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Race Fever #3

Formula Freedom

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The Race Fever series from New York Times Bestselling Author Sawyer Bennett continues as one of the hottest drivers to hit the Formula International circuit makes waves across the racing world in Formula Freedom, a forbidden romance standalone.

Reid Hemsworth is still a relatively new face in the racing world but hasn’t wasted any time making a name for himself. No stranger to standing on the podium, Reid’s success isn’t all champagne showers and post-race parties. He may be considered a rising star in the sport, but to his brother, Lance, Reid stole his chance at racing glory and that can never be forgiven.

Lara Candlish grew up with the Hemsworth brothers, the three of them wasting away the hours of their youth riding waves together in the Australian surf. But as they got older and Reid’s career started to take off, their trio splintered under the weight of Lance’s jealousy. In the end, one brother had the career and one got the girl, but they both wanted what the other had.

When Lara finds herself trapped in an increasingly volatile relationship, she turns to the one man she knows she can trust above anyone else—Reid. Harboring deep feelings for much of his life, Reid doesn’t hesitate to bring Lara into his inner circle to provide her with the safety that she needs, no matter how much that might infuriate his brother. Their forced proximity quickly uncovers feelings he thought he’d left behind and Reid is prepared to act on them. But when his brother finds out that Reid now has the career and the girl, the situation goes from bad to worse.

As the relationship between Reid and Lara intensifies, so does the danger, and one truth becomes abundantly clear. Reid will stop at nothing to protect the one thing he now knows he can never live without—Lara.

304 pages, Kindle Edition

First published August 26, 2025

159 people are currently reading
742 people want to read

About the author

Sawyer Bennett

173 books14.3k followers
New York Times, USA Today, and Wall Street Journal Bestselling author Sawyer Bennett uses real life experience to create relatable stories that appeal to a wide array of readers. From contemporary romance, fantasy romance, and both women’s and general fiction, Sawyer writes something for just about everyone.

A former trial lawyer from North Carolina, when she is not bringing fiction to life, Sawyer is a chauffeur, stylist, chef, maid, and personal assistant to her very adorable daughter, as well as full-time servant to her wonderfully naughty dogs.

If you’d like to receive a notification when Sawyer releases a new book, sign up for her newsletter (sawyerbennett.com/signup).

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Displaying 1 - 30 of 157 reviews
Profile Image for Tiffany ✨️ Bergamot Book Reviews.
380 reviews8 followers
August 19, 2025
It's been awhile since Reid and Lara have crossed paths, but at a function she attends with her fiance - his brother - Reid gets odd vibes, and things don't feel quite right. He's vindicated when Lara comes to him for help and admits that Lance has been controlling, verbally abusive, unfaithful, and things finally turned physically abusive that night. He promises to take care of her and protect her, while a spark quietly returns to his mind that this may be the opportunity he's always wanted to try again with her.

*****

As much as this was a well written novel, and as fantastic as the duel narration was (they both nailed all of the accents) I found this one to be a frustrating read. I understood and supported Lara in breaking away from Lance, and even in how natural and fast her relationship progressed with Reid. I just couldn't wrap my brain around the constant desire to talk things out with her ex.

She was constantly reminded that he controlled her, was verbally and psychologically abusive, cheated on her, and finally hit her. Yet she was always worried about the families impact, everyone else's perception, and repeatedly needing to speak about it with Lance. This was all despite the fact that she already told him it was over multiple times and he never respected that boundary.

Instead of cutting her losses and explaining to the family that she tried, she communicated, and it was time to drop the rope. We spend the entire novel with her holding back with Reid because she feels she needs to talk face to face yet again with Lance so that he can finally understand. Even after their big conflict towards the end, she still chases him to have another face to face and it just lost me. I couldn't understand why anyone was coddling an abusive, violent man who broke her trust and her spirit, and was willing to continue to keep her under this thumb despite not being apologetic about it.

Again this was a very well written novel, the characters were fully fleshed out and interesting, the story itself just had me way too frustrated to enjoy it fully. This absolutely may work for other people, I just personally couldn't connect with Lara's need to make things right with Lance.

*****

Thank you to The Author Agency for the Advanced Reader Copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Profile Image for SmuttyEverAfter .
365 reviews
August 18, 2025
ARC/ALC review:

3.5⭐️: There wasn’t anything particularly exciting or different about this book plot wise. Love a good second chance trope and Lara and Reid had a good connection. I was hoping there would be more drama/trouble with Lance following the breakdown between him and Lara but the fall out was pretty tame. Easy read overall. The audio was great.
Profile Image for Anas Attic  Book Blog.
1,551 reviews691 followers
September 6, 2025

Formula Freedom by Sawyer Bennett
Narrated by Sean Masters and Katherine Littrell
Standalone in a series.  Sports Romance
*Complimentary copy received. I want to start this review right off the bat with the fact that I work for Sawyer Bennett, but I did not beta read this book. I strive to keep my reviews 100% honest and I try not to let any personal feelings influence my reviews. If I didn't love the book, I would have quietly not reviewed it. There may be slight spoilers, but no more than the blurb. Affiliate links included.

“You’re kind of perfect, you know that?” “Nah,” I say. “I’m just finally getting it right.”

The more I work for Sawyer Bennett and read her books, the more I wonder why I haven’t read every single one. They’re such easy reads that really satisfy, and Formula Freedom is no exception. In fact, I think this may be the easiest book in the series for people who don’t follow Formula 1 at all. Compared to the first two, this one has less racing detail and more romance, but still just enough to satisfy this F1 lover.

Reid, Lara, and Lance grew up in Australia as the three musketeers. Reid and Lara had young crushes on each other and even hooked up once as adults, but when Reid’s racing career started to take off, he devoted his life to that with no room for romance. Lara moved on and ended up with Reid’s brother, Lance. As Reid’s career grew and Lance’s floundered, the resentment between them deepened.

Things came to a head at a sponsor party where Reid noticed Lara subdued and Lance acting particularly controlling. Soon after, Lara was at Reid’s door—Lance’s anger and insecurity had boiled over, and she had to get away. Once they were alone, the old feelings came rushing back. Add Reid’s protectiveness to the mix, and you have a recipe for romance.
“His mouth moves against mine and I remember what it was like. Before everything got complicated. Before Lance. Before time and distance convinced me that Reid and I had missed our chance. Now, I don’t know what this is, but I know how it feels. Like home.”

But it wasn’t just about them. Their families (Reid and Lance’s parents and Lara’s parents) were best friends and business partners, making the situation even more complicated. While Lara sometimes frustrated me because she kept trying to talk to Lance rationally, I understood her fear of rocking the boat and upsetting the family balance.

I loved Reid and Lara together. It was clear they were meant to be, and Sawyer brought all the heat and passion to their romance. While this book wasn’t as heavy on racing as the first two, there was still enough to satisfy fans and show that the author knows the sport. There was one little detail that only the biggest fans would notice was off, but this is FI, not F1, so I think she gave herself some creative license.
“But Lara… we’ve been in each other’s lives forever. This isn’t some whirlwind stranger romance. You know me. I know you. And somewhere along the way, this stopped being just history and became everything I want.”

Likes:

•I loved both Reid and Lara.
•The crossovers from the others in the series were great, but you didn’t need to read them first.
•How the family dynamics played into the story.
•It was an easy, quick read with a healthy relationship.
•Seeing Drake from the Pittsburgh Titans series.
•Just enough F1 racing to satisfy fans, but not so much that non-fans would be bored.
•I loved how both families supported Lara’s decision.

Dislikes:

•Though I understood, I was a little frustrated with Lara for even giving Lance the time of day.
•As an F1 lover, I missed some of the racing details from the earlier books, and there was one spot with formation laps that didn’t quite make sense.

The Narration:
Katherine Littrell’s authentic Australian accent was amazing, and Sean Masters pulled off a great accent as well. I absolutely loved this audiobook and highly recommend it in audio.

The Down & Dirty:
I loved how healthy the relationship was despite how it began. Formula Freedom had less racing detail than the first two books in the series, which makes it an easier entry point for hockey romance fans crossing over. For me, though, that extra racing detail was what I loved most about Formula Fling and Formula Chance, and I missed it a little here. With its setup, this story could have been loaded with angst, but instead it turned into a relatively easy read with a communicative, passionate relationship at its core.

Formula Freedom is still one of my favorite F1 romances. Sawyer Bennett blends family drama, rekindled passion, and just enough racing to keep the story flying. It’s proof that she can take a setup full of tension and turn it into a heartfelt romance that feels both addictive and effortless to read. I'm sad there is only one more book in the Race Fever Series, but I can't wait to see what Sawyer does with a female driver on Brienne's Titans Racing team.

Rating: 4.5 Stars, 3 Heat, 4.5 Narration

Purchase Formula Freedom (Race Fever 3) by Sawyer Bennett
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The Race Fever Series by Sawyer Bennett













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Profile Image for Briana Scott.
364 reviews14 followers
August 16, 2025
ARC Review ✨
First I would like to say a big thank you to Sawyer for letting me be apart of this ARC Team!
Rate: 5/5⭐️
Spice: 0.5/5🌶️

What to expect when reading Formula Freedom;
-Second Chance
-Friends x Lovers
-Forbidden Roamnce
-Formula Racing
-Professional Athlete

This is book three of the Race Fever series! You get to follow Reid and Lara and this book gave me all the feels! Make sure to check trigger warnings. There may be some topics that may be heavy for some people. I was hooked with this book from the very first chapter. Lara’s life has taken an unexpected turn, and when the only person she feels, she can turn to is her childhood love it doesn’t mean she’s in the clear. I love Reid sooooo much he is a prime example of golden retriever lol He goes into protective mode and who doesn’t love a man like that. You get the drama, light spice, and a perfect ending!


Side notes:
-Carlos needs some praise 👏
-Posey🫶

Fav Quote:
•”but sometimes, the right person is the one who helps you find your feet, not kick them out from under you”

Make sure you get your copy of the book when it releases Aug. 26th💙
#bookstagram #romance #review
Profile Image for Ashley Schilling.
197 reviews11 followers
August 18, 2025
Formula Freedom is my first read of Sawyer Bennett’s and my second F1 romance. I had a much more pleasurable experience reading this one compared to my first. This one focuses more on the romance rather than the sport, however I do wish a little more of the sport aspect was added into the story. Possibly, the divide between Lance and Reid in the formula circuit, to get a better view of their sibling rivalry. The narrators Sean Masters and Katherine Littrell did a fantastic job bringing life to the characters, I absolutely loved the audiobook and I highly recommend it.


This is a friends to lovers, second chance romance where the chemistry between Reid and Lara is evident in the writing. Formula Freedom has a cohesive coherent storyline that will keep you turning the page. I commend Lara’s character for having the strength and ability to leave a situation that so many others are not. By the end of the story you are definitely able to see her character growth, which I always enjoy. The character relationships between Reid, Lara, and their parents seemed genuine. However, the relationships between Lance and his parents didn’t seem realistic compared to theirs with Lara. Yes, I know this is a book, but in away it made that part of the story unbelievable.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Jennifer Wycech.
611 reviews19 followers
August 15, 2025
Childhood friends to lovers
F1 romance
Australian MCs
Brothers ex
Second chance

Dual narration- Sean Masters & Kit Swann
Fabulous narration. Duet style is the only way it could have been better.
The narrator’s did a fabulous job giving life to the characters and their story.

I truly enjoyed this story. Lara and Reid grew up together. They had a one night years ago but due to Reid wanting to focus on his career and thinking he wasn’t what Lara needed it went no further. Lara ended up engaged to Reid’s brother but despite being engaged they were not doing good.

Reid and his family are there for Lara while she navigate a tough situation. I love the support system they have and the development of the love story.

Overall this is a great quick listen and I recommend it.
Profile Image for Courtney.
1,935 reviews208 followers
August 26, 2025
I did not read any of the previous books and had no problems following along with this one.

I enjoyed this story. It's a friends to lovers, second chance, brother's ex romance.

There is very little drama as things were handled like adults would handle things (shocking, I know). I did wish there was a deeper emotional connection to the characters.

Sawyer knows how to deliver a good story that isn't riddled with unnecessary drama (normal, real life drama) and characters that are endearing. Not a whole lot of spice, and that is ok. It was not needed in this story to show their appreciation and love for another.

Overall, a nice read with some need for speed added in.
Profile Image for Janelle Sequin.
170 reviews21 followers
August 26, 2025
This is my first Sawyer Bennett book that I have read and I really enjoyed this book.

I really loved Reid & Lara story. They have known each other for long time as Lara grew up with Reid and his brothers. But when Reid’s career took off they drifted apart. But when Lara needed Reid help because she was in a bad situation he ends up helping her. I just loved reading how there story played out.

Sean Masters did a really good job playing Reid and Kit Swann is a new female narrator to me and she did a good job playing Lara.
Profile Image for Janey.
1,314 reviews
August 26, 2025
Sawyer Bennett has done it again! Formula Freedom is another heart-racing, emotional ride in the Race Fever series, blending the high-octane thrill of international racing with a forbidden romance that kept me hooked from start to finish.

Reid and Lara’s story is filled with intensity, passion, and danger, and I couldn’t turn the pages fast enough. Bennett is a go-to author for me, and this series just keeps getting better & as always, I can’t wait to see what’s next!
1,706 reviews12 followers
August 27, 2025
She dumps one brother (deservedly so) then hooks up with other brother on the rebound. A very, very thin story where I was not invested in any of the characters. This felt like Bennett could hardly summon any interest in writing book 3 and boy did it show. Boring.
Profile Image for ♕ Isa_ Books & Tea _.
350 reviews16 followers
September 9, 2025
1 stars

It just was not my cup of tea!
I felt no connection whatsoever with the characters and the writing felt off to me soo unlike her other books which i enjoyed
Profile Image for Julie.
480 reviews1 follower
August 26, 2025
Fast Cars, Fierce Love

As a big F1 fan, I love how the Race Fever series always gives me those high-speed, high-drama vibes. Formula Freedom was such a fun read—Reid and Lara’s friends-to-lovers story felt so real because of their long history, and I loved watching their chemistry build. Lara’s strength in such a tough situation was inspiring, and I really appreciate how this whole series celebrates strong women.

My only tiny gripe? The drama with Reid’s brother wrapped up a little too fast—I wanted more of that emotional punch. But overall, this was another great escape from Sawyer Bennett, with plenty of heart, heat, and racing action.

3.75 stars!

ARC generously provided by the author in exchange for an honest review.
Profile Image for Caitlin.
584 reviews9 followers
August 26, 2025
ARC and ALC review:

This is a second chance, friends to lovers, kinda forbidden romance. We have Reid, our Formula1 driver and Lara, his lifelong friend turned brothers fiancée.

This is a story full of heartbreak and healing. Featuring the best man ever who sticks by her side the entire time, despite all the challenges and scrutiny that may come.

I really enjoyed this story and their journey.

Also the narrators were perfect and really brought the characters to life!
Profile Image for ✰  BJ's Book Blog ✰Janeane ✰.
2,999 reviews12 followers
August 17, 2025
Copy received for an honest review

I have not read any of the previous Race Fever books, however I have read plenty of Sawyer Bennett books in the past so I knew what sort of story I was going to get.

And I have been a huge F1 fan for over 30 years, so whilst I am happy to see that F1 is getting the love that it deserves in book world, I was also a bit worried about it.

I should not have been worried. Whilst yes Formula Freedom is set in the sphere of F1, it was really just the background for Reid and Lara's second chance at love.

Childhood friends, family entwined in each other's lives, they have always been close.

When Lara's relationship implodes, she needs her friend Reid. And that is when their current true feelins come to the fore.

Yes, there was some drama as the catalyst to get our lovelies together, however I was happy that for the most part, their relationship was lovely and sweet and just became a thing. No huge misunderstandings ore miscommunications (a big peeve of mine).

They are adults and - shock horror - they acted like it!

I enjoyed the friendships inside the paddock, I love he strong family bonds.

I enjoyed what I saw of the previous couples from the series, and I will be headed back to read them soon.




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Profile Image for Bette.
3,168 reviews22 followers
August 13, 2025
Excellent Story & Narration🎧Gripping & Emotional!

Formula Freedom
Race Fever, Book 3
By: Sawyer Bennett
Narrated by: Sean Masters, Katherine Littrell

It is great to be back in Sawyer Bennett’s “Race Fever” series for another exciting novel set in the Formula International world, a forbidden romance that captivates your attention and tugs at your heartstrings the entire time. Reid Hemsworth is a rising star in international racing, but his brother Lance’s resentment of his achievements is putting a strain on their once-close relationship. Lara Candlish grew up with the Hemsworth brothers, and the three of them shared a special bond, until Lance pulled away from Reid because of his success. Lance and Lara’s friendship morphed into something more, and he asked her to marry him, but everything went downhill for her after she said yes. It was like he was becoming another person, an evil one, and the last straw for her was his abuse, so she left and ran to the only person she could talk to, Reid. Bennett wove a complex web around these three and their families, whose connection was more that friendship. Lara was safe with Reid, but it brings up feeling they had for each other before she got involved with Lance. While she knew she could not go back to Lance, she also knew she could not cross the line with Reid, despite the undeniable chemistry between them. Reid was amazing with her, protective and caring, and it was great watching their relationship grow, but she needed to go back home so she could put the past behind her. There is pain in this multi-layered story, a touching story that moves you like no other, but there is also love, and that shines through. The story’s writing, plot, and world-building are fantastic, as are the character growth and development; the story balances drama, angst, heartfelt emotions and steamy romance perfectly. Sawyer Bennett, thank for another wonderful story and wild emotional rollercoaster ride.

🎧📚🎧Sean Masters and Katherine Littrell deliver an incredible performance, bringing the characters to life with voices that are fitting for a perfect portrayal of each, accents and all. Masters nailed it as Reid, embodying his personality completely, and did the same for Lance. Littrell was a natural in Lara’s role and was just as amazing, showcasing every aspect of her personality as well. Both were fantastic at performing the roles of the side/secondary characters too. Their tone and pacing were just right for the story, and they conveyed the emotions of each character and had you feeling them all. They are a fantastic pairing, with talent and voices that complement each other, and a captivating performance that keeps you glued to the story. These versatile voice artists are entertaining storytellers and a pleasure to listen to.
Profile Image for Lara Freeman .
202 reviews11 followers
August 26, 2025
Once again, I want to thank Sawyer Bennett and The Author Agency for the arc/alc for this book. It's been a busy couple of weeks, so the alc really was the way to go for me in getting this in during and both, Sean Masters and Katherine Littrell, were perfect delivering this duet narration. I'm really enjoying my return to Sawyer Bennett reads and listens after being away for so long, so much that I've recently taken to ordering more of her backlist off her website directly so I can catch back up whenever I have some free time.

I'm going to admit, when I find a book that has my name as a character, especially a the fmc, I'm bumping it up my TBR list. I was that kid that wasn't going to find her name on any personalized items so a character in a book that isn't just a side character or the horrible side piece, it a must buy for me. I fully intend to be headed to the author's website to seek out options on adding a shelf trophy of this one stat. Reid Hemsworth is a f1 driver and it's his life. He and his brother, Lance, grew up with Lara and their families were friends for years. Reid succeeded in his f1 career while Lance floundered. Lara and Lance had a relationship in their adult years, but one night it all comes to head when after finding out Lance has been cheating, he hits Lara after being confronted. She finds help with Reid while she figures out how to navigate leaving Lance and how to do so without hurting both families that are so close and have been for so long.

This book hits all the right notes. There is no blame placed on the victim. None whatsoever, even though there's that fear and guilt that naturally plagues a victim when the truth comes out and especially when it's with a family member so close. Lance and Reid's family handle the situation as it is as the parents of 2 sons. One that is in love with the daughter of friends that are so close they are family, but also as the parents of a son that truly behaved in a shocking way that they don't recognize and for which there is no excuse. The waves of ramifications could have been so horrible, but Bennett wrote these characters in a way that truly provided a safe family landing for all. It was truly the way these kinds of things should be handled.

My only thing was that there wasn't much F1 in this book. But that's okay because that was just the vehicle for this. (ha ha ha) It's just what Reid does. What connects the families and gives a framework. The story is the people and the relationships built. These families are strong and made to withstand even the unthinkable from one of their own.
Profile Image for Sandy S.
8,053 reviews201 followers
August 28, 2025
4.25stars-FORMULA FREEDOM is the third instalment in Sawyer Bennett’s contemporary, adult RACE FEVER erotic romance series focusing on Formula International (F1), a fictionalized version of motorsport racing. This is driver Reid Hemsworth, and Lara Candlish’s story line. FORMULA FREEDOM can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information from the previous story line is revealed where necessary. For fans of Sawyer Bennett, there is a slight cross-over with the author’s Pittsburgh Titan’s series and team owner/ Formula International team owner Brienne Norcross, and husband Drake McGinn.


NOTE: Due to the nature of the story line premise, there may be triggers for more sensitive readers.

Told from dual first person perspectives (Reid and Lara) FORMULA FREEDOM focuses on the rekindling friendship and relationship between our story line couple. At fifteen years of age, Reid Hemsworth fell in love with his best friend Lara Candlish but his future was in racing, and he set his sights on something bigger, only to lose the woman he loved to someone else. Fast forward to present day, Lara’s relationship has imploded, and her first call is to the man who previously broke her heart. Determined to protect Lara, Reid becomes guardian and lover in the hopes of rekindling the romance they left behind but the past refuses to let, spiralling out of control, taking aim at our story line couple.

The world building focuses on the upcoming racing season from Australia, to Monaco to Zurich to Japan as Reid embarks on a new relationship with Lara, and a career that is quickly speeding to the top but as Reid’s career continues to surge, his mind is constantly pulled back to the woman he loves.

The relationship between Lara and Reid is one of second chances, of a sorts. Childhood friends whose lives went in different directions but never forgetting about the person , left behind. The $ex scenes are intimate and passionate without the use of over the top, sexually graphic language and text.

There is a large ensemble cast of colorful, dynamic and familiar secondary and supporting characters including Drake McGinn (Titan’s Hockey), as well as the return of racer Carlos Moreno. We are introduced to Reid’s brother and fellow racer Lance, their parents Leanna and Graham, as well as Lara’s parents Colin and Margot Candlish.

FORMULA FREEDOM is a story of betrayal and vengeance, secrets and lies, power and control, family and friendships, relationships and love. The character driven premise is dramatic and edgy; the romance is impassioned and seductive; the characters are determined and charismatic.

Copy supplied for review

Profile Image for Linda Ketter.
718 reviews3 followers
August 25, 2025
Formula Freedom is book 3 in the Race Fever series and follows Reid as he reunites with his childhood best friend and first love Lara.

Reid grew up in Australia with an older brother and two loving parents. He and his brother, Lance, started racing in go carts and worked through all of the levels of racing as they grew up. Lance made it to F3, but Reid went all of the way to F1. This caused tension between them as Lance always wanted what Reid now has.

Lara grew up with Reid and Lance in Australia. She and Reid are the same age and tried the kissing thing as teenagers. Then they tried the horizontal mambo as young adults and decided it did not feel right and went back to just being friends. Lance swooped in and wooed Lara and now they are engaged.

At a sponsor party, Lance seeks out Reid in the hopes of making connections with his team and others for his business. He expects Reid to help him. Of course, Lara is with him and acting the good little fiancee role. When she basically asks Lance to use the ladies room, one of the other ladies takes her by the hand and leads her away. Sadly, this will come back to bite Lara in the booty.

When they are back in the hotel room, the unthinkable happens. While Lance is in the shower, Lara packs a bag and leaves. She does not know where to go so she calls Reid. When she explains what happened, he is livid. After sleeping on it, Lara and Reid call their parents and explain what happened. She is so worried about the business partnership between their two fathers, but the reassure her. Both sets of parents are disappointed but very understanding.

But when Lance shows up the next day at the team's paddock, he is asked to leave. He is very upset, but Lara is not ready to speak with him. She tells him to go home. She needs time before they can have a conversation. He is then asked to leave by security.

Lance continues to overstep with Lara. But when he shows up at Reid's apartment and finds them walking in together he is beyond mad. He always felt that Reid got the career, but he got the girl. Now Reid has both and he has nothing.

When she goes home to have a conversation with Lance, it is very heartbreaking to watch how their relationship deteriorated over the years. But she sticks to her guns. Her decision is final. And for good reason.

This story is brother against brother, even though one brother never knew they were battling for the anything. It is sad to see how petty Lance is when it comes to Reid. They are family, but in his eyes they are always in competition.

I was glad to see a strong woman in Lara. Although she allowed Lance to treat her poorly over the years, when he broke the final straw, she was done. Personally, I wish she had not allowed it to get that far, but I understand her feelings and hopes.

I love that both sets of parents supported Lara when she told them what happened. I know his parents are disappointed, but they still love Lance. I know they are worried about Reid and Lara getting in to a relationship so soon, but they have been destined since they were teenagers.

I have hopes that one day Lance will get his story. Only time will tell.

Sean Masters has very quickly become a favorite narrator of mine. I so look forward to listening to him and he never disappoints. Katherine Littrell is a new to me narrator and I loved her voice. It is soft and vulnerable and then strong and unbending. I cannot wait to listen to more by her.
Profile Image for Cahdii.
230 reviews12 followers
August 26, 2025
🎧 Audiobook Review 🎧
🎤Dual narration by Sean Masters and Katherine Littrell

Story: ⭐⭐⭐
Performance: 🎤🎤🎤🎤
Spice Level: 🌶️🌶️🌶️

What to expect: Second Chance, Friends to lovers, Forbidden romance, Formula racing, Professional athlete

This is my first Sawyer Bennet book and my first Formula 1 romance. I signed up for this book because Sean Masters is one of the narrators and because the description sounded interesting. I did not get what I was expecting and I was bored. It’s ironic because I usually go into books blind, but I’ve been underwhelmed by a lot of books lately so decided to actually read the description first. If I hadn’t, I probably would have enjoyed this more.

Reid and his brother, Lance, have a strained relationship then Lance’s girlfriend breaks up with him and runs straight to Reid, who she has history with. I expected there to be lots of drama and confrontation. There wasn’t. The brothers’ strained relationship is mentioned a few times but they don’t interact much throughout the story. the description says “But when his brother finds out that Reid now has the career and the girl, the situation goes from bad to worse.” That doesn’t happen till 83%! Up until that point, Lance has been messaging Lara, trying to get her back and she’s been ignoring him.

Another point of potential drama that never happened was between the parents. They’re all best friends, their kids grew up together and now Lara and Lance are engaged. Lance hit her and she left him and there is no tension. No strain in their relationship, no threats of violence. They agreed to just leave her to sort things out with him in her own time.

Also, the description mentions “As the relationship between Reid and Lara intensifies, so does the danger” so I was expecting a suspense subplot, but of course there wasn’t one. I also wasn’t drawn in by the romance. There was real no build up of tension in their relationship. The high point of the book for me was the play-by-play of the one race that was thoroughly described. I don’t watch Formula 1, but that was quite exciting to witness.

I did enjoy the narration though. It definitely kept me listening. As I said, Sean Masters was one of the reasons I picked this book. I did feel that, at times, his accent slipped and his character sounded more American with a hint of Australian. Katherine Littrell is a new to me narrator and I enjoyed her performance. Her Australian accent is authentic which was a treat.

*I received an advance copy from The Author Agency. These opinions are entirely my own.
Profile Image for Dawn Schock.
238 reviews9 followers
August 26, 2025
This book is the 3rd in a series but it works well as an interconnected standalone. So you don't need to have read the others to know what is going on in this one.

Tropes:
🔥 Friends to lovers
🔥 Second Chance Romance
🔥 Sports Romance
🔥 Contemporary Romance
🔥 Touch her and die
🔥 Formula One Racing
🔥 Found Family
🔥 Minimal Spice
🔥 Audiobook

This book focuses on Reid and Lara, childhood best friends who grew apart after they almost started a relationship years ago. Circumstances bring them back together and they decide to give a relationship a chance.

Lara has just left a difficult relationship where she endured a lot of problems and felt like she was losing herself and her independence.

Reid is an F1 driver who travels throughout the world, racing cars. When Lara calls needing help, he doesn't hesitate to be there for her, offering her a place to stay and peace of mind as she picks up the pieces of her broken life.

Their newly burgeoning relationship is set against the backdrop of Reid's life as an F1 driver, and you get to witness the couple in different settings - Australia, Monaco, Zurich, and Japan - which was so fun to read about.

There are a lot of family dynamics that influence both of their lives throughout the storyline, and these dynamics catalyze most of the turmoil throughout the book.

A lot of the book felt rushed and surface-level with its pacing and the way it dealt with some of the emotional aspects. At the same time, it also felt repetitive at times, too.

The relationship felt rushed, and the author even acknowledges that on multiple occasions, so I'm not sure if it is that constant reminder, or the fact that it was rushed that makes it feel that way.

Part of me felt like Lara would bolt at any moment throughout the entire narrative and I was waiting for that to happen the entire time because she felt detached and aloof for most of the book. A lot of this was due to the main conflict of the story, but that got resolved fairly quickly towards the end.

The resolution came really quickly at the end and the ending was a bit of a let down honestly, because - spoiler alert - you don't even get to witness the final race!

Overall, this was a fun read with all of the different settings and characters. Many of the supporting characters were very lovable, some even more lovable than the main characters.

The narrators were fantastic and did an amazing job with the story and the different accents that were required. They added depth to the story that was needed and appreciated. They made each character uniquely their own and I could tell they put a lot of thought into how they presented each character.
Profile Image for Ria Alexander.
2,574 reviews51 followers
August 19, 2025
Reid Hemsworth ... an Aussie on the rise

*Review for ebook & audio*

FORMULA FREEDOM, book #3 of Sawyer Bennett's Race Fever series, is a friends to lovers, second chance, sports romance combining the glitter, glamour and high octane adrenaline of F1 racing with the drama, hope, and spice of an evolving relationship. Once again Sawyer held me captivated with her emotional, heartfelt, and relatable story.

Australian Reid Hemsworth is a fast rising star in the world of FI racing. He's in Melbourne for his hometown race when he sees Lara Candlish at a sponsor event. Reid and Lara are longtime friends who have history between them, but Lara is now engaged to Lance, Reid's brother. After a heartbreaking situation Lara makes a difficult decision and turns to Reid for support, and he's more than happy to help her. Reid has always had feelings for Lara but put racing ahead of her, a mistake he won't make twice, so he brings her into his world. As their relationship deepens Reid and Lara have decisions to make that will affect not only themselves but their families as well.

*Audio Review*

Sean Masters and Katherine Littrell's dual narrationn was easy to listen to. Sean's Aussie accent was perfect, think of Chris Hemsworth and bingo! (I'm an Aussie and his accent was divine) Katherine is an Aussie, so her portrayal of Lara couldn't have been better. The secondary characters were just as impressive; I loved Sean's portrayal of Carlos. Sean and Katherine brought across the emotions of the characters with ease, their inflections exactly right. I can't imagine any other narrators more perfect for these roles.

FORMULA FREEDOM was such an enjoyable read. I loved the scenes in and around Melbourne, it was fun to actually read about places which I am so familiar with, thank you for that Sawyer. I love the way Sawyer delivers such realistic stories, nothing in the relationships show writes about is forced or contrived, they develop naturally. FORMULA FREEDOM was perfectly balanced with drama, humour, spice, and heartfelt moments. I devoured it in one session; I couldn't put it down. I can't wait for the next book in the series.

Read and Reviewed for Reading Is Our Satisfaction

✨✨✨✨✨ FIVE STARS
241 reviews
August 25, 2025
Formula Freedom is the third individual installment in Sawyer Bennett’s Race Fever series, and although it takes place in the thrilling realm of global racing, the narrative focuses more on emotional investments than on winning trophies. At its core, this is a heartfelt, gradual rekindling of a romance between childhood companions Reid and Lara—sparking again years after a broken trio and one particularly intricate family background.

Reid shines in Formula International, but triumph has come with wounds—particularly as his elder brother Lance thinks Reid “took” his ambition and, subsequently, his girlfriend. Lara, stuck in between, has a past with each brother. However, as her relationship with Lance grows more unstable, she seeks Reid for safety—which uncovers the potential for something deeper that has long been hidden.

I appreciated that there was no excessive drama or misunderstandings. Reid and Lara are grown-ups—and they behave accordingly. Their chemistry is real and substantial, with a common past that enhances every glance and caress.

Although the F1 setting brings an exciting, dynamic flair, it doesn’t overshadow the narrative. In reality, this isn't a weighty sports romance—racing serves as the backdrop, not the story. What stands out is the tight-knit support network in the paddock and Reid’s crew, along with the family relationships.

I must say, although Lara was robust and complex, I wish we had more insight into her history with Lance. The emotional trauma is treated with care, but I believe a more profound exploration could have strengthened her personal journey significantly. Nonetheless, I valued that the narrative didn't depend on melodrama to establish stakes—the characters themselves infused the tension and warmth.

Any concluding remarks? Formula Freedom is a sincere, mature love story infused with the perfect blend of tension, affection, and opportunities for redemption. Sawyer Bennett persistently provides romance tales rooted in emotional awareness, subtle resilience, and indeed—a touch of racing allure. If you appreciate narratives where the drama appears authentic rather than contrived, and the romance develops through trust, shared experiences, and true affection, this one deserves your attention

Profile Image for Luisa Rivas.
2,159 reviews36 followers
August 30, 2025
I’m loving this series more and more! I love all the technical details that the author includes in the story, it makes it so real and like I’m there at the race track, I only need the sound track. Also, the story about childhood friends who lost their chance not once, but twice, and now finally can make it real. It’s chef’s kiss!

Reid is a driver in the FI International Matterhorn team. He will be racing in the Melbourne Grand Prix and went to the promotional event the night prior. There he encountered his brother Lance and fiancee Lara. They were all very close childhood friends, their parents are close friends and own a business together. Lara is the one who got away, the one he never got over. And to make it worse, he finds Lance being his usual show off, and Lara strangely diminished and sad. When Lara later calls him asking for help, an incredible line of events and love story begins.

As with the previous books in this series, and actually, all Sawyer Bennett’s books, I’m enchanted with the stories and the characters. It’s her impeccable writing, the engaging characters who compel to want to be their friend too. Lara is sweet and considerate, Reid is handsome and dashing. The fact he drives cars around a race track at three hundred miles per hour make him very intriguing. There are other characters that add to the story, like Carlos Moreno, friend and FI driver, Posey, the romance writer who posed as a journalist, and the new female FI driver, Francesca Accardi, hired by Brienne Norcross, owner of the Titans hockey team, now entering the FI field also. Good times!

Reid and Lara’s story is full of pitfalls, since Lara just broke up with Reid’s brother, and they are worried on the effect it will have on their parent’s friendship. Lara is a worrier, quick to forgive, but also strong enough to decide that she’s done. Reid respects and loves Lara and lets her dictate the progression of their relationship. Their story is inevitable, because they have been in love since they were fifteen, they just shoved it into a box because it was not their time. Then after graduation, Reid couldn’t give her the attention she deserved because he was making his name in racing. So third time is the charm, and what a wonderful steamy story it was!
Profile Image for Trish- Late Knight Luna Reads.
2,181 reviews20 followers
August 15, 2025
**Audiobook Review**

The way this story pulled me in and didn’t let go. “Formula Freedom” is an emotional, romantic and heartfelt F1 inspired sports romance that was a great addition to the series.

Reid Hemsworth has been making a name for himself on the racing circuit and is in the top league now. At a sponsor dinner, his brother, Lance, is there with his fiance, Lara. Lara grew up with the brothers and had always been best friends with Reid. While Reid left to pursue his racing career, Lara started dating Lance. But after a disagreement one night, she realizes how much Lance has changed and leaves him. Lara turns to Reid for a safe place to land and he promises to help and protect her. Circumstances are different between them and this could be their second chance at something forever.

Reid and Lara’s second chance story was gripping and emotional from the start. I loved how they were life long friends and their history is what brought them back together. Reid is confident, caring and will do anything for Lara. From the moment she called him, he vowed to protect her and help her. Lara is caring, genuine and I love how she found herself again in this story. Some of her light had been snuffed out by Lance but she shines again with the help of Reid and from her parents. Even though they didn’t really get to spend much time together as Reid was developing his career, the friendship they had when they were younger was still strong and the base they needed. The connection they had was always there and this was the right time for them to be together. Reid showed Lara his new life and I loved how romantic and gentle he was with her. Their story was sweet, romantic and I loved how it was wrapped up at the end. I can’t wait for the next book in the series.

Sean Masters and Kit Swann narrated as Reid and Lara and I loved listening to them bring this story to life. Both of their Australian accents were great. Sean brought Reid’s protective and caring personality alive perfectly. I loved listening to Kit as Lara. Her narration was passionate and genuine just like Lara.
Profile Image for Dali.
2,066 reviews588 followers
August 26, 2025
Read if you like:
✨ childhood friends to lovers
✨ forbidden romance (brother’s ex)
✨ emotionally mature main characters
✨ F1 backdrop with soft drama
✨ protective hero + found family dynamics

📚 Formula Freedom is the third standalone in Sawyer Bennett’s Race Fever series, and while it’s set in the high-octane world of international racing, the story centers more on emotional stakes than podium finishes. At its heart, this is a tender, slow-burn second-chance romance between childhood friends Reid and Lara—reigniting years after a fractured trio and one very complicated family history.

👨‍👧 Reid is a star in Formula International, but success hasn’t come without scars—especially when his older brother Lance believes Reid “stole” his dream and, later, his girl. Lara, caught in the middle, has history with both brothers. But when her relationship with Lance becomes increasingly volatile, it’s Reid she turns to for protection—and that opens up the possibility of something deeper, long buried.

💞 I loved that this wasn’t full of unnecessary drama or miscommunication. Reid and Lara are adults—and they act like it. Their chemistry is genuine and grounded, with a shared history that adds weight to every look and touch.

✈️ While the F1 backdrop adds a fun, fast-paced edge, it doesn’t overwhelm the story. In fact, this is not a heavy sports romance—racing is the setting, not the plot. What does shine is the close-knit support system within the paddock and Reid’s team, as well as the family dynamics.

🎧 The audiobook, narrated by Sean Masters and Kit Swann, is excellent. The dual POV brings both Reid and Lara to life, and the narration captures the emotional beats, tension, and warmth between them.

👧 I will say, while Lara was strong and layered, I do wish we had a little more internal exploration of her past with Lance. The emotional trauma is handled gently, but I think a deeper dive would have made her personal arc even more powerful. Still, I appreciated that the story didn’t rely on melodrama to create stakes—the characters themselves brought the tension and tenderness.

🌟 Final thoughts? Formula Freedom is a heartfelt, grown-up romance with just the right amount of angst, warmth, and second chances. Sawyer Bennett continues to deliver love stories grounded in emotional intelligence, quiet strength, and yes—a bit of racing glam. If you enjoy stories where the drama feels real, not forced, and the love story grows from trust, history, and genuine care, this one’s worth your time.

📲 QOTD: What’s your favorite kind of second-chance romance: childhood friends, exes who reunite, or the “I’ve always loved you” kind? 👇

#BookReview #FormulaFreedom #SawyerBennett #RaceFeverSeries #F1Romance #BrothersExTrope #ChildhoodFriendsToLovers #ProtectiveHero #FoundFamily #RomanticFiction #FourStarReview #BookstagramRomance #SlowBurnWithHeart #AudiobookReview
Profile Image for Tanya Rae ~ TaSTy WordGasms.
2,484 reviews
August 15, 2025
ebook/audio review:

Formula Freedom is the third book in the Race Fever series. This is Reid Hemsworth and Lara Candlish’s story.

This is a second chance, forbidden romance. Lara is an Architect and of course Reid is a race car driver.

Lara is now engaged to Lance, who is Reid's brother. Things aren’t so good with Lara and Lance. Lance has been cheating on her.

The three of them, Lara, Lance and Ried grew up together and there is so much history there between the three of them. But Lance isn’t so nice now. Ried is the man! I love his character! Lara and Reid just connected. Maybe a little fast but because of the history they had it didn’t seem that way.

Brienne Norcross who owns the Pittsburg Titans (another series by this author) is the new Titans Racing owner. It’s cool that Brienne is now in 2 different series. I love crossovers.

Once upon a time I didn’t care for any sports romances or at least I didn’t want to like them because I don’t do sports. But I have to say that instead of running away from the subject I LOVE reading sports romances now. Sawyer Bennett has been partially responsible for that change. Between her Hockey and the spinoff books as well as these newer book series for Formula racing & her Bluegrass Empire series.

Sawyer Bennett does not disappoint. I love her writing and her books! Formula Freedom was so good!

Narrated by Sean Masters and Katherine Littrell. This book and some other books that Sean has narrated shows he is a Master at his craft! He tackled the Aussie accent (at least I felt he did a great job). I could have listened to Sean for hours; oh, I did that already with this book! This is the first time I have listened to Katherine Littrell narrating, I do believe she is an Australian, so she was a natural for this book set in Australia. I loved listening to Katherine as well she was perfect for the part.

All in all, I loved reading/listening to Formula Freedom. I can’t wait until the next book is out by this author.
309 reviews
August 12, 2025
Sawyer Bennett’s Formula Freedom, the third installment in her Race Fever series, delivers a high-octane blend of forbidden romance, family drama, and the adrenaline-fueled world of Formula International racing. Though part of a series, this novel stands confidently on its own, making it a perfect entry point for new readers.

The story centers on Reid Hemsworth, a rising star in the racing world, and Lara Candlish, a woman caught in a toxic relationship and tangled in a long-standing family feud. Reid and Lara share a deep history, having grown up together alongside Reid’s brother, Lance. But as Reid’s career soared, jealousy fractured their trio—Lance lost both the racing dream and the girl, and resentment simmered.

When Lara seeks refuge from her volatile relationship, Reid steps in, reigniting feelings he’s long buried. Their rekindled connection is tender and intense, but it also stokes the flames of Lance’s fury. As Reid and Lara’s bond deepens, the stakes rise—not just emotionally, but dangerously so, as Lance’s bitterness threatens to unravel everything.

Bennett explores themes of loyalty, redemption, and the cost of ambition. The emotional tension is palpable, and the romance is both heartfelt and steamy. The backdrop of international racing adds a thrilling layer, but the heart of the story lies in the characters’ personal journeys.

Reid is portrayed as both fierce and protective—a man driven not only by his career but by a long-standing love for Lara. Lara, meanwhile, is resilient and brave. Their chemistry is electric, and their shared history adds depth to every interaction.

Formula Freedom is a compelling romance that races through emotional highs and lows with the precision of a well-tuned engine. Fans of sports romance, forbidden love, and emotionally rich storytelling will find much to love here. Bennett once again proves why she’s a powerhouse in contemporary romance.
Profile Image for Tatum Hobbs.
80 reviews2 followers
August 28, 2025
This is one book I have some mixed opinions on and to be honest I don’t know why because it was well written, the story was there and Reid and Lara absolutely came alive as characters but for some reason I just couldn’t get that fully into it.

Now by saying that I’m not saying I didn’t enjoy this read because I did, Reid and Lara were written in the stars, made perfectly for one another, that is my honest opinion! 🤭🥹💗

I loved that the first place she went to was him because she knew that no matter what he always had her back. I really liked Reid as a MMC, as a f1 fan I loved the technical talk in this book and how it went deeper than just being a story about a driver, you actually pick up some pretty interesting things about the f1 circuit in this book but getting back to Reid, I truly did love his character and how much he loved Lara, what they had was truly something special! 💗

Lara, sweet angel Lara, where to start with her. I really enjoyed her as a FMC I just wish I could have connected to her more because she was an incredible FMC, she was brave and outgoing and truly Reid’s match. I must say that I hate what she experienced with Lance but I must say she came through it and was stronger than ever, I always love reading a good book about a woman finding her way through life and finding her person, especially when it involves a second chance … 💗💗💗

One thing that was obvious through the entire book was how much Reid and Lara loved each other and I truly did love that, they may have been blind to it or consciously decided to ignore but they both knew individually that they loved each other and there would never be anyone else for one another! 🤭😭

Please don’t let me mixed opinions take away from what an incredible book this was, I am 100% a mood reader so it could just be that my mood and this book didn’t align at the time but like I said I did enjoy reading it and I love Reid and Lara together!!! 🥹💗

- Happy Reading!!!!!
(Arc Review)
Profile Image for Rebecca.
741 reviews22 followers
August 26, 2025
Formula Freedom by New York Times Bestselling Author Sawyer Bennett is an exhilarating forbidden romance and the latest installment in her Race Fever series. Narrated by the supremely talented duo Sean Masters and Kit Swan, this audiobook will have you on the edge of your seat.

Reid Hemsworth is a rising star in the world of Formula International racing, but his success comes at a cost. His estranged brother, Lance, blames him for stealing his chance at glory, creating a deep-seated family rift. Both brothers grew up with Lara Candlish, their friendship forged while surfing the Australian waves. But as Reid's career took off, their trio fell apart, leaving one brother with the career and the other with the girl.

When Lara finds herself in an increasingly difficult relationship, she turns to the one man she knows she can trust: Reid. He has harbored feelings for Lara for years and doesn't hesitate to bring her into his world, a move that only intensifies his brother's rage. As their forced proximity uncovers a passion he thought he had lost, Reid prepares to act on his feelings, but when his brother finds out he now has the career and the girl, the situation spirals from bad to worse.

This friends-to-lovers, second-chance romance is the perfect blend of high-octane racing and emotional depth. Sawyer Bennett masterfully combines the glitz of F1 with a realistic and heartfelt love story. The dual narration by Sean Masters and Kit Swan is exceptional, bringing every emotion to life and making it impossible to stop listening.

Formula Freedom is a perfectly balanced story with drama, humor, spice, and tender moments. You'll be hooked from the very first page and won't be able to put it down.

Disclaimer: I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
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