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Roommates Trilogy #3
In Too Hard
Book 3 in the Freshman Roommates Series from New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Mara Jacobs.
I was in love with Billy Montrose for five years. And then I met him.
I wasn’t the typical freshman at exclusive Bribury College. Getting in on a scholarship, and coming from a rough neighborhood that I’d happily left behind, I’d even been called a poser by my fellow students. But I was determined to fit in, to be just like all the other girls.
But that wasn’t what he wanted.
He singled me out because of the papers I’d written for his class. He offered me a job transcribing his notes for his newest novel. He never knew that he had saved my life years ago.
I was in heaven just being a part of his process, being near him. And then I became more than just his assistant. I knew it could never work between us.
I wanted to walk away, but I was…In Too Hard.
This New Adult contemporary romance contains 3-4 graphic love scenes. If it was a movie, it would be rated R.
The books of the Freshman Roommates
1) In Too Deep (Lily and Lucas)
2) In Too Fast (Jane and Stick)
3) In Too Hard (Syd and Montrose)
I was in love with Billy Montrose for five years. And then I met him.
I wasn’t the typical freshman at exclusive Bribury College. Getting in on a scholarship, and coming from a rough neighborhood that I’d happily left behind, I’d even been called a poser by my fellow students. But I was determined to fit in, to be just like all the other girls.
But that wasn’t what he wanted.
He singled me out because of the papers I’d written for his class. He offered me a job transcribing his notes for his newest novel. He never knew that he had saved my life years ago.
I was in heaven just being a part of his process, being near him. And then I became more than just his assistant. I knew it could never work between us.
I wanted to walk away, but I was…In Too Hard.
This New Adult contemporary romance contains 3-4 graphic love scenes. If it was a movie, it would be rated R.
The books of the Freshman Roommates
1) In Too Deep (Lily and Lucas)
2) In Too Fast (Jane and Stick)
3) In Too Hard (Syd and Montrose)
240 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 19, 2015
49 people are currently reading
448 people want to read
About the author
Mara Jacobs
27 books372 followersMara Jacobs is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of the Worth series.
After graduating from Michigan State University with a degree in advertising, Mara spent several years working at daily newspapers in advertising sales and production. This certainly prepared her for the world of deadlines!
She writes mysteries with romance, thrillers with romance, and romances with…well, you get it.
Forever a Yooper (someone who hails from Michigan's glorious Upper Peninsula), Mara now splits her time between the U.P. and Las Vegas.
You can find out more about Mara’s books at
www.marajacobs.com
Mara loves to hear from readers. Contact her at mara@marajacobs.com
After graduating from Michigan State University with a degree in advertising, Mara spent several years working at daily newspapers in advertising sales and production. This certainly prepared her for the world of deadlines!
She writes mysteries with romance, thrillers with romance, and romances with…well, you get it.
Forever a Yooper (someone who hails from Michigan's glorious Upper Peninsula), Mara now splits her time between the U.P. and Las Vegas.
You can find out more about Mara’s books at
www.marajacobs.com
Mara loves to hear from readers. Contact her at mara@marajacobs.com
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Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews
February 15, 2017
3.3 stars
My enjoyment on this one was knocked down slightly because the focus was primarily on Billy's book rather than their relationship development and that took over everything for me.
He was also incredibly self absorbed which could be really frustrating. Aside from that, their connection through literature was steady and the slow build up to love was well written. And Syd never begged him to stay together or chased him, which was a relief.
A decent student/teacher story.
My enjoyment on this one was knocked down slightly because the focus was primarily on Billy's book rather than their relationship development and that took over everything for me.
He was also incredibly self absorbed which could be really frustrating. Aside from that, their connection through literature was steady and the slow build up to love was well written. And Syd never begged him to stay together or chased him, which was a relief.
A decent student/teacher story.
May 25, 2015
Billy Montrose is an acclaimed novelist who found success 5 years ago writing a best selling book. Since then, he's had some trouble writing something new even though he has hundreds of ideas. To make things fresh, he takes a one year contract to teach writing at the esteemed Bribury College. Syd is a freshman at Bribury and was a student of Montrose. She's loved Billy Montrose since she was 14 and read his book. When Montrose is looking for an administrative assistant to help organize he notes, he wants Syd for the job. I LOVE student/teacher romances, they are my favorite type of book and this one did not disappoint. I really enjoyed the buildup to these two getting together and the chemistry between them. I wasn't crazy about about how Billy handled a certain situation but I still liked him. I really enjoyed this trilogy and I hope this author writes more New Adult books in the future.
May 22, 2017
Standalone/Cliffhanger: Standalone but part of a series
Ages of H and h: h is 20 and H is 28
Multi-Luv'n/Ménages:
Was There Descriptive Sex:
Descriptive Sex &/Or Drama Between H/h With OW/OM:
>>If So, Before or After H/h Hookup:
Contains Cheating:
Amount of Sex In The Book:
HEA/HFN/etc Ending:
Will This Meet My 'Safety Gang' Buddies' Approval:
Any Triggers/Warnings: Yes
>>Detail: Heroine was raped at 13 by her stepfather.
Do You Recommend This Book: Yes.
Will You Re-read This Book: Yes
Would You Read More Books By This Author: Yes
My Thoughts
Am I glad that there was no OW drama and no 'they've been caught' drama. It was a little slow and a little to far fetched as to how they will in love but I enjoyed it. I thought Billy's family would've shown up to cause a little drama but that didn't happen
Ages of H and h: h is 20 and H is 28
Multi-Luv'n/Ménages:
Was There Descriptive Sex:
Descriptive Sex &/Or Drama Between H/h With OW/OM:
>>If So, Before or After H/h Hookup:
Contains Cheating:
Amount of Sex In The Book:
HEA/HFN/etc Ending:
Will This Meet My 'Safety Gang' Buddies' Approval:
Any Triggers/Warnings: Yes
>>Detail: Heroine was raped at 13 by her stepfather.
Do You Recommend This Book: Yes.
Will You Re-read This Book: Yes
Would You Read More Books By This Author: Yes
My Thoughts
Am I glad that there was no OW drama and no 'they've been caught' drama. It was a little slow and a little to far fetched as to how they will in love but I enjoyed it. I thought Billy's family would've shown up to cause a little drama but that didn't happen
September 14, 2023
This is the 3rd book of the Freshman Roommates series. to me, this book was kinda bleh. I am honestly kind of disappointed in it bc of how much i enjoyed the first two. I think for me it’s the fact that it had a teacher/student relationship which just isn’t it for me. Overall i did enjoy the series and how each book was about one of the roommates. they all have that type of cheesy love that gives you like those new relationship butterflies lol
August 25, 2023
The ending was cute ngl. They fought for each other
November 10, 2023
This book was exactly what I expected after reading the first two. Although it has a much slower burn and a sweeter story IMO. Absolutely loved it!
no-dnf-zzz-avoid
July 29, 2016Tabling the book for now, maybe a DNF.
IDK, the H comes off as a self-absorbed Diva and I hate the way the h panders to him. She has to walk on tiptoes around H so as not to hurt his oh-so-sensitive feelings- otherwise H takes a step back in the relationship; or even dumps her! H is also beta and it comes off as the h is chasing him a time or two:(
h seems almost obsessed with H and doesn't really have a life. Apart from studying h isn't interested in anything except the H, so far h's actions make her appear very one-dimensional (although there are hints of more).
Maybe this one of those series meant to be read in order and hence will make more sense that way....:(
IDK, the H comes off as a self-absorbed Diva and I hate the way the h panders to him. She has to walk on tiptoes around H so as not to hurt his oh-so-sensitive feelings- otherwise H takes a step back in the relationship; or even dumps her! H is also beta and it comes off as the h is chasing him a time or two:(
h seems almost obsessed with H and doesn't really have a life. Apart from studying h isn't interested in anything except the H, so far h's actions make her appear very one-dimensional (although there are hints of more).
Maybe this one of those series meant to be read in order and hence will make more sense that way....:(
April 7, 2020
This wasn't a bad book by any means but I think that there was a bit too much focus on Billy's book than there was on the relationship between Billy and Syd.
I think that, overall, this was a pretty good read. It's not the book that I'm not a fan off. I liked Syd, her character was really interesting to me because we got to learn more about her relationship with Lily and Jane, as well as her family, and her relationship with herself and how out of place she feels. Everything we were given surrounding her character was my favourite aspect of this book, without a doubt.
However, I wasn't the biggest fan of Billy's character. Personally, I felt like he was, to put it simply, a man child. I understand that his writing is something that was very close and personal to him but the way he reacted to Syd, essentially doing the job he hired her to, was a bit annoying for me. His relationship with Syd was also very push and pull and not in the way that I usually enjoy to read. He had a few too many temper tantrums for my liking.
Like I said at the beginning, I think that there was entirely too much focus on Billy's book itself than there was on the relationship between the two characters. I have to be completely honest, I didn't give a crap about his current or past book. It felt as though I was reading a book about a book, rather than a book about two characters where one happens to be an author.
I wish there was more scenes with Lily and Jane because I love the relationship between the three of them, especially Syd and Jane. I also enjoyed the ending and little bits where we got a glimpse into how Jane and Stick, and Lily and Lucas were doing since the other books.
I did enjoy parts of this book but I wouldn't read it again.
I think that, overall, this was a pretty good read. It's not the book that I'm not a fan off. I liked Syd, her character was really interesting to me because we got to learn more about her relationship with Lily and Jane, as well as her family, and her relationship with herself and how out of place she feels. Everything we were given surrounding her character was my favourite aspect of this book, without a doubt.
However, I wasn't the biggest fan of Billy's character. Personally, I felt like he was, to put it simply, a man child. I understand that his writing is something that was very close and personal to him but the way he reacted to Syd, essentially doing the job he hired her to, was a bit annoying for me. His relationship with Syd was also very push and pull and not in the way that I usually enjoy to read. He had a few too many temper tantrums for my liking.
Like I said at the beginning, I think that there was entirely too much focus on Billy's book itself than there was on the relationship between the two characters. I have to be completely honest, I didn't give a crap about his current or past book. It felt as though I was reading a book about a book, rather than a book about two characters where one happens to be an author.
I wish there was more scenes with Lily and Jane because I love the relationship between the three of them, especially Syd and Jane. I also enjoyed the ending and little bits where we got a glimpse into how Jane and Stick, and Lily and Lucas were doing since the other books.
I did enjoy parts of this book but I wouldn't read it again.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 14, 2024
God I’m so torn on this - up until about 60% through I was SO THERE, like pushing 5 stars. I loved the age gap broody professor thing, I thought Syd was a sweet character with levels and nuance and their slow burn, yearning thing with the forced proximity was lush. But then, and I don’t know if I became bitter when I sat down to finish it, Billy just really started to piss me off. An mmc that had me kicking my legs and giggling (like Syd, I got you, I realllllly got you), just became so insufferable, and not even in a sexy way really. Once they were together and he was writing again he became so narcissistic and a bit of a bit fat prick honestly. I knew the whole ‘they’re going to break up because she really liked his book and he didn’t know’ thing was coming, but my guy really broke up with her 10 minutes after she told him she was assaulted as a kid? How are you going to call your girlfriend a fangirl after she told you she’d been SA’d? Felt like a slip up, or maybe a bit rushed? on Jacobs part honestly. I think maybe I was soooo excited for this after Jane and Stick, and because I love the whole English professor wounded author thing, and Montrose has been sexy throughout the series, but it ultimately let me down at the end. Hey, maybe Jane and Stick were just too good to beat.
Overall, this was a fucking good trilogy, had it’s up and downs and felt clumsy in parts, but I think starting my 2024 off in the world of Bribury was a really good thing to stumble upon, cheers Amazon for making the first one 99p.
Overall, this was a fucking good trilogy, had it’s up and downs and felt clumsy in parts, but I think starting my 2024 off in the world of Bribury was a really good thing to stumble upon, cheers Amazon for making the first one 99p.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 28, 2019
For quite a good chunk of this book it was my favourite of the series. And it probably would have stayed that way if the last 3rd didn't happen. It was still a good book just became very corny and dull towards then end, which is a shame because teacher/student (of consent age and consenting) is one of my favourite tropes. As always very firey sex scenes.
June 5, 2024
Definitely not like blow you away 5 stars but a good book none the less. Very fast read and kept me interested.
Probably my favorite of the 3 books. Syd was just a small part of the last 2 so it was nice to know more of her story. More of a slow love story with not too many hurdles but lots to work through.
Probably my favorite of the 3 books. Syd was just a small part of the last 2 so it was nice to know more of her story. More of a slow love story with not too many hurdles but lots to work through.
July 15, 2023
Omg the best ending to the series. Such a brilliant story of support, friendship, care and then love. Love being built upon so much meaning it’s true value and importance is strong and deep rooted. So well written I loved them all
June 22, 2018
I like how she changes perspective to the guy about halfway through.
March 4, 2019
Book 3
The first two books in this series were good. This one, not so much. Very slow plot line. Also, the first name Billy didn't for for the main character.
The first two books in this series were good. This one, not so much. Very slow plot line. Also, the first name Billy didn't for for the main character.
January 12, 2024
pretty good
I liked that this series had the three different roommates sides and their relationships. I found this one to drag on a little bit. But I still loved it
I liked that this series had the three different roommates sides and their relationships. I found this one to drag on a little bit. But I still loved it
February 22, 2024
Helaas voor mij de minst leuke van de trilogie. Een verhaal over een boek in een boek geeft mij een beetje verwarring 😅
February 29, 2024
Good book for the end of this trilogy, really enjoyed this series. They were all quick, fun reads!
April 22, 2015
In Too Hard is book three in the Freshman Roommates series by Mara Jacobs. It occurs over Christmas Break and New Year’s Break in college. Jane and Lily, Syd’s suitemates have gone home for the holidays while Syd has chosen to stay and work over the break. Syd wants to see her little brothers but refuses to go home.
Just before break, Billy Morrison, an author who is teaching a creative writing class the girls had all taken together, asks Jane and Syd to stay behind as the class is dismissed. He has just turned back their last papers and they assume it is about those. Lily leaves to meet her boyfriend. She knows she will find out what happened later. Billy talks to Jane about her paper and how he wants to see her blossom into the young woman he sees. Jane had flirted outrageously with him all semester but sees now that she didn’t have a chance. He is all business. Jane leaves Syd there and goes to the dorm to pack for home. He then talks to Syd. Instead of talking about her paper, he wants to offer her a job. From reading her previous papers, he realizes she really knows her literature and what makes a book good. He has been taking notes for five years to write a book. His first book, Gangster’s Folly, had been a best seller and his agent wants another one. He has taken on another section of his class and knows he won’t get to organizing his notes this semester. He hires Syd to organize the notes and make an outline of the books he has started. He has talked to the college and arranged for this to be a paid position.
Syd has been a fan of Billy Morrison’s since she was thirteen. She knows his book saved her. She has read it several times already. Her choice to come to this college, even though she had been offered scholarships to other schools, was because she found out he was teaching a class here and she simply had to be in it. While Jane outrageously flirted with Billy and tried to get him into bed, Syd had simply sat back and taken in what he said, how he said it, how he looked, etc. If Billy and Jane got together, Syd was not getting in between them although she was greatly attracted to him too. When the offer came to organize his notes, she jumped at the chance to spend time with him.
When Billy took her to his office and explained what he wanted done, Syd was overwhelmed. His office was stacked with boxes of every kind, shape and size. Then he told her he had just as many boxes at his apartment. The organizer and puzzle worker in her wanted to get to work immediately. Billy then told her he was leaving for Break and would return when the semester started after New Year’s. He told her she could work whenever she wanted and for as long as she wanted. There were no set hours. She had until the end of the next semester to finish. Although she was sad to not work with Billy directly, she was glad to help him out. Over Break, he called several times and they began to be friends. Could it be more? A Professor and a student???
Just before break, Billy Morrison, an author who is teaching a creative writing class the girls had all taken together, asks Jane and Syd to stay behind as the class is dismissed. He has just turned back their last papers and they assume it is about those. Lily leaves to meet her boyfriend. She knows she will find out what happened later. Billy talks to Jane about her paper and how he wants to see her blossom into the young woman he sees. Jane had flirted outrageously with him all semester but sees now that she didn’t have a chance. He is all business. Jane leaves Syd there and goes to the dorm to pack for home. He then talks to Syd. Instead of talking about her paper, he wants to offer her a job. From reading her previous papers, he realizes she really knows her literature and what makes a book good. He has been taking notes for five years to write a book. His first book, Gangster’s Folly, had been a best seller and his agent wants another one. He has taken on another section of his class and knows he won’t get to organizing his notes this semester. He hires Syd to organize the notes and make an outline of the books he has started. He has talked to the college and arranged for this to be a paid position.
Syd has been a fan of Billy Morrison’s since she was thirteen. She knows his book saved her. She has read it several times already. Her choice to come to this college, even though she had been offered scholarships to other schools, was because she found out he was teaching a class here and she simply had to be in it. While Jane outrageously flirted with Billy and tried to get him into bed, Syd had simply sat back and taken in what he said, how he said it, how he looked, etc. If Billy and Jane got together, Syd was not getting in between them although she was greatly attracted to him too. When the offer came to organize his notes, she jumped at the chance to spend time with him.
When Billy took her to his office and explained what he wanted done, Syd was overwhelmed. His office was stacked with boxes of every kind, shape and size. Then he told her he had just as many boxes at his apartment. The organizer and puzzle worker in her wanted to get to work immediately. Billy then told her he was leaving for Break and would return when the semester started after New Year’s. He told her she could work whenever she wanted and for as long as she wanted. There were no set hours. She had until the end of the next semester to finish. Although she was sad to not work with Billy directly, she was glad to help him out. Over Break, he called several times and they began to be friends. Could it be more? A Professor and a student???
July 4, 2016
Not as good as the last 2 books
Not as good as the last 2 books! I caught myself checking to see how many pages I had left, and not in a good way! Syd's story was sad and she was given a an opportunity to attend a great college! She grew up very poor and had been taking care of her brothers due to a horrible no good mom!
She tries to fit in and not stand out, she had 2 great suite mates. During her first year she had s creative writing class taught by her favorite author, her friend was over the moon about him! Montose didn't even look her way, at the end of the semester he asked dud to b his assist. He needed someone to organize his notes for a new book that apparently has been working in for the last 5 years! Their relationship grew and......
Read to find out.....
Not as good as the last 2 books! I caught myself checking to see how many pages I had left, and not in a good way! Syd's story was sad and she was given a an opportunity to attend a great college! She grew up very poor and had been taking care of her brothers due to a horrible no good mom!
She tries to fit in and not stand out, she had 2 great suite mates. During her first year she had s creative writing class taught by her favorite author, her friend was over the moon about him! Montose didn't even look her way, at the end of the semester he asked dud to b his assist. He needed someone to organize his notes for a new book that apparently has been working in for the last 5 years! Their relationship grew and......
Read to find out.....
January 31, 2020
I think I wanted a little more forbidden love here but this was enjoyable! These two are a great match and I liked that we saw them talk and get to know each other at the start. I wasn't a fan of the few chapters we got from Montrose--they didn't sound like him.
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Full Review: https://wp.me/p7hLUw-2aG
Actual Rating: 3/5
July 6, 2015
It was a great end to the trilogy . I loved how Sydney let her guard down, I also loved how we got bits of Billy then all of him. I was proud that Sydney actually realized how strong she was . It's a good read . Of all three of the books I think my favorite was In too Hard, I just love Stick and Janes relationship.
April 11, 2015
A great end to the trilogy. I really enjoyed it.
April 16, 2015
Very sweet book...I love Syd!
May 8, 2015
Wow! I seriously enjoyed reading this story. It was short & sweet.
January 7, 2021
Such a good ending to the trilogy. I loved the two main characters of this story! Sydney and Billy were definitely my favourite couple of the three.
June 22, 2015
Love it
Love it wish I could meet the author of in to deep , in to fast, and into hard. Wishing
Love it wish I could meet the author of in to deep , in to fast, and into hard. Wishing
September 30, 2015
I am loving Mara Jacobs! I have been very impressed with her style and the links to Michigan have added to my love for her books.
November 20, 2015
Another great read from Mara Jacobs! Can't wait for her next book in the Worth Series, Worth the Lies, to come out!
Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews