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Shadow Valley U #1
Sticks and Stones
Sticks and stones may break our bones…
Hockey is my life.
After Wren Davis puts my dreams of the NHL in jeopardy, I vow to make her life hell if she ever comes near me again.
But she’s my best friend’s foster sister, and even though they don’t live together anymore, their bond is still tight, which makes avoiding each other extra difficult.
Especially when I show up at Shadow Valley University and learn my new room comes with an unwelcome addition: Wren Davis.
As much as I try to make her life hell, she gives it right back, until she’s not just under my skin but constantly on my mind.
But some things can’t be forgiven, and fraternizing with the enemy is the last thing either of us want.
Hockey is my life.
After Wren Davis puts my dreams of the NHL in jeopardy, I vow to make her life hell if she ever comes near me again.
But she’s my best friend’s foster sister, and even though they don’t live together anymore, their bond is still tight, which makes avoiding each other extra difficult.
Especially when I show up at Shadow Valley University and learn my new room comes with an unwelcome addition: Wren Davis.
As much as I try to make her life hell, she gives it right back, until she’s not just under my skin but constantly on my mind.
But some things can’t be forgiven, and fraternizing with the enemy is the last thing either of us want.
368 pages, Kindle Edition
Published December 7, 2023
2,062 people are currently reading
13.2k people want to read
About the author
S. Massery
47 books4,985 followersS. Massery is a dark romance author who infuses all her stories with a dash of suspense. Formerly from Massachusetts, she now resides in Southern California with her dog, Alice.
Before adventuring into the world of writing, she went to college in Boston and held a wide variety of jobs—including working on a dude ranch in Wyoming (a personal highlight). She has a love affair with coffee and chocolate. When S. Massery isn’t writing, she can be found devouring books, playing outside with her dog, or trying to make people smile.
• Facebook Group —> http://facebook.com/groups/smasserysquad
• Facebook —> http://facebook.com/authorsmassery
• Instagram —> http://instagram.com/authorsmassery
• Newsletter —> http://smassery.com/newsletter
• Tiktok —> http://tiktok.com/@smassery
Before adventuring into the world of writing, she went to college in Boston and held a wide variety of jobs—including working on a dude ranch in Wyoming (a personal highlight). She has a love affair with coffee and chocolate. When S. Massery isn’t writing, she can be found devouring books, playing outside with her dog, or trying to make people smile.
• Facebook Group —> http://facebook.com/groups/smasserysquad
• Facebook —> http://facebook.com/authorsmassery
• Instagram —> http://instagram.com/authorsmassery
• Newsletter —> http://smassery.com/newsletter
• Tiktok —> http://tiktok.com/@smassery
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,160 reviews
December 18, 2023
"If there's anything I've learned from the moment I was born, it's that when things seem too good to be true, that usually means they are."
Wren Davies ruined Stone's life.
One day and everything fell apart, and she's to blame.
Stone Foster promised himself that whatever he does, Wren Davies will be far away from him.
But as his best friend's foster sister, that's easier said than done.
So what happens when Wren ends up Stone's accidental roommate?
Well, game on.
"Wren Davies is fucking dangerous to be around."
Stone Foster is the bane of Wren's existence.
One error, one mistep, and he hates her.
As her Brother's best friend it isn't easy to stay away from him.
Especially when he ends up being her roommate.
And when he starts playing games, he thinks he can get back at her.
But he doesn't know what he started.
Neither of them do.
"I'm moving in, Sticks. Welcome to Hell."
I received an advanced reader's copy in exchange for an honest review.
"Only a few months until graduation. I just have to pray that the NHL doesn't catch wind of this or else my whole future will be derailed. And if it is, I'll have no one to blame but Wren Davies."
Wren Davis made one mistake that changed the course of Stone Foster's life. He is the bane of her existence and she is his. Sticks and stones may break your bones, but Stone Foster will never stay in her life. At least that's what Wren thinks.
"The one person who should be worrying is Stone. I know how to rise to a challenge and play games. And he should know better than anyone that I can play dirty."
This book was so addicting.
This collab, coming from the queens of the hockey romance books, was something I did not know I needed but am so happy I got!!
I have read both of these authors work and when they announced this book I knew it was going to POP. OFF. And surprise surprise (to no one) it did!! I could not put it down!!
"Game on, Foster."
First we have Wren Davies, daughter of notorious drug dealer Jessie Davies. When she was little she stayed with Evan's family and they took care of her and she promised herself she would not let her father touch her or them ever again. So when she has a bit of emergency and has to ask Evan for help again she does not expect Stone Foster to walk back into her life again. She has quips and sarcasm and I am here for all of it!! Her relationship with Stone is addicting to read and I could not get enough!!
"I don't want to go back to sleep, can you help me with that?"
And we have Stone Foster. Years ago, Wren Davies made a decision that altered his life and ever since she has been dead to him. Until one day he starts staying with his best friend and surprise surprise who walks back into his life. But Stone is not going down without a fight, and his target is "Sticks" A.K.A Wren Davies. Leave it to S.J. Sylvis and S. Massery to write a new possessive, obsessive, and alphahole book boyfriend for us to obsess about all over again. I mean I bow down to these ladies and they have a direct line to my wallet anytime they want it (and I am definitely not joking here people).
"You have no idea what I'm capable of. Especially when it comes to you."
The playlist includes songs that were mentioned in the book and I love that songs were mentioned (I mean books have to have good playlists don't they?):
(Link: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/1Em...)
🎧 "EXTRA EXTRA" - Chandler Leighton
🎧 "Invisible Battles" - Carolina Rial
🎧 "underwater" - Mackenzie Arromba
🎧 "F.T.B." - iamjakehill
🎧 "Seven Nation Army" - Stevie Howie
🎧 "I'm Tired" - Labrinth, Zendaya
🎧 "Burnin' For You" - Blue Oyster Cult
🎧 "Ocean Eyes" - American Avenue
🎧 "Tom's Diner" - AnnenMayKantereit, Giant Rocks
🎧 "this is how I learn to say no" - EMELINE
🎧 "build a boy" - emlyn, Cloudy June
🎧 "dot dot dot" - emlyn
🎧 "MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT" - Loveless
🎧 "Sweet Emotion" - Aerosmith
🎧 "Twisted" - MISSIO
🎧 "Smells Like Teen Spirit" - Nirvana
🎧 "pretty poison" - Nessa Barrett
🎧 "(Don't Fear) The Reaper" - Blue Oyster Cult
🎧 "doomsday" - Lizzy McAlpine
🎧 "dying on the inside" - Nessa Barrett
🎧 "Haunting Me" - Loveless
🎧 "lovely liar" - Stevie Howie
🎧 "White Flag" - Bishop Briggs
🎧 "Rich Kids" - Bea Miller
🎧 "Human" - Rag'n'Bone Man
🎧 "Hate Me" - Nico Collins
🎧 "god sent me as karma" - emlyn
🎧 "Shatter Me" - Lindsey Sterling, Lzzy Hale
🎧 "Nightmares" - Ellise
🎧 "I Hate Everything About You" - Three Days Grace
🎧 "Mind Games" - Sickick
🎧 "I Want It All" - Cameron Grey
🎧 "Bad Things" - Nation Haven
🎧 "Collide (Sped Up Remix)" - Justine Skye, Tyga
🎧 "butterflies" - GAYLE
🎧 "Taste (Speed)" - Ari Abdul
🎧 "Teeth" - 5 Seconds of Summer
🎧 "Shivers" - Ed Sheeran
🎧 "Lights Down Low" - MAX, gnash
🎧 "Gilded Lily - Sped Up" - Cults
🎧 "Deal With It" - Ashnikko, Kelis
🎧 "Family Line" - Conan Gray
🎧 "yes girl" - Bea Miller
🎧 "Eat Your Young" - Hozier
🎧 "Boyfriend" - Dove Cameron
🎧 "Love It When You Hate Me" - Avril Lavigne, blackbear
🎧 "Kryptonite" - 3 Doors Down
🎧 "All Apologies" - Nirvana
🎧 "Vigilante Shit" - Taylor Swift
🎧 "Sue Me" - Sabrina Carpenter
🎧 “Love The Way You Hate Me” - Like A Storm
And these ladies can write dirty talk to save their lives and to get my money as always… Just look at Stone Foster:
"Keep going, I think I'll stay right here and watch you come, Sticks."
"Open. Let me see how perfect you are."
"I'm all for finding out how talented that bratty mouth is, but I'm not waiting anther second before claiming you."
🏒 Tropes 🏒
⚗ Enemies to Lovers
⚗ Brother's Best Friend
⚗ Hate To Love
⚗ Hockey Romance
⚗ One Bed
⚗ Forced Proximity
Wren Davies ruined Stone's life.
One day and everything fell apart, and she's to blame.
Stone Foster promised himself that whatever he does, Wren Davies will be far away from him.
But as his best friend's foster sister, that's easier said than done.
So what happens when Wren ends up Stone's accidental roommate?
Well, game on.
"Wren Davies is fucking dangerous to be around."
Stone Foster is the bane of Wren's existence.
One error, one mistep, and he hates her.
As her Brother's best friend it isn't easy to stay away from him.
Especially when he ends up being her roommate.
And when he starts playing games, he thinks he can get back at her.
But he doesn't know what he started.
Neither of them do.
"I'm moving in, Sticks. Welcome to Hell."
I received an advanced reader's copy in exchange for an honest review.
"Only a few months until graduation. I just have to pray that the NHL doesn't catch wind of this or else my whole future will be derailed. And if it is, I'll have no one to blame but Wren Davies."
Wren Davis made one mistake that changed the course of Stone Foster's life. He is the bane of her existence and she is his. Sticks and stones may break your bones, but Stone Foster will never stay in her life. At least that's what Wren thinks.
"The one person who should be worrying is Stone. I know how to rise to a challenge and play games. And he should know better than anyone that I can play dirty."
This book was so addicting.
This collab, coming from the queens of the hockey romance books, was something I did not know I needed but am so happy I got!!
I have read both of these authors work and when they announced this book I knew it was going to POP. OFF. And surprise surprise (to no one) it did!! I could not put it down!!
"Game on, Foster."
First we have Wren Davies, daughter of notorious drug dealer Jessie Davies. When she was little she stayed with Evan's family and they took care of her and she promised herself she would not let her father touch her or them ever again. So when she has a bit of emergency and has to ask Evan for help again she does not expect Stone Foster to walk back into her life again. She has quips and sarcasm and I am here for all of it!! Her relationship with Stone is addicting to read and I could not get enough!!
"I don't want to go back to sleep, can you help me with that?"
And we have Stone Foster. Years ago, Wren Davies made a decision that altered his life and ever since she has been dead to him. Until one day he starts staying with his best friend and surprise surprise who walks back into his life. But Stone is not going down without a fight, and his target is "Sticks" A.K.A Wren Davies. Leave it to S.J. Sylvis and S. Massery to write a new possessive, obsessive, and alphahole book boyfriend for us to obsess about all over again. I mean I bow down to these ladies and they have a direct line to my wallet anytime they want it (and I am definitely not joking here people).
"You have no idea what I'm capable of. Especially when it comes to you."
The playlist includes songs that were mentioned in the book and I love that songs were mentioned (I mean books have to have good playlists don't they?):
(Link: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/1Em...)
🎧 "EXTRA EXTRA" - Chandler Leighton
🎧 "Invisible Battles" - Carolina Rial
🎧 "underwater" - Mackenzie Arromba
🎧 "F.T.B." - iamjakehill
🎧 "Seven Nation Army" - Stevie Howie
🎧 "I'm Tired" - Labrinth, Zendaya
🎧 "Burnin' For You" - Blue Oyster Cult
🎧 "Ocean Eyes" - American Avenue
🎧 "Tom's Diner" - AnnenMayKantereit, Giant Rocks
🎧 "this is how I learn to say no" - EMELINE
🎧 "build a boy" - emlyn, Cloudy June
🎧 "dot dot dot" - emlyn
🎧 "MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT" - Loveless
🎧 "Sweet Emotion" - Aerosmith
🎧 "Twisted" - MISSIO
🎧 "Smells Like Teen Spirit" - Nirvana
🎧 "pretty poison" - Nessa Barrett
🎧 "(Don't Fear) The Reaper" - Blue Oyster Cult
🎧 "doomsday" - Lizzy McAlpine
🎧 "dying on the inside" - Nessa Barrett
🎧 "Haunting Me" - Loveless
🎧 "lovely liar" - Stevie Howie
🎧 "White Flag" - Bishop Briggs
🎧 "Rich Kids" - Bea Miller
🎧 "Human" - Rag'n'Bone Man
🎧 "Hate Me" - Nico Collins
🎧 "god sent me as karma" - emlyn
🎧 "Shatter Me" - Lindsey Sterling, Lzzy Hale
🎧 "Nightmares" - Ellise
🎧 "I Hate Everything About You" - Three Days Grace
🎧 "Mind Games" - Sickick
🎧 "I Want It All" - Cameron Grey
🎧 "Bad Things" - Nation Haven
🎧 "Collide (Sped Up Remix)" - Justine Skye, Tyga
🎧 "butterflies" - GAYLE
🎧 "Taste (Speed)" - Ari Abdul
🎧 "Teeth" - 5 Seconds of Summer
🎧 "Shivers" - Ed Sheeran
🎧 "Lights Down Low" - MAX, gnash
🎧 "Gilded Lily - Sped Up" - Cults
🎧 "Deal With It" - Ashnikko, Kelis
🎧 "Family Line" - Conan Gray
🎧 "yes girl" - Bea Miller
🎧 "Eat Your Young" - Hozier
🎧 "Boyfriend" - Dove Cameron
🎧 "Love It When You Hate Me" - Avril Lavigne, blackbear
🎧 "Kryptonite" - 3 Doors Down
🎧 "All Apologies" - Nirvana
🎧 "Vigilante Shit" - Taylor Swift
🎧 "Sue Me" - Sabrina Carpenter
🎧 “Love The Way You Hate Me” - Like A Storm
And these ladies can write dirty talk to save their lives and to get my money as always… Just look at Stone Foster:
"Keep going, I think I'll stay right here and watch you come, Sticks."
"Open. Let me see how perfect you are."
"I'm all for finding out how talented that bratty mouth is, but I'm not waiting anther second before claiming you."
🏒 Tropes 🏒
⚗ Enemies to Lovers
⚗ Brother's Best Friend
⚗ Hate To Love
⚗ Hockey Romance
⚗ One Bed
⚗ Forced Proximity
December 8, 2023
With only a split second to make a life-altering decision, Wren “Sticks” Davis chooses the path that will keep her future plans intact. That choice, however, was detrimental to her foster brother’s bestie, Stone Foster. Harboring resentment for years, these two must learn to coexist when they end up sharing a bedroom in the hockey house at Shadow Valley University.
This enemies-to-lovers romance was on point! The way they needled and pranked one another was hilarious. Seeing the tough-as-nails Sticks fall apart was heartbreaking. But watching Stone step up was swoony. I absolutely loved this story and hope like hėll we see more co-writes from Sara and SJ in the future, particularly set in Shadow Valley University.
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Burn: 🔥🔥🔥1/2
Darkness: 🩶
Heat: 🌶️🌶️🌶️
Range of Emotions: 🥴🫣🥵😳😍
Ending: 💗 {HEA}
POV: 👫🏻 {Dual}
🗂 Genre: Sports Romance
✨ Tropes: Alphahole, Boy Obsessed, Bully, College, Enemies-to-Lovers, Forbidden, Forced Proximity, One Bed, Jealous/Possessive, Opposites Attract, Rich Boy/Poor Girl, Tracking/Spying
💋 Kinks: Finger Licking Good, Toys
⚠️ Warning: This steamy read will leave your panties wet and reaching for BOB.
🚩 Safety Squad: There are potentially triggering elements. If you have any hesitation, check the warnings before diving in. Otherwise, blind is best!!
📣 Type: Sticks and Stones is a standalone.
🛑 Be Advised: My Goodreads shelves are … explicit in both senses. As such, they could be considered spoiler-y.
This enemies-to-lovers romance was on point! The way they needled and pranked one another was hilarious. Seeing the tough-as-nails Sticks fall apart was heartbreaking. But watching Stone step up was swoony. I absolutely loved this story and hope like hėll we see more co-writes from Sara and SJ in the future, particularly set in Shadow Valley University.
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Burn: 🔥🔥🔥1/2
Darkness: 🩶
Heat: 🌶️🌶️🌶️
Range of Emotions: 🥴🫣🥵😳😍
Ending: 💗 {HEA}
POV: 👫🏻 {Dual}
🗂 Genre: Sports Romance
✨ Tropes: Alphahole, Boy Obsessed, Bully, College, Enemies-to-Lovers, Forbidden, Forced Proximity, One Bed, Jealous/Possessive, Opposites Attract, Rich Boy/Poor Girl, Tracking/Spying
💋 Kinks: Finger Licking Good, Toys
⚠️ Warning: This steamy read will leave your panties wet and reaching for BOB.
🚩 Safety Squad: There are potentially triggering elements. If you have any hesitation, check the warnings before diving in. Otherwise, blind is best!!
📣 Type: Sticks and Stones is a standalone.
🛑 Be Advised: My Goodreads shelves are … explicit in both senses. As such, they could be considered spoiler-y.
February 6, 2024
This story is just fine. I don’t connect with the characters!
Unfortunately!
Unfortunately!
January 28, 2024
The first half of the book was ridiculously bad, yet the second half redeemed itself.
I really disliked the heroine and the fact that after planting drugs on the hero's car, she had the nerve to be offended when he was rude to her.
Also, the fact that the WHOLE hockey house treated her like family for no good reason and were ready to protect her from her criminal father and other criminals.... That's not how life works🤷🏼♀️
Also, the last chapter was neither here nor there. It comes out of the blue, killing the culmination of the book completely.
I really disliked the heroine and the fact that after planting drugs on the hero's car, she had the nerve to be offended when he was rude to her.
Also, the fact that the WHOLE hockey house treated her like family for no good reason and were ready to protect her from her criminal father and other criminals.... That's not how life works🤷🏼♀️
Also, the last chapter was neither here nor there. It comes out of the blue, killing the culmination of the book completely.
December 25, 2024
4 Vibrator Stars ⭐️
Spicy Level:🌶️🌶️/5
THIS BOOK is the PERFECT type of book if you are looking for that "Intro to Dark Bully Romance," but you are also not too ready to question your morals too much. Then this is FOR YOU!!!
𝙎𝙮𝙣𝙤𝙥𝙨𝙞𝙨:
Wren Davis grew up in an "on again, off again" relationship with the foster system as her dad did various stints in prison for being a notorious drug dealer. She found some stability and comfort with Evan and his family, and Evan became like a real brother to her. One day, to avoid destroying her life, she inadvertently ruins Stone Foster's possible prospects of joining the NHL. (Stone is Evan's best friend, and YES, I did roll my eyes at his surname being Foster and the fact that she is a foster child... and how I wish they had changed it to something else) Flash forward a couple of years, and Wren desperately needs a place to crash after breaking up with her boyfriend, so she moves into the "Hockey House" Evan shares with a few players. HOWEVER, Stone has just transferred to Shadow Valley University, and Evan just gave away his room to the woman he hates most in the world... SO LET THE WAR BEGIN!
𝙏𝙝𝙤𝙪𝙜𝙝𝙩𝙨 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙁𝙚𝙚𝙡𝙞𝙣𝙜𝙨:
And I think this shows what a fantastic duo S. Massery and S.J. Sylvis make together because this book felt whole and so well-founded! There is an author's note at the beginning that it is not as "dark" as some of the books that S. Massery has written, and that is pretty true. This was a little lighter, but I think I liked that because it seemed a lot more real. Often, books (even contemporary ones) are more fantasy, but if someone told me this story happened, I would believe it... It just seems realistic. (I mean, looking past the fact that Wren's past is terrible.) It just had the elements that made you want to root for her and Stone.
Wren doesn't want to be a burden to anybody. She has been dealt a shit hand in life, and so many people have tried to take advantage of her, especially her father. He wins the awful "Dad of the Year" award for the things he forced her to do and what he wants her to do now. She finds it very difficult to stand up for herself, and needing to gives her anxiety... but the one person she can stand up to is Stone (even when he calls her Sticks).
Stone is not perfect, and he takes the words possessive and obsessive to the next level, and there is no way he's letting Wren go. He is a dick to her in the beginning, and she shows her teeth right back at him, but very soon she’s the only thing he can think about, and he can’t get her out of his head. That obsession festers in his mind until it blossoms into a cute and sweet relationship. It was so fun to see how the tension and hate between them built into the inevitable. These two are meant to be together, they are there for each other, and they are what each other needs to be the best version of themselves.
The writing is captivating and fast-paced, and you can devour the story very quickly. It's going to give you the tension that comes from the push and pull you'd see in a typical bully romance, but it’s also going to give you that sweet, gooey, gushy relief of when they come together. It is going to be explosive and spicy!
𝙏𝙧𝙤𝙥𝙚𝙨:
▶ University Romance
▶ Foster Brother's Best Friend and Teammate
▶ One Bed/Roommates
▶ Forced Proximity
▶ Bully Romance
▶ Hockey Romance
▶ Touch Her and Die
▶ Stalking
▶ Obsessive, Possessive and Jealous Alphamale
and 𝙈𝙞𝙘𝙧𝙤 𝙏𝙧𝙤𝙥𝙚𝙨:
▷ Nicknames
▷ Carries her over his Shoulder
▷ Backwards Cap
▷ Chin Lifts
▷ Car Sex
▷ Cages her with his Arms
▷ Good Girl
▷ Hockey Jersey Heat (and she doesn't wear his Jersey)
▷ Hand Necklaces
▷ Mine
Overall, I love this duo and I cannot wait to see what they do in Heart of Thorns.
Spicy Level:🌶️🌶️/5
THIS BOOK is the PERFECT type of book if you are looking for that "Intro to Dark Bully Romance," but you are also not too ready to question your morals too much. Then this is FOR YOU!!!
𝙎𝙮𝙣𝙤𝙥𝙨𝙞𝙨:
Wren Davis grew up in an "on again, off again" relationship with the foster system as her dad did various stints in prison for being a notorious drug dealer. She found some stability and comfort with Evan and his family, and Evan became like a real brother to her. One day, to avoid destroying her life, she inadvertently ruins Stone Foster's possible prospects of joining the NHL. (Stone is Evan's best friend, and YES, I did roll my eyes at his surname being Foster and the fact that she is a foster child... and how I wish they had changed it to something else) Flash forward a couple of years, and Wren desperately needs a place to crash after breaking up with her boyfriend, so she moves into the "Hockey House" Evan shares with a few players. HOWEVER, Stone has just transferred to Shadow Valley University, and Evan just gave away his room to the woman he hates most in the world... SO LET THE WAR BEGIN!
𝙏𝙝𝙤𝙪𝙜𝙝𝙩𝙨 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙁𝙚𝙚𝙡𝙞𝙣𝙜𝙨:
And I think this shows what a fantastic duo S. Massery and S.J. Sylvis make together because this book felt whole and so well-founded! There is an author's note at the beginning that it is not as "dark" as some of the books that S. Massery has written, and that is pretty true. This was a little lighter, but I think I liked that because it seemed a lot more real. Often, books (even contemporary ones) are more fantasy, but if someone told me this story happened, I would believe it... It just seems realistic. (I mean, looking past the fact that Wren's past is terrible.) It just had the elements that made you want to root for her and Stone.
Wren doesn't want to be a burden to anybody. She has been dealt a shit hand in life, and so many people have tried to take advantage of her, especially her father. He wins the awful "Dad of the Year" award for the things he forced her to do and what he wants her to do now. She finds it very difficult to stand up for herself, and needing to gives her anxiety... but the one person she can stand up to is Stone (even when he calls her Sticks).
Stone is not perfect, and he takes the words possessive and obsessive to the next level, and there is no way he's letting Wren go. He is a dick to her in the beginning, and she shows her teeth right back at him, but very soon she’s the only thing he can think about, and he can’t get her out of his head. That obsession festers in his mind until it blossoms into a cute and sweet relationship. It was so fun to see how the tension and hate between them built into the inevitable. These two are meant to be together, they are there for each other, and they are what each other needs to be the best version of themselves.
The writing is captivating and fast-paced, and you can devour the story very quickly. It's going to give you the tension that comes from the push and pull you'd see in a typical bully romance, but it’s also going to give you that sweet, gooey, gushy relief of when they come together. It is going to be explosive and spicy!
𝙏𝙧𝙤𝙥𝙚𝙨:
▶ University Romance
▶ Foster Brother's Best Friend and Teammate
▶ One Bed/Roommates
▶ Forced Proximity
▶ Bully Romance
▶ Hockey Romance
▶ Touch Her and Die
▶ Stalking
▶ Obsessive, Possessive and Jealous Alphamale
and 𝙈𝙞𝙘𝙧𝙤 𝙏𝙧𝙤𝙥𝙚𝙨:
▷ Nicknames
▷ Carries her over his Shoulder
▷ Backwards Cap
▷ Chin Lifts
▷ Car Sex
▷ Cages her with his Arms
▷ Good Girl
▷ Hockey Jersey Heat (and she doesn't wear his Jersey)
▷ Hand Necklaces
▷ Mine
Overall, I love this duo and I cannot wait to see what they do in Heart of Thorns.
December 16, 2024
0.5 stars, not my favorite in the slightest.
SPOILER WARNING
This book has continuously pissed me off since I started it.
First of all, this dude CONSTANTLY belittled her for her weight/skinny-ness to the point he gave her the nickname "Sticks" based on the fact that her legs were so skinny that to him, they looked like sticks
Not only does the MMC do it, but ALL of the side characters that are part of the hockey team, made jokes about how HER STEPBROTHER, whom she sees as a brother, has probably wanted to have sex with her before. Even after she would tell him things like, "gross that's my brother" the MMC continues to make the same "joke"
WHAT WAS THE PLOT???? I feel as though I read trauma smut.
Why did she forgive him so quickly after he LIED to her. Personally, I wouldn't let that go.
At one point at the beginning of this book, the FMC has a nightmare about her past, and the MMC has the BRILLIANT idea to KISS HER to wake her from the nightmare????
He decided to punish her for wearing his teammates jersey by fucking her and not letting her finish. It's almost as bad as when Christian does this same thing as punishment to Annastasia in Fifty Shades of Grey.
Here's a paragraph that truly pissed me off, "'Uh-oh. Are you trying to... well, fuck, the butter pun would've worked better if you didn't offer me cream cheese.' 'Coffee.' I snap my fingers. 'That'll make you make sense.'"
Has this man been living under a ROCK???? I refuse to believe that this dude has never heard a "butter me up" joke in his entire existence.
The constant unawareness of their peers. WHY ARE YOU FUCKING WITH THE DOOR OPEN???? AND IN PUBLIC????
They at one point have angry sex because he lied to her, but she claims she hates him... blah blah blah. Anyways WHY do they say "I love you" after THAT????
I also refuse to believe anyone could read this book, if you can even call it that, and not physically cringe.
Overall, not the worst book I've read, but it was close to it.
SPOILER WARNING
This book has continuously pissed me off since I started it.
First of all, this dude CONSTANTLY belittled her for her weight/skinny-ness to the point he gave her the nickname "Sticks" based on the fact that her legs were so skinny that to him, they looked like sticks
Not only does the MMC do it, but ALL of the side characters that are part of the hockey team, made jokes about how HER STEPBROTHER, whom she sees as a brother, has probably wanted to have sex with her before. Even after she would tell him things like, "gross that's my brother" the MMC continues to make the same "joke"
WHAT WAS THE PLOT???? I feel as though I read trauma smut.
Why did she forgive him so quickly after he LIED to her. Personally, I wouldn't let that go.
At one point at the beginning of this book, the FMC has a nightmare about her past, and the MMC has the BRILLIANT idea to KISS HER to wake her from the nightmare????
He decided to punish her for wearing his teammates jersey by fucking her and not letting her finish. It's almost as bad as when Christian does this same thing as punishment to Annastasia in Fifty Shades of Grey.
Here's a paragraph that truly pissed me off, "'Uh-oh. Are you trying to... well, fuck, the butter pun would've worked better if you didn't offer me cream cheese.' 'Coffee.' I snap my fingers. 'That'll make you make sense.'"
Has this man been living under a ROCK???? I refuse to believe that this dude has never heard a "butter me up" joke in his entire existence.
The constant unawareness of their peers. WHY ARE YOU FUCKING WITH THE DOOR OPEN???? AND IN PUBLIC????
They at one point have angry sex because he lied to her, but she claims she hates him... blah blah blah. Anyways WHY do they say "I love you" after THAT????
I also refuse to believe anyone could read this book, if you can even call it that, and not physically cringe.
Overall, not the worst book I've read, but it was close to it.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 11, 2024
WOW, I absolutely devoured this and read it within 24 hours. Couldn't put it down.
This is my first book by both authors and it did not disappoint!!
Stone is THE book boyfriend. He is the perfect balance of possessive but mean but loves you, ya know? Like, Stone and Wren HATED each other in this and I legit ate👏it👏up!!!
When I say this is a hate to love .. I MEAN THIS IS A FREAKING HATE TO LOVE, ok? The back and forth pranks killed me. Just so freaking perfect.
Wren has a pretty dark past but it didn't go into super big detail but I would still recommend checking trigger warnings!
Quotes:
"She's going to be the death of me. And I think I love her for it."
"Are you asking to fuck me in your childhood bathroom, Stone?" - Wren
"I'm not asking." - Stone 🫠
"Look at my eyes, baby." 🥹🥹
"He's possessive. Not obsessed." - Ally
"I don't see the difference," - Wren
Tropes:
-sports romance
-forced proximity
-forbidden
-hate to love
-foster brother's best friend
-possessive mmc
-one bed (literally)
🌶️🌶️🌶️.5
This is my first book by both authors and it did not disappoint!!
Stone is THE book boyfriend. He is the perfect balance of possessive but mean but loves you, ya know? Like, Stone and Wren HATED each other in this and I legit ate👏it👏up!!!
When I say this is a hate to love .. I MEAN THIS IS A FREAKING HATE TO LOVE, ok? The back and forth pranks killed me. Just so freaking perfect.
Wren has a pretty dark past but it didn't go into super big detail but I would still recommend checking trigger warnings!
Quotes:
"She's going to be the death of me. And I think I love her for it."
"Are you asking to fuck me in your childhood bathroom, Stone?" - Wren
"I'm not asking." - Stone 🫠
"Look at my eyes, baby." 🥹🥹
"He's possessive. Not obsessed." - Ally
"I don't see the difference," - Wren
Tropes:
-sports romance
-forced proximity
-forbidden
-hate to love
-foster brother's best friend
-possessive mmc
-one bed (literally)
🌶️🌶️🌶️.5
December 15, 2023
I wanted to love this book so badly but for me, it just didn’t connect. I’m usually a huge fan of hockey romances but that was a bit secondary to the main plot. It’s definitely an enemies to lovers story with some good spice (short scenes, not overly descriptive).
Wren’s family history and past trauma are certainly dark (see trigger warnings) and as much as I appreciated the protector role Stone starts taking on, it seemed to come on so suddenly that I found it hard to connect with. They went from sub-zero frigid (bordering on cruel bullying) with one another to protector/lusting in the next breath. The plot had such good promise but unfortunately I struggled a bit with the flow of this book from scene to scene and the fast development of their feelings for one another. Left me with a bit of whiplash from chapter to chapter.
⭐️⭐️.75/5 🌶️🌶️🌶️/5
Wren’s family history and past trauma are certainly dark (see trigger warnings) and as much as I appreciated the protector role Stone starts taking on, it seemed to come on so suddenly that I found it hard to connect with. They went from sub-zero frigid (bordering on cruel bullying) with one another to protector/lusting in the next breath. The plot had such good promise but unfortunately I struggled a bit with the flow of this book from scene to scene and the fast development of their feelings for one another. Left me with a bit of whiplash from chapter to chapter.
⭐️⭐️.75/5 🌶️🌶️🌶️/5
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Read
December 12, 2023Just read the author’s note and I think it will be safe if I don’t read it. Sexual assault content is not for me.
November 21, 2024
4 ⭐️
It was unexpectedly good and kinda cute the build up of the story and their relationship it was on the right basis and that's a side note to myself I really need to get back into reading :(
It was unexpectedly good and kinda cute the build up of the story and their relationship it was on the right basis and that's a side note to myself I really need to get back into reading :(
December 11, 2023
I’m finally free
March 2, 2025
»I'm moving out.«
»Over my dead fucking body.«
★ ★ ★ ★
❥ 𝑾𝒓𝒆𝒏
She hasn‘t got an easy life and the glimps of her past were traumatic. I am impressed how strong and intelligent she is.
❥ 𝑺𝒕𝒐𝒏𝒆
He has every right to be pissed at Wren but you can see real fast that he absolutely falls for her and is so obsessed.
✥ 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒃𝒐𝒐𝒌
This was a light bully romance but includes dark romance.
I liked the writing style and the worldbuilding and enjoyed the tension between Wren and Stone. These two have great chemistry and their word battles are funny.
The side characters like the ice hockey team and Ally are well written and I hope that Ally get’s her own book, I‘m curious about her.
The plot was interesting and thrilling so the pages just flew by. Although I think they turned too fast into lovers (around 35%), so the „bully“ and „enemies“-part was short.
Overall an entertaining book with solid plot, likeable characters and a dark note.
»No, baby. You have no idea what I'm capable of. Especially when it comes to you.«
𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐨𝐟 𝟓
plot: 4/5
spice: 3/5
humor: 3/5
couple/tension: 5/5
world building: 5/5
happy end?: yes
𝐭𝐫𝐨𝐩𝐞𝐬
forced proximity, college, bully, dark, enemies to lovers, possessive and protective hero, traumatic past, childhood friends, ice hockey, brothers best friend, one bed
𝐬𝐚𝐟𝐞𝐭𝐲
ages: both around 20
cheating: no
sharing: no
kinks: dominance, public sex (a little)
𝐬𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐬 𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐬
#1 Sticks and Stones ★ ★ ★ ★
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
#2 Heart of Thorns ★ ★ ★ ★ ★
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
»Over my dead fucking body.«
★ ★ ★ ★
❥ 𝑾𝒓𝒆𝒏
She hasn‘t got an easy life and the glimps of her past were traumatic. I am impressed how strong and intelligent she is.
❥ 𝑺𝒕𝒐𝒏𝒆
He has every right to be pissed at Wren but you can see real fast that he absolutely falls for her and is so obsessed.
✥ 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒃𝒐𝒐𝒌
This was a light bully romance but includes dark romance.
I liked the writing style and the worldbuilding and enjoyed the tension between Wren and Stone. These two have great chemistry and their word battles are funny.
The side characters like the ice hockey team and Ally are well written and I hope that Ally get’s her own book, I‘m curious about her.
The plot was interesting and thrilling so the pages just flew by. Although I think they turned too fast into lovers (around 35%), so the „bully“ and „enemies“-part was short.
Overall an entertaining book with solid plot, likeable characters and a dark note.
»No, baby. You have no idea what I'm capable of. Especially when it comes to you.«
𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐨𝐟 𝟓
plot: 4/5
spice: 3/5
humor: 3/5
couple/tension: 5/5
world building: 5/5
happy end?: yes
𝐭𝐫𝐨𝐩𝐞𝐬
forced proximity, college, bully, dark, enemies to lovers, possessive and protective hero, traumatic past, childhood friends, ice hockey, brothers best friend, one bed
𝐬𝐚𝐟𝐞𝐭𝐲
ages: both around 20
cheating: no
sharing: no
kinks: dominance, public sex (a little)
𝐬𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐬 𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐬
#1 Sticks and Stones ★ ★ ★ ★
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
#2 Heart of Thorns ★ ★ ★ ★ ★
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
December 18, 2023
I don’t think this author can write chemistry, only smut 😃
-No plot-depth
-No narrative arc
-Stupid characters
-Bad writing
-No plot-depth
-No narrative arc
-Stupid characters
-Bad writing
December 8, 2023
5/5⭐️
3/5🌶️
Gosh I was so excited to read this considering it’s co-written by two of my favorite authors.. & let me tell you, THEY FREAKING DELIVERED 👏🏼
This story follows Stone Foster & Wren Davis, who despite having come from very different worlds, have known each other for a long time. Stone is Wren’s foster brother, Evan’s, best friend but after an incident happens in high school, Stone basically writes Wren off. We’ll fast forward a few years & Stone has just transferred to Shadow Valley University where Evan & Wren attend in order to play hockey under a better coach & with a better team. Having been drafted by a professional team right out of high school, he’s focused on bettering his game so that he can start in the league after this year.
After Wren’s boyfriend cheats on her, she needs a place to stay & ends up moving into the hockey house where Evan lives. What she doesn’t expect is to end up having to share a room with Stone, who has just moved into the hockey house as well. So how long can these two continue to hate each other when they’re forced to be around each other every day?
I wasn’t sure how much I was going to like Stone in the beginning. He was a huge a**hole & did some pretty messed up things, even though his hate towards Wren was warranted based on the info he had. However as time went on, it was clear how much he truly cared for Wren deep down. I love a possessive/overprotective MMC & that was Stone to a T. I was living for his caveman ways! I really hope we get more from these authors & this universe.
Tropes:
- Sports Romance
- Enemies to Lovers
- Brother’s Best Friend
- Forced Proximity
- Possessive MMC
- One Bed
3/5🌶️
Gosh I was so excited to read this considering it’s co-written by two of my favorite authors.. & let me tell you, THEY FREAKING DELIVERED 👏🏼
This story follows Stone Foster & Wren Davis, who despite having come from very different worlds, have known each other for a long time. Stone is Wren’s foster brother, Evan’s, best friend but after an incident happens in high school, Stone basically writes Wren off. We’ll fast forward a few years & Stone has just transferred to Shadow Valley University where Evan & Wren attend in order to play hockey under a better coach & with a better team. Having been drafted by a professional team right out of high school, he’s focused on bettering his game so that he can start in the league after this year.
After Wren’s boyfriend cheats on her, she needs a place to stay & ends up moving into the hockey house where Evan lives. What she doesn’t expect is to end up having to share a room with Stone, who has just moved into the hockey house as well. So how long can these two continue to hate each other when they’re forced to be around each other every day?
I wasn’t sure how much I was going to like Stone in the beginning. He was a huge a**hole & did some pretty messed up things, even though his hate towards Wren was warranted based on the info he had. However as time went on, it was clear how much he truly cared for Wren deep down. I love a possessive/overprotective MMC & that was Stone to a T. I was living for his caveman ways! I really hope we get more from these authors & this universe.
Tropes:
- Sports Romance
- Enemies to Lovers
- Brother’s Best Friend
- Forced Proximity
- Possessive MMC
- One Bed
January 24, 2024
4.5⭐️
This is my first book by both authors and I loved it.
The angst and tension between Stone and Wren was so freakin good. Stone and Wren become enemies after an incident that happened when they were in High School. A few years later they both end up as roommates having to share one bed.
Wren had a really rough life but Stone doesn’t make her life easy at first. But when he learns what she has gone through he becomes so protective of her it’s so sweet. This is such a perfect hate to love story. Stone becomes the perfect obsessed alpha hero🤌🏼
Tropes:
🏒Hockey Romance
🏒Enemies to lovers
🏒Brother’s best friend
🏒Bullying Romance
🏒Roommates
🏒One bed
🏒Suspense
The audio was soooo good. Alex Kydd and Kiera Stevens did amazing bringing the characters to life. Highly recommend!
This is my first book by both authors and I loved it.
The angst and tension between Stone and Wren was so freakin good. Stone and Wren become enemies after an incident that happened when they were in High School. A few years later they both end up as roommates having to share one bed.
Wren had a really rough life but Stone doesn’t make her life easy at first. But when he learns what she has gone through he becomes so protective of her it’s so sweet. This is such a perfect hate to love story. Stone becomes the perfect obsessed alpha hero🤌🏼
Tropes:
🏒Hockey Romance
🏒Enemies to lovers
🏒Brother’s best friend
🏒Bullying Romance
🏒Roommates
🏒One bed
🏒Suspense
The audio was soooo good. Alex Kydd and Kiera Stevens did amazing bringing the characters to life. Highly recommend!
December 28, 2023
4.5 STARS
I REALLY LOVED THIS ONE! The characters, story, spice was on point. The ending was but rushed and abrupt for the plot line and conflict introduced. If that would have been developed a bit more, it would have been an easy five stars!
I REALLY LOVED THIS ONE! The characters, story, spice was on point. The ending was but rushed and abrupt for the plot line and conflict introduced. If that would have been developed a bit more, it would have been an easy five stars!
December 16, 2023
Can we all take a minute to give these two a standing ovation? Please...I'll wait.
If you've followed me for any amount of time, you know that Sara is one of my ride or dies. I absolutely love everything that she writes and she's written one of my favorite fictional boyfriends (looking at you boo, Jacob). So when she announced this collab, I knew I immediately had to have and had to read more SJ Sylvis. I absoutely loved Ice Bet so I just sat here waiting on pins and needles for this baby to hit my kindle. And yall...it did NOT disappoint.
Everything about this book was pure perfection. The angst and tension between Stone and Wren was so hot that I could barely handle it. Of course, we had glimpses of Stones dark side where I just know he would be besties with the hockey gods men. And Wren...I love how strong she was. She went through HELL and came out stronger. And once that tension broke? ::fans myself:: They were SO HOT together.
The story had me absolutely wanting to avoid all adult responsibilities and I devoured them. I can't wait to see what they come up with next because this one was absolutely amazing. They are officially the dream team and I'm here for it!
If you've followed me for any amount of time, you know that Sara is one of my ride or dies. I absolutely love everything that she writes and she's written one of my favorite fictional boyfriends (looking at you boo, Jacob). So when she announced this collab, I knew I immediately had to have and had to read more SJ Sylvis. I absoutely loved Ice Bet so I just sat here waiting on pins and needles for this baby to hit my kindle. And yall...it did NOT disappoint.
Everything about this book was pure perfection. The angst and tension between Stone and Wren was so hot that I could barely handle it. Of course, we had glimpses of Stones dark side where I just know he would be besties with the hockey gods men. And Wren...I love how strong she was. She went through HELL and came out stronger. And once that tension broke? ::fans myself:: They were SO HOT together.
The story had me absolutely wanting to avoid all adult responsibilities and I devoured them. I can't wait to see what they come up with next because this one was absolutely amazing. They are officially the dream team and I'm here for it!
January 7, 2024
Kindle Unlimited: Yes
Stand-alone:Yes**
Author: S. Massery and S.J. Sylvis
Rating: 5/5 ⭐️
Spiciness Rating: 4/5 🌶
POV: First Person Dual Perspective
Main Couple: Wren and Stone
Trope(s): Enemies To Lovers, Sports Romance, Forced Proximity
“Baby, I’m fucking obsessed with you.” His deep voice is hot. “I can’t sleep if you’re not beside me. I can’t eat if you’re at work and I’m not sitting there in a booth, watching your hips sway with your tray. Even during my practices and games, if I don’t know where you are at all times, I fuck up and nearly fall on the ice.“
My throat constricts. Stone’s honesty sucks up all the oxygen in our shared bedroom.
This dark suspense bully romance deals with heavy topics so go in knowing the triggers. Wren has fought her whole life to escape the clutches of men. Stone has spent his cruising easily through life. They are oil and water, but damn when they heat up. The push and pull of their hateship to Stone becoming so obsessed with Wren that the stalk is real. Devoured this goodness right up. The way these boys band around Wren, it’s easy to fall in love with every one of them.
Wren’s homelife is complete crap. Ending up in foster care several times she lands with the Rowes and they become a saving grace to her. She develops a deep friendship with their son Evan. Much to Stone Foster, his best friend, disliking. Not because she is a terrible person, but because she is a distraction to Evan.
It’s their senior year and Wren is just trying to get through until she can begin classes at Shadow Valley University and finally escape her father.
But, then she is forced to make a snap decision to save herself, but it puts Stone’s future on the line.
Now two years later, she finds herself at another crossroads after finding her boyfriend cheating. Once again Evan shows up for her and gives her a place to crash. Unfortunately, it means sharing space with Stone.
Wren’s actions during their senior year almost caused Stone’s future in the NHL to derail. He’s kept her secret these last two years, but when he is forced to be her roommate, all his hate for her overflows.
The game is on. Each time he pushes Wren pushes right back. But, then he oversteps and brings her past barreling into her future.
Now the demons she was running from land on her doorstep.
Stand-alone:Yes**
Author: S. Massery and S.J. Sylvis
Rating: 5/5 ⭐️
Spiciness Rating: 4/5 🌶
POV: First Person Dual Perspective
Main Couple: Wren and Stone
Trope(s): Enemies To Lovers, Sports Romance, Forced Proximity
“Baby, I’m fucking obsessed with you.” His deep voice is hot. “I can’t sleep if you’re not beside me. I can’t eat if you’re at work and I’m not sitting there in a booth, watching your hips sway with your tray. Even during my practices and games, if I don’t know where you are at all times, I fuck up and nearly fall on the ice.“
My throat constricts. Stone’s honesty sucks up all the oxygen in our shared bedroom.
This dark suspense bully romance deals with heavy topics so go in knowing the triggers. Wren has fought her whole life to escape the clutches of men. Stone has spent his cruising easily through life. They are oil and water, but damn when they heat up. The push and pull of their hateship to Stone becoming so obsessed with Wren that the stalk is real. Devoured this goodness right up. The way these boys band around Wren, it’s easy to fall in love with every one of them.
Wren’s homelife is complete crap. Ending up in foster care several times she lands with the Rowes and they become a saving grace to her. She develops a deep friendship with their son Evan. Much to Stone Foster, his best friend, disliking. Not because she is a terrible person, but because she is a distraction to Evan.
It’s their senior year and Wren is just trying to get through until she can begin classes at Shadow Valley University and finally escape her father.
But, then she is forced to make a snap decision to save herself, but it puts Stone’s future on the line.
Now two years later, she finds herself at another crossroads after finding her boyfriend cheating. Once again Evan shows up for her and gives her a place to crash. Unfortunately, it means sharing space with Stone.
Wren’s actions during their senior year almost caused Stone’s future in the NHL to derail. He’s kept her secret these last two years, but when he is forced to be her roommate, all his hate for her overflows.
The game is on. Each time he pushes Wren pushes right back. But, then he oversteps and brings her past barreling into her future.
Now the demons she was running from land on her doorstep.
December 18, 2023
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5/5
🌶️🌶️🌶️.8
Rivals to lovers
Hockey romance
Forced Proximity (roommates)
College romance
He hates her and then ends up being the one who protects her
Our FMC comes from the wrong side of life, her father is now in prison but when our MMC plays a prank on her and puts her photo online. Her father’s people are able to track her down. Now he is threatening her.
Our MMC starts out HATING her and this hate festers for years until they are forced to live together in college. He thinks she deserves the bullying and hate she is getting, that is until he realises how damaging it is and what’s really going on.
The way he sleeps outside her damn door because of her nightmares…PLEASE…😭
This was such a good read, and the spice was delish!!
I was also sent this as an ARC, but of course these are my own real opinions and I will definitely be recommending this to anyone who likes hockey romances, with rivals to lovers and a bit of bully romance.
🌶️🌶️🌶️.8
Rivals to lovers
Hockey romance
Forced Proximity (roommates)
College romance
He hates her and then ends up being the one who protects her
Our FMC comes from the wrong side of life, her father is now in prison but when our MMC plays a prank on her and puts her photo online. Her father’s people are able to track her down. Now he is threatening her.
Our MMC starts out HATING her and this hate festers for years until they are forced to live together in college. He thinks she deserves the bullying and hate she is getting, that is until he realises how damaging it is and what’s really going on.
The way he sleeps outside her damn door because of her nightmares…PLEASE…😭
This was such a good read, and the spice was delish!!
I was also sent this as an ARC, but of course these are my own real opinions and I will definitely be recommending this to anyone who likes hockey romances, with rivals to lovers and a bit of bully romance.
January 20, 2024
🎧 Audiobook Review 🎧
This book was awesome in it's own way!
Stone and Wren started this story in highschool as frenemies and after one shady act, they become totally enemies.
Fast forward to their college years and some misfortunes from fate, and they're living in the same hockey house... Sharing the same bedroom.
Between their bickering and pranks, things get heated, and Stones starts to see that Wren is not that selfish girl who throw him under the bus in highschool... She's fighting her own demons and nightmares alone.
I loved how he becomes so protective of her.
How obsessive and passionate he is!
She deserved to have someone looking only at her, doing everything for her and trying his best to keep her safe.
Chef's kiss to their relationship and no third act breakup, leaving them to fight against their enemy, and not each other.
I also loved all the hockey boys and can't wait to read their stories too!
The audiobook was another winner!
This book was awesome in it's own way!
Stone and Wren started this story in highschool as frenemies and after one shady act, they become totally enemies.
Fast forward to their college years and some misfortunes from fate, and they're living in the same hockey house... Sharing the same bedroom.
Between their bickering and pranks, things get heated, and Stones starts to see that Wren is not that selfish girl who throw him under the bus in highschool... She's fighting her own demons and nightmares alone.
I loved how he becomes so protective of her.
How obsessive and passionate he is!
She deserved to have someone looking only at her, doing everything for her and trying his best to keep her safe.
Chef's kiss to their relationship and no third act breakup, leaving them to fight against their enemy, and not each other.
I also loved all the hockey boys and can't wait to read their stories too!
The audiobook was another winner!
August 24, 2024
4.5
he saw her crying after practice and his teammate was holding her and he immediately went crazy on him and full protector mode. and that was when he still hated her 😊
i loveeee dark sports romances with hero’s that won’t let anyone else hurt her and stays being j/p over her despite claiming he hates her, it FEEEEEDS my soul and this was exactly that. s massery just does dark romance so good.
stone was so so swoon worthy once they became more and more soft towards each other and evan and wren’s relationship is one of the most wholesome things ever.
he saw her crying after practice and his teammate was holding her and he immediately went crazy on him and full protector mode. and that was when he still hated her 😊
i loveeee dark sports romances with hero’s that won’t let anyone else hurt her and stays being j/p over her despite claiming he hates her, it FEEEEEDS my soul and this was exactly that. s massery just does dark romance so good.
stone was so so swoon worthy once they became more and more soft towards each other and evan and wren’s relationship is one of the most wholesome things ever.
June 16, 2024
Dnf
read like a Wattpad story..🤦♀️💔nothing really was good 🙂💔
read like a Wattpad story..🤦♀️💔nothing really was good 🙂💔
April 23, 2024
OMG!!! Two of my favorites decided to write a hockey book together and it was PERFECTION!! Their styles each shown through and complemented each other so well.
This story follows Stone Foster and Wren “Sticks” Davis. They absolutely hate each other! Wren tried to ruin Stone’s life back in HS (she had motive but still) and they have avoided each other ever since. Jump forward to college and they end up having to share a room and things take a turn. And well we can guess where it goes from there. I don’t want to give too much away as I think you should go into blind…just know that this is deliciously perfect! 😏😏
There are a lot of books out there that claim to be enemies to lovers or hate to love, that usually fall a little flat. Let me tell you that does not happen here. You can fell the hate from these two like immediately. SO MUCH TENSION!!
Stone was such an asshole…he made me want to punch and kiss him at the same time.
I absolutely loved Wren and her sass. She is the perfect match to deal with Stone.
Also loved the little nuggets of others characters from their other books! I squealed like a little kid eating sugar!
I am so excited for everyone to read this one and I highly recommend that you do. I really need S. Massery & SJ Sylvis to write together more in this world bc I cannot get enough!!
Thank you to SJ and S. Massery for the eARC. I cannot wait to continue this series.
Overall: ♾️
Spice: 4
Tropes:
-Sports
-Enemies to Lovers
-Best Friend’s Sister
-Forced Proximity
-One Bed
-Possessive MMC
-Who Hurt You
This story follows Stone Foster and Wren “Sticks” Davis. They absolutely hate each other! Wren tried to ruin Stone’s life back in HS (she had motive but still) and they have avoided each other ever since. Jump forward to college and they end up having to share a room and things take a turn. And well we can guess where it goes from there. I don’t want to give too much away as I think you should go into blind…just know that this is deliciously perfect! 😏😏
There are a lot of books out there that claim to be enemies to lovers or hate to love, that usually fall a little flat. Let me tell you that does not happen here. You can fell the hate from these two like immediately. SO MUCH TENSION!!
Stone was such an asshole…he made me want to punch and kiss him at the same time.
I absolutely loved Wren and her sass. She is the perfect match to deal with Stone.
Also loved the little nuggets of others characters from their other books! I squealed like a little kid eating sugar!
I am so excited for everyone to read this one and I highly recommend that you do. I really need S. Massery & SJ Sylvis to write together more in this world bc I cannot get enough!!
Thank you to SJ and S. Massery for the eARC. I cannot wait to continue this series.
Overall: ♾️
Spice: 4
Tropes:
-Sports
-Enemies to Lovers
-Best Friend’s Sister
-Forced Proximity
-One Bed
-Possessive MMC
-Who Hurt You
December 15, 2023
I don’t know what was more disturbing to me: the FMC always saying she’ll get back at the MMC only to lose every single time, or the MMC constantly making sexual jokes aimed towards the FMC and her foster brother.
The amount of times this man has disregarded the fact that Evan and the FMC see each other as siblings is astounding to me, and quite frankly, the consistent commentary of “she’s not even your real sister” makes my blood boil.
The amount of times this man has disregarded the fact that Evan and the FMC see each other as siblings is astounding to me, and quite frankly, the consistent commentary of “she’s not even your real sister” makes my blood boil.
Shelved as 'nfmaa'
March 25, 2025Note to self
Her hiding drugs in his car is fucked up no matter her reasons
Her hiding drugs in his car is fucked up no matter her reasons
December 26, 2023
4.5 stars!! read this is basically one day and i did NOT want it to end. every single part of this book was absolutely perfect and this is most likely one of my favorite enemies to lovers books so far. the banter/hate/love relationship between stone and wren (or sticks as he calls her!) was everything i needed and more!! full rtc
January 28, 2024
There was pretty much nothing about this book not to like 😊
The story is great, the characters are awesome, and the writing was so good.
My only complaint is that the authors should have written what happened with Vince’s father because that was left unresolved.
Looking forward to more of the boys books 🤗
The story is great, the characters are awesome, and the writing was so good.
My only complaint is that the authors should have written what happened with Vince’s father because that was left unresolved.
Looking forward to more of the boys books 🤗
February 15, 2025
Oh this was not good.
When you start off hating the FMC in chapter 1, it doesn't bode well at all. Wren is NOT a likeable character at all. Especially in the first half of this story.
Girl what do you mean you're upset Stone doesn't want anything to do with you? What do you mean you're offended he's being mean to you? You STASHED DRUGS IN HIS CAR AND NEARLY RUINED IS LIFE. Bitch be so fucking for real right now.
Stone's not any better. He's belittled and bullied Wren since high school even before she planted drugs in his car, for her being skinny/underfed. His nickname for her, "sticks", comes from how stick thin her legs were. Throughout the book, even after they get together, she tells him multiple times not to call her that and he outright ignores her.
Outside of the abject dislike of both of these people (that never went away), this story had potential to be gritty and dark, and it failed.
I couldn't care less about the 'romance'. I use that term loosely, because it's all fuck, no feelings. I mean sure, yeah, there's lots of I hate yous and maybe a couple I love yous but I didn't care about any of it. They're both terrible characters in a kind of toxic relationship and neither of them really redeemed themselves for me so whatever.
I kept reading because of the darker elements. Wren's dad and the drugs and the danger she was in. And that ultimately let me down too.
We have to wait until the last 10% of the book to even see Jesse Davis show up, and then all the super high-stakes drama takes place over the course of about 3 and a half pages.
Listen. It was interesting. But there should have been WAY more of it. And there's a LOT that gets left out--like what happens to Stone's father, who apparently ended up in the hospital for some reason, maybe?
I dunno. This isn't the most terrible thing I've ever read. But I feel like it came off one of those story apps that advertise on tiktok-- you know the ones "My stepbrother the Alpha banished me from my pack at 17 blah blah..." 🙄🙄
If anybody cares I'm going to leave my chapter notes, but I didn't do a great job with them. I didn't hate the book enough to rant, and I didn't care enough to discuss plot points. Just meh.
My Half-assed Reader's Notes:
When you start off hating the FMC in chapter 1, it doesn't bode well at all. Wren is NOT a likeable character at all. Especially in the first half of this story.
Girl what do you mean you're upset Stone doesn't want anything to do with you? What do you mean you're offended he's being mean to you? You STASHED DRUGS IN HIS CAR AND NEARLY RUINED IS LIFE. Bitch be so fucking for real right now.
Stone's not any better. He's belittled and bullied Wren since high school even before she planted drugs in his car, for her being skinny/underfed. His nickname for her, "sticks", comes from how stick thin her legs were. Throughout the book, even after they get together, she tells him multiple times not to call her that and he outright ignores her.
Outside of the abject dislike of both of these people (that never went away), this story had potential to be gritty and dark, and it failed.
I couldn't care less about the 'romance'. I use that term loosely, because it's all fuck, no feelings. I mean sure, yeah, there's lots of I hate yous and maybe a couple I love yous but I didn't care about any of it. They're both terrible characters in a kind of toxic relationship and neither of them really redeemed themselves for me so whatever.
I kept reading because of the darker elements. Wren's dad and the drugs and the danger she was in. And that ultimately let me down too.
We have to wait until the last 10% of the book to even see Jesse Davis show up, and then all the super high-stakes drama takes place over the course of about 3 and a half pages.
Listen. It was interesting. But there should have been WAY more of it. And there's a LOT that gets left out--like what happens to Stone's father, who apparently ended up in the hospital for some reason, maybe?
I dunno. This isn't the most terrible thing I've ever read. But I feel like it came off one of those story apps that advertise on tiktok-- you know the ones "My stepbrother the Alpha banished me from my pack at 17 blah blah..." 🙄🙄
If anybody cares I'm going to leave my chapter notes, but I didn't do a great job with them. I didn't hate the book enough to rant, and I didn't care enough to discuss plot points. Just meh.
My Half-assed Reader's Notes:
December 17, 2023
My door has a hole in it. The wood is splintered. I locked the door before going to sleep, and I’m pretty certain Stone used his fist to break it down to get to me.
“Jesus Christ,” someone says.
I shut my eyes immediately when I see the rest of my housemates standing in the hallway with concern etched onto their sleepy faces.
“Wrenny.”
Stone pauses at the sound of Evan’s voice, but I shake my head along his chest. I don’t want to talk, and there is no amount of milk and cookies that can get me to. Instead, I listen to the thundering beat of Stone’s heart against my ear and hold on tighter as he takes me upstairs.
***Actual rating: 4/5 Possessive Stars***
What a quote, isn’t it? That highlighted quote above was my most favorite scene in this book and I just wanted to relive that specific moment as many times as possible. Sticks and Stones was the first co-write by Sara Massery and S.J. Sylvis, both of who are spectacular Queens of Dark and Angsty Romance. I personally have yet to read Sara’s books but have heard how extremely dark they are and aren’t for the faint-hearted. As for Sammi’s work, well, it’s an understatement that I am addicted to it. As one of her number one stalker fans, I’ve read and enjoyed ALL of her books and let me tell you, her writing style keeps getting better and better with each new release. That being said, I was beyond thrilled to learn that both Sara and Sammi were co-writing yet another highly anticipated college hockey dark romance series called Shadow Valley U.
”You’re even more desirable with the look of hatred in your eye.”
It goes without saying that this book features not only college hockey romance, but also the delicious tropes of enemies-to-lovers, forced-proximity (one bed), brother’s best friend, and slightly bully element. I mean, these are pretty much the recipe to a yummilicious spicy & dark romance, amiright? The protagonists, Wren and Stone, had been each other’s nemesis since high school after Wren stole Evan, Stone’s best friend and Wren’s foster brother who loved her the most, whenever she was around, and particularly after she did something terrible back then. Stone never forgave her, of course, so that was how all the bullying and horrible pranks started when she, all of a sudden, reappeared in Stone and Evan’s life two years later.
”I thought you were sleeping.”
“Your silence is so loud it woke me up,” she replies.
Honestly, I was a little hesitant before diving into this book, knowing that there would be slight bully element because for someone who’d been bullied throughout her entire childhood, I never had a soft spot for bullies and I guessed I’d never have that, either. Thankfully, the bullying parts were quite tolerable, and I was completely impressed with Wren’s resilience through and through. Just because she was made fun of by Stone, she never backed down. Instead, she paid back ten-fold and that was my girl. Besides, I also was relieved that Stone later realized he had gone too far with one of the pranks, and he actually felt GUILTY. Guys, that was huge coming from an arrogant prick like him, y’all!
She finally seems to come back to herself. And when she registers me, she doesn’t push me away. No, she fucking drags me closer. She winds her arms around my neck and buries her face in my shirt, hiding herself.
My heart cracks.
She was in here fighting for her life in her dreams. Alone.
Undoubtedly, Wren’s twisted past was what drew me in from the very beginning. She did not grow up in a fairytale family with loving parents and besties; on the contrary, she lived in a trailer, cooking meth for her druggie father, absent mother, and even more toxic “friends.” Despite the poor living condition, she continued acing her academic performance and did everything she could to maintain her life as well as her broken family’s. What made this book stand out was hands down its character development. Call me a character-oriented reader, but I truly appreciated how much Stone and Wren had matured throughout the book, especially when they were finally on the same page. Sometimes Stone’s consideration and concern for Wren really touched me, but, as reluctant as I was to say this, his obsession with her had become a bit suffocating to me as the story progressed.
”Baby, I’m fucking obsessed with you.” His deep voice is hot. “I can’t sleep if you’re not beside me. I can’t eat if you’re at work and I’m not sitting there in a booth, watching your hips sway with your tray. Even during my practices and games, if I don’t know where you are at all times, I fuck up and nearly fall on the ice.”
I knew a dominating alpha (control) male (freak) could be sexy and romantically-desirable for some people, but not me. Just like how the angry and hatred sex didn’t work for me, either. In my opinion, the lack of mutual favorable feeling and emotional connection between Wren and Stone was the biggest problem in their romantic relationship. Although Stone went utterly out of his way to protect Wren, such as punching literally every guy who glanced her way or tracking her every move or switching his own class schedule to exactly the same as hers, I would much appreciate if they could at least try establishing their relationship on more solid ground. For example, maybe learning to build some mutual trust, as the first baby step. Or avoiding having make-up sex filled with so much anger management problem and hatred for each other.
Stone has been careless, and I’ve been letting him come inside me as if there is no other way. Thank God I’m on birth control—something he has never inquired about.
What’s worse, another major killjoy of this book was how RECKLESS and UNTHOUGHTFUL Stone was when in bed with Wren. There, I said it. Call me a conservative prude, but just when I tried not to think too much into details of the steamy sex scenes—which were A LOT when it came to these two horny college students—Wren practically spilt it out loud and now I could not unread it. No matter how perfect their romance was, I just wished these characters could take their responsibility more serious. To some extent, I also felt that Wren and Stone’s relationship was a bit toxic due to Stone’s obsession with Wren. He seemed to be extremely possessive where Wren was concerned, and wanted to control her every move for the sake of “being over-protective of her” and even took her matters into his own hands just to be her knight in shining armor. What I was saying was that I believed they could show a little effort in making their relationship work better, and in a more positive way. Mercifully, there wasn’t any surprising pregnancy here.
As for the ending, well, as relieved as I was to find Wren and Stone got their hard-earned HEA, I hated to admit how suddenly and a bit unnecessary the plot twist at the last 7% of the book was. Not sure if this was the case with Sara’s books, but Sammi has a tendency to throw in some unexpected twists at the very last of the story (say the last 10% of the book) so the ending could be a wee bit rushed, in my opinion. That was why I was afraid to double check the percentage of the remaining of this book when I read that particular turning point…because seriously, another surprise at 93% of the book?? Then bam, the story ended with bad guy dead and good ones alive out of the blue. Oh, and let’s not forget the epic…fluffy, happy ending for Wren and Stone in the epilogue…ugh, I just wished there could be an extended and better-paced epilogue!
To sum up, Sticks and Stones was an enjoyable dark romance without doubt. Frankly, I devoured the first 70% of the book in one sitting (no kidding), and before I knew it, Wren and Stone’s story came to an end. Now I miss everyone in the Shadow Valley U and can’t wait to read more in the following instalments. I also adored that there was reference to Briar U from Sammi’s Weak Side and Ice Bet! There was something magical and unbelievable when two different settings all morphed into one, further elevating the overall quality and anticipation of both stories. Enough said, please go give Sara and Sammi’s first co-write a shot and I hope you will enjoy Wren and Stone’s story more than I do!
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