For The Thrill of It All by Elliana Rose

Welcome back to the paddock blog, besties! You know what time it is - it’s Book Club Day! This week on The Paddock Girls Podcast, Amy, Mel, and Chelsea dove into a review of For The Thrill of It All by Elliana Rose. We have to give a huge thank you to Elliana Rose and her team for the copies and for creating a story that blended F1 and romance in such a fun way. And trust us, this one had it all: family drama, Formula 1 chaos, a little fake dating, and a lot of real romance. So, grab your favorite drink, cozy up, and let’s talk about all the drama—both on and off the track.

Quick Pit Stop: The Plot

In For The Thrill of It All, we meet Lucia DeLuca, a single mom trying to find her spark again after a messy separation. With her adorable daughter Gia in tow, she joins her brother, Formula 1 driver Matteo DeLuca, on race weekends. Cue Alexander Wright, a five-time World Drivers’ Champion with his own struggles and a soft spot for both Lucia and Gia. Between fake dating, family ties, and a little bit of trackside tension, Lucia finds herself rediscovering who she is...and maybe falling for the one man she shouldn’t.

If you love sports romances, a touch of Hallmark charm, and a sprinkle of F1 paddock glitz, this one’s for you.

TRIGGER WARNINGS: Mentions of domestic violence and anxiety/panic attacks are handled with care but may be sensitive for some readers.

Our Initial Reactions

We’ll be honest; it took us a bit to get into the story. The first 25–30% felt a little far-fetched, but once it hit its stride, we were hooked. We all adored the little touches, like the different chapter icons for Lucia and Alex’s POVs (yes, Amy zoomed in to confirm the details). And while we all had a giggle over the random mafia energy that appeared mid-book—seriously, why was there a guy named Dante who felt straight out of a dark romance? It added to the chaotic fun.

Ultimately, the book had everything: fake dating, the one-bed trope (twice, actually), and some swoon-worthy F1 moments.

Character Deep Dive

Lucia DeLuca is in her “yes” era, juggling motherhood, a marketing job, and her re-entry into life outside of heartbreak. We loved watching her grow and find balance between family, work, and a new kind of love.

Alexander Wright gave us major “reformed F1 f-boy” energy, but he is so sweet with Gia, protective with Lucia, all while occasionally giving us straight out of a mafia book boyfriend energy. We’ll forgive him, though, because the way the man melts anytime Gia calls his name just does it for us.

Matteo DeLuca, Lucia’s brother and full-time chaos gremlin, was a crowd favorite. He’s lighthearted, loyal, and is even getting his own book soon (book two, anyone?!).

And can we give a shoutout to Anna and Nicola, the dynamic duo who kept things grounded? Nicola’s instant friendship with Lucia (and her phone contact name “F1 Baddie”) was top-tier, even if her WAG shade was a little strong.

Favorite side character moment? Lucia’s mom dropped an “I never liked him” about her ex. Peak Italian Mamma energy.

Favorite Lines & Scenes

• “The thing about starting over is that it always sounds easier than it feels.” Relatable. Enough said.
  

• The “roses and thorns” conversation—a metaphor for good and bad moments—was so sweet and heartwarming.
  

• Alex’s “protective papa bear” moment in the paddock when he told photographers to back off, little Gia? Instant serotonin.

F1 Meets Fiction

Would F1 fans love this book? Definitely, especially if you’re more into the romance than the race telemetry.

We appreciated how Elliana Rose balanced the two worlds. The inclusion of a glossary, driver standings, and race schedules made it super accessible for readers new to Formula 1. While the racing itself wasn’t overly detailed, it felt authentic enough to please fans without overwhelming non-fans.

And let’s be honest, Alex was likely inspired by Lewis Hamilton. British, tattooed, five-time world champ (well, seven IRL), and a complicated relationship with his team? Check, check, and check.

If we were fantasy casting, Damson Idris would absolutely play Alex, and we’d happily start a petition for that movie adaptation.

Final Thoughts & Ratings

While "For the Thrill of It All " started a little slow, once it found its rhythm, it became a heartwarming, trope-filled ride that we didn’t want to end. Between the fake dating, found family, and emotional growth, it’s a cozy, feel-good romance perfect for fans of both F1 and Hallmark-style love stories.

• Amy: “It took me until the 35-40% mark, but once it clicked, I was sold. Such a sweet couple, and I can’t wait for book two.”
  

• Chelsea: “A little far-fetched at times, but well-written, fun, and full of heart. I loved the side characters.”
  

• Mel: “Brother’s best friend and fake dating tropes? Say less. Solid 4 out of 5 helmets for me.”

  
  

  PGP Rating: 4 out of 5 helmets 🏁 
  

Paddock Girls Final Lap

That’s a wrap on For The Thrill of It All! We survived the drama, the chaos, and the questionable decisions—and we did it together. 

If you’ve read For The Thrill of It All and have got hot takes, theories, or just need to scream about that ending, slide into our DMs or drop a comment—we want to hear it!

And don’t forget: you can catch our full review on the Paddock Girls Podcast, available wherever you listen. Until next time, happy reading!

By: Amy