Reviews tagging 'Addiction'

The Rest of the Story by Tal Bauer

8 reviews

amris's review

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emotional hopeful medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5


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not_quimby's review

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dark emotional medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75


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bbygirl21's review

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emotional funny hopeful relaxing medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? N/A
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? N/A
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A

4.0

This is a very sweet, funny, and relaxing read. I love how the relationship between Morgan and Shea developed slowly. 

This is a very low spice read and I actually loved that with the story that this is. It made sense for them with what happened with the team before Morgan showed up. 

This book did get quite emotional near the end. It definitely had me in tears. Especially when reading about what went on with Brody in particular when it came to the old captain (Issac coates). Brody is usually this very happy excitable guy and to read what happened to him to make him retreat into himself and feel so depressed absolutely broke me. I'm so glad that coates get what he deserves in the end.

The bond that team has after everything they've been through is absolutely incredible. Instead of pulling apart from what they went through, they banded together and were never apart which I absolutely loved reading about. 

I don't think I've read a hockey romance(or any sports romance)quite like this one. I absolutely recommend.

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cozycritiques's review

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emotional hopeful lighthearted tense slow-paced

5.0

“I’d forgotten that it’s the brokenness of a kaleidoscope that brings out the beauty, and as easily as there can be order, everything can fall apart. Can shatter.”
 - The Rest of the Story

Tropes: Sports (Hockey), Teammates, Age Gap, Former Playboy, Virgin Hero, Found Family
Representation: LGBTQ+ (Gay, Bisexual)
Spice Scale: 🌶🌶🌶
CW: Physical Abuse, Emotional Abuse, Sexual Assault, Suicidal Thoughts, Car Accident, Drug Abuse, Addiction, Injury, Hospitalization

Oh, wow, the chokehold this book had on me from start to finish. After reading Gravity, I expected to be taken on a rollercoaster of emotions. But let me tell you, from the moment the plot’s premise was set up in the second chapter, I nearly couldn’t breathe, I was so drawn into Bauer’s storytelling.
The romance between Morgan and Shea is beautiful. I absolutely felt the pining between them to my core. And the bond that forms between the men on this team… it was gut-wrenching and breathtaking.
I honestly don’t know how to review this book without giving way too much, but this is probably one of the most profound and intense books I’ve ever read. By the end, I felt raw and overwhelmed by emotion, but in the best way. This story tackles some pretty heavy themes (see content warnings), but it is also about family, bravery, strength, and love in its various forms. If you want something that will make you feel something with your whole chest, I can’t recommend this book enough.
Just a note: This book is set in the same world as Gravity, and there is a small cameo from Bryce and Hunter, but you don’t need to read it beforehand. There are, however, two short stories after this book on Tal Bauer’s website focusing on two of Morgan and Shea’s teammates, and I highly recommend reading them after this. They went a long way to mend my heart after this book destroyed it.

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melly_book_review's review

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adventurous challenging dark emotional hopeful inspiring sad tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No

5.0


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kearstenkeepsreading's review

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challenging emotional funny hopeful inspiring reflective sad medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

Please check TW before reading.

“You showed up, Morgan, when you didn’t have to. That’s the finest thing a man can do in this life: be there for someone.”

The way this book ripped me to shreds and put me back together again. This is a book about surviving trauma and fighting and scratching for tomorrow. I seriously could not put this book down and simultaneously wanted to know how it ended but also never wanted it to end! Morgan and Shea have my heart and soul!!! 

Not only because of their love for each other but for their team and how they brought this group of broken men together and built a family. I cried happy, sad, angry and broken tears while reading this book. The writing is so heartbreakingly beautiful and you feel the MC’s love for each other and their team so viscerally. Truly a beautiful book and now if you’ll excuse  me I’m going to go read the entirety of Tal Bauer’s backlog!

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jonezzzing's review

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4.5


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prettynerdy3's review

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challenging emotional hopeful inspiring sad 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? It's complicated

4.5


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