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Palm University #1
Strong Side
**Strong Side is an MM enemies-to-lovers romance. It will be book one in the Palm University Series. **
Clayton Aldrich is everything I’m not, and everything I despise. He’s rich, never had to work for anything a day in his perfect life, is the pretty boy on campus, and is always doing everything he can to get under my skin. But when we’re forced to become partners I have no choice but to set my predisposed feelings for him aside. However, as the season progresses, two things become abundantly clear. There’s more to Clay than meets the eye, and my feelings for him don’t appear to be so black and white.
My entire life has been mapped out for me since the day I was born. Major in business, dedicate every moment of spare time to volleyball, win the Olympics, and when the time comes, take over my father’s company. And the only part of that plan that didn’t make my skin crawl was playing the sport I loved. Rockwell Campos, the infuriatingly cynical man I feel an inexplicable draw toward whenever he’s near, thinks he has me all figured out. But, when we unexpectedly become partners our senior year, Rocky shows me there’s more to life than sacrificing who you are and who you want to be in order to be part of a family. Sometimes the families we find are stronger than the ones born in blood.
The two of us may share the same goal, but the question remains… is our strong side, strong enough?
Clayton Aldrich is everything I’m not, and everything I despise. He’s rich, never had to work for anything a day in his perfect life, is the pretty boy on campus, and is always doing everything he can to get under my skin. But when we’re forced to become partners I have no choice but to set my predisposed feelings for him aside. However, as the season progresses, two things become abundantly clear. There’s more to Clay than meets the eye, and my feelings for him don’t appear to be so black and white.
My entire life has been mapped out for me since the day I was born. Major in business, dedicate every moment of spare time to volleyball, win the Olympics, and when the time comes, take over my father’s company. And the only part of that plan that didn’t make my skin crawl was playing the sport I loved. Rockwell Campos, the infuriatingly cynical man I feel an inexplicable draw toward whenever he’s near, thinks he has me all figured out. But, when we unexpectedly become partners our senior year, Rocky shows me there’s more to life than sacrificing who you are and who you want to be in order to be part of a family. Sometimes the families we find are stronger than the ones born in blood.
The two of us may share the same goal, but the question remains… is our strong side, strong enough?
304 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 29, 2024
60 people are currently reading
466 people want to read
About the author
S.R. Clark
6 books93 followersS.R. Clark is an indie author who lives in West Virginia with her husband, toddler, and hound dog. She has a soft spot for characters who live unapologetically for themselves and who will lay down their lives for the ones they love. When she’s not writing, she loves getting lost in a good book, cooking/baking, and exploring with her family.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 74 reviews
September 24, 2024
4.5 because there wasn’t anything I hated about this book. It was my first time reading these authors. They usually write reverse harem books which aren’t my thing so I’m glad they wrote a MM with no sharing whatsoever.
This is my first time reading a volleyball book. I don’t think I’ve come across any before. We have Clay and Rocky who both play doubles volleyball for their college. They end up becoming partners after both losing theirs to different circumstances. Rocky basically hates Clay because he’s this rich spoiled guy that never has to work for anything, so he thinks. Clay feels differently about Rocky. He has no problem with him and tries his best to keep the peace. I wasn’t the biggest fan of Rocky at the beginning. He was rude to Clay for no reason. But that all changed pretty quickly.
Their relationship switched up pretty early on. It was like 20% and they went from Rocky not liking Clay to them being cordial. And then they got closer and closer and closer and ended up together. It was at 60% that I love you was first said. It took Rocky a little bit longer to say it though. So this book moves pretty fast which I didn’t mind at all.
I really did like both of the characters. They were super cute and sweet together. They had each others backs 100% and you could just see how much they cared about each other. The only thing was their POV was very similar so I kept having to see which one I was reading. There wasn’t a big distinction between the two.
OW drama- it’s super brief and didn’t bother me at all. Clay has this girl, Chloe who he would hook up with from time to time. Early on in the book he’s in the locker room with Rocky and Chloe calls him asking if he wants to hang out, he has no interest in it and was about to say no but then he noticed how jealous Rocky looked so he said yes. He had no intention of hanging out with her, even while he told her yes he’s like “It’s all lies I’m going to call her and cancel when I leave here” he just wanted to see how jealous Rocky got because at this point Rocky still acts like he hates him. There’s Rocky’s bday party where Rocky tries to do the same thing and talks to Chloe to make Clay jealous. He tells Rocky not to ever touch Chloe again not because he cares what Chloe does but because he doesn’t want Rocky touching anyone else. After that there’s absolutely no drama with any OW or OM. So pretty safe on my spectrum.
Ohh I’m super excited for Jax and Theo’s book. Athlete and Trainer! Should be interesting.
NO CHEATING
BRIEF OW DRAMA (but nothing terrible)
NO THIRD ACT BREAK UP
VERSE COUPLE
HEA
This is my first time reading a volleyball book. I don’t think I’ve come across any before. We have Clay and Rocky who both play doubles volleyball for their college. They end up becoming partners after both losing theirs to different circumstances. Rocky basically hates Clay because he’s this rich spoiled guy that never has to work for anything, so he thinks. Clay feels differently about Rocky. He has no problem with him and tries his best to keep the peace. I wasn’t the biggest fan of Rocky at the beginning. He was rude to Clay for no reason. But that all changed pretty quickly.
Their relationship switched up pretty early on. It was like 20% and they went from Rocky not liking Clay to them being cordial. And then they got closer and closer and closer and ended up together. It was at 60% that I love you was first said. It took Rocky a little bit longer to say it though. So this book moves pretty fast which I didn’t mind at all.
I really did like both of the characters. They were super cute and sweet together. They had each others backs 100% and you could just see how much they cared about each other. The only thing was their POV was very similar so I kept having to see which one I was reading. There wasn’t a big distinction between the two.
OW drama- it’s super brief and didn’t bother me at all. Clay has this girl, Chloe who he would hook up with from time to time. Early on in the book he’s in the locker room with Rocky and Chloe calls him asking if he wants to hang out, he has no interest in it and was about to say no but then he noticed how jealous Rocky looked so he said yes. He had no intention of hanging out with her, even while he told her yes he’s like “It’s all lies I’m going to call her and cancel when I leave here” he just wanted to see how jealous Rocky got because at this point Rocky still acts like he hates him. There’s Rocky’s bday party where Rocky tries to do the same thing and talks to Chloe to make Clay jealous. He tells Rocky not to ever touch Chloe again not because he cares what Chloe does but because he doesn’t want Rocky touching anyone else. After that there’s absolutely no drama with any OW or OM. So pretty safe on my spectrum.
Ohh I’m super excited for Jax and Theo’s book. Athlete and Trainer! Should be interesting.
NO CHEATING
BRIEF OW DRAMA (but nothing terrible)
NO THIRD ACT BREAK UP
VERSE COUPLE
HEA
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 28, 2025
I dont even care what yall say and dont ask me questions but I LOVED this.
The plot/writing was pretty simple with some spelling errors. The characters didn't behave in a way any humans actually behave. It was very instalust/instalove. It was marketed as an enemies to lovers when it was really "mildly dislike but cant stop getting a boner around". Everything moved from 0-60 out of nowhere.
100% going on my "I said I liked it, I didn't say it was good" shelf because I dont even care I could not put this book down.
The plot/writing was pretty simple with some spelling errors. The characters didn't behave in a way any humans actually behave. It was very instalust/instalove. It was marketed as an enemies to lovers when it was really "mildly dislike but cant stop getting a boner around". Everything moved from 0-60 out of nowhere.
100% going on my "I said I liked it, I didn't say it was good" shelf because I dont even care I could not put this book down.
Read
November 5, 2024DNF @32%
Y’all, I Don’t Know What It Is But The Enemies To Lovers In This Was Really Not It And I Kinda Find This Book A But Silly And Overall Not Interested In The Works Or Characters In General And I Rather Waste Time On Books I’m Gonna Obsess Over Than Having Mediocre Books Because TBH I’m Tried Of Those Types Of Books Lately And I Need One To Stand Out.😂💕
Y’all, I Don’t Know What It Is But The Enemies To Lovers In This Was Really Not It And I Kinda Find This Book A But Silly And Overall Not Interested In The Works Or Characters In General And I Rather Waste Time On Books I’m Gonna Obsess Over Than Having Mediocre Books Because TBH I’m Tried Of Those Types Of Books Lately And I Need One To Stand Out.😂💕
July 25, 2024
⚡️🏐 STRONG SIDE ARC REVIEW 🏐⚡️
Sierra and Tilly...THIS BOOK WAS SO GOOD OMG. It has me giggling and kicking my feet in the air! I don't know much about volleyball and i'm so glad y'all wrote a volleyball MM romance. Ever since you guys announced the character inspo for Rocky and Clayton - i immediately felt like i was watching them both in my head like a movie. The spice was just perfect! I cannot wait for the next book because 👀👀 my suspicions were right!
now i got to read S.R. Clark backlist, i enjoyed your writing in this one!
i'm so glad you two connected through the podcast and you guys did so good with this one! 💙💙💙
Also, you two may have cured my weird ass reading slump 🎉🎉
tropes:
🏐 volleyball romance
⚡️ mm romance
🏐 sexual awakening
⚡️ exhibitionist vibes
🏐 praise & degradation
⚡️ enemies to lovers
rating: 5 ⭐️
spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️.5
Sierra and Tilly...THIS BOOK WAS SO GOOD OMG. It has me giggling and kicking my feet in the air! I don't know much about volleyball and i'm so glad y'all wrote a volleyball MM romance. Ever since you guys announced the character inspo for Rocky and Clayton - i immediately felt like i was watching them both in my head like a movie. The spice was just perfect! I cannot wait for the next book because 👀👀 my suspicions were right!
now i got to read S.R. Clark backlist, i enjoyed your writing in this one!
i'm so glad you two connected through the podcast and you guys did so good with this one! 💙💙💙
Also, you two may have cured my weird ass reading slump 🎉🎉
tropes:
🏐 volleyball romance
⚡️ mm romance
🏐 sexual awakening
⚡️ exhibitionist vibes
🏐 praise & degradation
⚡️ enemies to lovers
rating: 5 ⭐️
spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️.5
August 20, 2024
Such a strong first half, but it went downhill so fast...
July 27, 2024
These twooooo, omg!! The banter between them had me laughing so hard I had tears in my eyes. Clay and Rocky are so freaking cute. Clay is a complete goof ball who knows what he likes. Rocky is the strong and serious type who keeps telling himself he’s straight but can’t deny his attraction to Clay. Rocky doesn’t come from money, he’s had to work for everything he has including his scholarship but he has a loving and supportive family. Clay has everything anyone could want as far as money and materialistic but has a strained relationship with his family. Clay’s father….ughhhh….a complete jerk. I absolutely loved their book and DEVOURED it!! I’m not sure what Tilly puts in her books but I stg I feen for them!! A must read! These 2 ladies writing together=🤌🏼. Give me moreeeeee!
5/5⭐️ 4/5🌶️
5/5⭐️ 4/5🌶️
June 21, 2024
(5/5 ⭐️, 3/5 🌶️)
There are only two goals Clayton Aldrich and Rockwell Campos share: winning their collegiate championship for men’s sand volleyball and making it to the Olympics. However, when they lose their partners due to unforeseen circumstances, they must work together if they want a shot at the championship. There is just one major problem: they both dislike each other. Clay thinks Rocky is an arrogant and cocky man who thinks he’s better than everyone just because he had a different upbringing than the rest of our teammates. Rocky, on the other hand, sees Clay as just another rich, entitled prick who gets everything he wants because he comes from money. Through all the arguments, lingering gazes, heightened emotions, unknown feelings, and revelations that have them questioning whether their dislike is the potential for something more. With the pressures of competition and their budding relationship, will Clay and Rocky be able to be each other’s strong side, or will their differences be their downfall?
This book had me at the edge of my seat! I was initially intrigued as I fell in love with the characters, their personalities, the constant pull Clay and Rocky had with one another, and the tension and edging these two brought out had me sweating! S.R. Clark and Tilly Ridge did a fantastic job pulling you in and begging for more. The relationship between the two main and the side characters is so beautifully arranged that I am now so obsessed. The hidden easter eggs for future books in this series are carefully placed and have you pleading with S.R. Clark and Tilly Ridge to write them ASAP. This book definitely needs to be added to your TBR, pre-ordered, etc.; you won’t regret it! Thank you to S.R. Clark and Tilly Ridge for allowing me to take a first look at this book; I am forever in love with these two and can’t wait for the future of this series. So happy for you both!
There are only two goals Clayton Aldrich and Rockwell Campos share: winning their collegiate championship for men’s sand volleyball and making it to the Olympics. However, when they lose their partners due to unforeseen circumstances, they must work together if they want a shot at the championship. There is just one major problem: they both dislike each other. Clay thinks Rocky is an arrogant and cocky man who thinks he’s better than everyone just because he had a different upbringing than the rest of our teammates. Rocky, on the other hand, sees Clay as just another rich, entitled prick who gets everything he wants because he comes from money. Through all the arguments, lingering gazes, heightened emotions, unknown feelings, and revelations that have them questioning whether their dislike is the potential for something more. With the pressures of competition and their budding relationship, will Clay and Rocky be able to be each other’s strong side, or will their differences be their downfall?
This book had me at the edge of my seat! I was initially intrigued as I fell in love with the characters, their personalities, the constant pull Clay and Rocky had with one another, and the tension and edging these two brought out had me sweating! S.R. Clark and Tilly Ridge did a fantastic job pulling you in and begging for more. The relationship between the two main and the side characters is so beautifully arranged that I am now so obsessed. The hidden easter eggs for future books in this series are carefully placed and have you pleading with S.R. Clark and Tilly Ridge to write them ASAP. This book definitely needs to be added to your TBR, pre-ordered, etc.; you won’t regret it! Thank you to S.R. Clark and Tilly Ridge for allowing me to take a first look at this book; I am forever in love with these two and can’t wait for the future of this series. So happy for you both!
July 14, 2024
I absolutely love Clay and Rocky!!! They have a rocky start but are just the cutest couple. From Cray's cheerful brightness to his dominance, from Rockys moody personalty his submission, I was cheering for these two the whole time. Let me tell you there is some spice in this book that makes me completely Feral.
I'm hoping there will be a book 2 and we will see more of Clay and Rocky on the sidelines. I'm not ready to give them up.
If you haven't, download the extended epilogue... it made my soul so damn happy, and has a little nod the halloween anthology. I don't want to give anything away but I need to fan myself off over what was seen and the idea of what's to come.
I'm hoping there will be a book 2 and we will see more of Clay and Rocky on the sidelines. I'm not ready to give them up.
If you haven't, download the extended epilogue... it made my soul so damn happy, and has a little nod the halloween anthology. I don't want to give anything away but I need to fan myself off over what was seen and the idea of what's to come.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 12, 2024
So f**king perfect! This was everything I could have hoped for!!!
Omg Rocky and Clay are absolute THE CUTEST!! Like MUST protect them at all costs, no matter what!! The banter and tension between them had me sweating and fuckk was it worth it! This book had me laughing, blushing, panting, swooning, and so much more! I read this in one sitting and could not put it down! Will definitely be a re-read for me!
Rocky’s sister absolutely cracked me up with some of her comments, but damn the support his family had for both him and Clay was unmatched! Also, those bonus epilogue chapters were simply amazing!! Already excited for the next book in this series!
Coming to you July 29th and is the perfect beachy MM rom com you need in your life! Thank you so much to Tilly Ridge & S.R. Clark for the ARC of this book! It was an anticipated read for me and it did not disappoint!
⚡️ MM Romance
🏐 Volleyball sports romance
⚡️ Enemies to Lovers
🏐 Sexual awakening
⚡️ Found family
🏐 Exhïbitiönism
⚡️ Praise & Degrädation
Omg Rocky and Clay are absolute THE CUTEST!! Like MUST protect them at all costs, no matter what!! The banter and tension between them had me sweating and fuckk was it worth it! This book had me laughing, blushing, panting, swooning, and so much more! I read this in one sitting and could not put it down! Will definitely be a re-read for me!
Rocky’s sister absolutely cracked me up with some of her comments, but damn the support his family had for both him and Clay was unmatched! Also, those bonus epilogue chapters were simply amazing!! Already excited for the next book in this series!
Coming to you July 29th and is the perfect beachy MM rom com you need in your life! Thank you so much to Tilly Ridge & S.R. Clark for the ARC of this book! It was an anticipated read for me and it did not disappoint!
⚡️ MM Romance
🏐 Volleyball sports romance
⚡️ Enemies to Lovers
🏐 Sexual awakening
⚡️ Found family
🏐 Exhïbitiönism
⚡️ Praise & Degrädation
September 16, 2024
Overall I absolutely loved this story!! It pulled me in right from the start! I loved seeing them going from disliking each other to getting along as partners and then falling in love! I really enjoyed both Clay and Rocky as characters. I loved how supportive Rocky was with Clay’s “family”. These two were so good together and it was really neat to see them vibe so well together with their sport! I loved how the authors handled the “I love yous” in this story. It’s not something I see often in romances but it’s so much more believable!
The reason I can’t give this a full five stars is because I was expecting more in regards to the exhibitionism. It was advertised that there was exhibitionism and with the way the one MC kept talking about wanting to be heard or watched with the other MC I expected to have some public scenes or others watching etc. Unfortunately it was more of a kink of the possibility of being caught. Which is absolutely great. I love those books too but it’s just not what I expected going in.
So if that’s the kind of exhibitionism you’re looking for then I highly recommend this book as all in all it was fantastic. This is the first book I’ve read by these authors and I’d absolutely read them again.
The reason I can’t give this a full five stars is because I was expecting more in regards to the exhibitionism. It was advertised that there was exhibitionism and with the way the one MC kept talking about wanting to be heard or watched with the other MC I expected to have some public scenes or others watching etc. Unfortunately it was more of a kink of the possibility of being caught. Which is absolutely great. I love those books too but it’s just not what I expected going in.
So if that’s the kind of exhibitionism you’re looking for then I highly recommend this book as all in all it was fantastic. This is the first book I’ve read by these authors and I’d absolutely read them again.
July 30, 2024
▪️ʀᴀᴛɪɴɢ: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
▪️ꜱᴘɪᴄᴇ: 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
ɪ ᴀᴍ ᴏꜰꜰɪᴄɪᴀʟʟʏ ɪɴ ᴍʏ ᴍᴍ ʀᴏᴍᴀɴᴄᴇ ᴇʀᴀ! ɪ ᴀʙꜱᴏʟᴜᴛᴇʟʏ ᴅᴇᴠᴏᴜʀᴇᴅ ᴛʜɪꜱ ʙᴏᴏᴋ! ɪ ᴄᴏᴜʟᴅ ɴᴏᴛ ᴘᴜᴛ ɪᴛ ᴅᴏᴡɴ. ʀᴏᴄᴋʏ ᴀɴᴅ ᴄʟᴀʏ ʜᴀᴅ ᴍᴇ ꜰᴇᴇʟɪɴɢ ᴀʟʟ ᴛʜᴇ ꜰᴇᴇʟꜱ! ɪ’ᴍ ʜᴏɴᴇꜱᴛʟʏ ꜱᴏ ᴏʙꜱᴇꜱꜱᴇᴅ ᴡɪᴛʜ ᴛʜᴇᴍ. ᴛʜᴇʏ ᴡᴇʀᴇ ᴛᴡᴏ ʜᴀʟᴠᴇꜱ ᴏꜰ ᴀ ᴡʜᴏʟᴇ ᴀɴᴅ ɪᴛ ᴡᴀꜱ ꜱᴏ ᴍᴜᴄʜ ꜰᴜɴ ᴛᴏ ᴡᴀᴛᴄʜ ᴛʜᴇᴍ ʙɪᴄᴋᴇʀ, ɢᴇᴛ ᴏɴ ᴇᴀᴄʜ ᴏᴛʜᴇʀ’ꜱ ɴᴇʀᴠᴇꜱ ᴀɴᴅ ꜰᴀʟʟ ɪɴ ʟᴏᴠᴇ. ᴛʜᴇ ᴡᴀʏ ᴛʜᴇʏ ᴄᴀʀᴇᴅ ꜰᴏʀ ᴏɴᴇ ᴀɴᴏᴛʜᴇʀ ᴀɴᴅ ᴘʀᴏᴛᴇᴄᴛᴇᴅ ᴇᴀᴄʜ ᴏᴛʜᴇʀ ᴊᴜꜱᴛ ᴍᴀᴅᴇ ᴍʏ ʜᴇᴀʀᴛ ᴍᴇʟᴛ.
ɪ ᴅᴏɴ’ᴛ ᴋɴᴏᴡ ᴡʜᴀᴛ ɪᴛ ɪꜱ ᴀʙᴏᴜᴛ ᴍᴇɴ ᴡᴇᴀʀɪɴɢ ᴄʀᴏᴘ ᴛᴏᴘꜱ ʙᴜᴛ ɪᴛ ᴍᴀᴅᴇ ᴍᴇ ꜰᴇʀᴀʟ😂🥵. ᴛʜᴇ ꜱʜᴀɴɪᴀ ᴛᴡᴀɪɴ ᴄʀᴏᴘ ᴛᴏᴘꜱ ʜᴀᴅ ᴍᴇ ʜᴏᴡʟɪɴɢ ᴡɪᴛʜ ʟᴀᴜɢʜᴛᴇʀ😂. ᴏɴᴇ ᴏꜰ ᴍʏ ꜰᴀᴠᴏʀɪᴛᴇ ᴛʜɪɴɢꜱ ᴡʜɪʟᴇ ʀᴇᴀᴅɪɴɢ ᴡᴀꜱ ꜱᴇᴇɪɴɢ ᴄʟᴀʏ ʟᴇᴀʀɴ ᴛᴏ ʟᴏᴠᴇ ᴀɴᴅ ᴀᴄᴄᴇᴘᴛ ʜɪᴍꜱᴇʟꜰ. ɪ ʜᴏɴᴇꜱᴛʟʏ ᴄʀɪᴇᴅ😂. ʜᴇ ᴅᴇꜱᴇʀᴠᴇᴅ ᴛʜᴇ ᴡᴏʀʟᴅ ᴀɴᴅ ɪ’ᴍ ɢʟᴀᴅ ʜᴇ ʜᴀᴅ ʀᴏᴄᴋʏ. ᴛʜᴇ ʙʀᴏᴍᴀɴᴄᴇ ʙᴇᴛᴡᴇᴇɴ ᴊᴀx ᴀɴᴅ ᴄʟᴀʏ ᴡᴀꜱ ᴀʟꜱᴏ ᴛᴏᴘ ᴛɪᴇʀ🤍. ᴛʜᴇ ꜱᴘɪᴄᴇ🥵🥵. ɢɪʀʟ ᴛɪʟʟʏ ᴀɴᴅ ꜱ.ʀ. ᴄʟᴀʀᴋ ᴋɴᴇᴡ ᴡʜᴀᴛ ᴛʜᴇʏ ᴡᴇʀᴇ ᴅᴏɪɴɢ. ɪ ᴡᴀꜱ ʙʟᴜꜱʜɪɴɢ!
ɪ ᴄᴏᴜʟᴅɴ’ᴛ ʀᴇᴄᴏᴍᴍᴇɴᴅ ᴛʜɪꜱ ʙᴏᴏᴋ ᴇɴᴏᴜɢʜ! ɢᴏ ʀᴇᴀᴅ ɪᴛ ɴᴏᴡ!🏐
▪️ꜱᴘɪᴄᴇ: 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
ɪ ᴀᴍ ᴏꜰꜰɪᴄɪᴀʟʟʏ ɪɴ ᴍʏ ᴍᴍ ʀᴏᴍᴀɴᴄᴇ ᴇʀᴀ! ɪ ᴀʙꜱᴏʟᴜᴛᴇʟʏ ᴅᴇᴠᴏᴜʀᴇᴅ ᴛʜɪꜱ ʙᴏᴏᴋ! ɪ ᴄᴏᴜʟᴅ ɴᴏᴛ ᴘᴜᴛ ɪᴛ ᴅᴏᴡɴ. ʀᴏᴄᴋʏ ᴀɴᴅ ᴄʟᴀʏ ʜᴀᴅ ᴍᴇ ꜰᴇᴇʟɪɴɢ ᴀʟʟ ᴛʜᴇ ꜰᴇᴇʟꜱ! ɪ’ᴍ ʜᴏɴᴇꜱᴛʟʏ ꜱᴏ ᴏʙꜱᴇꜱꜱᴇᴅ ᴡɪᴛʜ ᴛʜᴇᴍ. ᴛʜᴇʏ ᴡᴇʀᴇ ᴛᴡᴏ ʜᴀʟᴠᴇꜱ ᴏꜰ ᴀ ᴡʜᴏʟᴇ ᴀɴᴅ ɪᴛ ᴡᴀꜱ ꜱᴏ ᴍᴜᴄʜ ꜰᴜɴ ᴛᴏ ᴡᴀᴛᴄʜ ᴛʜᴇᴍ ʙɪᴄᴋᴇʀ, ɢᴇᴛ ᴏɴ ᴇᴀᴄʜ ᴏᴛʜᴇʀ’ꜱ ɴᴇʀᴠᴇꜱ ᴀɴᴅ ꜰᴀʟʟ ɪɴ ʟᴏᴠᴇ. ᴛʜᴇ ᴡᴀʏ ᴛʜᴇʏ ᴄᴀʀᴇᴅ ꜰᴏʀ ᴏɴᴇ ᴀɴᴏᴛʜᴇʀ ᴀɴᴅ ᴘʀᴏᴛᴇᴄᴛᴇᴅ ᴇᴀᴄʜ ᴏᴛʜᴇʀ ᴊᴜꜱᴛ ᴍᴀᴅᴇ ᴍʏ ʜᴇᴀʀᴛ ᴍᴇʟᴛ.
ɪ ᴅᴏɴ’ᴛ ᴋɴᴏᴡ ᴡʜᴀᴛ ɪᴛ ɪꜱ ᴀʙᴏᴜᴛ ᴍᴇɴ ᴡᴇᴀʀɪɴɢ ᴄʀᴏᴘ ᴛᴏᴘꜱ ʙᴜᴛ ɪᴛ ᴍᴀᴅᴇ ᴍᴇ ꜰᴇʀᴀʟ😂🥵. ᴛʜᴇ ꜱʜᴀɴɪᴀ ᴛᴡᴀɪɴ ᴄʀᴏᴘ ᴛᴏᴘꜱ ʜᴀᴅ ᴍᴇ ʜᴏᴡʟɪɴɢ ᴡɪᴛʜ ʟᴀᴜɢʜᴛᴇʀ😂. ᴏɴᴇ ᴏꜰ ᴍʏ ꜰᴀᴠᴏʀɪᴛᴇ ᴛʜɪɴɢꜱ ᴡʜɪʟᴇ ʀᴇᴀᴅɪɴɢ ᴡᴀꜱ ꜱᴇᴇɪɴɢ ᴄʟᴀʏ ʟᴇᴀʀɴ ᴛᴏ ʟᴏᴠᴇ ᴀɴᴅ ᴀᴄᴄᴇᴘᴛ ʜɪᴍꜱᴇʟꜰ. ɪ ʜᴏɴᴇꜱᴛʟʏ ᴄʀɪᴇᴅ😂. ʜᴇ ᴅᴇꜱᴇʀᴠᴇᴅ ᴛʜᴇ ᴡᴏʀʟᴅ ᴀɴᴅ ɪ’ᴍ ɢʟᴀᴅ ʜᴇ ʜᴀᴅ ʀᴏᴄᴋʏ. ᴛʜᴇ ʙʀᴏᴍᴀɴᴄᴇ ʙᴇᴛᴡᴇᴇɴ ᴊᴀx ᴀɴᴅ ᴄʟᴀʏ ᴡᴀꜱ ᴀʟꜱᴏ ᴛᴏᴘ ᴛɪᴇʀ🤍. ᴛʜᴇ ꜱᴘɪᴄᴇ🥵🥵. ɢɪʀʟ ᴛɪʟʟʏ ᴀɴᴅ ꜱ.ʀ. ᴄʟᴀʀᴋ ᴋɴᴇᴡ ᴡʜᴀᴛ ᴛʜᴇʏ ᴡᴇʀᴇ ᴅᴏɪɴɢ. ɪ ᴡᴀꜱ ʙʟᴜꜱʜɪɴɢ!
ɪ ᴄᴏᴜʟᴅɴ’ᴛ ʀᴇᴄᴏᴍᴍᴇɴᴅ ᴛʜɪꜱ ʙᴏᴏᴋ ᴇɴᴏᴜɢʜ! ɢᴏ ʀᴇᴀᴅ ɪᴛ ɴᴏᴡ!🏐
July 24, 2024
I want you ladies to know that I am now officially Palm University Panther and always will be! 🤷🏾♀️
Crack. pure crack cocaine. That's what yall put in this book because how on earth did I fall in love with Clay & Rocky so fast? Telling me it's a slow burn.... LIES. I fell hard and fast for those two beautiful men. Their hilarious banter and snarky comments towards one another had me kicking my feet like a little school girl. I'm not over them, nor will I ever be. Rocky and Clay struggle with many internal battles, of which I relate to deeply. Maybe it's the empath in me or the copious amounts of trauma I've been through. When Rocky & Clay over their obstacles on and off the court, they become unstoppable.
Crack. pure crack cocaine. That's what yall put in this book because how on earth did I fall in love with Clay & Rocky so fast? Telling me it's a slow burn.... LIES. I fell hard and fast for those two beautiful men. Their hilarious banter and snarky comments towards one another had me kicking my feet like a little school girl. I'm not over them, nor will I ever be. Rocky and Clay struggle with many internal battles, of which I relate to deeply. Maybe it's the empath in me or the copious amounts of trauma I've been through. When Rocky & Clay over their obstacles on and off the court, they become unstoppable.
July 13, 2024
Well they did again! SR Clark and Tilly Ridge made me fall hard in love and not only with the main characters but the side characters too.
I love both these authors individually but them collaborating? Doesn’t get better than this..
MM
Enemies to Lovers
Heartfelt
Grumpy/Sunshine
Amazing side characters
Spicy 🌶️🌶️🌶️
Guys this book gave me everything I’d ever want in an mm romance. I simply adored the way Rocky and Clay love each other, supported each other and picked each other up. I hope these authors continue to collaborate because I’m soooo wanting Jax’s story!!
Highly recommend ♥️
I love both these authors individually but them collaborating? Doesn’t get better than this..
MM
Enemies to Lovers
Heartfelt
Grumpy/Sunshine
Amazing side characters
Spicy 🌶️🌶️🌶️
Guys this book gave me everything I’d ever want in an mm romance. I simply adored the way Rocky and Clay love each other, supported each other and picked each other up. I hope these authors continue to collaborate because I’m soooo wanting Jax’s story!!
Highly recommend ♥️
July 19, 2024
I'll never be over Rocky and Clay 🫶🏻
An MM, volleyball, rom-com that is 10/10 perfection in plot and spice 🔥
Clay and Rocky are the perfect compliment to each other and the slow burn between the two, the tension; it was sooo good, I could not read this fast enough! They are the perfect mix of sweet, spicy, and down right filthy 😮💨 My favorite thing is the top-tier banter between the characters from beginning to end. I was laughing, crying, and sweating over every interaction between these two!
Can't wait to get more from Palm University!!
An MM, volleyball, rom-com that is 10/10 perfection in plot and spice 🔥
Clay and Rocky are the perfect compliment to each other and the slow burn between the two, the tension; it was sooo good, I could not read this fast enough! They are the perfect mix of sweet, spicy, and down right filthy 😮💨 My favorite thing is the top-tier banter between the characters from beginning to end. I was laughing, crying, and sweating over every interaction between these two!
Can't wait to get more from Palm University!!
July 15, 2024
A MM volleyball romcom?! Yessss!!! I love me a good MM book and this was one! With it being co written with Tilly Ridge I thought there would be more spice earlier in the book but once it started, it was spicing!! The story is about Rocky and Clay. Rocky is the grumpy athlete who grew up poor and Clay is the total opposite. Rocky hated Clay until he had to become his volleyball partner. This was my first volleyball romance and I’m here for it!
July 13, 2024
Clay + Rocky
-college sports romance
-volleyball players
-rival teammates
-hate romcom
-found family
these two were perfect!! there was definitely hate & denial but this was very romcom worthy either way low angst but it was PERFECT for them!! & i could read about them forever!!
-college sports romance
-volleyball players
-rival teammates
-hate romcom
-found family
these two were perfect!! there was definitely hate & denial but this was very romcom worthy either way low angst but it was PERFECT for them!! & i could read about them forever!!
July 28, 2024
I LOVE Rocky & Clay together 😭❤️ this was such a feel good read. So many cute meaningful moments which I love especially in MM romance. Also the sand volleyball, crop tops, and Clay’s filthy mouth = chef’s kiss 💋
February 2, 2025
This was VERY insta love it which sometimes I don’t mind but I don’t think it was done very well with Clayton and Rockwell. Maybe Theo and Jackson might be my favorite but I don’t know yet.
February 6, 2026
2.75/5 ⭐️
Look I know this is no on-the-run-from-an-assassin fantasy book but just because it’s a contemporary romance doesn’t mean the conflict should be basically non-existent. I was bored. 😑
Look I know this is no on-the-run-from-an-assassin fantasy book but just because it’s a contemporary romance doesn’t mean the conflict should be basically non-existent. I was bored. 😑
July 13, 2024
Rocky & Clay’s story was so swoon worthy!!!
July 25, 2024
❤︎ StrongSide ARC Review ❤︎
Spicy?? Volleyball?? MM Romance?? Praise?? Sexual Awakening?? Enemies to Lovers??
Tilly & Sierra SMASHED this one out of the park for realllll.
Absolutely stop it right now because I LOVE THEM SO MUCH😭😭😭😭 The way this book had me constantly sobbing, laughing, blushing & getting all giddy?!
Clay & Rocky completely own my heart I loved this book SO MUCH omg I wish I could read it for the first time again.
I honestly felt like I was watching this play out whilst reading it, so beautiful ❤︎
I can’t get it out of my head, I’m obsessed!!
“No Rocky. I need your words.”
& can I just add that I 100000% knew that Rocky was an Aquarius, like, of course😮💨
OUT JULY 29th, you don’t wanna miss Clay & Rocky
( • ᴗ - ) ✧
Spicy?? Volleyball?? MM Romance?? Praise?? Sexual Awakening?? Enemies to Lovers??
Tilly & Sierra SMASHED this one out of the park for realllll.
Absolutely stop it right now because I LOVE THEM SO MUCH😭😭😭😭 The way this book had me constantly sobbing, laughing, blushing & getting all giddy?!
Clay & Rocky completely own my heart I loved this book SO MUCH omg I wish I could read it for the first time again.
I honestly felt like I was watching this play out whilst reading it, so beautiful ❤︎
I can’t get it out of my head, I’m obsessed!!
“No Rocky. I need your words.”
& can I just add that I 100000% knew that Rocky was an Aquarius, like, of course😮💨
OUT JULY 29th, you don’t wanna miss Clay & Rocky
( • ᴗ - ) ✧
April 25, 2025
4.5
This book was a godamn trip. If I wasn’t glued to the page in anticipation, I was cackling. This is my first read from S.R. Clark but I’m well versed in the Tilly Ridge universe at this point and I couldn’t be happier that this book this has the modern comedic spark that has been a theme in her previous works. I love the way that pop culture is mentioned without being cringy or how gen z humour is used in a way that is actually funny and doesn’t feel forced. The general vibe of this book is something that I just loved. It’s light but also explores heavy themes. It’s extremely smutty but not in a way that feels restricted or regulated. The characters very much feel like they are just being who they are meant to be.
Our main characters are Rockwell and Clay, who are both D1 Volleyball players at Palm University. Clay is a volleyball nepo baby, his Dad was previously a champion and built himself up into wealth after his win, as a result Clay is a rich kid who has a strained parental relationship. Rocky on the other hand, is from an assumably lower middle-class family, at the university on a sport scholarship and of course, has more than a slight hatred for rich kids. He mostly keeps to himself and get’s on with it. The two are forced together when both of their partners (volleyball is a partner sport, who knew?) are forced to leave for the season. Rocky’s due to nefarious reasons and Clay’s partner and best friend Jax due to an injury.
So, there you have it, the enemies to lovers begins. Although I will admit the enemies to lovers’ aspect doesn’t last very long. Despite Clay’s puppy dog personality, he doesn’t take any grief and to Rocky’s delight snaps into attack dog mode at the push of a button. I love that Clay isn’t afraid of Rockwell despite him having such a grumpy reputation. I think he genuinely see’s though all his shit and see’s that he just trying to get to his goals and not get dragged down in the meantime. I do think Rockwell’s general demeanour is a little contradictive though, we learn later on in the book that one of his families core morals is that they do not judge anyone, no matter how it seems as you do not know what is going on in that person’s life or the privacy of their home and he does to live by this for the most part. It just does not line up with how he was at the very beginning of the book before he started to soften towards Clay.
I wish we could have seen the transition from enemy to attraction in Rocky’s mind a bit more but on the other side of things. Although, I loved how quickly Clay clocked on to things and started testing out the jealousy aspect. I do think his flirtations are just a part of his personality but at the same time once he got a genuine smile out of Rockwell, he became insistent on funnelling all his ridiculousness towards him and things just spiralled from there until Rockwell was literally running away from him. Can we also just appreciate that this fully grown man literally sprinted back to his hotel room pretty much because he was blushing too hard? This whole situation and then what followed had me cackling.
I have to mention. Is Chloe in the room with us? Is she even like a real person because I don’t even think she spoke during her interaction with Rocky and she just seemed to poof out of thin air once Clay arrived, yet she didn’t seem like the type of person to just stay quite in her phone call with Clay previously..
I will say though the heights of these two men is a little ridiculous. Clay is 6’6, while Rocky is a few inches shorter than him. I get that we needed Clay to have this secret dominant factor and have a physical dominance over Rocky, but why not make Clay say 6’2? The effect would have been the same without the absurdity factor starting to creep in. The only other little issue I had is that I wasn’t 100% on board with how Clay acted when Jax had his accident. To be fair, we don’t see this moment from Clay’s perspective but Rocky and Clay’s look at each other moments after he initially hurts himself and they both become resigned to the fact that they are going to have to be partners, all while Clay’s best friend is lying injured on the ground and Volley ball career is circling the drain. I really hope I’m missing something here because it just seemed so out of character for him.
Overall, I just loved this book. The vibes were simply immaculate, yes, I may have had mentioned a few nit-picky bits but I was so swept away with the story line that I didn’t even pick up on any of this until going back over the story to review. Both MC’s as individuals are such sweethearts but in such contrasting ways and probably my favourite part was once they came together as a couple they so easily picked up on the part where the others may lack confidence or need help and filled that gap without question. The spicy scenes in this book are just catatonic, they start with a bang and somehow just get better and better, I don’t even know who I’m more envious of at this point. The power exchange was flawless and despite how different these two are they are very clearly meant for each other. I also loved all the side characters, I am so happy we have a Jax book on the horizon, I just know he has been doing the most behind the scenes. Rockwell’s whole family we’re such a treat and I hope we have more coming for Lil, maybe with another Baker brother? Also, I can’t not mention Coach Taylor after that little performance. What a man?! Anyway, Bring on Side Out!!
This book was a godamn trip. If I wasn’t glued to the page in anticipation, I was cackling. This is my first read from S.R. Clark but I’m well versed in the Tilly Ridge universe at this point and I couldn’t be happier that this book this has the modern comedic spark that has been a theme in her previous works. I love the way that pop culture is mentioned without being cringy or how gen z humour is used in a way that is actually funny and doesn’t feel forced. The general vibe of this book is something that I just loved. It’s light but also explores heavy themes. It’s extremely smutty but not in a way that feels restricted or regulated. The characters very much feel like they are just being who they are meant to be.
Our main characters are Rockwell and Clay, who are both D1 Volleyball players at Palm University. Clay is a volleyball nepo baby, his Dad was previously a champion and built himself up into wealth after his win, as a result Clay is a rich kid who has a strained parental relationship. Rocky on the other hand, is from an assumably lower middle-class family, at the university on a sport scholarship and of course, has more than a slight hatred for rich kids. He mostly keeps to himself and get’s on with it. The two are forced together when both of their partners (volleyball is a partner sport, who knew?) are forced to leave for the season. Rocky’s due to nefarious reasons and Clay’s partner and best friend Jax due to an injury.
So, there you have it, the enemies to lovers begins. Although I will admit the enemies to lovers’ aspect doesn’t last very long. Despite Clay’s puppy dog personality, he doesn’t take any grief and to Rocky’s delight snaps into attack dog mode at the push of a button. I love that Clay isn’t afraid of Rockwell despite him having such a grumpy reputation. I think he genuinely see’s though all his shit and see’s that he just trying to get to his goals and not get dragged down in the meantime. I do think Rockwell’s general demeanour is a little contradictive though, we learn later on in the book that one of his families core morals is that they do not judge anyone, no matter how it seems as you do not know what is going on in that person’s life or the privacy of their home and he does to live by this for the most part. It just does not line up with how he was at the very beginning of the book before he started to soften towards Clay.
I wish we could have seen the transition from enemy to attraction in Rocky’s mind a bit more but on the other side of things. Although, I loved how quickly Clay clocked on to things and started testing out the jealousy aspect. I do think his flirtations are just a part of his personality but at the same time once he got a genuine smile out of Rockwell, he became insistent on funnelling all his ridiculousness towards him and things just spiralled from there until Rockwell was literally running away from him. Can we also just appreciate that this fully grown man literally sprinted back to his hotel room pretty much because he was blushing too hard? This whole situation and then what followed had me cackling.
I have to mention. Is Chloe in the room with us? Is she even like a real person because I don’t even think she spoke during her interaction with Rocky and she just seemed to poof out of thin air once Clay arrived, yet she didn’t seem like the type of person to just stay quite in her phone call with Clay previously..
I will say though the heights of these two men is a little ridiculous. Clay is 6’6, while Rocky is a few inches shorter than him. I get that we needed Clay to have this secret dominant factor and have a physical dominance over Rocky, but why not make Clay say 6’2? The effect would have been the same without the absurdity factor starting to creep in. The only other little issue I had is that I wasn’t 100% on board with how Clay acted when Jax had his accident. To be fair, we don’t see this moment from Clay’s perspective but Rocky and Clay’s look at each other moments after he initially hurts himself and they both become resigned to the fact that they are going to have to be partners, all while Clay’s best friend is lying injured on the ground and Volley ball career is circling the drain. I really hope I’m missing something here because it just seemed so out of character for him.
Overall, I just loved this book. The vibes were simply immaculate, yes, I may have had mentioned a few nit-picky bits but I was so swept away with the story line that I didn’t even pick up on any of this until going back over the story to review. Both MC’s as individuals are such sweethearts but in such contrasting ways and probably my favourite part was once they came together as a couple they so easily picked up on the part where the others may lack confidence or need help and filled that gap without question. The spicy scenes in this book are just catatonic, they start with a bang and somehow just get better and better, I don’t even know who I’m more envious of at this point. The power exchange was flawless and despite how different these two are they are very clearly meant for each other. I also loved all the side characters, I am so happy we have a Jax book on the horizon, I just know he has been doing the most behind the scenes. Rockwell’s whole family we’re such a treat and I hope we have more coming for Lil, maybe with another Baker brother? Also, I can’t not mention Coach Taylor after that little performance. What a man?! Anyway, Bring on Side Out!!
August 6, 2024
O amor não tem lei - Love has no law!
Clay + Rocky = PERFECT!
I loved this book - it was fun and lighthearted, sexy and spicy with quite an emotional depth as well.
Genre: MM romance / Rom-com
Tropes: College, volleyball players, forced proximity, grumpy x sunshine, opposites attract, enemies to lovers vibes, found family.
Trigger warnings: No.
ARC review:
I just adored this book and Clay and Rocky SO MUCH and I fell so hard and fast for them!
Them being sort of rivals/enemies while also being teammates and then having to be partners to becoming so much more was just perfect. It was funny and lighthearted, emotional and entertaining and both sexy and swoony.
Seriously, this book had some of the best banter - Clay and Rocky were just hilarious and all the snarky comments that gradually lost its sass and snark and became loving instead *chef's kiss*. For most of the book I was either giggling, smiling, laughing or getting quite a bit hot and bothered…
While this book is rom-com-esque there were still an emotional depth and a lot more to the characters than what meets the eye at first glance, and all the internal battles were very relatable. It was of course important - for them becoming a couple and for their personal growth, but it also wasn't the main focus, which I really liked.
Seeing Clay and Rocky coming together was EVERYTHING! They were seriously unstoppable together, both on and off the court. There were a lot of sweet moments, a lot of funny moments and a lot of spicy moments and I don't know what I loved the most. Maybe Rocky being in denial about his crush, but not being able to stay away from Clay, or how they were quite opposite but still complements each other or Rocky's family being the best.
The tension between Rocky and Clay was clear immediately, then mixed with the sort of forced proximity and scorching hot chemistry led to some very hot scenes. This story had a bit of a slow burn but also not; the spice was spicing and helped bring them together because they both saw something more in one another in these more tender and intimate moments. They were just perfect together; on the court, in the sheets and in every other aspect of their lives.
Also, this book had some of the best supporting characters, and I really want more of this world!
Clay + Rocky = PERFECT!
I loved this book - it was fun and lighthearted, sexy and spicy with quite an emotional depth as well.
Genre: MM romance / Rom-com
Tropes: College, volleyball players, forced proximity, grumpy x sunshine, opposites attract, enemies to lovers vibes, found family.
Trigger warnings: No.
ARC review:
I just adored this book and Clay and Rocky SO MUCH and I fell so hard and fast for them!
Them being sort of rivals/enemies while also being teammates and then having to be partners to becoming so much more was just perfect. It was funny and lighthearted, emotional and entertaining and both sexy and swoony.
Seriously, this book had some of the best banter - Clay and Rocky were just hilarious and all the snarky comments that gradually lost its sass and snark and became loving instead *chef's kiss*. For most of the book I was either giggling, smiling, laughing or getting quite a bit hot and bothered…
While this book is rom-com-esque there were still an emotional depth and a lot more to the characters than what meets the eye at first glance, and all the internal battles were very relatable. It was of course important - for them becoming a couple and for their personal growth, but it also wasn't the main focus, which I really liked.
Seeing Clay and Rocky coming together was EVERYTHING! They were seriously unstoppable together, both on and off the court. There were a lot of sweet moments, a lot of funny moments and a lot of spicy moments and I don't know what I loved the most. Maybe Rocky being in denial about his crush, but not being able to stay away from Clay, or how they were quite opposite but still complements each other or Rocky's family being the best.
The tension between Rocky and Clay was clear immediately, then mixed with the sort of forced proximity and scorching hot chemistry led to some very hot scenes. This story had a bit of a slow burn but also not; the spice was spicing and helped bring them together because they both saw something more in one another in these more tender and intimate moments. They were just perfect together; on the court, in the sheets and in every other aspect of their lives.
Also, this book had some of the best supporting characters, and I really want more of this world!
July 29, 2024
Clayton and Rockwell, so perfect!
This book was just so refreshing and light um just a great read.
It's an MM romance, enemies to lovers, gay for you and it's so well written.
It's impossible not to fall in love with these two, but I'm suspicious because I love reading MM novels, I think it's the fact that two men with a high level of testosterone, we witness and feel that power struggle and the ultimate abandonment of it in favor of other. It's almost a feeling of voyeurism, if I know what I mean.
But back to the point, Strong Side tells the story of two beach volleyball players, who are forced, by life circumstances, to form a pair. Rockwell can't stand Clayton, despite having no real basis for disliking him, which makes Clayton take pleasure in pushing his buttons.
From the beginning we feel all the tension that exists between them, which makes the banter between them hilarious.
The character development is very well done, and we feel immense empathy for both characters, especially for Clayton and his entire battle with anxiety and panic attacks. It makes our heart squeeze tight, and we feel all his anxiety and despair inside us.
The romantic connection develops very naturally, and I tell you, get ready for regular changes of panties, because this book is H. O. T.
Tilly Ridge and S.R. Clark, you guys wrote a fantastic story, and now I'm eager to hear the whole Jax and Theo story.
What you will find in Strong Side:
MM Romance
Beach volleyball partners
⚡️Enemies to Lovers
Sexual awakening
⚡️Found family
Exhïbitiönism
⚡️Praise & Degrädation
No third act
⚡️Mental health rep
This book was just so refreshing and light um just a great read.
It's an MM romance, enemies to lovers, gay for you and it's so well written.
It's impossible not to fall in love with these two, but I'm suspicious because I love reading MM novels, I think it's the fact that two men with a high level of testosterone, we witness and feel that power struggle and the ultimate abandonment of it in favor of other. It's almost a feeling of voyeurism, if I know what I mean.
But back to the point, Strong Side tells the story of two beach volleyball players, who are forced, by life circumstances, to form a pair. Rockwell can't stand Clayton, despite having no real basis for disliking him, which makes Clayton take pleasure in pushing his buttons.
From the beginning we feel all the tension that exists between them, which makes the banter between them hilarious.
The character development is very well done, and we feel immense empathy for both characters, especially for Clayton and his entire battle with anxiety and panic attacks. It makes our heart squeeze tight, and we feel all his anxiety and despair inside us.
The romantic connection develops very naturally, and I tell you, get ready for regular changes of panties, because this book is H. O. T.
Tilly Ridge and S.R. Clark, you guys wrote a fantastic story, and now I'm eager to hear the whole Jax and Theo story.
What you will find in Strong Side:
MM Romance
Beach volleyball partners
⚡️Enemies to Lovers
Sexual awakening
⚡️Found family
Exhïbitiönism
⚡️Praise & Degrädation
No third act
⚡️Mental health rep
July 22, 2024
O M G! Never have a I ever fallen so hard, so quickly for two men 🥵 It’s been 24 hrs since I’ve finished this book and it’s all I can think about!
We love a little forced proximity, grumpy x sunshine, enemies to lovers vibes causing that tension to be THICK in the best way.
Rockwell is the guy who didn’t grow up with a lot but has a lot of love to give. Clayton grew up under stress and has so much to prove. When these two are forced to become partners together little do we know that’s not all they’d become. I loved how easily Clayton lit up the room but once Rockwell started to shine, I was like a moth to a flame. It was love at first read from the spicy scenes to the sweet moments shared between two men who complement each other in every aspect of their life.
This was my first ever MM read and it certainly won’t be my last!
5 ⭐️
5🌶️
🫡♥️
We love a little forced proximity, grumpy x sunshine, enemies to lovers vibes causing that tension to be THICK in the best way.
Rockwell is the guy who didn’t grow up with a lot but has a lot of love to give. Clayton grew up under stress and has so much to prove. When these two are forced to become partners together little do we know that’s not all they’d become. I loved how easily Clayton lit up the room but once Rockwell started to shine, I was like a moth to a flame. It was love at first read from the spicy scenes to the sweet moments shared between two men who complement each other in every aspect of their life.
This was my first ever MM read and it certainly won’t be my last!
5 ⭐️
5🌶️
🫡♥️
July 30, 2024
Rating: 5⭐️ PURRRRR
Spice: 5🌶️ HAWWWT
These 2?! Wheewww they were something! You could literally cut the sexual tension with a butter knife as soon as you open the book lmao and I loved that🤭
Rocky is so strong and secure, but then Clay steps in and makes him falter. Everything that he thought he knew about himself is being challenged and little does he know that this person becomes such an important figure in his life. I love how Clay took that nurturing stance with Rocky throughout, I was literally swooning from the praise😩
I loved the journey they both went on from beginning to end, and how they discovered these sides of themselves. The chemistry was UNMATCHED, and now I can never look at beach volleyball the same in the best way again😏
Spice: 5🌶️ HAWWWT
These 2?! Wheewww they were something! You could literally cut the sexual tension with a butter knife as soon as you open the book lmao and I loved that🤭
Rocky is so strong and secure, but then Clay steps in and makes him falter. Everything that he thought he knew about himself is being challenged and little does he know that this person becomes such an important figure in his life. I love how Clay took that nurturing stance with Rocky throughout, I was literally swooning from the praise😩
I loved the journey they both went on from beginning to end, and how they discovered these sides of themselves. The chemistry was UNMATCHED, and now I can never look at beach volleyball the same in the best way again😏
August 12, 2024
I loved this book so much, Clay and Rockwell's relationship is so damn precious, every time I read a good-written MM romance, my brain chemistry is altered, and this book was amazing, also being teased about future books through this book, and by Tilly has me ON THE EDGE OF MY DAMN SEAT, this woman is set on having me lose y goddamn mind.
Clay being the golden retriever in this dynamic and also the dom is so perfect, there were times I wanted to hug him so bad, like at this point I need therapy with how much I empathize with FICTIONAL characters.
Rockwell, or Rock man OR BABY as Clay (and Rockwell) likes to call my precious crop top-wearing baby, is such a pretty soul (again I emphasize I NEED THERAPY because I just called a FICTIONAL character a pretty soul), I love this man so much.
The bonus epilogue was SO DAMN CUTE. I'm also never forgiving Tilly for teasing me.
Clay being the golden retriever in this dynamic and also the dom is so perfect, there were times I wanted to hug him so bad, like at this point I need therapy with how much I empathize with FICTIONAL characters.
Rockwell, or Rock man OR BABY as Clay (and Rockwell) likes to call my precious crop top-wearing baby, is such a pretty soul (again I emphasize I NEED THERAPY because I just called a FICTIONAL character a pretty soul), I love this man so much.
The bonus epilogue was SO DAMN CUTE. I'm also never forgiving Tilly for teasing me.
April 15, 2025
I absolutely loved this book. It’s 362 pages, but it reads at the pace of a novella, and I devoured it in one sitting!
Rocky and Clay are forced to become college volleyball doubles partners after they both lose their partners. But they quickly make it work, both on and off the sand!
Rocky and Clay immediately became two of my favorite MMCs ever. Their banter is top-notch, their chemistry is 🔥🔥🔥, and the 🌶️ is spicin’!
No third act breakup, and a happy ever after!
And Rocky’s family is amazing.
Plus some great bonus extended epilogues available at the end.
Can’t wait to read the entire series!!!
I also loved the playlist embedded in footnotes throughout the book that told you when to press play on the song so that it played during a specific scene or event as it happens. That was such a cool feature!
Rocky and Clay are forced to become college volleyball doubles partners after they both lose their partners. But they quickly make it work, both on and off the sand!
Rocky and Clay immediately became two of my favorite MMCs ever. Their banter is top-notch, their chemistry is 🔥🔥🔥, and the 🌶️ is spicin’!
No third act breakup, and a happy ever after!
And Rocky’s family is amazing.
Plus some great bonus extended epilogues available at the end.
Can’t wait to read the entire series!!!
I also loved the playlist embedded in footnotes throughout the book that told you when to press play on the song so that it played during a specific scene or event as it happens. That was such a cool feature!
July 13, 2024
Awee I loveddd Rocky and Clay! Being eachothers strong side was so sweet and iconic and the two of them were literally unstoppable in all aspects of their lives. It seemed when they both wanted something it happened.
They came from opposite lifestyles and were able to see the grass isn’t always greener on the other side and to never judge someone by how much or how little they have.
The spice was spicyyyy oooo and especially with Rocky learning who he truly was while clay walked him through it?! So hot!
I laughed, I was stressed for the mmcs, I said aweee soo many times and throughly enjoyed these twos love story!
They came from opposite lifestyles and were able to see the grass isn’t always greener on the other side and to never judge someone by how much or how little they have.
The spice was spicyyyy oooo and especially with Rocky learning who he truly was while clay walked him through it?! So hot!
I laughed, I was stressed for the mmcs, I said aweee soo many times and throughly enjoyed these twos love story!
July 27, 2024
This book.
First off, I would highly recommend anything that Tilly writes to any smut loving readers… and it has become clear to me that S.R. Clark is another author to watch for!
These two men are absolute Roman Empire material from page one through the end. The story is angsty, heartwarming, and HOT 🥵 with the tension of the game and their relationship leaving you wondering what will come next.
The writing in this book is absolute perfection and the amount of highlighting that I did was unreal. I will absolutely add it to my printed collection and read it again and again. Now, if you will excuse me, I’m off to see if any men in my area want to show off their abs in a crop and go cruising for boyfriends 😘
First off, I would highly recommend anything that Tilly writes to any smut loving readers… and it has become clear to me that S.R. Clark is another author to watch for!
These two men are absolute Roman Empire material from page one through the end. The story is angsty, heartwarming, and HOT 🥵 with the tension of the game and their relationship leaving you wondering what will come next.
The writing in this book is absolute perfection and the amount of highlighting that I did was unreal. I will absolutely add it to my printed collection and read it again and again. Now, if you will excuse me, I’m off to see if any men in my area want to show off their abs in a crop and go cruising for boyfriends 😘
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