This review may contain spoilers, so fair warning, upon reading the review.
About The Book
Callum Davis
I don’t like men , I remind myself. But something about this man makes me question everything about myself. This man. He angers me like no other. He challenges everything I say like he has any right to argue. I’m the son of legendary driver Carl Davis. I know cars and racing like I was born to do it. And this guy walks through the door with his air of superiority and flamboyance and expects me to cower?
His very presence annoys me, so why does he make me feel things I’ve never felt before?
It doesn’t matter because this could never happen. It’s just not an option in our world. I was born to race, it’s what’s expected of me and I have to put that above everything else.
Even my heart.
Elijah Hayes
Out of all the drivers, why was I chosen to work with NASCARs bad boy Callum Davis?
God must have a screwed-up sense of humor.
His debauchery is plastered all over social media and newspapers. Snapshots of him drinking, partying, and hanging all over women are the center page spreads. He had a shit season last year and rumor has it, Eisenhower has given him an ultimatum.
Maybe I won’t have to deal with him for long.
Being the only openly gay mechanic in NASCAR is enough to deal with, I don’t need a driver with a chip the size of Texas on his shoulder to deal with.
But you know what they say about best-laid plans…they were run over by an eighteen-wheeler truck the second my eyes meet the sad dark gaze of the man who was made to be mine.
Let the games begin.
Something inside him calls to me like a ship in the night and I’m his lighthouse, beckoning him to come home.
My Review
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.
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.
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…
Elijah Hayes has wrecked me for any other—woman or man.
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.
“I’ll always protect you, Eli. You’re too good for this world and I won’t let them tear you down.”
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.
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.
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!
Callum is a deeply rooted cancer that has burrowed under my skin and I don’t see him leaving my blood anytime soon.
Title: Throttled
Author: Veronica West
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Format: eARC
Source: Author
Length: 306 Pages
Book Links
Amazon| Goodreads| LibraryThing| StoryGraph| Literal Club
Book Evaluation
Storytelling Quality: 5
Story Itself: 5
Character Development: 5
Writing Style: 5
World Building 5
Feels + The Romantic Heart 5
Pacing 5
Plot 5
Cover Art 3
Ending 5
Book Ratings
Overall Rating of the Book
Steam Level
Simmering—soft warm touches and light intimacy
Warm- a medium level of sexual tension, a balance of sexual and emotional intimacy, lighter on the details in the sexual moments.
Steamin’ up the room -the sexual content is more explicit in the language and tone, heavier amount of sexual scenes.
Blazing fire to the building-The prime focus is the sex scenes, scorching hot, and could burn one. Less focus on the emotional intimacy to the relationship.
About The Author
Veronica West is an up and coming romance author launching her first book ‘Wrecked’ in March of 2023. She enjoys writing strong and witty female characters who overcome adversity while also finding love. Raised in a southern NASCAR loving family, Veronica brings to life the exciting world of racing on paper.
I don’t think I’ve read a romance set in the NASCAR scene. Glad to hear this was a big hit! Wonderful review, Renee!
I really like that this has a NASCAR setting. It sounds like it was incredibly well done and I love the sound of these characters.
Nice. I love the NASCAR setting. I’ve read another set there Driven Women. This sounds wonderful. I love when a book pulls you in and you need to force yourself to eat, etc. Glad the blog is up and running 🙂
I’m glad you’ve loved this one so much. I haven’t read a M&M Romance before honestly. I definitely might check it out when my TBR gets a little bit less scary 😀
Great review!
Like Rachel, I don’t recall ever reading a book set in the NASCAR or racing world. Veronica West has obviously impressed you with this one! So glad it was a hit for you, Renee!