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sou_readings's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Gaslighting, Alcoholism, Toxic relationship, and Emotional abuse
emptzuu's review
Following an intriguing prologue, this book spirals downward, riddled with numerous issues that significantly detract from the overall experience. The reviews praised how this book deviates from the typical jock story formula that often dwells solely on providing endless smut scenes in the end. Instead, it delves into deeper themes, particularly focusing on mental health.
The execution ultimately succumbs to clichés. The portrayal of a young girl shouldering familial responsibilities and an athlete facing struggles due to injury feels all too familiar, reminiscent of similar storylines seen in various media. The exploration of mental health from an athletic perspective isn't groundbreaking, and the book fails to bring a truly innovative angle to these well-trodden themes.
Sadie is portrayed problematically, with her treatment of Rhys bordering on abusive. Her erratic behavior lacks clear justification, and while her personal struggles are evident, they don't excuse her mistreatment of Rhys. This inconsistency hints at a lack of thorough characterization by the author. The portrayal lacks depth, reducing Sadie to a simplistic character whose actions toward Rhys feel disjointed and underdeveloped.
Rhys' panic attack lacks depth and realism, with the transition from distress to calmness feeling abrupt. Additionally, the detailed focus on Rhys' physical attractiveness during his distress could be perceived as objectifying, undermining the seriousness of the situation. Sadie's flirtatious comments detract from the gravity of Rhys' condition.
During the panic attack, Sadie's lack of sensitivity and empathy is evident. Her dismissive remarks and attempts to rush Rhys off the ice showcase a disregard for his well-being. A more supportive approach, such as reassurance and offering calming techniques, would have been more appropriate.
Now, about Rhys. Although it's not explicitly stated, the book suggests he may be dealing with a combination of depression, PTSD, and panic disorder based on the descriptions given. When he says, "I want to ask her to keep it there because this is the first anything, other than pain, I’ve felt in months," it highlights a common misconception about mental health; relying solely on someone else for healing. This isn't a cure or a sustainable solution.
The depiction of their relationship dynamics reveals troubling patterns of manipulation and codependency, rather than genuine care and understanding. Both characters are in need of therapy rather than relying on each other for healing. The rushed pacing and sudden romantic development between Rhys and Sadie feel contrived and lacking in authenticity, further undermining the narrative's credibility.
In summary, while the premise of the book holds promise, its execution falls short due to inadequate research, unrealistic portrayals of mental health, and inconsistent characterization. As a debut novel, it reveals the author's lack of experience in handling such delicate themes with the depth and sensitivity they require.
The execution ultimately succumbs to clichés. The portrayal of a young girl shouldering familial responsibilities and an athlete facing struggles due to injury feels all too familiar, reminiscent of similar storylines seen in various media. The exploration of mental health from an athletic perspective isn't groundbreaking, and the book fails to bring a truly innovative angle to these well-trodden themes.
Sadie is portrayed problematically, with her treatment of Rhys bordering on abusive. Her erratic behavior lacks clear justification, and while her personal struggles are evident, they don't excuse her mistreatment of Rhys. This inconsistency hints at a lack of thorough characterization by the author. The portrayal lacks depth, reducing Sadie to a simplistic character whose actions toward Rhys feel disjointed and underdeveloped.
Rhys' panic attack lacks depth and realism, with the transition from distress to calmness feeling abrupt. Additionally, the detailed focus on Rhys' physical attractiveness during his distress could be perceived as objectifying, undermining the seriousness of the situation. Sadie's flirtatious comments detract from the gravity of Rhys' condition.
During the panic attack, Sadie's lack of sensitivity and empathy is evident. Her dismissive remarks and attempts to rush Rhys off the ice showcase a disregard for his well-being. A more supportive approach, such as reassurance and offering calming techniques, would have been more appropriate.
Now, about Rhys. Although it's not explicitly stated, the book suggests he may be dealing with a combination of depression, PTSD, and panic disorder based on the descriptions given. When he says, "I want to ask her to keep it there because this is the first anything, other than pain, I’ve felt in months," it highlights a common misconception about mental health; relying solely on someone else for healing. This isn't a cure or a sustainable solution.
The depiction of their relationship dynamics reveals troubling patterns of manipulation and codependency, rather than genuine care and understanding. Both characters are in need of therapy rather than relying on each other for healing. The rushed pacing and sudden romantic development between Rhys and Sadie feel contrived and lacking in authenticity, further undermining the narrative's credibility.
In summary, while the premise of the book holds promise, its execution falls short due to inadequate research, unrealistic portrayals of mental health, and inconsistent characterization. As a debut novel, it reveals the author's lack of experience in handling such delicate themes with the depth and sensitivity they require.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Panic attacks/disorders and Toxic relationship
hjb_128's review
emotional
hopeful
sad
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? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Panic attacks/disorders, Alcoholism, Injury/Injury detail, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Toxic relationship, Abandonment, and Medical trauma
Minor: Vomit
sarahsbookshe1f's review
dark
emotional
fast-paced
2.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Toxic relationship, Child abuse, Alcoholism, and Panic attacks/disorders
mabellene's review
emotional
hopeful
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Addiction, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Abandonment, Child abuse, and Alcohol
Minor: Car accident, Toxic relationship, and Body shaming
booklov3r__'s review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
sad
tense
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
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Panic attacks/disorders, Mental illness, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Abandonment, Emotional abuse, Alcoholism, and Violence
amylferg's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️🌶️🌶️
“𝒀𝒐𝒖 𝒂𝒓𝒆 𝒘𝒐𝒓𝒕𝒉 𝒊𝒕. 𝑨𝒏𝒅 𝒊𝒇 𝑰 𝒉𝒂𝒗𝒆 𝒕𝒐 𝒇𝒊𝒈𝒉𝒕 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒍𝒊𝒕𝒕𝒍𝒆 𝒅𝒆𝒎𝒐𝒏𝒔 𝒊𝒏 𝒚𝒐𝒖𝒓 𝒎𝒊𝒏𝒅 𝒕𝒉𝒂𝒕 𝒄𝒐𝒏𝒗𝒊𝒏𝒄𝒆 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒐𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒓𝒘𝒊𝒔𝒆 𝒇𝒐𝒓 𝒆𝒗𝒆𝒓𝒚 𝒅𝒂𝒚 𝒇𝒐𝒓 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒓𝒆𝒔𝒕 𝒐𝒇 𝒐𝒖𝒓 𝒍𝒊𝒗𝒆𝒔? 𝑰’𝒍𝒍 𝒉𝒂𝒑𝒑𝒊𝒍𝒚 𝒅𝒐 𝒊𝒕. 𝑫𝒐 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒖𝒏𝒅𝒆𝒓𝒔𝒕𝒂𝒏𝒅?”
Rhys Koteskiy is the definition of “book husband”. Not many characters have earned that title but he has easily made the list.
With that said, college level hockey/sports romance books always scare me a bit for the fear that the characters might be too immature for my liking but Sadie and Rhys characters were portrayed so perfectly.
Sadie Brown is struggling through nearly every aspect of her young life. More so than anyone her age should ever need to.
Rhys Koteskiy once was the golden boy. Star athlete, well-rounded from an impressive but VERY loving upbringing. He now finds him self struggling through his own demons after an on-ice incident leaves him physically and mentally damaged.
The two form an unlikely friendship that turns into a deep rooted bond neither were prepared for.
This has:
• college hockey romance
• black cat FMC
• trauma bonding
• found family
Rhys’ unwavering and unconditional commitment and love for Sadie was beautiful. They were everything the other person needed and watching their love unfurl for one another made my heart so happy. I’m really glad I’m closing out 2023 with this beautiful story.
**Honourable mention to Rhys’ parents who really stole the show a few times - I almost fell more in love with his dad, he was so wonderful.
🌶️🌶️🌶️
“𝒀𝒐𝒖 𝒂𝒓𝒆 𝒘𝒐𝒓𝒕𝒉 𝒊𝒕. 𝑨𝒏𝒅 𝒊𝒇 𝑰 𝒉𝒂𝒗𝒆 𝒕𝒐 𝒇𝒊𝒈𝒉𝒕 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒍𝒊𝒕𝒕𝒍𝒆 𝒅𝒆𝒎𝒐𝒏𝒔 𝒊𝒏 𝒚𝒐𝒖𝒓 𝒎𝒊𝒏𝒅 𝒕𝒉𝒂𝒕 𝒄𝒐𝒏𝒗𝒊𝒏𝒄𝒆 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒐𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒓𝒘𝒊𝒔𝒆 𝒇𝒐𝒓 𝒆𝒗𝒆𝒓𝒚 𝒅𝒂𝒚 𝒇𝒐𝒓 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒓𝒆𝒔𝒕 𝒐𝒇 𝒐𝒖𝒓 𝒍𝒊𝒗𝒆𝒔? 𝑰’𝒍𝒍 𝒉𝒂𝒑𝒑𝒊𝒍𝒚 𝒅𝒐 𝒊𝒕. 𝑫𝒐 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒖𝒏𝒅𝒆𝒓𝒔𝒕𝒂𝒏𝒅?”
Rhys Koteskiy is the definition of “book husband”. Not many characters have earned that title but he has easily made the list.
With that said, college level hockey/sports romance books always scare me a bit for the fear that the characters might be too immature for my liking but Sadie and Rhys characters were portrayed so perfectly.
Sadie Brown is struggling through nearly every aspect of her young life. More so than anyone her age should ever need to.
Rhys Koteskiy once was the golden boy. Star athlete, well-rounded from an impressive but VERY loving upbringing. He now finds him self struggling through his own demons after an on-ice incident leaves him physically and mentally damaged.
The two form an unlikely friendship that turns into a deep rooted bond neither were prepared for.
This has:
• college hockey romance
• black cat FMC
• trauma bonding
• found family
Rhys’ unwavering and unconditional commitment and love for Sadie was beautiful. They were everything the other person needed and watching their love unfurl for one another made my heart so happy. I’m really glad I’m closing out 2023 with this beautiful story.
**Honourable mention to Rhys’ parents who really stole the show a few times - I almost fell more in love with his dad, he was so wonderful.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Abandonment, Toxic relationship, and Panic attacks/disorders
zoejjj's review
emotional
sad
tense
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
3.5
Absolutely NOBODY tagged this book as smut so this is your warning. It’s easy enough to skip over but I wasn’t expecting it.
I really, really appreciated the healthy, loving marriage between Rhys’ parents. It’s so true that when you come from a house filled with love and see love modeled it comes out of you naturally. The part where Rhys praises Sadie in front of her brothers also means a lot to me.
This apparently is the author’s debut novel, which makes a lot of sense. The issues I noticed the most were that people would just appear and disappear randomly. There was a lack of continuity for people and objects. Or the physical phrasing wouldn’t make sense. She would describe the way people were standing or moving and it wouldn’t make any sense. It’s kind of a nitpicky thing but it would take me out of the story because the little movie in my head wasn’t lining up lol
That is not to say that this isn’t well written!! The emotional punches are there. It discusses some heavy stuff without being trauma porn which is where books like this tend to go. Overall I’d recommend this if you’re into the hurt/comfort tag on AO3
I really, really appreciated the healthy, loving marriage between Rhys’ parents. It’s so true that when you come from a house filled with love and see love modeled it comes out of you naturally. The part where Rhys praises Sadie in front of her brothers also means a lot to me.
This apparently is the author’s debut novel, which makes a lot of sense. The issues I noticed the most were that people would just appear and disappear randomly. There was a lack of continuity for people and objects. Or the physical phrasing wouldn’t make sense. She would describe the way people were standing or moving and it wouldn’t make any sense. It’s kind of a nitpicky thing but it would take me out of the story because the little movie in my head wasn’t lining up lol
That is not to say that this isn’t well written!! The emotional punches are there. It discusses some heavy stuff without being trauma porn which is where books like this tend to go. Overall I’d recommend this if you’re into the hurt/comfort tag on AO3
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Toxic relationship, Sexual content, Child abuse, Panic attacks/disorders, Mental illness, and Emotional abuse
culzean's review
dark
emotional
funny
tense
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
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Abandonment, Addiction, Alcoholism, Car accident, Child abuse, Blood, Cursing, Emotional abuse, Injury/Injury detail, Medical trauma, Violence, Alcohol, Medical content, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual content, and Toxic relationship
mackenziebauman's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
sad
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Abandonment, Panic attacks/disorders, Alcoholism, and Toxic relationship
Minor: Addiction, Alcohol, Domestic abuse, and Emotional abuse
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