Reviews with content warning for Drug abuse - The Rest of the Story

Reviews tagging 'Drug abuse'

The Rest of the Story by Tal Bauer

16 reviews

not_quimby's review

Go to review page

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

Content Warnings

bbygirl21's review

Go to review page

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.

Content Warnings

clewreads's review

Go to review page

emotional hopeful inspiring sad 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? No

4.25

Content Warnings

ruthiedr89's review against another edition

Go to review page

challenging dark emotional sad tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No

4.5

Content Warnings

cozycritiques's review

Go to review page

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.

Content Warnings

narliee's review

Go to review page

emotional funny inspiring tense medium-paced

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

4.0

Content Warnings

nerdofalltrades's review

Go to review page

emotional inspiring reflective 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

5.0

I went into this book not really knowing what I was getting into, and it ripped my heart out in the most eloquent of ways. I couldn't recommend this more, but definitely check the content warnings as things can be pretty dark.

Content Warnings

mynameisprerna's review

Go to review page

5.0

10/30/23 Second review:
I did this re-read in the midst of global turmoil when I needed something I knew I would love that I could turn to. And it did not disappoint… although I am very much looking forward to my re-read of the short stories following Lawson & Brody!
I remembered from my first read that

Shea’s rules around virginity seemed bizarre and clunky. I still think the rules themselves, like where the line is and how immovable it is, are clunky. But this time around I was less bothered by his quest to find his one true love. I think I came around to the fact that it *is* outlandish, and there’s no use pretending that it’s not. But that’s who Shea is - he’s idealistic and he’s a rule follower, even if he made the rule himself We also need it because Morgan needs a brass ring that’s he’s reaching for, something he can use as a metric to prove himself.

With this reading

I found myself reading about the car crash pretty unemotionally, and I wondered if it simply hadn’t shocked me because I remembered it. But in rereading my review, I see that it was Brody’s story that really made me cry, and that still rang true for me this time.</>spoiler
I don’t remember

how much it did or did not bother me that the team seemed to have an impossibly small staff with the first read. This time, it did get to me. I understand why it’s needed to keep Morgan as the central figure for everyone and for him to have the most opportunity for growth, so I forgive it. But it just does not make any sense that a barely graduated physical therapist would suddenly be named the coach of an NHL team and no one would question it.

5/15/23 First Review:
I loved this book! I connected deeply with the characters and I found the plot compelling and emotional. Depictions of abuse and survivorship are never going to work for everyone, but I thought they were beautifully done in this book.
Before I read these two books (Gravity and TROTS) I saw a write up about the author that said usually the MCs have their “I love you”s by about 40% of the book, and the third act conflict is something external to them, and boy were they right!
I was a little surprised by this book

also having a horrific injury as that conflict, but it was different enough and worked. I also thought it was funny that the author repeated the theme of a couple thinking they’re being all smooth and hiding their relationship, and when they come out everyone already knows and has just been waiting for them to say it.

The things about Shea

waiting for something serious made sense, but when that solidified into waiting for marriage it felt very clunky. I mean, there’s nothing wrong with it, but it felt like an odd choice and I’m not sure it had to be that way. But anyway…
I cried when they were in Dallas and Shea left the bar, and when he came back to Morgan’s bed and begged him to try, relenting to a casual relationship, and again when Morgan got his shit together and finally told Shea they could date.

But most of all, I cried

for Brody as his story became clearer and clearer at the end, and Lawson’s love for him was breathtaking.

If you haven’t read the two follow up short stories on the author’s website, you MUST! All Your Tomorrows is from Lawson’s perspective and covers the summer, Boise Boy is from Brody’s perspective and takes us from the end of summer into the beginning of the next season. Both are terrific, but All Your Tomorrows had me sobbing.
I read a few reviews from folks who thought that the book was pointless after

Coates was gone, but…

it’s right there in the title. This was about the rest of the story! It was about what happens when you think the story is over. It was about the coming back from something so awful in several different permutations. I don’t think this author’s style is for everyone, and I guess that’s okay!
The author’s website says there will be more in this hockey universe, and I can’t wait!

Content Warnings

linacarlsson's review

Go to review page

challenging emotional reflective sad tense slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.25

To be honest, the rating is largely due to the unnecessary length of the story. 419 pages is at least 100 pages to long, a heavy editing should have been made.
The story itself is ok with a interesting story line, a few laughs at the beginning, and interesting characters. Single POV and the story is mostly a telling of what has happened more so than actually describing what is happening. This make the book tedious and long winded. And the feelings and drama and self doubt and insecurities is too much, all the time.
Painstakingly made my self finish it due to stubbornness and a stretch of free time. Feeling a bit of trepidation to start with another of the authors books, which supposedly, is better.

Content Warnings

ailsagordxn's review

Go to review page

emotional hopeful inspiring 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

5.0

Content Warnings

More...