the right amount of detail and focus on the sport. I've read other F1 romances that don't get the details right and it really takes me out of the story.

I loved the progression of their relationship and loved the side characters - especially Kian's sister. I liked that even though the main focus was on the relationship and the sport, there was a surprising amount of depth with family issues, childhood trauma and dealing with grief and guilt.

3.5 ⭐️

- age gap (33/25)
- rivals to lovers (ish)
- teammates
- grumpy x sunshine
- secret relationship

CW: Parkinson’s disease, dementia, parental death, familial abandonment, mentions of parent with alcoholism/drinking problem, panic attacks

With Kian Walker’s teammate out of commission for the season, hotshot rookie Harper James gets called up to take his place. Harper is known for being a bit reckless on and off the track, and the pair get on like oil and water.

Honestly, I didn’t like Kian’s character or treatment of Harper for a good 30-35% of the book. He just made assumptions about Harper based off what he thought he knew about him, and was a massive asshole. Sure Harper was wild at times and had a lot of growing up to do, but his character was actually really funny and sweet too.

The banter and chemistry between the two was great once Kian got over being a twat, but the constant hot and cold from Harper (thanks to his major abandonment issues) and his inability to really communicate with Kian became a bit repetitive. Once they work all their shit out though, their relationship is very sweet and I would have liked to seen more of it than what we got.

Overall though I can’t really complain. This is my first sports romance involving Formula 1, which isn’t a sport I know much about, but was enjoyable regardless. The story was fun, steamy, and a pretty quick read.

Queer F1 romance featuring opposing teammates, a golden boy who is a four time Championship winner out to prove he isn't ready to retire and this year's rookie who has a reputation for breaking hearts and setting new track records... forced to be teammates and yet despite how much they get under each other's skin there might be more to it. Kian Walker is the golden boy of motor sport, he's a four-time Championship winner with a father who was a legend on the track... just don't bring up his dad near him ever. Kian is determined to be nothing like his father who lied and cheated on his wife and destroyed their family, he wants to be reliable, to be amazing... yet he's getting older and everyone keeps thinking he is going to retire. Kian is determined to prove them all wrong and win another Championship, yet that all goes out the window when his teammate is injured and he is forced to work with a new driver, someone he absolutely dislikes, Harper James. Harper James is this year's rookie who is determined to make it big. Harper might have scandal after scandal, might be the most reckless, self destructive person who has abandonment issues ever since he was a child bouncing from foster home to foster him, but he is determined to chase his demons away, be it on the race course or with the various partners and parties he has. Harper has a reputation, yet he has always idolized Kian, yet to his shock Kian takes an instant dislike to him. Kian can't stand how reckless Harper is, they are complete opposites and yet the more the fight and argue the more they put themselves at risk and their team at risk of losing. Yet the more they argue and spend time together the more this underlining attraction between them begins to grow... yet can they make it work when they are complete opposites in every way??? With how Harper is afraid of being abandoned and is self destructive while Kian is dealing with family drama and seeing just where his future in F1 is or if this is his final year? Oh I had a blast with this one, as a fan of F1 this was such a delight to read. It definitely gave me Heated Rivalry by Rachel Reid vibes and I had fun with it. I adored Kian so much and this book had me tearing up in the end with how much Harper grew and how he worked on his own mental health and getting the help he needed. This was a fun romance read and the romance was cute. It's definitely a fun book to add to your list if you love queer sports romances!

*Thanks Netgalley and HarperCollins UK, One More Chapter | One More Chapter for sending me an arc in exchange for an honest review:

Release Date: May 30,2024

Publication/Blog: Ash and Books (ash-and-books.tumblr.com)

This was my first f1 mm romance and man I’m ready for more lol. At first i didn’t fully love Harper but he really grew on me. Enemies to lovers is always a smash, plus an age gap, 10/10. The spice was nice also. Very well written. Overall I really enjoyed this book

Thank you to NetGalley and One Last Chapter for the ARC of Pole Position by Rebecca J. Caffery.

In Pole Position by Rebecca J. Caffery, readers are thrown into the high-speed world of Formula 1 racing, where the thrill of the track is matched only by the depth of the characters' personal struggles.

The story revolves around Kian, a seasoned Formula 1 veteran, and Harper, a cocky rookie with a troubled past. Their initial clash sets the stage for a captivating exploration of their differences and the unexpected bond that forms between them. Kian, grappling with the weight of his family history marked by his father's alcoholism and his mother's battle with Parkinson's Disease, finds himself drawn to Harper, who carries his own scars of abandonment.

What sets Pole Position apart is its portrayal of the complex dynamics between Kian and Harper. Their relationship evolves from animosity to camaraderie, as they learn to confront their pasts and support each other through the challenges of professional racing and personal demons. The banter between the two adds depth and humor to their interactions, making their journey all the more engaging for readers.

Kian and Harper's struggles feel authentic and relatable, drawing readers into their world and keeping them invested in their journey towards self-discovery and happiness. While they do get their happily ever after it is definitely a hard fought one.

Overall, Pole Position is a captivating blend of adrenaline-pumping racing action and heartfelt storytelling. This is perfect for readers who enjoy books with a perfect mix of humor and banter as well as more serious themes.

*3.75⭐️

I received an ARC from Netgalley and HarperCollins in exchange for an home review.

I actually really enjoyed this book and in my opinion the vibes were incredible. If you love formula one or just want to get a glimpse of the world of motorsport I highly recommend this book.
What I really loved about this book was the characters and their development. I felt every emotion for Harper and there were times where I teared up a bit. His journey was one of the most important ones in the story for me and his healing journey was beautiful. The relationship between him and Kian was strong and emotional. There were complications and issues but they figured them all out together and it only made their connection deeper.
I also love the tropes in this book. These are some of them:
• forced proximity
• nightmare trope
• enemies to lovers
• taking care of one of them when they’re sick

Overall I enjoyed this story and I highly recommend it.🫶

Thank you to Netgalley and HarperCollins for providing an ARC for me!

“𝐃𝐨 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐰𝐚𝐧𝐧𝐚 𝐛𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐭𝐥𝐞 𝐬𝐩𝐨𝐨𝐧 𝐭𝐨𝐧𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭?”

The novel Pole Position by Rebecca J. Caffrey is an oppposites attract romance  between Harper James and Kian Walker, two drivers in Formula One.

The banter in M/M Formula 1 romances will always EAT! Because  of all the back and forth between them, their chemistry was made 10x better.

The intimate moments between Kian and Harper were also hot asf. They were so different from one another, but they got along great together. 

However, I find it weird that they went from not getting along to messing around so fast without any explanation. After then, everything simply got worse. Not only was Harper starting to irritate me, but the ending also felt hurried.

I was really excited about this because of the great cover and storyline, but my expectations were not met.

*Thank you to NetGalley, One More Chapter, and to the author, Rebecca J. Caffrey, for providing me with this e-arc in exchange for an honest review.*

This book knows exactly what it is and it isn't trying to be anything else. It is light, fluffy, slightly smutty fun.

Kian and Harper were never going to get along. Harper is the 25 year old new kid in championship racing. He's brash, daring, and a little too fond of being papped with a drink in his hand and a hot guy on his ... arm. Kian' s a legend of the sport, 3 time world champ and gunning for one more title as the media speculates about his potential retirement. He also has a deep seated hatred for flighty playboys after the way his father, the blueprint for the type, treated him and his family. When these two polar opposite drivers end up as teammates they have to find a way to work together, and in the process realize they might hold the keys to one another's hearts.

This book is tropey, silly, and sweet. Kian and Harper make for a cute couple after they get through the obligatory ups and downs that characterize romance novels. That's really all I have to say about this one. It isn't going to change anybody's life, but it was a good time to read on a summer day.

I would keep in mind that the book has a narrative style that some might find off putting where the characters' internal monolog is very speechlike in structure (the characters often exclaim things to themselves or their thought process is otherwise written as statements). Also the characterization isn't the most consistent, with Harper especially seeming to flip flop fairly quickly on some pretty major issues in order for the happily ever after to work itself out.

For an actual issue I had with this book - there are a couple of instances in this book where fairly serious situations are sorta glossed over and never really revisited. Twice in this book somebody leaves their visibly upset and heavily drunk 'best friend' alone at a bar. One of these times there's a follow up "you ok?" text, the other time the friend never checks in again. And this is not a breaking point in the friendship, in fact neither instance is ever brought up again. Additionally, the first time our lovers become physical, one of them is so drunk that pages earlier the other had noted and commented on them being too drunk to consent. And yet when they start getting hot and heavy, this issue is not addressed and it's never brought up again. Neither of these issues crosses an unforgivable line (for me), but they are a bit weird and stopped me enjoying this book as much as I might have.

Thank you to ONE MORE CHAPTER and NetGalley for an eARC in exchange for my honest review.