Member Reviews
This was my first F1 romance and I was so excited. Unfortunately , this wasn’t a hit read for me. Not everything needs to be literature and this could work as a beach read very easily. I think the story structure could have used a bit more editing/eyes.
Let me talk about the characters first. Mira - it didn’t help that I found her to be an infuriatingly, annoying character to follow. I struggled to like her. Her constant need to become a martyr was tiring. As for Will, I didn’t form much of an opinion of him, which could be good or bad. I did think it was too much that he did become World Champion, especially after taking 3 years off - just a bit too neat of an ending. The relationship between Mira and Will was odd and I think it comes down to the writing. It wasn’t particularly believable and lacked development and I think it’s because we did’t get to see their dynamics in-between races. The story was city-hopping with no disclosure of their small, intimate moments.
Rating: 4 Stars ⭐️
I’m a fan of Amanda Weavers writing style. This is the first book in the Racing Hearts series. This book has Formula 1 racing and romance.
There is instant attraction between the two protagonists. Will is cute and I enjoyed him trying to flirt with Mira. They have both been given a second chance in life and are trying to avoid making the same mistakes and disappointing their loved one.
There is insta attraction, Formula one racing, family drama, Mira’s past, and steam!
Thank you to the publisher for providing the ARC.
I LOVED THIS ONE!! the adrenaline, the F1 setting.. I just loved it 🥹 the chemistry between the main characters was off the charts, and it was really entertaining
This is a novel about youthful missteps/mistakes and hopeful redemption. I enjoyed reading about Miranda and Will's journey both on and off the Formula One circuit. Knowing almost nothing regarding Formula One racing it was a very interesting read.
For Miranda, or Mira now, getting to work on a Formula One team was her ticket to fixing past mistakes. Until that youthful mistake rears it's ugly head again. Many of us have been in and done some things in our past that we aren't proud/happy about. Mira is shouldering all the blame for something that happened to her when she was just 16. As a former person that was also a teen; I can see how things would have looked to a person that is still maturing and is a little naive. Now she's back to hopefully put things to rights between her father and herself and the team. Along the way she befriends some new members on the team and they help her to see things as an adult and through the eyes of someone a little more mature. Mira has to do a lot of soul searching and facing of past demons.
Will Hawley, Formula One driver for her father's team is a distraction she can do without. Unfortunately, there is no denying the chemistry between these two. Things progress and get quite "steamy" along the way.
Fast and reckless follows common tropes for a sports romance, but it was still engaging and had an added depth to it I really enjoyed. And it didn't skimp on the sports in lieu of the romance. I really enjoyed having both POVs from our MFC Mira and MMC Will to give perspective to the inner thoughts and understanding of their characters. It helped to fully establish the relationship and create the conflict in their forbidden romance. It also wasn't rushed or surface level and I really liked the slow burn of their connection. They both were dealing with their own past demons and that made them feel very real. The tension was well done and I learned so much about the Formula One world. It was fun to tag along on the tour with the crew. I especially loved Violet. What a take-no-shit badass who absolutely supported both of them in every moment. She was hilarious and I adored her and Mira's friendship. I vote she gets leading role in a book 2. I also liked Will's sister and I liked Mira's mom, and well done for equally disliking Will's mom. I am happy the romance and racing had equal attention and together it made this an exciting read.
Thank you to Netgalley and Zando for an advanced copy of Fast & Reckless in exchange for an honest review.
Having F1 be the center of a sports romance is refreshing. Weaver clearly did her research. As an F1 fan, I was able to follow the scenes. Someone who has no concept of F1 will definitely not, however. Those details I enjoyed and they added to the scene development. So be forewarned if you are not familiar as a reader because those F1 details might detract.
It is a solid instalove romance with adequate plot depth. The tension was more serious than I expected - in a good way. The book touches upon the prejudices of the press and the harmfulness of media. It makes you mad. I do wish we get more characterization of Mira other than traumatized. I couldn't get a feel for her personality other than the habits she developed after the incident. Will felt more fleshed out but since he was the typical cocky sports star there was already a baseline for readers to be familiar with who he is. I wish we got more of his family dynamics. Don't get me wrong, there was enough to understand how he grew up but there felt something missing between then and the arrogant driver he became. More backstory as to his rise through the ranks (and presumably how he became cocky) would have been nice. Similar, I wanted more of Mira's backstory, especially her relationship with her mother. I wanted more of her mother. There might have been an opportunity there to use her as a foil for Mira's eventual stand against Brody.
This is the first book by Ms Weaver that I have read. I was pleasantly surprised. I’m not that much into racing but she made it entertaining and seemed to know what she was writing about. Will and Mira had an instant attraction but it was happening at the wrong time in their life. Mira was trying to get back into her father’s good graces after making a horrible mistake as a teenager. Will was trying to get back into a championship season after some of his bad decisions. Will they be able to come together without hurting anyone else?
3.8⭐️, 2🌶️
🏁Forbidden/Workplace Romance
🏁Boss' Daughter/Assistant
🏁F1 Racecar Driver
🏁Reformed Playboy
🏁Insta-Lust
🏁Friends to Lovers
What I liked:
-I had a good time with this one, and while it wasn't the first F1 romance I've read, it felt like the most detailed one without getting too bogged down by those details at the same time. I read other reviews that said this one got the F1 part of F1 romance really right, and since I know nothing about the sport I'll have to take their word for it, but I did feel like I gained some more understanding of the intricacies of F1 without it overtaking the story and I appreciated that.
-As far as the story between Mira and Will, I love a little forbidden romance with a bit of angst, and this one had plenty of both. The reason behind Mira not wanting to pursue anything with Will was so heartbreaking, but unfortunately unsurprising once it was revealed, and I mostly liked the way that story unfolded. Still, it was a little slower to be revealed than I'd have liked.
-Will was already in the process of reforming his bad boy ways, so while it was insta-lusty between the two of them, I think it was easier to wrap my head around him falling so hard and fast for Mira because he was already trying not to be a Fboy any more.
-The thing I most appreciated about Will and Mira's relationship was the space and respect he gave Mira while she came to terms with what she was feeling for him. He knew she'd been through something that was holding her back with him, and he didn't push for the details or try to get her to go faster than she was comfortable with, and he genuinely got to know her as a friend while he gave her that time and space. Even when she decided she wanted to cross that line, he still checked in with her and made sure she really wanted to go there with him.
What I didn't love:
-I didn't love the lack of communication/miscommunication between Mira and her dad, especially because I thought I hated him for most of the book because of the way poor Mira had internalized things.
-I rarely like the third-act breakup, and this one was no different. It honestly felt like it went against the otherwise mature relationship Will and Mira had developed, so the shutdown in communication was more annoying in this case. The only reason I didn't get more frustrated with it was that I remembered they're both in their early 20s, so some immaturity was due for both of them.
-I also just don't enjoy the third-person narrative. It gets confusing when it's dual POV, and annoying when I'm unsure whose POV I'm in. It wasn't a deal breaker, but it always takes me out of the flow of the story a little.
Overall, this was a fun, sexy, sweet read with lots of tension and heat.
Do be aware if you have any triggers, because there is a very serious issue that Mira deals with throughout the book, and I've included a spoiler trigger warning at the bottom if you're looking for more information on it.
Spoiler warning
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TW: Mentions of prior grooming relationship of FMC when she was 16 with a 30-year-old driver, and FMC has multiple interactions with the groomer present day (7 years later).
I could not get enough of this book! It felt like I was actually watching a movie. Mira’s story is just amazing, and I can relate to her with her anxiety and foolishness in her teens. Seeing her finally let go and become her best self and forget what everyone else thinks was incredible to read. The only downfall is I feel like the ending wash rushed. I would love a second book to follow Miranda and her hot formula one champion racer.
“And you’ve been punishing yourself for this ever since?” “I’ve been learning from it. There’s a difference.”
This was a perfect combination of a love for Formula 1 & adult romance. Loved the way the story developed. The respect for family, friends and one another. Loved the angst, steaminess and the chase.
“…she had to remind herself that while every look and touch he sent her way was enough to put her into heart failure, it was quite obviously not the same for him. She’d better remember that before she let him make a fool of her.”
3.5 ⭐️s!!! What an amazing read. I have never read a racing book before but as a formula drift girlie, this was a must! Absolutely enjoyed about this book. Romance, racing and the perfect amount of spice!!
ust My Feelings* Rating: 4/5 I really enjoyed this book!
Empowered Romance** Rating: ✅ - Ultimately, I think say yes! The stark contrast between Will and Brody is profound. The way that Will makes space to honor Mira's boundaries and for them to move on her timeline was very empowering and liberating for readers.
The "Did this book make me stay up until 4 am reading even though my kids wake up at 6:00 am" Test - YES! If only I had no adult responsibilities, I would've read it in one sitting!
Just My Feelings Rating Breakdown:
This was a quick read for me! I love F1 and romance so I eat up any F1 romance books. I just hope there are many more books to come.
Empowered Romance Rating Breakdown
⭐️ Authentic Sexual Health ✅ - I think the author did a good job of portraying authentic (holistic) sexual health. As I mentioned, I appreciated the juxtaposition between the MMC, Will, and the toxic ex. I thought Will established consent and respected Mira's boundaries throughout the whole story (not just in the spicy scenes). I also thought the main characters' physical relationship progressed at an authentic pace, particularly in consideration of Mira's past which she was still processing and healing from.
⭐️ Awareness of Social Issue ❌ - I wouldn't say this was a main plot point of the book. I would've loved to see a variety of the F1 employees be women, instead of the same old men (i.e. the team physician, an engineer, the head of a few departments, etc). They could've also made some of the rich sponsors and heads of brand deals women.
⭐️ Book Boyfriend + Main Character 🆗 - I like Will. He could have been a little more emotionally connected. For example, I would've died to see more of a relationship with his siblings. Maybe with a text thread. For most of the book, I thought he was alone in the world and then bam he has siblings that he's friends with. Mira was good too but I did lose a little bit of patience with her as we waited for her to take control of her narrative. After the book ended, I realized I was being too hard on her.
⭐️ Representative Storytelling ❌ - No, not really. See previous thoughts...
⭐️ Smash the Patriarchy 🆗 - I don't think this is quite what the book set out to do. But I don't think it promoted toxic masculinity either.
*100% based on how I felt while reading this book.
**A 5-point criteria rating based on how much this book empowers readers to know themselves better and live with more pleasure, passion, and connection. This is written from my feminist, sex educator point of view.
I received this book free from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Hello insta love!!!!
the two of them could not have been down bad faster even if they tried.
I haven’t read many f1 romances before (I think just one actually), and I really enjoyed that part. It was clearly well researched and I ate it up.
Mira’s character was prob my fav. I couldn’t get down with the reformed f-boy immediately down bad for her because it felt tooo fast.
If you’re in the mood for something fast paced and fun, def pick this one up. But it’s not entirely deep or moving.
thank you zando/slowburn and NetGalley for the arc.!
I love an F1 romance! Will and Mira enter the season, each with their own baggage from the past. Will made bad choices in his initial F1 debut; choices that make him want to prove that he's not that guy anymore and is capable of a championship win. Mira is back to redeem herself with her dad (the team principal) and get past some demons from an experience as a teenager. Mira's storyline was heartbreaking, and it was something that unfortunately could easily happen in real life. I wanted to hug her and tell her it wasn't her fault at several points of this book. The 3rd act hurt my heart, but things came together nicely at the end. I appreciated so much that the conflict wasn't about Will being an "F1 party boy" because I see that a lot. I'd read more in this world if Amanda wrote it!
Thanks to NetGalley for an eARC of this book for an honest review.
I have been on a bit of an F1 kick lately and I dont even particularly like the sport. But something about the books just hits the spot. This one was no exception! Just enough writing about the sport to satisfy those who do follow the sport but not too much for those who may not. I stayed up past my bedtime just to read more on multiple occasions.
Hes an F1 driver.
Her dad is the head of his team.
"Forbidden" love & sneaking around.
Some spice.
The format of the file on a Kindle was very wonky and almost made me stop reading it, but it became less so further into the book. Definitely something to fix before releasing.
Overall I really liked this one! I’ve never read a Formula 1 or racing romance and this one was great!
The only thing I will say is that I wish we got a little bit more in some scenes. Like the chapter would end, and I was dying to know what happened and then the next chapter was at a new city in a new country and then we got filled in on kind of what happened at the last city, if that makes sense. It was an adjustment but I got use to it.
Overall really enjoyed it though and would definitely read more from this author
This is the first book I've read by Amanda Weaver. It was a great read. I enjoyed the storyline and characters. My heart went out to both Will and Mira. I'd read another book by this author.
💨 Fast & Reckless by Amanda Weaver 💨
Mira Wentworth has been absent from her father’s F1 team for years following a PR nightmare scenario that left her deeply wounded. She rejoins the team at the same time as racing bad boy Will Hawley. Mira can’t deny that she loves being around Will, but she’ll give anything to not become a distraction off the track.
I’m really loving that more and more Formula 1 books are hitting shelves lately! This was an enjoyable slow burn featuring two opposites that shouldn’t attract but couldn’t deny the pull they felt for each other.
The central conflict in this one bothered me quite a bit. I’m reluctant to spoil it but it’s hard for me to review this book without saying why so ⚠️ don’t proceed if you don’t want a spoiler! Head straight to the question ⚠️
Okay. So the main conflict here revolves around the fact that Mira had a relationship with a driver when she was 16 and he was 30. The book clearly states that it wasn’t illegal (which it wouldn’t have been based on the location it happened being in Europe) but I find it completely appalling. And while most people in the book do state that it was wrong and there was a power imbalance, I feel like the topic wasn’t treated quite as seriously as I would have liked. Mira was a child and carried so much shame for years for something that wasn’t her fault.
⚠️end spoiler. ⚠️
I know it was a book about racing, but I feel like there was sooo much about racing, it was distracting. I liked the characters & the love story.
DNF'd at pg. 30
I just couldn't get into this one. This is marketed as a slow burn but I guess the only "slow" thing about it is when they'll finally have sex. From the moment she laid eyes on him, she was lusting after him (which okay he's hot fine cool whatever) but then when it's his pov, he spends half his chapter lusting after her as well and the other half being annoyingly full of himself. I hate it when a character is lusting after the other but will deny themselves that person within the same breath. The concept was interesting but I just couldn't get with the execution.
I appreciate NetGalley and the publisher for providing me a copy of this book in exchange for a review. All opinions are my own.