Reviews - All Hail the Underdogs

438 reviews for:

All Hail the Underdogs

E.L. Massey

4.35 AVERAGE

jaxsyms's review against another edition

4.5

emotional funny lighthearted fast-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

mollyreadsandcrafts's review against another edition

4.25

funny hopeful informative 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

Another endearing couple as expected from E.L. Massey. Low on hockey and spice (there is none) but high on good friends and cute moments.

Patrick Roman (Rome) accepts a scholarship to a top hockey boarding school in order leave his past behind and get a better shot at a successful future. Immediately upon meeting Damien, he knows he doesn't like the guy. Damien wants to focus on poetry and hockey, but he and Rome can't stop antagonizing each other on and off the ice. As the semester progresses they realize they might have judged each other too fast, and form an unlikely friendship and eventually something more than friends. They have to figure out how to navigate their relationship as their pasts and futures weigh heavily on them both.

This story deal with some heavier topics while still having that YA-feel to it. There's multiple sensitive subjects discussed, and one of my favorite parts was the effort that both Rome and Damien put into bettering themselves and adjusting their worldview. They're teenagers, so mistakes and miscommunications were made, but they took the time to understand one another. Once they got past their prejudices they were so adorable and had such fun banter, while still giving each other comfort and support.

Once again I loved all the side characters, E.L. Massey writes the best friends and family. If I had a complaint it would be that Rome and Damien are so young for some of the big life changes they make. Maybe I'm cynical and jaded, but I can't imagine living their lives and thinking about forever at that age. I'm glad they make it work because I love them together!

Read if you like:
• hate to love
• hurt/comfort
• hockey
• opposites attract

alcor's review against another edition

5.0

funny hopeful lighthearted fast-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

This book was like hot chocolate when you come home from a long work day in winter. So incredibly heartwarming and lovely. First time in my life that I read a book where the characters are conscious of their faults and want to do better, where friendship does not take a backseat for the sake of romantic love, where there's no curveball where the main character behaves badly: when one of them messes up, they know and they fix it.
Lastly, I want the author to know that I'm prepared to die for Kaner. A book for her and Olly is absolutely imperative.