Reviews

I listened to this right after finishing the last Spectral File novel and didn’t know what to expect as I’m really not a fan of football. I shouldn’t have worried, of course SE Harmon even made a story about football enjoyable. Kelly felt like Rain’s baby brother with his matching snark but was different enough that he didn’t come across as a carbon copy. And Blue was nothing like Danny. Blue likes to sleep around a lot and is “straight” whereas Danny was practically a monk before getting back together with Rain (book one in the Spectral Files is 2nd chance romance) and felt uncomfortable when he picked up on people ogling him. Blue eats up!

This was such a sweet childhood friends to lovers, bi-awakening/“only gay for you” story. Kelly has been secretly in love with Blue since they were 12 years old. So much that it’s always gotten in the way of his relationships as Blue is that metaphorical (literal?) third person in all of them. He knows he has to give up the fantasy of Blue on day realizing he was in love with him too and no good comes from being in love with a straight man. After another relationship goes down in flames he tries to put space between himself and Blue but Blue just won’t let that happen. Why would he? He has no idea that Kelly has feelings for him and that’s why none of his relationships make it. But a night sharing bunk beds in Kelly’s childhood bedroom leads to Blue notice and think things about his best friend that go beyond friendship. But he’s straight…right?

Just like Harmon’s other books this one is

slayerfest_99's review against another edition

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emotional funny hopeful inspiring slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

2.0

leyna_dusana's review against another edition

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funny hopeful 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

4.5

ineffablebooks's review against another edition

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4.0

Shoutout to Ivonavitch, the real MVP of this story
Cute and funny! Already downloaded and listening to the sequel. Also the narrator for Blue is one of the best voice actors I've heard on an audiobook

mrsknightwest's review against another edition

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Loveable characters? No

1.5

Blue is just an awful person and Kelly just put up with it. Incredibly toxic relationship.

spacepulsar0269's review against another edition

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lighthearted medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

bookish_notes's review against another edition

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3.0

I’m glad I knew there was a second book when I started this one, because the ending is kind of abrupt and seems like a HFN. This is a football themed book with almost no football play time, unfortunately. I liked that this was friends to lovers and not a GFY because Blue is onboard with thinking he’s bi for his best friend at the end there.

I liked both the narrators for this book. Alexander Cendese does a spot on impersonation of David Attenborough.

Trigger warnings for misogyny and homomisia.

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