Madge Maril’s DEBUT novel is a slowburn F1 romance that I absolutely could not put down. She put me THROUGH IT! My heart broke, I teared up, but I also laughed and kicked my feet. Lilah is such a beautifully complex character that I deeply connected with. Arthur, on the other hand, is a man I need biblically. I’d risk it all for him!
 
Lilah is a serious documentarian, unfamiliar with the world of F1, who has recently relocated to Texas with her boyfriend and has no interest in filming races. Soon after, she’s dumped by her boyfriend and fired from what she thought was her own company. Enter Arthur Blanco, a charismatic playboy and F1 reserve driver for Ignition, who also has no interest in filming the documentary. Together, they devise a plan to take control of the project, seeking revenge for Lilah and redemption for Arthur. But their scheme complicates things not only for the documentary but for their feelings as well.
 
Lilah, my sweet, beautiful girl, I love you so much. She is one of the most relatable FMCs I’ve ever read. She struggles with ADHD (just like I do), and it was so healing to see how she experienced the world. Her emotions made me feel so seen. Lilah is incredibly intelligent and talented but also raw and complicated. I can’t thank Madge enough for the mental health representation in this book. My heart ached for Lilah and all I wanted to do was wrap her up in a big hug.
 
Arthur is equally incredible and complex. He’s so much more than his reputation, he hides behind the mask he presents to the world, and peeling back his layers was such a joy. If you loved Ryan Shay’s quiet love in The Right Move, you will fall head over heels for Arthur. He emulates nothing but pure, wholesome, quiet love. His love confession? Made me cry in my car. I wanted to rip my heart out of my chest!!! This man is too damn hot and amazing, I am SICK (complimentary).
 
After being in a horrendous reading slump, this book breathed new life into me. I was enchanted by the MCs and watching them fall in love, flaws,and all, was perfect. I feel like I could go on and on about how much I love this book. I cannot WAIT to get my physical book to add to my trophy bookcase. Get ready to be tired of me talking about this book, you need to read it!

Slipstream by Madge Maril is a stunning debut set in the wild world of Formula 1 and is available everywhere May 20, 2025. Mark your calendars because you don’t want to miss this fast paced romance!

Lilah Graywood is a serious documentarian and she’s currently out of her depth with this new project she’s moved to Texas for. Her business partner/best friend/secret boyfriend, Max, agrees to film an in house movie with Ignition Energy Drink Racing team. Lilah is assigned to follow the less than thrilled F1 team’s reserve driver, Arthur Bianco. He’s got a bad boy reputation and the looks to go with it. While trying to convince Max this isn’t their company’s style of project, Max informs Lilah that they are breaking up and oh by the way he actually owns the company, it’s never really been a partnership. Lilah and Arthur end up teaming together for revenge in a way no one will see coming. Lilah continues filming Arthur and through unlikely events the pair end up fake dating in order to carry out their mission of revenge and redemption.

I loved Slipstream, I couldn’t read it fast enough! As an avid F1 fan I’m often leery of F1 romance as it’s hard to write in a way that’s inclusive for non motorsport fans. The sport is so complex and sometimes a story gets too technical or goes the opposite direction and doesn’t represent the sport at all. Madge Maril did a perfect job of introducing the sport in digestible pieces while showcasing the drama, humor, and passion that’s inherently a part of F1. This is not to say that Arthur and Lilah’s story is solely focused on Formula 1 but it is a huge part of their lives and so enjoyable. Arthur is down bad for our girl Lilah and it’s so fun to read. The chemistry and vulnerability in Slipstream will have you hooked! Not to mention the secondary characters are well written and add so much to this story. I’ve already preordered my copy and will definitely read whatever Maril puts out next. Read this if you like:
-fake dating
-enemies to lovers
-F1 romance
-slow burn

5/5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️🌶️

A big thank you to NetGalley and Simon & Schuster for an eARC in exchange for my honest review.

madge maril struts in with a tenderly beautiful debut that will render you soft and mushy. set in the backdrop of the F1 world, this book does not hold back in showing you the reality of it, but that doesn't mean you won't fall in love with it nonetheless. a documentarian filming the fallen legacy star after a pretty rough betrayal from her long time business partner and boy friend has no business getting a rebound with the said subject racer, and she doesn't want to either. but the F1 racer has his own secrets, and situations, that lead up to a series of events where they work together to make and break the documentary and along with it, the people they want to take down.

best way to do it? very much to lilah's dismay, to act like a couple. don't ask how, just trust the process and read it. you'll fall in love with both lilah and arthur, and their professions too, simply because how much they love it. and what greater thing can a book hope to achieve than that? slipstream is one of the best books in 2025 and I'm so excited for everyone to read it in may!!