Capture the Moment

The Moments Series #1

by Ziye' Taylor

Cleo

I had a plan to come to SFU and start a new life. Everything was supposed to be normal—easy even. No boys. No drama. My dad coaches here and we'd already come up with our game plan for the year—go to home games and any practices he needed me at. Which was easy enough until one night changed everything. I thought I'd be able to move on from him, but everything hits the fan when I see him at my dad's hockey practice. Did I also mention that he's my partner for a major project?

Blake Wilder was certainly not a part of my plan.

Blake

Meeting Cleo Jones at a pre-semester part was not on my bingo card for this semester. Hooking up with her the day before meeting her as my coach's only daughter was certainly as far away from my mind as possible. I had a plan. Play the fame and show the scouts that I'm ready for the big leagues. But when our project has us getting closer than ever, I can't help but focus on the girl in front of me a little to much.

Genres: Romance, Sports Romance, Sports, Hockey, Contemporary, Hockey Romance, College Romance

314 pages, Kindle Edition

First published November 11, 2024

About the author

𐐪♡𐑂 mentally: dating Blake Wilder🏒
𐐪♡𐑂 CTM coming fall 2024

Reviews

[myo ⋆｡˚ ❀ *]

dnf @ 2% hate the way this author writes, it feels like it came straight from wattpad. also don’t enjoy how she writes from the male pov, came off corny and slightly weird. the “slut” character gave wattpad as well.

[tane'a · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5⭐️ “the princess and her lover boy”

cleo, our pink and bow loving gal, ends up at a new school after dealing with some troubling things back in new york. this is her fresh start, she’s going to keep her head in the books and not let any boys distract her…unless their name is blake wilder🙂‍↕️

blake, our sweetie, golden retriever, hockey player! when i tell you this man was down bad for cleo😭 he was the true embodiment of a love sick puppy! being so caring and attentive to cleo, how could she resist?

together, cleo and blake are just so adorable, i’m telling you, if you want to feel good, happy, and have a some laughs, this is the book you need to read !

ALSO! the set ups i was seeing for the next books???
ZIYE! GIRL!! i know this book just came out but i need those other books real bad😩at least slide me a lil teaser or something🤭
i just KNOW they are going to be so good

[Belslibraryy · Rating 2 out of 5]

DNF @30%

Thank you Ziye Taylor for the ARC!

This was definitely not for me… I was bored whilst reading it I tried to push through but i just couldn’t do it.

[Shawnaci Schroeder · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5/5
“I’d date you in any lifetime, in any form cleo jones” omg this book was sooooo good!! If you love a hockey romance, this is one you HAVE to pick up. It was so fun! The fact that the mmc took her to get 7 books on a bookstore date and they end up having sex on the beach?! CUTEEEE!!
I neeeed book two!! I fell in love with all the characters and the found family in this story. Booktok would EAT THIS BOOK UP and just goes to show that there are so many incredible stories that deserve more hype
The way that the mmc talks to and absolutely adores the fmc is everything that I want to see in a romance. The way he would literally do anything for her… SWOONING

[Trinity · Rating 2 out of 5]

ARC Review
⭐️⭐️.5/5 🌶🌶/5

TW - depression, self loathing, anxiety, anxiety attacks (on page), drug use (mentioned), alcohol consumption, underage drinking (past, mentioned), abusing sex and alcohol (mentioned), blackmail and revenge porn, strained maternal relationships, violence (on page), death of a grandparent (stroke, loosely recounted), death of a pet fish (mentioned), adoption (mentioned), separated parents (mentioned), parental abandonment (past, mentioned), steroid use (secondary character, mentioned)

CW - semi public play

Tropes - one night stand, coach's daughter, slow burn, he falls first, sports - hockey

Representation - interracial couple, Black FMC, mental health rep

This was an okay read but I was ultimately left somewhat disappointed. This is a debut and it is very obvious that there are more books to follow in this series that will focus on the other characters we were introduced to. I felt like there was too much focus on the side characters and setting up for future books that, at times, it took away from the two MCs in this story.

CJ (FMC) refers to her eyes as "bark coloured" and acc kill me if someone said this about my eyes lmao. I bring this up because I feel like every descriptor about these characters was about their eyes to the point where it was overdone and it became to much for me.

Blake's (MMC) friends seem to have no knowledge of the girl he hooked up with which was weird to me because they were ALL there when they both got picked for 7 mins in heaven - this inconsistency confused me. There was also a point where Jace (side character) caught Blake looking CJ up and made this big threat but then the chapter ended and it was never picked up again - this inconsistency also confused me because idk if it was meant to be edited out or not but it just seemed out of place as there was no follow up for it

Another thing I thought was weird was that her dad, the hockey coach, made a deal with her that she would attend their practice to help out. I'm pretty sure this happens once and, they're D1 athletes, what exactly is she helping with???????

There is an instance when they kiss and she says they’re just friends he replies friends can’t kiss? and she storms away. I’m either missing something or she was overreacting. Why is she mad when SHE is the one that said they’re friends???? I was very confused by this, lol

All in all, it was lack lustre, the cover is cute though 🤷🏽‍♀️

Scale:
⭐️ - would've DNF'ed / continued out of spite
⭐️⭐️ - shit, but whatever
⭐️⭐️⭐️ - meh, could've been better
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ - lit 👅
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ - loved it, inject this shit into my veins 🤪

🫑 - no smut
🌶 - no point
🌶🌶 - mediocre at best
🌶🌶🌶 - standard smut, hot
🌶🌶🌶🌶 - 🥵 okay, some CW
🌶🌶🌶🌶🌶 - fuck me 🥵🥵 CWs / filthy with a side of filth - see Poison / Room Twenty-Two: Hide and Seek/ The Naughty List

[Chrinovic · Rating 1 out of 5]

I honestly stopped reading about 5% of the way in the writing of this book was so juvenile and gave old wattpad and not in a good way. Honestly don’t bother with this

[tami · Rating 2 out of 5]

the book was sweet but it didn't live up to my expectations. First and foremost, i was expecting a stronger forbidden love kinda vibe, considering the fact that it emphasises her father's role in both of their lives. Instead, there was too little of an actual reaction when her father learnt about blake and cleo's relationship, which felt a bit anticlimactic to me. Similarly, when Cleo's past had been exposed and they were trying to bring down everything, i felt like it was kind of overlooked as if it wasn't such a big issue. It was rushed and then the solution also came out of a sudden without any real depth to it.

Now, Blake and Cleo's relationship. I am not a fan of insta love and this one felt like it. What also put me off was that their interactions had been physical before Cleo even acknowledged the feeling of like towards Blake. Because after that, Cleo was very confused and even refused -for a short while- to entertain the possibility of a future with him, reasonably though due to her past, i give her that. However, it didn't do much to deter me from growing slightly annoyed with her indecisive approach to the matter.

Lastly, this is only my personal opinion but i didn't enjoy seeing the overly realistic narrative. The way the characters were presented was as real as it gets and although sometimes it's nice.. it didn't do it for me this time. We're talking about a high school, hockey romance book with lots of boys, obviously. So, i must admit i got the ick more than a few times and that's something i don't like to experience in a book. It was the fact that i felt it often with the main characters too, not only side characters which made it worse. I couldn't help but cringe with them a lot of times.

[han ♡ · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.25 ⭐️

“i’m the guy she’s about to walk like a dog. and if i’m being honest, i’d let her.”

this was so cute! cleo and blake complement each other so well, even though they seem like an assuming pair on the outside. blake was so incredibly down bad for cleo and he couldn’t hide it if he tried. the part where he hand delivered lego sets to her? obsessed. oh, AND they were her favourite colour. double obsessed. i loved cleo’s obsession with bows and how strong of a character she was, not to mention relatable. the way she teased blake throughout the book was everything, and i’m fully invested in her little friend group now. i’m so reading book two whenever it comes out <3

[teee S · Rating 1 out of 5]

Overall I just think this book is very poor. It gave wattpad vibes with the way it was written and the characters just fall in love immediately which can be cute sometimes but this it just felt so rushed. Even with the fmc being black I just felt like there was nothing talked about related to her identity except for her getting the mmc to wash her hair. At times i completely forgot that the fmc was black because there was nothing in the book that talked more about her blackness. Just very disappointed. I only finished this cause I wanted to give it a fair chance and it completely fell flat for me. Even with the ex boyfriend having a tape of her I feel like that plot was very rushed and almost forgotten about at times like as a reader your so stressed for the fmc scared in case it gets leaked (it did) but it wasn’t even by him it was her roommate from her New York who we didn’t know anything about. But after this her ex started texting her saying he wants her back and it’s just glossed over. I feel that didn’t even needed to be included in the book at all.
It kind of felt confusing keeping up with some of the characters I’d confused jace with Ryan 😭 but I think that’s just me and my brain. But yeah an overall bad book.

[riya :) · Rating 5 out of 5]

"I'd date you in any lifetime, in any form, Cleo Jones,"

Thank you so much to the author, Ziye' Taylor for giving me the immense privilege of being a beta reader for her debut novel, Capture the Moment. When I was asked about my favourite part upon finishing the novel, I struggled to come up with ONE answer, and instead listed a whole range of scenes because that's just how good the book was.

Cleo and Blake's chemistry was SO SO good, and I really loved getting to know them. Sweet bow-loving Cleo, is 100% a girly girl and completely OBSESSED with donuts, the colour pink (me me me fr) and F1. And Blake is so completely book boyfriend material! Golden Retriever Bf who was absolutely whipped from Page 1 and his affection towards Cleo just grew through everything that went on during the book. I loved how this book wasn't only a romance, but had some aspects of self-growth and acceptance, and I really loved seeing the characters grow - especially my girl Cleo. The chemistry between other characters was good as well, such as Cleo's relationships with her friends, and Blake's with his. The side characters were written with detail, but not too much that they distracted from our main couple.

This is a hockey romance with a side of drama and a very good series starter that leaves you wanting to read the rest of the series instantly. Y'all are not ready to meet Cleo and Blake on November 11th.

Congrats on your debut book Ziye'!! I'm so immensely proud of you and I cannot wait for book 2. Every piece of success and praise you get from this book is so well deserved and I wish you all the best for your writing journey. And thank you so much for the beta opportunity.

Tropes:
🏫College Romance
📹School Project
🏒Hockey Romance
🤍Dual Pov
🎡POC Representation
🩷Boy Obsessed
🍩Semi-Black Cat x Golden Retriever

[KB · Rating 2 out of 5]

I rrreeeeaaalllyyy wanted to like this. From the first page there was a lot going on. Too many names & characters were being introduced & that continued through the whole book. Since there was so much going on, I felt like I couldn't really get acquainted with the MCs of this book. Also, the many nicknames every one was throwing around...it was too much.

The writing style. The author has skill and potential and I'm not against reading future works from her but I struggled with many things. The dialogue... The way the characters talked to each other...something was off. I'm not saying it wasn't realistic, because it was, but I just kept cringing for a good bit of it. It was a struggle to read at times because it seemed like past tense and present tense were in the same sentences & I had to go back to reread because I was confused. I know this is a NA college romance...but the plot with the messages and why Cleo left her old school made it seem like the book was trying to be something else.

Another small annoyance was the use of "a vulgar gesture" 😑 IYKYK. I hate that in the books it spawned from so hated to see it make an appearance here, especially when later in the book she says "flipped off". None of the other characters sparked interest for me to read anymore from this series, but I will keep the author on my radar.

[Isabelle · Rating 2 out of 5]

DNF at 35%
First of all, I want to say thank you to Ziye’ Taylor for the ARC! I appreciate it and congrats on your debut novel.

Now, when it comes to the book, it was unfortunately not for me. I just didn’t enjoy the characters or the writing. We’re being introduced to so many characters and I simply couldn’t keep up with who was who. To end this off, I’ve an idea of who the next couples will be and maybe I’ll chime in then.

Tropes:

[harshiiiii_02 · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Capture the Moment" by Ziye Taylor is EVERYTHING I didn’t know I needed! I don’t typically dive into sports romance, but this book? It hooked me from the first page. Cleo Jones is an absolute boss—she’s got her life together, complete with donuts, bows, and all the fierce energy. She’s the kind of character you can’t help but root for, and honestly, she’s pretty much flawless.

And Blake Wilder? Oh. My. Gosh. This guy is EVERYTHING—he’s got that golden retriever energy, but make it swoon-worthy. He’s protective, sweet, and definitely knows how to turn up the charm. The way he calls Cleo “princess” just about melted me. Their chemistry is off the charts!!!

The two meet at a pre-semester party, and sparks fly instantly. But then the real twist comes—Blake’s coach is Cleo’s dad! Talk about awkward. But you just know these two are destined for drama (and each other). Cleo’s trying to stay drama-free—no boys, no distractions, just supporting her dad—but of course, Blake’s the cocky captain on her dad’s hockey team, and let’s just say things get…complicated.

Then they’re stuck together for a class project, and the banter between them? Absolutely delicious!!! It’s flirty, it’s teasing, it’s everything you want in a slow-burn romance. I swear, I couldn’t stop grinning the whole time.

And the friend group dynamic? So much fun. Jace and Georgia? I’m already invested—I’m rooting for them to get their own book, and I NEED to know what happens with Denver and Ryan; Sienna and Derek next!

If you love hockey, steamy chemistry, and a romance full of heat and heart, you have to read this. It’s on KU, so don’t wait—dive in ASAP!

[Sandy (Sandy.Reads) · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️.75 /5

Ziye’ Taylor’s debut novel Capture the Moment is a delightful read that perfectly balances humor, romance, and suspense. The witty banter and jokes between the characters had me laughing out loud and reminiscing about my own college days. Taylor does a fantastic job of capturing the carefree, chaotic energy of that time of life, making it a fun and nostalgic escape.

This is the kind of book you pick up when you need a quick palate cleanser. The sweet romance unfolds naturally, with just the right sprinkle of suspense to keep things interesting. It’s easy to get lost in the story—so much so that I devoured it in one sitting! While it’s not without a few minor flaws, Taylor’s voice shines, leaving me excited to see what’s next from her.

If you’re in the mood for a charming, lighthearted read, this one is worth adding to your list!

[bookswstella · Rating 3 out of 5]

*3.5⭐️*

𝐅𝐢𝐫𝐬𝐭 𝐨𝐟 𝐚𝐥𝐥, 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐤 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐬𝐨 𝐦𝐮𝐜𝐡 𝐭𝐨 𝐙𝐢𝐲𝐞’ 𝐓𝐚𝐲𝐥𝐨𝐫 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐥𝐞𝐭𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐦𝐞 𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐝 𝐚𝐧 𝐀𝐑𝐂 𝐨𝐟 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐛𝐨𝐨𝐤!!<𝟑

(I’m SO sick of this slump that won’t let me enjoy all these great books!! But hey, I finally finished a book!)

The last 80% was my favorite!!

To start off, I really liked both Cleo and Blake, but the best part about the book was BY FAR the found family!! Bc nothing makes me as happy as when that trope is well written!! The dynamic between everyone was just so good and it was a blast to read the scenes when everyone was included!!

A few characters I loved a bit extra was Delilah (like how could I not love her?!), Denver (!! And her relationship with Blake + she kinda reminded me of Ash from the Sing movies which I loved!!), Ryan (no words) and OBVIOUSLY I loved Jace!! Like he was just so great, I loved how he treated the girls, his relationship with Blake and just every scene he was a part of!!

But back to Cleo and Blake, bc they had some really sweet moments, Blake was a teddy bear and a bit obsessed with Cleo (in a good way!!) and it was so fun to see their relationship progress!

I’m a sucker for hockey romance, and I don’t think i need to say more why that contributes to the book being read-worthy!

I really hope we’ll get books from all of the core group members’ POV bc I will miss this friend group!! (And it was so fun trying to figure out who might end up with whom, there was two people in particular that caught my interest a bit more! No I take that back, who am I kidding, I’m just as excited for the other couples too!!)

It was just a fun cute read and you should definitely give it a go!

[maine ❀ · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 ★

this was so cute, hehe thank you ziye for an arc of this book!!

cleo jones, my bow obsessed girlie. she's just so strong and genuinely amazing. she's been through HELL and BACK but is still going on with her life and kicking ass at it. she's just a girl who loves donuts, filming YouTube and hanging out with her girls.

blake wilder, the sunshine hockey player. he's definitely one of my favourites, bouncing on his toes whenever she's near him, and he's just so HIM. I can't explain it but something about him just makes me warm on the inside. he notices every single detail about the people he loves.

together, they are absolutely adorable. letting down each other's walls and opening up slowly. they love hard and would tear apart the ends of world for one another. they have so much love to give, their acts of service, gift giving are just SO cute.

the core friendships in this book made me SMILE so widely. I adore the friendships in this book with how everyone just loved and cared for one another in their own ways. they would drop everything if someone in the group needed help and would do anything just to make sure everyone is safe and sound.

this book is out 11/11 ⋆𐙚₊˚⊹♡

tropes :
୨୧ coach's daughter x star player
୨୧ semi black-cat x golden retriever
୨୧ he falls first and harder
୨୧ hockey romance
୨୧ POC rep, Black FMC

[Niya ˚ʚ♡ɞ˚ · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book follows the lives of a pink-bow wearing, donut loving girl named Cleo Jones and her lovesick, golden retriever, hockey loving boyfriend named Blake Wilder.

The romance in this book was really cute and they had great chemistry but it was somewhat of a slow burn for me (especially because I thought her and her dad's agreement would play a bigger role than it did). The best part about the book for me was not the romance (surprisingly) but the self growth the characters go through throughout the book specifically Cleo.

Taylor does an amazing job of capturing the stressful and chaotic yet easygoing energy of the life of a college student, making it a fun escape to dive into. If you're in the mood and looking for a charming, lighthearted sports romance read, then this one is worth adding to the list!

[BarbieTheeReader&#x1f380;&#x1fae6; · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you so much to the author for an E-ARC!

“We’d never judge you. You’re our sister, if you hurt, we hurt.”

“He’s attentive and patient and so freaking kind… I think I might like him.”

“This feeling of complete euphoria from another person’s being is astounding.”

Wow, what a mind blowing read! This was such a cute love story that tackled and incorporated such real themes such as anxiety and panic attacks, depression, black mail, strained relationships and more. I think the author did a marvelous job with demonstrating Cleo as a multilayered character, she is vibrant, girly girl, and a breath of fresh air, but in the same breathe still has struggles and internal conflict on how to deal with certain situations. Her internal dialogue and fluffy personality makes her character so loveable and makes the reader want the absolute best for her. Her reserves and her view on relationship is a very real thing and it’s relatable as well.

One thing I loved most about this story is the sisterhood / friendship between Cleo and her friends (Georgia, Sienna, Denver.) Their relationship and unwavering support is so beautiful and it reminds me of my own close friendships! Even at Cleo’s lowest she never felt like her friends would leave her because they were right with her with every step of the way and gave her enough space for her to gather her thoughts. I really like how her friends picked up on Cleo’s actions and vibe changing and they adapted in a way to support her in the way she needed most!

Blake is truly the cutest and additional support system that Cleo didn’t know she needed! His patience and support for Cleo never changed and he was always attentive to her needs and always made her laugh and feel like the only woman in the world! I loved reading about their relationship develop through the story and it’s such a feel good moment to see Cleo be loved out loud in a way that she deserved. Their banter was corny at times but it was cute cheesy corny and I ate it up!

The side characters and found family that Blake and Cleo have in their lives added so much to the plot and demonstrates that friends can also be your family and go to hell and high water for you.

[Natalyastyles · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you so much
Author Ziyé Taylor for giving me the beautiful opportunity to read an ARC of your new upcoming Hockey romance book🎀🏒🍩
(Capture The Moment)
5⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️read!!! I tore this book up flipping page over page edging over to find out what happens next! Deeply engrossed into this book from the very first chapter!🌸
“Capture The Moment” takes readers on an engaging journey through the lives of
Cleo Jones✨🎀 and Blake Wilder🏒♥️
Two college students whose worlds collide in unexpected ways. Cleo arrives at Summerfield University with a clear plan: keep things simple and avoid complications, especially romantic ones. Her dad, who coaches the university's hockey team, has mapped out her year centered around games and practices. But her resolve is tested when she unexpectedly encounters Blake at a party, only to discover he's not just any guy; he's her dad's star player and her partner for a major project. Blake, who is focused on impressing scouts and advancing his hockey career, finds his priorities shifting as he gets to know Cleo. Their story unfolds with classic tropes like college romance, the dynamics of being the coach's daughter, and the challenges of balancing personal and academic life. With its dual POV narrative, the book explores themes of identity, ambition, and love, enriched by POC representation and the charming contrasts between Cleo's semi-black cat personality and Blake's golden retriever-like enthusiasm. As they navigate late-night car drives and the complexities of young love, readers are drawn into a heartfelt exploration of what happens when life’s plans take an unexpected turn.
Cleo, is a captivating creation by the Author✨
Ziyé Taylor, writes Cleo with the essence of a strong, golden-kissed✨black woman who seamlessly blends intellect, style, and passion. As a communications major, Cleo's sharp mind complements her status as a fashion icon, with her signature🎀✨pink bows✨🎀
and an undeniable love for donuts🍩—never leave a box unattended when she's around!👀Her passion for blogging and photography allows her to share her vibrant daily life with the world as she does it with her amazing lover or beautiful circle of friends💫
Her love for romantic fantasy novels adds depth to her multifaceted personality.
An ex-figure skater❄️⛸️ A avid Formula 1 enthusiast!! Cleo's admiration for Eren Marlow, adds an exciting dimension to her character, further enriched by her celebrity lineage.
Ziyé Taylor, skillfully portrays Cleo's emotional journey, highlighting her resilience and growth through life's challenges along with showcasing her endearing relationship with her lover Blake, that shows a testament to the boundless nature of love🥹characterized by an endless shower of affection that is both heartfelt and beautifully written. Each moment they share is a sweet symphony of giggles and tender gestures, painting a vivid picture of two souls intricately intertwined. Her love for Blake is expressed in countless ways—through gentle words whispered in the quiet of night💫small acts of kindness that speak volumes, and laughter that constantly fills the air with warmth🌸their relationship is a beautifully crafted narrative, rich with emotion and sincerity, capturing the essence of love in its purest form. and the unwavering support of her friends, underscores her narrative, making Cleo a beacon of strength and a beloved figure in the literary world. And The author showers that incredible writing skills with Cleo’s sweetheart—
Blake Wilder♥️💫 is a captivating blend of charm and exuberance, that embodies the characterized golden retriever personality. As a dedicated film major and the spirited captain of Summerfield University's hockey team, Blake balances his athletic prowess with a creative flair. His love for Legos reflects his playful nature, while his secret admiration for One Direction adds a layer of endearing vulnerability to his character. Blake's affection for his girlfriend, Cleo Jones, is palpable; he showers her with warmth and affection, always there to tease or protect her with unwavering loyalty. Despite his easygoing demeanor, Blake harbors a secret dislike for Eren Marlow, which he only divulges to Cleo or his close cousin, Denver. His red Jeep is his pride and joy, much like his role as a fun-loving uncle to his nieces. A natural flirt, Blake's joy and kindness are infectious, making him a beloved figure both on and off the ice.
Pre-order
(Capture The Moment) 🎀🍩🏒
Asap to be ready to endure
this lovely tale of fun endless possibilities✨
(Release November 11th 2024)
And you can do just that by visiting the Author’s social media @authorziyetaylor on IG, and also get the chance to explore her beautiful page filled with fantastic characters artwork & get to know more about the amazing side characters and their adventures in (The Moments series)

“I’d Date You In Any Lifetime. In Any Form. Cleo Jones”
Blake Wilder💋💫
My book BF in every lifetime🥹

[Layareads2 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you for granting me an arc of your debut novel Capture the Moment. The influx of emotions I experienced while reading this book! Whew! I could talk about the giddiness and innocence…this book made me feel like an innocent adoring childlike love in a sense. Cleo the pink, bow loving, donut lover girl and the golden retriever, Lego loving, hockey player Blake! The growth between the characters and individuals and the the theme of acceptance. I absolutely adored this book and im so excited to read book 2 and every book after. Congratulations I’m so proud 🥹🥹

[Ellie Wilson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you so much to Ziye’ Taylor for the ARC of Capture The Moment. I started reading this book, ironically on the way to a hockey game, and I really loved the characters, their stories and particularly the friendships in this book.
Congratulations on the release of your book, Ziye’! I can’t wait to read more 🩷

[Destini · Rating 1 out of 5]

I thought we stopped writing like this is 2015..?

[Jaydin Riley · Rating 2 out of 5]

I wanted to like this so bad but I didn’t. Every time I thought it would get better it got more confusing with the plot and the characters. I basically skipped around from the 20% mark to the end. Had some cute moments though, I also think there’s a second book in this series so I’ll probably read that.

[Trinity · Rating 2 out of 5]

Dnf

To be fair I’ve been on a fantasy kick so maybe going back to fluffy romance writing is what threw me off.

It gave ya wattpad vibes , I was actually surprised when I saw they were in college ..

The writing style wasn’t for me but the cover is so cute lmao. Def a miss hope to see the author grow more writing wise💗

[Princess · Rating 2 out of 5]

DNF'ed @64
I'm sorry but this was mind numbingly boring omg 🫠

[Aliyah Symonette · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars (ARC)

Firstly congratulations to Ziye’ Taylor on her debut novel.

Cleo and Blake are just the cutest and I had a fun time reading this book. Enjoyed all of the friendships - Cleo’s girl group and the hockey team and how they supported her through a difficult time. I enjoyed the other romances going on as well. Ofcourse I know who barges in the door at the end and I hope the next book is for them because I’m intrigued 👀😂

It was a quick and easy read and whenever I sat down to read I was surprised at how much I was able to get through because I’m a slow reader.

This book slightly reminded me of Icebreaker. I started reading both around the same time and got a little mixed up for a second so if you like Icebreaker I’d say give this a chance.

- College Romance
- Hockey Romance
- Dual POV
- POC Rep
- Semi-Black Cat x Golden Retriever

[Aryana · Rating 5 out of 5]

“𝑐𝑜𝑢𝑙𝑑 𝑎 𝑤𝑜𝑚𝑎𝑛 𝑏𝑒 𝑎𝑛𝑦 𝑚𝑜𝑟𝑒 𝑝𝑒𝑟𝑓𝑒𝑐𝑡? 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑎𝑛𝑠𝑤𝑒𝑟 𝑖𝑠 𝑛𝑜... 𝑛𝑜 𝑜𝑛𝑒 𝑡𝑜𝑝𝑠 𝑐𝑙𝑒𝑜 𝑗𝑜𝑛𝑒𝑠.” ♡

rating: ★★★★.5

review:
this book was so. much. FUN!👏🏽

being able to read cleo, as the beautiful black queen she is, was such a privilege. not only is she hilarious, brave and intelligent, she has the kind of strength that inspires. she deserved so much better and i couldn’t be happier that she found it. i loveddd how she stood up for herself in the end because she deserved the world. her vulnerability with blake and letting him into her world was my favorite part.

blake wilder?!?! ohhh this man was nothing but a good time. he was an absolute dream and so attentive my heart just melted. i loved how confident and cocky he could be, but my favorite moments were when he was filming the real/ raw moments with cleo and how they got closer through the project.

jace 🏹cupid💋 heart I’M IN LOVE WITH YOU!! i need him so bad it’s unreal😫 also the dynamic of the friend group was elite. i loveddd the family they built with their closest friends, and all of them are iconic in their own ways.

THE LAST SCENE?!?! first of all ziye’ is such a tease and second WHO IS IT???

still MASSIVE THANK YOU to Ziyé Taylor for the ARC! she’s literally the sweetest and i am proud to support her and this amazing debut<3 CTM is OUT NOW and available on KU!!!

WARNING: this book is for mature audiences (18+). this book also contains on page anxiety, depression, mentions of alcohol use, blackmail, and more so please check warnings before proceeding.

[Kendra · Rating 3 out of 5]

I second the reviews this definitely brought me back to my Wattpad days! Also I don’t know why, but to me the characters didn’t feel 20 years old more like 16 years old so the spice scenes freaked me out lowkey…

[Siné · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was good. The first few chapters set it up nice but then 47% into the book I kinda wanted to dnf it. It's probably not the books fault😂 it's a me problem. I hate when I can tell which direction/way the rest of the book is headed. I just hate being able to predict it, I need twists and turns.


And this is something new I've never had a problem with this...but now I do😬

[☆•Char•☆ · Rating 1 out of 5]

Dnf - 70%

the book was okay I guess but it felt like I was forcing myself to get through it and it felt like the same shit kept happening again and again in the book, without it actually going anywhere