Reviews

Time to Shine by Rachel Reid

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nixbix_reads's review against another edition

5.0

This story was fantastic - my heart is full! It has a quiet calm to it & just feels like a warm hug, and it had me hooked from the start. I loved Casey & Landon so much. They were so different personality-wise but they just worked so well as a couple. I loved Casey’s energy - such a sweetheart and just so endearing & friendly towards everyone. Landon was the opposite - quiet & anxious.

I really liked that there was total acceptance in this story, both between Casey & Landon and from their team & their families. Casey’s bisexuality is not treated as a joke by anyone, and Landon figuring things out was accepted as normal. The mutual pining between the two was frustratingly obvious to everyone who was around them, and it was great to see that they had so much support.

I also appreciated how the heavy subjects were treated. Landon’s anxiety and unresolved grief & guilt play a large part in his life, and I thought these were handled sensitively. Casey & Landon balance each other out - Casey makes Landon braver, Landon makes Casey more grounded, and they both help each other be the best version of themselves. I loved every second of this!

Thanks to Carina Adores & NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

wellactjoally's review against another edition

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emotional fast-paced

4.0

Tall dark and quiet and manic pixie dream boy. Bisexual and demi. Hockey team goes to Costco. Banter! Family reunions. No homophobia.

Death of a sibling. Anxiety. Fear of the dark.

analenegrace's review against another edition

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emotional lighthearted fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.75

This was a straightforward and sweet read with characters that had emotions but also very fairly surface-level. I see why this author's books are popular, as this was an incredibly easy read that did not take a lot of brain power.

alysenann's review against another edition

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hopeful lighthearted 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

4.5

vodzak's review against another edition

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lighthearted fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

2.0

readingwithhippos's review against another edition

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5.0

Rachel Reid’s books are all hits no skips for me. This one is so sweet and charming. Absolutely loved it. Will definitely be a fun one to reread around the holidays.

tcull3n's review against another edition

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emotional funny hopeful lighthearted relaxing 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

4.0

joelrcallen's review against another edition

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fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.0

Light, fluffy, and easy to read.

avalydia's review against another edition

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4.0

This was such a cute, cozy read! Perfect for cuddling up in a blanket with on a cold night. You'd almost never think this was by the same author who wrote the steamy Heated Rivalry (and both of them are excellent, so hats off to Rachel Reid).

I thought it was really interesting, and refreshing, how the Landon and Casey navigated Landon's sexuality and

Spoiler

didn't wind up having penetrative sex, which is all but a requirement in most romance novels

. I also have... a lot of questions now, because it felt like Rachel Reid was right inside my head the entire time she was writing Landon's thoughts on his sexuality. Like, I have never felt so on the same page with someone as I did with him. So uh... I'll go think about that for a bit lol.

Anyway, unlike a lot of readers, I wasn't bothered at all by Casey hooking up with other people at the beginning of the novel. He was obviously trying to distract himself from Landon, and also for a while wasn't even sure Landon was into him, so that was fine to me. Also, he was so nice and patient with Landon! We love a gentle himbo.

I think at the end, I might have liked to see

Spoiler

Landon make the big gesture, since he was the one who had been holding back from Casey

, but I'm not too fussed about it.

All in all, a wonderful read and I wish I'd been able to make it last longer.

jennp28's review against another edition

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lighthearted 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

5.0

Loved this sweet hockey romance. A little less spicy than the Game Changers series but still swoony! Landon seems to maybe be demi (it’s never labelled) which is nice to see represented in a romance like this. It’s also nice to see a character presented as really good at their sport but not a typical manly dudebro jock. Also Eastern Passage represent! Love the idea of an NHL player jogging around my neighbourhood.

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