The coziest read! I came across these authors at a book convention and immediately fell in love with their writing style. The character growth in this series is absolute perfection. I love how we evolve with the FMC. It’s such an emotional story and I needed a good cry. Lovely read!

📚Second Position by Sydney Madison
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I was very surprised by this book, I wasn’t expecting to like it nearly as much as I did. But I loved these characters, both Grant and Genevieve had a lot of depth to them.
Grant was so charming and Gen had so much self growth.
I loved seeing them get together and I loved Sloane, I’m very excited to see more of her in the future!

Tropes:
🏀college romance
🩰he falls first
🏀complicated family relationships
🩰found family
🏀Mmc basketball player
🩰Fmc ballet dancer
🏀love triangle
Thank you so much to NetGalley in exchange for my honest review
📣‼️out July 25, 2025

3.75 rounded up to 4 stars

It was absolutely amazing being back into the world of Astor Hill. Gen was one of my least favourite characters personality wise but this book really had me warming up to her. This was such a fun quick read one that I really enjoyed. However, at times I found the main characters lacking true chemistry and intimacy. But it was overall such a fun and enthralling read and I can’t wait to see where the series goes next

Let me start by saying I read and loved Astor Hill. I was completely drawn into Liv and Ben’s story, and Grant ended up being one of my favorite characters from the first book. Gen, on the other hand, was decidedly my least favorite, so I went into Second Position a little apprehensive. But after finishing it, I’m happy to say I was completely wrong to doubt it.

Gen’s willingness to open up to Grant, and Grant’s ability to see through the version of her that the public sees, felt honest and emotionally grounded. Their chemistry was immediate and believable, and it kept me fully invested from the very first chapter. I was also pleasantly surprised by the increase in spice compared to Astor Hill. It felt natural, like it was meant to deepen the emotional connection rather than just add heat for the sake of it.

One of the standout elements of this book was seeing Gen’s perspective, especially her relationship with Will, through her own eyes. It added depth to her character and gave me a new appreciation for the broader Astor Hill storyline.

What I’ve really appreciated about this series so far is how it doesn’t shy away from difficult topics. Themes like mental health, loss, abandonment, and the weight of parental expectations are handled with care, and they feel relevant and relatable without being overwhelming.

Overall, this book was heartfelt and completely satisfying. I adored it. I’m now counting down the days until we get Sloane and Andy’s story, and I’m still holding out hope for a Will Chapman redemption arc.

Thank you to NetGalley and the authors for the opportunity to read this ARC.

Rating: 4.25/5

I really like this series. It was nice to get Gen’s side of the story and perspective. I love the relationship between Gen and Grant. I normally don’t like slow burbs, but this felt appropriate, especially since the characters develop a genuine relationship. I can’t wait to see what else the authors have in store for this series.

Genevieve, una bailarina apasionada y controladora de su imagen, ha crecido bajo la sombra de una madre abusiva y una reputación moldeada más por rumores que por hechos. Su historia se entrelaza con la de Will Chapman, su mejor amigo desde la infancia y objeto de un amor largamente no correspondido. Will, con novia y un historial de manipulación emocional, representa una constante frustración para Gen: una figura que fue refugio en el pasado, pero que se ha transformado en símbolo de todo lo que no puede controlar. Cuando Gen decide dejar atrás su virginidad, elige como cómplice a Grant Fielder.

Grant, por su parte, es un joven marcado por el abandono materno, la presión de encajar en un molde perfecto y un rencor silencioso hacia Will, lo que convierte su relación con Gen en algo más cargado que un simple encuentro físico. Lo que inicia como una propuesta impulsiva se transforma en una conexión profunda, compleja y emocionalmente desafiante.



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No entiendo cómo Grant se enamoró de Genevieve. Ella pasa todo el libro más preocupada y centrada en Will que en sí misma, incluso cuando finalmente se da cuenta de que Will ya no es el mismo y que durante años solo la ha utilizado, sigue eligiéndolo a él.

Tampoco tiene sentido que Liv se hiciera amiga de Gen. Genevieve fue horrible con ella durante dos años: intentaba constantemente robarle momentos con Will, hablaba mal de ella, en cualquier momento aprovechaba para toquetear a su novio y solo esperaba que terminaran para poder ocupar su lugar.

Thanks to NetGalley, the publisher and the author for the ARC in exchange for an honest

Book 2 in the Astor Hill series

Second Position follows Gen and Grant in a dual POV, diving into themes of friendship, abandonment, and emotional growth. While it stands alone, I’d recommend reading First Position first to fully appreciate the characters and their connections—especially Gen's dynamic with her friend Will, and Liv.

Gen goes through some real personal growth in this one—finally learning to prioritize herself—and Grant’s backstory adds depth to his struggles with connection and intimacy. Their relationship is tender, a little messy, and full of genuine emotion.

The pacing flows well, and while some conflicts and resolutions felt a bit immature, it makes sense given the college-age characters. That said, their emotional journeys still show maturity and depth, especially as the story progresses.

I only wish we had a bit more resolution between Gen and her mom—there’s a thread there that feels unfinished. Overall, this book gave me One Tree Hill vibes in the best way: emotional, character-driven, and layered with friendship and longing.

A solid addition to the series and a good pick if you enjoy campus-set romance with heartfelt character arcs.

I will be publishing this review on Instagram closer to the publishing date.

I just love the world this author creates. How true and genuine and complex her characters are. This is the 2nd book in the series and goes back in time a bit in timing of the first book. To show us what was happening in 2 other people’s worlds at the same time. I love when authors do this because we saw hints and bits in book 1 about Grant and Gen but giving us their whole perspective I think is great. Reminds people not to have main character syndrome and how different everyone’s POVs are.

And I don’t know if it was Grant or Gen’s influence but Basketball felt a lot more interesting in this book somehow. Also loved the ballet side.

Honestly I think Astor Hill might be becoming a comfort series at this point. Can’t wait for book 3

Thank you to netgalley and the author/ publishing for this e-arc in exchange for an honest review.

The cover of this book is gorgeous and is what drew me in and I’m so glad it did, because what a cute story! Genevieve and Grant were so cute and their chemistry was fantastic. I adored them and their story!

I absolutely loved this book I loved gens and grants relationship and it was so pure and loving and it was soo beautifully written

I would 100% recommend this book

i really liked the overall vibe of this one—the dance setting was cool, and the emotions felt real. gen and grant both had layered backstories, and there were definitely moments that pulled me in. i loved seeing them work through all that hurt and figure out what they actually wanted, not just what other people expected from them.

that said, it took me a while to get into it. some of the pacing felt a little slow, and i didn’t always feel super connected to the characters, even when things were supposed to be intense. i wanted to love it more than i did.

Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for approving me to read this early, I’m rating it 4.0 - 4.25 stars.

I love how full circle this book has been after book 1, I feel like you get to see the other side of the chaos and secrets. I actually like Gen and I can empathise with her confusing situation that has her conflicted throughout. The side issues that occur in the main characters own lives adds emotional elements and personal struggles that were quite moving.

I highly recommend for fans of Elle Kennedy and romance books with an academic setting.

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC!

3.5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️

First of all I didn’t read the first book and didn’t realize that this was the first one in the series when I requested it. So I need to go back and read the first one and I feel like I would love it more. But that being said I still loved this book. I loved the characters and it had me hooked from the first page. Like I said I will be going back and reading the first because now I’m invested.

This was a cute book. It was a little rushed in places and some places it was too long. But I freaking loved grant. Talk about a book boyfriend! ❤️

Second Position delivers a beautifully messy, emotionally charged ride through the complicated lives of two teens trying to outrun their pasts—and themselves. If you love friends-to-lovers, enemies-to-lovers, love triangles, and forbidden romance with a capital F, this one’s for you. Genevieve Dupont is a ballerina with a heart full of longing and a lifetime of trying to be enough—for her mother, for her best friend Will, and maybe most heartbreakingly, for herself. When a reckless choice puts her in the path of golden boy Grant Fielder—the one guy Will can’t stand—everything Gen thought she knew about love, loyalty, and desire begins to unravel.

Grant is the kind of swoony, emotionally complex love interest that romance dreams are made of. Burdened by duty and shadowed by a painful past, he and Gen are both trying to hold up everyone around them—until they finally start holding onto each other. Their chemistry is electric, their story is raw and real, and their journey will hit you in the chest in all the best ways. Second Position is full of angst, heart, and hard choices, but at its core, it’s about finally putting yourself first. Do yourself a favor—read this one with your heart wide open.

If you're looking for a swoon worthy - cant put the book down - romance, this is definitely the book for you.
It is so hard to find a romance book where the love is oozing from the book, without having such irritating characters and decisions that make it feel agonizing to get through, and being so mad that you want to stop reading along the way. This book perfectly captures the way to do it, and adds dimension using realistic moral boundaries that make you frustrated in the BEST way. It had me stepping back and wondering what I would do in these situations.
The romance in this book is young and longing, honestly making me giddy reading it.
I could not recommend this book more, it deserves 5-stars, not only because the story and depth, but because I could see myself rereading it in the future.

Review: ⭐⭐⭐☆☆ (3/5 stars)

Second Position by Sydney Madison is a quick read that continues the storyline from the previous book in the Astor Hill series. While it maintains the momentum and offers some satisfying moments it didn’t quite reach the emotional depth or complexity of the first installment. The pacing makes it easy to get through in one sitting and has continued development from the first book.

3.5* rounded down. after reading the first book a few months ago I had to jump back in for the second!

second position is a dual 1st pov story that follows gen and grant. it’s the second book in the ‘astor hill’ series and can be read as a standalone. the timeline of this occurs at the same time as the first book, and for continuity it’s good if you read both.

I really enjoyed this and was intrigued to know more about gen from the glimpses and appearances of what we saw in astor hill.

the portrayal of gen’s relationship with her mother and the dynamic they had was so heartbreaking to read. in the end I wish we got to see some reconciliation, or at the very least, some accountability. but as a woman so stuck in her ways, it’s not surprising that didn’t happen.

grant is, while flawed, a good guy to his core. we need more men like him

I can understand why people would find gen’s relationship with will frustrating, but how can you expect gen to act a certain way, if he’s all she’s ever known? unrequited love can do that to a person, and I’m glad in the end she stood her ground

overall I really enjoyed this and like the first instalment finished it in less than a day.

big thanks to the author and publisher for letting me read in exchange of an honest review. I’m looking forward to a potential third book with sloane!

Really enjoyed this book! I personally think the first book must be read before this one for it all to make sense but this is a great addition to the series! Easy to love the characters and it certainly made me eager for more!

This is my first read from Sydney Madison and I LOVED this book. I ate it UP and finished it in one sitting. It was so easy to read and care for the characters. It loosely reminded me of Wildfire by Hannah Grace... except BETTER.

There is no way you can not like Grant and Gen together and separately. Gen & Sloane's connection felt so pure and genuine.

The writing was outstanding. I have so many highlights for this book! The authors have a great way of describing feelings youve had but didnt know how to put into words.

I attempted to post my review to amazon and it said it cannot be reviewed. I have a screenshot if needed

**Not posted in my review on GoodReads and Fable:**
I noticed 1 Typo:
“Because now I know. I know this insane secret, and you just expect me to keep if for Will fucking Chapman?”
It not if!