I didn't like anything about this book. The plot points, the characters, the relationship dynamics, the portrayal of F1 and racing, to name a few. It felt like nothing was properly developed, from storyline to relationships; a fact which wasn't helped by the characters being highly unlikable.

thank you netgalley and berkley for the e-arc in exchange for a honest review!

as brutal as this sounds, what initially started as a fun and entertaining read very quickly became something i strongly disliked and almost dnf'ed. which is very unfortunate because i loved the first book in this series and i really do like the author's writing style. i feel like this book had so much potential with tropes like marriage of convenience to slow burn to obsessed MMC x independent FMC, but it was so lackluster and it fell very short for me.

i think my biggest issue is i started to dislike both main characters once i reached 30%. i feel like their chemistry as a couple flew out the window at some point early on. once that happened i did not enjoy the romance at all and and i was no longer able to root for them. and if i’m not rooting for the couple to be together (which is the whole point of a romcom book) then it becomes extremely boring and hard to read. at that point, what am i even reading it for? i really wanted to like this, but it just wasn’t the book for me.

I was expecting a lot and that’s exactly what I got! This was a treat when I needed it most. Can we acknowledge the amazing start this book had? Immediately YES. Give me 14 of them right now please. I had no idea that accidental marriage was such a fun trope but since this book I’ve been searching for more. I love the dynamic of the main characters from the start and how as they continue to grow and foster their relationship, their chemistry just builds. It had been a while since I read cross the line so sometimes I couldn’t remember the connections between the riders and teams but that didn’t really hinder my enjoyment. Literally no notes and cannot wait to see this book hit shelves!

If you have not read an F1 Sports romance, THIS is where to start!

Let's be honest Stella Baldwin has hit rock bottom. Just when she thought she would be getting her "back blown out" by the love of her life, she instead finds her self at a Jack and Jill party for her cousin. That's right, Stella was left at the altar by her husband to be. So the best option? Party in Vegas. Because what happens in Vegas stays in Vegas... Right?

Thomas Maxwell-Brown is your F1 heartthrob. British, wealthy, good looking, but what is he missing? Oh! That's right a good reputation... After a leaked video exposing some, choice words, Thomas is now the number one HATED driver in F1. Needing a break from the hatred, he agrees to go stag to a Jack and Jill party for his best mate.

Both have the idea to let loose, have a night of fun, but what happens when that night turns into waking with a doughnut on Stella's ring finger and a signed marriage certificate?


Absolutely adored this book. Thomas is a character that I will love for AGES! He is a puppy dog, but in all the right ways. Respectful, caring, funny and lets not forget BRITISH! These two characters develop together and change each others lives.
This is the kind of book that makes you WISH these things happened in real life...
Seriously though.. . F1 Sports Romances just may be my new favorite genre....

This is the most romantic book I have read in ages. I loved Stella and Thomas both and enjoyed the dual point of view this novel is written in to gain insight into each character. The chemistry and banter sizzles. I am a huge F1 fan and loved having a book to read featuring a competing driver. I can tell the author is also very knowledgeable about the sport and I can't wait for the season to begin in March.

The loyal friendships Stella and Thomas had showed me how vulnerable both were as well as their capacities to love and give to others. My only complaint was how long Stella and Thomas took to finally realize and admit to their true feelings and decide to take the chance of being hurt again.

I enjoyed this book so much that I bought the first book by this author in her F1 series. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for my digital review copy.

omggg so so so cuteeee!

simone you diva, i adore you! i love a good marriage of convenient story, and this one is amazing. The main character Stella is a black girl, and y’all know I love to see black women loved out loud and this book gives me everything I need and more. I absolutely adore Stella and Thomas together, they’re everything they needed to be with each other. I loved the pacing of the story, the progression of the story, the plot and all the characters we got. I was really happy to see one of the side characters kind of have almost a redemption arc, because I had a feeling they weren’t a bad person and I was proven correctly. Overall, I really enjoyed this story, I’m kind of in a slump and this book took me out of it a little bit so I respect and appreciate it for that as well.

I liked this book a lot. I loved the slow burn, and the MCs chemistry is fire. But this was either a really long book, or it failed to keep my attention at times because it took me twice as long to read as normal. I don’t understand why because I really enjoyed it! Thanks to Berkley for the ARC.

This romance novel is a tender and deeply emotional journey that captures the beauty of love, growth, and resilience. The author’s writing has grown, showcasing a refined balance of heartfelt storytelling and genuine emotion. The characters are richly developed, with remarkable depth that makes their struggles and triumphs feel incredibly real.

This book has my heart! Fun, adventurous, with a touch of emotional depth. Her writing has grown and the characters are really developed. I’m very excited about the next book already

I thought the timeline of the story was compact and tight which led to a good story. It was a good fast to slow burn which I appreciated. There isn’t an overdoing of the “my wife” statement, that happens in marriage of convenience tropes. The reason for them to stay married felt right. Also I like that they are both working through their struggles together with communication and that there was no breakup rather a battle of head over heart for the FMC.

this was one of my most anticipated releases of the year and i was not disappointed🤭 simone soltani is fab at writing really fun and accurate f1 romances - which i have struggled to find in the past. i feel like she is very aware of the f1 space and funnels that perfectly into her books, which i really appreciate. the chemistry between these characters also felt extremely real and fun, and i adore how quickly i can fly through her books. this one has a sprinkling of:
- marriage of convenience
- forced proximity
- f1 romance
- both millionaires

Stella woke up in Vegas next to an infamous racecar driver with a donut on her finger after being left at her own wedding 2 weeks ago. The last thing she remembers was that her and Thomas were having a great time at a bachelor-bachelorette party. Next thing, Stella knows is that now she’s married to Thomas, after a drunk Vegas wedding. Stella and Thomas agreed to keep a marriage of convenience to help both of their careers but can they keep their feelings out?…

I LOVE THIS!! I love this wayyy more than Cross the Line! ❤️ Thomas is such a golden retriever and so so cute and gentlemanly. This is super sweet with just enough spice! I had a great time!

Spice rating: 🌶️🌶️/5

Thank you Netgalley and Berkley for this ARC ❤️

This book was so fun, and a great continuation of the world of F1 from Cross the Line. Thomas and Stella are both likeable characters who definitely have some skeletons in their closets and issues in the past, but they each care about and support the other. The timeline of their romance definitely didn't feel rushed, in fact, it almost felt too slow. By the time they realized and discussed their feelings, there was a chapter and a half left in the book, and it felt like there was some missed opportunity with that.

Stella's character growth with her ex fiancé and how the relationship changed her was truly amazing, and it felt entirely realistic. I think Thomas also had good character growth within the story, not reacting when he found out who released his video. Cannot wait for more of this world to come to light in hopefully a future book.

✅ Thomas Maxwell-Brown, F1 driver for McMorris & Stella Baldwin, former model turned entrepreneur and patisserie magnate, newly single after being left at the altar
✅ after meeting at a joint bachelor & bachelorette party in Vegas, they wake up next to each other, accidentally married
✅ dual POV
✅ Flirty banter. These idiots are so gone for each other 😘
✅ As a fellow Leo, I appreciate that Stella is also a Leo.
🌶️: you’re going to have to wait but my god is it worth it.

Ride with Me is the perfect follow-up to Cross the Line (& dare I say? Even better!!!) My heart is bursting! It is a captivating romance that hooks you from the very first page. Stella, left at the altar, finds herself in a whirlwind marriage to Formula 1 driver Thomas during a chance encounter in Las Vegas. What starts as an impulsive decision soon turns into a marriage of convenience as the two navigate the complexities of their new life together. Soltani masterfully blends high-stakes romance with emotional depth, exploring the personal challenges both characters face.

As they grow closer, their bond evolves from mere convenience to something much deeper and more meaningful. The romance is heartfelt, with plenty of twists and moments that will make your heart race.

Simone Soltani has solidified herself as an auto-buy author for me after this!

Tropes:
- “my wife”
- Fake marriage turned marriage of convenience
- Down bad mmc

Thank you NetGalley and Berkley for the e-arc 🤍

Ride with Me was a wild thrill ride from start to finish. Stella's post-alter meltdown and Thomas's racing career crisis collided spectacularly in Las Vegas, leading to an impulsive marriage that screamed chaos—but also chemistry. Their love story zoomed along at Formula 1 speed, with witty banter, sizzling tension, and just enough heart to make me root for their happily ever after.
The high-speed romance did hit a few predictable bumps, but hey, no race is without its pit stops. If you're craving fast cars, Vegas mishaps, and a marriage-of-convenience that actually works, buckle up—this one's a winner.
Thank you to NetGalley, the author and the publisher for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!

Oh noooo. Oh no no no.

I genuinely gave this a chance but in my opinion this was not it. The chapters were slow, it took forever to get to the point, and their chemistry was just non existent. I just could not buy their love or like for each other. Stella annoyed me a little bit and it felt like Thomas was just there.

There also was absolutely no plot, which is a crime cause it was too long.

I think Simone is not the writer for me and that makes me sad. TYSM Berkley & NetGalley for the arc!!

‘Ride With Me’ is the perfect mix of steamy romance, wild surprises, and adrenaline-pumping drama. Stella Baldwin, left at the altar and drowning in embarrassment, never expected her next big move would involve marrying a stranger in Vegas. But that’s exactly what happens when she meets Thomas Maxwell-Brown, a Formula 1 driver who’s desperately trying to escape the pressures of his high-stakes career.

What starts as a spontaneous, Vegas-fueled mistake quickly turns into something far more complex that weaves into a marriage of convenience which later actually becomes a solution to their personal and professional crises. The chemistry between Stella and Thomas is scorching, and watching them go from strangers to a couple trying to make it work is pure romance gold needed for everyone.

What I loved most? The emotional depth beneath the steam. Both characters have real struggles quite real to the real world..

The pacing is just right, and the tension, both romantic and dramatic. It's a total seat gripper with enough twists and steam to keep you hooked. I’m not suprised given this is one of my favorite book tropes.

Why 5 stars? Because it has everything: sizzling chemistry, fun banter, high stakes, and a couple that you root for from the start. If you love a romance with some serious fire and a bit of unexpected chaos, this book is a must-read.

This story was so much fun! And I enjoyed it a lot more than the first! The writing feels as if it’s had so much improvement and better flow. This fake dating, enemies to lovers was well rounded, with a solid back story for Thomas and Stella k felt as if I was one of the friend group getting see exactly how their dynamic works.

I love that this one was much of a slower burn than the first story, but I do felt that it was almost too slow and by the time the story ended I didn’t get to enjoy them together as much as I would have. But the back and forth between these characters kept me engaged, the overall plot had me flying through the story and keeping me invested when the romance had moments of not much progression.

I love a take on an f1 romance as there’s no many stories in that dynamic. I love the small amount of steamy scenes as I feel they were done very well and balanced perfectly to a slown burn romance.

I love F1. But something about this one didn’t live up to my expectations. It was a slow read. And while Simone is a talented writer, I found myself skimming a lot of the inner dialogue

I LOVED Thomas and I wish from the reader end we got more of his POV

Stella I could never get a read on. She was very much a perfectionist. Almost too much of a perfectionist. That her need to do what she did at the end was unnecessary

If you’re a slow burn fan you’ll love this. But for me I needed more of a buildup between them for the slow burn to work