Double apex

Juniper dives into the world of Formula 1 racing with a steamy romance between a race engineer and a hotshot driver. Phaedra Morgan's incredibly high IQ and no-nonsense attitude make her the best engineer their team has. But she will have to suppress her animosity toward Cosmin Ardelean, their newest racer, known for his skills on the track and with the ladies. Phaedra and Cosmin soon discover that their mutual dislike actually disguises an intense attraction. With both of their careers on the line, will Phaedra and Cosmin's relationship make it past the finish line, or will they crash and burn? Juniper strikes just the right balance of sexual tension and chemistry; it's just as satisfying when the lovers bicker as when they have sex. The Formula 1 racing world also adds to the tension and stakes, forcing Phaedra and Cosmin to face real setbacks in their relationship as they try to win on and off the track. Readers will look forward to the next installment in Juniper's Frontrunners series.

A Formula 1 driver falls in love with his race engineer. Phaedra Morgan knows most people assume she only has the job as race engineer for Emerald F1 because she's a nepo baby--her father is the team's owner. Yes, she was raised at the track, but she also earned a master's degree at 22 and has been working in racing for a decade. Phaedra has always been hot-tempered, but Cosmin Ardelean, Emerald's newest driver, brings out the worst in her. As his race engineer, it's her job to guide him through every straightaway and turn, but their clashes have started to attract notice. She's infuriated by his sexist, inappropriate comments, which he insists are friendly banter. In late March, only a few weeks into the F1 season, Emerald's manager orders them to spend a weekend bonding as teammates in between races. On Santorini, the two discover that their enmity is in fact intense chemistry, and they each let down their guard. Phaedra tells Cosmin a closely held and personally devastating secret--her father has been diagnosed with terminal cancer. Cosmin shares the story of how his abusive guardian ruined his sister's life. The two return to the circuit and eventually become lovers, but their relationship must be kept secret due to rigid nonfraternization rules. The novel is plagued by weak, even mercurial, characterization for both main characters, with little coherence in their behavior from scene to scene. The primary driver of the narrative is the globe-hopping F1 season, culminating with the final grand prix in Abu Dhabi in December. The combination of weak characterization and a plot fueled only by the characters' secrets makes for an aimless reading experience. This F1 racing romance spins its wheels rather than reaching the finish line. Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.