A review by babettevdw
Throttled by Lauren Asher

funny lighthearted relaxing fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

Fear is not always a weakness. It's what you do with the fear that shows your true strength.

Arghhh, I’m so conflicted about Throttled. I didn’t dislike it, but I also didn’t love it. And that is so weird to me. This first part in the Dirty Air-series by Lauren Asher embodies everything I am: a hopeless romantic and an F1 lover - so it pains me that I didn’t fully fall head over heels with it. It was a book that when I picked it up I flew through it, but as soon as I put it down it started to collect dust.

Okay, but what are the positive things I took away from reading Throttled? For starters, I adore all the little F1 details. From the way the press conferences are described ("F1 panels are juicy. You'll enjoy it, I know it.), to little comments on the weekend format, to the complete bashing of the guys that drive in the sport (“These racers and their egos, fragile little things.”). Was it all realistic? No, not at all. Having someone who doesn’t work on the pitwall come on the radio during the race? The fact that there is never a formation lap? But that is me picking bits out. 

Will I be reading the rest of the series? Probably, but I’m not rushing to get into the rest. And while Maya and Noah had an interesting dynamic and I cracked up multiple times because of the situations they were put in, I can’t picture how the other pairings will be.
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