bookswithdes's reviews
408 reviews

⭐️⭐️⭐️. 75 stars. Luca and Harper are the EPITOME of grumpy x sunshine. Like seriously, I’ve never read such a more sunshine girl than Harper. Like if you thought Ava from Twisted Love was sunshine or Zahra from The Fine Print, they don’t hold a candle to Harper. Like she takes everything in stride especially when Luca has a bit of a standoffish attitude, it doesn’t knock her down one bit. Like Luca said this, “And Harper? The girl is . . . pure as gold. There’s not an arrogant bone in her body” and I, 100% agree. And y’all, this man is really private and kinda gets flustered easily and it’s so cute plus makes me happy when he smiles, blushes or finally laughs 🤭. Plus, this book is so relatable at least when it comes to the friendships Harper has. Like it’s not a tailored conversation of what an author thinks college girls have, but like an actual conversation in the best way possible. It makes you feel like you’re right there with them. Y’all, they kinda had an inside joke about seagulls, and you know this man barely warmed up to her to make jokes or show affection I guess, but at work he found a poker chip with a seagull on the back, gave it to her and said IT MADE ME THINK OF YOU!!!! Literally my heart burst from happiness 🤭🤭. And then right before they have spicy time, he puts her hand over his heart so she can feel how fast his heart is beating to reassure her that he’s nervous too *swoons*. And then after Luca had a long day, he went over to her place and she ran a bath for him so could relax 😩. And to make her feel better after a somewhat difficult dinner with her father, he takes her to go get her favorite ice cream even though he’s having money issues all because he wants her happy 😭. Damn it, that freaking break up scene made me cry 😐. Like he hurt me, but I’m so happy she didn’t go running back to him once he apologized even though he apologized later that day. Plus, not only did he apologize right away, he started working on himself both mentally and physically 😩. Then the epilogue was so cute even though I never truly like epilogues with pregnancy or kids, but it made me happy to see them happy. Plus, we got to see that Luca fixed his relationship with Elio 👏, and how Luca and Harper’s career played out 👏👏.

If you like fake dating, grumpy x sunshine, opposites attract, college romance, I highly recommend this book 🫶.

Favorite quotes/scenes:

“An eye for an eye leaves the whole world blind.” (Harper)
“Okay, Gandhi.” (Luca 🤣)

“You have a little bit of an attitude, you know. Actually, you remind me of this cat I used to have growing up. His actual name was Finch, but I called him Mr. Tickles. He died when I was nine, though. Rest in peace, Mr. Tickles.”
“I remind you of your dead cat?”
“Mhm. He was always swatting at everyone.” 🤣🤣

“I can still turn around while you take off your pants.”
“No, it’s . . . we’re all good. This is a professional setting, as you say. Harper, can you not just stare directly into my eyes while I do this?” (literally made me burst out laughing 🤣)
“Sorry, I didn’t know where to look.” 

“How about two truths and a lie?”
“You start.”
“Okay. I’m majoring in sports medicine. I’ve always loved the beach. And earlier, when I felt your lips press against my hair, I wish you would’ve just kissed me for real.”

“I want to be everything for her that she is for me—a best friend, a confidant, a source of motivation. The reason that I feel like smiling when I wake up in the morning now. For the first time in a long time, I have something to look forward to at Coastal other than football. It feels really fucking good.”

“Wow, this is great. I feel loads better now. So I remind you of your dead, grouchy cat, and Nate reminds you of a cute, innocent puppy?”
“RIP, Mr. Tickles.” 

“You’re really good, you know?”
“What do you mean?” (Luca)
“You’re just so . . .”
“So?” (Luca)
She beams, her smile filled with unknown secrets.
“Yeah.” 

“When I first wake up, I think about the sound of his voice. When I step out into the morning light, I think about his smile. And when I go to bed at night, I think about the way his body feels, arms wrapped around me tightly.”

“You know, I’ve always known what it was like to be needed by someone, from my parents to my siblings to my one hundred and eighteen fucking teammates. Being needed feels endless. Until I met you, I never knew what it was like to be the one in need. And I do need you, so fucking badly.”

“I could use a minute to decompress first, though. It’s been a hell of a day.”
“Okay, well, if you wanted to relax . . . I, um, I ran a bath for you.”
“Wait, what?”
“Yeah, I got the bath going right before you got here. I bought some bubbles and this, like, manly soap. And a candle—peach scented because I know you like that.” “Harper.”
“Luca. I’m forcing you to relax tonight whether you want to or not. It’s not a big deal.”
“It is a big deal. Baby, you are so fucking perfect that it makes my head spin.”

“I miss your eyes, your lips, your hair, your smile. The sound of your voice when you’re happy. The way you blush when I say something you weren’t expecting. The smell of your skin after a day at the beach . . . Touching you for touching’s sake. Kissing you just because I can.God, there’s no fucking question that I miss you, Harper.”

“But loving Harper, the girl bathed in sunlight, feels as natural and effortless as breathing in my sleep.”

“I hope you know much I love you.”
“You do?”
“God yes. I’m so in love with you. Honestly, I think I’ve been a little bit in love with you ever since that first day at your apartment. You know, when you asked me to take my pants off.”

“Sometimes, I still can’t rationalize the fact that this girl is actually mine. And that I’m hers, for-fucking-ever. I’ve spent a large part of my life believing that I’m not enough. For anyone or for anything. That all my hopes and dreams—supporting my family, playing professionally, finding real love and friendship—were far-fetched, relatively unachievable for a guy like me. It wasn’t until I met Harper that I started to believe differently.”

“Learning, loving, and then losing Harper has shown me exactly what I’ve been missing out on all this time. And there’s not a shot in hell that I’m gonna let myself lose her twice. It’s the two of us from now on. Together. Always.”

⭐️⭐️⭐️.5 stars. I swear each book I’ve read in this series I’ve said “He is so cute” and it’s been about each of the Bertha boys 🤭. So if you couldn’t tell, I loved this book too. I think Rush is my favorite Bertha Boy, at least from the boys that have their own books. It was really eye opening to see someone’s experience with ADHD albeit it’s fictional but it could reflect someone’s real experience. Just like Hunter, I loved Rush because of his “quirks” that include his scatterbrain, his m&m method to complete tasks, his straightforwardness, and his loyalty to the people he cares about. Plus, it made me happy that Hunter was eager to learn how Rush works and never misunderstood Rush’s actions. Like he never took his forgetfulness as a negative quality but as a quality that makes Rush, Rush. And then I loved their little inside joke with the plant.

Unfortunately, I felt like there was less found family than the previous books but don’t get me wrong I still love the book, I just wish it was as prominent as it was in book 1. Plus, I wish we had more couple time with them. But anyway, I can't wait for Madden and Xander’s book (separate books I mean) 👏👏.

Favorite quotes/scenes:

“Unless you want me opening every door on the top floor, you might want to show me which one his bedroom is.”
“Since you’re twisting my arm and everything … This is his room, but he’s not in here.” (Molly)
“Atelier?”
“Ah …” (Molly)
“That’s a yes.”
“My heart will shrivel up and die if those two don’t fall in love.” (Molly whispers to Seven 🤭)

“Don’t be cute with me.” (Hunter)
“Nothing cute about things my mouth could do to you.”
“I really don’t know how to take you. And I’m not talking about which position.” (Hunter)
“That’s good because it would have been a long list.”


“When I tell you you’re calm … It’s a good thing. The best thing. Like I can lean on you and disappear from it all.” (Rush)

“Madden’s a nudist. He wants to get naked.”
“I don’t want to get naked.”
“Then what do you want to do?”
“I want to take off my clothes.”
“I know you think you’re making a distinction, but you’re not.”
“You’re making it sound perverted. There’s nothing perverted about it. I like the breeze on my balls, exactly as Mother Nature intended.” 
“Don’t let me stand in the way, then.”
Hmm … he doesn’t appear at all worried about my friend and roommate getting naked in front of him. Madden’s a hot guy. Nice muscles. Does he want to check him out?
“I object! Maybe Mother Nature doesn’t want to see you hanging brain every day. Ever think about that, huh?”

“Wish I could do so many delicious, claimy things to his body and then hold him. Kiss him. Tell him things that will make him smile and then help make the world as easy for him as it is for me.”

“The things I want, Rush.”
“Like?”
“Like … getting to know you inside and out. Discovering what makes you happy and protecting you from what makes you sad. Proving to you every day how amazed I am that I met you, let alone get to spend this time together.”
“Not the dirty talk I was expecting, but carry on.”
“Fuck, you make me happy.”
“Really?”
“Yeah. Every day.”

“Let me be clearer. All those things about you that you think are too much are the things I love most. I’m sure we’ll get frustrated with each other because it’s what all couples do, but one of the most refreshing things about you is that you talk about things. You don’t play games. And you expect the same from me. There’s still a lot we both have to learn about each other, but goddammit, Rush, I’m excited to learn those things. Nothing in my life has ever felt this right.”

“I’m so damn excited that I get to introduce you to them as mine. I’m not sure what I did to deserve you, but it still hits me sometimes. This deep gratefulness that I get to call you mine.” (Hunter)
“Thank you.”
“For what?” (Hunter)
“Loving me as I am.”
“It’s the exact same way you love me.” (Hunter)

⭐️⭐️⭐️.5 stars. I will always love Saxon James books, so of course I loved this one. Seven and Molly suit each other perfectly. Molly helps Seven see the brighter side of life like Seven never truly enjoyed life after his troubled childhood 😩, and by Molly just being Molly he started to see himself better and relationships in general. Seven always tells Molly the truth because he needs that reassurance that he’s wanted. The found family wasn’t as good as it was in the previous book but I liked seeing more of Rush and I cannot wait to read his book next.

Y’all, I get so happy when there are crossovers between series and it happens again. Molly is featured in Budding Attraction in the Divorced Men’s Club because he had a crush on Ford, and he’s the son of Keller and best friend of Will in System Overload 👏.


After many failed dates, Molly feels defeated in the dating world when Seven suggests he becomes his dating coach, but of course lines blur and feelings emerge 🤭.

Favorite quotes/scenes:

“What about Madden?”
“What about—”
“You’ve known him since college and haven’t scared him off. Plus, you live with us now, and we stick together.”
“For how long?”
“Forever. I’m serious. You’re ours now, Tiny.”
“How claimy of you.”

“Ah … you gonna go?”
“Oh. Did you need the kitchen?”
“I thought you were late for work?”
“Holy shit, I am. Thanks, Molly. I’ll see you at Monopoly Monday later.”
Rush runs from the room, and I don’t have the heart to remind him it’s Thursday.

“He gives me one of those enormous smiles of his, the kind that reaches right down into my gut. The guy has me softening to him tenfold every day, and if I’m not careful, Xander’s won’t be the only fingers I’m wrapped around.”

“It’s kinda nice having someone stand up for me. Are you going to be like my little attack dog?”
“If you need me to be.”
“How nice. Like having my own personal Chihuahua on hand.”
“Oh, look at that, now I’m cranky with you.”
“Awww, did I hurt your feelings?”
“Chihuahuas are ugly, little demons.”
“You match two out of three of those things.”
“Ugly and little?”
“You know what two. The things you can do with your tongue are drop-dead demonic.”

“Besides, Seven suits you. You know why?”
“Because it’s as inaccurate as Rush’s name?”
“I looked up what Seven as a name means. It means loving. Blessed perfection. You don’t see it, but you’re all of those things and more.”

“I want you to have this.”
“Naked photos of you?” “Maybe I’m an idiot, and maybe it’ll bite me in the ass one day, but I trust you.”
“When you helped me. On my bed …”
“This isn’t the same thing. You didn’t consent to that. I’m giving you my complete permission for this.”
“I will protect your trust with my life.”

“Molly’s made it through this long without me, but that doesn’t change the fact that I want to protect him. And … even though I’ll never, ever say the words out loud, maybe there’s even a small part of me that wants him to protect me right back.”

“Stop looking at me like that.”
“Am I being cute again?”
“The cutest. You need to learn how to turn that off.”

“I’d never been in love all those times I’d thought I had, because losing those other men doesn’t compare to how it feels to lose Seven.”

“I love you. And if you walk away, it’d serve me right, but I’d never forgive myself if I didn’t try. Tonight, tomorrow, next week, next month. I’m here, and I’m going to fight for you. Whether you try to move on with him or some other guy, I’ll be here. You said you can’t wait around forever, but that’s fine because I can. Forever. There’s no one else for me—I don’t want there to be. You deserve to have someone fight for you, Molly, and I’ll spend the rest of my life doing exactly that.”

“There’s no one else for me. No one else I’d willingly tie my life to. No one I’d want to. Even if something happened and I had the chance to find this again, I’d say no. Molly’s the only man I want to experience this with.”

Just from the first five chapters and I absolutely fell in love with the characters and the story!! There’s Émile, the most confident and charismatic British man that has me screaming every two seconds, and there’s Christian, a clumsy nervous cutie pie. On the day of Émile’s grandfather's funeral, he leaves to get some alone time outside and he meets a seemingly nervous Christian that is debating whether or not to go to his cousin's wedding that’s in an hour because the date he hired canceled on him. Because Émile is curious and finds Christian attractive he offers to be Christians date. And just on this one day, he helps him with Christians self-confidence by making him change with answers from a nervous tone to a self-assured tone. He makes moments that would be deadly embarrassing into a normal moment, all which is followed by the best spicy time they’ve ever had. Then the next morning, Émile tells Christian about the clause in his grandfather's will that he must be married to gain his inheritance and Christian offers to be his fake fiance.

I loved so many moments in this book like the found family with Christian and his friends and aunt Agatha. How Émile helped Christian with his self-confidence . Christian showing Émile how to enjoy life without keeping up with pretenses. All the embarrassing moments that Christian’s finds himself in. First with the flies attacking his hair because of the gel he borrowed. When he finds himself tripping and brings down the wedding cake and the ice sculpture. Emile’s accent. And of course, the happy ending.

I listened to the audiobook on a total whim and I loved it which features Teddy Hamilton and James Joseph. I highly recommend listening to it 👏🫶.

Favorite quotes/scenes:

“I may have told Sheryl you shaved off your hair because of head lice.”
“Ohh, good one. I told Rupert it’s because I was tired of men coming in it.”
“You did what?”
“Well …” She mimes jerking someone off. “I more alluded to it. It’s not like I’d say the actual words, he probably would have had a heart attack. How crass do you think I am?”
“That’s enough imaginary hand jobs for today.”

“Well then, why don’t we settle for holding hands? It’s a very boyfriendly thing to do and because we’re both men it’ll be as scandalous as if we stripped off naked and dirty cowboy danced on a table.” (Émile)
“Dirty cowboy danced?” (Christian)
Émile swings his hand over his head like a lasso.
“Like this. With you bent over in front of me.” (Émile)

“I’m curious to see if your embarrassment extends to the bedroom or if I’ll be able to make you scream.” (Émile)
“Jesus …” (Christian)
“Forget Him. The only thing you’ll be worshiping tonight is my cock.” (Émile) 
*jaw dropped*

“We were celebrating your grandfather’s memory and you left to go and meet up with who knows what kind of people.” (Émile’s father)
“The queers. It was the queers this time. I went to the land of my people and basked in the glow of glorious penises⁠—”

“Now onto the important question.” (Gabe)
“Yeah?” (Christian)
“Why are you so obsessed with sucking dick? Seriously, dude, you sounded like shit. I almost wish your voice was still wrecked so you could meet his parents all ‘hello, Mr. And Mrs. Cromwell. No, I don’t usually sound like this, it’s just that your son’s cock is well acquainted with my vocal cords.’” (Gabe)

“You didn’t miss me, did you?” (Christian)
“Don’t be absurd. How on earth could I miss someone I’m planning to marry who looks adorable crashing into cakes and sexy when he gropes my cousin and then blows me off for an entire week because he has passions that he wants to follow?” (Émile)
“He sounds like a total asshole.” (Christian)
“Complete and utter twat. Who I maybe missed. Just a little, of course.” (Émile)

“You’re still as ridiculous as ever.” (Émile)
“Hate to tell you this, but I can’t see that ever changing.”
He pumps my hand. “Try again.” (Émile)
“Fine. That ain’t changing. Ever.”
“Is that a promise?” (Émile)
“Yeah. It is.”
“Good, because I’m counting on it.” (Émile)

“Maybe this has an end date, and we’re doomed to crash and burn, but I’ll start the goddamn fire myself if it means getting to have this time with him. I’ve never craved someone as much as I crave him. I’ve never had that need to show someone how perfect they are. Never felt that burst of pride and satisfaction over them finally glimpsing some self-worth. And, frankly, never wanted to bounce on one cock as desperately as I want his.” (Émile)

“If he wanted to call me his and take my name and let me pick up all of his broken pieces and keep them safe until he was ready to fix them again, I’d do it. I’d be everything he needed, and the only thing I’d want in return is him. Here. With me. Open and honest and hopefully one day full of a type of love neither of us has ever experienced before.” (Émile)

“I thought you said you didn’t have a family.” (Émile)
“Better not have said that. Otherwise you’ll be out of the will.” (Aunt Agatha)
“Yeah, what the hell? You guys are the only family I have. You just fudging try and take that away from me.” (Seven)
“Families don’t always live together. It doesn’t make them less of a family.” (Gabe)

“I don’t want you to feel like you’re a guarantee or a contingency or a clause in a contract. Because you’ve become so much more than that to me. You’re the way you dance, and how you care, those addictive collarbones, and that bloody heart you wear on your sleeve. You’re absolute word vomit at the worst possible times, and occasionally real vomit, and I love both of those versions equally. You’re so messy and real and sometimes broken, but always, always the very best version of yourself.” (Émile)

“I don’t care if we’ve done everything the wrong way. Because all of those wrongs gave me the biggest right of my life. Him. And I’ll hold on to him forever.” (Christian)

“I still find it hard to believe we found each other.” (Christian)
“I like to think that everything that’s happened was always meant to be.”
“Hard to argue with that when I’m looking at a life with everything I’ve ever wanted.” (Christian)
Little does he know I plan to give him everything. The things he wanted and the things he never would have dared to dream about.

“One more thing. I love you.” (Christian)
But it’s not only Émile’s voice that answers me. Five others join in.
“I love you, too.”

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5 stars

Y’all please read this first. It truly is the best way to understand what Celaena talks about in TOG, and to have the full experience of Celaena. Like she briefly talks about Sam, her time in the desert and says a certain phrase that will only have a certain emotional impact if you read this one first. Plus, if you read this instead of first, it could fall flat and be meaningless, and you’ll be eager to continue the rest of the series rather than enjoy this book. Seriously, if anyone tells you to read it in any other way, they’re stupid. I’m sorry, I said it 🤷‍♀️.

beware of spoilers

It’s crazy that I had stopped reading the assassin's blade when I got to the assassin and the desert because I got bored but now—a year later—it’s my favorite out of the first three. I liked it for many reasons. One, Celaena got to see a new side of the assassin world and how peaceful and loving it can be. Two, the friendship between her and Ansel because she never had a female friend. And three, the plot twist and once again we got to see Celaena's undying compassion. Like first we saw it when she released the slaves in Skulls bay. Then she helped Yrene get a start towards her dreams as a healer AND showed her how to defend herself. And then with Ansel and we saw how she got repaid for that kindness by the master. Then of course, I LOVED the assassin and the underworld because Sam and Celaena reveal their feelings for each other 👏😩. Then, the last novella happened 😐. They only had a month of happiness together 😭😭. Like why didn’t they just leave when they had the chance, like she could’ve even gone back to the red desert 😭. Y’all, even Wesley tried to warn her 😩. It broke me when she said she had already started to forget the shade of color of his eyes 😭😭. I absolutely died at that part. And I just knew it was Arobynn especially when he deceived her in the last novella. I just hope Celaena will figure it out and make him and Farren pay.


Favorite quotes/scenes:

"I have no name. I am whoever the keepers of my fate tell me to be."
"Then let me call you Mine for a dance or two."
"She's spoken for.”

"I don't want to be with Lysandra, or anyone else for hire. And you're a damned fool for not seeing it."
"I am what I am, and I don't particularly care what you think of me."
"Well, I care what you think of me. I care enough that I stayed at this disgusting party just for you. And I care enough that I'd attend a thousand more like it so I can spend a few hours with you when you aren't looking at me like I'm not worth the dirt beneath your shoes."

"I've already told you everything— I've already told you that if I stay here, if 1 have to live with Arobynn, I'll snap his damned neck."
"But why? Why can't you let it go?"
"Because I love you! I love you. I have for years. And he hurt you and made me watch because he's always known how I felt, too. But if I asked you to pick, you'd choose Arobynn, and I. Can't. Take. It."
"You're a damned idiot. You're a moron and an ass and a damned idiot. Because I'd pick you."
And then she kissed him.

"I love you. And from today onward, I want to never be separated from you. Wherever you go, I go. Even if that means going to Hell itself, wherever you are, that's where I want to be. Forever."

"I just want to be with you. I don't care where we go. That's all I want."

He was hers. This magnificent, powerful creature was hers.

"I can wait. We have all the time in the world." 😢
Maybe he was right. And spending all the time in the world with Sam … That was a treasure worth paying anything for.

"The only secret I've borne my entire life is that I love you. It was the one thing I believed I'd go to the grave without voicing."

“Whenever I'm scared out of my wits, I tell myself: My name is Sam Cortland.. and I will not be afraid.”

She would tuck Sam into her heart, a bright light for her to take out whenever things were darkest. And then she would remember how it had felt to be loved, when the world had held nothing but possibility. No matter what they did to her, they could never take that away.

"My name is Celaena Sardothien, and I will not be afraid."

To anyone who’s ever felt like too much.

Once again, I loved another Avery Keelan book. This book follows Seraphina, Chase’s sister and Tyler, Chase’s roommate and teammate. And once again the relationship flowed perfectly even though they had previously met and hooked up before they officially met. They went from strangers to having a three orgasm quickie in the nightclub bathroom to roommates to friends to fwb to lovers. It was very enjoyable seeing their friendship grow even though there was slight tension as they both reminisced on their night together months ago. And one of my favorite aspects of their friendship was when they did 21 questions over text and they never stopped. Like it began as a way to become friends and not think about their hookup which became the best parts of their day. And even in the epilogue which is three years later, they still continued to play it and they were on like question 1000 🥹. Plus, I loved their nicknames for each other, Hades and Tink since it was based on the costumes they wore when they met each other 😩. And then y’all, one day everything started going wrong for her like her decaf coffee accidentally got tossed out and it sent her into a spiral and then she couldn’t find her keys, so poor girl was overstimulated. AND THEN after that he bought her a separate PINK coffee maker with decaf coffee beans and her favorite candy, pink starbursts 🥺. Like what the hell, the fact that he remembered she loved pink starburst then went out of his way to make her life easier 😩. These were only a handful of things I loved about this book but I HIGHLY recommend reading this series and I CANNOT wait for the next book 👏👏. Which will be about Chloe, Sera’s new friend and classmate and Reid, Tyler and Chase’s new teammate who transferred from one of their rival teams.

Favorite quotes/scenes:

Her soaking pussy clenches around me, and I drive deeper, thrusting in perfect tempo with her moans…
“Oh, don’t turn that off on my account. Sounds like it was getting good.”

“Guess how I know you were the last one to empty the dishwasher?”
“How?”
“Because you left half the cupboards open.”
“That isn’t my fault. That’s an ADHD thing. I can’t help it. It’s like I legitimately don’t see them.”
“Honestly, I think it’s cute. It’s your calling card, like a reminder Tinker Bell was here.”

“Have her home by nine-thirty, Ron.”
“Er… it’s Rob, actually.”
“Tyler doesn’t mean that. He’s joking.”
“She’s right. Ten o’clock is fine.”
“Tyler.”

“You’re so fucking pretty.”
“Even first thing in the morning?”
“Especially first thing in the morning.”

“Even though we live together, she’s so stunning it leaves me a little awestruck every time. I’m not sure I’ll ever get used to it.”

“When I picture the rest of my life five years down the line, I can’t help but insert her in it. My brain does it automatically. She’s everywhere.”

“Y-you still want to be with me? Even if I might get sick or have to get surgery or—"
“No matter what. I’m all in, Ser. I’d do anything for you. Name it, and it’s yours.”

“Ty.”
“Yeah?”
“Don’t treat me differently because of this. Please. I need to feel like I’m still desirable. Like I’m still me, and we’re still us.”
“What you’re saying is, you want me to pull your hair while I tell you to shut the fuck up and take my dick like a good girl?”
“Something like that.”

“Question fifty-three. Do you have any idea how much I love you?”
“As much as I love you?”
“More. I would do anything for you, Tink. Name it, and it’s yours.”

“Question 1162. Will you marry me?”
“Hades. Of course I will.”

Y’all, I LOVED THIS. I could NOT put this book down, it was so easy to read, I loved the banter, and how easily their relationship flowed from potential hookup to semi-friends to friends to lovers. Like it felt so natural between Chase and Bailey, and when they finally got together it was like two puzzle pieces connecting and completing each other 😩. And Chase was so gentle and soft with her, never pressuring her, and always being completely straightforward with her so she never doubted their relationship. It was definitely bad boy x good girl vibes because she brought peace and order to his life whereas he corrupted her in 🛏️, and gave her the confidence to stand up for herself. I cannot wait to read more Avery Keelan books especially when their kids book comes out👏👏. And I hope Dallas and Sibhoan will get a book and if not I hope we see more of them in book 2 🫶.

Favorite quotes/scenes:

“Well, either way. The terminal is closed. Indefinitely. Lack of qualified pilots.”
“Oh, I think you’d find me highly qualified.”

Bailey: SOS
Chase: SOS? Silk Or Satin?
Chase: Personally, I’m a fan of both
Bailey: Carter.
Chase: James.
Bailey: I’m being serious. I’m trapped in my room and I need help.
Chase: You know the lock is on the inside, right?

“You’re killing me, James.”
“Why’s that?”
“Because I don’t want to stop. But if I keep kissing you. I won’t be fit to be around other people for a good, long while.”

“Carter?”
“Yeah?”
“I’m going to lose my balance if you keep kissing me like that.”
“I got you. I won’t let you fall.”

“Our gazes met again, and it felt like coming home; being with her felt like home.”

“It’s weird.” (Chase)
“What’s weird?” (Bailey)
“I didn’t know what I was missing until I found it.” (Chase)

“We’re endgame. Right?” (Chase)
“You think?” (Bailey)
“I know it.” (Chase)

“You know I’m going to ask you to marry me one day, right?”
“You are?”
“Count on it. Are you going to say yes?”
“Of course.”

“Are you mine, James?”
“Completely. Are you mine?”
“For as long as you’ll have me.”
“You’re going to be stuck with me for a long time, then.”
“That’s the idea.” 

“Were you nervous?”
“Little bit. You’re my once in a lifetime.”
“You knew I’d say yes.”
“Yeah. Like I’ve always said—we’re endgame.”

”You can't run from Fate, especially if your Fate likes the chase.”

He painted her stretch marks 🥹 (that’s all I’m going to say for right now I cannot for the life of me compile my thoughts)

Favorite quotes/scenes:

“Now, tell me, princess, and be honest. Are those scared tears or those other types of tears like when I gave you the easel?”
“They’re the sunflower type of tears.”
“Thank fuck.”

“You have nice hands.”
“Thank you?”
“They would look good around my throat.”
“Jesus Christ, Ef…”

“Getting lost in her eyes is so easy, and I never want to be found.”

“You killed for me.”
“Baby, I’d die for you.”

“I’ve made a lot of mistakes but loving you was never one of them. I may not be a gentleman, but you are worthy of gentle love, and I vow to give you all you deserve and more.”

ook down. It was not what I expected but I LOVED it!! Like I expected a much darker vibe and don't get me wrong I love dark romance but I’m glad this wasn’t one. I mean the man is crazy obsessed but that’s about it 🤭🤣. And I love myself an obsessed and possessive man, like add this man to the top blonde book boyfriends 😘. And then I love that he is known as the “golden boy” in hockey, but as soon as he met or accidentally texted Monroe, a switch flipped and he became a possessive and obsessive stalker. Like he had learned she was tricked into a date, so he uses his stalking skills to find out which restaurant she’s at and pays off the owner to close the restaurant to kick them out 🤭. Then he proceeds to beat the shit out of the guy that tricked her 🫣. But before that I loved their banter over text from when they first met 🤭, they had me giggling and smiling like an idiot the entire time. Then it was nice how comfortable they got with each other with just texts and calls. And then y’all when they finally met in person 🥵🥵. Holy fuck, it was insane and perfect and very hot 🫣. Then proceeding that this man does the craziest things to show her he’s 100% serious about her. I don’t want to spoil too much but it involves him going to her class 🤭, sending her flowers everyday 😩, and a certain permanent thing 😳. Then there was his absolute cutie pie side like when she had a panic attack and he sang her the song creep because his older brother used to do that for him since he didn’t know any lullabies and he just wanted her to feel better just how his brother did for him 😭. And after he made a goal he pointed at her and made a heart each time he made a goal and he made it his MISSION to get as many as he could 😍. Then there was a certain jersey moment 🥲.

AND THEN Y’ALL, I was NOT prepared for his out of hand craziness. Like now I understand why Zade told Adeline that it was better that he showed his craziness from day one rather than pretending to be someone he’s not because sheesh I did not expect the levels this man went to. Like let’s just say mastermind by Taylor swift 100% fits here 🫣. Especially in those last few chapters, man went knockers 🙃.

Then two side notes, one I wish we saw more Bill 🥲. He was such a sweetie pie to Monroe and he honestly changed her like for the better and it was when she had absolutely no one. Like, I was so happy to find out they became really close, and how he always made sure she got home safe. Second note, I didn’t like was the formatting of the text messages. Some of them were in the message bubble format and others were in italics, and I just wish they were all in the message bubbles. Like it made no sense that it was in different formats especially since the text messages are such a big aspect of this story. I know such a weird thing to be picky about 🫣.

Favorite quotes/ scenes:

Monroe: We both know your penis is barely visible in the light, let alone enough for a vagina.
Unknownr: If this was your attempt to get a dick pic, it actually almost worked.
Monroe: I'll pass. Old wrinkled balls are not my thing.
Unknown: See, now I feel like you've been stalking me. How did you know being insulted turns me on?

*she sends a selfie to him*
“The picture that came in then, it was life changing. Like my DNA had been rewritten. Like my stars had rearranged themselves. I didn’t believe in love at first sight. I didn’t believe in love at all. But if I could have, I would have fallen in love with the girl in that picture.”

“If you ever wear another man’s jersey, I will kill that man. So be careful, sweetheart.”

“When something feels this fucking good, you don’t fight it. You just follow it to the ends of the earth, no matter where it takes you.”
“I’m scared.”
“I’ll show you how good it can be. Until you’re not scared anymore. Until trusting me is as easy as breathing.”

“At least I wouldn’t have to worry about her tonight. I’d copied her key, and after she fell asleep… we’d be having a sleepover party. Other people might call that scary stalker behavior. I called it true love.” (This took me out 🤣)

“I love you.”
I gaped at him in horror, and I shook my head frantically, trying to take my words back. But Lincoln’s cocky grin only grew wider.
“I love the food, I meant! The food!”
“Knew you’d say it first, dream girl.”

"Come here.”
"I can get my own seat. “
"I'm aware. But I'd much rather be your seat."🫣🤭

“You think you don’t have a claim on me? You think it’s possible for anyone else to exist now that I’ve found you?”

"You think I'm delusional for seeing how amazing you are? How special and strong and beautiful? Monroe, I see you. I see all of you. And I'm not going anywhere. I'll be here for you, every step of the way, no matter what. Because I know that you're worth it. You're worth everything. Eventually, you’ll trust me. I’ve been lonely all these years, too. Waiting for you."

“Have you ever been in love?”
“Not until I saw you.”

“I don’t intend to spend a single night without you for the rest of my life. And if you go before me, I’ll make sure I have a plan in place to go minutes later too. So I never have to.” (This is crazy but in a cute way 🫣)

“Fuck love, Monroe. Love is nothing. You can feel love for anyone. What I feel for you is pain. Knowing that a part of my fucking soul is living outside of my body and now that I’ve found it, I’ll die if I ever lose it. That’s what we have. Love is a shadowed imitation for people unlucky enough to never find their soulmates. What we have is everything.”

“I was thoroughly fucked. And I was also… thoroughly at peace. Yes, Lincoln Daniels could ruin me. But what a ride it would be.”

“Little duck, are you happy?”
“Yes. Crazy happy, Bill.”
“I love that, my dear.” 🥹

“From the moment I saw you, it was like a bolt of lightning hit me, like all the stars had rearranged themselves and taken every single wish anyone had ever thrown at them… and combined them all to give me my perfect dream. The one girl made just for me.”

“I didn’t know how lost and lonely I was until I met you… and now that I have you… you are my home.”

“Lincoln had made sure the vows didn’t say until death do us part. And it felt right. Because we both knew that Lincoln wouldn’t let a little thing like death keep us from each other.”

“I think he would kill us both if I ever tried to leave. And that thought brought a sadistic, sick comfort to me. I would gladly take everything this man would ever give me. And it was all because of a simple text… to the wrong pucking number.” (At least they’re both crazy 🤷‍♀️)

This book felt like an early 2000s movie. One where the love was 100% raw and true. The characters, Ally and Cole were undeniably themselves and 100% soulmates, two halves of a soul placed on this earth to be together forever. Every single aspect of their life led them to each other. From a young age, Cole wished for an angel, someone to save him to give him the love he deserved and finally it came in the form of Ally. Two foster kids who had broken homes, but would build a new one together. And despite the year that kept them apart, their love never died, if anything it burned brighter. They were able to open up to each other in ways they never could before, fulfilled their purpose in life, made new friends who became family, and created a love stronger than ever. Of course, there were bumps in the road that needed to be smoothed out, arguments that needed to happen, and new discoveries to lead them on their new path. And finally, they got their happy ending. 

 

Despite the good parts, there were some weird or out-dated sayings/acts that made the book 0.1% less enjoyable each time, but the love between Ally and Cole made up for it 100%. The characters I cannot wait to read about are Knox and Sloane, especially because of Knox’s appearance in the epilogue, and I want to learn more about Sloane. 

 

 

 

“This, right here, was my favorite place to be. With her and nobody else. And I knew in that moment, if this was all I ever had the rest of my life, if I never made it into the NFL, if I never had more than a few dollars to rub together, I’d still be a happy motherfucker for the simple fact that I got to love this girl as fiercely as I could. And that she loved me as furiously as she could. It was a damn good feeling.” 

 

“Until her, I didn’t allow myself to feel anything. And when I let her in, when I looked into her eyes, I finally felt something. I finally felt home. This hollow feeling in my body sometimes feels like it might be the death of me. She filled all of the empty places in my soul and made me finally feel like I was a whole human and not just an empty shell who was just existing.” 

 

“Seeing him was what I’d imagine coming home felt like. To a home where you were loved and it was all warm and familiar.” 

 

“She’s my kryptonite, my drug of choice, and the only one who can bring me straight down to my knees. I can’t push her away, no matter how badly I want to.” 

 

“I truly believe that the universe gave her to me. I don’t pray or attend church or believe in a whole helluva lot. But I know one thing for sure: that girl was put here for me to love her.” 

 

“If someone had said I could lose my arm and never play ball again just to keep her, I would have told them to cut the fucking thing off right then and there. I might need my arm to throw, but I needed her to feel.” 

 

“My girl. My angel. My addiction. If she were a drug, I’d shoot her straight into my veins. If she were a shot, I’d toss her back with ease and let her burn the whole way down. And if she were a smoke, I’d inhale her slowly, letting her reach every single part of my body before exhaling. I. Can’t. Get. Enough.” 

 

“There’s nothing I’d put before being your man. No goal, no place of arrival, no amount of money, no woman, nothing. None of that is above me and you.” 

 

“Why did you call me the angel when we first met?” 

“Because in the darkest of my days, I prayed for you. I just didn’t know you yet. But I prayed for an angel, knowing one day, if I was patient, an angel would come.” 

“An angel.” 

“Yep. And I never want there to be a day when I wake up in a world where you and I are apart. Understood?” 

Understood.” 

 

“I love you,” I tell her, as I’ve told her a thousand times before. And I’ll tell her thousands of times again. Her name will be on the last breath I take on this earth. I’m sure of it. 

“I love you,” she whispers back. 

 

“From the first moment we met, I’ve known I’m the only girl he sees. Like two stars, bound for nowhere, we collided, and instead of burning out, we became one.” 

 

“The angel. You’re finally here.” 

“No … Ally. My name is Ally.” 

“Ally, my angel.” 

 

“I love the way that she loves me. Hard and fierce. She sees the ugly, and she knows my insecurities. Yet she holds on, clinging to me when I need her most. When I hurt, she feels it—ten times harder. She’s my ride or die. If I robbed a bank, she wouldn’t just be driving the getaway car. Hell no, she’d be right next to me the entire way. If I killed someone, she wouldn’t just help me hide it. She’d dig the fucking hole. A kind of love like that doesn’t come around often. And when it does, I’ve learned to hang the hell on. Hang the hell on and never, ever let go.” 

 

“In his eyes, I’m the one he was waiting for. His angel who came down and took away his pain. But what he doesn’t know is, he’s my angel, my saving grace, my medicine to numb the pain of life’s cruel ways.” 

 

“I prayed for an angel in my darkest times. Times when it would have been so easy to give up, I closed my eyes and somehow felt your touch. I just knew you were out there. I only had to be patient, and I knew that, one day, you’d find me. And you did.” 

 

“Ally, I’ve loved you since I was twelve years old. And even before then, I knew you were a part of me. I could live a million different lives, and I’m willing to bet money that I’d find my way to you in each and every one of them.” 

 

“For as long as I’m living, she won’t ever feel alone or unwanted. I’ll make it my mission to brighten all of her days. Because that’s exactly what she does to mine.” 

 

“We spent the first twelve years of our lives separated and were ripped apart all those years ago. I don’t ever want to be apart from her. Next to my side is where she belongs. It’s where she’s always belonged. Looking at Ally, I know she’s all I will ever need. In the good and in the grit, she’ll be here. Always.” 

 

“When I first saw her, back when I was twelve, it felt like I’d found my beginning. Like I could finally breathe without pain. But now? Well, now, I know that when it comes to Ally, she’s my beginning, my middle, and my end. She’s where my life began and where it will end. She’s my forever and always.”