Sneak Peek: Slipstream by Madge Maril

ON OUR BOOKSHELF

Slipstream

by Madge Maril

It’s lights-out and away we go in this F1 romance.

We grew up in F1 households, cheering for Ferrari and Michael Schumacher. It’s become engrained in our weekly routines to the point that our Roomba is named Max Vaccupen! And I’ve been so desperately trying to find an F1 romance that can live-up to my obsession with the sport. I’m happy to report, this scratched the itch. Madge Maril delivers an immersive experience marrying the thrill of the Grand Prix with the drama of Netflix’s Drive to Survive.

I’m grateful to have received an advanced reader’s copy of Slipstream via NetGalley!

The Sneak Peek

Lilah Graywood had finally figured out life and adulthood. After a childhood of foster family musical chairs, she was done being the second choice. And when she met Max in college, it was the first step toward normality and acceptance. She finally found stability — they became best friends, started an award-winning documentary company together and naturally transition into dating after everyone told them they were the perfect pair. And how could she disagree when everything in their life was going so well?

And it was, until it wasn’t and Max upheaved her life when received an offer he couldn’t refuse; their company has been asked shoot a documentary for an F1 team. So, Lilah relocated from DC to join Max in Texas to take on the project — moving away from everything she had built over 10 years, leaving her friends, her professional network to start anew with Max.

But as Lilah learns more about the project, she realizes it goes against everything she loves about filming documentaries. And her hesitance is only amplified when she learns she and Max will spend the summer apart as he travels with the two primary drives while she stays in Texas with the party-boy reserve driver (who just happens to be the team principal’s nephew, Arthur). Red flags all around, friends!

Yet, it still gets worse. Lilah spends her first night alone in a new city unable to get ahold of her boyfriend, and wakes up determined to set the record straight with Max: this project isn’t the right fit for the company they’ve built together. They’ve just established a strong reputation in political documentaries and this was too sharp a turn off the track she’s mapped out for their future. But the surprise on her when Max shows up on her front door bearing a trifecta of heartbreak. Turns on, they were on divergent roads this whole time…

And when her world seems to be spinning out of control, it’s Arthur who might just be able to get her back on track. But that means Lilah will have to spend the whole summer working with Max and filming Arthur… Does she have what it takes to make it to the finish line?

What Victoria Loved

VICTORIA’S RATING: 3.5/5

And it’s lights out and away we go! Madge doesn’t waste any time introducing us to our antagonist and ramping up our emotions. Within the first page, I instantly became weary of Max, and before the first chapter was over I was ready to toss my Kindle across the room with pure dread and anger towards him… I just knew I had to buckle in and get ready for a bumpy ride.

And it just kept getting worse — no, I don’t mean the book (because the fact that I was so emotionally invested right off the bat demonstrates just how engaging this story was). While you can’t say you didn’t see this crash happening Max’s AUDACITY will set the competitive fire within you ablaze and honestly, warm you up for the adrenaline rush packed in this story. You’ll truly be running on all cylinders from the get-go, and it’s exhilarating.

From the “tension” between Arthur and Lilah (IYKYK re: scare quotes) to the race track, Madge does not hold back — she paints a glorious picture of F1’s glitz, glam and grandeur and introduces us to two characters you’ll want to root for. She’s a black cat and he’s the King — the rebellious superstar with a long-list of model exes and a reputation for partying. But there’s so much more to their surface-level appearance, and with each Grand Prix and each new country, you’ll quickly find they’ve won your heart over.

That said, Madge did an amazing job capturing the atmosphere of a GP. I’ve had the privilege of attending Zandvoort (and yes, it makes an appearance in this book!) and I can say that she’s captured the thrill of the event magnificently. It’s magical, exhilarating— you can feel it pulsing through your veins, the excitement and adrenaline. It’s an incredible feeling. I was on the edge of my seat awaiting each turn, riding along the speed of the straights. It felt just like I was trackside and cheering on my favorite drivers.

If you’re looking for a quick summer read, this is it!

Pre-order your copy of Slipstream (Amazon) and read with me!

Favorite Scene

“Put your headphones on and sit where I can find you later, micetta. You’re about to watch the best race of your life.”

- SLIPSTREAM by Madge Maril

Similar Reads & Recommendations

• SHE HAS A RUNAWAY MOM & THERE’S A DOCUMENTARY: The Other Side of Disappearing by Kate Clayborn (Amazon)

  This is more true-crime than sporty story. It follows the adventures of sisters, Jess and Tegan, unwinding their reckless mother’s story through an investigative podcast who had run off with a known conman who became the subject of a wildly popular podcast. As the lies and life of her mother are unraveled, Jess finds that opening her heart to the vulnerability of her past can help her discover new love. This story is a little dark, a little tender, and at times, a little too real.

  VICTORIA’S RATING: 3/5

• A FAKE RELATIONSHIP FOR THE SUMMER : Just for the Summer (Part of Your World #3) by Abby Jimenez (Amazon)

  Do you believe in fate? Guard your heart because Abby delivers another cute meet cute. When two people find they’ve been cursed out of love, they make a pact to see if they can break it…. but what if they were always destined to end up together? Justin is one of the best MMCs I’ve read — he’s the epitome of if he wanted to, he would and if I’m being honest, he even goes beyond that. PS: The entire Part of Your World series is adorable and I recommend it - go start from Book #1 and work your way to this gem.

  VICTORIA’S RATING: 4.5/5

• F*CK THE EX - HE SUCKS: Funny Story by Emily Henry (Amazon)

  This book gave me a book hangover — and I think that’s just about the biggest compliment you can give a book. I had to take a second to myself after I finished. Similarly to Slipstream, the beginning of the book is a bit of a whirlwind that left me feeling a bit unsettled and frustrated. But in classic EmHen fashion, I quickly found myself immersed and intrigued by the mundanity of the characters’ lives — questioning characters, their complexity and the truth (as I perceived it).

  VICTORIA’S RATING: 4/5

• BY THE AUTHOR: This is Madge’s debut, but she’s on the radar for future TBRs.

Until the next chapter!

xo, Victoria

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