Dear Jerk Across the Street, sorry for accidentally walking in on you and catching an eyeful of your—equipment. And hard pass on the open invitation to join you in the shower “anytime”, A-hole.That’s the note I should’ve written. Instead I sent a pleasant and apologetic version.Had I known Phoenix “Nix” Russo would’ve been the neighbor from hell, I’d have told him right where he could shove my … him right where he could shove my words.
Nix is the big man on campus with everyone lined up at his games to make sure he knows it. Sure, he’s got piercing blue eyes, abs that don’t quit and a smile that could set fire to a set of panties from a hundred yards away, but he’s also the biggest pain in my ass.
Dear Pink-Haired Menace, learn how to take a joke and stop being such a kill-joy…
Elle Masterson called the cops on one of my parties—again. My sweet talking usually gets me out of trouble, but this time it got me into a nice pair of silver handcuffs. Now I’m on a reputation rehab tour with a stop at a spring break community service project.
Guess who’s my new boss?
Now we’re shoulder to shoulder, sweaty, tired and…she’s not anything like I expected. There might just be a heart under that hardass exterior. She’s invading my dreams and I can’t shake the feeling she’s the key to unlocking a piece of me that I’ve hidden away.
It’s only a matter of time until she finds out why I’m really here.
Maybe I can break through her walls and into her heart before that happens…one screw at a time.
***The Second We Met is a standalone new adult romance***
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I was convinced that no one could top the story of Seph and Reese in the Perfect First but Maya Hughes has proved me wrong. Nix is part of the Falcons football team but he is also one of the guys who resides in the frat house, “The Brothel” at Falcon University. The beginning of his love/hate relationship with Elle starts right before their Junior year when she moves in to the rental home across from the frat house. Fast forward to senior year when the Hate part of their relationship comes to a head. Football season has just ended but all the real plays are about to begin. Elle is working herself to the bone, striving to live, complete her degree and capture the humanitarian award she needs to move forward towards a career. Nix needs to concentrate on his degree while preparing for the NFL draft and a professional career in football. Neither one needs the distraction of a relationship. Fate always seems to have a different plan. I loved this one so much that I can hardly wait for Berk and Jules – secret love can be so sweet!
What’s in a number but the difference between home and a freshly showered hot quaterback.
What’s in the air but balloons of protection..
Ohh how I howled at these scenes! and this is where I knew it was going to be my kind of read!
He’s the star quaterback who’s chasing his dads approval.
She’s the girl who’s desperate to save her life from the debt that’s clawing at her from all sides.
I’m the girl who chuckled and grinned as I read their story.
The desire, drive and ambition was the heart of the story, what grew between them was just a bonus.
I would like to call this an enemies to lovers read, but for me it would of needed a little more oomph, so maybe it’s more a young adult read. Either way I thoroughly enjoyed it.
Not quite five stars but so much more than four. Let’s call it 4.5 stars.
Growing up and facing the challenges of adulthood are hard. Elle and Nix had to find their own way. The push and pull between them kept me reading to find out where they would end up. Nix with the expectations of his father and Elle trying to get through college to pay the money it took. Each trying to protect their hearts from being hurt or taken for a ride going nowhere. It’s a hard row for young adults and Maya put realistic problems before them. I kept reading to see how their lives came out. (l
Wow! Nix and Elle are explosive in more ways than one! I enjoyed the banter while they were sworn enimes but the heat after they got going was an inferno! Why they were enimes was a complex tale. Elle is a misunderstood girl that wears her walls like a shield. She has been burned too many times in the past and the truth is all that’s important to her. Nix is the star quarterback that is missing something in his future. I adored Nix. He is what a true book boyfriend consists of, compassion, kind, smokin’ hot, loves his grandpa. Yep, complete package. Maya Hughes has created this world based around a group of football players that are like a brotherhood. I enjoyed the first book, I loved the second. I cannot wait for the rest of the guys to get their own stories too.
New Adult | College Romance | Enemies-to-Lovers
The Second We Met is the first book I have read from the wonderful Maya Hughes and I feel like I have been missing out! Don’t get me wrong, her books have been on my radar and I have been WANTING to read her books, I just haven’t had the chance until now. This book has everything I wanted in an enemies-to-lovers romance. The banter (or should I say bickering) was on point for two people who clearly despised one another. Some authors who write enemies-t0-lovers don’t make it SEEM like the characters are truly enemies- that’s not the case here. They are CLEARLY not fond of one another and it was a riot to watch. It actually reminded me of the movie NEIGHBORS with Zac Effron and Seth Rogen (which is a favorite of mine BTW). It was GREAT.
That being said, this book is fantastic! I feel the need to not only go back and see how the series started (don’t worry, each book can stand alone) but am going to be keeping my eye out for all the other ones that release in the future. This is the perfect college romance series and definitely satiated my need for the genre.
I was late to the Fulton U party, but I guarantee that won’t happen again. I absolutely love not only this book, but this whole group of characters. They were funny, lovable, and left me longing for more!
Nix and Elle were fantastic. They may have started off as enemies, but those sparks were destined to ignite. And when they did, they were so hot! I absolutely loved watching the evolution of this couple! Their journey from enemies to friends to happily-ever-after was extremely satisfying. Maya gave us the engaging character growth I’ve come to expect from her. Both characters were interesting on their own in addition to the developing love story between them. I loved learning about their difficult pasts as it explained so much about the choices they were currently making.
The side characters add so much to this story. Not only do they show us more about the main characters, they are so engaging on their own. I can’t wait to go back and read The Perfect First, and I’m so excited for all the the Fulton U books yet to come!
Phoenix “Nix” Russo is the big man on campus, and a major thorn in Elle Masterson’a side. His wild frat parties, constant teasing, and annoying good looks drive her completely crazy, she cannot the man.
One night when him and his buddies party gets a little out of control she decides she has had enough and calls the police, hoping they will shut the party down so she can get some much needed rest. But they go above and beyond her expectations and haul him off to jail… which brings a smile to her face. That is until she learns that his little arrest has earned him some community service hours that are to be completed on one of her humanitarian work sites…now not only does she have to live near him, but also work with the annoying jerk!
Upon first meeting of these two you would think they have little in common, and are a complete miss match. But as the layers get peeled back you start to see some commonality, and it begins to bond them and help them to see one another in a different light. But there are still obvious little differences there that stir up some tension and feisty fueled banter…it was so much fun to watch them try to handle their new work arrangement, and keep their secret feelings for one another at bay. This angst filled little tale kept me thoroughly entertained from start to finish, once I met these two I didn’t want to let them go… I just had to see if they would ever get around to admitting to their true feelings. Page after page I fell deeper into their world and more smitten with them, they were quite the pairing, their antics had me smiling throughout… there is nothing more special than young love! Highly recommend this one, it’s words are destined to squeeze your heart in all the right places!
I requested an advanced copy of this title from the publisher, and I am voluntarily leaving my honest opinion.
Elle and Nix hate each other on site. Elle calls the cops on Nix parties and he gets arrested with community service. Nix’s boss is none other than Elle so things get interesting with them. Nix is used to being the big man on campus. Elle doesn’t put up with any funny business from him. The tension is so explosive between them. Sexy times are coming with this couple. An enjoyable cute read with plenty of steam.
Enemies to lovers? Check. Nerdy-ish heroine and Jock hero? Check. Maya Hughes? CHECK.
I adore this author, this series and these tropes. There’s nothing about Nix and Elle I don’t love. Their original meeting is completely unforgettable. The whole cast of characters we met and grew to love in The Perfect First is here too. The snark is strong – but so is the sexual tension. This pair is spectacular and you can’t help but laugh and cringe as they work out the issues that will bring them together!
Nerf wars. The Lord’s work. Every delicious baked confection you could dream of. Revenge on a terrible ex. Discovering who you are and going after what you want. CHECK, CHECK, CHECK!
Recommend all day long!
This is the second book in the Fulton U series and can be read as a stand-alone. As always, I recommend reading in order, to get to know this awesome group of friends.
Nix, QB for the Trojans, lives in the ‘Brothel’, across the street from Elle.
Nix, popular, rich, sexy, simply everything, has the world down at his feet. Elle, pink haired little menace from across the street, has to work for almost everything. And isn’t really a fan of Nix. But working on a project together, she slowly realizes that she needs to open up her mind.
On the outside it looks like Nix has the perfect life. But on the inside it’s a whole different story. I really like how Elle gets to know him know him. The inside. The vulnerable side. And Elle is slowly letting Nix in, showing him how scared she is, being burned and betrayed before. I really really loved their story. Maya has a way with words. She captures you from the first to the last page. And I also did not want the book to end! I could read about this group for days !
This is a fantastic enemies-to-friends-to-lovers romance. It’s also a fantastic group of friends, and I’m already excited to read the next bookS (<- YES the capital S is on purpose lol) about the Fulton U guys!!! I can only recommend the hell out of these books. I kindly received an arc by the author and voluntarily left a review!
Never having read anything by Maya Hughes I wasn’t sure what to expect. ‘The Second We Met’ was an thoroughly enjoyable read and the main characters were interesting. Nix is a sexy as sin football playing God, the big man on campus and Elle is confused, ambitious and overworked. Love at first sight? Not.a.bloody.chance.in.hell. Their relationship starts off on the wrong foot (a.k.a the wrong side of the street), and thanks to a faulty screw and a jumbo box of condoms their relationship is destined to be a disaster. From this point on things go from bad to worse when Elle (unintentionally) gets Nix arrested. Needing to repair his reputation, Nix signs up for a community service project and finds Elle is his boss. From here on end the sparks fly and man does it make for great reading. Even though Nix has every right to be pissed off at her he can’t overcome his attraction to her. He’s incredibly sweet in his pursuit of her and you can’t help but fall in love with him. I’d like to give a shoutout to Berk and Jules and look forward to their story. Add this book to your TBR list, you won’t regret it.
The Second We Met by Maya Hughes got me laughing like crazy, swooning hard like never before and finally made me cry like a baby. The whole range of emotions. Two amazing characters. One memorable story. An unbelievable balance of wit, sarcasm, love, angst, heartbreak and happily ever after.
Nix and Elle’s story started with one half naked misunderstanding and then the mistakes kept piling up. Elle hated his popular quarterback image and Nix have no idea why she hates him with vehemence. Till Elle’s call to town cop got Nix arrested and he is right in her territory, serving community volunteer work as image rehab. But Elle does not know that. As they spend more time, Elle figures out Nix is so far away from the arrogant asshole image. And Nix realises he likes this pink haired vixen a lot more that he wants. But fate has some cruel surprises in store for them.
I freaking love Elle. She is hilarious, funny, sassy, fierce and has a mind of her own. She is determined to show everyone how great she is and she works impossibly hard to achieve her goals. But she sometimes can be a bit impulsive and she jumps to conclusion. And that makes her real. The author expertly used her insecurities and vulnerabilities to add depth to her character. She is not some perfect girl. She is an everyday young woman trying to navigate to college, jobs and relationships. And Nix made her finally accept that she is missing the bigger picture by being stubborn and not opening her heart.
Nix is so perfect. Just amazing. He is so dreamy and adorable and charming. His dad pressurized and controlled his life always. But in heart he is a simple guy. He took care of Elle silently and sincerely. He made every effort to make a place in her heart. Oh be still my beating heart because I cannot take the sweetness of this guy. And let’s talk about the chemistry. Fireworks happened as they suppressed their attraction and craving so long. From enemies to friends to lovers, this slow burn romance gave me all the feels. They understand each other in deep level and the sex reflects that emotional intimacy. Burning hot, all consuming and beautifully sinful. The pain of their heartache cut through my own heart and made it bleed.
Maya Hughes brings out the enticing and brilliant blend of smart, funny, sexy and intense romance in The Second We Met. It was about falling in love with the person who makes you better version of yourself. It was also about loving yourself. The best kind of love.
Received ARC for Honest review
Ella is a junior trying to do everything she can to earn her degree. Unfortunately she lives next to the football team and has to deal with their parties. She meets Nix when she moves in and goes into wrong building. Nix is the star quarterback who is going to NFL. She’s been hurt and doesn’t trust Nix at first, will that change? What happens after they graduate?
The Second We Met is the second book in the Fulton U series and it can be read as a standalone, in fact this is the first story I’ve ever read written by Maya Hughes but I’m hooked now and I need to catch up her previous works.
Elle and Nix are college students,the first is really invested into every kind of voluntary activities and the latter is the star quarterback of the football team.They are so different they hate each other on the spot since the first day they meet. When their lives interwine thanks to a community project she finds out that maybe ther’s more about him than his gorgeous body and athletic talent, and he discovers a broken heart under that bright pink hair and bitc*ing attitude.
I’ve really enjoyed to read this story and to figure out the beauty of these characters page after page.
Rate: 4.5 / 5 stars
Maya, Maya how you always manage to steal my heart with your boys I don’t know but I am totally here for it!
Welcome back to Fulton U everyone! Nix and Elle take us on another epic year, one brimming with animosity, sexual tension, good deeds, awesome friends and a fun journey towards love. I thoroughly enjoyed this book – it was fun, it was sexy, it was angsty and I love it when a book has all three.
Elle was a bad*** go getter. She was feisty, spoke her mind and wasn’t afraid to do what was right for her no matter what people thought. I loved this girl and her wonderful soul. I loved that she was different, quirky and wasn’t ever afraid to be herself. She has trust issues specially when it comes to the men in her life so when Nix and her go from enemies to friends, she’s afraid to let him get too close. Having been cheated on by her past two boyfriends, she’s a bit paranoid when a boy is on the horizon and his intentions are always at the forefront of her mind.
Nix was wonderful, gosh I truly loved his soul and he was such a genuine good person behind his footballer player persona. He is living a lie, a life he doesn’t want but he’s too afraid to take the plunge on leaving that life behind and fighting for the one he wants. It takes a girl and a few accidents for him to see that he should be living his life for him and no one else.
Nix is very close with his grandfather and I loved their relationship and every chance they had to spend time together in the kitchen. I kind of wish there had been more of those moments and we got to watch them both while Nix was doing what he always enjoyed. I hope we get to see that again in the epilogue, all three generations of Russo men hanging out in the kitchen, it would perfect after everything that happens in this book and it would truly make my heart happy to see it.
And Jules omg Jules, Elle’s bestfriend. I already love her so much and relate to her. I can’t wait to see it all happen in her POV and be inside her head and just freaking read her story because it’s gonna be epic. I don’t know how she’s gonna get out of helping Berk find the notes’ girl. I am guiddy just thinking about it.
I just love this group of friends so much already and I am completely dying for the other two books! They are already so promising and I know they’ll be amazing. Maya honestly creates the best groups of friends and she always has me falling for the side characters as much as I do for the main characters. I could live in her worlds forever hanging out with these hot atheletes and the girls who steal their hearts.
Maya does it again with another hilarious, heartfelt, and sexy story. I remember getting an e-mail for Maya over a year ago asking if I would be interested in reviewing her books. Since then, I’ve loved every single one and The Second We Met is no exception. Maya knows how to write characters that stand out in your memory while still making them easy to relate to. You can always find a character a little like yourself in Maya’s books.
Nix is a total jock, Mr. Popular. But he’s got a sweet and funny side that just melts your heart. Same with Elle. She seems so tough and rigid. Never one to give into a man’s charms. But with the right person, she sheds her tough exterior to reveal her true self. I’ve always felt that’s what Maya’s stories teach us, that with the right person, really anything is possible. If that’s not a wonderful life lesson, I don’t know what is.
This book is a total enemies to lovers story, though they’re less enemies and more two people with insane chemistry and sexual tension. But hey, either way it’s good. I absolutely loved it and I can’t wait for the next one!
I absolutely LOVE this story, this series, the charming Fulton U boys, and their fantastic leading ladies! Maya Hughes writes some of the best sports romance stories and I honestly cannot get enough. She stole my heart in Shameless King (The Kings of Rittenhouse #1) and ever since then, I’ve been utterly smitten with her writing and books. The Second We Met is no exception and I loved every single moment I spent with Elle, Nix, and pretty much everyone in this adorable, heartfelt, and fun romance novel.
I have a weakness for steamy, tension-filled, swoony, and touching romances that will give me all the feels I crave and more. This enemies to lovers story has all that and made my heart race, ache, melt, and swell with so much warmth and happiness. Maya’s stories are just so darn good and if you haven’t read any of them, then you need to pick one up right now! They’re always fun, addictive, entertaining, and filled with so many wonderful moments and emotions.
I adore Elle and Nix from the second they met and rooted for them the entire time. Elle is the kind of heroine I love. She’s caring, supportive, sassy, determined, and always speaks her mind no matter what. Of course she makes mistakes and finds reasons to put up her walls, but that’s what makes Elle relatable. As strong as she seems, Elle has insecurities and fears like everyone and trust issues when it comes to love. She’s tough and quite guarded with her emotions, but Elle definitely has a softer sweet side. She’s really close with her roommate and best friend Jules and that shows that Elle does trust people, maybe not easily or right away, but she does. And when she’s finally ready to open her heart and truly trust Nix… well it doesn’t get any better or sweeter than that.
Nix will make your heart melt over and over. Yes, he’s famous and a jock. He’s a football star, popular with the girls, handsome and so damy sexy. But, there is so much more to him than that. He’s honest to goodness such a genuine, kind, giving, patient, and wonderful guy. My heart hurt so much for him because his father keeps forcing him into something he no longer wants. Deep down all Nix wants is to forge his own path and do something he enjoys and loves. It takes him a long time, but he eventually finds the courage to fight for what he loves and I’m so glad he does. I don’t want to give too much away about him or the story. Falling in love with Nix is one of the best parts of this book and I don’t want to take that awesome experience away from you.
I think Elle and Nix fit so well together and I loved how everything turned out for them. They definitely have some of the most delicious sexual tension and swoons and I totally love their chemistry. There’s so many delightful and cute scenes that made me giddy, emotional moments that broke my heart a little, but also filled it with love, and some amazing steamy moments that had me glued to the pages. I loved the drama, the bantering, the arguments, the humor, and the way Nix finally wins over Elle’s heart. Their relationship definitely has some bumps along the way, but that’s what makes it seem so real and relatable and I truly loved it… tears and all.
The supporting characters are as adorable and fun as always if not more. I think the more you get to know Maya’s characters, the more you fall for them. It’s nice to see that Reece and Seph are still going strong. LJ and Marissa are both still in denial. They have been dancing around each other and I cannot wait to read their book. BUT, I’m absoltely more excited about Jules and Berk’s story. I love Jules already. I adore her quirks, can relate with her, and cannot wait to get to know her even more. I have a feeling Jules and Berk are going to have insane chemistry and I’m so ready for that!
A must read heart-melting enemies to lovers story, The Second We Met is full of laughs, swoons, bromance, amazing friendships, delicious treats, fun surprises, and so many wonderful feels. Maya Hughes always makes me fall in love with her stories and characters and I really hope she never stops writing these breathtaking romances that never fail to make my heart smile. I don’t think I can say much more than I already have, so if you love romance then you need to read this book, this series, and all the other lovely stories Maya has written.
I received an advance reader copy of this book from the author in exchange for a fair and honest review. All thought, opinions, and swoons are my own.
The Second We Met is book two in the Fulton U series by Maya Hughes. I highly recommend this to anyone who loves a enemies-to-lovers romance. It was a terrific read, from beginning to end. The characters were a lot of fun and the story-line was entertaining. We were introduced to a lot of terrific characters and I really, really hope that this won’t be the last that we see of them. I loved every bit of this fantastic story and look forward to reading the next book.
I’ve finished this book and all I can think about is how is it possible for this to be my introduction to Maya Hughes work???
This book was smoking hot, funny and made me swoon so hard I nearly fell out of my bed while reading. Nik and Elle were great together. I loved the cat and mouse game they had going on before they gave into temptation. I loved Nik and his need to help her anyway he could..even when that help caused a few problems. I loved her determination. I could relate to both characters and it was so easy to fall madly in love with them and their story.
This book left me wanting more and I can’t wait to see the next couple finding their HEA – I looks like it will be another fun book to read for sure.
***Review copy requested and reviewed on behalf of OMGReads Blog***
Maya Hughes creates a love/hate sport romance with her new release The Second We Met. In Hughes’ new release she features do-gooder, Elle and the football star next door, Phoenix “Nix”. From the moment her eyes landed on his bare booty, Elle loathed the boy next door. From breaking and entering to cops on speed dial, Hughes delivers enough tension to have me hooked.
Hughes wove a tangled web of emotions with The Second We Met. Both character’s emotions were felt with all their force. From a history of hurts, these two epically collide making it impossible to resist their pull to each other. While their love/hate relationship was frosty at times, Hughes also knew when to pull in the heat between these two. I would have preferred the angst to be driven up a few more notches, I still found their story a well written, intriguing romance that I couldn’t put down. It didn’t hurt that Hughes included some amazing side characters that I can’t wait to hear more about. Whether it’s the Best Friends to lovers with LJ and Marissa or the secret love notes between Berk and Jules, either way, I’m tuning in for more football starts from Fulton.