-I liked that it’s not the same spin of getting bitten and going to the sea right away, she’s grieving and usually u only hear about the other ones
-Loved the mention of the book club
-Pulling someone to the water that’s a good moment to put ‘giggling’ - not to much tho or it’s weird
-Love the tiny details we get to the next book

I am loving Cassie Mint's Kephart College Series! This is the second book of the series and so far my favorite!

“You’re a warrior. So f*cking brave. You want whatever I can give you, don’t you?”

This was a quick little forbidden age-gap novella!

Peyton was surfing when she was attacked by a shark leaving her without an arm. She is afraid to go back into the ocean. She finds comfort in her college swimming pool. She also doesn't mind going to the school swimming pool to see the very hot and handsome swim coach, Joshua Kane.

This is a slow burn but I really enjoyed the story. It was heartwarming and oooh so steamy!

“Want to see you when you come.” His words are short. Forced out between clenched teeth, his hips pumping between my thighs. “Want to swallow your pretty little moans.”

I can't wait to read The Tutor and The Guard coming out this month!!

4.5 insta stars

This was such a great read with a bit of an emotional punch. The h has survived a shark attack and the H witnesses her attempts at reacclimating to swimming, which she's struggling with. They each have insta-attraction to each other and feelings follow quickly, making up a sweet, emotional, and wonderful story. Zero ow/om drama, told in first person/dual POV. The h is a virgin, no info shared on H that I can remember and there's a 10 year age gap with him being older. Most of their interactions are in the water, although there's a brief scene showing the h with friends. There are only a couple of steamy scenes but they're great and then there's an extended epilogue that made me smile. I needed a solid, make-me-happy read, and this was definitely that.

3.5 stars

- FMC: Peyton
- MMC: Joshua (aka Coach Kane)
- POVs Included: Dual POVs (Peyton, Joshua)

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SUMMARY: (SPOILER WARNING)

Many months ago Peyton was attacked by a shark while surfing and lost part of her arm. Now she has been trying to overcome her fears so she can surf again. But her emotional healing is taking longer than her physical healing took.

Joshua -- Coach Kane to his swim team -- has been watching her come to the college pool house for months. And he thinks she's the bravest person he's ever seen. As a fellow swimmer, surfer, and swim coach, he wants to help her, but he doesn't want to make her uncomfortable by offering.

Until one day when she has an episode in the pool. From the moment he helps her through it, he can't turn away. And from there they work together to get her back in the ocean -- all the while falling in love.

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REVIEW:

I absolutely LOVE storylines where the MMC helps the FMC heal from trauma. I don't know why, but I'm such a huge sucker for that kind of trope. It's just so sweet and romantic that he wants to help heal her. I love it.

This was short but very sweet. And I really enjoyed it.

Joshua is sexy and sweet, and he very much wants Peyton. But also he's every bit a gentlemen. I loved how patient he was with her. Such a good guy.

Peyton is strong and brave -- I agree with Joshua on that. She doesn't see herself that way, but she is. I loved to see her gradual progress throughout the story.

Despite being short it was well written and believably developed. Overall I really liked it.

Super cute! Review available at my blog: https://brittanicaboldsbabblings.wordpress.com/2022/03/01/kephart-college-series-books-1-4-by-cassie-mint/