2.5 Stars.

Old childhood friends reunite in the world of F1 after years of falling out. During their time together on a team on the brink of failure, a driver who feels at rock bottom and a principal just starting to rise to the top and make a name for herself, they grow closer than they were as kids. But doing so costs them what?
I feel that the book didn't dive deeply enough into certain topics I wish it had, and at times, it just didn't make sense.
I feel the smut scenes weren't written in places that did not made sense. Nothing felt fully fleshed out, and it took me out of the story. For two people who were worried about what others thought and were trying not to be together, they didn't try very hard! They made it maybe a day or so? Their "caution" felt more like a green light. Constantly touching, saying, and actually doing things together in public, and somehow never getting caught? It didn't make me care. And somewhere in there, the characters even stated we were enemies to lovers at one point,,,, where were the enemies? You simply were mad he joined the team, and then instantly into love. The tropes weren't troping for me.
And with Chloe, I wish you got to see more of her growth as a principal. She just felt like a girl who happened to be in the garage. It went from no one respecting her to no one caring (??) to then randomly calling shots that weren't even her ideas. She was attending events she didn't even seem to know about. Her as principal felt pointless and just there so they had a reason to be by each other, but she never once gave authority vibes. I don't think I would've thought she was in charge either. She felt trapped as this teen from way back in the day that Matt thought she was.

I did enjoy seeing a lot of the races and how they went; it felt like the most exciting parts in the book for me. I do wish you got to see and hear more from Noah and Matt mentoring him. That relationship felt like it needed to be bigger for Matt's sake.

This was such a fun read, it’s one of those book where you start reading and then you pick your head up and your halfway through the book and didn’t realize. I loved the characters and their journeys. There were so many funny moments where I was giggling and kicking my feet. I loved how Matt was the perfect balance between protective and supportive. I loved Chloe’s growth and confidence in her field. This is my first F1 romance and I really enjoyed the feeling of reading Matt’s racing POV and the anticipation of how he’ll do.

Drive Me Crazy by Lizzy Dent had all the makings of a rom-com I’d adore—an F1 setting, former friends reunited as teammates, and the forced proximity of high-speed teamwork. I was so ready to buckle in for some emotional tension and character growth, but unfortunately, the story didn’t quite hit the mark for me.

The setup was super promising: he’s a top-tier driver struggling with PTSD after a crash, and she’s the new head of his new team—oh, and they used to be close friends before he ghosted her. That emotional history should have been rich ground for character-driven tension and slow-burning reconciliation... but the depth I was hoping for just wasn’t there.

The story leans heavily on an old crush and mutual attraction—which is fun! But it all moved so fast that I never quite believed in the emotional core of their relationship. I kept wishing for more buildup, more conversation, more substance behind their connection. And while I don’t mind open-door romance, the on-page scenes here felt a little out of sync with the tone and pacing. A closed-door approach might’ve fit better.

That said, the setting was fun and unique, and I can definitely see this working better for readers who love fast-paced flings with a touch of sports drama. It just didn’t quite stick the emotional landing for me.

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the ARC!

Thank you to NetGalley, G.P. Putnam’s Sons, and Lizzy Dent for an eARC in exchange for an honest review!

3.5 stars

FINALLY. It hasn’t even been that long since I started this one, but it feels like it’s taken me forever. That’s not exactly the fault of the book (a lot of life has been happening to me lately), but it was pretty obvious where the plot was going about 50% through. That really shot my motivation to finish the book.

The relationship between Chloe and Matt was cute, and I love double-POV in romance novels. I will say, their public make-put sessions got a little too freaky for my taste, but I’ll try not to yuck someone else’s yum.

As someone who knows next to nothing about F1, I was able to enjoy the racing-related bits more than expected going in. If anything, I wish there’d been more of that here!

Overall, this was a right book, wrong time situation for me. The parts where I’d have liked more detail were a little rushed, and some of the drama was a little predictable, but as a romance novel it was perfectly cute. I’d say give this one a go, especially if F1 is your vibe.

From the first page, Drive Me Crazy had me hooked. Lizzy Dent masterfully combines humor, heart, and a touch of chaos in this delightful romantic comedy.

The protagonist’s journey is both hilarious and heartfelt, navigating life’s unexpected turns with wit and resilience. Dent’s writing is sharp and engaging, making it impossible to put the book down.

What I loved most was the authentic portrayal of relationships—messy, real, and utterly relatable. The chemistry between characters sizzles, and the dialogue is snappy and genuine.

This book is a perfect escape, filled with laugh-out-loud moments and poignant insights. It’s a testament to finding love and oneself amidst life’s unpredictability.

Drive Me Crazy is a must-read for fans of contemporary romance. Lizzy Dent has crafted a story that’s both entertaining and emotionally resonant.

Drive Me Crazy by Lizzy Dent follows Chloe and Matt through an F1, childhood friends to enemies to lovers (it’s quite the trope), romance. We get no flashbacks of them as children, but we do get snippets of memories from both our characters throughout the book. We come to find they both liked each other a bit more than just friends but weren’t able to explore anything further as they were pulled in different directions. The book starts with Chloe’s introduction as the new principle for Arden Racing, as a girlie new to the F1 world…this translates to her being a girl boss in racing. Abruptly the mood shifts when we find out the owner of the team she’s managing has just pulled Matt from his current team to race for them, and poor poor Matt is suffering from PTSD due to a recent racing accident so he’s a bit shook.
As the book goes on, Chloe tries to defend her role as manager/principle and Matt tries to become the best racer in the league, during this time, dun dun dunnn they fall in love. Shocked? Don’t be, we all knew it was coming and we’re all here for it. I ate it all up with a knife and fork as if it was a perfectly cooked steak, hahaha.
Lizzy’s writing was really good and I really enjoyed the dialogue she had throughout. She got me to chuckle a couple of times that’s for sure.
Ugh absolutely disliked Barry and Jackson, every scene with them just irked me. Barry treated Chloe overall like crap and I was disappointed when this girl boss wasn’t more of a baddie. Also a small part of me was hopeful she slipped right into that front seat and started racing, haha. This was my first F1 book and I’m not disappointed, I honestly just learned so much from this book, so thank you Lizzy for your knowledge on this sport.
Overall I did like it, did I love it? No. But Lizzy made up for it with good writing and banter. The spice level was, meh. I felt the spicy scenes were okay, nothing too thrilling to cheer on about. Not going to lie, the ending snuck up on me and felt rushed. Ran right into the epilogue and had to go back and reread to make sure I didn’t miss anything.
4 stars! Shout out to Big Ronny’s Ring Burner!
Thank you NetGalley for this ARC.

Fast-paced, flirty, and full of heart—Drive Me Crazy had me hooked from start to finish!

As an IndyCar fan, I loved the incorporation of F1 racing and all the lingo—it added such a fun, immersive layer to the story without ever feeling overdone. Lizzy Dent did a fantastic job blending the adrenaline of the racing world with a swoony, second-chance romance that had sparks flying on and off the track.

The MMC’s shock at his instant, undeniable attraction to the FMC after their reunion was perfection—it made their dynamic so addictive. Their chemistry was hot, but what really sold me was how authentic their connection felt, with just the right mix of tension, tenderness, and passion.

This book was pure joy to read. Dent nailed the pacing, the voice, and the emotional depth. Highly recommend for romance fans who love a high-stakes backdrop, sizzling chemistry, and characters who feel like real people falling hard and fast.

**Thank you NetGalley and Putnam for the eARC. All opinions are my own.**

Thank you for the E-ARC Putnam and Netgalley.

Ready, Set, Go! As you open the pages on this fast paced F1 racing romance book. If you enjoy second chance, workplace, friends to lovers romance tropes this book is for you. The author did a great job adding in the aspects of F1 racing to the romance novel and it was not solely focused on the love storyline. With a little bit alot spice this was such a fun read! 4.5 stars.

I loved just about everything about this book!! Chloe and Matt are so real and likeable, and the F1 representation felt really good! I can’t truly say how accurately the F1 insider world was represented, given I’ve never worked for a team, but I’ve been in the paddock at a couple races, and it felt close enough to my experience to flow without jolting me out of the story!

I’m really glad that I got the chance to read this book early. This was such a cute and fast paced F1 romance that dealt with mental health issues like trauma and PTSD as well as beating the odds as a woman in a predominantly male sport, there was also a touch of former unrequited love sprinkled in there for fun. I really enjoyed watching Matt and Chloe realize that they were perfect for each other and how just having that confidence from someone can make all the difference when it comes to recovering with mental health stress. The world building in this book was top notch and I found the background research and the knowledge that this author imbued into this book about F1 racing to be very well done. A lot of information was thrown at us about F1 and how it works but it didn’t feel like I was reading a manual or anything. I will say that I hope that Jack gets what’s coming to him because he was the worst! Overall I really enjoyed the romance and the banter that was throughout this book and I found this book to be thoroughly entertaining from start to finish and would recommend this book to anyone whose into racing romance books because this one it amazing!

What a fun sports romance! I loved getting into the world of F1 racing (which I know nothing about) and seeing Chloe make her way as team principal for a failing team, and the first female to have that role in her field. When she’s surprised by the signing of Matt, her teen crush, as a driver, the two of them have to figure out their way forward as adults (and as boss and employee).

Matt is also dealing with the fallout of a crash that injured his best friend (a crash he feels responsible for causing). Can he get out of his head in time to put up great racing times to rescue his career while also pursuing Chloe as his new romantic interest? And can Chloe find a solution that allows them to be together without making herself a fool in the racing world?

Thanks to Putnam and NetGalley for the ARC of this novel!

This was a quick, cute read! The romance wasn’t the most developed, but it was believable enough. The stakes of the races were not too high as to be stressful, but were enough to keep the story moving. This was my first time reading an F1 romance, and I would definitely read another.

Thanks to Putnam Books and NetGalley for providing this ARC for review!

Fast-paced, fiery, and full of heart, this romance delivers high-speed thrills both on and off the track. Chloe Coleman is a fierce, trailblazing F1 team principal with everything to prove—and the last thing she needs is Matt Warner, a fallen star driver and her childhood crush, complicating her plans.

The tension crackles as these two navigate rivalry, redemption, and unresolved feelings. With sizzling chemistry and emotional stakes as high as the podium, this is a must-read for fans of sports romance with strong heroines and slow-burn heat.

Absolutely loved this book! I couldn’t put it down, and Lizzy Dent has a new fan and follower!!

This book was dynamic, fast paced (no pun intended) and was very accurate to the F1 world. I cannot wait to recommend to all my friends and F1 girlies. I’d love to see a sequel or another book from Noah or someone else’s POV!! The main character Chloe was strong and a complete bad ass!!

2.5 stars
Thank you to NetGalley and Putnam for the ARC. I really wanted to love this one—the setup was great, and the emotional undercurrents at the start had me intrigued. But as the story unfolded, it got weighed down by technical F1 details that made it hard to stay immersed. The romance didn’t feel natural, and I struggled to connect with the characters as their communication faded and their chemistry fizzled. By the time the rushed ending arrived, I felt more disconnected than invested. There’s definitely potential here, but this one missed the mark for me.

Thank you to NetGalley and Putnam for the ARC.
I live and breathe F1 racing, so trying out this book was a no-brainer for me. I'm the type of reader who needs all the explanations of racing terminology, although I understand why it was in there - not every reader is going to be an F1 fan before reading. However, I do think it all could've been introduced better as a glossary in the front rather than the clunky descriptions within the story.
As far as the rest of the story, I thought it was solid. We love to see a woman excel in a male-dominated industry, and we love an underdog/redemption story.
Something to note about this book that isn't the case with most F1 romance books, this one uses names of actual drivers and teams - most of whom are currently on the roster for 2025 - and honestly, it was a bit distracting. I think that will age the book very quickly compared to books that have a completely fictional grid.
Overall, a solid read. Enjoyable. Not the best F1 romance I've read, but very far from the worst. 3.5 stars on Storygraph.

3/5 stars for this childhood friends to lovers Formula 1 romance!

Matt, a cocky driver who’s lost his edge after an accident on the track involving his best friend, now finds himself racing for the underdog team Arden and their new team principle Chloe, his childhood friend. He’ll have to work on his past demons and race to the top again while Chloe will have to prove to everyone that she’s up for the job. Sparks fly on the track and the two soon start a relationship that has to be kept secret….for both of their careers to thrive.

I’ve been wanting to read more sports romance. I’m not very familiar with F1, never watched a race on TV, so some of the things going on I was little confused about but you can definitely tell that Lizzy Dent knows her stuff when it comes to the sport. When Matt was on the track racing, I could feel his excitement and adrenaline through the pages, along with his frustrations. I really loved Chloe, she’’s a strong FMC who learns to stand up for herself in a male dominated sport. Matt and Chloe’s romance was cute with a little bit of spice, only complaint was I thought the spicy scenes felt a little rushed. Overall though, I would recommend this one!

Thank you to Putnam Books and NetGalley for allowing me to read this ARC in exchange for a honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own. This book is expected to be published on January 6, 2026.

A fast-paced, fiery romance with heart and horsepower!

Drive Me Crazy hit all the right notes for me—sharp banter, sizzling chemistry, and just the right amount of emotional depth. Chloe is a powerhouse of a heroine, determined and ambitious, and Matt brings the perfect mix of charm, ego, and vulnerability. Their history added a nice layer of tension that made their slow-burn romance even more satisfying.

The F1 backdrop was fun and fresh, with enough detail to keep the stakes high without overwhelming the story. I especially loved watching Chloe hold her own in a male-dominated sport—it made her victories (both personal and professional) that much sweeter.

The only reason I’m holding back a star is that a couple of plot turns felt slightly rushed toward the end, and I wanted just a bit more payoff on the racing front. Still, it’s a breezy, addictive read that’s perfect for fans of sports romance and second-chance love.

Lizzy Dent continues to be an auto-buy author for me—this one just raced to the top of my summer reads list!

Thank you to NetGalley for this review copy. I enjoyed this book. I liked the formula 1 tidbits and the “making of the team” was enjoyable to see and have Chloe work through her professional life. The love story was fun but I wish we got a little more backstory. I clocked the villain almost immediately and the way Chloe and Matt navigated it was really great. 3.75 stars

I know absolutely nothing about formula 1 racing but there is nothing more I want to learn about after reading this book!

Chloe and Matt grew up together, they spent their childhood racing and being friends. After going their separate ways, with unrequited love for Chloe, they are forced back together! Chloe is now the boss and Matt is at a low point in his life and career. I love their support of each other, honest communication and dedication to their relationship and work.