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Coastal Rivals #2
Close Call
Emmy Fuller has always been a dreamer, searching for her fairytale romance amidst the campus greens. But after stepping away from the cheer squad due to her health, she's struggling to navigate a new normal. No longer a part of the world she once adored, Emmy moves in with her childhood friend and unwittingly, the co-captain of the one guy she can't get out of her head.
Hayes Grecco is living the dream. He's Dayton's star shortstop, with an infectious smile and a knack for charming his way through life. But one messy night turns his whole world upside down. Just when things are heating up at home, an urgent call sends him rushing out, leaving Emmy alone and waiting in his shower. Caught by the cops, Hayes takes the fall for his younger brother and lands himself a night in jail.
The result? Academic probation and a suspension from the baseball team. Not to mention, a bewildered Emmy who's left to pick ip the pieces, wondering if the budding connection they shared was as real to him as it was to her.
Despite the tension, the two of them are drawn together by more than just circumstance. But with Haye's future in jeopardy and Emmy's health issues looming, can they build something lasting amidst the chaos, or will their connection be another casualty of college life?
Hayes Grecco is living the dream. He's Dayton's star shortstop, with an infectious smile and a knack for charming his way through life. But one messy night turns his whole world upside down. Just when things are heating up at home, an urgent call sends him rushing out, leaving Emmy alone and waiting in his shower. Caught by the cops, Hayes takes the fall for his younger brother and lands himself a night in jail.
The result? Academic probation and a suspension from the baseball team. Not to mention, a bewildered Emmy who's left to pick ip the pieces, wondering if the budding connection they shared was as real to him as it was to her.
Despite the tension, the two of them are drawn together by more than just circumstance. But with Haye's future in jeopardy and Emmy's health issues looming, can they build something lasting amidst the chaos, or will their connection be another casualty of college life?
318 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 16, 2024
304 people are currently reading
4045 people want to read
About the author
Ki Stephens
12 books1,449 followersKi Stephens is a romance enthusiast who finds comfort in the happily-ever-after . . . with just a little bit of angst along the way. She has a special interest in works that include neurodivergent characters like herself. When she’s not daydreaming about books, Ki enjoys working with kids, creating art in her backyard studio, and spending loads of time with her baby girl, her husband, and their three pets.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 297 reviews
June 27, 2025
— 3 ★
I liked this way more than I thought I would. I even stoped caring about how insta lovey the books in this series are—they're entertaining & cute and I think that's exactly what I need especially after such a bad reading streak. like, see books? I'm not that demanding, it's not my fault you can't be entertaining 😒 anyway, I love how this book, despite its lightness, also touched on heavier topic—chronic fatigue syndrom in this case. it's something I've never read about so it was really refreshing. I just wish it had been explored way deeper since it's not something you often see in books that appear fluffy at first glance. it gave emmy so much more depth and it's safe to say it surprised me in the best way possible. even though, I don't have CFS, I could still relate to her in a way because I struggle with iron deficiency—so I know how it is to feel exhausted when you've barely done anything.
⭑𓂃 ⌗ characters
emmy & hayes were super adorable. they made me so giddy omg. I love acts of service—it's such a powerful love language because what's the point of words if your actions say something else? I adored how hayes showed his affection for emmy through thoughtful gestures—he wrote a POEM for her, made a stars garland & a blanket. plus, he found her favorite discontinued crayon because he knew how badly she wanted it. emmy, on the other hand, taught hayes what true love really is and what it should look like. she made him realize that a healthy relationship isn't just about sticking with someone during the good times, but also the bad ones. also that relying on & confiding in your significant one is okay and that's actually how it's supposed to work—the person you're with should be the first one you turn to when things get hard. that being said, showing not telling makes any relationship feel so much more genuine especially since I feel like most of the relationships these days are portrayed on such a surface level. so, yes, ACTIONS DO SPEAK LOUDER THAN WORDS.
⭑𓂃 ⌗ quotes
"what part of 'i'm on a date' are you not understanding?"
"oh, I'm understanding. I just don't like it very much."
"don't do this, hayes."
"em, are we in a love triangle?"
"you and I are not together."
"apparently not anymore."
"we never were!"
"again, sorry, I meant not yet."
"when I say you're pretty, I mean you're the most captivating thing I've ever seen. that sometimes I can hardly breathe around you because it hits me all at once how you make me feel. how you make me want to be better, do better."
"out of everyone, why tell me?"
"because...because I care about what you think of me. I don't want you to worry that something will set me off and that you won't see it coming. you're safe with me, em."
"I think I'm starting to realize that."
"good. then it's working."
⊹ "when I call you pretty, I don't just mean the way you look. I mean, the way you light up a room when you walk in. the way your smile makes me feel like I'm staring into the goddamn sun. the way you seem to find the light in everything, even your tiny paper⭑𓂃 ⌗ my thoughts
stars." ៹࣪
I liked this way more than I thought I would. I even stoped caring about how insta lovey the books in this series are—they're entertaining & cute and I think that's exactly what I need especially after such a bad reading streak. like, see books? I'm not that demanding, it's not my fault you can't be entertaining 😒 anyway, I love how this book, despite its lightness, also touched on heavier topic—chronic fatigue syndrom in this case. it's something I've never read about so it was really refreshing. I just wish it had been explored way deeper since it's not something you often see in books that appear fluffy at first glance. it gave emmy so much more depth and it's safe to say it surprised me in the best way possible. even though, I don't have CFS, I could still relate to her in a way because I struggle with iron deficiency—so I know how it is to feel exhausted when you've barely done anything.
⭑𓂃 ⌗ characters
emmy & hayes were super adorable. they made me so giddy omg. I love acts of service—it's such a powerful love language because what's the point of words if your actions say something else? I adored how hayes showed his affection for emmy through thoughtful gestures—he wrote a POEM for her, made a stars garland & a blanket. plus, he found her favorite discontinued crayon because he knew how badly she wanted it. emmy, on the other hand, taught hayes what true love really is and what it should look like. she made him realize that a healthy relationship isn't just about sticking with someone during the good times, but also the bad ones. also that relying on & confiding in your significant one is okay and that's actually how it's supposed to work—the person you're with should be the first one you turn to when things get hard. that being said, showing not telling makes any relationship feel so much more genuine especially since I feel like most of the relationships these days are portrayed on such a surface level. so, yes, ACTIONS DO SPEAK LOUDER THAN WORDS.
⭑𓂃 ⌗ quotes
"what part of 'i'm on a date' are you not understanding?"
"oh, I'm understanding. I just don't like it very much."
"don't do this, hayes."
"em, are we in a love triangle?"
"you and I are not together."
"apparently not anymore."
"we never were!"
"again, sorry, I meant not yet."
"when I say you're pretty, I mean you're the most captivating thing I've ever seen. that sometimes I can hardly breathe around you because it hits me all at once how you make me feel. how you make me want to be better, do better."
"out of everyone, why tell me?"
"because...because I care about what you think of me. I don't want you to worry that something will set me off and that you won't see it coming. you're safe with me, em."
"I think I'm starting to realize that."
"good. then it's working."
May 16, 2024
4.5★
I just love reading about crazy kids in love, and that’s exactly what Hayes & Emmy are! 💗
Ki has this unmatched ability to write the most adorably soft books while seamlessly including important heavier topics which I absolutely love. And her characters always feel like people I’d meet in real life and want to be friends with. This book embodies everything that Ki consistently does so well!
Hayes & Emmy had me giggling to myself so many times, and I loved their connection. After an unconventional start to their relationship, they gradually became more a part of each other’s lives as a person the other can count on. And as much as I love Hayes, I have to give major props to my girl Emmy for always standing up for herself and knowing her worth! She made Hayes prove that he deserves to be in her life, and he truly stepped up. The little things he would do to make her happy and the way they both accounted for each other’s love languages just had my heart wanting to burst 🥹
Anyways, if you can’t tell, I ADORE EMMY & HAYES SO MUCH! They’re so cute that they had me wanting to squish them — lovingly, of course 🫶 Not sure if there’s much more I can say except Ki has done it again, and you should definitely read this ASAP!
Thank you so much to Ki Stephens & her team for an ARC of this book 💌
– – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –
4.5! hayes & emmy are just two crazy kids in love, i adore them so very much :,)
I just love reading about crazy kids in love, and that’s exactly what Hayes & Emmy are! 💗
Ki has this unmatched ability to write the most adorably soft books while seamlessly including important heavier topics which I absolutely love. And her characters always feel like people I’d meet in real life and want to be friends with. This book embodies everything that Ki consistently does so well!
Hayes & Emmy had me giggling to myself so many times, and I loved their connection. After an unconventional start to their relationship, they gradually became more a part of each other’s lives as a person the other can count on. And as much as I love Hayes, I have to give major props to my girl Emmy for always standing up for herself and knowing her worth! She made Hayes prove that he deserves to be in her life, and he truly stepped up. The little things he would do to make her happy and the way they both accounted for each other’s love languages just had my heart wanting to burst 🥹
Anyways, if you can’t tell, I ADORE EMMY & HAYES SO MUCH! They’re so cute that they had me wanting to squish them — lovingly, of course 🫶 Not sure if there’s much more I can say except Ki has done it again, and you should definitely read this ASAP!
Thank you so much to Ki Stephens & her team for an ARC of this book 💌
– – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –
4.5! hayes & emmy are just two crazy kids in love, i adore them so very much :,)
September 10, 2024
— 3.75 stars ✰
Oh God, I really wanted to rave about this book but the instalove is putting me right off. The weak build up between the main characters just ruined it. And I can’t stand how Hayes took the blame for his brother’s mistake, got kicked off the team and his brother just brushed it off. I did enjoy a few parts, but honestly I’ll likely forget them soon enough.
Oh God, I really wanted to rave about this book but the instalove is putting me right off. The weak build up between the main characters just ruined it. And I can’t stand how Hayes took the blame for his brother’s mistake, got kicked off the team and his brother just brushed it off. I did enjoy a few parts, but honestly I’ll likely forget them soon enough.
May 16, 2024
Listen I ate this book UP
there is something about a reformed playboy that I will eat up every single time! Hayes broke my heart so many times but I loved him so freaking much.
I also loved em and how she stood her ground but also had a soft sweet heart.
I also just loved Matt’s, like that’s a friend!
Ate this up and helped get me out of a slump!
4.75*
there is something about a reformed playboy that I will eat up every single time! Hayes broke my heart so many times but I loved him so freaking much.
I also loved em and how she stood her ground but also had a soft sweet heart.
I also just loved Matt’s, like that’s a friend!
Ate this up and helped get me out of a slump!
4.75*
June 15, 2024
3 Solid stars!
Does this mean I'm actually and finally out of reading slump? The answer is still unclear.
However, I don't want the slump to take over me, so I thought the best option to beat it is to pick up a light-hearted, fast-paced and not too long romcom, and reading this book really did the trick.
I will still take my time with reading books and will not pressure myself to pick up many at the same time, I will just go with the flow for now.
Does this mean I'm actually and finally out of reading slump? The answer is still unclear.
However, I don't want the slump to take over me, so I thought the best option to beat it is to pick up a light-hearted, fast-paced and not too long romcom, and reading this book really did the trick.
I will still take my time with reading books and will not pressure myself to pick up many at the same time, I will just go with the flow for now.
May 14, 2024
Thank you so much to Ki for sending me an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Ki always manages to get me up in my feels and Close Call was no exception! We're back at Dayton and Close Call follows Emmy Fuller and Hayes Grecco. Emmy is an ex cheerleader and Hayes in the star shortstop for the Dayton baseball team. When Hayes gets suspended from the team (you'll have to read why) and Emmy leaves the cheerleading squad, the two find themselves coming together over and over again. Even after a disastrous almost one-night stand.
Emmy is EVERYTHING. She's a dreamer and she's smart and she's hard-working. I honestly want to be her growing up. And she has the coolest and quirkiest hobby and she folds paper stars. Look - there are instructions online and these look HARD. But I want to try and make my own. Hayes is a big brother and a mom and a dad all in one, especially to his little brother Bash. He's so sunshiney and the way he was with Emmy was just guh. Everything. At first, I didn't think his grovel was enough but now I think I know better. (Look, when you read this book, you'll KNOW okay?)
Basically it was fabulous and Ki is wonderful and I love Hayes and Emmy and I'm so happy to be back in this world.
Ki always manages to get me up in my feels and Close Call was no exception! We're back at Dayton and Close Call follows Emmy Fuller and Hayes Grecco. Emmy is an ex cheerleader and Hayes in the star shortstop for the Dayton baseball team. When Hayes gets suspended from the team (you'll have to read why) and Emmy leaves the cheerleading squad, the two find themselves coming together over and over again. Even after a disastrous almost one-night stand.
Emmy is EVERYTHING. She's a dreamer and she's smart and she's hard-working. I honestly want to be her growing up. And she has the coolest and quirkiest hobby and she folds paper stars. Look - there are instructions online and these look HARD. But I want to try and make my own. Hayes is a big brother and a mom and a dad all in one, especially to his little brother Bash. He's so sunshiney and the way he was with Emmy was just guh. Everything. At first, I didn't think his grovel was enough but now I think I know better. (Look, when you read this book, you'll KNOW okay?)
Basically it was fabulous and Ki is wonderful and I love Hayes and Emmy and I'm so happy to be back in this world.
May 8, 2024
౨ৎ⋆ ˚.⋆ arc book review
first off thank you ki stephens and her team for this arc!
now for the review, i realize that anything that ki stephen’s writes i’ll love. she has not missed ONCE. close call follows the love story over himbo playboy hayes and our ex-cheerleader emmy. the chronic fatigue representation was so done well, i could really feel emmy’s emotions while explaining how she feels drained and exhausted all the time. and hayes was such a cute book boyfriend. like actually ADORABLE. he always tried to be there for everyone, his brother, emmy, his friends, and i love a good mama bear book boyfriend 🤭 the level of genuity that their relationship is, was so refreshing and it really felt like you were watching them fall in love right before your eyes!
𝙩𝙧𝙤𝙥𝙚𝙨 : friends to lovers, chronic fatigue representation, baseball x ex-cheerleader, himbo mmc, reformed playboy.
first off thank you ki stephens and her team for this arc!
now for the review, i realize that anything that ki stephen’s writes i’ll love. she has not missed ONCE. close call follows the love story over himbo playboy hayes and our ex-cheerleader emmy. the chronic fatigue representation was so done well, i could really feel emmy’s emotions while explaining how she feels drained and exhausted all the time. and hayes was such a cute book boyfriend. like actually ADORABLE. he always tried to be there for everyone, his brother, emmy, his friends, and i love a good mama bear book boyfriend 🤭 the level of genuity that their relationship is, was so refreshing and it really felt like you were watching them fall in love right before your eyes!
𝙩𝙧𝙤𝙥𝙚𝙨 : friends to lovers, chronic fatigue representation, baseball x ex-cheerleader, himbo mmc, reformed playboy.
May 28, 2024
(4.75☆)
Ki Stephens' collegiate romance Close Call centers on the romantic relationship between barista Madison Fuller and baseball co-captain Hayes Grecco.
One thing about a Ki Stephens book is that she will always eat because of the consistently compelling characters and well-written clichés. The Taylor Swift references in this were also everything!
I adored Maddie, particularly for refusing to cave in to Hayes so easily. I also really admired her personality and the energy she exuded.
Also, Hayes is the standard. Because wdym he would come to her house every morning to give her a good morning kiss, or that he made her a blanket.
To be honest, I was enjoying myself throughout the entire process.
You guys should be aware by now that I read everything Ki writes, and that I adore it.
*Thank you to the author, Ki Stephens, for providing me with this e-arc in exchange for an honest review.*
Ki Stephens' collegiate romance Close Call centers on the romantic relationship between barista Madison Fuller and baseball co-captain Hayes Grecco.
One thing about a Ki Stephens book is that she will always eat because of the consistently compelling characters and well-written clichés. The Taylor Swift references in this were also everything!
I adored Maddie, particularly for refusing to cave in to Hayes so easily. I also really admired her personality and the energy she exuded.
Also, Hayes is the standard. Because wdym he would come to her house every morning to give her a good morning kiss, or that he made her a blanket.
To be honest, I was enjoying myself throughout the entire process.
You guys should be aware by now that I read everything Ki writes, and that I adore it.
*Thank you to the author, Ki Stephens, for providing me with this e-arc in exchange for an honest review.*
April 26, 2024
I was kindly sent an ARC of this book as a part of Ki's ARC/street team.
"She's my brightest spot–my starlit girl–and she's more than enough for me."
Listen, I just knewwww by all of the teasers we were getting beforehand that I was going to love this book. Ki writes some of the sweetest romances with characters that feel so real and relatable and I eat them up every time.
As a former college cheerleader myself, I immediately connected with Emmy. I know firsthand how demanding the sport can be and that's without even taking into account the chronic fatigue that Emmy dealt with, so I completely understood her decision to take a step back. I was proud of her from the start for making that tough decision and putting herself first like that. I just wanted to hug her any time she felt judged for that decision because how dare they!!
Hayes was a ray of sunshine with the goooofiest personality and I loved him for that. He was so silly at times but it honestly just made me happy to see how he made others happy. It was also great to get some balance and see a more protective/serious side to him. Plus, the moments where he was vulnerable with Emmy were everythingggg. I loved that he could still try to make the best of things despite the unfortunate predicament he was in. I think that's why it hurt so much to see him get weighed down by the stress of everything he was dealing with. It felt like he couldn't catch a break there for a second. On the one hand, I wanted to shake him to get his shit together, but on the other, I think I understood that he was overwhelmed and thus, not making the best decisions because of it.
Ok but.. Hayes and Emmy - the teasing?! It was so cute and had me cheesin' like an idiot. It's my favorite kind of flirting and it was perfect here. It was really sweet to see them kind of develop their friendship before they started dating. So endearing to see Hayes try so hard for her. This book was the definition of "she falls first, but he falls harder"
Also, I love how Ki perfectly encapsulated the college romance experience in this. Some of the scenes between Emmy and Hayes brought back very specific nostalgic feelings about young love. Like, them laying on a bed together and taking shots while taking turns asking each other to talk about something real is totally something I did in college. It was just really fun to relive those kinds of moments while reading about these characters.
Anyway, I loved this so much and I highly recommend picking up on release day!!
"She's my brightest spot–my starlit girl–and she's more than enough for me."
Listen, I just knewwww by all of the teasers we were getting beforehand that I was going to love this book. Ki writes some of the sweetest romances with characters that feel so real and relatable and I eat them up every time.
As a former college cheerleader myself, I immediately connected with Emmy. I know firsthand how demanding the sport can be and that's without even taking into account the chronic fatigue that Emmy dealt with, so I completely understood her decision to take a step back. I was proud of her from the start for making that tough decision and putting herself first like that. I just wanted to hug her any time she felt judged for that decision because how dare they!!
Hayes was a ray of sunshine with the goooofiest personality and I loved him for that. He was so silly at times but it honestly just made me happy to see how he made others happy. It was also great to get some balance and see a more protective/serious side to him. Plus, the moments where he was vulnerable with Emmy were everythingggg. I loved that he could still try to make the best of things despite the unfortunate predicament he was in. I think that's why it hurt so much to see him get weighed down by the stress of everything he was dealing with. It felt like he couldn't catch a break there for a second. On the one hand, I wanted to shake him to get his shit together, but on the other, I think I understood that he was overwhelmed and thus, not making the best decisions because of it.
Ok but.. Hayes and Emmy - the teasing?! It was so cute and had me cheesin' like an idiot. It's my favorite kind of flirting and it was perfect here. It was really sweet to see them kind of develop their friendship before they started dating. So endearing to see Hayes try so hard for her. This book was the definition of "she falls first, but he falls harder"
Also, I love how Ki perfectly encapsulated the college romance experience in this. Some of the scenes between Emmy and Hayes brought back very specific nostalgic feelings about young love. Like, them laying on a bed together and taking shots while taking turns asking each other to talk about something real is totally something I did in college. It was just really fun to relive those kinds of moments while reading about these characters.
Anyway, I loved this so much and I highly recommend picking up on release day!!
June 3, 2024
4⭐️
ARC Review
Close Call is the second book in the Coastal Rivals series. And the first book in this series that I'm reading. I have read Ki's other books but I didn't know what to expect from this book but I had a good feeling while reading it. I found this book light, comfortable, sensual and sweet.
I love that Ki focuses on important topics in each book. Emmy is struggling with chronic fatigue, she decides to leave the sport in order to pay attention to herself and her health.
Hayes and Emmy's relationship is so well written, it's real, alive, with its own problems. It was a joy to watch their relationship develop. How they grew and changed over the course of the book.
Thank you so much to Ki for sending me an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
ARC Review
Close Call is the second book in the Coastal Rivals series. And the first book in this series that I'm reading. I have read Ki's other books but I didn't know what to expect from this book but I had a good feeling while reading it. I found this book light, comfortable, sensual and sweet.
I love that Ki focuses on important topics in each book. Emmy is struggling with chronic fatigue, she decides to leave the sport in order to pay attention to herself and her health.
Hayes and Emmy's relationship is so well written, it's real, alive, with its own problems. It was a joy to watch their relationship develop. How they grew and changed over the course of the book.
Thank you so much to Ki for sending me an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
June 17, 2024
Ends on a HFN.
I see a future filled with this MMC fixing all of this brother's mistakes at his own expense, even when he's got a family and kids to take care of, and the FMC just accepting poems and crayons as signs that this time--THIS TIME--things really will be different. That this time, the brother will grow up even though he's never had to.
For what is worth, he did go to therapy and seem to talk to her more. That still doesn't show us that he solved his biggest issues though....
Notes I took while reading:
Already annoyed less than 10% into this book because it reads like a textbook Ye Olde Boys Club court defense.
Even after this jerk left her hanging, the FMC is still sympathetic when she hears he supposedly left her to go smash up someone's car and got arrested. All she's thinking is of how despite that, he doesn't deserve to lose his spot on the team for "one bad choice."
Then it's continued just one chapter later, where the MMC, who took the fall for his little brother (who has been in trouble with the law multiple times before and obviously hasn't learned his lesson because it's not expected of him to), is talking about how his little brother doesn't deserve to pay for his crimes because he's young and has a bright future ahead of him. Sound familiar?
So this continued cycle where the little brother never faces any consequences for his actions but the older brother always steps in and enables him to continue goes on....
What a martyr.
....except according to his previous record, it was not one reckless night.
It's a sports romance but not for baseball. The story happens in the off season and he doesn't even go to training.
Oh and this book does nothing to establish why he's so enamored with her enough to pursue and lowkey date her after one meeting. It mentions a few times that he can't stop thinking of her, but that's it. Never why. Never what stood out about her (at least not until they start dating). Then this guy who has never dated anyone before but allegedly has the highest body count of all the side characters suddenly wants to date her, and then decides to pseudo date her as a "friend" when she refuses (and crashes a date she has a few days later). Where does this come from? Why her? Unfortunately we're never shown other than that time he called her sweet when he first remembered that she even existed.
HFN. Little character growth. I'm so done.
I see a future filled with this MMC fixing all of this brother's mistakes at his own expense, even when he's got a family and kids to take care of, and the FMC just accepting poems and crayons as signs that this time--THIS TIME--things really will be different. That this time, the brother will grow up even though he's never had to.
For what is worth, he did go to therapy and seem to talk to her more. That still doesn't show us that he solved his biggest issues though....
Notes I took while reading:
Already annoyed less than 10% into this book because it reads like a textbook Ye Olde Boys Club court defense.
Even after this jerk left her hanging, the FMC is still sympathetic when she hears he supposedly left her to go smash up someone's car and got arrested. All she's thinking is of how despite that, he doesn't deserve to lose his spot on the team for "one bad choice."
"I’m not sure he deserves to lose his spot on the team. He’s worked hard over the last three years, and to lose it all over one bad choice is extreme."
Then it's continued just one chapter later, where the MMC, who took the fall for his little brother (who has been in trouble with the law multiple times before and obviously hasn't learned his lesson because it's not expected of him to), is talking about how his little brother doesn't deserve to pay for his crimes because he's young and has a bright future ahead of him. Sound familiar?
"He may be trouble—naive and overly trusting—but the kid has more talent in his body than anyone would know what to do with. And he’s only eighteen. He deserves a real shot at making his life count for something. At following his dreams, at playing with the Blazers."
So this continued cycle where the little brother never faces any consequences for his actions but the older brother always steps in and enables him to continue goes on....
"His record isn’t spotless like mine, and our old family friend wouldn’t have been able to rustle up a simple plea bargain. So, I took one for my brother, again."
What a martyr.
"To sit back and watch his dreams, his golden fucking ticket, potentially crumble to dust because of one reckless night? That was something I couldn’t do."
....except according to his previous record, it was not one reckless night.
It's a sports romance but not for baseball. The story happens in the off season and he doesn't even go to training.
Oh and this book does nothing to establish why he's so enamored with her enough to pursue and lowkey date her after one meeting. It mentions a few times that he can't stop thinking of her, but that's it. Never why. Never what stood out about her (at least not until they start dating). Then this guy who has never dated anyone before but allegedly has the highest body count of all the side characters suddenly wants to date her, and then decides to pseudo date her as a "friend" when she refuses (and crashes a date she has a few days later). Where does this come from? Why her? Unfortunately we're never shown other than that time he called her sweet when he first remembered that she even existed.
HFN. Little character growth. I'm so done.
April 29, 2024
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I can never say enough how much I love a reformed playboy trope and Ki is just the queen of them! This one is such a sweet comeback story for both MMC and FMC.
Hayes is the campus playboy who runs into some trouble with the law.. How can he handle all of this and now a girl on his mind as well?
Emmy is a newly retired college cheerleader with a new health crisis. She doesn’t need anything else on her plate..
Together they make the sweetest pair. This feels like a daydream. A sweet college romance with no huge third act break up, but maybe some bumps for sure.
I’m so thankful to have received this arc! I really enjoyed this one!
I can never say enough how much I love a reformed playboy trope and Ki is just the queen of them! This one is such a sweet comeback story for both MMC and FMC.
Hayes is the campus playboy who runs into some trouble with the law.. How can he handle all of this and now a girl on his mind as well?
Emmy is a newly retired college cheerleader with a new health crisis. She doesn’t need anything else on her plate..
Together they make the sweetest pair. This feels like a daydream. A sweet college romance with no huge third act break up, but maybe some bumps for sure.
I’m so thankful to have received this arc! I really enjoyed this one!
May 1, 2024
i want to start by saying thank you to ki stephens and team for this arc!!!
i loved this book and this relationship so much. emmy and hayes were an unlikely duo but they worked together so well. he truly took "you knew what you wanted and boy you got her" to the next level.
hayes may be top 3 ki men for me after this one. he was such a sweet soul and just needed a big hug. his levels of communication with emmy was TOP tier and that in itself could have given this a big rating for me.
i felt for emmy so much with every thing she went through. i feel like ki just took emmy directly from my brain. i do wish we had gotten more of her pov and just more of HER period but i digress.
if you loved the coastal u series or the trade, you're going to love this one and i can't wait for everyone to meet emmy and hayes<3
i loved this book and this relationship so much. emmy and hayes were an unlikely duo but they worked together so well. he truly took "you knew what you wanted and boy you got her" to the next level.
hayes may be top 3 ki men for me after this one. he was such a sweet soul and just needed a big hug. his levels of communication with emmy was TOP tier and that in itself could have given this a big rating for me.
i felt for emmy so much with every thing she went through. i feel like ki just took emmy directly from my brain. i do wish we had gotten more of her pov and just more of HER period but i digress.
if you loved the coastal u series or the trade, you're going to love this one and i can't wait for everyone to meet emmy and hayes<3
July 19, 2025
(3/5) very cute and easy read!
May 17, 2024
(3.25 ⭐️) Iba muy bien hasta ese conflicto final ¿cúal era la necesidad de hacerlo actuar de una manera tan nefasta? Me arruinó un poquito a la pareja, la verdad. Eso y que todo pasó DEMASIADO RÁPIDO.
May 21, 2024
i did not particularly care for the mmc, but FMC was so relatable to me. 4 stars only for her 💕
May 15, 2024
Being lucky enough to be on Ki's ARC team, I got to read this beauty early. And in doing so, let me just say that it's absolutely incredible.
I am a big fan of Ki's books, and many of them always end up being my favorite. This one, right here? COMING FOR THE THRONE.
I loved the characters, the plot, the story arc, and the tropes. My boy Hayes was really trying to take Elio's spot, and he came so damn close. I loved how selfless he was for his siblings and is always trying to help others before he helps himself. That's something that I relate to all too often. Emmy girl, I love for other reasons. When in times she is at her lowest, she tries her hardest to be the light around her. Another thing that I sometimes feel like I do. Unlike the first one in the series, I understand why this one didn't have as much sports mentioned in it. I don't want to spoil anything, but when you read it, you will understand. I really enjoyed this book, and I can't wait for others to read it when it comes out!
I am a big fan of Ki's books, and many of them always end up being my favorite. This one, right here? COMING FOR THE THRONE.
I loved the characters, the plot, the story arc, and the tropes. My boy Hayes was really trying to take Elio's spot, and he came so damn close. I loved how selfless he was for his siblings and is always trying to help others before he helps himself. That's something that I relate to all too often. Emmy girl, I love for other reasons. When in times she is at her lowest, she tries her hardest to be the light around her. Another thing that I sometimes feel like I do. Unlike the first one in the series, I understand why this one didn't have as much sports mentioned in it. I don't want to spoil anything, but when you read it, you will understand. I really enjoyed this book, and I can't wait for others to read it when it comes out!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 2, 2024
If there’s one thing about me, it’s that I love a gentle romance and Ki always nails it. The feel good kind of love that leaves you with all the heart flutters.
Hayes is a playboy who won’t commit. Emmy is influx after quitting cheer. One night they almost give in, but some big changes Hayes’ trajectory. To get it back on track, Hayes is all in to woo her. I love how they use romantic non date/dates to build their friendship and it’s such a good balance for creating a relationship.
Hayes is the perfect balance of funny and heart. He loves a good time, but he has so much strength to try and better himself. He is always caring and puts those he loves above himself even if it causes personal distress.
Emmy is so sweet and good. I adore how she struggled with living up to expectations and pairing that with the need to put herself first. She knows her worth, and she has amazing friends who remind her. I also love her very real health struggles and how going through that affects her.
I received an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Hayes is a playboy who won’t commit. Emmy is influx after quitting cheer. One night they almost give in, but some big changes Hayes’ trajectory. To get it back on track, Hayes is all in to woo her. I love how they use romantic non date/dates to build their friendship and it’s such a good balance for creating a relationship.
Hayes is the perfect balance of funny and heart. He loves a good time, but he has so much strength to try and better himself. He is always caring and puts those he loves above himself even if it causes personal distress.
Emmy is so sweet and good. I adore how she struggled with living up to expectations and pairing that with the need to put herself first. She knows her worth, and she has amazing friends who remind her. I also love her very real health struggles and how going through that affects her.
I received an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
May 23, 2024
ahhhhh I wish I liked this book more 😭
Emmy and Hayes had great chemistry but I didn’t like the way at 44% they said they weren’t going to be bf/gf and then I thought there would be some mutual pining, but instead 1 or 2 chapters later they’re together. Then sex. Then they aren’t together. Then back together. The end. In real life I would not see these two together for long.
then the fights. I feel like Emmy forgave Hayes too quickly and the third act breakup 😭
also I feel like both of their conflicts weren’t resolved? Emmy was diagnosed with CFS, but there wasn’t much else. We just got an explanation from Emmy how she got through it versus how it would’ve been better if she’d had shown us through chapters of her accepting it.
same with Hayes. He is basically the father of his brother and his parents have neglected the both of them. He takes the fall for his brother and has mandated anger management and volunteering. We do not see any of the volunteering and only some of the anger management therapy sessions. Also, the secret never comes out that he took the fall for his brother. Like his friends and family (besides roommates and Emmy) believe he was the one who smashed the car with a bat. I thought for sure the therapist would find out, but she doesn’t and I was a tad disappointed.
Idk I feel like this book had major potential and maybe it just didn’t hit right for me.
Emmy and Hayes had great chemistry but I didn’t like the way at 44% they said they weren’t going to be bf/gf and then I thought there would be some mutual pining, but instead 1 or 2 chapters later they’re together. Then sex. Then they aren’t together. Then back together. The end. In real life I would not see these two together for long.
then the fights. I feel like Emmy forgave Hayes too quickly and the third act breakup 😭
also I feel like both of their conflicts weren’t resolved? Emmy was diagnosed with CFS, but there wasn’t much else. We just got an explanation from Emmy how she got through it versus how it would’ve been better if she’d had shown us through chapters of her accepting it.
same with Hayes. He is basically the father of his brother and his parents have neglected the both of them. He takes the fall for his brother and has mandated anger management and volunteering. We do not see any of the volunteering and only some of the anger management therapy sessions. Also, the secret never comes out that he took the fall for his brother. Like his friends and family (besides roommates and Emmy) believe he was the one who smashed the car with a bat. I thought for sure the therapist would find out, but she doesn’t and I was a tad disappointed.
Idk I feel like this book had major potential and maybe it just didn’t hit right for me.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 26, 2024
Wowza!! Close Call was beautiful and sweet story.
I was kindly sent ther ARC for this (thank you so much Ki!) and I was so excited to dive right into this! I loved the Trade and knew this would be a good one!
You guys aren’t ready for this one. When I say I was giggling like a school girl over Hayes and his gestures for Emmy 🥰 I loved their relationship together but I also loved the friendships they had with the other characters.
My jaw dropped within the first few chapters and I was hooked from the beginning! Characters were written beautifully. The story was an easy and captivating read!
Plus it’s got baseball, spice, banter, love languages, stars, and a great story!
I was kindly sent ther ARC for this (thank you so much Ki!) and I was so excited to dive right into this! I loved the Trade and knew this would be a good one!
You guys aren’t ready for this one. When I say I was giggling like a school girl over Hayes and his gestures for Emmy 🥰 I loved their relationship together but I also loved the friendships they had with the other characters.
My jaw dropped within the first few chapters and I was hooked from the beginning! Characters were written beautifully. The story was an easy and captivating read!
Plus it’s got baseball, spice, banter, love languages, stars, and a great story!
July 12, 2024
dnfed at 81%… they got together so fast, then broke up, then got back together.. and you’re telling me i still have 20% of this book left to read? no thank you. i got very bored and as soon as i read the part about the dandelion crayons i immediately exited the book and returned it to kindle. i struggled through this book and i hate dnfing so close to the end but i literally couldn’t do it anymore. the mcs were happy when i stopped so thats all i care about!!
i also read the first book of this series and dnfed that one too, so i think this author isn’t for me
i also read the first book of this series and dnfed that one too, so i think this author isn’t for me
April 26, 2024
this book was just what i needed a perfect palate cleanser after reading dark romance i will say this was more lighthearted and less drama which i really enjoyed
I’d like to thank the author for sending me a arc
I’d like to thank the author for sending me a arc
October 15, 2024
“the way your smile makes me feel like i’m staring at the goddamn sun.”
hayes & emmy…you beautiful couple. [arc]
hayes & emmy…you beautiful couple. [arc]
May 16, 2024
⋆˚࿔ arc review 𝜗𝜚˚⋆
4.5 stars !!! as always, thank you so much ki and team for letting me read an arc <3
⁀➴ plot
we kinda have a meet disaster in this one, just the way i love !! they’re both at a party and he accidentally drops his cup on emmy who already knows hayes but he has no idea of who she’s. as a gentleman he offers his jersey and they flirt for a bit but out of nowhere hayes has to leave the house because of an emergency which leaves emmy all alone in his shower.
after all the mess and when they’re finally able to talk, emmy suggests that they should stay as friends because she is into dating while hayes is known for having one night stands. but with emmy, for the first time it’s different. he can see a future with her but he doesn’t know if it’ll survive all his baggage.
⁀➴ characters
ᯓ★ hayes grecco
my trash criminal king !!!! while he’s known on campus as an incredible baseball player he won’t be able to play for undetermined time because of an misunderstanding that got him into academic probation and suspension from the team, i mean he only spent a night in jail why all that?? for the rest of the term he’ll need to prove himself to the dean but what will happen this semester? because since he met the ice-blonde emmy, that’s all he can think about lately.
hayes has his baggage with baseball and family, and when it struck again he thought it would be better to handle by himself as always because that’s all he knows but later on he sees how important it’s to share with his other half. it’s okay to handle things and try to fix it but he had such a weight of responsibility on his shoulders, i’m glad that he knows who to count on now.
ᯓ★ emmy fuller
but in the other side we have our starlit girl emmy who just left her cheer squad because of headaches, fatigue and exhaustion so after talking to a friend, she decides to leave and focus on her health. things only start to make sense once she gets the right diagnose for her symptoms and she adapts to it but it was a long journey, years without being diagnosed and treated properly is part of our reality.
ᯓ★ emmyhayes
the other day i came across a post about leo and sagittarius as a couple. it highlighted their shared passion about what they want and mutual encouragement toward the other to achieve all kinds of goals and dreams. they also have a profound understanding of the other which makes their love incredibly uplifting and intoxicating, in the good way. does it sound familiar? because in my opinion this just describe emmyhayes from top to bottom.
they were there for each other since the beginning, hayes would listen to her talking about stars and retired crayons, her exhaustion which was due to an undiagnosed condition, the cheer squad ghosting her and he made effort to join her hobby which is making paper stars because it helps with stress and focus, he was so good at it that he even got his own jar !!!! and emmy listened to hayes thoughts on baseball, about the real reason why he bailed on her that night, the impact of his parents’ relationship and actions on his life and brother’s relationship, but mostly she was there for him when he wanted to watch all his teammates play while he needed to be in the stands to show support when he actually wanted to play the sport he loves.
i really liked how they decided to be friends before any kind of romance happened, of course hayes wanted more but he knew he could win her heart !!! i gotta say that the third-strike rule metaphor worked on me… and this man does boyfriend shit okay because when he needed to win her back he listened to what emmy said, that her love language is gift giving because she lovesss getting gifts but not any kind, it gotta be little things that only close people would know about because they pay attention and it shows that the person cares, pls go read to find out all he did !!!!
⁀➴ side characters
i need people to talk more about liam alexander donovan okay. i need his book in the coastal rivals, i don’t even care if he gets the last book, i just need it. i love him so much, if i wasn’t laughing because of hayes comments, then it was because of this guy !!!! i wasn’t expecting to like a new character this much but i gotta say that i’m also a liam girl forever !
i loved seeing theo, jade and shannon again !!! constantly thinking of noah… and omg loved meeting matty !!! i’m super excited to see who his fling is… and yeah i might love liam but james is also incredible !!!!! we only have incredible main and side characters in the coastal rivals <3
⁀➴ thoughts
this book was everything i wanted and needed !!!! it has been some days since i have read it and i still think about emmyhayes, they’re just so memorable !! it made me smile and laugh so much, definitely one of my favs by ki <3
there were two things that made close call hit home and this happened because the situations are present in our reality and maybe with some readers as well.
the first one is hayes’ relationship with his parents and then with sebastian. his parents care more about their business than their kids and that’s show often in the story. the only reason why hayes covers for bash is because that’s all he knows to do, in their childhood the parents were still present but bash didn’t get a lot of it so hayes always takes care of him. of course this doesn’t go well once hayes gets into the probation but the brothers talk about how messed everything is and bash says he’ll be a better person because hayes feels like a parent figure but he only wants his older brother.
the second thing is about to emmy’s health. i know a lot of people who don’t get a proper diagnose for years and stay in the unknown without being treated physically or mentally, or even both. emmy’s journey was written so close to our reality and i’m so glad ki did it because she always writes plots that are closer to reality instead of “perfect characters”, so we relate to her characters. when she found out about her condition it wasn’t the best timing but i couldn’t be happier for her, after years of doubts and questions, she finally knows.
i think even with them trying to be friends first it should’ve stayed longer a bit more? because their thoughts were all over it but mostly hayes because he was being hot and cold, this probably happened because he isn’t used to have romance feelings and caring so much for someone while going through all his problems and for the first time he really wants to try.
when they finally got together it was because of jealousy and yes they were into each other since the party but i believe hayes should’ve talked more about how he feels about his current struggles a bit earlier and how to handle it because this was the whole third act problem but i need to say that their communication (mostly hayes’) definitely got better and we gotta thank the therapy sessions !!!!
i relate to both of them but with emmy is more on a one single personal thing while the rest is totally hayes lol i 100% took his side on things because i fear i may think more like him than emmy but it isn’t all bad right? he’s all good now so i’ll be too ! but yep i’m a hayes girlyyyy and all the prison jokes??? top things that made me laugh so much besides his google’s searches
this may be a 4.5 but i believe emmyhayes is my top 2 of all ki’s books… maybe that will change once she writes the one i want xoxo
⁀➴ favorite quotes
⋆✴︎˚｡⋆ “but if you give me a chance, you’ll see / i’m really trying, just for thee. / i hope this brings a smile, or even a laugh / because emmy, you’re my better half.”
⋆✴︎˚｡⋆ “should i instill a third-strike rule for you?” “nah, i won’t need one.” “you don’t think you’ll ever make another mistake?” “not before i hit a home run.”
⋆✴︎˚｡⋆ “should we take this outside?” “it’s the middle of the night,” “yeah, but i want to look at the real stars with you.”
⋆✴︎˚｡⋆ “prison changed him.” “he was never in prison.” “face it, mama, you’re in love with a criminal.” “not a criminal, and i’m not in love!”
⋆✴︎˚｡⋆ “i’m yours, emmy. i swear to fucking god, you already know i’m good at everything i set my mind to. i can do this.”
⋆✴︎˚｡⋆ “i know this is where i’m meant to be. where I belong. because when i look into her eyes, i see my whole future spread out before me, fuller and brighter than it's ever been before.”
4.5 stars !!! as always, thank you so much ki and team for letting me read an arc <3
⁀➴ plot
we kinda have a meet disaster in this one, just the way i love !! they’re both at a party and he accidentally drops his cup on emmy who already knows hayes but he has no idea of who she’s. as a gentleman he offers his jersey and they flirt for a bit but out of nowhere hayes has to leave the house because of an emergency which leaves emmy all alone in his shower.
after all the mess and when they’re finally able to talk, emmy suggests that they should stay as friends because she is into dating while hayes is known for having one night stands. but with emmy, for the first time it’s different. he can see a future with her but he doesn’t know if it’ll survive all his baggage.
⁀➴ characters
ᯓ★ hayes grecco
my trash criminal king !!!! while he’s known on campus as an incredible baseball player he won’t be able to play for undetermined time because of an misunderstanding that got him into academic probation and suspension from the team, i mean he only spent a night in jail why all that?? for the rest of the term he’ll need to prove himself to the dean but what will happen this semester? because since he met the ice-blonde emmy, that’s all he can think about lately.
hayes has his baggage with baseball and family, and when it struck again he thought it would be better to handle by himself as always because that’s all he knows but later on he sees how important it’s to share with his other half. it’s okay to handle things and try to fix it but he had such a weight of responsibility on his shoulders, i’m glad that he knows who to count on now.
ᯓ★ emmy fuller
but in the other side we have our starlit girl emmy who just left her cheer squad because of headaches, fatigue and exhaustion so after talking to a friend, she decides to leave and focus on her health. things only start to make sense once she gets the right diagnose for her symptoms and she adapts to it but it was a long journey, years without being diagnosed and treated properly is part of our reality.
ᯓ★ emmyhayes
the other day i came across a post about leo and sagittarius as a couple. it highlighted their shared passion about what they want and mutual encouragement toward the other to achieve all kinds of goals and dreams. they also have a profound understanding of the other which makes their love incredibly uplifting and intoxicating, in the good way. does it sound familiar? because in my opinion this just describe emmyhayes from top to bottom.
they were there for each other since the beginning, hayes would listen to her talking about stars and retired crayons, her exhaustion which was due to an undiagnosed condition, the cheer squad ghosting her and he made effort to join her hobby which is making paper stars because it helps with stress and focus, he was so good at it that he even got his own jar !!!! and emmy listened to hayes thoughts on baseball, about the real reason why he bailed on her that night, the impact of his parents’ relationship and actions on his life and brother’s relationship, but mostly she was there for him when he wanted to watch all his teammates play while he needed to be in the stands to show support when he actually wanted to play the sport he loves.
i really liked how they decided to be friends before any kind of romance happened, of course hayes wanted more but he knew he could win her heart !!! i gotta say that the third-strike rule metaphor worked on me… and this man does boyfriend shit okay because when he needed to win her back he listened to what emmy said, that her love language is gift giving because she lovesss getting gifts but not any kind, it gotta be little things that only close people would know about because they pay attention and it shows that the person cares, pls go read to find out all he did !!!!
⁀➴ side characters
i need people to talk more about liam alexander donovan okay. i need his book in the coastal rivals, i don’t even care if he gets the last book, i just need it. i love him so much, if i wasn’t laughing because of hayes comments, then it was because of this guy !!!! i wasn’t expecting to like a new character this much but i gotta say that i’m also a liam girl forever !
i loved seeing theo, jade and shannon again !!! constantly thinking of noah… and omg loved meeting matty !!! i’m super excited to see who his fling is… and yeah i might love liam but james is also incredible !!!!! we only have incredible main and side characters in the coastal rivals <3
⁀➴ thoughts
this book was everything i wanted and needed !!!! it has been some days since i have read it and i still think about emmyhayes, they’re just so memorable !! it made me smile and laugh so much, definitely one of my favs by ki <3
there were two things that made close call hit home and this happened because the situations are present in our reality and maybe with some readers as well.
the first one is hayes’ relationship with his parents and then with sebastian. his parents care more about their business than their kids and that’s show often in the story. the only reason why hayes covers for bash is because that’s all he knows to do, in their childhood the parents were still present but bash didn’t get a lot of it so hayes always takes care of him. of course this doesn’t go well once hayes gets into the probation but the brothers talk about how messed everything is and bash says he’ll be a better person because hayes feels like a parent figure but he only wants his older brother.
the second thing is about to emmy’s health. i know a lot of people who don’t get a proper diagnose for years and stay in the unknown without being treated physically or mentally, or even both. emmy’s journey was written so close to our reality and i’m so glad ki did it because she always writes plots that are closer to reality instead of “perfect characters”, so we relate to her characters. when she found out about her condition it wasn’t the best timing but i couldn’t be happier for her, after years of doubts and questions, she finally knows.
i think even with them trying to be friends first it should’ve stayed longer a bit more? because their thoughts were all over it but mostly hayes because he was being hot and cold, this probably happened because he isn’t used to have romance feelings and caring so much for someone while going through all his problems and for the first time he really wants to try.
when they finally got together it was because of jealousy and yes they were into each other since the party but i believe hayes should’ve talked more about how he feels about his current struggles a bit earlier and how to handle it because this was the whole third act problem but i need to say that their communication (mostly hayes’) definitely got better and we gotta thank the therapy sessions !!!!
i relate to both of them but with emmy is more on a one single personal thing while the rest is totally hayes lol i 100% took his side on things because i fear i may think more like him than emmy but it isn’t all bad right? he’s all good now so i’ll be too ! but yep i’m a hayes girlyyyy and all the prison jokes??? top things that made me laugh so much besides his google’s searches
this may be a 4.5 but i believe emmyhayes is my top 2 of all ki’s books… maybe that will change once she writes the one i want xoxo
⁀➴ favorite quotes
⋆✴︎˚｡⋆ “but if you give me a chance, you’ll see / i’m really trying, just for thee. / i hope this brings a smile, or even a laugh / because emmy, you’re my better half.”
⋆✴︎˚｡⋆ “should i instill a third-strike rule for you?” “nah, i won’t need one.” “you don’t think you’ll ever make another mistake?” “not before i hit a home run.”
⋆✴︎˚｡⋆ “should we take this outside?” “it’s the middle of the night,” “yeah, but i want to look at the real stars with you.”
⋆✴︎˚｡⋆ “prison changed him.” “he was never in prison.” “face it, mama, you’re in love with a criminal.” “not a criminal, and i’m not in love!”
⋆✴︎˚｡⋆ “i’m yours, emmy. i swear to fucking god, you already know i’m good at everything i set my mind to. i can do this.”
⋆✴︎˚｡⋆ “i know this is where i’m meant to be. where I belong. because when i look into her eyes, i see my whole future spread out before me, fuller and brighter than it's ever been before.”
May 2, 2024
ARC REVIEW
4.75⭐️
ki stephens never disappoints, i’ve read almost all of her books (except the trade) and i can confidently say that she’s an amazing writer and i will be definitely reading more of her books.
Emmy was such a badass fmc and i absolutely adore her, from the beginning she stood up for herself and did not let people walk all over herself. She put herself first even when it was hard for her and she lost people because of it, she choose to step out of her comfort zone and took care of herself first and for that i admire her profoundly because i can relate and say that taking care of yourself while knowing that you might be disappointing others is not easy at all but she took the risk and that made me love her from the beginning. Her relationship with her mother, and the respect and understanding between them was so damn pure and the way her mother supported her as a single mother just made me love both of these woman so damn much
Hayes was such a dorky but understanding mmc and i had my doubts about him in the beginning of the book but they vanished soon enough, because not only is he a amazing person, he is also such a kindhearted soul and the way he always showed up for his brother meanwhile risking his own career was so damn admirable. i absolutely loved the way we got to see him figure out his own mess with therapy and the way he tried to make the best out of his shitty situation, i loved reading about his progress and how he went from just focusing on his sports to finding out that it’s not all that matters. the way therapy was portrayed in this book was absolutely amazing and loved seeing how it helped Hayes overcome his issues.
„Hayes, Recognizing that you want something more is the first step toward change.“
Emmy and Hayes complimented each other so damn well, where’s the one was lacking the other out in the work and they we’re mature enough to realize when to step back and to work on themselves first, and when to come back to their relationship and put in the work. I loved their banter and their chemistry, it was absolutely adorable the way they could be completely themselves with each other and the understanding they had between each other.
„Hayes Grecco is more than the sum of my distant observations. He’s a complex, thoughtful person, and his warmth isn’t just surface-level charm. It’s a genuine, undeniable truth“
„But if you give me a chance, you’ll see, I’m really trying, just for thee. I hope this brings a smile, or even a laugh, Because Emmy, you’re my better half.“
(this poem made me giggle and kick my feet, this man is everything and more.)
I absolutely adored the side characters they added the perfect level of found family in this book where the real families were lacking. loved Hayes teammates and their bond.
after reading this book, i feel like i’m missing out so i’ll probably pick up „the trade“ in the near future
thank you so much for the arc. i definitely recommend checking this book out, it’s definitely worth a shot.
Tropes:
baseball player × former cheerleader
goofy himbo/reformed player mmc
first *encounter* gone wrong
she falls first, he falls harder
chronic fatigue rep
4.75⭐️
ki stephens never disappoints, i’ve read almost all of her books (except the trade) and i can confidently say that she’s an amazing writer and i will be definitely reading more of her books.
Emmy was such a badass fmc and i absolutely adore her, from the beginning she stood up for herself and did not let people walk all over herself. She put herself first even when it was hard for her and she lost people because of it, she choose to step out of her comfort zone and took care of herself first and for that i admire her profoundly because i can relate and say that taking care of yourself while knowing that you might be disappointing others is not easy at all but she took the risk and that made me love her from the beginning. Her relationship with her mother, and the respect and understanding between them was so damn pure and the way her mother supported her as a single mother just made me love both of these woman so damn much
Hayes was such a dorky but understanding mmc and i had my doubts about him in the beginning of the book but they vanished soon enough, because not only is he a amazing person, he is also such a kindhearted soul and the way he always showed up for his brother meanwhile risking his own career was so damn admirable. i absolutely loved the way we got to see him figure out his own mess with therapy and the way he tried to make the best out of his shitty situation, i loved reading about his progress and how he went from just focusing on his sports to finding out that it’s not all that matters. the way therapy was portrayed in this book was absolutely amazing and loved seeing how it helped Hayes overcome his issues.
„Hayes, Recognizing that you want something more is the first step toward change.“
Emmy and Hayes complimented each other so damn well, where’s the one was lacking the other out in the work and they we’re mature enough to realize when to step back and to work on themselves first, and when to come back to their relationship and put in the work. I loved their banter and their chemistry, it was absolutely adorable the way they could be completely themselves with each other and the understanding they had between each other.
„Hayes Grecco is more than the sum of my distant observations. He’s a complex, thoughtful person, and his warmth isn’t just surface-level charm. It’s a genuine, undeniable truth“
„But if you give me a chance, you’ll see, I’m really trying, just for thee. I hope this brings a smile, or even a laugh, Because Emmy, you’re my better half.“
(this poem made me giggle and kick my feet, this man is everything and more.)
I absolutely adored the side characters they added the perfect level of found family in this book where the real families were lacking. loved Hayes teammates and their bond.
after reading this book, i feel like i’m missing out so i’ll probably pick up „the trade“ in the near future
thank you so much for the arc. i definitely recommend checking this book out, it’s definitely worth a shot.
Tropes:
baseball player × former cheerleader
goofy himbo/reformed player mmc
first *encounter* gone wrong
she falls first, he falls harder
chronic fatigue rep
May 9, 2024
There is something so SO good about a reformed player where he is also a golden retriever, an endearing ball of goofiness. Pairing that with a soft hopeless romantic who wants to build a life to share with someone who is solid, honest, and completely all in with her made for one incredible book. I am completely gone for Hayes and Emmy. These two not only got super emotionally deep and reflective in the story but it was simultaneously a light, fun, and entertaining book that I did not want to put the book down. Ki is always going to showcase love in all its special languages and as a girlie with a gift-giving love language, seeing Emmy receive little things that mean so much to her from Hayes had me on my KNEES, I was screaming. Both of these characters were soft bundles of light who were just looking for people to love and to be loved by someone (Hayes may have been a little more unknowingly lol) and that made for such a special book.
I am always going to appreciate the emotional maturity showcased in Ki's books. The characters do not let things get by that are hurting their feelings but they are also open and understanding to their counterparts going through emotional things and not always handling them properly. Emmy was such an inspiring character to read about because of how positive, loving, and kind she was while going through one of the most confusing and exhausting times in her own life. I saw a lot of myself in her and I hope one day I can carry myself with the same mindset as she does, I idolize her. Hayes was my ideal mmc. Like if I were to list my ideal male lead in a romance book it would be Hayes Grecco. The healing and processing that Hayes did in this book was also very inspiring, they are both just my shining stars and I am so glad they got their HEA.
Okay just one more shoutout to the groveling in this book, HELLO????? I am always down for some good groveling and Hayes took it to a whole other level, everything he did had me screaming more than the last.
Another great read by Ki however this one has officially stolen my heart as my favorite of what she has put out. It was incredibly Amanda coded and I will be thinking about them forever.
I am always going to appreciate the emotional maturity showcased in Ki's books. The characters do not let things get by that are hurting their feelings but they are also open and understanding to their counterparts going through emotional things and not always handling them properly. Emmy was such an inspiring character to read about because of how positive, loving, and kind she was while going through one of the most confusing and exhausting times in her own life. I saw a lot of myself in her and I hope one day I can carry myself with the same mindset as she does, I idolize her. Hayes was my ideal mmc. Like if I were to list my ideal male lead in a romance book it would be Hayes Grecco. The healing and processing that Hayes did in this book was also very inspiring, they are both just my shining stars and I am so glad they got their HEA.
Okay just one more shoutout to the groveling in this book, HELLO????? I am always down for some good groveling and Hayes took it to a whole other level, everything he did had me screaming more than the last.
Another great read by Ki however this one has officially stolen my heart as my favorite of what she has put out. It was incredibly Amanda coded and I will be thinking about them forever.
May 2, 2024
She did it again. SHE DID IT AGAIN.
This is a book about Emmy Fuller, a gorgeous FMC who has just decided to step away from Cheer due to her health issues and focus on campus life. Hayes Grecco... the sexiest shortstop I have ever read about. Hayes is a golden retriever, a player but also a sensitive and caring guy.
Some really rubbish things happen to Hayes which results in academic probation and suspension from the baseball team and also leaves Emmy feeling the repercussions. However, these two are drawn to each other time and time again and their friendship blossoms into something so beautiful
"She's my brightest spot–my starlit girl–and she's more than enough for me."
Honestly, Ki Stephens never lets me down with romance. Ki ensures there is a thick plot which tackles deeper themes while also making sure we get a steamy relationship.
Hayes and Emmy might be taking my fave Ki couple, the way Hayes was making me giggle and kick my feet was brilliant. The flirting, the banter and the friendship all made this relationship 10x more amazing. This book is she falls first but he falls harder, and I cannot help but love it when a reformed playboy falls hard, it makes my heart hurt because they fall so hard. Oh my days we get some sexy jealousy scenes, yes, Hayes is a jealous guy, yes I ate it up.
“And there it is, the simple truth. Maybe the universe initially brought us together, set us down our predestined paths. But now, it’s about the moments we choose each other, again, and again.”
We also got some glimpses of Jade, Shannon and West from The Trade and we also get to meet Matty who is the best friend anyone could ask for.
Close Call is Book 2 in the Coastal Rivals series and can be read as a standalone. Check out the series on KU!
This is a book about Emmy Fuller, a gorgeous FMC who has just decided to step away from Cheer due to her health issues and focus on campus life. Hayes Grecco... the sexiest shortstop I have ever read about. Hayes is a golden retriever, a player but also a sensitive and caring guy.
Some really rubbish things happen to Hayes which results in academic probation and suspension from the baseball team and also leaves Emmy feeling the repercussions. However, these two are drawn to each other time and time again and their friendship blossoms into something so beautiful
"She's my brightest spot–my starlit girl–and she's more than enough for me."
Honestly, Ki Stephens never lets me down with romance. Ki ensures there is a thick plot which tackles deeper themes while also making sure we get a steamy relationship.
Hayes and Emmy might be taking my fave Ki couple, the way Hayes was making me giggle and kick my feet was brilliant. The flirting, the banter and the friendship all made this relationship 10x more amazing. This book is she falls first but he falls harder, and I cannot help but love it when a reformed playboy falls hard, it makes my heart hurt because they fall so hard. Oh my days we get some sexy jealousy scenes, yes, Hayes is a jealous guy, yes I ate it up.
“And there it is, the simple truth. Maybe the universe initially brought us together, set us down our predestined paths. But now, it’s about the moments we choose each other, again, and again.”
We also got some glimpses of Jade, Shannon and West from The Trade and we also get to meet Matty who is the best friend anyone could ask for.
Close Call is Book 2 in the Coastal Rivals series and can be read as a standalone. Check out the series on KU!
June 28, 2025
REVIEW ⊹ ࣪ ˖
↳ EMMY - emmy was kind of annoying. i honestly wish i had a reason for it, but she just got on my nerves. she acted like because she knew everything about relationships while hayes was still figuring it out, when later she admits that she’s never had a long lasting relationship really. girl what?? i don’t know.
↳ HAYES - hayes.. made some interesting decisions. like i love my sister, but if she destroyed a car, i would not take the blame for it. he’s kind of a pushover? i guess? idk. at first i liked him, but his character wasn’t for me. and he also has some MAJOR miscommunication issues, which really pissed me off.
↳ PLOT - it was messy. there were some holes in the plot. like the whole time they were dropping hints about matty seeing a football player and then, they never revealed who he was, which i kind of thought they would do. and in the desc of the story it mentioned how emmy had some health issues. it was like the author forgot about them until the 65% mark and scrambled for a storyline for them. i also really hated all the miscommunication. LIKE OH MY GOODNESS JUST TALK TO EACH OTHER. and hayes playing baseball was part of the storyline but she never mentioned him at least going to the gym, me personally, i’d still go to the gym if i was suspended. obviously he can’t workout with the team, but yk, like show him wanting to be productive and get back onto the team? if that makes sense? like hayes didn’t really talk about baseball at all.
↳ OVERALL - i don’t think i would reread this, but it’s cute, 2 stars.
↳ EMMY - emmy was kind of annoying. i honestly wish i had a reason for it, but she just got on my nerves. she acted like because she knew everything about relationships while hayes was still figuring it out, when later she admits that she’s never had a long lasting relationship really. girl what?? i don’t know.
↳ HAYES - hayes.. made some interesting decisions. like i love my sister, but if she destroyed a car, i would not take the blame for it. he’s kind of a pushover? i guess? idk. at first i liked him, but his character wasn’t for me. and he also has some MAJOR miscommunication issues, which really pissed me off.
↳ PLOT - it was messy. there were some holes in the plot. like the whole time they were dropping hints about matty seeing a football player and then, they never revealed who he was, which i kind of thought they would do. and in the desc of the story it mentioned how emmy had some health issues. it was like the author forgot about them until the 65% mark and scrambled for a storyline for them. i also really hated all the miscommunication. LIKE OH MY GOODNESS JUST TALK TO EACH OTHER. and hayes playing baseball was part of the storyline but she never mentioned him at least going to the gym, me personally, i’d still go to the gym if i was suspended. obviously he can’t workout with the team, but yk, like show him wanting to be productive and get back onto the team? if that makes sense? like hayes didn’t really talk about baseball at all.
↳ OVERALL - i don’t think i would reread this, but it’s cute, 2 stars.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 16, 2024
4.75 - 5 (can’t decide lol)
Ki Stephens can do no wrong. I’m absolutely obsessed with how she writes and the characters she creates. Emmy and Hayes’ story is exactly what a warm hug feels like. Just a goofy, sunshiney himbo and his dreamy starlit girl bonding as acquaintances to friends to falling in love in the sweetest way possible.
As the new school year nears, Emmy Fuller decides to leave the cheer team to focus on her health. Navigating a new chapter in her life, she moves in with her childhood best friend, who happens to be co-captain of the baseball team. The other co-captain? None other than Hayes Grecco, the star-studded shortstop who she has a teeny tiny crush on…
Hayes is boyfriend material – no question asked. He’s funny, selfless, supportive, and just an all-around good guy. The way he dotes on Emmy, even as friends, had me swooning every page. I loved his vulnerability and strength in dealing with his little brother’s troubles, his parents lack of presence, and his own personal future when it comes to baseball. I adored Emmy so damn much. She’s a sleepy girl who makes paper stars, collects retired Crayola crayons, and yearns to find someone looking for a relationship rather than a hook-up. I relate to her in so many ways, and I loved how she knew her worth and fought until she was able to get what she deserved – as she should!
Emmy and Hayes were everything. They are both so kind-hearted and gentle, and their little quirks and silly banters compliment one another wonderfully. Seeing these two lovable, starry-eyed lovebirds develop throughout the book was incredible. I loved seeing them work their way with their issues together. They both opened up with each other in their own different ways, and I truly enjoyed seeing even the little things that made their relationship work.
What I loved about this story, perhaps with all of Ki’s books, was how relatable it was. The characters are genuine, flawed, and have authentic personalities with real life problems and concerns. She manages to intertwine everything so masterfully that it keeps me hanging on every single page and desperately wanting for more in the Coastal Rivals series.
Thank you to Ki Stephens and Taylor for providing the e-ARC of Close Call!
Forever grateful to be part of the ARC team.
Ki Stephens can do no wrong. I’m absolutely obsessed with how she writes and the characters she creates. Emmy and Hayes’ story is exactly what a warm hug feels like. Just a goofy, sunshiney himbo and his dreamy starlit girl bonding as acquaintances to friends to falling in love in the sweetest way possible.
As the new school year nears, Emmy Fuller decides to leave the cheer team to focus on her health. Navigating a new chapter in her life, she moves in with her childhood best friend, who happens to be co-captain of the baseball team. The other co-captain? None other than Hayes Grecco, the star-studded shortstop who she has a teeny tiny crush on…
Hayes is boyfriend material – no question asked. He’s funny, selfless, supportive, and just an all-around good guy. The way he dotes on Emmy, even as friends, had me swooning every page. I loved his vulnerability and strength in dealing with his little brother’s troubles, his parents lack of presence, and his own personal future when it comes to baseball. I adored Emmy so damn much. She’s a sleepy girl who makes paper stars, collects retired Crayola crayons, and yearns to find someone looking for a relationship rather than a hook-up. I relate to her in so many ways, and I loved how she knew her worth and fought until she was able to get what she deserved – as she should!
Emmy and Hayes were everything. They are both so kind-hearted and gentle, and their little quirks and silly banters compliment one another wonderfully. Seeing these two lovable, starry-eyed lovebirds develop throughout the book was incredible. I loved seeing them work their way with their issues together. They both opened up with each other in their own different ways, and I truly enjoyed seeing even the little things that made their relationship work.
What I loved about this story, perhaps with all of Ki’s books, was how relatable it was. The characters are genuine, flawed, and have authentic personalities with real life problems and concerns. She manages to intertwine everything so masterfully that it keeps me hanging on every single page and desperately wanting for more in the Coastal Rivals series.
Thank you to Ki Stephens and Taylor for providing the e-ARC of Close Call!
Forever grateful to be part of the ARC team.
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