You don't have to be a Formula One fan to enjoy Before You, but if you're glued to the tv when there's a race on then you're going to absolutely love this. Needless to say, with my love of F1, I whizzed through it like Jenson Button in a half-decent car. Kathryn Freeman has certainly done her homework; it was impeccably researched without getting too involved for non-racing fans. In fact the racing/romance story was as well balanced as Lewis Hamilton's Mercedes. I have to give a special mention to the gorgeous cover with a lovely shot of the famous Fairmont Hairpin in Monte Carlo.

Mel Hunt (homage to the great James Hunt, perhaps?) is a press officer for the Delta racing team. She has been there, done that and shrunk the t-shirt when it comes to dating a Formula One driver after a heartbreaking relationship with Viper driver Carlos Ferrer, a Spaniard with an eye for the ladies. Aiden Foster is new to the Delta team; he has a lot to live up to as he is the son of five times World Champion, Seb Foster. Aiden barely remembers his dad as Seb Foster crashed and lost his life at the Monaco Grand Prix almost twenty years ago, when Aiden was just ten years old. Now Aiden is driving for his dad's old team and he wants to win the Championship as well as the girl. Aiden and Mel have an obvious attraction right from the start but Mel doesn't want to get her heart broken again and Aiden has a playboy image to live up to. The pages positively crackle with all the sexual tension of the will they/won't they storyline.

Before You has to be the fastest-paced romance novel I have ever read. The excitement of the races and the buzz of the track, coupled with the many misunderstandings and undeniable attraction between Mel and Aiden, ensures that the story hurtles along at lightning speed. No sooner had the five red lights gone out than the chequered flag was being waved and the Championship was decided. Who will end up on the top step of the podium?

I absolutely loved Before You; it's a fabulous romance set over the course of a whole Formula One season. The insecurities of both Mel and Aiden added another dimension to the story, although I'm not sure that I could have forgiven Mel's insecurity when it put a damper on the end of season party. It just shows that sometimes things are not as they appear but oh, how we do love to jump to conclusions.

I would personally like to thank Kathryn Freeman for writing such an excellent story for us female racing fans. I'm the first person to jump up and down when incorrect terms are used when talking about my beloved sport, so for Kathryn Freeman to not get a single technical term out of place whilst still holding the attention of non-racing fans is no mean feat. An exceptional story in a unique setting, Before You has certainly earned its place on the top step of my podium.

I received this e-book from Brook Cottage Books in exchange for an honest review. ( )

As a girlfriend of a Formula One and Nascar-Fan I was quite familiar with the topic. In my opinion Kathryn Freeman, the author, did a really good job with this book. While reading it I was drawn into the story of Aiden and his press officer Mel. There is this tension when Aiden is in a race. There are his struggles when it comes to his father, a very successful racing driver and multiple time worldchampion. Aidan, the womaniser, falls in love with his press officer, who is afraid of being hurt again. A mother who doesn’t care about her eldest son and abandons her 10 year old son Tom, Aiden’s half-brother. Suddenly, Aiden has to look after his brother, whom he left after his birth in order to turn the back on his unloving mother – midway through the racing season.

I’m a bit book hangover now as always when I finish a really good book. ( )