As promised, I have reviewed the second book in the Dirty Air series by Lauren Asher. Each book is an interconnected standalone, but I would recommend reading the books in order: Throttled (Dirty Air #1), Collided (Dirty Air #2), Wrecked (Dirty Air #3) and Redeemed (Dirty Air #4).
Collided by Lauren Asher - Dirty Air #2
Friends-with-benefits: 9.5/10
Dirty Little Secret: 8/10
Bucket List Romance: 9/10
Sports Romance: 9/10
Steam: 9/10
As promised, I’ve written a review about the second book in the Dirty Air series, Collided. This book goes alongside Throttled, the timelines interweaving with one another, and whilst it is a standalone, it’s interconnected with the other books, so I recommend reading Throttled first. Lauren has definitely upped the heat, and the banter, for this book, both of which will leave you laughing and wishing you were the characters.
Collided follows the story of Liam Zander and Sophie Mitchell, who you meet in Throttled. Liam is best mates with Noah Slade, and has a reputation of being one of the best in the world of Formula 1. As a driver for McCoy, Liam’s expected to rival Noah and stay away from Bandini – the team that poses the biggest threat to his chances of winning a championship. After a traumatic life event, Liam threw himself into his career, masquerading as the playboy who is chill, cocky and completely fine all the time. But what happens when he finally meets someone who sees through the façade?
Sophie Mitchell. The daughter of Bandini’s team principal, James Mitchell, and an undergrad studying accounting. Sophie has lived a rather sheltered and restrained life, doing what makes her dad happy, after her mother left when she was young. With her degree nearly over, Sophie joins her dad for the F1 season, travelling the world taking online classes. Her only problem is that her father’s rule of staying away from any of the racers, entices her to live a little. With her new best friend Maya, Sophie embraces what life around the globe has to offer, but what happens when the devious Liam Zander wants out of the friendzone and promises to complete Sophie’s naughty bucket list?
Knowing that their friendship is frowned upon, Liam and Sophie decide to keep their deal a secret. With different activities on the list and an ever-growing attraction, the two dig their way into one another’s hearts, even if that’s the last thing they want. Each completed activity means their friends-with-benefits is slowly coming to an end, especially with Sophie’s impending return to university. When McCoy offer Liam a renewed contract for the next season, he should be over the moon but their one request proves difficult for his heart. And after having a taste of freedom and passion, Sophie is left torn between her father’s dreams for her and own desires. When their two worlds collide, will friends-with-benefits turn into something more, or will they slide off into the gravel, leaving them heartbroken?
The Golden Boy. Liam Zander caught my attention with his cheeky personality in Throttled, and my love for him only grew when I read his story. He is devilish, secretly nerdy and an expert at dirty talk. As one of the best drivers on the grid, Liam is respected and liked by everyone, but no one truly knows the real him – he keeps everyone at least a car width away. That is until a certain blonde woman enters his life, and breaks down his barriers one by one, tempting him to leave his womaniser days behind him. Past trauma and the threat to his contract renewal force him to look at life in a different way, and consider what really matters. Do you follow the path of success and money? Or do you take the road to happiness and family?
The Bandini blonde bombshell. Sassy, smart and self-assured. Sophie Mitchell has grown up with her father playing both parental roles; she has wanted to make him happy, to make him proud of her, in gratitude for all that he’s done throughout her life. But his dreams and wishes don’t make her happy. Following a path of security and guaranteed jobs, Sophie desires freedom and excitement. Having buried her creative side for so long, she can’t refuse Liam’s offer of fulfilling every item on her f**k it list. Their two worlds collide as they travel the globe for the F1 season, experiencing friendship, romance and passion.
Liam and Sophie’s characters drew me in from the moment I met them in Throttled. Their friendship and attraction were hinted at, and intrigued me instantly. The dynamic Lauren created between the two is raw and real; their banter is believable; it isn’t forced and is sure to capture a laugh from you. Their chemistry is so strong, and the steam is hot! Ice cubes, husky voices, and a particular McCoy Menace (a car featured in the book) add to the fire! Whist the focus is on their relationship and there are more scenes outside of the racetrack, the F1 world Lauren describes is no less magical and addictive than before.
Reading the character’s journeys was such a great experience because it was realistic. Seeing Sophie struggle with her own desires and passions conflicting with her dad’s wishes for her was an interesting read because in the end she learns to stand up for herself and fight for what she wants. Liam’s journey in Collided is amazing; his transformation from isolating his heart and feelings to embracing Sophie is just *chef’s kiss*! The new list at the end was fantastic, and such a great way to round up Liam and Sophie’s story. Their story is full of sass, banter and steam as they navigate the race track to cross the finish line so they could win their HEA!
The interweaving storylines in this series make it one of the best I’ve read and the epilogues at the end, introducing the next generation are perfect! I can’t wait for the Dirty Heirs series to be written because Lauren has created a new addiction for me!
If you haven’t read Collided yet, PLEASE DO! You won’t regret it!
Click the cover below to buy Collided on Amazon or get it free on Kindle Unlimited.
Disclaimer: I own the edits, not the images