The design and UX isn't done, Rob and Abbie, okkurrrr! 😌
moondustlu's review
emotional
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.0
andreasbooktea's review
emotional
lighthearted
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
yeriwithaj_'s review
3.0
a good read.
I would say this is a solid 3.5 stars, I loved it but I thought the conflicts were resolved too quickly and easily.
I would say this is a solid 3.5 stars, I loved it but I thought the conflicts were resolved too quickly and easily.
readwithlani's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
perfectlyimperfect's review against another edition
4.0
Great story line....
I'm always leary about new authors, very few live up to my expectations. However, I was greatly surprised with how much I enjoyed this book!
Lakes and Torres are not only forbidden fruit for each other, but they both come with life struggles that affect their relationships with lovers and friends. They struggle through a lot of issues they shouldn't have to go through, but it makes them stronger people.
I'll definitely be reading more of Shanora's books!
I'm always leary about new authors, very few live up to my expectations. However, I was greatly surprised with how much I enjoyed this book!
Lakes and Torres are not only forbidden fruit for each other, but they both come with life struggles that affect their relationships with lovers and friends. They struggle through a lot of issues they shouldn't have to go through, but it makes them stronger people.
I'll definitely be reading more of Shanora's books!
kayysidd's review against another edition
1.0
I'm behind the whole age gap, taboo student / coach thing. Really, I am. But the way this is constructed is really frustrating. By 50%, I was already thinking of the Coah as a bad dude- all he talks about / thinks about is his lust for Amber. Then, from her point of view, she's left not knowing where they stand, and she gets upset easily. Just for him to be hot & cold with her. How is that not someone being manipulated? I definitely don't think it was supposed to come across that way obviously. What really made me upset was when they were caught the first time & he THEN decided to give her his number & told her to make sure it doesn't get out. I feel he should have maybe done that before they started messing around? Then she texts him & he doesn't respond. We don't find out why he's so attracted to her until very late in the book. I think it would have made sense if some of the last parts of the book had happened in the beginning when they were first starting to be into each other. I was not a fan of this book like I was the Mr. Cane series.
mrsmar10thereader's review against another edition
4.0
Well Coached!
Amber and Joaquin were never supposed to be together. She was a highly successful track star just arriving at her "whitewashed" Ivy League school, and he just happened to be her coach. Their backgrounds were similar, minorities who loved track, coached and supported by their fathers, only to lose the men who meant the most to them before they were ready. Amber faces criticism and lies from the popular senior girl on the team, she gets away with a lot because her dad's a big donor. She endures a very racist coach, who she hears Joaquin put into her place concerning Amber. He becomes very protective of Amber quickly. They eventually have a moment at a carnival he's working with his mom after she sees the guy she's dating with another girl. They end up literally rocking a boat, but stop before going too far. A relationship between them could ruin both of their futures. They figure things out eventually and boy do things get hot and heavy. They make it to the last day of her freshman year without getting caught until head coach Hamilton walks in on them in a celebratory kiss. Joaquin resigns, Amber keeps her spot on the team, and coach doesn't say a word. Can their relationship survive the distance between the Carolinas and Florida the next three years?
Amber and Joaquin were never supposed to be together. She was a highly successful track star just arriving at her "whitewashed" Ivy League school, and he just happened to be her coach. Their backgrounds were similar, minorities who loved track, coached and supported by their fathers, only to lose the men who meant the most to them before they were ready. Amber faces criticism and lies from the popular senior girl on the team, she gets away with a lot because her dad's a big donor. She endures a very racist coach, who she hears Joaquin put into her place concerning Amber. He becomes very protective of Amber quickly. They eventually have a moment at a carnival he's working with his mom after she sees the guy she's dating with another girl. They end up literally rocking a boat, but stop before going too far. A relationship between them could ruin both of their futures. They figure things out eventually and boy do things get hot and heavy. They make it to the last day of her freshman year without getting caught until head coach Hamilton walks in on them in a celebratory kiss. Joaquin resigns, Amber keeps her spot on the team, and coach doesn't say a word. Can their relationship survive the distance between the Carolinas and Florida the next three years?
_neverendingstory's review against another edition
emotional
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Police brutality and Racism
shayhay's review against another edition
5.0
Forbidden
This is the first book i read by this author, it won't be my last. This book has a couple of my favorite tropes, Age gap and forbidden love. In this book you meet Amber and Torres, amber is a college track student and Torres is her coach. This book also touches on diversity which was cool. There is the perfect amount of angst and romance, great book.
This is the first book i read by this author, it won't be my last. This book has a couple of my favorite tropes, Age gap and forbidden love. In this book you meet Amber and Torres, amber is a college track student and Torres is her coach. This book also touches on diversity which was cool. There is the perfect amount of angst and romance, great book.