Saving Us by Wendy Million was released on May 17, 2021. It is a new adult sports romance that takes place at Northern University. Sebastian and Johnny are both football players, and Annika and Natalie are roommates. In this book we follow these four characters, and while the focus is more so on Annika and Johnny's relationship, our main characters are actually Natalie and Sebastian.
Right away before I even dive into a brief synopsis of the book, I want to say that there are content warnings for physical and sexual assault. If that is difficult for you to read about, then feel free to click out now. I won't go into specifics, but just know it is a side story in the book.
Oh how to even recap Saving Us. Natalie, Annika, Johnny, and Sebastian are all college students at Northern University. Sebastian has just transferred in for his junior year, and he is the running back on for the Ravens. Johnny is a senior, and is focused on making it to the NFL. Natalie and Annika are best friends, and roommates. Annika is a major football fan and dreams of being a coach. Annika is also extremely interested in Johnny. Natalie is not a football fan, and she is working toward becoming a lawyer. One night the Natalie and Annika head to a party at the frat house. Most of the football players are in that frat, so it just makes sense to go there. It is there where Annika and Johnny's story begins. It is also there that Natalie feels a bit sketchy about Johnny, and she also meets Sebastian for the first time. She has an immediate attraction to Sebastian, but once she learns he's a football player, she really doesn't want anything to do with him. It is at this party where Natalie and Sebastian's story begins as well.
I want to continue on with a recap, but it is shortly after this where things pick up. So I need to cut it here.
If you all have read my weekly recaps, or if you follow me on Goodreads, then you know I am extremely stingy with my 5 star ratings. So me saying that Saving Us is a 5 star read, means a lot. This is not only a love story between the characters, but it's also the story about friendships, and teammates. You have friends who will stand by your side through the good times and the not so good times. You have teammates who you want to be by your side, you want their support, and you hope they'll stand by you through it all.
When I started reading Saving Us I figured it would just be the typical sports romance that I adore. As the story went on though, I realized that wasn't the case. Not at all. There was nothing "typical" about this sports romance. Once the rumors were started about the quarterback, and the disagreement between friends grew, I knew I wasn't going to be able to put the book down. I was so fully invested in this storyline that I just had to know what was going to happen next. What was going to be that moment that switched things? What was going to happen in both of these relationships? Were Sebastian and Natalie ever going to start dating, or would they remain friends? What about those rumors? Was there truth behind them? If there was truth behind them, when was it going to come out?
Now don't worry, you get all those answers! You'll know what happens with Annika & Johnny, and Natalie & Sebastian. There is a HEA for one of the couples. That much I will tell you.
When I started reading Saving Us I figured it would just be the typical sports romance that I adore. As the story went on though, I realized that wasn't the case. Not at all. There was nothing "typical" about this sports romance. Once the rumors were started about the quarterback, and the disagreement between friends grew, I knew I wasn't going to be able to put the book down. I was so fully invested in this storyline that I just had to know what was going to happen next. What was going to be that moment that switched things? What was going to happen in both of these relationships? Were Sebastian and Natalie ever going to start dating, or would they remain friends? What about those rumors? Was there truth behind them? If there was truth behind them, when was it going to come out?
Now don't worry, you get all those answers! You'll know what happens with Annika & Johnny, and Natalie & Sebastian. There is a HEA for one of the couples. That much I will tell you.
Oh how I loved this story, even though the assault portions were difficult to read. I highly recommend this book. Please go order it. If your library has it, check it out. Just promise me that you'll read it.
Thank you for reading my thoughts,
NEW RELEASE
Release Date: May 17
*****
Natalie Chapman is drawn into a friendship and flirtation with Northern University's newest football transfer, Sebastian Swan, when her roommate and best friend, Annika, begins dating his teammate. Fresh off a breakup, Natalie isn't interested in hooking up with a player who has women chasing him all over campus.
But Sebastian claims his best quality is perseverance, and he has no problem pursuing Natalie instead. As the two grow closer, details of Annika's troubled relationship with the star quarterback come to light.
With the football team on the cusp of winning a National Championship, Natalie wonders if Sebastian's loyalty to his teammates supersedes all else. Can she trust him to do the right thing, or will he let her down when it matters most?
Triggers: Sexual and physical abuse
Meet Wendy Million
Wendy Million is a Watty Award winner, and author of Saving Us, her newest novel. Her contemporary romances about strong women and troubled men have captivated her loyal readers. She is also the author of the romantic suspense series The Donaghey Brothers, and the contemporary romance When Stars Fall. When not writing, Wendy enjoys spending time in or around the water. She lives in Ontario, Canada with two beautiful daughters, two cute pooches, and one handsome husband (who is grateful she doesn’t need two of those).
Thank you to Wendy Million and Wildfire Marketing Solutions for providing me with an advanced copy of Saving Us.
