With the popularity of Drive to Survive, Formula 1 has become a lot more popular around the world. I really appreciated that Start Your Engines was rooted in a very British Formula 1 tradition (yes, The Chain makes an appearance) of Formula One teams. Our heroine, Senna, has taken over for her brother as the manager of a Formula One team, one which considers Graham Hill, Ayrton Senna and Niki Lauda to be the greats (clearly not written by an American, since no mention of Mario Andretti).

I did really enjoy that this book spotlighted a lot of people who keep a team running - whether the mechanics or the race engineers and that a major subplot is the sexism in Formula One. A character who I really hope we'll see more of in future books is Coulter driver Tawny, who the book presents as a real Formula One trailblazer. Both Tawny and her sister, mechanic Jacks, are incredibly supportive of Senna, and I loved seeing women lifting each other up.

One thing that I wish had been a bit more nuanced was the portrayal of the sexism that Senna faces. Chase writes it less as institutional and more as the over the top attitudes of some competitors of Senna's - and I wish we had gotten to see a bit more recognition that even guys like our MMC can be subject to ideas of women needing protection which show a benign sexism.

I am excited for the series to continue, and hope we'll get to see more of it when (fingers crossed), we get to Tawny's story.

🌟🌟🌟🌟✨ (4.5/5 stars)

*Fast cars, fiery tension, and forbidden love? Buckle up—this one takes you for a ride.* 🏎️🔥💥

Senna Coulter’s racing dreams may be over, but she’s far from out of the game. As the head of her struggling Formula One team, she’s fighting for survival in a cutthroat, male-dominated world. Enter Connor Dane—F1 legend, her brother’s best friend, and the man she blames for the crash that ended her career. Oh, and did I mention her long-time crush? 😮‍💨❤️‍🔥

What starts as a rivalry full of sharp edges and buried pain quickly turns into a smoldering, secret romance neither of them can resist. The chemistry between Senna and Connor is electric, and the emotional tension keeps you turning pages at full throttle. 🚥💓

This story blends high-speed action with heartfelt vulnerability, exploring anxiety, ambition, and the weight of second chances. With tropes like forced proximity, enemies to lovers, and found family, it’s a steamy sports romance that hits all the right notes. 🫶🏁✨

If you're into high-stakes drama, sizzling slow-burns, and characters with just the right mix of grit and heart, *this one's a podium finish*. 💫📖

DNFed at 20%

Unfortunately, this book just wasn't for me. I think it was a mixture of completely unbelievable scenarios regarding the Formula 1 aspects as well as just a bit of a struggle with understanding the characters themselves. I couldn't get invested in either of the main character's inner struggles and I think the antogonism between the two didn't seem to have much heft behind it. I just don't think it was developed in a way that worked for me.

I had so much fun reading this book! I went in with zero expectations and ended up fully invested in this fast-paced, swoony F1 romance. Rebecca Chase really knows how to blend romance with the high-stakes world of racing. The chemistry between the leads had me kicking my feet & giggling, I was eating up every page. I especially loved the highlight on women in motorsport. It felt like an important, real reflection on the challenges women face in gaining respect in a male-dominated field. Loved the representation.

Connor is the classic misunderstood bad boy, labeled as reckless but actually soft, observant, and just a little obsessed with his cat (and Senna). His filthy mouth? Absolutely uncalled for and completely welcome. The middle dragged a bit, but I appreciated how much weight the story gave to topics like mental health, family issues, and the psychological toll of high-pressure sports. It’s not just romance slapped on an F1 backdrop—this book gets the sport. Quick, emotional, steamy, and packed with heart... definitely worth the read. Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

(Be warned, there is a lot of Taylor Swift talk in this book)

Tropes:
-Forced Proximity
-Brother's Best Friend
-F1 Romance
-Best Friends to Enemies to Lovers
-Second Chance Romance

Thank you for the arc!
The plot of this book was entertaining. Some things did go on for way too long like toward the middle where all they did was have sex and hide their relationship, but it was a good story. It had me on my toes on when it will finally happen. I like how they made Senna, the female character the boss or in charge over the man, Connor.
Being a girl I liked the authority. It was like that in the workplace and in the relationship. I also liked how much attraction and trustration there was there since they've known each other for so long and haven't been able to act on anything. The way he had a soft spot for her was perfect and really showed his character.
Some things that were said were a little cringey but the story for it was good so it canceled out.
But, I also enjoyed how he wasn't a complete asshole like many other F-1books. This book took a different view on F-1 in which I enjoyed. I didn't enjoy the language that this book used, but I think it is based in a different country so that explains it. I've also always like the "little sister is off limits" trope, and this is now one of my favorites. The way Senna and Connor were developed were perfect. Overall I loved reading this book and really enjoyed it!

Thank you to NetGalley for this chance. I have not read many F1 Racing books. But this one caught me by surprise. I am now very much interested in F1 Racing in books and definitely think the author has to make more books that have this involved. I love that he falls first just was such a cute and lovely read one i would love to add to my shelf and read again.

ITS LIGHTS OUT AND AWAY WE GOOOOOOOOO

call me the rb19 with the way i sped through this masterpiece. i read this so fast that i had to make sure i had limbs and not pirelli tires. i’m an absolute SUCKER for racing and second chances. it’s such a niche thing and it’s exactly where i reside. i’ve been obsessed with racing my whole life and was both scared and excited to read this. this is my first time reading one of rebecca’s books and she did not let me down.

Senna and Connor have a smoking hot connection in this book! I loved the fast racing lifestyle mixed with the racing heartbeats of the characters!
The anxiety rep was spot on and the found family was so well done! What a great start to a series I will definitely be continuing! Easy 5 stars

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC.

For those who enjoy sports romances, especially ones centered around Formula One, this book is great. I truly enjoyed this book and Senna's story; it was inspiring to see her grow and overcome such a male-dominated world. Aside from the romance, this book really portrays the essence of Formula One, including team politics, media attention, and the constant strain of the sport. I did find the story interesting overall. It's a lovely F1 romance, and I'm interested to see what the follow-up will be like!

A fun and easy F1 romance which may be becoming my new obsession!

It hit a lot of different tropes from best friends sister to miscommunication and while I loved some like the best friends sisters I hate the one sided enemies to lovers thing but that’s my personal preference!

I enjoyed the anxiety representation and look forward to reading the next book in the series 🏎️

Anything with a hot sexy man and F1 I am sold !!! You just have to get your hands on this one !!! Must read !!!!!

This book is perfect for lovers of sports romances, in particular those who love F1 based sports romances. Not only that, but there's a great undercurrent of strong women who are paving the pathway for others as well. I enjoyed reading this story of Senna and Connor, their peaks and troughs and that whole enemies to lovers trope too! I would definitely read another one in this series if it comes out, especially if these characters are involved too.

Yet another amazing book by Rebecca Chase
I’m more of a thriller reader but Rebecca keeps making me come back with her amazing romance that I can’t get enough of
I felt connected to the main character from the start
Even the characters with a tiny parts are so well written they stay with me
A sweet amazing fun romance

I love sports romances, they are my absolute faves.
Formula 1 romances are relatively new to me I haven’t read that many but I do seem to enjoy them. I Enjoyed the female boss side to this and a woman coming up in a sport that isn’t traditionally ran by women or have women participate in. However the romance side just didn’t hit right. Not sure if it was all the angst the driver and the boss where going through or something else it just felt off.
There was spice 🌶️🌶️ They cared about each other and the romance was quite. Maybe I’m getting too used to the grand over the top love that romance books usually have 🤣 It was still a really good read though and I would recommend giving it a go if F1 romances are your thing!
🌟🌟🌟

Release Date - 14th March 2025

This book was all I needed and more I loved the narrative of how women are treated in F1 and pulled up some good questions on how it is and what it showed I loved senna and Connor together their chemistry was electric on page and made me remember why sometimes I just need to read an sports romance.

My brain was able to shut off and enjoy everything about it. Please note this book is spicy but it is so deliciously spicy and it never takes away from the main focus of the story. I cannot wait to see where this series goes as I feel I now need to know more about this world. And it reminded me even when someone you, you can’t do something that it is not always the right response to take as only you can truly maintain your destiny and the thing that you desire.

Even if that person is the person who you swore when you were a teenager, you would not love to your best friend and your brother. The story of senna and Connor was endearing and I hope we see them again in this world,


Goes up on Instagram 24/3

Tropes:
Friends to lovers 🥰
F1 romance 🏎️
Workplace romance
Found family

3.5⭐️ 2🌶️

Senna the FMC I honestly wasn't a bit fan of. She was trying to come off as flirty and cute but really she was being bossy and arrogant towards Connor. Shes the F1 team boss and has worked hard to get to wear she's at now. Shes end up falling for Connor who is not just an F1 driver, but is her brother's best friend.

Connor is a struggling F1 star that is labelled as a bad boy but it's truly the sweetest and really did nothing to get that label. He tends to have an extremely dirty mouth and he definitely knows what and who he wants, He definitely loves his kitties and his ladies.

Overall I did enjoy this story. It's a cute F1 romcom and I'm curious to see how the second book will be! I feel like I would've enjoyed this story a lot more if I liked the FMC.

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC🥰🫶

Start Your Engines by Rebecca Chase is a thrilling and steamy sports romance that perfectly blends high-stakes racing with undeniable chemistry. With a strong, determined heroine and a brooding, guilt-ridden hero, this book delivers heart-pounding action, emotional depth, and sizzling tension that will keep you hooked until the final lap.

My final rating is 3.5 stars. While this might be low for others, I actually still like books I rate 3 stars and I also thoroughly enjoyed reading this book. I started ti right before the 2025 Australian Grand Prix and it definitely helped cure my F1 hangover. I loved how obsessed Conner was with Senna and omg I was kicking and giggling the majority of the book. I especially liked the balance between F1 terms/racing with the actual romance and it added to the quality of the book.

However, something that I didn't particularly like was how the character were named after famous F1 legends. I understand the appeal, but it was hard to imagine after knowing who Senna and Niki are in real life compared to these book characters, and it definitely impacted my reading. Also, I feel as if Connor and Senna got together a bit too fast. I would've liked the slow-burn aspect to have lasted a lit longer and made me want more than what was delivered. Another side note is that I felt that the writing in the book wasn't fully developed. What do I mean by that? Well, I felt that the words were a bit choppy, and maybe it's because none of the characters are American, and the sentences felt forced together at times.

I know that was a lot of criticism, but I still genuinely loved this book and will definitely be reading the next in the series when it is released!!!

An F1 romance with a brothers best friend trope? sign me up immediately. It was fast paced, fun and had me hooked from chapter one.

Senna Coulter is strong, determined and so unapologetically badass. After taking over her family’s dumpster-fire of an F1 team, she battles consistent scrutiny, family pressures AND, worst of all, Connor Dane. This hotshot driver is not only swoony and obnoxious, he’s also her brother’s best friend... cue the romantic tension.

This racing romance delivers us forced proximity, second chances, and forbidden romance on a silver platter. Connor Dane might be an overprotective imbecile at times, but he makes up for it by falling first and irrevocably in love. The chemistry between the characters was top notch, no notes needed.

If you’re looking to dip your toes into an F1 romance than this book is for you. It’s easy to follow if you’re not a fan, and if you are it’s still a fun read all the same!

Thank you so much to NetGalley for the ARC of this book.

4.5⭐️ | 2.5🌶️

With the F1 season finally back, Start Your Engines was the perfect book to fuel my excitement before lights out. A romance set in the adrenaline-charged world of Formula 1, featuring a badass female team boss and a broody, guilt-ridden driver? Say no more.

Senna Coulter is everything I love in an FMC—strong, relentless, and unapologetically taking on a male-dominated sport. Stepping up as team boss after her brother’s tragic crash, she’s fighting against constant scrutiny, a controlling father, and, of course, Connor Dane—the hotshot driver her brother signed before his accident. The one she’s secretly loved for years. The same one responsible for ending her racing career. (Oh, and did I mention her brother’s best friend? The tension is delicious.)

Connor is supposed to be a playboy, but let’s be real—he’s a cinnamon roll in a racing suit. His guilt, loyalty, and the way he’s always in Senna’s corner? Swoon! The way he falls first and falls hard? 10/10! That said, his character arc took a bit of a spinout in the second half—his sudden dirty talk and public enthusiasm felt… out of place.

Beyond the romance, this book truly captures the heart of F1—team politics, media scrutiny, and the relentless pressure of the sport. I also loved the clever nod to racing legends (Senna and Niki!). But what stood out most was the incredible representation of women in motorsport. Seeing Senna, Jacs, and Tawny carve their space in a male-dominated industry was empowering, and I’d love to see real-life F1 follow suit.

Fast-paced, full of tension, and packed with chemistry, Start Your Engines was the perfect way to rev up for the new season!