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annahamburger's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Medical trauma, Sexual content, Death, Sexual harassment, Grief, Sexism, Mental illness, Death of parent, and Cursing
Moderate: Death, Alcohol, Terminal illness, Chronic illness, Death of parent, and Racism
Minor: Toxic relationship, Emotional abuse, and Toxic friendship
kfmcf's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
This book has a solid balance between character and plot. I am someone who prefers weak plots over weak characters, but I also, of course, appreciate a happy medium.
I found both leads likeable and grounded. Samson was sweet but not so absurdly so it became unbelievable. Rhi was spunky and fiery but showed a vulnerability that rounded her character out well. I do wish we had gotten to see a bit more of the side characters. For how long this book was we got a lot of the leads (which isn't bad) but we didn't get much time with some of the compatriots like Lakshmi, Harris, etc. I don't mention Katrina on that list because I know she's the FL of book #2.
Plot-wise, I knew where the story was leading but it mostly made sense and had a few surprises thrown in. I won't go into detail for spoilers sake but the ending was expected but made sense. Also, I do want to mention that this is one of the only romance books without an epilogue that I've read where I still feel fulfilled by the plot and characters' arcs. I do want to commend Alisha Rai on that because it is usually a severe pet peeve of mine.
Lastly, I want to say that I greatly appreciated this book's focus on the brain effects of prolonged football playing. As someone who likes sports, football has always been infuriating to me because of the disturbingly high rates of brain injury and sustained aftereffects. This book doesn't beat around the bush about the issue but it also shows why players keep playing. Focusing on this topic made this book have a more solid footing, in my opinion.
Overall, I do recommend this book and look forward to reading the sequels!
I found both leads likeable and grounded. Samson was sweet but not so absurdly so it became unbelievable. Rhi was spunky and fiery but showed a vulnerability that rounded her character out well. I do wish we had gotten to see a bit more of the side characters. For how long this book was we got a lot of the leads (which isn't bad) but we didn't get much time with some of the compatriots like Lakshmi, Harris, etc. I don't mention Katrina on that list because I know she's the FL of book #2.
Plot-wise, I knew where the story was leading but it mostly made sense and had a few surprises thrown in. I won't go into detail for spoilers sake but the ending was expected but made sense. Also, I do want to mention that this is one of the only romance books without an epilogue that I've read where I still feel fulfilled by the plot and characters' arcs. I do want to commend Alisha Rai on that because it is usually a severe pet peeve of mine.
Lastly, I want to say that I greatly appreciated this book's focus on the brain effects of prolonged football playing. As someone who likes sports, football has always been infuriating to me because of the disturbingly high rates of brain injury and sustained aftereffects. This book doesn't beat around the bush about the issue but it also shows why players keep playing. Focusing on this topic made this book have a more solid footing, in my opinion.
Overall, I do recommend this book and look forward to reading the sequels!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Toxic relationship, Sexual content, and Terminal illness
Moderate: Cursing, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual harassment, Grief, Death, Death of parent, and Sexism
Minor: Alcohol
readerette's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
medium-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
5.0
A new favorite. The characters are deep and varied, the story detailed and believable, and the main and supplemental romances sweet.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Chronic illness, Death of parent, Sexual content, and Toxic relationship
Minor: Bullying, Cursing, Dementia, Emotional abuse, Grief, Racism, and Sexism
cheye13's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
fast-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Been feeling kinda slumpy, so for my usual cure, I turned to romance and I picked this up on a whim, thinking it'd be light and fun and probably over-hyped. It is not over-hyped.
I'd categorize this as more contemporary genre than romance, as it has a stronger plot than the romances I'm used to, and the love story does sort of take a backseat, which makes me love the story all the more. Rhi and Samson are visceral characters and all the relationships throughout – work, platonic, with each other, with themselves – sparkle. Both Rhi's and Samson's individual plots and the way their stories play off each other had me misty-eyed more than once.
I'd categorize this as more contemporary genre than romance, as it has a stronger plot than the romances I'm used to, and the love story does sort of take a backseat, which makes me love the story all the more. Rhi and Samson are visceral characters and all the relationships throughout – work, platonic, with each other, with themselves – sparkle. Both Rhi's and Samson's individual plots and the way their stories play off each other had me misty-eyed more than once.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse
Moderate: Grief, Medical trauma, Misogyny, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexism, and Toxic relationship
Minor: Cursing, Dementia, Racism, and Sexual assault
Everything I've listed is implemented intentionally and handled with care. The main character is a Black woman in a male-dominated field navigating the dating app industry, and the story addresses that. The main plots are about the treatment of traumatic brain injuries in professional football and sexual harrassment in the workplace.
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