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christyx's review against another edition
dark
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, and Violence
uvsrdg's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Mental illness, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Violence, Stalking, Car accident, Death of parent, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Child abuse, Gun violence, Pedophilia, Blood, Medical content, and Abandonment
Minor: Infidelity and Suicide
what_karla_reads's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
5/5 stars
3.5/5 spice
A dark sports romance that will completely consume you from the first page... first sentence...
"Sometimes wings are built from despair."
Tropes:
Hockey romance
Possesive MMC
Strangers to lovers
Opposites attract
Anti-hero/Alphahole
He falls first
"Touch her and die" vibes
The angst in this book was intense. So much happens in the first part. You think that there will be some relief in the second... but no. You will suffer... but you're going to be happy about it. There are dark themes in this book that add suspense to the storyline.
Lyla is a survivor. I want to wrap her in warm hugs and comfort, so I can totally understand Lachlan's protectiveness with her. But she's also strong and resilient. She sacrifices so much and survives so much. I loved how she was the complete opposite of what Lachlan was used to from women. He had to work hard for her trust and affection, but once these two admitted their feelings, they were so good together. Was he a possessive, alphahole ready to break/kill any guy who tries to talk to his girl? Yes. Do we love him anyways? Yes.
Their story spans a little over 3 years, starting in college and their lives after college. It's such an emotional roller coaster. Just when you think they are going to be OK, something happens to derail their plans. But the love they share for each other is so much deeper than anything I've read... they are soulmates. The connection, the love, the passion they have for each other is just next level.
'“You can shut out the entire world, Lyla James.” He kisses my lips hard, making my heart skip a beat. “But never me.”' 🥹🫶🏽
I highly recommend reading the trigger warnings with this book because of the trauma that was experienced and discussed my the MCs.
I received an ebook ARC from the author. All thoughts and opinions are my own and offered freely.
3.5/5 spice
A dark sports romance that will completely consume you from the first page... first sentence...
"Sometimes wings are built from despair."
Tropes:
Hockey romance
Possesive MMC
Strangers to lovers
Opposites attract
Anti-hero/Alphahole
He falls first
"Touch her and die" vibes
The angst in this book was intense. So much happens in the first part. You think that there will be some relief in the second... but no. You will suffer... but you're going to be happy about it. There are dark themes in this book that add suspense to the storyline.
Lyla is a survivor. I want to wrap her in warm hugs and comfort, so I can totally understand Lachlan's protectiveness with her. But she's also strong and resilient. She sacrifices so much and survives so much. I loved how she was the complete opposite of what Lachlan was used to from women. He had to work hard for her trust and affection, but once these two admitted their feelings, they were so good together. Was he a possessive, alphahole ready to break/kill any guy who tries to talk to his girl? Yes. Do we love him anyways? Yes.
Their story spans a little over 3 years, starting in college and their lives after college. It's such an emotional roller coaster. Just when you think they are going to be OK, something happens to derail their plans. But the love they share for each other is so much deeper than anything I've read... they are soulmates. The connection, the love, the passion they have for each other is just next level.
'“You can shut out the entire world, Lyla James.” He kisses my lips hard, making my heart skip a beat. “But never me.”' 🥹🫶🏽
I highly recommend reading the trigger warnings with this book because of the trauma that was experienced and discussed my the MCs.
I received an ebook ARC from the author. All thoughts and opinions are my own and offered freely.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, and Violence
Moderate: Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Rape, Grief, and Stalking
Minor: Cursing, Suicidal thoughts, Blood, Car accident, Death of parent, Alcohol, and Injury/Injury detail
romanceschmomance's review against another edition
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Of course, I was eager to get my hands on this one and I tried to get an early copy, but was thankful the audio was released early! With my mood reading all over the place, I went with a book by an author I've loved many times over.
I didn't read the synopsis and just dove right in, blindly. And yes, I devoured the audio.
I loved how instant the connection was between Lyla and Lachlan. And I liked that it was almost out of the norm for them to feel the things they did unless it was towards one another. However, there's so much to Lyla's story that we get glimpses of in the beginning. I knew it would be painful and absolutely heartbreaking.
It has been a while since I've read about a possessive hero and Claire captured all of that in Lachlan. I realize this won't be a kind of character for everyone, but it worked for me. Absolutely the "touch her and you know what" vibes. He has never felt the way he does towards Lyla with anyone, so I get why he's this way.
Their story is a two-part, where we get to see them meeting and how quickly things set off between them. And then we get a little time jump after something happens, which sends one of them running.
I've read just about every book by Claire and this one is in a league of its own. She went a little darker in this one, and gave us a MMC that's probably a bit untouchable by her other characters. Time, distance, and NOTHING could keep Lach away from Lyla. I loved the way he talked about Lyla, those were definitely my favorite moments. Because of what she has been through, we don't see a lot of light in the beginning. And the more we saw them together, we see a much brighter and happier, Lyla.
There is a bit of a suspense/thriller aspect that definitely raises the hairs on the back of your neck. Just know that you'll be wanting justice by the end.
I love Claire's side characters, they're all amazing. And hopefully, we'll see a few in the future. Who knows.
So yeah, I enjoyed this one and really enjoyed the audio. Not sure how I was feeling about Joe Arden in this, but it worked for me by the end. Kasha Kensington did such a great job bringing Lyla's character to life. I laughed, I cried. Truly a great audiobook, I recommend it.
I didn't read the synopsis and just dove right in, blindly. And yes, I devoured the audio.
I loved how instant the connection was between Lyla and Lachlan. And I liked that it was almost out of the norm for them to feel the things they did unless it was towards one another. However, there's so much to Lyla's story that we get glimpses of in the beginning. I knew it would be painful and absolutely heartbreaking.
It has been a while since I've read about a possessive hero and Claire captured all of that in Lachlan. I realize this won't be a kind of character for everyone, but it worked for me. Absolutely the "touch her and you know what" vibes. He has never felt the way he does towards Lyla with anyone, so I get why he's this way.
Their story is a two-part, where we get to see them meeting and how quickly things set off between them. And then we get a little time jump after something happens, which sends one of them running.
I've read just about every book by Claire and this one is in a league of its own. She went a little darker in this one, and gave us a MMC that's probably a bit untouchable by her other characters. Time, distance, and NOTHING could keep Lach away from Lyla. I loved the way he talked about Lyla, those were definitely my favorite moments. Because of what she has been through, we don't see a lot of light in the beginning. And the more we saw them together, we see a much brighter and happier, Lyla.
There is a bit of a suspense/thriller aspect that definitely raises the hairs on the back of your neck. Just know that you'll be wanting justice by the end.
I love Claire's side characters, they're all amazing. And hopefully, we'll see a few in the future. Who knows.
So yeah, I enjoyed this one and really enjoyed the audio. Not sure how I was feeling about Joe Arden in this, but it worked for me by the end. Kasha Kensington did such a great job bringing Lyla's character to life. I laughed, I cried. Truly a great audiobook, I recommend it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual assault, Stalking, Car accident, Death of parent, and Sexual harassment
Moderate: Rape and Violence
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