Dear Jerk Across the Street, sorry for accidentally walking in on you and catching an eyeful of your—equipment. And hard pass on the open invitation to join you in the shower “anytime”, A-hole.
That’s the note I should’ve written. Instead I sent a pleasant and apologetic version.
Had I known Phoenix “Nix” Russo would’ve been the neighbor from hell, I’d have told him right where he could shove my words.
Nix is the big man on campus with everyone lined up at his games to make sure he knows it. Sure, he’s got piercing green eyes, abs that don’t quit and a smile that could set fire to a set of panties from a hundred yards away, but he’s also the biggest pain in my ass.
Dear Pink-Haired Menace, learn how to take a joke and stop being such a kill-joy...
Elle Masterson called the cops on one of my parties—again. My sweet talking usually gets me out of trouble, but this time it got me into a nice pair of silver handcuffs. Now I’m on a reputation rehab tour with a stop at a spring break community service project.
Guess who’s my new boss?
Now we’re shoulder to shoulder, sweaty, tired and…she’s not anything like I expected. There might just be a heart under that hardass exterior. She’s invading my dreams and I can’t shake the feeling she’s the key to unlocking a piece of me that I’ve hidden away.
It’s only a matter of time until she finds out why I’m really here.
Maybe I can break through her walls and into her heart before that happens...one screw at a time.
Title: The Second We Met
Author: Maya Hughes
Series: Fulton U Book 2
Pages: 328
Genre(s): Contemporary, US, New Adult
Hot Buttons: death of parent (when character was a child) <-- highlight to reveal (may contain spoilers)
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New adult romance never really appealed to me until I discovered Maya Hughes. Now, I’m not sure what I would do without my fix of this genre - and more specifically, from Ms Hughes herself.
This is the second book in the Fulton U series. Nix first appeared in Reece and Seph’s book, The Perfect First, just as those two (and other faces from the Trojan’s football team) appear in this one. But fear not, both books stand completely alone. Although we are teased about those that came before - as well as those that will come after. But more on those later…
Nix and Elle are our couple in this book and I suppose it’s a case of enemies to lovers - and also sort-of opposites attract. Whichever way you look at it - our couple are perfect for each other. Once they stop fighting and bickering long enough to realise it.
Nix is an absolute sweetheart. He’s got such a big heart and is such a nice guy - you just want to wrap him up in a big ol’ hug. And only some of that hug is because he’s also a very good looking guy. Just ask all the girls on campus! He’s just too sweet to be mean to all the people that admire and look up to him. He’s also got a bit of a problem about his future. His worries about his health and what he really wants to do after graduation gives him a decent depth and makes you understand him all the more.
Elle is a slightly more intriguing character only because she’s not quite as inherently nice as Nix. She’s a bit snarky, a bit defensive and can be quite combative. And yet somehow Ms Hughes makes me like her from her first appearance on the page. Not only that, but she grows and learns throughout the book, realising her mistakes and understanding more about herself as we go through the book. I was totally cheering for her both individually and with Nix.
And as a couple the pair are so cute and relatable (and I’m saying that as someone who is sadly no longer a new adult!). There’s also enough hot and steamy sex to singe my kindle. Well, all that antagonism from the start of the book had to be channeled into another activity, obviously!
As I mentioned before, there are a lot of extra characters fleshing out this book. LJ and Marissa - best friends and nothing more - will likely get their own book soon (The Fourth Time Charm). And what exactly is Johannsen doing hanging around in the street? But of course there’s Berk and Jules coming next. Those dirty notes and the feels I was getting from those two from a few short descriptions nearly killed me. I cannot wait for their story.
Maya Hughes never fails to deliver a great story. Her writing is so fresh and I just want to devour every word she writes. Her characters speak to me and live in a world that I want to be in - just to wallow in the love and friendship that Ms Hughes writes so well. First time reader or long time fan, I highly recommend Maya Hughes and this book in particular, to you. 5 stars from me.
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BUY NOW!
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Maya
Hughes can often be found sneaking in another chapter while hiding in
the bathroom from her kids! :-) I’m a romance writer who loves taking
inspiration from everyday life, namely my husband and biggest fan.
Inspiration also strikes when I hear a song, meet someone new or
daydream while at soccer practice.
I’m the mom of three little ones, the wife to an amazing husband and also work full time. Some of my favorite things are cinnamon rolls, white wine, laughing until I can’t breathe and traveling with my family.
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AUTHOR LINKS!
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EXCERPT!
“Are you always so charming, B + E?”
“There’s a lot to get done this week and I don’t have time to hold anyone’s hand or break out the hose when you two are going at it behind the work shed.”
“Way to jump nine hundred steps ahead. If there’s anyone who’d be banging someone it would probably be the woman who has enough condoms to last most people half a century. Or are you all out of those? Been busy lately.”
All I was looking for was a chill spring break, but she had to push buttons like she was manning a submarine.
“You’re such a cocky asshole. And you know what? Yeah, I’ve been really busy. You haven’t heard? Everyone on the block has had at least three rounds, but still nowhere near your manwhore levels I’m sure.”
“This manwhore doesn’t kiss and tell.” I puckered my lips, which were met with the cold, hard metal of a hammer shoved up to my mouth.
Could’ve been worse. She could’ve used the claw end.
“Don’t trip and fall over your ego and end up with a hole in your head.” She dragged her hands over her face like the world was perched on her shoulders. “Listen, be careful and pay attention. We don’t need anyone getting hurt and it screwing up the work permits and stuff for the site. Wouldn’t want to injure the campus golden boy.”
Her barely contained eye roll was all I got before she shoved a pair of work gloves at me. Her about face from claws out to a hint of actual concern threatened me with whiplash.
Was there ever someone more confusing and infuriating than Elle?
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FULTON U SERIES!
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