Anyone missing the Off Campus series???

Astor Hill is like if One Tree Hill/Gossip Girl/ and Off Campus had a baby.

This is basketball player x ballerina.

If you like interconnected sports romance books set in an academic setting this may be for you.
I thought the MMC and FMC had great chemistry. There is a LOT of drama, but I was an OG Gossip Girl stan so I don't mind some drama.
This is a slow burn and very character driven.

This was a good time!

Thank you to NetGalley and Sydney Madison for the ARC

Likes
-actual sports romance, not just “he’s an athlete.”
-the ease she translates the French within the plot rather than translating in parenthesis or having a language key

Dislikes
-too many tropes: in love with best friend, brother in love with girlfriend, enemy in love with best friend, sex pact—my goodness! Have mercy on the neurospicy
-novel is written in first person limited, but conversationally. It’s a mess of run on sentences.

Overall, the novel is cute, light read.

Thank you, NetGalley, for providing me with this eARC in exchange for my honest review.

I was so happy to dive back into the Astor Hill universe ❤️‍🩹

The drama was as intense as i thought it would be, giving me the best Gossip girl vibes. Maybe it would be too much for some of you, but to me it was as satisfying as watching reality tv 💥

Let’s talk about the FMC :
While reading the first book of this series, I HATED Gen so much i didn’t know how i’d be able to enjoy this one. Surprisingly, it made me understand her more and even sympathize with her. Still, I couldn’t endorse many of the actions she chose to make, their impact on people were too severe.

Let’s talk about the MMC :
Grant is a sweetheart. He was so understanding of Gen at the beginning, even though her situation with Will was toxic to say the least. I loved how he acted throughout most of the book, but I felt as if his actions towards the end were a bit out of character. I get that he was protecting himself and his feelings, but it wasn’t how I pictured he would have acted from the get go.

I really hope to see more of Sloane in the future, because I love her so much. She is so charismatic and funny, she always had the right thing to say to Gen.

« Everyone’s transparent when the people around them are botherin’ to look. »

*Thank you Netgalley, the publishers and the authors for the opportunity to read this ARC in exchange with an honest review

Thank you to Sydney, Madison, PS Published, and Netgalley for my ARC of Second Position in exchange for an honest review.

I really enjoyed this book. I felt like it was a well written romance with all of the fun of seeing the main characters fall for one another while still covering important topics. I love the overall vibes of the book and it definitely reminded me of some 2000s romcoms. It was an easy read and had likable characters. Grant was such a sweet mmc and really cared for Gen. Gen was a great fmc, the more we got to know her. I think I struggled with her a little in the very beginning of the book, but by about 20% in I loved her. The book also has loveable side characters with Jean and Sloane, they were both so fun and added some great friendship banter to the book.

The only thing I found to be an issue was that the book was listed as a standalone. I think it would be more beneficial though to read the first book in the series first. There were definitely some moments like the Gen/Will/Lily plot line that were a little jumbled to me just because I had not read the first book prior to this one. I will definitely be going back and reading it now though because Second Position made me even more intrigued. Overall, it was an enjoyable, fun romance!

My Naley heart! Ohhh, for anyone who has been wanting/waiting for another romance like Nathan and Hailey from One Tree Hill, this is the book for you. Grant and Gen, while not exactly like Naley, remind me so much of them!!! Do yourself a favour and read this book, such a good romance, five stars!

3.5/5 ⭐️
Goodreads review posted on/ 07/26/2025

This story was definitely full of drama and tension, especially between Will, Grant and Gen. Gen and Will’s friendship was kind of toxic and a little unbearable to be honest but it did play well into the rest of the story. Grant and Gen’s relationship was slow and full of some rocky areas but I do enjoy that they navigated through that before jumping into bed with each other.

Gen’s character development was a turning point in the book too since she was a little meek and a pushover in the beginning. Don’t get me wrong, I love the alpha male and taking care of her tropes, but I do love when a FMC has a bit more of a backbone and isn’t as much of a pushover.

The writing style was great and I do look forward to reading more from the Astor Hill series!

I had a difficult time connecting with the story and characters. This is partly my fault as I don't enjoy sports romances but the cover gave off a different vibe.

I loved Astor Hill! And was so excited to start Second Position by Sydney Madison.
It is so easy to read, I binged it an afternoon.
This book was amazing! The description was so vivid and this book kept me up all night.

I should have read the description more closely. This was a little young for my taste. The comparison to One Tree Hill and Gossip Girl was spot on. Good book for a younger audience, but not for me.

- arc review -

3.5 ⭐️

Gen and Grant!! I was so excited for these two to have their own book after meeting them in book 1. They both have traumatic pasts and getting to know them more was everything!

I do have to say tho that the last 25% dragged on. I feel there were a lot of unnecessary events while gen and grant were avoiding each other. There were also quite a few grammar mistakes that made it hard to read sometimes.

Overall tho, I did enjoy this! I adore grant and gen 🥹 The tension and chemistry between them gave me life. I was also living for all emotions and angst. The drama was just so insane, it was so entertaining!

The next book in the series was set up perfectly and I’m so excited. And as much as Will infuriates me, I want his book like yesterday, lol.

- basketball player x ballet dancer
- college
- love triangle
- interracial
- he falls first
- slow burn
- found family
- broken golden retriever mmc
- virgin fmc

Emotional, raw, and beautifully written—Second Position hit me right in the feels. The chemistry was intense, the angst was real, and the vulnerability between these characters made every moment feel earned. I devoured it in one sitting.

Second Position by Sydney Madison (arc review)

This book was everything I wanted and more!

After reading Astor Hill (book 1, Ben and Olivia's story), I was always curious about Gen and her character simply because I refused to believe that she was this "overstepping man stealer". I was not expecting the emotional rollercoaster that was Genevieve Dupont and Grant Fielder, holy cow.

This book was a solid follow-up to Astor Hill, as it helps round out the storyline so far. With Second Position, we get to see the same story unfold with different perspectives from and an entirely different party. As a reader, it helps fill in some of the questions that Astor Hill left open/unanswered while also keeping things open and leaving easter eggs for readers to pick up as they await book 3.

Gen and Grant had some serious TENSION in this book, which I am sure every reader will live and breathe for. What I liked about this book (something I also liked from book 1) was that the authors developed the characters' relationship on more than just immediate lust and physical attraction. Was there spice, oh yes absolutely there was, and it was STEAMY. There just wasn't a crazy amount of it, and it was more intimate because the relationship between Gen and Grant was more established. I love a good romance story, so I was LIVING for the tension, yearning, pining, flirting, and swooning moments these two had throughout the book.

Another factor I loved about this book was that we got to see more of Gen and Liv's friendship. We saw bits and pieces in book 1 but since it played a bigger role we got to see more of their interactiosp with each other. Which I honestly loved so much because once you took out the main "problem" factor they truly are good for each other in terms of a long lasting friendship.

This truly was a very strong second book in this series this wrting duo set out to create a book that meshed seamlessly with their debut and executed the task flawlessly. I am truly thankful I was able to read this book prior to its official release so I give my biggest thanks to Sydeny Madison for writing this amazing second book and I thank Netgalley for making giving me the oppourtunity to read it early.

Second Position by Sydney Madison is a beautifully written slow-burn romance set in the high-pressure world of ballet. The story follows Genevieve, a talented but emotionally drained dancer, as she unexpectedly connects with her rival, Grant. Their chemistry is intense and heartfelt, unraveling layers of vulnerability, ambition, and past hurt. Madison’s character development is rich, making both Gen and Grant feel authentic and deeply relatable. This emotionally charged standalone delivers a powerful message about self-worth, healing, and finding love in unexpected places.

This book gave me everything I wanted- a lot of drama, slow burn, complex emotions, and characters I couldn’t stop rooting for. If Magnolia Parks and One Tree Hill had a baby, Second Position would be it. Pure angst and heart.

Set in the Astor Hill universe, this book follows ballerina Genevieve and basketball star Grant in a story that’s equal parts painful, beautiful, and real.

In this book, you’ll find:
-Ballerina + basketball player pairing
-Slow burn romance
-He falls first, she falls harder
-Found family and emotional healing
-HEA (yes, it’s worth the wait!)
-Sports romance in an elite academic setting
-Raw, messy emotional growth
-Must-read connection to Astor Hill (Book 1)

I absolutely loved Grant and Gen--Grant is most certainly book bae! Grant is so emotionally guarded because of deep-rooted trauma, still carrying the pain of never being someone’s first choice—not even to his parents. His journey to letting love in again was powerful. Gen, on the other hand, is emotionally guarded in her own way. She’s spent years pining after her best friend Will, and honestly? Their dynamic was toxic. There were moments where I was frustrated with Gen—especially seeing how she allowed herself to be caught in the middle of Will and Olivia’s on-and-off mess. But watching her finally choose herself was such a satisfying and necessary shift.

This book digs deep into vulnerability, family baggage, unhealed wounds, and how real love requires truth, trust, and choice. The characters are layered, the drama is intense, and every hard moment feels earned.

Sydney Madison is quickly becoming one of my favorite writing duos. Their ability to create emotionally raw, flawed, and relatable characters makes this series stand out. Second Position cannot be fully appreciated without reading Astor Hill first—it lays the emotional groundwork that makes this installment hit so much harder.

If you're into character-driven romance with angst, yearning, and emotional payoff, this is your next must-read.

Thanks to PS Published, NetGalley and Sydney Madison for this amazing ARC.

This book had me giggling and kicking my feet up in the air. However, I very much disliked the FMC the first quarter of the book. But I enjoyed the rest of the book

I really enjoyed this book. I was a little confused at some parts, but in reading a couple other reviews I should have read the 1st book for a little more backstory and understanding. I wanted to shake/choke out both of them so many times. I'm so happy Gen finally did what she wanted and went with her heart. Grant is definitely boyfriend goals. These two together are the cutest, sweetest couple.

Second Position is so swoon worthy, I think I love it more Astor Hill, which was hard to do because Team Ben, but Team Grant is just as satisfying!

Gen, I love her real bad. She has been through so much and her relationship with her mother is so strained, I just wanted to hug her and tell her it would be ok. She was pining for Will for 10 years and then here comes Grant - a sweet, kind cinnamon roll with his own issues (and he’s also been through so much) but he is such a kind soul, he wouldn’t hurt a fly. Two souls who are drawn to each other, who fit like a glove regardless of their trauma and pain- best love story there is. Will is still the villain and I can’t wait for his redemption arc!

The angst was top tier and I sobbed a lot at certain parts because my goodness, I was so emotional but the growth Gen and Grant had on their journey made it all worth it!

I need a book about Sloane and Jean…ASAP!

Thank you NetGalley and Sydney Madison for the opportunity to read an advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review. It was absolutely my pleasure!

This is my first Sydney Madison read and I loved it so much I’ve already gotten my hands on their first release, Astor Hill. This is book 2 of the Astor Hill series but can be read as a standalone. This book follows along with Gen, a ballerina, and Grant, a basketball player. This book is filled with tension, emotion, found family and more. I loved the dual POV and all the drama that kept me turning page after page. Gen and Grant are both super relatable characters and I found myself relating to them both at different points of the story. Gen is such a strong female character and watching her learn and grow throughout this book was amazing. In addition to amazing main characters, the side characters were just as amazing. Grants sister, Sloane, and Jean brought so much to the story. I loved the fun banter they brought. This book will make you feel all the emotions and leave you wanting more while also feeling so content with how the story ends. I cannot wait for the next book and in the mean time I will be running back to read book 1. Thank you so much Sydney Madison and NetGalley for this wonderful ARC read. I can’t wait for everyone to get their hands on this book!

I loved the WHOLE vibe of this, ballet girl x basketball boy.

It felt like a mash up of Step Up & Gossip Girl, if you love those two then you’ll be obsessed with this story.

The whole story was so believable and reminded me of my younger years, the push and pull of complex relationships between friends and lovers and obviously unrequited love.

⭐️⭐️⭐️.5

Tropes:
🏫College romance
🩰Basketball player x Ballerina
💔Unrequited love
💞He falls first
👥Dual POV

We are back at Astor Hill but this time with Gen and Grant who I was waiting for ever since the first book. I was really excited to read their story and it did not disappoint. Gen who is a beautiful ballerina has this bestie relationship with Will who we know is toxic and I still do not like him so nothing’s changed there…But the drama here is Gen has feelings towards Will which complicates everything and I do not like how she’s always defending him in almost every situation like girl do you not see how he behaves??? I guess I kinda get it from her POV that he acts differently when they are alone since childhood but people change you know. Tbh I think she is blinded by love which is why she always acts for him. And then we have Grant who is a basketball player from the same team as Will and Grant does not like him in every way which same, I relate to that. I really like Grant’s character in this book because he has genuine feelings towards Gen and he’s always there for her even though Gen always sides with Will. He really is loyal and supportive of her and what made me like him initially is the fact that he never has any bad intentions with Gen, even with the deal that they agreed to. Honestly, he is such a sweetheart and I can’t stop talking about how he only has eyes for Gen and no one else. Interesting how both of them have mommy issues and how they dealt with it.

I also enjoyed the side characters like Jean and Sloane, they are such a vibe and it’s so nice to read about Olivia and Ben again. Their friend group has always been so wholesome and I will really miss it. Hope to see more of them soon!

P.S. Thank you to NetGalley, Sydney Madison and PS Published for giving me another ARC to read the second book of this series!