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kirstenpod_'s review against another edition
lighthearted
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? Yes
3.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Fatphobia, Sexual content, and Body shaming
Moderate: Toxic relationship and Abandonment
Minor: Toxic friendship and Alcohol
bee_wuud's review against another edition
challenging
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? Yes
4.5
Love me some vulnerable men! The mental health aspect is great. Sports romances are turning out to be my jam.
Love Stevie too! She reminds me a bit of myself too, so watching her start to love her body really hit home.
Love Stevie too! She reminds me a bit of myself too, so watching her start to love her body really hit home.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Abandonment and Panic attacks/disorders
lethridge's review against another edition
emotional
funny
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
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual content
Minor: Panic attacks/disorders, Alcohol, Abandonment, Animal death, Body shaming, and Emotional abuse
underscoresyd's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
lighthearted
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? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Mental illness, Abandonment, Body shaming, and Panic attacks/disorders
Moderate: Toxic relationship
Minor: Violence
beckyremillard's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
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
4.25
Took me a few to get into but I enjoyed it once I did.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Body shaming, Fatphobia, Abandonment, Misogyny, and Panic attacks/disorders
Minor: Animal death
Toxic parentsoccasionalyarnie's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
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? Yes
4.0
Even though this is the first book in the series, I picked it up well after reading the other two. The premise of "bad boy bullying service worker" didn't seem remotely redeemable in any way. But I'm glad I gave it a chance. The "bullying" (for lack of a better word) was really just insistent pestering and the story moved past that plotline pretty quickly. Everything after it was the kind of romance I'm coming to expect from the author.
As always, the main characters were likeable, each with their own flaws that actually made a difference in the story. Stevie's body image issues were all too relatable; the story handled them in such a sensitive and respectful way that I really appreciated. The same can be said for Zanders' abandonment issues, and I also loved how (once again) Liz Tomforde wrote a male lead who is capable of being emotional and addressing his issues and communicating with his partner effectively (for the most part). On top of that, their romance was really well-executed. No notes. I also really enjoyed the emphasis on family and (in Stevie's case) generational trauma; it really helped to flesh out the characters' flaws and made it that much more satisfying to see them overcome.
Though I wouldn't call these complaints, there were two things that I think kept me from enjoying this book enough to give it five stars. The first is that this book is long. I don't think this necessarily detracted from my enjoyment, because I'd rather it be too long than too short, but now that I've finished the book, I'm not sure the length was wholly justified. At this length, I almost wish we'd gotten a stronger secondary storyline (maybe to have more about the dog shelter?). The second was the lack of Indy. With how much Stevie was in Indy's book, I kind of expected to see her more in this one to give us a bit more background on her and to set up her story. Again, I'm not really upset about either of these things; they're just things I'd wished we'd gotten.
All in all, this was a really good read and I can't wait until the next book in the series releases.
As always, the main characters were likeable, each with their own flaws that actually made a difference in the story. Stevie's body image issues were all too relatable; the story handled them in such a sensitive and respectful way that I really appreciated. The same can be said for Zanders' abandonment issues, and I also loved how (once again) Liz Tomforde wrote a male lead who is capable of being emotional and addressing his issues and communicating with his partner effectively (for the most part). On top of that, their romance was really well-executed. No notes. I also really enjoyed the emphasis on family and (in Stevie's case) generational trauma; it really helped to flesh out the characters' flaws and made it that much more satisfying to see them overcome.
Though I wouldn't call these complaints, there were two things that I think kept me from enjoying this book enough to give it five stars. The first is that this book is long. I don't think this necessarily detracted from my enjoyment, because I'd rather it be too long than too short, but now that I've finished the book, I'm not sure the length was wholly justified. At this length, I almost wish we'd gotten a stronger secondary storyline (maybe to have more about the dog shelter?). The second was the lack of Indy. With how much Stevie was in Indy's book, I kind of expected to see her more in this one to give us a bit more background on her and to set up her story. Again, I'm not really upset about either of these things; they're just things I'd wished we'd gotten.
All in all, this was a really good read and I can't wait until the next book in the series releases.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Abandonment, Body shaming, and Panic attacks/disorders
starrfishandcoffee's review against another edition
emotional
funny
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? No
4.0
This was soooo sweet and v sexy. I thought it was a bit too long and a bit repetitive but overall I really enjoyed this!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Abandonment
Minor: Bullying
kristensreading's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
sad
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? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Abandonment, Body shaming, and Sexual content
chelsea_jh's review against another edition
hopeful
medium-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body shaming, Abandonment, Sexual content, and Mental illness
Moderate: Toxic relationship and Panic attacks/disorders
Minor: Animal death
redheadbookgirl's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
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
5.0
Zanders + Stevie have my heart 🥹 This book is the perfect blend of banter, spice, romance, sports + emotion. Although it’s a chunk at just under 600 pages, I read it in just a few sittings because I just couldn’t put it down: it was such a fun and engrossing read.
I love an enemies to lovers trope + all the sassy back and forth and tension that comes with it, and it was done perfectly in this plot. Stevie was a fierce and sassy character with quick wit but a lot of insecurities: she was real and relatable + she’s easy to connect to as a character. Zanders was cocky, confident + egotistic but incredibly loyal and when he let his barriers down… *swoon*🤌🏽 he was a total sweetheart to Stevie, and a massive softie at heart 🫶🏽
If you’re not yet convinced, there’s dogs.. lots of dogs!
Between the banter, the steam (we’ll ignore the third act breakup: my one + only complaint), the hockey scenes, the depth to the characters, the honest communication about mental health and therapy, the friendships and found family? This was book perfection 🙌🏽
I love an enemies to lovers trope + all the sassy back and forth and tension that comes with it, and it was done perfectly in this plot. Stevie was a fierce and sassy character with quick wit but a lot of insecurities: she was real and relatable + she’s easy to connect to as a character. Zanders was cocky, confident + egotistic but incredibly loyal and when he let his barriers down… *swoon*🤌🏽 he was a total sweetheart to Stevie, and a massive softie at heart 🫶🏽
If you’re not yet convinced, there’s dogs.. lots of dogs!
Between the banter, the steam (we’ll ignore the third act breakup: my one + only complaint), the hockey scenes, the depth to the characters, the honest communication about mental health and therapy, the friendships and found family? This was book perfection 🙌🏽
Content Warnings
Moderate: Body shaming, Panic attacks/disorders, and Abandonment
Minor: Fatphobia, Toxic friendship, Death of parent, and Emotional abuse