Full Throttle By J.K. MacLaren: ARC Review

“the world isn’t ready for ambitious women”

Is F1 romance the new hockey romance?  For me, the answer might be yes… This one is a great intro to F1 romance.  You don’t need to know the intricacies, and the intricacies that are brought up are introduced in an approachable way.  Summer break, well that is easy to understand! DRC is introduced and utilized so we as readers are “in” on the terminology, but aren’t having it jammed down our throats, as examples.  And it doesn’t take a genius to know that racing isn’t an arena where women have been given a chance to excel.

Juliette Marchmont is trying to make her way in F1 as the first female driver.  She isn’t set up to succeed.  She’s on a team, but she doesn’t have the best car and she’s pitted against her teammate, who happens to be Dominic Hastings, successful F1 driver who comes from a racing family and who happens to be a ghost from her romantic past.  They both have something to prove to themselves and the world as a whole.

Both of these characters held a special spot in my heart as I kept reading.  I was torn between who to root for.  Juliette is out there with the weight of all women on her shoulders but never is she insufferable about it.  And Dominic deserves a big hug 100% of the time.  As characters on their own, I really liked their development.  I wanted some more development in their romantic relationship.  I was excited when they were able to work through things, but when I work to describe their relationship I can tell you it is very supportive, but I wish that I had more to say and to gush about, I love to gush.

“See, the difference is, Marchmont, that I don’t actually hate you. I want to hate you.” An odd light burned in his eyes. “But mostly I just despise myself for wanting you.”

Overall, this is worth the read if you want a bit of romance, and a badass woman and you are ready to join the Formula 1 bandwagon.  Women belong in sports, be it as participants or as spectators.