Ohmygod, I LOVED THIS BOOK. I was so so happy to have just picked it and read it, a very nice surprise.

This romance us told from both povs, Anna Jones and Drew Baylor.

“He's slowly carving his name into my heart. And it hurts.”

Anna has heard of the famous quarter-back who has brought major success to their college team but the second she lays eyes on him at class, she's struck by the connection she feels with him. As things begin to heat up, they eventually can't hold back leaving Anna confused. Her dark days of high school have led her to be incredibly insecure and so instead, they make a deal. Too afraid to let herself any closer, she vows that it'll only be sex.

“You’ve destroyed me, Anna Jones.”

For Drew, it's quite the love at first sight thing going on. He's instantly drawn by her but Anna doesn't seem to want to be anywhere near him until the best night of his life, and he knows he never wants to let her go. He knows her rules, and he takes whatever he can get from her but he can't help but want more. Being the quarter-back has been his life, and along with the death of his parents, Drew seems to be living in a shell until Anna comes into his life.

“I think you’re beautiful,” he says softly.
“Beauty fades,” I choke out.
“Not when it comes from inside.”

As Anna and Drew get closer and open up to each other, and Anna finds herself missing him when he's not around, thinking about him.

For Anna, she doesn't know what's happening. She begins to fall for Drew but she's adamant that she doesn't want a relationship. Her insecurities whisper in her ear when she's with him, along with the looks she gets and the snide remarks she keeps hearing.

For Drew, he's falling for a girl that doesn't seem to want him, unless it's for a hook up. She has somehow become everything to him but her game begins to mess with his head and his teammates warn him about his own game on field. And when he finally asks the question, he finds himself walking away from her.

“Some people never understand the gift they have. And some people wait a lifetime to have someone to love.”

Anna can't blame Drew for cutting her off. She knows she hurt him and admits her own true feelings for him to herself, but it couldn't have worked out. She cringes at the cold shoulder he gives her but she can't shake off her old ways.
Drew's game is gone to hell as his head is wrecked from leaving the only thing he really wants. Her. But the way she mistreated him, he can't understand it and tries to move on. All meaningless and he knows it.

“You didn't know how to live under my light? I don't have a light anymore unless you're there.”

When an accident happens leaving Drew's future in question, Anna knows she cares too much not to be there for him and they reconcile into each other's loving arms. Anna tries to overcome her demons and decides what she really wants, which is to be with him, all of him. On the other hand, Drew is relieved to have Anna back and things finally come together as they take the next step.

But just when things are finally looking up, Drew's injury drags him into a dark place and he begins to push his friends away, and eventually Anna as he retreats into himself. He's confused, angry, lost. Hurting. He refuses to get help and gets so caught up he ends up trying to hurt Anna in a heated moment that could have changed their relationship for the worst. But Anna refuses to leave him. She'll never leave him. She understands what he's thinking, what he's throwing at her and she knows her mistakes, but she decides to be strong and finally makes Drew realises where she truly stands when it comes to him after all they've been through.

“And I think how you see yourself makes you who you are. Your soul doesn't have a title or an occupation. It's just you. The rest of the world can go fuck themselves.”

I loved this book so much, wow, I couldn't put it down!! The pace, the story, the characters, I really really have good feelings about this romance. The characters weren't messed up in a way that was completely tragic. Yes they had both lost family, but he's a regular guy playing football and she's your normal girl with insecurities. Their backgrounds do affect them in some ways, but not in a way that drastically affects the story so it's quite real I feel, more personal and relatable even, but none the less dramatic and enticing to read about them.

“I’m not going to say it was love at first sight. No, it was more like oh, hell-yes-please, I’ll have that. With a helping of right-the-fuck-now on the side.”

I. Loved. Anna.
I do tend to like girls cursing in books, just feels like they're more badass sometimes, just the kind of attitude it gives off, not implying anything only that here, again, Anna can be quite a strong character even if her motives aren't, exactly. She can be stubborn and she has some great dialogue in the book but she has her moments of weakness as well of course. I really love her!

Just a really enjoyable romance!! Hadn't read one with the topic of a friends with benefit thing so it was a different start again for me, and a good one too.

“but at the end of the day, who I come home to, who I share my accomplishments with is what makes the struggle worth it”