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3.92 AVERAGE
3.92 AVERAGE
dark
emotional
medium-paced
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I can’t quite decide how I feel about this book. It was darker and grittier than I expected, and the whole underground illegal hockey/fight club thing was a surprise. Both main characters also had really dark stories. But the love story interwoven with that was really sweet - both the romance between the MCs and the love of family/found family.
The set-up of the minor hockey system was completely not from real life, which kind of annoys me even when there’s a disclosure of “fudging it to make a good story”. I’ve never heard it called “Zam” or “cut” the ice before either but maybe that is slang in some places? The actual hockey game descriptions were pretty good though.
I found the writing to be a bit overly flowery / forced poetry at first but as the characters were fleshed out in the story it began to make more sense and fit a bit better.
There is some pretty graphic depictions of depression so if that’s a trigger for you then take care. There are also lots of bad choices around alcohol, drugs, and fighting.
I was given an ARC of this book from GRR. This is my honest and voluntary review.
The set-up of the minor hockey system was completely not from real life, which kind of annoys me even when there’s a disclosure of “fudging it to make a good story”. I’ve never heard it called “Zam” or “cut” the ice before either but maybe that is slang in some places? The actual hockey game descriptions were pretty good though.
I found the writing to be a bit overly flowery / forced poetry at first but as the characters were fleshed out in the story it began to make more sense and fit a bit better.
There is some pretty graphic depictions of depression so if that’s a trigger for you then take care. There are also lots of bad choices around alcohol, drugs, and fighting.
I was given an ARC of this book from GRR. This is my honest and voluntary review.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness, Violence
Moderate: Alcohol
Minor: Drug use, Death of parent, Abandonment
This was a work of art!
The writing, the depth, the raw emotion, and mental health representation in this was jaring, whilst still being witty and light in its own right as contradicting as that is..
This was truly something else. I'm not sure if ive ever had a book speak to me quite like this one. Resonates with me and leave me open and exposed as much as this one. The way I saw myself in not just one, but both these characters, like my own struggles and attributes were ink on these pages right along side theirs.
The writing, the depth, the raw emotion, and mental health representation in this was jaring, whilst still being witty and light in its own right as contradicting as that is..
This was truly something else. I'm not sure if ive ever had a book speak to me quite like this one. Resonates with me and leave me open and exposed as much as this one. The way I saw myself in not just one, but both these characters, like my own struggles and attributes were ink on these pages right along side theirs.
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
What to say about this book. The idea is good. I was definitely looking forward to it. I did struggle through it. Olli and Nat, two guys with a love for hockey but so broken and Jaded. Most of the book is about them separately, their struggles as people. That in itself was beautiful and relatable. I feel there could have been a little more depth behind it instead of repeating the same vague thoughts in different ways. The attraction to each other was apparent through all that (the slow burn) and we catch little glimpses of them coming together only to pull back. It's surprisingly low angst and tension for a slow burn. Felt a lot more like two broken souls trying to find a place in life while building a friendship. You don't get that come together romance till about 80-85%. But again, slow burn.
Overall, I did enjoy the book. More so towards the end. And I feel it probably could have been cut in half just do to the constant repeat of the same vague thoughts. But if that's your thing this book is perfect for you! I know people will love it, and I love that for them. It's deserved.
Overall, I did enjoy the book. More so towards the end. And I feel it probably could have been cut in half just do to the constant repeat of the same vague thoughts. But if that's your thing this book is perfect for you! I know people will love it, and I love that for them. It's deserved.
dark
emotional
hopeful
slow-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
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
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
Jaded by Lex Easton ARC Review
I got the chance to read Jaded before it was released and I really enjoyed it! I’m always down for a hockey romance and really liked the underground Ice Out addition. Loved seeing the bond between Nat & Olli build from friends to more. The mental health representation was great and really beautifully written. Showing the highs & lows of Olli’s depression and struggles with ADHD was handled really well. The relationship between Nat, his 17 year old daughter Syd and her hockey playing boyfriend Avery was very entertaining.
I got the chance to read Jaded before it was released and I really enjoyed it! I’m always down for a hockey romance and really liked the underground Ice Out addition. Loved seeing the bond between Nat & Olli build from friends to more. The mental health representation was great and really beautifully written. Showing the highs & lows of Olli’s depression and struggles with ADHD was handled really well. The relationship between Nat, his 17 year old daughter Syd and her hockey playing boyfriend Avery was very entertaining.
Would recommend if you’re into:
💙 MM hockey romance
💙 Grumpy/sunshine
💙 Hurt/comfort
💙 Humor/banter
💙 Friends to lovers
💙 Single dad
💙 Spicy slow burn
💙 Mental health rep (depression/anxiety)
💙 Gritty urban setting
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
What a beautiful love story. I love that Olli and Nat don’t try to fix each other but rather support each other through the dark times. This is a slow burn and they don’t immediately say I love you which isn’t always the case In romance books. I love how well they know each other and the nicknames are just so cute! I really went through the feels with this one.
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
slow-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
ARC review
These two broken boys are everything! Oh my God I love both of them and I don't want them to ever leave my head.
Lex has written two men, both dealing with depression in different ways, and learning how important it is to have someone just sit there with you when everything feels super dark. Lex's descriptions of depression and anxiety are so accurate and heck it hits right in the feels. I highlighted so many lines that just nailed it.
Olli is a bubbly boy who battles with depression and anxiety every day, while Nat has been so beaten down that he doesn't even realise his depression is there. The slow burn of them becoming friends and the will they, won't they was delicious.
This was one of those books that focuses on the character development as opposed to the bedroom activities, but I definitely didn't mind that. It showed the growth of these two characters, without the 'magic dick' cure that can sometimes come in mental health books.
Lex has absolutely captured my heart with these two and I cannot wait for the next instalment
These two broken boys are everything! Oh my God I love both of them and I don't want them to ever leave my head.
Lex has written two men, both dealing with depression in different ways, and learning how important it is to have someone just sit there with you when everything feels super dark. Lex's descriptions of depression and anxiety are so accurate and heck it hits right in the feels. I highlighted so many lines that just nailed it.
Olli is a bubbly boy who battles with depression and anxiety every day, while Nat has been so beaten down that he doesn't even realise his depression is there. The slow burn of them becoming friends and the will they, won't they was delicious.
This was one of those books that focuses on the character development as opposed to the bedroom activities, but I definitely didn't mind that. It showed the growth of these two characters, without the 'magic dick' cure that can sometimes come in mental health books.
Lex has absolutely captured my heart with these two and I cannot wait for the next instalment
ARC Review
“𝒩𝑒𝓋𝑒𝓇 𝓈𝓉𝑜𝓅 𝒽𝒶𝓊𝓃𝓉𝒾𝓃𝑔 𝓂𝑒, 𝒪𝓁𝓁𝒾 𝒥𝒶𝓂𝑒𝓈.”
“𝒩𝑒𝓋𝑒𝓇 𝓈𝓉𝑜𝓅 𝒽𝒶𝓊𝓃𝓉𝒾𝓃𝑔 𝓂𝑒, 𝒪𝓁𝓁𝒾 𝒥𝒶𝓂𝑒𝓈.”
Well… that was lovely.
This story dives into heavy, deeply human themes, but somehow, I finished the final page feeling full. Full of ache, yes, but also full of hope.
At its core, this is a story about two men trying to survive the weight of their own minds, watching their lives slip between their fingers. It’s a quiet, powerful exploration of mental illness, identity, and sexuality, handled with so much care and honesty, it felt deeply personal.
There were so many walls, so much unspoken pain—and none of it could be faced alone. But then they find each other.
And everything shifts.
Nat, steady and grounding, gives Olli the kind of love that doesn’t ask for change, only presence. And Olli, in return, offers Nat something just as vital: truth, softness, permission to feel. Their romance is tender and electric, but more than that, it’s rooted in mutual recognition. They see each other, fully.
This wasn’t just a love story.
It was about staying. Feeling. And finally letting truth rise above the silence.
It was about staying. Feeling. And finally letting truth rise above the silence.
“𝐹𝑜𝓇 𝑜𝓃𝒸𝑒 𝒾𝓃 𝓂𝓎 𝓁𝒾𝒻𝑒, 𝐼’𝓂 𝒿𝓊𝓈𝓉 𝒽𝑒𝓇𝑒. 𝑀𝑒. 𝒪𝓁𝓁𝒾. 𝒪𝓁𝓁𝒾 𝒶𝓃𝒹 𝒩𝒶𝓉. 𝒜𝓈𝓅𝑒𝓃 𝒶𝓃𝒹 𝑀𝑜𝓊𝓈𝑒.”
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
sad
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
This book had me from the very first page. I’ve always been a sucker for a good hockey romance, there’s just something about hot athletes and emotional stakes that hits all the right spots. But what Lex Easton did here goes so much deeper than just a fun sports romance.
The story carries real weight. The discussions around sexuality and identity were handled with such care and honesty it felt like how those conversations should go in real life. It wasn’t just about representation, it was about reflection, growth, and acceptance.
What truly hit home for me, though, was the portrayal of mental health. I’ve had my share of dark days, and reading Olli’s internal monologue felt like someone had peeked into that headspace and put it into words with compassion and clarity. It was raw, it was real, and it was healing.
And then there’s Nat, steadfast, grounding, exactly the kind of love Olli needed. But it wasn’t one-sided; Olli was just as vital for Nat. Their romance was tender, passionate, and beautifully balanced, but it was the bond they built, that sense of being truly seen, that made this book unforgettable for me.
This wasn't just a romance. It was a story about choosing love, choosing truth, and choosing to keep going. And I felt every word.
The story carries real weight. The discussions around sexuality and identity were handled with such care and honesty it felt like how those conversations should go in real life. It wasn’t just about representation, it was about reflection, growth, and acceptance.
What truly hit home for me, though, was the portrayal of mental health. I’ve had my share of dark days, and reading Olli’s internal monologue felt like someone had peeked into that headspace and put it into words with compassion and clarity. It was raw, it was real, and it was healing.
And then there’s Nat, steadfast, grounding, exactly the kind of love Olli needed. But it wasn’t one-sided; Olli was just as vital for Nat. Their romance was tender, passionate, and beautifully balanced, but it was the bond they built, that sense of being truly seen, that made this book unforgettable for me.
This wasn't just a romance. It was a story about choosing love, choosing truth, and choosing to keep going. And I felt every word.