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a_manning11's review against another edition
Abusers don't have to be forgiven. Overuse of the phrases "He's still my dad." and "It wasn't all bad."
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Emotional abuse, and Physical abuse
Moderate: Drug use, Addiction, Alcoholism, and Drug abuse
intensej's review against another edition
dark
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
2.0
The writing in this book was not great. Set in North Carolina, this is a fast-paced, sports romance between a curmudgeonly hockey player and a social worker. The character of Alex Crossman reminded me of Jamie Tartt from Ted Lasso.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Drug abuse, Alcoholism, and Drug use
Moderate: Child abuse and Sexual content
kb33's review against another edition
dark
emotional
fast-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
Hey, it’s ANOTHER romance book with a severely traumatized character who is healed by a romantic relationship instead of by themselves or, I dunno, THERAPY. Yikes. And this time he’s falling in love with a freaking counselor, who never once suggests he talk to someone about his traumatic past and his current inability to accept or feel love. Alex is just magically cured by Sutton’s love.
It also completely disregards the notion of cutting out a family member who is not only an addict, but incredibly damaging to you. I hope no one who reads this book feels compelled to keep someone in their life who only hurts them.
If you don’t take into account this incredibly neglectful and damaging trope, it’s a decent book.
It also completely disregards the notion of cutting out a family member who is not only an addict, but incredibly damaging to you. I hope no one who reads this book feels compelled to keep someone in their life who only hurts them.
If you don’t take into account this incredibly neglectful and damaging trope, it’s a decent book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Addiction, Alcohol, Toxic relationship, Child abuse, Sexual content, and Violence
Moderate: Blood
Minor: Infidelity
rachelmichelson's review against another edition
fast-paced
2.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Drug abuse, and Alcoholism
allingoodtime's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
reflective
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? Yes
4.0
4.5 stars
Before reading this book, I had previously read two ARCs by this author. While I thoroughly enjoyed both stories, I’m so glad I decided to look at my online library to see what was available from her. I loved this book!
First, for some reason I absolutely adore the name of the heroine, Sutton. The name fits her somehow and really stuck with me. As for the character, I adore her, too. She’s smart and humble and caring and sassy and sexy. She didn’t take any guff and wouldn’t back down from a challenge. She’s exactly what Alex needed.
Alex is a jerk. He’s known as the MVP, Most Valuable Prick, by fans of his hockey team. He may be the best player, but he’s also the most aloof and disrespectful. There is such a good reason for his attitude, and Sutton takes the time to find out the reason and try to support Alex. Even when Alex tries to push back.
As big of a tool as Alex is, when it comes to Sutton he just can’t (usually) be a jerk to her without immediate regret and apologies. Don’t worry, this story is not a cycle of him being a jerk and her being a forgiving bubble head. He’s actually rarely his “normal” self with her, which is what makes their relationship so tender to watch develop.
Not only were Sutton and Alex great, but all of the cast of characters kept me engaged. From Sutton’s little brother to Alex’s teammates. It was especially fun getting to know Garrett so I’m excited that his book is next. He’s a very insightful guy when it comes to other people, I’m curious to see how insightful he is when it comes to his own feelings.
Update 2/24/24 after rereading via audiobook:
I still love this story and I'm glad I am revisiting the Cold Fury series. I've read all of this author's hockey romances at this point (there are two more spin-off series of this one as of right now) and most are stellar. I will note I wasn't crazy about the narrators who seemed to not have a lot of differentiation in their voices between characters. They weren't terrible, by any means. I still thoroughly enjoyed this book that I haven't read in almost seven years. I'm not familiar with either narrator so I'm unsure if they were new to the craft at the time or if it's even something they still do. I would recommend you read it as an ebook or physical copy though.
The only other thing that stood out to me is some of the language used that I know this author wouldn't use today. Just things we have learned over the years to be offensive and/or insensitive. It wasn't prevalent, but it was there.
I think if this was a first read for me I would give it a 4-star rating instead of that extra .5 I had in there originally.
Before reading this book, I had previously read two ARCs by this author. While I thoroughly enjoyed both stories, I’m so glad I decided to look at my online library to see what was available from her. I loved this book!
First, for some reason I absolutely adore the name of the heroine, Sutton. The name fits her somehow and really stuck with me. As for the character, I adore her, too. She’s smart and humble and caring and sassy and sexy. She didn’t take any guff and wouldn’t back down from a challenge. She’s exactly what Alex needed.
Alex is a jerk. He’s known as the MVP, Most Valuable Prick, by fans of his hockey team. He may be the best player, but he’s also the most aloof and disrespectful. There is such a good reason for his attitude, and Sutton takes the time to find out the reason and try to support Alex. Even when Alex tries to push back.
As big of a tool as Alex is, when it comes to Sutton he just can’t (usually) be a jerk to her without immediate regret and apologies. Don’t worry, this story is not a cycle of him being a jerk and her being a forgiving bubble head. He’s actually rarely his “normal” self with her, which is what makes their relationship so tender to watch develop.
Not only were Sutton and Alex great, but all of the cast of characters kept me engaged. From Sutton’s little brother to Alex’s teammates. It was especially fun getting to know Garrett so I’m excited that his book is next. He’s a very insightful guy when it comes to other people, I’m curious to see how insightful he is when it comes to his own feelings.
Update 2/24/24 after rereading via audiobook:
I still love this story and I'm glad I am revisiting the Cold Fury series. I've read all of this author's hockey romances at this point (there are two more spin-off series of this one as of right now) and most are stellar. I will note I wasn't crazy about the narrators who seemed to not have a lot of differentiation in their voices between characters. They weren't terrible, by any means. I still thoroughly enjoyed this book that I haven't read in almost seven years. I'm not familiar with either narrator so I'm unsure if they were new to the craft at the time or if it's even something they still do. I would recommend you read it as an ebook or physical copy though.
The only other thing that stood out to me is some of the language used that I know this author wouldn't use today. Just things we have learned over the years to be offensive and/or insensitive. It wasn't prevalent, but it was there.
I think if this was a first read for me I would give it a 4-star rating instead of that extra .5 I had in there originally.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse and Addiction
chaptertraveller's review against another edition
emotional
inspiring
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Physical abuse, Drug abuse, Child abuse, and Addiction
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