This is one of those books that just sticks with me. I can’t stop thinking about Jacob & Travis.

It starts with a bang and keeps going with an amazing blend of angst and beautiful character growth on both sides. I already want to relisten.

This was pretty unputdownable. Very entertaining and pulled at my heartstrings off and on - even got some tears out of me. I can't tell for sure how well-written I think it was or was not - sometimes when I read with my eyes and listen quickly I lose track of that. The narration style was interesting - the author who voiced Travis was tres dramatique and while I appreciated the commitment, it was sometimes a bit over the top (and thus distracting). But it worked pretty well that they merged the two narrators during dialogue. The story and the characters had me hooked regardless!

The first POV was so good, I loved Travis how he told his story with little flashbacks to his relationship with Jacob over the past year while he is in a coma from a crash.
Then we get Jacob as he recovers from the crash, of course he is angry and unsettled by his recovery and his overbearing family. Therapy was good for Jacob as he worked on himself. I did enjoy reading. Filled with tension heartbreak recovery and love. I loved how the story concluded I was very invested.

I first wanted to start this review by thanking a few people for both the audiobook and ebook copies of this story including NetGalley, @HarperAudio, @Avonbooks, and @HarperVoyagerUS.

This book had me hooked from page one. I seriously couldn’t put it down and stayed up all night to finish it because I JUST HAD TO KNOW. I was literally only like 10% into the book and I had already been crying for several pages at that point. Because I had both the audiobook and the ebook I was able to read along as I listened and the narrator for Travis’ POV specifically was AMAZING! I was able to feel and hear all of the emotion. I could hear the tears in his voice, I could hear his smiles, and his blushes, and his love just from the narrator’s voice. It was amazing. This was in part I think due to the amazing writing of Amy James as well.

I was kind of worried going into this and reading the summary that there was going to be an amnesia plot line. I’m not a super big fan of those but I can deal with them. There wasn’t one – which made me happy – but there were so many other parts that were so sad and tragic and just made the story so amazing. I honestly have so many positive bubbly emotions about this book that I just can’t get it all down into one review. The ending made me want to cry in a happy way and made me so happy that I just wanted to have more of the story! The spicy level was also a level 5.

Overall, I would rate this book a 5 out of 5 star rating. I would give it a 6 out of 5 if I could. I seriously couldn’t put it down.

Oh my heart…what an emotional romance that took me through the wringer and pieced me back up again. So many strong messages along with the revelation of secrets: self-discovery, advocating for what you feel is right, believing in yourself. The story opens with successful Formula 1 racer Travis visiting his love, Jacob, a struggling Formula 2 racer, after a crash. There’s confrontation and he’s got to stand up for true love. The second half of the story is from Jacob’s point-of-view and is about self-discovery and honesty. This was a heartbreaking and heartwarming MM contemporary sports romance—the writing was heartfelt, the plot engaging and the message of true love really shone.
I started this with my eyes and switched over to audio. The expressions, the emotions, the feelings each of the male narrator’s had was exceptional, I think audio is the way to get the most out of this beautiful story.

This was cute, the first part of the book had me STRESSED. and ngl I did not like Jacob for most of the book, but by the end I was like mmmm okay I guess they're cute. They both put in the work and it was a good ending

This book hooks you from the very first sentence and the grip doesn’t let up once. It’s one of those stories where you hit the ground SPRINTING. There is trauma within the very first chapter. You’ll feel a little weak in the knees from tension after chapter two. And if you’re anything like me, by chapter seven you’ll be openly weeping. *Gary was destroying me (in the best way) at this point with his narration.*

Amy James creates characters you care about from the get-go with a story full of deserved ups and downs, sky high tension, super hot flirting, intimate scenes that are so freaking hot, and the perfect banter. This was the perfect romance read — no damn notes. I adored the platonic relationships within the book too; Matty and Heather added SO much to the story once they came on the scene. One of my favorite funny moments came late in the book when Travis said “‘I got you babe’ my ass!” in response to something Heather says. 😂

I loved everything about Travis Keeping. And I really enjoyed Jacob’s growth. (Because at one point all I could think was Jacob doesn’t deserve Travis.)

I enjoyed every moment of this audiobook. Gary Furlong and Patrick Zeller were absolutely PERFECTION in this duet narration! Patrick Zeller as Travis acted his ass off throughout but man… he packed such a punch when delivering the book’s most emotional lines. Patrick is now the gold standard for narration for me!!!! And Gary Furlong nailed Jacob’s unaffected cockiness. The both of them together made this an unforgettable book experience for me.

Basically I will never be getting over this absolute gem of a book. 🙃🫶🏼

⭐️ A TRILLION THANK YOUs TO HARPERAUDIO ADULT AND NETGALLEY FOR THE ADVANCED LISTENER COPY OF CRASH TEST! Amy James: you’re my hero. ⭐️

wait this was incredible!! the narration was amazing, they deserve a grammy or whatever award is given to audiobook narrators! i went in completely blind and i was hooked from the beginning. travis and jacob are so great together. i especially loved how they were both given the chance to work on themselves. i had such a great time listening to this, i laughed, i cried. the story felt realistic and was genuinely perfectly executed.

thank you netgalley and harperaudio for the arc!! 🩷

Phew! This was a rollercoaster M/M F1 racing romance that has two racers looking back on their relationship when one crashes and lands in a coma. Full of all the emotions, I couldn't get enough of this dual POV sports romance told through flashbacks that has one closeted bisexual driver recovering after his crash, dealing with homophobic parents and trying to win back his ex AND get back into the driver's seat.

HIGHLY recommended for fans of books like Pole Position by Rebecca J. Caffery and Heated rivalry by Rachel Reid or Sarina Bowen's Hockey guys series. I thought Canadian author Amy James' sophomore romance was even stronger than her debut and really enjoyed the spotlight on how difficult it can be to be out in professional sports! It was also excellent on audio narrated by Gary Furlong and Patrick Zeller. Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early digital and audio copy in exchange for my honest review!

Travis Keeping is a star Formula 1 driver with his eye on the championship. However, a major crash in Formula 2 results in Jacob Nichols ending up in critical condition. Travis rushes to the hospital, and inadvertently outs his relationship with Jacob, causing a downward cascade of events. As the F1 season and Jacob’s recovery progresses, Travis and Jacob must decide how much they value their sport versus how much they value each other.

I read the synopsis of this book, including its description as “Formula 1 meets Red, White, & Royal Blue.” While I can understand the idea behind the parallels, this book is quite a bit darker than #RWRB so that comparison feels a bit off. The will-they-or-won’t-they in #RWRB is far more comedic, but the pining here feels more devastating. I’d personally classify it more as a drama than a standard romance. I wasn’t emotionally prepared for some of the darker elements (the first chapter is literally the crash). Be aware that internalized homophobia is a major character in the book, and that both characters are on a healing journey, both physically and emotionally. I found Travis to be a bit melodramatic, and frustrated with how one-dimensional he was: his only existence was to pine after Jacob. I was equally confused by Jacob, who simultaneously has no issues/full confidence hooking up with guys but doesn’t come to terms with being into guys until the end? It felt a bit mismatched. The narrators do a great job of capturing that dramatic level of heartache, and I particularly enjoyed Gary Furlong’s portrayal of Jacob.
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Reviewed as part of #ARC from @NetGalley. Many thanks to @harpercollins for the opportunity to read and review.
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Read this book if you like:
🏁 F1/sports romance
💔 overcoming internalized homophobia
🫀 journeys of healing
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Spice warning: moderate 🌶️🌶️🌶️


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This review will be posted to Instagram @AutobiographiCole on or around the release date!

Travis and Jacob were having a secret romance before Jacob’s accident. They are two drivers (Travis is F1 and Jacob is F2) whose paths cross and end up in a a bittersweet relationship. Jacob has confusing thoughts and also severely homophobic family members who can’t accept him as bisexual. Travis has a support team. Although they are ideally so different, they fit together so well. When the accident happens and Jacob is nearing deaths door, Travis comes to terms with who they are together and is ultimately heartbroken when Jacob ends it after he wakes up.

The yearning, the character growth (both separate and together) is so beautifully written and listening to this story through the voices of Gary Furlong and Patrick Zeller was truly so moving. I felt like I was watching it all unfurl in my mind.

Hands down my most favorite audiobook queer sports romance of 2025!

4.5
Crash Test for my heart 😭

I am known for not thoroughly reading a blurb unless I am indecisive on wether or not I want to read. With Crash Test I apparently had no issue deciding... Because whatever I expected, it wasn't this. And I loved it.

I was close to tears for the first third of the book - the way Amy James structured this plot was so unexpected it took me completely off guard. Positively so. To throw us right into the what feels like a third arc conflict before we even know the characters and their story worked perfectly in favour of the book.

My feelings for both Travis and Jacob changed slightly over the curse of the book but after the compassion and pain, I already loved both of them so much as characters that their healing journeys only solidified my perception. I found it especially interesting to actually meet Jacob after already having seen so much of him from Travis' perspective.

While it might not be the most comfortable thing to read, I always like when romance authors pursue a realistic HEA and take the long road that allows for the characters to get the development and healing they need. I'm glad Amy James didn't feel the need to rush things simply for the sake of picture perfect romance.

The writing was smooth and I liked the way it allowed for a lot to be said between the lines or in actions alone. What truly elevates this to a 4.5 star book for me though was the narration! It was done so perfeclty, intense and authentic, not only giving the MMCs that extra bit of emotion but also significantly adding to shaping them into tangible, three dimensional characters.

Crash Test might not have taken the traditional route, but that is what makes it so special. It's a romance that could've been light and low stakes but stands out more for having sharp edges and moments of discomfort, immediately prioritzing the emotional connection to the characters and allowing them space to develop.

I especially recommend the audiobook version!

Thank you to NetGalley, HarperAudio Adult and Amy James for an ALC of this book

Thanks NetGalley for giving me access to this ALC. I LOVED IT!! I don’t think I’ve ever been more gripped by an audiobook right from the start. The narrators are INCREDIBLE. Their ability to convey each character’s distinct voice and such extreme emotions is incredibly impressive and SO critical for audiobooks. The person reading Travis’ chapters hooked me immediately and had me in tears within the first 10 minutes. The way Amy James structured the story — Travis’ POV first interspersed with flashbacks to the previous year followed by Jacob’s POV — worked extremely well for both characters’ story arcs. The resolution felt a bit rushed and “easy,” but by that point I just wanted Travis and Jacob back together so I didn’t really mind. There’s room for a sequel (Heated Rivalry/The Long Game style) and I’d definitely welcome spending more time with all of these characters.

So I liked the book, I really did, I just had a lot of feelings.
So first and foremost, I very much related to the internalized homophobia Jacob dealt with. It’s such a shitty feeling knowing your family won’t support you, but it doesn’t excuse any of his actions. I obviously won’t share those actions because I don’t want to spoil, but Jacob had a lot of inexcusable actions.
Following Travis after the crash was difficult, because you’re feeling his grief along with him. And then you’re navigating him trying to discreetly be there for his boyfriend. The blatant homophobia is very difficult to read.
Jacob’s family sucks. They just do. No redeeming qualities.
Minor spoilers!!
The breakup was horrendous to listen to. I sobbed like a baby from that moment until Jacob’s POV.
The book is broken in Travis’s POV in the first 3rd, then Jacob’s POV in the second 3rd, and then mixed in the final.
There was great banter between the main characters and side characters, but nothing really between the main characters until the end because Jacob is unconscious during Travis’s POV and then Jacob is in New Mexico in his POV. So it sucks because I love banter.
I was a bit shocked but not shocked at how quickly they get back together. They were both pining pretty bad so I’m not surprised. BUT I thought there would maybe be some groveling.
If you want to cry, this is a good book for it.
I got a lot of emotions out while listening to this book.

This is technically my 2nd time reading this before its even released and I still loved it. I just so happened to be selected for both the ARC and the audio ARC and enjoyed it just as much the second time around.

*4.25 stars!!

I received an ARC from HarperAudio Adult via NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Now when I saw that THE Rachel Reid gave this book her blessing and high praise, I knew I had to read it no matter what. I was lucky enough to get early access to the audiobook and I am so delighted that this was as good as I was hoping for it to be!

The biggest strength of this book was the overall storytelling. It was done in such an interesting way, jumping straight into the stress and action that made you feel like you were going through the high-speed car crash yourself. Because of this, the emotions and stakes were set immediately, causing me to feel invested in their relationship. You could feel the love and anguish from the start, so when we flip from past to present, from pov to pov, you're weaving through their relationship with those high stakes in mind.

I really adored Travis right away. the emotion and love he feels for Jacob was so clear and almost devastating, I could not help but feel for him and their situation. it was difficult to understand Jacob as a character at first, but the shift to his pov made me sympathize and root for their relationship even more. The therapy scenes were also incredibly well done.

Again, the storytelling and structure of this romance is what makes it stand out. I thought that the author did a really great job with it and I was never bored. I'm actually quite impressed, as this is the first book I've read by this author and it is certainly not the last! I think she did a great job writing an intriguing and heartwarming mm romance that felt very genuine and I sincerely hope she writes more queer romance in the future!

*Special thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing this free ARC in exchange for an honest review. Pub date: July 1, 2025

An open door M/M F1 sports romance, though not sports heavy. I think the blurb likening this to F1 meets Red White and Royal Blue does it a disservice. This is not a lighthearted romance filled with witty banter…it’s is a heavy drama-filled journey after a car crash blows up Travis and Jacob’s secret relationship. The spice is spicy but there is a lot of heartbreak along the way in the aftermath of the crash, I gasped out loud at times. Both drivers are quite young and figuring out their way, but I found Jacob’s brand of immaturity frustrating. Appreciated the character development and growth.

I listened in audio and it was a rough start—I struggled with the narration pacing and fluctuations in volume over the first few chapters but then it improved. Narration was wildly emotive and had me completely locked in. Finished this in one afternoon because of that!

Crash Test was given to me as a book through NetGalley by way of an email from the publisher because apparently they know I am a huge F1 fan. This book broke me, but in a good way. The moment this book started I was balling my eyes out. Crash test really focuses on the mental and physical health of the drivers, and while I am pretty sure some fictional HIPPA rules were broken, I can understand why they were done in the context of this story. This is a story of love, acceptance, family (chosen and blood related), and racing (obviously) and I was enthralled every second. I even requested the audiobook when that became available on NetGalley so I could do an immersive read because I wanted to be a part of this world so badly. These characters will always be remembered and this is definitely one of the best reads yet that take place in the F1 romanceverse. Thanks for the ARC!

Heat Index: 6/10

—relationship in trouble

—the aftermath of the injury

—sometimes! families! don't deserve you!

The Basics:

When a crash leaves multiple people dead and up and coming Formula 2 driver Jacob Nichols in critical condition, the racing world is shocked. None more, however, than Formula 1 star Travis Keeping—Jacob's secret boyfriend of a year. Being separated from Jacob as he recovers is devastating enough; dealing with the fallout involving his family and boundaries he didn't realize existed AFTER Jacob wakes up is worse. Separated by distance and Jacob's family, the two couldn't be further apart. And coming back together may require the kind of bravery neither one has had to uncover before.

The Review:

WHEW. Recently, the Fated Mates podcast did an episode on one of my favorite books, hockey star secret lovers romance Heated Rivalry. In it, they discussed a part of the book in which one of the lovers is injured and the other is terrified, but unable to show it to the world—and how great that is for angst and tension purposes. Now, imagine if that is... the basis of a book. Obviously, I had no choice but to pick this up.

I am nothing else if not an angsthound, and Crash Test is a book for angsthounds. It kicks off with Jacob's crash from Travis's perspective, then dovetails into a recounting of how we got here. It's a good while before we get Jacob's perspective—and I'm so glad we did. Because if you think the crash itself and Travis desperately trying to seem normal to everyone while his boyfriend is essentially in a coma is angsty? BOY. You have no idea.

I've seen some reviews say that this isn't a romance novel because there's a lot of recounting of the romance and a lot of time spent apart. Here's the thing: Those takes are wrong.

First off, the recounting is a pretty good-sized chunk of the novel, and it's not like Travis is going "we met, we fell in love". There's a lot of intimacy, both emotional and physical—with the twist being that Travis was both too in love and too inexperienced (we have a megavirgin so closeted that he's never been in a relationship prior to Jacob here) that he missed a lot of flags.

Second, what this book is, in a lot of ways, is a marriage in trouble book without the marriage. These two are deeply, agonizingly in love. But the reality is that they're in love in a way that isn't any less authentic emotionally, but takes advantage of the cocoon their secrecy and the nature of their sport provides. In some ways, it's arguably more realistic than Heated Rivalry (this isn't a dig at the former, just an observation) because it's like... Travis completely missed the severity of Jacob's internalized biphobia, a huge part of the second part of the novel, because he never met his family. Their life together was based on the whirlwind, far-flung nature of their careers.

In the harsh light of day? The problems are pretty huge.

One of the things I loved about this book is that we spend so much of the first half in Travis's mind, setting up this borderline "manic pixie dream boy" that is Jacob. Sexy, confident, charming. Travis knows he's gay, but hasn't acted on it. Jacob is closeted, sure, but he seems to know what he's doing way more than Travis does. Sure, he complains about his family, but it's just here and there. Sure, he doesn't say "I love you" back, but it's probably just because he's a rakish type.

Travis's love is so intense, and it's made even more so in these moments in the hospital that are just... devastating. And beautiful.

So it's a slap in the face when Jacob distances himself from Travis after he wakes. And not long after that? Boom. Let's flip to Jacob and see exactly how much self-loathing Travis missed in this man, for the same reason a lot of people don't realize their beloved partners are in pain—because they're so smitten. Because they're adoring.

It's a great flip, and it makes Jacob into what some would call Unlikable. I mean, to me, he was just... human. Travis, I liked and felt for and wanted to cuddle. Jacob, I—I don't want to say I related to him exactly, as I've never had a family like his. But I got him. I saw him. And his struggles go beyond his internalized biphobia; there's also the intensity of his crash, the physical trauma, the loss of identity. Because in one fell swoop, Jacob really loses two facets of his identity. He loses his status as a great F2 driver on the brink of being brought up to F1; and his loses the illusion of straightness he's maintained for his family.

So while he does stuff he has to make up for, I get it, and I felt the narrative was both sympathetic and wiling to hold him accountable (overall). I often struggle with therapy being on the page because, as someone who does therapy weekly, I find the depictions corny. Here, it's done so well, and it's so needed. It's not a magic wand that fixes Jacob. And he doesn't just find it in himself to get fixed, either.

Another thing I appreciated is that the novel doesn't hold family sacred. I've found myself angry with so many romance novels that seem to suggest that the ultimate goal is to reconcile with your awful family. Jacob's family is AWFUL in a way that is, unfortunately, casually realistic. The ingrained homophobia; the crunchy sister who spouts off tradwifeisms; the mom whose love for her son warps into victimhood; the father and brother who put their own insecure masculinity over loving Jacob. These are not caricatures. They are real people.

Often, in these queer sports romances, the lovely twist is that the family actually is totally good. That's a valid avenue to take, and there are people who turn out to be unexpectedly supportive in this book. But we also need books that get real about how some people just... are beyond saving. And frankly don't deserve saving. That's something we need to see right now. A happy ending for these two (which does happen!) that is optimistic, and yes, has Romance Reasons, but isn't utopian. Sometimes, in order to get your happy ending, you have to tell certain people to get the hell out of your life.

And that's also quite satisying to read.

I will say that I found the ending a bit rushed, and I could've used more catharsis between the lovers. To me, some aspects of ending works a little better in a cinematic context than a book context. But to be super real, I was so emotionally ready for it to all happen that... fine. I just want these two to be together.

The Sex:

I also saw reviews indicating that this is closed door. To be super clear, it isn't. It's softer on the sex, but like. There's on the page oral and anal sex. I'm. Not super sure where we got "closed door".

The first encounter is closed door, which does coincide with Travis's recounting—the scenes that happen "in the moment" are more explicit, generally. But I will say as a critique that Travis does reflect on sex more graphically at different points, and Jacob is the first person he's had sex with. So I do think it would've been good to see that on the page; but it wasn't a dealbreaker.

The Conclusion:

This is an angsty book in a very real way, but I also found it deeply moving. It gives you the fairytale of romance in its ending, but a lot of what builds up to that offers some reality that I don't always need in romance, but was so affecting and important to see. Travis and Jacob's love happens in a world against them, and we do have to see some fighting and re-learning. That certainly worked for me.

(And as an audiobook note—VERY good performances with duet narration. Great emotionality.)

Thank you to HarperAudio and NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

You asked

I loved this book. I loved loved Travis - I loved his devotion and I loved how when Jacob is in the hospital without words people understood what Jacob meant to him. It was painful and I wanted to kill Jacob’s family. I despise them.

Travis POV was powerful and painful.

Then we get Jacob breaking up with him and Travis realizing he was so much more into him (been there done that - it killed me).

I loved Travis’s therapy scenes and the evolution of his character.

Now the part that didn’t work
Jacob never groveled !!!!! I needed way more groveling . I needed Travis to say you hurt me. I needed more pining and pain. I needed him not to just kiss Jacob and forgive.

I would have liked them to start the FI season on rival teams and have Jacob earn his way back. So I needed a few more chapters. We didn’t have a lot of them together. I did enjoy that they addressed them working for rival teams.
I thought it was interesting how at the beginning of the book Jacob was the one with all the friends in the family and then by the end it was actually Travis who had the meaningful connections.

I honestly loved the this book. I just wanted more! The audio is superb! I listened to this in a day and night because I couldn’t put it down!