Anyone But You

Richland Renegades #0.5

by Jenna McCall

He's the coach of a pro hockey team with one thing on his mind. Winning the cup.

She's the granddaughter of the owner. Too young. Too connected. Too much of a distraction.

Then a careless conversation upends the status quo. He's always known she had a crush on him.

So why's she suddenly spending so much time with some other guy?

WARNING: This novella is a prelude to the Richland Renegades series and does not include a happily ever after. Scout and Etienne's story picks up in Any Day Without You where you—and they—will find their happily ever after.

Yeah, you read that right. In book 4. And I'm especially cruel, because this pair? Well, they appear in each of the Renegade books…sprinkling a little trail of breadcrumbs to tantalize you until they find their own happily ever after in Any Day Without You, the last book in this Renegade series. You have been warned!

Genres: Romance, Sports Romance, Hockey Romance, Sports, Ebooks, Novella, Hockey

91 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 20, 2024

Reviews

[Koryne · Rating 3 out of 5]

so you’re telling me i have to wait THREE BOOKS (technically two now) for the conclusion of this couple 😅😅😅 and that they make cameos in all the books so i technically have to read those also???

i will though because there are questions i need answered.

what age did Scout first meet Etienne??

like if Etienne knew about her crush and started looking at her a little different was he a huge player? he doesn’t give me player vibes but who knows. he WAS a star hockey player.

is she a virgin who pined away for him for years???

even though this was 90 pages i really loved how her attitude changed towards him. she’s giving him the cold shoulder and i LOVE ITTTTTTT.

i’m annoyed that it took him until this to be like “oh why is MY GIRL hanging out with an attractive veterinarian her age?? i’m making her mine now even if i never liked her before” 🙄🙄🙄🙄 mainly because she said she wouldn’t take care of his dog anymore.

the second book is a surprise single dad of a 12 year old soooo i probably wont be reading that one 🫣 okay maybe i will just for the glimpses of Etienne and Scout because i need to see that man crawl and beg for her forgiveness.

[Kim J · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was not what I thought it was going to be about. I understand that it's a prequal to the MCs in a future book and that it wouldn't have a happy ending. BUT this book was all about Clyde the dog and the set up of FMC feelings. I felt like this could've been a blurb instead of 90 pages long.

[Sam Dunphy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Hard to rate a book that’s 90 pages and the start of a series. But understand how you want to start off to see if you’ll like it. Love the hard to get can’t date seems like it will be a good series

[Sunny · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5⭐️ it was fine. A quick read to finish the month. All the stars go to my boy Clyde🫶🏼 oh, how I want to pet your big mastiff head ❤️

[sintiareads · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 stars

[Halle Hixson · Rating 1 out of 5]

1.5⭐️🔥🔥🔥

[Donna McEachran · Rating 5 out of 5]

Short but heartbreaking. Would have told Etienne to take a hike!

[Megan Woodland · Rating 3 out of 5]

Meh.

[Karla · Rating 3 out of 5]

Just when it was getting good, it ended 😩😩 I feel like it could have included a lot more to be more engaging

[Jenna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Super cute set up for this series. Now I’m excited to read them all as they come out.

[Sasha Quinn · Rating 1 out of 5]

I picked this up because I figured I should try the ever-popular hockey romance genre. Uhhh… I’m not even sure what I just read. It’s a mess tbh. Half the dialogue isn’t attributed to anyone and jumps between time periods without warning. Almost DNF but … here we are.

[Jesse · Rating 2 out of 5]

I didn’t like how the first two chapters were all in her own head flirting comments. Then Etienne immediately notes her immaturity and she changes LOL. It picked up toward the end but to have to read through 2 other books for a conclusion on this couple? Not for me. Maybe I’ll read just that one when it comes out.

[Grace Hardin · Rating 1 out of 5]

There was literally nothing in this book except for dog this and dog that. 45 minutes of my life I can’t get back now.

[Libbie · Rating 3 out of 5]

At 90 pages this was short and sweet and I got it for free on a SYKD so I can't complain.

The fact that this isn't a complete story though is a crime. The author has published one and plans to release at least one more book before continuing this story. I wish this was just a prequel sneak peek before the next book.

As it's not completed and leaves the reader pretty high and dry in terms of content I can't really rate this highly. I'm going to have forgotten what happens in this by the time this is continued 2 years or more after I read it.

[Poe K · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rating: 4.75 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (rounded up above)

Did I willingly choose to read a romance-ish (because yes, I fully believe it needs a HEA to be romance) book I KNEW wouldn't end in a happily ever after? Yes. Was I still shocked when it ended and where it ended? Yup. Will I read the entire series? Absolutely.

I felt both Scout and Etienne were interesting characters, and I bought into their relationship (or non relationship). Scout has a lot of "growing up" to do, but that's part of her story and something she recognizes about herself. Etienne, despite seemingly being the more mature and responsible one, definitely has more maturing to do. These are not flaws with the book, though. The self reflection and growth they'll make (presumably through the series and then culminating in their own book) is what will eventually allow them to really see each other and be their true selves.

Things I loved:
CLYDE! I can't wait to read more of the mischievous mastiff.

My absolute favorite moment was when *spoiler* Scout told Etienne that she'd overheard his conversation w Jasper, and how it made her feel to have someone she considered a friend (and her cousin!!!) laugh about her feelings that way. Scout's emotion was palpable, and gave me the best sort of ache in my chest. That was the moment I'd read as many books as I had to to get to their story.

Cons:
My only real quibbles with the book were some spelling issues (ex. S's cousin Jasper's name was spelled two different ways) and some tense issues.

Important info: Scout (fmc) and Etienne (mmc) are our heroes of Anyone But You but their story doesn't come to fruition until Any Day Without You which is due (according to the author's note at the end of this novella) Fall 2024. There is one book already published in the series, and I believe three more to come. Scout and Etienne will both appear throughout the entire series.

100% recommend for anyone who loves contemporary romance stories, especially those who like the hockey aspect (which is not my favorite but I don't mind).

[Ally Doby (Schleicher) · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the prequel to Jenna McCall’s new series, told in dual first person POV and let me just say this to Jenna:

You’re killing me smalls!!!!!!

Etienne and Scout have stolen my heart along with Clyde! Scout has had a crush on ET for as long as she can remember. Reading her inner dialogue and history as she gathered her bravery to finally make her move. Unfortunately his conversation with someone is overheard and her hopes are shattered.

Now listen. This is where things get really interesting! I loved watching ET experience a completely different side of Scout. Because of her “new” attitude towards him, the fog has been cleared and he is finally seeing Scout beyond the “Pendleton Princess” and eventually the truth to everything he thoughts about her was revealed and I loved watching his mind be blown.

I loved watching these two battle each other. Of course with the help of the smart and lovable mastiff, Clyde…he works his magic to make sure his humans have no choice but to face each other and figure things out all in the name of love.

I can’t wait to read the rest of this series and get to watch the other characters win over their loved ones while getting sneak peeks of Clyde working his magic to bring us hilarious moments of making fools of his humans to bring them together.

[Rachael Fader · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was lucky enough to have the opportunity of receiving this prequel to the series. I love hockey and I’m excited that this trope has become increasingly popular. Although there is no HEA in this quick 90-page read, there’s so much happening between Scout and Etienne that it’s not a huge miss.

Scout has lived with her crush for the player turned Coach Etienne for so long, that no one else even compares to him. While Etienne considers her just another one of the “Pendleton Princesses” with her redeeming quality being the special bond she shares with his mastiff Clyde. Scout is on the verge of sharing her feelings when she overhears a conversation between Etienne and one of her cousins. He’s known all along and the things he says stop her in her tracks.

Although there’s no spice, it in no way takes away from the story and I would highly recommend as a palette cleanser between books. I would happily read the rest of the series and have already added it to my list of “want to read”. Enjoy!!

[Olivia · Rating 2 out of 5]

The word cliffhanger definitely comes to mind when reading this. Ninety pages, and when you finally are getting somewhere and you're ready to sit back with a glass of wine in the tub and relax, it ends. Then you're going to have to wait two more books to even pick back up on this couple.

Now we all are here for Clyde, the amazing dog, without whom this book would have gone nowhere. Scout couldn't see that her obsessing over this man since she was a teenager wasn't that secret and was shocked overhearing people talk about it. She needed to hear it though and have some growing up to do. Of course, with that said, that means Etienne didn't realize he missed Scout until she walked away, and then he's finally ready to win her back.

With all this being said, will I give the next book in the Richland Renegades a chance, seeing as this is just a prelude and doesn't impact my opinion on the whole series. I have higher expectations and hopes for the full length books and will read them with an open mind.

[Lynn Sell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hockey Prequel

This is the first book I have read from this author. It is a prequel in the series where you meet Scout who is the granddaughter of the owner of the team and works for a veterinarian doing grooming. Entienne is the coach for her grandfather’s hockey team and is her secret crush for years. Scout overhears a conversation in which she hears her cousin and Entienne discussing her and her crush on him. Embarrassed, Scout puts a limit to her interactions with Entienne and he feels lost without her friendship. This book left me hanging and I can’t wait to read the next book. I liked the characters and the story.

[Megan Averill · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5/5

I knew going into this that it was a prelude to the series but literally nothing happened in the 90 pages of this book. It was mostly about the dog, Clyde and a setup for Scout and Etienne’s relationship. I am fine with there not being a happily ever after since there’s more to their series and they don’t get together until book 4. But this whole thing could have been a 10 page prelude before the first book. Haven’t decided if I will read the rest in this series as it didn’t really hook me into the story/characters.

If you have read this series, what did you think?

[Arianna Navarro · Rating 3 out of 5]

I downloaded this book during Stuff Your Kindle Day and was not under the impression that this was a prequel. This was one of the fastest 'books' I have ever read and I don't really know how to feel about it because of how abruptly it ended. I will continue to read the series simply because I love the FMC and hope she kicks the MMC to the curb for being such a douche. Overall it wasn't the best but it really wasn't the worst which is why I rated it 3 stars.

[Sara · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fun novella that introduces the Richmond Renegades series.

Scout Pendleton and Etienne Traiser, along with Clyde grabbed my attention. I love a good romance that includes a canine companion.

After Scout overhears a hurtful conversation she isn’t as available to help Etienne take care of his oversized Mastiff, Clyde. Etienne is surprised he misses Scout’s presence in his life and gets a clue he needs to make some changes.

Looking forward to reading more of this series.

[Fran · Rating 5 out of 5]

loved this Prelude

This is a prelude to the Richland Renegades series and ends with a cliffhanger. But I loved it and I’m so looking forward to finishing Etienne and Scouts story. Etienne is the coach for this hockey team and Scout has crushed on him forever. It when she overhears a conversation between Etienne and her cousin she realizes he doesn’t see her the same way. Throw in a huge dog named Clyde and we have an excellent prelude.

[Sena · Rating 2 out of 5]

I feel like this doesn’t even count as a book how short it was. It was good but I wanted more of it and it left off with a wtf moment. Like just left it hanging for me not like a cliffhanger but like just left off in the smack dab middle of when it was getting good. It was a fast paced read though and I look forward to the next book coming out in fall.

[Ida Kristoffersson · Rating 2 out of 5]

(2,5⭐)
This was a prequal novella to a whole series. I was warned beforehand that the main couple would not get their happily ever after in this book. Of course I haven't read the rest of the series but this story just felt rather unnecessary. Or at least I couldn't see how the story and information in this novella would help with anything in the next books. I won't continue the series though.

[Stefanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great beginning

I loved getting the background to Scouts and Etienne and the promise of more to their complicated story. I can't wait to start this series.
How will Etienne make up for humiliating Scout and talk about her after everything she's done for him. I definitely need more from Scouts story.

[Rae Z · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm torn on this one. Initially, I rated it as a solid 4. There is no HEA, but this is a prequel novella and the couple will have their HEA later in the series. After further reflection, I think this prequel is closer to a 4.5. It's well written and does a great job setting the scene for the upcoming Richland Renegades series, introducing us to the owner's granddaughter and one of the coaches (and an adorable sounding giant lovable dog). There's lots of potential in this series!

[Jessica · Rating 3 out of 5]

I need more of these characters to know if I like them or not. I can say I loved the dog!!! This leaves you hanging for sure so if you need to know their story ends don't read unless you have Any day without you.

[Serret · Rating 4 out of 5]

Scout the owners granddaughter is in love with a ex-hockey player now turned coach. When she finally gets the courage to tell him. She over hears a conversation that makes her change her life.

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's left me intrigued!

This is a Prelude Novella {.5} for the Richland Renegades series about the owners Granddaughter and the Head Coach. And Clyde.

Interested to read their story on Book 4!