I love F1 romance and can now say that I will be reading more - it's just so good!

I loved all of the racing aspects that Simone Soltani included - it made it feel real and kept me engaged and excited. The chemistry between the characters was off the charts - a marriage of convenience turning into so much more and crafted in a way that feels absolutely delicious and true. From the fast cars and bright lights of Las Vegas, I never stopped wanting more and I absolutely ate this book up in a sitting. I was only focused on the book and honestly felt a wee bit dazed when I reached the end! And that - that is the sign of an incredibly well written book!

Thank you so much to both NetGalley and Berkley for this e-arc in exchange for my honest review! I cannot wait to have this gorgeous book on my shelves!!

i didn't quite feel butterflies with this one, but i'm still convinced that stella and thomas are always on each other's teams. not sure if i'm feeling slightly more cynical and jaded with the romance media (both books and tv) that i've been consuming recently, but the pacing for stella to get over (likely not everything but at least enough) to trust thomas felt confusing. and a bit abrupt.

i'm still fairly new to f1 romances, so i'm not sure if this is how all of them are. that being said, i've noticed that they jump around to different settings much more than other sports romances (even though other pro athletes travel also travel a lot for work). i find it kind of jarring and hard to always have the characters jetting around to different places, in addition to the fact that there were so many characters and things happening in this book, that i felt a bit like i was in a whirlwind too.

i'm always going to champion romance authors of color, but i can't say that i'm going to be waiting with bated breath for the next book in this series.

Loved this book! I love Formula 1 romance and this checked all the boxes. Married in Vegas? Fake dating? An absolutely delightful, wild ride with a couple I rooted for right from the start!

Ride With Me features Stella, baker and entrepreneur and Thomas, F1 Driver. Stella and Thomas meet at a co bachelor/bachelorette party in Vegas. With sparks absolutely flying between them, the flirt and dance and drink and wake up the next day married. They decide to ride it out for publicity reasons, even as they both are falling for each other.

This started off so good. I was right there for all the flirty and steamy banter. Thomas and Stella immediately clicked and I loved the tension of their flirting. But then they were married and it was like the book slammed on the breaks. I read the first 25% percent in a day, the next 50% over the course of a week and then the last 25% in an afternoon. The middle just… stalled. No banter, no time spent together, just two hot idiots pretending they weren’t totally in love. So frustrating.

Overall, it was fine. The ending did pick up, but I’m sad that the middle wasted all the good beginnings potential.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC.

Ride With Me is the second book in the Lights Out standalone series.

Two weeks ago, Stella was left at the altar. She was supposed to be fresh from her honeymoon, but instead, she is wallowing while at her cousin's combined bachelor/bachelorette party in Vegas. Stella decides to make the most out of the night by flirting with a handsome race car driver attending the party. One thing leads to another, and the next morning, Stella wakes up married to Thomas Maxwell-Brown - the man she flirted with the night before. As crazy as it is, the two decide to act like their marriage is a real thing because of the mutually beneficial situation. As they get to know each other, they try to fight the inevitable feelings they develop for one another.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book! I mainly picked up this book because I need more race car driver romances in my life. I'm not surprised that this marriage of convenience romance hit the spot for me. It had just enough race car stuff for me to get a feel for the sport and culture of the sport. Those race scenes were an exciting change of pace for the story and I thought they were integrated into the romance perfectly.

Stella was a woman who was meant to dominate the world. She made things happen and there was no wonder why she was such a successful business woman. I liked that she was the one to help Thomas and not a damsel in distress who needed saving.

Thomas was sweet, thoughtful, and funny. I loved that he fell head over heels for Stella even though he had no intention of settling down before he met her.

Pick this one up for a fun and enjoyable marriage of convenience romance set in the Formula 1 world!

Steam level: 🔥🔥🔥

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC!

This was so much fun! I thoroughly enjoyed Cross the Line for all of the F1 tidbits and I was a bit disappointed that we didn't get to see much racing here. That said, I did enjoy more of the behind the scenes team/sponsorship aspects. Banter was good, spice was just enough.

Accidental marriage is so not my trope, but boy do I love a "take your hands off my wife"" moment.

This book was such a good ride ;) I am a sucker for a fake-dating/ marriage of convenience story and this is a bit of both. Thomas and Stella drunkenly get married in Vegas then decide to "stay together" aka present a united front to the media to help repair their image and they think they can keep faking it for the public and keep things platonic. But gooooosshhh the tension was good. I loved Thomas' character, how sweet he was and attentive and noticing the small details. We all need a Thomas am I right?
In all seriousness, this book is an easy read that you will undoubtedly enjoy about two characters that are afraid of falling in love. Sweet, a little spicy and enough action that you won't want to put it down.

A light-hearted and fun Formula 1 romance featuring Stella, trying to move on from being left at the altar, and Thomas, who's in a bit of an internet scandal.

The marriage of convenience trope is my all-time fave and this one did not disappoint. These two complimented one another so well, and Thomas was sooooo sweet on Stella from the start (let's be real, he's whipped). It was the perfect blend of sweet and spicy!

Looking forward to reading more from Simone Soltani.

Thank you NetGalley and Berkley Publishing for this arc in exchange for an honest review!

3.75 stars

Another entertaining F1 romance that has me even more psyched for the new season.

I think I've enjoyed every F1 romance I've read so far, so I think I'm predisposed to liking them no matter what. I love the sport and just love getting to spend more time in the F1 world.

The relationship between Thomas and Stella was 🤌 They both had really great personalities and really worked well together. And Thomas on his own really carried this book. He was just a great, nice guy and had a more spicy personality in private, which I loved.

But I did have some issues. First, there wasn't nearly enough F1 for me; I'm a huge fan so that's definitely a personal thing for me, but I wished there was F1 content in this one. Second, Stella aggravated me here and there. She had the usual characteristics that I have trouble with, especially when it comes to the marriage of convenience trope. I mostly enjoy this trope, but I never like the, "Oh, we have these rules so we can't develop feelings for each other." Why? Couples in this trope never think to communicate HONESTLY about feelings, even when they know the other feels the same.

Lastly, I did not like the ending. I figured something would come up like it did, but I think the reaction was ridiculous and completely unfair to the other character.

But I will recommend for anyone who likes F1 romances.

If there’s one thing I love it’s an ACCIDENTAL marriage of convenience!! And I love Simone’s writing SO MUCH. Bring back with characters she created made my heart so incredibly happy!! Stella and Thomas were absolutely delicious and sweet and tender and the tension was so good!!! This is such a good follow up to Cross the Line, and I LOVED seeing little peaks of Willow and Dev!! AND Simone just announced there’s going to be three more books!!!! I literally cannot wait!

Thomas Maxwell-Brown IS THAT MAN. While he may have accidentally gotten married…how EASILY he fell for his wife??! Unmatched. It was SO SWEET to see all the little things he did for her before she moved in! The kitchen appliances? The silk pillow cases?? He would simply do anything for his wife and I LOVED TO SEE IT.

Stella was so guarded and it was so tough to watch her falling in love with Thomas but not be able to actually let herself FALL. But I will say even with her hesitations she still gave so much to their relationship! They made sure they were equals! And both of their jobs were important!! They were such a good team!!

I cannot wait for whatever and whoever is next in this series!!!

Thank you so much to Berkley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!

Simone Soltani is now an auto buy author for me! Everything about Ride With Me is pure perfection. This is a F1 marriage of convenience between Stella and Thomas. I loved watching them try to decide whether or not to remain married. While simultaneously juggling their hectic, very successful careers. The banter between the two characters was everything. But the love and adoration they had for each other (especially Thomas) had to have been my favorite part of the book.

Cannot wait to see what Simone Soltani has in store next!

It was a book that made me learn something more about the world of racer and the first sport romance I read.
Well plotted, engrossing, rooted for the characters
Recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher for this ARC, all opinions are mine

A fun and quirky romance filled with witty banter! You can absolutely tell that Soltani is a fan of F1 racing which is super fun to experience as I know so little!

Excellent romance. The chemistry and relationship between these two was 5 stars. The pacing was totally off in the story though. The first night they meet is the first 30% of the story, so it takes 30% to get to the actual conflict and plot of the book. I wish that first meeting was 15% and then we got another 15% throughout the story of an additional scene or to of the two of them being together.

4.

“I think I'm falling for my wife”

WHAT TO EXPECT:
✨ fake marriage
✨ forced proximity
✨ one bed trope
✨ jealousy scenes
✨ tension & yearning
✨workplace/relationship scandals
✨ spice 🌶️🌶️
✨ 3rd act drama


Quick Thoughts:

I have been dying for a very good Formula One romcom, and this filled that bucket for me. The banter and tension built as the book went on, and I just couldn't set it down. I read the series out of order and now I must go read the first.

I loved:

Accidental Marriage
When this trope is done well, I am thrilled. This was done so good. The build up to the moment, and the realization. I love how the author made the build up appear as something spicy for BAM, marriage. A good little moment.


Stella
I loved Stella. I know this will be a hit/miss character especially because of her 3rd act but I think it's somewhat important for her growth. Stella was in a power dynamic relationship for years that ripped her confidence and idea of love to shreds. She wasn't even sure if she didn't love her ex anymore because she didn't trust herself. I see her rationale for everything she did. Do I wish she had better communication skills? Yes, but I do think it was realistic for her to be used to not communicating.


Thomas
Add him to my book boyfriend list asap. This man is a simp, and I love it. He has a slight attitude to him , especially with others, but then lights up with Stella. The jewelry comment?! Oh I was DOWN for this man. He knew Stella like the back of his hand, and he wasn't giving her up for anything.


The thing I disliked
3rd act
I know not shockingly to dislike the third act especially when it has drama and miscommunication. As always I will try my best to be vague with no spoilers. The concept of this third act wasn't what I hated, it was the lack of communication. Yes it was explained with her phone wouldn't work, but Thomas just sitting there not knowing and her phone not working?! Her not calling ahead of time, and waiting as long as she did. Yeah it just wasn't my favorite.


Overall, I am buying this book when it comes out. I am thankful for this ARC, and the opportunity to explore a new author for me. I highly recommend it if you are looking for a quick, fun sports romance with accidental marriage!

Thank you Net Galley for this arc! I absolutely ate this book up! I love a good slow burn and I really believe in the love and rooting for this couple. I was smiling and giggling the entire time.

This engaging romance novel offers a fresh take on the marriage of convenience trope, set against the glamorous backdrop of Formula 1 racing. When Stella Baldwin, recently left at the altar and dealing with the aftermath of a viral social media rant, meets Thomas Maxwell-Brown, an F1 driver facing career challenges, their Vegas encounter results in an unexpected marriage that might solve both their problems.

The strength of this novel lies in the characterization. Both protagonists are successful in their own fields, bringing equal weight to the relationship. Thomas's dedication to making their arrangement work feels genuine rather than forced, and their chemistry develops at a believable pace.

The author handles the Formula 1 setting well, incorporating enough detail to create atmosphere without overwhelming readers unfamiliar with the sport. The supporting characters, particularly Figgy and Janelle, add depth to the narrative, though some of these relationships could have been explored more thoroughly.

While the romance itself is satisfying, the resolution feels somewhat rushed. The conflict between Thomas and Andrew would have benefited from more direct resolution, and Stella's need for closure with her ex-fiancé Etienne seemed unnecessary given her established feelings for Thomas.

Overall, "Ride with Me" is a solid contemporary romance that balances steamy moments with emotional development. It's an ideal choice for readers looking for a well-crafted romance with a unique setting. The novel avoids making race a central conflict, focusing instead on the characters' professional and personal challenges.

4/5 stars - Recommended for fans of contemporary romance, sports romance, and the marriage of convenience trope.

The author's knowledge of F1 racing was apparent in the novel, it appears well researched and written to me, someone who has no F1 knowledge. I liked the character's chemistry and relationship.

Thank you NetGalley and Berkley for a copy of this e-arc!
(3.75 rounded up)

I was really excited to read this book! I had a really fun time towards the beginning. The chemistry and banter between Stella and Thomas was so good

It felt more like a slow burn so around 60% through it started to drag a little bit. I wish there were more moments where they communicated with each other and their chemistry was shown. It felt like a constant back and forth of whether they wanted to be together or stay friends so I started to lose patience/ interest because they obviously liked each other and were telling everyone else except each other 😭

But I did enjoy the ending of book and the side characters. I loved the full circle moment Stella has with one of her family members at the end

why was this UTTERLY PERFECT. like, from the first time they meet their chemistry is PALPABLE. this is what in romances- when their connection bleeds through every page and you can’t put it down *cue me binging this in one night* their marriage might’ve started off false but slowly melted (and i mean slowlyyyyy) into the most swoon worthy (and steamy 😏) love story. this is my first book by soltani but clearly i needed to hop on the hype sooner!!