pia_h's review against another edition
- 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
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Homophobia, Abandonment, Alcohol, Biphobia, Chronic illness, Cursing, and Infidelity
Minor: Child death, Vomit, Death, Death of parent, Medical content, Mental illness, and Sexual harassment
thelostartofsecretkeeping's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
Moderate: Chronic illness, Homophobia, Sexual content, Cursing, Abandonment, Panic attacks/disorders, and Medical content
kaydeedickins's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Graphic: Sexual content and Panic attacks/disorders
Moderate: Chronic illness, Mental illness, Grief, Alcohol, Injury/Injury detail, and Medical content
Minor: Biphobia, Death of parent, Homophobia, Vomit, and Hate crime
pandalesque's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I read reviews after I finished, didn't know about the Ted Lasso connection/references, so if you've never seen it or don't know, don't worry, you can enjoy or not like it either way^^.
Chloe Liese's writing (only read their Bergman series so far), especially how she handles certain situations I didn't like previously, evolves from book to book (see my other reviews on the series). A lot of issues I had are resolved or handled differently or not mentioned at all, so this latest book from her is my favourite in the series so far!
Specific things I liked:
- In this book I enjoyed that the sisters and partners of the other Bergman's were more included. Especially with Willa and Ziggy having such a similar career path.
- Loved that it was a true hate to love and/or grumpy-sunshine trope
- I liked that the literature / music theater that is always incorporated into the Bergmans and most of their partners felt very natural to me in this story.
- I'm not a football (soccer) fan at all but appreciated the scenarios, dynamics we got on the field and a bit of technical talk and
- I liked that she included the issue of homophobia in sports also age and financial issues after retirement
- I really found Oliver and Gavin lovable and their love for each other addicting
- Also liked that Oliver uses more sports metaphors / football references when talking which I noticed and made his voice unique to the other Bergmans AND Gavin thinking in sometimes poetic lines – That takes skill in my opinion
Spice / Steam 4.25🔥/5🔥
Some (little) negatives:
It was almost perfect but I wanted a lot more!
- Especially the dating to love part went too fast for me, almost abrupt. I would've liked more bonding scenarios written out for the reader to experience (as well).
- Also the character development was really fast. On the one hand I liked that because of it, the 3rd act conflict wasn't as prominent and big. On the other hand I wasn't sure why it was necessary then to do it at all, instead of keeping them together and them figuring it out as a couple.
- The little specifics we got about Gavin's backstory, didn't feel natural to me. At least the part about the
Spoiler
old man giving him the football after he saw him fight and turned his life around bcs he's reminded of his grandson. Felt a little cringe/already done/clichee to me. And in general G. backstories weren't given a lot of room... - Also there is something to say about a woman writing a book where 2 men fall in love and are intimate, and how that can take away from authenticity/ the representation of LGBTQ+ couples and stories... I can't be the judge of that... on the other hand I guess she always wrote also the men's POVs in the other books so...
- Using vague words for body parts during sex
Graphic: Chronic illness, Injury/Injury detail, Medical content, Homophobia, and Panic attacks/disorders
Moderate: Vomit
tragicgloom's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual content, Chronic illness, and Mental illness
Moderate: Grief, Infidelity, Biphobia, Injury/Injury detail, Medical content, and Homophobia
Minor: Excrement, Vomit, Abandonment, Pregnancy, Child abuse, Death of parent, and Domestic abuse
annahamburger's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Graphic: Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual content, Grief, and Abandonment
Moderate: Alcohol, Injury/Injury detail, Medical content, Abandonment, Homophobia, Medical trauma, Cursing, Child abuse, Mental illness, and Excrement
Minor: Medical content, Ableism, Chronic illness, Classism, Death, Medical trauma, Cancer, Death of parent, and Mental illness
zellapaige's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Looking at him was a bad idea. Looking at him while he blushed and it his lip was the height of self-sabotage. Because on the most ordinary of days, let alone when he’s blushing and sinking his teeth into that bottom lip, Oliver’s the kind of beautiful that’s undeniable—a face for sculpture. … Fuck, I’ve got to stop reading poetry. (Gavin’s POV, 45)
This book is also hot, that classic good slow burn. Nothing particularly kinky or dirty, but the sex is deep and emotional and filled with human connection.
Graphic: Medical content, Mental illness, Injury/Injury detail, Panic attacks/disorders, and Sexual content
Moderate: Homophobia
tiannakelly's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Graphic: Panic attacks/disorders, Medical content, Drug use, Abandonment, Death of parent, Pregnancy, and Sexual content
carrie2379's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Graphic: Cursing
Moderate: Sexual content
Minor: Homophobia, Panic attacks/disorders, and Medical content
nat13lizardo's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
Moderate: Sexual content, Child abuse, Injury/Injury detail, Medical content, and Vomit
Minor: Domestic abuse, Death of parent, Eating disorder, Emotional abuse, and Homophobia