artbookshelf's review against another edition
5.0
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
My first book by Monica Murphy and definitely not my last! I really loved Tony and Hayden's story and felt like it was a different take on romance which was nice! They meet in the most coincidental way and keep finding similarities like it was meant to be! I loved that they put their relationship first and didn't let their family's opinions sway them. Excited for the next one in the series!
"The flirting. The banter. The innuendo. The kissing. The everything else. She's a challenge. She plays hard to get, yet flaunts what she's got right in front of me. Like she wants me to chase. And I do."
My first book by Monica Murphy and definitely not my last! I really loved Tony and Hayden's story and felt like it was a different take on romance which was nice! They meet in the most coincidental way and keep finding similarities like it was meant to be! I loved that they put their relationship first and didn't let their family's opinions sway them. Excited for the next one in the series!
"The flirting. The banter. The innuendo. The kissing. The everything else. She's a challenge. She plays hard to get, yet flaunts what she's got right in front of me. Like she wants me to chase. And I do."
kfriend's review against another edition
5.0
When Monica announced this series I was SO excited-but not for the reasons you’d think. I was so in love with the Callahan kids, I was desperate to get even more of them- even if they were just glimmers in these stories. And while I liked all the characters featured in the college years series, to me they felt just like what they were in the Callahan series- secondary. Interesting side characters with their own stories who shine brightly enough for me to care about them but not quite enough to detract from the stories’ center. But if what Monica did with Tony is indication about what is to come in this series, I may end up loving the college years even more than the Callahans- GASP. I know. But Monica somehow took a somewhat interesting supportive side character and transformed him into her swooniest leading man yet- and dare I say, he might yet be my favorite! Even more so, she gives some of our other secondary characters central billing here- elevating them all from fun periphery characters to deeply intriguing and lovable leading men. And now I’m ravenous for all their books!
TONY IS A DREAMBOAT. I loved getting to know more about him in this story- finally understand the layers and nuances of a character I hadn’t thought as intensely about. And he is so fantastically created- AND SWOONY AF. But what charmed me the most about him is how different he is from the other heroes Monica has given us in this series- he’s profoundly mature, laid back, rationale and self-aware. Monica brilliantly juxtaposes him with his friends- especially Caleb and Eli- for us to see this unexpectedly level-headed and grounded man. He’s got integrity, he’s sensitive and kind, honest and open. I instantly fell for him- and I relished the endearing ways he both works through his own feelings and is supportive and affectionate to Hayden. Hayden is a total pistol- and again, felt radically different than some of the other Monica heroines- she’s brash, confident, sexually confident and ballsy. Because she’s a less openly vulnerable character, it took a minute for me to warm up to her, but when we get more of her heart and see her perfect chemistry with Tony, I just adored her. And I loved these two together! They have a fiery and sweet chemistry- the perfect mix of tender passion.
The story also didn’t unfold quite how I expected, which made it be even more emotionally interesting. Our narrative set-up gives me all sorts of angsty Romeo and Juliet vibes. And while that dynamic does play into the climactic conflict (which did have some odd notes), this story was actually blissfully lower angst and more even keeled, and the conflict centered less on their familial vendetta and more on the anti-relationship baggage they both carry from the radically unhealthy, toxic examples of “love” they’ve seen in their parents’ failed relationships. That to me made the story far more interesting for character developed-as what could easily be a story about externalized drama instead becomes a story about these two stumbling into a very healthy and sweet romance and finding the courage to take a risk on it when love is nothing but destructive all around them. Way more friends to lovers than enemies to lovers- which means way more sweet swoons and giddy butterflies.
The BROMANCES though- oh my goodness. This may be the TRUE star of this story. Watching these teens start to become adults, formulate a supportive, fun, and vivid family unit, and help each other work though the angst of maturing into real adults is going to make for such a beautiful overarching theme for this series. I’m in love with ALL of these characters, and I’m so transfixed by their special dynamics. I have a feeling we have a new favorite Monica Murphy series in the works!
TONY IS A DREAMBOAT. I loved getting to know more about him in this story- finally understand the layers and nuances of a character I hadn’t thought as intensely about. And he is so fantastically created- AND SWOONY AF. But what charmed me the most about him is how different he is from the other heroes Monica has given us in this series- he’s profoundly mature, laid back, rationale and self-aware. Monica brilliantly juxtaposes him with his friends- especially Caleb and Eli- for us to see this unexpectedly level-headed and grounded man. He’s got integrity, he’s sensitive and kind, honest and open. I instantly fell for him- and I relished the endearing ways he both works through his own feelings and is supportive and affectionate to Hayden. Hayden is a total pistol- and again, felt radically different than some of the other Monica heroines- she’s brash, confident, sexually confident and ballsy. Because she’s a less openly vulnerable character, it took a minute for me to warm up to her, but when we get more of her heart and see her perfect chemistry with Tony, I just adored her. And I loved these two together! They have a fiery and sweet chemistry- the perfect mix of tender passion.
The story also didn’t unfold quite how I expected, which made it be even more emotionally interesting. Our narrative set-up gives me all sorts of angsty Romeo and Juliet vibes. And while that dynamic does play into the climactic conflict (which did have some odd notes), this story was actually blissfully lower angst and more even keeled, and the conflict centered less on their familial vendetta and more on the anti-relationship baggage they both carry from the radically unhealthy, toxic examples of “love” they’ve seen in their parents’ failed relationships. That to me made the story far more interesting for character developed-as what could easily be a story about externalized drama instead becomes a story about these two stumbling into a very healthy and sweet romance and finding the courage to take a risk on it when love is nothing but destructive all around them. Way more friends to lovers than enemies to lovers- which means way more sweet swoons and giddy butterflies.
The BROMANCES though- oh my goodness. This may be the TRUE star of this story. Watching these teens start to become adults, formulate a supportive, fun, and vivid family unit, and help each other work though the angst of maturing into real adults is going to make for such a beautiful overarching theme for this series. I’m in love with ALL of these characters, and I’m so transfixed by their special dynamics. I have a feeling we have a new favorite Monica Murphy series in the works!
rek216's review against another edition
The main character was very spoiled. I couldn't like them
kem0514's review against another edition
4.0
Hayden and Tony meet while waiting at the car dealership, they flirt and discover that they go to the same school. They have another chance meeting at an event they are both dragged to by their father’s. Here they discover that their fathers are enemies and are warned against hanging out. What does one do when they are forbidden from doing something? Exactly! Hayden and Tony continue to spend time together. Both have a very low opinion on love and don’t have any plans for a relationship so they say they are just friends. Their sexual chemistry is too strong though and things slowly progress between them. They are torn between the way they thought they felt about love and the increasing feelings they have for each other. I did think there was going to be a little bit more drama with Hayden and Tony’s stepmothers and the possibility of them interfering in their husbands business.
reyesreadingreview's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
kleejos's review against another edition
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
santanalang's review against another edition
lighthearted
slow-paced
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
Very cute but not my favorite. 2/5 spice
catxbooks's review against another edition
4.0
So excited to have started this series!! I was really happy to know all the boys would have their own book so I waited till all of them were out to start them. First is Tony’s story and I loved it, he and Hayden were wonderful and I loved their interactions.
Hayden and Tony meet when he’s visiting his father and sparks fly from the beginning, they had great chemistry and despite their father’s being business rivals they still couldn’t stay away from each other. They both were hesitant to start a relationship because of their parents experiences, but they had a lot of good times together and it was a matter of time before they started hanging out and being closer romantically.
Tony was two years younger so he didn’t have much sexual experience, but Hayden never backed out and she just wanted to be with Tony. They had some amazing times with their friends and I loved reading about the previous characters.
I loved reading this as the first book and now I can’t wait to read about the rest of the boys.
Hayden and Tony meet when he’s visiting his father and sparks fly from the beginning, they had great chemistry and despite their father’s being business rivals they still couldn’t stay away from each other. They both were hesitant to start a relationship because of their parents experiences, but they had a lot of good times together and it was a matter of time before they started hanging out and being closer romantically.
Tony was two years younger so he didn’t have much sexual experience, but Hayden never backed out and she just wanted to be with Tony. They had some amazing times with their friends and I loved reading about the previous characters.
I loved reading this as the first book and now I can’t wait to read about the rest of the boys.
books_and_chatt's review against another edition
5.0
I Love Tony Sorrento!! ♥️♥️ I’ll never say goodbye to this group of characters! Monica has created this world I want to live in!
Tony is the quiet one, the observer. Mr. calm, cool, and collected. He has issues with the word Love. Seeing into Tony’s life and his feelings gripped my heart! I wanted to wrap him up and love him forever!
Hayden feels the same way about love. She won’t have any of it... When her and Tony become friends they just click. They are so stinking cute together!
I absolutely loved this story! Monica always pulls me in and makes me fall in love! I can’t wait for more from her!
Absolutely Recommend
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
- received an arc for an honest review
Tony is the quiet one, the observer. Mr. calm, cool, and collected. He has issues with the word Love. Seeing into Tony’s life and his feelings gripped my heart! I wanted to wrap him up and love him forever!
Hayden feels the same way about love. She won’t have any of it... When her and Tony become friends they just click. They are so stinking cute together!
I absolutely loved this story! Monica always pulls me in and makes me fall in love! I can’t wait for more from her!
Absolutely Recommend
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
- received an arc for an honest review