Reviews tagging 'Injury/Injury detail'

Rookie Move by Sarina Bowen

2 reviews

libertyreads789's review

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emotional funny 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? It's complicated

3.0

Another library read and this is exactly one of those books that is perfect to get from the library. I heard of this author a few months back and a couple of times a year I like to try out a sports romance. It doesn’t usually do as much for me as I’d like because they get the sports wrong, but I digress. I couldn’t find this one anywhere when I was book shopping in Canada and New York so imagine my surprise when the very first time I’m using my new library card I turn around and walk face first into this one on the shelf. Not literally but almost. It was just there when I stumbled into the Romance section. Great library read and great use of my library card. (Also, this makes my 3rd library read in less than a week of having the card. It’s great, but also watch me continue to fail at reading less.)

As for the book? It was good not great. At the beginning I thought we finally had a true hockey fan writing a hockey romance. Thank Lord Stanley and his cup. But, alas, we do not. It seems like the author had some care in researching the novel, but then she makes the team tie against another team...which is not how the NHL works. And later we get them going into overtime? So, not only is that one incorrect, but now your universe doesn’t agree with itself. Not great. I did find that a lot of the bad hockey stuff could be overlooked. Especially when you had such touching and heartwarming scenes such as the ones taking place while the team is on a Western Road Trip. I enjoyed seeing this author’s version of behind the scenes stuff in the NHL. I think one of my other struggles was that the main character had been sexually assaulted in the past and it was the catalyst for the couple breaking up. And the author tries to tip toe around it and make sure that whole plot point is done well. But then the conclusion when it’s all put back out into the open was sloppy. I don’t know how to explain it better without giving spoilers.

I thought that these characters were great. They were really a highlight in this one. I love Leo. Leo needs a shrine. Not really, but he’s so caring and sweet and sensitive. Also, I think this book taught me that I like guys pursing girls. (No duh, you read Romance, lady.) I mean, I like that while she had her reservations about getting back together after years apart he was just constantly trying to prove himself and show her that their romance is real and he’s going to be there when she finally comes around. Do we have more romance novels with that? Because I’d eat that up like its candy. His faith in them was so beautiful. I also like that the one piece of miscommunication in this novel came from outside of the relationship. It was her dad who didn’t understand an aspect of their relationship that caused some extra drama in this book and I think that’s a good way to do it if you’re going to use miscommunication.

Overall, I still don’t know if I want to pick up any more of the books in this series. I know the next one is about the captain of the team and one of the physical trainers for the team. Which doesn’t interest me as much as this one did. But, hey, why not try it out with my library card?

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kb33's review against another edition

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emotional lighthearted tense fast-paced

3.5

Mostly lighthearted, there is some anticipation that gives the book some tension. There’s also emotional avoidance and an emotional scene that give it that mood. I’m getting tired of the trope of romance characters, especially men, realizing they have issues they need to deal with and then the book ending. Is it too much to hint that they sought help for their issues before the book ends?

I think this is my first Bowen read, and, overall, I enjoyed it. 

TW/CW: the rape isn’t ever described, but the lingering emotions years later are mentioned repeatedly. 
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