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stephsbooktalk's review
4.5
Thank you so much to Forever for sending me an advance copy!
This book will be published on October 8th, 2024.
I think this is the first time that I have read an arc months and months in advance. And this was just such a fun time!!
I am not sure how to describe the writing style of this book but it felt different compared to other romances and other romances from Forever.
"Closing your eyes won't conceal you, sweet girl. I'll find you anyway."
I love the tension between the FMC, Phaedra and the MMC, Cosmin! This had a few of my favorite tropes: workplace romance, sports related and enemies to lovers! Phaedra was such a boss B who is also the daughter of the team owner but she had held her own as a race engineer. She is all about the business and takes such pride in what she does. She especially did not like Cosmin's playboy antics and the show he would give to the cameras. Cosmin comes across as this cocky,
Even though the romance was the primary focus of the book each character had their own side stories that were a focus. Phaedra's father had become ill and as the team owner there was also the business element of when he would eventually pass what would happen to the team. My heart broke for Phaedra as there was so much happening at once: this blossoming relationship with someone who she knew she shouldn't be with, losing her father, and another element the bruised relationship with her best friend Natalia.
Cosmin did not have the best upbringing and with that he was really close with his sister. And we learn over the course of the book about what happened when he was younger and then his sister also says her side of things as she is older than him. Even while dealing with his past & it blended into his present, he was also there for Phaedra.
I thought there was a good a balance of all the side items with the romance.
"I'd like to be friends."
"That's dangerous."
"So is racing. So is life."
I really love Phaedra and Cosmin as a couple. We learn fairly early on that Cosmin was smitten but even though he was into her, she would not give in. Their rocky relationship was putting a strain on their communication during the races which was not translating into podium wins. Once they let down their guard and their attraction to each other, that was when the magic happened. I understood Phaedra's hesitancy because of the work dynamic piece of it. They were so incredibly hot together. Phaedra kept trying to resist her feelings but Cosmin refuses to believe that their occasional hook ups were it. I love that Cosmin was Romanian as I feel like I do not see that nationality showcased in most romance and with that comes the language. I really hope this gets an audiobook because I would LOVE to hear how the male narrator says the Romanian phrases.
F1 is a growing trend in romances and I can see it continuing into 2025. And you bet I will be reading as many as I can get my hands on!
I am looking forward to the next book in the series as that one could be VERY interesting!
This book will be published on October 8th, 2024.
I think this is the first time that I have read an arc months and months in advance. And this was just such a fun time!!
I am not sure how to describe the writing style of this book but it felt different compared to other romances and other romances from Forever.
"Closing your eyes won't conceal you, sweet girl. I'll find you anyway."
I love the tension between the FMC, Phaedra and the MMC, Cosmin! This had a few of my favorite tropes: workplace romance, sports related and enemies to lovers! Phaedra was such a boss B who is also the daughter of the team owner but she had held her own as a race engineer. She is all about the business and takes such pride in what she does. She especially did not like Cosmin's playboy antics and the show he would give to the cameras. Cosmin comes across as this cocky,
Even though the romance was the primary focus of the book each character had their own side stories that were a focus. Phaedra's father had become ill and as the team owner there was also the business element of when he would eventually pass what would happen to the team. My heart broke for Phaedra as there was so much happening at once: this blossoming relationship with someone who she knew she shouldn't be with, losing her father, and another element the bruised relationship with her best friend Natalia.
Cosmin did not have the best upbringing and with that he was really close with his sister. And we learn over the course of the book about what happened when he was younger and then his sister also says her side of things as she is older than him. Even while dealing with his past & it blended into his present, he was also there for Phaedra.
I thought there was a good a balance of all the side items with the romance.
"I'd like to be friends."
"That's dangerous."
"So is racing. So is life."
I really love Phaedra and Cosmin as a couple. We learn fairly early on that Cosmin was smitten but even though he was into her, she would not give in. Their rocky relationship was putting a strain on their communication during the races which was not translating into podium wins. Once they let down their guard and their attraction to each other, that was when the magic happened. I understood Phaedra's hesitancy because of the work dynamic piece of it. They were so incredibly hot together. Phaedra kept trying to resist her feelings but Cosmin refuses to believe that their occasional hook ups were it. I love that Cosmin was Romanian as I feel like I do not see that nationality showcased in most romance and with that comes the language. I really hope this gets an audiobook because I would LOVE to hear how the male narrator says the Romanian phrases.
F1 is a growing trend in romances and I can see it continuing into 2025. And you bet I will be reading as many as I can get my hands on!
I am looking forward to the next book in the series as that one could be VERY interesting!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent and Sexual content
Moderate: Child abuse, Terminal illness, and Misogyny
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