Anne Nikolaiken’s The Unwritten Rule kicks off the Racing Line Series and centers on Sydney and Heather, who meet on holiday and are instantly drawn to one another. They share a brief but unforgettable connection before parting ways, unable to forget each other. He’s a champion race car driver trying to reclaim his career after a tough year, both on and off the track. She’s a former university writer turned biographer, recovering from a painful event and rediscovering herself. When Sydney’s team insists on a biography to overhaul his public image, he reluctantly agrees, never expecting his biographer to be the same intriguing woman who left a mark on him he can’t forget. Heather, usually professional to a fault, must now work and travel with the man she can’t stop thinking about for an entire racing season. Will Sydney and Heather be able to keep their hearts—and careers—on track as their worlds collide?

While reading The Unwritten Rule by Anne Nikolaiken, I honestly felt like I had a front-row seat to two people’s story through the ups and downs life has to offer. I was rooting for them the entire time. The back-and-forth banter and undeniable chemistry between Sydney and Heather kept me glued to the pages until the very last word. I liked the balance between the more thrilling scenes, like Sydney’s motorsport scenes, and everyday moments, like when Heather goes for a run and returns to her hotel room to relax, which highlight the different sides and complexities of each person. The writing was warm and inviting, without using too much racing jargon. When there was some, it was easy to catch on, thanks to the context and glossary. The romance developed naturally, never feeling forced, and even the secondary characters like Ross, Stephanie, and Brian, among others, were memorable. All in all, this book is an enjoyable and engaging read.

Anne Nikolaiken’s The Unwritten Rule is the first book in The Racing Line series, a captivating contemporary sports romance that masterfully blends high-powered racing with steamy, heartfelt connections. The story follows Sydney McKinnly, a two-time Formula World champion racing driver haunted by a tumultuous past, and Heather Everett-Fortier, a successful biographer seeking inspiration and redemption. Heather has always wanted to be a romance novelist, but after a failed relationship, she agrees to write Sydney’s biography. Their impulsive one-night encounter in the Canadian Rockies unexpectedly evolves into a week-long affair, even as they agree to keep their relationship strictly physical to protect their careers. As Heather begins to document Sydney’s life, and he deals with the pressures of racing and media, their chemistry intensifies. Can they keep it professional or follow the dictates of their hearts?

The number one thing that thrilled me in this romance was the narrative voice, delivered in the first-person. It is light and absorbing, reflecting the perspectives of Sydney and Heather. The characterization is impeccable, and I enjoyed watching Heather. She appears confident on the exterior and is driven by success, but is broken inside. Sydney is portrayed as a skilled racer who struggles with the idea of success, wanting to match up to the legacy of his father. Throw in the pressure of the media, and his world is a mess. From the intense romance to well-crafted episodes like Sydney’s adrenaline-fueled race at Bahrain and Heather’s creative escape in the Alberta mountains, The Unwritten Rule has something to entice everyone and keep them reading. Anne Nikolaiken’s contemporary romance is heartwarming and tender with the fierceness of passion.

The Unwritten Rule by Anne Nikolaiken is book one in The Racing Line Series. Heather Everett-Fortier, an author just completing a writer-in-residency at Snowy Fields University, finds herself torn between passion and practicality. Her dream is to finish her historical Highland romance, but her agent, Brian, persuades her to take on another biography project, this time on Formula World’s two-time champion, Sydney McKinnly. Sydney is a skilled but complicated driver, still shadowed by his father’s racing legacy and a recent string of public mishaps. As Heather follows him across the Formula World circuit, from Monaco to Spa to Abu Dhabi and places in between, she begins to see the man behind the headlines. They have a shared drive for authenticity and purpose, pulling them both toward a truth no one expected to uncover.

Anne Nikolaiken's engaging, slow-burning romance was a pleasant surprise, following the thrill of racing blended with the dual storylines of both Sydney and Heather. Heather was relatable with her inner tug-of-war between writing biographies and writing what truly fulfilled her. Sydney was also relatable with his battle to rebuild his reputation after being replaced by Kaleb Thetford in the Italian Dolomites. The international settings were done with intention and purpose. Monaco’s view of the sea, the glitz and glam of London, the heat of Bahrain, the skyline of Melbourne, and the many other places they travelled to for the race circuits all reflected how their guarded partnership gradually turned into something more intimate and revealing. The humor, warmth, wit, and eventual trust carried the narrative. The slow build-up between Heather and Sydney felt real and mature. Fans of The Spanish Love Deception by Elena Armas will enjoy this heartfelt story of chasing dreams, second chances, and the unexpected places love can take you.

The Unwritten Rule is the first book in The Racing Line series by Anne Nikolaiken. This compelling contemporary sports romance follows the intertwined lives of racing champion Sydney McKinnly and biographer Heather Everett-Fortier. Sydney is a two-time Formula World Series One driver determined to reclaim his winning streak after a tumultuous season marred by personal heartbreak and distraction. Heather is a gifted biographer who has been disillusioned by love, and her aspirations in writing a romance novel are not realizable in the short term. She finds herself caught in a whirlwind of passion and professional boundaries when she meets Sydney during his time in Canada and England. Their initial agreement for a no-strings-attached affair during his racing season evolves into a more profound connection as they confront their feelings in the high-octane world of motorsport and reveal their personal secrets. Heather must deal with her professional resolve, while Sydney confronts his fears of emotional attachment.

This engaging romance is set against lush, scenic backdrops from the Rockies to Monaco, and it was an emotional rollercoaster for me. Anne Nikolaiken is a skilled plotter who infuses the writing with suspense, and I was eager to know what happened next as sparks flew in the story. The characters are elaborately portrayed. Sydney is depicted as a charismatic, confident driver hiding a tender, broken heart, shaped by his past and family legacy. Heather is portrayed as intelligent and introspective, torn between her ambitions and the allure of Sydney’s magnetic presence. The setting shifts seamlessly from the snow-covered peaks of Alberta to the glamorous circuits of Monaco and Bahrain. I loved how well the themes of passion, trust, and self-discovery are developed. The Unwritten Rule is balanced, well-plotted, and propulsive, a delightful read for fans of contemporary romance.