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Pretty
Declan
He was supposed to be the one that understood.
The one that was different. But he’s just like everyone else.
It doesn’t really matter, though. At school, I’m the weird outcast, and he’s the big popular jock.
We were doomed from the start.
And yet, I keep finding myself drawn to him, no matter how much I don’t want to be.
I need to stay away, but I don’t think I can.
Javier
He was all I had in the world.
Mi muñequito.
Then he threw it all away.
So I wiped my hands of him.
Or I tried.
But he crept his way back into my brain. Back into my life.
I need to leave him in the past, but I don’t think I can.
Pretty is an MM second chance romance. Here's what you can friends to enemies to lovers, secret relationship, "mine", neighbors, jock x outcast, high angst, and a Latino MC. Please check the CW to see if this book is for you.
He was supposed to be the one that understood.
The one that was different. But he’s just like everyone else.
It doesn’t really matter, though. At school, I’m the weird outcast, and he’s the big popular jock.
We were doomed from the start.
And yet, I keep finding myself drawn to him, no matter how much I don’t want to be.
I need to stay away, but I don’t think I can.
Javier
He was all I had in the world.
Mi muñequito.
Then he threw it all away.
So I wiped my hands of him.
Or I tried.
But he crept his way back into my brain. Back into my life.
I need to leave him in the past, but I don’t think I can.
Pretty is an MM second chance romance. Here's what you can friends to enemies to lovers, secret relationship, "mine", neighbors, jock x outcast, high angst, and a Latino MC. Please check the CW to see if this book is for you.
282 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 10, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 219 reviews
March 24, 2026
2 ⭐️
THE CONFIDENCE BEHIND PUBLISHING THIS NEEEEEDS TO BE STUDIED.
THE CONFIDENCE BEHIND PUBLISHING THIS NEEEEEDS TO BE STUDIED.
March 13, 2026
3.5*** stars
And here the author did it again and ruined my enjoyment. Just like in the previous book.
Something happened. That much is clear, they mention it all the time. But not even in the respective character’s POV you learn anything substantial about what that was. Javi and Declan keep it vague, even in their own heads. Keeping what happened from the reader makes no sense to me here. I can only assume the author chose, again, to write it that way to keep me hooked or something, for the big reveal? But instead of captivated I was frustrated. Again.
The important thing and what it comes down to imo, is the conflict between the characters and what they think happened but there was no reason to keep it from me, the reader. I would’ve stayed for the characters to solve their conflict. Because that is what it was about to me.
There were still things for me to like overall but I don’t think I will return to this authors books.
*************
Kings Heart Series
Book 1 - Safe - 3.5 stars
Book 2 - Pretty - 3.5 stars
And here the author did it again and ruined my enjoyment. Just like in the previous book.
Something happened. That much is clear, they mention it all the time. But not even in the respective character’s POV you learn anything substantial about what that was. Javi and Declan keep it vague, even in their own heads. Keeping what happened from the reader makes no sense to me here. I can only assume the author chose, again, to write it that way to keep me hooked or something, for the big reveal? But instead of captivated I was frustrated. Again.
The important thing and what it comes down to imo, is the conflict between the characters and what they think happened but there was no reason to keep it from me, the reader. I would’ve stayed for the characters to solve their conflict. Because that is what it was about to me.
“What do you think then?”
“That you fucking hate me. And I hate you too.” His eyes stare intently at mine.
“Fine. Then we hate each other. Can I have you anyway?”It takes a moment for the shock to settle away, and then we both move our lips, opening our mouths and exploring. Magic.
It’s fucking magic.
There were still things for me to like overall but I don’t think I will return to this authors books.
*************
Kings Heart Series
Book 1 - Safe - 3.5 stars
Book 2 - Pretty - 3.5 stars
March 15, 2026
well, this is funny.
was the first one as bad as this one?
asking for a friend.
i genuinely don’t know what happened i remember the first one being fun, hot, with just enough drama.
this is childish, whiny, tries to be deep when it’s void of any substance and just so damn cringe.
the two mcs keep from the reader something that has no business staying a secret. everyone knows but the reader. it would’ve been more meaningful if they talked about it with us.
lucky for me, i was warned about this and i spoiled it before reading. that made it the experience bearable.
also, another thing that drove me insane. every time those two were about to have a confrontation about what happened they simply found something better to do.
do not ever try that shit with me because i’m locking you in a room with me until you talk.
okay, i might be extreme, but if someone tells you something shocking you simply don’t ignore it for WEEKS.
it drove me insane.
honestly, 3 stars because it kept me entertained but damn. that’s it.
nothing remotely good or redeemable about this.
will i read the third one?
if im desperate.
was the first one as bad as this one?
asking for a friend.
i genuinely don’t know what happened i remember the first one being fun, hot, with just enough drama.
this is childish, whiny, tries to be deep when it’s void of any substance and just so damn cringe.
the two mcs keep from the reader something that has no business staying a secret. everyone knows but the reader. it would’ve been more meaningful if they talked about it with us.
lucky for me, i was warned about this and i spoiled it before reading. that made it the experience bearable.
also, another thing that drove me insane. every time those two were about to have a confrontation about what happened they simply found something better to do.
do not ever try that shit with me because i’m locking you in a room with me until you talk.
okay, i might be extreme, but if someone tells you something shocking you simply don’t ignore it for WEEKS.
it drove me insane.
honestly, 3 stars because it kept me entertained but damn. that’s it.
nothing remotely good or redeemable about this.
will i read the third one?
if im desperate.
March 17, 2026
Was this well written? Well, no.
Did I like it? I can’t say for sure. It’s complicated.
Were the characters compelling? No.
What about the relationship between them? Oh, definitely not.
Was it time well spent? No.
Do I feel compelled to return to this series in the future? ….Yes.
Did I like it? I can’t say for sure. It’s complicated.
Were the characters compelling? No.
What about the relationship between them? Oh, definitely not.
Was it time well spent? No.
Do I feel compelled to return to this series in the future? ….Yes.
Review of advance copy received from Author
⭐️
spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️/5
format: ebook
rtc, i need to sit on this for a bit
*i received a free, advanced copy of this book from the author and this is my voluntary, honest review.
spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️/5
format: ebook
rtc, i need to sit on this for a bit
*i received a free, advanced copy of this book from the author and this is my voluntary, honest review.
March 13, 2026
Non-con tag is NOT for the main couple. A secondary character commits SA (toward an MC). So warning for THAT, even though none of it plays out on page as it is just alluded to and described vaguely enough to understand what happened.
Best book by this author so far, hands down.
Javier aka Javi and Declan were fire from the start, their chemistry off the charts good, with such delicious tension. This was better than the first book, easily.
Javi is still an ass for how he treats Declan, but the man is absolutely obsessed and head over heels in love with Declan from the start, and deliciously possessive, and we get scenes from their friendship before everything went to shit to see how they fell in love with each other.
For what Javi believes happened and for what little he saw, it makes sense why he's so angry. He and Declan
So while Javi was an idiot who made assumptions and didn't TALK to the man he loves, I give him some slack for being 17, 18 years old, still a teenager, still immature, still not knowing how to properly process his emotions and deal with it like an adult.
Declan does absolutely nothing wrong in this whole book. He's amazing, sassy, not afraid to stand up for himself, sweet, adorable, a bit broken by his life before his adoptive parents adopted him, and what happens to him. And also head over heels in love with Javi and not wanting to admit it or face it, especially after how Javi treats him.
Do I think a lot of their pain and anguish could have been solved if they'd both TALKED to each other? HELL YEAH! But also the onus was all on Javi and he was an idiot who didn't reach out. Declan could have said something just to set Javi straight and NOT have Javi treating him like shit all that time. But also I understood why he didn't and what he went through and how much he didn't even want to face it.
So even when I recognize that Declan should have said something if only for his own sanity and having the man he loved not treat him like shit, I don't begrudge him for it at all. He was completely in the right not to, and mainly it was all on Javi for their months long separation by being an idiot.
BUT I couldn't help but love Javi to bits, and as much as their lack of communication - as teenagers will do (hell even adults lbr. But especially teenagers) - frustrated me, I understood it and it didn't feel manufactured or for the most part too dragged out. (Perhaps it all could have come out sooner, butt...I get that they kind of had to get to a breaking point for that to happen.)
I also love love LOVED their chemistry. It was the best. The biting anger between them that was just covering up the love, lust, heartache...all of it between them was glorious. I LOVED and LIVED for the tension between them.
Javi even got a bit stalker-y a time or two but Declan knowing about it and kinda totally loving it was delicious.
I LOVED their size difference, I'm a sucker for that. Javi is probably 6'3 or 6'4" to Declan's 5'6" so that's a delicious size difference. And Declan being more feminine and soft and pretty while Javi is big and masculine and testosterone-like like with his possessiveness....sign me the fuck up.
The shitty people in their life too getting their comeuppance was also glorious. Not everyone sees their abuser/tormenter/rapist get what's coming to them so that was cathartic to see in this.
And seeing these two get their second chance after their first chance was ripped from them before they even really got to start...beautiful.
I couldn't put this down, I was up until almost 4:30AM reading this - no joke - and had to force myself to stop. It was engaging and I was absorbed in it from the first sentence.
I hope we get this good of quality from this author more and more because while I've enjoyed their past works a lot, none of them were quite like this one. So I look forward to more more more!
And I'm assuming from the epilogue in which we're 7 years in the future that it's staying that way because we're totally getting Danny, Landon's younger brother and their father-like figure, Landon's coach from his old school as a couple...WILD. We already got a hint that something happened between them so...THAT will be interesting to read. And quite taboo if I might say so myself (not incest but...man has been a father like figure to Landon and his siblings for years, so.....)
Can't wait for that messiness!
Until then! 😘
My Ratings for the King's Heart Series:
🌕 Safe: 4.25 stars (my review)
🌕 Pretty: 5 stars
Best book by this author so far, hands down.
Javier aka Javi and Declan were fire from the start, their chemistry off the charts good, with such delicious tension. This was better than the first book, easily.
Javi is still an ass for how he treats Declan, but the man is absolutely obsessed and head over heels in love with Declan from the start, and deliciously possessive, and we get scenes from their friendship before everything went to shit to see how they fell in love with each other.
For what Javi believes happened and for what little he saw, it makes sense why he's so angry. He and Declan
So while Javi was an idiot who made assumptions and didn't TALK to the man he loves, I give him some slack for being 17, 18 years old, still a teenager, still immature, still not knowing how to properly process his emotions and deal with it like an adult.
Declan does absolutely nothing wrong in this whole book. He's amazing, sassy, not afraid to stand up for himself, sweet, adorable, a bit broken by his life before his adoptive parents adopted him, and what happens to him. And also head over heels in love with Javi and not wanting to admit it or face it, especially after how Javi treats him.
Do I think a lot of their pain and anguish could have been solved if they'd both TALKED to each other? HELL YEAH! But also the onus was all on Javi and he was an idiot who didn't reach out. Declan could have said something just to set Javi straight and NOT have Javi treating him like shit all that time. But also I understood why he didn't and what he went through and how much he didn't even want to face it.
So even when I recognize that Declan should have said something if only for his own sanity and having the man he loved not treat him like shit, I don't begrudge him for it at all. He was completely in the right not to, and mainly it was all on Javi for their months long separation by being an idiot.
BUT I couldn't help but love Javi to bits, and as much as their lack of communication - as teenagers will do (hell even adults lbr. But especially teenagers) - frustrated me, I understood it and it didn't feel manufactured or for the most part too dragged out. (Perhaps it all could have come out sooner, butt...I get that they kind of had to get to a breaking point for that to happen.)
I also love love LOVED their chemistry. It was the best. The biting anger between them that was just covering up the love, lust, heartache...all of it between them was glorious. I LOVED and LIVED for the tension between them.
Javi even got a bit stalker-y a time or two but Declan knowing about it and kinda totally loving it was delicious.
I LOVED their size difference, I'm a sucker for that. Javi is probably 6'3 or 6'4" to Declan's 5'6" so that's a delicious size difference. And Declan being more feminine and soft and pretty while Javi is big and masculine and testosterone-like like with his possessiveness....sign me the fuck up.
The shitty people in their life too getting their comeuppance was also glorious. Not everyone sees their abuser/tormenter/rapist get what's coming to them so that was cathartic to see in this.
And seeing these two get their second chance after their first chance was ripped from them before they even really got to start...beautiful.
I couldn't put this down, I was up until almost 4:30AM reading this - no joke - and had to force myself to stop. It was engaging and I was absorbed in it from the first sentence.
I hope we get this good of quality from this author more and more because while I've enjoyed their past works a lot, none of them were quite like this one. So I look forward to more more more!
And I'm assuming from the epilogue in which we're 7 years in the future that it's staying that way because we're totally getting Danny, Landon's younger brother and their father-like figure, Landon's coach from his old school as a couple...WILD. We already got a hint that something happened between them so...THAT will be interesting to read. And quite taboo if I might say so myself (not incest but...man has been a father like figure to Landon and his siblings for years, so.....)
Can't wait for that messiness!
Until then! 😘
My Ratings for the King's Heart Series:
🌕 Safe: 4.25 stars (my review)
🌕 Pretty: 5 stars
Review of advance copy received from Indie Reviewers
Pretty is a great second-chance romance between sweet outsider Declan and sensitive athlete Javi. This story does a great job of giving you the backstory to how their friendship derailed and why they both mean so much to one another. Having all of these questions answered in such a natural way really helped to propel this story in fascinating directions. Also I love that Declan and Javi are both neighbors. That element adds such a wholesome aspect to their story as they fall for one another not once but twice.
Overall, this is a great second-chance romance. Both characters go through quite the transformation, and seeing their relationship grow into a more mature dynamic was great to see. Also, I really appreciated the handling of certain topics. Javi is a strong and compelling character, and seeing him literally go to bat for the person he loves most was very impactful and made for a very strong third act. I loved being back in this world and look forward to what comes next.
*** I reviewed a complimentary copy of this story.***
Overall, this is a great second-chance romance. Both characters go through quite the transformation, and seeing their relationship grow into a more mature dynamic was great to see. Also, I really appreciated the handling of certain topics. Javi is a strong and compelling character, and seeing him literally go to bat for the person he loves most was very impactful and made for a very strong third act. I loved being back in this world and look forward to what comes next.
*** I reviewed a complimentary copy of this story.***
Did Not Finish
April 5, 2026It's boring, but they've known each other since adolescence, and yet Javier's bisexual awakening was with a guy named Carter, not Declan (the mc1) xD I expected that if they'd known each other since they were young, Declan would be his main interest, but no... Carter came along, and Javi lost him. They also had sex while Declan was pining for him 🤡
March 13, 2026
"The kid whips around in my direction— and this may sound a little weird, but I don’t know how else to describe it— my breath leaves my body. His hair is dyed a pale purple— like a lavender color— and styled in some way that looks effortless and also like it takes him a long time to get it that way. He has these really long lashes. Longer than I’ve ever seen on another person— they practically touch his eyebrows and they’re coated in a glittery purple mascara. Everything about him comes together so well. I can’t help thinking how pretty he is. Like a doll."
Awwww I loved this! Pretty: An MM Second Chance Romance by L. Waltree is book 2 in the author's King's Heart series, which is set at the King’s Heart Preparatory Academy for Young Men. The series features the boys on the football team, and their lives and loves.
Whilst they can be read as standalones, I'd suggest reading them in order starting with Safe, to get a feel for the over-arching story and also to get to know all the fabulous characters.
This is Declan and Javier's story.
What To Expect:
🖤MM romance
🖤Second chance
🖤Dark themes
🖤Friends to enemies to lovers
🖤Secret relationship
🖤"Mine"
🖤Jock x outcast
🖤High angst
🖤HEA
4 stars
Awwww I loved this! Pretty: An MM Second Chance Romance by L. Waltree is book 2 in the author's King's Heart series, which is set at the King’s Heart Preparatory Academy for Young Men. The series features the boys on the football team, and their lives and loves.
Whilst they can be read as standalones, I'd suggest reading them in order starting with Safe, to get a feel for the over-arching story and also to get to know all the fabulous characters.
This is Declan and Javier's story.
What To Expect:
🖤MM romance
🖤Second chance
🖤Dark themes
🖤Friends to enemies to lovers
🖤Secret relationship
🖤"Mine"
🖤Jock x outcast
🖤High angst
🖤HEA
4 stars
April 18, 2026
8/10 Авторка пише так, що воно затягує🤌🏻 Ця не така емоційна як перша, проте прикольна. Тут в нас ворожість бувших друзів, конфлікт, драма трошки і прикольні побічні персонажі у вигляді старих батьків, все, як треба✨🙂↕️
March 10, 2026
2 ⭐️
now that this is published I’m changing my rating. this book, unfortunately, was not for me. I just found myself skimming most of it and it felt repetitive. I’m so sad I couldn’t get into this book because I LOVED Safe. This one just didn’t hit the mark for me 😭
now that this is published I’m changing my rating. this book, unfortunately, was not for me. I just found myself skimming most of it and it felt repetitive. I’m so sad I couldn’t get into this book because I LOVED Safe. This one just didn’t hit the mark for me 😭
March 11, 2026
4.5 stars
Finally I had the chance to read another story from L. Waltree, I love her writing very much.
I have to point out that I haven't read Safe, but his book works completely fine on its own and I could still enjoy it because the author mentioned the connections with the first book, when needed.
Declan and Javier were best friends who had a fallout and still bear the scars of it. The book is told from a double timeline, the past and the present and, although the parts of the past are not in chronological order, it wasn't difficult to follow the events that led to what happened.
The book starts one year later, Declan and Javi are not on speaking terms, but they seem to still be very much drawn to each other and they have conflicted and unresolved feelings for one another.
Thy're stuck in the past, unable and unwilling to move forward.
I think that their biggest obstacle was not only what happened but also the fact that they never had an honest conversation about it: there were a lot of assumptions on both parts, and those, added to all the external gossip, prevented them from sorting that out.
I loved how they started hanging out together again, how Javi was so sweet underneath his tough armor, how Declan still felt the need to cherish and to protect him. Their feelings were genuine and ran deep and one of my favourite scenes is when they say I love you for the first time.
What prevented me from giving a higher rate:
I understand they couldn't talk about what happened the night at the party: they were both young and people got in the middle, everything became too big to handle.
But I feel like Declan's distrust towards Javi was unfair: he said he understood that Javi wasn't at fault, but the first time a similar situation arises, he immediately accused him again.
The epilogue is very sweet and it works well for them.
I don't know what the author's plans are for her future books, but I wouldn't mind having Landon's younger brother's story.
I received an ARC of this book from the author and this is my honest review.
Finally I had the chance to read another story from L. Waltree, I love her writing very much.
I have to point out that I haven't read Safe, but his book works completely fine on its own and I could still enjoy it because the author mentioned the connections with the first book, when needed.
Declan and Javier were best friends who had a fallout and still bear the scars of it. The book is told from a double timeline, the past and the present and, although the parts of the past are not in chronological order, it wasn't difficult to follow the events that led to what happened.
The book starts one year later, Declan and Javi are not on speaking terms, but they seem to still be very much drawn to each other and they have conflicted and unresolved feelings for one another.
Thy're stuck in the past, unable and unwilling to move forward.
I think that their biggest obstacle was not only what happened but also the fact that they never had an honest conversation about it: there were a lot of assumptions on both parts, and those, added to all the external gossip, prevented them from sorting that out.
I loved how they started hanging out together again, how Javi was so sweet underneath his tough armor, how Declan still felt the need to cherish and to protect him. Their feelings were genuine and ran deep and one of my favourite scenes is when they say I love you for the first time.
What prevented me from giving a higher rate:
I understand they couldn't talk about what happened the night at the party: they were both young and people got in the middle, everything became too big to handle.
But I feel like Declan's distrust towards Javi was unfair: he said he understood that Javi wasn't at fault, but the first time a similar situation arises, he immediately accused him again.
The epilogue is very sweet and it works well for them.
I don't know what the author's plans are for her future books, but I wouldn't mind having Landon's younger brother's story.
I received an ARC of this book from the author and this is my honest review.
April 5, 2026
5 ABSOLUTE MOTHERFUCKING ⭐️ 3 🌶️
SON OF A MOTHER FUCKING BITCH!!! How fucking dare you WRECK ME! Absolutely OBLITERATE my life in less than 24 hours with Javi and Declan’s story..this second chance romance has me soo fucked up in the best way possible
EVERY GOD DAMN THING! About this book was wonderful..the tragedy, the time jumping- I yearned for the full story of their relationship and this story paced it BEAUTIFULLY! The spice?! OMG OMG OMG 🥵🥵🥵 throw a bucket of ice water over me- I’m a hoe for these two. The tension was phenomenal! FUCK IT ALLLLLLLLL 😡😡😡😡
GOD I LOVE THEM! Why did it have to end?! I could read a million more pages of them and it wouldn’t be enough
I have never felt more connected to a characters upbringing than I did with Javi’s…
YOU FUCKED WITH MY HEART AND SOUL…a wonderful DP situation if I’ve ever seen one 😭😭😭 THE ENTIRE TIME THIS BOOK FUCKED WITH ME! No foreplay, prep or ANYTHING!
THIS SERIES IS EVERYTHING! I can’t wait for the next book and I’m DEVASTATED that there’s no date in sight 🥺 I’m going to scream into a void now…🙂↕️🙂↕️🙂↕️
SON OF A MOTHER FUCKING BITCH!!! How fucking dare you WRECK ME! Absolutely OBLITERATE my life in less than 24 hours with Javi and Declan’s story..this second chance romance has me soo fucked up in the best way possible
EVERY GOD DAMN THING! About this book was wonderful..the tragedy, the time jumping- I yearned for the full story of their relationship and this story paced it BEAUTIFULLY! The spice?! OMG OMG OMG 🥵🥵🥵 throw a bucket of ice water over me- I’m a hoe for these two. The tension was phenomenal! FUCK IT ALLLLLLLLL 😡😡😡😡
GOD I LOVE THEM! Why did it have to end?! I could read a million more pages of them and it wouldn’t be enough
I have never felt more connected to a characters upbringing than I did with Javi’s…
YOU FUCKED WITH MY HEART AND SOUL…a wonderful DP situation if I’ve ever seen one 😭😭😭 THE ENTIRE TIME THIS BOOK FUCKED WITH ME! No foreplay, prep or ANYTHING!
THIS SERIES IS EVERYTHING! I can’t wait for the next book and I’m DEVASTATED that there’s no date in sight 🥺 I’m going to scream into a void now…🙂↕️🙂↕️🙂↕️
March 14, 2026
I’ve been waiting for Declan and Javi’s story for so long, and it was absolutely worth it. I fell for Declan back in Safe, so finally getting his book felt really special.
Declan is quiet, lonely, and constantly judged, a character with so many layers. Javi is popular and part of the football team.
They seem very different from each other, but the moment they actually start getting to know one another, the chemistry is undeniable. Living next door only makes everything more intense, and their connection feels natural and inevitable… until one night changes everything.
This story handles heavy topics with so much care while still delivering a beautiful romance about healing and personal growth. The plot, the emotional depth, and the spice feel perfectly balanced, which made this impossible to put down.
Declan is truly the heart of this book. That "muñequito" completely stole both Javi’s heart and mine.
The epilogues were perfect, and as someone from Spain, seeing Spanish phrases and a Latino MC meant a lot to me.
And… am I the only one who thinks we might have gotten a hint about the next couple? Because if it’s who I think it is… omg!! I’m already biting my nails waiting for their story!
Declan is quiet, lonely, and constantly judged, a character with so many layers. Javi is popular and part of the football team.
They seem very different from each other, but the moment they actually start getting to know one another, the chemistry is undeniable. Living next door only makes everything more intense, and their connection feels natural and inevitable… until one night changes everything.
This story handles heavy topics with so much care while still delivering a beautiful romance about healing and personal growth. The plot, the emotional depth, and the spice feel perfectly balanced, which made this impossible to put down.
Declan is truly the heart of this book. That "muñequito" completely stole both Javi’s heart and mine.
The epilogues were perfect, and as someone from Spain, seeing Spanish phrases and a Latino MC meant a lot to me.
And… am I the only one who thinks we might have gotten a hint about the next couple? Because if it’s who I think it is… omg!! I’m already biting my nails waiting for their story!
April 3, 2026
I actually don’t know what to do or say about this book. I mean, I liked it, I actually liked it so much more than the first one. I loved Javi and Declan and their story a lot more, I felt more invested, and I love how normal and wholesome their HEA was. So yeah, I liked it, but it also feels like I have no concrete thoughts about it. I finished it and just feel kind of indifferent.
So I don’t know how to rate it or what more to say, so I’m going to meet it halfway and rate it 3.5 stars. I have to give credit where credit is due, and I can’t say it wasn’t good because that’s not the case at all. It just didn’t give me much of anything, but it was still enjoyable
So I don’t know how to rate it or what more to say, so I’m going to meet it halfway and rate it 3.5 stars. I have to give credit where credit is due, and I can’t say it wasn’t good because that’s not the case at all. It just didn’t give me much of anything, but it was still enjoyable
March 27, 2026
I loved these two boys so much!! The story itself was quite interesting because its one of those where something bad has happened between the MCs in the past and everything in the present revolves around that night and the fallout of it.
And that's what really fucks you up because you don't know what happened on that night until the very end, but it was bad enough to make everything in the present so messy and complicated. LIKE DECLAN I KNOW SOMETHING HAPPENED TO YOU BABY TALK TO ME 😭 And Javi I love you boo but please stop with the assumptions. Declan didn't just wake up one day and betray you. SOMETHING HAPPENED TO HIM SO GO HUG THAT BOY AND TALK TO HIM.
Aghhhh.
The chemistry and the intimacy between Declan and Javi was hot and sweet at the same time. Like these two used to be best friends so it was so heartbreaking seeing them hurt each other with harsh words because they were both in pain. 🥹
Declan was so angry and confused the whole time. He tried to bury his trauma and what happened to him on that night but his trauma kept resurfacing at the worst times.. and Javi. OMG Javi. I really loved him but I wanted to scream at him WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU DOING so hard. Like why do you believe Carter and not Declan about what happened that night?? Declan is your best friend man. Declan felt that betrayal to his bones.
But at the same time you cannot ignore the fact that Javi is emotional, impulsive and goes through his own hell at home so I get why he didn't have the maturity to think things through. Like when he finally learned the truth, he lost it. And even though i was a bit frustrated with Declan for not opening up earlier when Carter's side of the story spread around, resulting in everyone bullying him.. I still respected that he was hurt because his best friend believed the worst about him without letting him explain.
I love these two boys so much, I wish I could hug them both. Their story is messy but their hearts are real. And now I need to go back and read Landon and Grant's book because of course I jumped in and read book 2 immediately without caring about the order. 🫠
And that's what really fucks you up because you don't know what happened on that night until the very end, but it was bad enough to make everything in the present so messy and complicated. LIKE DECLAN I KNOW SOMETHING HAPPENED TO YOU BABY TALK TO ME 😭 And Javi I love you boo but please stop with the assumptions. Declan didn't just wake up one day and betray you. SOMETHING HAPPENED TO HIM SO GO HUG THAT BOY AND TALK TO HIM.
Aghhhh.
The chemistry and the intimacy between Declan and Javi was hot and sweet at the same time. Like these two used to be best friends so it was so heartbreaking seeing them hurt each other with harsh words because they were both in pain. 🥹
Declan was so angry and confused the whole time. He tried to bury his trauma and what happened to him on that night but his trauma kept resurfacing at the worst times.. and Javi. OMG Javi. I really loved him but I wanted to scream at him WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU DOING so hard. Like why do you believe Carter and not Declan about what happened that night?? Declan is your best friend man. Declan felt that betrayal to his bones.
But at the same time you cannot ignore the fact that Javi is emotional, impulsive and goes through his own hell at home so I get why he didn't have the maturity to think things through. Like when he finally learned the truth, he lost it. And even though i was a bit frustrated with Declan for not opening up earlier when Carter's side of the story spread around, resulting in everyone bullying him.. I still respected that he was hurt because his best friend believed the worst about him without letting him explain.
I love these two boys so much, I wish I could hug them both. Their story is messy but their hearts are real. And now I need to go back and read Landon and Grant's book because of course I jumped in and read book 2 immediately without caring about the order. 🫠
March 24, 2026
Declan and Javi.
I knew I would love these two after we met them in Safe. Declan is such a brat but a great friend to Landon and Javi is Grants friend who Declan is very prickly towards.
Come to find out these two have a past and we get to see a lot of time jumping in this boo leading up to the moment that changed everything. Turns out communication was needed and these two should have been in love the whole time.
I loved seeing them together then and even more so finding their way back to each other now.
Oh and it was spice, spice, spicy!
I love L Waltree’s writing and I can’t wait for what’s to come next.
I knew I would love these two after we met them in Safe. Declan is such a brat but a great friend to Landon and Javi is Grants friend who Declan is very prickly towards.
Come to find out these two have a past and we get to see a lot of time jumping in this boo leading up to the moment that changed everything. Turns out communication was needed and these two should have been in love the whole time.
I loved seeing them together then and even more so finding their way back to each other now.
Oh and it was spice, spice, spicy!
I love L Waltree’s writing and I can’t wait for what’s to come next.
Review of advance copy received from Author
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️(4.5)
The first 20% of the book, Javi stressed the fuck out of me. I just wanted to shake him and scream in his face, But every time he spoke to Declan in Spanish, I melted.
That’s another thing I loved, how smoothly the Spanish was woven into Javi’s vocabulary. It all felt so natural.
Also, I fucking loved Declan. He was perfect.
Tbh, I don’t have much to say, mostly because I enjoyed it and had a good time reading it.
Although I didn’t like the ending or the epilogue. And yes, I know that’s how real life works, but I don’t want to read about real-life bullshit.
The first 20% of the book, Javi stressed the fuck out of me. I just wanted to shake him and scream in his face, But every time he spoke to Declan in Spanish, I melted.
That’s another thing I loved, how smoothly the Spanish was woven into Javi’s vocabulary. It all felt so natural.
Also, I fucking loved Declan. He was perfect.
Tbh, I don’t have much to say, mostly because I enjoyed it and had a good time reading it.
Although I didn’t like the ending or the epilogue. And yes, I know that’s how real life works, but I don’t want to read about real-life bullshit.
March 4, 2026
This book was absolutely amazing!! I couldn’t put it down and I loved getting a little bit of the couple from the first book bc it was just as memorable as this one! This one hooks you from the first page and doesn’t let go until the end. I loved Declan and Javi so very much, their love was definitely something special. I love having some dark with my romance and some obsession so this one is perfect. I definitely recommend reading this book!
March 15, 2026
That was so good! 🥹🥹💜
February 27, 2026
Ever since we met Declan in SAFE I have wanted to his story. I loved everything about him from his hair to his shoes and snark. Declan went through something no one should ever have to go through and not only was it a horrific experience but it was exacerbated by those around him leaving him to deal with it on his own. I hated what he went through and I hated that it tore Declan and Javier apart but I am glad they ended up finding their way back into each other’s lives. It was clear they played huge roles in one another’s lives after meeting and it was nice getting to see some of this along the way.
I love the side characters. Landon and Grant of course but Declan’s parents were great. This was a such a good read!
💜ARC REVIEW🖤
☑️ Trigger Warnings.
I love the side characters. Landon and Grant of course but Declan’s parents were great. This was a such a good read!
💜ARC REVIEW🖤
☑️ Trigger Warnings.
March 10, 2026
It pains me that I didn't enjoy it as much as I wanted 🥲the plot of the book didn't completely convince me. even so It has good things. I think the worst thing is the lack of communication.
March 5, 2026
5 ⭐️ I had such hopes for the second book of the King's Heart series, and it was everything and more of what I expected! Javi and Declan's relationship was quite the mystery in the first book, and we jump right back into the story with this story. When Declan and Javi first met, the tension between them was nothing short of magical, and the beginning of a true friendship build upon trust and understanding. But after a devastating incident, their friendship is broken and strained.
I thought this story was so beautiful and a heartbreaking read. Every time there was a scene of comfort, the rug was pulled out from you, and you were left even more heartbroken than what you already was. But throughout the book, the bits and pieces of Javi and Declan's past was slowly revealed, and it was so clear that these two needed each other more than anything else.
After reading several of L. Waltree's stories, this being the third, I have come to love and adore their gift of storytelling. Their stories have so many layers, written so beautifully, and I've come to care for their characters as if I know them personally. This story made me weep, smile, and laugh!
If you love second chance-romance, found family, best friends, and hurt/comfort, this is a must read for you!
A big thank you to the author and their team for providing med with an arc of this great story! <3
I thought this story was so beautiful and a heartbreaking read. Every time there was a scene of comfort, the rug was pulled out from you, and you were left even more heartbroken than what you already was. But throughout the book, the bits and pieces of Javi and Declan's past was slowly revealed, and it was so clear that these two needed each other more than anything else.
After reading several of L. Waltree's stories, this being the third, I have come to love and adore their gift of storytelling. Their stories have so many layers, written so beautifully, and I've come to care for their characters as if I know them personally. This story made me weep, smile, and laugh!
If you love second chance-romance, found family, best friends, and hurt/comfort, this is a must read for you!
A big thank you to the author and their team for providing med with an arc of this great story! <3
March 1, 2026
3⭐️
Javi and Declan, two students at a prestigious private highschool, couldn’t be more different. A quirky, purple-haired outcast like Declan has a hard time making friends, while Javi is on the football team and popular. Both have complicated home lives, and both unexpectedly end up connecting, and starting to form something special.
In unexpected and devastating event ends up pulling them apart. This book goes back and forth between the past and present timeline, following both the story of their first fall for each other at 17, and how they reconnect the next year.
This book has:
-second chance
-jock x nerd high school setting
-miscommunication
-neighbours
-secret relationship & hookups
-check TWs (themes of ab*se and SA)
I realllly enjoyed book one of this series, and was looking forward to book 2! This book wasn’t what I expected, but I still enjoyed some aspects of the story.
This book is under 300 pages, and deals with some pretty heavy subject matter. We do get a happily ever after though, so don’t worry!
What I did enjoy about this book was that the characters were both quite unique, and they felt like whole, developed characters, despite the book being short. I felt like I knew their interests, their families, and their personalities well.
The timeline of this book might be a little hard for some to follow, as it flips back and forth between both perspectives and timelines. You definitely have to be paying attention. That being said, the plot is quite simple and predictable, so I wasn’t confused.
In terms of the narrative overall, I feel kind of neutral. I was a little frustrated with the miscommunication and how the characters acted sometimes. But they’re also teenagers… so I guess they act as expected!
Though I didn’t personally vibe with some aspects of this book, it wasn’t a bad book at all! If you like the tropes listed above, you’ll probably really enjoy it~
Javi and Declan, two students at a prestigious private highschool, couldn’t be more different. A quirky, purple-haired outcast like Declan has a hard time making friends, while Javi is on the football team and popular. Both have complicated home lives, and both unexpectedly end up connecting, and starting to form something special.
In unexpected and devastating event ends up pulling them apart. This book goes back and forth between the past and present timeline, following both the story of their first fall for each other at 17, and how they reconnect the next year.
This book has:
-second chance
-jock x nerd high school setting
-miscommunication
-neighbours
-secret relationship & hookups
-check TWs (themes of ab*se and SA)
I realllly enjoyed book one of this series, and was looking forward to book 2! This book wasn’t what I expected, but I still enjoyed some aspects of the story.
This book is under 300 pages, and deals with some pretty heavy subject matter. We do get a happily ever after though, so don’t worry!
What I did enjoy about this book was that the characters were both quite unique, and they felt like whole, developed characters, despite the book being short. I felt like I knew their interests, their families, and their personalities well.
The timeline of this book might be a little hard for some to follow, as it flips back and forth between both perspectives and timelines. You definitely have to be paying attention. That being said, the plot is quite simple and predictable, so I wasn’t confused.
In terms of the narrative overall, I feel kind of neutral. I was a little frustrated with the miscommunication and how the characters acted sometimes. But they’re also teenagers… so I guess they act as expected!
Though I didn’t personally vibe with some aspects of this book, it wasn’t a bad book at all! If you like the tropes listed above, you’ll probably really enjoy it~
Review of advance copy received from Author
I didn’t know how much I needed Declan & Javier’s story until we got it. This book had some dark themes, but I didn’t think it was as dark as Safe. I loved that this book was in the same timeline as Safe, I found it made everything easier to follow. I had so many “aha” moments remembering parts from Safe.
I ended up liking Javi so much by the end. I thought he was going to be a typical jock, but there was so much complexity underneath, he was such a beautiful person.
Declan… wow. I loved him. He was such a strong person who deserved love so much, he deserved the world. These two spent so much time apart because of miscommunication, which was just sad.
I loved Declan’s foster parents, Harold & Nancy. They were so entertaining. Great epilogue, and I really hope we get Danny and Simmons book next.
I would definitely recommend reading Safe first.
I ended up liking Javi so much by the end. I thought he was going to be a typical jock, but there was so much complexity underneath, he was such a beautiful person.
Declan… wow. I loved him. He was such a strong person who deserved love so much, he deserved the world. These two spent so much time apart because of miscommunication, which was just sad.
I loved Declan’s foster parents, Harold & Nancy. They were so entertaining. Great epilogue, and I really hope we get Danny and Simmons book next.
I would definitely recommend reading Safe first.
Review of advance copy received from Author
One thing I really love about this series is an unknown element that keeps me hooked. There is the teasing of what happened before but the grand reveal is at the end and it's always a doozy. I love that avout the first and this one does it to. Declan was honestly such a strong character me. I love how he is written and how he is so vibrant while also not really being a people person. On the flipside Javi is a lot more social but not many really see him. I love the depth these characters have. I love the way they fell and then fell again. It was beautifully done.
March 12, 2026
This story leans towards very rough topics, and the MCs endured some pretty heavy stuff, so check out the tw-list before reading 🌸
Oh, this one really does make you feel all the things at once 🥺
Declan and Javier definitely have a fantastic, deep running connection and their whole chemistry is amazing.
I loved the jelaousy, because it was so real and felt so right for these boys, and they really worked through some stuff together which just made their bond stronger.
Oh, and the spicy times definitely were great written, too 😏
Oh, this one really does make you feel all the things at once 🥺
Declan and Javier definitely have a fantastic, deep running connection and their whole chemistry is amazing.
I loved the jelaousy, because it was so real and felt so right for these boys, and they really worked through some stuff together which just made their bond stronger.
Oh, and the spicy times definitely were great written, too 😏
Want to Read
February 22, 2026Omggggg
March 9, 2026
After reading “Safe” last year I knew I had to get my hands on this one and I’m so happy I was able to receive an ARC copy!
Javi and Declan. Sweet sweet broken boys. Both of these characters are so well written with a wide range of emotion and depth that you want to keep reading (also the spice scenes?! 🫦🤤🥵)
I absolutely did not see a part of the book coming and once that happened it took a turn and I was 😳
This book contains a lot of heavy topics and might not be for everyone so check your TW’s but after “Safe” I knew I would love this one and it did not disappoint!
Thank you L. Waltree and Nisha at the author agency for this ARC!
Javi and Declan. Sweet sweet broken boys. Both of these characters are so well written with a wide range of emotion and depth that you want to keep reading (also the spice scenes?! 🫦🤤🥵)
I absolutely did not see a part of the book coming and once that happened it took a turn and I was 😳
This book contains a lot of heavy topics and might not be for everyone so check your TW’s but after “Safe” I knew I would love this one and it did not disappoint!
Thank you L. Waltree and Nisha at the author agency for this ARC!
March 10, 2026
I absolutely ate this up! The tension between Javi and Declan in Safe had me hooked and I couldn’t wait to find out the Why’s! I didn’t expect such heartwarming moments though, I loved the dual timeline and seeing how it all began, could they be any cuter!? Loved seeing Landon and Grant pop in too. Overall, a great read!
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