calleighstone's review against another edition
4.0
I was really looking forward to learning about Olivia and Liam’s story when I read the first book in the series, but I have to say they are my least favorite couple but the writing and plot were amazing because hello, Maggie Rawdon!
magalha's review against another edition
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.5
nrn's review against another edition
emotional
funny
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
jsromancebookblog's review against another edition
5.0
Steamy, emotional, and tension filled, this college sports romance is exactly the kind of book I’ve been in the mood for. It begins with Liam and Liv as just friends that share a complex backstory, and while they’re firmly in the friendzone they both feel more. After her current relationship goes south because of one little Freudian slip, she convinces Liam to help her out in a way that only he could in hopes that they become more than just best friends. But will Liv’s plan work, or will they be forever doomed to be only friends?
I adore college romances, especially college sports romances, and this one delivers all the drama and tenderness that I was hoping it would. Liam and Liv’s story is plagued by someone from the past and all the what-ifs if something between them were to change. It’s that trauma and stress that propels this story, and the way their relationship evolves is compelling. Liam and Liv’s romance isn’t easy, and I love that the tension rolls off the pages in waves. It’s what makes this such an interesting storyline.
Also, I enjoyed seeing both Liam and Liv’s individual growth. Liam is definitely pigheaded where Liv is concerned and about as grumpy as they get, but the glimpses we get of him being what I think of as his real self make him so endearing. And then there’s Liv. Her transformation is utterly delightful. At the start of the book, she’s sweet and caring and likeable, but as we get more into the story she changes from cute and almost mom-like to someone more vixenish. The progression of her character is well done, and I like that it feels very organic.
Maggie Rawdon is a new-to-me author, and I’m so very happy that I picked up one of her books. I’ll be reading the first book in this series next, and I’m already looking forward to the next one, too.
I adore college romances, especially college sports romances, and this one delivers all the drama and tenderness that I was hoping it would. Liam and Liv’s story is plagued by someone from the past and all the what-ifs if something between them were to change. It’s that trauma and stress that propels this story, and the way their relationship evolves is compelling. Liam and Liv’s romance isn’t easy, and I love that the tension rolls off the pages in waves. It’s what makes this such an interesting storyline.
Also, I enjoyed seeing both Liam and Liv’s individual growth. Liam is definitely pigheaded where Liv is concerned and about as grumpy as they get, but the glimpses we get of him being what I think of as his real self make him so endearing. And then there’s Liv. Her transformation is utterly delightful. At the start of the book, she’s sweet and caring and likeable, but as we get more into the story she changes from cute and almost mom-like to someone more vixenish. The progression of her character is well done, and I like that it feels very organic.
Maggie Rawdon is a new-to-me author, and I’m so very happy that I picked up one of her books. I’ll be reading the first book in this series next, and I’m already looking forward to the next one, too.
bookswithdes's review
3.5
⭐️⭐️⭐️.5 stars. Friends to lovers is so underrated. I loved Liv and Liam. How protective they were of each other. Their backstory 😭. The spice 🥵. I’m just glad they were genuinely there for each other the entire time. It was nice to see how effortless their relationship was, and how they fit to explore new sides of each other. And then in the third act when Liam was being an asshole, Liv did not care, she was determined to be there for him whether he liked it or not. I loved seeing Waylon and Mackenzie along with crumbs of Easton and Wren. Once again, I loved how their friends helped them get back together, it’s so sweet. And then in the epilogue, I was happy things worked out for Liam🥲.
Summary:
One day, Livs crush on Liam is confirmed when something happens 🤭. With the discovery of this information, she doesn’t know what to do because Liam claims he only sees her as a sister. Then, Liv and her friends come up with the idea to ask Liam for “lessons” to build her confidence up when in reality she wants to test the waters with Liam. Whereas, Liam is having an inner conflict about moving forward with this with his best friend. Will their friendship survive or will something more come out of this?
Favorite quotes/scenes:
“I don’t feel beautiful.”
“We can fix that.”
“Just a warning though that there’s an added soundtrack these days.”
“What?”
“Mac and Waylon.”
“Oh fuck.”
“Yeah.”
“We’ll just have to be louder then.”
“You can just look at a girl and tell her to get in your bed and she will. The last thing the men on those apps need is the two of you competing with them.”
“Yeah?”
“Yeah, and you know this. Don’t play stupid.”
“Then go upstairs and get in my bed. I’ll be up in a minute.”
“What happened?”
“Hit during practice.”
“Who? I will kill him myself if Waylon hasn’t. Did he not remember you’re his fucking quarterback?” (I love that she’s protective over him too)
“She’s like a fucking siren begging me to crash against the rocks, and I want so badly to give in to her. Claim her. Make her mine.”
“This woman is going to kill me with the things she says. The way she makes me feel. The way I want her. The way I love her. How I need her.”
“Livvvvv…Thank fuck you’re here. I was just talking to them, and they were saying that we should elope you know?”
“Who says?”
“The pink elephants. I know it sounds crazy, but they were kind of wise.”
“I bet they were.”
“Does that mean you’re going to give me a chance?”
“Of course I’m going to give you a chance. I’m madly in love with you, Montgomery, you know that. Besides we’re already engaged.”
“Thank you. For forgiving me. For being patient with me. Fighting for us.”
“I will always. There is no one else but you, Liam.”
“The moment I feel her in my arms again is the same moment the world feels right again for me. Like I can breathe again and part of my heart isn’t living out of my body half way around the world.”
Summary:
One day, Livs crush on Liam is confirmed when something happens 🤭. With the discovery of this information, she doesn’t know what to do because Liam claims he only sees her as a sister. Then, Liv and her friends come up with the idea to ask Liam for “lessons” to build her confidence up when in reality she wants to test the waters with Liam. Whereas, Liam is having an inner conflict about moving forward with this with his best friend. Will their friendship survive or will something more come out of this?
Favorite quotes/scenes:
“I don’t feel beautiful.”
“We can fix that.”
“Just a warning though that there’s an added soundtrack these days.”
“What?”
“Mac and Waylon.”
“Oh fuck.”
“Yeah.”
“We’ll just have to be louder then.”
“You can just look at a girl and tell her to get in your bed and she will. The last thing the men on those apps need is the two of you competing with them.”
“Yeah?”
“Yeah, and you know this. Don’t play stupid.”
“Then go upstairs and get in my bed. I’ll be up in a minute.”
“What happened?”
“Hit during practice.”
“Who? I will kill him myself if Waylon hasn’t. Did he not remember you’re his fucking quarterback?” (I love that she’s protective over him too)
“She’s like a fucking siren begging me to crash against the rocks, and I want so badly to give in to her. Claim her. Make her mine.”
“This woman is going to kill me with the things she says. The way she makes me feel. The way I want her. The way I love her. How I need her.”
“Livvvvv…Thank fuck you’re here. I was just talking to them, and they were saying that we should elope you know?”
“Who says?”
“The pink elephants. I know it sounds crazy, but they were kind of wise.”
“I bet they were.”
“Does that mean you’re going to give me a chance?”
“Of course I’m going to give you a chance. I’m madly in love with you, Montgomery, you know that. Besides we’re already engaged.”
“Thank you. For forgiving me. For being patient with me. Fighting for us.”
“I will always. There is no one else but you, Liam.”
“The moment I feel her in my arms again is the same moment the world feels right again for me. Like I can breathe again and part of my heart isn’t living out of my body half way around the world.”
tguccione's review against another edition
emotional
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
crottink's review against another edition
4.0
I was so excited for Liam and Olivia's book from all of the glimpses I got of them in Way & Mac's story. Their story is heartbreaking, but the tension between them is so thick that everyone was feeling it.
Olivia is a momma bear, and is always taking care of everyone. Liam is protective and very possessive of Liv. These two were very much in denial about their feelings towards one another. Their chemistry is so good, and the trust they have in one another is everything.
I loved watching them fall in love with one another even more throughout the book. I do wish we got to see more of Liam's dominant side because the pieces we did get to see were hot as h31l. The spice was just absolutely delicious.
The ending was just so cute.
Read if you like
🏈 Football
🏈 Best Friends to Lovers
🏈 Spicy Lessons
🏈 College Romance
Olivia is a momma bear, and is always taking care of everyone. Liam is protective and very possessive of Liv. These two were very much in denial about their feelings towards one another. Their chemistry is so good, and the trust they have in one another is everything.
I loved watching them fall in love with one another even more throughout the book. I do wish we got to see more of Liam's dominant side because the pieces we did get to see were hot as h31l. The spice was just absolutely delicious.
The ending was just so cute.
Read if you like
🏈 Football
🏈 Best Friends to Lovers
🏈 Spicy Lessons
🏈 College Romance
laurendagley's review against another edition
3.0
Friends to lovers is definitely not my favorite romance trope, but I was intrigued by Liam and Olivia’s relationship in the first book and was excited to see that story play out in this book!
They clearly had a history and I wish that could’ve been explored more through flashbacks or something - it was touched on here and there but it felt like a deeper dive should have been made. Clearly Liam had reasons for boxing Liv into the friend zone, and I would’ve liked if that could have been a more central theme. This was really spicy though, and a sweet story!
They clearly had a history and I wish that could’ve been explored more through flashbacks or something - it was touched on here and there but it felt like a deeper dive should have been made. Clearly Liam had reasons for boxing Liv into the friend zone, and I would’ve liked if that could have been a more central theme. This was really spicy though, and a sweet story!