Buy: Amazon
Review
4.5 stars
The fourth and final book in the Treasure State Wildcats series, this is a childhood best friends-to-enemies-to lovers story with a fake relationship and lots of heartfelt emotion. It’s fun, sweet, sexy and romantic, and I loved it!
Maverick is a college football player for the Treasure State Wildcats. His roommate and best friend is Rush (from Rally, book #3) and Stevie’s roommate and best friend is Jensen (from Blitz, book #2). The characters from previous books all appear, but this book reads like a complete standalone.
Maverick and Stevie’s parents are best friends and their two families have been closely intertwined their entire lives. They were best friends as kids, but had a stupid falling out at age ten, and they’ve been at each other’s throats ever since. At every combined family dinner, holiday and regular catch up, they either fight or completely ignore each other, and now they’re 22, and they have no intention of changing anything.
Until Maverick’s terminally ill mother makes it her dying wish that the two of them put their past behind them and go on a date. They are both legitimately horrified, but they both love Maverick’s mother fiercely, and would do anything to make her happy. So, they date. And when Maverick offers Stevie a second proposition if she continues the ruse, the two enemies find themselves spending more and more time together.
Their initial ‘dates’ are freaking hilarious. But once they actually start talking, apologise for the past and get over their snits, they find that their once strong connection to each other is still very much there, and things start to change.
“When this agreement of ours is over, can you do something for me? Can you be my friend again? I’ve missed you.”
What starts as friends reconnecting soon becomes friends with benefits, and then real feelings start to develop. It’s easy and natural, and I loved watching it happen. But they both know that if they broke each other’s hearts, there would be no going back, it would change the dynamics of their families, and neither of them want to risk it so they try to keep their distance. But when you fall as hard and as completely as these two do, keeping their hearts out of it is harder than either of them anticipated.
This is such a gorgeous read. It’s a fun set-up, and Devney writes it so well – it’s funny, sweet, sexy and heartfelt, and the love story develops so beautifully. Whether they’re fighting or falling for each other, Maverick and Stevie have great chemistry, and I loved them together so much.
Maverick is confident and funny, and an absolute sweetheart. His love for his mum shines, and despite his past as a bit of a player, he’s so sweet with Stevie. He’s sweet and thoughtful and so beautifully swoony, he gives his heart to her fully and it’s impossible not to fall for him. Stevie is a bit more challenging. Firstly, for holding a grudge over something so minor for so long! But she’s so quick to mistrust Maverick, even when he’s working to prove that he’s a good guy and win her over. But she has her own vulnerabilities and insecurities, and learning to trust and open up to each other again changes them both, and I love the journeys that they go on in this story as they figure themselves out and fight for their happy ending.
Given the nature of the storyline, you can expect family drama, and oh my heart, this one really brings the emotion. It’s all very well written and ties in well with the story and I felt so much for these two.
Characters from the previous books all appear, and I loved seeing them again. There is an epilogue with multiple time skips that shows us not only Maverick and Stevie’s future, but also glimpses of the other couples, and I loved seeing where they all end up.
I have loved this series, and I loved this book. Another gorgeous read from Devney Perry.
4.5 stars.
I listened to this as an audiobook, narrated by Megan Wicks and Robert Hatchett, and they do a great job. I recommend listening to this one.
Treasure State Wildcats
Coach (#1) (Ford & Millie)
Review
Buy: Amazon
Blitz (#2) (Toren & Jennsyn)
Review
Buy: Amazon
About the Author
Devney is the USA Today bestselling author of the Jamison Valley series. She lives in Montana with her husband and two children. After working in the technology industry for nearly a decade, she abandoned conference calls and project schedules to enjoy a slower pace at home with her kids. She loves reading and, after consuming hundreds of books, decided to share her own stories. Devney loves hearing from readers! Connect with her on social media.
Website | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter
Find more amazing reads on our Devney Perry Author Spotlight