Review - - Coming in Hot

Coming in Hot

by Josie Juniper

Publisher: Forever

Release Date: June 17, 2025

Reviewed by PJ

 

After a decade in journalism, Natalia Evans has reached the pinnacle of her career—lead reporter for Auto Racing Journal. Every season promises to be a thrilling adventure in the glamorous world of elite racing, surrounded by top-tier athletes and influential industry legends. The only complication in Natalia’s plans? One of those legends happens to be the enigmatic Emerald Team Principal, Klaus Franke—the handsome “stranger” with whom Natalia once shared an unforgettable night… that had to be forgotten. 

Klaus is icy, controlled, and utterly off limits. But the cracks in his reserve expose a heat Natalia can’t resist as fate drags them together again and again. Both guarding their hearts, the pair are soon embroiled in a high-stakes sporting scandal that threatens to shatter more than just their reputations and relationships. 

Natalia needs the scoop of the century. Klaus needs more time. But they soon discover that maybe they need each other more than anything else. 

PJ's Thoughts:

This book may not be everyone's jam but it sure was mine. First, I'm an F1 racing fan so anything set against the backdrop of that international race circuit is going to automatically have appeal for me. Second, Klaus and Natalia intrigued me as secondary characters in Juniper's Double Apex so I was already primed to discover the behind-the-scenes details of their story. Third, it's an age-gap romance (though only 10 years so is it really?) and since my own 25-year marriage was also age-gap... Enough said. ;-)

The book is told from Klaus' and Natalia's points of view in alternating chapters so right from the start we're privy to what's going on in their minds. I love the insight into their feelings, especially when things get messy. And, boy howdy, do they get messy. Juniper really puts these two through the wringer and she does it over an extended period of time with a lot of push and pull, and separations, during the process. 

The racing aspect of the series is still an important factor in this book though not as front and center as in book one. The relationship and character development definitely take center stage in this one. 

Some readers may get a bit impatient with both Klaus and Natalia but I didn't. Yes, they have incredible chemistry. And, yes, their physical relationship is steamy with a capital S. And yes, the feelings between them continue to deepen so why don't they just admit they love one another and have their happy ending? Well, sometimes things are a bit more complex. These two are each carrying some pretty heavy emotional baggage that needs to be sorted before they can even begin to consider a lasting relationship. They each make mistakes that derail their relationship progress but they also learn essential lessons that are necessary. They are multi-layered characters with realistic flaws, especially considering their past experiences. I appreciate that the author gives them the time and space to grow individually before allowing them to grow as a couple. And yes, they do finally get their hard-won happy ending, one I wholeheartedly celebrated.