Well, I was definitely not fully prepared for the emotional sucker punch of this book, but WOW. SO MANY FEELS. This is my first Amanda Woody book, and I am so glad I got the opportunity to read this story. I just wanted to hug Cameron and Mason throughout the whole book, and this one really took me by surprise--but in the best possible way! I would love to see more books featuring these characters!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for letting me read an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review!

Amanda Woody has done it again! She is just such a phenomenal writer. I need to her to write 1000 more books and I will eat up every single one of them.

I read this in a day. I couldn’t put it down!

She does the perfect blend of funny and pull at your heartstrings moments. She hits on such deep topics and seamlessly blends in the relationships and friendships of these characters. Her characters are always so charming and have such personality to them.

I was laughing out loud so many times and then tearing up at other moments.

I won’t get into it because of spoilers, but what we learned throughout the book broke my heart completely and made me sick to my stomach. This was a very heavy read. I would check out trigger warnings before reading if you need to! Woody has a list of trigger warnings before the book which I appreciated! I didn’t need to read it, but for people who do, it is important to have.

It had the perfect pacing. I liked her other book I read a lot, but I mentioned that it was a little slow at the end. This one was great. I was never bored.

I made a LONG playlist for this book, that’s how much I loved it!

I loved them both for different reasons. If I had to choose, I think Cameron was my favorite, but I really do love them equally. They both brought something to the table on their own, but they also were amazing together too! I love how much they were there for each other. Especially Cameron for Mason. He was the perfect person to be there for Mason, and took care of him exactly the way he needed.

My empathy got me so hard with what happened to Cameron. I couldn’t handle it. I wish I could have protected him. What happened to Mason made me so angry and disgusted. Not at Mason but the other person. Mason’s parents made me sick too. I can’t understand how anyone would act that way to their own child. In turn, I loved Cameron’s parents and I loved their relationship with him! It was so sweet to see them interact and love each other like they did.

My only complaint was after everything was done, there was still a little too much defending of a certain character you will know who I am talking about once you read it. I understood why Mason was thinking those things at first, and I get it will be a hard habit to break. It was more so time and place that the author didn’t need to defend this character. There is no excuse for what he did, I don’t care. It is hard to say exactly what I mean without spoiling the book, but I think you will understand once you read it.

I need more of them together. I’m glad we got some moments in the end with them actually being in a relationship, but now I need another book where they are just happy!!

This is a must read novel, one of my favorites of the year!

Listen, I know it is part of showing the characters development, but I found the excessive use of the word b*tch (14 times in 320 pages, around one very 22 pages) and yes, I understand that that is genuinely a way that teenage boys think and act, but my god did it make it hard to support the character. Beyond that, the growth of the characters was nice, however the way the grooming situation was handled could have definitely been different, even a mention of the victim getting therapy would have been something or any justice or any change or growth from his parents, really just anything. The story itself was good, but there were definitely things that would have made it more better, for me personally ofc.

This review will contain some light spoilers.

A.M. Woody clearly has such tenderness for their teen characters. In this quarterback/waterboy romance (which is so much more than that), they build the connection and emotion between the mc’s slowly and believably. As with every book of theirs I’ve read, there is so much lovely vulnerability and caretaking, Cam and Mason showing each other their real fragile precious selves and bravely trusting each other to handle with care.

Cam and Mason have each faced distinct trauma. Through dual pov and smart characterization of their parents, Woody shows us how parental dynamics can be a protective or a risk factor, and how trauma has influenced how each boy views himself/feels perceived by others. Mason has burrowed into a cocoon of isolation created for him by his abuser and fortified by his parents. He doesn’t feel safe or valued anywhere except maybe his favorite coffee shop. Cam, popular jock, has created a mask, a fake personality born out of his unprocessed trauma from bullying. It’s a defense mechanism his loving parents see and accept while gently prodding for glimpses of the real, gentle soul they know is there. And— what I love!— is that Woody expertly sets up the stakes so that Cam has to abandon his fake protective persona in order to help Mason trust and feel safe with him.

Among the many things this book gets right about trauma, there is a perfect depiction of ongoing consent during an intimate scene, showing the volatility and changeability of of emotions during physical intimacy when trauma is at play.

I could have done without the journal elements laying out Mason’s backstory for us. Or, I wish it had been expanded to show us not just the development of his unhealthy relationship but also the evolution of his relationship with his parents. I wanted to understand better how he relates to his mom- is he afraid of her like his dad is? I also felt there was some lazy characterization with Cam’s backstory, unnecessary since the present characterization was excellent. Woody relies on the same three character traits/behaviors repeated over and over as shorthand for what a soft boi he is/was, and I think this is better accomplished with less handholding of the reader.

I will end by saying that, if it’s not clear already, content warnings abound. The parts where we see the effect of Liam’s grooming on Mason are very hard to read. By showing how not alone Cam is compared to Mason (even with his caricature jock act, he has friends/his team and his parents), Woody helps us understand why Mason would’ve believed Liam’s distorted narrative— his parents don’t see him and he’s isolated from friends, so prior to Cam there’s no strong voice providing a counter narrative. It’s really heartbreaking. I want some therapy for this poor baby.

3.5 stars rounded up to 4

Well. Butter my butt and call me a biscuit because this novel is literally everything to me and I’m afraid it’s my new personality. See ya.

Thank you SO much to Penguin Teen for sharing this book with me in advance so I could read and review it.

I’ve been trying to come up with the right words to say and honestly, I don’t have any. I’m at a loss. I loved every single word in this book. I love this author so much. They know JUST how to suck you into a story and have you rooting for two teens who are just trying to get by.

*Please check content warnings and slight mood spoilers below*

The trauma Mason and Cam went through was so well done that it was actually a little unnerving. Like I wanted to hold them both SO close to me and never let them go. They need to be protected.

There are so many lines that are quotable here but when Mason says he wanted a gentle love, reader, I sobbed. When Cam and Mason banter, when Cam and his parents banter, when everyone on the team banters, I laughed and laughed. When Mason and Cam have their moments, I swooned. *Swooned!* When Mason has to deal with *him* I felt chilled to the bone. Safe person….. *cries.*

This book was SO romantic and loving and affirming and thoughtful and I just can’t tell you enough how much you should read it. I preordered my copy already and I’m so ready to mark it up because I related to Mason a little too heavily - not only as someone who was groomed but someone who craves a gentle love and a gentle touch.

Please read this book. And @amwoody_’s other books. Their writing gets better and better. And we are the lucky ones who get to read their words and feel the emotions.

This book is everything and now I’m afraid to start any new books because this is the third book in a row that I have felt so connected to I actually have tears thinking about it.

The cover makes this look like a cute rom com, and to start with I thought hey-ho, here we go with another jock-nerd enemies to lovers via tutoring story.

However this is not a light rom-com at all; Mason was mentally, physically and sexually abused starting at 13 years of age by a manipulative older teenager Liam, who together with Liam and Mason’s parents tried to keep that going for most of the book! It’s not far from the Epstein papers which are all over the news at the moment. Mason’s savior, Cam the jock, had some baggage also, but his was nothing compared to Mason’s.

This was a tough but rewarding read, as I have come to expect from Amanda Woody. I have enjoyed all of her books so far.

Thanks to NetGalley for an ARC.

Cameron Morelli is one of my new favorite characters. What a goofy but wonderful human. Initially, his arrogance is a bit grating, but he has a sort of himbo side to him that is endearing. I really enjoyed the scenes depicting his family, his parents are the exact sort of people you want to be raised by and provide a very stark contrast to Mason’s own family. His character’s motivation, the reason why he pursues football so adamantly, is timely and more important than ever. His character provides much of the warmth in the book and injects the story with a healthy amount of humor.

Woody does a commendable job of balancing their story by not allowing grief to overpower joy, nor allowing joy to detract from the very serious issues that are tackled in Most Valuable Player. Mason’s homelife is incredibly difficult and his backstory contains elements of grooming. Woody handles this storyline with the appropriate sensitivity and explores how this trauma can so thoroughly affect someone. As much as I loved Cam’s parents, I despised Mason’s. I found myself invested in his well-being and hoping for some form of justice and healing for his character. I hope his story reaches those who need to read it.

Woody's writing style is definitely recognisable and good. I loved their previous works and Most Valuable Player was even better in my modest opinion. Fully-fleshed out characters plus hard and deep themes mixed together to form an incredible story.

I enjoyed the story between the two boys, but I found it challenging to fully enjoy it in the first half due to the inconsistent and chaotic writing. While there were moments of well-written passages, the majority of the time, it felt immature. However, around the halfway point, the story takes a significant turn. The main focus shifts to Mason’s trauma, and Cameron’s voice matures as he grapples with his feelings and past self. This shift initially caught me off guard, but it ultimately made up for the shortcomings of the first half.

Despite this, the heartwarming story of the boys forming a friendship and supporting each other through their journey to healing was truly sweet.

One aspect that I wished for more justice was the treatment of the groomer/abuser. Additionally, I felt that there was a lack of closure regarding the parents who, inexplicably, insisted that the abuser remain in Mason’s life. These plot points felt unfinished, leaving me with a sense of unease.

Overall, this was a well-crafted YA story, but it could benefit from some refinement and polishing to enhance its overall impact, especially for a younger audience.

I don't read many ya romances but the cover was just so adorable not to request and I'm glad I did this was seriously one of theeee funniest books I've ever read from page one, the way Mason did not let the hot headed Cameron get away with being snobby I absolutely loved the connection and banter between Cameron and Mason, loved the demisexual representation makes you feel seen we don't get much of that in these books, Cameron might be a typical big headed jock but you can tell there was something deep under all of that, always love adding another couple to my favorite book couples list🥰

I’m so torn on how to rate this book. I was so so excited to get approved for this ARC because I LOVED this authors first book. I will say that this book was decently written, well paced, both main characters were sweet and incredibly likable… the book just didn’t work for me.

Is it wishful thinking that queer YA romances that are meant for younger audiences aren’t so trauma filled in 2025??? I absolutely hated the grooming storyline. When I read the content warning page, I didn’t realize the whole book would literally center around that story. I also thought it was handled poorly… if you’re writing a book centered around grooming that is YA, please don’t have everyone in that characters life telling him to disregard physical and sexual abuse and telling him he could get back together with that guy (HIS LITERAL PARENTS TOLD HIM THIS)!! And also.. what state was this book in because things that were described were ILLEGAL… and I’m pretty sure mason implied he was forced drinks, got blackout drunk, and was then r*ped????? we also got a ton of references to 15/16 yr old mason having sex with said groomer who was 19/20 but, while I knew that was a big fucking issue, it never read as such in the book. And then don’t even get me started on the fiancé of it all….. also by 60%, I wanted to DNF so bad. I ended up skimming any moment that involved Liam the remainder of the book.

And on top of that the other main character, Cameron, had a traumatic past where he was bullied relentlessly for being different. We also never saw resolution with Cameron’s PTSD from being bullied.. I understand opening up to Mason helped him in a lot of ways and returning to who he was showed immense growth, but as far as the reoccurring PTSD responses he had throughout the book to different situations…. We never saw that. I understand these are 17/18 year olds, but was it too much to ask for Cam’s parents to put him in therapy??? Especially when he relived a traumatic moment while on the football field at the beginning of the book that caused him to lash out. He told his dad about it and his dad asked him how often this happens, and Cam shrugged and said basically never, and then his dad never brought it up again. Idk this book just didn’t work for me.


Sometimes I just wonder the purpose of writing certain storylines.. I’m 31 years old and thought this was a rough read.. I pick and choose when I read YA book (see: 31 yrs old) mainly because it’s hard to relate to teenagers today and my patience for the immaturity that comes with youth ended when I left my youth hahaha. But I am thrilled to report the reasons this book didn’t work for me had nothing to do with immaturity, even though early Cam was a bit much, or anything like that and just strictly the grooming storyline/ the way trauma was handled in this book.

I genuinely tried to keep an open mind but it was just sort of a depressing read. But I will say I loved both Cameron and Mason. They were so incredibly sweet to each other and I loved how their relationship grew over time.

As soon as I saw the gorgeous cover, I knew I wanted to read this book so I was super excited when I got the approval. It took me a bit of time to get through just because of life in general, but I really enjoyed all the time that I spent with it.

The big draw here is the two main characters, Cam and Mason. There are a few other characters in the periphery, along with an antagonist, but 99% of the book is just the two of them alone and talking to each other. It works. The growth of their relationship is steady and heartwarming, and their layers being pulled back slowly is a delight to read. Of the two, I do have a preference for Cam and I feel like he got a bit more time spent in his headspace than Mason.

The only reason that it's not a full five star for me is that the conflict of the book is, in my opinion, oddly done. The antagonist and the issues he presents felt a little too after school special or like a Very Special Episode of a sitcom the way it was written.

Anyway, to make a long rant short, I enjoyed the relationship aspect of this book immensely but have a few issues with the way the heavier subject matter is handled. Is it enough for me to tell people to not read the book? No. But it does knock it out of contention for a five star YA read for me.

The way I read and review books, more than amazing writing, intricate plot and unique characters, a perfect book needs to make you feel viciously. Those are the types of books that stick with me and will be remembered even after I most likely forget the entire plot, the emotions I felt will supersede. This is the perfect example.
I knew this book would be heartbreaking, that's kinda the reason I requested an arc of it. This is my type of book, I love a story that breaks your heart and then puts it together again.
This is a ya book but I genuinely think adult readers will feel it much deeper, it left me sobbing way too many times. I just wanted to hug Mason and Cameron and say everything would be okay. While the ending is happy I liked that it wasn't in a fairytale way, there's still doubts and I won't lie I would very much like to see a sequel with them years after, as adults and healing from all the trauma.
I will definitely pick up A. M. Woody's other books because I loved the characters' relationships and as they are (I think?)simpler and happier I would like to just focus on the dynamics. I loved the football team and Cameron's relationship with his parents, give me more of that.
You can bet if the author comes out with another sad and traumatic book I will be first in line to buy it.
Oh, and look up trigger warnings before reading, if you have any, please.

Thank you so much Penguin Random House and Netgalley for the ARC!

I thought that this was a cute novel and enjoyed reading it! Thank you to NetGalley for the early copy! This story follows Cam, the star quarterback that is benched until he can get his grades up, and Mason, the water boy that volunteers to tutor Cam. The only problem is that Mason rejected Cam and now they're forced to work together to get Cam back on the field. As the tutoring session progress and they get to know each other better, Mason starts to rethink his initial rejection while also warring with events from his past.
While this was not my favorite story ever, I think that it was still really cute and an interesting way to tell Cam and Mason's story. I do think that the execution of the story telling was a little confusing and could use some tweaking. The backstories and journal entries were definitely critical to understanding each of their characters, but I feel like they were put in at confusion points and made things feel kind of all over the place. I still had a good time reading this story, I just think it would have been that much better had things been a little further discussed and organized a little better.

When I started Most Valuable Player, I was expecting a typical high school romance. And yes, there is a love story — a sweet and genuine one between Cameron and Mason — but what I found was something much deeper. This book isn’t just about falling in love; it’s about healing, self-discovery, and learning to move forward after trauma.

What I appreciated the most is that the romance, while present and well-written, isn’t the central focus. The heart of the story lies in the personal growth of the characters, especially Cameron. Watching him go through such a believable and emotional journey — from being stuck in others’ expectations to finally seeing his own worth — was truly moving.

The book touches on heavy topics like bullying and toxic relationships with a sensitivity that feels honest but never overwhelming. It manages to talk about these issues in a way that is accessible and meaningful, especially for younger readers, without ever feeling preachy or simplistic.

The characters are realistic and well-developed, with flaws and emotions that make them feel real. I found myself rooting for them from start to finish. The writing is smooth and engaging, and even though the book deals with serious themes, it never loses its readability or emotional warmth.

In the end, Most Valuable Player is a thoughtful, heartfelt YA novel that goes beyond romance to explore what it really means to grow, to heal, and to learn to love yourself. It’s one of those stories that stays with you after the last page, and I wholeheartedly recommend it to anyone who enjoys authentic characters and emotionally rich storytelling.

This was heartbreakingly beautiful. I laughed. I cried. I felt everything between Cameron & Mason. They are compelling on their own but together they bring a whole new dynamic. This story is so important too, especially in a YA setting. I devoured this book in one sitting and have no regrets. Definitely a book everyone should read!

Overall, I really enjoyed this book. It follows the romance of two teens, Cameron and Mason. Cameron is the star quarterback of his high school football team, and Mason is the waterboy. After Mason originally rejects Cameron, they wind up spending more time together. Mason starts tutoring Cameron, as he has been benched from the football team until he brings his grades up. As they start spending more time together, they start to learn more about each other and work through past traumas together.
I really liked the chemistry between them. The romance is sweet, but it also didn't jump straight off the deep end. One of my main concerns when I started reading was a slow start, but I was pleasantly surprised by the pacing; it was very well done. My biggest flaw I found with this book was the characters being relatable, but honestly, for this story, it really wasn't too big an issue. I really liked the character development, as it did start to make them seem more relatable. After I had gotten further into the book and the facades Mason and Cameron had fallen, it wasn't really an issue anymore. I was not expecting all of Mason's baggage, but I felt it was well done without going super in-depth. Watching Cameron help Mason work through his trauma was one of my favorite parts of the book, and it really highlighted what I like about their romance.
The ending is well done and cleanly wraps up all the loose ends that were left. I do wish maybe the ending scene was slightly different, but it's really just my being nitpicky; it works fine. I've read a lot of books, and a lot were queer romances. It was refreshing to see one that was not just a romance, but actually had other story elements implemented in.

I absolutely adored this book. Both main characters are written so well and realistically, and have their own journeys int he narrative through past trauma and growing through it and from it. This is my first book by A.M Woody, and I will definitely read more. The way Mason and Cameron's relationship evolves from disdain to comfort is steady, and I appreciated the healthy communication that develops between them, which isn't always the case in some books.
If I could give this 6 stars I would.

The cover of this is STUNNING. This was overall a solid read. I really enjoyed the characters themselves and them together. When I first started this I thought this was gonna be a 5 star for me but as it went on i felt the writing style got away from me. Spoiler: I feel that the grooming situation was wrapped up a little too nice. I feel that there should have been more with mason and his mom and how her actions impacted him and the situation.

It's a romance between the quarterback and the waterboy - neither of whom are really what they seem at the beginning of the book. Both have serious amounts of trauma to deal with, which makes getting together harder. The book was intense (definitely not a happy/easy read, although things do end up in a good place for both of them).

I thought the trauma was handled well (everything can't be solved in just a few months, but they were on their way). I've read some of the other reviews, which seem to dislike that the characters were acting childish one minute, and overly mature the next. I don't see this as a flaw - these guys are 17/18-year-old high school seniors - in a way they ARE still children , just setting foot into the adult world. There will be times when they act childish, and times when they act like adults.

I found the book extremely interesting and hard to put down.