Set in the college world this romance of opposites attracting will charm readers while pulling at their heartstrings. Keep reading to get a tempting taste of Off the Bench by Alley Ciz, along with getting my impressions of this fourth installment in the #UofJ series, then add it to your bookshelf!
@UofJ411: What’s happening here?#TheyDoSayOppositesAttract #WhereAreAllThePost-its
On a scale of one to ten, Quinn Thompson is a fifteen.Gorgeous. Fiery. A cheerleader so far out of my league it’s embarrassing that I even fantasize about her.I need to find a way to shut down the dirty thoughts she inspires before it’s too late. If I don’t, this whole new life of mine is at risk.Easier said than done when temptation lives right down the hall.For such a smart guy, CK can be surprisingly clueless.Sweet. Shy. The star of all my naughty nerd fantasies, but utterly blind to my flirtations. Giving in to his plea to be his love coach may seem drastic, but I’m desperate for the chance to come off the bench.Too bad the friend zone was a hell of a lot safer for my heart.
MY IMPRESSIONS OF THIS BOOK:
College life has given me some of my fondest memories, and with the release of this New Adult romance of opposites attracting, I've been given even more fond memories courtesy of CK and Quinn. As these two friends slowly become something more, readers will find themselves becoming more and more charmed by their slow burn romance while rooting them on every step of the way to see what's right in front of them.
CK is the stereotypical nerd, an all-around good guy who doesn't think he's worthy of the attraction of the hot cheerleader, and watching his journey to HEA hurt my heart at times. With a past full of bullying he now feels unworthy of love and friendship. Early on he doesn't fully trust his newfound group of friends, friends that we've come to call family through each book, and doesn't believe that the pretty and popular cheerleader could want him. With his self-esteem battered and bruised it's a constant push and pull between him and Quinn that left me frustrated a time or two as well as a bit misty-eyed for how little CK believed in himself. He's such a likable guy, a truly nice guy who deserves happiness after all the negativity thrown at him, so I rooted for him to get out of his head and move on from the past to see what was right in front of him.
Quinn Thompson is the typical popular cheerleader, liked by many and desired by many more. She might look like she has it all, but beneath the surface is someone wanting to be wanted for what's in her heart and mind instead of what's in her sweater. Despite what he thinks, Quinn desperately desires CK and with each turn of the page she devises one idea after another to make him see how much she wants him. These two start off as friends, then becoming student/teacher, before their relationship turns even more intense. Theirs is a combustible connection from the very beginning, a connection full of sexual tension, and I loved seeing how determined Quinn was to get CK to see the truth. Quinn's a wonderful heroine, one who puts her own issues away, to build CK up. She was willing to put her heart on the line for CK time and time again to help him see his worth and their strengthening connection warmed my heart.
Witty banter, steamy interludes, and heartbreaking truths fueled this friends to lovers romance from the first page to the last. CK was an endearing hero who slowly worked past his painful past courtesy of the sweet and caring cheerleader who was rooting for him to see the love she was blatantly offering to him. Their pairing made me smile, made me feel happy, and the world Ms. Ciz crafted has me wanting to come back for more!
My rating for this is an A.
*I got this book from the author for review in exchange for my honest opinion.
AUTHOR INFO:
Alley Ciz is an indie author of Contemporary/New Adult, Rom-Com, Sports Romances. She's a stay at home mom to 3 amazing and crazy mini royals, a 95lb lab, and let's face it on some days her hubby is her 4th kid...But to be fair she totally loves him a lot.
When she's not corralling her crazy mini royals she can be found writing the stories the voices in her head tell her. Caffeine is a staple in her daily diet since she does most of her writing late at night when the rest of her house is asleep, usually with her trusty dog Buke (short for Beukeboom reluctantly named after a NY Ranger even though she's a NJ Devils fan all the way. Is it any surprise she writes sports romances?
Pizza and mac-n-cheese are major food groups and she is a proud Potterhead and superhero buff.
She is a complete romance junkie and can always be found reading or listening to a book.