Amazing book! Really well written and the plot was so good! I usually don’t like slow burn but this slow burn was really well done. I thoughtfully enjoyed it

If you are looking for a slow burn with deeper emotions, this is perfect.

The romance was lovely, not to spicy and slow burn. It felt real, with each other’s lives affecting their relationship and their future. I really enjoyed the end and felt all warm after finishing the Epilogue.

The representation was also really well done, from having the MMC be a Rio local and able to share his culture with the FMC. As well as the FMC’s culture. The representation of grief was wonderful. I think being able to show different sides of grief with two characters, from recent to long-term.

I think the formula 1 aspects were maybe not that realistic, especially with the sims work. As well as the timing, I don’t personally think it’s realistic how well the MMC performed (you can’t just come back after a few weeks of being in a bad accident (completely broken arm) and then win the championship). I don’t think this took away to much from the enjoyment.

I felt the pacing was slightly off, I’m not sure why, I think maybe it’s because of the slow burn (new for me) but I still was able to enjoying the journey. The writing style showed both POVs, which was nice, as we were following each life. I had a hard time feeling the uniqueness of both voices without the dialogue.

[ARC Netgally - Avon Books UK - Nov 21 2024]

I enjoyed the book as it had many elements that had improved since the previous book, Offtrack, but unfortunately as a romance book the book was lacking actual romance. The main problem with Offtrack was the couple not having chemistry, and unfortunately that is still the issue in Overdrive. The way the couple’s relationship progressed was one second they were good friends and then the next they were a couple. The chemistry was just not there for a romantic couple and they were somewhat clunkly brought together which was kinda awkward. Though I did actually like the characters separately, I found that their development and actions were pretty compelling which is why I actually enjoyed the book.

I mean, points awarded for significant improvement in terminology use (since the previous book), but...there are legitimate issues with the premise. Basically I'm saying that isn't how sims work in real life. Hell, that isn't even how sims work in Mario Kart.

Firstly, thank you so much for letting me read Overdrive early.
We're back in the world of F1.
Darien had a bad time with his last team, this year he's with a new team who belive in him. To make things even better the team moves to his home town where his love of driving first began. Where he happends to meet shantal, who pushes him further than he ever thought he could.

Such a beautiful written story, of putting your happiness and love first

This book strikes a great balance between a fun, cute romance whilst also incorporating big life themes such as grief.

Shantal and Darien have a great connection that makes for a lovely read and the other characters such as Miguel and Anjali really add to the story.

Thank you to Netgalley and Avon Books UK for providing me with an eARC of Overdrive.

*thank you to netgalley and the publisher for an early copy of this book in exchange for an honest review*

This was great.loved it as much as I loved the first one . Perfect for F1 fans .I read it in one sitting. finding this author to be a new fave of mine. not even a big fan of friends to lovers trope but once again Esha Patel delivered. I would definitely recommend to give this author a go!

I really enjoyed this story and I thought that it had a good storyline.

I really liked that this was a motor racing story which makes it a little different from the books currently in this genre.

It has twists and turns, obligations, it is romantic and sexy and a very good story overall too.

I really liked getting to know the characters as I followed their stories.

It is 4 stars from me for this one - highly recommended!

This book races straight into your heart with its high-octane blend of ambition and romance. I love how the author deftly navigates the high-stakes world of Formula One, capturing both the adrenaline of the sport and the tender, forbidden romance that blooms amidst the chaos. It’s a thrilling, heartfelt journey that keeps you revved up from start to finish.

This was such a great book! Especially if you love the world of racing. Darien and Shantel had such amazing chemistry and the book was so fast paced and fun! I enjoyed every minute

There was something truly captivating about this book that made it impossible to put down! 😍

The story follows Darien, an F1 driver with everything at stake in the upcoming season, and Shantal, who works for a company that leverages data analysis and cutting-edge technology to enhance the team's performance. With close proximity, the pressure of working together, and the relentless demands of the F1 season— they were bound to be together 🙌

I absolutely adored the friends-to-lovers arc that developed throughout this book. The slow-burn romance was well crafted, with the two characters navigating their personal grief and supporting each other through their struggles. The rich portrayal of their cultural backgrounds and how the author seamlessly wove these into the narrative added a layer of depth and vividness to the storytelling that i absolutely loved 🥰

Putting aside my bias from being a massive F1 fan, I loved reading this book and I recommend it! Thank you to Netgalley and Avon Books UK for providing me with an ARC🫶🏻

I was so excited to read this as a Romance lover and avid F1 fan! I love love loved the cultural representation in this book! It was really woven through the book beautifully and done in a respectful and (sometimes) brutally honest way. We really don’t have enough diversity in romance writing, and it was really refreshing.

However for me, although I think this book had so much potential, it didn’t feel “finished”, in the sense that it read a little like a second or third draft and not the final product. The writing felt clunky and monotonous, the characters lacked that charisma and chemistry that a romance novel needs, and I felt that it needed fleshing out, in the sense that it needed more world building and it wasn’t very descriptive in general about characters or events.

The F1 element was done well but a little reductive, and I can tell the author is a fan or very good at research but it wasn’t necessarily realistic, and as a female formula 1 fan, often mocked by team bosses for “only watching for the men” and incessantly told by male fans that we don’t know what we’re talking about, I’d like to have seen a little more realism, or a little more struggle between being a woman working in Formula 1 and juggling that with a budding romance with a Driver. I know it’s fiction, but it’s a sad reality that we don’t have female F1 drivers, and there’s still huge sexism and misogyny at play in the sport. And as the book is aimed at F1 fans. I think it’s important to not glaze over these issues :)

I really enjoyed this one, much better than the first one. I’m excited to read the rest of the series!

4.5🌟
In my era of F1 sports romances at the moment hehe. I don't know what it was about this one but I really enjoyed it and whizzed through it in a day. I wouldn't necessarily say it's grumpy x sunshine as such, but there's more of a dislike to love vibe going on between the 2 of them.

Darien is an F1 driver, with a lot riding on his driving this upcoming season. Shantal works for a company that uses data analysis and brand new tech to improve their performance. Close proximity, having to work together and dealing with the stresses of the f1 season - what could possibly go wrong?

Add in the fact that this book has a really strong narrative in relation to grief, for both characters. 1 with some more recent grief and 1 from a long time ago, but it showcases how grief has a profound impact and how it can be different for each and every person but also how time can change some things.

Their romance was just the right level of slow burn and cute for me, and it didn't feel too smutty at all, which some other books have gone overboard with at times!

Overall, I enjoyed reading it a lot and thank you to Netgalley and Avon Books UK for providing me with an eARC.

Overdrive is serving the flare of Brazil in Fast Five, an explosion culture, and of course all the hallmarks of Formula One realness.

I will always say this: REPRESENTATION IN ROMANCE MATTERS. The audience of the publishing world is so vast. However, when an author takes the time to step back, listen, and say “Yes, I see you and this book is for you”. I salute them and stick with them. Esha puts in the research and WORK. This isn’t superfluous, it’s an author with a commitment of doing everything at level 100.

Yes, I love the analysis of Formula One and in this novel especially the technology of a simulator. But lemme tell you: CHAPTER 28. Essays can be written about it. A moment of sincerity, it’s the quiet intimate moments that I appreciate as a reader. Shantal and Darien visit a mandir. The scene is all about taking the time to wish for someone’s wellbeing. It’s selfless, accepting, and just overall a golden moment.

Darien and Shantal are ambitious, healing, and are dealing with PTSD from two heartbreaking experiences. Overdrive explores that fully. The romance for me is a slow burn and when it gets started, whew celebrate.

Esha Patel girlie you’ve got me as a reader for life and I’m ready for more!

Thank you so much Avon Books UK for providing an ARC!

I really enjoyed this novel. It was easy to follow and had a good cast of characters. I love all the sports romance novels that are around at the moment. Overall a good novel that I would recommend to other readers.
❤️ Thank you to netgalley, Avon books and the author for my copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

As an F1 fan, it's always fun reading a racing romance, plus grumpy x sunshine!
Overall it would have been nice to have a bit more technicality about F1 (but this may just be personal taste), but overall I found this a perfect racy summer read!