2 stars. Thank you NetGalley and Berkley Publishing for this eARC!

I am just not a huge fan of this series, which really sucks because I devoured the tv show! I was hoping this book would be better than the first, but honestly, it was about the same to me. One thing I did enjoy about this book was getting more POVs! (especially Lydia’s!) This book just really lacked any actual plot, it was more like filler full of emotional damage.

There is nothing wrong with her writing style, I just felt like this book could’ve been cut in half even though it is already not very long. Ruby should have made James do MORE and James should’ve done more to begin with. Everyone in the book is MISERABLE!!!!! James’s friends are absolutely horrible and I really do not like reading about them whatsoever because I feel like no one talks about the issues that happened with them prior to the first book.

Overall, I just truly did not like this and felt most of the characters lacked development.

I was curious about this book/series. It has very similar plot as Save Me. I was expecting something more... overall, I did not get into this book.

Thank you to NetGalley, the author, and the publisher for the opportunity to read this book as an advanced copy. All opinions are my own.

📖4⭐️

This story picks up after right where Save Me left off. I enjoyed the 4 point of views. I liked seeing Ruby’s and Lydia’s friendship progress throughout the book. I can’t wait to read book 3!

These Maxton Hall books have me in a complete chokehold. They're just the perfect combination of dramatic and chaotic and swoony. They're brain candy, and I love them. Thank you Berkley for the advance review copy, which I inhaled in one sitting.

Save You picks up a couple of days after the ending of Save Me. Ruby is devastated after James' betrayal, Lydia and James are still in the thick fog of grief, but life goes on. The main focus of Save You was "Can Ruby forgive James and trust him again?" and "Will he fight for her?" The side plots, including Lydia's pregnancy, Ember's burgeoning fashion blog and her crush on one of James' friends, and the various events going on at school provide the framework for Ruby and James to figure their relationship out.

Of course, because nothing can be easy in a dramafest like this one, Save You ends on another epic cliffhanger, so we wait for the third and final book with bated breath.

Is the writing spectacular? No. Is it supposed to be? Eh, probably not. Part of that could be related to the fact that it's a translation from the original German. But whether or not the writing itself will win any awards, the story sucks you in and doesn't let you go. Literary fiction, with lyrical prose, this is not, but it's incredibly satisfying nonetheless.

4.5 stars, rounded to 5--on sheer vibes alone.

Many thanks to NetGalley and the Publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

3.5 ⭐️ rounded up.

If you love then show, then you’ll for sure love the books. I didn’t feel like a ton happened in this one, but I still enjoyed it. It’s a fast and light read that’s a pure escape. Can’t wait for the 3rd!

Book 2 of the Maxton Hall series! There’s quite the cliffhanger after book 1 so I went to book 2 ASAP. I love love love Ruby’s character so much. This book had POVs from more people which I had a love/hate relationship with. Overall it was enjoyable and I can’t wait for book 3. She really knows how to write that last chapter that has you begging for resolution Thanks to the publisher and netgalley for this arc.

At this point, I’m invested in this series and need to ride it out until the end. I’ve been reading and watching the show simultaneously and I highly recommend. It kind of just brings everything together for me.

At this point I am all in committed to this series and really looking forward to book 3

Once again I will comment on the writing style, it's just so easy to consume I find myself totally drawn into this story. My eyes begging me to sleep but my heart desperately flipping pages to see what happens next.

Is this a literary masterpiece that will alter my brain chem? No. However I am loving everything about it

2.5 stars. This one was really short and it’s clear the author was working hard to even make it as long as it was (a lot of fluff and school meetings thrown in). Also Ruby is more heartbroken over him kissing someone (a week in bed, not eating, crying, unwilling to talk), than Lydia is over her moms death, her break up, and her pregnancy. Make it make sense?
PEOPLE HAVE REAL PROBLEMS, RUBY.
But Listen, this is YA and i would have eaten this up as a teen

We immediately pick up where the first book left off. I went into this book pretty angry, so I was expecting GROVELING. And we certainly got that. I understand people deal with grief in their own ways, so I get it. Still angry, though. Once we got past the groveling, the book sort of slowed down. I still sped through this book, but I didn't enjoy it as much as the first. And then we get hit with ANOTHER cliffhanger. Just let these kids be happy, please.

This second installment of the Maxton Hall series grows, deepens and levels out into a touching, sometimes sad, but heartfelt look at the lives of teenagers on the cusp of adulthood. Its focus is on Ruby and James, but it also showcases a small cast of just as interesting secondary characters. Each storyline holds all the angst, warmth and fear this volatile time in life holds. The author does a fabulous job of pulling the reader into the emotions of the characters then wrenching them into feeling each hurt, betrayal and joy.

Oddly enough, James, who was a somewhat static character in the first book, develops into a full, richly nuanced young man in this story. His mistakes are mighty but his heart and his desires are so pure that one can’t help but love and root for him. Ruby, on the other hand, goes from the sympathetic, sweet character we loved in book one, to a hurt, unforgiving and rather nasty character for a time in this book. The genius, however, is that even while we are disappointed in her behavior, we completely understand the place where it is coming from.

Of course, the cliffhanger at the end, although shocking, is completely expected and almost anticipated. It’s the twist in that surprise that drops a reader’s jaw and sends them searching for the next book! I’m impressed and rather in awe at the growth and development in all aspects!

Okay, this book was messy in the most addictive way. The drama, the tension, the feelings it had me flying through the pages. The whole on again, off again dynamic was frustrating but also exactly what I signed up for. Mona Kasten really nails that emotional angst where you want to yell at the characters and then immediately hug them. Some of the choices made me want to throw the book across the room (in a good way??), but that just means I was fully invested. My only thing is that some scenes felt a bit repetitive, like we kept circling the same emotions but honestly, I was so hooked I didn’t care. If you’re into college romance with high stakes, messy emotions, and major “just talk to each other!” energy, you’ll eat this up.

I’m OBSESSED with this book!!! I read it over the weekend and spent the entire time telling my sister how much I loved it! This books picks up right where the first one ends and is full of teen drama!

The romance in book one was good, but the romance in this one was EVERYTHING! The enemies to lovers, love/hate relationship, tension, and yearning that I loved in the first book was on a whole different level in this one. It has both Ruby and James’s POVs so you really get to see how much they want each other!

The pacing of the romance was done really well especially for a short book (at least it felt short bc I couldn’t put it down!!). It really goes through the ups and downs of Ruby and James’s relationship. We get to see their struggles and how they try to work through them.

We get two new POVs in this book!! The first is Lydia and I thought it added to the story. I enjoyed getting to read about her struggles and loved her developing friendship with Ruby! Ruby is there for Lydia, but Lydia also helps Ruby through her struggles with James. Also, I really loved Lydia being the best wing woman for Ruby and James’s relationship!!

The other is Ember (Ruby’s sister). At first I was hesitant because it switched to her POV after an important Ruby/James moment. But hear me out, you need to keep reading her POV. Her story takes an interesting path, and I’m excited to see where it goes!

It also ends on a fantastic but frustrating cliffhanger that makes me want book 3 immediately!!

I loved this book and need everyone to read it!!

Thank you to Berkley Publishing Group for the eARC!!

This highly anticipated sequel will leave readers with the best kind of emotional hangover!

Picking up where the previous installment left off, “Save You” follows Ruby Bell as she tries to get her old life back. But James isn’t willing to let her go so easily. What they had was something special and he’s wiling to do whatever it takes to win her back. After all the hurt between them, will they be able to find their way back to each other?

Emotions are high as Kasten ramps up the tension. Ruby finds herself caught between loving James and hating him for hurting her so badly. With a rift between them, both characters undergo significant growth. Ruby focuses on herself and keeps to her studies to make her dreams of attending Oxford a reality. James begins to challenge his father and his expectations of him to fight for the person he wants to be and his relationship with Ruby. Despite everything, chemistry still crackles between them and the yearning is deliciously intense. Their relationship is slow to rekindle as James works to prove his commitment to her and Ruby grapples with the possibility of getting hurt again. It is oh so satisfying when they find their way back to each other, that is until the shocking plot twist at the end.

I really enjoyed the addition of Lydia and Ember’s povs in this book! Both of their narratives add depth to the story, introduce new dynamics, and hint at what is to come in the final book of the series. I am anxious to see how Kasten brings Ruby and James’ story to a close!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

I really enjoyed Save You and found it to be a solid follow-up to Save Me. While I wasn’t quite as immediately hooked as I was with the first book—likely because the thrill of the slow burn enemies-to-lovers arc had already played out—it was still a deeply satisfying read.

This installment picks up with Ruby and James as they navigate the fallout of past decisions, all while trying to figure out who they are and what they truly want. What I loved most about Save You was getting to know side characters like Lydia and Ember on a deeper level. Their stories brought new emotional layers and a richer sense of the world around the main couple, and I appreciated how the stakes felt both personal and real.

Mona Kasten’s writing remains engaging and addictive, and I’m absolutely dying to read the final book of the trilogy to see how it all unfolds.

Again, I loved this book so much and can’t wait to see the second season and also read the third book!!

Save You is the second book in the popular teenage drama saga Maxton Hall. If you've not yet read book one, please start there. My review for Save Me can be found here. (Book one spoilers are present in this review)

Well well well, James has a lot to answer for if he ever wants to get back into broken-hearted Ruby's good graces. She's never felt betrayal this deeply, and she still doesn't know why he was so far gone that night he kissed someone else. That's not the only secret flying around. His sister Lydia is hiding something life changing from everyone, except ironically, Ruby. And Ruby's sister Ember is acting more evasive than ever.

Okay, okay, I'm warming ever up to this incredibly dramatic hormone-fueled saga. The characters have worked themselves into some very juicy tangles and everyone has a different motivation informing their erratically impulsive decisions.

I would say this book suffers a little bit in terms of development, but it does a lot to set up for the rest of the character's stories launching into the third book. There are a lot of very grown up themes being handled in this series, but it feels like they're being handled well. There are a lot of big emotions that need to be worked through until we get any resolution for the events that transpired in book one, and that takes time.

The two sisters were actually the highlight of this book for me. I liked that Ember is beginning to play a role here. She seems like she's got a great head on her shoulders and her body-inclusive fashion blog sounds really great. I'll be interested how her new story line plays out. Lydia's story is also very compelling, and she's got so much at stake.

In terms of if I'll be continuing this series? Absolutely I will. Enthusiastically!

Note:: I received an early copy of this book from the publisher through netgalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

Ruby, James, and the gang pick up right where they left off in the last book. This time around we get two more POVs from Lydia and Ember.

Ruby and James were all over the place trying to figure out themselves and their relationship. There were a lot of ups and downs for them, but I find myself rooting for them more than I did in the last book.

Lydia is dealing with some heavy stuff. It's hard to see her situation ending happily, and I feel like I shouldn't be rooting for her and Graham.

Ember's POV felt a little unnecessary, but I have a feeling it's going to be a big thing in the next book.

Overall, this was a fun, drama filled read. I'm looking forward to reading the next book.

Hmmmm did I love this one as much as book 1? Probably not. Will I keep reading the series because I want to know how it ends? Yes.

There was definitely a good amount of yearning in this book from James which I appreciated. HOWEVER. I wish ruby had made him work even harder — though I know in reality she is so much less of a pushover than I’d be.

There was more involvement of side characters in this book and I’m not quite sure if I liked or not. I’m just not all that invested in Lydia and embers stories tbh. I’m curious to see how the series ends.

I love this series so much and I love James Beaufort even more. The tension in this one was wonderful!! I cannot wait to see it on screen this fall.