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scoodle42's review
challenging
emotional
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
Jade and Trent meet when Trent is trying to stay lowkey and assist in coaching peewee football. Jade's son is a player, but when the boy starts acting out, it leads to them finding out Jade has bigger problems.
First, my heart broke for Trent and his past, trying to rebuild after a mistake. The plotline of his fight to get back to the place he'd been as an athlete was urgent, and poignant and well done. I also liked the addition of his spirituality, and how that rubbed off on Jade and her son. Trent had a backstory I don't think I've ever read and that pulled me in as well. Jade was strong and proud, but also open about her feelings. I could appreciate that. I love the way she mothered, and the way she took care of Trent's home and carved a space for herself there. The place where the story faltered for me was the romance. There wasn't a lot of it that felt romantic. Passionate, yes. And some parts very hot. But the romance stumbled for me. And parts of it felt really repetitive, which made the book go on much longer than I was expecting. I don't know that we needed every instance of Jade's jealousy and Trent's sexual reassurance--that happened quite a few times. But the way they circled each other, unsure of their feelings was nice touch. Trent's reluctance to get involved, Jade's need to feel like she wasn't alone in her feelings--all of that hit an emotional point for me. The little boy Kyree was so cute and I was glad of the addition of him to make Trent's house a home. I do slightly feel like I wish Jade had a little more ambition about herself. Not that there's anything wrong with devoting yourself to home and family, but it seemed like she had things she enjoyed doing that just fell by the wayside. Also, there were a few places where they talked about Trent's aunt's weight and her weight gain where the language didn't sit well with me. Overall, an okay read.
First, my heart broke for Trent and his past, trying to rebuild after a mistake. The plotline of his fight to get back to the place he'd been as an athlete was urgent, and poignant and well done. I also liked the addition of his spirituality, and how that rubbed off on Jade and her son. Trent had a backstory I don't think I've ever read and that pulled me in as well. Jade was strong and proud, but also open about her feelings. I could appreciate that. I love the way she mothered, and the way she took care of Trent's home and carved a space for herself there. The place where the story faltered for me was the romance. There wasn't a lot of it that felt romantic. Passionate, yes. And some parts very hot. But the romance stumbled for me. And parts of it felt really repetitive, which made the book go on much longer than I was expecting. I don't know that we needed every instance of Jade's jealousy and Trent's sexual reassurance--that happened quite a few times. But the way they circled each other, unsure of their feelings was nice touch. Trent's reluctance to get involved, Jade's need to feel like she wasn't alone in her feelings--all of that hit an emotional point for me. The little boy Kyree was so cute and I was glad of the addition of him to make Trent's house a home. I do slightly feel like I wish Jade had a little more ambition about herself. Not that there's anything wrong with devoting yourself to home and family, but it seemed like she had things she enjoyed doing that just fell by the wayside. Also, there were a few places where they talked about Trent's aunt's weight and her weight gain where the language didn't sit well with me. Overall, an okay read.
Content Warnings
Minor: Body shaming
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