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Astor Hill #2
Second Position
For fans of One Tree Hill and Gossip Girl...
She's caught between loyalty and a longing she can't ignore. He's built walls to protect a heart that's never known first place.
Genevieve Dupont is used to giving her all. And it’s easy to do, when you love something as much as she loves ballet, love someone as much as she loves Will Chapman—her best friend and the Astor Lions’ star basketball player. But Will is spiraling and after a lifetime of her mother’s disdain, Gen wonders if she’s neglected her own desires in hopes that one day she’ll be enough. So when a reckless deal ignites a surprising thrill–losing her virginity to the one teammate Will can’t stand–she finds herself saying yes. What Gen doesn’t expect is for the golden boy to challenge every belief she holds about love, and soon, she's hurtling toward a choice she never anticipated.
Grant Fielder’s charmed life, a world away from his impoverished past, demands unwavering loyalty–or so he thinks. Being a dutiful son, a good friend, a loyal teammate feels as essential as breathing, even if his true desires whisper otherwise. He's perfected this role, if only to fend off ever feeling abandoned again, until the reckless games of his privileged peers become something he can’t ignore. What started as a simple deal soon blossoms into something more, but when you’ve always come second, it feels impossible to believe you could really be first.
Their undeniable passion will force them to choose between the comfort of what they’ve known and a love that could destroy them both.
Second Position is the second book in the Astor Hill series and can be read as a standalone, but reading in order is recommended.
She's caught between loyalty and a longing she can't ignore. He's built walls to protect a heart that's never known first place.
Genevieve Dupont is used to giving her all. And it’s easy to do, when you love something as much as she loves ballet, love someone as much as she loves Will Chapman—her best friend and the Astor Lions’ star basketball player. But Will is spiraling and after a lifetime of her mother’s disdain, Gen wonders if she’s neglected her own desires in hopes that one day she’ll be enough. So when a reckless deal ignites a surprising thrill–losing her virginity to the one teammate Will can’t stand–she finds herself saying yes. What Gen doesn’t expect is for the golden boy to challenge every belief she holds about love, and soon, she's hurtling toward a choice she never anticipated.
Grant Fielder’s charmed life, a world away from his impoverished past, demands unwavering loyalty–or so he thinks. Being a dutiful son, a good friend, a loyal teammate feels as essential as breathing, even if his true desires whisper otherwise. He's perfected this role, if only to fend off ever feeling abandoned again, until the reckless games of his privileged peers become something he can’t ignore. What started as a simple deal soon blossoms into something more, but when you’ve always come second, it feels impossible to believe you could really be first.
Their undeniable passion will force them to choose between the comfort of what they’ve known and a love that could destroy them both.
Second Position is the second book in the Astor Hill series and can be read as a standalone, but reading in order is recommended.
394 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 25, 2025
146 people are currently reading
1521 people want to read
About the author
Sydney Madison
3 books56 followersSydney Madison is a best-friend writing duo based in Orlando, Florida, that blend heartwarming love stories with a captivating edge. While they revel in the lighter side of life—like sushi dates and book chats-they dive deep into the complexities of love and relationships in their writing. Balancing heart and intrigue, they craft stories that explore the shadows of relationships not typically explored.
When they're not conjuring up their next novel, you can find them plotting their literary escapades over spicy tuna rolls and plenty of caffeine!
When they're not conjuring up their next novel, you can find them plotting their literary escapades over spicy tuna rolls and plenty of caffeine!
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 126 reviews
July 25, 2025
rtc
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While everyone else is reading their summer reads, I’m reading winter 🥶🇦🇺 Excited to be back in the world of Astor Hill.
Many thanks to the authors for reaching out and sending me an advanced copy!
——
While everyone else is reading their summer reads, I’m reading winter 🥶🇦🇺 Excited to be back in the world of Astor Hill.
Many thanks to the authors for reaching out and sending me an advanced copy!
May 26, 2025
The d r a m a was drama-ing in this book!
They weren't wrong when they said this book is for fans of Gossip Girl because the similarities were a little jarring. Toxic characters, gossip columnist, rich entitled college kids and horrible parents.
While this does say you can read it as a standalone (which I did), I would definitely read the first book. I was confused quite a few times as things weren't properly explained, especially in regard to the dynamic between Will/Olivia/Lily and why the characters are the way they are.
The FMC, Gen was insufferable honestly. I don't know why Grant was so down bad for her. Personally if someone I liked was constantly pinning over her best friend since forever when he clearly has no interest, I would be running the other way. I felt so bad for Grant on multiple occasions when he clearly wanted to give Gen his all yet it was so obvious she still has unresolved feelings for Will. She would run to his side the second he gave her an ounce of attention. It was beyond toxic.
Grant was the best part of this book! He was SO sweet and he was such an emotionally layered character 🥹
I think I would have enjoyed this a lot more if some plot points were more fleshed out rather than being quickly resolved.
Thank you PS Published and NetGalley for the arc!
✩⁺₊✩☽⋆ follow me on tiktok ⋆☾✩⁺₊✩
They weren't wrong when they said this book is for fans of Gossip Girl because the similarities were a little jarring. Toxic characters, gossip columnist, rich entitled college kids and horrible parents.
While this does say you can read it as a standalone (which I did), I would definitely read the first book. I was confused quite a few times as things weren't properly explained, especially in regard to the dynamic between Will/Olivia/Lily and why the characters are the way they are.
The FMC, Gen was insufferable honestly. I don't know why Grant was so down bad for her. Personally if someone I liked was constantly pinning over her best friend since forever when he clearly has no interest, I would be running the other way. I felt so bad for Grant on multiple occasions when he clearly wanted to give Gen his all yet it was so obvious she still has unresolved feelings for Will. She would run to his side the second he gave her an ounce of attention. It was beyond toxic.
Grant was the best part of this book! He was SO sweet and he was such an emotionally layered character 🥹
I think I would have enjoyed this a lot more if some plot points were more fleshed out rather than being quickly resolved.
Thank you PS Published and NetGalley for the arc!
✩⁺₊✩☽⋆ follow me on tiktok ⋆☾✩⁺₊✩
May 4, 2025
3.75 ⭐️
I absolutely adored this book! It had me giggling and kicking my feet.
Characters 🎀
FMC was quite annoying the first 10-20% of the book, however the more I read the more I started to understand her and love her, and by the end of the book I absolutely adored her! The character development in this book definitely deserves some applause. MMC was very cute even though sometimes his actions were dumb af. Overall the characters were written amazingly and beautifully
The friendship and friendgroups play a huge part in the plot and they were so wholesome to follow.
Plot 📌
I was on the edge of my seat though out the whole book, also I was mostly worried about the third act breakup and how that whole this is going to turn out. Safe to say I was pleasantly surprised by how well our FMC held her ground and everything along those lines, however the third act breakup itself was a little bit predictable and had my anxiety spiking.
This was the first book that I’ve read from these authors and I’ll definitely be reading the first part of this series and all of the following parts!
Thanks to NetGalley and the authors for the amazing opportunity to read this book.
I absolutely adored this book! It had me giggling and kicking my feet.
Characters 🎀
FMC was quite annoying the first 10-20% of the book, however the more I read the more I started to understand her and love her, and by the end of the book I absolutely adored her! The character development in this book definitely deserves some applause. MMC was very cute even though sometimes his actions were dumb af. Overall the characters were written amazingly and beautifully
The friendship and friendgroups play a huge part in the plot and they were so wholesome to follow.
Plot 📌
I was on the edge of my seat though out the whole book, also I was mostly worried about the third act breakup and how that whole this is going to turn out. Safe to say I was pleasantly surprised by how well our FMC held her ground and everything along those lines, however the third act breakup itself was a little bit predictable and had my anxiety spiking.
This was the first book that I’ve read from these authors and I’ll definitely be reading the first part of this series and all of the following parts!
Thanks to NetGalley and the authors for the amazing opportunity to read this book.
August 5, 2025
grant fielder😮💨😮💨😮💨
July 28, 2025
I was so happy to dive back into the Astor Hill universe ❤️🩹
The drama was as intense as i thought it would be, giving me the best Gossip girl vibes. Maybe it would be too much for some of you, but to me it was as satisfying as watching reality tv 💥
Let’s talk about the FMC :
While reading the first book of this series, I HATED Gen so much i didn’t know how i’d be able to enjoy this one. Surprisingly, it made me understand her more and even sympathize with her. Still, I couldn’t endorse many of the actions she chose to make, their impact on people were too severe.
Let’s talk about the MMC :
Grant is a sweetheart. He was so understanding of Gen at the beginning, even though her situation with Will was toxic to say the least. I loved how he acted throughout most of the book, but I felt as if his actions towards the end were a bit out of character. I get that he was protecting himself and his feelings, but it wasn’t how I pictured he would have acted from the get go.
I really hope to see more of Sloane in the future, because I love her so much. She is so charismatic and funny, she always had the right thing to say to Gen.
« Everyone’s transparent when the people around them are botherin’ to look. »
*Thank you Netgalley, the publishers and the authors for the opportunity to read this ARC in exchange with an honest review
The drama was as intense as i thought it would be, giving me the best Gossip girl vibes. Maybe it would be too much for some of you, but to me it was as satisfying as watching reality tv 💥
Let’s talk about the FMC :
While reading the first book of this series, I HATED Gen so much i didn’t know how i’d be able to enjoy this one. Surprisingly, it made me understand her more and even sympathize with her. Still, I couldn’t endorse many of the actions she chose to make, their impact on people were too severe.
Let’s talk about the MMC :
Grant is a sweetheart. He was so understanding of Gen at the beginning, even though her situation with Will was toxic to say the least. I loved how he acted throughout most of the book, but I felt as if his actions towards the end were a bit out of character. I get that he was protecting himself and his feelings, but it wasn’t how I pictured he would have acted from the get go.
I really hope to see more of Sloane in the future, because I love her so much. She is so charismatic and funny, she always had the right thing to say to Gen.
« Everyone’s transparent when the people around them are botherin’ to look. »
*Thank you Netgalley, the publishers and the authors for the opportunity to read this ARC in exchange with an honest review
December 13, 2025
I really felt like I could feel the emotions of the characters in this one. Big fan. I accidentally read the second in the series first because I found the author on tiktok promoting this book. I’ll have to go back and read the first to fill in some gaps for myself. I didn’t really feel like the whole gossip column part was necessary? It really only happened once and seemed kind of random and unnecessary to the storyline at that point.
June 25, 2025
What a beautiful book. A cute romance like I haven't read in a while with so much drama, omg. And let's talk about Grant? I love him.
Thank you NetGalley for the ARC 🫶
Thank you NetGalley for the ARC 🫶
August 9, 2025
Genevieve Dupont is a ballerina and has a been best friends with Will, the Astor Lions’ star basketball player, for a long time but, he has a girlfriend and only sees Gen as a friend. She also has a troubled relationship with her mother. She decides to try and move on from Will and sets her sights on his teammate Grant because she wants to lose her virginity and to make Will jealous.
Grant Fielder is Will’s teammate on the Astor Hill basketball team. He wants to play professionally and not work in the family business after graduation. He also has abandonment issues from him and his twin sister being left by their mom and then eventually getting adopted. When Gen approaches him about losing her virginity he agrees only if he gets to date her first. He is so sweet and such a great guy. He is just what Gen needed.
This was a heartwarming and cute romance with a slow burn. The drama was suspenseful. This was a very emotional and dramatic story of friendship, loss and love.
Second Position is book 2 in the Astor Hill series but can be read as a standalone.
Thank you to NetGalley and PS Published for an e-ARC of this book.
Grant Fielder is Will’s teammate on the Astor Hill basketball team. He wants to play professionally and not work in the family business after graduation. He also has abandonment issues from him and his twin sister being left by their mom and then eventually getting adopted. When Gen approaches him about losing her virginity he agrees only if he gets to date her first. He is so sweet and such a great guy. He is just what Gen needed.
This was a heartwarming and cute romance with a slow burn. The drama was suspenseful. This was a very emotional and dramatic story of friendship, loss and love.
Second Position is book 2 in the Astor Hill series but can be read as a standalone.
Thank you to NetGalley and PS Published for an e-ARC of this book.
July 10, 2025
This is the second book in the Astor Hill series, they are interconnected stand alones set in the same world. Second position was packed full of drama. I enjoyed the characters relationships with the side characters, but I didn’t feel the chemistry between the main Fmc and the mmc. I feel like there was a lot of things done on both sides that were unnecessary and it kind of made Gen unlikeable to me. Grant was so kind and patient with her until he wasn’t, and the last 25% of the book dragged for me.
Genevieve DuPont is a dedicated ballet dancer, with a very turbulent relationship with her mum. Infact her mum is awful to her, and I don’t feel like that was resolved in this book. Her best friend Will is also the boy she’s loved for a decade. He was also an awful character that treated Gen poorly, which in turn made her awful to Grant. To be fair, a lot of the characters were just horrible to each other.
Grant Fielder has abandonment issues stemming from being adopted when his mum upped and left him and his sister. He falls for Gen after she corners him and asks him to take her virginity to make Will jealous. Honestly a lot happens in this book. Grant is probably the only character in this book with any redeeming qualities.
Overall this book was written well, but it just wasn’t for me. I do think if this book is your thing then you’ll love it, but for me it was just a bit immature and cringy, with a lot of unnecessary drama. I will definitely give this authors future books a go. Thankyou to net galley and Sydney Maddison for the opportunity to read this arc.
Genevieve DuPont is a dedicated ballet dancer, with a very turbulent relationship with her mum. Infact her mum is awful to her, and I don’t feel like that was resolved in this book. Her best friend Will is also the boy she’s loved for a decade. He was also an awful character that treated Gen poorly, which in turn made her awful to Grant. To be fair, a lot of the characters were just horrible to each other.
Grant Fielder has abandonment issues stemming from being adopted when his mum upped and left him and his sister. He falls for Gen after she corners him and asks him to take her virginity to make Will jealous. Honestly a lot happens in this book. Grant is probably the only character in this book with any redeeming qualities.
Overall this book was written well, but it just wasn’t for me. I do think if this book is your thing then you’ll love it, but for me it was just a bit immature and cringy, with a lot of unnecessary drama. I will definitely give this authors future books a go. Thankyou to net galley and Sydney Maddison for the opportunity to read this arc.
June 17, 2025
⭐️⭐️⭐️.5
🌶️🌶️
This book had me in so much turmoil emotionally, I didn’t know which way was up and which way was down half the time.
The drama, these series is turning out to be a cross between gossip girl and 90210. At some points I was confused to be honest and what was going on but at the same time it all made sense. Does that make sense? 😅
Grant is so unbelievably honest at some points I just want to shake him and tell him not go after the girl who is in love with her best friend who doesn’t love her back. That toxicity if I did see it.
Gen for the first 15% percent of this book just annoyed the shit out of me but you gotta push through but you will love her and how mature she does become with her feelings towards not only herself but her friends as well.
Their story is one of wanting someone whose heart is not their own but knowing that they deserve more than they ever allowed themselves. These two both have family trauma still to work through but by the end it you are rooting for them to get married, have their dream careers and pop out a couple of good looking babies.
Thank you to Sydney & Madison for sending over this ARC. I can not wait to see how Andy & Sloane’s story unfolds 💜
🌶️🌶️
This book had me in so much turmoil emotionally, I didn’t know which way was up and which way was down half the time.
The drama, these series is turning out to be a cross between gossip girl and 90210. At some points I was confused to be honest and what was going on but at the same time it all made sense. Does that make sense? 😅
Grant is so unbelievably honest at some points I just want to shake him and tell him not go after the girl who is in love with her best friend who doesn’t love her back. That toxicity if I did see it.
Gen for the first 15% percent of this book just annoyed the shit out of me but you gotta push through but you will love her and how mature she does become with her feelings towards not only herself but her friends as well.
Their story is one of wanting someone whose heart is not their own but knowing that they deserve more than they ever allowed themselves. These two both have family trauma still to work through but by the end it you are rooting for them to get married, have their dream careers and pop out a couple of good looking babies.
Thank you to Sydney & Madison for sending over this ARC. I can not wait to see how Andy & Sloane’s story unfolds 💜
July 9, 2025
4.5 ⭐️
Thank you to NetGalley and the authors for the eARC!
I really enjoyed the first book in this series so I was excited to read this one. It didn’t disappoint! I love the drama in this story. The gossip and the problems between lovers and friendships during college was all so good! Not to mention all the family drama.
Grant was such a great guy. I loved him and his sister Sloane in the first book. I’m so glad we found out more about their childhood and the trauma they faced. There were more layers to them than I initially thought in the first book and I loved peeling those layers back.
Gen was not likable in the beginning and I really didn’t like her in the first book. But her character development in this book is so good! There are more layers to her than I initially thought as well, and I’m glad we got to see her backstory in order to understand her character better. I ended up loving her in the end.
I also liked how the timeline for this story was intertwined with the first book. So the parts that we saw from Liv and Ben’s perspective in Astor Hill were now seen from Gen and Grant’s perspective. I love when series do this! It ties everything together! I’m hoping we get Sloane’s story next!!
Thank you to NetGalley and the authors for the eARC!
I really enjoyed the first book in this series so I was excited to read this one. It didn’t disappoint! I love the drama in this story. The gossip and the problems between lovers and friendships during college was all so good! Not to mention all the family drama.
Grant was such a great guy. I loved him and his sister Sloane in the first book. I’m so glad we found out more about their childhood and the trauma they faced. There were more layers to them than I initially thought in the first book and I loved peeling those layers back.
Gen was not likable in the beginning and I really didn’t like her in the first book. But her character development in this book is so good! There are more layers to her than I initially thought as well, and I’m glad we got to see her backstory in order to understand her character better. I ended up loving her in the end.
I also liked how the timeline for this story was intertwined with the first book. So the parts that we saw from Liv and Ben’s perspective in Astor Hill were now seen from Gen and Grant’s perspective. I love when series do this! It ties everything together! I’m hoping we get Sloane’s story next!!
July 25, 2025
- arc review -
3.5 ⭐️
Gen and Grant!! I was so excited for these two to have their own book after meeting them in book 1. They both have traumatic pasts and getting to know them more was everything!
I do have to say tho that the last 25% dragged on. I feel there were a lot of unnecessary events while gen and grant were avoiding each other. There were also quite a few grammar mistakes that made it hard to read sometimes.
Overall tho, I did enjoy this! I adore grant and gen 🥹 The tension and chemistry between them gave me life. I was also living for all emotions and angst. The drama was just so insane, it was so entertaining!
The next book in the series was set up perfectly and I’m so excited. And as much as Will infuriates me, I want his book like yesterday, lol.
- basketball player x ballet dancer
- college
- love triangle
- interracial
- he falls first
- slow burn
- found family
- broken golden retriever mmc
- virgin fmc
3.5 ⭐️
Gen and Grant!! I was so excited for these two to have their own book after meeting them in book 1. They both have traumatic pasts and getting to know them more was everything!
I do have to say tho that the last 25% dragged on. I feel there were a lot of unnecessary events while gen and grant were avoiding each other. There were also quite a few grammar mistakes that made it hard to read sometimes.
Overall tho, I did enjoy this! I adore grant and gen 🥹 The tension and chemistry between them gave me life. I was also living for all emotions and angst. The drama was just so insane, it was so entertaining!
The next book in the series was set up perfectly and I’m so excited. And as much as Will infuriates me, I want his book like yesterday, lol.
- basketball player x ballet dancer
- college
- love triangle
- interracial
- he falls first
- slow burn
- found family
- broken golden retriever mmc
- virgin fmc
May 31, 2025
First I want start by saying somehow I didn’t realize this was the 2nd book in the series until about halfway through but it reads great as a stand-alone. You get all the necessary information.
I loved this book. If you don’t like angst, this is not the book for you. This was full of yearning and wanting. Which made it that much more sweet for me. I truly ended it and who doesn’t love a ln athlete romance? I know I do.
She’s a ballerina and he’s a basketball player. They come together in the most bizarre circumstances and just takes you on a RIDE of emotions. And I do mean a ride. There is a lot of petty drama taking place because of deeper issues and miscommunication happening. Does possess a feel good quality.
Overall, I believe it’s is a really good book!
I loved this book. If you don’t like angst, this is not the book for you. This was full of yearning and wanting. Which made it that much more sweet for me. I truly ended it and who doesn’t love a ln athlete romance? I know I do.
She’s a ballerina and he’s a basketball player. They come together in the most bizarre circumstances and just takes you on a RIDE of emotions. And I do mean a ride. There is a lot of petty drama taking place because of deeper issues and miscommunication happening. Does possess a feel good quality.
Overall, I believe it’s is a really good book!
August 19, 2025
I totally picked up this book because of the gorgeous cover, but sadly, it just wasn’t for me. Even though it’s marketed as a standalone, I often felt confused, especially about the dynamic between some of the characters and why they acted the way they did.
The Gossip Girl comparison fits: there’s plenty of drama, toxic relationships, and college gossip. But for me, it didn’t hit the same way.
On the bright side, I really liked Grant: he’s sweet and total boyfriend material. Most of the other characters were kind of unbearable.
Many thanks to NetGalley and PS Published for the digital copy in exchange for my honest review.
The Gossip Girl comparison fits: there’s plenty of drama, toxic relationships, and college gossip. But for me, it didn’t hit the same way.
On the bright side, I really liked Grant: he’s sweet and total boyfriend material. Most of the other characters were kind of unbearable.
Many thanks to NetGalley and PS Published for the digital copy in exchange for my honest review.
July 26, 2025
I read this in one sitting!!
If you’re looking for something easy and fun, or if you’re like me and like romance for a pallet cleanser between romantasy reads, this was a good one!!
I am a sucker for a ballerina x sports romance.
There were some very sweet and quotable moments! Also some serious drama to keep the pages turning!!
I am so interested to see what these authors create next in little world!
Thank you guys for the early arc 💟
3.5/5 rounded up bc I can’t decide on a rating yet ⭐️
If you’re looking for something easy and fun, or if you’re like me and like romance for a pallet cleanser between romantasy reads, this was a good one!!
I am a sucker for a ballerina x sports romance.
There were some very sweet and quotable moments! Also some serious drama to keep the pages turning!!
I am so interested to see what these authors create next in little world!
Thank you guys for the early arc 💟
3.5/5 rounded up bc I can’t decide on a rating yet ⭐️
May 21, 2025
Thank you NetGalley for the ARC!
3.5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️ rounded up to 4
First of all I didn’t read the first book and didn’t realize that this was the first one in the series when I requested it. So I need to go back and read the first one and I feel like I would love it more. But that being said I still loved this book. I loved the characters and it had me hooked from the first page. Like I said I will be going back and reading the first because now I’m invested.
3.5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️ rounded up to 4
First of all I didn’t read the first book and didn’t realize that this was the first one in the series when I requested it. So I need to go back and read the first one and I feel like I would love it more. But that being said I still loved this book. I loved the characters and it had me hooked from the first page. Like I said I will be going back and reading the first because now I’m invested.
April 29, 2025
5 beautiful stars. I loved being back in Astor Hill. Grant and Gem were perfection. If Sydney Madison writes it, I’ll be reading it.
December 8, 2025
3.5 - entanglement af but what is happening when will inevitably coms back?¿ the croissant tho🥲 i hope in Sloanes story they include everyone else too or the world is gonna be weird.
December 8, 2025
Finally a sports romance that isn’t hockey!
December 15, 2025
why is everyone so effing dumb
December 26, 2025
They were both very frustrating.
I really liked the beginning but towards the end it just felt very rushed and I feel like the main problems stayed unresolved.
For example his relationship with his mother, which was the reason for his attachment issues: just because he found out that she was sick we‘re all of a sudden meant to ignore how shitty of a mother she was and he just forgave her?
No conversation with her, no closure about her ghosting him at the restaurant?
Another central problem that kinda stayed unresolved was the relationships between will and Gen: At the beginning of the book I got the impression that their relationships was much more complex than just some childhood friend. There was a bond between them like no other because he was the only person she could count on to be on her side after her fathers death for sooo long. It was described as so much more than just a one sided lovestory.
And I really liked that part of the book where we got to learn about how their relationship actually was not just from grants point of view (just a girl in love with her best friend who does not reciprocate her feelings) but as so much more.
It made it easier and much less frustrating for me to read about how hard it was for her to get over him. That’s why I feel like the end was a little rushed because all of a sudden she realizes that she does not love him anymore and that’s it? No major breakdown about how he used her and strung her along all those years? No conversation trying to resolve their friendship? No inner monologue about how she realizes that too much happened between them for their friendship to survive?
No she just said „I don‘t love u anymore but hey there‘s this other dude I love that I actually abandoned just to get here so yeah let me just focus on that and never think about this lifelong friendship ever again“.
Then again another thing that really frustrated me was Grant‘s fixation with her telling Olivia the truth about Will‘s relationship to Lilly. I get that Honesty is important to you but that was literally not her secret to tell and it frankly did not have anything to do with you OR your relationship to her. Him holding this big ass grudge about it just did not make any sense.
And I just remembered: what happened to the bet? The way it was emphasized at the beginning you would have thought that there would be some type of misunderstanding resulting from it. Gen mentions it one time to him while APOLOGIZING and he does not even accept her apology???
Another reason why I personally think that the ending was a little forced: Grant has these HUGE attachment issues, that I already ranted about, just for them to completely disappear after one talk with Gen (mind you she apologized like 5 times before that and he did not feel the need to forgive her).
That‘s why their relationship felt really forced at the end.
To top that off, in the EPILOGUE (after he forgave her after WEEKS of her apologizing for „choosing Will over him“) she thinks I QUOTE „I walk through the large doorway, worried that maybe Ben has news about Will“
WHY THE F WOULD WE BE WORRIED ABOUT WILL AFTER ALL THE SHIT HE CAUSED AND AFTER F*ING MORE THAN 4 MONTHS OF NOT SPEAKING A WORD TO HIM AFTER YOU REJECTED HIM AND STARTED IGNORING HIM.
Gen needs to f*king stand up for herself because why is she so worried about someone who used her for years? And why was she the only one apologizing and fighting for her and Grant‘s relationship when it‘s a two man job?? I get that he has issues but so does she???
My girl needs some self respect! And the men in this book need to learn how to fight for what and especially WHO they want!!!
I really liked the beginning but towards the end it just felt very rushed and I feel like the main problems stayed unresolved.
For example his relationship with his mother, which was the reason for his attachment issues: just because he found out that she was sick we‘re all of a sudden meant to ignore how shitty of a mother she was and he just forgave her?
No conversation with her, no closure about her ghosting him at the restaurant?
Another central problem that kinda stayed unresolved was the relationships between will and Gen: At the beginning of the book I got the impression that their relationships was much more complex than just some childhood friend. There was a bond between them like no other because he was the only person she could count on to be on her side after her fathers death for sooo long. It was described as so much more than just a one sided lovestory.
And I really liked that part of the book where we got to learn about how their relationship actually was not just from grants point of view (just a girl in love with her best friend who does not reciprocate her feelings) but as so much more.
It made it easier and much less frustrating for me to read about how hard it was for her to get over him. That’s why I feel like the end was a little rushed because all of a sudden she realizes that she does not love him anymore and that’s it? No major breakdown about how he used her and strung her along all those years? No conversation trying to resolve their friendship? No inner monologue about how she realizes that too much happened between them for their friendship to survive?
No she just said „I don‘t love u anymore but hey there‘s this other dude I love that I actually abandoned just to get here so yeah let me just focus on that and never think about this lifelong friendship ever again“.
Then again another thing that really frustrated me was Grant‘s fixation with her telling Olivia the truth about Will‘s relationship to Lilly. I get that Honesty is important to you but that was literally not her secret to tell and it frankly did not have anything to do with you OR your relationship to her. Him holding this big ass grudge about it just did not make any sense.
And I just remembered: what happened to the bet? The way it was emphasized at the beginning you would have thought that there would be some type of misunderstanding resulting from it. Gen mentions it one time to him while APOLOGIZING and he does not even accept her apology???
Another reason why I personally think that the ending was a little forced: Grant has these HUGE attachment issues, that I already ranted about, just for them to completely disappear after one talk with Gen (mind you she apologized like 5 times before that and he did not feel the need to forgive her).
That‘s why their relationship felt really forced at the end.
To top that off, in the EPILOGUE (after he forgave her after WEEKS of her apologizing for „choosing Will over him“) she thinks I QUOTE „I walk through the large doorway, worried that maybe Ben has news about Will“
WHY THE F WOULD WE BE WORRIED ABOUT WILL AFTER ALL THE SHIT HE CAUSED AND AFTER F*ING MORE THAN 4 MONTHS OF NOT SPEAKING A WORD TO HIM AFTER YOU REJECTED HIM AND STARTED IGNORING HIM.
Gen needs to f*king stand up for herself because why is she so worried about someone who used her for years? And why was she the only one apologizing and fighting for her and Grant‘s relationship when it‘s a two man job?? I get that he has issues but so does she???
My girl needs some self respect! And the men in this book need to learn how to fight for what and especially WHO they want!!!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 17, 2025
3.75 ⭐️
Let me tell you the blurb did not lie, this book was definitely reminiscent of One Tree Hill and Gossip Girl. So much so that I actually started to rewatch One Tree Hill.
I really enjoyed the overall plot with Genevieve having a lifelong friendship with Will, who doesn’t share her feelings. The introduction of Grant, our mmc, gave classic teen romcom vibes. I for one am a sucker for the trope of unrequited feelings and moving on to see that there will be people who will love you.
Let’s start with the things I enjoyed about this book. I liked the buildup of the relationship between Genevieve and Grant. I really liked that Grant had a very rocky upbringing with his birth mom and we got to see how that relationship affected his future relationships with people. The author did a great job of not only letting us see into Grants head when dealing with his abandonment issues but also seeing how others in the book deal with him having abandonment issues. It tied really well with what Genevieve struggles with because though her mom didn’t technically ever leave Genevieve, she wasn’t there for her either. We get to see how Genevieve was affected by her mother’s actions her whole life and it added to the attachment she felt for Will. I also really loved the character of Sloane who seemed like a light for both Grant and Genevieve. The friendship Genevieve eventually finds was very heartwarming and I’m glad she got to experience non toxic friendships.
There are a couple things I didn’t necessarily love but I wouldn’t say I didn’t like these things in the book. One of them being that I really think it would be beneficial to read the first book in the series before reading this one. I didn’t realize it was a series before I started this book, so while I was reading I was kinda confused on certain plot points. The story of Lily was one of them, I’m not sure if it’s more discussed in the first book what exactly happens but I felt kinda left in the dark whenever they would mention her. There also felt like a lot of things that were skipped in the book, like Genevieve getting the sugar plum fairy part. I don’t know if it was ever mentioned and I don’t think I skipped it. Another thing I also didn’t love was when Grant first opened up to Genevieve about his mom, she said that she wished she still had her dad here which kinda implies that Grant shouldn’t take his mom for granted. I didn’t love that because everyone has a different relationship with their parents and he shouldn’t feel guilty for choosing not to have a relationship with the person who has caused him so much pain. Not only that but Sloane, his own sister, making him feel guilty because he made that choice was really annoying. I think Grant is completely vindicated in choosing to protect his heart from his mom, who has proven time and time again that she really doesn’t care about her kids. I’m not sure if Sloane will get a book and we’ll go more in depth with the mom and her illness, but that part also felt undone. It was mentioned once and then kinda skipped over.
Overall I really enjoyed this read and it was my first from this author. I do want to go back and read the first book because I really enjoyed the authors writing. The book made me really nostalgic and I would definitely recommend this book to people who are looking for a book like that. I will also keep watching One Tree Hill (which is my favorite show so thank you) because the author was right to say I would enjoy this if I liked One Tree Hill.
Let me tell you the blurb did not lie, this book was definitely reminiscent of One Tree Hill and Gossip Girl. So much so that I actually started to rewatch One Tree Hill.
I really enjoyed the overall plot with Genevieve having a lifelong friendship with Will, who doesn’t share her feelings. The introduction of Grant, our mmc, gave classic teen romcom vibes. I for one am a sucker for the trope of unrequited feelings and moving on to see that there will be people who will love you.
Let’s start with the things I enjoyed about this book. I liked the buildup of the relationship between Genevieve and Grant. I really liked that Grant had a very rocky upbringing with his birth mom and we got to see how that relationship affected his future relationships with people. The author did a great job of not only letting us see into Grants head when dealing with his abandonment issues but also seeing how others in the book deal with him having abandonment issues. It tied really well with what Genevieve struggles with because though her mom didn’t technically ever leave Genevieve, she wasn’t there for her either. We get to see how Genevieve was affected by her mother’s actions her whole life and it added to the attachment she felt for Will. I also really loved the character of Sloane who seemed like a light for both Grant and Genevieve. The friendship Genevieve eventually finds was very heartwarming and I’m glad she got to experience non toxic friendships.
There are a couple things I didn’t necessarily love but I wouldn’t say I didn’t like these things in the book. One of them being that I really think it would be beneficial to read the first book in the series before reading this one. I didn’t realize it was a series before I started this book, so while I was reading I was kinda confused on certain plot points. The story of Lily was one of them, I’m not sure if it’s more discussed in the first book what exactly happens but I felt kinda left in the dark whenever they would mention her. There also felt like a lot of things that were skipped in the book, like Genevieve getting the sugar plum fairy part. I don’t know if it was ever mentioned and I don’t think I skipped it. Another thing I also didn’t love was when Grant first opened up to Genevieve about his mom, she said that she wished she still had her dad here which kinda implies that Grant shouldn’t take his mom for granted. I didn’t love that because everyone has a different relationship with their parents and he shouldn’t feel guilty for choosing not to have a relationship with the person who has caused him so much pain. Not only that but Sloane, his own sister, making him feel guilty because he made that choice was really annoying. I think Grant is completely vindicated in choosing to protect his heart from his mom, who has proven time and time again that she really doesn’t care about her kids. I’m not sure if Sloane will get a book and we’ll go more in depth with the mom and her illness, but that part also felt undone. It was mentioned once and then kinda skipped over.
Overall I really enjoyed this read and it was my first from this author. I do want to go back and read the first book because I really enjoyed the authors writing. The book made me really nostalgic and I would definitely recommend this book to people who are looking for a book like that. I will also keep watching One Tree Hill (which is my favorite show so thank you) because the author was right to say I would enjoy this if I liked One Tree Hill.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 19, 2025
This is gonna be a long one... Let me be clear, it was good, I enjoyed it for the most part. If you want to read a romance with about 2/5 on the spice chart, then this is for you. I will say this book held a lot of elements that felt thrown in. It's marketed for Fans of Gossip Girl, but that element is only in there once, so don't get your hopes up.
There was a gossip columnist who didn't really mean much until the end of the book, there was an unrequited love trope, the 'bet' trope, the 'protector' trope, even a 'let's make over the FMC trope'. A lot of tropes. If that's your thing, you'll like this, but please check the TW (if there are any). If it sounds like your cup of tea, give it a try!
Now, my opinions and feelings. Spoilers Below.
Characters:
I liked this book at the beginning and up until the 70% mark. I think the chemistry was there between Gen and Grant. However, I liked Grant so much more. He felt super fleshed out as a character. He was kind, caring, charismatic, and a really good guy.
Gen, on the other hand, annoyed me a lot in the beginning. I don't know, maybe I don't like the whole 'unrequited love thing'
Things I liked:
-I liked how they were with each other; the start of their romance was perfect. If the book kept up with the same pacing and storyline in the front half of the book, it would have been perfect.
- I liked how we saw some character growth in both the FMC and the MMC
I honestly don't know what to make of this book because I liked it. But it felt like too much. So much was going on that it was like...okay, let's stop. I wasn't expecting to go into this book and it being so heavy with issues and conversational topics. None of which was mentioned before I picked it up, and I wish I had known.
One of the MCs lost an ex, and as someone who's also lost an ex, it was hard to read at times. I felt like it was handled poorly in the way he was written and what that grief actually looks like.
There were unnecessary flashback chapters that didn't need to happen. They could have been mentioned in a regular chapter, just as the character recalls that time.
I wasn't the biggest fan of the side characters, specifically Sloane, Grant's sister. I think she got a bit annoying towards the end, and of course, Jean, the gay man, was the comic relief, and his boyfriend was over the gossip column.
The end of the book is why I dropped it so many stars. It felt dragged on, and of course, a third-act breakup. ( I really do not like third-act breakups). And the love confessions were sooooo cringey? Very extra and didn't feel like real people talking at all. It didn't sound like how they spoke at the beginning of the book. It was weird.
It also felt like they were making it seem like the entire breakup was Grant's fault, and I don't know. There were a lot of buildup moments in the plot that weren't resolved in the way I'd hoped. It felt rushed towards the end, and it left me disappointed because I started liking this book a lot at the beginning.
*Thank you, Netgally and Publishers, for the ARC!*
There was a gossip columnist who didn't really mean much until the end of the book, there was an unrequited love trope, the 'bet' trope, the 'protector' trope, even a 'let's make over the FMC trope'. A lot of tropes. If that's your thing, you'll like this, but please check the TW (if there are any). If it sounds like your cup of tea, give it a try!
Now, my opinions and feelings. Spoilers Below.
Characters:
I liked this book at the beginning and up until the 70% mark. I think the chemistry was there between Gen and Grant. However, I liked Grant so much more. He felt super fleshed out as a character. He was kind, caring, charismatic, and a really good guy.
Gen, on the other hand, annoyed me a lot in the beginning. I don't know, maybe I don't like the whole 'unrequited love thing'
Things I liked:
-I liked how they were with each other; the start of their romance was perfect. If the book kept up with the same pacing and storyline in the front half of the book, it would have been perfect.
- I liked how we saw some character growth in both the FMC and the MMC
I honestly don't know what to make of this book because I liked it. But it felt like too much. So much was going on that it was like...okay, let's stop. I wasn't expecting to go into this book and it being so heavy with issues and conversational topics. None of which was mentioned before I picked it up, and I wish I had known.
One of the MCs lost an ex, and as someone who's also lost an ex, it was hard to read at times. I felt like it was handled poorly in the way he was written and what that grief actually looks like.
There were unnecessary flashback chapters that didn't need to happen. They could have been mentioned in a regular chapter, just as the character recalls that time.
I wasn't the biggest fan of the side characters, specifically Sloane, Grant's sister. I think she got a bit annoying towards the end, and of course, Jean, the gay man, was the comic relief, and his boyfriend was over the gossip column.
The end of the book is why I dropped it so many stars. It felt dragged on, and of course, a third-act breakup. ( I really do not like third-act breakups). And the love confessions were sooooo cringey? Very extra and didn't feel like real people talking at all. It didn't sound like how they spoke at the beginning of the book. It was weird.
It also felt like they were making it seem like the entire breakup was Grant's fault, and I don't know. There were a lot of buildup moments in the plot that weren't resolved in the way I'd hoped. It felt rushed towards the end, and it left me disappointed because I started liking this book a lot at the beginning.
*Thank you, Netgally and Publishers, for the ARC!*
July 24, 2025
This book gave me everything I wanted- a lot of drama, slow burn, complex emotions, and characters I couldn’t stop rooting for. If Magnolia Parks and One Tree Hill had a baby, Second Position would be it. Pure angst and heart.
Set in the Astor Hill universe, this book follows ballerina Genevieve and basketball star Grant in a story that’s equal parts painful, beautiful, and real.
In this book, you’ll find:
-Ballerina + basketball player pairing
-Slow burn romance
-He falls first, she falls harder
-Found family and emotional healing
-HEA (yes, it’s worth the wait!)
-Sports romance in an elite academic setting
-Raw, messy emotional growth
-Must-read connection to Astor Hill (Book 1)
I absolutely loved Grant and Gen--Grant is most certainly book bae! Grant is so emotionally guarded because of deep-rooted trauma, still carrying the pain of never being someone’s first choice—not even to his parents. His journey to letting love in again was powerful. Gen, on the other hand, is emotionally guarded in her own way. She’s spent years pining after her best friend Will, and honestly? Their dynamic was toxic. There were moments where I was frustrated with Gen—especially seeing how she allowed herself to be caught in the middle of Will and Olivia’s on-and-off mess. But watching her finally choose herself was such a satisfying and necessary shift.
This book digs deep into vulnerability, family baggage, unhealed wounds, and how real love requires truth, trust, and choice. The characters are layered, the drama is intense, and every hard moment feels earned.
Sydney Madison is quickly becoming one of my favorite writing duos. Their ability to create emotionally raw, flawed, and relatable characters makes this series stand out. Second Position cannot be fully appreciated without reading Astor Hill first—it lays the emotional groundwork that makes this installment hit so much harder.
If you're into character-driven romance with angst, yearning, and emotional payoff, this is your next must-read.
Thanks to PS Published, NetGalley and Sydney Madison for this amazing ARC.
Set in the Astor Hill universe, this book follows ballerina Genevieve and basketball star Grant in a story that’s equal parts painful, beautiful, and real.
In this book, you’ll find:
-Ballerina + basketball player pairing
-Slow burn romance
-He falls first, she falls harder
-Found family and emotional healing
-HEA (yes, it’s worth the wait!)
-Sports romance in an elite academic setting
-Raw, messy emotional growth
-Must-read connection to Astor Hill (Book 1)
I absolutely loved Grant and Gen--Grant is most certainly book bae! Grant is so emotionally guarded because of deep-rooted trauma, still carrying the pain of never being someone’s first choice—not even to his parents. His journey to letting love in again was powerful. Gen, on the other hand, is emotionally guarded in her own way. She’s spent years pining after her best friend Will, and honestly? Their dynamic was toxic. There were moments where I was frustrated with Gen—especially seeing how she allowed herself to be caught in the middle of Will and Olivia’s on-and-off mess. But watching her finally choose herself was such a satisfying and necessary shift.
This book digs deep into vulnerability, family baggage, unhealed wounds, and how real love requires truth, trust, and choice. The characters are layered, the drama is intense, and every hard moment feels earned.
Sydney Madison is quickly becoming one of my favorite writing duos. Their ability to create emotionally raw, flawed, and relatable characters makes this series stand out. Second Position cannot be fully appreciated without reading Astor Hill first—it lays the emotional groundwork that makes this installment hit so much harder.
If you're into character-driven romance with angst, yearning, and emotional payoff, this is your next must-read.
Thanks to PS Published, NetGalley and Sydney Madison for this amazing ARC.
September 30, 2025
This was my second book from the Sydney Madison writing duo and it did not disappoint. I read Astor Hill earlier this year and loved it. I was immediately hooked in by their writing style. Second Position is the second book in the Astor Hill series, and I would recommend reading these books in order. They could be read as interconnected standalones, but they don’t always reference back to the history of previous characters, so it could leave new readers feeling lost.
Gen was a character that I loved to hate in Astor Hill. I found her to be difficult, but I knew that she had a redemption story coming her way, and I was right. My heart broke for Gen as I watched her navigate her relationship with her mother. Her mother often shamed her and her weight as a ballerina, and it created a complex dynamic that made me understand Gen’s cool exterior in the previous book. Grant was a character that I loved and wanted more of, so I was excited to see him have his moment. He is the definition of a golden retriever MMC, and watching him love Gen and help her to fall back in love with herself was one of my favorite parts of the book.
I did struggle a little with the premise of their relationship. Gen is a virgin, and wants Grant to take her virginity to get back at her best friend, Will (who is dating a character from the previous novel). This sort of bet based relationship isn’t my favorite trope, but it was the catalyst for a relationship that otherwise, wouldn’t have happened, which I could understand.
Second Position definitely gives off total Gossip Girl vibes, which is something I loved from the first book! I love a little drama, spice, and sports romance all in one. I also love reading about ballerinas, so I especially loved that about our FMC!
If Sydney Madison isn’t already on your tbr, definitely give their books a chance! They are a fun, easy to read blend of sports romance, drama, and grief/healing. Their characters are real - they aren’t cookie cutter, and have you hooked from start to finish.
Thank you to Sydney Madison, the publisher, and Net Galley for the ARC!
Gen was a character that I loved to hate in Astor Hill. I found her to be difficult, but I knew that she had a redemption story coming her way, and I was right. My heart broke for Gen as I watched her navigate her relationship with her mother. Her mother often shamed her and her weight as a ballerina, and it created a complex dynamic that made me understand Gen’s cool exterior in the previous book. Grant was a character that I loved and wanted more of, so I was excited to see him have his moment. He is the definition of a golden retriever MMC, and watching him love Gen and help her to fall back in love with herself was one of my favorite parts of the book.
I did struggle a little with the premise of their relationship. Gen is a virgin, and wants Grant to take her virginity to get back at her best friend, Will (who is dating a character from the previous novel). This sort of bet based relationship isn’t my favorite trope, but it was the catalyst for a relationship that otherwise, wouldn’t have happened, which I could understand.
Second Position definitely gives off total Gossip Girl vibes, which is something I loved from the first book! I love a little drama, spice, and sports romance all in one. I also love reading about ballerinas, so I especially loved that about our FMC!
If Sydney Madison isn’t already on your tbr, definitely give their books a chance! They are a fun, easy to read blend of sports romance, drama, and grief/healing. Their characters are real - they aren’t cookie cutter, and have you hooked from start to finish.
Thank you to Sydney Madison, the publisher, and Net Galley for the ARC!
June 3, 2025
ARC - PUBLICATION DATE 25TH JULY 2025
5 ☆
『 tropes 』
•college romance
•basketball player x ballerina
•he falls first
•found family
•secret relationship
『 plot 』
gen loves two things, ballet and her best friend, will chapman. despite her complicated home life, those two things have always been something that has kept her grounded, they were her two constants but will chapman is spiralling after a secret and heartbreak wreck him, and he’s no longer the boy she fell in love with. she’s now coming to terms with the fact that will will never be here, and she needs a life outside of will. in comes grant, who plays for the same college basketball team as will chapman. grant is kind and genuine but he has his own demons but when gen approaches him and asks him to lose her virginity to him, he can’t help but be intrigued by this person he’s never really known, and kept at arms length because of will. could this deal make them both believe they’re are good enough, or will it break them?
『 my thoughts 』
they’ve done it again! i absolutely adored gen and grant’s story, it was beautifully done. the drama in this story is unmatched and whilst you know parts of the drama from the first book, it was still so intriguing to read and understand it from gen and grant’s pov and you also got to understand them so much better in this book. their relationship added so much more to everything that was going on. gen and grant are so very likeable and endearing!
this is the second book in the astor hill series, and even though it can be read as a standalone, i would definitely recommend reading the first book. the authors did it all so well, with ben’s pov in the first book they only scratched the surface of grant’s story and with liv’s pov in the first book, they really had you loathing gen (for the most part). second position overlaps the first book but it doesn’t read like you’re just going through the same storyline, it was so well done and highlights the importance of different povs and how sometimes those pov can be biased.
5 ☆
『 tropes 』
•college romance
•basketball player x ballerina
•he falls first
•found family
•secret relationship
『 plot 』
gen loves two things, ballet and her best friend, will chapman. despite her complicated home life, those two things have always been something that has kept her grounded, they were her two constants but will chapman is spiralling after a secret and heartbreak wreck him, and he’s no longer the boy she fell in love with. she’s now coming to terms with the fact that will will never be here, and she needs a life outside of will. in comes grant, who plays for the same college basketball team as will chapman. grant is kind and genuine but he has his own demons but when gen approaches him and asks him to lose her virginity to him, he can’t help but be intrigued by this person he’s never really known, and kept at arms length because of will. could this deal make them both believe they’re are good enough, or will it break them?
『 my thoughts 』
they’ve done it again! i absolutely adored gen and grant’s story, it was beautifully done. the drama in this story is unmatched and whilst you know parts of the drama from the first book, it was still so intriguing to read and understand it from gen and grant’s pov and you also got to understand them so much better in this book. their relationship added so much more to everything that was going on. gen and grant are so very likeable and endearing!
this is the second book in the astor hill series, and even though it can be read as a standalone, i would definitely recommend reading the first book. the authors did it all so well, with ben’s pov in the first book they only scratched the surface of grant’s story and with liv’s pov in the first book, they really had you loathing gen (for the most part). second position overlaps the first book but it doesn’t read like you’re just going through the same storyline, it was so well done and highlights the importance of different povs and how sometimes those pov can be biased.
June 27, 2025
✨I received an ARC from NetGalley and this is my honest review✨
I’m giving this book 2.5 ⭐️ and I’ll dive into the why in a few moments. I’d like to preface it by saying that this is my first book read by the duo Sydney Madison and I didn’t read the first book in the series so there could be a lot I’m missing but based on the plot for this first book, I won’t be reading it due personal reasons regarding the tropes.
I don’t have a lot of triggers when it comes to reading except cheating, but if you’ve ever been in a relationship in which your SO’s best friend seems like is always in the way because they have feelings for your SO, this might trigger you.
I don’t often come across books that I DNF, I prefer to push through so I can have a formed opinion on it before reviewing it so that is what I did here. I did not like it. Personally, I disliked a lot of the characters so I found it hard to find the motivation to continue. I don’t like Gen or Will, a lot of the friends seemed like huge enablers to a lot of ongoing issues and Grant is written like a good guy who is constantly taking other people’s issues and has a lot to heal from. I pretty much only like Grant.
Like I said, there is a lot of enabling and a lot of back and forth surrounding the main problem within the plot so I felt like that dragged on more much more than I would’ve liked. Other than that, it felt like the main couple had no chemistry, no real depth and more of a hurried selection as if Gen was playing duck duck goose when it came to selecting her romantic partner.
The basis for the plot is good but I felt like a lot of it was focused on a relationship that is not between the MMC and MFC and when it did get to them, it was a hurried plot line.
Thank you NetGalley for the opportunity to review this book so early, I wish I had a better review but I’m keep it it honest.
I’m giving this book 2.5 ⭐️ and I’ll dive into the why in a few moments. I’d like to preface it by saying that this is my first book read by the duo Sydney Madison and I didn’t read the first book in the series so there could be a lot I’m missing but based on the plot for this first book, I won’t be reading it due personal reasons regarding the tropes.
I don’t have a lot of triggers when it comes to reading except cheating, but if you’ve ever been in a relationship in which your SO’s best friend seems like is always in the way because they have feelings for your SO, this might trigger you.
I don’t often come across books that I DNF, I prefer to push through so I can have a formed opinion on it before reviewing it so that is what I did here. I did not like it. Personally, I disliked a lot of the characters so I found it hard to find the motivation to continue. I don’t like Gen or Will, a lot of the friends seemed like huge enablers to a lot of ongoing issues and Grant is written like a good guy who is constantly taking other people’s issues and has a lot to heal from. I pretty much only like Grant.
Like I said, there is a lot of enabling and a lot of back and forth surrounding the main problem within the plot so I felt like that dragged on more much more than I would’ve liked. Other than that, it felt like the main couple had no chemistry, no real depth and more of a hurried selection as if Gen was playing duck duck goose when it came to selecting her romantic partner.
The basis for the plot is good but I felt like a lot of it was focused on a relationship that is not between the MMC and MFC and when it did get to them, it was a hurried plot line.
Thank you NetGalley for the opportunity to review this book so early, I wish I had a better review but I’m keep it it honest.
July 18, 2025
OKAYYYY this book was so good! This is my first book by this duo of authors and it won’t be my last!
I came into this conflicted because I contemplated reading the first book before this one, but I really wanted to finish this and a few other arcs before their pub dates so I just jumped in and honestly I have no regrets! There ARE a few parts where they reference something that had happened in the first book so if that would bother you maybe check the first one out before this comes out, but it didn’t bother me or effect the rating I gave it!
This book is a ‘my best friend’s enemy to lovers’ and a book about discovering your worth. Our FMC is in love with her best friend who likes to keep her just close enough that she stays obsessed but not close enough that they become more, and she starts to become fed up with feeling second best. While she is reeling these emotions, she kinda stumbles into our MMC and makes a deal with him. That deal slowly turns into two people who constantly find themselves feeling unwanted choosing each other, while still trying to become more than their past and traumas.
We get to dive into these two characters childhoods to see what really hurt them and bring them to where they are, with lots of drama along the way.
The reason I didn’t rate it a little higher would mainly be I felt there were certain pieces of the story that didn’t seem to finish, like they brought it into the plot but then it didn’t go anywhere, but nothing that makes me dislike the book as a whole. It just left me kinda pondering too many things and not feeling 100% complete at the end!
Otherwise SUCH A GREAT read that I would 100% recommend you check out! Thank you so much to NetGalley and the authors for allowing me to read an advanced copy!! I can’t wait for the next release from them!!!! 🥰
I came into this conflicted because I contemplated reading the first book before this one, but I really wanted to finish this and a few other arcs before their pub dates so I just jumped in and honestly I have no regrets! There ARE a few parts where they reference something that had happened in the first book so if that would bother you maybe check the first one out before this comes out, but it didn’t bother me or effect the rating I gave it!
This book is a ‘my best friend’s enemy to lovers’ and a book about discovering your worth. Our FMC is in love with her best friend who likes to keep her just close enough that she stays obsessed but not close enough that they become more, and she starts to become fed up with feeling second best. While she is reeling these emotions, she kinda stumbles into our MMC and makes a deal with him. That deal slowly turns into two people who constantly find themselves feeling unwanted choosing each other, while still trying to become more than their past and traumas.
We get to dive into these two characters childhoods to see what really hurt them and bring them to where they are, with lots of drama along the way.
The reason I didn’t rate it a little higher would mainly be I felt there were certain pieces of the story that didn’t seem to finish, like they brought it into the plot but then it didn’t go anywhere, but nothing that makes me dislike the book as a whole. It just left me kinda pondering too many things and not feeling 100% complete at the end!
Otherwise SUCH A GREAT read that I would 100% recommend you check out! Thank you so much to NetGalley and the authors for allowing me to read an advanced copy!! I can’t wait for the next release from them!!!! 🥰
July 25, 2025
Second Position by Sydney Madison ✨️arc review✨️
This book was everything I wanted and more!
After reading Astor Hill (book 1, Ben and Olivia's story,) I was always curious about Gen and her character simply because I refused to believe that she was this "overstepping man stealer". I was not expecting the emotional rollercoaster that was Genevieve Dupont and Grant Fielder, holy cow.
This book was a solid follow-up to Astor Hill, as it helps round out the storyline so far. With Second Position, we get to see the same story unfold with different perspectives from an entirely different party. As a reader, it helps fill in some of the questions that Astor Hill left open/unanswered while also keeping things open and leaving easter eggs for readers to pick up as they await book 3.
Gen and Grant had some serious TENSION in this book, which I am sure every reader will live and breathe for. What I liked about this book (something I also liked from book 1) was that the authors developed the characters' relationship on more than just immediate lust and physical attraction. Was there spice, oh yes absolutely there was, and it was STEAMY. There just wasn't a crazy amount of it, and it was more intimate because the relationship between Gen and Grant was more established. I love a good romance story, so I was LIVING for the tension, yearning, pining, flirting, and swooning moments these two had throughout the book.
Another factor I loved about this book was that we got to see more of Gen and Liv's friendship. We saw bits and pieces in book 1 but since it played a bigger role we got to see more of their interactiosp with each other. Which I honestly loved so much because once you took out the main "problem" factor they truly are good for each other in terms of a long lasting friendship.
This truly was a very strong second book in this series this wrting duo set out to create a book that meshed seamlessly with their debut and executed the task flawlessly. I am truly thankful I was able to read this book prior to its official release so I give my biggest thanks to Sydeny Madison for writing this amazing second book and I thank Netgalley for making giving me the opportunity to read it early.
This book was everything I wanted and more!
After reading Astor Hill (book 1, Ben and Olivia's story,) I was always curious about Gen and her character simply because I refused to believe that she was this "overstepping man stealer". I was not expecting the emotional rollercoaster that was Genevieve Dupont and Grant Fielder, holy cow.
This book was a solid follow-up to Astor Hill, as it helps round out the storyline so far. With Second Position, we get to see the same story unfold with different perspectives from an entirely different party. As a reader, it helps fill in some of the questions that Astor Hill left open/unanswered while also keeping things open and leaving easter eggs for readers to pick up as they await book 3.
Gen and Grant had some serious TENSION in this book, which I am sure every reader will live and breathe for. What I liked about this book (something I also liked from book 1) was that the authors developed the characters' relationship on more than just immediate lust and physical attraction. Was there spice, oh yes absolutely there was, and it was STEAMY. There just wasn't a crazy amount of it, and it was more intimate because the relationship between Gen and Grant was more established. I love a good romance story, so I was LIVING for the tension, yearning, pining, flirting, and swooning moments these two had throughout the book.
Another factor I loved about this book was that we got to see more of Gen and Liv's friendship. We saw bits and pieces in book 1 but since it played a bigger role we got to see more of their interactiosp with each other. Which I honestly loved so much because once you took out the main "problem" factor they truly are good for each other in terms of a long lasting friendship.
This truly was a very strong second book in this series this wrting duo set out to create a book that meshed seamlessly with their debut and executed the task flawlessly. I am truly thankful I was able to read this book prior to its official release so I give my biggest thanks to Sydeny Madison for writing this amazing second book and I thank Netgalley for making giving me the opportunity to read it early.
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