With a delicious slow burn and feuding that’s really foreplay, I loved the BITE of this rivals to lovers romance. These two have tension from the moment they meet, and it was immensely compelling to watch their bickering slowly simmer into banter, which fueled the passionate dynamic of their relationship. I also loved that it felt fresh and different, with a heroine who is tough as nails until she feels safe enough to let down her guard. And I loved that the hero could see right through her, understanding her in a way that few other people do. It’s the ultimate black cat romance, though this hero is definitely no golden retriever. He may secretly love that she’s a handful, but he gives as good as he gets – and I adored that. Together, they have the kind of chemistry that leaps off the page, and that made it so easy to binge this in one sitting. It kept me on my toes and made me smile and swoon in equal measure, which is why this was an EASY 5-star rating for me. I loved it!
The story follows Layla, a musician with the potential to be a big success. Right now, she’s steadily booking smaller jobs in the hours she’s available, but helping out her best friend means she’s got some restrictions on her time. So when a bigger name comes in and steals her most reliable gig, Layla is instantly annoyed. And every interaction she has with Adrian just makes her want to wipe the smile off his face even more. The two certainly do not start off their relationship on the right foot, but it’s not long before Layla is grudgingly agreeing to team up with him for some performances. The two can’t be in the same room together for five minutes without bickering, but Layla can’t help feeling like some of that tension might be of the sexual variety – at least on her end. Adrian clearly just hates her. But their heated interactions sometimes feel like something else entirely, and Layla isn’t sure what to do about that.
Told exclusively from Layla’s POV, we’re left to decipher Adrian’s actions and feelings without input from him. I loved that. Layla is so focused on their mutual hate that she is either unwilling or unable to see the shift in the dynamic, but I absolutely ADORED Adrian, and his feelings were obvious to me. I loved trying to analyze every interaction for its deeper context, and watching the subtle changes was so much fun. As much as I loved Meet Me Halfway, this was SO different and yet equally entertaining. The series is tied together by the characters (but easy to read as standalones), but this has a significant tonal shift. It also focuses on Layla and her unique struggles, which don’t become apparent until we get to know her better. I loved that Adrian figured her out so quickly and could see behind her (very high) walls. She’s the kind of heroine that not every reader is going to love, but I liked her more and more as the book progressed. Same with Adrian, honestly. The more I figured him out, the more I loved him. And the more I thought he made the perfect match for Layla. They don’t have – and never will have – a soft, tender love, but it’s one that is just as deep. And that slow burn? Whoa boy, I was so, SO invested when they finally gave in. This is the kind of book that hooked me from the start but gets even better as it progresses, and I loved it a lot.
Amazon: https://amzn.to/3J2fhwJ
Blurb:
This is a standalone, rivals to lovers, slowburn romance in the Learning to Love Series. Although it is not necessary, it is recommended to read Meet Me Halfway first.
Between moving across the country to help her best friend and building her music career from scratch, Layla is pretty dang proud of what she’s accomplished.
She’s booked every weekend, and her name is quickly becoming well known in the area.
So it comes as a shock when her booking agent slowly stops calling her. That is, until she runs into the musician who’s been stealing her gigs.
She can’t deny he has a voice to die for and the body of a god, but neither helps the fact that his personality is pure poison.
Their exchanges never fail to boil her blood, but it’s a game she starts to look forward to, and she’s determined not to back down first.
She always thought she wanted the sweet love she sings about. But with every quick-tongued remark and heated glance, she realizes sweet might not burn the way she needs.
And what better way to stoke a fire than with a little bit of hate.
Amazon: https://amzn.to/3J2fhwJ
Have you read Meet Me Halfway?
There are a couple of novellas in this series, but the main book that ties everything together is Meet Me Halfway, which helps in understanding some of Layla’s actions. Certainly not required reading, and this could be read as a standalone without a problem – but I loved Meet Me Halfway! It made my Best of the Year list, and it’s got quieter, grumpy neighbor to friends to lovers vibes. I have not read the novellas (revolving around side characters), so those are definitely not necessary before diving into either book.
Madison gave her heart to a boy at the age of sixteen, but all she got in return was a broken heart and a swollen belly.
Alone with a baby and desperate for the love she hadn’t found, she turned to a man who sealed his claim of devotion with a diamond ring.
He promised her a family. A life. A future. But his lies had only been a cover for the personal hell he introduced her to daily.
Now, at twenty-five, Madison has long since stopped believing in love. Balancing single parenthood, three jobs, and online courses, she doesn’t have the time anyway.
So when the broody neighbor living in the other side of her duplex leaves a rude note on her door, she’s not interested.
Not in his dark hair, not in his physique, and definitely not in the dimples she’s only seen a hint of. She’s one hundred percent, absolutely, not interested.
Not even a little.
**Author’s Note: This novel is for readers age 18+ and contains sensitive content that some readers might not wish to read. Please head to the author’s website for a more detailed content description.
Read the review here
Amazon: https://amzn.to/3MLDXIT
About the Author:
Lilian T. James was born and raised in a small town of Kansas until she finished high school. Enrolling at a University on the east coast, she moved there with her son and obtained degrees in Criminal Justice, Social Work, Psychology, and Sociology. After graduating, she met her husband and moved to the west coast for a few years before they finally settled back in Kansas. She has three kids, one miniature dachshund, and has been an avid fantasy and romance reader her entire life. Lilian was finally able to publish her first novel, Untainted, in 2021 and has no plans of stopping.
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