Good Grades & Mystery Games (North University #2) (2024)

"there is nothing more that i want or need more than scarlett voss. she's just everything"

and u know what this book felt like everything but let's start with some tropes:
-academic rivals
-found family friend group
-forced proximity
-boy obsessed
-he falls first and harder

i was curious about scarlett and evan from the first book in the series and jan didn’t disappoint at all! indeed she managed to make their story even more unique and unexpected with the part dedicated to the mystery.going on to read i was increasingly taken by the story that I finished reading in no time!

see how scar and ev developed their relationship was so intimate and personal to me because they managed to understand each other and always be there even without saying anything.

i mean: just because? just because.

scarlett u'll be always remembered u are so and evan getting to know was so 🤏🏻🤏🏻
i just want to give u big hug to u <3 even better to all the family there bc let's not forget about wren and milesy reading about them made me realize how much i missed them and most important let's not forget about the friendships here the girls and the boys aka my chipmunks.

last thing but not least thank u so much jan for trusting me with your book and your thoughts i'll be forever grateful to have found your series and to have known u and can't wait for the third one about our harry and kennedy especially after THOSE hints <3

just because? just because.

still in the middle of drafting BUT i fear this may be a fan favourite out of the three…. scarevan are my bias rn 🤭💖

full of secrets, taylor swift references, found family, drama, mystery, acadameic romance, rivalry, fancy dinner parties, family drama, lots and lots of kissing & spicy time AND MORE

4.5 ⭐️

OMGGG OMGGG OMGGGG SCAREVAN HAVE MY HEART!! i loved wren and miles but scarevan?? i just knew i was going to love them so much!!

if you like academic rivals to lovers, if you love coballoway, if you love a man on his knees for his woman... READ THIS BOOK!!

scarlett voss and evan branson have been academic rivals, arguing with each other, and just not getting along. this book had so much tension AND I LOVED IT!!

scarlett and evan started working on a project together so they were forced to spend more time together. and since they're part of the same friend group, spending time together was inevitable. but with more time they spent together, the more the mutual attraction arose. i mean, scarlett definitely denied it, but evan embraced it. but he was also working for his dad, shadyyyyy. although there was that small piece of it, i didn't doubt the attraction evan had for scar. he was so in love from the start, i just want that for myself one day.

scarlett was harder to break, but with more time she spent with evan and then eventually once they kissed, girl, she was done for (same tho). she struggled a lot internally and had her dad's circ*mstance, but the fact that evan was there or at least always willing to be there for her. i loved that realized what he was doing for his dad was shady and pulled out of that job once he really started developing feelings.

the secrecy of this story was so good and the spice, please. so like study session? should i wear ribbons in my hair more often now??

i loved all the side characters, too. i would love to be part of the friend group, i felt all the love they had for each other and how everyone looked out for each other, making sure their mental health was okay. underrated duo, miles and scarely.

evan branson. evan mf branson. pls buy me lego flowers.

even tho there was a conflict, i thought it well written and nicely paced. i usually hate third act breakups, but this one was actually not as frustrating as i'd expected it to be. and evan learned how to grovel and this man was ON HIS KNEES for scarlett. SO DOWN BAD.

im glad scarlett and evan got their happy ending and i hope this wasn't too much of spoilers but i needed to give my scarevan rant and tell you how much i loved them. i liked fake dates and ice skates but i feel good grades and mystery games was a huge step up from the first one in the series. the story and its characters were very well developed in here and i just loved it so much.

thank you, janisha, for the arc, i am so glad i was able to read this one <3

Thank you to Janisha Boswell for sending me an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

DNF at 47% (180 pages out of 380 pages).

There were a few things that bothered me about this book and that's why I end up putting it aside.

First of all, I have to say that I found the writing quite good, as english isn't my first language, and it was easy to understand what the author was trying to say and what was going on. It was also easy to understand their family's background/past and their environment in which they lived and all of this made me give it, from what I've read, 2,75/3 stars.

But I didn't feel a love connection between Scar and Evan. In fact, I think they'd just be good friends. This happened quite early in the book (depending on what you consider early) - around page 90 - and so I found myself dragging my reading time. Almost 100 pages later, I found myself with the same opinion, if not stronger, that they only have the ability to be friends in the long term. Which isn't a bad thing, of course, but for a romance novel I was expecting to find a better connection between the two main characters.

Other than that, I found some incoherent things throughout the pages I've read which made me feel less excited about Good Grades & Mystery Games.

This book is coming out on October 13, 2023 and you can find more information about it in the author's instagram page.

“for those who desperately crave academic validation. you don’t need a grade to determine your worth. you are worth more than any letter or number. so much more.”

listen scarevan is basically my Roman Empire, I'm in love with their personalities and the way they communicate and they complement each other so well !
I had really high expectations and I'm not disappointed i knew they were going to be my favourite because I'm literally a mix of Evan and Scarlett they are both badass af, smart and so funny and RELATABLE she craves academic validation and he has OCD and anxiety
him being more than OBSESSED with her while she hates him at the beginning but it doesn't last...
we can see a real improvement in the writing since book 1 and I feel like the mystery part adds just what it needs to

if you like : reading about rich people, the girl hates the guy but he is OBSESSED WITH HER, he fell first AND harder, a bit of family mystery, golden retriever boy/black cat girl, she lets her guard down for him, forced proximity (school project), under the rain moments, ribbon...ties...
THIS BOOK IS FOR YOU

A huge thank you to jan for the arc ( my first one :)), I was dying to read this book AND discover these characters and getting an arc made my year.

It's coming out on October 13th 2023 for more information @janboswellauthor

3.75 stars

Idk if it’s dragging or just boring.

boring, there was absolutely zero chemistry and the fmc was unlikeable EVAN DESERVES BETTER

this book is about 300 pages too long

many thanks to janisha, the author, for an e-arc of this book!😊

wow wow wow. the writing has improved so so much since book 1, from the spag (spelling punctuation & grammar), to the chemistry between the characters.

this had been one of my anticipated reads for the year, and i’m so happy that it didn’t disappoint.

being completely honest: there were a couple of times were i had to stop reading the book as there were some scenes or one liners in the first 50% where i was like please don’t say what your about to say 😖 etc. as i got 2nd hand embarrassment, but throughout the book there was less cringe and more adorable-ness and progression of the characters and their relationships.

i really liked the sub plot, it added a lot more to the book in my opinion! it wasn’t like the first book where the story was rather dragged out and felt as though it was only focusing on the mcs. in this book there was multiple things happening, but it wasn’t overwhelming, it was the right amount for me to stay interested in their story and lives.

it took me a while to read, as i’ve been slow at reading recently and i haven’t had much time, but i would read a chapter of this a day, as often as i could keep up with that. when i reached the 80% mark i binged the rest of the book as it was addicting!

cannot wait for the next book in the series, i’m so intrigued to learn more about the characters in this series.

“I don’t want the world, Ev.”
“Tell me what you want, Angel, and I’ll give it to you.”
“Right now? I think I just want you. Just you”
“I’m yours”

IM OBSESSED WITH THIS BOOK AND SCAREVAN!!

to start things off, this book single-handedly got me out of my reading slump. i read it in less than 2 days and that hasn’t happened in a while 😭

OK FIRST OF ALL… Scarlett 🫶 i love her sm; she’s an extremely relatable character and her personality drives me (and Evan) insane, in the best way ofc! she’s such a badass and i love her for it…her maturity and security are also next level, which i loved cause if she wasn’t mature or secure in herself, Evan, and their relationship, there probably would have been a third act breakup. anywho… she might be one of my fav FMCs of this year 🙊

AND EVAN!! let me just say…this man is so incredibly obsessed with Scarlett…I LOVE IT! and his emotional intelligence shocked me. he understood what Scarlett need and felt, but also understood his needs and feelings which is not something that’s common in romance books.

their relationship dynamic was so cute and made me wanna jump off a cliff sometimes, once again, in the best way. the banter, the tension, the spice, the cute words said to each other, IT WAS ALL PERFECT!!

and don’t even get me started on the girls’ friend group… i love all the girls sm

and lastly, the pacing was so well written!! i did struggle a bit with the pacing of FD&IS, but i loved the pacing of this one. yes it was a slowburn and yes they don’t kiss until about 50% in, but the sexual tension and banter between them throughout the entire book made it really easy to read.

(oh, and the mystery subplot was really fun. it stressed me out a bit ngl but i loved it)

go read this now.

3.7 was pretty good but the end was too long for me

“𝐒𝐡𝐞’𝐬 𝐠𝐨𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐨 𝐫𝐮𝐢𝐧 𝐦𝐲 𝐥𝐢𝐟𝐞. 𝐀𝐧𝐝 𝐈 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐤 𝐈’𝐦 𝐠𝐨𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐨 𝐥𝐞𝐭 𝐡𝐞𝐫.”

A dislike to loversromance between a college studentScarlett Voss and a pianistEvan Branson is followed in Janisha Boswell's novel Good Grades & Mystery Games.

I'm not going to lie; I thought Evan was such an entitled jerk, just like Scarlett did. But it was all an act since he enjoyed messing withScarlett and preferred their banter to her not speaking to him at all.

Evan Branson was a literal softie, at least for Scarlet he was. Scarlett was also such a badassand interesting heroine. Because both Scarlett and Evan were hot, I wasn't even sure who I wanted more (definitely Scarlett).

The dirty talkand smut scenes, however, surprised me. I didn't expectEvan to be such a good dirtytalker or that he and Scar together would be hot asf.

However, most of the time nothing was happening, so I wouldskim through most scenes. Things were just being drawn out, even after everything was resolved, including the mystery surrounding Scarlett's dad and how she and Evan reconciled after their breakup. Also, I needed drama and angst, but the way thingswerehandled was all anticlimactic.

Overall, this novel had interestingtropesand amazing characters, but it was just way too long.

*Thank you to the author, Janisha Boswell, for providing me with this e-arc in exchange for an honest review.*

Mis pensamientos sobre este libro han cambiado veinte veces en lo que he tardado en leerlo. Al principio no me convencía pero me tenía lo suficientemente intrigada como para seguir leyendo. Dicho eso, tengo que decir que me ha acabado gustando y sorprendiéndome bastante. Evan es muy distinto al prototipo de hombre que estoy acostumbrada a leer en este rollo de libros pero ha acabado ganándose mi corazón y creo que por eso le voy a tener como memorable.

(Puntos extras por academic rivals)

SCAR AND EVAN MY BABIES

Should've known with the title this wouldn't be for me

literally Rose & Connor. but if Rose was a swiftie and quotes taylor swift

4.5 stars !!!

i just wanna start this arc review saying that i fell in love with this book since the dedication page but the couple… i love them since fake dates and ice skates but i mean who wasn’t curious about scarlett and evan????

“for those who desperately crave academic validation. you don’t need a grade to determine your worth. you are worth more than any letter or number. so much more.”

they start hanging out because scar wants to know what happened with the mysteries about her family and business so evan says that he can help her since he has connections but in reality he wants to get closer to her !! linda and danny, the perfect partners in crime !!!!

“am i your dirty, little secret?”
“yes, you are. i would rather stab myself in the eye instead of letting my friends believe that i’m willingly going out in public with you.”

from the start scar hates evan but evan… he fell first and does everything he can to show scarlett that they’re a match, even when they have their family issues. scar hating him to needing his help was just so funny to me, poor evan was struggling because she’s the only person that could understand him and even if scar doesn’t want to, evan doesn’t need her to say anything because he knows her. i’m telling you, they’re soulmates <3

“when i’m with her, im not worrying about what could happen tomorrow. i’m not thinking about stupid compulsions that tell me if i don’t do something by a certain time i’m going to die. i just exist. and she exists with me. together but separate.”

i swear to god, the rain scenes?????? MY FAVORITE PARTS !!!!!!! scarlett’s mom telling about their first event together???? soulmates. scar telling him she loves him??? evan’s confessions??? YES HE FELL FOR SCARLETT AND I FELL FOR HIM, AN EVAN GIRL FOREVER !!!!!

“it’s always just been you. it was you yesterday, it’s you today and it’ll be you tomorrow. you’re everything.”

a huge thank you to jan for the arc <3 it has been two months but i still can’t believe that i got approved to this arc !!!!!! i will always love your characters but scar and evan got me in another level !! i can’t wait for the new series and kennedy’s book !

“i don’t want the world…i think i just want you”

— good grades & mystery games by janisha boswell 🎀🎧🫧
[ arc review ]

☆ ☆ ☆ ☆

🔍 billionaire romance
🔍 academic rivals to lovers
🔍 boy obsessed
🔍 anxiety and ocd representation
🔍 mystery subplot

— “God, I’d follow her to the ends of the earth if she asked me.” —

janisha never disappoints and this book is a proof of that.

i feel like i always say the same about janisha's books but it’s true, they are so easy and fast to read, you don’t even feel like you're reading. so funny, so cute, so mysterious.

evan is everything for me. the perfect book character ever. and he bought her lego flowers???? excuse me???? ✍🏼 dear santa…

every book, a new masterpiece.
i would literally read everything janisha writes. my “auto read” author for sure.

so excited to read the next book and the new series you’re creating in that little world of yours. please keep feeding me with good books.
thank you so much for letting me be one of your arc readers, it’s always a pleasure to read your books. 🩷

it got the plot but it was just so boring for me honestly

dnf. the things from the first book i didn’t like somehow got worse. eat the rich.

Skimmed

Writing was meh, plot was TERRIBLE, spice was good 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️

6/5 ☆’s.
thank you so much jan for the arc in exchange for an honest review!! <3

OKAY.. LET ME START BY SAYING: THE WAY I WAS TRYING TO SAVOR THIS BOOK SO IT COULD LAST FOREVER BUT I WAS EATING IT UP AT THE SAME TIME?? OMG JAN YOU MASTERMIND OF A PERSON. this book had me running ten laps every five pages, it’s insane. also experiencing symptoms of withdrawals such as crying whenever i think about scarevan.

scarlett: she is the baddest bitch you’ll ever read about. I MEAN IT!! she is so confident & i aspire to be like her. i loved how we got to see through scarlett’s layers & see her sweet side (esp with evan) IT WAS ADORABLEEE 🥹. can we also talk about how she’s the most smart and clever person ever?? i love love love her with all my heart.

evan: ohmygod. i don’t even know where to start. it’s impossible. every time this man took a breath i felt weak in the knees. THE WAY HE TALKS ABOUT SCARLETT?? I CANT. he’s def going to be my obsession for the next year. HES A PIANIST!! HES A PIANIST!! HES A PIANIST!! every bring about this man is perfection. i didn’t expect him to be such a softie BUT HE WAS AND IM SOOO HAPPY ABOUT IT. i adore how he NEVER underestimated scarlett. he is so supportive is makes me sob. I WILL NEVER GET OVER THIS MAN. HE OWNS MY HEART & SOUL.

my favorite quotes: “She’s not the only daughter to a CEO of a multi-million-dollar brand. We’re just Scarlett and Evan: two souls who somehow, in some weird way, are looking at eachother like they know each other. Like they just understand.”

“I hope you know how proud I am of you. Like, so, f*cking, sickeningly proud of you. You could do anything you wanted to. I’m in your corner, Scar. Always.”

I think it’s you,” he says.“ What?”“That’s why my heart is racing. It’s because of you.”I let out a short laugh. “Really? What could I possibly be doing that’s making your heart speed up?”He shrugs. “I dunno. Just existing.”

UMM?? never talk to me again. i’m mourning the ending of my favorite couples’ book.

THANK YOU SOOO MUCH AGAIN FOR THE ARC JAN. you truly made my year 🩶🩶. i knew this book was going to be out of this world amazing, but boy i didn’t expect it to make my top 10 favorite books i’ve ever read.

this book is releasing October 13th and i can’t wait for everybody to love & adore scarevan as much as i did.

★4/5

Honestly GG&MG was an amazing book but I'm in a reading slump so it might have been me. This was the second book in Janisha's series. I read part of FD&IS but, again, I'm in a reading slump. I love the plot, characters, and especially the cameos of Wren and Miles.

Scarlett Voss and Evan Branson are the best rich and stubborn couple. They were such cuties. I love a good mystery, the forced proximity was perfect, and the forbidden romance between families🤞🏼.

Evan was such a doll and bought her lego flowers. LIKE HELLO??!?? I love how he'd do anything to be near Scarlett. Scarlett's attitude is so me. She's my little grumpy that puts on a mask for the world. Most relatable thing everrrrr.

Every character interaction was the funniest thing ever and it was honestly so entertaining. thank you Janisha for this ARC and for the giveaway!!! I would totally recommend this book to anyone who loves academic rivalry and reverse grumpyxsunshine!

I'm OBSESSED with this book and SCAREVANN!!! If I wasn’t such a slow reader I would've finished this in two days, the writing flows so well. Janisha captures the intensity of the mystery but still keeps the steamy rivalry alive and not make it a lost subplot. I’m so excited for more books from her and to see her flourish as a writer, as her talent is amazing. This book kept my attention span, which is very rare with me and books. Overall I love it, and I encourage more readers to read her and other self-published authors, as they are rare gems.

omggg with this book.

i honestly had so many expectations about this book and it did not disappoint :) the characters felt very real and i could connect really well i mean scar being a black cat girl who craves academic validation ???? she is me. i am her. 😭 and ev was so perfect, loyal and caring i mean… he buys her LEGO FLOWERS i was literally down so BAD for him (scar can you fight ?!)

i literally can not describe how much i liked the acedemic rivalry, the dynamic between scar and ev, all the mysteries they had to solve, how ev was so obsessed with scar 😭😭 i loved them so so much they just left me wanting more and more about them and now i want to wear ribbons every day if ykyk

im beyond obsessed with the NU series, really. the characters, the plots, the friendships and the family they create it’s truly one of the best things !!! which means that i can not wait any longer for ken's story (im so ready!)

to finish thank you jan for the e-arc, you never miss !!! im so in love with your stories :) and i truly hope you have the greatest realese day 🧸💐

I think this may be one of my top books this year. Feelings were felt and the plot plotted.

This book is giving 'Dress' by Taylor Swift, I was surprised it wasn't included in the official playlist.

"My heart trips over itself when my name comes out of his mouth..."

Scarlett is quite relatable. Deep inside, all we really wanted was to be enough for someone. To love us for better and worse.
I love that she actually went to therapy for counseling. I'm sure a lot of young people out there are afraid to seek help because they think some have bigger problems than they do. Don't be afraid to seek help. And you, yes YOU are enough.

It's a cute read and Evan definitely delivered, but it’s too long in my opinion. After the mystery has been solved, everything that came after that was unnecessarily dragged on. Even Scarlett's hesitation with Evan became a bit repetitive and tiresome.

The mystery wasn't intriguing enough for me to be immersed in it. It lacked a bit more suspense and build up towards the reveal.

Arthur's comments wasn't really addressed. It would've been nice if Scarlett got an apology at least, and Alexander hasn't shown up once?

I would have loved if the app they were developing was incorporated into the story more. This had a lot of potential for a confession or to cause more chaos. The possibilities were endless.

I wish that Evan's issue with his parents (especially his mother) has been addressed within this book. I kept waiting for it to come around but it never did. I wonder if the author forgot about it completely. Also, where's Evan’s cat??

And the most important question of all HOW DID EVAN ENDED UP WITH AN EMPTY BAG OF OREOS???

FAVORITE LINES 🤍

“I think it’s you,” he says.
“What?”
“That’s why my heart is racing. It’s because of you.”

“She’s going to ruin my life. And I think I’m going to let her.”

“What do you need?”
You, I almost say like a f*cking lunatic.

“I’m not your angel,” I bite out.
“No. You’re my f*cking everything.”