This was both my first Harlequin romance and my first Formula 1 romance, and I’m now a fan of both! Not So Fast was sweet and true, with enough detail about the sport to be entertaining but not overbearing to a novice such as me. Adored it!

Mia, a podcasting queen with a serious F1 obsession suddenly finds herself face-to-face with the very driver she’s been dragging online–Xander Bishop. What starts as a tense and hilarious rivalry quickly turns electric, and I seriously couldn’t get enough!

This was my first F1 romance, and I’m honestly wondering where it’s been all my life?! It was such a fun read and I thoroughly enjoyed every minute of it!! Mia was such a relatable FMC–smart, successful, and a total over thinker (hi, same👋). I especially loved that her confidence had nothing to do with her body size. The banter was top tier, and the sneaky hookups had me grinning like an idiot. Also HUGE shout out to the audiobook–Talon David crushed this one!!

Tropes:
🏁F1 sports romance
💥Enemies to lovers
🤫Secret dating
🔥Slow burn

My rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice level: 🌶️.5

Thanks to NetGalley, Harlequin Audio, and Karen Booth for the ALC in exchange for my honest review!

Cute story. Good mental health representation. Laugh out loud moments. Relatable. No third act break up.

The story was a little too insta-lovey for my taste, but it was cute enough, if a little cheesy at times.

I was a little iffy on the decision to have Xander demonstrate so many British stereotypes, it felt a little too easy. I also think that Xander was too tall to realistically be an F1 driver (but this isn’t a big criticism). That being said, overall both Mia and Xander were well-rounded, interesting, and worked together. Plus the dual POV was fun, especially with how seamlessly and often they changed back and forth.

I think my favourite part was actually the F1 plot, and the level of knowledge on F1 incorporated into the book. It was great that F1 wasn’t just the backdrop to the romance, as is the case in some sports romances.

I wasn’t really a fan of the audiobook rendition. The narrator did a decent job with Mia, but struggled to make the other characters realistic, especially Xander. I really disliked that Xander had a British accent when he spoke but did not have one in his head during his POV. The accent also seemed to change throughout the book, which is not what you want.

This book was my introduction to F1 romances and I must say I want to read more! It was a fun world to dive into and I really enjoyed it. I really like Mia and Xander’s characters and their relationship that unfolded between them. It was interesting to see a character like Mia who’s so intelligent decide to go her own path and be her own boss instead of working for someone else in a traditional way. After reading about the insights from Xander about his driving and everything that goes into it I will definitely be looking for another F1 romance to read. I enjoyed this book and would rate it a 4/5 stars.

Not So Fast was an amazing audiobook! This was my first book by Karen Booth and I love her writing style! I definitely will be reading more by her. The narrators for this audio did a phenomenal job! If you love banter, enemies to Lovers and close proximity, you will I’ve this audio

I've only read/listened to a few books based on F1 racing in mind and boy did I Love this audiobook. A podcaster and an F1 racer not having his shiznit together it was the perfect mix of Banter and Love. This was my first book of Karen's that I have read, and only a few chapters in I ran to purchase a paperback copy for myself! If you love racing fictional books with some spicy Banter, enemies to Lovers and close proximity this onr is gor you!

A super cute, funny, and quick story about podcast host Mia and Formula One racer Xander.
Xander doesn’t appreciate Mia’s opinions and invites her to attend a race. They end up getting along and their relationship builds. Mia tries to take it slow, but it’s no contest for fast-moving Xander. They struggle keeping the relationship a secret, which I found silly, but understand it for the storyline. I’m proud of Mia for her growth. Overall it was a good read. Feel good, HEA.

Not So Fast is the next in my long line of Formula One romance books that I have read, this time with the fresh twist of the FMC being a podcaster. While the book was a bit predictable and could see the twist coming from a mile away that can be a good thing sometimes especially when you want a neat little bow on a happily ever after. I did feel like some of the interactions in this book were forced and could have been expanded upon. I feel like that is a common thing in contemporary books in general for me, so I can’t really hold it against this book. Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC of this book.

I think “Not So Fast” was a great introduction to the f1 romance world! I enjoyed the book a lot and ended up finishing it in pretty much one sitting. I hope it is part of a series because I'd really like to see peeks into the future of Xander and Mia, but also would love to hear more about the other drivers and side characters in the story.

Rating:3.75

I love books that have podcasts and I love romance books that center around F1 so Not So Fast by Karen Booth was a delight to read. It smashed both of some of my favorite things in books and the romance genre together. This is a very quick read that will have you smiling. I really enjoyed how Mia just loves the sport and how she ended up getting into F1. Her enthuasiasm really shows for it in her podcast and I love how Xander is reluctant to really interact with her and ends up seeing that side of her…especially since she was brought/invited by his team mate.
This year is the year of sports romances for me. Between hockey and F1 I have read a lot. This is the first F1 that I have seen something different in regard to the job of the FMC and I really loved it that aspect to this story. I really hope Karen Booth writes more like!
I will say I enjoyed this one so much that I decided to go back to grab the audio as well to listen to it! And also reccomend it be snagged for the experience as the narrator did a fantastic job with it as well. Talon David kept the audio very well paced and smooth. It was easy to listen to at higher rates of speed if I wanted and really had me captivitaed. I definitely will be checking out more audiobook by this narrator and more books by Karen Booth
Thank you to Harlequin Romance and Harlequin Audio for the complimentary copies. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Do I know a single thing about f1? Not really. Did I enjoy thus book? Yes! I really hope it is part of a series because I'd really like to see peeks into the future of Xander and Mia but also interested in what happens to some of the side characters, like Isabella.

⭐️⭐️⭐️.5 | A Fast-Paced Romance with Heart and Heat

Not So Fast by Karen Booth is a fun, flirty, and fast-paced romance that blends the high-octane world of Formula 1 with a smart and relatable female lead. As someone who’s followed a winding career path myself, I immediately connected with Mia — a passionate F1 podcaster who’s still figuring out her future while breaking into a male-dominated space with confidence and flair.

The story kicks off when Mia’s podcast episode — a no-holds-barred critique of one of the sport’s top driver, Xander Bishop— goes viral, catching the attention his teammate: Dirk Vandyke. Dirk invites her to attend a race, hoping to rattle Xander. But when Mia and Xander meet, their connection is instant. Sparks fly and she’s invited to another race — this time as Xander’s guest. What started as a tense rivalry quickly turns into something far more electric.

I loved how naturally Mia fit into the F1 world, not just as a love interest but as a fully immersed fan and professional. Her confidence, ambition, and authenticity as a curvy woman are handled with refreshing subtlety — her body is acknowledged but never becomes the focus of her identity, which is a welcome change from so many recent reads.

The romance leans toward instalove, and while that’s not always my favorite trope, it worked here thanks to the characters’ strong dynamic. That said, some of the spicy scenes felt a bit cringy — a touch over the top in an otherwise grounded and fun narrative.

Overall, Not So Fast is a charming, easy read that balances motorsport adrenaline with heartfelt emotion. The Narrator, Talon David, was especially fun and really brought the characters to life, adding an extra layer of personality and warmth to the story. I’ll definitely be keeping an eye out for more from Karen Booth!

***FIVE STARS***

I am seven seconds in and Mia is on my dang nerves. When you have an excuse for everything, nothing is ever going to get accomplished. Stop making excuses and DO WHAT NEEDS DONE!

I ended up really enjoying this book but the FMC was making it hard there in the beginning. I love that the podcast was successful and feel like this book really hit on how toxic people can be online. Just filling in "facts" that they've made up and treating people like garbage because there aren't any repercussions.

Talon David did a great job at narration.

Thank you to NetGalley, Harlequin Audio, and the author for the opportunity to read and review this book.

3.5⭐️! I love an F1 romance, and this one started out really interesting. All of the behind the scenes info and tiny details about f1 and race weekends seemed accurate from my POV — maybe my husband would disagree?! And while I loved the F1 nuggets, I got kind of bored with Mia and Xander. It just seemed to drag in the middle. Ultimately, I enjoyed it and would recommend to someone interested in F1 romance.

Thank you to Net Galley and Harlequin Audio for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

I just finished Not so Fast by Karen Booth and here are my thoughts.

I think I just started my formula-1 era...

Mia is an F-1 fan and she hosts a podcast all about it... She spends her time tearing one of the favourite drivers, Xander, to shreds.. His season is in the toilet and she doesn't pull punches but when they meet at the track... She comes to understand that is easy to critize when you are not behind the wheel and there is more to the driver than meets the eye.

It was cute. It was a sweet romance. Yes it is a bit enemies to lover but it is remedied pretty quikcly when they start spending time together. I like that a girl is knowledable about driving and the author did an awesome job of giving us a low key run down on F-1 without sounding like a tedtalks.

It was an interesting audiobook, the narrator did a good job with the narration but I kinda wished I had read it myself... Maybe I still will!

I loved the writing and the storyline. Mia was actually very likeable. I did think the ending when she talks to that other driver and he relaxes around Xander was a bit silly. He didn't believe Xander, why would he believe her? Not believable but whatever.

I really enjoyed it

4 stars

I will admit I was worried about our FMC when I started the book. I didn't want her whole personality to be about her body, I didn't want her to be self-deprecating, and I didn't want her to be whiney.
I GOT WHAT I WANTED. Mia was so fun, there were times of self doubt, but she never talked down about herself or her goals. She rarely mentioned her physical appearance, and never in a weight bashing or in a comparison to other girls way. She was strong and knew what she wanted and the best way for her to get it. She trusted herself and was able to take risks, but also understand how real things are.
Xander was a little flat in the beginning, but once he and Mia started to really get to know each other, we got to know so much more about him. He didn't keep everything bottled up inside so that their relationship would implode. He was very helpful to his family and to Mia in ways that improved them but didn't make him gloat about doing things because of his fame and money. He was kind, helpful, and a really good friend before he became more.
The smut was good, nothing weird or grossly described. It was tasteful without being too much.
The F1 coverage was great. Just enough that anyone reading without any F1 knowledge can follow along, but also just enough that we can get excited with her and feel like we are there for the race. And I appreciate that we didn't get a typical ending with him winning the whole thing, it was realistic.
And the epilogue was so sweet and fun.

This is a fun read. I am not a F1 fan, but my boyfriend is. I enjoyed the character and the overall plot. The romance is great!

Still in my F1 era - both in books and real life. It’s Imola GP day and I’ll be tuning in and cheering on Lando 🧡
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Thanks to @harlequinbooks and @netgalley for an ALC.
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If you love enemies to lovers with a healthy dose of sexual tension that could ignite a racetrack, this one’s for you. Enemies to lovers is one of my favorites so this was a hit for me!
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Mia Neal is the overthinking queen we all secretly are, turning her F1 obsession into a wildly entertaining podcast complete with unfiltered (and now viral) opinions on British heartthrob driver Xander Bishop.
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Cue the Miami Grand Prix, where Mia’s sassy commentary collides with real-life Xander, and sparks fly harder than an engine on overdrive. What starts as shade-throwing and witty banter turns very quickly into scorching chemistry. Talon David nails every moment of heat, humor, and heart. The narration brings Mia’s sharp wit and Xander’s reluctant charm to life in the best way.
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Fast-paced, flirty, and flaming hot, this audiobook is a joyride of steamy tension, racing passion, and surprising emotional depth.

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

This was my first F1 romance and while I thoroughly enjoyed it, I didn’t really like the “insta-love” aspect, which usually doesn’t bother me. This was a very fast paced book (no pun intended) and I think because of that, that’s what made the insta-love a little harder to believe, especially because the premise of the two main characters is that Mia continuously roasts/ critiques Xander on her podcast in a disparaging manner.

I was also expecting a little more action in terms of Xander’s racing so I don’t know that I could classify this as an “F1 Romance” but rather a romance with a side of F1. The focus was more on Mia’s concerns of becoming a sell-out influencer to her podcast fans due to her connection/relationship with Xander and contemplating advancing her career into broadcast journalism. This made me feel like the premise of the story was a little too simplistic and it just left me want more depth. Racing in general is a male dominated field and I did respect the acknowledgment that Mia has busted her ass to be knowledgeable and a true fan of the sport… but I feel like everything regarding that plot point was resolved too easily.

Overall, it was a quick, easy, fun read!