mies_reads's review against another edition
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
kfriend's review against another edition
5.0
Addicted to Him is EVERYTHING I want in a steamy YA romance- the drama and angst of being a teen, the nostalgic resonance of sweet first love, characters who are refreshingly young and figuring themselves out, and an emotional journey that had me, well, addicted to this story. Eli and Drew stole my heart!
This story can be read as a standalone- but fans will be happy to see this continuation of the Callahan family story. We met Ava’s parents in the very popular One Week Girlfriend series, and the prior two books in this story were the stories of Ava’s older two siblings. The events of this book take place concurrently with those of her slightly older brother Jake’s book, which preceded this, and it was so fun to get to see the happenings of that story from another lens.
Sweet Ava is the youngest daughter of Fable and Drew, the legendary football star who now adorably coaches high school football. Everything her family does centers around football- her brother is the star QB of his team, her sister a cheerleader who is in love with the prior team QB, even her baby brother loves football. Meanwhile, Ava feels like her entire identity is swept up in the passions and legacy of everyone around her- a sentiment only reinforced when she’s forced to go with her family to the team's summer football camp. And suddenly nothing is the same- because her path crosses with the notorious Eli Bennett- her brother’s rival, an arrogant, dirty talking, off limits boy- but after a few stolen moments, their magnetic pull is undeniable But Ava is unwilling to fall for the enemy, to disappoint the men she loves- too bad for her, Eli is unwilling to let her go. He’s struggling enough in his life- and he’s unwilling to give up the one thing that gives him joy- Ava. What follows is an angsty, swoony, delightful enemies to lovers story that broke my heart in places and had me smiling in others….all up until that jaw dropping cliff hanger!
Ava was just so charming- she’s different from everything and everyone around her. She doesn’t care about popularity, she doesn’t feed into her family’s football mania, she keeps to herself- in fact, she’s decidedly average when you look at her on paper. But she’s anything but average as a character- there are so many layers to her. She’s a bit sad and lonely, even though she never says so- and she’s desperately craving to establish her own identity and to make decisions that are not tied to her family or her last name. She’s sweet, innocent, and kind, but her relationship with Eli awakens her- her sass, her direct and proactive nature, and her boldness. She’s not as much of an open book as Eli, and I think we still have much to learn about her ambitions- but I loved her so.
And Eli- oh my heart. I wasn’t sure I could love him, but I loved him so hard. At first, he comes off as an arrogant jerk. He acts like a real teenage boy- self-important, overly confident, horny, impulsive, jealous. But he’s got so much heart- and he’s repressing so many feelings- anger, abandonment, frustration. When he finally moves past the bravado and we see into his soul, I just fell so hard for him. He’s still arrogant and smug, but he’s also so charming and lovable. I loved how vulnerable he gets, and his deep devotion to Ava despite her resistance.
And these two together? OH MY. young love magic. So much angst, that dramatic push-pull, the magnetic tug between them paired with the sweetness of opening your heart to someone for the first time. This is a slower burn- and it makes it all the sweeter when these two finally find their way to fully embrace their attraction and need, because it feels soulful once they do. They are simply adorable.
What I find so endearing and so fantastic about this book (and this series) is how Monica lets these teenagers be just that- TEENS. They are impulsive, at times hurtfully so, trigger happy and overly emotional and dramatic. This is what it is like to be a teen- to be so overwhelmed by all you feel that you can’t always process it all rationally, to not yet have the full emotional intelligence to make sense of the very adult feelings and cravings you are experiencing for the first time- which makes you erratic, unpredictable, and angsty. Monica lets them truly act like teens- especially Eli. And that is what makes me have all the feels- remembering the awkward but giddy stolen first kisses and the unfamiliar and consuming feelings of first love where everything feels like the beginning and end of the world. All while trying to figure out who you are as human. That’s what I love in a YA- that nostalgic magic of young love paired with an emotionally resonant character story. And Monica delivers on both. I really loved every moment.
Be warned- this one ends on a giant, and heart breaking cliffy. All the emotions, all the angst, all the tenderness leading up to it are truly YA magic- and I can’t wait to find out what happens in the second part of this story! Ava and Eli’s book is by far my favorite in this series thus far- and Ava sure is giving Drew and Fable a run for their money as one of the best MM couples of all time! I loved this book!
This story can be read as a standalone- but fans will be happy to see this continuation of the Callahan family story. We met Ava’s parents in the very popular One Week Girlfriend series, and the prior two books in this story were the stories of Ava’s older two siblings. The events of this book take place concurrently with those of her slightly older brother Jake’s book, which preceded this, and it was so fun to get to see the happenings of that story from another lens.
Sweet Ava is the youngest daughter of Fable and Drew, the legendary football star who now adorably coaches high school football. Everything her family does centers around football- her brother is the star QB of his team, her sister a cheerleader who is in love with the prior team QB, even her baby brother loves football. Meanwhile, Ava feels like her entire identity is swept up in the passions and legacy of everyone around her- a sentiment only reinforced when she’s forced to go with her family to the team's summer football camp. And suddenly nothing is the same- because her path crosses with the notorious Eli Bennett- her brother’s rival, an arrogant, dirty talking, off limits boy- but after a few stolen moments, their magnetic pull is undeniable But Ava is unwilling to fall for the enemy, to disappoint the men she loves- too bad for her, Eli is unwilling to let her go. He’s struggling enough in his life- and he’s unwilling to give up the one thing that gives him joy- Ava. What follows is an angsty, swoony, delightful enemies to lovers story that broke my heart in places and had me smiling in others….all up until that jaw dropping cliff hanger!
Ava was just so charming- she’s different from everything and everyone around her. She doesn’t care about popularity, she doesn’t feed into her family’s football mania, she keeps to herself- in fact, she’s decidedly average when you look at her on paper. But she’s anything but average as a character- there are so many layers to her. She’s a bit sad and lonely, even though she never says so- and she’s desperately craving to establish her own identity and to make decisions that are not tied to her family or her last name. She’s sweet, innocent, and kind, but her relationship with Eli awakens her- her sass, her direct and proactive nature, and her boldness. She’s not as much of an open book as Eli, and I think we still have much to learn about her ambitions- but I loved her so.
And Eli- oh my heart. I wasn’t sure I could love him, but I loved him so hard. At first, he comes off as an arrogant jerk. He acts like a real teenage boy- self-important, overly confident, horny, impulsive, jealous. But he’s got so much heart- and he’s repressing so many feelings- anger, abandonment, frustration. When he finally moves past the bravado and we see into his soul, I just fell so hard for him. He’s still arrogant and smug, but he’s also so charming and lovable. I loved how vulnerable he gets, and his deep devotion to Ava despite her resistance.
And these two together? OH MY. young love magic. So much angst, that dramatic push-pull, the magnetic tug between them paired with the sweetness of opening your heart to someone for the first time. This is a slower burn- and it makes it all the sweeter when these two finally find their way to fully embrace their attraction and need, because it feels soulful once they do. They are simply adorable.
What I find so endearing and so fantastic about this book (and this series) is how Monica lets these teenagers be just that- TEENS. They are impulsive, at times hurtfully so, trigger happy and overly emotional and dramatic. This is what it is like to be a teen- to be so overwhelmed by all you feel that you can’t always process it all rationally, to not yet have the full emotional intelligence to make sense of the very adult feelings and cravings you are experiencing for the first time- which makes you erratic, unpredictable, and angsty. Monica lets them truly act like teens- especially Eli. And that is what makes me have all the feels- remembering the awkward but giddy stolen first kisses and the unfamiliar and consuming feelings of first love where everything feels like the beginning and end of the world. All while trying to figure out who you are as human. That’s what I love in a YA- that nostalgic magic of young love paired with an emotionally resonant character story. And Monica delivers on both. I really loved every moment.
Be warned- this one ends on a giant, and heart breaking cliffy. All the emotions, all the angst, all the tenderness leading up to it are truly YA magic- and I can’t wait to find out what happens in the second part of this story! Ava and Eli’s book is by far my favorite in this series thus far- and Ava sure is giving Drew and Fable a run for their money as one of the best MM couples of all time! I loved this book!
larash's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
fallenreader's review against another edition
3.0
end with a cliffhanger..
Tropes:
— insta-love
— brother’s rival/enemie
— slow burn
— Virgin Heroine
— hero falls first
Tropes:
— insta-love
— brother’s rival/enemie
— slow burn
— Virgin Heroine
— hero falls first
lamarsalamah's review
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
catxbooks's review against another edition
4.0
This book was really long but I enjoyed it a lot. I wanted to read about Ava and Eli’s story since the previous book and damn it was good.
With the rest of the people Eli seemed tough and badass but with Ava he was sweet and caring, even though he always wanted Jake to hate him with the stories he posted. But from the beginning I knew he cared about Ava and that it was hard to come out to her parents because of the rivalry between him and Jake.
Ava was sweet too, she never felt important enough on her own but she did a lot of good things and she was very nice with the rest so she was really awesome.
I thought the next book was going to be about their brother Beck but I’m glad to get more of Ava and Eli and see how they’re going to get their HEA.
With the rest of the people Eli seemed tough and badass but with Ava he was sweet and caring, even though he always wanted Jake to hate him with the stories he posted. But from the beginning I knew he cared about Ava and that it was hard to come out to her parents because of the rivalry between him and Jake.
Ava was sweet too, she never felt important enough on her own but she did a lot of good things and she was very nice with the rest so she was really awesome.
I thought the next book was going to be about their brother Beck but I’m glad to get more of Ava and Eli and see how they’re going to get their HEA.
books_and_chatt's review against another edition
4.0
Addicted to him is my first read by Monica Murphy. Definitely won’t be my last!
I was sucked into this story by the synopsis!
Secret relationship with a hot boy from the Rival football team that your brother hates!! Yes Please!!
Eli Bennett is the epitome of a cocky football player! He doesn’t care about what anyone thinks until he meets Ava!
Ava doesn’t want anything to do with Eli! She doesn’t like how cocky he is! The way he calls out her family. But then she can’t quit thinking about him! There might be more than meets the eye!
I seriously loved this story! It did take me a few chapters before I was hooked but it Got me! I read this in one sitting!
The chemistry between Eli and Ava is palpable! The struggle to find their place and be together is definitely relatable! This story has a bit of everything! It’s sexy and sweet!
I definitely can’t wait for the conclusion to this book! The ending of this book broke my heart!
Definitely recommend!!
-received an arc for an honest review.
I was sucked into this story by the synopsis!
Secret relationship with a hot boy from the Rival football team that your brother hates!! Yes Please!!
Eli Bennett is the epitome of a cocky football player! He doesn’t care about what anyone thinks until he meets Ava!
Ava doesn’t want anything to do with Eli! She doesn’t like how cocky he is! The way he calls out her family. But then she can’t quit thinking about him! There might be more than meets the eye!
I seriously loved this story! It did take me a few chapters before I was hooked but it Got me! I read this in one sitting!
The chemistry between Eli and Ava is palpable! The struggle to find their place and be together is definitely relatable! This story has a bit of everything! It’s sexy and sweet!
I definitely can’t wait for the conclusion to this book! The ending of this book broke my heart!
Definitely recommend!!
-received an arc for an honest review.
bookinbritt's review against another edition
3.0
Ava & Eli
I waited quite a bit to read Ava and Eli's story because of how much I despised Eli's character in the previous book.
I wanted to go into it with a fresh outlook, kind of like Ava would've upon meeting him (to an extent.)
I'm so sad to say this has been my least favorite of "The Callahans" series thus far. Their parents felt more absent which was odd given how protected Ava was supposed to come off, same with Jake. Circumstances and miscommunication instances between she and Eli became repetitive. I didn't get the feeling of a genuine bond between them unfortunately, more of a lust than a love.
I'm hoping maybe the next book can redeem these two but I'm going to take some time before reading that one as well.
I know Eli's character is going through the ringer and Ava is new to the dating world but still have my fingers crossed for some really good character development in the next.
I waited quite a bit to read Ava and Eli's story because of how much I despised Eli's character in the previous book.
I wanted to go into it with a fresh outlook, kind of like Ava would've upon meeting him (to an extent.)
I'm so sad to say this has been my least favorite of "The Callahans" series thus far. Their parents felt more absent which was odd given how protected Ava was supposed to come off, same with Jake. Circumstances and miscommunication instances between she and Eli became repetitive. I didn't get the feeling of a genuine bond between them unfortunately, more of a lust than a love.
I'm hoping maybe the next book can redeem these two but I'm going to take some time before reading that one as well.
I know Eli's character is going through the ringer and Ava is new to the dating world but still have my fingers crossed for some really good character development in the next.
moonchild720's review against another edition
2.0
This is the perfect example of why I don’t read young adult anymore. The whole entire time I found myself repeating “you’re only 16” over and over and over again. I feel like the way Eli would act and talk was not the way 16 year olds act and talk. It was more so how adult men act in adult romance books. I just wasn’t a fan of the story and found myself very annoyed most of the time. This is why I don’t read these books anymore.
book_ofroses's review against another edition
5.0
With the release of The Senior due out early November, which follows Eli & Ava in College, I thought I better finish my read of the Callahan series with Eli & Ava's duet the only two books I am yet to read. And as I knew I would - I loved this instalment. This can also be read as a standalone but please note it is book 1 of a duet so it does end on a cliffhanger.
Ava Callahan is the quiet sister. She gets good grades, keeps to herself and becomes a cheerleader because that is what her parents expect of her.
Eli Bennett. The rich bad boy over the other side of the lake. The rivalry of Ava's brother; Jake & his biggest competition.
Eli first sets his sites on Ava when is only 15. He sees her at a football match & he can't look away. Flash forward 2 years later & at a football camp Ava is forced to go to with her family due to her dad speaking & her brother attending, she meets Eli. She knows Eli is her brothers biggest competitor but she is instantly attracted to him. And it frustrates her. Especially when Eli won't give up till she is his.
Eli & Ava then go back & forward. Ava continuously pushing him away knowing that her brother & family wouldn't approve. While Eli holds on & doesn't give up. And when Ava finally lets go & lets Eli in, she finds herself not just in a secret relationship but in love.
This was a high school love, with some appropriate steam (Ava is 17 and Eli is 18). You read about them falling in love, being there for each other while they experience family fights & the usual high school drama. They don't just become secret lovers but best friends. And of course it all explodes in the end.
5/5 stars with 3/5 steam.
Ava Callahan is the quiet sister. She gets good grades, keeps to herself and becomes a cheerleader because that is what her parents expect of her.
Eli Bennett. The rich bad boy over the other side of the lake. The rivalry of Ava's brother; Jake & his biggest competition.
Eli first sets his sites on Ava when is only 15. He sees her at a football match & he can't look away. Flash forward 2 years later & at a football camp Ava is forced to go to with her family due to her dad speaking & her brother attending, she meets Eli. She knows Eli is her brothers biggest competitor but she is instantly attracted to him. And it frustrates her. Especially when Eli won't give up till she is his.
Eli & Ava then go back & forward. Ava continuously pushing him away knowing that her brother & family wouldn't approve. While Eli holds on & doesn't give up. And when Ava finally lets go & lets Eli in, she finds herself not just in a secret relationship but in love.
This was a high school love, with some appropriate steam (Ava is 17 and Eli is 18). You read about them falling in love, being there for each other while they experience family fights & the usual high school drama. They don't just become secret lovers but best friends. And of course it all explodes in the end.
5/5 stars with 3/5 steam.