“when their eyes had locked, he'd squeezed ilya's fingers, just a little. that look, and that squeeze, had said so many things to ilya. i know. we were supposed to stand alone at the top, but we will always be there together.”

holy shit i was not expecting to love this book so much??? no bc tell me why it was SO SO CUTE i literally had butterflies like the scenes between shane and ilya were always so romantic😭😭. their chemistry was literally so good right from the beginning, and i was originally sus and didn’t think i was going to enjoy it because they had sex in the first 50 pages (and i don’t like fast burn) but actually when you continue reading the book it makes so much sense why the author chose to start it that way. she executed it SO WELL like i loved seeing the progression of their relationship from just hooking up in secret to actually being in love and establishing a relationship. and it wasn’t even a trashy romance like i know it sounds like one but it’s actually not. you can see how whipped they are for each other and they are soooooooo adorable together i love them sm. also they’re just so funny like i love them individually as well, and their banter made laugh as well. rating it 5 stars bc honestly i just loved it and i just feel like it :)) tbh now i might read the other books in the series since this one was so good. i definitely need to read shane and ilya’s sequel soon though bc that ending was hmmm i wanna know more!!!

edit a year later: reread this because i suddenly felt the urge to, and i had a lot of time!! obviously i do not regret, it's so much fun. i still love this book :)) the rivals to lovers energy is just so good and their chemistry is off the charts. tbh the funniest part in the book was shane telling his mom and dad about his eight year long situationship 💀. anyway, i can't wait to read the sequel. eventually.