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Love Letters #0.5

Tackled in the Stacks

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I caught her staring at me from across the quad, eyes fixed on the football jersey stretched across my wide chest. And if I flexed my muscles, showing off the strength of a defensive tackle, it was just to see her blush.

And then she did, and I couldn’t get her out of my mind.

Her wide eyes. The freckles on her cheeks.

I needed to know her. The girl who scampered away every time we bumped into each other—by accident and by design. The girl who shyly agreed to come to my game, getting her first taste of football. The girl, Hannah Utley, who worked at the campus library and let me rest my head on her shoulder as she read to me in one of the study rooms.

It was innocent. Mostly.

Until we lose track of time and discover that the library has closed. And we’re locked inside.

Now it’s me and Hannah in the stacks.

Alone.

With nothing but desire between us.

130 pages, Kindle Edition

Published August 29, 2024

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About the author

S.J. Tilly

22 books7,880 followers
S.J. Tilly lives in Minnesota with her husband and their herd of boxers. She spends an unhealthy amount of time with her face buried in books, reading and writing. If she’s not nose deep in text, or harassing her dogs, she’s probably playing with her plants, pretending she knows how to garden.

You can find her stumbling around on Instagram @sjtillyauthor

https://www.amazon.com/S.J.-Tilly/e/B...

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5 stars
1,371 (51%)
4 stars
861 (32%)
3 stars
340 (12%)
2 stars
65 (2%)
1 star
26 (<1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 510 reviews
Profile Image for Samantha (bookgramsaga reviews).
779 reviews974 followers
September 4, 2024
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Safety Warnings
- No cheating
- No OW/OM drama
- Tiny bit of stalking

I’m pretty sure I wished this backstory was given to us in the main book as I felt like it was the only thing I had an issue with so I am so glad S.J decided to grace us with it now!

Loved seeing these two meet and get together for that magical week before it all changed forever.

Makes me want to reread “Love, Utley” just so I can experience the story knowing the full past.

Profile Image for BookishRaquel.
413 reviews66 followers
August 28, 2024
Star Rating: 5/5 ⭐
Heat Rating: 2/5 🌶️
Audiobook: 5/5 🎧

What to Expect:
- Prequel
- College Football
- Alpha Hero
- Plus Size Heroine
- Insta Love
- Fun Banter
- Dual POVs

OMG! I loved this story so much! S.J. Tilly's writing is perfect. I totally get the hype! I have not read Love Utley, so this was my introduction to Hannah and Maddox. I loved reading about how things began with their relationship. Hannah and Maddox cross paths in college, where they spend a week getting to know each other. It was a love-at-first-sight situation for Maddox, and he immediately knew he wanted to get to know Hannah. This is a fun, sweet, and spicy story. Although this is only a glimpse into their relationship, I am convinced they are meant to be. I need more of Hannah and Maddox, and I can't wait to read Love Utley, which picks up fifteen years later.

Narration:
Andi Arndt and Jacob Morgan always deliver! Their performance was amazing, and they really brought this story to life. Andi and Jacob are a fantastic duo and the perfect voices for Hannah and Maddox. They flawlessly portrayed each character, making me excited to read more. I'm happy that Andi and Jacob are also the narrators for Love, Utley!

Thanks to S.J. Tilly, Must Love Audio, and Lyric Audiobooks for the gifted audiobook. Opinions expressed are my own.
Profile Image for Amy.
2,313 reviews1,951 followers
August 22, 2024
I really liked the book set after this, Love, Utley so this short and sweet prequel was fun. It was cute seeing how Hannah and Maddox first met and both narrators are amazing and are always a pleasure to listen to.
Profile Image for Anna.
734 reviews574 followers
September 1, 2024
Omg what a great intro the newest series of SJ Tilly!! It sets it up so well for Love, Utley. I loved getting to see the meet cute of Hannah and Maddox (since I read book 1 first) and it was so cute 😭😭😭

Maddog & little bunny forever!!!!!

The library scene 🫦🫦🫦
Profile Image for Intel Chicky Reads Romance (Kara Merideth).
2,052 reviews1,364 followers
August 26, 2024
Story: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Trope: instafeels
Angst: 😱😱
Smexy: 🔥🔥🔥

Absolutely loved Love, Utley and I was super excited when I learned we were getting a prequel novella about their meeting in college. Truly everything I hoped it would be. Super sweet and still super hot. Totally made me want to read Love, Utley all over again!
Profile Image for Katie Boulay.
133 reviews12 followers
August 30, 2024
✨review and release day!!✨

Happy release day to @sjtillyauthor !! When I say this made me heart so happy after reading Love, Utley.. I needed a little behind the scenes of these two and their build up. Simply because I CANT GET ENOUGH. This is a prologue for a second chance romance and it is sooo worth your time girlies. This had my heart turning into a puddle for a couple that has already stolen it! For all my jock/nerd couple lovers you would not be disappointed. Oh and the steam *fans myself*
Profile Image for V.
293 reviews7 followers
October 23, 2024
3 stars. Short and sweet. This is the prequel to the first book of this series, and while I’ve started that book, I’ve so far enjoyed this little novella situation more. It was 100-something pages of cliche, but hell, it was fun. That’s it.
Profile Image for Mackenzie.
379 reviews929 followers
August 25, 2024
4/5⭐️

Quick little novella that made me want to do a reread of Love, Utley like immediately 🥰 love Maddox & Hannah so much!!! This was the perfect little prequel. That library scene… WHEWWW 🥵🫠

Thank you to S.J. for the ARC!

Tropes:
- Football Romance
- College Romance
- Instalove
- Plus size heroine
- Alpha Hero
Profile Image for Cheesy (Rhysand's wife) .
165 reviews5 followers
October 31, 2024
Cute.
A pesar de ya haber leído su libro, este 0.5 de como se conocieron, me gustó. Obviamente te recomiendo leer este antes del libro porque si no te quedas con la sensación de que falta algo. Y sin duda también te recomiendo su libro, que es lindisimo 💖.
Profile Image for Karla ML.
412 reviews29 followers
November 9, 2024
3.5⭐

Estuvo bien esta pequeña introducción. Supimos cómo se conocieron Maddox y Hannah.
Ahora vamonos de lleno con la historia...
Profile Image for Courtney | romancereadswithcourt.
189 reviews84 followers
September 8, 2024
eARC review
Tackled in the Stacks by SJ Tilly
5 ⭐️ 2 🌶️

WE GOT MADDOX & HANNAH’S PREQUEL STORY 😍. And it’s so cute. This novella is short & sweet & filled in all of the gaps we didn’t know before.

She’s a curvy college student just trying to blend into the background, he’s a big football star who notices her, and can’t look away now.

Maddox pursues her and after one bloody nose incident (that he rips his own shirt to fix for her) he’s allllll in.

She’s very hesitant because of who he is and fights her pull to him. But once they get locked in the library one night… everything changes. 🤭

Tropes: college football • prequel novella • jock x nerd • he falls first • forced proximity • curvy MFC
Profile Image for  Linathebookaddict  .
1,503 reviews399 followers
August 30, 2024
This was cute, quick and super fun!!!
Great prequel that sets the mood for the book.
Excited to see where Hannah and Maddox go from here!!!
Profile Image for Nicole Singleton.
334 reviews11 followers
August 23, 2024
4.5⭐️

SARAH JO TILLY!!! This was SO good!!! I wanted it to keep going!
(I know, I know, I read the full length novel, so I already got the rest… but like - I wanted them to have more time together before getting separated. AND I KNOW that if they had more time then Love, Utley wouldn’t have had the same impact, I KNOW GURL, I KNOW! But this was just so good and so sweet and so wholesome - even with the EATING IN THE LIBRARY - but, do you know what I’m trying to say here, or am I not making sense?! ) This prequel novella takes place BEFORE the hurt and misunderstanding and years of festering feelings, and they were just SO good together. I loved them so much! It just solidified that they are meant to be. I loved getting to see this glimpse into their perfect meet cute and short time catchin’ feelings. 🫶
Thank you to @mustloveaudio for this ALC, it was fabulous!
If you’ve read Love, Utley and you loved Hannah and Maddox, you’ve got to read this prequel novella!
Profile Image for Reading Brew | Shayna.
154 reviews46 followers
August 31, 2024
I love Maddox and Hannah so much!! They are such a fun couple. 🥹 I haven’t read Love, Utley - so, this was my introduction to Maddox and Hannah. It was a quick, easy to read, and fun novella full of swoony moments of how they met. It made me want to read Love, Utley (which picks up 15 years later after a mishap) IMMEDIATELY. Safe to say - I truly understand all the hype.

This was also my first S.J. Tilly read. Now I want to hyper-fixate on her work and read them all!! 😆


Notes: prequel to Love, Utley

Tropes: football romance, college romance, instalove, alpha hero, plus-size heroine

Things I loved: The wink. Dr. Face. Little Bunny. Discussion of football game ticket. Hannah's wish.
Profile Image for rachel.
376 reviews
August 20, 2024
Ahhh the perfect prequel to Love, Utley 🥹
I am obsessed with these characters so much!! It makes me want to read Love, Utley again.
SJ Tilly’s writing draws me in every time. I love love love Maddox even more than I already did. I need more of them! It’ll never be enough 🥹🤍 this was so cuteeee
Thank you for giving us more of their storyyy
Profile Image for Father Lib.
371 reviews47 followers
August 22, 2024
4.5 Prenovella Stars !!!

A very quick, insta-love prenovella about Maddox and Hannah’s meet cute . Because every Mad Dog needs a Little Bunny <3

This audiobook was given to me for honest review by Must Love Audio .
Profile Image for Tyler | bookishwithty.
222 reviews27 followers
September 1, 2024
This is such a a cute story! I enjoyed reading Hannah’s and Maddox’s beginning! I always enjoy reading works from SJ Tilly! Definitely give this book a read, especially if you enjoyed reading “Love Utley!”
Profile Image for riena..
222 reviews15 followers
August 31, 2024
the way im obsessed with everything sj tilly writes! i can't stop giggling and kicking my feet because maddoxhannah is super cute!! such a perfect prequel novella for love, utley!
Profile Image for Darlene I read WAY to many books.
3,537 reviews2,132 followers
August 30, 2024
It wasn't that long that we met these two, and now it's there to meet cute, lol. So if you haven't read their book you can read the prequel.

It's super cute and shows how Hannah and Maddox met from the clumsy crash into one another to studying in the library and that smexy time in there, hehe. I won't give much away because it's a perfect thing to read.

No ow/om drama, no cheating, Sexy times, no virgins or manwhore

Recommen-yes
Cover-⭐️⭐️⭐️
Heat level-🌶🌶


Prequel
Instalove
Praise kink
HFN :)
Profile Image for Dayna.
69 reviews32 followers
August 31, 2024
Arc Review

Wow. Wow. Wow. I don’t think I have anything negative to say about this little prequel novella. It was so cute and exactly what I needed. This tells the story of when Maddox and Hannah first met and their night in the library 🔥🥵 It was a short story but definitely jam packed and held your attention from the beginning. I can’t get enough of this couple! I want more. And Maddox? Easily in my top 5 book husbands/boyfriends. The things I would let this man do to me.. 🥵🫠

Thank you @valentine_pr_ for the opportunity to read and review!
Profile Image for Delani Cole.
37 reviews9 followers
August 31, 2024
Are you kidding me? Little did I know how badly I needed Hannah and Maddox in the library. After reading Love,Utley I just knew this novella was going to be the perfect before. Hands down another top tier Tilly read! 🫶🏻
Profile Image for Sanya Sadiq.
215 reviews6 followers
August 28, 2024
Book: Tackled in the Stacks

Review: THIS WAS SUCH A CUTE READ 🥰 I loved reading how Hannah and Maddox first meet. It was literally love at first sight for them and they were just sooo adorable. They had such a beautiful connection and they just clicked.

Maddox stalking/going after his girl was everything he knew he was attracted to Hannah and wanted to know more about her and spend time with her ☺️

Same with Hannah I loved how she was around Maddox the jokes and hits she gave him were cute 🤭 they had such a good understanding. They were just meant to be together 🥹❤️

What I loved:
* Hannah getting caught staring at mad dog and the wink from him 🤭😮‍💨
* Maddox eyeing Hannah the chemistry between them at one look is already 🔥
* Their little bump 🥰
* Maddox checking up Hannah to make sure she’s fine after their bump ❤️🤍
* Maddox asking Hannah to have lunch with him 🙃
* Awwww I love how protective Maddox is of Hannah it’s cute ☺️
* Maddox asking Hannah to come to his game 🤍
* Hannah dressing up a little just for Maddox 🥰
* Maddox being all flirty 😊
* Hannah reading to Maddox sooo cute 🤍❤️
* Maddox thinking about Hannah as his woman 🥹🙃
* Them being so distracted with each other they didn’t realise that the library has closed 🤭
* 🥵🥵🥵🥵🥵
* Hannah’s wish to marry Maddox was just LOVE ❤️🥰
* They want to see each other again 🥹❤️

Rating:
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 4/5
🌶️.5 1.5/5

Tropes:
•Sports romance
•College romance
•Plus size heroine
•Alpha hero
Profile Image for Anca A.
188 reviews15 followers
September 2, 2024
#Review: *Tackled in the stacks* - ARC - S.J. Tilly [18+]
4.6/5✨
3/5🌶️

The blurb of this book attracted me so here I am with a smile on my face after I finished this one. Thank you S.J Tilly and Valentine Pr for this e-copy.

In this prequel novella we get to know Hannah who has just transferred to the school. From her first day there she has been impressed by a boy from the football team, Maddox. Luckily, Maddox is even more attracted to Hannah, which he finds intriguing and mysterious and he starts chasing her. She is that kind of girl who didn't hit on him and he loved that, which makes him want her even more.

I loved this little meet cute between Hannah and Maddox. All the chasing and teasing were so delicious to follow and that cherry on top from the end was perfect. I liked how much attention Maddox gave Hannah and how he reassured her how beautiful she is, because she was really doubting herself and her body.

This was a prequel to the Love Letters series and it was a really fast and awesome read. Now I'm really curious about these next books of this series 🤭.

✨Tropes:
#SportsRomance
#LoveAtFirstSight
#HeFallsFirst
#HeFallsHarder
#BoyObsessed
#CloseProximity
#OppositeAttract
#PlusSizeHeroine
#HighSchool
#Athlete
#Playboy
Profile Image for ThianeJansen.
495 reviews60 followers
August 31, 2024
Round up to 4.5

If you're already a fan of Love, Utley, then Maddox and Hannah's prequel novella is an absolute must-read. This story gives us a glimpse into the beginning of Maddox and Hannah’s love story, before the hurt, misunderstandings, and years of pining that make their later journey so compelling.

Maddox, a massive football player with a heart of gold, is instantly drawn to Hannah, the sweet new student also part time librarian who captures his attention like no one else. Watching Maddox's instant attraction to Hannah made my heart stutter in the best way. Their connection feels so genuine and inevitable, showing just how meant for each other they truly are.

The novella is filled with moments that will make you swoon, like their library dates and those intimate, toe-curling conversations that take place in the stacks. And let’s not forget the "library eating" scenes that add the perfect touch of spice! It’s in these moments that you see the foundation of their relationship, and it’s clear that every Mad Dog needs his Bunny.

This novella perfectly sets the stage for everything that comes later, making it a must-read for anyone who loves this couple. SJ Tilly has once again crafted a story that pulls you in and makes you root for her characters from the start. The steamy scenes and heartfelt interactions between Maddox and Hannah will have you falling in love with them all over again.

Overall, I loved this book! It’s the perfect start to the story of this hot, hunky football player and the librarian who steals his heart. SJ Tilly will always have me coming back for more, and this prequel is a shining example of why.
Profile Image for Rowe Reads.
226 reviews
September 8, 2024
TACKLED IN THE STACKS ☾𖤓
By @sjtillyauthor
—Audiobook Review—
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 5/5 stars
Available now on Amazon, Audible and Kindle Unlimited

This is the prequel novella to Love, Utely and reflects back to the very beginning when Maddox and Hannah meet. You definitely understand their story a bit more and how they both had such an instant magnetic pull towards each other. Hannah definitely caught the eye of quarterback hottie, Maddox first and he knew he wanted Hannah right away. This one is short, spicy and sweet and will leave you wanting to dive into Love, Utely right away. That library scene was my favorite and I always love Andi Ardnt and Jacob Morgan, they are so good and can’t wait to continue this series, so glad I got to experience the prequel novella first 🙌🏻

You’ll love this if you enjoy:
•Meet cute
•Curvy FMC
•Quarterback MMC
•Set in college
•Forged proximity
•Opposites attract
•Dual Narration

I received the ALC from @mustloveaudio and @lyricaudiobooks thank you for keeping me audiobook happy!
Profile Image for (betts) ⚜.
367 reviews180 followers
October 16, 2024
5⭐ / 2🌶️

— vibezz
🏈 college meet cute
📚 love at first sight
🏈 cuteness overload
📚 all the green flags

//

Maddox and I walk out into the fresh morning air.
We stop and turn to face each other.
“I’d like to do that again.” Maddox searches my gaze.
“I’d like that, too,” I tell him.
Maddox takes a step closer. “After your shift?”
“Today?”
He nods. “I can’t wait longer than that.”
“Today.” I breathe my agreement.
He leans down. “Promise?”
“Promise.” I whisper the word against his lips.



I will thank all the gods and make SJ a statue for this novella.

I kinda wished it was included in the main novel to better understand where they came from but i'm not gonna complain.

This made me feel happy and giddy and so in love with Hannah and Maddox, I'm so happy they're finally happy 😭😭🩵🩵
Profile Image for Isabella Maraschi.
133 reviews5 followers
August 21, 2024
This was such a short, sweet & cute novella! I didn’t read Love, Utley before reading this but I didn’t feel like I missed anything since this is meant to be a prequel to that book & the story of how they met. I feel like now my experience with reading the first book in the series will be so much better knowing how it all started 🩷

I also adored Hannah & Maddox and they had so many cute moments together, it was impossible not to smile the whole time while reading this 🤭 very excited to keep reading & find out how they finally get their HEA in Love, Utley! I would say it definitely makes sense to read this before the other book & I’m glad that’s what I’m doing!

Thank you to S.J. & Valentine PR for the ARC!

Tropes:
💚: Prequel Novella
🏈: College Football
💚: Insta love
🏈: Dual POV
💚: Plus Size Heroine
🏈: Alpha Hero
Displaying 1 - 30 of 510 reviews

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