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koistyfishy's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
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? It's complicated
4.0
4 Use Me Stars ⭐
Spicy Level: 🌶️🌶️🌶️/5
I don't know if it's the fact that I might like hockey books now or if it was the fantastic writing from Elle Kennedy and the amazing story. Or if it was that C.J. Bloom and Teddy Hamilton did such a fantastic job at the Audio. Whatever it was, I had a delightful time listening to this story.
It is a dual POV that follows Gigi and Ryder. Gigi is the daughter of famous hockey player Garret Graham, and her dream is to play on the USA Female Olympic Hockey Team. Ryder is the new co-captain of the Briar's Men Hockey Team. The men's team just merged with a rival school's program after that school lost its funding. Gigi, needing help to land a spot on Team USA, strikes up a deal with Ryder. He will help her improve on the ice, and she will talk him up to her dad so he can land a coaching slot in her dad's Summer Hockey Camp.
What follows is an adorably sweet and cute little romance between the two. While there are definitely many "aww" moments, there are just as many steamy moments too. I found myself laughing out loud multiple times to this story, which could make you seem completely crazy. When no one sees your earpods while you're walking your dog and you happen to walk past an unsuspecting someone when you burst out laughing, they tend to look at you like you're mad. But trust me, if you just listened to a scene where a jumbo pack of 100 condoms falls sprawling on the floor in front of two GORGEOUS hockey players, who proceed to talk about how long it would take for her to work her way through the box... you would be laughing your ass off too...
Hats off to C.J. Bloom and Teddy Hamilton. I absolutely adore Teddy Hamilton, and quite frankly, I picked up this book because he was narrating it. But this was my first C.J. Bloom, and I can officially say that I adore her ability to tell a story.
She brought such life and animation to Gigi. It was this combination of excellent narration and Elle Kennedy's formulation of well-rounded characters that made this fantastic. She managed to write real mature people who are able to communicate when situations need it. These characters felt like they would be my friends. Though if they were real…that might have been a little too much info about their sex life.
Gigi is driven, determined, and unbelievably likeable. From page 1, I was hooked. I love that she was feisty calls it like it is and isn't afraid to put herself out there. She really knows what she wants in life, in a relationship, and in everything she sets her sights on, and is not afraid of the hard work it will take to get it.
Ryder was the epitome of grumpy. He's not very vocal in the start, very closed off and secretive, even though perceived to have a temper, he is very level-headed. It takes a while for Gigi to crack his hard exterior. But once she does, she realizes what a deep connection the two of them have, it was just perfect and inevitable. I also loved that she was able to be vulnerable with Ryder and that he was able to open himself to vulnerability with her. Especially because his backstory is so heartbreakingly sad.
I loved that it felt like their relationship took time to develop. From the rival enemies to friends with benefits to realising that they want more. The one issue, though, was this very quickly turned into an almost slice-of-life book. There were a lot of extra almost "episodes" added that did feel like the story was dragging at times, avoiding the areas of conflict that needed to be addressed. Be it hanging out with friends or hockey games - this was very drawn out. While some of them were great as they showed the dynamic of the side characters, there was often an occurrence where something would happen and the chapter would end on a cliffhanger and fast-forward a few weeks, not resolving the mini-drama that could have ensued.
Trope Summary:
▶ Dual POV
▶ Grumpy X Sunshine
▶ Enemies to Lovers
▶ College Romance
▶ Forbidden Romance
▶ Good Girl
▶ Steamy Water Scene
▶ Hockey Romance
Overall, I had a really good time. And if you like hockey books or if you just like fluffy romance books, I would recommend picking this up because it has a nice blend of adorable, heartwarming, funny, and steam moments to make anyone happy reading.
Spicy Level: 🌶️🌶️🌶️/5
I don't know if it's the fact that I might like hockey books now or if it was the fantastic writing from Elle Kennedy and the amazing story. Or if it was that C.J. Bloom and Teddy Hamilton did such a fantastic job at the Audio. Whatever it was, I had a delightful time listening to this story.
It is a dual POV that follows Gigi and Ryder. Gigi is the daughter of famous hockey player Garret Graham, and her dream is to play on the USA Female Olympic Hockey Team. Ryder is the new co-captain of the Briar's Men Hockey Team. The men's team just merged with a rival school's program after that school lost its funding. Gigi, needing help to land a spot on Team USA, strikes up a deal with Ryder. He will help her improve on the ice, and she will talk him up to her dad so he can land a coaching slot in her dad's Summer Hockey Camp.
What follows is an adorably sweet and cute little romance between the two. While there are definitely many "aww" moments, there are just as many steamy moments too. I found myself laughing out loud multiple times to this story, which could make you seem completely crazy. When no one sees your earpods while you're walking your dog and you happen to walk past an unsuspecting someone when you burst out laughing, they tend to look at you like you're mad. But trust me, if you just listened to a scene where a jumbo pack of 100 condoms falls sprawling on the floor in front of two GORGEOUS hockey players, who proceed to talk about how long it would take for her to work her way through the box... you would be laughing your ass off too...
Hats off to C.J. Bloom and Teddy Hamilton. I absolutely adore Teddy Hamilton, and quite frankly, I picked up this book because he was narrating it. But this was my first C.J. Bloom, and I can officially say that I adore her ability to tell a story.
She brought such life and animation to Gigi. It was this combination of excellent narration and Elle Kennedy's formulation of well-rounded characters that made this fantastic. She managed to write real mature people who are able to communicate when situations need it. These characters felt like they would be my friends. Though if they were real…that might have been a little too much info about their sex life.
Gigi is driven, determined, and unbelievably likeable. From page 1, I was hooked. I love that she was feisty calls it like it is and isn't afraid to put herself out there. She really knows what she wants in life, in a relationship, and in everything she sets her sights on, and is not afraid of the hard work it will take to get it.
Ryder was the epitome of grumpy. He's not very vocal in the start, very closed off and secretive, even though perceived to have a temper, he is very level-headed. It takes a while for Gigi to crack his hard exterior. But once she does, she realizes what a deep connection the two of them have, it was just perfect and inevitable. I also loved that she was able to be vulnerable with Ryder and that he was able to open himself to vulnerability with her. Especially because his backstory is so heartbreakingly sad.
I loved that it felt like their relationship took time to develop. From the rival enemies to friends with benefits to realising that they want more. The one issue, though, was this very quickly turned into an almost slice-of-life book. There were a lot of extra almost "episodes" added that did feel like the story was dragging at times, avoiding the areas of conflict that needed to be addressed. Be it hanging out with friends or hockey games - this was very drawn out. While some of them were great as they showed the dynamic of the side characters, there was often an occurrence where something would happen and the chapter would end on a cliffhanger and fast-forward a few weeks, not resolving the mini-drama that could have ensued.
Trope Summary:
▶ Dual POV
▶ Grumpy X Sunshine
▶ Enemies to Lovers
▶ College Romance
▶ Forbidden Romance
▶ Good Girl
▶ Steamy Water Scene
▶ Hockey Romance
Overall, I had a really good time. And if you like hockey books or if you just like fluffy romance books, I would recommend picking this up because it has a nice blend of adorable, heartwarming, funny, and steam moments to make anyone happy reading.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder, Death of parent, and Sexual content
Moderate: Gun violence
Minor: Alcoholism
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