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The Boys #2
Nice Guys Don't Win
When I agreed to be his roommate, I had no way of knowing that Cole Anderson was one of my father’s star players.
Having transferred to Aldridge University for my junior year, I wasn’t familiar with anyone on campus.
If there’s one rule I’ve always been supposed to follow it’s don’t date a basketball player.
Cole is different, though, and I don’t want to stay away.
But when he finds out I’m the coach’s daughter I might not have any say in the matter.
Having transferred to Aldridge University for my junior year, I wasn’t familiar with anyone on campus.
If there’s one rule I’ve always been supposed to follow it’s don’t date a basketball player.
Cole is different, though, and I don’t want to stay away.
But when he finds out I’m the coach’s daughter I might not have any say in the matter.
344 pages, Paperback
Published May 2, 2022
701 people are currently reading
10591 people want to read
About the author
Micalea Smeltzer
82 books6,679 followersMicalea Smeltzer is an author from Northern Virginia. Her two dogs, Ollie and Remy, are her constant companions. As a kidney transplant recipient she's dedicated to raising awareness around the effects of kidney disease, dialysis, and transplant as well as educating people on living donation. When she's not writing you can catch her with her nose buried in a book.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 564 reviews
September 7, 2022
4 stars
Another Micalea Smeltzer book I adored! This was even better than the first book in ‘The Boys’ for me. Forced proximity, roommates, friends to lovers- it was great. Cole is the sweetest guy and I loved Zoe. Not only was their relationship beautiful to watch, I loved seeing Zoe with her brothers and watching her repair her relationship with her dad. Cole is not your typical college athlete (in the best way) and I found that so refreshing. I’m so glad to see Teddy’s book is next. He’s a hoot and I can’t wait to read more!
Another Micalea Smeltzer book I adored! This was even better than the first book in ‘The Boys’ for me. Forced proximity, roommates, friends to lovers- it was great. Cole is the sweetest guy and I loved Zoe. Not only was their relationship beautiful to watch, I loved seeing Zoe with her brothers and watching her repair her relationship with her dad. Cole is not your typical college athlete (in the best way) and I found that so refreshing. I’m so glad to see Teddy’s book is next. He’s a hoot and I can’t wait to read more!
Audio book source: Audible
Story Rating: 4 stars
Narrators: Zara Eden & James Cavenaugh
Narration Rating: 4 stars
Genre: New Adult Romance
Length: 7h 25m
June 1, 2021
i don’t know how this is the same author of Sweet Dandelion🥴 where is the flavour?
so mediocre. so boring. even the sex was bland. and Zoey telling Cole that he “could be scrambling her eggs” as a sex euphemism is truly a hate crime.
and Zoey just casually forgiving her blubbering best friend for sleeping with her boyfriend was annoying af. i never understand that in books— yeah, he was a douche and you obviously weren’t meant to be, but it’s the principle of your best friend betraying you like that. i only powered through the book hoping for a showdown and a few bitch slaps, not a bunch of kumbaya bullshit.
so mediocre. so boring. even the sex was bland. and Zoey telling Cole that he “could be scrambling her eggs” as a sex euphemism is truly a hate crime.
and Zoey just casually forgiving her blubbering best friend for sleeping with her boyfriend was annoying af. i never understand that in books— yeah, he was a douche and you obviously weren’t meant to be, but it’s the principle of your best friend betraying you like that. i only powered through the book hoping for a showdown and a few bitch slaps, not a bunch of kumbaya bullshit.
September 23, 2022
4.5 stars
This was such a good new adult romance! This is a roommates romance where the heroine is actually the basketball coach's daughter and the hero is on the basketball team. Cole was SUCH a sweet hero and I loved the friendship that bloomed between Cole and Zoey. This was definitely a friends to lovers romance and it was fun watching Zoey be friends with Cole and his friends, especially Teddy. This has a great cast of characters and it just makes me more excited to continue on in the series and see these characters more! Since this is a coach's daughter romance, I did expect it to be much more taboo and forbidden, but it barely was. This was much more sweet, which I still loved.
This was such a good new adult romance! This is a roommates romance where the heroine is actually the basketball coach's daughter and the hero is on the basketball team. Cole was SUCH a sweet hero and I loved the friendship that bloomed between Cole and Zoey. This was definitely a friends to lovers romance and it was fun watching Zoey be friends with Cole and his friends, especially Teddy. This has a great cast of characters and it just makes me more excited to continue on in the series and see these characters more! Since this is a coach's daughter romance, I did expect it to be much more taboo and forbidden, but it barely was. This was much more sweet, which I still loved.
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May 5, 2021
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Releases May 19th 2021
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June 19, 2022
i really liked this one, simple and sweet!!
TW: daddy issues! had a far cry over this one🥲
the friendship in this has my HEART😭❤️
But omg COLE COLE COLE…HE’S HOT AND RESPECTFUL!! nah he’s a bit of me love!!😍 and zoey is a queen
Teddy…my guy is a bit much for me but i love him
3.75/5⭐️
TW: daddy issues! had a far cry over this one🥲
the friendship in this has my HEART😭❤️
But omg COLE COLE COLE…HE’S HOT AND RESPECTFUL!! nah he’s a bit of me love!!😍 and zoey is a queen
Teddy…my guy is a bit much for me but i love him
3.75/5⭐️
August 16, 2021
I love this series so much. I love Cole and Zoey so much and I'm a sucker for a good roommates to lovers. The tension between them from the start was sooo good. The slow burn was so good.
March 13, 2021
Roommates to benefits? Coach's daughter? Sweet, sexy hero?
I liked Bad Boys Break Hearts...but Cole just stole my heart, y'all.
Get ready.
I liked Bad Boys Break Hearts...but Cole just stole my heart, y'all.
Get ready.
December 2, 2023
oh come on this was way too cute ! i loved it so much !!
read it so fast and just couldn’t put it down !!!
micalea smeltzer i love you with all my heart if you ever stop writing ill die !
okay though one thing i thought could have been soooo fun would be of Mascen and Rory were dressed as Dracula and Sleeping Beauty for Halloween 😭
also my love for teddy isn’t something i can put words on so i can’t wait to read his book next !
instant 5⭐️ nothing bad to say about this i love cole and zoey 🫶
read it so fast and just couldn’t put it down !!!
micalea smeltzer i love you with all my heart if you ever stop writing ill die !
okay though one thing i thought could have been soooo fun would be of Mascen and Rory were dressed as Dracula and Sleeping Beauty for Halloween 😭
also my love for teddy isn’t something i can put words on so i can’t wait to read his book next !
instant 5⭐️ nothing bad to say about this i love cole and zoey 🫶
May 22, 2021
I was offered an advanced copy of this and the blurb had me unable to resist. But then I picked it up and realised that there was obviously a book or two previous that I had missed out on and my nosiness kicked in and I checked it out on Amazon. And discovered that this was indeed book two in the series and that book one was on KU. So I started there and developed a massive crush on Cole so I was even more excited to dive in.
At first, I was wondering if he was still hung up on the whole Rory and Mascen drama and if that was going to annoy me. But thankfully he quickly realised it was a non-issue and he dealt with it so perfectly it just made me crush harder. Because honestly everything he did just made him more and more perfect boyfriend material. He was the sweetest, most considerate hero I have read in a while and I loved him.
Zoey was pretty great herself, but she started off so caught up in her past I thought she needed help to build a bridge. However, she was also able to put her issues into perspective and appreciate the people around her. And watching Cole win her over made me read this with a huge smile on my face.
I am so hoping that Teddy's book is next because that boy has some demons he needs to exorcise. I have a strong feeling that we will get all the laughs between some serious feels and I am there for it.
At first, I was wondering if he was still hung up on the whole Rory and Mascen drama and if that was going to annoy me. But thankfully he quickly realised it was a non-issue and he dealt with it so perfectly it just made me crush harder. Because honestly everything he did just made him more and more perfect boyfriend material. He was the sweetest, most considerate hero I have read in a while and I loved him.
Zoey was pretty great herself, but she started off so caught up in her past I thought she needed help to build a bridge. However, she was also able to put her issues into perspective and appreciate the people around her. And watching Cole win her over made me read this with a huge smile on my face.
I am so hoping that Teddy's book is next because that boy has some demons he needs to exorcise. I have a strong feeling that we will get all the laughs between some serious feels and I am there for it.
December 19, 2023
4⭑
I love Cole!! Omg he is such a sweetheart and Zoey is such a great heroine. I loved them both together and I loved the slow burn and tension between them!
But my favourite thing about this was Teddy!!!!!! I love that man so much I know his book is going to be my favourite 🤩
I love Cole!! Omg he is such a sweetheart and Zoey is such a great heroine. I loved them both together and I loved the slow burn and tension between them!
But my favourite thing about this was Teddy!!!!!! I love that man so much I know his book is going to be my favourite 🤩
January 28, 2025
much better than the first one, and i liked seeing more of cole bc he deserved better after book one, and i liked their connection and how much he took care of the fmc and was there for her and thoughtful. cole is one of the top book boyfriends for sureeee
August 23, 2021
** Available Now - Audiobook **
4 STARS
This one was super sweet and super low on the angst and conflict.
What I loved:
1. Pretty much everything. The hero was sweet and charming.
2. The heroine was like-able. She was fun and dealt with her trauma in a real way.
3. Teddy. My god, he might be one of my fave secondary characters ever.
4. The relationship was nature and steady.
What I didn’t like:
1. I need more angst and conflict in my romances.
The narrators were good, and it was a quick and light read.
4 STARS
This one was super sweet and super low on the angst and conflict.
What I loved:
1. Pretty much everything. The hero was sweet and charming.
2. The heroine was like-able. She was fun and dealt with her trauma in a real way.
3. Teddy. My god, he might be one of my fave secondary characters ever.
4. The relationship was nature and steady.
What I didn’t like:
1. I need more angst and conflict in my romances.
The narrators were good, and it was a quick and light read.
April 11, 2022
4.75⭐️ pls cole and zoey have my heart
May 19, 2021
This was such a fun, light hearted slow-burn college romance with all the feels! Micalea has such a way with captivating me with her words from the very first page, and I definitely fell in love with Cole right away. He's so different than the usual man-whore athletes we read about these days; he was just so incredibly sweet and sensitive, yet all growly and man -- just the perfect juxtaposition!
And Zoe, my goodness, Zoe won my heart as well. The special relationship between her and her brothers, finding where she fits into her fathers life, struggling with her feelings for her sudden new roommate, along with her incredible sense of humor and sass, it was just so easy to fall for her. Plus the connection that she and Cole was just exactly what I needed. I figured from the blurb and the cover that this would be a really angsty read, but I was surprised at how light-hearted it was, and I mean that in the best of ways. I just loved it!
Also, how could I end this review without mentioning Teddy? Goodness, as much as I loved Cole & Zoe, Teddy was by far my favorite person in this book. I so can't wait for his own book to see him get knocked on his ass by love!
If you are in the mood for a light romance with all the feels, all the swoon, and some crazy antics thanks to a certain best friend, then this is the right book for you!
**I received an ARC of this book and these are my honest opinions!**
And Zoe, my goodness, Zoe won my heart as well. The special relationship between her and her brothers, finding where she fits into her fathers life, struggling with her feelings for her sudden new roommate, along with her incredible sense of humor and sass, it was just so easy to fall for her. Plus the connection that she and Cole was just exactly what I needed. I figured from the blurb and the cover that this would be a really angsty read, but I was surprised at how light-hearted it was, and I mean that in the best of ways. I just loved it!
Also, how could I end this review without mentioning Teddy? Goodness, as much as I loved Cole & Zoe, Teddy was by far my favorite person in this book. I so can't wait for his own book to see him get knocked on his ass by love!
If you are in the mood for a light romance with all the feels, all the swoon, and some crazy antics thanks to a certain best friend, then this is the right book for you!
**I received an ARC of this book and these are my honest opinions!**
March 19, 2022
I need a Cole for myself plz and thank u
July 17, 2022
I need a Cole in my life! This was such a sweet story! The roommates to lovers was so good. I enjoyed the whole rebuilding of her life with her dad.
May 20, 2021
Y’all get ready I’m about to rave about this book. SOOOOO. GOOD. It made me swoon in one hundred different ways.
Cole Anderson has my heart. He’s literally the most respectful, loving hero I’ve ever read. He was so kind to everyone. How can anyone NOT LOVE HIM!!!
Zoey was so quirky and adorable. My heart hurt for her past with her parents and her ex, but I’m so happy she made peace with her dad and found a love with Cole.
Their chemistry was adorable one moment and sexual tension the other. Wouldn’t have it any other way. Who doesn’t love a hot, respectful, basketball player with tattoos. I DO. and so does zoey hahaha.
Teddy is so hilarious and my spirit animal. HE BETTER GET A BOOK WHERE SOMEONE LOVES HIM RIGHT!!! It broke my heart to hear his pain when he loves everyone.
This book consumed me and another favorite under one of my favorite authors.
Cole Anderson has my heart. He’s literally the most respectful, loving hero I’ve ever read. He was so kind to everyone. How can anyone NOT LOVE HIM!!!
Zoey was so quirky and adorable. My heart hurt for her past with her parents and her ex, but I’m so happy she made peace with her dad and found a love with Cole.
Their chemistry was adorable one moment and sexual tension the other. Wouldn’t have it any other way. Who doesn’t love a hot, respectful, basketball player with tattoos. I DO. and so does zoey hahaha.
Teddy is so hilarious and my spirit animal. HE BETTER GET A BOOK WHERE SOMEONE LOVES HIM RIGHT!!! It broke my heart to hear his pain when he loves everyone.
This book consumed me and another favorite under one of my favorite authors.
July 30, 2022
3.75 stars. Cole and Zo were cute together
This story was a cute story. I enjoyed it. I can’t say it blew me away but Cole proved to be the stand up guy that I thought he was in book 1. Another interesting angle to this story was Zoey’s relationship with her father that was fractured in the beginning.
I didn’t quite give it a four star because this story felt more of Zoey’s story than Cole. All the growth, pain, and subsequent mending all happened in Zoey’s life.
I would definitely like a nice guy like Cole for daughter because he was kind, thoughtful and patient. This story was a good roommate to partners novel. I can’t wait To learn more about Teddy’s home life.
This story was a cute story. I enjoyed it. I can’t say it blew me away but Cole proved to be the stand up guy that I thought he was in book 1. Another interesting angle to this story was Zoey’s relationship with her father that was fractured in the beginning.
I didn’t quite give it a four star because this story felt more of Zoey’s story than Cole. All the growth, pain, and subsequent mending all happened in Zoey’s life.
I would definitely like a nice guy like Cole for daughter because he was kind, thoughtful and patient. This story was a good roommate to partners novel. I can’t wait To learn more about Teddy’s home life.
September 23, 2024
09/22/2024 update
After reading more books in the series, there are FAR better ones so now it’s a 3.5 rounded to a 4
4.5 rounded up. I love Micalea Smeltzer’s books but I would love them more with more details about their childhood or backstory instead of only present day things.
After reading more books in the series, there are FAR better ones so now it’s a 3.5 rounded to a 4
4.5 rounded up. I love Micalea Smeltzer’s books but I would love them more with more details about their childhood or backstory instead of only present day things.
August 14, 2024
2.5★ nothing rlly happened but it was cute
March 20, 2022
Him and I against the world. If my heart was a net, he shot the ball straight into it and won the game winning score. He won me, my love, forever.
So I read the first book and to be honest even tho it was really fast paced, I didn't like it that much and I thought Rory and Mascen were a little toxic, tho I do think they were also cute, but Cole truly just stole my heart being the nicest guy ever and I was so excited for his book and it was better than the first one for sure, nothing out of this world you know? But definitely better!
Cole is going to be my favorite in this series for sure but who knows I still need to read the rest but I just love him, he just sooo kind and cute and soft and caring and lovable and sweet and everything. Zoey was also so strong too, losing her mom, trying to get back into a relationship with her dad and his family that are also her family and love her and care about her so much, being cheated on by her ex fiance, I really did like her a lot and Zoey and Cole's banter was amazing since the first second they met! Friends to lovers never disappoints, tho there's some things I didn't quite like it in the book that weren't that bad but for me meh, like the way she just forgets or something, what her best friend did to her, I get it that she was in love with Cole and didn't really had any interest in feeling anything for her ex best friend and her ex fiance situation, I thought it was really rushed and just for the plot with no development whatsoever, I don't know how to explain but it felt really just, there and for the main character to have some past and reason to be transferred or something, I don't know, just felt really weak.
Another thing I really enjoyed was Teddy Zoey and Cole's friendship, like the three amigos, Teddy was and still is Zoey and Cole's number 1 stan and to be honest I kinda liked it how he "helped" Cole finally do something with his feelings and kiss Zoey and Zoey finally let herself open her heart to Cole and it was quite cute!!
I am excited for Teddy's book, like his parents situation and I know there's going to be fake dating so I can't wait actually.
I get to love this girl for the rest of my life, and if that doesn’t make me the luckiest guy on the planet, I don’t know what does. I used to think nice guys didn’t win, but I was wrong. When I fell in love with Zoey, I won the greatest game of all.
So I read the first book and to be honest even tho it was really fast paced, I didn't like it that much and I thought Rory and Mascen were a little toxic, tho I do think they were also cute, but Cole truly just stole my heart being the nicest guy ever and I was so excited for his book and it was better than the first one for sure, nothing out of this world you know? But definitely better!
Cole is going to be my favorite in this series for sure but who knows I still need to read the rest but I just love him, he just sooo kind and cute and soft and caring and lovable and sweet and everything. Zoey was also so strong too, losing her mom, trying to get back into a relationship with her dad and his family that are also her family and love her and care about her so much, being cheated on by her ex fiance, I really did like her a lot and Zoey and Cole's banter was amazing since the first second they met! Friends to lovers never disappoints, tho there's some things I didn't quite like it in the book that weren't that bad but for me meh, like the way she just forgets or something, what her best friend did to her, I get it that she was in love with Cole and didn't really had any interest in feeling anything for her ex best friend and her ex fiance situation, I thought it was really rushed and just for the plot with no development whatsoever, I don't know how to explain but it felt really just, there and for the main character to have some past and reason to be transferred or something, I don't know, just felt really weak.
Another thing I really enjoyed was Teddy Zoey and Cole's friendship, like the three amigos, Teddy was and still is Zoey and Cole's number 1 stan and to be honest I kinda liked it how he "helped" Cole finally do something with his feelings and kiss Zoey and Zoey finally let herself open her heart to Cole and it was quite cute!!
I am excited for Teddy's book, like his parents situation and I know there's going to be fake dating so I can't wait actually.
I get to love this girl for the rest of my life, and if that doesn’t make me the luckiest guy on the planet, I don’t know what does. I used to think nice guys didn’t win, but I was wrong. When I fell in love with Zoey, I won the greatest game of all.
June 9, 2023
Nice Guys Don’t Win is the second boy in The Boys series by Micalea Smeltzer. This is a contemporary, new adult (college), sports romance series! And in this one we get forced proximity (roommates), and a bit forbidden (she’s his basketball coach’s daughter).
We saw Cole in the first book in the series and I definitely wanted to see him get his HEA. When his friend Teddy ends up backing out as his roommate for the year, Cole tells Teddy he needs to help him in finding a new roommate to help with the rent. Zoey is a last minute transfer and is finding out she didn’t get a spot in the dorms when she meets Teddy. He overhears and tells her about his friend Cole needing a roommate too. Cole and Zoey easily fall into a friendship and eventually it leads to more!
“I used to think nice guys didn’t win, but I was wrong. When I fell in love with Zoey, I won the greatest game of all.”
This was super cute, low angst, and just fun! Cole and Zoey easily fall into being friends and roommates. When she finds out he plays for her dad’s team, she doesn’t tell Cole at first. Even when he dad does find out, it’s not really a problem either. Teddy was super cute too and I loved his friendship with both of them, can’t wait for his book next. Zoey has had a complicated past with her dad and she is able to reconnect with him, her stepmom, and half siblings. Cole is definitely a nice guy hero and is just the sweetest of taking care of Zoey (period caretaking and finding her fav snacks). This also made me want a root beer float after Cole’s massive love for them in this book. 😅
We saw Cole in the first book in the series and I definitely wanted to see him get his HEA. When his friend Teddy ends up backing out as his roommate for the year, Cole tells Teddy he needs to help him in finding a new roommate to help with the rent. Zoey is a last minute transfer and is finding out she didn’t get a spot in the dorms when she meets Teddy. He overhears and tells her about his friend Cole needing a roommate too. Cole and Zoey easily fall into a friendship and eventually it leads to more!
“I used to think nice guys didn’t win, but I was wrong. When I fell in love with Zoey, I won the greatest game of all.”
This was super cute, low angst, and just fun! Cole and Zoey easily fall into being friends and roommates. When she finds out he plays for her dad’s team, she doesn’t tell Cole at first. Even when he dad does find out, it’s not really a problem either. Teddy was super cute too and I loved his friendship with both of them, can’t wait for his book next. Zoey has had a complicated past with her dad and she is able to reconnect with him, her stepmom, and half siblings. Cole is definitely a nice guy hero and is just the sweetest of taking care of Zoey (period caretaking and finding her fav snacks). This also made me want a root beer float after Cole’s massive love for them in this book. 😅
June 20, 2022
mmmmm the characters were more loveable than the first book but they were more tame and that made it feel more boring. the domesticity and slow burn were things i liked but it felt dragged on a bit. like purposely stretched out with details i didn’t care for. slow burn without any compelling tension or hyped up arc is boring and this book didn’t deliver.
the writing was fine but the character development was sort of all over the place especially for zoey and her dad. that seemed more complicated that was made very two dimensional.
the biggest downfall was just the ick i felt of a white person writing black characters. just didn’t sit right with me.
the writing was fine but the character development was sort of all over the place especially for zoey and her dad. that seemed more complicated that was made very two dimensional.
the biggest downfall was just the ick i felt of a white person writing black characters. just didn’t sit right with me.
May 20, 2021
"One of the many reasons I love to read romance novels is for the sexy times. The more the merrier especially if they are written well. But something has to be said for a slow burn romance as well. When done right it is breathtaking. This was the case with Cole & Zoey’s story. Both their recent pasts have made them wary, but what was happening between them couldn’t be denied. I loved how they became great friends first, but it was the actual circling around their mutual attraction that was so incredibly good to read.
I truly hope there is a book for Teddy in the not too distant future, but I guess I will just have to wait and see.
I voluntarily reviewed an advanced readers copy of this book." ~Sharon
I liked this one. It was a slow burn but it was a good slow burn. I loved Cole. He was extra swoony. I loved the friendship Cole and Zoey built. They had hot chemistry too. I liked the forbidden aspect to their story. Excited to see what is to come for Teddy! ~Andrea
I truly hope there is a book for Teddy in the not too distant future, but I guess I will just have to wait and see.
I voluntarily reviewed an advanced readers copy of this book." ~Sharon
I liked this one. It was a slow burn but it was a good slow burn. I loved Cole. He was extra swoony. I loved the friendship Cole and Zoey built. They had hot chemistry too. I liked the forbidden aspect to their story. Excited to see what is to come for Teddy! ~Andrea
May 16, 2021
Zoey is a college student whose dad is her new colleges coach and he is black. Her mom who is now deceased and was divorced from her father was a Latina. She has just dumped an ex and her dad helped her get in to the college he works at. While she could stay with her dad, she wants her own place and thats how she lands on Cole's doorstep as his friend, Teddy was told he couldn't room with him. And so the two stranger end up as roomies.
Cole has a back mother and a white father and they are super happy and in love but he did feel prejudice growing up. He is now away at college and is a star player on his colleges basketball team. His best friend is Teddy, who is a total laugh riot and when he can't be his roomie he meets Zoey and lets her know that Cole needs a roomie too.
This is book 2 in the series and I did not read the first book and it easily stands alone. However what happened in the first book is that Cole crushed on his friends ex and they ended up back together and so Cole was left alone and broken hearted.
With a new roomie Cole starts to see the possibilities but Zoey has some secrets and she thinks he won't be into her if he knows who her father is. In addition she just lost a good friend to her ex and so she enjoys getting to know Cole.
Zoey and Cole start out as strangers, end up as roomies and then become close friends. They both have love wary hearts but can't resist each other. I loved how great Cole was for Zoey. How he is always there for her no matter what.
Cole is this really wonderful and sweet guy and I loved that Zoey really could see that and want that for herself. She really felt alone at the start of the book with her mom dead and her dad trying to form a relationship with her and then she meets Teddy and Cole and they form a sort of family.
This story is about love, friendship, forgiveness and moving on and facing a future with someone special. I absolutely adored the story and really need to read the first book because I loved this story so much.
I received a free ARC copy of this book from the author prior to release and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Cole has a back mother and a white father and they are super happy and in love but he did feel prejudice growing up. He is now away at college and is a star player on his colleges basketball team. His best friend is Teddy, who is a total laugh riot and when he can't be his roomie he meets Zoey and lets her know that Cole needs a roomie too.
This is book 2 in the series and I did not read the first book and it easily stands alone. However what happened in the first book is that Cole crushed on his friends ex and they ended up back together and so Cole was left alone and broken hearted.
With a new roomie Cole starts to see the possibilities but Zoey has some secrets and she thinks he won't be into her if he knows who her father is. In addition she just lost a good friend to her ex and so she enjoys getting to know Cole.
Zoey and Cole start out as strangers, end up as roomies and then become close friends. They both have love wary hearts but can't resist each other. I loved how great Cole was for Zoey. How he is always there for her no matter what.
Cole is this really wonderful and sweet guy and I loved that Zoey really could see that and want that for herself. She really felt alone at the start of the book with her mom dead and her dad trying to form a relationship with her and then she meets Teddy and Cole and they form a sort of family.
This story is about love, friendship, forgiveness and moving on and facing a future with someone special. I absolutely adored the story and really need to read the first book because I loved this story so much.
I received a free ARC copy of this book from the author prior to release and am voluntarily leaving a review.
February 7, 2024
5/5 ☆
tbh i really read this book in like three days, i just have been busy with school 😒 but anywho, THIS BOOK IS EXACTLY WHAT I NEEDED TO GET OUT OF A READING SLUMP !!!!!! cole & zoey’s love story was so beautiful & realistic. i really enjoyed how there were layers to the story. it really gave it more substance to the story instead of just them falling for each other. it also gave me holden & julep vibes 🤭 i also think i like them more than mascen & rory but don’t tell them i said that 🫣 ALSOOOO i love how teddy’s party anthem is everywhere i go by hollywood undead. like that is just so fitting for his personality i love it 😅
side notes (probs spoilers 🤷🏼♀️)
- teddy is actually so funny & his quotes are A1
- cole 🫠🫠🫠 what a gentleman!!! having 4 older sisters must be the key!
- teddy is the kind of friend you get annoyed with but you don’t want to get rid of him, a rare but fun friend to have. like joey from friends!
- cole being so protective of zoey already even though they both swore off the opposite gender for awhile is so stinkin’ attractive it’s not even funny
- THE FACT THAT THEY BRING UP RED VELVET OREOS WHEN I JUST BOUGHT THEM IS INSANE
- he sings AND plays guitar plus a sleeve of tattoos ????? honey boo bear if you don’t take it, i will 🤤
- i have a new ick… comparing the incomparable. you cannot compare your ex 🤮 to cole 🤤 like literally stop i don’t care about todd anymore. todd sucked & cole is 10000000x better 💁🏼♀️
tbh i really read this book in like three days, i just have been busy with school 😒 but anywho, THIS BOOK IS EXACTLY WHAT I NEEDED TO GET OUT OF A READING SLUMP !!!!!! cole & zoey’s love story was so beautiful & realistic. i really enjoyed how there were layers to the story. it really gave it more substance to the story instead of just them falling for each other. it also gave me holden & julep vibes 🤭 i also think i like them more than mascen & rory but don’t tell them i said that 🫣 ALSOOOO i love how teddy’s party anthem is everywhere i go by hollywood undead. like that is just so fitting for his personality i love it 😅
side notes (probs spoilers 🤷🏼♀️)
- teddy is actually so funny & his quotes are A1
- cole 🫠🫠🫠 what a gentleman!!! having 4 older sisters must be the key!
- teddy is the kind of friend you get annoyed with but you don’t want to get rid of him, a rare but fun friend to have. like joey from friends!
- cole being so protective of zoey already even though they both swore off the opposite gender for awhile is so stinkin’ attractive it’s not even funny
- THE FACT THAT THEY BRING UP RED VELVET OREOS WHEN I JUST BOUGHT THEM IS INSANE
- he sings AND plays guitar plus a sleeve of tattoos ????? honey boo bear if you don’t take it, i will 🤤
- i have a new ick… comparing the incomparable. you cannot compare your ex 🤮 to cole 🤤 like literally stop i don’t care about todd anymore. todd sucked & cole is 10000000x better 💁🏼♀️
May 17, 2021
I love slow burns and this hit all the right spots. Cole was the epitome of a great book boyfriend, so thoughtful and sweet with Zoey. She was a wonderful character as well, and I loved her relationship with her baby brothers. Teddy was very.. interesting to say the least, but I guarantee he’s harboring a lot of pain from his parents and I can’t wait to read his story. Overall, this was a great slow burn friends to lovers and now I want to go back and read the first one!
arc received in exchange for an honest review.
arc received in exchange for an honest review.
November 28, 2023
I’m so glad Micalea wrote this book after Bad Boys Break Hearts. I needed Cole to get his own story and happiness. And I loved that it is a sports romance. I flew through this story and really loved Cole. The dual POV was so good. I can’t wait to continue on with this series!
Tropes/themes:
-dual POV
-forced proximity
-roommates
-coaches daughter
Tropes/themes:
-dual POV
-forced proximity
-roommates
-coaches daughter
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