Reviews

MM - contemporary - Latino MMC/Asian MMC - queer, Jewish author - high steam - pov dual third - age gap - celebrity - closeted - bisexual MMC mental health rep (addiction and depression) - physical disabilities (chronic hip and knee pain due to injuries) - enemies to lovers - epistolary - hurt/comfort - mature MMC (30s) - opposites attract - sports (hockey) - workplace - third act external - 5 stars.

This book had me hooked from the “suck my dick” in chapter one. These characters are so complex. Mike is so scrappy and angry and yet grows so much in the book. Side characters were A+, especially Bee.

Content Warnings

dpit's review

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lighthearted fast-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

3.5

emilyreadstoomuch's review against another edition

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emotional funny sad 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

4.25

harrow_nash's review

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emotional funny 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

teereadsbooks's review against another edition

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challenging dark 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

4.0

I was invested in this from the start. The author really hit hard with the mental health rep for both our MCs in different yet real ways. This story is just a *touch* on the darker side, but nothing extreme, in my opinion. The relationship growth and development between Mike and Danny is intense and somewhat complicated at first. They have an interesting dynamic. When we first see them interact, it's explosive, and that sets the tone for the rest of their story. This book also doesn't just focus on their relationship but also on each of the MCs individually. We get a look into their struggles and their growth. I really appreciated in the end how the author didn't use love as the device that made Danny go to rehab, but him realizing on his own just how far gone he really was. That always makes me cringe a little. This was a great read and an awesome debut novel for this author.

netslummer's review

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3.0

Mike Soto and Danny Garcia, two hockey rivals that actively hate each other unconvincingly fall in love in this, not to kink shame, but uncomfortably consensually abusive hockey romance. OH also Danny has drug and alcohol dependency. Not my vibe, not my kink. I never once was like "awwww!". I can accept the obvious kinks the boys share even if they're not mine but I expect to at least find the pair sweet?

tippyloohoo's review

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3.0

I have mixed feeling about this book. On one hand, I will always appreciate any queer hockey romance with BIPOC main characters. On the other hand, I want their identity to actually play a part in the story. I can assume that Mike is Japanese based on his last name, Sato, but it's not ever explicitly mentioned. There are a few reference to having delt with racist behavior in the past but nothing concrete. I can also assume that Daniel is Hispanic based on his last name being Garcia, him telling Mike to say his name right (though we aren't told how to actually say it), and the few Spanish words sprinkled in. But again, there's no real mention of it. In a sport that is predominately white and conservative I find it really unrealistic to have this not be at least part of the story. It doesn't need to be the main focus but if you don't give it some sort of real mention then I assume you are just making the characters BIPOC for the hell of it and that it really annoying. Another issue I have with the story is the literal violence between the two MCs. Don't get me wrong, I love me a good enemies to lovers trope. And I have no issue with some consensual BDSM stuff if that is what you are into. But Mike is just kind of a violent prick. He literally drunkenly attacks Daniel in an alley for no reason and then Daniel rewards him with a BJ. That is some really unhealthy shit right there. Also, there is a somewhat unsatisfying ending to the book. Though I did enjoy the interview at the very end. As for the actual writing, it's not terrible. My main complaint is that Mike says the word "like" way to much for someone who is supposed to be from the PNW. But all said and done, I stayed up until 4 in the morning to finish it so I guess that means I liked it.

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