From the publisher:
Sparks fly when an up-and-coming team principle and her new hot-shot driver—and former childhood crush—are forced to work together to save their careers and team in this deliciously winning Formula 1 romance.
Can they navigate the twists and turns of love without crashing and burning?
As one of the first female team principles in Formula 1, Chloe Coleman is determined to prove herself and transform her failing team from underdogs to champions. Nothing can ruin her strategy—except maybe the surprising new addition of a cocky, top-tier driver who’s lost his edge. And he just so happens to be her estranged childhood crush who still sends her heart racing.
Matt Warner needs a comeback. A former champion, he hasn’t won a race since the disastrous crash that landed his best friend and teammate in the hospital. If there’s a silver lining to this scandalous demotion, it’s his fierce and familiar new boss, Chloe. But as the competition heats up, so does an unexpected spark that turns dangerously and passionately hot. With the world watching and pressures of the season mounting, will their chemistry lead them to victory, or spin them out of control?
One of Bustle’s Most Anticipated Books of Winter 2025-2026
“Dent (Just One Taste) offers an engaging, fast-paced sports romance with well-developed protagonists.” —Library Journal
“A Formula 1 team principal has to work with a struggling driver who also happens to be her childhood crush…There are enough steamy scenes and hijinks along the way to keep readers entertained. A fun and fast-paced racing romance.”—Kirkus Reviews
“The fast-paced world of Formula 1 provides the backdrop for this competent contemporary from Dent (Just One Taste)…Matt’s and Chloe’s ambition and resilience make them admirable heroes…Devoted sports romance fans are sure to have a good time with this.” —Publishers Weekly
I’ll be honest: I was hesitant to pick this up. I am no fan of racing and couldn’t tell you the difference between Formula 1 and NASCAR. But the reviews and the buzz were too tempting to ignore, and I’m so glad I took the chance. Despite the racing backdrop, I was completely swept up in this fast-paced, fun, and sexy read. Lizzy Dent is such a talented writer that she even made the technical details of the sport interesting; I’ll officially read anything she writes from now on.
The story follows Chloe Coleman, one of the first female F1 Team Principles. She’s determined to turn her struggling team around, but her authority is undermined from day one. At her debut press conference, the team owner blindsides her by announcing his latest hire: Matt Warner. Matt is a legendary driver, but he’s been stuck in a downward spiral since a tragic accident injured his best friend. Chloe is furious—not just because her hiring power was usurped, but because she and Matt have a complicated history. They were childhood best friends, Chloe harbored a long-standing crush, and when Matt reached the top tier of racing, he ghosted her completely.
While Matt works with a therapist to overcome his trauma, he isn’t quite back to his former glory. Chloe realizes that if she can help him find his edge again, it won’t just save the team—it will cement her career. Balancing Matt’s needs with the demands of managing the entire team proves challenging, especially as old feelings resurface. As they spend more time together, Chloe’s emotions deepen, and to Matt’s surprise, he finds himself falling for her, too. A relationship, however, would be professionally disastrous, threatening scandal and potentially destroying Chloe’s hard-won credibility. Still, their connection is impossible to ignore. After navigating past mistakes and lingering pain, they must decide whether risking everything is worth their chance at happiness.
I was genuinely surprised by how much I loved this book—even the technical aspects of racing kept me engaged, despite knowing next to nothing about the sport. My only real-life experience with the racing world was a slow-motion parade lap in my husband’s Jeep at the Daytona 500 Speedway during Jeep Beach, yet I found the racing elements fascinating.
If you love second-chance romances, workplace tension, and the forced proximity trope, don’t miss this one. It was a fantastic way to kick off my reading year!
1/2026 Stacy Alesi, AKA the BookBitch
DRIVE ME CRAZY by Lizzy Dent. G.P. Putnam’s Sons. (January 6, 2026). ISBN: 979-8217045204. 368p.
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