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4.09 AVERAGE
4.09 AVERAGE
Smith & Gemma
They’re head over heels as teens, but when her dad finds out she’s willing to give up her dream of Stanford to follow him to school for hockey, he threatens Smith to let her go.
Their paths cross years later after Gemma flees to her bestie (Smith’s sister) after her abusive fiancé hits her for the last time. Smith knows there’s no way he can let her out of his life again.
They’re head over heels as teens, but when her dad finds out she’s willing to give up her dream of Stanford to follow him to school for hockey, he threatens Smith to let her go.
Their paths cross years later after Gemma flees to her bestie (Smith’s sister) after her abusive fiancé hits her for the last time. Smith knows there’s no way he can let her out of his life again.
Another book that brought tears to my eyes. Seriously, between my February and early March readings, I ran out of tears. The themes covered in this book and the depth of the characters immediately won me over. I like to see the evolution of characters throughout a book and I am pleasantly surprised and proud to have followed Smith and Gemma's. This Hannah Gray series is so well written that each book fills my heart a little more. Following Smith's attachment and his attitude towards Gemma and seeing her blossom in a new light, changed me forever.
Oh man this story was a rollercoaster of emotion. Getting out of an abusive relationship is not easy and Gemma truly believes that she is broken and not what Smith needs. There were so many scenes in this book that had me tearing up, but I was happy to see all of the support that Gemma had around her. Smith is the ultimate green flag when it comes to Gemma. He rides that balance of trying to be everything that she needs while giving her space to make her own decisions since that had been taken away from her previously. In earlier books and even at the start of this one, Smith is portrayed as a bit of a man whore, but it is immediately clear that Gemma is his heart and he will do anything to protect her. Absolutely loved their journey and the progression of both Smith and Gemma.
Combining hockey romance, second chances, found family, sister's best friend and slow burn, made this book perfection. There is a domestic violence rep so please read the trigger warnings, but the story is handled with the sensitivity needed. Absolutely cannot wait for the next one in this series. Hannah Gray has fast become an automatic buy for me.
Combining hockey romance, second chances, found family, sister's best friend and slow burn, made this book perfection. There is a domestic violence rep so please read the trigger warnings, but the story is handled with the sensitivity needed. Absolutely cannot wait for the next one in this series. Hannah Gray has fast become an automatic buy for me.
4.5 star rating, and the 1/2 star is just because of the type of trauma the FMC experienced. Not because it wasn't written well, just because I personally struggled with it.
Hannah, however, is quickly becoming my go-to for second chance romance. :-)
Gemma and Smith had it all... sweet high school romance, brilliant futures planned, and the history to go the long run. Until they didn't. When Smith leaves town with no goodbye, Gemma's life takes a left turn, sending her into the arms of a man that looked great on the outside, but sheltered an insecure beast inside.
One day, she ran from that beast. She ran "almost" home to her best friend, who also happens to be Smith's sister. When Smith sees her, he realizes he made a mistake in trying to leave her behind. He wants another shot. But is Gemma too traumatized to let him? And what about the beast of a fiancee she left behind?
Tropes include:
High School Sweethearts
Second Chance romance
Hockey Romance
Who hurt you?
Best Friend's brother
Hannah, however, is quickly becoming my go-to for second chance romance. :-)
Gemma and Smith had it all... sweet high school romance, brilliant futures planned, and the history to go the long run. Until they didn't. When Smith leaves town with no goodbye, Gemma's life takes a left turn, sending her into the arms of a man that looked great on the outside, but sheltered an insecure beast inside.
One day, she ran from that beast. She ran "almost" home to her best friend, who also happens to be Smith's sister. When Smith sees her, he realizes he made a mistake in trying to leave her behind. He wants another shot. But is Gemma too traumatized to let him? And what about the beast of a fiancee she left behind?
Tropes include:
High School Sweethearts
Second Chance romance
Hockey Romance
Who hurt you?
Best Friend's brother
emotional
hopeful
sad
medium-paced
emotional
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
sad
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
Started off with a heartbreaking bang. Gemma running for her life from her abusive fiance right into the arms of her childhood sweetheart who broke her heart right before college.
A great second chance romance. Hockey was in the background but wasn’t a major point of the plot.
Spice was shockingly good and plentiful. She loved to go down on him that’s for sure haha.
Loved how she started to own she was and be a little more dominant instead of meek and mild.
Definitely some heavy topics but it was handled well!
Can’t wait to read Ryders book next!
✨second chance
✨hockey
✨always been you
✨best friends brother
✨abuse
A great second chance romance. Hockey was in the background but wasn’t a major point of the plot.
Spice was shockingly good and plentiful. She loved to go down on him that’s for sure haha.
Loved how she started to own she was and be a little more dominant instead of meek and mild.
Definitely some heavy topics but it was handled well!
Can’t wait to read Ryders book next!
✨second chance
✨hockey
✨always been you
✨best friends brother
✨abuse
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
This is a great second chance romance, even with the more difficult themes of domestic abuse. The author did a good job of being sensitive to the topic while also attempting to authentically portray what a survivors experience could be like.
Smith Sawyer may be my favorite Hannah Gray MMC… though I may say that with each new book in this series. Smith gives Gemma the best caring and support he can provide and unlike in some other books, he doesn’t try to just throw money at a situation. He gives her time and space and reassurance and it’s lovely. My favorite character in this book may be Storm the rescue dog. For being a survivor himself, he seems to find the person who most needs some comfort every time he is in the scene. Dogs are the best.
I loved how Gemma takes time to figure out next steps. When her previous degree plan doesn’t feel right, she doesn’t do it just to fill the time. I also appreciated her realization that a new friend was easier to open up to because she didn’t know her back before. She didn’t feel compared to who she was then, she could just be herself which allowed her space for some vulnerability she previously couldn’t easily access.
This was a good book, though it was not always an easy read. I look forward to reading Ryder’s story next.
Smith Sawyer may be my favorite Hannah Gray MMC… though I may say that with each new book in this series. Smith gives Gemma the best caring and support he can provide and unlike in some other books, he doesn’t try to just throw money at a situation. He gives her time and space and reassurance and it’s lovely. My favorite character in this book may be Storm the rescue dog. For being a survivor himself, he seems to find the person who most needs some comfort every time he is in the scene. Dogs are the best.
I loved how Gemma takes time to figure out next steps. When her previous degree plan doesn’t feel right, she doesn’t do it just to fill the time. I also appreciated her realization that a new friend was easier to open up to because she didn’t know her back before. She didn’t feel compared to who she was then, she could just be herself which allowed her space for some vulnerability she previously couldn’t easily access.
This was a good book, though it was not always an easy read. I look forward to reading Ryder’s story next.
medium-paced