riley
Words cannot express how much I love this book, and the series as a whole.
Rio’s story was long awaited. (Part of me low key secretly hoped it would be an mm-bi awakening but I’m in no way disappointed in how it ended)
He was always thought to be the flirty and thirsty playboy, but that is far from the truth.
I loved the second chance, childhood friends to enemies to lovers. I loved they turned out to be neighbours twice.
He bought her dream house for her, when they weren’t even speaking.
Even when he was angry at her and haven’t spoken in years he was still down bad and comparing every date to Hallie.
It was perfect, how neither wanted to hold the grudge, they easily wanted to just fall back into old times because it’s familiar and easy. I think rio and Hallie were really meant to be.
Loved this! Def my fav in the series. Saved the best for last.
I loved the enemies/rivals to lovers, FWB, secret hookup, all the tropes.
I liked how Patrick was stand offish but was a secret sweetie soft hearted guy, who just needed someone to see him and support him.
When Tucker did the lights for him!!!!! Swoon.
I loved this!!!
The final (youngest) Holland brother, and single mom.
I loved their dynamic, and the sort of slow burn aspects.
Flynn was charming AF, flirty and fun, but respected Olivia’s space when she turned him down for dates. He didn’t overstep the “no” boundary but merely kept showing up and being there for her.
(Speaking as someone who does not have kids and isn’t around many) I felt like the description of little Greer was realistic. She was sweet yes, but also had normal meltdowns and felt the big feelings. She wasn’t a perfect angel as some kiddos were written as.
A great second chance, fake dating romance.
While the circumstances and reasons ending their relationship the first time were not quite ideal, I think it was the right move. When they got together a second time, Cullen and Houston were in a more settled place than they were in college.
I think they brought out the best in each other.
Cullen is goofy, “ask forgiveness not permission” thinks without action, but with Houston he kind of calms down and bites his tongue against sexual remarks that aren’t appropriate.
Houston is “the golden boy” but with Cullen he’s able to let loose a little and have more balance in life.
(Also pretty sure the only play called in this series is white 80… whatever that means)
Spectacular, give me 14 of them right now.
I adore this series, consistently 5 stars.
I loved Lina, how she’s strong and independent. Goes after what she wants. I loved Dominic, an overworked single dad to the cutest kid.
Both refuse to ask for help and prefer to do it themselves.
But when they get together they set goals for themselves to delegate, do a little less, so they both have time for their budding relationship.
I thought it was a wonderful example of busy working adults who want it, but are too afraid to jump. The communication was amazing, even with the TAB.
3.5 rounded up!
I really liked Thea and finding more about her!
The villain arc/reveal whatever you want to call it was weird???
The whole story we are led to believe it’s going to be her ex, but then it wasn’t? And it seemed random. Like.. I get wanting the element of surprise but this seemed out of left field.
That being said, it was cute and I loved Shep. His overbearing family can be a lot but it’s full of love.
We loooove all the good communication they had.
Low angst, and fun brothers best friends football romance
Knocked a star down because of too many cocky moments. It’s ok to be confident but too many times we got “ya I’m the best, I’m sooooo hot” etc etc. like yes it’s fun and fine but it got old quick. Also, a few cringe “shot my load” and weird cringey terms like that. Ok in moderation but again overuse in my opinion
I liked the fun flirty vibes they had, but I didn’t think there was enough serious to balance them out.
The teammate aspect was fun, and there was a lot of good secondary characters building up for future books.
Kind of missed the mark. I liked the concept, but parts of this felt lazy. While yes, the ending is predictable the book itself felt blah.
I liked the anonymous hook up, then surprise of being student/professor.
The book started with an FYI that there’s previous books in this universe that would possibly benefit but I ignored. I got everything that was needed in the relationships with this one.
The sex was good, and I enjoyed all of the spicy sneaking around.
I didn’t feel the love and the buildup of the relationship. It was just hot passion and forbidden moments. I would have liked more on the characters and all that, not just sneaking moments and spicy hookups.
When Hayden meets Tyler’s parents after graduation, Hayden goes off with Tyler’s dad for a talk and they come back besties after the dad’s hesitation of the relationship. We didn’t see that conversation at all? Which felt lazy.
It was fine, passed the time and I enjoyed the characters so I likely will continue the series maybe but overall meh.
This was a cute suspenseful small town romance.
Some parts were cringey, but overall I liked the vibe. I didnt expect the grand reveal which is always nice!
I don’t QUITE understand how the dots were connected, other than just coincidence and what not (IYKYK) but I guess fate connected the dots between Rhodes and Anson
DNF @ 33%
I REALLY dont like third person narrative, so I already wasn’t off to a good start.
Based on reviews people either really love or really hate, and after it being recommended on Reddit multiple times I gave it a try.
Not for me… it required so much brain power to follow what was going on and I read to escape.
When the “mafia” got involved I called it quits.
Maybe will attempt later but for now I’m over it
I was left a little disappointed in this.
While it had potential, these two were never enemies. Rivals sure, but they never hated each other.
The spicy scenes were lacking, which is okay but it left something to be desired. Clean/closed door scenes are fine but they were explicit - just unfortunately dull.
There was some timeline jumps that weren’t clear, months or weeks passed and you didn’t realize until one of them said oh ya it’s been 10 months since we started.
It was fun, but not great.
I thought the side characters Kit and Bane were weird AF? I imagine we will get their stories later but super strange.
It was sweet to see Dean’s POV toward his son Ben, and have this be along the same timeline has his book.
Some of the language felt odd. (As a straight woman I feel unsure about commenting) maybe for some it’s ok and makes sense, but Dean and Avery both identify as men. During spicy time, dean’s dirty talk mentions Avery’s tits and pussy. Heat of the moment? Maybe. Avery is more feminine and dresses in women’s clothing, but it felt odd to use that language toward him. (Not a complaint per say but just something I questioned - Avery was 100% fine with it in the book but you get my point)
I liked but didn’t love. Surprisingly suspenseful? But it could have been shorter. It didn’t need to drag on for so long with all the weird drama.
The callbacks to her past characters at this point seem tired. It seems every book of hers has some mention of Queen Bridgette this, or Stella and Christian that. Like yes it’s a fun nod, but it’s repetitive.
Vuk was the MAN. Morally grey, obsessed with his woman but not in a gross way. Loyal AF but a little stubborn. Surprisingly warm and cute to those he cared about.
Ayana was a good FMC. Loyal, intelligent, and cool. Always wearing heel and being badass with it. Unapologetically herself, and stubborn.
NICO! Oh my heart.
This makes me want to read the other SCU series when Nico and Anthony are already in an established relationship so I can appreciate them more.
This was jam packed full of hurt/comfort and I loved it so much.
I adored their relationship. I liked the disability rep, I thought it was done with such care and kindness.
Super wholesome!
I didn’t expect Corwin to be such a sweet innocent/naive little sunflower. Nigel was so…AWARE and instinctual about how Corwin felt and what he needed, when not to touch, etc.
They got together really quick, I think I would have liked a bit more tension/angst prior to it all but overall it was cute and happy.
I wish I could live in this universe.
Parker was sooooo fuckin cute. Crushing HARD on scout so bad. He fell first and he fell HARD. He pined for so long while she was dating someone else and when it was his time; and she was single, he had to shoot his shot.
While typically charming, he had trouble keeping his cool around her. Lots of fumbling and stuttering which I found adorable.
They both flustered the hell out of each other but we’re so fun.
A lot of fun tension, we didn’t see a lot of them as a couple. We got one “date day” but they were both passionate for the other snd got the HEA.
I loved this! So glad we finally get MJ’s story.
Logan was absolutely perfect for her. His patience and understanding. Knowing when to push vs letting her take the lead.
Their flirty banter was top tier, made me smile. Logan was charming AF.
Really happy with the conclusion of this series and the closure we got!
Contains spoilers
DUSTY. That’s it. That’s the review.
A top tier man. The pining!! Damn near obsession with his first (high school) love. He wrote her letters like they were still passing notes in school. For years and never sent them.
He bought her favourite house from when they were together “just incase”. He longed for her so bad. The biggest of simps. Totally down bad for Cam.
I needed more of his crop tops and tattoos all day.
I also would have liked more of Cam as a mom? We barely got any of her and Riley.
A wonderful conclusion to a favourite series. The Emmy bonus chapter was so bitter sweet 🤍
I liked finally getting to see Farli’s story, and have her find her mate.
Mardok and his crew sucked, assuming they were better than the tribe, and wanting to “rescue” them from their home.
Farli came off as very naive, which makes sense, considering Mardok came on a very high tech ship and they come from different customs.
She was all in immediately because of resonance, but was SO kind and patient when Mardok was having a tough time.