REVIEW: Cross the Line by Simone Soltani

Cross the Line by Simone Soltani: As one of the hottest drivers in the F1 Dev knows that he needs to keep a clean social media if he wants to maintain his contract and keep his bosses happy, which is exactly why he hired a social media manager to keep his image clean and intact. So when Dev’s social media manager purposefully ruins his reputation Dev needs to do some serious damage control, and fast. Which is how he finds himself teaming up with his best friends little sister, Willow.

As luck would have it Willow knows just how to work her magic in the public relations world and seeing as she is fresh out of college and looking for a job, teaming up with Dev should be a dream, right? Well this would be a whole lot easier had they not shared a drunken almost kiss a year ago when Willow confessed her crush to Dev… all Willow has to do is keep it professional until the end of August and she can go on with her life, only problem being traveling the world and spending more time with Dev is only increasing her feelings for him and making her realise that just maybe she isn’t the only one who has been falling in love these past few months… the question is are they about to create another scandal and ruin a friendship but telling her brother that they are more than just friends?

I really really enjoyed reading CROSS THE LINE, this was the first F1 romance that I have read and I have to say I absolutely ate it up! I loved how easy it was to get invested in the racing world even as a person that really does not know much about it, this book was both entertaining and rather addictive. I also really loved the fact that it incorporated the brothers best friend trope, which is always a favourite of mine.

I just adored Dev, he was easily one of the sweetest heroes that I have read. He had so much of respect for Willow and the way he went about their relationship just screamed gentleman. I really liked that he respected her boundaries and that he made sure that she was always comfortable. Aside from being a total sweetheart, I loved his dive and passion for racing, he put so much of himself into his work and you could just see that he was the kind of guy that would give his all to something or someone that he loved. Now for our girl Willow, well girl I think it is safe to say that we all understand the appeal of a hot F1 racer, and don’t blame you for wanting to get with the hottie that was Dev. All in all I really liked Willow, she was pretty easy to like and generally a really cool leading lady. I loved the fact that she never once gave up on Dev, she was truly the best cheerleader and support system he could have asked for.

The build up between these two was more on the slow burn side but I liked the build up and the angst in their relationship. I love the fact that they both tired to forget the drunken almost kiss and confession but it was clearly playing on both of their minds. Getting to see them grow closer and truly fall in love was just magical, I loved seeing their relationship grow from friends to a crush to this all consuming love. One of the things that I loved about this book was the fact that there was no third act break up to derail all the progress, these two had a mature and sweet relationship with loads of giggles.

The supporting characters in this book were great. I love Willow’s brother Oakley. He was an interesting side character and I loved his relationship with both Willow and Dev. I will say I had expected him to be a bit more annoyed by them getting together but I loved the way he shocked everyone by being so chill.

For a debut novel this was a strong and well written novel that promises great things to come from Soltani. Cross The Line is a total must read, this cute and funny racing romcom is sure to steal your heart!

Book Info:

Publication: May 28, 2024 | Berkley |

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. At a party in Monaco, he bumps into the woman who can fix it all. 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. She may have a talent for seeing the bright side of any 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. Even if it means ignoring the crush she’s had on him since childhood.

Willow and Dev are determined to keep things strictly professional, regardless of old feelings and the blazing chemistry between them. But in the glittering and high-stakes world of Formula 1, some lines are meant to be crossed…