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The Bad Boy and the Tomboy #2
Hitting the Crossbar
The sequel to The Bad Boy and the Tomboy continues the love story of Macy Anderson and Sam Cahill as they face new challenges and new opportunities.
Macy Anderson and Sam Cahill are embarking on a new adventure, attending university on soccer scholarships while figuring out what comes next for them both.
Macy’s life has always been her group of friends―specifically Jasmine and Andrew―but now they’re all split up. Macy’s worried that the world that she’s always known, that has helped her become the person she is now, is over, and she’s discovering that facing the adult world of college and dating and friendships growing apart is harder than she thought it would be.
Sam is also finding it hard to adjust to this new phase of life. There are the pressures of university, other people, and secrets from his past he wants to keep hidden from Macy, all putting a strain on their relationship.
As Macy and Sam begin to tackle their decisions, Macy realizes she will have to answer the is their relationship worth fighting for or is it game over?
Macy Anderson and Sam Cahill are embarking on a new adventure, attending university on soccer scholarships while figuring out what comes next for them both.
Macy’s life has always been her group of friends―specifically Jasmine and Andrew―but now they’re all split up. Macy’s worried that the world that she’s always known, that has helped her become the person she is now, is over, and she’s discovering that facing the adult world of college and dating and friendships growing apart is harder than she thought it would be.
Sam is also finding it hard to adjust to this new phase of life. There are the pressures of university, other people, and secrets from his past he wants to keep hidden from Macy, all putting a strain on their relationship.
As Macy and Sam begin to tackle their decisions, Macy realizes she will have to answer the is their relationship worth fighting for or is it game over?
456 pages, Paperback
Published April 18, 2023
13 people are currently reading
1830 people want to read
About the author
Nicole Nwosu
4 books394 followersNicole Nwosu grew up in Toronto, Canada, and first started posting her stories on Wattpad in 2014. Her most popular story The Bad Boy and the Tomboy has accumulated over a hundred million reads on the platform and won a 2015 “Cover-to-Cover” Watty Award. When she’s not writing, Nicole spends her time catching up on binge-worthy TV shows while balancing her studies at Western University.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews
April 25, 2023
When I started this book I was not prepared for the amount of pain it would leave me in by the end. I thought this would be a cute little follow up to how Macy and Sam are doing in their college years, BUT, then came the pain. Tell me why I'm still crying while writing this review???
So, I read the first book back in August of 2020 and it took me a few chapters to remember who everyone was, what happened and so on. You can read this one without reading that one, but I'd recommend you read The Bad Boy and the Tomboy anyway because it's a fun read and so reading this one will give you max pain.
A lot of the book is actually updates on everyone's lives, Macy & Sam's old friends (and enemies), family and new friends too and I like that. Nobody is left out, and I feel like everything is pretty realistic.
We have a friendship that's growing apart, one person isn't messaging another as much, and oh boy, I felt that one in my soul.
Macy and Sam are cute still, I love their little banter and their romantic scenes together WHICH OF COURSE, SOMEONE HAD TO RUIN!!! I AM UNDER THIS CHARACTER'S BED THEY DO NOT DESERVE A SECOND OF REST!!!!
I am so mad, honestly, because I knew that little weasel would be up to something, it was building up during the whole book and then BAM at the end...
SILLY ME FOR THINKING THIS WAS A FLUFFY BOOK.
The ending was such a cruel cliffhanger, I don't know what to do with myself now...I feel like I'm one of those memes where they just lie in a puddle of tears...yeah that's me.
I NEED THE THIRD BOOK ASAP, THIS IS NOT A REQUEST. GIVE IT TO ME NOW. NOW. NOW. NOW.
*Thank you to the amazing author for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review*
So, I read the first book back in August of 2020 and it took me a few chapters to remember who everyone was, what happened and so on. You can read this one without reading that one, but I'd recommend you read The Bad Boy and the Tomboy anyway because it's a fun read and so reading this one will give you max pain.
A lot of the book is actually updates on everyone's lives, Macy & Sam's old friends (and enemies), family and new friends too and I like that. Nobody is left out, and I feel like everything is pretty realistic.
We have a friendship that's growing apart, one person isn't messaging another as much, and oh boy, I felt that one in my soul.
Macy and Sam are cute still, I love their little banter and their romantic scenes together WHICH OF COURSE, SOMEONE HAD TO RUIN!!! I AM UNDER THIS CHARACTER'S BED THEY DO NOT DESERVE A SECOND OF REST!!!!
I am so mad, honestly, because I knew that little weasel would be up to something, it was building up during the whole book and then BAM at the end...
SILLY ME FOR THINKING THIS WAS A FLUFFY BOOK.
The ending was such a cruel cliffhanger, I don't know what to do with myself now...I feel like I'm one of those memes where they just lie in a puddle of tears...yeah that's me.
I NEED THE THIRD BOOK ASAP, THIS IS NOT A REQUEST. GIVE IT TO ME NOW. NOW. NOW. NOW.
*Thank you to the amazing author for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review*
February 6, 2024
FIRST READ: 10/5 stars. And no one can argue with me. :)
ATTENTION: IF SOMEONE KNOWS A REAL-LIFE CALEB, PLEASE SEND ME THEIR CONTACT INFO AND LET THEM KNOW I WILL BE PROPOSING WITHIN THE WEEK. Thank you. I will be keeping a close eye on my GR notifications.
Now, onto the real review. I want to be buried with this book. No, I need to be buried with this book. I love this book so much. So. Freaking. Much. I also love Caleb so freaking much. AHHHHH!!!!
Okay, okay, sorry, that wasn't a good review. Here's a better one:
SECOND READ: 5/5 stars
Will forever love this book to death. Also, MARRY ME, CALEB! PLEASE!
ATTENTION: IF SOMEONE KNOWS A REAL-LIFE CALEB, PLEASE SEND ME THEIR CONTACT INFO AND LET THEM KNOW I WILL BE PROPOSING WITHIN THE WEEK. Thank you. I will be keeping a close eye on my GR notifications.
Now, onto the real review. I want to be buried with this book. No, I need to be buried with this book. I love this book so much. So. Freaking. Much. I also love Caleb so freaking much. AHHHHH!!!!
Okay, okay, sorry, that wasn't a good review. Here's a better one:
SECOND READ: 5/5 stars
Will forever love this book to death. Also, MARRY ME, CALEB! PLEASE!
January 13, 2024
disclaimer: I received an arc from the publisher via netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
╰┈➤ “𝐈 𝐡𝐚𝐯𝐞 𝐲𝐨𝐮.” 𝐇𝐢𝐬 𝐥𝐢𝐩𝐬 𝐭𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐜𝐡𝐞𝐝 𝐮𝐩𝐰𝐚𝐫𝐝. “𝐎𝐟 𝐜𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐬𝐞, 𝐈’𝐥𝐥 𝐛𝐞 𝐨𝐤𝐚𝐲.”
Macy and Sam are definitely my og favourite couple of all time and I loved getting to read about them again !!
This book follows Macy and Sam as they move off to university on soccer scholarships and learn how to deal with change.
This book was incredibly cute and funny but also had some really realistic situations that I feel like many would resonate with which I loved.
I did struggle to be fully immersed in the book at times because I'd already read the Wattpad story a couple of times but either way It was still a really well-written & cute book.
I also really loved seeing how mature the writing and story have become :) The found family in this book was something I also adored so much !! Seeing all the characters being so supportive and so family-like made me so happy and had me smiling so much <3
I did get bored though unfortunately.
Caleb and Phillip also have a big piece of my heart !! 💌💋
╰┈➤ “𝐈 𝐡𝐚𝐯𝐞 𝐲𝐨𝐮.” 𝐇𝐢𝐬 𝐥𝐢𝐩𝐬 𝐭𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐜𝐡𝐞𝐝 𝐮𝐩𝐰𝐚𝐫𝐝. “𝐎𝐟 𝐜𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐬𝐞, 𝐈’𝐥𝐥 𝐛𝐞 𝐨𝐤𝐚𝐲.”
Macy and Sam are definitely my og favourite couple of all time and I loved getting to read about them again !!
This book follows Macy and Sam as they move off to university on soccer scholarships and learn how to deal with change.
This book was incredibly cute and funny but also had some really realistic situations that I feel like many would resonate with which I loved.
I did struggle to be fully immersed in the book at times because I'd already read the Wattpad story a couple of times but either way It was still a really well-written & cute book.
I also really loved seeing how mature the writing and story have become :) The found family in this book was something I also adored so much !! Seeing all the characters being so supportive and so family-like made me so happy and had me smiling so much <3
I did get bored though unfortunately.
Caleb and Phillip also have a big piece of my heart !! 💌💋
December 3, 2023
What a cliffhanger!!!!
April 21, 2023
HAPPY SAMMACY RETURN TO ALL THOSE WHO CELEBRATE!!!
I know it is so unserious how attached I am to these people I read about at 14 years of age, but truly, when you have someone like Nikki reword their story in such a beautiful way, who can help it?
I went into this sequel having read the original one, but despite knowing the events of the story, I was still so taken by the character and everything they faced. Macy’s struggles throughout this book make her so much more vulnerable and real in front of an audience (me) who always saw her as invincible. The changes made to the plot definitely have elevated the experience, and I genuinely could not believe I did not have the third book when I finished this one; I need it right. now. Please. Thank you. In a nutshell- this book is so amazing (which is not surprising) and for those who are OG fans like me will not be disappointed by the changes and will be glad to see how much closer you feel to Sam and Macy in these books.
Thank you to Nikki and NetGalley for providing me an ARC of this book in exchange of an honest review.
I know it is so unserious how attached I am to these people I read about at 14 years of age, but truly, when you have someone like Nikki reword their story in such a beautiful way, who can help it?
I went into this sequel having read the original one, but despite knowing the events of the story, I was still so taken by the character and everything they faced. Macy’s struggles throughout this book make her so much more vulnerable and real in front of an audience (me) who always saw her as invincible. The changes made to the plot definitely have elevated the experience, and I genuinely could not believe I did not have the third book when I finished this one; I need it right. now. Please. Thank you. In a nutshell- this book is so amazing (which is not surprising) and for those who are OG fans like me will not be disappointed by the changes and will be glad to see how much closer you feel to Sam and Macy in these books.
Thank you to Nikki and NetGalley for providing me an ARC of this book in exchange of an honest review.
December 6, 2023
Don't get me wrong, I did enjoy the first book but whatever, I expected this to be the same, something nice and light to read. It was light but it really snuck up on me. I'm now obsessed with this story. That clifffff !!! It has me so twisted I was like "damn girl you tell him" and then I was like .. "nooooo come back" 😭😭😭 I Need the next book and I need the grovel and I need the same level of love and I desperately need the jerk and hazel. 😩
June 11, 2023
Nicole really took the whole “hitting the crossbar” pun and ran with it huh? I’m kinda upset now that 68 days and counting got split into two books because now I have to wait until April to finish the story 😭😭❤️❤️
April 19, 2023
Macy and Sam are off to college and facing new challenges as they navigate their relationship.
Macy is homesick and struggling to fit in with her team. Sam’s past is catching up to him and he’s keeping secrets from her. College proves to her that life after high school will be different because there are new challenges and problems to deal with. Will their relationship survive? Will her football dream come true?
Macy must decide what’s more important to her, her dream of playing football or her relationship with Sam. She needs to figure out how to balance her relationships and goals if she hopes to succeed.
Hitting the Crossbar is the sequel to The Bad Boy and the Tomboy. The story follows Sam and Macy as they make their way through college, struggling to maintain their relationship while achieving their goals. The book has romance, suspense and comedy.
In high school, everyone used to be a few minutes away, but now they’re scattered. Macy is feeling the loss while away at college and her best friend Jasmine isn’t replaying. Sam keeps some things hidden from her and his past slowly reveals itself. The couple must learn to navigate their new lives and trust each other as they face challenges and make decisions that will shape their future. It’s a story about love, friendship and family.
Thinking she escaped the mean girl from high school, Macy is now stuck with a mean girl on her new team. She’s also faced with Cahill’s family fame and Sam’s effects on the girls around her.
This book feels deeper than the first and more mature. The characters have grown, and the plot is more complex. The author has also developed their writing style, which makes the book more enjoyable to read. I found a few mistakes while reading, but nothing major.
The overall storytelling was engaging, and the themes were captivating. I highly recommend the book and can’t wait to read more from this author.
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March 7, 2023This is the second book in the "Badboy and Tomboy" series however, I didn't realise that and read this one as a stand-alone, although I missed a few bits from the previous book I do think this can be read without much confusion. I found it to be a really cute romance with a mix of heartbreakingly sad parts as well, although it is a YA the characters are more mature than your typical young adults and it is a refreshing to read a more healthy relationship (although they have their own problems too). I also really liked the writing style and interactions between the characters, I just can't believe the ending it makes me desperate to read the next book and also the first in the series as well. I would definitely recommend if you want to read a sweet sporty romance.
August 21, 2023
on my way to lie on the highway after that ending nOOOO
3.5 stars
i first read about Sam & Macy when I was 13 years old, now almost 17 and reading about them again was a rollercoaster through both happiness and sadness and i love it and hate it at the same time, on that note I need a book three as soon as humanly possible please and thank you
( why does macy have to be a chelsea fan and sam a man utd fan )
3.5 stars
i first read about Sam & Macy when I was 13 years old, now almost 17 and reading about them again was a rollercoaster through both happiness and sadness and i love it and hate it at the same time, on that note I need a book three as soon as humanly possible please and thank you
( why does macy have to be a chelsea fan and sam a man utd fan )
January 26, 2024
okay first of all ✨SAM✨ he is the man and he got her a puppy like what!❤️ He always wanted to make sure that he didnt let macy down, and felt really bad when he smoked again. I absolutely loved the first book of the series and was so excited when i found out there was a second book and now a THIRD book omgg. but that cliffhanger 😔 dont know if i can wait until the next book i WANT more now! If you have not read the first book go binge now!!! ⚽️🥅 🏫🐾
rating-⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
rating-⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
March 7, 2023
I read this book when it was first posted on wattpad years ago. Every week I used to wait for an update and this book was completed on my birthday a couple years ago. Even now this book is still my favourite and I always have to re read it. This book deserves to be published and I’m glad Nicole is finally getting the recognition she deserves. Excited for the third book!
May 14, 2023
this book brought me back to when i first read about macy and sam on wattpad, i love them with all my heart and can’t wait to have the last book in published form. reading this book was pure nostalgia and my made my heart hurt in the best of ways. i have a deep connection with this universe and hope nicole will publish more from the characters she’s written stories for 🫶
March 28, 2024
I loved following Macy and Sam's story. And can't wait for the next book to see how they truly ended up. And usual Nicloe delivered in her writing and has shown her skills.
I truly was reminded how much I hated Alexis and her attitude from when I first read the book on wattpad.
But hopefully in the next Macy doesn't get injured like she did and they both end up playing professionally.
I truly was reminded how much I hated Alexis and her attitude from when I first read the book on wattpad.
But hopefully in the next Macy doesn't get injured like she did and they both end up playing professionally.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 1, 2025
There is no reason this took so long to read other then the fact it was a physical book
I loved this soo much slightly disappointed it was changed from being set in Manchester like the og but other then that I loved it, I think one of my fave thing to read about recent is couples actually being couple and stuff plus the end was literally my fave can’t wait for the next book
I loved this soo much slightly disappointed it was changed from being set in Manchester like the og but other then that I loved it, I think one of my fave thing to read about recent is couples actually being couple and stuff plus the end was literally my fave can’t wait for the next book
April 24, 2023
I love seeing this couple grow and face new challenges in their relationship. This couple and the the world they’ve been created in feels so normal and like it’s my own. Love love love love can’t wait for more🥰
May 8, 2023
I didn’t realize that this is part of a book series that I read in high school with a different name! Very Nostalgic!! It was fun to dive back into the world of Sam & Macy & to see the changes made in the series!
April 27, 2023
i love this writing style!!! it’s still weird to me that liz isn’t sam’s mom but i am interested in finding out what Alice had against macy or if it really isn’t anything
July 11, 2023
WHY DID IT END LIKE THAT
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September 11, 2023This book was so good. The ending pissed me the fuck off but, I can't wait for the next book to be released.
November 18, 2023
DNF @80%
December 24, 2023
for nostalgia sake
August 22, 2024
I’ve missed reading about my first book bf <3
December 8, 2024
I don’t like the published version
March 8, 2025
This book was wonderful. I can't wait for the third.
April 27, 2025
…wow…I don’t even know what to say
This was entertaining at best and infuriating at worst.
Can’t wait for the third one though
This was entertaining at best and infuriating at worst.
Can’t wait for the third one though
October 1, 2025
COOL SUPER SAM HOW COULD U
Read
January 14, 2026reread this on wattpad allll the time
April 16, 2023
I absolutely love this. I read it as a Wattpad book and I just finished it again as a published book and the cliffhanger it left on will have me waiting for the third book.
April 16, 2023
This was a pretty cute book with mature, reasonable teenage main characters. My only complaint is the number of characters in the story. There were so many characters it was hard to keep up with each person and how that person fit in the story. Other than that, I enjoyed the book!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews