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Review

4 stars!

Another fantastic read! Sarina Bowen has created some incredibly unique stories in this series, with wonderfully developed characters who aren’t the usual types that you read about, living through situations that you also often don’t read about. I love diving into each of these books never knowing what to expect, and this story is no different, I loved it!

Bella was a main side character in the last book of the series, Manager to the Harkness College ice hockey team, and good-time girl who is a bit of a player, happily flitting from guy to guy and not making any attachments. She owns who she is, and she makes no apologies for it, and I love her boldness and bravery to live her life just the way she wants it.

Rafe is Bella’s complete opposite – a 20-year-old virgin who is a complete gentleman and total sweetheart who has just had his heart broken by his girlfriend. Bella and Rafe share the same dorm and have met each other in passing, but when they end up accidentally hanging out one night, one thing leads to another and they share a steamy night together. It’s awkward afterwards, but a class project brings them back together, and when Bella is the victim of a cruel frat prank, it’s Rafe who is there to help her.

OMG, I love Rafe! He’s such a sweetheart! He’s exactly the kind of boyfriend every girl needs – sweet, supportive and caring, but also fun, funny and a little bit dirty. He’s absolutely gorgeous and I loved him as a romantic hero – and especially for Bella! Here is a guy that she can count on completely, who cares for her, supports and protects her, while allowing her to stand strong and be who she needs to be. He makes it clear that he wants more from her than she’s used to giving, but at the same time he never pushes her outside of her comfort zone, and he handles their potentially awkward and angsty situation just perfectly.

“You’re not okay. And I’m the one who noticed.”

And I thought Bella’s story was beautifully written. Honestly, I wasn’t a huge fan of her in the last book, but I loved the chance to get inside of her head and really get to know her. She goes through a lot in this book, and I felt so much for her, and her growth as a character is really well done.

The love story between these two is so, so gorgeous. A lovers-to-friends-to-lovers romance that is both sweet and sexy with so many feels. It’s a slow burn that builds beautifully, and I loved watching every little moment of it unfold.

Characters from the previous books make an appearance – in particular, Graham and Rikker from Understatement of the Year – and I loved catching up with them, and seeing them as a part of Bella’s story. But you can also easily read this one as a standalone.

This series has become a firm favourite for me – an NA college series with unique, beautifully emotional stories, and I cannot get enough! I loved the introduction to Bella’s neighbour, Lianne, and can’t wait to read more about her in her own story up next.

Loved it – 4 stars!