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levilore_'s review against another edition
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
Don't expect much from this book in terms of plot or character growth. The plot was actually interesting, but most of the second half was the characters having sex and nothing else really happening. I would've been fine with that but the main characters often made sexist comments and there was some vague biphobia that made me dislike Wes a lot. I wish there was more time spent on the exploring the characters as people.
Also I really didn't need to hear that much detail about their sex as teens. I could've gotten the highlights.
Also I really didn't need to hear that much detail about their sex as teens. I could've gotten the highlights.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia, Cursing, Bullying, and Sexual content
Moderate: Vomit, Outing, Sexism, and Alcohol
Minor: Body shaming, Classism, Fatphobia, Sexual violence, Blood, Suicidal thoughts, and Injury/Injury detail
offbrandclubsoda's review against another edition
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Homophobia
Minor: Alcohol and Outing
ashlightgrayson's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
- 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
This book felt like reading a forum that was trying to convince me that two characters that are obviously a gay couple, aren't a gay couple. Wes and Jamie spend a lot of time in this novel ignoring the elephant in the room. Both of them clearly love each other very much, even before their relationship developed into mutual sexual/romantic attraction. Wes carries around a sense of guilt about pressuring his friend into engaging in sexual activity with him when he's always identified as straight. It made me wonder if this is something that members of the queer community feel more often than I thought. I can relate somewhat to the sense of responsibility of not purposefully misleading someone. However, I also think that a lot of obstacles in Jamie and Wes's relationship could have been resolved by communicating more. Although, the miscommunication did not feel forced or misconstrued. It felt like it was something that could reasonably occur in real life. At no point did I think that either of them had concerns that weren't valid.
There is a reasonably thorough exploration within the plot of homophobia and the fears surrounding that in both Jamie and Wes's lives. There is a lot of pressure on them as male professional athletes to be taken seriously and be perceived as masculine. Additionally, they are responsible for child athletes and unfortunately the ignorance of homophobia does not differentiate between parents and everyone else.
Overall, I enjoyed watching Jamie and Wes reconnect with each other. Outside of respecting each other as friends, they also respect each other as peers and that definitely bleeds into their eventual romantic relationship. Their love for each other helps them find ways to accommodate each other back into their lives. This novel can be read as a standalone, but I plan on continuing to read the sequel. Sarina Bowen is definitely a go to romance author for me now. This is the fourth book I've read by her and her stories never disappoint.
There is a reasonably thorough exploration within the plot of homophobia and the fears surrounding that in both Jamie and Wes's lives. There is a lot of pressure on them as male professional athletes to be taken seriously and be perceived as masculine. Additionally, they are responsible for child athletes and unfortunately the ignorance of homophobia does not differentiate between parents and everyone else.
Overall, I enjoyed watching Jamie and Wes reconnect with each other. Outside of respecting each other as friends, they also respect each other as peers and that definitely bleeds into their eventual romantic relationship. Their love for each other helps them find ways to accommodate each other back into their lives. This novel can be read as a standalone, but I plan on continuing to read the sequel. Sarina Bowen is definitely a go to romance author for me now. This is the fourth book I've read by her and her stories never disappoint.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Outing, and Homophobia
lauren717's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
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? It's complicated
3.5
Content Warnings
Minor: Outing, Racism, Alcohol, Homophobia, Cursing, and Racial slurs
leeresbuchregal's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
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? Yes
3.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcohol, Biphobia, Bullying, Cursing, Homophobia, and Outing
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