This was an enjoyable and emotional ride. Violet Harper is sharp, guarded, and determined to stay in control, but her chemistry with Chase Navarro is impossible to ignore. Their one-night stand turning into a workplace clash created delicious tension, and I loved the dynamic between the grumpy PR queen and the sunshine driver. Chase was such a sweetheart, confident on the track but hopelessly smitten off it, and I found myself rooting for him the whole way. The racing scenes added great excitement without overshadowing the romance. It’s steamy, heartfelt, and addictive, making it perfect for those who love enemies-to-lovers and "he falls first" stories.

This was not my favorite book. I found parts I was wanting to put it down but kept moving along. I know there are others that will enjoy it so don't want my rating to sway their opinions.

I was not familiar with Amanda Weavers game! I ate this book up. Not only did this have a delicious romance but the author did such a good job of capturing the drama and politics of the F1 world in this book. I’m not expert because I’m a new F1 fan but damn the story is so good. I love the chemistry between chase and violet. Can’t wait for what else the author has in store and thank you so much to Zando books for the this e-arc

This was cute! Lowkey didn’t like how they fixed their problems and then immediately Violet torpedoed them again. Back to back breakups/conflicts was annoying and made me dislike Violet a bit after all of the work they had put into the relationship

First off, a huge thank you to Amanda Weaver and her team for giving me and The Paddock Girls Podcast the chance to read this ARC before it hit shelves! We’ll be chatting about it more in our review episode next week, but here’s my spoiler-free take.

In this second installment of the Racing Hearts series, we follow Violet Harper, formerly at Lennox Motorsport and now the new Head of PR at Pinnacle. And honestly? The way Violet talked her way into this role was just iconic. From page one, she’s smart, resourceful, and completely unafraid to handle the circus that is F1 PR. Her friendship with Mira, Lennox’s TP’s daughter and assistant, is pure badass-women-supporting-badass-women energy, and I loved every scene they shared.

Pinnacle itself to me feels like the Haas of this fictional F1 grid. Last for the past five years, but the twist is they’ve recently been sold to American team owner Carter Hammond. We’ve got Reece Hammond, Carter’s son and new TP (also the “problem child” of the family); Oscar Davis, the outdated and out-of-touch CTO; Rabia Dar, the associate design engineer who takes over after Oscar’s exit (we love a woman in a top role); and Leon Franklin, the Head of Engineering.

Enter Chase Navarro the 25-year-old, hot-as-hell F2 driver, reserve for not just Pinnacle but two other teams, and someone who immediately clocked when Oscar crosses the line. What starts as a friends-with-benefits situation between Violet and Chase turns into something more — and while their chemistry is undeniable, I found myself wanting just a little more yearning from Chase’s side.

Where the book worked for me: the banter, the behind-the-scenes F1 atmosphere. Where I wanted more: the drama. Especially with the fake PR relationship subplot between Chase and a certain actress — it wrapped up so quickly, I expected more scandal and fallout.

As an F1 fan, I also noticed the racing schedule felt a bit off, and I wanted more on-track moments. But for readers where technical details are less of a concern, this won’t be an issue. Ultimately, Kiss & Collide is a cute, fluffy sports romance — a perfect palette cleanser. If you’re usually in the fantasy or dark romance lane like I am you know that sometimes you just need something light and easy and Kiss & Collide could be just that for you.

Thank you again to Amanda and her team for the ARC — can’t wait to chat all things Racing Hearts on the podcast next week!

Kiss and Collide
4⭐️ 3🌶️
- MF
- Formula 1
- Workplace Romance
- Enemies to Friends with Benefits to Lovers

Fast & Reckless was one of my first Formula 1 books and Amanda turned me into a fan so I couldn’t wait for Kiss and Collide! I loved Violet in the first book and was so excited for her to get her own book.

Reading this book was such an immersive experience. I felt so much while reading it. The excitement of race days, the painful hope as they really started to build something at Pinnacle, not to mention the passion, confusion and indication when it came to Chase and Violet.

I’m not afraid to admit that while fake dating arrangement Chase had with actress to boost his visibility with sponsors left me feeling anxious and uncountable right alongside Violet. But girlfriend did it to herself.

I loved Violet and understood why she was so guarded and prickly. I loved Chase so much for not letting her chase him away and instead seeing how strong, brave, and determined she was. Violet was so capable it was scary and I loved it.

Chase was such a sweetheart it was impossible not to love him. He was the perfect partner to Violet.

I’m not sure where this series is going next but I really hope Imogene gets a book! Her character growth from panicked crying assistant to competent baddie was amazing.

Thanks to Amanda and Slowburn for this ARC.

Book Rating: ⭐️ 4.25 /5
Spice Rating: 🌶️ 2.75/5

Kiss and Collide is the second book in the Racing Heart series by Amanda Weaver, and I found it even more fun than the first! F1 romance isn’t a subgenre I’m super familiar with, but this one definitely had the right vibe.

Violet, the FMC, is a PR manager for a racing team, and she is not to be messed with. She’s fierce, confident, and takes charge in every scene she’s in. After a one-night stand with Chase, the team’s new driver, the two agree to a friends-with-benefits situation... and we all know how that goes.

Chase was absolutely adorable. His sunshine personality perfectly balanced Violet’s grumpy nature, which is one of my favorite tropes. When the MMC is the sunshine in the dynamic, I can’t help but smile. His golden retriever energy stood out, and honestly, he was my favorite character in the book.

Even as someone who isn’t well-versed in F1 racing, I connected with this story more than the first because Weaver leaned a bit more into the romance this time around. That said, the plot is still solid and well told, adding depth to the relationship development.

If you enjoy romance with an F1 backdrop, a sweet MMC who falls first, light enemies-to-lovers tension, and a friends-with-benefits dynamic that turns into an "it’s always been you" moment, this one is for you.

Huge thank you to Zando/Slowburn for sending me both the digital and physical ARC of Kiss & Collide 💌

Okay okay okay. Let’s get RIGHT into it because this book? This book is a GEM. It’s got tension. It’s got steam. It’s got growth. It’s friends with benefits turning into "it's always been you" and I am currently screaming into the sky. Amanda, what have you done to me.

Also, fun fact: my TikTok algorithm now thinks I’m a full-time F1 bestie. I have no idea how pit stops work, I panic-watch races and immediately skip to the end, but suddenly I am very into behind-the-scenes drama and driver interviews. Who am I.

Anyway. Let’s talk tropes and vibes because this book DELIVERS:

• F1 Driver and PR Manager
• Enemies to Lovers
• He Falls First
• Friends with Benefits
• Opposites Attract
• Stuck Together
• Work Colleagues
• Reverse Grumpy/Sunshine (she’s the grump and I love that for her)
• “I’ve always believed in you” and I melted

This is technically book two in a series, but I jumped right in and had no trouble following along. That said, Zando also sent me book one, so guess what I’m reading next? 👀

If you like burn with a capital B, this one is gonna take you out in the best way.

thank you Zando and NetGalley for the arc!

As an avid lover of f1 romance, black cat x golden retriever trope I was immediately hooked to this book. Chase was in fact the perfect golden retriever mmc. However, it felt as though the back and forth of the relationship/hookups felt like it dragged on. Chase was so down bad for her but Violet was so focused on her career (VALID and RELATABLE) that she refused to give into her own feelings. The wall she would put up between them just to allow him back in was devastating but also shows how much Chase really cared because he really stuck with her through all the back and forth😭. I will say this book was written in 3rd person which can sometimes be more difficult for me to follow and this was one of those times…

From an F1 fan perspective this book had a lot of accurate information and themes which I always appreciate when reading this subgenre!! I also feel like there was enough F1 to keep the fans interested and satisfied, but not too much to confuse/overwhelm non F1 watchers.

All in all a pretty decent f1 romance, i just think the 3rd person narration kind of took me out of it.

She's the head of PR and he's the newly minted Formula One driver, they've had a crazy one night stand and despite the fact that she's determined to make him a star she can't seem to stay away from him no matter how different they are, but can this friends with benefits/work place relationship work when her ex is back in her life trying to win her over and she also has to manage said driver's fake dating relationship a hollywood actress? Violet Harper is sharp, grumpy, and cut throat and is determined to make a name for herself in the PR Formula One space, what she doesn't have time for is a relationship with a sweet sunshiny F1 driver who can't seem to stay away from her. Chase Navarro has wanted only one thing in his life: to make it as a Formula One driver , and after being in Formula Two for so long he's ecstatic to finally get a chance. Yet he never expected to run into his very hot one night stand, Violet, or to have her be his new PR manager or that she would ever agree to sleep with him again after the first time. Chase has already been burned once by a previous girlfriend and the no strings attached hookups with Violet are great, the only problem? He's actually falling for her. Violet has made it clear she's not open to anything more, especially when the very same rockstar ex who broke her heart comes back and is trying to win her back.... but all she can think of is Chase. To make matters even more complicated she has to manage Chase's rising fame and orchestrate his fake relationship with a hot up and coming hollywood actress who seems interested in more with him.... Drama, romance, and the Formula One season, ITS EVERYTHING. I am a sucker for a grumpy x sunshine, especially when its reversed. I loved the banter and relationship between Chase and Violet, they both were so head over heels for each other but had to work up to it. I absolutely had a blast reading this and as a huge F1 fan, this was also a great F1 romance set during the season!! It's seriously the perfect mixture of F1 and romance!

Release Date: August 5, 2025

Publication/Blog: Ash and Books (ash-and-books.tumblr.com)

*Thanks Netgalley and Zando | Slowburn for sending me an arc in exchange for an honest reveiw*

This book was so enjoyable, not once did I get bored while reading it! Chase Navarro, mmc, is every girls dream 🥰 As a f1 fan, I love that there was a lot of the sport involved which kept it even more entertaining!

Chase and Violet’s relationship was chaotic yet slow building which I loved, it only made me more excited for their relationship throughout the book. Their chemistry was impeccable, intimately and emotionally! The reverse grumpy x sunshine was so much fun to read!

Thank you NetGalley for the opportunity to read this ARC in exchange for an honest review ❤️

Kiss & Collide is the second book in the Racing Heart Series by Amanda Weaver. The first book in the series Fast & Reckless was my first introduction to F1 romances, so I was excited to read more from Amanda Weaver. And I wasn’t disappointed. The author does such a good job of immersing the readers into the F1 universe. So much so that I felt like I was at the races. I love a reverse grumpy X sunshine, and Violet and Chase were perfection. Even though their chemistry and spice was immediate, I liked the slow buildup of their relationship. Thanks NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

First I'd like to thank Amanda for allowing me and the rest of the girls at The Paddock Girls Podcast for this ARC Read (review episode coming out next week!). I'm very grateful for the opportunity to read this before it hit shelves :)

Now in this second book of the Racing Hearts series we follow Violet, the badass PR who decide to switch teams to be head of PR for what felt to me like the Haas of this series. We meet Chase Navarro, F2 driver randomly promoted to F1 driver. A friends with benefits turns into they both fall hard.

While I found this book to be enjoyable, I felt like I wanted more from the book. I wish I saw more yearning from Chase (maybe there was and I didn't notice?), and just a bit more drama. Especially with Chase being in a fake PR relationship with the one actress. Like I would've liked more drama and scandal around that and it didn't happen. It was just like okay the relationship is over bye. And don't get me started on Ian. I couldn't stand the guy and felt like his character was a bit pointless tbh.

Again, this is a cute fluff read, especially as a hardcore fantasy reader. A nice break from the world of make believe. But as an F1 fan, the racing schedule also threw me off a bit. I think readers who aren't too into the sport will enjoy it. As I wish there was more on track action.

Again, thank you Amanda & publishing team for the opportunity. I will definitely be rereading the series in the future since I couldn't put this down.

ARC review- 4.25 ⭐️’s- “Because I know that with you, seeds take time to blossom.” Chase and Violet’s story was adorable! This was a F1 sports romance! The racing scenes were so authentic they had me on the edge of my seat with my heart racing just like I was actually there! They both overcame their own past struggles with past relationships and came together. Kiss & Collide was beautifully written!

Kiss & Collide brings the heat with sizzling chemistry and a high-octane Formula One setting. Violet is a whip-smart, career-driven PR exec who wants control—not love. Chase is the charming, determined underdog driver who throws all of her rules out the window. The setup promises fireworks, and in many ways, it delivers.

The banter is sharp, the tension is electric, and their dynamic taps into all the best romance tropes—he falls first, forced proximity, and work colleagues-turned-something more. Violet’s reverse grumpy/sunshine persona is refreshing, and Chase is incredibly likable as the patient, grounded counterpart.

That said, the story suffers from pacing issues and a repetitive emotional cycle. The constant push-pull—hookups followed by emotional shutdowns—starts to drag, making the book feel longer than it needs to be. Even with great chemistry, it’s hard to stay invested when the relationship arc doesn’t evolve meaningfully. The stakes felt low, and while the F1 backdrop adds flavor, it never fully anchors the plot.

It’s a fun, sexy ride—but one that loses momentum the longer it goes. Worth reading if you love messy, tropey romances with emotionally closed-off heroines and golden retriever heroes—but temper expectations around plot depth and pacing.

Kiss and Collide was an enjoyable F1 romance that also shows the goings on behind the scenes. I enjoyed reading about F1, team dynamics and the drama surrounding it.

Violet and Chase had chemistry from the onset. The physical side was instant. However, their relationship was more of a slow burn.

Violet has a lot of past trauma that she brought into the relationship. She appears to be cold and ruthless, but she has just put barriers up to protect herself. Chase, on the other hand, is sweet, lovable and patient.

I loved Chase and Violet together. They complimented one another and brought out the best in each other.

This may be due to me reading an ARC copy, but I did find the POV switching throughout chapters without clear breaks to show it was switching, a bit disorientating.

If you enjoy a sports romance, fake dating, he falls first, then you will enjoy Kiss and Collide.

Thank you to Zando and NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

4.25/5

the thrill this gave me sent me back to the early lauren asher days!!!!

my love of f1 romances started awhile ago and i have yet to find a really good one to bring me back into the genre. i heard really good things about the first book in the series but i didn’t feel like buying it so i requested the arc of this. i’m happy to report that i loved this romance !!!

violet and chase started hooking up and then they come to work for the season realizing they’re working for the same team. #drama. chase is an f2 driver who got called up and violet is the head of pr. the book is them hooking up and eventually gaining feelings. they chapters moved so fast and the plot wasn’t huge so we spent lots of time with the characters and their careers. the added elements of jealousy were put into the book at just the right moments and i loved it. violet was the star of the show for me though. as a girlie who is angry, mean, and scared…. i loved her endlessly.

i probably won’t go back and read the first book but im really happy to know that if i need my fix of f1 romances i can count on this author/series!!

*thank you netgalley, zando, and slow burn for the arc!*

Violet is a slick PR girlie who takes leap of faith to what could be the job of her dreams. Chase is a journeyman race car driving studmuffin finally with a chance to drive in Formula One. While she works to increase his profile by capitalising on his attractiveness and approachableness there are fires to put out within the floundering team. PR dream or nightmare? Throughout, these two hotties are hooking up and definitely NOT catching feelings for each other.

Kiss & Collide isn't badly written but, it was lacking for me. I didn't feel for these characters. The race HQ and race days didn't convey the excitement or pop off the page. The "Situation skip", über convenient "fixes" and om/ow drama weren't my cup of tea.

DNF at 40% after too many eye rolls and 'what the?' momemts.

Wiyh many thanks to the author, NetGalley and Zando for the opportunity to read Kiss & Collide ahead of publication.
All opinions are my own.

Loved this book after having read the first one and gotten pulled into the world of F1 drivers and their romantic entanglements. So glad the publisher reached out with the egalley for this one as I really enjoyed the first book in this series and was hoping we'd get the friend's story also!

Omfg I loved this one. Five stars!

🏁 Formula one driver
🏁 Head of PR for the team
🏁 One night stand

In an effort to keep this story line original, the author takes us down the PR side of being on a formula one racing team. And I fucking loved it. Amanda Weaver fucking killed it.

We get an alphahole driver in book 1 and a ruthless black cat FMC in book 2 and you know I'm here for the meanness.

In book 2, our characters struggled. They're on a failing team with bad leadership, no funds, and low end equipment. I laughed. I cried. I got goosebumps. I'm blown away by the thoroughness of this plot (in both book 1 & 2, even though they're so different).

This book/series/story took me by storm. I burned through both books and I can't wait to read more from @amanda_weaver_author