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kle105's review
4.0
Happy Birthday to me!! We are waiting on a hurricane to hit so it should make for an interesting day. I’m hunkered down though with snacks, a book and the pups!
Crashing the Net is book 3 in the Cedar Rapids Raccoons series featuring Edith and Apollo who have been longtime friends.
When a car accident jeopardizes their futures. While Edith has a longer journey to recovery, almost losing Edith leads Apollo to realize he’s always had feelings for Edith.
He’s so sure of their connection that he plans to prove to her that they are worth risking their friendship but also willing to go as slow as she needs.
Edith struggles a lot being a dancer and what her injuries mean for that future. She has many setbacks but having Apollo by her side makes it easier to tackle.
They were such good friends that the transition was relatively easy and I loved how supportive his family was ensuring she was already family.
Apollo has his own struggles with family expectations and choosing his own path but he remained strong. A great addition to the series with no third act breakup.
I received an arc for review, all opinions are my own and given freely.
Crashing the Net is book 3 in the Cedar Rapids Raccoons series featuring Edith and Apollo who have been longtime friends.
When a car accident jeopardizes their futures. While Edith has a longer journey to recovery, almost losing Edith leads Apollo to realize he’s always had feelings for Edith.
He’s so sure of their connection that he plans to prove to her that they are worth risking their friendship but also willing to go as slow as she needs.
Edith struggles a lot being a dancer and what her injuries mean for that future. She has many setbacks but having Apollo by her side makes it easier to tackle.
They were such good friends that the transition was relatively easy and I loved how supportive his family was ensuring she was already family.
Apollo has his own struggles with family expectations and choosing his own path but he remained strong. A great addition to the series with no third act breakup.
I received an arc for review, all opinions are my own and given freely.
retrogirlreads's review
5.0
“Crashing the Net” is the third book in Lasairiona McMaster’s Cedar Rapids Raccoons series, and it focuses on Apollo and Edith, two best friends who become something more. I thought this book was amazing - Apollo and Edith were both flawed and complex characters, which in my opinion made them more relatable. It was extremely obvious how much they cared about each other - their relationship was based on a strong friendship, and because of that foundation, it was able to blossom into something beautiful. Apollo was a total sweetheart, and I loved the way he always tried to take care of Edith and make sure she knew how he felt about her. As for Edith, I thought she was so very strong, and I loved how supportive she was of Apollo and his hockey career. All in all, this was a fantastic read, and I’d definitely recommend to fans of hockey and/or best friends to lovers romance!
readingwithstrangers62's review against another edition
5.0
“You give me that end of the third, tied game, powerplay hattrick kind of feeling.”
I read this book in one day. This series is quickly becoming a favorite of mine and I love that she has so many more couples planned for this series!
Apollo and Edith have been friends since they were in diapers and nothing more. They do everything together but it’s always been in a brother/sister way until tragedy strikes. Edith has always dreamed of taking her dance career to incredible places but when she and Apollo get into a car crash and she is badly injured everything changes.
Apollo walks away from the accident with very little physical wounds, but the emotional toll of seeing Edith battle through her recovery is extremely difficult for him. However the one good thing that came of the accident is that they realized after years of being best friends they were destined to be more. Apollo is incredibly sweet and understanding with Edith. If he could trade places with her he would but since he cannot it’s amazing what he was able to do to support her. I absolutely loved them!
“I’m in love with you. Accept it. Get over it. Live with it.”
Thank you @queenoffirelas for the ARC!
Release Date: August 24, 2023
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I read this book in one day. This series is quickly becoming a favorite of mine and I love that she has so many more couples planned for this series!
Apollo and Edith have been friends since they were in diapers and nothing more. They do everything together but it’s always been in a brother/sister way until tragedy strikes. Edith has always dreamed of taking her dance career to incredible places but when she and Apollo get into a car crash and she is badly injured everything changes.
Apollo walks away from the accident with very little physical wounds, but the emotional toll of seeing Edith battle through her recovery is extremely difficult for him. However the one good thing that came of the accident is that they realized after years of being best friends they were destined to be more. Apollo is incredibly sweet and understanding with Edith. If he could trade places with her he would but since he cannot it’s amazing what he was able to do to support her. I absolutely loved them!
“I’m in love with you. Accept it. Get over it. Live with it.”
Thank you @queenoffirelas for the ARC!
Release Date: August 24, 2023
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
beastreader's review against another edition
5.0
Talk about an opening scene. I felt all the strong emotions that Apollo was experiencing for Edith while she was lying in a hospital bed. It was here that I was really cheering for him to be endgame with Edith. He did come on hard and fast in the beginning. To the point that Edith thought Apollo might be suffering from PTSB (yes, "b" not "d").
I can guarantee you that everything was in working order downstairs with Apollo. Ooh, those steamy scenes between Edith and Apollo. They could have melted the ice rink. Yet, my favorite moments were the ones where Apollo cared for Edith like shaving her legs as she recuperated.
I will leave you with a quote from Apollo "I am Clark Kent, and she’s my Kryptonite."
I can guarantee you that everything was in working order downstairs with Apollo. Ooh, those steamy scenes between Edith and Apollo. They could have melted the ice rink. Yet, my favorite moments were the ones where Apollo cared for Edith like shaving her legs as she recuperated.
I will leave you with a quote from Apollo "I am Clark Kent, and she’s my Kryptonite."
catslife_1970's review against another edition
5.0
Lasairiona McMaster has had me hooked since I first found her books and Crashing the Net is definitely the perfect fix.
Best friends to lovers is one of my favorite tropes and Lasairiona brings us that with Apollo and Edith's story.
A devastating accident opens Apollo's eyes to what he has had all his life, the other half of his soul. Now he just has to convince Edith to give their love a chance. Read to find out if they become each other's happily ever after.
[a:lasairiona-e-mcmaster|19159019|Lasairiona E. McMaster|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1596382078p2/19159019.jpg]
Best friends to lovers is one of my favorite tropes and Lasairiona brings us that with Apollo and Edith's story.
A devastating accident opens Apollo's eyes to what he has had all his life, the other half of his soul. Now he just has to convince Edith to give their love a chance. Read to find out if they become each other's happily ever after.
[a:lasairiona-e-mcmaster|19159019|Lasairiona E. McMaster|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1596382078p2/19159019.jpg]
read_on_reader's review against another edition
4.0
Apollo and Edith’s story is one full of emotion and angst that grips you. As being strongly in the friend zone for awhile an incident puts them in a situation that makes them question it all. The pain and obstacles they both had to go through hurts your heart, but watching something beautiful grow heals your heart. I don’t’ want to spoil anything but this friends to lovers romance has it all for you.
stucknbooks14's review
5.0
(I received an ARC for this book)
Trigger Warnings include:
injuries as a result of a major (on page) car accident, depression, anxiety, trauma and PTSD
Look, uh…writing this review is tough because of the possibility of spoilers. Because I want to say ALL the things, while also telling you nothing! From the moment this book was teased, I was all in. My heart had NO idea what it was up against though! (And I thought I knew, because of all the teasing!) The de le Peña siblings have moved into my heart, and I don’t think they’ll ever let me evict them (I wouldn’t anyway). I loved EVERYTHING about this book. I can’t imagine wanting to change anything about it. I loved Edith and Apollo’s friendship. Their bond. The connection between their souls and hearts. The way they lifted each other up, the way they supported each other. The way they truly saw each other.When Edie needed strength, needed reassurance, Apollo was there to give it to her in spades. Nothing makes them stronger than each other, but also, nothing makes them weaker. There was no hesitation in the way Apollo reiterated that he was all in. Confirming it. Cementing it. Screaming it from the rooftops. Of all the hockey romances I’ve read, THIS one has the BEST declaration of love line.
Princesa: 51
My Favorite Quotes:
• “La quiero.” “Lo sé.”
• “When you don’t, I’ve got you until you do.”
• “Lie back, and let me enjoy you.”
• “I’m enjoying the view.”
• “I need her to let me love her.”
• “Siempre has sido tú.”
• “I want to hear your filthy little mouth tell me all the dirty things you want me to do to you.”
• “You give me that end of the third, tied game, powerplay hattrick kind of feeling.”
• “I’ve been soaked since warm ups.”
• “We will face whatever comes, together.”
• “I’ll spank this p!ssy until you are in no doubt about who owns it.”
• “I love feeling how much you need me right where I belong.”
9/10 Dirty Birdy
10/10 Friends to Lovers
9/10 Sports Romance
9/10 Series
This is my review for Freezing the Puck
This is my review for Pulling the Goalie
Trigger Warnings include:
injuries as a result of a major (on page) car accident, depression, anxiety, trauma and PTSD
Look, uh…writing this review is tough because of the possibility of spoilers. Because I want to say ALL the things, while also telling you nothing! From the moment this book was teased, I was all in. My heart had NO idea what it was up against though! (And I thought I knew, because of all the teasing!) The de le Peña siblings have moved into my heart, and I don’t think they’ll ever let me evict them (I wouldn’t anyway). I loved EVERYTHING about this book. I can’t imagine wanting to change anything about it. I loved Edith and Apollo’s friendship. Their bond. The connection between their souls and hearts. The way they lifted each other up, the way they supported each other. The way they truly saw each other.When Edie needed strength, needed reassurance, Apollo was there to give it to her in spades. Nothing makes them stronger than each other, but also, nothing makes them weaker. There was no hesitation in the way Apollo reiterated that he was all in. Confirming it. Cementing it. Screaming it from the rooftops. Of all the hockey romances I’ve read, THIS one has the BEST declaration of love line.
Princesa: 51
My Favorite Quotes:
• “La quiero.” “Lo sé.”
• “When you don’t, I’ve got you until you do.”
• “Lie back, and let me enjoy you.”
• “I’m enjoying the view.”
• “I need her to let me love her.”
• “Siempre has sido tú.”
• “I want to hear your filthy little mouth tell me all the dirty things you want me to do to you.”
• “You give me that end of the third, tied game, powerplay hattrick kind of feeling.”
• “I’ve been soaked since warm ups.”
• “We will face whatever comes, together.”
• “I’ll spank this p!ssy until you are in no doubt about who owns it.”
• “I love feeling how much you need me right where I belong.”
9/10 Dirty Birdy
10/10 Friends to Lovers
9/10 Sports Romance
9/10 Series
This is my review for Freezing the Puck
This is my review for Pulling the Goalie
catslife_1970's review
5.0
Lasairiona McMaster has had me hooked since I first found her books and Crashing the Net is definitely the perfect fix.
Best friends to lovers is one of my favorite tropes and Lasairiona brings us that with Apollo and Edith's story.
A devastating accident opens Apollo's eyes to what he has had all his life, the other half of his soul. Now he just has to convince Edith to give their love a chance. Read to find out if they become each other's happily ever after.
[a:lasairiona-e-mcmaster|19159019|Lasairiona E. McMaster|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1596382078p2/19159019.jpg]
Best friends to lovers is one of my favorite tropes and Lasairiona brings us that with Apollo and Edith's story.
A devastating accident opens Apollo's eyes to what he has had all his life, the other half of his soul. Now he just has to convince Edith to give their love a chance. Read to find out if they become each other's happily ever after.
[a:lasairiona-e-mcmaster|19159019|Lasairiona E. McMaster|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1596382078p2/19159019.jpg]
melissarosereads's review
emotional
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.0
These 2 characters are my favourite to date. They were adorable! The friends to lovers trope was handled so well and everything just felt natural and so sweet and also spicy.
I really enjoyed getting to know Apollo and his family more, the sibling bond is lovely to read. Also Apollo's respect and love for Edith and her journey are wonderful!
Lots of hockey as always with this series, which is fast paced and fun.
Honestly I just loved this pair. They were super sweet and I loved following their story.
I really enjoyed getting to know Apollo and his family more, the sibling bond is lovely to read. Also Apollo's respect and love for Edith and her journey are wonderful!
Lots of hockey as always with this series, which is fast paced and fun.
Honestly I just loved this pair. They were super sweet and I loved following their story.
timap's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
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? It's complicated
5.0
Edith and Apollo, the lead characters, have been friends since childhood. Both aspiring sports stars (ballet and hockey, respectively), they’ve worked hard and have understood the other’s focus and perseverance. As they drive home, a car crashes into Edith’s side, damaging both but doing significant and severe damage to her leg. Now Apollo realises that Edith is more than his best friend but she’s convinced it’s just his response to trauma and guilt. As she recovers, he’s determined to help her understand how very much he cares for her and to support her to finding a new life path…
This story is dual POV, well written and edited, and a scorching hot, contemporary sports romance. I’m really enjoying the series within a series that’s happening here. I enjoyed the deep and ongoing relationship development between the lead characters but also several secondary characters. I appreciated the accuracy of the emotional portrayal of Edith’s struggle to accept the changes in her life. I enjoyed that Apollo’s struggle to separate himself from his overbearing father was supported by Edith, so there was mutual support. I enjoyed the highly erotic, deeply intimate scenes, as well as the lighter hearted but still highly erotic interludes. I enjoyed the playfulness and banter and humour interspersed (appropriately) through the story. The saddest part was reaching the end because there was no more (though the bonus epilogue is also awesome) when I was having so much fun with the characters!
I received a complimentary copy from the author and this is my voluntary honest review.
This story is dual POV, well written and edited, and a scorching hot, contemporary sports romance. I’m really enjoying the series within a series that’s happening here. I enjoyed the deep and ongoing relationship development between the lead characters but also several secondary characters. I appreciated the accuracy of the emotional portrayal of Edith’s struggle to accept the changes in her life. I enjoyed that Apollo’s struggle to separate himself from his overbearing father was supported by Edith, so there was mutual support. I enjoyed the highly erotic, deeply intimate scenes, as well as the lighter hearted but still highly erotic interludes. I enjoyed the playfulness and banter and humour interspersed (appropriately) through the story. The saddest part was reaching the end because there was no more (though the bonus epilogue is also awesome) when I was having so much fun with the characters!
I received a complimentary copy from the author and this is my voluntary honest review.