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Most Valuable Player
The cocky star QB and the team's sarcastic water boy. What could go wrong? A sports romance with humor and heart from the author of They Hate Each Other
Cameron Morelli is hot sh*t. Worse, he knows it. With a godlike physique and a position as his varsity football team’s star quarterback, there’s nobody he can’t charm. So one might imagine his mortification when he’s rejected by Mason Gray, the team’s snarky water boy. To make matters worse, this disgrace is followed by Cam’s coach benching him until he can get his grades up. Luckily, a reliable tutor steps forward to help Cam reclaim his dignity—the boy who just humiliated him.
For Mason, tutoring an airheaded jock is nothing but a distraction from a past he can’t escape. What he doesn’t expect is to find something worthwhile in their conversations—something softening in the ice between them. Nor does Cam expect that Mason’s calm smile hides a harrowing story. As they slowly nudge through each other’s steel gates, the dangerous realities beyond high school threaten their deepening bond.
But really, it’s about football.
Cameron Morelli is hot sh*t. Worse, he knows it. With a godlike physique and a position as his varsity football team’s star quarterback, there’s nobody he can’t charm. So one might imagine his mortification when he’s rejected by Mason Gray, the team’s snarky water boy. To make matters worse, this disgrace is followed by Cam’s coach benching him until he can get his grades up. Luckily, a reliable tutor steps forward to help Cam reclaim his dignity—the boy who just humiliated him.
For Mason, tutoring an airheaded jock is nothing but a distraction from a past he can’t escape. What he doesn’t expect is to find something worthwhile in their conversations—something softening in the ice between them. Nor does Cam expect that Mason’s calm smile hides a harrowing story. As they slowly nudge through each other’s steel gates, the dangerous realities beyond high school threaten their deepening bond.
But really, it’s about football.
Audible Audio
First published October 21, 2025
80 people are currently reading
9849 people want to read
About the author
A.M. Woody
3 books137 followersA. M. Woody is a queer nonbinary author based in metro-Detroit and represented by New Leaf Literary. Some of their book weaknesses include:
Uncontrollable magic
Boys who fall in love
Girls with swords
Snarky banter
Eyes that glow
Chaotic queers
Dorks to lovers
Pirates and thieves
Uncontrollable magic
Boys who fall in love
Girls with swords
Snarky banter
Eyes that glow
Chaotic queers
Dorks to lovers
Pirates and thieves
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 425 reviews
June 2, 2025
reading this on the first day of pride month and it was a success. 😌
a.m. woody does it again, and they’re back with two teenage boys i just wanna hug.
i requested this on netgalley on a whim not hoping for the best. with my terrible feedback ratio and with my terrible luck, i was ready to be declined, but i can tell you i literally squealed when i got the email notification that i was approved and this anticipated gem was ready for me to read. i skipped my class to start this and can’t say i regret anything. this author writes the characters and their dynamics just how i like it. it’s like they plucked into my brain and took up all my interests and wants and put them into high school characters. they hate each other was one of my absolute favorites in 2023, and this is now a new favorite of 2025! i cannot wait to see what else this author will give us in the future years (dear author if you see this please never start writing these realistic young adult stories).
we have a similar dynamic to dylan and jonah from theo, but i wouldn’t dare say they’re a copy and paste of each other. i love when authors write about real life issues and situations, and woody did it with theo and now is doing it with mvp, but their differences are noticeable. yes, both young men are dealing with their differences and insecurities, again, but their mannerisms, display of character, passions, and way of coping is different. my heart broke for both of them, of course. mason, with his hidden happiness, fear of rejection, dysfunctional family, and uncertainty of love; cam, with his golden boy facade, cocky attitude, fear of feeling and looking smaller, and uncertainty of his future. it wouldn’t be an a.m. woody book if there wasn’t trauma to unpack, and there’s quite the dose here. i’d go as far as saying this is a bit heavier than they hate each other, with content warnings filling the pages from the start, including parental neglect, grooming, emotional abuse, bullying, ptsd, mental health struggles, and homophobia. also, a possible eating disorder??? maybe, maybe not. maybe i’m just thinking too hard on it, but i’m not too sure if mason had one or if he genuinely, simply forgot to eat or couldn’t eat in *those* times. these are integral to the story but instead of forming the story completely, we see how the affect the characters. the mental health representation is spot on, with the author never just adding it for the sake of it and forgetting it. there’s flashbacks that show us how the characters are still impacted by their past, as well as seeing their present lives be limited and challenged.
the romance here is delightfully real. i loved the differences between them—their nerd x jock pairing, introvert vs extrovert experiences, cocky x unsure dynamic, golden retriever x black cat duo, “quarterback” x “water boy” banter. their relationships starts off through mason rejecting cam and then offering to tutor him. their banter is delightful, funny and realistic without the author ever forcing it, helping it evolve naturally. their high school personalities shine through, reminding me of the joy and love the young adult genre brings me. the bickering, the arguing, the sarcasm, the playful insulting—i was giddy for it all. this is a romance despite the heavy topics and themes it deals with. we see a great amount of time these two spend together. i have to give it to the author for never feeling like these two didn’t get to know each other or didn’t spend enough time together. one week passes yet it felt like longer. their relationship is slow, changing dynamics at a perfectly paced time. they never lost the spark they started off with, which i appreciated, because i hate it when characters change for the other. while they did open up and learn more about each other and their past, the way they acted around each other from the beginning never really change; it just evolved to become more intimate and passionate. we are witnessed to them noticing so much about each other. i loved how open and free they could be around each other once they start seeing past each others facade. they pay so much attention to each other and remember the small details—cam getting mason his cinnamon twist latte? cam trying out vegan/vegetarian options for him and making sure their hang out spots had options for mason to eat? mason getting flowers for cam to give to his mom? cam noticing mason hides his smiles and laughs and reminds him to not hide them? mason bringing out cam’s rocks? soooo cute!!!! 🥹 the coffee, the workouts, the hidden smiles/laughs, the rocks, the painting, the flowers, the guitar, the gallery. even more cute!!!!!! i love it when people notice the smallest things about you, and both cam and mason did that.
i would say this leans more towards young adults (emphasis on asults), meaning ages 16 and up. i know there’s different age groups this genre falls under (goodreads defines is as 13-18), but with the heavier topics included in the story, the romance is also more mature. i love when ya challenges the genre stereotypes and doesn’t offer only basic, traditional and convulsed stories. this is one of those fresh breath of air, as opposed to others, and i’m a big fan of how the author wrote it. not a moment felt unreal or unrealistic, but instead reinforced some of the real high school experiences. these boys are on the brink of adulthood, about to be 18 and explore a new world, and we see it. they never felt too dumb or reckless but simply felt like authentic young men dealing with issues i wish they didn’t have to deal with. but sadly it is real, and all this felt real, and i applaud and am thankful for a.m. woody showing us that reality even if fictional. the romance is more mature and graphic, but it’s still a ya story, so there’s never actual detail on their intimate scenes or such. if you’ve read theo, it’s similar to that.
i had some very tiny, small, minor issues, and they don’t exactly have to do with the book but instead are things that i personally wish were more addressed. i kind of wish we got a better ending on mason’s parents and their parental neglect. i didn’t exactly have hope for them as the story was ending, but with the mention of mason’s dad seeing the articles he sent him about family counseling and whatnot, i would’ve liked at least an update. this is more of a me issue, as i said, because it’s more of an open-ended issue that depends on how the reader takes it. i also wish we got a better understanding of mason and cam’s mental health struggles. as mentioned above, i feel like mason had an eating disorder, but i could also be very wrong. i wish some sort of help or therapy for him was addressed more, as it felt like he needed a lot of work to be done. sometimes it felt like the only solution was cameron, but with everything mason went through, it’s clearly more severe and complex. as for cam, his ptsd and fear of appearing/looking a certain way is something that was still eating him alive. we learn that he practically changed himself and his appearance because of that night. yes, the mental health rep was spot on and i love that the author didn’t just magically cure them or move on as if nothing happened, but i felt like they weren’t exactly properly addressed, especially at the end. even cameron’s parents never really grew concerned or batted an eye to cam still struggling to talk about the event that happened in eight grade.
i have a feeling readers and fans who enjoyed they hate each other will be a fan of this one. this is how i wish other authors would write young adult coming of age romances. no forced banter, no witty, false remarks. no gen-z slang referencing too many pop references and making the read annoying. no dullness. no “bitchy women” and “alpha men.” no “slut shaming.” no unnecessary hate that adds absolutely nothing to the story. instead, everything feels authentic and necessary. yes, cam can be a struggle to get through at first with his cocky, hormonal attitude, but once you get through it and start learning more about where it comes from, it fills the empty spaces. i can promise you that there were worse boys in my class and at my school at his age. it was even awesome to finally see some positive vegan/vegetarian representation. mason was vegetarian and there was never a bat of an eye to it or unnecessary criticism. the (possible) ED concerns i have for him are completely unrelated to his lifestyle and instead had more to do with his mental health. too often the media portrays these lifestyles in a critical, negative way, so it was nice to see a change.
overall, i loved this. jonah and dylan had my heart, but now cameron morelli and mason gray so as well. i’m already looking forward to this author’s future characters and already know i’ll want to wrap them up in a big hug as well. a.m. woody meant it when they said rom-com-traum.
arc provided by netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
a.m. woody does it again, and they’re back with two teenage boys i just wanna hug.
i requested this on netgalley on a whim not hoping for the best. with my terrible feedback ratio and with my terrible luck, i was ready to be declined, but i can tell you i literally squealed when i got the email notification that i was approved and this anticipated gem was ready for me to read. i skipped my class to start this and can’t say i regret anything. this author writes the characters and their dynamics just how i like it. it’s like they plucked into my brain and took up all my interests and wants and put them into high school characters. they hate each other was one of my absolute favorites in 2023, and this is now a new favorite of 2025! i cannot wait to see what else this author will give us in the future years (dear author if you see this please never start writing these realistic young adult stories).
we have a similar dynamic to dylan and jonah from theo, but i wouldn’t dare say they’re a copy and paste of each other. i love when authors write about real life issues and situations, and woody did it with theo and now is doing it with mvp, but their differences are noticeable. yes, both young men are dealing with their differences and insecurities, again, but their mannerisms, display of character, passions, and way of coping is different. my heart broke for both of them, of course. mason, with his hidden happiness, fear of rejection, dysfunctional family, and uncertainty of love; cam, with his golden boy facade, cocky attitude, fear of feeling and looking smaller, and uncertainty of his future. it wouldn’t be an a.m. woody book if there wasn’t trauma to unpack, and there’s quite the dose here. i’d go as far as saying this is a bit heavier than they hate each other, with content warnings filling the pages from the start, including parental neglect, grooming, emotional abuse, bullying, ptsd, mental health struggles, and homophobia. also, a possible eating disorder??? maybe, maybe not. maybe i’m just thinking too hard on it, but i’m not too sure if mason had one or if he genuinely, simply forgot to eat or couldn’t eat in *those* times. these are integral to the story but instead of forming the story completely, we see how the affect the characters. the mental health representation is spot on, with the author never just adding it for the sake of it and forgetting it. there’s flashbacks that show us how the characters are still impacted by their past, as well as seeing their present lives be limited and challenged.
the romance here is delightfully real. i loved the differences between them—their nerd x jock pairing, introvert vs extrovert experiences, cocky x unsure dynamic, golden retriever x black cat duo, “quarterback” x “water boy” banter. their relationships starts off through mason rejecting cam and then offering to tutor him. their banter is delightful, funny and realistic without the author ever forcing it, helping it evolve naturally. their high school personalities shine through, reminding me of the joy and love the young adult genre brings me. the bickering, the arguing, the sarcasm, the playful insulting—i was giddy for it all. this is a romance despite the heavy topics and themes it deals with. we see a great amount of time these two spend together. i have to give it to the author for never feeling like these two didn’t get to know each other or didn’t spend enough time together. one week passes yet it felt like longer. their relationship is slow, changing dynamics at a perfectly paced time. they never lost the spark they started off with, which i appreciated, because i hate it when characters change for the other. while they did open up and learn more about each other and their past, the way they acted around each other from the beginning never really change; it just evolved to become more intimate and passionate. we are witnessed to them noticing so much about each other. i loved how open and free they could be around each other once they start seeing past each others facade. they pay so much attention to each other and remember the small details—cam getting mason his cinnamon twist latte? cam trying out vegan/vegetarian options for him and making sure their hang out spots had options for mason to eat? mason getting flowers for cam to give to his mom? cam noticing mason hides his smiles and laughs and reminds him to not hide them? mason bringing out cam’s rocks? soooo cute!!!! 🥹 the coffee, the workouts, the hidden smiles/laughs, the rocks, the painting, the flowers, the guitar, the gallery. even more cute!!!!!! i love it when people notice the smallest things about you, and both cam and mason did that.
i would say this leans more towards young adults (emphasis on asults), meaning ages 16 and up. i know there’s different age groups this genre falls under (goodreads defines is as 13-18), but with the heavier topics included in the story, the romance is also more mature. i love when ya challenges the genre stereotypes and doesn’t offer only basic, traditional and convulsed stories. this is one of those fresh breath of air, as opposed to others, and i’m a big fan of how the author wrote it. not a moment felt unreal or unrealistic, but instead reinforced some of the real high school experiences. these boys are on the brink of adulthood, about to be 18 and explore a new world, and we see it. they never felt too dumb or reckless but simply felt like authentic young men dealing with issues i wish they didn’t have to deal with. but sadly it is real, and all this felt real, and i applaud and am thankful for a.m. woody showing us that reality even if fictional. the romance is more mature and graphic, but it’s still a ya story, so there’s never actual detail on their intimate scenes or such. if you’ve read theo, it’s similar to that.
i had some very tiny, small, minor issues, and they don’t exactly have to do with the book but instead are things that i personally wish were more addressed. i kind of wish we got a better ending on mason’s parents and their parental neglect. i didn’t exactly have hope for them as the story was ending, but with the mention of mason’s dad seeing the articles he sent him about family counseling and whatnot, i would’ve liked at least an update. this is more of a me issue, as i said, because it’s more of an open-ended issue that depends on how the reader takes it. i also wish we got a better understanding of mason and cam’s mental health struggles. as mentioned above, i feel like mason had an eating disorder, but i could also be very wrong. i wish some sort of help or therapy for him was addressed more, as it felt like he needed a lot of work to be done. sometimes it felt like the only solution was cameron, but with everything mason went through, it’s clearly more severe and complex. as for cam, his ptsd and fear of appearing/looking a certain way is something that was still eating him alive. we learn that he practically changed himself and his appearance because of that night. yes, the mental health rep was spot on and i love that the author didn’t just magically cure them or move on as if nothing happened, but i felt like they weren’t exactly properly addressed, especially at the end. even cameron’s parents never really grew concerned or batted an eye to cam still struggling to talk about the event that happened in eight grade.
i have a feeling readers and fans who enjoyed they hate each other will be a fan of this one. this is how i wish other authors would write young adult coming of age romances. no forced banter, no witty, false remarks. no gen-z slang referencing too many pop references and making the read annoying. no dullness. no “bitchy women” and “alpha men.” no “slut shaming.” no unnecessary hate that adds absolutely nothing to the story. instead, everything feels authentic and necessary. yes, cam can be a struggle to get through at first with his cocky, hormonal attitude, but once you get through it and start learning more about where it comes from, it fills the empty spaces. i can promise you that there were worse boys in my class and at my school at his age. it was even awesome to finally see some positive vegan/vegetarian representation. mason was vegetarian and there was never a bat of an eye to it or unnecessary criticism. the (possible) ED concerns i have for him are completely unrelated to his lifestyle and instead had more to do with his mental health. too often the media portrays these lifestyles in a critical, negative way, so it was nice to see a change.
overall, i loved this. jonah and dylan had my heart, but now cameron morelli and mason gray so as well. i’m already looking forward to this author’s future characters and already know i’ll want to wrap them up in a big hug as well. a.m. woody meant it when they said rom-com-traum.
arc provided by netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
October 27, 2025
Happy release day 🎉
Holy shit you guys. Just Holy shit.
I feel like my heart was torn out of my chest, put into a blender, blitzed for a while, served to me as a smoothie and then Woody just waved their hand with a flourish and said "Bon Appetit" all while I sit there and weep.
First things first, I adore this cover but I feel it is my responsibility to let you know that this is not the cute, wholesome, innocent, coming of age romance that it might suggest. I feel like the focus of this story includes some topics which people could find to be triggering so I think it's important to respect your own boundaries when coming into this one. Woody describes this as a rom-com-traum and it's pretty on the money.
This story was at times a rough and challenging read and it was difficult to see these two boys trying their hardest to navigate their of own trauma and history, whilst also learning what it means to be authentic and open to another person. However for every heart breaking and difficult moment, there was also so much joy, healing and love here that I just felt myself smiling along the with them. This is one of those instances where I am so glad two fictional characters found each other.
All that being said, I think stories like this are INVALUABLE to younger readers and I love YA books that dont speak down to and condescend to their audiences. It's important to provide challenging and complex stories to young people because the barriers they encounter can be challenging and complex (what a shocker, who knew) and it's important to acknowledge their experiences as being valid and heard.
Masons story was devastating, and yet, coming from his vulnerable family back ground, his story rings with the all too possible potential of being grounded in reality. It was at times really difficult to live in his POV and see the damage wrought in his psyche first hand.
And while I have a soft spot in my heart for Mason and his journey to healing, the real shining star for me in this was Cameron. That sweet, ridiculous boy was just so GOLDEN and even though he was so out of his depth, and at times rightfully scared, he continued to step up, be so brave and just always tried his hardest and I just really loved him a lot.
There were some elements of the ending which I didn't find wholly satisfying, but I think it's unfortunately a more realistic reflection of life and that is important in its own right cause sometimes things don't get tidily resolved with a ribbon on the top and that can be okay too (but also absolutely fuck Masons mother).
Thank you so much A.M Woody for the opportunity to read an ARC of this book, these thoughts and feelings are all my own.
Content/trigger warnings:
Mental health, PTSD from bullying, narcissistic parental relationship, depictions of emotional and psychological family violence (no physical violence on page), childhood grooming, inappropriate age gap (13 and 17. Not between the MCs), emotional abuse and coercive control and manipulation, physical violence, implied noncon incident whilst under the influence of alcohol (historical and not with the MC) and time spent in the POV of someone who is dealing with and experiencing all of the above.
Holy shit you guys. Just Holy shit.
I feel like my heart was torn out of my chest, put into a blender, blitzed for a while, served to me as a smoothie and then Woody just waved their hand with a flourish and said "Bon Appetit" all while I sit there and weep.
First things first, I adore this cover but I feel it is my responsibility to let you know that this is not the cute, wholesome, innocent, coming of age romance that it might suggest. I feel like the focus of this story includes some topics which people could find to be triggering so I think it's important to respect your own boundaries when coming into this one. Woody describes this as a rom-com-traum and it's pretty on the money.
This story was at times a rough and challenging read and it was difficult to see these two boys trying their hardest to navigate their of own trauma and history, whilst also learning what it means to be authentic and open to another person. However for every heart breaking and difficult moment, there was also so much joy, healing and love here that I just felt myself smiling along the with them. This is one of those instances where I am so glad two fictional characters found each other.
All that being said, I think stories like this are INVALUABLE to younger readers and I love YA books that dont speak down to and condescend to their audiences. It's important to provide challenging and complex stories to young people because the barriers they encounter can be challenging and complex (what a shocker, who knew) and it's important to acknowledge their experiences as being valid and heard.
Masons story was devastating, and yet, coming from his vulnerable family back ground, his story rings with the all too possible potential of being grounded in reality. It was at times really difficult to live in his POV and see the damage wrought in his psyche first hand.
And while I have a soft spot in my heart for Mason and his journey to healing, the real shining star for me in this was Cameron. That sweet, ridiculous boy was just so GOLDEN and even though he was so out of his depth, and at times rightfully scared, he continued to step up, be so brave and just always tried his hardest and I just really loved him a lot.
There were some elements of the ending which I didn't find wholly satisfying, but I think it's unfortunately a more realistic reflection of life and that is important in its own right cause sometimes things don't get tidily resolved with a ribbon on the top and that can be okay too (but also absolutely fuck Masons mother).
Thank you so much A.M Woody for the opportunity to read an ARC of this book, these thoughts and feelings are all my own.
Content/trigger warnings:
Mental health, PTSD from bullying, narcissistic parental relationship, depictions of emotional and psychological family violence (no physical violence on page), childhood grooming, inappropriate age gap (13 and 17. Not between the MCs), emotional abuse and coercive control and manipulation, physical violence, implied noncon incident whilst under the influence of alcohol (historical and not with the MC) and time spent in the POV of someone who is dealing with and experiencing all of the above.
October 27, 2025
”I won’t leave you … I’ll be there after to pick you up …I’ll make you smile every day. Because that’s what you deserve.”
Thank you, A.M. Woody, for making me sob so hard. Thank you for the love you incorporated into my heart. Thank you for this amazing story. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.
Take They Hate Each Other, add the coping mechanisms of Stars in Your Eyes so no one sees the real Cam and Mason, top off with the rawness AND sweetness of The Long Run, and Most Valuable Player is born. This fantastic book ended up on my favorite 2025 shelf. So, so good!
Do you know when you start reading a story, and from the first moment, you already know it will be a masterpiece even though the main character acts like a jerk? When the pacing is flawless, and grins erupt from your mouth, but after a while, your stomach contracts? Then, your eyes crinkle with a smile again until those same eyes betray you, and you need to blink and blink and blink again because otherwise, tears will run down your cheeks. But those tears slip from your eyes anyway because it f*ing hurts so much.
Sometimes, I wanted to slam my ereader into the wall. Out of anger. Out of frustration. Out of raging hate. At the same time, I wanted to hug those two boys so much and protect them with my life. Mason, beautiful, quiet Mason, I wanted to protect him the most. But Cameron, sweet, sweet Cameron, he needed hugs and protection too. Please, Mason and Cameron, never hide yourself behind that mask again—the person beneath it is so worth it.
Please, please, read this book, everyone. And please, please read the content warnings if you have specific triggers. It’s a beautiful YA novel but also a harrowing one at times.
Dear A.M., thank you so much for this ARC.
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Thank you, A.M. Woody, for making me sob so hard. Thank you for the love you incorporated into my heart. Thank you for this amazing story. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.
Take They Hate Each Other, add the coping mechanisms of Stars in Your Eyes so no one sees the real Cam and Mason, top off with the rawness AND sweetness of The Long Run, and Most Valuable Player is born. This fantastic book ended up on my favorite 2025 shelf. So, so good!
Do you know when you start reading a story, and from the first moment, you already know it will be a masterpiece even though the main character acts like a jerk? When the pacing is flawless, and grins erupt from your mouth, but after a while, your stomach contracts? Then, your eyes crinkle with a smile again until those same eyes betray you, and you need to blink and blink and blink again because otherwise, tears will run down your cheeks. But those tears slip from your eyes anyway because it f*ing hurts so much.
Sometimes, I wanted to slam my ereader into the wall. Out of anger. Out of frustration. Out of raging hate. At the same time, I wanted to hug those two boys so much and protect them with my life. Mason, beautiful, quiet Mason, I wanted to protect him the most. But Cameron, sweet, sweet Cameron, he needed hugs and protection too. Please, Mason and Cameron, never hide yourself behind that mask again—the person beneath it is so worth it.
Please, please, read this book, everyone. And please, please read the content warnings if you have specific triggers. It’s a beautiful YA novel but also a harrowing one at times.
Dear A.M., thank you so much for this ARC.
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October 21, 2025
I knew it. I just knew it. I knew, I was going to love this with everything I have, and I was right.
A.M., you’ve done it again. You’ve crafted characters so rich, so real, so lonely, so broken, so beautiful that you just want to hug them, give them forehead kisses and whisper into their ears that everything’s going to be okay.
These are the kinds of stories I love to read and I’m so grateful that you seem to love to write them.
This… was not an easy read (I wholeheartedly recommend checking the list of content warnings the author provides. Be safe everyone 🫶).
Right from the start you feel like there’s something off with both Cam and Mason. Cam’s insufferable macho persona and Mason’s bored, cold, detached vibe don’t sit right - and for good reason.
To see their stories slowly unfold was absolutely horrifying, heartbreaking and perfectly paced. I felt genuinely sick to my stomach at some scenes. The diary entries especially were written in a way that made me squirm uncomfortably and feel physically nauseous.
These two boys are carrying so much. They are so broken by their past. They’re trying everything to fit in, to forget, to force themselves into being okay. But they’re not - okay that is - and they recognise that in each other and then they look. And they see and allow to be seen in return and it’s so sad and so beautiful.
But this book is not just heavy, it’s also funny and warm and uplifting. Their animosity, banter and insults in the beginning were brilliant, I loved the football team and all their shenanigans, I absolutely adored Cam and all his golden energy, his rock collection (idk why, but this moved me to tears many times, maybe because of its innocence?) and his parents who brought so much warmth and love into the story.
I rooted so incredibly hard for Mason and his smile (iykyk); I loved his snark and wit and strength and how he used his calming presence to ground those around him.
So yeah, this was so much hurt. But also so much comfort and care and warmth.
The tone, themes and writing reminded me of the perfect blend between They Hate Each Other, Like Real People Do and The Long Run with an extra little sprinkle of A.M. Woody magic on top.
So it’s no wonder at all that this became an instant favourite. I’m so glad I already preordered my physical copy, because I need this on my shelf. 🧡
Will I ever be okay again? 😭🥹🧡
Thank you so much to A.M. Woody for providing me with an early e-ARC of this beautiful story. Please be aware that there might be some changes made until release day.
A.M., you’ve done it again. You’ve crafted characters so rich, so real, so lonely, so broken, so beautiful that you just want to hug them, give them forehead kisses and whisper into their ears that everything’s going to be okay.
These are the kinds of stories I love to read and I’m so grateful that you seem to love to write them.
This… was not an easy read (I wholeheartedly recommend checking the list of content warnings the author provides. Be safe everyone 🫶).
Right from the start you feel like there’s something off with both Cam and Mason. Cam’s insufferable macho persona and Mason’s bored, cold, detached vibe don’t sit right - and for good reason.
To see their stories slowly unfold was absolutely horrifying, heartbreaking and perfectly paced. I felt genuinely sick to my stomach at some scenes. The diary entries especially were written in a way that made me squirm uncomfortably and feel physically nauseous.
These two boys are carrying so much. They are so broken by their past. They’re trying everything to fit in, to forget, to force themselves into being okay. But they’re not - okay that is - and they recognise that in each other and then they look. And they see and allow to be seen in return and it’s so sad and so beautiful.
But this book is not just heavy, it’s also funny and warm and uplifting. Their animosity, banter and insults in the beginning were brilliant, I loved the football team and all their shenanigans, I absolutely adored Cam and all his golden energy, his rock collection (idk why, but this moved me to tears many times, maybe because of its innocence?) and his parents who brought so much warmth and love into the story.
I rooted so incredibly hard for Mason and his smile (iykyk); I loved his snark and wit and strength and how he used his calming presence to ground those around him.
So yeah, this was so much hurt. But also so much comfort and care and warmth.
The tone, themes and writing reminded me of the perfect blend between They Hate Each Other, Like Real People Do and The Long Run with an extra little sprinkle of A.M. Woody magic on top.
So it’s no wonder at all that this became an instant favourite. I’m so glad I already preordered my physical copy, because I need this on my shelf. 🧡
”I don’t know what kind of deal you made with the devil, but she gave you a smile so fucking beautiful it makes me feel like I might as well die because there’s nothing else worth seeing in this world.”
“Sorry, I’m a mess . . . why are you even here . . . ?”
“You asked me to stay.”
But I do. Right? I deserve a gentle love. And kindness. I’m worthy of something better.
Cameron Morelli wants to give that to me. Maybe I’m allowed to take it. This soft, gentle love.
“You have me to lean on. So just . . . lean. You know?”
“I want to make you feel safe,” I whisper. “And heard. I want to be someone you can trust and rely on. I want to become your new favorite place. More than Annie’s Brews, more than the gallery. When you think of escape and warmth and comfort, I want you to think of me.”
Will I ever be okay again? 😭🥹🧡
Thank you so much to A.M. Woody for providing me with an early e-ARC of this beautiful story. Please be aware that there might be some changes made until release day.
October 27, 2025
**Updating to kindly ask that if you are reviewing this book, please use A. M., A.M., or AM instead of Amanda, and please use they/them :) Thank you!!
Hi lovely readers! I come with a warning because, much like They Hate Each Other, the cover is cute and cozy but hides heavy subject matter (listed below). Apologies to the marketing team for having to deal with me injecting more and more traum into my rom-com-traums. And apologies to the readers who will undoubtedly feel blindsided if they've never read my books before!
Most Valuable Player is for those who feel trapped, like they can’t break free of the cycle of pain. For those who lie awake at night wondering how anyone could bother to love someone like them. Who feel unworthy of other people’s time and efforts. Who feel permanently bound to their past and the choices they’ve made. Whose walls are made of steel. I know I’m some random author on the other side of a screen, but I promise you are just as worthy of a kind, gentle love as anyone else in this world. You don’t need to earn patience, joy, or compassion. You already have by simply existing. And I’m so sorry if there’s someone in your life who makes you feel otherwise.
I’ll list the content note below, but PLEASE BE AWARE THAT IT CONTAINS SPOILERS. If you’re not the type who needs them, consider skipping the rest of this comment to maintain narrative ambiguity for whenever you might pick it up. And if you do, thank you!! Whether you love or hate or feel meh about it, I’m honored to borrow your time <3
BUT I REALLY REALLY HOPE IT RIPS YOUR HEART OUT HAHAHAHAHAHAHA
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Hi lovely readers! I come with a warning because, much like They Hate Each Other, the cover is cute and cozy but hides heavy subject matter (listed below). Apologies to the marketing team for having to deal with me injecting more and more traum into my rom-com-traums. And apologies to the readers who will undoubtedly feel blindsided if they've never read my books before!
Most Valuable Player is for those who feel trapped, like they can’t break free of the cycle of pain. For those who lie awake at night wondering how anyone could bother to love someone like them. Who feel unworthy of other people’s time and efforts. Who feel permanently bound to their past and the choices they’ve made. Whose walls are made of steel. I know I’m some random author on the other side of a screen, but I promise you are just as worthy of a kind, gentle love as anyone else in this world. You don’t need to earn patience, joy, or compassion. You already have by simply existing. And I’m so sorry if there’s someone in your life who makes you feel otherwise.
I’ll list the content note below, but PLEASE BE AWARE THAT IT CONTAINS SPOILERS. If you’re not the type who needs them, consider skipping the rest of this comment to maintain narrative ambiguity for whenever you might pick it up. And if you do, thank you!! Whether you love or hate or feel meh about it, I’m honored to borrow your time <3
BUT I REALLY REALLY HOPE IT RIPS YOUR HEART OUT HAHAHAHAHAHAHA
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
April 25, 2025
E-ARC generously provided by the author! Thank you!
Combining a kick-feet-worthy nerd and jock romance (that had me listening to So High School by Taylor Swift) with a careful and nuanced exploration of very serious issues, Most Valuable Player is a shining beacon of a YA contemporary novel that exemplifies what this genre does best: raw, clever storytelling that manages to balance the heavy with the swoon-worthy. Bravo A.M. Woody!
Combining a kick-feet-worthy nerd and jock romance (that had me listening to So High School by Taylor Swift) with a careful and nuanced exploration of very serious issues, Most Valuable Player is a shining beacon of a YA contemporary novel that exemplifies what this genre does best: raw, clever storytelling that manages to balance the heavy with the swoon-worthy. Bravo A.M. Woody!
October 26, 2025
4,5 ⭐
Someone fetch me a bubble wrap, please, these characters can’t be without protection from the world a minute longer 🥺
I’m sure most future readers have already checked out the early reviews and have been warned, but I feel the need to chip in. Don’t just fall for the cover and skip the CWs. Going into this book for some adorable romance and cute autumn vibes would sucker-punch you, then pat your head lovingly, and then kick you for fun, just to get the message across. Consider yourself warned.
The premise is fairly simple, with the kind of funny meet-ugly (or more like asking out-ugly) that’s OTT hilarious. A cocky, confident quarterback Cameron asks the team’s assistant Mason out, and the boy dares to flatly refuse! The horror. What’s even more humiliating for Cameron, he needs tutoring to bring his grades up; otherwise, he won’t be able to play football. And who's better for the tutor position than the straight-A student Mason? Cue hilariousness, cute study dates, funny banter...
...or not really. This book packs such an emotional punch. Both Cameron and Mason are incredible, nuanced characters who are going through hell while trying to maintain their respective facades. Cameron made such a bad first impression, I was a bit worried I wouldn’t actually like him. AhaHAHA I’ll set the world on fire if someone lays a finger on him :) Once his jock persona started to crack thanks to Mason’s prodding, I didn’t stand a chance. He’s the boy who used to collect and paint rocks. Who used to buy flowers for his mom every week. And he’s the boy who felt the need to stomp everything sweet about himself down to feel safe out in the world that looks at such preciousness and calls it a weakness. Despite it all, he manages to keep his kind, beautiful heart full of empathy intact.
Mason...where to even start? My brave, brave boy. He seems pretty closed-off, with trust issues rooted very deeply in, and what he was going through is horrible beyond words, but I loved that he still showed his sassy side that speaks sarcasm fluently.
I adored how their relationship progressed from outright dislike to curiosity that allowed them to see the dark corners in the other’s eyes, some very familiar demons. Then came care and worry. Gentleness. Trust. And finally, commitment to being each other’s source of strength through some truly hard times.
A.M. Woody did an incredibly authentic job of depicting a person who’s been thoroughly groomed and gaslit into isolation and no self-esteem, making them dependent on their abuser. And seeing a kid, barely a teenager, in such a situation that even adults struggle to cope with, utterly broke my heart. I was worried I wouldn’t find all the shards again, but by the end, Woody handed my heart back mended, sealing my trust in them.
The diary entries, though. The blasted diary entries written by a young teen Mason, allowing us glimpses into his past through his eager, besotted eyes. They’re honestly a work of genius because the contrast between his innocent POV and our merciless understanding of exactly what’s happening was all the more insidious.
I couldn’t even full-out cry while reading this story because of how viciously angry I got at times. Especially because situations like Mason’s are far from fictional, and they happen way more often than our brains are usually comfortable with contemplating...
Where were the parents when all the shit was happening, you ask? Let’s just say they would’ve been more useful grounded into a meatloaf (OKAY okay, I’m willing to cut some slack to one of them...). Thank god at least the other set of parents was absolutely amazing, otherwise I would’ve gone on a warpath 😒
It’s safe to say, this book brought some potent emotions in me ahaha - I kind of stress-sweated through my shirt during the most intense confrontations, trembling and hardly breathing through them. Then came some truly sweet moments between the boys and I was cooing like a mother hen. Then I was stressed again, having to take a break. I’m...exhausted. Woody didn’t pull their punches. But damn was it worth it.
My only slight complaint is that the last few chapters were suddenly written in a kind of rushed diary style, mostly telling and summarizing than showing.
OH! Can’t fail to mention the beautifully executed demisexual rep!
I have so much more to say but this damn thing is already obnoxiously long, so I’ll just leave you with some of my favorite parts, loves. Take care, everyone ❤️❤️
”Mason’s brows are high enough to blend into his hairline. Suddenly, he smiles. Eyes crinkling, face warming, cheeks flushing. And I think I’d hang this image up on my wall too, or maybe my ceiling, so when I opened my eyes in the morning, I’d be greeted with sunlight even on the cloudiest days.
”I’m tired,” he chokes out, bending his head forward and resting it defeatedly against my collar. “I make everything worse, no matter what I do, no matter how many times I try to change, no matter how often I say I’m sorry or that I’ll be better or that I’ll make it up to them. I can’t smile right. I can’t walk right. I can’t wear the right clothes or say the right things or bruise the right way. I want... I w-want someone to not be so angry with me... I want someone to be gentle... when they look at me and touch me...and kiss me...”
”I want to make you feel safe,” I whisper. “And heard. I want to be someone you can trust and rely on. I want to become your new favorite place. More than Annie’s Brews, more than the gallery. When you think of escape and warmth and comfort, I want you to think of me.”
Someone fetch me a bubble wrap, please, these characters can’t be without protection from the world a minute longer 🥺
I’m sure most future readers have already checked out the early reviews and have been warned, but I feel the need to chip in. Don’t just fall for the cover and skip the CWs. Going into this book for some adorable romance and cute autumn vibes would sucker-punch you, then pat your head lovingly, and then kick you for fun, just to get the message across. Consider yourself warned.
The premise is fairly simple, with the kind of funny meet-ugly (or more like asking out-ugly) that’s OTT hilarious. A cocky, confident quarterback Cameron asks the team’s assistant Mason out, and the boy dares to flatly refuse! The horror. What’s even more humiliating for Cameron, he needs tutoring to bring his grades up; otherwise, he won’t be able to play football. And who's better for the tutor position than the straight-A student Mason? Cue hilariousness, cute study dates, funny banter...
...or not really. This book packs such an emotional punch. Both Cameron and Mason are incredible, nuanced characters who are going through hell while trying to maintain their respective facades. Cameron made such a bad first impression, I was a bit worried I wouldn’t actually like him. AhaHAHA I’ll set the world on fire if someone lays a finger on him :) Once his jock persona started to crack thanks to Mason’s prodding, I didn’t stand a chance. He’s the boy who used to collect and paint rocks. Who used to buy flowers for his mom every week. And he’s the boy who felt the need to stomp everything sweet about himself down to feel safe out in the world that looks at such preciousness and calls it a weakness. Despite it all, he manages to keep his kind, beautiful heart full of empathy intact.
Mason...where to even start? My brave, brave boy. He seems pretty closed-off, with trust issues rooted very deeply in, and what he was going through is horrible beyond words, but I loved that he still showed his sassy side that speaks sarcasm fluently.
I adored how their relationship progressed from outright dislike to curiosity that allowed them to see the dark corners in the other’s eyes, some very familiar demons. Then came care and worry. Gentleness. Trust. And finally, commitment to being each other’s source of strength through some truly hard times.
A.M. Woody did an incredibly authentic job of depicting a person who’s been thoroughly groomed and gaslit into isolation and no self-esteem, making them dependent on their abuser. And seeing a kid, barely a teenager, in such a situation that even adults struggle to cope with, utterly broke my heart. I was worried I wouldn’t find all the shards again, but by the end, Woody handed my heart back mended, sealing my trust in them.
The diary entries, though. The blasted diary entries written by a young teen Mason, allowing us glimpses into his past through his eager, besotted eyes. They’re honestly a work of genius because the contrast between his innocent POV and our merciless understanding of exactly what’s happening was all the more insidious.
I couldn’t even full-out cry while reading this story because of how viciously angry I got at times. Especially because situations like Mason’s are far from fictional, and they happen way more often than our brains are usually comfortable with contemplating...
Where were the parents when all the shit was happening, you ask? Let’s just say they would’ve been more useful grounded into a meatloaf (OKAY okay, I’m willing to cut some slack to one of them...). Thank god at least the other set of parents was absolutely amazing, otherwise I would’ve gone on a warpath 😒
It’s safe to say, this book brought some potent emotions in me ahaha - I kind of stress-sweated through my shirt during the most intense confrontations, trembling and hardly breathing through them. Then came some truly sweet moments between the boys and I was cooing like a mother hen. Then I was stressed again, having to take a break. I’m...exhausted. Woody didn’t pull their punches. But damn was it worth it.
My only slight complaint is that the last few chapters were suddenly written in a kind of rushed diary style, mostly telling and summarizing than showing.
OH! Can’t fail to mention the beautifully executed demisexual rep!
I have so much more to say but this damn thing is already obnoxiously long, so I’ll just leave you with some of my favorite parts, loves. Take care, everyone ❤️❤️
”Mason’s brows are high enough to blend into his hairline. Suddenly, he smiles. Eyes crinkling, face warming, cheeks flushing. And I think I’d hang this image up on my wall too, or maybe my ceiling, so when I opened my eyes in the morning, I’d be greeted with sunlight even on the cloudiest days.
”I’m tired,” he chokes out, bending his head forward and resting it defeatedly against my collar. “I make everything worse, no matter what I do, no matter how many times I try to change, no matter how often I say I’m sorry or that I’ll be better or that I’ll make it up to them. I can’t smile right. I can’t walk right. I can’t wear the right clothes or say the right things or bruise the right way. I want... I w-want someone to not be so angry with me... I want someone to be gentle... when they look at me and touch me...and kiss me...”
”I want to make you feel safe,” I whisper. “And heard. I want to be someone you can trust and rely on. I want to become your new favorite place. More than Annie’s Brews, more than the gallery. When you think of escape and warmth and comfort, I want you to think of me.”
November 3, 2025
I’m afraid I’ve found a near go-to-favorite-author because amanda woody’s writing is magic, comfort and feelings all wrapped in a beautiful covered novel✨☕️💗
“I don’t know what kind of deal you made with the devil, but she gave you a smile so fucking beautiful it makes me feel like I might as well die because there’s nothing else worth seeing in this world.”
I just KNEW I was going to love this book!! I think they perfected writing characters who seem shallow but actually have a lot of past and troubles plaguing their mind. I feel like most characters that we read now, we just know there’s going to be a back story. The way they act, the standoffish personality. But here, cam’s not even aware of acting that way in the beginning. he’s determined to let go of the person he was in the past and stick to his new persona ; and I just loved reading how he feels safe enough to go back to the person he was.
I love how we went from this :😭
“Okay. What about me, exactly, has bewitched you, body and soul?” Mason’s maintaining his eerily pleasant, robotic expression.”
“Your face,” I squawk.
Mason blinks at me.
“I fuck with it,” I clarify. “Please go out with me.”
and Mason? when he said that all he wants is someone to be gentle with him????? I cried my little heart out😭😭 he deserves so much and everything!! He was soft, funny, mean and an angel all wrapped in one tiny person 💗 the strong emotional abuse he went through and his tragic home life was hard to read tbh. I didn’t know what to expect or how he would deal when he comes face to face with his past. I love the addition of his journal entries too, it was heartbreaking but definitely gave more clarity and descriptions of what he went through.
To this: 🕊️
“ It’s just that, I guess…I don’t know. If bewitching is a real power that exists in this world, the way you smile and laugh would probably be proof of it. Or something.”
Both the characters were darling separately and together! I loved them so so much and the way Cam practically swaddled Mason in his jackets??? 😭😭😭 how do authors write this shit. And although the story is about them, I wish went got more out of the teammates and friends✨✨ they were delightful characters, so I was hoping to read more scenes of them when cam that wasn’t just for shit and giggles you know? The only reason i gave it 4 stars and not 5 is because i honestly don’t think I’ll ever reread this again unlike her their book that i re read constantly because i have a problem🥀
“I don’t know what kind of deal you made with the devil, but she gave you a smile so fucking beautiful it makes me feel like I might as well die because there’s nothing else worth seeing in this world.”
I just KNEW I was going to love this book!! I think they perfected writing characters who seem shallow but actually have a lot of past and troubles plaguing their mind. I feel like most characters that we read now, we just know there’s going to be a back story. The way they act, the standoffish personality. But here, cam’s not even aware of acting that way in the beginning. he’s determined to let go of the person he was in the past and stick to his new persona ; and I just loved reading how he feels safe enough to go back to the person he was.
I love how we went from this :😭
“Okay. What about me, exactly, has bewitched you, body and soul?” Mason’s maintaining his eerily pleasant, robotic expression.”
“Your face,” I squawk.
Mason blinks at me.
“I fuck with it,” I clarify. “Please go out with me.”
and Mason? when he said that all he wants is someone to be gentle with him????? I cried my little heart out😭😭 he deserves so much and everything!! He was soft, funny, mean and an angel all wrapped in one tiny person 💗 the strong emotional abuse he went through and his tragic home life was hard to read tbh. I didn’t know what to expect or how he would deal when he comes face to face with his past. I love the addition of his journal entries too, it was heartbreaking but definitely gave more clarity and descriptions of what he went through.
To this: 🕊️
“ It’s just that, I guess…I don’t know. If bewitching is a real power that exists in this world, the way you smile and laugh would probably be proof of it. Or something.”
Both the characters were darling separately and together! I loved them so so much and the way Cam practically swaddled Mason in his jackets??? 😭😭😭 how do authors write this shit. And although the story is about them, I wish went got more out of the teammates and friends✨✨ they were delightful characters, so I was hoping to read more scenes of them when cam that wasn’t just for shit and giggles you know? The only reason i gave it 4 stars and not 5 is because i honestly don’t think I’ll ever reread this again unlike her their book that i re read constantly because i have a problem🥀
November 17, 2025
A.M Woody, you made a puddle out of me.
First off, how dare you? Second, thank you.
"If bewitching is a real power that exists in this world, the way you smile and laugh would probably be proof of it. Or something.”
------------------------
Prereading: This looks precious.
Postreading: It was, and so much more.
First off, how dare you? Second, thank you.
"If bewitching is a real power that exists in this world, the way you smile and laugh would probably be proof of it. Or something.”
------------------------
Prereading: This looks precious.
Postreading: It was, and so much more.
February 25, 2025
I was initially drawn to this because I just love this cover, it’s so cute. Then I checked the synopsis and was even more intrigued. I mean, football romance with tutoring after the quarterback got rejected by his soon-to-be tutor?! Sounds like a great time to me.
Now imagine my excitement when I got an arc from the author?! <3
One thing to note right from the start, this story wasn’t as light-hearted as the cover might suggest. It was heartbreaking and difficult to read at times because it deals with some pretty heavy topics. There is a detailed content warning in the beginning that I’d recommend everyone to read before starting this book.
With that said, I do think the author really managed to strike a perfect balance between difficult topics and a very sweet romance here. The story never felt too dark or heavy, but also not too light-hearted and fun considering the topics discussed. It was a very emotional read, but it wasn’t depressing, more the opposite, actually. It did go over the horrible things that happened to Mason and Cameron, but it also put emphasis on both of them trying to overcome what happened to them. And I loved reading about how they both tried so hard to be there for each other.
They were great main characters. Complex, well-rounded, quite different but equally loveable, they really grew on me throughout the story. Both of them had to deal with a lot, and it was so wonderful to see how they slowly started to open up and trust each other, and thus helping and supporting each other. Mason’s struggles were harrowing to read about, especially the diary entries, but also depicted in such a raw and realistic way, it gave me chills. The whole book was very well written, but those parts especially stood out to me.
The reason for why it wasn’t a 5-star read is just that I’m not the target audience for YA anymore and while I can recognise that this was a great story, it just didn’t fully hit for me. Also, the story sometimes felt a little confusing and repetitive when it came to their relationship, but that could also be because I’m not the target audience for this, and I just didn’t get it, idk.
Still a great read though!
Thank you to the author for the arc in exchange for an honest review.
___
This cover is so cute AND I got an arc?! 😍😍😍
Now imagine my excitement when I got an arc from the author?! <3
One thing to note right from the start, this story wasn’t as light-hearted as the cover might suggest. It was heartbreaking and difficult to read at times because it deals with some pretty heavy topics. There is a detailed content warning in the beginning that I’d recommend everyone to read before starting this book.
With that said, I do think the author really managed to strike a perfect balance between difficult topics and a very sweet romance here. The story never felt too dark or heavy, but also not too light-hearted and fun considering the topics discussed. It was a very emotional read, but it wasn’t depressing, more the opposite, actually. It did go over the horrible things that happened to Mason and Cameron, but it also put emphasis on both of them trying to overcome what happened to them. And I loved reading about how they both tried so hard to be there for each other.
They were great main characters. Complex, well-rounded, quite different but equally loveable, they really grew on me throughout the story. Both of them had to deal with a lot, and it was so wonderful to see how they slowly started to open up and trust each other, and thus helping and supporting each other. Mason’s struggles were harrowing to read about, especially the diary entries, but also depicted in such a raw and realistic way, it gave me chills. The whole book was very well written, but those parts especially stood out to me.
The reason for why it wasn’t a 5-star read is just that I’m not the target audience for YA anymore and while I can recognise that this was a great story, it just didn’t fully hit for me. Also, the story sometimes felt a little confusing and repetitive when it came to their relationship, but that could also be because I’m not the target audience for this, and I just didn’t get it, idk.
Still a great read though!
Thank you to the author for the arc in exchange for an honest review.
___
This cover is so cute AND I got an arc?! 😍😍😍
July 27, 2025
The way I read and review books, more than amazing writing, intricate plot and unique characters, a perfect book needs to make you feel viciously. Those are the types of books that stick with me and will be remembered even after I most likely forget the entire plot, the emotions I felt will supersede. This is the perfect example.
I knew this book would be heartbreaking, that's kinda the reason I requested an arc of it. This is my type of book, I love a story that breaks your heart and then puts it together again.
This is a ya book but I genuinely think adult readers will feel it much deeper, it left me sobbing way too many times. I just wanted to hug Mason and Cameron and say everything would be okay. While the ending is happy I liked that it wasn't in a fairytale way, there's still doubts and I won't lie I would very much like to see a sequel with them years after, as adults and healing from all the trauma.
I will definitely pick up A. M. Woody's other books because I loved the characters' relationships and as they are (I think?)simpler and happier I would like to just focus on the dynamics. I loved the football team and Cameron's relationship with his parents, give me more of that.
You can bet if the author comes out with another sad and traumatic book I will be first in line to buy it.
Oh, and look up trigger warnings before reading, if you have any, please.
Thank you so much Penguin Random House and Netgalley for the ARC!
I knew this book would be heartbreaking, that's kinda the reason I requested an arc of it. This is my type of book, I love a story that breaks your heart and then puts it together again.
This is a ya book but I genuinely think adult readers will feel it much deeper, it left me sobbing way too many times. I just wanted to hug Mason and Cameron and say everything would be okay. While the ending is happy I liked that it wasn't in a fairytale way, there's still doubts and I won't lie I would very much like to see a sequel with them years after, as adults and healing from all the trauma.
I will definitely pick up A. M. Woody's other books because I loved the characters' relationships and as they are (I think?)simpler and happier I would like to just focus on the dynamics. I loved the football team and Cameron's relationship with his parents, give me more of that.
You can bet if the author comes out with another sad and traumatic book I will be first in line to buy it.
Oh, and look up trigger warnings before reading, if you have any, please.
Thank you so much Penguin Random House and Netgalley for the ARC!
November 25, 2025
Jock/nerd, tutoring, hidden depths, painful backstories -- all very tropey, to which I don't object in the slightest. One star earned for Mason's occasional zingers:
The characterizations are sometimes incoherent, sometimes improbable, and sometimes both at once. Cameron has assumed a fake personality and maintained it nonstop for two years, never letting it crack, and his loving parents, who alone of everyone around him have noticed that he's faking it and who know that he was relentlessly bullied at his former school, have never attempted to get him any kind of psychological help. He's either dopey or smart and insightful, depending on what the plot requires at any given point. By the end of the book he's a walking compendium of truisms on the subject of emotional abuse.
Mason's somewhat more believable. His mother emotionally abuses his father and he himself has been physically, emotionally, and sexually abused by his fiance. At school he manages to present himself as calm, remote, dryly witty -- and, fair, many victims of abuse are able to mask the problem in public. I still found it hard to believe both that the facade starts to drop as soon as Cameron takes a single poke at it, and that he's been keeping it up successfully for years.
A better writer might have pulled that off. Which leads me to consider the boundary between technical skill and narrative skill: how different are they really? Because good God but on a vocabulary / sentence / paragraph level the writing here is abominable.
Cameron: "I finish my lap, skin shimmering beneath the humble luster of sweat."
The football coach's "bushy eyebrows tent with sternness."
"Elwood is a decently sized town smothered with forestry ..." Need I say that Elwood isn't smothered with timber management?
Sprawling. So much sprawling. Windows sprawl, hands sprawl, hands sprawl out, windows sprawl some more, a corn maze sprawls (okay, that one's fine), a hand sprawls on a counter, Cameron's hand sprawls on Mason's back, Cameron thinks about "sprawling my head in [Mason's] lap," Mason "sprawls [Cameron's] palm out," hands are sprawled around a face and a little later are sprawled over the same face.
"His eyes, which were glazed on the fire, sharpen so they can look at me."
"Mason's lip flinches into a smirk."
"His shoulders break into a tremor." (Just his shoulders. Is that not the dance move known as a shimmy?)
A necklace is "decorated with aquamarine to make it look like jewelry." A necklace that looks like jewelry, fancy that!
"his annoyed eyes piercing through my face"
"autumn-gray light floods the building, making the need for overhead fluorescents unnecessary." There are necessary needs, and then there are unnecessary needs. Okay!
A short list of words used in ways that bear little or no relationship to their actual meaning: menial, conscience, bestowed, lethargy, plaited ("The building is weathered down but plaited with windows" -- a little further down, these same windows are "sprawling," so I guess the plait isn't very tight), flourishes, bamboozled, tirade, hectic. Someone, for the love of all that's holy, buy A.M. Woody a dictionary.
I almost forgot to mention that the fall semester of senior year is over, so "The college application process is weeks away." Where are these kids' guidance counselors? HONESTLY.
Thanks to Penguin and NetGalley for the ARC.
“Cameron Morelli,” he says, as soft as he looks, “I would sooner star as the lone twink in a porno featuring the entire football team before ever accepting an invitation to dinner with you. Does that clarify the situation?”They kept me going long, long after any sensible person would have bailed on this farrago.
The characterizations are sometimes incoherent, sometimes improbable, and sometimes both at once. Cameron has assumed a fake personality and maintained it nonstop for two years, never letting it crack, and his loving parents, who alone of everyone around him have noticed that he's faking it and who know that he was relentlessly bullied at his former school, have never attempted to get him any kind of psychological help. He's either dopey or smart and insightful, depending on what the plot requires at any given point. By the end of the book he's a walking compendium of truisms on the subject of emotional abuse.
Mason's somewhat more believable. His mother emotionally abuses his father and he himself has been physically, emotionally, and sexually abused by his fiance. At school he manages to present himself as calm, remote, dryly witty -- and, fair, many victims of abuse are able to mask the problem in public. I still found it hard to believe both that the facade starts to drop as soon as Cameron takes a single poke at it, and that he's been keeping it up successfully for years.
A better writer might have pulled that off. Which leads me to consider the boundary between technical skill and narrative skill: how different are they really? Because good God but on a vocabulary / sentence / paragraph level the writing here is abominable.
Cameron: "I finish my lap, skin shimmering beneath the humble luster of sweat."
The football coach's "bushy eyebrows tent with sternness."
"Elwood is a decently sized town smothered with forestry ..." Need I say that Elwood isn't smothered with timber management?
Sprawling. So much sprawling. Windows sprawl, hands sprawl, hands sprawl out, windows sprawl some more, a corn maze sprawls (okay, that one's fine), a hand sprawls on a counter, Cameron's hand sprawls on Mason's back, Cameron thinks about "sprawling my head in [Mason's] lap," Mason "sprawls [Cameron's] palm out," hands are sprawled around a face and a little later are sprawled over the same face.
"His eyes, which were glazed on the fire, sharpen so they can look at me."
"Mason's lip flinches into a smirk."
"His shoulders break into a tremor." (Just his shoulders. Is that not the dance move known as a shimmy?)
A necklace is "decorated with aquamarine to make it look like jewelry." A necklace that looks like jewelry, fancy that!
"his annoyed eyes piercing through my face"
"autumn-gray light floods the building, making the need for overhead fluorescents unnecessary." There are necessary needs, and then there are unnecessary needs. Okay!
A short list of words used in ways that bear little or no relationship to their actual meaning: menial, conscience, bestowed, lethargy, plaited ("The building is weathered down but plaited with windows" -- a little further down, these same windows are "sprawling," so I guess the plait isn't very tight), flourishes, bamboozled, tirade, hectic. Someone, for the love of all that's holy, buy A.M. Woody a dictionary.
I almost forgot to mention that the fall semester of senior year is over, so "The college application process is weeks away." Where are these kids' guidance counselors? HONESTLY.
Thanks to Penguin and NetGalley for the ARC.
January 4, 2026
First book read in 2026!
October 14, 2025
Most Valuable Player had me sobbing while clutching at my heart one minute and laughing and falling in love the next 🥰😭 A.M Woody once again proves why they're the master of YA rom-com-traum!
"I want to become your new favorite place."
This is a fantastic read though not an easy one due to the heavy topics it deals with. However, Woody does a great job balancing the brutal, angsty, and painful parts with beautiful, warm, and soft ones. There's also lots of laugh-out-loud moments and delightful banter as well as cute nicknames and a slow, wonderful love story ❤️
Mason and Cameron are my sons now and I'll be shrinking them and carrying them around in my pocket from to prevent anything bad from ever happening to them again! 👬 These boys were Going Through It, Mason especially. My heart absolutely ached for him and while hard to read, I'm so glad this book exists. The character work was excellent and it was so rewarding to see the growth and slow healing these guys got to experience throughout the course of the book.
Like They Hate Each Other, Most Valuable Player also has a gorgeous cover that doesn't quite convey the emotional depth and trauma that lies beneath the fun, antagonistic, opposites-attract setup. If you liked one, I can almost guarantee you'll like the other, and if you've read neither what are you waiting for?
Thanks to Viking Books for the ARC.
"I want to become your new favorite place."
This is a fantastic read though not an easy one due to the heavy topics it deals with. However, Woody does a great job balancing the brutal, angsty, and painful parts with beautiful, warm, and soft ones. There's also lots of laugh-out-loud moments and delightful banter as well as cute nicknames and a slow, wonderful love story ❤️
Mason and Cameron are my sons now and I'll be shrinking them and carrying them around in my pocket from to prevent anything bad from ever happening to them again! 👬 These boys were Going Through It, Mason especially. My heart absolutely ached for him and while hard to read, I'm so glad this book exists. The character work was excellent and it was so rewarding to see the growth and slow healing these guys got to experience throughout the course of the book.
Like They Hate Each Other, Most Valuable Player also has a gorgeous cover that doesn't quite convey the emotional depth and trauma that lies beneath the fun, antagonistic, opposites-attract setup. If you liked one, I can almost guarantee you'll like the other, and if you've read neither what are you waiting for?
Thanks to Viking Books for the ARC.
dnf
November 2, 2025sorry to my friends that loved this but i just can’t
i don’t like the characters and i literally hate the writing style, over descriptive and using obvious secrets and traumas as a ploy to keep me interested. i’m not interested, im bored and annoyed.
i literally try to do anything but read these days to avoid going on with this book and it’s just not worth it
i don’t like the characters and i literally hate the writing style, over descriptive and using obvious secrets and traumas as a ploy to keep me interested. i’m not interested, im bored and annoyed.
i literally try to do anything but read these days to avoid going on with this book and it’s just not worth it
November 12, 2025
He feels so lonely, so tired, so beaten. Seeing him like this is agonizing to me, because I get it. Maybe not to his extent, but this helplessness, this desire for such a simple thing - for someone, anyone, to just be kind...
I understand.
This book was a huge surprise for me. After an opening like this: Mason Gray, your face is mine and a hilarious banter between the two main characters that followed the opening, of course I hadn't expected to be hit with a hammer full of emotional baggage. I thought that it would be just a fun, light and cute story that will make my cheeks hurt from smiling. Don't get me wrong, I smiled, because some of the scenes are truly funny and cute, but I also teared up too often for it to be healthy.
Brace yourselves, guys, because this review will be quite long. I could just write that this book was awesome and leave it at that, but it wouldn't give you any valuable informations, would it? I hope that, whoever is torn about picking Most Valuable Player or not, will decide to do so after reading this positive review. Because yes, it is a positive review.
I'm always excited to pick up a M/M story book, because I'm a simple girl who likes to read about boys falling in love (I like straight romances too, I had to make it clear). But when it comes to this genre of books, there are more misses than hits for me. I'm ending up heavily frustrated and disappointed, because more often than not, things that happens in these books do not look romantic to me. Like, AT ALL. They can be uncomfortable, feel wrong or be straight up abusive (or there is lack of chemistry between the couple) and I find myself struggling to root for them. I'm happy to say that Most Valuable Player is NOT that kind of book. Yes, there are heavy topics and one of them is abuse, but nothing wrong happens between the main characters. On the contrary, everything is masterfully constructed, from the characters to the romance plot, and you can't help, but root for the boys, both as a couple and as individual characters as well.
"I don't know what kind of deal you made with the devil, but she gave you a smile so fucking beautiful it makes me feel like I might as well die because there's nothing else worth seeing in this world." [Cameron]
To my utter relief, the boys aren't horny teenagers who wherever they look at the other, all they think about is how he will look naked. They aren't boys that ruined their first kiss or their first time to alcohol or some traumatic experience that they needed to get rid of. No. Cameron and Mason's relationship starts off rocky (with Cameron's hilarious humiliation), but progresses into a solid friendship and ends up not just as a beautiful, lovely couple, but as each other's safe place, each other's comfort. What they built between them was respect, understanding and a deep, emotional connection - something that I'm always looking for in the romance stories, but rarely find it, unfortunately. What I also liked is the fact that they both have their individual issues that they need to face and learn the needed lessons that do not overshadow their love story. Everything is very nicely balanced, which is another thing that lacks in other romance books who like to focus on the romance and forgetting to develop individual stories.
Okay, let's meet the characters now.
Cam Morelli and Mason Gray both live in Elwood, are attending the same high school and have weekly meetings at the field where Cameron's team is having football practices and matches. You see, Cam is a loud, narcissistic quarterback (or so it seems) and Mason is a quiet and dull water boy (or so it seems). Their relationship started through a laugh when Cam tried to ask Mason out, but was rejected, and developed through their tutoring sessions and other meetings where they started to care about each other more and more. They are both wearing armours, the different personas that they carefully created for themselves that are seemingly different from each other, but are pretty similar actually.
"I guess," he says eventually, his voice quiet, "I'm just trying to figure you out."
I frown, tucking one knee up into my chest. "I'm extremely flat and shallow," I tell him. "I have no depth at all. So you don't need to worry."
"I might've believed that last week." Mason taps his clipboard against his chin, observing me from the corner of his eye. "I'm not so sure anymore."
Through their actions cracks start to show in each other's armours, more and more, until they finally break and the boys true selves see the light of the day. They bravely fight for each other and face their own demons before they became a true couple. I can't say that they live happily ever after, though, no, because the stuff that they needed to face were too heavy to just shrug off and forget about it. That's also a big plus for the story - the trauma wasn't just taken away because of love. Love can be a supportive system, yes, but it isn't a medicine. It cannot heal trauma, no matter how much we would want it to.
I know what it's like to feel so fucking alone you might as well disappear.
Maybe I don't need to ask anything. Maybe I just need to tell him that if he disappeared...
I would notice. [Cameron]
As I said, the beginning of the story starts in a funny way, but it's deceiving, because it contains some heavy topics, like bullying and emotional abuse. These things weren't just there to give the main characters some teary backstories that weren't explored further. No. They were a constant thing through the whole story and had a real, deep impact on the characters. It makes them real and relatable, and it builds an emotional connection between them and the readers.
"This okay?" I mumble.
Mason hesitates. Slowly, he nods.
"I don't know what's going on, water boy. But I've got you."
Both Cameron and Mason struggle a lot through the story, facing past trauma that reflects through the present. Some things are truly hard to get through, it gets really emotional and you can't help, but tear up a lot. I also got angry a lot, mostly because of how young the boys were and how awful things happen to them. These two were just pure, sweet children who just wanted to be loved, but what they had been met with wasn't love, but fists and laughter. Instead of being taken care of, they just ended up being attacked and used, and taking wrong lessons from it. It was hard for me to deal with all of it, because all I wanted for them was to be happy :(
"I want to make you feel safe," I whisper. "And heard. I want to be someone you can trust and rely on. I want to become your new favorite place. More than Annie's Brews, more than the gallery. When you think of escape and warmth and comfort, I want you to think of me." [Cameron]
(for me, this is better than a simple "I love you", guys)
But they were each other's happiness, each other's comfort. I loved how they they always there for one another, not pushing, but being respectful and understanding of each other's walls. Waiting for the other to open up to them, with a helping hand, a comforting smile and a warm hug. It was so cute to see their excitement to see each other and spending time with one another, realizing how safe they feel around each other. They seemed like boys from two different words, for many reasons, but they found things that bonded them together, for better and for worse. It was such a pleasure to watch them grow individually and as a couple. I hope to find more stories like this in the future ☺️
P.S. Fuck you, Liam. And fuck you, Mr. and Ms. Gray. Sincerely, the reader.
I understand.
This book was a huge surprise for me. After an opening like this: Mason Gray, your face is mine and a hilarious banter between the two main characters that followed the opening, of course I hadn't expected to be hit with a hammer full of emotional baggage. I thought that it would be just a fun, light and cute story that will make my cheeks hurt from smiling. Don't get me wrong, I smiled, because some of the scenes are truly funny and cute, but I also teared up too often for it to be healthy.
Brace yourselves, guys, because this review will be quite long. I could just write that this book was awesome and leave it at that, but it wouldn't give you any valuable informations, would it? I hope that, whoever is torn about picking Most Valuable Player or not, will decide to do so after reading this positive review. Because yes, it is a positive review.
I'm always excited to pick up a M/M story book, because I'm a simple girl who likes to read about boys falling in love (I like straight romances too, I had to make it clear). But when it comes to this genre of books, there are more misses than hits for me. I'm ending up heavily frustrated and disappointed, because more often than not, things that happens in these books do not look romantic to me. Like, AT ALL. They can be uncomfortable, feel wrong or be straight up abusive (or there is lack of chemistry between the couple) and I find myself struggling to root for them. I'm happy to say that Most Valuable Player is NOT that kind of book. Yes, there are heavy topics and one of them is abuse, but nothing wrong happens between the main characters. On the contrary, everything is masterfully constructed, from the characters to the romance plot, and you can't help, but root for the boys, both as a couple and as individual characters as well.
"I don't know what kind of deal you made with the devil, but she gave you a smile so fucking beautiful it makes me feel like I might as well die because there's nothing else worth seeing in this world." [Cameron]
To my utter relief, the boys aren't horny teenagers who wherever they look at the other, all they think about is how he will look naked. They aren't boys that ruined their first kiss or their first time to alcohol or some traumatic experience that they needed to get rid of. No. Cameron and Mason's relationship starts off rocky (with Cameron's hilarious humiliation), but progresses into a solid friendship and ends up not just as a beautiful, lovely couple, but as each other's safe place, each other's comfort. What they built between them was respect, understanding and a deep, emotional connection - something that I'm always looking for in the romance stories, but rarely find it, unfortunately. What I also liked is the fact that they both have their individual issues that they need to face and learn the needed lessons that do not overshadow their love story. Everything is very nicely balanced, which is another thing that lacks in other romance books who like to focus on the romance and forgetting to develop individual stories.
Okay, let's meet the characters now.
Cam Morelli and Mason Gray both live in Elwood, are attending the same high school and have weekly meetings at the field where Cameron's team is having football practices and matches. You see, Cam is a loud, narcissistic quarterback (or so it seems) and Mason is a quiet and dull water boy (or so it seems). Their relationship started through a laugh when Cam tried to ask Mason out, but was rejected, and developed through their tutoring sessions and other meetings where they started to care about each other more and more. They are both wearing armours, the different personas that they carefully created for themselves that are seemingly different from each other, but are pretty similar actually.
"I guess," he says eventually, his voice quiet, "I'm just trying to figure you out."
I frown, tucking one knee up into my chest. "I'm extremely flat and shallow," I tell him. "I have no depth at all. So you don't need to worry."
"I might've believed that last week." Mason taps his clipboard against his chin, observing me from the corner of his eye. "I'm not so sure anymore."
Through their actions cracks start to show in each other's armours, more and more, until they finally break and the boys true selves see the light of the day. They bravely fight for each other and face their own demons before they became a true couple. I can't say that they live happily ever after, though, no, because the stuff that they needed to face were too heavy to just shrug off and forget about it. That's also a big plus for the story - the trauma wasn't just taken away because of love. Love can be a supportive system, yes, but it isn't a medicine. It cannot heal trauma, no matter how much we would want it to.
I know what it's like to feel so fucking alone you might as well disappear.
Maybe I don't need to ask anything. Maybe I just need to tell him that if he disappeared...
I would notice. [Cameron]
As I said, the beginning of the story starts in a funny way, but it's deceiving, because it contains some heavy topics, like bullying and emotional abuse. These things weren't just there to give the main characters some teary backstories that weren't explored further. No. They were a constant thing through the whole story and had a real, deep impact on the characters. It makes them real and relatable, and it builds an emotional connection between them and the readers.
"This okay?" I mumble.
Mason hesitates. Slowly, he nods.
"I don't know what's going on, water boy. But I've got you."
Both Cameron and Mason struggle a lot through the story, facing past trauma that reflects through the present. Some things are truly hard to get through, it gets really emotional and you can't help, but tear up a lot. I also got angry a lot, mostly because of how young the boys were and how awful things happen to them. These two were just pure, sweet children who just wanted to be loved, but what they had been met with wasn't love, but fists and laughter. Instead of being taken care of, they just ended up being attacked and used, and taking wrong lessons from it. It was hard for me to deal with all of it, because all I wanted for them was to be happy :(
"I want to make you feel safe," I whisper. "And heard. I want to be someone you can trust and rely on. I want to become your new favorite place. More than Annie's Brews, more than the gallery. When you think of escape and warmth and comfort, I want you to think of me." [Cameron]
(for me, this is better than a simple "I love you", guys)
But they were each other's happiness, each other's comfort. I loved how they they always there for one another, not pushing, but being respectful and understanding of each other's walls. Waiting for the other to open up to them, with a helping hand, a comforting smile and a warm hug. It was so cute to see their excitement to see each other and spending time with one another, realizing how safe they feel around each other. They seemed like boys from two different words, for many reasons, but they found things that bonded them together, for better and for worse. It was such a pleasure to watch them grow individually and as a couple. I hope to find more stories like this in the future ☺️
P.S. Fuck you, Liam. And fuck you, Mr. and Ms. Gray. Sincerely, the reader.
October 27, 2025
I waited a long ass time for this book and it DELIVERED. I swear Amanda Woody writes in a way that makes you feel like getting the warmest hug and like that coziest feeling of sipping hot cocoa in front of a fireplace. You get me? This is how unbelievably warm and homey i felt throughout the 300 pages.
Cameron and Mason were THE most adorable characters ever! The rom-com part of the rom-com-traum had me giggling and squealing and kicking my feet but also, ngl, the traum part of it was heavier than i expected and my heart broke for these baby boys, especially Mason for the emotional and physical abuse he went through. Every single part of it was written so beautifully, i know it's gonna possess me for a long, long time.
The gentle love and paying attention to details part of their romance had me in a chokehold. I wasn't sure how much likeable Cameron's character was going to be but the way i adored that cute little big himbo jock?! He was a GONER for Mason and the development of his feelings that literally went from:
“What about me, exactly, has bewitched you, body and soul?”
“Your face,” I squawk.
Mason blinks at me.
“I fuck with it,” I clarify. “Please go out with me.”
to:
“Mason Gray,” I say, slow and careful. “You have bewitched me, body and soul.”... “I fall asleep thinking about your smile,” I continue, grazing my knuckles against his soft cheekbone. “I like the way you put me in my place. I can’t stop thinking about the look on your face when you’re somewhere that makes you happy. I want to do everything I can to see that side of you, to make you smile and glow. I want to make you feel safe,” I whisper. “And heard. I want to be someone you can trust and rely on. I want to become your new favorite place. More than Annie’s Brews, more than the gallery. When you think of escape and warmth and comfort, I want you to think of me.”
it was so fucking endearing to read about. I'm SO in love with these honey buns. And i know whatever Amanda's gonna write, i'm surely going to gobble it up in one sitting
Cameron and Mason were THE most adorable characters ever! The rom-com part of the rom-com-traum had me giggling and squealing and kicking my feet but also, ngl, the traum part of it was heavier than i expected and my heart broke for these baby boys, especially Mason for the emotional and physical abuse he went through. Every single part of it was written so beautifully, i know it's gonna possess me for a long, long time.
The gentle love and paying attention to details part of their romance had me in a chokehold. I wasn't sure how much likeable Cameron's character was going to be but the way i adored that cute little big himbo jock?! He was a GONER for Mason and the development of his feelings that literally went from:
“What about me, exactly, has bewitched you, body and soul?”
“Your face,” I squawk.
Mason blinks at me.
“I fuck with it,” I clarify. “Please go out with me.”
to:
“Mason Gray,” I say, slow and careful. “You have bewitched me, body and soul.”... “I fall asleep thinking about your smile,” I continue, grazing my knuckles against his soft cheekbone. “I like the way you put me in my place. I can’t stop thinking about the look on your face when you’re somewhere that makes you happy. I want to do everything I can to see that side of you, to make you smile and glow. I want to make you feel safe,” I whisper. “And heard. I want to be someone you can trust and rely on. I want to become your new favorite place. More than Annie’s Brews, more than the gallery. When you think of escape and warmth and comfort, I want you to think of me.”
it was so fucking endearing to read about. I'm SO in love with these honey buns. And i know whatever Amanda's gonna write, i'm surely going to gobble it up in one sitting
February 15, 2025
I already know this is going to be one of my favourite books of 2025! 🙂↕️ I literally had to force myself to put it down, otherwise I wouldn’t sleep 😅. I was sad when it ended bc I wanted this book to go on foreverrrrrrr!
We are following 2 MCs, Mason and Cameron, both of whom have had difficult lives, which made them put on façades and withdraw from their peers. This story explores both of their struggles in a very raw and vulnerable way, which was difficult to read at times, but it was also a very realistic portrayal of these problems (definitely check out the TWs)! I really liked seeing Mason and Cameron growing to overcome these issues, and being there for each other through these difficult moments.
Individually, the characters were great! Cameron is a really funny character (Amanda Woody always manages to write funny MCs. It’s not often I highlight funny one-liners in books, but with this author, it’s a staple!). Mason was a more introverted character, but still quite sassy, so their banter was just >>>>>>. Both MCs were really well-developed.
Their romance was really sweet!! 🥺🤧😭 I looooved seeing Mason and Cameron growing closer and trusting each other more and more, to the point where they finally felt comfortable being themselves! They were so kind and understanding of each other’s boundaries, and their romance gave this story such a hopeful undertone; while there were difficult moments in the story, I knew these characters would always have each other to lean on. I just adoooored them!
Overall, I really enjoyed this book. I don’t really give quarter-stars, but if I did, this would be a 4,25 *. I feel like, if I read it again, I’d bump it up to 4,5 *. I just really enjoyed this book, and I can’t wait to have a physical copy! 🫂
Thanks to the author for providing me with an eARC of this book!
(review written on 15/02/2025)
—————
THE AUTHOR THEMSELF SENT ME AN ARC IM CRYING KICKING SCREAMING SHAKING THROWING UP PASSING OUT
(11/02/2025)
—————
"a cocky quarterback gets benched for low grades, and finds his tutor to be none other than the elusive waterboy who just ruthlessly rejected him."
oh i'm about to eat so fucking gooooooood
(18/10/2024)
We are following 2 MCs, Mason and Cameron, both of whom have had difficult lives, which made them put on façades and withdraw from their peers. This story explores both of their struggles in a very raw and vulnerable way, which was difficult to read at times, but it was also a very realistic portrayal of these problems (definitely check out the TWs)! I really liked seeing Mason and Cameron growing to overcome these issues, and being there for each other through these difficult moments.
Individually, the characters were great! Cameron is a really funny character (Amanda Woody always manages to write funny MCs. It’s not often I highlight funny one-liners in books, but with this author, it’s a staple!). Mason was a more introverted character, but still quite sassy, so their banter was just >>>>>>. Both MCs were really well-developed.
Their romance was really sweet!! 🥺🤧😭 I looooved seeing Mason and Cameron growing closer and trusting each other more and more, to the point where they finally felt comfortable being themselves! They were so kind and understanding of each other’s boundaries, and their romance gave this story such a hopeful undertone; while there were difficult moments in the story, I knew these characters would always have each other to lean on. I just adoooored them!
Overall, I really enjoyed this book. I don’t really give quarter-stars, but if I did, this would be a 4,25 *. I feel like, if I read it again, I’d bump it up to 4,5 *. I just really enjoyed this book, and I can’t wait to have a physical copy! 🫂
Thanks to the author for providing me with an eARC of this book!
(review written on 15/02/2025)
—————
THE AUTHOR THEMSELF SENT ME AN ARC IM CRYING KICKING SCREAMING SHAKING THROWING UP PASSING OUT
(11/02/2025)
—————
"a cocky quarterback gets benched for low grades, and finds his tutor to be none other than the elusive waterboy who just ruthlessly rejected him."
oh i'm about to eat so fucking gooooooood
(18/10/2024)
September 17, 2025
This one was REALLY GOOD!
I’m unfairly rating a five star book four stars, because I was expecting something WILDLY different.
This book is genuinely so sad, and the trauma TRAUMA-ED OKAY??
Going into it I was like: “oh so cutesy fall vibes!!”
I was then, promptly, spat in the eye and hit by a bus.
It was great.
No regrets.
Read this book, I like it.
Thank you netgalley, and my little pookies who work there, yall are doing gods work.
(Also, Moment of Appreciation for that cover!!)
I’m unfairly rating a five star book four stars, because I was expecting something WILDLY different.
This book is genuinely so sad, and the trauma TRAUMA-ED OKAY??
Going into it I was like: “oh so cutesy fall vibes!!”
I was then, promptly, spat in the eye and hit by a bus.
It was great.
No regrets.
Read this book, I like it.
Thank you netgalley, and my little pookies who work there, yall are doing gods work.
(Also, Moment of Appreciation for that cover!!)
September 5, 2025
When Amanda announced 'Most Valuable Player' on Twitter, I knew I was going to read it and that I was going to love it. I specifically search out books with bi4bi couples to read and that's always a staple in her books, plus they hate each other is one of my favorite books ever so I was pretty confident. This was way better than I imagined.
I can't describe the flurry of emotions I felt reading this book, all I know is that I cried and I laughed. It was so refreshing to read a YA book that didn't sanitize the heavy topics it included, nor did it talk down to its intended young audience. Bullying and grooming were presented from the perspective of the victims, the main characters, and how difficult it is to get out of that headspace especially when your abuser still has access to you. It hurts me so much but it was written so well.
I always love how Woody writes her teen characters. They're always smart and emotionally mature/sincere while still retaining that teenage immaturity and whimsy that I love, and Cameron and Mason were no different. It was a delight to see their relationship blossom from the original rejection to the end of the book. I just might love them more than Dylan and Jonah (impossible lol).
Even though I didn't like that the resolution was not cleanly wrapped up, I concede on the basis that it is realistic and fitting to the story. I can't wait for the book to come out so I can read the finished version. What an amazing experience!
Thank you to Netgalley and Amanda Woody for the ARC copy in exchange for an honest review
I can't describe the flurry of emotions I felt reading this book, all I know is that I cried and I laughed. It was so refreshing to read a YA book that didn't sanitize the heavy topics it included, nor did it talk down to its intended young audience. Bullying and grooming were presented from the perspective of the victims, the main characters, and how difficult it is to get out of that headspace especially when your abuser still has access to you. It hurts me so much but it was written so well.
I always love how Woody writes her teen characters. They're always smart and emotionally mature/sincere while still retaining that teenage immaturity and whimsy that I love, and Cameron and Mason were no different. It was a delight to see their relationship blossom from the original rejection to the end of the book. I just might love them more than Dylan and Jonah (impossible lol).
Even though I didn't like that the resolution was not cleanly wrapped up, I concede on the basis that it is realistic and fitting to the story. I can't wait for the book to come out so I can read the finished version. What an amazing experience!
Thank you to Netgalley and Amanda Woody for the ARC copy in exchange for an honest review
July 27, 2025
RTC 🩷
December 23, 2025
To be loved is to be seen and i have seen enough.
May 28, 2025
This is queer YA romance at its best. You can tell that so much love and care was put into this story and its characters.
The character development? The romance? Flawless. I'd blink and 50 pages had passed - I just couldn't put this one down.
I want to protect Mason and Cameron with every fibre of my being. Gnawing on my kindle, wishing there was a sequel or a 200 page epilogue because I could literally read about them doing nothing. Side note but I'm hit or miss when characters use nicknames but the nicknames in this book? SO cute. (Big Princess Bride vibes.)
I know this review isn't coherent. I'll go back to it and write something more thoughtful later. But but for now I'm still feeling Big Emotions from this book and this is best you're going to get from me.
Oh and this cover?? It's?? Beautiful? In love with it.
The BIGGEST thanks to Amanda for the e-ARC!
The character development? The romance? Flawless. I'd blink and 50 pages had passed - I just couldn't put this one down.
I want to protect Mason and Cameron with every fibre of my being. Gnawing on my kindle, wishing there was a sequel or a 200 page epilogue because I could literally read about them doing nothing. Side note but I'm hit or miss when characters use nicknames but the nicknames in this book? SO cute. (Big Princess Bride vibes.)
I know this review isn't coherent. I'll go back to it and write something more thoughtful later. But but for now I'm still feeling Big Emotions from this book and this is best you're going to get from me.
Oh and this cover?? It's?? Beautiful? In love with it.
The BIGGEST thanks to Amanda for the e-ARC!
March 31, 2025
while most valuable player didn't quite hit the mark for my personal tastes, i wouldn't necessarily call it a bad book. my rating feels generous if we're going solely off of enjoyment, but giving it anything lower than four stars feels like an undeserved slight. though the first half of the book had writing that felt admittedly juvenile, the story is solid (can feel rushed, but the bones are sturdy). the themes/relationships are meaningful. impactful. characters feel like real people you can get to know.
i think i would have loved, and probably really needed, to read something like this when i was a troubled little teenager. so... while it didn’t totally connect with me in my adult years, i’m glad it exists for the kids who need it today.
i think i would have loved, and probably really needed, to read something like this when i was a troubled little teenager. so... while it didn’t totally connect with me in my adult years, i’m glad it exists for the kids who need it today.
November 1, 2025
3.5
"Must Valuable Player" was a lovely book. It was heart-warming and heart-rending; it made me laugh and it made my soul ache; it made me smile so hard my cheekes ached with how much I adored the romance and the two protagonists' dynamic, but it also made me want to jump into the book and shield them both from harm and wrap them in blankets.
Unfortunately, it didn't totally work for me.
This was one of my most anticipated reads of the year, but the deadly combination of my reading slump still kicking my butt and me becoming even more picky than I originally was, made me rate this lower than I would have a year ago.
Alas.
I don't know what went wrong, but I can pinpoint a few issues I had that detracted my enjoyment: the writing wasn't my favourite, and I would have loved for the protagonists' relationship to feel a bit more balanced. The first aspect is totally subjective, and the second issue is more connected to the fact that I wanted Cameron's backstory explored with the same intensity as Mason's. I felt like their relationship would have benefited from a bit more of a role reversal, but maybe that's my Cameron-loving heart speaking.
Not to say I didn't love Mason, because I did, but. Yeah. Cameron was my favourite. I loved him, and I adored his relationship with his parents so freaking much. He was such a cutie pie, ugh! He deserves the whole world.
Mason's POVs were immensely hard to get through, and I really liked and appreciated the fact that his trauma wasn't "healed" magically through Cameron's love at the end. Both boys didn't magically know how to be there for each other, and I loved that we got to see their relationship progress through errors and false steps. It was realistic and also it very much made sense for their ages.
The emotional and domestic abuse aspects of this novel were also so well-done: hard-hitting and frustrating and realistic. The author really showed how difficult it is to acknowledge that kind of abuse to yourself, and also what it does to the brain and self-esteem of the victim. So kudos for that. I really appreciated how well-done it was.
So yeah.
At the end of the day, despite a few issues, this was an enjoyable read. Most of the people that I know have adored this novel to absolute bits: my issues were totally subjective and caused by my brain being impossible at the moment.
I do recommend it! I hope you all will enjoy it SO much more than I did.
Many thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. This is my honest review.
TWs: domestic abuse, emotional and physical abuse, past violence, past sexual assault, grooming, past minor/adult relationship, bullying, biphobia, past depression, suicide ideation, panic attacks.
"Must Valuable Player" was a lovely book. It was heart-warming and heart-rending; it made me laugh and it made my soul ache; it made me smile so hard my cheekes ached with how much I adored the romance and the two protagonists' dynamic, but it also made me want to jump into the book and shield them both from harm and wrap them in blankets.
Unfortunately, it didn't totally work for me.
This was one of my most anticipated reads of the year, but the deadly combination of my reading slump still kicking my butt and me becoming even more picky than I originally was, made me rate this lower than I would have a year ago.
Alas.
I don't know what went wrong, but I can pinpoint a few issues I had that detracted my enjoyment: the writing wasn't my favourite, and I would have loved for the protagonists' relationship to feel a bit more balanced. The first aspect is totally subjective, and the second issue is more connected to the fact that I wanted Cameron's backstory explored with the same intensity as Mason's. I felt like their relationship would have benefited from a bit more of a role reversal, but maybe that's my Cameron-loving heart speaking.
Not to say I didn't love Mason, because I did, but. Yeah. Cameron was my favourite. I loved him, and I adored his relationship with his parents so freaking much. He was such a cutie pie, ugh! He deserves the whole world.
Mason's POVs were immensely hard to get through, and I really liked and appreciated the fact that his trauma wasn't "healed" magically through Cameron's love at the end. Both boys didn't magically know how to be there for each other, and I loved that we got to see their relationship progress through errors and false steps. It was realistic and also it very much made sense for their ages.
The emotional and domestic abuse aspects of this novel were also so well-done: hard-hitting and frustrating and realistic. The author really showed how difficult it is to acknowledge that kind of abuse to yourself, and also what it does to the brain and self-esteem of the victim. So kudos for that. I really appreciated how well-done it was.
So yeah.
At the end of the day, despite a few issues, this was an enjoyable read. Most of the people that I know have adored this novel to absolute bits: my issues were totally subjective and caused by my brain being impossible at the moment.
I do recommend it! I hope you all will enjoy it SO much more than I did.
Many thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. This is my honest review.
TWs: domestic abuse, emotional and physical abuse, past violence, past sexual assault, grooming, past minor/adult relationship, bullying, biphobia, past depression, suicide ideation, panic attacks.
October 28, 2025
I definitely enjoyed this, but like the authors other work it tackles a lot of really difficult and important topics. So don’t go into this just expecting a quick and light read. RTC
May 1, 2025
Thank you to Penguin Teen for sending an arc of MVP to my bookstore.
I started this book at the beginning of the month and had to put it down for two weeks because it made me so unbelievably angry. I am never one to write angry reviews, but after seeing how many five star ratings there are, I feel the need to put my opinion about this novel on here so other readers can make an informed decision before reading.
Despite the potential I see in this book, MVP fell flat for me in many ways. First, the writing feels at times very juvenile and other times, extremely mature. Because of this, I felt as if I was constantly getting whiplash from the book. Some pages would give me chest pains (non-literal) from the childishness and then I would flip to the next page and Cameron would say something profoundly mature. It didn’t quite make sense.
The biggest red flag for me was the way Mason’s trauma was written and dealt with. On one hand, readers do need to see grooming and domestic trauma in YA books. It DOES happen and someone may not recognize the signs until they see them from an outside perspective.
On the other hand, when this level of trauma is written poorly or not developed enough, I believe that it could be dangerous for a reader, especially a young one. The trauma and mental health aspects of MVP are written very surface level and I spent a lot of time while reading feeling angry about how nonchalant the trauma was written. The summary even says “sometimes it takes a few fumbles to score the right guy…” which completely downplays the seriousness of Mason’s past.
Mason was groomed for years by an older man and not a single person in his life or at his school had any concern for him. His parents even ENCOURAGED him to get back together with his abuser. This moment in the novel made me sick to my stomach. And by the end of the book, I was seriously questioning why someone did not mention any mental health resources to him. The poor boy needs therapy, at least!
When it came to Cameron’s trauma, the entire plot line was completely abandoned about half way into the book and mentioned in two single lines in the last 30 pages of the book. We never get to see Cameron confront his trauma like we do Mason and it’s all but abandoned. I almost completely forgot that Cameron had his own mental health hardships until it was mentioned again at the end.
Ultimately, I think the author could have found a different way to build a water boy x quarterback romance without using trauma as a way to make Mason “interesting” and worth Cameron getting to know him because he “acts differently.” It felt like a twisted meet-cute.
I was very excited for this title based on the pairing, but I ended the book feeling flat and disappointed.
I started this book at the beginning of the month and had to put it down for two weeks because it made me so unbelievably angry. I am never one to write angry reviews, but after seeing how many five star ratings there are, I feel the need to put my opinion about this novel on here so other readers can make an informed decision before reading.
Despite the potential I see in this book, MVP fell flat for me in many ways. First, the writing feels at times very juvenile and other times, extremely mature. Because of this, I felt as if I was constantly getting whiplash from the book. Some pages would give me chest pains (non-literal) from the childishness and then I would flip to the next page and Cameron would say something profoundly mature. It didn’t quite make sense.
The biggest red flag for me was the way Mason’s trauma was written and dealt with. On one hand, readers do need to see grooming and domestic trauma in YA books. It DOES happen and someone may not recognize the signs until they see them from an outside perspective.
On the other hand, when this level of trauma is written poorly or not developed enough, I believe that it could be dangerous for a reader, especially a young one. The trauma and mental health aspects of MVP are written very surface level and I spent a lot of time while reading feeling angry about how nonchalant the trauma was written. The summary even says “sometimes it takes a few fumbles to score the right guy…” which completely downplays the seriousness of Mason’s past.
Mason was groomed for years by an older man and not a single person in his life or at his school had any concern for him. His parents even ENCOURAGED him to get back together with his abuser. This moment in the novel made me sick to my stomach. And by the end of the book, I was seriously questioning why someone did not mention any mental health resources to him. The poor boy needs therapy, at least!
When it came to Cameron’s trauma, the entire plot line was completely abandoned about half way into the book and mentioned in two single lines in the last 30 pages of the book. We never get to see Cameron confront his trauma like we do Mason and it’s all but abandoned. I almost completely forgot that Cameron had his own mental health hardships until it was mentioned again at the end.
Ultimately, I think the author could have found a different way to build a water boy x quarterback romance without using trauma as a way to make Mason “interesting” and worth Cameron getting to know him because he “acts differently.” It felt like a twisted meet-cute.
I was very excited for this title based on the pairing, but I ended the book feeling flat and disappointed.
October 22, 2025
it's been a while since i read a book in a day lol god bless gay sports romance books <3
August 19, 2025
Wow wow wow you guys this is one of the cutest things i’ve ever read. The two main characters cameron and mason are so sweet without being cheesy. Although the tropes used are pretty common this book felt like. fresh take on them and I was never bored. This book handled heavy topics with a gentle hand in a way that I think was just perfect. The slow burn romance had me avoiding going to sleep to see what was going to happen next. I think this book had good representation for the issues it handled and could be a great learning tool. Seeing the healthy relationship portrayed in this book is super important and i think everyone should pick this book up.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for proving me with an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for proving me with an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.
October 3, 2025
*turns on Iris by Goo Goo Dolls and starts crying in a corner about Cameron and Mason*
I'll stop being dramatic, but my eyes still hurt from crying yesterday. I think it always just hits harder for me when there is some sort of traumatic experience in early life, which is definitely explored here. I will say if you do have any triggers, please go read the trigger warnings. This was not a trigger for me, BUT the situation itself is very intense to the point where you can feel the emotions of the character vividly. And honestly, that just goes to show how great of writer this author is. I was so LIVID that I was shaking, sick to my stomach, and even my hands were sweating so bad at a certain scene. BUT all that to say, while there are some incredibly heavy moments here with trauma being navigated through both characters, I also spent a great deal of this book laughing out loud.
Cameron and Mason deserve the biggest hugs. And Cameron never failed to make me laugh. He is so ridiculous and goofy, while also just having the biggest freaking heart. He is not perfect by any means, and the way he functions day to day and how he has rationalized how he lives his life just makes me cry. He is so much more than the dumb jock he portrays (but sometimes he is just an idiot), and the way you can watch him become more and more comfortable in his own skin when he's with Mason.
MASON. MASONNN 😭 crap, I'm crying again. I literally can't say much about him and what he goes through, but it was so heartbreaking. I felt like he had no one in his corner until he met Cameron. Their relationship is literally everything. I really loved how they grew together and how they tried their best for themselves and for each other. And also just Mason discovering himself throughout this book, and navigating having a friend who cares about him. UGH. SOMEONE GIVE THESE CHARACTERS HUGS PRONTO!
ANYWAYS, I spent like the last 20% of this book with tears streaming down my face. I honestly had no idea what to expect going into this novel. I knew there would be some hard topics, and there sure was, but I also wasn't prepared to love Mason and Cameron so much. I am so glad I read this book. I am so thankful that I got to read this early, and I just can't wait to read more from this author. I would even read more about Cameron and Mason if the author, you know, wanted to write like a short story or something. No pressure. Noooo pressureeee. 🤣
ALSO side note, absolutely adored a certain set of parents here, and meanwhile I wish the WORST THINGS UPON THE OTHER SET. 🥰
Thank you netgalley and penguin teen for this e-arc <3
____________________________________
I'll come back to write a review when I'm done crying 😭😭
I'll stop being dramatic, but my eyes still hurt from crying yesterday. I think it always just hits harder for me when there is some sort of traumatic experience in early life, which is definitely explored here. I will say if you do have any triggers, please go read the trigger warnings. This was not a trigger for me, BUT the situation itself is very intense to the point where you can feel the emotions of the character vividly. And honestly, that just goes to show how great of writer this author is. I was so LIVID that I was shaking, sick to my stomach, and even my hands were sweating so bad at a certain scene. BUT all that to say, while there are some incredibly heavy moments here with trauma being navigated through both characters, I also spent a great deal of this book laughing out loud.
Cameron and Mason deserve the biggest hugs. And Cameron never failed to make me laugh. He is so ridiculous and goofy, while also just having the biggest freaking heart. He is not perfect by any means, and the way he functions day to day and how he has rationalized how he lives his life just makes me cry. He is so much more than the dumb jock he portrays (but sometimes he is just an idiot), and the way you can watch him become more and more comfortable in his own skin when he's with Mason.
MASON. MASONNN 😭 crap, I'm crying again. I literally can't say much about him and what he goes through, but it was so heartbreaking. I felt like he had no one in his corner until he met Cameron. Their relationship is literally everything. I really loved how they grew together and how they tried their best for themselves and for each other. And also just Mason discovering himself throughout this book, and navigating having a friend who cares about him. UGH. SOMEONE GIVE THESE CHARACTERS HUGS PRONTO!
ANYWAYS, I spent like the last 20% of this book with tears streaming down my face. I honestly had no idea what to expect going into this novel. I knew there would be some hard topics, and there sure was, but I also wasn't prepared to love Mason and Cameron so much. I am so glad I read this book. I am so thankful that I got to read this early, and I just can't wait to read more from this author. I would even read more about Cameron and Mason if the author, you know, wanted to write like a short story or something. No pressure. Noooo pressureeee. 🤣
ALSO side note, absolutely adored a certain set of parents here, and meanwhile I wish the WORST THINGS UPON THE OTHER SET. 🥰
Thank you netgalley and penguin teen for this e-arc <3
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I'll come back to write a review when I'm done crying 😭😭
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