Maya Hughes

Even better in audio
5 stars

I read and adored this book before trying the audiobook and even though I wasn’t sure it was possible, I enjoyed the story even more in audio.

To get the important details out the way first, this is not a standalone novel. It’s the middle story in a trilogy chronicling Bay and Dare’s romance / love story. If you haven’t read the first in the trilogy, The Art of Falling for You, you will not understand what’s going on in this story. And this story does not show more end with a HEA. That will come in the third and final book of the set, The Hate of Loving You.

In this book, Tim Paige and Emma Wilder reprise their roles of Dare and Bay that they took on in the first book in the series, The Art of Falling For You. As with the first book, they both excel at the voices and really give life to our star-crossed lovers.

I loved Bay and really felt for her in this story. She was cute, kick-ass and determined but very real with her emotions. She made the realisation that she was being selfish and was honest about how she couldn’t stop her feelings for Dare - and how their relationship ultimately wasn’t healthy. It might not have been evident from the start, but when Bay started allowing her feelings to resurface, it was clear that she adored Dare with everything she had and it made my heart fit to burst.

Emma Wilder has a raspy quality to her voice that was perfect for Bay’s songstress vibe. Further more, she really brought the emotion to this performance. I found myself really feeling every little thing that Bay did and when the ending came, I was crying like a baby. It was awesome.

What I liked about this story was how we get to watch Bay and Dare grow both as people and as a couple. Dare especially learns a lot about himself and he wore his feelings for Bay on his sleeve. My own heart broke for him as much as his beat for Bay. He was so desperate to right his wrongs - and took Bay’s previous parting words that he would never be loveable, to heart. He was trying so hard to be a better man but it was so obvious to us - and Bay - that he still had so many issues. I wanted to scream at him to stop his destructive behaviour but I also wanted him to learn. Gah!

Tim Paige as Dare was excellent. He’s got a manly voice but still quite youthful. I believed him 100%. He was very emotive and also did an excellent job of portraying the female voice of Bay during conversations that sounded realistic and didn’t pull you out of the story. He even managed to differentiate between different females and kept those voices consistent throughout the narration. Extra points for that.

Despite the fact we know it’s not going to end well just yet - Dare and Bay were so obviously perfect for each other. They just worked. Both were able to just be themselves around the other and I loved that the spark hadn’t died after 4 years of being apart. I still laughed with them and cried with them and screamed at them to get their stuff together and figure things out. Frankly, even when they were being idiots, I still love the pair.

Even knowing the outcome of this story - and the whole trilogy - I was surprised to still feel the delicious angst that is synonymous with Maya Hughes’ writing. She still managed to suck me in and mess with my head and emotions so much that I had to pull back every once in a while and remind myself it will all work out okay.

I love the way that listening to an audiobook having read the ebook previously, you pick up on so much more detail and really get the emotion from the characters that the author likely intended. I find myself falling in love with these characters as the themselves fall in love. Sadly, that also means that when they break, I break too. I can’t wait to listen to the final book in this trilogy but on its own this truly is 5 star audio romance. show less

Berk, Berk, Berk...
I would like you not to be not so stupid ass wonderful.
You know how book boyfriends are blamed for ruining real-life chances with a potential mate. Let me give you exhibit A: Berkley Vaughn.

Seriously, he made me melt.

I mean he wasn't without faults. But even in his faults, you see through his vulnerability and just...
He deserves a HEA.

Jules, Jules, Jules...
You are every girl. You are the heroine we can connect with on any level. Through her faults - either real or show more perceived, the reader can connect with her feelings and thoughts.

MY GOD MAYA HUGHES... This is one of my favorite books EVER!

If you follow my reviews, you know. I yammer on about 'connecting with characters', 'understanding motivations', yada yada. It's important to me as a reader. Besides the fact I want to fall headfirst into a story that keeps me engaged and entertained, I want to connect in some way. Jules and Berk do just that.

Although it's been a while since my college days, you can relate to the cusp of leaving this world you feel comfortable in. But there are things set aside you need to deal with to grow up. Berk and Jules both have their hurdles to fly over. And what better way than in the arms of someone who gets you.

Maya Hughes' story weaves you in and sets you as an observer to a couple of friends you just want to push together. Because they are just the right amount of perfect for one another. Readers are hopeful and earnest that they find their HEA with each other. The pages magically turned and before you know it you reached the end.
Hopeful, happy and satisfied.

I have loved all the stories in the Fulton University series. You love seeing the connection and friendships bloom along with the love stories. You want to read them in order and read them you should.

Recommendation: Buy them all. But you'll fall the hardest for Berk and Jules.

Five Plus Stars from me! show less

Enemies to lovers was never so delicious
5 stars

This is only the second book in the STFU series and yet I feel it’s the book we’ve all been waiting for. We first met Cole and Kennedy in the first book in the series, Kiss and Tell, and the hate. Was. Palpable. I was there for it in that book and was here for it in this book, too. But don’t worry if you’re new to the series and this is your first book - it stands completely alone and everything you need to know is explained in this show more book.

We start off with the kind of enemies to lovers story that other books wish they were. Cole and Kennedy hate each other but we can immediately tell that there’s an undercurrent and the ‘why’ is never quite clear. While they’re still at odds with each other, there’s that delicious anticipation that makes the book come alive. I was almost vibrating in excitement while reading.

Then there’s a major shift in their relationship with the bargain and the start of their “fake relationship” that feels anything but fake from the get go. It felt like we, as readers, could see everything clearly where Cole and Kennedy were too caught up in things to realise.

Kennedy is the kind of girl that you can’t help but love. She’s feisty, sassy and has worked hard to be comfortable with her curves. She still has her hang-ups - especially when it comes to Cole and their history - but she was eminently likeable and easy to root for. Aside from with Cole, I loved her relationship with her sister and her all-round planner, in-charge, thrifty nature.

Cole may have his moments but ohmigosh he is the secret cinnamon roll hero of your dreams. I adored that man boy! It is clear that he adores Kennedy and really wants to be his best self for her. He’s also a little broken which, if you know me, you’ll know is my absolute cat-nip for heroes. I’m a sucker for an emotionally damaged man. Sigh. But honestly, it’s pretty upsetting to see Cole and to get to understand why he feels the way he does and why he acts the way he does. He’s not worried about getting emotional, though, which is definitely another plus in his column for me.

As a couple, I loved Cole and Kennedy. Sometimes I find that enemies to lovers stories lose a spark when the couple in question get together and although Kennedy and Cole definitely behave differently once they strike their bargain, you can still feel that electricity between them that you get when they’re fighting. As always with Maya Hughes’ books, there’s a good amount of heat and sex, but it felt appropriate for our couple, especially once you understand their history together. I liked it. I felt it. So I was happy.

We get to know the other guys from the STFU football team in this book, too, and I can see myself falling just as much in love with them as I did with the Fulton U guys and the Rittenhouse Prep guys. There’s also more to hear from the odious Coach Mickelson and while there were revelations that I guessed in book 1, he was still able to fall in my estimations. Horrid man.

I really enjoyed Kiss and Tell but I adored this book even more and would say it’s one of the top books I’ve read this year. If I wasn’t already, this book has got me hook, line and sinker into the world of St Francis University, the football team and their friends. I can’t wait to read the next book in the series (which is where the STFU and FU worlds collide! Squee!) and if you’re not already a fan of Maya Hughes, I promise you will be after reading this book. 5 very worthy stars. show less

Another stunning winner
5 stars

I love Maya Hughes. Her books always run me through the whole gamut of emotions leaving me wrung out yet ridiculously satisfied - and this story is no different.

This is the second book in the SWANK series but it features a completely new couple from the first book and stands completely alone with its own HEA. While Ms Hughes is probably best known for her (ah-may-zing) new adult romances, this is an adult romance.

Hunter is the go-to guy for anything that anyone show more could ever want or need. He’s a sexy and private man who revels in his own space and in his image. So when Sabrina barges into his apartment and into his life - he doesn’t know how to act. Oh wait - yes, he does - he gets grumpy! Mmm - love me a grumpy hero. The fact that he’s also a little bit troubled just makes him an even more perfect hero.

Sabrina was equally perfect as our heroine. She’s at a low point in her life but she’s never down on herself - or not more so than anyone else in her position would be. I love the way she was so determined to better herself and never stop trying. And the fact that she took bubble baths and ate snacks to relax - well, I fell in love with her right then and there.

Together, even through the fighting (or maybe partially because of it) Hunter and Sabrina are explosive together. When they finally got their act together and kissed, it was very much a grabby, throw each other up against the wall and ravish, kind of thing. My absolute favourite. Oh and the bath time shenanigans? 100% here for it. (In a book. I would be worried about water sloshing all over my floors in real life!)

There was some secondary things going on in this book such as Sabrina’s job, Ryder, Sabrina’s best friend, Cat, etc. Which reminds me, there were some seriously laugh out loud moments in this book. When Hunter thinks he’s figured out what Sabrina does for a living? Hilarious!

Ms Hughes’ writing grabs you and brings you into the story with such ease that before you realise it you’re hooked with the characters and their tale. There’s a reason she’s one of my most favourite authors and has never written a bad book, in my opinion.

As I mentioned, this is the second book in the SWANK series about a group of friends who now own an events company (called SWANK). The group of friends appear in this book (although as a fan, I would love to have seen more of them), as do several others from previous Maya Hughes’ books. Next up in the SWANK series is Everest and Maddy’s story - which blends a few series’ and makes me so excited I can barely function! Oh and Ms Hughes - I would LOVE to read a story between Cat and that deliciously angry, grumpy Russian, Ivan.

Whether it’s new adult or adult, Maya Hughes always brings it and she always kills it. If you’re a fan, or just want something fun and sexy to try out, I would recommend this book to you. 5 stars for another winner. show less