Title: Nice Guys Don't Win
Series: The Boys #2
Author: Micalea Smeltzer
Genre: New Adult College Romance
Release Date: May 19, 2021
BLURB
When I agreed to be his roommate, I had no way of knowing that Cole Anderson was one of my father’s star players.
Having transferred to Aldridge University for my junior year, I wasn’t familiar with anyone on campus.
If there’s one rule I’ve always been supposed to follow it’s don’t date a basketball player.
Cole is different, though, and I don’t want to stay away.
But when he finds out I’m the coach’s daughter I might not have any say in the matter.
4.5 Stars
Review by Jen Skewes
I loved this book. When I first started reading I didn't realize right away that this was Cole's book. He was the guy in Bad Boys Break Hearts, who liked a girl who was in love with his best friend. N ow he gets to find his own happiness and Zoey was the perfect girl for him.
Cole just moved into his new apartment that he was supposed to share with his friend Teddy. Until Teddy had to back out of the deal because of his parents. But being the good friend that he is, he found Cole a new roommate.
Zoey just transferred to the school that her father also coaches at. Her and her father do not have the best relationship at all but he is trying really hard to fix that. Zoey wants to live on her own, but when she finds out that there are no dorm rooms available, she may not have a choice but to live with there father. Until she meets Teddy and he offers her a place to stay, with his friend. Cole needs a roommate and she needs a place to live. Could not have worked out better for the both of them.
Cole is an absolute amazing guy who is sweet and kind and not your typical college jock. He has not had an easy childhood butI think that is what made him the man he is today. Zoey has also had it rough, growing up hating her father, and getting her heart broken by her ex causes her to come very guarded ad closed off. But her friendship with Cole is exactly what she needs. these two together have so much chemistry. Both doing their best not to fall for the other, trying not to cross that friendship line. they have both been hurt before and don't want to risk not only their living situation but their friendship.
This is a slow burn romance, which is not always my cup of tea. But when it is done right, it is a beautiful thing to watch. And Ms. Smeltzer did it perfectly. There was more to this story than Cole and Zoey, but their friendship was so adorable to watch and then to see them slowly fall in love, while also fighting it is what made their story perfect. But it was also the growing friendship between Zoey and Teddy, even if her first impression of him was that he was a little odd and a bit nuts. But it was so cute to watch the two of them become friends. And then there is the relationship with her father, of should I say luck thereof. Mending that relationship and getting to know her brothers and step mom was such a big part of they story and one was truly wonderful to watch. It was like watching Zoey really grow up and face the things in life that she had avoided and finding her self in the process.
Cole won my heart from the very beginning. He was just the perfect book boyfriend. They had their moments where they were friends that were sweet and adorable and then there were the times where you could just feel the sexual tension. The end was perfect, and I am talking about the part prior to the epilogue. Not that, that was not perfect but when you read it you will understand what I mean. Zoey and Cole were meant for each other and so perfect together. Their love story was beautiful to watch. Great book!! I cannot wait for Teddy's book - I am assuming he is getting one!
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EXCERPT
I finish my beer and add it to the growing empty pile beside the cooler. Fluffing my hair, I shake out my arms and smile at my roommate. “I’m going to dance. Alone.”
His eyes follow me as I walk over to the actual fire where some people sit on the ground but quite a few are dancing. Sail by AWOLNATION plays, the beat vibrating along with the pulse of my blood flowing through my veins.
I danced from the time I was four through high school. Even though I love math and the sciences, and consider myself on the more studious side, dance has been my creative outlet, a passion. I know I’m good at it, and as I move my body, eyes closed, I know people are watching. When I dance I don’t care why they’re looking at me or what they’re thinking. I do it for me. Because it feels good to move my body, to exist in a moment. Dance is freeing, it’s the language of our bodies.
When I finally open my eyes, they connect immediately with caramel brown ones. He’s moved closer to the bonfire, beer bottle in hand while his jaw works angrily at the piece of gum he’s chewing.
I know I shouldn’t do it.
I’ve sworn off men.
He’s my roommate.
He’s hot as hell.
But I do it anyway.
I crook my finger. It’s a challenge, a silent dare. The ball’s in his court.
He shoves the bottle into the hand of one of his friends, slinking toward me like a panther. When he gets to me he wraps one big hand around my waist, the heat of his palm a brand against my skin. He begins to move to the song as well, and despite our massive height difference it works—we work, but I don’t let my brain linger on that thought too long.
I don’t know if he has any formal dance training, but he moves like someone who has at least some knowledge or basic understanding of rhythm. The fire crackles nearby, and I faintly taste ash on my tongue. His brows are drawn low as he watches me, our movements evenly matched as we anticipate each other’s movements. People still watch, but this time they’re not just watching me. It’s us. Normally I would be scared to put on a show like this, I’m not this bold, but after everything with Todd some spontaneity won’t kill me. In fact, I think it’ll be good for me. It also helps that on this campus no one knows who I am. I like the anonymity of it. I can be anyone.
He knows you, my conscience whispers to me.
But not really, sure he knows who I am, but Cole doesn’t know much of my past, of my hurts, the scars I bear. And tonight, I just want to be, to exist in this moment.
With both hands on my waist, he dips me backwards and my hair falls with me, the ends touching the grass. When he pulls me back up, we’re closer than before. Chest to chest. Heartbeat to heartbeat—well, maybe not quite since he’s such a giant. I crane my neck back as we sway, our hips moving in a sensual rhythm, and our eyes meet.
Lust.
Desire.
Sex.
It’s there. In his gaze. Mine too. We can’t go there, not just because we’re living together, but because I need time. To heal. To stand on my own two feet. To grow.
I pull out of his arms. “No. I can’t. I’m sorry.” I bite my lip, truly remorseful. “I’m sorry,” I repeat, taking a step back.
Another.
One more.
Until I’m disappearing into the shadows.
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AUTHOR BIO
Hi. I’m Micalea. Ma-call-e-uh. Weird name, I know. My mom must’ve known I was going to be odd even in the womb. I’ve written a lot of books. Like a lot. Don’t ask me how many, I don’t remember at this point. I have an unhealthy addiction to Diet Coke but I can’t seem to break the habit. I listen to way too much music and hedgehogs have taken over my life. Crazy is the word that best sums up my life, but it’s the good kind of crazy and I wouldn’t change it for anything.
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