Seeds of Friendship: A University of Mountain Springs Prequel

by Lola Lockhart

Before love, betrayal, passion, and trust, there was friendship.

You've heard their names whispered across campus.

Freddie—the charming bastard who won't let anyone get close.
Alfie—the ice-cold billionaire's son who could destroy you with a look.
Troy—the golden boy engineering genius with a scandalous past.
Ethan—the ex-quarterback drowning his potential in beer and bad decisions.

Before they became legends at the University of Mountain Springs, they were just four guys who got put into a house together.

This is the story you’ve not heard yet—how four strangers became brothers and how the most notorious house on Oak Street was born.

Seeds of Friendship is a prequel novella to the spicy STEM romance series, University of Mountain Springs. You can read this before or after the main series—no spoilers, just origins. While this novella focuses on friendship and has minimal spice, the main series is full of heat, heart, and badass STEM women who give these boys a run for their money.

Genres: Ebooks

78 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 9, 2025

About the author

When she’s not getting lost in vivid daydreams about her next book boyfriend, you can find romance author Lola Lockhart devouring or writing yet another swoon-worthy novel, going for a hike to fuel her imagination, or planning her next cozy café writing session (caffeine is a must).

This passionate Brit loves the UK, but her heart will always remain wherever the sun shines brightest – AKA, she tries to escape the cold weather as much as possible.

Lola has been hooked on sweeping love stories since childhood, when she could often be found secretly reading under the covers long after bedtime, flashlight in hand. Now she gets to share that obsession, serving up steamy new couples destined to melt hearts.

Reviews

[Dawn Griffith · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was such a beautiful way to see where it all began. I absolutely loved getting to know how this whole series started. It makes everything in the main books feel even more meaningful. Seeing Freddie, Alfie, Troy, and Ethan before all the chaos, heartbreak, and love was so special. Their bond, their banter, and those first sparks of brotherhood felt so special.

It tied everything together so perfectly, like finding the missing puzzle piece you didn’t know you were missing. Now I just want to go back and reread the entire series with fresh eyes!

If you’ve fallen for the University of Mountain Springs crew, this prequel is an absolute must. Heartwarming, funny, and full of those moments that remind you why you love these characters so much. ❤️

[Melissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

The perfect introduction to one of my favorite series!

[Erin Ballinger · Rating 5 out of 5]

I LOVE the UoMS series: the boys are perfection, the romances are believable, the tropes are fantastic, and the steam is perfectly balanced with the plotlines. But what always made those books so great were the 'found family' relationships, especially how they grew book to book.
This novella let the reader go back to the moment Freddie, Troy, Ethan, and Alfie met. You get to experience their bond from the get go and their personalities just SHINE on the page. We meet the house on Oak Street, almost a character by itself, and how it becomes the 'anti frat'. Most importantly, you get to watch this found family bond grow and nurture in a quick but perfectly paced way.
I'll read anything Lola writes. Anything. I am still so sad this series is over, but it makes me almost want to go back and read them again with this new vantage point.

[Sam Larry · Rating 5 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
A must-read for anyone who loves the UMS series!

Omg this was such a fun read! I picked it up after finishing all the main books, but honestly, you could read it before or at any point in the series and still love it.

It’s short, hilarious, and gives such a great look into how all the UMS guys first met and became the chaotic, loveable group we know today. I was actually laughing out loud at some of the banter — it felt like catching up with old friends.

I loved getting those extra little details and backstory bits that make the whole UMS world feel even richer. Such a perfect bonus read for anyone who can’t get enough of these characters.

[Raine · Rating 2 out of 5]

*2⭐️0🌶️ (look on my profile to see what my ratings mean to me)

**ARC REVIEW**
First of all I would like to thank Lola Lockhart for allowing me to read this ARC.

Main Tropes:
Prequel
University
Novella
Found Family

Points I enjoyed in this book:
Banter
Easter Eggs
Friendship/ Brotherhood
Seeing where it all began

Didn’t like/ improve:
While reading this I was thinking I couldn’t get into this book as much as the previous books. Parts I did enjoy but others I didn’t so much. I think I may soon read the series again but with this book at the beginning. I look forward to reading more from Lola.

[Lauren Meuer · Rating 5 out of 5]

I haven't been in the world of UMS before this novella but I absolutely fell in love with all the characters and their backstories. This has a great hook then goes right into how they all got on Oak Street and how they become friends and so much more that I am excited to see in the book series.

I highly recommend this book as a light hearted, quick read to get to love characters in this series that I am excited to get to know!

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Karen B · Rating 4 out of 5]

It’s such a joy when authors treat readers to prequels….getting insight on the introduction of characters you’ve already come to know and love. This novella gives a peek at how the friendship of the four guys from the Seeds series came to be, as well as a sneak of the U very of Mountain Springs setting. Having read the full length novels first, it was welcoming to know the growth that each of these characters have had—feeling like I am a proud mom to all of them.
Thanks to the author for the gifted ebook.

[Kris · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was so much fun to read.
The boys all fall into a friendship because they either
a) couldn’t keep it in their pants
b) forgot to apply for housing
c) stuffed up their application

They bond over the fact that their social pariahs because of option A above and a pissed off frat president.
It was interesting getting the insight into their characters, and really sets the tone for the series.

Great read - makes me want to dive right back into the books

[A Murphy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Seeds of Friendship is a University of Mountain Springs Prequel. The story was heartwarming and interesting. The characters were charming and likable. This was an enjoyable romance.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Darrion Woulleman · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was an amazing prequel, I can not wait to read more about Freddie and the guys. The anti frat house is a vibe and I am here for it.

[Shelby · Rating 5 out of 5]

ARC review
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

I loved this! It is a cute story! I am so happy there is a prequel! I really enjoyed this book!

[ScarlettesBookshelf · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a lush little novella! Loved seeing where it all began for the guys at UMS and seeing how they became their own family unit. Another great story from Lola Lockhart! 🫶🏼

[Sandrina Rodrigues · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was a good story and I liked it
I was a good reading
I liked the characters and their friendship
I enjoyed it.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Daniella McCoy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a great prelude to the series. I loved that we finally got to learn how the guys all became friends. 😁