A fun, banter filled college romance with forced proximity, opposites attract chemistry, and an unforgettable friend group.
Release date: April 28, 2026
Publisher: Gallery
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Synopsis:
Soon to be a global TV series on Prime Video!
The Flatshare meets Elle Kennedy’s Off Campus series in this opposites-attract, forced-proximity stand-alone from the internationally bestselling Campus Drivers series—where a brooding bad boy and a heartbroken girl become reluctant college roommates.
He doesn’t do attachments…but she’s the one temptation he can’t drive away.
Lane O’Neill is living the dream his senior year of college, running Campus Drivers, the ride-share app that he launched with his best friends. The concept is simple: play taxi driver for students behind the wheel of vintage cars. The girls love it, and the four drivers are deeply committed to never disappointing their clientele.
Lane has just one rule: no attachments. Ever. After everything he’s lost, keeping his emotions locked up is the only way he knows how to move forward—seeking solace in late-night drives and the rare quiet of his apartment off-campus.
So how the hell did he end up with his neighbor’s ex, Lois Hogan, crashing at his place? She’s everything he doesn’t want—clingy, directionless, and annoyingly optimistic. The type who follows her basketball-star boyfriend to college and picks a sports therapy major just to stay close to him—then acts surprised when it all blows up in her face. Lane can’t resist calling her out on it, yet despite the constant bickering, he keeps letting her stay.
Lois thought she had her life figured out, but after a messy breakup, she’s going through a full-blown identity crisis. To top it all off, she now has to deal with an infuriatingly hot, emotionally distant roommate who seems to have a knack for driving her crazy. But Lois is done playing the good girl. If Lane wants to push her around, she’s more than prepared to push right back.”
Review:
The comparisons to Elle Kennedy’s Off Campus series were what initially drew me to Fast Lane, and I can definitely see why! It has that same addictive new adult college romance energy, complete with a tight knit group of friends, fantastic banter, and plenty of romantic tension. Instead of hockey players, we have a group of guys who run Campus Drivers, a ride share service for fellow students using their vintage cars. Such a fun concept, and I immediately loved the whole setup!
Lois is having a seriously rough time when we first meet her. After a breakup leaves her questioning practically everything about her life, she finds herself unexpectedly living with Lane, who isn’t exactly thrilled about the arrangement. I really enjoyed watching Lois slowly find her footing, regain her confidence, and figure out who she is outside of a relationship. Her growth was one of my favorite parts of the story, and I loved that she learned to stand up for herself, especially when it came to Lane.
And Lane! He’s kind of a dick, but in the most lovable way possible? He’s sarcastic, emotionally unavailable, and definitely knows how to push Lois’s buttons, but there’s so much more going on beneath that grumpy exterior. His struggles with grief felt authentic, and I appreciated how his past shaped his reluctance to let anyone get too close. The banter between these two was fantastic, and I loved watching their relationship gradually shift from constant bickering to something much more meaningful.
What really sold me on this book was the overall vibe. The college setting, the friendships, the humor, and the romance all worked so well together. The forced proximity and opposites attract tropes were executed beautifully, and the supporting cast added so much personality to the story. Fast Lane was such a fun introduction to the Campus Drivers world, and I love when a first book makes me excited to spend more time with an entire friend group. I’m definitely looking forward to continuing this series!
Perfect for readers who love:
- New adult college romances with Off-Campus vibes
- Forced proximity and reluctant roommates
- Grumpy heroes and heroines finding their confidence
- Sharp banter and slow building romantic tension
- Tight knit friend groups and interconnected standalones
- Romance with emotional depth, healing, and personal growth
Overall rating: 4/5
Thanks to the publisher for my review copy.
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