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Review

3.5 stars

This is a really cute read. The fifth book in the Ivy Years series, it’s a sweet NA celebrity romance with a touch of drama and a whole lot of heart.

Lianne Challice was introduced in the last book of the series, she is a freshman who is also a famous actress, known for her role in a popular paranormal movie series. She’s being trying hard to fly under the radar at Harkness College, and has only really started to socialise now that her neighbour, Bella (heroine of the previous book), has entered her life – and since she’s laid eyes on DJ Trevi.

DJ is (funnily enough) the DJ for Harkness College’s hockey games. He’s also the younger brother of Leo Trevi, and a big part of the hockey family. He and Lianne have already met and they are both crushing on the other, but here we get to experience it up close and personal as they flirt, banter and joke, creating some great chemistry as they get to know each other.

But DJ is dealing with some huge issues which are greatly impacting his college experience – and potentially the rest of his life – and even though he’s keen to act on his attraction to Lianne, he doesn’t want to drag her into his drama. But she’s a determined girl, and whatever is building between them is proving impossible to move on from.

“The only time I feel like myself is when I’m with you.”

It’s such a cute love story. DJ is kind, caring, and just gorgeous, and with him, Lianne find somebody that she can be herself with, somebody who accepts her, laughs and banters with her, supports her and wants her without caring that she’s a celebrity. For her part, Lianne doesn’t hold back her feelings for DJ, which I love, and though he can’t believe that she wants him back, and despite his troubles, he’s desperate for more with her.

“Kissing my way down her hairline, I pause at her ear. “First time I ever saw you, I wanted a kiss,” I whisper, punctuating it with a kiss on her cheekbone. “Now I’m totally spoiled. Forever.”

The drama comes externally to the relationship, as Lianne is dealing with issues with her Manager, and DJ is facing a fight to clear his name and get his life back on track. They are both facing messy situations, but they showed great strength of character in the way they dealt with it all, and I love how they leant on and supported each other through their challenges.

“I need you in my life, smalls,” he says in a whisper. “No matter what happens tomorrow, that won’t change.”

These two are so freaking cute together, and I thought their romance was really sweetly written.

“This is how it feels to get just what you need when you didn’t even know you needed it.”

I like that we got to see the characters from earlier book, and there’s a great set up for Leo Trevi’s book, which is the first in the Brooklyn Bruisers series – though it doesn’t matter what order you read these series in, it’s just a fun tie-in.

I enjoyed this one. It didn’t hit me as hard in the feels as others in the series have, but still a fun read.

3.5 stars.