Sad to report that I did not enjoy this book and soft DNFed around 60%. I just could not get into it and reading felt like such a chore. :( I am bummed because I thought this was going to be the start of my F1 hyperfixation.

This is a fun read! I know little about Formula 1 racing, so this was my first foray into F1 romance. The story has a prickly characters who both have something to prove, and although they do develop as characters, it was refreshing to see that they remained largely the same but grew more nuanced and better because of each other. My one complaint, if you could even call it that, is that the book gets a little into the weeds in the final race. Some of the jargon and the description of tire strategy will likely appeal to F1 fans, but for the non-fan, I felt like I was getting lost in the details. However, I will definitely be recommending this book to patrons who are looking for a spicy, sports romance, because I don't think you need to be a F1 fan to enjoy it. It hits all the romance beats you want and expect, while being unique in its setting and characters.

This book was made for the F1 GIRLIES. The banter was phenomenal and I loved that our FMC was just smart. Like no qualifiers and no shame. It was so refreshing to see. I cannot wait to read more of this series in the future!!!

This was so confusing to me. Right off the bat the FMC is fighting sexism in the workplace but then throws it right back so it’s only okay when she does it? Her actions rarely lined up with her words, I would be on board with her efforts of not coming across as a nepo baby telling her dad not to intervene, but then she goes and does or says something totally out of left field and very immature. So many small moments like this. And her supposed best friend?? They think such rude things about each other and they are so toxic! The MMC also came off as a caricature to me, he’s the playboy/bad boy trope but honestly felt so forced getting his inner thoughts about it with him judging any of his colleagues who don’t act the same as him. Honestly made they really were a match because it was a hard time finding someone redeemable in this story and it wasn’t even “everyone sucks” in a fun way (like the show tell me lies). Thank you to forever for the eARC I’m at least grateful to have tried this because the cover is so good.

I was significantly excited about Double Apex's premise since I grew up watching F1 with my dad. Unfortunately, this book was a disappointment for me. I couldn't connect to the MMC because of all the emotional and physical abuse and the workplace harassment. Both of the characters were unlikeable, and I couldn't care anymore.

I will not review this on my main bookstragram page since it has a low star rating.

Why did this make me want to watch racing?

Double Apex by Josie Juniper brings the thrill of F1 racing to life with a steamy romance that’ll have you cheering from the sidelines. This fast-paced novel offers an enticing blend of high-stakes action and sizzling chemistry, making it perfect for anyone curious about the world of F1 or simply looking for an addictive sports romance.

Tropes:
Grumpy x Sunshine
Dual POV
Workplace Romance
Enemies to Lovers
HE FALLS FIRST

Arc received from the publisher; all thoughts and opinions are my own.

Am I crazy for being up at 4 am to watch the rescheduled F1 qualifying? Maybe but it was worth it to see my boy Lando take pole. I thought it only fitting to share this F1 romance today.
‌
I enjoyed Phaedra and Cosmin. Loved that she’s a race engineer and a damn good one. Their relationship had a lot of speed bumps and curves. Enjoyed their banter. Cosmin was more Max than either of the Papaya Boys but I think that made the banter and angst go to a higher level. This was a fun read.
‌
If you enjoy F1, or even just a sports romance, I definitely recommend.
‌
Thanks to Hachette Audio and Forever Publishing for an ALC and eARC.

Although I am EXTREMELY grateful to have received this ARC, I can't say that I really enjoyed this book. Nothing irritates me more in a book that a "pick-me" FMC.... I'm sorry, but Phaendra was INSUFFERABLE. I really couldn't get past how hypocritical she was. She was most definitely NOT a girl's girl.

As for the couple, I really didn't feel anything between them or for them. I think that these two really need to work on themselves before even thinking about being together lol.

I love F1, but this really makes me want to take a quick break from reading F1 sports romances.

Oh wow, the heat in this book is off the charts! The tension between Phaedra and Cosmin is like a loaded engine revving nonstop, and when they finally hit the gas… let's just say fireworks. Every scene is dripping with that delicious push-pull, where they’re fighting and tearing each other's clothes off at the same time. Cosmin’s got that alpha energy but is all about Phaedra’s control, and she’s got no problem taking the wheel. It's raw, dirty, and exactly the kind of high-octane spice you want from a forbidden F1 fling. You’ll need a cold shower after this one, trust me!

Like other readers (which makes me feel better about my feedback) I had a hard time with these two characters. I am all for unlikeable characters and characters with flaws but I needed some more redeeming qualities for these two. Not really my thing.

*I did not finishing the book, stopping at the 25% mark. My review reflects only the portion I read.*

Double Apex by Josie Juniper is a reverse grumpy x sunshine romance featuring an intelligent Formula 1 race engineer and her star racer. Phaedra Morgan is top of her field and one of the youngest in a mostly male career. She has fought for her right to be where she is, even if her daddy owns the team she works for. Cosmin Ardelean is a racer born and bred. He is at the top of his game, a player on and off the track. Neither take direction too well especially from each other.

It did not take long for me to realize this book was not for me. Let's start with the issue of consent and work place harassment. Cosmin, despite Phaedra's repeated attempts to correct him, continually makes highly sexualized comments towards her through the headset for the entire race team to hear. And yet her team thinks it is her anger about not getting the female driver she wanted causing the tension between them. *Insert eye roll here* If that isn't enough, it is suggested the two take a weekend in Italy alone to work out their issues. In what world would that be allowed?!

Then there is Phaedra. I struggled to like her. She is mean, like the definition of a mean girl. She is rude when it isn't called for (which is why Cosmin makes the jokes he does, to break the tension, still not appropriate especially when she's asked him REPEATEDLY to stop). She's immature for a genius, and her "grumpy" again comes off as just plain mean.

After a scene in Italy when Cosmin makes advances that Phaedra has explicitly said no to that I stopped reading. There's consent and then there's doing stuff without and I draw the line there. This one just wasn't for me.

4 Stars

Do I know anything about racing or formula one? NOPE. Did I ever think I’d enjoy a cocky driver as a romantic lead? Also nope. BUT HERE I AM. Cosmin can GET IT DADDY. From the confident way he lulls our girl Phaedra into his bed and heart to the soft way he melts for her despite her reluctance. I was eating this up. And the steam? Oh, it twas fabulous. Especially when they hit Texas. Anyhoo, definitely recommend and I might be obsessed with a man I never saw coming.

DNF- I didn't like being in Cosmin's mind. His thoughts on the reporter in chapter 2 were too egotistic and unpleasant that I couldn't read through to see if he had a character arc. I love F1, but maybe not F1 romance

⭐️ 4.5/5
🌶️ 4/5

Let me just start off by saying I am obsessed with Cosmin Ardelean! THIS MANNNNNN, y’all! Don’t sleep on him! 🥵

I was totally sucked into this forbidden romance between almost-team owner Phaedra and hot-shot F1 driver Cosmin. The tension between these two was combative right from the start, with him using pet names which absolutely drove her insane! I loved it! Cosmin is definitely a man desperate to get under Phaedra’s skin. We love to see it! 😂 The push and pull between these two was too good! I couldn’t get enough of their constant back and forth banter!

There were times when Phaedra kinda drove me crazy, but Cosmin definitely helped to balance her out. I really loved traveling the world with Phaedra and Cosmin. I cannot wait to see where this Frontrunners series goes next! June can’t come soon enough!

Thank you to Forever Pub (@readforeverpub) for the advanced copy!

Double Apex by Josie Juniper was fast paced, and much darker than I expected. I liked the concept and dynamic between a race engineer and the team’s newest driver. Several storylines seem unresolved, though the next in the series, which follows a different couple, may tie up some of the loose ends.

Double Apex by Josie Juniper is a captivating romance! Phaedra, a brilliant engineer, and Cosmin, a charismatic F1 driver, have undeniable chemistry. Their banter turns into a forbidden love story, set against the thrilling Formula 1 backdrop. A bit predictable, but thoroughly enjoyable!
3/5 stars!
Thank you forever publishing and Netgalley for the arc!!

I received a DIGITAL Advance Reader Copy of this book from #NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I thought this book was pretty decent and an easy read. I also thought the racing aspect of it was really interesting. I do think that this book might be forgettable in the long run though, it won't be one of those books that sticks with me afterward.

I wasn't a huge fan of Phaedra I understand why she has the personality that she does and the coping mechanisms she does but she was a little annoying and really is terrible with people. One part that I just didn't get was the whole fight with her best friend. I understand why the first fight happens but everything that happens afterwards just didn't make sense to me, it seemed like they had issues just because they were supposed to.

3.5 stars rounded down

Any veteran F1 fan will recognize many familiar elements of F1 racing and it is done well. The races that take place, in tracks that are taken from real life, do exhibit the atmosphere and energy that an F1 fan will expect. There are certain incidents and characters that were a well written mash up of some F1 track incidents that took place at real races in years past. My only criticism is that I wanted more race craft and more speed to go with this steamy romance.

2.75/5 stars
2/5 spice

Tropes:
Sports romance
Enemies to lovers
Engineer FMC
F1 driver MMC
Forbidden romance
Secret relationship
Black cat/golden retriever
He falls first

I struggled to finish this one mostly because I couldn't get over how much I didn't like the FMC. There's a fine line between being love and hate but Phaedra took it to the extreme... then all of a sudden was into Cosmin. It just wasn't believable enough for me to get invested. A lot happens in the story that brings them closer together. But I felt that Cosmin was the one with the better character growth.

Overall, this wasn't the right book for me, even though there were elements that I enjoyed. I would only recommend this to a select few. If you're OK with extremely antagonistic FMCs who need major character growth then you might like this one.

Thank you to Netgalley and Forever for the ARC. All thoughts and opinions are my own and offered voluntarily.

I had a blast reading this F1 romance. It was just enough racing world descriptions and shenanigans mixed with excellent romantic sexiness. Phaedra and Cos had just the right amount enemies to lovers energy for me to believe in their HEA. Kudos to Josie Juniper for her on point banter. Overwhelmingly enjoyed!

The content warnings could have been more in depth.

I cannot wait for book two in this series!

Thank you to Forever (Grand Central Publishing) and NetGalley for providing an eARC for a honest review.