Cupids Peak

by Lee Jacquot

Hermit, introvert, homebody.

All are adjectives that can be used to describe me, and that’s how I like it. I’m content within the four walls of my home, safe from all the work one has to put in just to walk outside.

But solitary life also means the only real romance I get to experience is from my holiday movie marathons and watching my old high school crush play for the NHL. My extroverted twin sister, however, doesn’t like my plans and sets me up on a date.

A blind date.
On Valentine's Day.
At a five-star resort.

She somehow gets me to agree despite my very real aversion to being in public places. Only, when I arrive, I couldn’t care less about anyone else in the room because the very man I cheer for through my tv is sitting across from me. Not only that, he's challenging everything I thought I knew with one simple question:

Truth or Dare?

Genres: Novella, Romance, Sports Romance, Second Chance, Friends To Lovers, Sports, Contemporary

106 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 30, 2023

About the author

Hey there! My name is Lee. I like to think of myself as a bibliophile who belongs to the Ravenclaw house.
I write romances that can sometimes be sweet and spicy or deadly and kinky. I'm a firm believer in happily ever afters and men who always make sure their woman is satisfied first.
When I'm not writing, I'm drowning myself in a good book, losing track of time on the Nintendo Switch with my kids, and laughing or yelling at one of my husbands practical jokes. (He likes to leave fake spiders and roaches around.)
Also, something important to note. I live off Chai and Dean Winchester.
Visit me on Instagram or TikTok to find out about upcoming releases and other fun things! @authorleejacquot

Reviews

[Iqra · Rating 5 out of 5]

Is anyone surprised by my rating?

#3 Reread - May 2023 - 5 million stars

─── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ──

Mr Eli Brooks. That’s it, that’s the review.

#𝟮 𝗥𝗲𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗱 - 𝗙𝗲𝗯𝗿𝘂𝗮𝗿𝘆 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟯 - 𝟱 𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗿𝘀

─── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ──

Update: Ate and left no crumbs 💅✨

𝗦𝗼𝗻𝗴: 🎧
Comfortable — They. ft. Fana Hues

#𝟭 𝗥𝗲𝗮𝗱 - 𝗙𝗲𝗯𝗿𝘂𝗮𝗿𝘆 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟯 - 𝟱 𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗿𝘀

─── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ──

Before release: Idec what it’s gonna be about. I just know imma eat it tf up. 💳💥💳💥

[vee! · Rating 3 out of 5]

— 3.5 stars ✰

"the only attention i ever wanted, i'm getting right now"

why should i settle for less when eli brooks took math tutoring just so he could spend some time with mia? this was a toe curling spicy CUTE little novella, that will make you swoon and giggle. i wish there would be a full length novel about mia and eli bc he was really really really cute 💘

[Ceceliaₓₒₓₒ | hotforbooks · Rating 4 out of 5]

This novella has no business being this good. It has SPICE and everything NICE!!! Eli, I love you.

Things
1. Every girl deserves to have an Eleni.
2. People schedule orgasms? 🗓️
3. Trifecta = he’s polite, charismatic, and has a good sense of humor.
4. Gray eyes are hot.
5. Life in the spotlight is a hard limit.
6. 80s movies are the ULTIMATE bonding experience.
7. ET index finger touches 😍
8. Truth or Dare has never been hotter.
9. Who doesn’t love an 80s boombox love confession moment?!
10. I worship at the altar of Eli Brooks.

❝
My heart squeezes. It’s funny how when I watch my movies, I think of these moments as the most cringe-worthy material and often wonder who would actually like confessions like this. 
But it’s me. I very much like hearing him say I’m the one that got away.

Overall, if you are in need of a good laugh and some major heat, look no further. This book was scorching!

I want to thank my SWEET BBB Cara for reading this with me! I love you to pieces! 😍 Thank you to all my babies that read and reviewed this little hot pocket! ❤️

❝
I’m stuck in his orbit, completely helpless to the pull of his gravity.

“I like to say what I want, how I want it, and how they’re going to give it to me.”

“I want to know you’re sure because this has been brewing for a very long time, and I intend to take everything you’re willing to give me. And I expect you to take everything I give.”

“There’s no way in hell I’m about to let you get in your head about tomorrow when we’re still in today.”

Say fucking less.

This woman is mine.  And it’s time she knows it.

▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄


So excited to reunite with my BBB!! Buddy read with the sweetest angel Cara!!

Influenced by the lovely Iqra!

[SK · Rating 4 out of 5]

"If I asked you to take a chance on us, would you?"
"Yes."

Guysss, take a chance on this novella. It's something you can read in one sitting (just 106 pages) if you have the time. Tho in my opinion it would be better if the title was called Truth or Dare? Just me?

If you want something short, spicyyyyy, fun and lighthearted- this is your book. I just did not want it to end. For a novella, it had basically everything- characters with personality, chemistry, little bit of past and did I mention the spice? The juicyyy spice? 👀🔥 5/5 🌶️

Eli is such a perfect book boyfriend material. Whatever the man said, had me swooning. Mia is such a strong and genuinely smart FMC. They're so compatible, it's going to be tough not to like them.

The cover is too cute 😍

Highly recommended.

[Lilyya ♡ · Rating 5 out of 5]

5–don’t I deserve an Eli, too?— stars

"Every second my hands aren’t on you, every minute my mouth has to wait to taste you, it’s torture, Mia."

This was the perfect— cute yet hot— read I needed right now, and loved every part of it.

That’s all, this is the review.

- quotes :

" My secret—my truth, Mia—is that you belong to me. Always have. Always will.”

"Tell me, love. If I dropped to my knees right now, would you let me devour your cunt?"

"I dare you to let me show you how obsessed I was with you ten years ago"

"When’s the last time you’ve been on a date?” 
He takes a slow drink of his mojito and smirks behind the rim. “Does our time in the diner count? Because if so, ten years ago"

"But the moment my eyes meet her big brown ones, I realize how much of an asshole I’ve been. How nothing I’ve imagined or remembered has held a candle to the real thing"

"Even when we only considered ourselves passing acquaintances in the hall, or tutor and tutee, there was something there. Something deeper than I could form into real words. A connection that simply exists”

—————————————————————————-
Cuz all my babes loved it and I trust their taste with my life, also I’m in a big reading slump so..😭

[Honestly, yeah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Oh God, I had to grab onto walls to physically stop myself from falling and melting into goo. 🫠

This novella hired Bob the Builder, built doors into my heart, and sneaked it's way through 14 different sections. 💘

The sentence: GIVE ME THE FULL BOOK! 🤺
The translation: GIVE ME ELI BROOKS!🤺

Quotes 😩🫀

"Eli chuckles. It's low and sensual and sounds like something I'd very much love to hear in the crook of my neck."

"Do you want me to stand up in the middle of this restaurant and let everyone know I'm here with you, Mia? I'll do that, pay, and go home. Then I'll lay on my stomach and FaceTime you so we can talk until the sun comes up."

"Mia."
Her lids flutter. "Yes?"
"Breathe, love."

"Asking for consent is always the best practice, "

"I think it means I'm not a complete fool for still pining even after ten years."

________________________

Iqra, I'm kissing you when I catch you for this recommendation. 💋

[lulu · Rating 4 out of 5]

OMGGG stop this novella is literally the reason im not in a slump rn

even tho it was so short they still had inside jokes and sm affection for each other and yall know im a lover girl at heart so i ate this shit up MMMHM 😋

its so short and quick to read you don’t even need to get that invested but boy did i wanna be fully invested in these characters 😭

MIA AND ELI HAD ME SMILING ON EVERY PAGE 🥹🥰🤭😩💗🥵🤤 they literally gave me more feels in 100 pages than i feel for some book couples in 400 pages all shade all tea

AND THE EPILOGUE?? PLS I WAS SQUEALING WITH DELIGHT

i will be rereading this for the rest of my life as its now my new obsession

───────────────────────────

literally only reading this bc the cover is pretty and pink and the loml Iqra loves it 😚💗

[Kristina · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute and hot
This was a nice little Valentine’s Day read. This author does a great job jamming a lot of spice into a 100 page story while still managing to have a bit of plot too. The writing was awkward at times, but I’m chalking that up to indy editing issues, but overall I enjoyed this and had a good time. Yes I ENJOYED A HOCKEY ROMANCE! Mark this date in your calendars! This will not be a habit, I still don’t like hockey and can’t find hockey players sexy.
But overall a cute and fun way to pass an hour.

[maya · Rating 4 out of 5]

some men out there won't be able to find your clit even with a map directing them to it — but then there's Eli Brooks 🫦

[Ri ♡ · Rating 4 out of 5]

"My secret -my truth, Mia- is that you belong to me. Always have. Always will."

Wow this was so damn cute and hot and adorable 😍😭 It had me giggling and grinning like an idiot because of how amazing Eli and Mia were in this book. I usually don't read Novellas because I don't feel connected to characters in just a few pages but THIS IS MY FAVOURITE NOVELLA AND MY FAVOURITE COUPLE. I was not prepared to love it this much 😭💗 but it was so perfect. I loved all the characters and also Eleni she was such an amazing sister. Everyone deserves a Eleni in their life😌💞

The pace was smooth and the plot was literally cute and I loved the second chance and friends to lovers trope in this one. And let me tell you the spice in this was Chef's kiss🤌🔥 and I liked how it did not sidelined the plot.

Even though they haven't seen each other for 10 years but the moment they met each other again I knew it they have this sparkling chemistry. God they had me squealing and kicking my feet in air with their truth and dare game and their love for 80s movies. And their ET index finger touch had me smiling so damn hard 😭💗💗 god they are adorable and I love them sm 🫶

"When's the last time you've been on a date?"
"Does our time in the diner count? Because if so, ten years ago."


"That even after all these years, I haven’t found anyone who makes me smile or laugh or feel at home the way you did?"

Mia De La Cruz
She's an introvert, shy and hates the attention and Eli is the opposite of her in so many ways. I loved her character a lot and she is strong and smart and I related to her introvert side a lot. She loves romance movies but hate clichés. Lol same girl 😭😆

Eli Brooks
He is humble, funny and charming in so many ways. And everytime he speaks my stomach flutters. He is so lovable but with like alpha dominance side. You know what he is just goddamn hot and smooth as hell. And he has BLACK AMEX CARD. Hot as hell. I loved how he helped Mia explore different things she thought she didn't liked and made her feel comfortable. He's absolutely perfect and I love him so damn much 😭💗💗

"This woman is mine. And it's time she knows it."


"The world is yours, Mia. You tell me what you want, and I'll do it."

The epilogue had me swooning like what was that and I loved how it was perfect and cute. The things I would do to have my own Eli Brooks 😭💗 This was such a delightful read and stop everything you're doing rn and read this novella. This was totally worth it!


—Favourite Quotes—

➸ "There's no way in hell I'm about to let you get in your head about tomorrow when we're still in today."

➸ "I like to say what I want, how I want it, and how they're going to give it to me."

➸ A smirk breaks across his face, and I know I’m a goner before he even says the words. “I dare you to let me show you how obsessed I was with you ten years ago."

➸ "I want to know you’re sure because this has been brewing for a very long time, and I intend to take everything you’re willing to give me. And I expect you to take everything I give."

➸ "If I asked you to take a chance on us, would you?"
She smiles, "Yes."

[caitlin · Rating 4 out of 5]

why doesn't the title have an apostrophe??
4.25/5 stars.


something about me: i really, really hate being wrong.
so tell me why i liked this??
not that much, calm down. but a lot more than i was expecting to.

this is my first work by lee jacquot and i love how she writes!
it was a smutty novella so yeah, there was a lot of smut (i liked that too), but independent of that the couple was cute and i really enjoyed their dynamic! i actually felt genuine emotional connection outside of all the smut.

it was definitely a bit cheesy at times, sure, but overall, for something meant to be a cute, smutty novella- it did it's job really well!!

[Celia {Hiatus until August} · Rating 1 out of 5]

•| ⊱✿⊰ |• 1,4 Stars •| ⊱✿⊰ |•

Cupids Peak is fifth in the Holinights series.
It is a complete standalone and doesn't need to be read with the others in the series.



Tropes:
Second Chance
Opposites Attract
Forced Proximity
Light Exhibitionism



There's no insta love in the books of The Holinights Series.
The characters knew each other a long time before the story.
In this case, since high school.
Mia was Eli maths tutor.
This one didn't work out for me.
I didn't fell connection between the main characters, the chemistry was week...
Nop...

[Rebecca (life's chaotic catching up) · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars. I have said it before and I will say it again and I will keep on saying it, novellas are the unsung heroes of the literary world!!!

This was such a sweet, endearing and totally white HOT read! Eli Brooks, feel free to run me over whenever you feel like it sir! And Mia, my Dominicana QUEEN does not disappoint!! The chemistry between these two characters is CRAZY! This novella packed it all in, banter, humor, and so much tension!!

Thks to the about dozen mutuals who rec'd this book bc it was so much fun!💖💖💖

[Huda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ahhh this was SO CUTE AND HOT! 😭
Their chemistry was *chefs kisses*. The writing, the pacing, the spice were literally so perfect for a novella😌
And that epilogue!!!
Don't even start on Mr. Eli Brooks 👅

[jess · Rating 4 out of 5]

“My secret—my truth, Mia—is that you belong to me. Always have. Always will.”

this was everything. i loved it. book slump? she’s gone now don’t know her.


quotes:

“I dare you to let me show you how obsessed I was with you ten years ago.”



That even after all these years, I haven’t found anyone who makes me smile or laugh or feel at home the way you did?”




“I want to know you’re sure because this has been brewing for a very long time, and I intend to take everything you’re willing to give me. And I expect you to take everything I give.”




“Every second my hands aren’t on you, every minute my mouth has to wait to taste you, it’s torture, Mia.”




in love with eli brooks. goodnight 🤭


idc if there’s a half mention of hockey i’m counting this as a hockey romance 🤚🏽


five star hockey romance ✅ mission accomplished

[Ri · Rating 4 out of 5]

-4.5★
❝Will you play a game with me, Mia?❞
❝A game?❞
❝Truth or Dare.❞

A perfect swoon worthy cute sexy novella if you’re in a slump and when life’s not lifing. The author did an amazing job in building the plot. I was instantly drawn to the story. It felt like I knew the characters for a very long time. The pacing was perfect. Even if it’s a 106 page novella it felt kind of a slow burn? Like the gradual build up of tension? Hello?!?!😩

Eli and Mia, two highschool friends, meet after ten years on Valentine’s day on a date set up by Mia’s sister, Eleni. They both liked each other back in highschool but never had the guts to confess.

❝The notion that we only have tonight tugs at my gut. Doing this is going to open a door I won’t want to close, yet even knowing so, I refuse to change course. I’ll risk the ache, just so long as I have her this once.❞


୨ৎ Mia De La Cruz

Mia has always been the shy, introvert type. She avoids gossip and unnecessary troubles. She loves and enjoys her single life, working on weekdays and snuggling up in her blankets wearing pajamas with a cup of hot chocolate, watching 80’s rom-coms on weekends. Her inner monologues are so damn relatable. They’re silly and funny. She’s me. I’m her🤝And it’s always the quiet ones. If you know, you know🤭


୨ৎ Eli Brooks

The famous player in the National Hockey League. He was the school’s ‘it’ guy. No, he’s not a typical jock we often get to see. He’s polite, charismatic with a good sense of humor. He’s the definition of perfection, the ideal book boyfriend😌 He’s hot, he’s cute, a complete package😩 A golden retriever for his woman. He’ll sweep you off your feet with his words and charms.


⋅˚₊‧ ୨୧ ‧₊˚ ⋅Eli and Mia

Now seeing each other again after ten years sparks ignite, hope glimmers. They realize there was always something between them, something deep, something not even the ten years they stayed away from one another could erase.

❝That even after all these years, I haven’t found anyone who makes me smile or laugh or feel at home the way you did?❞

One thing I loved in this novella is the healthy communication between them. Isn’t it a breath of fresh air? Mia finds comfort in Eli. It’s like she can be herself in his presence. Being with him eases her nerves and fears of being around others.

❝I’m still not sure what it was about him, but even though I still experienced my typical shyness, I always felt safe, Unjudged. Free to be me.❞

Every time he calls her ‘love’ you can feel my heart racing 200 km per minute🫠💓

❝It’s my turn, though, love. Truth or dare?❞

“Mia.”
Her lids flutter. “Yes?”
❝Breathe, love.❞

❝That’s it, love. I want it all. Give it to me.❞

❝Mia. Do me a favor, love.❞
“Anything,” I moan, the tendrils of my orgasm starting to unfurl.
“Come.”

I’m good, absolutely fine, see:😃🏢🤸‍♀️

They’re like two opposite sides of a coin. Mia loves being in the shadows while Eli loves living in the spotlights. How can it work? Well, if the reason is worth it then to achieve something wonderful and miraculous we need to make small sacrifices, let go of our fears and give it a shot. Although they regret those ten years, they’re grateful to get a second chance. They want their relationship to work. And teamwork makes the dreamwork right?🥹💝

❝My secret—my truth, Mia—is that you belong to me. Always have. Always will.❞

❝I want you, Mia,” I explain. “And not just tonight.❞

❝If I asked you to take a chance on us, would you?❞
She smiles, her brown irises saying it before she does.❝ Yes.❞

Do it before you regret. Not everyone gets a second chance like Mia and Eli, my babies🥺 Even if you’re not successful take the risk. It’s better than doing nothing right? And if you’ve already found the one then never let them go❤️

---------------------------------------
Please put me out of my misery🙏 I'm feeling so down today😭

[💤 · Rating 5 out of 5]

this book n this man is scrum dilly yum yum

[krys ~♡~ (scarlett's version) · Rating 3 out of 5]

---3 'EliMia can adopt me' ☆---

~~Edit~~
Yes, I did degrade my four star rating to three stars 😃
~~ ~~

"My
secret—my truth, Mia—is that you belong to me. Always have. Always
will.”

Firstly let's all take a minute to bow down to Eli mf-ing Brooks. 🙇‍♀️🙇‍♀️🤰🙇‍♀️🙇‍♀️

Okay now that thats out of the way, l really liked this A LOT more than l expected because l'm not mostly a smut reader but this was actually addictive smut like l NEED more, its not a want its a need l feel like I'll not be able to function without a full length book on this rn.

EliMia Ughhhh the way this book is not only about the smut and their development as a couple but instead their development as individual human beings. I really have nothing more to say about both of them except that they are perfect. I was literally swooning, crying, squealing, laughing, throwing up like a goddamn child because of them.

Eli is such a naughty, dirty mouth but can be so sweet and charming when he needs it, l- 🤰🤰🤰

Mia is just lucky, that's it thats all l have to say about her.

Eleni was really just out there like a cheerleader wanting Mia to fuck someone, anyone and l was here for it. I feel like we all deserve an Eleni in our lives 🤭🥺

Also that ending, l could literally cry right now- 💞😩✨😭🤰🙇‍♀️🤭💘

-------------♤♤♤-------------

And all l know is that if you haven't read this yet, you have to go read this right now. And if that my review wasn't convincing enough these quotes should do the job :

♤ “I dare you to let me show you how obsessed I was with you ten years ago"

♤ “I want to know you’re sure because this has been brewing for a very
long time, and I intend to take everything you’re willing to give me. And I
expect you to take everything I give.”

♤ “The world is yours, Mia. You tell me
what you want, and I’ll do it.” 

♤ “You are quickly becoming a
very dangerous thing for me, love.”

♤ I refuse to make the same mistake twice, and after tonight, there’s no
denying the truth.
This woman is mine. 

♤ "My
secret—my truth, Mia—is that you belong to me. Always have. Always
will.”

♤ He cracks it open and gives me his best-crooked smile. “Truth or dare?”

-------------♤♤♤-------------

In terms of words.. l have no words. This was so much better than l expected and that ending 🤰😭💞✨🥺😩 l NEED more!!

RTC!!

-------------♤♤♤-------------
*sigh* This one's for Ri, Iqra, Lulu and 10 more people who have threatened calmly told me to read it 🥰🥰 😙

[farhia · Rating 2 out of 5]

well this certainly isn’t the novella I would go to war with, especially when it comes to smut 😭 rtc

ᝰ.ᐟ pre-read 🪷

me and my smutty novellas against the world 💐💝

[Milo (if lost, return to hot fictional character) · Rating 4 out of 5]

y’all were right about this one. i wish it was longer😭

[Han · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 Sexy-Snowy-Escape-Stars

Thoughts:
I’ll keep this brief!

Chemistry 🔥
Tension 🔥
Spice 🔥
Length 🔥
Pacing 🔥
Eli Brooks ��🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥

This was it! Go read it!!

P.S. Immediately going to bother my sister on why she doesn’t send me on snowed-in dates with my old high school crush! When is it my turn??? Lol

Paperback/Hardcover/Audiobook/E-book:
E-book! Thank you kindle for your services each and every time!
How did I discover this:
GR besties swore by this like it was a holy text!
POV: (single or multi)
Multi - Mia and Eli

Quotes: *mini-spoilers*
”The only attention I ever wanted, I’m getting right now.”

“That even after all these years, I haven’t found anyone who makes me smile or laugh or feel at home the way you did?”

“Say f*cking less.”

“My secret -my truth, Mia- is that you belong to me. Always have. Always will."

[anmol · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 ⭐

“The world is yours, Mia. You tell me what you want, and I’ll do it.”

i dont really have high expectations from novellas but when i say this had me by the throat from page one-

barely 100 pages and elimia made me feel so many emotions had me squealing and kicking my feet at 3am plus the spice- if you know me, you know i gloss over the smut more than half the time but eli. goddamn. brooks the man you are 🤌🏻

“When’s the last time you’ve been on a date?”
“Does our time in the diner count? Because if so, ten years ago.”

WHEN IS IT MY TURN!?? WHEN!???

istg this almost had me daydreaming about my high school crush before i realised-
a) someone would have to literally drag me out of my house for me to get ready for a date
b) he aint eli brooks either 🥲

ALSO THE EPILOGUE HAD NO BUSINESS BEING THIS CUTE 😭

anywayyyyyy, read this asap thank lulu and iqra later

_____


ITS 3:30 AM RN AND I ABSOLUTELY DONT REGRET LOSING SLEEP OVER THIS BOOK I LOVED IT SO FUCKING MUCH AHSJAKAK RTC IN THE MORNING BCS MY BRAIN CANT FORM ANY COHERENT THOUGHTS RN

_____


OFC I HAVE TO READ IT NOW- looking at u lulu and iqra 😌

[annie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I should’ve listened to LJ when she said not to form an attachment with Eli Brooks 😭😩

[Lyra (Cardan's tail's version) · Rating 2 out of 5]

—1.5 stars—

Apparently I am still a basic vanilla bitch, and this didn’t hit it😒

[Lorena ♡ (semi-ia) · Rating 5 out of 5]

this was sooo good. the perfect valentine's day novella. but uhm... when will my sister set me up on a blind date with my high school crush who's been terribly obsessed with me for the last ten years? 😔 (i'm an only child and the experiences i had with men in high school were or purely friendly or ones i'd like to erase from my memory)

me reading about eli and mia:



special thanks to my buket babe who i buddy read this with ♡ it was a pleasure to go insane over eli with you, one day we'll get a man like him 🫂🤞🏼

(hehe i finally learned how to add pics to my reviews, you're all going to be sick of me now)

[Hoda · Rating 4 out of 5]

” “My secret—my truth, Mia—is that you belong to me. Always have. Always will.”

Omg this was everything i needed after my last very emotional read 🤧💞 it was very cute and fluffy, hot😮‍💨
Where can i find me an eli please 😫😔

I wish it was longer because 110 weren’t enough 😫💘

” I dare you to let me show you how obsessed I was with you ten years ago”

” when’s the last time you’ve been on a date?”
He takes a slow drink of his mojito and smirk behind the rim“ does our time in the dinner count? Because if so, then ten years ago”

Finally, thank u my beautiful lulu 💘

[RLbooks (in and out) · Rating 4 out of 5]

I pretty much drop whatever I’m doing to read the new releases in this series. They’re pure entertainment and steaminess and this one fit right in. It’s a bit of a missed opportunity second chance between Mia (h) and Eli (H), who crushed on each other in high school but nothing came of their interest because they were so different. Then Mia’s twin sets her up on a blind date, trying to push her out of her comfort zone, and it’s Eli. Written in first person, dual POV. No ow/om drama and neither were virgins (both have been with others in the 10 years since high school and both still carried a torch for the other, but limited details on their in between history).

I loved how head over heels Eli was for Mia and how she did want to push herself so she wouldn’t have more regrets over what could have been. There was a flashback to their high school time and mentions of how they were so their feelings for each other, despite not seeing the other for years, felt developed. Even though Eli had the spotlight constantly on him (pro athlete and popular) and Mia was afraid of the spotlight, this one night gave them the chance to explore how they could balance their needs out and make something happen. Mia doesn’t magically become a different person either, which I liked, though she discovers some aspects of herself that are surprising. And ohhhhh the steam in this one really good.

Some of the story did feel slightly repetitive at times, but this was just sweet and hot and I ate it up. The epilogue is two years later and a HEA that was super adorable. It addressed where they were and how they made being a couple work for both of them and then a sweet proposal. Can’t wait for the next in the series to see what dynamic and kink gets explored next!

[anouk♡ semi-hiatus · Rating 5 out of 5]

𝑶𝒎𝒈 𝑰 𝒍𝒐𝒗𝒆𝒅 𝒕𝒉𝒊𝒔!
This was so cute and spicy. ❤️‍🔥🌶
It's the perfect novella! It’s a second chance, friends to lovers story and even though those aren’t usually my favourite tropes, it worked out really well! 🥰
The pacing is great and it’s very well written. The chemistry between Eli and Mia is amazing.

And talking about Eli Brooks! 🔥🔥🔥
yeah.. no need to explain, this man is 𝒆𝒗𝒆𝒓𝒚𝒕𝒉𝒊𝒏𝒈𝒈𝒈𝒈!!

❥𝑸𝒖𝒐𝒕𝒆𝒔:

“𝘛𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘯 𝘢𝘧𝘵𝘦𝘳 𝘢𝘭𝘭 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘴𝘦 𝘺𝘦𝘢𝘳𝘴, 𝘐 𝘩𝘢𝘷𝘦𝘯’𝘵 𝘧𝘰𝘶𝘯𝘥 𝘢𝘯𝘺𝘰𝘯𝘦 𝘸𝘩𝘰 𝘮𝘢𝘬𝘦𝘴 𝘮𝘦 𝘴𝘮𝘪𝘭𝘦 𝘰𝘳 𝘭𝘢𝘶𝘨𝘩 𝘰𝘳 𝘧𝘦𝘦𝘭 𝘢𝘵 𝘩𝘰𝘮𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘸𝘢𝘺 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘥𝘪𝘥?”

“𝘐 𝘥𝘢𝘳𝘦 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘵𝘰 𝘴𝘩𝘰𝘸 𝘮𝘦 𝘸𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘐’𝘷𝘦 𝘣𝘦𝘦𝘯 𝘮𝘪𝘴𝘴𝘪𝘯𝘨.”

“𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘰𝘯𝘭𝘺 𝘢𝘵𝘵𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯 𝘐 𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳 𝘸𝘢𝘯𝘵𝘦𝘥, 𝘐’𝘮 𝘨𝘦𝘵𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘳𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘵 𝘯𝘰𝘸.”

♡


***
Reading this because of my darling Iqra and her impeccable taste! 🫶🏼🫶🏼🫶🏼

[alayla ! · Rating 3 out of 5]

→ 3 ☆

“when I saw you again and knew without a shadow of a doubt that we were made for each other, in each big and minute facet. i’m insanely fucking in love with you, mia, and i have one question.”

i hated eleni. that bitch was so annoying. worst sister award goes to her. for fucks sake, SHUT UP. (tw ↓)

“because our furniture is too expensive to be scratched to hell, and your cunt needs a little love. it helps with your internal balance.”

kill yourself disrespectfully. if i ever have to read a sibling say something like that again i will RIOT. blEgH 🤢🤮

mia and eli were so adorable together. eli is such a sweetie, and the comparing people to mia throughout his life hit close to home for me. the ending had me giggling a little, and the smut was pretty good! it just wasn't enough to erase the devil's (eleni's) damage. ☹️

mwah,
alayla. 📖

[Noi (in & out) · Rating 4 out of 5]

So... this was fun 😏 (smutty truth or dare)
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It's finally time to find out what all the hype is about