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4.19 AVERAGE
4.19 AVERAGE
Nico is such a contradiction of incredibly immature about pretty much his whole life, while being incredibly emotionally mature. Our precious grump August on the other hand has his life together but is in the fight of his life to live out a miscommunication trope. This story is high external drama and minimal relationship angst which I always love. Brigham as always makes sure she handles sensitive topics well and you can tell the care she put into telling Nico’s story. I also love that she wrote in Nico seeing a Sports therapist as well as August and Nico deciding they should talk to someone about the trauma they went through. I am so happy these two found each other!
emotional
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
I thoroughly enjoyed this book, savoring every tender moment shared between Nico and August, as well as their snarky banter. Brigham Vaughn has a talent for creating deeply relatable characters and compelling narratives. Nico and August's story is no exception; their dynamic is beautifully depicted, showcasing their contrasting personalities that ultimately complement one another.
At first glance, Nico may appear as a cocky player, both on and off the ice. However, beneath this facade he also needs support and understanding, especially now when he is vulnerable and worried. August, on the other hand, naturally assumes the role of caregiver but yearns for recognition and acceptance. It's heartwarming to witness how they naturally gravitate towards each other, providing the comfort and validation they both need.
Their evolving relationship is portrayed with sensitivity and authenticity. And I loved the way Nico just trusted August and felt calmed by him despite his (temporary) memory loss. And I loved how skilfully Vaughn navigates their journey, realistically addressing the challenges they face without resorting to simplistic resolutions.
Despite tackling some heavy topics, the book strikes a perfect balance with its mix of humour and heartfelt moments. And Vaughn's handling of the medical aspects adds an extra layer of depth and realism to the narrative.
Overall, this book is a fun and heartfelt romance with genuine emotion and character growth. I’m looking forward to other stories in this series.
At first glance, Nico may appear as a cocky player, both on and off the ice. However, beneath this facade he also needs support and understanding, especially now when he is vulnerable and worried. August, on the other hand, naturally assumes the role of caregiver but yearns for recognition and acceptance. It's heartwarming to witness how they naturally gravitate towards each other, providing the comfort and validation they both need.
Their evolving relationship is portrayed with sensitivity and authenticity. And I loved the way Nico just trusted August and felt calmed by him despite his (temporary) memory loss. And I loved how skilfully Vaughn navigates their journey, realistically addressing the challenges they face without resorting to simplistic resolutions.
Despite tackling some heavy topics, the book strikes a perfect balance with its mix of humour and heartfelt moments. And Vaughn's handling of the medical aspects adds an extra layer of depth and realism to the narrative.
Overall, this book is a fun and heartfelt romance with genuine emotion and character growth. I’m looking forward to other stories in this series.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Medical content
TW: Contains non-graphic scenes involving brain surgery and discussions about brain tumors and cancer.
emotional
funny
lighthearted
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:
No
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual content, Medical content, Medical trauma
Love the author. The author loves this book and specifically MC1. How happy and upbeat he is. 48pp in and he mostly just sexually harasses people who are fine with it. Then he goes after the ref who tells him multiple times he's not interested. If this had been m/f i would absolutely call it harassment. He even uses the line "Are you sure, becase your mouth is saying no but your eyes are saying yes." ew! When he's not doing that he's pretty much a bro dude with a relatively nice heart. He's easy going. Don't care. I am absolutely not reading about this guy for 575pp.
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
I am absolutely loving this series, the characters are just so good. This book is a surprise, Nico is an absolute flirt and player so I assumed the story would be fast paced. However, with the narrative being based around his incident on the ice and the whole health issues that follow, the story is a slow burn. We see such vulnerability in Nico whilst he is in recovery, his mask is down and we get to see the amazing person he is. He is a special person and captivates everyone he meets. August is a referee, so we know he is in control and is a stickler for rules. He doesn't know how he gets himself in this situation, but it is life changing for him. August witnesses Nico's fall to the ice and it is the catalyst that starts this whole charade.
It should feel wrong, but we know August is a good person and has his reasons for why he declared who he was to Nico. They navigate their relationship in a backwards way and end up with a sweet HEA. We meet Nico's best friend, Skyler, who was good fun; I loved her happy ending too. I'm excited for the next book in the series. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
It should feel wrong, but we know August is a good person and has his reasons for why he declared who he was to Nico. They navigate their relationship in a backwards way and end up with a sweet HEA. We meet Nico's best friend, Skyler, who was good fun; I loved her happy ending too. I'm excited for the next book in the series. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
emotional
hopeful
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
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
emotional
funny
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
medium-paced
This book has so much in it - forbidden hook-up, a little pining, a little hockey, a major health crisis, a fake engagement and an opposites attract relationship that clicks from the start! There's a fair bit of angst, a pregnant best friend, a not-identical twin brother and all four of Nico's parents to navigate, which amps the banter and the drama, but gives us a chance to see just how in sync and protective August is of Nico.
This book was a roller coaster read and I was truly along for the ride! I can't wait to see where the next book in the series goes.
This book is the second in the series, but can be read standalone if the tropes are what you're looking for. Please make sure you check the trigger warnings if you are sensitive, especially to medical issues.
This book was a roller coaster read and I was truly along for the ride! I can't wait to see where the next book in the series goes.
This book is the second in the series, but can be read standalone if the tropes are what you're looking for. Please make sure you check the trigger warnings if you are sensitive, especially to medical issues.