Coming in Hot is a Formula 1 romance that stalls at the starting line

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As a passionate reader of romantic tales, I’ve been on a journey to explore the intersection of love and sports, particularly focusing on genres that revolve around basketball and Formula One racing. Although football and hockey aren’t my go-to sports, their allure doesn’t completely escape me. But when it comes to immersing myself in heartwarming stories, I find myself drawn to the thrill of basketball games and the high-speed drama of Formula 1 races.

Among the books I’m eagerly waiting for this year within its subgenre, one is Josie Juniper’s “Coming in Hot,” the second installment in her Formula 1 romance series. Despite my appreciation for the first book in this series, “Double Apex,” the plot construction of “Coming in Hot” didn’t strike a chord with me personally.

Coming in Hot has a different narrative structure

The breakup at around the quarter mark of the book seemed to set up an unusual narrative structure, similar to Ali Hazelwood’s “Love, Theoretically”. I enjoyed this idea, but it turned out not to be the case. Instead, it felt as though the story was trying to cram elements from two, or even three, separate books into one. By the end of my reading, I found myself perplexed by both my own reading experience and the relationship journey of Natalia and Klaus. It’s possible that this confusion was intentional, given their tumultuous relationship and their constant questioning about their respective positions.

The sequence of events appears confusing to me due to insufficient character development shown on the page. Are there superficial work-related problems that keep driving a rift between them? Yes, but these issues alone don’t seem sufficient to explain their struggles as individuals and as a couple, especially after multiple breakups. The reasons behind their initial split are understandable, but I feel that more depth in character development was required to justify subsequent breakups with the same underlying causes.

Natalia’s quest to discover her unique writing identity is truly inspiring. She chooses to transform a challenging piece of her own past into a work that not only serves as a guide for others in similar circumstances, but also delves into the topics of parenthood, love’s sacrifices, and the intricacies of the American prison system. I eagerly anticipate catching a glimpse of the final product in the upcoming book of the series, however brief it may be.

Although I didn’t find this book appealing for my taste, I believe it could be an excellent choice for readers seeking something structurally different. In a sea of conventional romance novels, Coming in Hot might offer a refreshing break. For enthusiasts of Formula 1, this book delves deeper into the sport’s intricacies since it doesn’t focus on a driver, which sets it apart from others in the genre. Here’s hoping it opens up new avenues for other authors to explore non-driver roles within Formula 1 romance books.

Thank you to Forever Publishing for the opportunity to read this book through an eARC on NetGalley.

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2025-06-18 22:14