Keeping the Score

by Brandy Pelletier

After sharing one steamy, memorable night a decade ago, yoga instructor Mel Marshall and football coach Cordell Watkins have become experts at avoiding each other in the tight-knit small town they call home. But fate has other plans. Their best friends fall in love, and the frenemies are thrown into one another’s orbit. When their constant bickering strains their relationships with their friends, the pair reluctantly agree to find common ground. As Mel and Cordell spend time together, the line between animosity and attraction blurs. But their competitive spirits get the best of them, so the two up the stakes with a matchmaking competition to mask their deep connection. Caught between their undeniable chemistry and past misunderstandings, their strategic game to outmatch each other soon ignites the spark they’ve been fighting for years. Keeping the Score is a heartfelt, small-town romance full of humor, delicious tension, swoony moments, and memorable characters.

Genres: Enemies To Lovers, Sports, Romance

368 pages, Kindle Edition

Published March 14, 2024

About the author

Brandy Pelletier spends her days as a reading specialist and her nights and weekends reading anything she can get her hands on. She’s wanted to become a published author ever since second grade, when her original story “How the Giraffe Got Its Long Neck” was published in her school district’s annual writing anthology.

When she’s not blasting Taylor Swift or attempting to tackle her ridiculously long TBR, she can be found collecting book boyfriends and dreaming of living in a witch cottage with her miniature schnauzer, Pippa.

Follow Brandy on Instagram @thebrandyland.

Reviews

[June · Rating 5 out of 5]

First of all, this book has given me support as I was at my lowest this week. Mel and Dell made me forget about the reality and provided comfort. Thank You Brandy!🫶🏽

Just finished this book and ran to write the review. I received an E-ARC of this book(Thank You, Brandy!) and here is my honest review🔽

🏈I AM IN LOVE WITH CORDELL😤
🩷I AM IN LOVE WITH MEL😤
🏈This book perfectly shows what frenemies-to-lovers is!
🩷Thank God I wasn't disappointed with Mel as she truly IS feisty! (I hate when characters are not what the authors claim them to be)
🏈CORDELL IS A SWIFTIE 😍
🩷I laughed so much at the funny scenes and got emotional at the heartwarming scenes
🏈Loved Shipley family's appearances in this book and Luke is a sweetheart but sorry, Cordell is my new crush now!
🩷The potato salad scene in the beginning was so funny!
🏈I loved how creative Brandy is because I loved the "your face makes me want to......" texts
🩷The Banter is 🤌🏽🤌🏽
🏈I lost it when Cordell started baby talking😆
🩷Destiny was a fun character, idk I didn't find her annoying
🏈Nick the D!ck gave me an Ick (man child with a man-bun🤣)
🩷I loved how Cordell is so open minded, chilled and expresses his emotions openly which breaks the masculine stereotypes like man cannot cry and drink girly drinks and wear this or that color and blah blah blah......
🏈My fav quotes - "This place. It’s always felt like home to me. But I never knew home could be a person, too. Not until you." "I love you, Melanie Jane Marshall." "And your face is my favorite face."
🩷🏈NOW, question for the author, WHEN ARE WE GETTING GRIFFIN'S STORY??🤩 AND WHO IS "B"???👀👀👀

5/5 ⭐
2.5-3/5 🌶️

Conclusion - Add this book to your TBR and read it ASAP because Cordell sure is memorable😉😉

[Brigettha · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was amazing !! 🤩

The enemies to lovers had me in a chokehold, it was written so well. It completely pulled me out of reality and into the story.

Mel and dell are the cutest, I can’t get over it !!

Also the ending had me like 🥹🫶🏼

Can’t wait to read more from this author, I have a book hangover coming on

[Marian. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Stop everything because if I liked the first book in this series, I liked this one even more.

Mel and Cordell seemed BEAUTIFUL to me. Since the previous book, they didn't get along; they merely tolerated each other because they had mutual friends. I was intrigued to see how their story would unfold. And let me tell you, I love the way this author writes, and GOD, THE STORY WAS PERFECT FOR ME.

It's a story that gave me good laughs. Mel is a yoga instructor who doesn't believe in love after experiencing heartbreak when she was young. Cordell, on the other hand, is the coach of the high school American football team in town. These two are constantly at odds, and one thing led to another (while they were arguing). Their friends were getting a little tired of it, so they decided to find something they had in common and spent time together. Now, what intrigued me here was the idea of finding the 'perfect match' between them. The whole concept of going on dates with other people and then coming back together to see if they clicked was something I hadn't read before, and I liked it. But in each of those meetings, you could see them getting closer, lowering their defenses, and the undeniable chemistry they had and I was surprised to find out these two had a history together (I had no idea, and I liked that it surprised me).

I really liked these two. Their story was beautiful to read, light-hearted with some glimpses into the past that I adored. And now I'm intrigued by a character I hope will have their own book.

📌 I received an e-arc, and this is my honest opinion/review of it.

---

Paren todo porque si el primer libro de esta serie me gusto, este lo fue aún más.

Mel y Cordell me parecieron HERMOSOS, desde el libro anterior ellos no se caían bien, se toleraban por tener amigos en común y yo estaba intrigada para ver cómo sería su historia y si algo me gusta es la manera de escribir de esta autora y DIOS LA HISTORIA FUE PERFECTA PARA MI.

Una historia que me dio unas buenas risas, Mel es una instructora de Yoga que NO cree en el amor luego de tener un desamor cuando era joven y Cordell es el entrenador del equipo de fútbol americano del instituto del pueblo, estos dos viven peleando y una cosa llevó a la otra (mientras peleaban) y sus amigos ya estaban un poquito hartos, ellos deciden buscar algo que tengan en común y pasan tiempo juntos, ahora aquí me pareció interesante la idea de buscar "la pareja perfecta" entre ellos, lo de las citas con otras personas y luego reunirse y ver si acertaron fue algo que no había leído antes y me gusto, pero también vez en cada una de esas reuniones como se iban acercando, bajando las defensas entre ellos y la química innegable que tenían porque vamos, algo que me sorprendió es que estos dos ya hubieran tenido alguna historia (no tenía idea y me gusto que me sorprendiera).

Estos dos protagonistas me gustaron, su historia fue hermosa de leer, ligera con algunos saltos al pasado que me encantaron y digamos que me quedé intrigada por un personaje que espero tenga su propio libro.

[Emily · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brandy does it again!

I first fell in love with Tessa and Luke by literal accident. THEN Brandy announced Cordell and Mel were getting a book and I've been practically vibrating with excitement ever since.

Much like my beta friend this book starts off with a bang. Oh boy does it ever. It made me blush a little but like in the good way.

Watching Mel and Cordell's situationship(because lets be real these two have crushes and can't figure out how to say they have crushes) blossom into a friendship into a relationship is just everything. Brandy has that special way of writing a relationship that just ugh its perfect and believable.

I love the banter. The food fight. The fact that Mel is as absolutely feisty as she was in the first book. Their chemistry. Mel and Cordell are just a actual match made in heaven honestly.

I love learning their back stories. I will say tiny one thing I wish I had more of was Cordell's backstory. His time in the NFL. But that's literally me nitpicking.

I love reading about the Shipleys and their little addition to the family. I could literally live in the stories of Bennett, Ga. Brandy has a way of seriously making these characters feel like real people and with just two books she's become one of my instant buy authors.

Brandy, thank you so much for allowing me to be one of the ARC readers for this book. This journey has been everything I had hoped for and more. I hope in the future, I'll be able to commit the time for the next Beta or ARC reader request you send out. Because I honestly cannot wait to read more of your stuff. 💕

[Heather sinagra · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reading this book is like spending time and hanging out with your best friends! The characters are so real and immediately draw you in. After reading Between the Lines, I was hoping we would get a story on Mel and Cordell, and did we! This small town, enemies to lovers romance draws you in and makes you feel like you are living in the town of Bennett. It makes you want to take classes with Mel at her yoga study and hang out watching Cordell coach the Eagles to a victory. I also loved getting a continuation of the characters, Tessa, Luke, and Hannah from Between the Lines. If you like spicy, small town, enemies to lovers, this book is a must read! Thank you so much Brandy Pelletier for the opportunity to read Keeping the Score as an ARC. I look forward to all your future books.

[Ash (so there’s this book) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Genre: Adult Contemporary Romance
3/5🌶️
(4.5⭐️ rounded up)

Tropes and themes: frenemies to lovers, banter, MCs in their 30s, small town romance, forced proximity, matchmaking competition (that fails), football coach x yoga instructor, unique second chance romance situation, and more.

Spoiler-free summary:
Mel and Cordell have a reputation of fighting like cats and dogs, but their best friends decide enough is enough and that Mel & Cordell need to get their acts together in time for the birth of their baby. Mel and Cordell call a truce, which quickly devolves into a matchmaking completion, where each tries to set the other up with a perfect partner. But the truth is, the barbs and fighting have been covering the wound of a past mistake that Mel has yet to forgive, even if Cordell wishes with everything she would.

Thoughts:
I am so happy to have gotten to go back to Bennett, GA and visit with some of my favorite small town characters!

Mel and Cordell’s story is so much fun! I adored their banter and fighting, and the on page chemistry and tension was delicious. My favorite part was how the author layered the past and present to tell the story of their relationship. Having the backstory woven in this way made everything feel so organic and genuine.

Cordell is one adorably dirty talking football coach! And I love how he respectfully, yet firmly, pushed Mel toward their truth. And Mel is such a firecracker and I thought her character development was great! They are such a great match!

Keeping the Score is an adorable, fun, frenemies to lovers read for folks who love spicy small town romances with humor and heart!

[Kat · Rating 5 out of 5]

Keeping the Score is the second book in a series of stand-alones by Brandy Pelletier. It had me hot and bothered from the very first chapter 🥵. Thank You Brandy for sharing an e-arc for my honest review!

The story is set in a small town in GA. I loved seeing reference to locations and places I’m familiar with. It really connected me to the book even before falling in love with the characters. Mel and Cordell’s story is a true frenemies-to-lovers adventure. Mel is feisty, but sweet. Cordell is genuine and caring, but can give the sass right back. There’s an epic food fight scene where the tension between them is INSANE! Cordell is so good at expressing his emotions too which is refreshing to see from the male perspective. The banter between the two of them is top-notch and never fades throughout the story. I also adored Mel’s family and Cordell’s bestie Griffin from his time in the league.

fav quotes:
“A kiss would be the gateway drug that would inevitably lead to climbing him like a tree.”

"Those two look at each other like they can't decide whether they want to rip each other's clothes off or spit in each other's faces."

"This place. It's always felt like home to me. But I never knew home could be a person, too. Not until you."

“She's a firecracker, and I'd gladly let her light me up.”

Tropes:
🏈 football coach/ yoga instructor
💜 dual POV
🏈 matchmaking competing
💜 frenemies to lovers
🏈 MCs in their 30s (but they don't always act like it)
💜 forced proximity
🏈 no third-act break up
💜 small town
🏈 open door
💜 flashbacks

[Tanisha Belohlavek · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was so much fun jumping back into the small town that Mel and Cordell are from! I adored Brandy’s first book, Between the Lines, and Keeping the Score was the perfect sequel. I’m OBSESSED with Mel and Cordell’s story! Mel will have you laughing all the time, all while growing as a person through some tough crap. It’s a beautiful thing to watch her grow from what she was, into what she is. I loved being able to get more information about who she is and what has made her into her authentic self.

Cordell on the other hand … 😮‍💨🤤🔥!!!!!
Cordell obviously has eyes only for Mel from the beginning, but sets up their fake dates to hide it for a hot minute. That man is patient. He is everything you want in a book boyfriend. Alsoooo can we please take a minute to acknowledge how he much of a family man he is!!! Obsessed with his love for his momma (and for momma Watkins swear jar that he STILL has to pay to)!

Brandy did such a wonderful job with this book! It’s truly a love story like no other and is something that you probably haven’t experienced before! Her characters are funny, authentic, and have the most wonderful memories with each other. I love Brandy’s writing and character development for each character! This book made me laugh until I cried, and then cry. Ugly cry.

[Lily · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had the pleasure of beta reading this book in December, and after finishing my ARC this month I can confidently say Brandy improved this book!

It’s frenemies to lovers, it’s small town, it’s close friendship. It’s adults in their 30s getting their HEAs.

Definitely read Between the Lines, Brandy’s first book, for the best experience overall but you don’t have to as they are stand alone. You do get lots of info/peaks at the characters from that first book though - so if you’re looking for they you’ll be happy!

This little town and these characters are just people and places you wish were real! It’s such a fun but meaningful read, which is how I would describe Brandy’s writing and style in general.

[Thalita · Rating 5 out of 5]

Could these two be any sweeter?

It doesn’t come as a surprise to me that I loved this book as much as the first. Mel and Cordell are sweet, hot, funny, and so damn lovable. I hope we get more of this sweet small town and all its quirky characters.

Brandy sure knows how to write heartwarming stories.

Cordell talking to his dad in the car had me in tears, and Mel’s need to change her life and herself in order to find who she really is outside of her last relationship was so relatable.

[Mia Jackson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really liked this book. I received this book as an ARC from the author. It was an amazing read. I love the sports aspect of it. It wasn’t overpowering the romance function. The characters were well developed and well rounded. It was super realistic. I of course was able to do what other readers do and put myself in the shoes of the female lead, Mel. I’m so happy I was able to read this book early. I hope that everyone else who reads this book enjoys it as much as I did.

[Jennifer ( dogmombookedup) · Rating 4 out of 5]

I would like to start off by thanking Brandy for choosing me to receive an ARC of Keeping the Score. Much appreciated! Publication date: March 14th

Mel Marshall and Cordell Watkins😍😍
I just loved the banter between these two. Their paths had crossed over a decade ago in a one-time hot, steamy night. Ever since then, they turned into pros, avoiding and sharing jabs back and forth with each other. When Mel's best friend falls in love with Dell's best friend, these two find it extra hard to stay away from one another. You know the old saying, "They're being mean to each other cause they secretly like each other", well that was beginning to drive their friends crazy. Mel and Cordell each share a competitive spirit, so they come up with the idea of playing matchmaker for the other. Their strategy to outmatched the other soon ignites feelings they've been trying to push away for years. In the end, they both walk away winners.

If you like quirky characters, hunky football players, steamy tension, dual povs, small town romance, and a book with sweet mixed with a little spice moments, you're going to want to grab yourself a copy! You're also going to want Brandy' first book in the series, Between the Lines, so you can learn how Cordell and Mel's best friends became two!

[Haylee • haylsbookshelf •]

What a cute, swoony, lovable story 🥰🥹💗

I read Between The Lines & fell in love with the town of Bennett! And I couldn’t wait to read this one & be back in the brilliant small town 💖 I was NOT disappointed at all!!!

Mel was just as amazing as I remember her being in the first one! Though now I understand her more 🥰 which makes her that much for fierce, unapologetically her, & completely bada** 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻 I absolutely loved her friendship with Tessa, & getting to catch up with her after book 1 was great! Then there was Cordell 🥹 he was more than I thought he would be! In the best way 💕💕 genuine, caring, & a total softy at heart! A perfect book bf to add to the list!

What to expect & love:
✨forced proximity
✨frenemies to lovers
✨small town
✨interconnected series
✨dual POV
✨MC in their 30s
✨football coach & yoga instructor
✨open door
✨tons of banter
✨texts on page
✨and so much more!!

I am so grateful to have gotten the chance to read an early copy 💗 thank you @thebrandyland 📖 definitely add this to your list!! KEEPING THE SCORE is out March 14!!!

[Jenah Riggs · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was such a fun small town, enemies to lovers book! I loved Mel and Cordell’s banter and seeing them finally move on from their tricky intertwined past in order to trust that what they have with each other could be something that lasts. I love all their family members and friends that are like family, they’re all so supportive and wanting what’s best for Mel and Cordell! I suggest reading “Between the Lines” first because that’s the way I roll, but also because you see glimpses of these two in that book! Plus, you’ll appreciate all the cameos from Tessa and Luke in this book so much more!

[Lisa Hambridge (lisamareebooks1109) · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was so enjoyable, and I absolutely loved the plot, which was so well paced and written. The relationship between Cordell and Mel was so enjoyable, the banter between them definitely added to the way their relationship developed and I enjoyed reading their interactions and seeing whether they could get over their issues and look towards the future.

Thank you to Brandy for the ARC.

[Thomas Bishop · Rating 4 out of 5]

SUMMARY:
Keeping the Score, a novel by Brandy Pelletier, is a romantic comedy and her second book set in the same fictional Georgia town from her first book, Between the Lines. It features two supporting characters from Between the Lines as main characters: Mel and Cordell.

After a hot one-night-stand ten years earlier, Mel and Cordell, despite both of them living in the kind of small town where everyone knows everyone else, have taken avoiding each other to whole new unexplored levels. But when their best friends fall in love and marry (see Between the Lines), they’re forced back into each other’s lives and discover the chemistry they shared that one night is still alive and well. Unfortunately they seem to lack the ability to express that chemistry healthily and instead fall into insults, teasing, and bickering.
Forced by their friends to bury the hatchet, Mel and Cordell hatch a plan to set each other up with their perfect mates instead of dealing with their pasts head-on. It’s a dangerous game; one just as likely to end in disaster as it is to end with mutual satisfaction. But perhaps in the process they’ll find a way to reignite the fire they first sparked a decade ago.

TROPES:
• reverse grumpy-sunshine
• frenemies-to-friends-to-lovers
• dual POV
• small town romance
• forced proximity
• no Act III break-up
• so much pining & angst
• fast ignition, but slow burn (It’ll make sense once you’ve read it.)

TRIGGERS:
• death of a parent (off-page)
• cancer diagnosis (off-page)
• infidelity/cheating (on-page, in flashback)
• graphic sexual content (on-page)
• adult language (on-page)

REVIEW:
I really liked Between the Lines. It was the first single dad/parent romance I ever read. When the opportunity to read Pelletier’s next novel opened up, I jumped at it.
In Keeping the Score she’s managed to organically grow the quintessentially perfect romantic small town from her first book while presenting a very personal mystery between the lovable, believable characters. Tense and swoony, with the perfect amount of spice, Keeping the Score is an excellent, character-driven read you’ll find difficult to put down.

CONCLUSION:
Overall - ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4/5)
Spice - 🌶️🌶️🌶️ (3/5)

(An ebook advanced reader copy of Undeniably Mine was provided to me by the author and I am an uncompensated reviewer.)

[Chrissy HappilyEverAfterBookshelf · Rating 4 out of 5]

This small town, sports romance is frenemies to lovers at its best. There is crazy banter and a truly love/hate relationship going on that you get to see through fun text messages!! Tessa is feisty and fierce and has a terrible time trusting, but Cordell does everything he can to prove he is the one for her! He is kind, patient and full of heart and I ADORED him!! This one is flirty, fun and spicy and I really enjoyed their friends and their families. I want to go back and read the first book, Between the Lines to see where it all began!

[Kims.reading.nook · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to Author Brandy Pelletier for the eARC of this book. I really enjoyed this second chance romance and all opinions shared are my own 💕

I loved the introductory meet cute scene between Mel and Cordell (although they've met before), and how drastically their feelings for each other have changed as we jump to 9 years later 🤣 I'm a sucker for good banter between MMCs, and these two have it in spades! All the sass and fire in Mel was such a pleasure to read and I love that Cordell was secure enough to lean in and let her shine.

This really was such fun read and I can't wait to read more by the Author in future!!

[Emily || Bookstagram🎀 · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was confusing at first but it got clearer as I went on. I truly enjoyed the “mel and Cordell day of fun.” It’s the perfect enemies to lovers trying to ignore their feelings by setting one another up with someone else. I truly loved how this story like opens up with her trust issues and how he’s willing to be patient for her. Truly swoon worthy.
Spice level: 🌶️🌶️🌶️

[Jordan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to the author for the ARC! I am so excited to be a part of the ARC team for this book.

While I connected more with the characters from Between the Lines (the first book in this series) I really loved Mel and Cordell! Even though their ‘feud’ lasted a decade I appreciated their ability to open up to each other and eventually be 100% real. They secretly pined for each other over all those years but both had to do some personal reflection and healing before finally pursuing each other. I also loved the scenes with Tessa and Luke (+Hannah & baby [no spoilers!]). Lacey was also an awesome character and it seems like he’ll have his own book in the future! 😍 The small town setting of Bennett was still lovely and the football descriptions were so fun to read!

Cordell was 😮‍💨🥵 Handsome, patient, kind, a leader, protective, understanding…I could go on and on!

Congrats on your second novel, Brandy! Thank you for the opportunity to be an ARC reader!

[Kayla C · Rating 4 out of 5]

I devoured this book! The prologue instantly drew me and the chemistry between the main characters was 🔥 the banter and their mean texts to each other had me giggling! The writing was so easy to slip into and flowed well! The dates they set up for each other had me giggling and to hear them recap them together was so fun! I did feel as though the book was bit longer than it needed to be, focusing on side characters a lot. However, this is book two in interconnected stand alones and I did not read the first book yet. It is likely that if I had read it, I would be emotionally connected to these side characters and want to see them pop up in this book and see how their life is developing.

Tropes:
Age gap
Ex NFL player MMC
One night stand
Small town
Enemies to lovers
Date recaps

[Rebecca Jones · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've been so excited to read Mel and Cordell's story because you could tell from book 1 Between the Lines that they were going to have such an epic enemies-to-lovers story! You could probably read this on its own, it would all make sense and still be a great story but you'd get definite spoilers for Luke and Tessa's story in Between the Lines and miss out on some great Mel and Cordell tension.
Anyway, as expected the enemies-to-loversness was perfect! They both already loved each other really, but Mel would never admit that, and won't let herself fall in love for *reasons unknown* and especially not with Cordell after what happened that night! And then Cordell's just over there endlessly pining for his Angry Pixie who "hates him". To prove she doesn't have feelings for him (you're fooling literally nobody Mel), she suggests setting each other up on dates to find him his perfect woman, which goes about as well as expected tbh!
Their chemistry, their bickering and their story was so cute! I loved them both separately and they're perfect together. 100% meant to be, but had to work for it still. I love the small town of Bennett, their traditions and the lovely nosy people living there. And we got to meet the excellent Griffin Lacey who's next to get his own love story. I love him already so I can't wait! Although I don't know if we'll be returning to Bennett for that one?

[Melanie Stewart · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was very fortunate to have beta read this book back in November, and then arc read it too and I LOVE this book and Mel and Dell so so much. From their spicy one night stand, to ten years later when they are childishly acting like they dislike each other (food fights and hilarious “your face makes me want to…” texts). I simply cannot say enough great things about this book. I loved that Luke and Tessa and the whole town was still present from book one. I loved the self love journey Mel went on, and how patient, and kind Dell is. Mel may have had a crush on him as kids, but Dell falls harder 🫠 their matchmaking competition? Hilarious!!! I’m so glad they finally figured their stuff out and are happily in love 🥰 also, Dell is a proud Swiftie!!! 👏🏻👏🏻 also also, I am SO READY for all things RACEY LACEY next!!

[Emiline B · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mel & Cordell is straight up 🔥

As soon as we got to know Mel’s character in Between The Lines (The 1st book in this series) I knew I needed more Mel in my life. Her creative, unique personality with a heavy dose of Zero F’s given made her a shoo in as my kindred spirit. Then pair all of that crazy with our massive, everybody’s BFF, football coach who puts off some serious cinnamon roll vibes.
The true star of this book is their hilarious, sarcastic banter. I haven’t laughed that hard in a book in a long while.

[Kristy McGuire · Rating 5 out of 5]

How do you do justice in a review to a book that was so beautifully written and has the best small town vibes? I absolutely loved Mel and Dell. His dedication and her sassy attitude make them such a dynamic duo. They both hold a special place for each other in their hearts but have to work together to put their differences aside and fight to listen to their heart and trust that somethings have to start out rocky to end up beautiful!

[Amber Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was obsessed with every part of this book. There was so much tension and angst between the two main characters. The banter in this book is absolutely TOP TIER, it had me actually laughing out loud.

The character development was so good, I loved that it was built over time. The transition from enemies to lovers was everyyyything. I love them together, I loved the small town and I loved each character in this book.

Gosh I hope there is more from this town because I need it asap.

[Charlotte · Rating 5 out of 5]

Finally the full story for Mel & Cordell that we were teased with in Between the Lines! It didn’t disappoint! Great characters and witty banter. Still love all the Bennett, GA crew! Perfect epilogue.

Loved Brandy’s first novel and her writing has only gotten better in her second. Hoping to read more about Racy Lacey next! We will get his story…right?!

[Leigh Chamberlain · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is one of my all time favorites- I absolutely love a small town, enemies to lovers story. The characters draw you in with their flirty banter and sweet moments. I love Mel and Cordell and was so happy to see they had their own book! Can’t wait for book three!!

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Aww this was just as good as the first book

I have one thing to say to Ms. Pelletier … write faster! Your books are endearing and your characters are creatively crafted.

[Jaein · Rating 4 out of 5]

Okay, guys, let's talk about "Keeping the Score" by Brandy Pelletier. First off, solid four stars from me! 🙌 Here's the scoop:

So, picture this: you've got this love-hate thing going on between the main characters, and yeah, they're a bit childish sometimes, but hey, who isn't in a rollercoaster relationship, right? Plus, they're on this mission to get to know each other better to avoid getting disowned by their besties. Talk about high stakes!

What I really dug were those text message exchanges sprinkled throughout the book. It's like peeking into their private chats. And can we talk about the epic roasts they dish out? Seriously, it's like watching a comedy roast battle, but with hearts on the line. 😂❤️

Oh, and shoutout to the supportive friends squad! They're like the ultimate cheerleaders, cheering on our main duo through thick and thin. 📣👯‍♀️

The plot had me hooked from the get-go. I mean, I had a pile of school assignments staring me down, but did I care? Nope! "Keeping the Score" had me in its grip, and I was loving every minute of it. 📚❤️

Overall, if you're in need of a fun and flirty read to shake off the blahs, "Keeping the Score" is your jam. It's got laughs, it's got heart, and it's got that perfect mix of spice to keep things interesting. 🌶️ Can't wait for its release on March 14! Thankyou Brandy for this ARC 🤍