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inkdrinkers's review
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
I finally got around to Check Please! book two and was mildly disappointed.
In fairness, I had a friend warn me that the second graphic novel in Erik Bittle's story wasn't as good as the first. The first Check Please! spent so much time setting up the boys, the hockey lingo, and the budding relationship that I think a second one was always going to fall flat for me. Did it deliver in cute and funny moments? Yes, but it also severely suffered from a sometimes rushed and flat plotline. I feel like I was confused by a lot of moments early on and struggled to adjust to the sheer amount of dialogue on the page in some panels.
I really do love Erik and all the things he went through in the total of book one and book two, but the emotional impact didn't quite hit the same in book two. Though the ending was really sweet and I'm happy for the characters, I do wish I'd just listened to my friend who said to skip this one and just enjoy the first book for what it was - adorably gay baker falls in love with a hockey player.
Content warnings: homophobia discussion throughout the book as it deals with two main characters navigating a male-dominated field that is often homophobic, outing occurs towards the end of the book where two characters agree to go public to mostly happy, but some mixed results.
In fairness, I had a friend warn me that the second graphic novel in Erik Bittle's story wasn't as good as the first. The first Check Please! spent so much time setting up the boys, the hockey lingo, and the budding relationship that I think a second one was always going to fall flat for me. Did it deliver in cute and funny moments? Yes, but it also severely suffered from a sometimes rushed and flat plotline. I feel like I was confused by a lot of moments early on and struggled to adjust to the sheer amount of dialogue on the page in some panels.
I really do love Erik and all the things he went through in the total of book one and book two, but the emotional impact didn't quite hit the same in book two. Though the ending was really sweet and I'm happy for the characters, I do wish I'd just listened to my friend who said to skip this one and just enjoy the first book for what it was - adorably gay baker falls in love with a hockey player.
Content warnings: homophobia discussion throughout the book as it deals with two main characters navigating a male-dominated field that is often homophobic, outing occurs towards the end of the book where two characters agree to go public to mostly happy, but some mixed results.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Homophobia and Outing
Minor: Suicidal thoughts
madmadmaddymad's review against another edition
emotional
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? It's complicated
5.0
AAAAHHH IT’S SO CUTE OMG
THREE CHEERS FOR ERIC BITTLE! The First! Openly gay! NCAA D-1 Men’s Hockey Champion!
This is where the story really picks up for me! I loved how this comic dealt with the issue of coming out, and how it’s not just a one-time event. Even when I was reading it I expected Bitty to be out to his parents and was so surprised that they had to find out from watching television. It was hard to watch the family dynamics, especially with his father… and how he kept referring to his boyfriend as “your friend Jack” it was incredible how the author depicted it, how it made my stomach clench with the art and the pacing of the comic. I think it’s really meaningful and I wasn’t expecting this silly little sports-and-falling-in-love comic to have a scene like that.
THREE CHEERS FOR ERIC BITTLE! The First! Openly gay! NCAA D-1 Men’s Hockey Champion!
This is where the story really picks up for me! I loved how this comic dealt with the issue of coming out, and how it’s not just a one-time event. Even when I was reading it I expected Bitty to be out to his parents and was so surprised that they had to find out from watching television. It was hard to watch the family dynamics, especially with his father… and how he kept referring to his boyfriend as “your friend Jack” it was incredible how the author depicted it, how it made my stomach clench with the art and the pacing of the comic. I think it’s really meaningful and I wasn’t expecting this silly little sports-and-falling-in-love comic to have a scene like that.
Content Warnings
Minor: Homophobia
theoceanrose's review against another edition
emotional
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Homophobia
thedevouringbookshelf's review against another edition
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
4.25
Content Warnings
Moderate: Homophobia
calbykoop's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
inspiring
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? No
5.0
A great second book!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cursing and Alcohol
Moderate: Bullying and Homophobia
bryelle's review against another edition
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? No
5.0
Super cute sequel to the first book. Love being able to see Bitty in his junior and senior years. Watching him come out to his family was emotional and seeing the relationship between Bitty and Jack progress is so cute.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Homophobia, and Alcohol
the_lord_of_ships's review against another edition
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
3.25
Not enough bro
Content Warnings
Moderate: Homophobia
theinfinitebookcase's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
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? No
5.0
As with volume 1, I absolutely adored this story! I am glad we got to keep up with some of the original characters while being introduced to new ones, and I liked that this volume was heavier on the romance aspect. Overall adored this whole comic and I imagine I will be rereading at some point! Cute, fast-paced, and lighthearted.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Homophobia
thewordsdevourer's review against another edition
emotional
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
upped the rating despite this being a reread bc i just love the smh crew and samwell so damn much.
check, please! book 2: sticks & scones is by no means a perfect book; the narrative feels disjointed at times and the timeline + sudden scene jumps can be confusing.
but boy oh boy does it have a lot of heart. this one's less funny than its predecessor but it's filled w/ heartfelt and squeal-inducing moments. we spend time w/ old characters while also learning to love new ones. and ofc, bitty's the star: it's amazing to see his growth, him becoming more affirmed in his identity, and his evolving yet in some ways never-changing relationships w/ others. there's no toxicity here and it's so refreshing.
i also rly enjoy how ukazu explores the issue of queerness in such a hypermasculine sphere like sports w/ nuance, esp thru the foils of bitty and whiskey + jack and parse. the art's also clean and crisp, though some panels are more effective than others.
finishing this book feels like reminiscing w/ old friends, and the end of bitty's college life makes me so nostalgic w/ bittersweetness for my own. the smh crew and their story will always hold a special place in my heart. <3
check, please! book 2: sticks & scones is by no means a perfect book; the narrative feels disjointed at times and the timeline + sudden scene jumps can be confusing.
but boy oh boy does it have a lot of heart. this one's less funny than its predecessor but it's filled w/ heartfelt and squeal-inducing moments. we spend time w/ old characters while also learning to love new ones. and ofc, bitty's the star: it's amazing to see his growth, him becoming more affirmed in his identity, and his evolving yet in some ways never-changing relationships w/ others. there's no toxicity here and it's so refreshing.
i also rly enjoy how ukazu explores the issue of queerness in such a hypermasculine sphere like sports w/ nuance, esp thru the foils of bitty and whiskey + jack and parse. the art's also clean and crisp, though some panels are more effective than others.
finishing this book feels like reminiscing w/ old friends, and the end of bitty's college life makes me so nostalgic w/ bittersweetness for my own. the smh crew and their story will always hold a special place in my heart. <3
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia
Moderate: Cursing
Minor: Sexual content, Toxic relationship, and Injury/Injury detail
serendipitysbooks's review
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
Volume 2 which tracked Bitty’s junior and senior years. I preferred this volume. One highlight was the tender depiction of Bitty’s relationship, the way he and his partner showed up for each other, supported one other, communicated openly and put effort into their relationship. Another was the focus on all the fears and emotions around coming out (to who/when/how) - especially when you are in the public eye as a professional sportsman in a notoriously masculine “hard man” sport. Well worth my reading time.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Homophobia and Panic attacks/disorders