I love an F1 romance and I also love a millionaire romance. The fact that the FMC is a badass millionaire businesswoman was the icing on the cake. Some spice but much more plot in this one.

Slowwwwwww burn / fake marriage / forced proximity tropes. I loved this one and read it in one sitting!!

Thank you to NetGalley, Simone Soltani and Berkeley Publishing for this ARC!

While i'm not usually somone who gravitates to F1 romance books, I read the first book in the lights out series and was hooked enough to really want to read book 2. From a literary standpoint I saw a lot of growth in the author's writing and the quality of the way the story was crafted. From the actual story, it was an automatic few points just by being a marriage of convenience trope. I appreciated how they were both passionate about their jobs and one (cough the girl) didn't give anything up or join his world just to be with him romantically. A huge win in my book!

Can't wait for the third one now.

Stella is a badass businesswoman with a heart of gold who bakes and looks like a goddess. So how did she get left at the alter?

Thomas is a Formula 1 racecar driver who is tired of being nagged about marrying his childhood best friend.

Stella and Thomas meet at a mutual friend's/relative's combined bachelor/bachelorette party. After some drinks and some flirting, they wake up the next day...in bed together...married??

This was an absolutely wonderful marriage-of-convenience romance!!

This book didn't really grab me like how I thought it was going to. I was just kind of underwhelming. Their relationship was cute in some aspects and boring in others. I just wanted to finish it, honestly. It was your typical marriage of convenience trope, no fuss no muss. Not doing anything groundbreaking. I would say the most interesting thing about the book was the overall character growth.

Did someone say marriage of convenience? SIGN ME UP.

I was so excited to read this second book in the series and for the most part, I was entertained. However, I had a hard time staying engaged to our couple, Stella and Thomas. Their banter was fun and great but their chemistry wasn’t always there. I know love at first sight can exist but given how Stella finds herself from being left at the altar, it was hard to believe her relationship to Thomas.

This is such a slow burn. VERY SLOW. I wanted to be able to really come together more (not just in a spicy way) and really feel that attraction. The spice was okay as well. I give it 2 🌶️ out of 5.

I was also excited to see more of the F1 side to this book and we barely got any. 🥲 The ending was too quickly resolved too and left a lot of plot holes like what Thomas told Stella about where he wanted to go in his career.

Overall, entertaining enough but nothing I would rush to read. Thank you NetGalley, Berkley Publishing and Simone Soltani for the ARC in exchange of an honest review.

There were many aspects of this book I enjoyed like the formula 1 racing, the sweet interactions and pining between Thomas and Stella.

There were also some things that I wasn’t as fond of personally that may work for other people. I felt like there was a fair amount of binge drinking or mention of using alcohol for added confidence. Then the main trope was miscommunication, which isn’t always a favorite of mine.

Overall I did enjoy this book and would read another book by this author, I just think this one wasn’t my favorite.

This was one of the titles I was most excited for and it lived up to my expectations. I've been in my F1 era recently and this book really hit the spot. Such a cute and fun read. The plot and characters just flowed so smoothly and made this such an incredible book. I really enjoyed this and look forward to reading more by Simone Soltani.

Simone Soltani's Ride with Me is an absolute delight! This marriage-of-convenience story set against the fast-paced world of Formula 1 delivers a charming hero, a resilient heroine, and a romance that's both steamy and heartwarming.

Plot Summary:
Stella Baldwin's disastrous would-be wedding takes an unexpected turn when a wild night in Vegas leads to her waking up married to Formula 1 driver Thomas Maxwell-Brown. What starts as a convenient solution to their respective problems soon blossoms into a real connection.

My Thoughts:
I absolutely adored Thomas! He is truly book boyfriend material. His immediate and unwavering affection for Stella was such a joy to read, especially knowing what she'd been through. It was so refreshing to see a male lead who prioritizes his partner's boundaries and treats her as a true equal. Thomas's respect and care for Stella were honestly a highlight of the book.

This Vegas wedding trope felt fresh and unique. I appreciated that we got to see some of their initial connection before the Vegas wedding. The romance has a bit of a rev-up with some early spice, followed by a satisfying slow burn that makes the eventual payoff even better. Trust me, the wait is worth it!

Tropes:
💍 Vegas Wedding
🤝 Marriage of Convenience
🫂 Forced Proximity
🎭 Fake Relationship
🏎️ He's an F1 Racer, She's a Bakery Chain Owner
💔 Jilted Bride (not by the MC)
⏳ Small Rev to Slow Burn
🥰 Golden Retriever MC
🙏 Praise ("good girl")
❤️ "My Wife"
🥰 He Falls First
✅ Consent King

Representation:
🌎 Interracial Relationship

Final Thoughts:
Ride with Me is a charming, steamy, and ultimately heartwarming romance. Thomas and Stella's journey is engaging, and their connection feels genuine. If you're looking for a fun and satisfying read with a swoon-worthy hero and a unique take on the marriage-of-convenience trope, buckle up and enjoy the ride!

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | 🌶️🌶️½

Thank you to Berkeley, Simone Soltani, and NetGalley for the early copy.

this was so cute! this had me giggling and swinging my feet over how whipped this man was!! say it with me, WE LOVE WHIPPED MEN!! the banter, the chemistry between these two was felt through my screen! i’m not the largest fan of marriage of convenience but i have a weakness for men proudly calling their wife, wife even if it’s fake! this series is turning out to be a good one, and i hope she continues bc i enjoy the glimpses into the f1 world!

YES. YES. AND MORE YES! I loved every single second of this book! Stella is probably my favorite FMC of 2025. The way I related to her (although, I wish I had Stella money) was almost too much for me. The family dynamic, the always wanting to please everyone and putting everyone before herself, and losing herself in a relationship. I felt every moment of it! And BAY-BE! Thomas Philip Henry Arthur Maxwell-Brown!!! Ugh, send him my way! The support, the love, the way he worships the ground she walks on?!? Ugh! Yes please! This book had me cackling with the banter. I am Stella and Stella is me when it comes to the comebacks. I just didn’t want this to end. It was a healing damn good time!

Thank you @simonesoltani and @netgalley for this ARC. I could not put it down!

4.25/5
This book is the definition of a slow burn. I read slow burns before but this one tops all of them. I thought it be faster paced based on what happens in the beginning of the book but I was wrong. I’m glad I got to read this ARC and jump back into the lights out series by Simone Soltani. I really enjoyed cross the line so when I found out about ride with me I was excited. Even more excited when I got the ARC. Every time I picked up this book I was so happy to read it. It’s so nice to pick up a book and enjoy it. Stella and Thomas love story was unique. In some ways it reminded me of other people’s stories but for the most part it was its own story and they had different personalities that made them stand out. Thomas is super relatable and the way he shows his love to his job/sport and Stella is many people including myself wants. I definitely want him as my book boyfriend. Stella on the other hand pissed me off a lot. With her actions but I have to give her the benefit of the doubt because of her past. I had to keep reminding myself a couple of times though-out the book. But she gets the love she deserves after the disaster of her past.Anyways, I really enjoyed the book and I’m glad I finally decided to pick it up. I read this on my kindle because it’s an ARC but I already preordered a signed copy of the book and I cant wait to add it to myself next to cross the line. Highly recommend this book if you love a black main female character getting the love she deserves and a new golden retriever book boyfriend that you cant help fall in love with that also has an accent. Thank you to Netgalley and Berkley Publishing Group for sending me and allowing me to read this ARC that comes out on May 20, 2025.

Ride with Me is a sizzling romance following Stella, a recently jilted bride and businesswoman, and Thomas, an F1 racer weathering a scandal. When the two meet in Vegas at a combined bachelor/bachelorette party, they spend one wild night together exploring their instant chemistry. However, when they both wake up the next morning, only to discover they've gotten married, the two decide to use their marriage to their advantage and ride out the drama together.

I'm a complete sucker for a marriage of convenience romance and this book delivered everything I love about the trope and more! The banter, chemistry, and tension were top tier; Stella and Thomas were just so perfect for each other. I loved how they communicated and followed their rules, all while struggling to not fall for each other. The hint of drama surrounding their relationship was the perfect balance to their sweet romance and the slow burn steam. From stellar writing to relatable characters and the most delectable romance, this book had me hooked from the very beginning — I can’t recommend it enough!

I'm on the fence about Ride with Me. I loved Stella's character and loved how her character transformation, but I wasn't a fan of some of the choices she made along the way. Thomas, however, was an angel baby, and I loved his character so much.

I loved the chemistry between Thomas and Stella, and wished their relationship had been more a faster burn than what we got because it felt a bit too drawn out.

Overall though I still really enjoyed it, but wanted more from the story.

I was completely swept away by Ride with Me by Simone Soltani. As a fan of sports romance, this sizzling Formula 1 story hit every mark for me. The marriage of convenience between Stella and Thomas had just the right amount of tension, and the slow burn of their relationship was done to perfection. I couldn’t stop turning the pages. I was utterly engrossed from start to finish. The emotional depth, the chemistry, and the high-speed backdrop all came together to create an unforgettable read. This one has definitely earned a spot among my favorites, and I’ll be eagerly waiting to see what Simone Soltani writes next.

Sooo fun are you kidding?!

I’m not a real world F1 fan so I was a little intimidated coming into this book but the author made the actual racing aspects so easy to understand that I never felt lost.

I ate up the romance in this story & kept finding myself rooting for these people even when they decided to “keep things platonic.” Thank goodness they didn’t keep things platonic bc these two have off the charts chemistry that I couldn’t get enough of!!

I was so excited for this book as I really loved Cross the Line when I read it last spring!! I have never read F1 romance before and this series continues to be such a great way to get into this subgenre of sports romance. Ride With Me is a marriage of convenience trope and I LOVED seeing this trope in a sports romance, it was so fun!!

Ride With Me is the second book in the Lights Out series. It follows Stella and Thomas. Stella is abandoned at her altar and has a very public mental breakdown to her social media followers. Thomas is struggling as a F1 driver, trying to figure out how to withstand the pressure from his family and friends and compete with new talent. When the two meet on a bachelorette trip, all hell breaks loose when the two have a wild night together and wake up...married? They decide to try staying together and faking their relationship/marriage as each thinks it could be the answer to their problems.

I had so much fun reading this one, it was such a fun summer sports romance!! I loved the dynamic between Stella and Thomas. The chemistry between Stella and Thomas was SO GOOD, I loved how they felt the giddy feelings of being around someone you are crushing on. I LOVED Thomas and his pure little yearning heart. The only thing I didn't love was how dragged out the conflict felt at the end of the story, I think it could've wrapped up sooner and it almost felt too slow burn for me. I wish Stella would've worked through some of her inner conflict sooner, it felt a bit drawn out. But overall a great second book in this series!!

Thanks to Berkley Romance for the free book!!

Simone Soltani puts a fresh spin on the marriage of convenience trope in Ride with Me, delivering a smart, emotionally grounded romance set against the glitz of Las Vegas and the high-stakes world of Formula 1.

Stella Baldwin is still reeling from a very public heartbreak when she crosses paths with Thomas Maxwell-Brown, an F1 driver under intense pressure and facing growing pressure and unwanted notoriety. What begins as an impulsive decision quickly turns into a complicated but oddly stabilizing arrangement. Both characters are navigating personal upheaval and public scrutiny, and their connection feels authentic from the start. They are equals in many ways, not just in terms of status and success, but in how they understand what it means to start over when the world is watching.

Thomas is a standout hero. Thoughtful, steady, and quietly affectionate, he consistently shows up for Stella in ways that are both meaningful and tender. His emotional intelligence adds real depth to his character, making him feel fully realized rather than idealized. Stella is just as compelling. She is smart, ambitious, and determined to rebuild her life on her own terms. Their relationship unfolds with a sense of mutual care and growing trust that makes their slow-burn dynamic even more satisfying.

The romance is balanced well between sweet, sexy, and sincere. While the story includes moments of heat and humor, the real strength lies in how Stella and Thomas treat each other with intention, respect, and affection. That said, I would have liked to see a bit more effort from Thomas during a pivotal turning point late in the story. The final chapters wrap things up a little too quickly, and I found myself wishing for more time with them as a fully formed couple.

Even so, Ride with Me is a thoughtful, feel-good romance that leans into emotional intimacy without sacrificing fun. It will appeal to readers who appreciate supportive partners, believable character growth, and relationships built on more than just attraction. Soltani continues to bring a grounded elegance to the world of F1 romance, and I’m looking forward to wherever she takes us next.

I absolutely LOVED this book! Marraige of convenience/accidental marriage is my favorite romance trope, and Soltani executed it perfectly! I really enjoyed Stella and Thomas' relationship. Their chemistry was super believable, and even though it was a slow burn, the sexual tension between the two practically sizzled on page. I also love the way Thomas and Stella supported each other.

The F1 aspect was very well done as well. I know nothing about the sport, and yet I was able to follow along and understand the terminology. Solatani explained it really well.

Ride with Me is a gorgeous romance that learns to trust again, to takes risks, and dares to pierce the heart faster than any racing car. This is a love story that will have you giggling, laughing, cheering, screaming, and swooning throughout every single turn of the page. Stella and Thomas, take a bow!

After Stella is left at the altar by her fiancé, she finds herself at the last place she wants to be: a joint bachelorette-bachelor party. Wanting to support the bride, her dear cousin, she attends and decides perhaps she should go against expectations and find herself some fun. Enter scandal-riddled Formula 1 driver Thomas. Thomas is attending the joint party and, much like Stella, wanting to be anywhere but there. But one conversation together turns into a hazy night spent together (not quite how you may think!) and a morning filled with questions...and a marriage certificate. With recent controversy storming them both, Stella and Thomas decide to pretend their accidental marriage is quite real...and along the way, it may become just that.

Arghh! I just loved this one. I adored Stella and Thomas- they're an explosion of electric chemistry! Whewww! I swooned, I curled my toes, I twirled my dress in glee (wasn't wearing one, but oh boy, if I had been!), I blushed constantly, and I sighed oh so dreamily and happily. If romances were made of bones, this one has a spine of steel, because there simply is no denying how fabulous the chemistry is between our leads. For me, it elevated this entire story in magnetic fashion. I could not take my eyes off Stella and Thomas' dance of feelings.

I love how they become smitten with one another. I love how Thomas eventually and brazenly leans into this, seeking more, to claim those words "my wife" (screams!) in truth. Stella is much more reluctant and does her best to drive out any of those pesky feelings. And I appreciated how Thomas made himself clear without ever pushing any boundaries or testing limits, he always left the ball in Stella's court, to ensure any decisions made were all of her own. He reads her so well in such little time. The level of consideration Thomas' places for Stella is something she is so deserving to experience. While she may guard her heart steadfastly, she sees Thomas beyond the controversy that surrounds him and places herself on the line to help him see through the storm. She stands at his side with such inspiring strength and conviction. The heart just needs to follow suit. And when it does? Fireworks!!!

This is the story of two wounded hearts finding healing together. To take the chance, make that leap of faith, run the risk, that what they have - however shakily it may have started - can take root in the most powerful of ways.

Ride with Me is the second installment of Simone Soltani's Lights Out series, but if like me, you haven't read the first, fret not- this is very much a standalone! While it does interconnect with the the first book, Soltani does a lovely job in ensuring we understand any prior connections and characters. If anything, by book's end I was clamoring to go read the first book! Not because I felt my reading experience for Ride with Me was missing anything, rather I felt I'm missing out on more rich storytelling from an author I have become instantly charmed by! Gimme more!!!

I loved every bit of this one!

Thank you to Berkley Romance and NetGalley for this fabulous advanced complimentary copy, I leave this honest review voluntarily. 4.5

Thanks to NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for a review.

New trope unlocked: race car drivers! Really fun time reading this one. Perfect for the beach or anywhere!