Enemies-to-lovers is one of my all-time favorite tropes so I was ready for Stevie and Maverick's story in Merit. The tension between these two was palpable and I ate it up. I loved the development and details of them coming together and all the emotion it made me feel. This was a winner!
Merit (Treasure State Wildcats #4) by Devney Perry
The world loves Maverick Houston. Me? I’ve hated him since we were ten.
It’s not exactly easy to escape your childhood nemesis when your parents are best friends who live on the same block. Through countless vacations, parties and holidays, Maverick and I have spent the past decade trading insults.
Until that family dinner when his mother tells us she’s dying. When she asks us to forget the past and start fresh. That’s how I found myself on a date with the Treasure State Wildcats football star. The campus playboy. The boy I kissed when I was three. The man who is the bane of my existence.
He’s arrogant. He’s blunt. He’s too handsome for his own good. But if he has a single, redeeming merit, the guy sure does love his mom. And that’s why I started fake dating Maverick Houston. That’s why I made him a proposition of my own. That’s how this sham of a relationship ruined my life.
The world loves Maverick Houston. Me? I hate that he made me love him too.
5 out of 5 stars
As soon as I picked up Merit, I never wanted to
put it down. I felt like I was immediately a part of the story, feeling it
all! I couldn't wait for Maverick and Stevie to come together. I loved the animosity
between them as they battle their feelings in their fake dating
relationship. I loved how entertaining it was, the fantastic slow burn, and all
the beautifully heartbreaking moments as well. This book had everything I love.
I'm sad to see this series come to an end but it went out in the most perfect
way.
I loved learning all about Maverick and Stevie, from their
youth where their bitterness started to present day and what they were going
through. I hurt for Maverick as he dealt with his feelings about his mother’s
health, I could feel all his emotion and pain. I loved Stevie and where she was
at in life and how hard she worked. I loved the fake dating aspect and the reasons why. I loved the bickering and tension, creating the perfect enemies-to-lovers vibe. Their verbal sparring could be harsh and wicked, but when it
starts to turn more playful and sweet, it was perfection. I loved them spending
time together, seeing each other in a new light, and watching their feelings grow as the fake turns real. I loved the bits of drama and jealousy, and
what Stevie was asking of Maverick. It had so many fantastic
moments filled with emotion, passion, and heart, and it was incredibly well
done. I loved the growth they both experienced throughout the story, how they opened
up and became vulnerable, and how Stevie was there for Maverick when his world
came crashing down.
I loved Stevie and Maverick’s families and what a tight-knit group
they were and how they were there for one another in a time of crisis. Everything
with Maverick’s mom was heartfelt and touching. I loved the relationship Stevie
had with her dad and the growing pains they were experiencing together. I adored
Maverick’s friendship with Rush and how it has grown over the years. Again, it
was just filled with all these special moments that made me feel all the things
and I couldn’t get enough.
This was exceptional storytelling. I got choked up
more times than I could count. And the epilogue? It was everything! With every book in this series, I have felt like it's a new favorite and now it's safe to say that this one is my favorite! Merit is a must-read!
Complimentary copy received.
"Exceptional story filled with emotion, passion, and heart!" - About That Story
Thank you Devney Perry for the advanced copy of Merit.
Connect with Devney Perry
Crossroads (#1) - Amazon | My Review | Favorite Read of 2024
The Edens - A Legacy Story - Amazon (connected story)
Have you read the Treasure State Wildcat series? Do you have a favorite book or couple? Let me know!