Slow burn f1 romance which pays off if you know about f1 to start with. As a massive f1 fan I was able to navigate the start of this book well. However if you are new to f1 it would be very confusing for a long portion of the book. Overall it is a nice romance and I enjoyed the book.

"But it's always gonna be your right to love, as much as it is anyone else's"

Everything about this book is just so good.

Overdrive by Esha Patel is a dual POV romance that focuses on Darien and Shantal. There is one thing that Darien is sure about in life, and that is racing is his life. It's his reason for living and breathing. The one thing that he loves more than racing? Brazil, his home. When he's given the opportunity to test out a new racing sim and track there, he knows failure is not an option. Enter Shantal, she knows that success is everything, and having her racing sim being in a new training facility in Brazil is something she knows has to go right. Leaving her life behind in London is the only option. When they meet, Shantal is guarded, and Darien want to do anything to bring those walls down, but is he ready to discover why Shantal guards her heart so closely? And more importantly, can he let it get in the way of winning the World Drivers Championship?

I want tot start this by saying that this may be the most highlighted book I've ever had on my kindle. I loved Offtrack, but wow, this book is something else.

Shantal is simply one of my favourite female characters. There's such strength in her grief and the decision to leave her life behind to travel into the unknown whilst she's struggling with that grief is something that I could only dream of doing. Having her have such a big heart, but keeping it very guarded is so interesting, because you really get to see when she lets her guard down the kind of person she is. I loved seeing her through Darien's eyes, because it feels like he saw her differently than the way she saw herself. I love the gradual change in her from feeling as though she is undeserving of the chance to go to Brazil, to being there and only caring about getting the job done, and then to caring for the job, the sport and the people. It was so gradual that I didn't fully understand it until she was back with her family, and honestly it was so interesting and fun to read. Her grief felt so raw, and it was somehting that felt so personal and so relatable at the same time, the complicated feelings that come with grief being explained in a way that had tears in my eyes just made me feel so represented and seen. My only issue with Shantal is the football team she supports, (as a Tottenham Hotspurs fan), just daggers to my chest.

Darien though. I love the way he's able to be cheeky and immature, whilst still understanding the weight of the position he holds as a Formula 1 driver. It's one of those things you don't really think about until something big happens on the track, but its a sport where the drivers have to be hyper aware and locked in, and personally I loved the difference between Darien on the track and Darien off the track. It really highlighted the dangers of Formula 1 to me. Him being so gone for Shantal as well had me absolutely melting. Even before anything happened between them, him being so persistent with her being appreciated and getting her flowers was just the sweetest thing.

I loved that it really was a slow burn book. Shantal being able to recognise her guard coming down then knowing she isn't ready and putting it back up again is so relatable, and I found it interesting that it was never a case of oh we've shared this moment know everything has changed and they both had to work to get to the stage where they were bale to let their guards down and let the other in. Him being very, 'I'm pulling out all the stops in prayer that she'll say yes.' and her being 'What would it feel like to be touched by such strong, beautiful hands' was just such a interesting dynamic to see them fall so slowly and then be so for each other that it made me feel giddy.

One thing I couldn't get over in this book was how dreamy the writing was. The descriptions of Brazil and the way they were feeling about each other was just so enchanting. It made it so much more immersive and it just made the whole experience of reading more enjoyable. I kept getting caught up in the descriptions, and whilst sometimes I'm not a fan of pages of description, in this I would have loved more, I genuinely can't describe how perfect it was, but it really made me want to visit Brazil and see it through this perspective. The care in writing about Shantal's culture as well was something that was so fascinating to me. To see the dynamic between her family and when she brings Darien to the temple with her, and the description of it was simply beautiful.

The high stakes aspects in this book as well, were done so well that there times where I could forget what was on the line, then when reminded made all the races more interesting to read. I loved the balance between the racing and the time between races, just everything about it. I could continue gushing about this book, but everything about it was a firm favourite to me. Such an easy 5 stars for me.

ARC provided by Avon Books UK through NetGalley, thank you for the opportunity to read this early copy, all thoughts are my own.

I want to start by saying thank you so much for allowing me to read this as an arc!! Omg, Esha you have me hooked!! You can just tell how much time and effort the author put into this book! As a massive Formula 1 fan, I adored this and how deeply the emotions and feelings Darien and Shantel had for eachother and how amazingly the sport was described!

It was obvious from the start that they were meant to be together with Dariens new season is just around the corner and Shantel working the technology side of things, the suspense is SUSPENSING!! The close proximity and the pressure of the upcoming season, it made the friends to lovers!

I normally can’t stand slow burns but I could NOT put this book down, I loved the characters, their personalities, how they bonded and how their heartbreaking background drew them closer and they found their other half♥️

I want to say a massive thank you for this arc again, Net Galley!

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.

A cute romance story with a few too many racing situations so the beginning felt a bit muddled for me. Was able to get into it. I like the front cover and the title.

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!