Andressa "Andi" Amaro grew up in the racing world and now she has her dream job as a Formula One mechanic for the star driver, Carrick Ryan. But he's a lot to handle. He's a notorious flirt and playboy with poor impulse control. And he makes no secret of wanting her. And she is equally adamant about her "no dating drivers" rule even though there is a reason that all the women want him. He is confidant, magnetic, witty,  charming, sexy, and has that delectable Irish accent.

Carrick is a player And a driver. Drivers equal bad. 

Andi is feisty, strong-willed and good at her job in a male dominated world. She also has her own secrets, past pain, and she has significant fears.

Sexual tension and forbidden desires interfere with their growing friendship and her rules. The closer they get, the harder it is to resist, But giving in to temptation would be not only risking her job, but also her heart.

Trust me to get a crush on the one man I can't have.

I loved seeing more of Carrick's softer, giving side, but his cocky, arrogant one was fun too. Together they definitely had chemistry and a fun rapport, I liked that there was a bond in friendship as well.  It was hard when they struggled or were apart, but sweet and sexy when they shared close moments. He's got his own issues with jealousy, anger, and fear of rejection. Her fear and refusal to take a risk seems to get in the way every time he tries to push her forward.

"You're mine. You've been mine from the moment I saw you. And I'm defintiely yours. So, I'm here telling you that I want you today and every day after. I'm so f***ing crazy about you that I'm going insane from not being with you. So, whatever it is that's stopping you from being with me, like we both know you want, then just fight it, babe, because I can't be without you a moment longer."

Does she have the strength to face her fears and take the ultimate risk on Carrick?

This was intense, angsty, passionate, and romantic. I won't lie, I wanted to throttle Andi several times and Carr a couple of times as well. They gave new meaning to the term fight or flight. But it was a compelling, tension-filled, complete story. It was told in only Andi's point of view and covered locations around the globe. And I fell hard for Carrick. Gotta love it when bad boys fall and have a hard time getting the girl. 

The characters had depth, flaws, but good chemistry together. There was a lot of room for change and growth. Her fears and running and secrets drove me batty. His quick temper, jealousy, and attempts at making her jealous fueled the fire. They were volatile and passionate, but not good with communication and dealing with issues head on. So it made for a lot of push and pull between them. And every time something would come between them, a little part of my heart would break. It was definitely a hazardous journey for these two with roadblocks and pitfalls along the way. Many that they created themselves.

It had an interesting and mostly likable cast of side characters that added more to the story...more humor, more tension, more fun, more drama, and more encouragement. There were several characters that I could see being the subject of future books if she made it a series. The whole racing backdrop only increased the danger and intensity of the love story. 

I was gifted a copy in exchange for an honest review.

Samantha Towle’s latest novel, Revved, takes place within the world of Formula One racing. A fun story with the danger of the track ever in the background means there is action, emotion, and laughter throughout. 

Andressa “Andi” Amaro is a talented auto mechanic, working behind the scenes to make race cars faster, safer, and running at their peak. But working among so many men, she has rules. No dating her co-workers, and definitely NOT the drivers. When the chance to work in F1 pops up, she leaves her home in Brazil to take the chance.

Carrick Ryan is F1’s hottest young star. The youngest racer currently, he has an arrogance that speaks to his abilities on and off the race track. And he attracts women left and right with no concern for relationship status. He’s at the top of his game and acts like it.

I liked the way Andi and Carrick’s relationship progressed. This wasn’t about jumping into bed together as soon as possible, even though sparks were flying from the beginning. Because of several factors, they attempt to keep things platonic as long as they can. Each took the time to get to know each other, and with as much traveling as the team did during the season, they spend a lot of time getting to know each other. I love when characters take the time to get to know each other even as they struggle to ignore the chemistry building between them. 

But there are things holding each of them back from moving their relationship forward. Fears, history, and expectations. Those hang-ups cause each of them to react in ways that make absolutely no sense to the other, causing hurt and misunderstanding. There were times I grew frustrated with their hang-ups. Andi has a tendency to run when faced with conflict, when all I wished she would do was stick it out and open up. 

This story came together beautifully in the end. Parts were a little more angst-filled than I normally like, and an increase in direct communication would have solved several of their problems, but the amount of drama fit with the characters and their personalities as well as the direction the storyline traveled.

I was gifted a copy in exchange for an honest review.

Samantha Towle

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New York Times, USA Today, Wall Street Journal and international bestselling author Samantha Towle began her first novel in 2008 while on maternity leave. She completed the manuscript five months later and hasn't stopped writing since.

She has written contemporary romances, THE MIGHTY STORM, WETHERING THE STORM, TAMING THE STORM and TROUBLE.

She has also written paranormal romances, THE BRINGER and the ALEXANDRA JONES SERIES, all penned to tunes of The Killers, Kings of Leon, Adele, The Doors, Oasis, Fleetwood Mac, and more of her favourite musicians.

A native of Hull and a graduate of Salford University, she lives with her husband, Craig, in East Yorkshire with their son and daughter.