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Scars of Anatomy
A sweet and spicy, opposites attract, sports romance about a star quarterback and a pre-med student, who discover they have more in common than either expected
Debut author Nicole Alfrine blends sweet romance with spice to create a book that is a perfect mixture of Hannah Grace and Ali Hazelwood.
Hotshot college quarterback Bronx Miller is on track to make it to the NFL, but while he’s hyper focused on football, that doesn't mean he doesn't have fun. In fact, he’s the most notorious player on and off the field. Even with a zero commitments policy, he’s never met a girl who can resist him.
However, when he’s paired with straight-A, pre-med student Olivia McCausland as his anatomy lab partner, he realizes he may want something more. Olivia is quiet, thoughtful, and unimpressed by his big-man-on-campus status.
As the semester unfolds with study sessions and bets based on test scores, the pair grow close. Still, even as Bronx starts to let his guard down and shed his playboy persona, outside forces are determined to rip them apart.
While Bronx and Olivia may be more alike than they ever imagined, they’ll have to fight for a future together. Along the way, they’ll both learn that while scars come in various forms, they don’t decide someone’s future.
Debut author Nicole Alfrine blends sweet romance with spice to create a book that is a perfect mixture of Hannah Grace and Ali Hazelwood.
Hotshot college quarterback Bronx Miller is on track to make it to the NFL, but while he’s hyper focused on football, that doesn't mean he doesn't have fun. In fact, he’s the most notorious player on and off the field. Even with a zero commitments policy, he’s never met a girl who can resist him.
However, when he’s paired with straight-A, pre-med student Olivia McCausland as his anatomy lab partner, he realizes he may want something more. Olivia is quiet, thoughtful, and unimpressed by his big-man-on-campus status.
As the semester unfolds with study sessions and bets based on test scores, the pair grow close. Still, even as Bronx starts to let his guard down and shed his playboy persona, outside forces are determined to rip them apart.
While Bronx and Olivia may be more alike than they ever imagined, they’ll have to fight for a future together. Along the way, they’ll both learn that while scars come in various forms, they don’t decide someone’s future.
352 pages, Paperback
Published June 24, 2025
48 people are currently reading
7480 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 182 reviews
February 15, 2025
3 ˖⁺‧✮
guys, this is a romance from guy’s pov👀
never seen, heard or read anything in this format. it was so interesting and new in some ways, because omg??? however, i did not know that before starting the book. the first chapter was from the guy’s pov but the second chapter had a name “Olivia” so i kind of assumed it was her pov??? until i read the goodreads review where someone mentioned only his pov.
this was a cute romance with not so basic plot and interesting characters. i would not say it was very distinguished from other college romances but 🤷♀️
from 30% to 70% book felt incredibly repetitive. they went to class, talked after the class, talked again in the class. sometimes new locations and characters would appear but nothing else. i genuinely think the book would be so much better with less pages!
the biggest plot twist wasn’t as big? the jealous couple of people were kind of adding to the plot but the whole fight was literally a miscommunication. i do understand olivia and i would probably react the same way but…i would not consider this as a plot twist or anything.
another think i noticed was insta love. he felt for her in the first chapter because the way he was talking and describing her👀.and for no mean it’s bad, because i enjoyed it but some longer tension would make the book sooo much better.
also, kind of curious if anyone read the book and what were you thoughts on the couple? because i don’t think they’ll end up together. they have different goals and for some reason i don’t see them together as adults. which is very believable for a collage couple
mark my words!!! in a couple of years this book will be turned into a movie
Thank you Edelweiss and Wattpad WEBTOON Book Group.
guys, this is a romance from guy’s pov👀
never seen, heard or read anything in this format. it was so interesting and new in some ways, because omg??? however, i did not know that before starting the book. the first chapter was from the guy’s pov but the second chapter had a name “Olivia” so i kind of assumed it was her pov??? until i read the goodreads review where someone mentioned only his pov.
this was a cute romance with not so basic plot and interesting characters. i would not say it was very distinguished from other college romances but 🤷♀️
from 30% to 70% book felt incredibly repetitive. they went to class, talked after the class, talked again in the class. sometimes new locations and characters would appear but nothing else. i genuinely think the book would be so much better with less pages!
the biggest plot twist wasn’t as big? the jealous couple of people were kind of adding to the plot but the whole fight was literally a miscommunication. i do understand olivia and i would probably react the same way but…i would not consider this as a plot twist or anything.
another think i noticed was insta love. he felt for her in the first chapter because the way he was talking and describing her👀.and for no mean it’s bad, because i enjoyed it but some longer tension would make the book sooo much better.
also, kind of curious if anyone read the book and what were you thoughts on the couple? because i don’t think they’ll end up together. they have different goals and for some reason i don’t see them together as adults. which is very believable for a collage couple
mark my words!!! in a couple of years this book will be turned into a movie
Thank you Edelweiss and Wattpad WEBTOON Book Group.
May 30, 2025
Scars of Anatomy by Nicole Alfrine
I found the story and plot of Scars of Anatomy interesting, but the execution didn’t quite work for me. The female lead frustrated me, she allowed a guy to stay in her life despite his clearly passive-aggressive behavior. I struggled to relate to her because I kept wishing she would just stand up for herself and tell him to back off. Characters who tolerate toxic behavior without setting boundaries can be hard for me to connect with.
The story is told primarily from Bronx’s point of view. It follows the familiar trope of a jock falling for a reserved, nerdy girl who hasn't really lived life yet. It’s a decent story, but it didn’t bring anything particularly new or memorable to the table for me.
Thank you to NetGalley and Wattpad WEBTOON Book Group for the eARC.
Release date : June 24, 2025
I found the story and plot of Scars of Anatomy interesting, but the execution didn’t quite work for me. The female lead frustrated me, she allowed a guy to stay in her life despite his clearly passive-aggressive behavior. I struggled to relate to her because I kept wishing she would just stand up for herself and tell him to back off. Characters who tolerate toxic behavior without setting boundaries can be hard for me to connect with.
The story is told primarily from Bronx’s point of view. It follows the familiar trope of a jock falling for a reserved, nerdy girl who hasn't really lived life yet. It’s a decent story, but it didn’t bring anything particularly new or memorable to the table for me.
Thank you to NetGalley and Wattpad WEBTOON Book Group for the eARC.
Release date : June 24, 2025
June 27, 2025
Ok I loved this one. I’m a sucker for a nerd/jock pairing and this was done well. If you want a cute college romance then pick this up.
Read
March 6, 2025Thank you wattpad and Nicole Alfrine for giving me a chance to read your book in realty for my honest review. I got about 10% of the way in and I was a bit confused. The timing was a little jumpy and at times I was confused on whose pov I was. I forget that it was Bronx the entire time. So it made it kind of hard for me to immerse myself into the world and enjoy it. I loved the idea of things but in my opinion the execution wasn't there.
June 26, 2025
Thank you to Nicole Alfrine and Netgally for this arc in exchange for an honest review
Bronx is used to getting what he wants especially when it comes to girls. What he doesn’t do is relationships. He keeps everyone at arms length. The problem is that on the first day of class he meets Olivia and there’s just something different about her. Bronx soon finds himself infatuated. Will he be able to open up with Olivia or lose her forever?
I love that Bronx calls Olivia “Finch”. His tattoo broke my heart. It’s cute how he knew she was different than everyone else. Olivia’s laugh is like music to Bronx’s ears and it’s his new favorite sound. It’s sweet that Bronx invited Olivia to the party even though that’s not her scene. The football game way great. When Bronx started opening up I wanted to jump up and down with excitement. All those twists and turns at the end had me almost screaming. The epilogue made me smile so much.
Nicole did an amazing job. I also love how this is told in his point of view only. It’s different and I loved every second of being in his head. Such an easy 5 stars for me.
Bronx is used to getting what he wants especially when it comes to girls. What he doesn’t do is relationships. He keeps everyone at arms length. The problem is that on the first day of class he meets Olivia and there’s just something different about her. Bronx soon finds himself infatuated. Will he be able to open up with Olivia or lose her forever?
I love that Bronx calls Olivia “Finch”. His tattoo broke my heart. It’s cute how he knew she was different than everyone else. Olivia’s laugh is like music to Bronx’s ears and it’s his new favorite sound. It’s sweet that Bronx invited Olivia to the party even though that’s not her scene. The football game way great. When Bronx started opening up I wanted to jump up and down with excitement. All those twists and turns at the end had me almost screaming. The epilogue made me smile so much.
Nicole did an amazing job. I also love how this is told in his point of view only. It’s different and I loved every second of being in his head. Such an easy 5 stars for me.
April 2, 2025
This book was adorable! It has been a little while since I’ve read a romance book solely in the MMC POV, but I really enjoyed it!
Bronx has a troubled past that he’s desperately trying to move up and onwards from, but has never worked through the trauma. Just bottled it up. (Therapy goes a long way folks… just saying) He’s content with barely passing his classes, just as long as he can play football and move on to the NFL.
Olivia is our typical nerdy hottie that the jock falls in love with. But wow did how I view her character development RAPIDLY change in the last 20%. (No spoilers)
There’s jealous friends, adorable romance, cute nicknames, backstabbing, bad dad jokes, trauma healing, and some tragedy.
Over all a solid 3.75 rounded up to 4 stars in my books!
Thank you to NetGalley, for providing me with an ARC in exchange for a fair and honest review. All thoughts are my own and are in no way influenced by early access to this title.
Bronx has a troubled past that he’s desperately trying to move up and onwards from, but has never worked through the trauma. Just bottled it up. (Therapy goes a long way folks… just saying) He’s content with barely passing his classes, just as long as he can play football and move on to the NFL.
Olivia is our typical nerdy hottie that the jock falls in love with. But wow did how I view her character development RAPIDLY change in the last 20%. (No spoilers)
There’s jealous friends, adorable romance, cute nicknames, backstabbing, bad dad jokes, trauma healing, and some tragedy.
Over all a solid 3.75 rounded up to 4 stars in my books!
Thank you to NetGalley, for providing me with an ARC in exchange for a fair and honest review. All thoughts are my own and are in no way influenced by early access to this title.
February 6, 2025
I just finished it and oh em gee it is the cutest slowburn ever. I didn’t even think I liked slow burns and then I read this book. It has the perfect buildup and just the right amount of tension so when you get to the point of where the slow burn ends it’s perfect. Definitely recommend if you like a banter, teasing type of romance. And it got me out of my reading slump sooooooo. HAPPY READINGGG!
August 3, 2025
dnf @ 30%.
based on the book blurb and general premise, this book had promise. unfortunately, it fell flat in multiple different ways.
i liked the fact that this was told solely from the MMCs point of view as i’ve never seen that done before in a romance novel. however, i actually hated bronx as a character. he is whiny, not at all motivated in any part of his life except football, and he’s gross when it comes to how he treats women. he’s swooning after Olivia while he is still actively hooking up with these girls in random closets that he claims he wants nothing to do with. he could have easily cut off adrianna and moved on but he continues to string her along and then he wonders why she’s still actively pursuing him.
olivia was just flat out boring. she’s painted as a quiet, studious, girl next door but that doesn’t mean that she has to have the personality of a wet newspaper. she needed to cut quinton out of her life years prior but continues to let him try to control who she spends her time with just because he has a crush on her??
overall, this felt juvenile and i felt like i was reading a book about kids in high school, not college. i wanted to finish this book but there are just too many things for me to look past.
thank you to NetGalley and Wattpad Webtoon Book Group for the advanced reader copy of this title.
based on the book blurb and general premise, this book had promise. unfortunately, it fell flat in multiple different ways.
i liked the fact that this was told solely from the MMCs point of view as i’ve never seen that done before in a romance novel. however, i actually hated bronx as a character. he is whiny, not at all motivated in any part of his life except football, and he’s gross when it comes to how he treats women. he’s swooning after Olivia while he is still actively hooking up with these girls in random closets that he claims he wants nothing to do with. he could have easily cut off adrianna and moved on but he continues to string her along and then he wonders why she’s still actively pursuing him.
olivia was just flat out boring. she’s painted as a quiet, studious, girl next door but that doesn’t mean that she has to have the personality of a wet newspaper. she needed to cut quinton out of her life years prior but continues to let him try to control who she spends her time with just because he has a crush on her??
overall, this felt juvenile and i felt like i was reading a book about kids in high school, not college. i wanted to finish this book but there are just too many things for me to look past.
thank you to NetGalley and Wattpad Webtoon Book Group for the advanced reader copy of this title.
June 6, 2025
Thank you, NetGalley, for providing me with a copy of this ebook for an honest review!
I am sorry to say that this book was a massive flop for me. I ended up DNFing it at 40%. This book could have used more story editing, mainly in the dialogue and character development. I felt like I was reading a book about high-school students pretending to be college kids.
MMC Bronx comes across as an extremely unrepentant jerk who has zero self-awareness, and Olivia our FMC should run as far away from him as possible. It feels like 90% of his interactions are the same conversations, repeating on a loop (that is when he isn't hooking up with random girls).
Olivia is an extremely underdeveloped character who comes across as a perfect angel but with a traumatic past that clearly has something to do with her heart and future goals.
I felt like I was reading an entirely unedited Wattpad book, and it was frustrating and disappointing. I couldn't finish it. I am so sorry! With some more story editing, it could be better! But at 40%, with no real character growth, I couldn't force myself to finish it.
I am sorry to say that this book was a massive flop for me. I ended up DNFing it at 40%. This book could have used more story editing, mainly in the dialogue and character development. I felt like I was reading a book about high-school students pretending to be college kids.
MMC Bronx comes across as an extremely unrepentant jerk who has zero self-awareness, and Olivia our FMC should run as far away from him as possible. It feels like 90% of his interactions are the same conversations, repeating on a loop (that is when he isn't hooking up with random girls).
Olivia is an extremely underdeveloped character who comes across as a perfect angel but with a traumatic past that clearly has something to do with her heart and future goals.
I felt like I was reading an entirely unedited Wattpad book, and it was frustrating and disappointing. I couldn't finish it. I am so sorry! With some more story editing, it could be better! But at 40%, with no real character growth, I couldn't force myself to finish it.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 18, 2025
ARC REVIEWER
Finally, a refreshing male POV romance that truly delivers! This book was a delightful surprise. Our guy, a football player. He falls hard for a science nerd, and watching their connection develop was genuinely heartwarming. The female lead is wonderfully crafted: shy, yet undeniably strong, a character you instantly root for.
What really stood out was the author's ability to build a compelling world and populate it with well-developed side characters. They weren't just filler; they added depth and richness to the story. The pacing was perfect, keeping me engaged from start to finish. The flow was smooth, making it easy to get lost in the narrative.
If you're looking for a romance that breaks the mold, offering a unique perspective and compelling characters, this book is a must-read. I thoroughly enjoyed it and highly recommend it! it is also a slooooooow burn!
Finally, a refreshing male POV romance that truly delivers! This book was a delightful surprise. Our guy, a football player. He falls hard for a science nerd, and watching their connection develop was genuinely heartwarming. The female lead is wonderfully crafted: shy, yet undeniably strong, a character you instantly root for.
What really stood out was the author's ability to build a compelling world and populate it with well-developed side characters. They weren't just filler; they added depth and richness to the story. The pacing was perfect, keeping me engaged from start to finish. The flow was smooth, making it easy to get lost in the narrative.
If you're looking for a romance that breaks the mold, offering a unique perspective and compelling characters, this book is a must-read. I thoroughly enjoyed it and highly recommend it! it is also a slooooooow burn!
June 7, 2025
Thank you SO much to W by Wattpad Books for the advance copy!
This book will be out on June 24th.
Everyone. I ate this book up so badly! Whenever I wasn't reading it, I was thinking about it. And then when I was done, I was very sad. And even then my brain kept coming back to what Bronx and Olivia are doing. More importantly was this the chapter that they were going to kiss!
I had browse some reviews before reading so I did know that the book was going to be told from the male point of view. It's not often that a romance is told purely from the MMC view but I have read one other before. And I think that is why I loved the book so much! I often am wondering what is going on in the male's mind but honestly there was only a few times where I wish we got Olivia's point of view.
Bronx. Oh my baby boy Bronx. The way the author wrote his character just made me fall over him. He was a little rough around the edges and did not have the best reputation when it comes to the ladies. One thing I will comment on different books is when they talk about a character being a playboy but we never see SO when we actually get to see it on page, it makes me happy. And in this we did got to see Bronx have those hook ups though I will say the one made me mad and I think I said to myself BRONX WHAT ARE YOU DOING.
This is a slow but I love how the relationship with Olivia grew throughout the book. Their first kiss was SWOOOOONYYY! Even though I had to wait for it to happen, the moment was perfect timing. I love their flirty banter (okay mostly on Bronx’s part) and how he just tried so hard to be a better person for her. I love how they both were able to open up to one another and how he felt like he could really trust her as he never really opened up to any one else before.
There are other things that happened in the book that I don’t want to spoil. But I was glad that Bronx was there for Olivia and was protective of her. There was a big moment in the last quarter where an incident occurred that just made me so upset for the couple.
I am so happy I read this and I really enjoyed!!! I recommend this book if you are wanting to read a book from a male POV, like a playboy turn reform, football player x tutor in an college setting.
PS - I was fortunate enough to get the physical copy of the book and we are getting a Delilah book!!! As much as I love reading a book from the male point of view, I think Delilah's POV will be a lot of fun though!
PSS – Also in the book there was a QR code for an extra epilogue from Olivia’s point of view which was absolutely lovely!
This book will be out on June 24th.
Everyone. I ate this book up so badly! Whenever I wasn't reading it, I was thinking about it. And then when I was done, I was very sad. And even then my brain kept coming back to what Bronx and Olivia are doing. More importantly was this the chapter that they were going to kiss!
I had browse some reviews before reading so I did know that the book was going to be told from the male point of view. It's not often that a romance is told purely from the MMC view but I have read one other before. And I think that is why I loved the book so much! I often am wondering what is going on in the male's mind but honestly there was only a few times where I wish we got Olivia's point of view.
Bronx. Oh my baby boy Bronx. The way the author wrote his character just made me fall over him. He was a little rough around the edges and did not have the best reputation when it comes to the ladies. One thing I will comment on different books is when they talk about a character being a playboy but we never see SO when we actually get to see it on page, it makes me happy. And in this we did got to see Bronx have those hook ups though I will say the one made me mad and I think I said to myself BRONX WHAT ARE YOU DOING.
This is a slow but I love how the relationship with Olivia grew throughout the book. Their first kiss was SWOOOOONYYY! Even though I had to wait for it to happen, the moment was perfect timing. I love their flirty banter (okay mostly on Bronx’s part) and how he just tried so hard to be a better person for her. I love how they both were able to open up to one another and how he felt like he could really trust her as he never really opened up to any one else before.
There are other things that happened in the book that I don’t want to spoil. But I was glad that Bronx was there for Olivia and was protective of her. There was a big moment in the last quarter where an incident occurred that just made me so upset for the couple.
I am so happy I read this and I really enjoyed!!! I recommend this book if you are wanting to read a book from a male POV, like a playboy turn reform, football player x tutor in an college setting.
PS - I was fortunate enough to get the physical copy of the book and we are getting a Delilah book!!! As much as I love reading a book from the male point of view, I think Delilah's POV will be a lot of fun though!
PSS – Also in the book there was a QR code for an extra epilogue from Olivia’s point of view which was absolutely lovely!
July 26, 2025
This book was a bit slow in the beginning for me, but once it picked up I couldn't put it down. I don't get why this book is labeled spicy because really there's almost no spice to this book.
I did like the fact that over the book Bronx and Olivia realize that they have more in common, the fact that their lives are connected by one person from the past is a strong bond for them. I felt bad for them both because they were in foster care, but this was a good look into the life of a college student who made their life something and proved that not all foster kids will be drug dealers or amount to nothing.
I loved that they both saw each others scars as beautiful and a part of their stories that made them who they were.
I did like the fact that over the book Bronx and Olivia realize that they have more in common, the fact that their lives are connected by one person from the past is a strong bond for them. I felt bad for them both because they were in foster care, but this was a good look into the life of a college student who made their life something and proved that not all foster kids will be drug dealers or amount to nothing.
I loved that they both saw each others scars as beautiful and a part of their stories that made them who they were.
June 23, 2025
Okay, so when I saw that this book is told from the MMC point of view I was really excited. I haven’t read a book that is solely from the guys POV and I was really excited about that. I also saw that it was a spicy read and I was like yep sign me up right now.
But sadly I felt like I was waiting around for the “spice” part of the book and it just felt a little flat to me. I kept reading hoping it would get a little better but it just stayed the same unfortunately. This was an “okay” for me.
*Thank you NetGalley, Wattpad WEBTOON Book Group, and the author, Nicole Alfrine for the ARC!*
But sadly I felt like I was waiting around for the “spice” part of the book and it just felt a little flat to me. I kept reading hoping it would get a little better but it just stayed the same unfortunately. This was an “okay” for me.
*Thank you NetGalley, Wattpad WEBTOON Book Group, and the author, Nicole Alfrine for the ARC!*
September 13, 2025
2/5 ☆
🫣
i picked this book up from target because it sounded so intriguing to me. all from the mmc pov and the bad boy needs a tutor from the goodie two shoes. i was so excited to just eat this up 🤭 but i don’t know what happened. it started off so strong, but it’s like they wanted to incorporate so many different tropes, i feel like they lost what the original story was about.
i was just going to say “they fell in love way too fast” but honestly, HE fell so hard so fast, it was kinda cringey 😅 like you’re supposed to be the dark and handsome bad boy who is a player and every girl wants him. but he fell so hard so fast, it didn’t even really feel realistic imo 🤷🏼♀️ i’m sorry!
they also didn’t even really get intimate until page 308 (out of 357 🫣) like they had an almost kiss at about 50% and then their first real one at like maybe 70-75%? i thought it would be more than that.
also, there was so much trauma ??? from EVERY character ??? i get it’s called “scars of anatomy” (which, now typing that out, i get it now lol) but every character has a shitty back story?? idk, it don’t love a ton of trauma in my books, and this was no acception 😔
i fear books like these are not my thing anymore 😭
finch 💚
🫣
i picked this book up from target because it sounded so intriguing to me. all from the mmc pov and the bad boy needs a tutor from the goodie two shoes. i was so excited to just eat this up 🤭 but i don’t know what happened. it started off so strong, but it’s like they wanted to incorporate so many different tropes, i feel like they lost what the original story was about.
i was just going to say “they fell in love way too fast” but honestly, HE fell so hard so fast, it was kinda cringey 😅 like you’re supposed to be the dark and handsome bad boy who is a player and every girl wants him. but he fell so hard so fast, it didn’t even really feel realistic imo 🤷🏼♀️ i’m sorry!
they also didn’t even really get intimate until page 308 (out of 357 🫣) like they had an almost kiss at about 50% and then their first real one at like maybe 70-75%? i thought it would be more than that.
also, there was so much trauma ??? from EVERY character ??? i get it’s called “scars of anatomy” (which, now typing that out, i get it now lol) but every character has a shitty back story?? idk, it don’t love a ton of trauma in my books, and this was no acception 😔
i fear books like these are not my thing anymore 😭
finch 💚
February 10, 2025
This book really surprised me!
I have never read a single POV modern romance before where it’s the man’s POV.
I will say though, I half hated the guy for the first half of the book. He seemed like a jerk who just used people and couldn’t make up his mind. Then you get to know him more and he’s just a guy who’s trying to dig his way out of his own personal hell. But he needs someone to believe in him to do so, the real him, not just the idea of him or the status he brings.
I saw the first plot twist coming by a mile (thanks years of grey’s anatomy) but the second twist I did not!!!!!
Then the whole evil revenge plot?! WTF?! You can’t be nice to anyone these days!!!!
So you might be thinking of DNF when Bronx is still working through his issues but push through! He figures it out!
I have never read a single POV modern romance before where it’s the man’s POV.
I will say though, I half hated the guy for the first half of the book. He seemed like a jerk who just used people and couldn’t make up his mind. Then you get to know him more and he’s just a guy who’s trying to dig his way out of his own personal hell. But he needs someone to believe in him to do so, the real him, not just the idea of him or the status he brings.
I saw the first plot twist coming by a mile (thanks years of grey’s anatomy) but the second twist I did not!!!!!
Then the whole evil revenge plot?! WTF?! You can’t be nice to anyone these days!!!!
So you might be thinking of DNF when Bronx is still working through his issues but push through! He figures it out!
March 3, 2025
Scars of Anatomy has a cute premise—two college seniors meet in anatomy lab and form a romance while dealing with past trauma and a toxic ex. The book includes a unique twist at the end, and I appreciated that it was written from a male POV, which is rare in romance. The concept itself was cute, and there were moments of emotional depth.
However, the execution fell short for me. The characters often felt like they were in high school rather than college, and the male main character’s inner voice came across as immature—especially at the beginning, where I really disliked his behavior. While the book includes a sports element (football), it wasn’t emphasized enough to truly feel like a sports romance. Additionally, conflicts that arose were resolved way too quickly, making some of the drama feel underdeveloped and lacking real stakes.
Overall, Scars of Anatomy had potential with its unique setup and emotional themes, but the character development and pacing didn’t quite work for me. If you enjoy college romances with some drama and a touch of suspense, it might still be worth a read, but it wasn’t my favorite.
Thank you NetGalley for an ARC of this book!
However, the execution fell short for me. The characters often felt like they were in high school rather than college, and the male main character’s inner voice came across as immature—especially at the beginning, where I really disliked his behavior. While the book includes a sports element (football), it wasn’t emphasized enough to truly feel like a sports romance. Additionally, conflicts that arose were resolved way too quickly, making some of the drama feel underdeveloped and lacking real stakes.
Overall, Scars of Anatomy had potential with its unique setup and emotional themes, but the character development and pacing didn’t quite work for me. If you enjoy college romances with some drama and a touch of suspense, it might still be worth a read, but it wasn’t my favorite.
Thank you NetGalley for an ARC of this book!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
dnf
June 11, 2025I liked that this book was completely from the POV of the MMC, Bronx. That was about the only thing I liked...
The writing *sigh* the writing was rough. It was mostly tell, not show. And there wasn't really a plot. There wasn't much happening. I was bored through a lot of it.
I love sports romance books, especially ones that take place in college, but this wasn't it.
Disclaimer: I voluntarily read and reviewed a gifted and advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
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The writing *sigh* the writing was rough. It was mostly tell, not show. And there wasn't really a plot. There wasn't much happening. I was bored through a lot of it.
I love sports romance books, especially ones that take place in college, but this wasn't it.
Disclaimer: I voluntarily read and reviewed a gifted and advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
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March 26, 2025
I received this ARC from NetGalley, I was SO surprised and excited to read a romance from the MMC POV.
I powered through this book in hopes that I would fall in love at some point and it unfortunately fell very short for.
Was sold as a 🌶️ romance and there really wasn’t any at all 🥲 it felt like a slow burn that never actually burned for me.
I powered through this book in hopes that I would fall in love at some point and it unfortunately fell very short for.
Was sold as a 🌶️ romance and there really wasn’t any at all 🥲 it felt like a slow burn that never actually burned for me.
June 19, 2025
Thank you to Wattpad Webtoon Book Group and NetGalley for the ARC of Scars of Anatomy in exchange for an honest review.
This book took me back in the best way and made me long for the grueling days of college and long hours spent in the library baring your inner soul at 3 am to a complete stranger because somehow everything is so much easier to talk about within the beloved walls of the sacred library. The reminder of poor decisions, early mornings, and too much coffee was nostalgia of the very best kind when making my way through Scars of Anatomy. A slow burn for the ages, this book is unique in the world of romance because we get the male’s first person perspective instead of the females, which is so refreshing for a change. Because this story has been told in some capacity time and time again, I loved seeing it outside of its normal confines. Bronx’s character is of course flawed and filled with poor decisions, but his heart is good and experiencing first love has changed him for the better. While Olivia’s character can be considered rather up tight, it does make the chase a bit more exciting.
While certainly not filled with spice, the slow burn that occurs while these two characters learn each other and their history was truly adorable. Some may say that the first half of the story was a bit monotonous with parties, classes, studying, tests, and lunch dates but I’d say it’s a fairly accurate representation of college life. While the connection established between Bronx and Olivia is a bit intense for college, it was still adorable nonetheless and kept me reading late into the night. I also find myself getting a bit emotional at the twist towards the end, which surprised me since this book isn’t really meant to be that deep, but something about the resilience of both our characters really struck a cord with me.
I really do encourage you to pick this one up if for nothing more than to relive those chaotic glory days of college filled with mystery and exploration and a lot of all nighters. I really did love this book and I hope you will too!
This book took me back in the best way and made me long for the grueling days of college and long hours spent in the library baring your inner soul at 3 am to a complete stranger because somehow everything is so much easier to talk about within the beloved walls of the sacred library. The reminder of poor decisions, early mornings, and too much coffee was nostalgia of the very best kind when making my way through Scars of Anatomy. A slow burn for the ages, this book is unique in the world of romance because we get the male’s first person perspective instead of the females, which is so refreshing for a change. Because this story has been told in some capacity time and time again, I loved seeing it outside of its normal confines. Bronx’s character is of course flawed and filled with poor decisions, but his heart is good and experiencing first love has changed him for the better. While Olivia’s character can be considered rather up tight, it does make the chase a bit more exciting.
While certainly not filled with spice, the slow burn that occurs while these two characters learn each other and their history was truly adorable. Some may say that the first half of the story was a bit monotonous with parties, classes, studying, tests, and lunch dates but I’d say it’s a fairly accurate representation of college life. While the connection established between Bronx and Olivia is a bit intense for college, it was still adorable nonetheless and kept me reading late into the night. I also find myself getting a bit emotional at the twist towards the end, which surprised me since this book isn’t really meant to be that deep, but something about the resilience of both our characters really struck a cord with me.
I really do encourage you to pick this one up if for nothing more than to relive those chaotic glory days of college filled with mystery and exploration and a lot of all nighters. I really did love this book and I hope you will too!
February 4, 2025
A love story told in first person by the male's POV. Sold!
Bronx is the typical stereotype ass on the football team. He's sleeping around with multiple women and has zero relationship commitments planned out for a while—even though the one he sleeps around with the most is starting to get attached. However, I love that he keeps making it clear to her that he isn't toying with her. A+ Lol (You don't see this much in other books.)
During his anatomy class, the getting-attached girl practically pouts for him to become his lab partner. However, he keeps a distance and chooses to sit with the "nerds" for an easy grade. Enter our FMC, who is a STEM pre-med student! (It's giving Author Ali Hazelwood vibes.) And she doesn't give a fuck about Bronx being the football superstar.
And if the title didn't give it away, there are some scars that they will need to overcome. There are a couple of twists that I love! I won't get into it, so I don't spoil it, which is why this review is a little shorter than my norm. But it's for good reason! Lol
My only nitpick is Goodreads, which says it's 352 pages. It felt longer. (It took me a couple of days to physically read than I had guessed.) I received this as an ARC—this review is 100% my own, thoughts and opinions—but I'm unable to get an ebook page number as of the proper ARC reader setting. I also think it took a while to get through Bronx Scars, which is 100% valid and is filled with good-to-know information, but once you get through it, the rest of the novel's pace moves faster.
Overall, if you love Ali Hazelwood STEM novels, you'll like Scars of Anatomy!
Story: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4/5)
Audiobook: N/A Physically Read
Bronx is the typical stereotype ass on the football team. He's sleeping around with multiple women and has zero relationship commitments planned out for a while—even though the one he sleeps around with the most is starting to get attached. However, I love that he keeps making it clear to her that he isn't toying with her. A+ Lol (You don't see this much in other books.)
During his anatomy class, the getting-attached girl practically pouts for him to become his lab partner. However, he keeps a distance and chooses to sit with the "nerds" for an easy grade. Enter our FMC, who is a STEM pre-med student! (It's giving Author Ali Hazelwood vibes.) And she doesn't give a fuck about Bronx being the football superstar.
And if the title didn't give it away, there are some scars that they will need to overcome. There are a couple of twists that I love! I won't get into it, so I don't spoil it, which is why this review is a little shorter than my norm. But it's for good reason! Lol
My only nitpick is Goodreads, which says it's 352 pages. It felt longer. (It took me a couple of days to physically read than I had guessed.) I received this as an ARC—this review is 100% my own, thoughts and opinions—but I'm unable to get an ebook page number as of the proper ARC reader setting. I also think it took a while to get through Bronx Scars, which is 100% valid and is filled with good-to-know information, but once you get through it, the rest of the novel's pace moves faster.
Overall, if you love Ali Hazelwood STEM novels, you'll like Scars of Anatomy!
Story: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4/5)
Audiobook: N/A Physically Read
February 23, 2025
Thank you NetGalley for allowing me to ARC read!
I’m debating between a 3 and 3.5 star rating.
Overall, it was a cute college romance that I did enjoy. But I wished there were more scenes not inside a classroom or involving studying.
I was interested in this book as a Human Anatomy and Physiology major myself in college, and so many of the class scenes seemed unrealistic. It seemed like all they learned was basic bone names, which is not something you learn your senior year of college. And to also be studying a rat like the entire novel? It just didn’t seem well researched, especially for students in their final year of college.
Besides that, I did think Bronx and Olivia’s relationship was cute. It did remind me a bit of the movie A Walk to Remember, which I looove. It was nice seeing how much Bronx bonded with Olivia’s parents, and I wished we could’ve gotten more of their dynamic outside of studying or dealing with the two jealous side characters. They both pushed each other to try new things and grow, and that type of character development is *chefs kiss*
I wish there were better spice scenes because you just knowwwww Bronx is skilled in bed LOL. And again, more with the good side characters, like Delilah or JC or Brennen. I wanted less academic and more social because of how great the side characters and the world inside the book was. I was definitely invested in all the characters.
For a sports/nerdy romance it was nicely written.
I’m debating between a 3 and 3.5 star rating.
Overall, it was a cute college romance that I did enjoy. But I wished there were more scenes not inside a classroom or involving studying.
I was interested in this book as a Human Anatomy and Physiology major myself in college, and so many of the class scenes seemed unrealistic. It seemed like all they learned was basic bone names, which is not something you learn your senior year of college. And to also be studying a rat like the entire novel? It just didn’t seem well researched, especially for students in their final year of college.
Besides that, I did think Bronx and Olivia’s relationship was cute. It did remind me a bit of the movie A Walk to Remember, which I looove. It was nice seeing how much Bronx bonded with Olivia’s parents, and I wished we could’ve gotten more of their dynamic outside of studying or dealing with the two jealous side characters. They both pushed each other to try new things and grow, and that type of character development is *chefs kiss*
I wish there were better spice scenes because you just knowwwww Bronx is skilled in bed LOL. And again, more with the good side characters, like Delilah or JC or Brennen. I wanted less academic and more social because of how great the side characters and the world inside the book was. I was definitely invested in all the characters.
For a sports/nerdy romance it was nicely written.
June 4, 2025
"An unfortunate past isn't a life sentence."
Thank you to NetGalley and Wattpad for the ARC! Rating: 3.5/5 stars
What I liked about this book: I have never read a romance book that only gives us the male POV. It was interesting! I enjoyed getting to hear from Bronx and his thoughts. I liked that the chapters all had names, but the second chapter is called Olivia, and I immediately assumed it was her POV. I was incorrect. I liked the blossoming relationship between Bronx and Olivia happened over a semester and that they started out as friends. I loved at the end of the book, you really understand the title of the book.
What fell flat for me: Quinton SUCKED SO HARD. I hated that Olivia just let him walk all over her because she was trying to be kind. No thanks! The Adrianna and Bronx relationship was super toxic, and I understand it's used as a way to show how Bronx changes throughout the book, but holy crap was I sick of that woman. I hated that we only learned Olivia's backstory 95% through the book. It feels like the author could've done more giving more snippets into her life. I understand why she waited so long with certain things about Olivia, but it felt like Bronx didn't really care to know her on a deeper level. It's also interesting the hard right he turned when meeting Olivia. Going from "no one will date me or come into my room," to "come to my room, I want to be your boyfriend," felt too easy. It didn't feel earned, if that makes sense?
Thank you to NetGalley and Wattpad for the ARC! Rating: 3.5/5 stars
What I liked about this book: I have never read a romance book that only gives us the male POV. It was interesting! I enjoyed getting to hear from Bronx and his thoughts. I liked that the chapters all had names, but the second chapter is called Olivia, and I immediately assumed it was her POV. I was incorrect. I liked the blossoming relationship between Bronx and Olivia happened over a semester and that they started out as friends. I loved at the end of the book, you really understand the title of the book.
What fell flat for me: Quinton SUCKED SO HARD. I hated that Olivia just let him walk all over her because she was trying to be kind. No thanks! The Adrianna and Bronx relationship was super toxic, and I understand it's used as a way to show how Bronx changes throughout the book, but holy crap was I sick of that woman. I hated that we only learned Olivia's backstory 95% through the book. It feels like the author could've done more giving more snippets into her life. I understand why she waited so long with certain things about Olivia, but it felt like Bronx didn't really care to know her on a deeper level. It's also interesting the hard right he turned when meeting Olivia. Going from "no one will date me or come into my room," to "come to my room, I want to be your boyfriend," felt too easy. It didn't feel earned, if that makes sense?
March 26, 2025
This book completely took me by surprise! I went in expecting a STEM-centered romance, but what I found was something far more profound. Told entirely from the male main character’s perspective, Bronx’s story is deeply moving—his tough exterior, heartbreaking backstory, and undeniable charm made him an unforgettable narrator. Watching him fall head over heels for Olive, his complete opposite, felt so genuine and swoon-worthy. Their dynamic was a joy to read, filled with warmth, humor, and the best kind of slow burn.
Beyond the romance, the side characters truly shined. Olive’s family brought that perfect found-family warmth, while Delilah and Brennen were absolute MVPs—everyone deserves friends like them! And the antagonists? Absolutely despicable in the best way, adding just the right amount of tension to keep me hooked.
I flew through this book in a day, giggling and kicking my feet the entire time. The unexpected twist at the end made it all the more wholesome and satisfying.
If you love romances told from a male POV, college slow burns, and jock/nerd pairings, this one is for you!
Thank you to NetGalley and Wattpad WEBTOON Book Group for allowing me to read the ARC for this wonderful book.
Beyond the romance, the side characters truly shined. Olive’s family brought that perfect found-family warmth, while Delilah and Brennen were absolute MVPs—everyone deserves friends like them! And the antagonists? Absolutely despicable in the best way, adding just the right amount of tension to keep me hooked.
I flew through this book in a day, giggling and kicking my feet the entire time. The unexpected twist at the end made it all the more wholesome and satisfying.
If you love romances told from a male POV, college slow burns, and jock/nerd pairings, this one is for you!
Thank you to NetGalley and Wattpad WEBTOON Book Group for allowing me to read the ARC for this wonderful book.
February 28, 2025
Scars of Anatomy was a refreshing take on the sports romance genre, and I really enjoyed experiencing the story from the male POV. Bronx’s perspective added a unique touch, and I liked seeing his growth throughout the book.
The romance is definitely a slow burn, which I usually love, and Bronx and Olivia had some really sweet moments together. Their dynamic was fun, and I appreciated the opposites-attract element. At times, I did wish for a little more depth in their development, but overall, their journey was enjoyable to follow.
This was a light and easy read with a fun college sports setting. If you’re looking for a cute romance with a unique perspective, this is definitely worth picking up!
Thank you netgallery and the author for the opportunity to read this!
The romance is definitely a slow burn, which I usually love, and Bronx and Olivia had some really sweet moments together. Their dynamic was fun, and I appreciated the opposites-attract element. At times, I did wish for a little more depth in their development, but overall, their journey was enjoyable to follow.
This was a light and easy read with a fun college sports setting. If you’re looking for a cute romance with a unique perspective, this is definitely worth picking up!
Thank you netgallery and the author for the opportunity to read this!
November 5, 2025
Thank you to the publisher for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
2.5
It was a 3 for the whole book until the last 50 pages were the most incoherent and jumbled mess I’ve read.
Overall it was unique to have the guys POV the whole story but the last 30 ish pages rlly ruined the whole thing.
Here are some things pre-ending that I found odd:
- they live in GA but there was an ice storm in November?!?!? We don’t do it like that here y’all
- they never discussed the future ever
- they would never stay together/ get married/ not end game
2.5
It was a 3 for the whole book until the last 50 pages were the most incoherent and jumbled mess I’ve read.
Overall it was unique to have the guys POV the whole story but the last 30 ish pages rlly ruined the whole thing.
Here are some things pre-ending that I found odd:
- they live in GA but there was an ice storm in November?!?!? We don’t do it like that here y’all
- they never discussed the future ever
- they would never stay together/ get married/ not end game
February 10, 2025
2.5 ⭐️⭐️
So much potential but it just didn’t quite get there. I almost dnf because of the amount of errors just in the first few chapters. If you like Jamie Mcguires Beautiful Disaster you’ll probably like this one. I liked the male POV but it lacked depth. I would have liked to have learned a little more about Olivia and her background. That aspect added a lot of value but it felt rushed and thrown into the ending of the book.
Thank you to NetGalley and Wattpad WEBTOON Book Group
So much potential but it just didn’t quite get there. I almost dnf because of the amount of errors just in the first few chapters. If you like Jamie Mcguires Beautiful Disaster you’ll probably like this one. I liked the male POV but it lacked depth. I would have liked to have learned a little more about Olivia and her background. That aspect added a lot of value but it felt rushed and thrown into the ending of the book.
Thank you to NetGalley and Wattpad WEBTOON Book Group
March 18, 2025
Read this book as an ARC via NetGalley. It was a very cute read, with steady pacing. I loved that this book was from Bronx’s POV. Bronx and Olivia’s story was adorable from start to finish. The plot had heart. I’d read more books by this author.
Without spoiling anything, the book title was clever and I didn’t expect Olivia’s “twist” at the end.
Without spoiling anything, the book title was clever and I didn’t expect Olivia’s “twist” at the end.
May 12, 2025
This was a super fun read! I’m honestly in love with the cover which is what initially drew me in but then the plot just had me! This book is focused on the MMCs perspective which was a nice change of pace! I enjoyed seeing how the characters evolved Through the story as well!
4⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
4⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
July 11, 2025
I wish I loved this book more, but I felt like the MMC really didn’t have much growth at all, which bummed me out! I enjoyed the chemistry between these two and was very hopeful (especially because there were so many tropes I love). However, I felt like Bronx never really faced consequences for his actions or evolved.
Thank you to NetGalley and Wattpad for this eARC!
Thank you to NetGalley and Wattpad for this eARC!
February 1, 2025
Take a shot everytime you read “rat boy” & “beady little eyes”.
Also not sure why this book is labeled as 🌶️ when there is literally zero 🌶️ in it.
Also not sure why this book is labeled as 🌶️ when there is literally zero 🌶️ in it.
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