Campus Hottie by Jennifer Sucevic

Steamy, sweet, and heartfelt, Campus Hottie is the kind of book that you’re going to fall in love with and not want to put down. It’ll make you feel all the feelings, and by the end of it you’ll be happy that you did.

This is the third book in the Campus Series and features Elle and Carson. They’ve known each other since they were just kids, since Carson’s best friend, Brayden, is Elle’s big brother. Growing up together, they’ve both had an attraction, both physical and emotional, for just about forever. However, neither could nor would ever do anything about it because of Brayden. They each pined for the other for years, but they don’t know anything about how the other feels until one night at a college party where things take a turn. They fight their undeniable connection, but eventually things progress into different territory. In this story, we get to see how Elle and Carson move from two people with an unrequited love for the other into a whole other thing and whether it could even ever be.

Both Elle and Carson were so well developed, and their feelings were so well shown that you just have to root for these two to find a way to make things work despite the obstacles before them. The bond between these two has so much gravity, and I loved seeing their journey, even when Carson frustrated me (and certainly Elle) with his continued denial/suppression of his feelings. Elle is so sweet and likeable, and Carson is completely charming and protective over Elle (in a sweet way) that their characters simply made me fall in love with their relationship.

And the angst! So much angst! Elle and Carson had me happy then frustrated then annoyed and then happy again so many times. It was completely compelling. And their story is more than just a college/sports romance. To me, it’s a story of self-discovery and learning how to navigate the world around them during such a formative part of someone’s life. These characters were written in such a way that there’s a clear depth to them that I really didn’t anticipate, but I’m so pleased that it’s there. It makes this story the kind that I’m sure will stick with me for a while.

All in all, this is a sweet and totally satisfying read. It’s got all the parts of a good college/sports romance with an intensity that will keep you interested.