Happiest Book Birthday to THE SECOND WE MET by Maya Hughes, a fun and heart-melting enemies to lovers romance. I absolutely love this series and so excited for you to read Nix and Elle’s story.
Series: Fulton U #2
Published: October 17, 2019
Genre(s): Contemporary, Romance
Cover Design: Najla Qamber Designs
Photo: Wander Aguiar
Format: Kindle Edition, 328 pages
Dear Jerk Across the Street, sorry for accidentally walking in on you and catching an eyeful of your—equipment. And hard pass on the open invitation to join you in the shower “anytime”, A-hole.
That’s the note I should’ve written. Instead I sent a pleasant and apologetic version.
Had I known Phoenix “Nix” Russo would’ve been the neighbor from hell, I’d have told him right where he could shove my words.
Nix is the big man on campus with everyone lined up at his games to make sure he knows it. Sure, he’s got piercing blue eyes, abs that don’t quit and a smile that could set fire to a set of panties from a hundred yards away, but he’s also the biggest pain in my ass.
Dear Pink-Haired Menace, learn how to take a joke and stop being such a kill-joy…
Elle Masterson called the cops on one of my parties—again. My sweet talking usually gets me out of trouble, but this time it got me into a nice pair of silver handcuffs. Now I’m on a reputation rehab tour with a stop at a spring break community service project.
Guess who’s my new boss?
Now we’re shoulder to shoulder, sweaty, tired and…she’s not anything like I expected. There might just be a heart under that hardass exterior. She’s invading my dreams and I can’t shake the feeling she’s the key to unlocking a piece of me that I’ve hidden away.
It’s only a matter of time until she finds out why I’m really here.
Maybe I can break through her walls and into her heart before that happens…one screw at a time.
**The Second We Met is a standalone new adult romance**
I absolutely LOVE this story, this series, the charming Fulton U boys, and their fantastic leading ladies! Maya Hughes writes some of the best sports romance stories and I honestly cannot get enough. She stole my heart in Shameless King (The Kings of Rittenhouse #1) and ever since then, I’ve been utterly smitten with her writing and books. The Second We Met is no exception and I loved every single moment I spent with Elle, Nix, and pretty much everyone in this adorable, heartfelt, and fun romance novel.
I have a weakness for steamy, tension-filled, swoony, and touching romances that will give me all the feels I crave and more. This enemies to lovers story has all that and made my heart race, ache, melt, and swell with so much warmth and happiness. Maya’s stories are just so darn good and if you haven’t read any of them, then you need to pick one up right now! They’re always fun, addictive, entertaining, and filled with so many wonderful moments and emotions.
I adore Elle and Nix from the second they met and rooted for them the entire time. Elle is the kind of heroine I love. She’s caring, supportive, sassy, determined, and always speaks her mind no matter what. Of course she makes mistakes and finds reasons to put up her walls, but that’s what makes Elle relatable. As strong as she seems, Elle has insecurities and fears like everyone and trust issues when it comes to love. She’s tough and quite guarded with her emotions, but Elle definitely has a softer sweet side. She’s really close with her roommate and best friend Jules and that shows that Elle does trust people, maybe not easily or right away, but she does. And when she’s finally ready to open her heart and truly trust Nix… well it doesn’t get any better or sweeter than that.
Nix will make your heart melt over and over. Yes, he’s famous and a jock. He’s a football star, popular with the girls, handsome and so damy sexy. But, there is so much more to him than that. He’s honest to goodness such a genuine, kind, giving, patient, and wonderful guy. My heart hurt so much for him because his father keeps forcing him into something he no longer wants. Deep down all Nix wants is to forge his own path and do something he enjoys and loves. It takes him a long time, but he eventually finds the courage to fight for what he loves and I’m so glad he does. I don’t want to give too much away about him or the story. Falling in love with Nix is one of the best parts of this book and I don’t want to take that awesome experience away from you.
I think Elle and Nix fit so well together and I loved how everything turned out for them. They definitely have some of the most delicious sexual tension and swoons and I totally love their chemistry. There’s so many delightful and cute scenes that made me giddy, emotional moments that broke my heart a little, but also filled it with love, and some amazing steamy moments that had me glued to the pages. I loved the drama, the bantering, the arguments, the humor, and the way Nix finally wins over Elle’s heart. Their relationship definitely has some bumps along the way, but that’s what makes it seem so real and relatable and I truly loved it… tears and all.
The supporting characters are as adorable and fun as always if not more. I think the more you get to know Maya’s characters, the more you fall for them. It’s nice to see that Reece and Seph are still going strong. LJ and Marissa are both still in denial. They have been dancing around each other and I cannot wait to read their book. BUT, I’m absoltely more excited about Jules and Berk’s story. I love Jules already. I adore her quirks, can relate with her, and cannot wait to get to know her even more. I have a feeling Jules and Berk are going to have insane chemistry and I’m so ready for that!
A must read heart-melting enemies to lovers story, The Second We Met is full of laughs, swoons, bromance, amazing friendships, delicious treats, fun surprises, and so many wonderful feels. Maya Hughes always makes me fall in love with her stories and characters and I really hope she never stops writing these breathtaking romances that never fail to make my heart smile. I don’t think I can say much more than I already have, so if you love romance then you need to read this book, this series, and all the other lovely stories Maya has written.
I received an advance reader copy of this book from the author in exchange for a fair and honest review. All thought, opinions, and swoons are my own.
The adorkable math genius virgin, Persephone (“Seph”), was extremely sheltered, socially awkward, and inexperienced in many things. But, don’t let that fool you. Seph was a force to be reckoned with and surprised me in so many ways. She’s fierce, brave, spunky, and adventurous. With her list of firsts, she was determined to experience and do everything. And that’s where Reece comes in – the brooding handsome football star player who loved the game with all his heart that he wouldn’t let anything or anyone get in his way to playing pro. He was kind of a jerk at first, but let’s be real here… we all know that there’s a genuinely sweet, gentle, and caring side to him. And boy did he… I fell just as hard for him as Seph did. They meet by accident, which I thought was super funny and so darn cute, and that’s how their deliciously quirky, adorable, and fun story begins.
Sincerely Karen Jo 