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Racing Hearts is a contemporary romance novel set in the modern day United States. The story follows an up and coming movie starlet, Andrea Sparks, and the story begins with her heading back to her hometown at Christmas to visit her sickly grandfather. Andrea’s career seems to have just taken off recently, and as a reader we get to see how she comes to terms with her growing fame and success. In the very first scene, she dreams of buying a private jet to avoid airplane turbulence and the noise created by other passengers. Later on, we see how she manages the adoration and expectations of her fans, as she is approached multiple times for autographs or photos. While it would be easy to feel disconnected from Andrea as a character, unable to relate to her life as a celebrity, the author does a good job in humanizing her experiences and thoughts, framing them in a way the reader can empathize with. Further on in the story, her fame also becomes an interesting plot point, attracting some unwanted attention which could lead to family drama. It would not be a romance novel without a romantic counterpart, and the leading man in this particular story is Case Meyer, a famous and talented NASCAR driver. Case Meyer is initially introduced as something of a lothario, having multiple dalliances with other celebrities and actresses, including his now ex-girlfriend Sarah Lockton. However, we soon see that this somewhat damning review of his character is likely due to the biases held by the female lead, Andrea. Sarah Lockton happens to be her rival in the acting world, and there is bad blood between the two. It soon becomes apparent that the existence of Sarah Lockton in their shared histories is a sore point, that neither is fully prepared to address. As a reader, it is also interesting to see how they navigate this issue as their relationship grows. Case seems to know things about Sarah from their past relationship that he is unwilling to divulge, but seems to have his reasons for claiming that Sarah is not the evil person Andrea believes her to be. The true reason for their break-up has also not been revealed by the author, a plot point that promises to have great repercussions for the budding romance between the two main characters. Going back to Case Meyer, he quickly becomes a very likeable character, showcasing the author’s skill at character development. Stranded by a snowstorm at the airport, Case, who is also returning home for Christmas, offers to drive Andrea – he is a racecar driver after all. Personally, this reader was skeptical about Case at the start, partly due to Andrea’s thoughts about him. Did he have some ulterior motives for offering to drive Andrea? However, he quickly proved me wrong, showing what a gentleman he is. Through the various obstacles the two face as they find their way to Andrea’s hometown, he shows off his many positive character traits. He is friendly, kind, selfless, and respectful, and it becomes clear that this reader’s and Andrea’s initial fears were unwarranted. As a couple, they also share good chemistry, which is always a good thing in a romance novel. They have a shared history that goes deeper than Sarah Lockton, as Andrea and her grandfather both watch racing, and are both fans of Case. The interactions between Andrea’s grandfather and Case are endearing to read, and is a brilliant counterpoint to the way Andrea deals with her fans, as we get to see Case’s maturity and experience with fame. It is often said that opposites attract, and this certainly rings true with the two main characters. Andrea is more emotional and impulsive, while Case is generally easy-going and collected, creating a compelling dynamic between the two as they react to the same challenges. The banter between them flows freely and naturally which makes for comfortable reading. The dialogue never goes overboard with the flirting and avoids the common pitfalls of being forced and cringe-inducing, to the author’s credit. Andrea’s family is also slowly introduced at the start of the story. She initially seems to be an aloof young actress, but we are shown how much she cares for her family through a few short conversations. She is especially close to her grandfather, and worries for his deteriorating health. This reader soon found himself beginning to share in her concerns, as his condition worsened dangerously. The exchanges she has with her grandfather are also heartwarming and sincere, and we begin to see that Andrea is genuinely a good person. Andrea and her mother seem to have a close relationship, and we find out that she lost her father at a young age and has an amicable relationship with her step-father. There is definitely a story here to be told, and I would look forward to where the author chooses to go with this. Andrea also has a younger sister named Leslie who has started her path on a singing career. Lastly, we are introduced to Leslie’s no-good boyfriend, Brent, a student in acting school with ulterior motives. It remains to be seen how his unwelcome advances towards Andrea affect their family, and her seemingly strained relationship with Leslie. Racing Hearts is primarily a story driven by its characters. The main leads are rounded and well developed, with enough depth to be believable and sympathetic to keep readers engaged. It is exciting to learn more about the characters as their background stories are revealed, and they grow organically as the story progresses. Interactions between characters are consistent, and it is a pleasure to follow along with some of their conversations. The synopsis of the story promises that Sarah Lockton will be a major character in the future, and this reader is eager to see how her appearance spices up the main leads’ fresh relationship. The pacing also seems balanced, day-to-day scenes of casual interaction are interspersed with tense sequences, sometimes with chapters ending in a cliffhanger, which can leave readers hooked. Overall, it is a story I would recommend for anyone who enjoys romance with some twists and surprises, and good strong characterization.