✨ "You two are so busted...Sneaking off for a secret romp? This is romance book coded!" ✨
SOME SPOILER-FREE THOUGHTS: I read the first book in this series, Homerun Proposal (check out my review HERE!), about a month ago and immediately wanted to dive into the second book, but it was purple, so I restrained myself and waited until May for my purple book birthday month reading challenge. Now I'm wishing I hadn't waited because this book is the exact combination of enemies to lovers, forced proximity, and spice that I love most about romance novels! Plus, on top of all that good stuff, we got some really great character depth that had my heart aching with both sadness and joy at many points throughout this story. A truly layered, steam-filled plot that I deeply enjoyed!
Author: maren moore
Finished: may 16, 2024
Reading Method: e-book (Kindle Unlimited)
Star Rating: 4/5 ⭐
Spice Rating: 5/5 🌶️
What To Expect:
✨ Enemies to Lovers
✨ Forced Proximity
✨ Roommates to Lovers
✨ College Town
✨ How the Other Half Lives
✨ Opposites Attract
✨ Baseball
✨ Haunted Amusement Parks
✨ Found Family
✨ Loss of a Parent
✨ No Third Act Breakup
✨ BABY KITTEN!
SPOILERS IN
3...
2...
1...
✨ "I'm scared of the feelings that are taking root in my heart. Actually, I'm petrified, but I'm also too selfish to walk away. He's the only place in my life where I feel safe enough to be selfish." ✨
I absolutely adored the first book in this series, but boy oh boy, it did not prepare me for Viv and Reese's story! Surface level, we got to see Viv as Hallie's fun friend, wanting her to go out to parties and explore her sexuality, but diving in to Catching Feelings, we immediately discover that Vivienne is so much more and I was not ready for the emotional rollercoaster her story took me on.
Also looking back at the last book, we didn't see too much of Reese beyond the moments he and Viv were verbally sparring around Hallie and Lane. I am so glad we got to really get to know Reese and see his beautiful heart shine through in this book. He is one of my new favorite book boyfriends (a Swiftie, no less!) and I did not expect how deeply I was going to fall in love with his love for Viv!
One of the things I loved most about this book is that we did not hesitate to get to the meat of the story. Viv's dad passed away tragically a few years ago, her mom hasn't recovered, and she's spent her late teens holding her family together, physically, emotionally, and financially. That is so much pressure to have on one's shoulders, especially at such a formative time. My heart immediately connected with Viv and felt for her, wanting to see her reach her happily ever after that she totally deserves!
Then there's Reese. He doesn't hide how he feels about Viv from the beginning. While she views his flirting as cocky and arrogant, the reader knows that he is deeply obsessed with her and willing to do anything for her right off the bat. He comes from money, is an all-star athlete, and has every reason to be an entitled jerk, but he's not. In fact, Reese is willing to step up and support Viv in her time of need, no questions asked. That alone speaks volumes to who he is and who he can be for her.
Of course their chemistry is through the roof and no set of rules of attempts to forget about their previous one-night stand can simmer it. So we get some extra spicy, steam-filled scenes with these two. Reese is so incredibly dirty, but exactly what Viv wants him to be. I was sweating reading all of their entanglements!
Most importantly though, when we get to our big third act conflict, Reese holds strong to Viv and shows her that no matter what he will always be there for her. No third act breakup proves Reese to be exactly the man we know him to be and allows Viv to see it too and finally let all of her walls down not just with him, but with Hallie.
Overall, I adored this book and don't feel it's necessary to read Homerun Proposal first, but I do absolutely recommend it! Both books intertwine well, but tell their own unique stories, which I am a big fan of. And for all my book besties who love enemies to lovers and forced proximity as much as I do (and you KNOW I do!) this is definitely one you must, must, must pick up!
All My Love,
Jane-Anne
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