Crash Test: A Novel

There is much to gush about this book, albeit with a little caveat: it isn't like Red, White and Royal Blue (not every contemporary MM romance needs this categorization). It isn't a fluffy romcom, rather a very wholesome, well rounded romance between two characters each flawed in their own way, and their individual growth while navigating the aftermath of their breakup. Things I particularly loved: ✅The writing. Very well written and evocative, placing you right in the scene of things. You feel very much a part of the experiences, and the blending of the past and present timelines was masterfully done, making the unfolding of the story a compulsive page turner. ✅The realness of the portrayal of Travis and Jacob's relationship. While it initially begins as casual, their relationship evolves and deepens into more over time, and with it various underlying issues surface, which they both only get to address post break up. I also liked the sectional POVs, with Travis' in the first part, Jacob's in the second and a combined in the third. It made it easy to follow and understand each of their individual perceptions of the relationship, and was in clarifying Jacob's motivations for the breakup and eventual reconciliation. ✅Great character growth. Both Travis and Jacob are not without flaws, and it was satisfying witnessing each of their growth arcs after the break up and during their reconciliation. Other secondary things I loved were: ✅the well written supporting characters…

Standalone ● Not Available on KU I had conflicting feelings throughout this book - but by the end I really loved it. We don't get a lot of on-page relationship in the present, we instead build a connection to the characters and their relationship through a series of flashbacks. And quite frankly, Jacob was not shed in a great light based on that perspective. However once we are able to get his POV, he won me over. His internal struggles were just so real. He struggled with who he was, his family, his career (especially once he thought it was over). This was an extremely emotional read that touched on a lot of difficult themes. The ending felt a bit rushed. Travis' easy acceptance of all that had occurred felt TOO EASY, but I will admit it was consistent with his personality. The found family aspect was top tier and probably what I enjoyed the most - Travis' really lucked out with the people he chose to surround himself with. Or maybe they chose him.

Never thought I would lover reading a book about formula 1 racing. Crash Test was a mix of adrenaline that will rip your heart open and then pit it back with a few checkered flag bandaids. I loved reading this book so much.

There was a lot to like about this book - I felt it was well-written, really interesting set up and a great character story for both leads. You spend a lot more time with Travis and he is by far the most sympathetic lead - really felt for him and wanted him to be happy. It took me a lot more time to warm up to Jacob but by the end, I was rooting for him as well. What I wasn't rooting for was for the two of them to end up together, which is probably a bit damning in a romance. It wasn't helped by the fact that the ending was so rushed as well, with everything tied up so neatly when the rest of the book felt a lot more realistic and gritty. I think this probably would have worked if this was one half of a duology - to give more time Travis and Jacob to work through their own issues and slowly come together again. And give us time as readers to really feel why they work as a couple and should end up together. Still, I've rated it three stars as it's well written and engaged me emotionally in these fictional characters, if not in their relationship. I will keep an eye out for Amy James as an author as I think she has a promising future.

The first half is just tearjerking and brutal. Loved the two main characters. Easily see a love story. The second half was so so. I liked that it ended on a lighter note.