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herelieshenry's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
This book is fine. It scratches a certain itch, kind of feels like reading a decent fanfiction late into the night, that kind of vibe. That said, it’s definitely made me realize I need my romcoms to lean way more into the romance side of things than the comedy. This one is very comedy-forward.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Ableism and Grief
Minor: Car accident and Injury/Injury detail
erika_winters's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-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
5.0
What a fun hockey romance! This is the first book I’ve ever read in the hockey romance sub-genre, and this is truly everything I’ve always wanted to read regarding my two loves: queer romance and hockey! I think that Rachel Reid blends the lives of hockey players both on and off the ice so well that it didn’t feel like either parts of the plot were being neglected. What I mean by this is that I’ve been scared to pick up a hockey romance because I thought it would leave out the hockey aspect to have the romance shine through, but this was the perfect blend of both! I honestly didn’t think I would like Casey, but I realized how much of a loving person he really is and not just an eccentric himbo. Landon was the character I related to the most because he has a fear of intimacy and is battling with a lot of self-esteem issues, and who doesn’t relate to that in some ways? Both men help one another see their full potential and that they can be loved for who they are, and if that’s not the best concept for a romance then I don’t know what else could be better! Reid knows puck and she also knows how to write about gay love, and I have to commend her wholeheartedly by thanking her from the tallest building for writing this beautiful story!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Death
levilore_'s review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Once again, Rachel Reid writes an amazing gay hockey book that makes me cry. I really loved this book, especially the MCs. Landon and Casey were both complex characters who had their own unique flaws that I fell in love with.
I thought the ending was a bit rushed, but it did make sense for the story. Also! A unique MLM romance because there were great discussions of physical boundaries and sexual desire!
I thought the ending was a bit rushed, but it did make sense for the story. Also! A unique MLM romance because there were great discussions of physical boundaries and sexual desire!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content and Grief
Moderate: Child death, Cursing, Death, Suicidal thoughts, and Alcohol
Minor: Car accident and Injury/Injury detail
elizakay's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Grief
wanderingtales's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content and Grief
Moderate: Drug use and Alcohol
Minor: Death and Car accident
3readingcircus's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Bi mmc rep! Autistic-coded mmc.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content and Grief
Moderate: Panic attacks/disorders and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Car accident
garbage_mcsmutly's review against another edition
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
4.25
This was a really sweet story! Ace representation, lots of steamy scenes, and a very good performance from the narrator. Wrapped up kind of in a hurry though. I wish there had been more about Landon's personal growth (get him in therapy!!!)
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cursing, Sexual content, Grief, and Alcohol
Moderate: Drug use
Minor: Biphobia, Death, Car accident, Acephobia/Arophobia, and Injury/Injury detail
journey2's review against another edition
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
3.75
Hockey/sports aren't really my thing, but everyone was loving it so I thought I would give this one a try!
And I didn't hate it!
I found it actually quite enjoyable!
I don't plan on reading a lot of sports romance books but this was new for me and I enjoyed it.
Here's what I liked;
- the two main characters.
- I liked the Slow Burn Romance.
- I liked them working to find themselves and heal from things in their past. And they didn't work on themselves *for* each other or to make themselves "worthy" of each other but worked together in a way that showed support.
- Their communication about boundaries was excellent, especially when it came to things like knowing when Landon was touched out and didn't want physical contact with anybody because it made him uncomfortable. Their acceptance of each other with regards to any seggsual encounters was pretty fantastic. Casey absolutely respected Landon when he said he didn't really know if he had any interest in seggs at all; and then followed through with that, giving him space and time and understanding. Landon never seemed to feel like he couldn't speak up for fear of judgment if he was uncomfortable and Casey was always ready to listen and respect his wishes.
Of course the communication fell apart in *lots* of other ways but in this way, at least, it was very well handled.
- It was a very seggs positive book .
- The hockey was of course a very important factor in the story but wasn't the entire story, and my limited knowledge wasn't a detriment to my reading.
- I was a big fan of the Canadian storyline and a Canadian author and references to Canadian things like touques instead of beanies! (Although not a single mention of Tim Hortons??!?! Not one Timmies run? Not a single timbit?!)
For what I didn't like;
- The book seemed very surface level; even when they got into their personal histories and fears and traumas. There's nothing terribly profound about the book. Not that I expect profound wisdom from every book that I read every time, but even from books that I purely enjoy from a fluffy , comfort read point of view, there wasn't really anything that was a major takeaway or lines that made me stop and think. There were some cute lines, yes, but it was not particularly memorable; other than being very seggsy!
- It was sort of addressed near the end of the book a couple of times but the fact that everybody thought that one of the main characters was so stupid and continually laughed at their supposed idiocy was quite frustrating. To the point where the character just sort of thought that way about themselves regardless; and in a lot of ways didn't think that they were worthy of proper affection and care because they were just a stupid hockey player and hockey is all they were good for. He kind of laughed it off but I feel like there are a lot deeper issues because of it! I really despised that.
All to say...yes, I liked it alright. Not excellent, but if you want a fairly surface level book about hockey players having seggs...this is a good option! But don't expect a Stanley cup from this one!
And I didn't hate it!
I found it actually quite enjoyable!
I don't plan on reading a lot of sports romance books but this was new for me and I enjoyed it.
Here's what I liked;
- the two main characters.
- I liked the Slow Burn Romance.
- I liked them working to find themselves and heal from things in their past. And they didn't work on themselves *for* each other or to make themselves "worthy" of each other but worked together in a way that showed support.
- Their communication about boundaries was excellent, especially when it came to things like knowing when Landon was touched out and didn't want physical contact with anybody because it made him uncomfortable. Their acceptance of each other with regards to any seggsual encounters was pretty fantastic. Casey absolutely respected Landon when he said he didn't really know if he had any interest in seggs at all; and then followed through with that, giving him space and time and understanding. Landon never seemed to feel like he couldn't speak up for fear of judgment if he was uncomfortable and Casey was always ready to listen and respect his wishes.
Of course the communication fell apart in *lots* of other ways but in this way, at least, it was very well handled.
- It was a very seggs positive book .
- The hockey was of course a very important factor in the story but wasn't the entire story, and my limited knowledge wasn't a detriment to my reading.
- I was a big fan of the Canadian storyline and a Canadian author and references to Canadian things like touques instead of beanies! (Although not a single mention of Tim Hortons??!?! Not one Timmies run? Not a single timbit?!)
For what I didn't like;
- The book seemed very surface level; even when they got into their personal histories and fears and traumas. There's nothing terribly profound about the book. Not that I expect profound wisdom from every book that I read every time, but even from books that I purely enjoy from a fluffy , comfort read point of view, there wasn't really anything that was a major takeaway or lines that made me stop and think. There were some cute lines, yes, but it was not particularly memorable; other than being very seggsy!
- It was sort of addressed near the end of the book a couple of times but the fact that everybody thought that one of the main characters was so stupid and continually laughed at their supposed idiocy was quite frustrating. To the point where the character just sort of thought that way about themselves regardless; and in a lot of ways didn't think that they were worthy of proper affection and care because they were just a stupid hockey player and hockey is all they were good for. He kind of laughed it off but I feel like there are a lot deeper issues because of it! I really despised that.
All to say...yes, I liked it alright. Not excellent, but if you want a fairly surface level book about hockey players having seggs...this is a good option! But don't expect a Stanley cup from this one!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Grief
booktalkwithrae's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
I really enjoyed this book but I think I was expecting more more. This is my first hockey romance, so I’m not sure how this book would feel if you are an avid hockey, romance reader.
The first half of the book I was not vibing with. I found Casey to be very annoying and I felt like the feelings were growing a little too quickly. The second half of the book however, I thoroughly enjoyed. Once the characters started to be more romantically involved with each other, I felt like the banter and dialogue was enjoyable. The smut was well written, and detailed and their romance enhanced the overall plot of the story.
This is my first book I’ve ever read by this author, so I’m not sure how her writing is with other books. But I can tell that this author does know her hockey. There are a lot of dialogue that related to the hockey world and I really enjoy those little tidbits.
As an addition, I loved the scenes with the family. The family was so heartwarming and loving. And it was really nice to read an LGBTQAI+ book where are the family was accepting.
I think if the buildup in the first half of the book was more enjoyable for me, this would’ve easily been a four-star for me. Nonetheless, I’m glad I stuck with it and glad it picked up in the second half of the book.
The first half of the book I was not vibing with. I found Casey to be very annoying and I felt like the feelings were growing a little too quickly. The second half of the book however, I thoroughly enjoyed. Once the characters started to be more romantically involved with each other, I felt like the banter and dialogue was enjoyable. The smut was well written, and detailed and their romance enhanced the overall plot of the story.
This is my first book I’ve ever read by this author, so I’m not sure how her writing is with other books. But I can tell that this author does know her hockey. There are a lot of dialogue that related to the hockey world and I really enjoy those little tidbits.
As an addition, I loved the scenes with the family. The family was so heartwarming and loving. And it was really nice to read an LGBTQAI+ book where are the family was accepting.
I think if the buildup in the first half of the book was more enjoyable for me, this would’ve easily been a four-star for me. Nonetheless, I’m glad I stuck with it and glad it picked up in the second half of the book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
zoiejanelle's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
RACHEL REID NEVER MISSES.
the individual character arcs were a bit shallow (Casey is afraid of the dark/of being alone… Landon is dealing with grief and depression) but their weird quirks made them so much more believable and complex. Reid really knows how to craft lovable, relatable three-dimensional characters—even if the pieced that make up each character seem a little silly.
i read some reviews before diving into this book which made me hesitant to read. after the Game Changers series, i doubted Reid could top her shilya duology. however, her extremely commercial, palatable style and the tangible, compelling chemistry drew me in. this book was fast, easy to digest, and gave me SO MANY FEELINGS. i don’t know how she does it.
i liked how she portrayed Landon’s demisexuality and his touch aversion, but i wish Landon and Casey had had a more awkward and realistic first-time experience. or that they would have acknowledged that sex can and will be awkward or uncomfortable. Casey’s sexual expertise and openness (and chattiness) certainly improved their first experiences with one another, but i like Reid’s REALISM in her relationships, and i wish she’d incorporated just a touch more of it here.
the main issue i had with this book was how quickly each character realized and acknowledged their crush. there weren’t really any “oh” moments, and their chemistry really didn’t leap off the page until after they’d stated they were crushing. <edit: i reread the book this week and disagree with this opinion now—i think the gradual build was done well despite not having any “oh” crush moments. we did get that much later though with casey at the christmas party. wink!>
i will say that once they caught feelings, i was hooked. i stayed up until 4am reading because i had such intense butterflies i just couldn’t wait to see what happened next. i loved how wholesome and unconditional their love for one another was, and how that balanced with the sexier scenes.
all in all, a slay. anything Rachel Reid writes, i will read.
the individual character arcs were a bit shallow (Casey is afraid of the dark/of being alone… Landon is dealing with grief and depression) but their weird quirks made them so much more believable and complex. Reid really knows how to craft lovable, relatable three-dimensional characters—even if the pieced that make up each character seem a little silly.
i read some reviews before diving into this book which made me hesitant to read. after the Game Changers series, i doubted Reid could top her shilya duology. however, her extremely commercial, palatable style and the tangible, compelling chemistry drew me in. this book was fast, easy to digest, and gave me SO MANY FEELINGS. i don’t know how she does it.
i liked how she portrayed Landon’s demisexuality and his touch aversion, but i wish Landon and Casey had had a more awkward and realistic first-time experience. or that they would have acknowledged that sex can and will be awkward or uncomfortable. Casey’s sexual expertise and openness (and chattiness) certainly improved their first experiences with one another, but i like Reid’s REALISM in her relationships, and i wish she’d incorporated just a touch more of it here.
the main issue i had with this book was how quickly each character realized and acknowledged their crush. there weren’t really any “oh” moments, and their chemistry really didn’t leap off the page until after they’d stated they were crushing. <edit: i reread the book this week and disagree with this opinion now—i think the gradual build was done well despite not having any “oh” crush moments. we did get that much later though with casey at the christmas party. wink!>
i will say that once they caught feelings, i was hooked. i stayed up until 4am reading because i had such intense butterflies i just couldn’t wait to see what happened next. i loved how wholesome and unconditional their love for one another was, and how that balanced with the sexier scenes.
all in all, a slay. anything Rachel Reid writes, i will read.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content and Grief
Moderate: Death, Drug use, Panic attacks/disorders, and Alcohol
Minor: Homophobia and Medical content