Under the Lights — Books, Beauty, & Buys

By: Abbi Glines
Published Year: 2016
Publisher: Simon & Schuster
Pages: 320

Summary (Provided by Goodreads): In the follow-up to Abbi Glines’s #1 New York Times bestseller Until Friday Night—three teens from a small southern town are stuck in a dramatic love triangle.

Willa can’t erase the bad decisions of her past that led her down the path she’s on now. But she can fight for forgiveness from her family. And she can protect herself by refusing to let anyone else get close to her.

High school quarterback and town golden boy Brady used to be the best of friends with Willa—she even had a crush on him when they were kids. But that’s all changed now: her life choices have made her a different person from the girl he used to know.

Gunner used to be friends with Willa and Brady, too. He too is larger than life and a high school football star—not to mention that his family basically owns the town of Lawton. He loves his life, and doesn’t care about anyone except himself. But Willa is the exception—and he understands the girl she’s become in a way no one else can.

As secrets come to light and hearts are broken, these former childhood friends must face the truth about growing up and falling in love…even if it means losing each other forever.

First Impressions

I read the first book in this series, Until Friday Night, 2017. When I was cleaning out my TBR I noticed this sequel and it jumped to the top of my list. I am a sucker for a good football story and the covers in this series are perfect. I remembered really enjoying the first book, so I knew that it was the perfect time to finally read the second.

What I thought

Willa has just moved back to Lawton after spending the last 6 years in Arkansas with her mother. She grew up in Lawton with her two best friends, Brady and Gunner, but now that she’s moved back she’s hiding some deep dark secrets and pain. Gunner has grown up to be a player who is also a bit broken, and Brady is the star quarterback and town nice guy. Who will Willa reconnect with after all this time?

This book got on my last nerve. If I had to hear Gunner complain about how he was broken and unlovable or Brady complain about how he wasn’t supposed to be an ass because he was a nice guy I was going to scream. Honestly, I didn’t have any issues with Willa but the two boys were terrible. If you have to continually state that you’re a nice guy, I’m sorry but you’re not a nice guy.

Willa was a complex character who was dealing with a lot of trauma in her past. I appreciated the way that she handled it and it felt very realistic to me. Oh, and can I also mention that literally every adult except for one in this book is a horrific human being. Not just like you’re run of the mill bad or neglectful parent but a legitimately horrible human that does and says unforgivable things. I understand in YA novels that adults aren’t always the best characters but this pushed it for me.

Also, can I talk about the ending? It was one of the most unsatisfying and random endings I have ever read. Not to mention that it was abrupt. It definitely knocked this book down a little and I didn’t think that was possible. On top of the repetition and over the top drama there was barely any football. Oh! And apparently this entire book takes place over the course of a week! All in all, this was not the type of football romance I had been hoping for and I don’t see myself continuing this series.