Reviewed by Ro
TITLE: Level Up
SERIES: Franklin U 2 #4
AUTHOR: Max Walker
PUBLISHER: Self Published
LENGTH:
RELEASE DATE: June 28, 2024
BLURB:
oey ‘Jay’ Cruz
Moving to San Luco wasn’t my choice. I was kicked out of my old school because of a protest I organized that went south. Now, I was attending Franklin University with only a semester left until graduation and not knowing a single soul.
Until I meet Ryan Redpine at a frat party. He’s handsome, muscular, has a great smile, and I quickly find out he’s the son of a CEO hell-bent on destroying the environment.
I push Ryan out of my mind, deciding to keep my sanity and morals in tact.
But fate had other plans. When Ryan ended up as my surprise dorm mate, avoiding him became impossible. And so was avoiding the feelings that started to develop… Maybe getting expelled wasn’t the worst thing that’s ever happened to me. Maybe it was actually the best?
Ryan Redpine
Jay entered my life like a lightning bolt.
I’d never met someone I was so attracted to, and someone who clearly didn’t want me. The moment he learned about my dad, he shut me out. Then I get reassigned to his dorm. Cue complications, especially when his bed breaks and we’re forced to share.
Things quickly heat up, but Jay’s adamant about keeping us under wraps. He’s planning this big protest at the beach for an oil drilling project and doesn’t want my family name tied to it.
So how do I tell Jay my dad is one of the backers? And how do I make sure I don’t lose him in the process?
REVIEW:
This is the fourth book in the Franklin U 2 series, featuring Jay, an environmental activist, and Ryan, a rower. Jay was expelled from his last school when he has just a semester before graduation due to a peaceful protest gone wrong. He meets Ryan at a party and they instantly connect. Except it turns out Ryan is a Redpine. As in, Redpine Global, one of the most environmentally destructive companies in the world. When Jay realizes that, connection or not, it’s not happening.
A flood in Ryan’s dorm means Ryan must relocate, and, as happens in romance books, the room available is Jay’s. Jay is going to ask to get his room reassigned, and Ryan is surprised. “But-we just met, and I thought you were really cool.” Jay isn’t playing, though. “And I think you’re associated with a company that I’ve made it my life’s mission to fight against, soooo.” Even though Ryan tries to convince Jay he isn’t like his dad’s company, Jay is going to need more than that. He does, however, agree to be roommates and just ignore Ryan. For his part, Ryan decides he likes to see Jay flustered.
Right away, you know something happened with Jay and the ocean. “It smelled like salt, like the ocean. God, I fucking hated that smell.” It’s difficult since he lives by the water now, and when you find out the reason, it’s totally understandable and really sad.
Jay wants Ryan to make a public statement about not supporting Redpine Global but Ryan can’t do that. Not for a money reason, but because Ryan loves his dad. This causes some friction because even as they become friends and hang out, Jay is worried that people will see him with Redpine Global’s heir and not take his activism seriously.
There are some awesome side characters we get to know as Jay and Ryan become friends and more. Jay’s best friend, Maddy, is also an activist and so cool. Ryan’s best friend, Colt, also cool. The best is Jay’s mom, Mariella. She is an artist, supportive and loving. And funny. “Does that make any sense? I did eat an edible before you got here.” And we get to see Blaise, the costume designer from Batting Style, the third in the series.
There is a Daddy kink that was a little unexpected and, for me, a little too much sex. I liked the story but could have done with one or two less sex scenes.
The book has a dual plotline going, one with Jay and Ryan, the second with Jay and Ryan and Redpine Global, with all the family intricacies that go along with that. That was interesting. There is also a possible set-up for the next book with Everly, a TA, and a professor. We will see if I’m right!
RATING: 
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