If you want to learn about F1 this book might be a good entry. I thought the pacing was a bit slow but it could have been intial because of the grief subplot.

Overdrive by Esha Patel

I received an advance review copy for free thanks to NetGalley and Avon and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Blurb

Racing starts. Rapid hearts. Revved engines.

Shantal knows one thing in life: that success means everything. So when she gets the call to move from London to Brazil, to test out her racing simulator on high performance Formula One racing drivers, she leaves her life behind, and goes. Because she’ll do anything to succeed.

Darien knows one thing in life: passion is everything. It’s his passion for driving that has led him to the heights of motorsport, a coveted seat as a Formula One driver. When his team insists he moves to Brazil to trial a new racing simulator and racetrack, he goes. Because the one thing he is more passionate about than cars, is Brazil, his home.

When Shantal and Darien meet, sparks aren’t just flying from the gearbox. Darien knows from the moment he meets Shantal that she sends his heart into overdrive, and Shantal can’t keep her eyes off of the gorgeous driver. But in the high stakes world of Formula One, there’s no room for error, and there’s definitely no room for romance on the racetrack…

My Opinion

Overdrive is a slow-burn romance. In places this was an emotional read. An interesting F1 sports romance.

Rating 4/5

Absolutely loved Off Track and was excited to get into this one... Sadly the rhythm of Overdrive just didn't vibe with me. Not by any means a bad read but just not one for me.
However I did enjoy the F1 aspect and loved the detail that Esha Patel went into when describing it.

So this book had me thinking about a DNF until I hit about 20% in and began to slowly fall in love with the characters.

I definitely think that the pace could have been a bit quicker but overall the storyline was lovely.

This was my first time reading an F1 or motorsport romance and I fear that no others will live up to my enjoyment of this. Darien and Shantal were both so likeable, and well-thought out - having read sports romances before where people don't exist outside of their sport it was such a great experience reading about their lives both before the book begins and during it.

It was also so interesting to read about the behind the scenes of F1, it's clear the author loves the sport and has done a lot of research into the wider world of F1 to be able to write a romance that focuses so heavily on sport while being such an enjoyable read.

Unfortunately this one fell a bit flat for me! I just really struggled to get into it as the characters didn’t really draw me in and I struggled to relate to them, it might just have been a me at the moment thing!

I liked the actual plot but just couldn’t get myself to root for the MC’s!

I absolutely loved off track and was so excited for this one! Unfortunately I just couldn’t get into it. I wasn’t a fan of the main characters and couldn’t get attached to them. I did really enjoy the f1 aspect fascinating and loved the detail that Patel went into when describing it.

I wasn't a fan of Offtrack however was excited to give Overdrive a shot!

Like the first book, the F1 side of things really isn't the issue for me - other than on a few occasions there is a load of technical info that seems to be slightly misplaced or added in to fill a gap. Patel's writing is really a tell you and show you and I'm just not sure if that style is for me.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️☆ (4/5)
Fast-paced and cinematic, Overdrive is a YA thriller that doesn’t let up. Esha Patel creates high-stakes tension alongside authentic teen voices and just the right dose of romance. Great for readers who want action, edge, and heart in equal measure.

This was a very okay book. Nothing really stood out. It’s pretty forgettable but easy to read in an afternoon or at the beach.

Overdrive was a decent read! It wasn't as great as the first one was, but it was an interesting read that kept me entertained.

I will always and forever be an F1 girlie, so I had to jump on this ARC without hesitation. This book focus on grief, and how you can overcome it. Its very raw and real, and the characters are just incredible!

A whirl around a formula 1 season watching the relationship between Darrien and Shantea progress. They both have had a hard upbringing and experienced loss and this slowly allows them to bond and to get closer. The book gives the action of being around the race track and the different races of a season, it also looks into injury and family choices which impact on both Darrien, Shantal and their relationship. This is a solid read but seemed to plod a bit for me.

Overdrive is an incredible sequel to Patel’s first book, the characters and storyline are so relatable and I love the exploration of culture through her characters.

Shantal is driven by ambition, willing to leave her life in London for a career-defining opportunity in Brazil, testing out a racing simulator for Formula One drivers. Darien, a passionate and skilled F1 driver, returns to his home country for the same purpose, but neither is prepared for the fiery chemistry that ignites between them. Their connection is undeniable, but in the high-stakes world of motorsport, love takes a backseat to career aspirations, leading to a rollercoaster of passion and tension.
The novel blends thrilling racing elements with a compelling romance, highlighting both Shantal's determination to succeed and Darien's love for the sport and his roots. Their chemistry is palpable, yet their professional worlds keep them at a crossroads, creating plenty of emotional and dramatic tension. If you’re looking for a romance filled with sparks, this book delivers an unforgettable, adrenaline-pumping ride.
I received a complimentary copy from NetGalley and am voluntarily leaving my review.

Thank you to Netgalley and the Publishing Company for this Advanced Readers Copy of Overdrive by Esha Patel!

Esha Patel you gave us F1 and STEM girl gold with this story, thank you!!!! the sparks between Shantal and Darien the main characters is everything, Together they are sparks fly and fire, but also who they are as individuals is amazing and passionate about what they do. I love a book where the couples are rooting for each other since day one. I love how they found each other when they needed too, but I also loved how they created space for each other issues so deal and grow from. I loved ever part of this book and it gave me so much of what I loved from book 1 in the series. F1 romances are truly becoming a favorite in sport romance world!

There are concepts in this that I really enjoy: action, sports, women being badasses. This is my first F1 romance, and while I typically adore sports romances, I don't think a book that features this sport so heavily is for me. I think the setup is good; I just personally don't always get on with rivals to lovers.

Absolutely loved ready this book, perfect F1 romance. The characters were so fun and I loved reading their story. I adored the first book in the series, so I couldn’t wait to read this one. Definitely recommend! Can’t wait to read more by Esha Patel!

A really good F1 romance! Thank you for my e-arc!

This surprised me because I normally don’t get on with F1 romances as they bug me when it comes to the sport!