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elizakay's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
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
Moderate: Grief
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: Alcohol and Drug use
Minor: Car accident and Death
3readingcircus's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Bi mmc rep! Autistic-coded mmc.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief and Sexual content
Moderate: Injury/Injury detail and Panic attacks/disorders
Minor: 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: Alcohol, Grief, Sexual content, and Cursing
Moderate: Drug use
Minor: Biphobia, Car accident, Death, Acephobia/Arophobia, and Injury/Injury detail
journey2's review against another edition
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
3.75
Hockey/sports aren't really my thing, but everyone was loving it so I thought I would give this one a try!
And I didn't hate it!
I found it actually quite enjoyable!
I don't plan on reading a lot of sports romance books but this was new for me and I enjoyed it.
Here's what I liked;
- the two main characters.
- I liked the Slow Burn Romance.
- I liked them working to find themselves and heal from things in their past. And they didn't work on themselves *for* each other or to make themselves "worthy" of each other but worked together in a way that showed support.
- Their communication about boundaries was excellent, especially when it came to things like knowing when Landon was touched out and didn't want physical contact with anybody because it made him uncomfortable. Their acceptance of each other with regards to any seggsual encounters was pretty fantastic. Casey absolutely respected Landon when he said he didn't really know if he had any interest in seggs at all; and then followed through with that, giving him space and time and understanding. Landon never seemed to feel like he couldn't speak up for fear of judgment if he was uncomfortable and Casey was always ready to listen and respect his wishes.
Of course the communication fell apart in *lots* of other ways but in this way, at least, it was very well handled.
- It was a very seggs positive book .
- The hockey was of course a very important factor in the story but wasn't the entire story, and my limited knowledge wasn't a detriment to my reading.
- I was a big fan of the Canadian storyline and a Canadian author and references to Canadian things like touques instead of beanies! (Although not a single mention of Tim Hortons??!?! Not one Timmies run? Not a single timbit?!)
For what I didn't like;
- The book seemed very surface level; even when they got into their personal histories and fears and traumas. There's nothing terribly profound about the book. Not that I expect profound wisdom from every book that I read every time, but even from books that I purely enjoy from a fluffy , comfort read point of view, there wasn't really anything that was a major takeaway or lines that made me stop and think. There were some cute lines, yes, but it was not particularly memorable; other than being very seggsy!
- It was sort of addressed near the end of the book a couple of times but the fact that everybody thought that one of the main characters was so stupid and continually laughed at their supposed idiocy was quite frustrating. To the point where the character just sort of thought that way about themselves regardless; and in a lot of ways didn't think that they were worthy of proper affection and care because they were just a stupid hockey player and hockey is all they were good for. He kind of laughed it off but I feel like there are a lot deeper issues because of it! I really despised that.
All to say...yes, I liked it alright. Not excellent, but if you want a fairly surface level book about hockey players having seggs...this is a good option! But don't expect a Stanley cup from this one!
And I didn't hate it!
I found it actually quite enjoyable!
I don't plan on reading a lot of sports romance books but this was new for me and I enjoyed it.
Here's what I liked;
- the two main characters.
- I liked the Slow Burn Romance.
- I liked them working to find themselves and heal from things in their past. And they didn't work on themselves *for* each other or to make themselves "worthy" of each other but worked together in a way that showed support.
- Their communication about boundaries was excellent, especially when it came to things like knowing when Landon was touched out and didn't want physical contact with anybody because it made him uncomfortable. Their acceptance of each other with regards to any seggsual encounters was pretty fantastic. Casey absolutely respected Landon when he said he didn't really know if he had any interest in seggs at all; and then followed through with that, giving him space and time and understanding. Landon never seemed to feel like he couldn't speak up for fear of judgment if he was uncomfortable and Casey was always ready to listen and respect his wishes.
Of course the communication fell apart in *lots* of other ways but in this way, at least, it was very well handled.
- It was a very seggs positive book .
- The hockey was of course a very important factor in the story but wasn't the entire story, and my limited knowledge wasn't a detriment to my reading.
- I was a big fan of the Canadian storyline and a Canadian author and references to Canadian things like touques instead of beanies! (Although not a single mention of Tim Hortons??!?! Not one Timmies run? Not a single timbit?!)
For what I didn't like;
- The book seemed very surface level; even when they got into their personal histories and fears and traumas. There's nothing terribly profound about the book. Not that I expect profound wisdom from every book that I read every time, but even from books that I purely enjoy from a fluffy , comfort read point of view, there wasn't really anything that was a major takeaway or lines that made me stop and think. There were some cute lines, yes, but it was not particularly memorable; other than being very seggsy!
- It was sort of addressed near the end of the book a couple of times but the fact that everybody thought that one of the main characters was so stupid and continually laughed at their supposed idiocy was quite frustrating. To the point where the character just sort of thought that way about themselves regardless; and in a lot of ways didn't think that they were worthy of proper affection and care because they were just a stupid hockey player and hockey is all they were good for. He kind of laughed it off but I feel like there are a lot deeper issues because of it! I really despised that.
All to say...yes, I liked it alright. Not excellent, but if you want a fairly surface level book about hockey players having seggs...this is a good option! But don't expect a Stanley cup from this one!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Grief
booktalkwithrae'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? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
I really enjoyed this book but I think I was expecting more more. This is my first hockey romance, so I’m not sure how this book would feel if you are an avid hockey, romance reader.
The first half of the book I was not vibing with. I found Casey to be very annoying and I felt like the feelings were growing a little too quickly. The second half of the book however, I thoroughly enjoyed. Once the characters started to be more romantically involved with each other, I felt like the banter and dialogue was enjoyable. The smut was well written, and detailed and their romance enhanced the overall plot of the story.
This is my first book I’ve ever read by this author, so I’m not sure how her writing is with other books. But I can tell that this author does know her hockey. There are a lot of dialogue that related to the hockey world and I really enjoy those little tidbits.
As an addition, I loved the scenes with the family. The family was so heartwarming and loving. And it was really nice to read an LGBTQAI+ book where are the family was accepting.
I think if the buildup in the first half of the book was more enjoyable for me, this would’ve easily been a four-star for me. Nonetheless, I’m glad I stuck with it and glad it picked up in the second half of the book.
The first half of the book I was not vibing with. I found Casey to be very annoying and I felt like the feelings were growing a little too quickly. The second half of the book however, I thoroughly enjoyed. Once the characters started to be more romantically involved with each other, I felt like the banter and dialogue was enjoyable. The smut was well written, and detailed and their romance enhanced the overall plot of the story.
This is my first book I’ve ever read by this author, so I’m not sure how her writing is with other books. But I can tell that this author does know her hockey. There are a lot of dialogue that related to the hockey world and I really enjoy those little tidbits.
As an addition, I loved the scenes with the family. The family was so heartwarming and loving. And it was really nice to read an LGBTQAI+ book where are the family was accepting.
I think if the buildup in the first half of the book was more enjoyable for me, this would’ve easily been a four-star for me. Nonetheless, I’m glad I stuck with it and glad it picked up in the second half of the book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
zoiejanelle's review against another edition
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: Grief and Sexual content
Moderate: Panic attacks/disorders, Death, Drug use, 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: Injury/Injury detail, Car accident, and Death
Minor: Violence
takarakei's review against another edition
funny
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
4.5
- hockey romance
- teammates
- forced proximity
- queer discovery
- opposites attract
Casey is the most golden retriever character I've read. But also, a bi-king! Landon's journey was also so heartwarming to read, he is definitely on the ACE spectrum of sexuality. Holiday romance, but not centered on the holidays (more-so hockey season). Just a really wonderful queer romance!
🌶️4/5
🌶️4/5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content and Grief
Moderate: Alcohol, Injury/Injury detail, Death, and Panic attacks/disorders
Minor: Car accident
pierrereads's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
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
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Grief