4.6 AVERAGE

vicreads12's profile picture

vicreads12's review

4.25

πš„πš—πšπšŽπš› πšπš‘πšŽ π™»πš’πšπš‘πšπšœ 
πš‹πš’ @sorenagravesauthor
 
πŸ„°πŸ…πŸ„² πŸ…πŸ„΄πŸ……πŸ„ΈπŸ„΄πŸ…†

4.25/5 ⭐️ 
2.5/5 🌢️

↓↓
Dom......19?? The same Dom, that leaves Sierra speechless and has the dirtiest mouth on him, he's only 19?!?!?!?!?! HOOOWWWWW?????

Dom was OBSESSIVE and POSSESSIVE AF. He was all in from the start and knew what he wanted. He stopped at absolutely nothing to prove to Sierra that he was there, he was all in and he wasn't going to leave her alone. That man, was so persistent. 

Sierra is what I wanted to be when I grew up. She's strong, so driven, ambitious, and feisty as hell. She has some trust issues and put's on this front but deep down she wants to find her person, she want's to love and wants to be loved so deeply. 

Watching Sierra come undone by Dom, hit me so hard. The dedication and persistence that Dom gave to Sierra was incredible. He showed up day in and day out and showed her that she could trust again and slowly her walls started to crumble.

Hunter has intrigued me since the first book and Ella, I love her so much. I can't wait for their book next.

𝕋𝕣𝕠𝕑𝕖𝕀 / π•Žπ•™π•’π•₯ π•₯𝕠 𝔼𝕩𝕑𝕖𝕔π•₯
πŸ’œ College romance 
πŸ’œ Reverse Age gap
πŸ’œ He falls first
πŸ’œ Football player x Volleyball player
πŸ’œ One night stand
πŸ’œ Grumpy FMC x Sunshine MMC
πŸ’œ Obsessed/protective MMC
πŸ’œ Kink exploration

kelcifer_dodds's review

5.0
adventurous emotional funny fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven: A mix
Strong character development: Yes
Loveable characters: Yes
Diverse cast of characters: Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

HFS! I could not put this down once I started it! The spice in this starts almost immediately and my GOD it was so good. Dom is the sexiest, most non-toxically masculine, dirty talking, PERFECT MMC possibly of all time. His absolute obsession with and devotion to Sierra was insanely attractive and I loved every single thing about him. Sierra was also amazing. I love an MMC who’s strong, courageous, and has upstanding moral character. She had A LOT of walls up and Dom never relented in trying to knock them down. This had some of my favorite tropes in it: he falls first, grumpy x sunshine, etc. and all of them were executed flawlessly. Make sure you have a REALLY cold beverage when you’re reading this because the spice will have you overheating for sure. The underlying mystery in this kept the tension ratcheted really high and the unraveling of the mystery was exceedingly satisfying. The symmetry with the ending and beginning was really beautiful and I loved this book so much. Will definitely be reading every other thing Sorena writes. 

I got this as an ARC but all opinions are my own!

steamycoffeeandbooks's review

4.5
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven: Character
Strong character development: Yes
Loveable characters: Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

Under the Lights is book two in The Big Boys of BRU Series by Sorena Graves. It is a reverse age gap, grumpy x sunshine contemporary romance that is completely swoon worthy!

Sierra doesn’t trust easily. After being screwed over by her parents and her previous boyfriend, all she’s after is to blow off some steam and have a little fun. Dom is determined to get exactly what he wants, and what he wants is Sierra. After what Sierra believes to be an incredibly chemistry-driven one-night stand, Dom has no doubts that he will win Sierra over and make her his. Determined to show Sierra some people are worth trusting, Dom continues to show up and refuses to take no for an answer.

This is the first book I’ve read by Sorena, and all I can say is WOW! Sierra is a fierce and absolutely badass woman, and I loved watching her grow and learn to trust again. Is Dom borderline stalker and, at times, a bit unhinged? Yes. Was I absolutely obsessed with him throughout the entire book? Also yes. The chemistry, tension, and banter between these two was EVERYTHING. If you enjoy sports romances, I advise you to add this to your to-be-read list right away!

Thank you, Sorena Graves, for providing this book for review consideration. All opinions are my own.

"Dom didn't just see me. He believed in me.
Unconditionally."

 
Sorena Graves is a new-to-me author, and I was lucky to receive an ARC of her newest book, Under the Lights (book two in the Blue Ridge University Series/The Big Boys of BRU Series). It follows the story of Sierra and Dominic.

I adored Sierra. Seeing the bond Sierra had with the girls she coached just melted my heart. I loved how she made them all feel seen and believed in. My heart also hurt for her after learning about how her parents never believed in her and seeing her get burned by not just her best friend but also her sorority sisters. I found her to be relatable, especially when it came to her trust issues and not wanting to depend on anyone.

I loved how possessive and obsessed Dominic was whenever it came to Sierra. That man was so fiercely protective of her and would do anything for her. He worked hard to earn Sierra's trust and, in doing so, became her safe space. 

I enjoyed Sierra and Dominic's story and thought they were perfect for each other!

I enjoyed the revenge/justice plot aspect of the book surrounding the sorority and fraternity houses. I was excited to see how everything would unfold and play out.

I can not wait to read Hunter and Ella's story in the next book in The Big Boys of Blue Ridge University Series.

Thank you so much to Sorena Graves for this ARC 🀍

kalexreads's review

5.0

What a great college romance! Dom is a slightly unhinged, golden retriever, but he just wants to protect Sierra. Sierra has a really hard time trusting anyone, so it takes Dom quite a bit of time to show her he’s got her back and isn’t going anywhere. Very, very spicy with some suspense and intrigue. Loved it!!!
bookishmama07's profile picture

bookishmama07's review

4.5

Okay, I really, really liked this one. The reverse age gap for me was a first but after reading more, I didnt feel gross haha 

Dom is THE guy, seriously. He was obsessed but not like aggressive about it. He really was the golden retriever and I was here for it. And who would've guessed he was the Daddy type 😏

Sierra, girl, I felt you on so many levels! It is hard to let down that guard and to give in, I know! But you had Dom and that made it so much more worth it! 

Elle, every girl needs a bestie like you 🩷

Before I spoil the whole thing, add this to your TBR! It's fantastic in all the ways and don't you worry about "is there spice", because baby, THERE IS πŸ”₯

wafflesnweights's review

4.0
emotional funny relaxing medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven: A mix
Strong character development: No
Loveable characters: Complicated
Diverse cast of characters: No
Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

RTC

kirsty_2305's review

5.0
dark hopeful mysterious medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven: A mix
Strong character development: Yes
Loveable characters: Yes
Diverse cast of characters: Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

ARC Review 

5 ⭐️
4 🌢

I was so stoked to get a message from Sorena to sign up for this ARC.

This is the second book in the BRU series focusing on Sierra & Dom. 

Sierra is athletic, fiesty, independent and doesn't take shit from anybody. After getting burned by her parents, sorority sisters and best friend her ability to trust and let anyone in is virtually nonexistent. Sierra is a character I was able to relate to on many levels - especially when it came to her issues around trust. After a one night stand - also the best night of her life - she doesn't expect to see Dom again but he keeps popping up no matter where she is. 

Enter Dom - an unhinged (in the best way possible), tattooed, possessive & obsessive MMC. His chemistry with Sierra was off the charts and I loved their banter. I loved how Dom was able to draw out Sierra's softer side and seeing her being able to relax and be vulnerable with him. 

The spice was chef's kiss and I love how Sierra slowly started to trust Dom with exploring different kinks i.e. somno. 

I enjoyed the revenge plot in this story and I'm glad that her former sorority sisters got what they deserved in the end. 

I am so looking forward to more from this series!!

coco_90's review

4.0
adventurous emotional funny lighthearted fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven: A mix
Loveable characters: Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus: Complicated
maggie_reads14's profile picture

maggie_reads14's review

5.0
funny hopeful lighthearted medium-paced

ARC REVIEW
5/5 stars
3.5/5 spice

HOLY SHIT SORENA!!! YOU DID YOUR SHIT ON THIS ONE! I am so proud of you and so grateful to be on this journey with you!

This is Sorena's second book and the second book in the BRU series, and it's one of my favorite books of the year. I finished this book in one sitting because I couldn't put it down; it was that good. Everything about this book was amazing, Sierra and Dom, chef's kiss. The plot had me guessing about what would happen, the spice had me sweating, and Dom being unhinged is my new obsession.

Sierra is that GIRLLL! She is a badass, feisty, and independent. She doesn't take shit from anyone; her trust issues keep her from allowing others to get too close, especially after she gets burned by her sorority sisters and best friend. She is hurting and determined to bring down the people who not only hurt her but also the charities she loves. I loved her determination and the strength to stand up for what she believed in despite everything falling apart around her. I related to Sierra on so many levels, especially feeling like you only have yourself to count on and struggling with trusting people when you only get let down time and time again. Sierra truly meant the world to me as a character, and I loved how she slowly let Dom get closer to her, but at her own pace. She knew she was stuck with him, but still made him work to earn her love and trust.

Dom, oh baby, Dom, I love you so much. Who knew I would simp for a red head, but here we are. That man was so unhinged in the sweetest way possible. He saw Sierra once and knew he would never want another woman ever. He knew exactly how to push the right buttons to make her tick, but did it in such a golden retriever way that she couldn't stay mad at him. This man worships the ground Sierra walks on and would do anything for her. Despite him never leaving her alone, he still didn't push her to talk about the things she wasn't ready for; he was patient and so kind. He didn't stop proving himself to her even after he knew how she felt (even if she didn't vocalize it). Dom would do anything Sierra needed without hesitation, and once he saw that she understood, he was truly the happiest man. The love I felt radiating off the pages from the second he saw Sierra put that necklace on had me tearing up with happiness. Dom and Sierra are truly endgame and meant to be together for life.

Onto the side characters, they are everything! Jax was so funny, I love him so bad. Knox reminds me of a puppy who is just here for the vibes. ELLA, MY GIRL, I LOVE YOU SO MUCH!!! She is a girl's best friend and will do whatever it takes for the ones she loves. Also, the small scenes with Hunter were everything to me. I've loved that man since book 1. I'm so excited for what's to come with these characters.

The spice in this book was so hot, I was blushing. Dom was a daddy in this book despite being younger. I loved how Dom would check in with Sierra in his way to make sure she was good with what was happening, and Sierra trusted Dom enough to explore her fantasies.

I will forever shout from the roof for others to read this book and book 1 in the BRU because I swear you will love it.

Sorena, thank you so much for allowing me to love this series and you. I'm so lucky to call you a friend and see you succeed on this journey. Thank you for trusting me with this ARC.

Tropes:
- He falls first
- College romance
- Reverse grumpy x sunshine
- Obsessive and protective MMC
- Reverse age gao
- Football player x volleyball player
- One night stand