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Hold You Down
What are you shooting for?
For Cameron Marx it’s a future. With his single-mother barely making ends meet, basketball is his only shot. There’s just one small he goes to Westlake High, the second-best school in the state as far as basketball goes. To be the best, you have to beat continual state champions Bristol High. Westlake and Bristol are known rivals on both the basketball court and throughout the city of Akron. Tension is always at a high when it comes to the beating Bristol’s basketball team annually gives to Westlake at the state championship.
All comes to a head when the superintendent decides to tear down old Bristol High and ship most of its students to Westlake.
Monica Matthews is no stranger to the beef between the two schools and quickly pledges lasting loyalty to Bristol once she transfers to Westlake. In fact, she’d sooner drop out than step foot at Westlake. Being the head basketball coach’s daughter and the star player’s good friend, changing schools is a fate worse than death. It makes her a big target.
When Monica and Cameron meet sparks are the last thing that fly. To Monica, Cameron’s just the cocky prick on the sorry basketball team. To Cameron, Monica’s just the angry girl who needs to chill out. With allegiance for their two schools, nothing could bring these two close together—except, maybe, the good of the game.
For Cameron Marx it’s a future. With his single-mother barely making ends meet, basketball is his only shot. There’s just one small he goes to Westlake High, the second-best school in the state as far as basketball goes. To be the best, you have to beat continual state champions Bristol High. Westlake and Bristol are known rivals on both the basketball court and throughout the city of Akron. Tension is always at a high when it comes to the beating Bristol’s basketball team annually gives to Westlake at the state championship.
All comes to a head when the superintendent decides to tear down old Bristol High and ship most of its students to Westlake.
Monica Matthews is no stranger to the beef between the two schools and quickly pledges lasting loyalty to Bristol once she transfers to Westlake. In fact, she’d sooner drop out than step foot at Westlake. Being the head basketball coach’s daughter and the star player’s good friend, changing schools is a fate worse than death. It makes her a big target.
When Monica and Cameron meet sparks are the last thing that fly. To Monica, Cameron’s just the cocky prick on the sorry basketball team. To Cameron, Monica’s just the angry girl who needs to chill out. With allegiance for their two schools, nothing could bring these two close together—except, maybe, the good of the game.
535 pages, Kindle Edition
Published January 23, 2025
36 people are currently reading
413 people want to read
About the author
Whitney D. Grandison
8 books322 followersA lover of words, Whitney D. Grandison has been writing since as far back as she can remember. Outside of writing, she is a lover of Asian dramas, all things John Hughes, and horror films. Whitney currently lives in Akron, Ohio with her cats.
Visit Whitney’s website, www.whitneydgrandison.com, and follow her on Instagram, @wheadee.
Visit Whitney’s website, www.whitneydgrandison.com, and follow her on Instagram, @wheadee.
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
February 1, 2025
So, like so so many other books, this one started out super promising and I was so invested up until the first like 40-50%.
Pros:
- MC lived with his mother. I have never read a story where the MC and the mum are alone and I loved their dynamic. I loved that the mother had a huge role in the story and that Camren treated her with respect and love. Loved that she was actually cared about his manners and language! Call it outdated but I loved that she was calling him out on it!
Janis was sweet and caring and worked her ass off so that Cam was able to enjoy his senior year and not worrying about having a job!
- FMC, Monica was gorgeous and was confident in herself look wise! I liked that a lot! I also liked that she started out closed off and sassy but unlike so many or most FMCs who are insufferable, she actually changed for the better as she was becoming more trusting and vulnerable with others. It made sense why she was difficult to begin with so I can definitely let it slide!
- I was easily sucked into the world and felt like I’m there to see it all, felt like watching a show.
- Camren was such a great MC! He had depth to his character because of the traumatic event he experienced in his past. He was super nice to Monica from the beginning. I loved that he was sweet but also had an edge to him that came out when he was aggravated and he was goofy at the same time. Loved those different elements.
- liked that there was only a few f bombs which made it very authentic cause it was often said within the context of emotional/heated moments
Cons:
- the story was waaaaaay too long! Honestly, if the author would have stopped at the 70% mark it would have totally been fine. There was so much drama going on from the beginning. And the characters got together very late in the book, which is totally fine I love a nice slow burn but the drama that came after they were together was absolutely unnecessary and so over the top!! I hated to read all of that to get to the HEA!!
- I would have loved to see more development of Camrens problem with his trauma, like a bit of a solution like maybe him trying therapy again and really working it out instead of letting basketball being the biggest help.
I do understand that it helped him but honestly he has a temper and it’s not like the symptoms of trauma just disappear if the soul is not in a healing process. The book made it look as if therapy isn’t necessary and you could help yourself somehow. It might be possible to live with it if it’s not as deeply rooted but yeah idk…
- the story was inspired by One tree hill and I could tell the vibe was definitely there!! And with that, sadly the insane amount of drama. While some might live for that I definitely don’t and it annoyed the shit out of me at some point.
- I’m definitely okay with a closed door story but I didn’t like how the author led up to it. I mean I was so surprised we weren’t there cause it started out so sensual and then literally there were like 3-4 sentences that felt so sudden and then it was over. Like “he was slow and gentle etc” and that’s it next chapter. It was like someone just smashed the door shut while you’re still standing in it 😅…
- the epilogue was kind of disappointing too. It was 15 years later, why the heck so long??? Do they have to be over 30 to know that they have a good life now? They got married and had a kid which is beautiful but why not it being like 7 years later or so? I mean I get it we want to see the kid but yeah…and what happened with the mum and her guy??? We never know…
Anyways if the story had less drama, was way shorter then I’d given it a 5 star review cause the romance was very sweet and lovable!
Pros:
- MC lived with his mother. I have never read a story where the MC and the mum are alone and I loved their dynamic. I loved that the mother had a huge role in the story and that Camren treated her with respect and love. Loved that she was actually cared about his manners and language! Call it outdated but I loved that she was calling him out on it!
Janis was sweet and caring and worked her ass off so that Cam was able to enjoy his senior year and not worrying about having a job!
- FMC, Monica was gorgeous and was confident in herself look wise! I liked that a lot! I also liked that she started out closed off and sassy but unlike so many or most FMCs who are insufferable, she actually changed for the better as she was becoming more trusting and vulnerable with others. It made sense why she was difficult to begin with so I can definitely let it slide!
- I was easily sucked into the world and felt like I’m there to see it all, felt like watching a show.
- Camren was such a great MC! He had depth to his character because of the traumatic event he experienced in his past. He was super nice to Monica from the beginning. I loved that he was sweet but also had an edge to him that came out when he was aggravated and he was goofy at the same time. Loved those different elements.
- liked that there was only a few f bombs which made it very authentic cause it was often said within the context of emotional/heated moments
Cons:
- the story was waaaaaay too long! Honestly, if the author would have stopped at the 70% mark it would have totally been fine. There was so much drama going on from the beginning. And the characters got together very late in the book, which is totally fine I love a nice slow burn but the drama that came after they were together was absolutely unnecessary and so over the top!! I hated to read all of that to get to the HEA!!
- I would have loved to see more development of Camrens problem with his trauma, like a bit of a solution like maybe him trying therapy again and really working it out instead of letting basketball being the biggest help.
I do understand that it helped him but honestly he has a temper and it’s not like the symptoms of trauma just disappear if the soul is not in a healing process. The book made it look as if therapy isn’t necessary and you could help yourself somehow. It might be possible to live with it if it’s not as deeply rooted but yeah idk…
- the story was inspired by One tree hill and I could tell the vibe was definitely there!! And with that, sadly the insane amount of drama. While some might live for that I definitely don’t and it annoyed the shit out of me at some point.
- I’m definitely okay with a closed door story but I didn’t like how the author led up to it. I mean I was so surprised we weren’t there cause it started out so sensual and then literally there were like 3-4 sentences that felt so sudden and then it was over. Like “he was slow and gentle etc” and that’s it next chapter. It was like someone just smashed the door shut while you’re still standing in it 😅…
- the epilogue was kind of disappointing too. It was 15 years later, why the heck so long??? Do they have to be over 30 to know that they have a good life now? They got married and had a kid which is beautiful but why not it being like 7 years later or so? I mean I get it we want to see the kid but yeah…and what happened with the mum and her guy??? We never know…
Anyways if the story had less drama, was way shorter then I’d given it a 5 star review cause the romance was very sweet and lovable!
February 1, 2025
Cameron Marx defines himself by his single mom, basketball, his friends, and Scorsese movies. For Cam, he doesn’t let his number three ranking in the city go to his head. He just wants to enjoy playing the game he loves.
Monica Matthews is the daughter of Coach Matthews of the Bristol Boys Basketball team. Or former team; the superintendent decided to tear down Bristol High. Now Monica is forced to attend rival school Westlake High. Once rumors get out who her dad is, she becomes target number one at Westlake High.
Monica hates basketball because it took her father away from her. For Cameron, basketball means the world to him.
If you are a fan of Love & Basketball and One Tree Hill, this is for you! The teenage angst, drama, school rivalries, it has it all. They have the Monica and Quincy influence in the sense both Cam and Monica have these long-term crushes they’ve never acted on. For Monica, it’s her best friend Q who is Cam’s rival. For Cam, it’s Chase, a girl his friends think is stuck up. Then add in the Brooke, Peyton, Lucas triangle influence except it’s square. At times, I was like, are they finally going to get together? He can open up to her about personal events he hasn’t been able to talk about in a long time. She can count on him to be her personal cheering squad, and she won’t disappoint him if she fails. These two are so sweet. I don’t know if there are plans to make this a series, but I would love to read Ozzy and Lavender’s story.
Monica Matthews is the daughter of Coach Matthews of the Bristol Boys Basketball team. Or former team; the superintendent decided to tear down Bristol High. Now Monica is forced to attend rival school Westlake High. Once rumors get out who her dad is, she becomes target number one at Westlake High.
Monica hates basketball because it took her father away from her. For Cameron, basketball means the world to him.
If you are a fan of Love & Basketball and One Tree Hill, this is for you! The teenage angst, drama, school rivalries, it has it all. They have the Monica and Quincy influence in the sense both Cam and Monica have these long-term crushes they’ve never acted on. For Monica, it’s her best friend Q who is Cam’s rival. For Cam, it’s Chase, a girl his friends think is stuck up. Then add in the Brooke, Peyton, Lucas triangle influence except it’s square. At times, I was like, are they finally going to get together? He can open up to her about personal events he hasn’t been able to talk about in a long time. She can count on him to be her personal cheering squad, and she won’t disappoint him if she fails. These two are so sweet. I don’t know if there are plans to make this a series, but I would love to read Ozzy and Lavender’s story.
March 31, 2025
This book was really cute, but for some reason I feel as though it was lacking depth in some places, which is strange as it’s 500 pages long. Also, there was a point at which Monica (the main character) retaliates and refers to another character as a, “bonnet wearing bandit,” which was… 😬 I also feel as though we need to look into Cameron’s psychological state as, in one scene early on, he gets angry at the idea of his mom dating again and punches a wall. Not to mention he often feels wronged but can’t contextualize and clearly distinguish what exactly he’s mad about. For example, when he got mad at Monica, I felt as though his anger was sort of misplaced as it wasn’t really her fault the ball broke, and yet “she ruined everything in [his] life.”
June 14, 2025
A Wattpad classic! I’ve loved this book for years and every time I read it, it takes me back to my high school days of sneaking my phone out during class to read. Monica and Cameron have unbelievable chemistry and the OTH vibes of this book are life!!! I love the formatting and how well basketball ties into the plot. I’ll read this again, I’m sure, I love this book.
January 27, 2025
Always amazing
Ugh, this book was better than what I remember when it was published on wattpad. Absolutely loved their chemistry and would recommend. Such a fan of this author, will be reading the rest of her published books!
Ugh, this book was better than what I remember when it was published on wattpad. Absolutely loved their chemistry and would recommend. Such a fan of this author, will be reading the rest of her published books!
February 1, 2025
Another fab read!
Whitney Grandison knows how to write young adult romance. I so loved Cameron and Monica find their way to love. It was definitely a slow burn romance but once they decided they were in love, they went all in. Great story!
Whitney Grandison knows how to write young adult romance. I so loved Cameron and Monica find their way to love. It was definitely a slow burn romance but once they decided they were in love, they went all in. Great story!
February 17, 2025
This book was cute! Had some laugh out loud moments. I really really like Monica and Cameron together. I loved the basketball play by plays. Each of them grew as the book progressed. I really enjoyed the side characters too! Overall this was a good book.
April 13, 2025
Cutie patootie
Also these are the most level headed mature high schoolers ever like once u get past all the petty shit they resolve everything so amicably like I was shocked.
Genuinely every character was just good peoples.
Also these are the most level headed mature high schoolers ever like once u get past all the petty shit they resolve everything so amicably like I was shocked.
Genuinely every character was just good peoples.
April 8, 2025
4.25 ⭐️
May 25, 2025
loveeee
Such a beautiful story. I love that it’s realistic and I love each characters growth. I’d definitely recommend this book.
Such a beautiful story. I love that it’s realistic and I love each characters growth. I’d definitely recommend this book.
January 27, 2025
It was cute ☺️ but the ending felt rushed, thought about it some more , I’m not crazy about the ending but I understand it
November 20, 2025
So cute
June 11, 2025
DNF 46%… I fear it was going strong and then shit hit the fan and everybody was pissing me off
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews