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Fulton U #2

The Second We Met

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Dear Jerk Across the Street, sorry for accidentally walking in on you and catching an eyeful of your—equipment. And hard pass on the open invitation to join you in the shower “anytime”, A-hole.

That’s the note I should’ve written. Instead I sent a pleasant and apologetic version.

Had I known Phoenix “Nix” Russo would’ve been the neighbor from hell, I’d have told him right where he could shove my words.

Nix is the big man on campus with everyone lined up at his games to make sure he knows it. Sure, he’s got piercing blue eyes, abs that don’t quit and a smile that could set fire to a set of panties from a hundred yards away, but he’s also the biggest pain in my ass.

Dear Pink-Haired Menace, learn how to take a joke and stop being such a kill-joy...

Elle Masterson called the cops on one of my parties—again. My sweet talking usually gets me out of trouble, but this time it got me into a nice pair of silver handcuffs. Now I’m on a reputation rehab tour with a stop at a spring break community service project.

Guess who’s my new boss?

Now we’re shoulder to shoulder, sweaty, tired and…she’s not anything like I expected. There might just be a heart under that hardass exterior. She’s invading my dreams and I can’t shake the feeling she’s the key to unlocking a piece of me that I’ve hidden away.

It’s only a matter of time until she finds out why I’m really here.

Maybe I can break through her walls and into her heart before that happens...one screw at a time.

**The Second We Met is a standalone new adult romance**

364 pages, Kindle Edition

First published October 17, 2019

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About the author

Maya Hughes

38 books6,244 followers
Maya Hughes is an Amazon Top 20 author of swoon worthy, laugh out loud, and emotional new adult and contemporary romances.

Add Maya's next releases to your Goodreads Shelf!

The Art of Falling For You (Falling, #1) by Maya Hughes The Sin of Kissing You (Falling #2) by Maya Hughes The Hate of Loving You (Falling, #3) by Maya Hughes

NEW AUDIO!
The Art of Falling For You (Falling, #1) by Maya Hughes The Sin of Kissing You (Falling #2) by Maya Hughes The Hate of Loving You (Falling, #3) by Maya Hughes
The Perfect First (Fulton U, #1) by Maya Hughes The Second We Met (Fulton U, #2) by Maya Hughes The Third Best Thing (Fulton U, #3) by Maya Hughes The Fourth Time Charm (Fulton U, #4) by Maya Hughes

RECENT RELEASES

The Perfect First (Fulton U, #1) by Maya Hughes The Second We Met (Fulton U, #2) by Maya Hughes The Third Best Thing (Fulton U, #3) by Maya Hughes The Fourth Time Charm (Fulton U, #4) by Maya Hughes

Shameless King (Kings of Rittenhouse #1) by Maya Hughes Reckless King (Kings of Rittenhouse, #2) by Maya Hughes Ruthless King (Kings of Rittenhouse, #3) by Maya Hughes Fearless King (Kings of Rittenhouse, #4) by Maya Hughes Heartless King (Kings of Rittenhouse, #5) by Maya Hughes

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Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,331 reviews
Profile Image for elena ❀.
336 reviews3,972 followers
July 28, 2021
Definitely not my favorite from the series

I found the heroine to be so ridiculously stubborn. I liked how Nix put her in her place, but he did it like five times, and it took until that fifth time for her to finally learn.

Not only was Elle stubborn to the point where I lost my hope and faith in the future character development she would have, but part of her stubbornness came from her judgmental attitude. She judged and misunderstood without reading the entire situation and realizing how immature she sounded. She acted without thinking, and some of that was usually directed at Nix. She thought he had his life easy and just thrown to him, assuming he had never had it hard because of who he is and where he came from. She made herself feel like the only victim, which really bothered me a lot. I just hate characters (and people) who judge without knowing first. Not only that, but even if you know part of someone’s story, there’s always going to be more to it. You shouldn’t be making assumptions without knowing the bare minimum, and Elle felt like the type of judgemental girl who thought everyone had it easy but her.

On the other hand, I liked Nix enough. I liked how he tried to become a friend of Elle, even if her stubbornness and rude attitude were getting to him. I appreciated his effort to try and make friendship with her, even if it would take a while (it didn’t, even though I wish it did). I will say though that he’s cocky but not too cocky, more like just the right amount. He knows who he is and what he holds, but he doesn’t use it to his advantage and doesn’t push Elle with it. He also doesn’t constantly remind people like Elle about his position because it’s not something he likes showing off. This made me appreciate his character more, finding it even a little selfless. However, he reminded me a little about Seph from The Perfect First and now his life was being pretty controlled. This honestly was annoying because I don’t like it when plot devices from previous books repeat themselves. It felt like I was reading about Seph’s academic life again. I loved Seph, to be honest, and I was glad she slowly learned how to stand up to herself, but I also didn’t expect Nix to have a completely similar situation (except football related instead of academics and a few other differences).

Compared to the first book, there was a lack of chemistry. While it’s labeled as enemies to lovers, the enemies part is very minimal. As they started progressing to the friends stage, their feelings for each other started growing quickly. I had hope for the enemies part because the two actually called each other that and treated each other with nothing but hate. I liked their hateful banter and how it seemed like they would claw at each other if they weren’t separated. However, a little time after working together with the community serve project, the two were already getting along. Not only were the two already getting butterflies when they touched (like fingers burnishing accidentally, or were around each other), but their overall emotional connection felt rushed and too sexual at first for my liking. I expected their friendship to be developed more. Even if we weren’t shown, I wished we were told about it more. One moment they were throwing insults at each other (I gotta admit, I really enjoyed their hate banter), and the next they were somehow wishing they spent more time together.

In reality, the pacing was fine for me at first. However, despite the book being short, I feel like there could have been more to it. I feel like most of the stubbornness and ridiculous plot conflicts could have been used to further develop their relationship, whether as friends or rivals, instead of adding drama to their complicated love life.

All in all, definitely not my favorite. With a lack of emotional connection with Nix and Elle’s relationship, I expected a stronger development and exploration with their friendship, especially for an “enemies to lovers” romance. I liked the appearances of the other characters though, and it’s only made me more excited to read their stories.
Profile Image for Carol [Goodreads Addict].
2,573 reviews25.1k followers
October 4, 2019
RATING 4.5 STARS

The Second We Met is book two in the Fulton U series by Maya Hughes. I loved the first book in this series and knew I was going to love Nix and Elle’s story. I was most definitely correct! This is an enemies to lovers romance.

the second we met maya hughes - Google Search

Phoenix “Nix” Russo is the quarterback of the Fulton U Trojans. He’s a senior and is thought to be a first round pick for the pros during the upcoming draft. Nix’s body has paid the price of the constant hits he has taken both during high school and college. He’s had surgeries, rehabs, and more physical therapy than he can keep track of. Nix’s father, who is an ex-professional football player, has been the driving force behind the scenes Nix’s entire life. There was never any question as to where his career would lead, his father was right there planning every step.

woman with pink hair

Elle is also a senior and is so close to graduation she can taste it. If only she had time to breathe. Between her job, numerous volunteer projects and her studies, she’s barely hanging on. But she doesn’t have a choice. Now, if only the wild football players that live across the street would quiet down instead of their loud parties all night long. So she does what she always does when she gets frustrated with them, she calls the police.



One badly thrown football through a police cruiser’s window puts Nix in need of some reputation rehab. So he finds himself spending his spring break working for a volunteer group building houses. Except he didn’t plan on his boss being the crazy woman that lives across the street with the pink hair, Elle. The same one that got him into this mess. But as Elle and Nix are thrown together that week, they are both surprised at their own misjudgement. As they get to know each other, they both realize how badly they have judged the other. A truce is called which soon leads to friendship which soon leads to more.

volunteers building houses

Elle has been hurt in the past and is plagued with trust issues. She wants to believe that this thing with Nix is real, but her defenses say otherwise. Both Nix and Elle are trying to figure out what their futures will look like, and how the other will fit into it.

“She was a part of me I hadn’t even known was missing. She was the first best decision I’d made in my life.”

These two were so perfect together. They really were each other’s missing half. But could there be a way for their lives to fit together after college? With all the decisions they both face, and all the stress of those final months, it was hard for them to see what could be.

Football photography!! #americanfootball #american #football #aesthetic

I enjoyed this so much. I remember thinking this in the first book and feel the same now that the secondary characters are all amazing. The rest of Nix’s roommates are so much fun. And Elle’s best friend and roommate, Jules is absolutely amazing. I loved her. I also truly enjoyed getting a little bit of Reece and Seph from the first book! This was a smexy, fun, sweet story of two people that deserve a happy ever after. As usual, though, they just have to work a bit to find it.

For more about this book and so many more, come and visit me at Carol's Crazy Bookish World.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/44036...

Profile Image for Maya Hughes.
Author 38 books6,244 followers
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October 17, 2019
★☆★ The Second We Met is an enemies-to-lovers standalone with a dash of neighbors from hell, a cocky QB and the woman who is not going to put up with any of his crap! ★☆★

They've hated each other since the second they met!

Read for Free in KU or grab it at the special release week price!

Amazon US || Amazon UK || Amazon AU || Amazon CA

His eyes swept up and down my body.

A shiver crept up my spine, licking at my skin. Maybe it was my drought of a dating life, or maybe I was deprived after tutoring at the center for underprivileged high school students all summer, but he was the kind of gorgeous that made you wonder if he weren’t real-life CGI.

“But you’re more than welcome to stay, especially if you’re looking for some pole exercise.”

And he killed it like a puppy with a hammer. My gaze snapped to his knowing, so-full-of-himself-he-might-float-away smirk. Cue the explosive rage, which was a hell of a lot better than soul-shriveling embarrassment.

I glared at him, and his face finally clicked into place. Phoenix “Nix” Russo, quarterback and pompous asshole. “Not on your life.”



Profile Image for Wendys Wycked Words.
1,579 reviews3,886 followers
October 17, 2019
4

I am a big fan of Maya Hughes' "Kings of Rittenhouse" series and so I figured I should give this series a go as well. I have skipped the first book, but I am known for reading books out of order, so I will go back later and make things right again :P 

Afbeeldingsresultaat voor I amweird like that gif

I love a good "enemies to lovers" story and this one definitely delivered on that front. I also love me some hot jocks, so hot quarterback Nix, really did it for me :P 

Elle didn't agree with me on that one though...well at least in the beginning she didn't. They have been enemies ever since she caught him with his pants down (literally). Their relationship is a volatile one. 


That all changes when they are forced to work together on a project and really start to get to know each other better. Maybe she has been too quick to judge Nix.... 

These two were also quite different. Where Nix was easy going and relaxed, Elle had a more "work and no play" personality. She had no problem throwing her sass around and standing up for what she believed. I did have some small issues with her being so judgemental/insecure. I know she had her reasons, but at times it was a bit annoying for me. 



I really enjoyed watching these two fall... The side-characters were pretty awesome as well and I can't wait to see what's next. That said... I better go back and start reading book 1 first ;) 


 

An ARC was provided to
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in exchange for an honest review

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Profile Image for mel ☽.
369 reviews10.4k followers
October 26, 2019
i need a Nix in my life A S A P.

this was such a cute neighbors, enemies to lovers, college romance.

i appreciate good friendships in a book and it did not disappoint here whatsoever. i mean, that nerf gun battle scene literally made my day.

tbh, i liked the friendship more than the romance but that's not a bad thing!

characters:
Nix is sweet and caring and just UGH. he’s book boyfriend material.

don’t get me wrong, i love asshole heroes but once in a while they start to be the same ya know? sometimes i wanna read about an H that i would probably want in real life.

Elle is fierce and i love how she’s basically the hype man for her shy friend, Jules. their friendship was heartwarming to read honestly. they always brought each other up.

i love girl friendships in books and this has one of the sweetest and most supportive i’ve read in a looong time.
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only reason why i did not rate this as high is because i was bored at times and i was more invested in the side characters’ romance than the MCs romance.

i just wish the ”enemy” stage was longer or shown more and the progression of their relationship didn’t really convince me.

but anyways,

i NEED Berk and Jules’ book
i need LJ and Marisa’s book
NOW.

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Profile Image for Christy.
4,081 reviews34.6k followers
October 4, 2021
3 stars

After reading The Perfect First last month, I couldn't wait to get to the other books in this series. I had so much fun and I loved the other football guys. I was especially excited to get to Nix's book and he did not disappoint. Nix was a fantastic hero. Unfortunately, the heroine really worked my nerves. I could understand where she was coming from and I could sympathize with her situation but I found her so... unlikable to me. I have high hopes the next book is better for me!

Audio book source: Audible
Story Rating: 3 stars
Narrators: Jason Clarke and Emma Wilder
Narration Rating: 4.25 stars
Genre: Contemporary Romance (NA Sports)
Length: 9h 13m
Profile Image for Lana ❇✾DG Romance❇✾.
2,120 reviews13.1k followers
October 5, 2019
4 STARS
He was all my mistakes wrapped up into one bright, shiny package.

I'm a sucker for a good enemies to lovers romance and this one checked every box for me. I was dying for Nix's book the second he appeared as a secondary character in The Perfect First. The charming quarterback with the cocky smile was sure to hit the spot for me, and I was not wrong. What I didn't expect was for him to be as multi-layered as he was. Nix's entire life has revolved around his father's demands and football. As the son of a football player, the stakes are that much higher for Nix. But while his father sees the draft as his future, Nix isn't so sure. Sustaining multiple injuries and his recent jolt to his shoulder have made him question his future, but it's hard to move himself off of a path that's been set for him.

Elle is the not so nice girl next door. Their enemy status has been paved ever since she accidentally walked into the wrong house and saw Nix in all his glory. Now they have an antagonistic relationship living next door to each other and Elle constantly calling the cops on their house. What's a girl to do when she's trying to sleep and it's a non stop party next door? Elle is a bit of a workaholic. When she's not in school, she's volunteering for numerous charities and working in order to make ends meet and get a covetous award that's the answer to all her financial woes.

But then when Nix shoes up at her latest community project, and suddenly she's forced to realize that she's grossly misjudged the guy and there's much more to him than first meets the eye. What starts as enemies, soon turns into an unlikely friendship, and then something so much more.

Elle was gun shy when it came to men after being cheated on by her two boyfriends. But her judgmental and quick to think the worst of men nature did get a tiny bit grating for me. I loved how patient and sweet Nix was with her in turn. Eventually Elle really grew on me too. I loved their sassy barbs almost as much as I loved their chemistry. And these two had a ton of chemistry. This was another fantastic addition to the series and I can't wait for more!

ARC courtesy of author in exchange for an honest review

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Profile Image for Somia.
2,064 reviews152 followers
October 24, 2019
A enemies-to-lovers story centred around Elle and Nix, as neighbours the tension has been more than a little high, but after two years of ignoring each other (or trying to) he's suddenly everywhere she is and making it very hard for her to ignore him. At times the tension/dislike felt a little too much.

Overall, this was a ok read/nice, but for some reason I just couldn't truly get into - I think I would have loved this book several years ago.

Acquired via KU.
Profile Image for Syndi.
3,135 reviews911 followers
July 2, 2020
This is my second book of this series and I have to say Miss Hughes lives up to the expectation. This is Nick and Elle's story. Nix is coming from privilege background. Everything in his life has been arranged. He lost his mother to car accident when he was 1 year old. His father is very protective.

Nix ends up becoming football player and lives next to Elle. Elle is coming from working family. Everything on her life is coming from hard work and dedication. She is kick ass heroine. Her work attitude puts me on shame. It seems she is non stop working or volunteering and studying non stop. So 2 characters from opposite ends collide in a wild party.

What so surprise is Nix. He is actually a very sweet, honest and loyal character. Not a typical ass hole jock. He has a heart of Texas. A cuddly teddy bear some sort. He likes to help people too. Even though some of his help does not match with Elle Expectation, but he gets it right at the end.

Again, this is a wonderful book.

4 stars
Profile Image for  Sonya ♕Chatterbooks book blog♕.
987 reviews1,140 followers
October 6, 2019
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I don’t know about you, but an enemies to lovers romance is the best!!! The fiery tension, heart pulsing attraction, and let’s not forget the top notch bickering that some would even consider foreplay, there’s no way you can ever deny a story like this. Why would you want to?

Elle has had it with the superficial “Jock" and she has no time or energy to entertain their needs or wants. Her only focus right now is graduating and giving back with her humanitarian work. When she has a run in with the star player and the most popular guy on campus, her hatred goes up ten fold with one conversation. But little does she know that the same guy is going to change her life whether she wants him to or not.

Nix has been groomed to be a star player since the day he’s held a football in his hand. With a legend for a father, the spotlight has always shone on him and it’s about to get a lot brighter once he announces that he'll be going pro. But there’s more to him beyond the wins and the devoted fans but there is one person who couldn’t care less. Can Nix convince Elle that there’s more that meets the eye when it comes to him and deep down he’s exactly what she needs.

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I really love that this story was easy to get into. From the moment I read the prologue, I felt this ease and familiarity with the writing and the characters and I enjoyed that. I will admit that Elle frustrated the liquor out of me a few times but I understood her apprehension with certain things so I couldn’t really hold her at fault too much. As for Nix, I loved everything about him!! He was the epitome of a book boyfriend and when you put that along with his love and protectiveness, you have nothing but gold.

Based on the ending with this one, I cannot and I repeat CANNOT freaking wait for the next couple in the series!! I’m so ready and trust me when I tell you I know that this author is going to bring it. If you love a good enemies to lovers funny and swoon worthy New Adult romance, then you need to give this one a try. You won’t regret it.


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Profile Image for Rachael*Caribbean*girl*bibliophile.
1,765 reviews395 followers
April 13, 2020
Spoilers ahead,




Nix was awesome, I adored him
Elle was a sanctimonious, judgemental, hypocritical, untrusting bitch who didn't deserve him, I intensely disliked her from the beginning to the very bitter end
The end


No cheating
No OW/OM drama though we see Elle's ex
Enemies to lovers
Did I mention I can't stand Elle?????

Moving on to the next
Profile Image for ABookLover73.
375 reviews217 followers
October 21, 2019
Five pink stars for Elle and Nix 💖💖💖!!!

🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

Maya did it again!

I totally loved this book!

It is sweet, funny and sexy.

"The Second We Met" is a college sports romance with enemies to lovers trope.

I really loved Elle and Nix's a little crazy but the adorable relationship.

Elle is a little different female character I had a chance to meet in books. She is a hard worker but also a girl who spends her free to volunteering than she's going to parties, like the other people her age.

Elle has a bad experience with relationships and she is afraid to get into a relationship again because she doesn't want to be cheated by a boy again.

And that is the main reason why her relationship with Nix is a very slow burn.

Nix is everything that you would never imagine he would be.

He is a quarterback star, "Golden Boy", but he is also the guy who wants to spend time in Grandpa's restaurant and find the girl with whom he will spend the rest of the life.

Throughout the whole book, Elle and Nix have a lot of ups and downs.

But, what is true love without problems 😉?!

I highly recommend this book to everyone who loves to read college sports romance with enemies to lovers trope!!!

P.S. I can't wait for Jules and Berk's story 😍😍😍!!!
Profile Image for Bibliophile  Chloe .
1,178 reviews103 followers
October 11, 2019
This has got to be, by far, one of the best enemies to lovers stories I have read in a loooong time!

The Second We Met is the next story set in the fictional world of Fulton University.  This is Phoenix and Elle.  

This is a story that embraces the saying "A thin line between love and hate".

Elle is struggling to finish college, she is over her head with school, work and volunteering.  She has been burned by people she has trusted and loved before and that has made her into the gal she is today.  She is prickly and has some big walls built around her and meeting Nix was just the best thing ever.

Phoenix (Nix) is the star quarterback, he lives in a house called the "Brothel" and most people think they know him.  But nobody really does.  

When Elle and Nix first meet, Elle is prickly and judgemental...she believes she knows all about Nix, but she truly doesn't.  This story is a fantastic tale of how Nix and Elle learn to really know each other.  How they grow to love each other and the ups and downs of fighting preconceived notions and judgemental people.

I really enjoyed this story and I can't wait for new stories from this world!
Profile Image for shirley ♡.
309 reviews172 followers
November 25, 2019
This book went beyond my expectations.

I knew that I was gonna love this couple since I read ‘The Perfect First’ but I didn’t know I was gonna love it this much.

This my second book by this author and I’m gonna have to read all her books because I love her characters and writing.



Nix was perfect, he was so cute and loved to cooked. Where can I find a guy like him? 😫

My baby Jules, I really can’t wait for The Third Best Thing. I’ve been wanting to read that book since the moment Berk received that letter in The Perfect First. I can’t believe that I have to wait to wait ‘till 2020 for them 😭😭.

LJ and Marisa? I’m waiting for them. Friends to lovers is one of my fave tropes and I can’t believe Maya is gonna bless me with their book.

I enjoyed every second of this book and I can’t wait to see more of them in Book 3.
Profile Image for Reckless Readers.
1,707 reviews87 followers
October 18, 2019
DNF @ 64%

I tried with this one. I really, really did. I wanted to like it so badly, so much so that I had a full schedule and, instead of cancelling my ARC request, I decided to squeeze it in. Ugh. I was so disappointed.

I'll start off with the good.
Nix was great. He wasn't a jerk and somehow, someway, he managed to deal with Elle and her judgmental, hypocritical ass. He called her on her crap and I loved that he had a backbone, but wasn't an ass about it. He was a good person who was trying to please everyone by sacrificing his own desires. I loved the times he spent in the kitchen with his grandfather. I felt like those were the moments where we got the real Nix.

Elle was AWFUL. AW. FUL. Like I said previously, she is a judgmental, hypocritical ass. She's ragging on Nix for using the charity thing for his own gain, but yet she's doing the same thing? Then she gets pissed at him when he tries to help her and it goes sideways through no fault of his own? Furthermore, that whole blood drive scene was ridiculous. There is absolutely no way in hell, anyone would ever let all that happen. Elle had absolutely zero redeeming qualities and I feel like at 64% into the book, she should be showing some growth. I honestly don't know why Nix liked her even a little bit. She was rude, entitled, and a downright bad person.

Clearly this book made me feel some kind of way. Overall, if it's not obvious, I do NOT recommend this book. Sadly, I won't be moving on to the next one in the series.

**Review by Jaime**
Profile Image for Sabrina.
3,592 reviews2,289 followers
October 17, 2019
NOW LIVE!
Amazon US * Amazon UK



The Second We Met is an enemies-to-lovers story filled with some crazy volatile tension that steams up the pages. Elle hated Nix the very first moment she met him in all his glorious nakedness. He's the type of guy she's been hurt by too many times, the one with the cocky smirk seems to have it easy in life, so she wanted nothing to do with him. But after two years of ignoring each other he's suddenly everywhere she is and making it very hard for Elle to ignore him and that smirk.

Overall I enjoyed this story and there were parts that had me loving the characters. Nix was brilliant and definitely my favorite. He was really down to Earth and didn't let the fact that so many people worshiped him make him arrogant. It was easy to like him and want to see him happy. Then we have Elle, and well I can't say I felt the same about her.

There were moments that I liked her just fine but for the most part she came off as a little too judgmental for me. She was so set in her hatred for jocks and Nix, even before she actually knew him, that it made it hard for me to see a connection between them. And it wasn't something that was just in the beginning of the book, even after I thought she would settle down since they were friends/together she still had moments that she would rage at him as if he was the worst human in the world.

The hatred involved in this book was all just a little too much for me but I know that true fans of the enemies-to-lovers trope will love it and I definitely recommend reading this story if you enjoy that.

ARC kindly provided in exchange for an honest review.
Profile Image for Melanie (mells_view).
1,777 reviews364 followers
October 20, 2019
He was chocolate chunk cookies on top of a brownie sundae.

An enjoyable college sports romance. It’s sort of enemies to lovers, but I don’t feel like they are enemies for very long. And I think it’s more like displaced attraction toward one another. I loved that Elle was working hard to be giving even though the reasons why weren’t 100% pure, and I loved that Nix kind of easily fell into Elle. Like they both had attraction, didn’t want it, but also couldn’t help it. Clearly that’s nothing new in romance land, but there was something sweet about how these two were just what the other one needed.

All in all a good read.


Also. I’m ready and dying for book 3! Sounds like it will be amazing.


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^fan edit on IG!
Profile Image for ✩ Mira ✩.
94 reviews157 followers
August 25, 2020
3.5 stars

"What do you want?"
"To find something I love so much I could never walk away from it...to find something that'll make me happy."
You make me happy. I choked back those words.


Compared to The Perfect First, in The Second We Met there was just something.... missing .

I absolutely LOVED the first book in this series, so going into The Second We Met, I was even more excited because this was an enemies-to-lovers, neighbours romance, and I'm a sucker for that shit. I loved the premise - Elle "the pink-haired menace" constantly calling the police on the boys' parties and them having their feud for years. If done properly this could've been sooo good, sadly, it wasn't.

The Characters
I'll start with Nix because he was absolute perfection.


Homeboy is f l a w l e s s, usually I don't really like this in characters because it's super unrealistic and more importantly it makes my standarts for men waaaaaay too high, but Nix was such a treasure, I just can't say a bad thing about him. Though I'm a solid 97% sure that men like him don't exist. :)

Elle had been getting them in trouble FOR YEARS, she even got him arrested, and quite honestly treated him pretty badly throughout the entire book and he never NEVER got mad at her or said something rude. He was just a total sunshine, who wanted to do good by Elle, his dad, his grandfather and his friends so much so that he neglected himself for their sake. Nix deserves the world.

Now, Elle on the other hand....


Oof, so, okay, in romances I'm used to liking the H more, but that's ususally just because he has more of a personality and therefore development. Heroines are usually underdeveloped and/ or just plain bland, but Elle, boy, oh, boy, she was just a terrible person.

Her whole thing was that she does a lot of volunteering and charity work, *but* she doesn't really do it to help people in need, no, she does it so that she can win an award for all her "good deeds", which comes with a lot of money and all she talks about is how much she wants that money.

She talks about becoming part of the Peace Corps after graduation like it's a death sentance and repeatedly says that she'll literally do it only because she will have no place to live and no way to make a living if she doesn't win the volunteering award.

And I guess I could overlook all of this if it weren't for her literally verbally destroying Nix for taking part in a charity project of hers just so that he could get some good press.


All Elle was throughout the entire book was extremely judgemental, selfish, untrusting and downright mean towards Nix who yeah might have made a few mistakes but they were never intentional. Everything he did was for her and only for her.

It felt like, in her opinion she was this perfect person, whose problems were always someone else's fault and who has been hurt a couple of times for no reason....but, honestly was it for no reason because


The Romance
The romance was cute but I just couldn't really root for Elle and Nix because, say it with me again, 👏Nix👏deserved👏better👏

I feel like the story was more about Nix's character development, nothing really happened to Elle, she stayed the absolute same, which was stupid because she was the one who needed to grow and stop being such a bitch. I mean, how could I root for them when when they broke up at the end, it was all her fault for not trusting him and being incredibly selfish (like if I didn't hate her already this would've made me) and it was again him doing most of the grovelling. BOY WHY????
And he forgave her so easily, she literally just had to say she loved him?????? WTF

"You ripped my heart out, Elle"
Nix, bb,


Another thing is, their relationship never really felt high stakes to me. Like, usually there's something dramatic that stops them from being together or whatever, but here the ending was super predictable and I just didn't really feel complelled to continue reading. The beginning was quite slow, too.

A few things I liked besides Nix
✦The nerf battle - it was absolutely hilarious!
✦All the interactions between the boys, and the boys in general, what a ✨wholesome✨ bunch
✦The on-going joke about Marisa's cooking
✦Berkley!!!!!!!! An absolute angel, I'll be picking his book up soon and I'm pumped!
✦ah, what the hell, Nix again

In conclusion, terrible heroine that ruined the whole story, but still worth the read for my baby Nix and for the little bits of Berk in there, but as a whole, a huge step down from the first book in the series, sadly.
Profile Image for Elsa Gomes (BookishAurora).
2,170 reviews294 followers
October 17, 2019
Rate: 4.5 / 5 stars

Maya, Maya how you always manage to steal my heart with your boys I don't know but I am totally here for it!

Welcome back to Fulton U everyone! Nix and Elle take us on another epic year, one brimming with animosity, sexual tension, good deeds, awesome friends and a fun journey towards love. I thoroughly enjoyed this book - it was fun, it was sexy, it was angsty and I love it when a book has all three.

Elle was a bad*** go getter. She was feisty, spoke her mind and wasn't afraid to do what was right for her no matter what people thought. I loved this girl and her wonderful soul. I loved that she was different, quirky and wasn't ever afraid to be herself. She has trust issues specially when it comes to the men in her life so when Nix and her go from enemies to friends, she's afraid to let him get too close. Having been cheated on by her past two boyfriends, she's a bit paranoid when a boy is on the horizon and his intentions are always at the forefront of her mind.

Nix was wonderful, gosh I truly loved his soul and he was such a genuine good person behind his footballer player persona. He is living a lie, a life he doesn't want but he's too afraid to take the plunge on leaving that life behind and fighting for the one he wants. It takes a girl and a few accidents for him to see that he should be living his life for him and no one else.

Nix is very close with his grandfather and I loved their relationship and every chance they had to spend time together in the kitchen. I kind of wish there had been more of those moments and we got to watch them both while Nix was doing what he always enjoyed. I hope we get to see that again in the epilogue, all three generations of Russo men hanging out in the kitchen, it would perfect after everything that happens in this book and it would truly make my heart happy to see it.

And Jules omg Jules, Elle's bestfriend. I already love her so much and relate to her. I can't wait to see it all happen in her POV and be inside her head and just freaking read her story because it's gonna be epic. I don't know how she's gonna get out of helping Berk find the notes' girl. I am guiddy just thinking about it.

I just love this group of friends so much already and I am completely dying for the other two books! They are already so promising and I know they'll be amazing. Maya honestly creates the best groups of friends and she always has me falling for the side characters as much as I do for the main characters. I could live in her worlds forever hanging out with these hot atheletes and the girls who steal their hearts.

➳ARC kindly provided by author, in exchange for an honest review.

➳IT'S HERE! Order at: Amazon UKAmazon US

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Profile Image for Happily Mary After.
1,013 reviews141 followers
October 16, 2019
Maya Hughes returns to her New Adult, sports romance series, Fulton U, with the second, standalone installment, The Second We Met. It’s an enemies-to-lovers romance that will have you feeling everything from the first page until the last. Elle and Nix are neighbors whose relationship got off on the foot when they first met, and they’ve been frenemies ever since. He’s the star quarterback of their football-obsessed college, and she’s not a fan of self-entitled athletes. They antagonize each other every chance they get, but Elle realizes her assumptions about Nix could be all wrong when they begin volunteering together. They form a tenuous friendship that quickly turns flirtatious, and you cannot help but root for these two likable, relatable characters to find their happily ever after. The Second We Met is sweet, steamy, funny and seriously romantic, and it shouldn’t be missed.

Profile Image for m.
349 reviews49 followers
October 30, 2019
2.5/5

I was apprehensive going into this sequel because I'd heard mixed things from my friends - some loved it, some were disappointed - and I, unfortunately, related to the latter. Even if I wasn't the biggest fan of this book, I think this is Maya Hughes' strongest written release so far. I feel harsh giving it a low rating since I love this author, but I don't like enemies to lovers and I wasn't into any of the characters or couples. The Fulton U series is unique in the sense of its male characters who are sweet, soft, and loyal to their love interests, and it utilises all the elements of New Adult college romance we love, but in a more admirable way to its predecessors.

The Second We Met follows Nix, the "Golden Boy" and infamous football player, and Elle, a pink-haired menace desperate to breeze through college and attain a prestigious award through a copious amount of volunteering. After an unfortunate incident where she mistakes his home for her own, Elle accidentally sees Nix naked, which initiates a tense rivalry. After one too many calls to the police, Nix is forced to repair his reputation by volunteering, resulting in more run-ins with Elle. Finally, they're forced to confront their preconceived notions of each other and look past their initial judgment.

Let's appreciate the positives first because I hate that I have any negatives in the first place. The writing was Hughes' strongest (in comparison to the others I've read) and managed to employ the conventions of romcoms that I love. There were a lot of unique, hilarious similies included throughout that added great dimension to the storytelling. Such as, "my gaze dipped low like a tractor beam had been attached to my eyes" and so forth. It was just a cute addition I loved reading throughout the novel. Moreover, it's hard not to love these characters in their large, quirky group of friends, accompanied by their games and running gags. Though, I definitely don't see the appeal of Berk and Jules together like everyone else. Maybe that's I topic I can explore later. Whenever you read about the boys in the "Brothel" - in parenthesis because I don't like uttering that phrase myself to describe them - and the girls who accompany them, you can't help but wish you had a friendship like theirs. Especially when they play the Nerf gun battles or include the ongoing gag that Marisa's cooking skills are abysmal.

Speaking of Marisa, I feel like a starving dog just begging for her book. They've been teased in three books now and were pushed back an entire year, and now I have to wait even longer while people obsess over Jules and Berk. I'm even more excited for their book knowing the additional angst surrounding the brief amount of time they dated, where Marisa decided they'd be better off as friends. I'm even disappointed Reece and Seph were pushed to the background and barely given any lines other than stating they were boyfriend and girlfriend.

The main downfall of The Second We Met for me was the way the plot progressed and the character dynamics, which are 100% personal issues and not reflective of its quality as a novel. I'm not the biggest fan of the enemies to lovers trope, especially when it fluctuates from hate to love constantly throughout the book. It's exhausting for me to even read about, so I don't know how the characters themselves withstood it. By their fourth or fifth breakup (I lost count) - particularly the one in the main complication - I was unbelievably over their oscillating moods towards each other. I'm the type of person who can't enjoy a book if I'm frustrated, so I ended up skimming the entire ending and wishing it were over. Including the brief scene my eyes breezed over with the set-up for Jules and Berk's book, which I'm not interested in reading anymore since they're basically another version of Sierra Burgess Is Not A Loser.

Another - entirely personal - reason I was disillusioned with this book was the progression of Nix's story. I've said it in every review with a straight white rich male as the main character, but I really can't feel sympathy towards them. Nix is the "Golden Boy", a beloved football player, and unbelievably rich, but most of his problems revolve around not wanting to follow his father's dream. It's kind of like a plot from a teen movie on the Disney Channel. I hate even stating that, but there's a line where Nix literally says it's his father's dream, not his.

I didn't dislike Elle in a similar sense to others who find her irritating because I understood her, but I also didn't like her. If that makes sense. She needed the award so she could pay her tuition and the only way she saw to achieve that was by volunteering. It's entirely understandable. However, the way she was constantly berating Nix for absolutely nothing and then getting upset when he wouldn't answer her calls after she broke up with him was infuriating. The third act break up was my main reason for skimming the end of the book.

Consequently, I think The Second We Met was a good book, just not one for me to appreciate since I wasn't a fan of any of the couples/characters. I'm still holding out hope for Marisa and LJ's book, however, which looks like it'll be a long wait.
Profile Image for Ambriehl Khalil.
Author 2 books159 followers
March 4, 2020
⭐️ [3/5 Stars] ⭐️

I’m not sure about my rating. I love Nix so much but I just can’t fucking get past the negatives and the things that pissed me off about this book.

I love enemies to lovers. Best trope ever. But the reasoning for the dislike between Nix and Elle was just so dumb and silly. I cannot express how much I disliked Elle. If this didn’t have Nix in it, I swear to god ... I really hate this bitch. Let me get right down to it and explain why.

She is selfish as fuck. So. Selfish. SO SELFISH. Oh my god. She’s out here doing all these good things but she’s not doing them for the good of her heart and genuinely wanting to improve and help, she’s doing it because she needs the Huffington Award and the grant money. AND to get back at her ex. Like ... what the hell? She says and she tries to imply that she’s doing it because she’s trying to be a good person but she contradicts every good things she’s doing with her inner monologues. News flash, judging people left right and centre, being a stubborn cow about your past experiences AND trying to outdo your ex does not make you a good person. Nix could have done better. She was cold as fuck to him because she’s bitter about her past experiences, which admittedly they suck, but it’s a reason, not an excuse.

She’s a good friend to Jules and I liked that. I also liked how badass she was playing in the Nerf war—also I’m obsessed with this and it was my fave part in the whole book. I deadass went online and ordered so many nerf guns and plan to make it a tradition in my house too. But still, the small good things about her didn’t satisfy me enough to ignore the things that frustrated me.

I loved Nix. I thought he was an angel and he deserved better. His dad was an asshole and I hated the reconciliation because it was too short. There needed to be more depth and there wasn’t any. It went for two seconds and then bam, it was over and I didn’t feel satisfied.

The one thing that frustrated me about this was the timeline. I was so confused. Okay so in the first book when Reece and Seph are getting together, Nix is all flakey and all over the place. He’s distracted, constantly checking his phone etc. So I assumed this would take place during the same time but nope. Seph and Reece are already together in this one and now I’m like ??? Well what was all that shit about him in the last book? Am I missing something?? Also I feel like there wasn’t enough background information on Elle’s situation. I could have definitely missed something but I don’t really understand her financial situation the way I would have liked to. I think it needed to be talked about a bit more. I’m finding that, with this series, there are some important things that get glossed over. I really hate ending a book and feeling like I’m missing things, even if it is a series.

So I know this review was mostly negative and the rating should in theory, be a lot lower considering how disappointed I was. But I just really love Nix and the rest of the boys and their parts. I loved the way Nix loved so wholeheartedly and the way he cares about everyone. I still think he deserved better, but meh. What can ya do. Anyway so yeah if you’re wondering why this is a satisfactory rating, it’s because I’m too loyal to these dang boys.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Rochelle ♡.
386 reviews210 followers
November 7, 2019


Filled with heated animosity, stomach-aching humour and intense sexual tension, The Second We Met is sure to entice readers into this near-flawless college environment of strong knitted friendships and slow burn romances. Maya Hughes delivered an authentic narrative featuring characters contending pressures, following ambitions and overcoming insecurities as they fall in love and discover what they want in life.

He was all my mistakes wrapped up into one bright, shiny package.


Drowned in exhaustion and inundated from anxieties, Elle continues to dedicate herself to unending volunteer work no matter what. With fierce ambition, a relentless attitude and honest mindset, Elle’s unwavering determination to succeed is an admirable feature of this otherwise stubborn character. Her incessant need to assume, to criticise and decide that no one’s good enough, especially Nix, is an insufferable attribute that made me despise her overtime. I realise her hesitance to have confidence in others, however, I don’t condone projecting past experiences onto them.

Phoenix Russo deserves better than Elle. One of the sweetest heroes ever created, Nix’s full of kindness and genuine selflessness, a blatant contrast to the ‘footballer with too much arrogance’ category the students assume he belongs to. However, Nix’s characterisation felt too flat and one-sided, never turning into something more and the ‘football isn’t my passion’ contention came through lacklustre and awfully cliche. Even though this is labelled college sports romance, the sports aspect doesn't shine.

“You’re the pros, Nix, and if I couldn’t handle my heart being broken back then, there is no way I’d be able to deal when things fell apart with you. It was a preemptive strike, but all I did was blow myself up. So that’s me being completely and totally honest. I love you.”


Much to my sadness, The Second We Met doesn’t utilise enemies to lovers as much as I wanted it to. I love that constant resistance, the seething hatred muddled by hidden affection and the bitter bickering sidled by rare occurrences of bantering that occurs between the two characters. For the most part, the resentment felt one-sided before rushing away from the long-term established enemies connection. Regardless of my issues and feelings on this, Maya Hughes' utilises all of the new adult and college romance concepts readers love beautifully, even incorporating some romcom moments that made me giggle, making this series standout against its predecessors.



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Profile Image for Kimberly Anne.
3,167 reviews184 followers
September 27, 2019
UMMMMMM HELLLOOOOO... I am so excited to write this review because my love for Hughes' newest book The Second We Met, seriously has consumed my entire being since I finished this bad beast, and I seriously have to give credit where credit is due. I am not kidding when I say from the very first chapter of Elle and Nix's story, I was so enthralled. By the time I was finished my own eyes betrayed me because I went without blinking for so long, so now I am stuck with red, dry eyes. The damn pope could not have pried my eyes away from this one.

Elle and Nix's story is EVERYTHING. It is witty with great banter within the dialogue. Amazingly- spell-bounding chemistry that could seriously lead the blind. Secondary characters that are to kill for. Development so fine tuned that I can't think of strumming something like this up. The overall plot meshed well with each characters traits, meaning it fit them and their story perfectly. There is seriously not one thing I would change about this amazingly thought out book.

Elle is well.. Elle. I seriously can't think of any character like her. She is a no BS woman that is quite honestly hateful, but boy oh boy does she shine. She has a full plate, that keeps piling. Underneath the crabby woman, she is kind, and caring.

Nix is Fulton Universities golden boy, a QB with a great future outlook. He takes great pride in his family well, for the most part. He honestly does have the best of intentions, even though it may not seem that way.

When Elle and Nix are forced to come together, can they make the team they need to be? Or is there too much past hurling for them??

*I RECOMMEND THIS BOOK

*REVIEWED FOR REVIEWS FROM THE HEART

~Ashley



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Profile Image for Angela By The Bookcase.
346 reviews276 followers
January 23, 2020
I was one lucky duck to get an ARC of TSWM!

Is there anything I love more than an enemies to lovers? No, probably not. Something about that thin line between love and hate, the overwhelming feelings, and snappy dialogue reels me in every time. The Second We Met by Maya Hughes is everything I love about enemies-to-lovers (and everything
I want from them) wrapped up in one book with a shiny HEA.

Nix and Elle were the best. Seriously. Nix is on the cusp on being drafted to the NFL – as the first pick no less – but he’s less than satisfied with his future when he feels he’s being pushed towards it for the sake of his fathers attention (even if that attention is critical). Elle, meanwhile, is drowning herself in volunteer work – partially because it’s the best shot she has of making it through college in one piece and partially because she martyrs herself for the sake of others.

They are on different paths but neither likes where the future is going and despite their past, forced proximity for charity work gives them the opportunity to re-route their future into what THEY want it to be – and even for that future to include each other!

There was so much push and pull with these two. Elle has trust issues a mile long and she’s totally up front about that. And though she can be self-righteous at times or let her insecurities get the best of her, when that righteous rage calms down she’s not afraid to make a sincere apology and admit she was wrong. She owns up to her mistakes, even if it takes her a while to see them.

Similarly, Nix also takes responsibility for his actions – even when the consequences he creates are unintended. Honestly, Nix is just such a good guy. Just straight up a good, decent person. He isn’t perfect by any means but he is so open and vulnerable with Elle, and just a fundamentally awesome person. I LOVED that about him!

I’ve re-read this book 4 times in less than a month and each time Nix and Elle completely blow me away and keep me enchanted. If you want to read a romance with two kick-ass leads who take no B.S., who each step up and take responsibility for their actions, and who just love each other so much while having some of the hottest dialogue (and steamiest scenes), add this one to your TBR RIGHT NOW!
Profile Image for ❤️Emma Book Lover ❤️.
489 reviews287 followers
August 10, 2020
3.5 Stars


It's_not_hoarding_if_it's_books Ig page

Umm... not bad this one, thanks to Nix, but not great either. For short I disliked Elle almost 70% of the book. She is this condescending person who thinks the best of her and judges and has misconception about everyone else around her. She is volunteering and doing good deeds not because of this great person she is but because she wants to win the university award to despise her ex boyfriend who cheated on her and to win the money that came with the prize. Also she doesn't stop to listen logic or any arguments she just straight up exaggerates and believes the worst. And.. I understand that not everybody likes to party , but come on! you like in the campus girl, calling police every time the boys have a party is kinda assholish . Just freaking move alone in the forest and have peace and quiet! Anyway, to say she is down the bottom of the heroines I like is an understatement.
Now,Nix Russo, I loved him as a secondary character in the first book and I love him even more here. He is really a good guy, and I appreciated the fact that he called her up on her judgement every time she did so. A s well he is a freaking chef to be ! oh man, me loves a man who can cook!

The rest of the guys and girls are part of this, some of the finished U and others just found eachother **wink wink** Now, Berk and his letter girl.
Profile Image for Maditales.
609 reviews29.9k followers
November 16, 2022
Why are you described as enemies? You clearly are not.

First it took me a while to get into this. Idk what it is but Maya's writing is so confusing for my head it takes me ages to get into the flow and just read it, but that is probably just me.

Plot wise a few things did not make sense starting of with the enemies to lovers plot line. They are not enemies and if they hate each other they are super childish. I thought it was super boring and nothing was happening.

The romance wasn't bad but also not good. It was "eh" and I didn't feel a lot of chemistry.
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