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levilore_'s review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
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
5.0
This was such a great ending to the series. I was hoping we got some more resolution on Ilya and Shane and I was not disappointed.
As usual, the serious topics were dealt with so well and I really appreciated howIlya wasn't magically fixed once he started going to therapy. The author really took care to explore what therapy is actually like and not make it a magical fix for everyone's issues.
I loved that we actually saw so much of the love between Ilya and Shane which was not something we had seen a lot of before this book. The domestic scenes were so cute and seeing how mushy Ilya is was just amazing. I already believed that they were in love but this book gave actual evidence that they are perfect for each other.
Once again, the book ended on a really inspiring and hopeful note for how hockey could change for the better. I really appreciated that throughout the series. It made me really happy that in this fictional world, people were standing together against the toxic culture of sports.
This book just tied up the series perfectly and filled in all the questions I had about Shane and Ilya. A great ending to a great series.
As usual, the serious topics were dealt with so well and I really appreciated how
I loved that we actually saw so much of the love between Ilya and Shane which was not something we had seen a lot of before this book. The domestic scenes were so cute and seeing how mushy Ilya is was just amazing. I already believed that they were in love but this book gave actual evidence that they are perfect for each other.
This book just tied up the series perfectly and filled in all the questions I had about Shane and Ilya. A great ending to a great series.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Outing, Homophobia, Cursing, and Sexual content
Moderate: Death, Mental illness, Death of parent, Alcohol, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, and Violence
Minor: Transphobia and Panic attacks/disorders
crystalmackey's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
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: Mental illness, Outing, Suicide, Grief, Sexual content, Homophobia, and Death of parent
leakoop's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
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? It's complicated
3.75
Content Warnings
Moderate: Suicidal thoughts, Mental illness, Homophobia, and Suicide
apolen's review against another edition
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness and Panic attacks/disorders
Moderate: Homophobia, Injury/Injury detail, Suicidal thoughts, Fire/Fire injury, and Outing
Minor: Death of parent, Suicide, and Alcohol
zachzakku's review against another edition
funny
inspiring
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
5.0
I liked Ilya going into this book, in a "He's probably my fav, tied with Ryan and Fabian and Harris and Troy and Kyle" way, and now I l o v e Ilya. I just want to hug him. The airplane scene :sob: It's literally the same scene as in Troy/Harris's book and I still cried reading it. Ilya and his stupid big heart and his love for dogs and his very very pure beautiful love for Shane :sob: :sob: :sob:
Now I can't watch hockey, because I know it won't be as good as this...!
Now I can't watch hockey, because I know it won't be as good as this...!
Content Warnings
Minor: Suicidal thoughts and Mental illness
lauraelovesbooks's review against another edition
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
4.75
A beautiful end to Shane and Ilya’s story and it was so rewarding to see these two get their hard-won HEA
I’ll admit that it did drag in spots but the emotional payoff was definitely worth it. I also loved the mental health representation and how things aren’t magically fixed by being in a relationship or when life is generally going well
For anyone wondering if they need to read the whole series before reading this book, I read only Heated Rivalry and the Long Game and did not feel lost at all. The universe, side characters, and hockey teams are all easy to follow. I’m sure it is even more rewarding to read the series in order, but I’m impatient and not sad that I could read Shane and Ilya’s full story all at once
I’ll admit that it did drag in spots but the emotional payoff was definitely worth it. I also loved the mental health representation and how things aren’t magically fixed by being in a relationship or when life is generally going well
For anyone wondering if they need to read the whole series before reading this book, I read only Heated Rivalry and the Long Game and did not feel lost at all. The universe, side characters, and hockey teams are all easy to follow. I’m sure it is even more rewarding to read the series in order, but I’m impatient and not sad that I could read Shane and Ilya’s full story all at once
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Mental illness, and Homophobia
Moderate: Suicidal thoughts and Outing
Minor: Death of parent
jennp28's review against another edition
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? It's complicated
4.75
Ahhhhh I love Shane & Ilya so much. I’m glad they got the sequel they deserved. I appreciate that Ilya tackles his mental health issues head on - it’s important to see that on the pages of a romance I think, when it’s about loving the whole person and wanting them to be as whole and happy as possible.
I read my first book Rachel Reid early on in my MM sports romance obsession and I’ve been trying to find books as good as hers ever since. Definitely my favourite series of the genre.
I read my first book Rachel Reid early on in my MM sports romance obsession and I’ve been trying to find books as good as hers ever since. Definitely my favourite series of the genre.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Mental illness
Minor: Suicide and Suicidal thoughts
thereadingoutlaw'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
5.0
the one where shane and ilya are outed, tell the NHL to fuck off, and end up getting married. oh, and there's a dog. and ilya starts therapy.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia
Moderate: Outing and Mental illness
Minor: Sexual assault and Suicidal thoughts
zadel's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia, Outing, Suicidal thoughts, and Mental illness
zoiejanelle's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
tense
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? It's complicated
3.0
i read this book for the first time last year. it is straight up pornography, but focuses way more on character this time around.
i was disappointed in how the plot was centered around coming out. i don’t think this sequel was necessary, but i would read anything about ilya rozanov. i would read his grocery list. his team roster. the ingredients in his antidepressants.
yes i would read this book again. no i will not be taking questions.
i was disappointed in how the plot was centered around coming out. i don’t think this sequel was necessary, but i would read anything about ilya rozanov. i would read his grocery list. his team roster. the ingredients in his antidepressants.
yes i would read this book again. no i will not be taking questions.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Outing, and Mental illness
Moderate: Homophobia, Injury/Injury detail, Gaslighting, Toxic friendship, and Medical content