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_galilla_'s review against another edition
1. Finding out when I listen to the audiobook, the main girl character’s best friend was originally put in the book as white, and can only assume the author wanted some diversity, changed the character’s name, race, and added descriptions of her to make it obvious she is black. I noticed this because I was reading while also listening to the audiobook and the name changes and all that stuff I mentioned before were not the same at all.
2. Dialogue was not good. Storytelling was okay. Smut was okay. I was really here for the figure skating/hockey romance and I haven’t really gotten that much. If you’re here just for the smut, like I said, it was still okay in my opinion but there seems to be plenty of it if you’re not here for the story.
3. I read a few reviews when I got to where I am now and finding out the ending in the epilogue, I didn’t like it and kind of reminded me of the Punk 57 ending, which to say, I really hate that book and definitely didn’t like the ending.
4. I had my cousin not able to finish it and she has good taste in everything, so my struggle was made more valid as I hate DNFing books. My sister finished it but she thought it was okay. I’m honestly surprised she finished it because she has good taste as well, but maybe she doesn’t like DNFing 🤷🏽♀️.
5. I got through 1/3 of the book and I didn’t even get to the “plot” of the book yet where the main girl character gets abandoned or whatever by her figure skating partner and now has to skate with the main guy character who she doesn’t like or what not.
Overall, not the worst but at most, mediocre. Don’t think I can trust Tiktok with another book anymore after Punk 57 and this one. No hate to the author or anyone who likes or loves this book/series. Just really wasn’t for me.
2. Dialogue was not good. Storytelling was okay. Smut was okay. I was really here for the figure skating/hockey romance and I haven’t really gotten that much. If you’re here just for the smut, like I said, it was still okay in my opinion but there seems to be plenty of it if you’re not here for the story.
3. I read a few reviews when I got to where I am now and finding out the ending in the epilogue, I didn’t like it and kind of reminded me of the Punk 57 ending, which to say, I really hate that book and definitely didn’t like the ending.
4. I had my cousin not able to finish it and she has good taste in everything, so my struggle was made more valid as I hate DNFing books. My sister finished it but she thought it was okay. I’m honestly surprised she finished it because she has good taste as well, but maybe she doesn’t like DNFing 🤷🏽♀️.
5. I got through 1/3 of the book and I didn’t even get to the “plot” of the book yet where the main girl character gets abandoned or whatever by her figure skating partner and now has to skate with the main guy character who she doesn’t like or what not.
Overall, not the worst but at most, mediocre. Don’t think I can trust Tiktok with another book anymore after Punk 57 and this one. No hate to the author or anyone who likes or loves this book/series. Just really wasn’t for me.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Fatphobia
nomatophobia's review against another edition
emotional
lighthearted
sad
fast-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
oh. smut books. I GET IT now.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Fatphobia, Misogyny, and Sexism
The toxic things that happen in the book are NOT between the main couplel_loves_books's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.5
On the contrary to most negative reviews and beliefs that go around about this book, I truly loved it! It took me ages to get to it due to seeing so many negative reviews and opinions about it, but thankfully after being convinced by a bookstagram bestie, I decided to read it and judge for myself. And it's the best thing I did! The MMC, Nathan Hawkins, is everything and more when it comes to a dream boyfriend.
This sport romance novel is a sweet, lighthearted but still emotional, frenemies-to-lovers rom-com that focuses on both romantic love and friendship love. It also offers insight on having toxic friendships and environments that can have a negative impact on one's mental, physical and emotional health. In my opinion, this book is great for such awareness, and can motivate or encourage many people who are manipulated or controlled by others to finally realize their self worth, dignity, self respect, value and overall well-being and stand up for themselves. So, as much as there is a lot of fluffy romance and flirting going on in this book, it does show you what toxic situations can (AND DO) exist in real life.
As a South Asian girl, I truly loved the diversity in this book with indian culture sprinkled here and there. It really does bring me a sense of pride, recognition and inclusiveness.
About the book:
Nathan Hawkins is definitely a heart throb and ladies man, but also a devoted and diligent captian of the UCHM Hockey Team, who knows to look out for his team as well as lead by example. When disaster strikes their ice rink due to a mishap, the hockey team has no choice but to impose on the college's figure skating rink and skaters by having to share it.
That's when Anastasia Allen comes into the picture...a very well-organized perfectionist and figure skater who's life dream is to win an Olympic medal in paired figure skating...and who also lives by her planner like it's a holy scripture. Already despising hockey, her hatred for the sport only intensifies when the hockey team ruins her skating schedule and practice sessions. Naturally, she has it in for them...especially Nate.
However, Nate is determined to make lemonade out of lemons and win her over to co-exist in harmony and show her that the team, himself included, are not as irritating as she thinks they are. To Nate's surprise, a couple of his teammates try to break the ice with her on their on as well and actually succeed, leaving him twice as determined to get her to like him.
From then on...it's a really fun-filled BUT emotional rollercoaster of events!
This sport romance novel is a sweet, lighthearted but still emotional, frenemies-to-lovers rom-com that focuses on both romantic love and friendship love. It also offers insight on having toxic friendships and environments that can have a negative impact on one's mental, physical and emotional health. In my opinion, this book is great for such awareness, and can motivate or encourage many people who are manipulated or controlled by others to finally realize their self worth, dignity, self respect, value and overall well-being and stand up for themselves. So, as much as there is a lot of fluffy romance and flirting going on in this book, it does show you what toxic situations can (AND DO) exist in real life.
As a South Asian girl, I truly loved the diversity in this book with indian culture sprinkled here and there. It really does bring me a sense of pride, recognition and inclusiveness.
About the book:
Nathan Hawkins is definitely a heart throb and ladies man, but also a devoted and diligent captian of the UCHM Hockey Team, who knows to look out for his team as well as lead by example. When disaster strikes their ice rink due to a mishap, the hockey team has no choice but to impose on the college's figure skating rink and skaters by having to share it.
That's when Anastasia Allen comes into the picture...a very well-organized perfectionist and figure skater who's life dream is to win an Olympic medal in paired figure skating...and who also lives by her planner like it's a holy scripture. Already despising hockey, her hatred for the sport only intensifies when the hockey team ruins her skating schedule and practice sessions. Naturally, she has it in for them...especially Nate.
However, Nate is determined to make lemonade out of lemons and win her over to co-exist in harmony and show her that the team, himself included, are not as irritating as she thinks they are. To Nate's surprise, a couple of his teammates try to break the ice with her on their on as well and actually succeed, leaving him twice as determined to get her to like him.
From then on...it's a really fun-filled BUT emotional rollercoaster of events!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Eating disorder, Emotional abuse, Fatphobia, Gaslighting, and Toxic friendship
defnot_m4y's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Eating disorder and Fatphobia
stevienotnicks's review against another edition
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
This one started off strong for me. It had the makings of my fav type of romances: reverse grumpy/sunshine + hockey + he falls first, but it quickly spun out into smut over substance.
Don’t get me wrong, I enjoy a nice bit of spice, but I need a strong plot line and character development and both just missed the mark. The subplots were a bit too ambitious, never fully getting the attention they deserved. The characters were pretty cliche and very one dimensional, despite having the most groundwork laid for pretty complex backstories. I’d hoped to dig deeper into Nate’s relationship with his father and Anastasia’s mental health struggles, but we merely got surface level explanations at best.
A few trigger warnings: There was a LOT of glorification of disordered eating, a hefty bit of slut shaming, and a way too heavy dose of misogyny for my tastes.
Don’t get me wrong, I enjoy a nice bit of spice, but I need a strong plot line and character development and both just missed the mark. The subplots were a bit too ambitious, never fully getting the attention they deserved. The characters were pretty cliche and very one dimensional, despite having the most groundwork laid for pretty complex backstories. I’d hoped to dig deeper into Nate’s relationship with his father and Anastasia’s mental health struggles, but we merely got surface level explanations at best.
A few trigger warnings: There was a LOT of glorification of disordered eating, a hefty bit of slut shaming, and a way too heavy dose of misogyny for my tastes.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body shaming, Eating disorder, Emotional abuse, Fatphobia, Gaslighting, Toxic friendship, and Dysphoria
Moderate: Misogyny
Minor: Sexual assault and Death of parent
samspur's review against another edition
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.0
I still don’t understand the appeal. It was just a really long, not well written, lacking depth, semi-erotic, half developed hockey story. The main male character had all the red flags.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body shaming, Bullying, Cursing, Eating disorder, Emotional abuse, Fatphobia, Misogyny, Toxic relationship, Violence, Toxic friendship, Alcohol, and Sexual harassment
princessklee's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
reflective
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? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Fatphobia, Gaslighting, Toxic friendship, and Alcohol
Moderate: Eating disorder
Minor: Sexual assault, Vomit, and Pregnancy
macks_bookshelf's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body shaming, Eating disorder, Fatphobia, and Sexual content
taylorp98's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
funny
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body shaming, Eating disorder, Emotional abuse, Fatphobia, Mental illness, Sexual content, Violence, Death of parent, Gaslighting, and Toxic friendship
wondahwoman's review against another edition
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.25
While I thoroughly enjoyed the romance between Anastasia and Nate, the main source of conflict throughout the story felt a bit forced to me.
Spoilers for the antagonist/conflict below:
Stassi’s skating partner, Aaron, is nothing short of emotionally abusive, and it seemed unrealistic to me that Stassi would forgive/excuse SO MANY of his actions. Even towards the end when she had become disillusioned by all of his manipulative behavior, she continued excusing awful things. I wish there’d been more development into why she was so deep under his spell after having only been his partner for two years.
I appreciate that the drama between the two love interests was very minimal (see also: no third act breakup!) but the conflict that was there made it hard to finish near the end. It was worth it for the romance, but I wish the antagonist had been more thought out.
Spoilers for the antagonist/conflict below:
I appreciate that the drama between the two love interests was very minimal (see also: no third act breakup!) but the conflict that was there made it hard to finish near the end. It was worth it for the romance, but I wish the antagonist had been more thought out.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content and Toxic friendship
Moderate: Body shaming, Eating disorder, Emotional abuse, Fatphobia, Misogyny, Sexism, and Gaslighting
Minor: Death of parent and Pregnancy