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theimportanceofbooks's review
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
3.0
madigan_likestoread's review
emotional
funny
medium-paced
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
07/28/24 re-read. Look, it's good, okay? I love the MCs and I laughed out loud so often. So much of this held up, impressive in a book that's 8yrs old. But some things didn't work for me this time around. There is a plot point here that hinges on the outdated belief that sex work = shame. That kind of thinking is very much of it's time, but in 2024 it's a narrative I cringe at when I see it. So, I get what the author was trying to do, but reading this today, I wish Gale had found some other way to get there.
I think I'll let my rating stand though bc at its core it's still a great story with extremely likeable MCs.
I think I'll let my rating stand though bc at its core it's still a great story with extremely likeable MCs.
2many2read's review against another edition
hopeful
lighthearted
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? No
4.5
mobooks's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
evim98's review
2.0
I don't know how to review this book. I was expecting something different. I can't rate it with 3 stars because I didn't like the book that much but the relationship was really heartwarming.
This is my first book of this author, I wasn't used to the writing style but it was a decent book.
*I'm really curious about Drake's story so I might read the next book too. Maybe I will like it more...
This is my first book of this author, I wasn't used to the writing style but it was a decent book.
*I'm really curious about Drake's story so I might read the next book too. Maybe I will like it more...
eesh25's review
4.0
4.5 Stars
Both Misha and Max were NHL players, on opposing teams. An accident during the Stanley Cup playoffs was the end of both of their careers. For Max, it was because of an injury and for Misha, it was part punishment for injuring a player (even though it was an accident) and part guilt. It's been five years since that happened and Max is back on his feet. He can no longer play professional hockey but he's working to become a coach.
Misha has been coaching for a few years and when he takes a job coaching the worst teach in the ECHL, the Spartanburg Spitfires, he doesn't expect his assistant coach to be Max, the guy whose life he still blames himself for ruining, even if Max never blamed him.
The reason they find themselves working together is because their team's owner and general manager is an asshole who's hoping to use their tragic history to sell game tickets. For obvious reason, neither the Misha nor Max are okay with that. But they don't have much of a choice. So they focus their energy on making things turn around for the team.
The two of them are attracted to each other right from the start. Misha is a great guy and a great coach but he's quiet and very big on brooding and self-hatred. Max on the other hand, is surprisingly upbeat and optimistic. He's the one who makes the first move, who tries to bring Misha out of his shell a little, who tries to make him smile and Misha is kind of defenseless against Max. It's actually really cute.
But Max can only do so much. There are things in Misha's past, regrets, that he needs to deal with. Max is good for him though. And I love how positive all the relationships in this series are. The two protagonists are always good for each other. Their lives are better, happier, together. With so many angsty and unhealthy relationship floating around in the romance genre, this series has been a breath of fresh air. I love all the novels by Avon Gale. They follow a similar pattern and pace, but the character dynamics are always different. Max is like sunshine shining through Misha's perpetual dark cloud. I loved the relationship.
Another thing I loved was the addition of Isaac Drake. He's the goalie for the Spitfires and, at first, I was hoping he'd get traded but he turned out to be much more than a short temper. I loved his incorporation in Misha's story and, since I've the next book as well, I can say that I loved his individual book as well.
Overall, this was great book. The most different of the four, I think, because we dealt with coaches instead of players. I highly recommend it, and the others in the series.
Both Misha and Max were NHL players, on opposing teams. An accident during the Stanley Cup playoffs was the end of both of their careers. For Max, it was because of an injury and for Misha, it was part punishment for injuring a player (even though it was an accident) and part guilt. It's been five years since that happened and Max is back on his feet. He can no longer play professional hockey but he's working to become a coach.
Misha has been coaching for a few years and when he takes a job coaching the worst teach in the ECHL, the Spartanburg Spitfires, he doesn't expect his assistant coach to be Max, the guy whose life he still blames himself for ruining, even if Max never blamed him.
The reason they find themselves working together is because their team's owner and general manager is an asshole who's hoping to use their tragic history to sell game tickets. For obvious reason, neither the Misha nor Max are okay with that. But they don't have much of a choice. So they focus their energy on making things turn around for the team.
The two of them are attracted to each other right from the start. Misha is a great guy and a great coach but he's quiet and very big on brooding and self-hatred. Max on the other hand, is surprisingly upbeat and optimistic. He's the one who makes the first move, who tries to bring Misha out of his shell a little, who tries to make him smile and Misha is kind of defenseless against Max. It's actually really cute.
But Max can only do so much. There are things in Misha's past, regrets, that he needs to deal with. Max is good for him though. And I love how positive all the relationships in this series are. The two protagonists are always good for each other. Their lives are better, happier, together. With so many angsty and unhealthy relationship floating around in the romance genre, this series has been a breath of fresh air. I love all the novels by Avon Gale. They follow a similar pattern and pace, but the character dynamics are always different. Max is like sunshine shining through Misha's perpetual dark cloud. I loved the relationship.
Another thing I loved was the addition of Isaac Drake. He's the goalie for the Spitfires and, at first, I was hoping he'd get traded but he turned out to be much more than a short temper. I loved his incorporation in Misha's story and, since I've the next book as well, I can say that I loved his individual book as well.
Overall, this was great book. The most different of the four, I think, because we dealt with coaches instead of players. I highly recommend it, and the others in the series.
teenykins's review against another edition
5.0
3rd re-listen.
What better way to spend a busy, busy, busy Thursday at work that makes you want to hit clients than Max and Misha's heartbreaking, heart-mending and optimistic story read to you by the amazing Scott R. Smith?
2nd re-listen. Rating stays the same.
Narration: 5 stars. Scott R. Smith is doing an amazing job with this series.
Story: 4 stars
Overall: 4.5 stars rounding down for reasons as seen below.
I really wish I could give this full 5 stars but even though it's an incredible story with a lot of character development and finding the strength to forgive yourself with 2 amazing MCs, the cheerful and optimistic Max and the broody, pessimist (when it comes to himself) Misha, the sex scenes between them, that were just as important in the story (you'll know if you read the story and plus I'm a perv and enjoy reading sex scenes especially ones that take place on top of a desk office), were mostly off page, which really sucks seeing as how hot and heavy the previous story was.
What better way to spend a busy, busy, busy Thursday at work that makes you want to hit clients than Max and Misha's heartbreaking, heart-mending and optimistic story read to you by the amazing Scott R. Smith?
2nd re-listen. Rating stays the same.
Narration: 5 stars. Scott R. Smith is doing an amazing job with this series.
Story: 4 stars
Overall: 4.5 stars rounding down for reasons as seen below.
I really wish I could give this full 5 stars but even though it's an incredible story with a lot of character development and finding the strength to forgive yourself with 2 amazing MCs, the cheerful and optimistic Max and the broody, pessimist (when it comes to himself) Misha, the sex scenes between them, that were just as important in the story (you'll know if you read the story and plus I'm a perv and enjoy reading sex scenes especially ones that take place on top of a desk office), were mostly off page, which really sucks seeing as how hot and heavy the previous story was.