This was a really sweet romance novella! I really enjoyed seeing Cassidy’s journey of struggling with the publicity of her sex scandal to learning to accept herself and embrace the future instead of working herself to the bone and ignoring everything.
I loved seeing her reconnect with her old friend and seeing her find purpose in helping set up her new store, as well as the two of them finding comfort in opening up to each other.
I adored Leon, our love interest, who was always the cool kid, but struggled with motivation and deadlines and never felt like he was able to try for fear of not being good enough. Leon and Cassidy struggle to move past their perceptions of each other from high school, but it was really fun to see them let their walls down and just enjoy spending time together.

Novellas are super tricky but I loved this one. From the start, I was drawn in and felt the chemistry. Swoony but real, this was a great romance!

My first taste of Alexandra Romanoff's writing & she definitely has made me want to read more!

Cassidy and Leon are high school rivals who meet again over 10 years later when Cassidy returns to her hometown in California for a somewhat forced sabbatical. Cassidy is dealing with longterm trauma and fall out from a public scandal that happened years earlier. Leon is learning to manage his perfectionism (or lack thereof) and how he views himself.

Somehow in the span of a little over 200 pages, Romanoff has managed to make me feel all of the emotions. I felt a connection to these characters so quickly. And moreover, I felt the connection between them very quickly. Their story is beautiful and tension filled. My only complaint is that there wasn't more of it!

Thank you to the author, 831 Stories, and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

A video review will be posted on my TikTok @alireadsanywhere before the release date!

Cassidy is recovering from a scandal with a politician when she moves back home to try to recover and figure out her next steps. She reconnects with her best friend from high school, Willa, and her nemesis, Leon. Leon helps Cassidy open up and really figure out what is important to her. This quick, spicy romance was such a good read and I feel like we really got to know Cassidy and Leon even with it being on the shorter side.

thank you so much to netgalley and 831 stories for providing me an eARC in exchange for an honest review!
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after a headlining scandal, cassidy has worked for an anti-bullying nonprofit in DC. she comes to the conclusion she needs a bit of a break, and heads back to her hometown. she meets up with her high school enemy, and what follows is quite out of character for them. cassidy doesn't plan for it to turn into more, but when she needs to help her friend open her ceramics studio, she crosses paths with leon once again.

this was my first read from 831 stories, and I am definitely excited to read more! admittedly, i have not read the first book of this series, but i do think it's fine as a stand-alone, i didn't really feel like i was missing much. romanoff's writing is wonderful, and gives the book a bit of a literary-type romance vibe.
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trigger warnings:
-misogyny
-panic attacks

✨ The Vibes ✨
A look into the life of a rom com’s “other” woman

📖 Read if…
✨ You want a story that will change your perspective of a character
✨ You’re a sucker for the return-to-your-hometown trope
✨Big Fan is your favorite book from 831 Stories (duh)

Alexandra Romanoff’s Big Fan is one of my favorite romances of the year, so I was thrilled to see it was becoming *gasp* a series! I was even more excited to see that it would focus on Cassidy, the young woman who had an affair with Big Fan MC Maya’s husband.

It’s an interesting set-up, as it would be really easy to consider Cassidy as a villain. But even in Big Fan Romanoff wrote Cassidy with such empathy that the villain role never made sense for her. And that streak continues in Square Waves, following Cassidy as she returns home to the Bay Area a few years post-scandal and must deal with the fallout and navigate a budding romance with a high school rival, all while trying to figure out who she is. Easy, right?

I loved this story just as much as I loved Big Fan, just in a different way. If Big Fan was the Scandal x One Direction fanfic of my dreams, Square Waves feels like its more grounded and realistic cousin. Even if you haven’t engaged in an extramarital affair with a political operative, Cassidy’s story of figuring out who you are and what matters most to you is an incredibly relatable one that I think anyone who’s experienced young adulthood will find connection with Cassidy and her journey. And of course, the romance and banter is top tier.

If you’re looking for some quick romances to read by the pool or at the beach this summer, make sure to throw Square Waves (and Big Fan if you haven’t read it) in your bag. You won’t regret it!

Square Waves hits shelves June 24. Big thanks to 831 Stories and NetGalley in the eARC in exchange for an honest review.

Square Waves was such a delight to read. I loved jumping back into the Big Fan universe and following Cassidy's story, as well as the impact of the affair. And of course, there was an enemies-to-lovers trope which always has me sold!! The dynamic between Cassidy and Leon was electric and fiery, as they reconciled their high school pasts with one another. While I wished we had a more drawn-out enemy phase of their relationship, I do feel that the pace of their relationship was not rushed. We got to know each of the characters and watch their love for each other grow. I loved the little moments between them, especially when they drove out to the beach! Such an enjoyable read, I wish it were longer!

Thank you so much to 831 Stories and NetGalley for a review copy in exchange for an honest review!

I loved the first 831 novel, also authored by Alexandra Romanoff and was thrilled to see an adjacent novel written by her, this time featuring Cassidy, the young intern who had an affair with Maya’s husband in Big Fan. For Cassidy, it’s six years later and she’s a floundering late 20 something, still in DC and unsure what she wants to do with her life but feeling like she needs a change from her current job, a nonprofit focused on cyber bullying. It’s a lot on her day-to-day especially when she thinks about her own experience being judged on the internet. Forced into a three week “vacation” by her boss, she goes home to Berkeley, a place she’s avoided for years, and promptly runs into her old nemesis Leon. There’s always been an attraction between them, along with a lifelong competitive streak and they’re as drawn to each other as ever before. As always though, there are problems — they live on opposite coasts, she can’t imagine them ever working. Will she figure out what to do with her life and also figure out her feelings for Leon?

I loved Square Waves and hope 831 keeps publishing more books like this — truly their best!

Yes, love this book! I love that Cassidy and Leon are so real with flaws but are very likable. It tackles the typical tropes so well and Alexandra Romanoff is now auto-buy author.

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫
Genre: ❤️Romance Novella
Recommend:✅

“Square Waves” is a spinoff from another 831 Stories novella, “Big Fan” which I absolutely loved and this one did not disappoint. This one was hotter and deeper, which I was here for.

Cassidy is infamous from being the mistress in a political scandal many years ago who finds herself in a work sabbatical and living back at her parent’s house temporarily. She runs into her high school nemesis, Leon, they quickly fall back into their charged relationship, but now with kissing (and more, duh).

I loved how Cassidy and Leon were both a little lost in life and in their mid-20s. It’s extremely relatable and I thought it was written pretty true to life complete to therapists visits and hard conversations with parents.

You’ll love this book if you love:
✅Enemies to Lovers
✅Art
✅Messy Women

I’m loving these bite-size romance novels, and loved this follow-up with Cassidy. Would definitely recommend!

I had been hearing a lot of buzz about 831 Stories online, specifically TikTok so I was very excited to receive an arc of Square Waves. I have quite a few thoughts about this book. The first one being that I loved the writing so much, Alexandra Romanoff has a beautiful way with words. She crafted a soft and sweet story that also had the ability to be deep and full of so many complicated human emotions. The romance between Leon and Cassidy was classic in a lot of way in my opinion, while it played on the rivals to lovers trope quite a lot it wasn’t heavily reliant on it to develop a connection between the main characters. I’ve always really enjoyed rivals to lovers stories because of the instant connection that it brings to the very beginning of the story. It adds that delicious tension that any good romance book needs. And this story was no different. The connection between Leon and Cassidy made for such a good read. The way that they wanted each other so bad, but they both fought it for as long as they possibly could. I also really enjoyed the shift between them from the beginning of the book to later in the book when they are finally seeing each other in a whole new light. Suddenly their having these realizations that they never really knew each other they were relying on preconceived notions of the ugliest parts of one another. While simultaneously they both harbored such a deep longing for one another. It came of as a story of two people who crave one another but are fundamentally at different points in their life which causes they to view their relationship very different. Since the story is entirely in Cassies POV, it felt like their was a constant level of miscommunication but in reality I don’t believe she was in a place to be receptive to Leons. feelings. I also really loved Cassidy’s story through out this one, every good story needs the character to go through the personal development that they’ve been avoiding. She’s a character that I found incredibly like-able, this romance book was full of heart, deep ranges of complicated human emotions that made me feel that same range of emotions, I found myself rooting for Leon and Cassidy to be together, but simultaneously rooting for Cassidy to come into her own. And while I may have not been absolutely obsessed with this story, I found it dragged at certain parts, I had a really great time with the writing nd character and I look forward to future works by both the author and the publisher.

Thank you to NetGalley and 831 Stories for the advanced eBook of Square Waves by Alexandra Romanoff.

I’d give this book 3.75 stars. The standout for me was Leon—he’s a really compelling male main character, layered and emotionally present in a way that made him easy to root for. I liked Cassidy as well, though I found myself wanting more vulnerability from her. Perhaps that was intentional—her guardedness and hesitation to open herself up to love felt central to her arc, and at times, it even felt like she was holding back from the reader, too.

The setting was one of my favorite elements. So much of the story unfolds in Willa’s soon-to-open store, giving it the intimate, contained feel of a stage play. The pacing worked beautifully with that atmosphere—quiet but steadily moving forward.

Overall, Square Waves is a lovely, introspective read with well-drawn characters and a strong sense of place. My only hesitation is that some of the spicy scenes felt a bit overly detailed for my taste, which occasionally pulled me out of the story. Still, Romanoff’s writing is warm and thoughtful, and I’d definitely be interested in reading more from her in the future.

SQUARE WAVES by Alexandra Romanoff had potential, but ultimately fell short for me. The romance felt underdeveloped, and the “enemies-to-lovers” trope didn’t quite land, as the characters didn’t seem like true adversaries. The intimate scenes lacked the emotional depth I was hoping for, and the writing style didn’t resonate with me. While the premise was intriguing, the execution left me wanting more. However, I did enjoy her writing style and the political intrigue that came with it. I would still recommend to any romance reader. Thank you to NetGalley and 831Stories for giving me an arc in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you netgalley for the chance to read this!
This is what I'm talking about when I'm looking for "novella" length: an absolutely perfect sized story that still feels very complete. Cass is this generations "Monica": she runs home after a scandal rocks her with shame and social media bullying, straight into the arms of her childhood enemy. The enemies to lovers vibe is great, the banter is perfection, this spice is just the right level. I loved getting a look into the misunderstood Leon and the childhood Cass ran away from, and the adulthood she could have if she opened herself back up. It's a well rounded story and, even if a third act breakup, I found myself really loving it.

3.5 stars!!

831 Stories are becoming my go-to when I just need something quick and easy that I know is going to be good, and this did not disappoint! I devoured this in one sitting, and while I enjoyed the first one in this Big Fan series, I have to say I honestly think I loved this one even more. Even though this is so short, it does an incredible job of building characters and relationships that makes the reader care, as well as providing a fairly satisfying ending. However, while the story was good, this did feel a little bit like the author was leaning too heavily on the Monica Lewinsky of it all, which did take me out of the story a bit.

Thank you to NetGalley and 831 Stories for this ARC!!

I was charmed by Cassidy and Leon, and felt genuinely invested in their love story. The side characters were as well-developed as the main characters, and I enjoyed reading it. The pacing was impressive for how short the book is and does a good job balancing real issues with slightly idealistic romance.

Cassidy is burned out. After being involved in a political scandal, she went to work for an anti-cyberbullying non-profit, which she loved and felt restorative, but she needs a break. She returns to her coastal CA hometown, only to encounter her high school frenemy, Leon. In her eyes, Leon is still the same slacker that he was then. Cassidy and Leon have a fling and then have to decide to get along or continue hating each other.

I liked this romance that's not a rom com. It was more dramatic, and short. It kept my interest, but I don't know if it was the length or drama, but it felt like it was just missing some shine. I liked the character development and storyline, just wanted a bit more. Thank goodness it wasn't overly sappy or wallowing, which it could have been, but I thought she balanced it nicely.

Thank you to Netgalley for the advance copy for review.

loved this!! this one's my favorite 831 stories release so far. the characters were well written, the pacing was great and despite the short length everything tied together in the end so well! this was definitely the perfect read to kick off my summer reading.

BIG thanks to NetGalley and 831 for letting me read this one!!

I don't think anything will live up to Big Fan, but I really enjoyed getting to read Cassidy's story! I really like that she goes on this journey to find herself and allows herself to blossom in new and different ways. I think Leon is such a rare male main character who is more raw and gentle than others that I've read. Overall, I really had fun with this! I really enjoy 831 and their stories, so I was so honored to read this arc!