Veronica West

This review may contain spoilers, so fair warning, upon reading the review.

Book Evaluation:
Plot: 🎞️🎞️🎞️🎞️🎞️
World Building:🌎🌎🌎🌎🌎
Cover:📔📔📔📔📔
Callum: 🦸🏻🦸🏻🦸🏻🦸🏻🦸🏻
Elijah: 🦸🏻🦸🏻🦸🏻🦸🏻🦸🏻
Intimacy Level: 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥
Relationship Building: 💒💒💒💒💒
Heart & Feels:💞💞💞💞💞
Witty/Banter/Reaction of Laughter: 😂😂😂😂😂
Page Turner Level:📖📖📖📖📖
Ending:🧧🧧🧧🧧🧧
Overall View: ✨✨✨✨✨

First Impressions
Throttled is a standalone but is connection to the Drive Fast duet. This story features the brother of the heroine from Wrecked and Ruined by Veronica West. When the author sent me an ARC, I was more than excited for this one here. I absolutely adored the “Drive Fast Duet” and I just knew that this book would be just as good, and I will be honest in that I think this is the BEST work this author has delivered. Of Course, she is a debut author and still very new so if you aren’t aware of her yet, no worries on that, but if you love contemporary romance with high spice, and enjoy seeing a sport being tackled that isn’t the norm, than I highly recommend this one to you. And just overlooking this book in general as a MM romance, it was utterly delightful. In fact, one of my favorite MM romances I have read in a long time and I have had the pleasure of reading MM romance this year quite a bit of it, and Throttled surely packed a punch in this one. Throttled is a story that tackles a “gay for you” theme here, as one of our main characters is still in the closet, so it definitely will be a story that will have a theme to it. I do recommend if you like reading books in print, get these in print. They are gorgeous editions and I will be grabbing the print copies because they are so well done. We also get this book on the same timeline as the “Drive Fast” duet, so you can read either of these stories as standalones if you would like to.

First Line
I wince at the light pouring through the windows hit my cracked eyes.

Summary
Callum Davis is the bad boy of the NASCAR, he has built his image in being the bad boy of the professional racers. His father died when he was young and he has worked hard to prove himself. But after years of being emotionally abused and manipulated by his mother, he is at the end of his rope, literally until sunshine Elijah Hayes becomes his mechanic and his world will tilt on his axis. Elijah knows cars, and having been raised in a family that live and breathe racing, he can put a car back together with his eyes closed and he is a full fledged gay man and very proud of it. Its still new to the NASCAR world and so its taking some adjustment, but he isn’t ashamed of his sexuality. But when he meets Callum, he is determined to blow his broody exterior to bits and get to the man beneath. He can see the pain and the turmoil that Cal deals with on a regular basis, and even though Eli is more lighthearted in nature, he knows he needs to be something more for this man. And as Eli and Cal delve in secret and start to unleash their feelings for each other, their road isn’t going to be easy, and will be packed with plenty of sharp turns that will challenge them on a deep level…..but they will find a epic love worth fighting for…

What I Loved
Throttled is a story I was easily captivated by and immediately I was so drawn into their romance. I couldn’t let go of Callum and Elijah and I just wanted more of these two. I honestly couldn’t get enough in the way that I would need to force myself to take breaks to eat and things essential like that haha But you know a book is really dang good when you are neglecting sustenance. There is something about Veronica West’s writing style that just draws me so easily into her stories and I find such compelling relationships that I can’t resist but immersing myself in them. In Throttled we have a story that is packed with so much chemistry, it could set the world on fire. Immediately we see how drawn they are together but Elijah has one fight on his hands. Callum isn’t open to what he is feeling and has such thick walls built and the reason behind these walls are very valid. But Eli is able to break down these walls so easily and get to the heart of what makes Cal tick and what he needs. There is so much heart that Callum has but he doesn’t let himself be who he needs to be as he tries to live up to the pressure his mother especially places on his shoulders.

We see what ways that Eli is able to use his charm to work with Callum on and off the racetrack to make him believe in himself and what they can be together. But the fight for it is really tough and my heart just broke for both Callum and Elijah. Because they have such opposite personalities and they are fighting such a big battle to find a relationship that will work for both of them. Callum is much more resistant though as he is still in the closet and he knows what a battle he will have to face with his mother. But with the help of Elijah, his family, Callum starts to believe in having faith in what they have together. But his mother is one piece of work and she really adds such conflict to the story. I really despised this woman. She is so abusive to Callum and I couldn’t believe what she would do to her own son. The romance definitely has its battles, because Elijah is having to work so hard to tear down the walls that Callum has and my heart just broke for Elijah. But his patience and commanding presence that he delivers when its needed is the driving force to get to the heart and soul of Callum. The chemistry was delicious and all the feels in this book just delivered all the way for me. I wanted to consume this story and more. I honestly can’t wait to see what this author delivers next for us.

What I Struggled With
Not me to be honest. This book was everything I could have hoped for and more.

Overall View
Throttled is a story that will challenge you in ways you will want to be on the cheer squad for this pair and see the victory lap that both deserve towards their happily ever afters. It’s a true racing gem that packs a poignant punch where you least expect it!

Favorite Quote(s)
Something inside him calls to me like a ship in the night and I’m his lighthouse, beckoning him to come home.

This is the first time I’ve experienced something like it. this pull towards him–a man. It’s unknown and annoying but the more I spend time with him, the more I want it.

Elijah Hayes has wrecked me for any other—woman or man.

“I’ll always protect you, Eli. You’re too good for this world and I won’t let them tear you down.”

I would die for you, but I need you to live for me. And that’s exactly what I will do. I will live for him, race for him and win for him because even if we can’t be together, he’s changed my life forever. I will show him that our time together made a difference and that living for him is the best decision I could ever make.

Callum is a deeply rooted cancer that has burrowed under my skin and I don’t see him leaving my blood anytime soon.

Book Details (also in my shelves)
Sub Genre: Contemporary Romance
Character Types: Mechanic, Athlete
Themes: Sports-Racing, Laughs/Giggles, Hot Smexy Times, Gay For You
Tropes: Grumpy Sunshine, Opposites Attract, Forced Proximity

Book Perspective
Duo POV

Relationship Conflict vs Plot Conflict
A mix of both

Song This Book Inspires
Should I Stay by Gabrielle

Recommendation For Reading Order

Steam/Spice Explanations

Steamin' up the room -the sexual content is more explicit in the language and tone, heavier amount of sexual scenes.… (meer)

This review may contain spoilers, so fair warning, upon reading the review.

Book Evaluation:
Plot: 🎞️🎞️🎞️🎞️
World Building:🌎🌎🌎🌎
Cover:📔📔📔📔
Hero: 🦸🏻🦸🏻🦸🏻🦸🏻🦸🏻
Heroine:🦸🏻‍♀️🦸🏻‍♀️🦸🏻‍♀️
Intimacy Level: 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥
Relationship Building: 💒💒💒💒
Heart & Feels:💞💞💞💞💞
Witty/Banter/Reaction of Laughter: 😂😂😂😂
Page Turner Level:📖📖📖📖
Ending:🧧🧧🧧🧧🧧
Overall View: ✨✨✨.5

First Impressions
This is the finale to the "Drive Fast Duet" and this is where we see the conclusion and get to see what gets resolved from the first book. After the ending of "Wrecked" I knew that this book would have so much outside angst and that this couple would really have to come together to overcome the obstacles that are ahead but we also get some neat reveals about the heroine's past as well. We do see that the relationship that they had in the first book is going to really be put to the test and while I enjoyed the story overall, I was a bit disappointed in certain aspects of the story even though the ending left me with satisfied feels and happy thoughts!

First Line
"No," I shoulder check one of the guards, he winces and his grasp on my arm loosens enough for me to push him away.

Summary
This story begins right where Wrecked left off. Letty has been injured and her father and Dax have gotten into a fight and ended up in the slammer. And Letty really only had her brother to get her through the injuries at first. But there are things that she is being kept from and decides to break ties with Dax. But Dax is determined to fight for the woman that he loves, no matter the ties that have become broken with her father. But proving himself will be much more challenging than will realize and Letty will have to do some fighting on her own if their relationship is to survive, but is the love she has for Dax enough ...

What I Loved
There were many aspects to this story that I really loved. I really enjoyed the character growth that we see from the characters. Dax is such a solid hero, I loved him so much in this book. He is so devoted to Letty and willing to fight for what they have. I love his dedication to the sport and being so supportive even from a distance. I really respected him so much and the lengths that he goes to in order to protect her and is willing to stand firm against his son. The whole twist at the end really surprised me especially in that you expect it to be a certain individual and it turns out to be so different than you expect originally. And once Letty gets her courage back and is willing to fight for her man, is where she really truly shines. She stands on her own and fights her battles with her father and shows him that she and Dax truly love each other. And I also loved the tidbits that we see with what has been happening with Letty's brother and his "friend" haha You just can feel that sexual tension and I can't wait to see what gets revealed in his book. The later half of the story was definitely my favorite aspect of the story. And the ending was executed so perfectly. It just warmed my from inside to out.

What I Struggled With
Alright so I really struggled with the plot in the first half of this book. I didn't really understand Letty or why she was acting the way she was with Dax. She knew the risks of being with him, but when it counted, she wasn't willing to fight for them. How did she think it would turn out in the end? I just didn't care for some of the actions that she takes towards Dax, he didn't deserve to be spurned and blocked by her as well. She is just as responsible, and it just seemed she wasn't willing to take accountability for her actions.

Overall View
Ruined is a satifying feeling of a story that will capture your attention and keep you hooked all the way through.

Book Details (also in my shelves)
Sub Genre: Contemporary Romance
Character Types: Racer. Athlete, Teacher/Tudor
Themes: Hot Smexy Times, Sexual Piercings, Racing, Family Saga, Dirty Talkin'
Tropes: Forbidden Love, Teacher/Student

Book Perspective
Duo POV

Relationship Conflict vs Plot Conflict
A mix of both

Song This Book Inspires
I knew you were trouble by Taylor Swift

Recommendation For Reading Order
Yes you want to read the duet in order

Steam/Spice Explanations

Steamin' up the room -the sexual content is more explicit in the language and tone, heavier amount of sexual scenes.… (meer)

This review may contain spoilers, so fair warning, upon reading the review.

Book Evaluation:
Plot: 🎞️🎞️🎞️🎞️🎞️
World Building:🌎🌎🌎🌎🌎
Cover:📔📔📔📔
Hero: 🦸🏻🦸🏻🦸🏻🦸🏻🦸🏻
Heroine:🦸🏻‍♀️🦸🏻‍♀️🦸🏻‍♀️🦸🏻‍♀️🦸🏻‍♀️
Intimacy Level: 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥
Relationship Building: 💒💒💒💒💒
Heart & Feels:💞💞💞💞💞
Witty/Banter/Reaction of Laughter: 😂😂😂😂
Page Turner Level:📖📖📖📖📖
Ending:🧧🧧🧧🧧🧧
Overall View: ✨✨✨✨.5

First Impressions
Wrecked is the first book in the "Drive Fast Duet" and this duet has been on my bookish radar since the beginning of the year when I saw some of the authors instragram reels on this set up with the heroine being a female racecar drive. First off racer romances are so rare (don't ask me why, there is so much potential for them) but not only is this a racer romance but its also one where the heroine is the one that is the driver and I actually was so intrigued. I really was so fascinated to see how this author would handle this setup. I have to say I was very impressed, addicted immediately and couldn't get enough of this pairing and seeing them find their way through eventually to a HEA but you will have to read the WHOLE DUET to get their HEA.

First Line
The wind whips through my hair

The Main Protagonists
The Hero: Dax
a professional retired racer, tutors professional athletes in the sport, has a son and best friend to Lettie's father.

The Heroine: Lettie
Lettie is an aspiring race car driver, driven, passionate, determined.

Summary
Lettie is a woman fighting for herself and other women just like her who aren't fully accepted in certain aspects of the sport arena but most speficially the arena of race car driving. She grew up in a family of race car drivers and wants to make her own stamp on the world. Despite her family's misgiving she is determined to find her place no matter what it takes. Many in her life, dismiss her dreams including her own boyfriend and family except for her brother that she is closest too. But when she is caught by the police illegally street racing, her father sends her to his best friend to train her. The best friend that Lettie has always had a crush on most of her life and is dating his son. But when she starts training and her boyfriend betrays her, she finds solace and acceptance in the arms of Dax who supports her in a way that no other ever has done for her. But her road with Dax won't be easy because their love is forbidden...

What I Loved
There were so many elements to this story that immediately worked for me. I had been putting this book off until the companion novel "Ruined" was released, and it was definitely worth the wait. This was also my first time reading Veronica West and I was so captivated by her writing style and couldn't get enough of it. I just didn't want to put this one down and was so drawn in especially by the connection between Dax and Lettie. I loved that majority of the conflict was outside of their relationship. I really adored their chemistry and boy does this author know how to write some kick ass steam. She definitely delivered if you need some great spice in your romance. I also adored the way in which she endears you so quickly to these characters. There is such a forbidden feel to their relationship and the way they come together is just right. Don't worry if you are concerned if there is any cheating, there isn't. As far as the age gap element I felt like this was written very well. You know that there is a age gap but it doesn't feel like a big age gap, its written in a way that will work for you. The heroine I immediately fell hard for. I loved her strong spirit and tenacity and her drive but also her endearing qualities of vulnerabilities and softness that we see in the quieter moments of her life. We see how much she has to battle for each inch of respect from the sport she is involved in but we see her courage and love for who she is becoming and embracing the best parts of herself. We see such a beautiful connection between Dax and Lettie, I adored their bond and the way that they are so invested in the relationship and in such a strong way.

What I Struggled With
Nothing. I had a blast with the whole book.

Overall View
I found Wrecked to be a impactful story that delivers inspiration, passion and fighting for love in the ways that matter most! A TRUE BATTLE OF A ROMANCE!

Favorite Quote(s)
"The parts of an engine are like pieces of a puzzle. You can take them apart, put them back together, or change the parts and make something completely different."

Pride shines in his eyes, and I want to keep putting that look on his face. With each race, and each milestone, I want him by my side. I'll do anything to make that happen. Because he is more than my coach. He is my end. My final lap. My checkered flag.

The kiss is everything I could ever want in our first kiss. He doesn't pull away this time and his warm lips fuse to mine like I'm the air he needs to breathe. We are breathless and messy and so fucking perfect. We have already come so far, and this kiss feels like the seal of fate.

Book Details (also in my shelves)
Sub Genre: Contemporary Romance
Character Types: Racer, Teacher, Single Father
Themes: Taboo, Hot Smexy Times, Dirty Talking, Pierced Intimate Body Parts
Tropes: Age Gap, Forbidden Love, Teacher/Student

Book Perspective
Duo POV

Relationship Conflict vs Plot Conflict
Slight relationship conflict, more focus on plot conflict

Song This Book Inspires
Say Something by A Great Big World, Christina Aguilera

Recommendation For Reading Order
Yes read this duet in order

Steam/Spice Explanations

Steamin' up the room -the sexual content is more explicit in the language and tone, heavier amount of sexual scenes.… (meer)