Reviews tagging 'Death of parent'

Coach by Devney Perry

12 reviews

nyquillll's review

challenging emotional hopeful lighthearted reflective tense medium-paced

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

3.5

I think I really enjoyed reading this story, maybe because its plot veered slightly from the typical path that these sports romances take. 

What I enjoyed: 

• The positive single-dad representation. The clear establishment that Ford's daughter, Joey, came first over everyone. He did everything he could in her best interests, and also through the story had to learn how to balance that with inviting some of his own interests. 
• I'm a sucker for the "she fell first, he fell harder" trope, and I would say this book could be categorized as that. I also am a sucker for "you run, I run" and that was Millie and Ford to a T. 
• The covering of topics of: learning how to single parent when your ex-partner is inconsistent and inattentive to your child, moving to a new town/state and settling in, how pivotal some moments in our lives can feel and how they can shift the whole trajectory of our future, learning to break down walls that have previously kept us safe, the catch-22 of your job being at risk but wanting to pursue the romantic relationship, how women are treated in male-dominated fields, how ugly custody battles can sometimes get - or how a lack of resistance can be heartbreaking too, the unique opportunity of being able to give sage advice to a young person that you would've needed, learning to stand up for yourself - "What's the worst that could happen?" mentality, calling people on their bullshit, and having the determination to not let something good slip from your grasp.
• I like that both Millie and Ford, though they didn't discuss it specifically with one another,
  were willing to give up their job for the other so they could be together
  and that it wasn't just one of them expected to do it. Their relationship and how it was portrayed seemed very healthy, balanced, and unselfish. 

Some critiques: 

• Some of the plot points felt like they had a lot of potential but the way they were resolved was a bit lackluster. For example, I spent most of the book looking over my shoulder waiting for
  Kurt
  to pop his head up and
  catch Millie and Ford
  . I also thought that maybe
  it would be revealed that Kurt had blackmailed the previous coach, or had more of a nefarious angle
  . Similarly, at multiple points in the book, I thought
  it would be revealed that Sienna sabotaged Millie and Ford's relationship by going through Ford's phone or answering his door and being rude to Millie
  . Though in a way, I'm really glad this didn't happen - and I'm glad that for the most part, there was no heavy reliance on a communication error trope. Ford encouraged Millie to be direct and face problems head on, together. 
• The ending felt a bit too convenient. I know it was hinted earlier on that
  President Cruz liked Millie, but for her to show up just in time for a conversation to reverse Millie turning in her resignation? Felt too perfect
  . 
• I don't know if I'm jaded from other books, but some of the unexpected twists thrown into a book can not only help the plot along, but they liven up the journey. I kept waiting for a little hint of something, and it never came. That's not to say there had to be more twists, but I spent a lot of time expecting some. 
• It felt like the main conflict - confronting why Ford stopped talking to Millie several years ago - was resolved super quickly and the rest of the book was just building up angst. I was along for the ride, but I felt the conflict could've been stretched a little bit more. And then, I do think adding in a twist could've helped with the pacing of the book. It felt very steady toward an ending we already knew was going to come with no real interesting forks in the road. 
• I almost wish that there were flashbacks that showed what happened in the past instead of the brief, quick snippets we get in the actual reveal from character dialogue. Just so we could have more context and detail.
• Also, the side-plot, if that, of Millie's mom and her sister? The
  favoritism
  ? That was completely forgotten at some point, not tied into at all. Felt like someone dropping a cookie on the floor and leaving it, thinking the other person wouldn't ask questions and would forget. I could guess it was meant to highlight how lonely Millie feels and just how deep her fear and insecurity is of being left and being someone's second choice?
• I wish the best friend had been included more as a sounding board for Millie, especially considering how close they were described as being.
• I don't think it ever was truly confirmed who
  was lodging complaints against Ford
  . It was alluded to and there was an accusation at the end, but never a confirmation.

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Content Warnings

Minor: Death of parent and Pregnancy

Some quotes I highlighted:

"A lifetime had passed since those days."

"There she is. There was my Millie."

"Mom had made the choice any parent would probably make. She'd given Macie her fullest, doing everything in her power to get my sister to the other side of her grief. I didn't blame either of them, I just knew I was second choice."

"My Millie. This was the Millie I knew. Thoughtful. Caring. A little bit shy."

"Ponytails. braids. Space buns. I couldn't bake cookies, but I'd been doing Joey's hair since she was a toddler."

"That, or I'd just always listened for Millie."

"I wanted one more minute with her. If I was lucky, maybe she'd give me two."

"Thank you." "For what? The cookies? You made them." "No...For closure.""

"Letting go of the resentment, the embarrassment I'd clutched so tightly for years had been surprisingly easy, if not slightly emotional."

"You and I have always been friends...Millie's my friend too. Do right by her this time around."

"My life is over." "Your life is different. Not over. Just different."

"Maybe exactly the shirt that Rush needed to see. Dads made it to the Super Bowl too."

"Call her. Talk it through."

"But I'd give her some time to catch up. Millie was fast. She'd get there."

"My kid loved to run. Sort of like Millie."

"She still let me hold her hand. That would probably end sooner rather than later, too, wouldn't it?"

"Millie's a very important person around here." "More than you?" "Yes."

"Joey looked to Millie again with a bit of awe in her gaze. I liked that for my daughter. And I liked that for me because Joey was talking to me again. Thanks, Mills."

"Ford's laugh was like a burst of color, yellow and orange and neon green."

"It was like the color he'd brought into my home with his laugh. Ford's kiss was a symphony of blue and green and red and yellow."

"He's the tooth fairy...And he gives me five dollars for every tooth."

"I'd listen to them laugh for the rest of my life over any music, even my favorite classic rock."

"Yeah, and it gets worse. I was with this boy I had a crush on and he saw my underwear. It was so embarrassing."

"Will you kiss me good night?"

"Was that why we'd dated for so long? Because he'd worn me down?"

"He's just a friend." "And I'm six feet tall."

"Did all parents feel like they couldn't do a damn thing right? Or was that just me?"

"Then this time, I'll take you with me."

"Maybe you'd better tell me, just to make sure."

"'I want you to like me,' I blurted. Her cheeks flushed as she gave me a shy smile. 'I like you. A lot.'"

"'Daddy!' she hollered when she spotted Ford, then took off running. The smile on his face was blinding. He bent, arms wide when she rushed over. Then he swept her into a hug."

"Would it always be this way? Would I always feel like second place?"

"I will give it up, Ford. I will give it up for you. But give me a month to say goodbye to the job I love. Give me a month to figure out who I am without the career I've built."

"The girl was terrified, wasn't she? If she'd had walls around her heart the last time I'd seen her, she'd since reinforced them with locks and chains."

"Maybe it had never been about Mom choosing Macie over me. That was just what life had gifted them. A daughter - a mother - as a best friend."

"I'm staying here tonight, if you want to take off."

"Ford stretched out a hand, engulfing mine, and with a single tug, he hauled me into his chest. 'Hey, baby.'"

"We're unpaused." "About fucking time." "Not my best idea ever."

"As long as I had my Millie, I didn't need football. 'I love you.'"

"Ready for it now if I say it again?"

"Ten years. Three words, ten years in the making. They were sweet. So fucking sweet."

"She'd be the last. The last woman I'd kiss until the end of my days. It was Millie. It always had been Millie."

"She's happy. But if you think she isn't, you could always ask her."

"What if we had kids?"

"'See you at home?' Her eyes softened. 'I'll be there.' 'I love you.'"

"Was it enough? Was I enough? Millie's voice rang in the back of my mind. You're a good dad, Ford."

"Maybe I wasn't the best father in the world, but damn it, I was trying."

"'You got this,' I murmured, willing my words to hitch a ride on the slight breeze and float their way to Ford."

"Do not make me laugh when I'm mad at you." "Don't be mad at me."

"We're a better department with you, Millie."

"I really should have listened to my wife."

"Jack was wearing a Wildcat jersey in the photo. He had seven of them, one for every day of the week because he refused to wear anything else."

"And behind our crew was what looked to be the entire Treasure State University football team."

ambercunningham's review

emotional lighthearted fast-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? No

3.75

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexual content, Abandonment, Toxic relationship, Death of parent, and Emotional abuse

Minor: Injury/Injury detail and Toxic friendship

marisabenn's review

lighthearted fast-paced

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

3.75

This was good! I can definitely see myself reading more titles by Devney Perry, but this one was a bit lackluster in parts. 

First, I wish some vague dates were included. It was a bit difficult to keep a timeline up.

Second, I just truly despise a miscommunication trope. Or in this case a lack of communication. 

Third, it felt really surface level. There wasn't any meat to the sandwich. It was good, but not great.

Fourth, ladies, PLEASE do not give up your hard earned career for a man. Use your fucking brain and talk to your bosses first. 

I do love a tall girl main character, though! If only the MMC wasn't 6'4" every single time...

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexual content and Cursing

Minor: Car accident, Death of parent, Infidelity, and Pregnancy

vj_thompson's review

hopeful lighthearted relaxing tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Toxic friendship, Misogyny, Abandonment, Sexual content, and Toxic relationship

Moderate: Pregnancy, Infidelity, Death of parent, Cursing, and Alcohol

Minor: Sexism and Grief

shaykay's review

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

I've read many sports-related romance books this year, and this is one of them that has stuck with me, and I can still remember almost everything that happened in it. I loved it was a small-town romance and that the main characters were actually older. I loved seeing Millie try her freaking hardest to avoid Ford and his daughter, but Joey had other plans. I loved seeing their relationship build because she treated her as her own daughter from the very beginning, and I loved the relationship they ended up having because Sienna wasn't the most motherly towards her. I loved actually getting some baby momma drama because I feel like in so many single-parent books I've read, the other parent's dead, so we don't get that drama element. I loved how this one was written; it had so many layers. I really want to read more by Perry.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Abandonment, Sexual content, and Toxic relationship

Moderate: Death of parent, Infidelity, and Pregnancy

Minor: Misogyny, Sexism, and Grief

pageafter_paige's review

lighthearted fast-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

5.0

Wow I loved this book so much! I’m not a huge football fan and I don’t always love the single dad trope so I wasn’t sure going in but I saw it getting so much love and it was on KU so I gave it a shot and I’m so glad I did! 

I looooved Ford and Millie! You could feel their connection instantly and I was rooting for the, from page 1. I loved watching Ford fight for Millie, and I thought his relationship with his daughter was cute and real. Joey can paint my nails any day! 

The pace of the book wasn’t dragged out and the plot kept me invested despite note liking football! The one thing I’d change about this book is I don’t like people saying “love you” instead of “I love you” when it’s a romance but that’s me being a bit picky.

Overall a wonderful sports romance set in college but not as students!

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Alcohol, Pregnancy, Sexual content, Cursing, Death of parent, Infidelity, Toxic friendship, Toxic relationship, and Abandonment

beehen's review

lighthearted relaxing medium-paced

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

2.0

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Abandonment, Pregnancy, and Sexual content

Minor: Death of parent

bookshelf1792's review

emotional lighthearted fast-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? No

2.0

I mean it was fine. Sweet. I liked the characters but there was 10 YEARS of pining that I feel like was not captured. She went from “pausing the relationship” to quitting her career for him in the same breath. I don’t really understand why they liked each other. There was no foundation built here. This would’ve benefited from a dual timeline I think. And it seemed really unnecessary to bash the ex wife just cause we wanted the MMC and FMC to be together. 

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Content Warnings

Minor: Death of parent

sami_leigh's review

funny hopeful lighthearted fast-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? Yes

3.0

⭐️⭐️⭐️/5

🌶️🌶️.5/5

Maybe one day, I’d look at her and my heart wouldn’t skip. Maybe one day, I’d stop thinking about how many years I’d missed. Maybe one day, I wouldn’t have to hold myself back from going to her.

🏈 First person dual POV

🏈 Second chance romance; college best friends reunite 10 years later

🏈 Workplace romance / forced proximity / forbidden

🏈 College Athletic Director / College football coach 

🏈 He falls HARD

🏈 Single dad

🏈 Well established secondary characters; Autumn, Joey, Toren (Book 2)

🏈 MC Growth; toxic past relationship, self worth, risking a relationship, trust, job priorities, past grief.

🏈 Epilogue

🚩 FYI: FMC’s verbally aggressive ex partner believes he is owed a relationship with her & won’t take no for an answer. This character disappears without explicit repercussions for their actions. 

Available on Kindle Unlimited

⚠️ Toxic relationship (past), infidelity (past relationship, not MC), pregnancy (past), grief, death of a parent (past), sexism/misogyny (ex partner).

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexual content, Toxic relationship, and Toxic friendship

Minor: Sexism, Infidelity, Grief, Misogyny, Death of parent, and Pregnancy

lizdaniel's review

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? No

4.25

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Death of parent and Infidelity