This book really surprised me - the entirety is through the MMC POV, which you never typically see. I personally don't know how I feel about that since I love a good dual POV from each of the main characters. The beginning was interesting and the middle took me a bit to get through. It was very repetitive of class, studying, Bronx trying to find anyway to be around Olivia. The love he had for her was cute, but it felt more high school love rather than them being seniors in college. It was cute, but not my favorite read.

Thank you to NetGalley and Wattpad Books for the ARC!

Scars of Anatomy by Nicole Alfrine

Thank you to the Author, Publisher and NetGalley for my ARC copy in exchange for an honest review.

OKAAAAAY stop this book was so cute! This is a SLOW burn college romance from the MMC's pov which was refreshing and I've never read a romance from the male pov. I loved the characters BUT the FMC did seem a bit bland at times but overall I felt this did not hinder the story it just left me wishing for her pov at least once or twice. This book did not do a lot of traveling as in most of it was spent in their class room and they didnt really interact outside of it (which I mean it is a college romance so I get it) but with that said I felt the banter could have been more maybe more flirty between main characters more back and forth as a group to really immerse the reader into this book. Overall I'm giving it 5 stars because it is definitely a cute little read I could see myself turning to in-between longer fantasy/dark romance reads! I will definitely keep an eye out for more from this author!

I wasn't aware of the fact that this book was told completely from the mmc's point of view before requesting and it was definitely a brave yet disappointing choice in this case because of the lackluster execution.

I quite enjoyed this story, despite knowing what the twist would be from the earliest foreshadowing. The love story was written so sweetly, and it kept my interest the entire time.

Finally, a refreshing male POV romance that truly delivers! This book was a delightful surprise. Our guy, a football player. He falls hard for a science nerd, and watching their connection develop was genuinely heartwarming. The female lead is wonderfully crafted: shy, yet undeniably strong, a character you instantly root for.

What really stood out was the author's ability to build a compelling world and populate it with well-developed side characters. They weren't just filler; they added depth and richness to the story. The pacing was perfect, keeping me engaged from start to finish. The flow was smooth, making it easy to get lost in the narrative.

If you're looking for a romance that breaks the mold, offering a unique perspective and compelling characters, this book is a must-read. I thoroughly enjoyed it and highly recommend it!

Read this book as an ARC via NetGalley.

3.5 stars. It was a very cute read, with steady pacing. It needs some editing in the earlier chapters. The male POV was unique and kept the story moving. Bronx and Olivia’s story was adorable from start to finish.

I’d definitely read more books by this author!

Amazing spicy romance just like I love them.

It was very sweet, very spicy and the plot, chemistry of the caracters was undeniable.

A must of SPICY romance in your TBR

Thank you Nicole Alfine for letting me read Scars of Anatomy ARC in return for my honest review. This is the first book I read by author Nicole and I loved it. It's a slow burn romance with a little of spice at the end.

The storyline takes place in college where Bronx is a college football player and his dream is to make it to the NFL. However, he is known for his reputation of multiple girls and no string attach. Olivia's is a straight A student that wants to go to med school to be a cardiologist. She also agrees to tutor Bronx so he can pass and win the bet..

I am not big on slow burn but this one was great because there was drama, betrayal, and betting. I definitely recommend this book if you are looking for a romance with a little of spice and a whole lot of drama.

This book also made me emotional, I laughed and felt the heartbreak, and was on my edge of the seat toward the ending.

Thank you NetGalley and Wattpad WEBTOON Book Group for a free digital copy for an honest review!

Hands down one of the most rewarding romance stories I’ve read in a while. Having a full male POV in a romance is not common but boy was i eating this story up.

Bronx from the very get go was not your typical likable character. A playboy that sleeps around with no string attached kind of deal. So despite us getting a look into this part of his life I didn’t immediately dislike his character. Because he is honest about his intentions when hooking up with others, not leading on into thinking there will be more.

Now seeing Bronx with Olivia, the complete opposite of him, was everything. I LOVED watching a different side to Bronx slowly come out through this story. It was very rewarding seeing him grow and realize his feelings.

Now for the plot itself? This story had me hooked line and sinker. Of course we have the building romance between Bronx and Olivia but also seeing Bronx fight with his past along with fighting with the yuck yuck Adrianna. Her scene’s were ick.

My favorite part of this story is how the author really tired everything towards the very end. There was so much going on but it didn’t feel to me over the top. I can’t get over how everything ends up connecting and it made my heart gush with awe.

I also really appreciate that we did get some Olivia POV’s chapters at the end. It was a nice little insight but it makes me realize how much I LOVED Bronx’s POV in the story. IF we got nothing but Olivia’s POV I don’t think I would have loved Bronx character as much as I do now. There would’ve been a lot of misunderstanding so this was so refreshing.

I’m truly so satisfied with this story. The author really went over everything I could’ve asked for in a romance book. It’s like I watched an entire series of a show in one book and I mean that as a compliment. Thank you again for allowing me the opportunity to read this work. I’ll gladly have it on my shelfs when released <3

“An unfortunate past isn’t a life sentence.”

Scars of Anatomy by Nicole Alfrine is told from Bronx’s point of view, which gives it a unique perspective, though at times, his inner monologue felt disingenuous.

While the opposites attract theme had potential, Bronx’s transformation from playboy to serious love interest felt a bit forced. I also struggled with the pacing and found the conflict between the characters to be anticlimactic. The character development felt shallow, and I didn’t become as emotionally invested in their relationship as I had hoped.

Overall, it’s a quick and fun read with some enjoyable moments, but it didn’t quite reach the emotional depth I was looking for. It’s a solid debut, though it could have gone further in its development.

This was a nice read. I fell in love with Olivia from the start. She is so sweet and innocent. I was happy that Bronx found her, and treated her so well. It was time he settled down some and appreciated Olivia instead of going off with Adrianna. So. glad she and Rat Boy got their comeuppance.
Finding out Cora's connection to Olivia was shocking, and sad for Cora. Then to find out Lexi was in the mix as well. Quite the twist. Well done.

I was not a huge fan from the beginning, I didn’t get to terribly far when I just needed to dnf. The writing seems juvenile and I had a hard time with the mmc.

**Scars of Anatomy** was such a refreshing and feel-good read. It served as a great cleanser between series. I connected deeply with Bronx, and his struggles with his past really hit home for me. The plot twists were perfectly timed, keeping me hooked and eager to read just one more chapter, even when I should have been going to bed.

However, the last few chapters after the incident felt very fast-paced, and I wish there had been more context. Was Cora able to let go? What happened to Bronx's mother? I expected more conflict after Bronx discovered the inheritance. I was slightly underwhelmed that we didn't get to see life after med school for Finch or get a glimpse of their future.

This was my first foray into contemporary romance, and I am not disappointed.

Reading *Scars of Anatomy* by Nicole Alfrine was such an enjoyable experience. I loved the unique perspective of Bronx as the narrator—it gave the story a fresh and different feel compared to the usual romance novels. His dynamic with Olivia felt real, with just the right balance of tension and sweetness. While there were a few minor flaws, like some typos and moments that could have had more depth, they didn’t take away from my overall enjoyment. The emotional moments hit just right, and the romance was both heartfelt and fun. I’d definitely recommend it to anyone looking for a solid contemporary romance!

Thank you wattpad and Nicole Alfrine for giving me a chance to read your book in realty for my honest review. I got about 10% of the way in and I was a bit confused. The timing was a little jumpy and at times I was confused on whose pov I was. I forget that it was Bronx the entire time. So it made it kind of hard for me to immerse myself into the world and enjoy it. I loved the idea of things but in my opinion the execution wasn't there.

Scars of Anatomy by Nicole Alfrine is the kind of book that gets under your skin in the best way possible. From the very first page, I was completely drawn into its raw emotion, deeply complex characters, and beautifully woven storytelling. This isn’t just a romance—it’s an experience, one that tugs at your heartstrings and refuses to let go.

The chemistry between the characters was intense, and their journey—both individually and together—was filled with vulnerability, healing, and some truly unforgettable moments. Alfrine’s writing is hauntingly beautiful, making every emotion feel so real. If you love stories that cut deep, make you feel everything, and leave you thinking long after the final page, Scars of Anatomy is a must-read. I’m officially hooked on Nicole Alfrine’s storytelling and can’t wait to read more!

👩🏻‍🏫💡 I received this book to read as an Advanced Reader/Review Copy (ARC) in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are entirely my own.

3 out of 5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️

Let’s just say the last 10%, epilogue, bonus chapters, and after-epilogue were the best parts. I HATE how the ending was rushed though!

I had issues with the overall pacing and initial plot. I wanted to DNF because the MMC just acted like an angry man-slut, but I gave the story a chance. However, the overall romance also fell flat for me. There needs to be more *chemistry* between the two MCs and then they can talk about anatomy. (See what I did there? lol)

Writing: 2/5
Pace: 2/5
Plot: 3/5
Characters: 3/5
Ending: 5/5
Enjoyability: 3/5

(More in-depth analysis below)


💕Would you recommend this book?
Overall I wouldn’t go out of my way to recommend it. 90% of the book, I didn’t feel giddy with their romance or felt anything for these two.

🪶Favorite Quote:
“ ‘I didn’t become a prisoner to my past…. An unfortunate past isn’t a life sentence. “


🌶️ Spice Level: 🔥
Yes, there’s spice. But I hated how most of the spice was the MMC just messing around with other girls. 😔 Couldn’t we get more spicy scenes with the MCs?!

——


📝Writing Style: 2/ 5
I really loved how the story is told in the MMC POV. It’s a refreshing take, but I also think that’s where the chemistry lacked. Reading the bonus chapters of the FMC POV brought it all together.

As far as the author’s writing, it fell flat. I could tell this was definitely WattPad-coded. I didn’t like the abrupt transitions between scenes or time. & Some sentences were too lengthy & some too choppy. The same adjectives were used too often— like how many times do we have to be reminded that Olivia’s hair is “caramel-colored”? 🙄

Many lines are just “he did this. she felt that.” I get it’s a guy’s POV, but guys also get butterflies or sweaty hands when nervous… those type of things! I wanted more descriptive words so we can *feel* like we’re in the scenes with the two MCs.
With a little more editing, I think it can steer away from being just a WattPad story!

🏃🏻‍♀️Pace: 2/5
This is too slow for me. I get it’s a slow-burn romance, but there was too much “fluff” and not enough moments & cute banter between the MCs. The best moments were literally at the end of the book.


🗺️Plot: 3/5

Plot Themes/Tropes-
* Opposites Attract
* Athlete x Nerd (Football x PreMed)
* ⚠️Trigger Warnings/Other topics: Mentions of drug addiction, mention of domestic abuse, child abuse, alcohol & drug use

Summary: Bronx, the quarterback of the college football team, is a stereotypical jock who parties, sleeps around, and doesn’t do well in classes. One day in his Anatomy lab, he meets Olivia, a soft-spoken pre-med student. He eventually asks her to tutor her when he fails his first anatomy test and begins to fall for her as they spend more time together.

In my opinion, the slow-burn romance was dragging on too long. If it’s going to be slow-burn, at least fill us up with more cute banter, tension, & yearning. The “anatomy kisses”were the best part about the tutoring, lol!


👨‍👩‍👧‍👦Characters: 3/ 5

Male Main Characters (MMC):
Bronx- I hate to say it, but Bronx is another MMC with a troubled past that influences a lot of his “messy” behavior. We are introduced to him in the story as a jock who literally sleeps around with so many females on campus, and he even owns up to it. He was really difficult to like at first. Honestly, him *falling* for Olivia and respecting their relationship was his saving grace.

Female Main Character (FMC):
Olivia - A quiet, soft-spoken genius who wants to become a cardiac surgeon one day. She is beauty & brains, and Bronx normally doesn’t go for her type. She is introverted and timid, and exactly what Bronx may need in his chaotic life.
My only complaint with her is that we don’t get to know more about her until the very end— she has so much more depth to her that I wish were prevalent in the story. Maybe that’s the downside of not knowing the FMC POV.

Supporting Characters: Delilah is such a true best friend to Olivia, and I love how she’s supportive through and through. She’s the best supporting character, for sure! Olivia definitely has a strong support system, and I think Bronx is lucky to be welcomed so easily into that.

🎬Ending: 5/ 5
The last 10% of the book was the best part about the book, which saddens me because it’s easy to want to DNF early into the story! The ending was satisfying realizing all the invisible strings. Bronx has great character growth, and we finally hear Olivia say more than two sentences lmao.

🙂Enjoyability: 3/ 5
I wasn’t bored out of my mind because it’s interesting reading a MMC POV. However, I wish the pace was written a bit faster, and I wish there were more cute banter! I stayed because I wanted to see Bronx’s character arc, and Olivia is just lovely.


📈Final Rating Averaged: 3 out of 5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️

——

Rating Rubric:
1/5: 🌟 Horrible - “Why did I even waste my time?”
2/5: 🌟🌟 Unimpressed - It could have been better.
3/5: 🌟🌟🌟 Good/Average- I would recommend this, but nothing was too out of the ordinary; it’s what’s expected.
4/5: 🌟🌟🌟🌟 Great! - There were some good surprises, but not enough to blow my mind.
5/5: 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 Outstanding - Above & Beyond, It left me wanting more and thinking more about it.

I would have loved this as a dual POV and I also need Bronx to be a little less annoying in the beginning

This book didn't work for me. Everything about this book made for a simple and right up my alley sports romance. I was excited by male POV, but the writing felt immature, and I couldn't get past it. I ended up DNFing.

Scars of Anatomy has a cute premise—two college seniors meet in anatomy lab and form a romance while dealing with past trauma and a toxic ex. The book includes a unique twist at the end, and I appreciated that it was written from a male POV, which is rare in romance. The concept itself was cute, and there were moments of emotional depth.

However, the execution fell short for me. The characters often felt like they were in high school rather than college, and the male main character’s inner voice came across as immature—especially at the beginning, where I really disliked his behavior. While the book includes a sports element (football), it wasn’t emphasized enough to truly feel like a sports romance. Additionally, conflicts that arose were resolved way too quickly, making some of the drama feel underdeveloped and lacking real stakes.

Overall, Scars of Anatomy had potential with its unique setup and emotional themes, but the character development and pacing didn’t quite work for me. If you enjoy college romances with some drama and a touch of suspense, it might still be worth a read, but it wasn’t my favorite.