Zander

Perfectly Independent #3.5

by Amanda Shelley

Zander’s known for being a player both on and off the court. When his name shows up as my next client, my heart stalls, and not in a good way. There’s no way I’ll survive the semester with him. I just don’t have the patience.

However, when I need help, Zander makes a proposal I can’t refuse. He’ll be my fake date to my best friend’s wedding so I don’t have to face my ex and his new girlfriend alone.

The weekend goes off without a hitch as we effortlessly pretend to have the time of our lives.

All is perfect… until I realize my feelings for Zander are no longer an act.

What will I do when our arrangement comes to an end?

*** Please note this book was previously published in the Kiss & Tell Anthology ***

Genres: Sports, Contemporary, Amazon

158 pages, Kindle Edition

Published December 24, 2022

About the author

Amanda Shelley writes romantic stories you can escape into. Some are steamy, others are sweet but all have strong characters with a little bit of sass.

When not writing, Amanda enjoys time with her family, playing chauffeur, chef and being an enthusiastic fan for her children. Keeping up with them keeps her alert and grounded in reality. She enjoys long car rides, chai lattes and popping her SUV into four-wheel drive for adventures anywhere.

Amanda loves hearing from readers. Be sure sign up for her newsletter and follow her on social media. Join her reader’s group Amanda’s Army of Readers to stay up to date on her latest information.

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Reviews

[Cecly Ann · Rating 4 out of 5]

Easy wonderful read

This was an easy wonderful read with delightful characters and an unusual plot. Loved that Ari was his tutor and loved it more that Zander realised that he needed help. Four wonderful stars

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

WOW!! So Good!!

Well written story and well developed characters! Zander is a Star on the basketball court but he's having trouble in his college classes. He's dyslexic! It gets worse when he's stressed. So he needs a tutor. Unfortunately the one he's been using just left college and he needs to find someone else!

[SiSi ❤️ · Rating 3 out of 5]

I gave it 3 stars because of the epilogue/ending, it was too fast at the end, a very short epilogue and then it just ends. It was a good story of falling for someone unexpectedly. I started to enjoy it a few chapters in and the romance was cute, it also had a little spice thrown in. I liked the way things went but I was just expecting more to it than what there was. I'd recommend it if you're into a fast paced romance though.
I like to find new authors and help them get out there and I will continue to read more books by this author because I did like the story. 🙂

[Karen Wright · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved Ari and Zander! What a page turner! I couldn’t put the story down. Ari broke up with someone who she was with for 4 years. He really was a piece of work. Zander on the other hand, plays basketball and needs a tutor to help him get his grades up and continue to play. That’s where Ari, who is a big help to him, comes in. Their chemistry from the beginning definitely gives off sparks. Than you have Ari’s best friend getting married and her ex is going to be there. Wait to you find out what Zander does to help her out for the wedding. I was definitely rooting for these two the whole time. Their banter and the way they get along so well made a friendship so easy between them. You won’t want to miss how this story ends!

[Keely · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just as cute as rest of the series…makes me want to go back at reread the series again. Zander and Ari started off with Ari tutoring Zander, but it soon became more than that. From friends to lovers in a weekend when Zander offered to be her “buffer” to her ex at her best friends wedding…which soon turned into them realizing their was more to their feelings than just friendship. I hope to hear more about Zander and Ari in future books.

[Coco.V]

🎁 FREE on Amazon today (4/19/2023)! 🎁

[Stephanie Campbell · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the first book I've read by this author. I don't generally like novellas because since they're so short I'm usually left feeling that the story could've been developed more. This one is also fast-paced and brief. Although a full-length novel would've been nice, I still enjoyed the story. Zander is a jock who needs a tutor because he's dyslexic and needs to keep his grades up to remain on the team. Ari is assigned as his new tutor as his last tutor has graduated. When she learns he's a basketball player, she expects him to be arrogant and egotistical. She's pleasantly surprised to find that he's very aware of the areas where he needs help. very focused on his studies, and works hard instead of sitting back and assuming she'll do the work for him so he can pass. He comes to admire how organized and focused she is, and the tips she shares that help him even more. Zander does her a favor by accompanying her to her best friend's wedding as her fake boyfriend. Her cheating ex, a groomsman, will be there with the girl he cheated with. Zander and Ari unexpectedly progress from tutor/tutee to fake boyfriend/girlfriend to very real feelings for each other. I am impressed enough by this novella that I plan on reading more books by this author.

[Terri Reid · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love this one

Zander is dyslexic and needs a tutor because his last one has graduated. Ari needed another person to tutor. When she learned he was the person she was going to tutor, all she could picture was a pampas basketball player wanting someone to help him pass. She learned he is dyslexic and his last tutor graduated so he needed a new one. They were a perfect fit. He studies hard and plays well keeping himself focused. She is the score keeper for home games and he doesn't see her until she tells him he needs work on his dropping elbow, which his coach was already working on. He is very shocked she knows anything about basketball. And their story begins! He is head over heels for her before he even knows what hits him. I loved this one!

[Alejandra Guerrero · Rating 2 out of 5]

It was Ok until the HFN ending that just leaves things in the air. They didn't even say "I love you". Felt like there is a second part or something. But no, we get a "two years later" epilogue; except that to understand what the hell is happening in said epilogue you need to have read at least 3 other books, since a lot of couples are mentioned that weren't a thing in the whole book. The smutt was OK.

[Brianna · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a quick easy read with a good plot. I seen someone else say that wanted more from the epilogue and I agree but I did enjoy getting to see them still happy together. Ari’s full name is so unique and I loved that Zander gave it a go at it. It was paced well for a novella. It was nice seeing not only a man but an athlete recognize that he needed help and asked. They were a cute couple and I love an instant “she’s gorgeous and I love her” 😂

[Signey · Rating 3 out of 5]

I found this for free on Kobo and decided to give it a try since I am trying to complete the A to Z book title challenge and needed book that had a title that started with the letter Z. And this was such a fun read. There were some moments that had me rolling my eyes but I really did enjoy Zander and Ari - they were so cute!!

[Cyndy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such an amazing author. She can guide you through stories of young love, limited drama and enticing stories. I'm always excited when she has a new read!

[ashley and the never ending TBR · Rating 4 out of 5]

read for an abc challenge, it was a quick and cute novella

[Vic · Rating 5 out of 5]

Swoon, swoon, swoon...easy read, very little angst, loved the main characters. Where can I find me a zander, swoon...?

[Regina · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute college romance 💓

[Angela Griffin · Rating 4 out of 5]

A nice, quick diversion

A little sweet, a little steamy... Zander's and Ari's romance is predictable but enjoyable and makes for a diverting novella.

[Hyacinth · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really like sports romance and this one did not disappoint. I like Ari and Zander. I like how the author broached the topic of dyslexia and how Zander was disciplined in how he learned to study and what worked for him. I don't know that I could do the whole fake boyfriend thing but it made for a good story. Now, I want to read the rest of the series.

[Virginia · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.