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Sun Valley #1
Unexpected
Whoever said college is the best time of your life is a big, fat liar. Amelia Hanlon has worked hard to perfect her new life after tragedy destroyed her old one. When a single night ends her relationship and reunites her with the past she’s been running from for years, it’s all she can do not to panic as her world shatters around her. Again . Nicolas Silva is perfectly content with his bachelor lifestyle. Books, boxing, and nameless women warming his bed are all he cares about—until a red-haired wildfire waltzes into his life and burns everything he thought he knew to the ground. He’s cocky, too handsome for his own good, and everything Amelia does not need. Or so she thought.
476 pages, Paperback
First published October 28, 2022
422 people are currently reading
8276 people want to read
About the author
E.J. Blaise
6 books516 followersEJ Blaise is an Irish author of all things romance. When she's not creating unrealistically perfect men, she can be found travelling, reading, and dreaming of running a bookstore café.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 555 reviews
January 1, 2023
4.5 ✨
“𝙎𝙤𝙢𝙚𝙩𝙞𝙢𝙚𝙨, 𝙄 𝙛𝙞𝙣𝙙 𝙞𝙩 𝙝𝙖𝙧𝙙 𝙩𝙤 𝙡𝙤𝙤𝙠 𝙖𝙩 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙗𝙚𝙘𝙖𝙪𝙨𝙚 𝙮𝙤𝙪’𝙧𝙚 𝙨𝙤 𝙛𝙪𝙘𝙠𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙗𝙚𝙖𝙪𝙩𝙞𝙛𝙪𝙡 𝙄 𝙘𝙖𝙣’𝙩 𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙣𝙠.”
Where can I find a hot, brooding boxer to whisper sweet nothings to me in Portuguese?!
I loved this one!! Unexpected follows Amelia as she’s working through a breakup with the most horrendous ex I’ve read in a while (think: Ryle). And Nicolas Silva has been crushing and pining for her ever since he spotted her while she was working at the bar. But things are complicated because he’s her brother’s best friend. Cue a secret friends with benefits situationship that turns into so much more.
Amelia is so fucking strong. Her life has thrown her through the WRINGER. Nick is the best kind of mmc. Flirty, cocky, protective, and did I mention he speaks to her in Portuguese??? The two of them start as friends all the while he is SIMPING for her. They start sneaking around because of her brother, Cass, who had said he’d kill Nick if he ever did anything to her. I loved this kind of conflict.
Not only were the character and relationship development was amazing, but so were the side characters. The found family in this book was actual perfection. I loved each and every character.
This book is definitely character driven. There’s not a whole lot of plot aside from the overarching suspense part of Amelia’s ex and telling Cass about Nick. Regardless, I totally enjoyed it.
Read this if you like
✨ Brother’s best friend
✨ Friends with benefits to lovers
✨ Guy falls first (and he’s OBSESSED)
✨Former playboy
✨ Sneaking around
✨ Found family
✨ NO THIRD ACT BREAKUP
✨ Character driven stories with a whole load of drama
My only complaint and what’s keeping this from being a complete 5 star read was that it was a little slow and long. I felt like it could have been trimmed down a bit because I found my attention waning towards the middle. But then BAM DRAMA again.
Safety note: this book depicts IPV/assault and violence.
“𝙎𝙤𝙢𝙚𝙩𝙞𝙢𝙚𝙨, 𝙄 𝙛𝙞𝙣𝙙 𝙞𝙩 𝙝𝙖𝙧𝙙 𝙩𝙤 𝙡𝙤𝙤𝙠 𝙖𝙩 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙗𝙚𝙘𝙖𝙪𝙨𝙚 𝙮𝙤𝙪’𝙧𝙚 𝙨𝙤 𝙛𝙪𝙘𝙠𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙗𝙚𝙖𝙪𝙩𝙞𝙛𝙪𝙡 𝙄 𝙘𝙖𝙣’𝙩 𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙣𝙠.”
Where can I find a hot, brooding boxer to whisper sweet nothings to me in Portuguese?!
I loved this one!! Unexpected follows Amelia as she’s working through a breakup with the most horrendous ex I’ve read in a while (think: Ryle). And Nicolas Silva has been crushing and pining for her ever since he spotted her while she was working at the bar. But things are complicated because he’s her brother’s best friend. Cue a secret friends with benefits situationship that turns into so much more.
Amelia is so fucking strong. Her life has thrown her through the WRINGER. Nick is the best kind of mmc. Flirty, cocky, protective, and did I mention he speaks to her in Portuguese??? The two of them start as friends all the while he is SIMPING for her. They start sneaking around because of her brother, Cass, who had said he’d kill Nick if he ever did anything to her. I loved this kind of conflict.
Not only were the character and relationship development was amazing, but so were the side characters. The found family in this book was actual perfection. I loved each and every character.
This book is definitely character driven. There’s not a whole lot of plot aside from the overarching suspense part of Amelia’s ex and telling Cass about Nick. Regardless, I totally enjoyed it.
Read this if you like
✨ Brother’s best friend
✨ Friends with benefits to lovers
✨ Guy falls first (and he’s OBSESSED)
✨Former playboy
✨ Sneaking around
✨ Found family
✨ NO THIRD ACT BREAKUP
✨ Character driven stories with a whole load of drama
My only complaint and what’s keeping this from being a complete 5 star read was that it was a little slow and long. I felt like it could have been trimmed down a bit because I found my attention waning towards the middle. But then BAM DRAMA again.
Safety note: this book depicts IPV/assault and violence.
on-hold-or-dnf
October 12, 2024I was loving it until I wasn’t, I just can’t get in the mood to pick it up anymore.
DNF for now. Might push through next month.
DNF for now. Might push through next month.
January 31, 2023
debut authors will be the death of me. I loved every single minute of this <3 a little dragged out but amazing nonetheless :)
also dylan needs to give me deceased 🥰🔪
also dylan needs to give me deceased 🥰🔪
“Gosto mais de você do que desejo.”
“I don’t know what that means.”
Nick laughs. “Me neither.”
December 5, 2022
i have zero patience for amelia wanting to hide her relationship from cass. nick deserved better!!
are amelia’s only personality traits liking to drink and having trauma?
for as much drama happened in the book i felt like there was no true character development. almost 600 pages, needed editing down and there were a decent amount of typos and grammar issues.
i seem to be in the minority of not thinking this book was great but it just didn’t do it for me!
are amelia’s only personality traits liking to drink and having trauma?
for as much drama happened in the book i felt like there was no true character development. almost 600 pages, needed editing down and there were a decent amount of typos and grammar issues.
i seem to be in the minority of not thinking this book was great but it just didn’t do it for me!
dnf
November 26, 2023H is supposedly obsessed with the h, but fucks smother girl at a party imagining the h. And from reading the pov of the H so far, he seems like the type of idiot guy who is easily swayed by passing women and that’s icky for me
November 30, 2023
♾️ stars!
— this book has altered my brain chemistry & i will never ever recover
** TW grief/loss, mild (domestic) violence
amelia is such a beautiful written character. she’s flawed, healing, & relatable. her humor, strength, kindness, and caring nature is so admirable. i related so much to her, her anxiety, & the way she shuts down & needs time to process big moments. she is such a special character to me!!! one that shows so much growth, depth, healing, & vulnerability in such a beautiful way. i love her so much, i want to give her the biggest hug & protect her from the world!!
NICOLAS SILVA. MY MAN. what a beautiful character. his strength, humor, depth, and passionate nature is so admirable. the reformed playboy who loves harder than he lets on. his protective, possessive, and caring nature is so wonderful. i loved getting to see his growth throughout the story, seeing him be vulnerable, letting himself love another. i love him BAD, he is so special to me!!! the loml
amelia & nick’s relationship is beautiful & passionate. it’s filled with love, healing, desire, banter, & vulnerability. they are SOULMATES. the support, care, & protection these two offer each other is so lovely. their tension & chemistry is PALPABLE. the smut? YEE DOGGY!! scrumdiddliumptious 🧎🏼♀️
this book has me in a chokehold & im okay with it. the writing, the story, these characters are so beautiful. i am a sun valley stan forever!!!
this is a FWB to lovers romance, reformed playboy, brothers best friend, guy falls first, with found family, & emotional themes!
READ IT THANK YOU!
— this book has altered my brain chemistry & i will never ever recover
** TW grief/loss, mild (domestic) violence
amelia is such a beautiful written character. she’s flawed, healing, & relatable. her humor, strength, kindness, and caring nature is so admirable. i related so much to her, her anxiety, & the way she shuts down & needs time to process big moments. she is such a special character to me!!! one that shows so much growth, depth, healing, & vulnerability in such a beautiful way. i love her so much, i want to give her the biggest hug & protect her from the world!!
NICOLAS SILVA. MY MAN. what a beautiful character. his strength, humor, depth, and passionate nature is so admirable. the reformed playboy who loves harder than he lets on. his protective, possessive, and caring nature is so wonderful. i loved getting to see his growth throughout the story, seeing him be vulnerable, letting himself love another. i love him BAD, he is so special to me!!! the loml
amelia & nick’s relationship is beautiful & passionate. it’s filled with love, healing, desire, banter, & vulnerability. they are SOULMATES. the support, care, & protection these two offer each other is so lovely. their tension & chemistry is PALPABLE. the smut? YEE DOGGY!! scrumdiddliumptious 🧎🏼♀️
this book has me in a chokehold & im okay with it. the writing, the story, these characters are so beautiful. i am a sun valley stan forever!!!
this is a FWB to lovers romance, reformed playboy, brothers best friend, guy falls first, with found family, & emotional themes!
READ IT THANK YOU!
November 8, 2022
This is a long book! I wish this book was edited down a bit more to get rid of things unnecessary to the plot and expanded the characters more.
Like apparently Nick had hand tattoos?! Tell me more! Vaguely referring to them as “hand tattoos” is boring. That would be like saying “M/C had a face tattoo”… okay but of what?? Visible tattoos should be described, otherwise it comes across as generic and one dimensional. Describe them in more detail, especially if he is covered in them! I feel like the author didn’t do Nick justice in expanding on his character. Yes he is sweet, but it just felt really bland.
The surprise of seeing her brother at college is strange, especially if she talks to her (found family) mom more than her own dad. Wouldn’t that have come up in three years?
Her bio mom popping in was odd and not necessary. It added nothing.
The drama with keeping their relationship secret wasn’t entirely believable & really absurd. It just felt more cruel towards Nick because he was smitten with her and she wanted to keep him a secret. It made me really dislike Amelia. Her brother’s reaction & disappearing for weeks was so weird. You find out your sister is dating your friend and you disappear off the face of the earth–no one can find you–for weeks??? I sincerely thought the author was going to have it come out the brother was in love with Nick or his sister. Just an odd reaction that had me rolling my eyes.
This book is a great example in demonstrating how the small details make a big difference in connecting with a character. So much time was spent on details not relevant to the overall story or characters–didn’t benefit the plot at all–and made the characters very one dimensional and boring.
Towards the last 25% I was just trying to finish it. I thought it was a cute story and I could’ve overlooked a lot of things, but it was just such a long book that it became tedious to read.
Like apparently Nick had hand tattoos?! Tell me more! Vaguely referring to them as “hand tattoos” is boring. That would be like saying “M/C had a face tattoo”… okay but of what?? Visible tattoos should be described, otherwise it comes across as generic and one dimensional. Describe them in more detail, especially if he is covered in them! I feel like the author didn’t do Nick justice in expanding on his character. Yes he is sweet, but it just felt really bland.
The surprise of seeing her brother at college is strange, especially if she talks to her (found family) mom more than her own dad. Wouldn’t that have come up in three years?
Her bio mom popping in was odd and not necessary. It added nothing.
The drama with keeping their relationship secret wasn’t entirely believable & really absurd. It just felt more cruel towards Nick because he was smitten with her and she wanted to keep him a secret. It made me really dislike Amelia. Her brother’s reaction & disappearing for weeks was so weird. You find out your sister is dating your friend and you disappear off the face of the earth–no one can find you–for weeks??? I sincerely thought the author was going to have it come out the brother was in love with Nick or his sister. Just an odd reaction that had me rolling my eyes.
This book is a great example in demonstrating how the small details make a big difference in connecting with a character. So much time was spent on details not relevant to the overall story or characters–didn’t benefit the plot at all–and made the characters very one dimensional and boring.
Towards the last 25% I was just trying to finish it. I thought it was a cute story and I could’ve overlooked a lot of things, but it was just such a long book that it became tedious to read.
December 25, 2022
4.5⭐️
This book was so good! The story itself really focused on the characters that gained alot of depth throughout the story. Anything with reformed playboy is an automatic yes for me! Nicolas Silva mmh.. I adored him. He's your typical playboy able to have any girl that catches his eye that is except his best friend's sister.. yup! Amelia Hanlon is one strong woman but has dealt with a lot of trauma. It was such a joy being able to experience the build up to Nick and Amelia's relationship which started out as something casual that progressed into something more. Amelia's growth throughout the story was written so well. She went from being filled with so much guilt and felt like she was owed the abuse that she endured to someone who's resilient and worthy of love and recognizes that she is. This book gives found family which I absolutely loved! I was just into Amelia and Nick's friends as I was into them. There were so many great moments with them that left me wanting more! Did I mention Nick is brazilian and speaks portuguese AND calls Amelia his "querida"? (honey) I squeled everytime her spoke in his native tongue! Also the epilogue was so beautiful. This book was such a joy to read!💚
This book was so good! The story itself really focused on the characters that gained alot of depth throughout the story. Anything with reformed playboy is an automatic yes for me! Nicolas Silva mmh.. I adored him. He's your typical playboy able to have any girl that catches his eye that is except his best friend's sister.. yup! Amelia Hanlon is one strong woman but has dealt with a lot of trauma. It was such a joy being able to experience the build up to Nick and Amelia's relationship which started out as something casual that progressed into something more. Amelia's growth throughout the story was written so well. She went from being filled with so much guilt and felt like she was owed the abuse that she endured to someone who's resilient and worthy of love and recognizes that she is. This book gives found family which I absolutely loved! I was just into Amelia and Nick's friends as I was into them. There were so many great moments with them that left me wanting more! Did I mention Nick is brazilian and speaks portuguese AND calls Amelia his "querida"? (honey) I squeled everytime her spoke in his native tongue! Also the epilogue was so beautiful. This book was such a joy to read!💚
October 6, 2024
4 ⭐️
It'd have been a five stars read under different circumstances but nonetheless it was dramatically beautiful ❤️🩹🤌🏻
It'd have been a five stars read under different circumstances but nonetheless it was dramatically beautiful ❤️🩹🤌🏻
January 13, 2023
IF YOU WANT TO READ A BOOK THAT IS BOY OBSESSED AND BOY FALLS FIRST READ THIS, THIS IS THE BOOK IT’S LITERALLY ITTT HE HAD A CRUSH ON HER FROM THE MOMENT HE SAW HER AT THE BAR SHE WORKS AT AND NEVER LOOKED BACK AMD THE FACT HE WENT BACK MULTIPLE TIMES JUST TO SEE HER?? I LOOOVE THEM
I WANT A BOXER BF THAT GIVES ME A NICKNAME IN A DIFFERENT LANGUAGE TOO AND THE FACT HE WAS ALWAYS THERE FOR HER EVERY TIME AND KNEW EXACTLY WHAT SHE NEEDED AND YALL KNOW THE BEST PART?? IT DOESN’T HAVE A THIRD BREAK UP ACT🙏🙏
4.5/5⭐️
if you decide to read please check trigger warnings first!
I WANT A BOXER BF THAT GIVES ME A NICKNAME IN A DIFFERENT LANGUAGE TOO AND THE FACT HE WAS ALWAYS THERE FOR HER EVERY TIME AND KNEW EXACTLY WHAT SHE NEEDED AND YALL KNOW THE BEST PART?? IT DOESN’T HAVE A THIRD BREAK UP ACT🙏🙏
4.5/5⭐️
if you decide to read please check trigger warnings first!
March 11, 2024
you know sometimes i do love the brother's best friend trope and ej blaise never misses!
eveery single sun valley book is a+++ bye everyone should read them LET ME HAVE SERENITY RANCH SERIESSSSS
eveery single sun valley book is a+++ bye everyone should read them LET ME HAVE SERENITY RANCH SERIESSSSS
September 10, 2023
5+ stars!
[ college romance | friends w/ benefits to lovers | brother’s best friend (sorta) | secret relationship | found family ] (check tw’s!)
I read this book on a whim and truly cannot remember where I first heard about it, but it doesn’t matter because I AM SO GRATEFUL TO HAVE FOUND AND READ THIS!! Easily became one of my new favorite books ever 🤩
Amelia is no stranger to pain because of things that happened in her past and present life. But she’s a really strong character that I admired even when she frustrated me at times. I just wanted to hug the poor girl so bad 🤧
Nick is one of the most perfect men EVER!! He works at a bookstore, has tattoos, and secretly says sweet things in his foreign language to Amelia even though she doesn’t understand, like?! His little physical touches and things that he did for Amelia set me on fire, I’ll never recover 😫 This man falls first and falls so hard that he face-plants! Seeing this brooding, intimidating man turn into a complete softie with Amelia was everything, I just love him so much 🥲
Nick & Amelia’s angsty yet tender relationship had its ups and downs, but I loved that Nick always weathered through it all and stuck by her. He was so protective and caring with Amelia that it made my heart melt 🥹 I had highlights for so many sweet moments of theirs and for almost every thing this man said and did, it’s actually concerning 😅 But that’s just how much I loved it 🫶
Needless to say, I definitely recommend this book! I adore Nick & Amelia, and they will live on with me forever 💚 There is also a hot Divergent-vibes scene where he teaches her how to box, it had a chokehold on me 🤭 Plus, there are also the beginnings of a found family in this series, and I loved the friend group — cannot even begin to explain how very concerningly FERAL I was for Luna & Jackson I LOVE THEM SO BAD ALREADY!! Cannot wait for the rest of this series 💌
[ college romance | friends w/ benefits to lovers | brother’s best friend (sorta) | secret relationship | found family ] (check tw’s!)
I read this book on a whim and truly cannot remember where I first heard about it, but it doesn’t matter because I AM SO GRATEFUL TO HAVE FOUND AND READ THIS!! Easily became one of my new favorite books ever 🤩
Amelia is no stranger to pain because of things that happened in her past and present life. But she’s a really strong character that I admired even when she frustrated me at times. I just wanted to hug the poor girl so bad 🤧
Nick is one of the most perfect men EVER!! He works at a bookstore, has tattoos, and secretly says sweet things in his foreign language to Amelia even though she doesn’t understand, like?! His little physical touches and things that he did for Amelia set me on fire, I’ll never recover 😫 This man falls first and falls so hard that he face-plants! Seeing this brooding, intimidating man turn into a complete softie with Amelia was everything, I just love him so much 🥲
Nick & Amelia’s angsty yet tender relationship had its ups and downs, but I loved that Nick always weathered through it all and stuck by her. He was so protective and caring with Amelia that it made my heart melt 🥹 I had highlights for so many sweet moments of theirs and for almost every thing this man said and did, it’s actually concerning 😅 But that’s just how much I loved it 🫶
Needless to say, I definitely recommend this book! I adore Nick & Amelia, and they will live on with me forever 💚 There is also a hot Divergent-vibes scene where he teaches her how to box, it had a chokehold on me 🤭 Plus, there are also the beginnings of a found family in this series, and I loved the friend group — cannot even begin to explain how very concerningly FERAL I was for Luna & Jackson I LOVE THEM SO BAD ALREADY!! Cannot wait for the rest of this series 💌
October 12, 2023
✨
This was one of those times when I didn't expect anything from a book, but it hit the heart. I'm partial to books with good friendship energy, humour and cool relationships.
Nicholas Silva just stole my heart.... Amor, toma-me, sou todo teu.
A little about the tropes:
🥊 Friends with benefits to lovers
🥊 Secret relationship
🥊 Player turned boy obsessed
🥊 He fall first
🥊 Slowburn
✨
This was one of those times when I didn't expect anything from a book, but it hit the heart. I'm partial to books with good friendship energy, humour and cool relationships.
Nicholas Silva just stole my heart.... Amor, toma-me, sou todo teu.
A little about the tropes:
🥊 Friends with benefits to lovers
🥊 Secret relationship
🥊 Player turned boy obsessed
🥊 He fall first
🥊 Slowburn
✨
December 6, 2023
id rate it infinity stars if i could. oh. my. god. i have absolutely no words for how much i loved this. thank u eliza monica and sydney for making me read. 😭😭 i didn’t think id make it through the slowburn but i’m so glad i did.
April 24, 2023
i don't understand it at all cause this book has absolutely no business being so underrated
"You are the best fucking thing that's ever happened to me."
“You're the best thing that's ever happened to me too.”
it's the way i just finished this what? approx 600 page book and i'm still not satisfied, i never wanted it to end
this book is just a combo of so so so much fluffy cuteness included with the most wholesome heart warming found family friendship that had me tears, i love them so much 😭
nick and amelia were literally perfect istg they had me giggling and kicking my feet in the air and shit
“Sometimes, I find it hard to look at you,” he murmurs, “because you’re so fucking beautiful I can’t think.” yeah shoot me now 😭🔫
brb adding nick to the list of sassy swoony sarcastic book boyfriends with messy dark hair that have literally destroyed my life
and i assumed it would a nice light sweet read all the way but nope, you get loads and loads of drama and i. was. eating. it. all. up. i was hooked on the edge of my seat till the end and the ending especially made me cry a lil bit more
now i have this weird sad melancholic ache in my heart that it's all over, i miss them already
“need a ride?”
“I’d rather walk.” <333 (you won't understand the meaning of this until u read the book SO PLS PLS PLS GO READ THE BOOK, thank me later)
"You are the best fucking thing that's ever happened to me."
“You're the best thing that's ever happened to me too.”
it's the way i just finished this what? approx 600 page book and i'm still not satisfied, i never wanted it to end
this book is just a combo of so so so much fluffy cuteness included with the most wholesome heart warming found family friendship that had me tears, i love them so much 😭
nick and amelia were literally perfect istg they had me giggling and kicking my feet in the air and shit
“Sometimes, I find it hard to look at you,” he murmurs, “because you’re so fucking beautiful I can’t think.” yeah shoot me now 😭🔫
brb adding nick to the list of sassy swoony sarcastic book boyfriends with messy dark hair that have literally destroyed my life
and i assumed it would a nice light sweet read all the way but nope, you get loads and loads of drama and i. was. eating. it. all. up. i was hooked on the edge of my seat till the end and the ending especially made me cry a lil bit more
now i have this weird sad melancholic ache in my heart that it's all over, i miss them already
“need a ride?”
“I’d rather walk.” <333 (you won't understand the meaning of this until u read the book SO PLS PLS PLS GO READ THE BOOK, thank me later)
January 16, 2023
Instant reaction:
FIVE FUCKING STARS IS THE HIGHEST THIS SHIT LETS ME GO SO YEAH
FINAL REVIEW TO COME BECAUSE OH MY GOD I NEED TO SLEEP AND COMPILE MY THOUGHTS
Full review:
Let’s see if I can string together a coherent review after this book blew my mind.
Content Warnings: (with some mild spoilers)
FMC has an abusive boyfriend/ex boyfriend. He has physically hurt her twice prior to when the book begins. He and his friends become a recurring problem. They harass her, slut shame her, and the ex gets physical with not only her but her guy friends as well. There is mention of a loss of a parent from one of the MCs prior to the events of this book, parental abandonment and an attempt of reconciliation. There is a flashback chapter to a car accident that resulted in the death of a friend/teen love of one of the MCs.
Wow, this book, it left me speechless, I am not sure how I can explain how much I love this book.
Let’s get into the tropes first:
- Brother’s Best Friend/ Best Friend’s Sister
- Strangers to Friends to Friends with Benefits to Lovers
- Secret Relationship
- Former Player to Obsessed Boy
- Found Family Friend Group
- He Falls First
- He teaches her a skill
I instantly loved their dynamic, I was hooked from the first chapter, and I knew about 10% into this book that it was going to be a 5 star read for me, around the 30-40% mark I remember thinking that this had the potential to be one of the top contemporary romances I have ever read, and I am happy to report that upon finishing the book I can confirm that it is in the top category.
Why is it the books that love with all my heart I have the most difficult time expressing my thoughts for. Anyway, if this book sounds like it would be up your jam, it probably is and you should most definitely pick it up.
FIVE FUCKING STARS IS THE HIGHEST THIS SHIT LETS ME GO SO YEAH
FINAL REVIEW TO COME BECAUSE OH MY GOD I NEED TO SLEEP AND COMPILE MY THOUGHTS
Full review:
Let’s see if I can string together a coherent review after this book blew my mind.
Content Warnings: (with some mild spoilers)
FMC has an abusive boyfriend/ex boyfriend. He has physically hurt her twice prior to when the book begins. He and his friends become a recurring problem. They harass her, slut shame her, and the ex gets physical with not only her but her guy friends as well. There is mention of a loss of a parent from one of the MCs prior to the events of this book, parental abandonment and an attempt of reconciliation. There is a flashback chapter to a car accident that resulted in the death of a friend/teen love of one of the MCs.
Wow, this book, it left me speechless, I am not sure how I can explain how much I love this book.
Let’s get into the tropes first:
- Brother’s Best Friend/ Best Friend’s Sister
- Strangers to Friends to Friends with Benefits to Lovers
- Secret Relationship
- Former Player to Obsessed Boy
- Found Family Friend Group
- He Falls First
- He teaches her a skill
I instantly loved their dynamic, I was hooked from the first chapter, and I knew about 10% into this book that it was going to be a 5 star read for me, around the 30-40% mark I remember thinking that this had the potential to be one of the top contemporary romances I have ever read, and I am happy to report that upon finishing the book I can confirm that it is in the top category.
Why is it the books that love with all my heart I have the most difficult time expressing my thoughts for. Anyway, if this book sounds like it would be up your jam, it probably is and you should most definitely pick it up.
May 11, 2023
Wow, oh wow this book had me going through it for real from anger, sadness, and pure joy. I honestly saw alot of myself in Amelia and glad in the end she was able to find someone who truly love her and has a village who is willing to go to bat for her. I love her and Nick relationship and how he was there to spread affirmations into her whenever she began doubting herself and absolutely obsess with Kate and Luna best girlfriends as well as Cass being a loving brother. Anyways if you decide to read this book definitely check trigger warnings, can’t wait to read the next book EJ is going to release☺️.
life-is-too-short
May 24, 2023Unexpected, huh.
Yes! for 4.07 average rating, this was definitely unexpected--it was SO boring. For lists of best NAs, this was unexpected. It was poorly written, lacking any kind of craft.
But to be fair, this is what I should expect from reading KU books. My track record at randomly choosing SUCKS.Although I think a blog misled me here.
How many times that voice in my head whispered "why are you still reading this?" Well, I probably should've expected that!
It was problematic on a few levels, but I am just going to be honest with you all, I don't have the energy for that.
Yes! for 4.07 average rating, this was definitely unexpected--it was SO boring. For lists of best NAs, this was unexpected. It was poorly written, lacking any kind of craft.
But to be fair, this is what I should expect from reading KU books. My track record at randomly choosing SUCKS.Although I think a blog misled me here.
How many times that voice in my head whispered "why are you still reading this?" Well, I probably should've expected that!
It was problematic on a few levels, but I am just going to be honest with you all, I don't have the energy for that.
March 8, 2023
⭐️⭐️.5/5 🌶🌶🌶/5
TW - car accidents (graphic), death from a car accident, loss of a loved one (graphic, recounted), domestic abuse (physical and emotionally, graphic), death of a parent (father, mentioned), absent parent / neglect,
Tropes - slow burn, found family, friends with benefits, friends to lovers, obsessed / possessive / jealous, brother's bestfriend (not really imo)
Sigh
When I went to Amazon to get this book it said it was 478 pages and I was like huh, that's a bit long for a romance but pop off. I download the ebook, I open the ebook, the ebook is 594 pages 💀 but I was like that is defo long but whatever
Not whatever
You know when you get to a point of a long book and you're like why is this book still happening??? Which is another sign I'm not really liking this book.
The book started off great for me ngl, loved the characters, Nick was *chef's kiss*, Dylan is a pr*ck. Fine. It just slowlyyyyy started going down hill and the FMC just started pissing me off.
I hated how the whole friendship group was tiptoeing around the fact that she's being abused because I was like erm hello??? Are we seeing the same thing rn?? And then the FMC hated that everyone was tiptoeing around her about it? Idk maybe it's because you’re acting like you’re fine and everything is fine.
^ no ❤️.
I usually love friends with benefits or enemies with benefits - I did not like the secret keeping in this book though because it was at Nick's expense and imo he deserved better than that. I s2g, Nick has the kind of patience that I do not possess AT ALL.
The whole brother's bestfriend thing was overdone to me because they're literally not siblings (at all) and call each other brother and sister more than ACTUAL siblings do. It was weird. And the whole her scared to tell her 'brother' what was going on was, again, dumb to me. With this trope you expect the brother to be annoyed and, at first, disagree with pairing. Did that happen here? Yes, to the power of ∞. Someone explain to me why Cass DISAPPEARED off the face of the earth when he found out and threw a tantrum????? I read the whole thing like is this actually happening rn & why is this book still happening rn????? This whole section of the book pissed me off because why exactly did that happen? It felt overdone. FMC is an adult, MMC is an adult, 'brother' is an adult. Get a grip
Slow burn. Was this slow burn?? Yes but only because the book is long. I felt like it was less slow burn and more the FMC is dumb.
The FMC's mum turning up?? Why?? This added 0 (zero) substance to the book. Like if she wanted to sit down with her mum and ask some questions then fairs but she didn't want anything to do with her (understandable) but there was no reason for it to be in the book.
Have I mentioned that this book is too long? There is also a criminal amount of typos in this book. Like too many that it affects the reading experience and you cannot ignore it.
The MMC, Nick - loved him (a lot) and I just don't understand how his tattoos, that allegedly cover his chest and stop at his wrists / hands, are not described ONCE in this 600 page book. How do you give an MMC tattoos and then... not describe them... like at all 💀.
Another thing that I found kinda weird is that, given everything that happens in this book, not a single soul suggests that the FMC needs to go to therapy, literally ✨no one✨. She doesn't go to therapy until the final chapter and I feel like the book would've been much better if she had gone much earlier.
This was also a college romance and they're barely in class 💀💀💀💀 idk how they pulled that off
idk, this was going so well and I loved it in the beginning and it just fell off for me 🤷🏽♀️
Scale:
⭐️ - would've DNF'ed / continued out of spite
⭐️⭐️ - shit, but whatever
⭐️⭐️⭐️ - meh, could've been better
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ - lit 👅
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ - loved it, inject this shit into my veins 🤪
🫑 - no smut
🌶 - no point
🌶🌶 - mediocre at best
🌶🌶🌶 - standard smut, hot
🌶🌶🌶🌶 - 🥵 okay, some CW
🌶🌶🌶🌶🌶 - fuck me 🥵🥵 CWs / filthy with a side of filth - see Poison / Room Twenty-Two: Hide and Seek
TW - car accidents (graphic), death from a car accident, loss of a loved one (graphic, recounted), domestic abuse (physical and emotionally, graphic), death of a parent (father, mentioned), absent parent / neglect,
Tropes - slow burn, found family, friends with benefits, friends to lovers, obsessed / possessive / jealous, brother's bestfriend (not really imo)
Sigh
When I went to Amazon to get this book it said it was 478 pages and I was like huh, that's a bit long for a romance but pop off. I download the ebook, I open the ebook, the ebook is 594 pages 💀 but I was like that is defo long but whatever
Not whatever
You know when you get to a point of a long book and you're like why is this book still happening??? Which is another sign I'm not really liking this book.
The book started off great for me ngl, loved the characters, Nick was *chef's kiss*, Dylan is a pr*ck. Fine. It just slowlyyyyy started going down hill and the FMC just started pissing me off.
I hated how the whole friendship group was tiptoeing around the fact that she's being abused because I was like erm hello??? Are we seeing the same thing rn?? And then the FMC hated that everyone was tiptoeing around her about it? Idk maybe it's because you’re acting like you’re fine and everything is fine.
“What happened isn’t the problem.” I have to fight to keep my voice lowered, hands shaking because I’m frustrated and done. “All of you suffocating me is.”
^ no ❤️.
I usually love friends with benefits or enemies with benefits - I did not like the secret keeping in this book though because it was at Nick's expense and imo he deserved better than that. I s2g, Nick has the kind of patience that I do not possess AT ALL.
The whole brother's bestfriend thing was overdone to me because they're literally not siblings (at all) and call each other brother and sister more than ACTUAL siblings do. It was weird. And the whole her scared to tell her 'brother' what was going on was, again, dumb to me. With this trope you expect the brother to be annoyed and, at first, disagree with pairing. Did that happen here? Yes, to the power of ∞. Someone explain to me why Cass DISAPPEARED off the face of the earth when he found out and threw a tantrum????? I read the whole thing like is this actually happening rn & why is this book still happening rn????? This whole section of the book pissed me off because why exactly did that happen? It felt overdone. FMC is an adult, MMC is an adult, 'brother' is an adult. Get a grip
Slow burn. Was this slow burn?? Yes but only because the book is long. I felt like it was less slow burn and more the FMC is dumb.
The FMC's mum turning up?? Why?? This added 0 (zero) substance to the book. Like if she wanted to sit down with her mum and ask some questions then fairs but she didn't want anything to do with her (understandable) but there was no reason for it to be in the book.
Have I mentioned that this book is too long? There is also a criminal amount of typos in this book. Like too many that it affects the reading experience and you cannot ignore it.
The MMC, Nick - loved him (a lot) and I just don't understand how his tattoos, that allegedly cover his chest and stop at his wrists / hands, are not described ONCE in this 600 page book. How do you give an MMC tattoos and then... not describe them... like at all 💀.
Another thing that I found kinda weird is that, given everything that happens in this book, not a single soul suggests that the FMC needs to go to therapy, literally ✨no one✨. She doesn't go to therapy until the final chapter and I feel like the book would've been much better if she had gone much earlier.
This was also a college romance and they're barely in class 💀💀💀💀 idk how they pulled that off
idk, this was going so well and I loved it in the beginning and it just fell off for me 🤷🏽♀️
Scale:
⭐️ - would've DNF'ed / continued out of spite
⭐️⭐️ - shit, but whatever
⭐️⭐️⭐️ - meh, could've been better
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ - lit 👅
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ - loved it, inject this shit into my veins 🤪
🫑 - no smut
🌶 - no point
🌶🌶 - mediocre at best
🌶🌶🌶 - standard smut, hot
🌶🌶🌶🌶 - 🥵 okay, some CW
🌶🌶🌶🌶🌶 - fuck me 🥵🥵 CWs / filthy with a side of filth - see Poison / Room Twenty-Two: Hide and Seek
Read
November 16, 2023Dnf
Unfortunately, Couldn't love the characters💔
Unfortunately, Couldn't love the characters💔
May 12, 2024
So I want to say that I think this book suffers a lot from what fanfics kind of have happen too. By not even the 25% mark, Nick is absolutely obsessed with Amelia, and even though there's this weird antagonistic vibe between the two of them, Amelia is obsessed with him too. She gets just childishly upset when seeing him with other girls, which results in her kind of being an absolute passive aggressive asshole until Nick inevitably reads her mind and tells her that she's still special to him.
By the 25%, I was already kind of asking why it felt like I was just rolling around in the same spot, going nowhere. It was because they were already at the point of a relationship. Both of them were committed to the other, and the only thing stopping them was high school level communication issue. It's the exact same thing that happens in mist fanfics except fanfic authors kind of move on to the good bits and just commit to the qriring of the relationship while published authors feel the need to dilly dally.
I wish - I wish so freaking bad that this book just had like 300 pages ripped out of it. And also allow Amelia a bit more of a personality besides going to parties and getting drunk and being mad at Nick. In the start of the book, she seemed absolutely amazing. The first chapter made me love her with her commitment to going to school and carrying a full-time job, and everything after was just downhill.
Cass' meltdown in the later half of the book also seemed wildly out of proportion. Really the whole secret relationship seemed - well, it definitely didn't make me like Amelia anymore 😂 My guy, Nick is absolutely head over heels for her and it just seemed so callous of Amelia to ignore his feelings and ignore an open conversation in favor of her own supposed comfort. But Cass going underground for WEEKS over his his best friend and sister having a relationship was absolutely ridiculous.
By the 25%, I was already kind of asking why it felt like I was just rolling around in the same spot, going nowhere. It was because they were already at the point of a relationship. Both of them were committed to the other, and the only thing stopping them was high school level communication issue. It's the exact same thing that happens in mist fanfics except fanfic authors kind of move on to the good bits and just commit to the qriring of the relationship while published authors feel the need to dilly dally.
I wish - I wish so freaking bad that this book just had like 300 pages ripped out of it. And also allow Amelia a bit more of a personality besides going to parties and getting drunk and being mad at Nick. In the start of the book, she seemed absolutely amazing. The first chapter made me love her with her commitment to going to school and carrying a full-time job, and everything after was just downhill.
Cass' meltdown in the later half of the book also seemed wildly out of proportion. Really the whole secret relationship seemed - well, it definitely didn't make me like Amelia anymore 😂 My guy, Nick is absolutely head over heels for her and it just seemed so callous of Amelia to ignore his feelings and ignore an open conversation in favor of her own supposed comfort. But Cass going underground for WEEKS over his his best friend and sister having a relationship was absolutely ridiculous.
November 26, 2023
I think if this had been like 250-300 pages I would’ve liked it a lot more. I love long romance books when the couple is happy pretty much the whole time but there was just too much drama in this for me. Between her ex Dylan constantly popping up, the random visits from her estranged mother & the fight that came with that, everything with Cass, the last minute car accident it was just overdone. I felt like this whole book everyone was either getting drunk, fighting or both.
Honestly the letters at the end and the fact that there’s not a 3rd act breakup saved this for me. I absolutely loved Nick, especially when they’re together and he’s just completely obsessed with her and only her. Him calling her honey in his native language was just 😍😍 I love a bilingual mmc
Amelia was annoying to me she was just too dramatic and it got old real quick how she wouldn’t just tell Cass about her and Nick being together.
The whole brothers best friend trope in this book … I didn’t like it. You’re telling me they haven’t talked in 4 years (I think) and once Amelia and Cass find each other again he thinks he can tell her what to do?? No. I hate when the brother is “touch my sister and I’ll kill you” especially when they’re ADULTS!!!
Honestly the letters at the end and the fact that there’s not a 3rd act breakup saved this for me. I absolutely loved Nick, especially when they’re together and he’s just completely obsessed with her and only her. Him calling her honey in his native language was just 😍😍 I love a bilingual mmc
Amelia was annoying to me she was just too dramatic and it got old real quick how she wouldn’t just tell Cass about her and Nick being together.
The whole brothers best friend trope in this book … I didn’t like it. You’re telling me they haven’t talked in 4 years (I think) and once Amelia and Cass find each other again he thinks he can tell her what to do?? No. I hate when the brother is “touch my sister and I’ll kill you” especially when they’re ADULTS!!!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 7, 2023
goddamn these debut authors are killing the game
October 31, 2022
“She’s…. light. She’s literal sunshine. And it makes a burst of anger shoot through me because I know that for so long, she was with someone who did nothing but dim her.”
6/5 ⭐️
4/5 🌶️
Five stars doesn’t do this book justice! This book has me in an absolute chokehold! Everything from the plot, the characters, the romance, everything is perfect. It’s emotional and heart wrenching at times, but so beautiful and bright all at the same time.
Amelia’s is such a strong character with her fiery attitude and sassy comebacks, all while contrasting with her inner demons and fears, making her so relatable and lovable. With the depth at which her character was written, overcoming everything she’s been through had me smiling and cheering her on like I personally knew her.
Nico had me absolutely swooning every time he spoke from the very beginning. The player trope was so well written and exceeded every expectation I had. It was such a refreshing change when Nico didn’t shy from the relationship like most player tropes do. As soon as his character was introduced I was hooked. His cockiness and sweetness is perfectly balanced in a way you don’t see often in most MMCs.
The relationship developed between the two is filled with amazing banter while also managing to be realistic and full of struggles. The love and heat between them is palpable. Nico’s constant efforts to fight for Amelia both physically and emotionally, Amelia’s reluctance for letting him in, all combined with the very clear attraction between the two, I was rooting for them from the very beginning.
All of the supporting characters are just as lovable from Cass’s brotherly love—the reaction I had when they found each other was pure elation despite knowing nothing about them or their friendship yet—to Kate and Luna’s crazy protective wild love for Amelia, to Ben’s golden retriever happy go lucky boyish charm and Jackson’s silent sweetheart personality. I’ve never fallen so hard for so many characters as fast as I did with this crazy family of theirs.
The plot is such an amazing contrast to what you normally find in romance books. For one there is a plot outside of just the main characters’ relationship. And not only that but it doesn’t shy away from the hard stuff. In fact, it puts it all out there. It’s heart breaking and gut wrenching, but the journey is incredible and the strength and resolve Amelia slowly fortified is nothing short of perfect.
The epilogue!!! The epilogue! Oh my god. I normally do not like epilogues in romance books. I know, that’s weird. But this one. Oh my. Talk about tugging on the heart strings! Using the letters to Sam to show Amelia’s continued growth with herself while also giving us insight into the life her and Nick create together is the perfect combination. It’s gives that sense of closure while avoiding the typical forced feeling I get from a typical HEA epilogue. It tugs on the heartstrings in the absolute best way.
This was my 107th book I’ve read this year and I can without a doubt say it is in my top 5 books of the year. I will be recommending this to anyone and everyone who will listen for a long long time.
6/5 ⭐️
4/5 🌶️
Five stars doesn’t do this book justice! This book has me in an absolute chokehold! Everything from the plot, the characters, the romance, everything is perfect. It’s emotional and heart wrenching at times, but so beautiful and bright all at the same time.
Amelia’s is such a strong character with her fiery attitude and sassy comebacks, all while contrasting with her inner demons and fears, making her so relatable and lovable. With the depth at which her character was written, overcoming everything she’s been through had me smiling and cheering her on like I personally knew her.
Nico had me absolutely swooning every time he spoke from the very beginning. The player trope was so well written and exceeded every expectation I had. It was such a refreshing change when Nico didn’t shy from the relationship like most player tropes do. As soon as his character was introduced I was hooked. His cockiness and sweetness is perfectly balanced in a way you don’t see often in most MMCs.
The relationship developed between the two is filled with amazing banter while also managing to be realistic and full of struggles. The love and heat between them is palpable. Nico’s constant efforts to fight for Amelia both physically and emotionally, Amelia’s reluctance for letting him in, all combined with the very clear attraction between the two, I was rooting for them from the very beginning.
All of the supporting characters are just as lovable from Cass’s brotherly love—the reaction I had when they found each other was pure elation despite knowing nothing about them or their friendship yet—to Kate and Luna’s crazy protective wild love for Amelia, to Ben’s golden retriever happy go lucky boyish charm and Jackson’s silent sweetheart personality. I’ve never fallen so hard for so many characters as fast as I did with this crazy family of theirs.
The plot is such an amazing contrast to what you normally find in romance books. For one there is a plot outside of just the main characters’ relationship. And not only that but it doesn’t shy away from the hard stuff. In fact, it puts it all out there. It’s heart breaking and gut wrenching, but the journey is incredible and the strength and resolve Amelia slowly fortified is nothing short of perfect.
The epilogue!!! The epilogue! Oh my god. I normally do not like epilogues in romance books. I know, that’s weird. But this one. Oh my. Talk about tugging on the heart strings! Using the letters to Sam to show Amelia’s continued growth with herself while also giving us insight into the life her and Nick create together is the perfect combination. It’s gives that sense of closure while avoiding the typical forced feeling I get from a typical HEA epilogue. It tugs on the heartstrings in the absolute best way.
This was my 107th book I’ve read this year and I can without a doubt say it is in my top 5 books of the year. I will be recommending this to anyone and everyone who will listen for a long long time.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 5, 2022
I have no idea how I managed to finish the whole book in ONE DAY. It really is that cute seeing Amelia’s found family. Godddd u will love the family if you love the found family trope.
Nick is everything. I mean obv he commitment phobia but honestly he doesn’t, he just hasn’t found the right girl to settle down until Amelia. I loveeeee the drunk Nick he is adorable. He is little kid who doesn’t know how to share haha, a sexy hot ass man who is def good at 😉 he is the perfect and caring boyfriend
Oh Amelia. She’s been through so much and I’m so glad she has a group of friends and family that loves her and supports her. I understand where she’s coming from when she only wanted a distraction, annoying cuz I know she loves Nick, but understandable. I love how she grows as the chapter grows, and she’s getting stronger.
The epilogue was a series of letters that goes on over the years. I hope EJ can release bonus chapters on some of the scenes! Like how did Nick propose? What was their reaction when they are becoming parents? What’s going on with other peoples life? The kid mentioned at first was it Luna and Jackson’s?
Anw I loved the book!!! It brought me smiles, tears, and all other warming feelings I can’t describe.
Nick is everything. I mean obv he commitment phobia but honestly he doesn’t, he just hasn’t found the right girl to settle down until Amelia. I loveeeee the drunk Nick he is adorable. He is little kid who doesn’t know how to share haha, a sexy hot ass man who is def good at 😉 he is the perfect and caring boyfriend
Oh Amelia. She’s been through so much and I’m so glad she has a group of friends and family that loves her and supports her. I understand where she’s coming from when she only wanted a distraction, annoying cuz I know she loves Nick, but understandable. I love how she grows as the chapter grows, and she’s getting stronger.
The epilogue was a series of letters that goes on over the years. I hope EJ can release bonus chapters on some of the scenes! Like how did Nick propose? What was their reaction when they are becoming parents? What’s going on with other peoples life? The kid mentioned at first was it Luna and Jackson’s?
Anw I loved the book!!! It brought me smiles, tears, and all other warming feelings I can’t describe.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 18, 2023
I absolutely loved this book. It is long but I never wanted it to end. At 30% I remember thinking, what else could possibly happen? So much apparently 😂 This had more angst than a love letter to whiskey, a hot player turned softie like The Score and a heartbreaking back story like Reminders of Him. I would die for Nicholas Silva 🥹 And the friend group in this 👏🏻😍 The best found family storyline and that is my FAVORITE trope. Soooo much drama and so many bad things happened but it worked. No third act break up - even though there was more drama at the end than I was expecting. I shed many tears. I’m ruined. “And in the middle of my chaos, there was you” ❤️🩹😭
March 13, 2024
Bad bad bad book. The girl did not deserve the guy. He was way too good and forgiving of her. I understand that she went through some bad things in her life, but MY GOD if it messes you up to the point where you treat everyone around you like shit please go to therapy. I can’t even count the amount of times she just stopped talking to her boyfriend for days or weeks on end for simply no reason. It was absolutely ridiculous. Also not really brothers best friend because she’s not even related to the “brother”. The main character was so fucking annoying and whiney and immature with absolutely no character development. I do NOT recommend.
May 9, 2023
➳ 3 stars. ✰
sighhh
This book did not need to be as long as it was.
It dragged on for soooo long and after a while it was just simply tedious to read.
Amelia got on my nerves like 70% of the time and don’t even get me started on Cass. He was supposed to be Nick’s “Best Friend”, yet he always assumed the worst of him and never believed in him. Nick is a saint for putting up with both of them, he should just choose me instead ♡ ♡
I feel like this book just really needs an editor.
sighhh
This book did not need to be as long as it was.
It dragged on for soooo long and after a while it was just simply tedious to read.
Amelia got on my nerves like 70% of the time and don’t even get me started on Cass. He was supposed to be Nick’s “Best Friend”, yet he always assumed the worst of him and never believed in him. Nick is a saint for putting up with both of them, he should just choose me instead ♡ ♡
I feel like this book just really needs an editor.
November 14, 2022
ebook version needs more editing in my opinion. Constant misspelling of words was distracting
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