read this while watching the belgian grand prix so the vibes were perfect!

this book would have hit so much harder if i read it in the time of lauren asher's f1 series. this was just sooooooo long. loved the characters and the tropes but would've loved if it was shorter.

Rating ~2.5 (rounded up because I didn’t actively dislike anything)

I thought I would love this book. Both the cover and the synopsis are cute. It seemed right up my alley.

Alas, it just felt pretty basic and shallow. I didn’t feel the chemistry. I didn’t swoon at the romance.

It wasn’t bad. I’m not annoyed that I read it. But I’m not rushing to store to get a copy to add to my shelf.

🏎️ Book Review 🏎️

Cross the Line by Simone Soltani
🏎️
This book was so much fun! I loved Willow and Dev. They were super supportive of each other, balanced the other out, and had excellent chemistry. They really were the perfect couple. Willow deals with a chronic illness and the representation felt accurate and honest. Dev’s Indian culture played a huge part in who he was and in his family relationships, and I loved how it was portrayed! I also loved the diverse cast of side characters who were charming and interesting. I’d love to read more books about them in the future! This was the perfect setup for an F1 series or a series based on Dev and his friend group. Honestly, I’d read either.
🏎️
My rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice level: 🌶️🌶️
🏎️
Read if you like:
▫️Formula 1
▫️forbidden love
▫️brother’s best friend
▫️childhood friends and neighbors
▫️he’s her boss
▫️forced proximity
▫️sunshine x sunshine
▫️dual POV
🏎️
Thank you to Berkley, NetGalley, and Simone Soltani for the ARC. I received an advanced copy for free, and am leaving this review voluntarily.

I don’t know much about F1, but I know a lot about book covers, and this one helped me get on the podium after I won the run to read it lol OK was that terrible? Yes. BUT it was still very, very real.

Maybe I was so invested in it because y’all know I’m a sucker for social media in a book. And when I saw that this was about getting Dev’s social media back right, I knew i was going to be a goner. And the way she explained some of her strategies and how he recognized some of the things she was doing was especially dear to me. It’s just something about the way he supported her in the things she loved, even if it was her job.

On to the romance…. Lordt! He was so oblivious and she had all but given up on ever getting together with him. When he finally got it together, they were older but they were now shadowed by another friend of her brother’s who had cheated on her. And of course the brother was like NOT NAIR ANOTHER ONE BET NOT TRY FOR HER EITHER lol But of course, that’s when Dev finally decided to get his head out his ass. It was messy yes, but I liked it. But when they finally got together, I hated the hiding they did, but still I liked it way more than what Dev was in the very beginning. Because Lordt him talking about getting some every time we were in his thoughts was annoying. I seriously thought he was going to be an asshole lol

There’s all different types of rep in this also. Willow is Black, Dev is South Asian, and Willow also has a disability that sounds like hypermobility. Doing things like standing too long could hurt her. I liked that the author also included a stretching/massage session and showed that Dev was paying attention to her and watching her cues. And the one time he overstepped, she set him straight and I was here cheering the whole time. And then seeing Dev’s sister’s wedding was like the icing on the cake. I loved that the author put all the different parts of the wedding and the way they all acted while there. It was so much fun.

I did feel like the ending was tho. Like she forgot to add it in the story and then was like oh yeah, this plot point wasn’t closed! Let me just put this lil scene right here. And damn it all if I didn’t almost scream because wtf why would you make that happen like that? I was listening to the audio and I wasn’t prepared. There weren’t any sound effects or anything, but I seem to get more imaginative when I’m reading with my ears. And this one did a number on me. But Soltani did have me kicking my feet and grinning like all hell at the end end. I can’t be the only one tho. I need to know if y’all do also lol

This was fun. I still don’t know anything about F1, but I do know that I need to try some macarons now lol I’ve only ever had one in my life and it wasn’t anywhere near what she was describing lol This book was a lot of fun! I hope y’all read it and see the what the hype is about!

Thought this was really cute. Made for an easy quick read. I did want a little grumpy with my sunshine,

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher Berkley Publishing Group for providing me with this book for free in exchange for my review! All opinions are my own. @BerkleyPub @BerkleyRomance #BerkleyPartner #Berkley #BerkleyBookstagram #BerkleyBookTok
I was also lucky enough to receive an ALC from the Penguin Random House Audio Influencer Program. @prhaudio #PRHAudio #PRHAudioInfluencer

This was a decent romance. I did have a hard time connecting with Dev, but it is possible that it might be because I am not a huge fan of car racing (it's not that I don't like it, I am just not super familar with it), or maybe his character wasn't as developed as he could've been. With that being said, I thought the romance was cute and Dev and Willow had good chemistry. I also enjoyed Vikas Adams and Nerissa Bradley's narration and I thought their voices complimented each other nicely.

Overall this was a cute novel and if I was more familiar with race car driving, I may have enjoyed this book even more.

—


Many Thanks again to NetGalley and Berkley for providing me with this book in exchange for my honest review.

********


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I’m not too familiar with F1 and this is actually my second F1 book that I’ve read, I definitely enjoyed it more than the one I read previously. I thought the book was cute and definitely loved that Dev fell harder, I love that trope, it just does something to me. I did feel like at time the book did drag on but overall it was a good read.

Thank you NetGalley and Berkley for a copy of this ebook!

I had a great time with this book and loved so many of the tropes: brothers best friend, childhood friends to lovers, sports romance (F1 racing). There is also no third act breakup which I’m always here for!

Dev is an F1 racer who hires willow to be his social media manager to repair his image. She’s also his best friend’s sister, and her brother doesn’t want her dating any of his friends after one of them broke her heart.

This was such a feel good love story with excellent banter, spice and some drama. It did feel a little drawn out at times (suuuuper slow burn), but man was it worth it!

I can’t wait to read another book by this author!

I love a good sport romance and this one didn't disappoint, the sport aspect was pretty accurate to me and I really liked that it was a main aspect in this book. I feel like in a lot of romances the sport is neglected but this one was the perfect balance. I loved both of their character Dev and Willow are the sweetest, I love them. Also I loved how the disability rep was represented. But I would have loved to have more context over their first kiss because it was a little random and I think, if there had been more context there would have been more tension and would have been more interesting.
Bonus point for the NO miscommunication and no third act break-up tropes tho.

Willow Williams is a recent college grad on the job hunt. Dev Anderson is an Formula 1 driver with an image problem. He’s also her lifelong crush and her brother’s best friend. When Dev offers Willow a temporary job, they’re both determined to keep things professional, regardless of old feelings and their blazing chemistry. But in the glittering and high-stakes world of Formula 1, some lines are meant to be crossed…

Pros:
- Amazing chemistry between the FMC and MMC.
- Fun, believable, and adorable male friendships.
- Incredibly fun and interesting look into the world of Formula 1.
- She falls first, he falls harder.
- Great diversity representation.
- Bollywood references were really well done!


Opportunities:
- Some Formula 1 references were out of mainstream knowledge so I did a bit of Googling.
- The start of it is slow but, thankfully, I pushed through.

Overall, it's an adorable romcom. Lot's of heart, a little heat, low angst.

(4.5) I’m so glad I finally picked this back up. I was definitely not in the right mood last time I tried but this time I flew through it. I loved Dev and Willow. This is I think my 6th or 7th F1 romance and I really liked that this one kinda focused more on the politics/inner workings of the team rather than just making him some big great driver. It made it feel refreshing and based on things I’ve actually seen and heard from the sport, it felt very real. The tropes were great, the friendships were really good, and overall I really edited it. She’s longer than I expected but it honestly went really quickly. It’s sweet, a teeny bit spicy, and definitely swoon worthy. I love my a mmc who is obsessed with his girl! I’m excited to see what the author does next.

I recently got into f1 and I was so excited to read an f1 romance - what timing!

What I liked: I like the diversity - the Indian culture! I liked the chronic illness rep too. I also really enjoyed the actual formula 1 bits. I liked that he was down bad. I also like the ending. It was dramatic.

What I didn’t like: So idk if it’s the book or me. But I just wasn’t feeling it. Brother’s best friend. They obviously like each other. So it already felt insta lovey? And then there’s that “let’s not tell my brother.” But why not? Yous a grown woman. The “conflict” didn’t feel too much like a conflict. Or I guess much at stake? Because we know that at the end they all accept the best friend bc he’s actually a good guy ha.

He talked a lot and he did a lot of cute stuff. But I think the book overall dragged so much. We weren’t really moving plot-wise. I wish there had been a better or bigger conflict keeping them apart, besides her brother and “career.” Am I hater? Haha

Overall, if you love brother’s best friend and some forced proximity - you’d like this. I don’t think that trope is for me.

Thank you so much to Berkley Romance for the digital copy!

I have been such a sports romance kick and especially when it is Formula One. And this was delightful!
I have been reading more of brother's best friend and I have to tell you, the trope is growing on me.

"You look at her like she hung the moon, Dev. Kind of hard to miss."

I like that Dev and Willow knew each other growing up and have that deep rooted history between them. And I think part of the whole sibling best friend is that tension and the "we can't do this". Having Willow work for him just made the flirting and the pining even stronger. Dev was head over heels for Willow from the start. She was a little more hesitant in her feelings as there was so much more at stake between her brother and her career. But they truly were so good for one another and together. Willow has a chronic illness and him knowing her limits was so sweet. I just love his love for her. They were always honest in their feelings with each other and they shared the struggle with disappointing his friend/her brother.

Even though I enjoyed this, I did feel like you could tell that this was original indie book. This possible could be the writing style from the author but just comparing to other traditional pub books, I could feel the difference.

I have no clue what the next book in the series is going to be. But I will be reading!

If youre a fan of Formula 1, dual POV, brother's best friend & workplace romance - give this a try!

“I’d let her steal the sight from my eyes, the breath from my lungs. I’d let her do her worst and still be eternally grateful.”

Thanks to the publisher for sending me an early copy of the ebook and audio (narrated by Vikas Adam and Nerissa Bradley) - in addition to my thoughts on the story I must say this audiobook was incredible! The narrators were fantastic and pulled me effortlessly.

- Brothers best friend
-Sports romance (F1 racing)
-Interracial romance with biracial MCs (Black & white heroine, Indian & white hero)
- Chronically ill heroine (hypermobility)
-She’s his social media manager
- Mutual pining

I fell in love with this book before the 10% mark and continued falling in love the more I read so much that I promptly preordered a copy! Dev and Willow have tangible chemistry that charges the air of any room they’re in together and their secret kiss almost a year before the story starts is partly why - the other part is that they’ve always had a thing for each other. As leads they’re amazing but the story was a wonderful cast of supporting characters that have individual bonds as well and they breathe so much life into this story.

Dev is a character who is driven but frustrated at the circumstances he’s trapped in while Willow is equally as goal-oriented and frustrated that her job prospects aren’t great. Their collaboration is one that makes sense and gives them both what they need and I loved how they story explored a way for them to be together without either of them sacrificing their ambitions.

I loved how plain old SWEET Dev was and how Willow takes care of her chronic illness but still sometimes does a little thing she shouldn’t technically do because it brings her joy. Simone Soltani is a new author to me and I can’t wait to read more of her work!

This was a fun, steamy novel. I loved how it was about Formula 1 racing as I didn't know much about it. I also enjoyed the mutual pining these 2 characters had for each other for years. Overall it was cute, steamy and full of racing!

Thank you to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing Group for providing the ARC.

This was a cute brother's best friend book that was all fluff with not much in the way of substance. It is very much a character read, and there's not much plot to speak of. Willow and Dev are adorable together, and I enjoyed reading about them and their story. As a reader though, I would have loved to see something more substantial in the plot.

Cute book with cute characters, and a ridiculous amount of sugary sweet fluff.

I got about 20% into this book and I do not care for the characters in this book and I feel it is much to long for what it is.

You guysss, I know we love sports romance but my eyes have been opened. F1 romance is just as and maybe even the hottest sport. Dev and Willow are the cutest couple EVER. This book was so good and honestly makes me want to watch some Bollywood films if they are as romantic as I think.

Thank you so much to @netgalley and @berkleyromance for this arc. And @simonesoltani I just thank you for writing this book because I’m still swooning over it🥰🥰.

🏎️ Brothers Best Friend
🏎️ Slowburn
🏎️ F1
🏎️ He fell harder
🏎️ Diverse cultures and characters
🏎️ Top book boyfriend material👀

i had fun but i feel like a lot of the plot fell short for me. i wished there was more build up to the romance and tension. everything felt a little rushed but i still had fun!

If you love sports romances, F1 in particular, (and even if you don’t), 𝗖𝗿𝗼𝘀𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗟𝗶𝗻𝗲 𝗯𝘆 𝗦𝗶𝗺𝗼𝗻𝗲 𝗦𝗼𝗹𝘁𝗮𝗻𝗶 just dropped today in the US and you’re going to want to add it to your TBR! This is her debut and it was so cute! Dev and Willow have known each other since they were kids, Dev is Willow’s brother’s best friend. And of course she had the biggest crush on him growing up. I LOVE when a childhood crush comes full circle 🥰 Dev hires Willow to do damage control on his image and to manage his social media after a scandal created by his last social manager. He was so sweet to her and I loved their slow burn and how supportive they were to each other. The side characters brought the entertainment too! This story deals with real life issues while keeping a lighthearted feel.
Read if you like ⇣
🤍Sports Romance
🖤Brother’s Best Friend
❤️She Falls First, He Falls Harder
🤍Workplace
🖤Forbidden Romance
❤️No Third Act Breakup
🤍Dual POV
🖤Spice

Thank you so much Berkley Pub and NetGalley for this eARC!