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samlauren07's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
sad
slow-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
- 3🌶️ (m/m romance series)
- Age gap; bi-awakening.
- The plot was slow to build up but the book showcased an adorable and heartwarming relationship developed over time.
- There was good banter in this book that was light v. The more sarcastic banter in the other series books.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia, Sexual content, and Violence
jess_justmaybeperfect's review against another edition
emotional
funny
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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Minor: Adult/minor relationship and Homophobia
levilore_'s review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
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
Now this is how you do an age gap relationship! I really enjoyed this book! I took two side characters who I really liked and expanded on their lives in a cool way.
I was at first worried with the age gap, but I felt that the author did a good job at exploring the dynamics of age gaps, power dynamics, and acknowledging how abuse can occur. The sex scenes were...intense in this book, but again the scenes made sense for the characters and added a lot to their relationship. I do wish that there had been more of a "relationship" section before the epilogue, but I understand that having an official relationship was not really the plot of this story.
I also liked learning more about Eric's and Kyle's friendships with Scott and Kip to see how their friendships are different. (Scott not being able to talk about sex is still very funny to me) Plus I love the characters in each book slowly becoming sus about Ilya and Shane and I really enjoy how the author brings back characters from previous books. I don't feel that those characters are just abandoned in the next book and its cool seeing how they all interact with each other while also knowing what they are like behind the scenes.
This book felt very straightforward with what it was attempting to say and I think it succeeded!
I was at first worried with the age gap, but I felt that the author did a good job at exploring the dynamics of age gaps, power dynamics, and acknowledging how abuse can occur. The sex scenes were...intense in this book, but again the scenes made sense for the characters and added a lot to their relationship. I do wish that there had been more of a "relationship" section before the epilogue, but I understand that having an official relationship was not really the plot of this story.
I also liked learning more about Eric's and Kyle's friendships with Scott and Kip to see how their friendships are different. (Scott not being able to talk about sex is still very funny to me) Plus I love the characters in each book slowly becoming sus about Ilya and Shane and I really enjoy how the author brings back characters from previous books. I don't feel that those characters are just abandoned in the next book and its cool seeing how they all interact with each other while also knowing what they are like behind the scenes.
This book felt very straightforward with what it was attempting to say and I think it succeeded!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cursing and Sexual content
Moderate: Emotional abuse, Homophobia, Toxic relationship, and Outing
Minor: Infidelity
invaderday's review against another edition
slow-paced
4.0
okay first of all. reading this book and realizing it was the 4th in a series of gay hockey romances so there's just like half a dozen gay nhl players milling around the background of this book is FUCKING hilarious. i love you gay sports romance genre please never change (except do change bc i need these in lesbian so badly)
more romantic than i was expecting tbh! the sex scenes are long and very well done, i feel like they take their time to explore a really interesting dynamic between a 25yo dom and a 41yo exploring his bisexuality and submissiveness for the first time.
toward the end of the book, the age gap causing a rift between them did seem to drag on, simply because their ideas for why they couldn't be together don't really change throughout the book so at a certain point it's like. you guys are being stupid on purpose now. but overall a fun read and a fun relationship and lots of fun sex :)
more romantic than i was expecting tbh! the sex scenes are long and very well done, i feel like they take their time to explore a really interesting dynamic between a 25yo dom and a 41yo exploring his bisexuality and submissiveness for the first time.
toward the end of the book, the age gap causing a rift between them did seem to drag on, simply because their ideas for why they couldn't be together don't really change throughout the book so at a certain point it's like. you guys are being stupid on purpose now. but overall a fun read and a fun relationship and lots of fun sex :)
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Minor: Homophobia
dominicangirl's review against another edition
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? No
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Homophobia
hazelgirl21's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
reflective
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
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Homophobia
Minor: Sexual harassment
kharlan3's review against another edition
Content Warnings
Graphic: Infidelity, Sexual content, and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Cursing, Homophobia, and Outing
Minor: Medical content and Alcohol
There’s a lot of discussion of clean eatingcluckieduck's review against another edition
emotional
lighthearted
slow-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
2.0
Definitely my least favourite of the series so far, which is a shame because there was a lot of potential here with the age-gap & setup with Kyle’s family abandonment issues. It just…never went anywhere meaningful.
It was nice to revisit the Admirals & all the NY side characters, including Scott, Kip, & Maria (plus a couple delightful cameos by one Ilya Rozanov), but the relationship between Eric & Kyle was so frustrating to read - so much could have been solved with a simple conversation! Instead we’re treated to frequent self-loathing and pages upon pages of internal dialogue by both mains. The lack of character development meant that I didn’t connect with, or care for, either lead, unfortunately.
It was nice to revisit the Admirals & all the NY side characters, including Scott, Kip, & Maria (plus a couple delightful cameos by one Ilya Rozanov), but the relationship between Eric & Kyle was so frustrating to read - so much could have been solved with a simple conversation! Instead we’re treated to frequent self-loathing and pages upon pages of internal dialogue by both mains. The lack of character development meant that I didn’t connect with, or care for, either lead, unfortunately.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cursing and Sexual content
Moderate: Homophobia and Alcohol
Minor: Infidelity, Toxic relationship, Outing, and Injury/Injury detail
allingoodtime's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
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? It's complicated
4.5
Okay, I know this is not his book and he already got his HEA in Heated Rivalry, but I have to say how much I love Ilya. He cracks me up! And, better yet, keeps everyone around him guessing. The scenes with him are like being in the joke since we know his secret and he just loves messing with those around him. While I hate that it’s a secret, I also appreciate the author showing different realities for different people. That your HEA may look different than mine, but the important thing is the people in the relationship are happy with where they are. Ilya is a very astute person and really loves to shake people up. It’s a lot of fun.
There is such a sweet vulnerability with Eric. The perfect person to help with that is Kyle. These two are perfect together. It’s really telling that their friends thought to get them together as friends because they thought they’d get along, not knowing that Eric is bisexual. But they were right! They have so many of the same interests, but they are plenty different enough to have a lot to learn from one another. For Eric, that’s learning how to navigate the LGBTQ scene in his area. After being in a long marriage to a woman and never telling anyone his sexual feelings, then spending a couple of years alone after the divorce, Eric is ready to explore the side of his sexuality he’s kept hidden. Kyle is the perfect tour guide.
Kyle is out, proud, smart, savvy, and giving. Maybe too giving. Although he’s young, Kyle has had more sexual experiences than Eric, but he’s just as vulnerable. He’s been taken advantage of more than once so he’s not thinking it’s a good idea to open his heart to yet another older man who is hiding. The thing Kyle soon learns is Eric is really not hiding. He’s blossoming.
These two are both so unsure and so reticent to put pressure on the other that there is plenty of miscommunication. When things start heating up in any emotional sort of way, Kyle makes a joke or light comment so Eric won’t think he’s clinging. Or Eric will shut down because he believes he wouldn’t be good for Kyle and wants to protect him. It’s true that Eric was quite adamant about not dating a younger man at first. But then it gets to the point where he doesn’t think Kyle would or should want him anyway.
It was quite touching, to me, to see how well Kyle takes care of Eric throughout this story. Just as Eric would almost forget the age gap when they were together in the same space, so would I. But when they were apart Eric would spiral into his own doubts and let them get the best of him.
As much as I love the story and journey of Kyle and Eric, I also loved being back in New York where it all started. Revisiting Kip and Scott as they were quite prominent in the story and having Scott be a sounding board for Eric is an appreciated step in this series. It’s always fun to revisit the couples from previous stories, especially when it’s in such a way to progress the current story and not take away from the new couple.
Content Warnings
Minor: Homophobia
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