Reviews with content warning for Suicidal thoughts - The Rest of the Story

As with any sports romance worth its salt, this book had me in my feels for the found family of the team and all the bros' ridiculous, adorable antics. I loved, loved, loved being in Morgan's head - he was hilarious and earnest and had a really solid development arc.

I really enjoyed the sweet, tender romance and the sloooow burn. It was delightfully sappy. Kind of wish I got to know Shea a little better... or maybe I just missed the dual POV.

I loved the tenderness of their marriage but it just felt too quick even though there was a lot of intensity in the relationship to build up to it.

The central tension was well done overall, definitely more intense and emotional than you'd expect for a sports romance, check TW/CW.

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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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ruthiedr89's review against another edition

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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

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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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mrsherrera's review

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emotional hopeful inspiring slow-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

4.0

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