e-Audio, 10:19:50
Narrated by: Sisi Aisha Johnson
Release Date: March 4, 2025
Published by: Berkley
Read from: February 10-13, 2025
Companion to The Kiss Countdown
Source: PRH Audio App (I received a copy of this e-ALC from the publisher and their app in exchange for a just and honest review.)
Content Warning: Sexual Content, Murder
For Readers Interested In: Adult, Audio, Most Anticipated, Racial/Ethnic Diversity, Realistic Fiction, RomanceA passionate vice principal and a guarded science teacher compete for a grand prize, only to realize their budding relationship might be the real jackpot.
Brianna Rogers has been told a time (or six) she needs to stop jumping into things head first. But when the principal rescinds his approval for a library upgrade, deciding to spend the money on a football field instead, she sees red. Literally. Brianna throws her hat in the ring and joins a team of teachers who will spend their summer in a Mars simulation. As the sister of an astronaut, this should be easy, right? What she didn’t count on was the last-minute addition to the team—Roman science teacher, son of the principal, and too handsome for his own good.
Roman and Brianna have been hot and cold all year, and living in close quarters intensifies their animosity and attraction. Brianna is sure he’s been sent by his father to sabotage them, foiling their chance at prize money that will cover all of the school’s actual needs. But each day, Roman proves himself to be a dedicated teammate—and Brianna finds herself falling harder and harder. While it’s clear the feeling is mutual, she can’t shake the sense that he’s hiding something. As the simulation nears its end, Brianna realizes she may have to make an impossible choice, between the school she’s dedicated herself to, and the man who has won his way into her heart.
*MY THOUGHTS*
This has been one of my most anticipated reads this year since I finished The Kiss Countdown last year. I was feeling really down and out when i saw that this was added to the PRH app, and I just remember crying because it was a super bright spot in that terrible day. And it did NOT disappoint.
Did I like it more than TKC? No. But only because rivals to lovers is my least favorite trope. And Lordt I can’t begin to explain how mad I was at him this whole time lol He ANNOYED me to no end. I can’t believe that she literally asked him outright and he lied. But then said he didn’t think that way. And this is why I don’t like this trope. Because I would have thought the same thing she did. He was lying through his teeth and for no reason. Idc what you say I don’t trust it lol And the whole not going to bat for her thing when this one person was talking about her was NOT it. Y’all know I’m big on support, so this was a big one for me.
Ok so I said this was more serious than the other because Amerie was funny. And Brianna was not. She was sensitive and I had to realize it was a difference in characters and that wasn’t the author’s writing style. It was still very cute, but it wasn’t what I was expecting. I think I wanted that silly like we got in Amerie’s book, but Brianna is a whole different person. It was interesting to see the depth of Easton’s writing tho. And still, I can’t be too mad. I still got a glimpse of Vincent since that’s her brother.
The romance in this one was cute, but I can honestly say, Roman is not Vincent lol He was sweet at the end, but he was not it during the story. That ending tho, CHEF’S KISS. I wish someone would do that for me. But as a librarian I plan on doing that for myself somewhere anyway, but still, I thought this was a very nice choice. But just like with any slow burn and any rivals to lovers, I do wish there was more time with them together. I always feel like we didn’t get enough time with them together. And I know that doesn’t bother anyone else and I wish that was also my ministry, but it just doesn’t work for me.
This is still one of my favorite companion series, so don’t think because I gave it 4 stars that means I didn’t like it. i love seeing Black people in STEM, whether its their job or they’re supporting it. And this one falls into that for sure. I hope there’s more! I can’t wait to read more from this sciencey family. Also huge thanks to Easton for the library support in this book. Us librarians, ESPECIALLY in Houston, we love and we thank you!!!
Overall, I give this
