Take a photo of a barcode or cover
rebelspykatie's review
4.0
This was a fun, light read. I finished this in one sitting within a couple of hours. I really liked the characters. Both Nathan and Preston could be frustrating at times, but it was great to see them come together, especially when it was about understanding their passions in life. I really love swimming, so I was hooked from the start (even though the Michael Phelps fact was incorrect). I think the characters could have benefited from some diversity, though. This book was full of rich white people with more money than sense. It made for a good story, but I couldn't help but roll my eyes at their antics sometimes. I think it's refreshing to have contemporaries that aren't about the struggle of coming out or coming to terms with their sexuality, but about the fun, fluffy side of falling in love. This was just a fun read and I hope to see more books like this in the future.
librarianpeter's review
3.0
This was a very quick read. Mostly because I was sucked in.
This is part of a series but I only picked this one up and I feel that I missed some things. Even so, I enjoyed it. I've always loved the storylines where two best friends are inseparable but one is madly in love with the other and the other person doesn't know or realize it until later on and realizes they are in love with them too. This was the case with Preston and Nathan. Nathan has been in love with Preston (his best friend) for as long as they've been friends. Preston however has nothing but swimming in his mind and is aiming for the best of the best with Nathan as his own personal cheering squad. Little does he know that Nathan harbors a love so strong for him that it overwhelms him at times. Finally willing to admit his feelings to Preston, Nathan kidnaps him and takes him on a European vacation in order to get his mind off swimming and his impending acceptance into an elite swimming team but along the way numerous times when Nathan is going to confess, Preston either unknowingly does something stupid or Nathan chickens out. Classic. All it takes is coming down ill while planning the social event of the season and a pot brownie for things to finally come to a head and for things to come to light.
Reviews for the other books in the series characterized Nathan as a hoot but I didn't get it in this book. I just got that he was a lovesick fool which I can totally sympathize with. Preston was perfectly characterized as beautiful but hopelessly oblivious to anything but swimming but when he got his head out of his a**, I liked him even more.
All in all not a bad book. Just don't do what I did and read the whole series. At least you'll know who the other supporting characters are...
This is part of a series but I only picked this one up and I feel that I missed some things. Even so, I enjoyed it. I've always loved the storylines where two best friends are inseparable but one is madly in love with the other and the other person doesn't know or realize it until later on and realizes they are in love with them too. This was the case with Preston and Nathan. Nathan has been in love with Preston (his best friend) for as long as they've been friends. Preston however has nothing but swimming in his mind and is aiming for the best of the best with Nathan as his own personal cheering squad. Little does he know that Nathan harbors a love so strong for him that it overwhelms him at times. Finally willing to admit his feelings to Preston, Nathan kidnaps him and takes him on a European vacation in order to get his mind off swimming and his impending acceptance into an elite swimming team but along the way numerous times when Nathan is going to confess, Preston either unknowingly does something stupid or Nathan chickens out. Classic. All it takes is coming down ill while planning the social event of the season and a pot brownie for things to finally come to a head and for things to come to light.
Reviews for the other books in the series characterized Nathan as a hoot but I didn't get it in this book. I just got that he was a lovesick fool which I can totally sympathize with. Preston was perfectly characterized as beautiful but hopelessly oblivious to anything but swimming but when he got his head out of his a**, I liked him even more.
All in all not a bad book. Just don't do what I did and read the whole series. At least you'll know who the other supporting characters are...
mvickersauthor's review
4.0
What do you do when you are in love with your best friend and he doesn't realize it? In No Holding Back by Kate Evangelista, Nathan tried to bury his feelings.
Nathan has always been there for his best friend, Preston. He encouraged him and pushed Preston to fulfill his dreams, and he has been there every step of the way. But it isn't quite enough. Everyone knows Nathan is in love with Preston, and Nathan wants to tell him, but he is more afraid of losing his best friend if he confesses. So what does he do? He suggests he and Preston go on a European vacation so that Preston can get his mind off of his tryout.
Preston wants to get into a premier swimming club in Colorado. His tryout went well, but he won't get the decision for about a month. The wait is driving him crazy. He takes Nathan up on his offer of a European vacation, and things start to change. He is starting to notice things about his best friend that he never noticed before.
Will they be able to cross that line? Or will their friendship fall to pieces? You have to read to find out.
This story was sweet, and I love a good friends to lovers book. If you are looking for heat, this book isn't it, but if you want a story that is well written and full of fluff, then this is the story for you. I love the banter between Nathan and Preston, and kept hoping that they would finally stop dancing and just jump. 4 stars.
Nathan has always been there for his best friend, Preston. He encouraged him and pushed Preston to fulfill his dreams, and he has been there every step of the way. But it isn't quite enough. Everyone knows Nathan is in love with Preston, and Nathan wants to tell him, but he is more afraid of losing his best friend if he confesses. So what does he do? He suggests he and Preston go on a European vacation so that Preston can get his mind off of his tryout.
Preston wants to get into a premier swimming club in Colorado. His tryout went well, but he won't get the decision for about a month. The wait is driving him crazy. He takes Nathan up on his offer of a European vacation, and things start to change. He is starting to notice things about his best friend that he never noticed before.
Will they be able to cross that line? Or will their friendship fall to pieces? You have to read to find out.
This story was sweet, and I love a good friends to lovers book. If you are looking for heat, this book isn't it, but if you want a story that is well written and full of fluff, then this is the story for you. I love the banter between Nathan and Preston, and kept hoping that they would finally stop dancing and just jump. 4 stars.
sharonsm_28's review
4.0
I received a copy from the author, in exchange for an honest review.
Actual Rating: 4.25
Thank you Kate Evangelista for the opportunity to read your book. This was a great read. The storyline was enjoyable. Also, I really enjoyed see the love between Nathan and Preston. They really are meant to be together. They do not have an easy love, but they have a love that is worth fight for. I think that is what made this book for me. It showed how to people really fight for the love they shared even if it was hard. Also, I loved the bits with Didi and Caleb. The ending of the book made me smile. Also, I loved the Maroon 5 song reference. Overall, a sweet romance.
Actual Rating: 4.25
Thank you Kate Evangelista for the opportunity to read your book. This was a great read. The storyline was enjoyable. Also, I really enjoyed see the love between Nathan and Preston. They really are meant to be together. They do not have an easy love, but they have a love that is worth fight for. I think that is what made this book for me. It showed how to people really fight for the love they shared even if it was hard. Also, I loved the bits with Didi and Caleb. The ending of the book made me smile. Also, I loved the Maroon 5 song reference. Overall, a sweet romance.
thepaige_turner's review
4.0
No Holding Back is the second book in the Dodge Cove series, but you needn’t have read the first one to enjoy this one (I didn’t!).
This book was originally brought to my attention (not only because of that gorgeous cover) through Bookevin’s awesome review, and I knew I had to pick it up IMMEDIATELY.
I haven’t dabbled in much of SwoonReads’ catalogue and I’m kicking myself as to why not because if the other titles follow this sickly sweet formula then you can sign me right up.
Preston and Nathan were so adorable! I loved getting the backstory on their relationship and how that was a foundation through the entire novel. They were constantly supporting each other (even through their fights) and I was definitely rooting for them from the start.
While the plot was predictable, I actually enjoyed that? I haven’t read a book like this since high school (aka, a long time ago) so it was nice to dabble in something short and fluffy. I’ll definitely be checking out the first book in the series, No Love Allowed (and eagerly anticipating the next one, even though this one just came out!).
Are you a fan of Stephenie Perkins? Then check out this one and fall in love along with Nathan and Preston (there’s descriptions of hot swimmer’s bods. You know you need that in your life).
This book was originally brought to my attention (not only because of that gorgeous cover) through Bookevin’s awesome review, and I knew I had to pick it up IMMEDIATELY.
I haven’t dabbled in much of SwoonReads’ catalogue and I’m kicking myself as to why not because if the other titles follow this sickly sweet formula then you can sign me right up.
Preston and Nathan were so adorable! I loved getting the backstory on their relationship and how that was a foundation through the entire novel. They were constantly supporting each other (even through their fights) and I was definitely rooting for them from the start.
While the plot was predictable, I actually enjoyed that? I haven’t read a book like this since high school (aka, a long time ago) so it was nice to dabble in something short and fluffy. I’ll definitely be checking out the first book in the series, No Love Allowed (and eagerly anticipating the next one, even though this one just came out!).
Are you a fan of Stephenie Perkins? Then check out this one and fall in love along with Nathan and Preston (there’s descriptions of hot swimmer’s bods. You know you need that in your life).
samrushingbooks's review
4.0
This trilogy has quick reads that are cute and fun and perfect for summer reading. Nathan was my favorite character from the first book so I was excited to follow his adventure with his best friend as they hopped around Europe. There were some bumps in the road as Nathan tried to find the best way to confess to Preston that he loved him, but thankfully in the end things worked out. I imagine that soon I'll pick up the conclusion to the trilogy, which will focus on Natasha and Jackson.
tstreet's review
5.0
I'm glad that Nathan was able to cheer Preston up in the beginning. I like that Nathan can made Preston understand what he needs to do to win the swimming competition. I liked the kiss, since Preston and Nathan can finally come together and realize that they actually have feelings for each other. I really don't like Preston's mom. I really like that Preston took care of Nathan when he was sick. I like that Preston was accepted onto the swim team. I really like this book. I like Didi and Caleb. I hope that Jackson and Natasha get together and learn to love each other. I can't wait to read more of this authors books.
thequeenreads's review
4.0
Nathan and Preston is loveeee. Add some Caleb and Didi and Tash and a hunk of a mysterious guy and some family and carreer drama the voila! One amazing book. Full review on : https://thequeenreads.wordpress.com/2017/04/17/book-talk-10-2017-no-holding-back-dodge-cove-2-by-kate-evangelista/
booksandladders's review
4.0
Disclaimer: I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Actual Rating: 3.5*
Full review to come closer to release date! but this one was really cute. Most of my issues with it stem from the writing itself and the little bit of lag in the middle. Definitely recommend checking it out though!
Read this as part of the #ReadProud Challenge.
Books and Ladders | Books Are My Fandom | Twitter | Instagram | Bloglovin'
Actual Rating: 3.5*
Full review to come closer to release date! but this one was really cute. Most of my issues with it stem from the writing itself and the little bit of lag in the middle. Definitely recommend checking it out though!
Read this as part of the #ReadProud Challenge.
Books and Ladders | Books Are My Fandom | Twitter | Instagram | Bloglovin'