The 26th of November by Elizabeth Adams promised hilarity, and it delivered that and so much more! I wanted this book to go on forever, but I doubt Elizabeth Bennet would appreciate it. This Pride and Prejudice meets Groundhog Day is a wonderfully weaved story where we have Elizabeth as the poor victim, and November 26th, the night of the Netherfield ball, as the repeating day. It reminded me a lot of another favorite where Mr. Darcy experienced something similar.
If there’s a date Elizabeth would like to relive, it would not be the night of the Netherfield ball. Her family made a spectacle of themselves, and her encounter with the arrogant Mr. Darcy left a bitter taste in her mouth. She suspected that night convinced the Netherfield party to flee Meryton, breaking her dear sister’s heart.
Much to her bewilderment, she has no choice but to experience that night over and over again, no clue as to how she can break the loop. She thinks the party’s departure was the catalyst to her predicament, so she does everything in her power to make sure they stay.
As she goes through the dreaded day repeatedly and tries to find a way out, she sees things in a different light, the most shocking one Mr. Darcy. It’s not hard to get to know a person when you dance with them again and again.
In my opinion, Ms. Adams perfectly portrayed Elizabeth. Her thoughts and feelings were true to her character and reading this book felt like seeing the scenes through Elizabeth’s eyes. She acted just how I expected she would act when thrust into such a position; she showed her wit, sass, and determined attitude as she went about it. I felt her frustration and defeat, but knew she would prevail. And prevail, she did.
It was a hilarious and sweet way for Elizabeth to get to know Mr. Darcy, and I enjoyed every bit of it! And my dear Mr. Darcy. He never failed to make me smile and swoon in this book. You’d think we wouldn’t see much range of emotions and growth from a character stuck in an endless loop, but trust me on this, you would.
I had a smile on my face the whole time I was reading this book. I sighed wistfully after finishing it and went back to my favorite scenes to enjoy it again. The 26th of November was witty, sweet, and satisfying. I highly recommend this to fans of Pride and Prejudice because this one is a treat!
Love Machine is a great summer read that is perfect for fans of the friends-to-lovers trope! Keaton and Slate were adorable and incredibly hot when they’re together, and I had a lot of fun getting to know them.
Keaton, lover of her grumpy old cat and her career, has an epiphany at her good friend’s bachelorette party—she may be smart, but she knows little to nothing about the art of sex. Who better to teach her than her best friend and most trusted person in the world?
When his best friend tells him about her sexual predicament, Slate is more than intrigued. He’s always cared about his best friend and tries not to think of her that way, but his friend is in need and he knows he can help.
They just have to make sure to keep things purely educational, of course. Keaton and Slate are each other’s person, and they don’t know what they’d do if they lose their friendship. Easy, right?
I had a lot of fun reading this book! It’s easy to get attached to the characters and their friendship-to-more situation. Keaton and Slate are both likable characters, and their genuine affection and emotional connection they have even when they were just friends was a delight to witness. I love reading about characters who have that strong trust and rapport between them because you just know they really do care for each other. I saw that in Keaton and Slate. Plus, there’s that whole opposites attract thing going between them that I adore!
Also, I would just like to say I absolutely love it when heroes are honest about their feelings and are not afraid to say it. Slate made me swoon so much because gah. He is the sweetest! He’s funny, thoughtful, and let me tell you, the man definitely knows what he’s doing.
Love Machine is a quick and fun read guaranteed to make you laugh, swoon, and blush. The pace was just right, the chemistry between these two likable characters sizzling, and the progression of their friendship to more was definitely swoon-worthy.
The Billionaire’s Wake-up-call Girl is taking dirty talk to a whole new level. You want a grumpy hero with a wicked mouth on him, and a fantastic heroine you’ll love and admire? You can have that with this book.
It’s hot, funny, and hard to put down! This is my second read from Ms. Martin, and I have to say she’s becoming my favorite. I love the humor, the tone, the pace, and the characters! There’s a hint of angst that tugs at your heartstrings, just enough to make things juicier.
We have Lizzie Cooper, a 27-year-old woman working hard into cleaning up the mess her controlling and swindling ex left her to handle. She also wants to get back on her feet soon and reopen her old bakery. With the promise of a generous sign-in bonus if you last thirty days at the job, she gets into the gig of working on the social media presence of an otherwise old-school pharmaceuticals company. She needs that sign-in bonus, and she’ll do everything to stay on the job, even wake up at 4:30 AM to wake up the CEO.
Theo Drummond has no time for frivolities. He just needs to work on his project, therefore helping others, and that’s how he wants the company to work. With the new girl distracting him, he’s not the best person to wake up in the morning, and now, all of the wake-up-call agencies have given up on him. But this new wake-up-call girl his employee got for him on Craigslist, the sassy mouth with the husky voice, is certainly doing things to him. He needs to meet her, but seems like sassy mouth doesn’t.
They both have plans, and this, whatever this is, isn’t a part of it. Lizzie plans to move back to her parents’ to regroup and save up before starting up her bakery, and Theo needs to figure out the problem he’s been trying hard to solve. So, how will their burgeoning feelings for each other fall into the equation?
The chemistry is on point, constantly building up as Lizzie and Theo started their interactions to when Theo started insisting on meeting her, to finally coming face-to-face. Lizzie is an admirable character with a lot of sass and fire. Theo is mysterious, a little surly and a bit of an a-hole at first, but he’s a teddy bear. I love him. Plus, that mouth on him!
I had a lot of fun reading The Billionaire’s Wake-up-call Girl. If you’re looking for a funny and steamy office romance, you might like it too!
Tropes: Boss-Employee, Hate to Love, Office Romance, Phone Pals POV:First Person, Dual POV Standalone: Yes
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There's no awkwardness, or hesitation. We've been here before. Our lips, our hands, and our hearts remember."
Like Garrett and Callie, my reunion with Getting Schooled by Emma Chase was sweeter the second time around. I listened to the audiobook a few months ago and loved it, so it’s not really a surprise that I loved the book just as much. It’s smart, witty, addictive, and full of wonderful characters, humor, emotion, and depth.
An incident brings Callie Carpenter back to her hometown, and back to her high school sweetheart’s path. While in town, she takes a temporary job at her old high school where Garrett Daniels, golden boy and former star athlete of their school, is now the football coach of the team. They finally get their second chance more than a decade later at the very same place where it all began.
It was such a joy to read this book! Second chance romances, when done right, make my heart go a-flutter. This one definitely did. I liked that the angst wasn’t too heavy (don’t get me wrong, it had its moments) and I love love loved the maturity between Callie and Garrett. They know what they want, how they feel, and they’re not afraid to talk about it. No unnecessary drama here, thank you very much. As amicable a break up can be, there can be lingering hurts waiting to surface, and honestly, that’s what I enjoy the most in stories like this.
These two are perfect for each other, and I believed every second of reading this that they were meant to be. It was in the way they interacted with each other—like a decade of being apart didn’t pass at all—looked at each other, and leaned on each other. Cue lovesick sighing.
This story does not just highlight the beauty of second chances, but the colorful life of being a teacher, mentor, and guardian as well. It was interesting to see their train of thought, the efforts they did to reach their students, their frustrations and hurt, and the joy of seeing their students grow and learn. It added so much to the story without stealing the spotlight from the romance.
I can’t recommend this story enough! Getting Schooled has characters you’ll fall in love with, great chemistry and banter, equal shares of sweet, funny, steamy and tear-jerking moments, and a romance that will warm your heart.
Tropes: Second Chance, Small Town POV:First Person, Dual POV Standalone: Yes
Wow. What an experience! The Sweetest Oblivion was my first foray into the world of mafia romance, and I think I made the right choice in choosing it as the book to ease my way in. It was dark but not overwhelming for a beginner like me, it was sexy, action-packed, and man oh man, Nicolas Russo? Yes, please.
Elena Abelli, known in the Cosa Nostra as Sweet Abelli, sees her life in a new perspective after a life-changing moment. She has to keep up the sweet and demure image to survive in the New York mafia, especially as a member of one of the most-esteemed families.
Now Elena has to keep her head low to avoid more trouble, but it might be harder than she thought when her father announces her youngest sister’s betrothal to Nicolas Russo, a Made Man. She’s heard so much about Nicolas, and his reputation puts the other members of the mafia to shame.
Unfortunately for her, she’s caught the attention of Nicolas, and now she can’t make it stop. She’s not even sure she wants to.
I have to admit it took me a while to get into the story, but as soon as things picked up, I was fully invested. There’s an element of forbidden romance here obviously, since Nicolas was originally betrothed to Elena’s sister, but instead of feeling put off by that fact, I was giddy with anticipation of what’s to come. The chemistry between Nicolas and Elena is sizzling, and no one can doubt their connection. Seriously, my heart was beating so fast throughout the story because the sexual tension was intense!
Don’t let Elena’s sweet demeanor fool you. She knows how to navigate her way in the upper echelons of the New York mafia, and let me tell you, it isn’t for the weak-hearted. I like the balance of innocence and strength she showed. She thinks before she leaps (except that one time, although I understand why she did it and don’t hate her for it), knows when to push or relent, and is not afraid to fight for what she wants. It’s hard to keep sight of the light when you’re surrounded by violence and death, but Elena managed that, and it is to her credit that she did.
And Nicolas. Where do I start? Full disclosure—I wasn’t into the dark, dominant men, especially those with an element of danger. I liked my fictional men brooding, yes, but law-abiders. Haha! Now I’m slowly getting addicted to the this kind of hero. Nicolas is intense, dangerous, gorgeous, and has a wicked mouth on him. Seriously. I’m fanning myself just thinking about it. But he is also loyal to the core, fierce in protecting those under his care, and . I can’t get enough!
It was also amazing to read about the Cosa Nostra, how things might be in their society. I shouldn’t really be surprised at my fascination; I had a The Godfather-esque theme for my debut (coming-of-age ball; kind of like a quinceañera but celebrated on the 18th birthday).
You want action, suspense, sweet and funny moments, and some dirty talk that will make you swoon? I highly suggest The Sweetest Oblivion. I can’t wait to meet the rest of Danielle Lori’s Made Men. CAN’T WAIT.
Tropes: Forbidden Romance, Hate to Love, Marriage of Convenience, Mafia POV:First Person, Dual POV Standalone: Yes
Hot single dad? Check. A fabulous woman who knows what she wants and gets it? Check. Fun and sexy interactions guaranteed to make your day? Check. Mister Tonight is a guaranteed summer read to keep you company.
Being homeless isn’t what gossip columnist Kate expects to be as she approaches her 30th birthday. It’s only temporary, and she found a new place to stay anyway, but it sucks just the same. That’s why she’s welcoming the big three-oh with another big O, and she needs a man for that.
When she spots a handsome man who could be her Mister Tonight, it’s just her luck that the man is looking for the same thing, too. Hunter takes her home and to his bed, but forgets one important thing in a household with his curious four-year-old—lock the door when engaging in adult cuddle time. Said adult cuddle time goes to an abrupt end when Hunter’s daughter walks in and sees them on the act. Kate flees, hoping to never have to relive the moment that interrupted their mind-blowing sex again.
Luck must not be on their side—or it is, depending on how you look at it—because Kate and Hunter cross paths again, this time as tenant and landlord. Now that Kate is living above the garage next to Hunter’s house, how can she stop Mister Tonight from turning into Mister Forever?
Kate and Hunter made me giggle and grin. These two have had one heck of a first night. Definitely unforgettable! It’s not every day these two go out to look for a one night stand, and on the very night they finally let loose and they’re having the time of their lives, it’s interrupted with Hunter’s innocent child. There’s no going back after that… not unless the man is actually her new landlord. It’s hard to stay away from a man you have insane chemistry with, and it’s even harder to stay away from a man who’s not only an amazing father but an amazing human being in general.
It’s a breath of fresh air to see the child not immediately warm up to their parent’s love interest. If I were in Maddie’s shoes, I’d be suspicious of the lady doing god knows what to daddy, too. Maddie felt very much like a four-year-old—hyper, adorable, easily distracted, and has her not-so angelic moments.
I have to admit I would have given it a higher rating if not for the reason behind Kate’s aversion to relationships. For me, it felt weak and not even directly related to her that it shouldn’t have affected her that way. I would have enjoyed the story more if that certain part wasn’t there. Other than that, I’m completely satisfied.
If you’re looking for a fun, low-angst romance between a hot single dad and a strong, independent and curvy woman (reprezent!!!), you’ll enjoy Mister Tonight.
Tropes: Friends with Benefits, Landlord/Tenant, Single Parent—Father POV:First Person, Dual POV Standalone: Yes
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All the things that make you different make you perfect.”
I am in love. The Kiss Quotient is a beautiful and realistic debut novel that breaks stereotypes, embraces uniqueness, and makes one think about their self-worth. It’s the kind of book that will make you smile, swoon, tear up, and think. I was on cloud nine when I finished it. It’s been a few days since I finished reading this book, and I’m still on a high! I haven’t read anything since. It took me so long to articulate my thoughts, and I still don’t think I gave this book justice, but let me try.
Stella Lane may be a well-paid and successful econometrician, but for her mother, nothing would be better than for Stella to finally give her parents some grand-babies. Babies mean intimacy and sex, two things Stella isn’t particularly well-versed. If she’s going to take her mother’s request seriously, she’s going to need to learn the ins and outs of sex. No pun intended.
Who better to teach her than Michael? The beautiful man who can give Daniel Henney a run for his money definitely knows sex; he gets paid to seduce women and pleasure them. So she hires him to teach her. What Stella doesn’t consider is that maybe she’s looking at it the wrong way. Maybe it isn’t just sex she needs to learn, but relationships itself.
Michael only sticks to doing his night job on Fridays, and never with the same client more than once. Stella’s request breaks so much of his personal rules, but he can’t help but say yes. The effect he felt the short time he spent with Stella was unlike anything he’s ever felt before. But those feelings need to get out of the way because he can’t have her. Stella is smart, rich, and beautiful, and she deserves so much more. Not a man with a past he continues to escape.
As they go on with Love and Relationship 101, Stella and Michael learn so much more than what’s in their lesson plan. They learn about each other, and they both like it very much. Now, they just have to decide whether to pursue the real deal or not.
This book is heartwarming, sweet, and angstier and steamier than I expected. And I’m not mad about it at all. This book made me tear up more than once because of Stella and Michael and how perfect they are for each other. To see two people so in sync and see how much they’re helping each other is heartwarming. It isn’t one-sided. Michael needs Stella as much as she needs him.
I love Stella and Michael so much. Words aren’t enough to express my feelings about them. Stella is strong, endearing, and so precious. She’s a genuinely nice person, thoughtful and nurturing to others. As a person on the autism spectrum, she has issues with social interactions that can sometimes give the wrong impression to others; worse case scenario, it hurts or offends them. It’s not something she does on purpose, and she tries her best to be aware of her words and actions to keep it from happening again. My heart went out for her that she had to hide her condition, afraid that people might see and treat her differently.
Sweet Michael. He’s everything I want and more. This man is hard-working, loyal to the core, sweet, and oh my Lord is he hot. This man will make your heart and panties fall, you guys. Such a cinnamon roll. And the tongue on this one. I am fanning myself right now!
And I just have to say I love his family. It was such a delight to see the Vietnamese side of his family, their interaction with each other so genuine and fantastic. I’m looking forward to getting to know Khai in The Bride Test!
With an engaging writing, amazing chemistry, and relatable characters you’ll fall in love with, The Kiss Quotient is a book you need to read. A perfect summer read. A perfect read for any time of the year, really. It’s definitely one of the highlights of my year! The Kiss Quotient is something I will never forget and will forever cherish in my heart. You need to read this book. I promise you won’t regret meeting Stella and Michael.
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First impressions, though I once believed them so vehemently, cannot be relied upon. It is the most important lesson I have learnt.”
The Events at Branxbourne is an angst-filled, wonderfully-weaved Pride and Prejudice variation that will make your heart race, break, and heal again. With a beginning that promises an eventful journey, to say the least, and a middle that captures your complete attention, this is a book that will keep you invested until the very end.
There is no do-over after Hunsford; no second proposal for Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth in this variation. We see them three years later, in the year 1817, with Elizabeth married to a viscount, and Mr. Darcy still unmarried and has a recently widowed Colonel Fitzwilliam and his son under his roof. But all is not well in the Lambert household, and Mr. Darcy is still very much drawn to Elizabeth, especially now that she seems to be just as drawn to him.
No matter how strong their feelings are for each other, they both know nothing can come out of it, not with Elizabeth still married to the viscount. Mr. Darcy must consider settling down, and Cecilia Talbot, Elizabeth’s good friend, seems like the sensible choice.
They know they shouldn’t see each other again, but they can’t resist. With each meeting, the risk of getting caught gets higher yet the possibility of finding happiness stays the same. Can they find happiness when everything seems to go against them?
This is not your typical variation, the story going on a darker and more gothic route than the original. There is the mystery of what happened in the beginning, the abusive relationship between Elizabeth and Lord Lambert, and the forbidden romance between our beloved couple. Events after events made it seem like they would never have their happily ever after, but there’s a lingering feeling of hope there that there’s a light at the end of the tunnel.
My heart raced at the fear of them getting caught, my hands started getting clammy with worry and anxiety, and my mind raced at the thought of which characters to trust. Ms. Williams created such an original story, a well-plotted book with the perfect pace and more than enough tension to keep a reader invested.
It always blows my mind how she can create a story like this from Pride and Prejudice. I loved that our main characters’ cores are very much the same. Elizabeth, although more subdued caused by the abuse she has suffered in her marriage, is still a strong, wonderful heroine, and Mr. Darcy just as dedicated and loyal to the people most important to him.
I loved reading every word in this book, and I have a feeling Pride and Prejudice variation readers will, too. I have to warn that there are hints of abuse, but nothing too graphic for it to be too painful to read.
Tropes: Historical—Regency Era POV: First Person, Dual POV Standalone: Yes
Thirty Day Boyfriend was a cute, entertaining, and sexy read that made me laugh and feel giddy. The story had great banter, well-written sex scenes, and two lovable characters wrapped up in one of my favorite tropes.
Emily Johnson has been the right-hand woman of Nicholas A. Wolf, the actual Wolf of Wolf Street, for two years, and she wants out. With an iron-clad four-year contract, she can't exactly leave, but that hasn't stopped her from trying. Unfortunately for her, Nicholas is always a step ahead, thwarting all of her attempts of leaving. Out of nowhere, her boss offers to set her free, but on a condition she's not sure she's willing to take.
Nicholas needs to deal to push through, but it looks like the only way it can happen is if he changes his image. He needs to be a committed family man, and this is where Emily comes in. If she can play his fiancée for thirty days and he gets the deal, they can part ways satisfied that they got what they want. It should be fine, right?
The chemistry and sexual tension are palpable from start to finish, but what I love the most about Thirty Day Boyfriend is that it was shown not just through lust, but through their fantastic banter and basically all interactions. I’m 100% convinced they’re perfect for each other, and everything they did made me giggle and swoon.
As I've said in my book review, the book would have been perfect if it were longer. I fell completely in love with Nicholas and Emily, their banter and relationship.
WHAT DID YOU LIKE ABOUT THE AUDIOBOOK?
This is the shortest audiobook I've listened to, so I got to listen to it in one sitting. Zachary Webber and Erin Mallon were fantastic in narrating Nicholas' and Emily's perspectives, Mr. Webber especially. Thanks to them, there wasn't a single second listening to this audiobook that I wasn't pleasantly diverted. Thirty Day Boyfriend is my favorite Whitney G. novella, so listening to it was just as enjoyable as reading it the first time.
WOULD YOU RECOMMEND THIS AUDIOBOOK TO A FRIEND? IF SO, WHY?
Anyone who enjoys the fake relationship trope mixed in with a hate-to-love element will love Thirty Day Boyfriend. Plus, if you're looking for a quick and fun dual narration audiobook listen, I highly recommend it. Mr. Webber and Ms. Mallon are both veritable romance narrators, so you're in good hands.
If you want to dip your toes in the audiobook world, this would be a great start since it's light and entertaining and shorter than other audiobooks.
Tropes: Fake Relationship, Boss-Employee, Hate to Love, Office Romance POV: First Person, Dual POV Narration: Dual Narration Standalone: Yes
*Audiobook received in exchange for an honest review.
Sorry but it’s a no for me. I couldn’t get past 27% because the heroine is a complete doormat. Her boyfriend cheats on her so she does this tDNF @ 27%
Sorry but it’s a no for me. I couldn’t get past 27% because the heroine is a complete doormat. Her boyfriend cheats on her so she does this thing with her best friend’s brother, right? Well the boyfriend works at her father’s law firm. He apologizes, she ignores him, her father tells her to understand, she doesn’t stand up to herself. Now at the party to celebrate said ex-boyfriend’s new promotion (this happened RIGHT AFTER THE FATHER FOUND OUT THIS DOUCHEBAG CHEATED ON HER), where she brought her best friend’s brother as her date I might add, douchebag boyfriend announces he’s asked her father for her hand in marriage. You know what this doormat heroine does? NOTHING.
I can’t. I’m so frustrated at her. And she’s supposed to be 23. Right. 🙄...more
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You and me against everything else. You and me, no matter the obstacle, we face it together."
This is it. The last book. After that major cliffy in Cold, I needed answers. Will Levi and Ivy ever find their happily ever after? What obstacles will they face next? Fox was a balm to my aching chest caused by Cold, and while the third book is emotional and still heavy, especially at the first half of the book, there's hope and the growing joy that only love and loyalty can bring.
Levi proved his steadfast love for Ivy by becoming her strength at the moments where she had none. More than anyone, he understands what she's going through, the pain she's suffering. It was so heartwarming to see him stay beside her, lend her his shoulder and anything she might need, and most of all, he let her grief and move on at her own pace. And when Ivy finally found the strength to stand up again, she gives back. If he needs a helping hand or a shoulder to cry on, she's there for him, too. Together they have love, devotion, their experiences, and their loved ones to help them start again.
I agree with the other reviews that this book felt more like a huge epilogue for the two books, which is perfectly fine for me. Ivy and Levi deserve a break and some happy moments. In this book, it showed how they coped with the incidents that happened in Cold, Montana. With paparazzi and busybodies trying to get the scoop on everything Ivy Stone, it's hard to get on with their lives, but Levi, her family, and some special people back in Montana are there to help. This last installment is about moving on and starting anew, all the while honoring the memories of those they've lost. It's emotional, touching, and incredibly sweet.
The Stone Cold Fox trilogy was a fantastic rollercoaster ride I don't regret hopping on. It's gritty, mysterious, emotional, and hard to let go. Thank you, Max Monroe, for doing something new to your usual work (which I love just as much, btw) because I will never forget Levi and Ivy and the people of Cold, Montana.
Tropes: CCelebrities—Actress, Hate to Love, Small Town POV: First Person, Dual POV Standalone: No
I AM SO READY FOR AMERICAN GODS! I don't think R. Scarlett had anything to worry about transitioning from PNR to Contemporary because my god, this novella is a fantastic start to a new sexy series. Filthy Gods promised filthy and will give filthy.
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He was a mere man, I knew that, but he and his friends were treated like gods. It didn't help they looked it, too. Intimidating, perfect and deadly."
Unlike most of her classmates at Yale who were born with silver spoons in their mouths, Juliette Monroe has to work twice as hard to keep up her grades and afford to go to school. That means it's work for her while they party after school and go on vacations during breaks. She strives to stay on top of the class for a better chance of going to Yale Law but is always bested by Nathaniel Radcliffe, the epitome of rich and privileged.
She's so close to the finish line but things get complicated when her enemy discovers the secret she's been hiding for the last three years. Nathaniel has the upper hand and knowing him, he's not afraid to use it. He offers to keep her secret for a price. What Juliette doesn't know is she's going to enjoy every bit of it.
I say this a lot: I'm not usually a fan of alpha males in books. But R. Scarlett is one of the authors who writes alpha heroes I just can't resist. Nathaniel Radcliffe is every bit the alpha with his commanding personality, filthy mouth, and hot as sin body. He is assertive but is patient in getting what he wants. Loyal and protective of the people who mean the most to him. If you hear someone swooning, that's me.
I admire Juliette and her hard work and resilience. She doesn't let these people intimidate her and let anything get in the way of her dreams and goals. Despite their social status, Juliette and Nathaniel are equals. They're both smart go-getters, so it's not a surprise that they're (secretly) attracted to one another.
The length of the story is perfect for Nathaniel and Juliette, showing the positive crackling connection that's been brewing between them since they met. And boy is it explosive. I swear my heart was beating so fast the whole time I was reading this because the sexual tension between them is that intense.
You're in for a treat with this steamy enemies-to-lovers romance between two of the smartest students at Yale.
Oh and Rebecca, may we please please please have the rest of the American Gods now?
Tropes: College, Enemies to Lovers, Forbidden Romance, Rich/Poor POV: First Person, Female POV Standalone: Yes