By Referral Only

Whitman University #2

by Lyla Payne

After being unceremoniously dumped freshman year because of her family’s “new money” status, Ruby Cotton has taken care not to put her heart on the line. No matter how enticing Emilie and Quinn make it look, relationships are scary and hard—while a string of flings is easy and fun. That’s what Ruby wants. Easy and fun. The only problem is, when it comes to satisfaction in the sack, most of the boys at Whitman are nothing but pretty window dressing and false advertising.Ruby takes it upon herself to make campus life more fulfilling, creating a referral database that allows female students to rate their sexual experiences, thereby informing girls of what they’re getting into before agreeing to a date.When her acting partner, Liam Greene, finally shows some interest, Ruby figures she won’t need to utilize the helpful gossip. He’s handsome, fun, and most importantly, not a guy she’d ever fall for hard enough to let him break her heart.Not only that, but dating Liam gives Ruby the perfect excuse to say no to Cole Stuart.As a star swimmer and heir to honest-to-God Scottish royalty, Cole sits at the top of Whitman’s A-list—but he’s also the lowest rated referral on Ruby’s website. The ratings make rejecting his repeated requests for a date a no-brainer, but her real reason for avoiding Cole runs deeper than a string of unsatisfied exes.He’s gorgeous, he oozes sweetness and charm, and the electricity between them could power half of Whitman, but Ruby knows it will only last until his family or friends convince him she’s not good enough. Before she knows it she’s falling anyway, waiting for the other shoe to drop but clinging to a tentative hope that Cole might be as different as he seems. When the secret behind his low ratings comes to light, that hope is torn apart, and Ruby wonders if she was right to give him her heart…and whether she has the strength to let him keep it.

Genres: New Adult, Romance, College, Contemporary, Contemporary Romance, College Romance, Sports

291 pages, Kindle Edition

First published May 23, 2013

About the author

I've been publishing New Adult romance novels for a little over a year, starting with Broken at Love and continuing with the rest of the Whitman University series. I adore telling stories, discovering the little reasons people fall in love, and uncovering hidden truths in the world around us – past and present.

In my spare time I cuddle my two dogs, pretend to enjoy exercising so that I can eat as much Chipotle as I want, and harbor a deep and abiding hope that Zac Efron likes older women. I loves reading, of course, along with movies, traveling, and Irish whiskey.

I'm hard at work, ALWAYS, and hope to bring you more Whitman University antics and at least one more Lowcountry ghost tale before the end of the year.

If you want to know more, please visit me at http://lylapayne.com

If you’re a fan of Young Adult fiction—science fiction or otherwise—please check out my work that’s published under the name Trisha Leigh. http://trishaleigh.com


I'm represented by Kathleen Rushall at Marsal Lyon Literary Agency.

Reviews

[Geri Reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 Wicked stars!!!

Two words that made this book for me: Cole Stuart. Handsome, rich, Scottish royalty who knows how to wear a kilt had me swooning. The heroine was bit of a let down for me but Cole made up for it.

Please check out my full review at http://everafterromancebookblog.blogs....

*ARC provided by the author in exchange for an honest review.*

[Jennifer · Rating 1 out of 5]

Also posted to Jen in Bookland

Ugh. I really couldn't stand Ruby. She was horrible. Her self loathing poor me attitude was just horrible. I hated her so much. She came from new money and so apparently people expected her to act like a white trash princess so what does she do? Acts like a white trash princess then gets mad when people see her that way. Um okay...if you don't want people to see you that way stop acting that way? Then she complains about poor her everyone judges her without knowing her, but she does the exact same thing! With everyone! So she had a boyfriend dump her once, because she thinks his family didn't like her, so that means everyone at her fancy school will be like that. Everyone. It doesn't matter how nice they are to her or the sweet things they do, they don't actually like her. Um okay...pot meet kettle. It was so frustrating!! So then she doesn't want a relationship she just wants a sex partner. Fine, but why in the world would you stay with Liam then? The sex is not good, he is a complete jerk to you so...why stay with him? If you just want a sex partner I am positive you can find someone to actually have enjoyable sex with. I didn't get it.

Ruby just complained and whined and made assumptions about everyone the entire way through the book. Sure suddenly at the end she see the error of her ways and that Cole might actually like her and so she changes overnight. Sure. I buy that. I liked Cole and couldn't understand why he wanted Ruby. I mean she was pretty terrible to him. I mean after he reveals his humiliating secret that he is super ashamed of she just storms off and calls it off with him. Nice. Way to go. I wish it would have taken more groveling to get him back. It was way too easy. She pretty much just smiled at him and he was all okay! Boo. You deserve better Cole! You deserve way better than Ruby!! You deserve someone who will treat you with respect and love you like you love them. Not stupid Ruby poor me whiny pants who treats you like crap. I really don't get it.

I also wanted to slap Ruby so many times and just be like so what you are new money and people think less of you for it? At least you have money to get an education at a fancy school and make all your fancy contacts so you will probably have a leg up after you graduate. Plus you can go to New York and try and make it big on Broadway without having to worry about money or anything so I really feel bad for you. Suck it up and be thankful for what you do have because there are plenty of intelligent driven people who just cannot afford to go to school and do not get the opportunities you have. I don't feel bad for poor little rich girl. Man I hated her. I really wish she would have been written so that she was somewhat sympathetic, but she was just horrible.

[Lyla Payne]

Just a drive by to let you know that BY REFERRAL ONLY is part of a boxed set right now - SIX amazing NA novels actually SET IN COLLEGE for under $1!!

http://www.amazon.com/Heat-Up-Fall-Bu...
-----
Ruby's got a new cover, guys! What do you think??
______

Hey beauties! In case you fans and supporters of Whitman University need some fun and feisty (and Scottish!) weekend reading, here's a heads up... BY REFERRAL ONLY is available a few days early! I am so, so hoping y'all enjoy Ruby and Cole's story because I am beyond pleased with how it turned out. I can't wait to hear everyone's thoughts!

Links!!

Kindle - http://www.amazon.com/Referral-Only-W...

Nook - http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/by-re...

Kobo - http://www.kobobooks.com/ebook/By-Ref...

iBooks is on the way, hopefully soon!

OMG OMG OMG WE'RE FINALLY LIVE ON ITUNES YOU GUYS. https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/by-r...

BY REFERRAL ONLY is ON SALE, TODAY ONLY (for Kindle!) Grab it for $.99!

[mer · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 stars

I liked the first book. But this book, it was disappointing. I almost put By Referral Only in my DNF shelf because of Ruby. She was very annoying. After a few chapters, the story was no longer appealing to me. She ruined it for me and I hated her for it.

I'd rate this book 2 stars but I put it 3 stars because one star is solely for Cole. I liked him a lot. Anyway, this book could be better without someone like Ruby in it.

Read on your own peril.

[Sarah]

BY REFERRAL ONLY made me reconsider my usual wariness of contemporary romances. I devoured it in one sitting, and finished it smiling. I don't think I've ever laughed so much reading sex scenes--and I mean that as a compliment. This book is smart, funny, and unputdownable.

BROKEN AT LOVE fans will be pleased to see Emilie and Quinn make a reappearance in this novel, but will be equally captivated (or even more, as I was) by Ruby and Cole. Ruby is smart, tough, and ambitious--and, as we already know, a fantastic friend. Her insecurities are believable and heartbreaking. . . though I must admit to being a bit mystified by Whitman's world of old and new money and family status, which sounds horrifying. Likewise, Cole is--well, *clears throat*. A sweetheart with a killer swimmer's body and a Scottish brogue, he is pretty much irresistible. I fell happily into the fantasy that such people do exist. . . at least for the several hours I spent reading the novel. Readers will not be disappointed by--to use Ruby's term--the hanky panky, which is even sexier than in Payne's first new adult outing, but the rest of the book is equally compelling, thanks in large part to the cast of uniformly entertaining characters. I would be remiss in not mentioning Cole's family, who are loyal, funny, and all around delightful. I would happily read stories in any genre about their adventures, because they are awesome.

The initial premise, upon which the title plays, is clever and fun: Ruby masterminds a database where the ladies on campus can rate their sexual partners and decide whether or not to give each Whitman guy a referral. Payne sets this up as a question of female solidarity--why let another lady get in bed with a guy if it's not going to be good? As in BROKEN AT LOVE, Payne's characters are refreshingly sex-positive; the novel plays out a nuanced version of the sex with and without emotional intimacy debate. I was left wondering if there were parallels between Sebastian and Quinn's schemes in BROKEN AT LOVE and Ruby's database--whether the database leveled the playing field (as information passed along among friends would), or whether there was something a bit cruel about it. Would an impersonal referral system ultimately fail because one person might be an exception to the rule, or because sex is more complicated than star-rating-systems and yes-no answers? How would this play out with same-sex couples? (I'd love to see a broader range of sexualities in further Whitman novels, even amongst supporting characters.)

Payne has done an absolutely fantastic job creating Whitman and its world. It's a credit to her that every time I met supporting characters I wondered--and hoped--that they would get their own story one of these days. I can't wait to see where this series goes.

Absolutely recommended.

(This review is of an ARC, courtesy of the author.)

[Jenni Fields-Hatfield]

Please, Please, Please let this book be about Emilie and Quinn. I still have so many questions!

[Staci Hart · Rating 5 out of 5]

All right. I literally just finished this book, and I should probably wait to review it but I can't and I won't.

Because I loved it.

Now, I have to say that it took me a minute. I was immediately drawn in because Payne made me laugh my ass off pretty much straight from the beginning.

Here was my issue:
Ruby's kind of a bitch.

I did *not* find myself liking her. The fact that her biggest problem is that she's not 'old money' I thought was misguided and vapid. But, that's kind of where Ruby is when the story starts.

Here's my advice:
Stick it out.

HOLY COLE.

Seriously. Motherloving Cole, all day, all night, in a kilt, out of a kilt I DONT CARE. I want one.

Thank goodness for him seeing something in her and believing in her. Because otherwise? She was on self destruct. Just...I don't know. I feel great after finishing it. I'm entirely satisfied.

Great romance novel. Pick it up, for sure.

[Karla]

Please give me a hint!! Where is this one going???!!!

[Jaime Arkin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ruby Cotton is considered 'new money'. Something she learned very quickly is frowned upon by those with 'old money'! After being dumped her Freshman year by a boyfriend because of it, she decided never to put her heart on the line again with a Whitman boy. But she also doesn't want to waste her time with guys who aren't worth the effort. After running into a sorority sister who had a 'bad' evening with Cole 'fucking' Stuart she comes up with the idea of a referral website. A website where the female population of Whitman University can rate and refer the guys they date or have dated. This should make it easier to pick the right guy to have flings with right? It's okay though, Ruby, a theatre major, has her eyes set on Liam, an actor she is working in a production with... which saves her from having to come up with an excuse as to why she can't go out with Cole Stuart!

Cole Stuart has the lowest ranking on the website though, so she wouldn't consider him either way! But Cole isn't going to take 'no' for an answer. He's bound and determined to explore the chemistry he has with Ruby but he's got to break through her defenses first and get her to realize he's not a typical Whitman guy.

I really loved Broken at Love, even though Quinn wasn’t your typical hero ... so when I got my hands on this one I was incredibly excited. And I wasn't disappointed - in fact, I loved this more than the first. I’m going to blame that on a certain Scottish, kilt wearing, swoony guy.

First let’s talk about Ruby. Ruby’s hang-ups with her new money status are just that. Her hang-ups. But they’re realistic. Who wants to put their heart on the line when they feel like ultimately they won’t stand up to family scrutiny. She has been burned before, and she’s not going to let it happen again. I loved that Payne turned the tables on us readers by making Ruby the one who comes up with this idea of rating guys. I mean… who wouldn’t use that website if it was really out there… Exactly. I think I actually laughed the loudest when the girls were telling their hook-up horror stories. In fact I believe I read that whole passage out loud to my sister.

Now… Cole Stuart. If you’re looking for a swoony, sweet, guy who is actual royalty – look no further. Oh… he’s also a swimmer. So go ahead and picture that in your mind… now add a kilt. I swear that I may have been fascinated by kilt wearing men previously, but after this book I’m definitely intrigued! You guys, he may have the lowest rating on Ruby’s site, but it’s not for any reason you might be expecting. He’s determined to make Ruby see him for who he is instead of who she thinks he is. But that’s the catch. Cole has a few secrets and when Ruby finds out, well… I’ll let you find out all the details by reading! But holy crap the swoon this guy gives…

“ What if I said I wanted to date you – and yes, Ruby, go to bed with you – but not for a few weeks or a month. I want to talk about Christmas, and showing you Elgin, and maybe a spring holiday on the Mediterranean. I don’t want to see you with the expectation that it won’t last.”

Payne does an amazing job creating the world of Whitman University and the characters that go there. While this one is a bit lighter in drama than the first, it’s still a perfect read and I really loved the twist and finally finding out more about Cole. This is a book 2 in a series, but if you haven’t read Broken At Love, it’s not necessary (even though I recommend that one too). These can be read as stand-alones if you want, they are more companion books than series books. Both Quinn & Emilie from Broken at Love are in this one a bit, and it’s nice to see where they are in their lives as well.

Lyla Payne is one of the reasons I still go back to the New Adult genre. She is an excellent writer and the stories she crafts, while on the surface they may sound like so many others, they are written with a fresh voice and I can’t wait for even more from her!

Thank you to the author for an advance copy for an honest review!

This review can be found on my blog, Fic Fare:

[Christina (A Reader of Fictions) · Rating 3 out of 5]

When I was in middle school and high school, I was all about romance novels and chick lit. I couldn't get enough of largely idealized love stories. As I got a bit older and realized the universe wasn't soon going to deposit a hot foreign guy on my doorstep, one miraculously only attracted to me and wealthier than Midas, I got a bit disillusioned. Only in the last couple years have I started to enjoy romance novels again, though it's hard to say whether that's because of increased cynicism or optimism on my part. There's something sort of comforting in a familiar, predictable plot arc sometimes, knowing that HEA is coming and that there will be hot sexy times.

Second in the Whitman University series, By Referral Only is technically a companion novel, following the roommate of the heroine of Broken at Love. Ruby Cotton and I got off to a bit of a rough start. She's not as easily likable as Emilie, more judgmental and intentionally crass. Also, she's a virgin-shamer, which isn't a good way to endear a character to me. Still, she did grow on me a bit as time went by and she realized how bad her emotional hang ups were. Also, the fact that she's an actress and loves Shakespeare and musicals, as well as being a great teacher for a class of children was good too.

What's awesome about By Referral Only is that the traditional gender roles are pretty much swapped. Ruby Cotton loves sex and hates commitment. She intentionally seeks out hot guys that she's not attracted to any way but physically for extended flings, because one night stands aren't good enough to be worth the trouble. Ruby's sexually adventurous and emotionally closed off, due to painful relationships in her past. Now, when I say painful, I mean real life painful, not tragically abusive or anything like that, because this isn't one of those stories. She's just had her heartbroken and doesn't want to go there again.

Sick of subpar hookups, Ruby decides to launch a website so that the women of Whitman University can objectify the men on campus right back. The ladies of Whitman can rate the men both in terms of how good the sex was and whether they would recommend him overall. That whole premise is pretty hilarious to me, ngl. Anyway, Ruby immediately catches the eye of a hot boy in class, only to realize he's gotten the lowest ratings of any guy on campus on her site. Whoops.

Of course, Cole, the guy, turns out to be too tempting to resist, despite the lack of referral from her peers. Plus, the whole mystery of why he's such a good kisser, but apparently bad in the sack, engages her curiosity. Oh, did I mention Cole is Scottish? Seriously. Where are all the hot European men in my life? I feel cheated. Cole turns out to be a really nice, rather nerdy guy, who shares Ruby's love of musical theatre. He's also totally the more innocent one in the relationship and very focused on commitment. They definitely made a more believable and shippable couple than Quinn and Emilie, with romantic issues that are way more true to life.

The other awesome aspect of By Referral Only is the focus on healthy female friendships, often absent from romance novels. Emilie and Ruby get along really well, even if they are both busy with boys a lot of the time. Still, when Ruby needs advice, Emilie comes through for her, not just telling her what she wants to hear but what she needs to hear. Plus, it's not one of those situations where they secretly hate or envy one another. Ruby's a bit jealous of Emilie's loving relationship, but in the "I wish I had a love like that" way and not in the misery wants company way. Ruby also has a burgeoning friendship with Cole's sister Audra.

The focus on how well off everyone at Whitman is did get old, though. Seriously, you all bathe in twenty dollar bills, I get it. Ruby liked to mope about because she comes from new money and a lot of the other Whitman students don't respect her. Poor little rich girl, let me wipe away your tears with a big stack of money.

If you enjoyed Broken at Love, By Referral Only will not disappoint. If you're just checking in now, reading By Referral Only probably won't spoil anything, since it's not like it's a spoiler that the couple from Broken at Love ends up together. The Whitman University series is fun, quick and totally entertaining.

[Dane · Rating 2 out of 5]

**spoiler alert** Reviewed for Romancing Rakes for the Love of Romance:

Ruby Cotton is a girl who has decided that she isn't looking for a serious relationship. Being burned before means that she's determined to seek out fun and easy flings. The implication, I suppose, being that relationships are neither easy (true) nor fun (not true). To this end, she's avoided all of the guys that go to her hoity-toity university full of rich pretty kids that have never had to work for anything in their lives--and who apparently look down their noses are her, since her family is "new money"--and instead decided that her acting partner is the best choice to fit her "fun and easy" needs.

More power to the girl! Personally it's nice to see a heroine at this age that is firmly taking control of her sexuality.

Or it would be, except her reasoning behind her decision is kind of difficult to get behind.
Ruby hates it when people make assumptions about her (especially when those assumptions are linked to her family's new-money status), and yet she freely makes assumptions about everyone left and right. Her freshman-year boyfriend dumped her because his parents didn't approve of her--she presumes. From that experience, she has decided that every guy at her university will behave in the same manner. It's a perfect representation of once burned, twice shy.

Since she's decided her soul mate can't exist on school grounds, she seeks out a fun, sex-only relationship with her acting costar. And here's where my belief in her logic takes a bit of a nosedive. Because if she only wants fun sex times, you'd think she wouldn't hang around with a guy who is so…bad at it.

Patience of a saint, this girl.

Meanwhile, Ruby has decided that the guys of her university are far too complacent with their romancing skills, and so she sets up an anonymous website where girls can submit ratings and indicate if they'd refer an ex to another girl. And this is where the hero of the story comes in.
Cole Stuart is honest-to-goodness Scottish royalty, and he pursues Ruby with a determination that is sweet and, I'll be honest, oftentimes baffling. Ruby is consistently prickly and defensive around him…not to mention has a tendency to jump to weird conclusions. At one point she accuses Cole of only coming after her because he wants her to remove his bad ratings from the site...because he'd somehow figured out that she was the one running it. It's a giant leap that pulled me right out of the story.

There were quite a few instances where I stopped reading and had to rant to my cat about the way that Ruby was acting, or the bullshit she was willing to take. She didn't feel consistent, and in the end it meant that I never really connected with her, because I couldn't be sure how she'd react. I felt a stronger connection to Cole, though he was written very much like a too-good-to-be-true hero. Even his great flaw, the reason that he got so many bad reviews, is something that leaves you feeling sympathetic.

In the end, I felt like Ruby was a study in contradictions, and her growth from who she was at the start versus who she became at the end felt uneven. In several spots I asked myself why Cole was even interested in Ruby, considering some of the things she did or said. Her issues with dating rich guys, the manner in which she overcame her hesitation, the resolution of her issues with Cole, all felt very much as if I was being told, rather than shown. My experience with the book suffered for it, and in the end, while I loved the premise, I couldn't love the book itself.

[Tiffani · Rating 3 out of 5]

Read more on Tiffani's Reviews

First read: 25th December 2013

Aside from the fact that Ruby was very pushy and judgy in the sex departement, she was also very shallow and childish. Apparently, because she comes from 'new money', unlike any of her fellow students, everyone expects her to be white trash. So, by her reasoning, instead of trying to prove them wrong and actually be yourslef in the process, why not prove them right? So there she is, snapping at and acting bitchy to anyone and everyone. Well, that sure won't make people think any better of you. Even when she goes to apologise to Cole for being an impatient, inconsiderate bitch, she just pushes past him into his house, feeling nosy and entitled, just to embarass herself in front of his entire family. Well, I'm guessing karma really is a bitch?
On top of that, she constantly pitied herself and was just really mean to Cole, who is actually one of the sweetest bookboyfriends I've ever read.

And that was this book's only redeeming quality; Cole. Thank God for him or this book would've been an entire waste of time.



* I only want to add one thing and that is that slut shaming and such goes both ways.
For example, in By Referral Only we meet Ruby who comes up with the 'ingenius' idea to create a website where you can rate your male fellow students' sexual prowess.
How is there this little reaction to that?
If it were a guy making a website like that, people would be all over it, complaining about how men have this certain standard and expectations of women. But since here it's girls doing it, they can go ahead and, when found out, Ruby doesn't even get any real punishment from the university/dean himself.

Same goes for Cole. So the poor guy didn't want to have sex with his semi-girlfriends after only a few dates. So what? That is his goddamn business. I can't believe no one's frustrated at how angry his dates were at him, they actually whined and cried and pushed him. Good for him, he didn't give in, because if he did, how would that be any different from girls being coerced by a 'pushy, rape-y asshole who should be in jail'. Because that is what girls would be calling him if it were one of them.

This alone made me give one less star and I am disappointed and surprised not (m)any other people feel this way, much less commented on it.

[Denise Grover Swank · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you loved Broken at Love, you're going to LOVE By Referral Only. Full review to come.

[Lisa N · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was an ok book. The heroine got annoying after a while of the woe is me stuff. The hero however was hot as hell!! I want one just like him...

[Karla Mae (Reads and Thoughts) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wouldn't it be interesting if there is a way where you could rate the guys at your school? In that way, you would know whom to go out to or not, right-oh?!

Ruby Cotton, solved the problem of Whitman University's girl population
by making the Whitman Referral Site .

What would Ruby do when the lowest ranked guy on her site became the guy that she's most attracted to? Will the attraction and understanding between each other be enough or will the secrets keep them apart?

----

By Referral Only is the companion novel to the Whitman University series following up the story of Emilie and Quinn was Ruby Cotton's story.

Now, Ruby Cotton is a one tough pill to swallow. She's the feisty roommate of Emile and I never thought that she would be this hard and strong of a character. She's a theater geek who loves to party and have sex on the side and she definitely hates commitments because 'she's been there, done that and even got the t-shirt burned', making her definitely close off to any emotional encounters.Upon hearing awful stories with guys, she decides to build up a portal ranking guys on their university and honestly, the idea of The Whitman Referral site is pure dead brilliant - well negative and repercussions aside.

Enter, Cole fucking Stewart - the Scottish, rich, handsome swimmer bloke who is also hiding a secret super stardom when it comes to acting. He's almost perfect so why does he rank as one of the lowest? Could it be true that he's just a good-make-out partner but not so good in bed? Hmmm.

I love the reverse Identity kind of thing on this story wherein the girl - Ruby is the aggressive one and Cole is the innocent side. I'm kinda hook with fictional guys with attitudes like Cole - the underdog, mysterious type. ;)

One aspect I really didn't like is the fact that Ruby continuously mope about the fact that her family has new money and she comes from new money. I just get too annoyed and as she continuously repeat that mantra again and again, it honestly starts to get old.

I love seeing Quinn and Emilie make a cameo here and By Referral only is a great addition to the Whitman Series! By Referral Only is a quick, witty and entertaining read.

*Copy kindly provided for review*
*Blog Tour deets posted at Reads and Thoughts.

[Cari Sury (Girl+Book Love Blog) · Rating 5 out of 5]

**See more of my reviews at www.girlbooklove.com!

Young. Fun. Fresh! What a great book! I loved it!

By Referral Only is book 2 in the Whitman University series. Book 1, Broken at Love, was also really good so even though you can read them separately, I recommend reading both! I really enjoy series where the characters from book 1 are also in book 2! I loved Quinn and Emilie, so it was nice seeing them again!

After being dumped by her boyfriend freshman year, because of her “new money” status, Ruby Cotton has decided not to get into a serious relationship. She wants easy, fun and temporary! Unfortunately, the boys of Whitman aren’t up to snuff! She gets the brilliant idea to start a referral website where the girls of Whitman can rank their sexual experiences, giving other girls a head’s up if a guy can’t satisfy! The only problem with Ruby’s plan not to get serious- Cole Stuart. His money is older than dirt and Ruby knows she isn’t the type of girl he’d want to take home- to his castle.

Cole Stuart has the lowest ranking on the referral website, a secret and a huge crush on Ruby. They have dynamite chemistry, but getting past Ruby’s defenses will take some work. Good thing he is an all-around SWEET guy! And he has a Scottish accent, and he’s got a rocking swimmers body, and he tells her she’s beautiful…all those things help!

“I helped you when your car wouldn’t start because again, you were the most beautiful lass in distress I’ve ever seen, and maybe it’s in my blood to play the white knight, but I didn’t like seeing you suffering.”

So what’s with Cole having the lowest rating on the referral site?! Ruby and I both wanted to know!!!

This story is so good. I can’t give away all the goodness…because you have to read it! When I was finished, the first thought that crossed my mind as I sat there feeling content was “that was exactly what I want out of a NA book!” and even now, the next day, my opinion stands!! Lyla Payne for the win!

My Cole and Ruby- (have you ever tried finding a pic of a hot guy in a kilt?! It’s tough!)

[Elisabeth Cole · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was so excited to read this after the first "Whitman University" but was a little disappointed with the story. Ruby's family came into money right before she entered middle school and she's never felt like she's as good as those who were born into wealth. She attends a private university with students who are "old money" and believes they all think she's white trash. She meets Cole, who is some sort of Scottish royal (it's never explained) and even though he pursues her she doesn't believe it would work because of the differences in their backgrounds.
Seriously, what decade was this book supposed to be set it? Do people today really believe in "old money" and "new money"? It got tiresome really fast to read about poor Ruby, how everyone must look down on her, how she tries to hide her Southern accent so she doesn't sound like she's from New Orleans (?!), etc. I loved Cole's character and that is probably the only thing that got me through Sad Sack Ruby's constant mental put-downs.
Even though this book wasn't what I was hoping for I will still read the next one by Lyla Payne, since Whitman University #1 was so good!

[Lea (Between fantasy and reality) · Rating 3 out of 5]

Check out my blog http://booklalaland.blogspot.com/

This was a nice summer book. Sometimes funny, sometimes frustrating and sometimes sad but in the end, full of love. Ruby is a tough girl and I liked her from the start. Her website was a funny idea but I saw how it could have backfired and it did. Cole is a perfect guy, hot and Scottish *swoon* but Ruby had problems in her past and wont trust him. They are two people who care for each other but past insecurities were an obstacle in their path. I liked the ending and I liked Rubys friends and Quinn. You dont have to read the first book to understand this one, but after meeting Quinn in By referral only I will definetly pick it up.

[Autumn Review · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was so excited to read Ruby's book. She was my favorite character in the first book. She's a bit girlier than I am, but I adore her sense of humor. Plus, there's a deeper side to Ruby that I felt connected to as well. Then, there's yummy Cole! I have a weakness for a handsome Scot. Cole was absolutely perfect for Ruby. I loved the book and definitely recommend the series!

Quotes:
~"Cole Stuart." The accent. My drawers turned into water droplets and then disappeared, just like Ginny said.-pg 24

~I loved the perfect way he had of phrasing things. The slight attention to detail made me believe it was me in the lingerie that excited him, not simply pretty cloth.-pg 151

[Laci · Rating 4 out of 5]

LOVVVVVVVED IT!!!!!!!

I'm always worried when I start reading a 2nd book in a series, they tend to by lacking and rushed, but have to FEAR ladies and gents that is not the case here. As a matter of fact, I would say this might be even better then the first book, I said might. This book is Ruby's story and I could not put it down. I was captivated all the way through. I think Lyla Payne has an knack for writing sexy sweet N/A and I'm a super fan that will continue to read anything she puts out. Bravo!!!

[Annie · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a charming novel.

I admit, I wasn't sure when I downloaded this. It was a gap as I knew I didn't have much time this week. However, I found myself rather pleasantly surprised. Yes you can guess what's going to happen at every turn but I still really enjoyed the journey. A very sweet and enjoyable contemporary romance.

[Alessandra Thomas · Rating 5 out of 5]

Heart-twisty and as steamy-hot as the New Orleans Ruby hails from. I loved this one and you will too! Full review to come.

[Rosalie · Rating 1 out of 5]

lol for once, it's the h that didn't deserve the H.

[lizp · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was just ok for me. I liked Broken at Love ( the first in the series) a lot better. I just couldn't really connect with Ruby, the heroine. She kinda got on my nerves with her "woe is me, I'm new rich not old rich" yada yada yada. A prologue would have been a major help in connecting with what the main heroine feels and connecting with her on her "new money" insecurities.

Plot:
I'll try to summarize because there were a lot of little side ventures to this story. Read it and decide if you like them or not, but I'll try my best to make sense of them.

Plotline #1- We meet Ruby and get to know her "issues"
Ruby Cotton is a junior at Whitman University- a private, expensive college in Florida. Her best friend Emilie (BaL Whitman U #1) has finally met her match in her boyfriend Quinn. They are super lovey dovey, and they have a relationship that Ruby envies. She wants to be in love like E & Q- only problem is (at least in her mind) is that while her family has the money, they don't have the lineage for the boys of WU. [all of this stems from her boyfriend freshman year named Michael, who she apparently had strong feelings for, but after taking her home for Thanksgiving to meet his folks, she gets the whole "It's not you it's me speech" and he sends her packing. She hasn't quite recovered from this] In her eyes, she think the boys see her as someone to have fun with, but not to marry. She is "new money," and with that comes a certain stigma in her eyes. She feels that if she will never be good enough for one of them to marry, then why not just play into her role as "trashy new money," girl and just sleep with a bunch of guys without forming serious attachments.

Plotline #2- The ratings website
Coming home one night, Ruby helps a sorority sister get into the house they share. Sorority sister looks rough, and Ruby asked her how her night went. Sorority girl tells her she had a disastrous date with none other than Cole Stuart, the super HOT Scottish royalty who also happened to be this swimming star jock at Whitman. Talking with some of her other sisters, she decides to anonymously start a ratings website to rate how well the men at Whitman are in the sack. She hires a computer geek to help run it and keep it a secret. As people start to join, Cole Stuart is getting low ratings after low ratings.

Plotline #3- Meet the Hero
Well, what do you know, as the new semester starts, guess who happens to be in Ruby's speech class? That's right none other than Cole Fucking Stuart. And not only that, but he eyes Ruby and then has the balls to approach her and ask her out. Ruby declines, because no matter how cute he is, she doesn't think anyone at Whitman is her future husband so the only thing the guys are good for are for the sac, and according to his rating Cole is not at option.

Plotline #4- Meet the F**k Buddy
Enter in Liam. Ruby is an aspiring actress and loves to do community theater. She meets Liam, who she has had a crush on for months, and suddenly one day he makes his move. [There is never an explanation why all of a sudden he has the hots for Ruby- he just suddenly starts to kiss her]. Anywho, Ruby is excited about the prospect of having a very casual relationship with Liam, and she she embarks on being his friend with benefits. The sex is not good, but Ruby begins to marginalize that because she has spent all these months of crushing on him, and she is tired of being lonely.

Plotline #5- who to choose?
Cole is still in pursuit. He asks he out again, even knowing that she is seeing someone- letting her know that she has other options. Cole begins to intrigue Ruby, by doing the sweetest things (jumping her car, making sure she gets home, buying her thistles, etc). However, Ruby is STUCK on this idea that she isn't good enough for the guys at Whitman- they only want to roll around the sheets with her, and she doesn't want the heartache of becoming attached only to find out she isn't good enough for his family.

Plotline #6- Something's fishy...
Ruby is extremely attracted to Cole, and Liam is showing his true colors. Cole and Ruby have to work together on a mixer for her sorority and his fraternity. Ruby becomes more intrigued by him, but she can tell he is hiding something. There are these rumors that he wines and dines girls, makes out with them, and when things get a little more serious he drops them.... While at the mixer, Ruby tells Cole she broke it off with Liam and hasn't seen him in 2 weeks. Cole makes his move and starts to make out and get hot and heavy
and then he stops all of a sudden. This confuses Ruby. When she finds out Cole knows she is behind the website, she thinks he is just trying to sweet talk her to get her to take it down. He tells her that's not his reason for coming on to her. She doesn't know what to believe.

Plotline #7- Where all the plotlines begin to blur...
Ruby and Cole go on a date, and when things get hot and heavy again, Cole stops. Ruby questions him extensively why he is stopping. He doesn't answer her. She gets pissed and leaves him. After some back and forth and an embarrassing situation with his parents, Cole and Ruby decide to try and start a relationship. Things are great for a couple of months. Ruby is happy and her and cole finally spend some time between the sheets. However, Cole still hasn't told her why sex was hard for him. She knows something is being hidden from her, but she is willing to wait until he is ready to tell her...

Well, a chance morning coffee shared with Cole brother (and roommate), lets Ruby onto Cole's secret. Ruby flips out when she finds out and leaves Cole without really giving him an opportunity to explain. The secret had something to do with his past and his reason for not having had sex for 4 years until Ruby. It was something that didn't really effect Ruby at all, but she acted like it was the end of the world. Her response was ridiculous in my opinion.

Ruby is miserable without Cole, and vice versa. After several months, some plays, and charity work, Ruby decides she must get Cole back and she apologizes to him in song while teaching some kids about musicals. They reunite and he takes her to Scotland to officially meet his family.... happy ending.

Confusing?? Yea- I didn't know where the book was going with all of these threads either. It made sense in the end, I guess.

Things I didn't like:
- Ruby: She got on my nerves a wee bit. I don't really get her character- there wasn't much depth to her except that she was apparently this great actress, she was raised in poor Louisiana until her parents hit it rich with software and workout videos- so she comes from "New Money." I don't understand what made Cole so enthralled with her.

- I'm not too sure about the whole stigma of "new money" vs. "old money". I could really care less, and it wasn't something that endeared me to Ruby- really who the hell cares anymore how old your money is. Those that do are such a small, select few who are pretentious assholes who know one really cares about anyways. Not sure this was a worthy enough of a reason for Ruby's insecurity problems. It pissed me off more than anything.

- Prologue would have been helpful I think: I think I struggled so much with this book because of Ruby. I didn't get her. One minute she wants a forever kinda love, but then she refuses to even try for it all because of some stupid experience and insecurities she had with her first BF at Whitman. I think if there was a prologue with the scene of the breakup with her and Michael and Ruby kinda talks us through her emotions- the high from being in love with this great guy and by all accounts a very attentive boyfriend to being blindsided with the "It's not you its me speech" I would have been able to connect to her more. I would have liked to see a glimpse of the optimistic Ruby before getting blasted with the jaded Ruby.

Things I Liked:
- Cole was very endearing. His heart was in the right place and he did the sweetest things.

[Lauren - SERIESous Books]

**DNF'd at 18% (start of Chapter 5)**

Ruby was just a little much for me as a narrator. Some of her thoughts are a little rude; she isn't the most mature person and she has an overall negative energy about her. But perhaps her worst aspect is that she's SUPER hypocritical: she judges people while not wanting to be judged (example: premise of the referral service); and for being upset that guys only want sex when that's all she wants too. It hurt me a little to be stuck inside her brain because her logic isn't always the most sound...

I'm all for embracing female sexuality and I love that Ruby isn't afraid to get what she wants in that respect. The premise of the referral service is what kept this book on my TBR for years. It's an interesting one and I love the double-standard aspect of it. That wouldn't fly at all if it was girls that were the subject of critic. But not much is done with that (and from what I gather from other readers, it really doesn't later on in the book) and I think that's a shame because it would be a great conversation (especially with the #metoo movement).

[Dianne · Rating 5 out of 5]

*Also posted at Oops! I Read A Book Again*

I won a signed ARC of By Referral Only from Lyla Payne's Twitter giveaway early in June and I can't thank the reading gods enough for that luck they bestowed on me. I kinda regret not reading it as soon as possible, waiting for release date to come closer before I got into it. If I read it earlier, I could have experienced the amazebomb that is this book earlier. So thank you to Lyla and thank you to Kelly too for organizing this release day launch! Let's get to that review that will convince you all to go pick this up!

One night at the Delta Epsilon sorority house, theater major Ruby Cotton and her sisters shared disappointing and embarrassing stories of guys they dated on bed. An idea formed in Ruby's mind and with the help of sexy computer geek Noah, they made a rating and referrals website for the girls of Whitman University. They can rate their dating and sexual experience from one to five stars and refer guys with a yes or a no. This way, girls can know the general consensus on a guy's sexual prowess before agreeing to spend the night with him. Ruby's website is a hit but there's something she's very curious on. How can Mr. Star Swimmer Scottish Hottie Cole Stuart, an actual Scottish royalty and just the most charming, caring, gentlemanly, handsome and hot guy in Whitman, get one-stars and no referrals? The girls of Whitman have spoken and how sweet and caring Cole might be, how he's got her panties up in twists, she should not hook up with him as she'll just end up disappointed. But Ruby can't deny their sizzling chemistry and falls for him anyway. It's too good to be true until the secret and reason to his low ratings is revealed. Now, what should Ruby do?

Only the rich can afford going to Whitman University and it certainly boasts of its academic program. But even with the richest of the rich, there's still an outcast. Ruby Cotton comes from "new money", when her father's anti-spam program got bought by Microsoft and her mother's instructional workout videos got famous. Because of this, people expect Ruby to act like a crass lady, with no class and manners. She's not like that though she does curse, but she feels like it's easier to act like how people expect her to be. It's one of her defenses, to prevent guys from actually falling for her and preventing herself from falling in love with them too and thus, preventing her heart from being broken again.

I love Ruby. I get where she's coming from and even though I want to shake some sense into her at times that not all guys are like what she thinks, I can't fault her for it. She got her heart broken freshman year and it's easier to put up walls than to let live and love. I admire her passion for theater and how great of an actress she is. She's professional, she puts herself in her craft and she ends up enjoying teaching kids about Shakespeare and gains a friend in ten year-old Caroline. I love kids so you can say it's insta-love and insta-connect for me whenever characters love kids as well or form friendships with these cute little wonders. As for Cole, Lyla Payne has pretty much wrote the perfect guy. He actually gets shy around Ruby and he's a fan of her and had a crush on her from watching her star in a play every single night. He's sweet, caring, a gentleman, responsible, helpful, , that's Cole.

Moreover, the other characters had depth and their own back stories. Confession: I haven't read the first book in the Whitman University series, Broken at Love. But that did not lessen my enjoyment of this book. Sure, I think I'll know more of the context of every relationship in here but you can read this and appreciate all of the characters. By Referral Only actually made me want to read Broken at Love so I'll know more about the side characters.

Though both Cole and Ruby had their own hang-ups, I love that theirs wasn't the common stuff I usually read in NA recently. Both have wonderful families as well and sigh, A BREATH OF FRESH AIR. Aren't you tired of characters behaving the way they were because of their families? I love that trope as well but in here, Ruby and Cole only have to get over their own walls, their own defense mechanisms. They're acting a specific way because they chose to. Heck, this whole novel is a breath of fresh air. The premise of this novel is so unique and fresh and I just read this novel in one sitting. By Referral Only had me by the first chapter. In my mind, I was planning to tell you all what I love about this novel in this review. But the thing is, I loved everything. Ruby, Cole, their steaming hot, off-the-charts chemistry, their back stories, their hang-ups, their families, everything. The plot, how funny this book actually is, Ruby's voice, Caroline and all the other kids, everything. The conflict was not inconsequential, the secret juicy and not what I expected, the pace engaging, the romance hot and everyone acting and speaking organic to their characters. It just added up to one super enjoyable read. This is why I read contemporary romances! This is purely guilty pleasure reading and I don't mean that in a negative way. This is the book you read when you're having a reading slump and you want to regain your faith in contemporary NA romances.

I seriously got a hangover from all the great quotes, all the great advice and realizations and epiphanies, the great characters and all the greatness after reading this. A grin threatened to split my face apart while and after reading By Referral Only. It gave me a palpable buzz. Like what Cole is to Ruby and Ruby is to Cole, this book is a unicorn among the recent very dramatic and heavy NA landscape. As Cole Stuart would say, By Referral Only is "pure dead brilliant"! You HAVE to read this!

[Ellerie · Rating 1 out of 5]

The heroine is just horrible. I stopped reading because regardless of how much i try to understand the heroine i just couldn't stand her. I mean I've read books where the heroines were described as a bitch or someone with reputation, and I've always liked how they are often misunderstood by everyone. How you'd eventually connect to them and they proved to be really good characters. but Ruby? She's just the worst. I could never connect with her way of thinking and her actions especially towards Cole. Seriously!! Cole is too good for her! He deserved better! Fudge it!!! Now I have to read some new (hopefully waaay better) books to purge this frustrating story from my mind and forget it altogether!

[Dawn Myers · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked Ruby in Broken at Love, but she got on my nerves in this one. Her self-loathing and whining got on my nerves. It was just about mentioned on every page. By Referral Only was very redundant. She has no respect for herself or Cole, this made me sad. One thing I like about Ruby is how loyal she is for Emilie. Cole is a good guy, but it took way to long to get to Cole's secrets. I read in Whitman University Boxed Set, also by the name Game, Set, Match.

[Linn Högberg · Rating 3 out of 5]

Den var bra. Den var spännande eftersom man ville få reda på vad Cole's hemlighet var. Men jag tycker Broken at Love var mycket bättre eftersom jag gillade Emilie mer än Ruby. Jag blev också besviken på att denna inte var från bådas perspektiv precis som första boken var.

[Freya**Secret SIn** · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars.
The conflicts seem to me very weak. I don't know, maybe because I'm not an American and I believe in work for money and not inherit it.