I was so excited to read this as a Romance lover and avid F1 fan! I love love loved the cultural representation in this book! It was really woven through the book beautifully and done in a respectful and (sometimes) brutally honest way. We really don’t have enough diversity in romance writing, and it was really refreshing.

However for me, although I think this book had so much potential, it didn’t feel “finished”, in the sense that it read a little like a second or third draft and not the final product. The writing felt clunky and monotonous, the characters lacked that charisma and chemistry that a romance novel needs, and I felt that it needed fleshing out, in the sense that it needed more world building and it wasn’t very descriptive in general about characters or events.

The F1 element was done well but a little reductive, and I can tell the author is a fan or very good at research but it wasn’t necessarily realistic, and as a female formula 1 fan, often mocked by team bosses for “only watching for the men” and incessantly told by male fans that we don’t know what we’re talking about, I’d like to have seen a little more realism, or a little more struggle between being a woman working in Formula 1 and juggling that with a budding romance with a Driver. I know it’s fiction, but it’s a sad reality that we don’t have female F1 drivers, and there’s still huge sexism and misogyny at play in the sport. And as the book is aimed at F1 fans. I think it’s important to not glaze over these issues :)

I really enjoyed this one, much better than the first one. I’m excited to read the rest of the series!

4.5🌟
In my era of F1 sports romances at the moment hehe. I don't know what it was about this one but I really enjoyed it and whizzed through it in a day. I wouldn't necessarily say it's grumpy x sunshine as such, but there's more of a dislike to love vibe going on between the 2 of them.

Darien is an F1 driver, with a lot riding on his driving this upcoming season. Shantal works for a company that uses data analysis and brand new tech to improve their performance. Close proximity, having to work together and dealing with the stresses of the f1 season - what could possibly go wrong?

Add in the fact that this book has a really strong narrative in relation to grief, for both characters. 1 with some more recent grief and 1 from a long time ago, but it showcases how grief has a profound impact and how it can be different for each and every person but also how time can change some things.

Their romance was just the right level of slow burn and cute for me, and it didn't feel too smutty at all, which some other books have gone overboard with at times!

Overall, I enjoyed reading it a lot and thank you to Netgalley and Avon Books UK for providing me with an eARC.

Overdrive is serving the flare of Brazil in Fast Five, an explosion culture, and of course all the hallmarks of Formula One realness.

I will always say this: REPRESENTATION IN ROMANCE MATTERS. The audience of the publishing world is so vast. However, when an author takes the time to step back, listen, and say “Yes, I see you and this book is for you”. I salute them and stick with them. Esha puts in the research and WORK. This isn’t superfluous, it’s an author with a commitment of doing everything at level 100.

Yes, I love the analysis of Formula One and in this novel especially the technology of a simulator. But lemme tell you: CHAPTER 28. Essays can be written about it. A moment of sincerity, it’s the quiet intimate moments that I appreciate as a reader. Shantal and Darien visit a mandir. The scene is all about taking the time to wish for someone’s wellbeing. It’s selfless, accepting, and just overall a golden moment.

Darien and Shantal are ambitious, healing, and are dealing with PTSD from two heartbreaking experiences. Overdrive explores that fully. The romance for me is a slow burn and when it gets started, whew celebrate.

Esha Patel girlie you’ve got me as a reader for life and I’m ready for more!

Thank you so much Avon Books UK for providing an ARC!

As an F1 fan, it's always fun reading a racing romance, plus grumpy x sunshine!
Overall it would have been nice to have a bit more technicality about F1 (but this may just be personal taste), but overall I found this a perfect racy summer read!