Brothers best friend ✔️
F1 ✔️
Working together / close proximity ✔️
Forbidden ✔️
Women in sport ✔️
Spicy ✔️

Can’t go wrong with a F1 story done right. And this is done right. Enough F1 content that it makes sense to be F1 related, but it doesn’t take away from the story (but the F1 is kind of a big plot in it).

——

Willow & Dev 😍

I love them.

I was a little put off by the extravagant dates…would a guy really do that? Even if he had all the money he could ask for? I doubt it… maybe I’m biased as I’ve not met a guy who would… I’m obviously searching in the wrong place…

And a couple days after finishing it, I’m still trying to work out why her fragile bones (sorry u can’t remember the scientific term 🙈) was needed… because Oakley needed to protect her? But big brothers do that anyway.

And while we’re on the subject of Oakley, did he *really* need to put the ex bf in hospital? Just because he was an ass & cheated in Willow? Again, maybe it’s me. I know my brother would protect me. And he has threatened that if he saw one of my exes he would put him in hospital, minimum. But I think that’s fair seeing as that ex abused me - mental & physically.
Now don’t get me wrong, cheating is NEVER ok. But to break someone’s ribs because of it? Overkill maybe?

But anyway, Willow. I just didn’t see the need to add that she was some fragile thing. I don’t think it really added to the story. Oakley raced so she could’ve just got into sports that way. I got into sports journalism because everyone said women don’t really belong there. That it’s not really a “woman’s job”… so I went and done it. I’m pretty petty that
way.

All-in-all I loved it.
A few bits I didn’t really like, but that’s my own opinion. You may love those parts.

I hope Chavas story is next… I kinda like him 👀

Cross the Line (arc) review 🏎️🏁

Rating: 4.25/5

🏁 dual pov
🏎️ sports romance
🏁 brother’s best friend
🏎️ she falls first, but he falls harder
🏁 slow burn
🏎️ no third act breakup
🏁 chronic illness rep
🏎️ sunshine x sunshine

I absolutely DEVOURED this book. Read it in one night/one sitting!!
It was the cutest romance, with the perfect amount of sports and side characters/side story thrown in to make it just right!!

The writing style was easy to follow, the story flowed well; and the pacing was spot on, my mind did not stray for a second!!

*I received an e-arc of this book in exchange for an honest review*

Thank you Netgalley and the oublisher for giving me a copy of this book in exchange of an honest review.

💟Tropes:
- FI romance
- Best friend's sister
- Chronic illnes representation
-South Asian MMC and Black FMC

🤍Summary: Dev and Willow have known each other for almost their entire life considering Dev is her brothers best friend and the guys she had a crush on during her teenager years. Now, Willow is trying to get a job after graduating and Dev is looking to clean up his image after a series of unfortunate events. They meet up once again in Monaco, where Dev ask Willow for help.

🩵 Thoughts:
I feel confused, it took me a while to read it, kind of dragged yet at the same time the romance felt rushed, kind of instalovey. I liked willow as a character and, from other reviewers, the representation is quite good. She has a disability but she is not her disability. The only reason that this is bff sisters is because Oakley is there and said once: hey no dating my sister and it could have done without that trope SOO MUCH. Didnt make sense and it felt like the author tried to write about a trope that they wanted to use instead of developing the story and then realizing what tropes they used. I liked the F1 references obsly and it was entertaining for sure. I can't wait what the author will write in the future!

DNF at 23%

This book is so cookie cutter. I've already read this recipe. The writing adds nothing, it's bland, boring, a robot could've written this.

I was 23% in and it felt like it had laster a lifetime. I just couldn't go on any longer. The only good thing about this book is the POC main characters and even then, they could have been any skin color and I wouldn't have noticed. There's no/barely any references to a different upbringing because they're POC.

I'm sure this is a great book for someone, but not for me. I need a little more sustenance to sustain me.

1000000000000 times infinity stars

simone soltani has been my favourite writer since wattpad days and she never misses. what else can i say about cross the line, other than read it NOW or live to regret it - because it’s just that dang good! everything about simone’s writing is meticulous, flawless and fill of wholesome charm and the perfect amount of angst that makes you feel seen. and the representation!!!!!! just everything!!!! and now i’m going to go and get myself some macaroons xoxo

Was very excited to read this, but honestly was just average for me. However, find me a man lie Dev. Both protagonists were so cute together and I was rooting for both of them.

3,75 / 5

YET AGAIN A BOOK WITH NO 3RD ACT BREAKUP.

I feel like I’m winning in life with books like this.

"Cross The Line" has a lot of great aspects: humour, a good and reasonable amount of the sport the book revolves around, great cast of characters, the representation and diversity was *chef’s kiss*.
Basically everything you would want to want in a sports romance. And after the first couple of chapters, I was really sure this would be an easy, at least, 4,5 star read.
However, something didn’t really click for me and after thinking it through, I think I know what it was: It’s how Dev came to realise that he’s into Willow. There wasn’t a development of those feelings and it felt rather sudden for me (and maybe him too ?).
He went from “this is my cute, best friend’s little sister” to worshipping the ground Willow walks on (as he should tbh!)

Other than that, Willow and Dev’s professional and romantic relationship and their dynamic makes a lot of sense and it really shows in the way they treat each other.

“Cross the Line” showcases very successfully that a great romance book doesn’t need drama in any way or a big, unnecessary break up and that communication is key and goes a long way.

I know this is the first in a series and if you read the book, you can probably guess where the rest of the series is headed.
I am definitely looking forward to those books!

Thank you to NetGalley and Pan Macmillan for providing me with an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

Cross the Line by Simone Soltani is a really great debut. This book is perfect for the Dirty Air series (Lauren Asher) girlies that are looking for their next F1 romance!

Content:
-Childhood Friends to Lovers
-Forbidden Romance (Brother’s Best Friend)
-Sports Romance (F1)
-She fell first but he fell harder
-POC rep
-Disability rep

In Cross the Line we meet Willow, a recent college grad that has had a hard time securing a job with her marketing degree, and Dev, F1 racer that has a bit of an image issue at the moment. As childhood friends that haven’t seen each other since *that night*, Dev comes up with the perfect solution to his public perception issue: Willow. Desperate for a job and familiar with the F1 world, Willow accepts the job, sure that she can keep their professional relationship strictly professional. But can she really help herself when their chemistry is undeniable?

Simone does a great job at building on Dev and Willow’s relationship without having them jump into bed with each other right away. Since they are childhood friends, they already have a great base to their friendship but it was nice to see them build upon it, and their professional relationship, before they fell to their whims. My one issue, however, was that, from the beginning, almost every waking thought they both had was about one another. It was a bit exhausting, especially since they’ve known each other for years and somehow have never managed to discuss that they’re both massively hot for one another. In the first scene, Willow even admits that she had a crush on Dev, and you would think that would be his in to explain that it’s now reciprocated but, alas, of course that would be too simple.

It is also always nice to see disability rep, especially in romances. As someone with a disability, it’s exciting to see someone find and experience love without the disability affecting their relationship. It was also cute to read the little things that Dev would do to keep Willow safe since he knew her limitations from growing up with her.

In terms of spice, I would personally give it about 2 chili peppers. We have to wait until about 70% to get any real spice but there is some good tension and build-up sprinkled throughout.

Overall, I thought this book was really cute and hit a lot of tropes that I really enjoy. Dev shows so much care towards Willow that it’s hard not to swoon and root for them from start to finish.

Thank you NetGalley for the E-arc in exchange for an honest review.

I loved this book, as someone who is very new to Formula 1 this book is the perfect read! I loved Willow and Dev, I’m a sucker for childhood friends to lovers and I really liked how it was done in this book. They were just so cute and I loved their communication together. Such a cute read

I think I have tried a couple of F1 romances before, and this is the first time I actually read one from end to end. Not a fan of F1, but I was still very much interested in the team and games politics.
This is your typical brother's best friend romance: they're into each other, but big brother warned his best friend off, so they pine until they can no longer ignore their attraction to each other. Besides that, I loved seeing them root for each other, and inspiring each other to be the best versions of themselves.
I enjoyed the Bollywood movies references, and glimpses into cultures that are familiar to me, and that we don't usually get to read about.
Overall, this is a really entertaining read, and one that fans of F1 romances will appreciate.

Thank you to Pan Macmillan for the opportunity to review an advanced copy. All opinions are my own.

— 4.5 stars
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫

”I don’t need to hide a single aspect of myself from him. He’s already seen it all. And yet, he’s still here, looking at me like I’m the centre of his universe.”

📖 | 385 pages
👤 | author Simone Soltani
🏢 | publisher Pan Macmillan
📅 | release date 23 May 2024

What you can expect:
— New-Adult Contemporary Sport Romance
— First Person POV
— Dual POV
— F1 Driver X Social Media Manager
— Brother's Best Friend
— South Asian MMC X Black FMC
— Childhood Crush
— Chronic Illness Rep
— Sunshine X Sunshine
— She Falls First (& he falls harder!!)
— Slow-Burn Romance
— Open Door Spice

Cross the Line is the first instalment in the Lights Out series by debut author Simone Soltani. 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 knows he has to hire someone to help save his image. By chance at a party in Monaco, he bumps into the woman who can fix it all, but there's just one problem: she's his best friend's little sister. And, okay, maybe there's another problem—he kissed her last year and hasn't been able to stop thinking about it since. Recent college grad Willow Williams needs a job, preferably one where she can put her sports marketing degree to use. She may have a talent for seeing the bright side of a bad situation, but it's hard to stay positive when she's struggling to get hired. So when Dev offers her a temporary solution, she can't help but say yes to working together... even if it means ignoring the crush she's had on him since childhood. Both Willow and Dev are determined to keep things strictly professional, even if old feelings and the blazing chemistry between them threatens to ignite. But in the glittering and high-stakes world of Formula 1, some lines are meant to be crossed...

This is my formal request to all authors for more sunshine x sunshine love interests because this book felt like that moment in Spring time when the sun shines on you just right and you are left with that feeling of contentment and ease. The vibes in Cross the Line were chaotic and immaculate all in one, and I now find myself in desperate need for more. The slow-burn aspect was real for the first half of the story before things quickly accelerate in the second portion of the book... and personally I loved it. The tension and the pining was written to perfection, and by that 50% mark I was fully internally screaming "just get together already" so that second half was a comfort and relief to my inner romantic. The overall pacing of the story worked perfectly for me and complimented the tropes that are present within the story, and this is a cannot be missed romance read for Summer 2024.

Dev Anderson is sunshine incarnate and he just gave me 'teddy bear' vibes throughout the story. Even as a fictional character I found myself wanting to gravitate into his orbit and soak up the warmth that this man exudes. I was constantly cackling at the inappropriate remarks he made during times of anxiety and stress which is well balanced with his exuding charm and secret love for Bollywood movies, and he's just the perfect book boyfriend to fall in love with this Summer. Dev's passion for the sport he loves is apparent I enjoyed seeing him regain his sense of 'fight' against the mistreatment from the man that owns the team he races for. Dev knows his worth as a driver and as a biracial man in a white dominated industry, and it was amazing to read as he pushed towards his ambitions with the love and support of his loved ones. And of course one of the best aspects to Dev's character is his sheer adoration and respect to his love interest, Willow Williams. Even prior to the beginning of their romantic relationship it is clear how much respect and awe he holds in regards to Willow's character. Dev has nothing but trust and faith in her professional ability to do her job, and I loved how willingly he handed over the reigns of his social media presence without any concern or regard for her inexperience. Dev is Willow's number one supporter through and through, and I love how that was established early on which went on to support the fast-development of their romantic relationship later on in the book. There's just something so wholesome and charming about sunshine love interests, and I love how well-balanced Dev and Willow were. I absolutely adore them independently and as a couple, and I couldn't think of a pair more well-suited than these two.

Willow Williams is an absolute angel of a main character and I love her so much. I adored her honesty and transparent approach in regards to her daily struggles with her chronic pain and joint disorder. I really felt for Willow as it became clear that he childhood dreams and ambitions would be impossible as a result, however this just encouraged Willow to find a new dream and it was a joy to watch her fight for it. I love how she continues to live life as fully as possible whilst tackling her insecurities. Plus, a girl that loves macaroons as she does is a woman after my own heart. Willow's unwavering support and belief in Dev was absolutely everything, and I respect how desperately she tried to go after what she wanted without hurting the feelings of those that she loves. Whilst I don't necessarily agree with how Willow and Dev handled breaking the news of their relationship to Willow's older brother Oakley (and Dev's best friend), I can understand what the intentions were and I appreciate the imperfectness of the situation. People can make the wrong decisions for the right and well-meaning reason, and I love how innately human this response is. It makes connecting to fictional characters on an emotional level all the more real, and I loved Oakley's response to the entire situation. I really hope we get to see Oak's story at some point in the series! He was hilarious and I'd loved to see him fall in love. Mark, too. That grumpy man had me from the beginning and I desperately need to know more about him.

3.5⭐️

So, I watch formula 1 and I haven’t read a f1 book since I got into f1 . So I was a bi it worried if I would enjoy it as much. I was pleasantly surprised. Cross the Line follows Willow and Dev. Dev is Willow’s brothers best friend (a trope I love!!) Dev needs help reviving his image and asks Willow to help him. Willow and Dev’s relationship was so cute. It was really nice to see the chronic illness rep especially of something I had little knowledge on so was nice to learn about it. I feel like the F1 part of this book was done really well too. Also no third act breakup which I LOVE!!

Thank you to NetGalley this ARC in exchange for my honest opinions

This is my first F1 sports romance and i absolutely love it. The book has been in my tbr for so long that I was super excited and happy when I was approved to read and review this.
First of all, I had a great time reading this book. The author did an amazing job penning down these two amazing characters and their romance. I am totally in love with it. I literally can't stop thinking about this one.

An F1 driver crashing during a race because he kissed a girl?! On the first page?!

I gave it the benefit of the doubt after that but it didn't get any better. I found myself getting more disappointed as the book went on. I want even invested in the characters by the end, just reading for the same of reviewing.

It had the potential to be so good but unfortunately just didn't get there.

Ever since Simone’s very first IG post appeared on my feed I have been excited to read this book.

Willow has been half in love with Dev since she was little but being her older brother’s best friend he was off limits. That is, until she drunkly admits her crush one night and a year later he is in desperate need of her skills to revamp his image and do some major damage control!

This is a slow burn that keeps you on the edge as despite agreeing to keep things professional, neither Willow or Dev can help the flirty tension from bleeding into their relationship.

The two of them are definitely each other’s biggest supporters. Willow believing in Dev’s ability to deliver on and off the track. In return Dev doesn’t treat Willow like she needs to be wrapped up in cottonwool. He treats her with care but also supportive, trusting that she knows when its too much.

I really enjoyed how Simone represented not only F1 but someone with a chronic health condition. It felt authentic and not forced. As someone who is chronically sick, seeing representation on the page like this was so special.

The side characters definitely caught my attention and I am looking forward to seeing what they get up to.

Overall, I throughly enjoyed this book.

If you love the below, you’ll love this book:
🏎️ F1 Romance
🏁Brothers Best Friend
🏎️ No 3rd Act Break up
🏁 Chronic Illness rep
🏎️ Sunshine x Sunshine
🏁 She falls first but he falls harder
🏎️ Lots of Bollywood references
🏁F1 Driver x Social Media Manager

I was so so excited about this book because while I'm not a huge F1 one fan I do love brothers best friend romances and I do love stories that don't have a 0815 setting which this book definitely doesn't have.
However, the romance - which is the biggest part of this book - wasn't for me. Mostly because I found it pretty boring because there wasn't actually anything that was forcing the two main characters apart. They were attracted to each other from the beginning, they knew they liked each other and that the other one liked them back, they were only worried about her brother, which honestly, was a little bit stupid because you're all adults, what's the big deal? That nothing was forcing them apart and still they were acting as if they couldn't possibly ever be together made me so irrationaly irritated at the characters after a while that it really impacted my reading experience, I was so annoyed most of the time.
With that said, I had nothing against the writing itself and I will probably give this author another chance when she publishes more books. I think this was more of a me problem because as far as I've seen so far this book gets pretty great reviews.

This was cute, and I did like the romance, because it was very clear from the start how much these characters care about each other, which was very sweet. This book is also at least 100 pages too long though, and it took me ages to read. It feels way too slow-paced for a sweet romance novel, and I just wish it had all been more condensed, because at times it felt like we were going nowhere with the story. A lot of it is no plot, just vibes, and the vibes were nice at times, but also a little boring at other times.

Dev is a F1 pilot and he needs to restore his reputation. He hires his sister’s best friend, Willow, for his social media.
This book has so much potential. But it wasn’t it. No chemistry between the characters and no big twist during the F1 season.
The epilogue was way too long and why put an accident here ?

DFN @ 36%

look, I tried, I really tried, but I’ve been reading this for a week and I still haven’t reached 50% 🫠 I’m happy that so many people have loved this and if you want to read it, then go ahead and do it. I can’t say it’s a bad book, it’s just not for me. I’m not in the mood for it and I’m not connecting with the characters. I couldn’t care less about them and their romance. Which sucks, because I really wanted to love this.

thank you NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an e-arc copy of the book.

This was so sweet, lovely and I totally adored Dev and Willow. As a marketing girl, I loved Willow. Both of the characters felt fully fleshed out. Their forbidden romance and internal conflict worked really well. I wish their arcs were pushed slightly further but overall they really worked as I was deeply invested. I can't wait for the next book in this series!