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Love Letters #0.5
Tackled in the Stacks
I caught her staring at me from across the quad, eyes fixed on the football jersey stretched across my wide chest. And if I flexed my muscles, showing off the strength of a defensive tackle, it was just to see her blush.
And then she did, and I couldn’t get her out of my mind.
Her wide eyes. The freckles on her cheeks.
I needed to know her. The girl who scampered away every time we bumped into each other—by accident and by design. The girl who shyly agreed to come to my game, getting her first taste of football. The girl, Hannah Utley, who worked at the campus library and let me rest my head on her shoulder as she read to me in one of the study rooms.
It was innocent. Mostly.
Until we lose track of time and discover that the library has closed. And we’re locked inside.
Now it’s me and Hannah in the stacks.
Alone.
With nothing but desire between us.
And then she did, and I couldn’t get her out of my mind.
Her wide eyes. The freckles on her cheeks.
I needed to know her. The girl who scampered away every time we bumped into each other—by accident and by design. The girl who shyly agreed to come to my game, getting her first taste of football. The girl, Hannah Utley, who worked at the campus library and let me rest my head on her shoulder as she read to me in one of the study rooms.
It was innocent. Mostly.
Until we lose track of time and discover that the library has closed. And we’re locked inside.
Now it’s me and Hannah in the stacks.
Alone.
With nothing but desire between us.
130 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 29, 2024
426 people are currently reading
3163 people want to read
About the author
S.J. Tilly
27 books10.5k followersS.J. Tilly lives in Minnesota with her husband and their herd of boxers. She spends an unhealthy amount of time with her face buried in books, reading and writing. If she’s not nose deep in text, or harassing her dogs, she’s probably playing with her plants, pretending she knows how to garden.
You can find her stumbling around on Instagram @sjtillyauthor
https://www.amazon.com/S.J.-Tilly/e/B...
You can find her stumbling around on Instagram @sjtillyauthor
https://www.amazon.com/S.J.-Tilly/e/B...
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August 29, 2024Available now!
Download today or read for FREE with Kindle Unlimited
https://a.co/d/7PrkBIZ
Audible: https://adbl.co/3T4hI6U
Narrated by: Andi Arndt & Jacob Morgan
Download today or read for FREE with Kindle Unlimited
https://a.co/d/7PrkBIZ
Audible: https://adbl.co/3T4hI6U
Narrated by: Andi Arndt & Jacob Morgan
September 4, 2024
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Safety Warnings
- No cheating
- No OW/OM drama
- Tiny bit of stalking
I’m pretty sure I wished this backstory was given to us in the main book as I felt like it was the only thing I had an issue with so I am so glad S.J decided to grace us with it now!
Loved seeing these two meet and get together for that magical week before it all changed forever.
Makes me want to reread “Love, Utley” just so I can experience the story knowing the full past.
Safety Warnings
- No cheating
- No OW/OM drama
- Tiny bit of stalking
I’m pretty sure I wished this backstory was given to us in the main book as I felt like it was the only thing I had an issue with so I am so glad S.J decided to grace us with it now!
Loved seeing these two meet and get together for that magical week before it all changed forever.
Makes me want to reread “Love, Utley” just so I can experience the story knowing the full past.
August 28, 2024
Star Rating: 5/5 ⭐
Heat Rating: 2/5 🌶️
Audiobook: 5/5 🎧
What to Expect:
- Prequel
- College Football
- Alpha Hero
- Plus Size Heroine
- Insta Love
- Fun Banter
- Dual POVs
OMG! I loved this story so much! S.J. Tilly's writing is perfect. I totally get the hype! I have not read Love Utley, so this was my introduction to Hannah and Maddox. I loved reading about how things began with their relationship. Hannah and Maddox cross paths in college, where they spend a week getting to know each other. It was a love-at-first-sight situation for Maddox, and he immediately knew he wanted to get to know Hannah. This is a fun, sweet, and spicy story. Although this is only a glimpse into their relationship, I am convinced they are meant to be. I need more of Hannah and Maddox, and I can't wait to read Love Utley, which picks up fifteen years later.
Narration:
Andi Arndt and Jacob Morgan always deliver! Their performance was amazing, and they really brought this story to life. Andi and Jacob are a fantastic duo and the perfect voices for Hannah and Maddox. They flawlessly portrayed each character, making me excited to read more. I'm happy that Andi and Jacob are also the narrators for Love, Utley!
Thanks to S.J. Tilly, Must Love Audio, and Lyric Audiobooks for the gifted audiobook. Opinions expressed are my own.
Heat Rating: 2/5 🌶️
Audiobook: 5/5 🎧
What to Expect:
- Prequel
- College Football
- Alpha Hero
- Plus Size Heroine
- Insta Love
- Fun Banter
- Dual POVs
OMG! I loved this story so much! S.J. Tilly's writing is perfect. I totally get the hype! I have not read Love Utley, so this was my introduction to Hannah and Maddox. I loved reading about how things began with their relationship. Hannah and Maddox cross paths in college, where they spend a week getting to know each other. It was a love-at-first-sight situation for Maddox, and he immediately knew he wanted to get to know Hannah. This is a fun, sweet, and spicy story. Although this is only a glimpse into their relationship, I am convinced they are meant to be. I need more of Hannah and Maddox, and I can't wait to read Love Utley, which picks up fifteen years later.
Narration:
Andi Arndt and Jacob Morgan always deliver! Their performance was amazing, and they really brought this story to life. Andi and Jacob are a fantastic duo and the perfect voices for Hannah and Maddox. They flawlessly portrayed each character, making me excited to read more. I'm happy that Andi and Jacob are also the narrators for Love, Utley!
Thanks to S.J. Tilly, Must Love Audio, and Lyric Audiobooks for the gifted audiobook. Opinions expressed are my own.
March 12, 2025
- football player + librarian
- instafeels
- plus size fmc
Short, sweet, and spicy! Can't wait to dive into Love, Utley!
- instafeels
- plus size fmc
Short, sweet, and spicy! Can't wait to dive into Love, Utley!
August 22, 2024
I really liked the book set after this, Love, Utley so this short and sweet prequel was fun. It was cute seeing how Hannah and Maddox first met and both narrators are amazing and are always a pleasure to listen to.
September 1, 2024
Omg what a great intro the newest series of SJ Tilly!! It sets it up so well for Love, Utley. I loved getting to see the meet cute of Hannah and Maddox (since I read book 1 first) and it was so cute 😭😭😭
Maddog & little bunny forever!!!!!
The library scene 🫦🫦🫦
Maddog & little bunny forever!!!!!
The library scene 🫦🫦🫦
August 26, 2024
Story: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Trope: instafeels
Angst: 😱😱
Smexy: 🔥🔥🔥
Absolutely loved Love, Utley and I was super excited when I learned we were getting a prequel novella about their meeting in college. Truly everything I hoped it would be. Super sweet and still super hot. Totally made me want to read Love, Utley all over again!
Trope: instafeels
Angst: 😱😱
Smexy: 🔥🔥🔥
Absolutely loved Love, Utley and I was super excited when I learned we were getting a prequel novella about their meeting in college. Truly everything I hoped it would be. Super sweet and still super hot. Totally made me want to read Love, Utley all over again!
May 2, 2025
One week. Everything that happens in this book spans one week, one that occurred 15 years ago before Book 1, the continuation of this couple.
All I have to say is that it was pretty cute. I mean, this is what I wanted when authors wrote second chance romance. Like, I NEED to see them meet for the first time and fall in love. This is a pretty good prequel if you ask me.
All I have to say is that it was pretty cute. I mean, this is what I wanted when authors wrote second chance romance. Like, I NEED to see them meet for the first time and fall in love. This is a pretty good prequel if you ask me.
August 30, 2024
✨review and release day!!✨
Happy release day to @sjtillyauthor !! When I say this made me heart so happy after reading Love, Utley.. I needed a little behind the scenes of these two and their build up. Simply because I CANT GET ENOUGH. This is a prologue for a second chance romance and it is sooo worth your time girlies. This had my heart turning into a puddle for a couple that has already stolen it! For all my jock/nerd couple lovers you would not be disappointed. Oh and the steam *fans myself*
Happy release day to @sjtillyauthor !! When I say this made me heart so happy after reading Love, Utley.. I needed a little behind the scenes of these two and their build up. Simply because I CANT GET ENOUGH. This is a prologue for a second chance romance and it is sooo worth your time girlies. This had my heart turning into a puddle for a couple that has already stolen it! For all my jock/nerd couple lovers you would not be disappointed. Oh and the steam *fans myself*
November 8, 2025
Having Hot. Mind boggling. Earth shattering. S*× in the LIBRARY!
GIRL, wooooow.🫠🥵
GIRL, wooooow.🫠🥵
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 23, 2024
3 stars. Short and sweet. This is the prequel to the first book of this series, and while I’ve started that book, I’ve so far enjoyed this little novella situation more. It was 100-something pages of cliche, but hell, it was fun. That’s it.
August 25, 2024
4/5⭐️
Quick little novella that made me want to do a reread of Love, Utley like immediately 🥰 love Maddox & Hannah so much!!! This was the perfect little prequel. That library scene… WHEWWW 🥵🫠
Thank you to S.J. for the ARC!
Tropes:
- Football Romance
- College Romance
- Instalove
- Plus size heroine
- Alpha Hero
Quick little novella that made me want to do a reread of Love, Utley like immediately 🥰 love Maddox & Hannah so much!!! This was the perfect little prequel. That library scene… WHEWWW 🥵🫠
Thank you to S.J. for the ARC!
Tropes:
- Football Romance
- College Romance
- Instalove
- Plus size heroine
- Alpha Hero
October 31, 2024
Cute.
A pesar de ya haber leído su libro, este 0.5 de como se conocieron, me gustó. Obviamente te recomiendo leer este antes del libro porque si no te quedas con la sensación de que falta algo. Y sin duda también te recomiendo su libro, que es lindisimo 💖.
A pesar de ya haber leído su libro, este 0.5 de como se conocieron, me gustó. Obviamente te recomiendo leer este antes del libro porque si no te quedas con la sensación de que falta algo. Y sin duda también te recomiendo su libro, que es lindisimo 💖.
February 21, 2025
Since I'm writing this as I'm well over the 50% mark in Love, Utley I can guarantee I'm more invested in Maddox and Hannah's story knowing how they first met, since we don't see it in the book but are only told about it. Plus, their meeting is so cute!
November 9, 2024
3.5⭐
Estuvo bien esta pequeña introducción. Supimos cómo se conocieron Maddox y Hannah.
Ahora vamonos de lleno con la historia...
Estuvo bien esta pequeña introducción. Supimos cómo se conocieron Maddox y Hannah.
Ahora vamonos de lleno con la historia...
September 8, 2024
eARC review
Tackled in the Stacks by SJ Tilly
5 ⭐️ 2 🌶️
WE GOT MADDOX & HANNAH’S PREQUEL STORY 😍. And it’s so cute. This novella is short & sweet & filled in all of the gaps we didn’t know before.
She’s a curvy college student just trying to blend into the background, he’s a big football star who notices her, and can’t look away now.
Maddox pursues her and after one bloody nose incident (that he rips his own shirt to fix for her) he’s allllll in.
She’s very hesitant because of who he is and fights her pull to him. But once they get locked in the library one night… everything changes. 🤭
Tropes: college football • prequel novella • jock x nerd • he falls first • forced proximity • curvy MFC
Tackled in the Stacks by SJ Tilly
5 ⭐️ 2 🌶️
WE GOT MADDOX & HANNAH’S PREQUEL STORY 😍. And it’s so cute. This novella is short & sweet & filled in all of the gaps we didn’t know before.
She’s a curvy college student just trying to blend into the background, he’s a big football star who notices her, and can’t look away now.
Maddox pursues her and after one bloody nose incident (that he rips his own shirt to fix for her) he’s allllll in.
She’s very hesitant because of who he is and fights her pull to him. But once they get locked in the library one night… everything changes. 🤭
Tropes: college football • prequel novella • jock x nerd • he falls first • forced proximity • curvy MFC
August 30, 2024
This was cute, quick and super fun!!!
Great prequel that sets the mood for the book.
Excited to see where Hannah and Maddox go from here!!!
Great prequel that sets the mood for the book.
Excited to see where Hannah and Maddox go from here!!!
August 23, 2024
4.5⭐️
SARAH JO TILLY!!! This was SO good!!! I wanted it to keep going!
(I know, I know, I read the full length novel, so I already got the rest… but like - I wanted them to have more time together before getting separated. AND I KNOW that if they had more time then Love, Utley wouldn’t have had the same impact, I KNOW GURL, I KNOW! But this was just so good and so sweet and so wholesome - even with the EATING IN THE LIBRARY - but, do you know what I’m trying to say here, or am I not making sense?! ) This prequel novella takes place BEFORE the hurt and misunderstanding and years of festering feelings, and they were just SO good together. I loved them so much! It just solidified that they are meant to be. I loved getting to see this glimpse into their perfect meet cute and short time catchin’ feelings. 🫶
Thank you to @mustloveaudio for this ALC, it was fabulous!
If you’ve read Love, Utley and you loved Hannah and Maddox, you’ve got to read this prequel novella!
SARAH JO TILLY!!! This was SO good!!! I wanted it to keep going!
(I know, I know, I read the full length novel, so I already got the rest… but like - I wanted them to have more time together before getting separated. AND I KNOW that if they had more time then Love, Utley wouldn’t have had the same impact, I KNOW GURL, I KNOW! But this was just so good and so sweet and so wholesome - even with the EATING IN THE LIBRARY - but, do you know what I’m trying to say here, or am I not making sense?! ) This prequel novella takes place BEFORE the hurt and misunderstanding and years of festering feelings, and they were just SO good together. I loved them so much! It just solidified that they are meant to be. I loved getting to see this glimpse into their perfect meet cute and short time catchin’ feelings. 🫶
Thank you to @mustloveaudio for this ALC, it was fabulous!
If you’ve read Love, Utley and you loved Hannah and Maddox, you’ve got to read this prequel novella!
August 31, 2024
I love Maddox and Hannah so much!! They are such a fun couple. 🥹 I haven’t read Love, Utley - so, this was my introduction to Maddox and Hannah. It was a quick, easy to read, and fun novella full of swoony moments of how they met. It made me want to read Love, Utley (which picks up 15 years later after a mishap) IMMEDIATELY. Safe to say - I truly understand all the hype.
This was also my first S.J. Tilly read. Now I want to hyper-fixate on her work and read them all!! 😆
Notes: prequel to Love, Utley
Tropes: football romance, college romance, instalove, alpha hero, plus-size heroine
Things I loved: The wink. Dr. Face. Little Bunny. Discussion of football game ticket. Hannah's wish.
This was also my first S.J. Tilly read. Now I want to hyper-fixate on her work and read them all!! 😆
Notes: prequel to Love, Utley
Tropes: football romance, college romance, instalove, alpha hero, plus-size heroine
Things I loved: The wink. Dr. Face. Little Bunny. Discussion of football game ticket. Hannah's wish.
August 20, 2024
Ahhh the perfect prequel to Love, Utley 🥹
I am obsessed with these characters so much!! It makes me want to read Love, Utley again.
SJ Tilly’s writing draws me in every time. I love love love Maddox even more than I already did. I need more of them! It’ll never be enough 🥹🤍 this was so cuteeee
Thank you for giving us more of their storyyy
I am obsessed with these characters so much!! It makes me want to read Love, Utley again.
SJ Tilly’s writing draws me in every time. I love love love Maddox even more than I already did. I need more of them! It’ll never be enough 🥹🤍 this was so cuteeee
Thank you for giving us more of their storyyy
August 22, 2024
4.5 Prenovella Stars !!!
A very quick, insta-love prenovella about Maddox and Hannah’s meet cute . Because every Mad Dog needs a Little Bunny <3
This audiobook was given to me for honest review by Must Love Audio .
A very quick, insta-love prenovella about Maddox and Hannah’s meet cute . Because every Mad Dog needs a Little Bunny <3
This audiobook was given to me for honest review by Must Love Audio .
September 1, 2024
This is such a a cute story! I enjoyed reading Hannah’s and Maddox’s beginning! I always enjoy reading works from SJ Tilly! Definitely give this book a read, especially if you enjoyed reading “Love Utley!”
August 31, 2024
the way im obsessed with everything sj tilly writes! i can't stop giggling and kicking my feet because maddoxhannah is super cute!! such a perfect prequel novella for love, utley!
January 7, 2025
Good prequel.
August 30, 2024
It wasn't that long that we met these two, and now it's there to meet cute, lol. So if you haven't read their book you can read the prequel.
It's super cute and shows how Hannah and Maddox met from the clumsy crash into one another to studying in the library and that smexy time in there, hehe. I won't give much away because it's a perfect thing to read.
No ow/om drama, no cheating, Sexy times, no virgins or manwhore
Recommen-yes
Cover-⭐️⭐️⭐️
Heat level-🌶🌶
Prequel
Instalove
Praise kink
HFN :)
It's super cute and shows how Hannah and Maddox met from the clumsy crash into one another to studying in the library and that smexy time in there, hehe. I won't give much away because it's a perfect thing to read.
No ow/om drama, no cheating, Sexy times, no virgins or manwhore
Recommen-yes
Cover-⭐️⭐️⭐️
Heat level-🌶🌶
Prequel
Instalove
Praise kink
HFN :)
October 29, 2024
It was a new look into the life of Maddox and whats her name.
August 31, 2024
Arc Review
Wow. Wow. Wow. I don’t think I have anything negative to say about this little prequel novella. It was so cute and exactly what I needed. This tells the story of when Maddox and Hannah first met and their night in the library 🔥🥵 It was a short story but definitely jam packed and held your attention from the beginning. I can’t get enough of this couple! I want more. And Maddox? Easily in my top 5 book husbands/boyfriends. The things I would let this man do to me.. 🥵🫠
Thank you @valentine_pr_ for the opportunity to read and review!
Wow. Wow. Wow. I don’t think I have anything negative to say about this little prequel novella. It was so cute and exactly what I needed. This tells the story of when Maddox and Hannah first met and their night in the library 🔥🥵 It was a short story but definitely jam packed and held your attention from the beginning. I can’t get enough of this couple! I want more. And Maddox? Easily in my top 5 book husbands/boyfriends. The things I would let this man do to me.. 🥵🫠
Thank you @valentine_pr_ for the opportunity to read and review!
August 31, 2024
Are you kidding me? Little did I know how badly I needed Hannah and Maddox in the library. After reading Love,Utley I just knew this novella was going to be the perfect before. Hands down another top tier Tilly read! 🫶🏻
August 28, 2024
Book: Tackled in the Stacks
Review: THIS WAS SUCH A CUTE READ 🥰 I loved reading how Hannah and Maddox first meet. It was literally love at first sight for them and they were just sooo adorable. They had such a beautiful connection and they just clicked.
Maddox stalking/going after his girl was everything he knew he was attracted to Hannah and wanted to know more about her and spend time with her ☺️
Same with Hannah I loved how she was around Maddox the jokes and hits she gave him were cute 🤭 they had such a good understanding. They were just meant to be together 🥹❤️
What I loved:
* Hannah getting caught staring at mad dog and the wink from him 🤭😮💨
* Maddox eyeing Hannah the chemistry between them at one look is already 🔥
* Their little bump 🥰
* Maddox checking up Hannah to make sure she’s fine after their bump ❤️🤍
* Maddox asking Hannah to have lunch with him 🙃
* Awwww I love how protective Maddox is of Hannah it’s cute ☺️
* Maddox asking Hannah to come to his game 🤍
* Hannah dressing up a little just for Maddox 🥰
* Maddox being all flirty 😊
* Hannah reading to Maddox sooo cute 🤍❤️
* Maddox thinking about Hannah as his woman 🥹🙃
* Them being so distracted with each other they didn’t realise that the library has closed 🤭
* 🥵🥵🥵🥵🥵
* Hannah’s wish to marry Maddox was just LOVE ❤️🥰
* They want to see each other again 🥹❤️
Rating:
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 4/5
🌶️.5 1.5/5
Tropes:
•Sports romance
•College romance
•Plus size heroine
•Alpha hero
Review: THIS WAS SUCH A CUTE READ 🥰 I loved reading how Hannah and Maddox first meet. It was literally love at first sight for them and they were just sooo adorable. They had such a beautiful connection and they just clicked.
Maddox stalking/going after his girl was everything he knew he was attracted to Hannah and wanted to know more about her and spend time with her ☺️
Same with Hannah I loved how she was around Maddox the jokes and hits she gave him were cute 🤭 they had such a good understanding. They were just meant to be together 🥹❤️
What I loved:
* Hannah getting caught staring at mad dog and the wink from him 🤭😮💨
* Maddox eyeing Hannah the chemistry between them at one look is already 🔥
* Their little bump 🥰
* Maddox checking up Hannah to make sure she’s fine after their bump ❤️🤍
* Maddox asking Hannah to have lunch with him 🙃
* Awwww I love how protective Maddox is of Hannah it’s cute ☺️
* Maddox asking Hannah to come to his game 🤍
* Hannah dressing up a little just for Maddox 🥰
* Maddox being all flirty 😊
* Hannah reading to Maddox sooo cute 🤍❤️
* Maddox thinking about Hannah as his woman 🥹🙃
* Them being so distracted with each other they didn’t realise that the library has closed 🤭
* 🥵🥵🥵🥵🥵
* Hannah’s wish to marry Maddox was just LOVE ❤️🥰
* They want to see each other again 🥹❤️
Rating:
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 4/5
🌶️.5 1.5/5
Tropes:
•Sports romance
•College romance
•Plus size heroine
•Alpha hero
September 2, 2024
#Review: *Tackled in the stacks* - ARC - S.J. Tilly [18+]
4.6/5✨
3/5🌶️
The blurb of this book attracted me so here I am with a smile on my face after I finished this one. Thank you S.J Tilly and Valentine Pr for this e-copy.
In this prequel novella we get to know Hannah who has just transferred to the school. From her first day there she has been impressed by a boy from the football team, Maddox. Luckily, Maddox is even more attracted to Hannah, which he finds intriguing and mysterious and he starts chasing her. She is that kind of girl who didn't hit on him and he loved that, which makes him want her even more.
I loved this little meet cute between Hannah and Maddox. All the chasing and teasing were so delicious to follow and that cherry on top from the end was perfect. I liked how much attention Maddox gave Hannah and how he reassured her how beautiful she is, because she was really doubting herself and her body.
This was a prequel to the Love Letters series and it was a really fast and awesome read. Now I'm really curious about these next books of this series 🤭.
✨Tropes:
#SportsRomance
#LoveAtFirstSight
#HeFallsFirst
#HeFallsHarder
#BoyObsessed
#CloseProximity
#OppositeAttract
#PlusSizeHeroine
#HighSchool
#Athlete
#Playboy
4.6/5✨
3/5🌶️
The blurb of this book attracted me so here I am with a smile on my face after I finished this one. Thank you S.J Tilly and Valentine Pr for this e-copy.
In this prequel novella we get to know Hannah who has just transferred to the school. From her first day there she has been impressed by a boy from the football team, Maddox. Luckily, Maddox is even more attracted to Hannah, which he finds intriguing and mysterious and he starts chasing her. She is that kind of girl who didn't hit on him and he loved that, which makes him want her even more.
I loved this little meet cute between Hannah and Maddox. All the chasing and teasing were so delicious to follow and that cherry on top from the end was perfect. I liked how much attention Maddox gave Hannah and how he reassured her how beautiful she is, because she was really doubting herself and her body.
This was a prequel to the Love Letters series and it was a really fast and awesome read. Now I'm really curious about these next books of this series 🤭.
✨Tropes:
#SportsRomance
#LoveAtFirstSight
#HeFallsFirst
#HeFallsHarder
#BoyObsessed
#CloseProximity
#OppositeAttract
#PlusSizeHeroine
#HighSchool
#Athlete
#Playboy
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