Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐✩ (4.5/5)

Hello friends! I just finished Unloved by Peyton Corinne, and I loved this one even more than Unsteady. If you’re a fan of friends-to-lovers romances with real emotional depth, this book will absolutely steal your heart like it did mine. Peyton Corinne has a knack for writing characters that feel so genuine and vulnerable.

Ro is the kind of main character I instantly connected with. She’s relatable in the best possible ways, like trying to find her place in a new school, make friends with her roommate, and just be seen for who she is. From the very beginning, you can feel her loneliness and her longing to be loved, especially after we learn everything she went through with her toxic ex, Tyler. Watching her struggle with self-worth and then slowly, bravely, start to believe she deserves more was honestly so moving. I loved how she was always there for Sadie, showing up as a true friend even when she had other things she was doing. Ro’s gentle, caring soul really shines when she becomes Matt’s tutor; she doesn’t just help him with school, she goes out of her way to understand his learning challenges and make things easier for him. That kind of compassion just made me love her even more.

Now let me tell you more about Matt. If you love a broken golden retriever type hero, he’s going to wreck you in the best way. On the outside, he’s the hockey player with a bit of a playboy reputation, but underneath that, he’s still grieving the loss of his mother and struggling to feel worthy of love. His dad has always been an abusive one, trying to tear him down. The way he and Ro bond over their homesickness, with Ro missing her parents who are far away and Matt missing his mom who’s gone, was so heartfelt and real. Their friendship is built on trust, kindness, and a mutual understanding of what it means to feel unloved. I found myself rooting for them so hard, both as individuals and as a couple. The slow burn here is just perfect; it gives them space to heal and truly see each other before anything romantic happens.

What really stood out to me is how Peyton Corinne handles all the heavy topics like grief, toxic relationships, and self-worth with so much care. Ro and Matt’s journey isn’t easy, and there are moments that are hard to read, but their growth feels so earned. I loved how they respected each other’s boundaries. And yes, there are plenty of spicy moments, but in typical Corinne fashion, they’re woven so seamlessly into the story that they only make the emotional connection between Ro and Matt feel even stronger.

So friends, If you’re looking for a romance that’s about healing and falling in love, Unloved is the book for you. Ro and Matt’s story is one I’ll be thinking about for a long time. Until next time, happy reading!