really enjoyed this book! I don’t know much about Formula One racing, but I was quickly drawn in by the exciting race descriptions. I even found myself wanting to skip ahead to see where Xander placed. Xander and Mia were great together, though I wish their snarky banter had lasted a bit longer. The supporting characters—Oliver, Freya, and Claudia—added so much to the story. I’d happily read another book by this author!

Not So Fast follows Mia, a Formula-1 fangirl and podcaster known for her quick wit and occasionally brutally honest takes on the drivers. Her podcast is reaching new heights thanks to some especially shall we say, “direct” feedback she aims at driver Xander Bishop. Mia suddenly finds herself invited to races, meeting the athletes and seeing inside the sport she loves. Among those athletes is (you guessed it) Xander Bishop! The subject of her most famous ridicule…. Awkward… But never fear, he’s sexy, tall, broody, British and something is weighing on him on and off the track…. You can see where this is going.

I am the first to admit that I have literally no knowledge of F1 racing. I mean we are talking zero information in the tank to start this book. This book was easy to read and follow even without any background info so that was helpful. When I read the synopsis for this I was so excited for an enemies-to-lovers trope romance. This didn’t quite do that trope justice. I would maybe call it more rivals to lovers if I could even get there. Each chapter starts with a little journal prompt and response from Mia, I thought that was adorable and unique. I had a feeling this would be a super fun read and it definitely was.

Now I like some emotional depth and character growth and development to really feel connected with and invested in the characters and this book didn’t really give me that. It stayed a bit more “surface-level” than I prefer. That said, it was entertaining and kept me interested. If you are looking for a fun, modern romance with a good bit of spice, give this one a read.

Thank you to Afterglow Books by Harlequin for offering this title for review consideration via Netgalley. All opinions are my own.

Such a cute read! I was honestly a little caught off guard by the way the book started and quickly got why it was almost like a haters to lovers situation. I was so entertaining and I think it’s worth the read.

This was second book I read about F1 racing/driver as the MMC. Based on the cover I figured it was just another romance novel. Mia is a reporter/podcaster wanting to follow along a F1 racecar driver. She has loved F1 racing since she was little. Xander F1 driver cant get Mia of his head. He falls in love first. That's so cute. Overall very cute romance story 💗💗

I've been looking for F1 books ever since I read the Dirty Air series by Lauren Asher. Safe to say, there aren't many GOOD books with this setting. So I greedily grabbed this ARC opportunity in hopes that it'd be similar! This book has a lot of tropes I like, dislike to love is a CLASSIC in my opinion. This was a quick and easy read but I wanted more from the characters. I was hoping we would get more complexity and depth from them, and I wanted more from the plot as well. I still wanted more when the book ended. Overall, I liked it but I didn't love it.

This book was such a delightful read! From the very first page, I found myself completely immersed in the story. The writing was so approachable and warm, making it easy to connect with the characters and the plot. I loved how the book felt both inviting and engaging, without ever being too complex or hard to follow. It was just the right mix of comfort and intrigue, and I truly enjoyed every moment of it. It’s a wonderful read that I’d happily recommend to anyone looking for a heartwarming escape!

Not So Fast is a charming romantic comedy centered around Mia Neal, an enthusiastic Formula One podcaster known for her sharp opinions and insights (as a regular fan) into the sport. Mia's explosive take on the handsome British driver, Xander Bishop, garners unexpected attention, leading to a viral moment that thrusts her into the spotlight. When Xander's teammate invites Mia to the Miami Grand Prix, she hopes to gain a deeper understanding of Xander's racing style. Their first meeting did not go as expected, but there was definitely some chemistry! As they navigate their contrasting personalities, Mia's neurodiverse traits and Xander's struggles with his racing career create a suspenseful and fun dynamic. The story balances humor and emotion, exploring themes of self-awareness, mental health, and personal growth, all while keeping readers engrossed in the thrilling world of F1 racing.
Like many of the reviews are stating, I also did not/do not have much experience with the world of Formula 1 racing. So, I enjoyed learning about some of the terminology and realized that the author has to have a pretty good depth of knowledge to write all the details. I love the enemies-to-lovers storyline and the sizzling tension between Mia and Xander. The witty banter and genuine connection between the characters create an engaging reading experience. Mia's journey of self-discovery, coupled with Xander's vulnerability as a professional athlete, adds depth to the story. The book intertwines humor with heartfelt moments, making it a perfect choice for those who enjoy light-hearted yet meaningful narratives. Additionally, the exploration of mental health and family dynamics adds authenticity to the story, allowing readers to connect with the characters on a personal level. With its fast-paced plot and relatable themes, Not So Fast is a must-read for fans of feel-good romances that leave a lasting impression. I’m glad I went out of my reading comfort zone with this book. It was a lot of fun and I could not put it down once I started it.

Mia knows everything there is to know about F1, and she doesn't shy away from giving her hot takes about the drivers on her podcast. Her opinions of hotshot driver Xander go viral, and they end up meeting. Of course, when she thinks she will hate him, they end up having an unexpected connection. I really enjoyed their banter throughout and how genuine both characters were. This was an overall entertaining and easy read. I have really enjoyed learning more about F1 racing in the books I've read because admittedly, I don't actually watch the sport lol.

This book is an F1 romance between a struggling popular F1 driver and a podcaster who talks about F1 on her show. Though this book is around one of my favourite settings I just could not like it because of how the female character was. I could not digest how someone who bullies someone falls in love with them anyways. This is not a case of unlikeable fmc!1 the book was just not for me.

I LOVE F1 romance and this is one of the best I’ve read! You can tell the author is a fan or someone that did their research. At times, I felt like I was watching F1. I could really imagine being a driver and being under a driver. Haha. 5/5 stars.

*Not So Fast* by Karen Booth is a sweet and relatable romance. It’s about two characters who reconnect in an unexpected way, and it’s full of second-chance vibes. The story has a nice balance of humor and emotion, with characters you can easily root for. The pacing is just right, keeping things interesting without feeling rushed. It’s the kind of book that’ll make you smile, especially if you’re a fan of heartfelt, feel-good romances. Definitely worth a read if you enjoy stories about love and growth.

This was a quick and easy read, but I really didn't connect to any of the characters. They just didn't seem to have any depth, which took me out of the story a bit.

Thank you so much NetGalley and Harlequin for this ARC. I’ve always been a fan of race car driving and I thoroughly enjoyed this book so much. I love the banter between both of the characters and how their relationship turns around and sparks fly literally. I would highly recommend this book if you enjoy sports romance, and I will continue to read more from this author! . I liked not only that it was spicy, but I loved how the author put in that Xander the main character would journal!

This was my first book from Karen Booth & I truly enjoyed her writing style!

The banter and dialogue between Xander & Mia was so much fun.

Mia is such a great FMC! She is very self aware and is brilliant. Her mind and the way she approaches life is admirable.

Xander is so loveable and relatable. He makes the pressures that professional athletes face on a daily basis real for readers.

I loved everything about this book and I am so thankful to Karen Booth and NetGalley for letting me read the eARC in exchange for this honest review!

I just finished Not So Fast by Karen Booth, and WOW—this book took me on a wild ride! 🏁 If you love enemies-to-lovers, sizzling chemistry, and the adrenaline of Formula One racing, this one’s for you.

Mia Neal is a dedicated F1 podcaster, and Xander Bishop is the broody British driver trying to keep his career on track (pun intended 😏). Their banter?? Absolutely top-tier. The tension?? Off the charts. And the way their relationship develops had me flipping pages so fast, I think I set a speed record. 😆💨

Karen Booth does an amazing job balancing humor, emotion, and the thrill of racing, making the setting feel so immersive. Mia is strong, ambitious, and doesn’t take nonsense from anyone (especially Xander), while Xander is the perfect mix of cocky and vulnerable—exactly the kind of hero I love.

By the end, I was fully invested in their story, swooning over their romance, and wishing for more. This book has:
🏎 Fast-paced tension & flirty banter
🔥 Off-the-charts chemistry
🎤 A badass heroine who holds her own
💘 A swoon-worthy, broody Brit hero

Final thoughts? If you’re looking for a fun, spicy, and heart-racing romance, Not So Fast is a must-read! ✨💋

i really wanted to love this one because i’m a sucker for f1 romances but it was just forced - 30% into the book and they’re dirty talking over the phone before even having some type of friendship and only talking in person for an hour twice?? and yes i know it’s a romance but atleast make it a bit more realistic with the fact that he’s a worldwide phenomenon and put more emphasis on the f1/xanders points more than just mia’s part of the story.

all opinions and reviews are my own - arc provided by netgalley and publisher for my honest opinion.

This was the first novel that I have read by Karen Booth.

Mia Neal is looking for the career that she is passionate about and finds it when she starts a podcast on Formula One racing called "Not So Fast". Xander Bishop is an up and coming driver that had a ton of success in the league one level down and is struggling to find his place here. Mia makes one snarky comment about Xander on the podcast that causes it to sky rocket.

This is a classic enemy to lovers read with a heroine that is trying to find the balance between success in love and career.

Overall it was a good read. I learned a lot about racing which I always enjoy in a book.

Thank you to Net Galley for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

It's really refreshing to read an F1 romance written by someone who obviously has a deep respect and knowledge of the sport and why it's become so popular in the last few years. I loved Mia and Xander's dynamic - it was a quick transition from suspicion/dislike to them getting to know one another, but their connect felt genuine and rooted in a admiration and belief in the other person, which I really loved. I also really liked Mia's character arc over the book, there's a lot to relate to there in terms of career choice and choosing something that feels right to you, not just right to the expectations placed on you.

Not So Fast is a sweet F1 romance between a British driver and a podcaster who covers the sport. A knowledge of the sport is definitely not required. It’s a breezy fun read, that touches on interesting subjects without ever really following through. The romance comes out of nowhere and although we’re told they’re talking and growing closer we’re not actually shown those scenes so we don’t get to fall in love with them. The tension doesn’t feel real leaving the drama and eventual payoff falling flat.

Pros:
Plus size rep
Discussions of mental health

Thank you to NetGalley and Harlequin for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!

I really enjoyed this quick, engaging sports romance! I watch F1 with my husband, and love everything to do with the sport!
Mia, a sharp and snarky podcaster, goes viral for calling out struggling British F1 driver Xander Bishop. When a competitor invites her to a race to rattle him, she and Xander unexpectedly connect. Their chemistry is great, and I loved the mental health themes, especially Xander’s self-reflection through journaling. I enjoyed the spicy scenes! Top tier. The romance moved fast, but, as Xander says, he’s good at speed.
Overall, a fun, heartfelt read! Huge thanks to NetGalley for the arc!