Ugh, I can't say enough good things about this book!

I was in sort of a mini slump before getting to this book. I picked it up hoping for something easy and familiar, sort of a formulaic sports romance that I knew would entertain me, especially since I love F1 romances, but this was so much more than that! It defied all of my expectations. I actually could not put it down, I stayed up until 3am reading this book regardless of the fact that I had work the next morning. I haven't had "one more chapter" syndrome like that in such a long time. I loved Luca and Georgia so much, but especially Georgia. All the love in the world for Georgia who shows that women can be strong and feminine and soft and fierce all at once. I felt her frustration with her and her helplessness at having to leash her competitiveness for the press and when she finally decided to stop trying to make them happy.

Luca is sold as a playboy, but I think that a lot of people who don't like playboy romances should give this a shot. He was such a soft hearted, loyal, golden retriever of a man who was going through his own struggles. I loved the whole Valkyrie F1 team, Nora and Isabella and Lily. As a female F1 fan, this was honestly cathartic.

Also all the props for Grace Newman for never using on track drama to raise relationship stakes. It would be so easy to cause drama in the book through the races by making Luca or Georgia crash or be more competitive with one another, but that never happened. They were staunchly supportive and loyal to each other both personally and professionally. I really appreciate Newman not taking the easy or cheap way out. Any roadblocks in the relationship between them were solely personal issues and traumas that rise to the surface, like in any real life relationship.

5 stars!!

I'm loving all the sports romance novels that are around at the moment and Racing Hearts certainly didn't disappoint. I loved the different take on a sports romance novel with it being formula one, which added something different. The story was cute and fun and easy to follow. Plus there was a great cast of characters. I highly recommend it and I look forward to reading more by the author.
💝 Thank you to Netgalley, the author and publisher for my arc ebook copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you to Grace Newman and NetGalley for an ARC of this amazing book! Luca is most certainly being added to my list of book boyfriends. The spice in this book was next level, and I enjoyed the character dynamics.

Some things I enjoyed about the book are:
- its feminist take on F1 and its exclusion of women (I’d love to see female F1 drivers IRL)
- the fake dating trope (I eat it up EVERY time)
- the vulnerability of Luca, both with his relationship to Georgia and with his father
- a romantic connection that was palpable and powerful between Georgia and Luca

Definitely an amazing read- anyone interested in romance, F1/sports, and strong female characters would enjoy this book!

🏁 ❤️🏎️

Amazing book. I couldn't stop reading I stayed up all night. I loved the book so much thank you for the arc.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
“Racing Hearts swept me off my feet. The chemistry between the protagonists is electric, but it’s their shared vulnerabilities that truly resonated. Every twist—every quiet moment—felt earned. A love story with both speed and soul that left me rooting for them long after the final page.”

Racing Hearts by Grace Newman is a thrilling, emotionally charged romance that perfectly blends the adrenaline of Formula 1 with the vulnerability of falling in love. It’s the kind of story that grabs you from the opening chapter and doesn’t let go until the checkered flag — and even then, you’ll be left wanting more.

Georgia Dubois is a fiercely determined racer making history as the lead driver for the first all-female F1 team. She’s strong, ambitious, and refuses to be underestimated — and that’s exactly what makes her collision course with Luca Rossi, the sport’s charming but troubled golden boy, so electrifying. When a scandal forces them into a fake relationship, the chemistry between them ignites instantly, but what follows isn’t just heat — it’s heart. Newman doesn’t just deliver the sparks of a classic rivals-to-lovers trope; she gives it emotional depth, layering passion with themes of ambition, identity, and public image.

What makes this book stand out is its energy. The race scenes pulse with speed and tension, but it’s the quieter moments — the self-doubt, the longing, the fragile honesty — that really shine. Georgia’s journey feels empowering and real, and Luca’s redemption arc adds surprising tenderness. Yes, some plot beats follow familiar romance rhythms, but Newman’s writing is so engaging that predictability becomes part of the pleasure.

Racing Hearts is glamorous, empowering, and irresistibly romantic — a story that celebrates not just the thrill of victory, but the vulnerability it takes to open your heart along the way. Grace Newman has written a love story that truly goes full throttle.

A sports romance where the heroine is a competitor and kicks the hero’s arse? Hell yes! Best of all it’s a F1 romance. Grace Newman knows how to do a proper rivals to lovers romance. Hint: it’s not ‘I hate them’ instalust then next chapter they’re banging. Instead it's a slow-burn that develops as Georgia and Luca slowly get to know each other.

Georgia and Luca were so good together. Their teasing, pushing each other to be better drivers and their off the page chemistry were chef's kiss. This book is also so well-paced and the characters grow and develop as the book goes along. I also appreciated the ways the misogyny was depicted and acknowledged, including instances of the supposed good guys, like her brother Henri just remaining quiet instead of standing in solidarity with Georgia. So many of the 'good men' also do nothing.

I completely raced through this book. It was so well paced with plot developments that weren't cliché and had me rolling my eyes like so many of the F1 romances out there. I cannot wait to read the next!

Thanks to Hera and NetGalley for the ARC.

Note: This book was original published as A Man’s World which IIRC I briefly read a couple of chapters ages ago. It’s been completely re-written and re-published as Racing Hearts. Its SOOOO much better.

So cool to see a F1 female racer! I highly enjoyed this sports themed romance. I thought the MC and her love interest had great chemistry plus the exciting race world is the pulse behind the novel but the chemistry is what will really have readers hearts racing

4 ⭐️ This was a cute book about rival Formula 1 racing drivers. Georgia Dubois is a rare female driver in F1 racing, and is battling the misogyny in the sport. It was so unfair and frustrating that the reporters questioned everything she did. Even going so far to imply that she might be on her period and more emotional during a race!

During a night out Georgia kisses fellow driver Luca Rossi to deter an ex-boyfriend. Of course pictures of that get out and in order to improve her rep with the press, and rehab Luca’s playboy image they are told to fake date. This is a pretty common trope in romance books, and I often wonder how realistic it is.

As their “relationship” progresses Luca and Georgia discover things about one another. I loved the Luca took Georgia’s advice about some of the races to heart. He didn’t blow her off or downplay her knowledge. Georgia also came to realize the playboy persona Luca put on was really to cover his real feelings.

I got a little frustrated that neither of them would talk about their true feelings for one another. There could have been a misunderstanding at one point, and the story leaned into that a little, but fortunately it didn’t last very long. Georgia and Luca were really good together and I was happy they didn’t let things fester.

I’ve never really watched F1 racing so was unfamiliar with the sport. I felt that the author did a good job of keeping the racing talk simple enough that I could understand what was going on, and I appreciated that. Overall the book was good and I enjoyed it.

I want to thank Hera and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book. All opinions are my own.

No third act breakup

4/5 on the Spicy Scale

M/F

Contemporary/Sports Romance

**Closer to publication date I will post reviews on Amazon and Instagram.. I will include the links once I do.**

If you’re not a Formula1 fan or know nothing about the sport this book should ignite your interest. The descriptions of the tracks, driving and races are researched and written well so you’re informed but not so much to distract but add greatly to this story and the excitement felt.
Georgia us lead driver for an all female racing team, the first ever, her twin brother drives for another team but is very supportive of his sister. His team mate Luca is known as a womaniser and often is given bad publicity for his life style, but Luca has a lot of pressure on him from his father who was a F1 champion and expects as much off his son.
When Georgia and Luca are seen at a post race function kissing ( both having drank much alcohol) the paparazzi instantly print photos etc and start following them.
With the pressures of racing to become a champion and back stabbing from the press and other racers any relationship looks unlikely to succeed, but these two fall hard for each other and their relationship grows beautifully though with many obstacles in the way.
An engaging story that has some exciting scenes and also heartbreaking ones, but above all a page turning book
There is now an all female F1 academy set up in 2023, so who knows hopefully in the future we will see a woman world champion!
My thanks to net galley and publisher for the opportunity to review this book honestly.