Review: Merit by Devney Perry (Treasure State Wildcats #4)

Note: An advance reader copy (ARC) was provided by the author.

Merit is the fourth and final novel in the Treasure State Wildcats series penned by Devney Perry, and I've got to confess, this was bittersweet. That's what happens when you fall in love with everything a series has to offer--the cast of characters, the setting, and so on. While this friends-to-enemies-to-lovers, fake dating story of Maverick and Stevie's may be the last in this series, Perry seems to have ensured it ends on a high--as it should, naturally. Also, while this is a standalone, I do highly suggest you read this series in order.

There was a time that Maverick Houston and Stevie Adair didn't hate each other. They were actually the best of friends, up until they were ten and Maverick publicly made fun of Stevie. The fact that their parents have been best friends for decades forces the two to tolerate, albeit barely, each other's presence. But when faced with the news that his mom is dying and that she hopes the former friends will not just mend fences but actually spend more time together, Maverick and Stevie agree to date. Soon, they're in a fake relationship with benefits, but will she lose her heart when he inevitably loses his mom?

This series ender had everything I could have hoped for; there was angst, wit, steam, and lots of heart. While the reason behind the end of Maverick and Stevie's friendship may not have seemed like that big of a deal in hindsight, all those years that followed built up the animosity, making it difficult to recover any semblance of an amiable relationship. Then came the circumstances that led to them pretending to be a couple, but you know what happens when something starts out as fake... What else was real? The emotions this book stirred because how could I not be affected by a story about love for family, friends, and significant others? And that epilogue?! Chef's kiss! Merit has earned itself five stars!

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Read my reviews for the Treasure State Wildcats series:

Coach (book one) - five-plus stars - My Review

Blitz (book two) - five stars - My Review

Rally (book three) - five-plus stars - My Review

Merit (book four) - five stars - My Review (posted above)

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Release Date: 11 March 2025

Date Read: 01 March 2025

Learn more about Devney Perry.

Purchase Merit on Amazon.