From the new Formula 1 movie to the current F1 season, there’s no denying the power and presence of Formula 1 racing. We’re even seeing it in our adult romance novels! Madge Maril’s debut novel, Slipstream, features a fake dating romance between documentarian Lilah Graywood and F1 reserve driver Arthur Bianco.
Slipstream captures the high-speed world of F1 racing over one summer. It also offers a delightful romance built on revenge and redemption (at first). We get to discover the layers to Lilah and Arthur’s personalities while impatiently waiting for them to admit their feelings.
It’s only our first F1 romance of the year, but we sure hope it’s not our last! Here are three things we love about Slipstream by Madge Maril.
Book Overview: Slipstream
Content warnings: PTSD, panic attacks, mentions of child neglect, childhood trauma, and serious injury
Summary: Lilah Graywood never imagined she’d be spending her summer amidst the roaring engines and adrenaline-fueled world of Formula 1 racing. As a serious documentarian, her passion lies in capturing the raw, unfiltered truth. But when her best friend, business co-owner, and secret boyfriend Max decides to pivot their documentary company to film the Ignition Energy Drink Racing team, Lilah is thrust into a world she despises. Her disdain turns to fury when Max blindsides her, not only ending their relationship but also threatening the company she painstakingly built.
Enter Arthur Bianco, the charismatic and enigmatic F1 reserve driver whose career is as tumultuous as the races he dreams of winning. Initially, Lilah is supposed to document Arthur’s relegation to backup driver, but together they concoct a plan to take control of Max’s documentary, each with their own motives—Lilah’s revenge and Arthur’s redemption. Their secret alliance promises to change the narrative, both on and off the track.
As they navigate the glamorous circuits and behind-the-scenes secrets of Formula 1, an unexpected speedbump forces Lilah and Arthur’s partnership to evolve into a fake relationship that feels all too real. The chemistry between them is off-limits and undeniable, and as Arthur’s cinematic comeback plays out over the hot globe-trotting summer, Lilah finds herself drawn to his true charm and hidden vulnerability. But as the cameras roll and the world watches, Lilah must confront her own feelings and the reality that no script can dictate the course of true love.
The Fake Relationship
Obviously, this would be the first thing we love about Slipstream! There’s nothing like a fake relationship between two people who supposedly hate each other. Lilah and Arthur’s first meeting establishes that they can’t stand each other. Then they learn how both their careers would benefit from pretending to have a romantic relationship. They slowly drop subtle hints and deny everything, hoping to break the news when it would hit the hardest. As for who falls first…we’ll keep that to ourselves.
Mental Health Representation
Another thing we love about Slipstream is the much-needed mental health representation. The main character Lilah is neurodivergent and has ADHD. She struggles reading social cues, and a lot of her narration and inner monologue addresses that. Lilah also grapples with overstimulation, which can be especially difficult when she’s around the crowds and noise of the F1 races. In the same vein, Arthur experiences panic attacks, despite how much he tries to hide it from others.
Well-Deserved Ending
A rocky start to a romance often leads to a smooth-sailing happily ever after. Slipstream did not disappoint with the ending! When Lilah and Arthur’s fake dating plan suddenly blows up, we didn’t know how they’d be able to salvage it. Arthur seemed to have a one-track mind for going after what he wanted for his career. Lilah was trying not to spiral or return to her old mindset of being someone easy to leave. But we had faith in our lovely couple. The grand gesture, comeuppance, and epilogue made it all worth the angst.
Slipstream by Madge Maril captures the opulence and organized chaos of Formula 1, while also giving us a whirlwind romance that will have you racing toward the end!
Slipstream by Madge Maril officially releases on May 20th, and you can get a copy of it here!
Are you in love with this new Formula 1 romance? Let us know what you think about Madge Maril’s Slipstream on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram!
Want to hear some of our audiobook recommendations? Here’s the latest!
TO LEARN MORE ABOUT MADGE MARIL:
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