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levilore_'s review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
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? Yes
5.0
This was such a great ending to the series. I was hoping we got some more resolution on Ilya and Shane and I was not disappointed.
As usual, the serious topics were dealt with so well and I really appreciated howIlya wasn't magically fixed once he started going to therapy. The author really took care to explore what therapy is actually like and not make it a magical fix for everyone's issues.
I loved that we actually saw so much of the love between Ilya and Shane which was not something we had seen a lot of before this book. The domestic scenes were so cute and seeing how mushy Ilya is was just amazing. I already believed that they were in love but this book gave actual evidence that they are perfect for each other.
Once again, the book ended on a really inspiring and hopeful note for how hockey could change for the better. I really appreciated that throughout the series. It made me really happy that in this fictional world, people were standing together against the toxic culture of sports.
This book just tied up the series perfectly and filled in all the questions I had about Shane and Ilya. A great ending to a great series.
As usual, the serious topics were dealt with so well and I really appreciated how
I loved that we actually saw so much of the love between Ilya and Shane which was not something we had seen a lot of before this book. The domestic scenes were so cute and seeing how mushy Ilya is was just amazing. I already believed that they were in love but this book gave actual evidence that they are perfect for each other.
This book just tied up the series perfectly and filled in all the questions I had about Shane and Ilya. A great ending to a great series.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cursing, Homophobia, Sexual content, and Outing
Moderate: Death, Mental illness, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Violence, Death of parent, and Alcohol
Minor: Panic attacks/disorders and Transphobia
pierrereads's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
funny
relaxing
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? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Cursing and Homophobia
cluckieduck's review against another edition
emotional
funny
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Oh man, I am having a hard time reviewing this one because it is so obviously fan-service - filled with soooo much Rozander smut, but also touching on some really heavy issues surrounding depression, trauma, and stress which would have been better handled (I think) if there was more focus on the plot > porn. So, on the one hand I loved it - inject as much Ilya ❤ Shane content into my veins as possible, please. On the other hand, the writing felt a bit rushed with all the forced conflict to progress the story, which I felt was a disservice.
I loved how the story overlapped with some of the timeline in Role Model, especially surrounding a particular incident.
This go-round is very Ilya-centric and he does a lot of the heavy lifting plot-wise. A lot of the reviews shit on Shane, and yeah, he was a bit oblivious, but stress manifests differently in every one. Shane very obviously exhibited signs of disordered eating, but it was only brought up in a joking manner with an eye-roll at his expense. He also, IMO, showed signs of dissociation. Neither of these were really dealt/written about beyond the surface. Perhaps if he was given as much depth as Ilya was, maybe he could have been a bit more sympathetic of a character.
Before Ilya sought out his therapy, Shane directly asked him if he was ok, and that he would be there for him whether Ilya wanted to talk to him or not. Being in a relationship is hard enough (not even counting the fact that it's a secret one), but being in a relationship with a depressed partner presents it's own challenges. Especially when said partner keeps trying to push you away because they don't think they're good enough and deserving of happiness.
On a lighter note, there were so many cute moments in this one - I mean...Uncle Ilya & painting nails!?! Major swoon. And their talks about a future with children?? I just can't. I feel greedy in saying this, but I think they need another book (at least a novella) without any angst where they can just be settled, grounded, and happy in their relationship.
I have an idea about who the next book will be about (perhaps a certain Centaur rookie), so I look forward to seeing more of our past couples pop up in the future!
I loved how the story overlapped with some of the timeline in Role Model, especially surrounding a particular incident.
This go-round is very Ilya-centric and he does a lot of the heavy lifting plot-wise. A lot of the reviews shit on Shane, and yeah, he was a bit oblivious, but stress manifests differently in every one. Shane very obviously exhibited signs of disordered eating, but it was only brought up in a joking manner with an eye-roll at his expense. He also, IMO, showed signs of dissociation. Neither of these were really dealt/written about beyond the surface. Perhaps if he was given as much depth as Ilya was, maybe he could have been a bit more sympathetic of a character.
Before Ilya sought out his therapy, Shane directly asked him if he was ok, and that he would be there for him whether Ilya wanted to talk to him or not. Being in a relationship is hard enough (not even counting the fact that it's a secret one), but being in a relationship with a depressed partner presents it's own challenges. Especially when said partner keeps trying to push you away because they don't think they're good enough and deserving of happiness.
On a lighter note, there were so many cute moments in this one - I mean...Uncle Ilya & painting nails!?! Major swoon. And their talks about a future with children?? I just can't. I feel greedy in saying this, but I think they need another book (at least a novella) without any angst where they can just be settled, grounded, and happy in their relationship.
I have an idea about who the next book will be about (perhaps a certain Centaur rookie), so I look forward to seeing more of our past couples pop up in the future!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cursing, Homophobia, Mental illness, Sexual content, and Outing
Moderate: Eating disorder, Suicidal thoughts, Grief, Alcohol, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Suicide and Death of parent
tabear's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Biphobia, Bullying, Cursing, Homophobia, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual content, Grief, and Outing
Moderate: Child abuse, Suicidal thoughts, Transphobia, Death of parent, and Alcohol