In this book, we have two people carrying a lot of emotional baggage 🧳 — they really needed to find themselves first before they could be together. The story spans a whole year during the Formula 1 season 🏁, with time jumps throughout — which, honestly, made it lose some of its magic for me.

Besides the initial lust, most of the book is them working through their issues or creating more problems between them 🙃 — I really missed that deep emotional connection. I just didn’t feel it.

And then (spoiler 🚨) right near the end, the thing that magically fixes everything is… a baby? Meh. That never really works for me. 🫠👶

The spice was good though — and even a bit kinky, which was fun! 🔥😉 It wasn’t a bad read at all, it just didn’t make me feel much in the end.

This book was ok. The author was more of a teller than a shower and that became one of the major issues of the story. That, the pace, and the unrelatable characters.

Ok, so first thing I'm going to touch on is the character. Klaus was like a big man child imo. He didn't stick out to me and whenever he did have a big impact it was giving "my dead wife caused me to have trauma and at my big ahh age of 45 pushing 50 I still didn't go to therapy to learn healthy communication." Like bro bsffr rn... He was just a major ick. Then there was Natalia. She was also another character who's big ahh age should know better because girl wtf. Your a journalist yet you couldn't deduce that your friend's father was sick? Not to mention, why are you getting mad at Klaus for not telling you shit when you knew damn well why he doesn't trust journalist? Like idk... maybe stop being so lazy and expecting people to do your job for you and actually go out and do the damn work.... ALSO HOW IS SHE GONNA TAKE A FLIPPING BRIBE?? YO WHAT???? That's like one of the BIGGEST NO-NOS IN JOURNALISM.... How did nobody catch this and think "hey, she puts her journalist credibility to the garbage so maybe we should take it out".... if I was her coworker I would give her EVERY DAMN SIDE EYE.... So immature and for what.... Lastly is the best friend, Phae(?), I don't really care to remember her name tbh... But she's so toxic and it feels like she kinda takes up a big chunk of the book and for what? For Natalia to not stand on business? Why have enemies when you can have a friend like Phae LOL. All the characters were just so unlikeable it's crazy.

Next we have pacing. Remember when I said the main issue was that the author kept telling and not showing? This is the main reason why... I felt like I was reading a first draft of a book that was incomplete because of how many time jumps/skips there were... there are other F1 romance books who don't have this issue so why not copy and paste that formula???? Why have so many time skips and then tell us about the things that happened in those time skips instead of showing us by writing those scenes... It just made absolutely no sense to me.

Lastly, it was just boring.... I've read romances that were somewhat boring like this book but the character were at least likeable. I kept picking up the audiobook then putting it away and it became almost like a thing of... "oh I remember I need to get to this arc before it gets archived" but then I just get so bored I'll just go back to doom scrolling on tiktok... the interactions were giving 0 chemistry and the "one-night stand" that ended up with the MMC treating the FMC like a sex worker left a bad taste on my mouth because why, as a woman, would you ever go back to a man who disrespected you like that? Idc about sex work, world runs on money so make it however you please.... but when you just tryna hook up and go out for a night and then get treated like that, as if the attraction and want are only for monetary gain??? Nah pack it up Klaus... TVD + TO Klaus would never....

Overall, this was not a fun reading experience and I will not be checking out the rest of this romance series.

I really wanted to love this story based on the description. A love story rooted in the F1 world of racing….sign me up! The summary was an instant hook for me. I started the book, and the beginning was great. It had a cute ‘meet-cute’ and initial setup. I was all in on the love story. Then…however, the story fell flat and I failed to connect with it or the characters. I gave the book an honest go. It was not a bad book. I enjoyed parts of it very much. The ending was cute, but I felt like I needed a bit more. Thank you NetGalley for letting me try this book.

Narration style was decent. There was parts where it fell flat in the middle. But narrration style and audio was clear

Thank you NetGalley and Hachette Audio for allowing me to listen and review this book. I have so many mixed feelings and thoughts about this book. I really enjoyed the ending and thought it was a nice was to end the book BUT it was a lot of twists and turns to get there. Which is normally fine but at points it felt like they hated each other , other times just friends then they’re madly in love??? It was to all over the place that it honestly didn’t make sense. I was rooting for them at points and then hated the MMC and was not a fan of the male narrator for this character as he sounded like an elderly man instead of someone middle aged. It made me feel weird during the romance scenes but I did LOVE the female narrator, she was great! Unfortunately the book just didn’t come together for me and that’s why I can only give it a 2.5/5 stars.

At first glance, Coming in Hot had everything I typically enjoy in a romance novel – a brooding, seemingly untameable bad boy, a strong and ambitious female lead, and a premise full of tension and sparks. The idea of a romance set in the fast-paced world of racing felt fresh and exciting. Unfortunately, the execution left much to be desired, and I was disappointed almost from the very beginning.

The characters felt flat and underdeveloped. Their motivations were unclear, and the emotional depth between them was practically nonexistent. The romantic connection that should have been the heart of the story felt forced and superficial. There was no real chemistry or slow-burn buildup – rather, it felt like the story was following a formula without investing in genuine development.

The dialogue often came across as unnatural or stilted, and the narrative structure was predictable. As I read, I found myself more frustrated than engaged. Even though I gave the book a fair chance, I ended up feeling indifferent and a bit disappointed because the story's potential simply wasn't fulfilled.

That being said, I did enjoy certain scenes centered around the racing world. When the plot shifted its focus to the thrill of the race, it became momentarily exciting. Fans of Formula 1 or motorsports may find those moments enjoyable and dynamic. Unfortunately, the romance itself didn’t feel believable enough to support the rest of the book.

I listened to the audiobook version, and I must give credit to the narrator – she did an excellent job bringing the story to life. Her voice and performance were engaging, and I truly enjoyed that part of the experience.

In conclusion, while Coming in Hot had a promising premise, the lack of character depth and emotional connection made it difficult for me to fully enjoy. I appreciate the opportunity to read it, but sadly, this one just didn’t work for me.

🏁🏎️📸 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐢𝐧 𝐇𝐨𝐭 𝐛𝐲 𝐉𝐨𝐬𝐢𝐞 𝐉𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐩𝐞𝐫 - 𝐀𝐋𝐂 𝐑𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰 📸🏎️🏁

🏁 I received an Advance Listening Copy (ALC) of Coming in Hot by Josie Juniper through NetGalley, and it was an exhilarating ride from start to finish.

🏎️ Full disclaimer: I saw this is the second book of the Frontrunners series when I was about halfway thought the book... all in all it was no problem and I don’t feel book #1 was spoiled to me🤭

📸 I expected a typical romance book: they meet, they don’t like each other, they end up together, something happens, but in the end they stay together... yeah no... this boo has A PLOT!

🏁 The plot is layered with emotional tension, professional dilemmas, and a refreshing look at the behind-the-scenes roles in Formula 1—not just the drivers. Natalia’s personal arc, including her reflections on motherhood, sacrifice, and journalistic integrity, adds depth and heart to the story. Klaus’s icy exterior slowly melts, revealing a man torn between duty and desire.

🏎️ Coming in Hot is a fast-paced, emotionally charged romance that blends the thrill of Formula 1 with the slow burn of forbidden love.
Their chemistry is electric, and the dual POV format adds depth to Natalia’s an Klaus’s relationship.

📸 While the structure is unconventional—featuring an early breakup and multiple emotional resets—it’s a bold narrative choice that mirrors the chaos and unpredictability of both racing and relationships. Some readers may find the pacing uneven, but the emotional payoff is worth it.

🎧 The audiobook narration was excellent, enhancing the chemistry and emotional nuance between the characters. The voice actors captured the tension, vulnerability, and heat perfectly.

🏁 Overall, Coming in Hot is a spicy, emotionally rich romance that stands out in the sports romance genre. It’s perfect for fans of Drive to Survive, Hannah Grace, or anyone craving a story that’s as much about heart as it is about horsepower.

✨Book Rating: 4⭐
✨Age Rating: 18+
✨Genre & Tropes: F1 Romance, Sports Romance, Team Principal X F1 Journalist, Age Gap, One Night Stand, Forbidden Romance.

I really wanted to love this book. The premise was so interesting. I really liked the age-gap. The conflict was good. The writing was solid.
However, as I continued to listen to this book, I found myself not wanting to continue listening. I just didn’t connect with the characters. There was a lot of back and forth with this couple. It just drove me crazy. Time progressed quickly through the book. I get it. It followed the racing season, but I just wasn’t a fan of the story progressing weeks or even months constantly. That’s just too much of a gap in between. This is my first book by this author, so I’m not sure if reading the first book in the series would have helped.
I enjoyed both Cecily Foster and Mark Rauch as the narrators. I thought they sounded like how I imagined the characters to sound. I received this book from Hachette Audio and Netgalley. All opinions are my own.

I really tried to like this one but I just didn't connect with it. Maybe it is that I don't know a lot about racing, or maybe since I didn't read book 1? I'm not sure.

I can say there is a lot of spice. As this pair jumps from city to city following the circuit, there is a spicy scene everywhere they head. What I missed and that I wanted was a connection between the two and chemistry outside of the bedroom. I also had a little trouble following it all as there were a lot of time jumps.

Quite often an audiobook will save book for me but in this case I can't say that happened. I liked the narrators, but they weren't able to pull me in.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ – Sizzling, Sweet, and Seriously Addictive

Coming in Hot lives up to its name—and then some! Josie Juniper brings the heat with a romance that’s equal parts flirty banter, fiery chemistry, and heart-melting moments that sneak up on you like a rogue text at midnight.

The lead characters? Instant favourites. There’s spark, there’s sass, and there’s just enough emotional depth to make you go “aww” right after you’ve laughed out loud. The writing is breezy and fun, with dialogue that snaps and tension that builds like a slow burn with extra gasoline.

It’s a four-star read because while the heat is on point, there were a few moments where the plot simmered a bit too long—but when it hits, it really hits. This book is pure rom-com gold with a touch of spice and a whole lot of heart.

Perfect for fans of steamy tension, chaotic flirting, and characters you wish you could text IRL.

I have decided that Formula 1 books just aren't my thing. I tried to listen to this one and it just wasn't cutting it for me. I know there are people out there that love Formula 1, but that's just not me. I think people that do like Formula 1 will like this book and I hope they take a chance and read it.

As an F1 girlie, I was so excited for this book especially with a main character modeled after Toto Wolff but unfortunately, it just didn’t work for me.

I’ll start with what I liked: the spice definitely delivered, and the narration was strong and added to the story, except during a few moments when the female narrator voiced Klaus, which pulled me out of the moment. There were parts of the story I was into, but more often than not, I felt lost and I think a lot of that came down to the time jumps. Each chapter skips to a new point in time, and instead of showing those big, emotional moments as they happen, the book often tells you what occurred after the fact. It made the impact feel distant and disjointed.

As a German speaker, I also didn’t find kleine Hexe (“little witch”) to be a particularly cute or romantic nickname it just didn’t land for me. And while I understand the reasoning behind the third act breakup, the resolution afterward didn’t feel earned. It was hard to believe in their relationship, especially considering how Klaus treats women throughout the book.

Right from the beginning, he offers the FMC money after their one-night stand without any discussion about whether she’s a sex worker (she’s not). Later, it’s revealed he had a “backup” woman waiting in his room while meeting the heroine. Those choices made it really difficult to root for him or their connection.

The constant cycle of fighting, making up, and giving each other the silent treatment gave me emotional whiplash. I wanted to be swept up in the romance, but I just didn’t feel the emotional development between

Thank you to Hachette Audio and NetGalley for an ALC

This book delivered on the title. Definitely came in hot. The narrators did wonderful where it counted. I liked the story it was fun and flirty. I did not read the first book and I do t feel I missed anything. I didn’t appreciate some of the tropes but it’s a fun read.

Audiobook Listen 🎧
Narrators: Max Rauch & Cecily Foster
Narration: Dual
Series: Frontrunners, Book 2
Rating: 2.5 stars

I was genuinely excited to dive into Coming In Hot, but unfortunately, this one didn’t work for me. The audiobook featured dual narration with narrators who were new to me. While their performances were decent when voicing their own characters, the opposite-sex dialogue often pulled me out of the story. I typically gravitate toward duet narration, so that may have impacted my overall experience.

I struggled to connect with the main character. As a reporter, her frustration about not gaining access to sensitive information came across as overly dramatic and, at times, whiny. I kept hoping a side character would win me over, but her parents, best friend, and others all fell flat for me.

The story also incorporated time jumps, which I usually enjoy. But in this case, the pacing felt off, and key emotional developments were told rather than shown—leaving the romance feeling underdeveloped and distant.

It’s always disappointing when a book doesn’t click, especially when I’ve been given the opportunity to review it early. That said, reading is subjective, and this story may resonate more with others. If you enjoy workplace romances with second-chance elements and don’t mind a dual narration style, Coming In Hot could still be worth a try.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the advanced listening copy in exchange for my honest review

Swooning!

As my first dive series in race-car romance; I am not disappointed. Book two follow Natalia, a journalist for Auto Racing Journal, and Klaus, the Emerald Team Principal and Natalia's unforgettable handsome stranger.

The dynamic tension between these two characters from page one was utterly captivating. The overall storyline and delivery of the audiobook narration by Cecily Foster and Max Rauch was everything this book needed to make these characters real and have me finishing this book in one sitting.

The relationship that grew through their pasts, their goals, and the trails that they endured together was so enriching to the story and authenticity of the feel for these characters. It was a joy to giggle, tear up, and swoon with them throughout this book.

Thank you to Hachette Book Group and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review of #cominginhot

This book is more of a 3.5/3.75 for me, but I hate how low most of the reviews are. I also did not read the first book. I enjoyed both of the narrators as well.

The time difference between the chapters didn't bother me at all. I did have a few moments where I wasn't sure if I missed something, but it turns out it just happened off the page.

I know nothing about F1 and plan on keeping it that way, but I was here for Natalia accidentally sleeping with her best friend's boss as a potential one night stand. I thought their sexual relationship was pretty hot, zero complaints here.

Was their relationship fairly toxic, yes. Was it easy to blame on the conflict of interest of their jobs and their tortured pasts, yes.

Dead at the dumb question, "how did this happen?" at the end.... can't say they're the smartest people; but when you're hot, you don't have to be hahahha.

Thank you to Net Galley and Hachette Audio for the audiobook.

I was so happy to have gotten this one and really wanted to like it. I was really turned off by how hot and cold these characters are. The hero the romance consisted of breakup after breakup, and the ending was rushed and unsatisfying, not my cup of tea!

Thank you to NetGalley for providing this ARC 💕

This is how you do an age gap right!!!

Natalia is an up and coming journalist in the F1 community and she finally gets her big break in writing a piece about the potential new track being built.

Klaus is the silver fox, owner of team Emerald who is making peace with the loss of his wife.

With a night of passion hanging over them, the two begin a casual relationship over the course of the Formula 1 season and develop some not so casual feelings in the mean time.

Their chemistry is absolutely on fire!! And the secrecy of the nature of their relationship added some excellent tension throughout the story.

Add in the attempted reconnection of Natalia’s estranged parents and all the drama unfolding behind the scenes of Emerald’s higher ups and this made for a very entertaining romance read 🩵

Thank you to NetGalley, Josie Juniper, and Hachette Audio for providing this eARC in exchange for an honest review.
I don’t like to read reviews before I read a book because I don’t want to be swayed so oh boy did I feel validated when I absolutely dragged myself through this book only to find that the rest of the readers saw the same problems I did.
The first hurdle to get over was pacing. Nearly every chapter jumped 3 months or 6 months or at least two weeks to the next F1 race. There was no transition, nothing and we just had to catch up on what has happened without getting to be a part of it.
Next was the way the MMC talked. Like weird broken Shakespeare and constantly mixing German phrases in but not just in high stress or tender moments, it felt willy nilly. The narrator did a great job with the accent and trying to make it sound sexy but the way this man talked in the bedroom was actually wacky.
Then, the characters. There wasn’t a single person in this book that I liked. They are all toxic, horrible at friendships and relationships and so self centered.
How about the supposed “relationship” between the MMC and FMC? The horrendous miscommunication trope as a whole book plot, there was absolutely no relationship there at all, they just traveled the world and hooked up. And the twist at the end. Absolute BS that did not need to happen.
I can’t recommend this book to anyone. I did not and will not be reading the first one.

I liked Natalia and Klaus! A stand out was Natalia for sure!! I think this book is pretty fast paced which I do always appreciate. I also love the family discussion and how reconnecting can take time. It’s not always easy to forgive someone for the questionable decision they make and I think this book illustrates that theme perfectly. This book was spicy and in the best ways, the narrators really did a phenomenal job! Max Rauch and Cecily Foster, you guys did a great job bringing the voices of Natalia and Max to life.

I think that it started out so strong and toward the end there was so much whiplash and had my head kinda spinning. The miscommunication trope is never my favorite and I think that it once again continues to still not be my favorite. But if you love a little groveling you’ll love it! I also really didn’t mind it too much because they took time apart so it did work in this case! I will say at the very end I do the day I was still very much rooting for them and that is something that earned it 1 more star! I thought the overall plot was pretty good and I did have a good time listening to this book.

This book addresses a lot about the drama and publicity side of racing but in a pretty non descriptive way at least compared to other F1 books, to me it didn’t bother me all that much. Also be fair warned there is accidental pregnancy toward the end so to any one doesn’t like the trope be for warned! It’s not on the trope list but it does happen!

Well, this one starts with a bang. 😏

This age gap, F1 romance pairs a sports journalist with a forty-something, team principal widower. Neither knows who the other one is at their first meeting, but things go sideways for them once their identities and occupations are revealed.

Most of the story happens concurrently with the plot line of Double Apex, so I do recommend reading that one first (although I enjoyed this one more). A chunk of the book is written in a series of vignettes set at the different stops on the F1 racing circuit; knowing what’s happening in Double Apex helps plot the timeline and provide context for the encounters between Natalia and Klaus and what’s happening in both their personal and professional lives along the way.

Prepare for some angst in this one.

The book itself gets unwieldy and runs a bit long, but the chemistry between Natalia and Klaus is done well. Plus I enjoyed watching them open up to each other.

The audiobook has dual narration by Max Rauch and Cecily Foster, meaning she performs all the voices in the chapters from Natalia’s POV and he performs the voices in the chapters from Klaus’s. I enjoyed the narration from both, especially the Austrian accents they use for Klaus.

3.5 stars

I received advance copies of the ebook from Forever and the audiobook from Hachette Audio. All review opinions are my own.