Guarded Love

Crestwood University #4

by Emery Paige

Willow Sanchez has one rule: avoid athletes at all costs. Ever since her high school heartbreak with a popular football player turned streamer, she's steered clear of jocks. That includes hockey players like her older brother Knox's teammate and best friend, Blaise Dalton. Blaise might be blond, blue-eyed, and annoyingly charming to everyone else, but to Willow, he's the definition of annoying as hell wrapped in a nerdy, athletic package.

Blaise knows how to keep his cool on the ice, but beneath his polished exterior, routines and love of videogames, lies a secret battle with anxiety. His life is carefully planned until Willow storms into it once more. She’s fiercely independent, and impossible to ignore.

When a winter break group trip to Puerto Rico throws Willow and Blaise into closer contact than ever before, the tension between them ignites, but their connection through her brother still lingers in the background. Arguments transform into deep conversations, and Blaise discovers that the spontaneity Willow brings into his life might be exactly what he needs to help face his anxiety. But just as they begin to grow closer, a scandal linked to Willow's ex-boyfriend threatens her emotional wellbeing, forcing her to retreat from the world. Blaise is determined to show her that facing the past is the only way forward, and the connection they’ve built is worth fighting for.

Soon, they’ll both realize it’s time to embrace the chaos and press start because it’s game on.

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

378 pages, Kindle Edition

Published July 3, 2025

Reviews

[Gabriella୨ৎ (offline for a few days) · Rating 2 out of 5]

━━━ઇଓㅤ⤸
꒰ 𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐨𝐫 𝐬𝐩𝐨𝐢𝐥𝐞𝐫 𝐫𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰 ꒱

𝟐.𝟓 ✩

🎧꒱ ‘Touch It’ | Ariana Grande

“𝒩𝑜 𝓂𝑜𝓇𝑒 𝒽𝒾𝒹𝒾𝓃𝑔, 𝐼 𝓌𝒶𝓃𝓉 𝑒𝓋𝑒𝓇𝓎𝑜𝓃𝑒 𝓉𝑜 𝓀𝓃𝑜𝓌 𝓎𝑜𝓊’𝓇𝑒 𝓂𝒾𝓃𝑒.”

꒰ 𝐓𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐬: ꒱
Where on earth do I start? This series has been really questionable, with the writing being meh, plot boring, or just icky and cringey scenes. And let me tell you, Guarded Love had all of those.

Let’s start with what I didn’t like, which was a lot ⤸
The plot lacked and I was so bored for most of the book. It took me longer to finish it than the others, and it only picked up towards the end. Not particularly enjoyable to have to wait until later to finally have fun reading. The first half was just classes and homework and other boring stuff. Blaise and Willow didn’t have many interactions so that didn’t help either. There was no character background whatsoever. Nothing about Blaise’s family, which I feel like is important considering every other main character in the series’ family has been mentioned. Willow’s ex-boyfriend wasn’t talked about either (not until the end, that is), and if I'm being honest, it’s like the author waits until the very end to unpack EVERYTHING. But before that, nothing. I honestly felt like there was missing information, like I had skipped a whole book or something. And I do not like to be confused.

The next thing I wanted to rant about was the nickname that Blaise gave Willow. I’m grateful that all the books I’ve read so far have had cute nicknames that I adored. e.g → beautiful, sweetheart, love. Those are the kinds of nicknames that you can never go wrong with. But this one? Oh gosh. Ready? I don’t think you are. Kitten… SOMEONE GET THE BLEACH! -1 star right there, the most cringey, embarrassing nickname I have ever read. I couldn’t even enjoy the sex scenes without wanting to rip my eyes out and throw my kindle across the room. Kitten? Kitten? No thank you. Every time I thought I was safe, BAM! There it was again. I know some people might like these kinds of petnames, but for me it was such a turnoff.

Something else I’d like to discuss is how different the characters were in their own book. I know that what you see on the outside (being a side character) may not be what’s happening on the inside (having your own book). I thought Blaise was this supportive and gentle, fun but quiet character. He was, but I didn’t like him as much as I was dying to. And Willow, I liked her but felt like I didn’t know her. WHERE WAS THE CHARACTER DEPTH? Backing up to what I said before, there seemed to be no background to the characters, and they just felt… shallow?

That leads me to their relationship. Don’t hate me for this, but how can you be so affected by one kiss from more than two years ago? And, how can you hate Blaise for doing the responsible thing and not taking advantage of you when you’re drunk? Something about this just annoyed me. The lack of depth in the characters, plus the yucky petname had me disinterested and wanting to just finish the book and be done with it. I know this series has been rocky, with lots of ups and downs and a variety of different ratings, and I'm sorry to say but this couple and book are my least favourite out of the series. Don’t get me wrong, there were some really sweet and heartwarming moments between them. Like when they both confessed their love for each other, or the moment they became not-quite-enemies-but-not-quite-friends. I also want to add that these couples are getting quite repetitive. The endings are similar, and when they say ‘i love you’ i’m hit with deja vu of the previous books. PLEASE make them original.

Now that I’m finished talking about that, let’s move to things I liked ⤸
I said this in my preread about how I adored that each book in this series focused on problems that are so significant to many people out there. And in Guarded Love, the main theme, and a topic that needs plenty of attention, revolved around Sexual harassment.
This is such an important and serious issue that so many people have unfortunately gone through. And in this book, it focuses on the victims and them not getting the justice they deserve, something that sadly occurs often with these kinds of cases. It breaks my heart that poor Willow had to experience watching nothing happen after she spoke up about the truth. In fact, it only got worse for her. The people she thought she could trust lied to her and shared the information she’d bravely given them, where it–and her–was leaked on social media. She was then harassed and called a psycho all because her ex-boyfriend had a high status and following, while Willow and the other women who’d been gaslit and sexually harassed by him got no justice, no reassurance, and hate they didn’t deserve. I can’t imagine how hard it would’ve been to fight against someone like a gamer who’s loved by many people and focuses on ‘family friendly’ streams. You wouldn’t think someone like that was capable of being a gaslighter and manipulator. Right? I strongly believe that this is such a significant topic that doesn’t get enough recognition for how grave it is. I love how this author–and many others–write about issues like this, informing, alerting, and comforting readers who may or may not have been through something similar. It’s been eye-opening and knowledgeable to read about. Might I add that I had such pleasure watching Leo’s career crumble when the actions of his crimes were uncovered and he paid the price that was well overdue.

I think there’s only one more book in this series, and frankly, despite the next couple being my most anticipated, I kind of have no desire to continue. Each book has been disappointing in and of itself, but this one by far was the worst and I don’t know if I can handle being disappointed again.

꒰ 𝐐𝐮𝐨𝐭𝐞𝐬: ꒱

“I wake up some mornings and wonder if I’m on the right path at all.”

There’s a freedom in not having to be perfect, in not having to prove my worth constantly.

The truth is, ‘fine’ is a state we’re constantly striving for, not one we comfortably live in.

Many people think ADHD means I can’t focus, but really it’s that I’m focusing on everything.

“Knox is bad boy personified, Levi is the leader, Wilder is pure chaos, Asher is the backbone of the team, and Blaise is so precise it hurts. But when they hit the ice, it’s like they share one brain. They anticipate each other’s movements before they happen.”

━━━

ᰔᩚ 𝐩𝐫𝐞-𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐝: ꒱
i adore how each book in this series speaks of important topics that many people experience (parental issues, pcos, body image issues, etc). it’s been really eye-opening and knowledgeable to not only be reading a romance but also learn things from it as well. my heart goes out to willow from what i have read, no wonder she's guarded. but i’m also thrilled to read more about her considering she’s a new addition to this series and not much has been said about her. and blaise? he has been nothing but an incredible friend and such a sweetheart in the previous books, so i just know i’m going to fall in love with him. he's described as the type of person who’ll always be there if you need a listening ear or just a comforting presence. i hope they both get the happy ending they deserve.

𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐞𝐝: 11/1/2026
𝐅𝐢𝐧𝐢𝐬𝐡𝐞𝐝: 12/1/2026

-𝓖

[Corrie 🎀✨🎧 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley and the author for this ARC!
3.75 stars rounded up!
“You’re insatiable.”
“For you? Absolutely.”
Stop this book was so good. The dynamic and discounted between these two was to die for! Oh and don’t get me started on Madison! She was my fav character in this whole book. If you love witty banter and best friends brother I totally recommend this.

[Karina · Rating 3 out of 5]

I feel horrible for giving this a 2 star review (well, it would be a 2.5-star), but I have my reasons. And, despite everything, I already know that I am going to read the final book of this series because I really love the characters, and I am excited to finally see Wilder and Jade's story.

Okay, so let me go through my reasoning. I first read Sidelined Love and Penalized Love back in November when the latter was being released. I originally gave Sidelined Love in my review 2 stars because I knew that was Emery's debut novel, and while there were kinks to work out in the writing process, the foundation of the book and the series was there, and I saw so much potential. I knew that Emery had room to grow and that her books would only get better. She proved that when she released the story of Asher and Isla, and I even said so in my review of Penalized Love . This book really gave us a better understanding of our MMC and our upcoming FMC, showcasing how the found family and friendship bond and circle were coming together.

However, both Captured Love and, now Guarded Love fell flat. I feel that Emery had some of the same writing and structural issues that we say in Sidelined Love. We are missing the foundation of the love story between the main characters of each book. The plot was all over the place, and the endings felt rushed.

Similar to Penalized Love, Guarded Love starts off with a flashback to 2 years prior. It is the start of the relationship or dynamic between Willow and Blaise, but we only see Willow's POV, and the events of that prelude explain why the characters spend the next two years avoiding each other. However, we are missing Blaise's POV. I actually think it should have started with the flashback to 3 years prior, with Blaise's POV of the first meeting with Willow, the little sister of his new teammate, Knox. I think we should have seen that initial interaction and seen the attraction he immediately felt toward Willo,w to then understand what happened to them in the following flashback that was from Willow's POV. Blaise's actions would have had more meaning, and we would understand the extent of the decision he made that then drove him and Willow to ignore each other over the next two years.

We do know that they weren't able to fully avoid each other during their time at Crestwood University completely. If you read Captured Love, you know that there was some interaction between them seen through the eyes of Selene or Knox. However, I wish that there had been some flashbacks to an occasional interaction between them over the two-year period. Yes, they tried to avoid each other as much as possible, but that doesn't mean that they didn't occasionally see each other. Those little snippets into their past would help the reader understand the current relationship or possible tension between the two in the present-day setting.

While this book is told in dual POV, the majority of the chapters are from Willow's perspective. With that said, I was expecting to know more of her backstory, and I feel like I barely know her. I didn't connect to Willow any more than I did in the previous two books, where we say little bits and pieces of her. Willow apparently had a bad relationship in high school. Her ex is back in her orbit during this book and causes some problems. I understand that an author wants to leave some mystery as to what happened to the character, but eventually the story needs to be told, and we, the reader, need to know what happened for that relationship to have gone bad. Normally, the reader would find out at the same time as the love interest character. However, Blaise never found out either. Somewhere around the 80% point, some vague, very vague details were given, but we didn't really hear anything. Did Emery write it, and the details were eliminated during the editing process, or was it just never included?

How are the main characters supposed to bond if they have been ignoring each other for two years, they ignore each other now that they are supposed to be on a trip together (mostly ignore each other), and don't open up about their past to each other? There was even a part when Willow had to interview the hockey team for an article she was writing, and she had 4 questions for the guys. The interview (group interview) was conducted in 20 minutes, and the individual interview with Blaise was done in 5 minutes. It was a missed opportunity. Emery could have had Willow shadow each senior hockey player for a day or for a few hours, or attend some practices...anything that would justify Blaise and Willow being forced to spend time with each other where they actually flirt or open up to each other.

What they do reveal to each other are their neurodivergencies. Willow has ADHD, and while Blaise doesn't actually confess, I'm going to assume he has OCD. These were personality traits that were very strong in the first few chapters, and halfway through the book, it just seemed to disappear.

Similar to what I said about the "villain" in Captured Love , here too the "gotcha" moment just fell flat. There were pages dedicated to Willow's ex and the harassment that followed him, and yet the conflict resolved itself in a few paragraphs with no real repercussions. Why? That's all I'm going to ask. Why bother including this topic if you are going to resolve it in the last 2 chapters of the book, where there is no time to show the fallout? Don't get me wrong. I think it is a serious topic, and it should be part of the plot, but it needs to be further developed with an actual outcome in the end. Give me the full backstory and the consequences.

In the last 3% of the book, the characters finally admit that they love each other (why, when they barely know each other? Or at least the reader doesn't fully understand how close they have become over the past few weeks). Then Knox finds out that his sister and best friend are dating, and the fallout is over in 3 paragraphs.

Overall, I still enjoy the storyline for the entire series. I see so much potential in it, but I think it needs work. If I was told this is the Beta version of the book instead of an ARC copy, I would have a lot of constructive criticism and remarks, but at the end of the day, I think the stories just lack something more.

Thank you to LoveNotes PR for the and Emery for the ARC copy of this book.

[Dimitra · Rating 5 out of 5]

Guarded Love 🍹

Firstly,I want to thank LoveNotes PR & Emery Paige for trusting me with this WONDEFUL ARC!

Willow Sanchez,is heartbroken by athletes and has one goal:to avoid every interaction with them at all costs.Blaise Dalton could be described as THE routine freak.Even when Willow & him,will be accepted in a program leading them to a tropical week in Puerto Rico,his perfectly planned life is about to get blown up,because those two are about to see what they truly feel together,when no one is around..
This time,I will start with the landscapes that we saw in the story,which were MAGICAL!As you understand,the Puerto Rico week was a major point in the story,with Paige making the narration & the images so vivid.I literally fell in love with this country!(Buy me a ticket NOW)
As for our couple,they were two strong,stubborn people that fell for each other like literal fools-so cute!I love how they could open about their deep worries and feeling only to each other,and how they understood one another P E R F E C T L Y.Their chemistry was stunning,and I cannot really say if this was a slow burn or not because even if the actual love came later in the book,the feelings were ALWAYS there,with the writer making that crystal clear since page 1.
Yes,this book has A TON of 🌶️,that I absolutely enjoyed,these people craved each other so bad,and when the deed happened it was like a worship.-Go Girl!
To continue with,this story mentions emotional abuse in a past relationship,and how even after years you can found your voice and your own kind of revenge.Personally,I got so happy when that piece of sh*t got what he deserved!
So,If you ask me this story is a 100% YES!
out on July,3rd 🍹
5⭐

[Kaity · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a slow burn… and the heat that finally burned….. ;ppppp

[Ilse Droste · Rating 4 out of 5]

Aaaah, it's here! The book of Willow and Blaise's that I've been looking forward to so much has finally arrived! And it was worth the wait! ❤️

What struck me immediately is that both characters are so human, with their own struggles and interests. They both like gaming, and Blaise also reads; a man after my own heart! Blaise struggles with anxiety and Willow has ADHD. It's powerful that Emery Paige draws attention to mental health and neurodiversity. It's great that these topics are highlighted in such an accessible way. I could relate to both Willow and Blaise so well, particularly with regard to their worrying and overthinking.

Still, I found the distance between them frustrating at times. While the cold distance between them is understandable, I found myself getting a little annoyed at how long it lasted. Fortunately, there's a turning point halfway through, and you can really feel their connection growing from that moment on.

I thought the scene in which Willow interviewed the senior hockey players was a great interlude. And how nice is it that characters from previous books subtly return? It makes this world feel so alive and familiar.

The book also touches on more serious themes, such as gaslighting, with which Willow is confronted. The way this topic is woven into the story is impressive. It illustrates the intensity and complexity of the issue, and the bravery it takes for Willow to come forward.

The confession to Knox was beautiful, too. In the last chapter, we also got a glimpse of the next part of the series with Wilder and Jade. I love that! I love that the epilogue takes place six years later. It gives us a glimpse of what their lives will look like later on; such a nice ending to the story!

I really enjoyed this book again. Emery Paige knows exactly how to strike the right balance between humour, romance and spice, even when dealing with a heavy theme. She's such a good writer, and she manages to surprise me every time! 🤗

I'm already looking forward to Wilder and Jade's book! 🥰

[autwenreads · Rating 1 out of 5]

Though it’s dual POV, most of the story is from Willow’s side and we still barely get to know her. Her past is glossed over, even when it becomes relevant.

The romance had no real build-up. They avoid each other the whole book, then suddenly fall in love in the last 5%? It didn’t feel believable.

Knox finding out should’ve been a big moment, but it’s resolved in just a few paragraphs. Serious topics were introduced but wrapped up too fast.

This had potential, but everything felt rushed, vague, and disconnected.

Thank you Love Notes PR, and Emery Paige for providing me with this ARC and in exchange for an honest review.

[Kayde Nakole · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this one. I feel like it had such a good storyline and the characters were awesome. I do feel like there could've been more of the backstory between Willow and Blaise, but overall I liked their story.

Big thank you to LoveNotesPR and Emery Paige for the ARC
*Though I received this book for free, this is my own, honest review.*

[Rachel Guzan · Rating 4 out of 5]

If there’s one thing about me, it’s I love a “brother’s best friend” trope & boy did I love this….
So to start, here’s a trope list:

📝Brothers Best Friend
🏒Forced Proximity
📝Hockey Player x Journalist
🏒Slow Burn
📝Mental Health Rep
🏒They SWITCH

The tension between the MMC & FMC was palpable & it could be cut with a knife.
This was a *true* slow burn - & when it burned… boy did it burn…
The tension & the angst between them built up a perfect “fcuk it” moment.

The very relatable & real interaction between the FMC, Willow & the MMC, Blaise, in the beginning really set the tone for the rest of the book.
Emery wrote relatable characters, put them in realistic scenarios with beyond reasonable resolutions.

The mental health representation was also done very well - it’s nice to read about both characters suffering from two different conditions that were ultimately the other’s opposite.
It was thoughtfully written with an attention to detail & sensitivity to those conditions. I won’t spoil too much for you but it was refreshing to read about an MMC that wasn’t “perfect” but perfect for his FMC.

As part of their story, they end up in Puerto Rico where Emery brings the culture to life for her readers. It was a beautiful backdrop for their love story.

Now, my favorite part. The Spice was SPICING.
When I tell you that my jaw hit the floor when I read Willow call Blaise a “good boy”. Are you kidding me? Our perfect sweet, always-in-control Blaise submitting control to Willow?
JAW ON THE FLOOR.
HE SWITCHES? ARE YOU KIDDING ME?
I was HYYYPPEEDDD for this. It was perfection.
Willow, who is the epitome of a black cat FMC, submitting to Blaise in return?
Goooooood lord.
I wasn’t expecting that but at the same time - glaringly obvious.

Emery Paige is a genius. This was my first book from her, but absolutely not my last.

[miranda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Guarded Love ARC Review

i was very fortunate to receive an ARC of Guarded Love by Emery Paige from LoveNotesPR, thank you so much!! 💚

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
🌶️🌶️.5/5

content warning: “sexual harassment, gaslighting, mental health representation (anxiety and ADHD)”

“but maybe i want to hear what you’re going to say. maybe i like it when you look at me that way. hell, maybe I've been wondering what it would take to make you lose the control that you so carefully keep in place.”

anything written by emory always put me in a good mood, and guarded love was no exception! this entire series is amazing and i’m incredibly sad that it’s coming to an end soon. i was so excited to finally read this book that i blew through it so fast. i loved everything about this book and just adored willow and blaise. this book was filled with so many emotions and emory always does such an amazing job of accurately representing mental health in her characters. it never feels forced and honestly it makes her characters that much more relatable.

willow and blaise will forever hold a special place in my heart. the way they cared for each other and the love they have for each other was just perfection. the tension and chemistry between them was strong form the very beginning. just their overall connection felt so genuine, it made it that much easier to root for them. and honestly, everything about them just felt right; they fit so well together.

i can’t wait for the fifth and final book in the series!!! once again thank you so much to lovenotespr and emery paige for providing me with this arc 💚

[jana ·˚ [ia]]

──★ ˙ ₊
⤿ arc review

thank you to lovenotes pr and the author, Emery Paige, for providing me with this e-arc in exchange for an honest review.

guarded love releases july 3, 2025.

tropes.
ᝰ hockey romance
ᝰ brothers best friend
ᝰ he falls first
ᝰ mental health rep
ᝰ dual pov

synopsis.
Willow Sanches has one rule: no athletes. After a rough breakup, she's sworn off the entire sports world, including Blaise Dalton, her older brother's best friend. Blaise thrives on routine, while Willow thrives on chaos. However, a winter break trip to Puerto Rico brings them together and makes them see how they truly are together. Between late-night talks and flirty banter, their walls start to come down, but when the past comes creeping back, they’ll have to figure out if what they have is strong enough to hold on to.

review.
This book was a quick and enjoyable read, but it didn’t fully work for me. I liked the concept, a girl with a complicated past and a hockey player who’s more soft and thoughtful than cocky. I loved Blaise and how gentle he was; it was very refreshing, and I liked how respectful he was of Willow’s boundaries. Some plot points really brought the overall story together and added depth to it.

There were some sweet scenes, especially during the Puerto Rico trip, and I can see why a lot of people would enjoy their slow-burn dynamic. But for me, I just didn’t connect with the characters the way I hoped. I wanted to root for them, but I didn’t feel the chemistry between them, and that made it hard to stay fully invested in their story. I liked them both individually, but together, something was missing.

The pacing also felt a bit slow sometimes, and some side characters felt underdeveloped, which I think was part of the reason as to why it didn't really stick with me. Overall, it wasn't that bad; there was so much emotional depth and likeable characters, but it just didn't leave a strong impression on me.

[Lemonnyyy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Guarded Love By Emery Paige

378 Pages

Crestwood University Book 4

What a mouth Blaise has on him, made me into a puddle on multiple occasions.

Willow is set on avoiding athletes after an ex truly did a number on her, this should then extend to her Brothers Hockey Teammates, however the quiet, collected Blaise is someone she can't stay away from, after 2 years of avoiding him they are both heading to Puerto Rico in close proximity to each other the tension is bound to break.

This series is the gift that keeps on giving, the excitement for each release gets bigger and bigger and as does my excitement for returning to Crestwood, I love when we see what previous couples are up to and this is certainly no exception, from Levi and Hailey, Isla and Asher and not to mention Willows Brother Knox and Selene.

This book had me in a chokehold, and I loved it! I was about ready to fight for Willow myself! Ready to jump into the book for her! I cannot wait for the next one!
I would highly recommend this book and the entire series! For fans of Hockey Romance, Second Chance, Brothers Best Friend, Forced Proximity and some Delicious Spicy Content.

[IG | TorturedHeroesDept · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 rounded up

Ok I have thoughts.

This was not some horribly written book, but there were definitely pieces that could use some tweaking. I enjoyed some of it, but there were definitely times when I couldn’t stop focusing on the things I didn’t like.

- I needed more in Blaise’s POV. Out of 37 chapters only 12 were in his POV. It made it really difficult to connect with his character.
- Did anyone actually believe they were in love? Did anyone feel that connection? I did not. I could definitely see them getting to that point, but not by the end of the book. It actually kinda shocked me.
- Leo came out of nowhere. There was no inkling prior that he was this person then WHAM.
- The ending felt rushed. I would have rather the book be longer than everything happening in about 8 pages. She did a great job getting us to that point but then it was like ok let’s throw everything into these few pages.


I will still be reading the final book. I know I mostly pointed out the things I didn’t like but, as I said, I did enjoy it overall. Those things were hard to overlook.

Thank you to Emery & LNPR for the ARC.

[Kim · Rating 5 out of 5]

Emery did it again!!

💚 Brother’s Best Friend
💚 Enemies to Lovers
💚 He Falls First
💚 Forced Proximity
💚 Mental Health rep
💚 Hockey Romance

This book surpassed the previous books for me. It was no secret (at least to Emery) that I felt like I would absolutely love Blaise out of all the Red Wolves. But boy did she do him justice!!! Blaise is such a sweetheart and a bit of a nerd, but can be something else entirely when the moment asks for it 😏 (IYKYK).

The fact Emery wrote a book this close to her heart says a lot about the fact she’s putting everything of her into her books. It feels real and I felt every word she wrote.

I loved every minute of this book and I can never praise it enough. The tension and chemistry between them was amazing. And lets not forget to add that the spicy scenes were to DIE for.

If you love hockey romance books, its an absolute MUST read.

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

I would give Guarded Love 3.5 stars ⭐️

I felt like the first half of the book was kind of slow, and the second half felt kind of rushed. It was like slow-burn and *boom* insta love between Blaise and Willow on their study abroad trip to Puerto Rico. Before the trip, they had some history, but decided not to act on their romantic feelings for each other because Willow is Knox’s sister and Blaise is Knox’s hockey teammate. I felt like there wasn’t a lot of hockey action in this book, which might be good for readers that are new to reading hockey romances. I’ve read other books from this series, and sadly this just wasn’t my favorite.

Thank you Love Notes PR and Emery Paige for a copy of this book!

[cosette · Rating 4 out of 5]

ohhhhh, i loved this so much. this is the first book i’ve read in the series and now i totally want to read the others because i’m obsessed.

they had me hooked from the beginning, their chemistry, the tension, the banter?? YES literal perfection. i love a good i hate you because i want you and can’t stop thinking about you. so cute, once they were like fuck it, it was end game.

i loved watching them break down each other’s walls little by little, their honesty and vulnerable moments AHHHHHH

huge thanks to emery paige and love notes pr for sending me this arc, i couldn’t put it down.

[faye ✮ (reading slump) · Rating 2 out of 5]

— ARC Review : 2 stars ✰

took me a while to finish this book. the overall plot was okay but it felt a bit flat for me. i found myself getting bored halfway through. so unfortunately i think this book just wasn’t for me. maybe others might enjoy it more but it didn’t quite click with me personally.

Thank you to Emery Paige & Love Notes PR for the ARC in exchange for my honest review! ࣪

[Carissa Britton · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute little angsty college romance. Good if you want a nice little tense slow burn. A little slow moving for plot I was 70% of the way through before I felt the story shift and then the big points are all in the last 80% off the book.

[Kate · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute story!

I love a good enemies to lovers storyline.

Blaise & Willow - loved both of the characters and how their story unfolded

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

[Emma Busch · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5

[Alicia.library_ · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book!
I know this book is part of a series but this is the first book I’ve read from this series and by this author.

I really enjoyed Willows and Blaise’s story.. I think im going have to read the others in this series because I loved all the characters!

I love how there is representation for anxiety and ADHD and the fact it’s not the focus of the whole book but it is mentioned enough.

Rating: 5/5 ⭐️
Spice: 3.5/5 🌶️

Favourite quotes:
“My attention shifts back to her”
“I definitely shouldn’t be wondering what she’s listening to, or if she’s thinking about this trip, or if she’s as aware of me as I am of her.”
“I’d rather lose Knox than lose her”


This book was everything that I needed to get me out of a reading slump.

I would definitely recommend this book, who knows someone might love it just as much as me!
Regardless of my opinion I will always encourage other people to read something even if I didn’t enjoy it as we all have different opinions, that’s what makes reading so fun.

Thank you to LoveNotes PR and Emery Paige for this ARC

[Bárbara Martins · Rating 4 out of 5]

‧₊˚ ୨ ୧ ˚₊ Beginning my review thanking LoveNotes to send me this ARC!!

—This was my first book of the author and The book was so easy to read, such a light and heartwarming story with such a strong meaning behind it!!

➜ I feel like there’s no better way to start than mentioning how BRAVE our Female main character is! She represented the woman who fell into a bad relationship and ended up being seen as the “bad guy” when they barely understood themselves or what was even happening. The way her bravery shows us to not be afraid to speak and take the matter with our own hands if things don’t go as expected was so satisfying to read about! I couldn’t stop saying “slay harder!!!” And our Male main character???? Standing with his girl????? Ugghhhh you won me immediately!!😭


➜ I also wanted to include in this review our Male Character Blaise( chefs kiss🤌🏼), our boy suffered so bad💔 I felt incredibly heart warmed when the author decided to give the character the Panic attacks, i feel like no one really talks about them anymore and they just don’t seem to be as important as other problems (as someone with panic attacks since a kid, this was SO NECESSARY!!!) i felt extremely comforted and cozy in this read and absolutely loved to watch him grown and find a “home” in our Girl Willow🩷 Those spicy scenes where he is so dependent on the praises 🫦 (i would be too, Blaise dw.)


♡˚ In resume, I loved the story and her beautiful meaning behind it, it’s absolutely gorgeous watching our characters find themselves in each other and helping each other through everything. I cannot FORGETTTT my favourite characters!! Tyler and Madi, you’re so loved by me that I need you both ASAAAPPP!!! The spice was so well written that I was like “ya if it’s not like this, then I dont want it💔” but pretty please miss Emery let’s not use the Kitten Nickname😞. If you desire a quick light romance for your holidays that will leave you addicted and heart warmed, this is for you! Emery became one of my comfort authors🩷



ʚ ═══･୨💚୧･═══ ɞ


̆̈ Above you can see my favourite quotes from the book and it’s tropes! 💌


ू♡—“ I want Willow Sanchez. Not just physically-though that is part of it—but all of her. The sharp comments, the fierce intelligence, the way she refuses to back down from anything. I want the girl who looked at me with fire in her eyes when I pulled away years ago. The woman who sat next to me on the plane yesterday, pretending I didn't exist while every cell in my body was aware of her.”


ू♡—“The woman sleeping beside me is fierce and brilliant and so goddamn beautiful it hurts to look at her sometimes. She's also stubborn and sarcastic and has a way of getting under my skin that no one else ever has.
And I think I'm falling for her. Hard.”


ू♡—“"For now, yeah. This is all very new. Hell, I hated you just a few weeks ago."
"Hated me? That's a strong word."
"Fine. Strongly disliked. You made me want to scream into a pillow every time you spoke."
"I mean as long as I'm the reason you're screaming, that's a win."
“You're such a dick."
"And yet, you love mine." (🤭)


ू♡—“"It's perfect," I say as I look up at him.
"Yeah," he agrees, but he's not looking at the photo anymore. He's looking at me.


ू♡—“I love you. I love your fire, your stubbornness, the way you just took down that asshole without breaking a sweat. I love how you make me want to be better, braver. I love you, Willow, and I'm tired of pretending that's not terrifying and perfect at the same time.


ू♡— (my fav!!🤍) “It's then that I realize one thing: this wasn't supposed to be a love story. But it became one anyway” 💌


‧₊˚♡彡 Tropes!! —————————————————————-

🏒 College Hockey Romance
🖋️ Enemies to Lovers
🏒Opposites Attract
🖋️Forced Proximity
🏒He Falls First
🖋️Brother's Best Friend
🏒Strong FMM

[Briana Bailon · Rating 4 out of 5]

*Thank you Emery Paige for providing me with an ARC of this book, much appreciated. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

4⭐️/ 3🌶️

This series has shown me a variety in unique couples, characters, and storylines. With this story following, Knox’s sister, Willow, and Knox’s best friend/ teammate, Blaise, it was a story I was really curious to see how it would all unfold. With found family, brother’s best friend, and he falls first, forced proximity, this was a good story.

Admittedly, when I started reading, it took me a bit to really get into the book and to see why Willow and Blaise were the way they were. Although, with the flashback to two years ago, that scene really cleared things up as to why Willow was always so distant and argumentative with Blaise following that time. In some ways, I could agree with Willow that whatever she and Blaise did was of no one else’s concern as to why they shouldn’t have tried being together (*at first two years ago), I could also see why Blaise put a pause on him potentially having a relationship or something with Willow when they had that certain moments years ago.

I feel like before this book, we had gotten some hints about Blaise and Willow especially in the previous book in this series, and I was so excited to see how their story played out. Now, having read the story I feel like I got to really understand what led Willow and Blaise to initially not being together, but also how they unexpectedly got the opportunity to further develop their connection that really truly went away. Blaise really was in deep for Willow and I can never get enough of seeing that in romance books. Blaise was understanding, thoughtful, and considerate when it came to Willow. Despite Willow initially keeping her distance from Blaise, even she couldn’t help the way she found herself looking at him, or knowing details she knew about him. Willow and Blaise’s story was one that took a bit of time to develop, but by the end of the book, it really ended on a happy note.

Another thing I appreciated about this book was the way Emery wrote about Blaise’s anxiety and Willow’s ADHD. While I don’t personally know what’s it like to have ADHD, I felt like I was able to better understand Blaise since I too sometimes struggle with anxiety. The way Blaise always had to have everything organized, prepared, and ready to go was accurate in some ways since having that mindset can help in dealing with the looming thoughts of not having everything go according to plan. To some, this may not seem like a big deal, but it was something that I really did like being part of the story as it also revealed a lot of how both Blaise and Willow dealt with things.

Overall, I liked this book and aspects of it, but I wouldn’t say it was my favorite out of the series. There were some parts that really caught my attention and others that kind of fell flat for me. The things that I state in this review aren’t meant to be mean, just my honest thoughts, how I felt when I read this book, and some very small constructive criticism. I liked both Blaise and Willow, but they unfortunately weren’t my favorite out of the series. Maybe for other readers, they’ll enjoy this book a lot more than I did which would be great. If anything with the way this book ended, I’m still excited to continue with this series and read Wilder’s story.

[Cassie · Rating 4 out of 5]

✨️✨️ ARC Review ✨️✨️

There’s something about a well-done prologue that immediately draws you in. Emery Paige gives just enough of a glimpse into Blaise and Willow’s shared history to hook you, then jumps two years ahead, leaving you wondering what happened and why they’ve worked so hard to stay away from each other.

The chemistry between them is electric from the start but it’s not your typical friends-to-lovers or enemies-to-lovers story. Their relationship is layered, messy and full of hurt and longing. Even when they’re fighting, there’s an undeniable fire beneath the surface. The slow burn of their reconnection makes every glance and conversation feel charged with meaning.

One of the best parts of the book is its authentic representation of anxiety and ADHD. The ‘Internet browser’ analogy made me laugh but also hit close to home, it was painfully accurate. Blaise’s anxiety and his use of structure to cope are portrayed respectfully as part of who he is rather than just quirks. Willow’s coping mechanisms, including her inner spirals, add depth to her character and make her feel very human. Their inner thoughts are some of my favourite parts, you can really feel their emotions, which makes their dynamic addictive even during conflicts.

There is a quiet thread of danger running beneath the surface early on. Willow’s past is hinted at slowly but builds into something more serious. It’s handled carefully, showing how trauma can be the slow erosion of safety rather than loud dramatic bursts. The reactions she faces from outsiders, the lack of consequences and how people dismiss or defend the abuser felt sadly realistic. Watching Willow navigate that pain while protecting others was emotional and relatable.

Willow pulling into herself hit hard. It wasn’t dramatic, just quietly devastating, capturing how real emotional withdrawal feels when someone is too hurt to reach out. That subtlety worked well, though the pacing in these moments sometimes felt uneven and I wished for more insight into her inner world.

The ending ramps up quickly but still worked for me. The confrontation and fallout felt real without being over the top. However, the sudden acceleration after the slow build felt a little abrupt. A more gradual lead-in might have made the climax feel even more earned.

Willow standing up for herself was powerful and felt like a gift to those who never got justice. It’s a fictional closure written with a lot of heart and intention. It feels like Emery wrote it for all of those who haven’t been able to get that sense of closure, who have to watch their abusers’ lives carry on, some even finding fame and living their lives with no consequences for their behaviour.

Finally, the flash forward was deeply satisfying. Seeing Blaise and Willow not just surviving but thriving together gave a much-needed sense of peace and hope — a perfect ending after all the tension and healing.

This is a story of second chances, healing and learning to trust again. While the pacing could tighten in places and the ending could be more gradual, the overall experience is heartfelt and memorable.

[Val Ilieva · Rating 5 out of 5]

📚 ARC Review – Guarded Love by Emery Paige 📚
• Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🗓️ Releases July 3 🗓️

✨ About the characters:

Willow:
She’s honestly one of the strongest people I’ve read about in romance. I adore her strength and how she handles everything—even when she’s overwhelmed or stressed. She’s a journalist, and a damn good one, which makes me so proud of her. Despite her mental health struggles, she keeps living her life in the best way possible. She’s funny, sassy, confident, and doesn’t back down from a challenge.

I love how she stood up for herself and for Lilly—and made the bastard pay. And I’m so, so happy she found the love she truly deserves.

Blaise:
Oh boy. Blaise is the sweetest, most perfect man. At first, I was a little pissed at him for acting the way he did, but let’s face it—that’s part of the story. His personality is amazing, and the color-coded calendar? I adored that. The fact that he’s a gamer and how that helps him manage his emotions? So relatable and honestly such a great touch.

He has his own struggles but handles them with strength and determination, choosing to live his life in a way that makes him happy. I loved how he stood up for Willow and didn’t leave her to deal with everything alone—even when she pushed him away. And I’m really happy he found the love he deserves, too.

✨ My thoughts:
Okay, I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again (because I freaking want to): I love Emery. Her writing always feels like coming home, and somehow every book makes me cry.

This book is not just a romance—it’s about growth, happiness, healing, and learning to stand up for yourself when people try to belittle you or make you feel like the villain.

I admire Emery for writing this story and including the stuff that’s happening in the gaming/streaming community—because a lot of people are closing their eyes to it. They dismiss the idea of even looking into it, and way too many people are getting away with things they absolutely shouldn’t. I love that even though this is a romance book, Emery shows that this is not okay, and it needs to be dealt with.

Seeing Willow find her strength and speak up—actually stand up and show who the real villain is—hit me in ways I can’t fully explain.

But let’s not forget the romance (because WOW). Willow and Blaise? Their chemistry was fire. The tension, the connection, the way they just fit—it was everything. Like puzzle pieces meant to find each other.

Also, the side characters? They made me cry more than once. The friendships in this series are so sweet, so supportive, and honestly, some of the best I’ve read.

I know this is “just” a romance book, but for me, it was an escape. A story that made me feel seen, made me feel part of something. And I’m so grateful for that.

I cannot wait to see what Emery writes next. 💜

[Hannah Hartridge · Rating 4 out of 5]

✨ Thank you so much to Love Notes PR and Emery Paige for letting me read this ARC! ✨

Guarded Love is the fourth book in the series, but honestly? I didn’t feel lost for a second. Emery Paige does such a good job making Willow and Blaise’s story stand strong on its own—so if you haven’t read the others yet, don’t stress.

From the very first scene at that party, I was hooked. Watching Willow and Blaise—both a bit socially awkward, both navigating their own mental health struggles—find this unexpected, tender connection in the middle of a setting that doesn’t suit either of them was just… perfect. Their conversation and chemistry flowed so naturally that I couldn’t help but root for them right away. And even though the night didn’t end well (ouch, my heart!), it was so clear neither of them ever truly moved on from it. The tension was chef’s kiss.

I absolutely cackled every time fate threw them together again. They tried to keep their distance, but the universe was not having it—and I loved every second. And can we talk about the Puerto Rico trip? Whew. Total game changer. No college routine, no overprotective big brother, no excuses—just the two of them finally giving in. It was so satisfying seeing Blaise let go of all that control and pour every ounce of devotion into Willow, while Willow finally lets herself just be without spiraling into a thousand what-ifs. Their dynamic felt so real and so well-balanced, and the representation of Blaise’s anxiety and Willow’s ADHD was done beautifully. You really feel how their minds work, how they clash and complement each other in a way that’s healing instead of harmful.

Big shoutout to the rest of the hockey crew—Knox, Levi, Wilder, Asher—who bring so much comic relief and warmth to the story. Ari and Madison were gems too, and honestly? I was rooting so hard for Madison and Tyler on that trip. They were adorable!

One thing that really stuck with me was the subplot with Leo and the harassment storyline. It was hard to read at times, but so powerful—and sadly, so real. The way Willow stood up to him, not just for herself but for Lilly and the other victims, made me want to stand up and cheer. It was heartbreaking and empowering at the same time, and Paige handled it with such care.

My only tiny gripe? More hockey scenes, please! I wanted just a few more moments on the ice or in the stands to really blend the hockey vibes with the romance. But honestly, that’s me being greedy—this book delivered all the feels, the spice, the swoon, and a couple of gut punches in the best way.

If you love a good slow-burn, second-chance, forced-proximity vibe with mental health rep and an amazing found family, Guarded Love needs to be on your TBR immediately. I couldn’t put it down—and I don’t think you will either. 🏒💙

[Meg · Rating 5 out of 5]

⥼~-✰-~⥽ ☽ ˚•̩̩͙✩•̩̩͙˚＊☾ ⥼~-✰-~⥽
Started: 20th July 2025
Finished: 22 July 2025
✩‧₊꒰ ⊹ ࣪—˚Final thoughts 




˚ ┊✦ I cannot believe this is the last book to read of this series what a rollercoaster this has been so many years”what the fuck moments” so many “WHY DID YOU DO THAT!!” Scenarios the way I had such a attachement to this series for the past 2 weeks when reading this

╭⊹ ₊˚⊹ “𝘐 𝘢𝘭𝘴𝘰 𝘬𝘯𝘰𝘸 𝘸𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘐 𝘸𝘢𝘯𝘵 𝘵𝘰 𝘱𝘭𝘢𝘺 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩”.

˚ ┊✦ Willow - I had a hard time connecting with willow but knowing her struggles with mental issues I feel for her I suffer with mental issues myself sometimes with my disability which I never reveal on social media but I do feel so connected with this series a lot which I will hold forever in my heart that’s it’s okay to share your own disabilities I have not felt like this in a way about a series in so long I just loved willows admiration to come out with the hockey team and friends like this is what I should do aswell 😭😭




˚┊✦ Blaise - god blaise… I had such a hard time connecting with blaise in the first half I don’t know why but damn he was so insecure aswell but he came out his little shell for sure when he met willow keeping an eye on her for Knox.. I just couldn’t get enough of him how caring he was even though at times he was such a cocky little bastard 😅😅

╭⊹ ₊˚⊹ "𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙨 𝙞𝙨 𝙙𝙖𝙣𝙜𝙚𝙧𝙤𝙪𝙨," 𝙞 𝙬𝙝𝙞𝙨𝙥𝙚𝙧. "
𝙄 𝙠𝙣𝙤𝙬." 𝙃𝙞𝙨 𝙖𝙧𝙢𝙨 𝙩𝙞𝙜𝙝𝙩𝙚𝙣 𝙖𝙧𝙤𝙪𝙣𝙙 𝙢𝙚,
"𝙄 𝙙𝙤𝙣𝙩 𝙘𝙖𝙧𝙚 𝙖𝙣𝙮𝙮𝙢𝙤𝙧𝙚."
˚┊✦ romance +epilogue

The romance and chemistry between these two was just everything I needed in a last book nothing felt so rushed even when they were on the school trip they took things slow even when things got so hot and heavy.
I do feel more connected with this book with Willow struggling so much with her daily life not to be so ashamed of her disability which I always admire that having disability myself always so scared about opening up to people as I want them to like me personally not feeling sorry for me I just love how this author brings in all the possible situations comes into a positive that it’s not always a negative.

The ENDINGGGG!! Holy shit that was so much drama im glad about willow getting her act straight about her ex I don’t want to reveal due to spoilers but holy shit that was legit a curveball I did not expect that drama to unfold..
the way the ending revealed the next pov of characters Like YESSS!! Fucking finally but now I have to wait like seriously ? I need there pov like nowwww been waiting for these two to have their own book 😭
Content warning :
💘mental health
💘gaslighting
💘 sexual harassment
💘mental health representation (anxiety and ADHD)
💘disabilities

⭐️5.6
🌶5.7



🍉⭒˚.⋆🍉⋆⭒˚.⋆⋆⭒˚.⋆🍉⋆⭒˚.⋆⋆⭒˚.⋆🍉⋆⭒˚.⋆⋆⭒˚.⋆🍉⋆⭒˚.⋆⋆⭒˚.⋆🍉⋆⭒˚.⋆⋆⭒˚.⋆🍉⋆⭒˚.⋆🍉⋆⭒˚.⋆🍉⋆⭒

[Lauren McKenna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dual POV
Hockey Romance
College Romance
Brother's Bestfriend
Age Gap

Thank you so much love notes PR and Emery Paige for letting me read such an amazing book!

Also before I start my review, I would like to write a little note to the author
Dear Emery, I am so very sorry that you had to go through all of that. If I ever meet your Leo... I AM THROWING HANDS AT THAT EXCUSE OF A MAN AND A WASTE OF OXYGEN. I had a similar experience with a "man". The type that forces you to do stuff you don't want and then makes you feel like a bad girlfriend for saying no. Even when they don't take no for an answer.

I love how this book actually felt like college. Most college romance books only focus on the romance and partying-not the real college life. The one where you stressed about a paper due a month away because you are scared of failure. Or the pressure to maintain your GPA, friendships, family relationships, and still remember to eat. But this book felt like I was taking journalism with Willow and organizing my notebooks with Blaise.

Also the struggle of being a women that Willow showed us. The constant unwanted advances and boundaries crossed.

THE UTTER RESPECT BETWEEN BLAISE AND WILLOW?! He literally worships the ground she walks on, ALWAYS asks for permission, both are very open about their likes and dislikes, HE NEVER MAKES HER FEEL USED!

This was the first book I read in the series and MAN imma read all of them now.

THE CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT?! 1000000/10! THE VERY ACCURATE NEURODIVERGENT REPRESENTATION?! BEAUTIFUL!

This book made me laugh, cry, literally want to fight someone, and fall in love.

Emery, you deserve your true happy ending. I hope you find your inner Willow and know that nothing was ever your fault. You spreading awareness about things that have happened to so many people, is helping so many girls every day. Because when you know that you weren't the only one? That you aren't crazy? You find yourself. You know that you deserve real happiness and not a plastered image.
Thank you so much.

If yall ever need support I am ready to listen, eat our feelings, and watch a movie.

Emery, is you ever need PR or anything I'm here!

🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

[Katelyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

You can tell this book was much more personal than the other ones in the series (and I loved that)! This one is much more of a slow burn than the other ones were. I liked how the characters developed. This book definitely felt more exclusive than the last few, with little interaction from the original characters (while they are present there wasn’t much on page interaction). The trauma and the mental health and disorders felt real and not just mentioned in passing like in the other books. It felt like they were truly dealing with it and that was in part to more on page mentions of it and how they were dealing with it. I thought it was cute that their mental distressers canceled each other out.

I also really liked how the FMC came forward about the harassment. I also liked that it showed the ugly truth about how a majority of harassment allegations are handled (spoiler: they aren’t). While she got her closure and empowerment, we didn’t really get a happy development, the bad guy gets what’s coming to him moment. I felt that. It was a great choice by the author. Sure we want to believe in happy endings but these situations aren’t always happy.

I did enjoy the way that the MMC and FMC took care of each other and were each other’s safe space.

The whole brother’s best friend so its forbidden thing wasn’t as annoying as I expected it to be. The confrontation scene was a bit dramatic but honestly most of them handled it like adults and it was the most maturity I’ve seen from characters in this series.

The spicy scenes are definitely more kinky than the last three books. There are relatively the same amount (about 3) spicy scenes. I will say the praise kink part kind of got to be a bit cringy and stereotypical (the same classic lines you’d expect to see were all used).

As with the last few books, the author set up the scene for the next couple. We even got some outsider perspectives (Blaise and Knox) on Wilder and Jade’s relationship.

[Ariana Sayers · Rating 4 out of 5]

Book Review:
•
Guarded Love by Emery Paige
•
Thank you @lovenotes.pr and @authoremerypaige for the opportunity for reading this ARC!
I want to start off my saying that it was so refreshing not having a jerk for the MMC jock stereo type. That there are good, kind souled men out there who happen to be star athletes.
I seem to have gravitated towards the brother’s best friend tropes this summer and I’ve got to say I’m loving it! I also really appreciated the awareness to mental health and the commonality of this struggle. Showing like that people are not alone, but also that they are still worthy of love and connection without judgement even so. This was such a sweet read and I continue to be in love with my summer TBR! P.s. Abue was the absolute best! 😂🫶🏽
•
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5
•
Willow Sanchez has one rule: avoid athletes at all costs. Ever since her high school heartbreak with a popular football player turned streamer, she’s steered clear of jocks. That includes hockey players like her older brother Knox’s teammate and best friend, Blaise Dalton. Blaise might be blond, blue-eyed, and annoyingly charming to everyone else, but to Willow, he’s the definition of annoying as hell wrapped in a nerdy, athletic package.
Blaise knows how to keep his cool on the ice, but beneath his polished exterior, routines and love of videogames, lies a secret battle with anxiety. His life is carefully planned until Willow storms into it once more. She’s fiercely independent, and impossible to ignore.
When a winter break group trip to Puerto Rico throws Willow and Blaise into closer contact than ever before, the tension between them ignites, but their connection through her brother still lingers in the background. Arguments transform into deep conversations, and Blaise discovers that the spontaneity Willow brings into his life might be exactly what he needs to help face his anxiety. But just as they begin to grow closer, a scandal linked to Willow’s ex-boyfriend threatens her emotional wellbeing, forcing her to retreat from the world. Blaise is determined to show her that facing the past is the only way forward, and the connection they’ve built is worth fighting for.