Fast and Fastidious by R.M. Caldwell

Tracy’s Rating: 3 of 5 stars

Series: Standalone

Release Date: April 14, 2026

Outwardly, Miss Lucy Elliot fits the mold of the perfect Regency lady, but what drew me in was her secret passion for engineering that made her feel both relatable and refreshingly original to me. Watching her sneak into the Night Races was a highlight; it showed her curiosity and her willingness to challenge the expectations placed on her. Captain Dashwood, her neighbor, is an interesting character, as the story unfolds, I enjoyed seeing new layers to his character and how his interactions with Lucy brought out her strengths. Meg and the rest of Lucy’s friends were unwavering in their support. The story mixes carriage racing with a mystery involving robberies and espionage. There are action scenes and technical details about carriages, and while some readers might find these engaging, I felt that slowed the story down. The Night Races add excitement and help blur class lines, giving the book its unique twist.

Overall, this was a fun Regency adventure with some fresh ideas and entertaining moments. While I admired Lucy’s neurodivergent traits and the way her personality shines through, I sometimes wished the story gave a bit more attention to the other characters who also had so much potential and while Lucy’s perspective made the novel feel personal and heartfelt, I felt it lacked the emotional depth I was expecting and considering this was billed as a romance, I found the story completely lacking romance and ultimately it doesn’t deliver the emotional payoff I was hoping for. If you’re looking for a historical story with good character development and a mystery plot, this book is worth checking out. However, if you want a romance-driven read, this is probably not the story for you.

*I am voluntarily leaving a review for an eARC that I requested and was provided to me by the publisher/author. All opinions in this review are my own. *