What We’re Reading in February 2026

CURRENTLY READING

Crash Test

by Amy James

It’s lights out and away we go! We’re embracing the high-speed not-so-straights of F1! The drama is intoxicating, the heartbreak is brutal, and the romance is unforgettable.

We’re leaning full tilt into the Heated Rivalry mania with an MM sports romance.

This might be my favorite F1 romance yet! And I’ve been on a racing kick. The drama is intoxicating and addicting, the heartbreak is brutally frustrating. The friendships are heartwarming and inspiring. The sport politics are somewhat believable, if not aspirational. But the romance is memorable — full of fear, anguish and hope. If you’re in the mood for a heart squeeze and a little cry, this one’s a good pick.

⚠️ TWs: homophobia, death, emotional abuse / manipulation from a parent, grief

Get your copy of Crash Test (Amazon) and read with us!

What Victoria Loved

VICTORIA’S RATING: 4.25/5

As someone who has grown up watching the sport, I’ve always been drawn to the adrenaline rush that comes with high speeds and unfortunately that means being familiar with the unpredictable and terrifying aspects of the sport as well.

The opening scene and the moments that unfold in the first 50% of this book are exactly what I imagine the behind-the-scenes might be for families, drivers and their teams during the most horrific tragedies that could occur in this sport. You could feel the exhaustion, the helplessness, the heartbreak, the weight of everything on the line in Travis’ POV… and honestly, it sets up the second sector so beautifully because you’re left wondering what on earth Jacob’s POV is (and if his family is truly as horrible as they come across).

And to that end, the next 40% of the book are not quite as heart wrenching, but it’s still quite heartbreaking. I couldn’t put this book down eager to cheer on Jacob, determined to get these two back on the right track and safely squared away (I may have even read through while a qualifying session played in the background because I couldn’t tear my eyes away from the page too busy rooting for these fictional drivers over my IRL F1 drivers).

I think it’s the biggest compliment to the author / the story to say that I didn’t want this book to end. I wanted to know what happens next for Travis and Jacob! And honestly, I was surprised to glance down to notice I was already 92% of the way through the book… we went through such emotional turmoil to make it that far and I was disappointed that the end of the book came so soon. There’s still so much story to explore!!

Set the mood. Listen to our F1 Sunday Morning playlist (Spotify). Want more F1 before the season? Catch Drive to Survive on Netflix!

What the Book Club Loved

Come back at the end of the month to see how the Book Club rates Crash Test!

• FIREWORKS & STEAM: X/5

• WRITING STYLE: X/5

• CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT: X/5

• THE LOVE STORY: X/5

“XX”

- READER

If You Loved Crash Test, You’ll Love These

• A FORBIDDEN F1 ROMANCE - TEAMMATES: Pole Position (Pole Position #1) by Rebecca Caffrey (Amazon)

  For my fellow F1 fans, Kian Walker gives Lewis Hamilton vibes, but with fewer WCs. Meanwhile, Harper James gives more of a Ricciardo vibe (or even a young Lewis), but amplified on the party boy front. Read my Sneak Peek. Ultimately, the balance between on-track coverage and off-track romance was nicely done. It was fun to ride-along with the drivers during GPs and to listen in on their radios as we do when watching a GP from the comfort of our own homes. And the off-track coverage provided a nice glimpse into what it's like to travel from country to country during the grueling season.

  VICTORIA’S RATING: 4/5

• A FORBIDDEN F1 ROMANCE - PRINCIPLE x DRIVER: Drive Me Crazy by Lizzy Dent (Amazon)

Inspirational! An F1 romance with a handful of pop culture references and inside jokes from within the paddock. A great read for those new to the sport as it describes the rules, team dynamics, inner workings of the sport, and features some glass-shattering within a historically patriarchal sport.

VICTORIA’S RATING: 3.75/5

• A SECRET RELATIONSHIP: Heated Rivalry by Rachel Reid (Amazon)

  Prepare yourself for a very spicy first period of this hockey romance. The TV adaptation is so well done! The characters, the tension, the spicy scenes were magnificent, and I thoroughly enjoyed my binge. Lucky for you, there’s so much to dive into in the books between the stolen moments and years of yearning / depriving each other. See my full review of the series and similar reads.

  VICTORIA’S RATING: 3.5/5

• A SECRET RELATIONSHIP - TEAMMATES: Everything for You (Bergman Brothers #5) by Chloe Liese (Amazon)

  In our Haus, when we say “football” this is what we mean (aka soccer). If you aren’t a fan of the sport but you have seen Ted Lasso and loved it, look no further. These two teammates couldn’t be more different. They are ice cold on the field, but their chemistry burns hotter than fire off-the field. Oh, and if you like this one, you’ll be glad to know this is #5 in the Bergman Brothers series.

  VICTORIA’S RATING: 4/5

• BY THIS AUTHOR: A Five Letter Word for Love by Amy James (Amazon)

  A Wordle romance. Currently reading; review to come!

  VICTORIA’S RATING: TBD/5

Until the next chapter!

xo, Victoria

P.S. Craving more books featuring these sub-genres, tropes, and themes? Tap the links below.