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vicki_williams's review against another edition
5.0
This is such a beautifully crafted book with smooth and seamless plot formation, perfect pacing and superb character development. Jay Hogan certainly has the ability to weave a wonderful story that grabs your heart from the very beginning and doesn’t let go until the very end.
The relationship that develops between the very likeable two main characters, Miller and Sandy, is very realistic with fun, laughter, sweet moments, heat filled moments, a bit of drama, miss steps and bumps along the way. Through it all Sandy remains true to himself and Miller emerges from a self imposed compartmentalised life of work and sport out into a life filled with colour. All aided by the fantastic cast of side characters including the couples from the previous books in the series.
Be prepared for some feels to come at you, from tugging at your heart strings to laughing out loud at some of the sassy dialogue.
If I could give this gem of a book more than 5 stars I would, it’s an absolute delight of a story that worked its way into my heart and makes me smile just thinking about it.
The relationship that develops between the very likeable two main characters, Miller and Sandy, is very realistic with fun, laughter, sweet moments, heat filled moments, a bit of drama, miss steps and bumps along the way. Through it all Sandy remains true to himself and Miller emerges from a self imposed compartmentalised life of work and sport out into a life filled with colour. All aided by the fantastic cast of side characters including the couples from the previous books in the series.
Be prepared for some feels to come at you, from tugging at your heart strings to laughing out loud at some of the sassy dialogue.
If I could give this gem of a book more than 5 stars I would, it’s an absolute delight of a story that worked its way into my heart and makes me smile just thinking about it.
mirocchi's review against another edition
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
bfdbookblog's review against another edition
4.0
Gah! I wish we could add .5 stars! 3.5 Stars so rounding up to 4
So, I can normally read a book in a couple of days. Even when I’m as busy as I am now…but this one took me 5 days to get through. And it’s not that I didn’t like the book, more that it was just long and a bit slow for me. There are some parts of it I loved and some parts I just skimmed because it felt so long. I do usually really like this author’s books and I like her writing, this just was weird for me…not sure if it’s this year or just me.
I think it might be best to just talk about what I like and didn’t care for instead of trying to get my feelings on paper. I’m going to list what I liked first.
I liked Sandy and Miller together. I liked their differences and how they complemented each other.
While I hated what happened with Geo I loved how Sandy and Miller reacted.
I loved seeing all the characters from previous books. Every one of them fit into this book organically and added to the depth of the story. (sidebar – if you haven’t read the other books in this series you might get confused by the characters because there are a few of them and keeping them straight could be a problem)
I appreciated that the relationship drama didn’t carry on for more than a day. If it had, I probably would have abandoned the book because it already felt really long.
The following sums up why I’m not 100% feeling this book even though I did really like a lot of it.
I honestly can’t even imagine watching chair rugby and enjoying it.
The plotline with Sandy’s father felt unfinished or abandoned.
As stated above, the story just felt too long.
I’m not sure where this series goes from here…there are a few things to wrap up I think, but there isn’t much left after that I don’t imagine.
So, I can normally read a book in a couple of days. Even when I’m as busy as I am now…but this one took me 5 days to get through. And it’s not that I didn’t like the book, more that it was just long and a bit slow for me. There are some parts of it I loved and some parts I just skimmed because it felt so long. I do usually really like this author’s books and I like her writing, this just was weird for me…not sure if it’s this year or just me.
I think it might be best to just talk about what I like and didn’t care for instead of trying to get my feelings on paper. I’m going to list what I liked first.
I liked Sandy and Miller together. I liked their differences and how they complemented each other.
While I hated what happened with Geo I loved how Sandy and Miller reacted.
I loved seeing all the characters from previous books. Every one of them fit into this book organically and added to the depth of the story. (sidebar – if you haven’t read the other books in this series you might get confused by the characters because there are a few of them and keeping them straight could be a problem)
I appreciated that the relationship drama didn’t carry on for more than a day. If it had, I probably would have abandoned the book because it already felt really long.
The following sums up why I’m not 100% feeling this book even though I did really like a lot of it.
I honestly can’t even imagine watching chair rugby and enjoying it.
The plotline with Sandy’s father felt unfinished or abandoned.
As stated above, the story just felt too long.
I’m not sure where this series goes from here…there are a few things to wrap up I think, but there isn’t much left after that I don’t imagine.
so_many_books's review against another edition
5.0
One man living with disability.
Another living with constant judging and prejudice.
One man struggling with people who all have an opinion on his condition.
Another strughling with the same just about his appearence.
One living in the closet.
Another living openly out.
And one crushing meeting that changes everything.
Sandy is a man who hates labels and mostly identifies as fluid. He wears pants, he wears skirts, he wears make-up... depending on his mood. But findig acceptence is hard. Especially in a partner.
Miller has lived with disability for 10 years now. He uses a chair or he uses canes, but surely, he's deifferent. He found his place in the wheelchair rugby but he hasn't found his place as a gay man.
Their crushing meeting sets out a lot of changes in both their lives. Sandy's guarded heart is in trouble as well as Miller's closet door.
Can they live up to the other's needs to be together?
The Characters:
I really loved Sandy's character with his unique style and confidence in himself. That confidence is damaged a lot in the book and the story amazingly shows how it can hang on threads, especially when someone close to you does the damage.
He was sassy and confident and stylish and brave. I was amazed by him.
Miller is in some way the complete opposite. He likes to be somewhat invisible, not sticking out of the croud. He's kind of an asshole because he has storng opinions, but also he has a kind heart that rarely anyone sees.
I absolutely loved the story. So much to think about after reading it. Gender expression and labels are one topic that was amazingly described and also the fact how much struggle it can be to be yourself in a world that's not ready to accept you. The other thing was living with disability and overcoming the endless challanges it poses. Also I was quite stunned how the disabled sports industry is much the same as the regular one. The same issues with toxic masculanity and the fear of coming out are there.
The issue of coming out as a teen was also raised in this story and mostly the impact the familiy's reaction can make on the individual is harshly described. I loved how the book was not afraid to talk about the really bad thing that can happen to a family when the parents are not ready for a LGBTQIA child.
The love story was funny, hot and sweet and I seriously enjoyed reading it.
Another living with constant judging and prejudice.
One man struggling with people who all have an opinion on his condition.
Another strughling with the same just about his appearence.
One living in the closet.
Another living openly out.
And one crushing meeting that changes everything.
Sandy is a man who hates labels and mostly identifies as fluid. He wears pants, he wears skirts, he wears make-up... depending on his mood. But findig acceptence is hard. Especially in a partner.
Miller has lived with disability for 10 years now. He uses a chair or he uses canes, but surely, he's deifferent. He found his place in the wheelchair rugby but he hasn't found his place as a gay man.
Their crushing meeting sets out a lot of changes in both their lives. Sandy's guarded heart is in trouble as well as Miller's closet door.
Can they live up to the other's needs to be together?
The Characters:
I really loved Sandy's character with his unique style and confidence in himself. That confidence is damaged a lot in the book and the story amazingly shows how it can hang on threads, especially when someone close to you does the damage.
He was sassy and confident and stylish and brave. I was amazed by him.
Miller is in some way the complete opposite. He likes to be somewhat invisible, not sticking out of the croud. He's kind of an asshole because he has storng opinions, but also he has a kind heart that rarely anyone sees.
I absolutely loved the story. So much to think about after reading it. Gender expression and labels are one topic that was amazingly described and also the fact how much struggle it can be to be yourself in a world that's not ready to accept you. The other thing was living with disability and overcoming the endless challanges it poses. Also I was quite stunned how the disabled sports industry is much the same as the regular one. The same issues with toxic masculanity and the fear of coming out are there.
The issue of coming out as a teen was also raised in this story and mostly the impact the familiy's reaction can make on the individual is harshly described. I loved how the book was not afraid to talk about the really bad thing that can happen to a family when the parents are not ready for a LGBTQIA child.
The love story was funny, hot and sweet and I seriously enjoyed reading it.
tikipoupower's review
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
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
4.0
blue_noise's review
challenging
emotional
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
slow-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? It's complicated
4.0
ccgwalt's review
5.0
4.5 stars for the story (A-)
4.5 stars for the narration by Gary Furlong (A-)
All I'm going to say is, except for one scene that I hated (more on that) and a bit of (imo) needless drama towards the end, this is a fantastic story.
There are two subplots that I thought could have been more powerful with less drama, but I still loved the story and the characters.
Rant about hated scene: I wish parents in contemporary romances, moms in particular, wouldn't always get the role of being pushy, overbearing and oblivious to personal boundaries. Those moms aren't "cute" and their antics aren't funny and they don't do it "because they love you." People like that do it because they're control freaks. No mom of a grown child should ever: set them upon a date, ask when they are getting married, force an introduction to someone their child is dating, barge into homes and/or bedrooms without knocking, etc. Dear authors: please write supportive moms who have a life of their own that isn't centered on obsessing over their grown children's lives.
/end rant
4.5 stars for the narration by Gary Furlong (A-)
All I'm going to say is, except for one scene that I hated (more on that) and a bit of (imo) needless drama towards the end, this is a fantastic story.
There are two subplots that I thought could have been more powerful with less drama, but I still loved the story and the characters.
Rant about hated scene: I wish parents in contemporary romances, moms in particular, wouldn't always get the role of being pushy, overbearing and oblivious to personal boundaries. Those moms aren't "cute" and their antics aren't funny and they don't do it "because they love you." People like that do it because they're control freaks. No mom of a grown child should ever: set them upon a date, ask when they are getting married, force an introduction to someone their child is dating, barge into homes and/or bedrooms without knocking, etc. Dear authors: please write supportive moms who have a life of their own that isn't centered on obsessing over their grown children's lives.
/end rant
cadiva's review
5.0
My new favourite from Jay! All the stars and then some.
Full review tomorrow.
***
Every time I read a book from Jay Hogan I'm reminded of two things:
1 She researches thoroughly and whenever there is a disability or cultural theme in her books, they are 100% given all the necessary attention to detail needed to come across as thoroughly real.
2 Her books transport me into a world where I feel I'm watching real people through a looking glass or as part of a TV show following them through their daily lives.
Here she looks at the world of Paralympic wheelchair sports, murderball aka quad rugby in particular and, as someone who is also an ambulatory wheelchair user, although not as much as when first discharged from hospital, let me say I absolutely believed 100% in Miller's experiences.
Writing about a disabled character when you aren't one yourself, is a gamble, over complicate it and it comes across like you're just reciting your research, don't give it the attention to detail it needs, and it sounds like lip-service.
But with Miller, he was utterly real. His frustrations, his fears that his disability was getting worse and threatening to derail his professional sporting career, and his dawning awareness that he'd met someone that was going to mean he had to come out publicly. They were visceral.
And Sandy, he might just be my favourite of all Jay's characters so far. He's unapologetically out and gender fluid in his outward expression through clothing. He's had to fight hard for his equilibrium and he's been disappointed time and time again by men who've asked him to tone it down at some point in their relationship.
When they meet, it's in a flurry of misunderstanding and bruised egos, but the sparks are flying from the off. Miller is fascinated by Sandy and the pathologist's assistant finds there's more to the Paralympian than his outward arrogance.
There're plenty of guest appearances from the other pairs in this excellent Auckland Med series and I loved seeing Josh and Michael, Reuben and Cam, and Mark and Ed, this friendship group is a strong one and both Miller and Sandy turn to it for help.
I'm not going into the plot, but it's one which will take you on a rollercoaster journey through all the highs and lows of a realistic relationship which has stumbles on the journey to happiness.
Read this book if you love people who've fought hard to be themselves, if you like vulnerable disabled sportsmen who are just finding their feet in the out and proud world, hurt teenagers, family and friends who will move the Earth to help protect the ones they love, and two men who work through a myriad of challenges to find the happiness they deserve.
Another absolutely brilliant entry in this fabulous series from Jay.
#ARC received from the author in return for an honest and unbiased review
Full review tomorrow.
***
Every time I read a book from Jay Hogan I'm reminded of two things:
1 She researches thoroughly and whenever there is a disability or cultural theme in her books, they are 100% given all the necessary attention to detail needed to come across as thoroughly real.
2 Her books transport me into a world where I feel I'm watching real people through a looking glass or as part of a TV show following them through their daily lives.
Here she looks at the world of Paralympic wheelchair sports, murderball aka quad rugby in particular and, as someone who is also an ambulatory wheelchair user, although not as much as when first discharged from hospital, let me say I absolutely believed 100% in Miller's experiences.
Writing about a disabled character when you aren't one yourself, is a gamble, over complicate it and it comes across like you're just reciting your research, don't give it the attention to detail it needs, and it sounds like lip-service.
But with Miller, he was utterly real. His frustrations, his fears that his disability was getting worse and threatening to derail his professional sporting career, and his dawning awareness that he'd met someone that was going to mean he had to come out publicly. They were visceral.
And Sandy, he might just be my favourite of all Jay's characters so far. He's unapologetically out and gender fluid in his outward expression through clothing. He's had to fight hard for his equilibrium and he's been disappointed time and time again by men who've asked him to tone it down at some point in their relationship.
When they meet, it's in a flurry of misunderstanding and bruised egos, but the sparks are flying from the off. Miller is fascinated by Sandy and the pathologist's assistant finds there's more to the Paralympian than his outward arrogance.
There're plenty of guest appearances from the other pairs in this excellent Auckland Med series and I loved seeing Josh and Michael, Reuben and Cam, and Mark and Ed, this friendship group is a strong one and both Miller and Sandy turn to it for help.
I'm not going into the plot, but it's one which will take you on a rollercoaster journey through all the highs and lows of a realistic relationship which has stumbles on the journey to happiness.
Read this book if you love people who've fought hard to be themselves, if you like vulnerable disabled sportsmen who are just finding their feet in the out and proud world, hurt teenagers, family and friends who will move the Earth to help protect the ones they love, and two men who work through a myriad of challenges to find the happiness they deserve.
Another absolutely brilliant entry in this fabulous series from Jay.
#ARC received from the author in return for an honest and unbiased review
hazelrayson's review against another edition
emotional
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
5.0
jooke's review against another edition
4.0
This was so much more than a simple M/M romance with a cross dressing/femme MC. It was about coming out, standing up for yourself, fighting to make a change, finding your family if the one by blood does not accept you, helping others...
I really liked the main characters, how they rallied all there friends to help a young boy who got beaten by his dad because he was bi to their witty banter, their fuck-ups because of insecurities, but also how they dealt with it, the heroic action of Miller and his sappy show of support. Sandy's act of rebellion against his father...
I really enjoyed this story and will probably pick out the other books in this series.
I really liked the main characters, how they rallied all there friends to help a young boy who got beaten by his dad because he was bi to their witty banter, their fuck-ups because of insecurities, but also how they dealt with it, the heroic action of Miller and his sappy show of support. Sandy's act of rebellion against his father...
I really enjoyed this story and will probably pick out the other books in this series.