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4.09 AVERAGE
4.09 AVERAGE
Hoo boy. Where do I even start with this? I don't think I can summarize this down into one word. Simple phrase? Too fucking much.
This book needed a serious second (and then third and then fourth) edit pass. There was absolutely NO reason this book had to be over 500 pages. There were SO MANY POINTS where I was like, "Dear god, why are they still talking about this?" And while I was worried that a lot of these pages were going to be sex scenes --and there were plenty, sure, THEY WENT ON FOREVER. It wasn't that there were a TON of them (maybe like...six or seven, which really isn't a ton for a book of OVER 500 PAGES...) But they each went on for what felt like twenty pages!
TOO MUCH
DID NOT GIVE A FUCK
But my real beef here is with the summary "content warning". Yes, Julien deals (poorly) with a really shit situation around sexual abuse and continued assault from his abuser. HOWEVER, what is FAILED to be mentioned is the BDSM. Because if I was made aware of the D/s dynamic between the main characters, I may not have read this book. I have tense feelings around BDSM, specifically masochism and bondage. Certain things in the kink community just make me...uncomfortable. This book hit several of those issues for me. While some people read this and go "Hot!", I more often than not went "Ew". Now, I will point out that the INTERIOR Content Warning lists "Explicit rough sex and light kink"... that could mean SO MANY THINGS. And when I open this book in my Kindle app, it goes immediately to page 1. I had to swipe backward to even SEE the content warning. And frankly: I LIKE rough sex and light kink. I write it myself! A full blown D/s dynamic is not "light kink".
There is also not an original thought anywhere in this book. I called pretty much any "plot twist" attempted. I am also not on board with the "let's not use condoms" thing. Bleh. That is just such a hard pass for me. The line that pissed me off the absolute *most* however was "I hadn't even realized how much the condoms muted the sensation". I'll save you reading through my first three dozen comments and tell you what I wrote: "OH FUCK OFF!!!" --all three exclamation points included. I don't care for Isaac being a sexual savant (or a hockey savant. What the fuck team takes play advice from a rookie?).
The only positive I can say for this book is: I finished it. I suffered at times, but I managed to get to the end of it. I am curious enough about how these two authors are going to fuck up Nisha and Elias that I already have that book loaded. Am I happy about it? No. I'm probably going to be just as pissed off about all the nonsense in that one too.
Suffice to say: I do not recommend this. I have serious doubts about their knowledge of BDSM and D/s dynamic, or kink in general --even though Zabo appears to have other books with a D/s dynamic. At the end, it all just feels dramatic for drama's sake. And frankly, it wasn't enough to make this worthwhile. Unfortunately, I just have too much damn time on my hands.
If you want my running commentary through the book, my highlights and comments are all available.
This book needed a serious second (and then third and then fourth) edit pass. There was absolutely NO reason this book had to be over 500 pages. There were SO MANY POINTS where I was like, "Dear god, why are they still talking about this?" And while I was worried that a lot of these pages were going to be sex scenes --and there were plenty, sure, THEY WENT ON FOREVER. It wasn't that there were a TON of them (maybe like...six or seven, which really isn't a ton for a book of OVER 500 PAGES...) But they each went on for what felt like twenty pages!
TOO MUCH
DID NOT GIVE A FUCK
But my real beef here is with the summary "content warning". Yes, Julien deals (poorly) with a really shit situation around sexual abuse and continued assault from his abuser. HOWEVER, what is FAILED to be mentioned is the BDSM. Because if I was made aware of the D/s dynamic between the main characters, I may not have read this book. I have tense feelings around BDSM, specifically masochism and bondage. Certain things in the kink community just make me...uncomfortable. This book hit several of those issues for me. While some people read this and go "Hot!", I more often than not went "Ew". Now, I will point out that the INTERIOR Content Warning lists "Explicit rough sex and light kink"... that could mean SO MANY THINGS. And when I open this book in my Kindle app, it goes immediately to page 1. I had to swipe backward to even SEE the content warning. And frankly: I LIKE rough sex and light kink. I write it myself! A full blown D/s dynamic is not "light kink".
There is also not an original thought anywhere in this book. I called pretty much any "plot twist" attempted. I am also not on board with the "let's not use condoms" thing. Bleh. That is just such a hard pass for me. The line that pissed me off the absolute *most* however was "I hadn't even realized how much the condoms muted the sensation". I'll save you reading through my first three dozen comments and tell you what I wrote: "OH FUCK OFF!!!" --all three exclamation points included. I don't care for Isaac being a sexual savant (or a hockey savant. What the fuck team takes play advice from a rookie?).
The only positive I can say for this book is: I finished it. I suffered at times, but I managed to get to the end of it. I am curious enough about how these two authors are going to fuck up Nisha and Elias that I already have that book loaded. Am I happy about it? No. I'm probably going to be just as pissed off about all the nonsense in that one too.
Suffice to say: I do not recommend this. I have serious doubts about their knowledge of BDSM and D/s dynamic, or kink in general --even though Zabo appears to have other books with a D/s dynamic. At the end, it all just feels dramatic for drama's sake. And frankly, it wasn't enough to make this worthwhile. Unfortunately, I just have too much damn time on my hands.
If you want my running commentary through the book, my highlights and comments are all available.
DNF at 42%.
I'm sorry, but I'm not vibing with this book, at all.
What's with all the nicknames? My head hurts.
Also this book is way too long.
I'm going to put it aside for now, and maybe pick it up another time. I'm not crazy about the writing and I'm not feeling the chemistry between the main characters either.
I'm sorry, but I'm not vibing with this book, at all.
What's with all the nicknames? My head hurts.
Also this book is way too long.
I'm going to put it aside for now, and maybe pick it up another time. I'm not crazy about the writing and I'm not feeling the chemistry between the main characters either.
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
relaxing
sad
tense
slow-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
I was a little intimidated by the 500 or so pages in this book but after the first three chapters I was hooked on everything that was going on. I thought I would have to wait a long time for these two to be together, but I was wrong, after the first evening spent together, they decided to be together. Who am I if not supportive for the two of them. I was surprised to find out that they didn't break up, they just needed some time to work through their issues and three chapters later they were back together. Isaac is my favorite, this man would literally drive two thousand miles just to avoid taking the plane because Julien have a fear of riding a plane. And he was so attentive and caring to Julien when he was going through a very difficult time. Everyone needs an Isaac of their own.
emotional
hopeful
medium-paced
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
the book is a bit slow and too long, but otherwise okay.
what i found really unrealistic wasjulien's press conference where he shared very intimate details that i don't think you really want the world to know..
also, some of the french words were wrong :(
what i found really unrealistic was
also, some of the french words were wrong :(
Good god I had thoughts on this books - namely that the main couple got together so fast it was ridiculous, and that their romance was mostly conveyed through sex but my worst gripe is how utterly, excruciatingly AWFUL the French was, absolutely ABYSMAL lmfao
Loveable characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
dark
emotional
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
This was definitely heavier than I thought, but I really liked it. Had a lil bit of angst for sure.
Loved getting to know Julien and Isaac. Julien has some trauma that you’ll have to wait a while to know the extent of, and that feels as frustrating for us as it does for Isaac, so I kinda liked that. We get trickles of info for a while, sort of like Isaac does.
I do feel that Isaacs needs and his general anxiety/overthinking is under-dealt with (or at least under-communicated), but I suppose there is a purpose to that.
Check your TWs.
Overall, my heart hurt a little while reading this, but I can’t begrudge the authors for hitting me in my feels. Was a really good read.
Also looking forward to reading the 2nd book, but based on the length and the reviews; it seems like it will be a more painful journey and my heart can’t deal with that right now (especially since I already care a great deal about the MCs of the next book). But I’ll be back to read that for sure.
Loved getting to know Julien and Isaac. Julien has some trauma that you’ll have to wait a while to know the extent of, and that feels as frustrating for us as it does for Isaac, so I kinda liked that. We get trickles of info for a while, sort of like Isaac does.
I do feel that Isaacs needs and his general anxiety/overthinking is under-dealt with (or at least under-communicated), but I suppose there is a purpose to that.
Check your TWs.
Overall, my heart hurt a little while reading this, but I can’t begrudge the authors for hitting me in my feels. Was a really good read.
Also looking forward to reading the 2nd book, but based on the length and the reviews; it seems like it will be a more painful journey and my heart can’t deal with that right now (especially since I already care a great deal about the MCs of the next book). But I’ll be back to read that for sure.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual assault, Toxic relationship, Gaslighting
－ＢＯＯＫ ＲＥＶＩＥＷ－
Rookie Mistake by L.A. Witt and Anne Zabo
Oh this book was such an unexpected surprise! The spice popped at 11% and wowwwwww did it keep on popping through the rest of the book. More than that though, the focus on the two main characters, as well as the close friend group was really well done. As you’re reading, you can see just how integral all these characters are to the narrative and the complexities of how the relationships intersect with being team captains.
Rookie Mistake features:
♠️ Hockey
♠️ MM Romance
♠️ No third act breakup
♠️ Hurt / comfort
♠️ Power exchange / D/s dynamics
♠️ Set in Pittsburgh
-PLOT-
What starts with reassuring words from a veteran player to a rookie after a tough loss, escalates into subtle flirtation over a game of Spades and late night brooding, before bulldozing into a heady and emotional relationship between teammates. Rookie Mistake follows Isaac and Julien as they explore power dynamics, friendship, trust, and the weight of past trauma. (TW: toxic and mentally absv ex)
-CHARACTERS-
Isaac Rivera - Gay rookie defenseman from the Pac NW. Inexperienced on the ice and in relationships, Isaac wades into unknown territory by being an out player in the NHL. He is attentive, caring, and thoughtful partner to Julien. Even while combatting his own doubts - relating to his overall inexperience - he is the rock that Julien needs.
Julien Landry - Pansexual Quebecois defenseman with a traumatic relationship past, which has a profound impact on his later approach to their relationship. Lucky for him, he has a support system of friends and teammates that refuse to quit on him.
-CHEMISTRY-
Soooooooo good! These two turn up the heat. When the spice pops at just 50 pages in, you know you are in for a real treat. The spicy scenes were rough, physical, filled with dirty talk, and bookended with deliciously tender aftercare. Coupled with the depth of emotion between these characters, and the traumatic backstory underpining Julien's past, their relationship felt mature and beautifully nuanced.
-SUMMARY-
If you like your hockey romance with a side of dominant/submissive power exchanges and a full spectrum of emotions… you HAVE to read this!
Rookie Mistake by L.A. Witt and Anne Zabo
Oh this book was such an unexpected surprise! The spice popped at 11% and wowwwwww did it keep on popping through the rest of the book. More than that though, the focus on the two main characters, as well as the close friend group was really well done. As you’re reading, you can see just how integral all these characters are to the narrative and the complexities of how the relationships intersect with being team captains.
Rookie Mistake features:
♠️ Hockey
♠️ MM Romance
♠️ No third act breakup
♠️ Hurt / comfort
♠️ Power exchange / D/s dynamics
♠️ Set in Pittsburgh
-PLOT-
What starts with reassuring words from a veteran player to a rookie after a tough loss, escalates into subtle flirtation over a game of Spades and late night brooding, before bulldozing into a heady and emotional relationship between teammates. Rookie Mistake follows Isaac and Julien as they explore power dynamics, friendship, trust, and the weight of past trauma. (TW: toxic and mentally absv ex)
-CHARACTERS-
Isaac Rivera - Gay rookie defenseman from the Pac NW. Inexperienced on the ice and in relationships, Isaac wades into unknown territory by being an out player in the NHL. He is attentive, caring, and thoughtful partner to Julien. Even while combatting his own doubts - relating to his overall inexperience - he is the rock that Julien needs.
Julien Landry - Pansexual Quebecois defenseman with a traumatic relationship past, which has a profound impact on his later approach to their relationship. Lucky for him, he has a support system of friends and teammates that refuse to quit on him.
-CHEMISTRY-
Soooooooo good! These two turn up the heat. When the spice pops at just 50 pages in, you know you are in for a real treat. The spicy scenes were rough, physical, filled with dirty talk, and bookended with deliciously tender aftercare. Coupled with the depth of emotion between these characters, and the traumatic backstory underpining Julien's past, their relationship felt mature and beautifully nuanced.
-SUMMARY-
If you like your hockey romance with a side of dominant/submissive power exchanges and a full spectrum of emotions… you HAVE to read this!