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Crossing the Line

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Have you ever gotten punched in the face after having your first kiss?

Because I have.

Easton Wright was my best friend, someone I thought I could trust with everything. Even my heart. Boy, was I wrong.

I thought we had something, but I guess I miss read the situation.

Now, years later, I’m not so sure.

The way he watches me has me wondering.

His words scream hate, but his eyes say another story.

He hasn’t been in my life for a long time, now I can’t seem to get away from him.

Everywhere I turn, there he is.

He swears he hates me, but every time we find ourselves alone, it’s not hate between us.

One thing I know for sure, Easton isn’t sure about his sexuality and I’m not sure if I want to be the person he tests that out on.

What we’re doing is crossing a line, one that could change things forever. Good, or bad.

I’ve already been hurt by this man before. But this is something so much more. And I’m not sure my heart will make it out on the other side.

296 pages, Kindle Edition

Published April 20, 2026

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About the author

Alisha Williams

95 books1,628 followers
I'm a 33 year old mama of 2. I LOVE to read and write. I'll read just about anything, but MM romance is my go to <3

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5 stars
134 (51%)
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80 (30%)
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38 (14%)
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7 (2%)
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3 (1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 119 reviews
Profile Image for Dee.
863 reviews23 followers
April 29, 2026
Meant to Be

Dee’s Grade: A

Bennett and Easton were childhood besties who’s home life caused them to navigate the world differently. Bennett knew love and acceptance. Easton knew vitriol and fear.

When circumstances force them to connect in ways they haven’t had to in years we see the healing power of communication to help these two find the love they were meant to have together.
Profile Image for Jessica Sexton.
841 reviews16 followers
April 24, 2026
5/5⭐️
3/5🌶️

Oh my goodness… this book was absolutely everything I could want out of childhood friends, a closeted kid…friends to enemies to lovers. The banter…the jerk off chicken (iykyk)…the park…yes please. Make sure to check your triggers because it’s a touch dark but it’s so well worth it.
Profile Image for The_Book_Brat.
1,000 reviews175 followers
April 27, 2026
*MM Romance
*Contemporary
*Dual-1st-PoV
*Bi-Awakening
*Hockey x Football
*Friends - Enemies - Lovers
*Damaged MMC
*Virgin MMC
*Forced proximity
*Minor OM drama
*Mid-Burn
*Standalone
Sooo much emotion!
We’ve met Bennett and Easton before as this is second gen for SVU and their story has just as much drama, tension and angst as the universe it’s set in and you expect from Williams. 👍
These two used to be childhood best friends and an ill-fated kiss sent them spiralling in different directions. It’s created a lot of emotional turmoil - hurt, anger and regret that’s been festering in their time apart😖 however a twist if fate forces them back together and oh boy does it create some issues 🙈 there are some games played between them that really add to the wider angst but you also see them begin to realise things about themselves and what they would do for each other 😌 their best friends are also great and help draw out the background of these guys and the troubles they have faced (check CWs). When these two give in the heat between them is the high 🔥
It didn’t quite flow for me, potentially pacing not quite consistent but still a good standalone in a great universe.
5 reviews
May 4, 2026
My favorite male couple😭

Guys, please RUN AND ADD THIS TO YOUR KINDLE LIBRARY!!!!
Sweet sweet Bennett & Angsty-spitfire Easton are absolutely perfect! This book will hit you in your feelings straight from the beginning of the book. Childhood friends, turns enemies to friends/lovers! Believe me when I say you will sob, swoon & fall in love with these guys all in one story. I read this book in about a day and truly didn’t want to take any breaks in between reading lol, it was THAT good!
From the beginning I wanted to absolutely cuddle Bennett, protect him and cheer for him! Easton on the other hand.. not as much, but you will absolutely adore him as the story goes on! Might I add that we also LOVE a nice little grovel?
Overall, i’m not a gigantic MM story fan, but this definitely was perfect!
Profile Image for Tabatha Wheat.
113 reviews
April 20, 2026
Bennett and Easton use to be best friends
until one misguided kiss and a punch to
the face effectively ended it. Years later
and the two are at the same college playing
different sports. When the football players
house burns down and they have to be re-homed to the hockey house guess who
has to room together, if you guessed our
boys, you would be correct. Wanna know
what happens next? Your gunna have to
read to find out
Profile Image for Amanda Anderson (Beauty.and.the.bookies).
1,504 reviews61 followers
May 17, 2026
good story

Friends to lovers is never my first fave but this was a great story. After seeing Alisha Williams at Wild and Windy signing I knew I had to dive more into her stories. Glad I did, I will be reading more. I wish I had started at the beginning of this series with the parents though because although this is an interconnected standalone series and I believe this is like a next gen, I do wish I read the parents RH first to get a better idea of their dynamic. I will have to start that one next!
Profile Image for ashlee ❤.
2,173 reviews121 followers
April 19, 2026
Bennett + Easton

-mm sports romance
-hockey x football
-enemies to lovers
-sexual tension
-damaged mmc

i love this world & all the love & stories we're getting of next gen characters!! yay!! these two were SO JUICYYYY & their past was a development i didn't expect but it added so much to the story & all the drama! loved it!
Profile Image for Hannah May.
954 reviews23 followers
April 30, 2026
I saw this book on Booktok and no surprise here, I added it to my kindle. This book was so good. I don’t know what this author puts in their books but I am addicted every time. I love Bennett and Easton together. I love that we saw everything that went down with them. I will definitely be looking at more books by this author as I think I am addicted
193 reviews
April 25, 2026
This is an ex best friends to enemies to lovers story including Bennett, the son of Ellie and her partners from Alisha’s Silver Valley Universe series. As teenagers, Bennett takes a chance to kiss his best friend, Easton, who punches him and then cuts him out of his life. Eight years later, an unexpected tragedy means that Bennett has a new roommate and surprise, surprise, guess who it is. 
 
While this isn’t one of my favourites of Alisha’s books, it’s an enjoyable read. 
 
It understandably took a while for these two to move forward after all the hurt, including bitterness and jealousy in Easton’s case about Bennett being out while he has to hide his true self. There’s some juvenile games for a bit as they try to one up each other, but eventually these two start to turn things around.
 
When the spicy action comes, you can expect Alisha’s usual filthy words. The emotion from everything that’s happened and how long these two have waited for each other are reflected in these scenes: desperation, frustration and that intense longing they’ve felt for years.
 
There’s a real push and pull between these two, as Easton is determined to keep his distance even after he opens up about his heartbreaking past and apologises for his earlier reaction. But I loved how Bennett shows his support in little sweet ways, giving the football player the space he needs while showing he cares.
 
Throughout it all, I was so glad that Easton has his female soulmate bestie, Taylor, on his side. She was an absolute GEM, and I loved her so much! Their relationship may be fake but their love for each other is true. Such a loyal friendship. Can I borrow her to be my bestie too? I can’t forget Aria either, who’s a solid support for Bennett.

----

Some of my favourite quotes

“I could never hate you, Easton. And any time I told myself I did, I was lying.” 

He’s like a drug, and I’m craving my next hit. 

“Because it’s you. Bennett Tatum. The boy who was my best friend, who I could depend on for anything. The boy who saw past money and status, where I lived, and who my parents were, and only saw me.” 

“You were my person. The one thing in my life that never let me down. How could I not fall in love with you, when you're so damn easy to love?” 

“You fucking own me, Easton. Always have, always will.” 

“I’d never judge you, Easton. Not for anything.” 

“I’m not asking for everything right here, right now. If you need time, I’ll be waiting. All I want is you. All I ever wanted was you.” 

“Every single broken piece is beautiful. It’s what makes you, you. And I love all of them.” 

“We can’t change the past, but we can the future. You have me. I’m not going anywhere. I’m not letting you go.”

“I’m so fucking proud of you, Easton. For standing up to him. For accepting who you are. For allowing me in, letting me love you. I want you to see your worth. That you deserve the world. You deserve love and happiness.”
283 reviews1 follower
Review of advance copy received from Author
April 19, 2026
MM College Sports Romance

Great read!!! This is the second generation set in the Silver Valley University world. It was so great to see some of my favourite characters again!
It’s med burn, spicy, emotional, family drama, ex drama and super angsty….. because men right? They just needed to get past all the hurt and anger from the past and have a conversation…. Which they do eventually….. because again… men.

Bennett never knew exactly what Easton was going through, all the hardships he dealt with as a kid or why after the kiss he never wanted anything to do with him again. Easton had to work through his anger, his hurt, his fears and finally accept who he truly was….. and maybe accept that there really was a fine line between hate and love. Bennett also had to figure out his true feeling for Easton as we. Bennett realized some things after the pranks and games of ‘ga¥ chicken’ so he gave Easton some space to figure some of it out on his own, all while doing sweet and unexpected things for him.
They did have to work hard for their future together but they finally made it.

No cheating, some OMD, no third act break up with a HEA.

* Ex Best Friends
* Enemies to Lovers
* Football Player x Hockey Player
* Closeted MMC / Lavender Relationship
* Virg!n MMC
* Broken MMC
* Grumpy / Sunshine
* Pranks
* Forced Proximity

‘I want what my parents have. I don’t need sunshine and rainbows. I don't care if it’s messy or if the person isn’t perfect. I just want that person to love me, to fight for me, just as much as I would for them.’— Bennett

‘Why do I want the broken boy who has brought nothing but chaos to my life, when I could have had the sweet guy who would be good for me? Because that broken boy was once your everything. Because that broken boy is also a kind, loving man, a good friend, a good soul. Because that broken boy has owned your heart since you were thirteen, and there’s not one person on this earth who could take that spot from him.’—Bennett

“I love you, too. Thank you.”
“For what?”
“For seeing the broken pieces of me and not running.”
“Every single broken piece is beautiful. It’s what makes you, you. And I love all of them.”
Profile Image for Raychael.
404 reviews6 followers
Review of advance copy received from Author
April 20, 2026
Friend or foe

his is a book that continues on with the silver University and it is definitely one that you may want to just take him to read the trigger ones it starts because Benton and Easton two best friends growing up together one has a lot of big feelings and ends up with a kiss that ends there friendship.

But because life has a way of doing what it does they end up once again in each other's space when they are at college and forced to be in the same dorm where feelings once again come into play but now it's one of those does he feel that way I don't know do I feel that way I'm not really sure and though it's confusing in the end the to seem to find exactly where they need to be at and the way it's written is angsty yet beautiful.

This author is one of my favorite authors I follow all her books and I can't tell you how could this whole series is and the fact that I got to read this , I was so lucky

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...



This is a book that continues on with the silver University and it is definitely one that you may want to just take him to read the trigger ones it starts because Benton and Easton two best friends growing up together one has a lot of big feelings and ends up with a kiss that ends there friendship.

But because life has a way of doing what it does they end up once again in each other's space when they are at college and forced to be in the same dorm where feelings once again come into play but now it's one of those does he feel that way I don't know do I feel that way I'm not really sure and though it's confusing in the end the to seem to find exactly where they need to be at and the way it's written is angsty yet beautiful.

This author is one of my favorite authors I follow all her books and I can't tell you how could this whole series is and the fact that I got to read on makes me so happy
Profile Image for ੈ♡˳.
236 reviews
April 24, 2026
I liked this book enough. The concepts of it was really good and I did really love all the characters but the writing let the book down.

Easton and Bennett used to be best friends as kids, then at 14 something happened and since then they’ve “hated” one another. Unfortunately, there was a fire at the football house that Easton was staying in and so he moved in to the hockey house and his roommate just so happened to be Bennett. We got to see them go from hating each other and there harmless pranks lol to them loving one another and it was beautiful. I just wanted to give Easton a hug after everything he had to go through in his home life especially as a kid with his dad, it was just so upsetting reading about how he couldn’t be open and himself. I’m so happy they both gave in to each other by the end and they had such a beautiful relationship.

Another thing I really loved about this book was the friendships. It was so beautiful reading about Bennett and his best friend Aria and then Easton and his best friend or girlfriend lol…Taylor. Then eventually seeing Aria and Taylor get together was so good and I’d love to read their own book one day.

The thing that let me down about this book was the sloppy writing style. It just didn’t read well to be honest and there was way too much telling and not enough showing. I also feel like there were things brought up in the book just for the sake of making sense in that specific scene to then never be mentioned again which didn’t make sense. For example, Bennett found Easton looking through the bins after finding his location through snap maps but then when it got to christmas eve and Bennett was worried about where Easton was (he was at his parents) Bennett didn’t check his location then? There were just small things like this that made me question a lot.
Profile Image for Booksbystarlightandshadows .
652 reviews4 followers
May 4, 2026
Another solid entry to the ever expanding SVU universe! I love a spin off and this one has cameos galore; it is a standalone but there are a couple of mild spoilers for some of the other books in the series.

I have had my eye of Bennett for a while and I have enjoyed seeing him grow from moody teen, to protective brother to confident young man who is proud in his own skin. I took a minute to warm up to Easton; I appreciated how hard his home life had been but I struggled a little with how he resented Bennett for pacing wise. Easton had a lot to work through before he could open himself up to any kind of relationship and although its not plain sailing, I was hoping for a little bit more grovelling for what he put Bennett through. I thought the lavender relationship was really interesting; Easton's relationship with Taylor and how supportive he was of her was definitely one of my highlights.

The forced proximity was the perfect nudge they both needed. I enjoyed the pettier side of the prank wars which helped balance out the angst and the toothbrush scene gave me that scene from Bring It On vibes except with a lot more innuendo! I'm also hoping Roland gets his HEA as he seemed like a really sweet guy.

My interpretation of the star system;
3 stars - I enjoyed it; would read the author again
4 stars - I really liked it; I am invested and definitely want more from this author/series
5 stars - I loved it; I engaged with this book completely until I finished it and it is one I will re-read
Profile Image for Jine.
317 reviews7 followers
April 26, 2026
I received an arc for this book and I’m so damn happy I did! First off baby Easton! He needs and deserves the biggest hug in the world! Bennetts mom calling him her boy like are you serious! Ok this is a friends to sorta lovers to enemies then lovers again book; when they were teens Bennett kissed his best friend Easton and in turn Easton punched him so they became enemies! In college a fire took away Eastons housing so he ended up being roommates with Bennett who he still had feelings for
Bennett was out and proud and his whole family was apart of the lgbtq but Easton was never allowed to be his true self because of his parents so they thought he was straight he even had a lavender relationship with his gf Taylor! But being in close proximity things changed! I hate that he had to go through so many rough things from his parents always taking his money and him having too go through donation bins for clothing but Bennett or his family never judged even though they were mad at him for punching Bennett when he showed up on Christmas broken and beaten they welcomed him back with open arms
I love how protective Bennett is over him pushing him and not giving up on him when he needed it the most; he needed someone to see him and not back away someone who was going to love him despite everything and Bennett was it for him! Their relationship was rocky at times figuring out what each other wanted but the payoff was worth it to see them be free and happy
Profile Image for Amanda Winter.
1,073 reviews24 followers
May 11, 2026
Crossing the Line was such an emotional, angsty read and I loved Bennett and Easton together so much.

These two used to be best friends until one kiss and one very bad reaction completely destroyed everything between them. Years later, they end up at the same college on rival sports teams—football and hockey—and thanks to a house fire, they’re suddenly forced to share a room again.

The tension between them was SO good. There’s so much hurt, anger, unresolved feelings, and honestly… so many moments where you just want to scream at them to sit down and talk already. But once the walls slowly start coming down, their connection really shines.

Easton especially broke my heart. Bennett never truly understood everything Easton was carrying or why he reacted the way he did back then, and watching Easton work through his fears, anger, and identity was emotional but really rewarding.

I also loved Bennett. Once he starts understanding his own feelings, he gives Easton space when needed but still shows up for him in all these sweet, unexpected ways.

The whole thing is packed with emotion—family drama, past trauma, ex drama, bi-awakening, forced proximity, and some very spicy moments. The chemistry between them is intense, and the progression from friends to enemies to lovers felt really satisfying.

Overall, this was angsty, heartfelt, and addictive. They really had to fight for their happy ending, which made it feel even more worth it in the end
Profile Image for Emmi (bookish_redpanda).
911 reviews47 followers
April 19, 2026
Format: 📱 eBook 📱 (ARC)
Check CWs before reading

I always love coming back to the SVU universe and the next generation of characters coming from it, especially as we do get peeks into the OG's stories as we go.

Bennett and Easton's romance was filled with so much pain, pressure, angst and drama, but I really enjoyed that whilst Williams tackled some heavy topics (and awful thought processes from side characters), there was plenty of humour, light moments and fun scattered within the pages.

I'm always a sucker for forced proximity, and you can't get much closer than having to share a room together - and I loved how the two constantly managed to egg each other on, sometimes unknowingly, as they were forced to cohabitate.

This is certainly a story of acceptance, and I loved the journey both our boys went on through it. There were rough moments, some that broke my heart (and some that certainly broke the boys), but I loved that as always with Williams' books, love wins and the well-deserved HEA's are attained.

Another sweet, spicy yet angsty (just how I like them!) read from Williams, and I can't wait to see where else in the SVU world we might go from here.

Thank you to the author for the eARC opportunity. These are my honest thoughts that I have provided voluntarily.
Profile Image for Whitney Moore.
172 reviews5 followers
April 20, 2026
This book doesn’t flirt with heartbreak.....it drags it into a dark room, locks the door, and makes you sit with it.

From the first punch, literal and emotional, you know this isn’t a soft, forgiving love story. It’s sharp edges and unfinished wounds, the kind that never really scab over. Easton Wright isn’t your typical romantic lead. He’s contradiction carved into flesh: cruelty laced with longing, denial wrapped tight around something that burns too bright to ignore. And that tension? It hums through every page like a live wire.

The history between them feels heavy, almost suffocating at times, but in the best way. You can feel the weight of what was lost, what was never understood, and what might still be hiding beneath all that anger. Their dynamic is messy, volatile, and completely addictive. Every glance, every cutting word, every moment alone feels like it could tip into something dangerous… or devastating.

What hit hardest is the uncertainty. Not just about love, but identity, trust, and whether wanting someone is worth the damage they might cause. There’s no easy redemption here, no neat emotional bow. Just two people circling each other through pain, desire, and unfinished business.

It’s raw. It’s uncomfortable. It lingers.

And I couldn’t look away for a second.
785 reviews18 followers
April 28, 2026
Crossing the Line is a contemporary romance and is part of the Silver Knights series and is written by Alisha Williams.

💜 college
💜 football and hockey
💜 second chance
💜 MM
💜 difficult family life
💜 🌶🌶🌶 spice

Bennett had a crush on his best friend when they were in school. But, on thing lead to another, and they ended up not talking anymore. Now, he’s at Silver Valley University playing hockey with his dad as a coach. He knows he could play for the NHL, but he doesn’t think he really wants to play pro. As he goes over to give his other dad, Brody, a not from his older sister, he can’t help but check out a player and not surprising get glares from his ex-best friend. Will he hook up with that football player? Will his ex-best friend chill and leave him alone? Will he decide to go to the NHL when he graduates?

This was a good addition to this world. I love how the character building and the world building were on point. Do you need to read the Silver Valley University trilogy first before reading this book? Technically, no. But will you get a richer idea and but appreciation for the story as a whole, yes. I love how everything came together in the end and the conflict/miscommunication wasn’t stretched out for too long. This was a good book that I devoured pretty quickly once I started to read.
118 reviews3 followers
Review of advance copy
April 18, 2026
"He makes me feel things I don’t want to feel, things that could ruin everything for me. Those feelings, though, are the most true I’ve ever felt in my life."

I love Easton and Bennett so much! They're the most awkwardly adorable pair, with SO many communication issues.

Following an altercation as teens and years spent in avoidance of one another, the guys are thrown back into each other's lives through rough circumstances. They spend plenty of time bickering, pranking, and all around going out of their way to refuse any other feeling but hate. Bennett and Easton come from drastically different backgrounds and families, and it really shows in how they approach things. This book takes you back to Silver Valley, with some familiar faces throughout the story. The guys' story packs in all the feels, you'll want to cry, laugh at their antics, swoon at the spice and romance, and occasionally wish one of them would get smacked upside the head. There may be plenty of bumps along the way, but we eventually make it out the other side, bruised maybe, but all the better for what they struggled through to get there.

“You were my person. The one thing in my life that never let me down. How could I not fall in love with you, when you're so d--- easy to love?”
Profile Image for sycokittykat - Stefanie.
1,363 reviews41 followers
April 21, 2026
Finding home when home isn't a place

Bennett and Easton were best friends until one kiss ended in a punch and a complete loss of friendship. Years of friendship lost with nothing but a punch to remember.

Now years later both young men are at the same college. Bennett is playing hockey and avoiding his football player ex that cheated. However since his bestie is hating a player and his Dad is the coach it's inevitable they cross paths. However, when the football house goes up in flames Bennett finds himself with a roommate.... Easton is back in a big way...but he has a girlfriend.

The sexual tension in this book is thick enough but cut without a knife. The constant will they won't they before it finally breaks is torture. And that time doesn't end it because now the boys need to reevaluate what they have been doing and thinking all these years.

That first time was so dam hot. The dominance, the dirty talk, the location, the heat.....ugh it was perfect until it wasn't. These two were inevitable they just had to wait till the time was right. Bennett didn't know everything Easton has felt with and still faced but they finally got there and it was beautiful.
233 reviews5 followers
April 22, 2026
This was a very good read. I had a very hard putting it down, it took less than a day to finish it. I absolutely loved Bennet and Easton. They started out as best friends hanging out in tree houses to ex-bestfriends due to his father's homophobia issues. The football teams house caught on fire and the players were placed in the other sport teams dorms. This forced Easton and Bennett to become roommates. The sexual tension between the two was seen by several players on both hockey and football.

This book will have you feeling tons of emotions. It'll have you laughing, crying, or wanting to shake one of them. Their love hate relationship only got better. Easton taking Bennett for the first time while feeling jealous and angry was so hot and Bennett absolutely loved it. Easton had all of his firsts with the one he loved. It literally makes you swoon over them. Easton goes through so much but comes out on top.

Thank you Alisha for writing another great story. Thank you for the opportunity to arc this book early! I will definitely read this one again. I need more of Bennett and Easton!
Profile Image for Mel.
144 reviews5 followers
Review of advance copy received from Author
April 18, 2026
Crossing The Line is an adorable, emotional story that weaves together friends to enemies to lovers with second chances and learning to accept who you are and love who you want, no matter the consequences.

Bennett and Easton’s relationship is anything but easy. They go through so much, and their journey is filled with tension, hurt, and growth. But despite everything, they are so beautiful together, and it made it all the more satisfying when they finally admitted their feelings.

What really stood out to me was Bennett. The way he shows up for Easton, so patient, understanding, and steady, even when Easton hasn’t always treated him the best, just hit me right in the feels. You can feel how much he cares, and it made their story even more emotional.

This is such a beautifully written MM romance that I absolutely loved. 💙

✨What to expect:

🌈 Hidden Sexuality
⚡ Sexual Tension
🏒🏈 Hockey x Football Player
🔥 Spice
😏 Enemies to Lovers
🖤 Damaged MMC
💪 MMC Proud of Who He Is

Spice Rating: 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
Profile Image for Mikaela (risqué.romance).
566 reviews22 followers
April 26, 2026
Crossing the Line - Alisha Williams
5/5✨🌟

* SPOILERS *

I love me a good friends to enemies to lovers and this one really sucked me in. Bennett and Easton were just the cutest and they just had so much going on that you just want to keep reading more and more.

First of all, Bennett’s ex was absolutely crazy. He caused the breakup and expected Bennett to take him back.

Literally from their falling out from that first punch, I knew immediately they the groveling and them getting back to how they used to be was going to everything and then so much more.

The way that Easton stood up to his father when it came to Bennett and his family was so beautiful because it was true. Bennett and Easton’s love was so beautiful and man, I was here for every angst moment but those adorable moments was cute. My favorite was when Bennett saw Easton struggling when he saw him looking for clothes in the animation him.

Gosh, this book was just super cute and exactly what I needed at the very moment.

I received a copy of this book and this is my honest review.
Profile Image for Heather L.
25 reviews1 follower
Review of advance copy received from Author
April 19, 2026
This was a steamy, emotional, slow burn piece of MM art.

I went through so many emotions in this story. I burned and hurt for Easton and Bennett during their initial angsty/pining phase. I giggled like a school girl when these boys turned their feelings into ridiculous juvenile pranks and bickering (who has time for an adult discussion?). I squealed and celebrated when they finally figured it all out. There were other feelings too during delicious shower scenes…

What really sets this couple apart are the amazing supportive relationships that they each have. Even when facing adversity they each had a person (or people) to be there for them and love them unconditionally. It was a beautiful testament to all the kinds of love that a person can have in their lives. Sometimes it takes more than two people to make a love story happen.

This universe is full of so many delightful characters and stories. Easton and Bennett wove themselves in seamlessly.

Profile Image for Theresa.
742 reviews11 followers
April 19, 2026
Bennett and Easton were best friends, until one night when they were thirteen years old, Bennett read Easton the wrong way and kissed him. Only for Easton to punch Bennett and told him he never wanted to be friends with him again.

Fast forward years later, Bennett is a hockey player for Silver Valley University and Easton is a football player for Silver Valley University. After a fire caught the football house on fire, some of the team members are being moved into the hockey house and rooming with the hockey members, and Easton is being forced to room with Bennett.

I loved the journey that Bennett and Easton go through to finding their way back to one another from friends to lovers. Every interaction is filled with so much tension and angst. This book is sweet, yet so spicy!

While there are some heavy topics in Crossing the Line, there’s still some amazing banter between the characters and unwavering support from their friends and Bennett’s family.
Profile Image for Nadia Hinojosa.
485 reviews1 follower
April 28, 2026
This book is related to the Silver Valley University series. Alisha Williams is a beautifully talented author. She is one of my favorite authors. She’ll become your favorite after reading this book, too!
Great story, great characters! I loved this book. The backstory was sad and complicated. I hurt for these MMCs. Each one harboring trauma and heartbreak from their past. It hurts when you lose friends during your childhood. Seeing them and knowing they are no longer a part of your life. You truly feel heartbroken when losing your best friend. It’s hard when they continue to stay within your orbit. Both MMCs are sweet, caring and loyal to their family and friends.
Thank you, Alisha Wiliams, for this sad, steamy and beautiful read. I enjoyed reading it so much. I also want to know the backstories of some of the other characters in this book. I would love to know more about Danny, Roland, Taylor and Aria.
Profile Image for Sarahsaurus.
185 reviews2 followers
April 29, 2026
Really well written story about friends to enemies to lovers. Bennet and Easton were always meant to be, it just took life to get in the way and for them to grow and come back to eachother.

There was a specific scene in this book, , that stuck with me. I am not a man and I’m not queer, but I love love stories. This scene is an amazing example of emotional intelligence and empathy in handling delicate feelings in a delicate situation. It reminds me that even though romance books are often their own kind of fantasy, they often have real life examples of trauma, and this scene was such a healthy way to approach a traumatized person and allow them the dignity needed to express it and still feel like a worthy person.

Aside from the I love you love bombing ;), really great story.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for B Thomas.
657 reviews8 followers
April 20, 2026
This a painful but achingly beautiful tableau of what it means to truly come into and accept one’s self. Discovering who you are and what you stand for is a formidable undertaking in the best of times,; but when it’s in insurmountable and dangerous circumstances, it can prove to be fatal.

Bennett and Easton old not have had more divergent places of support as their budding sexualities rage into confusing fruition as their hormones surge. Their soul connection is severed amongst hurt feelings and fearful decisions. But life has a funny way of pulling those who truly belong together back in each other’s orbit.

There was so much healing love and heartwarming acceptance that Bennett and Easton are able to work through. I really hope you will take a chance on this tender and vulnerable love story when it releases on April 20th.

As always, please check content warnings.
Profile Image for Sarah.
1,131 reviews
April 20, 2026
Crossing The Line is a sweet, spicy, emotional read. Bennett and Easton completely stole my heart. 🥰🥰🥰🥰

What you get....
♡MM Romance
♡Sports Romance
♡Childhood Friends to Enemies to Lovers
♡Hockey Player
♡Football Player
♡Roommates
♡Forced Proximity
♡Slow Burn
♡S*xual Tension
♡Damaged MMC
♡A MMC Who’s Proud Of Who He Is
♡Two Stubborn Guys
♡Family Drama
♡Bi Awakening
♡Spicy
♡Found Family
♡No 3rd Act Breakup

Their backgrounds are completely different, and it shows in how they clash, prank, avoid, and eventually open up to each other. Watching them work through old hurt and finally choosing each other was incredibly satisfying.

Bennett’s quiet patience and steady support for Easton absolutely melted me, and Easton’s journey toward accepting himself was heartbreaking and beautiful. There’s humor, spice, and plenty of familiar faces from the SVU universe.
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