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Cedar Lakes University #5
Collide
Not yet published
Expected 5 Feb 26Blurb to come…
- GenresRomanceFriends To Lovers
347 pages, Kindle Edition
Expected publication February 5, 2026
347 people want to read
About the author
Meghan Hollie
12 books210 followersMeghan is a British author living in East England with her husband, two children and their yappy dog.
You can find Meghan reading and escaping into fictional worlds or with her head in her laptop creating brand new ones for you all to enjoy.
She writes adult contemporary romance novels, with happily ever afters, swoony and sexy men and strong capable women with a sprinkle of spice.
Connect with Meghan on her social media:
https://www.tiktok.com/@authormeghanh...
https://www.instagram.com/meghanholli...
Website and newsletter sign up coming soon!
You can find Meghan reading and escaping into fictional worlds or with her head in her laptop creating brand new ones for you all to enjoy.
She writes adult contemporary romance novels, with happily ever afters, swoony and sexy men and strong capable women with a sprinkle of spice.
Connect with Meghan on her social media:
https://www.tiktok.com/@authormeghanh...
https://www.instagram.com/meghanholli...
Website and newsletter sign up coming soon!
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 38 reviews
Review of advance copy received from Author
It's the end of an era 🥹 Collide is book 5 in the Cedar Lakes University series - this one follows Jay and Olivia, and it was truly such a beautiful book to end the series on 🩷
Jay is a sports photographer but currently stuck in a job he isn't enjoying and not in the sports industry. He's determined to find that perfect fit for him.
Then we have Liv, she's Daphne's bestie (her book is book 3 - Pieces) and in need of a place to stay until campus housing becomes available. She's moved to CLU for a fresh start after a messy breakup 🫣
Watching the relationship between these two grow was truly beautiful, they were so perfect for each other. Full of banter that had me laughing and also so full of emotions. A great read and the perfect ending to this series 😍
"You've got domestic husband energy" 😂
𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝘁𝗼 𝗲𝘅𝗽𝗲𝗰𝘁 -
🩷Roommates to Lovers
📸Forced Proximity
🩷Opposites Attract
📸Found Family
Jay is a sports photographer but currently stuck in a job he isn't enjoying and not in the sports industry. He's determined to find that perfect fit for him.
Then we have Liv, she's Daphne's bestie (her book is book 3 - Pieces) and in need of a place to stay until campus housing becomes available. She's moved to CLU for a fresh start after a messy breakup 🫣
Watching the relationship between these two grow was truly beautiful, they were so perfect for each other. Full of banter that had me laughing and also so full of emotions. A great read and the perfect ending to this series 😍
"You've got domestic husband energy" 😂
𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝘁𝗼 𝗲𝘅𝗽𝗲𝗰𝘁 -
🩷Roommates to Lovers
📸Forced Proximity
🩷Opposites Attract
📸Found Family
Review of advance copy received from Author
What a way to end the series. Liv and Jay were everything. I absolutely fell in love with them both.
Jay is the sweetest cinnamon roll on the the outside but he definitely has a little dominant streak running through him, and dont get me started on that man when he starts speaking Portuguese, it wasn't only Liv who melted.
Liv is definitely one of my favourite FMC's of the series. She is just so strong and and funny and oh so chaotic but thats what makes her fabulous.
This book made me laugh and it definitely made me cry. Its a beautiful story and the most perfect end to the series.
Jay is the sweetest cinnamon roll on the the outside but he definitely has a little dominant streak running through him, and dont get me started on that man when he starts speaking Portuguese, it wasn't only Liv who melted.
Liv is definitely one of my favourite FMC's of the series. She is just so strong and and funny and oh so chaotic but thats what makes her fabulous.
This book made me laugh and it definitely made me cry. Its a beautiful story and the most perfect end to the series.
November 30, 2025
alpha read. review to come nearer release
January 26, 2026
A cute roommates to lovers, Liv and Jay were absolutely adorable together. Unfortunately, it didn’t hook me in, I found it a little boring until around 70% when they finally gave into their feelings and it became angsty. There just wasn’t enough happening before this.
Thank you for the ARC.
Thank you for the ARC.
January 27, 2026
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I wanna start by saying thank you to Love Notes Pr and Meghan Hollie for giving me the chance to be an arc reviewer for this book!! AHHH THIS BOOK WAS SOOO GOOD!! it was definitely my fav out of the series so far (ive only read two of the books from this series, including collide, but shh). This was genuinely one of the best endings to a book series that i’ve ever read. the spice in this book was a genuine 10/10. This book is definitely a slow burn. The first kiss is around the 50% mark and the first smut scene is around the 60% mark but still, the story never felt like it was going too slow. i appreciated the gen-z slamg being thrown around in the book (cooked, peaked, etc.) it helped makw the book feel modern!!
Jay Oliviera- This man was SO SEXYYY. him and his sluttyy little glasses. his character shocked me!! like he seems so sweet in the first 50% then he’s pulling out the craziest dirty talk in the smut scenes. he was such an amazing book bf and you could tell he was always thinking about Liv with his actions. I wish we could’ve found out more about the blue haired girl that Jay was supposedly in a “hate-ship” with (it was mentioned in Fragile) but ik Meghan did share afterwards that she wrote his book with a different fmc before scrapping it so i’m going to assume that the blue haired girl was the other fmc. The scene with Jay and his family was so cute!! i wish there was more depth to his “problem” (idk how else to word it) with always feeling like he has to be there for everyone. I loved his journey with his career, it really showed how it can sometimes be when trying to find a job after college.
Olivia Matthews- I loved Olivia so much. shes such a fun character with her spontaneous personality and constant harmless flirting that was throwing Jay into shambles every time. i felt so bad for her when finding out about her past with Rhys and felt so proud of her when she didn’t let him affect her the way he would’ve before. i get her so much with her avoidant attachment personality. i lovedddd how we watched her feelings changed specifically about herself and how she admits than she’s been searching for anything but guilt after the whole rhys situation.
Olivia and Jay- these two are so precious to me. i loved how their relationship happened so naturally and never felt forced. the tesnion between them was so hot. my favorite scenes with them had to be the rain scene and the painting scenes. you could tell they loved eachother so much.
Again, thank you so much to Meghan Hollie and Love Notes PR!!
I wanna start by saying thank you to Love Notes Pr and Meghan Hollie for giving me the chance to be an arc reviewer for this book!! AHHH THIS BOOK WAS SOOO GOOD!! it was definitely my fav out of the series so far (ive only read two of the books from this series, including collide, but shh). This was genuinely one of the best endings to a book series that i’ve ever read. the spice in this book was a genuine 10/10. This book is definitely a slow burn. The first kiss is around the 50% mark and the first smut scene is around the 60% mark but still, the story never felt like it was going too slow. i appreciated the gen-z slamg being thrown around in the book (cooked, peaked, etc.) it helped makw the book feel modern!!
Jay Oliviera- This man was SO SEXYYY. him and his sluttyy little glasses. his character shocked me!! like he seems so sweet in the first 50% then he’s pulling out the craziest dirty talk in the smut scenes. he was such an amazing book bf and you could tell he was always thinking about Liv with his actions. I wish we could’ve found out more about the blue haired girl that Jay was supposedly in a “hate-ship” with (it was mentioned in Fragile) but ik Meghan did share afterwards that she wrote his book with a different fmc before scrapping it so i’m going to assume that the blue haired girl was the other fmc. The scene with Jay and his family was so cute!! i wish there was more depth to his “problem” (idk how else to word it) with always feeling like he has to be there for everyone. I loved his journey with his career, it really showed how it can sometimes be when trying to find a job after college.
Olivia Matthews- I loved Olivia so much. shes such a fun character with her spontaneous personality and constant harmless flirting that was throwing Jay into shambles every time. i felt so bad for her when finding out about her past with Rhys and felt so proud of her when she didn’t let him affect her the way he would’ve before. i get her so much with her avoidant attachment personality. i lovedddd how we watched her feelings changed specifically about herself and how she admits than she’s been searching for anything but guilt after the whole rhys situation.
Olivia and Jay- these two are so precious to me. i loved how their relationship happened so naturally and never felt forced. the tesnion between them was so hot. my favorite scenes with them had to be the rain scene and the painting scenes. you could tell they loved eachother so much.
Again, thank you so much to Meghan Hollie and Love Notes PR!!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy
4.5/5 ⭐️
arc review 💋
before starting, i need to make a public apology... i haven’t read the other books in the series (though they’re officially on my upcoming reads list — i promise 🤍).
that said, i want to make one thing very clear from the start… this book was my first impression of the saga, and if we’re talking about good first impressions, this was absolutely one of them.
let’s start with our protagonists.
oh. my. god.
liv is, from the very first pages, a wonderful girl with a huge heart. it’s impossible not to connect with her. she’s been through something many of us (if not all of us) have experienced at some point… a romantic disappointment that leaves you holding all that love in your hands, with a broken heart and a deep distrust toward anything that might make you feel again. and yet, liv still shines. she’s pure sunshine — outgoing, smiley, warm… simply beautiful inside and out.
and jay?
‼️‼️‼️‼️
he goes straight — no stops — into my top favorite male characters. caring, attentive, funny, hot… should i keep going?🧚🏻♀️
but what really got me is that he isn’t afraid of his feelings. he says what he feels, when he feels it, and always seems to find the perfect words at exactly the right moment. jay is that calm that comes after the storm.
a beautiful friendship.
an even better relationship.
i loved watching their relationship grow naturally, how they slowly started realizing what they were feeling. that connection you can sense from the very beginning keeps building until they simply can’t deny it anymore.
i also loved the presence of their friends and family. they’re not just there as background — they truly matter. they influence, support, and hold everything together (and yes, this fully confirmed that i need to read the previous books to love them even more).
this book has everything i enjoy reading 💋
romance, real connection, and characters that feel alive. it left me with a tight heart and a silly smile, the kind that lingers even after you close the book. i will definitely read the rest of the books in the series… and the ones that come after too 💋
thank you, love notes, for the copy 🤍💌
arc review 💋
before starting, i need to make a public apology... i haven’t read the other books in the series (though they’re officially on my upcoming reads list — i promise 🤍).
that said, i want to make one thing very clear from the start… this book was my first impression of the saga, and if we’re talking about good first impressions, this was absolutely one of them.
let’s start with our protagonists.
oh. my. god.
liv is, from the very first pages, a wonderful girl with a huge heart. it’s impossible not to connect with her. she’s been through something many of us (if not all of us) have experienced at some point… a romantic disappointment that leaves you holding all that love in your hands, with a broken heart and a deep distrust toward anything that might make you feel again. and yet, liv still shines. she’s pure sunshine — outgoing, smiley, warm… simply beautiful inside and out.
and jay?
‼️‼️‼️‼️
he goes straight — no stops — into my top favorite male characters. caring, attentive, funny, hot… should i keep going?🧚🏻♀️
but what really got me is that he isn’t afraid of his feelings. he says what he feels, when he feels it, and always seems to find the perfect words at exactly the right moment. jay is that calm that comes after the storm.
a beautiful friendship.
an even better relationship.
i loved watching their relationship grow naturally, how they slowly started realizing what they were feeling. that connection you can sense from the very beginning keeps building until they simply can’t deny it anymore.
i also loved the presence of their friends and family. they’re not just there as background — they truly matter. they influence, support, and hold everything together (and yes, this fully confirmed that i need to read the previous books to love them even more).
this book has everything i enjoy reading 💋
romance, real connection, and characters that feel alive. it left me with a tight heart and a silly smile, the kind that lingers even after you close the book. i will definitely read the rest of the books in the series… and the ones that come after too 💋
thank you, love notes, for the copy 🤍💌
Review of advance copy received from Author
I was lucky enough to receive an ARC of Meghan Hollie’s final book in the Cedar Lakes and what a bittersweet feeling it is to finish it. To finish the LAST book. I cannot. Why did i do this to myself 💔
Collide follows Liv, a character who's dealing with often anxiety attacks after a past trauma, forcing her to make a fresh start by moving to a new college. ❤️🩹Her friend, Daphne, (YES!! DAPHNE!!) helps her out by setting her up with a roommate, Jay. Daphne and Hudson’s best friend. ✨
From someone who also experiences severe anxiety attacks, It’s such a relatable start, seeing Liv try to navigate a new enviroment while battling her inner demons and also written both expertly and cautiously.🫶🏽🫶🏽🫶🏽
Jay, who’s a photographer, re-enters her life and their connection slowly but surely blossoms.💕 With lots of banter, humour and flirting it turns into something serious.😆
You get to see them build a genuine, real bond, with Jay's passion for photographyy and Liv’s passion for art adding depth and passion to their characters. 📹🎨
Their journey from roommates to lovers flows really well, and is definitely not rushed!! ⭐️Liv is trying to battle her inner thoughts, desperately trying to feel something whilst Jay throws himself into the dating pool, starting with Liv as they learn to open up to each other.✨🫶🏽
Of course, it wouldn't be a romance without some bumps in the road, and this book definitely throws some obstacles their way!! 💥
Watchng Liv and Jay work through these challenges, both individually and as a couple, was relatable and inspiring.💕
It's a heartwarming and emotional read that explores healing, trust, and finding love in…expected places. Yes, Daphne definitely knew what she was doing when she made the perfect match roommates 😉 😏
Adding on to my positive review, the family dynamic is just amazing! How Jay’s family is portrayed is warming and overall joyful🫶🏽
Liv’s dad also made me cry, that thunderstorm story, i will also be passing down. 🌩️
Please, please, PLEASE give this series a chance!! You’re in for a wild ride.
Collide follows Liv, a character who's dealing with often anxiety attacks after a past trauma, forcing her to make a fresh start by moving to a new college. ❤️🩹Her friend, Daphne, (YES!! DAPHNE!!) helps her out by setting her up with a roommate, Jay. Daphne and Hudson’s best friend. ✨
From someone who also experiences severe anxiety attacks, It’s such a relatable start, seeing Liv try to navigate a new enviroment while battling her inner demons and also written both expertly and cautiously.🫶🏽🫶🏽🫶🏽
Jay, who’s a photographer, re-enters her life and their connection slowly but surely blossoms.💕 With lots of banter, humour and flirting it turns into something serious.😆
You get to see them build a genuine, real bond, with Jay's passion for photographyy and Liv’s passion for art adding depth and passion to their characters. 📹🎨
Their journey from roommates to lovers flows really well, and is definitely not rushed!! ⭐️Liv is trying to battle her inner thoughts, desperately trying to feel something whilst Jay throws himself into the dating pool, starting with Liv as they learn to open up to each other.✨🫶🏽
Of course, it wouldn't be a romance without some bumps in the road, and this book definitely throws some obstacles their way!! 💥
Watchng Liv and Jay work through these challenges, both individually and as a couple, was relatable and inspiring.💕
It's a heartwarming and emotional read that explores healing, trust, and finding love in…expected places. Yes, Daphne definitely knew what she was doing when she made the perfect match roommates 😉 😏
Adding on to my positive review, the family dynamic is just amazing! How Jay’s family is portrayed is warming and overall joyful🫶🏽
Liv’s dad also made me cry, that thunderstorm story, i will also be passing down. 🌩️
Please, please, PLEASE give this series a chance!! You’re in for a wild ride.
January 28, 2026
This last book in the Cedar Lakes series was the perfect ending. Jay has been the steadiness in the group throughout all five books, showing and sharing his caregiving and advice to the others and this book is no different. He really sees Liv. He obviously has an instant attraction to her and after she moves in with him having moved cross country from her previous college he tentatively gets to know her with the easiness and gentle way he does everything. This man couldn’t have been more green flag! He listened, didn’t push her to share unless she wanted to, he cooked for her and okkkkkk did I mention he wear glasses?😆 Jay is just the epitome of decent man, whilst also being a knockout to look at with a filthy mouth!
And Liv, sweet Liv! She’s been hurt by someone she thought she could trust, and that’s left her a shell of herself- afraid to trust again or let anyone do nice things for fear she would need to give something in return. But Jay shows her how to believe again that there are genuine people out there. And whilst Jay keeps Liv steady, she in return shows him how to be a little reckless and have fun without worrying too much about tomorrow. The pair of them suited each other so well, the banter between them was top tier and they both have this amazing chemistry, tension and one liners which were absolute perfection. Liv’s internal monologue about Jay will have you in stitches. She’s a live wire and just needs the safeness of Jays support to find herself again. Did I also mention Jays family are Portuguese and he calls her ‘Gatinha’.??? No??? Well let me tell you- Oh how I absolutely LIVE for this nickname!!
You’ll see the return of the gang in places and the ending???? The ending had me in tears- utter joy on page!
5⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️🌶️
And Liv, sweet Liv! She’s been hurt by someone she thought she could trust, and that’s left her a shell of herself- afraid to trust again or let anyone do nice things for fear she would need to give something in return. But Jay shows her how to believe again that there are genuine people out there. And whilst Jay keeps Liv steady, she in return shows him how to be a little reckless and have fun without worrying too much about tomorrow. The pair of them suited each other so well, the banter between them was top tier and they both have this amazing chemistry, tension and one liners which were absolute perfection. Liv’s internal monologue about Jay will have you in stitches. She’s a live wire and just needs the safeness of Jays support to find herself again. Did I also mention Jays family are Portuguese and he calls her ‘Gatinha’.??? No??? Well let me tell you- Oh how I absolutely LIVE for this nickname!!
You’ll see the return of the gang in places and the ending???? The ending had me in tears- utter joy on page!
5⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️🌶️
Review of advance copy
3🌶️
Jay is 'the fixer, the reliable one, the clam in the storm type'
Liv is 'the epitome of a wildcard'
I loved the flirty banter between them. How Liv keeps Jay on his toes and brings some more unexpected into his life. Whereas Jay brings something stable and reliable to Liv's which is exactly what they both needed.
Liv's lack of filter and saying stuff before she's thought it through made for quite a few funny moments which I enjoyed.
Found family is one of my favourite tropes, just seeing how so many people from different backgrounds mesh together and create this tight knit environment. The banter between them, the relationships between everyone of them, I love it!
It's not really a dislike but third act break ups and poor communication aren't a favourite trope( I don't mind them though) but they work for this story and the characters pasts, personalities and life circumstances.
For me reading the last book from the series first I really didn't feel like I was missing anything which is great, no doubt I'll read it again after reading the full series but I didn't feel like I wasnt understanding the story or characters.
Seeing both characters slowly let their guards down which lead to them falling in love as so satisfying to my romance brain, they were the exact person the other needed. Seeing the development and not having it rushed was a breath of fresh air.
Quotes
To impulsive decisions and best friends
You're cute when you malfunction
'Why do you live to torture me?' 'Because it's so much fun'
You don't need the paint for me to see you Liv, I already do
I fell the second I saw her dancing barefoot in the rain
Love is intense, Liv, and I love you intensely
Jay is 'the fixer, the reliable one, the clam in the storm type'
Liv is 'the epitome of a wildcard'
I loved the flirty banter between them. How Liv keeps Jay on his toes and brings some more unexpected into his life. Whereas Jay brings something stable and reliable to Liv's which is exactly what they both needed.
Liv's lack of filter and saying stuff before she's thought it through made for quite a few funny moments which I enjoyed.
Found family is one of my favourite tropes, just seeing how so many people from different backgrounds mesh together and create this tight knit environment. The banter between them, the relationships between everyone of them, I love it!
It's not really a dislike but third act break ups and poor communication aren't a favourite trope( I don't mind them though) but they work for this story and the characters pasts, personalities and life circumstances.
For me reading the last book from the series first I really didn't feel like I was missing anything which is great, no doubt I'll read it again after reading the full series but I didn't feel like I wasnt understanding the story or characters.
Seeing both characters slowly let their guards down which lead to them falling in love as so satisfying to my romance brain, they were the exact person the other needed. Seeing the development and not having it rushed was a breath of fresh air.
Quotes
To impulsive decisions and best friends
You're cute when you malfunction
'Why do you live to torture me?' 'Because it's so much fun'
You don't need the paint for me to see you Liv, I already do
I fell the second I saw her dancing barefoot in the rain
Love is intense, Liv, and I love you intensely
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Collide is the kind of book that quietly settles into your heart and then refuses to leave. Jay and Liv’s story isn’t loud or dramatic in the typical sense; it’s gentle, emotional, and deeply human.
Their dynamic is what made this book so special to me.
Jay is patience personified. He doesn’t push. He doesn’t demand. He just shows up.... consistently, quietly, and with so much care that it almost hurts to read. He’s the kind of male lead who makes you believe in emotional safety again. The way he gives Liv space, listens without judgment, and supports her without trying to fix her? Absolutely chef’s kiss.
And Liv… she felt real. Her anxiety, her hesitation, the way she second-guesses herself...all of it felt honest and relatable. Watching her slowly learn to trust again, to let someone in without fear, was incredibly satisfying. Her growth felt earned, not rushed.
The roommates-to-lovers progression was done so well. The banter, the soft moments, the unspoken feelings building between them, everything unfolded naturally. Nothing felt forced. Their connection grew in quiet gestures, late-night conversations, and shared comfort rather than grand declarations.
What I loved most was how healing this book felt. It’s about finding stability after chaos, about learning that love doesn’t have to be loud to be real. Sometimes it’s just someone making space for you when you need it most.
And the found family aspect? Beautiful. Warm. Exactly what this story needed.
By the time I reached the end, I was emotional in the best way.
If you love:
• roommates to lovers
• slow-burn romance
• found family
• emotionally safe MMCs
• healing after heartbreak
…this book will absolutely be your kind of read.
Their dynamic is what made this book so special to me.
Jay is patience personified. He doesn’t push. He doesn’t demand. He just shows up.... consistently, quietly, and with so much care that it almost hurts to read. He’s the kind of male lead who makes you believe in emotional safety again. The way he gives Liv space, listens without judgment, and supports her without trying to fix her? Absolutely chef’s kiss.
And Liv… she felt real. Her anxiety, her hesitation, the way she second-guesses herself...all of it felt honest and relatable. Watching her slowly learn to trust again, to let someone in without fear, was incredibly satisfying. Her growth felt earned, not rushed.
The roommates-to-lovers progression was done so well. The banter, the soft moments, the unspoken feelings building between them, everything unfolded naturally. Nothing felt forced. Their connection grew in quiet gestures, late-night conversations, and shared comfort rather than grand declarations.
What I loved most was how healing this book felt. It’s about finding stability after chaos, about learning that love doesn’t have to be loud to be real. Sometimes it’s just someone making space for you when you need it most.
And the found family aspect? Beautiful. Warm. Exactly what this story needed.
By the time I reached the end, I was emotional in the best way.
If you love:
• roommates to lovers
• slow-burn romance
• found family
• emotionally safe MMCs
• healing after heartbreak
…this book will absolutely be your kind of read.
January 25, 2026
ARC Review ✨
First I would like to say a big thank you to Meghan for letting me be apart of this ARC Team!
Rate: 4/5⭐️
Spice: 1/5🌶️
What to expect when reading Collide;
-Roommates x Lovers
-Forced Proximity
-Opposites Attract
-Slow Burn
-Found Family
-Chaos Softie x Cinnamon Roll
This is book five of the Cedar Lakes University series! You get to follow Olivia and Jay!!! Olivia came to CLU for a fresh start, the plus side was her best friend, Daph, and her little family were there to welcome her. Jay had goals and it seems like none of them are being achieved. So what happens when a tornado meets the cool clam and collective? Wellllllllll fireworks and a very entertaining read, is how I am going to phrase it. I have read every book in this series and to tell you Jay has thrown me off my rocker (lol in a good way) with what I thought to expect out of all the characters in this series. Meghan did not play around when t came to writing some of their scenes, my jaw was on the floor! She also has such a great way of making you feel every emotion when reading her stories. They are funny, spicy, and perfect amount of plot drama. The chemistry Olivia and Jay had was just so pure it really melted my heart. This was the perfect way to wrap this series up and I am honestly going to miss them so much.
Side notes:
-the shopping trip 😂
-scrapbooking!!!!!!!
-I know to call for emergencies lol
-Little Fury
Fav Quote:
•”Wow I forgot how fucking how you are even without the glasses”
•”You usually run in boxers?”
•”You’ve got domestic husband energy”
•”I like when you stare at me
Make sure you get your copy of the book when it releases Feb. 5th🩷
#bookstagram #romance #review
First I would like to say a big thank you to Meghan for letting me be apart of this ARC Team!
Rate: 4/5⭐️
Spice: 1/5🌶️
What to expect when reading Collide;
-Roommates x Lovers
-Forced Proximity
-Opposites Attract
-Slow Burn
-Found Family
-Chaos Softie x Cinnamon Roll
This is book five of the Cedar Lakes University series! You get to follow Olivia and Jay!!! Olivia came to CLU for a fresh start, the plus side was her best friend, Daph, and her little family were there to welcome her. Jay had goals and it seems like none of them are being achieved. So what happens when a tornado meets the cool clam and collective? Wellllllllll fireworks and a very entertaining read, is how I am going to phrase it. I have read every book in this series and to tell you Jay has thrown me off my rocker (lol in a good way) with what I thought to expect out of all the characters in this series. Meghan did not play around when t came to writing some of their scenes, my jaw was on the floor! She also has such a great way of making you feel every emotion when reading her stories. They are funny, spicy, and perfect amount of plot drama. The chemistry Olivia and Jay had was just so pure it really melted my heart. This was the perfect way to wrap this series up and I am honestly going to miss them so much.
Side notes:
-the shopping trip 😂
-scrapbooking!!!!!!!
-I know to call for emergencies lol
-Little Fury
Fav Quote:
•”Wow I forgot how fucking how you are even without the glasses”
•”You usually run in boxers?”
•”You’ve got domestic husband energy”
•”I like when you stare at me
Make sure you get your copy of the book when it releases Feb. 5th🩷
#bookstagram #romance #review
Review of advance copy received from Author
Olivia Matthews isn’t just my roommate, she’s everything I didn’t know I needed. The exact kind of woman who sets me on fire while soothing me.
Olivia comes to Cedar Lakes to have a fresh start and needs somewhere to sleep, because campus housing doesn’t have an opening yet. Jay has an empty room in his apartment, which he lets her vacate. Their flirty banter turns into a real friendship which is the perfect base for their relationship. Will she find her love for art again and will he gets the two things he wants, his dream job and the girl?
I LOVE Jay - I will fight Olivia for him. He listens to Post Malone, wears glasses, has a dirty mouth and blushes very easily! 🤭 Sir is the best of both worlds - in every aspect. I really am his number one fan - I have loved his first line.
Olivia is his opposite. She has a flirty personality, a little more outgoing than him, but super lovable! She is the perfect fit for him - he comes out of his shell for her.
I loved that we got to see more scrapbooking! We got to see everyone again in their own way, which is the perfect way to end this wonderful series. I am excited to see, if we’ll see them again in future series (I need more Jay & Hudson!!)
We have some wonderful friendship moments between Hudson & Jay and Daphne & Olivia. The girls have girl talk and the guys have guys night - what isn’t to love?
Nick Fury stole my heart. I am a big cat person and he is lovely! He sold me instantly.
This is my favorite book of the series and a very worthy ending for the Cedar Lakes University!
Thank you Meghan Hollie & LoveNotesPR for the eARC I really appreciate it! 🤍
Olivia comes to Cedar Lakes to have a fresh start and needs somewhere to sleep, because campus housing doesn’t have an opening yet. Jay has an empty room in his apartment, which he lets her vacate. Their flirty banter turns into a real friendship which is the perfect base for their relationship. Will she find her love for art again and will he gets the two things he wants, his dream job and the girl?
I LOVE Jay - I will fight Olivia for him. He listens to Post Malone, wears glasses, has a dirty mouth and blushes very easily! 🤭 Sir is the best of both worlds - in every aspect. I really am his number one fan - I have loved his first line.
Olivia is his opposite. She has a flirty personality, a little more outgoing than him, but super lovable! She is the perfect fit for him - he comes out of his shell for her.
I loved that we got to see more scrapbooking! We got to see everyone again in their own way, which is the perfect way to end this wonderful series. I am excited to see, if we’ll see them again in future series (I need more Jay & Hudson!!)
We have some wonderful friendship moments between Hudson & Jay and Daphne & Olivia. The girls have girl talk and the guys have guys night - what isn’t to love?
Nick Fury stole my heart. I am a big cat person and he is lovely! He sold me instantly.
This is my favorite book of the series and a very worthy ending for the Cedar Lakes University!
Thank you Meghan Hollie & LoveNotesPR for the eARC I really appreciate it! 🤍
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
The depth that these characters have is amazing! I haven't read the rest of the series, but I am going to after reading this book. One of the other couples was also in this book and I really loved their relationship.
Liv just went through the worst break-up possible. In a panicked decision she decided to move and transfer schools. She moves to the same city her best friend lives in, but the campus housing doesn't have any available apartments at the moment. Luckily Jay, who is the best friend of her best friend's boyfriend, has an two bedroom apartment in the city. They have one problem, they are extremely attracted to each other.
Jay is probably one of the sweetest people. He is a photographer, but he doesn't enjoy his job as much as he hoped he would. What he really wants to do is be a sports photographer. Olivia is going to move in with him for the next couple of months. The only problem is that he has just one bed, so he takes the uncomfortable couch. He even cooks the most delicious food for Olivia.
I cried so much while I was reading this book. Like i said before, these characters really have emotional dept. The stuff they were dealing with was heavy. I am happy that they both learned that it is okay to just be themselves. You don't have to change for anyone, the right person will love you the way you are. Oh and guys, I have read a lot of spice in my 4,5 years as an active reader. I think this author is one of the best spicy scene writers I have ever read something from.
My favorite quote:
'I'm not going anywhere, Olivia. You can slam it in my face, you can yell, you can hate me, but I'm not leaving until you here me'
My rating:
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5
🌶️🌶️
Liv just went through the worst break-up possible. In a panicked decision she decided to move and transfer schools. She moves to the same city her best friend lives in, but the campus housing doesn't have any available apartments at the moment. Luckily Jay, who is the best friend of her best friend's boyfriend, has an two bedroom apartment in the city. They have one problem, they are extremely attracted to each other.
Jay is probably one of the sweetest people. He is a photographer, but he doesn't enjoy his job as much as he hoped he would. What he really wants to do is be a sports photographer. Olivia is going to move in with him for the next couple of months. The only problem is that he has just one bed, so he takes the uncomfortable couch. He even cooks the most delicious food for Olivia.
I cried so much while I was reading this book. Like i said before, these characters really have emotional dept. The stuff they were dealing with was heavy. I am happy that they both learned that it is okay to just be themselves. You don't have to change for anyone, the right person will love you the way you are. Oh and guys, I have read a lot of spice in my 4,5 years as an active reader. I think this author is one of the best spicy scene writers I have ever read something from.
My favorite quote:
'I'm not going anywhere, Olivia. You can slam it in my face, you can yell, you can hate me, but I'm not leaving until you here me'
My rating:
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5
🌶️🌶️
Review of advance copy received from Author
Collide 📸
Firstly,I want to thank LoveNotes PR & Meghan Hollie for trusting me with this ARC!💞
"Her shoes linger where mine used to sit alone"
Oh.My.God.
You cannot possibly understand how much I adored that story.
It's a classic.Liv needs a house to move in and Jay will become her new roomie.
Simple trope yet one of the best ones.Specifically this time,I love how easy to read this story was.It didn't need big plot twists,tragic breakups or many info in order to shine and make you being stuck between the pages.Just two young people falling in love.
Liv,was your usual sunshine character,that will instantly brighten everything around you when you read her lines.
Can I say love SUITS HER?She is made to fall in & be loved.
And here comes our wonderful mmc Jay.
That man?Pure golden retriever vibes,expect from the 🌶️ scenes,here he is becoming more like a lion to be honest.
ANYWAY,I really liked reading about him too,due to his funniness and the way that he was constantly founding ways to make up our girl's day,or become her husband or the man that experienced flooding all of a sudden!🤭
Their romance was being build on top of memories and moments,with that making it point out and being SO good written that I was like YES!Give me more.💃
I really enjoyed every aspect of the connection and that epilogue was just the cherry on top!
As you saw,this is the most amazing story,if you want a cutesy,lovely romance to snuggle with.
&let me remind you Valentine's Day is around the corner,so grab your copy,a mug full of hearts and dive in!Liv and Jay are waiting for you ❣️
Out On Feb, 5th 🧁
4⭐
Firstly,I want to thank LoveNotes PR & Meghan Hollie for trusting me with this ARC!💞
"Her shoes linger where mine used to sit alone"
Oh.My.God.
You cannot possibly understand how much I adored that story.
It's a classic.Liv needs a house to move in and Jay will become her new roomie.
Simple trope yet one of the best ones.Specifically this time,I love how easy to read this story was.It didn't need big plot twists,tragic breakups or many info in order to shine and make you being stuck between the pages.Just two young people falling in love.
Liv,was your usual sunshine character,that will instantly brighten everything around you when you read her lines.
Can I say love SUITS HER?She is made to fall in & be loved.
And here comes our wonderful mmc Jay.
That man?Pure golden retriever vibes,expect from the 🌶️ scenes,here he is becoming more like a lion to be honest.
ANYWAY,I really liked reading about him too,due to his funniness and the way that he was constantly founding ways to make up our girl's day,or become her husband or the man that experienced flooding all of a sudden!🤭
Their romance was being build on top of memories and moments,with that making it point out and being SO good written that I was like YES!Give me more.💃
I really enjoyed every aspect of the connection and that epilogue was just the cherry on top!
As you saw,this is the most amazing story,if you want a cutesy,lovely romance to snuggle with.
&let me remind you Valentine's Day is around the corner,so grab your copy,a mug full of hearts and dive in!Liv and Jay are waiting for you ❣️
Out On Feb, 5th 🧁
4⭐
January 26, 2026
OMG!! It’s the end and I am not ok! 🥹💔 Collide (book 5 in the Cedar Lakes University series) is the perfect, heartfelt goodbye—and honestly, I couldn’t imagine a better couple to close it out 💕
Jay and Olivia’s story starts with a fresh start 🍃 and a little bit of chaos. Olivia needs a place to crash thanks to delayed campus housing, and Jay just so happens to have an empty room… hello roommates to lovers 👀🔥 Their flirty banter quickly turns into a genuine friendship, and that slow, natural build made their romance feel so real and swoony 🥰
Jay is 💯😍📸—a sports photographer stuck in the wrong job, soft yet confident, glasses-wearing, dirty-mouthed cinnamon roll with domestic husband energy 🏡😂 Olivia is his perfect opposite—outgoing, flirty, artistic, and so easy to love 💖 Watching Jay and Olivia evolve was so special.
The banter had me laughing 😂, the emotions had me in my feels 🥹, and the found family moments completely stole my heart 🫶 From girls’ nights to guys’ nights, familiar faces, and even more scrapbooking 🖼️, it truly felt like coming home one last time. And let’s not forget Nick Fury the cat 🐈⬛—instant favorite, no notes.
This book was funny, emotional, cozy, and romantic—an absolutely worthy and beautiful ending to an incredible series 💗📖
What to expect:
💖 Roommates to Lovers
🔥 Forced Proximity
💞 Opposites Attract
🏡 Found Family
😂 Top-tier banter
🥹 All the feels
Forever grateful for this series—and yes, I will be begging for more Jay appearances in the future 😍✨
Thank you Meghan Hollie and LoveNotesPR for this incredible eARC!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 🌶️🌶️🌶️
Jay and Olivia’s story starts with a fresh start 🍃 and a little bit of chaos. Olivia needs a place to crash thanks to delayed campus housing, and Jay just so happens to have an empty room… hello roommates to lovers 👀🔥 Their flirty banter quickly turns into a genuine friendship, and that slow, natural build made their romance feel so real and swoony 🥰
Jay is 💯😍📸—a sports photographer stuck in the wrong job, soft yet confident, glasses-wearing, dirty-mouthed cinnamon roll with domestic husband energy 🏡😂 Olivia is his perfect opposite—outgoing, flirty, artistic, and so easy to love 💖 Watching Jay and Olivia evolve was so special.
The banter had me laughing 😂, the emotions had me in my feels 🥹, and the found family moments completely stole my heart 🫶 From girls’ nights to guys’ nights, familiar faces, and even more scrapbooking 🖼️, it truly felt like coming home one last time. And let’s not forget Nick Fury the cat 🐈⬛—instant favorite, no notes.
This book was funny, emotional, cozy, and romantic—an absolutely worthy and beautiful ending to an incredible series 💗📖
What to expect:
💖 Roommates to Lovers
🔥 Forced Proximity
💞 Opposites Attract
🏡 Found Family
😂 Top-tier banter
🥹 All the feels
Forever grateful for this series—and yes, I will be begging for more Jay appearances in the future 😍✨
Thank you Meghan Hollie and LoveNotesPR for this incredible eARC!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 🌶️🌶️🌶️
Review of advance copy received from Author
You can never go wrong with a Meghan Hollie love story and the final book in her CLU series, 𝐂𝐨𝐥𝐥𝐢𝐝𝐞 proves it!
When a heartbroken Olivia transfers to CLU & learns that the new dorms aren’t available yet, she turns to her best friend, Daphne for help.
Enter our resident Mr Fixer, Jay Oliviera, a close friend with a spare room and an inability to say no to Daphne’s puppy dog eyes. 😅
A whirlwind of contradictions, Jay finds Liv to be equal parts sassy and sad. And it’s those glimpses of sadness that Jay is just aching to fix…with home-made meals, attention to details and copious amounts of peach iced tea.
While Liv struggles to overcome her fears and trust herself again, she quickly realises that Jay has become the one place she feels safe. It also doesn’t hurt that he is a delicious specimen of a man with slutty glasses and a penchant for gentlemanly acts of service.
From morning runs to disastrous date rescues, these two take secret yearning to a whole new level. I absolutely loved how the author conveyed both MCs humour, anxiety and general awkwardness through their inner monologues, making both characters so relatable.
And I cannot leave this review without mentioning the appearance of one of my favourite micro-tropes - an MMC that goes absolutely feral when the FMC wears his clothes. 😍😍
I’m so happy to have been chosen to review Collide. Such a delightful and easy read.
My rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
My spice rating: 🌶️🌶️🌶️
When a heartbroken Olivia transfers to CLU & learns that the new dorms aren’t available yet, she turns to her best friend, Daphne for help.
Enter our resident Mr Fixer, Jay Oliviera, a close friend with a spare room and an inability to say no to Daphne’s puppy dog eyes. 😅
A whirlwind of contradictions, Jay finds Liv to be equal parts sassy and sad. And it’s those glimpses of sadness that Jay is just aching to fix…with home-made meals, attention to details and copious amounts of peach iced tea.
While Liv struggles to overcome her fears and trust herself again, she quickly realises that Jay has become the one place she feels safe. It also doesn’t hurt that he is a delicious specimen of a man with slutty glasses and a penchant for gentlemanly acts of service.
From morning runs to disastrous date rescues, these two take secret yearning to a whole new level. I absolutely loved how the author conveyed both MCs humour, anxiety and general awkwardness through their inner monologues, making both characters so relatable.
And I cannot leave this review without mentioning the appearance of one of my favourite micro-tropes - an MMC that goes absolutely feral when the FMC wears his clothes. 😍😍
I’m so happy to have been chosen to review Collide. Such a delightful and easy read.
My rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
My spice rating: 🌶️🌶️🌶️
Review of advance copy received from Author
ay & Olivia
I had not previously read others in the Cedar Lakes University Series, it was not needed to enjoy this book. While I may have had a different perspective on the supporting characters to know their back story, it did not impede the flow of this story. I love when the books within a series can still stand alone and this one certain held it’s own.
Jay is the friend in the group that is always there to support the needs, fix any problems and generally be there for his friends and family. Maybe to even to a fault.
Olivia is a force of nature. Always putting on the front of being strong, carefree and always saying what is on her mind… or so it appears.
She is finding herself in a position to switch schools and move from Washington to Oregon where she will be closer to her BFF. With a few assists from her dad she is able to transfer after the start of the semester but finds herself without a place to live until January when the new dorms are ready. Enter Jay. His BFF Hudson is engaged to her BFF, and they know that Jay will do what he always does, be there to help solve this problem. How, by providing her his spare room to stay in while she finishes out this semester and can move in January.
This story is sweet, funny and also shows the struggles of overcoming past relationships, divorce, and job struggles all while getting to know the other while just showing up and letting them in.
I had not previously read others in the Cedar Lakes University Series, it was not needed to enjoy this book. While I may have had a different perspective on the supporting characters to know their back story, it did not impede the flow of this story. I love when the books within a series can still stand alone and this one certain held it’s own.
Jay is the friend in the group that is always there to support the needs, fix any problems and generally be there for his friends and family. Maybe to even to a fault.
Olivia is a force of nature. Always putting on the front of being strong, carefree and always saying what is on her mind… or so it appears.
She is finding herself in a position to switch schools and move from Washington to Oregon where she will be closer to her BFF. With a few assists from her dad she is able to transfer after the start of the semester but finds herself without a place to live until January when the new dorms are ready. Enter Jay. His BFF Hudson is engaged to her BFF, and they know that Jay will do what he always does, be there to help solve this problem. How, by providing her his spare room to stay in while she finishes out this semester and can move in January.
This story is sweet, funny and also shows the struggles of overcoming past relationships, divorce, and job struggles all while getting to know the other while just showing up and letting them in.
January 28, 2026
A sidelined sports photographer and a woman chasing a fresh start never meant to need each other…but sharing space turns into sharing healing. As ambition, timing, and fear pull them in different directions, they must decide whether love is something you chase,or something you stay still enough to receive.
There is so much about Collide to love — the characters, the storyline, the banter… truly all of it. Jay especially stole my heart. The disappointment of not landing your dream job out of college is something so many of us can relate to. I love how Jay navigates these moments while staying humble and remaining the steady rock within his core friend group.
Then cue the chaos that is Olivia. Liv is searching for a fresh start in a new place, trying to recover from heartbreak and disappointment of her own. Jay and Liv are complete opposites, which makes them the perfect roommates. This slow burn, forced proximity novel is just so good! There is also spice.
Although Collide can absolutely be read as a standalone, I highly recommend reading the other books in the series, as many of the previous characters make appearances in this one. I’ll definitely be going back to binge the rest of the series.
Jay just might be my favorite MMC, and I’ve read a lot of romance books, so that’s really saying something. I’m so happy to have received this ARC!
Others books from this series to check out:
Trouble
Fragile
Pieces
Riptide
There is so much about Collide to love — the characters, the storyline, the banter… truly all of it. Jay especially stole my heart. The disappointment of not landing your dream job out of college is something so many of us can relate to. I love how Jay navigates these moments while staying humble and remaining the steady rock within his core friend group.
Then cue the chaos that is Olivia. Liv is searching for a fresh start in a new place, trying to recover from heartbreak and disappointment of her own. Jay and Liv are complete opposites, which makes them the perfect roommates. This slow burn, forced proximity novel is just so good! There is also spice.
Although Collide can absolutely be read as a standalone, I highly recommend reading the other books in the series, as many of the previous characters make appearances in this one. I’ll definitely be going back to binge the rest of the series.
Jay just might be my favorite MMC, and I’ve read a lot of romance books, so that’s really saying something. I’m so happy to have received this ARC!
Others books from this series to check out:
Trouble
Fragile
Pieces
Riptide
Review of advance copy received from Author
⭐️ 4 / 5
Screaming internally right now!!!
This book was so good! I absolutely loved the chemistry between Jay and Liv, and their communication, even with a few moments of doubt, was really well done.
What stood out the most for me was Liv’s journey towards self-discovery and self-love after being completely shattered. She never gave up and kept pushing forward, even more when she realised she wasn’t alone. You know what they say: what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger! And Jay... I was so happy for him. Seeing him hold onto his dreams after so many rejections was incredibly rewarding!
And that ending! I absolutely loved it. Seeing them all stay together once again was so emotional, it definitely proved that a chosen family can be just as strong as a blood one.
And, as a Portuguese reader myself, I also have to say how much I appreciated the portuguese moments sprinkled into the story. Whether it was the culture, the food, or the interactions, it felt like a little Easter egg just for us. 🥰
A perfect ending to this series! I highly recommend all of the books, and I can’t wait to keep reading more from this author. ^-^
~ Thank you to Meghan Hollie and Love Notes PR for providing me with an ARC, all thoughts and opinions are my own! ~
Screaming internally right now!!!
This book was so good! I absolutely loved the chemistry between Jay and Liv, and their communication, even with a few moments of doubt, was really well done.
What stood out the most for me was Liv’s journey towards self-discovery and self-love after being completely shattered. She never gave up and kept pushing forward, even more when she realised she wasn’t alone. You know what they say: what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger! And Jay... I was so happy for him. Seeing him hold onto his dreams after so many rejections was incredibly rewarding!
And that ending! I absolutely loved it. Seeing them all stay together once again was so emotional, it definitely proved that a chosen family can be just as strong as a blood one.
And, as a Portuguese reader myself, I also have to say how much I appreciated the portuguese moments sprinkled into the story. Whether it was the culture, the food, or the interactions, it felt like a little Easter egg just for us. 🥰
A perfect ending to this series! I highly recommend all of the books, and I can’t wait to keep reading more from this author. ^-^
~ Thank you to Meghan Hollie and Love Notes PR for providing me with an ARC, all thoughts and opinions are my own! ~
Review of advance copy received from Author
Collide is book 5 in the Cedar Lakes University series, this one follows Jay and Olivia. But we get a little of each couple from each book, especially Liv's mischevious bestie Daphne.
Liv moves mid semester, after some life altering stuff went down and moves in with Jay, her best friend’s fiancé’s best friend’s. All very intermingled and give that lovely found family vibes you need when you are starting out on life.
Jay has always been the hot guy, who wears slutty glasses but Liv doesn't think she deserves.
"Not when I’m still figuring out who I am without someone else’s mess clinging to me."
Jay may look like he has his life all figured out with his nice apartment, cooking skills and job but he quickly realizes he definitely has a dream he wants to go for. Chaos, paint, and hanging in thunderstorms can help.
“Someone reminded me there’s still something worth building. Even if it looks different than what I pictured.”
Opposites attract
Roommates to lovers
Forced Proximity
Slow Burn
Found family
And you know your limits, so read the author's content warnings. I received a copy of this book from Love Notes PR, and this is my honest review.
Liv moves mid semester, after some life altering stuff went down and moves in with Jay, her best friend’s fiancé’s best friend’s. All very intermingled and give that lovely found family vibes you need when you are starting out on life.
Jay has always been the hot guy, who wears slutty glasses but Liv doesn't think she deserves.
"Not when I’m still figuring out who I am without someone else’s mess clinging to me."
Jay may look like he has his life all figured out with his nice apartment, cooking skills and job but he quickly realizes he definitely has a dream he wants to go for. Chaos, paint, and hanging in thunderstorms can help.
“Someone reminded me there’s still something worth building. Even if it looks different than what I pictured.”
Opposites attract
Roommates to lovers
Forced Proximity
Slow Burn
Found family
And you know your limits, so read the author's content warnings. I received a copy of this book from Love Notes PR, and this is my honest review.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Arc Review
First off I would like to thank @lovenotes.pr & @meghanhollieauthor for the opportunity to read and review this book.
Olivia & Jay
You guys 😭😭 I'm in love. This book was perfect. I love how messy and chaotic Olivia is, she's real and complex and just beautiful. I love how she is bold and outgoing while also being soft and caring. She is everything. I love how she pushes Jay out of his comfort zone and shows him to be spontaneous. I love Jay so much, I love how reliable and stable he is, I love that he pushed Olivia to get back into her passion of art while being a safe space for her and bringing her peace and stability their connection is beautiful and strong and their banter is so funny and good.
5/5 Recommend this book. I'm so sad that this series is over, but I'm so excited for what's next to come. While she does touch on some topics that might be sensitive to some she doesn't go too deep and is perfect balance with humor and heart and found family vibes. Definitely recommend the whole series
First off I would like to thank @lovenotes.pr & @meghanhollieauthor for the opportunity to read and review this book.
Olivia & Jay
You guys 😭😭 I'm in love. This book was perfect. I love how messy and chaotic Olivia is, she's real and complex and just beautiful. I love how she is bold and outgoing while also being soft and caring. She is everything. I love how she pushes Jay out of his comfort zone and shows him to be spontaneous. I love Jay so much, I love how reliable and stable he is, I love that he pushed Olivia to get back into her passion of art while being a safe space for her and bringing her peace and stability their connection is beautiful and strong and their banter is so funny and good.
5/5 Recommend this book. I'm so sad that this series is over, but I'm so excited for what's next to come. While she does touch on some topics that might be sensitive to some she doesn't go too deep and is perfect balance with humor and heart and found family vibes. Definitely recommend the whole series
Review of advance copy received from Author
I’m so sad that this is the last book in the Cedar Lakes University series 😭, but wow—was it worth the wait! It’s such a beautiful way to wrap up the series.
Jay—my dude, my dude. I was not prepared for his story. He’s the level-headed, reserved one, always fixing everyone else’s problems while quietly chasing his dream of becoming a professional sports photographer.
Then there’s Olivia, aka Liv. She’s the wild card: chaotic, loud, a little broken, but oh so sweet. She’s just a girl trying to pick up the pieces of her life after a messy breakup.
Together, these two have incredible banter, undeniable chemistry, and show you what can happen when you push through fear and go after exactly what you want.
I truly can’t recommend the entire Cedar Lakes University series enough. If you’re looking for romance with humor, spice, and an emotional journey that will stay with you long after you’ve finished the books, I highly suggest reading this series!
Thank you to Megha Hollie for this E-ARC.
All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Jay—my dude, my dude. I was not prepared for his story. He’s the level-headed, reserved one, always fixing everyone else’s problems while quietly chasing his dream of becoming a professional sports photographer.
Then there’s Olivia, aka Liv. She’s the wild card: chaotic, loud, a little broken, but oh so sweet. She’s just a girl trying to pick up the pieces of her life after a messy breakup.
Together, these two have incredible banter, undeniable chemistry, and show you what can happen when you push through fear and go after exactly what you want.
I truly can’t recommend the entire Cedar Lakes University series enough. If you’re looking for romance with humor, spice, and an emotional journey that will stay with you long after you’ve finished the books, I highly suggest reading this series!
Thank you to Megha Hollie for this E-ARC.
All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Review of advance copy received from Author
ARC review (book 5 in the series)
Antecdotal notes while reading
Open door
Jay - photographer with bigger aspirations, dependable, reliable, safe
Hudson - best friend to Jay, NFL rookie
Daphne - Hudson’s better half and mother to his kiddo, twin to Finn
Liv - Daphne's bestie, moving into town and roommates with Jay, what happened at your prior college to switch schools mid semester?? art curator interest, impulsive
Protective of auras 24 hours into this already... interesting
"I might not have taken you on the date, but I'm the one you came home to. I can still be the one to end your night right. " ... playing with 🔥
"I can do hard things." ... Oh Liv, this might just be too hard for you though. 😆
"Sugarcoated mischief" that is a very accurate description
Open, honest, especially when it is scary, communication is important.
Oh 💩 the coffee shop
Communication is 🔑 people!!
What an amazing support group
Antecdotal notes while reading
Open door
Jay - photographer with bigger aspirations, dependable, reliable, safe
Hudson - best friend to Jay, NFL rookie
Daphne - Hudson’s better half and mother to his kiddo, twin to Finn
Liv - Daphne's bestie, moving into town and roommates with Jay, what happened at your prior college to switch schools mid semester?? art curator interest, impulsive
Protective of auras 24 hours into this already... interesting
"I might not have taken you on the date, but I'm the one you came home to. I can still be the one to end your night right. " ... playing with 🔥
"I can do hard things." ... Oh Liv, this might just be too hard for you though. 😆
"Sugarcoated mischief" that is a very accurate description
Open, honest, especially when it is scary, communication is important.
Oh 💩 the coffee shop
Communication is 🔑 people!!
What an amazing support group
Review of advance copy received from Indie Reviewers
What a beautiful ending to this series! I have been here for the series since the start and the books just keep getting better and better.
I feel so similar to Liv and I think that’s why I loved her so much. She honestly deserves so much and I am absolutely thrilled that Jay shows her. I loved seeing her regain herself back. I always love seeing her and Daphne’s friendship in more depth throughout this book.
I’ve wanted Jay’s book since the beginning and I am so glad that we finally have his book. I loved that we still had his relationship with Hudson as a big part of the book. I loved seeing him get his dreams and getting a love like Liv. I also loved their dynamic in the relationship he keeps her safe and she keeps him wild.
This was a perfect ending and I loved it. I read it in one sitting and cannot wait to explore a new universe with Meghan Hollie next.
I feel so similar to Liv and I think that’s why I loved her so much. She honestly deserves so much and I am absolutely thrilled that Jay shows her. I loved seeing her regain herself back. I always love seeing her and Daphne’s friendship in more depth throughout this book.
I’ve wanted Jay’s book since the beginning and I am so glad that we finally have his book. I loved that we still had his relationship with Hudson as a big part of the book. I loved seeing him get his dreams and getting a love like Liv. I also loved their dynamic in the relationship he keeps her safe and she keeps him wild.
This was a perfect ending and I loved it. I read it in one sitting and cannot wait to explore a new universe with Meghan Hollie next.
Review of advance copy
Jay and Liv were everything! I waited, impatiently, for Jay to finally get his HEA. I have loved him from the start. he was such a sturdy character and he was exactly what this group needed.
I'm glad he ended up with Liv. She was definitely the excitement Jay needed in his life. She brought color to his very structured life. I also loved the Portuguese influence. It was nice to have Jay have something cultural to share with Liv.
I also enjoyed Liv's character journey. She had such a huge betrayal in the start of the story and it was so empowering to watch her grow and figure out what she deserves in life.
I didnt want to say goodbye to this series 😭😭
When I first got the ARC for Trouble, I didnt thinkni could fall in love with a group of characters as fast as I did for this series. I'm sad to say goodbye but ready for the stories to come!
I'm glad he ended up with Liv. She was definitely the excitement Jay needed in his life. She brought color to his very structured life. I also loved the Portuguese influence. It was nice to have Jay have something cultural to share with Liv.
I also enjoyed Liv's character journey. She had such a huge betrayal in the start of the story and it was so empowering to watch her grow and figure out what she deserves in life.
I didnt want to say goodbye to this series 😭😭
When I first got the ARC for Trouble, I didnt thinkni could fall in love with a group of characters as fast as I did for this series. I'm sad to say goodbye but ready for the stories to come!
Review of advance copy
ARC REVIEW 💗🎨📷
I really enjoyed this cozy roommate romance!! Jay is everything Olivia needs, steady, kind and so open. Olivia is absolute chaos and messy, messy rainbows but I loved that most about her. She just is herself.
I love a good roommate romance and when she comes home with a cat without telling him hahah I laughed out loud.
I really loved how they didn’t try to deny their feelings for half the book. Their relationship developed into friendship and then into something more.
The studio scene with the paint 🎨… yessss just yesssss.
I loved how Jay just adored her craziness never tried to change her.
The found family made this such a cozy sweet romance. Their friends are so supportive.
⭐️⭐️⭐️.5
🌶️🌶️
Tropes:
🎨 roommate romance
📷 forced proximity
🎨 found family
📷 art student x sports photographer
I really enjoyed this cozy roommate romance!! Jay is everything Olivia needs, steady, kind and so open. Olivia is absolute chaos and messy, messy rainbows but I loved that most about her. She just is herself.
I love a good roommate romance and when she comes home with a cat without telling him hahah I laughed out loud.
I really loved how they didn’t try to deny their feelings for half the book. Their relationship developed into friendship and then into something more.
The studio scene with the paint 🎨… yessss just yesssss.
I loved how Jay just adored her craziness never tried to change her.
The found family made this such a cozy sweet romance. Their friends are so supportive.
⭐️⭐️⭐️.5
🌶️🌶️
Tropes:
🎨 roommate romance
📷 forced proximity
🎨 found family
📷 art student x sports photographer
Review of advance copy received from Author
4.4⭐️
Thank you so much, Meghan, for the e-ARC of this book! I was so excited for Jay’s and Olivia’s story, and it did not disappoint. As always, Meghan’s writing is one of my favorites—it was so easy to read, and I couldn’t put it down. I love Jay with my whole heart, and even though Olivia and I are very different people, I still really liked her character and found pieces of myself in her at times.
I was genuinely sad when I finished the series, so I decided to reread Indie’s and Seb’s book because I wasn’t ready to say goodbye to this group and their world 🥹
💗Roommates to lovers
⭐️Forced proximity
✈️Slow burn
👓Chaos softie x cinnamon roll (he wears glasses🤭)
🧑🍳Opposite attracts
🎨Found family
Thank you so much, Meghan, for the e-ARC of this book! I was so excited for Jay’s and Olivia’s story, and it did not disappoint. As always, Meghan’s writing is one of my favorites—it was so easy to read, and I couldn’t put it down. I love Jay with my whole heart, and even though Olivia and I are very different people, I still really liked her character and found pieces of myself in her at times.
I was genuinely sad when I finished the series, so I decided to reread Indie’s and Seb’s book because I wasn’t ready to say goodbye to this group and their world 🥹
💗Roommates to lovers
⭐️Forced proximity
✈️Slow burn
👓Chaos softie x cinnamon roll (he wears glasses🤭)
🧑🍳Opposite attracts
🎨Found family
January 26, 2026
What a perfect way to wrap up this series. It’s definitely bittersweet saying goodbye to these characters but Collide was exactly the ending the story needed.
This one is a mix of laugh out loud funny, emotional and heartfelt. Liv is hilarious but you also get to see her vulnerable side. And Jay is just the cutest book boyfriend but also has a dirty mouth 😏 Their chemistry and banter completely made the book for me. I also really loved the roommates storyline. I adored seeing more of the other characters we love, particularly Hudson and Daphne.
Overall, this was a heartfelt, thoroughly enjoyable read. I highly recommend the entire series, and I can’t wait to see what Meghan writes next.
Review of advance copy
Wow—these characters had so much more depth than I expected. So often in romance, we get chapters and chapters of the leads fighting their feelings, with most of the book spent resisting being together, and the “click” of love only coming once they’re separated. I loved that Collide flipped that trope. Instead, we get to watch two broken people slowly feel safe enough with each other to begin healing. That emotional connection made the story feel real, raw, and incredibly satisfying. The romance scenes were HOT and perfectly balanced
Review of advance copy
*Advanced Reader Copy*
Absolutely loved reading this early and cannot wait for others to read it soon! This series is perfect for readers that loved the Windy City series and are looking for more found family. I thoroughly enjoyed following an mmc that wasn’t an athlete, but worked in the sports photography world and an fmc that has a focus in art, it gave a unique feel to the popular “sports romance” genre!
Absolutely loved reading this early and cannot wait for others to read it soon! This series is perfect for readers that loved the Windy City series and are looking for more found family. I thoroughly enjoyed following an mmc that wasn’t an athlete, but worked in the sports photography world and an fmc that has a focus in art, it gave a unique feel to the popular “sports romance” genre!
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