Rochelle L. Sharpe

Publisher: Independently published.

Release Date: February 1st 2025.

Source: From Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

Series: Mayberry University.

Category: Contemporary romance, NA.

Synopsis from Goodreads:

Two guarded hearts.
He’s breaking down walls and she’s building them higher–
A match made in Heaven, or a blueprint for disaster?

After the fiery downward spiral of senior year, Kit Talbot crash-lands on a quirky college campus where traditions rule and dorm floors act more like family. It’s just weird enough to keep her mind off the wreckage she’s leaving behind.

Enter Levi Whitaker, known as the swooniest guy on campus. Magnetic, confident, and far too much like the ex who sent her life into that PTSD-tainted nosedive. Levi seems to be everywhere, focused on her like she’s the only girl in the world–even indulging her sugar addiction with delivered treats. But Kit’s self-preservation instincts are sharper than ever, and she deflects him like Wonder Woman blocking bullets.

That is, until Levi’s quiet faith and humble apology start to break down Kit’s defenses. He loves Jesus in the dreamiest way, looks like wow, and … somehow triggers the flashbacks she fights so hard to avoid. Every minute with him is a risk she isn’t sure she should take. Should she protect them both from the chaos of her life or learn a bravery that feels irresponsible?

As Kit fights to keep her life safe and manageable, she leans into her faith, clinging to the Bible verses God whispers to her heart. Clearly, he’s up to something, but the healing she prays for isn’t happening the way she wants.

Why is God silent on the prayer she needs most?

***

My thoughts:

4.5 stars.

I don’t read a lot of books set in college, so even though this sounded good, I wasn’t certain how much I would like it. Thankfully, I ended up loving it!

Kit is starting college after a traumatic end to high school. Dating anyone is the last thing on her mind. She feels she is too broken. She never expected to meet Levi, who keeps defying the stereotypical good looking athlete she pegged him as. Kit finds it hard to open up – the slightest noise, the slightest touch sets her off. But Levi is determined to get to know her, and slowly and patiently breaks down the walls between them.
Both characters were well rounded and life-like, and had sizzling chemistry. And they couldn’t even touch! Levi was such a cinnamon roll hero. Not only was he rich and good looking, but kind and sweet with a strong faith. Both character’s had a strong faith which I appreciated.

Kit had a supportive friend group, which I loved, and a supportive family which was nice to read about. There were lots of culture references, and my favourite band got a mention!
I think Welch handled Kit’s PTSD well.
The ending was perfect!

Anything was a well-written, clean, Christian, contemporary romance that I highly recommend. In the eBook there is a sneak peak of book 2 and when I read it I was so excited because it is the two characters I was hoping it was going to be. I can’t wait for it to be released.

The audio was perfect. The author reads it herself. She had a really nice reading voice and did a great job. I listened to it while cooking dinner, and I found myself excited to cook dinner every night just so I could keep listening! I would recommend the audio book just as much as the eBook.