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emptzuu's review against another edition
I should have taken Colleen Hoover's praise for this book as a warning sign, but I ignored it and kept reading. Big mistake. This book, written by women for women (and particularly for heterosexual audiences), is highly problematic and is unfortunately touted as a modern classic in M/M relationships. I've since learned that both authors have troubling histories: Sabrina Bowen often includes misogyny in her books. At the same time, Elle Kennedy fetishizes lesbian relationships and body-shames women, and her works frequently contain misogynistic themes. Starting Pride Month with a book filled with homophobia, biphobia, lesbophobia, a hint of transphobia, M/M fetishization, sexism, and racism was incredibly disheartening.
The clichés in this book are unbearable, and the "dude-bro" dialogue and behavior are even worse. Wes and Jamie interact like stereotypical teenage girls, despite their macho exteriors. Despite being friends, they never discuss their issues, feelings, or thoughts. Everything is centered around sex.
The bisexual representation is poorly executed. Jamie is depicted as being bi only for Wes. He mentions missing being with girls because of how soft they are and constantly checks out girls even when he's with Wes. Jamie's struggle with his new sexuality is minimal, which felt unrealistic. There's a minor scene where Wes squeezes Jamie's ass in public, and Jamie looks around nervously, but that's about it. When he realizes he is bi, his response is, "My family will love me anyway," which seemed too easy. I wanted more conflict, inner struggles, and mixed feelings. This portrayal reinforces harmful stereotypes about bisexual people being promiscuous or obsessed with sex.
Wes's biphobia towards Jamie is another issue. Wes believes Jamie can't be bi because he has a girlfriend and sleeps with women, a narrow-minded view. Wes fears Jamie will leave him for a woman, reinforcing the stereotype that bisexual people are cheaters or prone to polyamory. It's hypocritical that Wes, a gay man, can flirt with women, but Jamie, a bisexual man, gets called out for merely looking at a woman. Wes also corrects Jamie for a gay stereotype but then calls him "too gay" for anything remotely gay.
The book also fetishizes lesbians. When Jamie is "struggling" with his sexuality, he watches lesbian porn, claiming he loves seeing two women together. Jamie, you can like women without fetishizing lesbians. Additionally, there's a tasteless comment about trans people: "I could announce I wanted to live my life as a transsexual vampire yeti, and they’d still say, ‘Oh, Jamie. You’re so cute.'"
The misogyny in this book is appalling. Women are depicted as bitches, puck bunnies, a pair of tits (or a nice rack), desperate, a good lay, and little else. Wes is portrayed as so attractive that any woman literally foams at the mouth upon seeing him. There are random instances where a woman simply exists, and Wes mentally dismisses her with, "Those (boobs, idk dude) don't work on me sweetheart." Wes constantly calls women "doll," like a caricature from 1920s New York City.
Wes's tribal tattoos are another issue. Though the specifics aren't mentioned, it's in bad taste for an author to include tribal tattoos without cultural context. These tattoos hold deep meaning for the cultures they originate from, and appropriating them is damaging. Wes having "golden-toned" skin is another questionable detail. Moreover, the book includes a racial slur, further highlighting its insensitivity.
The clichés in this book are unbearable, and the "dude-bro" dialogue and behavior are even worse. Wes and Jamie interact like stereotypical teenage girls, despite their macho exteriors. Despite being friends, they never discuss their issues, feelings, or thoughts. Everything is centered around sex.
The bisexual representation is poorly executed. Jamie is depicted as being bi only for Wes. He mentions missing being with girls because of how soft they are and constantly checks out girls even when he's with Wes. Jamie's struggle with his new sexuality is minimal, which felt unrealistic. There's a minor scene where Wes squeezes Jamie's ass in public, and Jamie looks around nervously, but that's about it. When he realizes he is bi, his response is, "My family will love me anyway," which seemed too easy. I wanted more conflict, inner struggles, and mixed feelings. This portrayal reinforces harmful stereotypes about bisexual people being promiscuous or obsessed with sex.
Wes's biphobia towards Jamie is another issue. Wes believes Jamie can't be bi because he has a girlfriend and sleeps with women, a narrow-minded view. Wes fears Jamie will leave him for a woman, reinforcing the stereotype that bisexual people are cheaters or prone to polyamory. It's hypocritical that Wes, a gay man, can flirt with women, but Jamie, a bisexual man, gets called out for merely looking at a woman. Wes also corrects Jamie for a gay stereotype but then calls him "too gay" for anything remotely gay.
The book also fetishizes lesbians. When Jamie is "struggling" with his sexuality, he watches lesbian porn, claiming he loves seeing two women together. Jamie, you can like women without fetishizing lesbians. Additionally, there's a tasteless comment about trans people: "I could announce I wanted to live my life as a transsexual vampire yeti, and they’d still say, ‘Oh, Jamie. You’re so cute.'"
The misogyny in this book is appalling. Women are depicted as bitches, puck bunnies, a pair of tits (or a nice rack), desperate, a good lay, and little else. Wes is portrayed as so attractive that any woman literally foams at the mouth upon seeing him. There are random instances where a woman simply exists, and Wes mentally dismisses her with, "Those (boobs, idk dude) don't work on me sweetheart." Wes constantly calls women "doll," like a caricature from 1920s New York City.
Wes's tribal tattoos are another issue. Though the specifics aren't mentioned, it's in bad taste for an author to include tribal tattoos without cultural context. These tattoos hold deep meaning for the cultures they originate from, and appropriating them is damaging. Wes having "golden-toned" skin is another questionable detail. Moreover, the book includes a racial slur, further highlighting its insensitivity.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cursing, Biphobia, Lesbophobia, Racial slurs, Transphobia, Homophobia, Misogyny, and Cultural appropriation
leahkarge's review against another edition
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
I’m conflicted on how to rate this. Overall, the plot was enjoyable and a good friends to lovers storyline. But there are a lot of issues that I would’ve expected to be edited out or modified when it was re-released in 2021. I probably would’ve enjoyed this more if I’d read it in 2015 when it was initially published and before I started learning how to really tackle my own internalized misogyny, fatphobia, and queerphobia.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Homophobia, Misogyny, Racial slurs, Biphobia, and Transphobia
laurensalisbury's review against another edition
The main character made a joke about STDs and called a woman a crazy bitch in the first four pages. Noped right out of there
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny
iamamyyyyy's review against another edition
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
I had high hopes for this book after seeing it recommended so much so I was blindsided by all the misogyny. I'm never happy to read misogyny in a romance, but there are books where it is at least somewhat related to the plot or something directed at a main character to make the reader root for them, something the main character has to overcome, whatever. Not great, but make it matter. But to just have our two male "heros" be the ones saying it and for none of those comments to serve the plot in anyway whatsoever? Took me out of the story every time (and there were so many!) and just left a bad taste in my mouth. Was it just to try to build personalities for the characters? Young hockey bros will be bros? I will not be checking out the sequel and will proceed with caution for both of these authors in the future.
On a lighter note, overall pretty steamy, but some of those scenes included some hilariously cringe lines.
On a lighter note, overall pretty steamy, but some of those scenes included some hilariously cringe lines.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny and Sexual content
frantic_vampire's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
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? It's complicated
4.0
I’ve fallen in love with yet another lgbtq+ hockey series and I’m not mad about it. I loved Jamie and Wes together. They were funny and sweet and still managed to be total sports dude-bros (in a good way😂).
One of the things that I absolutely loved about this book was the care that the authors took with Jamie figuring out his sexuality. We got to see him questioning what he thought he knew about himself and doing researching and finding a label that works for him. It was really nice, and it was refreshing to see someone going through that process. I feel like that piece is often left out of books were someone is figuring out they aren’t as straight as they thought they were. I also really appreciated Jamie’s family support structure. I loved that the only objection they had to Wes was the football team he was a fan of.
And I can’t forget about Wes! He was just the sweetest, angsty-est, goofball. I loved that he had this golden retriever energy about him and was willing to do literally anything for Jamie.
I think my only objections about this book were some of the wording/phrasing choices. Sometimes they took me out of the story, but otherwise I loved this book so much! I’m giving Him four stars and I can’t wait to get my grubby little hands on the next one.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia and Biphobia
Moderate: Misogyny
kaitlyng's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Cursing, Homophobia, and Alcohol
Minor: Drug use, Misogyny, Racial slurs, and Biphobia
parasolcrafter's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
medium-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? Yes
2.5
this book was definitely...fine. its nothing groundbreaking, its nothing spectacular, but its not horrible either. its just...a fine book. i didnt know it would be so sex-heavy when i got into it so it was a little jarring - it really does turn out to be more porn that substance near the halfway mark - which is fine, i just wish everything else would have been developed more. like there should have been more tension and angst before there was any relationship development, but for what this book is, its okay. i guess the other books in the series can go more into depth on the two characters, but i dont have much hope bc this book was quite shallow :/
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cursing, Alcohol, Biphobia, Homophobia, Misogyny, and Sexual content
wardenred's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
I’m comfortable with him. I have fun with him. I’m not trying to impress anyone. It’s…easy. Like splashing in the lake. But with orgasms.
This was firmly an okay book for me! I had a few fun evenings with hit, laughed at plenty of lines, got a big helping of The Feels, and overall enjoyed the characters, the banter, and the relationship. I liked how all the misunderstandings between Wes and Jamie were firmly grounded into the experiences that shaped each of their personalities and it was very clear why they couldn't immediately see things each other's way. At the same time, at some point I got a little tired of how much effort it kept costing them to actually talk things out instead of sweeping them under the rug and hoping for whatever. Especially because it was so clear that whenever they did let each other in, they worked wonderfully together.
I also liked how the main story intersected with the characters' memories of their shared teenage year—not just the event that pushed them apart for a long while, but also all the little things that brought them together in the first place. The side plots with the teenagers they were coaching and all the little moments around the camp were nice additions: entertaining and adding to the central storyline instead of distracting from it. I liked how the sex scenes were written—fun and hot and ultimately pushing the character arcs along instead of just existing for the hotness. Oh, and one more thin: I really liked Holly, even though she was supposed to be a bit of a threat to the MCs' relationship. :D
I appreciated how the story made a point of how homophobia sucks and how people can and should do better, even/especially in the competitive masculine sports environments, though I did feel it got a bit preachy on at least one occasion. At the same time, there was some oddness about how Wes treated Jamie's bi awakening that made me uncomfortable, and sometimes I felt the vibe there bordered on biphobic. "OMG, I hoped he might be bi, but I saw him about to enthusiastically have sex with a girl!" — well, how does that prove he's not bi? Having romantic and sexual relationships with the opposite gender is PART of the bi experience, not a contradiction! There was also a lot of small bits casual misogyny. Like, did you know there are two approaches to confusing mornings after: the chick way, where you actually talk things out with words, and the dude way, where you stew in your own feelings and act like nothing happened and maybe actually hurt yourself and the other person by all the extra confusion? And "the chick way" is somehow supposed to be worse. Ugh. Toxic masculinity makes so little sense when you look at it closely!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Minor: Misogyny
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