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emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
All the feels. I loved this one the best of the series so far.
emotional
funny
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
emotional
funny
lighthearted
fast-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
Where to start? I’ve been a fan of Erica for a very long time (longer than published books bc I’m OLD). Something about her writing is just so damn comforting even when the subject matter is difficult. I’ve been eagerly anticipating this one because I knew it was going to destroy me and it did. I’m so glad I never read its other form despite the almost irresistible to do so lol. Because I saw them as Rome and Damien, two young men who now have a special place in my heart.
Rome is impossible not to love. He grew up in poverty without much love or affection. Finally escaping the clutches of his father, he got a scholarship to a private school thanks to his hockey skills. He’s standoffish and unwilling to become friends with his teammates no matter how hard they try. He works himself to the bone to get good grades, bulk hp for hockey, and holding a job to afford expenses not covered by his scholarship.
Damien is the polar opposite. Gifted at hockey, adopted by wealthy loving parents, he’s loud and takes up a room when Rome tries to shrink away. There are understandable miscommunications between both young men that take a while to get figured out. But then a tentative friendship formed that gave way to something so deep and profound, it made my heart ache. Both Rome and Damien had their own struggles but they helped one another through them. They’re young and it wasn’t easy and I always appreciate how Erica shows young men attempting but also struggling to effectively communicate. Some YA makes young adults talk as if they’re 30 but Erica never does that.
A few things happened that I didn’t expect but I didn’t hate it. I don’t want to put it in this review because I know I got this book early and don’t want to spoil. But the found family is so strong in this one just like in all Erica novels. Damien and Rome became a family, sooner than they anticipated, and although at times unbelievable, it still warmed my cold dead heart.
“You can do better,” Rome says. “So much better than me. You’re you. And I’m just…” He shrugs as if that’s all he needs to say.
“You’re just?” Damien repeats, incredulous. “What the fuck. There’s nothing just about you.”
All the side characters on the team were delightful but didn’t steal the shine from Rome and Damien. I loved Rome’s journey from scared to love and be loved at the start, to accepting it by the end. And I loved Damien’s journey of tentative healing with his parents through talking. But also I have to applaud Erica for how she writes POC characters. It is always approached with so much love. She tackles their journey, facts about their life, that shows a lot of understanding.
This reminded me a little of [b:They Hate Each Other|55923615|They Hate Each Other|Amanda Woody|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1660252063l/55923615._SY75_.jpg|87136294] which is one of my other 2023 faves. Although this was much sweeter than that one, the undertone of the journeys felt similar to me.
”He’d always thought the word love was dangerous, a thing more often used for coercion or justification than romance. And even if it was used kindly it was only kind until it was taken away. But this sort of love—This doesn’t feel nearly as dangerous. Still just as scary though.”
I know my review won’t convince anyone to read it or not, that’s fine. Others will have better reviews than me. But I needed to gush about this one a little and I did lol. I don’t think there will ever be a day Erica publishes a novel and I don’t eat it up. For that, I’m thankful. And I’m thankful for Rome and Damien. So now I eagerly away Matts book (in published form at least
Rome is impossible not to love. He grew up in poverty without much love or affection. Finally escaping the clutches of his father, he got a scholarship to a private school thanks to his hockey skills. He’s standoffish and unwilling to become friends with his teammates no matter how hard they try. He works himself to the bone to get good grades, bulk hp for hockey, and holding a job to afford expenses not covered by his scholarship.
Damien is the polar opposite. Gifted at hockey, adopted by wealthy loving parents, he’s loud and takes up a room when Rome tries to shrink away. There are understandable miscommunications between both young men that take a while to get figured out. But then a tentative friendship formed that gave way to something so deep and profound, it made my heart ache. Both Rome and Damien had their own struggles but they helped one another through them. They’re young and it wasn’t easy and I always appreciate how Erica shows young men attempting but also struggling to effectively communicate. Some YA makes young adults talk as if they’re 30 but Erica never does that.
A few things happened that I didn’t expect but I didn’t hate it. I don’t want to put it in this review because I know I got this book early and don’t want to spoil. But the found family is so strong in this one just like in all Erica novels. Damien and Rome became a family, sooner than they anticipated, and although at times unbelievable, it still warmed my cold dead heart.
“You can do better,” Rome says. “So much better than me. You’re you. And I’m just…” He shrugs as if that’s all he needs to say.
“You’re just?” Damien repeats, incredulous. “What the fuck. There’s nothing just about you.”
All the side characters on the team were delightful but didn’t steal the shine from Rome and Damien. I loved Rome’s journey from scared to love and be loved at the start, to accepting it by the end. And I loved Damien’s journey of tentative healing with his parents through talking. But also I have to applaud Erica for how she writes POC characters. It is always approached with so much love. She tackles their journey, facts about their life, that shows a lot of understanding.
This reminded me a little of [b:They Hate Each Other|55923615|They Hate Each Other|Amanda Woody|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1660252063l/55923615._SY75_.jpg|87136294] which is one of my other 2023 faves. Although this was much sweeter than that one, the undertone of the journeys felt similar to me.
”He’d always thought the word love was dangerous, a thing more often used for coercion or justification than romance. And even if it was used kindly it was only kind until it was taken away. But this sort of love—This doesn’t feel nearly as dangerous. Still just as scary though.”
I know my review won’t convince anyone to read it or not, that’s fine. Others will have better reviews than me. But I needed to gush about this one a little and I did lol. I don’t think there will ever be a day Erica publishes a novel and I don’t eat it up. For that, I’m thankful. And I’m thankful for Rome and Damien. So now I eagerly away Matts book (in published form at least
I loved the first half of this one. The surprise twist is one of the tropes I usually avoid, so I was kind of gutted with that storyline, but that is absolutely just a me thing. The book is beautifully written and has cozy found family vibes. Can't wait to read more from E.L. Massey.
inspiring
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
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
I fell in love with this series in 2023 and I think they’ve become my favorite books to read. All Hail the Underdogs was a book I couldn’t put down and the love between Damian and Rome was so lovely. It was nice to see the happy relationship between the two as they navigated their hard lives as teenagers. I appreciated the important topics it touched on without being too much.
I loved how supportive Damian’s parents were about the adopting of Finley after seeing how much the two boys loved her.
Great book that I have a feeling I will pick up again in the future. I can’t wait to read the next one.
Great book that I have a feeling I will pick up again in the future. I can’t wait to read the next one.