I was a little wary of diving into Unloved. I enjoyed Unsteady SO much, it was in my top 5 reads of 2024. So I'm always nervous about a follow up. I was also not sure how I felt about the first meeting and scenario set up for Ro and Freddy. But I pushed through and I am so glad I did.

I was drawn into their friendship and eventual romance very deeply. My soul ached for them and their insecurities. Freddie, who is worried he's only wanted for his body and a "good time". Ro, who is constantly belittled and degraded by her partner which leads to low self esteem and self worth. I was broken for them at different points.

When they begin to spend time together, Ro tutors Freddie and helps with his learning disabilities, they find a kinship and connection that is so pure and beautiful. It takes a lot of time and heartbreak to get on the same page, but it makes the HEA so much sweeter.

There was also an added treat to see a different side to the romance between Sadie and Rhys, from their two friends. As a lover of Unsteady, I enjoyed that a lot.

Did i finish this book, or did this book finish me?

QUICK THOUGHTS:

This book is the epitome of “to be seen is to be loved”. In my opinion, it was perfect in every way. The writing, the characters, the plot. Everything. It slightly reminded me of Taming 7 by Chloe Walsh, so if you liked that, you’d probably love this. The depth of the characters made them feel real to me, and I sobbed like a baby throughout the entire middle/end. HIGHLY RECOMMEND.

FULL THOUGHTS:

The characters in this book felt so real to me. What they both have gone through is very realistic sadly. But, they are both strong and overcome their obstacles. What I found refreshing about this book compared to other romance books is their chemistry wasn’t based solely on lust. They have been attracted to each other since they met, but they truly formed a meaningful friendship first, which then led to an emotionally and physically intimate relationship. The length of this book is longer than a typical contemporary romance, but I almost wish it was longer. The romance felt like a very well done slow burn. I would have happily read 100 more pages of this book.

THIS NEXT PARAGRAPH MIGHT BE CONSIDERED MINORLY SPOILERY SO PROCEED WITH CAUTION

I felt like Freddy had the most character growth throughout this story. He has an abusive relationship with his father, and his mother passed away which traumatized him as well. Seeing him and people close to him stand up to his father was so important to his growth. Another thing that I loved that was important to his growth was reuniting with Archer. He cut out Archer after his mother passed, which consequently cut him off to the only other person who truly loved his mother. Their reunion and their close relationship shown in the epilogue really was beautiful. Don’t even get me started on the name Freddy and Ro chose for their daughter: Elsie Rose Shariff!!! I sobbed.

I DEFINITELY recommend this book. It has emotion, it has humor, it has hockey, and it has spice! Unloved comes out so soon, FEBRUARY 4, 2025.

Thank you to Atria and NetGalley for the free eARC

This book and I were a match made in heaven! I hadn’t read Unsteady, but I was inspired to request this ARC because of one of Peyton Corrine’s insta posts. Every character beat and plot point that came up was exactly what I would have dreamed up for my ideal version of this book. The banter and chemistry were pitch perfect and I’m picky when it comes to banter.

This book develops at a fairly medium pace, and while it could have been edited down a bit, I enjoyed getting extra time with the characters and seeing their relationship develop naturally. I wasn’t attached to the couple from Unsteady (who do feature fairly prominently in the background of this book), but I was won over by them very quickly and am already curious who the next couple in the series will be.

There were a couple of tiny things that would usually annoy me in books, that weren’t really an issue due to how well they were handled in this book. I thought Ro needed to stand up for herself more, but as that was one of the main themes of the book, I didn’t mind getting to see her slowly come to that conclusion herself. I was taking notes while reading and I wrote “girl, stand up” multiple times, but that made it all the more rewarding when she finally did. Also, there were a lot of cutesy nicknames and song references, so if either of those are dealbreakers for you, keep that in mind, though they didn’t end up bothering me. And finally, every college hockey romance has inaccuracies about how the draft works, and Unloved is no different.

I loved this book so much and part of the reason why is that it deals with some real world problems particularly realistically. So I would definitely advise looking into trigger warnings if that is something you are worried about.

All in all, this is a beautiful romance novel that brilliantly explores self worth and confidence, while not tying those things to being in a relationship. Ro and Freddy help each other as friends and grow and support each other, while also developing a beautiful romance.

Thank you to Atria Books and NetGalley for my digital copy in exchange for my honest review.

thank you to atria books publishing & netgalley for a copy of this arc 💕

4/5 🌟

this is probably one of the most romantic books i’ve ever read. this is definitely for the ryan shay girlies! i loved that this was slowburn and we really get to see them develop a friendship before anything else. there was quite a few things that i wished were given a deeper dive and the resolutions for certain situations would’ve been more satisfying had there been more consequences. i do also feel like this book was very repetitive but i understand why that is. this book just feels very raw and real. i do recommend reading unsteady before reading this one because i regret not doing that. i just didn’t realize this was same timeline different pov type series 😭
anyways loved so many quotes out of this and i really recommend!!

Still liked this one, but sadly didn't love it or feel crazy invested. Freddy & Ro's relationship kind of starts with a power imbalance (in multiple ways) and it was just a little hard for me to get over that hump. That being said, I do think the more triggering and heavier topics that this book has were handled incredibly well

Thank you NetGalley & Atria Books for sending me an arc in exchange for an honest review <3

I have a feeling this is going to be one of my favorite reads of the year.

Ro is so careful, and carefuls herself into a relationship with a complete twatface. He dangles her on a string, makes her doubt herself, and shames her for expressing wants and needs. She's trying to break out of that, but the wrecking is so real, and part of her character arc is realizing this was toxic and abusive, and she deserves better.

Enter Matt "Freddy" Fredderic. Hockey playboy, but who leans into it for less about his own needs and more because it's positive attention, something he desperately craves. On the outside he's all smiles and swagger, but Freddy is so, so broken and in more ways than we realize until more about his past, and reasons for becoming a playboy, are revealed.

While the attraction is always there, the friendship and respect between Ro and Freddy is also really important. It makes it slow burnish in terms of the physical, even if the tension and the emotions are there a lot earlier. I'd say we get 2/3 in before things cross the line. Still, they feel so grounded in the desire to support one another, and never take away from the way they make one another feel seen for who they are, and I appreciated that caution.

This book made me cry, which automatically earns 5 stars from me most of the time, but even if it hadn't - this is a five star book. Great writing, really well developed characters with motivations and desires, and growth from them both that feels real, not like miracle fixes.

I really enjoyed this book. I found the main character’s to be very relatable. I also found that the “bad guys“ in this book were very much hateable characters. I found myself reading the book and thinking of my own experience’s that I’ve been through that were similar to either of the main characters. Which I like to be able to see parts of myself in main character, so that was a huge plus for me.

This is the second book in this series and was just as wonderful as the first. Peyton's writing is beautiful and genuine, creating a true connection between the characters and the characters and the reader. Matt and Ro are darling and perfect for each other, and I loved every page of their story. The growth and support they gave to each other made me kick my feet is happiness. Cannot wait for more from this series and Peyton.

Overall: 4.5 ⭐️

Phew, cue the tears 😭
I instantly gravitated towards Ro in Unsteady. She was such a kind soul and never expected anything in return. But after reading more about Freddy I fell in love with his character too. This book showed such a raw side to grief and relationships. The amount of times I just wanted to go through the pages and just give Freddy and Ro a hug. The way they healed each other and their hea was just everything! Now I just need Bennett’s and Kane’s books 😩

4.5🌟
Peyton Corinne does it again! Since I read Unsteady in 2023, I have always been interested in Freddy and Ro's relationship. This was tutor x hockey player done right and I absolutely ate it up! Peyton is the queen of writing angsty romances filled with love and depth.

Ro's situation made my heart hurt. Toxic relationships really take a toll, and it was evident in Ro and how she behaved and thought about things. She was so lover girl coded and I just wanted to give her such a big hug! She was so smart, sweet, independent, and pure. She just wanted to be seen, something that I heavily related to. She truly deserved the love and effort that Freddy gave to her and I loved seeing her grow into herself throughout the book.

OH MATTYYYY. I really love this man. I loveeee seeing the "playboy" character have layers upon layers that make you YEARN for them by the end! Seeing the way his learning disabilities were mishandled in this book really enraged me as a future educator. This man was truly going through it in more ways than this one, but yet still put on a mask for those around him. He held so much inside, and I thought it was beautiful the way that he was able to finally be vulnerable with Ro.

Ro and Freddy are two complex but beautiful characters. They both learned how to be comfortable in their own skin, advocate and stand up for themselves, and accept that they are loved by many. Seeing their relationship grow from platonic to romantic was done so well! This book was truly about personal growth, love, acceptance, and trust. Being able to witness how they finally felt at peace with one another was beautiful. These two are my babies and need to be protected at all costs!!! I can't wait to see the future of this series (Bennet and Kane I'm waiting for you!!).

I was rooting for this couple since the first book. So imagine how over the moon I was when I found out the second book was their story. And MMMAAANNN did it not disappoint. I love Freddy and Ro with my whole heart. Their story was so beautiful, and raw, and captivating. The way they lean on each other and their friendship was just one of the sweetest things in this book. I didn’t think I could love unloved more than unsteady but they were both so good and made me really remember why I love reading hockey romances so much. I’m so thankful I was able to read this as an Arc from netgalley and I cannot wait to be able to have the physical copy on my shelves!

3 ⭐️
4 🌶️

I suggest looking up trigger warnings before reading, definitely not one to go in blind which is essentially what I did. I struggled reading through some moments because of my own experiences but overall enjoyed the novel.

The sequel in The Undone series tackles a number of difficult topics. To name some; emotional abuse, mental abuse, grief over a parent, narcissistic parent, etc. There is great representation for those that struggle with anxiety, dyslexia, dyscalculia, and ADHD.

The relationship between Ro and Matt is one of mutual pining, trust, but most importantly, emotional growth. They are the epitome of strangers to friends to lovers and it’s so sweet to witness the journey. They help each other through a multitude of struggles and display nothing but patience, kindness, and support to each other during these difficult moments. It really was quite beautiful how they embraced each other’s “faults” and adjusted to accommodate and assist in the healing.

Thank you to NetGalley and Atria Books for the eARC copy of Unloved in exchange for my honest review.

Thank you Peyton and netgalley for the e-arc
Hello world, cuz o think I have just fallen in love with the peyton-verse.
This book is my first read of 2025, and it’s already this goood. I don’t know and don’t think any other book is gonna top this ( and by far the best book I’ve read so farrrrrr)
Roy and Matty are the definite saying of “ going through thick and thin” type of love. The description of their love is so pure and wholesome. I cried throughout the whole book. This book is not just a romance book with fluffy love, it’s a book that talks about tramas from the past, feelings of not meeting others’ needs, and the path leading to one’s true self.
Honestly, I feel like this book is for all the girlies/ boys out there who’s always chasing to be the “ perfect” model for someone else. We tried to reach for the ultimate star, but are left tired and stranded each time. There is no end goal, only better aims. We somehow lost ourselves throughout the way of meeting other people’s needs. Why chase them? The right people will appreciate you just the way you are, and they will not change you, but embrace you with love and compassion, just like how Rory and matty take care of each other.

Read this if you like
🤍tutor x student
🤍hockey star
🤍past tramas
🤍abusive ex
🤍love at first sight
🤍big love with deep meanings

📗Unloved by Peyton Corrine

⭐️Hockey Player/Tutor
⭐️Spicy
⭐️Emotional Abuse
⭐️Friends to Lovers

This is the first Peyton Corrine book I have read and I will be going back and immediately reading Unsteady and all of her books from here on out! Ro and Matty are two of the sweetest characters who both have so much depth and emotional maturity. Watching them fall in love and help each other heal was addictive! I finished this book so fast, their love was so perfect, even if they weren’t.

Sweet and spicy and as always an intelligent FMC who becomes a strong badass woman, my favorites!! And an emotionally intelligent, sensitive, hot man?? Yes please!

Thank you to NetGalley, Atria Books and Peyton Corinne for this ARC. Be sure to pick up Unloved on February 4! 🏒

Thank you to the publisher for the ARC of this book! Oh my perfect little babies! I was highly anticipating this book because of how much I LOVED unsteady and I was not disappointed. The journeys and growth that both the characters go through is so so beautiful and feels really genuine and real. I literally stayed up and read half of the book immediately. I fell in love with both Ro and Freddy and just want to give them both a hug. They both deserve so much better than what they got. But genuinely I adored this book and cannot wait to see what else this author puts out!

The moment I saw this arc available on netgalley I knew I needed to try for it. I pretty much shed tears when I was approved. I LOVED UNSTEADY. Rhys and Sadie’s story held such weight in my heart, when I saw the news of Freddy and Ro getting a book, I was sold.

A FIVE STAR READ EASILY! THIS BOOK! THE YEARNING! This book is my favorite read of the year so far. I laughed, I cried, I swooned, I KICKED MY FEET! This was a rollercoaster of emotions in the best way. Freddy’s need to be shown he was worth it and Ro’s need to be accepted for who she is. To be seen, feel safe, and feel loved. I don’t usually like friends to lovers much but this might’ve changed my view on the trope entirely. These two souls found each other and complimented one another so fiercely. Gorgeously written and so pure. This was beautiful. Matty rebuilding Ro’s confidence that was torn to shreds by her narcissistic a**hole of an ex and Ro being the fierce protector that showed Matty his worth? CHEF’S KISS. Peyton Corinne, you did it again!

I am so hopeful for a book on Bennett and Toren! It’s a NEED at this point. 😊

🦋 athlete x tutor
🦋 hopeless romantic reader girl
🦋 lover boy
🦋 pathological people pleasers
🦋 YEARNING
🦋 slow burn
🦋 friends to lovers
🦋 soft hesitant lovers
🦋 mental health rep
🦋 learning differences rep

Matty: There are simply not enough words out there to describe my love for this character. My word. I’ve never wanted to hug a character so much before. This sweet lover boy… He immediately watched her favorite movie just because? Learned her coffee order after she mentioned it ONCE! Her ex didn’t even know it and he was with her for years?! Keeps a mental list of things that keep a smile on her face. Loved her fashion. Loved that she was irrevocably HERSELF no matter what anyone said to her. Took her to a romance book shop and prepaid for her books. Took her ice skating. Her list of firsts was so important to him too. He is so sweet, caring, and the YEARNING! The second he tied Ro’s hair up with his shoelace I was a goner. *swoons*

“No one, since my mother, has defended me so fiercely. I think I’m in love with her - not even romantically, but on some soul level. I feel devoted to her.”

“In my dreams, I take care of you the way you take care of other people, and you’re relaxed and calm. And before bed, you tell me how easy it is to love me. I’m starting to think I’d give up anything, even hockey, for that life with you.”

With or without the sex. With or without the hockey. She thinks I’m smart and kind and a good person. And as had as it is to admit, she’s the first one to really see me like that.

Rosalie: She was the sweetest thing ever and just what Matty needed. Sweet, pure, kind, protective. The people pleaser she is, the love she holds for everyone close to her it spoke volumes. One of the first female characters in a book that I could really see pieces of myself in her. Such a hopeless romantic and a book girlie complete with hairbows and butterfly clips. Her dedication to Matty’s success 100/10! So darn sweet. Her need to be seen and loved and feel safe and accepted was so raw and real.

“Signed Matty—not Freddy. He’s mine, in that way.”

“I think you’d be really easy to love.”

“I’d lived entire lives, thousands of them, in books. and part of me always imagined what falling in love would feel like”

Ro is a a girl who has always been the good at school and always plays it safe! Matt is your adorable hockey player that all the girls want! They had a moment together at a party two years ago but now flash forward to the present and Ro is Matt’s tutor! The sexual tension they have between them oh my🥵🥵🥵!!! But the compassion is even greater! How protective Ro is over Matt and is learning challenges! Also, Matt seeing how emotionally abusive Tyler (Ro’s on & off Boyfriend) and wanting to protect her is just so heartfelt!

“𝘓𝘰𝘷𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘙𝘰𝘴𝘢𝘭𝘪𝘦 𝘚𝘩𝘢𝘳𝘪𝘧𝘧 𝘸𝘰𝘶𝘭𝘥 𝘣𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘦𝘢𝘴𝘪𝘦𝘴𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘐’𝘷𝘦 𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳 𝘥𝘰𝘯𝘦—𝘐 𝘬𝘯𝘰𝘸, 𝘣𝘦𝘤𝘢𝘶𝘴𝘦 𝘐’𝘮 𝘢𝘭𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘥𝘺 𝘥𝘰𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘪𝘵.“

Unloved by Peyton Corinne is a college romance that centers around hockey left winger Matt Fedderic and barista Rosalie Shariff.

I had high hopes for this because after reading her previous works, I loved her writing and characters, but this book was not for me.

This book felt like being on a roller coaster that never ended. The reason for this is because there was so much back and forth between the characters that was distracting. There’s also the fact that Rosalie, the fmc, did get on my nerves at some points because she could not just make up her mind regarding, Matt, the mmc.

Don’t get me wrong though the tropes in this were all amazing. And there were some wholesome moments that I found myself swooning over.

Overall, this book fell short of my expectations, but if you’re looking for a book with a college setting and a tutor x athlete trope, then this might be for you!

*Thank you to NetGalley, Atria Books, and to the author, Peyton, for providing me with this e-arc in exchange for an honest review.*

All I can say is wow. Peyton Corrine has become one of my new favorite authors. She puts so much thought and real feelings into her characters. I related so much to Ro and what she went through. This book had me laughing and crying and it was just pure gold. If you haven’t read anything by Peyton Corrine yet I highly suggest you do!

I enjoyed this one so much! I don't like to compare books, but this reminded me of another college hockey romance, however this series had a more mature approach and for that I DEVOURED it. Going into it, I didn't read the tropes and didn't realize it was a slow burn, because this was so well written I didn't even mind. The story and the developing relationship between the MCs was so consuming, I wasn't focused on the spice. I am now invested in the series and cannot wait to see what's in store for Bennett and the rest of the team, especially Toren. Would love to see a novella about Archer because I couldn't help but wonder about the relationship between him and Matt's mother.