I'm South Asian and I found the desi rep of the hero to frankly be hollow and not great. It's not terrible, but it's not good either. I can't speak to the accuracy of the F1 storyline but I liked it as a casual viewer. I'm really sad because the rest of the story was nice, but I kept getting distracted by representation issues.

I feel like I keep searching through so many anticipated releases, waiting for something that will break the reading slump. Unfortunately, this one just wasn't the one to do it. I just felt bored.

“My sunshine girl. My macaron-loving menace. Absolute love of my life.”

This is such a delightful book and a fun sports romance!

When a social media disaster threatens to ruin Dev’s career he needs someone in his corner to help him fix his failing image. He decides that Willow, his best friend’s little sister, is just the person for the job. She is a hard worker and has a talent for seeing the best in people. The only catch is that seven months earlier he kissed her and now he can’t seem to get her out of his mind.

Dev and Willow’s love and obsession for one another is so very sweet. She is the center of his universe but their romance is fraught with speed bumps. First off, she works for him and for that reason alone, they are determined to keep things professional. Plus, they are hiding their attraction from her brother who will likely not be thrilled with the match. Because of these challenges, the romance that develops between the two is a slow burn but one that you can’t help but be drawn to.

I loved the dual pov and the fact that there is no third act break up. I thought that the writing was effortless and I was hooked right from the start! I will admit that I know nothing about Formula 1 racing but I very much enjoyed the attention to detail and how I was able to learn all about the ins and outs of this world as I read along! I also appreciate the representation of Willow’s disability. The care with which Simone Soltani approached this storyline was just flawless.

Overall, I thought this book was very fun and I would definitely recommend adding it to your summer reading lists!

🏎️❤️

4.5⭐️

I love F1 books, so I was excited for a chance to early read this book. It didn’t disappoint, this has quickly become a favorite F1 book of mine.

Dev is Willow’s brother’s best friend, so they’ve known each other since they were kids. They shared one kiss that they’ve since kept secret, not wanting Willow’s brother to find out. They haven’t seen or spoke to each other since, but eventually cross paths again. Dev is having a hard time with his public appearance, a nasty rumor being the cause. He hired Willow as his social media manager, in order to help him revive his reputation and image. With feelings from that first kiss popping up, can they keep it just professional?

I loved the diversity of the characters, the representation for chronic illness, it was written so well. If you enjoy sports romance, brothers best friend and childhood friends to lovers, you’ll love this book!

This was such a fun read, I’m so happy I had the opportunity to early read this. Thank you to NetGalley, Berkeley Publishing and Simone Soltani, for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I've never read a Formula 1 book before so I was super excited to dive into this story as I love sports romances and love reading something I've never read before. Needless to say I was hooked from the very first page. Dev and Willow were absolute perfection. Childhood friends to lovers and brothers best friend along with forbidden romance, yes please! I was all here for it and then some! I loved them together, watching their love bloom and evolve as the story went on. I really appreciate that there was no third act breakup too. Plenty of racing, friends and family and of course romance to go around in this book. Highly recommend.

Cross the line by Soltani is okay. It wasn’t the best sports romance I have read but it was enjoyable. For readers who like sports romance novels.

This book was so cute! This was my first F1 romance and it definitely will not be my last! I don’t normally love brother’s best friend but I liked the way this one was done. The tension was so so good! I also really liked that they were so aware of one another because they’ve known each other since childhood. All the little things they did for each other were perfect! I do think this was maybe a little bit long, but I still really enjoyed it!

The writing of this one didn't work for me so I have put it down for now. I will probably pick it up again because the troupe of brothers best friend is one that I love and a competent woman who works hard and knows what she is doing. I am hoping this is the begining of a trend of books written about racing by authors who know and love the sport.

⭐️⭐️⭐️.5 // 🌶️🌶️.5 I really did overall enjoy this romance! The reason for not a full 4 or more was because I did find the beginning and a couple other moments to be slow. However I love a man that absolutely is smitten with the girl he thinks he can’t have. I also felt that the author did a great job with the F1 world and not just being a typical “he’s the best in the world.” The reader really went through the characters ups and downs. I will be recommending this to all of my F1 loving book besties.

I've never read an F1 sports romance book before and honestly, before this, I probably wouldn't have considered racecar driving a sport (due to my ignorance lol). I loved the chronic illness rep. Willow has EDS (a connective tissue disorder). I can't speak to the accuracy of the rep, but as an outsider, it seemed well done and well balanced. There is also multiracial rep, with Dev half white/half Indian (Gujarati) and Willow half white/half Black. Both Dev and Willow have white dads. Dev experiences a few instances of racism and microaggressions at his company (which proudly only employs American born drivers with red, white, and blue uniforms. Ah don't you just love nationalism /s). I loved Dev's mom, Neha Aunty, and her subtle scheming/matchmaking. I would have liked to see more of Willow's parents. We only meet her dad when he silently waves at Dev from his computer, and we never meet her mom. We get the sense that Willow hates being home in San Diego with her parents, but I'm not really sure if we're ever told why?? I might have missed or forgotten that detail since it took me so long to get through this one (it could be because they treat her as fragile, but she also never talks about them so I have no idea what their relationship is like?). I loved Dev's best friends, Chava and Mark (it took me a bit to warm up to Mark, but he definitely redeemed himself). I wish we had seen more of Oakley (Willow's brother) and his relationship with both Willow and Dev.

I think the book could have been 50-100 pages shorter. I have a hard time reading romances over 400 pages, because they tend to drag on and get repetitive. Some of the scenes could have definitely been cut down or out, like <spoiler>the car accident at the end/that was foreshadowed at the beginning?? idk it seemed unnecessary, and the beginning made it seem like Dev got in a crash because he was distracted by his relationship with Willow?? But in reality they were already together at that point, and her brother already accepted their relationship soooo it really only sped up Dev's transfer to another company but did nothing else for the plot.</spoiler> I also thought the "conflict" of telling Oakley was overblown. That "forbidden" romance conflict is part of why I don't really like brother's best friend romance books, BUT I was glad Oakley didn't get all macho man and spew all that "I need to protect my sister" bullshit. <spoiler>He admits to feeling protective over Willow, but he doesn't stop them from pursuing their feelings</spoiler> Sooooo thankfully that means no third act breakup!

Thanks to Penguin Random House for the ARC of this book! All thoughts are my own.

Listen, I got excited when I joined NetGalley (aka I do NOT like sport romances). With that in mind, it wasn't a bad book but there was literally zero drama?? Until the epilogue (which was insanely long). I'd suggest making the first part of the epilogue a part of the book in the future because too much happened that wasn't even a part of the story. ALSO the first chapter was a hit to the ego (as a sport business degree girly that is not working in sport) but that's a me problem.

I really enjoyed Dev and Willow’s relationship. They communicate so well from the start and it’s friends to lovers but the friendship is actually there and while they’re pining, they don’t push either of their boundaries and they let it build and naturally come together. I was expecting a little more stakes towards the end but it still wrapped up well and didn't make me feel like i was missing out.

The writing flows really well and the progression of friends to lovers isn't abrupt or unbelievable. It was overall a very sweet romance with a good balance of banter, tension and spice.

A Formula 1 romance filled with excitement both off and on the track.

This is a 2 POV, childhood friends to lovers, brothers best friend, slow burn romance that is filled with great dialogue, witty banter, and tons of fast moving action.

Loved the characters, their arcs, and the pacing. An easy book to fall into and get lost for a quick book escape when the weather is too hot to go anywhere!

I can't wait to share my full review on my social media platforms and blog.

This combines TWO forbidden romance subgenres, "workplace romance" and "dude, stop eyeing up my little sister romance." Plus, this has probably been the most hyped of the upcoming F1-inspired romances coming out this year.
Unfortunately, there were more red flags than green for me here.

The book is at its best when it's focused on racing - the author knows how to convey on-track adrenaline and aggression. The stakes there are clear and immediate. The romance could have used some of that.

I think the thing that annoyed me the most was the way that Willow is infantilized throughout the story. Everyone expresses horror, shock, ASTONOISHMENT when she cusses, makes a joke, or even acknowledges that she knows what sex is. She's 21 and the book may be trying to emphasize her "glow up" she's had as she's emerging from the cocoon of just being some guy's cute sister, but it makes her seem 21 going on 13.

Cross the Line is sweet, fun and steamy. I love the new influx of F1 romances. Simone Soltani knows what she's talking about and I could feel her passion of fit through the story!

This book was so cute! This is the story of Willow and Dev. Dev is an F1 driver with a bad reputation online that puts his career and sponsors on the line. He hires Willow as his social media manager to help save his image. There's just one problem. Willow is his best friend's little sister who he kissed a year ago and is his worst distraction. They agreed to keep their relationship professionnal and will have to fight their attraction to each other while traveling the world together.
This was my first F1 romance and I think I want to watch F1 now? I loved seeing their relationship develop, how they became closer and how they connected. I also loved Dev's friend group they were so fun!
I loved the representation with a black FMC and indian MMC!

- F1 romance
- Brother's best friend
- Forced proximity
- Slow burn
- She falls first, he falls harder

I highly recommend if you want to dip you toes into F1 romance or are just in the mood for a quick and cute summer romance!

Cross the Line begins with Dev, a Formula 1 driver having a terrible run at the start of the book and then it skips ahead to seven months later. At that point, we’re introduced to Willow who recently graduated college and is looking for a job in sports marketing. Of course, opportunity comes knocking at the door in the form of her brother’s best friend: Dev.

After talking a bit, Willow agrees to manage his social media as a way to rehab his image after a particular bad time with a previous social media manager. While it seems impossible at first, Willow starts working her magic and we also slowly watch as these two grow closer and closer with each race.

Eventually, we come to find out what happened with Willow and Dev seven months before and how it’s impacting their partnership right now. Either way, this book has the most delicious tension between Dev and Willow. By the time they finally kiss, it feels like a slow-burn but after that point, these two truly cannot keep their hands off of each other. Let me just say that Simone Soltani knows how to write a steamy scene because these were smokin’.

The thing I enjoyed most about this book was how Willow’s brother, Oakley handled everything as that was such a fun change of pace. In addition, Willow has a chronic illness which I don’t recall ever being mentioned on-page which was a refreshing chance of pace. I’ll stop gushing in a second, but I also adored how much these two did the smallest and sweetest things for the other. It just made me so happy and love this book even more than I already did.

As you can see, I absolutely loved Cross the Line and I honestly talked myself into giving it a 5-star so I’m considering it one of the contenders for my favorite romance of the year. If you’re looking for a new romance to pick up, then do yourself a favor and grab Cross the Line.

Had me with racing, plus a brother’s best friend trope?? I was sold! I thought the story was a quick read and enjoyable!! Plus the relationship didn’t seem forced.

This book was a speedy, thrilling ride! While it took me awhile to really warm up to our main characters, once I did, I was totally hooked and raced through the rest of it. It's a great intro to F1 sports romance, and I'm already revving up for more books in this universe!

I craved a bit more drama and sabotage between Dev and Argonaut. The conflicts felt a bit too straightforward not as deep as I wanted it to be. Overall, a pretty good read.

“Cross the Line” by Simone Soltani is a sparkling Formula 1 romance that will leave your heart racing. Cross the Line is a delightful blend of romance, adrenaline, and unforgettable characters. Soltani has crafted a winner that will leave you cheering for the main characters. Don't miss this exhilarating ride!

The story revolves around Formula 1 driver Dev Anderson, whose career is hanging by a thread after a social media disaster. With an angry team and sponsors threatening to abandon ship, Dev desperately needs someone to salvage his image.

Enter Willow Williams, a recent college graduate with a talent for seeing the bright side of any situation. Willow has known Dev since childhood, he's her brother Oakley's best friend. But there's more to their history: they shared a secret kiss in the past, leaving unresolved feelings simmering beneath the surface.

When Dev offers Willow a temporary job as his social media manager, she can't resist, even if it means ignoring her long-standing crush on him. As they work together, the chemistry between them blazes hotter than ever. But in the high-stakes world of Formula 1, lines are meant to be crossed.

I adored the slow burn romance, and Soltani masterfully builds the tension between Willow and Dev. Their relationship progression is a delightful slow burn, and their interactions are both heartwarming and sizzling.

I was truly here for the authentic representation. The portrayal of Willow's hyper-mobility and the intricacies of the Formula 1 world are well-researched and authentic. I learned so much about both topics while enjoying the romance. Dev is South Asian, and Willow is Black. Their backgrounds enrich the story, and their love transcends cultural boundaries.

The supportive characters help Dev's humour shine through in the dialogue, and Willow's sweetness and unwavering support make her endearing. Their dynamic feels genuine, and you'll root for their happily ever after.

The forced proximity trope adds delicious tension. Working closely together, Dev and Willow navigate old feelings, professional boundaries, and undeniable attraction.

“Cross the Line” is a captivating romance that combines sports, passion, and genuine emotion. Soltani weaves a tale that will keep you turning pages until the very end. Whether you're an F1 fan or simply love a heartwarming love story, this book is a must-read.

Thank you to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing Group for a temporary e-ARC in exchange for my honest review.