Blitz'd (Evergreen University #1) by Lee McCormick & R.S. McKenzie

“The alien and the puppy. That could be a Disney movie."

• Title: Blitz'd
• Author: Lee McCormick & R.S. McKenzie
• Publisher: Independently published
• Publication Date: 4/28/2025
• 356 Pages
• Standalone (Book 1)

• Plot: ★★★☆☆
• Spice: ★★★★★
• Tropes: MM, Obsessed Hero, Hurt/Comfort, Rivals, Opposites Attract, Bisexual Awakening, Emotional Scars, Protector

Trigger Warning: Extreme violence, Mentions of past abuse and neglectful/ abusive parents, Homophobia, Panic attacks, Degradation/ praise, stalking, Sociopath in love, Exhibitionism, Spit play

Now, would I have kissed my sports rival of several years on national TV after our football game to make my cheating ex-girlfriend jealous? Especially when that rival is another man, and I have never kissed or been interested in men before. No, I'd probably never be that bold in my life. However, that unexpected boldness brought Zander and the love of his life, Kerian, their happily ever after. Therefore, maybe it's time we all take a page out of Zandy's playbook (haha, see what I did there)!

This enjoyable breeze of a read kept me engaged and utterly in love with both characters. I thoroughly enjoyed this book. The comedic timing and delivery of this book were both tasteful and enticing. Kerian and Zander had an interesting and understandable love story, and still evolved as individuals while being completely surrounded by each other's love and equal obsession. 

“ He doesn’t realize that pressing his lips to mine gave me every right to figure out where he lived, every right to track him down. Every right to do whatever I wanted.”

I loved the overall book. I truly do not have many complaints. It was a quick read filled with mostly laughter and a lot of understanding. There was pain and character depth that made you yearn for that happy ending. I loved the individual relationships all across this book. Especially how open and public Kerian and Zander were with each other. Though new to the Bisexual world and major rivals, Zander never shied away from being public with Kerian. Meanwhile, Kerian never missed a chance to touch Zander when they were together. Neither caring who would see and possibly judge them. Also, Zander's mom, Beth, was a standout character for me. Her kindness and mother's intellect were a great addition to the book. She was a great reflection of a mother, and the mother Kerian needed to meet. 

These authors do a great job of balancing the suspense and comedy of this book. While the main conflict was a bit predictable to me, however, I could never guess when or where it would happen. It was like waiting on the edge of your seat, and I loved that!

“ part of me knew that I’d kill everyone in the fucking house before I let him leave with anyone who wasn’t me tonight. Not after I came here. Not after I’d already made up my mind that I was doing this. That I was going to let him see this part of me.”

While I do not have many negatives, I would say the only semi-major drawback of the book was the plot development. Considering this is a dark romance, I went in expecting more action and violence. However, I will add that the on-page violence mentioned was very graphic.  Needless to say, this book focused solely (85% of the time) on Kerian and Zander's relationship and not so much on the outside plot or development. With that in mind, I honestly was not mad at it. Their relationship was both intriguing and well-written. 

Also, I would like to add, I am no mental health professional, but to me, Kerian did not read as a sociopath. In my opinion, he read as a hurt child who never got to express his emotions and heal. Zander ultimately made him confront the many feelings he buried deep down for his whole life. However, Asher (I'm guessing book 3), yeah, he's definitely a psychopath. 

“ When he pulls me up for another kiss, I know this is good. That we’re good. That Zander sees all the dark places in me now, all the breaks and snarls, tangles and shadows and flaws… and he loves me anyway. He loves me because of it. And I’ll do anything to make sure I get to keep that love for the rest of my life. ”

To conclude, I enjoyed this book very much. I definitely recommend this book to all, especially those new to dark romance and LGBT+ romance genres. This book is warm and entertaining. You feel for both characters and want to experience the happiness they worked hard to achieve. 

Also, for a large chunk of this book, I was obsessed with figuring out who was going to be sweet Luca's love interest. Every time I thought I knew who it was, the authors threw me a curveball. I have it narrowed down to two and a hail mary guess.  Needless to say, I am now very impatiently counting down the days to April 21st, 2026, when Callback (his book)  drops.