4.5 ⭐

thank you avon and harper voyger + netgalley for the arc!!!

OH. MY. GOD! i absolutely adored this book! from the very first chapter i was hooked, i’m talking completely invested in jacob and travis’s story- how they got here, who they are as people, what they are currently going through, and where they were headed. when i received the arc the description immediately had me interested and i started it pretty much right away. not going to lie, as excited as i was i had pretty low expectations going in and was shocked when i got so connected to the story, so fast. i mean i seriously had to take a two-day break from reading this after the first sector because emotions were too high. i mean i was livid with one character in particular, and just couldn’t wrap my head around things. obviously this mini boycott didn’t last very long, because i NEEDED to know what was going to happen. that being said, i was so far gone for this book from page one.

i found Crash Test extremely refreshing in the sense that it wasn’t a perfect love story where everything was easy and light hearted. that’s not to say that i don’t enjoy those books too, because we all know i do, but reading about how both jacob and travis had to reflect and grow, together and separately, before they could be the healthiest versions of themselves for each other was so moving. they really had to put in the work to better themselves in order to be together, and take accountability for their actions, which isn’t always represented in the romance genre. i especially enjoyed following jacob through therapy and physio, the challenges he faced and internal struggles he had to navigate. i feel like it is very uncommon for books to highlight and explore the mental health of male athletes, which honestly was one of favorite parts of the book. i loved of the sports setting of the racing world, and both the found family and dual point of views added a lot of additional depth to the story.

all in all, this one caught me completely off guard and swept me right off my feet. i can NOT wait to have this in my hands in July, and would 100% recommend for lovers of mm sports romance novels that are filled with angst, longing, growth, and movie moments. amy james if you are listening i need more of travis and jacob STAT !!!

Thank you to NetGalley and Avon and Harper Voyager for this ARC e-copy of Crash Test by Amy James.

The theming of the way this book is organized—in three “sectors”—is genius. Other than that, everything sort of fell short for me.

I was excited to witness the growing or instant chemistry between the two main characters… only, there wasn’t any. Travis had no personality, and the only way the reader could even try to get to know Jacob for at least the first third of the book was through half-baked sex scenes. Speaking of, there are more random sex scenes in this book than there is actual driving. And aside from Heather, who was basically just a plot device herself, along with the rest of the female characters, there were no other characters developed enough for me to even try to care about. At least Heather had a personality and a point of view.

I was also excited to read an intriguing plot set in the world of Formula 1, as I have in other novels. In Crash Test, the plot largely surrounds a major crash in an F2 race that ends up claiming several young lives, and to me, it felt like I was almost reading trauma porn for the first half. Given that there have been multiple F2 deaths in recent years, the whole idea of reading about fictional ones for entertainment just felt disrespectful. I could tell that the author had done a lot of research on hospital procedures and treatment, but I’m not sure this passed my sensitivity test.

I’m disappointed, because I was really looking forward to this one. The writing isn’t terrible, but it was a struggle to get through this book for a variety of reasons. I finished it, but it took more stamina than it would for me to finish a real Grand Prix—again, an event which is barely explored in detail in this book purportedly about F1.

☆ ☆ - OKAY

CW: hospitals, descriptions of medical procedures, death(s), homophobia (particularly in the family), car crash

Honestly, this was more of a story about Jacob's coming to terms with being bi than a true romance. However, I found the book very sweet and really enjoyed how Jacob and Travis grow separately and together.

I cannot speak to its accuracy since I know nothing about Formula 1, but it produced some interesting relationship dynamics and lovely friendships.

Thank you to NetGalley and Avon for an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

I was not prepared for how depressing this book would be; it was so heartbreaking from the get-go, but overall, I really enjoyed the story and writing.

I liked this book, it has a lot of emotions. At first i really didn’t like Jacob and was hopeful there would be growth in his character. By the end I was giddy. I did wish the conflict wasn’t resolved in 2.5 seconds. It was definitely lacking and unrealistic.

I know this is a male-male romance, but that aside this book is what I think of as women’s fiction.

Yes it is centered around Travis and Jacob’s romance, but more of the story is on self discovery and growth which I personally appreciated and enjoyed. Travis learning there is more to life than work, opening himself up to have friends, a found family, and love. Jacob’s focus is more internal - letting go of his anger & judgement and embracing who he really is (including standing up to his parents).

While it’s not often I think a book should be longer, I do wish there was more time given to the ending. I think building out Travis and Jacob’s reconciliation could have added depth and believability to the happily ever after.

Thank you to Amy James, Harper Collins, and NetGalley for providing me with an advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review.

I went into Crash Test expecting a high speed, adrenaline fueled romance with the emotional depth of Red, White & Royal Blue set against the backdrop of Formula 1. Unfortunately, while the premise is intriguing, something was missing for me, and I struggled to fully connect with the story.

One of the biggest challenges was the timeline. The book starts with Travis and Jacob already in a relationship, and then it works backward instead of letting us experience their connection from the beginning. Because of this, I never got the chance to fall in love with them as a couple—I was just told that they loved each other. The emotional impact of their relationship felt muted, making it hard to invest in their struggles.

The structure also didn’t quite work for me. The book is divided into three parts—first Travis’s POV, then Jacob’s, then alternating between both—which made it feel disjointed. I would have preferred a more natural back and forth from the start, allowing their perspectives to build on each other rather than feeling like two separate narratives.

As for the Red, White & Royal Blue comparison, I think that sets up expectations the book doesn’t quite meet. Yes, it’s an MM romance, but beyond that, the similarities are minimal. The charm, humor, and emotional pull that made RW&RB so compelling aren’t really present here. Instead, the story leans heavily on telling rather than showing, which made the emotional beats feel less impactful.

That being said, I did appreciate the focus on the pressures of professional motorsports, the isolation of being in the public eye, and the realistic portrayal of family influence and homophobia in the racing world. The stakes were definitely there, but I just didn’t feel them as strongly as I wanted to.

Overall, Crash Test had an interesting premise and plenty of potential, but the structure and storytelling style made it difficult for me to fully connect with the romance and characters. If you love F1 and want an MM romance set in that world, it might still be worth checking out—but don’t go in expecting Red, White & Royal Blue on the racetrack.

Thank you to NetGalley, Amy James, and Avon for the eARC of this book.

Crash Test by Amy James is a contemporary romance that explores unexpected connections and personal growth. The story follows dynamic characters navigating life’s challenges with humor and heart. Combining witty dialogue with emotional depth, the novel offers a compelling blend of romance and resilience, making it an engaging, thought-provoking read.

I could not put this down. I don't know anything about racing and am not a fan, but you don't need to have any knowledge about it beforehand. The author did a really great job of simplifying it without it feeling like it was dumbed down.
I cried about 4 times reading this. The journeys that the characters take both together and individually feel so fulfilling as a reader and you really root for them as people. Every character in this story feels very fleshed out and whole.
I have not read anything from this author before but will immediately look for more. I would highly recommend Crash Test.

Thank you to NetGalley and Harper Voyager for the ARC of Crash Test. I thought this story was told very intriguingly with the BIG accident occurring at the very beginning. We then get the relationship storyline in a recount looking back. This was unique which I appreciated but it meant i wasn’t quite as attached because i didn’t see it happen, just read that it happened. It has multi POV but in big chunks, not every few chapters which was also unique and added some fun to the story. I love F1 so enjoyed that component even if it wasn’t super prominent to the storyline. Forbidden secret romances are always a good time!

I'm going to be honest I was a little disappointed, I felt like there was a lot of hype over this story. And in the beginning it really did have me hooked, I was enjoying the characterization of both characters but as the story went on it felt like it lost its luster.

There weren't a whole lot of moments as to why they were so in love with each other I thought. It could have been a little bit more in depth. I also thought that Travis forgave Jacob too quickly, the last few chapters were very rushed. I felt like a lot of the third party conversations could have been avoided, it could have given more time to look into their relationship.

I still enjoyed the story and really did like the characters (besides Jacob's family)

This book was advertised as "Formula 1 meets Red, White, and Royal Blue" and I am so down for it.

I love both our main characters, they felt so authentic and real to me with all their traumas, baggages and emotions. The way their relationship dynamic was introduced was great, then it felt like they were interwoven all through their life that made this book so incredible.

The story was also unique in a way that it was split in two ways with Travis' POV then Jacob's POV. The author wrote the characters beautifully and the plot was great, a little bit confusing that I had to reread some sentences but that does really take me away from enjoying the book.

The angst, the banter, the tension, the emotions, all chef's kiss.

As a girlie trying to get into F1 I was so excited to see this arc hit my account! If there’s one thing I love it’s a MM romance with some sport attributes thrown in.

The POV changes really threw me off at points. It was hard to gauge where in the timeline we were or especially towards the end, whose POV we were experiencing.

We had the typical MM secret relationship third act scene and honestly it really felt like a let down by how rushed the ending felt. They just seemed to skip over working through the issues on page and just rushed when we NEEDED way more groveling from Jacob. He was cruel and frankly just not a good boyfriend. What was going on was no excuse to treat Travis that way.

Thank you to NetGalley, for providing me with an ARC in exchange for a fair and honest review. All thoughts are my own and are in no way influenced by early access to this title.

Oh, I'm going to be LOUD about this one, yall. Have you ever read a summary and just... KNOWN it was going to be amazing? That was me, two nights ago, who happened to see this book on the Goodreads giveaways list. I read the summary, hopped over to NetGalley with a ton of hope even though I'm trying very hard not to request any more ARCs right now because I have a lot due, requested it and was so, so excited to be approved.

From there, it was 'lights out and away we go.' I wanted to badly to cancel my plans, call in sick, put off my responsibilities. When I wasn't reading, all I could think about was getting the opportunity to return to the book.

It gripped me immediately. We're right in the action, with Travis finding out Jacob - his secret boyfriend of a year was in a horrific crash and was airlifted to the hospital. One of the drivers involved has already passed away and Jacob is in the ICU in a foreign country and has been there for awhile now. No one thought to inform Travis because no one knew Travis even KNEW Jacob, much less how important Jacob was to him.

This book spans almost a year. The character development we witness is incredible but not at all rushed or unrealistic. It feels very organic - the Jacob & Travis we know at the end of the book are entirely different people than the Jacob & Travis we meet in the beginning, and yet somehow very much the same. Older, more emotionally mature, more stable perhaps, but the same two boys who fell in love in secret.

Every single character, with exceptions that will be obvious when you read it, was so freaking lovable. From Heather and Matty to Mrs. Costa and Kelsie, and all of those in between, it felt like such a genuine little found family.

The only bad part about this book is that it's come to an end. I've read it. I've finished it and even now, writing this review, I miss it so much. I genuinely cannot WAIT for everyone else to get their hands on this so they can adore it just as much as I did. It's gonna be a big one.

Tropes:
📚 MM
📚 F1 & F2 racing
📚 Second Chance
📚 Found Family
📚 Opposites Attract
📚 Situationship to (Eventually) Lovers
📚 Slow Burn
📚 Virgin MMC

4.25/5

my hidden talent is starting books at 11pm and finishing them by noon the next day!

i was very kindly sent the arc of this book by avon and i loved it. its been a while since i'd picked up a f1 romance and i was missing it a lot. this story is also told in such a unique way, the structure was unlike anything else i've picked up. we are following travis and jacob as they deal with a secret relationship and the issues that arise when jacob is in a horrifying crash. this book is perfect for girlies who love tension, a.k.a. me!

the fast paced writing style gets you right into the story and i was hooked. i cared so deeply for both of them because they had their own slew of problems and they struggle but they end up happy and thats all that matters. travis is kinda a recluse, same, and he hasn't been in a relationship, same, so he falls in love instantly with jacob. when you get the flashback to the start of their relationship i was cheesing, it was adorable and so wholesome but you saw the issues. you may not like jacob for certain parts of this book but he gets the help he needs and i was cheering him on by the end.

the only issues i had with this book was the last two chapters. it honestly felt like everything wrapped up wayyyy to quickly and it seemed too picturesque. i wanted more from them reuniting and having conversations about what happened. like yes i'm happy they are happy but their should've been more to the ending. if you like mm romances and f1, pick this up in july!!

*thank you so much avon for the arc*

I really enjoyed this! I admit, I know nothing about Formula 1 but when I saw it tagged as Formula 1 meets Red, White and Royal Blue my interest was piqued because I was in the mood for a sports romance. The emotion exhibited by both Travis and Jacob throughout the story was wonderful to see. I really felt their anxiety, frustration and tears. I loved the found friends for Travis and the way Jacob finally stands up to his family. It was refreshing to see a book show that not everyone will be accepting of your choices and it's okay. Love will overcome.

Though the pacing feels a little wonky in spots (especially toward the end) and the steamy scenes never quite landed right (either way too vague (like one line) or just too clinical and stiff for me), I still wanted to keep going because I liked the world and these characters. Travis and Jacob felt genuine and real. I couldn't help but root for these two. I will definitely be recommending this one.

Thank you to Amy James and Avon for providing the ARC!

There is a lot to like about this book. It tackles some serious topics, including racing injuries and a secret relationship between competitors. I appreciated the way the author portrayed Travis’s reaction to the accident and stress about Jacob’s condition. The way Travis tried to stay involved in Jacob’s care while maintaining his performance felt real. I also really enjoyed Travis’s growth as the story went on.

My main criticism has to do with major plot points feeling rushed, namely Jacob navigating coming out simultaneously with his trauma and anxiety about his injury and future of his career. I also wish the protagonists had worked through some of their issues in the relationship before jumping back in to physical intimacy.

3.75 ⭐️ rounded up.

Thank you to NetGalley for an eARC of Crash Test

I loved this book! I thought both Travis and Jacob were really amazing main characters. I feel like we really learned all about them and saw their growth throughout the book.

I loved the dual POV choice and think it really served the book well. Definitely recommend!

I think this book was written just for me and no one else actually. When I got the email offering the ARC, I didn't have to read past "Formula 1 meets Red, White, and Royal Blue." I knew from that alone that this book would be it for me. I devoured this book in less than 24 hours (granted I had 2 plane rides in that time but I am sure I would have either way).
Forbidden romance and tragic trauma leading to characters who actually cared enough about themselves and each other to change for the better. I loved the progression, I loved how both our characters had distinct voices and issues and cares.
If there is one thing Amy James absolutely slays every time, it's writing the most incredible side characters. I was so deeply invested in the ways that these characters were able to be great support for the leads while also being interesting in their own right.

The only issue I had with this book is that the ending felt ever so slightly rushed. We spent so long with our characters and seeing how they put in the work to become better people for themselves and each other. But in the end it seemed like it didn't matter because the book had one logical conclusion and we were gonna get there no matter what. I wish there was just one more chapter so we could see the work they did actually matter.

While the ending had me slightly peeved, I really loved the characters and was rooting for them the whole time. I love F1, I love romance, I love Amy James. Thank you for coming to my TedTalk.

eARC provided by Avon Books and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review, thank you!

I loved reading about Jacob and Travis. The journey they went on in this book is heartwarming. I was immediately invested in their story. I couldn't put this book down!