Skip to main content

Member Reviews

Hello! I had actually already read the first publication of this book so I was super excited to read it again and get the new content. I already liked the story and I feel like the new content added to the story. I would definitely recommend to a friend, in fact I believe I already have!

Was this review helpful?

I absolutely loved this book! It beautifully captures the essence of youth and the thrill of exploration. The story follows a young man navigating life and love, while the woman he encounters is refreshingly clear about wanting just a steamy connection. This dynamic creates a captivating tension that pulled me in right from the start.

The development of their relationship feels both authentic and compelling, effortlessly blending passionate moments with genuine emotional depth. I appreciated how the author delves into the complexities of their interactions, allowing both characters to confront their desires and vulnerabilities. This isn’t just a simple romance; it’s a profound exploration of connection and intimacy.

I found myself completely engaged, eager to see how their journey would unfold. Watching the characters evolve added layers to the narrative, transforming it into a story about personal growth and self-discovery amidst intense and passionate experiences. If you're looking for a read that balances steam with depth, this book is a must!

Was this review helpful?

This is such a darling love story, but also full of fun and drama! Loved every page. Kristen Callihan you just wrote a fantastic book! Loved it!

Was this review helpful?

I really liked this book because I can relate to myself of my college days. Always questioning myself and hoping to find a guy that obsessed over me like Drew did with Anna. Her constant valid insecurities were always comforted by Drew. This fact however made Drew a little unrealistic for me. The constant dialogue where they each constantly expressed how perfect the other was just kind of turned me off of the story. “You’re perfect. You’re amazing. You’re my dream”. It was constant. The storyline dimmed a little behind all the angst for each other. I loved how they helped each other through their struggles so this is definitely a perfect NA genre book and I’d love to continue the series. The ending was so sweet.

Thank you NetGalley for this opportunity to provide my honest review!

Was this review helpful?

Thanks Netgalley for this ARC copy. As a lover of sports romance books, this was right up my alley. I found i could relate to Anna at different times in the book as she wasnt the popular girl that everyone loved. She felt she was not good enough for the star QB, but really she was too good for him at times.
Drew was what you expect from a sports guy in a book like this. Good looking and cocky. But it was good to have some of his insight.
Overall i enjoyed it. It filled my cup for sports romance.

Was this review helpful?

Great sports romance filled with banter, chemistry, fun, and spice. The MMC was swoon worthy and had me blushing like a school girl! Both of the main characters were extremely thought out and well written.

Was this review helpful?

The banter in this book is IMMACULATE! The back and forth between these two made this book so fun and impossible to put down because you just had to see what they would bicker about next but also wanting to see when they would realize they love each other!

Was this review helpful?

No one writes smut like Kristen Callihan. I'm a big fan of her writing, and "The Hook Up" lived up to my expectations and more. Very excited for the next installment to be released.

Was this review helpful?

I love Anna and Drew!

Anna Jones just wants to finish college before starting her future life but she never expected to meet quarterback Drew Baylor in class. Drew is the quarterback for a championship team with a Heisman trophy on his shelf and she was the red head in the next seat just trying to graduate.

You need to read The Hook Up if you haven’t read it the first time around because you will fall in love with Anna and Drew as they try to figure out a relationship with all of Drew’s football activities that he fits into his schedule until he gets injured and everything falls apart for Drew.

The rest of the series are about Drew’s teammates.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book from the author and NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Was this review helpful?

TW: Parental deaths (mentioned)

Kristen Callihan has always been one of my favorite authors, the consistency of good books is off the charts. The Game On series is no different.

The Hook Up features Drew and Anna, Drew is the star quarterback and Anna is a somewhat introverted student who has no idea what she wants to do in life. She is a curvy woman and has some mental hang ups about her body and being good enough for anyone really and she wants nothing to do with the spotlight. When she and Drew can't get enough of each other that fear and anxiety she has plays a big role in the struggles they go through.

I found Drew and Anna's story super passionate...so passionate it was almost scary how much they cared for one another, the spicy scenes were wow...hello library scene! But I also liked how they were continuously there for each other. When Anna finally gets over her hang ups it's her turn to be there for Drew when he breaks his leg in a game. He ends up going through this whole trauma of being scared to play again and it gets really intense.

I thought the author did a good job with the flow of the writing, I couldn't put it down once I started it. One gripe I do have is that I mostly listened to this on Audible and it was fantastic. The narrators were awesome (Teddy Hamilton & Maxine Mitchell) and never annoying which can easily happen for me with audiobooks. BUT this is the only book in the series on audio, what gives?! I see the Hook Up was just released this year but the book was actually published in 2014, insane! Hopefully they have plans to release the rest because I just adore this series and Kristen deserves to have this out in the world for the audiobook only readers.

Thank you so much Canary Street Press for providing me with an eARC in exchange for an honest review!

Was this review helpful?

While I really wanted to love this book, it was just another sports romance. The plot didn't feel fresh to me. I did enjoy the humor and banter between the characters, and the romance part was sweet. The book just needed something a little more fresh to set it aside from other sports romances.

Was this review helpful?

I had a lot of fun with this book! It takes you through all the emotions in the best of ways. And I'm ALWAYS here for steam and spice!! ❤️

Was this review helpful?

I love Kristen Callihan and reading The Hook Up is just perfect sport romance.

I loved drew and Anna's dynamic. Their push and pull chemistry and fun banter was one of my favorite things that I really enjoyed. He's a charismatic football player and she's slightly snarky and feisty and unwillingly falls for Drew despite her best efforts. It's such a fun good sport romance that gives you fun characters that you will meet, sports, spice, banter, romance, sweet moments. Anna just wants to finish college but with Drew in the picture, her life will not be the same. Its perfect for fans of Kandi Steiner and Elle Kennedy's Off campus series, I highly recommend to sport romance fans

Was this review helpful?

I loved the storyline but the end seemed a bit rushed.
Spoilers ahead:
Kind of love at first sight but one side doesn’t want it to be. It’s their story of falling in love. There’s the typical breakdown in the middle with the love story.

At the end though, there’s more issues that arise and the whole part seems rushed. The roommates story seems important but they never goes back to it. There’s some drama with an ex that seems to be going one way but then is all fine. The last 30 pages should have been longer to help the story close up but the rest of the book was really good.

Overall I felt the story, I laughed, I got stressed, I swooned and I smiled.

Was this review helpful?

*The Hook Up* by Kristen Callihan is a fun, steamy college romance that balances heart, humor, and heat perfectly. Anna Jones, the sharp-witted heroine, and Drew Baylor, the star quarterback with a heart of gold, have undeniable chemistry from the start. Their no-strings-attached arrangement quickly spirals into something much deeper, and watching them navigate the push and pull of their relationship is both entertaining and emotional. Callihan does a great job of building tension between the two, and their banter keeps the story lively.

What makes this book stand out is its mix of sizzling romance and genuine character development. Drew isn’t just your typical cocky athlete; he’s thoughtful and determined to win Anna’s heart, while Anna’s insecurities and resistance to love feel real and relatable. The story has its share of angst, but the humor and sweetness balance it out, making it a satisfying read overall. *The Hook Up* is a great start to the *Game On* series, and readers who love a sports romance with depth will find themselves hooked!

Was this review helpful?

4.5 stars

Absolutely bingeable. I have been in a slump on and off forever it seems, but I read this in one afternoon, with barely any interruptions.

Sweet and sensitive sports romance. I really enjoy Kristen Callihan's writing.

Was this review helpful?

Anna and Drew are complete opposites. He is a football star and she wants to focus on school. Anna is very independent but also has some confidence issues. Drew was really into her and I love how we get to see his sweet side! As they get to know each other and develop feelings their relationship is definitely tested! This was a solid sports romance!

Was this review helpful?

This one was just okay. I really liked the characters, and loved the plus size rep, but the "insta-love" by the male main character got to be a little much at times.

Was this review helpful?

This was highly enjoyable! It did give off insta-lovey vibes, which annoyed me a bit, but I still liked it. I loved the complexity of both of the main characters. Drew being basically all in for Anna was adorable, especially for someone like him.

The banter between Anna and Drew kept me going. The Hook Up is a very nice and entertaining standalone, and a nice start to a great series!

It's books like this one that creates the demand for New Adult to be a genre! It falls perfectly in it.

Was this review helpful?

The Hook Up, by Kristen Callihan, is a sports romance novel that will have you steaming through the pages! Spicy! Callihan doesn't disappoint.
Thanks, NetGalley and the publisher, for providing me with the ARC ebook I read and reviewed. All opinions are my own.

Was this review helpful?