Nice Guys Don't Win

The Boys

De: Micalea Smeltzer

Narrado por: Zara Eden, James Cavenaugh

When I agreed to be his roommate, I had no way of knowing that Cole Anderson was one of my father’s star players.

Having transferred to Aldridge University for my junior year, I wasn’t familiar with anyone on campus. If there’s one rule I’ve always been supposed to follow, it’s don’t date a basketball player. Cole is different, though, and I don’t want to stay away. But when he finds out I’m the coach’s daughter, I might not have any say in the matter.

©2021 Micalea Smeltzer (P)2021 Podium Audio

Zoey deserved better

Micalea’s books are great, I love her stories and slow burn, and although I prefer my couples’ dynamics a little more adrenaline filled, Cole and Zoey much tamer and more romantic relationship is very refreshing. James Cavenaugh makes a very adequate Cole but Zara Eden has managed to bring Zoey down. I had no idea someone could speak so many words in the same sentence with so much emphasis, and I mean Every! Single! Last! Word!They! All! Sound! Like! This!! Zara made each and every word sound almost angry, very dramatic and theatrical through the entire book. There’s much to unpack even about the too perfect pronunciation, overall she lacked fluidity in her delivery.

Nice Guys DO Win!

I fell in love with Cole Anderson in book 1 and I couldn’t wait to get his story! Micalea Smeltzer did not disappoint!

From beginning to end, I hung on every word that Smeltzer created telling Zoey and Cole’s story. I was captivated and I loved every minute!

However, I wish that Zara Eden didn’t sound so monotone as she brought Zoey to life. That was my only downfall with this listen. James Cavenaugh was perfect for Cole Anderson and I loved all of his parts!

Despite that downfall this was an overall 4.5 star read and I can’t wait for Teddy’s book!

Really good story

I enjoyed this story. The difficulties each character faces are real without being overdone.

Both narrators were new to me. The male narrator was good. I struggled listening to the female narrator because of odd pacing and mispronounced words. Otherwise enjoyable and worth a listen.

Good story, not so great female narrator

This is one of my favorite books in the series but sadly the female narrator ruins it. As others have mentioned it’s a very monotone delivery, over pronouncing some words and others oddly misspoken. Male narrator was good though.

Cute, low angst, friends to lovers!

Nice Guys Don’t Win is the second boy in The Boys series by Micalea Smeltzer. This is a contemporary, new adult (college), sports romance series! And in this one we get forced proximity (roommates), and a bit forbidden (she’s his basketball coach’s daughter).

We saw Cole in the first book in the series and I definitely wanted to see him get his HEA. When his friend Teddy ends up backing out as his roommate for the year, Cole tells Teddy he needs to help him in finding a new roommate to help with the rent. Zoey is a last minute transfer and is finding out she didn’t get a spot in the dorms when she meets Teddy. He overhears and tells her about his friend Cole needing a roommate too. Cole and Zoey easily fall into a friendship and eventually it leads to more!

“I used to think nice guys didn’t win, but I was wrong. When I fell in love with Zoey, I won the greatest game of all.”

This was super cute, low angst, and just fun! Cole and Zoey easily fall into being friends and roommates. When she finds out he plays for her dad’s team, she doesn’t tell Cole at first. Even when he dad does find out, it’s not really a problem either. Teddy was super cute too and I loved his friendship with both of them, can’t wait for his book next. While Cole is a college basketball player, it’s light on the sports action. Zoey has had a complicated past with her dad and she is able to reconnect with him, her stepmom, and half siblings. Cole is definitely a nice guy hero and is just the sweetest of taking care of Zoey (period caretaking and finding her fav snacks). This also made me want a root beer float after Cole’s massive love for them in this book. 😅

Nice Guys Don’t Win by Micalea Smeltzer - 3⭐️

Tropes/Themes:
-MF new adult romance
-Sports romance (basketball)
-Forbidden (coach’s daughter)
-Forced proximity (roommates)
-Friends to lovers
-Hidden identity
-Dual POV
-Book #2 in an interconnected standalone series

I’m not going to lie, I’m starting to think I just don’t vibe with this author and her writing. I get a little annoyed by the sheer amount of pop culture references she tends to include (I’ve noticed this in previous books as well. In this is book alone we got things like Mean Girls quotes, Taylor Switch, quotes from The Hangover, and Harry Potter (in this economy?).

I though Cole and Zoe’s meet cute was super fun and I enjoyed their slow transition from friends/roommates to lovers. The main thing that took me out of the romance was the hidden identity/poor communication aspect of it. I couldn’t understand why Zoe didn’t reveal her identity to Cole sooner. It felt a little immature and unnecessary.

At this point, I only plan on continuing on in the series since Teddy’s book is next and this book made me fall in love with him.

Story: 3/5
Audiobook: 5/5 (narrated by Zara Eden & James Cavenaugh)
Length 7h25min