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erika_winters's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-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
What a fun hockey romance! This is the first book I’ve ever read in the hockey romance sub-genre, and this is truly everything I’ve always wanted to read regarding my two loves: queer romance and hockey! I think that Rachel Reid blends the lives of hockey players both on and off the ice so well that it didn’t feel like either parts of the plot were being neglected. What I mean by this is that I’ve been scared to pick up a hockey romance because I thought it would leave out the hockey aspect to have the romance shine through, but this was the perfect blend of both! I honestly didn’t think I would like Casey, but I realized how much of a loving person he really is and not just an eccentric himbo. Landon was the character I related to the most because he has a fear of intimacy and is battling with a lot of self-esteem issues, and who doesn’t relate to that in some ways? Both men help one another see their full potential and that they can be loved for who they are, and if that’s not the best concept for a romance then I don’t know what else could be better! Reid knows puck and she also knows how to write about gay love, and I have to commend her wholeheartedly by thanking her from the tallest building for writing this beautiful story!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Death
levilore_'s review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
sad
medium-paced
- 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
4.75
Once again, Rachel Reid writes an amazing gay hockey book that makes me cry. I really loved this book, especially the MCs. Landon and Casey were both complex characters who had their own unique flaws that I fell in love with.
I thought the ending was a bit rushed, but it did make sense for the story. Also! A unique MLM romance because there were great discussions of physical boundaries and sexual desire!
I thought the ending was a bit rushed, but it did make sense for the story. Also! A unique MLM romance because there were great discussions of physical boundaries and sexual desire!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content and Grief
Moderate: Child death, Cursing, Death, Suicidal thoughts, and Alcohol
Minor: Car accident and Injury/Injury detail
booksandcoffeewithlexi's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
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? It's complicated
4.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death
katekatiekait's review against another edition
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death
Moderate: Alcohol
Minor: Car accident
mabellene's review against another edition
emotional
funny
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
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death and Grief
Moderate: Panic attacks/disorders and Car accident
Minor: Drug use, Violence, and Injury/Injury detail
wanderingtales's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content and Grief
Moderate: Drug use and Alcohol
Minor: Death and Car accident
sundayseesstars's review
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
I really loved the aspec rep in this one!! I related to Landon so much in his attitude towards sex (except I'm ace and he's probably demi), and I could see my friend clearly in his attitude towards touching (I'd rec her the book if I didn't know she does not appreciate the genre :p). Overall incredibly sweet and well worth the read, as I've come to expect from Rachel Reid! I'd only discovered her earlier this year but I couldn't be more happy about it!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Grief
Minor: Death and Car accident
garbage_mcsmutly's review against another edition
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
4.25
This was a really sweet story! Ace representation, lots of steamy scenes, and a very good performance from the narrator. Wrapped up kind of in a hurry though. I wish there had been more about Landon's personal growth (get him in therapy!!!)
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cursing, Sexual content, Grief, and Alcohol
Moderate: Drug use
Minor: Biphobia, Death, Car accident, Acephobia/Arophobia, and Injury/Injury detail
zoiejanelle's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
RACHEL REID NEVER MISSES.
the individual character arcs were a bit shallow (Casey is afraid of the dark/of being alone… Landon is dealing with grief and depression) but their weird quirks made them so much more believable and complex. Reid really knows how to craft lovable, relatable three-dimensional characters—even if the pieced that make up each character seem a little silly.
i read some reviews before diving into this book which made me hesitant to read. after the Game Changers series, i doubted Reid could top her shilya duology. however, her extremely commercial, palatable style and the tangible, compelling chemistry drew me in. this book was fast, easy to digest, and gave me SO MANY FEELINGS. i don’t know how she does it.
i liked how she portrayed Landon’s demisexuality and his touch aversion, but i wish Landon and Casey had had a more awkward and realistic first-time experience. or that they would have acknowledged that sex can and will be awkward or uncomfortable. Casey’s sexual expertise and openness (and chattiness) certainly improved their first experiences with one another, but i like Reid’s REALISM in her relationships, and i wish she’d incorporated just a touch more of it here.
the main issue i had with this book was how quickly each character realized and acknowledged their crush. there weren’t really any “oh” moments, and their chemistry really didn’t leap off the page until after they’d stated they were crushing. <edit: i reread the book this week and disagree with this opinion now—i think the gradual build was done well despite not having any “oh” crush moments. we did get that much later though with casey at the christmas party. wink!>
i will say that once they caught feelings, i was hooked. i stayed up until 4am reading because i had such intense butterflies i just couldn’t wait to see what happened next. i loved how wholesome and unconditional their love for one another was, and how that balanced with the sexier scenes.
all in all, a slay. anything Rachel Reid writes, i will read.
the individual character arcs were a bit shallow (Casey is afraid of the dark/of being alone… Landon is dealing with grief and depression) but their weird quirks made them so much more believable and complex. Reid really knows how to craft lovable, relatable three-dimensional characters—even if the pieced that make up each character seem a little silly.
i read some reviews before diving into this book which made me hesitant to read. after the Game Changers series, i doubted Reid could top her shilya duology. however, her extremely commercial, palatable style and the tangible, compelling chemistry drew me in. this book was fast, easy to digest, and gave me SO MANY FEELINGS. i don’t know how she does it.
i liked how she portrayed Landon’s demisexuality and his touch aversion, but i wish Landon and Casey had had a more awkward and realistic first-time experience. or that they would have acknowledged that sex can and will be awkward or uncomfortable. Casey’s sexual expertise and openness (and chattiness) certainly improved their first experiences with one another, but i like Reid’s REALISM in her relationships, and i wish she’d incorporated just a touch more of it here.
the main issue i had with this book was how quickly each character realized and acknowledged their crush. there weren’t really any “oh” moments, and their chemistry really didn’t leap off the page until after they’d stated they were crushing. <edit: i reread the book this week and disagree with this opinion now—i think the gradual build was done well despite not having any “oh” crush moments. we did get that much later though with casey at the christmas party. wink!>
i will say that once they caught feelings, i was hooked. i stayed up until 4am reading because i had such intense butterflies i just couldn’t wait to see what happened next. i loved how wholesome and unconditional their love for one another was, and how that balanced with the sexier scenes.
all in all, a slay. anything Rachel Reid writes, i will read.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content and Grief
Moderate: Death, Drug use, Panic attacks/disorders, and Alcohol
Minor: Homophobia and Medical content
amy_in_the_city'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
I loved both lead characters and their relationship. While he never actually labels himself this way, Landon's explanation of how he experiences attraction sounded demisexual to me. Casey was an amazing golden retriever type who was so patient with Landon, never pressuring him and always checking in with him to see if he was good with what was happening. I think this is the first romance I've read where one of the characters isn't into a common sex act, and their partner is absolutely fine with never doing that act with anyone ever again. That was so refreshing to see depicted.
I was initially frustrated with the third-act conflict because I thought Landon gave up on the relationship too quickly, but then I realized this was a case of "I'm in this photo, and I don't like it." As someone who also struggles with low self-worth making them give up on relationships too easily, Landon's actions made sense to me.
The development of this relationship felt realistic, and I found myself really cheering for the characters in a way I don't often do when reading romance novels.
I was initially frustrated with the third-act conflict because I thought Landon gave up on the relationship too quickly, but then I realized this was a case of "I'm in this photo, and I don't like it." As someone who also struggles with low self-worth making them give up on relationships too easily, Landon's actions made sense to me.
The development of this relationship felt realistic, and I found myself really cheering for the characters in a way I don't often do when reading romance novels.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness, Sexual content, and Grief
Moderate: Death, Car accident, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Violence