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levilore_'s review
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
slow-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
4.5
I loved this book! I thought Shane and Ilya were great characters plus the exploration of being queer in Russia vs Canada was very interesting. I really enjoyed the fact that there was very explicit consent during all the sex scenes and that their aggressiveness towards each other was never even close to being abusive.
In particular, the exploration of sexuality really stuck out to me, because many books have a confident gay character and another character who realizes he is bi due to the gay character. This was reversed and I thought that was awesome.
I do wish there was a bit more of an ending after all that build up which is the only reason I'm not giving it 5 stars.
In particular, the exploration of sexuality really stuck out to me, because many books have a confident gay character and another character who realizes he is bi due to the gay character. This was reversed and I thought that was awesome.
I do wish there was a bit more of an ending after all that build up which is the only reason I'm not giving it 5 stars.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cursing and Sexual content
Moderate: Dementia, Grief, Alcohol, Blood, Suicide, Homophobia, Toxic relationship, and Death of parent
Minor: Biphobia, Deportation, Outing, Panic attacks/disorders, and Pregnancy
crystalmackey's review
emotional
funny
slow-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: Sexual content and Death of parent
Minor: Suicide, Dementia, and Homophobia
jess_justmaybeperfect's review
emotional
funny
lighthearted
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
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Homophobia
Minor: Suicide
kiris's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
sad
fast-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
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia
Minor: Dementia, Suicide, and Biphobia
jxzmine's review
challenging
emotional
hopeful
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
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia, Sexual content, and Suicide
haileeraye'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? It's complicated
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Homophobia
Minor: Suicide
apolen's review
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Death of parent, Suicide, and Sexual content
Moderate: Homophobia
lauraelovesbooks's review against another edition
emotional
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
This book has been on my TBR forever and I’m so glad I finally read it. It was everything I wanted it to be and more
I was a little hesitant when the prologue jumped right into the spice (I need a much slower burn) but was thrilled to see how it backtracked and everything played out. All the longing and pining (even though their physical relationship isn’t slow to begin, it still has everything I look for in a slow burn romance). Fellow slow burn lovers, if you’re reading this and wondering whether this book will work for you, I’m betting it will!
Otherwise I really have no notes. This was such a captivating story and I can’t wait to jump right into the Long Game (I’m afraid I’ll be skipping the rest of the series for now because I just can’t wait!)
I was a little hesitant when the prologue jumped right into the spice (I need a much slower burn) but was thrilled to see how it backtracked and everything played out. All the longing and pining (even though their physical relationship isn’t slow to begin, it still has everything I look for in a slow burn romance). Fellow slow burn lovers, if you’re reading this and wondering whether this book will work for you, I’m betting it will!
Otherwise I really have no notes. This was such a captivating story and I can’t wait to jump right into the Long Game (I’m afraid I’ll be skipping the rest of the series for now because I just can’t wait!)
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia and Sexual content
Minor: Suicide, Dementia, and Death of parent
ellenkennedy's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
slow-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
And to think I once DNFed this book after just one chapter!
I adored this story and the characters of Shane and Ilya. The narrative was light but surprisingly mature given the nature of their relationship and the rivalry. I half-expected one or both of them to freak out and bolt afterthey realised their feelings for each other or when they finally admitted them out loud, or when Shane's father walked in on them. I'm happy that it didn't happen, and that there was no drama (well, other than the expected kind) and no third-act breakup. The fact that they kept it up for ten (!) years, only to slowly begin realising that they were "it" for each other, and then fought for it instead of running away... It punched me right in the feels!
I loved:
- Ilya's humour and his entire personality, I laughed out loud at least a few times;
- Shane's anxiety and need for control; the fact that he bought an entire building for their hookups was honestly both sad and hilarious;
- Shane's relationship with Rose, she sounded so sweet and understanding (I wish we got more of her, it would be nice if she could have a more active role in this story);
- The fact that Shane encouraged Ilya to share his feelings in Russian instead of English (and that it actually helped. And that Ilya ended up confessing his love at that moment, even though Shane didn't know it);
- The fact that they talked, like REALLY talked to one another instead of bottling up their feelings (even though it scared them);
- The fact that Ilya was willing to sacrifice SO MUCH just to be with Shane, wow, I was not expecting that;
- Shane beginning to slowly realise and accept his sexuality;
- Shane's parents' reaction to Shane and Ilya;
- Shane's thought that it would make him happy to see Ilya holding the Stanley Cup despite them playing for rivaling teams;
- The fact that their chemistry was there from the moment they met, but the love came much later and was unrelenting.
At first, it was only hookups (and they were great), it wasn't that deep for either of them. Ilya kept seeing other people and Shane kept TRYING to see other people, but the moment it turned more personal, they both just went with it (even though they both tried to let this thing go, fearing their forbidden love would destroy them). They communicate, they care for each other, and they actively strive for their happy ending.
Why did I DNF it last year? I have no idea. Suffice it to say, never have I been happier to get something wrong.
I adored this story and the characters of Shane and Ilya. The narrative was light but surprisingly mature given the nature of their relationship and the rivalry. I half-expected one or both of them to freak out and bolt after
I loved:
- Ilya's humour and his entire personality, I laughed out loud at least a few times;
- Shane's anxiety and need for control; the fact that he bought an entire building for their hookups was honestly both sad and hilarious;
- Shane's relationship with Rose, she sounded so sweet and understanding (I wish we got more of her, it would be nice if she could have a more active role in this story);
- The fact that Shane encouraged Ilya to share his feelings in Russian instead of English (and that it actually helped. And that Ilya ended up confessing his love at that moment, even though Shane didn't know it);
- The fact that they talked, like REALLY talked to one another instead of bottling up their feelings (even though it scared them);
- The fact that Ilya was willing to sacrifice SO MUCH just to be with Shane, wow, I was not expecting that;
- Shane beginning to slowly realise and accept his sexuality;
- Shane's parents' reaction to Shane and Ilya;
- Shane's thought that it would make him happy to see Ilya holding the Stanley Cup despite them playing for rivaling teams;
- The fact that their chemistry was there from the moment they met, but the love came much later and was unrelenting.
At first, it was only hookups (and they were great), it wasn't that deep for either of them. Ilya kept seeing other people and Shane kept TRYING to see other people, but the moment it turned more personal, they both just went with it (even though they both tried to let this thing go, fearing their forbidden love would destroy them). They communicate, they care for each other, and they actively strive for their happy ending.
Why did I DNF it last year? I have no idea. Suffice it to say, never have I been happier to get something wrong.
Content Warnings
Minor: Suicide, Death of parent, Dementia, and Homophobia
egheinze's review
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Minor: Homophobia