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jj_readstoomuch's review against another edition
emotional
funny
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
"He knows how to score, on and off the ice...
...It’ll take more than flashy moves to win her over."
Allie Hayes is nursing a broken heart but ends up on the rebound. She spends one night with Dean Di Laurentis, the king of one-night stands, and the rest is history. Just like the previous two books, The Score is pretty much the standard romance book. However, I didn’t enjoy this one as much as the others.
The plot for this book was fairly predicable as it was so similar to her previous books in the series. A girl goes through a life changing event, she catches the eye of the bad boy hockey player, they try to resist each other and then boom, they fail. I know this is pretty much the basis for a lot of romance books out there (don't get me wrong, there's nothing wrong with a good old good girl/bad boy trope) but the writing itself just seemed quite repetitive. At times I often felt like I was having deja vu because it just seemed like I'd read the exact same story before. However, the author has said that you can read these books as standalones. In my opinion, you wouldn't understand parts of book 3 without reading book 2 and you wouldn't understand parts of book 2 without reading the first book etc. so I'm glad I read them as a series.
The main characters in this book are Allie Hayes and Dean Di Laurentis. I personally just didn't gel with these characters as much as I did with the main characters from the previous books in the series.
Allie is ok. There are certain aspects of her personality that I find admirable, like her loyalty towards others. However, that also happens to be her downfall. She's loyal to a drastic fault and puts others' needs before her own. I did like Allie's character development. She became more certain about what she wanted and did things for her self, knowing that it would impact other characters, and didn't second-guess herself.
Dean. The only thing we really learn about Dean in the previous books is that he's a massive player, a humongous flirt and is very rich. In this book, you don't learn much more about Dean until maybe the last third of the book when a major event happens (no spoilers) and you see how he handles it and how his character develops because of it. I'm not a massive Dean fan despite how he's made out to such a popular person in the book. I found his personality to be quite garish and stereotypical. Yes, he has a character arc and grows as a person as we reach the end of the book but I don't know, his character just isn't for me.
As for other characters, we see more of Garratt and Hannah, Logan and Grace and more side characters from the previous books (which is why I would recommend reading the books as a series and in order). One character we didn't read a lot about in this book though is Tucker. He had the odd piece of dialogue and then dropped a major bombshell at the end of the book so I'm guessing book 4 is going to be about Tucker. We don't really know alot about this character besides that he's the 'mum' of the group and is a decent cook so I'm looking forward to reading more about him in the next book.
Ultimately, I thought this book was okay overall. A bit repetitive with the scenarios and writing but learning more about the different characters and how their lives have progressed at Briar University was very interesting. Overall, I'd probably rate this book 3.5 / 5 stars. It wasn't a bad book by any means but it didn't make me go all giddy and stay hooked like the previous books. I would recommend reading this book if you don't mind a bit of repetitiveness or if you're going to read it as a standalone. I would also recommend this book (and the series as a whole) to adults (18+) as it contains explicit content and tackles some pretty heavy issues throughout.
...It’ll take more than flashy moves to win her over."
Allie Hayes is nursing a broken heart but ends up on the rebound. She spends one night with Dean Di Laurentis, the king of one-night stands, and the rest is history. Just like the previous two books, The Score is pretty much the standard romance book. However, I didn’t enjoy this one as much as the others.
The plot for this book was fairly predicable as it was so similar to her previous books in the series. A girl goes through a life changing event, she catches the eye of the bad boy hockey player, they try to resist each other and then boom, they fail. I know this is pretty much the basis for a lot of romance books out there (don't get me wrong, there's nothing wrong with a good old good girl/bad boy trope) but the writing itself just seemed quite repetitive. At times I often felt like I was having deja vu because it just seemed like I'd read the exact same story before. However, the author has said that you can read these books as standalones. In my opinion, you wouldn't understand parts of book 3 without reading book 2 and you wouldn't understand parts of book 2 without reading the first book etc. so I'm glad I read them as a series.
The main characters in this book are Allie Hayes and Dean Di Laurentis. I personally just didn't gel with these characters as much as I did with the main characters from the previous books in the series.
Allie is ok. There are certain aspects of her personality that I find admirable, like her loyalty towards others. However, that also happens to be her downfall. She's loyal to a drastic fault and puts others' needs before her own. I did like Allie's character development. She became more certain about what she wanted and did things for her self, knowing that it would impact other characters, and didn't second-guess herself.
Dean. The only thing we really learn about Dean in the previous books is that he's a massive player, a humongous flirt and is very rich. In this book, you don't learn much more about Dean until maybe the last third of the book when a major event happens (no spoilers) and you see how he handles it and how his character develops because of it. I'm not a massive Dean fan despite how he's made out to such a popular person in the book. I found his personality to be quite garish and stereotypical. Yes, he has a character arc and grows as a person as we reach the end of the book but I don't know, his character just isn't for me.
As for other characters, we see more of Garratt and Hannah, Logan and Grace and more side characters from the previous books (which is why I would recommend reading the books as a series and in order). One character we didn't read a lot about in this book though is Tucker. He had the odd piece of dialogue and then dropped a major bombshell at the end of the book so I'm guessing book 4 is going to be about Tucker. We don't really know alot about this character besides that he's the 'mum' of the group and is a decent cook so I'm looking forward to reading more about him in the next book.
Ultimately, I thought this book was okay overall. A bit repetitive with the scenarios and writing but learning more about the different characters and how their lives have progressed at Briar University was very interesting. Overall, I'd probably rate this book 3.5 / 5 stars. It wasn't a bad book by any means but it didn't make me go all giddy and stay hooked like the previous books. I would recommend reading this book if you don't mind a bit of repetitiveness or if you're going to read it as a standalone. I would also recommend this book (and the series as a whole) to adults (18+) as it contains explicit content and tackles some pretty heavy issues throughout.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Chronic illness, Alcohol, Cursing, Drug use, and Sexual content
Moderate: Cancer, Death, Grief, Death of parent, Toxic relationship, and Car accident
Minor: Mental illness, Adult/minor relationship, Violence, and Vomit
wellreadjill_'s review against another edition
emotional
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Drug use, Drug abuse, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, Alcoholism, Toxic relationship, Misogyny, Sexual content, Suicide attempt, Alcohol, Car accident, and Death
itsmeyseniab's review against another edition
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
I swear this series is like candy to me, I eat these books up so quickly! Although this has been the spiciest book in the series thus far in my opinion, it was my least favorite romance. I unfortunately didn't completely love Allie and Dean as a couple (apart from their palpable physical chemistry), but they are HILARIOUS. I kind of wish that Dean and Allie didn't end up together in the end. I know that's probably an unpopular opinion, but I loved the idea of them just being friends with benefits. They would've still been capable with learning from each other and growing as individuals without the pressure of being in a relationship by the end.
The main reason that I ended up giving this one 3.5 stars is because it felt as though Elle Kennedy was throwing the most ridiculous conflicts at the end to give the characters more depth. There were multiple times at the end when I put the book down and laughed, not because the situation was particularly funny, but just because I was so flabbergasted by the huge downer at the end when the first 80% was lighthearted and sexy. I also appreciated the character growth that Elle Kennedy attempted to display, specifically with Allie, but it didn't pack as much of a punch due to my feelings on the spoiler I mentioned above.
All in all I'm still having a fabulous time with this series and can't wait to pick up the next one!
The main reason that I ended up giving this one 3.5 stars is because it felt as though Elle Kennedy was throwing the most ridiculous conflicts at the end to give the characters more depth. There were multiple times at the end when I put the book down and laughed, not because the situation was particularly funny, but just because I was so flabbergasted by the huge downer at the end when the first 80% was lighthearted and sexy. I also appreciated the character growth that Elle Kennedy attempted to display, specifically with Allie, but it didn't pack as much of a punch due to my feelings on the spoiler I mentioned above.
All in all I'm still having a fabulous time with this series and can't wait to pick up the next one!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Drug use
Minor: Cancer, Death of parent, Car accident, and Death
mention of multiple sclerosisagnesbebon's review
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.0
This entire review contains spoilers.
Ok this isn’t going to be nice and I feel kinda bad about it. These are most of my thoughts on this book so it’s a little chaotic and really long.
First, some things I liked:
-This book made me love Garrett and Hannah even more. Especially Garrett. The problem with this is it is not their book and they felt like equally main characters.
-I genuinely laughed at loud at some parts!!
- I loved Allie and Dean getting together, and they really did have me at some points.
-I liked the overall idea of this plot more than the others (emphasis on idea)
-Dean running to the rescue? Yes love it. Dean after the cops were called? Phenomenal
- Parts of it were really hot I gotta give Elle Kennedy that
- Huge spoiler: there was great development after Beau’s death but this should’ve come sooner
Some quick issues:
I hated the twincest moment. There was a weird brief juice cleanse promo. I never want to hear “jiggle down” again. Did not like the reference to Tr*mp. This book was significantly more male gaze-y than the last two. There were weird race jokes.
Things that made me mad (this book genuinely made me angry):
- I hate saying things made me cringe, but the writing in this made me cringe. Like what was “she’s probably ovaries-deep in a carton of ben and Jerry’s right now” hated that.
- This is my number one issue with this book: there were too many goddamn side characters and mini plots. The entire middle of this book was just introducing characters for the next book/ Briar U series. Even the ending wasn’t about Allie and Dean. This book is quite frankly not about Allie and Dean. The first half gave me what I wanted. Then they introduced wayyy too many people and the plot was completely lost
- Miranda’s plot (coaches daughters ex thing) was not developed enough for what Kennedy was trying to do. The coach straight up did not need to be in the book - literally nothing came of it.
- There was like barely any hockey in this book?? After reading The Mistake and The Score, I realize a huge reason why I really like The Deal is the amount of hockey in it and the way both characters interact with it
- Where was the smut in the last like 40% of the book? Where was it?
- Warning major spoiler: Beaus death came too late. It really feels like so much time was spent setting up side characters that the bulk of the story wasn’t really about Allie and Dean and so there was a rush at the end to give them some substance. I liked how this added to the plot, but I think it should’ve been done earlier (honestly the middle chunk of the book was not needed) and been more developed (days just go by and details are just missed that would’ve been included in the first two books of this series). Same with Allie struggling about her future. I wished it focused on these plot points and really developed it instead of introducing a million characters
Overall it was somehow too long while also being underdeveloped and I just don’t think it was really about Allie and Dean and I’m disappointed.
Ok this isn’t going to be nice and I feel kinda bad about it. These are most of my thoughts on this book so it’s a little chaotic and really long.
First, some things I liked:
-This book made me love Garrett and Hannah even more. Especially Garrett. The problem with this is it is not their book and they felt like equally main characters.
-I genuinely laughed at loud at some parts!!
- I loved Allie and Dean getting together, and they really did have me at some points.
-I liked the overall idea of this plot more than the others (emphasis on idea)
-Dean running to the rescue? Yes love it. Dean after the cops were called? Phenomenal
- Parts of it were really hot I gotta give Elle Kennedy that
- Huge spoiler: there was great development after Beau’s death but this should’ve come sooner
Some quick issues:
I hated the twincest moment. There was a weird brief juice cleanse promo. I never want to hear “jiggle down” again. Did not like the reference to Tr*mp. This book was significantly more male gaze-y than the last two. There were weird race jokes.
Things that made me mad (this book genuinely made me angry):
- I hate saying things made me cringe, but the writing in this made me cringe. Like what was “she’s probably ovaries-deep in a carton of ben and Jerry’s right now” hated that.
- This is my number one issue with this book: there were too many goddamn side characters and mini plots. The entire middle of this book was just introducing characters for the next book/ Briar U series. Even the ending wasn’t about Allie and Dean. This book is quite frankly not about Allie and Dean. The first half gave me what I wanted. Then they introduced wayyy too many people and the plot was completely lost
- Miranda’s plot (coaches daughters ex thing) was not developed enough for what Kennedy was trying to do. The coach straight up did not need to be in the book - literally nothing came of it.
- There was like barely any hockey in this book?? After reading The Mistake and The Score, I realize a huge reason why I really like The Deal is the amount of hockey in it and the way both characters interact with it
- Where was the smut in the last like 40% of the book? Where was it?
- Warning major spoiler: Beaus death came too late. It really feels like so much time was spent setting up side characters that the bulk of the story wasn’t really about Allie and Dean and so there was a rush at the end to give them some substance. I liked how this added to the plot, but I think it should’ve been done earlier (honestly the middle chunk of the book was not needed) and been more developed (days just go by and details are just missed that would’ve been included in the first two books of this series). Same with Allie struggling about her future. I wished it focused on these plot points and really developed it instead of introducing a million characters
Overall it was somehow too long while also being underdeveloped and I just don’t think it was really about Allie and Dean and I’m disappointed.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief, Death, and Alcohol
Moderate: Suicide, Toxic relationship, Incest, and Emotional abuse
miglena's review
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Car accident, Alcohol, Death, Death of parent, and Grief
Moderate: Suicide, Toxic relationship, and Chronic illness
Minor: Cancer, Drug use, and Mental illness
s_pywow's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Alcohol, Car accident, Chronic illness, Death of parent, Death, Drug use, Terminal illness, and Toxic relationship
Minor: Mental illness and Suicide
elizabeth_delozier's review
emotional
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
A new adult, college, hockey, spicy romance (3/5 spice rating). Dean is my favorite of all the off-campus men and Allie has a healthy amount of spunk. Dean lives the shameless life of back-to-back one night stands and Allie is the relationship-type. When Allie attempts to give the casual dating life a whirl, will Dean find himself changing his ways? Even better than watching these two fall for each other is watching them fight to stay together. There is an emotional twist in this book that will have you in tears, while the group finds a way to cope and you get a happy surprise at the end that opens up to the next book.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Grief, and Car accident
Minor: Toxic relationship and Gaslighting
dlrosebyh's review
emotional
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcohol, Death, Grief, Alcoholism, and Death of parent
Moderate: Cancer, Drug use, Suicidal thoughts, and Mental illness
Minor: Toxic relationship and Sexual harassment
oliviabrcka's review
emotional
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
Allie Hayes has just broken up with her college-long boyfriend. Like, last night. Although she's not usually one to move on right away, a rebound could be just what she needs. Who better to be the rebound guy than the campus party boy Dean Di Laurentis? No strings, all in good fun, it seems perfect. Until it isn't anymore.
The Score definitely picked up the lull for me where The Mistake left off. This book hit the ground running and literally didn't stop. I loved reading it and I was left so excited to pick up the next book.
Elle Kennedy's writing definitely begins to add more personality here. I was literally laughing out loud, slapping my knee, and squealing with excitement during this book. Or shaking with excitement. These stories are so immersive, and once I pick them up, I can't put them down until I finish reading. I feel like overall, the writing has improved upon each addition to the series, so I am excited to see how the final books deliver.
Allie is our female lead, and she's so bubbly and sweet, it's hard not to love her. She's had a lot of trauma in the past, but she stays so kind and determined, and you just have to cheer for her. Dean is just Dean. He's the kind of guy that, in real life, you would totally hate, but he's Dean, and he's hilarious, so you just have to give him a pass. However, Dean really has so much character development throughout the story, probably the most we've seen out of this cast, and I loved to see that. We also see way more of the boys' bromance in this book (which we already know I'm HERE FOR) so I was happy all the way around here.
The Score explores mostly themes of chasing your dreams and following your passion, with obviously lots of relationship-y stuff in between. I really appreciated watching Dean and Allie discover themselves while building their relationship.
The end of this book literally left me screaming (for no reason because I already knew Tucker's storyline lol) and I have already started reading and I'm so excited to finish it! This series has been literally so addicting, to the point where I've been finishing every book in three hours or less. I'm so excited for these last two novels but I have no idea what I'm gonna do with myself after...
The Score definitely picked up the lull for me where The Mistake left off. This book hit the ground running and literally didn't stop. I loved reading it and I was left so excited to pick up the next book.
Elle Kennedy's writing definitely begins to add more personality here. I was literally laughing out loud, slapping my knee, and squealing with excitement during this book. Or shaking with excitement. These stories are so immersive, and once I pick them up, I can't put them down until I finish reading. I feel like overall, the writing has improved upon each addition to the series, so I am excited to see how the final books deliver.
Allie is our female lead, and she's so bubbly and sweet, it's hard not to love her. She's had a lot of trauma in the past, but she stays so kind and determined, and you just have to cheer for her. Dean is just Dean. He's the kind of guy that, in real life, you would totally hate, but he's Dean, and he's hilarious, so you just have to give him a pass. However, Dean really has so much character development throughout the story, probably the most we've seen out of this cast, and I loved to see that. We also see way more of the boys' bromance in this book (which we already know I'm HERE FOR) so I was happy all the way around here.
The Score explores mostly themes of chasing your dreams and following your passion, with obviously lots of relationship-y stuff in between. I really appreciated watching Dean and Allie discover themselves while building their relationship.
The end of this book literally left me screaming (for no reason because I already knew Tucker's storyline lol) and I have already started reading and I'm so excited to finish it! This series has been literally so addicting, to the point where I've been finishing every book in three hours or less. I'm so excited for these last two novels but I have no idea what I'm gonna do with myself after...
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Toxic relationship
shebke_21's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
sad
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Drug use, and Sexual content
Moderate: Car accident, Death of parent, Mental illness, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, and Toxic relationship