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3.72 AVERAGE
3.72 AVERAGE
medium-paced
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for access to this eARC in exchange for my honest review.
In my opinion, this book felt too much like a "copycat" of Icebreaker by Hannah Grace. I feel as though this story really only revolves around the hockey and the romance, which isn't necessarily a bad thing, but I wanted a little more depth in the story. I also felt like there wasn't a ton of depth to the characters either. They both sort of just felt like a hockey player and a girl who enjoys hockey falling in love. I will however say that I did enjoy the added element of the FMC's crazy ex in this story. It did add some interesting elements to the plot. As for the relationship, it just didn't feel very developed. It was lusty to the point that there never felt to be any real feelings developed.
In my opinion, this book felt too much like a "copycat" of Icebreaker by Hannah Grace. I feel as though this story really only revolves around the hockey and the romance, which isn't necessarily a bad thing, but I wanted a little more depth in the story. I also felt like there wasn't a ton of depth to the characters either. They both sort of just felt like a hockey player and a girl who enjoys hockey falling in love. I will however say that I did enjoy the added element of the FMC's crazy ex in this story. It did add some interesting elements to the plot. As for the relationship, it just didn't feel very developed. It was lusty to the point that there never felt to be any real feelings developed.
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-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
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
N/A
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
This is a 3.5⭐ really but rounding down because this book is too damn long!!!!
The story is overall fine tbh, and I didn't really have a problem with any of it but the way this is just a play by play of their daily lives with a sprinkle of time jumps is....let's just get a central plot please!
I thought the romance between Bailey and Chase was good for the most part. Chase was DOWN BAD and that always makes for a good romance, especially a sports one. He was supportive of her and actively beat up people who tried to talk shit which 🤭. Bailey, she was a little insecure and you can understand why but sometimes it's like cmon girl....
The attempt at forcing drama for things that we as the reader knew wouldn't stick was exhausting. Bailey believing every rumor she heard without confirming it was overdone. I won't say it was full blown miscommunication because they only ever lasted a chapter here and there, but I was tired of reading it.
Her ex Luke, and her friends were all shitty. The way they all tried to actively sabotage her just because she was dating someone from a rival school was giving HSM but derogatory. Grow up. Yall are in college. Luke trying to sabotage her even though he was a cheater was next level delusion.
It was your pretty standard hockey romance and I ate it up while I was reading but trying to recall details is like 🤷🏾♀️ if you've read one, you've read them all. Entirely too long, but if you want a fast paced (ish) read to reset your reading and you're craving a sports story this one is a decent read.
The story is overall fine tbh, and I didn't really have a problem with any of it but the way this is just a play by play of their daily lives with a sprinkle of time jumps is....let's just get a central plot please!
I thought the romance between Bailey and Chase was good for the most part. Chase was DOWN BAD and that always makes for a good romance, especially a sports one. He was supportive of her and actively beat up people who tried to talk shit which 🤭. Bailey, she was a little insecure and you can understand why but sometimes it's like cmon girl....
The attempt at forcing drama for things that we as the reader knew wouldn't stick was exhausting. Bailey believing every rumor she heard without confirming it was overdone. I won't say it was full blown miscommunication because they only ever lasted a chapter here and there, but I was tired of reading it.
Her ex Luke, and her friends were all shitty. The way they all tried to actively sabotage her just because she was dating someone from a rival school was giving HSM but derogatory. Grow up. Yall are in college. Luke trying to sabotage her even though he was a cheater was next level delusion.
It was your pretty standard hockey romance and I ate it up while I was reading but trying to recall details is like 🤷🏾♀️ if you've read one, you've read them all. Entirely too long, but if you want a fast paced (ish) read to reset your reading and you're craving a sports story this one is a decent read.
fast-paced
adventurous
emotional
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
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Stalking
Minor: Car accident, Death of parent
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
funny
hopeful
informative
lighthearted
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
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
tense
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:
Yes
It was cute, wholesome, and overall adorable 🥰
After noticing how many ranch x contemporary romance books I read back to back, I decided to give Offside a listen on audiobook!
My only complaint is that this story was too long...
The audiobook was just under 18 hours and even though the narrators, pacing and vibes were great, I think around the 70% mark I just wanted to finish the Offside as quickly as possible 🥺
But besides that, Chase was probably one of the cutest MMC's I've read in a while and his relationship with Bailey was just frkn 💞 adorable 💞
Offside is a New Adult romance and it definitely read like one!
~ Extra brownie points for the on-page hockey games and descriptions ~
Although... if the conflict / third act break up had higher stakes, I think I would've enjoyed this even more 🙂
After noticing how many ranch x contemporary romance books I read back to back, I decided to give Offside a listen on audiobook!
My only complaint is that this story was too long...
The audiobook was just under 18 hours and even though the narrators, pacing and vibes were great, I think around the 70% mark I just wanted to finish the Offside as quickly as possible 🥺
But besides that, Chase was probably one of the cutest MMC's I've read in a while and his relationship with Bailey was just frkn 💞 adorable 💞
Offside is a New Adult romance and it definitely read like one!
~ Extra brownie points for the on-page hockey games and descriptions ~
Although... if the conflict / third act break up had higher stakes, I think I would've enjoyed this even more 🙂
lighthearted
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes