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emilyexmas's review
emotional
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
One boy is sad and lonely. Other boy is mature and well grounded. Homophobe step dad is the only frustrating thing about the book.
eesh25's review against another edition
3.0
I know a lot of people like Mason and feel bad for him because of what he's going through. And I agree that he deserves better than the way his dickhead of a father treats him. And I get that he's hurt and lonely. I even admire him for not giving up hope despite the constant disappointment. But I just didn't like him. He always let his personal feelings interfere with his ability to play. And he never tried to make things work with anyone other than his father. Many of his teammates cut him slack and tried to be his friends, and he never reciprocated.
Maybe I'm being insensitive, but I wanted him to make more of an effort with the people who were kind to him.
Also, there were way too many time jumps. There were often weeks between proper interactions. Like we'd get a scene between Mason and Dominic, then the next chapter would be a week later. And that didn't work for me. Or the fact that half the romance is longing stares from across the room. I needed more consistent communication.
Also, I said this in my Bat Boy review as well, but the beginning is kinda rough. The author goes about setting up the characters and their lives in an info-dumpy way.
But despite all the negatives I've mentioned, I didn't dislike everything. And I want to end on some positives. The writing is good. I liked the focus on people and relationships, and not just romantic ones. I like Dominic as a character. The epilogue was great. I also loved seeing Kellen and Grady again.
And overall, I did enjoy the book. There were just certain parts that were frustrating, and they left an impression. I do still recommend checking the series out. My opinions about it fall under the "unpopular" umbrella. And I plan to try something else by the author.
Maybe I'm being insensitive, but I wanted him to make more of an effort with the people who were kind to him.
Also, there were way too many time jumps. There were often weeks between proper interactions. Like we'd get a scene between Mason and Dominic, then the next chapter would be a week later. And that didn't work for me. Or the fact that half the romance is longing stares from across the room. I needed more consistent communication.
Also, I said this in my Bat Boy review as well, but the beginning is kinda rough. The author goes about setting up the characters and their lives in an info-dumpy way.
But despite all the negatives I've mentioned, I didn't dislike everything. And I want to end on some positives. The writing is good. I liked the focus on people and relationships, and not just romantic ones. I like Dominic as a character. The epilogue was great. I also loved seeing Kellen and Grady again.
And overall, I did enjoy the book. There were just certain parts that were frustrating, and they left an impression. I do still recommend checking the series out. My opinions about it fall under the "unpopular" umbrella. And I plan to try something else by the author.
mimoking2048's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
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
5.0
erica_g's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
ruthiedr89's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Abandonment, Homophobia, Sexual content, Grief, and Emotional abuse
Moderate: Death of parent
notguilty's review against another edition
4.0
Another great addition to the Easton U Pirates finding love. These frenemies are a lovely pairing full of all the wonder and angst that comes with being a young adult.
It’s a slow burn, with just the right pacing and a great mix of fun and seriousness.
Dominic has an amazing family, and a family business that he’s looking forward to running after graduation, and the way his mom took to Mason was so heartwarming. Because trust me, Mason absolutely deserves a parent in his corner. His stepdad can stuff it!
PS, you won’t be disappointed by the epilogue
mynameisprerna's review
3.5
Review:
This book, like the first in the series is sweet and simple, predictable but fun.
One of my gripes with the first book was that it really didn’t have much sports content, and it was pretty arbitrary that it was a sports book. This one was better in that regard, but still a touch light.
I’m not sure why, but I also struggled to keep track of which MC was which. That said, I did appreciate their backstories.
This book, like the first in the series is sweet and simple, predictable but fun.
One of my gripes with the first book was that it really didn’t have much sports content, and it was pretty arbitrary that it was a sports book. This one was better in that regard, but still a touch light.
I’m not sure why, but I also struggled to keep track of which MC was which. That said, I did appreciate their backstories.
Stars: ⭐️⭐️⭐️💫 3.5: Almost great, but falling short somehow. But more than just tipping the scale into good territory.
Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️ 4: Brown Girl Spicy (Multiple descriptive and detailed open door scenes; smut is very prominent but it does not overtake plot)
Perspective: first
Tense: past
POV: dual
Source: Library: Hoopla
invaderday's review
emotional
funny
tense
medium-paced
3.25
more angsty & interesting pairing than the first book, but the writing got pretty repetitive with this one being longer. i'm about to say something insane but there could have been more baseball in these books and the baseball parts could have been more interesting.
i was so taken aback by the epilogues of these books both starting with sex scenes. not that there wasn't a lot of sex in the rest of the books but the epilogue just seems like an odd place for smut and i wasn't prepared for it.
this book was basically that one post that's like "maybe we can figure out what the hell your problem is over dinner sometime" which is fun.
edit: i forgot to add, i was hoping that maclain and jasmine would have more screentime after their unlikely friendship started in the first book, so i was kind of disappointed that that barely really materialized. like, that's on me for expecting anything outside of the gay romance, but i still wish it had come up more.
i was so taken aback by the epilogues of these books both starting with sex scenes. not that there wasn't a lot of sex in the rest of the books but the epilogue just seems like an odd place for smut and i wasn't prepared for it.
this book was basically that one post that's like "maybe we can figure out what the hell your problem is over dinner sometime" which is fun.
edit: i forgot to add, i was hoping that maclain and jasmine would have more screentime after their unlikely friendship started in the first book, so i was kind of disappointed that that barely really materialized. like, that's on me for expecting anything outside of the gay romance, but i still wish it had come up more.
sunshinehwngs's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
becksgoesbookish's review against another edition
3.0
This had so much potential- the MC pairing? Perfect! The narration? Excellent. The scenes with the MCs together? Fabulous
But everything else around it was just annoying to me at the time of listening
But everything else around it was just annoying to me at the time of listening