Ugh, this book is so the perfect combination of sweet, fluffy, steamy, and just the right amount of angst. I couldn't ask for more.

I had found this book after I trolled various 'friends-to-lovers' list and while I really don't think that this book falls into that category, I am glad I read it.

Nora is a flawed but mature heroine and I was never bored while I read her story. Crosbie seemed off-putting to me initially because I thought he was just too muscular but his personality won me over. He's sweet, he's funny, he's a loyal friend, he knows when to apologize, he is studious and doesn't take things for granted. He's a truly great hero and his friendship with Kellan is the epitome of a bromance. I also hope Kellan gets his own book because he deserves his HEA. 

It was also so refreshing to read a New Adult book that had no slut shaming or raging assholes disguised as heroes.

 
My only real gripe was that the writing seemed repetitive at times and I detected a small inconsistency between the number of months Nora had been celibate. In certain parts, it said four months and in another, it said three. It's a minor thing but it bugs me because that's just me.

Otherwise, I truly recommend this book if you want to read something fun and are looking for a new book boyfriend.

Nora Kincaid has one goal for her second year of college: be invisible. Last year’s all-party-no-study strategy resulted in three failed classes and two criminal charges, and if she messes up again she’ll lose her scholarship. But there’s one problem with her plan for invisibility, and his name is Crosbie Lucas: infamous party king, general hellraiser…and her new roommate’s best friend.

Crosbie’s reckless reputation and well-known sexcapades aren’t part of Nora’s studious new strategy, but as she’s quickly learning, her new plan is also really boring. When Crosbie’s unexpected gestures of friendship pull her head out of her books long enough to see past his cocky veneer, she’s surprised to find a flawed and funny guy beneath it all. The muscles don’t hurt, either.

But as Nora starts to fall for Crosbie, the weight of one of last year’s bad decisions grows even heavier. Because three failing grades and two misdemeanors are nothing compared to the one big secret she’s hiding…

LOVED this. Totally not a typical New Adult story. These could be real people. Nora, the heroine, is not perfect at all and that's very refreshing. I could relate to so many things about her. And, Crosbie... I want to go back to college and find a Crosbie. He's not at all who Nora thinks he is. I loved his reaction when he finally learns that Nora is not quite the "good girl" he thinks she is (not the major thing she is hiding, but the circumstances leading to her community service). I don't know about Kellan. He's so clueless and oblivious about almost everything. I mostly didn't like him, but he was a good friend to Crosbie, so I would probably read his story.

I finished this yesterday and I'm reading a second time now because I couldn't bring myself to read anything else. I hope this is made as an audiobook with a great narrator (narrator makes a big difference for me) because I would buy it in a heart beat. I'm sure people will find things to pick apart, but I stayed up late (way late) and neglected grocery shopping to finish this. I was completely in to the story, so it's five stars for me.

Q: Is “Winter’s Tale” a story about love?

A: Yes.

Q: As all good love stories do, does “Winter’s Tale” feature a magical, winged space horse?

A: Yes.

Q: What is the magical, winged space horse’s name?

A: Athansor.

Q: Is “Winter’s Tale” the dumbest movie that you've seen in the last year?

A: Yes.

Q: Why is “Winter’s Tale” so dumb?

A: Well, first of all, this is a movie that takes itself so seriously, even though the main character, Peter Lake (Colin Farrell), flies around on a magical, winged space horse.

[...]

Q: Does the magical, winged space horse actually fly Peter into space at some point during this movie?

A: Yes.

Q: Is it weird that now I want to see this movie?

A: Yes.

They had me at "magical, winged space horse."

Sometimes you find yourself in the mood for a book with depth and challenging commentary, and sometimes you just want a flying horse in fantasy New York. Excuse me, winged space horse.