Scars of Anatomy is a classic playboy jock x shy nerdy girl trope with a twist. The twist being that the story is told from the POV of the jock MMC (you get a few select chapters in the FMC’s POV after the epilogue). I’ll admit to being very intrigued by the idea of a book told from the MMC’s POV and was excited when I received the ARC.

This was a debut novel from the author, and there were some parts about the book that really worked. The framework was there for something great, but it just felt like something was missing. I struggled to get into the book and honestly found myself skim reading some sections. Most of the conversations and dialogue feel very basic. Think: “Hello, how are you?” “I am fine, thank you for asking. How are you?” This does get better as the story progresses. Or maybe I just got used to it?

While the plot and characters do deal with some serious life issues (traumatic childhood, foster care, parental drug abuse, physical abuse) the overall tone is very surface level. Because of this, I didn’t feel truly connected to the characters.

The romance was….difficult for me. The MMC spends at least the first 1/3 of the book regularly hooking up with girls who are not the FMC. That’s a personal ick for me. I wouldn’t call the relationship a slow burn necessarily. Bronx is almost insta-love into Olivia the moment he meets her (but not insta-love enough to stop sleeping around) but they don’t get together as a couple until late in the book.

Olivia felt very closed off and flat. Her main character traits were being pretty, shy, and smart. Again, everything here is very surface level. By the end I was more interested in their relationship, but it was a struggle to get there.

Overall, there was a lot of potential here, but it just fell short.

Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

First, I want to thank NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to review this book. Unfortunately, this one was a DNF for me. There was a scene with a football injury during practice and the coach had the starting QB drive the injured wide receiver to the hospital to get checked out. No trainers or even just a coach that could have taken him. Other small things that piled up and took me out of the story. Also, there is a character that for some reason always forgets they have a test/exam, crams as much as possible in two minutes and then is bummed because they think they did terrible.
Could be a nice easy read for someone else though. Seems low angst and is told from the male POV which was a nice change of pace

What a refreshing romance read! Alfrine sets a great pace and we become emotionally invested in Bronx and Olivia. The fact that we only are exposed to Bronx's POV is awesome! I kept waiting to hear Olivia's POV but after a couple of chapters, it was nice to be able to lean into Bronx. Alfrine does a fantastic job of having the reader feeling satisfied; the novel ends with no loose ends and we dive into places that most romance novels tend to shy away from. I absolutely love how everything was tied up nicely (no wasted time or details).I really enjoyed this book and look forward to more work from Alfrine.

Thank you to Nicole Alfrine, NetGalley, and Wattpad Webtoon Book group for this ARC in exchange for my honest review!

⭐️⭐️⭐️
This is a story of two senior college students with a few classes in common that end up being anatomy lab partners. The story is told from our MMC Bronx’s POV. This is a very different choice, I don’t think I have read very many romance novels that are solely told from the male’s POV. Bronx is a college football player aspiring to be drafted to the NFL. His lab partner, Olivia, is a quiet and reserved pre-med student focused on her academics. Over the course of the semester they discover their similarities and grow close.

This is this author’s debut novel and such an accomplishment! I felt the story stalled between 30%-70% and was very repetitive. It seemed like it was trying to be a slow burn but it came off to the reader that nothing was on fire or heating up. I would’ve loved more of a glance of Olivia’s feelings throughout— she seemed very indifferent and not caring if her friendship with Bronx bloomed or fizzled. I loved the connections at the end of the story and felt it gave it even more of an emotional touch. Overall it was an enjoyable read once I was about 70% into the story. I really had to force myself to continue through the middle of the book. I think this is a great start for a debut novel and I’m excited to see what’s next from this author!

Sweet love story between the MCs but felt rushed but slow - if that makes sense? It started off with some semi romance scenes then went 60% into the book for the MMC to kiss the FMC

Thank you SO much to W by Wattpad Books for the advance copy!

Everyone. I ate this book up so badly! Whenever I wasn't reading it, I was thinking about it. And then when I was done, I was very sad.
And even then my brain kept coming back to what Bronx and Olivia are doing. More importantly was this the chapter that they were going to kiss!

I had browse some reviews before reading so I did know that the book was going to be told from the male point of view. It's not often that a romance is told purely from the MMC view but I have read one other before. And I think that is why I loved the book so much! I often am wondering what is going on in the male's mind but honestly there was only a few times where I wish we got Olivia's point of view.

Bronx. Oh my baby boy Bronx. The way the author wrote his character just made me fall over him. He was a little rough around the edges and did not have the best reputation when it comes to the ladies. One thing I will comment on different books is when they talk about a character being a playboy but we never see SO when we actually get to see it on page, it makes me happy. And in this we did got to see Bronx have those hook ups though I will say the one made me mad and I think I said to myself BRONX WHAT ARE YOU DOING.

This is a slow but I love how the relationship with Olivia grew throughout the book. Their first kiss was SWOOOOONYYY! Even though I had to wait for it to happen, the moment was perfect timing. I love their flirty banter (okay mostly on Bronx’s part) and how he just tried so hard to be a better person for her. I love how they both were able to open up to one another and how he felt like he could really trust her as he never really opened up to any one else before.

There are other things that happened in the book that I don’t want to spoil. But I was glad that Bronx was there for Olivia and was protective of her. There was a big moment in the last quarter where an incident occurred that just made me so upset for the couple.

I am so happy I read this and I really enjoyed!!!
I recommend this book if you are wanting to read a book from a male POV, like a playboy turn reform, football player x tutor in an college setting.
PS - I was fortunate enough to get the physical copy of the book and we are getting a Delilah book!!! As much as I love reading a book from the male point of view, I think Delilah's POV will be a lot of fun though!

PSS – Also in the book there was a QR code for an extra epilogue from Olivia’s point of view which was absolutely lovely!

Thank you, NetGalley, for providing me with a copy of this ebook for an honest review!

I am sorry to say that this book was a massive flop for me. I ended up DNFing it at 40%. This book could have used more story editing, mainly in the dialogue and character development. Bronx comes across as an extremely unrepentant jerk who has zero self-awareness, and Olivia should run as far away from him as possible. It feels like 90% of his interactions are the same conversations, repeating on a loop (that is when he isn't having sex with random girls).

Olivia is an extremely underdeveloped character who comes across as a perfect angel but with a traumatic past that clearly has something to do with her heart and future goals.

I felt like I was reading an entirely unedited Wattpad book, and it was frustrating and disappointing. I couldn't finish it. I am so sorry! With some more story editing, it could be better! But at 40%, with no real character growth, I couldn't force myself to finish it.

I usually don't post such low reviews anywhere else so I likely won't be sharing this anywhere.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ / 5 stars

Scars of Anatomy by Nicole Alfrine is a swoon-worthy, heartfelt debut that delivers the perfect blend of grit, growth, and chemistry. If you’re a fan of Icebreaker-style sports romance mixed with the intellectual sparks of an Ali Hazelwood heroine, this one is your next obsession.

Bronx Miller is the classic quarterback heartthrob with a reputation—but underneath the swagger is someone quietly searching for meaning beyond the field. Enter Olivia McCausland: pre-med, reserved, and refreshingly uninterested in his charm. Their pairing in anatomy lab is the beginning of a connection that’s genuine, slow-burning, and deeply satisfying to watch unfold.

From snarky academic bets to vulnerable late-night study sessions, the tension builds beautifully. What really makes this story stand out, though, is its emotional core—both characters are carrying invisible scars, and watching them peel back their layers for one another feels raw, real, and ultimately hopeful.

Highlights:

Smart banter and academic rivals-to-lovers energy

Meaningful character growth, especially Bronx’s emotional arc

Olivia’s strength and quiet resilience

Spicy scenes balanced with real vulnerability

A strong message that our pasts don’t define us—our choices do

Scars of Anatomy is equal parts sweet and spicy, fun and profound. Nicole Alfrine nails the balance between romance and realism in this compelling opposites-attract love story. Add this to your TBR immediately—you’ll be rooting for Bronx and Olivia long after the final page.

Thank you so much to Wattpad Books and NetGalley for this eARC!
I was very excited by the premise of this story & intrigued by it being solely through the male’s POV. However, I think after reading it I prefer a dual POV or even just the FMC. Olivia was so shy & timid that I could never fully figure out where she stood on things & I would’ve loved insight on her emotions. Especially after reading about her back story.
This book moved really slow for me. I love a slow burn, but it felt very repetitive. The last 20% held my interest, but it was like BAM BAM BAM & all these twists & connections all at once. I think if some of those trials or situations were placed throughout the story, it would’ve held my focus the whole time.
I also found a lot of the dialogue to be more high school/YA than college students. There were a lot of stereotypes being enforced & things that were said that made it feel a bit juvenile.
I think the premise was really cute, but it just wasn’t the right story for me!

i thought this was a really good read bronx was a little rough around the edges but softened for olivia 🥹

Thank you to NetGalley and Wattpad for the ARC! Rating: 3.5/5 stars

What I liked about this book: I have never read a romance book that only gives us the male POV. It was interesting! I enjoyed getting to hear from Bronx and his thoughts. I liked that the chapters all had names, but the second chapter is called Olivia, and I immediately assumed it was her POV. I was incorrect. I liked the blossoming relationship between Bronx and Olivia happened over a semester and that they started out as friends. I loved at the end of the book, you really understand the title of the book.

What fell flat for me: Quinton SUCKED SO HARD. I hated that Olivia just let him walk all over her because she was trying to be kind. No thanks! The Adrianna and Bronx relationship was super toxic, and I understand it's used as a way to show how Bronx changes throughout the book, but holy crap was I sick of that woman. I hated that we only learned Olivia's backstory 95% through the book. It feels like the author could've done more giving more snippets into her life. I understand why she waited so long with certain things about Olivia, but it felt like Bronx didn't really care to know her on a deeper level. It's also interesting the hard right he turned when meeting Olivia. Going from "no one will date me or come into my room," to "come to my room, I want to be your boyfriend," felt too easy. It didn't feel earned, if that makes sense?

pretty fun book, although the first chapter got me a bit surprised because the chapter was titled the name of the female protagonist, so I assumed it would be one of the POV switching deals, and it took me almost the entire chapter to realize that this was the MMC, not the FMC. 4 stars. tysm for the arc.

Thank you Netgalley & Wattpad for the opportunity to read an ARC copy.

First, I was blown away to see that this was from a male’s pov! I truly enjoyed how this book kicked off and I was immersed in what the male character saw and felt. I went into this book not knowing what to expect and ended up completely charmed. Our hero is a football player with a soft side, and he falls hard for a brilliant science-loving nerdy chick. Their connection felt genuine and heartfelt, and I was totally invested in watching it grow.

The female lead is quiet but strong, the kind of character you can cheer for and instantly want as a friend. And the side characters? Not just background noise. They added depth to the story and made the world feel rich and real. The pacing was perfect!

If you love slow burns, great character development, you need to pick this one up. I absolutely adored it and highly recommend! The wattpad stories never seem to disappoint!

Bronx has never felt the need to commit to one girl. He's always been very clear that all he wants is one night with them. That is until he's paired with Olivia in anatomy class. She makes him feel more than he has before and realise that maybe he does want something more. They grow closer as friends but can't seem to take the next step as there's always something or someone pulling them apart.

This was a really easy read told entirely from the MMC's POV. It was interesting to read from this POV as most books are dual or FMC focused. I enjoyed seeing Bronx's growth despite all the issues he had from childhood. This book was not as spicy as I expected (there's only one open door scene) and the majority of the book was building their friendship rather than romantic relationship. It was extremely slow burn but seeing them together in the end was worth it.

I want to start this review by thanking Wattpad Books and NetGalley for allowing me to read an eARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Unfortunately, this particular book did not end up being for me. I was so excited to read a book, for once, all in the POV of the MMC, which is something you do not see very often. This MMC, though, is where the problems started for me with this book.

I disliked Bronx from basically the very beginning, and that never really changed for me, which made it very hard for me to get through the book. I also felt that the other main characters in this book lacked character development. I felt like we never really got to know Olivia much more than when she first introduced herself. I think this book was just very surface-level with its relationships, and I wanted more from it.

That being said, if you are a fan of an inta-love between the football star and the med student, that is a slow burn that never really catches fire, you will enjoy this book.

Such a refreshing book! The story follows a budding relationship between Bronx and Olivia who meet in college when they are paired together as lab partners. Bronx is the typical football star/player but with a unique childhood, as he grew up not knowing his father and with a mother with a drug/alcohol problem. Bronx is in and out of foster care as a result of his mother's bad parenting and football saves his life by giving him something to live for and calms his anger. Olivia is his polar opposite. She's an amazing student with dreams of becoming a cardio surgeon, she is focused on her dream and doesn't fall in to college temptations. Her family is the kind of family Bronx has dreamed about. Bronx and Olivia start to open up to each other because of sharing so much time together in their Senior year of college.

This story was wonderfully written and written from the male MC point of view, which made the story unique to me. There aren't a whole lot of romances that are strictly written from the male MC POV. I found this aspect super intriguing and very delightful.

Okay so this book was a first for me- we get the MMC’s point of view! I thoroughly enjoyed the fresh approach.
“ if there’s one thing on this campus everyone knows, it’s that Bronx Miller doesn’t date,” states football player Bronx about himself. Enter gorgeous and brilliant lab partner Olivia. This book has some great dialogue, plot twists!! and overall good time. Recommend for fans of sports romances and romance in general, pick this up later this summer!!

Scars of Anatomy by Nicole Alfrine

I found the story and plot of Scars of Anatomy interesting, but the execution didn’t quite work for me. The female lead frustrated me, she allowed a guy to stay in her life despite his clearly passive-aggressive behavior. I struggled to relate to her because I kept wishing she would just stand up for herself and tell him to back off. Characters who tolerate toxic behavior without setting boundaries can be hard for me to connect with.

The story is told primarily from Bronx’s point of view. It follows the familiar trope of a jock falling for a reserved, nerdy girl who hasn't really lived life yet. It’s a decent story, but it didn’t bring anything particularly new or memorable to the table for me.

Thank you to NetGalley and Wattpad WEBTOON Book Group for the eARC.

P.s the formatting was so weird on my kindle. Is that normal?

I had high hopes for this. I love a good sports romance but this one was just too cringe for me. The repeated use of the word “giggle” is a big pet peeve of mine, and always makes the romance feel childish and gives me a little secondhand embarrassment. I get the whole tutoring thing is supposed to be the point, but for the first 25% of the book, the MMC doesn’t even try, literally skipping classes because he’s recovering from partying. I DNF at about 30% because I couldn’t get through it. I don’t like my books to feel like a chore. Sorry.

4⭐️
1🌶️

What I loved:
-The POV! This was the first book I’ve read that is fully the MMC POV and I enjoyed it.
-I loved Bronx’s humor and the banter, I felt it was all very fitting to his character. I also liked that Bronx wasn’t perfect and had to work to be better.
-I loved how much I disliked the “villain” characters. I felt that was great writing to make me dislike them so much! Sometimes I was so irritated by them, I felt like I was in the book with them lol
-The twists and turns! There was some I expected, but quite a few I had no clue about! I was captivated in the second half.
-I enjoyed the writing style and I loved the dialogue-to-storytelling balance.

What I didn’t love:
-The only time I got confused about the POV was the second chapter because it’s titled Olivia.
-The first half was somewhat repetitive with the classes, however, I did think this was realistic & needed for Bronx’s and Olivia’s relationship to grow.
-I expected this book to be spicy per the description “sweet and spicy”. It has 1 open door scene (which I did enjoy). I’d say aside from that scene, it’s more steamy than spicy.