✨ "New turn-on unlocked? My husband holding my thigh as he drives." ✨
SOME SPOILER-FREE THOUGHTS: Cute is the best singular word I can use to pitch this book, but it does not even begin to describe the perfect little button of joy that this story brings as the finale of our Orleans University trilogy. Is it cute? Absolutely, unabashedly, without a doubt yes! But it is also so much more that I can't even begin to put my finger on. Heartwarming yet spicy. Brave yet vulnerable. Open yet hesitant. Everything yet innocent. With a familiar fairy tale format (my favorite: Cinderella!) we truly get the happily ever after that all rom coms leave us wanting.
Author: maren moore
Finished: july 23, 2024
Reading Method: e-book
Star Rating: 4/5 ⭐
Spice Rating: 2/5 🌶️
What To Expect:
✨ Marriage of Convenience
✨ Anonymous Pen Pals
✨ Cinderella Vibes
✨ He Fell First
✨ Baseball Player MMC
✨ Virgin FMC
✨ One Bed!
✨ Dual POV
✨ No Third Act Breakup
✨ Happily Ever After
SPOILERS IN
3...
2...
1...
✨ "I'm glad that as endless as the universe is... I exist in the same time and place that you do." ✨
The Orleans University series is one of the happiest stumble upon moments of my year by far! I just so happened to be on a major spicy romance kick (ok, who am I kidding, I am always on a major spicy romance kick) when I was spiraling through "you might be interested in..." recs on KU. Description after description was just not cutting it for me, but as soon as I read through the synapsis of Homerun Proposal, I was like, "yup, let's go!"
And then following that up with Reese and Viv with a whole lot of my favorite enemies to lovers action in Catching Feelings! It was everything! I'm so happy I found it because this series has felt like a little family I didn't know I needed.
So it's so sad that we say goodbye to our Hellcats today as Grant finds his happily ever after with his ArtGirl, but it's not sad at all because this might be my favorite story of the three.
From day one, Grant has shown us he is all in, helping his boys get their girls so it's very fitting that we kick off our finale with a little backstory set up of him putting himself completely out there with the girl of his dreams, despite the fact that he's never actually met her. And while Addie is terrified of letting someone in because all she's ever known is being let down and hurt, she leaves it up to fate and we are so glad she did because Grant and Addie are destined to be together! Shout out to fate for doing its thing!
The Cinderella Story vibes were extra strong on this one, but they were not exceedingly overdone which meant the story wasn't as predictable as most adaptations of the fairytale, making me super happy. This is one of my favorite fairytales, but pop culture can get a little literal with it despite the fact that it's 2024, things don't have to go down exactly that way.
So as Moore unfolded Addie's story of her mother's bakery, the cruelty of her stepfather, ignorance of her stepbrother, adoration of Amos and Earl, and her innate heart pull towards Grant / Jockboy, it never felt traditional or predictable. Rather, my heart continued along for the ride as Grant stood by her side through everything, but continued to be a man she wanted, not a man she needed. Through it all, she never had to rely on him for anything, but he was always there to support her because he loved her. Swoon!
I'm always slightly hesitant with the virginity sexuality plotpoint, but I felt like (just as with the first book) Moore made it work so well here. As a shy, loner with a terrible stepfather who never really let her socialize, it made perfect sense that Addie didn't have any experience kissing a boy, let alone sleeping with one. Grant was so incredible respectful while simultaneously expressing how much he desired her, making her feel wanted, but not pressured and when they finally expressed their true feelings for each other, the timing was just sheer perfection and had me so happy for both of them.
I just loved it so much and wish that I could read it again for the first time because I'm not read for this crew's journey to end. And now I'm smitten with Davis and need a little rookie novella at least after all he did for them!
Overall, Walkoff Wedding by Maren Moore is an adorable adaptation of a classic fairytale with a little fake marriage, baseball, pen pals, one bed sprinkled perfectly on top. Definitely recommend to anyone who is as much of a sucker for those tropes as I am!
Check out all the titles in the Orleans University series, available on KU!
✨ Lane and Hallie's story: Homerun Proposal
✨ Reese and Viv's story: Catching Feelings
✨ Grant and Addie's story: Walkoff Wedding
I loved this whole series and am so excited for the next lucky rom com loving book bestie who happens upon it and has their whole tbr shaken up, like I did!
All My Love,
Jane-Anne
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