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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
cluckieduck's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
Graphic: Cursing, Injury/Injury detail, and Panic attacks/disorders
Moderate: Homophobia, Sexual content, and Excrement
Minor: Abandonment, Alcohol, Vomit, Death of parent, and Death
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
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
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: Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual content, Chronic illness, and Mental illness
Moderate: Grief, Infidelity, Biphobia, Injury/Injury detail, Medical content, and Homophobia
Minor: Excrement, Vomit, Abandonment, Pregnancy, Child abuse, Death of parent, and Domestic abuse
eligru'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: Vomit, Sexual content, Infidelity, and Homophobia
rexpostfacto'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
Minor: Injury/Injury detail, Homophobia, Vomit, and Panic attacks/disorders
wanderingtales'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
5.0
Graphic: Cursing, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, and Sexual content
Moderate: Chronic illness, Homophobia, Vomit, and Injury/Injury detail
lexa's review against another edition
4.0
Graphic: Chronic illness, Injury/Injury detail, Panic attacks/disorders, and Sexual content
Moderate: Homophobia
Minor: Vomit and Abandonment
decklededgess'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
5.0
Literally any piece of work to come from Chloe Liese is to DIE FOR and I am simply overwhelmed with feelings reading anything she writes. Ollie and Gavin have an incredible enemies to co-captains to lovers dynamic that had me choked up from emotions during the soft moments and losing my mind during the tension filled and smutty bits. I love how the entire Bergman clan wove in and out of the story, really solidifying that Ollie was A Middle Child and also that the Bergmans are annoyingly close knit and will suck you into their inescapable love orbit if you hazard getting close with any of them.
I love them so much!
Moderate: Homophobia, Pregnancy, Sexual content, Chronic illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Vomit, and Death of parent