cozycritiques's reviews
28 reviews
Whisper into the Night by Jay Leigh
adventurous
emotional
lighthearted
fast-paced
5.0
“Sir?” Connor’s one-word question cut through the noise like a lifeline. A ray of sunshine that sliced through the tempest-tossed sea of chaos threatening to drown Theo.
- Whisper into the Night
Thank you Jay for the e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.
CW: Violence, Kidnapping, Death, Gun Use, Nazi and Neo-Nazi Symbolism/Paraphenalia, Right-Wing Extremist Rhetoric, Misogyny, Hospitalization, Anxiety/Panic Attacks, Asthma Attacks, Parental Abandonment, Terrorism
Tropes: Bodyguard, Political Suspense, Grumpy/sunshine, Forced Proximity, Forbidden Relationship, Found Family
Representation: Disability (Asthma), Mental Health (Anxiety), LGBT
Spice Scale: 🌶🌶🌶🌶
This. Book.
Red, White & Royal Blue is my favorite book, so when Jay described Whisper into the Night as RWRB meets the bodyguard, I knew I had to read it. And let me tell you, this book single handedly cured my three month long reading slump.
Leigh drops you into a world of political intrigue and romance that immediately grabs your attention and doesn’t let go until the last page. Between the expertly developed characters, fresh takes on storytelling, and unexpected political twists and turns, I spent too many nights in a row staying up far too late because I was unable to stop reading. The relationship between Theo and Connor is both hot and tender. The multiple POVs, which I initially thought would be too daunting, end up creating a rich world in a way I could have never expected.
Reading Whisper into the Night gave me the same feeling I get when I reread a comfort read for the nth time. Despite never having met the characters before, they felt familiar and safe. Theo and Connor are obviously the stars of the show, but I loved every member of the Rainbow Brigade, and I can’t wait to see them again in book 2.
- Whisper into the Night
Thank you Jay for the e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.
CW: Violence, Kidnapping, Death, Gun Use, Nazi and Neo-Nazi Symbolism/Paraphenalia, Right-Wing Extremist Rhetoric, Misogyny, Hospitalization, Anxiety/Panic Attacks, Asthma Attacks, Parental Abandonment, Terrorism
Tropes: Bodyguard, Political Suspense, Grumpy/sunshine, Forced Proximity, Forbidden Relationship, Found Family
Representation: Disability (Asthma), Mental Health (Anxiety), LGBT
Spice Scale: 🌶🌶🌶🌶
This. Book.
Red, White & Royal Blue is my favorite book, so when Jay described Whisper into the Night as RWRB meets the bodyguard, I knew I had to read it. And let me tell you, this book single handedly cured my three month long reading slump.
Leigh drops you into a world of political intrigue and romance that immediately grabs your attention and doesn’t let go until the last page. Between the expertly developed characters, fresh takes on storytelling, and unexpected political twists and turns, I spent too many nights in a row staying up far too late because I was unable to stop reading. The relationship between Theo and Connor is both hot and tender. The multiple POVs, which I initially thought would be too daunting, end up creating a rich world in a way I could have never expected.
Reading Whisper into the Night gave me the same feeling I get when I reread a comfort read for the nth time. Despite never having met the characters before, they felt familiar and safe. Theo and Connor are obviously the stars of the show, but I loved every member of the Rainbow Brigade, and I can’t wait to see them again in book 2.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Death, Gun violence, Kidnapping, Panic attacks/disorders, Abandonment, and Medical content
Moderate: Misogyny, Injury/Injury detail, and Fire/Fire injury
CW: Violence, Kidnapping, Death, Gun Use, Nazi and Neo-Nazi Symbolism/Paraphenalia, Right-Wing Extremist Rhetoric, Misogyny, Hospitalization, Anxiety/Panic Attacks, Asthma Attacks, Parental Abandonment, Terrorism
Checking Out by Jay Leigh
emotional
medium-paced
5.0
"His warmth, his soft breathing, and the solidity of him in my arms were more intoxicating than any combination of drugs and alcohol I’d ever consumed, and I wanted to ride this high for as long as possible.”
- Checking Out
Thank you, Jay Leigh, for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Tropes: Forced Proximity, Opposites Attract, Workplace
Representation: LGBTQ (Gay), Mental Health, Dyslexia
Spice Scale: 🌶🌶🌶🌶
CW: Childhood trauma, neglect, grief, addiction, death of a parent, homophobia, injury, depression, and anxiety
Although different in tone from her debut, Checking Out is just as captivating and takes you on a journey of loss, recovery, and hope despite difficult circumstances.
As a highly empathetic person, this story definitely put me through the emotional ringer. The characters have their demons, like childhood trauma and neglect, grief, addiction, and depression and anxiety. However, Leigh handles it beautifully in a refreshing and comforting way. Too often in romance, larger issues seem to be either magically fixed by a romantic relationship or ignored once the characters get their happily ever after. And though, yes, Shiloh and Trey get their HEA, it is not at the expense of their healing. It is because of it. It is because they take the time to confront their demons head-on and heal that they can move forward together in a healthy, loving, and truly inspiring.
Unsurprisingly, given how much I adored the entire Rainbow Brigade in Whisper into the Night, I fell in love with the entire cast of characters in Checking Out. Shiloh was an absolute sweetheart, and I loved his relationship with his fiercely protective twin, Mason. Trey was a perfect mix of compelling and swoony (I am such a sucker for a dark-haired, French-speaking hero).
Checking Out is a truly beautifully complex story that stuck with me for days after staying up way too late reading it. I can’t wait to see what comes next from this universe and from Jay’s writing.
- Checking Out
Thank you, Jay Leigh, for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Tropes: Forced Proximity, Opposites Attract, Workplace
Representation: LGBTQ (Gay), Mental Health, Dyslexia
Spice Scale: 🌶🌶🌶🌶
CW: Childhood trauma, neglect, grief, addiction, death of a parent, homophobia, injury, depression, and anxiety
Although different in tone from her debut, Checking Out is just as captivating and takes you on a journey of loss, recovery, and hope despite difficult circumstances.
As a highly empathetic person, this story definitely put me through the emotional ringer. The characters have their demons, like childhood trauma and neglect, grief, addiction, and depression and anxiety. However, Leigh handles it beautifully in a refreshing and comforting way. Too often in romance, larger issues seem to be either magically fixed by a romantic relationship or ignored once the characters get their happily ever after. And though, yes, Shiloh and Trey get their HEA, it is not at the expense of their healing. It is because of it. It is because they take the time to confront their demons head-on and heal that they can move forward together in a healthy, loving, and truly inspiring.
Unsurprisingly, given how much I adored the entire Rainbow Brigade in Whisper into the Night, I fell in love with the entire cast of characters in Checking Out. Shiloh was an absolute sweetheart, and I loved his relationship with his fiercely protective twin, Mason. Trey was a perfect mix of compelling and swoony (I am such a sucker for a dark-haired, French-speaking hero).
Checking Out is a truly beautifully complex story that stuck with me for days after staying up way too late reading it. I can’t wait to see what comes next from this universe and from Jay’s writing.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Alcohol, Drug abuse, Drug use, Death of parent, Grief, and Addiction
Moderate: Homophobia
Minor: Injury/Injury detail
Childhood trauma, neglect, grief, addiction, death of a parent, homophobia, injury, depression, and anxiety
Illuminate the Night by Jay Leigh
adventurous
emotional
lighthearted
fast-paced
5.0
”Caleb had promised to burn the world down for Elias. Never one to settle for mediocrity, he took it one step further—he blew it right up.”
- Illuminate the Night
Tropes: Romantic Suspense, Political Suspense, Workplace Romance, Boss/Employee, Age Gap, Single Father, Silver Fox, Size Difference, Aggressive Twink, Found Family, Multiple POV
Representation: LGBTQ+ (Gay and Bisexual), Jewish
Spice Scale: 🌶🌶🌶🌶 (”Good Boy”, Mild D/s Dynamic)
CW: Violence, Kidnapping, Death, Gun Use, Nazi and Neo-Nazi Symbolism/Paraphenalia, Right-Wing Extremist Rhetoric, Terrorism, Misogyny, Government coverups, Financial Insecurity, Parental Abuse, Former Domestic Abuse
A direct sequel to Whisper into the Night, Illuminate the Night focuses on the relationship of Elias and Caleb as everyone recovers from the trauma they experienced at the end of book one. This will be a six-book long series, so the overarching plot is built slowly. However, that doesn’t prevent this book from being a fast-paced, tension-filled ride. Leigh takes the political intrigue from book one and ramps it up as it becomes clear that the breach of the Secret Service was just the tip of the iceberg that is the right-wing extremist’s plans. I was on the edge of my seat as the gang tried to unravel the new threats that kept coming out of the woodwork.
The multiple POV format is quickly becoming one of my favorite things. Reading the story from so many different angles brings it a new life and allows for a deeper connection to all of the characters. While the main focus was on Elias and Caleb’s love story, I loved seeing the hints of relationships developing on the side, especially Taz’s, which will be the focus of the next book. Actually, I just loved getting to know Taz in general. Although I wasn’t his biggest fan in Whisper into the Night, he quickly grew on me, and I learned to love his prickly exterior. I was also glad to see first-hand how Connor and Theo were processing the aftermath of Theo’s kidnapping. Although it’s sad that Connor’s sunshine demeanor has been hardened by the events of the last book, I am kind of living for the new “no fucks given” version of him. I couldn’t help but do a little cheer every time he told off Theo’s mother.
However, the star of the show is, of course, Elias and Caleb. I fell in love with their flirty banter in book one, so seeing that banter turn into something more was absolutely wonderful. Although Elias is technically Caleb’s boss (Caleb frequently calls him “bossman,” and it kills me every time), there weren’t any uncomfortable power dynamics between them. In fact, there was a bit of role reversal, which was fresh and unexpected. Leigh is truly a master at flipping typical tropes and relationship dynamics on their heads. But beyond that, you can tell just how much they trust each other, both at work and later in their personal lives. They took care of and were vulnerable with each other, which made it almost impossible for me to put this book down. Also, the way the relationship between Caleb and Parker develops throughout the book is too sweet.
I thought I already loved the Rainbow Brigade, but reading Illuminate the Night made me fall in love with them all over again. Leigh’s writing is a perfect combination of political schemes, plot twists, swoony romance, and witty banter, and I can’t wait to see what is next in store.
- Illuminate the Night
Tropes: Romantic Suspense, Political Suspense, Workplace Romance, Boss/Employee, Age Gap, Single Father, Silver Fox, Size Difference, Aggressive Twink, Found Family, Multiple POV
Representation: LGBTQ+ (Gay and Bisexual), Jewish
Spice Scale: 🌶🌶🌶🌶 (”Good Boy”, Mild D/s Dynamic)
CW: Violence, Kidnapping, Death, Gun Use, Nazi and Neo-Nazi Symbolism/Paraphenalia, Right-Wing Extremist Rhetoric, Terrorism, Misogyny, Government coverups, Financial Insecurity, Parental Abuse, Former Domestic Abuse
A direct sequel to Whisper into the Night, Illuminate the Night focuses on the relationship of Elias and Caleb as everyone recovers from the trauma they experienced at the end of book one. This will be a six-book long series, so the overarching plot is built slowly. However, that doesn’t prevent this book from being a fast-paced, tension-filled ride. Leigh takes the political intrigue from book one and ramps it up as it becomes clear that the breach of the Secret Service was just the tip of the iceberg that is the right-wing extremist’s plans. I was on the edge of my seat as the gang tried to unravel the new threats that kept coming out of the woodwork.
The multiple POV format is quickly becoming one of my favorite things. Reading the story from so many different angles brings it a new life and allows for a deeper connection to all of the characters. While the main focus was on Elias and Caleb’s love story, I loved seeing the hints of relationships developing on the side, especially Taz’s, which will be the focus of the next book. Actually, I just loved getting to know Taz in general. Although I wasn’t his biggest fan in Whisper into the Night, he quickly grew on me, and I learned to love his prickly exterior. I was also glad to see first-hand how Connor and Theo were processing the aftermath of Theo’s kidnapping. Although it’s sad that Connor’s sunshine demeanor has been hardened by the events of the last book, I am kind of living for the new “no fucks given” version of him. I couldn’t help but do a little cheer every time he told off Theo’s mother.
However, the star of the show is, of course, Elias and Caleb. I fell in love with their flirty banter in book one, so seeing that banter turn into something more was absolutely wonderful. Although Elias is technically Caleb’s boss (Caleb frequently calls him “bossman,” and it kills me every time), there weren’t any uncomfortable power dynamics between them. In fact, there was a bit of role reversal, which was fresh and unexpected. Leigh is truly a master at flipping typical tropes and relationship dynamics on their heads. But beyond that, you can tell just how much they trust each other, both at work and later in their personal lives. They took care of and were vulnerable with each other, which made it almost impossible for me to put this book down. Also, the way the relationship between Caleb and Parker develops throughout the book is too sweet.
I thought I already loved the Rainbow Brigade, but reading Illuminate the Night made me fall in love with them all over again. Leigh’s writing is a perfect combination of political schemes, plot twists, swoony romance, and witty banter, and I can’t wait to see what is next in store.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gun violence, Violence, and Kidnapping
Moderate: Misogyny, Emotional abuse, and Physical abuse
Minor: Domestic abuse
Violence, Kidnapping, Death, Gun Use, Nazi and Neo-Nazi Symbolism/Paraphenalia, Right-Wing Extremist Rhetoric, Terrorism, Misogyny, Government coverups, Financial Insecurity, Parental Abuse, Former Domestic Abuse
Mistletoe and Mishigas by M.A. Wardell
emotional
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
5.0
“Sheldon Soleskin is utterly adorable. Asshole.”
- Mistletoe and Mishigas
Happy release day to my dear friend, Matt! Thank you for letting me read an early copy of this amazing holiday rom com 😊
Tropes: Holiday Romance, Fake Dating, Opposites Attract, Grumpy/Sunshine, Workplace Romance, Teachers, No Third Act Breakup, Dual POV, Snowed In, Found Family, Size Difference, Hurt/Comfort
Representation: LGBTQ+ (Gay, Femme Gay), Plus Size, Mental Health (PTSD), Jewish
Spice Scale: 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
CW: Parental Abandonment, Death, Grief, PTSD Flashbacks, Discussion of Military Trauma and Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell
Wardell does it again, perfectly mixing humor with a love story that will make your heart melt. One of my favorite things about Teacher of the Year, aside from the Marvin’s relatability, was how unapologetic it was in its representation. It didn’t hold back, didn’t sanitize anything, and Mistletoe and Mishigas is the same.
Neither Sheldon or Theo are what a romance reader has come to expect from male leads. Sheldon is a femme gay man. He’s short and has flaming red hair. He loves to dance and paint his nails. He’s loud and proud of who he is. Theo is plus size. He’s a grump with a secret soft side. He loves to cook. In a genre full of buff men, these two break the mold and I love them for it.
Their love story is heartwarming and refreshing. They’re total opposites, yet find themselves drawn to each other in ways neither really understands. I loved watching Theo’s sweet side unfold the more Sheldon wormed his way into his life, and I completely melted at his interactions with sweet Brodie. There’s also a blissful lack of unnecessary conflict. Their path to love wasn’t easy, but it was a delight watching them slowly fall in love without the looming threat of something tearing them apart.
Like Teacher of the Year, Mistletoe’s cast of side characters are well developed and lovable. I loved Naomi and Kent (who I am very much looking forward to getting to know better in the next book), but Theo’s parents really stole the show. I wish I could be adopted by them like Sheldon.
Teacher of the Year was amazing and one of my favorite reads of the year, but Mistletoe and Mishigas is even better. It’s cozy, laugh-out-loud funny, spicy (even spicier than TOY), and the perfect book to get you in the holiday mood.
- Mistletoe and Mishigas
Happy release day to my dear friend, Matt! Thank you for letting me read an early copy of this amazing holiday rom com 😊
Tropes: Holiday Romance, Fake Dating, Opposites Attract, Grumpy/Sunshine, Workplace Romance, Teachers, No Third Act Breakup, Dual POV, Snowed In, Found Family, Size Difference, Hurt/Comfort
Representation: LGBTQ+ (Gay, Femme Gay), Plus Size, Mental Health (PTSD), Jewish
Spice Scale: 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
CW: Parental Abandonment, Death, Grief, PTSD Flashbacks, Discussion of Military Trauma and Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell
Wardell does it again, perfectly mixing humor with a love story that will make your heart melt. One of my favorite things about Teacher of the Year, aside from the Marvin’s relatability, was how unapologetic it was in its representation. It didn’t hold back, didn’t sanitize anything, and Mistletoe and Mishigas is the same.
Neither Sheldon or Theo are what a romance reader has come to expect from male leads. Sheldon is a femme gay man. He’s short and has flaming red hair. He loves to dance and paint his nails. He’s loud and proud of who he is. Theo is plus size. He’s a grump with a secret soft side. He loves to cook. In a genre full of buff men, these two break the mold and I love them for it.
Their love story is heartwarming and refreshing. They’re total opposites, yet find themselves drawn to each other in ways neither really understands. I loved watching Theo’s sweet side unfold the more Sheldon wormed his way into his life, and I completely melted at his interactions with sweet Brodie. There’s also a blissful lack of unnecessary conflict. Their path to love wasn’t easy, but it was a delight watching them slowly fall in love without the looming threat of something tearing them apart.
Like Teacher of the Year, Mistletoe’s cast of side characters are well developed and lovable. I loved Naomi and Kent (who I am very much looking forward to getting to know better in the next book), but Theo’s parents really stole the show. I wish I could be adopted by them like Sheldon.
Teacher of the Year was amazing and one of my favorite reads of the year, but Mistletoe and Mishigas is even better. It’s cozy, laugh-out-loud funny, spicy (even spicier than TOY), and the perfect book to get you in the holiday mood.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief and Panic attacks/disorders
Moderate: Abandonment
The Legacy by Elle Kennedy
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
“It’s times like this I remember why I fell so hopelessly hard for this girl.”
Tropes: Weddings, Proposals, Accidental Pregnancy, Miscommunication
Spice Scale: 🌶🌶🌶
CW: Past Sexual Assault, Past Child Abuse, Plane Troubles, Minor Injury
I have mixed feelings about this book. One one hand, I loved the characters in this series (for the most part—see my review for The Mistake), so I was excited to read more of them. It was also fun trying to guess which couple would get which storyline/milestone.
However, the plot was lacking for me. Since this was an epilogue book, I went into this hoping for 320 pages of pure fluff, and while there were some cute moments, there was a lot of miscommunication. For four couples whose paths to love were not exactly smooth sailing, I hoped for more growth in their communication styles after three years of being together. The drama that each of the couples go through felt a little forced.
That being said, there were a lot of really cute moments. The banter and shenanigans that I enjoyed from the first four books were there, and I laughed out loud every time Alexander made an appearance (I would explain more, but it would spoil it). But it was the bromance between Garrett, Dean, Logan, and Tucker that really stole the show.
Tropes: Weddings, Proposals, Accidental Pregnancy, Miscommunication
Spice Scale: 🌶🌶🌶
CW: Past Sexual Assault, Past Child Abuse, Plane Troubles, Minor Injury
I have mixed feelings about this book. One one hand, I loved the characters in this series (for the most part—see my review for The Mistake), so I was excited to read more of them. It was also fun trying to guess which couple would get which storyline/milestone.
However, the plot was lacking for me. Since this was an epilogue book, I went into this hoping for 320 pages of pure fluff, and while there were some cute moments, there was a lot of miscommunication. For four couples whose paths to love were not exactly smooth sailing, I hoped for more growth in their communication styles after three years of being together. The drama that each of the couples go through felt a little forced.
That being said, there were a lot of really cute moments. The banter and shenanigans that I enjoyed from the first four books were there, and I laughed out loud every time Alexander made an appearance (I would explain more, but it would spoil it). But it was the bromance between Garrett, Dean, Logan, and Tucker that really stole the show.
Content Warnings
Minor: Physical abuse, Injury/Injury detail, and Sexual assault
The Goal by Elle Kennedy
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
“Because love is the ultimate goal. It’s not the one I had strived for, but I was lucky enough, so damn lucky, to achieve it.”
- The Goal
Tropes: Sports (Hockey), College, One-Night Stand, Surprise Pregnancy, Slow Burn
Spice Scale: 🌶🌶🌶🌶
CW: Pregnancy, Death, Grief, Sexual Harassment
The Goal was the slowest burn of the series, which I really loved. It was well paced and allowed for some amazing character development. It also gave a different perspective on the events from The Score, which was interesting to read.
Sabrina was independent and stubborn which contrasted against Tucker’s easygoing and friendly manner well. I loved how much of a gentleman cinnamon roll Tucker was while also being surprisingly dirty.
Surprise pregnancy gets a bad rap, but The Goal handled the trope so well. So if you’re looking for a book to change your mind on the trope, this one might just be it.
- The Goal
Tropes: Sports (Hockey), College, One-Night Stand, Surprise Pregnancy, Slow Burn
Spice Scale: 🌶🌶🌶🌶
CW: Pregnancy, Death, Grief, Sexual Harassment
The Goal was the slowest burn of the series, which I really loved. It was well paced and allowed for some amazing character development. It also gave a different perspective on the events from The Score, which was interesting to read.
Sabrina was independent and stubborn which contrasted against Tucker’s easygoing and friendly manner well. I loved how much of a gentleman cinnamon roll Tucker was while also being surprisingly dirty.
Surprise pregnancy gets a bad rap, but The Goal handled the trope so well. So if you’re looking for a book to change your mind on the trope, this one might just be it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Pregnancy and Grief
Moderate: Death
Minor: Sexual harassment
The Score by Elle Kennedy
emotional
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
“Seriously, just find yourself a rebound.” Dean whips up his arm. “I volunteer as tribute.”
- The Score
Tropes: Sports (Hockey), College, Reformed Player, Friends with Benefits to Lovers, Secret Relationship, Actress
Spice Scale: 🌶🌶🌶🌶
CW: Slut Shaming, Death, Drug Use, Grief, Suicidal Ideation (Mention)
I will admit that I didn’t really like Dean much in the first two books, but The Score totally changed my mind. He’s cocky, but also such a secret softie. His coaching was sweet to watch, and his support of his friends was endearing.
I loved how his and Allie’s relationship developed from a rebound to friends to something real. The had amazing chemistry and the fact that they were still pining for each other while carrying on with a sexual relationship was so well done. They had such a supportive relationship, and the conflict between them at the end was realistic and handled with care and nuance.
I think The Score might be my favorite of the series. It was funny (the bathtub scene and Dean and Beau’s Twilight conversation especially), soft, and sexy. It checked all the boxes.
- The Score
Tropes: Sports (Hockey), College, Reformed Player, Friends with Benefits to Lovers, Secret Relationship, Actress
Spice Scale: 🌶🌶🌶🌶
CW: Slut Shaming, Death, Drug Use, Grief, Suicidal Ideation (Mention)
I will admit that I didn’t really like Dean much in the first two books, but The Score totally changed my mind. He’s cocky, but also such a secret softie. His coaching was sweet to watch, and his support of his friends was endearing.
I loved how his and Allie’s relationship developed from a rebound to friends to something real. The had amazing chemistry and the fact that they were still pining for each other while carrying on with a sexual relationship was so well done. They had such a supportive relationship, and the conflict between them at the end was realistic and handled with care and nuance.
I think The Score might be my favorite of the series. It was funny (the bathtub scene and Dean and Beau’s Twilight conversation especially), soft, and sexy. It checked all the boxes.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief
Moderate: Death and Drug use
slut shaming
The Mistake by Elle Kennedy
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
“What are you doing?” I whisper. “Well, you were looking at me like you wanted me to kiss you.” His blue eyes become heavy-lidded. “So I was thinking I might do that.”
- The Mistake
Tropes: Sports (Hockey), College, Reformed Player, Second Chance (sort of)
Spice Scale: 🌶🌶🌶🌶
CW: Alcoholism
The Mistake was a little disappointing after The Deal, which I loved. I loved Logan’s character growth and the discussion around his father’s alcoholism. And for the most part, I liked him and Grace together, but Grace as a character got on my nerves. The way she approached relationships was emotionally immature, which might be expected for a college freshman, but there was no growth beyond that.
** Spoilers ahead **
Her friendship with Ramona was toxic from the start and didn’t get any better, and the third-act-breakup fight at the end was her fault. She shouldn’t have blown up the way she did when Logan was clearly just anxiety spiraling after a traumatic event, and he shouldn’t have had to be the one to do the grand gesture to get her back.
Overall, I still enjoyed it. It had a cute premise. The grand gesture list was fun, and I enjoyed still getting to see Hannah and Garret together as well as the rest of the friend group. But it was Logan’s character development and my obsession with completionism that kept me going with this book.
- The Mistake
Tropes: Sports (Hockey), College, Reformed Player, Second Chance (sort of)
Spice Scale: 🌶🌶🌶🌶
CW: Alcoholism
The Mistake was a little disappointing after The Deal, which I loved. I loved Logan’s character growth and the discussion around his father’s alcoholism. And for the most part, I liked him and Grace together, but Grace as a character got on my nerves. The way she approached relationships was emotionally immature, which might be expected for a college freshman, but there was no growth beyond that.
** Spoilers ahead **
Her friendship with Ramona was toxic from the start and didn’t get any better, and the third-act-breakup fight at the end was her fault. She shouldn’t have blown up the way she did when Logan was clearly just anxiety spiraling after a traumatic event, and he shouldn’t have had to be the one to do the grand gesture to get her back.
Overall, I still enjoyed it. It had a cute premise. The grand gesture list was fun, and I enjoyed still getting to see Hannah and Garret together as well as the rest of the friend group. But it was Logan’s character development and my obsession with completionism that kept me going with this book.
Content Warnings
Minor: Alcoholism
The Deal by Elle Kennedy
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
“Baby, I could watch you watching paint dry, and I still wouldn’t be bored.” Garrett Graham, my own personal sweet-talker.
- The Deal
Tropes: Sports (Hockey), College, Fake Dating, Reformed Player, Only One Bed
Spice Scale: 🌶🌶🌶🌶
CW: Rape, Physical Abuse, Parental Abuse, Violence
The Deal was soft, swoony, and funny. Hannah was a sassy heroine and Garrett was cocky and confident. They had great chemistry. Their witty banter and bickering was funny without being too over the top, and they had amazing physical chemistry. But they also connected with each other on an emotionally vulnerable level that was new for both of them. It was sweet, and I couldn’t help rooting for them.
Like Hannah and Garrett didn’t expect the feelings they ended up developing for each other, I truly did not expect to love The Deal as much as I did. It was a quick and easy read, entertaining, and definitely ended up being one of my favorites in the series.
- The Deal
Tropes: Sports (Hockey), College, Fake Dating, Reformed Player, Only One Bed
Spice Scale: 🌶🌶🌶🌶
CW: Rape, Physical Abuse, Parental Abuse, Violence
The Deal was soft, swoony, and funny. Hannah was a sassy heroine and Garrett was cocky and confident. They had great chemistry. Their witty banter and bickering was funny without being too over the top, and they had amazing physical chemistry. But they also connected with each other on an emotionally vulnerable level that was new for both of them. It was sweet, and I couldn’t help rooting for them.
Like Hannah and Garrett didn’t expect the feelings they ended up developing for each other, I truly did not expect to love The Deal as much as I did. It was a quick and easy read, entertaining, and definitely ended up being one of my favorites in the series.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Physical abuse
Minor: Rape