This was cute! It felt super nostalgic for me for my own college years (minus the drama/violence fortunately). This also really reminded me of books I loved as a younger reader but in more of a new adult setting.

I really enjoyed the sweet relationship between the two MC’s but I did struggle every now and then with the pacing and the presentation of the conflict. If you enjoy the car scene, a little slow burn romance, a soft MMC, you’ll probably really enjoy this college NA romance!

Overall a fun read. 3.75 rounding up to 4⭐️

it’s only february but i would not be surprised if this was one of my top 10 reads of 2025. if i could, i’d give it six stars. i loved the dynamic between the two main characters (reese & dane), their dialogue was fun and felt authentic and i loved seeing their romance build up. i liked the fact there was no third-act break-up, which is rare. overall, this was a new favourite for me and i’ve just ordered a copy for my shelf.

This is my very first ARC! I loved the premise of the book and really liked how Dane never wavered or did that thing some main characters do where they think they know what’s best for the other person and leave. I liked how they developed as a couple. Not to brag but I figured out her name was Iris before it was confirmed so I felt pretty good about myself.

I didn’t really understand the whole GC/Marco storyline and I feel like him street racing for fun would have been fine. It felt like a little unnecessary conflict especially with him already being attacked twice and the kidnapping after she already was attacked so violently seemed a little extra. I didn’t really get the key at the graduation party but that’s ok.

Overall it was a good story. I think with some editing down on some of the various conflicts happening it would have been a better flow. But overall enjoyed it!

Do yourself a favor and read Elvie Everly's debut novel The Crash Course. This book has a little bit of everything: romance, drama, and comedy. Once I started reading, I did not want to put this book down.

I can’t believe this is a debut novel; I loved it so much! I was hooked from the very beginning, and I can’t wait to read more from this author. I truly hope she continues to write.

The connection between Reese and Dane is instant, and I absolutely adored the friendship that develops between them. Their banter and easy communication are perfection, and Dane’s nicknames for Reese are delightful. You never know what he’s going to call her next. I have to give a huge shoutout to their ability to communicate as adults. When you think that a third-act breakup is imminent, you get bamboozled in the best way.

Reese has a traumatic past, but Dane does everything in his power to help her find the confidence she deserves. He makes her feel safe and loved, no matter what. I loved how he is such a fighter yet has the gentlest touch with her. She never felt threatened by him. He helps her come out of her shell and see herself the way he sees her.

Dane has also faced a lot in his life. He has been involved with a rough crowd, leading to some less-than-ideal situations. However, he gives that all up to be with Reese. He discovers what truly makes him happy and pursues it wholeheartedly. He spoils her just the way she deserves. He is simply the sweetest.

I cannot recommend this book enough. I initially signed up for it because the cover is gorgeous, and I had no idea what the story was about when I started reading. I’m so glad I judged this book by its cover, as it definitely lived up to my expectations. I’m still in shock that this is a debut novel, as I had no idea going into it. This book is available on KU, and I hope you will give it a shot. I loved it so much!

Oh my gosh. I loved this book. I was in a huge reading slump, and then I picked this up. I loved the chemistry....and Dane. Oh my gosh. He quickly became a book boyfriend. For a debut book, this author hit it out of the park. I can't wait to read more from her!

Thank you to NetGalley for the early copy!

This book had me screaming and kicking my feet Dane and Reese’s relationship was so cute, I love the touch her and die trope so I knew I’d love this book☺️

I also loved how connected I felt to the characters, each had their own little struggles but felt so human.

I don’t know how to write what I’m feeling about this book so I’m gonna wing it. Here goes… so I love Dane and Reese oh my god! And The nicknames in this book are phenomenal. The love scene or the only one I made it to was pretty good. I thought being her first time there’d be a little more romance but it is what it is. This is where the book lost me. I was half way through and nothing really happened. Every other chapter was basically a repeat of the what happened before just from another perspective. It got to be too much for me and I did not finish reading the book. I hope Dane and Reese get the happily ever after they deserve. I hope “blueballs” never gets the girl and I hope Reese’s sister smartens up.

This book is not just 5 stars but 6!!! I absolutely loved every single second. I didn’t want the book to finish because I was so invested in the story. The characters vibes were 10/10 I loved the connections and banter. The nicknames the MMC gives the FMC is so funny and adorable and I loved the plot. When I tell you I RAN to buy a physical copy as soon as it was released I mean it! I have made sure to rave about this book on my socials and it has been come one of my new favourite books. So so good!

Who can resist a bad boy with muscle cars?
Reese has enough on her plate, with a full engineering course load and part time jobs. She is also a bit skittish after an incident two years ago, leaving a scar on her neck she tries to hide.
She meets Dane, a bad boy with a dangerous reputation. But when she saves him from getting beaten up and patches his wounds, she can't help but be a little interested
And Dane seems to return the interest.

Everyone says he is dangerous, but will Reese be able to find the soft soul inside?

Firstly, I need to take a minute for you to appreciate that cover! How gorgeous is it?!

This is such a gorgeous story and I really enjoyed getting to know Reese and Dane - it was really well written and I can't wait to read more from Elvie Everly in the future.

I LOVED this book! The main characters had great chemistry and were written well, and the ending definitely surprised me a bit. This is one of those cute and fluffy guilty pleasure books and I will devour any others this author puts out!

After having gone through something terrible a few years back, Reese finds herself with a major crush on a fellow college student, Caleb, and no idea how to talk to him. Enter Dane, a ‘dangerous bad boy’ whom she finds outside her place of work one night in a tough situation. After helping him out, the insists on owing her a favor, which she exchanges for love advice. Dane doesn’t care much for people in general and wasn’t expecting to enjoy spending time with Reese, but he can’t seem to stay away from her. What starts as a repayment for saving him, soon takes a sharp U turn. Dane has very little experience with love, unless loving the old cars he fixes up counts, but his heart has started beating a little harder whenever Reese is around, and he’s not really sure what he’s supposed to do about it.

This spicy rom-com had me giggling and kicking my feet all over my house. I couldn’t put it down and binged it in a matter of 2 days! The characters were relatable, and kind of gave off Kat and Patrick vibes from 10 Things I Hate About You vibes. Also, who doesn’t love a dangerous man who hates every one but her. I was never much for the friends to lovers trope because I feel like sometimes it can end up being a little too cutesy for my taste, but this was done so well! The characters were lovable and their banter and bickering had me making giddy noises, I’d never heard leave my mouth before. I loved the nicknames that Dane would give to Reese, they had me cheesing hardcore. I think some of their little jokes were overused and a bit repetitive, but overall I absolutely loved this book, and can’t wait to see what Elvie writes next!

DNF at 38%

Sadly I couldn’t gel with this book. The characters and their dialogue felt very childish, and during the scene at around the 38% mark, I didn’t enjoy how the MMC spoke to the FMC as his way of instigating their romance. The flow did not feel natural and I was not invested in the characters. I can see promise in this authors writing, but this debut was not for me.

The Crash Course
By: Elvie Everly

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

🤍bad boy x good girl
🤍who did this to you?
🤍slow burn
🤍he gives her dating advice

💋Dramatic Thoughts💋

Holy moly!! You would honestly never know that this was Elvie Everly’s debut novel because it was that good!

Slow burn isn’t usually my jam (because I’m DYING for the couple to get together) but I really enjoyed it in this book and the progression of how the characters got together! Additionally, there was no third act break up so that’s always a win for me🎉

And I mean have you seen the colors of this beautiful book cover!? COME ON 😍

💥Character Spotlight💥

I was a Dane fan from the moment I met him! I honestly adored how he never wanted Reese to hide herself from him. Dane helped Reese through her trauma and he was exactly the person she needed to get her out of her shell!

💬Favorite Quotes💬

“And?” I repeat nonchalantly. “What happened next?” she prompts. “He asked for my hand in marriage,” I deadpan, “and he’s now waiting for a dowry of ten sheep and two goats.”

“Too good for you, too good for you, too good for you. The words flicker over her head like a broken stoplight. Not that I need the damn reminder. Everything about her practically screams she can do better than the likes of me.”

“You’ve always seen the good in me, even when no one else did.“

Thank you to NetGalley, Elvie Everly and Victory Editing for an eARC of this book in exchange for my honest review!

I loved The Crash Course. I’m such a sucker for the bad boy/good girl trope. I loved Dane and Reese. They both out such great character growth, and I truly loved their dynamics. There was even a plot twist I didn’t even see coming, but once it happened there was very much an “of course!” moment of realization.

Spice level: 🌶️🌶️
Fluff level: 🥰🥰🥰🥰

Spice - 3

In Elvie Everly's debut title, The Crash Course, we follow Dane and Reese through thrilling car races, work through past trauma and experience falling in love. Dane is a broody trust fund kid with a chip on his shoulder. He's gotten himself involved with some sketchy people and seeks the thrill of racing the cars he fixes up. Reese is a good girl who left the trailer park for college as soon as she could. She was involved in an incident that left her with a huge scar on her neck that she keeps covered as much as possible. Her older sister, Lili, is the perfect sorority girl who just wants to keep her little sister safe. Reese saves Dane's life by stopping a beating in the alley behind her work. Now Dane owes her one. Reese asks Dane to give her some dating advice about a frat boy (Caleb) she has had a crush on for a while. He agrees to help and figures this will clear his conscience of owing someone. But when Dane discovers what's really going on with Caleb and Reese, will he be able to walk away?

This book was a fun read and had a lot of moments that surprised me. I did not see the ending coming and really enjoyed how the book ended. I enjoyed getting to know each character and what made them who they are. I felt each story line was believable and I appreciated the accurate depictions of trauma. I would say the story line felt like it moved a little slow in the beginning and towards the middle. The pacing was a little off for me. I got hooked right away and then lost a little interest before things revved up again around 60% in. Overall, I liked this book and would recommend it.

This book was so good! I really loved the characters and how well developed they were! I enjoyed reading their story!

Thank you Netgalley for advanced e-arc of this book. All opinions will be my own.

If you enjoy the bad boy x good girl and "who did this to you?" Trope, then this book is for you. Also he falls first and falls HARD!
There are quite a few trigger warnings, so please check them out beforehand. A lot of emphasis on PTSD that is written really well.

Thank you Net Galley for letting me read the arc of The Crash Course! This book was so cute. I loved every minute of Reese’s and Dane’s story. They had such a soft spot for each other, and they flowed so well on the page. Dane literally made me swoon! I also liked how in this book, Dane and Reese both grew to be better people for each other, even when it was hard. They never gave up on each other, and always had each other‘s backs. I look forward to reading more by Elvie Everly!