cheye13's review
emotional
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.0
This book was wholly not for me.
I didn't vibe with the writing style off the bat, but I kept reading in hopes the characters would grow on me. They did not. The plot is very sparse and also obvious. I usually say insta-love/lust doesn't bother me in a romance, but this style of it absolutely does. The ratio of sex scenes to meaningful conversation (let alone plot and character development) was atrocious for my tastes. The fast pace of plot events and relationship milestones created a lack of gravitas I felt the moments and mood deserved.
This isn't a bad story if it's what you're looking for, but it's more along the line of fanfiction, written as though the characters and situations have been established outside of the work itself.
I didn't vibe with the writing style off the bat, but I kept reading in hopes the characters would grow on me. They did not. The plot is very sparse and also obvious. I usually say insta-love/lust doesn't bother me in a romance, but this style of it absolutely does. The ratio of sex scenes to meaningful conversation (let alone plot and character development) was atrocious for my tastes. The fast pace of plot events and relationship milestones created a lack of gravitas I felt the moments and mood deserved.
This isn't a bad story if it's what you're looking for, but it's more along the line of fanfiction, written as though the characters and situations have been established outside of the work itself.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Minor: Homophobia, Violence, Injury/Injury detail, and Death of parent
zoiejanelle's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
tense
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
3.0
this is straight up pornography.
this series is really hit or miss. this, being the first book, felt like the author getting her footing in this genre.
Kip was a fun character to read. he was believably complex, motivated, and excitable. Scott was also complex, but his character arc happened too quickly. again, i am always disappointed when LGBT+ stories center around coming out. i understand it is a big deal for star athletes, but i wish there was some other big conflict to write the story around.
not much to say for this one besides HOLY SHIT THE ILYA CAMEOS WERE SO FUNNY!!! i was literally giggling, kicking my feet, twirling my hair at all the foreshadowing about Ilya’s eventual queer awakening/story. otherwise, a very fluffy story with a very happy ending.
this series is really hit or miss. this, being the first book, felt like the author getting her footing in this genre.
Kip was a fun character to read. he was believably complex, motivated, and excitable. Scott was also complex, but his character arc happened too quickly. again, i am always disappointed when LGBT+ stories center around coming out. i understand it is a big deal for star athletes, but i wish there was some other big conflict to write the story around.
not much to say for this one besides HOLY SHIT THE ILYA CAMEOS WERE SO FUNNY!!! i was literally giggling, kicking my feet, twirling my hair at all the foreshadowing about Ilya’s eventual queer awakening/story. otherwise, a very fluffy story with a very happy ending.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content and Homophobia
Moderate: Violence, Outing, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Toxic relationship and Alcohol
negs's review
emotional
funny
lighthearted
fast-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
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Minor: Alcohol, Biphobia, Homophobia, Injury/Injury detail, Blood, and Death of parent
iamamyyyyy's review
emotional
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
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Homophobia
Minor: Death of parent
laureljeanreads's review against another edition
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
4.0
I really enjoyed this-some people say you either don't need to read this in the series or to skip it and I do not understand that thinking! This was really cute, emotional romance with the characters getting together early on but that allowed them to work out their communication, feelings and where to go with being together as a couple.
Side note: the audiobook narrator does an AWFUL job voicing one of the MCs, if you can get past the fake Brooklyn accent and forcing his voice down 5 octaves for no reason whatsoever its a good listen, other wise just pick up the physical book
Side note: the audiobook narrator does an AWFUL job voicing one of the MCs, if you can get past the fake Brooklyn accent and forcing his voice down 5 octaves for no reason whatsoever its a good listen, other wise just pick up the physical book
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Homophobia
bookishval's review
Maybe I’ll come back to this one later, but I have my doubts.
It started great, even if it’s such an used trope, the closeted celebrity falling in love. The main characters has great chemistry, the spicy scenes were top-notch and overall the book was very entertaining.
However, it became boring pretty quickly. I don’t like the love at first sight trope, If I'm being honest, but I didn’t mind it here in the beginning. But they fell in love wayyy to quickly, It felt rushed, everything happening behind closed doors but no angst! I wanted more. I particularly avoid the closeted celebrity trope, but when I’m in the mood for it I want angst and drama, and this book got to the 51% without any of it, so I gave up.
It started great, even if it’s such an used trope, the closeted celebrity falling in love. The main characters has great chemistry, the spicy scenes were top-notch and overall the book was very entertaining.
However, it became boring pretty quickly. I don’t like the love at first sight trope, If I'm being honest, but I didn’t mind it here in the beginning. But they fell in love wayyy to quickly, It felt rushed, everything happening behind closed doors but no angst! I wanted more. I particularly avoid the closeted celebrity trope, but when I’m in the mood for it I want angst and drama, and this book got to the 51% without any of it, so I gave up.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
taylorvalerie's review
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
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
4.75
This book gave me all the feels! The characters are so loveable and while the story was simple, I couldn’t put it down. The only reason it doesn’t get 5 stars is because I found the ending to be a little on the cringey side.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent, Sexual content, and Homophobia
Moderate: Alcohol, Injury/Injury detail, and Violence
zellapaige's review
emotional
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.5
I normally hate queer books where most of the plot is focused on one or more characters being closeted, but this is the best of the genre. While it is definitely a dramatization, these characters feel real and the reactions to their story feel real. Every important reaction to these characters' queerness is positive, so if homophobia is a big trigger for you it still might be worth a read. Still lots of internalized homophobia though.
It is a fantastic HEA, soppy and loving, but not overdone with marriage and babies, it's the perfect HEA for a hockey romance.
There was a touch more sex in this than I would have preferred, but only because I was so invested in the plot that the sex couldn't hold my interest. I wish the sex had contained big emotional overtones as well rather than just being hot sex, but that might be personal preference.
It is a fantastic HEA, soppy and loving, but not overdone with marriage and babies, it's the perfect HEA for a hockey romance.
There was a touch more sex in this than I would have preferred, but only because I was so invested in the plot that the sex couldn't hold my interest. I wish the sex had contained big emotional overtones as well rather than just being hot sex, but that might be personal preference.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Homophobia
nitzanschwarz's review
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
C+ 77% | More than Satisfactory*
Ah, I’m quite conflicted here. This definitely wasn’t what I hoped it would be, but maybe it’s on me for being so excited for an adult gay sports romance. It may also be on me because my favorite novels are The Foxhole Court and I have yet to find a gay sports romance that lives up to it.
Anyway, it started well. I think I read the first 50% of the book in a day in a half. The other half… not as much. To be honest, I got a bit… bored. And at this point, I was skimming all the sex scenes because there were just too many of them in my opinion. There was a stretch of “plot”, which was about 30% long, where every other scene (or even consecutive scenes) were just sex scenes. That’s not my cup of tea. I think this book could’ve easily been 100 pages shorter in sex scenes and be much better for it.
The characters were also just… kind of bland, to be honest. And so was their relationship. There just didn’t seem to be much substance to it. They’re both very sexually attracted to each other, and that seems to be the basis of their love. I would’ve really liked to see more of them just chatting and falling in love. Finding the little things about each other that make the other so adorable or perfect. Finding each other’s likes and dislikes… things like that. It was all kind of insta-love based on mutual attraction.
And I think a lot of the more interesting parts about this couple weren’t explored or touched upon, like Kip’s insecurities and low self-esteem. Instead It would’ve also been nice to see a bit of the aftermath of , in terms of the league and team, but that may happen with the next books in the series since they all seem to be focused on the NHL.
Story and Setting –15/20
Characters –16/20
Relationships –16/20
Translation – 15/20
Reading Experience –15/20
Final Score: 77
Ah, I’m quite conflicted here. This definitely wasn’t what I hoped it would be, but maybe it’s on me for being so excited for an adult gay sports romance. It may also be on me because my favorite novels are The Foxhole Court and I have yet to find a gay sports romance that lives up to it.
Anyway, it started well. I think I read the first 50% of the book in a day in a half. The other half… not as much. To be honest, I got a bit… bored. And at this point, I was skimming all the sex scenes because there were just too many of them in my opinion. There was a stretch of “plot”, which was about 30% long, where every other scene (or even consecutive scenes) were just sex scenes. That’s not my cup of tea. I think this book could’ve easily been 100 pages shorter in sex scenes and be much better for it.
The characters were also just… kind of bland, to be honest. And so was their relationship. There just didn’t seem to be much substance to it. They’re both very sexually attracted to each other, and that seems to be the basis of their love. I would’ve really liked to see more of them just chatting and falling in love. Finding the little things about each other that make the other so adorable or perfect. Finding each other’s likes and dislikes… things like that. It was all kind of insta-love based on mutual attraction.
And I think a lot of the more interesting parts about this couple weren’t explored or touched upon, like Kip’s insecurities and low self-esteem. Instead
Spoiler
Kip gets accepted into his master’s program, changes jobs, and suddenly he no longer feels unworthy of Scott.Spoiler
Scott’s coming outStory and Setting –15/20
Characters –16/20
Relationships –16/20
Translation – 15/20
Reading Experience –15/20
Final Score: 77
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
littlewishling's review
emotional
inspiring
lighthearted
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
5.0
Fantastic and addictive! I finished this and then instantly downloaded the next one. Reid’s writing is enthralling, her sex scenes are both saucy and sweet and the banter is just perfect.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Homophobia
Minor: Violence