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matson's review against another edition
emotional
funny
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? Yes
5.0
I have never cried at so many different points in a book. This book was devastating and so sweet and made me so sad and so happy. I wish the epilogue had been further out so we could see Ilya and Shane with their own kids.
I was scared to start this because I loved Shane and Ilya in HR and some reviews made me think this would make me dislike Shane. It did not. Shane wasn't perfect but he wasn't an asshole, he just seemed to be oblivious and Ilya maybe should have made some things clearer to Shane before it got as far as it did. The therapist made a great point that the guys were so busy trying to make the most of their limited time together that they didn't talk about the bad stuff.
The highlight of this series has been Ilya, he is probably my favorite male lead in a book ever. All banter involving Ilya was top tier, and I probably laughed out loud more from him than any other book. And the way he was just completely head over heels for Shane was wonderful. I got very nervous that there would be Other Man drama in this with the jealousy early on, but obviously Ilya has eyes for no man but his Shane.
I was scared to start this because I loved Shane and Ilya in HR and some reviews made me think this would make me dislike Shane. It did not. Shane wasn't perfect but he wasn't an asshole, he just seemed to be oblivious and Ilya maybe should have made some things clearer to Shane before it got as far as it did. The therapist made a great point that the guys were so busy trying to make the most of their limited time together that they didn't talk about the bad stuff.
The highlight of this series has been Ilya, he is probably my favorite male lead in a book ever. All banter involving Ilya was top tier, and I probably laughed out loud more from him than any other book. And the way he was just completely head over heels for Shane was wonderful. I got very nervous that there would be Other Man drama in this with the jealousy early on, but obviously Ilya has eyes for no man but his Shane.
mariettula's review against another edition
5.0
5 ice melting stars
Ugh, I loved loved loved this as a conclusion to Shane and Ilya's stories. Again, Ilya definitely stole the show here, but Shane did have some redeeming moments.
First of all, I have tagged this book as heartwrenching, though it's not a serious tear-jerker. Ilya's struggle with mental health in this book made me empathize and feel for him so hard, I couldn't not highlight it. It was also very well-written and explored from the standpoint of not only Ilya's issues with his identity, his mother and his boyfriend, but his ability to express himself and his issues as well.
Secondly, I have also tagged the book for its "underappreciated heroine". Usually this trope focuses on the girl going underappreciated by the man for how awesome she is- and while there's no girl here, Ilya is MY underappreciated heroine. Shane honestly doesn't deserve him for the majority of this book.
I loved the new characters we get to meet. I love the dog. I love Ilya- oh wait, I mentioned that. Well...I just rooted so hard for the Ottawa team.
Ugh, I loved loved loved this as a conclusion to Shane and Ilya's stories. Again, Ilya definitely stole the show here, but Shane did have some redeeming moments.
First of all, I have tagged this book as heartwrenching, though it's not a serious tear-jerker. Ilya's struggle with mental health in this book made me empathize and feel for him so hard, I couldn't not highlight it. It was also very well-written and explored from the standpoint of not only Ilya's issues with his identity, his mother and his boyfriend, but his ability to express himself and his issues as well.
Secondly, I have also tagged the book for its "underappreciated heroine". Usually this trope focuses on the girl going underappreciated by the man for how awesome she is- and while there's no girl here, Ilya is MY underappreciated heroine. Shane honestly doesn't deserve him for the majority of this book.
I loved the new characters we get to meet. I love the dog. I love Ilya- oh wait, I mentioned that. Well...I just rooted so hard for the Ottawa team.
summerpy's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
kmstevenson91's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
5.0
The best sequel to a story I’ve ever read!! It hurt and healed me over and over and had the sweetest ending that wasn’t just a sappy cliche. I absolutely love Ilya and Shane and if the author ever writes more about them I will absolutely devour it!
ryann_eliza's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
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
Absolutely loved everything about this book and the narrator was a 10/10!! Even better than first book.
juliafrat's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
reading this book felt like frolicking through a sun-soaked field filled with daisies and butterflies and fairies. pure and utter bliss. i read it so fast i never even had a chance to mark it as "currently reading."
established relationship stories have always been my favorite, and i was beyond impressed with what rachel reid did here. the themes, the imagery, the characterization - everything was so on point. we NEED more romance sequels like this. i am going hold shane and ilya in my heart forever.
established relationship stories have always been my favorite, and i was beyond impressed with what rachel reid did here. the themes, the imagery, the characterization - everything was so on point. we NEED more romance sequels like this. i am going hold shane and ilya in my heart forever.