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Pine River
Pine River was supposed to be a new start for me.
And it was, especially attending school with my three overprotective cousins, who were the triplets at the top of the social hierarchy.
Except they weren't alone there, and the first day when I came to school, I saw him.
Scout Raiden.
Tall. Lean. Tattooed. Mesmerizing.
He was a golden god with dark and piercing eyes-looking like he wanted to eat me up.
The feeling was mutual, and that was a problem.
It was lust-want-must have-loathing-hate all at once. I was affected.
And I couldn't have that. No way.
Not after what I'd just left in Cedra Valley.
I didn't care how much money his uncle had.
I didn't care that it seemed every girl wanted him.
I didn't care about his reputation as an up-and-coming fighter.
Or the promise of how those hands would make me feel.
What I did care about was staying as far away from Scout as possible.
Because the promise of his presence, the heat that was going to turn the light back on in my world wasn't a promise at all.
It was a threat.
I wasn't going to survive Scout Raiden.
And it was, especially attending school with my three overprotective cousins, who were the triplets at the top of the social hierarchy.
Except they weren't alone there, and the first day when I came to school, I saw him.
Scout Raiden.
Tall. Lean. Tattooed. Mesmerizing.
He was a golden god with dark and piercing eyes-looking like he wanted to eat me up.
The feeling was mutual, and that was a problem.
It was lust-want-must have-loathing-hate all at once. I was affected.
And I couldn't have that. No way.
Not after what I'd just left in Cedra Valley.
I didn't care how much money his uncle had.
I didn't care that it seemed every girl wanted him.
I didn't care about his reputation as an up-and-coming fighter.
Or the promise of how those hands would make me feel.
What I did care about was staying as far away from Scout as possible.
Because the promise of his presence, the heat that was going to turn the light back on in my world wasn't a promise at all.
It was a threat.
I wasn't going to survive Scout Raiden.
592 pages, ebook
First published October 24, 2023
2384 people are currently reading
4457 people want to read
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October 24, 2023
MY REVIEW AND OTHERS can also be found on my blog: ╰┈➤KITTY KATS CRAZY ABOUT BOOKS
༺✿ 𝐏𝐈𝐍𝐄 𝐑𝐈𝐕𝐄𝐑 ✿༻ Is a full length romance book by author Tijan. Spoken in 'dual perspectives.' Ramsay & Scout..
And thank you for the non discrete cover!! When this lands on your kindle, you turn off life for the day, off goes the phone, off goes adulting! This has been the book I’ve been anticipating above all others.!
Ramsay had gotten into a situation where she needed her family to rally around her more than ever. A time to put everything behind her and start fresh, a whole new school with her three cousins, she just wanted to go under the radar and not attract attention. First day in and that all went out the window especially when your cousins are the most popular jocks in the school.
Her cousins (Clint, Trenton & Alex) were 'Pine River' royalty, each of them jocks, seniors and top shelf gorgeous blond gods.
Clint was the one that raced towards trouble, Ramsay and him were like two peas in a pod, they each got the other into trouble. Trent had a crazy switch in his head which could be activated anywhere, anytime, he was unpredictable. Alex was the glue that kept them all in line.
Clapping eyes on Scout, both had the death glare down pat, but underlying all that there was an attraction simmering from the get go. He ws Alex's best friend.
A push and pull
I don't want you, you don't want me
Their very own version of foreplay.
Scout has only been in 'Pine River' for a year, he's making a name for himself within the fighting world, hoping to make it big time in the UFC.
I'd barely started this and already only a few chapters in and OMFG how is it even possible to be hit in the feels so soon, this is the Tijan I love the most, her teenage angst meter is switched to high voltage, cementing yet again why she fast became one of my top unicorn authors.
How could this not be a 5 star read when the very first chapter I’d fallen down that rabbit hole of no return, already in love with the storyline, the feels hitting straight away, the angst burning oh so brightly, I never wanted to reach the end. Like being wrapped up in a toasty blanket on a cold winters day, wanting to stay burrowed up in the feels for as long as possible.
I loved this, the protective overbearing triplets and their love for their cousin, always having her back, always there when she needed them.
So how could I not love this book!
I love it when this author dips her toes in this genre, but no matter what she writes, I will read..
December 6, 2023
"I thought I'd left that behind, but here it came again."
Ramsay Williams wanted a new start.
Pine River was supposed to be that.
Something fresh, something new. Leave her past behind and forget about it.
Especially when her new school had her 3 highly protective cousins as top of the social hierarchy.
What she did not plan on was Scout Raiden.
The cousin's best friend. Basically their brother.
Off-limits but just as mesmerizing.
She had to stay away from him. For her and for her cousins.
She had to survive him, but she isn't sure she's going to.
"I hated him, but fuck, I wanted him."
Scout Raiden is a known fighter.
Girl want him and guys want to be him.
But he only cares about fighting and his friends, his brothers.
So when Ramsay Williams, his friend's cousin, starts at his school he knows he can't get involved.
It will cost him everything.
He hates her and she hates him.
But what happens when hate starts to blur into lust?
Will Scout stay away? Or is he bound to get messed up?
"I'm finding it's fun to piss you off. You get hotter."
I received an advanced reader's copy in exchange for an honest review.
"He was right. We were enemies. I needed to remember that."
Ramsay Williams is off-limits.
Scout Raiden hater her anyway.
But hate can very quickly become lust.
But will they both survive each other?
"He wanted me in that moment. I knew it, like his eyes darkened at seeing me because he knew I wanted him as well."
This book was legit so addicting!!
I cried people (which I know doesn't say much but trust me this had me in my feels so bad!!)
The setting and the backstory was literally so emotional, I loved every second of it.
"He had too much power over me, way too much."
We have Ramsay who is trying to escape a horrible past so she moves with her mom closer to her family. She was literally everything. I want her to be my best friend no joke. She was badass, she was protecting herself and her family and she had killer comebacks. Especially where Scout was concerned. And I loved her relationship with her cousins, them being so protective over her especially after what she went through. It was EVERYTHING!!
"Threaten me again, and you'll find out the first step I'm willing to take. Guarantee you have more to lose than I do here, buddy."
Scout Raiden is a MMA fighter. I do not need to say more honestly but you can bet I will. Scout was the definition of hot and broody and I was eating it all up. His "hatred" for Ramsay was legit so much fun to see (yes I have issue moving on). Their banter, their relationship was ADDICTING!!! All I can say is HOT. Honestly I think it encompasses everything while not saying enough and I love that.
"Buddy? That's an upgrade from asshole."
This playlist is long I will say but I feel like every song has its place and they all fit really well… so… yay
(Link: https://spotify.link/tnQRfKHWRDb)
🎧 "Confident (Rock Version)" - Demi Lovato
🎧 "Karma" - Taylor Swift, Ice Spice
🎧 "Goddess" - Xana
🎧 "golden hour" - JVKE
🎧 "Tears of Gold" - Faouzia
🎧 "Gold" - Kiiara
🎧 "Hate Me" - Nico Collins
🎧 "Hate Me" - Ellie Goulding, Juice WRLD
🎧 "BREATHING UNDERWATER" - Hot Milk
🎧 "Popular Monster" - Falling in Reverse
🎧 "Panic Room" - Au/Ra
🎧 "Survivor" - Destiny's Child
🎧 "The Kid I Used To Know" - Arrested Youth, WiDE AWAKE
🎧 "Angry Too" - Lola Blanc
🎧 "keep me afraid" - Nessa Barrett
🎧 "Blood // Water" - grandson
🎧 "I'm Gonna Show You Crazy" - Bebe Rexha
🎧 "madhouse" - Nessa Barrett
🎧 "Venom" - Little Simz
🎧 "Family Portrait" - P!nk
🎧 "anatomy" - kenzie
🎧 "My Family" - Migos, KAROL G, Snoop Dogg, Rock Mafia
🎧 "London Bridge" - Fergie
🎧 "My House" - Flo Rida
🎧 "Cruel Summer" - Taylor Swift
🎧 "Touch" - Little Mix
🎧 "Electricity" - Ashley Jana
🎧 "Spectrum" - Florence + The Machine
🎧 "Shivers" - Ed Sheeran
🎧 "Ain't My Fault" - Zara Larsson
🎧 "I'm a Mess" - Bebe Rexha
🎧 "Daydream" - Lily Meola
🎧 "Drive You Out Of My Mind" - Kassi Ashton
🎧 "I'm Tired" - Zendaya, Labrinth
🎧 "All For Us" - Zendaya, Labrinth
🎧 "that's how you make a villain" - emlyn
🎧 "Paint The Town Red" - Doja Cat
🎧 "Better Than Revenge (Taylor's Version)" - Taylor Swift
🎧 "sloppy" - KiNG MALA, UPSAHL
🎧 "BADDER" - emlyn
🎧 "Glow in the Dark" - MOTHICA
🎧 "EXTRA EXTRA" - Chandler Leighton
🎧 "Family Line" - Conan Gray
🎧 "lovely liar" - Stevie Howie
🎧 "…fuck" - Johnny Rain
🎧 "DEVILISH" - Chase Atlantic
🎧 "GOOD GIRL ERA (SIDE A)" - UPSAHL
🎧 "River" - Bishop Briggs
🎧 "Shake" - The Haunt
🎧 "Bad Bandit" - Xana
🎧 "Complex" - Xana
🎧 "Flowers" - Lauren Spencer Smith
🎧 "Savages" - MARINA
🎧 "Sabotage" - Chiara Foschiani
🎧 "Burned" - Grace VanderWaal
🎧 "Smells Like Sex" - Sizzy Rocket
🎧 "Candy" - Doja Cat"
🎧 "BLURRY" - Neoni
🎧 "Collide (Sped Up Remix)" - Justine Skye, Tyga
🎧 "Sex on Fire" - Kings of Leon
🎧 "I'm Her" - Natalie Jane
🎧 "Friends" - Chase Atlantic
🎧 "Warrior" - Demi Lovato
🎧 "Perfect" - One Direction
🎧 "Don't Blame Me" - Halocene
🎧 "Do or Die" - Natalie Jane
🎧 "Love Again" - Dua Lipa
🎧 "Finally Free" - Joshua Bassett
And if you think I'm just gonna leave you hanging 😏😏
"You have your own aroma, and I'm the only one who can pick it up because it's meant just for me."
"You're sitting here, looking all cool and hot, and it's driving me crazy because I want to make you look messed and rode hard."
"No way am I saying yes to not tasting you. No fucking way."
🌊 Tropes 🌊
🔸Cousin's Best Friend
🔸Enemies-to-Lovers / Hate-to-Love
🔸Forbidden Romance
🔸Touch her and I'll end you
🔸Enemies with Benefits
🔸Revenge
🔸Found Family
Ramsay Williams wanted a new start.
Pine River was supposed to be that.
Something fresh, something new. Leave her past behind and forget about it.
Especially when her new school had her 3 highly protective cousins as top of the social hierarchy.
What she did not plan on was Scout Raiden.
The cousin's best friend. Basically their brother.
Off-limits but just as mesmerizing.
She had to stay away from him. For her and for her cousins.
She had to survive him, but she isn't sure she's going to.
"I hated him, but fuck, I wanted him."
Scout Raiden is a known fighter.
Girl want him and guys want to be him.
But he only cares about fighting and his friends, his brothers.
So when Ramsay Williams, his friend's cousin, starts at his school he knows he can't get involved.
It will cost him everything.
He hates her and she hates him.
But what happens when hate starts to blur into lust?
Will Scout stay away? Or is he bound to get messed up?
"I'm finding it's fun to piss you off. You get hotter."
I received an advanced reader's copy in exchange for an honest review.
"He was right. We were enemies. I needed to remember that."
Ramsay Williams is off-limits.
Scout Raiden hater her anyway.
But hate can very quickly become lust.
But will they both survive each other?
"He wanted me in that moment. I knew it, like his eyes darkened at seeing me because he knew I wanted him as well."
This book was legit so addicting!!
I cried people (which I know doesn't say much but trust me this had me in my feels so bad!!)
The setting and the backstory was literally so emotional, I loved every second of it.
"He had too much power over me, way too much."
We have Ramsay who is trying to escape a horrible past so she moves with her mom closer to her family. She was literally everything. I want her to be my best friend no joke. She was badass, she was protecting herself and her family and she had killer comebacks. Especially where Scout was concerned. And I loved her relationship with her cousins, them being so protective over her especially after what she went through. It was EVERYTHING!!
"Threaten me again, and you'll find out the first step I'm willing to take. Guarantee you have more to lose than I do here, buddy."
Scout Raiden is a MMA fighter. I do not need to say more honestly but you can bet I will. Scout was the definition of hot and broody and I was eating it all up. His "hatred" for Ramsay was legit so much fun to see (yes I have issue moving on). Their banter, their relationship was ADDICTING!!! All I can say is HOT. Honestly I think it encompasses everything while not saying enough and I love that.
"Buddy? That's an upgrade from asshole."
This playlist is long I will say but I feel like every song has its place and they all fit really well… so… yay
(Link: https://spotify.link/tnQRfKHWRDb)
🎧 "Confident (Rock Version)" - Demi Lovato
🎧 "Karma" - Taylor Swift, Ice Spice
🎧 "Goddess" - Xana
🎧 "golden hour" - JVKE
🎧 "Tears of Gold" - Faouzia
🎧 "Gold" - Kiiara
🎧 "Hate Me" - Nico Collins
🎧 "Hate Me" - Ellie Goulding, Juice WRLD
🎧 "BREATHING UNDERWATER" - Hot Milk
🎧 "Popular Monster" - Falling in Reverse
🎧 "Panic Room" - Au/Ra
🎧 "Survivor" - Destiny's Child
🎧 "The Kid I Used To Know" - Arrested Youth, WiDE AWAKE
🎧 "Angry Too" - Lola Blanc
🎧 "keep me afraid" - Nessa Barrett
🎧 "Blood // Water" - grandson
🎧 "I'm Gonna Show You Crazy" - Bebe Rexha
🎧 "madhouse" - Nessa Barrett
🎧 "Venom" - Little Simz
🎧 "Family Portrait" - P!nk
🎧 "anatomy" - kenzie
🎧 "My Family" - Migos, KAROL G, Snoop Dogg, Rock Mafia
🎧 "London Bridge" - Fergie
🎧 "My House" - Flo Rida
🎧 "Cruel Summer" - Taylor Swift
🎧 "Touch" - Little Mix
🎧 "Electricity" - Ashley Jana
🎧 "Spectrum" - Florence + The Machine
🎧 "Shivers" - Ed Sheeran
🎧 "Ain't My Fault" - Zara Larsson
🎧 "I'm a Mess" - Bebe Rexha
🎧 "Daydream" - Lily Meola
🎧 "Drive You Out Of My Mind" - Kassi Ashton
🎧 "I'm Tired" - Zendaya, Labrinth
🎧 "All For Us" - Zendaya, Labrinth
🎧 "that's how you make a villain" - emlyn
🎧 "Paint The Town Red" - Doja Cat
🎧 "Better Than Revenge (Taylor's Version)" - Taylor Swift
🎧 "sloppy" - KiNG MALA, UPSAHL
🎧 "BADDER" - emlyn
🎧 "Glow in the Dark" - MOTHICA
🎧 "EXTRA EXTRA" - Chandler Leighton
🎧 "Family Line" - Conan Gray
🎧 "lovely liar" - Stevie Howie
🎧 "…fuck" - Johnny Rain
🎧 "DEVILISH" - Chase Atlantic
🎧 "GOOD GIRL ERA (SIDE A)" - UPSAHL
🎧 "River" - Bishop Briggs
🎧 "Shake" - The Haunt
🎧 "Bad Bandit" - Xana
🎧 "Complex" - Xana
🎧 "Flowers" - Lauren Spencer Smith
🎧 "Savages" - MARINA
🎧 "Sabotage" - Chiara Foschiani
🎧 "Burned" - Grace VanderWaal
🎧 "Smells Like Sex" - Sizzy Rocket
🎧 "Candy" - Doja Cat"
🎧 "BLURRY" - Neoni
🎧 "Collide (Sped Up Remix)" - Justine Skye, Tyga
🎧 "Sex on Fire" - Kings of Leon
🎧 "I'm Her" - Natalie Jane
🎧 "Friends" - Chase Atlantic
🎧 "Warrior" - Demi Lovato
🎧 "Perfect" - One Direction
🎧 "Don't Blame Me" - Halocene
🎧 "Do or Die" - Natalie Jane
🎧 "Love Again" - Dua Lipa
🎧 "Finally Free" - Joshua Bassett
And if you think I'm just gonna leave you hanging 😏😏
"You have your own aroma, and I'm the only one who can pick it up because it's meant just for me."
"You're sitting here, looking all cool and hot, and it's driving me crazy because I want to make you look messed and rode hard."
"No way am I saying yes to not tasting you. No fucking way."
🌊 Tropes 🌊
🔸Cousin's Best Friend
🔸Enemies-to-Lovers / Hate-to-Love
🔸Forbidden Romance
🔸Touch her and I'll end you
🔸Enemies with Benefits
🔸Revenge
🔸Found Family
October 16, 2023
A contentious beginning!
The following ratings are out of 5:
Romance: 💙🖤💜❤️💖
Heat/Steam: 🔥🔥🔥🔥
Story/Plot: 📕📗📙📘📔
World building: 🌏🌍🌎🌍🌎
Character development: 🤨😟😳🥰🥰
The heroine: Ramsey Williams - she and her mom just moved from a bad situation in Cedra Valley to Pine River, with a population of about 3000, nearly the same amount of people as she had in her grade at her last high school. But her mom thought moving closer to family was the best thing after what happened in Cedra Valley. Ramsey has popular triplet cousins in Pine River to help her out.
The Hero: Scout Raiden - he was a golden god, covered in tattoos, tall, muscular and handsome. He fights in sanctioned MMA fights and is training to be in the UFC once he is old enough. He has been training with his uncle and has been building his name in professional fighting circles. Scout has only been in town for a year and is at the very top of the hierarchy at Pine River High School, along with the triplets Clint, Alex and Trenton. All the girls want him, and they guys want to be him.
The Story: Ramsey just wanted to blend in and not stand out. Her dad died last year, and his family was fighting her and her mom for the money they had, so they had to do without this year, their lives weren’t quite up to the standards they were used to before he passed away. However, from day one, when her cousins outed her as family and made a bid deal about her, she knew that blending into the background at Pine River wasn’t going to happen.
Ramsey and Scout noticed each other from the start, and both of them immediately disliked each other because of it. They both have issues from their past that they are trying to deal with as they live their day to day lives. This is definitely an enemies-to-lovers story, though the two main characters were very attracted to each other from the get-go. Their chemistry was explosive!
The book was told in dual points of view, which I like, because I love to get to see what the Hero is thinking. Also, nobody can do high school drama like Tijan. I love that though her characters are in high school, they always seem so much more experienced than most high school students. I also enjoy young love; it has a potency that you just don’t get in contemporary romance with more mature main characters.
Tijan’s characters are always so tough and such warriors, they are fierce and can handle themselves in any situation. She also is so great at writing fully developed supporting characters who you just have to love. The triplet cousins were absolutely fabulous and there were just so many great characters in this book, I wouldn’t be able to detail all of them. But I would love to see books with some of these other characters. This book made me want to go back to Tijan’s list of books and finally read some of the few I haven’t yet read.
I voluntarily read & reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts & opinions are my own.
Blog|Goodreads|Facebook|Instagram|Twitter|BookBub
The following ratings are out of 5:
Romance: 💙🖤💜❤️💖
Heat/Steam: 🔥🔥🔥🔥
Story/Plot: 📕📗📙📘📔
World building: 🌏🌍🌎🌍🌎
Character development: 🤨😟😳🥰🥰
The heroine: Ramsey Williams - she and her mom just moved from a bad situation in Cedra Valley to Pine River, with a population of about 3000, nearly the same amount of people as she had in her grade at her last high school. But her mom thought moving closer to family was the best thing after what happened in Cedra Valley. Ramsey has popular triplet cousins in Pine River to help her out.
The Hero: Scout Raiden - he was a golden god, covered in tattoos, tall, muscular and handsome. He fights in sanctioned MMA fights and is training to be in the UFC once he is old enough. He has been training with his uncle and has been building his name in professional fighting circles. Scout has only been in town for a year and is at the very top of the hierarchy at Pine River High School, along with the triplets Clint, Alex and Trenton. All the girls want him, and they guys want to be him.
The Story: Ramsey just wanted to blend in and not stand out. Her dad died last year, and his family was fighting her and her mom for the money they had, so they had to do without this year, their lives weren’t quite up to the standards they were used to before he passed away. However, from day one, when her cousins outed her as family and made a bid deal about her, she knew that blending into the background at Pine River wasn’t going to happen.
Ramsey and Scout noticed each other from the start, and both of them immediately disliked each other because of it. They both have issues from their past that they are trying to deal with as they live their day to day lives. This is definitely an enemies-to-lovers story, though the two main characters were very attracted to each other from the get-go. Their chemistry was explosive!
“I said it, but I’m saying it again. Your cousin and I can’t stand each other, but it’s the same with needing to touch each other. I don’t get it. I don’t like it, but it’s there. There are no emotions between us. She and I know exactly where the other is with this thing.”
The book was told in dual points of view, which I like, because I love to get to see what the Hero is thinking. Also, nobody can do high school drama like Tijan. I love that though her characters are in high school, they always seem so much more experienced than most high school students. I also enjoy young love; it has a potency that you just don’t get in contemporary romance with more mature main characters.
Tijan’s characters are always so tough and such warriors, they are fierce and can handle themselves in any situation. She also is so great at writing fully developed supporting characters who you just have to love. The triplet cousins were absolutely fabulous and there were just so many great characters in this book, I wouldn’t be able to detail all of them. But I would love to see books with some of these other characters. This book made me want to go back to Tijan’s list of books and finally read some of the few I haven’t yet read.
I voluntarily read & reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts & opinions are my own.
Blog|Goodreads|Facebook|Instagram|Twitter|BookBub
February 18, 2025
I have been a big time self proclaimed enthusiast of tijan’ books and literally almost all the books that I have had read been absolute bangers. However, for this one I don’t even know what to say except this is one of her worst work, ever.
From the plot, to the characters and their romance; I abhorred everything. Not one thing saved this book.
I thought to keep up with this era, Tijan must have left behind her old days of giving the heroine the infamous ‘pick me syndrome’, guess I was more than wrong. This heroine is such a loser that nobody really wants to be a friend with her except the loser bunch of her cousins. She’s not like other girls as she doesn’t do feelings. She doesn’t get clingy, unlike other girls. She can keep secrets, unlike other girls. She can have sex and still wouldn’t get attached to the guy, unlike other girls. She doesn’t really dress like other girls. She’s a not a normal girly girl, rather she’s like a “dude”; and it’s the biggest compliment to her. Like a rabid dog, she lashes out others because it’s their fault that they didn’t go through the same traumatic events as her, so they don’t know anything about life rather just they should just bow down in front of her and let her walk over them. Apparently it also gets her the free card to hurt others, plus, she doesn’t really care about others, as, she’s not like the other girls.
And guess whom she ends up with? The guy who labels her trauma as “PTSD SHIT”. They saw each other, flared their noses and got their darkened eyes and yeah, they could smell the pheromones and knew they both wanted to lost themselves into the losers arms of each other. These two, Zero and his darling Zeroine, very much deserved each other. Good riddance.
From the plot, to the characters and their romance; I abhorred everything. Not one thing saved this book.
I thought to keep up with this era, Tijan must have left behind her old days of giving the heroine the infamous ‘pick me syndrome’, guess I was more than wrong. This heroine is such a loser that nobody really wants to be a friend with her except the loser bunch of her cousins. She’s not like other girls as she doesn’t do feelings. She doesn’t get clingy, unlike other girls. She can keep secrets, unlike other girls. She can have sex and still wouldn’t get attached to the guy, unlike other girls. She doesn’t really dress like other girls. She’s a not a normal girly girl, rather she’s like a “dude”; and it’s the biggest compliment to her. Like a rabid dog, she lashes out others because it’s their fault that they didn’t go through the same traumatic events as her, so they don’t know anything about life rather just they should just bow down in front of her and let her walk over them. Apparently it also gets her the free card to hurt others, plus, she doesn’t really care about others, as, she’s not like the other girls.
And guess whom she ends up with? The guy who labels her trauma as “PTSD SHIT”. They saw each other, flared their noses and got their darkened eyes and yeah, they could smell the pheromones and knew they both wanted to lost themselves into the losers arms of each other. These two, Zero and his darling Zeroine, very much deserved each other. Good riddance.
November 8, 2023
Although I love YA Tijan, Pine River wasn't as good as some of the author's other books.
In the end Pine River was much too similar to many of her other books. It reminded me a too much of Fallen Crest High, Hockey with Benefits and many others.
I appreciate an author that has a style/signature, a format that they excel at. Makes it a bit predictable but also reliable for me as a reader.
On the other hand, I'm coming to a point when her books sound too much alike. They are hard to keep apart, and the OTT drama gets old at times.
Pine River has tons of OTT drama, typical Tijan drama, but also the drama that easily could be called unnecessary and ridiculous.
I wish some of her heroines and heroes would grow up, show a bit more maturity, maybe behave like the supposedly 17 and 18 year olds they are.
But that's just me.
Nevertheless, as always, I'm already waiting for the next Tijan novel to drop, with the hope, if I'm lucky, that it will blow my mind.
In the end Pine River was much too similar to many of her other books. It reminded me a too much of Fallen Crest High, Hockey with Benefits and many others.
I appreciate an author that has a style/signature, a format that they excel at. Makes it a bit predictable but also reliable for me as a reader.
On the other hand, I'm coming to a point when her books sound too much alike. They are hard to keep apart, and the OTT drama gets old at times.
Pine River has tons of OTT drama, typical Tijan drama, but also the drama that easily could be called unnecessary and ridiculous.
I wish some of her heroines and heroes would grow up, show a bit more maturity, maybe behave like the supposedly 17 and 18 year olds they are.
But that's just me.
Nevertheless, as always, I'm already waiting for the next Tijan novel to drop, with the hope, if I'm lucky, that it will blow my mind.
October 26, 2023
DNF @ 17%
This is the 5th book of tijans I have read and the only one I haven’t liked
This book confused me. I never understood what was happening and everything went from 0 to 100 really fast.
Reading what little bit I did felt kind of like watching an episode of riverdale because of the fighting the cliques and the dialogue. The triplets, scout, and cohen acted like they were the south side serpents which was very cringey, I mean who acts like that irl especially in high-school?? Back to the dialogue…I have never met any high schoolers who talk the way these characters do
Ex: “Me: Also, I saved you in my phone as The Dick. Just so you know. #themoreyouknow”
Nobody texts like that😐
I’m done rambling now but here’s an extra quote that made me not like this book even more😋.
“…You’re not like normal girls. You’re like a dude.”
Ew.
This is the 5th book of tijans I have read and the only one I haven’t liked
This book confused me. I never understood what was happening and everything went from 0 to 100 really fast.
Reading what little bit I did felt kind of like watching an episode of riverdale because of the fighting the cliques and the dialogue. The triplets, scout, and cohen acted like they were the south side serpents which was very cringey, I mean who acts like that irl especially in high-school?? Back to the dialogue…I have never met any high schoolers who talk the way these characters do
Ex: “Me: Also, I saved you in my phone as The Dick. Just so you know. #themoreyouknow”
Nobody texts like that😐
I’m done rambling now but here’s an extra quote that made me not like this book even more😋.
“…You’re not like normal girls. You’re like a dude.”
Ew.
October 27, 2023
Story: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Trope: enemies to lover
Angst: 😱😱😱😱
Smexy: 🔥🔥1/2
Ramsey is attempting a new beginning away from her painful past with the assistance of her cousins (and best friends) their senior year in high school. Along with their school, she also "gets" her cousin's best friend, Scout, who hates her at first sight. And the feeling is mutual, so why does she feel such a pull toward him?
I just loved this story! It meandered a bit in parts, but boy oh boy... ALL the high school, teenage angst in spades, lol. The chemistry between them was CRAZY and they just couldn't stay away from each other. I loved the relationship between Ramsay and her overprotective cousins and happy they were there for her. I'm really hoping that we get their stories as well. Overall, if you're a Tijan fan or a fan of dipping your toe in the angstorama that is senior year in high school, I think you'll enjoy the book as much as I did.
Trope: enemies to lover
Angst: 😱😱😱😱
Smexy: 🔥🔥1/2
Ramsey is attempting a new beginning away from her painful past with the assistance of her cousins (and best friends) their senior year in high school. Along with their school, she also "gets" her cousin's best friend, Scout, who hates her at first sight. And the feeling is mutual, so why does she feel such a pull toward him?
I just loved this story! It meandered a bit in parts, but boy oh boy... ALL the high school, teenage angst in spades, lol. The chemistry between them was CRAZY and they just couldn't stay away from each other. I loved the relationship between Ramsay and her overprotective cousins and happy they were there for her. I'm really hoping that we get their stories as well. Overall, if you're a Tijan fan or a fan of dipping your toe in the angstorama that is senior year in high school, I think you'll enjoy the book as much as I did.
October 26, 2023
This was fantastic! Every time I read a Tijan book, I come away with the same feelings. Her books just draw me in and I love every step of the way. Pine River did the same. I got sucked in from the very first sentence and I didn't want to put the book down.
Pine River is in a high school setting and honestly, I thought I was too old for reading about high school romance, but apparently age doesn't matter. I got invested in these fictional characters, and I just had to find out how it was all going to work out. I regret nothing. In fact, I want more. I would love to see more in this world. Especially after getting to know the triplets. They need their own story!
Pine River is in a high school setting and honestly, I thought I was too old for reading about high school romance, but apparently age doesn't matter. I got invested in these fictional characters, and I just had to find out how it was all going to work out. I regret nothing. In fact, I want more. I would love to see more in this world. Especially after getting to know the triplets. They need their own story!
December 14, 2023
My God was this book long 😔 and filled with so many random characters and their unnecessary storylines and the over the top drama.
I did love the MCs Scout & Ramsay and her overprotective triplet cousins. And Gem. That’s it.
I’m glad all the bad guys were brought to justice in the end.
I did love the MCs Scout & Ramsay and her overprotective triplet cousins. And Gem. That’s it.
I’m glad all the bad guys were brought to justice in the end.
November 2, 2023
Get it here:
Amazon US * Amazon UK
I can really only say that this book was just okay for me. The storyline was interesting, at least the one involving Ramsey and Scout, and I did like the characters. I actually really loved how protective the triplets were over Ramsey and seeing the close bond they all shared was fun.
My biggest issue though was the multiple other storylines that were making their way into the book. I didn't understand why the Macon/Amalia part was even included at all since it didn't really seem to go anywhere? And then throw in a few other characters with their own story and own drama and it was all just too much for one book and took away focus from the actual main characters.
Overall, there were a few issues I had while reading this book, but there were a lot of good parts to it that I enjoyed reading as well and I still consider myself a Tijan fan.
Amazon US * Amazon UK
I can really only say that this book was just okay for me. The storyline was interesting, at least the one involving Ramsey and Scout, and I did like the characters. I actually really loved how protective the triplets were over Ramsey and seeing the close bond they all shared was fun.
My biggest issue though was the multiple other storylines that were making their way into the book. I didn't understand why the Macon/Amalia part was even included at all since it didn't really seem to go anywhere? And then throw in a few other characters with their own story and own drama and it was all just too much for one book and took away focus from the actual main characters.
Overall, there were a few issues I had while reading this book, but there were a lot of good parts to it that I enjoyed reading as well and I still consider myself a Tijan fan.
October 13, 2023
“I don’t like you.” “I don’t care.” “Keep pushing, and I could hate you.” He breathed me in again, this time his mouth grazing against my skin. “You’re a fucking liar.”
The experience of reading this book was crazy, I always like the vibes that Tijan's books give off and I liked the small town setting in this one. Scout & Ramsay definitely had some great chemistry. The plot was interesting but there was a lot going on. Friendships were made and tested but the final conflict in the end was a bit rushed. The romance was a bit underdeveloped but Scout & Ramsay were good together. Wish they got more time together because the drama surrounding them was just too much. I really enjoyed reading this book because there was one good thing about the chaos that something always happened which kept me engaged but there were too many characters to keep track of. And honestly, Ramsay's cousins just felt like props who were hot headed and always looking for a fight. But I liked how they tried to protect her and helped her fit in to her new environment. Ramsay's friends though were very irritating and I didn't care about them. Still, I found the book hard to put down so I guess that kinda counts. Overall, it was a 3.5 star read for me, if you like a long book filled with endless highschool drama, then this might work for you.
I received an ARC in exchange of an honest review
The experience of reading this book was crazy, I always like the vibes that Tijan's books give off and I liked the small town setting in this one. Scout & Ramsay definitely had some great chemistry. The plot was interesting but there was a lot going on. Friendships were made and tested but the final conflict in the end was a bit rushed. The romance was a bit underdeveloped but Scout & Ramsay were good together. Wish they got more time together because the drama surrounding them was just too much. I really enjoyed reading this book because there was one good thing about the chaos that something always happened which kept me engaged but there were too many characters to keep track of. And honestly, Ramsay's cousins just felt like props who were hot headed and always looking for a fight. But I liked how they tried to protect her and helped her fit in to her new environment. Ramsay's friends though were very irritating and I didn't care about them. Still, I found the book hard to put down so I guess that kinda counts. Overall, it was a 3.5 star read for me, if you like a long book filled with endless highschool drama, then this might work for you.
I received an ARC in exchange of an honest review
October 30, 2023
I loved this! I’m so sad it’s over. I always love being in one of Tijan worlds. They’re so immersive, you feel like you’re right there with the characters.
The characters! I loved Scout and Ramsey. They each have a lot of baggage and are just doing whatever they can to try to survive. All the hate fuck vibes in the beginning were so good! The two of them are very intense together, that intensity did fizzle out a bit by the end of the book but not enough to ruin it for me. There’s just a lot going on in the story. Like, a lot a lot. There are a lot of side characters and plot lines. This book shines in the character driven moments and scenes. I think it would have had better pacing if it was a duet because there is just so much introduced that it feels even longer than it is. The first half was stronger than the second half for me.
Scout is the star of the book here. He is so protective, so possessive. So so hot. His friends blocking him so he can feel her up at a football game, gah! Just so many of those cute swoony sexy young lusty moments. Those moments when she is having her panic attacks and he helps comfort her and get her feeling safe are so so good.
The Hs storyline isn’t my favorite in this one though. It wasn’t suspenseful enough of a read for that storyline to work. I would have much rather the book just focus on his fighting and her storyline. Not going to lie I wanted Scout to give us a full Mason Kade level blow on Max. Which isn’t really far to him as he is a much quieter, stoic, and controlled character. I was just really waiting for a big moment here. The author makes the h vulnerable throughout the whole book and It kept feeling like we were being lead to a moment, but then that “big” moment came and it felt phoned it. It didn’t have the same intensity as the scenes in the beginning or hell even the scene when Kunz grabs her at the fight in Portland. The stuff with the grandfather just didn’t hit right. We already knew the mom had something in the works. That whole storyline felt very uninspired. I’m wondering if all this stuff with the company and hotel is important if she’s going to right more in this world though.
Even with the storyline missteps the romance between the two of them was just so much fun to read that I couldn’t put this one down.
Overall: 4.5, but only a 4 for the plot.
The characters! I loved Scout and Ramsey. They each have a lot of baggage and are just doing whatever they can to try to survive. All the hate fuck vibes in the beginning were so good! The two of them are very intense together, that intensity did fizzle out a bit by the end of the book but not enough to ruin it for me. There’s just a lot going on in the story. Like, a lot a lot. There are a lot of side characters and plot lines. This book shines in the character driven moments and scenes. I think it would have had better pacing if it was a duet because there is just so much introduced that it feels even longer than it is. The first half was stronger than the second half for me.
Scout is the star of the book here. He is so protective, so possessive. So so hot. His friends blocking him so he can feel her up at a football game, gah! Just so many of those cute swoony sexy young lusty moments. Those moments when she is having her panic attacks and he helps comfort her and get her feeling safe are so so good.
The Hs storyline isn’t my favorite in this one though. It wasn’t suspenseful enough of a read for that storyline to work. I would have much rather the book just focus on his fighting and her storyline. Not going to lie I wanted Scout to give us a full Mason Kade level blow on Max. Which isn’t really far to him as he is a much quieter, stoic, and controlled character. I was just really waiting for a big moment here. The author makes the h vulnerable throughout the whole book and It kept feeling like we were being lead to a moment, but then that “big” moment came and it felt phoned it. It didn’t have the same intensity as the scenes in the beginning or hell even the scene when Kunz grabs her at the fight in Portland. The stuff with the grandfather just didn’t hit right. We already knew the mom had something in the works. That whole storyline felt very uninspired. I’m wondering if all this stuff with the company and hotel is important if she’s going to right more in this world though.
Even with the storyline missteps the romance between the two of them was just so much fun to read that I couldn’t put this one down.
Overall: 4.5, but only a 4 for the plot.
January 22, 2024
Forbidden love
THIS FORBIDDEN LOVE HAD ME UP UNTIL 4 AM, SLEEP? WHAT'S THAT, I JUST WANTED SCOUT FROM THE MOMENT HE WALKED IN, HIM AND HIS NO BULLSHIT CHARACTER. I COULDN'T STOP LISTENING. RAMSEY WRECKED MY HEART, HER CHARACTER HAD ME IN A CHOKEHOLD I WAS THRER FOR HER UNTIL THE END. I LOVED HER AND THE TRIPLETS TOGETHER,THEY WERE THE BEST COUSINS. IT DOES GET SPICY BETWEEN SCOUT AND RAMSEY, WOOOO IT WAS HOT WITH THOSE TWO.
THIS FORBIDDEN LOVE HAD ME UP UNTIL 4 AM, SLEEP? WHAT'S THAT, I JUST WANTED SCOUT FROM THE MOMENT HE WALKED IN, HIM AND HIS NO BULLSHIT CHARACTER. I COULDN'T STOP LISTENING. RAMSEY WRECKED MY HEART, HER CHARACTER HAD ME IN A CHOKEHOLD I WAS THRER FOR HER UNTIL THE END. I LOVED HER AND THE TRIPLETS TOGETHER,THEY WERE THE BEST COUSINS. IT DOES GET SPICY BETWEEN SCOUT AND RAMSEY, WOOOO IT WAS HOT WITH THOSE TWO.
October 27, 2023
It wasn’t for me, that��s for sure. I didn’t understand the story at all. A lot of cousins, friends, not friends and a lot of unneccesary (boring) events. The trauma felt glossed over and the connection between Ramsay and Scout is based on a couple of heated looks.
Also, is Scout a normal name in the US? I found it very weird.
Also, is Scout a normal name in the US? I found it very weird.
October 28, 2023
Wow, I was completely blown away by how much I loved this book. I couldn't put it down and finished it all in one sitting. Tijan knows how to hold an audience's attention, and the writing was excellent.
This is a high school romance between two characters who disliked each other at first sight. Ramsey moved to Pine River with her mother to start over and be closer to family after tragedy struck. She wants to lay low after the trauma she experienced from her ex-boyfriend and the drama that went down at her previous school and town.
The problem with that is, her triplet cousins are incredibly popular and are also best friends with the popular incredibly handsome Scout, who is at the top of the food chain and a fighter training to try and make it in the MMA.
This book has a lot to offer. The angst had me in tears a few times, and I appreciate Tijan delving so deeply into their individual issues. It was incredible to see these two dance around each other. The chemistry was phenomenal, and these two carved a special place in my heart.
Thank you to the author and Valentine PR for this ARC. I am leaving this review voluntarily.
⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
This is a high school romance between two characters who disliked each other at first sight. Ramsey moved to Pine River with her mother to start over and be closer to family after tragedy struck. She wants to lay low after the trauma she experienced from her ex-boyfriend and the drama that went down at her previous school and town.
The problem with that is, her triplet cousins are incredibly popular and are also best friends with the popular incredibly handsome Scout, who is at the top of the food chain and a fighter training to try and make it in the MMA.
This book has a lot to offer. The angst had me in tears a few times, and I appreciate Tijan delving so deeply into their individual issues. It was incredible to see these two dance around each other. The chemistry was phenomenal, and these two carved a special place in my heart.
Thank you to the author and Valentine PR for this ARC. I am leaving this review voluntarily.
⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
December 27, 2023
Tijan was another new author to me but will probably be one of my favorite going forward if the other books are anything like this!
Holy hell, I was practically unable to put this book down (although I have to admit my responsibilities like work hindered my reading a bit).
Golden. That was the best word to describe him. A golden god.
This book has a twist of one of my favorite tropes, brother’s best friend, by being a cousins’ best friend book. Ramsay has cousins that are triplets but they all are as close with each other as siblings. Due to this, I chose to shelve this as brother’s best friend, even if it is technically incorrect, so I did not have to create a new shelf just for this book.
In the beginning of the book, the events of Ramsay’s previous home town are referred to but they are only revealed bit-by-bit throughout the whole book. This is a trait in a book that I both love and hate. I hate it because I just want to know immediately but I also love it because it helps in keeping my interest to the book.
“I’m laying it out right here, right now. If the chance popped up, I’d pound you. I’d be down for that. Full on. I’d do it rough, and I’d do you in a way that’d have you screaming for release.”
From the moment Ramsay and Scout meet, sparks are literally flying. They both are aware of how wrong it would be to be involved with each other which leads to them butting heads more than not. It actually takes a while before they have an interaction that is a bit friendly. I absolutely loved the banter between Scout and Ramsay!
Since Scout’s is best friends with Ramsays cousins’, they are bound to spend time with each other in and out of school, whether they want to or not. I am actually surprised of how long the chemistry between the two stays under wraps without most of the other characters noticing it. I am all here for it though because the revelation is bound to bring up some drama, which btw was not lacking in this book.
I didn’t know how I felt about the friendship, but I went to sleep with someone holding my hand. That meant something to me.
Scout is a broody, possessive and tattooed and exactly the kind of MMC that I like. It does not hurt that he is also an MMA fighter. He is also the king of the school. Ramsay, despite of her past, is a badass FMC who can hold her own with anyone. She is the newbie at the school but, due to her connection to her cousins, she automatically rises to the top of the social hierarchy. Actually, one of my favorite things about Ramsay was definitely her quick wit, never mind how she always stood up for herself and those in her corner.
“Enough,” I clipped out. “No one touches you but me.” I thrust in. “You got that?” And out. “No one. Ever.” Inside. “No one looks at you. No one thinks about you.” Out. “No one but me.”
The relationship between Scout and Ramsey progressed in the kind of natural way that I prefer. At first, they are acquaintances out of necessity. When their chemistry gets too hard to ignore, they decide to start an FB situation while still both claiming to not like the other. Despite what they say, they both notice they open up to the other about things that not even their closest friends know, which actually ends up causing slight conflicts between them and the other characters.
When spending time together, they decide to become friends because they notice they cannot claim to not like each other anymore. One day, both realize their feelings for each other and realize that’s how things have been pretty much from the beginning, they just decided to try to resist everything due to Scout being Ramsay’s cousins’ best friend. However, things are not made easy when it looks like everything in their lives will fall apart right after they realize their feelings and it seems like it will be impossible for them to be together in the future.
That same thrill wrapped around my insides, warming me, sparking me. It made me feel alive. And I smiled, knowing I’d been given a gift from the universe. Or maybe my dad. Maybe it was him who brought love back into my life.
There were a lot of things going on in this book but they all ended up working out just fine. Both Ramsay and Scout’s pasts come back to haunt them and there is, of course, some drama between the two but also with the other people associated with them. The drama was, however, tasteful in a way that it did not feel petty or repetitive, instead it worked really well in the book. I can admit that even though I felt like I could anticipate some of the events that took place, some plot-twists really took me by surprise as well.
“I love you. I fell in love with you the first time I saw you. I just didn’t know.”
“What?”
“I didn’t know I could love someone. But I did. I do. You’ve told me you were broken, but I was too. I was broken before you. Feel like I’ve only been broken. Then you came here, and I didn’t know what hit me. Still don’t. You bulldozed over me. All of this is new to me, but I love you, Ramsay. Fucking completely. It’s your fault. You made me fall for you.”
In the end, I would have wanted to get a bit more of the bliss after all the drama died down and Ramsay and Scout got their happy ending. I can, however, guarantee that this book will take you on an intense reading journey and enrapture your attention!
I received an ARC of Pine River in exchange for an honest review
Holy hell, I was practically unable to put this book down (although I have to admit my responsibilities like work hindered my reading a bit).
Golden. That was the best word to describe him. A golden god.
This book has a twist of one of my favorite tropes, brother’s best friend, by being a cousins’ best friend book. Ramsay has cousins that are triplets but they all are as close with each other as siblings. Due to this, I chose to shelve this as brother’s best friend, even if it is technically incorrect, so I did not have to create a new shelf just for this book.
In the beginning of the book, the events of Ramsay’s previous home town are referred to but they are only revealed bit-by-bit throughout the whole book. This is a trait in a book that I both love and hate. I hate it because I just want to know immediately but I also love it because it helps in keeping my interest to the book.
“I’m laying it out right here, right now. If the chance popped up, I’d pound you. I’d be down for that. Full on. I’d do it rough, and I’d do you in a way that’d have you screaming for release.”
From the moment Ramsay and Scout meet, sparks are literally flying. They both are aware of how wrong it would be to be involved with each other which leads to them butting heads more than not. It actually takes a while before they have an interaction that is a bit friendly. I absolutely loved the banter between Scout and Ramsay!
Since Scout’s is best friends with Ramsays cousins’, they are bound to spend time with each other in and out of school, whether they want to or not. I am actually surprised of how long the chemistry between the two stays under wraps without most of the other characters noticing it. I am all here for it though because the revelation is bound to bring up some drama, which btw was not lacking in this book.
I didn’t know how I felt about the friendship, but I went to sleep with someone holding my hand. That meant something to me.
Scout is a broody, possessive and tattooed and exactly the kind of MMC that I like. It does not hurt that he is also an MMA fighter. He is also the king of the school. Ramsay, despite of her past, is a badass FMC who can hold her own with anyone. She is the newbie at the school but, due to her connection to her cousins, she automatically rises to the top of the social hierarchy. Actually, one of my favorite things about Ramsay was definitely her quick wit, never mind how she always stood up for herself and those in her corner.
“Enough,” I clipped out. “No one touches you but me.” I thrust in. “You got that?” And out. “No one. Ever.” Inside. “No one looks at you. No one thinks about you.” Out. “No one but me.”
The relationship between Scout and Ramsey progressed in the kind of natural way that I prefer. At first, they are acquaintances out of necessity. When their chemistry gets too hard to ignore, they decide to start an FB situation while still both claiming to not like the other. Despite what they say, they both notice they open up to the other about things that not even their closest friends know, which actually ends up causing slight conflicts between them and the other characters.
When spending time together, they decide to become friends because they notice they cannot claim to not like each other anymore. One day, both realize their feelings for each other and realize that’s how things have been pretty much from the beginning, they just decided to try to resist everything due to Scout being Ramsay’s cousins’ best friend. However, things are not made easy when it looks like everything in their lives will fall apart right after they realize their feelings and it seems like it will be impossible for them to be together in the future.
That same thrill wrapped around my insides, warming me, sparking me. It made me feel alive. And I smiled, knowing I’d been given a gift from the universe. Or maybe my dad. Maybe it was him who brought love back into my life.
There were a lot of things going on in this book but they all ended up working out just fine. Both Ramsay and Scout’s pasts come back to haunt them and there is, of course, some drama between the two but also with the other people associated with them. The drama was, however, tasteful in a way that it did not feel petty or repetitive, instead it worked really well in the book. I can admit that even though I felt like I could anticipate some of the events that took place, some plot-twists really took me by surprise as well.
“I love you. I fell in love with you the first time I saw you. I just didn’t know.”
“What?”
“I didn’t know I could love someone. But I did. I do. You’ve told me you were broken, but I was too. I was broken before you. Feel like I’ve only been broken. Then you came here, and I didn’t know what hit me. Still don’t. You bulldozed over me. All of this is new to me, but I love you, Ramsay. Fucking completely. It’s your fault. You made me fall for you.”
In the end, I would have wanted to get a bit more of the bliss after all the drama died down and Ramsay and Scout got their happy ending. I can, however, guarantee that this book will take you on an intense reading journey and enrapture your attention!
I received an ARC of Pine River in exchange for an honest review
May 23, 2024
Everything was done right in this book. Everything 💔♥️😊🌶️🔥
October 24, 2023
I could not put down this book, and I read it in one day. Tijan always manages to suck me into a story, and the writing was top notch. I don't always like reading a high school romance, but I always enjoy the way Tijan writes them.
This is a high school romance between two characters who disliked each other at first sight. Ramsey moved to Pine River with her mother to start over and be closer to family after tragedy struck. She wants to lay low after the trauma she experienced from her ex-boyfriend and the drama that went down at her previous school and town. That doesn't really work out since her triplet cousins are extremely popular. They also happen to be best friend's with Scout, who is at the top and a popular fighter.
Scout is the sexy, bad boy, fighter trying to train to make it into the MMA. He may seem arrogant and reminded Ramsey of her ex, but he is always there to help her when she suffers through a panic attack. Ramsey is struggling with PTSD and trying to heal from her previous trauma.
Scout and Ramsey may dislike each other, but they can't deny their attraction. This leads them to a "benefits" situation, and they make an agreement to hook up as long as they don't catch feelings. However, we all know that never really works.
These characters have a lot of damage in different ways and come together beautifully. They try to deny their feelings for each other, but they are obviously catching feelings on a deeper level. The sex was insanely hot 🔥🔥🔥.
I also loved all of the side characters. I hope Tijan continues writing books about the triplets, especially Clint. He was honestly my favorite.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶🌶🌶.5
TW: Previous domestic abuse, assault, PTSD, and murder.
Thank you to Valentine PR and Tijan for providing this ARC.
This is a high school romance between two characters who disliked each other at first sight. Ramsey moved to Pine River with her mother to start over and be closer to family after tragedy struck. She wants to lay low after the trauma she experienced from her ex-boyfriend and the drama that went down at her previous school and town. That doesn't really work out since her triplet cousins are extremely popular. They also happen to be best friend's with Scout, who is at the top and a popular fighter.
Scout is the sexy, bad boy, fighter trying to train to make it into the MMA. He may seem arrogant and reminded Ramsey of her ex, but he is always there to help her when she suffers through a panic attack. Ramsey is struggling with PTSD and trying to heal from her previous trauma.
Scout and Ramsey may dislike each other, but they can't deny their attraction. This leads them to a "benefits" situation, and they make an agreement to hook up as long as they don't catch feelings. However, we all know that never really works.
These characters have a lot of damage in different ways and come together beautifully. They try to deny their feelings for each other, but they are obviously catching feelings on a deeper level. The sex was insanely hot 🔥🔥🔥.
I also loved all of the side characters. I hope Tijan continues writing books about the triplets, especially Clint. He was honestly my favorite.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶🌶🌶.5
TW: Previous domestic abuse, assault, PTSD, and murder.
Thank you to Valentine PR and Tijan for providing this ARC.
October 27, 2023
If Tijan writes it, I will read it. And absolutely devour and love it.
Pine River is a fast-paced high school sports romance. There is a lot that happens in this book and a lot of characters are introduced in this small town of Pine River.
I think what stands out most in Tijan's books is her characters. They all have unique personalities while there is a lot of drama (it is a high school), it keeps the story entertaining and the plot moving along quickly.
Tijan did a good job of keeping everything weaving together and while things got hectic, it was enjoyable to read. I did wish we got more of just Scout and Ramsay alone together, but you could sense the change from enemies to more.
Pine River pulls readers in from the start and keeps them engaged throughout the entire book. It will be impossible to put down once you start. Another great story from Tijan.
Pine River is a fast-paced high school sports romance. There is a lot that happens in this book and a lot of characters are introduced in this small town of Pine River.
I think what stands out most in Tijan's books is her characters. They all have unique personalities while there is a lot of drama (it is a high school), it keeps the story entertaining and the plot moving along quickly.
Tijan did a good job of keeping everything weaving together and while things got hectic, it was enjoyable to read. I did wish we got more of just Scout and Ramsay alone together, but you could sense the change from enemies to more.
Pine River pulls readers in from the start and keeps them engaged throughout the entire book. It will be impossible to put down once you start. Another great story from Tijan.
October 26, 2023
Probably the most disappointing Tijan book so far…
November 17, 2023
***4,5 "I don't like you, but..." stars***
"I do not like you."
"I don't like you either, Williams."
Tijan is a unique author and I adore everything that she is throwing my way...
She does highschool drama like no other and she is creating with simply a book, a whole universe that you are craving after a taste like an addict!!!
She is giving you crazy and explosive characters that is no satisfying to watch them from the sidelines... You just need to see them as the protagonists in their own story and these triplets here have made me lose my mind, except our two main characters, Scout and Ramsay!!!
I am in love with Pine River and I just need more!!!
"We were enemies. I needed to remember that."
Ramsey is running away from her nightmares and she needs to be around family to make it!!! Still, she needs to lay low and to not attract attention in her new school... But that's impossible when you are the cousin of the infamous triplets whom are in the top of the school!! Also, it doesn't help that you are attracted from the first moment to your cousin's best friend, the popular fighter that everyone loves and you hate fiercely!!! Ramsey knows that Scoot is a trouble and she had already troubles that are enough for a lifetime...
"I don't like you, but I want to f*ck you."
Scoot is only a year in Pine River, but he had become very popular... He is in the top of the food chain in their school alongside his two best friends...
He just needs to be at the top in the fighting world and he is very focused on that goal!!!
He doesn't need distractions and Ramsey Williams, his best friend's cousin, is a distraction of epic proportions... A distraction that he doesn't need nor want in his life!!!
Scout is having his own issues to deal with and things are pretty messy already without a girl being involved!!!
"He wanted me in that moment. I knew it, like his eyes darkened at seeing me because he knew I wanted him as well."
Scoot and Ramsey's attraction was instant and that was a problem for both of them...
Every time that these two were around each other, there was intensity...
They just needed to fight off the attraction and everything would be okay. Or not???
Maybe they just have to get each other out of their systems... Right???
Either way, these two can not stay away from each other.... and I liked the way their story played out!!! It was fun to watch them fall, when they were fighting it with tooth and nails!!!
"He had too much power over me, way too much."
Of course, there were happening so many things around Ramsey and Scoot...
Their adventure was explosive and engrossing from chapter one...
I had such a great time in the company of these guys!!!
My heart was squeezing when something bad was happening and my heartbeat was going wild when certain things were taking place...
Scoot and Ramsey were amazing together and individually...
And as I told you above, I am dying for another taste of the Pine River world... and especially a taste of Alex, Trenton and Clint...
"We were doomed if we started, but we were doomed if we didn't..."
**I received an ARC for the exchange of an honest review**
"I do not like you."
"I don't like you either, Williams."
Tijan is a unique author and I adore everything that she is throwing my way...
She does highschool drama like no other and she is creating with simply a book, a whole universe that you are craving after a taste like an addict!!!
She is giving you crazy and explosive characters that is no satisfying to watch them from the sidelines... You just need to see them as the protagonists in their own story and these triplets here have made me lose my mind, except our two main characters, Scout and Ramsay!!!
I am in love with Pine River and I just need more!!!
"We were enemies. I needed to remember that."
Ramsey is running away from her nightmares and she needs to be around family to make it!!! Still, she needs to lay low and to not attract attention in her new school... But that's impossible when you are the cousin of the infamous triplets whom are in the top of the school!! Also, it doesn't help that you are attracted from the first moment to your cousin's best friend, the popular fighter that everyone loves and you hate fiercely!!! Ramsey knows that Scoot is a trouble and she had already troubles that are enough for a lifetime...
"I don't like you, but I want to f*ck you."
Scoot is only a year in Pine River, but he had become very popular... He is in the top of the food chain in their school alongside his two best friends...
He just needs to be at the top in the fighting world and he is very focused on that goal!!!
He doesn't need distractions and Ramsey Williams, his best friend's cousin, is a distraction of epic proportions... A distraction that he doesn't need nor want in his life!!!
Scout is having his own issues to deal with and things are pretty messy already without a girl being involved!!!
"He wanted me in that moment. I knew it, like his eyes darkened at seeing me because he knew I wanted him as well."
Scoot and Ramsey's attraction was instant and that was a problem for both of them...
Every time that these two were around each other, there was intensity...
They just needed to fight off the attraction and everything would be okay. Or not???
Maybe they just have to get each other out of their systems... Right???
Either way, these two can not stay away from each other.... and I liked the way their story played out!!! It was fun to watch them fall, when they were fighting it with tooth and nails!!!
"He had too much power over me, way too much."
Of course, there were happening so many things around Ramsey and Scoot...
Their adventure was explosive and engrossing from chapter one...
I had such a great time in the company of these guys!!!
My heart was squeezing when something bad was happening and my heartbeat was going wild when certain things were taking place...
Scoot and Ramsey were amazing together and individually...
And as I told you above, I am dying for another taste of the Pine River world... and especially a taste of Alex, Trenton and Clint...
"We were doomed if we started, but we were doomed if we didn't..."
**I received an ARC for the exchange of an honest review**
November 12, 2023
Rating: ☆☆☆☆ Spice: 🌶 🌶
Angst: 💔💔💔
Cliffhanger? ❌️
Do I recommend it? ✔️
Tropes: new adult romance, mature young adult, cousins' best friend, enemies with benefits, billionaire, sports romance, band of brothers, blackmail/bully/revenge/redemption, enemies-to-lovers, heroine in danger
Pine River was supposed to be a new start for Ramsey Williams. And it was, especially attending school with her three overprotective cousins, who were the triplets at the top of the social hierarchy. Except they weren't alone there, and the first day when she came to school, she saw him. Scout Raiden. Tall, lean, tattooed, and mesmerizing. He was a golden god with dark and piercing eyes, looking like he wanted to eat her up. The feeling was mutual, and that was a problem. It was lust-want-must have-loathing-hate all at once. She was affected. And she couldn't have that. No way. Not after what she'd just left in Cedra Valley. She didn't care how much money his uncle had. She didn't care that it seemed every girl wanted him. She didn't care about his reputation as an up-and-coming fighter. Or the promise of how those hands would make her feel. What she did care about was staying as far away from Scout as possible. Because of the promise of his presence, the heat that was going to turn the light back on in her world wasn't a promise at all. It was a threat. She wasn't going to survive Scout Raiden.
There's a reason I immediately jump into any Tijan new release. She does new adult better than anyone else. The plot of Pine River pulled me in and held on tight until the end. I loved both Scout and Ramsay. He was everything I love in my heroes, and Ramsay had the best qualities, especially with her badass nature. The banter between both characters carried me through. My only complaint was the length, but I refused to quit. I highly recommend this read. This is my honest opinion, freely given.
Angst: 💔💔💔
Cliffhanger? ❌️
Do I recommend it? ✔️
Tropes: new adult romance, mature young adult, cousins' best friend, enemies with benefits, billionaire, sports romance, band of brothers, blackmail/bully/revenge/redemption, enemies-to-lovers, heroine in danger
Pine River was supposed to be a new start for Ramsey Williams. And it was, especially attending school with her three overprotective cousins, who were the triplets at the top of the social hierarchy. Except they weren't alone there, and the first day when she came to school, she saw him. Scout Raiden. Tall, lean, tattooed, and mesmerizing. He was a golden god with dark and piercing eyes, looking like he wanted to eat her up. The feeling was mutual, and that was a problem. It was lust-want-must have-loathing-hate all at once. She was affected. And she couldn't have that. No way. Not after what she'd just left in Cedra Valley. She didn't care how much money his uncle had. She didn't care that it seemed every girl wanted him. She didn't care about his reputation as an up-and-coming fighter. Or the promise of how those hands would make her feel. What she did care about was staying as far away from Scout as possible. Because of the promise of his presence, the heat that was going to turn the light back on in her world wasn't a promise at all. It was a threat. She wasn't going to survive Scout Raiden.
There's a reason I immediately jump into any Tijan new release. She does new adult better than anyone else. The plot of Pine River pulled me in and held on tight until the end. I loved both Scout and Ramsay. He was everything I love in my heroes, and Ramsay had the best qualities, especially with her badass nature. The banter between both characters carried me through. My only complaint was the length, but I refused to quit. I highly recommend this read. This is my honest opinion, freely given.
November 3, 2023
Now this is the old school Tijan that I know and love. If you love Fallen Crest then you’ll love Pine River. The ride or die friend group, the broody hero and toxic high school plot lines. This book was nearly 600 pages and i flew through it in a day!
💛High school
💛Heroine in trouble
💛Hero fighter
💛Triplet cousins
💛enemies with benefits
💛Sports romance
💛High school
💛Heroine in trouble
💛Hero fighter
💛Triplet cousins
💛enemies with benefits
💛Sports romance
October 15, 2023
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
♾️♾️♾️♾️♾️
NA • Romance
592 pages
🥊sports romance
🏫school setting
🥊h*te to love
🏫found family
🥊who hurt you?
🏫best friend’s cousin
🥊enemies with benefits
🏫revenge
“We’re enemies who text.”
This eARC came with a watermark of sorts, saying “this book was made for jessicadesa@gmail.com.” It was foreshadowing. It was indeed made for me. And right at the top of the best books of the year for me.
“Lies have to be explained. Truth doesn’t”
I’ve been saying this ⬆️ for years. Tijan made me gasp seeing it on paper. But the reaction was not surprising. Tijan has a gift of stirring up my emotions, of playing my heart, of knowing just where to go with characters, with a plot, with a story.
This was no different. Pine River tells us the story of two broken people: Ramsay Williams and Scout Raiden. Their tales so different. Their tales so similar. Love masked as h*te after years of h*te masked as love. Two broken pieces, put back together 💜
“I started for her, not meaning to, knowing I shouldn’t, but I did it anyway. I had to. I just had to go to her. She was like gravity for me.”
I picked up this book before going to sleep. It was a little before 10pm. 5 minutes later it was past midnight. If you want to know how one person can read lots of books a month, this is how. You pick Pine River and get completely lost in a world of strong friendships and deep betrayal. Time flies and it’s just you and a book 💜
“I fell in love with you the first time I saw you. I just didn’t know.”
And I fell in love with Ramsay and Scout, a set of triplets and friends who stay. 🖤
♾️♾️♾️♾️♾️
NA • Romance
592 pages
🥊sports romance
🏫school setting
🥊h*te to love
🏫found family
🥊who hurt you?
🏫best friend’s cousin
🥊enemies with benefits
🏫revenge
“We’re enemies who text.”
This eARC came with a watermark of sorts, saying “this book was made for jessicadesa@gmail.com.” It was foreshadowing. It was indeed made for me. And right at the top of the best books of the year for me.
“Lies have to be explained. Truth doesn’t”
I’ve been saying this ⬆️ for years. Tijan made me gasp seeing it on paper. But the reaction was not surprising. Tijan has a gift of stirring up my emotions, of playing my heart, of knowing just where to go with characters, with a plot, with a story.
This was no different. Pine River tells us the story of two broken people: Ramsay Williams and Scout Raiden. Their tales so different. Their tales so similar. Love masked as h*te after years of h*te masked as love. Two broken pieces, put back together 💜
“I started for her, not meaning to, knowing I shouldn’t, but I did it anyway. I had to. I just had to go to her. She was like gravity for me.”
I picked up this book before going to sleep. It was a little before 10pm. 5 minutes later it was past midnight. If you want to know how one person can read lots of books a month, this is how. You pick Pine River and get completely lost in a world of strong friendships and deep betrayal. Time flies and it’s just you and a book 💜
“I fell in love with you the first time I saw you. I just didn’t know.”
And I fell in love with Ramsay and Scout, a set of triplets and friends who stay. 🖤
October 21, 2023
I’m officially in love with this new world & I want all the books for all my new favourite characters! First off I love MMA fighting books & Scout is so drool worthy! Ramsay was just as strong willed & brave as Scout. These two were a perfect match & I loved watching these two shoot sex drenched daggers at each other! They were explosive & their story was amazing. Plus there were some twists & turns I definitely wasn’t expecting. Plus I fell in love with all of the secondary characters, & I really really want books for all of them!
October 31, 2023
WOOOOOOOW!
Ramsey and Scouts’s story was not what I expected at all! This book is a long one but the story inside of it will shock you with each new revelation!
Ramsey and Scout are hate at first sight. That hate grows deeper and deeper because the connection between them is deeper than they want. When these two finally give in to their attraction they discover that the hate they felt was more.
I loved seeing both of them heal the broken pieces they each had. The one thing that I couldn’t get enough of was how close this group was. They had each others backs in ways that no one else would. I couldn’t get enough of this story and the deep love Scout had inside of him for those around him even when he was a cold hearted jerk.
Ramsey and Scouts’s story was not what I expected at all! This book is a long one but the story inside of it will shock you with each new revelation!
Ramsey and Scout are hate at first sight. That hate grows deeper and deeper because the connection between them is deeper than they want. When these two finally give in to their attraction they discover that the hate they felt was more.
I loved seeing both of them heal the broken pieces they each had. The one thing that I couldn’t get enough of was how close this group was. They had each others backs in ways that no one else would. I couldn’t get enough of this story and the deep love Scout had inside of him for those around him even when he was a cold hearted jerk.
November 2, 2023
This is one of this author’s worst books, by far.
This book has no plot: Ramsey, the heroine, transfers to a new high school to escape past trauma. She gets in a hookup relationship with her cousins’ friend, Scout. The rest of this book is taken up by shallow, boring, pointless drama from WAY too many side characters. Among others, there’s Gem, Kira, Theresa, Gabby, and Amalia. These should have been combined into 1 girl, MAYBE 2. Ramsey also has cousins who are triplets – her cousin should have just been 1 or 2 guys, not 3. There was no reason for all these side characters to exist! This book is just a ton of character names being thrown at us. We never get to know any of them beyond a surface level, because nobody is fleshed out.
So, it’s just Ramsey bouncing around and interacting with 20 different side characters we barely get to know, and then fucking Scout in between. That’s it, that’s the book.
For example, there’s an entire chapter dedicated to Ramsey going out with this girl, Theresa. 2 other guys are with them, and there’s weird drama and tension between the guys and Ramsey. When Ramsey asks Theresa what’s going on, she’s vague and evasive. Then Ramsey and Theresa end up talking about Theresa’s vague and uninteresting drama with a guy that amounts to, “He’s just not that into you." This never goes anywhere. It’s a pointless part of the story.
There are SO many chapters like this – Theresa is a random side character. She’s boring, because we know so little about her. Why did she get so real estate dedicated to her having random boy drama? And it's not as if this book NEEDED filler content like this. Ramsey had serious trauma that the book could have dug into. Instead, it glossed over it.
This book also could have deleted scenes like that, and used that time to give Ramsey a personality. This girl was so inconsistent and incoherently written. She's Not Like Other Girls, and doesn't care about being popular - except that she gets sucked into the Homecoming Dance planning club? And she even says at one point that doing that club is interfering with her plans to get a job to help her overworked mom. So, she selfishly is doing something to be popular instead of helping her family, even as she insists she doesn't want to be popular? She has no fixed personality. She says she wants to stay under the radar, then she yells at someone in public, getting attention. Her personality changes on a whim, depending on whatever the scene requires.
This author usually has too many characters in her books. But she’s usually a little better at putting those ingredients together into a story that feels coherent and fleshed out.
This book has no plot: Ramsey, the heroine, transfers to a new high school to escape past trauma. She gets in a hookup relationship with her cousins’ friend, Scout. The rest of this book is taken up by shallow, boring, pointless drama from WAY too many side characters. Among others, there’s Gem, Kira, Theresa, Gabby, and Amalia. These should have been combined into 1 girl, MAYBE 2. Ramsey also has cousins who are triplets – her cousin should have just been 1 or 2 guys, not 3. There was no reason for all these side characters to exist! This book is just a ton of character names being thrown at us. We never get to know any of them beyond a surface level, because nobody is fleshed out.
So, it’s just Ramsey bouncing around and interacting with 20 different side characters we barely get to know, and then fucking Scout in between. That’s it, that’s the book.
For example, there’s an entire chapter dedicated to Ramsey going out with this girl, Theresa. 2 other guys are with them, and there’s weird drama and tension between the guys and Ramsey. When Ramsey asks Theresa what’s going on, she’s vague and evasive. Then Ramsey and Theresa end up talking about Theresa’s vague and uninteresting drama with a guy that amounts to, “He’s just not that into you." This never goes anywhere. It’s a pointless part of the story.
There are SO many chapters like this – Theresa is a random side character. She’s boring, because we know so little about her. Why did she get so real estate dedicated to her having random boy drama? And it's not as if this book NEEDED filler content like this. Ramsey had serious trauma that the book could have dug into. Instead, it glossed over it.
This book also could have deleted scenes like that, and used that time to give Ramsey a personality. This girl was so inconsistent and incoherently written. She's Not Like Other Girls, and doesn't care about being popular - except that she gets sucked into the Homecoming Dance planning club? And she even says at one point that doing that club is interfering with her plans to get a job to help her overworked mom. So, she selfishly is doing something to be popular instead of helping her family, even as she insists she doesn't want to be popular? She has no fixed personality. She says she wants to stay under the radar, then she yells at someone in public, getting attention. Her personality changes on a whim, depending on whatever the scene requires.
This author usually has too many characters in her books. But she’s usually a little better at putting those ingredients together into a story that feels coherent and fleshed out.
January 24, 2024
This was Fallen Crest series all over again. The misunderstood, damaged but strong heroine being taken care of by brothers (in this case her cousins) and a moody but strong alpha teenager who is the most mouth watering male specimen of the entire earth.(I’ll have to look into my attraction to teenager Scout later on in therapy).
It was… okay?
I don’t know, her unsupervised teenager characters are more of the same for me (I guess normal teenagers with normal parents who care, set limits, curfews and are at home at night aren’t as easy to write).
I liked Scout until the 90% mark, he was an asshole and he owned it. And then.. the end happened and MEH.
I wasn’t fond of Ramsay and I hated the way Gem befriended her and included her from day one and she was the worst girl friend in the entire universe. Please, make better girl friendships role models, if that makes sense. And the trauma and PSTD were okayish portrayed in my humble opinion.
I found the whole thing a bit unbelievable, but that’s fiction for you I suppose. Q
It was… okay?
I don’t know, her unsupervised teenager characters are more of the same for me (I guess normal teenagers with normal parents who care, set limits, curfews and are at home at night aren’t as easy to write).
I liked Scout until the 90% mark, he was an asshole and he owned it. And then.. the end happened and MEH.
I wasn’t fond of Ramsay and I hated the way Gem befriended her and included her from day one and she was the worst girl friend in the entire universe. Please, make better girl friendships role models, if that makes sense. And the trauma and PSTD were okayish portrayed in my humble opinion.
I found the whole thing a bit unbelievable, but that’s fiction for you I suppose. Q
October 29, 2023
this book is an example of "tell me you are reading a book about bunch of highschoolers without telling me you are."
sometimes tijan hits and sometimes she misses even though majority of her characters are recycled forms of one another however, her books are good for a quick mindless not so boring reading. but, this one was just ehhhhhhhh, could not be bothered.
sometimes tijan hits and sometimes she misses even though majority of her characters are recycled forms of one another however, her books are good for a quick mindless not so boring reading. but, this one was just ehhhhhhhh, could not be bothered.
October 28, 2023
Ok read
A rushed ending. Sometimes there were words missing from sentences that were needed to completely understand what was happening, but I was able to figure it out.
A rushed ending. Sometimes there were words missing from sentences that were needed to completely understand what was happening, but I was able to figure it out.
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