I don't think this is the book for me. I tried to get into it but the characters fell a little flat. I just overall did not enjoy it.

My thoughts:
Formula One romance that I really enjoyed reading.
I loved the chemistry and banter between Mia and Xander.
The romance was not slow burn….things heat up pretty fast!
Is the plot a bit predictable? Some will say yes. I found it to be delightful and engaging.
This is the first book I’ve read by Karen Booth. I am looking forward to reading more books by her. The pacing of the story was perfect as well very informative about Formula One racing.
If you are looking for a light hearted yet spicy read, you definitely need to pick up Not So Fast.
This is my honest review and all opinions are my own.

Not So Fast by Karen Booth is an entertaining, snarky, fun, and sweet fast paced F1 romance. It balanced family issues, boundaries, mental health care, and dealing with negative intrusive thoughts, all wrapped up in a fun sports-romance that explores F1 racing and podcasting. Mia Neal, a F1 podcaster, gets thrust into the world of F1, where she is on top, after she made a comment about Xander Bishop, a British driver who is a bit too cocky for his own good. Mia and Xander get off to a rocky start, especially after he calls her out for talking smack about him on her podcast. These two start out as enemies, but soon sparks are flying, as they burn up the bed sheets. Soon they are relying on each other in order to work through the obstacles of self doubt and self sabotage. This is an enjoyable quick sport romance with found family, rivalry to lovers with some wonderful banter and spice.

I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book.
#NetGalley # Kensington # NotSoFast

NOT SO FAST – Karen Booth
Harlequin Afterglow
ISBN: 978-1-335-57498-5
May 27, 2025
Contemporary Romance

Austin, Texas & England – Present Day

Mia Neal loves Formula One racing and started a popular podcast to follow and comment on the sport. She has criticized driver Xander Bishop as his career has suddenly plummeted. One day out of the blue, Mia is contacted by one of his rivals, Dirk, to attend a Formula One event in Miami. He wants to flaunt her in front of Xander to get into his head and make him lose another race. She agrees but secretly admits that she is not going to taunt Xander but to meet him. They do encounter one another but he isn’t exactly pleasant to her as he’s not happy about the shade she’s been throwing his way. However, Mia finds herself attracted to him. Late one night, they end up in a secluded park in Miami. Sparks fly, and soon he invites her to attend Grand Prix events as his guest. Is love about to blossom between them?

Welcome to the fast world of Formula One racing, where rivalries and friendships go hand in hand. While Xander and Dirk race for the same racing company, they are still rivals for the coveted prizes. Dirk has been ripping into Xander and thinks bringing Mia in will make him snap. But Mia admires Xander and isn’t intentionally trying to be mean to him. She wants him to be the best, though she can’t favor one driver over the other. This is where it gets complicated, because if her followers find out that she is hanging around Xander, they might think she is selling out. Yet there is no denying the sparks flying between them. He is nice to talk to, and she offers him advice. When he starts driving better, is it due to Mia?

In NOT SO FAST, readers get a glimpse into the lives and world of Formula One racing. Even if you don’t like racing (or sports), you won’t have trouble following along. This tale is about the burning hot romance of Mia and Xander, as well as the complex relationships around them. Mia was introduced to racing by her aunt, but her mother and aunt don’t get along. Her mother thinks Mia is wasting her time podcasting, but it has proven to be a lucrative experience so far. She enjoys the thrills of being around Formula One racing and the drivers. But the best part is being around Xander. He even ends up inviting her to his home in England, where she meets his family. Is there a future for them together? How will people react when they learn that their favorite podcaster is sleeping with one of the drivers?

An entertaining and intriguing tale, be sure not to miss NOT SO FAST.

Patti Fischer
Romance Reviews Today

This was such a fun audiobook to listen to and read! The characters were so raw and real. Mia's situation was so relatable the not knowing what to do with her life and just trying to find something with freedom and fulfillment! Xander battles with mental health was also something I wasn’t expecting but loved that it was talked about. He really had work to trust himself and her through the book!
I wish it was dual POV and duet narration but all and all it was very good.

Okay, this book? Whew. It's like standing too close to the track when the cars fly by—fast, loud, and impossible to ignore. Mia's snarky inner monologue had me grinning from page one, and Xander? Lord, help me. The man is British broody perfection with just enough arrogance to earn every bit of her sass.
I devoured this in one sitting and didn't even come up for air. The tension? Electric. The banter? Chef's kiss. And when things finally ignite between Mia and Xander? Let's say I needed a minute—and a fan. Karen Booth didn't just write a romance; she dropped me straight into the pit crew of a spicy F1 fantasy with two people who absolutely should not fall for each other but do so in the hottest way possible. Buckle up if enemies to lovers and race cars sound like your idea of a good time.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for an early copy of this book. I was really intrigued by the F1 premise of this one but sadly this just fell flat for me. I didn’t love that this was 3rd person POV, the humor was a bit cringy and awkward to me at times, and this was a little too insta love for me. I needed more emotional connection with the characters and more of a plot. I appreciated that this was a fast read and I did enjoy some of the race scenes.. I just didn’t love the characters or this story overall.

rating: 2.5/5
includes: sports romance (formula 1), dislike to lovers, third pov, insta love


if I see a formula 1 romance book, you already know that I’m going to read it. was really excited to pick this up and although this book ended up not being for me, lovers of sports romance might enjoy this one!

mia neal runs a formula 1 podcast and one of her main topics is xavier bishop. imagine daniel ricciardo when he made his move to mclaren and struggled, that’s xavier. a lot of the podcast’s success is due to her criticism on him. I wish the angle of her knowledge of the sport and being a women in motorsports was played out more instead of her success being because she criticizes a specific driver.

she needs up getting passes to the miami grand prix which is where she meet and instantly their story starts rolling. the lack of tension between the characters made it hard for me to feel invested throughout the story since it happened so fast. really wish the story didn’t kick off so fast to let you really see the characters independently and then how they came together.

regardless, it was still a quick & easy read that I think lovers of formula 1 and sports romances should give a chance.

thank you harliqueen publishing, net galley and the author for an arc in exchange of my honest thoughts <3

Overthinking podcaster Mia’s viral commentary on Formula One driver Xander lands her a VIP pass to the Miami Grand Prix. Despite their initial animosity, a sizzling attraction ignites, threatening Mia’s carefully constructed life.

Funny and spicy and smart, this novel left me smiling. Mia and Xander are sweet together with sizzling chemistry. The story is fast-paced with a strong family vibe.

Thanks, NetGalley, for the ARC I received. This is my honest and voluntary review.

Not So Fast is adorable. My first from Karen Booth and I truly enjoyed her writing style and how easily it was to get lost in her words. Main characters Mia Neal and Xander Bishop are delightful as the upcoming podcaster and Formula One driver, and their mutual search for greatness definitely helps in igniting the passion each has for the other. In fact, it was great fun getting to watch Mia show Xander and everyone else involved in the racing scene just how knowledgeable she was about the sport and how much influence she had. What may have started as light honesty when it came to Xander's current racing year and lack of wins clearly puts Mia on a path she never saw coming. But with Xander the ultimate reward for her hard work and dedication, I'd say all the criticism and doubt cast upon her by both herself and others was worth it.

These two are just so sweet together. Both characters are good people who simply want to do well in their chosen profession. With Xander struggling of late, I was glad that he had the full support of his close family of 5. Mia, on the other hand, could never get her successful journalist mother to see just how well her daughter was now doing after trying various other careers. But podcasting was made for her. She is vibrant, outgoing and smart as a whip. And Xander comes to see that quite quickly as Mia gets a chance to travel to a few venues to watch races up close and personal. This bonafide F1 guru knew her stuff and I loved her exuberance for the sport.

But Mia is wise enough to keep her distance when need be especially when she and Xander strike up more than a friendship as they share inner thoughts that no one has ever been privy to before. Their shared fears of failure open up a new world for both of them, each becoming the other's biggest cheerleader and ultimate fan. I loved seeing them fall hard for the other, all the while trying to keep it a secret to the outside world, so as not to be a distraction from Xander's races. Mia has enough confidence for both of them yet Xander often has to remind his girl just how wonderful a person she is and I was thrilled that by the book's end, I do believe Mia knew that too.

Booth doesn't bog the book down with over-the-top specifics when it comes to F1 and to be honest, it only helped to amp up my already curious thoughts about the sport. We get the excitement of hearing what the engineers say to Xander while going around the various tracks while at the same time, we get to see how Mia handles other drivers and being right there when she records another podcast for her growing number of subscribers. It's an exciting adventure for both of them and I furiously turned the pages to see if both would make it to the top together.

There are plenty of steamy scenes to counter the sweet ones and in the end, Mia and Xander are simply two wonderful people who deserve all they accomplish and more. I loved being with them. Loved their banter. Loved their pillow talk and most importantly how they love. And they do love with all their hearts whether it's racing, family and friends or most importantly, each other.

I wouldn't hesitate to read more from this author. Not So Fast is clever and fresh and I happily give it a big 4 stars!

Emotion that spirals out of control. From fiery temptation to sassy irony, Booth pushes the boundaries of the heart. Not So Fast thrives on speaking it's mind without losing it's soul.

I really like the premise of this book. I think the dynamic of Mia and Xander are great. Mia’s podcast is super cool and I think that she’s pretty relatable and I love that she doesn’t give into what her mother wants for her!

I think the real thing is that while I love both of the characters individually I didn’t feel the chemistry between them. It’s kinda hard to explain but I think they are a very one sided relationship to where he gives her everything and she doesn’t want to compromise on things and to me it’s hard to root for them.

First let me start by saying thank you to NetGalley, author Karen Booth and Harlequin publishing. In exchange for this E-ARC of Not So Fast, I promised to give an honest review.

First, let me give some background by saying I’m a huge F1 fan, like wake up and watch practice at 2am kind of fan. With that being said I tend to read F1 romances in equal parts of a fan girl that believes anything could happen and the critic of they would never let that happen in the paddock.

Anyways about the book, which I really enjoyed! I had a lot of fun with this book, it was witty and sexy, while also giving perspective on how what we see from the outside as fans doesn’t show the full story of our favorite drivers.

Seeing females in a male dominated field like F1 always gives me joy and although it’s not without battle, I loved seeing Mia’s journey. I think there’s also just something special about two people who accept each other, but also help the other grow!

If you’re a sports romance fan, and bonus if you’re an F1 fan, then do yourself a favor and read this book! This fast paced, secret relationship, sports romance comes out May 27th, so get ready because it’s lights out and away we go! 🏁♥️🏎️

Not So Fast is a fun, fast-paced romance that delivers on its promise of a steamy, feel-good story. Booth's adept blending of humor, heart, and high-speed thrills makes this novel an enjoyable escape for those looking to indulge in a lighthearted romantic adventure. Whether you're a die-hard F1 fan or simply in the mood for a charming rom-com, Mia and Xander's journey is one worth taking.

3.5

Very cute!
I thoroughly enjoyed this fast-paced, light-hearted romance. It was my second ever F1 sports romance (I really gotta read more of those, because I enjoyed the technical aspects quite a lot here too!), and I was hooked immediately.
I managed to INHALE "Not So Fast" from start to finish.
I enjoyed the two protagonists, and I loved their romance quite a lot. Mia was fabulous, and she felt really relatable to me too. Overthinking perfectionist who's unforgiving towards her own perceived failures and missteps? YEP.
I loved Xander too, and I loved being in his head. He was soooooo supportive for Mia, and I seriously swooned.
Their romance was great; I adored the build-up towards them trusting each other and ultimately falling in love, although maybe I think there was a step or two missing in the middle. I'm not sure where and why, but I feel like it went very fast very quickly after a bit.
I loved the side characters to bits, although I'm not 100% sure I liked Mia's mother and her brand of being (un)supportive. Mmmh.
On the other hand, the writing felt a biiiiiit chunky for my tastes, and I definitely would have loved a bit more angst to spice up the plot too. But that's just my own preferences talking, you know?

Anyway, if you're looking for fast and sweet and sexy, this is the romance for you.
Double kudos for the fat/curvy rep too <3 and for Xander for being a breast man (KEEP IT GOING KING <3)

One thing about me is that I will always pick up an F1 romance and eat it right up!

The thing that stood out to me most in this book is the lack of third act breakup when it felt like one was coming, but instead the characters gave themselves some space before making large decisions. The way that they respected each other enough to sit and think on things instead of just calling it quits over miscommunication was greatly appreciated. I found Mia to be a good FMC and I really liked how passionate she was about her podcast and how despite receiving heat from her mother about it, she still kept going strong and learned how to not give into her followers. She knew her stuff and I loved how she navigated the world of F1 as a budding influencer. As for Xander, I absolutely loved how he gave Mia her space and never, ever made her pick between her career and him. He was her biggest fan and always encouraged her to do her thing and that level of respect for her job, when most creative jobs don't always get taken seriously (re Mia's mom) was SO refreshing and really and truly should be the standard with your partner.

I do wish it would've been a little less insta love-y since she did criticism him a lot in the beginning and the tension would've been excellent if more present, but it was an enjoyable read nonetheless. Is it a little unrealistic that a team that bad off could make such a jump up to a podium in such a short time? Maybe a little, but it's a quick and fun read and I love when women carve out their place in what's a predominately male sport and Mia did just that.

I’m a huge racing fan and a huge romance fan. So I was super excited to read Not So Fast by Karen Booth.

However, the plot just fell short for me, and I think that’s due to the story being very instalove. Mia was obviously obsessed with Xander, but I just didn’t feel the connection or love story between the two. I was waiting to be hooked on this relationship and story, but it never happened. I was more invested in why Mia’s mother and aunt didn’t speak. And in the end, that also fell short. All in all, it’s an okay read for me and it’s just mehhh.

I was approved for both the audio and the ebook and I’m so happy I was to do an immersion read next! I was eating this story up! It was the perfect giggly, heartwarming 4-hour long read for me and let me tell you, I smiled the entire time. This was the fluffiest, most feel-good Formula 1 romance I didn’t know I needed. From snarky podcast hot takes to a golden retriever MMC who made my heart melt, Mia and Xander’s chemistry was instant but so sweet. Enemies to lovers? Check. Secret pining? Check. Emotional baggage and growth? Oh yes.

Karen Booth totally nailed the balance of humor, heart, and a swoony romance while still giving us a crash course in F1 (perfect for newbies like me!). I’m not normally a sports girly but this made me totally want to read more F1 romances! Mia was also super relatable to me I loved this read so much. If you’re looking for a fast, fun, and emotionally satisfying rom-com with racing flair, this is perfect for your next read or listen!

🏁 Sports Romance
🏁 F1 Racer x Podcaster Romance
🏁 Insta-love
🏁 Long Distance
🏁 Fan meets celebrity (She's his fan)
🏁 Enemies to Lovers
🏁 Secret Relationship

A fast-paced (pun intended) rom-com. Athlete/podcaster, I guess an enemies-ish to lovers and race cars. It’s a fun, light hearted read.

I received an arc from Netgalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

This was my first formula one romance and I really enjoyed it! This is about Mia who is a formula one influencer/podcaster. Her viewership skyrockets when she makes some snarky remarks about her favorite drivers poor driving skills at the start of the season. She gets invited to a race where she can experience the ins and outs of the race and meet the drivers for interviews. I loved Mia’s character. She is like an onion. Her layers kept peeling back revealing a very dynamic character. Her mother was an absolute riot and led to some needed comic relief. The spice was great! The only thing that was bothersome about the unedited proof was the lack of text bubbles indicating text exchanges were happening. That was confusing as an ARC reader and hopefully will be rectified before the final product is released.