As an avid reader and Formula 1 fan, I always search for my next fix as the breaks come around. I was so excited to see a workplace romance and F1 collide. Overall, it was an enjoyable read. Childhood friends coming back together on one of the world's biggest stages. I thought both characters were delightful, and it was fun to see real-life references to the sport. I can tell Liszt is a David fan and was meticulous when it came to incorporating F1. With that being said, I have two things with this book.

First, I noticed some errors when it came to positioning in the grid. Some of the placements for characters were incorrect and were switched. At one point, Noah was 18th on the grid (I think it was Austin), and in the next chapter, he was 16th. Additionally, I felt there was no real buildup to romance; it was kind of thrown in there. I wasn’t feeling the chemistry between the characters, and I felt as though the trials and separation weren’t I big deal. Overall, I felt the pacing and world-building were off. I would have liked a little more emotionality built into it, and having me feel for them.

Drive Me Crazy was such a fun and cute read! I also really loved the female representation in F1 in this book, and how the main character Chloe navigated issues and barriers in such a male-centric sport.

Chloe and Matt used to be best friends as kids when they raced karts together, but after he got called up to Formula 1, they lost touch. She’s always had a crush on him, but he never saw her as more than something like a sister, and their lives took different paths. When Chloe is appointed team principal of failing F1 team Arden, and Matt gets transferred there from the top team, they meet again. After a traumatic accident left him unable to perform well, being downgraded to the worst team on the grid is his nightmare, but Chloe is determined to turn the team around. As they reconnect and spend more time together, attraction and feelings grow. But since an affair between a team principal and her driver would be absolutely scandalous, this slow burn, forbidden romance has the most delicious tension.

I had a lot of fun reading this book and it’s the perfect companion to the ongoing F1 season, but it was so much more than that. The female empowerment and representation in F1 which is historically a boys’ club, was so refreshing and inspiring. Chloe’s struggles were so real and show that there is much work to be done in the sport when it comes to equality, but I think stories like this one are a huge step forward.

The characters were fun and multidimensional, and had really incredible emotional growth. The mental health representation surrounding professional athletes (like Matt as a driver) was so important and impactful, and I loved both their individual growth as well as the one they shared due to their budding relationship.
I wish the ending had been a little more developed and less rushed. The conflict the entire book had been setting up was resolved without the necessary depth and reflection, and I felt that some questions were left unanswered.

Overall, I really enjoyed this book and I hope the author will write more books in this world!

Rating: 3.5 stars, rounded down to 3

This was a light, enjoyable read, but didn't have a ton of depth to it. We do have a subplot with the former teammate, but that stays fairly shallow. I had a good time with the book, but don't see this staying with me for an overly long time.

Thanks to the author, Putnam, and NetGalley for providing an ARC of this book!

It was a fun read really enjoyed it. I loved the communication. It was funny and the last couple of chapters the back and forth ahhhhhhh yes no yes no!!! Loved it

This was super cute, F1 romances have a special place in my heart. I love cozy romance reads. The ending felt a bit rushed but in total it was wonderful!

A great rom-com for the F1 romance girlies out there! I love the representation of a woman in a male-dominated sport, and the mental health rep! Unfortunately, something about the execution of this book didn't quite hit for me! Compared to Just One Taste which was a 5 star read for me this one just didn't quite measure up.

Overall it was a cute fun and easy read that I think the F1 girlies will eat up!

Thank you to NetGalley for the digital ARC of Drive Me Crazy by Lizzy Dent.

This was my first time trying an F1 romance, and I was really curious to see how the world of racing would blend with the love story. While there were some great behind-the-scenes moments exploring the sport and Matt’s driving, I found that aspect didn’t quite click for me, I think I’ve learned F1 just isn’t my personal niche as a reader.

That said, fans of the sport will likely love how much detail and authenticity is brought to those scenes. I did really enjoy Chloe and Matt’s dynamic, their chemistry and banter were definite highlights, and I was invested in their relationship.

Overall, this was a solid, well-written story, it just wasn’t quite the right fit for my personal tastes. I would absolutely recommend it to F1 fans or readers looking for something a little different in their romance picks!

This book was a fun read and overall a 3.5 stars. I enjoyed the plot line of first female team principle but I also felt like it was overlooked by having a relationship with her driver. And I know that he was one of her closest and longest friends and the situation was special but, it did lessen the enjoyment for me. I also wasn't the biggest fan of the author using current drivers names that were also racing in the book. This is the first time I've read about real names instead of all made up Teams/racers that aren't legacy drivers like Senna. Overall the book was enjoyable and I would recommend it to someone who knows about F1 but isn't the biggest fan and who's preferred genre is romance.
Thank you to NetGalley and Penguin Random House publishing for letting me read this book early!

F1 is always so fun and I think Dent did a fantastic job creating the childhood friends to lovers element. I also love the FMC and how she is charting her own path in their F1 world.

Chloe Coleman has just landed her dream job as the first female principal of Arden. However, the news of her accomplishment is overshadowed by the announcement of her former childhood friend, Matthew Warner, joining her F1 team as the first driver.

Throughout the book, while Arden Racing works on placing higher than 10th, Chloe and Matt prepare their friendship, taking it to another level.
______

This was a really cute book! The characters were well written and the plot was good. This was the first F1 book I have ever read and I fear this has created a monster.

This story was a 3/5 for me, and I wanted to Putnam and Netgalley for the ARC in exchange for my review. All opinions are my own.

I love a good sports romance and F1 racing might be on the list for a new favorite setting. While I really liked Matt and Chloe reconnecting, I could have used a little more time with them showing how they were falling back in love. I really liked all the side characters and hope to see more in this world.

Chloe is a team principle for Formula 1, and Matt is the champion racer who just landed on her team. Unbeknownst to the team owner, Matt and Chloe have a history, and working together makes all sorts of sparks fly. But the owner believes in second chances...

First, I have read all of Lizzy Dent's novels, and I keep loving them. This may be one of my favorites. Dent is a master at not just bringing a setting to life, but making the career of her leads a character in its own right. We get to dive into the world of Formula 1 racing and be immersed not just in the adrenaline of the race, but the ins and outs of the politics and the life on the road.

Both Chloe and Matt have their own real-life struggles - Chloe is one of the one female team principles in Formula 1, and Matt is dealing with PTSD from a recent crash that left his best friend in the hospital. Dent weaves all this together, with a realistic romance, that is 1000% satisfying.

I would recommend Dent as a read-alike to those who like Emily Henry or Abby Jimenez.

Thank you to NetGalley, Putnam | G.P. Putnam's Sons, and Lizzy Dent for this digital advanced reader’s copy in exchange for my honest review.

I wasn’t sure what to expect when I started this book, but I was very pleasantly surprised. I ended up finishing the book in just a few sittings and really enjoyed the story and characters.

This book has so many elements that I love in a romance. Rivals to lovers, childhood crush, woman in a powerful position. Easy to read and really enjoyed it!

Rounding up from 3.5.

Ok. For real. I need some friends to get on the F1 train.
If NASCAR is Natty Light; F1 is Dom Perignon. And who’s in it for the cars and racing anyway.

But I digress. Fun little story about a female F1 Team Principal and Lead Driver of a failing F1 team. The author worked for Red Bull Racing, so she did a great job of including actual F1 terms and scenarios and drivers. Hello Lando#4Norris. This book is definitely worth reading! I would love for to see a second part following Noah’s story.

Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC. All opinions are my own.

A cute friends to enemies to lovers romance. The book is pretty slow to start, the main characters don’t speak until 20% in, but other than that, an enjoyable read.

4.5⭐️ rounded up. Do I know anything about F1 racing? No. Am I now totally interested? Yes.

Lizzy Dent wrote this fun, adorable, childhood friends rekindling friendship into romance so perfectly. I loved the FMC Chloe. She was a strong woman in a male dominated career field proving that she belonged. Watching her dodge PR nightmares and keep her head up was great for her character and she grew so much from the beginning.

The MMC Matt has a hard exterior but total golden retriever vibes for just Chloe. I’m so glad he was able to push through his mental blocks.

I was totally able to follow along with all the car and racing lingo which honestly I was a bit worried about. Totally into F1 romances now tho.

Thank you to Net Galley and Putnam publishing for this ARC in exchange for a honest review.

It’s a massive shame that Drive Me Crazy isn’t out until January, because it was one of those books that I loved so much I immediately need everyone else to read it!! This was my first Formula 1 racing romance and definitely won’t be my last. I loved Chloe and Matt and the way their history was interwoven with their present. The premise was so adorable that it comes as no surprise to me how quickly I finished it.

After reading this book, I GET the reason so many of my sports friends find the Formula 1 racers attractive. Because if Matt Warner was real, I’d probably be in love with him too, haha! Matt and Chloe made me laugh out loud and I was so fond of their dynamic, both in and out of the race pit. Chloe is the kind of woman you want to be friends with as well as someone you totally root for to find their happiness.

Chloe is a baddie working in sports, and the casual sexism she experiences at work is something so many women in sports live through. I love how Matt’s urge is always to stand up for her qualifications rather than just her gender and the stereotypes within the sport. It’s a great example of how those in more privileged positions can use their voices to uplift others in their shared communities.

Thank you to Putnam and G.P. Putnam’s Sons for the opportunity to read and review this book! I received a free advance copy of this book via NetGalley and am voluntarily leaving a review. All opinions expressed are my own.

This book is perfect for F1 fans and those new to the sport alike. You can tell that the author is very familiar with the sport and does an excellent job of weaving the F1 world through this childhood friends-to-lovers story.

The story follows Chloe Coleman as she finally enters the world of F1 as the first female team principal, hired mid-season to save a struggling team recovering from a scandal involving their previous team principal. She soon finds out that her new driver is none other than her childhood crush, Matt Warner. Chloe learns how to manage her new team and her relationship with Matt through this fast-paced story.

The characters are lovable and well-written. The dual-POV is perfect for this story and transitions seamlessly. I loved the character and relationship development, but the ending felt a bit rushed, and I wish there had been more before the jump to the epilogue.

Thank you to NetGalley, Putnam | G.P. Putnam's Sons, and Lizzy Dent for this digital advanced reader’s copy in exchange for my honest review.

My husband is really into cars and racing, we’ve spent more hours than I can count at the track so I personally ally loved and connected with this book on more than one level! I loved the romance and the banter and would definitely wan to read more by this author.