This is the first time read for this author and I was intrigued by the blend of baker/business owner and race car driver. Interesting combo.
The author is a wonderful storyteller, and this book had a lot of intriguing moments and fun parts to it. I am excited to share my thoughts with you. Read the full review below.
Ride with Me by Simone Soltani
Publisher: Berkley
Pub Date: May 20, 2025
ISBN-13: 978-0593818169
OVERVIEW:
Stella Baldwin thought her life couldn’t get worse. Being left at the altar was bad enough, and the drunken rant she posted to her social media followers in the aftermath was the cherry on top. But having to show up at her cousin’s bachelorette party in Las Vegas barely two weeks later feels like a cruel joke.
Thomas Maxwell-Brown is just looking for a good time. With his family’s expectations pressing down, his career as a Formula 1 driver threatened by fresh talent, and a new reputation making him the most hated man on the grid, he needs a break to clear his head. And what better way to decompress than with a stag party in Vegas?
Stella isn’t the woman Thomas expects to meet that night. And Thomas isn’t the man Stella expects to wake up next to in the morning—with a ring on her finger. Staying married might be the perfect solution to all their problems, even if it is a little wild. Sometimes, what happens in Vegas doesn’t need to stay there. . . .
Ride with Me by Simone Soltani Review
After settling into the story a bit I realize this book has everything to do with opposites attract. He’s white, she’s black. He’s a racecar driver. She’s a baker and owns a growing company. She was dumped at the altar. The last thing he thinks of is getting married.
The beginning of this book is fabulous and fun. The connection is hot, and the author keeps it relatively clean, although the attraction is definitely palatable.
Then, as we settle into the story, it becomes more complex. There are parts of the story where I really didn’t like her much. She refused to see the truth in front of her and refused to hear or understand his feelings. She didn’t even want to admit she liked him for the most part. He was definitely head over heels for her.
Of course, in the end, we get the coming together, and all things become wonderful. In terms of heat and spice, I would call it mid-range as there is only one truly open-door scene. The rest of it is just admiration and lust.
The author has a wonderful gift for crafting a story that is entertaining including a blend of humor, strife, happiness, and frustration. Her characterizations of the main couple push-and-pull throughout most of the book. The supporting characters are diverse and add a lot to the enhancement of the story, allowing Soltani to build in the next book to come.
Ride With Me is a great choice if you love the slow burn. This is an uber long burn, and while I appreciate more of the physical aspects of a story romance than the buildup and lust phase for most of the book, it was engaging in an overall sexy and sweet story.
4 STARS!!
Disclaimer: Chris has personally reviewed the product listed above. She has not received any monetary compensation for her review but did receive a free ebook so she could evaluate and use it for this post. Her thoughts & opinions in this review are unbiased & honest and your opinions may differ.
Hi! I’m Chris! Just a Midlife Wife sharing about life’s journey; screaming and kicking through it while supposedly aging gracefully…
Focusing on healthy living, low carb & keto, things I am loving right now, and life in general.