Reviews

I really liked the Off Campus and Briar U series. I also really liked the first book in this series, so I was super excited when I realized the 2nd one came out! I enjoyed this one a lot. Shane has such golden retriever energy I love it. It was cool to see how Shane and Diana’s relationship started and progressed throughout the book. I also liked that even when they were catching feelings the banter still was happening, and they constantly gave each other crap. I am not the biggest fan of insta love when it comes to enemies to lovers, so I’m really happy that they built up to the I love yous rather than saying it right away 😅

My only complaint is the whole situation with Shane’s dad. Definitely am not going to go into details because of spoilers; however, I just wasn’t a fan of how it was done in the last few chapters of the book. I feel like the curveball was thrown in there to prolong the book, which I didn’t really like all that much. Overall though I did enjoy the book as a whole, and I’m definitely looking forward to the next ones!

abbieliliana's review against another edition

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emotional funny medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated

3.0

some of the dialogue in this book had me needing to take a break and walk around the room. one of my personal favorites: “i have no idea what the future will hold, but i do know one thing - when it comes to me and shane, there’s no doubt in my mind that the journey will be fun.” fun? i love you elle, but you’ve written this many books and you couldn’t come up with a better word than fun?
i don’t know if it’s me or the books that have changed, but this was my 7th elle kennedy book and it just didn’t feel the same as the others. i also can’t get over the immature way that shane speaks/thinks most of the time. he had me rolling my eyes every five seconds with his corny early 2010s-esque dialogue. like, why are we still calling girls chicks?
everything else aside, this was still a semi-enjoyable read. i enjoyed the side plots of the HOA meetings and neighbors. however, this book definitely cannot compete with the graham effect for me.

Content Warnings

esteera's review against another edition

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challenging emotional funny lighthearted medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes

5.0

I freaking loved this one! i will always appreciate how EK approaches heavier topics in her books. They're always done in a way where it's actually relevant to the story and not just added in to make it dramatic.

their bickering was also so well written. i hate when there's a 180 after ther get together but these two kept the banter up which i loved.

also

the ballroom dance scene

was so intimate?? was damn near a spicy scene on its own lol

and when percy said she ruined his life and she responded with "good" as she was literally getting beaten??

wow. queen

i did not see the family stuff coming at the end. literally teared up when his dad died. and when he and his mom had the heart to heart

i legitimately sobbed

Content Warnings

selenophile_lys's review

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5.0

I really loved this book. Not only was it nice to see more cameos of some of our fave Briar characters here and there, but I genuinely loved the relationship between our two leads Shane and Diana. The way it grew from hate to love was so seamless. Starting as barely tolerating each other, to fake dating, to working together to a physical-only relationship, and then finally falling in love when they didn't expect it was such a wonderful progression.

This book had a few sensitive topics and I would caution anyone to check before reading as some scenes were gut-wrenching and reading as these characters persevered through these moments to get their happy ending was powerful.

I'm definitely curious to see what comes next in this series from some of Shane & Diana's friends, who as we've seen are dealing with some interesting things as well.

melago9210's review against another edition

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emotional funny medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.75

delaneyrae22's review against another edition

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emotional funny lighthearted sad medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A

3.0

shutterjess's review against another edition

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medium-paced

4.25

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