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bitchie's review against another edition
3.0
I think I liked book 1 better, but this one was pretty good. One thing to note before starting this- make sure you have the correct, updated version from Amazon. Cause when I first read this, the editing was kinda meh, and then the last three chapters were a complete and total mess. I looked up some reviews on Ammy, found out there was a mistake when uploading, got the correct version, and things were much better. Not positive about the editing all the way through until I go back for a reread, but the last three chapters were good.
Now, on to the story. I might not have even started the book if I'd know how much of a factor religion was going to be, but I still enjoyed the story. I liked Robbie and Paul, and thought they were very sweet together. What I had a hard time getting wasn't Paul's worry over God, but his dad. He worried about his dad cutting off contact, and not letting his sister see him, but his sister was in college, and Paul is a pro hockey player- he could support his sister if his dad had cut them both off.
And then, at the end, there was a Big Revelation from Paul's dad, about the way he was, and it kinda made sense, and it kinda didn't, and in the end, I'm not even sure if his dad ever really believed
Now, on to the story. I might not have even started the book if I'd know how much of a factor religion was going to be, but I still enjoyed the story. I liked Robbie and Paul, and thought they were very sweet together. What I had a hard time getting wasn't Paul's worry over God, but his dad. He worried about his dad cutting off contact, and not letting his sister see him, but his sister was in college, and Paul is a pro hockey player- he could support his sister if his dad had cut them both off.
And then, at the end, there was a Big Revelation from Paul's dad, about the way he was, and it kinda made sense, and it kinda didn't, and in the end, I'm not even sure if his dad ever really believed
Spoiler
all the hellfire and brimstone he always preached, or if he just grabbed onto it to scare Paul into not sleeping with men.tinybull's review against another edition
emotional
fast-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
3.25
Robbie Rhodes & Paul Dyson. Both hockey players. Paul is deeply religious, growing up in Alabama. Strong internalized homophobia in this one. Lot more editorial mistakes than the first one which brought the rating down for me
honeypossum_reads's review
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.25
valerieullmerauthor's review
5.0
First off, I have to say that I loved both Robbie and Paul and how their relationship developed. But it's important to recognize that there is an important part of the story that might make some uncomfortable. While most books that have part of religious fanaticism puts me off a book, I found that with Paul's history and the way he was raised, it was an important facet of Paul's life and how it affected his relationship with Robbie.
Paul and Robbie had met two years previous to when the story starts, during a particularly low period in Paul's life, and the end of their short acquaintance ended badly. So did their first meeting years after. But as Robbie started to understand what Paul was going through at that time, they started a tentative friendship. But their underlying attraction simmered in the background.
As they started a relationship, of sorts, Paul's issues with his past would rear up and Robbie would be there for him. By using reason and most of all their feelings for each other as barriers to the hate that was taught to him since he was a small child, Robbie would listen to Paul and most of all, be there for him as he worked through his feelings versus what he was taught.
I loved how Paul and his father, who is a very big antagonist in the beginning of the book, come to a realization together. And Paul finds his strength and determination to stand up with Robbie. It's a wonderful story and an important one to read!
Paul and Robbie had met two years previous to when the story starts, during a particularly low period in Paul's life, and the end of their short acquaintance ended badly. So did their first meeting years after. But as Robbie started to understand what Paul was going through at that time, they started a tentative friendship. But their underlying attraction simmered in the background.
As they started a relationship, of sorts, Paul's issues with his past would rear up and Robbie would be there for him. By using reason and most of all their feelings for each other as barriers to the hate that was taught to him since he was a small child, Robbie would listen to Paul and most of all, be there for him as he worked through his feelings versus what he was taught.
I loved how Paul and his father, who is a very big antagonist in the beginning of the book, come to a realization together. And Paul finds his strength and determination to stand up with Robbie. It's a wonderful story and an important one to read!
meleficent929's review
3.0
4 stars might be a bit generous with the grammatical and other errors that were not caught in the editing process, as they drove me nuts. And also for an ending that seemed very fast and pat. But for tackling something I have not seen much of in MM romances? 4 stars for that and we will make it a 3.5 overall.
The story is really Paul coming to terms with his sexuality and who he is. The flashback at the beginning relates to Paul trying to kill himself due to his repressed homosexuality and how his community and church has embedded the idea that it is a mortal sin.
The story is really Paul coming to terms with his sexuality and who he is. The flashback at the beginning relates to Paul trying to kill himself due to his repressed homosexuality and how his community and church has embedded the idea that it is a mortal sin.
robazizo's review against another edition
3.0
3.5 stars. Robbie and Paul were both adorable and the chemistry between them was great. Paul's issues were also well represented, but I had problems with the way things resolved in the end. I do love this band of boys together, so I'll definitely read the other books in the series.
Spoiler
The reaction and story of Paul's father felt a bit like a Deus ex Machina. And suddenly his father's faith, which was such a plot point earlier on was brushed aside? Paul's behaviour at the press conference was also a bit too much too soon for me to be believable.chambersaurusrx's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
jennp28's review
3.5
This one was intense! Internalized and external homophobia, shitty church opinions, closeted and not-so-closeted characters, and just-can’t-help-themselves spice. Somehow it all worked together pretty well although the resolution of the churchy stuff was maybe a tiny bit rushed.
Also he never appears in the book but according to the team roster in the front, apparently Konrad Abeltshauser, former Halifax Moosehead, plays for the Thunder so bonus Nova Scotia connection!
Also he never appears in the book but according to the team roster in the front, apparently Konrad Abeltshauser, former Halifax Moosehead, plays for the Thunder so bonus Nova Scotia connection!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Religious bigotry and Homophobia
Moderate: Outing
Minor: Death of parent
scrollsofdragons's review against another edition
3.0
3.5. Just a little tad excessive with the sex to be a full four which is my usual best rating for a romance.
bigborrowedbooks's review
emotional
funny
lighthearted
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
4.25