Slipstream by Madge Maril

2.5 stars

Slipstream is a Formula 1 romance, which introduces us to Lilah Graywood, a documentary maker from Kentucky. She is thrust suddenly into the glitz and glamour of the F1 world, when she and her boyfriend Max are enlisted to produce a documentary about the Ignition Energy Drink Formula 1 Team. Cue an unexpected break up, a threatened documentary, fake dating and a scheming plot line.

This book was quite well written, and I particularly liked Arthur as the MMC, he seemed mature and well adjusted. But that’s where the positives end for me. Lilah was one of the most irritating main characters I’ve ever read. She was the epitome of the “pick me girl”, and while I liked the representation of neurodiversity and mental health in this book, using Lilah’s ADHD as a point of difference and something that makes her quirky and different serves to do the exact opposite of including it in the first place. The plot made little sense, and to be completely honest the scheming plot line lost me entirely, and even having finished the book I’m still not sure what that was all about. The book was also trope-heavy, which isn’t a bad thing in a romance book, but some of the tropes seemed to have been shoehorned in for the sake of it. The husband/wife element to the spicy scene was just odd, especially as it was never mentioned again.

As a long-time F1 fan, I wanted to like this book, I really did. But unfortunately this one was lacking finesse and fell a little flat for me.

Kind thanks to Simon & Schuster and NetGalley for my advanced copy in exchange for honest review.

3.5 stars

I enjoyed this F1 romance between Lilah, a documentary filmmaker and Arthur, a reserve F1 driver who team up to sabotage a documentary commissioned by his racing team.

Lilah's chaotic childhood and her ADHD manifesting in ways which leave her stuck inside her noisy head made for a complex but sometimes frustrating character. But, at the same time you feel for her because she feels she's the odd one as a result. Her very slow journey to understanding that she deserves so much more from her relationships was satisfying one. I also loved the insight into how Lilah approaches filmmaking and her obsession with the truth (though I’m puzzled that Lilah didn’t understand the camera lies all the time). Arthur was so much more than the alleged 'party boy'. His panic attacks stemming from a crash also made us understand why he was the way he was and how men are expected to just not deal with their mental health.

However, the central plot made no sense and required a huge suspense of disbelief. Their idea to sabotage the documentary wasn't really sabotage and the showdown with the villain (which never built any real tension) didn’t even involve the doco. (Also, wasn’t Max supposed to be filming the other driver?). The fake dating made no real sense since it had to be in secret anyway so it felt like shoehorning a trope in for the sake of it. There were also some decisions Lilah makes that ran contrary to their goal (like signing Max’s contract giving up her rights!).

Romance-wise I felt like I was told more than shown they were in love. Everything was mostly inside Lilah's head and any time they started to talk about their future they’d get interrupted (like the kids topic). The spice scenes also had no real build up and came off as a bit jarring with the kink stuff.

Overall, I think it’s a promising debut with a lot of heart. It's a story about feeling out of step with the world and not realising you're just as worthy of love as everyone else which is a good message for all.

Thanks to Simon & Schuster Australia and NetGalley for the ARC.

🩷 Book Review 🩷
📚 Slipstream
✒️ @madgemarilwrites
💫💫💫💫.5

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

Thank you so much to @simonschusterau and @netgalley for an eARC in exchange for an honest review!

I should start by saying that I am an F1 fan through and true. I grew up watching the sport with my dad, went to multiple races in Melbourne, and we have the new Lego cars in our home.

I absolutely loved this book, not just because of the characters but because of how accurate the F1 aspects were! You know a true fam wrote this book!

It's a sport fake-datijg romance that ends up being more true love in the end. Yes, you knew it was coming, but it didn't take away from the book. I had a small gripe with our FMC because of how naive she was of this amazing sport and the pure stupidity of how fast they can go, but I respect that people who don't know the sport and read this book can now have a fair understanding of it.

I would love another book in this series from a different character, especially a driver, if possible!

thank you NetGalley and Simon & Schuster for this eArc ✨

as a sucker for sport romances and an F1 fan as well, this book wasnt bad but it wasnt amazing either.

*small spoilers ahead*

the writing i struggled with a bit sometimes, some parts just seemed unnecessary and other parts just made no sense- it wasnt horribly written but i feel as those some parts could be improved.

i quite enjoyed this read and really got into it around the 30-70% mark, but that last 30% i started to struggle again. our MMC is definition of sexy; he falls first, considerate and always thinking of our FMC, the pining for her too- he is what kept me finishing this book *CHEFS KISS* but..

our FMC on the other hand really started to get on my nerves. she became so annoying and unlikable, while i liked the representation of ADHD, she acted as though her ADHD made her super different from everyone else and she was preoccupied with HOW different and quirky she is.. it just became unbearable. it genuinely became her personality trait and i wanted to slap her.

the plot and scheming was confusing and made little sense. you really only get some information about this evil uncle a few times throughout the book, but if it wasnt for the whole “fake dating plan” talk, you wouldnt think this was the plot of the book. then the end for the conclusion it was just.. sorted? no real conclusion really, just a voice recording sent to the police and it was over. i ended up skimming the last few chapters which is disappointing cause i really wanted to like it.

i like my reading experience to be easy and understand whats going on- with plot and characters, but whilst i did struggle at times, i did still quite enjoy this book. its a cute F1 story with everyone’s favourite troupes; he falls first and “enemies” to lovers. (less)