Thank you to Sourcebooks Bloom Books and Netgalley for the e-arc in exchange for an honest review.

This was a good book. I related to Ivy's character a lot throughout the book, as I'm sure many other people out there would as well. I appreciated the fact that there was no third act break-up scene that so many authors feel the need to include in every romance book nowadays. I would've given this five stars but I feel like the characters weren't as fleshed out as they could've been, but I still really enjoyed it.

What a book! Ivy & Aidens romance is more than I ever anticipated. I read this on a plane in one sitting and I was hooked. I need to know and understand their complex relationship! I was truly addicted and am officially a fan of B Celeste! A major win for me!

Second chance romance and old friends reunited tropes really threw me off my wagon (In an amazing way. While reading this book, I feel like I went through a rollercoaster. The first 20% of the book was really confusing for me. Although the scene was good written, I didn't get why Ivy would all of a sudden do the handsy things to Aiden just to get a reaction. It started out really fast paced but I enjoyed that the build up didn't linger and got straight to the point. So instead of waiting for the build up, I got to follow them through the journey.

My favorite part of the book was definitely the plot. At first, I thought that the book would be a cliche sports romance but with the element of mental health and abuse, it really got me feeling empathy towards Ivy. The portrayed emotions and dialogue during the emotional scenes made everything better and I felt myself nearly crying. The fact that Ivy's emotions were told as it is instead of sugarcoating it made everything feel a thousand times more real.

The main characters Aiden and Ivy were just something else. I loved that Aiden wasn't your typical arrogant jock but instead he was this supportive and safe character. I was in awe in how he reacted to certain things when Ivy opened up more about her past. He was very likable from the start and the nickname he gave Ivy just made me melt. Ivy on the other hand was so well portrayed. I understood her emotions and felt everything through her. She was depressed and went through a lot and Im was really happy with the writing style of it. Besides the main characters, the side characters DJ, Bea and Caleb made me want more. The banter and loyalty was everything the book needed and more.

Although the book was definitely something I loved, I was still left with some unanswered questions at the end. I feel like when they really kissed (so, the fluff) it would have been much better if they hadn't done the handsy stuff prior to it. I love a good fluff and I felt like the first kiss ( the end of chapter 14) should have given me more and It had the potential to, but didn't because of their prior actions in Aiden's room in the first few chapters.

Overall, Im glad I read this book because the representations of what bad mental health and a terrible toxic home situation can do to someone, and because it wasn't a cliche. It was unique in its own way. I enjoyed the writing style and the details that helped me get into the world of Aiden and Ivy. I enjoyed it.

B. Celeste est clairement une auteure qui aime écrire des romans qui abordent des thèmes très difficiles mais avec beaucoup de justesse!

Dans ce livre, nous suivons Ivy qui a 16 ans décide de partir de chez ses parents tant ils la néglige et elle veut leur prouver qu’elle peut devenir quelqu’un. Sauf qu’en quittant sa ville, elle abandonne aussi son meilleur ami, Aiden. Quelques années plus tard, leurs routes finissent par se recroiser à l’université Lindon, arriveront-ils à communiquer? A se comprendre et à se pardonner?

J’ai passé un excellent moment avec ce livre, qui aborde des thèmes que l’on voit rarement même si Aiden est un joueur de football américain quand on découvre son secret on tombe des nues! Ivy n’a pas eu la vie facile et elle a dû prendre des décisions difficiles mais elle se bat pour ses convictions. J’ai beaucoup apprécié les personnages qui sont très attachants et poignants, on aurait envie de les serrer dans nos bras comme parfois envie de les secouer. J’ai beaucoup aimé les amis d’Aiden et j’ai hâte de lire leurs livres! Le petit bémol que j’aurais à dire c’est que j’ai trouvé que certains problèmes étaient résolus un peu trop rapidement ou survolés à mon goût.

En bref, un livre avec lequel on passe un excellent moment!

Una historia interesante. Con muchos TW, y peleas innecesarias. Aunque entretenida de leer.

Tenemos a la chica que ha pasado por tanto en la vida, que su personalidad es muy ruda y apática. Le gusta hacer todo sola, no depender de nadie, su pasado "oscuro" la persigue como una nube negra en su presente. No tiene lazos familiares ni amistades.

Por otro lado tenemos al chico genio en los estudios que a la vez juega fútbol americano. Él ha estado toda su vida enamorado de la misma chica, de su vecina de la infancia. Pero ella un día desapareció, se fugó de su casa y desde entonces han pasado 4 años. ¿Cuál es la probabilidad de encontrarla de nuevo en el campus de la universidad?.

¿Es posible que estas dos personas recuperen su relación de niños? Eso es lo que se responde en este libro. Hay muchas luchas contra los fantasmas del pasado, las inseguridades, los rechazos, los cambios, etc.

Ivy me agradó casi todo el tiempo. Aiden no siempre, por ser muy controlador y dar todo por hecho, pero al final se lo perdoné.

No fue mi historia favorita, pero sí me gustó que no resultó tan cliché como otras de romance universitario.

“Because I'm not fortunate at all.
I was two millimeters off.”
“This was all me. It wasn't the drugs or the guys that led me to making this decision. It was desperation. The doctor called it a cry for help."
This book was so incredibly, wonderfully, heartbreaking amazing !!!!
I’m absolutely in love !!! I can’t even express how much this book touched my soul in ways I was not expecting.
It is a romance, yes, with spicy scenes that will make you feel hot.
But the sweetness and dedication and loyalty of that romantic feeling between two best friends who after being strangers get to find their way into each other’s arms once again … I got constant goosebumps !!!
Ivy is such a survivor!!! She went through the worst and honestly … I feel like I could relate to her in more than one way !!
And Aiden … he was perfect, in his own flaws !!!
I loved the way he loves her and I loved watching him trying to prove her his own point: that she is stronger than she gives herself credit for.
If there is one thing you should take with yourself after reading this book, apart from the spicy scenes, should be the feeling of people you love, being there for you even when you feel alone.
The desperation that comes with feeling the world is crushing you down, like the people closest to you do not care … is overwhelming sometimes. So it’s be good to “keep your head on the game” instead of letting it wander with terrible thoughts and feelings threatening to swallow you whole.
I’m so glad I had the chance to read this book and experience what these characters were experiencing !!! I can’t wait for the next book I’m this series !!!
"I dare you to hate me, Ivy. Because we both know you don't. You couldn't even if vou tried."
“You were always mine, Chaos. All these years don't change the fact that it's always been me and you. Even when you didn't know it. Nobody else had a chance.”

If you read After or Beautiful Disaster and wanted something similar but with better writing, less drama, likable characters, and serious topics, this is the one you should be reading.

This is a childhood friends to lovers, sports romance, and the girl fell first but the boy falls harder.
TW for attempted suicide and self-harm

This story is about Ivy and Aiden. Ivy is stubborn, sarcastic, insecure, and believes no one can choose her. But she was an honest representation of a girl who suffered, had depression, and whose past still haunted her because of her choices. Now she works at a cafe and in enters Aiden, and he won't let her get away again.

Aiden has been surviving thanks to football, but when he sees Ivy, he can finally start to live again. He is the type of hero that lives and breads for his girl and will do anything for her.

These two completed each other so well, the relationship from being a friend to a couple was smoothly transitioned and well-developed, they had time but it wasn't slow, it was just enough. I liked that they had a history as friends and it helped intensified the angst between them. I liked the build-up of their relationship as a couple. It felt genuine and believable, even if it was painful.

College Sports Romance. 3.5/5 stars
Possible Spoilers. TW: self-harm

College students Aiden and Ivy reunite after years of separated friendship. He is a star tight end destined for the NFL and she is a struggling student, with a lot to prove. This is my first book from this author and in the first third of the book, I was HOOKED. The drama, the feels, the detail...it was clear why this self-published author is reprinting with a publisher. Around 60% however, I felt frustrated with Ivy. Don't get me wrong, I LIVED for Aiden. His strength and loyalty made me wish I was 15 years younger, and ya know, he was real. For me, Ivy did not bring the character development I hoped for. There was a big shock around 80% that made me race to the finish of the book. Overall, good writing style, problematic characters with age-appropriate drama, no third act breakup and all the loose ends tied up. I would definitely read another book in this series if the MMC is DJ. LOVED him as a supporting character and want to hear his story.

There is an author's note that should be read and heeded. Self-harm and destructive behaviors are discussed and on the page. Someone who struggles with these thoughts should probably skip this one. The author does an excellent job depicting struggle and growth in that area, just very explicit about it.

Thank you to Sourcebooks/Bloom Books, B. Celeste and NetGalley for the digital ARC. This review is my own.

I raced through this book and found myself truly surprised by the complex characters which are not always present in a ‘sports romance’. Ivy had my heart aching, racing and beating overtime; she had such a traumatic story that I was NOT expecting. Aiden was the CLASSIC supportive, would-do-anything-for-her man that complemented her so perfectly. Childhood friends to strangers to ‘friends’ to lovers is always going to hit for me and this was no exception!

Review in progress and to come.

I received a free copy of this book via NetGalley and am voluntarily leaving a review

At sixteen Ivy Underwood made the tough decision to walk away from everything she knew and never looked back. She couldn't because she knew that she would see Aiden Griffith, the boy who owned her heart, and she'd be lured back in...and she couldn't bare the thought of returning to the miserable life she knew. Aidan would just have to be the one she let get away...

She never expected to see him again, so when he waltzes into her new life and wants a second chance she isn't quite sure what to say... is it possible for them to really pick up right where they left of so easily? Or is it too good to be true like everything else in life?

Dare You to Hate Me is a breathtakingly beautiful love story that almost never happened, as our heroine walked away from the boy she loved thinking that was it for them, but as we quickly learn fate has other plans for these two. But our heroine has been let down so many times in life that she has trouble putting faith in the life Aiden is offering her, not to mention she is too proud to let someone walk into her life and sweep her off of her feet. She is a stubborn girl who insists on making her own choices, putting her trust in another soul just isn't something she is comfortable with... so Aiden has his work cut out for him. But he is determined to not lose her again and is willing to give every part of himself for her if that is what it takes. Watching these two find their way is bound to irritate you at times, but have faith it works out the way it's supposed to. It's a love story that will test your patience the whole way through, but I promise it'll leave your heart happy! I really enjoyed this one, it tortured in all the best ways, made me smile and swoon, and left me craving more! Bring on the second book, I cannot wait to see who captures D.J.'s heart!! Highly recommend!

I requested an advanced copy of this title from the publisher and I am voluntarily leaving my honest and unbiased opinion.

I really loved this book! It was the first experience I have had with sports romance, and with trigger warnings of self harm, but nonetheless I absolutely adored it. Ivy and Aiden were so easy to fall in love with, and I was rooting for them for the entirety of the book. I cannot wait to read the next book in the Lindon U series!

The story follows a girl named Ivy Underwood who run away at 16 from a toxic home environment and now attends Lindon U. When she ran away, she asked her best friend to go with her but she ultimately left him behind. Years later she sees her best friend, Aiden, again as they both attend Lindon U, but in completely different social circles. Ivy works every spare chance she gets for an nice women who own a coffee shop and Aiden is a star football player at Lindon U.

Aiden wants to be friends with Ivy again, but she has built walls around her heart not wanting to let him back in. Slowly, they start to get to know each other as they are now and Ivy begins to trust him, leading to them being friends and then to a relationship.

I enjoyed reading this book mostly because I really liked Aiden's character. He never gave up on Ivy not matter how much she pushed him away. However, for this very same reason, I did not like Ivy. I understand that she had some hurt feeling from when she was 16 and she went through a lot of trauma after running away but she was always pushing Aiden away. No matter what Aiden did she turned it against their friendship because she didn't want to open up. Even when she did, she kept thinking that he was going to leave her when he got drafted for the NFL.

The story itself was really good but in the end I think that Aiden and Ivy could have just stayed friends only. But if you like reading a friends to lovers trope, then this is still a really good read!

I gave this book a 3 star rate.
It's an emotional read but it lacks so much.
I love that it's football romance and has a happily ever after.

omg ive been on a smut book kick lately and this one was incredible. super spicy while still having a plot and also lovable characters!

I do love going into books with little to no knowledge of the book because I’m often pleasantly surprised. I read the blurb of this book and it sounded good so I decided to read it! While I enjoyed this book, it never truly hooked me which is why it got 4 stars.

I loved the emotions behind the story and the friendship of Aiden and Ivy, it was the perfect childhood friends to lovers and reminded that while I don’t like this trope, it can be done well, and this is a great example of that.

Aiden and Ivy were meant for each other and I love the secrets and relationship that builds after they reconnect during college. Their childhood friendship was strong, but this one is built on full communication and honesty and that is what made their relationship so strong.

I loved the build up of Ivy and her story as the conflict rather than the relationship itself, it was a creative story and surprised me in the way it planned out!

Dare You to Hate Me is a childhood friends (with seperation) to lovers and a college football romance by B. Celeste. This book has some triggering topics that are noted at the beginning of the book. It follows Ivy and Aiden who by random chance end up at the same college years after they last saw each other. Ivy ran away from home at 16 because she could no longer stand the toxic environment. She is not proud of the things she did to get by but she is a survivor. Aiden was never the same after Ivy left and when he sees her working at the local bakery, he works towards gaining her trust again.
I was pleasantly surprised by this novel! I loved that our characters were so close growing up. The flashbacks to when they were younger and all the times Aiden was there for Ivy was so sweet. I also loved how supportive Aiden's parents were of Ivy and them allowing her to stay with them so much because Ivy needed out of her house. I do wish there were more scenes from the past because they were so sweet. That was the time Ivy and Aiden got to know each other and I wanted to see more because when they reunite they already know each other so well. I also loved seeing the growth of the characters but especially Ivy. She went through a lot after leaving her parents and she has to overcome a lot in order to trust Aiden and lose all the control she needs to have over her life. Aiden knows how much Ivy needs control and he pushes her a lot to get past that. At some points it can be almost too much pushing but he means well and nobody knows Ivy better than him. Overall, I really loved this book and I am excited to continue on with the series and see DJ and Skylar's book!
Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for a review!

Thanks to netgalley for the ARC. Every t8me I snag a new adult book, i think this will be the one with some substance. Sadly, it’s never right. I will say this one had a little bit of reason for the romance because of history, but even the history was slim without much detail/reason for their friendship and for that friendship to turn into love. All the guy does is act like he’s all big and bad and then at one point uses her physically and gets super mad right after and tells her not to let anyone use her. And all the girl does is go on and on about how she is basically trash to the point where it was really annoying. I always expect sexual content with new adult, but this one was a bit over the top, especially when you’re trying to say they’re developing love and feelings? Not impressed. FYI language, violence, reference to suicide and trauma, sexual content

⭐️⭐️⭐️💫 3.75/5 (4⭐️ on GR)

Spice: 🌶️🌶️ 2/5
Sensitive Subject Warning ⚠️

Thoughts: 💭

Overall this book was enjoyable. Childhood friends, turned lovers with a sprinkle of football. What’s not to love!

What I loved most was the MMC, Aiden! I will always enjoy a good read where the guy falls first. He was caring, understanding, and Ivy’s biggest supporter when she needed it most. Swoon! What fell flat for me was the FMC, Ivy. Of course I love a strong independent woman, but she was almost toooooo RBF for me, if that’s even possible lol.

Side note: DJ (Daniel) gave me such golden retriever energy. I can’t wait to read his story in Beg You to Trust Me.

𝑾𝒉𝒂𝒕 𝒕𝒐 𝒆𝒙𝒑𝒆𝒄𝒕 𝒊𝒏 𝑫𝒂𝒓𝒆 𝒀𝒐𝒖 𝒕𝒐 𝑯𝒂𝒕𝒆 𝑴𝒆…
- Dual POV
- Football
- Childhood Friends to Lovers
- It Was Always You
- Past / Present
- Found Family-ish
- Mental Health / Su!c!de Awareness

Thank you B. Celeste, NetGalley, and Bloom Books for this eARC in exchange for my honest review.

Make sure to add this one to your preorder list! Publication date 📆 is April 11th, 2023.

2.5 stars, I was excited for this one but it generally let me down. I enjoyed the tropes and I didn’t mind the graphic content, the writing style just wasn’t for me. I feel like the author does a lot of "telling" to the reader when it would be more impactful to "show" them instead.

There was also some usage of the word "hermaphrodite" towards the beginning of the book. It made me feel a little uncomfortable, especially since this word is generally avoided now and the intentions were negative.