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Blairwood University #5
Kiss To Belong
New Year has kicked off on a rough start for Alyssa Martinez. Pregnant, homeless, and alone, she has to figure out how to start over before her baby arrives.
Maddox Anderson has always been a brainiac. If only confessing to his best friend he has been in love with her his whole life would be as easy as coding.
When Maddox finds out what’s going on with Alyssa, he demands that she move in with him. When sharing a bed turns into late-night snuggles, and movie nights end up with Alyssa straddling his lap, something will have to give.
But can Maddox prove to her they belong together when Alyssa is convinced that he deserves somebody better than her?
Maddox Anderson has always been a brainiac. If only confessing to his best friend he has been in love with her his whole life would be as easy as coding.
When Maddox finds out what’s going on with Alyssa, he demands that she move in with him. When sharing a bed turns into late-night snuggles, and movie nights end up with Alyssa straddling his lap, something will have to give.
But can Maddox prove to her they belong together when Alyssa is convinced that he deserves somebody better than her?
454 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 11, 2022
About the author
Anna B. Doe
35 books1,528 followersAnna B. Doe is a young adult and new adult contemporary romance author. She writes real-life romance that is equal parts sweet and sexy. She’s a coffee and chocolate addict. Like her characters, she loves those two things dark, sweet and with little extra spice.
When she’s not working for a living or writing her newest book you can find her reading books or binge-watching TV shows. Originally from Croatia, she is always planning her next trip because wanderlust is in her blood.
She is currently working on various projects. Some more secret than others.
FIND ANNA ON SOCIAL MEDIA
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When she’s not working for a living or writing her newest book you can find her reading books or binge-watching TV shows. Originally from Croatia, she is always planning her next trip because wanderlust is in her blood.
She is currently working on various projects. Some more secret than others.
FIND ANNA ON SOCIAL MEDIA
FACEBOOK: http://bit.ly/ABDoeFB
FACEBOOK GROUP: http://bit.ly/Bookmantic
GOODREADS: http://bit.ly/ABDoeGR
INSTAGRAM: http://bit.ly/ABDoeIG
AMAZON: http://amzn.to/2v6Op7D
PINTEREST: http://bit.ly/ABDoePint
BOOKBUB: http://bit.ly/ABDoeBB
TIKTOK: https://bit.ly/ABDoeTik
NEWSLETTER: http://bit.ly/ABDoeNewsletter
AUDIO NEWSLETTER: http://bit.ly/ABDoeAudio
MASTER LIST: https://www.subscribepage.com/bookman...
WEBPAGE: https://www.annabdoe.com/
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 247 reviews
March 18, 2022
4.5/5
If I was already in love with Maddox before his book, what I feel now for this man is something out of this world.
It’s not a secret that I am a big fan of good, sunshine and shy guys, and Maddox is everything and more. I was a little scared cause I don’t usually like characters that are perfect all the time, I need them to be human, to have some flaw, to make me connect with them. And Anna gets this with her characters. She did it with Max (go to read Greyford wolves) and now she did it with Maddox Anderson, my new book boyfriend and and the reason why my expectations of men have grown even more.
I know that this book is not going to be for everyone, but if you enjoy domestic scenes, friends to lovers, pregnant and a good group of friends, you will like this book.
Alyssa is a character who from the beginning of the series show us as someone partying and extroverted. And when she gets pregnant, everything changes. We see a different Alyssa. It’s an Alyssa who overnight loses almost everything, an Alyssa who stands up to her parents, especially her mother, when they try to control her, an Alyssa who decides that her baby and she are more important than money and opinion. Seeing this side of Alyssa, being so strong and wanting to get through all this alone has enchanted me and made me suffer. But obviously she is not alone, she has Maddox, her best friend since childhood, and the rest of the BWU group (the first one there).
On the other hand we have Maddox, shy, nerdy and who doesn’t really know how to interact with girls. He has never paid attention to them because he has been in love with Aly for most of his life. Maddox is a good character, who would do anything for the people he wants. And it’s clear he’s gonna do whatever it takes for Alyssa and the baby.
I loved watching Alyssa realize that she is attracted to her best friend (and jealousy, because yes, we have a jealousy scene) and who this relationship is built progressively, so naturally. And how Maddox showed Aly that he didn’t care that he wasn’t the baby’s biological father, that baby was his.
As for the drama of the book, I’ll just say that Anna had me crying and for a moment I thought she was going to make me suffer, but she always give us happy endings.
Special mention, not only to the group of boys, but to Callie and Yasmin who were there for Aly.
Thanks Anna for this ARC, this series and these characters.
If I was already in love with Maddox before his book, what I feel now for this man is something out of this world.
It’s not a secret that I am a big fan of good, sunshine and shy guys, and Maddox is everything and more. I was a little scared cause I don’t usually like characters that are perfect all the time, I need them to be human, to have some flaw, to make me connect with them. And Anna gets this with her characters. She did it with Max (go to read Greyford wolves) and now she did it with Maddox Anderson, my new book boyfriend and and the reason why my expectations of men have grown even more.
I know that this book is not going to be for everyone, but if you enjoy domestic scenes, friends to lovers, pregnant and a good group of friends, you will like this book.
Alyssa is a character who from the beginning of the series show us as someone partying and extroverted. And when she gets pregnant, everything changes. We see a different Alyssa. It’s an Alyssa who overnight loses almost everything, an Alyssa who stands up to her parents, especially her mother, when they try to control her, an Alyssa who decides that her baby and she are more important than money and opinion. Seeing this side of Alyssa, being so strong and wanting to get through all this alone has enchanted me and made me suffer. But obviously she is not alone, she has Maddox, her best friend since childhood, and the rest of the BWU group (the first one there).
On the other hand we have Maddox, shy, nerdy and who doesn’t really know how to interact with girls. He has never paid attention to them because he has been in love with Aly for most of his life. Maddox is a good character, who would do anything for the people he wants. And it’s clear he’s gonna do whatever it takes for Alyssa and the baby.
I loved watching Alyssa realize that she is attracted to her best friend (and jealousy, because yes, we have a jealousy scene) and who this relationship is built progressively, so naturally. And how Maddox showed Aly that he didn’t care that he wasn’t the baby’s biological father, that baby was his.
As for the drama of the book, I’ll just say that Anna had me crying and for a moment I thought she was going to make me suffer, but she always give us happy endings.
Special mention, not only to the group of boys, but to Callie and Yasmin who were there for Aly.
Thanks Anna for this ARC, this series and these characters.
March 19, 2022
Maddox and Alyssa story is one I've been looking forward to read. Sure it was cute and had some interesting moments, but miscommunication dimmed my entertainment.
March 2, 2022
Rating: 5 freaking stars.
This book sucked me in from prologue and had me hooked till the bonus epilogue!!
Tropes:
-Best friends to lovers college romance
-Surprise Pregnancy
-Virgin/Nerdy hero
-Party girl heroin
-Roommates to lovers
-Ansty af!
As always Anna's writing just holds you and pulls you in like a magnet, never letting you go unless you have to force yourself to stop reading. I swear you would feel the book is long but when you are done reading it you will crave for more. And you would want to read the bonus epilogue immediately, which concluded their story in the best way possible.
I have no words to describe how perfect Malyssa were. Yes, they had their own problems and had to figure stuff out. But the way they did it just shows how strong love can be. And I am not even kidding when I tell about the problems they had.
Alyssa has always been the free spirited and parents defying girl. Loves to party and is the strongest one. But she ends up getting pregnant and is left alone by everyone she thought would support her and not only that she becomes homeless too. I know right how much could she take in.
Enters Maddox, the next door boy who has always been in love with her, Aly's childhood best friend. He is the sweetest and most caring person you will ever meet, he is a nerdy genius who develops games (and the sweetest thing he could have ever done for the baby) . He offers Aly his room and they become roommates.
And from there it is a roller coaster ride, there was miscommunication, non-acceptance, angst which will tear the roof, drama and the ending, oh the last few chapters tore my heart out. Deep down I knew it is a HEA, but it is not going to stop you from feeling blue af as you read those chapters!! I was so anxious the whole time.
I am in love, utterly in love with Alyssa and Maddox and their baby.
Oh I almost forgot, the friendship... oh wow the whole gang was such a supportive one. I knew that but seeing them in action was so good. Seeing all the past couples was such a bliss. Yas and Callie were the cutest. Nix, Hayden, Zane were such fuzzballs, not to forget Prescott and Spencer.
Kate and Emmett are always my first love, Maddox and Alyssa gave quite the competition here ngl!! And Penny, we gotta see Penny.
Also, no disrespect -_-, but her parents and "Chuck" can go to hell. (just putting it down respectfully xD)
ARC provided in exchange for an honest review.
This book sucked me in from prologue and had me hooked till the bonus epilogue!!
Tropes:
-Best friends to lovers college romance
-Surprise Pregnancy
-Virgin/Nerdy hero
-Party girl heroin
-Roommates to lovers
-Ansty af!
As always Anna's writing just holds you and pulls you in like a magnet, never letting you go unless you have to force yourself to stop reading. I swear you would feel the book is long but when you are done reading it you will crave for more. And you would want to read the bonus epilogue immediately, which concluded their story in the best way possible.
I have no words to describe how perfect Malyssa were. Yes, they had their own problems and had to figure stuff out. But the way they did it just shows how strong love can be. And I am not even kidding when I tell about the problems they had.
Alyssa has always been the free spirited and parents defying girl. Loves to party and is the strongest one. But she ends up getting pregnant and is left alone by everyone she thought would support her and not only that she becomes homeless too. I know right how much could she take in.
Enters Maddox, the next door boy who has always been in love with her, Aly's childhood best friend. He is the sweetest and most caring person you will ever meet, he is a nerdy genius who develops games (and the sweetest thing he could have ever done for the baby) . He offers Aly his room and they become roommates.
And from there it is a roller coaster ride, there was miscommunication, non-acceptance, angst which will tear the roof, drama and the ending, oh the last few chapters tore my heart out. Deep down I knew it is a HEA, but it is not going to stop you from feeling blue af as you read those chapters!! I was so anxious the whole time.
I am in love, utterly in love with Alyssa and Maddox and their baby.
Oh I almost forgot, the friendship... oh wow the whole gang was such a supportive one. I knew that but seeing them in action was so good. Seeing all the past couples was such a bliss. Yas and Callie were the cutest. Nix, Hayden, Zane were such fuzzballs, not to forget Prescott and Spencer.
Kate and Emmett are always my first love, Maddox and Alyssa gave quite the competition here ngl!! And Penny, we gotta see Penny.
Also, no disrespect -_-, but her parents and "Chuck" can go to hell. (just putting it down respectfully xD)
ARC provided in exchange for an honest review.
Read
March 18, 2022💙 𝐇𝐎𝐓 𝐍𝐄𝐖 𝐑𝐄𝐋𝐄𝐀𝐒𝐄 + 𝐆𝐈𝐕𝐄𝐀𝐖𝐀𝐘 💙
Kiss To Belong, a childhood best friends to lovers college romance by Anna B. Doe is now live and FREE with Kindle Unlimited! ➜ https://books2read.com/blairwood-KTB
★★★★★ "This friends to lovers was pure perfection. Five star must read." -Tilya, Tilyagotbooks
★★★★★ "This book achieved to steal my heart and play with my feelings in the best way possible!" - clary_landrose
★★★★★ "Loved every second of this book." - Fridas_library
About Kiss To Belong:
💙 best friends to lovers college romance
🧸 surprised pregnancy
💙 virgin, nerdy hero
🧸 party girl heroine
💙 forced proximity
🧸 roommates
Blurb:
𝐇𝐞 𝐥𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐝 𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐰𝐡𝐨𝐥𝐞 𝐥𝐢𝐟𝐞.
New Year has kicked off on a rough start for Alyssa Martinez. Pregnant, homeless, and alone, she has to figure out how to start over before her baby arrives.
Maddox Anderson has always been a brainiac. If only confessing to his best friend he has been in love with her his whole life would be as easy as coding.
𝐁𝐮𝐭 𝐬𝐡𝐞 𝐚𝐥𝐰𝐚𝐲𝐬 𝐬𝐚𝐰 𝐡𝐢𝐦 𝐣𝐮𝐬𝐭 𝐚𝐬 𝐚 𝐟𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐝.
When Maddox finds out what’s going on with Alyssa, he demands that she move in with him. When sharing a bed turns into late-night snuggles, and movie nights end up with Alyssa straddling his lap, something will have to give.
But can Maddox prove to her they belong together when Alyssa is convinced that he deserves somebody better than her?
𝐑𝐄𝐀𝐃 𝐅𝐑𝐄𝐄 𝐖𝐈𝐓𝐇 𝐊𝐈𝐍𝐃𝐋𝐄 𝐔𝐍𝐋𝐈𝐌𝐈𝐓𝐄𝐃
AMAZON US: https://amzn.to/3uTRCs9
AMAZON UK: https://amzn.to/34FiGjA
AMAZON AU: https://amzn.to/3HzhU6d
AMAZON CA: https://amzn.to/3uBCPlw
Kiss To Belong, a childhood best friends to lovers college romance by Anna B. Doe is now live and FREE with Kindle Unlimited! ➜ https://books2read.com/blairwood-KTB
★★★★★ "This friends to lovers was pure perfection. Five star must read." -Tilya, Tilyagotbooks
★★★★★ "This book achieved to steal my heart and play with my feelings in the best way possible!" - clary_landrose
★★★★★ "Loved every second of this book." - Fridas_library
About Kiss To Belong:
💙 best friends to lovers college romance
🧸 surprised pregnancy
💙 virgin, nerdy hero
🧸 party girl heroine
💙 forced proximity
🧸 roommates
Blurb:
𝐇𝐞 𝐥𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐝 𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐰𝐡𝐨𝐥𝐞 𝐥𝐢𝐟𝐞.
New Year has kicked off on a rough start for Alyssa Martinez. Pregnant, homeless, and alone, she has to figure out how to start over before her baby arrives.
Maddox Anderson has always been a brainiac. If only confessing to his best friend he has been in love with her his whole life would be as easy as coding.
𝐁𝐮𝐭 𝐬𝐡𝐞 𝐚𝐥𝐰𝐚𝐲𝐬 𝐬𝐚𝐰 𝐡𝐢𝐦 𝐣𝐮𝐬𝐭 𝐚𝐬 𝐚 𝐟𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐝.
When Maddox finds out what’s going on with Alyssa, he demands that she move in with him. When sharing a bed turns into late-night snuggles, and movie nights end up with Alyssa straddling his lap, something will have to give.
But can Maddox prove to her they belong together when Alyssa is convinced that he deserves somebody better than her?
𝐑𝐄𝐀𝐃 𝐅𝐑𝐄𝐄 𝐖𝐈𝐓𝐇 𝐊𝐈𝐍𝐃𝐋𝐄 𝐔𝐍𝐋𝐈𝐌𝐈𝐓𝐄𝐃
AMAZON US: https://amzn.to/3uTRCs9
AMAZON UK: https://amzn.to/34FiGjA
AMAZON AU: https://amzn.to/3HzhU6d
AMAZON CA: https://amzn.to/3uBCPlw
March 21, 2022
3.5⭐ pero lo aproximo a 4 porque Maddox es un lindo 🥰🥰🥰🥰
Disfruté mucho la primera mitad pero después se me hizo un poco flojo, como siempre la autora mete cosas super dramáticas cerca del final que se sienten exageradas 😂 pero ya me acostumbré jajajaa y reconozco que igual solté alguna lagrimita.
Disfruté mucho la primera mitad pero después se me hizo un poco flojo, como siempre la autora mete cosas super dramáticas cerca del final que se sienten exageradas 😂 pero ya me acostumbré jajajaa y reconozco que igual solté alguna lagrimita.
March 15, 2022
4.5 stars
Ahh this book, I loved it so much! Maddox and Alyssa are so freaking sweet seriously. I adored their friends to lovers journey with the accidental pregnancy twist and all the feels!!
Review coming soon...
Ahh this book, I loved it so much! Maddox and Alyssa are so freaking sweet seriously. I adored their friends to lovers journey with the accidental pregnancy twist and all the feels!!
Review coming soon...
March 18, 2022
Maddox Anderson!!! Get ready to fall in love with charming, caring, sweetest guy. Best friends to lovers story. Maddox and Alyssa have been friends forever, and throughout all that time, Maddox developed deep feelings for his best friend. But, Alyssa has no clue. She is living her college life, boyfriend, friends, but unexpectedly pregnant. Thats brings everything into a wild tailspin with her parents, her friends and boyfriend. Maddox is here to save his best friend when she needs someone the most.
Best friends, unexpected pregnancy, forced proximity, with some parent/ex boyfriend drama. I enjoyed them very much, I adored Maddox and his deep feelings for her. It was just a matter of time for her to catch up!! There is a bit of drama. I would’ve loved to see an epilogue or two. But all in all, very enjoyable story.
Best friends, unexpected pregnancy, forced proximity, with some parent/ex boyfriend drama. I enjoyed them very much, I adored Maddox and his deep feelings for her. It was just a matter of time for her to catch up!! There is a bit of drama. I would’ve loved to see an epilogue or two. But all in all, very enjoyable story.
March 18, 2022
I loved this book. My heart ached for Aly, the problems she went through but good thing Maddox and their friends were always there for her even when her parents left her to fend for herself(i fucking hate them).
Maddox, dude everybody needs a best friend and partner like him. He was in love with her since they were kids but she never noticed him until now. She had no idea when his geeky, cute best friend turned into this hot guy she can't seem to take her eyes off.
Not only that their foundation was so strong bc they were friends first and when push came to shove he was there for Aly when she needed him the most. Those last few chapters brought tears to my eyes, but everything went okay and they got there hea.
Maddox, dude everybody needs a best friend and partner like him. He was in love with her since they were kids but she never noticed him until now. She had no idea when his geeky, cute best friend turned into this hot guy she can't seem to take her eyes off.
Not only that their foundation was so strong bc they were friends first and when push came to shove he was there for Aly when she needed him the most. Those last few chapters brought tears to my eyes, but everything went okay and they got there hea.
March 20, 2022
This is the sweetest, swooniest best-friends-to-lovers story I’ve read. Omg how I wish for a Maddox in my daughters life 💕
𝑻𝒉𝒂𝒕’𝒔 𝒃𝒆𝒄𝒂𝒖𝒔𝒆 𝒔𝒉𝒆 𝒊𝒔 𝒎𝒚 𝒔𝒖𝒏. 𝑻𝒉𝒆 𝒄𝒆𝒏𝒕𝒆𝒓 𝒐𝒇 𝒎𝒚 𝒘𝒉𝒐𝒍𝒆 𝒘𝒐𝒓𝒍𝒅.
Maddox and Aly have known each since they were little kids. Have been best friends ever since. One day in their teenage time he realizes he’s in love with her. But Aly had completely friend zoned him.
Until she moved in with him, when she ends up pregnant, financially cut off by her parents, and with no home. Sharing a bed with the hottie best friend takes a toll on both. Can they keep their hands off of each other?
“𝑱𝒖𝒔𝒕 𝒍𝒆𝒕 𝒎𝒆 𝒍𝒐𝒗𝒆 𝒚𝒐𝒖, 𝑨𝒍𝒚. 𝑳𝒆𝒕 𝒎𝒆 𝒍𝒐𝒗𝒆 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒍𝒊𝒌𝒆 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒅𝒆𝒔𝒆𝒓𝒗𝒆 𝒊𝒕.”
Let’s face it. We all want / need / wish for a Maddox in our life. He’s sweet, sexy, attentive, caring, loving and so much more. It takes Aly a while to see it, but finally she is at that point. She needs some convincing, because honestly, with her parents, I understand!
Oh, and btw, I really could do with an extended epilogue, as I still have some questions ☺️
I kindly received an arc from the author and voluntarily left a review
𝑻𝒉𝒂𝒕’𝒔 𝒃𝒆𝒄𝒂𝒖𝒔𝒆 𝒔𝒉𝒆 𝒊𝒔 𝒎𝒚 𝒔𝒖𝒏. 𝑻𝒉𝒆 𝒄𝒆𝒏𝒕𝒆𝒓 𝒐𝒇 𝒎𝒚 𝒘𝒉𝒐𝒍𝒆 𝒘𝒐𝒓𝒍𝒅.
Maddox and Aly have known each since they were little kids. Have been best friends ever since. One day in their teenage time he realizes he’s in love with her. But Aly had completely friend zoned him.
Until she moved in with him, when she ends up pregnant, financially cut off by her parents, and with no home. Sharing a bed with the hottie best friend takes a toll on both. Can they keep their hands off of each other?
“𝑱𝒖𝒔𝒕 𝒍𝒆𝒕 𝒎𝒆 𝒍𝒐𝒗𝒆 𝒚𝒐𝒖, 𝑨𝒍𝒚. 𝑳𝒆𝒕 𝒎𝒆 𝒍𝒐𝒗𝒆 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒍𝒊𝒌𝒆 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒅𝒆𝒔𝒆𝒓𝒗𝒆 𝒊𝒕.”
Let’s face it. We all want / need / wish for a Maddox in our life. He’s sweet, sexy, attentive, caring, loving and so much more. It takes Aly a while to see it, but finally she is at that point. She needs some convincing, because honestly, with her parents, I understand!
Oh, and btw, I really could do with an extended epilogue, as I still have some questions ☺️
I kindly received an arc from the author and voluntarily left a review
March 18, 2022
“It's like he's made for me—our bodies, our minds, our souls. They all fit so perfectly together. We fit perfectly together, and I'll never get enough of it.”
Kiss To Belong is the fifth installment of the Blairwood University series and follows childhood best friends Alyssa and Maddox.
Maddox has been in love with Alyssa for as long as he can remember, while she has no clue about it. He doesn't know how to confess his feelings to her, and he's afraid of losing their friendship. But when Alyssa finds herself unexpectedly pregnant, dumped by her boyfriend, and cut off by her parents, Maddox isn't about to give up on her and have her move in with him. They're about to get a lot closer, and this might be the right time for Maddox to prove to her that they belong together.
Alyssa and Maddox caught my attention from the moment I started the Blairwood University series, and after each book, I was more and more eager to read their story. So Kiss To Belong was obviously one of my most anticipated releases of the year, and I wasn't disappointed!! I really enjoyed this book, and I can't count the number of times I smiled while reading it. I liked all the couples in this series, but Alyssa and Maddox won my heart with their cuteness and obsessed me from beginning to end.
Alyssa faced many adversities throughout the story, but she never gave up. She is very strong and determined. While she tried to hold her head high in front of her friends, she showed a more vulnerable side with Maddox and couldn't resist accepting his help. It was great to finally learn more about Alyssa, as she is an amazing character. As for Maddox, it's impossible not to fall in love with him. He is such a sweet and caring guy. He was always there to support Alyssa and was so patient with her.
The way the relationship between Alyssa and Maddox evolved was my favorite aspect of the story because it felt so natural. They have known each other forever and have a very strong friendship. But the forced proximity made Alyssa see Maddox differently, and her feelings for him slowly grew. I loved how she took her time to understand and express them because Maddox had so long to figure out his feelings for her. I appreciated the fact that he didn't rush her to do so! They also shared so many domestic scenes that made me swoon so bad! Page after page, the angst kept growing between them, and I just couldn't stop reading. They were the cutest together, and I love their little family so much!!
It was great to see more of the friendship between Alyssa and the rest of the gang, especially with Yasmin and Callie. I loved how supportive they were of her but also how much they all wanted Alyssa and Maddox to get together. I can't wait to read the next installment and find out which couple it is!
Overall, Kiss To Belong was a wonderful read! It had one of my all-time favorite tropes, and the execution was top-notch. Alyssa and Maddox have my heart!! Also, don't miss the extended epilogue for even more cuteness 🥺
*ARC kindly provided by the author in exchange for an honest review
March 18, 2022
4.5/5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫
Kiss To Belong is a slowburn, friends to lovers story that captured my attention. Maddox has been in love with his best friend Aly since they were kids. For Aly, Maddox is her best friend, the person she never wants to let down. Finding herself pregnant and alone, Maddox and their co-group of friends are there for her. Aly moves in with Maddox and his roommates.
As someone who quickly loses interest while reading slowburn stories, this one kept.my attention. I did not want to put this down and wanted more. The angst was low, especially for a college romance. The characters with doubts and insecurities that felt real and added just the right amount of tension. Some of the tension building scenes could have been avoided with communication and the climax was predictable, but in my opinion, that's common in romance books.
I found this to be a refreshing twist with Maddox being portrayed as the virgin and nerd. He was smart, graduated high school early, dressed nerdy, and wore glasses that were too big…..but I didn't find him nerdy at all. In the words of Aly, "holy hell, when did my nerdy best friend get abs?". Maddox was protective, and had a possessive side to him. When he called Aly, baby I may have swooned. Maddox is there for Aly and saxrifice his own feeling to keep their relationship. As the story unfolds, Aly begins to feel jealousy and develop romantic feelings for Maddox. When they admit their feelings things, they find themselves working through their doubts to find their HEA.
It's an interconnected standalone in the Blairwood University series. Other than wanting to know more about the roommates, I was able to read without reading any of the previous books. I feel reading thenprevious books support deeper understanding of the group and their dynamics. Kiss To Belong is a sweet romance about friendship and unconditional love.
Kiss To Belong has.....
💕best friends to lovers
💕college romance
💕surprise pregnancy
💕virgin, nerdy hero
💕party girl heroine
💕forced proximity
💕roommates
💕slowburn
Kiss To Belong is a slowburn, friends to lovers story that captured my attention. Maddox has been in love with his best friend Aly since they were kids. For Aly, Maddox is her best friend, the person she never wants to let down. Finding herself pregnant and alone, Maddox and their co-group of friends are there for her. Aly moves in with Maddox and his roommates.
As someone who quickly loses interest while reading slowburn stories, this one kept.my attention. I did not want to put this down and wanted more. The angst was low, especially for a college romance. The characters with doubts and insecurities that felt real and added just the right amount of tension. Some of the tension building scenes could have been avoided with communication and the climax was predictable, but in my opinion, that's common in romance books.
I found this to be a refreshing twist with Maddox being portrayed as the virgin and nerd. He was smart, graduated high school early, dressed nerdy, and wore glasses that were too big…..but I didn't find him nerdy at all. In the words of Aly, "holy hell, when did my nerdy best friend get abs?". Maddox was protective, and had a possessive side to him. When he called Aly, baby I may have swooned. Maddox is there for Aly and saxrifice his own feeling to keep their relationship. As the story unfolds, Aly begins to feel jealousy and develop romantic feelings for Maddox. When they admit their feelings things, they find themselves working through their doubts to find their HEA.
It's an interconnected standalone in the Blairwood University series. Other than wanting to know more about the roommates, I was able to read without reading any of the previous books. I feel reading thenprevious books support deeper understanding of the group and their dynamics. Kiss To Belong is a sweet romance about friendship and unconditional love.
Kiss To Belong has.....
💕best friends to lovers
💕college romance
💕surprise pregnancy
💕virgin, nerdy hero
💕party girl heroine
💕forced proximity
💕roommates
💕slowburn
March 12, 2022
My heart is bursting at the seams🥺🥺 This book was amazing and its characters have created a space in my heart forever 🤍
Tropes : bestfriends-to-lovers, unrequited love, surprise pregnancy, shy guy x outgoing girl
Maddox Anderson, my goodness I don't even know how to put this man into words. Now I'm not usually a fan of the whole friends-to-lovers, but this couple made it too easy to love them. Maddox had been inlove with his bestfriend, Alyssa all his life. Although he loves her from afar. Alyssa is a fun, party girl who finds herself pregnant with her boyfriend of a year, scared and alone- Maddox is there for her. These two have a love that grows in such a beautiful way. Alyssa is frightened of the unknown, of her future and this man grounds her. He never leaves her side no matter what. Also, this man is a video game creator. AND HE CREATED A GAME TO PLAY WITH THE BABY WHEN SHE'S OLDER. PLS- I CRY.
I absolutely did sob like a little baby reading about how Maddox felt for Edie Mae, and when I reached the author's note that said , "Every girl out there deserves her Maddox" the tears just came out a little more because that's truly something that I believe everyone deserves 🥺
Ps. Chuck can eat shit.
Tropes : bestfriends-to-lovers, unrequited love, surprise pregnancy, shy guy x outgoing girl
Maddox Anderson, my goodness I don't even know how to put this man into words. Now I'm not usually a fan of the whole friends-to-lovers, but this couple made it too easy to love them. Maddox had been inlove with his bestfriend, Alyssa all his life. Although he loves her from afar. Alyssa is a fun, party girl who finds herself pregnant with her boyfriend of a year, scared and alone- Maddox is there for her. These two have a love that grows in such a beautiful way. Alyssa is frightened of the unknown, of her future and this man grounds her. He never leaves her side no matter what. Also, this man is a video game creator. AND HE CREATED A GAME TO PLAY WITH THE BABY WHEN SHE'S OLDER. PLS- I CRY.
I absolutely did sob like a little baby reading about how Maddox felt for Edie Mae, and when I reached the author's note that said , "Every girl out there deserves her Maddox" the tears just came out a little more because that's truly something that I believe everyone deserves 🥺
Ps. Chuck can eat shit.
March 16, 2022
Best friends are people that you tell secrets to have each other’s back, and they are your ride-or-die person. But are best friends supposed to fall in love? Anna Doe will take you on a journey that encompasses this concept. Through Maddox and Alyssa, you will be a part of this wild ride from best friends to lovers with a baby on the way.
One trope that I secretly indulge in is pregnancy tropes, whether known or hidden. I believe you would be hard-pressed to find a couple better for this situation. The bond that Maddox and Alyssa have is strong but is it strong enough to withstand when those feelings transcribe into more. He is willing to go all-in for the baby and Alyssa. Since the story is so sweet it's hard to remember they are nineteen and twenty-one (ish) years. Yet at the same time, the first sixty percent of this book is back/forth, complete misunderstandings, and immaturity. This part TOTALLY frustrated me, but the last 1/3 of the book, I DEVOURED!
Overall, this slow burn, friends to lovers is an amazing and well-thought-out book. Maddox is sweet, handsome, and driven in what he wants. The highs and lows, twists, and turns fulfill the ‘awe’ factor inside and make you want to look for your nerd!!
One trope that I secretly indulge in is pregnancy tropes, whether known or hidden. I believe you would be hard-pressed to find a couple better for this situation. The bond that Maddox and Alyssa have is strong but is it strong enough to withstand when those feelings transcribe into more. He is willing to go all-in for the baby and Alyssa. Since the story is so sweet it's hard to remember they are nineteen and twenty-one (ish) years. Yet at the same time, the first sixty percent of this book is back/forth, complete misunderstandings, and immaturity. This part TOTALLY frustrated me, but the last 1/3 of the book, I DEVOURED!
Overall, this slow burn, friends to lovers is an amazing and well-thought-out book. Maddox is sweet, handsome, and driven in what he wants. The highs and lows, twists, and turns fulfill the ‘awe’ factor inside and make you want to look for your nerd!!
March 28, 2022
The Shy Genius Boy Finally Gets His Girl!!
Maddox has been in love with his best friend Alyssa practically his entire life and everyone knew it except her. He’s the reclusive genius boy/video game developer/landlord this entire series and everytime he showed up in a story, it was usually because Alyssa had dragged him out.
Alyssa was known as the party girl but for the last year, she’s settled down with an emphasis on “settled”. Her boyfriend wasn’t her usual type and things weren’t awful but not great either. Truthfully, she was ready to graduate, move on with life and likely without the boyfriend baggage. That was the plan anyway, until she became pregnant and her barely ok boyfriend turned into the worst choice for a baby daddy.
With a deep desire to do this on her own but almost zero options, Alyssa agrees to stay with Maddox temporarily just until she figures out her plan. Living together shouldn’t be hard considering they grew up together and had countless sleepovers. But between Maddox’s challenge to hide his feelings and Alyssa’s new awareness of how her BFF isn’t the boy she grew up with anymore, it was a pregnancy hormone filled pressure cooker.
The friendship and care between Alyssa and Maddox is what completely got me. The chemistry between them was tender and utterly undeniable.
This is a standalone in an interconnected series but reading the previous books definitely makes this story even more enjoyable as there are a lot of familiar faces. Seeing how everyone is doing is half the fun!
Anna always has the right touch when it comes to writing “nice guys”. They’re never pushovers, sweet but know what they want and goes all alpha to protect the ones they love. Everyone deserves to have a friend like Maddox Anderson-kind, loyal and secretly hot!
Grab it now and spend the weekend cuddled up with this highly satisfying, swoony friends to lovers romance with an unexpected pregnancy twist!
Maddox has been in love with his best friend Alyssa practically his entire life and everyone knew it except her. He’s the reclusive genius boy/video game developer/landlord this entire series and everytime he showed up in a story, it was usually because Alyssa had dragged him out.
Alyssa was known as the party girl but for the last year, she’s settled down with an emphasis on “settled”. Her boyfriend wasn’t her usual type and things weren’t awful but not great either. Truthfully, she was ready to graduate, move on with life and likely without the boyfriend baggage. That was the plan anyway, until she became pregnant and her barely ok boyfriend turned into the worst choice for a baby daddy.
With a deep desire to do this on her own but almost zero options, Alyssa agrees to stay with Maddox temporarily just until she figures out her plan. Living together shouldn’t be hard considering they grew up together and had countless sleepovers. But between Maddox’s challenge to hide his feelings and Alyssa’s new awareness of how her BFF isn’t the boy she grew up with anymore, it was a pregnancy hormone filled pressure cooker.
The friendship and care between Alyssa and Maddox is what completely got me. The chemistry between them was tender and utterly undeniable.
This is a standalone in an interconnected series but reading the previous books definitely makes this story even more enjoyable as there are a lot of familiar faces. Seeing how everyone is doing is half the fun!
Anna always has the right touch when it comes to writing “nice guys”. They’re never pushovers, sweet but know what they want and goes all alpha to protect the ones they love. Everyone deserves to have a friend like Maddox Anderson-kind, loyal and secretly hot!
Grab it now and spend the weekend cuddled up with this highly satisfying, swoony friends to lovers romance with an unexpected pregnancy twist!
November 1, 2022
Kiss to Belong by Anna B. Doe is the fifth book in the Blairwood University series. Maddox and Alyssa’s story is friends to lovers, sports romance.
Kiss To Belong is a story I’ve been waiting for, as this is the inevitable love story between best friends Maddox and Alyssa, and Anna B. Doe has written their story perfectly.
Maddox might be in love with his best friend, unfortunately for him Alyssa’s already in a relationship. But that all changes when Alyssa finds out she’s pregnant and alone, with only one person who she can turn to.
I had a moment where I just wanted to cry for Maddox, he’s so sweet and loving towards to Alyssa, which made their story even more beautiful when they took the steps from friends to lovers.
POV’s are from both Maddox and Alyssa.
Love this quote, as it perfectly represents Maddox and his love for Alyssa:
“But it’s hard to achieve happiness when the girl you’re in love with and have been in love with all your life is in love with somebody else.”
Kiss To Belong is a story I’ve been waiting for, as this is the inevitable love story between best friends Maddox and Alyssa, and Anna B. Doe has written their story perfectly.
Maddox might be in love with his best friend, unfortunately for him Alyssa’s already in a relationship. But that all changes when Alyssa finds out she’s pregnant and alone, with only one person who she can turn to.
I had a moment where I just wanted to cry for Maddox, he’s so sweet and loving towards to Alyssa, which made their story even more beautiful when they took the steps from friends to lovers.
POV’s are from both Maddox and Alyssa.
Love this quote, as it perfectly represents Maddox and his love for Alyssa:
“But it’s hard to achieve happiness when the girl you’re in love with and have been in love with all your life is in love with somebody else.”
March 12, 2022
Release Date: March 18th, 2022
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Steam: 🔥🔥🔥
Tropes: accidental pregnancy, best friends to lovers, only one bed, forced proximity, slow burn, college
CW/TW: toxic families, character suffering from eclampsia
Review: Maddox and Alyssa’s story might just be my favourite of the Blairwood University series. While I haven’t read the first two yet (it’s on my list), I have loved all of these characters through the other stories. But this book ticked all my boxes and I loved everything about this story so much! As a sucker for best friends to lovers, I was rooting for Maddox the whole way through and toss in some terrible parents, lots of pining and the most incredible group of friends, this book made me all kinds of happy.
For as long as he can remember, Maddox has been in love with Alyssa. They grew up together with their parents being friends, and he’s always just been the nerd while she was the prettiest girl in the world. As they got older, their friendship got stronger, but so did his feelings. And now that they’re both at Blairwood together, Maddox has accepted that Alyssa will never see him the way he hopes. After all, she’s been dating a tool with the dumbest name for a while and despite Maddox disliking the guy, he’s never done anything more than get his name wrong. But when Alyssa discovers she’s pregnant, disowned and homeless, Maddox steps up and provides her with everything she needs. Little does he know that things are going to get complicated and confusing before they get better.
There’s just so much pining in this book and I’m here for all of it! Maddox is such a great character too—nerdy, charming, funny, friendly and hella swoony. I loved that while he’s got these big feelings for Alyssa, he doesn’t do things just to get her attention. He does it because he wants to help and make life easier for her. Maddox’s feelings for Alyssa are so much bigger than he knows what to do with, but he’s so soft and gentle and kind with her. I admired his strength in the face of lust and desire taking over everything. I loved his honesty and care. With everything that Alyssa is going through, Maddox just steps up and provides a shoulder and more for her to lean on. And through it all, he’s just always there. Alyssa is such a strong character. I can’t even imagine what it would feel like to be in college, pregnant, broke and homeless. But I admired how she stood her ground with her ex and her parents, not letting anyone else tell her what to do with her life. The only person she allows to push her around is Maddox, but it’s because Alyssa knows he only has good intentions for her.
Their relationship is a wonderful slow burn and I appreciated that just because the universe tossed them together, things didn’t happen right away. I liked the time they took to not only strengthen their friendship, but for Alyssa to slowly see Maddox in a different light. I loved all of the scenes surrounding Alyssa’s unborn baby—doctor’s appointments, shopping for the baby and talking about it in general—because it really shows how deep their friendship runs and how beautiful their relationship could be. I also definitely credit their large group of friends for stepping in and snapping these two into action! I was so mad when Alyssa tried to play matchmaker because she was confused by her own feelings, but at the same time, I totally get it. I appreciated the fact that she didn’t fully understand what she was going through herself and instead of risking it, she pushed past it. Which only led to confessions and feelings exploding and ah, it was beautiful.
There’s some miscommunication, but I liked the way it was handled. There’s lots of feelings (big and small) and there’s some trauma that had me sitting forward and reading at insane speed to see how everything would turn out (there’s an HEA, obviously, calm down). But the way Anna crafted this story definitely had me a little concerned at points and I loved that while it was clear where things were going, we didn't take the easy way to get there!
Every time I read one of the Blairwood University books, I’m drawn into just how much I love the friendships. With Maddox sharing his house with some of the guys, Yasmine and Callie being there a lot, it was so much fun! These supporting characters have all told their own stories already, but to see them again and to see how strong these friendships were made me happy. I loved how supportive and generous every single one of them was. And how as Alyssa went through the pregnancy, how everyone stepped up in their own ways.
Knowing that there are 2 more books coming has me really excited to see where these stories go and what happens to all of these characters!
Thanks to Anna B. Doe for generously providing me with an advance copy. I am voluntarily leaving an honest review.
Read more of my reviews on anna reads here
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Steam: 🔥🔥🔥
Tropes: accidental pregnancy, best friends to lovers, only one bed, forced proximity, slow burn, college
CW/TW: toxic families, character suffering from eclampsia
Review: Maddox and Alyssa’s story might just be my favourite of the Blairwood University series. While I haven’t read the first two yet (it’s on my list), I have loved all of these characters through the other stories. But this book ticked all my boxes and I loved everything about this story so much! As a sucker for best friends to lovers, I was rooting for Maddox the whole way through and toss in some terrible parents, lots of pining and the most incredible group of friends, this book made me all kinds of happy.
For as long as he can remember, Maddox has been in love with Alyssa. They grew up together with their parents being friends, and he’s always just been the nerd while she was the prettiest girl in the world. As they got older, their friendship got stronger, but so did his feelings. And now that they’re both at Blairwood together, Maddox has accepted that Alyssa will never see him the way he hopes. After all, she’s been dating a tool with the dumbest name for a while and despite Maddox disliking the guy, he’s never done anything more than get his name wrong. But when Alyssa discovers she’s pregnant, disowned and homeless, Maddox steps up and provides her with everything she needs. Little does he know that things are going to get complicated and confusing before they get better.
There’s just so much pining in this book and I’m here for all of it! Maddox is such a great character too—nerdy, charming, funny, friendly and hella swoony. I loved that while he’s got these big feelings for Alyssa, he doesn’t do things just to get her attention. He does it because he wants to help and make life easier for her. Maddox’s feelings for Alyssa are so much bigger than he knows what to do with, but he’s so soft and gentle and kind with her. I admired his strength in the face of lust and desire taking over everything. I loved his honesty and care. With everything that Alyssa is going through, Maddox just steps up and provides a shoulder and more for her to lean on. And through it all, he’s just always there. Alyssa is such a strong character. I can’t even imagine what it would feel like to be in college, pregnant, broke and homeless. But I admired how she stood her ground with her ex and her parents, not letting anyone else tell her what to do with her life. The only person she allows to push her around is Maddox, but it’s because Alyssa knows he only has good intentions for her.
“Don’t you understand it by now, Aly? I’ll choose you. Always.”
Their relationship is a wonderful slow burn and I appreciated that just because the universe tossed them together, things didn’t happen right away. I liked the time they took to not only strengthen their friendship, but for Alyssa to slowly see Maddox in a different light. I loved all of the scenes surrounding Alyssa’s unborn baby—doctor’s appointments, shopping for the baby and talking about it in general—because it really shows how deep their friendship runs and how beautiful their relationship could be. I also definitely credit their large group of friends for stepping in and snapping these two into action! I was so mad when Alyssa tried to play matchmaker because she was confused by her own feelings, but at the same time, I totally get it. I appreciated the fact that she didn’t fully understand what she was going through herself and instead of risking it, she pushed past it. Which only led to confessions and feelings exploding and ah, it was beautiful.
There’s some miscommunication, but I liked the way it was handled. There’s lots of feelings (big and small) and there’s some trauma that had me sitting forward and reading at insane speed to see how everything would turn out (there’s an HEA, obviously, calm down). But the way Anna crafted this story definitely had me a little concerned at points and I loved that while it was clear where things were going, we didn't take the easy way to get there!
Every time I read one of the Blairwood University books, I’m drawn into just how much I love the friendships. With Maddox sharing his house with some of the guys, Yasmine and Callie being there a lot, it was so much fun! These supporting characters have all told their own stories already, but to see them again and to see how strong these friendships were made me happy. I loved how supportive and generous every single one of them was. And how as Alyssa went through the pregnancy, how everyone stepped up in their own ways.
Knowing that there are 2 more books coming has me really excited to see where these stories go and what happens to all of these characters!
Thanks to Anna B. Doe for generously providing me with an advance copy. I am voluntarily leaving an honest review.
Read more of my reviews on anna reads here
March 17, 2022
Oh Anna what a sweet romance you have written. I really enjoyed getting to know Maddox and Aly.
This is a story that I was swept away in the storyline is engaging and the characters are one's I easily fell in love with. Maddox and Aly are best friends their friendship was cute I loved their history the way they knew each other so well. When Aly is in trouble Maddox really does come riding to her rescue. Although he has been in love with her for years he never made a move but moving in together shows her a completely different side to him. Everyone needs a Maddox in times of crisis supportive and loyal to a fault. The large friendship group are amazing I love how they could be teasing one minute and then switch to being serious and the boys gave great advice surprisingly. Watching Aly fall for the sweet gentle Maddox made my soul so happy it had just the right amount of heat and passion. There is a bonus epilogue that was the prefect way to finish this story off.
This is a story that I was swept away in the storyline is engaging and the characters are one's I easily fell in love with. Maddox and Aly are best friends their friendship was cute I loved their history the way they knew each other so well. When Aly is in trouble Maddox really does come riding to her rescue. Although he has been in love with her for years he never made a move but moving in together shows her a completely different side to him. Everyone needs a Maddox in times of crisis supportive and loyal to a fault. The large friendship group are amazing I love how they could be teasing one minute and then switch to being serious and the boys gave great advice surprisingly. Watching Aly fall for the sweet gentle Maddox made my soul so happy it had just the right amount of heat and passion. There is a bonus epilogue that was the prefect way to finish this story off.
March 8, 2022
i’d like to thank anna and her crew for reaching out and providing me with this arc!
the pregnancy trope is one of my least favourites but this book had me smiling and almost in tears. i enjoyed reading about aly and maddox and their group of friends who are really just a family :)
friends to lovers, pregnancy, virgin hero, roommates, forced proximity - so many tropes wrapped in one! there was a nice mix of fluff, angst and spice and a really well written plot.
family doesn’t always mean blood, it goes further than genetics and kiss to belong really proves that!
the pregnancy trope is one of my least favourites but this book had me smiling and almost in tears. i enjoyed reading about aly and maddox and their group of friends who are really just a family :)
friends to lovers, pregnancy, virgin hero, roommates, forced proximity - so many tropes wrapped in one! there was a nice mix of fluff, angst and spice and a really well written plot.
family doesn’t always mean blood, it goes further than genetics and kiss to belong really proves that!
March 9, 2022
I am at a loss of words. This release was one of my most anticipated and it did not disappoint. Sweet and good boy. Rebel and clueless girl. Roommates. Pregency. It has so many ingredients for a wonderful story that I will keep in my heart forever.
Maddox is officially one of my favorite heroes. He is such a beautiful soul and the way he treats Alyssa is pure perfection. He is exactly the man that she needed so she could finally feel safe and taken care of because she deserved that type of man, compared to the experiences she had in the past. Pregnant and homeless, Alyssa is dealing with so much and seeing her grow was so motivating!
This book achieved to steal my heart and play with my feelings in the best way possible!
Maddox is officially one of my favorite heroes. He is such a beautiful soul and the way he treats Alyssa is pure perfection. He is exactly the man that she needed so she could finally feel safe and taken care of because she deserved that type of man, compared to the experiences she had in the past. Pregnant and homeless, Alyssa is dealing with so much and seeing her grow was so motivating!
This book achieved to steal my heart and play with my feelings in the best way possible!
March 18, 2022
Anna’s book left me smiling and searching for the other books in the series. KISS TO BELONG is a lovely friends to lovers story which follows Maddox and Alyssa who finds herself pregnant and alone. But Max, her friend and admirer is there to save the day. The “sexy nerd” is sweet and reliable. The bond between Maddox and Aly is delightfully adorable.
KISS TO BELONG is book 6 of the Blairwood University series by Anna B. Doe. It is a standalone New Adult romance, told from both points of view, with a happy ending. Tropes: friends to lovers, forced proximity, surprise pregnancy
Amazon -> https://amzn.to/3tn69LN
★ I was given an ARC of this book courtesy of the author. I am voluntarily reviewing this title.
★ Check out all my book edits over at my Bookstagram
KISS TO BELONG is book 6 of the Blairwood University series by Anna B. Doe. It is a standalone New Adult romance, told from both points of view, with a happy ending. Tropes: friends to lovers, forced proximity, surprise pregnancy
Amazon -> https://amzn.to/3tn69LN
★ I was given an ARC of this book courtesy of the author. I am voluntarily reviewing this title.
★ Check out all my book edits over at my Bookstagram
March 18, 2022
Kiss To Belong is the fifth book in Anna B. Doe‘s Blairwood University series! And finally she has embraced one if my favorite tropes - surprise pregnancy! Coupled with friends to lovers and unrequited love this book makes for an amazing reading experience that will leave you wanting for more of Maddox and Alyssa!
Both characters come from very elite familys and know any type of situation could cause alot of trouble mainly for them with their familys. So when Alyssa finds herself pregnant her whole world turns upside down. Shunned from her family and homeless she turns to the only person who has been by her side most of her life. Maddox has been in love with Alyssa since he longer than he can remember. So when Alyssa needs him most, he obviously helps her out any way he can!
I really loved Alyssa and Maddox! I was rooting for them from the first page of this book and I devoured it in one go!
5⭐️
Both characters come from very elite familys and know any type of situation could cause alot of trouble mainly for them with their familys. So when Alyssa finds herself pregnant her whole world turns upside down. Shunned from her family and homeless she turns to the only person who has been by her side most of her life. Maddox has been in love with Alyssa since he longer than he can remember. So when Alyssa needs him most, he obviously helps her out any way he can!
I really loved Alyssa and Maddox! I was rooting for them from the first page of this book and I devoured it in one go!
5⭐️
March 8, 2022
Kiss to Belong by Anna B. Doe is the fifth book in the Blairwood University Series and this is Alyssa and Maddox‘s story.
Both characters come from elitist families who are friends and they grew up together as best friends and I loved to see their strong base. Alyssa is in her last year of college and she enjoys her time there and loves to go out. She also has a boyfriend and everything seems perfect until she finds out that she is pregnant and she has to figure things out on her own. Alyssa is such a strong character and I adore her. In addition, her dog Coco was like an honorary character and she was always by her side just like Maddox.
Maddox is such a good guy and a cinnamon roll hero and I adored everything about him. He is very intelligent and programs games who he then sells and from it he could even buy his own house. He lives there with his close friends and it also becomes a home to Alyssa. Maddox had a crush on Alyssa for what feels like forever and he cares for her and just loves her with his whole heart and that made me swoon so much and love him even more.
This story is very sweet and touching and with a lot of depth. It is one of my new favorite friends-to-lovers romances and I just didn’t want this book to ever end because I loved it so much.
Overall, Kiss to Belong is just fantastic and amazing and please read it. 5 stars.
(ARC kindly provided in exchange for a review.)
Both characters come from elitist families who are friends and they grew up together as best friends and I loved to see their strong base. Alyssa is in her last year of college and she enjoys her time there and loves to go out. She also has a boyfriend and everything seems perfect until she finds out that she is pregnant and she has to figure things out on her own. Alyssa is such a strong character and I adore her. In addition, her dog Coco was like an honorary character and she was always by her side just like Maddox.
Maddox is such a good guy and a cinnamon roll hero and I adored everything about him. He is very intelligent and programs games who he then sells and from it he could even buy his own house. He lives there with his close friends and it also becomes a home to Alyssa. Maddox had a crush on Alyssa for what feels like forever and he cares for her and just loves her with his whole heart and that made me swoon so much and love him even more.
This story is very sweet and touching and with a lot of depth. It is one of my new favorite friends-to-lovers romances and I just didn’t want this book to ever end because I loved it so much.
Overall, Kiss to Belong is just fantastic and amazing and please read it. 5 stars.
(ARC kindly provided in exchange for a review.)
May 16, 2023
short and sweet 🥰 why they chose to make Aly so….unintelligent, I don’t know. Maddox was perfect tho
July 31, 2022
Thank you Facebook for targeting me with an add for this book because I couldn’t put it down. Such a beautiful love story! I loved the author’s writing style and I might have to read more of her books. Only complaint is it’s a slow burn, I just wish we could’ve gotten them together sooner!
June 9, 2022
Maddox and aly
Maddox and Alt have been friends since childhood. Maddox has loved Amy for forever. Except she doesn't know. Amy is dating someone else. A guy Chad that Maddox does not like. A situation arises and now Maddox has a good reason to dislike chad. Maddox steps in to help aly. Now if only he had the guts to tell her how he feels
Maddox and Alt have been friends since childhood. Maddox has loved Amy for forever. Except she doesn't know. Amy is dating someone else. A guy Chad that Maddox does not like. A situation arises and now Maddox has a good reason to dislike chad. Maddox steps in to help aly. Now if only he had the guts to tell her how he feels
March 18, 2022
Hooked! Such a beautiful read, that couldn’t put down.
So many amazing troupes and so well written.
Adored the best friend relationship Alyssa and Maddock have. The devotion to each other was everything 🖤 When everything falls apart for Alyssa, Maddock is there being her rock! And when she finds out how he’s always felt - fireworks!
Loved the drama, the angst, the steam, just everything - amazing read
So many amazing troupes and so well written.
Adored the best friend relationship Alyssa and Maddock have. The devotion to each other was everything 🖤 When everything falls apart for Alyssa, Maddock is there being her rock! And when she finds out how he’s always felt - fireworks!
Loved the drama, the angst, the steam, just everything - amazing read
April 9, 2022
4.5⭐️
surprise pregnancy
childhood best friends to lovers
forced proximity
virgin nerdy hero + popular party girl heroine
this book was so freaking cute, it tugged at my heartstrings! it was honestly kind of an emotional roller coaster! i don’t know if it’s just because i cry easily or because it was actually meant to be a tear jerker but it sure did make me cry! everything was just so sweet and so perfect, it made me emotional.
loved these main characters! childhood best friends to lovers is one of my top favorite tropes, so i’m sure you can imagine how much i enjoyed this one! once i started, i couldn’t put it down. i was so infatuated with these characters and this story, that i just had to read it in one sitting.
Maddox is so perfect, i am in awe of that man. i love how he stood by Aly, and how he took care of her. he was so present, supportive and just so accepting of her, my heart was bursting! i admired Aly’s strength and the way she selflessly put her unborn child before herself, even in moments where she was unsure and when there were hard decisions to make. these two had the cutest and most sweetest banter ever. i just loved these two! the way they loved each other so fiercely, made my heart melt. i really enjoyed reading their story!
**arc review**
surprise pregnancy
childhood best friends to lovers
forced proximity
virgin nerdy hero + popular party girl heroine
this book was so freaking cute, it tugged at my heartstrings! it was honestly kind of an emotional roller coaster! i don’t know if it’s just because i cry easily or because it was actually meant to be a tear jerker but it sure did make me cry! everything was just so sweet and so perfect, it made me emotional.
loved these main characters! childhood best friends to lovers is one of my top favorite tropes, so i’m sure you can imagine how much i enjoyed this one! once i started, i couldn’t put it down. i was so infatuated with these characters and this story, that i just had to read it in one sitting.
Maddox is so perfect, i am in awe of that man. i love how he stood by Aly, and how he took care of her. he was so present, supportive and just so accepting of her, my heart was bursting! i admired Aly’s strength and the way she selflessly put her unborn child before herself, even in moments where she was unsure and when there were hard decisions to make. these two had the cutest and most sweetest banter ever. i just loved these two! the way they loved each other so fiercely, made my heart melt. i really enjoyed reading their story!
**arc review**
March 25, 2022
Kiss to Belong is a friends to lovers, slow burn with a touch of angst. Maddox and Aly is the cutest couple, there friendships and connection is adorable. The way Maddox cares for Aly though out this book and her pregnancy just melted my heart.
This book like so many of Anna’s books tore at my heart strings as I fall in love with the characters. This book drew me in and captivated my attention from the start. Maddox and Aly definitely will be a couple you will remember.
This book like so many of Anna’s books tore at my heart strings as I fall in love with the characters. This book drew me in and captivated my attention from the start. Maddox and Aly definitely will be a couple you will remember.
March 24, 2022
This was such a cute read! Kiss to Belong is a best friends to lovers story between childhood besties Maddox and Alyssa. Maddox has been in love with Alyssa since they were kids and even chose to attend the same college as her to stay by her side. Alyssa is in her senior year and Maddox is a genius working on his master's (he's younger than Alyssa but skipped a few grades when he was younger).
Alyssa starts the book with a douchebag boyfriend who abandons her when she gets pregnant. On top of that, her parents cut her off when they realize she wants to keep the kid, so she has no money for rent. Maddox lets her move into his house with him and his roommates. All the rooms are taken so it's a one-bed trope kind of deal where she moves into his room with him. From there, Maddox and Alyssa begin to realize that maybe there is more than friendship between them....and what to do with the chemistry they feel now that they are spending some quality time together. Did I mention that Maddox is a virgin? Let me tell you, that did not stop him from taking what he wanted once he figured out what to do!!!
I'm a sucker for pregnancy books that are well-done and this was one of them! Maddox has always been one of Alyssa's biggest supporters and he views her baby as an extension of her. There was a great group of friends/roommates to support Alyssa when she was financially cut off from her parents and had nowhere to go. Maddox's friends pushed him to acknowledge his feelings for Alyssa, since he's always in his head. I hadn't read the previous books in the series, but it wasn't necessary as the author catches you up on who the former couples are (the couples make up the friend group for Maddox and Alyssa).
The only thing that took me by surprise was that Maddox was only 19. He's literally a genius and completed a lot of college courses in high school so he flew through undergrad and is working on his master's in this book. The heroine is 21 and is in her last year of college, so it was a little weird that Maddox had all of these BIG feelings about Alyssa at 19, but I could understand that he was more mature for his age.
Other than that, this was a new to me author that I will definitely read more from in the future!
TROPES: childhood best friends to lovers; surprise baby (h gets pregnant from another man); virgin H; forced proximity/roommates/one-bed; awesome friend group; new adult (H/h are in college)
Alyssa starts the book with a douchebag boyfriend who abandons her when she gets pregnant. On top of that, her parents cut her off when they realize she wants to keep the kid, so she has no money for rent. Maddox lets her move into his house with him and his roommates. All the rooms are taken so it's a one-bed trope kind of deal where she moves into his room with him. From there, Maddox and Alyssa begin to realize that maybe there is more than friendship between them....and what to do with the chemistry they feel now that they are spending some quality time together. Did I mention that Maddox is a virgin? Let me tell you, that did not stop him from taking what he wanted once he figured out what to do!!!
I'm a sucker for pregnancy books that are well-done and this was one of them! Maddox has always been one of Alyssa's biggest supporters and he views her baby as an extension of her. There was a great group of friends/roommates to support Alyssa when she was financially cut off from her parents and had nowhere to go. Maddox's friends pushed him to acknowledge his feelings for Alyssa, since he's always in his head. I hadn't read the previous books in the series, but it wasn't necessary as the author catches you up on who the former couples are (the couples make up the friend group for Maddox and Alyssa).
The only thing that took me by surprise was that Maddox was only 19. He's literally a genius and completed a lot of college courses in high school so he flew through undergrad and is working on his master's in this book. The heroine is 21 and is in her last year of college, so it was a little weird that Maddox had all of these BIG feelings about Alyssa at 19, but I could understand that he was more mature for his age.
Other than that, this was a new to me author that I will definitely read more from in the future!
TROPES: childhood best friends to lovers; surprise baby (h gets pregnant from another man); virgin H; forced proximity/roommates/one-bed; awesome friend group; new adult (H/h are in college)
March 7, 2022
ARC kindly provided for the author in exchange for an honest review
I was VERY excited to read Maddox & Alyssa since I found out about this series, with Kiss To Defy, for that reason, and because of the tropes in their story, my expectations were HUGE, and luckily I can say that Anna B. Doe surpassed them in a spectacular way with this book, that has already become my favorite of those I have read in the Blairwood University Series.
Alyssa was a very interesting character, she stole my heart from the first chapter and I spent most of the book wanting to protect her, just like the rest of the group. She's an ex-party girl, with a very difficult family, who finds herself in a totally unexpected situation when she finds out that she is pregnant, and the only people she can really count on are her friends. Aly broke my heart a lot throughout the book, it was SO SAD to read her going through hard times while experiencing mixed feelings towards Maddox, who has been her best friend all her life, or feeling like a burden to him and the rest of the group, although I have to say that the vulnerability of her character was also what I liked the most, because at the same time she also shows great strength and courage to face all the situations that come his way, plus I really liked that Yasmin, Callie and the rest of the boys were ALWAYS by her side, supported and loved her unconditionally.
But Alyssa's biggest supporter was always Maddox, an extremely smart nerd, who has a huge heart and has always been in love with her, it really is like Anna would have written this character for me, he is everything I love in a male character: kind, selfless, tender and with sensual moments that I did not expect in someone who is so serious and quiet. And I loved it because he didn't offer to help Aly just because of his romantic interest in her, but because he truly considers her his best friend and cares about her and her baby's well-being, I also really enjoyed reading his nervousness at having to share his space with her, dealing with the comments of the boys who know the truth about his feelings and everything he had to go through to dare to confess them to Alyssa.
And these two have to overcome many things! Aly sees a different side of her Maddox, not only physically speaking, but she begins to discover that it wouldn't be that hard for her to fall in love with him, but at the same time she doesn't think she's enough for him , she don't want drag him into her problems. Maddox for his part is afraid of ruining his friendship and losing Alyssa if he decides to confess his love, but it's not something that either of them can hide, their chemistry and bond is so great and beautiful that everything it ends up happening naturally between the two, obviously with its dose of drama and heartache in the most unexpected moments, but that made this story work very well. Like I said, it's my favorite book in the series and I don't think I can let Malyssa go that easily because they will always have a very special place in my heart.
🇪🇸
ARC amablemente proporcionada a cambio de una reseña honesta
Estaba MUY emocionada por leer a Maddox & Alyssa desde que conocí esta serie, con Kiss To Defy, por esa razón, y por los tropes que hay en su historia, mis expectativas eran ENORMES, y afortunadamente puedo decir que Anna B. Doe las superó de una manera espectacular con este libro que ya convirtió en mi favorito de los que he leído en Blairwood University Series.
Alyssa fue un personaje muy interesante, se robó mi corazón desde el primer capitulo y me pasé gran parte del libro queriendo protegerla, al igual que el resto del grupo. Ella es una ex-party girl, con una familia muy difícil, que se ve en una situación totalmente inesperada cuando se entera que esta embarazada, y las únicas personas con las que realmente puede contar son sus amigos. Aly rompió mi corazón mucho a lo largo del libro, fue MUY TRISTE leerla pasar por momentos difíciles mientras experimenta sentimientos confusos hacia Maddox, que ha sido su mejor amigo durante toda su vida, o sentirse una carga para el resto del grupo, aunque tengo que decir que la vulnerabilidad de su personaje también fue lo que más me gustó, porque al mismo tiempo también demuestra una gran fuerza y valentía para afrontar todas las situaciones que se le presentan, que no fueron pocas, además de que me gustó muchísimo que Yasmin, Callie y el resto de los chicos SIEMPRE estuvieran a su lado, la apoyaran y amaran de manera incondicional.
Pero el mayor apoyo de Alyssa siempre fue Maddox, un extremadamente inteligente nerd, que tiene un corazón enorme y siempre ha estado enamorado de ella, de verdad que es como si Anna hubiera escrito este personaje para mi, él es todo lo que amo en un personaje masculino: amable, desinteresado, tierno y con momentos sensuales que no esperaba en alguien que es tan serio y callado. Y me encantó porque no se ofreció a ayudar a Aly solo por su interés romántico en ella, sino porque realmente la considera su mejor amiga y le preocupa su bienestar y el de su bebé, además me gustó mucho leer su nerviosismo al tener que compartir su espacio con ella, al lidiar con los comentarios de los chicos que saben la verdad sobre sus sentimientos y todo lo que tuvo que pasar para atreverse a confesárselos a Alyssa.
Y es que estos dos tienen que superar muchas cosas! Aly ve un lado diferente del su Maddox, no solo físicamente hablando, sino que comienza a descubrir que no sería tan difícil para ella enamorarse de él gracias a lo lindo que es, pero al mismo tiempo ella no cree ser suficiente para él, no quiere ser una carga ni arrastrarlo hacia sus problemas. Maddox por su parte tiene miedo de arruinar su amistad y perder a Alyssa si decide confesar su amor, pero no es algo que ninguno de los dos pueda esconder, su química y vinculo es tan grande y bonito que todo termina dándose de manera natural entre ambos, obviamente con su dosis de drama y sufrimiento en los momentos más inesperados, pero que hicieron que esta historia funcionara muy bien. Como ya dije es mi libro favorito de la serie y no creo que pueda dejar ir Malyssa tan fácilmente porque siempre van a tener un lugar muy especial en mi corazón.
I was VERY excited to read Maddox & Alyssa since I found out about this series, with Kiss To Defy, for that reason, and because of the tropes in their story, my expectations were HUGE, and luckily I can say that Anna B. Doe surpassed them in a spectacular way with this book, that has already become my favorite of those I have read in the Blairwood University Series.
Alyssa was a very interesting character, she stole my heart from the first chapter and I spent most of the book wanting to protect her, just like the rest of the group. She's an ex-party girl, with a very difficult family, who finds herself in a totally unexpected situation when she finds out that she is pregnant, and the only people she can really count on are her friends. Aly broke my heart a lot throughout the book, it was SO SAD to read her going through hard times while experiencing mixed feelings towards Maddox, who has been her best friend all her life, or feeling like a burden to him and the rest of the group, although I have to say that the vulnerability of her character was also what I liked the most, because at the same time she also shows great strength and courage to face all the situations that come his way, plus I really liked that Yasmin, Callie and the rest of the boys were ALWAYS by her side, supported and loved her unconditionally.
But Alyssa's biggest supporter was always Maddox, an extremely smart nerd, who has a huge heart and has always been in love with her, it really is like Anna would have written this character for me, he is everything I love in a male character: kind, selfless, tender and with sensual moments that I did not expect in someone who is so serious and quiet. And I loved it because he didn't offer to help Aly just because of his romantic interest in her, but because he truly considers her his best friend and cares about her and her baby's well-being, I also really enjoyed reading his nervousness at having to share his space with her, dealing with the comments of the boys who know the truth about his feelings and everything he had to go through to dare to confess them to Alyssa.
And these two have to overcome many things! Aly sees a different side of her Maddox, not only physically speaking, but she begins to discover that it wouldn't be that hard for her to fall in love with him, but at the same time she doesn't think she's enough for him , she don't want drag him into her problems. Maddox for his part is afraid of ruining his friendship and losing Alyssa if he decides to confess his love, but it's not something that either of them can hide, their chemistry and bond is so great and beautiful that everything it ends up happening naturally between the two, obviously with its dose of drama and heartache in the most unexpected moments, but that made this story work very well. Like I said, it's my favorite book in the series and I don't think I can let Malyssa go that easily because they will always have a very special place in my heart.
🇪🇸
ARC amablemente proporcionada a cambio de una reseña honesta
Estaba MUY emocionada por leer a Maddox & Alyssa desde que conocí esta serie, con Kiss To Defy, por esa razón, y por los tropes que hay en su historia, mis expectativas eran ENORMES, y afortunadamente puedo decir que Anna B. Doe las superó de una manera espectacular con este libro que ya convirtió en mi favorito de los que he leído en Blairwood University Series.
Alyssa fue un personaje muy interesante, se robó mi corazón desde el primer capitulo y me pasé gran parte del libro queriendo protegerla, al igual que el resto del grupo. Ella es una ex-party girl, con una familia muy difícil, que se ve en una situación totalmente inesperada cuando se entera que esta embarazada, y las únicas personas con las que realmente puede contar son sus amigos. Aly rompió mi corazón mucho a lo largo del libro, fue MUY TRISTE leerla pasar por momentos difíciles mientras experimenta sentimientos confusos hacia Maddox, que ha sido su mejor amigo durante toda su vida, o sentirse una carga para el resto del grupo, aunque tengo que decir que la vulnerabilidad de su personaje también fue lo que más me gustó, porque al mismo tiempo también demuestra una gran fuerza y valentía para afrontar todas las situaciones que se le presentan, que no fueron pocas, además de que me gustó muchísimo que Yasmin, Callie y el resto de los chicos SIEMPRE estuvieran a su lado, la apoyaran y amaran de manera incondicional.
Pero el mayor apoyo de Alyssa siempre fue Maddox, un extremadamente inteligente nerd, que tiene un corazón enorme y siempre ha estado enamorado de ella, de verdad que es como si Anna hubiera escrito este personaje para mi, él es todo lo que amo en un personaje masculino: amable, desinteresado, tierno y con momentos sensuales que no esperaba en alguien que es tan serio y callado. Y me encantó porque no se ofreció a ayudar a Aly solo por su interés romántico en ella, sino porque realmente la considera su mejor amiga y le preocupa su bienestar y el de su bebé, además me gustó mucho leer su nerviosismo al tener que compartir su espacio con ella, al lidiar con los comentarios de los chicos que saben la verdad sobre sus sentimientos y todo lo que tuvo que pasar para atreverse a confesárselos a Alyssa.
Y es que estos dos tienen que superar muchas cosas! Aly ve un lado diferente del su Maddox, no solo físicamente hablando, sino que comienza a descubrir que no sería tan difícil para ella enamorarse de él gracias a lo lindo que es, pero al mismo tiempo ella no cree ser suficiente para él, no quiere ser una carga ni arrastrarlo hacia sus problemas. Maddox por su parte tiene miedo de arruinar su amistad y perder a Alyssa si decide confesar su amor, pero no es algo que ninguno de los dos pueda esconder, su química y vinculo es tan grande y bonito que todo termina dándose de manera natural entre ambos, obviamente con su dosis de drama y sufrimiento en los momentos más inesperados, pero que hicieron que esta historia funcionara muy bien. Como ya dije es mi libro favorito de la serie y no creo que pueda dejar ir Malyssa tan fácilmente porque siempre van a tener un lugar muy especial en mi corazón.
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