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balletbookworm's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
slow-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
4.0
I was going to read this with my eyeballs but then it was announced that Pacey was going to read the MMC's part and, well, I decided to switch and wait until it came out (wasn't cool enough for an ALC). And the audio production is really fun. They had the narrators read all their dialogue (or other similar-gendered character's dialogue) no matter the POV chapter so there wasn't any of that awkward "this is what the other narrator thinks this character sounds like" business.
I really enjoyed this romance. It was perhaps a bit too-slowly plotted - definitely a slow burn - but that does make sense since Mike's only very recently been widowed (like, less than a year before the book opens) and he and his daughter are both still working through some things. I really loved how Aurora came back into loving dance again - not just the parts she was able to handle, but all of it, including ballet. The line where Mike tells her that not becoming a professional ballet dancer is not a moral failing...oof. Gut punch line for those of us (maybe especially us dancers, but could apply to anything) who had a dream and didn't achieve it, not for lack of trying.
When I got to the end I was like "Mike Martin better f-ing grovel!" and thenhe wrote her a letter! (this is a call-back to a plot point throughout the book), omg all is forgiven
I really enjoyed this romance. It was perhaps a bit too-slowly plotted - definitely a slow burn - but that does make sense since Mike's only very recently been widowed (like, less than a year before the book opens) and he and his daughter are both still working through some things. I really loved how Aurora came back into loving dance again - not just the parts she was able to handle, but all of it, including ballet. The line where Mike tells her that not becoming a professional ballet dancer is not a moral failing...oof. Gut punch line for those of us (maybe especially us dancers, but could apply to anything) who had a dream and didn't achieve it, not for lack of trying.
When I got to the end I was like "Mike Martin better f-ing grovel!" and then
Content Warnings
Moderate: Eating disorder, Toxic relationship, and Grief
The toxic relationship is between Aurora and her mom - her mom is a Piece of Work, yikes.juicy_juice's review against another edition
lighthearted
reflective
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
3.25
- Hot NHL player
- Slow burn
- People who go to therapy to become the best versions of themselves
- Mature topics
- Bad ending
Content Warnings
Graphic: Eating disorder, Emotional abuse, Sexual content, and Death of parent
wendahh324's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
reflective
sad
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
3.25
I should have DNF’d when I immediately realized I didn’t like the author’s writing style but I ended up finishing it. Also, not sure if I ended up with an ARC copy or something, but I found it irritating that she used the MC’s full name every single time the FMC talked about him. It pulled me out of the story and felt like a bad find and replace job.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Eating disorder and Emotional abuse
Minor: Death and Car accident
christinesmith205's review against another edition
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
2.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Eating disorder, Emotional abuse, Panic attacks/disorders, and Grief
Minor: Bullying and Car accident
idktheyear's review against another edition
emotional
lighthearted
reflective
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
We know I LOVE a book where the main characters actually communicate with each other, and this had healthy communication in spades. The main characters were consistently establishing boundaries which I really appreciated. Even though it deals with some heavy topics, grief and loss of a spouse and toxic mothers and eating disorders, both main characters are in therapy and finding ways to experience happy moments as they grow.
Mike is such a sweet dad to his daughter. I loved reading about his heart for her. Aurora is an adult healing from her childhood trauma and she makes so many strides in growth without being annoying or whiny. I was SO proud of her for establishing her boundaries and recognizing her needs and communicating them.
While Mike is a hockey player, we don't see a whole lot of hockey action. There is enough that kept me satisfied though- a good bromance with a teammate, a scene where Aurora and LIV go to a game. It all felt natural to the book. It's definitely a romance with hockey elements, not a hockey romance, if that makes sense.
I appreciate Jenny Holiday writing style- a good mix of showing and telling and inside jokes between her characters.
Overall, worth a read if you like romance, single dad tropes, healing, and hockey!
Mike is such a sweet dad to his daughter. I loved reading about his heart for her. Aurora is an adult healing from her childhood trauma and she makes so many strides in growth without being annoying or whiny. I was SO proud of her for establishing her boundaries and recognizing her needs and communicating them.
While Mike is a hockey player, we don't see a whole lot of hockey action. There is enough that kept me satisfied though- a good bromance with a teammate, a scene where Aurora and LIV go to a game. It all felt natural to the book. It's definitely a romance with hockey elements, not a hockey romance, if that makes sense.
I appreciate Jenny Holiday writing style- a good mix of showing and telling and inside jokes between her characters.
Overall, worth a read if you like romance, single dad tropes, healing, and hockey!
Content Warnings
Minor: Eating disorder, Sexual content, and Grief
breathehopebooks's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
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? It's complicated
4.0
Super cute hockey romance that surprisingly had a lot of depth, handled multiple difficult topics well.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Eating disorder, Panic attacks/disorders, Toxic relationship, Grief, and Death of parent
Minor: Body shaming and Car accident
katrinaward's review against another edition
emotional
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Eating disorder, Emotional abuse, Fatphobia, Panic attacks/disorders, and Grief
Moderate: Death and Car accident
readers_together's review
hopeful
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Content Warnings
Moderate: Panic attacks/disorders, Grief, and Death of parent
Minor: Eating disorder and Car accident
justinekorson's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
sad
fast-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? Yes
4.75
Thank you to Netgalley for providing me with an ARC for this novel!!
SPOILERS TO FOLLOW
HAPPY PUB DAY TO CANADIAN BOYFRIEND!!
Le me start off by saying that as a former ballerina myself who also struggled with eating habits (and has freckles, and likes hockey and loves the name Aurora?!?! Seriously this book was made with me in mind somehow?!?). I loved Aurora's character. She was funny and relatable and even though the way she talked at times felt a bit cheesy (calling his green eyes kryptonite lol) I still throughly enjoyed her POV's and her attitude!
Mike was also incredible. He was so kind and caring and loving toward his daughter. I loved that he wanted to do anything and everything in his power to help Olivia even if it meant bringing a relative stranger (Aurora) into his house so his daughter would be happy! He was also very patient with his daughter and a good listener. Also... man after my own heart for going to therapy and suggesting it to Aurora.
All in all, I throughly enjoyed this novel and I'm looking to reading more from Holiday in the future!
SPOILERS TO FOLLOW
HAPPY PUB DAY TO CANADIAN BOYFRIEND!!
Le me start off by saying that as a former ballerina myself who also struggled with eating habits (and has freckles, and likes hockey and loves the name Aurora?!?! Seriously this book was made with me in mind somehow?!?). I loved Aurora's character. She was funny and relatable and even though the way she talked at times felt a bit cheesy (calling his green eyes kryptonite lol) I still throughly enjoyed her POV's and her attitude!
Mike was also incredible. He was so kind and caring and loving toward his daughter. I loved that he wanted to do anything and everything in his power to help Olivia even if it meant bringing a relative stranger (Aurora) into his house so his daughter would be happy! He was also very patient with his daughter and a good listener. Also... man after my own heart for going to therapy and suggesting it to Aurora.
All in all, I throughly enjoyed this novel and I'm looking to reading more from Holiday in the future!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Eating disorder, Emotional abuse, Panic attacks/disorders, Car accident, Death of parent, and Abandonment
soobooksalot's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
medium-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
3.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Eating disorder, Emotional abuse, Car accident, Death of parent, and Alcohol