I really enjoyed Second Position by Sydney Madison. It was sweet and funny, while also being deep and thought provoking. It dealt with toxic relationships. Traumatic childhoods and how that can create abandonment issues. Also the struggles with parental pressures: real or perceived. And just the everyday juggles of college life, like studies, performance in outside school activities, and relationships. Madison did an amazing job weaving a beautiful story around all of that that made it beautiful and sad. Heartbreaking, yet freeing to watch them grow. The story did get bogged down around 70% of the way through because there were so many moving parts, that it felt like the story started to fracture a bit. But Madison did an amazing pulling out of that quagmire and tying off this sweet love story. It is low spice, but there is some. The two MCs are so lovable there is nothing to rag on either of them about. Do they make dumb decisions that hurt their relationship? Oh yeah. But that’s expected at their age. If they had a perfect relationship, then they wouldn’t be believable. I absolutely adore the side characters! Each one of them. Well, maybe not Will. But all the rest of them are absolutely adorable and I would love to see each of them get their own story. Second Position was nothing like I expected it to be. Have some Kleenex handy, because you are guaranteed to cry a few times reading this book.

I received a copy of #SecondPosition from #NetGalley in lieu of my honest opinion and review of this book.

One tree hill, the OC, Dawson's Creek college love vibes . Second Position makes you wanna put on a college sweater, grab some coffee, and walk on a cool Fall day.... Full of familiar coziness.

This is book two in the Astor Hill series, and I flew through it just like I did the first! After being frustrated with Genevieve Dupont in Astor Hill, it was such a relief to finally get her side of the story.

Genevieve has spent her whole life training to be a ballerina. She’s carries the weight of a complicated relationship with her mother, struggles deeply with self-worth, and has been in love with her childhood best friend, Will Chapman, for years.

Now, they go to the same college (he plays basketball at Astor Hill) and she’s always puts his needs ahead of her own. But when she finally decides to do something for herself, it leads her straight to Grant Fielder: Will’s teammate...and sort’ve enemy.

What starts as a plan to lose her virginity to the handsome, golden boy turns into months of unexpected intimacy. As Grant and Genevieve get to know each other, their dynamic shifts from wanting a casual hookup to something with real meaning, right as Will starts to spiral.

She’s left with a heart-wrenching choice: go back to the familiarity of Will, or explore this messy, meaningful, new connection with Grant.

This story is packed with emotional tension, layered characters, and slow-burn chemistry!

I loved watching Grant and Genevieve’s relationship change into to something softer and scarier: people trying to actually love each other.

Both of them battle their own inner demons, and I appreciated how this book shows that love isn’t always neat or easy, but it can still be worth it.

This writing duo nails writing emotions in a captivating and poetic way. I found myself highlighting a ton of quotes! I can't wait to read more stories in this universe.

3.5 Stars
What worked for me:
Elite drama meets emotional depth
Gen and Grant’s relationship = beautifully done
Gossip Girl vibes

What fell short:
Will’s character just grated on me
Unanswered questions and loose ends
Some emotional beats felt underdeveloped

After seeing it described as “perfect for fans of Gossip Girl” I was totally in. And honestly? That was spot-on. The elite drama, messy friendships, and emotional intensity totally scratched that Gossip Girl itch—and I was here for it.

One of the strongest elements was the relationship building between Gen and Grant. The way their connection grew felt real and well-paced. Gen could completely let go with him, but still remained that strong little thing she was. Their dynamic was tender and layered—definitely a highlight.

But then there’s Gen and Will’s friendship, and whew... that just rubbed me the wrong way from the beginning. I couldn’t shake the feeling something wasn’t right. And sure enough, when that bet came to light, I literally said out loud, “I KNEW IT.” Will’s character feels like he constantly needs someone around, someone to prop him up—and honestly, it got tiring. He read as emotionally needy and whiny, which made it hard to sympathize with him, even when the story wanted me to.

There’s no shortage of drama, friendship, betrayal, and heart. But despite all the tension and buildup, I was left with questions. Some threads didn’t fully resolve, and I wish a few moments had gone deeper instead of leaning on dramatic reveals.

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.