I loved this book! A hot British F1 driver, Xander, and F1 podcaster, Mia, are the perfect couple! I loved this story and I'm glad that F1 was at it's center. Bringing this sport to the romance sports genre! The pacing was great and we learn about the sport in the process. Xander also sounds extremely hot and I'm glad Mia finally gave in! 4.5 Stars for me!

This book was so good! I loved the cuteness in this book so much. The cover is so cute and the romance was so cute!

This was such an interesting formula 1 book and i actually really enjoyed it for the most part except for the miscommunication trope. but other than that it was really refreshing and kept me entertained the whole time!

“Not So Fast" by Karen Booth was a good take on a F1 themed romance, but the storyline moved fast. Beyond Mia's expansive F1 knowledge, there are no real details that show they'd be interested in each other. It feels quick and manufactured. While the racing scenes capture the adrenaline and technical aspects of Formula 1 well, the chemistry between the leads lacks the same attention to detail. The forced proximity trope could have been better utilized to build genuine connection rather than relying on instant attraction.

i'm not big into F1 racing, so this was different for me. the romance was cute, a bit slow for my taste but decent. i think anyone who loves racing would be a huge fan of this one.

Thanks Netgalley for the ARC.
Goodness I enjoyed this one! I read this book in one day while wearing my Formula 1 shirt, which made it that much better. The story was sweet and fun, perfect amount of spice, & great settings. Loved it!

Mia, an F1 podcaster, is invited to a race by a driver—who happens to be the teammate and rival of her F1 crush, Xander. What happens after is a quick, steamy romance.

As a huge F1 fan, I was excited but cautious, having read mixed F1-themed books before. This one pleasantly surprised me, with the author showing clear knowledge of F1 beyond just the drivers' looks. Xander gave off strong George Russell vibes—tall, blue-eyed, British—and I appreciated the subtle F1 references, like using Max's middle name for a character.

The book reads like a novella—short and sweet. The pacing is slow at first, but the romance heats up quickly. While I’d have liked more tension and pining, overall, it was an enjoyable read.

A fun, spicy f1 romance! It’s a fast read (all puns intended) with a relatable FMC and tons of passion.

I know some people don’t particularly care for third person pov, but I absolutely loved Karen Booth’s writing style. I really enjoyed switching between Mia’s and Xander’s perspective within the same chapter, and was able to easily connect to both characters. I am a chronic over-thinker, like Mia, and it was nice to see it represented in a book character. I could also relate to the feeling of not being good enough and always second guessing yourself.

The relationship between Mia and Xander was precious. The way they communicate and understand each other is so refreshing and beautiful. Also, their texting is (so) hot!

I really enjoyed Not So Fast! At just under 300 pages, the story was well-paced and didn’t feel rushed. The character development was satisfying, and the narrative kept me engaged throughout.

The book is written in third-person POV, which initially took me some time to get into since it creates a certain distance from the characters, but it suited the story well. However, I think first-person narration could have made it a little easier to connect with Mia and Xander on a deeper level.

Speaking of the characters, they were truly a highlight of the book! Mia, a Formula 1 fan with her own F1 podcast, is such a strong and inspiring character. As a woman in a male-dominated field, her voice stood out, and I loved the representation she brought to the story. While real-life concerns were tackled—such as the backlash she faced for being with a driver—she remained confident and resilient. Mia’s strength and determination make her a fantastic role model.
I also loved Xander’s vulnerability and openness about his struggles. The author did a great job portraying the immense pressure he faced as a driver and his insecurities in a way that felt very realistic and heartfelt. I especially appreciated how Mia and Xander navigated their individual challenges together, with a relationship that was both healthy and supportive. Even without the romance, their friendship was so genuine and uplifting.
Their banter was another highlight—it was fun, witty, and created a great dynamic between them. The romance developed naturally, and I was rooting for them the entire time.

I would have liked to see more inclusion of side characters, like Mia’s best friend or the other drivers, but I did appreciate how their families were woven into the storyline. Karen has built an amazing sense of community in this book, and I can’t wait to see what she writes next!

As a Formula 1 fan, this book was an absolute delight. It filled a void I didn’t even realize I had, and it really made me feel like I was at the races. The setting was accurate, and it felt like getting a behind-the-scenes experience of the F1 world. That being said, if I wasn’t familiar with Formula 1, I might have been confused by the lingo. Perhaps more explanations or even a glossary could help make the story more accessible to non-F1 fans.

Overall, I really liked this book and am excited for more from the author! It’s also inspired me to explore more Formula 1 romance, as this trope is so fun and unique.

The Hating Game meets Formula 1 with Not So Fast by Karen Booth!

Mia is an F1 girl with a podcast that loves to hate a certain F1 Driver. Driven into the lore and opulence of F1, I love seeing the world of motorsport and seeing how an F1 driver is challenged beyond the WDC and cars with a spunky girl that doesn't make it easy for him. Enemies and hate to love go hand in hand with these two. Their dynamic is fiery, tension and chemistry filled. If you've dreamed about having an F1 podcast and falling for a driver, then this book is for you!

- He falls first
- Mental health awareness
- Disabilities / health issues
- Curve love
- English boys
- Fan x athlete
- Big romantic gestures
- Healthy coping
- Forbidden romance

4.5 stars!

This book was so cute! We love a girl who is going after what she wants, doesn’t need a man, but finds one she WANTS and who supports her! Mia helping dig Xander out of his mental hole and showing him healthy coping mechanisms was so healing. ❤️‍🩹 I love the language used in this book when being gentle about mental health and disabilities. This book was so fun and such a good intro into the world of F1. I would definitely recommend this to those looking for steamy romance where he falls first, bit of enemies to lovers, millionaire F1 Athlete, British boy, need I say more. Karen Booth, you had me at flying her out to Monaco!!

This was a really sweet book! I really enjoyed the FMC and her knowledge of racing. I absolutely loved the ending and this book was a quick read, feel good, slightly steamy delightful read with a wonderful ending. Thank you for the ARC!

What a fun, easy read. I had a great time reading this one, and also I think this might be the first book I’ve read where someone was a race car driver. So this was a different type of story than I’m used to. The spice in this and the romance was perfection. It was exactly everything i needed. To get me out of a slump, plus the friends to enemies aspect to it is something out of my comfort zone since I don’t love the back and forth but I’m glad they were more “cordial” i guess I could say. But this book was such a hit in my book. I think I’m going to be rereading this one pretty soon.

Rating: 3.5 Stars

F1 and podcasting come together in this romantic book by Karen Booth.

The characters are fascinating, authentic, and entertaining. The moods of the races and the peaceful areas for Mia's podcast recording provide the backdrop and rhythm for the novel, which has a moderate yet slightly rapid pace that will make you want to read it in one sitting. The book is well-written, entertaining, humorous, authentic, and informative. The author provides insights into how worry, stress, obstacles, and media coverage may affect drivers, their fans, and teams alike. The book's detailed descriptions of races, drivers, and F1 history demonstrate the author's extensive research prior to writing the novel. I appreciated the book's representation of mental health, from Mia's tendency to overthink everything to her and Xander's concerns about not being good enough at their respective occupations as F1 fan podcasters and drivers. The tale was well-crafted, yet it seemed rushed at moments. The relationship was beautiful and realistic, yet it felt insta-lovely at moments, which I believe may have been remedied if the book were longer. The only downside was that the points of view changed frequently and without notice, which made things a little confusing at times. I appreciated how the author included the diary prompts that the characters were filling out as the novel proceeded, as it provided a deeper understanding of the characters' thoughts and feelings. Not So Fast by Karen Booth is a short romance novel that intricately merges the realms of F1 drivers, their fans, and teams, showcasing the challenges, pressures, highs and lows, as well as the behind-the-scenes aspects of life on and off the track, potentially leaving readers exclaiming "not so fast" due to the book's short length and heartwarming conclusion.

In conclusion, Karen Booth's "Not So Fast" successfully intertwines the exhilarating world of Formula 1 racing with a heartfelt exploration of love and personal growth. The dynamic between Mia and Xander, set against the backdrop of high-speed races and the intricacies of podcasting, provides a refreshing perspective on romance in a competitive environment. While the narrative captures the essence of both the racing world and the emotional struggles of its characters, it also highlights important themes such as mental health and self-acceptance. Despite some pacing issues and occasional confusion due to shifting perspectives, the book leaves readers with a satisfying and poignant conclusion that resonates long after the final page. "Not So Fast" is a delightful read for anyone seeking a blend of adrenaline and romance, making it a worthy addition to the contemporary romance genre.

In November I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley and Harlequin - Romance. and I’m upset it took me so long to dig and read Not So Fast by Karen Booth. Not So Fast is a fast paced (no pun intended) read with our characters Mia and Xander falling hard for each other from the start! It’s a solid plot with enough action and romance to keep readers satisfied.

This was such a cute fast paced (ha!) F1 romance and I am here for it! I loved the banter between Xander and Mia and I loved how their relationship progressed in a way that was fast but not too fast. I love a good racing book and this one really had a lot of good information about F1 itself which was nice. I found this book to be highly entertaining and I found myself smiling while reading this quite frequently. I would highly recommend this book for anyone who loves a racing romance with some spice and some snarky banter.

Mia Neal is a Formula One fanatic!! She has a podcast all about racing that is just getting off the ground! The fans love her snarky remarks about one of the drivers Xander Bishop!! Xander is a the hot new driver who just can’t seem to keep up. When Xanders race nemesis hires Mia to come out and watch a race in real life will sparks fly?

Thank you NetGalley and Harlequin Romance for the digital arc! All thoughts and opinions are my own!

I really enjoyed this! I love a sports romance but I don’t know anything about F1 so I was worried I might miss something important. Despite my lack of F1 knowledge l was able to understand and enjoy the book. I’m not sure if Karen Booth is a huge F1 fan or did her research but either way I fell like I learned something. It was so fun, once I started I could not stop! Mia is smart, sarcastic, genuine, and a massive fan girl of F1 podcast included. Xander is a hot, mysterious, F1 driver that is struggling with the transition from F2 to F1. Name a better duo! Not So Fast was a quick and entertaining read for me. If you are looking for something cute and fun I recommend picking this one up!

This was an amazing F1 romance!

Mia and Xander are amazing characters! They had such an amazing connection together since the first moment they met. I highly enjoyed reading this story!

This is definitely a must-read book for fans of F1 romance!


Thank you Harlequin and Netgalley for a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review!

3.75/5

Mia is a huge Formula One fan who decides to start a podcast to share her opinions and thoughts on each race. Xander is the unlucky driver who’s been underperforming and is the target of Mia’s criticism. However, when Mia gets invited out to a race and she comes to see Xander as a real person with struggles of his own, sparks begin to fly.

It’s apparent the author knows a lot about F1, and as a fan I appreciated the authentic descriptions of race weekends and use of proper terminology. Mia and Xander are both likable characters and their friendship grows organically into something more. I found the third-person POV and constant switching of narration within chapters to be annoying. Additionally, I’m never usually a fan of “insta-love” after the MCs have known each other for only a few weeks. I think their relationship could’ve stood on its own without their love declarations.

Overall if you’re looking for a light-hearted sports romance that features discussions of mental health, this book is for you!

Thank you to Harlequin Romance and Afterglow Books for this ARC.