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30something_reads's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
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? Yes
3.75
Probably more of a 3.5-3.75 but rounding it up to a 4 because Charlie Braxton is the sweetest and Reid Giordano is working hard on himself.
-Bi, Jewish MC recovering from alcohol addiction
-Bi, newly divorced LI with anxiety disorder
-Friends to Lovers romance told through Dual POV
-Discussions of alcohol addiction, anxiety, divorce, coming out
I really appreciated how this book focused on Reid's recovery but I would have liked to see more with Charlie's anxiety (we're told he has an anxiety disorder but it never really feels like we get to see it.)
Overall, this one was very sweet. It didn't pack quite the emotional punch that the first book did. I think there were opportunities to get deeper into the conflicts presented.
-Bi, Jewish MC recovering from alcohol addiction
-Bi, newly divorced LI with anxiety disorder
-Friends to Lovers romance told through Dual POV
-Discussions of alcohol addiction, anxiety, divorce, coming out
I really appreciated how this book focused on Reid's recovery but I would have liked to see more with Charlie's anxiety (we're told he has an anxiety disorder but it never really feels like we get to see it.)
Overall, this one was very sweet. It didn't pack quite the emotional punch that the first book did. I think there were opportunities to get deeper into the conflicts presented.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Alcohol, Alcoholism, and Sexual content
henrygravesprince's review
emotional
hopeful
reflective
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? It's complicated
5.0
This is one of the best romances I’ve ever read. The prose is strong, the characters and their development are incredible; it’s one of those books where I feel I can not only tell how much the author loves the story and characters, but the commitment to the craft of storytelling and character building, too. That’s something I’ve had a hard time finding in romance books.
I read this while dealing with my own internal issues around addiction and I think the portrayal of alcoholism is very compassionate and realistic. I really appreciate the compassion woven throughout this book in general.
I read this while dealing with my own internal issues around addiction and I think the portrayal of alcoholism is very compassionate and realistic. I really appreciate the compassion woven throughout this book in general.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism and Addiction
Moderate: Antisemitism, Injury/Injury detail, Sexual content, and Panic attacks/disorders
Minor: Alcohol, Mental illness, Ableism, Biphobia, and Homophobia
Also worth noting that divorce has a prominent part in this story.fran's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism
Moderate: Homophobia
invaderday's review
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
4.0
not sure what possessed me to tear through this within 24 hours of finishing the first book, but this was super sweet. sports are gay 👍
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism
spaghettireads's review against another edition
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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content and Alcoholism
Moderate: Homophobia
heydebigale's review
dark
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
4.5
CW: alcoholism, anxiety
I thought this queer baseball romance was very well done! I don’t know much about baseball, but I feel like I finally understand the definition of a curve ball. Ha!
Not sure if it was intentional, but loved that a MC whose grappling with the fact that he isn’t actually straight has an expert curve ball.
I loved the portrayal of divorce here. It felt like a true HEA for all involved.
Even though this book deals with the heavier topic of alcoholism… it is light on the homophobia (I can’t remember any?) which I think is probably really nice for queer readers.
Notes: takes place in the Bay Area, California (Oakland and San Francisco). Charlie and Reid are both bisexual. Reid struggles with alcoholism and anxiety. Reid is also an observing Jewish man.
I thought this queer baseball romance was very well done! I don’t know much about baseball, but I feel like I finally understand the definition of a curve ball. Ha!
Not sure if it was intentional, but loved that a MC whose grappling with the fact that he isn’t actually straight has an expert curve ball.
I loved the portrayal of divorce here. It felt like a true HEA for all involved.
Even though this book deals with the heavier topic of alcoholism… it is light on the homophobia (I can’t remember any?) which I think is probably really nice for queer readers.
Notes: takes place in the Bay Area, California (Oakland and San Francisco). Charlie and Reid are both bisexual. Reid struggles with alcoholism and anxiety. Reid is also an observing Jewish man.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction and Alcoholism
Moderate: Mental illness
firefly's review
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? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Mental illness, Alcoholism, and Panic attacks/disorders
Minor: Injury/Injury detail
mairead_parade's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
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
4.25
Content Warnings
Moderate: Alcoholism
molls's review
emotional
hopeful
medium-paced
3.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Alcoholism
Minor: Homophobia
relin's review
emotional
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
I really enjoyed the characters and their relationship. It was really lovely to see the ways that they both worked on things, how it was to bi men falling in love, and the fact that the people they loved previously were not demonized. This book steered clear of only having men in it, and allowing men to have complex relationships and friendships with each other, and women. Also the dog is perfect!
Really enjoy the writing style too.
Really enjoy the writing style too.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Panic attacks/disorders, Injury/Injury detail, and Sexual content
Moderate: Antisemitism, Classism, Addiction, Cursing, and Alcohol
Minor: Ableism, Sexism, and Infidelity
Alcoholism is in recovery and not pressured by main characters.