ARC Review of 'Drive Me Crazy' by Lizzy Dent

Lizzy Dent has clearly done her homework, and it shows. As someone who grew up in Bahrain, with a front-row view of the F1 and GP2 scene, I went into Drive Me Crazy with sky-high expectations.

Dent captures the high pressure world of Formula 1 with surprising accuracy, especially the pre-race nerves, post-race exhaustion and psychological toll of living on the grid. Not everything hit perfectly for me, but a lot of it did.

This is a fast-paced, easy-to-read romance with a fun, emotionally steady rhythm. Our heroine, Chloe Coleman, is one of the few female team principals in the sport, and she's out to prove herself. Enter Matt Warner, a once-great driver now tarnished by scandal and self-doubt, who also happens to be her childhood crush. The set-up is solid and the character roles are clear.

The romance follows a “friends to estranged to reconnected to lovers” arc, which I appreciated, but I’ll admit there were moments that felt rushed.

Chloe has been pining for Matt for years, but when he finally catches feelings, it’s sudden, and then things heat up really fast. Personally, I would’ve liked a little more buildup given the emotional baggage both characters are carrying.

Still, Chloe is a likable lead and carries the story well. Matt, on the other hand, didn’t quite win me over, but maybe that was intentional.

The real highlight is how well Dent integrates the world of F1 into the plot without making it overwhelming. She nails the atmosphere, from garage tension to team dynamics.

Overall, Drive Me Crazy is a smart blend of sports and romance that’s worth picking up, especially if you're into F1. It’s not perfect, but it’s fun—and I’d absolutely read more from Lizzy Dent.

Thank you to Putnam and NetGalley for the ARC!

ISBN: 9798217045204

Pub Date: Jan 06, 2026