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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: Panic attacks/disorders and Sexual content
Moderate: Chronic illness, Mental illness, Medical content, Grief, Alcohol, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Biphobia, Hate crime, Homophobia, Vomit, and Death of parent
nordstina'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
3.75
Graphic: Panic attacks/disorders
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: Chronic illness, Panic attacks/disorders, and Sexual content
Moderate: Biphobia
fuzzywilson's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Graphic: Chronic illness, Cursing, Death, Homophobia, Infidelity, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual content, Vomit, Medical content, Pregnancy, Alcohol, and Injury/Injury detail
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, Homophobia, Panic attacks/disorders, Medical content, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Vomit
eschmidt365'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
4.75
Graphic: Panic attacks/disorders
Moderate: Homophobia
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
tragicgloom'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: Chronic illness, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, and Sexual content
Moderate: Biphobia, Homophobia, Infidelity, Medical content, Grief, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Excrement, Vomit, Death of parent, Pregnancy, and Abandonment
jennp28's review against another edition
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Panic attacks/disorders
Moderate: Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Homophobia
fatkidatheartreads's review against another edition
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.75
Oliver was struggling with crippling anxiety and Gavin was struggling with crippling chronic pain and they were there for each other through it all.
4.75 stars 🌟 because I loved them so much and I loved the song recommendations that came with their story!
Graphic: Chronic illness, Panic attacks/disorders, and Sexual content
Minor: Homophobia