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Mine To Lose
A Friends To Lovers College Romance
I had every intention of ignoring the feelings in my gut (and other places) and just being friends with Aiden.
Not even friends.
I had no plans whatsoever to let this tattooed bad boy become a part of my chaotic life.
But my annoying little sister, my meddling best friend, and a very determined kiss cam operator ruined any hope I had of keeping Aiden out of my life - or my heart.
But did I have any hope of keeping Aiden at all? Or was he just mine to lose?
Mine To Lose is a standalone slow burn romance. It will be part of a connected universe but Nina and Aiden's story is concluded in this book! Reminiscent of Kandi Steiner, this emotional romance has sassy banter, steamy tension, and, yes, the miscommunication trope. But don't worry -- the heartbreak feels so good once you get that happily ever after.
This book contains open door scenes, adult language, and some traumatic elements. Please check the Look Inside or the author's website for a full list of content warnings.
I had every intention of ignoring the feelings in my gut (and other places) and just being friends with Aiden.
Not even friends.
I had no plans whatsoever to let this tattooed bad boy become a part of my chaotic life.
But my annoying little sister, my meddling best friend, and a very determined kiss cam operator ruined any hope I had of keeping Aiden out of my life - or my heart.
But did I have any hope of keeping Aiden at all? Or was he just mine to lose?
Mine To Lose is a standalone slow burn romance. It will be part of a connected universe but Nina and Aiden's story is concluded in this book! Reminiscent of Kandi Steiner, this emotional romance has sassy banter, steamy tension, and, yes, the miscommunication trope. But don't worry -- the heartbreak feels so good once you get that happily ever after.
This book contains open door scenes, adult language, and some traumatic elements. Please check the Look Inside or the author's website for a full list of content warnings.
363 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 14, 2023
35 people are currently reading
295 people want to read
About the author
Megan El.
1 book6 followersI'm an indie author writing romance with plenty of spice and angst. I love steamy books about characters overcoming trauma and heartbreak to find their happily-ever-afters.
I've been writing fiction since I first learned to hold a pencil, spanning genres including fantasy, historical, rom coms, and thrillers. I live in Chicago with my dogs Whiskey and Rye.
For more information on my future releases plus some behind the scenes content, check out my website or follow me on most social media @megan.el.author
I've been writing fiction since I first learned to hold a pencil, spanning genres including fantasy, historical, rom coms, and thrillers. I live in Chicago with my dogs Whiskey and Rye.
For more information on my future releases plus some behind the scenes content, check out my website or follow me on most social media @megan.el.author
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 49 reviews
January 2, 2024
PLS CHECK TW!!
"But it was so much easier to drift back to sleep with my heart warm and full of thoughts of Nina rather than the usual aching and emptiness with thoughts of Faith."
The FMC (Nina) & MMC (Aiden) remind me SOOO much of Poppy & Rune from a Thousand Boy Kisses..!! Especially with Aiden's heart transplant analogy .. OMG! Their dynamic is friends to lovers with an HEA, definitely young love at first but I really felt that they both have endured so much personal trauma that they grew together tremendously in their short period of time together.
"But with Nina, I just was clean and sober. That's who I was - not something I was trying to be. And I liked who I was with her."
Both the FMC and MMC have their own personal traumas; substance abuse/traumatic car accident and a neglective/absent parent, who like I lauded to before, overcome so much for such young persons. This book was a really great example of a well rounded and inclusive read, in my opinion.
The book was inclusive of LGBTQIA+ couples and had racial diversity in side characters.
"I was thinking of how much I wanted to know what Nina tasted like."
The book also had some SMUTTY SMUTTTTTTT! No spoilers on that, go read it yourself!
"It's a completely terrible thing that happened, but it doesn't matter whose fault it is or what you would change if you could. You can't. So, you can change - and you have changed."
Despite the heaviness and realness this book had to it, it also kept me LAUGHING OUT LOUD! Anything that Charlie (Charmander/Charizard) said was absolutely hilarious, as well as the kiss cam scene, the donut joke about Aiden's cocacola addiction, and my favorite: on one page Nina is saying/thinking that Aiden isn't thinking about her, and keeps telling herself they're just friends - and then immediately on the next page, the NEXT SENTENCE, Aiden is saying/thinking to himself that he needs to stop thinking about Nina! LMAOOOO too cute and adorably hilarious.
Because you loved him too much to do anything wrong."
Overall, 5 stars: I cried, I laughed, I resonated, I was shook - it was an emotional rollercoaster in the best way. Just a complete, well-rounded romance book with an absolutely magical HEA.
*I received an ARC through BookFunnel and am posting this review voluntarily.
"But it was so much easier to drift back to sleep with my heart warm and full of thoughts of Nina rather than the usual aching and emptiness with thoughts of Faith."
The FMC (Nina) & MMC (Aiden) remind me SOOO much of Poppy & Rune from a Thousand Boy Kisses..!! Especially with Aiden's heart transplant analogy .. OMG! Their dynamic is friends to lovers with an HEA, definitely young love at first but I really felt that they both have endured so much personal trauma that they grew together tremendously in their short period of time together.
"But with Nina, I just was clean and sober. That's who I was - not something I was trying to be. And I liked who I was with her."
Both the FMC and MMC have their own personal traumas; substance abuse/traumatic car accident and a neglective/absent parent, who like I lauded to before, overcome so much for such young persons. This book was a really great example of a well rounded and inclusive read, in my opinion.
The book was inclusive of LGBTQIA+ couples and had racial diversity in side characters.
"I was thinking of how much I wanted to know what Nina tasted like."
The book also had some SMUTTY SMUTTTTTTT! No spoilers on that, go read it yourself!
"It's a completely terrible thing that happened, but it doesn't matter whose fault it is or what you would change if you could. You can't. So, you can change - and you have changed."
Despite the heaviness and realness this book had to it, it also kept me LAUGHING OUT LOUD! Anything that Charlie (Charmander/Charizard) said was absolutely hilarious, as well as the kiss cam scene, the donut joke about Aiden's cocacola addiction, and my favorite: on one page Nina is saying/thinking that Aiden isn't thinking about her, and keeps telling herself they're just friends - and then immediately on the next page, the NEXT SENTENCE, Aiden is saying/thinking to himself that he needs to stop thinking about Nina! LMAOOOO too cute and adorably hilarious.
Because you loved him too much to do anything wrong."
Overall, 5 stars: I cried, I laughed, I resonated, I was shook - it was an emotional rollercoaster in the best way. Just a complete, well-rounded romance book with an absolutely magical HEA.
*I received an ARC through BookFunnel and am posting this review voluntarily.
January 16, 2023
I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review of this book. This will not sway my review in any way.
Let's Talk About Mental Illness.
🌟🌟
I felt like there were certain things that could have been handled better within this book, but overall feel like it was an okay book. The structure for this review is going to be different because I cannot sit here and recommend a book that once again villainizes people who have bipolar disorder. I was initially going to try to write this review the same way I have written others, but got so frustrated in my process that I can't even write a complete review of the book.
In this book, we follow Nina and Aiden through their budding friendship and relationship. In this, we learned that Nina must take care of her younger sister due to the fact that their mother abandoned them. The number of books I have read where someone with bipolar disorder has up and left their families is insane. Why do authors feel like this is something they can just use to give our main characters the "trauma" needed to further the plot. You can have an absent, off and on parent without having them be diagnosed with bipolar disorder. This is not something that every parent who abandons their family has. And not everyone with bipolar disorder abandons their family but a lot of authors do not seem to understand that.
I am once again frustrated that bipolar is being used to make someone a "bad guy" or "villain" because there are people with this disorder who live fairly normal lives, but it feels like a lot of what we see in media portrays them as the bad person of every scenario they are involved in.
The Final Verdict
I genuinely was feeling okay about this book until I started writing this review and thought more about it. At that point, things started bothering me more and more. I feel like this is a solid start for a debut novel, but there needs to be more sensitivity readers in the future because I am tired of the people I love and myself being turned into the villains in stories because it is an easy net.
Let's Talk About Mental Illness.
🌟🌟
I felt like there were certain things that could have been handled better within this book, but overall feel like it was an okay book. The structure for this review is going to be different because I cannot sit here and recommend a book that once again villainizes people who have bipolar disorder. I was initially going to try to write this review the same way I have written others, but got so frustrated in my process that I can't even write a complete review of the book.
In this book, we follow Nina and Aiden through their budding friendship and relationship. In this, we learned that Nina must take care of her younger sister due to the fact that their mother abandoned them. The number of books I have read where someone with bipolar disorder has up and left their families is insane. Why do authors feel like this is something they can just use to give our main characters the "trauma" needed to further the plot. You can have an absent, off and on parent without having them be diagnosed with bipolar disorder. This is not something that every parent who abandons their family has. And not everyone with bipolar disorder abandons their family but a lot of authors do not seem to understand that.
I am once again frustrated that bipolar is being used to make someone a "bad guy" or "villain" because there are people with this disorder who live fairly normal lives, but it feels like a lot of what we see in media portrays them as the bad person of every scenario they are involved in.
The Final Verdict
I genuinely was feeling okay about this book until I started writing this review and thought more about it. At that point, things started bothering me more and more. I feel like this is a solid start for a debut novel, but there needs to be more sensitivity readers in the future because I am tired of the people I love and myself being turned into the villains in stories because it is an easy net.
January 3, 2023
Where to even start except that I don’t think I went a single page of this book without squealing and/or punching the air because of how dang cute this was! The writing across the board was captivating and I found it extremely hard to put this book down once I started it. The sarcastic, flirty banter between Nina and Aiden is unmatched. It flows so perfectly that with every flirty comment I found myself blushing. And the spice was so very worth the (agonizingly teasing) wait.
In terms of the characters, I love their arcs. Both Nina and Aiden have their own traumatic histories to work though, but getting to watch them work through those things together was beautiful. Nina did annoy me at one point in the book (for being A DUMB DUMB) but it made sense to her character which I think was what the author was going for. It was lovely to get to see two people working on healing together. (Also, Aiden is like, really really hot in every way. Everyone deserves an Aiden and Aiden deserves the world). Outside of the main characters, I have to give a shout out to Charlie for being such a well-written kid character. Her relationship with Nina and, later, Aiden is precious. It’s cute, sweet, silly, but absolutely dripping in love and fondness for the other.
Overall, I don’t typically read a lot of contemporary romance, but this was an absolutely splendid debut novel. There are definitely some triggers in it that may be uncomfortable for some (the author lists all of them in the first few pages), but in the end you have a lovely story about two young adults who are just trying to make it through life while dealing with their respective traumas (and being the most sarcastic menaces to each other along the way).
In terms of the characters, I love their arcs. Both Nina and Aiden have their own traumatic histories to work though, but getting to watch them work through those things together was beautiful. Nina did annoy me at one point in the book (for being A DUMB DUMB) but it made sense to her character which I think was what the author was going for. It was lovely to get to see two people working on healing together. (Also, Aiden is like, really really hot in every way. Everyone deserves an Aiden and Aiden deserves the world). Outside of the main characters, I have to give a shout out to Charlie for being such a well-written kid character. Her relationship with Nina and, later, Aiden is precious. It’s cute, sweet, silly, but absolutely dripping in love and fondness for the other.
Overall, I don’t typically read a lot of contemporary romance, but this was an absolutely splendid debut novel. There are definitely some triggers in it that may be uncomfortable for some (the author lists all of them in the first few pages), but in the end you have a lovely story about two young adults who are just trying to make it through life while dealing with their respective traumas (and being the most sarcastic menaces to each other along the way).
January 5, 2023
Mine to Lose follows classmates Nina and Aiden as they fall head over heels after agreeing to work on a school project together. Unfortunately, both characters have a history of trauma which causes some very emotional moments in their relationship. As they both grow and work through the traumas they have endured, Aiden and Nina fall right into place and where they’re supposed to be.
I really enjoyed this book and how easy it was to read. I never got bored and I really enjoyed all of characters. I liked the fun and sarcastic banter between the two main characters. I also like the secondary characters, Henley (Nina’s best friend), Charlie (Nina’s little sister) and Gabe (Aidens roommate). They all added the extra pieces needed to complete the puzzle.
Look up the trigger warnings before reading, as there are some elements that may be difficult for some to read.
I want to extend a huge thank you to Megan for giving me the opportunity to read her debut novel before it is released!! I received this arc for free with the return of an honest review.
I really enjoyed this book and how easy it was to read. I never got bored and I really enjoyed all of characters. I liked the fun and sarcastic banter between the two main characters. I also like the secondary characters, Henley (Nina’s best friend), Charlie (Nina’s little sister) and Gabe (Aidens roommate). They all added the extra pieces needed to complete the puzzle.
Look up the trigger warnings before reading, as there are some elements that may be difficult for some to read.
I want to extend a huge thank you to Megan for giving me the opportunity to read her debut novel before it is released!! I received this arc for free with the return of an honest review.
January 19, 2023
I received an ARC copy of this book and enjoyed it. It was easy to read and gave me warm and fuzzy feelings.
Mine to Lose was a cute friends-to-lovers college romance. It talks about the struggles of being the firstborn in a household with an absent parent, bipolar disorder, and addiction struggles. I recommend checking the triggers before reading this book.
I loved the friendship that Nina and Aiden formed in working on school projects. Their chemistry and flirty banter felt genuine, heartfelt, and something that reminded me of my college experiences. Their relationship is a slow burn, and it takes them a while to finally come to terms with their feelings and act on them. I loved Nina's character growth. Before I read Mine to Lose, I wanted a novel to have a headstrong female lead to be the one realizing that she was the problem and the reason things didn't go so well.
Also, I would love a novel about the two best friends of the main characters, Gabe and Henley, and I want a book about them falling in love with one another!
Mine to Lose was a cute friends-to-lovers college romance. It talks about the struggles of being the firstborn in a household with an absent parent, bipolar disorder, and addiction struggles. I recommend checking the triggers before reading this book.
I loved the friendship that Nina and Aiden formed in working on school projects. Their chemistry and flirty banter felt genuine, heartfelt, and something that reminded me of my college experiences. Their relationship is a slow burn, and it takes them a while to finally come to terms with their feelings and act on them. I loved Nina's character growth. Before I read Mine to Lose, I wanted a novel to have a headstrong female lead to be the one realizing that she was the problem and the reason things didn't go so well.
Also, I would love a novel about the two best friends of the main characters, Gabe and Henley, and I want a book about them falling in love with one another!
January 22, 2023
Mine to lose is a friends to lovers college romance.
2 Chili’s for spice and ALL OF THE CUTENESS. This book deals with some heavy topics such as trauma from parental abandonment and recovery n a really light way.
I loved Aiden so much. Amidst his struggles he was determined to grow and be a better person than his past self. He’s determined to do right by his family, by Nina, and his friends.
At first glance Nina’s behavior is guarded, childish, and annoying, but as someone who knows how being abandoned by a parent impacts a person, I understood her on a very deep level and felt for her.
I loved their sarcastic, flirty banter and the slow burn of the friends to lovers romance. Their character arcs and growth were well done, relatable, and believable.
This was a sweet, well written story and I highly recommend it!
2 Chili’s for spice and ALL OF THE CUTENESS. This book deals with some heavy topics such as trauma from parental abandonment and recovery n a really light way.
I loved Aiden so much. Amidst his struggles he was determined to grow and be a better person than his past self. He’s determined to do right by his family, by Nina, and his friends.
At first glance Nina’s behavior is guarded, childish, and annoying, but as someone who knows how being abandoned by a parent impacts a person, I understood her on a very deep level and felt for her.
I loved their sarcastic, flirty banter and the slow burn of the friends to lovers romance. Their character arcs and growth were well done, relatable, and believable.
This was a sweet, well written story and I highly recommend it!
November 17, 2023
As always, I went in completely blind and was pleasantly surprised. This was a great debut novel.
The story gave all the feels. I laughed at their banter and cried with their heartbreak.
Both MC had gone through very different traumatic life experiences that shaped their lives and actions. I feel like the severity of Aiden’s trauma made him more mature and willing to accept others mistakes, while Nina had been marked so deeply by her mothers abandonment and it’s consequences that her response to issues were very severe and was a bit frustrating. Nevertheless, there was good character growth throughout the book.
Also, I really enjoyed the secondary characters. They were fun, loyal and diverse (lesbian, bi, non binary, POC, Asian, latine representation). Diverse representation felt natural and not gimmicky.
Not really that important, but something that was eating at me the whole time, was Charlie’s age. As a mother of a very thin and sheltered 10 year old girl, I can assure you she does not weight 60 pounds and wouldn’t be caught wearing an Elsa dress. Her actions and likes were more of a younger child. She was written more like 7/8 year old kid.
There were moments that I wished it was a bit more fast paced but overall, great novel. Can’t wait to read more (Gabe and Henley’s stories, maybe?)
The story gave all the feels. I laughed at their banter and cried with their heartbreak.
Both MC had gone through very different traumatic life experiences that shaped their lives and actions. I feel like the severity of Aiden’s trauma made him more mature and willing to accept others mistakes, while Nina had been marked so deeply by her mothers abandonment and it’s consequences that her response to issues were very severe and was a bit frustrating. Nevertheless, there was good character growth throughout the book.
Also, I really enjoyed the secondary characters. They were fun, loyal and diverse (lesbian, bi, non binary, POC, Asian, latine representation). Diverse representation felt natural and not gimmicky.
Not really that important, but something that was eating at me the whole time, was Charlie’s age. As a mother of a very thin and sheltered 10 year old girl, I can assure you she does not weight 60 pounds and wouldn’t be caught wearing an Elsa dress. Her actions and likes were more of a younger child. She was written more like 7/8 year old kid.
There were moments that I wished it was a bit more fast paced but overall, great novel. Can’t wait to read more (Gabe and Henley’s stories, maybe?)
January 11, 2023
Thanks so much for having me on your arc team, Megan, it was an honor to read your debut book!
I think what Megan does best with her MC's is their character growth and development. You have Nina, a headstrong FMC who gave up her dream to go to a state school to stay at home and take care of her sister while her dad worked two jobs after their mom walked out (and who walks back in creating chaos every time she's around), and you have Aiden who looks like a bad boy covered in tattoos who is just trying to find himself after tragedy and struggling with addiction.
I loved this because Megan showcased real issues that young adults have, the ups and downs of community college, how addiction can take over your life (and how you rebuild) and the toll it takes on kids when a parent's mental health disorder is untreated. Also, this book shows off immense diversity and she's created strong side-characters who I hope get their own good stories, too.
Beware it is long, is a slow burn, mentions drug addiction, miscommunication, and death of a loved one. I can't wait to see who's story Megan writes next!
I think what Megan does best with her MC's is their character growth and development. You have Nina, a headstrong FMC who gave up her dream to go to a state school to stay at home and take care of her sister while her dad worked two jobs after their mom walked out (and who walks back in creating chaos every time she's around), and you have Aiden who looks like a bad boy covered in tattoos who is just trying to find himself after tragedy and struggling with addiction.
I loved this because Megan showcased real issues that young adults have, the ups and downs of community college, how addiction can take over your life (and how you rebuild) and the toll it takes on kids when a parent's mental health disorder is untreated. Also, this book shows off immense diversity and she's created strong side-characters who I hope get their own good stories, too.
Beware it is long, is a slow burn, mentions drug addiction, miscommunication, and death of a loved one. I can't wait to see who's story Megan writes next!
January 15, 2023
Nina gave up her dream to go to the MSU with her best friend to help care for her younger sister and go to Community College. Aiden attends Community College to keep his Moms happy. Both have reasons being single is a good idea.
Megan El does a remarkable job of building two fabulous main characters. Nina is smart and strong while still being emotional, vulnerable and unsure about life. Aiden is struggling to learn from his past and not make the same mistakes. These are all written in a way that readers college age or mature adult can relate to! This story is a cute, contemporary college romance with a slow burn and mild spiciness. What makes it better than a typical college romance is the characters personal traumas that brought out all my emotions while reading. Several times I found my self laughing or crying out loud while reading Mine to Lose!! I can't wait to see what else Megan El writes!
I highly recommend Mine to Lose to anyone who enjoys an emotional slow burn romance story.
Megan El does a remarkable job of building two fabulous main characters. Nina is smart and strong while still being emotional, vulnerable and unsure about life. Aiden is struggling to learn from his past and not make the same mistakes. These are all written in a way that readers college age or mature adult can relate to! This story is a cute, contemporary college romance with a slow burn and mild spiciness. What makes it better than a typical college romance is the characters personal traumas that brought out all my emotions while reading. Several times I found my self laughing or crying out loud while reading Mine to Lose!! I can't wait to see what else Megan El writes!
I highly recommend Mine to Lose to anyone who enjoys an emotional slow burn romance story.
January 8, 2023
This. Book. Was. Incredible! Not a page went by that I wasn’t grinning from ear to ear. Nina and Aidens banter and flirtatious dialogue was perfect and hilarious, at some points had me squealing like a little girl. The build up of their friendship was slow and wholesome. The friendships and family in this book were so warm and comforting and relatable. I loved every single character you’re introduced to, made you feel like you were really there watching it all unfold. The deeper you get into this book the more you find out about the traumatic past of both of the main characters, and how they react in present day to those events, and leaves you on the edge of your seat yet completely heartbroken and hopeful. 100% recommend this to everyone who loves a strangers to friends to lovers trope, and anyone who loves the real life feel this book gives.
January 8, 2023
Let's start off with saying this book is a must read for all romance lovers.
The story follows Aiden and Nina as they meet,fall in love, and find their way back to one another! The characters have depth and growth throughout that keeps you wanting more. But it isn't just the main characters who melt.your heart! Henley and Gabe are the kind of friends who wish you had and their way of being in the story but not overshadowing is so good. I would love love each of them to get their own stories or a story together. Charlie is such a sweet little sister but the turmoil that is going on in the Simpson house makes your heart break a little more for her and all she is learning through.
I knew by chapter 2 I would fall in love with this book and I know you will too! It's fun and flirty but captivating and real. It's very relatable and brings you joy to your broken heart!
The story follows Aiden and Nina as they meet,fall in love, and find their way back to one another! The characters have depth and growth throughout that keeps you wanting more. But it isn't just the main characters who melt.your heart! Henley and Gabe are the kind of friends who wish you had and their way of being in the story but not overshadowing is so good. I would love love each of them to get their own stories or a story together. Charlie is such a sweet little sister but the turmoil that is going on in the Simpson house makes your heart break a little more for her and all she is learning through.
I knew by chapter 2 I would fall in love with this book and I know you will too! It's fun and flirty but captivating and real. It's very relatable and brings you joy to your broken heart!
January 7, 2023
OH. MY. GOSH!!! I freaking LOVED this book so much! If I could give it more than five stars I definitely would!
This book had me completely enthralled from the get go! The story was so captivating and well written that I did not want it to end!
Both Aiden and Nina had past traumas they both had to overcome to learn to love others. Aiden was recovering from addiction and Nina was recovering from trauma from her mother. They both started falling for each other after a history assignment made them partners. The love, the heartbreak, and the overall banter between the couple are seriously to die for!
I highly suggest this as a top read! I promise you won't regret it! Seriously so so good! Definitely my favorite read so far of 2023!
This book had me completely enthralled from the get go! The story was so captivating and well written that I did not want it to end!
Both Aiden and Nina had past traumas they both had to overcome to learn to love others. Aiden was recovering from addiction and Nina was recovering from trauma from her mother. They both started falling for each other after a history assignment made them partners. The love, the heartbreak, and the overall banter between the couple are seriously to die for!
I highly suggest this as a top read! I promise you won't regret it! Seriously so so good! Definitely my favorite read so far of 2023!
January 13, 2023
This book was an amazing debut novel. I received an arc for it, and I literally could barely focus on work as I read this book.
The character growth in this book is phenomenal, we watch as Nina and Aiden grow through their trauma. This book had some triggering moments, however the author has all trigger warnings listed in the book. Aiden is the perfect book boyfriend. Nina annoyed me a couple of times, but I also understood her background.
The supporting characters were also phenomenal. We meet Gabe(Aiden’s roommate/best friend), Henley(Nina’s best friend), and Charlie (Nina’s younger sister).
The only reason I didn’t give this book 5 stars, was because of the Bipolar Disorder representation.
The character growth in this book is phenomenal, we watch as Nina and Aiden grow through their trauma. This book had some triggering moments, however the author has all trigger warnings listed in the book. Aiden is the perfect book boyfriend. Nina annoyed me a couple of times, but I also understood her background.
The supporting characters were also phenomenal. We meet Gabe(Aiden’s roommate/best friend), Henley(Nina’s best friend), and Charlie (Nina’s younger sister).
The only reason I didn’t give this book 5 stars, was because of the Bipolar Disorder representation.
January 15, 2023
This was the debut book for Megan EL, and I was so lucky to be a part of her ARC team! This book was ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐/🌶️🌶️
Nina has been hurt in the past by someone who should've always been there for her, now she finds it hard to let new people in. Aiden is an addict on the road to recovery with a hidden past. After pairing up for a project, they both feel the connection but try to deny it internally. After Nina's best friend intervenes with two tickets to her favorite basketball team and claims she can't go, Nina invites Aiden. But what happens when the Kiss Cam shows up? You've guessed it! This book has ALLLL the cuteness, the spicy scenes are drool-worthy, and it's definitely a book you need to read this year!
Nina has been hurt in the past by someone who should've always been there for her, now she finds it hard to let new people in. Aiden is an addict on the road to recovery with a hidden past. After pairing up for a project, they both feel the connection but try to deny it internally. After Nina's best friend intervenes with two tickets to her favorite basketball team and claims she can't go, Nina invites Aiden. But what happens when the Kiss Cam shows up? You've guessed it! This book has ALLLL the cuteness, the spicy scenes are drool-worthy, and it's definitely a book you need to read this year!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 25, 2023
Not one of my fave books if I’m being honest.
I realize the characters being young is going to set this book up for a specific type of audience but Nina was very immature towards the end of the book and I almost DNF.
I felt for her and her situation and know what it’s like coming from a damaged home but the way her dad was at the end and how the ending happened, it didn’t scream 4+ stars.
I felt for Aiden and his situation but between that and how the author talked about the bipolar mom, just left a sour taste in my mouth. Like coho vibes and that’s not a compliment.
Idk.
Check the TW before reading this though!
Words of advice - expand your ARC out so you get solid reviews back and not a bunch of 4-5 stars from a specific age group especially if you’re going to be talking about the TW you did.
I realize the characters being young is going to set this book up for a specific type of audience but Nina was very immature towards the end of the book and I almost DNF.
I felt for her and her situation and know what it’s like coming from a damaged home but the way her dad was at the end and how the ending happened, it didn’t scream 4+ stars.
I felt for Aiden and his situation but between that and how the author talked about the bipolar mom, just left a sour taste in my mouth. Like coho vibes and that’s not a compliment.
Idk.
Check the TW before reading this though!
Words of advice - expand your ARC out so you get solid reviews back and not a bunch of 4-5 stars from a specific age group especially if you’re going to be talking about the TW you did.
January 2, 2023
📚 Mine to Lose by Megan EL.
4⭐️
3🌶️
This was a great way to start of 2023.
I’m in love with Aiden. I want an Aiden. He was perfect in all the right ways.
Nina drove me crazy but with her insecurities, I understood. I felt bad for judging her and getting angry… but I think that’s the emotions the author was trying to convey.
This was a beautiful story as a debut. I loved seeing the characters heal together from events that had happened in the past. Reading the character growth was everything.
I will say that this may have trigger warnings that might not sit well with people so please make sure you read those before going in blind. Other than that I thought it was a wonderful debut and I can’t wait to see what else Megan has in store.
4⭐️
3🌶️
This was a great way to start of 2023.
I’m in love with Aiden. I want an Aiden. He was perfect in all the right ways.
Nina drove me crazy but with her insecurities, I understood. I felt bad for judging her and getting angry… but I think that’s the emotions the author was trying to convey.
This was a beautiful story as a debut. I loved seeing the characters heal together from events that had happened in the past. Reading the character growth was everything.
I will say that this may have trigger warnings that might not sit well with people so please make sure you read those before going in blind. Other than that I thought it was a wonderful debut and I can’t wait to see what else Megan has in store.
January 9, 2023
Mine to Lose by Megan EL
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶
Friends to lovers
Forced proximity
He falls first
Slow burn
TW
Mine to Lose is the debut novel for Megan El and the first book in the Red Cedar Romance series.
Nina is going to a local college while helping support her family. She pairs up for a group project in class with Aiden local bad boy! Both have emotional trauma history that they are trying to navigate their life through.
I enjoyed their chemistry and banter. Their character growth felt natural. I enjoyed the additional relationships that we got to view with friends and family.
Their were moments of laughter and tears with the heartache they had!
I am leaving an honest review.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶
Friends to lovers
Forced proximity
He falls first
Slow burn
TW
Mine to Lose is the debut novel for Megan El and the first book in the Red Cedar Romance series.
Nina is going to a local college while helping support her family. She pairs up for a group project in class with Aiden local bad boy! Both have emotional trauma history that they are trying to navigate their life through.
I enjoyed their chemistry and banter. Their character growth felt natural. I enjoyed the additional relationships that we got to view with friends and family.
Their were moments of laughter and tears with the heartache they had!
I am leaving an honest review.
January 11, 2023
This book was so good! It was more emotional than I thought it would be but it was such a cute story. I enjoy a good friends to lovers, the buildup is always good in them. There's a little bit of spice thrown in but it's mostly cuteness between the couple and who doesn't love cute romantic moments? I also like how the author showed what a mental disorder can do to a person and how it can mess with others around the person just as well. The more I read, I couldn't put it down and I just wanted to what was going to happen. I definitely recommend this to anyone looking for a cute romance that turns friends into lovers. 😊
January 22, 2023
Thank you to the author for the eARC in exchange for my honest review.
I love this book. Mine to Lose is a college romance that follows two students after working on a project together. It's well-written and full of fluff, spice, and a little bit of angst.
The romance was amazing. I loved watching their relationship develop. I am in love with Aiden, thank you very much.
The characters are all well written, including the side characters. The character arcs for our main characters were perfect. Seeing their growth was amazing.
Romance is the main plot, but the subplots are just as good. I won't say too much to avoid spoilers but believe me when I say its amazing.
Thank you again to the author. This was an amazing read and I can't recommend it enough.
I love this book. Mine to Lose is a college romance that follows two students after working on a project together. It's well-written and full of fluff, spice, and a little bit of angst.
The romance was amazing. I loved watching their relationship develop. I am in love with Aiden, thank you very much.
The characters are all well written, including the side characters. The character arcs for our main characters were perfect. Seeing their growth was amazing.
Romance is the main plot, but the subplots are just as good. I won't say too much to avoid spoilers but believe me when I say its amazing.
Thank you again to the author. This was an amazing read and I can't recommend it enough.
January 5, 2023
Mine to Lose by Megan El
I dont even know how to start this review. I fucking adored this book and i’m so so proud of Meg for this amazing book!
The story of Nina and Aiden was so wholesome, adorable and fucking spicy! I loved the fact that both of them had troubles, Aiden with managing his recovery from drug addiction and Nina with her trauma from her mother. The two of them worked amazing together and i’m so happy we got such an amazing HEA.
Super excited to see what Meg writes next, and thank you again for an amazing ARC 💖
🔥🔥.5 / 5
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ / 5
#minetolose #meganel
I dont even know how to start this review. I fucking adored this book and i’m so so proud of Meg for this amazing book!
The story of Nina and Aiden was so wholesome, adorable and fucking spicy! I loved the fact that both of them had troubles, Aiden with managing his recovery from drug addiction and Nina with her trauma from her mother. The two of them worked amazing together and i’m so happy we got such an amazing HEA.
Super excited to see what Meg writes next, and thank you again for an amazing ARC 💖
🔥🔥.5 / 5
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ / 5
#minetolose #meganel
January 14, 2023
This book was so well written, it flowed beautifully. I loved the development of the characters and their growth. Mine to Lose is Megan El’s debut novel and book 1 in the Red Cedar Romance series. Let me just say - I’m impressed!
Nina and Aiden pair up for a college project and have amazing chemistry! Nina’s family dynamic and the relationships she had with her immediate family members had me hooked from the start! I laughed and cried with Nina and Aiden —- I truly enjoyed this book and look forward to many more from Megan!
Nina and Aiden pair up for a college project and have amazing chemistry! Nina’s family dynamic and the relationships she had with her immediate family members had me hooked from the start! I laughed and cried with Nina and Aiden —- I truly enjoyed this book and look forward to many more from Megan!
January 9, 2023
Mine to lose is about college kids Nina and Adien. They meet in class when Nina approaches Adien to work on a class presentation together. They each have their own struggles or demons they are working through. Can they work through them together? or were they doomed from the start. This is a friends to Lovers troupe. It is an adorable story Nina and Adien are cute together.
Was provided and Arc for an honest review
Was provided and Arc for an honest review
January 13, 2023
I really enjoyed this book. I’m not going to spoil anything but the characters were well written and developed throughout the book. The pace was perfect. I don’t normally read college age romance but I enjoyed this one. Both MC were above the age of 18 and out of high school. There is some past drug use mentioned as well as drinking, mental health and death of a side character. Check the triggers and tags be fore reading. Ends with a HEA.
January 4, 2023
Mine to lose was the perfect mix of light hearted love and deep emotion.
Nina is the relatable to every eldest daughter and the author really captures how hard it is to have an absent parent.
Throughout the book we see Aiden and Nina both grow with each other and for each other and grow into loving, mature adults.
Will definitely be re reading and can’t wait for more red cedar romance. ❤️
Nina is the relatable to every eldest daughter and the author really captures how hard it is to have an absent parent.
Throughout the book we see Aiden and Nina both grow with each other and for each other and grow into loving, mature adults.
Will definitely be re reading and can’t wait for more red cedar romance. ❤️
January 4, 2023
What a great debut novel! I would highly recommend this book. I loved the characters. They were beautifully flawed and their motivations for their actions made sense. And their growth by the end was awesome to see. There was great flirty banter between Nina and Aiden, too—so cute! I’m excited to read whatever comes next from this author.
January 5, 2023
UGH. I never wanted this book to end. I’m so very glad I was able to read this as an ARC. Nina and Aiden are probably going to be my favorite book couple for awhile. The details and descriptions of their lives and how they met and how they spent time together as JUST FRIENDS really is what makes this one of my favorites.
January 20, 2023
I received an ARC copy of this book and went in totally blind.
It was one of those books that was intriguing the whole way through. The author touched on what I would consider some sensitive topics like the struggles of an absent parent and mental health but in a way that felt fluid with the story. Not overly spicy. Overall I would definitely recommend
It was one of those books that was intriguing the whole way through. The author touched on what I would consider some sensitive topics like the struggles of an absent parent and mental health but in a way that felt fluid with the story. Not overly spicy. Overall I would definitely recommend
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January 4, 2023This is a series I really look forward to following for future sequels.
The banter between the main characters was cute and fun. I loved Aiden and Nina. (Her insecurities really made me want to throw things there towards the end, but thank goodness for that character development…)
The banter between the main characters was cute and fun. I loved Aiden and Nina. (Her insecurities really made me want to throw things there towards the end, but thank goodness for that character development…)
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 11, 2023
This book made me smile and it made me cry. I love Aiden, so much, 5eva, and Nina...well...I FELT Nina so, so hard. I will absolutely recommend to all of my contemp friends. This also totally brought me back to my college days, which was such fun.
January 14, 2023
I absolutely loved everything about this book. From the characters to the plot it was all great. I love a good friends to lovers book and definitely recommend not passing this one up. I can't wait to read more by Megan and hope so see more stories about the side characters in the future.
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