I first discovered Karmen Lee’s The Relationship Mechanic through an advance listening copy (ALC) generously provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review. I loved it so much that I knew I had to read The 7-10 Split, especially since it was the first book in the Peach Blossom Trilogy. I had also received an ARC and an ALC for The 7-10 Split but didn’t get a chance to listen before its publication date, so I decided to pick up a paperback and engage in immersive reading. That’s how I found myself at Tampa’s Black English Bookstore, a tiny gem filled with treasures I would have loved to take home. (And, full disclosure, I didn’t leave with just one book from their carefully curated collection.) Two days later, I had finished the book.

This novel has all the elements I typically enjoy—second-chance romance, slow burn, a competitive dynamic—but something about it didn’t quite land for me. While Ava and Grace’s history and rekindled rivalry made for an engaging premise, their chemistry felt somewhat subdued, especially compared to the dynamic energy of Jessica and Vini from The Relationship Mechanic. Additionally, the principal’s antagonism toward Ava, a key source of conflict, is never fully explored, leaving that tension feeling underdeveloped.

That said, The 7-10 Split was still an enjoyable read, and I appreciate the way Lee crafts relatable, small-town dynamics and layered relationships. I’ll definitely be picking up The Secret Crush Book Club when it releases—I just have a feeling that one might hit the sweet spot for me.

3.5*
I enjoyed this book. I thought the chemistry with the FMCs was definitely there. I do feel like it moved pretty quickly without getting to the root of their problems, why they stopped being friends in the first place. I felt almost like a novella in the sense that I wanted a lot more background info on the characters but we did not have time for that.
I also wish we’d seen more of the principal getting put in his place rather than having Ava give up her lifelong dream of being a teacher.

I've had a copy of The 7-10 Split laying around for like a year since it's initial release, but never really got around to starting it. Seeing the audio ARC on Netgalley (along with the fact Karmen Lee will be at an event I'm attending later this month) was the perfect excuse to start a book that has been on my TBR for forever.

I loved The 7-10 Split and Grace and Ava's relationship. It was so sweet and had such a strong progression considering that the whole book is under 300 pages. It takes real talent to fully flesh out a story in that amount of time. I think Karmen Lee might be a new favorite for me.

I was also OBSESSED with the narration for the audiobook. Amina Sali's voice scratched my brain so nicely. I wanted to listen to her for hours.

Thank you to Netgalley for my ALC.

Ava and Grace's story was a bit cyclical at times, so I wish it had faster forward movement/progress in their relationship. I'll be checking out other books by Karmen Lee!

I was happy to finally get a chance to listen to this Sapphic Southern romance featuring two high school teachers. Written by a new to me author, it was good on audio, I liked the unique Bowling focus (the first for a sports romance book for me) and thought the relationship between the two FMC was okay. It won't be a standout for me but I would still recommend it to fans of authors like Alyssa Cole or Synithia Williams Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early digital and audio copy in exchange for my honest review!