4.25⭐️

Drew Baylor has just been unlocked as a new boyfriend. I will take no criticism on him. A very beautifully written book and of course, listening to it made it so real. I truly enjoyed all the characters in this book so much and being introduced to the next characters in the series made me excited. I really enjoyed the attraction between Drew and Anna so much. She was the Spitfire that gave Drew all his days, and he was determined to win her over. There was very positive talk about therapy and how it benefits, different situations, I really appreciated that. All around great book couldn’t wait for the next one in the series.

This was my second time reading this book and I loved it just as much as I did the first time! It is quite addicting and a page turner. I love that he falls first and hard. Highly recommend and I can't wait to read more books from this author.

Thanks to Kristen Callahan and her team. Thanks to Netgalley letting read this ARC.Drew and Anna are polar opposite. They say opposites attract to each other. He is a college age jock head of the football team. They both come up with a plan to hook up but it keep it casual with it. In the end he falls first. Drew was the first one to confess to her his real feelings. He was in love with her all along. They both finally told her each how they felt.

When I got this ARC from Netgalley, I expected a cute Football romance and nothing else. Talk about being wrong! This is my first time reading this author’s work, and I was pleasantly surprised by how quickly I became immersed in the story. This will not be my last read from this author.

The cover and title are rather misleading. While it’s accurate that Anna and Drew’s relationship begins with a hook-up ignited by Anna’s challenging behavior, this narrative goes beyond that initial spark. I can’t even explain how much I love these characters. It’s definitely a “He falls first”, but she’s not far behind. The lingering effects of their individual traumas impact every encounter Anna and Drew have, whether it’s with each other or their social circle. Their quest for a happily ever after was an emotional one. The lack of trust made me discouraged several times, but their playful banter and steamy scenes kept me engaged. (Whew, is it hot in here?)

There's so much more to this story, but I will not spoil your read.
This book was a real page-turner. The characters were so engaging and the writing was so smooth; it was impossible to put down.
It was fantastic. You definitely need to get this one.

Thank you to netgalley and publisher for a digital eARC of the new publication!

Enjoyed this book and would recommend to any sports-romance enthusiasts. The first 3/4 of this book was 4 stars, but having a 2nd and 3rd breakup act and all the fighting at the end brought it down to a 3. I get that they needed character development, but I just wasn’t a big fan. And the happy ending was so immediate after all the fighting.

The Hook Up was like a roller-coaster ride of emotions. I was all in for the first part, where Anna and Drew were caught in that delicious "will they or won't they" tension. Watching them navigate their own identities while also figuring out their relationship was like the perfect sweet spot of fun, flirty, and real. It had all the spark I was hoping for.

But then... about three-quarters of the way in, it felt like the track took a hard turn. Suddenly, the fun, light vibe shifted, and the story got really deep, really fast. I totally get that this was all about character development — Anna and Drew were supposed to grow up, and the stakes were meant to get higher. But for me, it was like watching two college kids trying to figure things out, and then suddenly they were dealing with issues that felt way heavier than I was ready for. It kind of took the air out of the fun vibe, and honestly, the last third of the book felt like a bit of a buzzkill.

I still liked the characters (seriously, they were both great), and overall, the story had its cute moments. But I just wish the ending had kept a bit more of the playful energy I was loving in the beginning. If it had, I think it would’ve been a perfect ride from start to finish!

This book may have originally hit shelves nearly a decade ago, but with a new edition slated for release in January 2025, I was excited to dive into this ARC from NetGalley.

At first glance, The Hook Up feels like a classic college-age romcom—the star quarterback falls for the curvy redhead, but "the timing isn’t right," leading to their hilariously doomed plan: no kissing on the mouth, no staying the night, no falling in love.

What surprised me, though, was how much more there was beneath the surface. Alongside the expected romcom beats, the story delves into heavier topics like parental issues, depression, and navigating the challenges of having a friend in an abusive relationship. These deeper layers gave the book an emotional weight I wasn't anticipating.

One thing I especially loved? He falls for her first. That reversal of the typical “girl pining for the unattainable guy” narrative felt refreshing and empowering. Plus, the spice? Spot on.
I’m giving this one 4 stars. It’s an enjoyable mix of humor, heart, and heat, with just enough substance to stand out from similar stories.

Thank you, NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing, for the opportunity to read this ebook!

"The Hook Up" by Kristen Callihan is a refreshing take on the classic college athlete meets girl trope. While the premise might seem familiar, Callihan's execution sets this book apart.
Drew, the star quarterback, and Anna, a sharp-witted student, have undeniable chemistry from the start. What begins as a casual hook-up evolves into a deep, emotional connection that feels authentic and relatable. The author takes her time developing the characters and their relationships, allowing readers to fully invest in their journey.
One of the book's strengths lies in its portrayal of friendship. The supporting characters are well-crafted, adding depth to the story without overshadowing the main romance. The pacing is deliberately slow, giving ample space for character growth and relationship development. While the book features steamy scenes, they complement rather than dominate the narrative. Callihan strikes a perfect balance between humor, emotion, and sensuality.
"The Hook Up" is an engaging read that surpasses expectations. Its relatable characters, genuine emotions, and well-crafted relationships make it stand out in the New Adult genre. A solid 5 out of 5 stars for this captivating romance.

He sat next to her in philosophy class and all bets were off. No matter how much Anna tried to ignore Drew Baylor, he just wouldn't stop - stop staring at her, putting his foot in his mouth, and looking absolutely delicious. She keeps him at arm’s length until one evening at a party she doesn’t even want to go to, he corners her upstairs and breaks down her defenses.

You know, when I started this story, I didn’t think I was going to enjoy it, but really, Callihan is a good storyteller with zingy writing, steamy and plot-wise. Hat’s (and everything else) off to her for making a spicy novel something a little bit MORE. There is a lovely look into the college football player’s life, and the pressure and pain that goes along with it, and the entire novel is a thoughtful but steamy read. This is my first Kristen Callihan novel, but I want to read more, and it seems like since this is the first in a series, we will get more insight into the player’s lives.!

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for this ARC.

Great book and great story. Loved reading this for a second time. It is a feel good story with a HEA!

First a huge thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC! While I wasn't super into the plot, I will say the spice was HOT. If you are looking for a sports romance, extra spicy, Ms. Callihan has got you! I look forward to reading more from this author in the future and recommend this book to fans of Elle Kennedy. I gave this book a high 3 star!

WHEW… this is spicey! i’d give it a 3/5 on the spice scale but besides that i really did love Anna and Drews story! He falls first and harder will always be a top tier trope for me. The only character I really didn’t like was Iris, the other supporting characters were top notch!

I went into this book blind & man was I pleasantly surprised by how much I loved this!

The romance here is done so well. Anna and Drew have intense, crazy hot chemistry right from the start. There's a lot of tension and banter between them that draws the reader in. The spicy scenes are fantastic and definitely high heat! If you like the black cat x golden retriever dynamic, you'll love Anna & Drew. Drew is absolutely gone for Anna and we love to see a man earn the woman's love.

Anna is a complicated character. I related to her struggles and felt a lot of sympathy for her. I liked reading her journey and watching her let herself fall in love. Drew is charismatic, and yes a bit of a man-ho, but he's incredibly sweet and caring. He had a big heart and that made him redeemable for the f-boy demeanor haha.

As I stated before, the spicy scenes in this book were hot! I don't think fans of spicy books will be disappointed with this one.

Would highly recommend if you like sport romances.

espresso by sabrina carpenter
stay stay stay by taylor swift

boy falls first and he PINS - this book is the epitome of popular jock obsessed and yearns for fmc even though the fmc wants nothing to do with him

the story was dragging a little but the character-building is good where you’re able to get know anna and drew as individuals as well as see the two connect

anna is a sweetie! even though she puts on a tough, takes-no-shit exterior, she’s still just a girl with insecurities from past trauma trying to protect herself! shes so real!! her song is “the archer” by taylor swift

ngl this is the first time i read a football player mmc that sounds intelligent lmao like the vocabulary drew used during his bickering with anna was high level! i like that drew is intelligent, plays no games like he’s straight forward about his feelings for anna and continuously pursues her

Honestly this book was a solid four until towards the end…..SPOILERS INCOMING - didn’t love the third act break up and the fourth act break up??? tbh i was gonna give this four stars but the fourth break up made me drop a star

tropes: dislike to friends to lovers?
good tension/bickering banter and spice

overall, this was a good slow-burn college sports romance

The Hook Up is a steamy romance that hooked me right from the start. Anna and Drew are characters you can’t help but root for, with their electric chemistry, sharp banter, and heartfelt moments that make their connection feel real. It’s a super spicy, open-door romance that delivers not just on heat but on emotional depth, giving you a romance with plenty of heart.

The story checks off so many favorite tropes, from opposites attract to college sports romance, and he falls first. Anna’s independence and Drew’s vulnerability create a dynamic that’s both playful and touching. If you’re a fan of romances that balance heat with humor and tenderness, this one is worth picking up. I’ll definitely be reading the rest of the series!

I received an eARC of this book from Net Galley in exchange for an honest review.

I was interested in this book as just a feel good romance to read between more dense books. Unfortunately, it didn't deliver.

This book is about a girl who was unpopular in high school and still has major hang ups about that in college and a guy who is a jock in both high school and college. It is trying so hard to be insta-love but its coming across as insta-lust. The characters are very clearly still immature and yet we are supposed to believe that they are "the One" for each other. I liked some of the banter but that was about it. There was a lot of spicy scenes. They were okay. Also, I had a lot of issues with the immature way that these characters dealt with their issues. Drew became emotionally abusive and screamed a lot; reading from his perspective he was heavily tempted towards violence. This was triggering as someone who was once in an abusive relationship. Anna had her own faults but typically beat herself up psychologically so when Drew went on his tirades it just reinforced her self hate. I didn't want these two to get together and the idea that they plan to get married in the future is upsetting honestly. They are both way too immature and desperately need to be in therapy (separately). They both need a lot of work on themselves before they focus on being in a relationship. This didn't have an HEA in my opinion because the toxicity they had in this book bodes ill for their future if they stay on this path.

This was such a sweet book about a couple who, regardless of what they think they want, are meant to be together. This book was a rollercoaster of emotions that had me on the edge of my seat. You are rooting for this couple all the way through. Sports romances are totally in, and this one is definitely one I will be recommending. I loved it! Thanks to the author and publisher for the ARC of this book!

I tried to make myself read this a few times but finally gave up at 25%. It moves too slow for my liking.

Thank you Harlequin for granting me an ARC!

The new cover makes it easier to read them in public lol, though I am not a fan of the cartoon covers in general. I read the first edition when it came out a while back and remembered enjoying it. Reading it again, it does not feel the same and I don't like Anna's character's that much. She is an insecure feminist, which is kind of an oxymoron. She uses Drew but won't commit because she was bullied about her looks. I don’t like the girl boss energy, it doesn’t give a likable main character in my opinion. Drew is an ok character, his plot is very sudden at the end and the end wraps up very fast. There wasn't any major changes in plot from what I recall of the original book. The author does include new references to Tik Tok though. My reading tastes have evolved a lot since 2014, but I do think the next book in the series “The Friend Zone,” is way better, and I hope there is not a lot of changes in that rerelease.
I received an ARC through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

This book surprised me. Going in, I appreciated the ARC but I was nervous.
This chemistry is great, Drew is a dork (which I loved), and it was a fast page-turner for me.
Who knew I'd like a sports romance?