Scan barcode
tenou0's review
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
bookschaosnart's review
4.0
i enjoyed a different form of "hockey romance" than perhaps the typical book with the tail end of career/the rougher aspects of the sport on mental health as well as some of the difficulty of being a journalist covering sports. i think this is my favorite of the series so far
endemictoearth's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
chiarob's review
4.0
This was a very world-of-two romance, with the two MCs basically not seeing anyone for the first month of writing the memoir. I really enjoyed reading about an athlete whose career didn't go as expected. Oliver's body betraying him at an age where you expect to be able to do anything was hard to watch. Jordan is very understanding throughout the story.
The books ends a bit abruptly. I think it needed more development about what has happened after the first month.
The books ends a bit abruptly. I think it needed more development about what has happened after the first month.
noalrmall's review
challenging
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
drjostice's review against another edition
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? Yes
5.0
10111111111's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
tsuyoi's review
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
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
inkstndfngrs's review
2.0
*Warning: I use a lot of profanity including a discussion of the C-word below!*
If you want to watch my TikTok instead, you can do that here.
I decided to DNF this book at 28% because I just *could not* anymore. After the like 10 pages of a useless "house tour" that gave us absolutely NOTHING in the way of character interaction and development, followed by the set of this completely ridiculous living situation (Oliver doesn't even really WANT to do this memoir, so why is he? He has a lot of life left to live AFTER hockey. Wouldn't it be more prudent to wait a year or two after his retirement to do it?)
Not to mention the fact that while the writing itself has improved from the first one (just not in the right way... MORE DIALOG, LESS INTROSPECTIVE PLEASE), Henry continues to basically foist feminine habits onto her male characters that make *no sense*. The point where I finally sighed and said "Oh fuck this" was an unsolicited hug from Jordan to Oliver.
Did Oliver need a hug? Probably. I feel like this guy could probably use some really good snuggles. BUT A DUDE DOES NOT JUST RANDOMLY HUG ANOTHER DUDE WITHOUT ASKING. Even a gay one!
I also really don't understand Oliver and Abbey's (failed) marriage. It seems like the two didn't even genuinely like each other, muchless *love* each other, so why? Just to look good? That makes no sense. Given the marriage, which apparently wasn't sexless (not including extra marital affairs), seeing as how Oliver does mention "we don't have kids (...which, fucking *duh*) I can assume that sex did happen at some point. Why not make him bi or pan? Like, the author is aware there are other identities under the umbrella, right? That felt very dismissive.
The last thing that I really, really hated as Oliver's use of the word cunt. Not just once, but at least 3 fucking times within a few pages. As an American, I hate that word. I have only ever used it in reference to 1 person my entire life and *not* felt bad about saying it. It's basically the absolute most abhorrent curse word you can use where I'm from. I'd much rather he'd just said bitch, which I'm sorry --is NOT interchangeable.
Mostly, I'm just disappointed that I thought I'd found this really great new author who, after that first book, has basically crashed and burned for me. Maybe I'll give this another shot in the future, but for now...I'm just too sad.
If you want to watch my TikTok instead, you can do that here.
I decided to DNF this book at 28% because I just *could not* anymore. After the like 10 pages of a useless "house tour" that gave us absolutely NOTHING in the way of character interaction and development, followed by the set of this completely ridiculous living situation (Oliver doesn't even really WANT to do this memoir, so why is he? He has a lot of life left to live AFTER hockey. Wouldn't it be more prudent to wait a year or two after his retirement to do it?)
Not to mention the fact that while the writing itself has improved from the first one (just not in the right way... MORE DIALOG, LESS INTROSPECTIVE PLEASE), Henry continues to basically foist feminine habits onto her male characters that make *no sense*. The point where I finally sighed and said "Oh fuck this" was an unsolicited hug from Jordan to Oliver.
Did Oliver need a hug? Probably. I feel like this guy could probably use some really good snuggles. BUT A DUDE DOES NOT JUST RANDOMLY HUG ANOTHER DUDE WITHOUT ASKING. Even a gay one!
I also really don't understand Oliver and Abbey's (failed) marriage. It seems like the two didn't even genuinely like each other, muchless *love* each other, so why? Just to look good? That makes no sense. Given the marriage, which apparently wasn't sexless (not including extra marital affairs), seeing as how Oliver does mention "we don't have kids (...which, fucking *duh*) I can assume that sex did happen at some point. Why not make him bi or pan? Like, the author is aware there are other identities under the umbrella, right? That felt very dismissive.
The last thing that I really, really hated as Oliver's use of the word cunt. Not just once, but at least 3 fucking times within a few pages. As an American, I hate that word. I have only ever used it in reference to 1 person my entire life and *not* felt bad about saying it. It's basically the absolute most abhorrent curse word you can use where I'm from. I'd much rather he'd just said bitch, which I'm sorry --is NOT interchangeable.
Mostly, I'm just disappointed that I thought I'd found this really great new author who, after that first book, has basically crashed and burned for me. Maybe I'll give this another shot in the future, but for now...I'm just too sad.