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dark
emotional
hopeful
relaxing
sad
medium-paced
Thank you Netgalley for giving me the opportunity to read and review this book. These opinions are completely my own.
I really enjoyed the story until I got halfway through. It read smoothly and all the characters were likeable.
Then the book lost it's fun romantic vibe and became sad. There is a death of a child involved, which seemed a little out of place. I couldn't get back into the story after that
I really enjoyed the story until I got halfway through. It read smoothly and all the characters were likeable.
Then the book lost it's fun romantic vibe and became sad. There is a death of a child involved, which seemed a little out of place. I couldn't get back into the story after that
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Toxic relationship, Grief, Gaslighting
Moderate: Child death
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This fell flat for me as the writing style felt quite immature. This felt especially jarring against the darker topics in the story (emotional abuse, baby loss & child abuse) which felt shoe-horned in, especially as this was marketed as a hockey romance.
The romance was fine, but the “spicier” scenes I found quite uncomfortable to read as some of the descriptions felt clinical, and I found myself cringing.
Overall, the main characters were likeable and I enjoyed their development, but I wouldn’t really recommended this book due to the ways in which it fell short for me.
The romance was fine, but the “spicier” scenes I found quite uncomfortable to read as some of the descriptions felt clinical, and I found myself cringing.
Overall, the main characters were likeable and I enjoyed their development, but I wouldn’t really recommended this book due to the ways in which it fell short for me.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child abuse, Child death, Emotional abuse, Car accident
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
sad
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
"Crossing the Line" by Kelly Jamieson is a captivating romance novel that follows Ben, a hockey team captain struggling with public speaking, and Mabel, his best friend's sister who moves into their shared condo. Their complicated history and simmering attraction create a delightful tension as they navigate personal challenges and unexpected feelings.
As a frequent romance novel reader, I found this book impossible to put down. Jamieson's writing style is smooth and engaging, with characters that communicate authentically and develop beautifully. Ben's character arc is particularly compelling - his vulnerability and growth are wonderfully portrayed. The supporting characters add depth to the story, and the dynamic between Ben and Mabel feels genuine and heartwarming. Their journey from awkward cohabitants to potential lovers is both entertaining and emotionally satisfying. A standout romance that perfectly balances humor, heart, and heat. 4.5 out of 5 stars.
As a frequent romance novel reader, I found this book impossible to put down. Jamieson's writing style is smooth and engaging, with characters that communicate authentically and develop beautifully. Ben's character arc is particularly compelling - his vulnerability and growth are wonderfully portrayed. The supporting characters add depth to the story, and the dynamic between Ben and Mabel feels genuine and heartwarming. Their journey from awkward cohabitants to potential lovers is both entertaining and emotionally satisfying. A standout romance that perfectly balances humor, heart, and heat. 4.5 out of 5 stars.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Toxic relationship, Stalking, Gaslighting
Minor: Child death, Violence, Car accident
emotional
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This book was good- it went into some really deep and uncomfortable topics some of which I didn’t feel were necessary to the book. There is a big trigger warning at 70% through that didn’t need to be in the book. I thought there was a lot of hockey talk which isn’t what I look for in a hockey romance but I know some people enjoy that aspect. Thanks NetGalley for letting me read and review.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child death
medium-paced
Strong character development:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child death
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
i've never read anything by this author before and let me tell you, if it wasn't for one of my favourite tropes (brother's best friend) i probably wouldn't have picked this book up purely because of the cover lol. i really don't like it. 😭
[this book comes out on 12th january, 2025!]
🦇 i was never into hockey romance but i found out with this one that i don't really mind it. sports ain't really my typical go to but in this case it didn't bother me as much.
🦇 i also continue to love brother's best friend trope even though in this one it was done fine. i expected more of a bad boy and self-assured type, but ben was a softie and that was cute. i just prefer banter, humorous and assertive type guys in my books lol.
🦇 i could relate a lot to ben for being socially awkward, you'll never see me do public speaking. 🙅🏻♀️
🦇 the characters were alright, i don't think i have a favourite, but more relatable one was definitely ben for being reserved and disliking people.
🦇 the writing style wasn't anything special but it was definitely easy to get into and there were a few great things that the characters talked about which i found interesting. specifically about introverts, vulnerability and the fact that society usually blamed the victims rather than perpetrators.
🦇 the sex scenes didn't really do much for me, i found it a bit underwhelming, basically like any other typical romance book lol, i did ship the couple though.
🦇 i also don't like the talk about kids and breastfeeding in general in books and this one had that. also it gets really sad at 70% regarding baby death so trigger warnings for that!
🦇 the brother-sister relationship was also relatable to me since i have a brother that's older than me so i could understand smitty's overprotectiveness of mabel.
🦇 the ending was cute, i didn't expect anything different from what it was and it was fine. it wasn't my favourite book of all time but i'm glad i gave it a shot! i'll also have to check for more hockey romance books lol.
[this book comes out on 12th january, 2025!]
🦇 i was never into hockey romance but i found out with this one that i don't really mind it. sports ain't really my typical go to but in this case it didn't bother me as much.
🦇 i also continue to love brother's best friend trope even though in this one it was done fine. i expected more of a bad boy and self-assured type, but ben was a softie and that was cute. i just prefer banter, humorous and assertive type guys in my books lol.
🦇 i could relate a lot to ben for being socially awkward, you'll never see me do public speaking. 🙅🏻♀️
🦇 the characters were alright, i don't think i have a favourite, but more relatable one was definitely ben for being reserved and disliking people.
🦇 the writing style wasn't anything special but it was definitely easy to get into and there were a few great things that the characters talked about which i found interesting. specifically about introverts, vulnerability and the fact that society usually blamed the victims rather than perpetrators.
🦇 the sex scenes didn't really do much for me, i found it a bit underwhelming, basically like any other typical romance book lol, i did ship the couple though.
🦇 i also don't like the talk about kids and breastfeeding in general in books and this one had that. also it gets really sad at 70% regarding baby death so trigger warnings for that!
🦇 the brother-sister relationship was also relatable to me since i have a brother that's older than me so i could understand smitty's overprotectiveness of mabel.
🦇 the ending was cute, i didn't expect anything different from what it was and it was fine. it wasn't my favourite book of all time but i'm glad i gave it a shot! i'll also have to check for more hockey romance books lol.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child death, Emotional abuse, Toxic relationship, Car accident, Gaslighting
Minor: Stalking, Abandonment