I did not finish this book. It was very hard for me to continue so I decided to stop reading it for now.

I didn’t feel the connection between the main characters because for me it was like they wanted to be together because they couldn’t. They were told that they couldn’t be together by the female main character’s, brother, and because of all the tension they got from that “ban” they wanted to so badly, and this kind of ruined magic for me so I didn’t feel the need to continue to find what will happen next.

They were always hiding, which is understandable but when they told each other that they wanted to be together everybody knew except the female main character’s brother, which was kind of strange because they were grown people and they just had to talk to each other and tell him and tell him the truth so they can decide whether they should even start in the first place. But they started seeing each other and being together and developing some feelings and after that, they wanted to tell the brother which was kind of a miscommunication thing, and this annoyed me because throughout the whole book, it was Back-and-forth about whether they should tell him or not, and whether they should be together or not, and it was kind of the same, which I didn’t like.

Maybe I will continue it in the future, but for now, it feels like an obligation to continue, and I don’t want to finish it like that because this will reflect on my rating. I will rate it 2,5/5 stars for now but this might change when I finish it.

Whew, what a ride! The push and pull between Dev and Willow is delicious and their chemistry insane. I could never get into F1 growing up (it was a constant in my household, to my displeasure) but I could definitely get into this book. With danger, sabotage, and reputations at risk, there’s plenty to keep reading for - plus the romance, of course! It was great to see Willow and Dev’s relationship developing emotionally, and how they understand and support each other but also know how to have a good time together as friends before the physical side of their relationship develops. Their longing and wanting was a little addictive and had me hooked.

There are some great characters in this book, and I love Dev’s relationships with his friends and with other F1 drivers. It was difficult to like Willow’s brother Oakley, but perhaps that’s more the way Willow and Dev viewed him than his actual character - hard to say.

The book could be slow in places and so at times I struggled to pick it back up but I’m still rating it a solid 4 stars because I did love the chemistry, the relationship building between Willow and Dev, the interactions with Mark and Chava, Simone Solani's writing style, and finally finding F1 interesting (maybe all the sport is missing is romance?).

I received a free copy of this book. All views are my own.

I started rereading Cross the Line a couple days ago, and decided to hold off until I got access to the audiobook on NetGalley since I have already read the book and wanted to experience the characters brought to life!

Rating — ♾️

Cross the Line was my favourite book last year and it’s probably going to be my favourite book of this year too! I loved revisiting Dev and Willow’s love story and I will never get over just how well everything works together in this story. Simone’s writing is so special and absolutely incredible, I can’t not recommend it!

This book is truly for everyone, even if you’re not particularly into the romance genre (or F1) — if you want to get a foot in the door, Willow and Dev are the perfect guides. After Dev’s reputation is tarnished by a disgruntled employee, he enlists the help of his best friend’s sister Willow to help redeem his reputation. With both Dev and Willow determined to keep their relationship strictly professional they have to ignore what’s already between them.

Willow is one of my favourite FMCs ever in a romance, she’s an incredibly sweet and driven woman who has so much love for everyone around her (and macarons) — Not to mention she is an incredible example of disability rep and has Dev wrapped around her finger. Which brings me to Dev who also happens to be one of my favourite MMCs in a book EVER, Dev is understanding and respectful whilst also being absolutely hilarious (be prepared for some of his one liners) and the way he cares yet still believes in Willow’s capabilities makes me love him all the more.

-f1 romance
-slowburn
-brothers best friend
-kind of forbidden

This was such an adorable read. Everything about this was so sweet and lovely to read!

The representation is done so well. It was so nice to see the different culture and how everything is done differently especially the wedding was written so lovely and it described the culture so well.

The slow burn between Willow and Dev was literally what was needed in this. This shows how much they actually cared for each other at the end of the story. Having to read Dev’s pov of him falling in love with Willow was done so beautifully, the way he cares so much for Willow. The way he loved everything about Willow and how he described her every single time was so charming. Willow is so sweet and so supportive of Dev, while Dev is also very supportive and treats her with so much care.

I also liked the way Willow’s disability is shown. Even though she deals with hypermobility, no one has treated her like she wasn’t capable of doing anything she wanted. Everyone was so supportive and understanding especially Dev.

The best part about this book is that there’s no third act breakup!!!

Thanks, NetGalley and the Publisher for this arc in exchange for an honest review.

This book is the brother’s best friend trope at its best! Although a slow burn, the chemistry and tension between Dev and Willow was off the charts and I loved every second of it as their relationship developed. She fell first but he definitely fell harder. Dev was so sweet and protective and caring about Willow and it was adorable. Great representation. The F1 part of the story was ok for me but sadly I didn’t find it as compelling as other sports romances. I’m sure others will enjoy it though. The ending was slightly stressful and then wrapped up quickly. (Is there going to be a second book?) Thanks Netgalley and the publisher for the read.

This was a fun and sweet read! The tension between the characters was great and I LOVED the representation.
The pining and heat were probably my favorite part and I never felt that any of it was forced or artificial, the story and the evolution of the characters’ feelings flowed naturally.
While I wasn’t completely hooked and felt a burning need to read it in one sitting, these are characters that I found myself easily rooting for and an exciting world that I loved exploring with them. It felt really wholesome and was light on the angst, I enjoyed myself right from the very first page.

Yes!!! Finally another F1 romance book I have devoured and loved every second of it.

All the mix of cultures, the banter, the friendships and accurate family traditions are just refreshing. I adored and was rooting for Dev and Willow every second of the way.
This is perfect for the forbidden love and slow burn girlies who get annoyed when the characters don’t go in the direction they want them to but also relieved because it was only 40% in. But, get you someone who will buy all 200 different macarons flavors just because he can, and because he loves to see you happy eating them.

I am so hoping to get an insight into Mark’s or even Oakley’s love life because I NEED MORE!!

thank you to Netgalley and Simone Soltani for an arc in exchange for an honest review!

This is my first formula 1 romance and i must say it was really enjoyable. Its a slow burn, brothers best friend story and I just felt it was written so well. I enjoyed the dual pov that really gives us insight into what they were thinking.

Willow and Dev were just the perfect characters and I enjoyed the side characters as well

Highly recommend!

The ANGST I feel while reading oh moly, stop it

Simone you can have all my money if you are going to keep writing characters like this that make me feel so much!!!

I’m not saying I want Willow to be my best friend, but I’m not not saying it either… I just love that girl. And there’s not much to be said about Dev. I mean his sincerity and clear adoration of Willow was to die for!! Just 10/10 perfection. The tension was insane and I loved how the situation with Oakley being a tad overly protective of Willow was handled towards the end of the book!

I loved Dev’s little friendship / work group and I am very excited to hopefully see more of them in upcoming books!

F1 romances just hit different and this one will have you giggling and kicking your feet and, of course, crying

R E V I E W

Cross the Line by Simone Soltani

☆☆☆☆.5

Advanced reader copy graciously provided by Pan Macmillan via Netgalley.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I'm a big fan of sports romance in general, so I knew that the author wouldn't steer me wrong (if you don't mind my pun) with a Formula 1 narrative.

This was a slow-burn, brother's best friend romance - but it was also so much more than that. In addition to these beloved tropes and some very well-written intimate moments (frankly, i'd like to kiss Dev Anderson at this point), this book also features a female main character with a chronic illness and a diverse ensemble of characters with different ethnic backgrounds.

Willow Williams has been in love with Dev Anderson for the better part of her life. But as his best friend's little sister, she's aware that this crush has always been one-sided. That is, until she inadvertently reveals her childhood feelings to the man himself during a drunken birthday outing... And he is absolutely blindsided by the information.

Dev Anderson is a popular guy. He has a lot of friends, and as an attractive, decently-performing F1 driver, he has no shortage of female admirers. But when Willow Williams drunkenly reveals that she's always had a thing for him, Dev's whole world spins on its axis, and he cannot seem to get her off his mind. Embarrassed for failing to see what was right in front of him, Dev kisses her, and it's a kiss that changes everything for him. But no sooner has he realised this than Willow is withdrawing, saying it was a mistake that ought to be forgotten and ultimately leaving him, and later his car, wrecked.

Seven silent months later, Willow has just graduated with a degree in sports marketing, but with no job opportunities to show for it, she is in a headspin. Meanwhile, Dev is having problems of his own after a disgruntled employee attacks him via social media, leVing his reputation in tatters. When a chance run-in with Willow reveals a possible solution for them both, Dev hires her to help fix his image and in return, she can gain the experience she needs to get a leg up in the industry. All they need to do is keep things professional for 6 weeks and not cross that line. But as our dual POV chapters reveal, this isnt going to be as easy as it seems. Willow may have fallen first, but Dev has fallen harder, and he is willing to fight for what he wants.

An addictive friends-to-lovers romance with the perfect balance of serious, sweet and sexy.

DNF at 8% and so gutted about it. I think this book is absolutely for you if you like early twenties characters who are looking to find themselves. This book is giving the impression from early on it's going to very steam, and contain POC representation.

Unfortunately I can't get on board with these characters though. Dev is so unlikeable to me in the way he is speaking about women and sex. Going without sex for six weeks and that’s called a dry spell?! They’re also just too young for what I like to read, I can’t read early twenties romances. Willow saying she doesn’t have her life together at 21 and being annoyed about it just doesn’t resonate with me with the same concerns in my 30s!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.

A cute f1 sports romance.

This was a perfect balance of sports and romance so neither aspect was too overwhelming.

One amazing positive for this book was the chronic illness rep which was done so well

He slow burn romance was really cute and built the tension between them. It wasn’t just a given. They really worked for their HEA.

A fun book combining my love for romance and F1, what more could I ask for.
Willow is needing a job and wants to go into sports marketing and Dev is struggling with SM after his last assistant posted something rather unflattering, cue workplace romance, but also best friends sister/ secret relationship.
Both characters were really well fleshed out, I enjoyed their journeys and their time together, it was super sweet, with hints of spice every now and again.
I thought the F1 storyline was fab and knowing what everything meant was definitely a bonus.

Perhaps it was just me, but this book did not hit the sweet spot. I absolutely love reading F1 romance books, and the premise and beginning of "Cross the Line" were strong.

I truly enjoyed some of the tender moments and the angst before the main couple got together. Unfortunately, from there on, it just fell a bit flat for me, and I struggled with their chemistry. Throughout the second half of the book, it felt rushed and not genuine, and then so much happened in the epilogue!

Overall, the premise of the book was really cute, and you might really enjoy it. The writing and pacing just weren't for me at all in this one.

What a cute fun book! Perfect for getting you out of a slump
The characters were likeable and had great growth and chemistry
Thank you for the arc

as a girl who loves f1 & romance , i can confirm it was an all round hit!! i loved this friends to lovers read & the chronic pain representation is handled so well and with care. it was so cute and cheesy and it’s all i can ask for in a good romance book!

I really liked this one, both Dev and Willow where great characters and I fell in love with them both. The only reason for the 3 stars is there was always something slightly missing for me. I can't put my finger on what is was exactly though. Saying that I really did enjoy this and its a great debut. Will definitely be picking up any future books written 😊

Cross The Line by Simone Soltani is an F1 sports romance and the story of Willow and Dev.
 
Willow has recently graduated college with a degree in communications and sports marketing and she is a social media pro. She is very focused and dedication to her work and has yet to find the right job. Willow loves everything sweet, especially macaroons and she immediately had my sympathy for that.
 
Dev is an F1 driver, and his career has recently taken a hit and his reputation is very bad. Therefore, he needs a new PR manager and he only trusts Willow to excel at this task. I loved how Dev showed his love and emotions and he is so obsessed with Willow that I practically melted.
 
Willow and Dev have known each other since they were kids and Dev is best friends with Willow‘s brother which added a touch of forbiddenness to the story. A year ago, they kissed at a party and ever since then Dev hasn’t stopped thinking about Willow in a romantic way. Now they must work together and that provides the perfect situation for them to get closer. I only needed a few chapters to get into the story, but then I devoured it. Their romance is passionate, and addictive and I loved reading this book. I also liked seeing the representation of their cultures and there was one scene involving a mehndi that I absolutely loved.
 
If you love F1 romances, Cross The Line is a must read and I adore Willow and Dev‘s story. 4,5 stars.
 
(ARC kindly provided in exchange for a review.)

A fabulous F1 romance, with wonderful chemistry between the characters, a really hot slow burn with cute kisses and eventual scorching spice.

I like the brother's best friend trope a lot, and really enjoyed the perfect amounts of secrecy and tension here.

Big props for the multicultural aspects with both MCs being interracial, and Willow's chronic illness - which never held her back, and the portrayal was very realistic.

The only reason it wasn't a 5 star read for me, is the epilogue. So much action was left for the very end, it felt almost like that scene was written and forgotten about, then just added as an afterthought. Otherwise it was pretty much perfect, and I loved it.

4⭐️

This was a really fun, solid read!! I liked the fact that this was a sports romance that didn’t feature college students, it was a nice change of pace for me.

I loved both of the characters, the tension was really good and I loved Dev’s straight-forward approach.

I did feel like the drama towards the end came in a little late, and I think the build up to everything with Oakley felt a little anti climatic, but all in all this was a fun read.