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3.82 AVERAGE
3.82 AVERAGE
lighthearted
relaxing
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
This was such a cute story, and it had so much potential. I felt like the plot was all over the place. I understand why the whole fake dating was “needed,” but how they were each benefitting from it was hardly mentioned—it felt like an afterthought. I really enjoyed both MCs, but I absolutely adored Elias. Found family always gets me, and this book did it so well! And the slow burn… oooof 🥵 I just wish more of the book had focused on their successes rather than their failures. Everything that happened toward the end was so good and should’ve been longer—it would’ve made the book so much better.
the unfiltered lines got me every time!!
This book follows Sage Beaumont, proud ballerina and niece to an NHL higher up and Elias Westbrook, newest player to the Toronto Thunder and the only player without a goal yet this season. With the media on his case, Elias casually tells Sage that he wishes they would leave him alone the way they leave alone players with girlfriends. Sage offers to be his fake girlfriend to help boost her ballet status. Will they be able to play it fake or will they end up becoming more?
There was a lot more to Eli's story than I was anticipating!! I was a little confused by his nightmares in the beginning because you don't have all the information yet. But I really enjoyed seeing him become a deeper character after already loving how he is there for Summer in the first book. I love that he makes the decision to change his life for himself. Just because Sage was the push he needed, he wanted to relieve the anxiety that was piling on his chest. He was such an amazing friend even from afar, worrying about Dylan. Great chef and future guardian (I SOBBED THROUGH THE WHOLE EPILOUGE) I literally loved Eli.
Sage was such a sweet girl's girl! Her spa days were so sweet and I would love to do one with her. I love that Eli became her girl friend but also gave her girl friends like Summer (and soon Sierra who also needs those friends)!! I love Bal's female characters because they feel like real women! Women aren't always happy, they aren't always content with the life they lead. Sage is a hard ass worker who was put in an amazing and difficult position all at once. She was in her dream role but the company was trying to tear her down. One of my favorite scenes was when Eli wrote down all the moves so that she would know how well she truly did.
I wish I had seen Eli say that he was starting to like Sage a little earlier. It seems like he kept it inside because of his secret (that was literally so creative Bal!!) but you can have feelings for her that you can recognize internally while also staying true to your secret externally. That was the only thing that would have boosted the rating. Maybe that will change during a re-read but truthfully this book is so beautifully perfect and intriguing. I love Bal's writing and I feel so lucky to be reading at the same time she's a writer!!
This book follows Sage Beaumont, proud ballerina and niece to an NHL higher up and Elias Westbrook, newest player to the Toronto Thunder and the only player without a goal yet this season. With the media on his case, Elias casually tells Sage that he wishes they would leave him alone the way they leave alone players with girlfriends. Sage offers to be his fake girlfriend to help boost her ballet status. Will they be able to play it fake or will they end up becoming more?
There was a lot more to Eli's story than I was anticipating!! I was a little confused by his nightmares in the beginning because you don't have all the information yet. But I really enjoyed seeing him become a deeper character after already loving how he is there for Summer in the first book. I love that he makes the decision to change his life for himself. Just because Sage was the push he needed, he wanted to relieve the anxiety that was piling on his chest. He was such an amazing friend even from afar, worrying about Dylan. Great chef and future guardian (I SOBBED THROUGH THE WHOLE EPILOUGE) I literally loved Eli.
Sage was such a sweet girl's girl! Her spa days were so sweet and I would love to do one with her. I love that Eli became her girl friend but also gave her girl friends like Summer (and soon Sierra who also needs those friends)!! I love Bal's female characters because they feel like real women! Women aren't always happy, they aren't always content with the life they lead. Sage is a hard ass worker who was put in an amazing and difficult position all at once. She was in her dream role but the company was trying to tear her down. One of my favorite scenes was when Eli wrote down all the moves so that she would know how well she truly did.
I wish I had seen Eli say that he was starting to like Sage a little earlier. It seems like he kept it inside because of his secret (that was literally so creative Bal!!) but you can have feelings for her that you can recognize internally while also staying true to your secret externally. That was the only thing that would have boosted the rating. Maybe that will change during a re-read but truthfully this book is so beautifully perfect and intriguing. I love Bal's writing and I feel so lucky to be reading at the same time she's a writer!!
reflective
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Elias and Sage are my new favorite couple of the fake dating trope. Both of them have struggles with their past, but I relate most to Sage who is the older sister and feels pressure to please everyone. Although others (including Eli) tell her how much she is enough, it only begins to matter when she believes in herself. From outbidding someone else for her first date with Eli, to him getting to score his first goal of his college career their relationship helps carry them both towards their goals. Getting to see them both admit they’ve fallen in love, supporting each others sports, and starting a family of their own it’s impossible to not love Eli and Sage
funny
lighthearted
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
fast-paced
fast-paced
Will never say no to an ice hockey romance ;)
emotional
funny
hopeful
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
emotional
funny
hopeful
sad
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated