pia_h's review against another edition
- 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
5.0
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Homophobia, Abandonment, Alcohol, Biphobia, Chronic illness, Cursing, and Infidelity
Minor: Child death, Vomit, Death, Death of parent, Medical content, Mental illness, and Sexual harassment
evelynyle_88's review against another edition
- 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
Graphic: Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual content, and Chronic illness
Moderate: Homophobia, Injury/Injury detail, and Biphobia
Minor: Death of parent and Abandonment
ashlightgrayson's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Gavin has a lot of chronic pain that he spends most of his time hiding from his team. He is a very prideful man, but as Oliver gets to know him Gavin starts allowing Oliver to be his emotional support through his physical pain. Oliver suffers from anxiety and Gavin is receptive enough to offer Oliver his support without making him feel embarrassed about it. The emotional development of the relationship was incredibly satisfying and this is one of the best romances I have probably read this year.
I also love that the side characters also play an important part in the story. We get to see a lot of funny sibling interactions between Oliver and his family. His niece is also an adorable addition to the cast of characters. Oliver's niece helps bring out a softer side to the usually grumpy and serious Gavin. The book feels balanced in many ways that I wish more romance novels were. Overall, this is one of my favorite installments in the series so far and I look forward to reading the next one.
Graphic: Mental illness, Sexual content, and Chronic illness
Moderate: Homophobia
poppyreadsalot's review against another edition
- 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
4.5
the banter between oliver and gav was funny and i really wish there were more pranks done, it was definitely on the slowburn side and i felt that suited them better than any 'lets fuck, no feelings' type thing. the grumpy sunshine vibes were definitely here, “Awfully aware of my wardrobe, aren’t you?” “Hard to miss it when you walk around dressed like a storm cloud.”
"You're the fucking sunrise of my heart, love."
THIS WAS SO FUNNY.
Graphic: Chronic illness
naysia_reads's review against another edition
- 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
5.0
Graphic: Injury/Injury detail and Chronic illness
thelostartofsecretkeeping's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
Moderate: Chronic illness, Homophobia, Sexual content, Cursing, Abandonment, Panic attacks/disorders, and Medical content
kaydeedickins's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Graphic: Sexual content and Panic attacks/disorders
Moderate: Chronic illness, Mental illness, Grief, Alcohol, Injury/Injury detail, and Medical content
Minor: Biphobia, Death of parent, Homophobia, Vomit, and Hate crime
bookishval's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Graphic: Sexual content, Panic attacks/disorders, and Chronic illness
Moderate: Biphobia
pandalesque's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I read reviews after I finished, didn't know about the Ted Lasso connection/references, so if you've never seen it or don't know, don't worry, you can enjoy or not like it either way^^.
Chloe Liese's writing (only read their Bergman series so far), especially how she handles certain situations I didn't like previously, evolves from book to book (see my other reviews on the series). A lot of issues I had are resolved or handled differently or not mentioned at all, so this latest book from her is my favourite in the series so far!
Specific things I liked:
- In this book I enjoyed that the sisters and partners of the other Bergman's were more included. Especially with Willa and Ziggy having such a similar career path.
- Loved that it was a true hate to love and/or grumpy-sunshine trope
- I liked that the literature / music theater that is always incorporated into the Bergmans and most of their partners felt very natural to me in this story.
- I'm not a football (soccer) fan at all but appreciated the scenarios, dynamics we got on the field and a bit of technical talk and
- I liked that she included the issue of homophobia in sports also age and financial issues after retirement
- I really found Oliver and Gavin lovable and their love for each other addicting
- Also liked that Oliver uses more sports metaphors / football references when talking which I noticed and made his voice unique to the other Bergmans AND Gavin thinking in sometimes poetic lines – That takes skill in my opinion
Spice / Steam 4.25🔥/5🔥
Some (little) negatives:
It was almost perfect but I wanted a lot more!
- Especially the dating to love part went too fast for me, almost abrupt. I would've liked more bonding scenarios written out for the reader to experience (as well).
- Also the character development was really fast. On the one hand I liked that because of it, the 3rd act conflict wasn't as prominent and big. On the other hand I wasn't sure why it was necessary then to do it at all, instead of keeping them together and them figuring it out as a couple.
- The little specifics we got about Gavin's backstory, didn't feel natural to me. At least the part about the
old man giving him the football after he saw him fight and turned his life around bcs he's reminded of his grandson. Felt a little cringe/already done/clichee to me. And in general G. backstories weren't given a lot of room... - Also there is something to say about a woman writing a book where 2 men fall in love and are intimate, and how that can take away from authenticity/ the representation of LGBTQ+ couples and stories... I can't be the judge of that... on the other hand I guess she always wrote also the men's POVs in the other books so...
- Using vague words for body parts during sex
Graphic: Chronic illness, Injury/Injury detail, Medical content, Homophobia, and Panic attacks/disorders
Moderate: Vomit
nyi_ju's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Moderate: Chronic illness and Panic attacks/disorders
Minor: Homophobia