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4.34 AVERAGE
4.34 AVERAGE
I don't think it is possible to write a review of this book, nor to explain why it is so good with out spoilers or changing the reading experience.
This one is best going in blind. If you are tempted to read reviews or synopses, just don't. Don't.
Dive in.
This one is best going in blind. If you are tempted to read reviews or synopses, just don't. Don't.
Dive in.
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
relaxing
sad
fast-paced
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Can't really call this a romance because of the ending, but it is a love story.
Edited: I read this book approximately 5 times this summer already, so I am upping it to five stars. I don't know why this story is one I can't put down. It's the chronicle of a relationship between a younger hockey star and an older "enforcer," and while it starts out as a romance, it becomes something more. The characters really got into my head, and the challenges they face are unusual for a romance or a love story. The point of view character is particularly well-done, not very much in touch with his emotions, and usually completely unable to articulate them.
The author has a trove of fiction over on AO3 as "youcouldmakealife", and if you like this book, you should check it out. There are some additional stories featuring the h/h, and other stories set the author's alternate-NHL-universe. ([b:You Could Make a Life|28120379|You Could Make a Life|Taylor Fitzpatrick|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1449535861i/28120379._SY75_.jpg|26219065] is good as well, but I think this story is more mature writing. I'm not generally a fan of present-tense writing in novels but Fitzpatrick is an expert at it).
Edited: I read this book approximately 5 times this summer already, so I am upping it to five stars. I don't know why this story is one I can't put down. It's the chronicle of a relationship between a younger hockey star and an older "enforcer," and while it starts out as a romance, it becomes something more. The characters really got into my head, and the challenges they face are unusual for a romance or a love story. The point of view character is particularly well-done, not very much in touch with his emotions, and usually completely unable to articulate them.
The author has a trove of fiction over on AO3 as "youcouldmakealife", and if you like this book, you should check it out. There are some additional stories featuring the h/h, and other stories set the author's alternate-NHL-universe. ([b:You Could Make a Life|28120379|You Could Make a Life|Taylor Fitzpatrick|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1449535861i/28120379._SY75_.jpg|26219065] is good as well, but I think this story is more mature writing. I'm not generally a fan of present-tense writing in novels but Fitzpatrick is an expert at it).
I've had this book on my TBR shelf for a while and decided to pick it up today because I've been missing hockey a lot lately. I am disappointed there was barely any hockey in this book, but I am grateful that it finally made me pick up this book because that was an emotional rollercoaster that I think I actually needed instead.
emotional
informative
reflective
sad
fast-paced
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
I'll try and form a few coherent sentences that will never do this book any justice, but not today...those who have read this would understand. I need a few days to figure out how to express in words my love for a book I am going to think about constantly from today on.
fuuuuck. I did not expect to love this THIS much. Even though the set up is everything I like: hockey, romance, grumpy mcgrump main character. I thought I was getting a sweet, sexy story about a grumpy veteran who gets his life/heart shaken by a stubborn rookie. It did deliver that... but there was MORE! Fitzpatrick is not afraid to bring in discussions about CTE & pain, commitment and life choices, sexuality and privacy. And while our heroes (and our hearts) suffer, there is always humor and life running through this story. It made me laugh, it made me cry, it made me rage at the hockey gods. It also made me run and buy Fitzpatrick's first book.
I have no more words because my heart is still mush and I just want to go re-read this book. THERE IS SO MUCH LOVE.
PS: If you don't like hockey you will still like this book because it's more about love and life than anything else.
Update December 3 2019: have now read this 3-4 times since the first time. It’s still a five star read. I still have no words. Not sure I’ll make a top 10 list this year but if I did, out of ~300 books, this would be on it.
I have no more words because my heart is still mush and I just want to go re-read this book. THERE IS SO MUCH LOVE.
PS: If you don't like hockey you will still like this book because it's more about love and life than anything else.
Update December 3 2019: have now read this 3-4 times since the first time. It’s still a five star read. I still have no words. Not sure I’ll make a top 10 list this year but if I did, out of ~300 books, this would be on it.
Ei mulla muuta ku että en ois lukenu tätä jos trigger warnings ois ollu asia liittyen kirjan loppuun.
I’m not shelving this under romance. And there are tears of sadness in my eyes right now. Also, this was sweet, funny and often adorable.
Make of that what you will.
Make of that what you will.
emotional
funny
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes