Slipstream by Madge Maril 🧡
Standalone

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Adult • Sports Romance
ARC Review
352 Pages
🗓️ May 20

🏎️ F1 romance
🧡 workplace romance
🏎️ dislike to love
🧡 fake dating
🏎️ close proximity
🧡 grumpy x sunshine
🏎️ he falls first

📌“Do you still feel like an alien?”
“I don’t know. Maybe?”
“I’d visit you. After this.”
“In D.C.?”
“In space.”

📌 “Next time you understand us before I do, will you tell me?”

Reading this on race day was the coolest thing I’ve done lately. Even if my favorite driver didn’t win. 🫣

And as an F1 fan let me address that first. Fan recognizes fan and this was just perfect. The way Madge described all the racing scenes was absolutely incredible. The paddock came alive with every description, with every thrilling race recount and I was so there for it all. Brilliant!

As you can already probably guess, Slipstream is one of my favorites reads of the month. And that’s not only due to the F1 aspect of it. Nope. It has a lot to do with both MCs. I love how our girl navigated the heartbreak and her ADHD, and all the things that she just hadn’t quite figured out yet. And who doesn’t love a good comeback story? A tortured hero dealing with a lot of emotional damage? I know I do. And Slipstream was the perfect combination of it all.

I also have to mention Sarah. I didn’t want to like her. I truly didn’t. But she won me over so fast that I couldn’t stop it even if I tried. I’m also just a girl standing in front of this author.... begging for a book on Sarah 😭

ABOUT

Lilah, a documentary filmmaker, is pursued by an F1 brand to make a documentary for and about them, but she is less than enthusiastic and feels like this is selling out.

Reserve driver Arthur is locked into an awful contract and working in the shadow of his Uncle, a former F1 star.

The unhappy duo end up paired together specifically to film training footage. Unbeknownst to anyone else, they instead devise a plan of mutually beneficial revenge.

This story has travel, tension, relatable and unrelatable characters, and a few tear jerking moments.

REVIEW

Slipstream is such a fun experience. I don’t consider myself someone particularly drawn to sports romances, but the way F1 is lightly explained and mostly atmospheric in this book was perfect.

I really loved the portrayal of living with ADHD that we get with our FMC Lilah. She was incredibly relatable to me in multiple ways, but the descriptions of how ADHD impacts her, her interactions, and her relationships was so nice to read. I felt seen.

Last but not least I really adored the slow burn!! I think this book is very re-readable and it has me interested in F1!

okay after a month of trying to read and deciding if i should dnf... i'm dnfing at 55%

the setup of this book was so up my alley, fake dating and f1 romance, i'm there. sadly it just made no sense to me. my biggest pet peeve is when there's a fake dating plot and the reason for fake dating is just not a reason. the whole book ended up making no sense to me, i didn't care about either character and i don't understand their reasoning for anything.

i always feel weird about not liking a book before its even released but this book isn't bad at all, its just very personal reasons to dislike something. i would pick this up on may 20th if you love f1 romances but this misses the mark for me...

Thank you so much to Madge Maril and Simon & Schuster for this E-ARC! All thoughts and opinions are my own 🥰

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️🌶️

Find more on my IG @kayreads_romance

⚠️ !! Please be sure to check any TWs before diving in !! ⚠️

What to expect:
* F1 romance
* Slow burn
* Fake dating
* Mental health rep
* Adoption Rep

Thoughts:
Ahhhhh this was such a wild ride!!!!! I loved every bit of it!
I’ve only read a few F1 romances but this definitely skyrocketed to the top of my faves!

I’m so appreciative of the way Madge portrayed mental health struggles in this book.
I will absolutely be reading more from her in the future!

Wow! This was my first F1 book and I loved it!! The aspect of a documentarian as well was very fun and interesting as it is not something that is usually done! I loved the ending and being able to see a full circle moment!

I wasn’t entirely sure what to expect when I started this book, but this story had me captivated from the very first chapter. This one was written in a way that had me desperate to keep revealing information about the characters and find out where we were going next.

Arthur, our MMC, can come across as broody and a stereotypical F1 driver, but we soon learn there is so much more to him! He is caring, thoughtful, and desperate to prove himself. Lilah, on the other hand, is complex and witty. She’s neurodivergent and I loved being able to tell how much care went into portraying this character. She’s dedicated to her craft and her personality is part of what made this book so enjoyable to read. These characters had so much depth around them. Lilah starts out soft and reserved, believing what everyone else says about her and the farther we read, the more she grows into her own voice and quirks. Arthur appears confident, almost cocky, at first glance, but the more we get to know him, we see how resilient he is and how many layers are hidden beneath that racing suit. Together, they have banter from the very beginning! They work well as a team, supporting each other’s quirks, while also knowing how to push each other’s buttons. This one is a slow burn but it ends up coming together so beautifully.

The side characters in this book were a great addition, besides Max and Holmes – they’re weasels. Arthur’s team is supportive, fun, and the way they accept Lilah into the group and show her the same support is so sweet! I would have loved to get some parts of this story from Arthur’s POV but it was enjoyable following Lilah throughout the entire journey.

If close proximity, slow burn, or fake dating is something you’re looking for, I recommend checking this one out! Thank you to Netgalley and author Madge Maril for the opportunity to read this ARC! All feedback is my own.

Slipstream is a sizzling hot and adventurous F1 romance. Lilah is a documentarian who is less than thrilled to find herself tasked with filming F1 racing. But she is truly shocked when she finds out her partner Max has been betraying her on both a personal and professional level. Furious, she teams up with driver Arthur to enact revenge on both Max and the company. As they work together, will sparks fly between them?

Slipstream was a fantastic read! Lilah is an excellent and relatable character. I appreciate how Madge Maril highlighted Lilah’s neurodiversity and difficult childhood. Arthur and Lilah dislike each other at first, only to realize that they will be much better off working together. Fake dating ensues, only to lead to the real thing. I loved their romance and all the moments that build up to it (Arthur comforting her on the plane! Lilah helping with a panic attack! Chef’s kiss). I truly can’t wait to see what Madge Maril writes next and would highly recommend Slipstream.

Readers who enjoy fake dating, F1 racing, and excellent characters should check out Slipstream!

Thank you to Madge Maril, Simon & Schuster, and Netgalley for a free ARC in exchange for an honest review.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
🌶️🌶️🌶️/5

My new favorite book!

Okay, so… I watched Gran Turismo awhile back and I am slightly embarrassed to admit how briefly obsessed I was with it lol. Buuuuttt, with that obsession came a dream. A dream to read a romance racing book and this book definitely scratched that itch for me. My heart is so happy right now!

The setting was spot the hell on.

Loved the storyline. It was well paced and completely believable.

I will say, I know absolutely nothing about F1 but it was easy to follow along with the story. The details… omg, so perfect. I swear I could feel the rumble of the engine and the anxiety from the potential danger of driving a car at such high speeds. I was right there on the track with the characters.

Speaking of characters…. All of the were perfect. (Even the ones who sucked lol)

I loved how Lilah was so relatable. Her struggles with ADHD really humanized her and made it easy for me to connect with her.

I specifically adored Arthur. I love how he lifted Lilah up and never belittled her. This man was a king which, ironically, is his nickname.

As a couple, the chemistry was undeniable. I really enjoyed falling in love alongside the main characters.

The spice was perfect. There wasn’t a lot of spicy scenes but the little bit we do get was honestly perfect and felt like it flowed organically in the story. I have no complaints here. (Or at all, really.)

Overall, I loved this book! I can’t wait to read it again!

I recommend to anyone looking for a racing romance. Even if you don’t know anything about racing cars, I feel like the author did a wonderful job explaining things without hindering the story. It really made for an enjoyable experience.

I am officially jumping on the F1 bandwagon after this book! It was so sexy and fun while still having so much heart. I absolutely loved the mental health rep in this book! As someone with ADHD and anxiety, this was so well written and one of the most realistic portrayals of neurodivergence. Arthur and Lilah were everything, and I loved every minute of their dynamic and chemistry. This was a slow burn, but once we hit the spice? VROOM VROOM! Everyone: start your engines🏎️🏁🔥

Thank you NetGalley and Simon & Schuster for this e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.

"Lights out!"
"And away we go!"

Slipstream throws you into the fast-paced, high-drama world of Formula 1 where serious documentarian Lilah Graywood ends up filming the last thing she wants…a racing team. But when her boyfriend blindsides her (in more ways than one😒), she teams up with broody reserve driver Arthur Bianco for a little revenge, a lot of sparks, and one very unexpected friendship.

This book was such a fun ride—I sped through it (pun intended🏎️). Lilah is sharp, sarcastic, and painfully relatable, and Arthur is way more than just a pretty face in a race suit. I loved the honest takes on insecurity, identity, and mental health, plus the found family vibes were SO heartwarming.

Read if you like:
🥸Fake dating
💫Enemies to lovers
🏎️Sports romance
💞He falls first
❤️‍🩹Mental health & ADHD rep

Kate’s rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️.5
Spice level: 🌶️

As a longtime sports romance fan, I can’t believe this was my first F1 read—but it definitely won’t be my last. A fantastic debut—I’m already excited to see what Madge Maril writes next!!

Thank you so much to Simon & Schuster and Netgalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review

Slipstream
By: Madge Maril

“I don’t want to only look at him from behind the safety glass of my camera… I want to go through life with him”

Thank you Simon & Schuster for the free advanced copy of this book. All opinions are my own.

An F1 racing documentary is not high on Lilah’s list of stories she wants to tell but when her boyfriend/business partner cheats on her and then tries to steal the company out from under her she is forced to form an alliance with a cocky but damaged race car driver in order to gain control of the narrative.

I honestly didn’t know what to expect when I picked this one up. F1 racing is not really my thing and I know nothing about the sport but wow did I love this story! From start to finish, I didn’t want the book to end and even after finishing it I have found myself sneaking in moments to once again get lost within its pages.

Lilah and Arthur are both really fun characters. Lilah is complex and quiet but also extremely passionate and clever. She is open about how her ADHD and neurodiversity impacts her life and her relationships in such an honest and beautiful way that you can’t help but fall in love with her. Arthur is charismatic but with an underlying edge of someone who has something to prove. He is unbelievably loyal, protective and so very sweet to watch as he falls head over heels. I should also note that I ended up really liking the F1 racing backdrop. I learned a lot and had so much fun being in that world for a bit.

Overall, this story is fantastic and I highly recommend it to anyone looking for a fast paced romance with amazing characters and fantastic writing!

Read if you like:

Sports Romance
Fake Dating
Neurodiversity Rep
Mental health Rep
Spice
A debut author

4.5/5 stars

I really liked Lilah. She took her job at creating this F1 racing documentary very seriously. I liked how she was very focused and determined to make it work after being blindsided by her ex, Max. Lilah is a bit awkward and quiet, but I just loved that. She had a rough childhood and struggled to find people she fit in with. As I moved through this book, I got to see her character develop into someone who speaks up and sticks up for herself and those she cares about.

Arthur was an arrogant F1 driver. However, I really enjoyed his character and the growth he showed by the end as well. While he was arrogant, I loved the fact that he wasn’t unpleasant for very long. He saw a way to help Lilah, while it would also benefit him. From the very beginning, I knew this man was going to be down bad and he was. It was nice getting little pieces of his past throughout the book. He was so protective of those around him, so I loved when Lilah was there to try to protect him.

I loved Lilah and Arthur together. Their banter was so fun and I just loved how they started learning about one another. They helped each other grow into the characters they are by the end of the book and it was really fun to read. Both characters struggle with their mental health at times and it made them feel more real. I also loved how some of the people who worked with Arthur, Sarah and Delaney, became best friends with Lilah and looked out for her. They really did have a found family among them.

I haven’t read too many F1 racing books, but honestly, this one makes me want to find some more to read. So, I would definitely recommend this book.

Thank you to Madge Maril, Simon & Schuster and NetGalley for the ARC for an honest review.

Absolutely delightful. This was my first book by Maril and I will certainly be coming back for more. I love when the guy falls first and harder, I eat it up

I’m starting to become obsessed with F1 romances, and for a debut novel, it didn’t disappoint.

Lilah Grey, a documentarian, is tasked with filming F1 racer Arthur Bianco. As she begins the project she is unexpectedly broken up with by her BF and business partner. Arthur and Lilah work together and come up with a revenge plan that benefits them both.

I loved Lilah, there were many moments where she felt incredibly relatable. She’s quiet, emotional and deeply passionate. She’s been told she’s “too weird” or “different” her whole life, and I enjoyed watching her grow more comfortable in her own skin. Arthur starts off as a jerk. As the story unfolds, we see he’s actually a complex and caring character. He’s trying to prove that he is a great driver and escape the shadow of his family. He wants to be in charge of his own future. This is a great slow burn romance! The tension was incredible, and it was also fun to watch Arthur flirt with Lilah, who is completely oblivious at first.

~While I do recommend this book overall, there were a few parts that were eh: some of their scheming didn’t really make sense (I personally can over look that because the story was still enjoyable).
🌶️The one spicy scene gave me the biggest ICK.
*** potential spoilers***
The spicy scene is near the end of the book. In future re-reads I will definitely be skipping that chapter. They were calling each other husband and wife during sex and he made a weird comment about getting her pregnant. This was their FIRST time having sex. It was very weird. Literally had to put the book down for a minute because why??? It was going so well up until that point.

Thank you Netgalley, Simon & Schuster for this ARC in exchange for an honest review!

Slowburn (he falls first) F1 romance from debut author, Madge Maril! Release date: 05/20/2025.

I found this contemporary romance very binge-able - I immediately found myself engaged with the storyline and didn't feel like the book fell flat or boring. I loved that our main fella was definitely book boyfriend material and the two main characters had great banter and sass between each other. I also liked the neurodivergent representation in the FMC. There is a little spice but maybe just one or two 🌶️.

4.25⭐

This is the perfect book for those just getting into the world of F1 romance that may not know much about the sport itself! It also offers a fascinating commentary on the political nature of the sport which is truly it's own reality show in and of itself. I loved watching Arthur and Lilah's relationship grow throughout the book but it felt rushed in some places as it felt like there were big jumps being made without the exploration or development to get there. The mental health and ADHD representation were wonderful as well as these are often overlooked or brushed aside in the world of athletics!

This was a good debut novel, unfortunately it just wasn’t for me. There wasn’t anything wrong with it per-see, but the romance felt off. There was barely any chemistry, and the whole secret plot didn’t feel very feasible with a way for everyone to escape unscathed. The most visceral scenes were the pre-race and races themselves. But I was bored.

Lilah and Arthur are two people who have past trauma that deeply affects them. This is a story with sports romance, formula one, and personal growth, It’s a slow growing love story that develops over the course of their summer of filming. People who are dealing with past hurt are healing and learning to trust again.
Lilah in particular, she’s finding her strength, blooming, healing, and finding love, and TAKING UP SPACE. And being comfortable doing so in a male dominated environment
Arthur’s had his own struggles even though he comes off as such a confident character. It’s a nice reminder that you never know what someone may be dealing with, no matter how happy they may appear.
Thank you for the opportunity to read this book!

Unfortunately, I didn’t mesh with this book well. The premise of the story seemed so interesting but I just couldn’t get myself to connect to it.

A big issue I found myself having was not understanding the conflict. Some sections were written confusingly where I had to reread parts. I didn’t really get why or how what they were doing was going to help. Maybe this was because i’m not an F1 fan so some things went over my head but I wish it didn’t take till like 80ish % in for Lilah to explicitly state what was going on.

As for our main characters, I enjoyed Arthur, he was sweet and it would’ve been nice to get his pov. Sadly, Lilah was not my favorite. I felt very disconnected from her character, it was very hard to get a read on her feelings in certain scenarios.

The relationship between Arthur and Lilah lacked chemistry and went 0 to 100. I didn’t feel like there was any build up to them and it honestly didn’t feel like Lilah liked him. Then at 76% we have a spice scene and they’re suddenly in love with each other. It felt like it came out of nowhere and the scenes we get of them prior to this didn’t really build any emotional or physical connection between them.

Thank you to Simon & Schuster and Netgalley for an ARC copy!

4.5⭐️. This was a great debut for Madge! 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻 I loved the dynamic between Lilah and Arthur from the beginning. The banter was bantering. Initially i found the writing style a bit wordy, which made it harder to get into, but then realized that this really gave insight to how Lilah’s neuro-divergent mind analyzed everything. I felt like i was on that journey with Lilah as she discovered herself and when she finally realized that her relationship with Arthur was real. It was honestly such a beautiful journey for both of them 🥹. This book was low on spice but when things finally happened it packed a punch 🥵. It was a little surprising to learn that Lilah was super naughty which felt a bit mismatched but at the same time I wasn’t mad at it. Regardless, I couldn’t put the book down after passing the 50% mark and I will definitely need to read more F1 romance books!