Although SLIPSTREAM is a book about a documentarian and the Formula 1 driver starring in her film, music is a pretty big part of the book, too! The heroine, Lilah Graywood, is a major britpop fan, and often wears old band T-shirts while running around the F1 circuits with her camera. And well before any of the big love confessions, our hero Arthur admits that he’s looking up the bands on her shirts. So here are four of the songs I imagined they’d both listen to in the book, based on Lilah’s wardrobe!
When The Sun Hits by Slowdive
Slowdive is the first T-shirt of the book, and one of my all-time favorite shoegaze bands, so I had to work them in somehow. I can totally imagine this song playing during the rooftop scene. Arthur is an F1 driver and has to travel the world. Once Lilah stops making the documentary about him, they won’t be around each other. At all. Slowdive puts it so simply in this song: “It matters where you are.”
Linger by The Cranberries
The second T-shirt of the novel! This song is about being so tenderly annoyed by having feelings for someone, an emotion that Lilah and Arthur both know well. It’s a perfect rom-com second-act anthem: “You know I'm such a fool for you, you got me wrapped around your finger.”
Femme Fatale by The Velvet Underground
Although Arthur would probably go for their top hits first, I feel like he’d land on this song and find it soothing, since Lilah is a femme fatale to him. Also, this song is about knowing a smart, powerful woman is going to break your heart… and not really minding all that much.
Disorder by Joy Division
Oh, where to begin? Joy Division is another one of my forever favorites, and it just felt right to put bespectacled, film-loving, probably-Tumblr-scrolling Lilah Graywood in the classic Unknown Pleasures shirt. And I like how this song in particular describes feeling both lost and a bit out of tune, which is similar to how Lilah feels at points: “I've been waiting for a guide to come and take me by the hand.”
In the high-speed world of Formula 1, documentarian Lilah teams up with racing driver Arthur Bianco for a whirlwind of revenge—and perhaps something more.
Lilah Graywood never imagined she’d be spending her summer amidst the roaring engines and adrenaline-fueled world of Formula 1 racing. As a serious documentarian, her passion lies in capturing the raw, unfiltered truth. But when her best friend, business co-owner, and secret boyfriend Max decides to pivot their documentary company to film the Ignition Energy Drink Racing team, Lilah is thrust into a world she despises. Her disdain turns to fury when Max blindsides her, not only ending their relationship but also threatening the company she painstakingly built.
Enter Arthur Bianco, the charismatic and enigmatic F1 reserve driver whose career is as tumultuous as the races he dreams of winning. Initially, Lilah is supposed to document Arthur’s relegation to backup driver, but together they concoct a plan to take control of Max’s documentary, each with their own motives—Lilah’s revenge and Arthur’s redemption. Their secret alliance promises to change the narrative, both on and off the track.
As they navigate the glamorous circuits and behind-the-scenes secrets of Formula 1, an unexpected speedbump forces Lilah and Arthur’s partnership to evolve into a fake relationship that feels all too real. The chemistry between them is off-limits and undeniable, and as Arthur’s cinematic comeback plays out over the hot globe-trotting summer, Lilah finds herself drawn to his true charm and hidden vulnerability. But as the cameras roll and the world watches, Lilah must confront her own feelings and the reality that no script can dictate the course of true love.
Slipstream is a captivating tale of love, revenge, and the unexpected turns life takes. With its blend of humor, heart, and high-speed drama, this contemporary romance is a must-read for anyone who believes in the power of second chances and the thrill of the chase.
Romance Comedy | Romance Sports [Simon & Schuster, On Sale: May 20, 2025, Trade Paperback / e-Book , ISBN: 9781668098776 / eISBN: 9781668098783]
Madge Maril is a writer and Byronic hero enthusiast whose work has been published by Harper’s Bazaar, Cosmopolitan, and more. Previously a beauty and fashion journalist, Madge fell back in love with fiction through fandom and has been writing stories about big feelings ever since. She lives in Ohio with her husband and cat.Slipstream is her first novel.
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