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Sam Squared
Falling in love should be easy as Pi.
Seventeen-year-old Samantha Baughman has one month to raise her GPA, or she can kiss her coveted Auburn basketball scholarship goodbye. Her only hope lies with her high school’s resident bad boy—and closet genius—Samuel King.
The last thing Samuel wants is to get tangled in anyone else’s problems. But when he gets caught helping another student cheat, his teacher offers him a get-out-of-jail-free card. With a one-way ticket to boarding school as his only other option, Samuel reluctantly agrees to tutor Samantha… with one stipulation. They have to keep their arrangement on the down-low. No one can know about their study sessions, especially Samantha’s overprotective brother, who has already warned Samuel to stay away from his sister.
As the “Sams” spend more time together, their playful banter turns into genuine attraction, including one extra-credit-worthy kiss. But Samantha’s brother’s threats send Samuel backpedaling so fast that he denies their encounter ever happened. Now, it’s game on for Samantha to get him to confess. She may need his help to pass her classes, but he’s the one who needs schooling in matters of the heart.
Seventeen-year-old Samantha Baughman has one month to raise her GPA, or she can kiss her coveted Auburn basketball scholarship goodbye. Her only hope lies with her high school’s resident bad boy—and closet genius—Samuel King.
The last thing Samuel wants is to get tangled in anyone else’s problems. But when he gets caught helping another student cheat, his teacher offers him a get-out-of-jail-free card. With a one-way ticket to boarding school as his only other option, Samuel reluctantly agrees to tutor Samantha… with one stipulation. They have to keep their arrangement on the down-low. No one can know about their study sessions, especially Samantha’s overprotective brother, who has already warned Samuel to stay away from his sister.
As the “Sams” spend more time together, their playful banter turns into genuine attraction, including one extra-credit-worthy kiss. But Samantha’s brother’s threats send Samuel backpedaling so fast that he denies their encounter ever happened. Now, it’s game on for Samantha to get him to confess. She may need his help to pass her classes, but he’s the one who needs schooling in matters of the heart.
279 pages, ebook
First published February 21, 2022
2 people are currently reading
97 people want to read
About the author
Cindy Dorminy
19 books166 followersI'm just a girl born in a two traffic light town, raised in the burbs, and now lives in Music City, USA. I love reading and writing YA and adult sweet romances about love when it's least expected.
My must haves when writing:
Diet Coke
Pretzels (or Gold Fish)
Netflix
My sweet dachshund
I recently built a she-shed and I'm in love with it!!! It's all mine - no music instruments allowed (ahem, hubby).
Sign up for my newsletter to hear about my latest bookish news. (I promise I won't fill your inbox with tons of mail).
http://www.cindydwrites.com
My must haves when writing:
Diet Coke
Pretzels (or Gold Fish)
Netflix
My sweet dachshund
I recently built a she-shed and I'm in love with it!!! It's all mine - no music instruments allowed (ahem, hubby).
Sign up for my newsletter to hear about my latest bookish news. (I promise I won't fill your inbox with tons of mail).
http://www.cindydwrites.com
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
September 27, 2022
Certainly a solid attempt at a debut novel, but the execution was not the greatest.
It could use a lot of editing, I found a few things I'd change and even a moment or two where the point of view shifts without any warning at all.
I'm not sure why this was classified as enemies (or frenemies) to lovers because it wasn't. The very beginning of the book has the two bantering in a friendly manner as they sit and watch a basketball game together. They have nicknames for each other (that aren't negative) and never once thought they disliked each other.
Both characters felt too immature, even for high schoolers, and the conflict made no sense. I didn't understand how Samuel was the so-called "bad boy" because he changed his character before the readers began the story, so he has this entire reputation covering up the "inner nerdy artist" or whatever, and it makes no sense because he's basically a dork the entire time. I didn't understand his reputation or his character.
Samuel also annoyed me because he wanted to keep their kiss quiet. I understand his reasoning (mostly) even though I thought he should just tell Samantha - I didn't even know he was friends with her brother? Like why did he listen to him - but instead, he let her believe she wasn't good enough for him. Not the other way around - as I would have preferred - but even he said it a few times, and didn't bother correcting her whenever she told him that's what she felt. And all his friends kept calling him out on his behavior, that he was acting like he was too good for her, and he just joked it off. He didn't even have a thought that commented on the severity of the issue, but played it off and acted like his friends were idiots.
This would have been a decent book if it had a lot of editing and changing of the characters/their big conflict. I liked it because Samantha drove a Volkswagen Bug that I could screenshot every mention of and send it to my friend with the caption "slugbug!"
I received a free ARC and am leaving a voluntary and honest review.
It could use a lot of editing, I found a few things I'd change and even a moment or two where the point of view shifts without any warning at all.
I'm not sure why this was classified as enemies (or frenemies) to lovers because it wasn't. The very beginning of the book has the two bantering in a friendly manner as they sit and watch a basketball game together. They have nicknames for each other (that aren't negative) and never once thought they disliked each other.
Both characters felt too immature, even for high schoolers, and the conflict made no sense. I didn't understand how Samuel was the so-called "bad boy" because he changed his character before the readers began the story, so he has this entire reputation covering up the "inner nerdy artist" or whatever, and it makes no sense because he's basically a dork the entire time. I didn't understand his reputation or his character.
Samuel also annoyed me because he wanted to keep their kiss quiet. I understand his reasoning (mostly) even though I thought he should just tell Samantha - I didn't even know he was friends with her brother? Like why did he listen to him - but instead, he let her believe she wasn't good enough for him. Not the other way around - as I would have preferred - but even he said it a few times, and didn't bother correcting her whenever she told him that's what she felt. And all his friends kept calling him out on his behavior, that he was acting like he was too good for her, and he just joked it off. He didn't even have a thought that commented on the severity of the issue, but played it off and acted like his friends were idiots.
This would have been a decent book if it had a lot of editing and changing of the characters/their big conflict. I liked it because Samantha drove a Volkswagen Bug that I could screenshot every mention of and send it to my friend with the caption "slugbug!"
I received a free ARC and am leaving a voluntary and honest review.
March 15, 2025
Oh. Well, I loved the premise of the story. I love best friends to lovers romances. I believe that this was a bit young for me. The misunderstanding between them was not done well. Samuel being that scared of his best friend's brother was simply odd to me. I wished their love story was done more cutely. And Samantha using his cousin to make Sam jealous wasn't a great idea. More ick than anything else. The ending was cute though. Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for my ARC.
September 11, 2022
A closet nerd and an athlete are frenemies.
I totally loved this book. It was funny and made me cry a little. I had a hard time putting it down. I also love that all the chapters were short, made it really easy to read.
This book has 2 points of view. First you have Samantha, who is mostly called Sam or Sam-Man. Second you have Samuel, who is usually referred to as Sam or Mule. Thay have know each other since they were in pre-school and are now in their Senior year of high school. Over the years they turned from friends to frenemies.
Samantha is trying hard to earn a scholarship to the college of her dreams but she is struggling in math and her SAT scores are low. She has to figure out how to get her grades up and do better on her final attempt for her SAT. When she feels desperate enough she asks Samuel for help and can't understand why he refuses.
Samuel stopped playing sports for his senior year and is always in trouble of some kind. He has been threatened by his friend who is Samantha's older brother to never touch her. Because he has always hidden how smart he is from everyone but his own family none of his classmates knows that he is a genius except for Samantha. He has hidden a lot more from everyone then his nerdiness. He knows that he can help Samantha but refuses.
This book is worth reading to find out why Samuel quit sports and has secrets. I also love that Samantha calls him out without revealing all the things she knows about Samuel.
It is good for most ages but I would advise it no worse than TV-14 for content.
I totally loved this book. It was funny and made me cry a little. I had a hard time putting it down. I also love that all the chapters were short, made it really easy to read.
This book has 2 points of view. First you have Samantha, who is mostly called Sam or Sam-Man. Second you have Samuel, who is usually referred to as Sam or Mule. Thay have know each other since they were in pre-school and are now in their Senior year of high school. Over the years they turned from friends to frenemies.
Samantha is trying hard to earn a scholarship to the college of her dreams but she is struggling in math and her SAT scores are low. She has to figure out how to get her grades up and do better on her final attempt for her SAT. When she feels desperate enough she asks Samuel for help and can't understand why he refuses.
Samuel stopped playing sports for his senior year and is always in trouble of some kind. He has been threatened by his friend who is Samantha's older brother to never touch her. Because he has always hidden how smart he is from everyone but his own family none of his classmates knows that he is a genius except for Samantha. He has hidden a lot more from everyone then his nerdiness. He knows that he can help Samantha but refuses.
This book is worth reading to find out why Samuel quit sports and has secrets. I also love that Samantha calls him out without revealing all the things she knows about Samuel.
It is good for most ages but I would advise it no worse than TV-14 for content.
March 21, 2022
A quick read. This book is told by the two main characters, Samuel and Samantha, in alternating chapters n a basic childhood friends/enemies to lovers plot.
Samantha is a basketball star at her high school and she has her sights set on Auburn. But she needs a better GPA and her SAT score needs to improve. Okay, I've taught high school for years and I know that GPAs rarely matter for gifted athletes and the same goes for standardized test scores (all 11th grade students in my state take the ACT for free, and most do not take the SAT). Samantha ends up needing a tutor to pass trigonometry and enlists the help of her crush, who also happens to be the boy who she's had a rivalry with for years: Samuel (who she calls Mule). Apparently Mule has a perfect ACT score, a 142 IQ, and a photographic memory.....because of course he does. He also as a crush on Samantha (who he calls Sam-Man, which I really didn't understand).
After they kiss at the high school dance, Mule doesn't want anyone to know and so Samantha lies to her friends and says she doesn;t know who kissed her. And her friends start a quest to find the mystery kisser, which Samantha goes along with. Will Mule ever admit that he likes Samantha? You know how this one will end already.
Teens may enjoy this, but I didn't really understand the whole conflict of the story, which was a silly non-conflict.
Samantha is a basketball star at her high school and she has her sights set on Auburn. But she needs a better GPA and her SAT score needs to improve. Okay, I've taught high school for years and I know that GPAs rarely matter for gifted athletes and the same goes for standardized test scores (all 11th grade students in my state take the ACT for free, and most do not take the SAT). Samantha ends up needing a tutor to pass trigonometry and enlists the help of her crush, who also happens to be the boy who she's had a rivalry with for years: Samuel (who she calls Mule). Apparently Mule has a perfect ACT score, a 142 IQ, and a photographic memory.....because of course he does. He also as a crush on Samantha (who he calls Sam-Man, which I really didn't understand).
After they kiss at the high school dance, Mule doesn't want anyone to know and so Samantha lies to her friends and says she doesn;t know who kissed her. And her friends start a quest to find the mystery kisser, which Samantha goes along with. Will Mule ever admit that he likes Samantha? You know how this one will end already.
Teens may enjoy this, but I didn't really understand the whole conflict of the story, which was a silly non-conflict.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 15, 2025
Sam and Sam, what an absolutely adorable story for the two of you.
This book was adorable and sweet, when you like someone so much but you are just too afraid to admit it not only to yourself but to everyone around you. Their story takes place during high school with a great group of friends. There are some serious issues in the background but the most important is finally realizing what you want and going for it. Samantha is worried about failing and Samuel is worried about ruining his reputation. They are friends first but things change when tutoring starts. The truth comes out and even though Samuel is in denial it's Samantha's persistence to get the truth out that makes the book. Her friends are just too funny and very supportive.
Overall this book was a great quick read and I'm happy I was able to live in their world for a little bit. I wouldn't mind seeing more stories from this friend group because i see some possible ships with Rachel involved. Fun read.
This book was adorable and sweet, when you like someone so much but you are just too afraid to admit it not only to yourself but to everyone around you. Their story takes place during high school with a great group of friends. There are some serious issues in the background but the most important is finally realizing what you want and going for it. Samantha is worried about failing and Samuel is worried about ruining his reputation. They are friends first but things change when tutoring starts. The truth comes out and even though Samuel is in denial it's Samantha's persistence to get the truth out that makes the book. Her friends are just too funny and very supportive.
Overall this book was a great quick read and I'm happy I was able to live in their world for a little bit. I wouldn't mind seeing more stories from this friend group because i see some possible ships with Rachel involved. Fun read.
March 5, 2022
Let me start by saying I take notes while I read and I didn't have ONE bad note written by the end.. Not one I tell you! That is unheard of for me.
I absolutely adored this book. Such AMAZING writing! Well rounded characters and extremely likable. I even loved all of the side characters and the fact that they were all fleshed out as well. You could tell the author knew what story she wanted to write, who all of her characters were, and how to have it all come together perfectly. I was entertained the whole time. There wasn't one bad or boring page.
This is definitely one of my favorite books I've ever read and can very well see myself doing a reread in the future. I'm going to miss these characters so much. I loved them with my whole heart from page one.
Everyone can expect me to be recommending this book any chance from now on.
I absolutely adored this book. Such AMAZING writing! Well rounded characters and extremely likable. I even loved all of the side characters and the fact that they were all fleshed out as well. You could tell the author knew what story she wanted to write, who all of her characters were, and how to have it all come together perfectly. I was entertained the whole time. There wasn't one bad or boring page.
This is definitely one of my favorite books I've ever read and can very well see myself doing a reread in the future. I'm going to miss these characters so much. I loved them with my whole heart from page one.
Everyone can expect me to be recommending this book any chance from now on.
March 13, 2025
Samantha Baughman needs to raise her GPA or lose her college basketball scholarship.
Samuel wants nothing to do with helping others but after getting caught helping students cheat, he’s had a choice: tutoring Samantha or boarding school. Without much of a choice , he agrees, but with one rule—no one can know, especially Samantha’s brother.
The story was enjoyable with good pacing that kept my interest. However, I would have liked more character development to feel more emotionally connected while reading. There were also a few storylines that left me wondering why they were introduced. The overall tropes were a little misguided it’s not really friends to Enemies but also not totally brother’s best friend. I do think it can be relatable to anyone looking find their spot. Overall, I would recommend this book to anyone looking for a light YA read.
Samuel wants nothing to do with helping others but after getting caught helping students cheat, he’s had a choice: tutoring Samantha or boarding school. Without much of a choice , he agrees, but with one rule—no one can know, especially Samantha’s brother.
The story was enjoyable with good pacing that kept my interest. However, I would have liked more character development to feel more emotionally connected while reading. There were also a few storylines that left me wondering why they were introduced. The overall tropes were a little misguided it’s not really friends to Enemies but also not totally brother’s best friend. I do think it can be relatable to anyone looking find their spot. Overall, I would recommend this book to anyone looking for a light YA read.
March 17, 2022
I got hooked by the blurb for this book which sounded right up my reading alley. Though, at times, the conflict felt a bit forced to me and I couldn't quite follow the Sams' logic and reasoning. (Then again: teenagers... *shrugs*)
Still, the story had its moments, and I enjoyed it. "Operation Mystery Lips" was absolutely ridiculous and entertaining to watch (YMMV).
I'll have to admit though that while the Sams were likeable enough, I wasn't as invested in their romance as I wanted to be. In my book (ha!), cousin Mason stole the show and totally deserves his own story.
Still, the story had its moments, and I enjoyed it. "Operation Mystery Lips" was absolutely ridiculous and entertaining to watch (YMMV).
I'll have to admit though that while the Sams were likeable enough, I wasn't as invested in their romance as I wanted to be. In my book (ha!), cousin Mason stole the show and totally deserves his own story.
February 27, 2022
Sam Squared by Cindy Dorminy is a good teen and young adult romance read. The story has a good story line. The characters are good, and they have good chemistry. The story is a good childhood enemies to lovers trope romance read.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
April 9, 2022
This was my first read from this author and I really thoroughly enjoyed this story. The characters and storyline held my attention from the start. I loved the dual first person point of view which is a deal breaker for me.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
April 11, 2025
I absolutely loved this YA romance! It was sweet and lighthearted, and I couldn’t quit reading it. Also, as someone who doesn’t like a lot of spice in my romances, this spice level was perfect for me. I will definitely be recommending this one to the teen librarian I work with!
5/5 stars
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for approving my access to an ARC for my opinion!
5/5 stars
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for approving my access to an ARC for my opinion!
May 20, 2025
I loves this sweet high school love story. All the teen angst and insecurity about looks, college, etc were on full display. Mule is great at helping Sam-Man see who she really is while she helps him accept his true self. There is also tons of fun and laughter throughout to keep the vibe light.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
May 4, 2022
Loved it!
Cindy Dorminy’s description of Samuel’s kissing style had me taking notes! Very tender, yet sensual and passionate. The scene after the softball game was playful and hot.
Cindy Dorminy’s description of Samuel’s kissing style had me taking notes! Very tender, yet sensual and passionate. The scene after the softball game was playful and hot.
February 6, 2023
I skimmed this one after about 30% when the actual plot of trying to find the guy she kissed at Homecoming comes into play. The 1 star is because I essentially DNF'd this one, not because she's dying to go to auburn (barffffff).
I mean this in the nicest way, but this book reads like fanfiction. The characters were all teenagers but either seemed too mature (Samuel), too immature (Samantha), or like a caricature of a high school student (the brother) or parent (Samuel's parents particularly.) Some of the plot points were unrealistic in that fanfiction kind of way, where it's an author's first work that just needs more time/practice/editing. If Samantha was going to be going to any school, much less a D1 school, on a basketball scholarship, she only has to maintain something like a 2.5GPA and her SAT score would be almost irrelevant--points that can be easily googled. Also, the SAT is mostly used with east coast, west coast, and Ivy schools. The state of Tennessee (where the novel takes place) pays for every junior to take the ACT, which auburn also would've taken.
The back and forth between the Sams was a little silly, low stakes for me. The brother threatens to beat you up? Cool, guess you have a ~secret~ relationship now, which would've worked perfectly with their friendship. They were never really enemies and were barely even annoyed with each other. (He comes to all her games? Really? She falls in love/crushes on him as soon as they dance together and kiss? Really?)
This is dual, 1st person POV, with a fast pace, good dialogue, and interesting dynamics between the cast of characters.
Solid attempt for what I'm assuming is the author's first novel, but this one missed a lot of marks for me. I'm super sorry this is the first review for this book too.
Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
I mean this in the nicest way, but this book reads like fanfiction. The characters were all teenagers but either seemed too mature (Samuel), too immature (Samantha), or like a caricature of a high school student (the brother) or parent (Samuel's parents particularly.) Some of the plot points were unrealistic in that fanfiction kind of way, where it's an author's first work that just needs more time/practice/editing. If Samantha was going to be going to any school, much less a D1 school, on a basketball scholarship, she only has to maintain something like a 2.5GPA and her SAT score would be almost irrelevant--points that can be easily googled. Also, the SAT is mostly used with east coast, west coast, and Ivy schools. The state of Tennessee (where the novel takes place) pays for every junior to take the ACT, which auburn also would've taken.
The back and forth between the Sams was a little silly, low stakes for me. The brother threatens to beat you up? Cool, guess you have a ~secret~ relationship now, which would've worked perfectly with their friendship. They were never really enemies and were barely even annoyed with each other. (He comes to all her games? Really? She falls in love/crushes on him as soon as they dance together and kiss? Really?)
This is dual, 1st person POV, with a fast pace, good dialogue, and interesting dynamics between the cast of characters.
Solid attempt for what I'm assuming is the author's first novel, but this one missed a lot of marks for me. I'm super sorry this is the first review for this book too.
Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
October 25, 2025
When seeing the title of this books one might think it’s for just below the young adult genre. Well, I did anyways. However, when I read it I was shocked! It has a cursive and interesting storyline, not too mature at all and not for the young either. I really liked the main characters, and I loved the side characters (like I always do) and it just clicked. The idea of the palm reading and kissing booth was genius and made me giggle. The connection between Sam and Sam made me squeal. The friendships and backstories made me tear up. It was great, really!
However I would probably improve a couple of things:
- Some words were very repetitive, for example ‘eye roll’ or ‘not worthy of an eye roll’ and as it was said from both Samantha’s and Samuel’s perspective, it made it really obvious they were written by the same author (which they were but that’s not the point of the story)
- Add a bit more humour —> I LOVE the funny parts but I need more!!!
- Maybe the just kissing was tooooo innocent, since they are going into college maybe they should act like it a bit more
- Maybe change the title or book cover —> it can really put a person off from reading it (it nearly did me) and it would be a shame since this was such a great book too!
All in all I would highly recommend, it was a shockingly great read! My compliments to the author, xoxo….
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
However I would probably improve a couple of things:
- Some words were very repetitive, for example ‘eye roll’ or ‘not worthy of an eye roll’ and as it was said from both Samantha’s and Samuel’s perspective, it made it really obvious they were written by the same author (which they were but that’s not the point of the story)
- Add a bit more humour —> I LOVE the funny parts but I need more!!!
- Maybe the just kissing was tooooo innocent, since they are going into college maybe they should act like it a bit more
- Maybe change the title or book cover —> it can really put a person off from reading it (it nearly did me) and it would be a shame since this was such a great book too!
All in all I would highly recommend, it was a shockingly great read! My compliments to the author, xoxo….
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
May 1, 2025
Samantha and Samuel's Story . . .
Samantha Baughman is a talented basketball player at her high school and is hoping a scholarship will get her where she wants to be. She wants to attend Auburn but needs a better GPA and SAT score to get accepted. A trigonometry tutor might solve her problem, but the logical choice is Samuel King, the school’s bad boy. Samuel is also the guy she has a crush on who has already been warned by her brother to stay away from her. Because Samuel wants to avoid negative consequences for his latest breaking of the rules, he agrees to tutor Samantha. But he insists that no one can know or his bad boy image could be in jeopardy.
Samuel and Samantha are spending more time together for the tutoring and they both already had feelings they were keeping secret. So it doesn’t take long until they have their first “hot” kiss. With her brother getting hostile, Samuel suggests she just forget what happened. Instead Samantha makes up a story about a mystery kisser. Will the two admit that they care for each other? Or will they insist on keeping the secret and just walking away once the tutoring ends?
Samantha Baughman is a talented basketball player at her high school and is hoping a scholarship will get her where she wants to be. She wants to attend Auburn but needs a better GPA and SAT score to get accepted. A trigonometry tutor might solve her problem, but the logical choice is Samuel King, the school’s bad boy. Samuel is also the guy she has a crush on who has already been warned by her brother to stay away from her. Because Samuel wants to avoid negative consequences for his latest breaking of the rules, he agrees to tutor Samantha. But he insists that no one can know or his bad boy image could be in jeopardy.
Samuel and Samantha are spending more time together for the tutoring and they both already had feelings they were keeping secret. So it doesn’t take long until they have their first “hot” kiss. With her brother getting hostile, Samuel suggests she just forget what happened. Instead Samantha makes up a story about a mystery kisser. Will the two admit that they care for each other? Or will they insist on keeping the secret and just walking away once the tutoring ends?
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews