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Campus Hotshots #1

Rebellious and Reckless

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He’s Rebellious in the ring and Reckless in Love.

Sky Cold knows exactly what she wants, and it's Luke Finnegan, the college campus star quarterback. The only problem is she's not even a blip on his radar. In order to get noticed by her crush, she's willing to exchange the extra bedroom in her apartment to Luke's tattooed, older brother to find a way into his social circle.

Baker Finnegan is determined to get out of his father's shadow and do things his way. When he falls on hard times, and the sexy, slightly nerdy co-ed Sky offers him a place to live in exchange for a fake friendship, he can't pass up the opportunity. But when Baker quickly realizes the only match he wants to make for Sky is one with himself, he has to convince her to look past his reckless ways.

315 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 26, 2021

529 people are currently reading
733 people want to read

About the author

Michelle A. Valentine

45 books6,217 followers
**Please direct all inquires to my website as I don't check messages on this site: www.michelleavalentine.com **

New York Times and USA Today Best Selling Author Michelle A. Valentine is a Central Ohio nurse turned author of erotic romance and New Adult novels. Her love of hard-rock music, tattoos and sexy musicians inspired her BLACK FALCON series.

Follow Michelle on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Michel...

Website: www.michelleavalentine.com

Newsletter: http://michelleavalentine.us3.list-ma...

If you are interested in reviewing books please write to Michelle at michelleavalentinebooks@gmail.com

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Displaying 1 - 30 of 158 reviews
Profile Image for Betül.
1,067 reviews292 followers
February 2, 2021
**ARC provided in exchange for an honest review**
description

I was really looking forward to this book even though the blurb didn't really excite me. I have a complicated relationship with New Adult romance novels, and I get easily annoyed at characters. However, I have read and really enjoyed this author's books before so I decided to give it a chance anyways. Unfortunately, I ended up rolling my eyes a lot while I was reading this book. First of all I felt no connection between the two main characters Baker and Sky. Their indecisiveness got old pretty quickly and I just couldn't get stand the way they were behaving. I also hated all the clichés such as the nerdy girl getting a makeover to get the hot and popular guy to notice her. The actions of the characters felt very high schoolish in my opinion.

Furthermore, things progressed very quickly in this story and it definitely felt rushed. There was no time for a real connection/bond to be developed between Sky and Baker. Also the whole fangirling over Baker's younger popular quarterback brother was over the top. I just didn't like any of the characters in the book, a big part of that was due to the unrealistic way they were all behaving. Last but not least I found the plot to be chaotic. For example Baker is an amateur underground boxer but I personally didn't really feel like that part added a lot to the story. It just gave them a reason to travel a bit to attend the fights and sleep together in a room. I didn't like this book and maybe I would've if I read it a couple of years ago, but I get annoyed with things much quicker nowadays.
Profile Image for Michelle.
1,633 reviews173 followers
January 29, 2021
Absolutely brilliant read in a night I just couldn't get enough.

Hero 5⭐
Heroine 5⭐
Story 5⭐
Writing 5⭐
Steam 4⭐
Romance 5⭐
Angst 4⭐
Secondary Characters 5⭐
Drama 5⭐

Recommend - YES!!
Profile Image for Reader.
1,195 reviews91 followers
February 7, 2021
I thought this was set in high school going on the juvenile behaviour. But no it’s set in college. The thing I disliked most about this was Sky she was beyond irritating IMO. Drooling over the star quarterback on the football team, with whom she stood zero chance, until that good old cliche came into play she has a makeover and let’s not forget she’s a nerdy librarian.

The older brother of the quarterback, he’s the real lead male of this was totally forgettable too. I’m swiftly moving on to find something better to read. Because this just doesn’t cut it for me.
Profile Image for Nikki  M (Hot books and Sassy girls).
1,106 reviews92 followers
February 5, 2021
*** 3.75 Stars
Rebellious and Reckless by Michelle A Valentine
Sky has fantasized over Luke Finnegan, the college quarterback star for forever. The only problem is he has not even looked in her direction. Being the Nerdy girl, she feels she does not stand a chance in piquing his interest; that is, until Baker Finnegan and her paths cross. He needs a place to stay and she needs him to introduce her to his brother, sound like a perfect plan until it is not. Baker and his brother are estranged due to a family fight. Baker was once the star on the field, until he hung up his boots and traded them in for a boxing kit. Staying with Sky and keeping his word, is starting to be more difficult that he thought it could be, and for the first time ever, he is envious of his brother. Sky and Baker become friends and she starts to question if she is crushing on the right brother, but Baker has made it clear, that they are just friends. But when the chemistry is about to blow, the two can’t fight their attraction anymore. Secrets are being held, and they always have a way of coming out and ruining everything. Can they have a HEA? The story is slow with plenty of back and forth before it really started to pick up. Baker comes across as you bad boy but deep down he is a real sweet guy. Sky is a bit naïve, but on the whole an enjoyable character. The secondary characters are great and I would love to read more of their stories, but the one I am eager to read is Mr. Finnegan aka Dad. Ms. Valentine writing flowed and there was enough angst to keep you reading, with a nice building climax/push and pull. In my opinion there was a little bit too much of repetition with Sky, especially in her internal monologue when she was deciding between the two brothers. While I enjoyed the story, it was predictable for me personally; I had worked out what was going to happen before we reached the climax, however the story was still really enjoyable and one that I would recommend for a new series.
Hot Books and Sassy Girls
Profile Image for Michele McMullen .
2,510 reviews84 followers
March 3, 2021
I am so excited that Michelle is back with a new series for me to devour. It is the Campus Hotshots with Sky and Baker leading us off.
Sky is in a bit of a conundrum she likes her privacy, wants to blend in but she also wants to be noticed by the campus football star Luke. When a series of unfortunate run ins with his cocky arrogant brother leads them to an unlikely deal it is about to get very interesting in Sky's apartment and on campus. They soon get to know so much more than either one had expected and oh boy are they both full of surprises.
Baker knows the beautiful girl from the library likes to keep a low profile but she also has googly eyes for his hotshot brother. When they strike a deal neither one is expecting to find a friend confidant and so much more. What happens when the past comes back and secrets come to life. Is this connection strong enough for them to weather the storm.
~~Michele McMullen ~~
Profile Image for The Smutbrarians.
2,239 reviews1,747 followers
January 29, 2021
Feels 2
Storyline 4.25
Steam 4
Overall Rating 4.25
Kindle eArc provided by Author
Reviewed by Robin

A great angsty romance set in the college world. I loved nerdy Sky although she was a little naïve, overly romantic and single minded with her crush on Luke. Baker....omg...Baker! A little broken but a whole lotta dirty but devoted love hidden inside. This was a sweet, roommates for convenience situation and definitely an enjoyable story. The characters were fun and entertaining to get to know and I definitely look forward to their time in the limelight. Loved the tie-in to previous books by Michelle and can't wait to read more from her.
Profile Image for Ashley Cestra.
1,346 reviews31 followers
July 29, 2022
I didn’t realize how much I enjoyed this book until it finished right before my eyes. I was super invested in the characters back story and I really enjoyed how it all came together! I would be interested in reading more from this author!
Profile Image for Courtney.
1,976 reviews208 followers
January 25, 2021
She's baaaaaaack!!! And I am so damn happy!!

Rebellious and Reckless is the start of a new series from Michelle and each book will feature a new couple but they will all be inter-connected. R&R is a great start to the series and an amazing welcome back book!!

This is the first book this year that I read in one sitting – as in I didn't get up off my ass to do anything while I read this. I was really enthralled with the story and had to see not only how each scene played out, but the mannerisms of these characters and did they stay true to themselves.

This book definitely goes deeper than the blurb. There's a lot of growth and maturity in this book, but also of reality blended in. Michelle does a great job of staying true to these characters, their ages and their characteristics, which keeps them believable.

Sky may come across as shy, but once readers get to really see her, she's quite the firecracker. Luke was a surprise to me. I had expected some typical college doucheness to appear and well, Michelle definitely shocked me with this one. Baker is the one who kept me captivated the most; he's just as surprising but in a different way.

I really enjoyed this story and how things came to fruition and played out. There's a good bit of sexual tension that keeps readers right at the edge of their seats and has you wondering what is going to happen next between these characters. While I was not thrilled with the quick ending – I am looking forward to the next book and how things progress from there.

Great start to a new series!!
Profile Image for Abby McCarthy.
Author 15 books588 followers
January 26, 2021
So excited to read a new book from Michelle Valentine! I mean it's been a minute since I fell for a wrestler and now I get his daughter's story! That is pretty dang exciting. I haven't read an NA novel in some time and I found myself enjoying the lightness compared to a lot of contemporary. This is def a beginning to what could be a very fun new series! I'm excited to see more from the characters that were introduced. Valentine sure does come back with a bang with Rebellious and Reckless.
Profile Image for Amy Davies.
Author 77 books523 followers
February 8, 2021
LOVED IT

LOVED it. The sweet build between Baker and Sky was just right. Loved the connection between them. Looking forward to more
Profile Image for Sandy S.
8,245 reviews208 followers
February 11, 2021
REVIEW: REBELLIOUS AND RECKLESS is the first instalment in Michelle A Valentine’s contemporary, new adult CAMPUS HOTSHOTS romance series-a spin off from the author’s HARD KNOCKS series. This is college students Sky Cold, and Baker Finnegan’s story line.

Told from dual first person perspectives (Sky and Baker) REBELLIOUS AND RECKLESS follows the roommates to lovers relationship between college students Sky Cold and Baker Finnegan. Baker Finnegan needs a place to stay after his college roommate moves in his girlfriend without warning. Overhearing Baker’s exchange, Sky Cold offers Baker her spare room-an arrangement her father can know nothing about but Sky has an ulterior motive-our heroine is obsessed and in love with Baker’s brother Luke, the star quarterback and man-wh*re on the college campus. Desperate to attract Luke Finnegan’s attention, Sky blackmails Baker to help, in exchange for room and board. What ensues is the building friendship and relationship between Sky and Baker, and the potential fall-out as demons from the past threaten the burgeoning love between our leading couple.

Baker Finnegan’s heart was destroyed by the people he loved, and in the ensuing time Baker swore he would never fall in love again. Pushing everyone he once loved out of his life, Baker finds himself falling for a woman who has fallen for the brother he can no longer trust. Leaving the sport he loved behind, Baker trained to fight in the underground MMA, something our heroine knows all too well. Sky Cold is a naive, obsessed young woman who has tunnel vision and delusions about a man she only knows by sight and reputation. Desperate to meet the man who has starred in all of her fantasies and dreams, Sky will soon realize that the man that she wants is the man who is currently living in the room next door.

The relationship between Baker and Sky begins as roommates but Sky isn’t looking for a relationship with Baker, and Baker refuses to open his heart to another potential betrayal. As Sky continues to obsess over Baker’s brother Luke, Baker begins to lose his heart to a woman who may or may not want something more. The $ex scene are intimate and passionate without the over the top, sexually graphic language and text.

The energetic secondary and supporting characters include Baker’s brother Luke, and their father Morris; Sky’s best friend Mylie; and Baker’s friends Eddie and Jamie, Milo Riviera, as well as Sky’s parents Xavier and Anna, and her brother Simon.

REBELLIOUS AND RECKLESS is a story of secrets and lies; betrayal and vengeance; dysfunctional family dynamics, forgiveness and love. The premise is captivating and heart breaking; the romance struggles in the early stages as Sky’s obsession with Luke is beyond naive and immature; the characters are dynamic and charismatic.

Www.thereadingcafe.com
Profile Image for ✰  BJ's Book Blog ✰Janeane ✰.
3,028 reviews12 followers
January 25, 2021
ARC received from author for an honest review

Welcome back, Ms Valentine! It has been quite a while since we have had a new story from this author, and it was wonderful to get back into her worlds.

Sky and Baker's tale is full of longing looks across a crowded room, lustful thoughts and a whole lot of frustration. Not just between our lovelies, but also for the read.

Because if you are anything like me, you are going to to want to shake the nonsense out of this pair, tell them to wake up and smell the coffee, cos gees they were dumb as at times lol

But most of all, you are going to be the cheerleader for this pair.

There are great secondary characters, some that I just neeeeeed to get their story.

I can't wait for more words from Ms Valentine.



Smokin Hot Book Blog Email
Profile Image for Karen Mc .
1,105 reviews770 followers
January 26, 2021
“Because you deserve the fairytale.”

Michelle Valentine is back with another sensational sports romance!!! Rebellious & Reckless is a fantasy come true! This steamy and dreamy love story will light your heart on fire. Prepare to fall head-over-heels for Sky and Bakers’ story that is so fun and feel-worthy.

This is one fast-burning friends-to-lovers romance! I fell fast in love with the hero and heroine who both owned my heart. Baker and and Sky are so easy to love. Sky spoke to my inner nerd girl—a beauty with brains—who has a beautiful soul. The broken bad boy with a big heart, Baker, is Sky’s perfect match. Baker and Sky are explosive together. I felt their friendship, I felt their love, I felt that burn that bonded them.

You’ll smolder and swoon as you get swept away in this story of soulmates with all the heart-fluttering feels. Completely melt-worthy! A heady hit of potent heat wrapped in a blanket of sweet-sighing bliss. I was completely smitten! I LOVED this love story. Rebellion and Reckless is sexy, swoony, and SIMPLY IRRESISTIBLE.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ hit-my-heart stars

➡️ https://amzn.to/3a4cJvH
Profile Image for Jazmine.
53 reviews4 followers
January 28, 2021
Baker and Sky were Phenomenal !!! So glad I got to finally read Rebellious and Reckless. Baker has a  hard exterior and a broken heart. Sky is trying to find her own way without being known as the daughter of Phenomenal X. When a fake friendship becomes more and Sky realizes that she is after the wrong brother she has to make a decision on what she wants. Baker has been wanting Sky for a year but doesn't feel like he deserves a girl like Sky and doesn't want to risk getting hurt again. This book had me captive from beginning to end !
Profile Image for Lanz.
154 reviews9 followers
February 5, 2024
friends to lovers romance

I absolutely loved this book the way since the beginning baker liked sky but didn’t tell her to help her like his brother despite everything and how the story happened was amazing also meeting sky’s dad and finding out he has a book was something I found interesting
Profile Image for Mick C.
1,663 reviews
January 29, 2021
Welcome back Michelle! We've missed you!! This book was so good and had all the feels. And I loved all the surprises you gave us too. This is a true love story Michelle Valentine style!
Profile Image for Amanda.
707 reviews
March 4, 2024
Ebook. Purchased. Wanted to like this based on the cover and blurb but the writing felt so juvenile and the plot was all over the place. Probably should have DNF’d but skimmed the last 25% instead.
Profile Image for Bookssica.
234 reviews12 followers
April 26, 2021
⭐️⭐️

The cover is hot, but the story? Not so much. I didn’t really feel any connection between the main characters, Sky and Baker.
Profile Image for Babbling Chatter  Reads.
962 reviews31 followers
April 14, 2021
Why have I not read books from this Author Michelle Valentine yet? Planning to review my TBR list of this author after reading this book. My first book and it did not disappoint.

This is a story of Sky Cold and how she has always had a thing for Luke Finnegan. The problem...he is not her type...the nerdy kind. Any angle she hoped would catch his attention would not stand a chance until an opportunity she could not pass up comes in the form of his brother, Baker Finnegan. He is in need of a place to stay and she want him to introduce her to his brother and to have an in with Luke.

Sometimes the best relationships don't make sense.

Brothers Baker and Luke has an estranged relationship and in order to go with this plan rules are set in place. Things are coming along accordingly and they began a budding relationship. Slowly things are revealed and feelings are growing into something more. Is Sky's plan for more starting to backfire? Is she falling for the wrong brother? Is there more behind why Baker is willing to help her out? Baker is more than Sky expected and he has a mysterious vibe that has her intrigued.

This is a story of finding love when you least expect it and realizing what you really want. Get ready for the secrets, the twists and turns along the way, and an unforgettable ride.
Profile Image for Deana.
398 reviews9 followers
April 19, 2024
Rebellious and Reckless

Loved this story of romance where the girl likes one brother and ends up liking the other brother. But the biggest surprise was the girl's dad and who he was. So freaking cool!
Profile Image for NICUnurse Stephanie .
936 reviews33 followers
February 2, 2021
It’s been a hot minute since I’ve had a Michelle A. Valentine book to devour, so I was thrilled to see her back in the publishing game with her new release, Rebellious and Reckless. She hooked me with her Black Falcon series way back in 2013, and I think I only missed one book until her absence. (No worries, it’s on my Kindle now!)

NICUnurse’s Rating: There’s a reason I keep coming back to this author’s works. Her heroes are usually more antiheroes, and something about those bad boys turned not so bad just hooks me. I loved Xavier Cold (the character and the books!), so I was not going to miss his daughter’s story. All in all, this book was very entertaining and a welcome return of a beloved author for me. It irked me a bit when Xavier initially mistreated Sky. Didn’t he learn anything along the way??!! Even though he apologized and showed up and stood up for his daughter like he should (thank you, Anna), this part of the plot totally hit me wrong. However, with her writing as strong as ever, I’m not taking a star off for that because it’s absolutely the author’s prerogative to take the story in whatever direction they please. The only actual issue I had with the book is that it felt like more of a step-by-step narrative than a true character and plot development at times, mostly in the beginning. Maybe instead of jumping right in, there could have been a prologue of Baker’s first sighting of Sky and his infatuation, as well as a scene where Sky was moving into her apartment with her parents’ help to emphasize how overprotective her dad is. I don’t know…it just felt like there was something not as hooking in the first few chapters of this book that I didn’t feel with her other books. That said, it was still a great and entertaining read, and I certainly look forward to the next book in this series. Welcome back, Michelle A. Valentine! You were missed.

I give Rebellious and Reckless by Michelle A. Valentine 4 out 5 stars!
812 reviews
February 7, 2021
I received a copy of this book for an honest review.
Michelle A. Valentine is a new to me author this was the first book I have read of hers. Really you cannot go wrong with a football player, fighter, frat brothers and the quiet girl.
Sky is the quiet girl that like all other girls has a big crush on the school quarterback. Only problem is he has no idea she exist. She finds out Luke has a brother and when the opportunity arises to have his brother Baker help her get noticed by Luke she is all over it. You see Baker is recently homeless so Sky hatches a plan with Baker. She will allow him to stay in her extra bedroom if he helps her get a date with Luke.
Baker is now on the hook to help Sky get a date with his brother. Only one problem Sky has work her way in and Baker is realizing she is meaning more to him than just a friend and he knows Luke is not good enough for her. Plus now that Sky has become such good friends with Baker she is wondering if she has picked the right brother.
Baker and Sky both keep secrets about their family and for a while the house rule “family off limits” is okay to each of them. I was rooting for Baker and Sky but Sky is determined to make it work out somehow with Luke. Baker and Luke had their own issues to deal with. Not only did I fall for Baker, Sky and Luke there were other side characters that intrigued me. I want to know more about Baker, Sky and Luke’s friends. I did enjoy watching Sky open up and let someone in. It was hard on my heart to see Baker struggle with opening up only to possible lose the girl.
Since I am reading Michelle A. Valentine for the first time, I didn’t quite understand the significance of who Sky Dad is but if you are a fan of her writing and have not read this yet you will probably go crazy when you find out who he is. I will say after reading this I will be checking out a few more books of hers. And I also want to check out the 2nd book in this series coming out in April.
Profile Image for Jennifer Wolfel.
398 reviews28 followers
January 25, 2021
Don't miss this long awaited release from Michelle! Baker and Sky are amazing! And the supporting cast in this one will have you begging for more books in this series!

I loved every minute of Baker and Sky's story! From the first moment Baker's cocky attitude stopped Sky in her tracks I knew these two would be combustable! Sky is a means to and end for Baker, until he realizes that she's become way more to him than he every imagined. She's a good girl from the right side of the tracks, and she's too good for his screwed up and tainted life. Bakers past holds him back from so much in life. He's jaded and broken, but that doesn't change the fact that he wants her, but is still willing to step aside and let his brother have her, knowing it's what she wants.

Sky is a good girl, who wants to get the boy. She's been living under the thumb of her over protective male family members for so long, she just wants to finally feel the freedoms that college is affording her. But in a snap decision that could land her in all sorts of trouble, she invites the bad boy into her life. She makes a deal with the cocky tattooed boy that can help her achieve her goal, that will change her life forever... She's torn in two by what she believes she wants and is the safe choice, and what her body desires. The head and the heart are at war for Sky. Every minute she spends with Baker, is another minute she's confused about Luke.

Baker is complicated and challenging, and his past really does shape how he looks at his potential future. I was waiting every minute for that other shoe to drop and when it does. Holy cow does it DROP! Baker and Sky's story isn't conventional by any stretch, they will break you down and build you back up and leave you with that angst riddled drop in your stomach, but you will love the ride!!!
Profile Image for Jenny Harris.
4,396 reviews33 followers
January 26, 2021
I received this book with the understanding that I could leave a voluntary and honest review.

Oh my wowza is this this book amazing. Ok so in this book we meet Sky Cold and Baker Finnegan. Sky is the typical nerd. She studies hard and works in the library but there is one boy that has caught her eye and that is Luke Finnegan. The problem with this is Luke doesn't have a clue who she is. So when a guy tells her she never get him she can't understand why he would say these things to her until she learns it is none other than his brother saying it. Fate is on her side though when she comes home one night after work and hears two guys disagreeing about one of them having to move out. The voice she recognizes is none other than Baker. So she makes him a deal. He can stay in the spare room in her apartment and he helps her find a way to get his brother to notice her. Baker knows she is better than any girl Luke would go for and he doesn't know why she wants him. See one day while his roommate was being to loud for him to study he went to the library instead. While there he saw Sky and though she was beautiful and wanted to see if there could be more. He knew though she was to good for him as well. This deal though really gives him a chance to see her spend time with her and maybe prove he is the better brother. Will these two find a HEA though or will all the things that haven't been said yet be the thing to break them forever?

So So So excited to see this author back and her return book will not disappoint. This is an amazing story that will have you connecting with characters like you never thought you would. There is so much more about this story I want to tell you. However I don't want to ruin it for other readers. I will say though this is one of those books you absolutely must get you won't be disappointed. I would highly recommend it to anyone and everyone.
Profile Image for Ann .
1,710 reviews17 followers
November 20, 2021
*4 stars*
It's been a while since I've read a book by this author and what a read it was! I loved the interaction between the lead characters and how the story was played out. It was a rollercoaster ride and sometimes emotions were all over the place. I can't wait to see what is next in store in this series 'cuz it has me so intrigued!

Sky works at the library and everytime Luke walks by, she doesn't know what to say. She's had the hugest crush om him ever since she laid eyes on him but he doesn't even notice her. She finds it is now the time to do something about it and makes a crazy suggestion to his brother, Baker, and to her surprise he goes along with it. Now living together with someone she doesn't really know but trying to hide the fake relationship from everyone, she tries to get close to Luke and it seems to be working. Baker never imagined him being at this place in this time of his life but he does whatever it takes to keep going. No matter what has happened in the past, and he has been through a lot, he does something that may be on the risky side that could be very dangerous but he finds its worth the risk. But the closer he and Sky get and the more he gets to know her, the more feelings start to show and it's getting harder to deny that he wants her all to himself although he doesn't consider him to be good for her. When Sky starts to have doubts, she doesn't know what to do anymore. And when everything comes out in the open, both will have to decide what to really fight for. Who will Sky end up with?... And will Baker see what is right in front of him and won't be too late?...
Displaying 1 - 30 of 158 reviews

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