Astor Hill by Sydney Madison is a poignant exploration of grief, trauma, and self-discovery set against the backdrop of a freshman college experience. Olivia, the main character, grapples with the devastating loss of a close friend while navigating the challenges of young adulthood. The weight of her grief is compounded when she enters a toxic relationship with Will, a troubled character she meets on the very night of her friend's death.

The story dives into Olivia's emotional journey, highlighting the complexities of coping with loss while being entangled in an unhealthy relationship. Will’s mistreatment of Olivia is heartbreaking and frustrating, evoking sympathy for her as she struggles to find her footing. However, hope enters the narrative through Ben, Will's brother and the charismatic basketball captain. Ben and Olivia share an undeniable connection, and their budding relationship becomes a beacon of light in Olivia's tumultuous life.

Sydney Madison skillfully portrays the intense emotions of grief and the process of healing, particularly as experienced by young adults. Olivia’s transformation—from being trapped in a toxic relationship to discovering her worth and embracing love—resonates deeply. The contrast between Will and Ben underscores themes of self-respect, resilience, and the importance of healthy relationships.

The novel's navigation of grief stands out, offering a raw and authentic portrayal of a young woman finding her way after profound loss. The romance between Ben and Olivia is both heartwarming and redemptive, providing a satisfying arc to Olivia's story. Fans of emotionally driven narratives and character growth will find much to appreciate in Astor Hill.

If there is one thing that is going to suck me in its rich people problems.

The first half of this book I wasn’t too sure about. All of the characters (maybe except Grant) were so unlikeable. Olivia is made out to be a head strong character but she lets her boyfriend that she seemingly spends no time with walk all over her.

As the story progressed and you got more backstory on her toxic relationship with her best friend you can see why she deep down has some insecurity issues that might make her make bad relationship choices. While I wouldn’t say any of the characters became more likable you can see them trying.

The second half of the book was much more enjoyable for me. The story got kind of twisty and uncovers a lot of the mystery between how these characters are all connected. This part definitely gave me gossip girl vibes and had me in the edge of my seat a few parts.

I think if I liked the characters a little more I would have cared more about the romance and given this a higher rating. I was really here for the drama and twists.

💚 basketball player x journalist 💚
💚 (ex) boyfriend’s older brother 💚
💚 deals with grief 💚
💚 lots of drama 💚
💚 medium-paced 💚
💚 one tree hill vibes 💚
💚 college romance 💚

first of all, a big thank you to the authors and NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read this book! I really did enjoy it. It had the drama of one tree hill for sure, and I am a one tree hill fan, but I will say, that this book was heavier than I thought it was going to be going in. It deals with grief a lot, and for obvious reasons, that’s a hard thing to tackle.
Ben is a great MMC and I adored him. I wouldn’t say he could do NO wrong, but he could definitely do very little. I thought he was a more lovable character than Olivia. Still liked her, but she just had these walls up for so long (for good reason but still) that it was hard to connect with her I feel like. And it just made me upset how long she stayed with Will.
I do recommend this book, especially if you like sports romances that go just a little deeper! I felt a lot while reading this book, that’s for sure 🏀💚

Thank you @sydneymadisonbooks for the ARC! This is my first ever ARC and I am so happy it was this book! Thank you for sending it to me!

Astor Hill is a prestigious liberal arts college that is home to elite east coast families. Olivia is a freshman at Astor Hill with her best friend Lily when tragedy strikes. What she thought would be a year of firsts turns into a year of grief.

Just two years later, Olivia not only finds herself dating Astor Hill’s “It boy,” Will Chapman, but she has secured the coveted position as editor for the school newspaper. She seemingly has it all - until Ben Cabot, former basketball player and brother of Will returns to campus after a mysterious absence.

Uncovering the reason behind Ben’s disappearance becomes Olivia’s new assignment at the newspaper, and challenges the foundation of her world. Ben’s reappearance unlocks memories of the past that Olivia would rather forget.

OH MY GOODNESS. I had SO much fun reading Astor Hill. This book is the perfect blend of Gossip Girl and One Tree Hill with a *dash* of Magnolia Parks thrown in.

I was rooting for Ben and Olivia - I only wish Olivia had broken up with Will sooner. His character arc grew through out the book. I was disappointed with the way he treated Olivia for most of the book and Gen for that matter, but by the end, I understood why he was the way he is. I thought Astor Hill did a great job of working through themes of grief and uncertainty, and how healing is never linear. Grief sneaks up on us when we least expect it. That honesty was refreshing.

I do wish we had seen more of Lily’s character. It doesn’t seem like her character was meant to be this overly sweet/kind person, but I did have a little bit of trouble connecting with her and Olivia’s grief over losing her. Yes, she was her childhood friend, but I didn’t find Lily to be particularly likable, both to Will and Olivia.

I absolutely loved Ben and Olivia’s relationship. The pining, the slow burn, the golden retriever that is Ben… *chef’s kiss.* I did struggle a little with the fact that he was Will’s brother - but I do think the authors did a good job of addressing the complexity their relationship had due to its proximity to Will.

Overall rating: 4/ 5 stars!

Read Astor Hill if you like:
Magnolia Parks/ Gossip Girl/ One Tree Hill
- Slow Burn
- Mutual Pining
- Grief/Healing
- Golden Retriever MMC
- Wanting What He Can’t Have
- Sunday Kind of Love

Astor Hill by will be available in print AND on Kindle Unlimited February 7th, 2025!

2.5 ⭐️

A cute romance that also tackles serious themes such as grief, adultery, forgiveness, and anxiety.

This review is hard to write because the book felt very divided into 2 distinct parts. The first 150 pages were difficult to read because none of the characters were likable. I’m sure that was intentional for the authors so we can see such character growth in the second half of the book. But reading about emotionally abusive significant others, hateful friendenemies, and pompous rich kids didn’t pique my interest. Additionally, Ben’s super fixation on Olivia seemed unfounded and almost creepy instead of a pining, unrequited love story. I probably would have put the book down if I wasn’t an ARC reviewer. If you can make it past the first half of the book, the characters grow into very interesting people with compelling stories. The first half of the book was a 1.5 out of 5 ⭐️ for me but the latter half was 4 out of 5 ⭐️.

However, there are good bones in this story! I thoroughly enjoyed the second half of the book and would have loved for the first half to match the second. The second half dealt with heartbreak, love, grief, and forgiveness in a very genuine way. It was cathartic and endearing to read. Watching Olivia, Ben, and Will grow up significantly in the span of a few months was so enjoyable and made the first half worth reading. Olivia and Ben seemed destined for each other (which “part 1” implied but didn’t execute) and I was really cheering them on. Their love/obsession transitioned into something that felt very genuine, and I believe readers could learn a thing or two about love while watching Ben and Olivia navigate complex situations and feelings.

In addition to the romance, the characters experience very real feelings of grief. Olivia’s mother is a scent. Ben and Will’s father is emotionally abusive. The hole Lily’s death left never healed and was never evaluated. Olivia, Ben, and Will do some serious soul searching that made their characters come to life.

There is a sequel in the works to “Astor Hill” and I do plan on reading it in the hope that the writing style and character development from the second half of this book carries over to the sequel.

i received this ARC from netgalley, and i loved it!! this was sort of an elevated version of gossip girl, but if serena had died and blair became the main character. this book wasn't just a romance, but also a dive into female friendship, grief, and toxic relationships.

i really enjoyed the complexity of olivia and lily's relationship - the way they were so close even when it wasn't necessarily healthy, the way that they came to rely on each other, the way that lily made olivia feel small. their relationship was so full of love and toxicity. you could feel the way olivia loved lily, and the way she grieved her. i think the authors did a really beautiful job of writing about her grief - that those emotions were multifaceted, it was more than just missing her friend.

Thank you to Sydney Madison for approving me to read this through netgalley! I’m rating this 3.75 - 4.0 stars.

I enjoyed Olivia as a character, she was at first seemingly your typical popular girl with big aspirations and a handsome/popular boyfriend. However, she wasn’t bitchy or stuck up like the stereotypical popular characters tend to be. Olivia was actually all heart, loyal, charismatic and intelligent.

Let’s get into Will, that man was problematic. He kind of had me on edge at times because I feel like we’ve all dated a Will, the guy who isn’t necessarily a bad person.. he just isn’t right for you.

What I think anyone will enjoy about this book is the relatability you will find. Like when you end up holding onto someone who isnt mean’t for you, but you also may have met someone who came into your life at the wrong time but fits you so much better.

This story will take you on a ride. There is grief and a love triangle all unfolding in a college setting. You also get some great side characters that I’m wholeheartedly hoping the authors will follow the next book with as main characters.

Ohhhh boy! Where to start……

Astor hill is a beautiful story of a young women navigating life after loosing her childhood best friend. Their highs and lows of friendships, confusing love triangles, and toxic relationships. New found friendships in those unexpected. I loved the slow realization and internal thoughts of Olivia Beckett going through a toxic relationship with Will Chapman who she thought was the one for her. The banter and love that grows between Olivia and Ben Cabot was something else (Ben is my dream book boyfriend) This book will put you through the wringer with all the different feels you’ll be feeling from the witty banter to the tear jerker scenes. You’ll be sad when you get to the end because you just want to keep reading more but happy you decided to give this book a read.

Tropes that are in this book:
Boyfriends brother
Best friends boyfriend
Love triangle
I say forced proximity because they have classes together and end up having to be partners
Sports romance
Mental health rep

This book was so good! I loved the college aspect, the love triangle, but there was the “what is this secret that’s being hidden?”
Overall a great book and cannot wait for the second one to come out!

“Life is filled with realization after realization that the people we love the most have an immense capacity for being shitty to us."

This book is part new adult, college love story, and part lesson in how utterly toxic some romantic relationships and female friendships can be. If you struggle with cheating plots, heads up: this book involves emotional cheating, but I’ll leave it at that to avoid spoilers. (I didn’t mind it, because it felt realistic and understandable within the context of the story, so unless you absolutely cannot handle any form of cheating, I wouldn’t let that keep you from jumping in.)

Our main character, Olivia, has been severely mistreated by many of the most important people in her life, and she also suffered a huge, complicated, and traumatic loss two years ago. So, when the male lead, Ben, enters the fray, he truly feels like a much-needed dose of green flag goodness. He’s a little obsessed with Olivia, but he’s so sweet and earnest that it feels fine, even though she’s dating his brother (I know, whoops). Of course, because this is a story about ultra-rich, privileged college students, shenanigans ensue.

Astor Hill by the best-friend writing duo Sydney Madison, is a bit of a conundrum. I was never into shows like Gossip Girl and grew up in Oregon, deeply rooted in the culture of the Pacific Northwest. Old money and the lives and drama of the wealthy elite have never particularly fascinated me. So, I knew going into this story that it might not be for me (one of the first things in the synopsis is a comparison to Gossip Girl, after all).

I didn’t dislike this book, but I also wouldn’t say I loved it. It was… mid-tier?

I’m a huge fan of college romances and generally love seeing a guy fall head-over-heels for a girl. This book has both of those things. However, I’ll admit I didn’t love Olivia, and I’m not sure she deserved how down-bad our sweet, baby-angel Ben was for her.

I think this was a good debut novel, and I believe the series has a lot of potential. I also liked the focus on how teenage female friendships often walk such a precarious line between life-giving and harmful. (Most girls have had that toxic friend who you love, but who, in hindsight, wore away at you.) It was solid, and any misgivings I have mainly center on not being wholly invested in Olivia or her old-money lifestyle.

In the end, this book has its flaws, but it also has a lot of heart. If you’re into Gossip Girl and the like, this one’s worth a shot. It’s not perfect, but I’m curious to see where the series goes from here. I’ll be reading the next book when it comes out—for research purposes, 😉 I guess I’m kind of invested now.

I was drawn to this book because of the description. Magnolia Parks is one of my favorite books. I could not get through this book because of the blatant lack of editing. There were so many grammatical errors and repetition and a lack of character development.

this book gave me gossip girl/magnolia parks vibes which I love! if you want a drama filled read for fall, this is perfect for that. I really enjoyed the mental health representation and how grief was portrayed in this. I loved the drama and love triangle so much honestly. I’m a big love triangle girlie. there is also basketball in this for my sports girls.

While reading Astor Hill, I felt every emotion. I definitely want to continue reading this series!!! I’m so invested in these characters lives now!!!

I liked the premise of this book - I’m a sucker for a good love triangle. However, it ended up being quite different than I expected. I thought it would be closer to a sports romance but that was on the back burner. A few call outs:

- A major theme seemed to be toxic relationships. It was super frustrating the way Olivia was and let herself be treated knowing full well that it wasn’t right. The parent figures are essentially non-existent/abusive.
- Many of the characters felt really shallow. I understand the setting is an upscale college but the mention of all these designer labels and money rubbed me the wrong way.
- I did enjoy Olivia and Ben together but often struggled to understand how the relationship could blossom. Ben’s fixation was borderline creepy at times. Overall I think the characters didn’t feel as well thought out as they could have been.

Astor Hill for sure has some good bones. I will be reading the next in the series - I have a couple in mind that I’m hoping for!

Thank you NetGalley and PS Published for providing the e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Oh Astor Hill we need a real long talk.
I went into this book expecting something big, a cutesy heartfelt college romance, but instead it’s just left me so incredibly frustrated.

Let’s start with Oliva. I really really tried to like her, but it simply wasn’t happening. Her decisions felt so shallow and she came across as such a pick me character. I found myself rolling my eyes more often than I would have liked. Olivia really missed the mark for me.

Now onto the love triangle. I’m not at all against love triangles if they are done well, but this one felt so forced. It didn’t help that there was such a cheating aspect in this really didn’t sit right with me at all.

There was no real accountability. The plot pacing didn’t do it any favours either. It felt like a rush of tangle of drama and by the end I was quite frankly done.

The only thing stopping me from giving this a one star was that glimmer of potential. The whole idea had such potential but it just failed on all accounts.

With an unlikeable MC, a lackluster plot and an unnecessary cheating subplot it just didn’t deliver.

Spice 0/5
Writing style ⭐️⭐️ (It was okay but lacked a lot of depth)
Characters ⭐️ Olivia was insufferable 🙈

This was OK and even fun at times. I think the comparison to Gossip Girl is spot on, its entertaining but I wasn't connected to the characters at all. TW for death of a loved one. Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for a copy of this ARC!

Not sure if it is just me, but I couldn't connect with the characters. The toxic relationship between Will and Olivia was so hard to read. Olivia knew it wasn't good but still she stayed. Good premise but just didn't hold my attention.

Astor Hill is simply captivating. This novel delves deep into the complexities of love, loss, and personal growth. The story follows Olivia as she navigates the aftermath of her best friend's sudden passing and the tumultuous relationship with her boyfriend, Will. When the mysterious (and HOT) Ben, Will's estranged brother, returns to campus, an undeniable connection sparks between him and the grieving Olivia. As Olivia is drawn into Ben's orbit, she must confront her insecurities and the challenge of forging a new path amidst her trauma.
The novel is well-developed, and I love how there are flawed characters; it makes me feel like these people actually exist. Olivia's journey of self-discovery is something we all struggle with in college and is a considerable struggle that comes after grief, which I thought was done exceptionally well! The complex dynamics between Olivia, Will, and Ben build fantastic tension. Overall, Astor Hill is definitely going to gain some hype! I cannot wait for the rest of this series! Thank you, Sydney Madison and NetGalley, for this arc!

Astor Hill by Sydney Madison is a captivating new entry into the genre of angsty romance and coming-of-age drama, reminiscent of Magnolia Parks, Gossip Girl, and One Tree Hill. Madison crafts a story that pulls readers into the elite, turbulent world of Astor Hill, where status, passion, and heartbreak collide, and every choice threatens to unravel the life Olivia Beckett has so carefully planned.

Olivia’s journey begins with promise and ambition. She enters Astor Hill with clear goals: to become the editor of the prestigious campus newspaper, to capture the affections of basketball star Will Chapman, and to experience college alongside her best friend, Lily. But when tragedy strikes, Olivia’s dream life is shattered, leaving her with unresolved trauma and a campus reputation that feels increasingly hollow. Madison poignantly explores Olivia’s battle with grief and the cost of maintaining appearances as she struggles with her identity in the shadow of her painful past.

Two years after the life-altering incident, Olivia’s careful balance is disrupted by the return of Ben Cabot, a basketball player with a reputation as volatile as his charisma. Ben’s mysterious absence and equally mysterious return add tension to the story, and his undeniable chemistry with Olivia presents her with a choice: maintain her safe, familiar path or risk everything for the dangerous allure of the unknown. Ben and Olivia’s complicated relationship is the story’s beating heart, embodying both the tension and excitement that come with forbidden attraction.

Astor Hill beautifully captures the high-stakes drama of young love and the painful choices that define growing up. Madison’s prose is sharp and atmospheric, rendering Astor Hill’s privileged world with vivid detail and capturing the allure and intensity of youthful infatuation, ambition, and loss. Olivia’s inner conflict and her evolving relationships are depicted with nuance, making her a compelling protagonist caught between desire and duty.

For fans of messy, emotional romance and stories where status and secrets intertwine, Astor Hill offers an addictive read. Madison’s exploration of love, loss, and the courage to face one’s true self make this novel as relatable as it is intoxicating, providing a modern take on navigating heartbreak and finding resilience amidst life’s chaos.

Initially I was attracted to this book by the cover because look at that character art 😍.

This book is more than just a sports romance tangled up in a high society school. It's a web of emotions from the get go and centers a lot around grief and mental health. While some of it is surface level there is depth in parts.

Olivia while a strong character has spent the majority of her life living in her best friend Lily's shadow. So you can understand her challenges with finding her own individuality as the story progresses.

I didn't care much for Lily. I thought the parts we saw showed her as quite a toxic friend and we never really got to see the more tender side of their relationship. There was definitely more to her underneath the exterior.

Will and Olivia's relationship was doomed before it began especially as it started with so many secrets. While I'm still not 100% sure why they got together in the first place it made for a bit of scandal.

From reading the blurb I expected a completely different version of Ben however what you actually get is a very likeable character who has gone through a lot of healing prior to his return to school. Do I think he should have gone for his brother girl...no. Did I quite like it...yes 😅

This book shows how messy, frustrating and toxic it can be navigating teenage life but underneath that there is also a lot of love and self healing. I enjoyed it and would follow the series.

Thank you so much Netgalley for the ARC 💕

Thank you to NetGalley and PS Published for providing me with the e-ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Astor Hill follows the love story and relationships of Olivia and Ben throughout the fall semester of her junior year and his senior year and all the drama surrounding that since Ben is Olivia’s ex-boyfriend’s older brother.

First, I want to discuss the positives. This book is a perfect read for autumn. It is very atmospheric and coincidentally, I read it literally during the same time period ish of when the majority of the book took place (October-November), it was very fitting. I love the cover. It’s gorgeous and very eye-catching! And the writing is objectively good with some great quotes.

Unfortunately my enjoyment of the book ends there.
Olivia is very unlikeable as a main character, given her classism, internalized misogyny, and frankly incompetence and lack of ethics as a reporter (but we’ll get to that later). Olivia is very much the poster child of a pick-me girl. Every time there is a new female character introduced, you can guarantee that Olivia will be hostile towards that person until the narrative makes it clear that that person is not a romantic threat to her. Way to go feminism! She’s also shown during her inner monologue to be condescending and classist towards another classmate because “they have always envied us!” Of course, main characters don’t have to be flawless. However, Olivia’s instances of classism and internalized misogyny are never called out or treated negatively in the narrative. Nope. They aren’t even acknowledged.
Ben is boring. It’s like the book is afraid to make him come off badly that it plays it too safe. Ben has xyz issues and conflicts. Guess what? They’re all discussed about and resolved neatly in his inner monologue. And the insta-love thing just doesn’t do it for me.
Lily! Oh Lily. You exist more as a punching bag and a plot device than a character. Lily’s first appearance through Olivia’s eyes solidly confirm to readers that she’s a mean girl. Then, we flash forward to 3 years later and discover that Lily died on the night we met her. Here’s the thing, she is depicted so badly that the griefs do not really feel earned. And that is saying something considering how quickly the griefs fall into the background and only later resurface towards the end.
The journalism! So, Olivia is a part of this presumably very prestigious college student-run newspaper. However, as a former student journalist, I really wonder if the authors have ever picked up a student newspaper before in their lives. They don’t report gossip! And they actually tend to have very high journalistic standards. (the Astor Hill newspaper is compared at one point to the Harvard Gazette and the Yale Daily News. The Harvard Crimson IS the student-run newspaper of Harvard College. The Harvard Gazette is the university run news website run by professional journalist.)
The romance: I personally did not see the chemistry in the beginning but they did become cute later on before the melodramatic third act breakup.
Overall, while the writing is good, the book ultimately falls flat for me.