This book was way too long. I'm not even sure how many pages it was, I just know it was excessive.

It felt like so many phrases were just cut & pasted from one page to the next. So many repeat lines, thoughts, etc. I understand that author wants certain things to stick with the reader, but it was too much for me.

That said, I did like Ro & Matty. I think they're both full of love, and hope, and are too trusting of bad people in the world.

This book was only ok for me.

Thanks to Netgalley, and the publisher, for the ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.

4/5 Stars

After reading the first book before it was traditionally published, I was ecstatic to receive an ARC for this book.

🏒 College Hockey Romance
📚 Tudor x Student
🏒 Slow Burn
📚 Friends to Lovers
🏒 Disability Rep
📚 No Third Act Breakup

I'm so flipping excited to read the 3rd book! Bennett's book is one I'm really looking forward to!❤️

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5

I got this as a review copy way before it came back and just took forever to read it. But, thank you to the publisher for a review copy!

I LOVED Unsteady so I was looking forward to this sequel. Even though I didn’t love it nearly as much as Unsteady, I still really enjoyed it!

Ro is definitely a more naive female character at the beginning but she gets better as the story goes on. You witness her learning through experiences and growing as a character as the story progresses and I think Freddy has a lot to do with that.

Freddy and Ro were great together. I thought Freddy was super patient and kind to Ro. He helped her in as many ways as she helped him. I enjoyed learning more about both of their backstories after being introduced to them in Unsteady. My heart broke for Freddy so many times and I am so happy he got his happy ending.

Tyler was absolutely HORRIBLE and grotesque. Oh my god he made me so angry.

I’ve really enjoyed this series so far and I’m looking forward to the next installment!

Thank you @AtriaBooks and @Netgalley for my #gifted copy of Unloved. #AtriaPartner

I really enjoyed Matt’s character in Unloved and thought the representation of Dyslexia, Dyscalculia, and ADHD was done really well. He’s dealing with so much himself—grieving the loss of his mother while navigating a narcissistic father, yet his protectiveness over Ro, his academic tutor, and the way he encouraged her to stand up for herself was so sweet. It made me root for him the whole time.

That said, Ro was a bit harder for me to connect with. She has incredibly supportive parents and friends, yet she doesn’t open up about what she’s dealing with emotionally, which made her feel closed off in a frustrating way. On top of that, she cried in almost every chapter through the middle of the book. Maybe it makes me a little insensitive, but it was just too much for me and pulled me out of the story.

Overall, I liked the premise and especially Matt’s journey, but Ro’s characterization kept this one at 3.5 stars for me.

A huge thank you to Peyton Corinne and NetGalley for granting me an ARC of Unloved. I’ve never read Unsteady, but that didn’t stop me from falling head over heels in love with this book. Ro and Matty’s story absolutely captivated me—every single page was filled with heart-wrenching emotions, tender moments, and a connection so raw and genuine that I was utterly hooked.

One scene that completely shattered me was when Ro felt like she wasn’t enough to make her boyfriend stay, and the hockey player she tutors tells her, “If you were my girlfriend Rosalie, you wouldn’t have to do anything to convince me. Just a fucking smile and I’d be a goner, okay?” Instant swoon. Instant tears. That moment encapsulated how much I love these two. Matty’s quiet strength and Ro’s insecurities made for such an emotional and beautiful dynamic.

Matty is one of the most emotionally intelligent male leads I’ve ever read—his inner monologues and personal growth hit me straight in the heart. And Ro? She’s strong in ways that aren’t always obvious, but she shines so brightly in her vulnerability and determination. Their journey from friendship to love felt so authentic and powerful, I didn’t want their story to end.

This book is an emotional rollercoaster in the best way possible, and it’s impossible not to root for these two. Unloved is the kind of story that stays with you long after you’ve turned the final page.

Thank you, Peyton Corinne, for crafting such a heartwarming and unforgettable love story!

Obsessed with the mental health rep, as Peyton always delivers such careful consideration in her words. The dynamic between Freddy and Ro was so special, and I loved the slowburn of their friendship first before things turned romantic.

Peyton Corinne has done her thing once again. The emotional complexity of her writing gets me every time. It's not a simple romance book and that's what I love so much about her writing style. She makes the characters feel like real people with real complex lives instead of always sunshine and happiness. I’m not sure which book of hers I love the most but they have never disappointed me and I am always so excited to see her titles pop up. Obviously I am a sucker for a good sports romance, especially anything hockey related(my fav sport), but I really love how Peyton integrates every aspect of the characters lives and still makes the book feel more realistic than other romance books.

Unloved was an easy 5 star for me.
The story follows Ro, a girl unlucky in love who is craving real affection, and Freddy who is known as the school's playboy but he is much more than meets the eye.

What I Enjoyed:
-The emotional depth of the story. Both characters were beautifully layered
-Seeing the characters navigate disabilities and grief that led to amazing character development
-Depite the topics explored, the lightness to the writing made it an enjoyable read
-There was rawness, pining, & the perfect amount of angst
-My favorite thing was seeing how the relationship grew from true friends to lovers

You can't help but fall in love with these two and root for them. Its a slow burn that's definitely worth the wait!

Tropes:
Athlete x tutor
Mutual pining
College hockey romance
Dyslexia, Dyscalculia & ADHD rep

While this book has already been published (shout out to health issues for keeping me from writing a review for so long…) I still wanted to give some kudos to the author. Corinne’s character building is unlike most romance novels I’ve read. She gives so much depth to not just the main characters but the side ones too. I feel like I know the characters… I’ve gone to class with Ros and passed by Freddys on campus… and the way she handles sensitive topics such as grief, mental health, and learning differences is applaudable.

<b>3.5 stars</b> ꕥ

↳ ᡴꪫ ⸝⸝ just like <I> one golden summer</I> was a surprise, this was a surprise too — in a good way, thankfully. <b>matt</b> and <b>ro</b> held such a tenderhearted and vulnerable relationship that you couldn’t help but fall in love with them. every page was <u>addicting</u> and i found myself not being able to put this book down — which led to problems in my sleep schedule. now i get what people say when they mean this is a romance but with lots of emotional moments.

⛸️ the characters. ᝰ.ᐟ i really, really loved them. both of them have the most precious and sweet souls ever that only the other person can uphold. i especially loved matt’s story — the playboy but nervous when he’s around the love of his life. the little things that they did for each other warmed my heart throughout the entire book. i loved how they defended each other endlessly no matter the scenario — matty with tyler and ro with professor tinley. both of them were going through hell but managed to come out holding each other’s hands.

the side characters.

- sadie. she didn’t really show up in much of the book but i liked her for what she brought
- carmen tinley. oh you sick twisted bitch. i think someone downstairs is waiting for you.
- bennett, rhys, & toren. they all brought something special to the story and i can’t wait to read their books 🤭 i need toren’s book like now
- john fredderic. treating a woman & your son like that is despicable

१˒🪄⋆ plot. there was actually so much going on throughout this book that the 454 pages flew by SO quickly. when i first saw the page count, I was a bit shocked because no romance book needs to be that long. but thankfully, this book proved me wrong because it was packed with emotional punches, shocking twists, and tender moments.

𖠵 𓂃 overall, i think everyone should give this book a try because you might just end up loving it (i sure did 🤭)

<u>quotes</u> ⟡𖥦⊹

◟✦ “loving rosalie shariff would be the easiest thing i’ve ever done—i know, because i’m already doing it. i think i’ve loved her since the day she stood up for me in that conference room. as a friend first, something i’ve never had, but now it’s more.”

◟✦ “to be loved is to be seen—and she’s the first person to really see him. that’s why they fall in love.”

◟✦ “i make a vow then to protect her, the pretty girl with butterflies in her messy curls, even if she'll never really be mine”

One of my favorite sports romance books ever now. So gorgeous and so emotional. Matty & Ro are forever connected to me now. Peyton’s writing is just gorgeous and can’t wait to see what she does next.

🖤 Book Review: Unloved by Peyton Corinne

Dark, raw, and emotionally gripping, Unloved isn’t your typical romance. Peyton Corinne takes us deep into the shadows of trauma, healing, and messy love with characters who are broken, but never beyond repair. It’s the kind of book that punches you in the chest, then gently stitches you back together.

If you like your love stories with edge, grit, and a whole lot of heartache, this one will wreck you in the best way. It’s heavy, it’s honest, and it absolutely sticks with you.

📚🖤 Verdict: Beautifully brutal and hauntingly tender. Read with tissues and a strong heart.

Once again, Peyton Corrine delivers another heartbreakingly beautiful book!

After reading UNSTEADY, I should’ve known that its sequel, UNLOVED, would be just as if not more emotional than the first book was.

This book tackles so many hard topics and navigates them so beautifully and heartbreakingly.

I laughed, I cried. There were moments when I rejoiced and moments when I wanted to slap some characters. Ok many moments when I wanted to slap a few certain characters.

I knew I would love him from meeting him in the first book, but Matty ended up being way more than I ever thought. Ro was so right. It was so easy to fall in love with him.

I was rooting for these two since book 1 before I even really knew their issues. I wanted them to both stand up to their bullies and grow closer together.

Their journey through love, healing, forgiveness, heartbreak, trauma, grief - all of it was so beautifully depicted by Corrine’s storytelling. I was captivated from the very first page.

I loved this sequel just as much as I loved the first book! I cannot wait for book 3 with Reiner! I have a feeling that one will break my heart just as much as these first two have.

This was a good sequel to the first book in the series. I loved seeing more backstory of these 2 side characters from the original book, and it was fun seeing mentions of Rhys and Sadie. There was good semi-slow burn chemistry between these two and I liked to see the ways they challenged each other to grow. Warning to readers that both of these characters had backstories dealing with emotional and verbal abuse.

I really wanted to like this but I just didn't feel like I was the best fit for this book. The NA vibes are great and there's great representation inside, but I didn't feel connected to the story or the characters. I do think this is a me thing though, since so many of my book besties ADORE this series.

Thank you so much to Atria Books for my ARC.

3/5

I really liked Unsteady so I was looking forward to this book. I was NOT disappointed. Loved Freddy and Ro individually and together. This story took me through all the feels and I loved it.

“I think falling in love with you is the easiest thing I’ve ever done.”

Ro and Matty were absolutely adorable. The support and devotion they shared for one another from the very beginning was so heart warming and had me hooked.

It’s so refreshing to read books with characters that are more vulnerable and different than what they present to the rest of the world.

Peyton’s story telling subverts what you’d typically expect from a contemporary hockey romance books. It’s unique in the fact that the characters are truly authentic, they live through and embrace their struggles. Peyton makes her characters strong as individuals and strong as a pair which I really value as a reader.

I couldn't be happier that I recieved this arc. It was such an honor. I absolutely loved the first book in the series, and somehow I even loved this one more! Matty and Ro were the absolute cutest, and I found nothing bad to point in this book. Their communication was on point, and that's something that lacks in so many romances but not this one. I also liked the ADHD/mental health representation in this book, with Matty struggling but definitely making his way through, which proves such a beautiful point.
I can't recommend this book enough!

Was this book a little trope heavy and predictable? Sure. But was it also emotional and enjoyable? Yes. I loved both characters and watching them grow together and separately. This serious has always had heavy and strong influences in the background that it sheds light on which I think is important and they do so in a way that feels powerful and enlightening and encouraging not diminishing or making light of these issues. I loved the romance I love the emotion I loved the journey and the growth and the hockey. Overall just a very good book that I would recommend especially if you loved the first book in this series.

Ro Shariff, a hopeless romantic and biology tutor and Matt “Freddy” Fredderic, a hockey star with ADHD, dyslexia, and a reputation he’s trying to outrun.

As they navigate tutoring sessions, late-night confessions, and the ghosts of past trauma, their friendship deepens into something more. But both are haunted by insecurities and past heartbreaks.

Thank you to NetGalley and Atria Books for this wonderful ARC!