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4.09 AVERAGE
4.09 AVERAGE
adventurous
challenging
hopeful
inspiring
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:
Complicated
It was a good story with interesting characters. The depiction of intimate partner violence was nuanced and realistic. But this book definitely didn't need to be so long. Some chapters really dragged particularly towards the end
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Sexual assault, Violence
emotional
funny
hopeful
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
Content Warnings
Moderate: Emotional abuse, Sexual assault
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
slow-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
emotional
lighthearted
slow-paced
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
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
2nd read - paperback
just as good. this tome is really my perfect hockey romance. it gave me all i wanted. and it moved me even more upon reread, catching early signs from the characters and following them knowing where it was heading. i tabbed the hell out of it and still highly recommend it.
1st read - ebook
" We shouldn’t be doing this. I shouldn’t be doing this, but maybe one night would get this out of our system. "
like that has ever worked in any romance ever. but it's the best, this book did it so well, this books did everything excellent. I rarely enjoy long romance books. 300 pages is my sweet spot. but this 500 pages gem just needed and used that time so well. it never dragged.
" Listen, I know we fuck a lot, but it’s not something we have to do all the time. You’re not always going to want sex and neither will I. That would be true even if we didn’t do something physically demanding for a living. [...] That doesn’t mean I don’t want to see you. Or spend the night with you. "
the care they have for each other while learning to be together. from one of them being more experienced (in hockey and in bed) to what they expect and need from the other one in the relationship. ugh, and the slow healing that one of the main characters goes though, slowly, painfully, really got to me.
" After Isaac had confessed to doing research, I’d done the same, also buying the books we’d picked out, and there in the pages I found bits and pieces of myself. "
i just need everyone to hype this book the way they are hyping heated rivalry. this book deserves all the love, it has everything. including excellent teammates. (i'm dying for the next book)
" You don’t owe him anything. Not consideration. Not kindness. Not forgiveness. Nothing. "
just as good. this tome is really my perfect hockey romance. it gave me all i wanted. and it moved me even more upon reread, catching early signs from the characters and following them knowing where it was heading. i tabbed the hell out of it and still highly recommend it.
1st read - ebook
" We shouldn’t be doing this. I shouldn’t be doing this, but maybe one night would get this out of our system. "
like that has ever worked in any romance ever. but it's the best, this book did it so well, this books did everything excellent. I rarely enjoy long romance books. 300 pages is my sweet spot. but this 500 pages gem just needed and used that time so well. it never dragged.
" Listen, I know we fuck a lot, but it’s not something we have to do all the time. You’re not always going to want sex and neither will I. That would be true even if we didn’t do something physically demanding for a living. [...] That doesn’t mean I don’t want to see you. Or spend the night with you. "
the care they have for each other while learning to be together. from one of them being more experienced (in hockey and in bed) to what they expect and need from the other one in the relationship. ugh, and the slow healing that one of the main characters goes though, slowly, painfully, really got to me.
" After Isaac had confessed to doing research, I’d done the same, also buying the books we’d picked out, and there in the pages I found bits and pieces of myself. "
i just need everyone to hype this book the way they are hyping heated rivalry. this book deserves all the love, it has everything. including excellent teammates. (i'm dying for the next book)
" You don’t owe him anything. Not consideration. Not kindness. Not forgiveness. Nothing. "
I wasn’t sure whether to write a review for this book, but I made a promise to myself to always try to explain my reaction to books I rate three stars or less. Partly for the benefit of other readers, but also as a personal reminder months or years from now when I’m struggling to recall my thoughts and feelings.
In the past, I’ve enjoyed books written by both of these authors, so you can imagine my surprise to find myself not as enamored with this one as I’d hoped. I love hockey romance. I enjoy heavy, emotional storylines. So why was this one not really working for me?
Let me start by saying the hockey portions are fantastic. The action on the ice and attention to detail made those sections some of my favorite of the story. Some sports romances don’t do the heavy lifting to make sure it feels authentic to game, and I appreciate the effort that went into making this one genuine.
Similarly, the difficult content dealing with emotional abuse and trauma was well done. Is the entire plot telegraphed from early in the book? Yes, but that doesn’t make it any less compelling or impactful as it plays out on the page. The build up, conflict and resolution was riveting, and I found myself flying through that portion of the story.
Where I struggled overall was my anticipation of a slow burn romance with tension and chemistry between teammates that was in reality more of a spontaneous bonfire complete with role reversal. Their connection is immediate, and it ramps up quickly. Not far into the story, I reached a point where I thought maybe I misunderstood who Isaac and Julien were supposed to be. I’m in favor of discovering unknown character depths and contradicting stereotypes, but there were aspects of each I couldn't reconcile with the guys introduced in the beginning.
Feeling a little unmoored about Isaac and Julien’s relationship overall definitely made me hyperaware of other aspects that didn’t work for me. I’ll admit some of it is personal preference; there were parts that seemed unnecessarily detailed or repetitive. Rinse. Repeat. I’m not usually thrown out of the story in situations like that, and there were times when I was distracted by details that should have been inconsequential. One example: at risk of spoiling anything, there’s a scene where they’re off to grab lunch and decide to order room service instead. On the way to the hotel they’re interrupted, and when they finally arrive, they end up in an intimate moment. They never eat. No one ever mentions that they don’t - it’s just forgotten. Probably by everyone but me.
I’m happy for the many readers who seem to be enjoying this story. It’s not bad per se, I feel like maybe it’s trying to do too much. I’m very intrigued by the relationship between Nikki and Elias, so I will definitely be giving the second book a try. I’m hopeful that will be a better experience.
In the past, I’ve enjoyed books written by both of these authors, so you can imagine my surprise to find myself not as enamored with this one as I’d hoped. I love hockey romance. I enjoy heavy, emotional storylines. So why was this one not really working for me?
Let me start by saying the hockey portions are fantastic. The action on the ice and attention to detail made those sections some of my favorite of the story. Some sports romances don’t do the heavy lifting to make sure it feels authentic to game, and I appreciate the effort that went into making this one genuine.
Similarly, the difficult content dealing with emotional abuse and trauma was well done. Is the entire plot telegraphed from early in the book? Yes, but that doesn’t make it any less compelling or impactful as it plays out on the page. The build up, conflict and resolution was riveting, and I found myself flying through that portion of the story.
Where I struggled overall was my anticipation of a slow burn romance with tension and chemistry between teammates that was in reality more of a spontaneous bonfire complete with role reversal. Their connection is immediate, and it ramps up quickly. Not far into the story, I reached a point where I thought maybe I misunderstood who Isaac and Julien were supposed to be. I’m in favor of discovering unknown character depths and contradicting stereotypes, but there were aspects of each I couldn't reconcile with the guys introduced in the beginning.
Feeling a little unmoored about Isaac and Julien’s relationship overall definitely made me hyperaware of other aspects that didn’t work for me. I’ll admit some of it is personal preference; there were parts that seemed unnecessarily detailed or repetitive. Rinse. Repeat. I’m not usually thrown out of the story in situations like that, and there were times when I was distracted by details that should have been inconsequential. One example: at risk of spoiling anything, there’s a scene where they’re off to grab lunch and decide to order room service instead. On the way to the hotel they’re interrupted, and when they finally arrive, they end up in an intimate moment. They never eat. No one ever mentions that they don’t - it’s just forgotten. Probably by everyone but me.
I’m happy for the many readers who seem to be enjoying this story. It’s not bad per se, I feel like maybe it’s trying to do too much. I’m very intrigued by the relationship between Nikki and Elias, so I will definitely be giving the second book a try. I’m hopeful that will be a better experience.
emotional
medium-paced
Loveable characters:
Yes
Content Warnings
Moderate: Emotional abuse, Sexual assault
Minor: Violence, Vomit, Alcohol
I loved this book so much. A lot heavier than I was expecting but so so good
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Julien and Isaac (HEA):
Isaac is starting his rookie year in the hockey majors, where he recognizes that he is no longer the best player on the team. Along with overthinking his execution of plays on the ice, Isaac has his hockey idols as teammates and friends. Isaac is trying to manage this life change while not trying to sike himself out.
Julien is haunted by a painful past mistake made during his rookie season, multiple years ago. In attempt to cope, he has engaged in various meaningless hook ups.
When Isaac and Julien meet, there is an undeniable connection between them, even though Julien is hesitant about sharing his body and trust with another man. Julien is set on keeping his past behind him but that eventually proves to be difficult when the past is catching up to him. Due to the his past, Julien doesn’t believe that he is worthy to have a stable, healthy relationship. Julien doubts the ability of others expressing love towards him, especially those closest to him. Julien allows for the past to plant negative thoughts and comparisons into his mind.
Eventually, Julien realizes that he needs to e vulnerable in order to heal and move forward in life.
Spice: 3-3.5🌶
Read on Kindle Unlimited
Isaac is starting his rookie year in the hockey majors, where he recognizes that he is no longer the best player on the team. Along with overthinking his execution of plays on the ice, Isaac has his hockey idols as teammates and friends. Isaac is trying to manage this life change while not trying to sike himself out.
Julien is haunted by a painful past mistake made during his rookie season, multiple years ago. In attempt to cope, he has engaged in various meaningless hook ups.
When Isaac and Julien meet, there is an undeniable connection between them, even though Julien is hesitant about sharing his body and trust with another man. Julien is set on keeping his past behind him but that eventually proves to be difficult when the past is catching up to him. Due to the his past, Julien doesn’t believe that he is worthy to have a stable, healthy relationship. Julien doubts the ability of others expressing love towards him, especially those closest to him. Julien allows for the past to plant negative thoughts and comparisons into his mind.
Eventually, Julien realizes that he needs to e vulnerable in order to heal and move forward in life.
Spice: 3-3.5🌶
Read on Kindle Unlimited
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual assault
The SA doesn’t happen on page but it is discussed by the MC on page with some details (not overly graphic)