Third Act

by Sydney Madison

The society pages have always painted Sloane Fielder as a reckless heiress, the same one her adoptive family believes her to be. But she’s always known the truth: that she’s an artist, a fighter, a dreamer. Most importantly, she’s a woman who marches to the beat of her own drum, just like her birth mother—consequences be damned.

But that was before, and now she’s desperate to claw her way back to that version of herself: before her mother’s diagnosis, before she let love lead her astray, before her past became too heavy to bear. Finding that girl again is what she should be focusing on, not the distractingly charming point guard who’s everywhere he shouldn’t be.

She was not a part of the plan—the one Andrew Spellman mastered everyday for the past three years: funnel information about his wealthy peers to his shady, estranged father, network his way out of poverty on said father’s dime, and keep a roof over his mother and sister’s head. But Sloane makes sticking to that plan impossible. The more she keeps him at arm’s length, the harder it becomes to ignore the way being together feels. As their masks start to slip, so do the truths they’ve concealed, and the cost of their love will change everything.

416 pages, Kindle Edition

Published February 5, 2026

About the author

Sydney Madison is a best-friend writing duo based in Orlando, Florida, that blend heartwarming love stories with a captivating edge. While they revel in the lighter side of life—like sushi dates and book chats-they dive deep into the complexities of love and relationships in their writing. Balancing heart and intrigue, they craft stories that explore the shadows of relationships not typically explored.
When they're not conjuring up their next novel, you can find them plotting their literary escapades over spicy tuna rolls and plenty of caffeine!

Reviews

[Nic Miller · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved it! I know it’s a new series but it needs more hype imo

[Priscilla O. Hernandez · Rating 3 out of 5]

I've been following Sydney Madison since Astor Hill at an author signing at one of my favorite bookstores (The New Romantics for my Orlando followers). The world of the elite Astor Hill students immediately captured my attention, and I have been on top of every release since then.

I love how each book follows a different couple through the same events, expertly showcasing how perspective can change through different eyes, and I feel no different in Third Act as we see Andy and Sloane's story unfold through all the chaos; two seemingly background characters in the previous books. There's a deep dive into them both that we may not have considered beforehand, and it serves as an important reminder that what we see on the outside may not be completely reflective of what is on the inside.

That being said, however, it's not my favorite of the series so far. I'm not a huge fan of either Sloane or Andy, and found their inner voices to be repetitive and too "whiny" at times, but I loved the deep dive into their hardships and how their "masks" change based on who they're with and where they are. The deeper message of these two characters is what makes this book compelling, even if I believe it was a bit long.

I also wanted more from Andy's "situation," (I'll try and avoid any spoilers). I felt like we got a lot out of Sloane's past and present and her dealing with those feelings, but I don't feel the same way about Andy. I think it could have gotten deeper and felt like I didn't really get a completed ending with it, though I have a feeling it'll be tied into the fourth book.

Though it wasn't for me, and lacked a little more than the other two, I am still excited for the rest of the series and will continue to follow these incredible authors through their journey!

[Hannah Stephens · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was so excited when I received the email containing this ARC! Thank you so much Sydney Madison for sending me this book and inviting me back into Astor Hill world! This book focuses on Sloane (Grants twin sister) and Andy. Their relationship is complicated like all the relationships in this series lol. The book does deal with some heavy topics but I believe the authors handled it gently.

Sloane and Andy, my complicated and messy little sweeties.i enjoyed Sloane in Second position and was intrigued to read her story. She works through a lot in this book and as does Andy. It’s kinda friends to lovers but Andy definitely wanted to be more than friends from the get go besides all the drama with his dad. There a lot of secrets in this series and it’s definitely inspired by Gilmore girls. Sloane’s journey at the end had me tearing up and I’m so happy for her growth (especially with Evie) as much as you can be for a fictional character. In my opinion Grant still needs to grow up lol.

It’s interesting to read the same events happening in this series but from different viewpoints in each book and each new book brings more information you didn’t know last time. Props to Sydney and Madison for keeping track of everything! I did not see that ending coming whatsoever. Dang. I’m so excited for the next book. Im really hoping we get a Will book.

Overall I enjoyed this book and I was so excited when I got the email with the Arc. I can’t wait for the next one!

[Ifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to Sydney Madison for an advanced reader copy of this book.

4.5 stars - Finally out of my slump and devoured this in a day! This has been my fave of the series so far! I loved Sloane and Andy individually as characters and how complex they were. There’s so much nuance in this book and complicated dynamics and it all felt very authentic to me.

Sloane is probably my favourite fmc - a free spirit who runs and hides her feelings because she always thinks everyone’s going to leave, but she still has so much love for everyone. Andy was great too because he cares deeply for those close to him but he’s put in a tough situation to help his family and carries so much guilt.

I loved seeing their relationship develop over this book, and also loved all the complicated family dynamics as well especially with Sloane. These characters felt very authentic, messy at times, and I loved following their journey!

And that ending oh wow!! I can’t wait to see where this goes next since I feel like there’s still unresolved conversations!

[Geneveve · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 🌟 How is this my 3rd ARC of this series already?! 🥹

This writing duo KNOWS how to pull on your heart strings and write characters that feel so relatable and human.

My boisterous, party girl Sloane went through the WRINGER and I truly enjoyed getting to know her after getting snippets of her in the previous books.

Our MMC, Andy, there was so much more than what meets the eye with him and I’m a sucker for guy who is selfless and puts his family first. Plus, a reformed playboy who only is down bad for you??? Yes, I eat that up every time.

DEFINITELY suggest reading this series in order to have the most emotional impact. I feel connected to this friend group like Magnolia Parks and Gossip Girl!!

The reveal at the end has me SO excited for the next book and honestly excited to see if Will gets a redemption arc. 🤭

[Caitlin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you Sydney Madison for the ARC!

3.75 ⭐️

This is the third instalment on the Astor Hill series. I was super excited for this story, as we saw little tidbits of Sloane & Andy in the last book.

I enjoyed this, though I feel like something was missing? I think maybe I was hoping for some revenge on her ex…

I will also say, this gave so much more insight into Will and now I can say I don’t hate him. He definitely has been through it.

I am excited for the next book just based on that epilogue, such a tease!!!

I would’ve rated 4 ⭐️ but there were a few issues with grammar or words fully just missing or for instance our FMC’s name being misspelt. Overall though an enjoyable read.

[Gelene Rivera · Rating 4 out of 5]

Andy and Sloane’s story was AMAZING! Out of the series so far, I think this FMC probably had the most issues. And then throwing Andy’s issues in the mix just made for a huge storm. I adore Sydney Madison’s Astor Hill series partly due to the relatability of the characters but also due to the HEAs. But the cliffhanger on this one…. ARGGGHHHH I NEED MORE INFO!!! THE LAST SENTENCE WAS A JAW DROPPER! I literally screamed “WHAT?!” into my Kindle 😂 I definitely didn’t see the cliffhanger coming at ALL! Am so excited for the next book already

[Dulce Perez · Rating 5 out of 5]

invested!!

Holy smokes that was a hell of a way to end the 3rd book!! I’m obsessed with how every book has been on the same time line we just get to see all the different perspectives of these collage kids and their mess up families 🥹 I need the next book and I need to know what Wills character has to say about all this from his mind!

[bryanna · Rating 5 out of 5]

SYDNEY MADISON THAT ENDING !!!!!!!! OMGGGGG I LOVED Sloane and Andy. My babies. I fear I say this every book but this may be my favorite. Also— I fear I may understand Will more now (hehe). Perfection perfection perfection

[Bailey · Rating 5 out of 5]

The third book somehow raises the bar again! The chemistry is electric, the buildup is intoxicating, and the tension hits exactly right. Obsessed from start to finish.

[Mikala Fuscoletti · Rating 3 out of 5]

The theme of the series is the MMC carries the book but with that ending, I’ll be back for book 4.

[Katie Lee · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.75 read. All our reckless heiress Sloane wants to do is go back to her artistic roots and her dreamer self. But things aren’t easy and it’ll be hard to do.

[Serena Purcell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sloane and Andy. Andy swoon for sure. I was not sure about Sloane in the beginning because from the previous books you definitely see her more as a party girl that doesn’t really care. But watching her grow with Andy was really exciting and especially trying to see how all of these stories tied together. I really hope the next book will finally tie it all together.