Right of First Refusal (Radleigh University, #2)

by Dahlia Adler

[Angie]

Right of First Refusal finds Cait with her life together. She's the star lacrosse player, it's looking like she'll be made captain and her team may make the national championship. She also has great friends, good grades, and a relationship with her father. At least until she doesn't anymore. Her father is marrying a girl her age and her ex from sports camp just transferred to Radleigh and is dating her roommate! Not to mention she's also in a fake relationship with a gay friend. But Cait is determined to stay on track and get what she wants out of life.

One thing that I really hate about Romance novels is that too often one of the love interests (usually a woman) gives up on their dream, career, passion, or whatever to be in the relationship. Or they're at least made to feel like they have to give that up to prove that the other person is important to them. What even is that?! Well, in Right of First Refusal that is something that Cait struggles with, but the story is more focused on her rather than on her and Mase, so I didn't doubt that she'd say screw it and have it all! Why can't she?! There is nothing wrong with being driven and passionate about something and actively pursuing it while also finding love. Nothing wrong at all! I absolutely loved that speech she gives to her father's fiance about it, too. It sums it all up perfectly.

Right of First Refusal does have a great second chance romance. Cait knew Mase when they were younger, and now she wants to know him again. I am glad that this didn't go the sneaking around route. Instead, Cait does the right thing, while lusting after him. Because Mase is super hot, so obviously. There wasn't quite enough of them for my liking, but I did enjoy what we did get. But what we don't get in romance is made up for with friendship! There's so much of Lizzie and Frankie being supportive, hilarious, and inappropriate! Cait also gets to know her other knew roommate, Samara, who I'm also looking forward to getting to know better.

Basically, Right of First Refusal made me very happy by not falling into horrible tropes and embracing some of my favorites (and doing them well). I totally love the NA genre and all of the drama that it entails, but sometimes it is really nice to read one that is free of all of the cliches. I loved watching Cait go after what she wanted without letting others make her feel in the wrong for her decisions. I do wish there had been a bit more Romance, because the scenes of Cait and Mase together are pretty explosive!

Read more of my reviews at Pinkindle Reads & Reviews.