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octaviaatlas's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
tense
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? It's complicated
4.0
mariahreadit's review against another edition
3.0
I thought I was going to absolutely love this, but jesus it was so frustrating.
You can only going around in circles so many times.
The fact that I still loved Reuben and Cam despite that says a lot.
You can only going around in circles so many times.
The fact that I still loved Reuben and Cam despite that says a lot.
mwlgal's review against another edition
3.0
I liked the characters, and overall enjoyed the story. There were parts that dragged on and on and on. I found myself skimming a lot. Definitely a slow burn. All the angst about coming out seemed to drag, more than necessary. So I guess pacing for me was uneven. The subplot involving Ruben’s nephew, really tore at my my heart. Not sure I would recommend it, but I did enjoy the story for the most part.
kaje_harper's review against another edition
4.0
This story of a closeted rugby player trying to choose between coming out for the man he's falling in love with, and a host of cascading disasters that might result, was an engrossing read that kept me up late. I really liked that the reasons Ruben can't come out don't just revolve around his sport and the risk to his career- although that's not inconsiderable as he works hard for a rare opportunity- but also the family repercussions.
He's the one responsible person in the life of his brother's young autistic son. His own father is a manipulative bigot who uses the boy, the apartment Ruben lives in, and the garage his brother works in, as weapons to keep the whole family dancing to his tune. For his father, Ruben is a potential meal ticket down the road when he makes the All-Blacks team. That, and petty victories and cruelties, matter more than family. Ruben's brother is circling the drain of alcoholism, the child's mother is dead, and Ruben is the one holding everything together.
So when he meets a gorgeous, flamboyant, out and proud nurse, anything more than a hidden night is a huge risk. But Cam makes him want to take risks... later. As soon as he makes the All-Blacks and has money and can take care of the kid better and, and, and. Ruben knows it's unfair to ask Cam to hide and wait. Especially when Cam was burned by a closet case before. But they're so good together, they're both hoping they can make it work.
I enjoyed both main characters, but really liked Cam as a no-nonsense, take charge, femme guy with a tough job. Both men are clearly doing their best, with outside odds stacked against them. The chemistry and hurt-comfort are good, there's some wit and banter, and the secondary characters round out the story. The sport aspect is essential to the plot, but fairly light in the execution. You wouldn't have to know anything about Rugby to enjoy this book. The child character is realistic, imperfect, and important to the story. And I appreciated that it moved on past the point where many coming out sports romances stop, and gave us some of the aftermath.
He's the one responsible person in the life of his brother's young autistic son. His own father is a manipulative bigot who uses the boy, the apartment Ruben lives in, and the garage his brother works in, as weapons to keep the whole family dancing to his tune. For his father, Ruben is a potential meal ticket down the road when he makes the All-Blacks team. That, and petty victories and cruelties, matter more than family. Ruben's brother is circling the drain of alcoholism, the child's mother is dead, and Ruben is the one holding everything together.
So when he meets a gorgeous, flamboyant, out and proud nurse, anything more than a hidden night is a huge risk. But Cam makes him want to take risks... later. As soon as he makes the All-Blacks and has money and can take care of the kid better and, and, and. Ruben knows it's unfair to ask Cam to hide and wait. Especially when Cam was burned by a closet case before. But they're so good together, they're both hoping they can make it work.
I enjoyed both main characters, but really liked Cam as a no-nonsense, take charge, femme guy with a tough job. Both men are clearly doing their best, with outside odds stacked against them. The chemistry and hurt-comfort are good, there's some wit and banter, and the secondary characters round out the story. The sport aspect is essential to the plot, but fairly light in the execution. You wouldn't have to know anything about Rugby to enjoy this book. The child character is realistic, imperfect, and important to the story. And I appreciated that it moved on past the point where many coming out sports romances stop, and gave us some of the aftermath.
bfdbookblog's review against another edition
Reviewing but not rating as I don't know that a rating would be fair.
I liked book one and I really liked Cam in book one, so I was excited to read this book. Unfortunately, I didn’t like this book as much as I did book one. I guess I was expecting this book to be more like book one and it just wasn’t.
I am not a rugby fan (although I am a sports fan in general)…I know nothing about it or the All Blacks. This book is heavy on the rugby and the importance of the All Blacks and that was completely lost on me which made the book drag at times.
**This may be a bit spoilery, so continue at your own risk.** Reuben’s family was more than I could handle. Neither Reuben or his brother needed their father or his poison. They mistakenly thought they needed to continue to accept his verbal and physical abuse which they didn’t. Reuben should have taken his nephew away from his brother long before he did due to endangerment or negligence. The ultimate solution he decided upon was inevitable and he really didn’t need to wait to take that action…the delay was needless.
Cam was such a strong character in book one, his wishy-washy behavior was surprising and made him appear weak. I respected how much Reuben fought for his nephew, but the rest just made him seem cowardly.
In my review of book one, I mentioned wanting a character named Mark to get a book. I don’t remember him, but I guess if he gets a book and it’s not all about rugby I’d be interested. There is a hint about a possible future story for another rugby guy and if that book is like this one with a lot about the game, I’d be out.
I liked book one and I really liked Cam in book one, so I was excited to read this book. Unfortunately, I didn’t like this book as much as I did book one. I guess I was expecting this book to be more like book one and it just wasn’t.
I am not a rugby fan (although I am a sports fan in general)…I know nothing about it or the All Blacks. This book is heavy on the rugby and the importance of the All Blacks and that was completely lost on me which made the book drag at times.
**This may be a bit spoilery, so continue at your own risk.** Reuben’s family was more than I could handle. Neither Reuben or his brother needed their father or his poison. They mistakenly thought they needed to continue to accept his verbal and physical abuse which they didn’t. Reuben should have taken his nephew away from his brother long before he did due to endangerment or negligence. The ultimate solution he decided upon was inevitable and he really didn’t need to wait to take that action…the delay was needless.
Cam was such a strong character in book one, his wishy-washy behavior was surprising and made him appear weak. I respected how much Reuben fought for his nephew, but the rest just made him seem cowardly.
In my review of book one, I mentioned wanting a character named Mark to get a book. I don’t remember him, but I guess if he gets a book and it’s not all about rugby I’d be interested. There is a hint about a possible future story for another rugby guy and if that book is like this one with a lot about the game, I’d be out.
candacegreads's review against another edition
emotional
tense
medium-paced
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia
prgchrqltma's review against another edition
3.0
This was not as comforting as I had hoped, because it had a high stakes closet situation. I did enjoy reading about rugby, and I love good lingerie for everybody.
reviewsshewrote's review against another edition
3.0
I thought I was going to really like this one but got so annoyed at the circles they kept going it. After the second time it got annoying. I liked hearing more about rugby, and I did really like Cam.
CW: alcoholism, overdose, suicide, abuse, homophobia
CW: alcoholism, overdose, suicide, abuse, homophobia
kelbee's review against another edition
4.0
4 Stars
This one worked a lot better for me. The author did more with the pacing, and kept it from getting too repetitive. Still a little over long I’d say, but it worked out. Cam and Rube were adorable together, and I loved the fem/jock dynamic. Cameron was so toppy. Very sexy. I also really enjoyed the addition of Reuben’s nephew Cory. He was on the spectrum and adorable as hell. What I did not enjoy so much was Reuben’s father - what a disgusting ass. His constant vitriol was hard to read. I wanted Rueben to stand up for himself and Cam and it took him quite a while to do so. It seemed very authentic to how a real life situation would be though so I understood. Cam and Rueben also came off a little immature at times, but their general adorableness kept me invested and interested til the end so I’m glad I went on to read this one.
“And you, Cameron Wano, are one hundred percent gorgeous and one hundred percent mine, and I am such a lucky fucking bastard to even get a piece of you let alone to love you.”
“He no sooner laid his hands on me than every fibre of my body opened to him, and miles of walls crumbled. Walls I didn’t even know I had”
This one worked a lot better for me. The author did more with the pacing, and kept it from getting too repetitive. Still a little over long I’d say, but it worked out. Cam and Rube were adorable together, and I loved the fem/jock dynamic. Cameron was so toppy. Very sexy. I also really enjoyed the addition of Reuben’s nephew Cory. He was on the spectrum and adorable as hell. What I did not enjoy so much was Reuben’s father - what a disgusting ass. His constant vitriol was hard to read. I wanted Rueben to stand up for himself and Cam and it took him quite a while to do so. It seemed very authentic to how a real life situation would be though so I understood. Cam and Rueben also came off a little immature at times, but their general adorableness kept me invested and interested til the end so I’m glad I went on to read this one.
“And you, Cameron Wano, are one hundred percent gorgeous and one hundred percent mine, and I am such a lucky fucking bastard to even get a piece of you let alone to love you.”
“He no sooner laid his hands on me than every fibre of my body opened to him, and miles of walls crumbled. Walls I didn’t even know I had”