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okay_mon's review against another edition
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
I really liked this book! The characters were super sweet, their connection was palpable, and the side characters were fun. It’s a light, romantic, entertaining read. I gave it four stars instead of five because having this as a college-based plot and setting didn’t feel very realistic to me. It almost felt like the book was written with high school or prep school in mind, and at the last minute someone went back and changed a few things to make it a college story. The over-involvement of parents in all aspect of sports and school at the college level, the idea of “scholarship kids” being a very small minority and so looked down on or blatantly made fun of, having a parents’ night to visit classes, calling professors “teachers” and “Mr So-and-So” like you might at high school level - it all felt very unrealistic and juvenile. It didn’t take away from the story or plot too much, but it bothered me throughout! I don’t remember that being an issue in some of Christina Lee’s other books, but it definitely missed the mark this time. But I’m sure I’ll still continue on with the series and I’m looking forward to more sweet stories from these characters and their friends :)
Content Warnings
Moderate: Cancer
Minor: Homophobia
lucha0s's review
emotional
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Cancer
henriettaenam's review
reflective
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
Henry’s parents especially his dad and also coach were so stressful
His teammates were so not cool ; a bunch of spoilt brats
Who makes fun of the fact that someone is on a scholarship
So dumb!
And how’s surviving cancer a thing to be hidden
That plot makes zero sense
Lark was sweet and tolerant and I love they way he cares
I’m glad Henry eventually stood up for himself and went all out for what they had
His teammates were so not cool ; a bunch of spoilt brats
Who makes fun of the fact that someone is on a scholarship
So dumb!
And how’s surviving cancer a thing to be hidden
That plot makes zero sense
Lark was sweet and tolerant and I love they way he cares
I’m glad Henry eventually stood up for himself and went all out for what they had
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Classism, Homophobia, Mental illness, Medical content, Cancer, and Chronic illness
Moderate: Cursing, Alcohol, Body shaming, Gaslighting, Outing, Drug use, Emotional abuse, and Panic attacks/disorders
_izzi_'s review
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cancer
minyoonhwi's review
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
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? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cancer
0live_tr33's review
emotional
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Classism, Homophobia, and Cancer
Minor: Child death
ollie_again's review
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Panic attacks/disorders, Homophobia, and Cancer
Minor: Medical trauma, Toxic relationship, Miscarriage, and Bullying
unusablebooklore's review
challenging
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
4.0
The story of two boys with shared trauma in childhood reconnecting in university. I’m not a massive New Adult fan but this was a solid book with a story that could have been really difficult to read. Ultimately it was a sweet and heavy book. It was a pleasure to see the boys re-find each other and grow together.
The book was great, well written, just not really what I had been looking for. Good balance of story and spice.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Cancer
blewballoon's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
tense
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
4.0
A nice sweet but spicy romance. My biggest criticism is that sometimes the writing, especially the dialog, was a little clunky and unnatural in a tell-not-show after school special kind of way. The spicy parts were actually pretty well written though. The story is somewhat predictable and a bit cliche, but I really didn't mind. I had fun reading it. I appreciated the healthy friendships shown along with the romance.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Cancer and Panic attacks/disorders
Minor: Classism and Homophobia
bekacrook's review
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
I really liked Lark and Henry as characters and together, both when they were children and adults in the present day. It was nice to see them rekindle their friendship and then naturally progress further. They treated each other so well and there were some really sweet moments.
The writing style sometimes felt a little juvenile and some of the antics and comments by the other football guys felt the same. But it was easy to read.
Lots of big topics brought up - cancer, coming out, mental health issues - but there wasn't a whole lot of depth put into them.
Did have a happy ending so that's a positive and I loved the epilogue/last chapter and the way that it showed them as happy and free and together.
The writing style sometimes felt a little juvenile and some of the antics and comments by the other football guys felt the same. But it was easy to read.
Lots of big topics brought up - cancer, coming out, mental health issues - but there wasn't a whole lot of depth put into them.
Did have a happy ending so that's a positive and I loved the epilogue/last chapter and the way that it showed them as happy and free and together.
Content Warnings
Minor: Cancer and Homophobia