From the genius authors of Astor Hill comes Second Position, an equally, if not more, delicious story of two college students navigating the world and working through real problems, while also trying to understand their feelings for each other.

Genevive is a ballerina, and Grant is a basketball player. So this very much has some sports romance vibes, and I ATE it up. As Gen and Grant navigate brewing feelings for each other, outside factors continue to push them apart and make you wonder, "Will they make it out alive?"

The drama was intense, and this is in the same timeline as the first book in the series, Astor Hill. This was a GREAT move on the author's part because we get a whole new perspective on certain events that happen in the first one, and we get answers to some unanswered questions. And the TENSION, oh man, the tension, I was losing my mind at how good it was. Grant and Gen had so much chemistry that it really raised the stakes for the love triangle that was going on.

I loved every second of this book, and I can't wait for the rest of the series.

⭐️⭐️⭐️.5
🌶️🌶️

This book had me in so much turmoil emotionally, I didn’t know which way was up and which way was down half the time.

The drama, these series is turning out to be a cross between gossip girl and 90210. At some points I was confused to be honest and what was going on but at the same time it all made sense. Does that make sense? 😅

Grant is so unbelievably honest at some points I just want to shake him and tell him not go after the girl who is in love with her best friend who doesn’t love her back. That toxicity if I did see it.

Gen for the first 15% percent of this book just annoyed the shit out of me but you gotta push through but you will love her and how mature she does become with her feelings towards not only herself but her friends as well.

Their story is one of wanting someone whose heart is not their own but knowing that they deserve more than they ever allowed themselves. These two both have family trauma still to work through but by the end it you are rooting for them to get married, have their dream careers and pop out a couple of good looking babies.

3.75 ⭐️

Let me tell you the blurb did not lie, this book was definitely reminiscent of One Tree Hill and Gossip Girl. So much so that I actually started to rewatch One Tree Hill.

I really enjoyed the overall plot with Genevieve having a lifelong friendship with Will, who doesn’t share her feelings. The introduction of Grant, our mmc, gave classic teen romcom vibes. I for one am a sucker for the trope of unrequited feelings and moving on to see that there will be people who will love you.

Let’s start with the things I enjoyed about this book. I liked the buildup of the relationship between Genevieve and Grant. I really liked that Grant had a very rocky upbringing with his birth mom and we got to see how that relationship affected his future relationships with people. The author did a great job of not only letting us see into Grants head when dealing with his abandonment issues but also seeing how others in the book deal with him having abandonment issues. It tied really well with what Genevieve struggles with because though her mom didn’t technically ever leave Genevieve, she wasn’t there for her either. We get to see how Genevieve was affected by her mother’s actions her whole life and it added to the attachment she felt for Will. I also really loved the character of Sloane who seemed like a light for both Grant and Genevieve. The friendship Genevieve eventually finds was very heartwarming and I’m glad she got to experience non toxic friendships.

There are a couple things I didn’t necessarily love but I wouldn’t say I didn’t like these things in the book. One of them being that I really think it would be beneficial to read the first book in the series before reading this one. I didn’t realize it was a series before I started this book, so while I was reading I was kinda confused on certain plot points. The story of Lily was one of them, I’m not sure if it’s more discussed in the first book what exactly happens but I felt kinda left in the dark whenever they would mention her. There also felt like a lot of things that were skipped in the book, like Genevieve getting the sugar plum fairy part. I don’t know if it was ever mentioned and I don’t think I skipped it. Another thing I also didn’t love was when Grant first opened up to Genevieve about his mom, she said that she wished she still had her dad here which kinda implies that Grant shouldn’t take his mom for granted. I didn’t love that because everyone has a different relationship with their parents and he shouldn’t feel guilty for choosing not to have a relationship with the person who has caused him so much pain. Not only that but Sloane, his own sister, making him feel guilty because he made that choice was really annoying. I think Grant is completely vindicated in choosing to protect his heart from his mom, who has proven time and time again that she really doesn’t care about her kids. I’m not sure if Sloane will get a book and we’ll go more in depth with the mom and her illness, but that part also felt undone. It was mentioned once and then kinda skipped over.

Overall I really enjoyed this read and it was my first from this author. I do want to go back and read the first book because I really enjoyed the authors writing. The book made me really nostalgic and I would definitely recommend this book to people who are looking for a book like that. I will also keep watching One Tree Hill (which is my favorite show so thank you) because the author was right to say I would enjoy this if I liked One Tree Hill.

Thank you NetGalley for ARC
Unfortunately, i will not be continuing as it just wasn’t for me. I found myself feeling quite detached from both the plot and the characters, which made it difficult to stay engaged. While the premise had potential, I personally couldn’t connect with the story in a meaningful way.

That said, I still recommend giving it a try and what didn’t work for me might resonate with others.

When I picked this book up I thought I was getting another cute sports romance but in reality this was so much more. It’s a story about finding love, following your heart, and putting yourself first. Grant was the perfect MMC with the way he supported Gene unconditionally and how patient he was throughout the drama with Will. I loved all the sweet, swoon-worthy moments with him and Gene and found myself smiling anytime they were on the page. The writing and pacing was phenomenal and the book was a perfect mix of emotional and spicy. Would definitely recommend to anyone looking to try sports romance.

The way this story is written is amazing. The growth and trauma thats being dealt with gives the characters such depth and character development! This romance book is definitely one of my favorites I've read in awhile.

The second position, the second book, is a complete standout, the second book in the Estore Hill Series. Sydney Madison saves a poignant, slow-burning romance wrapped in a world filled with pressure from Ballet and Elite Basketball, where expectations are high and hearts are constantly tested.

Genevieve Dupont has always been grounded, graceful ballet dancer, who stands by her best friend Will Chapman, Estore Hill's Basketball Golden Boy. But when spring starts and the gene feels that she is losing herself in this process, she starts realizing that loyalty should not come at the cost of her happiness.

Grant Fielder- Wil's team partner, rival, and the last person to enter the hope of attracting the gene. With a distressed past and a reputation built on control and perfection, the carefully structured world of the grant shakes the stages of that moment. His chemistry is undisputed, his connection is tender and raw, and I was bent on seeing it.

I accepted vulnerability in both the characters. Jean's struggle with crime, friendship, and identity seemed so real, and the emotional walls of the grant melted me. Romance is full of yearning, stress, and beautifully dirty feelings - the kind of love story that lives with you.

This book has united the Estore Hill series to a reading for fans of emotional, character-powered romance. This is for you if you balance the slow irritation, game romance, or books that with romantic stress.

✨ I can't wait to get my hand on a physical copy!
💫 Excessive recommendation- 5 stars!

Second Position is such a good book! I've had the chance to read the ARC of the first book in the series too, and I am loving every part of it. How sweet is Grant!! Love the characters, love the banter and everything

This was a great sequel to Astor Hill! I really enjoyed being back in this world and feeling everything again and it was so incredible!

I loved the first book—and this one too, just to be clear! Second Position adds so much depth to the world of the Astor Lions, giving us Genevieve and Grant’s perspective while overlapping with the events of Will, Ben, and Olivia’s story. It was a bit of a surprise at first to realize this book runs parallel to the first, but once it clicked, I was fully in.

Genevieve is incredibly dedicated—to ballet, to her best friend Will, and to always being what others need. At times, it was so frustrating to watch her drop everything for Will, especially when Grant is right there, completely devoted and seeing her worth from the start. But that made her growth and emotional journey all the more powerful.

And Grant? I’m obsessed. His struggle between who he thinks he has to be and who he wants to be is beautifully written. Watching these two slowly pull each other out of their emotional comfort zones was romantic, tense, and deeply satisfying.

The writing is just as emotional and intense as the first book—maybe even more so in places—and I loved getting to see some of the original story from this new angle. It gave the whole series even more heart.

Huge thank you to Netgalley for the opportunity of receiving this arc! 💗✨

This book was something!!! There was so much drama and the characters were so complex(not in a bad way) but in the way that you were so conflicted in whether you loved them or completely hated them. I didn’t know this was the second book in a series when I applied for it so I haven’t read the first one but I recommend reading in order because I was so lost most of the time regarding the whole Will/Lily/Olivia/Gen thing. I will also probably read the first one eventually as I think there will be a next one 👀

In this book we have dual POV’s and those are Gen and Grant. Grant is this sweet guy who is a people pleaser but honestly has a lot of trauma due to his mother abandoning him and growing up in foster care. I enjoyed him but at the end I was like “boy just go to therapy”, that’s something he should have done since the start. And more than him our FMC, Gen really needed a reality check and some dignity because ohhhh her friendship with Will was so toxic. Honestly I get it now why it says there are vibes of Gossip Girl and OTH.

Here are some quotes that I loved🍒:

⇉ “I just need to be yours. Doesn’t matter to me what you call it. But you’ve been feeling like mine.”

⇉ “and I think for a moment that maybe his love wasn’t ever unconditional but a myriad of concessions I’ve had to make over several years, proving myself to him again and again.”

⇉ “Because Grant’s kiss is the bed you fall into after a long day; it’s opening an old album and seeing all your favorite people frozen in time; it’s the dream you try to force as you fall asleep, wishing for just a few moments of perfection.”

THIS BOOK ❤️❤️❤️

I was not a fan of Gen in Astor Hill but this book made me love her! How could you not?! The plot was complex and entertaining but the SPICE WAS SPICING! I thoroughly enjoy this book. I can’t wait to see what’s next. Maybe a Jean book eventually?!

The potential of this book was high. The premises were good but I think it could have been done better.

There was a lot of drama, and even if it's a standalone there were situations not entirely clear. The ending felt a bit rushed to me but it was a good romance.

Gen's mom is the worst and Will is toxic. Grant is always so caring and loving, but Gen sometimes just got on my nerves for putting her best friend before everything.

I'm starting off by saying thank you for the ARC read from Netgalley!

I read Astor Hill before picking up Second Position and loved it. I loved the Gossip Girl drama from the book, and the characters felt real and relateable.

I didn't have a lot of hope for Second Position as Gen would be one of the POV's, and I wasn't a huge fan of her from Astor Hill to begin with. But what these authors have managed to do is to make an otherwise unlikelable character and turn her into someone I not only liked but could also empathize with.

Grant is an adorable Golden retriever man who stops at nothing to make sure Gen is well taken care of and constantly reminds her of her worth.

That is, until the end of the book, when he's finally faced with dealing with his childhood trauma.

4, not 5, only because I felt like the ending didn't add anything to the plot of the story. They should have talked more, communicated their feelings, and worked together to conquer their insecurities. I mean, they're adults, not teenagers.

The way the book ends leads me to believe that we may be getting a Sloane book, but I'm much more interested to get Will's POV considering everyone reacts and does what they do mostly because of him, but thats just my two cents.

Thank you NetGalley, VictoryEditing and Sydney Madison for this ARC. This book willl be published on July 25th 2025!

I rate this book a 2.75 stars. I am afraid this book was a bit of a difficult read for me but only a few things effected this book. I loved the writing and I love the fact it's an interconnected series. But a lot of things made me irritated. I feel like our MMC was very irritating especially near the end. I think he was very insecure and it really made it hard to read. I loved Gen though and I do understand why the plot where it went! I do want to read the rest of the series and see who else appears in this interconnected series (Sloane please!!)

I will also make a tiktok video about this book soon and will be mentioned on a youtube video but that won't be until next Wednesday or Sunday (6/11 or 6/15)

A great second book in the Astor Hills series!
A big thank you to netgalley and Victory editing publishing for gifting me this early in placement for an honest review.

After doing some research and seeing this was the second book in a series and seeing some comments on how I should read the first one first really set the tone for this second book. As much as they are standalone reading the first one and then diving into this really gave us some underlying tones for Gen and Grant.

This a slow burn, sports, contemporary romance great for a summer read if your diving into the series for sure! This gives very reminiscent vibes of Gossip girl and I’m here for the DRAMA.

It’s nice to see a FMC who’s a little guarded and a little unsure, and I LOVE a sweet golden retriever man.

This book was beautifully written as much as I would love to give 5 stars I gave 4 because I do feel like there some parts that could of used some finessing or cleaning up plot wise but other than that I really enjoyed the read and do look forward to reading the rest of the series!

such an amazing read!! wish we could've learned more about gen's mom but it was still so good! i loved seeing them stand up for themselves but i do hate third act breakups😭

If your a fan of Icebreaker by Ali Hazelwood you will LOVE THIS!!!

I feel like this book was so well written and truly prefer it over any Ali Hazelwood book I’ve read!

Not only did the romance build up very well but the characters had more depth than just being revealed around the actual romance that takes place in the book. I’m very intrigued to read the other books in this series!

Very much a theme of nobody is perfect and everyone has stuff to work through personally.

Anyway 10/10! Loved this!

The DRAMA!! Oh my gosh, the drama in this book was amazing. I love books with drama, but it has to be done right, and this was done PERFECTLY! This book was like if One Tree Hill and Gossip Girl had a baby. Genevieve was so refreshing as a FMC. She was guarded, imperfect, so caring and sweet, but mess with her and she’ll kick your butt. Grant was so incredibly sweet, but headstrong, which I loved. The push and pull with Will and Grant was so painful to experience, it broke my heart for Genevieve. She only ever wanted to do the right thing and be loyal. I laughed, I cried, I gasped! Jean and Sloane were the ultimate besties! My heart broke so many times for Genevieve and the unfairness in all aspects of her life. Grant’s struggles and pressure were so relatable. The chemistry between Genevieve and Grant was so intense, it had me blushing and swooning! I did not want this book to end. I can’t wait to go back and read the first in this series, and I can’t wait for the next one. I’m so sad to have finished reading this book, but it was so much fun, so much angst and heartbreak! Just a truly amazing read.

3.75⭐️

this was a great contemporary romance. it is one of those books that is going above and beyond just your typical romance novel and the trauma and exploration of both gen and grants pasts/present add a lot of depth to this story and to their character development. genevieve had her moments that gave me some pause but overall her character was incredibly special and real! this was my first book by this author and i certainly enjoyed my time. i do wish the ending was a bit more concrete and put a tighter ribbon on things but overall a solid contemporary romance!