Title: Something Like Love (Chicago Grizzlies #3)
Published: 6th February 2024
Publisher: Piper Rayne Inc
Author: Piper Rayne
Facebook: www.facebook.com/PiperRayne
Twitter: twitter.com/PiperRayneRocks
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Blurb:
I want to.
I can’t.
I’ve been friends with Cooper Rice from the moment we met. He was just as famous a decade ago on our college campus as he is now being the star quarterback for the Chicago Grizzlies.
But he’s not only talented on the field, he’s also the gorgeous football star women fawn over, posing in underwear and razor ads.
Here’s a secret those women don’t know—Cooper Rice isn’t a playboy. He’s the kind of man who wants to settle down with a family. He’s content ordering pizza and massaging my feet after my long shift as an emergency room doctor. He listens to me as if he’s as invested as I am in my patients. He has never let me down.
This is exactly why I refuse to live without Cooper in my life. Eight years ago, I made him promise me that we’d never cross that line. And just like I knew Cooper would, he’s held to that promise.
Despite our best efforts, our relationship is evolving, shifting into new territory and I find myself unsure if I want Cooper to keep that promise. Ignoring the obvious could tear us apart, but so could giving in, meaning there’s a chance I’ll lose Cooper forever no matter what decision I make.
Review:
Just knew our guy Cooper was going to make us swoon. He has such a big heart and it has belonged to Ellery from the moment they met. From the very beginning we all knew that these two were completely head over heels for each other and we needed to find out what was keeping them from crossing that line from best friends to lovers.
Big spanner in the works at the start of the book is the fact that Ellery thought it was a great idea to say yes to being asked out by a guy on Coopers team. That guy was clueless with what was clear to everyone. He may have asked Cooper if he was cool with him asking but we know our guy would never decide who she could be with or not. He’s just that guy. At the moment forever in the friend zone.
I liked that we got to have snippets from their past when they met and how their friendship grew. Kept giving us clues as to what stopped them from giving in to what they both wanted. Doesn’t take long to figure out Ellery’s logic for wanting to just stay friends so she wouldn’t ever lose him but the longer she dates Bradley the more their friendship is strained and starts to change for the worse. Dates might have been just a few dinners or coffees here and there but the thought of them being a thing is driving Cooper crazy. You just knew it wouldn’t take long for jealousy to get the better of him and something to happen make them finally talk.
Feelings always have a way of coming to the surface, these ones just took over ten years. Great when they do but it’s almost like the moment they gave in and wanted to start something their minds went in two different speeds for the future. Cooper seeing what he has always wanted and Ellery wanting to slow things down. I know she was scared but it annoyed me that she almost had one foot out the door from the start. Also with how she didn’t seem to have a backbone with her dad and how he wanted to plan out her whole life and she just let him. Can they both get out of their heads and see that they can have a future if they just try and live it without outside stress and pressures? The love is there but is it enough to build a life on or will crossing that line be the start of the end?
Loved the connection between all the characters and how they all interact with each other. Cooper was a classic golden retriever kind of guy and Ellery was her own worst enemy at times. Don’t live in your head overthinking or you might lose what you value most. Great way to end the series, all three guys loved up with their perfect matches. Can’t wait for the next chapter in this world of characters where the hockey guys have taken over The Den and given it the new name of The Nest. Who are the women who will get them to turn their heads?
5 out of 5 stars
I received a copy of this book from Valentine PR for my honest review.