I’m new to the F1 world. So this is one of my only racing romances, but I had such a fun time. The Fast Track is a story about double standards and fighting for every inch. Keep reading this book review of The Fast Track for my full thoughts.
Summary
Justine Kwong has always dreamed of becoming a Formula 1 champion. There’s just one problem: no female driver has ever done it before. So when she’s offered a coveted chance to race in Formula 3, she leaps at the opportunity. Sure, half the fans think she’s just there to fill a diversity quota, and her teammate—the infuriatingly cute Cameron Evans—mistakes her for an intern, but Justine knows her talent will leave them all in the dust.
But driving well isn’t the only prerequisite to getting noticed, and Justine’s forced to fend for herself in a sea of prejudice, paparazzi, and petty backstabbing. There’s a lot riding on her ability to navigate the complicated trackside hierarchy—like the open F2 seat that could be her ticket to the big leagues.
Except…when Justine and Cameron’s bickering gives way to unexpected chemistry, the boy she’s falling for may be the one person standing in the way of her dreams—because while they may be teammates, they are also each other’s biggest competitor. And with her only shot at glory on the line, this race could break more than just hearts.
Review
(Disclaimer: I received this book from the publisher. This has not impacted my review which is unbiased and honest.)
The Fast Track begins, as all my favorites do, with an underdog. With a girl who is consistently looked down upon with the odds stacked against her. The sexism within the racing industry and how for girls they get one chance and no room for errors or mistakes. The ways she has to be perfect, to walk this line between being a ‘girl’ and not being too ‘girly’ for whatever standard they decide to hold her to. The Fast Track allows us to see how Justine will make her own path. The world is just waiting for her to make a mistake, but others definitely see her as an inspiration. We have to remember it takes an individual to make a step, to take the lead, which ripples outwards.
For Justine, should she lean into being ‘one of the boys’ and trying to minimize her differences, or should she embrace her identity and what sets her apart? Even when her bad days turn into people calling her a ‘stunt’ and their bad days are just that? The Fast Track has us rooting for Justine. With so many people expecting her to fail, she has to find herself, to balance her tendency to take risks and make smart choices. This rivals to lovers story shows the walls crumbling between them even as the stakes are different for her versus him. The Fast Track is a fast paced charming YA contemporary. For young fans of racing, this is a great addition!
(Disclaimer: Some of the links below are affiliate links. For more information you can look at the Policy page. If you’re uncomfortable with that, know you can look up the book on any of the sites below to avoid the link)
Find The Fast Track on Goodreads, Storygraph, Bookshop, Blackwells, & Libro. fm.