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karlapardo's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
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? Yes
3.75
This was a great book. I loved the characters and their relationship. The plot was also great. I would re-read
Content Warnings
Graphic: Fatphobia, Sexual content, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Body shaming, Drug use, and Medical content
Minor: Addiction, Animal cruelty, and Pregnancy
koistyfishy's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
reflective
medium-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
4.0
4 Hades Stars ⭐
Spicy Level: 🌶️🌶️/5
Wow. Okay. This was an unexpectedly good time.
I picked up this book because it was available at my library and a big plus that C.J Bloom and Teddy Hamilton came with that. I adore the ability of storytelling from them both.
This is a Dual POV that follows Maddox and Braxton, both childhood friends who were essentially in love with each other, but a mistake that Braxton made almost ruined Maddox's up and coming hockey career, so the two went their separate ways without forgiving each other and themselves. Now Years later Braxton, now a veterinarian, is roped into a scheme of having a fake relationship with Maddox following an unfortunate incident involving a bar fight and his brother. She is needed to help Maddox save his image from being damaged by Braxton's father who is angry about his unsuccessful life as an agent and blames Maddox.
I love that this had elements of a dual timeline giving us insight into who these characters were when they were desperately in love with each other as their younger selves, and how back in the present they have to deal with the hurt, pining and emptiness that was left by the other when they went their separate ways. The present journey to find each other again, navigating that hurt and coming to terms that both are still hopelessly in love with each other now.
Braxton has grown up and has learnt to stand up for herself. She knows giving up Maddox was the greatest mistake of her life. She should have fought harder for him to stay in her life, and she regrets every moment. Since then, she has not forgotten his impact. But she is not a little girl anymore. She has pulled up her big girl panties and is running a successful animal shelter and is (what she believes) happy.
Maddox is everything. He is incredibly hurt by his past and it's difficult for him to work through that anger - but not anger at her, but rather at himself for letting her go. She is the only woman he has ever had eyes for, the only woman he has ever wanted in his life (Shown by the fact that our man is basically a virgin). She is his every thought, love and dream. He is absolutely adorable, and self-sacrificing.
Their story is dramatic but utterly perfect. It was angsty, heartbreaking and underpinned by a sadness of loss from their mistakes. They lost so much time together when they were so clearly and utterly perfect for one another.
The one thing that kept me from giving this 5 stars is they start the fake relationship with very firm boundaries and agreement to what they will and won't do, to not fall in love so that neither is hurt in the end. BUT, that transition of fake to real, was a little bit hazy and wasn't as clear. One moment it felt like this wasn't real and they were respecting their boundaries and the next they were professing their undying love to each other and I wasn't sure if it was "talk" and still temporary or permanent. And while it very clearly points to permanent, because it is so clear that these two characters should not be apart, it just felt very instant. It almost has vibes of instalove (which sounds silly since these two have been in love for forever) but it just seemed rushed to happily ever after.
But overall, I had a really fun time. The writing is compelling. The voice actors did an amazing job with the narration, and I know that any time I'm going to listen to a book by either Teddy Hamilton or C.J. Bloom, I am going to be invested, I am going to be captivated, and I'm going to enjoy the fucking hell out of the story because they do such an amazing job at transposing the beautiful writing into believable characters.
Trope Summary:
▶ Hockey Romance
▶ Fake Relationship
▶ Second Chance Romance
▶ Childhood Friends to Strangers to Lovers
▶ ALL the PINING
▶ Dual POV
▶ Dual Timeline Elements
▶ Plus Size Rep
▶ It's Always been you
Overall I recommend this!
Spicy Level: 🌶️🌶️/5
Wow. Okay. This was an unexpectedly good time.
I picked up this book because it was available at my library and a big plus that C.J Bloom and Teddy Hamilton came with that. I adore the ability of storytelling from them both.
This is a Dual POV that follows Maddox and Braxton, both childhood friends who were essentially in love with each other, but a mistake that Braxton made almost ruined Maddox's up and coming hockey career, so the two went their separate ways without forgiving each other and themselves. Now Years later Braxton, now a veterinarian, is roped into a scheme of having a fake relationship with Maddox following an unfortunate incident involving a bar fight and his brother. She is needed to help Maddox save his image from being damaged by Braxton's father who is angry about his unsuccessful life as an agent and blames Maddox.
I love that this had elements of a dual timeline giving us insight into who these characters were when they were desperately in love with each other as their younger selves, and how back in the present they have to deal with the hurt, pining and emptiness that was left by the other when they went their separate ways. The present journey to find each other again, navigating that hurt and coming to terms that both are still hopelessly in love with each other now.
Braxton has grown up and has learnt to stand up for herself. She knows giving up Maddox was the greatest mistake of her life. She should have fought harder for him to stay in her life, and she regrets every moment. Since then, she has not forgotten his impact. But she is not a little girl anymore. She has pulled up her big girl panties and is running a successful animal shelter and is (what she believes) happy.
Maddox is everything. He is incredibly hurt by his past and it's difficult for him to work through that anger - but not anger at her, but rather at himself for letting her go. She is the only woman he has ever had eyes for, the only woman he has ever wanted in his life (Shown by the fact that our man is basically a virgin). She is his every thought, love and dream. He is absolutely adorable, and self-sacrificing.
Their story is dramatic but utterly perfect. It was angsty, heartbreaking and underpinned by a sadness of loss from their mistakes. They lost so much time together when they were so clearly and utterly perfect for one another.
The one thing that kept me from giving this 5 stars is they start the fake relationship with very firm boundaries and agreement to what they will and won't do, to not fall in love so that neither is hurt in the end. BUT, that transition of fake to real, was a little bit hazy and wasn't as clear. One moment it felt like this wasn't real and they were respecting their boundaries and the next they were professing their undying love to each other and I wasn't sure if it was "talk" and still temporary or permanent. And while it very clearly points to permanent, because it is so clear that these two characters should not be apart, it just felt very instant. It almost has vibes of instalove (which sounds silly since these two have been in love for forever) but it just seemed rushed to happily ever after.
But overall, I had a really fun time. The writing is compelling. The voice actors did an amazing job with the narration, and I know that any time I'm going to listen to a book by either Teddy Hamilton or C.J. Bloom, I am going to be invested, I am going to be captivated, and I'm going to enjoy the fucking hell out of the story because they do such an amazing job at transposing the beautiful writing into believable characters.
Trope Summary:
▶ Hockey Romance
▶ Fake Relationship
▶ Second Chance Romance
▶ Childhood Friends to Strangers to Lovers
▶ ALL the PINING
▶ Dual POV
▶ Dual Timeline Elements
▶ Plus Size Rep
▶ It's Always been you
Overall I recommend this!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Fatphobia, Sexual content, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Body shaming, Drug use, and Medical content
Minor: Addiction, Animal cruelty, and Pregnancy
kjenae's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Braxton & Maddox we’re soooo cute. *their flashback scenes included*
I couldn’t help but smile from ear to ear whenever they talked to each other/about each other.
There’s no one else for Maddox but Braxton and everyone who truly knows him, knew it.
It may have started out as fake dating but trust, they both folded so quickly. It was truly inevitable, which mad etheir communication flourish once they addressed what caused them to drift apart in the past.
The fact that Maddox waited for her in every sense of the word!
Also highlight quote from one of their flashback scenes: “Braxton Heights will be my girl one day, and when she is, there’s no way I will ever let her go. We’ll be forever”
I couldn’t help but smile from ear to ear whenever they talked to each other/about each other.
There’s no one else for Maddox but Braxton and everyone who truly knows him, knew it.
It may have started out as fake dating but trust, they both folded so quickly. It was truly inevitable, which mad etheir communication flourish once they addressed what caused them to drift apart in the past.
Also highlight quote from one of their flashback scenes: “Braxton Heights will be my girl one day, and when she is, there’s no way I will ever let her go. We’ll be forever”
Content Warnings
Moderate: Body shaming, Drug use, and Injury/Injury detail