This was a brilliant book!
As soon as I saw it listed I was hoping I would be accepted! Thank you for the ARC copy of this I really appreciate it!

3.75★

I liked this quite a lot! I had so much fun reading this, and it was so much better than the first book.

The writing style is so easy to read and enjoyable. There’s a good mix between description and dialogue, so it doesn’t feel clunky at all. I’ve heard people think the start is slow, but I really liked how we got the whole leading up to the Vegas wedding. I liked seeing the initial connection between the main characters and how much fun they had. Bold of Thomas and Stella to do THAT in public though lol.

Stella is a cool FMC. She is a millionaire (good on her, wish that was me) and she is very honest, sharp-tongued, and has good humour. I did feel for her because she is struggling from her trauma of being left at the altar, but I do think it was dragged on far too much. Even at the 70% mark, she admits she’s just waiting for her ex to come back, which I found odd. Especially because she’s admitted to having a crush on Thomas already. I didn’t love how she treated Thomas some of the time.

As for Thomas, I thought he was a sweetheart. He’s also a millionaire but with generational wealth, and I love how he accommodated Stella at every point. Before she moved in, he bought her all the skin care products she would need, silk pillowcases to help protect her hair, and all the fancy baking appliances so she could bake at home. He was a sweetheart and was down bad for her. I would’ve liked more scenes with him and Figgy and how that properly gets resolved, because it seemed very chaste.

The romance between Stella and Thomas was very slow burn (despite the fact they get married on the day they met) and the tension between them was top notch. They had actual good banter and humour, and the yearning was amazing. I really liked them!

I do wish we got more scenes with each characters family, as I felt there wasn’t enough. I also wish we got to see more to do with Thomas’ career. At the end he’s thinking a lot about switching teams and not wanting to stay at his current one, but then it skips to the epilogue and it’s never mentioned again? It felt unresolved.

Also, I liked the mentions of Willow and Dev. They’re cute.

Overall, strong book, and I’m so glad I had the opportunity to read this. I liked it so much more than “Cross the Line” and I’m annoyed at myself for expecting to not like this book, after I didn’t enjoy “Cross the Line” that much.

🏎💍 REVIEW 💍🏎
Stella Baldwin is a famous pastry chef who isn't having a good time after being left out at the altar. Her reputation is in tatters, and to add fuel to the fire thing get worst after drunkenly venting to her followers on social media. At this point, one would think she couldn't get any more unlucky until two weeks later, she has to travel to Las Vegas for her cousin's bachelorette party, where she unexpectedly finds herself in a new scandal.

Thomas Maxwell-Brown is an F1 driver who is considered the most hated man on the racing grid after a video of him making certain comments about another driver was leaked. With his reputation in tatters, constant threats from his family, a demanding race schedule, and the possibility of losing his seat to new talent, our protagonist can't catch a break. And what better way to forget everything that weighs him down than with a bachelor party in Las Vegas?

Stella isn't the woman Thomas hopes to meet that night. And Thomas isn't the man Stella hopes to wake up with the next morning, with a ring on her finger. Staying married could be the perfect solution to their problems, even if it's not what either of them wants.
Could it be that what happens in Vegas will stay there?

How unreal it feels to be able to early read one of my most anticipated books of the year.
How can I explain the way I loved the book so much, because it has three of my favorite things: romance, F1, and an accidental marriage in Vegas. Stella and Thomas's story doesn't start in the traditional way, but it's no less beautiful. Honestly, I devoured this book in hours, and I absolutely loved it. It was so nice to see how their relationship grew with each chapter and how little by little they became each other's best friends.

Can we talk about Dev and Willow's cameos? I really enjoyed it when they're interconnected series of books, and this one was clearly no exception.
I can't wait to read more of this author and more of this serie.

Thank you, Netgalley, Pan Macmillan & Simone Soltani, for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

simone you'll always be famous.

what a fantastic read <3 the chemistry was off the charts. the banter was immaculate. stella is a wonderful, strong woman. this is everything to me

I think this might be my first 5 star of the year. I loved Cross the Line and Ride With Me was a fantastic follow up to that book. I ate this up and read it in about 2 days. I loved the characters, the plotline, and the romance.

One of the things I love about Soltani's books is that she personalizes her characters without making them caricatures of real people. I really related to Stella's anxieties about relationships and perfectionism (and her slightly self-destructive impression of self), but also Thomas' character and the lover boy he is melted my heart. Watching their relationship grow was beautiful. Plus the racing aspects were quality and well written, rather than it being a throw away aspect of the book.

I don't want to spoil the book, but it was a fantastic read and I hope there are more of them coming!

A Thrilling Ride of Romance and Redemption

Ride with Me by Simone Soltani is a captivating blend of steamy romance and high-octane thrills. The story follows Stella Baldwin, who, after being left at the altar, finds herself in Las Vegas and unexpectedly married to Formula 1 driver Thomas Maxwell-Brown. What begins as a spontaneous act turns into a deep and passionate connection.

Soltani's writing is engaging, with a perfect balance of humour, tension, and heart. The chemistry between Stella and Thomas is palpable, and their journey from strangers to soulmates is both heartwarming and exhilarating. The backdrop of the glamorous world of Formula 1 adds an extra layer of excitement to the narrative.

This novel is a must-read for fans of romantic comedies with a dash of adventure. It's a story that proves sometimes, the most unexpected turns lead to the most rewarding destinations.

I absolutely LOVED this book!! I think I liked this one even more than the first book. The slow burn trope is just top tier and gets me every single time...
I can't get over how obsessed I am with Simone Soltani's writing. It really is just addictive, and you can get hooked immediately.
Stella was such a fun character, and I really liked her personality. She is just such a sweetheart, and I absolutely adored how much she cares about her friends and family and how much she cares about Thomas. She loved Thomas so much, even though her past fiancé absolutely wrecked her. I also really enjoyed watching her fall in love with Thomas; it was just too cute.
Thomas was a cutie, and honestly, I loved his character! I really liked that he wasn't some hotshot in the F1, but instead he knew he wasn't the best, yet he still tried his hardest. I also really liked how down-to-earth he was when it came to owning up to his mistakes and figuring out how to fix them.
This book was stunning, and I am so happy I was able to read it!

Thank you to NetGalley and Berkley for the ARC!!

I will say that Simone Soltani definitely knows her Formula 1! A stand alone sequel to her last book Cross the Line, this is another spicy romantic story that will have you swooning from very early on.

After loving Cross the Line last year, I was so excited for a chance to read Ride with Me as an arc and boy did it live up to my excitement.

I love a good forced proximity, fake dating situation and if we add an accidental marriage to the mix, I’ll be eating it up like one of Stella’s macarons. The backdrop of F1 added some fun adrenaline and some drama. I do wish we were able to see the end of that play out more, but hopefully that’ll be explored in a next book.

Thomas and Stella were just so lovely together although they could’ve listened to their first rule a little bit more and been honest about their feelings. Especially Thomas who was just down bad from the start. I got where Stella was coming from, but especially towards the end I felt like she could’ve been more respectful towards Thomas and at least give him some explanation.

But overall I really loved the story and would rate it a 4.5!

Ride With Me is a standalone sequel to Cross the Line, which was an absolute 5 star read, and I am so happy that Ride With Me was also a 5 star read! This was a hugely anticipated read for me, having been able to follow Simone and Cross the Line before it got picked up for traditional publishing, and being lucky enough to read an arc of it before it got picked up! Ride With Me follows Stella Margeaux who makes an appearance in book 1 and is famous for her macaroons and owning many bakeries, and Thomas who is a Formula 1 driver. They meet on a joint hen-stag do in Vegas, and in true drunken Vegas fashion they get married.


I loved seeing how Stella and Thomas’ relationship grew throughout the book, especially as Stella was in an incredibly emotionally vulnerable state after being left at the altar just a few weeks before the events of Ride With Me. All the characters were so well written and three dimensional, they each had personalities and quirks. Obviously we don’t get to know every character in depth, as there are smaller plots for Stella and for Thomas individually which include other characters. There are some really jaw dropping betrayals in this book, which worked so well in this book! This made for two great antagonists, which didn’t have super major roles to play in this story, but again, it worked so well.

There was some spice which I think was well written and was put where needed, and wasn’t over the top and I loved that it wasn’t a main focus of the book. The attraction between Stella and Thomas was there from the start, as well as rheir chemistry which was brilliant! Especially given that this is an accidental marriage/marriage of convenience, they still had to learn a lot about eachother but it came naturally to them. Simone knows how to write characters so well! There was a lot of diversity too, across both Ride With Me and Cross the Line.

Ride With Me is the second book in the Lights Out series, and I am truly excited to see whose book is next, I was so excited to know there would be a second book, and I am even more ecstatic to know that there will be more!! Simone’s writing flows so well, and everythint fits so nicely together, it’s honestly such a brilliantly put together book series (which can be read as standalones!) and I can’t wait for the next one! Overall, Ride With Me is a 5 star read, and I can’t wait for what’s next!

One thing I like about Simone is she knows her F1! There’s enough F1 chat to show that the male love interest is a driver. Just saying someone is and having zero of the sport in the book - like why do they need to be that sport star!? What does it give to the story line? Nothing. That’s what.
But Simone actually takes time to write in some races and even some background work behind the scenes of races - makes sense to the story that way.

I will admit, I hate the “fake married” thing. Even though they are legally married, but it’s all for show. To get them back in good standing with their own sides - board of directors and fans a like. I just don’t get the trope. It’s not my favourite as it’s always done when there is obvious chemistry between the two (obviously! Like why write about it at all if these characters didn’t like each other? Be a crappy romance book.) and they just ignore the fact they can TELL the other is interested in them in a romantic way. JUST TELL THEM YOU LIKE THEM AND GET ON WITH IT!!!!


Another point I don’t get is why is it when an American falls for someone from Britain, they can immediately jump on a plane and go visit? Either one. No, I’m sorry. You need to apply for visas. It makes zero sense to just jump on a plane at a moments notice and have zero altercations when you board or land. Immigration is a nightmare at times at airports!

But, it was a cute story and I love Dev & Willow popped in a little without making it a whole thing like some authors do. I don’t even think Dev said anything in this book.

I wasn’t drawn to the story as much as her first, but maybe it was just me as I’m in a reading slump and forcing myself to read really drags it more.

Definitely recommend this book though!!!

“𝐈’𝐝 𝐟𝐨𝐥𝐥𝐨𝐰 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐭𝐨 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐡, 𝐢𝐟 𝐲𝐨𝐮’𝐝 𝐥𝐞𝐭 𝐦𝐞.”

Rating: 4.5 stars 🌟

I was so excited when NetGalley finally sent me the email that I was approved for an e-arc. After loving Cross the Line I couldn’t wait for Ride with Me. Simone writes a man obsessed like no one else. I absolutely adored Thomas and Stella together - they fit so well together. Also loved loved loved the f1 aspect of the book considering I’m getting into f1 myself this season!!

the vibes™:
- fake marriage/accidental marriage? lol
- formula 1!!
- girlboss vibes 💅🏼
- yearning & slow burn
- spice!! ❤️‍🔥

I have been excited about this series ever since Simone started teasing CTL, and my hype is not dying down overtime it seems. Getting this book on Netgalley made me so happy as it meant not having to wait until I had my preorder in my hands.

The banter between Stella and Thomas was incredible. Their chemistry and tension were unreal and the bantering just makes you root for them more. Something I really appreciate about Simone’s fmc’s (and female characters in general) is how they’re all such wonderfully strong women; they might stumble but they’ll never stay down and always find back their strength, and that’s so sexy.

Another thing I love is how the males are so soft for their girl and their girl only - Thomas is a genuinely good person with the typical F1 driver temper, but the way he is around Stella makes your heart flutter. Oh, to be loved like Thomas loves Stella.

I love how clear it is that Simone is very knowledgeable about the topics she writes about and even with certain creative liberties, you feel that it’s written with care based on research. As I do have more than average F1 knowledge, it’s something I appreciate a lot.

Last but not least: we all need an Amara, a Janelle and a Mika in our lives - can I sign up for that somewhere?

A solid read, you could feel the sexual tension ooze from the pages. Full of wit, humour and strength. Dual POV, POC representation and strong, independent characters with their own lives and livelihoods but missing something that they find eith each other. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this.
This review is early thanks to netgalley, despite that this is an unbiased review.

Ride With Me (Lights Out#2)
Pub Date: May 22

What you can expect in #RideWithMe:
Accidentally married in Vegas 🫣😱
Slow Burn ❤️‍🔥
F1 Driver X Bakery 🧁 Owner
Marriage of convenience
Open door spice
Obsessed MMC X independent FMC

Stella&Thomas happens to be in the same bachelor party both frustrated by the crowd they find company in each other.
After being dumped at the alter, Stella wants to make her comeback tonight and Thomas after everything he's been through lately, is more than ready to corporate. One thing leads to another and after a wild drunken night, they find themselves married.
However, this marriage might be the solution to a couple of problems they are facing, so they agree to stay married after all it's a temporary,mutually, and beneficial business arrangement and there are absolutely no feelings involved 😜😏🫠🙂‍↔️.
What will happen between the two? Come join us on this ride and find out😉.
The book had elements that I usually love and get obsessed over. However, with this one I felt there was something lacking and I wasn't totally hooked. Thomas was an amazing cinnamon roll hero and the stuff he does to please Stella were adorable 🥰 but something was missing and to top it all the chapters were very long for my taste. After all, this a romance it doesn't have to be that long.
Anyway, hope you give it a chance and enjoy it
Thanks to @netgalley and the publisher for granting me an ARC of #RideWithMe in exchange for my honest review.

Xoxo😘

Now, I love a good sports romance series however, I normally stay away from sports that I actually know because I tend to pick them apart, find them tacky and just can’t get into the story. THIS series however… I. KEEP. EATING. UP. It’s done so well and that is just a testament to the characters and world that Simone creates. I was hoping that the first book wasn’t just a fluke and I was correct. The second instalment holds up just as well.

The main trope of this book is accidental/ fake marriage/marriage of convenience, throw in a scene of only one bed and it’s a recipe for a great time. (Pun absolutely intended) As a Brit also, I had to give bonus points for the acknowledgement of just how great a full English is.

I genuinely couldn’t put this book down and had a great time reading it. Will absolutely be on the lookout for more of Simone’s books in the future. A big thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for sending me an ARC of this book.

✨4 stars✨

This was such a cute f1 romance! I enjoyed this one more than the first book!

I loved the tropes included such as accidental marriage in Vegas and the one bed trope😍 and the cuddling that happened with that! I also really enjoyed the fact that no only was Thomas wealthy (generational wealth but also the f1) but so was Stella (extremely successful businesswoman as we’re told she has over 100 stores/bakeries) and I really enjoyed this dynamic!

Thomas was such a sweetheart under his dry British humour (which felt accurate, not such if the author is British but if she’s not then this was well done unlike so many American authors writing British people and the language used - The striker I’m looking at you!). Stella was such a strong independent woman and I loved her sly wit and the banter this created with Thomas!

Would definitely recommend this one!

I received an ARC from the publishers via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you!

Incredibly thankful to have had the chance to read Ride With Me before its release.

I wish this book was the first installment of the series as I enjoyed this so much more than Cross The Line.

It’s packed with that witty, addictive chemistry that has you wanting to scream into a pillow from contentment.

With humour, sports and romance at its heart, it could do no wrong. Sprinkle it with a woman that dominates in all aspects of her life and a gentlemen in the streets, you have yourself a Simone Soltani plot.

I do wish the general flow of the book was less predictable to the point I felt like I had read the big ending before somewhere. Despite that, the final chapter ties up all loose ends with a plot twist.

This author’s writing is great, so I really enjoyed reading this book—but there were some things that bothered me, and I’m not sure how to rate it.

Stella and Thomas met at a party in Vegas. Since it was Vegas, instead of drunkenly hooking up, they drunkenly got married. They decided to stay married for a year for PR reasons and to appear together in public.

Thomas was absolutely perfect. He was all in from the beginning, and it was very sweet.

Stella was tricky. She was smart, confident, successful, and objectively a badass. She would have been very easy to love if it weren’t for the way she treated Thomas.

I understand that she had been hurt in the past and was wary of commitment, but her constant push and pull was exhausting. She kept jeopardizing their relationship with her ridiculous rules and barriers, and I just wanted to smack her over the head with my Kindle. Thomas deserved so much better!

That said, I definitely see potential, and I’m looking forward to reading more from this author.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.


3,5 stars

This book was the accidental marriage/fake marriage done perfectly. I adored Thomas and Stella from the start and found their chemistry and love story really believable. It didn’t feel rushed and the slow burn was impeccable. I disliked nothing about this book. From the side characters to the lack of third act breakup (which is always a win for me) I was truly hooked from page 1! Thomas and Stella’s development with each other and themselves was lovely to read. Although I did see a couple of plot lines coming a mile off it was so well written it didn’t even matter! Super excited for the rest of this series!