About THE RACING LINE

THE RACING LINE is a sapphic, second chance, Formula 1 Romance by Crystal Leigh. It's represented by Rebecca Podos of Neighborhood Literary.

Two rival racers, Jill Hunt and Maeve Linden, find love amidst fierce competition. Their world is upended when Maeve abruptly quits racing and ends their relationship. A decade later, their paths collide again in the high-stakes world of Formula 1. Jill, now a groundbreaking F1 driver, and Maeve, a sports presenter, are forced to confront their past. As they rekindle their connection, external pressures mount, threatening their careers and their burgeoning romance. With secrets, public scrutiny, and a terrifying accident testing their resolve, Jill and Maeve must decide if their love is worth fighting for, even if it means risking everything.

Crystal's Motorsport Credentials

Crystal gets her love of motorsport from her husband of over 19 years. Her father-in-law, Martin, was a rally co-driver who raced with Mikael Sundström, Tim Tennant, and Ian Lawless, among others. Since becoming interested in motorsport, Crystal has driven a Formula Skip Barber car around Laguna Seca, completed driver performance education days with numerous brands, taken a Porsche 911 Carrera on track days, and more. She is a fierce advocate for women in motorsport and has attended multiple events and conversations on the topics. In the summer of 2026, she will be attending Rally Colorado as a spectator and doing the rally experience at Dirtfish's Women in Motorsport Summit.

Reader Feedback

The way [Crystal] writes race recaps is super entertaining. I felt I was there watching alongside them!
- Beta Reader
[...] thought this was a wonderful story, and got really invested in Maeve and Jill's romance!
- Beta Reader
I love how real this dialogue feels!
- Beta Reader
I like that we're seeing this side of the sport and the misogyny that comes with it. 
- Beta Reader

Unhinged Reader Comments

STOPPP THIS IS AMAZINGGG!!
- Beta Reader
gosh the two of them just need some morning snuggles cause they are never in bed together in the morning
- Beta Reader
yah! one of them is finally not following the rules
- Beta Reader
love women standing up for women! big points for her
- Beta Reader