This book may have originally hit shelves nearly a decade ago, but with a new edition slated for release in January 2025, I was excited to dive into this ARC from NetGalley.

At first glance, The Hook Up feels like a classic college-age romcom—the star quarterback falls for the curvy redhead, but "the timing isn’t right," leading to their hilariously doomed plan: no kissing on the mouth, no staying the night, no falling in love.

What surprised me, though, was how much more there was beneath the surface. Alongside the expected romcom beats, the story delves into heavier topics like parental issues, depression, and navigating the challenges of having a friend in an abusive relationship. These deeper layers gave the book an emotional weight I wasn't anticipating.

One thing I especially loved? He falls for her first. That reversal of the typical “girl pining for the unattainable guy” narrative felt refreshing and empowering. Plus, the spice? Spot on.
I’m giving this one 4 stars. It’s an enjoyable mix of humor, heart, and heat, with just enough substance to stand out from similar stories.

Thank you, NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing, for the opportunity to read this ebook!

"The Hook Up" by Kristen Callihan is a refreshing take on the classic college athlete meets girl trope. While the premise might seem familiar, Callihan's execution sets this book apart.
Drew, the star quarterback, and Anna, a sharp-witted student, have undeniable chemistry from the start. What begins as a casual hook-up evolves into a deep, emotional connection that feels authentic and relatable. The author takes her time developing the characters and their relationships, allowing readers to fully invest in their journey.
One of the book's strengths lies in its portrayal of friendship. The supporting characters are well-crafted, adding depth to the story without overshadowing the main romance. The pacing is deliberately slow, giving ample space for character growth and relationship development. While the book features steamy scenes, they complement rather than dominate the narrative. Callihan strikes a perfect balance between humor, emotion, and sensuality.
"The Hook Up" is an engaging read that surpasses expectations. Its relatable characters, genuine emotions, and well-crafted relationships make it stand out in the New Adult genre. A solid 5 out of 5 stars for this captivating romance.

He sat next to her in philosophy class and all bets were off. No matter how much Anna tried to ignore Drew Baylor, he just wouldn't stop - stop staring at her, putting his foot in his mouth, and looking absolutely delicious. She keeps him at arm’s length until one evening at a party she doesn’t even want to go to, he corners her upstairs and breaks down her defenses.

You know, when I started this story, I didn’t think I was going to enjoy it, but really, Callihan is a good storyteller with zingy writing, steamy and plot-wise. Hat’s (and everything else) off to her for making a spicy novel something a little bit MORE. There is a lovely look into the college football player’s life, and the pressure and pain that goes along with it, and the entire novel is a thoughtful but steamy read. This is my first Kristen Callihan novel, but I want to read more, and it seems like since this is the first in a series, we will get more insight into the player’s lives.!

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for this ARC.

Great book and great story. Loved reading this for a second time. It is a feel good story with a HEA!

First a huge thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC! While I wasn't super into the plot, I will say the spice was HOT. If you are looking for a sports romance, extra spicy, Ms. Callihan has got you! I look forward to reading more from this author in the future and recommend this book to fans of Elle Kennedy. I gave this book a high 3 star!

WHEW… this is spicey! i’d give it a 3/5 on the spice scale but besides that i really did love Anna and Drews story! He falls first and harder will always be a top tier trope for me. The only character I really didn’t like was Iris, the other supporting characters were top notch!

I went into this book blind & man was I pleasantly surprised by how much I loved this!

The romance here is done so well. Anna and Drew have intense, crazy hot chemistry right from the start. There's a lot of tension and banter between them that draws the reader in. The spicy scenes are fantastic and definitely high heat! If you like the black cat x golden retriever dynamic, you'll love Anna & Drew. Drew is absolutely gone for Anna and we love to see a man earn the woman's love.

Anna is a complicated character. I related to her struggles and felt a lot of sympathy for her. I liked reading her journey and watching her let herself fall in love. Drew is charismatic, and yes a bit of a man-ho, but he's incredibly sweet and caring. He had a big heart and that made him redeemable for the f-boy demeanor haha.

As I stated before, the spicy scenes in this book were hot! I don't think fans of spicy books will be disappointed with this one.

Would highly recommend if you like sport romances.

espresso by sabrina carpenter
stay stay stay by taylor swift

boy falls first and he PINS - this book is the epitome of popular jock obsessed and yearns for fmc even though the fmc wants nothing to do with him

the story was dragging a little but the character-building is good where you’re able to get know anna and drew as individuals as well as see the two connect

anna is a sweetie! even though she puts on a tough, takes-no-shit exterior, she’s still just a girl with insecurities from past trauma trying to protect herself! shes so real!! her song is “the archer” by taylor swift

ngl this is the first time i read a football player mmc that sounds intelligent lmao like the vocabulary drew used during his bickering with anna was high level! i like that drew is intelligent, plays no games like he’s straight forward about his feelings for anna and continuously pursues her

Honestly this book was a solid four until towards the end…..SPOILERS INCOMING - didn’t love the third act break up and the fourth act break up??? tbh i was gonna give this four stars but the fourth break up made me drop a star

tropes: dislike to friends to lovers?
good tension/bickering banter and spice

overall, this was a good slow-burn college sports romance

The Hook Up is a steamy romance that hooked me right from the start. Anna and Drew are characters you can’t help but root for, with their electric chemistry, sharp banter, and heartfelt moments that make their connection feel real. It’s a super spicy, open-door romance that delivers not just on heat but on emotional depth, giving you a romance with plenty of heart.

The story checks off so many favorite tropes, from opposites attract to college sports romance, and he falls first. Anna’s independence and Drew’s vulnerability create a dynamic that’s both playful and touching. If you’re a fan of romances that balance heat with humor and tenderness, this one is worth picking up. I’ll definitely be reading the rest of the series!

I received an eARC of this book from Net Galley in exchange for an honest review.

I was interested in this book as just a feel good romance to read between more dense books. Unfortunately, it didn't deliver.

This book is about a girl who was unpopular in high school and still has major hang ups about that in college and a guy who is a jock in both high school and college. It is trying so hard to be insta-love but its coming across as insta-lust. The characters are very clearly still immature and yet we are supposed to believe that they are "the One" for each other. I liked some of the banter but that was about it. There was a lot of spicy scenes. They were okay. Also, I had a lot of issues with the immature way that these characters dealt with their issues. Drew became emotionally abusive and screamed a lot; reading from his perspective he was heavily tempted towards violence. This was triggering as someone who was once in an abusive relationship. Anna had her own faults but typically beat herself up psychologically so when Drew went on his tirades it just reinforced her self hate. I didn't want these two to get together and the idea that they plan to get married in the future is upsetting honestly. They are both way too immature and desperately need to be in therapy (separately). They both need a lot of work on themselves before they focus on being in a relationship. This didn't have an HEA in my opinion because the toxicity they had in this book bodes ill for their future if they stay on this path.

This was such a sweet book about a couple who, regardless of what they think they want, are meant to be together. This book was a rollercoaster of emotions that had me on the edge of my seat. You are rooting for this couple all the way through. Sports romances are totally in, and this one is definitely one I will be recommending. I loved it! Thanks to the author and publisher for the ARC of this book!

I tried to make myself read this a few times but finally gave up at 25%. It moves too slow for my liking.

Thank you Harlequin for granting me an ARC!

The new cover makes it easier to read them in public lol, though I am not a fan of the cartoon covers in general. I read the first edition when it came out a while back and remembered enjoying it. Reading it again, it does not feel the same and I don't like Anna's character's that much. She is an insecure feminist, which is kind of an oxymoron. She uses Drew but won't commit because she was bullied about her looks. I don’t like the girl boss energy, it doesn’t give a likable main character in my opinion. Drew is an ok character, his plot is very sudden at the end and the end wraps up very fast. There wasn't any major changes in plot from what I recall of the original book. The author does include new references to Tik Tok though. My reading tastes have evolved a lot since 2014, but I do think the next book in the series “The Friend Zone,” is way better, and I hope there is not a lot of changes in that rerelease.
I received an ARC through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

This book surprised me. Going in, I appreciated the ARC but I was nervous.
This chemistry is great, Drew is a dork (which I loved), and it was a fast page-turner for me.
Who knew I'd like a sports romance?

I found this book to be a little disappointing. Based on the popularity of the author, I expected more. I didn’t expect the book to be as predictable as it is. That being said, I enjoyed both of the main characters, Anna and Drew, who were both refreshingly complex. Although, Anna frustrated me at times because she had such a hard time believing that Drew’s feelings for her were genuine.

Hello! I had actually already read the first publication of this book so I was super excited to read it again and get the new content. I already liked the story and I feel like the new content added to the story. I would definitely recommend to a friend, in fact I believe I already have!

I absolutely loved this book! It beautifully captures the essence of youth and the thrill of exploration. The story follows a young man navigating life and love, while the woman he encounters is refreshingly clear about wanting just a steamy connection. This dynamic creates a captivating tension that pulled me in right from the start.

The development of their relationship feels both authentic and compelling, effortlessly blending passionate moments with genuine emotional depth. I appreciated how the author delves into the complexities of their interactions, allowing both characters to confront their desires and vulnerabilities. This isn’t just a simple romance; it’s a profound exploration of connection and intimacy.

I found myself completely engaged, eager to see how their journey would unfold. Watching the characters evolve added layers to the narrative, transforming it into a story about personal growth and self-discovery amidst intense and passionate experiences. If you're looking for a read that balances steam with depth, this book is a must!

This is such a darling love story, but also full of fun and drama! Loved every page. Kristen Callihan you just wrote a fantastic book! Loved it!

I really liked this book because I can relate to myself of my college days. Always questioning myself and hoping to find a guy that obsessed over me like Drew did with Anna. Her constant valid insecurities were always comforted by Drew. This fact however made Drew a little unrealistic for me. The constant dialogue where they each constantly expressed how perfect the other was just kind of turned me off of the story. “You’re perfect. You’re amazing. You’re my dream”. It was constant. The storyline dimmed a little behind all the angst for each other. I loved how they helped each other through their struggles so this is definitely a perfect NA genre book and I’d love to continue the series. The ending was so sweet.

Thank you NetGalley for this opportunity to provide my honest review!

Thanks Netgalley for this ARC copy. As a lover of sports romance books, this was right up my alley. I found i could relate to Anna at different times in the book as she wasnt the popular girl that everyone loved. She felt she was not good enough for the star QB, but really she was too good for him at times.
Drew was what you expect from a sports guy in a book like this. Good looking and cocky. But it was good to have some of his insight.
Overall i enjoyed it. It filled my cup for sports romance.