Okay, I knew when the author brought up the 1991 Brazilian GP that I was finally reading someone who had at least watched formula one before, though she did kinda skip over the reason that race was incredible. However, I have a hard time believing she knows much about how media works and she glorified a catastrophic miscommunication later in the book, which was deeply cringe-y.

This book is a delightful F1 romance that effectively balances good romance and a strong understanding of the sport. The author's research shines through in their descriptions of the tracks and driver rivalries, making it a must-read for F1 fans. The story is lighthearted and fun, with a refreshing enemies-to-lovers trope that fits the book perfectly. While some may find the character descriptions lacking, the book is an adorable and enjoyable read. I highly recommend it, especially for those who enjoy a good romance with a unique twist.

Continuing on my quest to find an F1 romance that has both a good romance <i>and</i> a good understanding of F1 and I really think I've found it in this book. As a reader who is incredibly picky about both the couples themselves and the "spicy" scenes (really hate that term tbh), I can confidently say this book hits the mark in both categories. The author is very obviously an F1 fan or has really done her research and it shines through in her descriptions of the specific tracks (and catty driver rivalries).

More importantly, this book is just fun. Lighthearted, hopeful, and <spoiler>without a stupid third act breakup based on a misunderstanding or overreaction by one of the characters. Instead of jumping to breaking up and hating each other, they take a few days to think through things and come back together to discuss it.</spoilers> It was refreshing! I don't feel like the enemies-to-lovers description fits the book at all though. It's "mildly disgruntled" more than animosity.

I know most people see an eARC four star review and assume it's lies and trash, but I encourage y'all to look at my previous eARC reviews - I'm not gentle, and this book deserves the stars. It's adorable. Thanks to NetGalley/publisher/author for the chance to read it.

3.25 stars ✨

Thank you to Netgalley, Afterglow Books and Karen Booth’ for the opportunity to read this book early.

If you like F1, and social media influencer/podcasts and well a hot driver… you will like this book. Plus if you ever have felt that push inside you to start that podcast, social media content for your favourite thing or one of your favourite things… it might just lead you to someone or something that might just change your life forever. F1 is such an underrated sport to be written about and this really intrigued me… as have you seen some of these drivers IRL… gorgeous men 😉

Mia, our FMC runs an F1 podcast called “No So Fast” after falling in love with the sport a few years ago. Where she talks about races, drivers and well everything in between. After being invited out to a race, she meets Xander our MMC of this book… and he is one of the popular drivers in this world. They spark up a connection, which leads to mutual flirting and then of course a romance. While this book is centred around the topic of F1, there are definitely some moments that ground the characters, like speaking about their families, home lives and aspirations for the future.

Mia and Xander definitely developed their chemistry over the course of the story and there is a little bit of spice in there that keeps you intrigued. Especially when they have their mutual flirting that is separated by distance due to his races that he attends without her… UNTIL he invites her out which creates a little bit of a social media stir. Including what their “ship” name is which creates a cute scene. All around I really enjoyed this book. I feel like during the height of the F1 season it would be a great read.

Thanks to Netgalley and the author for the Advanced Copy.

This was unexpectedly sweet, spicy, and way too real. When I went into this book, I excepted it to be similar to another very popular Formula 1 novel (you know the one), and while parts are similar, this one took it to another level.

Mia as an FMC is intriguing. She's incredibly smart and witty, but also mildly unbalanced, flighty in her life choices, and oh so anxious. Xander wasn't just the tall, hot, F1 driver (I mean...he is) but also sensitive, caring, and had the weight of family obligation. Their struggle with their relationship felt real. The expectations of the public, family, friends, and themselves are exactly what I would feel if I were in Mia's place. I really enjoyed this one.

I wanted to love this but I was not my favorite at all. I was really hopefully but it was a bit disappointing.

Not So Fast by Karen Booth was a fast paced (fast ha!) HEA book about Formula One racing and podcasting. All the elements and plot of this book seemed realistic and not too far fetched which was refreshing. I loved the main characters dynamics with each other and their families. There was just enough smut and build up to not leave a romance reader wanting. This is the first Formula One type romance book I have seen and it was simply delicious I loved all of the aspects of this book and can't wait to see what else Karen Booth has to offer.

Karen Booth’s Not So Fast is the ultimate high-speed romance that will have you on the edge of your seat, with your heart racing just as fast as the cars on the track. This d
elightful rom-com packs in all the tension, chemistry, and laughs you could want, wrapped up in the exciting world of Formula One racing.
Mia Neal is a woman who’s always overthinking and analyzing, but she channels that energy into something she loves: her no-holds-barred podcast about Formula One. Her takes on the sport are sharp, opinionated, and—let’s just say—sometimes a little salty, especially when it comes to gorgeous F1 driver Xander Bishop. She’s not exactly his biggest fan, and her scathing commentary has earned her a viral following. But when Xander’s teammate invites her to the Miami Grand Prix to get closer to the action—and Xander himself—what starts as a mission to get inside the mind of the driver quickly turns into something far more complicated… and way hotter.

From the moment Mia and Xander meet, the sparks fly, but not in the way either of them expects. Their initial interactions are filled with tension and a bit of animosity, which only makes their growing attraction even more irresistible. Xander is all brooding good looks and high-octane charm, but he’s got his own issues to deal with, and Mia’s not sure she can handle another chaotic romance, especially one that’s as wild and unpredictable as the sport Xander dominates. Still, the pull between them is undeniable, and every time they collide—whether it’s on or off the track—things get more heated, and their chemistry becomes impossible to ignore.
What makes Not So Fast so much fun is the way Karen Booth expertly balances the sizzling romance with humor and heart. Mia is a totally relatable heroine—intelligent, funny, and passionate about her work, even if she’s not entirely sure what her “work” is just yet. Xander, the classic tortured athlete, is more than just a pretty face and a fast car. As the story unfolds, you see the depth of his character, and it’s impossible not to fall for him. Their slow-burn romance is one that builds beautifully, with moments of tension that will have you eagerly turning pages, waiting for the next interaction between these two.

The setting of the Miami Grand Prix adds an extra layer of glamour and excitement to the story, and Karen captures the high-stakes world of Formula One in a way that’s immersive and thrilling. But at its core, this is a romance about two people learning to take risks, open up, and trust each other—no matter how fast things seem to be moving. The pacing is perfect, and the chemistry between Mia and Xander is electric from start to finish.

Karen’s writing is sharp, witty, and effortlessly engaging. The banter between the characters is witty and fun, and the romance is equal parts steamy and swoon-worthy. There’s an emotional depth to the story that makes it more than just a sports romance, while still delivering all the humor, passion, and tension that makes the genre so addictive.

If you love a good enemies-to-lovers romance with a side of heart-pounding action, Not So Fast is the perfect read. It’s a fun, fast-paced, and utterly charming book that will keep you hooked from the first chapter to the last. With irresistible characters, steamy chemistry, and a romance that builds just the right amount of tension, this is a book you won’t want to put down.

Mia Neal is a Formula One racing addict. She knows everything about the ins and outs of the sport and has dedicated her time to a podcast detailing all of the updates on the circuit. Along with a healthy dose of snark and sarcasm.

Xander Bishop is a gorgeous, British F1 driver who came out of F2 with a killer track record. He was expected to do great things, but he's fumbling everything, and he's getting eviscerated online and in the media.

Mia's recent hot take on how Xander drives has gone semi viral, and Xander's competitor invites her to the next race to knock him farther off his game. Unexpectedly, they form a connection and understanding, and everything is up in the air from there.

*****

I don't know much of anything about the F1 circuit, however despite this, I found the book incredibly engaging and interesting. I loved how Mia was neurodiverse-coded with her overthinking, perfectionism, hypercritical thoughts, and issues with intimacy. She was so genuine, and it helped that the author made her deeply flawed in ways she wasn't aware of and brilliant in others. Xander was also genuine, flawed, and such an earnest character that I couldn't help but to root for them from the start. The steady theme of mental health support and self care were refreshing to read and brought a lot of authenticity to the characters despite it being such a short book.

I did find some issues with the pacing around the POV swaps. I loved how it was utilized during high stress events where you got their perspectives back to back, however sometimes it could get a little frustrating switching back and forth multiple times within a chapter when I'd just gotten interested in one POV. I also found some of the dialogue to be a little stilted and awkward, but overall, the characters and their intent were so enjoyable that it didn't take away from the book much as a whole. The least natural part of the book was probably the spicy scenes. They danced the line between detailed and stark, and I wasn't sure if I liked how vague they were, yet how apparently constant they were going at it. I enjoy spicy scenes in books, and it weirdly felt out of balance with the rest of the novel.

Either way, this was a quick, entertaining, and sweet read. It balanced family issues, boundaries, mental health care, and dealing with negative intrusive thoughts, all wrapped up in a fun sports-romance. If you're looking for a light but genuine read, I'd grab onto this one!

*****

Thank you, NetGalley, and Harlequin - Romance, for the digital ARC. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

I’ve been interested in racing since Adam Driver waved the flag at the at the Indy 500 (which I know technically isn’t F1) and I read Pole Position by Rebecca Caffery. So I saw this and was on board for it. Mia is a F1 obsessed girl with a F1 podcast where she’s critiques drivers. Her biggest audience builder is when she talks about Xander Bishop. When she said he was driving like “absolute dipshit” I about fell over laughing. Since Xander is her favorite driver but she’s not afraid to call him out. One of Xander’s teammates invites Mia to a race to mess with Xander. Mia and Xander met and the two don’t like each other. Xander thinks Mia has no idea what’s she’s talking about when it comes to F1. As the season goes on and the two spend more time together feelings start to change.
I enjoyed this book. Mia is so witty it kept me laughing. This was a quick light read that you don’t need to be into F1 to enjoy. Also Xander is a British man which is just icing on it cake. I also liked how the book was the right mix of F1 and romance. Nothing is worst then a sports romance where they’re never seen playing the sport, it’s just a character trait for them. This one you got to feel the excitement on that track and that always get my blood going!

Thank you NetGalley, Karen Booth and Harlequin-Romance for providing me a copy of this arc.

F1...wait, does that stand for "Finishing a Book in One Day?" Because that's exactly what I did with this one! Now, I may not know the first thing about Formula One racing, but when it comes to romance, I’m a pro, and this book? Total podium finish. Karen Booth totally nailed it with the speed, the sass, and the steamy moments in this 5-star romance!

Meet Mia—she’s sharp, savvy, and just went viral with her podcast Not So Fast, where she dishes out her bold takes on the F1 world. She’s got a ton of degrees, a ton of jobs, but somehow, hasn’t quite found the one...until now. Could this podcast actually become her career? The excitement is real, but so is the drama, especially when F1 driver Xander—her podcast’s latest target—gets wind of her critique.

Xander is a British F1 driver working hard to prove himself, but all that pressure gets a whole lot worse when Mia’s podcast shines a spotlight on his less-than-stellar moments. When they meet face-to-face—thanks to his not-so-helpful teammate—the sparks fly, but not the fun kind. Xander thinks Mia doesn’t have a clue about F1, and Mia isn’t backing down from her criticism. Things are definitely not off to a smooth start.

But as the season continues, Mia and Xander start to see they’re not so different after all. She’s got mad love for the sport, and he’s pretty blown away by how clever and passionate she is. Plus, let’s be real—there’s major chemistry between them. They’re both trying to keep it professional though, because who needs that kind of publicity right now?

Yeah, that “professional” thing? It doesn’t last long. The sexual tension? It goes from simmer to BOOM, and suddenly, being together is priority number one.

So, can Mia and Xander handle the spotlight while keeping their hearts in check? Or will they stay in their own lanes and drive off in different directions?

This book? Chef’s kiss. I devoured it from start to finish. No lie, I’ve never watched F1, but I spent hours down a rabbit hole learning about it because Karen Booth made it so darn interesting. If you’re into a romance with chemistry, clever banter, and some serious heat, this one’s for you. Mia and Xander’s connection had me up ’til 3 AM turning pages. Absolutely worth it! And seriously—these characters? So relatable. They’re famous, sure, but they’ve each got their insecurities, and watching them build each other up was pure magic. I can’t wait for this book to be out so I can talk about it with everyone I know. And, oh yeah, I can totally see this as a movie in my head. That’s when you know it’s a winner!

*Not So Fast* by Karen Booth is a fast-paced, flirty rom-com that’s equal parts thrilling and swoon-worthy. Mia Neal, a quick-witted Formula One superfan and podcaster, finds herself toe-to-toe with Xander Bishop, the British racing star she’s been roasting online. When their worlds collide at the Miami Grand Prix, the sparks fly—both on and off the track.

Mia’s overthinking and Xander’s smooth confidence make for a fiery, fun dynamic. Their banter is sharp, their chemistry electric, and the high-stakes world of Formula One adds a unique, adrenaline-fueled backdrop to their romance. It’s a wild ride of misunderstandings, passion, and personal growth. Whether you’re an F1 fan or just love a good enemies-to-lovers romance, *Not So Fast* delivers the perfect mix of humor, heart, and heat. Buckle up—you won’t want to put this one down!

Rating: 4.5/5
Spice: 3/5

Mia is Formula One podcaster and Xander is her favorite driver yet that doesn't stop her from ripping him a new one when his Formula One showing leaves much to be desired. One viral clip later and Mia is being invited to see a race in person by none other than Xander's teammate just to mess with his head.

Formula One romance books seem to be popping up left and right in the past year so I was pleasantly surprised when I realized we weren't getting the same fake relationship trope as with so many others (don't get me wrong I love those wholeheartedly but it's nice to have a change of script). I had some much fun reading it! The chemistry was great! The romance was sweet! And the spice was spicy!

This book felt like a romance were two souls connect not with big flashy romance but with total understanding of each other. Both Xander and Mia are so mature and healthy in this relationship. They give each the space to feel ugly emotions and help each other improve themselves. This was like the opposite of a dark romance which can be fun but sometimes you just need some MCs with minimal red flags!


Thank you NetGalley for providing me a copy of this arc! All thoughts in this review are my own.

F1---that stands for finishing a book in one day, right? Ok, I may have never watched Formula One, but I know romance and this book had a podium finish. Karen Booth brought the speed, spice, and sassy banter in this 5-star F1 romance!

Mia is an intelligent woman who has gone viral for her bold podcast about F1 called 'Not So Fast'. Although she has many degrees and has had many jobs, she has never found the perfect job for her. That is until now. Maybe she can turn this podcast into a career because it is something she is passionate about and loves to do. But with anything worthwhile, she faces backlash from an F1 driver that she criticized. Xander. He is a Brit who is trying to get his footing in his F1 career. The pressure is on and it doesn't help that his shortcomings have been put on blast because of the podcast. When he meets Mia in person, thanks to his not-so-friendly teammate, they don't get off on the right foot. Xander doesn't think Mia should talk about a sport she doesn't seem to know much about and Mia is standing her ground on her critiques. They didn't expect was to actually see each other again, but that is coming sooner than they thought.

During the season, they get to know each other and see how similar they actually are. Xander recognizes the passion she has for the sport, is amazed at how smart she is, and he can't help but be attracted to her. And Mia is feeling the same way. But they want to keep things professional because neither needs bad publicity right now. But the sexual tension breaks...more like explodes. And being together begins to take precedence.

Can they commit to each other and tackle the spotlight? Or will they stay in their own lanes and move on?

I absolutely loved this book from start to finish. I admit that I have never seen F1 or read a book featuring the sport, but I have gone down a rabbit hole attempting to catch up on the sport. Karen Booth writes for readers like me. Readers who enjoy a romance with heart, banter, and steam. Mia and Xander's chemistry was top-notch; they literally had me staying up till 3 am just so I could finish the book! Totally worth it! Above all, I enjoyed how relatable these characters are. Yes, they are both famous in their own ways, but they each have their insecurities. Mia was so good at making Xander see his worth and he helped her see hers too. I already want this book to be released so I can chat about it with everyone. BTW think this book would make an awesome movie! As I was reading I could picture it coming to life in my head. That's how I know when a book is great in my eyes!!

4.5 stars!
As an F1 girlie, I ate this up. I loved Mia and definitely related to her. I was incredibly jealous of her, like let me create a podcast and get invited to the races?? A dream come true.
Xander was initially serving one of the current drivers and j was like hmmmmm… but then ended up being all his own character. This was a great Formula One romance for anyone, not just F1 fans!
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for this arc ebook in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed are my own!

Thank you to Afterglow by Harlequin, Netgalley, and to the author for this ARC in exchange for an honest review!

This was an easy to read romance that revolved around F1 racing! For lovers of quippy podcasts, sports romance books, and quick reads, this one is for you! It was my first formula one romance, and definitely won’t be my last!

The cover of this book is so cute I absolutely adore the cover. This book was a pretty quick read for me but I enjoyed it. I’ve been looking for an F1 romance to read and I think this one was really nice. Romance books in 3rd person aren't usually my favourite but for this most part it was written pretty clearly. However, there were a few places in the book where the POV was switching back and forth between the two main characters a lot which was a little bit confusing. I think Mia and Xander's relationship was very cute and they helped each other with issues in their lives that they weren't dealing with very well on their own. There was a bit of insta attraction/love/lust, Mia was a fan of Xander already and even though Xander "hated" her for talking about him on her podcast he was still thinking about her all the time. I loved that Mia knew what she was talking about and could put any man in his place in the sport. There was a lot of growth in this book for both the characters. Admittedly I didn’t love Mia at first because I felt like she wasn’t considering anything other than growing her podcast but I love that she realized her mistakes and I really liked her more throughout the book especially the way she supported and helped Xander without losing track of her own goals. I adored Xander, he was a little prickly the first time they met but once their relationship started progressing he was so sweet and I loved that he respected her and knew how to support her and what she needed. I also really enjoyed the amount of racing and romance in this book it was very well balanced. Overall this is a very cute F1 romance and I liked it!

This romcom was my first by Booth, but it certainly won’t be my last! This was a quick, spicy, flirty read that had me actually wanting to learn more about racing.

Karen Booth does a fantastic job in writing this book, it had that romance element overall and was engaged with the overall feel of the romance. The characters were everything that I was looking for and enjoyed the sports element to this. It left me wanting to read more in this type of book and enjoyed the way Karen Booth wrote this.

This was an amazing book and it was cute yet romantic. I would read again! The characters relationship was adorable and hot.