I honestly do not know how I waited this long to read this book. It is IMPECCABLE. No notes. I loved it with all my heart.

The way Esha is able to develop characters with such depth and feelings is hands down, incredible. Miguel and Diana are formidable opponents that race very similarly. They are dedicated to their craft and training but are also respectful of one another. They know and understand how to balance being competitors while also having feelings for one another. Miguel never wavers in his belief of Diana even when she's injured or when she's doing what she believes is right. He knows she has what it takes to be a career F1 driver and thinks she should be treated like it. Diana gives pieces of herself away to Miguel (and many others) by always looking out for the team and the big picture. I really enjoyed seeing her character development when she became more confident in her abilities because of the bolstering by Miguel. His confidence in her solidified her confidence in herself which allowed her to come out on top.

The writing is fantastic, the plot is well-paced, and the characters are incredibly developed. This book is an easy 4.75, rounded up to 5 stars for me. I cannot wait to read Overdrive next!!

Formula One Romance in this slow burn rivals-to-lovers between a legacy driver and F1's first woman driver. Diana Zahrani is Formula One's first female driver this century and she's out to prove she's more than just a pretty face but a serious contender. Miguel de la Fuente is the World Championship favorite and is desperate to get his first world championship and he definitely doesn't need a rookie, let alone a woman get in his way. Yet as Miguel and Diana spend more time together sparks begin to fly both on the track and off. Can two competing drivers make a romance work when they both want to win? As a huge F1 fan I can never resist an F1 romance book, and this one deals with a lot of pretty relevant issues in the industry when it comes to the representation of women in it. However this one also had a lot of issues for me, from pacing, lack of romantic chemistry, to just being a book that could hook me in. While I definitely see the author's love of F1 in this book I was actually failing to see an actual romance in this book. I just never found myself all that invested in the romance and couldn't feel the chemistry between these two characters who had so much promise. The premise sounded absolutely delicious but the execution was lackluster unfortunately. This one just felt like a miss when it could have been my next favorite book. While this one was a miss for me I definitely do still think fans of motorsports and F1 should give this one a go!

Release Date: September 24,2024

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

*Thanks Netgalley and Harper 360 | Avon for sending me an arc in exchange for an honest review*

This gave great insight to F1, how that works, the vibes of the guys that are the typical racers, and things along that line. What this did not give was a real romantic connection, as that felt very shallow and we actually skipped over those conversations that would have invested us in the relationship.

At times, this was hard to get through (Nic being a…something that rhymes with Nic; missing backstory on Jatziry), but other parts of this were relatively insightful and interesting (namely anything connected to Diana and her racing and how she got involved in racing).

If you like F1, this is probably for you! Thank you so much to Edgar Patel and NetGalley for a chance to read this in exchange for an honest review.

Overall, I think this book was good. The characters were well written and I loved the tension. As a Formula One fan, I love seeing female representation in this story even if we don’t get that yet in the actual sport.

This story definitely felt a bit like a fan fiction to me though as the story continued on. I’m not sure if it started out that way prior to being published but the initial delivery of the character development felt a little juvenile. I was able to move past that and continue reading which I am glad that I did because the story definitely gets better.

Diana Zahrani makes history as the first F1 full time driver - and Offtrack takes you through her first season ups and downs. A great book for romcom and sports fans (especially during the racing drought periods, like we're going into in Sept-Oct 2024 for a few weeks); it's a great read for racing fans and those wanting to learn more. It doesn't shy away from cultural, gender and professional realities.

The destinations of the races are a great backdrop as you see dynamics between Diana, Miguel, and many others on the racing track.

Thank you to Netgalley, Harper 360, and Avon for an ARC.

Overall: 3/5
Spice: 2/5

Thank you to NetGalley and Harper360/Avon for this book!

I am a huge F1 fan, so really loved the F1 elements of the story - it felt quite accurate and realistic, which I really appreciate. It was really interesting to imagine what it would be like to have a woman racing in F1 and all the challenges that she would likely encounter. (I'm sad that we're still having to imagine what it would be like, rather than know what it would be like, but...that's my complaint with F1, not the book!)

I enjoyed the characters and felt that they had space to develop in their own ways, but I felt like I didn't really see much chemistry between them until way later in the book than I expected. I think that the sneaking around could've been introduced about 20% earlier in the book to heat the book up a little. The book really felt like a story about Formula One with a dash of romance. When the romance arrived, I felt like the story was finally going somewhere beyond F1 alone, but then...the book ended!

Overall, I would definitely recommend this book if you're an F1 person or if you're wanting to stretch your wings in sports romance.

#offtrack #netgalley

Offtrack was a fun and fast paced F1 romance between hotshot Miguel and rookie Diana. It was well written with likable characters and solid pacing. It was decently accurate for a sports romance, with some parts slightly less believable (unless she's the next Lewis Hamilton ofc) but overall you could tell the author is an actual fan of the sport rather than "researching" some and writing about it.

I really liked Diana and Miguel as main characters but my one problem with them is that I felt like we saw so little of them as a couple? The majority of the story focused on the build up to them being together and falling in love from afar but then they were together (for a couple chapters) and broken up until the last few pages. While I don't mind a slower burn, I always hope for a bit more payoff in terms of seeing them together and falling deeper in love.

I also wish we had gotten to see more of the other characters. There are so many people involved in F1 with 10 teams, friendships and rivalries are almost as important as the actual racing (from an entertainment perspective) that I wish we had gotten a little bit more. Every moment of Diana having to fight against her own team and other driver's misogyny is important in the moment you're reading it and then pushed aside so quickly until you're reminded of it again.

Overall, I really liked this one! Again, it was quick and fun sports romance. I'd recommend to anyone a fan of the genre and of the sport.

Thank you to Net Galley and the publisher for the eARC in exchange for a honest review.

This book was just okay.

You could almost split this book into two sections. The first half felt slower and awkwardly plotted. There was an unnecessary fiancé plot line and an attempted relationship between Diana and Nic. There were also a few chapters where Miguel couldn’t remember who Diana was, despite admitting he had a crush on her when he was younger. I can understand not recognizing her at first, but not remembering her after they're introduced was strange. However, once these issues are resolved, the plot becomes more focused.

In the second half, it almost moved too quickly. For example, the characters spend two weeks together, but we only get one fast-forward chapter covering these days. I wish we had seen more of their relationship developing instead of just being told it happened.

The best part of the book was Diana. She's a strong protagonist, aware she's under scrutiny. She understands that even after getting a seat, things won't be smooth sailing. When faced with adversity, she stays calm and races better, proving her critics wrong with her performance. I really enjoyed her overall arc!

I loved the diversity in this book and how it explored bits of the two main characters' backgrounds and cultures. I also assume the F1 sections were well done, but I don’t know much about F1, so I can't really comment on those scenes.

Overall, this book was okay and could have been better. A decent read.

It was a good read but I was left with wanting more during some parts. There were some parts that I needed to reread because it was confusing.

Thank you to NetGalley and Harper 360 for providing the ARC.

I've been on a big F1 kick lately, and I was intrigued by this title. I also love stories were women break into hypermasculine areas and destroy everyone's comfort zone. Both of those aspects were well done and interesting to read about. The romance aspect, however, felt very rushed and incomplete, leaving the reader feeling a bit let down when everything else is so enjoyable.

Not a bad book but any stretch, but it could have benefitted from some more fleshed out characters.

While I was initially a little disappointed that the book wasn't more of a romance I think the power of this book lies in the message about female drivers in F1. Esha Patel's clear knowledge of F1 was a huge strength and allowed for her to offer a beautiful and witty critique of the toxic male culture that is dominant in F1. Her message at the end of the book highlighting some of her inspiration for this had me cheering and screaming "yes queen!" much to the delight of my neighbors!

The period scene had me in an absolute chokehold because men truly don't get it! I work in college athletics and spend 95% of my day surrounded by male athletes so this scene just hit so close to home for me and was written in such a real and humorous way. I also love a good Love Actually moment!

I would have loved to feel more character development as the book felt very plot driven and didn't dive as deep into some of the emotional potential that was there. Overall really liked this book!

I think for now this book quickly made it into the top of my F1 romance books. I thought it was such a great dynamic with brining romance into the f1 world. It wasn't super focused on the glam life of being an f1 driver while at the same time having the romance elements. I was obsessed. I wanted to smack them. I wanted them to confess their love so much.

I am so obsessed with them and I will definitely continue this series.

I got an e-arc of this book on NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Not a fan of this book at all. I'm a big F1 fan and there's only a certain level of belief suspension I'm willing to do. Silly book.

Esha Patel’s Offtrack offers a promising premise—a fierce rivals-to-lovers romance set against the high-octane world of Formula One racing. However, despite its intriguing setup and potential for drama, the execution falls flat, leaving readers with a story that struggles to balance its romance and racing plotlines.

Diana Zahrani, Formula One’s first female driver in decades, is a character with plenty of potential. Her fight to be taken seriously in a hypermasculine sport is compelling, and the novel does touch on the sexism and tokenism she faces as the "pretty face" of the racing world. Diana is determined to prove her worth, and her drive (both literally and figuratively) could have made for a powerful protagonist. Unfortunately, her character development remains surface-level throughout much of the novel, with her internal struggles and motivations feeling underexplored. Readers are told that Diana has worked hard to get where she is, but there’s little depth to her backstory or journey, making it difficult to connect with her on a deeper emotional level.

Miguel de la Fuente, the world championship favorite and Diana’s main rival, starts out as the stereotypical arrogant male lead. His dismissive attitude toward Diana, coupled with his focus on winning, sets the stage for tension between the two. However, much like Diana, Miguel’s character feels one-dimensional. His initial skepticism about Diana as a racer is never fully challenged or developed, and his transformation from disdainful rival to romantic interest happens too abruptly, lacking the slow-burn tension that could have made the enemies-to-lovers dynamic more compelling.

The romance itself, which is supposed to be central to the plot, feels rushed and underwhelming. While sparks fly between Diana and Miguel, their chemistry is more told than shown. The tension between them—whether on the racetrack or off it—never quite reaches the level of intensity needed to sustain a truly engaging rivals-to-lovers storyline. Their interactions are predictable, and the progression from rivalry to romance lacks the emotional payoff that fans of the trope might be hoping for.

Where Offtrack falters most is in its handling of the racing world. While the premise offers a thrilling backdrop of Formula One, the novel barely scratches the surface of the excitement, strategy, and danger that comes with the sport. Racing scenes are few and far between, and when they do appear, they feel rushed and devoid of the adrenaline-fueled tension that should accompany such a high-stakes environment. For readers expecting an immersive experience in the world of motorsports, the book falls short, making the racing aspect feel like little more than a setting for the romance.

The novel also suffers from pacing issues. The rivalry between Diana and Miguel feels too easily resolved, and the romantic storyline lacks the push-and-pull tension that makes rivals-to-lovers romances so captivating. Additionally, some plot points feel underdeveloped, leaving readers wanting more depth and complexity, both in terms of character relationships and the challenges Diana faces as a female driver in a male-dominated sport.

Final Thoughts:
Offtrack has all the ingredients for a great romance—an exciting setting, a strong female lead, and a rivalry that should have sparked intense chemistry. Unfortunately, the execution fails to deliver on the potential. The romance feels rushed, the characters lack depth, and the world of Formula One is not fully utilized. While the novel may appeal to readers looking for a quick, light romance, fans of rivals-to-lovers stories or sports-centered romances may be left wanting more. A 2-star read that doesn’t quite make it to the finish line.

3 stars / 0 spice

TLDR : Parts of the book about F1 racing story was really cool. Had lot of potential but fell short in terms of writing, character and romance plot development.

- Switching between past memory and present gets a bit confusing at several places. Too abrupt.
- Story concept was so cool but felt like I was being told the story and abrupt pace rather than feeling/witnessing it
- Really really cool story about F1 with so much potential to be great but unfortunately fell a bit short with writing style and character and plot development (didn’t feel seamless or natural)

I realized after I read the book, that Author is college student. While I think there’s few more skills and practice needed to really do her ideas justice, I think she has a lot of potential and I can’t wait to see what she comes up with in the future. Rooting for her!

For prospective readers, this was a solid read. It had cool pieces to it, particularly Diana’s story as only female driver in F1. The romance fell very flat. Read it for the thrill of reading an F1 and a female success story in a male dominated world of F1. Don’t recommend reading for the romance.

This book was the perfect blend of romance and F1 intensity! F1 can be such a male dominated sport, so to be able to read a book where women are placed at the front center of the F1 world was amazing! I loved reading about the races! Even if you don't know a whole lot about F1, @ does a great job making it super easy to follow! I thought Diana and Miguel had super great chemistry and I love how they supported each other without losing their competitive edge while racing each other. The book was so fast paced and entertaining the whole way through!

Tropes
-rivals to lovers
-childhood friends to lovers
-forced proximity
-slow burn

I wanted to love this book so very much. Unfortunately, I felt that it fell just a little flat for me. I think my biggest frustration was simply the amount of stuff in this novel with no explanation. It's heavy on the F-1 lingo which I understand is the point, but felt careless throwing those words around like the readers already know everything there is to know about Formula 1 racing. I never got a clear understanding of the cultures of each character or the setting of the novel which just kept jumping around.
All in all, I enjoyed the story line and separately, I felt that the characters were solid. I think this novel just needed to be reworked just a bit to make it more enjoyable for the reader, and less confusing.

I sure do hate to drag books but here I am.
The writing and word choice in this book was odd. The Spanish had many, many errors. The characters were flat. This, overall, was one of the worst books I have read in a long time and I truly feel bad saying that. I am here for Carlos Sainz fanfic but this missed the mark for me, big time.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for this arc ebook in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed are my own.

This book wasn't for me. I'm not a fan of F1 and I feel like that is a prerequisite for this book. The writing also wasn't my favorite.

I really enjoyed reading this book! It was a cute F1 romance and the plot was very well written. The characters were adorable and I loved their storyline. The setting feels like a real place and the characters feel like real people.