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readingvoyage's review
emotional
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
danisadler's review
3.0
I struggled with this one because I really didn't like either character for the first time in this series
yazaleea's review
3.0
This was so boring, it wasn't bad and even really cute, but so bland. The couple was adorable as fuck and really didn't need the one-day third act breakup that was so dumb. Cam annoys me lmao. I can't wait for this series to be over
elyxyz's review against another edition
4.0
Voto: 4+ su 5 stelle
Anche questo quarto volume della serie rimane a un livello alto di qualità, anche se il mio preferito resta il primo.
Avevamo già conosciuto Sandy dal libro precedente con il suo prezioso aiuto e la sua favolosità, ma non ricordo se avessimo già incrociato Miller, anche se è possibile.
La loro storia tocca tanti temi, la disabilità nel mondo dello sport è solo il primo, ma ce ne sono molti altri, sviluppati con rispetto e realismo. Capire le ragioni e le battaglie di Sandy non è così scontato per Miller e per il lettore, ma è stato un viaggio interessante e arricchente a livello umano.
Anche la presenza del giovane Geo è stata interessante e ha reso più intrigante la trama, che ha tanta carne al fuoco ma è ben sviluppata. Piacevole ritrovare gli amici già conosciuti, che sono un prezioso supporto ai nostri eroi.
La consiglio per continuità in attesa del prossimo.
Anche questo quarto volume della serie rimane a un livello alto di qualità, anche se il mio preferito resta il primo.
Avevamo già conosciuto Sandy dal libro precedente con il suo prezioso aiuto e la sua favolosità, ma non ricordo se avessimo già incrociato Miller, anche se è possibile.
La loro storia tocca tanti temi, la disabilità nel mondo dello sport è solo il primo, ma ce ne sono molti altri, sviluppati con rispetto e realismo. Capire le ragioni e le battaglie di Sandy non è così scontato per Miller e per il lettore, ma è stato un viaggio interessante e arricchente a livello umano.
Anche la presenza del giovane Geo è stata interessante e ha reso più intrigante la trama, che ha tanta carne al fuoco ma è ben sviluppata. Piacevole ritrovare gli amici già conosciuti, che sono un prezioso supporto ai nostri eroi.
La consiglio per continuità in attesa del prossimo.
nz_elle's review against another edition
4.0
This is the fourth book in the Auckland Med series. You can read it as a stand-alone, but you'll enjoy it more if you read it as part of the series.
This book has some strong similarities to the second book, [b:Crossing the Touchline|49346101|Crossing the Touchline (Auckland Med #2)|Jay Hogan|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1576553318l/49346101._SY75_.jpg|68415667]. Miller used to be a Blues rugby player and an All Black wannabe, same as Rueben is in Crossing The Touchline. However, Miller was in a car accident and now primarily uses a wheelchair to get around. He plays for the Wheel Blacks, the national wheelchair rugby team, and also the Auckland team. Although I was aware that wheelchair rugby was a thing, I was unfamiliar with the sport prior to reading this book. However, the author does an excellent job of teaching the reader about the sport, and getting across how intense, fierce and physical it is. It helps that Sandy, who works for Ed (from the previous book) is also new to the game, so the new knowledge is shown to the reader that way rather than by info-dumping (which is appreciated!).
I found Miller, who has spent his entire life prior to this book in the closet (much the same as Rueben in the second book) a little frustrating. I understand that he is out of touch with the politics and such of the rainbow community, despite being a member - sadly, that made a lot of sense, and I'm sure there are people in real life in exactly the same position through choice or circumstance. However, I felt that at time he leaned too much on this excuse. He informed Sandy at the beginning of their relationship that he was new to relationships and new to the gay scene and was bound to make mistakes, and then I felt like that was a ready-made 'get out of jail free' card for him to play. Every time he stuffed up, he was all 'Well I told you I'd be bad at this and make mistakes!' Well, yes, but you still have to own them. You still have to make amends. You still have learn and improve and try harder. Which he did, but I found it a little frustrating.
I thought the whole situation with Geo, a young man who comes to stay with Miller to escape his homophobic father, helped enormously with seeing the best in Miller. Sandy was easy to love, with his sassy vulnerability.
My favourite scene was definitely when their friends and family rallied around Sandy at the hospital. I could picture that so clearly, including the Maori colleague starting a waiata. I found myself picturing the scene from New Zealand parliament when same-sex marriage was legalised, and I wondered if the author was inspired by that moment. That was the song I heard in my head as I read, anyway - Pokarekare Ana.
This book has some strong similarities to the second book, [b:Crossing the Touchline|49346101|Crossing the Touchline (Auckland Med #2)|Jay Hogan|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1576553318l/49346101._SY75_.jpg|68415667]. Miller used to be a Blues rugby player and an All Black wannabe, same as Rueben is in Crossing The Touchline. However, Miller was in a car accident and now primarily uses a wheelchair to get around. He plays for the Wheel Blacks, the national wheelchair rugby team, and also the Auckland team. Although I was aware that wheelchair rugby was a thing, I was unfamiliar with the sport prior to reading this book. However, the author does an excellent job of teaching the reader about the sport, and getting across how intense, fierce and physical it is. It helps that Sandy, who works for Ed (from the previous book) is also new to the game, so the new knowledge is shown to the reader that way rather than by info-dumping (which is appreciated!).
I found Miller, who has spent his entire life prior to this book in the closet (much the same as Rueben in the second book) a little frustrating. I understand that he is out of touch with the politics and such of the rainbow community, despite being a member - sadly, that made a lot of sense, and I'm sure there are people in real life in exactly the same position through choice or circumstance. However, I felt that at time he leaned too much on this excuse. He informed Sandy at the beginning of their relationship that he was new to relationships and new to the gay scene and was bound to make mistakes, and then I felt like that was a ready-made 'get out of jail free' card for him to play. Every time he stuffed up, he was all 'Well I told you I'd be bad at this and make mistakes!' Well, yes, but you still have to own them. You still have to make amends. You still have learn and improve and try harder. Which he did, but I found it a little frustrating.
I thought the whole situation with Geo, a young man who comes to stay with Miller to escape his homophobic father, helped enormously with seeing the best in Miller. Sandy was easy to love, with his sassy vulnerability.
My favourite scene was definitely when their friends and family rallied around Sandy at the hospital. I could picture that so clearly, including the Maori colleague starting a waiata. I found myself picturing the scene from New Zealand parliament when same-sex marriage was legalised, and I wondered if the author was inspired by that moment. That was the song I heard in my head as I read, anyway - Pokarekare Ana.
geeknb's review against another edition
5.0
I'm hard pressed to decide which of these books is my favourite. This one's another banger.
* Opposites attract
* closeted
* sports
* disabled
* Found family
* fierce and fabulous
I laughed. I cried. I seethed.
Gary Furlong, the narrator, is superb.
* Opposites attract
* closeted
* sports
* disabled
* Found family
* fierce and fabulous
I laughed. I cried. I seethed.
Gary Furlong, the narrator, is superb.
kaity_b's review against another edition
4.0
Audio: 5 Stars, I think Gary Furlong is a comfort narrator for me especially since he narrates one of my all time favorite series "Soulbound". Also the book is on Everand (aka Scribd)
Book:4-4.5 stars
I enjoyed this more than I thought I would. This can definitely be read as a standalone, thank god because I think I DNF'ed book two or at least I didn't like it, I can't remember haha.
Miller and Sandy were a good mix together and besides the minor miscommunication during the typical third act drama, the story was great, kept me engaged the entire time!
I loved to read about Murderball lol, sounds intense, I might have to watch some clips! I would have enjoyed to read more about Sandy's work, but I think if I go back to read book three I will get some of that haha.
I now want to read book 3 lol. Yes I know this isn't in order, but at this point I am reading how I want to.
Book:4-4.5 stars
I enjoyed this more than I thought I would. This can definitely be read as a standalone, thank god because I think I DNF'ed book two or at least I didn't like it, I can't remember haha.
Miller and Sandy were a good mix together and besides the minor miscommunication during the typical third act drama, the story was great, kept me engaged the entire time!
I loved to read about Murderball lol, sounds intense, I might have to watch some clips! I would have enjoyed to read more about Sandy's work, but I think if I go back to read book three I will get some of that haha.
I now want to read book 3 lol. Yes I know this isn't in order, but at this point I am reading how I want to.
k_a_r_e_n_b's review
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
booksafety's review against another edition
5.0
Book safety, content warnings, and tropes & tags down below.
Sorry in advance for the insane amount of quotes. I couldn’t pick.
Miller Harrison ticked boxes Sandy didn’t even know he had. But handsome was zero excuse for arseholery.
This book deals with a fair few things that are serious and important that I don’t feel at all equipped to comment on, like identity and sexuality, and there’s a good bit of bigotry in the forms of homophobia and ableism as well. I will say though, that these things are handled really well, and I enjoyed it being discussed through an emotional lovestory, and through characters that felt real.
“You can’t park there. It’s a disabled space.” “Accessible, actually.” If he had a dollar for every fucking time someone decided to police his disability, he’d be rolling in it.
It deals with a semi-closeted MC with a disability, who inadvertently (and against his will), becomes a role model for gay and disabled people, when all his life, he’s tried to be invisible and fly under the radar. He also falls in love with a very proud, femme gay man, who enjoys wearing skirts, a little makeup, and in general sometimes presents more as non-binary to the outside world, while he personally doesn’t want to be labeled at all. He just wants to be whatever feels right. You might imagine that one MC who doesn’t want to make waves, paired with one who wants to fight loudly to have the same rights as everyone else, might create some issues, and you would be right. It’s not always smooth sailing, but their connection is really strong, and when they have issues, they talk it out (eventually).
But it taught me that if your own parents can’t be trusted to listen to your story and learn from it, then no one else deserves it from you just as a matter of curiosity. It hurts too much to have it argued or rejected time after time, so I only offer it when I really want to. There might be people who genuinely want to know to improve their understanding, but unless they’re going to be a part of my life, I don’t have to be their rainbow Wikipedia. And they aren’t entitled to that from me any more than they would be entitled to answers on personal questions from a cis, straight person.”
This book was like a complete 180 from the previous one in the series, Up Close and Personal. I believed in the MCs being together, and they had amazing chemistry. And although the themes are serious and it got really sad at times, it’s not horribly angsty or anything. I think what angst is there was needed. Very highly recommend.
“You’ll share your arse and ram your tongue up mine, but you won’t share your potato fritters?”
Ugh, I don’t like the cover though. That’s not a great representation of the Sandy I have in my mind after reading, lol.
She thinks I’m one of those cheerful, twinky, go-shopping-with-your-girlfriend kind of gays, and I am so not that person. I’m six foot three of insecure, gangly, potty-mouthed confusion who struggles to find a dress size to fit.
⬇️ Blanket spoiler warning ⬇️
⚠️ Tropes & tags ⚠️
Rugby player
Disability rep
Wheelchair user
Femme MC (skirts, makeup heels)
Para athlete
Assistant pathologist
Semi-closeted
Coming out
Facial (not a nice day at the spa)
Lingerie
‘Fostering’ a teenager
⚠️⚠️ Content warning ⚠️⚠️
Explicit sexual content
Homophobia
Mentions of drunk driving accident
Ableism
Domestic abuse (father/son, side character)
Attempted kidnapping
Car accident (on page)
Injury and hospitalization
⚠️⚠️⚠️ Book safety ⚠️⚠️⚠️
Cheating: No
OM/OW drama: No
Third-act breakup: No
POV: 3rd person, dual POV
Genre: Contemporary romance, M/M
Strict roles or versatile: Versatile
[…] I am so over babying guys through their puberty of emotional expression.”
“Yeah. Fucking men, right?” Sandy followed his gaze. “Who’d fucking love them?” “Us,” they both said and clinked their glasses.
His eyes rolled so far, the only thing stopping them falling down the back of his throat was the what-the-fuck coming up it.
Sorry in advance for the insane amount of quotes. I couldn’t pick.
Miller Harrison ticked boxes Sandy didn’t even know he had. But handsome was zero excuse for arseholery.
This book deals with a fair few things that are serious and important that I don’t feel at all equipped to comment on, like identity and sexuality, and there’s a good bit of bigotry in the forms of homophobia and ableism as well. I will say though, that these things are handled really well, and I enjoyed it being discussed through an emotional lovestory, and through characters that felt real.
“You can’t park there. It’s a disabled space.” “Accessible, actually.” If he had a dollar for every fucking time someone decided to police his disability, he’d be rolling in it.
It deals with a semi-closeted MC with a disability, who inadvertently (and against his will), becomes a role model for gay and disabled people, when all his life, he’s tried to be invisible and fly under the radar. He also falls in love with a very proud, femme gay man, who enjoys wearing skirts, a little makeup, and in general sometimes presents more as non-binary to the outside world, while he personally doesn’t want to be labeled at all. He just wants to be whatever feels right. You might imagine that one MC who doesn’t want to make waves, paired with one who wants to fight loudly to have the same rights as everyone else, might create some issues, and you would be right. It’s not always smooth sailing, but their connection is really strong, and when they have issues, they talk it out (eventually).
But it taught me that if your own parents can’t be trusted to listen to your story and learn from it, then no one else deserves it from you just as a matter of curiosity. It hurts too much to have it argued or rejected time after time, so I only offer it when I really want to. There might be people who genuinely want to know to improve their understanding, but unless they’re going to be a part of my life, I don’t have to be their rainbow Wikipedia. And they aren’t entitled to that from me any more than they would be entitled to answers on personal questions from a cis, straight person.”
This book was like a complete 180 from the previous one in the series, Up Close and Personal. I believed in the MCs being together, and they had amazing chemistry. And although the themes are serious and it got really sad at times, it’s not horribly angsty or anything. I think what angst is there was needed. Very highly recommend.
“You’ll share your arse and ram your tongue up mine, but you won’t share your potato fritters?”
Ugh, I don’t like the cover though. That’s not a great representation of the Sandy I have in my mind after reading, lol.
She thinks I’m one of those cheerful, twinky, go-shopping-with-your-girlfriend kind of gays, and I am so not that person. I’m six foot three of insecure, gangly, potty-mouthed confusion who struggles to find a dress size to fit.
⬇️ Blanket spoiler warning ⬇️
⚠️ Tropes & tags ⚠️
Rugby player
Disability rep
Wheelchair user
Femme MC (skirts, makeup heels)
Para athlete
Assistant pathologist
Semi-closeted
Coming out
Facial (not a nice day at the spa)
Lingerie
‘Fostering’ a teenager
⚠️⚠️ Content warning ⚠️⚠️
Explicit sexual content
Homophobia
Mentions of drunk driving accident
Ableism
Domestic abuse (father/son, side character)
Attempted kidnapping
Car accident (on page)
Injury and hospitalization
⚠️⚠️⚠️ Book safety ⚠️⚠️⚠️
Cheating: No
OM/OW drama: No
Third-act breakup: No
POV: 3rd person, dual POV
Genre: Contemporary romance, M/M
Strict roles or versatile: Versatile
[…] I am so over babying guys through their puberty of emotional expression.”
“Yeah. Fucking men, right?” Sandy followed his gaze. “Who’d fucking love them?” “Us,” they both said and clinked their glasses.
His eyes rolled so far, the only thing stopping them falling down the back of his throat was the what-the-fuck coming up it.