A review by bribreez
Eleven Eleven by Micalea Smeltzer

emotional funny hopeful lighthearted reflective relaxing medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? N/A
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

*Thank you to Valentine PR and Micalea Smeltzer for providing me an ARC of this story! All opinions are my own.

5⭐️/ 3-4🌶️

I love Micalea’s books, and obviously reading the synopsis for this particular story caught my eye IMMEDIATELY! With tropes from, one night stand, reverse age gap, he’s a handsome, glasses wearing man but also has a surprisingly dirty mouth on him, yeah I was definitely on board haha. Via and Reid’s story started off as a one night stand, but even that unforgettable, steamy, hot night they shared, it definitely leave an impression on both of them. Micaela always has a way of weaving together beauty, emotion, and romance into her stories and that’s exactly what she did with Via and Reid’s story. Within the first few chapters, I was already a fan of the characters, and more!

I liked Via right away, I thought she was kind, albeit a bit quiet and shy at times, but occasionally she would have her confidence come out which was great. Once Via met a certain SOMEBODY *ahem, Reid, that was when Via stepped out of her comfort zone and I was all for her! Woo! Via seemed like the type of woman who, with the mindset ready to explore new things, and speak up as opposed to how she was in her previous relationship (her marriage). Via had her own personal journey throughout the story, and it was wonderful to see her finally give in to the happiness she rightly deserved!

Excuse me, sorry, but like…HOW DOES A FICTIONAL MAN LIKE, REID POSSESS THE POWER TO MAKE ME WEAK IN THE KNEES SO MUCH?! From the moment Reid met Via, my immediate impression (aside from the fact how handsome he was) was HOW SMOOTH HE WAS! Reid wasn’t awkward, he had the full effect of making Via (and myself) feel like he held complete attention, and he was so suave with the way he spoke, I was head over heels in love with him. And then the surprises just kept coming and coming! The way Reid was an absolute enthusiastic participant in the bedroom blew my mind, and…have mercy my jaw kept dropping with the things HE SAID! Phew! Needless to say, I loved Reid from the moment he graced the pages, and with the reverse age gap, it added a unique twist to the romance. 

THIS. STORY. WAS . SO. AMAZING! I’ve always enjoyed reading Micalea’s books, but oh my goodness, I think this has become my all time favorite of hers! The way Via and Reid were, were so endearing, sweet, passionate, explosive chemistry, and all around a beautiful romance. I really loved seeing the growth in Via considering how she was starting off on a fresh slate, in a small town where she didn’t know anyone, but along the way met some incredible people who became her new support system, and obviously she found love with a man who treated above and beyond! I didn’t want to stop reading, and even if I took a momentary break, I was still thinking about Via and Reid. I think they way Micalea wrote the characters in the story was wonderful, and so intriguing that I couldn’t get enough of them! 

Simply bravo! Round of applause for Micalea because, SHE KNOCKED THIS STORY OUT OF THE PARK! What really sold me to this story was honesty getting to see how Via and Reid’s romance played out. I loved how Reid was mature for a twenty one year old, but still had some of what you would normally see a twenty-one year old act/ have to deal with. Basically, Reid stole the show multiple times for me, and I basically fell in love with him! Via had amazing growth over the course of the story from reining in her true thoughts and desires to learning to be more vocal about what she wanted. Via became stronger and more confident and I applaud her for finding happiness and doing what made HER happy, not what others wanted. The story as a whole just made me feel all the love emanating between Via and Reid and with the reverse age gap, I thought it was written fantastically! Reid Crawford fell hard first and EVEN HARDER! Not to mention, he was basically the golden retriever book boyfriend we would all love to have. Needless to say, Reid lived up to the promise Micalea wrote in her little dedication at the beginning of the book so, IF YOU LOVE A MAN IN GLASSES THIS BOOK IS FOR YOU! (You should read this book regardless though). By the end, it was all wrapped up nicely, and with the epilogue not only did it make me happy to see Via and Reid happily living their best lives together, but a little certain detail was included that made me think… MAYBE there’s going to be a sequel??? I’m not sure, but I have a good feeling about it. Anyways, if there is a sequel, best believe I have a good feeling who’s going to be in it! HIGHLY RECOMMEND THIS BOOK! SO MANY AMAZING TROPES!!! I LOVE REID CRAWFORD!
Expand filter menu Content Warnings