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kell_yeah_reads's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
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
4.0
per my spreadsheet:
i'm sorry- didn't know that was gonna be this good.
i'm sorry- didn't know that was gonna be this good.
spice 🌶 - a 4 🌶 spicy (romance.io scale)
length - just right
reading speed - read in 2 days
did it make me cry? - pretty sure I did.
did it make me cry? - pretty sure I did.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder, Death of parent, and Sexual content
Moderate: Gun violence
haley49's review against another edition
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
4.5
Such a sweet legacy to the off-campus series. I loved all the cameos to our old favs while still building on new ones.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Murder, Death of parent, Abandonment, and Gun violence
raegandrust's review against another edition
emotional
funny
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
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent and Murder
Moderate: Gun violence and Violence
Minor: Infidelity
mousewitched's review against another edition
4.0
someone wanna tell me why i got weepy at this FUCKING HOCKEY BOOK
briefly coming back to this review to add: i get the pwhl didn't exist when this book was written, but come on. there were SEVERAL professional women's hockey leagues at the time of writing/publishing, and not a single mention? no nod to the phf? pwhpa (this one i get because of the ties to team usa i guess)? ewhl? anything? foolish.
briefly coming back to this review to add: i get the pwhl didn't exist when this book was written, but come on. there were SEVERAL professional women's hockey leagues at the time of writing/publishing, and not a single mention? no nod to the phf? pwhpa (this one i get because of the ties to team usa i guess)? ewhl? anything? foolish.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death of parent, Child abuse, Murder, and Domestic abuse
bog223's review against another edition
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder and Sexual assault
pippamillerxoxo_'s review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
sad
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? No
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cursing, Sexual content, Violence, Bullying, Gaslighting, Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Gun violence, Death of parent, Death, Grief, and Murder
jordanez's review against another edition
emotional
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
Content Warnings
Minor: Infidelity, Gun violence, Sexism, Death, Alcohol, Death of parent, Bullying, Murder, Misogyny, and Violence
tannerlauren's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent, Sexual content, and Murder
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
sarahthenerd's review against another edition
lighthearted
relaxing
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
4.5
I love it. But what I don't love is there wasn't much hockey scene with Gigi and her teammates like Ryder and his teammates. Despite her being a hockey player as well. And what's more annoying and sad is that she always refer Ryder as hockey player when she is always even tho there aren't any chances for women to play pro, she still a hockey player despite being a college hockey player. She always says Ryder is a 6’5” hockey player, “hockey player with their superstitions” or smth like that. Even when she mentioned abt Team USA, it wasn't enough. It felt as if her frustration with not being selected for Team USA is being watered down by Eastwood-Briar combine hockey team issues. Now that I remember, even there was a hockey match between women's hockey team, it's always from Ryder's POV and once from Gigi’s. AND NOT ONLY THAT she always refers herself as girlie. Like I get it that not all sportsman and sportswoman need to be gruff and barbarian, but ISTG the way the author trying to describe Gigi as not a barbarian despite her being a hockey player (sportsmen and sportswomen ARE barbarian) is so…internal misogyny… The author is trying to so hard to make Gigi as this girlie and not barbarian person despite her being a hockey player. Ryder would say she is 5’4” at least and then makes Ryder a 6’5” guy bcs ppl this days love small girl and tall guy trope bcs it's cute. To me this is internal misogyny and IDK how to tell you. LIKE GIRL SHES A HOCKEY PLAYER. YOU WROTE HER AS A HOCKEY PLAYER. STOP TRYING TO WATERED DOWN HER CHARACTER. ACCEPT FOR WHAT SHE IS. YOUR HER CREATOR OMFG
Another reason why I gave this a 4.5⭐ instead of 5⭐ (at first) was their relationship doesn't feel any chemistry. But I love their dynamic. The last reason is bcs felt like this book was more focus on Ryder and a little bit of Garrett. I understand that this book is also abt Gigi struggling w/ being a Graham but IDK felt like the issue in this book is more focus on Ryder than Gigi…
But overall, I like there was parallel stuff between Campus Diaries world and Off-Campus world.
Another reason why I gave this a 4.5⭐ instead of 5⭐ (at first) was their relationship doesn't feel any chemistry. But I love their dynamic. The last reason is bcs felt like this book was more focus on Ryder and a little bit of Garrett. I understand that this book is also abt Gigi struggling w/ being a Graham but IDK felt like the issue in this book is more focus on Ryder than Gigi…
But overall, I like there was parallel stuff between Campus Diaries world and Off-Campus world.
Content Warnings
Minor: Sexual harassment and Murder