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lyndsaydurbs's review against another edition
4.5
Thanks to NetGalley and the author for the free eARC in exchange for an honest review!
Pole Position has filled my F1-loving heart! I had such a blast with reading this and I could definitely tell that Caffery is a big fan of the sport.
Pole Position features Kian and Harper as they become teammates right before the start of a new Formula One season. Kian is the son of a racer legend but his father mysteriously left the sport abruptly a long time ago and Kian has never talked to or about him in Kian's own years of racing. Harper is the new rookie in town and gets called up from the Formula 2 (lower level) teams last minute when Kian's original teammate suffers an injury before the season begins. Kian is not happy about this change and Harper's attitude and off-track behavior mean they immediately don't get along.
I had such a fun time both with Kian and Harper as well as with the wide range of side characters. I loved seeing some traits and characteristics of people that *might* have come from some real Formula 1 adjacent people. Kian and Harper's fictional team felt real and seemed to be pretty fleshed out. For people who are aware of the sport, we see the various types of people that would hang out in the Paddock, Team Principals, Race Engineers, PR Managers, etc.
Kian was probably my favorite of the two main men mostly because I was super endeared to his personal life and his mental habits. Kian's mother has Alzheimer's and his twin sister is taking care of their mom while he is away. He faces guilt and worries over not being a part of the care process and his anxiety around his career was one of my favorite parts.
Harper was definitely a young twenty-year-old. He hadn't really needed to grow up before getting brought up to the F1 team and his growth is pretty visible. Harper has issues of his own in regards to relationships and that comes into play when Kian and Harper start fooling around. I think I was just mostly frustrated at a lot of Harper's actions and that made him a little less likable.
There were some plot points that were briefly mentioned throughout and then never really expanded that I wish were. There's a small thing for each of the main characters that seemed like it would play a MUCH bigger role than it did and I think the overall plot was lacking because of that. I expected more external conflict and instead, I feel like we see more internal and interpersonal conflicts.
Pole Position has filled my F1-loving heart! I had such a blast with reading this and I could definitely tell that Caffery is a big fan of the sport.
Pole Position features Kian and Harper as they become teammates right before the start of a new Formula One season. Kian is the son of a racer legend but his father mysteriously left the sport abruptly a long time ago and Kian has never talked to or about him in Kian's own years of racing. Harper is the new rookie in town and gets called up from the Formula 2 (lower level) teams last minute when Kian's original teammate suffers an injury before the season begins. Kian is not happy about this change and Harper's attitude and off-track behavior mean they immediately don't get along.
I had such a fun time both with Kian and Harper as well as with the wide range of side characters. I loved seeing some traits and characteristics of people that *might* have come from some real Formula 1 adjacent people. Kian and Harper's fictional team felt real and seemed to be pretty fleshed out. For people who are aware of the sport, we see the various types of people that would hang out in the Paddock, Team Principals, Race Engineers, PR Managers, etc.
Kian was probably my favorite of the two main men mostly because I was super endeared to his personal life and his mental habits. Kian's mother has Alzheimer's and his twin sister is taking care of their mom while he is away. He faces guilt and worries over not being a part of the care process and his anxiety around his career was one of my favorite parts.
Harper was definitely a young twenty-year-old. He hadn't really needed to grow up before getting brought up to the F1 team and his growth is pretty visible. Harper has issues of his own in regards to relationships and that comes into play when Kian and Harper start fooling around. I think I was just mostly frustrated at a lot of Harper's actions and that made him a little less likable.
There were some plot points that were briefly mentioned throughout and then never really expanded that I wish were. There's a small thing for each of the main characters that seemed like it would play a MUCH bigger role than it did and I think the overall plot was lacking because of that. I expected more external conflict and instead, I feel like we see more internal and interpersonal conflicts.
lisajmunro's review against another edition
4.0
Thank you to NetGalley, the author and publisher for the ARC.
Literally the cutest! Harper was my favourite character - I just love a character who comes across as super fun and carefree but is actually a sad lil soft boy who needs to be in therapy lol.
I'm actually not a big F1 girlie but I do like other motorsports and know a bit about cars. I felt like this was just the right amount of detail and focus on the sport. I've read other F1 romances that don't get the details right and it really takes me out of the story.
I loved the progression of their relationship and loved the side characters - especially Kian's sister. I liked that even though the main focus was on the relationship and the sport, there was a surprising amount of depth with family issues, childhood trauma and dealing with grief and guilt.
Literally the cutest! Harper was my favourite character - I just love a character who comes across as super fun and carefree but is actually a sad lil soft boy who needs to be in therapy lol.
I'm actually not a big F1 girlie but I do like other motorsports and know a bit about cars. I felt like this was just the right amount of detail and focus on the sport. I've read other F1 romances that don't get the details right and it really takes me out of the story.
I loved the progression of their relationship and loved the side characters - especially Kian's sister. I liked that even though the main focus was on the relationship and the sport, there was a surprising amount of depth with family issues, childhood trauma and dealing with grief and guilt.
nic_readsbooks's review against another edition
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I really enjoyed this book. Im an F1 fan which definitely helped and I appreciated the detail that was paid to making the sport side of the story realistic. These guys were super competitive but it only added to the tension that built up between them.
Kian Harper is the golden boy of the sport - four times championship winner and dedicated to the sport. His season is thrown into chaos when his teammate suffers a bad injury leaving him unable to race. Harper James is the amateur bad boy of the sport and is brought in as a rookie to be Kian's team mate in the big leagues.
These two do not hit it off and Kian really doesn't like Harper. This is a genuine hate to love storyline and I thoroughly enjoyed seeing it play out.
These two are complete opposites in terms of character and somehow the pairing of them just works so well. I liked Kian but Harper has my heart - he seems like a lost puppy for so much of the book and he just needed someone to love him.
The spice is 🌶️🌶️🌶️.
This is a great sports romance, I 100% recommend
Kian Harper is the golden boy of the sport - four times championship winner and dedicated to the sport. His season is thrown into chaos when his teammate suffers a bad injury leaving him unable to race. Harper James is the amateur bad boy of the sport and is brought in as a rookie to be Kian's team mate in the big leagues.
These two do not hit it off and Kian really doesn't like Harper. This is a genuine hate to love storyline and I thoroughly enjoyed seeing it play out.
These two are complete opposites in terms of character and somehow the pairing of them just works so well. I liked Kian but Harper has my heart - he seems like a lost puppy for so much of the book and he just needed someone to love him.
The spice is 🌶️🌶️🌶️.
This is a great sports romance, I 100% recommend
daniireads's review against another edition
3.5
- age gap (33/25)
- rivals to lovers (ish)
- teammates
- grumpy x sunshine
- secret relationship
CW: Parkinson’s disease, dementia, parental death, familial abandonment, mentions of parent with alcoholism/drinking problem, panic attacks
With Kian Walker’s teammate out of commission for the season, hotshot rookie Harper James gets called up to take his place. Harper is known for being a bit reckless on and off the track, and the pair get on like oil and water.
Honestly, I didn’t like Kian’s character or treatment of Harper for a good 30-35% of the book. He just made assumptions about Harper based off what he thought he knew about him, and was a massive asshole. Sure Harper was wild at times and had a lot of growing up to do, but his character was actually really funny and sweet too.
The banter and chemistry between the two was great once Kian got over being a twat, but the constant hot and cold from Harper (thanks to his major abandonment issues) and his inability to really communicate with Kian became a bit repetitive. Once they work all their shit out though, their relationship is very sweet and I would have liked to seen more of it than what we got.
Overall though I can’t really complain. This is my first sports romance involving Formula 1, which isn’t a sport I know much about, but was enjoyable regardless. The story was fun, steamy, and a pretty quick read.
- rivals to lovers (ish)
- teammates
- grumpy x sunshine
- secret relationship
CW: Parkinson’s disease, dementia, parental death, familial abandonment, mentions of parent with alcoholism/drinking problem, panic attacks
With Kian Walker’s teammate out of commission for the season, hotshot rookie Harper James gets called up to take his place. Harper is known for being a bit reckless on and off the track, and the pair get on like oil and water.
Honestly, I didn’t like Kian’s character or treatment of Harper for a good 30-35% of the book. He just made assumptions about Harper based off what he thought he knew about him, and was a massive asshole. Sure Harper was wild at times and had a lot of growing up to do, but his character was actually really funny and sweet too.
The banter and chemistry between the two was great once Kian got over being a twat, but the constant hot and cold from Harper (thanks to his major abandonment issues) and his inability to really communicate with Kian became a bit repetitive. Once they work all their shit out though, their relationship is very sweet and I would have liked to seen more of it than what we got.
Overall though I can’t really complain. This is my first sports romance involving Formula 1, which isn’t a sport I know much about, but was enjoyable regardless. The story was fun, steamy, and a pretty quick read.
malily8312's review against another edition
emotional
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
This book knows exactly what it is and it isn't trying to be anything else. It is light, fluffy, slightly smutty fun.
Kian and Harper were never going to get along. Harper is the 25 year old new kid in championship racing. He's brash, daring, and a little too fond of being papped with a drink in his hand and a hot guy on his ... arm. Kian' s a legend of the sport, 3 time world champ and gunning for one more title as the media speculates about his potential retirement. He also has a deep seated hatred for flighty playboys after the way his father, the blueprint for the type, treated him and his family. When these two polar opposite drivers end up as teammates they have to find a way to work together, and in the process realize they might hold the keys to one another's hearts.
This book is tropey, silly, and sweet. Kian and Harper make for a cute couple after they get through the obligatory ups and downs that characterize romance novels. That's really all I have to say about this one. It isn't going to change anybody's life, but it was a good time to read on a summer day.
I would keep in mind that the book has a narrative style that some might find off putting where the characters' internal monolog is very speechlike in structure (the characters often exclaim things to themselves or their thought process is otherwise written as statements). Also the characterization isn't the most consistent, with Harper especially seeming to flip flop fairly quickly on some pretty major issues in order for the happily ever after to work itself out.
For an actual issue I had with this book - there are a couple of instances in this book where fairly serious situations are sorta glossed over and never really revisited. Twice in this book somebody leaves their visibly upset and heavily drunk 'best friend' alone at a bar. One of these times there's a follow up "you ok?" text, the other time the friend never checks in again. And this is not a breaking point in the friendship, in fact neither instance is ever brought up again. Additionally, the first time our lovers become physical, one of them is so drunk that pages earlier the other had noted and commented on them being too drunk to consent. And yet when they start getting hot and heavy, this issue is not addressed and it's never brought up again. Neither of these issues crosses an unforgivable line (for me), but they are a bit weird and stopped me enjoying this book as much as I might have.
Thank you to ONE MORE CHAPTER and NetGalley for an eARC in exchange for my honest review.
Kian and Harper were never going to get along. Harper is the 25 year old new kid in championship racing. He's brash, daring, and a little too fond of being papped with a drink in his hand and a hot guy on his ... arm. Kian' s a legend of the sport, 3 time world champ and gunning for one more title as the media speculates about his potential retirement. He also has a deep seated hatred for flighty playboys after the way his father, the blueprint for the type, treated him and his family. When these two polar opposite drivers end up as teammates they have to find a way to work together, and in the process realize they might hold the keys to one another's hearts.
This book is tropey, silly, and sweet. Kian and Harper make for a cute couple after they get through the obligatory ups and downs that characterize romance novels. That's really all I have to say about this one. It isn't going to change anybody's life, but it was a good time to read on a summer day.
I would keep in mind that the book has a narrative style that some might find off putting where the characters' internal monolog is very speechlike in structure (the characters often exclaim things to themselves or their thought process is otherwise written as statements). Also the characterization isn't the most consistent, with Harper especially seeming to flip flop fairly quickly on some pretty major issues in order for the happily ever after to work itself out.
For an actual issue I had with this book - there are a couple of instances in this book where fairly serious situations are sorta glossed over and never really revisited. Twice in this book somebody leaves their visibly upset and heavily drunk 'best friend' alone at a bar. One of these times there's a follow up "you ok?" text, the other time the friend never checks in again. And this is not a breaking point in the friendship, in fact neither instance is ever brought up again. Additionally, the first time our lovers become physical, one of them is so drunk that pages earlier the other had noted and commented on them being too drunk to consent. And yet when they start getting hot and heavy, this issue is not addressed and it's never brought up again. Neither of these issues crosses an unforgivable line (for me), but they are a bit weird and stopped me enjoying this book as much as I might have.
Thank you to ONE MORE CHAPTER and NetGalley for an eARC in exchange for my honest review.
readbylory's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
thank you netgalley for giving me an eARC of this book
so, this book is pitched as RWRB x F1 and as someone who didn't like RWRB i really enjoyed this one so take this as a big compliment!
I really liked the characters, Kian and Harper both had a precise personality and their actions always made sense. I liked how they tried to communicate and be close to each other through the book. The spice was well balanced with their cuddly moments and I really enjoyed it.
The epilogue was my fav part T.T
Kian stole my hear i will always remember him dearly <3
But i felt that we got so tiny focus on F1, i would have loved to know more about it. Also the Johannes situation was left unsaid and i hope this is just a clue that there will be a book 2.
so, this book is pitched as RWRB x F1 and as someone who didn't like RWRB i really enjoyed this one so take this as a big compliment!
I really liked the characters, Kian and Harper both had a precise personality and their actions always made sense. I liked how they tried to communicate and be close to each other through the book. The spice was well balanced with their cuddly moments and I really enjoyed it.
The epilogue was my fav part T.T
Kian stole my hear i will always remember him dearly <3
But i felt that we got so tiny focus on F1, i would have loved to know more about it. Also the Johannes situation was left unsaid and i hope this is just a clue that there will be a book 2.
beco's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
thatmillennialreader's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
4.25
pierrereads's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Death of parent, Death, and Terminal illness
Minor: Cursing
thisboricuareader's review against another edition
5.0
I am in fact obsessed with this book! I was screaming the entire time hoping that these two idiots could just get over it!
I loved the little f1 facts in this, and I liked the romance aspects. I felt for Harper so much. I wanted to give him a hug for his abandonment issues and Kian with his mom's illness. I wanted to give them both hugs.
I loved this. I enjoyed this. I recommend this.
I got an e-arc of this book on NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
I loved the little f1 facts in this, and I liked the romance aspects. I felt for Harper so much. I wanted to give him a hug for his abandonment issues and Kian with his mom's illness. I wanted to give them both hugs.
I loved this. I enjoyed this. I recommend this.
I got an e-arc of this book on NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.