Emory Weste

I actually rather enjoyed this book. I often struggle to get into romance books because I think the relationship is unrealistic if not unhealthy, but I thought this book was done well and was honestly rather cute. I felt like the angst in the relationship made sense for the characters and their backstories rather than being shoe-horned in just to advance the plot. I also appreciated that Weste included a list of content warnings, especially because some of the topics are potentially show more triggering. My only two real issues with this book were with the narration and the pacing. I thought that at times the first-person narration felt a bit overdone, almost as if we were reading some teenager's diary entries or hearing the voiceover monologue in a teen drama. I also thought the story as a whole moved a bit fast. The book takes place across about four months, two months of which are the main relationship, which seems like maybe not enough time to go from complete strangers to completely committed to each other. Still, I think it's less unbelievable than some book relationship timelines. I also just felt like some things were a bit rushed and Weste could have taken a little time to dwell on Kai and Sen's relationship and some of the domestic details of their life together. Still, I enjoyed it overall and will probably read the others in the series if I come across them. show less

Normally, I try to ease into my reviews — a gentle intro about how I discovered the author, a few notes on style or expectations. But not this time. BUY THE BOOK. Just buy it. Resist Me is that good.

I already knew Emory Weste had talent from her previous work, but this book? This book hit. Featuring the absolute hot mess that is West, this college sports romance gave me everything I crave: tension, rivalry, and heart. The back-and-forth between West and Linc crackles with chemistry and show more layered emotion. Their competition isn't just athletic — it’s personal, intimate, and deeply raw.

What truly blew me away was the accurate, gut-wrenching portrayal of trauma and the long shadow of toxic parenting. West is a beautifully flawed character, struggling to hold himself together, and Linc? He chooses to stay, to try, to see West. That emotional devotion made my heart ache in the best way.

This is enemies-to-lovers done right: fiery, real, and so satisfying. Resist Me is an unforgettable ride full of emotional highs and lows — and I can’t recommend it enough. show less

I went into Defend Me already familiar with Emory Weste’s incredible talent for writing raw, emotionally resonant stories — and she absolutely delivered again. At first, the dynamic between Tilian and Brooks felt almost surface-level, but as the layers peeled back, especially around Brooks, everything clicked into place with stunning clarity.

What makes Emory’s writing so unforgettable is her ability to craft deeply messy, morally gray characters and explore their inner turmoil without show more ever glamorizing or simplifying their struggles. Brooks and Tilian aren’t perfect — far from it — but they’re real, complicated, and trying so hard to be better. Watching them navigate their trauma, stumble through their fears of commitment, and still reach for connection was beautifully heartbreaking and hopeful all at once.

The BDSM elements were perfectly woven into the story, never for shock or spice alone, but as a natural and meaningful part of the characters’ emotional arcs. This is a book that understands people and pain, and the hard work it takes to love when your own mind fights against it.

Defend Me is another standout from Emory Weste — intense, nuanced, and full of heart. I couldn’t recommend it more. show less

Having devoured the first three books in Emory Weste’s series, I was eagerly waiting for the fourth installment—and Catch Me did not disappoint. I didn’t even bother reading the blurb before diving in, because I already trusted the author to deliver, and wow, she really did.

In this book, we meet two characters readers of the series will already recognize: Travis, the baseball player who first appeared in book one as the boy who Sen kissed at conversion camp, and Roman, the stepbrother show more of Til (the antagonist) from book three.

Their pairing is messy in the most authentic way. Travis is the quintessential good guy—so nice at times it made me want to shake him—always wishing to change the world so it would be nicer for the LGBTQ community. Roman, on the other hand, is a deeply flawed, complicated artist battling depression and struggling to accept himself. He lashes out, often coming across as a bigot, but underneath is someone desperate to change.

The setup—Travis offering Roman a commission gig for his team’s merch, which leads to forced proximity when Roman stays in his house—is a perfect storm of tension. The enemies-to-lovers arc bends into something both tender and hard-hitting. What I especially loved was the message at the core: that prejudice can be dismantled with patience, understanding, and acceptance. Travis may overstep, but his persistence is exactly the light Roman needs to fight through his darkness.

And while the romance is central, Catch Me is more than a love story. It’s about mental health, self-forgiveness, the limitations of being a public figure, and the quiet joys that tether us—like Travis’s golden retriever, Tessa, who completely stole my heart.

Emory Weste knows how to give her readers more than just swoons; she gives us characters who feel painfully, beautifully real.

Highly recommended, especially if you love your romances layered with struggle, healing, and genuine growth. show less