DNF at 20%

I was so excited for a forbidden romance about an F1 engineer with her driver, but unfortunately I didn’t like this book at all. The only thing I liked was that the MMC was Romanian, but he was just really insufferable at times and the FMC wasn’t much better. I love reverse grumpy/sunshine, but Phaedra was just plain mean for no reason. She’s supposed to be a genius, girlboss or something but she was constantly complaining about how hard it is to be a woman in a male dominated sport, when she clearly actually hates other women. She kept putting them down and being judgmental and even has a really weird relationship with her best friend. Cosmin was supposed to be a charming sweet talker but he just came on way too strong and it made me really not like him. The conversations were so stilted and the choices made for the character interactions were weird. This had a lot of potential but sadly not the book for me.

I was super intrigued by the premise of Double Apex & decided to give it a try. I've never read a Formula 1 romance and I thought it was neat to see an FMC be an engineer.

I really liked the romance here. There's a lot of great tension between the characters and the steamy was giving holy hotness. The banter was great and I liked that the author added Romanian too. I also liked how the reverse grumpy sunshine trope was used.

However, I think my main issue with the book was the writing style. It was a lot of telling instead of showing which made it feel info dumpy. It could just be that I didn't vibe with the writing style here.

I would say if you enjoy workplace romances but are looking for a unique work setting, give this a try.

Did not finish due to content warnings. I lost my dad and can’t read books with familial death.

Thank you for the opportunity to read this and I’m sorry I couldn’t finish it.

2.5⭐️

Double Apex is a F1 workplace romance book. The two main characters, Phaedra and Cosmin work closely together as she’s a race engineer and he’s a driver. I had high hopes going into the book due to the cute cover and the description of the book, but unfortunately for me it fell flat.

I feel like everything moved on so fast between them. It started to get confusing and it didn’t allow me to connect with the characters or fully enjoy their story. It didn’t feel like there was chemistry between Phaedra and Cosmin.

Please make sure to read the content warnings as there are heavy topics in the book.


Thank you NetGalley and Forever(Grand Central Publishing for the arc.

I was SO excited to read Double Apex as I am interested in getting into/watching Formula 1 romances. However; I couldn't get over the misogynistic comments made starting at the beginning of the book. I felt that overshadowed my reading experience and thus, wasn't interested in reading beyond the 8% mark as authors, especially females, shouldn't be putting so much hate into their books towards their own gender. I understand if it is a particular plot point however; I was instantly turned off as it happened right away.

This was my first formula 1 romance and really had no idea about the sport. I enjoyed learning a little bit about the sport and how much science there is to it. Being a male dominated sport, I can see how Phaedra felt about her position as an engineer and daughter's owner and how precarious it was.

Cosmin is a playboy race car driver that was new to their team and they instantly do not get along. I enjoyed seeing how their romance developed and the softer side of Cosmin was revealed.

There is a lot of sub plots and some felt unfinished, perhaps it's a set up for the next book.

I enjoyed the narration of Jonathan Lake and Mackenzie Cartwright. I did have to slow down a bit to understand Jonathan's accent and sometimes his narration felt like a whisper.

Thank you @hachetteaudio @readforeverpub for a copy of the audiobook.

DNF 18% I am so mad about this book. I love F1 and thought this cover was gorgeous so I was really looking forward to this book, but oh my god it's bad. It's been a long time since I read a book with characters that made me this angry. Phaedra is an unlikeable pick-me that reads like an attempt at a militant feminist character from 2009. As a 30-year-old I could tell instantly that this book was written by someone at least 20 years older (I was right the author is in her mid-50s) because there is no way in hell a 32 year old would speak the way Phaedra does and the slang is so wildly out of place for the character's ages. Also the 80's references were a dead giveaway, for the love of god, authors need to give up references to the Breakfast Club and David Bowie. Your characters were born in the mid-90s, make their cultural references reflect that (and books with characters in their early 20s need to reflect character born after 2000). Cosmin is just gross. He doesn't understand consent and if he can't stop making sexual comments in the workplace he needs to be fired. The first time Phaedra tells him to stop calling her certain endearments over the radio he needed to stop immediately not take it as a sign to to it more. My final straw with him was taking a glance from Phaedra as an invitation to rub is dick on her, which it absolutely was not, she was just making herself coffee and looked at him. Absolutely not. In a romance from 2005 or something in the more dark category, maybe, but holy hell, not in a traditionally published book in 2024. He just comes across as a slimy euro-trash creep the entire time. Also it feels like his back story was ripped out of some poorly written Wattpad smut that was only there for shock value. I glanced at a few reviews to see if the book gets any better before putting it down for good, and apparently Phaedra goes full domestic violence on Cosmic at around the 50% mark, which would have me stopping anyways, so I'm good getting to where I've gotten. This book is a big fat no for me and I will never ever read this author. I can't believe this is the type of bullshit that Forever is choosing to publish and it really makes me question their publishing standards.

Thank you to Hachette Audio for the ALC and Forever for the eARC.

DNF.

I made it about 30% before I quit. Phaedra is just a mean character. I couldn't understand where all her hostility was coming from. Cosmin (and other male characters) definitely had some sexist and misogynstic comments, but Phaedra was still a worse character.

I did enjoy the narrators. Cosmin's narrator had the Romanian accent (he was definitely F1 Dracula) and I loved listening to him. Phaedra's narrator had such a great intonation and I really could feel Phaedra's attitude through her.

Alas, the narrators couldn't save this one and thanks but no thanks.

Formula 1 is having its moment in romance books but I have yet to read one that does it justice. Unfortunately, this is no exception.

Despite the promise of a woman in STEM, a dashing F1 driver, and their sexy relationship, so much fell flat.

I’m ok with books where there are unlikable characters but I felt actual disdain for this duo.

Phaedra treated everyone around her as if they weren’t worthy of her time. And despite the frustrations of being a woman in science - of which I’m sure there are many - calm down, lady.

And then there’s Cosmin. Yes, F1 drivers are known for being full of themselves, for embracing their elite status and making the most of it, but he read like a sexist caricature of today’s drivers. Also, his behaviors were not hot; in fact many bordered on assault.

I guess maybe it makes sense they fell in love? Nobody else would want them?

The excitement of F1 was well written and the steamy scenes, at times, showed promise, but overall this was a miss for me.

My heart is broken, but for an entirely different reason than most reading experiences. I wanted to love this book and looked forward to immersing myself in a Formula 1 romance. It promised a steamy relationship between a woman in STEM and a fiery racecar driver, and I was all in. Unfortunately, both characters were intensely horrible.

Phaedra treated everyone around her with disdain. I totally understand the frustrations of being continually doubted, but, girl, get over yourself. Cosmin was an unforgivable sexiest pig. Some of his behavior was flat out sexually abusive. Rubbing your erection against a woman who has clearly said, “NO!,” is assault. It is not flirting. And, yet, somehow the author wants us to believe these two miserable individuals fall in love. It simply did not work for me.

I will definitely give this author another chance because she did get some things right. She captured the exciof F1 racing and the steam was well written. I’d like to see what she does with more likable characters.

Thank you to NetGalley, Forever, and Hachette Audio for the advance copies in exchange for my unbiased review.

I DNFed at 30%. I don’t understand how you can advertise a book as enemies to lovers when they’re both pining for each other from page one and they’re no longer enemies by 15% in. This book felt both rushed and dragged at the same time. Not sure how but that’s how it felt. I’m super bummed because I love F1 romances but this fell super flat for me.

My fascination with F1 racing continues to be fed with Double Apex. Cosmin and Phaedra’s hate to love was everything I needed. Had great tension at the beginning between Phae and Cosmin, and they pushed each other to be better people. The characters had great chemistry and there were emotional family moments (tw). I enjoyed the book although a little more of Phae’s engineering job would have been nice.

This was cute!
I feel like I appreciated the way grief, and loss was handled better then I thought I would!
I just felt like the MMC was kinda childish?
I also didn’t love how we got so little page time of our FMC being this math prodigy but she was more just being supportive to the MMC. Felt like we missed getting to see her shine!

Double Apex was such a delightful surprise—I’m honestly still processing it all! This book dives deep into some heavy topics, like the raw reality of loss and the intense grief that follows, while also giving an unflinching look at what it’s like for a woman to thrive in a male-dominated field. But what really hit me was how it showed the magic of changing your perspective on someone you once misunderstood—it’s life-changing! Josie created characters that tugged at my heartstrings, making me feel all the feels, and even in the harder moments, I truly connected with their humanity.

Phaedra and Cosmin were everything! Their chemistry was off the charts, and their emotional ups and downs made them feel so real. The reverse grumpy x sunshine trope? Josie nailed it!

I picked this book up thinking I’d get a fun F1 workplace romance, but it was so much more. Josie’s writing pulled me in, making me care deeply about every character’s journey, not just the romance. The F1 backdrop fit perfectly, blending with the characters’ lives in a way that felt natural and never overpowering. It was such a perfect balance, and I absolutely loved it. Now I’m eagerly waiting for the next book in the series!

P.S. Definitely check the content warnings before diving in!

I am DNFing at about the half way point and I normally wouldn't write a full review, but as a woman in STEM and a DV survivor I have to talk about this book.

1. Phaedra is a horrible example of women in STEM. She is extremely sexist, talks down to other women, and tries so hard to not be like other women all while she is benefitting from being the daughter of the owner of the team. She is a true nepo baby and she had zero redeeming qualities. I noticed very early on how horrible she was, but I was hoping she would grow. She only has one friend in this book and I understand why. Phaedra was so terrible to her only friend, but then would still go to this "friend" when she needed something. It was honestly such gross behavior.
2. The moment I DNF'd. Phaedra is actively being an aggressor in a DV situation with the MMC. When he tries to diffuse the situation she throws his past abuse in his face and accuses him of being an abuser. This, in my opinion, has the potential to cause a lot of harm. Women can be abusers. This scene paints Phaedra as a victim when she is the aggressor and that makes me sick to my stomach. The tactics Phaedra uses to victimize herself while actively being an aggressor is something a lot of abusers do. This book has the potential to cause a lot of harm and thinking that a woman could pick up this book that is in a bad situation with a partner and think they are the problem makes me sick top my stomach.
3. This last point seems so small after the other two, but the spice in this book is atrocious. I was physically uncomfortable while reading the spicy scenes. "Are you fertile?" "plunges his fingers in to see how deep I am" "my girl bits are only trimmed" and "sweet juice he is gouging out of me" are just a few examples.

I received both an e-ARC of this book and an audio-ARC. The audio was a dual narration. The one good thing I have to say about this book is that the narrators did a good job and I would listen to them again, just narrating something by a different author.

Thank you to NetGalley, Forever/Grand Central Publishing and Hatchett Audio for both the eARC and ALC of Double Apex by Josie Juniper.

I cannot express how excited I was to read this book. I was so incredibly thrilled to not only be able to receive a digital advanced reader copy but also be fortunate enough to pair it with an advanced listener copy as well - reading and listening simultaneously is my favourite way to read books these days. The main reason I was SO excited for this book is because I'm a big fan of Formula 1 and have been devouring F1 books every time I come across one, and two because the couple were on the same team and SHE was the engineer! I woman in STEM + an F1 driver? I was SOLD and so excited to dive in.

All that said, I am absolutely devastated about having to DNF at 29%, because of seriously dislikeable and problematic characters and a choppy prose.

First of all, the FMC, Phaedra, was immediately dislikeable for many reasons. I've often struggled to connect with grumpy FMCs, but Phaedra was a whole new level. As a math prodigy and an engineer on the F1 team, she has a critically important job of communicating with the driver. She is also the owner of the team's daughter. This is a significant disadvantage to her, because she is already a woman in F1, STEM and now has to deal with the perception of being a nepo baby rather than earning her place on the team. I can absolutely understand that puts her in a difficult position. Add on top of that, her father appears to be terminally ill, so she is dealing with grieving the loss of her father while he is still alive - grief does strange things to people and grieving someone who is still alive can be so confusing. Again, I can absolutely empathize with this.

HOWEVER, her behaviour and actions are atrocious.

Phaedra vehemently lobbied for the team to take on a different driver than the MMC, Cosmin, they ended up with. Her behaviour came across as if she were throwing a temper tantrum about not getting her way - behaving exactly like the stereotypical nepo baby she doesn't want to be perceived as. Additionally, she comes in with such strong preconceived notions about Cosmin, that she refuses to get to know him while repeatedly making judgements about him based on zero factual information.

Phaedra's judgements don't end there. She mentions that she only has one true friend, and both of them frequently judge one another and say horrible things to the other. Phaedra will throw her own intellect in the face of her friend to make her feel stupid, while also slut shaming her. Then she gets upset when her friend states this is why she doesn't feel like she can talk to Phaedra and felt the need to keep secrets from her.

Cosmin is also problematic. The man is funding a charity in support of his sister after she was sexually assaulted and trafficked by the uncle that raised them - which is fantastic. And yet, Phaedra is rightfully upset and frustrated about the frequent innuendos and advances Cosmin makes after she has repeatedly asked him to stop and stated she is not interested. Not to mention, him gaslighting her when she calls him out for it but he claims that she took it as sexual when it could have been interpreted as a harmless comment. Additionally, when the two of them are forced to spend time off together in Greece to "improve their communication," he rubs himself all up on her, after she has repeatedly told him she is not only not interested, but there is a strict no fraternization policy that could result in her losing her job. Does this stop him? No.

Then, a couple of time jumps later, Phaedra is upset about her only friend dumping her and bad news about her father's health, so her coping strategy? Forget the no fraternization police and all the times you have said and done horrible things to Cosmin by flipping the switch and coming on to him now. Mixed signals anyone? But Cosmin has been pining for Phaedra, so he doesn't appear to be super keen that she is openly trying to use him while he is developing feelings for him. But Phaedra believes he is a "man whore," so of course he would want to sleep with her.

That is when I decided to call it quits. I have a pretty high tolerance for character flaws, because at the end of the day, they're meant to portray relatable people and I love seeing growth through a character arc, but this was just too much for me.

The prose and time jumps were so choppy that it kept taking me out of the story. There were times I felt confused, because we were suddenly jumping ahead and getting mixed messaging from characters.

This was my first foray into racing romance and it took me a hot second to wrap my head around what was happening but Juniper did such a good job of either explaining the technical aspects so that you understood or making them such a small detail that it didn’t impact the story if you didn’t know what they were.

This story follows a very real and natural progression of a relationship, even if it is a little bit outside the norm for most romance books. I loved the banter, the nicknames, and all of the Romanian phrases I had to google!

I do wish that the interactions between Phae and Nat felt more real and less like what a teenager thinks an adult friendship should be. I also felt like somethings were added into the story simply for the purpose of giving a main character a tragic and horrible backstory rather than for an actual helpful reason.

Overall this was a really fun, fast paced romance that pulled you along through every twist, turn, and tunnel of the story!

I really wanted to love this, but almost everything about this book was a no for me.

Phaedra is extremely rude and condescending to everyone around her. I wouldn’t have minded her being unlikable as a character if she had grown in some way throughout the story, but she didn’t.
The pacing of Phaedra & Cosmin’s relationship was really weird and it felt like they started liking each other out of nowhere.
There is also a scene where the FMC physically assaults the MMC, which isn’t listed in the content warning & is completely glossed over in the story afterwards.

Unfortunately this one wasn’t for me. Thank you to Forever & Netgalley for an ARC of this book.
Pub date: 10/8/24

As a person who grew up around racing, I am so excited racing is finally becoming a hit in the romance world. I really enjoyed this book but found I didn't connect with the main character as much as I wish I would have. Thank you NetGalley and Forever for the ARC.

⭐️⭐️.5 - rounded up to 3
🔥🔥🔥

I love Formula 1, and was so excited for a racing romance! I’ve only read one other (Throttled, by Lauren Asher) and was mostly disappointed by it. I’m so sad to say that this one was also a miss for me, and for very similar reasons.

I LOVED the BTS race stuff, and going through the season race by race was a good time. The writing itself wasn’t bad. Unfortunately, there were a few things I reallllly didn’t like:

The characters. They were immature and rude the entire book (both the romantic relationships and the friendships), and any time they started to show an ounce of sense, they’d make another baffling turn towards treating each other like garbage.

Borderline sexual harassment. At the beginning of the book, the MMC repeatedly makes unwanted sexual jokes, comments, and advances after EXPLICITLY being asked to stop by multiple people. Um, no thank you.

Not sure what to label this one. There was an odd family side story that I felt gave a weird kind of justification to an adult/underage abusive relationship that rubbed me wrong (to put it mildly).

Cringe spice. I’ll admit that the spice was NOT bad, I fact I found myself actually skimming to get to it sometimes. However, every steamy scene had me cringing multiple times, usually over ick phrases.

While I think this book will likely have a lot of fans, unfortunately I’m not one of them.

Oh well, on to the next!

Thank you to NetGalley and Forever publishing for the advanced copy of this book in exchange for feedback!