I am a huge F1 fan and this was my first book in an F1 setting. I loved it. I thought it was so fun. You had the demands of a Formula 1 season on two new teammates with a romance brewing. The rivalry leading to chemistry was chefs kiss 💋

I also really enjoyed the found family and side characters! I hope there’s a next book!

3.5/3.75 stars? Sure.

I must have consumed a different book because I thought this was okay for an F1 romance. Maybe I've just read so many bad ones that I'm extra excited about it. Maybe it was the quality of the audiobook but I thought it was pretty good. Is it an F1 biography? No. Are there some weak points in the F1 "world"? Yeah. I even would have liked more spicy scenes but over all I thought it was a decent rivals to lovers, age gap, MM sports romance. (And the cover art is super cute).

Thank you to the author, Netgalley and HarperAudio for the audio ARC. I am reviewing this title honestly and voluntarily.

I LOVED this one! It was my first Formula 1 read and I definitely went and started requesting more. The character development was so so good. I'm usually not one to like accents in narrators (I received the audiobook), but this one wasn't too much and didn't take away from the story. Definitely pick this one up!

This was an incredibly entertaining f1 mm romance. The tension and chemistry between Kian and Harper was palpable as it transitioned from dislike/rivals to secret lovers.

I really enjoyed how much Caffery brought the sport to life through this book. There were many moments where I felt like I was inside the cockpit along side Kian and I have an appreciation for the accuracy in how the sport was portrayed.

There were times where I found both characters - Harper in particular - to be acting immaturely, however I have seen many real life f1 drivers behave like babies, so I suppose that checks out.

Once Harper began working on himself and going to therapy, while Kian supported him while also settling into the major changes in his life, I truly loved how these two loved and showed up for one another.

Joshua Chase and James Joseph did a wonderful job narrating this story. I wish that rather than the opening credits on audiobooks saying "read by joshua chase and james Joseph" they indicated which narrator portrayed which character. I love when MM romances have two narrators for dual pov, because it helps me track who's pov I'm listening from. However I did noticed that whichever of the narrators was performing Harper's pov was a little softer spoken.

Thank you so much to NetGalley, Harper Audio and Rebecca J Caffery for the audiobook.

A fun little listen (I listened to the audiobook)! While I enjoyed getting to know Kian and watching Harper grow, I fear that the narrators' accents were possibly my favorite part of this book. There were a lot of aspects that felt unbalanced in this story -- stakes aren't high enough, then they're too high. Not enough relationship development, then all that's happening is Kian and Harper are having sex and fighting. Neither character ever really felt fully fleshed out to me, and when I put the book down, I didn't particularly look forward to picking it back up. However, there were a lot of precious moments and overall the story was certainly written better than some of the other sports romances that I've read.

2.5 stars, rounded up.

*4.5

I am a huge, huge fan of formula 1 so I was waiting for this book so much! And it lived up my expectations. It’s a good book. It’s funny and unpretentious and good. I liked it a lot. Love it! And I fell in love with the romance.

Thank you Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC.

Love this book. Love that it took place as part of the F1 sport background. You don’t get to many books in that era. Love the enemies to lovers in the sport they loved 🥰 it was very heartwarming and cute.

i'm hesitant with sports romances because i've been burned in the past. (i like the sports parts! so many of them don't have the sports parts!) but i took a chance on pole position, and i'm glad i did. first, there was a great balance of sports and romance. definitely helped by the fact that they're both athletes.

i found the dynamic between the two leads to be very fun! i felt like it was getting too be a bit much that both characters kept going back to like "why did i ever think he was different" when both of them showed a lot of growth over the story, but it was v v small. i loved harper and kian! they were both so complex, but they made it work. they felt very organic and human. i also liked that the progression of their relationship felt very natural. personally, i think harper should have groveled a bit more, but that's just me 💅🏻 they are both sweethearts and they are perfect.

the audiobook was fantastic! both narrators were so good at each voice, and it was so easy to listen to them. if anybody wants to read this book, i would recommend picking up the audiobook.

This was so so good much better then I was expecting this narrator was so great I hope everyone listens to this

Thank you to NetGalley and HarperAudio Adult for providing the audiobook of Pole Position by Rebecca J. Caffery.

I found the audiobook quite enjoyable, especially Kian’s POVs, as I preferred the narrator for his chapters. The book itself has potential; I liked the premise, and the characters have great, fun banter. However, it falls a little flat beyond that. The pacing is inconsistent, with too many abrupt jumps in the way the characters and their relationship evolve. While I enjoy some miscommunication in my romances, this story leaned a bit too heavily on that trope.

There are a few simple adjustments that could have made this a more enjoyable read: reducing the excessive use of the word “twink,” avoiding long discussions about Harper going to therapy only for him to disregard any progress he claimed to have made, and ensuring consistency by not mixing real F1 teams with fictional ones.

With a few tweaks, this could easily have been a 4-star read—especially in audiobook format.

This is the first time I've read this author or listened to either narrator and I am extremely impressed. Both narrators did a fantastic job bringing their characters to life and expressing their emotions. I was nearly in tears by the end of the book and for once from happiness. Usually I only cry when something tragic happens in a well written story.

This book combines some of my favorite tropes in a magical way that had me immersive reading it nearly straight through.
- Enemies to Friends to Lovers
- Teammates & Sports
- Age Gap
- Falling for Your Hero
- Grumpy/Sunshine
- Wild/Responsible
- Hurt/Comfort
- Banter & Pranks
- Tension & Chemistry
- HEA w/no Cliffhanger
- No External Drama

The story starts with veteran racer Kian receiving the news that his best friend & teammate will be out for the whole season. Harper is excited to finally get his chance in the big leagues & is overly excited to be doing so with his ideal. Unfortunately, Harpers nervous enthusiasm comes across as arrogance and puts Kian off right from the start.

I saw someone compare the two to Jamie & Roy from Ted Lasso and it is the best way to describe their dynamic. Kian is constantly trying to get Harper to be more responsible, usually by pointing out his faults. Harper is constantly calling Kian boring and old and trying to get him to go out and have some fun. It makes for great chemistry that has you wondering why no one else can see them falling for each other.

I would recommend this book to anyone who loves romance books, especially MM sports. I can see myself rereading it regularly as a sweet pick me up.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ of 5 overall
🌶🌶.5 of 5 for spice
🧁🧁🧁🧁 of 5 for sweetness
☕☕☕ of 5 for coziness

I’ll say it: this is better than Red, White, and Royal Blue. Why? Because it’s steamier, sexier, and pulse-racing, like the twenty F1 cars (soon to be twenty-two) firing up their engines and taking off at the green light. That vibration you’re feeling? Yeah, that’s not the cars—it’s the sheer angst radiating off this book. MM Romance plus racing is hotter than an F1 Paddock Club pass.


There is something about an F1 or any racing novel, for that matter, that really gets me going when it's an MM romance. The banter within these pages had me cackling aloud at times. I did enjoy that we had more races within this novel. It gave the forced proximity trope more angst since they are both racers on the same team. They both are revving up each other's engines in angst. Lol. Other novels usually focus more on the relationship, which, yes, is the main plot, but it was nice to read/listen to more races, standings, struggles, etc.


Thank you, NetGalley and Rebecca J. Caffery, for the opportunity to review the audiobook for Pole Position! Every word within this review is my own personal thoughts and opinions.



Story: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4/5)
Audiobook: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (5/5) Joshua Chase, James Joseph
Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️ (3/5) MM Romance and so much Angst!

I really enjoyed this sports romance set the world of car racing. The interactions between the two main characters were humorous and fun, yet also dealt with some serious topics too. I loved learning more about the sport and the behind the scenes peek at how the magic of making it look effortless happens. The audiobook is a great way to enjoy this story and the narration is perfection.

Thank you NetGalley and HarperAudio Adult for the audiobook of Pole Position by Rebecca J. Caffery!

We love a good F1 romance and this definitely did not disappoint in a lot of ways — however, there is one thing that almost made me stop listening, especially in the beginning. I loved the narrator who voiced Kian, he had the perfect tone and accent. When the narration switched to who voiced Harper, I had to up the volume so much because it sounded like he was whispering, and it made it so difficult to understand at times. I really enjoyed the story itself and would be giving it a higher rating if I had read the book physically or as an ebook.

Outside of this narration, I probably would have given this book 4 stars, but it was unfortunately docked a star due to this.

I do recommend this book, but I think you might be better off with the ebook or a physical copy!

As a fan of F1, I was intrigued by this book.
The dual narrators helped with dual males. I can see why some would really like this book - especially if they are mildly into F1 or just beginning to be into the sport and looking for this storyline. There are a lot of plot holes and jumps in character development. The premise of someone in foster care being able to afford one of the most expensive sports in the world could use some editing. It could have had potential but needs a lot of work.

I liked this a lot more than I expected with my limited knowledge of Formula 1 racing (at least that’s what I think this is.)

Kian is an experienced racer with fifteen years on the circuit and 4 championship cups. He enters this season wondering if it may be his last. Before leaving for his first race, he learns that his teammate had a season ending accident and will be covered by rookie hotshot Harper James.

Harper is newer to racing, but he has been killing it at his level. He has spent his share of time in the clubs, and the tabloids have never been shy when it comes to his pictures. He is ecstatic to move up to the top level and prove himself racing alongside his hero, Kian Walker, only to learn that the old saying, “never meet your heroes,” has a ring of truth to it.

Kian and Harper couldn’t be more different characters, so their chemistry really is surprising, but the relationship they build is a beautiful one. This story is heart wrenching and sweet. I enjoyed every minute.

3.75/5 ⭐️
2.5/5 🌶️

Thank you to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for providing me with an ALC of this novel.

This book is about two Formula 1 drivers who end up on the same team. One is a legend, with many seasons under his belt. The other is a rookie in F1, but had been good in lower racing.

I love F1 and racing, so give me two hot men who go from enemies to lovers?! SIGN ME THE F*CK UP!!! I ate up every interaction and touch between these two. And the spice was 🥵.

If you love a good MM and sports/racing romances, I recommend you read or listen to this one!

Audio: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Book itself: ⭐⭐⭐.5
Spice: 🌶️🌶️.5

Honestly, James Joseph could read me his grocery list and I would hang on every word. The narrator casting for this was fantastic, and I could not stop listening.

As for the story itself, I didn’t like Kian’s character or treatment of Harper for a good 30-35% of the book. He just made assumptions about Harper based off what he thought he knew about him, and was a massive asshole. Sure Harper was wild at times and had a lot of growing up to do, but his character was actually really funny and sweet too.

The banter and chemistry between the two was great though once Kian got over being a twat, but the constant hot and cold from Harper (thanks to his major abandonment issues) and his inability to really communicate with Kian became a bit repetitive. Once they work all their shit out though, their relationship is very sweet and I would have liked to seen more of it than what we got.

Overall though I can’t really complain, Pole Position was a steamy and fun listen!

3.5 stars. Enemies to lovers is one of my favorite tropes so while this was nothing revolutionary, I really enjoyed it. I know nothing about Formula 1 racing but it was definitely something new to set this book apart.

Pros: The narration of this audiobook was great. I loved Kian's character a lot and the banter between both MMCs was great.

Cons: I hated Harper on and off the whole book. Both characters had trauma but Harper handles his in such an immature way it was hard to get past. Also, I do think there was missed opportunities for more spice!

Overall, I really liked this and would definitely check out more from this author.

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC!

Pole Position is about two Formula 1 drivers—an experienced champion and a reckless rookie—who have to team up, and it’s full of drama. It’s a quick, fun read that kept me hooked, even if I couldn’t stand James at first. His personality in the beginning was such a turn-off that I struggled to empathize with him later on. That said, the Grand Prix scenes and team dynamics were so well done that it made up for it and kept me entertained.

The audiobook was especially impressive—the voice actors did an amazing job bringing the characters to life.