Final Cut

The Crash Test Universe

by Amy James

Hollywood’s favorite actor. Nobody’s favorite Formula 1 driver. One life-changing winter break.

Quin McCarthy is Hollywood’s favorite actor. Cole Milton is nobody’s favorite Formula 1 driver. The two men have less than nothing in common, and when their paths briefly cross at the Singapore Grand Prix, it ends in mutual loathing.

Neither expects to see the other again, but when Quin moves to a remote Canadian ski town to film a thriller series, he learns that his deep-woods rental cottage has a single neighboring property, owned and occupied by none other than Cole.

Quin resolves to ignore him and spend his winter nights reading books by the fireplace. But when he stumbles upon a dead body on set—and glimpses the murderer making a run for it—his laid-back winter plans take an abrupt turn for the worse. As things grow more dangerous, he’s forced to turn to Cole for help—and in doing so, realizes Cole might not be the bad guy everyone thinks he is.

Genres: Romance, M M Romance, Queer, Contemporary, LGBT, Mystery, Adult

396 pages, Paperback

Expected publication November 3, 2026

About the author

Amy James lives with her husband and dog on the east coast of Canada.

Find her on Instagram @amyjamesbooks.

Reviews

[Pauline]

The F1 driver everyone hates. The actor everyone loves. Newfoundland in winter. And two very lonely men who, for different reasons, have convinced themselves there’s something wrong with them.

This took me a little while to get into, but somewhere along the way it really got its claws into me.

Cole and Quin’s first meeting is a disaster and their sniping and verbal sparring in the beginning was SO good. These guys were mean to each other and made me go OOOHOHOHO out loud more than once 😅

When circumstances, an isolated cottage and a murderer on the loose throw these two together again, that initial hostility slowly and almost unwillingly turns into caring 🥹

Quin was definitely easier to like right off the bat (but also not as intriguing as Cole 😏). He feels somewhat out of place in his own life, convinced there must be something wrong with him because he’s dated great guys but has never actually fallen in love. But oh, he yearns for it..

Cole meanwhile, is one prickly guy. His walls are miles high, there’s this simmering anger and bitterness always beneath the surface and for quite a while he seems determined to make it impossible for anyone to get close to him.

And then we find out why.

God, my heart hurt for him.

I have such a soft spot for characters whose tough exteriors are hiding an enormous amount of vulnerability, pain and grief underneath and Cole ended up being my favourite by far for that reason. There’s something heartbreaking about how difficult it is for him to understand that he’s still worth caring for - and worth caring about. His grief has shaped so much of how he sees himself and what he thinks he’s allowed to want from life that watching those walls slowly, painfully start coming down became my favourite part of the book.

Especially because Cole starts caring for Quin without his brain’s explicit consent, better judgement and all in all very begrudgingly. He’s still telling himself he’s this cold asshole who doesn’t care for or need anyone while becoming the KING of acts of service, completely unable to say no to Quin and his puppy eyes. And the pleasure/contentment he gets from realising that he can soothe Quin when he’s scared? Gah 🥹

The cuddling and comforting and reluctant tenderness while Cole continues pretending, even to himself, that he doesn’t need the exact same thing just as badly. SO GOOD 😭

This is hurt/comfort galore, with both men on the receiving end for different reasons throughout the book. But Cole’s journey was what really made the book for me. His grief is complicated and heavy and has changed him profoundly and love doesn’t simply fix that. Quin helps immensely (and I loved when he essentially decides to drag Cole out of his dark hole kicking and screaming) but so do the people who have decided to be there for Cole. To be his friends, even if he makes it hard for them for a while.

The found family aspect in general was probably one of my favourite things about this book tbh. Kel, Jonathan and especially Trevor were wonderful and there was something so moving about watching Cole slowly realise that he has people around him who want to care about him. He just has to let them.

And Bandit, obviously, is the goodest boy, third MC and unquestionable MVP. God I want to put my nose in his fur and just inhale 🥹

The romance itself is a proper slow burn and it needed to be. Because of Cole’s past, falling for Quin isn’t something he can easily accept or act on. But that makes it so much more powerful when they finally get there and allow themselves that physical connection.
I also loved how the sex scenes were written. They’re much less explicitly worded than I’m used to (I don’t think there was a ‘dick’, ‘cock’ or ‘hole’ mentioned once!!) but somehow you can still see and feel everything!

And all of this unfolds against a setting that gets surprisingly unsettling once the story picks up: an isolated cottage in the snowy woods of Newfoundland, darkness, creaking floors, loneliness, past secrets and a murderer somewhere out there. I had wide eyes and goosebumps more than once 😳

This was my first book by the author, so I hadn’t met some of the characters who appear here, but I had no trouble following along.

Besides the slow-ish start, I feel like Quin as well as the mystery arc could’ve been fleshed out a bit more. But ultimately, this was a story about two people learning how to let others in even if it feels like the scariest thing in the world. And for me it was especially about Cole learning that grief and love don’t have to cancel each other out. That caring about someone again doesn’t erase what came before.

And that maybe he doesn’t have to carry all of it alone.

His eyes are dark and vulnerable, and I brace myself to say what I know I have to say. This was a mistake. We shouldn’t have done this. I’d rather saw my dick off than open my heart up to someone again.
“You’re perfect,” is what comes out instead.
🥹🧡

PS: if you fell in love with a certain gorgeous, sociopathic, uber-competent Russian ex-assassin like me, you’ll be ecstatic to hear that we apparently haven’t seen the last of him heheh 😏

PPS: love the author’s stance on AI, which is to say, love the author’s HATE for AI. I just appreciate knowing without a doubt that I’m reading a human’s work ✨


4,5⭐️


Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the chance to read this arc. This is my honest opinion!

[Jill (readinginpjs)]

thank you the author, Amy James, for the ARC, all opinions are my own.

no surprise to me, I absolutely LOVED this book!

I was SO happy to be back in the Crash Test universe, and I was already so intrigued by Cole & Quin from the little tease we got at the end of Seven Points.

I LOVE the characters Amy creates, flaws (especially) and all.

I love to see them grow, & how they’re still not “perfect” in the end. They are loved for who they are, and love doesn’t just automatically “fix” everything, but gives them support & strength to do a little better every day 🥹

I was often smiling at my kindle, thinking “these silly boys” - so in denial of their true feelings as they’re going down rabbit holes watching hours of videos of one another 🤪

I cared so deeply for these characters, they felt so real to me. The suspenseful moments had me holding my breath, and the grief portrayal had me strongly in my feelings.

Another element Amy writes SO well is found family.
I adored every single side character, from Kel & her friendship with Quin, Trevor & Jonathan and the care they had for each other, especially Trevor forcing his way to best friend status for Cole 😅

I also HAVE TO mention BANDIT! 🐾 the best pup ever, and such an integral character in this story as well 🥰

✦ tropes & more:
🏎 F1 racer + actor
💔 hate to love
🏡 temporary neighbours
🔎 a murder mystery to solve
🙃 opposites attract
🐾 the best pup Bandit
❤️‍🩹 hurt/comfort + grief rep
🐢 slow burn
🫶🏼 found family
🌲 small Canadian town
🇨🇦 Canadian author
💞 dual 1st person pov

ebook | ⭐️: ♾ | 🌶️: open door |

📖 Final Cut by Amy James
📆 out November 3, 2026
📚 book 2 • Crash Test Universe
🖤: contemporary romance/romantic suspense (mm)

*Connect with Me*
🤍 Instagram 🤍 Blog 🤍

[Jenny Jo]

How does she do it? 🤯🥺

No seriously like how does this author have the ability to write romance that is so complex and deep and thought-provoking and heart wrenching that you truly feel like these are real characters in the real world and you are just a fly on the wall!!!!

I knew this book was going to be great before even getting approved for the ARC, but as I read the book, I found myself (even with high expectations) being baffled at how well the book was written and how well the grief was handled, AND how well the characters slowly fell for each other because let’s not forget they start off as enemies in the beginning. .OK, maybe that was a bit of a reach. They’re not true enemies, more so there’s this dislike for each other based off their first impression of each other. But regardless of that, just the entire book was SOOO good. It was soooooo good.

✨Also, there’s a suspense factor because there’s a murder that happened in the story and I found myself compelled to find out and do detective work about that and usually when you hand me a suspense romance, I’m more in the romance than the suspense or the mystery that they’re trying to throw at you and somehow this author made you genuinely have a balanced interest in both the romance and the suspense/mystery.

I truly don’t think this author can write a bad book and I do not say any of this because I was approved for the ARC. If you look at my previous reviews of her books which were not ARCs… (They were read on my own time). You will see how much I love her writing.

🌶️ Spice 2/5

Trope: MM, F1, Suspense, Hate to Love, Grief.

[Ally Bateman]

Although this book is in the Crash Test universe, the vibes are totally different. This story reads a bit more like a thriller with romance.

I liked how Quin and Cole’s relationship developed slowly and how Quin knew his worth and didn’t want to settle for a hookup. I enjoyed Quinn’s friends and in general the side characters were all well developed. Even Candi is more than meets the eye. It was also fun to see a book set in Newfoundland, Canada. You don’t see that every day.

I did feel like the book was trying to do a lot. Book one was all about the couple and getting to a place where they could be together. This one had almost no F1, and replaced it with a murder mystery or two. In book one, “body count” meant a very different thing.

I liked the story, but I definitely think it will be a bigger hit with readers who like more suspense/thriller subplots in their romance.

[Tippy]

This book is set in the Crash Test universe but really it has very, very little to do with F1. It's mostly set during the off-season, in remote Newfoundland, and is more focused on acting/filming. There is also a very sad subplot aside from the romance. I did really like Quin and Cole together. I love me a good enemies-to-lovers trope, though I was a little disappointed they never had hate-sex. Cole was a really complex character and I was very happy to see him have some redeeming qualities rather that just have Quin fall in love with an asshole who is magically saved by love, yuck. Quin's besties made great side characters and I wouldn't mind reading a book about them as well. Also, Bandit is the best boy. I kind of want to bury my face in his fur. I really only have 2 small complaints. First, why bother mentioning that Cole's mom was Thai and that Cole looks vaguely Asian if it's literally never going to come up again? It felt a little like forced diversity for a character who still ends up basically just being white. Second, the ending to the subplot was a little predictable.

[Emmaline Savidge]

🌟2.75 Stars🌟
I adored the first book in this series, Crash Test, but sadly the sequel just didn't hit for me. I do want to celebrate some of the good stuff that is present in this novel before I delve into critique. The thriller portions of the story were really fun and had some nice tension. I especially liked the scene of Quin realizing that the profile of the murderer basically applies to every man in town, as the reader you resonate with the worry that the killer may always be watching. I think the exploration of grief being cyclical was also compelling. Cole is understandably struggling with feelings of grief resurfacing even when he feels he should be 'over it.' Grief and the acceptance of loss is not a linear process and I liked seeing that represented. Also I liked Bandit, he's a very accurate depiction of all the malinois I've met in my life.

As for the stuff that just didn't work for me, the introduction of Trevor and Jonathan was utterly strange. Why were we doing this roundabout nonsense of Quin meeting them at the beginning of the book and becoming BFFs. For the amount of time he's known them their bond seems so strange and rushed. There's a very easy solution to this problem, just make them Quin's friends prior to the beginning of the story and say that they're the ones who invited him to the F1 race. Aside from our friend squad, I struggled to connect with Quin as a character. The way that he antagonized Cole at the beginning of the story didn't feel like good natured banter, it read as aggressive and cruel. Part of the problem with Quin for me is that I think James is far more competent when writing angsty little guys. Crash Test is grounded in the angst of homophobia and keeping a relationship secret, while Quin doesn't have any personal struggle aside from a murderer lurking around. I just found Cole's whole deal 1000x more interesting so the latter portion of the book which focused on his POV was more compelling. My final and greatest gripe is the wonky pacing at play. As mentioned previously, there are some great high tension moments but the middle of this story is basically a fluff filled void. I think all the relationship beats that we need to hit could have easily been executed while we're clue hunting and trying to find the murderer. Instead we're stuck with two high energy confrontations after which the plot grinds to a halt. I'm bummed that this didn't resonate with me like Crash Test, but I'll definitely give James' next book a shot.

CW: past death of a parent in a car accident, past death of a partner due to overdose, gun violence, murder

Thanks to the publisher for providing me with a free e-ARC in exchange for my honest review.

[Laura McAllister]

The first Amy James book I ever read (Crash Test) ripped my heart out so there’s no excuse for how shocked I was when she did it again. I read this entire book in one sitting and it’s easily one of the best books I’ve read all year.

I started Final Cut without reading the summary or reviews and I’m so glad I did; do yourself a favor and go in blind. Based on the epilogue from Seven Points, I thought this was going to be a cute little dislike-to-lovers romance, and boy was I wrong. I’m not going to tell you a single thing about it, I want it to be a surprise.

[Brady]

Thank you Netgalley for this eARC, these opinions are my own. Ok I loved this so much! Quin is an actor who’s getting a little tired with all that comes with it, especially because he’s one off Hollywood’s favorite actors right now. He’s been offered the part in a new role that shoots in a remote town in Canada. It’s great he’ll stay in a Airbnb in the woods that’s close but not to close to where they are filming and he’ll get to spend some alone time. But first he was invited to attend the Singapore Gran Prix. He doesn’t know much about F1 but once he attends he’s hooked. Then at an after party he meets everyone’s least favorite F1 driver Cole. Their interaction doesn’t go well and they hope to never see each other again. Cole has a past that has left him pushing everyone away and trying his hardest not to care about anybody. The only thing he cares about is his dog Bandit, he likes racing but he’s not sure he cares about it either. Every year when F1 takes a break he returns to the small Canadian town he grew up in. The both holds to much of the past and is the place he can’t seem to let go of. It’s not long before Cole and Quin realize that their neighbors, and the only two people living in the area. Their interactions continue to be fraught and filled with tension but Quin adores Bandit and can’t get enough of him. Cole hates it but Bandit also loves Quin. Plus they more time they are around each other the more Quin starts to see pieces of Cole that don’t fit with the F1 driver everyone hates. Then Quin comes a cross a dead body while filming and see what is probably the killer in the distance. Soon he’s being stalked by a killer and the only person he can turn to is Cole. He knows Cole’s not what everyone thinks but Cole isn’t telling Quin everything. Cole wants to keep Quin at a distance like everyone else but something about him draws him in and it’s like he can’t resist trying to make Quin happy. Will Cole’s past keep him from being happy in the present? And what if the murderer catches up to Quin? This was so well done! Like I love the mix of rom com with elements of mystery! I think the book is mostly a dislike to lovers romcom but then it seamlessly weaves it these mystery elements to that bring in a little whodunnit! The wooded area creates some spectacular tension in all the right places! Amy James’s writes a romantic, thrilling, dislike to lovers, that’s full of grief, hope, love, mystery, heartbreak and heartwarmth! Plus it’s completely swoony! I enjoyed Quin but I absolutely loved Cole! Plus Bandit, I wanted to reach through the pages and hold him!

[Bryson Parker]

Review of an advance copy received through NetGalley, all opinions are my own and based in my true feelings.

I was so overjoyed to receive an advance copy of Amy James’ Final Cut from NetGalley after deeply enjoying her other book, Crash Test. I did not think a book could make me more emotional, but this book has proved me wrong.

Cole and Quin each had their hooks in me from the start. Cole, a brooding, F1 driver who’s so caught up in his own head that he can’t possibly make time for anything else. Quin, a sweet, good-hearted young actor who’s skyrocketed to fame and just wants real friends, real life, and real love. The dynamic between these two early on is so cat and mouse, grumpy/sunshine, and full of so much sexual tension you could cut it with a knife, but James doesn’t make the gratification easy.

James makes the characters and the reader work for the ending and that’s what I’ve loved about her work so far. She does not make her characters one dimensional tropes of people. She keeps them complex and interesting. Even through all of Cole’s asshole-ish attitude, you can’t help but know deep down inside he just needs someone to be his person and luckily Quin fits the bill. Cole’s journey and relationship with grief had me in tears by the final pages. James roots her love stories in truth and reality and it doesn’t come across as fleeting whimsy and easy no stakes love like so many other books in the sports romance genre.

Aside from a sweet love story, Amy James doesn’t stop there! This book is packed full from a thrilling murder mystery turned stalking situation, to a mysterious suicide that doesn’t quite add up, the best puppy in the world, and a cast of characters that keeps the reader laughing and smiling too. This book is a great balance of tears, laughter, swooning, and a few minor freakouts when things get tense. This book will keep you on your toes and is sure to win over a variety of readers

It is my hope that James continues to craft sports romances with heart, integrity, and truth. Crossing my fingers extra hard for a new story where Porter takes his rightful place as a main character after winning me over in this book!

[Gabriel Ribeiro]

Thank you Netgalley and the author for this eARC. These opinions are my own.

Quin is a Hollywood star who moves to a small Canadian town to film a series. His neighbor is Cole, a Formula 1 driver with whom he once had a disastrous first encouter. When Quin witnesses a murder, the two must put aside their animosity to stay safe and uncover the truth.

What I liked:
Cole’s journey is the highlight of the book. His attitude, often labeled "rude", is a common trope in "opposites attract" or "enemies-to-lovers" stories; however, in Final Cut, his motivation for acting this way is steeped in anguish and pain that is hard to leave behind, transcending the simple "bad boy with a heart of gold" archetype. Quin also undergoes careful character development, patiently and affectionately breaking down the walls Cole built up after years of solitude. Their relationship evolves organically and humanly, aided significantly by Quin’s friends. The suspenseful backdrop serves as an excellent vehicle for bringing the main characters closer together, allowing Quin to voice his fears without judgment—particularly given his status as a man and a public figure—while giving Cole the space to reveal his kinder side and gradually learn to trust Quin. The descriptions of the settings are flawless, effectively placing us inside Cole and Quin’s heads, whether they are in remote cabins, gazing at the sky by a lake, or strolling through the city. The supporting characters are also well-crafted, avoiding the cliché of merely serving as yes-men who agree with everything the protagonists say. And, of course: Bandit is simply the best character, and nothing will change my mind about that.

What I didn’t like:
I might be overanalyzing, but there was a detail, revealed relatively early on, that made me think, "They knew that. So why do it right there?" Admittedly, it wasn't exactly the same piece of information, but the similarity and correlation were enough to leave me a bit confused about the decisions made at that moment. Even so, it didn't detract from my overall reading experience.

Read if you like:
Hate to love;
Murder mystery;
Emotional damage;
Slow burn;
Found family;
Opposites attract.

[Andree]

ARC review

Amy James does it again! A book I read in 2 days, only because I had to work and sleep!

We met Cole and Quin in Seven Points, the novella following Crash Test and it's 2 protagonists: Jacob and Travis. Las time we saw Cole and Quin, they were on an hotel rooftop. Cole was being an asshole and Quin was trying to protect Jacob and Travis secret relationship. What was pretty clear was their attraction to each other.

A few months later, we meet them again, in a little remote town in Newfoundland. Cole is there to spend his winter and Quin to shoot a series. Of course, they end up living next to each other (or minutes away as you do in a remote place in Canada!). With each meeting, Quin realize Cole isn't the ice cold man he wants to be seen as, and comes to trust him with his life. Cole isn't the same when he's next to Bandit, his dog. This lead Quin to try and figure out his neighbour. In the meantime, Cole's demons are strong and he tries to resist the attraction he feels for Quin. As many with traumas, he thinks pushing people away will protect them and himself.

In an intricate story between Cole traumas and griefs, and Quin own trauma after being mixed with a murder, what started as a rocky relation becomes love. Quin, who never felt in love before finally understand how you will do anything for the one you love. Cole who had one great love finally learn how to let go of the things you can't change to embrace what is in front of you. It's beautiful to see them work together and respect each other. For better and for worse.

We also have the chance to be reunited with Trevor and Jonathan, who became best of friends with Quin in Seven Points. Trevor's friendship with Cole is beautiful. Sometimes, you need a bit of tough love to see the light again. I hope we'll see more of Trevor and Jonathan! Their story seems to be an interesting one also.

[Phoenix]

This was a sweet romance with a fun murder mystery subplot.

I knew I was going to love Cole from his very first chapter – any grumpy character who turns soft for their dog is always going to immediately pull me in. His backstory was so heartbreaking, but once he decided to let Quin in and start living again... he was a sweetie.

I did have a few issues with this story, but I think it's mostly a me thing.

Firstly, as a slooow burn fan, if I'm told I'm getting slow burn, I expect that to be in terms of the time period in the book, not the percentage of pages. So although nothing really happened between the MCs until around 60%, that was only a few weeks and a handful of interactions from the start. Their interactions were great and it was well written, but to me, slow burn means yearning, fighting attraction and lots and lots of on page tension over months (plural)... or, even better, years. Not a few weeks.

Secondly, I adore a found family storyline, but Quin's friendship with Trevor and Johnathon felt so deep and longstanding for such a new friendship. Don't get me wrong, it was a great friendship and I'm so glad he had them. But these guys didn't know each other at the start of the book and within months they're flying across the world at the drop of a hat, missing work commitments and answering phone calls at 4am (happily?!). Again, I think this is a me thing. It's almost like an insta-friendship and, as someone who doesn't struggles with an insta-love plot (is this my demisexual, ND with low social skills, brain?!), it just didn't feel quite believable to me.

Those are my gripes.

But they didn't distract from a great read. I did guess [a plot point] fairly early on, but it was still interesting to see it unfold. I loved Cole's growth, and Quin was so good at knowing when to tease and prod and when to just respect Cole's feelings. They were a lovely couple.

I will definitely be reading more by Amy James in the future.

[Holly Deacon]

Quin McCarthy and Cole Milton are basically the definition of “there is absolutely no way these two are going to get along.” 😂

A famous Hollywood actor and a Formula 1 driver who already hate each other get thrown back into each other’s orbit when Quin heads to a remote Canadian ski town to film a show. Unfortunately for him, Cole just happens to live next door.

And then there’s a BODY. 👀

What I’m loving about this setup is that it isn’t just enemies-to-lovers—it’s enemies-to-lovers wrapped in murder, danger, secrets, snow-covered isolation and a whole lot of forced proximity. Quin starts out convinced Cole is someone he wants nothing to do with, but when things get dangerous, Cole becomes the person he has to rely on.

The chemistry between these two sounds absolutely delicious. That slow shift from mutual irritation and mistrust into something softer is exactly the kind of romance I love. And underneath all the banter and tension, there’s clearly a much more emotional story about grief, fear and learning to let someone see the parts of you that you normally keep hidden.

The murder mystery adds such a great layer to the romance. There’s this constant feeling that something isn't quite right, and as Quin and Cole start digging deeper, the danger around them keeps escalating. It gives their relationship something bigger to deal with than just their own feelings and forces them to actually trust each other.

Amy James gives us chemistry, suspense and plenty of emotional moments, while still letting Quin and Cole's relationship remain at the heart of the story.

Throughly enjoyed every moment!

[Steph1216]

At the end of Crash Test there’s a moment on a rooftop where Quin McCarthy & Cole Milton have a tense moment, exchanging some words with one another. This story starts not too long after that, with the animosity not letting up between the two. Quin has accepted an acting job that takes him to a remote town, which happens to be Cole’s hometown that he visits in the offseason. Quin has envisioned the months-long shoot as a cozy escape from LA, sitting by a fire in a cabin in the middle of the woods. He finds out the area he’s staying in is owned by none other than his only neighbor-Cole. The two find one another attractive despite not being able to stand the other’s personality. Quin slowly gets Cole to warm up to him when tragedy strikes on set, bringing them closer together. Cole’s instincts are to protect Quin from the danger he’s found himself in. The two spend more & more time together and Quin learns what has made Cole so abrasive over the years; he’s still mourning his girlfriend, Clara’s, suicide. As Quin digs deeper into Cole’s life with Clara, he finds that things don’t add up and is determined to help Cole find out the truth, endangering him further. I adored this book and these characters! It was not just an enemies-to-lovers romcom but an exciting, action-filled thriller, full of banter as well. I’d like to thank the author for this ARC and am leaving a review voluntarily.

[Nicole]

I think the measure of a good book is if it sits with you and this one sat with me. Amy James' third book of the series brings us Quin and Cole's story - where I thought this would be Quin's journey, I was pleasantly surprised to feel this was more about Cole. There is a large dose of darkness that didn't exist in the first two of this series and it was surprising to go there for these two. I'm hoping we get a novella or something to dig deeper into Quin's story and experience because this kid went through it during this book and I feel like we have so much more to learn about how he's coping after multiple traumatic experiences and putting that all aside when we get to what Cole goes through.

I loved this book. I have so many questions about the characters and why AJ made the creative choices that she did but that's what makes me love it more. I can enjoy a book for what it is, but I want so much more and that's the best part. I want to see how Cole handles the inevitable Quin breakdown (at least in my head) and I'd also love a Trevor and Jonathan book or prequel or SOMETHING because Trevor is a gem and the exact right amount of light for Cole's darkness.

Really appreciate the opportunity to read the ARC and can't wait for what she does next. Highly recommend - and while you dont have to read Travis and Jacob's story first to appreciate this, I'm also a huge fan of their story as well and those do a great job of setting these two up.

[Lisa]

Thank you to Netgalley for an ARC of Final Cut.

Crash Test was my favorite book I read last year, and when I saw that Amy James had a new book coming out, I could not wait to get my hands on it. After reading the novella Seven Points, I was very excited to get Cole and Quin's story. What I was not expecting (praising) was how Amy James would try her hand at romantic suspense, which is one of my favorite things to read.

This book has a different feel than Crash Test given the suspense storyline, but it still has the heart of an Amy James book. The character work is incredible, and the pace of the book makes you never want to put it down. When I got to the end of the book, I just wanted more of Quin and Cole. James does an amazing job wrapping up this part of their story but I just wanted to keep reading about them and to see them during an F1 season and to see how Quin's show turned out. But my hope is that it will be in the next book, which James has said will be about Travis and Jacob.

I cannot recommend this book enough! The exploration of grief, mental health, and loneliness is beautifully done. And I absolutely love how Quin supports Cole through all of it. Amy James has become an autobuy author for me and I will continue to recommend her books to my friends and followers.

[Jennifer]

I was in the worst book hangover of my life after rereading the Heated Rivalry series when the show came out, when someone — clearly a guardian angel — recommended Crash Test to me. I was so into that book I read it in one sitting, staying up well past my set-in-stone bedtime, sleep hygiene be damned. Then I read it a second time and somehow found myself in an even worse hangover. That hangover was so bad I binge watched all of Drive to Survive and became an F1 fan. Amy James, that's saying something.

Getting off track, but to sum up: Crash Test was amazing, and the novella follow-up set us up perfectly for Quin and Cole. So when the NetGalley ARC link went up on Amy James's Instagram, I requested it immediately and binged it the same day.

True thoughts, though: I didn't love this one quite as much. I think I was expecting more F1 (there's almost none, which was a small letdown), and I was a little underwhelmed by Quin as an MMC. Something about him gave off the opposite of BDE, and I just didn't totally buy it. That said, I love a good yearn, and Cole's story was beautiful and tragic. The Wonder Twins, Jonathan and Trevor, showed up and boosted the whole book back up for me, and I'd happily keep reading in this world.

Amy James has said there's a novella coming for this one, followed by a full Crash Test sequel, so I'm just here for the ride. See what I did there?

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for my honest review.

[Natalie Jadwin]

Angsty, romantic, and chillingly thrilling (I mean that literally), Final Cut is a perfect addition to the Crash Test universe.

Quin and Cole are such great foils of each other with the typical black cat/golden retriever character archetypes but they are also so much more than just how they balance each other out. Their romance is the perfect slow burn as Quin has to dig deeper to understand that Cole is much more than meets the eye.

I loved the small town setting and the regular appearances of Quin’s best friends (2 international volleyball players living in Italy - can they get their own book too? I’d happily read about them). The claustrophobia of a snow covered corner of Canada was the perfect backdrop for a romantic suspense novel like this.

As someone who loves a murder mystery book, I did unfortunately see the twist coming as soon as I met the person “whodunnit” but I think folks newer to a mystery plot will really enjoy what Amy James did for the suspense part of the genre.

Overall, I really enjoyed this and can’t wait to see which characters we get to dig into next. Thank you Amy for an early copy! I will happily read anything you write.

[Cassie]

This book!! It wasn’t what I expected, but of course it was everything. The yearning was yearning here. And the underlying mystery throughout, added this additional level of depth to the whole story. Now, for the characters, I of course loved Quin the whole time. Even from his cameos in the other books, so no surprise there, it was great really getting to know him though and just how great he was. Trevor and Jonathan were also just the best. Love them. Then you have Cole. Which of course you are not supposed to like him, and I didn’t, but it was a more reserved dislike, one meant to have cracks. And once the cracks were bigger, you feel so heavily for him and just want to give him hugs. So, his redemption was great and I was here for it. I thought the depiction of depression and self-worth and just the overall mental health aspect of this was really good. Amy did not shy away from how these two were really feeling and that was great. Sometimes it can get too heavy in books, but for me it worked. The writing was phenomenal, and I am so grateful to have received an ARC from NetGallery!!

[Blandrea]

This was amazing.

I Love love loved Crash Test. It was so deeply amazing that I was curious to see if I would get the same feeling and rush with a book in the same universe but leaning in a different direction.

Cole we met as an F1 driver that everyone hates. Quin is an actor who we meet briefly in the Seven Points novella. After a bad first impression, finding out that they are neighbours in the middle of the forest in winter in Canada threatens to ruin the peace that both of them were seeking.

I greatly enjoyed this story and it wandered to places and played with tropes that I didn’t expect. The deep heartfelt connections between Cole and Quin was delightful to watch and I am always excited for a dog best friend. I love it when animals are the litmus test for characters.

One of my simple pleasures is reading a cold, snowy holiday story while enjoying southern hemisphere summer. I will be enjoying this one again as a beach read later this summer!

Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC.

[Hélène's daughter]

Let me start this review by sharing that I absolutely loved Crash Test, Amy James previous book. I was expecting Final Cut to have a similar vibe, which probably influenced my appreciation.

I enjoyed:
- Bandit, the very best dog!
- The two MMCs were compelling. I was really invested in Cole's story.
- I appreciated how grief was presented. Cole's arc was realistic and Quin's support was sweet.
- The Canadian/winter/cottage vibe :)

While I was invested in both MMCs, I didn't care much about the side characters. They all had the same over the top personality. The way the romance was developed felt off for me. I thought it would be a bigger deal when Quin inevitably falls in love. The intrigue around Clara was interesting although a bit simple.

I would warn readers that this is not a sport romance. F1 is rarely mentioned. This is also a classic linear dual POV (unlike Crash Test).

Overall, you will enjoy Final Cut if you like simple romance with a sweet winter vibe and compelling MMCs.

I voluntarily reviewed an ARC copy of this book.

[allmy_booklovers]

Thank you NetGalley for the advanced copy of this book!!

I definitely recommend this book. I really enjoyed the relationship between Quin and Cole. It started out as antagonistic and ended in love.

This book takes the place mainly in Newfoundland and frankly that sold me!
Small town romance between an FI driver and the cute actor. Toss in a little mystery!

I did think the mystery aspect was easy to figure out ( literally from the very start) but I still enjoyed that aspect and how it forced Quin and Cole to be in close proximity!!

Coke’s grief over losing a loved one was very well done and I liked how Quin didn’t expect Cole to get over it. I think Clara would have been happy they found each other.

Things to expect:
-slow burn
-forced proximity
- banter
- the freaking cutest dog Bandit
- grief
- the northern light (seriously I’m jealous)

[Helen Bradley]

I think what surprised me most in this book (more so than the MULTIPLE murders) was the stunning portrayal of the imperfections of life and the beauty it can still hold. And, you know, how fun it is when two cute boys finally kiss.

Crash Test (James’ first book) was good, but Final Cut is great. The friendships and found family in this book are iconic, the love stories are satisfying, and the generational trauma is so real. And, in what I’m assuming will be one of her trademarks, Amy James gives us a dog to love and soak up all our tears.

I won’t give more details until closer to release, but I just couldn’t help but share how excited I am for more people to read this.

MM/ light spice/ lots of romance

I was given an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

[Anushka Bagde]

Thank you to NetGalley and Amy James for an advanced copy of Final Cut! I loved Cole and Quin's story, having been so eager when we catch them together at the end of Seven Points. There is so much that they were both working through and I really enjoyed the redemption arc for Cole which is all I'm spoiling! I loved the friendship, the love, the commitment and the symbolism of how finding a person you connect with, in any area of life personally, platonically, professionally or any other way, gives you some individual benefit from the shared experience. That through the other person's experience, you can feel empowerment and joy. Cole and Quin's story celebrated taking a chance on love and life and I loved it! I can't wait for it to be released and everyone can enjoy it!

[Jess H]

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

This is one of those books that is impossible to put down and if you have to put it down, you’re constantly thinking about it. I was in the middle of an orchestra concert thinking: “I just really want Quinn and Cole to kiss.” 😫

A beautiful and emotional journey that had me feeling everything!!! I was not expecting the murder mystery/thriller elements (as I like to go into books without reading synopses) and it reaaalllly was an incredible experience. The way the mystery was interwoven with Cole’s grief was so well done.

I know that this will be a book I reread many times and every time I do I will get something new from it. I can’t wait to recommend this book to everyone!! 🩷🩷🩷

[Steph]

I finished this in one day. Had everything I was looking for enemies to lovers romance, lots of angst and trauma, isolated small town setting and murder.

Quin and Cole hate each other and don’t seem to have anything in common. When they become unexpected neighbors for the holidays. Quin bonds with Cole’s dog and sees that maybe Cole has some hidden depth. His curiosity pulls him into Cole’s orbit. Then Quin discovers a dead body in the woods.

Loved the two main characters. Cole is so unhappy but you can tell that he’s being cruel so that no one can tell he’s hurting. And he is so protective over Quin. The best character of all is Bandit the dog. Bringing people together is that dog’s specialty.

[thebookhashira_]

I don’t know how Amy has managed this, but this book had me swooning and crying and on the edge of the seat all in one! Whilst set in the same universe as Crash Test, Final Cut is vastly different with a bit of a thriller vibe to this romance story.

You have tension coming at you from all angles of this story. The hate-to-love relationship between our two leads, Quin and Cole, is palpable. The slow burn has you yearning for that first kiss. Intertwined then with the suspense from the thriller storyline, this story truly keeps you on your toes!

Thank you Amy & Net Galley for letting me review an early copy of this book. Big love to Bandit!!!!!

[The Book Villain]

I devoured this book in one day, absolutely neglecting all errands and chores I had planned. I was immediately enraptured by Quinn and Cole. I really enjoyed the slow burn, and the hate to love trope in this--James did such an incredible job with Coles character development!
The plot was smooth and moved well.

✨ Overall Rating 5/5
📈 Plot 5/5
🖊️ Writing 5/5
👤 Characters 5/5
⚖️ Interpersonal Relationships 5/5
🗺️ World Building 5/5
🔥 Spice 1/5
😭 Emotional Damage 3/5
🤩 Entertainment 5/5


thank you Netgalley for the arc!

[Shirin]

Thank you NetGalley for the arc!
WHAT an exceptional book! I adore the character progression of Cole and how Quin was able to wiggle himself into his life.

This book is full of twists and turns and I live for the drama. The murder mystery quickly unfolds into more than just the initial one and it is all just so exceptional.

I highly recommend reading this book as the characterizations and plot is everything and more. Characters who might initially be unlikable quickly steal your heart and some that initially grab your interest only endear you more.

Overall a stunning read - 10/10!

[Violetdazey]

Thank you netgalley for the arc of this book 🐾🔪👨‍❤️‍👨
»»———　ᢉ𐭩　———««

An f1 driver & an actor, this was well done, the author really knows to write a book that is half mix of romance and mystery with a touch of thriller, the murder and serial killer aspect made it much more of a fun read for me and I had fun reading it, and especially how eventually our main characters become closer, all in all a decent read it was.