5 stars. Crash Test is a MM romance between a formula 1 driver, Travis, and formula 2 driver, Jacob. The book starts with Jacob getting into a horrible crash with other drivers and he's in a coma in the hospital. Travis and Jacob have kept their year-long relationship secret so it's hard for Travis to get any information about Jacob's condition. As Travis improves, their relationship is tested and they are pushed apart. It's a question of whether they are strong enough to stay together despite big obstacles.

I really enjoyed this book. We get glimpses into the past to see the development of their love and their careers. I liked both of the characters even though I could get mad at them for their behavior. I was cheering for them to stay together. I liked both narrators for the two characters. The voices were distinct and appropriate for their chosen character.

Thank you to Harper Adult Audio for providing this audiobook for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

I DNF'd at 54% - I just couldn't keep going. I had such high hopes for this one, and maybe one day I will revisit, but at this time I just could not finish. I am a mood reader to the core, and this story is heartbreaking. I was also very upset with Jacob's parents and how homophobic they are. Before anyone says anything, I know they were not ready to hear about their son being gay - I get it, but my goodness they were awful. I also struggled with the timeline going back and forth. While listening to the audiobook I was very confused at what was going on and had to rewind several times to understand what timeline we were in (before or after the accident).

*I did not want to rate since I did not finish, but a star rating is required to submit a review, so I gave one star*

4⭐️
🎧

**alc via netgalley/harper audio🫶🏼**

why didn’t anyone warn me how emotional this one was gonna be 😩

MM, secret relationship, kinda forbidden! bi-panic, terrible parents/family members and blatant homophobia so beware of triggers!!

Travis my baby!!!! so in love with this gentle giant, I only want the best for him 🥹 Jake definitely wasn’t my fave (for obvious reasons) but I did enjoy getting to see him grow and mature throughout the book!

I liked the way this book was formatted in getting to see a good chunk from one POV before switching to the other. added lots of angst which I love!!

also the narration for this book was soooo well done. duet narration with some very expressive and emotional voice actors, which made for such an engaging and entertaining listen! the voices for these characters sounded perfect to me too, perfect casting!

I listened to the audiobook which was so well done! It brought so much emotion and life to the story that I was so enthralled and loved every minute! For the most part, I loved the story, the emotions and tension between Travis and Jacob were so good! I was more than a little disappointed at the quick way things resolved in the end... I wanted more groveling, more explanations instead of easy acceptance and moving on. All in all, I absolutely recommend the audiobook - the narrators did an amazing job of bring the story to life and making the emotions so tangible - it definitely enhances the experience!!

When a devastating accident during an F2 race sends five drivers to the hospital, Travis anxiously waits to hear who was involved. His worst fear is realized when he learns that Jacob, the man he loves, was one of them.

From the very first chapter, which plunges readers straight into the aftermath of Jacob’s crash and his fight for life, I was hooked. The pacing kept me invested from start to finish, balancing intense emotional stakes with just enough racing detail to set the scene. Even if you’re not familiar with F1 or F2, the author provides enough context through the characters to keep you grounded without ever feeling overwhelmed.

The level of angst in this book is gripping, I couldn’t stop listening. The audiobook narration deserves special mention; the narrators captured every nuance, from a hitch in breath to the quiet ache in their voices, making Travis and Jacob’s story feel raw and real.

Overall, emotional read that pulled me in from the first chapter and didn’t let go.

I was provided a copy of the audiobook from Harper Audio and Netgalley for my unbiased review.

When F1 superstar driver Travis Keeping gets word that his secret boyfriend F2 driver Jacob Nichols has been involved in a multi-car crash at a Formula 2 race, his world comes crashing down around him. Jacob is in critical condition, and no one knows that they are even together. How can Travis keep it together, stay by Jacob’s side, navigate his own F1 career, and battle homophobic parents that didn’t even know that Jacob is bi?

Everything will surely be better when Jacob finally comes out of the coma?

Travis underestimates how much control Jacobs parents have.

Floundering without friends or family to rely on, Travis finally opens up to team management and his new minder. Travis is gay, has been in a year long relationship with another driver, and it’s ended. He’s mid-season with a real shot to win the drivers championship. Can his newfound family get him to the finish line?

Will Travis and Jacob be able to find their way back to each other? They will both have to push themselves and find new routes.

I was provided with the audio copy, so this review will be more tailored to that.

If you are looking for a book that wants to rip your heart out for the first half, look no further. This is a duet narration with Gary Furlong and Patrick Zeller. The emotion that they both bring to each of these characters is sometimes almost overwhelming. There were definitely moments that I thought that Patrick was actually crying as he was reading Travis. Maybe he was? He definitely had me tearing up at points! Both of these voice actors bring such nuance and heart to these roles. If you plan on reading this book and are a fan of audiobooks, I wholeheartedly recommend this version.

Now on to the content…

This is a 4 Star read, with some caveats. I thought the story was great, it was engaging and heart breaking. I even squealed with delight! Travis and Jacobs have highs that are so high, and lows that are so low. It can be a daunting read. I had the audiobook version and went in pretty blind as far a trigger warnings go. I wouldn’t recommend that. Do your due diligence and know what you are getting into. There is loss, hospitalization, homophobia, and lots of issues with parents and siblings. Just make sure this is a book for you.

If you are an F1 fan, know that this is set in the F1 world as it currently stands. The sport is very conservative, for some good reasons. The drivers participate in races in countries that still have homophobic laws, being an out driver is not necessarily possible at this point in time. This is a heartbreaking reality for the drivers in this book, as well as the drivers in real life. The pacing of the F1 world is pretty tight, it can be a grueling travel schedule, the book skirts around some of these aspects. Nothing so glaring to take us out of the world the author built though.

It's a bit spoiler-y from here on out.

Travis and Jacob spent most of this book not together, and they needed to. They both have a lot of work to do. Jacob is in physiotherapy recovering from the crash, and then he starts the mental work. Watching him realize what his feelings are is one of the best parts of the book. He is a masterclass on breaking down mental barriers. Travis has his own struggles and finally accepts that he can reach out; in doing so he finds his family. The juxtaposition of Travis and Jacobs lives before and after the crash is so compelling. It really makes this book.

I am honestly not a fan of how this book ended. Like my dear friend @allmy_booklovers stated in her review. When they reunite, there needed to be more groveling, and I agree. I can see how and why the author chose the story arc that she did. I just wanted more! It’s definitely a personal preference here.

Now on to the marketing for this book. This was given a comp of Red, White, and Royal Blue by Casey McQuiston. I’m not sure why. This book was not a fun light-hearted romp around London and Texas. Where RWRB had moments of rawness, it was sweet. This book is unabashedly raw for the first 70%. It has its moments of sweetness of course, but it can be a sucker punch to the feels. My personal opinion is that this was a bad pick for a comp and some readers are going to be put off of it because of that.

All in all, read this book. It can break your heart in the best way.

🏁💔
Crash Test by Amy James

This emotional, high-speed romance delivers a gut punch of heartache and hope from the very first page 🥹 Set in the fast-paced world of Formula 1, Crash Test tells a beautifully raw story about love under pressure, deep grief, and fighting for the people who matter most.

Travis Keeping is racing toward an F1 championship when a devastating F2 crash leaves Jacob, his secret boyfriend of nearly a year, in critical condition. What follows is a moving story of love, loss, found family, and healing across oceans 🥺🌍

This story dives into some heavy emotions early on, so definitely check the trigger warnings. That said, it's deeply worth the read. The emotional depth is powerful, and I felt everything right alongside the characters. I just wanted to scoop up Travis and Jacob and protect them from the world.

The found family trope was one of my favorite parts 💞 The side characters added so much warmth, humor, and heart. I genuinely want them in my real life.

I listened to the audiobook and it was phenomenal. Gary Furlong and Patrick Zeller brought Travis and Jacob to life with so much emotion. I’m now on the hunt for more of their work because they were that good 🎧

My only criticism is that I wanted more happiness at the end. After everything they went through, I just wanted to sit with their joy a little longer. Manifesting a bonus chapter ASAP 🙏✨

✨ Tropes & vibes:
🏎️ Sports romance
💌 Found family
💔 Long-distance tension
🏳️‍🌈 Secret relationship
❤️‍🩹 Therapy rep

Overall, this book is a raw and beautifully written story about love, resilience, and the power of holding on. If you love emotional romances with strong character arcs and unforgettable side characters, this one is worth the ride 💫

This is an amazing book! However, being marketed for fans of RWRB might not be the best Comp. (for f1 fans don’t expect a lot of racing. It’s mainly there for setting. Think F1 the new hockey romance surge)

Crash test leans more on the contemporary side then the romance. It focuses on the individual growth and all the aspects of their relationship for the most part is in flashbacks.

I loved this book! The only reason it didn’t get a five-star from me is because I wish it was longer and the ending wasn’t so rushed.

Rarely do I ever want a romance to be longer, but this one I needed it. I think these characters were great and fleshed out. I liked the way the book was plotted and separated into parts!

Don’t go into this book though, thinking you’ll get a whirlwind romance because you’ll be met with disappointment.

Other than that, it was a great time!

Crash Test successfully mixed dual timelines through the first half of the story. It helped me become connected to Jacob, even with him being in a coma for so many chapters. The emotional angst from both leads was on point, and I really enjoyed how they both found themselves growing emotionally and coming back together stronger than before.

.I mixed the audiobook with the physical version when reading this. Usually, I prefer audio, but the narrator was very intense, and it didn't work for me. I just felt like the character was on the verge of a breakdown the whole first half of the novel, and it stressed me out. I was happier once I switched to a physical book only. I give the story 4/5 stars, but the audiobook version would lose half a star.

Thank you to NetGalley and HarperAudio for the opportunity to review Crash Test by Amy James. All opinions are my own

4.5 ⭐️
This audio was so well done I didn’t want to stop listening! The narrators did such an amazing job with all the characters. Both Travis and Jacob had their flaws and while Travis was easier to love I could empathize with both of them. I just don’t know that I would call this a romance it reads more like fiction but I really enjoyed the story especially the found family aspect. It was my first F1 book and I think the author did a great job of incorporating the sport into the story. Would definitely recommend this one especially the audio.

4.5/5 ⭐️s
🌶️1/2 - low to medium spice, multiple less descriptive scenes

Thoughts:
- This narration was so impressive. There is a lot of emotion involved and wow, I felt it without it making it difficult to understand 👏 Gary Furlong & Patrick Zeller
- This book is TRAGIC. It started off with big emotions and didn’t really let up. Prepare yourself!
- Travis was the most adorable person. His inexperience was the sweetest and he was so alone, but as he started to finally let people get close, he blossomed 🥰
- Speaking of, the found family that Travis ends up with just about broke my heart ❤️‍🩹 This poor man who has lost his family and never really had a friend ends up with the absolute best group of people supporting him.
- Jacob’s and his family’s actions were very difficult to stomach, but his character growth was such a difficult, satisfying journey.
- The ending gave me pause at first. It felt wrapped up a little too perfectly, a little too quickly. But as it fully finished, I actually felt like it fit well.

This was such an emotional read, but it was achingly sweet too. Honestly, my favorite part was the growth the two of them made separately so that they could eventually be together 💕

Thanks to NetGalley & Harper Audio for the advance copy 💝 Available now!

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Crash Test by Amy James
A raw, wrenching, beautifully executed punch to the heart—wrapped in outstanding dual narration and layered with equal parts heartbreak and healing.

Two men, both scarred in different ways, collide—figuratively and literally—in the wake of trauma and grief. What starts as a reluctant connection becomes something achingly real. The story explores guilt, loss, survivor’s syndrome, and the painful journey of learning to live when it would be easier to shut it all down.


Narration Shout-Out

Gary Furlong and Patrick Zeller absolutely crushed this. Emotionally charged scenes? Check. Subtle shifts in tone and vulnerability? Check. That extra level of immersion where you forget you’re listening and just feel? Yup. That too. The narration made an already powerful story even more unforgettable.

What Hit Me Hard

The Guilt and Grief: It’s portrayed with so much authenticity it physically ached.

The Slow Burn: This isn’t insta-anything. It’s messy, slow, and earned. And honestly? It was perfect that way.

The Emotional Intimacy: So much left unsaid, but so much said between the lines.

The Healing: Not romanticized. Not linear. And that made it all the more real.


This one left me quiet when it ended. That stunned silence where you just sit there, still in the characters' world, trying to pull yourself together. The kind of story that doesn’t just tell you about pain—it makes you feel it, and then shows you how it transforms. One of the best emotional reads of the year for me, hands down.

Five stars. No notes. Just tears.

This book. Took my heart and ripped it out and put it back together. The crash was devastating and the breakup killed me. But the story was a cute second chance type story in a short timeline. It’s also a second chance to get his career to what it was and it was cute how they missed each other when trying to see each other.

The narrators did a fantastic job with the story and the characters.

This book was fantastic. I loved the narrators, loved how James immediately throws you into the heightened stakes, and I loved watching the two characters choose each other despite everything stacked against them.

Thank you for @avonbooks for a copy of this gem!
‌
Silverstone Sunday means it’s time for another Formula 1 romance review and I think Crash Test by Amy James might be my favorite one yet.
‌
This one’s got Red, White & Royal Blue vibes but make it F1. Travis Keeping is tearing up the track, championship within reach, until a crash in F2 leaves his secret boyfriend Jacob in critical condition. And suddenly, racing is the last thing on his mind.
‌
What follows is a deeply emotional ride. Travis dealing with grief, guilt, and Jacob’s ultra-controlling parents, while trying to keep it together on and off the track. It’s angsty, romantic, and unexpectedly tender, with just enough fast cars and fierce competition to keep you turning pages like a maniac. I adored Travis!!
‌
This book gave me butterflies and broke my heart a little (in the best way). Also shoutout to the side characters who totally steal scenes and the slow, sweet healing journey that made the ending hit that much harder.
‌
If you love queer romance, secret relationships, or books that make you want to yell “JUST TALK TO EACH OTHER,” this one’s for you.
‌
🏁 F1 Drama
❤️ Secret Romance
😢 High Angst, High Reward
🌍 Long distance but make it emotional

Crash Test is about Travis and Jacob and is told from both of their points of view. Travis is a Formula 1 racer and Jacob is in the Formula 2 circuit.

When Travis hears about a wreck with the Formula 2 racers, he realizes Jacob was involved in that wreck. He shows up to the hospital and will do anything to make sure Jacob is ok. No one knew Jacob and Travis were together. When Jacob awakens after the crash his family is there and he freaks out at Travis.

The first half of the book you see Travis struggling with seeing Jacob in the hospital and not knowing if he is going to be ok. Then after Jacob breaks up with him you see him struggling and not knowing how to go on.

When we get Jacob's point of view, we see what happened on his end after the crash, and how he blamed Travis. As the book goes on both characters still think about the other, and when they finally get back together, they still have feelings.

The think that I wasn't a huge fan of is when Jacob came back, Travis took him back way to fast. He didn't make him grovel or anything.

I would read more from this author. I really liked Travis in this book.

I’m thinking CRASH TEST is WHILE YOU WERE SLEEPING meets CHARIOTS OF FIRE meets FORD V FERRARI.? This is a really interesting book on so many levels. I read it in the audio format.

THE STORY:
🏎️ Our MCs are race car drivers who meet, hook up, and date for a year. (And, later, some more.) Travis is a rising Formula 1 star, gay, deeply closeted; he has never been with anyone. Jacob is a Formula 2 driver, ladies man type but experiencing a bi awakening. Travis is serious, grumpy, black cat energy - with a golden retriever soul. Loves Jacob. Jacob is fun, easygoing, likes his situationship with Travis but doesn’t really think about it. Or so he says.

🏥 Jacob gets into a serious crash on the track, is in intensive care and unconscious for several days; Travis is worried sick, doing all he can as a “friend” to check how he’s doing, under the suspicious eyes of Jacob’s family. Jacob wakes up and Travis’s - and Jacob’s - actions/reactions make it pretty clear what they are to each other. Jacob freaks out, dumps Travis. Travis leaves. Jacob recovers, miserably, while living at his parents’ house. Travis goes on to win the F1 season.

🕰️ Months go by, their lives change, Jacob goes to therapy, they think a lot about each other. There’s a quick and satisfying resolution.

⏱️ The story is told in current day and in flashbacks, with Travis’s POV and voice dominating the first half of the book and Jacob’s doing the same in the second half. But they are both in each other’s POVs, and there are many side characters who make their lives both miserable and great. More story in the next section.

THE AUDIO:
🎙️There are two narrators, and these voices help us develop our sense of the characters, and let me tell you: it was very hard to like Jacob, even after he acknowledged that he was an idiot. Travis is bewildered and sad for most of the book, and that’s another reason we tend to dislike Jacob. And this is why the audiobook is sooo good. Because we feel and hear the characters’ joy, pain, grief, and relief in their voices. And we also get clear views of the side characters, with their accents, their attitudes, and their biases. Gary Furlong and Patrick Zeller do a remarkable job with Amy James’s amazing words. This is a unique sports romance - a unique any-kind-of romance - full of twists and turns and ups and downs; a little bit of joy; a lot of angst; and ultimately, a testament to talking, thinking, honesty, self-reflection, and, quite simply, persistent and loving friends (found families for both MCs) and a patient therapist.


THE DEVICE:
📲 This was my first listen on the NetGalley Shelf App, and it was quite good. As I look for alternatives to the evil Zon apps, this one worked well. We had chapter breaks and 30-second rewinds and speed-up settings (although I don’t use those myself), and the features you look for in audiobook apps. It was a bit hard to download the book into the app (but I figured it out), and it was not possible to rewind 30 seconds back to the prior chapter. But these were minor issues, and workarounds, as always, are my friends.

I highly recommend CRASH TEST - Travis and Jacob and Amy passed! (The crash test, that is… ☺️) Thanks to NetGalley for the audio access to this book, including the NetGalley Shelf App.

I am beyond pleased this was dual narration!
Okay, first off—this book clearly did something right because I felt things. Strongly. But wow, Jacob? Just… no. He did not deserve Travis at all and I hated him for so much of the book.

I get that his struggle is real, but I personally didn’t relate with the internalized homophobia storyline. But it did make me try to understand it, and I applaud it for that. That's why reading is so important to exercise our empathy and understanding for others. I still hated him.

I was especially frustrated by how obsessed Jacob seemed with the sexual side of things. Every time he said something “nice” about Travis, it was always about how he felt or what Travis did for him. There wasn’t much that showed he appreciated Travis as a person. And then when Travis took him back? That was way too easy. Travis deserved better.

Now, Travis’ journey? Loved it. The found family arc was heartwarming and gave the book a much-needed emotional balance. I also really liked how the POV shifts were done—not your usual alternating chapters but broken up into sectors (ha track sectors!). It was a nice touch.

And as a bonus, I adored the F1 backdrop. An MLM F1 romance? Yes please. It felt authentic enough to satisfy the motorsport nerd in me.

Final verdict: Great concept, strong emotion, but I stayed annoyed at Jacob the whole time. #TravisDeservedBetter

Q: Rachel you complained so much about this book? Why is this 4 stars?

A: I loved it enough to care and get super angry about Jacob's behaviour and that's a good book.

Review: Crash Test by Amy James

I finished this book in one day—I devoured it. Crash Test hit all the right emotional notes: the thrill of Formula 1, the heartbreak of a relationship kept in the shadows, and the ache of loving someone you can’t hold onto when it matters most.

Travis and Jacob’s story is tender, raw, and beautifully messy. I felt every high and low—the crash, the distance, the pressure of the championship, the cold silence between them. Travis’s grief and guilt were so real, and watching him try to keep racing while his heart was breaking? Gut-wrenching.

This book balances adrenaline and emotion so well. It’s about more than racing—it’s about finding your voice, fighting for love, and learning when to let people in, even when it’s hard. If you love Red, White & Royal Blue or are even a little obsessed with Formula 1, this is a must-read.

Completely emotional, beautifully written, and absolutely unforgettable.

4.5⭐️ for the Audio Version!
Goodreads review posted on: 07/15/2025

Crash Test, a story of a Formula 1 and Formula 2 drivers was both entertaining and emotional all wrapped into one. One of the things that I liked the most was the story being divided into three different sectors and having both boy’s POV included. I personally love stories that have both POVs of the main characters because I feel like it really allows the reader to get a rounded view of the story and the accompanying elements.

Section one featured Travis and did explain a bit into the backstory about Travis and Jacob but I didn’t feel like it was super in depth which was a bit disappointing. I did love the way that Travis’ pain and worry was portrayed as well as the audio version’s voice variations depending on the scene.

Section two focused on Jacob’s therapy and recovery journey after pushing Travis away and honestly being a complete jerk. I did love being able to piece together things together from Travis and Jacob’s point of view to see how they were both filling the months that they were separated.

Section three was a little disappointing and I would have expected Jacob to beg for forgiveness a bit more as well as for Travis to have a bit more anger or frustration when Jacob shows up. But I did love their reunion and how it focused on more relevant areas of their lives that they now have to navigate through when trying to make their second go of things work.

I loved the angst and descriptors of this story and binge listened to it within a few hours because I was hooked! Overall 4.5 ⭐️ stars and I was totally here for Mattie and Heather’s friendship and commentary 😅