This is a tough one to rate, so in the spirit of Amanda’s thought exercises in the story, I’m going to break down the good and the bad.

Like Jacob, I’ll start with the bad.

1 - For those of us of a certain age, there was a period of time when every queer story was about AIDS. A central feature of many of those stories was the exclusion of lifelong partners from medical decision making and being present during sickness and death because the biological relatives, even if they hadn’t seen the sick person in years, had the legal rights. Kids, if you don’t understand why marriage equality and general equal legal rights are important, seek out some of these stories and/or ask your elders. The first half of this book, with a few minor changes, could be one of those stories. By starting the book with that scenario before we’ve even had a chance to meet any of the characters in better times, the lightening of tone as the story progresses feels somehow forced - which is unfortunate, because the actual story the author is trying to tell here is an important one.

2 - I listened to the audiobook, but also had access to an ebook copy. In the written version, it seemed pretty clear that Travis is a young British man. So it was rather jarring to hear him voiced by an American who sounds like he’s smoked 4 packs a day for the last 30 years. The dynamic between Travis and Jacob comes across very differently when they’re presented as both being American and Travis being significantly older. Since the narrator adopted a British accent for Heather and Hunter, and since the first half of the book is almost difficult to understand at times since Travis is voiced in a teary, choked tone, this seems to be an intentional choice rather than a case of deciding to just read the book rather than doing voices (an approach that I’m fine with, by the way).

The Good:

1 - Most traditional romances end with the couple skipping off into the sunset alone together with the promise that they won’t ever need anyone else since they each provide everything the other needs. Anyone who’s ever been in a real life relationship knows that is…not optimal. Even (especially) the happiest couples need friends and/or family (found or blood) for all kinds of reasons. But toxic family or friend groups can break up even the strongest relationships. Ultimately, that’s a big part what this story is about, and while Jacob’s family is cartoonishly horrible, Travis’s journey to his own circle is wonderfully done, with characters interesting enough to hold their own in any future installments.

2 - Jacob’s family is straight out of one of the 1980’s-90’s queer tragedies from the first item on the list. But in the second half, we get past them to the really relevant issue - Jacob’s own internalized homophobia and lack of understanding of what a healthy relationship should look like. And it’s even done in a way that seems fairly plausible for a privileged 23 year old - believe me, if you e ever had the pleasure (?) of listening to a boy that age, straight, gay, or otherwise, try to talk about their feelings, you will be lovingly rolling your eyes.

So in summary - read the printed version, if possible, to avoid the narration issues. And the overall experience will feel like someone wrote the first half in 1985, set it down for 40 years, and did the second half with no revisions to the first. But overall, the five star second half is worth the two star first half.

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC.

3.5 (rounded to 4)/5 ⭐️

I genuinely enjoyed this book. Despite having no knowledge of racing (or any other existing sport), I found myself deeply enthralled by the world of F1.

I will say, I do wish there was more relationship development before [insert the major plot point that isn't stated in the synopsis]. It made the resulting conflict, and the resolution fall flat for me. For that event to be so easily resolved in the end without any opposition doesn't feel quite right. It just makes the book feel a bit rushed.

Also the comparison to Red, White, and Royal Blue isn't quite accurate. Maybe for the fact that it is a hidden relationship of sorts, but Heated Rivalry by Rachel Reid would most definitely be a fairer comparison.


~~~

As far as the audiobook, I would give it a solid 2.5 stars. The narrator for Jacob was great and fitting for his character, but the one for Travis seemed quite off. This isn't based off his ability for audiobooks in general, he seems like he would be great in another role, but his voice seems to be someone much older than Travis is in the book. Also he had a tendency to overact and it messed with the tone of certain scenes.

5 stars!

"Crash Test" by Amy James is a gripping and emotional MM F1 sports romance that made me smile, cry, and even chuckle. I loved the main characters, Travis and Jacob, even when they were infinitely frustrating (mostly Jacob!). They both feel like fully-realized, fully fleshed-out, realistic people. Their character development didn't leave me wanting at all. They both have terrific character arcs that satisfied me, even when they made the wrong decisions. The growth that they both display is tremendous! They are forced to face their problems/demons/issues and put in the work to change for the better. This book has an incredible dual narration by Gary Furlong and Patrick Zeller. This might be one of the best audiobooks I have heard this year. Zeller and Furlong bring these characters to life in passionate, fitting, intense ways. The pacing of this audiobook is perfect. I didn't find this book to be too long; I found it to be the perfect length. I *had* to keep reading to find out if Travis and Jacob were going to get their happily ever after. I can see some readers having an issue with some of the things that happen in this book, but it all makes sense toward the book's end. Trust me, this is one you have to stick with! You won't be disappointed by "Crash Test."

Thank you to NetGalley, Amy James, HarperAudio Adult, and Avon for the complimentary ALC of this book. All opinions are my own. I was not compensated for this review.

I did not finish it. Nothing against the book, but the narrator really bothered me. I just can't get into his voice so I can't finish it. I might read a hard copy because the book itself was interesting, but the narrator's voice didn't work for me.

3/5 stars

This was a fun book to read, that didn't require me to remember in-depth details. A good read for poolside or at the beach.

Gary and Patrick did a fantastic job with the narrations. I definitely preferred being in Travis' POV rather than Jacob's. I also don't feel like Jacob did enough groveling and his apology wasn't very good. Travis took him back way too quickly.

I found this book to be an enjoyable read. The story kept me engaged from start to finish and had some moments that really stood out. Overall, it offered an entertaining reading experience.

well,,, guess who teared up at the very first chapter??? yep, that's me! ✋🏻

also, this must have been a five star read, if part 2 didn't exist. while i was reading that part, i sometimes want to hug travis. but nonetheless, i appreciate their love for each other and i cried when they got back together 😞

the audiobook however, OH. MY. GOD. i really like this one! i'm glad that both narrators still stick to their characters while narrating (for example, travis's chapter, where he narrates the line while jacob's doing the same) and i'm impressed at it!

Crash Test was a very entertaining read (listening experience in my case). The narrators were amazing and conveyed the characters' feelings perfectly. This second-chance story is angsty, well-written, and certainly thought-provoking. The POV and spacing were perhaps a bit unusual ... the entire first part of the book is told by Travis and provides the history between the characters in flashbacks. The 2nd part is from Jacob's POV (in the present time) until we get almost to the very end, and the POVs switch back and forth.

Possible spoiler below, my biggest problem with the book:

While I liked the premise and the style of writing, I'll have to say the conflict was resolved in no time, and it certainly took away from the reality of the story. All the angst (and the pain the characters went through) was almost for nothing. I wanted real groveling and discussion of forgiveness, instead of the easy finish.

Crash Test has the thrilling backdrop of Formula 1 infused with the charm of Red, White, & Royal Blue. Travis Keeping, an F1 superstar in the heat of a championship battle, finds his world turned upside down when his secret love, F2 driver Jacob Nichols, is involved in a devastating crash.

From the very beginning, Crash Test grips you with intense emotion and adrenaline. The story kicks off with Jacob’s critical injury, setting the stage for a rollercoaster of feelings.

Rather than a simple chapter-by-chapter switch of perspectives, the book is divided into three parts: first, we experience Travis’s viewpoint, complete with flashbacks that reveal the evolution of his relationship with Jacob; next, we delve into Jacob’s perspective; and finally, we see a blend of both. This structure beautifully captures their journey. My initial impression of Jacob wasn’t favorable (lots of side eye!), but @amyjamesbooks masterfully reshaped my understanding of him throughout his section. By the end, I had a much clearer view of his struggles, though I still wished for a bit more effort from Jacob to win Travis back (Travis deserved some groveling!).

The audiobook narration by Gary Furlong and Patrick Zeller elevates the emotional intensity. Their performances vividly convey Travis’ despair and frustration following the accident. Jacob’s character also shines; before the crash, he’s the life of the party, but afterward, you truly feel his struggle as he navigates pain, parental pressures, and vulnerability.

Crash Test is a beautifully crafted, moving character-driven story. If you’re a fan of flawed characters getting a well deserved second chance, this book is for you.

Ultimately, Crash Test is a powerful reminder to be true to yourself and express your feelings, because you never know how much time you have with someone.

Crash Test is a M/M sports romance following Travis and F1 driver who discovers the new that a massive crash has occurred involving several F2 drivers. Amongst the injured drivers is Jacob, his secret boyfriend. From here we follow Travis as he grapples with trying to keep their secret and functioning in his responsibilities as a driver and also wanting nothing more than to be at his partner's side. As their relationship is tested, we gain insight into both man's experiences.

I absolutely loved this book. I devoured the audiobook in less than 24 hours. I enjoyed the narrators, the dual POVs, and the pacing. I appreciated getting to hear from both men as we delve into their relationship as I felt that it really helped bring the characters to life and intensified the story. The narrators did a great job capturing each character and I enjoyed them very much.

I didn't want this book to end. I was hooked from the very beginning and stayed hooked until the very end. I highly recommend this book/audiobook to anyone who enjoys romance novels.

Hospital settings
Sports romance
MM,
Secret Relationship,
bi-panic,
homophobia,
Queer Romance
Angst
Miscommunication/ Lack there of
Travis was like a gentle giant, Jake grew on me as the book went on but some stuff did make me mad for obvious reasons. The friendship/side characters was also one of the main reason’s I liked this book so much, they were funny.
The narration of this book was also really good, the casting was done so well.

Crash Test was a read I had been looking forward to since joining the Formula 1 fan club. The story follows Travis Keeping, a successful Formula 1 racer whose life is upended when Jacob Nichols, a Formula 2 driver and the man he's been secretly dating for a year, is left in critical condition after a devastating accident.

From there, Travis struggles to maintain his place at the top of the F1 world, all while dealing with the growing distance between him and Jacob, who's in a coma, made worse by Jacob's parents, who make him question whether their relationship is worth fighting for in the end.

The story had fun moments and definitely reads like something off AO3, but it also tackles heavy homophobia which I wasn't a fan of and it could've been handled better. Because of this, Travis ends up acting terribly toward Jacob and it felt kind of unfair at times. I also wish the story had focused more on them falling in love, rather than just giving us flashbacks of their relationship before the accident.

(Thanks so much to Avon for providing the audiobook!)

Crash Test by Amy James is a really well-done contemporary romance. I really enjoyed the characters and the romance especially. I enjoyed the directions and developments that the romance took throughout the course of the novel. I found both the main characters and side characters to be really well developed and likeable. I just had a really fun time reading this and was very invested by the end. I will say that it is darker and a bit for angsty then the typical contemporary romance. I also went into this book as a someone who had never seen F1 and I found the author does a really good job at explaining and making F1 easy to understand for those like me who don't know anything about it.

Thank You to NetGalley and HarperAudio for an ARC audiobook in exchange for an honest review.

I absolutely loved this book! Once I started it, I couldn't put it down - I needed to know if Travis and Jacob would get their happy ending or not. The emotions of this book grabbed me - made my heart ache in the best ways. From the beginning, I was rooting for Travis and Jacob but the way James made their characters evolve made me love them even more.

This if course an f1 book that sucked so much. I am still trying to understand how the sport works in this world. They should not have ended up together. Trust me, I will never read this author again.

Based on the blurb and the way this book was compared to Red White and Royal Blue, this was *not* the book I was expecting. At all.

I DNFd and triggered out due the depiction of the blatant homophobia. The amount of pain the two MCs experienced and the miscommunication was disproportionate to the amount of time they were able to celebrate their love on page. I don't mind angst in books, but this felt angsty for the sake of being angsty. The happy ending felt rushed and not hard earned by the on MC.

The narrators were wonderfully expressive and talented, but that only added to the angst and drama and my decision to DNF.

I don't think this author told a story that ultimately celebrated queer love.

When I saw some of my faves raving about this book I knew I absolutely needed to read it! I am super grateful to @amyjamesbooks for sharing an ARC with me!

Our two MC’s, Travis and Jacob, met through racing. Travis is an F1 driver, and Jacob is an F2 driver. The two have been secretly dating for a year, but nobody around them knows.

The story starts with Jacob getting into a terrible crash, and Travis trying to navigate being there for him, without revealing their secret to everyone. I was in tears from the very beginning! You could absolutely feel the intensity of Travis’ love for Jacob in those early chapters, and his fear that he might lose him was heartbreaking.

Jacob does pull through, but unfortunately that is not where they get their HEA- and while I was thrilled that Jacob survived, I was also very mad at him for a while!

Fortunately, Amy does not leave us hanging, and both of these characters show a tremendous amount of growth in the second part of the story, before they make their way back to one another.

Being in Jacob’s POV made a big difference in being able to forgive him and route for these two to have their second chance. As much as my heart hurt for Travjs, it really went a long way to show that Jacob was really hurting too, and had a lot of healing to do before he could be the person that Travis deserves (and Travis deserves everything)!

I adored the side characters of this story and the found family vibes were incredible!

If you’re an audio reader, the audiobook narrated by Gary Furlong and Patrick Zeller, is also incredibly well done! You can’t go wrong with either format!

Thanks to HarperAudio for this ALC! I think maybe Crash Test just wasn't for me - we dive right into the action, but the stakes feel mismatched since we don't know anything about Jacob and Travis's relationship. Swapping back and forth between the grim current timeline and flashbacks to their relationship in that first section feels disjointed rather than amping up the emotional stakes. In the second section, led by Jacob, it is hard to relate - his anger, his internalized homophobia make sense, but they don't do anything to make the reader root for these two getting back together. In fact, as we hear snippets about Travis winning the world championship and healing himself, I found myself questioning why he would even be forgiving about the hurt Jacob caused him. In the third section, we bounce between perspectives and have an ending that undermines any sense of tension - Travis is immediately willing to forgive, forget, move on, and move Jacob right back into his heart and house, a move that doesn't feel logical at all contextually. I found myself questioning if they really were making the right choice by being together. I felt like for a book that was marketed with Red, White, and Royal Blue as a comp, our characters lacked similar depth and self-awareness and tonally, the book was stuck in deep trauma mode for almost the duration - I questioned whether this was a thoughtful way to take a reader to an HEA in a queer romance.

There were some bright spots - I really liked the prose and as I listened, this was a great dramatic interpretation by these narrators. That said, I would find it really difficult to recommend this.

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.