The Hook Up delivers a nice amount of spice and a classic sports romance vibe, but this one didn’t fully win me over. The chemistry between Anna and Drew is undeniably steamy, and their banter adds a fun touch to the story.

Drew’s charm and persistence make him a solid romantic lead, and Anna’s sharp wit gives her character some depth. However, the plot felt predictable at times, relying heavily on familiar tropes without bringing much new to the table. While the bonus content is a nice addition, it didn’t quite elevate the story for me.

It’s an entertaining read if you’re in the mood for something spicy and light, but it didn’t leave a lasting impression. A decent romance, but not a personal favorite.

I absolutely adored this book!! I loved the depth of Drew and Anna's relationship. I loved the writing and the whole story. I really would have loved seeing on the page if Drew ends up going to therapy or not. I loved how while their relationship was very physical, they were very open communicating with each other.

I'm most definitely a sucker for sports romance and this on did not disappoint.

The very beginning got under my skin because she came across as I'm too good for him or anyone, but once I got past that I did thoroughly enjoy the story

The Hook Up by Kristen Callihan
Rating: 3.5 ☆

“That one’s passions can overtake rational thought and prompt them to act in irrational ways.”

This story was definitely one of mixed reviews for me. There were moments where I absolutely LOVED this book and there were moments that were a bit more questionable.

To start, Drew Baylor is the starting quarterback while Anna Jones is a fiery red head with the brains and wit to match. It is a pairing you don’t anticipate but love to see.

From the beginning, there was draw between the two characters but I believe the storyline started off choppy. It seemed as if there was some sort of relationship within the first few chapters with no set timeline or idea of where it was going. This worried me slightly when reading the story but the storyline definitely picked up.

I enjoyed how Drew was not your typical QB but someone with a lot of education and an amazing sense of humor. He complimented Anna very well! I do think we could have seen a bit more depth in him though - his parents passed but I think flashbacks would have built his character tenfold. Anna I had mixed feelings about, although she was smart she didn’t have a set direction for herself which was fine but it did seem as though her whole character revolved around Drew. I would have loved to see more of her backstory and interaction between her and her mother.

One of my favorite things though was the tension and conversational banter between the two characters. It felt very NORMAL and something that could actually occur.

I do wish the ending wasn’t so abrupt though to time skip into the epilogue. Yes, it would have made the story longer but it would have gave the book more of an impact.

✨I received this as an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for my honest review✨
Let me preface this by saying: I am not a fan of college romance. I feel like I’m too old. That being said, I had so much fun reading this. I liked that they were older than normal college romances, and that I think was the intent.
I’m a big fan of sports romance and I can never seem to find football romances that I actually like. They always seem like the author is trying to hard to be into the sport when they clearly aren’t. Im personally a HUGE football fan (literally in the car on my way home from a Minnesota Vikings game as I type this) and so it’s hard for me to read them unless the author knows what they’re talking about. This one was easy to get through simply because it never really touches on Drew while he’s playing and Anna refuses to go to his games. It’s easy to suspend the disbelief when the sport is really only there in name.
I do wish we had seen more of Drew’s recovery from his injury. It focused a lot on his anger and Anna’s concerns for him, but we never really see how he deals with it, I would have liked to see that explored a bit more.
It did tend to veer a tin bit more towards erotica (this is not a wrong thing- ya girl loves a good erotica) I just wasn’t fully expecting it. It seemed to me that Drew and Anna tended to have all of their conversations through sexual contact, which is fine, but it tended to become a bit repetitive. There was a point where I was like “COULD YALL JUST TALK TO EACH OTHER????????” But that’s how this genre works so I can’t really be too angry about it.
I did still really like this! This is my third Kristen Callihan book and so I I knew I would enjoy it. Definitely recommend for someone looking so a quick, spicy sports romance!

I was a little hesitant to accept the offer of The Hook Up, mostly because new adult romances tend to annoy me just a little. I am so happy that I fought my reluctance, as I absolutely loved this book, and am looking for a copy of the second book in the series to read asap.

Drew and Anna are such a great couple, and the banter is some of the best ever! The conflicts are realistic and just a little heartbreaking; it is rare that I am brought to tears by books in this subgenre, and speaks to the depth of the characters that this one had my eyes welling up on more than one occasion. The title kind of foreshadows the spice level of the novel, it's pretty hot, and definitely not closed door.

Readers who enjoyed Icebreaker by Hannah Grace will enjoy The Hook Up as they have a similar feel and spice content. Thank you to Netgalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing for the digital ARC of The Hook Up by Kristen Callihan. The opinions in this review are my own.

Fantastic contemporary romance read!! I loved every minute of this book. I highly recommend this book to anyone who loves romance and characters with baggage. I loved the simplicity of the characters, yet complexity they tended to bring to each other. I also like the football elements in the book. It did not detract from the story but helped to explain characters and character flaws. The snarkiness and wit that I love in Kristen Callihan's books is solid and had me laughing out loud. I was happy to know that this is a series of books and I cannot wait to see what other characters she brings to life in the series. And though some of the characters are fleeting, I am hoping they will resurface in other books or have their own. As well as hoping Anna and Drew pop up in other books in the series.

A reissue of a spicy college romance. This features Anna and Drew-opposites who find after some angst that they are meant for one another. It's trope-y, light, and entertaining. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC.

🏈🫶the hook up🫶🏈 by kristen callihan review time!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5 battle butt baylor stars
🌶️🌶️.5/5

Read if you love...
🏈he falls first
🫶friends with benefits
🏈college football quarterback
🫶opposites attract
🏈nicknames
🫶emotional connections
🏈HEA

This was such a good read! This was not the average college hockey romance- the steam and banter between these two was unmatched. I was expecting a typical college aged romance, but this book was so much more emotional and got deeper as I kept reading. Drew and Anna were making me question my own thoughts while reading.

I was happily (and irritatingly) enthralled with the back and forth of this book. D&As relationship was deeper than most others I've read, and their chemistry was off the hook! I was a struggling, hot mess while reading this - yet I couldn't put it down - thank god there was a HEA... I was so happy with the ending!

"All’s fair in love and football… Game on."
"The rules: no kissing on the mouth, no staying the night, no telling anyone and above all…no falling in love."

Thank you to netgalley, the publishers and the author Kristen Callihan for letting me read, along with review this book ARC. This was a four star sports romance read that releases Saturday January 7th 2025.
Drew Baylor is a professional quarterback football player for the NFL who is confident, good looking and endearing; but the downside is he lives his life in the main limelight. Anna Jones just graduated college and is focusing on currently what's her next step after gettin a degree. Not on her mind sight was falling for a professional athlete especially a football player. This was an amazing sports romance! I hope everyone loves it as much as I did

Their are wonderful book tropes in this novel, which are:
-Sports Romance
-He falls first
-Friends with benefits
-Friends to lovers
-Opposites attract
-Football Romance

I read this a few years back and didn't realize it was being released again.

I loved the book the first time and the second time around. I adored Drew and how down to earth he was as the QB on campus. I appreciate that Anna didn't succumb to his charms immediately and had to work for it.

The story takes us on their journey and a major event
happens and it was great to see the support from Anna. I also loved the supporting characters that added so much.

The 1/3 act break up could've totally been avoidable and I wanted to knock some sense into Anna to be a butter communicator.

Thank you @harlequinbooks for a copy of this.

4.25⭐️

Drew Baylor has just been unlocked as a new boyfriend. I will take no criticism on him. A very beautifully written book and of course, listening to it made it so real. I truly enjoyed all the characters in this book so much and being introduced to the next characters in the series made me excited. I really enjoyed the attraction between Drew and Anna so much. She was the Spitfire that gave Drew all his days, and he was determined to win her over. There was very positive talk about therapy and how it benefits, different situations, I really appreciated that. All around great book couldn’t wait for the next one in the series.

This was my second time reading this book and I loved it just as much as I did the first time! It is quite addicting and a page turner. I love that he falls first and hard. Highly recommend and I can't wait to read more books from this author.

Thanks to Kristen Callahan and her team. Thanks to Netgalley letting read this ARC.Drew and Anna are polar opposite. They say opposites attract to each other. He is a college age jock head of the football team. They both come up with a plan to hook up but it keep it casual with it. In the end he falls first. Drew was the first one to confess to her his real feelings. He was in love with her all along. They both finally told her each how they felt.

When I got this ARC from Netgalley, I expected a cute Football romance and nothing else. Talk about being wrong! This is my first time reading this author’s work, and I was pleasantly surprised by how quickly I became immersed in the story. This will not be my last read from this author.

The cover and title are rather misleading. While it’s accurate that Anna and Drew’s relationship begins with a hook-up ignited by Anna’s challenging behavior, this narrative goes beyond that initial spark. I can’t even explain how much I love these characters. It’s definitely a “He falls first”, but she’s not far behind. The lingering effects of their individual traumas impact every encounter Anna and Drew have, whether it’s with each other or their social circle. Their quest for a happily ever after was an emotional one. The lack of trust made me discouraged several times, but their playful banter and steamy scenes kept me engaged. (Whew, is it hot in here?)

There's so much more to this story, but I will not spoil your read.
This book was a real page-turner. The characters were so engaging and the writing was so smooth; it was impossible to put down.
It was fantastic. You definitely need to get this one.

Thank you to netgalley and publisher for a digital eARC of the new publication!

Enjoyed this book and would recommend to any sports-romance enthusiasts. The first 3/4 of this book was 4 stars, but having a 2nd and 3rd breakup act and all the fighting at the end brought it down to a 3. I get that they needed character development, but I just wasn’t a big fan. And the happy ending was so immediate after all the fighting.

The Hook Up was like a roller-coaster ride of emotions. I was all in for the first part, where Anna and Drew were caught in that delicious "will they or won't they" tension. Watching them navigate their own identities while also figuring out their relationship was like the perfect sweet spot of fun, flirty, and real. It had all the spark I was hoping for.

But then... about three-quarters of the way in, it felt like the track took a hard turn. Suddenly, the fun, light vibe shifted, and the story got really deep, really fast. I totally get that this was all about character development — Anna and Drew were supposed to grow up, and the stakes were meant to get higher. But for me, it was like watching two college kids trying to figure things out, and then suddenly they were dealing with issues that felt way heavier than I was ready for. It kind of took the air out of the fun vibe, and honestly, the last third of the book felt like a bit of a buzzkill.

I still liked the characters (seriously, they were both great), and overall, the story had its cute moments. But I just wish the ending had kept a bit more of the playful energy I was loving in the beginning. If it had, I think it would’ve been a perfect ride from start to finish!

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.