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Hollydene U #1

Things You Weren't Supposed to See

They’re mirrors.
They’re opposites.
They represent what the other fears.
Yet, they can’t stay away.

Starting at Hollydene University was supposed to be a fresh start for Kaida a new city, new classes, and a chance to quiet the never-ending noise inside her head. Living with OCD means her thoughts are intrusive, her rituals are exhausting, and her vulnerability is terrifying. So, Kaida keeps everything locked away in her journal, which no one else is meant to read... until she drops it.

Silas Campbell is the last person Kaida expects to find holding her secrets. He is the campus golden boy with a lacrosse scholarship, an effortless smile and a mask perfectly in place. Silas is used to being seen as untouchable. What no one sees are the things he’s learned the hard way. The horrifying truth that pain doesn’t always look like pain.

As late-night conversations blur into something deeper, Kaida finds herself torn between a familiar, unhealthy relationship and the steady presence of someone who stays. But when the walls they built finally crack and trust shatters, she and Silas must decide whether love can survive being truly seen.

Because of its mature themes, this novel is recommended for readers 16+

382 pages, Kindle Edition

First published May 5, 2026

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About the author

Tori McKay

2 books63 followers

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5 stars
421 (31%)
4 stars
447 (33%)
3 stars
357 (26%)
2 stars
84 (6%)
1 star
17 (1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 132 reviews
Profile Image for Belle₊˚⊹♡ (for keeps ∞♡).
203 reviews148 followers
July 31, 2026
4.75 stars! 🌟🌟🌟🌟
(Spoiler~free)

‘𝐀𝐧𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭'𝐬 𝐰𝐡𝐞𝐧 𝐈 𝐟𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐲 𝐮𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐨𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐬𝐚𝐯𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐬𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐨𝐧𝐞 𝐰𝐚𝐬𝐧'𝐭 𝐚𝐛𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐩𝐮𝐥𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐦 𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐝𝐚𝐫𝐤𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐬, 𝐢𝐭 𝐰𝐚𝐬 𝐚𝐛𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐬𝐢𝐭𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐛𝐞𝐬𝐢𝐝𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐦 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐧𝐨𝐭 𝐥𝐞𝐭𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐠𝐨.’
⋆˙⟡ ⋆.˚ ⊹₊⟡ ⋆⋆˙⟡ ⋆.˚ ⊹₊⟡ ⋆

Absolutely LOVED this book!!
It was such a slow-burn which is one of my favorite tropes<3❤️‍🔥
And Silas was such a protecter towards Kaida it was so healing to see their dynamic blossom into something much more🙌🏼

And the OCD representation was done so well AA🥲
There’s nothing I love more than a found family and how all the friends around this story is being set up for the future books🤭

This book is definitely for the people who enjoyed Boys Of Tommen💙🏉😩🫶
Definitely recommend!!

🌟Rating: 4/5
🔥Spice: 0.5/5 (closed door)
📚Age Rating: 16+

Profile Image for catherine.
142 reviews47 followers
June 19, 2026
3.75 stars ⭐️

this was a cute slow burn read with very good OCD representation and accurate mental health representation!! i’ll be reading whatever comes next in this series
Profile Image for Mecayla Jansen.
17 reviews
March 25, 2026
I genuinely loved this book so much. The grumpy x sunshine trope was done perfectly—Silas being completely in love with her from the moment he saw her had me hooked immediately. It was just so good.

I’m already obsessed with the potential between Joce and Theo—I can totally see something special building there 👀

The mental health representation in this book was handled so thoughtfully, especially the OCD rep—it felt authentic, respectful, and really well done, which I appreciated so much. And the slow burn?? Absolutely worth it. Watching the relationship between Kaida and the rest of the characters develop was one of my favourite parts.

Huge congrats on your debut, Tori McKay—this was such a strong first book, and I can’t wait to see what you write next 💗

Definitely check out this book if you love stories with a strong, meaningful portrayal of mental health.
Profile Image for Shannon Farley.
293 reviews132 followers
September 10, 2026
The characters seemed interesting but it was just too cheesy to keep me interested.

DNF at 25%

Do not let this deter you though I’m on the struggle bus at the moment. 🫠
Profile Image for Stephanie Keijzer.
278 reviews29 followers
July 7, 2026
So this story was a absolute page turner. Loved the setting, the mental health rep and the friendships.

“You're not too much. You're just a lot of detail in a compact package,” she tilted her chin, “like a Polly Pocket.”

Silas was an just a golden retriever MMC who had my heart in just a few pages. Loved that he also had his own struggles.

“No pressure. I just… want you to have a lifeline if it happens.”

Kai our FMC with OCD. Loved her sassy side and the vulnerable moments she had. That piece she wrote for their paper was phenomenal. It just hit in my heart and soul. How she explained all her struggles in her daily life. I do feel like I wanted to see some more of those moments. She had a few hard moments but overall it felt more like a college girl romance without the mental health struggles. Wish we had some more depth on that part. Also the part with Silas and his PTSD.

"Living with OCD feels like being held hostage by your own brain. Like a masked shooter is standing behind your eyes, telling you to do things or something terrible will happen. And they show you proof, images so vivid you don't know if your eyes are open or closed anymore. They tell you if you don't comply, you’ll die. Your friends will die. The house will burn down. You’ll be the reason the world ends. And so, you count. You check. You scrub. You harm. You obey. Because the shooter convinces you that no one survives them."

So this was the slowburn of slowburn. No problem with that because it felt like they needed that time but the ending was a bit rushed in my opinion. Wish we had a few together chapters.

Will recommend this book and looking forward for the second book in the series!
Profile Image for sara ✧ (taylor’s version).
129 reviews11 followers
September 2, 2026
ᯓ➤ 3.75 🌟

congratulations on the great debut tori mckay!!

⤿ kaida & silas ˎˊ˗ 🥍🧠
these two were so cute, i really loved the ocd and mental health rep in this, i felt like it was very real and raw! such a cute grumpy x sunshine slow burn

⋮ ⌗ “𝑠𝑎𝑣𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑠𝑜𝑚𝑒𝑜𝑛𝑒 𝑤𝑎𝑠𝑛’𝑡 𝑎𝑏𝑜𝑢𝑡 𝑝𝑢𝑙𝑙𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑚 𝑜𝑢𝑡 𝑜𝑓 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑑𝑎𝑟𝑘𝑛𝑒𝑠𝑠, 𝑖𝑡 𝑤𝑎𝑠 𝑎𝑏𝑜𝑢𝑡 𝑠𝑖𝑡𝑡𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑏𝑒𝑠𝑖𝑑𝑒 𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑚 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑛𝑜𝑡 𝑙𝑒𝑡𝑡𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑔𝑜“┆ ⋆.𐙚 ̊

i really appreciated the found family aspect of this, i can’t wait to keep reading this series and to read about the side characters of this!!
Profile Image for l e a h ‧͙⁺˚*・༓☾ .
26 reviews
July 10, 2026
"𝐀𝐧𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭'𝐬 𝐰𝐡𝐞𝐧 𝐈 𝐟𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐲 𝐮𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐨𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐬𝐚𝐯𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐬𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐨𝐧𝐞 𝐰𝐚𝐬𝐧'𝐭 𝐚𝐛𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐩𝐮𝐥𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐦 𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐝𝐚𝐫𝐤𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐬, 𝐢𝐭 𝐰𝐚𝐬 𝐚𝐛𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐬𝐢𝐭𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐛𝐞𝐬𝐢𝐝𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐦 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐧𝐨𝐭 𝐥𝐞𝐭𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐠𝐨."
╰┈➤SPOILERS AHEAD

𝕥𝕙𝕠𝕦𝕘𝕙𝕥𝕤⋆·˚ ༘ *
theres just something about reading about a mc that feels broken and feels like they dont deserve to be loved and an mc who loves them like breathing, this book is exactly that. I have to say, i loveee the OCD rep in this book, my sis has it and i can say that i was VERRRYYY well written and represented in that way. I do have to say that the ending felt kinda rushed, like my jaw dropped when i realized they kissed for the first time, and then the epilogue was next. I felt like the author could have expanded on what happened afterwards (ive been following the authors journey on tiktok :) but overall, this was a great book!!

𝕔𝕙𝕒𝕣𝕒𝕔𝕥𝕖𝕣*:・゚✧*:・゚

Kai- i loved to see how she slowly lowered her walls around Silas and grew more comfortable with him. I also liked how she didnt hide and was acc really confident at times (but most of it was a mask, i think)i also loved her relationship with her sister Natalie (reminded me of my sis lol). overall, im glad she found Silas in her life and is happy with him now (fuck you miles)

Silas- this man was DOWNN bad the moment he saw Kai (im not that much of a fan on insta love but this one wasnt this bad). he was also very caring with Kai and her OCD, and i loved how understanding he was of her. Those two are perfect for each other, and i cant wait to read about Liliana and Everett!!
Profile Image for yassy!!.
131 reviews2 followers
August 8, 2026
4 ☆ !!!
this book was super cute and i loved the mental health rep in it! this was very much a slow burn but i still ate it up. don’t get me wrong i love the nickname sunshine but i swear at one point silas said it like 4 times in one sentence and i kinda got the ick lol.

anyway this was a great debut novel!!
Profile Image for Morgan.
72 reviews1 follower
May 6, 2026
This is the first romance book I’ve read where the OCD is depicted so accurately! Such a raw and real portrayal that made me feel so seen. The slow burn was intense, and I kept waiting for Silas and Kai to finally admit their feelings, and when it finally happened it was so sweet and so them!
Profile Image for Lyna.
92 reviews
June 16, 2026
I love Silas so much and I was so scared for him at the ending because I thought he wouldn't get forgiven. I can't wait to find out more about Liliana.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Izzy.
82 reviews
June 26, 2026
Ending was rushed but the burn was slow so so good!!
Profile Image for Ebony.
3 reviews
June 24, 2026
This book was really sweet love Silas, he’s such a little cutie, really easy to read.
Profile Image for Emilia.
103 reviews1 follower
September 1, 2026
4.25☆
I wasn’t sure how this book was going to go as this is a debut novel and this was just a random read I decided to pick up but I LOVED it omggg
The mental health rep stood out especially, I’ve never read from someone who has OCD. As someone who’s watching from afar it was very interesting and showed me how you really can’t comprehend how others minds work. But also Silas’ PTSD was a shocker to read. I honestly wasn’t expecting that and had me feeling real off-balanced, it hit deeper than I thought it would.
But on the other side the friendships and romance were so heart-warming <3
I generally loved the found family and the way Silas saw Kaida my gosh…
Also two random plus points: The book takes place in Canada so it was a fun setting for me + Kaida’s music taste was soo good. Don’t get me wrong, I love myself some pop music (a lot) but I’m kinda sick of so many character in books only listening to those kinds of songs 🤷‍♀️
I’m actually so excited for the next book and possible further ones by this author <33

Quotes•。ꪆৎ ˚⋅
(there’s a lot)

“You are not exhausting, Kai. You're human. You're real. And sometimes that scares people who can't handle authenticity, but that's on them, not you.”

“I didn't know how to describe it, just that I felt lighter around Liliana, like her positivity somehow shone a light on my darkness.”

“This woman had me on a leash. I couldn’t help but stumble after her.”

“I tried to sound relaxed; I tried to hide behind the mask of flirtation that kept everyone from seeing the part of me that freaked out when someone I cared about sounded like they were drowning.”

“The guy’s a fucking idiot if he thinks there’s anything better than you,” he muttered beneath his breath.

“You think no one sees you, but I do. I see how hard you try, and I see how much you care. I see you getting up every day, even if it feels impossible, and still managing to laugh. Do you realize how fucking incredible that is?”

“All I know is that I want to make people feel seen. If I can make one person feel heard, I'd count that as my greatest accomplishment.”

“And that's when I finally understood that saving someone wasn't about pulling them out of the darkness, it was about sitting beside them and not letting go.”
Profile Image for Haley.
250 reviews
June 27, 2026
2⭐️ snooze for me sorry. It was very YA and not dynamic at all. I wasn’t a fan of the authors writing style nor the plot really. There was potential but it didn’t live up to my imagination.

Kaida is an incoming college freshman with OCD and Silas is also a freshman (lacrosse player) moving in across the hall from her. Kaida has trauma with lacrosse players for spreading nudes of her in HS and just so happens to be Silas’s playing number #34??? (That was hardly touched on). But he finds her journal and then befriends her and basically falls so deeply in love with her and tries to be there for her during every episode she has and also her break up. He’s very patient (props king) so veryyyyyy slow burn. Like kiss in the last chapter slow burn lmfao.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
4 reviews1 follower
September 8, 2026
I normally don't write reviews, but this one had to happen.

Everyone wants someone who would choose them when they wouldn't choose themselves. Someone who stays by your side, even when the wounds are too deep to heal on your own. Someone to hold you when you cry and laugh with you. Someone who makes your world shimmer.

If you like a story that feels like those sentences, then you need to read this book.

There was a moment while reading when I forgot that I was reading a book at all. I got completely swept into the story, living their lives and feeling their raw emotions, as if it were a story told to you by a friend. The flashbacks at the end of the story were so vivid that I could really see them in front of my eyes, just like a movie.

The way OCD was described was beautiful. The pain Silas felt from almost losing someone to mental illness struck deep in my heart.

As a first-year psychology student myself, I especially loved the personal experience piece that the main character wrote about her OCD. I think this is what I would love to read more of as a psychology student—not just the polished, clinical explanations of mental health, but the raw, personal feelings of what it is actually like to live with it. And I think this part of the book did that beautifully. It didn't just explain OCD to me; it made me feel like I could understand, even for a moment, what it might be like to experience it.

I searched for a very long time for what I should study, but in psychology, I found my heart. This book made me realise even more why I want to study it.

Everyone has their own baggage, and I am sure that people with OCD will recognise parts of themselves in this book.

Long story short, it's beautifully written. Mental health is carefully placed into the story in a way that is beautiful but heartbreaking at the same time, knowing that there might be parts of someone's day-to-day life reflected in these pages.

I am looking forward to the next books in this series.
Profile Image for angreads.111.
61 reviews
Review of advance copy received from Author
March 27, 2026
Holy crap…. I loved this book SO much. First of all congratulations to Tori on her debut novel! It was BEAUTIFUL!

This is a slowwwwww burn no spice book. The first no spice romance I’ve ever read. It was filled with so much heartache and cute moments that I didn’t even miss the spice. I totally could have read another 150 pages of Silas and Kaida <3 Kaida feeling like she’s consumed by her own thoughts is so relatable to me. I highlighted so many things because I just felt seen when reading about Kaidas struggles. There are some deep self harm scenes in this book so please be aware. I will say those were some of the most emotional moments for me as I related to them.

How on earth did Tori make me fall inlove with Silas and Kaida AND hbe excited for every single side characters stories, all in like 375 pages?! Not only was the relationship between the FMC and MMC so heartwarming but the friend group over all was so good. I need more scenes with Kaida and Ev and Kaida and Theo!!! So cute. I love Kaidas relationship with her sister and the relationship between Silas, Joce and Ev!!

This is an on campus college romance. Kaida gives black cat energy and Silas is her Golden Retriever 😭 MY FAV. He’s protective, and respectful. Most of the mental health is focused on Kaida but there are things that make you realize that Silas suffers too just not in the way we would think.

I cannot wait for this book to release officially so I can have a physical copy on my shelf. I’m also SO excited for the rest of the Hollydene U books. You NEED to read this book!! I’ve been in a reading slump all of March this is literally my first 5 star read this month.

If you’re looking for a found family, emotionally heart-wrenching but also heartwarming college romance, THIS IS IT! Her debut novel was this good I cannot imagine how the rest of the series will be! It’s officially on my most anticipated reads because now I need to know what happens with Ev, Liliana, Joce and Theo. And you know what I hope Nat gets a story too because I feel like there’s got to be more to Nats story. Ahh such a good book 😭❤️
Profile Image for Jessie’s Reads✨.
28 reviews
Review of advance copy received from Author
March 29, 2026
ARC REVIEW - ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Release date: May 5th 2026

I was lucky enough to get an ARC read of “Things You Weren’t Supposed to See by Tori McKay HER DEBUT NOVEL and let me tell you…

I have no thoughts. THIS BOOK HAS ALTERED MY BRAIN CHEMISTRY. I am in love with Silas and Kaida, the friendship they shared and the banter between them 😫 before they EVEN decided to be friends I CAN’T. The writing was incredible to say the least and the representation of OCD and the struggle that comes with it was depicted so perfectly it tore me apart.

Don’t even get me started on the found family. The way everyone is there for each other without words even needing to be said. They can stay in complete silence and have an entire conversation through thoughts and emotions. Solely relying on their presence alone. This is friendship I pray for!!

I cannot wait to learn more about EVERY single character and get their story because at this point it is a need.

If you are looking for a very emotional dual POV story with slow burn, OCD, PTSD and trauma rep, found family, forced proximity, uni sports romance this book is FOR you.

I HIGHLY recommend this book to everyone looking for the feeling you get when you read about Boys of Tommen by Chloe Walsh. This book had the ability to put me back into that kind of world and I couldn’t have asked for a better place to be. Thank you Tori and CONGRATULATIONS on your first novel! Can’t wait to stick by you as you continue to amaze me with your writing!!!

Mini Blurb:
This story follows Kaida at Hollydene University, hoping distance will quiet the intrusive thoughts that come with her OCD. She keeps her struggles hidden, pouring everything into a journal no one is meant to see. Silas is the school’s golden boy, a lacrosse star who seems untouchable, but beneath his carefully crafted image are wounds no one notices. When he stumbles upon Kaida’s private thoughts, their lives unexpectedly intertwine. Kaida is caught between the pull of a toxic past and the comfort of someone who chooses to stay. Will love endure when everything is out in the open?
Profile Image for Jasmine.readsromance.
26 reviews
April 4, 2026
Review of advanced reader copy!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5

Fav quote:
“Suddenly, I felt too close to him, too exposed.
I needed to leave. But then he looked up at me, his eyes filled with sorrow, and whispered,”I don’t want to be your villain.”


First I wanna thank the author for giving me an advance copy, I am so glad i get to do this and support small author! I really believe you will become big very quickly!

The book is amazing! I have no words so Im gonna have to do my best to express how much i ADORE this book.

I have never read a book so well written, and even my fav authors can’t compare (im not joking😭).

First, the characters. Every, and when i say EVERY character has a story with a depth that can only represent real life, because let’s face it, life is not all fun, and everyone has something going on and a story that made them who they are. Silas would do anything to protect Kaida because he can’t forgive himself. Lilianne is ready to step up as soon as Kaïda needs her to. She was a real badass, but still had a soft and vulnerable spot. Kaïda is lucky enough to have friends and family always there for her, and she is NEVER alone in her darkest moments.

The OCD representation is amazing. I don’t know anyone that has it, but this made me understand that it is not just obsessive cleaning and germophobia. I love when authors represent issues as they are, because I can learn about it, because like Silas said, it is nothing like the articles.

The tropes are so well executed! The enemies to lovers, that is not just “oh they are rivals and they flirt from the start”. Kaida really hates him. And don’t get me started on the grumpy x sunshine trope.

Anyways sorry for the long review but this book is a MUST READ!


Tropes:
Sunshine x grumpy
Forced proximity
Enemies/rivals to lovers
MMC sportplayer
“He was sunshine I was midnight rain” kinda vibe
Profile Image for maddy.
44 reviews
Read
April 13, 2026
ARC REVIEW:)

this was such an emotional read and i really did enjoy it 🥹 Kaida’s struggles with OCD felt so raw and vulnerable and you could tell a lot of care went into writing her mental health journey. there were so many moments where my heart was genuinely hurting for her.

Silas was SUCH a sweet love interest and i loved how supportive and patient he was with Kaida. watching their relationship develop was so freaking cute and i was rooting for them the whole time. i also loved that Silas had his own emotional depth and struggles instead of just being there to “save” her.

the storyline with his twin sister added another really emotional layer to the book too and made everything feel even more impactful.

there were a few moments where i wanted certain scenes/chapters to be a little more fleshed out because i felt like some things moved on a bit quicker than i wanted them to, BUT overall the emotional side of this story kept me invested and made me want to keep reading.

overall this was a heartfelt college romance with emotional mental health rep, sweet slow burn romance, and characters i really enjoyed following 💗 congrats to Tori McKay on your debut novel 🥹🫶🏻

so excited to see what comes next x
Profile Image for Autumn.
7 reviews
July 8, 2026
Okay… this book had me stressed, emotional, and yelling at my Kindle.

Things You Weren’t Supposed to See was so much more than just a college romance. I went in expecting cute moments and a slow burn, but I did NOT expect how emotional Kaida’s story would be. Watching her struggle with everything she keeps locked away, especially the things she thinks nobody could understand, broke my heart.

And Silas… He was honestly the biggest surprise for me. The way he finds Kaida’s journal and instead of judging her, he tries to understand her? The patience he has with her and the way he slowly proves that she’s safe with him made me love him so much.

Small spoiler… Miles had me FUMING. The way he treated Kaida and how much damage he caused while she was already struggling made me so angry. Seeing Kaida finally realize she deserved better and watching Silas show up for her was such a satisfying part of the book.

The ending had me stressed because I genuinely thought Silas might not get the forgiveness he deserved after everything came out. But seeing the characters finally be honest about their pain and start healing was everything.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Lizzy Moyer.
210 reviews
July 31, 2026
If you struggle with understanding OCD this book is a great way to learn from a fictional character. Kaida’s story is so impactful for those with any level of OCD and Silas’s story is a great way to understand how you could support someone that struggles with OCD.

As someone who struggles with OCD (specifically ruminating thoughts, magical thinking, and learning to sit with the uncomfortableness that comes with trying to work through the compulsion)

In chapter 48 and with as little spoilers as possible Kaida has the thought “He came back because you changed your shampoo. If you had just gone out and bought your shampoo instead of being lazy none of this would have happened.”

I have never felt so seen in a characters thought process than that exact quote. While my journey with OCD doesn’t look exactly like Kaida’s it’s important to remind ourselves that our experience and story still matter. Reading Kaida’s self reflection towards the end of the book was also so refreshing to read. Books like these not only bring awareness to this disorder but they also help those with the disorder just as much.
Profile Image for Caitlin.
10 reviews
Review of advance copy received from Author
March 27, 2026
This book quite literally had me on a chokehold. The trope grumpy x sunshine was shown in such a meaningful way, also they way Slias knew it was love at first sight and remembered things Kaida said she loved was just so adorable.

The slow burn was so necessary in order to show to true effects of how Kaida had to deal with mental health and how Silas led her through the darkness. The mental health representation for OCD was demonstrated so well by expanding on the darker themes rather than the common symptoms that are overlooked.

The character development throughout the book was just so amazing and adorable (including Liliana and Everett, I also sensed some of Jose and Theo??). The way Silas always knew and slowly hinted to Kaida was everything I needed.

Congratulations Tori McKay on writing your first book. The book was amazingly written, and for this to be your debut I am so grateful to have been an ARC reader and I am more than thrilled to see what happens for you in the future!! ❤️

I would 10/10 recommendations reading “Things You Weren’t Meant To See” as everything shown is demonstrated in the best way possible.
Profile Image for Fran.
37 reviews
April 21, 2026
Congratulations to Tori McKay on an impressive debut! Things You Weren’t Supposed To See is a solid 4-star read!

If you’re craving a slow-burn college sports romance with "behind closed doors" heat and meaningful mental health representation, add this to your TBR.

The story follows Kaida and Silas, dorm neighbors whose journey begins with an "enemies to lovers" spark that beautifully evolves into "friends to lovers."

The OCD representation for Kaida was perfectly executed, it’s a central part of her journey and handled with such care. Silas is the ultimate golden retriever MMC; despite his own trauma, he is incredibly patient and soft with Kaida, even when she tries to push him away. Swoon 🥹

Seeing Kaida’s character development as she learns to trust and build a "found family" in college was so heartwarming 🫰🏽

Tropes:
✨ Grumpy x Sunshine
✨ Slow Burn
✨ Found Family
✨ Mental Health Rep
✨ Sports Romance
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