As an avid Formula 1 fan, I was intrigued by the premise of this book. The F1 elements were surprisingly engaging, capturing the intensity and thrill of the sport in a way that resonated with me. However, several aspects of the novel fell short. The use of multiple POVs felt unnecessary and, at times, confusing. While it may have aimed to provide varied perspectives, it ultimately disrupted the flow and made it difficult to stay engaged with the narrative. Similarly, the romance subplot between Diana and Miguel felt forced, lacking natural chemistry. While the portrayal of a female F1 driver was refreshing, the romantic angle seemed unnecessary and detracted from the story. The writing style also proved challenging, feeling somewhat monotonous and difficult to process. Despite these drawbacks, my passion for F1 kept me invested, and I appreciated the effort to bring the sport into a literary space. While this book wasn’t for me, it may resonate more with a different audience.

This just didn't stand out for me alongside other F1 romances unfortunately - as a fan of the sport it also seemed very far-fetched that she would come up from F2 and immediately win the championship...

Sometimes you need something light hearted and not life changing and this fitted the bill, a fun read and entertaining,

Offtrack by Esha Patel is a thrilling and heartfelt debut that takes readers on an emotional rollercoaster of self-discovery, family dynamics, and unexpected romance. With a unique premise that explores the balance between personal goals and relationships, this contemporary romance provides a refreshing take on young adult fiction.

The story centers on Asha, a passionate and driven young woman whose life takes an unexpected turn when she is forced to confront her dreams, her identity, and her family expectations. As Asha navigates her love for running and her desire to break free from the pressures of those around her, readers are taken on a journey of personal growth, courage, and understanding.

What stands out in Offtrack is the depth of Asha’s character. Her struggles with family, cultural expectations, and the pursuit of her own dreams are portrayed in a realistic and relatable way. The romantic aspect of the book is heartfelt and slow-burning, providing the perfect foil to Asha’s journey of self-empowerment.

Esha Patel’s writing is engaging and emotional, with beautifully crafted descriptions that bring the scenes to life. The pacing is just right, allowing for moments of introspection, as well as exciting, fast-paced developments that will keep readers hooked. The book also tackles important themes like identity, resilience, and finding your own path, making it more than just a love story—it’s a story about growth, understanding, and taking control of your future.

Offtrack is a must-read for fans of contemporary romance with a strong, relatable protagonist, rich character development, and a heartfelt narrative. Esha Patel has delivered a memorable and empowering novel that will resonate with anyone who has ever felt the weight of expectations while trying to carve out their own path in life.

Thank you NetGalley for allowing me to access an eARC

Okay, if you’re into sports romance, Offtrack by Esha Patel is definitely one to check out! It’s set in the high-stakes world of Formula One racing, and it follows Diana Zahrani, the first woman to compete in F1 in forever. Talk about breaking barriers!

Diana is such a badass—her journey is all about overcoming challenges and proving herself in a world full of men. The book gives you a behind-the-scenes look at the intense world of F1, and I loved how real and gritty it felt.

Now, let’s talk about the romance. Diana and Miguel, her fellow racer, have that slow-burn kind of chemistry that builds up perfectly. Their dynamic is super interesting, and seeing their relationship grow while they both deal with their own struggles is really captivating. But...I really wish there was more spice in their romance! The build-up had me hooked, but I just wanted a little more heat in their connection.

Whilst this was a more than enjoyable read, I struggled to stay invested in the characters and their storyline. I couldn't feel myself truly rooting for them. I did really enjoy the F1 aspects however.

i enjoyed the friends to lovers trope
it was an enjoyable read even though it took me a while to get into

Thank you for the opportunity to review this new novel.

I dnf:ed this book at 8 % because, I'm sorry to say, it's horrible. The writing is poorly and as a Formula 1 fan I'm appalled about the descriptions about Formula 1.

Can’t go wrong with a racing story.
Highly recommend. Perfect for f1 season.
Sweet, cute and funny. Fast paced. No pun intended

As a reader and formula 1 girlie at heart, I am a sucker for a formula 1 book and this one is definitely one of my favourites! Enemies/rivals to lovers is one of my favourite tropes and Diana and Miguel did not disappoint! I adored Diana and found her very relatable! Definitely will be recommending this book to all my fellow formula 1/bookish girlies!

Totally not what I would consider a romance read... as it focused more on the life of the FMC in an F1 environment than it did the development of the relationship between our FMC and our MMC. It was a cute premise and the idea that Diana was going to immerse herself in what is considered to be a male-dominated world and come out victorious was LOVELY, but it just... nope. I will say, however, that the book itself read like a love-letter to F1 racing because BOY was it detailed enough to make me understand the ins and outs of F1 racing! But there just wasn't like... a plot. Oh well. Thanks for the opportunity to read.

This was a good read but it did take me a while to get into the story and even then I struggled to stay invested. I enjoy F1 and really liked this part of the book.

Honestly I’m disappointed in this one. The F1 parts of it were well done and true to the sport, it’s clear that Patel is a fan and knows their stuff which is excellent. But the love story itself could not have been more bland and I didn’t buy into it at ALL. Like I genuinely didn’t feel a thing and usually I’m ready to ride at dawn for a book couple, especially in a sports romance. Not for me.

This was one of my 1st f1 books and it was really good. Loved the descriptions of the f1 and the atmosphere of the races. Loved the romance.

First thing first: love me an F1 book. I don’t seem to come across them much (any recs, let me know) so when I see them I gobble them up!

But, this one…. It took me a while to read. The writing was brilliant. So in-depth. But somebody it thought “was that necessary?”

Like I forgot our boy was engaged right at the beginning. To what seemed like a perfectly fine girl. I thought oh maybe he’ll grow from this… nope. Became a bit of an ass and then was back to his usual self. So what was the point of this?
And Dianna getting with one driver for him to turn into an ass & then that was it…
These two relationships didn’t seem to add anything to the story. Would’ve been better without them.

Then the main characters…. Diana & Miguel. Where was their chemistry? It didn’t come across on paper really. It was slow & dull.

74% in they finally kiss - talk about a slllooowww burn
78% (like two chapters later) - it’s their hot & heavy scene.
Then a 3rd act break up 😐 I hate a 3rd act break up.

BUT NOW THE F1 CONTENT.
100%
10/10
5 ⭐️

It’s truly just an F1 book with a bit of romance chucked in. I wouldn’t class it as a romance book. And the spice level … it would make Nando’s plain chicken taste spicy in comparison.
It wasn’t great at all. It was good but no kick.

It was a good book, I would read the next lot in the series for sure. But I think I came into it expecting… I don’t know.

Perfect for F1 romance lovers! Doesn't stand out much from what is out there (a lot) but still very enjoyable!

3.5 rounded up to 4.

I liked Offtrack, but I had a tough time getting fully immersed in the story. The premise is fantastic—an enemies-to-lovers romance set in the high-stakes world of Formula One—yet the pacing felt a bit off, which made it challenging to stay engaged. I really enjoyed the romance, but I wished we had more of it. It felt like we only got a glimpse of their chemistry instead of diving deeper into their relationship.

Diana Zahrani is the first female Formula One driver, determined to prove herself in a sport that often treats her as just a pretty face. Meanwhile, Miguel de la Fuente, a top championship contender, isn’t taking any rookies seriously, especially not Diana. Their dynamic is full of tension as they navigate the pressures of their teams and the racing season. As they keep crossing paths on and off the track, sparks begin to fly, leading to some intriguing moments.

Overall, while I appreciated the romance and the unique setting, I wanted more exploration of their relationship. With its exciting backdrop and strong characters, Offtrack has a lot of potential, and I’m glad I read it!

3.5⭐, 2🌶️

Sooo this book had its strengths and its weaknesses for me. t wasn't a book I loved, but I'm choosing to focus on the positive!

Pro? LOVED the F1 drama! All the misogyny grossness is unfortunately accurate (and I can totally cast real life drivers/ principals as those guys - barf) I loved the diversity of the characters and how much of the drama is so realistic. This was a book I'm so glad I am an F1 fan when I read it or I dont think I would have been as invested and connected.

Con? I just didnt feel the love. I felt the friendship form for Diana and Miguel, but thats about it. There was one spicy scene that really didn't contribute to the story and UGH. With two drivers on the grid, I was excited for this book, but just, didnt fall in love with them (and honestly I never got much character connection with Miguel ever)

Thank you Netgalley and Harper 360/ Avon Books UK for an eARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.

My first F1 romance and I have to say I am not convinced!

The plot was there and it was a great idea but I think the writing style just wasn't for me!

I liked Diana and Miguels characters though

gorgeous and beautiful romance with a lot of strong motifs and a lot of fun ideas and definitely something that's worth it.