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3.79 AVERAGE
3.79 AVERAGE
emotional
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Even though this book isn’t coming out until January 2026, it felt right to read a racing story during May in Indianapolis, where everything revolves around the Indy 500. I’m not a racing fan (but I do know that Indy Car and F1 are not the same!) so I can’t speak to whether the racing related plot points are accurate or realistic. I’ll leave that analysis to the very passionate fanbase! Lizzy Dent books have been reliably good, not great, and this is no exception. This seems to bend harder into the romance genre than her previous books. There’s still the “FMC finding her way” angle here, but even that was more tied into Chloe’s childhood friendship with Matt. This won’t land in first place of my rankings of her books, but Lizzy Dent will continue to be an auto-read author for me.
adventurous
emotional
funny
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
As an F1 fan, I was so excited to come across this book! In the genre of sport romances, accurately depicted F1 themes are lacking. Lizzy Dent did a great job with portraying and explaining the sport and included some really fun references for F1 enjoyers. The majority of the teams and characters in this book are based on real life, with some creative liberty mixed in making it so easy to accept the fictional details while feeling immersed. The balance of romance and the intense world of F1 was perfect!
The characters we meet are very fitting to the story and felt fully fleshed out. I didn't find myself questioning any of the decisions that our characters made. Some actions from our MC's could be seen as unrealistic in the world of F1, but that's what made this book so fun and easy to read!
I loved getting to watch our MFC make a name for herself in a male-dominated sport. I only wish that this book were longer! I would love to see Lizzy continue writing in this world.
ARC provided for an honest review.
The characters we meet are very fitting to the story and felt fully fleshed out. I didn't find myself questioning any of the decisions that our characters made. Some actions from our MC's could be seen as unrealistic in the world of F1, but that's what made this book so fun and easy to read!
I loved getting to watch our MFC make a name for herself in a male-dominated sport. I only wish that this book were longer! I would love to see Lizzy continue writing in this world.
ARC provided for an honest review.
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Loveable characters:
Yes
Chloe Coleman, the new team principal of Arden Racing, is charged with saving the F1 team from the bottom of the rankings and financial ruin. During her first press conference the overbearing team owner announces the new driver is none other than Matt Warner, her childhood unrequited love. Can she repair their relationship and the team?
Drive Me Crazy was an enjoyable, easy read. Lizzy Dent’s knowledge of Formula 1 shines through in her perfect execution of the setting for the novel. I was pleased with how issues like sexism and lack of diversity in motorsports were acknowledged without taking away from the lightheartedness of the story.
The characters were developed in a way that is ideal for romance novels. It added to the plot without lending to too many subplots or characters that were too complex. The perspective switches between the FMC and MMC, but definitely focuses on the FMC. The dialogue felt realistic.
The romance falls into several tropes, but doesn’t really commit to any. They’re enemies to lovers, but they never really hated each other. She’s his boss, but there’s no power imbalance. So on and so forth. It doesn’t detract from how enjoyable the book is in my opinion, but readers who are looking for a specific trope may be disappointed in that aspect.
I wish there had been a little bit more will they won’t they, but I’m partial to a slow burn. I felt like their relationship was pretty realistic and liked how their history together was incorporated.
Overall, I really enjoyed cheering on Arden Racing as well as Chloe and Matt. I looked forward to picking this book back up every time. I’d recommend this to anyone who enjoys Emily Henry’s writing style and F1.
Thank you to Putnam and Penguin Random House for providing this book via NetGalley. All opinions are my own and unbiased.
Thank you to Putnam and Penguin Random House for providing this book via NetGalley. All opinions are my own and unbiased.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Sexism
emotional
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This was a fun read! I really enjoyed it. I liked the racing aspect of it. The only other books I’ve read with this type of setting have been Lauren Asher’s Dirty Air series (which I also loved), so it was cool to see it from another author and with different characters! Definitely a type of setting/storyline I would read again. I thought Chloe was a very strong character and the woman in a male dominated field aspect of the story was well done. I only wish the ending was a little more drawn out. Check this one out if you like childhood friends to strangers to lovers!
Thank you Putnam and NetGalley for the arc! All opinions are my own.
Thank you Putnam and NetGalley for the arc! All opinions are my own.
adventurous
emotional
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Drive Me Crazy is one of many Formula 1 romances I’ve picked up this year, and it’s clear the sport is having a well deserved moment in the genre. The premise is immediately compelling: a female lead in a leadership role (yes, please!) and a second chance romance built on shared history between Chloe and Matt.
The book kicks off strong. Chloe is a newly appointed team principal for a struggling F1 team, and her world is turned upside down when her childhood crush turned superstar driver, Matt, is traded to her team. Their chemistry is undeniable and the F1 setting feels authentic. Lizzy Dent clearly knows and loves the sport, and that passion shines through.
That said, while the start had me hooked, the story lost some steam midway through. The romance leaned heavily on physical tension, but lacked the deeper emotional development I was hoping for. Chloe’s imposter syndrome made sense given the male dominated setting, but sometimes felt overdone, making her seem inconsistent with her experience in the industry. And the third act conflict? A bit underwhelming, with a resolution that wrapped up too quickly and neatly for my taste.
Still, Drive Me Crazy is a fun, fast paced read that’s perfect for a palate cleanser, a quick fun read, or if you are a fan of the sport and want to feel at home. It doesn’t break new ground, but it’s enjoyable for what it is, especially for F1 fans looking for a light romance set in the paddock.
Thank you to NetGalley, Lizzy Dent, and the publisher for the eARC of this book.
The book kicks off strong. Chloe is a newly appointed team principal for a struggling F1 team, and her world is turned upside down when her childhood crush turned superstar driver, Matt, is traded to her team. Their chemistry is undeniable and the F1 setting feels authentic. Lizzy Dent clearly knows and loves the sport, and that passion shines through.
That said, while the start had me hooked, the story lost some steam midway through. The romance leaned heavily on physical tension, but lacked the deeper emotional development I was hoping for. Chloe’s imposter syndrome made sense given the male dominated setting, but sometimes felt overdone, making her seem inconsistent with her experience in the industry. And the third act conflict? A bit underwhelming, with a resolution that wrapped up too quickly and neatly for my taste.
Still, Drive Me Crazy is a fun, fast paced read that’s perfect for a palate cleanser, a quick fun read, or if you are a fan of the sport and want to feel at home. It doesn’t break new ground, but it’s enjoyable for what it is, especially for F1 fans looking for a light romance set in the paddock.
Thank you to NetGalley, Lizzy Dent, and the publisher for the eARC of this book.
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
I enjoyed this a lot. That said, I’m an F1 fan and would only recommend this book to other F1 fans.
What do I mean by that: the F1 details and references were fun. It’s clearly Lizzy Dent actually knows F1 and brought her love of the sport into the book. Additionally, I enjoyed her writing style (and realistic dialog) so would happily give other books of hers a read.
However, there were some issues I had with the overall story that would be more irksome if I didn’t have the F1 references to enjoy. First and foremost, I didn’t buy into the romance. It felt like physical intimacy was prioritized over Chloe and Matt actually talking to establish their relationship. Secondly, while I think imposter syndrome, especially in a male dominated field, is believable, it was hard to unite the Chloe who has been in the racing scene for 15+ years and thus knows how it works & what she needs to do to be successful with the Chloe who consistently acted like she didn’t belong nor earned the role. Thirdly, the third act miscommunication. Not only did Chloe not really take ownership of her actions but I wasn’t convinced she really learned from them (e.g., she was still happy to complain to a complete stranger about Barry and his effort to get ready). Plus, it seemed odd that Matt was so quick to forgive without much discussion… which brings me back to my first issue.
Thank you to Lizzy Dent, G. P. Putnam’s Sons, and NetGalley for providing me with an advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review.
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I'm realising my sports romance phase is stretching past hockey and veering into F1.
This was such a good romance, I like how the characters feel like adults with most things figured out, but still have their struggles. I really like the FMC, she's a strong character and I'm glad the author didn't shy away from letting her shine and stand up for what she wanted and believed in.
Overall I really enjoyed Drive Me Crazy, the only downside is that the ending felt a little rushed. It seemed like there was so much more to happen but then it was just over. The epilogue is perfect though.
I highly recommend everyone read it once it's out in 2026!!
Thank you Netgalley and Putnam for the ARC.
This was such a good romance, I like how the characters feel like adults with most things figured out, but still have their struggles. I really like the FMC, she's a strong character and I'm glad the author didn't shy away from letting her shine and stand up for what she wanted and believed in.
Overall I really enjoyed Drive Me Crazy, the only downside is that the ending felt a little rushed. It seemed like there was so much more to happen but then it was just over. The epilogue is perfect though.
I highly recommend everyone read it once it's out in 2026!!
Thank you Netgalley and Putnam for the ARC.
adventurous
emotional
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
3.5 stars - "Gentlemen ... there's no need to bring NASCAR into this." AMEN SISTER, write this on my tombstone
As an avid f1 fan (to the embarrassment of my mother who thinks I watch NASCAR), I honestly try to avoid f1 romance novels. While yes, I would love to be delusional and fantasize about falling in love with Carlos Sainz, f1 as a sport is so complicated and not conducive to a realistic and/or believable romance plot. But the universe, netgalley, and my brain riding high on Oscar’s third win all had other plans for me this week, and I’m not upset! This was fun!
I appreciate the way the f1 details / the sport were written in this book a lot! Call me a fangirl or whatever, but my favorite parts of this book were the name droppings, the team drama, and the ‘insider’ tidbits. Lizzy calling Lewis an eight-time world champion in this AU had me on the FLOORRR. Plus, with the “green and black”, back-of-the-grid team lore, this is just canonically a Kick Sauber story right?!?! You’re telling me Noah has “blonde hair”? Good enough, welcome back Valterri Bottas!!!<3<3<3
Unfortunately, what I didn’t love was the romance itself. It was fine, and I appreciated the character development individually between Chloe and Matt, but I felt no real chemistry or any sort of convincing build up to their relationship besides Matt thinking Chloe’s hot now. I think it’s because of how short of a time frame the plot existed in (5 races, 7 weeks in total). A lot became jumbled in trying to keep to the racing and traveling schedule (again, why I had my doubts about an f1 romance working), but also in referencing the time periods of Matt’s crash and also their childhood? It was just kind of a lot, and therefore nothing really hit emotionally like I think it intended to. My biggest pet peeve though was how much build up we had to the reckoning of two friends after a horrible crash, but then it was just … resolved in a few paragraphs? And then not really spoken about again?
All in all, I fluctuated between really loving the f1 of this book and really struggling with the characters/love story. The alternate f1 universe she created is JUST true to form enough that I had lots of fun! (though it is sometimes hard to ignore the obvious behaviors that would get every single person in this book fired from this sport immediately if it were real… I think I just know too much to have any plausible deniability here lol) But for what this book IS, it’s fun :)
Thank you to netgalley and putnam for the arc :)
As an avid f1 fan (to the embarrassment of my mother who thinks I watch NASCAR), I honestly try to avoid f1 romance novels. While yes, I would love to be delusional and fantasize about falling in love with Carlos Sainz, f1 as a sport is so complicated and not conducive to a realistic and/or believable romance plot. But the universe, netgalley, and my brain riding high on Oscar’s third win all had other plans for me this week, and I’m not upset! This was fun!
I appreciate the way the f1 details / the sport were written in this book a lot! Call me a fangirl or whatever, but my favorite parts of this book were the name droppings, the team drama, and the ‘insider’ tidbits. Lizzy calling Lewis an eight-time world champion in this AU had me on the FLOORRR. Plus, with the “green and black”, back-of-the-grid team lore, this is just canonically a Kick Sauber story right?!?! You’re telling me Noah has “blonde hair”? Good enough, welcome back Valterri Bottas!!!<3<3<3
Unfortunately, what I didn’t love was the romance itself. It was fine, and I appreciated the character development individually between Chloe and Matt, but I felt no real chemistry or any sort of convincing build up to their relationship besides Matt thinking Chloe’s hot now. I think it’s because of how short of a time frame the plot existed in (5 races, 7 weeks in total). A lot became jumbled in trying to keep to the racing and traveling schedule (again, why I had my doubts about an f1 romance working), but also in referencing the time periods of Matt’s crash and also their childhood? It was just kind of a lot, and therefore nothing really hit emotionally like I think it intended to. My biggest pet peeve though was how much build up we had to the reckoning of two friends after a horrible crash, but then it was just … resolved in a few paragraphs? And then not really spoken about again?
All in all, I fluctuated between really loving the f1 of this book and really struggling with the characters/love story. The alternate f1 universe she created is JUST true to form enough that I had lots of fun! (though it is sometimes hard to ignore the obvious behaviors that would get every single person in this book fired from this sport immediately if it were real… I think I just know too much to have any plausible deniability here lol) But for what this book IS, it’s fun :)
Thank you to netgalley and putnam for the arc :)
Content Warnings
Graphic: Car accident
Moderate: Sexism