TW domestic and child abuse

After experiencing horrific bulling, Shannon transfers to a private school where she meets Johnny, the rugby captain. 

This book was not at all what I was expecting. I went in blind thinking it was a cute sports romance, it was not. It was such a rollercoaster, I experienced a whole gamut of emotions reading this book. It completely tore my heart out and I am hoping that part 2 puts it back together. It sucked me in, I devoured it this book in 2 days. I will be starting book 2 immediately! 

Shannon has been tormented by her peers since kindergarten and it has only gotten worse as she grew up.

She has no safe space in her life because when she goes home she receives the exact same treatment from her physically abusive alcoholic father who always targets her.

Her transfer to Tommen has changed her life for the better. Finally, school is her safe space, a place where she feels like she finally belongs. She owes much of this to Johnny.

Johnny is the rugby Captain who has put so much pressure on his own shoulders. His goal in life is to play professional rugby and he will stop nothing to get there, he is a machine. He suffered an injury that is he never let heal so he's constantly in pain and it puts his career in jeopardy. After meeting Shannon, he feels instantly drawn to her, these feelings confuse him and he doesn't know what to do about it. He wants Shannon, but keeps her at arms length. 

I love these two together. They both have experienced their own forms of trauma and quickly bond to one another. In a way they're each other's safe havens, Johnny will stop at nothing to protect Shannon and Shannon wants to take care of Johnny. I love that their friendship is built up through this book, it is made for an incredibly strong emotional connection between the two of them. 

I really enjoyed the whole cast of characters in this book and I'm looking forward to reading their stories as well. 

I did find that the book was a little too long and a bit repetitive, I think it could have been edited back a bit. 

Tropes: opposites attract, athlete/shy girl, high School , friends to lovers, slow burn, sports romance (rugby)