One True Annoyance

Vinewood U #1

by Bethany Monaco Smith

Harper Hale drives me insane.
She loves pushing my buttons, glaring at me from across the room, and never sharing her onion rings. She’s also my best friend’s cousin, who I’m forced to live with. And because the universe hates me, I’m desperate for her to be my tutor.

I have to survive microeconomics without tanking my GPA if I want a shot at playing hockey professionally. It takes sacrificing my pride, but I finally get Harper to agree to tutor me.

When I do, it’s like she’s everywhere all the time. I can’t escape. I can’t get Harper Hale out from under my skin, and for the first time… I don’t think I want to.

One True Annoyance is a frenemies to lovers romance with snarky banter, wars over onion rings, lingering looks, swoony moments, slow burn spice, found family, badass female besties, and plenty of hockey himbo shenanigans.

Book one of the Vinewood U college hockey romance series.

Genres: Hockey, Audiobook

526 pages, Kindle Edition

First published October 15, 2026

About the author

Bethany Monaco Smith is a writer-mom. When she’s not busy hanging with her boys, she’s writing cozy small town romances with lots of heart, a bit of steam, and all the feels. She loves happily-ever-afters and cries at every emotional moment, whether reading, writing, or watching. When she’s not mom-ing or writing, you can find her binge-reading on Kindle Unlimited, spending too much time on Instagram, and supporting fellow indie authors. Bethany survives on coffee, rewatching the same TV shows over and over, and her KU subscription. She lives in the Southern Tier of NY with her husband and two sons. You can find out more about Bethany and what she’s working on next on Instagram @bethanymonacosmith

Reviews

[Juliana’s Book Adventures · Rating 2.5 out of 5]

2.5⭐️

📖Format: Kindle (ARC)

Thank you to Bethany Monaco Smith for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

As a hockey romance lover, I had high hopes for this book but couldn’t get behind the writing style. The dialogue felt very quirky/immature, it just didn’t flow like normal people would speak. The FMC hates the MMC at the beginning because he teases her? It just felt like 15 year olds in college.

The world building for the first 25% was very choppy and would just throw random things in without explaining. For example, the FMC kept mentioning “Dad” and “Poppa” but didn’t explain that Poppa was her grandpa until later. Or explaining that her parents are divorced & remarried until too late (I really thought her parents were in a polyamorous relationship at first, I was super confused). Then it randomly throws in that the MMC is bi-sexual pretty far into the book (which is fine that he’s bi, but that should have been part of the world building in the beginning).

Overall, not terrible but a little too early writing career for me.

[Sami · Rating 4 out of 5]

One True Annoyance by Bethany Monaco Smith

★★★★☆ 4 stars

Quick take: A college hockey romance with banter, chemistry, and a little personal growth.

What I liked: I loved that Harper and Austin could be introspective and genuinely wanted to better themselves. Watching Harper find herself was one of my favorite parts of the story. Give me characters who are willing to grow! Bethany gave us some good spice.

What I didn’t like: The slight miscommunication and jumping to conclusions. Y’all are adults. Please learn how to communicate instead of assuming the worst. I’m begging. (But this is coming from a girl who loves to communicate and thinks every single person in life can benefit from therapy)

Verdict: A fun, sweet romance with characters who grow both individually and together. Four stars from me!

This was my first book by Bethany Monaco Smith, but I'll definitely be reading more of hers (especially Maddie, Liam and Carson's book)

[Sim-fully Ever After · Rating 3.75 out of 5]

3.75🌟 | 3🌶️

Give me two people who constantly annoy each other but secretly care way more than they admit, and I’m listening!

Harper and Austin’s banter, chemistry, and gradual shift from bickering to something more kept me entertained. I especially enjoyed watching them support each other through their struggles, and their relationship felt like more than just physical attraction. Seeing them lower their guards and grow together was definitely a highlight!

The ADHD, anxiety, and bisexual representation added meaningful depth, while Harper’s self-discovery and Austin’s patience made them easy to root for. I also loved the found-family friendships and chaotic hockey antics! However, some dialogue and nicknames felt a little juvenile for college students, and the pacing dragged in places. I would have also preferred more focus on the main couple rather than some of the side characters.

Despite those little hiccups, I enjoyed their romance and the way they learned to show up for each other. The chemistry, character growth, and representation made this an enjoyable read, and I’m curious about the other couples in the series.

Not a complete hit for me, but still a fun addition to my hockey romance reads!

~~~~

A sincere thank you to Bethany Monaco Smith and Weaver Way Author Services for the ARC! 🥰📚

I’m so grateful for the early read. As always, all thoughts and opinions are completely my own. ✨

[Emilie · Rating 3 out of 5]

*I received this as an ARC*
I don’t know where to start. You could feel the tention between them from the start. And the spicy scenes was spicying🔥
However this book was just too long. So much repetition, character building between other characters and soooo cringe at times.
I get it, you are proud of changing puck bunnies to puck buddies, but that also change the whole meaning. They aren’t buddies, they are f***ing like bunnies.
And don’t get me started on the onions rings 🙃
The plot between the characters was good and I liked the development.

There was just to much unnecessary information through out the book, so that’s why the rating it what it is. Unfortunately.

[Laura Fabian · Rating 5 out of 5]

ALC kindly provided in exchange for an honest review

For over a year, I’ve been dying to read something by Bethany Monaco Smith, and I finally got the chance with One True Annoyance—and I absolutely loved it! This book was the perfect start to the series; it made me fall completely in love with these characters, left me eagerly anticipating their stories, and allowed me to enjoy the romance between Austin & Harper.

Harper stole my heart from the very first chapter, I love her direct personality and how much she embraces being a "cool nerd" who enjoys teaching others, I especially loved her personal storyline regarding her internship and her professional dreams—seeing how hard she fights to achieve everything she sets her mind to was wonderful. I enjoyed her relationship with Hunter; their closeness and the way they look out for one another—along with getting a glimpse into the long-standing friendship they’ve shared—it truly warmed my heart. And, of course, I adored Harper’s friends; they provide constant support while always being honest with her, showing just how much they care for one another.

Austin is also a fantastic character! His family history includes moments that broke my heart, but I really appreciated learning about his relationship with his father and brother—and seeing how beautifully he leans on both of them when he needs to. I also have to mention how well the author handled the mental health themes for both characters, as well as Austin’s learning difficulties. Furthermore, I loved that, much like Harper, he has a clear vision of his goals and stays focused on achieving what he sets out to do.

Harper & Austin have a very interesting dynamic at the beginning of the book: it’s clear they can’t stand each other—neither makes any effort to hide it—and things are complicated because they share a house with Hunter & Maddie (their best friends). I really enjoyed these interactions because Bethany Monaco Smith executed them spectacularly. But when Harper agrees to become Austin’s tutor, things get even more interesting: this pair, who can’t stand one another, begins to share their deepest secrets, truly get to know each other, and show up for one another when it matters most.

🎧Audiobook Review🎧

🏒Narrators: Michelle Fay & Dominic Zo
🩷Duet narration
📚Narration: 5/5

This was my first time listening to these narrators, and it couldn’t have been better!

Dominic Zo was the perfect choice for Austin—he made me fall in love with the character, his slightly chaotic personality, the way he falls for Harper, and his personal journey throughout the book. I also loved his take on the other male characters, especially the guys on the team; I absolutely adored their interactions, the healthy friendship they share, and the way they support one another.

Michelle Fay was fantastic! I fell in love completely with her portrayal of Harper. She brought the character to life—capturing her internal struggle with her feelings for Austin, as well as her fierce dedication to achieving her dreams. Also, Michelle Fay did a wonderful job conveying the character’s vulnerability, alongside her most charming moments.

🏒Austin: 5/5
📚Harper: 5/5
🏒plot: 5/5
📚love story: 5/5
🏒secondary characters: 5/5
📚cover: 5/5
🥵2/5

ALC amablemente proporcionada a cambio de una reseña honesta

Desde hace más de un año me moría de ganas de leer a Bethany Monaco Smith y finalmente tuve la oportunidad con One True Annoyance, y me encantó! Este libro fue el mejor inicio para la serie, me hizo enamorarme por completo de estos personajes, esperar con ansias sus historias y disfrutar enormemente del amor entre Austin & Harper.

Harper se robó mi corazón desde el primer capitulo, me encanta su personalidad directa, lo mucho que disfruta siendo una nerd cool y enseñando a los demás, AMÉ su trama personal con la pasantía, sus sueños profesionales y como lucha para lograr todo lo que se propone. Otra cosa que disfruté mucho fue la relación que tiene con Hunter: me derritió el corazón que su cercanía, como se preocupan el uno por el otro y conocer un poco de la amistad que siempre han tenido me hizo muy feliz, por supuesto, también me encantaron las amigas de Harper, el apoyo constante que son para ella y como a pesar de eso SIEMPRE se hablan con la verdad y se demuestran lo mucho que se aman.

Austin también fue un personaje maravilloso! Su historia familiar tiene momentos que me rompieron el corazón, pero también me gustó mucho conocer su historia con su papá, con su hermano y la manera tan hermosa en la que recurre a ambos cuando los necesita. También tengo que decir que me encantó la manera en la que la autora abordó los temas de salud mental de ambos personajes y las dificultades de aprendizaje de Austin. Además, me encantó que, al igual que Harper, tiene muy claros cuales son sus objetivos y se concentra para conseguir lo que se propone.

Harper & Austin tienen una dinámica muy interesante al inicio del libro: esta claro que no se soportan, ninguno hace nada por ocultarlo y todo es mucho más complicado porque tienen que compartir casa junto a Hunter & Maddie (sus mejores amigos), y yo disfruté mucho de esas interacciones porque Bethany Monaco Smith las ejecutó de de manera espectacular, pero cuando Haper accede a ser la tutora de Austin todo se vuelve aún más interesante porque esta pareja que no se soporta empieza a confiarse sus más profundos secretos, a conocerse realmente y a estar ahí para el otro cuando es importante.

🎧Reseña del audiolibro🎧

🏒narradores: Michelle Fay & Dominic Zo
🩷narración en dueto
📚narración: 5/5

Esta también fue mi primera vez escuchando a estos narradores y no pudo haber sido mejor!

Dominic Zo no solo fue el mejor Austin que la autora pudo elegir porque me hizo amar con locura a este personaje y su personalidad un poco caótica, la manera en la que se enamora de Harper y también el camino que recorre a lo largo del libro, si no que también me encantó la interpretación que hizo del resto de los personajes masculinos, especialmente de los chicos en el equipo: AMÉ totalmente sus interacciones, la amistad tan sana que comparten y como se apoyan mutuamente.

Michelle Fay fue la mejor! Me enamoré por completo de la interpretación que esta narradora hizo de Harper, la manera en la que le dio vida a este personaje y su lucha contra sus sentimientos por Austin y lo mucho que se esfuerza por cumplir sus sueños. Además, me encantó que Michelle Fay me transmitiera la vulnerabilidad de esta chica y también sus momentos más encantadores.

🏒Austin: 5/5
📚Harper: 5/5
🏒trama: 5/5
📚historia de amor: 5/5
🏒personajes secundarios: 5/5
📚portada: 5/5
🥵2/5

[The Girl Behind the Books · Rating 4 out of 5]

Disclosure: I received an Advance Reader Copy (ARC) in exchange for an honest review, and all opinions expressed are entirely my own.

If there's one thing I've learned from reading sports romances, it's that hockey players are apparently incapable of having a normal love story. And honestly? THANK GOD FOR THAT, because where would we be without the constant bickering, ridiculous flirting, and men who somehow manage to be completely clueless about their own feelings?

One True Annoyance takes frenemies to lovers, throws in some forced proximity, a little academic desperation, a whole lot of hockey players, and apparently a lifelong war over onion rings. And somehow, it works!

Before getting into everything, let's talk about what we're dealing with here. Austin is a college hockey player with dreams of going pro, but there's one tiny problem standing between him and his future: microeconomics. And who happens to be the perfect person to help him? Harper Hale, his best friend's cousin, his roommate, and quite possibly the person who finds him the most annoying on the entire planet. Sounds like the beginning of a beautiful love story, right? WRONG. Well... kind of.

Starting with Harper, I absolutely love an FMC who knows how to stand her ground, doesn't let anyone walk all over her, and has absolutely no problem putting an overconfident hockey player in his place. And Harper definitely checks those boxes. She's intelligent, determined, independent, and stubborn enough to make you want to shake some sense into her every once in a while. GIRL, PLEASE. But what I appreciated most about her character was that beneath all that confidence, there's someone who's still trying to figure herself out. Someone who struggles, overthinks, and puts an enormous amount of pressure on herself. And I think that's what makes her interesting. She's not perfect, and she doesn't have everything figured out, even when she desperately wants to believe she does.

Now, AUSTIN. Because of course we need to talk about our hockey boy. First of all, the fact that he needs help with microeconomics is already hilarious to me. You can handle the pressure of competitive hockey, but a little economics is where we draw the line? SIR??? But jokes aside, there's so much more to Austin than the charming, teasing hockey player we initially meet. He's loyal, caring, patient, and genuinely wants to become a better version of himself. I especially appreciated seeing how his struggles with ADHD and the pressure he puts on himself influence his character. He's not just there to be the perfect book boyfriend; he has insecurities and challenges of his own. And watching him learn to navigate those things adds a much-needed emotional layer to his story.

But let's talk about Harper and Austin TOGETHER, because these two seriously need to be studied. Their favorite hobby? Annoying each other. Their second favorite hobby? Pretending they don't enjoy it. The banter, the teasing, the constant attempts to get the last word... these two could turn ordering dinner into an Olympic competition. And I was HERE FOR IT.

What makes their relationship enjoyable, though, isn't just the chemistry or the tension. It's the way they gradually get to know the person behind all that teasing. The more time they spend together, the more they begin to understand each other's insecurities, fears, and dreams. And I absolutely love when a romance gives us that emotional connection instead of relying exclusively on physical attraction. Don't get me wrong, we LOVE chemistry, and the spice certainly makes its appearance, but having two characters who genuinely care about each other's well-being? THAT'S WHAT I'M TALKING ABOUT.

Another thing I really appreciated was the representation throughout the book. Anxiety, ADHD, bisexuality, and the expectations surrounding masculinity in sports are all explored through the characters and their relationships. I love seeing romance books acknowledge that people can be strong, successful, confident, and still struggle with things that aren't immediately visible to everyone else. And even more importantly, I loved seeing characters who could lean on the people around them without being made to feel weak for needing support.

AND THE FOUND FAMILY??? Can we PLEASE talk about it? Because the friendships in this book deserve their own appreciation paragraph. The hockey boys, the girls, the chaos, the loyalty, the way everyone shows up for each other... I absolutely adore a friend group that makes you wish you could somehow become part of it. There's something so comforting about characters who have people willing to support them through the good, the bad, and everything in between. And honestly, some of these side characters have already made me extremely curious about what the rest of the Vinewood U series has in store.

Now, as much as there were things I enjoyed, I do think the book could have benefited from being a little shorter. At certain points, the pacing felt unnecessarily stretched out, and some conversations and situations became a little repetitive. I appreciate a slow burn, TRUST ME, but there's a difference between letting a relationship develop naturally and taking a few too many detours along the way. Some of the dialogue and nicknames also felt a little too childish for characters in college. Don't get me wrong, I love playful teasing, but there were moments when I wanted everyone to remember they were adults. PLEASE AND THANK YOU.

I also think that while the secondary characters were entertaining, there were moments when their stories competed for attention with the main romance. I absolutely understand wanting to establish the world and introduce future couples, especially in the first book of a series, but I would have loved a little more focus on Harper and Austin.

That being said, One True Annoyance has a lot of heart beneath all the teasing, hockey shenanigans, and questionable onion-ring etiquette. It's a story about learning to understand yourself, allowing others to see your vulnerabilities, and realizing that sometimes the person who drives you absolutely INSANE might also be the person who understands you better than you expected.

If you love college hockey romances with chaotic friend groups, stubborn characters, emotional growth, slow-burn tension, and a healthy dose of spice, then this one might just deserve a spot on your TBR.

And one last thing: I'm never looking at onion rings the same way again. 😂🏒❤️

★★★★☆ 4/5 Stars
🌶️🌶️🌶️☆☆ Spice: 3/5

Thank you so much to Bethany Monaco Smith and Weaver Way Author Services for giving me the opportunity to read an ARC of One True Annoyance. Being trusted with an author's work is something I will never take for granted, and I'm genuinely grateful to have been part of this book's journey. Congratulations on the beginning of the Vinewood U series! You've created a world filled with friendship, love, and characters whose stories I'm excited to continue exploring. I'm definitely looking forward to seeing what's next for this chaotic hockey family! All opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own. ❤️

[Arriane Lovegood · Rating 3 out of 5]

Advanced Reader Copy Review✨

First off, thank you to Bethany and Weaver Way for the opportunity to read One True Annoyance early! I have a lot of feelings about this one, across a spectrum. To begin, I LOVED all of the representation in this book:

* ADHD
* Anxiety
* Bisexuality
* Breaking down toxic masculinity and homophobia

I also loved the tropes: cousins best friend and found family, but the tutor x athlete felt very reminiscent of Nathan and Haley from One Tree Hill, mixed with The Deal by Elle Kennedy, but not in a good way. That dynamic felt like it was trying too hard; however, I thought it was a nice foil to Harpers later character arc. I did love how much time Bethany spent developing these characters and I did feel like the things they went through were important in their relationship. However, I do have quite a few ehs for me.

First, this book was entirely too long, which is where it really got lost for me. It felt like there was a lot of unnecessary moments between the wolf pack, time spent developing future character stories (Maddie, Carson, Liam, Courtney etc.) that took away from Austin and Harper. And to be honest, at moments, I was more excited to read about Maddie, Carson, and Liam. I also couldn’t stand the constant use of pet names (Harpie and number seven really gave me the ick), and I HATED that Harper continued to call the hockey team, stinky boys or hockey himbos. I know this is a college romance, but you’re 20/21 please please please grow up. At times, it also felt like the story was trying too hard to include various representation that dialogue sometimes felt like overkill.

Overall, I didn’t hate, but ultimately didn’t love this book, but plan to continue for the other romances.

[Marni Ortiz · Rating 5 out of 5]

One True Annoyance ( Vinewood U Book 1 ) A Frenemies to Lovers and College Hockey Romance Fun , steamy , heartbreaking, heartfelt, emotionally charged and just absolute perfection. Words cannot even start to describe how much I adored both Austen and Harper and their story . One of the things I loved most about these two was the way in which they started off as housemates and friends . And then the way they started to see one another in a different light . The way they stood by each others side through good times and not so great times . And then we have the banter and the family and friendships. I found myself smiling, laughing and cheering them on so so hard .

[Only.ever.books · Rating 3.75 out of 5]

Review:
🏒One True Annoyance🏒
Vinewood U #1

By Bethany Monaco Smith

🏒 College Romance
🏒 Enemies to Lovers
🏒 Sports Romance

⭐ 4/5

Harper and Austin

This college hockey romance follows Harper and Austin. Her cousin has been his teammate and friend since they were teenagers, and now they all live together with her best friend.
Their story is from frenemies with tutor and athlete aspect brings all kinds of banters, insults and lots of possibilities.
It really takes its time and lots of nicknames and side characters with their own journeys that make this book full and sometimes slightly drawn.
With them already being housemates, slowly falling seemed inevitable. And when they finally become one, they are able to go through good and bad times.

[The Book Ssirren · Rating 4 out of 5]

Austin the hockey player and Harper the tutor. I loved these two so much. The back and forth between them was great.,I loved their friends circle, everyone was amazing. I was so easily drawn into this one. And seeing these two connect was love for me. This was such an awesome read Anna I absolutely loved it.

[Neeki Badiee · Rating 3.5 out of 5]

ARC REVIEW
⭐️⭐️⭐️.5/5
🌶️🌶️/5

First and foremost thank you Bethany and Weaver Way for sending me this ARC!

I hate to say it but this was just an okay read for me!


I actually LOVED the first 40–50% of the book! I was enjoying the buildup between Austin and Harper, their dynamic, and where the story seemed to be going. But as soon as they got together, things started to feel almost unbearably cringey at times.

I understand these characters are in college, but I’ve read plenty of college romances that didn’t feel this juvenile. There were moments where the dialogue and behavior felt more middle school/high school than college, and it really started taking me out of the story.

And can we PLEASE talk about the constant “stinky boys” comments?! 😭 GIRL. It got old SO FAST. I understand playful banter, but at some point I was just begging for a little maturity. They say women mature faster than men, but this was definitely not one of those moments.

That being said, there were definitely aspects I appreciated! I loved the inclusion of ADHD, anxiety, and panic attacks, and I thought the found-family dynamic of their parents love stories was such a sweet addition. Those elements gave the story more heart and were some of the things that kept me invested.

My other BIG issue was the length. This book was way too long for what it needed to be. I completely understand wanting to introduce and develop other characters to set up future books in the series, and normally I LOVE a good interconnected friend group. But here, those storylines took up such a huge portion of the book that they started overshadowing Austin and Harper’s relationship. I wanted more focus on the couple whose love story I was actually reading!

Overall, this one started off hopeful for me, but somewhere along the way, it lost its momentum. There were some genuinely sweet moments and important topics woven throughout, but the juvenile dialogue, unnecessary length, and lack of focus on the main couple made it difficult to stay as invested as I was in the beginning.

[Rachel B.Ocean · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Fun Frenemies-to-Lovers Hockey Romance with Great Representation! 🏒💕

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
🌶️🌶️🌶️/5

One True Annoyance is a fun frenemies-to-lovers hockey romance with plenty of banter, entertaining back-and-forth, and some really great representation!

Harper and Austin’s dynamic was definitely one of my favorite parts of this book. These two know exactly how to get under each other’s skin, and their constant teasing made their interactions so much fun to read. I love a good frenemies romance, and watching their annoyance slowly turn into something more was an enjoyable part of the story. I loved the way they challenged each other, and the tutoring and forced proximity gave them plenty of opportunities to push each other’s buttons. There was a lot to enjoy in their dynamic, and I was rooting for them to figure out what was happening between them.

One thing I really appreciated was the representation throughout the story. The inclusion of ADHD, anxiety, bisexuality, and the challenges of toxic masculinity in hockey added meaningful layers to the characters and their experiences. I especially liked seeing the characters support each other through their individual struggles and how that support became part of their relationship.

Where this book fell a little short for me was the maturity level. At times, the characters and dialogue felt younger than I expected for a college romance, and the story read as though it was geared toward a younger audience. I wanted a little more maturity in certain moments to fully connect with the characters and their relationship.

That said, I still had a good time with this one! The frenemies dynamic was fun, the banter kept me entertained, and I really appreciated the representation woven into the story.

If you enjoy college hockey romances with frenemies-to-lovers tension, snarky banter, and a strong focus on representation, this could be a fun addition to your TBR!

Thank you so much to Bethany Monaco Smith and Weaver Way for the opportunity to read this e-ARC! 💕

[Thyra Allestria · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed *One True Annoyance*. Harper and Austin had the kind of relationship where they’re constantly annoying the shit out of each other, so obviously I was waiting for them to finally realize they were attracted to each other 😭 They’re forced to live together because of Hunter, and then Austin ends up needing Harper to tutor him in microeconomics, which just gives them even more reasons to be around each other.

The banter was definitely one of my favorite parts. Harper is so done with hockey players and Austin seems to make it his personal mission to get on her nerves, but underneath all the arguing, you can slowly see them actually getting to know each other. I liked seeing Austin realize there was more to Harper than the version of her he’d always assumed he knew, and Harper slowly letting her guard down around him too.

I also really liked that both of them had their own stuff going on outside of the romance. Austin has ADHD and struggles with school and the pressure of hockey, while Harper is super focused on her future and eventually has to figure out that the path she planned for herself isn’t necessarily the one she actually wants. Their friend groups were also a lot of fun, especially the hockey guys and Harper’s girl gang. The Wolf Pack was such a good addition too.

The romance definitely gets spicy once they stop pretending they don’t want each other 👀 and I liked that there was still plenty of teasing and friendship mixed in with it. There were a few moments where the back-and-forth felt a little repetitive, and Harper could be REALLY stubborn at times, but overall I had a good time with this one.

The ending was super cute too 😭 Harper going from “guys aren’t even in my top five” to being completely gone for her stinky hockey boy was honestly the perfect ending for them. And can I just say, for and ending note, that I ABSOLUTELY LOVED the cute lil' graphic of the friendship bracelet? LIKE GRRR!!! SO FUCKING CUTE

[Casey · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed Harper and Austin’s story. Harper is smart, independent, and ends up tutoring Austin, her cousins best friend. He’s a hockey player who needs to make good grades to keep playing hockey.
It’s a fun setup, and I enjoyed watching their relationship develop from absolute enemies, into a whole lot more than friends.

One of the things I love and hate about her books is how detailed they are. I think there’s always just a little bit too much information thrown in that makes the book too long. I understand why she writes like this, she wants us to see everything exactly how she’s picturing it in her head when she’s writing it, but sometimes I feel like is drags a little. As someone with ADHD, I do start to lose concentration during these parts and it slows me down. I get it though. She’s one who’s writing as always been very easy for me to read. It’s almost like a conversation. I know she’s setting up for other books, too.

I truly enjoy how she incorporates so many pop culture references. As someone who enjoys a lot of the same TV shows and references, I always appreciate those little nods. You’ll also see the similarities between this story, One Tree Hill and Off Campus.

I love that Bethany uses the same towns throughout her books, with Ida, NY being a familiar setting in most of her stories. Her books usually revolve around groups of friends, giving us the opportunity to get invested in multiple characters and look forward to future books in the series.

As always, there’s a good amount of spice (although I personally wouldn’t complain about a little more! 😉), and I really enjoyed this audiobook. Both narrators did a fantastic job, and having one of my favorite male narrators voice Austin was an added bonus!

Another fun and enjoyable story from an author whose books I consistently look forward to reading. I’m excited to see where this new series goes and can’t wait for the next book!

[Becky · Rating 4.5 out of 5]

Thank you so much for letting me read this arc review of One True Annoyance!!!

Okay, Harper and Austin!! 🥹❤️

I had such a fun time reading One True Annoyance! The banter, the humor, the tension, and watching Harper and Austin go from an almost grumpy/grumpy-ish dynamic to friends and then something more was so enjoyable.

One of my favorite things was how these two showed up for each other. Whether it was Harper being there for Austin as he navigated life with ADHD or Austin supporting Harper through a panic attack, I really appreciated that their relationship wasn't just about attraction. They genuinely cared about each other, and that made me root for them even more.

Also, the humor in this book had me laughing! The hockey players dressing up as cheerleaders and dancing to Taylor Swift's *You Belong With Me* to get Harper's help with microeconomics? 😂 I was NOT expecting that, but it was so funny and quirky. And as a hockey fan, I really appreciated the hockey references sprinkled throughout the story!

And can we talk about Austin giving Harper his jersey to wear to his game?! ❤️ Plus, their Johnny and Baby *Dirty Dancing* Halloween costumes were such a cute touch. These two definitely had their moments that made my heart happy!

Of course, we eventually got the spice, too.

My biggest critique is that the pacing dragged a little in some spots. There were a few moments where things felt repetitive, and I found myself feeling like I'd already read the same thing before. I think tightening up some of those sections would have made the story flow better.

Overall, though, I really enjoyed Harper and Austin's story! It was funny, sweet, quirky, and had a romance that made me happy to see them finally get together. If you enjoy hockey romances with plenty of banter, emotional support, and a little chaos along the way, this one is worth checking out! 🏒❤️

[Lindsey White · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received a free ARC copy of One True Annoyance by Bethany Monaco Smith and leave this review voluntarily.

Tropes:
💕Frenemies to lovers
🏒 College hockey romance
🏡Forced proximity
📖 Tutoring
🔥 Slow-burn spice
🙄Snarky Banter
❤️ Found Family

-Blurb-
"Harper and Austin, forced house mates and freebies, clas over onion rings and tutoring sessions until they realize their annoyance might be something more!"

I am a big fan of hockey and reading so naturally I love hockey romance books. I was so excited to get this and to be able to read it early, and I was not disappointed.

I loved this story; and the dynamic between the MMC and FMC. Harper the FMC and Austin the MMC are frenemies who are forced to be around each other due to Harper's cousin Hunter, who plays hockey with and is best friends with Austin.

The banter between Harper and Austin is top tier. This is a true slow burn to spice that when the spicy gets going it's spicing 🔥

I really like how this story represents the struggles with anxiety and ADHD. How it shows how each of them work through their struggles separately and together. The steps that they each use to cope and deal with their struggles.
How Austin helps Harper and vice versa. They grow together, challenge each other for the better, and consistently choose each other daily, especially through the difficult times.

I loved all (well almost all 😆) of the characters in this book. How they lift each other up, support each other, and have each other's backs when facing adversity.

I cannot wait for the next book! If you like hockey romance, with banter, slow burn to spice and supportive, found family, then add this to the top of your TBR!

[Miriam.reads2much · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you Bethany Monaco Smith and Weaver Way Author Services for this ARC opportunity!! This is such a fun frenemies to lovers, college hockey romance that has spice, funny, romantic angst filled moments all the feelings you could want.

Harper and Austin the chemistry, banter, tension these two have is so good and watching them go from frenemies to lovers was perfect. Harper and Austin love nothing more than to get under each other's skin, unfortunately for them they can't really avoid each other while living together and sharing Hunter, Harper cousin and Austin best friend.

After realizing that he's going to need some tutoring help from Harper to pass his business class, he's doing everything in his power to get Harper to agree but she's not easily convinced it isn't until he gets down on his knees 🫠 that she agrees.

Forced to work together, they realize why there's a thin line between love and hate, and pretty soon they can't deny that there's something worth pursuing between them. They both have some issues that make it hard for them to fully trust in the love they have for each other.

The character development is fantastic, seeing Harper really get out of the box she forced herself to fit into and changing her major to something she actually loves. Austin dealing with his ADHD, feeling like he's good enough to actually be able pursue a hockey career professionally and also dealing with the damage his bio dad did

Of course things aren't always easy and when things seem to be imploding around them will they still be each other's safe space or will their fear of getting hurt and not being good enough end things for good?! This book comes out on 10/15 and will be available on KU!

[Em · Rating 4 out of 5]

One True Annoyance by Bethany Monaco Smith
Spice Rating: 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️(out of 5)

*COMING OCTOBER 15, 2026*

* Thank you to the author for the ARC! I’m grateful for the opportunity to read this book before publication. As always, my review is completely honest and based on my personal reading experience.*

My Synopsis:
Harper and Austin have always been rivals in each other’s lives. They know what buttons to push and how to get under the other’s skin.

Harper’s cousin Hunter is Austin’s best friend and teammate. When they all agree to live together as roommates and go to the same college, now they are seeing each other more than ever before. When Austin needs help with a class, he begs (literally begs) for Harper’s tutor expertise. She relents making him promise her coffee and food.

As they spend even more time together, the walls they have so diligently put up around themselves start to crumble away, causing their vulnerabilities to be seen by one another.

What I Loved:
There’s a lot of representation in this book. Mental health, trauma, queer athletes, polyamory, and more. It was so cool to see that all in one book and flow together. There’s also a whole lot good old fashioned girl power in this book. I don’t think we always get that in contemporary romance, so I truly appreciated it. Harper is a total BA! I also loved the friendships in this book and can’t wait to read their stories!

The Spice 🌶️:

I give this 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️ out of 5. The MMC is bi, which added new elements of spice that we don’t always get in sports romance!

Would I Recommend It?

Highly recommend! I already miss reading about these characters. I can’t wait for the next book to come out!

Micro-tropes:
College hockey romance
Frenemies to lovers
Forced proximity
Roommates
Bi MMC
Mental health rep (anxiety and adhd)
Trauma rep
Tutor x jock

[My Used Library · Rating 3.75 out of 5]

One True Annoyance was a 3.75-star read for me. My biggest issue was the pacing. I felt like parts of the story were a little drawn out, and after a while, I started to lose interest.

With that being said, I really loved the main characters and their core friend groups! Harper has Courtney and Maddie, who are always there to support her when she needs them, especially when things start to feel overwhelming. I loved seeing how they showed up for her and reminded her that she wasn’t alone.

Austin also has a great support system, including Hunter, Harper’s cousin, and the other guys on the team. Austin and Hunter have been friends for over seven years, and you can tell they know each other incredibly well. They recognize when something is bothering the other, even when it isn’t being said out loud. One of my favorite moments was when Hunter called Austin out early in the book after Austin received a phone call from his dad. Hunter knew something was wrong and recognized the signs, but he also knew when the right time was to check in with him. I loved seeing that kind of understanding and care between friends!

Another thing I really loved was how important family was to both main characters. Harper’s blended family was so accepting, loving, and supportive, and honestly, I wish mine were more like that! 🥹 Their family get-togethers sound like they would be an absolute blast, and I loved seeing that sense of belonging woven into the story.

Even though the pacing kept this from being a higher-rated read for me, I still enjoyed the characters and the relationships that made this story special.

Thank you to the author for the opportunity to read an ARC of this book! I’m looking forward to reading Maddie’s story next, and I’m really hoping Courtney and Hunter get a book of their own down the road, too! 👀💕

[Ashley · Rating 3.5 out of 5]

First, thank you to Bethany and Weaver Way Services for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for my honest opinion! 🖤📚

I really wanted to love this one, but unfortunately, it fell a little short for me.

Don’t get me wrong, I LOVED the tropes! College hockey, tutor x jock, found family?! Usually, that’s everything I need to be hooked. But this time, something just wasn’t clicking.

Harper was a good FMC, but I struggled to connect with her. Something about her character felt a little off to me, and I couldn’t quite put my finger on why.

And Austin?! He was a good MMC, too, but again, I just wasn’t feeling that connection. I felt like the story focused more on developing the side characters and their world than on Harper and Austin’s relationship.

I could see the inspiration with the tutor girl and the jock, but I was hoping for something a little more original. The similarities didn’t quite deliver the nostalgic feeling.
I absolutely loved their found-family dynamic! The way they showed up for Austin and supported him was genuinely heartwarming. Their loyalty and friendship were easily my favorite parts of the book.

Overall, there were things I enjoyed, especially the Wolf Pack, but I just couldn’t connect with the main characters enough to fully fall in love with their story.

Sometimes a book has all your favorite tropes and still doesn’t quite hit the mark. ❤️‍🩹

[BookBuzz TBR · Rating 3.75 out of 5]

ARC Review: One True Annoyance by Bethany Monaco Smith

This isn’t something I would normally pick up, but I’m so glad I gave it a chance and requested this ARC! It’s cute, fast-paced, and had me smiling, giggling, and outright laughing throughout.

The story touches on some sensitive topics, but I appreciated how the author portrayed the realities of living with anxiety attacks, mental health struggles, and insecurities. These elements added depth to the story, even if some moments could have benefited from a little more exploration. I enjoyed the main characters, and the secondary characters also managed to steal the spotlight at times!

While I had a lot of fun reading this, there were a few moments when I would have liked a bit more depth and development in the storyline. Some parts felt a little rushed, and I would have loved to spend more time with certain characters and see some moments explored further. Still, the character growth and overall charm of the story made it an enjoyable read.

Now, let’s talk spice! 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️ In my opinion, this one earns four peppers, though others might rate it a three. 🔥

Overall, this was a fun surprise! It may not have been my usual type of read, but I’m glad I stepped outside my comfort zone. With lovable characters, a cute storyline, humor, and meaningful themes, One True Annoyance was an entertaining read despite a few areas where I wanted a little more.

Thank you to the author and publisher for the opportunity to read this ARC!

[Ashley Erwin · Rating 3.75 out of 5]

Review of an advanced reader copy received from Author

ARC REVIEW-

OK SPOILERS AHEAD:
-Anxiety/panic attack rep
-ADHD rep
-Bisexuality/Queer rep

I think the author did a decent job of touching upon the anxiety and adhd representation in this book (if not a bit dumbed down). I did however get the ICK when Harper and Austin had a conversation about his bisexuality. I understand that Harper wanted to know how “things worked for him” regarding “missing out on the opposite sex” if he were with her, and it definitely led to some fun explorations later on, but this is what perpetuates bi-eraser and gross misconceptions about people who are Bi, especially men. Harper thinks she’s not going to be “enough” *eyeroll* and he basically has to console HER about it when it’s not even about her. But I’ll hop off my soapbox about that now.

I did love the fact that the world building in VU was set up for more characters in further books. I’m really looking forward to Maddie, Carson, and Liam’s story. Did I think things were a bit cringe at times? Yes. It felt immature but also..I remember maturity at that age. It wasn’t horrible. It was a long book but an easy read I read it in a day. I vibed with it but I am a mood reader and I’ll always push something else aside to read a hockey romance. Would I recommend it? Sure. Am I looking forward to the next book in the series? Yes. Would I read it again? No. But that doesn’t mean it wasn’t a fun time while I did!

[doitfortheplot · Rating 3.5 out of 5]

Review of eARC received from Bethany Monaco Smith

I love the not-so-subtle shifts when the characters start falling for each other. Their transition from reluctant frenemies to lovers feels properly earned through emotional vulnerability. Outside of the romance, I loved the found-family vibes and the tight-knit family relationships. Whether platonic or romantic, these characters always show up for each other. Seeing the characters support each other through the struggles of ADHD, anxiety, and the pressures of toxic masculinity added a meaningful layer to their growth, making their relationships feel authentic. On a side note, Harper’s and Austin’s friendship bracelets at the beginning of each chapter are absolutely adorable and added such a charming touch to the reading experience!

Great premise, but the plot took too long to pick up steam. The structural pacing felt overly indulgent, stretching out conflicts with repetitive internal monologues, unnecessary miscommunications that could have been resolved in a single chapter, and scenes that don’t contribute directly to the story. The banter and nicknames in the early chapters felt juvenile and forced at times and lacked genuine chemistry.

Readers who love a slow-burn college hockey romance with plenty of tension, banter, forced proximity, and spice will enjoy reading One True Annoyance.

Thank you to Bethany Monaco Smith and Weaver Way Author Services for the eARC.

[Swiftiequeen420 · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book!!! This book was SO good it was pretty long but I absolutely loved everything aboutit! The story follows our two main characters Harper and Austin. Austin has been best friends with Harper's cousin Hunter for years and after Harper overheard something they shouldn't she begins to really loathe him. Flash forward years later and now they are all attending the same college together and even living in a shared house. The banter and tension between these two was wonderful. It isn't until Harper starts tutoring Austin so he doesn't get kicked off the hockey team that they both start to see each other in a new light. One if the things I loved so so much about this book was the representation!! The ADHD representation, the anxiety representation, the queer representation, the undoing of toxic masculinity representation! I felt SO SEEN and understood as we got in depth looks at how these characters navigate ADHD, PTSD, and anxiety. Austin absolutely melts and is so down bad for Harper. This man takes the time to learn how to help her manage panic attacks and how to help her see her worth. That is something they noth do is help one another see how worthy of love they both are. I koved the found family between Harper's besties Maddie and Courtney and Austin and Hunter and the Wolf Pack hockey bros. Such a beautiful book. Oh and the spice was grrat as well and how they both always sought consent and made sure the other was comfortable! I just loved it all so much! 🥺🥺😍😍😍😍😭😭😭

[Imogen Dior · Rating 3.5 out of 5]

3.5 Stars.
I enjoyed One True Annoyance. I liked the plot, main and secondary characters. Austin and Harper had chemistry from the beginning and a connection that you could see between them that only grew as they got to know one another more. Harper was a fierce woman and I loved seeing her stand up for herself but also show her vulnerability and how she struggled just like everyone else. One of my favourite scenes was seeing Harper really take her power back and walk into that firm at the end and everything she said and did. Austin was a complex person who was constantly struggling with his worth but was so passionate about hockey and wanted to do well. He was also such a good friend- he was constantly supportive of his people and of Harper. Both of these characters were just really good people and I loved seeing the different medical representations between the two of them and how they affected both of them and what they did to manage them. I loved the queer representation in this book as well as the overall feeling of men supporting men and not being scared of showing their emotions. I really liked the family vibes in this book too- both found family and blood family. It showed that good people come into your life and stay there and support you. It also showed the downside of family and how some are just not worth the pain they put you through. I did find this book dragged in a few places and probably could’ve been shorter. Overall, this was a solid read and I enjoyed it.

[annefellfortheplot · Rating 4.25 out of 5]

Review of advance copy received from Bethany Monaco Smith

4.25 ⭐️ / 2.75 🌶️

❤️ College Hockey Romance
❤️ Frenemies to Lovers
❤️ She’s His Tutor
❤️ Best Friend’s Cousin / Roommate
❤️ Forced Proximity
❤️ ADHD and Anxiety Rep
❤️ Found Family

I really enjoyed One True Annoyance! Harper and Austin constantly annoyed each other and it was only a matter of time for them to realize that they were so similar and perfect for each other.

The inclusion of Austin having ADHD and navigating the challenges that life throws his way was perfect. His struggles and feelings were so relatable. Austin being there for Harper through her panic attacks and learning how to help her was literally everything and added to their story.

The Wolf Pack and the girl gang were my favorites because of the found family. They were always willing to show up for each other in every instance 💕

The romance is a bit on the slower burn side because they were frenemies in the beginning, but the romance picks up once they actually admit that they like each other. 😬👀

Each chapter having one of their friendship bracelets was the cutest thing ever 😭

Quotes:

- “I feel like Buddy the Elf, floating, ready to run around and shout that I’m in love.”
- “Even the strongest love faces its struggles. The strength of your love shows in how you handle it.”
- “I can’t believe I fell in love with an onion ring thief.”


One True Annoyance released on October 15, 2026! Thank you to Bethany Monaco Smith for allowing me to read this arc prior to release! All thoughts expressed are my own.

[Sara Carranza · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you loved Off-Campus, then you’ll definitely want to add One True Annoyance to your TBR! Austin and Harper’s dynamic is anything but ordinary, especially when they’re already housemates and constantly finding themselves in each other’s orbit. 👀

Harper is a college junior with one goal in mind: becoming a business lawyer. She’s focused on her future and isn’t looking for distractions. Austin, on the other hand, is just trying to survive microeconomics without jeopardizing his shot at playing hockey professionally. Realizing he needs help, he turns to the one person he knows can get him through the class—Harper, who happens to be an amazing tutor.

Harper initially refuses, but her tutor instincts eventually win, and she reluctantly agrees to help him. What starts as tutoring sessions soon turns into something neither of them expected. The more time they spend together, the harder it becomes to ignore the chemistry building between them. And before they know it, the feelings they never planned on having become impossible to deny. 🥹💜

The tension, the banter, and the slow realization that they might actually like each other make this such a fun romance! Sometimes, the person who annoys you the most might just be the person who steals your heart. ❤️🏒

[Sarah's Book Solace · Rating 4.5 out of 5]

Review first appeared on Sarah’s Book Solace

I received an advanced reader copy of this book.

Harper Hale and Austin O’Brien can’t stand each other. They love pushing each other’s buttons and driving each other insane, but they kind of have to deal with each other because a) they live together, and b) Hunter (Harper’s cousin and close friend) is Austin’s BFF. However, they steer clear of each other as much as they can until Austin needs her tutoring skills to help him study for microeconomics. Harper says no to protect her peace (and her love of tutoring) but soon realizes Austin will do anything to get her help. As they study, they grow closer and realize they are way more similar than they think.

There’s so much to love about this book. For one, this book had amazing queer representation! Seriously, a bisexual MMC in a hetero romance that wasn’t bisexual just to have threesomes with the main character—which promotes harmful stereotypes about bisexual people being in committed relationships with just one person—color me shocked! Plus, the author does an excellent job of portraying Austin, Harper, and the rest of the cast as real people with real mental health struggles. I definitely could have lived without the third act breakup, but I do think it really helped our characters for the better. A large focus of this book is character growth.💕

Yes, we’re all in cheerleading outfits holding pom-poms. I regret many of my life choices.

Another aspect I love about of this book? The found family! The “Wolf Pack” as they call themselves are a mess. They’re warm, they’re accepting, they have way too much time on their hands… but they are amazing. I can’t wait to read their stories — and I especially can’t wait to see what happens with Maddie, Liam, and Carson. 🔥 If you like your college hockey romance with a lot of spice and characters you can’t help but love, check out ONE TRUE ANNOYANCE!

[Alex R · Rating 4.25 out of 5]

Future lawyer Harper Hale and hockey star Austin O’Brien have gotten under each other’s skin since the day they met. But he desperately needs help in economics class, and she’s the best business tutor at Vinewood U…and also vehemently opposed to helping him. His dramatic plan to convince her just might succeed…but will he be able to handle the heat?

Overall, I definitely enjoyed this book. I appreciated that it was marketed as “frenemies to lovers” rather than “enemies to lovers”, because what college student even has a real enemy anyway? I loved watching Harper and Austin grow with each other, and I especially loved the way they treated each other with such care and respect when going through big, emotional changes. I did occasionally find some of the language out of character for college students (in particular, Harper kept referring to men as “stinky boys” which felt quite childish) which took me out of the book somewhat. That said, I also really loved their friends and how supportive they were, and look forward to reading more of this series!

Thank you to Bethany Monaco Smith and Weaver Way Author Services for letting me read this book!

[BookwormSally · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this book. When you choose a book by a new to you author you never really know what you’re going to get and that’s half the fun for me. I am lucky enough to have been chosen by the author to receive and advance copy to listen to via ARC Library.

Hockey romance seems to be a trend at the moment, and I had got to the point where I was feeling like it was a little saturated, until I listened to this. Yes, he’s a hockey player, yes, it’s spicy but it’s also so much more. You have the devastatingly beautiful love story between the FMC Harper and the MMC Austin, but you also have unbreakable friendship bonds, both male and female. I never knew I wanted a cuddle pile until now. The book also addresses some difficult topics like homophobia and gaslighting, but it’s done respectfully. If this was a true story it would be enough to restore my faith in humanity.

I only have one criticism, and it happens in a lot of books, not just this one. But the plural of Lego is Lego (no s).

Both the narrators are new to me, but I felt they work well together for the duet narration.

This is a review of the audiobook