A review by now_booking
Holding by Alexandria House

emotional funny sad tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

Ford and Krystle really went through a lot. I typically don’t love the “then” and “now” format of storytelling in romance- I often feel like it chops up the momentum of the story and makes it difficult to really get sunk in but I can’t think of another way this story of lifelong enemies to friends to lovers to enemies to lovers to married to divorced to “it’s complicated” tale. The premise is that childhood neighbours, Ford and Krystle have always been in one another’s lives. Now divorced, Ford struggles to love on with his successful ice hockey career especially with Krystle doing her moving on in the same town. 

This story features heavy themes of grief and mental health which make this a somewhat somber tale, but this author knows how to blend that weight one’s with a humor and camaraderie amongst the ensemble cast of characters that make it less devastating and definitely more authentic.

I think if there’s anything this book is missing, it’s slightly more adult interaction between Ford and Krystle so that we have a bit more character development for Krystle. We get to know Ford a bit through his teammates but we rarely see his serious and sensitive side unless he’s with Krystle and for me there just weren’t enough chunks of that. That said, really enjoyed this and look forward to Rapp’s book.
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