This book is a good fit for readers who enjoy stories about self-discovery, friendship, and the complexities of young love.

Brilliant read with all the things I enjoy in a book with a brilliant storyline and characters and I will look forward to reading more from you from this author thank you for my arc

I have not read the first novel in this series but I didn't feel too out of the loop jumping in here. This novel is Claire and Will's story at Hart University. Their story is a friends to lovers story but still felt fresh and new! I'm going to go grab Rikki now to catch up!

Solid three star story for me. It is a new year, which means a new living spaces and new challenges for Claire, Will and their group of friends. After her breakup at the start of sophomore year Claire along with her friend Tamsin decide to swear off men for the semester and to focus on school, friendships, and the overall betterment of themselves. Will on the other hand went through a breakup during the summer and has his sights set on Claire now that they are both single. Will, being the good person that he is though is supportive for the most part of Claire in decision to remain friends but issues arise during football season their friendship is put to the test. I liked both Claire and Will for the most part. Will was not always the best friend or person but Claire was not perfect either and in the end they figure out what they want and what works for them.

*I received a free copy in exchange for a free copy*
Having read "Rikki" and enjoyed it, I thought I would like "Claire". And that's what happened. Ok, neither of them is going to be the book the year, but at least they show a more realistic side of love, and give love a bit more time to develop. Maybe too much so, because it came to the point where I found it a bit lacking in the sexiness department. Otherwise it was fine and entertaining.

This book just wasn't for me. The writing style felt a little young to me. I really liked the premise and would certainly give the author another try in the future.

About two years ago I received one of my very first ARCs from this author. I had already read her book Almost Like Love and couldn’t stop raving about it. The ARC I received was Rikki, book one in the Hart University series. It was a bit different from the first book I read by Abigail Strom. The writing was still stellar, but Rikki was what I would classify as more of a New Adult type of contemporary romance since it took place at a college. Somehow, although I love this author and have read many of her books, I lost sight of this series. I was overjoyed when it popped up over at Net Galley even though it had been published more than a year ago. I couldn’t wait to dive back into the world of Hart University.

Being as it’s been a couple of years since I read book one, I didn’t remember all of the details of this group of friends. Most of it came back to me and it was not detrimental to the story in any case. I was quickly immersed in keggers, college bands, and football players. I could not put this book down! I absolutely loved the parallel thoughts of Claire and Will, even when they didn’t realize how much they thought alike. And as with the first book, I love the acceptance in this story. Sure, Claire was unsure how she felt about falling for a football player because she had some preconceived notions. But she was already friends with Will from their other mutual friends so, although she was hesitant, she never let the fact that they came from two different backgrounds stop her from being great friends with him.

What I liked the most about this story was Claire and Tamsin declaring a semester for themselves. No romantic trappings for one whole semester…be it a date, hook-up, or a make out session. All were off-limits. The real reason being, once the smoke cleared from their hurt and anger over recent break-ups, to find themselves. To learn who they are solo. Even after Claire and Will admitted there were feelings between them, Claire felt she had to finish her journey of self-love. And to his credit, through it all, Will understood. If only all of us could be so mature!

Of course, there were bumps along the way of Will and Claire discovering if they were truly right for each other. They worked through their obstacles in such a warm and caring manner and became such good friends, it was beautiful to read. I’m so glad I already have the next book on my Kindle waiting for me.

4.5 stars

Unfortunate timing almost undermines a romantic future for Claire and Will on several occasions. While her desire to find out who she is free of a romantic entanglement is a noble goal, and his attempt to be a supportive friend is admirable, I kept wishing for most of the book that things had played out differently for them. When Will is injured on the football field and has a very bad response to what occurs, things were especially troubling. Luckily, they do have a happily ever after eventually, but not until quite a bit or time and drama have passed.

This was a fairly easy read and a real engrossing story, such that I didn't want to put the book down and finished it over a weekend.

I didn’t realize when I read it that “Claire” is Book #2 in the “Hart University” series. But I didn’t have any trouble jumping into the storyline and connecting right away with the characters. Their eclectic supporting cast of friends were all intriguing in their own right, and I look forward to hopefully reading more stories about some of them (including going back and reading Book #1, now that I know about it).

Claire and Will were such a great couple. She was strong and so was he. Things are going great, or when thinks they are, until he gets injured at a football game and pushes Claire away. She never gives up on him, which made me liken her even more, because a lot of young girls would wipe their hands when their boyfriend starts acting like completely different person.
His life gets turned upside down when he gets hurt and he lashes out at everyone. Can Will find his way out of the darkness? Will Claire be able to stay strong and help Will find his way back?
I love all of Abigail's books and this one didn't disappoint. Now on to Tamsin and Daniel. I received an ARC, via NetGalley, in exchange for an honest, voluntary review.

Really liked the story, a real page turner filled with emotions

I didn't realize how much I'd missed this series until I started reading Claire. I couldn't put it down, feeling as though I was part of the Hart University crew. I loved the way it started, the two characters feeling drawn to each other though they're both in a relationship with someone else. Weird, huh? That I especially liked that? Well, they don't cheat on their partner and while I'd go insane with rage in real life, I thought Claire and Will belonged to each other. I loved the way they thought about one another and wished for the other one to look inside his/her head.

Even though I usually dislike anything band or music related in books, I was surprised finding myself not complaining about the scenes in which Claire was on stage, performing with her band. Probably also because these scenes weren't dragged and had the right length. Same with the romance in Abigail Strom's book in general. The chemistry between the characters has got the right speed - nothing's rushed. I read another review saying the romance is more natural that way, and I totally agree. It's not like you're reading a fictional story, but a real one captured for everyone to read.

Will's a jerk. There, I said it. Because he really is - at least towards the end of the book. You'll know what I mean when you get to that point. I can't believe he acted the way he did. I liked him a lot and then I didn't and wanted to punch him in the face for saying the things he said, for acting the way he did. That was unlike him, and even though I could understand where his anger was coming from, he didn't have to take it out on Claire. Which was fine, really, because that way he was more of a realistic character to me - like a real teenage guy. Like any human being, really. Can't say I liked his behaviour, though. Same with Claire and her excuses. Gosh, that was annoying. Just make a move, girl. Why still hold on to your "Semester of Us" thing (she and Tamsin called it that - staying away from boys for a semester) when you're clearly liking Will? I didn't get it. And I kind of did. I'm confused, haha.

Anyway... While I generally liked the book, there was one thing I didn't like: The Thanksgiving scenario. Everything about it, honestly. It didn't feel right to me. Everything after what happened to Will didn't feel right to me. He wasn't himself anymore, Claire wasn't herself anymore either, suddenly all confident, and that house, those scenes. Sweet, fun and hot, definitely, but I'd have wished for other circumstances. I can't even really explain it. It was supposed to be supportive for Will, sure. But was it?

The friendships in this series are what made me feel like coming home to it, too. Their bound is so strong, I like the way the author managed to capture that in Rikki and now in Claire as well. Which is probably why I'll give Tamsin a try, though I'm not exactly interested in her story. I don't know why, but I know one thing: I'll most likely love her story once I give it a chance.

I think it's fair to say I rate Abigail Strom as one of my favourite NA lit authors. Her books are fun and easy to read, and I love all the characters. I especially loved Will and Claire in this one - I only wish that there had been a bit more tension, and that it hadn't had such an abrupt ending.

Reluctant DNF at 56%. 2++stars
Let me explain- 1. why I DNF and 2. my rating of 2++ stars:
I had requested this book as an ARC after reading two other books by this author(Show Me and Tell Me) both of which I really loved.
Therefore I hadn't expected this book to be any different. Well I was wrong and the main reason being that this book was aimed more towards the YA audience and though the writing was still very good- I really struggled to enjoy it and it didn't hold my interest, i.e. immaturity of MC's( totally appropriate for their ages) .
This I feel is more my fault for picking up something that really was an unsuitable read for myself and though I was unable to finish it I don't want to write a negative review.
Really great author but this is not the series for me.

A sweet love story. Claire and Will both have been in long distance relationships and if you read Rikki you know they had eyes for each other. This one is all in the timing and doing the right thing. No one ever wants to be the rebound. No one wants to be put in the friend zone either especially when you've been crushing hard on someone for awhile. I love how Claire and Will take things slow and become each others person. Even when it looks like nothing is going to work out and paths take a slight detour it comes down to timing. This is a book about taking the time on yourself and getting timing right. I loved it. Claire and Will are so sweet together. I really can't wait to see what Abigail Strom has in stored for the rest of the Hart University series.