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Whitman University #1-4

Whitman University Boxed Set

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Now you can own all FOUR Whitman University books for one low price! Includes the USAToday Bestselling BROKEN AT LOVE, along with BY REFERRAL ONLY, BE MY DOWNFALL, and the latest title, STAYING ON TOP.

Keep up with all your favorite rich boys and girls as they navigate the tricky family, relationship, substance abuse, and career waters with varying levels of success--and hopefully manage to enjoy college a bit in the process.

BROKEN AT LOVE
When a knee injury ends twenty-year-old Quinn Rowland’s pro tennis career, he’s not only dumped by his hot Russian girlfriend but ordered to attend college by his disinterested billionaire father. A rich kid who’s not used to being disappointed by life, Quinn and his sociopathic half-brother Sebastian create a frat house game intended to treat girls how they see them—as simple game pieces to be manipulated for their pleasure.

College sophomore Emilie Swanson knows Quinn’s reputation—after all, he did send one of her sorority sisters into therapy earlier in the semester—but the game and his charm bring them closer together and soon she starts to believe there’s more to Quinn than people think.

But what if the more is something darker than a game of toying with emotions and breaking hearts?

Quinn and Emilie might be falling for each other, but there are secrets he’s not ready to tell—and lifestyle changes he’s reluctant to make. She willingly stepped on the court, but if Emilie finds out she started out as nothing as a pawn in Quinn and Sebastian’s twisted game, she might never forgive him.

To his surprise, Quinn finds that he might finally care about someone more than he cares about himself…even if that means letting Emilie walk away for good.

BY REFERRAL ONLY
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.

700 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 6, 2014

7 people are currently reading
121 people want to read

About the author

Lyla Payne

39 books856 followers
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.

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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
Profile Image for Dawn Myers.
1,297 reviews2 followers
May 6, 2021
Broken at Love Review: Let's start with I could not stand Quinn. In my opinion there was nothing remotely likable about him and his about face was not believable for me. If you treat women badly that doesn't change overnite. In my opinion it took way too long for him to redeem himself. Emilie was frustrating for me, she forgave Quinn way to quickly. I give Emilie credit for knowing she had to let him go, if there was a chance for them.

By Referral Only Review: 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.

Staying on Top Review: Storyline had promise but I could not stand Blair. In my opinion Sam was too busy thinking with his penis to see the red flags. In my opinion neither Blair or Sam are likeable. I did find the suspense was there. It's just okay reading.


Be My Downfall Review: Be My Downfall is by far my favorite of the Whitman University Series. This is full of heartache and frustration. I found myself really liking Toby considering the stunt he pulled in Broken at Love. Toby definitely redeemed himself in this one. Toby is understanding and only wants to help. He doesn't force Kennedy to do anything she doesn't want to do. He knows a thing about addiction. Kennedy is an addict has had a rough upbringing. She is the typical case of survivors guilt. Between Toby's understanding and Kennedy's wanting get clean makes for a good story.

In my opinion this boxed set is full of whiny, unlikeable characters. If you like this then read it, if not I don't recommend. In my opinion just a bunch of children trying to be grownups.
34 reviews
May 16, 2014
I had read Broken at Love previously but it came within the set so I re-read it again. I loved Broken at Love and By Referral Only. I didn't totally love Be My Downfall or Staying on Top. Don't get me wrong I didn't dislike them I just didn't love them as much as the first two. I loved the story with Quinn and Emilie and I liked how they were brought up a lot in By Referral Only so, but in the other 2 books it was mostly more about Quinn alot. I wish I could have gone to school with these men though! I have read a few others from L Payne and have enjoyed her writing as I like the college romance books. Overall I would definitely recommend the series and the books individually and appreciate how they can be stand alones which is what I look for and I like a strong female lead and she has that!
Profile Image for Ashlee Lau.
244 reviews
March 4, 2016
People see romance with rich college kids, and think they won't be able to relate. As a non-rich, not-going-to-say-how-old-I-am individual, I can say that these stories are so wonderfully written you will absolutely be able to relate to the characters and, in fact, will be feeling like you are living in it with them.

I won't go into book by book details, but I will tell you all that you will love each set of characters for their own flaws and strengths, that these books are about more than just a love story, and you will be buying every Lyla Payne book you can find.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews

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