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4.18 AVERAGE
4.18 AVERAGE
emotional
tense
medium-paced
Loved it!
I really enjoyed this story. Great writing, great characters and fab plot.
I loved how strong Maverick and Clover became together and how well they fitted together.
I really enjoyed this story. Great writing, great characters and fab plot.
I loved how strong Maverick and Clover became together and how well they fitted together.
Once again Helena Hunting’s writing shows depth, eloquence, and intensity in “Bitter Sweet Heart”, book 2 of the “Little Lies” series. The character development is top notch while the storyline is paced perfectly.
Living in the shadow of his father’s legendary hockey career, 21-yr-old Maverick Waters struggles with what he thinks his dream “should” be or what his dream “truly” is. And just to add to his personal battle, he suffers through nightmares and regret due to his sister’s childhood trauma. He questions his role in life, decisions, and his relationship with his bestie, Kody and sister, Lavender. You know….usually “new adult” stuff.
What he does not expect, however, is a slight pause in all these questions. This pause is in the form of 29 yr-old Clover Sweet, a summer hook up who ends up being his psychology professor. As their chemistry returns, Mav and Clover try their damnest to steer clear. With a slip up here and there, they make some mature decisions during Mav’s final year in college.
I expected a very spicy age gap romance, but I got so much more. I embraced the rawness of Mav’s love for Clover and his vulnerability with his loved ones.
Maverick is not only selfless and protective, but he’s known to put himself before others and as Kody puts it, he lives up to his name: “You’ve never been one to conform. You make your own rules. And you never take the path of least resistance.”
With that said, you will love Maverick. I laughed with him. I cried for him. I embraced his heartwarming conversations with his friends and above all, with his father. If you’re experiencing a lack of closure in an aspect of your life (like I am), this story is therapeutic.
Thanks to the author for an early copy.
Living in the shadow of his father’s legendary hockey career, 21-yr-old Maverick Waters struggles with what he thinks his dream “should” be or what his dream “truly” is. And just to add to his personal battle, he suffers through nightmares and regret due to his sister’s childhood trauma. He questions his role in life, decisions, and his relationship with his bestie, Kody and sister, Lavender. You know….usually “new adult” stuff.
What he does not expect, however, is a slight pause in all these questions. This pause is in the form of 29 yr-old Clover Sweet, a summer hook up who ends up being his psychology professor. As their chemistry returns, Mav and Clover try their damnest to steer clear. With a slip up here and there, they make some mature decisions during Mav’s final year in college.
I expected a very spicy age gap romance, but I got so much more. I embraced the rawness of Mav’s love for Clover and his vulnerability with his loved ones.
Maverick is not only selfless and protective, but he’s known to put himself before others and as Kody puts it, he lives up to his name: “You’ve never been one to conform. You make your own rules. And you never take the path of least resistance.”
With that said, you will love Maverick. I laughed with him. I cried for him. I embraced his heartwarming conversations with his friends and above all, with his father. If you’re experiencing a lack of closure in an aspect of your life (like I am), this story is therapeutic.
Thanks to the author for an early copy.
Quality quality. This spin off series is really awesome. When I read Little Lies I decided it was my favorite book of hers but now I’m going to have to reread it because I’m no longer certain. And that’s really the best outcome you could hope for in a book two of a romance series imo.
As with Little Lies I loved that there was so much more than just romance to this book. Also while totally a hockey romance it wasn’t totally (imagine italics) a hockey romance. Also all the heavy stuff in Little Lies doesn’t just disappear which is great, because Mav was there too. Lastly this book is at the same time as Kody/Lav and it’s done really well which isn’t always the case.
Thanks for the arc Helena because waiting would’ve been tough
As with Little Lies I loved that there was so much more than just romance to this book. Also while totally a hockey romance it wasn’t totally (imagine italics) a hockey romance. Also all the heavy stuff in Little Lies doesn’t just disappear which is great, because Mav was there too. Lastly this book is at the same time as Kody/Lav and it’s done really well which isn’t always the case.
Thanks for the arc Helena because waiting would’ve been tough
Seeing the second generation of some of my favorite books makes me happy. I was so excited when I started this book. I normally go into books not knowing what they were about and didn't figure out it was a second gen book until an embarrassing percentage into it. I loved the relationship between Clover and Maverick. Taboo books are some of my favorites and I fell in love with the story. I do think that it was pretty repetitive and some of the storyline kept coming up an annoying amount of times. Also I know the author is from Canada, but using the word convocation instead of graduation threw me off. I had no idea what a convocation was until I realized that Maverick was graduating. I loved how Violet was still unafraid to say whatever she wanted and stayed loyal to her family. Her concern over the relationship was a little annoying considering her story in Pucked, but I understand where she is coming from as she is Maverick's mom.
I was very lucky to receive an ARC of Bitter Sweet Heart. Helena Hunting is one of my favorite authors and I love love love the Pucked world. Getting to catch up with all the other characters is always a bonus to her books, I might have to go back and start that series over again. Clover and Maverick are such a cute couple. They are both going through their own issues, but are drawn to each other, even though their relationship is taboo while she's his professor. I love when Maverick puts Violet in her place about the age gap between him and Clover, because he was right, no one would question when the man is the older one in the relationship. I also really enjoyed Maverick's conversations with Lavender about the events in the past that he was hanging onto a lot of guilt for and that she was able to help him work through and move past it. Their sibling relationship is one a lot of people aspire to have. Mav's relationship with BJ was also great to read. BJ really makes Mav think and asks him the tough questions. Since this book takes place over the course of a year, there is so much I could say about the story, but I don't want to give anything away. I will just end my review saying I loved this book and I hope we get BJ's story next.
A couple quotes from the book I loved:
BJ talking to Maverick about Lavender and Kody: "He only experiences the world in two ways - full color or none at all. And Lavender, well, she's his fucking rainbow."
Also BJ talking to Maverick: "Unconsciously, consciously, you protect everyone around you. Which begs the question, who protects you?"
A couple quotes from the book I loved:
BJ talking to Maverick about Lavender and Kody: "He only experiences the world in two ways - full color or none at all. And Lavender, well, she's his fucking rainbow."
Also BJ talking to Maverick: "Unconsciously, consciously, you protect everyone around you. Which begs the question, who protects you?"
** spoiler alert ** cw: DV, coercive behaviour, childhood trauma
The second book following the children from the Pucked/All In series', Bitter Sweet Heart tells the story of Maverick and Clover. Maverick is the middle child of Violet and her husband, hockey legend Alex Waters. When a mystery woman literally floats into his life, it's supposed to be one last fling before he concentrates on his final year at college. So, when he turns up for class, the last person he expects to find teaching his course is the mysterious woman. Clover Sweet has just come out of a controlling relationship. The last thing she needs is to get involved with someone new. And DEFINITELY not the younger, insanely hot student.
Mav is such an old soul, a natural caregiver, and protector. Seemingly fun-loving, we quickly discover that there's an awful lot of things going on internally. Still carrying his own guilt for things that happened to his sister, Lavender, one of my favourite things about him is that it's clear that he would happily do all of the things he does for Clover for any other person. Of course, he's attracted to her, but he isn't doing any of it just to impress her. That was SO attractive. For someone who is always the caregiver, it broke my heart how little care he received in return. Part of that was because he always deflected, and often pretended he was fine. But it was very clear that still Waters run deep. The chapters where he finally opens up are filled with catharsis and extremely emotional to read.
I really loved Clover. An age-gap professor plot could very easily have verged into creepy territory, but once again it's a testament to Helena's writing that what we actually get is a meeting of minds, hearts, and spirits with Mav and Clover. Clover is such a great listener. She asks Mav the right questions and helps him work through a lot of long-repressed trauma. It was absolutely beautiful to read. Just like her surname, she's sweet, kind, and not afraid to fight for those she cares about. Their chemistry was palpable in every scene.
I loved returning to the Pucked/All In families: Randy, from who BJ clearly gets his astute observation skills: Gram-pot Waters and his 'special' cookies (and discovering how much River loves them); the teeny peek at Aspen (yeah, I'm praying for a nerdy STEM romance now Helena); a glimpse of Logan; and last, but absolutely not least, Alex and Violet. I loved Momma Bear Vi, and THAT conversation between Alex and Mav tore my heart open. Seriously. I sobbed. And that epilogue? *chef's kiss*
This book was gorgeous, often complex, sometimes unexpected, but ultimately everything I could have hoped for.
Overall Rating: ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️ (All the hearts!)
Heat Rating:
The second book following the children from the Pucked/All In series', Bitter Sweet Heart tells the story of Maverick and Clover. Maverick is the middle child of Violet and her husband, hockey legend Alex Waters. When a mystery woman literally floats into his life, it's supposed to be one last fling before he concentrates on his final year at college. So, when he turns up for class, the last person he expects to find teaching his course is the mysterious woman. Clover Sweet has just come out of a controlling relationship. The last thing she needs is to get involved with someone new. And DEFINITELY not the younger, insanely hot student.
Mav is such an old soul, a natural caregiver, and protector. Seemingly fun-loving, we quickly discover that there's an awful lot of things going on internally. Still carrying his own guilt for things that happened to his sister, Lavender, one of my favourite things about him is that it's clear that he would happily do all of the things he does for Clover for any other person. Of course, he's attracted to her, but he isn't doing any of it just to impress her. That was SO attractive. For someone who is always the caregiver, it broke my heart how little care he received in return. Part of that was because he always deflected, and often pretended he was fine. But it was very clear that still Waters run deep. The chapters where he finally opens up are filled with catharsis and extremely emotional to read.
I really loved Clover. An age-gap professor plot could very easily have verged into creepy territory, but once again it's a testament to Helena's writing that what we actually get is a meeting of minds, hearts, and spirits with Mav and Clover. Clover is such a great listener. She asks Mav the right questions and helps him work through a lot of long-repressed trauma. It was absolutely beautiful to read. Just like her surname, she's sweet, kind, and not afraid to fight for those she cares about. Their chemistry was palpable in every scene.
I loved returning to the Pucked/All In families: Randy, from who BJ clearly gets his astute observation skills: Gram-pot Waters and his 'special' cookies (and discovering how much River loves them); the teeny peek at Aspen (yeah, I'm praying for a nerdy STEM romance now Helena); a glimpse of Logan; and last, but absolutely not least, Alex and Violet. I loved Momma Bear Vi, and THAT conversation between Alex and Mav tore my heart open. Seriously. I sobbed. And that epilogue? *chef's kiss*
This book was gorgeous, often complex, sometimes unexpected, but ultimately everything I could have hoped for.
Overall Rating: ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️ (All the hearts!)
Heat Rating:
It's no secret that I love a reverse age gap, but normally I steer clear of teacher/student dynamics as I don't enjoy the implied power play. However, this story successfully treads a fine line of leaning into the taboo without quite crossing the line.
Things kick off over the summer when Clover, quite literally, floats into Maverick's life and they end up having a hot and heavy one night stand with no personal details exchanged. When he turns up for the first creative writing class of the university year he finds Clover is his substitute teacher that semester, and while their relationship develops, nothing physical actually happens while she is his teacher, they are very clear about waiting until the semester is over.
Both Maverick and Clover are dealing with past trauma, plus Maverick has big decisions to make about his future, so there's lots going on in the story aside from their burgeoning relationship. But this doesn't stop Maverick, who is such a protector, and Clo, who is a dose of sunshine, from developing a deep connection. Their chemistry is hot and the story, especially with the resolution to the problem of Clo's ex-husband, is captivating.
I don't often re-read books but Bitter Sweet Lies has definitely joined that list!
Things kick off over the summer when Clover, quite literally, floats into Maverick's life and they end up having a hot and heavy one night stand with no personal details exchanged. When he turns up for the first creative writing class of the university year he finds Clover is his substitute teacher that semester, and while their relationship develops, nothing physical actually happens while she is his teacher, they are very clear about waiting until the semester is over.
Both Maverick and Clover are dealing with past trauma, plus Maverick has big decisions to make about his future, so there's lots going on in the story aside from their burgeoning relationship. But this doesn't stop Maverick, who is such a protector, and Clo, who is a dose of sunshine, from developing a deep connection. Their chemistry is hot and the story, especially with the resolution to the problem of Clo's ex-husband, is captivating.
I don't often re-read books but Bitter Sweet Lies has definitely joined that list!