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I’ve been an f1 girl since I was a kid and for most of my life my weekend plans have revolved around: is it racing season? is there a grand prix this weekend? so, you can imagine the squeal of excitement that escaped me when I came across cross the line - a book that merges both my love of f1 and reading into one sweet romance novel.

Don’t get me wrong, I know there are other f1 romances out there but I’m going to be honest - I’ve tried a few and found them lacking. However, I am like Lewis Hamilton chasing that 8th championship - I will find one I love.

Cross the Line is one I looooooove.

This book is everything I’ve wanted from an f1 romance. Simone Saltani has created an amazing story within the f1 world that works which is so hard to do. The romance is hot and sweet (on to that in a minute) but firstly, as a fan of the sport, the f1 plot is just so fun and believable! I loved all the team politics, the other drivers that factor in and the way Saltani was not afraid to criticise the less savoury areas of the sport and tackle the racism prevalent within the sports system head on. Interweaving it with a more simple boy next door narrative helped me not hate the characters as sometimes can happen whenever I read something set in a world with obscene wealth and I felt like whenever they went home to San Diego, I was taking a breather with them from the fast paced glam of f1. Alongside that, Soltani knows her shit. The race descriptions and strategy discussions were all so well written and plucked straight out of a team radio.

The romance was so lovely and well paced. I adored all the pining and the flirting and the open conversations the characters had throughout. The steamy moments were well timed and considerate of both characters. I am also a lover of books no third act break ups (I get so anxious when I get to the point in romance books when they’re together and there’s still fifty pages left) and because of the communication between the characters, this was an easy relationship to love.

Both characters were so well written in their own rights and I literally had to put the book down in frustration at some points because I got so attached to Dev’s racing career. Willow’s motivations were also so well crafted and her chronic illness, how she handled it and how others around her (including Dev) supported her with it was a nice touch. I also loved that Dev’s culture was explored and not just stated with his sister’s wedding and his love of Bollywood movies.

I just need more f1 romances by Simone Saltani faster than a Red Bull on race day.

OMG!!! literally found my new comfort book. this was most probably one of the best representation of a south asian(indian) and i'm literally so happy that i can literally get the references right and also don't have to translate because i know what it alr means. i literally had the time of my life reading this book. INDIAN GIRLS WE WON!!

if you're looking for a cute n spicy romcom w/ tropes like brother's bestfriend, sports romance, she fell first he fell harder, workplace environment, boy obsessed, childhood friends, girl next door this is the BOOK for you so go pick it up

DON'T NEED TO ASK HE'S A SMOOTH OPERATORR SMOOTH OPERATOR i believe that he is the carlos sainz of the bookworld. i adore this man. i simply cann;t explain in words how him calling willow jaanu changed THE TRAJECTORY OF MY LIFE🤰. if my @future doesn't act like him i don't want him. he is the husband i need like the references of srk and boy do i love how he's literally obsessed w/ bollywood movies like OOOOMYGOOOD(kal ho naa ho is literally his comfort movie like pls marry me ASAP). man did everything right, from appreciating his girl, to bringing her comfort food, giving her the biggest hugs ever known to mankind, also he's so jealous i love it, makes her laugh, also SOOO HOT WHEN HE USES HIS MOUTH(iykyk), he's vulnerable to her and only her and makes his feeling clear to her everytime like my boys shows literally all of the 5 love languages. he's DA BEST

SHE'S A GIRL'S GIRL MY HONOR i believe that every bookgirl named willow is the cutest & the purest soul to exist in this world💗 she was literally so charming with her wit like girl had me chokehold i was so interested in her and her monologues. i love that she cares about the tiniest things and how she's just like me fr being scared for the future and being the little sister<3 stress-baking she's in fact my soul sister. my my it's like she the pehla nasha (means the first high) - i could never truly ever get over her.

i love the side character, from oakely to mark to chava to grace to chantal to neha aunty literally everyone of them were so perfect and the indian weddings the whole event description and yes infact our weddings are literally the longest and the BEST. i love our traditions and the outfits and everything - it's a festive time, the chaos is unreal and yes our aunties gossip loud. loud enough so YOU CAN HEAR THEM GOOD!! also love how neha aunty made indian food made me crave meri mom ki daal roti sabji<3

my precious pookies 🩹💌their relationship is so flawless like i can't describe my love for them how hard i shipped them. it's is literally nerve wracking how much i wanted them to be together and how i invested i am in them.they understood each other so well like god i miss them alr, the big hugs, the movie marthons, the cuddlesm, the steamy stuff omg everything JUST WOOWWW. they are my #OTP

MY FAV QUOTES:

"the one when Dev pulled me to him for the sweatiest, hottest (temperature-wise), tightest hug after the race.And the way he cupped my face like it was the most natural move? Like he didn’t care who was watching? Like I was the only one in the entire garage? Yeah."- my BABIES THEY'RE JUST SO PERFECT <333

‘You wanna eat these with me? Or are you going to be a tattletale? Because snitches don’t get macarons.’ I hold up my pinky. ‘I promise, no snitching.’ - he brings her the cupcakes she mentioned one time and her remembers and literally brings it every time he can & also the teasing ahhhh i love themmm<3

"I pelted him with gummy bears when he belted out ‘Ajab Si’ like I was the one he was confessing his feelings for. "- aakho mai teri ajab si ajab si adai hai mera dil le gye iss toh ye kam se i'm toh done for (hindi)

"She did all of that before she knew whether I’d even be interested? ‘You listened to every episode?’ " - literally, this is one of the hundredth time of him just appreciating it I'M IN LOVEEE ACCIDENTALLY IN LOVE

‘You’re obviously uncomfortable. We can leave right now. I’ll call Mark on our way so he can be ready to work on your—’ - HE LITERALLY IS SO PROTECTIVE OF HER LIKE MY MAN GETS IT🎀

Thank you, NetGalley & the publisher, for approving me to read this arc and write this review.

Gah, this book! It was SO GOOD! So im not an F1 fan per sé but i do usually like books in the F1 setting and this one did not disappoint! The storyline was so good, the story and the characters were all so well-written, the interactions, the developments, just everything was spot on. Definitely recommend!

I just want to know how I can get my own Dev….

Thanks for the arc
This book was one of the most anticipated for me in terms of sport romance

In this book you have
🏁 Dual POV
🏁 No 3 act breakup
🏁 Brother’s Best Friend
🏁 Sunshine x Sunshine
🏁 She falls first but he falls harder
🏁Chronic Illness rep

Dev and Willow are just adorable.
She’s had a crush on Dev since she was a small kid. They pretty been in each others lives forever.
Something happens one night but they can’t really act on their feelings because of Willow’s brother.
But then she ends up working for him and did I mention he buys 200 macaroons just because she loves them.
He loves Bollywood movies and it’s his way to calm down and she watches them with him when he’s having a bad day.
He’s the only one that doesn’t treat her differently just because of her chronic illness.
And he kinda have a soft spot for his girl especially when she’s wearing sundresses 😂😍

5 stars!
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Thank you to Pan Macmillan, Simone Soltani and Netgalley for the e-arc in exchange for an honest review!
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I'm going to be honest and say that there was not a single thing that I didn't like about this book, it basically played out like a movie in my head the entire time. From the plot, to the characters, to all the minor details, i loved it all.
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I'm not usually one for epilogues / bonus chapters because they can feel like last minute ideas, but not in this book, all the writing was so cohesive and consistent.
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Simone Soltani may just be my new auto-buy author lol

Willow and Dev are written in the stars.

An F1 romance with the brothers best friend. With no F1 race this weekend it was a perfect little read.

I loved the romance and I really appreciated they were friends first even if Willow fancied Dev for most of her life lol.

The friend and family dynamics were wholesome. Oakley is definitely a protective older brother and that's the root of most of the drama in the book as they are both too scared to admit how they feel.

I loved the wedding and the references to Bollywood movies (funnily enough I had listened a podcast episode about the history of Bollywood last week so I got some of the references were)

The F1 drama was real and the twist at the end made me so sad. I wanted to know what happened and if everyone is okay in book 2.

It's definitely worth a read and I had high expectations because I had seen so much of this book before I got approved to read it.

Thank you to netgalley and the publisher✨

The first 45% of this was really strong but I felt as if it lost its way once the main couple got together. Not a lot happened once they started sneaking around and the dialogue wasn’t strong enough to push it through in the absence of a plot.

I really enjoyed the F1 aspect. The driving scenes were well written and exciting. The politics of the sport were fascinating, especially to someone like me who’s never really watched the sport before. It felt good to step out of my usual hockey romance box.

Coming back to pacing, it was really odd that the most serious thing (life changing injuries to multiple characters??) happened in the epilogue. I understand the purpose of it was to set our MMC up to drive for a better team but it was a really odd tonal shift for the last chapter considering the whole book was quite lighthearted comparatively..

But all in all, I still found Cross the Line enjoyable and would definitely recommend it to people who enjoy sports romances.

*4.5
A captivating debut novel in the realm of F1 romance, this book offers a perfect blend of compelling storytelling and well-developed characters. Dev and Willow's mature relationship, marked by open communication, stands out amidst the narrative. Both characters are multifaceted, with ambitions and depth that add richness to the story. The absence of a typical third-act breakup is refreshing, emphasizing the couple's clear intentions and ongoing dialogue. Overall, I highly recommend this for fans of romance and F1 enthusiasts alike.

I loved this - I struggle to find F1 romances that hit the spot. Most of them overexplain the sport to the point where it's a commentary and not fiction. But Simone Soltani has found the perfect balance. The romance was wonderful, very Danny Ric coded but I won't complain about that! Dev was a wonderful MMC, and I enjoyed the disability rep with Willow's character. Overall a great F1 romance, and I need a companion novel NOW after that epilogue!

DNF at 17%, I’m sorry but this was just not for me - some people will love it as I can see the potential but I had to put it down. I hate when authors continuously reference how tiny the FMC is

Actual rating: Somewhere around 3.5 - 4 ⭐

🏎️Tropes included:
- Sport romance: Formula 1
- Brother's best friend
- Friends to lovers
- Dual POV
- South Asian MMC & Black FMC
- No third act break-up

I've been a Formula 1 fan for a couple of years now, so my interest was peaked from the moment I discovered this book. I quite enjoyed that not every single F1 related thing was explained with endless paragraphs. It made it read quite smoothly as I didn't have to skip over basic information explaining the sport (like I had to do in other books).

The main characters were very enjoyable! I expected Dev to be a bit of a macho (which is often the case in sport romances), but was pleasantly surprised when I ended up his POV more throughout the story. His 'I'm rich and pay for everything' side came through quite a bit near the last part of the story, but it was reasonable (personally, I'm not a huge fan of the billionaire trope).

My only regret is that I found the ending a bit too rushed. The majority of the book had a very good pace. But the ending didn't match that. When I almost hit the 89% mark and realized that there were still a few story lines to close, I was instantly disappointed. The 'issue' with Willow's brother was a very anticlimactic... The epilogue was good, as we went back a bit in the racing side of the story, but I wished it wasn't that rushed.

Overall this was a quite fun read and would definitely recommend it to sport romance fans!
The writing was very good and smooth to read, so I will definitely be checking out the other books of Simone!

I received the honor of beta reading for this amazing book, and then I was sent an ARC for it. Being able to see this book at so many stages was a gift, and it has become a comfort read to me as Simone's books always are.

Every trope executed in this book just took it to the next level. Dev and Willow's relationship was what I want one day. I think something that made this book so special is the representation, Simone is someone I can always rely on to represent her characters and their culture and identity in the most authentic way. It's always in the small things, and she has always understood that. The difficulties Dev faced within his workplace were so real, and something so many poc experience. It's always felt like those situations are not mentioned in books for fear of being political.

Dev and Willow had all this history, and as someone who tends to not like that, the way it happened in this book just made sense. They had this already established dynamic, and the push and pull of navigating that and their new one was so interesting to see. The angst was also everything, the struggle of wanting each other, but knowing you can't is what cemented this book for me.

Simone delivers like no one else, and even though my account is literally a fan account at this point, if none of that convinced you, let this be what does.

P.S. The side characters all had my heart. Every single one of them had a purpose and were just so loveable

Formula 1 driver Dev Anderson’s career is on the line. After a social media disaster leaves him with an angry team and sponsors threatening to jump ship, he needs someone to help save his image.

That's where recent college grad and his best friends little sister willow comes in. She has a talent for seeing the bright side of any situation but she's been struggling for positivity when she's struggling to find a job. Dev hires her to help fix his career, but she's had a crush on him as far as she can remember!

It was a F1 based book that first made me look into F1 more and start to watch the sport so whenever I see an F1 based book I'm excited to give it a read.
I really enjoyed the diversity of these characters and I really hope the backgrounds and traditions were represented well.

- Workplace romance
- Best friends sister/ brothers best friend
- Black FMC & Asian MMC
- Dual POV
- Spice 🌶
- FMC with illness

I enjoyed the chemistry between these two and felt they fit in well together. It was a slow burn for the first half of the book then they both snapped and couldn't stay away from each other.
I had fun trying to work out which characters and teams would represent current people and teams on the grid.

3.75 ⭐️ rounded up to 4.

‘And then it’s lights out.’
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On one hand I’m happy F1 is getting more visibility lately thanks to Netflix, but on the other hand there are all the girlies who gush about it after 2 seasons and come up with all these ridiculous theories.
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Formula 1 has so much history and controversy that it takes a bit of time to understand it and only then you can write a book about it - getting your reputation tarnished after you fired your social media manager because you didn’t want her to share too many personal details about your life and she started STDs rumours about you? When you’re all adults? Please.
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The romance was sweet, but the story around it should have been more developed. If anyone needs help writing their book, I’m here.

Thanks Netgalley for the copy!

Cross The Line is an F1 romance that ticks a lot of boxes. The characters are well developed and interesting, and some of the plot along the way is good - I really enjoyed the sisters wedding scenes, they were so vivid and colourful.
As an F1 fan, I couldn’t help but notice some discrepancies, and really felt like Dev was drawn from a popular driver, and then I couldn’t stop picturing that person . I enjoyed Dev and Willows relationship, and all their friends and family were great characters.


Thank you NetGalley and Panmacmillan for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you firstly to NetGalley and Pan McMillan for this arc.

As a long time fan of all things F1, I was extremely excited for this book. Especially taking into account that both leads were BIPOC, seeing as we’re so underrepresented in sports media (both in real life and in fiction).

However, this book fell short of the mark in many ways than one.

It didn’t read well. The writing was choppy, and took me out of the reading experience.

I also unfortunately felt absolutely nothing for the main characters. They felt somewhat empty so I didn’t get the urge to root for or even against the development of the relationship.

This one is a personal gripe but seeing as Willow dealt with chronic illness, it felt almost belittling to shape her character into the “meek, weak, frail girl who needs saving”. There were many references to her needing support from the male lead and a number of the men in her life feeling a pull to ‘look out for her’ which was just a bit much for me.

everything about this book was so charming and so so cute !
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willow ―୨୧⋆ ˚ i loved willow and her pov - she was absolutely adorable and the way her chronic illness was written about was impeccable. it was mentioned and talked about enough that didn’t feel like it was just something to make her character ‘different’ but it wasn’t too much that it was her WHOLE personality. i really enjoyed seeing her working for dev too - it really displayed her intelligence and made her character even better ! ( i love hearing about the jobs characters have and what they have to do ) !!
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dev ―୨୧⋆ ˚ 🫢 dev. just dev. at the beginning be seemed this stereotypically cocky arrogant athlete but then you read his pov when he sees her .. the love feels like it shines through .. that man could not stop talking/ thinking about her ..
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plot ―୨୧⋆ ˚ i thought this f1 romance was so lovely and really enjoyable read - it felt really engaging and i was genuinely hooked form about 20% in . i’m really excited to see where soltani goes with the series and who she decides to concentrate on next .. i will be eagerly waiting the next instalment
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it did start to feel a bit instlove when they finally got together and it moved very quickly - i didn’t love the multiple time skips at the end however it does seem to potentially set up the next book / add a little bit to the plot — other than that it was so fun to read

I loved this book, in every Formula One book I read there is always something that doesn't sit right, whether it be the pace, writing, characters etc. but Cross The Line was so well written, heart-warming, funny and I loved every page.

We see a lot of cultural representation in this book and I really enjoyed reading about the processes and traditions between Dev and Willow's families. Dev is so sweet, he's honestly one of my favourite characters I've met for a while and Willow compliments him very well.

We see a lot of racing and talks of contracts in this book which is exciting and I felt as though Simone rounded it off really well.

I'm hoping we will see more from Simone like this, I really enjoyed it and cannot recommend it enough to anyone who will listen.

After a social media disaster jeopardises Dev's career in Formula 1, he turns to someone he knows and trusts, a recent graduate looking for a job in sports marketing. But Willow is also someone Dev hasn't been able to get out of his head in months, not since they kissed, and were almost caught by Dev's best friend, who also happens to be Willow's big brother. Dev knows that Willow can get his career back on track, and Willow knows that doing so would be a big boost to her career, but they both know the biggest challenge will be keeping their relationship professional...

How has it taken me this long to read a Formula 1 romance?! Cross the Line is not only set in, but structured around the world of F1, and I loved the small details we get about both Dev's job as a driver and Willow's as his social media manager. While you don't need any prior F1 knowledge to enjoy this page-turning read, there are also a few sly stand-ins for current F1 teams and drivers that will delight fans of the sport. I also loved the romance side of the book: the slow-burn tension between Dev and Willow, as they struggle to pretend that their relationship is platonic, and the spice between them once they drop the pretence. I enjoyed seeing both sides of their relationship, as the book alternates chapters between Dev's and Willow's perspectives, and I also enjoyed the way the characters constantly celebrate all the things they like about each other.

We get a really well-rounded sense of who Dev and Willow are as characters, and I particularly liked the nuanced way in which Willow is portrayed as simultaneously strong and vulnerable. This is partly achieved through some much-appreciated representation of Willow's life dealing with chronic pain. I also loved the way Cross the Line explores Dev's and Willow's mixed race identities, particularly with the way that some of Dev's cheesier character traits are attributed to his love of Bollywood. I thought this was a great way to tick the romance cliché box, while keeping the story fresh. The only downside of the book for me was the epilogue, which I thought went a little far, but given the way I tore through Cross the Line, and couldn't stop thinking about it when I reluctantly put it down, I decided to stick with my five-star rating.

I want to express my sincere gratitude to Simone Soltani for providing me with an ARC of "Cross the Line." With all the buzz surrounding this new diverse F1 romance, I feel incredibly fortunate to have had the opportunity to read an advance copy. Set to be published in May, the novel truly lives up to the fantastic reviews it has garnered. Having experienced a few F1 romances and being a fan of sports romances in general, "Cross the Line" brings a refreshing perspective to the genre.

One standout aspect is the thoughtful representation of South Asian characters, even from a non-South Asian author. The narrative delves into the challenges of being individuals of color in a predominantly white-dominated industry, providing a mature and clear portrayal of the characters' experiences. Dev, the main character, breaks away from typical "alpha male" stereotypes by approaching Willow with respect, navigating their relationship with consideration for her feelings about its public disclosure. Dev's endearing use of the term "jaanu" adds an emotional layer that tugs at the heartstrings.

While the plot leans towards lower stakes, revolving around Dev and Willow managing their respective roles while grappling with their feelings, there is a unique twist involving the forbidden nature of their relationship. The climax, focused on keeping their romance secret from Willow's older brother and Dev's best friend, offers some buildup but may not live up to the heightened anticipation. Despite this, the overall enjoyment of the book remains high, and I eagerly anticipate the next installment in the series.

ARC Review:
Rating: As many stars as possible
Release date: Friday, September 15, 2023 (edit: now out in May 2024!)

In this comprehensive review, I want to emphasize the accuracy of the story to the sport of Formula One. Simone's evident background as an F1 fan contributes to a well-balanced narrative, seamlessly incorporating technical terms while ensuring accessibility for readers less familiar with the sport. The attention to detail extends to the fictional teams and drivers, offering enjoyable parallels with real-world counterparts while introducing original characters with depth and authenticity.

The ensemble cast of characters adds richness to the narrative, and Simone's ability to create original, multifaceted individuals shines through. Beyond the central characters of Willow and Dev, supporting figures like Chava, Mark, Patsy, Reid, and others capture the reader's affection, promising a delightful journey through the story.

The book's departure from the typical Romance Novel Trajectory is refreshing, avoiding a third-act breakup and presenting a unique take on the brother's best friend/best friend's off-limits little sister trope. Simone's skill in navigating familiar tropes with creativity and originality is evident once again.

One of the most noteworthy aspects is the portrayal of diverse characters in the F1 setting. Breaking away from the sport's historical lack of diversity, the inclusion of women working for the teams and characters of color on the grid is a commendable step forward for the representation of motorsport.

In summary, "Cross the Line" stands out as an exceptionally well-written motorsport romance, offering a breath of fresh air in the genre. Simone Soltani continues to elevate her storytelling prowess, leaving readers eager for more. Whether you're a longtime fan or new to her work, this novel is a must-read, and I look forward to the next installment in the Lights Out series.