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4.57 AVERAGE
4.57 AVERAGE
dark
emotional
funny
reflective
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
This was an interesting book. I feel like it's trying to do two different things and it focuses more on one aspect (the romance) than on the other message, despite very clearly indicating that this is not a romance book.
The interesting thing here is that we have the first-person POV for Kam and the third-person for Dillon, which IMO reinforces the focus on one aspect of the story (self-discovery, coming to terms with your queer identity) over the other by keeping the latter at a distance. This is a bit of a shame because I think we could have benefited from having first-person POVs from both to better understand their mental states.
There are a few things that, to me, undermine the final message of the book and one of them is how Dillon is written to be persistently ignoring dealing with her trauma, ever, and having really bad coping mechanisms anytime she underperforms in her profession. Additionally, we have the ending for this book and then a take 2 which is an alternate ending and this weakens the impact, IMO. I can understand why it was done but when dealing with the issues this book is trying to tackle, an alternate ending where all the conflicts are fairly quickly and easily wrapped up and resolved leeches the impact of the actual ending.
The ending(s) spoiler discussion:The actual ending involves Dillon abruptly deciding to commit suicide and the impact on Kam and Dillon's family after the fact. While this comes a bit out of left field, given the explicit discussion about Dillon not being in that place since very early in her life after her father died, it feels very abrupt to have her not just disappear for a little while as she apparently does sometimes and instead choose to end it all.
It feels a bit frustrating to me that we spend SO much time with the love story and filming and social interactions but very little setting up this darker part of the book and then quickly summarising Kam's life over the next two years. This feels like we're avoiding the actual impact of the act, which would have been useful and interesting if the purpose of the book was to show what the pressure of sports at this level can do and how athletes avoid getting help until it's too late and leave stunned and destroyed people in their wake.
Problems with the balance of the themes aside, I am also underwhelmed by the approach to important conversations and developments. We have a lead up to what needs to be discussed and then immediately jump to the impact after the thing has happened or the conversation has happened which robs me of some of the emotional impact and being able to process what's happening. This kind of skimming approach to important events is a problem I had throughout the book, honestly.
Overall, enjoyable and sad, as advertised. I just wish I could form more of a connection directly to both MCs and the themes of the book got more of the spotlight instead of being relegated to secondary status in favor of the romance aspects.
The interesting thing here is that we have the first-person POV for Kam and the third-person for Dillon, which IMO reinforces the focus on one aspect of the story (self-discovery, coming to terms with your queer identity) over the other by keeping the latter at a distance. This is a bit of a shame because I think we could have benefited from having first-person POVs from both to better understand their mental states.
There are a few things that, to me, undermine the final message of the book and one of them is how Dillon is written to be persistently ignoring dealing with her trauma, ever, and having really bad coping mechanisms anytime she underperforms in her profession. Additionally, we have the ending for this book and then a take 2 which is an alternate ending and this weakens the impact, IMO. I can understand why it was done but when dealing with the issues this book is trying to tackle, an alternate ending where all the conflicts are fairly quickly and easily wrapped up and resolved leeches the impact of the actual ending.
The ending(s) spoiler discussion:
It feels a bit frustrating to me that we spend SO much time with the love story and filming and social interactions but very little setting up this darker part of the book and then quickly summarising Kam's life over the next two years. This feels like we're avoiding the actual impact of the act, which would have been useful and interesting if the purpose of the book was to show what the pressure of sports at this level can do and how athletes avoid getting help until it's too late and leave stunned and destroyed people in their wake.
Problems with the balance of the themes aside, I am also underwhelmed by the approach to important conversations and developments. We have a lead up to what needs to be discussed and then immediately jump to the impact after the thing has happened or the conversation has happened which robs me of some of the emotional impact and being able to process what's happening. This kind of skimming approach to important events is a problem I had throughout the book, honestly.
Overall, enjoyable and sad, as advertised. I just wish I could form more of a connection directly to both MCs and the themes of the book got more of the spotlight instead of being relegated to secondary status in favor of the romance aspects.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Suicide, Suicide attempt
Minor: Sexual assault
What an incredible journey!
There aren’t many books that leave me stuck thinking about it long after finishing, but Jen Lyon has done it again. I was worried that I wouldn’t be able to love another one of her works as much as I loved The Senator’s Wife trilogy, but this one did not disappoint.
I love that characters from the trilogy make an appearance. I love how organic the relationship felt with the time elapsed and the highs and lows of the story felt genuine and so well thought out.
I don’t reread many books, but I’m sure I’ll reread this multiple times.
There aren’t many books that leave me stuck thinking about it long after finishing, but Jen Lyon has done it again. I was worried that I wouldn’t be able to love another one of her works as much as I loved The Senator’s Wife trilogy, but this one did not disappoint.
I love that characters from the trilogy make an appearance. I love how organic the relationship felt with the time elapsed and the highs and lows of the story felt genuine and so well thought out.
I don’t reread many books, but I’m sure I’ll reread this multiple times.
Stunning!
An amazing book by Jen Lyon. This is, as she says, not a romance but a love story.
And I refuse to give spoilers but I want to emphasize that if you choose this book, then read the whole thing. All of it.
I loved this story. And if the mental health of elite athletes interests you, you might love it too.
An amazing book by Jen Lyon. This is, as she says, not a romance but a love story.
And I refuse to give spoilers but I want to emphasize that if you choose this book, then read the whole thing. All of it.
I loved this story. And if the mental health of elite athletes interests you, you might love it too.
adventurous
dark
emotional
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
dark
emotional
sad
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:
Complicated
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Beautiful and heartbreaking love storg...
I was not in the right place for that ending, but the romance was so good.
emotional
sad
medium-paced
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual assault, Suicide
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Moderate: Suicidal thoughts, Suicide
I am, unfortunately, the kind of reader that reads ahead and I was… unprepared and can’t handle this book right now
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Sexual harassment