Unraveling

North University #2

by Janisha Boswell

Scarlett Voss has always been in control, but her world is unraveling. Her father’s suspicious fall leaves him in a coma, and the family’s fashion empire is on the brink of collapse. To make matters worse, she’s stuck with Evan Branson—the infuriatingly handsome blond she loves to hate—for a class project. But when a crisis hits, Scarlett finds herself turning to the last person she expected for help, forcing her to swallow her pride.

Evan Branson thought he had enough on his plate, with old wounds resurfacing and a family member he never wanted to see again back in his life. Partnering with Scarlett was supposed to be a distraction, but the more time he spends with her, the more intrigued he becomes by the guarded woman beneath her polished exterior. When she unexpectedly asks for his help, Evan jumps at the chance to prove he can be the support she’s always needed. But as their banter turns into something deeper, staying away from Scarlett might be impossible.

As their lives spiral out of control, they’ll have to work together to put things right. But after everything they uncover, the two must decide whether they should protect their hearts or risk everything for a future together.

Genres: Romance, Enemies To Lovers, Sports Romance, College Romance, Hockey, Sports, Forced Proximity

412 pages, Paperback

Published February 11, 2025

Reviews

[May ✿ · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you Netgally and Little brown book group uk!!

I liked this for the most part.
After reading Falling-which is the first book in the NU series-and enjoying it I was excited to learn more about Scarlett & Evan!
The bickering and banter between them was cute and I enjoyed seeing Evan YEARN for Scarlet!?!? Adding him immediately to my favorite yearning MMC’s🙂‍↕️🙂‍↕️
I also really enjoyed their chemistry! As well as the found family feeling that grew even more than the first book between the girls & the guys🥹

The plot was what made me a bit bored, I didnt care for whatever happened with Scarlet and her parents and really didnt like how that turned out in the end.
I also think if the way Scarlett and Evan’s friendship transformed into something more was different, it would’ve changed my opinion & rating.

One thing I did very much like were some of the emotional scenes between them! I loved seeing how they comforted each other in times of need and knew exactly what to do so the other feels safe.

Overall I had a decent time reading and I am still very excited for the next book in the series!
Would recommend if you’re looking for a cute & cozy rivals to lovers romance! 💚🕰️👜

[Maddy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Unraveling is book two in the North University series and let me tell you, it did not disappoint!!!

There were so many things to love about this book!! First off the banter! 😍 Their banter was sooo good. Scarlett is so funny and hearing her talk with Evan who is the most dramatic, unserious man ever (positive) was so entertaining. While there was so much funny banter, as the story went on we started to see their emotional connection develop more. With that being said, we saw them have a lot more meaningful conversations and really dive into their struggles. In different ways, both characters struggle with feeling appreciated and wanted and the way they both make each other feel so loved and wanted and comforted. ❤️‍🩹

I love how in Evan’s character, he always showed that he cared for her and wanted to spend time with her and develop their relationship. With that, we had Scarlett who doesn’t normally do relationships and has a hard exterior that she doesn’t let many people see and getting to read about her letting her guard down and letting Evan in was just incredible. Girly has a major soft side specifically regarding Evan and if is so sweet. 💚

Lastly, the friendships in this book. 🥺🩷 I love these girls and the way they love and support each other is just so wonderful. While this is a romance, the friendship between Scarlett, Wren, and Kennedy is such a strong subplot and I just love reading about them.

Everyone must read this, out on 2/14!!!!!

💚💻📚🎹🎀💋

[gia · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 ⭐

thank you to janisha for the arc and having me on your street team!

i absolutely adored falling so i had some pretty high expectations for unraveling and this book absolutely SERVED. academic rivals to lovers is a trope i don't typically read but still tend to enjoy when i do read it so i loved scarlett and evan's dynamics a lot! their bickering is so cute and their chemistry was so natural.

Scarlett was very relatable in some aspects, as someone who cares A LOT about grades and academics, i definitely understood her character. she deserves all the good things in the world fr. Evan is such a cutie, he is the definition of a golden retriever but i'm glad that his character was more complex than just one trait/emotion throughout the entire book.

additionally, the length of this book was perfect for me and the pacing allowed the characters to grow on me but also not so slow that it's torturing me to beg for them to hurry up and get together already. the mystery side plot was also a nice bonus to keep me hooked, it's nothing complex but still very fun to read about. also, i liked that this book wasn't super stressful to read because i feel like when i read more mystery-ish books with romance i get too caught up with the plot and spend less time actually enjoying the character development and romance part.

anyways, i don't have much to say except that i highly recommend this book if you're looking for something cute and if you want to get out of a slump because i sped through this book so fast!

[Kelsey-rose💘 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to Piaktus for the arc via NetGalley

I wanna start by saying - this book is what I thought king of gluttony would be . Rivals to lovers ( my fave trope) but where they obviously have to stop being rivals and work together - I love that a lot and this book is that . Maybe this feels better than lot to me because the characters in this book act their age ( they are in their early 20s) .

The cover art is so beautiful!! Im also so happy I got approved for this because i wanted to read this last year but it got picked up to be published before it even got released . So im happy I finally get to read it now .

One thing about janisha is ( well in this and the first ) she has mental health rep which is something I love to see in my romances . I was also happy to know that this book is truly academic rivals and not a hockey romance because as I’ve said alot - hockey romance (outside of a few authors ) isn’t for me anymore .

Evan has ocd and anxiety & I love to see OCD rep in books . I love to see mental health rep in books in general .

Evan and Scarlett . I love them . He’s a downbad mmc and I love down bad mmcs . I can excuse the fact he’s blonde. I love them sm ( are they gonna be on my fave couples list ? ( no) but do I still love them ? ( also yes ).

I love this book so much it’s everything to me.

He calls her angel I love that nickname sm . I also love the name Scarlett. I love the yearning - I love the romance and I love them spending time together .

I can understand why some people may not
Like this book - but for me it hit - it was worth the long wait and it was worth me anticipating it . It didn’t disappoint me . In fact it exceeded my expectations- it was truly the academic rivals to lovers trope where the mmc has been into the fmc for years and he just plays along with her hating him. I love this trope for me it will always make me swoon.

Some people said Scarlett was a bitch but that must’ve been from the pre trad version ( the indie arc) because for me Scarlett was an enjoyable and somewhat relatable character imo .)

I am intrigued about the 3rd book hopefully I can snag an arc for it when it’s on NetGalley so I don’t have to wait until 2027 to read it because I just know I’ll enjoy it . Piaktus if you are reading this - it’s my application to read the arc of the 3rd book in this series (spiraling ) . As this book ( unraveling) was truly it for me . I appreciate being chosen to read this arc and this opportunity was a fun and enjoyable and amazing experience.

My fave quotes :
“ ( he doesn’t say this but he thinks it ) - she’s all I’ve dreamed about . All I’ve thought about every time my fingers brush past my lips and I delude myself into thinking I’ll be able to taste her again “ ( aaah I love this )

Evan :”The way I love you is the furthest thing from difficult. It feels like breathing “ Scarlett: “Because it’s easy ?” Evan : “Because I can’t live without you “
____________________________________________

Preread : I was excited for this last year but it never got published cus it got picked up by a publisher before it ever got released . But now I have the arc of it so yay. I arc read the first book when it got picked up

[Sammie · Rating 4 out of 5]

✨️“He’s perfect ,” I say. “He’s the love of my life, Mom. There’s never going to be anybody else.”✨️

This was such a sweet romance read that gave me that feel-good factor. It's a rival to lovers, and they have to work together on a class project, and omg Evan says the sweetest things to Scarlett.

Evan has OCD and anxiety, of which I thought Janisha wrote this really well. He needs to be clean to be able to clear his mind and manage the environment he's in. He hates being touched, and even his clothes are sometimes too much for him. BUT he seeks Scarlett out, leans his leg in her, and all is well in the world.

Scarlett is so focused on working for her family business that she will do anything to secure a position. Including keeping up a rivalry that started long before her and Evan were born. Yet he wants to help her with whatever she needs to do for her future.

This was my first read by Janisha, and I enjoyed it. Evan was just the sweetest, and I loved reading how Scarlett helped him when it came to his anxieties and his OCD, pushing his boundaries ever so slightly to open him uo to new experiences. I love how he created The Nest for them, so they had somewhere that was just theirs and not tied to their families' companies. He is just a walking green flag!

✨️“Scarlett Voss, you are perfect and beautiful and smart and so fucking deserving of everything good. You have been unravelling me since the day I met you, and I don’t want you to ever stop doing that.” My heart thumps in my chest and he dusts his lips over mine. “I’m yours, Scarlett. Yours.”✨️

A huge thank you to the author, The Little Brown Group, and NetGalley for the earc in exchange for an honest review!

[My Reading Era · Rating 4 out of 5]

Scarlett and Evan get stuck together on a class project, and Scarlett is definitely not happy about it. Evan drives her crazy, but the more time they spend together, the more they realize there’s a lot more to each other than they thought. Their connection slowly grows into something really sweet, with both of them learning to lean on each other when it matters most.

The narrators, Leanne Woodard and Dexter Thornton, nailed the dynamic between Scarlett and Evan. They made the banter fun and the emotional moments hit just right, which made their journey even more enjoyable.

Thank you, Janisha Boswell and Tantor Audio for the ALC.

[Alice Lauren · Rating 4 out of 5]

i really enjoyed this book and loved watching scarlett and evan grow both individually and together. their character development was done so well

janisha also did an amazing job portraying anxiety, OCD, and panic attacks in a thoughtful and authentic way. the representation felt genuine and meaningful throughout the story

evan being completely obsessed with scarlett? we absolutely love to see it 😭 their relationship had so many sweet moments, and their connection felt very natural

i also loved scarlett’s friendship with wren and kennedy. i love when books thrive on female friendships and talk about women in a positive way and i love how they are always there for each other

overall, this was such a fun and easy read while still covering deeper and important topics in a meaningful way

(crossing my fingers for kennedy’s book)

[Kaity · Rating 5 out of 5]

Scarlett and Evan are the sweetest pair. I loved their journey and how they both blossomed together and separately.

Thanks Netgalley for an advanced copy.

[Francesca Morano Davicino · Rating 5 out of 5]

It is amazing!! So so good that you’ll read it on one sitting. The characters are so great built that you fall in love with each of them and even more to the story. They remembered me of Draco and Hermione which is and was a big point to read it and fall in love with the story. 🌶️✨😍🫶🏻🥀🗡️ Nothing better than an enemy’s to lovers to start your mornings 🙈🖤😉

[embear · Rating 5 out of 5]

*beta reader review*

idk which way to start this review actually bc i got so much to say but, in this book you’ll find the perfect balance between the academic rivalry, the family war, the school project, and also finding a balance between their friendships and their mutual bond.



everything is just perfect, the pace in this book makes the story going so smoothly and so naturally in a way



scar, my little baby is so strong beneath her facade and what she might show to the world, she is so relatable in her own way bc of her own struggles - she is also SO CONFIDENT ?! i might take example from her and her ‘fake it ´til you make it’ attitude :))



evan, my obsessed boy, i have no words to say besides the fact that he’ll be the most loyal person to scarlett than ANYONE, yes their family are fighting, yes they shouldn’t be that close, but he can’t help it, he’ll do just much anything he could do for her just because :))



AND DON’T FORGET MILESY, my little baby from book 1 is SO back in this book and i couldn’t love him more than i already do, he’s so funny and always there to make you smile 😭😭 seeing him from another pov made me realise how sarcastic and caring he is, and i couldn’t be more happy with it



i told in my last review that i knew this book would be a 5 stars and i was right, we got everything we hoped we could have in this book, and jan never failed to make this story so good, without forgetting on single character :)



(okay i might not mentioned the bond between the girls, but i think you’ll see from yourself that it’s still VERY much here and still strong) :)))

[Lilly · Rating 3 out of 5]

3/5 stars ➷ ✩ͯ
There is no amount of money you could pay me to read that again. I am very confused and honestly annoyed. What was that plot? Why was everyone dying, it’s supposed to be a cheesy college romance? Why was she being a bitch most of the book? I get her personality is being ‘mean’ but she was just rude. Why did they only get together in the final chapter and the rest was just sex. Honestly not worth the read.

[s. v. regan · Rating 5 out of 5]

this was actually a life changing rewrite jan my therapy bill is going to you

[emily · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed this book! Jan just never disappoints me! I adored Evan and Scarlett. I loved getting to watch their relationship evolve over the book and loved that even though they started out as rivals, Evan was down bad for Scarlett from the very beginning! That man was OBSESSED with her (and Scarlett was secretly obsessed too in my opinion)!

My favourite part of this book is 100% the found family elements. Both Scarlett and Evan have complex family dynamics and it was so touching to see how their friends were always there for them when their families weren’t. I seriously adore this little friend group and cannot wait for the next North University book!!!

While this book had lots of extremely fun scenes, it also touched on some pretty heavy topics and although they were absolutely handled with care, please check TW’s before reading! Thank you Jan for the e-arc!

[Mariana Pragana · Rating 5 out of 5]

Even with noticeable spelling errors, the characters were beautifully crafted. The individual growth arcs were well executed, and despite the book's short length, the romance was a flawlessly executed slow burn—something I rarely encounter.

I gave it 5 stars because it focused so deeply on the characters on an individual level, which really appeals to me. It could have been longer, but I’m not docking a star for that. Overall, the formula was so good that it completely made me ignore the typos.

[Kattaline · Rating 3 out of 5]

meh… i expected something with the same vibes as the first book but it felt completely different and kinda unrealistic? i know it’s meant to be that way cause fiction all but i didn’t really got into it
also the aaron warner wannabe didn’t do it for me

[Aditi ✧˚° · Rating 2 out of 5]

Received as an arc via Netgalley.
Started off strong and was pretty cute but then fell flat.

[mylla ♡·˚]

beta review <3

TROPES:
𐙚 forced proximity
𐙚 anxiety and ocd rep
𐙚 he falls first and hard
𐙚 academic rivals to lovers

since we first met them, scar hates evan but evan… he fell for her the moment he laid eyes on her. he does everything he can to show her that they’re a perfect match, even through all their family issues.

the way scar went from hating him to needing his help was just so funny to me, poor evan struggled because she’s the only person who gets him. even when scar doesn’t want to admit it, evan doesn’t need her to say anything because he knows her. i’m telling you, they’re soulmates <3

both of them have their personal struggles but it was so sweet to see them falling for each other or should i say when they were unraveling some mysteries together?

and once again, i loved to read about this found family and how real evan deals with his anxiety and ocd journey :,)

thank you jan for letting me be a beta reader ! i had so much fun with scarlett and evan <3

[LoLa ᯓ★ · Rating 3 out of 5]

I get that his hands were big but was that really worth mentioning every two seconds?

[marilyn silver · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rating:4.5/5⭐


Tropes
🩷she dislikes him x He is obsessed with her
🩷Academic rivals to lovers
🩷Family Drama
🩷Forced Proximity

First and foremost I would like to thank Author Janisha Boswell and Little Brown Book UK publication for giving me the ARC of the book in return for an honest review. Im truly Grateful

Honestly it had been SO long since I read a proper rivals to lovers book and this one literally devoured the trope. At first i wasn’t fully vibing with it like the banter was cute, the characters were good and all but i just couldn’t fully connect with the story. But something in me kept saying “just keep reading” and thank GOD i listened because once this book picked up in the middle?? OH IT PICKED UP. Did i absolutely love it in the end? Yessss absolutely.

A book where the FMC absolutely cannot stand him meanwhile the MMC is down astronomically obsessed with her?? Yeah inject that into my veins immediately. Evan and Scarlett come from rival families and this man was literally surviving off the tiniest crumbs of attention she gave him for YEARS. YEARS. Like sir stand up… but also never change because i ate it up every single time. And now all i want in life is a blonde haired rival who is secretly obsessed with me.

Also can we PLEASE talk about how it’s always the quiet nerdy men who end up being the freakiest? Evan proved that point perfectly. This man’s favorite hobby was irritating Scarlett. Honestly pushing her buttons should’ve been his actual career because there wasn’t a single second where he wasn’t annoying her 😂 but at the same time the way he noticed every tiny thing about her, remembered the smallest details and cared for her so deeply??? SIR.

“There aren't enough words in the English language to know how it feels like to kiss her again.” SCREAMING CRYING THROWING UP.

The way this man would immediately fold if she was in trouble, the way he was gentle with her, always there for her no matter what, constantly proving he’d have her back even when she pushed him away… yeah Evan Parks the man that you are. And his character growth throughout the book?? Loved every second of it.

Scarlett’s character was also SO good. Her strength, resilience, humor and overall growth throughout the story was genuinely so empowering to read. She felt real, strong and layered and i loved her for that.

The chemistry? INSANE. The tension? TOP TIER. The banter? Ate every single time. The vulnerability and understanding they shared just made everything hit even harder. I also loved the friendship dynamics so much. They were both so painfully oblivious to each other’s feelings but honestly watching a whole project force them to finally SEE IT was everything to me.

Overall this was such a fun and addictive read and I'd 100% recommend it.

[Lixiezil · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for sending me the ARC.

I’m a big lover of the Rivals to Lovers trope so naturally I really enjoyed this one. It’s the second book in a series all based around the same university/college setting with the same characters popping up across books, however it definitely can be read as a standalone as we’re quickly brought up to speed on who’s who and how the main characters know them.

I loved the banter and sarcastic commentary between Scarlett and Evan. The rivalry was definitely there but it was fun and competitive and didn’t cross over into cruel or enemy territory. I liked how, as the book progressed, we saw them opening up more and having more meaningful and emotional conversations as well as sharing their vulnerabilities. The chemistry between them was obvious and they definitely complimented each other’s energies well.

The shift from Rivals to Lovers was gradual but it felt natural. I’d say this was a medium pacing, not too fast but not a really slow burner that you become disengaged.

Throughout the book we get glimpses into both Scarlett and Evan’s lives outside of studying. Both of their families have businesses in the fashion industry and definitely have their separate issues. Scarlett’s parents particularly infuriated me, the way they handled everything was just awful. I mean, they’re essentially still punishing her for a party she had five years ago, and someone stealing things from her father’s office. I know actions have consequences but oh my god, MOVE ON! Stringing her along for years, having her believe that she’d eventually get her dream role of a designer in the family company? Scarlett’s a bigger person than me because I would’ve not forgiven them for that.

We also find out that Evan’s mother left when he was a child, however she didn’t seem to be that great of a parent to begin with, especially concerning Evan’s OCD. The subject of Evan’s OCD is handled well throughout the book, I liked how it was never made out to be a joke, or that he was weird because of it. As someone who struggles with it themselves, I found it a realistic portrayal and I related a lot to the compulsions that Evan had.

Overall, I really enjoyed this book and I would recommend it to those who enjoy the Rivals to Lovers trope, or anyone who likes college based romances!

[Ananya · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's was a cute college romance about two nerds whose families are business rivals. I loved the whole idea of the book.
Things i loved about this story-
~The MMC(Evan): I liked Evan's character so much. It seemed so genuine and logical. His action had reasons. He was very sweet. That the way he treated Scarlet melted by heart.
~Explosive chemistry: The sparkling chemistry between MCs was everything. They were like made for each other. So thoughtful, so sweet. They grew together throughout the story. And the spicy scene? It had all the feels!
~The confusion in career and decision making on Evan's side was so genuine problem. It's really a problem among students in real life. I really liked that point so much. Very logical issue.
~Evan's relationship with his father: This was the sweetest thing i read in the whole story. They so close to each other. So refreshing to read such a good parental connection.

Things which would have been better-
~Confused parental intentions on Scarlet side: I was so confused till the end that did her parents want her betterment or not? they didn't want her to get into business even after all she wanted was to work for her family business.
~Repetitive thoughts: I felt that some of the inner monologue seemed very repetitive. Like the emotions like tightening of the chest, something flips. And also there were so many mentions about the hands of MMC. i know they were good but..
~Kennedy's issue's: Why was Kennedy's love life was mentioned so many times? That too at the very start of the story itself instead of focusing on MCs.
~Lengthy: I get that girl's talk is very important but why was it so lengthy. I found myself skimming through those chapters. So the story seemed a bit lengthy for my taste.
~Abrupt ending: I was like "that's it?", "finished?". The ending was so unfinished.

So overall, it was 3 stars read for me. Whatever the thing is about this book, i am always excited for the next book in this series. And i already have some much context about Kennedy and Harry in this story that i am pretty sure what the book is going to be about.

If you are into hot nerd, rivals business families, caretaking MMC, she-is-mean-but-he-likes-her tropes then this book is definitely for you. You can give it a try!

[Megan Jeal · Rating 5 out of 5]

ARC Review: Unraveling — ★★★★★

I would like to thank NetGalley for providing me with an ARC of this book.

Unraveling is exactly the kind of book I love reading. It sits firmly in one of my favourite genres: academic rivals to lovers. On top of that, it includes some of my favourite romantic dynamics, including he falls first and a touch of pining, which made the emotional tension all the more compelling.

One of the standout aspects of this book is how well it handles mental health representation. Evan’s OCD is explored in a thoughtful, respectful, and well-researched way. It never feels reduced to a plot device; instead, it is portrayed with depth, nuance, and care. Similarly, Scarlett’s relationship with her parents is given meaningful attention, adding another emotional layer to her character and motivations. Both characters feel fully realised, with their individual struggles shaping who they are and how they navigate the world and each other.

What I loved most is how their relationship develops through acceptance. Rather than trying to “fix” each other, they learn to understand, support, and accept one another with all their complexities, intrusive thoughts, and challenges beyond their control. This made their connection feel incredibly grounded and emotionally satisfying.

It was also such a joy to return to this world after loving the first book featuring Miles and Wren. The familiarity of the setting combined with new emotional arcs made it feel both comforting and fresh. I’m also very excited for what seems to be a third book focusing on Kennedy and Harry. If it follows the hinted trajectory from friends to lovers, I already know I’ll be invested.

Academic rivals to lovers remains one of my absolute favourite tropes, and this book delivers it brilliantly. The academic setting is another highlight, especially with characters who feel relatable in age and experience, making the story even easier to connect with.

Overall, I really enjoyed Unraveling. It’s emotionally engaging, well-written, and balances romance with meaningful character development beautifully. I would happily recommend it to most of my friends, especially those who enjoy character-driven romance with depth and heart.

[Katerina Karavapori · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well, this was an absolute DELIGHT to read and I finished it in one day! It was SO CUTE and SO SWEET, I had the biggest smile on my face and kicked my feet many times! The relationship development/progression between Scarlett and Evan felt truly natural and organic, you know that underlying attraction that simmers (probably for years!) before finally, the time is right and it hits you in the face, that was all really well done, especially on Evan's side. The dual POV (as well as split POV in some chapters, how fun!) works brilliantly, as we're witnessing in real time how feelings develop for both characters. The pace was great, no fillers. The secondary characters were also fleshed out well, so the overall reading experience ended up being brilliant for me. Janisha's writing feels seamless, and we're given everything in perfect measure.

Scarlett and Evan are both great main characters and we see a lot of character development independently as well. Even though they both come from privileged backgrounds, they have their own hurdles to overcome, a teenage mistake that still plagues how Scarlett's parents view her and an uncertainty on how to take over the family fashion business, a mother who has been absent most of his life as well as dealing with his OCD for Evan. The gravity put on those things felt convincing enough and gave the story more meat, as it's obviously heavy on the romance. I really enjoyed how the both start off being solely focused on their studies and future and then gradually realise that life doesn't always work like that. And the romance, I mean EVAN, he was everything I didn't know I needed in a MMC. He is so caring and thoughtful, pours so much attention on Scarlett and he's sexy in a refreshing way, with his playing the piano and running/cooking etc, I loved him. And, the spice, when it arrived was PERFECT, no notes. He's so dreamy, I did at times think this guy is definitely written by a woman BUT did it take away from my enjoyment? Absolutely not, if anything, I found myself fully subscribing to him! Delicious!

Thank you to Janisha Boswell, Little, Brown Book Group UK | Sphere and NetGalley for my review copy, all opinions are my own. I will definitely be reading the rest of the North University series!

[Eve Tsak · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐️ 4.25 stars

Swoon 🥹🥹 oh my god I loved this. I genuinely needed this book. I went into Unraveling with absolutely no expectations and somehow it ended up completely consuming me. From the beginning I was already obsessed because they were SO Connor Cobalt and Rose Calloway coded and I was immediately eating it up 😭 Academic rivals?? Say less.

Everything about Scarlett and Evan just worked for me. The tension, the banter, the competitiveness between them whilst still slowly becoming each other’s safe place… I loved it all. The fact they both came from these fashion empire families while carrying their own personal struggles made their relationship feel layered and emotional rather than just surface-level rivalry. I especially loved how the author handled Evan’s OCD and Scarlett’s complicated family dynamics. Their relationship felt balanced in a way I really appreciated because Scarlett was the more guarded, sharp, slightly colder one while Evan brought so much patience and steadiness to her life.

And EVAN??? Oh my god this man 😭 The fact he literally drove back after Christmas to be with her because of what happened with her family absolutely destroyed me. Then taking her away to the lake house whilst they were STILL technically academic rivals??? I was unwell. He ran her a bath. HE RAN HER A BATH.

I also have to say this author’s writing style was genuinely addictive. I was never bored once while reading this. Every chapter kept me invested and the chemistry between them was insane. And the spice??? Yeah there were definitely moments where I had to pause because HELLO??? 😭 She left absolutely no crumbs with this book.

This honestly might become one of my favourite university romance series because I’m already SO invested in these characters and I’m ridiculously excited to continue. And Harry and Kennedy??? I NEED their story immediately. I already know I’m going to be obsessed with them too.

♡ Thank you to NetGalley and Little, Brown Book Group UK for the eARC ♡

[Marie-Hélène · Rating 4 out of 5]

All Scarlett and Evan want in life is work for their respective family’s legacy fashion companies — but Voss and B&Co are rivals, so Scarlett is convinced they have to be too. Evan humours her in that, because they both like their bantering, and deep down he might just be rather obsessed with her. Scarlett’s biggest wish is to be taken seriously by her parents, for them to respect her and finally give her a shot as an employee of Voss. Her parents tell her they’ll consider once she manages to complete a list of seemingly random, silly accomplishments. Evan’s father, on the other hand, wants his son to take the semester off of working at B&Co, as he feels he’s getting to obsessed and forgetting to live and enjoy his time as a student between working and studying.

I loved how Scarlett had a wonderful support system in her best friends, and Evan reluctantly did as well in his roommates turned friends. The banter between Scarlett and Evan was clever and impressive, as the respect for each other (mostly Evan for Scarlett) was undeniable. I loved how they had the other’s back through whatever happened, and the admiration was clear. Evan’s OCD rep was also done very well, and the way Scarlett impressed him through it was chef’s kiss. As much as I loved the relationship between Evan and his father and Scarlett and her brothers (especially Alex), I couldn’t deal with nor support the way Scarlett’s parents treated her. It gave me an absolute ick and my heart broke for that insecure teenager who tried so hard to be seen and appreciated, and only got judgment and mistrust in return — yes, they love her, but for me that was inexcusable. The family they both found in their friends and each other more than made up for that, and I loved how throughout the book, they both learned to forge their own path in life, with the necessary support.

[Emma Greenway · Rating 4 out of 5]

✨Unraveling by Janisha Boswell✨

Being the first book I have read from this author I went into this not knowing what to expect. I absolutely loved it and would give this an easy 4.5 stars!

We follow the story of Scarlett and Evan both are young adults of rival clothing brands and are both taking the same class at North university.

They are forced to pair together to work towards an opening for an internship, suddenly their back and forth bickering fades and as they spend more time together this develops into something much more.

I enjoyed the dynamic of these characters, the back and forth bickering at the start to actually getting to know each other and falling in love was perfect. The spice was also SPICY🔥

"Scarlett voss, you are perfect and beautiful and smart and so fucking deserving of everything good You have been unraveling me since the day I met you, and I don't want you to ever stop doing that" My heart thumps in my chest and he dusts his lips over mine.
"I'm yours, Scarlett. Yours""

Whilst both faced difficult personal struggles, I feel like they helped ground each other through these times and it was so sweet to watch🥺

I liked how the author approached sensitive topics within the book and honestly I haven't read any romance books that have mention OCD before and I'm very happy because this raises so much more awareness!

Thank you so much to you Janisha, Little brown books and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this. I cant wait to read the next one in the series and now I need to collect the books!

[RebthePageTurner · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is my second book by Janisha Boswell and I really enjoy her writing!
This book follows Scarlett and Evan. Both children within families who own high fashion brands with global recognition.
Scarlett struggles to convince her parents she is worthy of a place in their company, while Evan's father, conscious of his struggles with OCD wants him to reduce his time working for the company and live the life of a true college graduate. Add in the fact that these two apparently hate each other and this is the recipe for a perfect romance.
I'll start by saying I loved both of these characters. I loved Scarlett's determination to work for her parents company and the effort and time she takes to prove that she is worthy of that. I felt for her so much when it seemed like she wasn't being appreciated or respected by them.
Evan's struggles with his OCD were really well done with care and attention and I appreciated that despite how he felt he fought his way through. The compassion that Scarlett gave him too really helped.
in terms of the romance, I loved how this played out across the plot of the book. there was a slow build that you knew was coming but the small hints just made it so delicious.
the additional characters, although not key to the plot, really enhanced the setting and environment and I look forward to Kennedy's book!
I really enjoyed this and I would definitely consider reading more of the authors books. I think with the recent popularity in off campus I think this could be a good contender!

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

thank you to netgalley and the publisher for sending me an e arc of this book!!

4⭐

I’m obsessed with them!!!!!!!! This is book two in the North University series where we follow Scarlett Voss, youngest daughter of the owners of Voss fashion brand, and her rival Evan Branson, son on Branson & Co fashion brand owner. Evan and Scarlett both attend university studying business and fashion and are both academic and family rivals. As they are paired up in a class project their friendship blossoms, and maybe they don’t hate each other as much as they say.

I loved this story so much!! the tension the build up, everything was just perfection. Even though both characters are literally children of multi millionaires they feel really down to earth and relatable in so many ways. Scarlett’s struggled with making her parents proud and wanting to show that she is trustworthy is so beautifully done, and honestly I will never forgive her parents for what they did (sorry not sorry). The depiction of OCD in Evan’s character was really delicately done and I connected with his character from the start. The banter and relationship between Scarlett and Evan was so sweet and beautiful on the page. Evan had me kicking my feet, he loves Scarlett SO MUCH!!! the writing, the dialogue just WOW! I love the found family aspect of these books and it was strong in this story!!! Honestly I wanted this book to be 100 pages longer, with a bit more exploration of a few plot points (Scarlett’s interview, the list). This was such a beautiful book!! Janisha you’re the best

[lola · Rating 2 out of 5]

1.5 stars

As much as I had hoped to love this book, it did unfortunately fall flat for me.

There were a number of things that caused me to not be invested in it, including characters, plot and general writing style. In all honestly, had this been marketed as a YA book (after removing the spicy scenes ofc), I think it could have found a better audience.

To begin with, the plot felt weak and lacking. It revolved around Scarlett being given a list of tasks she had to complete for her billionaire parents in order to get a job there (despite having already done so much work for the company in her free time) which in itself felt ridiculous, and as mentioned, in my opinion better suited for a YA audience. And in terms of writing style, even the way that Scarlett and Evan spoke or interacted with each other and others felt juvenile.

Scarlett didn’t resonate with me either and whilst I do love a strong FMC that stands her ground, Scarlett was instead rude and generally not nice to read about? Not to mention slapping Evan and dragging him around like a rag doll.

Evan himself gave me nothing, there was no substance in that dude and whilst the plot mainly revolved around helping Scarlett with her list, I wish there was more about HIM. The scenes we did have felt lacking?

I did wish the plot was stronger and that we had a better ‘rivals’ aspect between Scarlett and Evan, as it felt more like Year 7’s bickering than grown adults with genuine tension and build up.

Thank you Little Brown for the e-arc in exchange for an honest review.

[isabella lola · Rating 4 out of 5]

after reading and loving falling last year i was so excited to be back with this series and unravelling did not disappoint!!

i really enjoyed this book, and i loved getting to see scarlett and evan grow and develop throughout. i really loved that they were their own individuals and had their own arcs without each other, as well as developing together too. both of them were really great complex characters!

i think janisha did a really good job of writing about anxiety, ocd and panic attacks, and i think it was great representation!

evan is down badddddd and we absolutely looooove to see that like yeah he loves scarlett so much😛 gaggy

complicated family relationships were written really well too and i think the conflict was done well. feel like we really got to understand all of the characters on a deeper level

i love scarlett’s friendship with wren and kennedy and just how female friendship was spoken about, showing the true importance of it. i always love well developed side characters and this book was no exception to that!

loved the epilogue too and think it was a perfect ending!

i love janisha’s writing and im so excited for kennedy to get a book next (🤞🏼)

really great easy fun read that covers important and deep topics really really well, definitely recommend!!

thank you so much to netgalley and little, brown book group for the arc!!