I was very surprised at how much I enjoyed reading about rowing teams in rival universities. I don’t know anything about rowing, but I think the book helps set the image and the responsibilities. Also, I’ve always loved the environment of Cambridge and Oxford (even though I never studied at any of the universities, I have spent a few months at Cambridge).
This book is very character-driven (which I enjoy when it’s well done), there is not much plot, but go into the characters and their daily lives, however, for a character-driven story, I thought the character development was flat. And I don’t know if because I thought the dialogues were rushed and they went into deep conversations so quickly.
I liked Kate, the female main character. I think she was so sweet; and hard-working and her background story was very nice, I did enjoy following her daily life and chores, but I didn’t like Oz, the male main character, he was insufferable to me.

For 40% of the book, I was hooked but started losing interest when they got together. Maybe I didn’t love this book because it was very instant-love (and I hate) while I thought it would be a friends-to-lovers (even though it’s marketed as rivals-to-lovers) with some forbidden element. I didn’t feel any banter or chemistry between the main characters, and it went from “I want to get to know you” to “I’m in love with you” really quickly (in terms of time on page as time passes in the story) while it felt like side characters had more time on page than the relationship I was there for.

Overall, I enjoyed Kate’s life in Cambridge and the rowing element.

Thanks to NetGalley UK and Penguin for sending me this advance copy in exchange for an honest review.

4⭐️

She's rowing for Cambridge. He's rowing for Oxford. A boat race to go down in history. Arthur Osbourne-Cloud has always had his future mapped out for him - graduate Oxford and follow his dreadful father into politics. Except Arthur wants to do anything but that. Kate Astley also has her future mapped out - the next six years at least. Fly half-way across the world, and win a scholarship at Cambridge University to study medicine. Oh, and become a crew member for the legendary Boat Race.
Seems simple enough. But then she meets Arthur…

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This was my first Lulu Moore book, and while I don’t know anything about rowing or even that there was a sub-genre of sports romances for rowing, I was definitely intrigued.

Oz and Kate were a lot of fun to read, and I loved seeing their relationship bloom on the page. I loved that they went through similar battles and even were able to find their way to one another.

I can’t wait to read the rest of the series when it comes out about their friends.

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC

Consider me a new LuLu Moore fan because I devoured this book! I have been wanting to get to her books for awhile and I was so excited I was approved for this one. Can’t wait to finish on with this series. I loved the characters, the plot, the writing! It was just all a hit for me! I need more! Excuse me while I go read her backlist

A hilariously perfect meet cute turns Enemies real fast in this heated rowing rivalry between Oxford and Cambridge. When Kate literally lands in Oz's lap they have an amazing night of chemistry and an almost kiss. Will the bitter rivalry between their schools keep them apart or will they learn to navigate the rough waters of training, school and overbearing boatmates to find their happy ending?

"Kate, I couldn't give a single fuck about what other people think. I only care about what you think. Please. Get to know me better before you decide you're not going to fall in love with me," I added a wink which made her eyes roll again.
🌶️🌶️🌶️

When I tell you, this book gave me the warm and fuzzies all the way through. Starting with the adorable meet cute, who knew a beautiful girl stepping right onto a hot guys balls could be so endearing? Kate and Oz had instant chemistry, you could feel their attraction in every text they shared, right up until the moment that Kate discovered that Aurthur "Oz" Osbourne-Cloud was the playboy, hard ass president of Oxford's rowing team her warm and fuzzies fizzle. She has a hard time reconciling the fact that the Oz she met and the AOC that everyone else "knows" are the same man. When Kate's perception of Oz changes, you can tell how hurt he is by this, she is believing gossip and rumors, when he says "Wow, up until a few minutes ago I thought you were exactly my type of girl", like damn that hit me in the feels! I love that Lulu wrote the male characters in the books with actual feelings, Oz isn't ashamed to be upset, mad sad or to cry in front of his friends, no one bats an eye, there is no shame.
Kate and Oz can't stay apart, they are so drawn to each other that even with every obstacle in their way, they start a long distance relationship, they get to know each other, Kate meets Oz's family, they fall in love so beautifully. Their first kiss was my favorite.
I can't wait to get my hands on the physical book and see more from this series!

I absolutely DEVOURED this book in just a few days. I couldn’t out it down. If you are a fan of enemies to lovers and collegiate sports then please do yourself a favor and pick this up. It’s so good. The story of Kate and Oz. Two people that could not be more different. The character development for these two and their social circles makes me want to read more. Brilliant dialogue as well. Turns out I’m really into rowing now.

5 flirty ⭐s!
2 🌶️s

Mk, AO-C! He is superb Book Boyfriend material FOR SURE! 🫠 He falls first and works for it... 'nough said.

I loved the relationship between Ozzy and Katey!! Their banter, the emotions, the storyline - rowing for rival Unis, the friend groups of each of them! The story was super cute and a tad spicy... Plus the ending was great!

This latest from Lulu Moore is such a fun book. I learned so much about rowing and I'm completely hooked and can't wait for book 2!

I truly loved everything about this book especially the meet cute, the friends groups, the rowing, the rivalry, and of course the romance.

Moore was kind enough to help us out with some terminology at the front of the book, but I still looked up a few other things while reading and even watched some rowing on YouTube, but it would have still made sense even if I hadn't - I just wanted the full picture.

I really loved the settings in this book. The campus and country descriptions were so wonderful and I loved the times they chatted about American culture differences.

Sometimes I don't like college age, but these characters were very devoted athletes and scholars so I found myself really loving them.

The romance in this was everything. I loved how they connected and supported each other. I loved how they pushed each other to be better. I loved their long distance relationship. I loved the steam. It was so well wonderful. I even went back and reread a few parts.

I received an advanced copy of this book through NetGalley. This is my honest review.

This is a sports romance, set between Cambridge & Oxford University Rowing Teams.

From the start Kate and Arthur ‘Oz’ Osbourne-Cloud complemented each other perfectly.

Kate - so sweet and kind and I absolutely adored her from the beginning.

Oz, despite him being the star rower, I loved his vulnerable moments, he is such a sweetheart. He has definitely set the bar high in terms of ‘grand’ gestures, I mean the Pumpkin Pie 🥺

Both characters had their own traumas to deal with throughout the book and Lulu dealt with this in such a delicate way.

I rooted for both Kate & Oz to win the race and couldn’t decide who needed it more…It was a stressful part of the story for me 😂

Oz’s family were absolutely hilarious and the friend group that has been introduced are, as always, amazing - I just know they are going to cause chaos going forward.

I knew nothing about rowing and now have a new appreciation for all the hard work that goes into it..

I think I have found one of my favourite ever descriptions of someone falling in love: ‘It makes me feel like I’ve drunk hot chocolate and riding the sugar rush, but warm.’ 🥰

If Lulu writes it, I will be reading it…I’ve enjoyed every book she has written so far and I love that when I pick up one of her books it’s going to be funny, romantic and put a smile on my face for days after I have finished reading.

Thank you for allowing me to read and review this book

4.5 stars!

ARC review, all thoughts and opinions are my own!

This book was so fun! This was my first book from Lulu Moore & I didn’t know much (if anything really) about rowing before this book but I enjoyed reading and learning! Kate & Oz meet on Kate’s first day across the pond and don’t realize they’re on opposite sides until later- when it turns out Kate has heard some not so nice things about Oz.

The banter between the two of them was great and I loved seeing their relationship grow and watching them work through their issues both alone and together.

Overall I enjoyed this one! Thank you to the author and Valentine PR for the opportunity to read this book!

Oar than friends

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️🌶️🌶️
Insta - love
Boy obsessed
Rivals to lovers
Secret lovers
University romance
Sports romance (rowing)
Dual POV

Kate (American h) and Oz (British H) meet right at the beginning and it’s love at first sight. But then after a while texting and getting to know each other Kate discovers that Oz is at Oxford University while she’s at Cambridge University…. And they are both on their university rowing team. (I.e part of the famous Cambridge and Oxford Boat Race) Making them rivals.

Kate is likeable and Oz gets more likability throughout the book (starts off quite pushy). They meet so early and it’s love at first sight / instant which isn’t my favourite trope. Especially as Oz becomes obsessed with her and doesn’t want the fact she’s on the opposing team to stop them been together (he’s mega rich & family famous, she’s not and is at uni on a scholarship) while Kate is a bit more reluctant, she’s so into him but she hears about his ‘reputation’ so it bit more hesitant.

I enjoyed them together especially mid book. I enjoyed the story around the book and it’s quite different sport to what I usually read. The story around them was good as well, especially when we got to meet his family. I loved that it was set in the UK too.
Can’t wait for the next one in the series as it felt like there was another ‘story’ starting to progress.

What a cute little book! Great intro to rowing, really enjoyed the fact that the FMC and the MMC are both rowers.

Just read the first chapter of the next book, can’t wait to read it!!

So glad I got into the eARC team through Valentine PR, and got an eARC via NetGalley!

"No one has ever called me Ozzy, it makes me feel like I’m yours."

Rating: 4.25/5

- College/new adult romance
- UK setting
- Sports romance (rival rowing teams)
- American FMC x English MMC
- Forbidden/secret romance
- He falls first
- Dual POV

This was a really cute, heartfelt story! Kate and Oz: America vs England, Cambridge vs Oxford. While they're from rival rowing teams, they can't deny their instant connection and chemistry.

They also can't deny they have more in common than they realize. Specifically, they're both setting their dreams aside to follow other people's dreams. The character growth was one of my favourite things, as we see them both take charge of the futures they want... together.

I have to take a moment to talk about Oz, though, because he's a man after my own heart. It was the little selfless things he did for Kate, like driving hours to see her when she was crying, baking a pumpkin pie for Thanksgiving and delivering it to her, and helping her with her rowing.

But Kate also saw Oz for who he really was: a caretaker. "If he was busy protecting everyone else, who was protecting him? Me, I decided."

I'm really looking forward to seeing where Lulu takes this series because there were so many great supporting characters featured in Oar Than Friends. The sneak peek at the end of Charlie's story already has me excited!

Thank you so much to the author and Valentine PR for the early copy!

I absolutely loved this book! This was the first time I’ve ever read a crew/rowing romance and it was amazing. The characters and the banter were superb and I absolutely flew through this book. The chemistry between Arthur and Kate was electric and the spice was perfect. Would highly, highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys enemies to lovers, close proximity and sports romance books. I’m so excited for the next book in this series because I absolutely adored Charlie as well in the first book.

This was soooo cute and swoony. I loved the UK college setting and the rowing sport. I am a sucker for a book where the male lead is head over heels for the female lead and this was one. Great banter (texting, phone calls and in person), good conflict with the rival schools. I liked how they both had issues/baggage to be dealt with and they helped each other with it. Such a fun and swoony romance!

This is Book 1 of the Oxbridge Series.

I was lucky enough to receive as an ARC 🥰

Get ready to dive into the thrilling waters of rivalry and romance with Oar than Friends! This book takes us on an exhilarating journey through the fierce competition between Cambridge and Oxford, where Arthur and Kate find themselves on opposite sides of the boat race but united by an undeniable spark.

From the moment they meet, Arthur and Kate's chemistry leaps off the pages, challenging the boundaries of loyalty and love. Lulu Moore expertly crafts a tale that not only captures the intensity of the boat race but also delves into the complexities of following one's passion versus societal expectations.

As Arthur and Kate navigate their budding relationship amidst the pressure to succeed, readers are left on the edge of their seats, wondering who will emerge victorious in both the race and matters of the heart. Will they defy the odds and choose love over rivalry, or will their dreams tear them apart?

With its gripping storyline and vivid characters, Oar than Friends"is a must-read for fans of sports romance and contemporary fiction alike. Moore's writing hooks you from the start and keeps you captivated until the very last page. I couldn't put it down!

I know nothing about rowing but that didn’t stop me from enjoying this novel one bit! I was rooting for Kate and Oz from their first meeting and it was so fun watching them fall in love.

This is my first book of Lulu Moore and it will definitely not be my last. This is also a first for me. A rowing romance. And Lulu delivered with this.
We meet Kate and Oz. They are college rivals where their rowing teams compete. Their meet and cute was so funny and I just loved the dynamics of these two. I just loved how Oz was obsessed and Kate wasn’t having it.
I loved Lulu’s writing. The way she wrote Kate was beautiful. To see what Kate was going through and dealing with family issues. And to see Oz be loving and supporting to her was wonderful to read.
The other characters is the book I absolutely adored and I can’t wait to see what Lulu has in store in the next book.
Sports romance are also my go to so it was so refreshing to read about sport that not many people know about.
I received this ARC from Net Galley. And I’m happy to read a new author and a read a new refreshing book.

I LOVED Oz and Kate oh my god they were everything. As someone who is always going to eat up insta-love, boy-obsessed and soulmate vibes this was my ideal romance. Oz was such a fun character, even with everything going on with his family the way that Kate brightened up his life and he ran with it was so amazing I could not get enough.

I thought that their relationship was super easy and cute to read about. The school rivals-to-lovers storyline made the secret relationship plotline digestible for me (when I usually struggle with that) and it felt real. The flow of the story was nice and I thought Kate's journey with handling her grief was real and done well.

Lulu Moore continues to write men I am absolutely obsessed with and I devour every new book she comes out with, this one being no exception. As someone who had no prior knowledge of rowing the rowing content was understandable and it was not a roadblock that I came in clueless about the sport, which is always much appreciated. I now want to read more rowing romances because this was great! lol

Lulu Moore is a fairly new author to me but growing up watching the boat race meant Oar than Friends really intrigued me and it certainly ticked my boxes. This is Oz and Kate’s entertaining story.
Kate has moved to Cambridge from the States to study medicine and she has high hopes of making the woman’s rowing team.
Oz is studying at Oxford and he is always in the news and has a reputation for playing hard. He is a successful rower for Oxford which means these two should not cross the line but he has no interest in the University rivalry and is determined to win the girl .
This is a sweet, entertaining romance but it also has some emotional, heartbreaking issues that this author covered beautifully and with compassion. A well written story with wonderful characters that I highly recommend.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher through Netgalley.

A unique and fresh take on sports romance. Have you ever read a rowing romance? I hadn’t, and this book was soo cute. Oz and Kate row crew at Oxford and Cambridge which are rival universities with heated traditions of pranking & stealing oars from each other. It was all about the little gestures with Oz, and I loved their HEA! 

4.5 stars.