Fault Line by Ki Stephens is the second book in the Coastal University series but could be read as a stand alone. I loved Spring Tide, but I LOVE Fault Line! I’m not big on highlighting in my kindle, honestly I forget that’s a feature, but with FL I couldn’t stop highlighting, there are SO many great lines! Stephens writes realistic, flawed, and likable characters, oh! and top tier steam! 

Kaia Karras and Holden Becker are academic rivals, no one gets under Kaia’s skin quite like Holden. Holden loves sparring with Kaia, it gives him something else to focus on other than the pressures of hockey and family. They both are vying for the same mentorship with Dr. Khatri and find themselves spending more time together. Kaia holds herself to an impossible standard and lately that’s been causing her to lose sleep. She decides it’s time to try a new method to get some much needed rest, she wants to get laid. Holden and Kaia end up agreeing to a one night only, strictly transactional, relationship. Will they be able to stick to their agreement? 

Holden Becker is *chefs kiss* y’all! he’s been pining after our girl since freshman year- he remembers the color of the claw clip she wore freshman year! 🫠😍

He was so supportive of Kaia and understanding of her boundaries, the perfect book boyfriend! 

I loved how smart and capable Kaia is. Stephens wrote about Kaia’s anxiety and mental health struggles with care and in a way that didn’t portray her as weak. 

Read this book if you like: 

-college romance

-hot hockey players

-smart FMC

-academic rivals

-“let’s just get this out of our system” 

-top tier steam

-snarky banter 

-dual POV 

5/5 stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

🌶️🌶️🌶️

Thank you to the author, Ki Stephens, for the eARC in exchange for my honest review.