The characters and story were cute, I absolutely loved the premise! Unfortunately, I really struggled with the execution as a whole. For some reason it was so hard for me to understand. I was constantly rereading sections trying to figure out when the subject/tone changed or how someone wound up somewhere. There was a big lack of flow within chapters as scenes moved forward and it was so frustrating that it affected my enjoyment of the book. I wish I'd had more fun, but it took too much suspension of belief for me to really lock in and be invested in the story.

Lilah's inner monologue gave me whiplash. She was constantly jumping around in her thought processes and seemed to change her mind about things (ie: how she felt about Arthur) at the flip of a switch. I do appreciate that her ADHD was a big part of her character, and understand that this kind of thinking would be realistic for her in real life. But, I could have done with a bit more clarity in the writing. I could never get a read on how she actually felt about Arthur. It would be "I can't stand him, this is a bad idea" to "I want him to kiss me" in sequential sentences. I think if there had been more explanation from Lilah into why she was feeling certain ways and more transitional thoughts between topics, I would have felt diferently.

The conflict was so confusing. There were so many moving parts, with Lilah being fired by Max but then back under contract, what would happen to the footage, who it could benefit, what she was actually trying to do with it...I was just so damn confused for like 70% of the book. It wasn't clear to me that Arthur's goal in going back to Leone was just to "redeem himself" in his own mind. But when Lilah said that explicitly later on, it made sense.

-Lilah and Arthur went from 0 to 100 SO FAST. I know they spent weeks together, but it wasn't talked about in the story so the growth of the emotional connection wasn't shown to the reader. They just suddenly were in love and calling each other husband/wife and it felt as if it came out of nowhere, because as far as I could tell, they never REALLY bonded emotionally. I was looking for the emotional progression on-page and think it would have been a good addition, especially since Lilah identifies as demisexual--I feel it would have added continuity to her characterization.

-Lilah was oblivious to the point that it was frustrating. Girl come on, stand UP!!! He's no longer pretending!!

Overall, this had potential, but I think the writing and structure weren't right for me as a reader.

Thanks so much to the publisher and NetGalley for the eARC in exchange for my honest review!

Slipstream is a fun, fast-paced romance set in the world of Formula 1, with just the right mix of fake dating, emotional depth, and sizzling chemistry. Lilah and Arthur are a joy to root for—flawed, funny, and full of heart. I loved the mental health representation throughout the book for both MC’s. For a debut novel Madge Mario’s debut is an overall win for our lovers of sporty and smart romances.

Thank you so much to Simon Schuster for the invitation to read and Netgalley for the eARC! I can’t wait to see what Madge writes next! could’ve used more development, but overall, Madge Maril’s debut is a win for fans of sporty, smart romance. Can’t wait to see what she writes next!

I really enjoyed this book. It had me swooning the whole time! Compared to other F1 romances I've read, this one offered a lot more insight into the sport, which made it feel more immersive. I adored Lilah's character soooo much. She was sweet and kind, and it was so rewarding to watch her grow more confident and step into her true self. Arthur was charming and charismatic, and I loved seeing his softer side emerge over time.

Their relationship didn’t feel rushed or overly convenient—it felt earned, built on real actions and thoughtful affirmations, even when they were pretending it was fake. The fake dating setup was done so well. I loved all the little moments the accidental intimacy, the "my wife" lines, everything had me absolutely melting. The banter between them was a highlight, full of swoony moments that had me grinning and kicking my feet. This was such a heartfelt and fun read!

I was able to read this book thanks to Simon & Schuster, Madge Maril, and NetGalley. though I did get access to this book my views and reviews are my own original thoughts. (: Thankyou

Overall, I loved Arthur and had lots of fun with my first F1 romance. Arthur is swoonworthy and I love the "hates everyone but her" trope. However, there were some things that bugged me. Lilac was a pretty annoying FMC. She over-amplified her ADHD treating it like a full on disability. Arthur kept calling her his wife and said he wanted to put a baby in her the first time they had sex which was a major ick. And then kept calling her his wife when they hadn't even called each other boyfriend and girlfriend yet. Overall, it was fun! There were just some cringe moments I couldn't get past and I wasn't captivated for a lot of it. 3.5 rating!

I enjoyed this book quite a bit! It was a good quick read but still had some deeper stuff in it. I liked having a different type of sports romance. Being able to see everyone in it be who they wanna be by the end was great.

Thank you NetGalley and Simon & Schuster for an ARC of this book.

Love the cover, but not the book. As someone who became a formula 1 fun in the last year I love reading romances with it. I enjoyed that aspect of the book. It was the romance that was lacking for me. I don’t think it was because of it being single POV because I’m not sure how much the mmc’s POV would have added. I just didn’t connect to either of the characters and struggled to see the chemistry between them.

🏎️ formula 1
🤭 strangers to lovers
👥 close proximity
🔥 slow burn

single POV
3/5 stars ⭐️
1/5 spice level 🌶️

I was kindly provided with the arc of this book by NetGalley and Simon & Schuster in exchange of an honest review, thank you ✨

4.5⭐️

Arthur Bianco RUINED ME for any other book boyfriend 😭❤️‍🩹 from the moment he spoke to Lilah I knew he was sooooo going to fall for her, and he had me giggling and kicking my feet with every single thing that he did to make Lilah fall for him, I just love him so much ✨

And Lilah, my girl I just want to hug her and tell her she’s the most precious, brilliant, unique girl in the whole world! I hated every time she though she was weird or not enough or not worthy, and I know that a lot of people in her life make her feel that way, and I was pissed for her because she isn’t weird, she’s unique and perfect and I love how the author portrait her ADHD, and how she was able to live with it and let us know how she was also struggling with it, I really loved how mental health was very important in this story for both Lilah and Arthur, and I really enjoyed how they help each other and be there for each other 😭❤️‍🩹

4.25⭐️!!! This was my first F1 romance and believe me when I say it will not be my last!!! The author did a wonderful job of weaving in bits about the sport without taking you out of the story completely.

Arthur is a dream of an MMC. He is patient, he is kind, he is gentle, he loves quietly, and he stands up for his girl. That man is also fine as hell. What more could we ask for?!!???!!!

Lilah is such a beautiful character as well. She has been through so much and we really saw her come back to herself in this book. Thank you to Arthur for showing my girl how she deserves to be loved.

The slow burn romance was so sweet and perfect and the F1 politics & DRAMA???? I was living for it. I highly recommend this debut novel by Madge Maril!!!!

*Thank you to NetGalley and Simon & Schuster for this eARC in exchange for an honest review*

*Special thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing this free ARC in exchange for an honest review. Pub date: May 20, 2025

Chemistry dripping off the page in this fake dating sports romance! Lilah’s ex, Max, is overly harsh while Arthur, F1 reserve driver with something to prove, oozes charisma. This does a great job explaining enough about F1 for those unfamiliar, while also reading well for those who are familiar. This was a fun one!

A fun escape into the high octane world of F1 racing! Lilah is someone readers will relate to as she finds herself broken hearted in Texas, and then root for her to make it work with the hunky F1 driver. I enjoyed the change of setting for this romance, and will probably not look away from the next F1 race my husband watches!

I am beyond grateful to have gotten to read this book. I was coming in thinking I wouldn’t be the biggest fan. Not because of the author or anything, but because it was a F1 romance.

I have only read one other F1 series before, and I loved it so much I got into watching F1 live and became a true fan. With that though, I became more critical of books that had it as apart of the plot to the point where I even read the original series that made me enjoy it in the first place and not getting the same feeling and just noticing the inaccuracies.

But…. Then this book came around. I had so much reading this book the I practically binged it in a day. (I’m a slow reader so it was a day and a half). I didn’t even want to go to sleep just to stay up and finish it. I loved that you could tell the author either watched also or actually did their research to learn more about it. I also loved that the team colors was the same as my favorite team currently #papaya.

I think having this strong knowledge of the sport helped me stay entertained in the romance, and boy was it entertaining. This book has all the favorites, fake dating, enemies to lovers, slow burn, close proximity, the whole works. I was completely loving this duo and learning about the depth of them individually. I honestly thought it could have been longer to wrap up the story a bit more.

Overall, this has convinced me to come to this authors book signing in my town. I hope all my fellow F1 fans read it also.

he falls first and she has no idea until the very last minute even especially while they’re traveling abroad but it’s all part of his master plan

Not only swoon-worthy but also touches on some deeper topics like neurodivergence and panic attacks. I also loved that her getting some girlfriends was a plot line and not just the romantic love. Swiftie bracelets even made it into the story! 💕

Thanks to Simon & Schuster through NetGalley for the ARC!

I can’t believe this is Madge’ DEBUT novel! I absolutely adored this book, and Arthur Bianco is a top-tier book boyfriend in my book!

I know a fair amount the ins and outs of F1, and I think this book hit the nail on the head with the mechanical and more niche sides of the sport! It was exhilarating to learn more about the backside of racing—the meetings, the staff, the days off, the travel—and I found myself picturing the scenes and places as I was reading, which is always a good sign in terms of writing style and setting the vibe!

I also loved the story! The plot, the pacing, the drama, the romance; I loved all of it! From when we first meet Lilah and Arthur, their tension and chemistry was evident and clear as day, and I loved the pacing Madge set for their companionship to friendship to something more, and she had just the right amount of pining and spice and slow burn for me to love it!

The minor characters are always important to me, and I ADORED so many of the minor characters (not Max. Max can go away!)! Delaney and Cameron and Sarah and even Merlin! I loved how we got to learn more about them as the story unfolded, and I was kicking my feet giggling at the end when they were in the Paddock Club and then the garage!

Lilah, overall, was a lovely FMC, but I did have my moments where I thought was pushing the boundaries of being “not like other girls” and unique. She is a brilliant documentarian, and I loved how dedicated to her craft she was. I was a big fan of the ADHD representation, but I’m also someone who loves to connect and bond and find similarities to the FMCs I read about, and there were a few moments I just couldn’t connect with her.

Arthur was a sweetheart, but I do feel like there was a bit of some miscommunication between him and Lilah and the team at various points. It was clear he cared for her, and he cared about his career and driving, and I loved getting to see the more personal, off-the-track side of him.

Overall, this was such a treat to read, and I can’t wait to see what’s next in Madge’s writing docket!!

Thank you to Simon & Schuester and NetGalley for the eARC in exchange for an honest review!

The author knows her F1.
I love the sport and it was the best F1 romance I’ve read.
I really like how it made the sport approachable, focusing on the drama that goes into it and the politics and the adrenaline without focusing on the technical aspects.

The storyline hooks you, the fake relationship, which is my favorite, is very well done it. It wasn’t about the physical connection but about a deeper emotional one.

Thank you so much NetGalley for the ARC

Buckle up! "SLIPSTREAM" is an absolute thrill ride! I'm still buzzing from the electric connection between F1 driver Arthur Bianco and filmmaker Lilah Greywood. If Madge's writing captures even a fraction of the real F1 intensity, I'm not sure my heart could handle it! I was utterly gripped, devouring every page.
As someone completely new to F1, I found the balance between accessibility and information perfect, thanks to Lilah's own journey of discovery. Madge brilliantly immerses you in the spectacle – the roaring engines, the tense anticipation, the drivers' stories – it felt like experiencing my first hockey game all over again, that instant feeling of becoming a lifelong fan.
Beyond the glamorous F1 world of whirlwind travel and yachts, "SLIPSTREAM" beautifully explores Lilah's personal and romantic growth. Arthur and his team create a genuine orbit for her, fostering friendships and connection as she navigates past trauma and toxic relationships. Witnessing her gradual opening and the depth of their impact is truly rewarding.
And Arthur Bianco? Swoon-worthy doesn't even cover it. Part charming playboy, part endearing sweetheart, his passion and intensity are captivating. Even the smallest glimpse had me hooked! Watching Lilah slowly unravel his layers as she allows herself to explore their connection was pure gold. The earned trust between them was fantastic to see.
Highly recommend "SLIPSTREAM" to all romance readers, F1 knowledge or not! Get ready to cheer for Lilah's emotional breakthroughs, laugh at Arthur's fake dating mishaps, and flip pages at lightning speed for this delicious, intense slow burn. Lights Out? More like lights on all night to finish this!

What A Ride! I'm still buzzing from the thrill of reading F1 driver Arthur Bianco, and filmmaker Lilah Greywood fall in love. Also! If watching an actual F1 race is even half as intense as Madge writes it, I don't think I'd survive. I was locked in for every turn ... of the page. I couldn't put it down!

As I non F1 follower, I felt the story was perfectly balanced between accessible and informative. I'm grateful that Lilah, as the main character, had zero knowledge of F1. I liked sharing her moments of discovery. To feel the spectacle of the event. Hear the roar of the cars and crowd. The anticipation and tension of the race. And, of course, the narratives of the drivers. It reminded me of going to my very first hockey game and how I knew instantly I'd be a fan for life.

I loved reading Lilah's romantic and personal journies. The whirlwind travel, clubs, beaches, yachts life of the F1 circuit makes for a dreamy romance. But nestled into this rich and famous fantasy world is truth and friendship and connection. While she feels safest behind her camera, capturing truths and not living her own, Arthur and his crew take her into their orbit and develop genuine relationships with her. There's a lot for her to process - childhood trauma, mental health struggles, past toxic relationships - before she can even recognize how deep into her heart they've gotten. And thats a beautiful thing.

Arthur Bianco. The man that he is. Part playboy, part bbboi. Passionate and lovely and intense. He had me swooning from the barest glimpse of his wrist. His heartbeat louder even over the roar of the engines. I enjoyed learning his mysteries as little by little Lilah opens heraelf up to the possibilities of them. So much work done to earn each other's trust. Loved to see it.

Overall, highly recommend SLIPSTREAM to romance readers regardless of your F1 knowledge. You'll cheer for Lilah as she makes her emotional epiphanies. You'll swoon for Arthur as he fails at fake dating. And you'll turn pages so fast in anticipation of Lights Out for the most delicious and intense slow burns.

Thank you Netgalley and Simon & Schuster for the advance digital copy to read and review.

I loved every single moment of this!!! First of all, Madge Maril gets all the credit for turning me into a full blown Formula 1 fan instead of the casual observer I was before.

Thank you Simon & Schuster for the ARC, this was my first Netgalley approval and I am so grateful and totally honoured!

This book was exactly everything I wanted it to be, it was funny, heartfelt, witty, the banter was awesome, but most of all, I looooved seeing Lilah grow and evolve and learn to accept herself in all her awesomeness! There were moments that literally had me pulling out my journal because they were so profound. The writing and the pacing are so great, I felt so immersed in the world that Madge created here.

I totally adore Arthur, I can picture his smile and his smirk and all his golden boyness, and I totally get Lilah because I too would've fallen in love with him.

I'm definitely going to read this again, it was such a great read!!

Huge thanks to Simon & Schuster and Netgalley!!

I'm obsessed with this book, does she have a grocery list I'll read it? She crafted characters that are so real and visceral that I couldn't even be mad if they made a decision I didn't agree with because I understood why they were making that choice. Slipstream follows Lilah and Arthur over the course of one summer. Lilah is stubbornly making a documentary about F1, and Arthur is a reserve driver with his own agenda for this summer that does not involve the documentary if he can help it. It's very important to note that Arthur is the definition of "I take every recommendation you give me seriously,". Also Madge Madril did the impossible...she made me care about Formula One.

funny informative inspiring lighthearted fast-paced
Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0

Oh my gosh I don’t even know where to start. This book was gripping from the very start. The storyline was so exciting and I don’t know anything about formula 1.

The banter. The depth. The writing! Obsessed doesn’t begin to cover it.

I love the team Lilah and Arthur pulled together, and the small wins throughout the book. The tender moments where you could feel them falling in love with each other. And the rest of the characters that didn’t feel like throwaways.

I was giddy, kicking my feet, yelling and teary at various points while reading this. I also loved the ADHD representation, and not just because I have it myself! But the mental health aspects of this book were so good because they felt natural. It wasn’t forced, it was just part of life. (Like it is in real life.)

Honestly the only part that gave me the ick was the husband/wife stuff before they got married. IYKYK. But even so, Arthur and Lilah are so hot and I love them.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the arc in exchange for my review!