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Mendell Hawks #3
Safety Net
CELESTE
Social anxiety has been the shaky foundation on which I’ve built my life. Never be too loud, too big, or too bold. I’ve survived like this for twenty years. But at what cost?
When my parents stop helping with college expenses, I need to find a way to stand on my own two feet. And the songwriting mentorship of my dreams offers the perfect solution. There’s just one I have to put together a musical that will most definitely put me in the spotlight.
Learning how to be loud, big, and bold over the course of one summer is impossible. Teaming up with a guy who naturally knows how to be all that and more...less impossible.
LINCOLN
Focus and responsibility have never been my strong suits. I’ve survived (and arguably thrived) long enough to prove that they don’t always matter. But, after a disappointing hockey season and a tough semester, I can’t ignore reality anymore. I’m on the precipice of academic probation and scary close to being benched in my senior year.
It’s long past time for me to figure out this whole future thing. When the girl of my dreams asks for help, I join her project in a heartbeat. Not just for the volunteer credit hours or the much-needed structure it offers. But because I fell for her almost a year ago. And I ruined my chances with her a few months ago.
Working together may be what I need to understand that she’s never going to fall for someone like me.
Social anxiety has been the shaky foundation on which I’ve built my life. Never be too loud, too big, or too bold. I’ve survived like this for twenty years. But at what cost?
When my parents stop helping with college expenses, I need to find a way to stand on my own two feet. And the songwriting mentorship of my dreams offers the perfect solution. There’s just one I have to put together a musical that will most definitely put me in the spotlight.
Learning how to be loud, big, and bold over the course of one summer is impossible. Teaming up with a guy who naturally knows how to be all that and more...less impossible.
LINCOLN
Focus and responsibility have never been my strong suits. I’ve survived (and arguably thrived) long enough to prove that they don’t always matter. But, after a disappointing hockey season and a tough semester, I can’t ignore reality anymore. I’m on the precipice of academic probation and scary close to being benched in my senior year.
It’s long past time for me to figure out this whole future thing. When the girl of my dreams asks for help, I join her project in a heartbeat. Not just for the volunteer credit hours or the much-needed structure it offers. But because I fell for her almost a year ago. And I ruined my chances with her a few months ago.
Working together may be what I need to understand that she’s never going to fall for someone like me.
328 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 11, 2025
220 people are currently reading
748 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 88 reviews
December 22, 2025
2.5 ⭐️
1 liked : 2 disliked is not a good ratio 😔
⋆˚꩜｡ Thoughts:
Maybe I should write the negative comments first and end with the positive but I have a lot to say. So let’s get what I did enjoy out of the way:
characters + writing
╰┈➤ A constant throughout this whole series so far that is amazing to read about is the relatability and realism of the characters. The actions, struggles, and emotions of these characters feel so real compared to other stories where characters might act insufferably/unrealistically just for the sake of a trope or representation. In this book, I was really connecting with and relating to these specific struggles the characters faced, making the emotion feel even heavier - which I loved!
- And the way these struggles were written, the quotes and dialogue, was so well done! It felt like when you don’t know how to word your own thoughts and then an author writes it perfectly
Now, what I didn’t enjoy:
plot + chemistry
╰┈➤ This. Was. So. Boring.
There is no main conflict to make things interesting or build tension in the story, it’s just very…stagnant. Something minimal -that could possibly grow bigger to create conflict- would happen and then they’d resolve it. Another thing happens. They would resolve it. Which is…healthy and ideal (another display of realism I guess?) but for entertainment value in a fiction book? Boringgggg 🗣️
This made the book feel verrrrrryyyyyy dragged out. What was the point if there was no building to one BIG moment? The characters overcome their emotional struggles, realise they deeply care/love each other AND wrap up their musical plot line just past the halfway point. It could’ve ended there to be honest (and I reallyyyyyyy wanted it to 😭)
⤿ Off-page, the timeline is understandable for a relationship, they’ve know each other for a whole summer so it isn’t technically insta love… BUT the story is pretty minimal so it feels like they’ve known each other for less time which makes it feel insta lovey. This insta love (even tho it isn’t, time-wise) makes the chemistry feel flat and not as prominent. I think because the book isn’t that long? Like, Lincoln literally realised he loves her at 60% ??? From that point on I just stopped believing in their relationship which is not ideal for a book WHERE THAT IS LITERALLY THE WHOLE POINT
One key factor that all books need to grasp? The audience’s interest. Maybe you can tell, but mine was LOST.
- The characters are relatable but not…interesting.
- The plot is realistic but not…interesting.
Unfortunately, with certain stories, you can’t always have both - and if you try to, it might just fall flat. Even though the individual aspects of this story (characters, emotion, writing) are great and exactly what you want to see in a book! - it’s just not… interesting.
These components of a novel need to keep the audience INTERESTED! At least something. Boring characters? That’s ok the plot is full of tension, oh no it isn’t but that’s fine the writing is great. SOMETHING!! Boring characters AND a stagnant plot? I’m sorry but even the great quotes can’t keep me interested 🥲
⋆˙⟡
I recommend the first book in this series - if you like it, maybe read the next two, if you don’t, just stop; it doesn’t get better 🧍♀️
I’m disappointed this one was so boring especially when I was really connecting with it at first :(
-I’ll probably still read any future books in this series though (I NEED Jack’s book 🙏)
───────୨ৎ───────
ᯓ★ Pre-read
I loved the first book in this series but really disliked the second so my expectations for this one are pretty neutral. But I loved the characters that this one follows in the first two books (and the cover is gorgeous 🤭) so I’m excited to finally read this one 🤞
1 liked : 2 disliked is not a good ratio 😔
⋆˚꩜｡ Thoughts:
Maybe I should write the negative comments first and end with the positive but I have a lot to say. So let’s get what I did enjoy out of the way:
characters + writing
╰┈➤ A constant throughout this whole series so far that is amazing to read about is the relatability and realism of the characters. The actions, struggles, and emotions of these characters feel so real compared to other stories where characters might act insufferably/unrealistically just for the sake of a trope or representation. In this book, I was really connecting with and relating to these specific struggles the characters faced, making the emotion feel even heavier - which I loved!
- And the way these struggles were written, the quotes and dialogue, was so well done! It felt like when you don’t know how to word your own thoughts and then an author writes it perfectly
Now, what I didn’t enjoy:
plot + chemistry
╰┈➤ This. Was. So. Boring.
There is no main conflict to make things interesting or build tension in the story, it’s just very…stagnant. Something minimal -that could possibly grow bigger to create conflict- would happen and then they’d resolve it. Another thing happens. They would resolve it. Which is…healthy and ideal (another display of realism I guess?) but for entertainment value in a fiction book? Boringgggg 🗣️
This made the book feel verrrrrryyyyyy dragged out. What was the point if there was no building to one BIG moment? The characters overcome their emotional struggles, realise they deeply care/love each other AND wrap up their musical plot line just past the halfway point. It could’ve ended there to be honest (and I reallyyyyyyy wanted it to 😭)
⤿ Off-page, the timeline is understandable for a relationship, they’ve know each other for a whole summer so it isn’t technically insta love… BUT the story is pretty minimal so it feels like they’ve known each other for less time which makes it feel insta lovey. This insta love (even tho it isn’t, time-wise) makes the chemistry feel flat and not as prominent. I think because the book isn’t that long? Like, Lincoln literally realised he loves her at 60% ??? From that point on I just stopped believing in their relationship which is not ideal for a book WHERE THAT IS LITERALLY THE WHOLE POINT
One key factor that all books need to grasp? The audience’s interest. Maybe you can tell, but mine was LOST.
- The characters are relatable but not…interesting.
- The plot is realistic but not…interesting.
Unfortunately, with certain stories, you can’t always have both - and if you try to, it might just fall flat. Even though the individual aspects of this story (characters, emotion, writing) are great and exactly what you want to see in a book! - it’s just not… interesting.
These components of a novel need to keep the audience INTERESTED! At least something. Boring characters? That’s ok the plot is full of tension, oh no it isn’t but that’s fine the writing is great. SOMETHING!! Boring characters AND a stagnant plot? I’m sorry but even the great quotes can’t keep me interested 🥲
⋆˙⟡
I recommend the first book in this series - if you like it, maybe read the next two, if you don’t, just stop; it doesn’t get better 🧍♀️
I’m disappointed this one was so boring especially when I was really connecting with it at first :(
-I’ll probably still read any future books in this series though (I NEED Jack’s book 🙏)
───────୨ৎ───────
ᯓ★ Pre-read
I loved the first book in this series but really disliked the second so my expectations for this one are pretty neutral. But I loved the characters that this one follows in the first two books (and the cover is gorgeous 🤭) so I’m excited to finally read this one 🤞
November 10, 2025
4.5/5
celeste is the sweetest girl in the whole wide world and i love her !!!!
deanna grey is out here writing college hockey romances with such real characters and people are not paying enough attention to these books. i’m serious, i love these people. celeste is dealing with social anxiety and writing her own musical, baddie. then there’s lincoln who is struggling with what to do with his life, twin, and how to focus on one thing long enough to decide, twin again, and dealing with asking for help, twin part three!! if you can’t tell i love them dearly!
seeing these two go from soft friends to the cutest couple was beautiful. the love and connection they share is so calm and i just loved reading about their happiness. i’ve been in a very big musical theater mood
lately so having this all happen with the backdrop of the show was great! lincoln had so many moments where he was speaking to his friends about his life and i just wanted to cry because i understood him so much. specifically this quote, “my identity was intrinsically tied to being someone no one had to worry about.” yeah i cried…
for some reason i haven’t read this first book in this series so i need to get on that immediately!! i loved seeing the past characters in this book because they’re all just one big family. hopefully we’re getting more books because the hints in this one… i’m so ready !!
celeste is the sweetest girl in the whole wide world and i love her !!!!
deanna grey is out here writing college hockey romances with such real characters and people are not paying enough attention to these books. i’m serious, i love these people. celeste is dealing with social anxiety and writing her own musical, baddie. then there’s lincoln who is struggling with what to do with his life, twin, and how to focus on one thing long enough to decide, twin again, and dealing with asking for help, twin part three!! if you can’t tell i love them dearly!
seeing these two go from soft friends to the cutest couple was beautiful. the love and connection they share is so calm and i just loved reading about their happiness. i’ve been in a very big musical theater mood
lately so having this all happen with the backdrop of the show was great! lincoln had so many moments where he was speaking to his friends about his life and i just wanted to cry because i understood him so much. specifically this quote, “my identity was intrinsically tied to being someone no one had to worry about.” yeah i cried…
for some reason i haven’t read this first book in this series so i need to get on that immediately!! i loved seeing the past characters in this book because they’re all just one big family. hopefully we’re getting more books because the hints in this one… i’m so ready !!
January 15, 2026
Safety net by Deanna Grey
-omg the way Lincoln describes Celeste 🥹 “there were stars in the corners of her eyes when I first met her…… But once I saw them, I couldn’t stop marvelling”
-Celeste is adorable, MY SHEILA and so me I feel like we’d be besties, I relate so much with her social anxiety , I feel so seen omg
-Lincoln is a whole mess but I love him lol
-I love how both of them are overthinking their interactions cause I do the same thing lol I love them so much ahhh
-“Pulitzer?… Bless you “ 🤣😭
-omg all their interactions are too cute, obsessed with the forced proximity since they are working on the project together , I also feel like this project is helping them both get closer, but also emotionally as well
-Lincoln is helping her get out of her shell and be more social
-Celeste is helping him have structure I can’t i’m obsessed with them they are too cute , i’m so giddy
-Lincoln says the most romantic shit so non chalantly I can’t I love him
-I want a calm and delicate love like theirs 🥹😭
-“Celeste everything about you makes me feel like i’m taking both my first and last breath. Every semblance of chill doesn’t exist when I hear your name”.
-the spice and tension is immaculate ouff
-“That was the moment I knew I'd never have to wonder if my quiet would continue to hinder me from belonging," I told him. "The moment I knew, despite my quiet, I'd always have someone around, ready and willing to listen."🥹😭
-wow just wow this book was everything to me I love Lincoln and Celeste so much 😭♥️♥️
-this my first 5⭐️of 2026 and going on the top books of this year list
-Deanna Grey you have done it again with this one
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
-omg the way Lincoln describes Celeste 🥹 “there were stars in the corners of her eyes when I first met her…… But once I saw them, I couldn’t stop marvelling”
-Celeste is adorable, MY SHEILA and so me I feel like we’d be besties, I relate so much with her social anxiety , I feel so seen omg
-Lincoln is a whole mess but I love him lol
-I love how both of them are overthinking their interactions cause I do the same thing lol I love them so much ahhh
-“Pulitzer?… Bless you “ 🤣😭
-omg all their interactions are too cute, obsessed with the forced proximity since they are working on the project together , I also feel like this project is helping them both get closer, but also emotionally as well
-Lincoln is helping her get out of her shell and be more social
-Celeste is helping him have structure I can’t i’m obsessed with them they are too cute , i’m so giddy
-Lincoln says the most romantic shit so non chalantly I can’t I love him
-I want a calm and delicate love like theirs 🥹😭
-“Celeste everything about you makes me feel like i’m taking both my first and last breath. Every semblance of chill doesn’t exist when I hear your name”.
-the spice and tension is immaculate ouff
-“That was the moment I knew I'd never have to wonder if my quiet would continue to hinder me from belonging," I told him. "The moment I knew, despite my quiet, I'd always have someone around, ready and willing to listen."🥹😭
-wow just wow this book was everything to me I love Lincoln and Celeste so much 😭♥️♥️
-this my first 5⭐️of 2026 and going on the top books of this year list
-Deanna Grey you have done it again with this one
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
October 19, 2025
4.25 and their love is so SOFT but I do fear it’s strict around here and I would’ve dumped him at the end asdfghjkl but at 20 I get it girl 😭😭😭
October 15, 2025
The butterflies
The softness
The care
The acceptance
The growth
The ease and the silly jokes
I loved every bit of this story. God. It healed something in me i didnt know was wounded.
I loved loved LOVED the other books but wow, this one is extremely special.
I had me giggling and trying to hide my stupid smile in public transportation. If I was white, I would have been BLUSHING the whole way. The butterflies were real.
Very thankful i found this author and fell into this series, very thankful i got to read this.
Deanna is a star, a very bright one.
The softness
The care
The acceptance
The growth
The ease and the silly jokes
I loved every bit of this story. God. It healed something in me i didnt know was wounded.
I loved loved LOVED the other books but wow, this one is extremely special.
I had me giggling and trying to hide my stupid smile in public transportation. If I was white, I would have been BLUSHING the whole way. The butterflies were real.
Very thankful i found this author and fell into this series, very thankful i got to read this.
Deanna is a star, a very bright one.
January 3, 2026
When I say I fully trust Deanna Grey with every ounce of my soul I mean it!
I could endlessly talk praises about her writing and work but alas I am simply here to review this fabulous book.
Celeste is a sweetheart and I've fallen in love with everything about her. , She's struggled 20 years with social anxiety and is facing a difficult situation regarding college education and her passion to pursue art.
I struggle with social anxiety as well, and like Celeste it's impact on my life was very overwhelming. Especially when surrounded with people that either shame you for feeling that way or try to "fix" you.
Celeste isn't looking to be fixed. She is simply learning to embrace and express herself in a way that makes her shine. The way that Celeste opens herself up and learns to not only trust her friends but herself too was such a beautiful thing.
Another part that I enjoyed was the portrayal of Celestes Demisexual identity, there's a wide misconception of what demisexuality is and how it's expressed especially when the person struggles with social interactions in general. Celeste isn't meek nor is she a saint, she is hot and confident.
Lincoln is my guy fr, this is a man who STEPS up. The minute he met Celeste this man was downbad and he knew that she would be the one for him. This works wonderfully in the relationship build up between him and Celeste, they both acknowledge each others most vulnerable sides, balancing each other in a way that makes sense.
Celeste and Lincoln are the kind of partners that show up for each other in their hardest moments, which is such a rare and beautiful thing.
I cannot wait to reread this in my future. The magic of Deanna Grey romances lives on!
I could endlessly talk praises about her writing and work but alas I am simply here to review this fabulous book.
Celeste is a sweetheart and I've fallen in love with everything about her. , She's struggled 20 years with social anxiety and is facing a difficult situation regarding college education and her passion to pursue art.
I struggle with social anxiety as well, and like Celeste it's impact on my life was very overwhelming. Especially when surrounded with people that either shame you for feeling that way or try to "fix" you.
Celeste isn't looking to be fixed. She is simply learning to embrace and express herself in a way that makes her shine. The way that Celeste opens herself up and learns to not only trust her friends but herself too was such a beautiful thing.
Another part that I enjoyed was the portrayal of Celestes Demisexual identity, there's a wide misconception of what demisexuality is and how it's expressed especially when the person struggles with social interactions in general. Celeste isn't meek nor is she a saint, she is hot and confident.
Lincoln is my guy fr, this is a man who STEPS up. The minute he met Celeste this man was downbad and he knew that she would be the one for him. This works wonderfully in the relationship build up between him and Celeste, they both acknowledge each others most vulnerable sides, balancing each other in a way that makes sense.
Celeste and Lincoln are the kind of partners that show up for each other in their hardest moments, which is such a rare and beautiful thing.
I cannot wait to reread this in my future. The magic of Deanna Grey romances lives on!
December 30, 2025
This book was everything I hoped for and more. If you’ve read Deanna’s work before, you already know her stories make you feel many things. She reminds us that self-love and the deep bonds of friendship can be just as powerful (and necessary) as romantic love.
Safety Net is also a beautiful reminder that the right person will love you exactly as you are—flaws, struggles, and all. 🤍
Prepare to laugh, cry, scream at fictional adults (lol), and swoon hard for Finn and Naomi all over again. And okay… I admit it—Sam won me over. I loved Henrik from book 1 and this book made me remember why and added more brownie points. Can’t wait for his book.
Safety Net is also a beautiful reminder that the right person will love you exactly as you are—flaws, struggles, and all. 🤍
Prepare to laugh, cry, scream at fictional adults (lol), and swoon hard for Finn and Naomi all over again. And okay… I admit it—Sam won me over. I loved Henrik from book 1 and this book made me remember why and added more brownie points. Can’t wait for his book.
October 17, 2025
Deanna Grey, you will always be famous!
Celeste and Lincoln's story was refreshing, gentle and so, so sweet. It's the perfect reminder that you'll never be too little or too much for the right person for you.
Safety Net had everything I've learned to expect from a Deanna Grey book (found family brimming with friends who love as fiercely as they hold accountable, tantalising smut and the beginnings of love so adorable you could just burst!) and a really great connection wuth previous books in the series.
I tend to hate it when books mention couples from earlier instalments because they're usually integrated too shoddily in the narrative and they're just cringey fan service. But this book mentioned previous couples so well and so naturally and in a way that made me swoon. Finn and Noami were so cute in this! The previous stories add to Safety Net without feeling jarring or weird. It's just done so well.
Deanna treats her characters like real people with real depth and faults and desires. She treats them with such care and precision. Every single character in this series feels so unique. Reading her books gives me so much life because I get to see so many people who look like me being so similar and so different from who I am. I could sing her praises forever and ever.
I'm so excited to read more of her work and witness her success (because she's obviously going to be a super star).
I look forward to Henrik and Eden's book (seeing as I'm an insufferable romanticiser who wears gigantic shirts too hehe) but I think this one will hold a special place in my heart because Lincoln is so similar to my partner.
Can't recommend this book enough!
Celeste and Lincoln's story was refreshing, gentle and so, so sweet. It's the perfect reminder that you'll never be too little or too much for the right person for you.
Safety Net had everything I've learned to expect from a Deanna Grey book (found family brimming with friends who love as fiercely as they hold accountable, tantalising smut and the beginnings of love so adorable you could just burst!) and a really great connection wuth previous books in the series.
I tend to hate it when books mention couples from earlier instalments because they're usually integrated too shoddily in the narrative and they're just cringey fan service. But this book mentioned previous couples so well and so naturally and in a way that made me swoon. Finn and Noami were so cute in this! The previous stories add to Safety Net without feeling jarring or weird. It's just done so well.
Deanna treats her characters like real people with real depth and faults and desires. She treats them with such care and precision. Every single character in this series feels so unique. Reading her books gives me so much life because I get to see so many people who look like me being so similar and so different from who I am. I could sing her praises forever and ever.
I'm so excited to read more of her work and witness her success (because she's obviously going to be a super star).
I look forward to Henrik and Eden's book (seeing as I'm an insufferable romanticiser who wears gigantic shirts too hehe) but I think this one will hold a special place in my heart because Lincoln is so similar to my partner.
Can't recommend this book enough!
Want to read
October 12, 2025I’ve waited forever to read about Celeste and Lincoln 🥹
October 15, 2025
Safety Net by Deanna Grey was such a cute romance. What I loved most about the book was the exploration of love between someone with an anxiety disorder, our FMC Celeste, and someone with ADHD, our MMC Lincoln.
Grey showed how difficult it can be to function with these disorders, but she also showed that those difficulties don’t mean you can’t find romantic or platonic love, or understanding with others.
As someone with both GAD and ADHD, it was so refreshing to see that expressed on the page in such a fully realized way. You can have a full life in spite of, and watching Celeste and Lincoln realize this and find their safe spaces with each other, made for a wonderful read.
Grey showed how difficult it can be to function with these disorders, but she also showed that those difficulties don’t mean you can’t find romantic or platonic love, or understanding with others.
As someone with both GAD and ADHD, it was so refreshing to see that expressed on the page in such a fully realized way. You can have a full life in spite of, and watching Celeste and Lincoln realize this and find their safe spaces with each other, made for a wonderful read.
October 26, 2025
This was a soft, but fun read! Celeste was everything. She reminded me a lot of myself, so I loved seeing her growth throughout the story. And I loved Lincoln as well. They were such a great match. This is truly one of, if not my absolute favorite, series of all time! I can’t wait for the next one!
4.5 stars rounded up
4.5 stars rounded up
Read
October 24, 2025I really enjoyed this book! It’s such a soft-love kind of story, and I loved how it explored anxiety and personal growth. I have to admit, it was just a teeny bit longer than I would have liked, but I still genuinely enjoyed it.
Celeste was such an interesting character; I really resonated with her journey. Lincoln being completely head over heels for her was so cute, and the book is full of wholesome moments. At times, it even gave me major High School Musical vibes with Gabriella and Troy, which I thought was adorable. Overall, it’s a heartfelt, soft romance that left me smiling.💕
side note, the found family trope is my favourite!!!!
Celeste was such an interesting character; I really resonated with her journey. Lincoln being completely head over heels for her was so cute, and the book is full of wholesome moments. At times, it even gave me major High School Musical vibes with Gabriella and Troy, which I thought was adorable. Overall, it’s a heartfelt, soft romance that left me smiling.💕
side note, the found family trope is my favourite!!!!
November 17, 2025
DEANNA I WILL READ EVERY BOOK YOU PUBLISH
This book was once again A BANGGEERRR I loved it with my entire soul, every character every SENTENCE was so well written. I loved it so much !
Can't wait for Henrik's book ! 💚
This book was once again A BANGGEERRR I loved it with my entire soul, every character every SENTENCE was so well written. I loved it so much !
Can't wait for Henrik's book ! 💚
October 22, 2025
4.5 ⭐️
i love this series
i love this series
October 28, 2025
*sight* I wanted more from this book I fear, I think it was boring, especially the beginning, too much sidestory not enough chemistry building.
January 21, 2026
first book of 2026 and it's a good one.
personally the best books for me a those where i see myself in the characters. in this book i didn't just see myself in Celeste but in Lincoln as well.
the way Celestes social anxiety was portrayed was almost exactly the way i feel especially when meeting new people. feeling the need to curate every response to make sure that i'm not seen as rude or stuck.
Lincoln may be a yapper (unlike me) but his ADHD is described so well. the way Lincoln never fully commits himself to anything unless he believes he'll excel is my lived experience.
but enough about me. i loved this book! Celeste and Lincolns story was beautifully written. the time and steady pace of their relationship is so realistic and we'll written. the care they each have for one another is soon cute! their actions and the way the speak life into one another is everything.
all in all, i loved this book. and it's always good seeing characters from previous books still being happy and in love in this book.
personally the best books for me a those where i see myself in the characters. in this book i didn't just see myself in Celeste but in Lincoln as well.
the way Celestes social anxiety was portrayed was almost exactly the way i feel especially when meeting new people. feeling the need to curate every response to make sure that i'm not seen as rude or stuck.
Lincoln may be a yapper (unlike me) but his ADHD is described so well. the way Lincoln never fully commits himself to anything unless he believes he'll excel is my lived experience.
but enough about me. i loved this book! Celeste and Lincolns story was beautifully written. the time and steady pace of their relationship is so realistic and we'll written. the care they each have for one another is soon cute! their actions and the way the speak life into one another is everything.
all in all, i loved this book. and it's always good seeing characters from previous books still being happy and in love in this book.
January 6, 2026
And when i say i want relatable black girls THIS IS WHAT IM TALKING ABOUT HELLO!!.
to my shy, chronically anxious, musical lovers black girls RISEEE this is the book for the hive. I think I’ll never forget the characterization of Celsete. Deanna Grey wrote her perfectly. I have 100 highlights of her inner monologue where i am like “that’s so real”. To my anxious girls this book shows how you how much you deserve love 🥹 and will receive love no matter how much you might run from it. Lincoln was so patient and so down bad for herrrr i love it. I love books where the guy is already down bad for her>>> meet cute chapters. Would i recommend absolutely if you like life in itself. Sweet relatable and funny MY ROMANCE BOOK TYPE.
to my shy, chronically anxious, musical lovers black girls RISEEE this is the book for the hive. I think I’ll never forget the characterization of Celsete. Deanna Grey wrote her perfectly. I have 100 highlights of her inner monologue where i am like “that’s so real”. To my anxious girls this book shows how you how much you deserve love 🥹 and will receive love no matter how much you might run from it. Lincoln was so patient and so down bad for herrrr i love it. I love books where the guy is already down bad for her>>> meet cute chapters. Would i recommend absolutely if you like life in itself. Sweet relatable and funny MY ROMANCE BOOK TYPE.
January 9, 2026
Celeste and Lincoln was very cute. Celeste was very relatable and to see her overwhelm her anxiety to fulfill her dreams was wonderful. Lincoln was a great mmc that was in love with Celeste. I hadn’t read the first book of the series but I am glad it wasn’t insta love between the two characters. It was very fluffy and cute, the ending however… could’ve did without THAT scene but the follow up was a nice ending.
January 27, 2026
3 star read for me! I started this in October and put it down for quite a while. Overall it wasn’t a bad read though! I think I was in a slump when I started this, so that might also explain the slight DNF that happened. Celeste was the best part tbh.
October 16, 2025
3.5 rounded up
November 6, 2025
4.5/5⭐️
It was cute. I’ve never heard of demisexual but I feel like it describes me. I think book 1 is still my favorite in this series.
It was cute. I’ve never heard of demisexual but I feel like it describes me. I think book 1 is still my favorite in this series.
November 12, 2025
we love a cozy read <3
October 12, 2025
The only reason why I’m ducking a star is because I felt like Lincoln’s ADHD could’ve been talked about more, other than that chefs kiss. It’s a cute non-complicated love story. The characters struggles are well portrayed. I feel like the portrayal of Celestes anxiety was good and even if the was no official diagnosis for Lincoln ADHD, the symptoms were accurately shown.
Overall would recommend to read this book.
Overall would recommend to read this book.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 14, 2025
~4.25
To have my disability and disorder both displayed in the main characters was very grounding and made me feel seen. Going down as one of my favorite books.
To have my disability and disorder both displayed in the main characters was very grounding and made me feel seen. Going down as one of my favorite books.
October 15, 2025
4.5 stars
February 4, 2026
yay
hardcore lincoln stan and show me how to draw cute little stars with my eyeliner pretty plz… and thank you.
hardcore lincoln stan and show me how to draw cute little stars with my eyeliner pretty plz… and thank you.
October 25, 2025
Celeste is me I am Celeste
December 5, 2025
"It's something to be seen by someone who sees you back."
I’ve been waiting for this book since they were introduced in the first one. I wanted to know more about both of these characters, especially Celeste. I really liked the representation of a character dealing with heavy anxiety and making the decision to break out of that. Celeste wanted to change for no one but herself, mostly, and she set out to do hard things she wouldn't usually do. Watching her grow and her efforts pay off was nice. I appreciated Lincoln going at her pace & just letting her be with no pressure. He had nice character development too. I highly relate to Celeste and her anxiety/social anxiety.
I gave 3 stars because I got to a point where I didn't know where it was going & was ready for it to end.
I’ve been waiting for this book since they were introduced in the first one. I wanted to know more about both of these characters, especially Celeste. I really liked the representation of a character dealing with heavy anxiety and making the decision to break out of that. Celeste wanted to change for no one but herself, mostly, and she set out to do hard things she wouldn't usually do. Watching her grow and her efforts pay off was nice. I appreciated Lincoln going at her pace & just letting her be with no pressure. He had nice character development too. I highly relate to Celeste and her anxiety/social anxiety.
I gave 3 stars because I got to a point where I didn't know where it was going & was ready for it to end.
December 20, 2025
these two are cuties and I have been waiting since book 1 for their story… just wish the writing was better to support it
some decisions (🌶️) seem totally out of left field for them but all in all it was a cute and easy head-empty read
some decisions (🌶️) seem totally out of left field for them but all in all it was a cute and easy head-empty read
January 4, 2026
I was genuinely excited to return to the world of the Mendell Hawks and especially eager to see Naomi’s quiet, steadfast best friend finally step into a leading role. Celeste has always been an intriguing presence on the sidelines, and I loved the idea of getting to know her more deeply.
There’s a lot here that works on an individual character level. I really enjoyed watching Celeste double down on her dreams—pushing herself to build a production, refusing to make herself smaller, and slowly finding her voice. Likewise, Lincoln’s arc from someone hovering at the periphery to a man who begins taking himself seriously—without fear of failure—was satisfying to witness. Their personal growth journeys are the strongest part of the book.
Where the story faltered for me was in characterization and balance. Both Celeste and Lincoln felt flattened by how heavily their identities were rooted in their neurodivergences and disorders. As someone who lives with GAD myself, I appreciated seeing that experience reflected on the page—but I was disheartened by how much of Celeste’s identity seemed defined by her anxiety rather than existing alongside it. I cheered for her moments of assertiveness, but they didn’t feel like a fully organic progression. And I struggled with the implication—intentional or not—that she only began seeing her worth once she saw herself through Lincoln’s eyes.
The romance itself is where this book lost me. Given Celeste’s shy, introspective nature, I expected a slower, quieter build—something that allowed yearning to simmer beneath the surface. Coming on the heels of Naomi and Finn’s deep emotional connection and Aderyn and Sam’s electric chemistry, Lincoln and Celeste’s relationship felt underwhelming by comparison. I wasn’t fully sold on the idea that these two had been longing for each other for years, so when Lincoln began dropping L-bombs, it felt abrupt rather than earned.
To be clear, this isn’t about spice. I loved Celeste’s journey toward understanding her demisexuality. The issue was chemistry and tone. Their dynamic often felt twee or juvenile—very YA-adjacent on the cusp of NA—which I was prepared to accept for this couple. However, the final intimate scene veered into territory that felt tonally dissonant and uncomfortable for me, particularly in how sexual preferences were framed and recalled. It pulled me out of the story rather than deepening their connection.
Ultimately, Safety Net has strong intentions and meaningful character arcs, but the romance didn’t land for me as an endgame, and the execution left me feeling more disconnected than emotionally invested.
TL;DR: I loved returning to the Mendell Hawks world and appreciated the individual growth journeys—but flattened characterization and a romance that never fully convinced me kept this at a 3 stars.
There’s a lot here that works on an individual character level. I really enjoyed watching Celeste double down on her dreams—pushing herself to build a production, refusing to make herself smaller, and slowly finding her voice. Likewise, Lincoln’s arc from someone hovering at the periphery to a man who begins taking himself seriously—without fear of failure—was satisfying to witness. Their personal growth journeys are the strongest part of the book.
Where the story faltered for me was in characterization and balance. Both Celeste and Lincoln felt flattened by how heavily their identities were rooted in their neurodivergences and disorders. As someone who lives with GAD myself, I appreciated seeing that experience reflected on the page—but I was disheartened by how much of Celeste’s identity seemed defined by her anxiety rather than existing alongside it. I cheered for her moments of assertiveness, but they didn’t feel like a fully organic progression. And I struggled with the implication—intentional or not—that she only began seeing her worth once she saw herself through Lincoln’s eyes.
The romance itself is where this book lost me. Given Celeste’s shy, introspective nature, I expected a slower, quieter build—something that allowed yearning to simmer beneath the surface. Coming on the heels of Naomi and Finn’s deep emotional connection and Aderyn and Sam’s electric chemistry, Lincoln and Celeste’s relationship felt underwhelming by comparison. I wasn’t fully sold on the idea that these two had been longing for each other for years, so when Lincoln began dropping L-bombs, it felt abrupt rather than earned.
To be clear, this isn’t about spice. I loved Celeste’s journey toward understanding her demisexuality. The issue was chemistry and tone. Their dynamic often felt twee or juvenile—very YA-adjacent on the cusp of NA—which I was prepared to accept for this couple. However, the final intimate scene veered into territory that felt tonally dissonant and uncomfortable for me, particularly in how sexual preferences were framed and recalled. It pulled me out of the story rather than deepening their connection.
Ultimately, Safety Net has strong intentions and meaningful character arcs, but the romance didn’t land for me as an endgame, and the execution left me feeling more disconnected than emotionally invested.
TL;DR: I loved returning to the Mendell Hawks world and appreciated the individual growth journeys—but flattened characterization and a romance that never fully convinced me kept this at a 3 stars.
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