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4.33 AVERAGE
4.33 AVERAGE
“That’s a hat trick, Lexi baby, and that means I win.”
Another feel good, emotionally deep, and fun installment in the D.C. Stars series.
I have been so excited to read Riley and Lexi's story and it did not disappoint. I appreciated the focus on Riley's rehabilitation and the reminder to celebrate the good days because there are always going to be hard ones. I was happy to see (even if it was hard to read at times) that Riley's struggles weren't minimized, and the way that Lexi and his found family were there along the way - allowing him the space to not be ok - while still doing their best to remind him how much they care.
Overall, this series and these characters have my heart. Chelsea Curto's books always warm my heart, make me giggle (I live for the group chats), and pull at my heartstrings.
Another feel good, emotionally deep, and fun installment in the D.C. Stars series.
I have been so excited to read Riley and Lexi's story and it did not disappoint. I appreciated the focus on Riley's rehabilitation and the reminder to celebrate the good days because there are always going to be hard ones. I was happy to see (even if it was hard to read at times) that Riley's struggles weren't minimized, and the way that Lexi and his found family were there along the way - allowing him the space to not be ok - while still doing their best to remind him how much they care.
Overall, this series and these characters have my heart. Chelsea Curto's books always warm my heart, make me giggle (I live for the group chats), and pull at my heartstrings.
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
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
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
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
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
emotional
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
These Chelsea Curto books just keep getting better and better! I can't get enough of them!! Lexi and Riley might be taking the cake for the top couple in my book! They are funny and have amazing banter, and Riley just take down her walls. Oh so slowly!
The need they have for each other is unbeatable! I love a couple that truly makes each other better, and these w accomplish just that! And let's not forget the whole team of guys who help Riley back on his feet and face his new normal!
Gosh this whole crew is down right hilarious!
The need they have for each other is unbeatable! I love a couple that truly makes each other better, and these w accomplish just that! And let's not forget the whole team of guys who help Riley back on his feet and face his new normal!
Gosh this whole crew is down right hilarious!
emotional
funny
reflective
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
The characters are likeable, the pacing is good, there was no 3rd act breakup, and the HEA wasn't the FMC getting pregnant. So my expectations were somewhat exceeded for the genre (or maybe I'm too used to reading objectively bad books).
This book is textbook white feminism. It's great to have conversations about the gender pay gap, consent, not needing a man, and all that. However, it felt more like checking off a box or the author wanting us to know where they stand rather than being a natural part of the story. She brings up not being taken seriously in her workplace several times because she's a woman, but we never see that kind of discrimination in her reality. Feeding into the white feminism, there was also not a single BIPOC or LGBTQ+ person to be found aside from one Uber driver. The only diversity is Riley's limb difference. It just feels weird to read a book with no diversity.
As for Riley's limb difference... I haven't lost a limb so my opinion is less valuable, but i think it was done well enough. His physical and emotional recovery didn't come easy. The unpredictable depressive episodes, insecurity, rediscovering his sexuality, and the rest of his journey felt realistic enough (at least to someone who hasnt experienced it before). However, it follows the same white feminism route. Riley is wealthy and has access to the best medical equipment, both parents helping, free therapy, free physical therapy, and a supportive friend group. I'm not mad about any of this, and I'm happy the had these resources. But it was weird that Riley never acknowledged his positionality was the best case scenario for such a shitty situation, and that his experience was atypical.
I guess it comes down to white people not recognizing how good they have it, even in traumatic experiences. It made the story less relatable and interesting.
This book is textbook white feminism. It's great to have conversations about the gender pay gap, consent, not needing a man, and all that. However, it felt more like checking off a box or the author wanting us to know where they stand rather than being a natural part of the story. She brings up not being taken seriously in her workplace several times because she's a woman, but we never see that kind of discrimination in her reality. Feeding into the white feminism, there was also not a single BIPOC or LGBTQ+ person to be found aside from one Uber driver. The only diversity is Riley's limb difference. It just feels weird to read a book with no diversity.
As for Riley's limb difference... I haven't lost a limb so my opinion is less valuable, but i think it was done well enough. His physical and emotional recovery didn't come easy. The unpredictable depressive episodes, insecurity, rediscovering his sexuality, and the rest of his journey felt realistic enough (at least to someone who hasnt experienced it before). However, it follows the same white feminism route. Riley is wealthy and has access to the best medical equipment, both parents helping, free therapy, free physical therapy, and a supportive friend group. I'm not mad about any of this, and I'm happy the had these resources. But it was weird that Riley never acknowledged his positionality was the best case scenario for such a shitty situation, and that his experience was atypical.
I guess it comes down to white people not recognizing how good they have it, even in traumatic experiences. It made the story less relatable and interesting.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Medical trauma
Moderate: Cursing, Suicidal thoughts, Car accident
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
lighthearted
reflective
sad
tense
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
emotional
funny
lighthearted
sad
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:
No
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes