Thank you to Netgalley and BooksGoSocial for an early copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. I really enjoyed this book and read it in one day! I loved the storyline and the characters. I thought the characters had great growth. I would definitely recommend this book.

I don’t know if this book knew what it wanted to be. It felt a little like a regency bodice ripper romance author wanted to get on the current F1 hype train.
The plot was all over the place, the pacing was faster than an F1 car with DRS in the straights, and the characters were bland.
Thanks #NetGalley and #BooksGoSocial for the ARC. Hopefully we can learn that works like this can stay on Ao3, and the time and effort of publishing a book can be given to better stories.

The story felt bland to me and uneven paced, I had to dnf unfortunately, because there was potential in the plot

Boring. Boring. Boring. Boring. Boring. Boring. Boring. Boring. Boring. Boring. Boring. Boring. Boring. Boring. Boring.

I did not finish after reading 41%. Thank you to the author/ publisher for providing a review copy via NetGalley.

I picked up this book expecting a F1 or Motorsport romance and feel like I got a modern day regency novel instead. The story is contrived and choppy. Characters are underdeveloped and pacing is poorly executed.

I think the insta love/lust detracted from developing the overall story and characters.

I haven’t read the first book in this series and suspect that there are references made in this one that might have helped develop Jordan more.

I think there are some promising aspects but this book was definitely not for me. I was looking for much more racing/ Motorsport and less of a Scottish roadtrip/ wedding

A solid read with some great moments, although it had uneven pacing, a somewhat bland plot, and I wish it had more racing in it than just the end.

Racing Heart was a wild ride that just unfortunately didn’t quite hit the mark for me.
The story moved very fast and yet it felt like nothing was happening. Both the plot and the characters lacked depth and just felt very superficial to me. Unfortunately I really struggled through this book because the plot was all over the place and I found myself not being able to connect with the characters. There were parts where their personal struggles peeked through, but nothing was really addressed appropriately, and it just felt very flat. I think I’d really enjoy seeing this as a movie, but it just didn’t work as a book.

I did find the book entertaining, especially because it reminded me of a 2000s rom com in the sense that it was quirky (a little too much at times) and funny, and also a little bit cringey.
Overall it was a miss for me, but I think if you’re looking for those feel good rom com vibes, you should check this one out!

This was such an enjoyable read! As the second book in the Apex Racing Series, it follows Jordan Rubie, a race car driver recovering from a career-ending crash, and Pearl Carrington, an advice columnist struggling with family drama. Their chance meeting in Wales leads to a spontaneous road trip to Scotland for Jordan’s sister’s wedding. The chemistry between the two builds beautifully throughout the story. I loved how they both found healing, physically and emotionally, as they spent time together. The romance was sweet and slow-burn, and the backdrop of castles, family secrets, and a wedding added a fun twist. It was a light, heartwarming read, perfect for anyone looking for an escape into a charming, feel-good story.

If knew how to DNF a book, I would have DNF'd this. The story is soo slow, don't get me wrong it's cute... but there is sooo much going on at once and it is all over the place.

the story doesn't even make sense half of the time..

I was 35% into it and had no idea what's going on except a sisters wedding and sporadic drunken date???


… I officially DNF’d it.

I liked this a lot more than I expected to, considering how little racing action is in this racing romance! I didn't realize at first it was second in a series, but I had no issues reading it without having read the prior one. Racing Heart is a breezy read despite touching on some very serious subjects. I loved how fully fleshed out both Pearl and Jordan were as people - as were so many of the side characters. I never would have expected Bridgerton references in an F1 romance but somehow it works. I also loved the inclusion of other kinds of racing, showing F1 (or Apex) doesn't exist in isolation.

I liked the story for the most part. It was a cute quick read and I enjoyed the different characters like Pearl, Di, Top, and Barb. I liked the different twists like Pearl's family aspect and working it out throughout the book. I liked Jordan's racing journey and the progression of his growth from his accident to meeting Pearl and the end of the book. However, there were some aspects that I found kind of hard to follow like I wasn't quite sure how long Jordan's accident was (I could've read it wrong but I swear at one point it said less than a year, another said a year, and I think there was another mention of more than a year but I can't remember how many). It had a slow start for me but once Jordan and Pearl were reunited it was easy for me to finish. Overall I enjoyed the story it was cute & fun. Jordan and Pearl were an adorable couple.

3.5⭐

A solid read with some great moments, although it had uneven pacing, a somewhat bland plot, and I wish it had more racing in it than just the end. Definitely better than the last book.
Enjoyable, but not unforgettable.

The premise of this book was brilliant. A race car driver licking his wounds stumbles across a magazine column writer who’s having the most confusing summer of her life. It’s set in the idyllic backdrop of Wales, Scotland and various spots around the US. It’s forced proximity and a road trip romance. It had really good bones.

The book was good, but it definitely felt like it was missing something.

I will admit I didn’t read the first book in the series before reading this one, however I didn’t feel my reading experience was impacted by that as you were brought up to speed with things that happened in the first book.

The whole scenario of Pearl and her ‘mothers’ was really odd. It would’ve worked had it been written well, but instead it felt disjointed. Like we never truly understood the reasoning behind the switch. Yes, one of the jewel sisters was trouble as a teen, but the situation didn’t hold the weight that it had the potential to.

The relationship between Jordan and Pearl seemed to move really quickly. Yes, they’re in their 30s, but neither had any responsibilities which would put an urgency on the timeline.

I felt like in parts there was a bit of over-explaining which led me to skim read quite a bit, but at the same time the characters felt quite surface level. We didn’t get to know any of their ‘quirks’ and they didn’t feel real.

Overall it was a good read but one I’d likely not purchase myself. I would, however, recommend this to readers who enjoy racing romances.

I was very kindly sent this eARC by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Racing Heart by Darci St. John

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️✨ (4.5/5)

Racing Heart is a beautifully written redemption story, and I absolutely loved following Jordan Rubie’s emotional journey. The characters are vibrant, lovable, and full of personality—it’s like being adopted by a chaotic but charming pit crew. 🏁❤️

The story is well-paced and cleverly woven, with just the right mix of heart, heat, and healing. A huge thank you to NetGalley and Booksgosocial for the ARC—it was a ride worth taking!

I didn't realise it was a second book but I gave it a try either way because of my love for books about racing. It was a little too much of an insta love for me and I found the book a little confusing in some parts. Overall it was a decent book. I would recommend it for lovers of insta love or if you want a quick comfort read.

I personally am not a fan of third person point of view and the way this was written, just had me feeling lost most of the time and not sure who I was reading about!

I was really excited for this book and it has such a fun story but I just couldn't connect to the characters, it was boring and so insta lovey.

I absolutely loved this book!!!! I loved the first one in the series so when I was given the. Opportunity to read this I knew it would stay in my heart,Darci you have done it again I loved how the characters developed

Jordan and Pearl! Honestly I wanted to love this book a lot! But somehow I just liked it.
It did feel quite a bit flat and as if there were plot holes- so the flow was quite a bit here and there, sometimes confusing me and making me read backwards to read a few chapters again and again to realise, OH this means that!

I, however, did like the fact that even though I haven’t read the first book in this standalone interconnected series, i somehow got the grasp as to what had happened in it.
And the family dynamics were quite fun to read
My favourite part is THE SHEEP tilting 😭✋🏻 yesss! And oh I love Barb!!

Though again, it was a pretty good read but also a little incomplete. The potential of this book was and IS highhh!

Pearl’s “Mom” situation, took me till the end to realise why it happened and how it happened and that too because I know stuff like this happens— otherwise it would’ve been much more confusing.

There are still parts that I’m pretty much confused how it happened or why, but I’m not stressing on it now. And one last thing that would’ve helped my (PERSONAL) opinion/review be higher if— there had been clarity about a few incidents and situations like regarding Topaz’s after surgery, Madeline disdain towards Pearl, and a LOT MORE clarity on this book being an F1 sports romance (no complaints that the real life stuff was switched for a made up one but yeah).
I could only get a little bit of Racing part towards the ending and was quite sad about it.

Nonetheless, it’s surely a one time read and y’all will find it cute and a slow read!

2.5 stars

If you like sweet, happy romance with family drama, this is the book for you. This book warmed my heart in many places. The book follows an FMC who drunkenly stumbles upon a famous race car driver as he overcomes grief and a crash that changed his life. Throughout the book, he characters go on a journey to heal their grief and get their lives on track again while falling in love.

The story is sweet and great to follow, has some popular tropes and themes that are among my favourites, like "there is only one bed" and road trip. This was fun to follow and a good way to get to know the characters. The characters were also fun to follow as they showed growth in their mental health journeys and the ways they dealt with the bombshells thrown their way.

It didn't quite reach 3 stars, however, as I felt the relationship was quite rushed and very instant love. Therefore, there wasn't relationship building as they were kissing and travelling the country without knowing each other. This meant I didn't feel connected to their relationship as there was no like tension building.

Did I know this was the second book in the series before I picked up the ARC? Nope. Am I a race car fan? Also no. But did I struggle to put this down when I had to go to work or see to something else? Absolutely yes, I did. Am I going to go back and read the first one now? Also yes.

I was intrigued from the start. The MMC is already in therapy? Amazing! I love seeing the representation of men taking responsibility for healing themselves! Crazy family drama on both sides they need to deal with is also so well done. This story really has the perfect amount of whimsy for me for suspension of disbelief.

Other things I liked: found family, dealing with trauma responses, understanding that certain things are trauma responses and not a direct reflection of the person who accidentally triggered it, finding oneself where you never thought you would and it being the best for you. I (unsurprisingly) also liked the level of spice. The tension she build without being very explicit was very well done.

Even if you don't read the rest of the series (who am I to judge?) read this book. A great read, I could have totally read this on the beach. Lake Huron's beach to be specific, and that's not even because this takes place largely in Michigan with travel elsewhere!