I went in expecting a bad boy, but Connor? He’s loyal, caring, and impossible not to love. And then there’s Senna. In a sport dominated by men, she’s out there proving she belongs, pushing limits, and always putting her team first. I admire that about her, and honestly, I hope we see more women like her in racing.

We get smut (the good kind), character growth, a conflict that actually gets resolved, and a well-earned happy ending. Oh, and did I mention there’s a kitten? Because there’s a kitten.

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Victory Editing for this ARC! I was so happy when I got approved for this, especially since I’m a huge F1 fan! Reading this just before the new season starts was perfect.

Main characters named Senna, Niki, and Ralf? This one’s for the real fans, haha. Also, Taylor Swift? Count me in!

This was pretty much the perfect book for me. I really enjoyed reading it. Women in motorsports is a topic that’s very close to my heart—I know from firsthand experience that most people won’t take you seriously. All the women in this book have my heart. I love that Senna is the first female team boss, Jacs is a female lead engineer, and of course, Tawny, the first woman in the sport. The representation was much appreciated, and I genuinely hope real Formula 1 can look like this in the (near) future! Another thing this book did really well was the mental health rep.

I had so much fun reading this! I went in without any expectations, but apparently, Rebecca Chase knows how to write a good F1 romance. It was very accurate regarding the sport itself. I liked that the book mentioned real-life Formula 1 drivers as well as Grand Prix races. The plot was solid, and I really appreciated that it wasn’t just about the romance—Formula 1 actually played a big role. However, it did drag a bit in the middle, especially once the characters started sleeping together. There were also some pretty big time jumps that confused me. And honestly… they were a little too horny in public for my liking. Don’t come for me.

Connor was a cinnamon roll, so I don’t quite understand how he was supposed to be marketed as a "playboy"—he’s far from that. The dirty talk didn’t match his character at all. I really enjoyed the first 50%, but I found myself cringing quite a bit through the last half. Connor’s character felt like it did a complete 180. I also didn’t love that Senna’s love essentially "healed" him… that’s not how this works. That said, their chemistry was still fun at times, especially in the beginning. I just wish his character arc had felt more consistent.

And okay, I’m sorry, but ew—why does Senna walk around the office barefoot… even to the bathroom?

Final thoughts: If you’re an F1 fan, you’ll probably love this one! The writing was engaging, and despite a few issues with pacing and character development (and cringing sometimes), I still had a great time reading it. I’d absolutely recommend it and can’t wait for book two—aka, Niki’s book! So excited to find out what he was up to when he disappeared.

🌟🌟🌟.5 STARS

ARC provided by netgalley. Thank you so much for the opportunity to review 🤗

RACING ONTO YOUR BOOKSHELVES THIS FRIDAY MARCH 14

Tropes:
❤️ friends to lovers
🏎️ f1 romance
❤️ found family
🏎️ badass FMC/women in motorsports rep
❤️ brothers best friend.

This book handled these things well: women in motorsports and having to prove themselves (you have a comms director turned boss, lead mechanic, and drivers). The mental health of drivers, especially after a crash. Family expectations and dealing with family who doesn’t believe in you like you want them to.

I was so excited to read this one based off the description and it had so much potential but I feel like I was just let down a little. I loved the first 35-50% of the book but it felt like the first half and second half were disjointed and the writing felt cringey? I’ve read a lot of F1 romances over the past two years so I’ve maybe become more picky with them but I just couldn’t get into this one as much as others.
Also the references/mentioning of Taylor Swift will date this book (this coming from a Swiftie) 💖

The whole last bit with the Taylor swift concert and shoutout were very unrealistic but overall it was a great time. I appreted Senna not needing a protector and Connor respecting that. The switch from them not liking each other to having an amiable relationship to lovers was a little abrupt for my liking but overall I enjoyed the book.

Thank you to NetGalley and Rebecca Chase for this eARC!

This was a new contemporary romance setting for me! I enjoyed being immersed in the racing world! I also appreciated the female representation in a normally male-dominated field. Senna and Conner's story was so cute - I really liked how much he always supported her and cheered her on.

Respectfully, I found the writing and dialogue to be a little rough. In my opinion, the book could use a little zhuzhing, but I appreciated what the author was trying to do.

I loved this one ! It was a fun , engaging and quick read! Senna is such a relatable and remarkable character in which everyone can see himself in it! And the banter? So fun! It really need more book like this!

Start Your Engines is a wild ride—literally and emotionally. Senna Coulter’s F1 dreams crashed when she was a teenager, but now, years later, she’s stuck running her family’s failing team. Enter Connor Dane: her brother’s best friend, her teen crush, and now the hotshot driver who’s also guilty for the crash that ruined her career. Oh, and they still have undeniable chemistry. Awkward.

The narrative quickly dives into her challenges as a young female team leader who’s constantly battling sexism and expectations, all while trying to keep the team afloat. Senna is a fantastic protagonist—stern when needed, yet caring, and a refreshing departure from the typical "tough woman" stereotype who shuts off her emotions. She shows that you can be both a competent leader and compassionate, a trait often dismissed when trying to write a character who is as bossy as a man in the same position.

Connor is a big, soft, golden retriever of a man, who’s somehow adorable even when he’s crying over cats being hurt. He still carries a massive weight of guilt for being part of Senna’s crash, and being around her is like rubbing salt in old wounds. The tension between them is electric, and watching their relationship evolve from antagonistic to passionate is one of the most enjoyable parts of the book. Connor’s personality shines through with his energy—he’s endearing, caring, and surprisingly vulnerable, even though he was supposed to be a bad boy. Also, his quirky nicknames for Brad (“Mr. Too Many Muscles But Not That Memorable”) had me giggling.

Despite a few cringe-worthy moments, especially the last scene before the epilogue that feels a bit unrealistic, I am a fan of Taylor Swift, but scenes that seem so unrealistic in a non-fantasy setting always give me the cringe. Heck, I say that but still lap up all these amazing men written by women, so maybe I shouldn’t be talking. Haha! The book balances the romantic tension and F1 drama well. I was initially unsure about continuing due to how cringey the start of the book was, but I’m so glad I stuck with it because the characters and their journey are worth it, despite that.

The book also subtly addresses mental health, particularly Connor’s struggles, making it more than just a romance novel. The portrayal of mental health issues in such a high-pressure sport adds a layer of realism and empathy that is often lacking in similar stories. Heck, even in F1, we’re still lacking the right support for drivers!

Tropes like second-chance romance, forced proximity, and boss/employee forbidden love are done well, but it’s the mental health representation and the strong dynamic between Senna and Connor that really elevate the story. It feels both familiar and fresh at the same time, and while it’s a spicy romance, it’s grounded in real-world challenges.

Overall, Start Your Engines is a fun, spicy, and lighthearted read, perfect for fans of romance and motorsport alike. If you can get past the slightly awkward start and the occasional cringe moment, you’ll be treated to a heartfelt story with great characters and a lot of heat. I’m looking forward to the next book, especially since it promises an intriguing age-gap romance with Nikki, which I still have no idea why he was so mysterious. Here’s hoping the roles are reversed, and Nikki is the young one!

3.75 out of 5 but rounded up to 4 here!

I LOVE THIS BOOK...

I liked hearing about her journey through being a woman in dominating male field in F1.
Her relationship with her brother is too cute and him believing in her to run the team was truly heart warming.
I loved the banter between Seena and Connor, truly the best eneiems to lovers , I have read in a while. <3

4.5 ⭐️)
Thanks to NetGalley for the arc. This is my first F1 romance.
This is the second book I've read from the author, and I loved it just as much as the first.
Fell in love with Senna from the beginning. I loved the confidence and her attitude.

Loved Connor thought he was a great book boyfriend, a full-on cheese fest at times (but who doesn't love a little sprinkle of cheese😂)
Also, bonus points because who doesn't love a boyfriend who fights and sticks up for his girl and what's right.

I found myself giggling at times, really feeling for the characters and wanting to see the relationship thrive, not only the relationship between Senna and Connor but the relationships with the whole team.

The -5 was purely for the cheesiness at times (I could just be bitter that I dont vet that kinda cheesie romance😂😂) but it's definitely worth a read and is an enjoyable read.

Conner and Senna have known each other since they were children racing each other in karts. A scary crash also crashes their friendship when they are teenagers. This book starts with Senna taking over her father's F1 team when he retires after a health scare and Conner is her newest driver. There is a lot that goes on in this book and it is anything but a short read. You will learn a lot about F1 racing and you will enjoy the way that Conner and Senna find their way back to each other. There is so much that is really good in this book and I really enjoyed reading it. Thank you NetGalley and Rebecca Chase for an advanced copy. 5 stars!

Big thanks to NetGalley for the ARC for this book! It was a cute lil F1 romance with a Swiftie FMC (🫶🏻) & a protective MMC. It had a little bit of everything; enemies to lovers, childhood friends, brother’s best friend, forced proximity, & boss x driver. There was a lot of this story that I enjoyed, like the woman empowerment in motorsports & all the Taylor Swift references. Some of the conversations started getting repetitive & I felt like her dad & brother needed to spend A LOT more time groveling. I also wish we got to spend more time celebrating the first female F1 driver in this book!!! That would be a MASSIVE deal & I wanted to have a little more spotlight on Tawny. I am super curious about her brother’s story & the mystery behind it so I’ll be looking forward to that one! 3.5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

this was good, not great! your average F1 romance book. I feel like every F1 romance book is the whole 'bad boy f1 driver and his best friends sister' and I just need new tropes!!

This book was exactly want I wanted it to be- a quick read, fun, and steamy in all the right ways!

Senna (though I kept wanting to call her Sienna but that’s on me) has recently taken over her family’s F1 team, and her brother’s last order of business before leaving was hiring a driver for them who also happens to be his childhood best friend and her childhood crush/sworn enemy. And so drama and romance ensues.

Loved Senna as a main character. She’s underestimated in a male-dominated field and constantly needs to prover herself. And Connor was sexy! And actually fleshed out as a love interest, his reason for coming back and his fear of driving was super interesting and drove the plot forward. And together they have incredible chemistry.

This is my first book by Rebecca Chase but it definitely won’t be my last!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️🌶️🌶️

Thanks to Netgalley for an ARC of this novel! I didn't know what to expect going into this book, I've never read anything by Rebecca Chase - but I'm glad I took a chance on this one! I'm an avid Formula 1 fan so it's also a point of interest for me to read romance books set in that world. I feel like I'm collecting them like Infinity Stones! Start Your Engines is a great addition to my lexicon and I hope it sets up for more stories in the world of Coulter Racing. Connor and Senna were always going to be end game and I'm glad they worked out their differences early. The slowest of burns in the first half of the book and then we were off to the races. I will say I think Senna forgave her Dad and Niki a little too easily - but I'm glad everyone came around in the end. All in all a good book!

Didn’t love this. I feel like Senna’s character wasn’t developed enough and the dialogue did not feel realistic. Overall the plot started out good, but execution felt rushed.

Oh I so wanted to love this book because here she is the Boss and he is the bad boy f1 driver. But I felt all the characters were lacking in terms of the character development. Let’s talk about them one by one:

Senna

She was trying so hard to prove herself and she did but I hated the repetitive “bi!ch boss” monologue. I also didn’t understand how she could have such a mixed stance about a lot of things and how she went from hating Connor to having a crush on him in 2-3 chapters when all he did was tell her the truth about the past.

Connor

I didn’t really have any problems with him. He was a darling who was taking care of a lot of things and people while struggling with his loosing love for F1.

Niki

I just didn’t get it. He was making guest appearances time and time again and though he may seem like he wanted to support Senna, his reaction to a lot of things pertaining to the team threw me off.

Dad

I just hated him. He didn’t love his children like he said from time to time. What’s more weird is how his stance about the team changed so quickly at the end of the chapter. I felt a lot of conversations were missing

Ralf & Mom were a darling.

I loved the premise of the book and it had a lot of potential but I felt that first 50% didn’t have a lot of built up, it might have been second chance in terms of friendship but I just couldn’t feel their connection. After that majority of the chapters were just smut. I don’t have a problem with it and I love it generally but here it felt forced.

I read this as an arc on NetGalley and i really enjoyed it! This follows Senna who grew up in a family who owned a race car team. She and her brother both were race drivers and also her brother’s best friend, Connor. They all grew up together. Her dad is stepping away and she is the one who ends up being the boss. But there are others who don’t believe she can do it. There is one person who does believe in her and always has… This book had me laughing out loud, swooning and crying. I highly recommend it!! I love every single second of reading it!!

Start Your Engines by Rebecca Chase was a solid 3.5 star read for me. I really enjoyed the male main character and loved the dual POV we got as the reader, also like how the author hit on heavier topics with her characters made them feel alot more relatable. Had great spice throughout, though it felt like the plot got a bit lost in the second half as the romance took center stage. The beginning was a little slow, but around the 20% mark, the pacing picked up, making it more engaging. I especially liked the banter between the two leads and the classic brother’s best friend dynamic, which added an extra layer of tension and fun to their relationship. Overall, it was an enjoyable read, but I wish the balance between story and steam had been a bit stronger.

Unfortunately this book just didn’t do it for me. The f1 just was so illogical and the team dynamic was wildly inaccurate. The characters were frustrating and I felt like the plot and writing were hard to follow and just snooz-y. The enemies to lovers just was so one side and everything felt like I’d already read this somewhere else. Bummer as I love formula 1 romances usually

i loved this book so much! it was such a great read and i loved the character relationships. i’ll definitely be reading more by rebecca chase