Under Pressure by Allie Winters

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Title: Under Pressure
Author: Allie Winters
Series: Lessons Learned #1
Published by: Smartypants Romance
Release Date: March 9, 2021
Format: eARC
Pages: 292
Length: Romance, Contemporary
Genres: Contemporary, Romance
Potential Triggers: View Spoiler »vividly described panic attack « Hide Spoiler
Source: Smartypants Romance
Reading Challenges: Lenoreo's 2021 COYER Spring, Lenoreo's 2021 Diversity Reading Challenge
Find it: Goodreads ✩ Amazon ✩ IndieBound ✩ Book Depository
My rating:

Blurb:

Mia knows stress. She’s dealt with it her whole life. So when she gets an opportunity to run a psychology study to help her get into grad school, it should be no problem dealing with the prickly guy she suddenly finds herself paired with.
The one she had a secret crush on last year. The one who refuses to let anyone close. The one she’s discovering by the day may have a softer side than he lets anyone else see…

Tyler knows stress. He’s grappled with it for as long as he can remember. And just because he has to share credit with this girl on his new psychology study doesn’t mean he has to be friends with her. Except she somehow keeps worming her way into his life. In school. In the boxing gym.

In his bed.

But everyone knows it’s safer to keep to yourself. You can't hurt anyone that way. Even if it means giving up the best thing that’s ever happened to him.

As things heat up in the Stress Lab, will this match be able to work together without disruption, or will this growing attraction between them eventually... combust?

'Under Pressure ' is a full-length new adult contemporary romance and can be read as a standalone. Book #1 in the Lessons Learned series, Educated Romance World, Penny Reid Book Universe.

My Review:

I received a free copy through Smartypants Romance in exchange for an honest and unbiased review/opinion.

4.5 stars — I was worried about how I would enjoy this one, especially with the way Tyler started out, but it hit a bunch of notes I wasn’t expecting and I ended up really feeling for both Tyler and Mia!

Mia was pretty easy to connect with — I really appreciated the way the “little voice” in her head was written out.  I don’t have anxiety, but I’ve had moments where I’ve heard that voice, so I know exactly what it feels like and how hard it is to manage.  This is going to sound weird, but I really loved seeing Mia struggle with managing it — it was so real to me.  I rooted for her when she won out over it and remembered her techniques, and I wanted to hug her when it bested her.  And besides the mental health aspect, I just connected with so much of who Mia was: quintessentially Hufflepuff.  Generally nice and wanting the best for everyone, and having their approval/friendship, but not without a backbone if pushed.  I loved how Tyler’s pushing helped her to see how strong she was, and to take a stand against people taking advantage.

Tyler was way more difficult to connect with for me.  I was so bummed when he was such a dick at the beginning, and I wondered if this was going to be another alpha asshole.  He had moments of feeling like Martin from Elements of Chemistry, but unlike Martin I really ended up understanding what was behind that attitude with Tyler.  He was so beyond messed up.  It was fascinating to know from an outsider perspective how his perceptions were off, but to still understand how he’d lived with those perceptions for so long that he couldn’t see outside of them.  I ached every time he clung stubbornly to his beliefs and fears, and I cheered when he *finally* started to figure it out.  He truly behaved appallingly at times, but like Mia, I could see the actions underneath that were showing a different story.

And they were kind of adorable together.  I mean, yes, their steamy chemistry was amazing.  But I also just loved the other ways they connected.  I loved how they brought out different sides to one another, helping them to be better versions of themselves.

While Tyler’s family was fraught with drama, I ended up really enjoying the different interactions he had there.  And I’m excited to see that Ethan will be getting his story!  I was a bit more bummed that Mia didn’t have as much support in her corner.  We didn’t really learn much about her family, and Kelsey was…not awesome.  Ah well.

I haven’t read the Dear Professor series yet, but I do believe that is where the really loose tie in comes for the Smartypants Romance Universe (Dr. Hanover is mentioned in passing).  So I really can’t speak to if there are cameos or anything.  For me it’s more that this book reminded me a lot of Elements of Chemistry and Laws of Physics in some ways, just in the relationship between the characters, the quirkiness, etc.

So yeah.  A book that I started out feeling wary about, but then stayed up until 1:30am finishing.  😉