*~* Fastest Read *~* (Pun Intended)

I thought this story was a really cute take on a sports romance. A unique sport and a unique premise of a podcaster learning how her shows can actually impact the drivers personally. I felt like it was a good narrative on how what we say and do online matters, even if it's about celebrities. But, I mean, all in all, I wouldn't say it was that deep. It was a cute story. Notes of depth here and there with Xander's mom having MS and him trying to help his special needs brother live a more independent life, but the book did what it came here to do - which was be a cute romance with some spice and a happy ending. :-)

Thank you to Net Galley, Harlequin Audio, and Karen Booth for an ALC of this story.

Not So Fast by Karen Booth is an F1/Sports Romance. This book was cute and fun. It had a lot of potential with its premise. I liked the idea of the F1 racer and podcaster romance however, it didn’t quite land for me. I found Mia’s character to be relatable and her interactions with Xander was fun. The narrator did a great job of bringing the story to life. The book was good, it was a quick easy read, but I wouldn’t say it is a memorable read. But, that is just me and I am still happy I got a chance to read this one! If you like sports romance specifically F1 I would most definitely recommend this one.

Thank you to NetGalley and Harlequin Audio for this audiobook in exchange for an honest review.

📚 Book Review 📚
Not So Fast | Karen Booth
⭐️⭐️⭐️ | 🌶️🌶️🌶️️
Publication Date: 4/1/2025
Narrator: Talon David
Genre: Romance

Themes:
- Enemies to Lovers
- Formula 1 Racing
- Family Pressures
- Spice
- HEA

Overall: 3/5
A cute enemies-to-lovers sports romance.

Plot: 3/5
Predictible and too fast paced. The enemies turned lovers quickly.

Characters: 3/5
I enjoyed these characters. There is more to Xander than just his career, he is also really close with his family. Mia is incredibly smart, but is struggling to find her place in the world.
I feel like the use of disabilities and illnesses in Xander's family was less about forwarding the plot and more about adding diversity to the book.

Spice: 3/5
M/F Open door scenes. These two go 0 to 100 very quickly.

Narration: 3.5/5
Narration was well done, great tone and diction. As an American, I cannot comment on how the narrator did regarding the accents.

#NotSoFast #KarenBooth #TalonDavid
#Audiobook #NetGalley
#romance #romancereader
#EnemiestoLovers #Spice #HEA #Formula1Racing
#book #books #read #reading #reader #reviews #bookreview #bookreviews #bookstagram #bookstagrammer

Thank you Harlequin Audio and Karen Booth for the audio copy of Not So Fast.

Not So Fast was a fun and immersive take on an F1 romance. Having Mia be a podcaster gave an interesting lens on the sport of F1 and how the media and influencers can be received both positively and negatively by the public and drivers. I really enjoyed that we spent a lot of the book deep into the world of F1 as Mia attended races and engaged with the people in the paddock and see behind the scenes and how mental health can effect the drivers. I was also pleasantly surprised to see that we got both Mia and Xander's POV as I wasn't aware it was dual POV until suddenly it switched to Xander's.

The story overall developed in a bit of a predictable manner but I honestly didn't expect big twists and turns so I wasn't all that bothered by the predictability of it. I did love how Mia's relationship with her mom developed and how it all ended as I think it was a big part of Mia's underlying struggle throughout the story.

As for the audiobook itself it was really well done. The pacing was perfect the characterization spot on, and I really loved the way the narrator portrayed Xander's English accent. I found the flow of the audio delivery to be very immersive, making it a perfect blend of high speed F1 and engaging romantic intrigue.

Overall, Not So Fast was a really great story and I think anyone who enjoys F1 romances or even just sport romances in general would love it.

Okay, so I just listened to the audiobook for "Not So Fast" by Karen Booth, and honestly, it was kind of a miss for me. It's an F1 romance, which usually has potential, with Mia, an F1 podcaster, and Xander, a driver she's been critical of. They meet, and then it's supposed to be this whole enemies-to-lovers thing.
The problem for me was that the "enemies" part felt super short-lived. They barely seemed like rivals before things shifted, and I was kind of expecting more tension and build-up there. It moved really fast, which I guess is the title, but it also made the romance feel a bit rushed, and I didn't get as invested in their connection as I wanted to. Plus, the F1 world, while present, just didn't feel accurate. As someone who really loves F1, that detail really made me sad, because it felt like the sport was more of a loose backdrop than a fully integrated part of the story. So, if you're looking for a super quick, light romance with minimal conflict, it might work, but it just didn't quite deliver the depth or the sustained tension I was hoping for, and the F1 details felt like they missed the mark.

Thank you Net galley for the ALC!
The Audio portion of this book was great! I didn't find myself bored by the narrator and even though it was one girl she did a great job at the different characters.
Now the book was just okay! It wasn't anything special and I found myself getting a little bored by it. In this book we are follow Mia who started a F1 podcast and on her podcast she criticizes Zander and F1 racer who is having a hard season.
When she gets invited to a F1 race by another player they finally meet and that's how the romance starts. I just found this book lacking depth and honesty the characters made me cringe a lot of the time. I think this book is for someone just not me.

Mia and Xander are two characters that I fell in love with. Mia is such a strong FMC showing that it is possible to dominate in a predominantly male field. She shows everyone that being a woman does NOT mean she is clueless or got there just by looks alone. Xander, the MMC, just grows on you slowly throughout the book. He and Mia got off to a pretty rocky start but they both learn to support each other in ways that work for them.

I thought the narrators did such a fantastic job on both of the characters and made the audio very enjoyable. I FLEW through it. Overall, this was a cute read and I would definitely pick it up again.

So fun, sexy, and witty!! It was so refreshing reading a book when the FMC is working and thriving in a "man" world. Mia navigates chasing her dreams and ends up in a unlikely romance with someone she least expected. Xander is hott and I love their banter and the spice was sooooo good! Both characters have such depth and passion for what they do, (Mia a F1 podcaster and Xander a F1 driver) and find a way to combine their worlds even though they start off a bit shaky. Fast paced, easy read with lots of steamy moments.

I just finished Not So Fast by Karen Booth, and WOW—this book took me on a wild ride! 🏁 If you love enemies-to-lovers, sizzling chemistry, and the adrenaline of Formula One racing, this one’s for you.

Mia Neal is a dedicated F1 podcaster, and Xander Bishop is the broody British driver trying to keep his career on track (pun intended 😏). Their banter?? Absolutely top-tier. The tension?? Off the charts. And the way their relationship develops had me flipping pages so fast, I think I set a speed record. 😆💨

Karen Booth does an amazing job balancing humor, emotion, and the thrill of racing, making the setting feel so immersive. Mia is strong, ambitious, and doesn’t take nonsense from anyone (especially Xander), while Xander is the perfect mix of cocky and vulnerable—exactly the kind of hero I love.

By the end, I was fully invested in their story, swooning over their romance, and wishing for more. This book has:
🏎 Fast-paced tension & flirty banter
🔥 Off-the-charts chemistry
🎤 A badass heroine who holds her own
💘 A swoon-worthy, broody Brit hero

Final thoughts? If you’re looking for a fun, spicy, and heart-racing romance, Not So Fast is a must-read! ✨💋

I enjoyed this audiobook! The narrator did a fabulous job for both characters. Characters were also great. The MFC felt very relatable and I loved that she did podcasts on a male dominated sport and new whatbshebwas talking about. The MMC was also great. I loved how he never pushed her into quiting the podcast but instead encouraged her to do what her heart desired. Great book overall!!

3.5
Not So Fast by Karen Booth was a fun, flirty romance with a fresh Formula 1 twist. I enjoyed the overall concept—a podcaster (Mia) who covers the sport ends up catching feelings for a famous driver (Xander). It had a light, movie-like quality to it that made it a breezy listen, and I appreciated how the romance avoided unnecessary drama in the third act. Both characters handled things with maturity, which was refreshing for a romance story.

What held me back from giving this a solid 4 stars was the constant switch of POVs. The narration felt more omniscient than dual POV, and the quick, unmarked shifts between Mia and Xander within the same chapter sometimes made things confusing. I found myself pulled out of the story trying to figure out who was thinking what.

This might be, because I did listen to the audiobook version. Though the narrator had a nice tone, the delivery stayed pretty flat throughout. It just felt like one character speaking throughout. Even during more emotional or tense moments, the tone remained a bit flat. (This could be a me thing).

Still, if you're into sweet, low-angst romances with a sporty theme—especially F1—you’ll probably enjoy this one. It's a lighthearted, feel-good read.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the audio ARC!

It was like ALMOST cute?? Idk felt like the FMC had some kind of neurodivergency and it was never spoken about other than her obvious special interest with F1 and her intelligence and inability to stick to one thing so felt like representation, minus the actual representation. I enjoyed it for the most part and I love books about Podcasts which is something that I'm learning about myself, but this plot just felt lacking to me with no real substance and instalove is my least favorite trope.

So not for me, but maybe it will be for you!

Tropes:
F1 Racing, Sports Romance, Secret Relationship, Rivals/ALMOST Enemies to Lovers but not quiet complete enemies, pining, found family.
2/5 spice level

This is my first read from Karen Booth and my first sports romance novel. It is definitely a title to pick up for any Formula One fans out there as it centers on a romance around podcaster Mia and race car driver Xander.

This is a quick read for romance fans out there, I liked the premise and the focus on the podcasting aspect of Mia's life, she has a real go-getter attitude and some anxiety, which I found to be very relatable. Xander was not at all how I would have expected a Formula One driver, I was expecting someone far more serious - so that was a pleasant surprise! This reads very much like a movie rom-com, so perfect for readers looking for a lighter hearted read!

Thank you to Harlequin Audio and NetGalley for providing a copy of this title for review.

Karen Booth wrote a fun story about a super-fan podcaster for F1 racing getting the opportunity of a lifetime to meet her favorite driver after some tough criticisms on air. All the tension leads into spice, spice and more spice and eventually they ride into a HEA. Narrator Talon David does a great job with voice control and tone, telling the story with voice, accents and flair.

Overall the story is a quick read with not too many twists and turns. I would have liked a little more of the sport in the book to add to the stress of being an athlete but it is a nice intro into the world of F1 racing for me.

3.5 stars

Not So Fast was a fun take on an F1 romance. As someone who is a big fan of Formula 1 and romcoms I enjoyed this read.

Many of the F1 romances I have read, the FMC is somehow involved in the F1 world, but not typically has a fan or podcaster. It created a fun dynamic. I liked the MMC and his family as well.

What I struggled with was how surface level everything felt between the characters. I would have loved more depth not only to each of the characters individually but to their relationship. It felt like it relied heavily on physical attraction and less on who they are.

I think adding this level of depth could have really elevated the story in general. I also think that the third person writing, contributed to the fact that I didn't feel like I got a good grasp on who the characters were. We didn't get into their mindset in the same way as I feel we would have if it were written in first person. There felt like a lot of flip flopping back and fourth between perspectives mid scene because of the third person writing style.

Talon David delivered a great audiobook performance. It was enjoyable to listen to even though I would prefer multiple narrators for multiple POVs.

Thank you to NetGalley and Afterglow/Harlequin & Harlequin Audio for the ARC/ALCs.

3.5 ⭐ I had a good time reading Not So Fast by Karen Booth. It’s a sweet, steamy sports romance that I’d equate to a Hallmark movie. It does the job—fun, easy to get through, and ultimately satisfying—but it doesn’t go very deep. There’s very little emotional complexity, things work out almost too perfectly, and the romance is very insta-lusty.

The F1 backdrop adds a fun setting. There also isn’t much tension or angst between the characters, and I often found myself craving more depth in their connection. It’s lighthearted, entertaining, and works well as a low-stakes, fast-paced palate cleanser, especially if you’re a fan of racing romance.

Not enough angst for me personally, but I definitely had fun. This is the kind of book you pick up when you want something cute and uncomplicated.

I was able to listen to an ARC of the audiobook in exchange for a review. Not So Fast is a cute, steamy F1 Romance. Mia and Xander sizzle from the start. I think we can all identify with Mia’s struggle to feel like belonging in the F1 world and Xander’s struggle with the pressure to succeed,
Talon David did a fabulous job narrating the audiobook. Her voices and emotion really bring Mia and Xander to life.
Anyone who loves a cute and a bit steamy sports romance will love Karen Booth’s Not So Fast.

Mia has never been sure about what she wants to do in life. That's why she has bounced from job to job. Her current job is hosting a podcast about her biggest passion, formula one racing. Mia's podcast goes viral after she remarks negatively on the overly attractive British racer, Xander Bishop's recent races. This newfound fame for doing something she loves makes Mia feel like she's finally found her calling.
After attending a series of races that Xander competes in, Mia starts to feel a growing attraction towards him. Will his fame get in the way? Will her feelings for him compromise her podcast?

Not So Fast is a lighthearted romance filled with flirting, energy, and just the right amount of spice. This book is cute, especially for those who love sports and racing.

Curvy FMC
Sports Romance
Celeb MMC
Formula One Racing

"Not all pressure is bad; pressure can be good. It pushes us to do better, and this is the best kind, it's from not wanting to disappoint the ones we love most."

"When you become one with someone or something it should be effortless, but you still have to see it in your mind as a possibility."


I listened to the Not So Fast audiobook, and loved the narrator, Talon David! Which says a lot, because I can be picky with narrators and it can change how I feel about a story. They portrayed the characters lovely, including great accents!
I would gladly listen to other audiobooks they narrate.

Thanks so much to NetGalley and Harlequin Audio for this ALC !

Karen Booth's Not So Fast was a fun and fast listen. Not the typical pocast themed book, this rom-com leads us into the life of Mia Neal. Mia, a Formula 1 racing superfan, has a podcast on the topic. And when some colorful commentary gets her an invite to a F-1 grand prix, she gets to meet the subject of her criticism face-to-face, Formula One's Xander Bishop.

As their attraction grows, Mia struggles with how much she should share about her relationship, and how to stay true to herself and her podcast.

This is a perfect, quick and funny listen with the perfect amount of spice.

Thank you Harlequin Audio and NetGalley for my Advanced Listener Copy of Not So Fast in exchange for my honest review.

I haven't read many F1 romances, so I was so excited to snag this one up! And I'm glad I did because it was so fun!

Mia hosts a Formula 1 podcast, and after a bit of choice commentary about a certain British driver, Xander Bishop, she finds herself invited to one of the races by his teammate. Except, instead of getting in Xander's head, as his competitor planned, a spark ignites between the two. Mia is quite the overthinker, and I found myself relating to her so much throughout this book as she tried to figure out where she stood with Xander while also trying not to disappoint her podcast fans. Being seen around with the guy she's supposed to be snarking on isn't the best look for her start up podcast.

I loved how Mia was determined to make her podcast successful on her own merit in a male-dominated sport. But there's no denying their chemistry, and I absolutely loved all the little moments they had together, building and solidifying their friendship. They were the support each other needed in both their personal and professional lives.

This was a fun audio, and Talon David did a great job narrating the 3rd person POV story. She seriously did such a great job with Mia's overthinking steam of consciousness rambling.

Thank you so much to the author, Harlequin Audio, and Netgalley for the ALC>