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corinnemcmullan's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
buchrose's review against another edition
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Besser als erwartet. Aufgrund von Cover und Titel bin ich von einer oberflächlichen, leicht lesbaren, spicy Story ausgegangen, diese Erwartungen wurden aber übertroffen. Die Charaktere haben mehr Tiefgang als in vergleichbaren Büchern und verhalten sich auch logischer/menschlicher z.B. im Umgang mit Problemen.
sofiaflowers's review against another edition
2.5
I don’t think athletes are that famous but otherwise the plot wouldn’t make sense I guess. Carie didn’t feel like a real person idk how to explain it. I don’t 100% understand the dynamic because she’s like in love with her brother in law which is literally Danny’s brother but she sees his family like her own family but not him I guess. Idk it was weird I didn’t really like it
sharpsilver's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
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
4.0
jax10124's review against another edition
emotional
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
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
5.0
I’m so sad this is the last book in the series. I wish I could read so much more about the Bishop-Esera’s! I’d love a book about how Alison and Joseph stay so wonderfully strong together and inspire their kids to grow their families —- making a whole rugby team out of grandbabies! Hahaha
amym84's review against another edition
4.0
Daniel Esera is on his way to following in his family's footsteps by becoming a big name in the rugby world.
Similarly, Catie River is making a name for herself within the Paralympic circuit.
Daniel and Catie have known each other for years. Catie's sister Isa is married to Danny's brother Sailor. Danny and Catie affectionately consider each other frenemies.
But lately, Danny is seeing something in Catie that he hadn't seen before, and Catie, likewise, is feeling an attraction to Danny that's never been there before.
Before they can really explore what these feelings might mean, both of their careers are on the line when Danny gets caught in a stranger's reckless stunt. In order to stave off the press, they need to pretend to be in a relationship that forces them to confront their feelings and how this affects their dynamic.
It's been a couple of years since we've checked in on the Esera family. This series is one that I may not be highly anticipating, but when it does release and when I do read it, I'm just happier for it. Nalini Singh knows how to pull readers into a story and she knows all about how to make a character connect with a reader.
I just really like the history that's grown between Catie and the Esera family. With her sister married into the family, they really welcomed her into the fold as well, which is great seeing as how Catie's biological mother and father were never present for her, mentally or physically. Catie learned early on that showing love and giving love only ends up hurting you in the process. Still, her parents have been there for her in her hardest moments, such as after the accident that left her a double-amputee. So Danny throws her for a loop. She's attracted to him but is scared to put her trust in another person after so long only relying on herself.
Danny's family dynamic might be better than Catie's, but that doesn't mean he doesn't feel the pressure of what it means to be an Esera. His brothers have paved the way for him to play rugby, but with a whole country watching to see how you stack up against them, it's intimidating and has started to take a toll on the field. Danny needs to get his head back in the game, but Catie is proving to be quite the distraction.
I really enjoyed seeing the different family dynamics highlighted between Danny and Catie, and then kind of how they form their own dynamic that's been influenced by how they grew up. Seeing how their differences influence their careers and how they handle that pressure both good and bad.
Mainly, I love the connection, even though they're supposed to be "frenemies" you can tell they've always had a strong bond with one another and the way it grew into something more felt very natural and organic. Not forced.
The only issue I had was that there seemed to be a lot of conflicts that were only partially seen through. The issue with the stranger that forces Danny and Catie into the fake relationship and the fake relationship itself felt sort of gleamed over at a certain point, moving on to Danny's rising problems on the field and Catie's learning how to trust. I think if more focus/commitment had been made to a couple of the conflicts the story would have been stronger.
As it stands, however, you can never go wrong with anything Nalini Singh writes. This series has been a top-notch romance series. While I think we've made our way through the entire Esera clan, I really can't wait to see where Nalini goes next with her contemporary romances. There are always some great secondary characters that I'd love to see get a chance to shine.
*ARC provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
Similarly, Catie River is making a name for herself within the Paralympic circuit.
Daniel and Catie have known each other for years. Catie's sister Isa is married to Danny's brother Sailor. Danny and Catie affectionately consider each other frenemies.
But lately, Danny is seeing something in Catie that he hadn't seen before, and Catie, likewise, is feeling an attraction to Danny that's never been there before.
Before they can really explore what these feelings might mean, both of their careers are on the line when Danny gets caught in a stranger's reckless stunt. In order to stave off the press, they need to pretend to be in a relationship that forces them to confront their feelings and how this affects their dynamic.
It's been a couple of years since we've checked in on the Esera family. This series is one that I may not be highly anticipating, but when it does release and when I do read it, I'm just happier for it. Nalini Singh knows how to pull readers into a story and she knows all about how to make a character connect with a reader.
I just really like the history that's grown between Catie and the Esera family. With her sister married into the family, they really welcomed her into the fold as well, which is great seeing as how Catie's biological mother and father were never present for her, mentally or physically. Catie learned early on that showing love and giving love only ends up hurting you in the process. Still, her parents have been there for her in her hardest moments, such as after the accident that left her a double-amputee. So Danny throws her for a loop. She's attracted to him but is scared to put her trust in another person after so long only relying on herself.
Danny's family dynamic might be better than Catie's, but that doesn't mean he doesn't feel the pressure of what it means to be an Esera. His brothers have paved the way for him to play rugby, but with a whole country watching to see how you stack up against them, it's intimidating and has started to take a toll on the field. Danny needs to get his head back in the game, but Catie is proving to be quite the distraction.
I really enjoyed seeing the different family dynamics highlighted between Danny and Catie, and then kind of how they form their own dynamic that's been influenced by how they grew up. Seeing how their differences influence their careers and how they handle that pressure both good and bad.
Mainly, I love the connection, even though they're supposed to be "frenemies" you can tell they've always had a strong bond with one another and the way it grew into something more felt very natural and organic. Not forced.
The only issue I had was that there seemed to be a lot of conflicts that were only partially seen through. The issue with the stranger that forces Danny and Catie into the fake relationship and the fake relationship itself felt sort of gleamed over at a certain point, moving on to Danny's rising problems on the field and Catie's learning how to trust. I think if more focus/commitment had been made to a couple of the conflicts the story would have been stronger.
As it stands, however, you can never go wrong with anything Nalini Singh writes. This series has been a top-notch romance series. While I think we've made our way through the entire Esera clan, I really can't wait to see where Nalini goes next with her contemporary romances. There are always some great secondary characters that I'd love to see get a chance to shine.
*ARC provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
fhicks's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
relaxing
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
4.0
shksprsis's review against another edition
emotional
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
4.5