I had a great time reading and listening to this book, but I have to start by saying I know absolutely nothing about F1 racing. Since I wasn’t able to pick on the things that didn’t make sense in relation to the actual sport, this was an entertaining read for me.
I liked the later chemistry between the two characters, I enjoyed getting to know them and the way Kian calls Harper on his shit at some point. However, the beginning of their relationship was rough and I was seriously doubting if they would manage to convince me in the end. The “sunshine” part of the “sunshine x grumpy” trope was actually more “annoying and inappropriate little sh*t”, to be honest. I think this was reinforced by the fact that I adored the narrator reading Kian’s chapters, but hated the one reading Harper’s. He made Harper so freaking annoying and the way he did other characters’ voices was terrible.
There were also a lot of clichés and the fact that homophobia doesn’t really seem to exist in this world was both refreshing at times but too unrealistic given the fact that the rest of the story tries to stay true to the real world.
I was a bit disappointed that so many plot points were left unanswered, though. I’m not sure of this is a way to prepare us for a sequel, but the ending made me feel like Harper and Kian’s story was over.
These elements are the reason I won’t go over 3 stars even though it still was a good time.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️🌶️🌶️

I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley and Harper360 after I was seeing so much buzz about it and the buzz wasn't wrong! I'm always hesitant to enter the world of fictional Formula 1 since that sports feels so tightknit and small. But this book was such a great addition to the genre. Kian and Harper were so perfect for each other and the spicy scenes were so well written and the book had so much heart with Kian and his family. I loved every minute of it and truly couldn't put this book down!

A cute, queer romance for F1 fans! I was expecting this to be some what of a Max Verstappen fanfic but I was pleasantly surprised by both characters.

Thanks to NetGalley for a e-book ARC in return for a review!

So I've been reading a lot of F1 romance lately trying to find one that's the perfect balance of somewhat accurate F1 stuff <i>and</i> a good romance. This one isn't it, but it's still a lot of fun.

It actually doesn't mention F1 directly at all, which baffled me a little bit - Haas, McLaren, Ferrari, and Fernando Alonso are mentioned, but the sport is just called "motor sport" every time. Anyway - I think this one would do better with someone who is NOT so much into F1 as I am - not trying to one-up anyone in the F1 fanbase, but there are just a bunch of things that don't check out with F1 actual. And that's ok! Because this is a book about two drivers banging and falling in love, and that's what it does.

Side note: this is the second F1 romance I've read this year with <spoiler>main character's parent's death</spoiler> and I get that that's a thing that happened but I literally read them back to back. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher/author for this e(nonadvance)RC.

4.5 stars rounded up to 5 stars!!
This book had me laughing, crying, and then laughing again in the span of 4 minutes. Kian and Harper butt heads so often but once the walls come down and they realize they can be real with each other, they start to become so much more than teammates. Playing nice becomes actually friends to lovers and it’s such a good slow burn. There were times throughout where I just wanted to give both characters big hugs because they seemed like they could use one. They were well developed, as was the story and timing of the plot. Overall this was a fantastic book!!

This book was just meh. Not great but not bad either.

Kian Walker, a four-time motorsport champion, is determined to escape the shadow of his unreliable father’s legacy. His new teammate, Harper James, is a brash rookie known for breaking records and hearts. Despite their clashing personalities, Kian finds the biggest risk isn’t on the track—it’s his unexpected feelings for Harper.

There were a few things I didn’t enjoy about this book. Kian and Harper’s transition from enemies to lovers felt rushed, with no solid reason for Kian’s initial dislike of Harper other than finding him mildly annoying. The shift to romantic feelings happens abruptly, sparked by Kian seeing Harper dance with someone else, which felt unconvincing.

While the story wasn’t terrible, it lacked originality and wasn’t particularly memorable. Even the smut fell flat for me. I don’t regret reading it, but it’s not something I’d recommend.

Thank you to Netgalley and Harper 360 for providing this e-ARC. This is my honest review

Thank you NetGalley and Harper360 for the e-ARC of Pole Position by Rebecca J. Caffery.

Pole Position is an F1 M/M enemies-to-lovers sports romance featuring Kian, an experienced and seasoned F1 champion, and Harper, a cocky rookie eager to prove himself. The two start off on the wrong foot, but can’t deny their attraction to each other. While their chemistry is undeniable, I felt their transition from enemies to lovers happened too quickly, without the slow burn I was expecting.

The secondary characters were a highlight, each adding depth to the story. I also appreciated the inclusion of F1 terminology and race action, though as a very casual F1 viewer, I can’t speak to the accuracy. Still, it was engaging enough to spark my interest in the sport.

Trigger warnings include absent parents, alcoholism, abandonment, and the death of a parent.

As a religious F1 race watcher, I was excited about the prospect of a teammate romance. I enjoyed the banter, the interactions, the exploration of competitors on different teams, and the friendships that can be broken during that separation. I wish more time was spent around the races or garages, but I really enjoyed the enemies to lovers!

I absolutely adored Kian and Harper’s relationship, even though there were moments when I wanted to snatch Harper by the shoulders and shake some sense into him. Honestly, half the time, I was ready to jump into the pages, grab a chair, and smash it right over his thick skull. Don’t get me wrong—he’s painfully realistic, especially for someone like me who knows all too well what it means to be a commitment-phobe with abandonment issues (solidarity high five). But lord, Harper could be such an insufferable jerk. Kian? That man had the patience of a saint, and quite frankly, he deserved a partner who could match that energy.

And while I really liked Harper’s character arc, my biggest gripe? The lack of a good grovel. Come on! After all the emotional chaos he put Kian through, I needed a proper grovel moment—a real, soul-wrenching apology with tears, flowers, and maybe a public declaration of love. Where’s the drama in romance without a little over-the-top redemption? Still, Kian? Absolute perfection. The way he carried all that anxiety, guilt, and fear so tightly wound made him feel like the most relatable character. Watching him find a love that both grounded him and allowed him to breathe was the true joy of this story.

Surprisingly, I didn’t mind the push-and-pull dynamic or the miscommunication between them. Normally, that trope would irritate me to no end, but here, I was eating up every ounce of the drama. “Pole Position” struck an impressive balance between delivering messy, chaotic romance and tackling heavier, emotional themes that really resonated. There were chapters where I was just wrecked, crying through the pain of it all, but I wouldn’t have it any other way.

Still, my critique lies in how Harper’s growth felt a bit rushed, and some parts of their conflict were wrapped up a little too neatly for my taste. For a story this emotionally raw, I wanted more time to sit with the resolution. Despite that, it was a wild ride of a book, and if you’re ready for emotional highs, lows, and everything in between, it’s well worth the read.

The MM twist on a Formula One romance was a refreshing take, and in some ways, it felt more authentic to the sport. However, the actual F1 elements were glossed over, leaving the setting feeling underdeveloped. The enemies-to-lovers dynamic had potential, but the "enemies" aspect wasn’t fully explained, making the tension feel forced. While the characters were charming, they lacked depth, and the rushed pacing left the story arc feeling a bit underdeveloped. Overall, it’s a cute read, but I couldn’t help wishing for more detail and emotion to bring both the romance and the racing world to life.

I’ve read quite a few F1 romances, but this was my first where the main couple was gay, and I really enjoyed the relationship between Kian and Harper! That said, there were a couple of things that took me out of the story.

First, the relationship itself felt a little weird at times. I get that there’s an age gap, but their behavior sometimes made them seem more like teenagers than men in their 30s. And honestly, the main conflict between them? It could’ve been resolved in half the book, no question.

Second, as a big F1 fan, the way the sport was portrayed really threw me off. I wish the teams had either been all real or all fictional—not this messy mix of both. And don’t even get me started on calling it “championship racing” instead of F1. It just didn’t sit right with me!

Still, I appreciated the romance overall, even if these things pulled me out of the story now and then.

3.5 ⭐️
F1 romances are my favorite type of sports romance, so I was super excited for this, especially since I have yet to read an MM one. With that being said there were some inaccuracies in regards to the sporting aspects and I didn’t love how there was a mix of real and fake teams/drivers as both of these things kind of took me out of the story. As for the romance aspect of the story, for the most part I enjoyed it. I love a good enemies to lovers, but did feel like the switch was a little rushed in this case. I prefer more tension and a gradual shift. I did enjoy seeing the characters grow and evolve both individually and together though. I think they ended up having a sweet relationship, were well suited, and had a fun dynamic. Overall I had a fun time reading this book and if you’re looking for a cute and easy read, you’ll probably enjoy this.

Thank you to Harper 360 for the ARC of Pole Position in exchange for an honest review!

Kian Walker is a four-time Championship winner and someone who’s dedicated his life to motorsports. The sport, and heavy mantle of his father’s prolific history with the sport, has come at great wins and losses. He’s given up time with his family, and he’s possibly on the cusp of retirement, despite being in his early 30s. Ensuring his last season is an eventful one, his new teammate is the hotshot rookie and bad decision factory, Harper James. Harper is enthusiastic, undisciplined, and a total mess, and now Kian and Harper have to make something of themselves to bring home a victory.

Romantic and deeply character driven, Pole Position is light on the motorsports and heavy on the heart. For the uninitiated (like me), “pole position” refers to the benefit of getting to start a race at the front of the grid, allowing advantage over fellow racers. The euphemism is well placed; despite being a legend in his career, Kian definitely doesn’t have much of a head start in his personal life. While Harper is experienced in men, he’s not very experienced in love, so the real question is: does starting behind mean it’s ever too late to catch up? The writing and dialogue are a delight, and the end is deeply affecting. It’s enemies-to-lovers. It’s kicked-puppy-to-happy-puppy. It’s slow negotiation of needs and wants and FEELINGS.

And while there are many victories here, the biggest is how much this one won my heart. Get on top of that podium.

It took my a little bit to get into the book, but when I did I felt like I couldn't put my kindle down. I loved the age gap between Kian and Harper. I didn't think I liked rivals to lovers, but I loved the realtionship between Kian and Harper. The way that Harper was able to get under Kian's skin at every turn was so funny to me. And they way that Kian slowly started to care for Kian was beautiful. The banter between the two of them, even when they were together, made me laugh so hard. They fit together perfectly.

Thank you Harper 360 for an ARC copy of this book! F1 racing romances were some of the first romances I remember picking up so they'll always have a place in my heart.

Getting this off my chest now, Harper James was so obnoxious at the beginning of the book, I almost DNF'd. I'm not sure if it's because Kian and I are similar ages so I felt his annoyance as if it was my own, but Caffery does an excellent job of portraying the feeling of being young and cocky through Harper.

Actual quotes from my notes I took:
"Ready to strangle Harper through the page."
"20% in, I know it's a rivals to lovers book but the reader shouldn't be a rival"
"Young arrogant stupid brash decisions"

All of that to say ---
SPOILER

Harper's growth and vulnerability is a breath of fresh air. I grew to love him by the end of the story and my favorite part about this book is that he's not suddenly over his past trauma by the end but that he's open and working through it in healthy ways.

I also ATE UP the scene and the following angst at 70%. I wouldn't call it true third act break up but it's a really good third act plot meltdown with parts of it having me tear up.

I will say, Kian's issues with his father felt like such a huge plot point especially with Harper being such a big fan of him as well but by the end of everything, it was just quickly brushed over as if it was an after thought which cheapened the plot a bit for me.

I also loved the portrayal of each character having healthy male best friend relationships. And the teasing of something going on in Johannes' life through out the whole book has me begging for a book two and hoping it's about Johannes!

4.5 stars.

Thank you NetGalley and Harper 260 for this ARC. I have a guilty pleasure for sports romances and was excited to see this available. This was a really cute story and while I enjoyed it I wish I felt more of a connection/attraction between the two main characters. I was mainly annoyed with the both of them and didn't find the lead up to their getting together all that satisfying. Would still recommend if you like motorsports and romance! I will definitely keep an eye out for future Rebecca J. Caffery books in the future.

Imagine if you took the characters Roy Kent and Jamie Tartt, changed their names, made them gay and/or bi, and made them F1 drivers. That is essentially Pole Position. The banter is on point and the spice is HOT.

The relationships were fantastic, especially between Kian and his family, and Harper and his bestie.

There is a miscommunication trope but it can be seen as more of a self-sabotage and it worked in the story.

Thank you to Net Galley and Harper 360 for the eARC! All opinions are my own.

Overall, I liked this book. Parts of it felt unfinished and forgotten, but the pace was good and once I got over the initial hump, it was a fun read as an F1 fan. I’m glad I got through the slow portions, but I’m a little let down by a few plot points that I feel were tied up roughly because they were forgotten about.

It felt authentic to current F1 without having to worry about being dated too quickly, but some parts felt a little forced.

Overall I enjoyed the character growth and it was a quick read!

i was so so excited to read this but it ended up falling so flat. no one is more disappointed than me.

the romance itself was cute enough. i enjoyed the banter between kian and harper, and thought they were at least semi-healthy for most of the story. emphasis on SEMI because the miscommunication towards the end of the book was ridiculous. and because i wasn't really connected to either of the characters, the second the miscommunication started i was taken out of the story and literally was counting down pages until the book was over.

outside of that the sports aspect of this just didn't seem to make much sense? i'm not the biggest f1 girlie but i have watched some and even i could tell that some things were just off. harper was randomly promoted, had absolutely zero regard for his image, and didn't once get talked to about it? the way kian was treated by his bosses or whoever also just didn't really sit right with me. i understand that this is fiction but if you're gonna use a real-life sport then it should at least be somewhat realistic.

so yeah. unfortunately this was a let down for me. i can kinda see the appeal, especially if you're just getting into romance or reading in general or anything, because it was a really quick and easy read, but if you're looking for something that you'll actually get fully into and fall in love with then this is probably not it.

This book reads like a bully romance. If the roles were reversed, if Harper were the older man, or if Kian were a woman … this would read like a red flag race. Harper pushes his way into Kian’s personal space constantly, can’t seem to go five minutes without having to make someone pay attention to him. He constantly makes comments on Kian’s body even when it’s clear Kian wants little to nothing to do with him. Harper tries to take over the first interview, answering for Kian with all the self awareness of a toddler before he starts bashing Kian’s friend, the man Harper is replacing, a man who broke his leg.

This is all less than 40 pages into the book and I already know I don’t like Harper as a character, let alone as a person, and have no interest in reading a book where he is one of the romantic leads. This isn’t helped when, rather than raise Harper up, the book instead pushes Kian down to Harper’s level. The author’s hand is heavy as they manipulate the characters, making them feel more like plastic toys made to kiss rather than people coming together.

I know nothing about racing as a sport or a business so I can’t talk about how well researched, or how well handled those scenes were or were not. What I will do is review this based on the romance, the plot, the world building and the characters. l found the romance to be tepid and expected; the plot was fine, but the worldbuilding wasn’t there. I feel like I know even less about how racing works than I did before ever picking this book up. Other than having cars and going fast, there’s no effort to make the world or the people come to life.

The characters are flat and hollow with no reason for hooking other than “he’s hot” and “he’s in the same room. I’m sorry, but I had no fun with this book. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.