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4.18 AVERAGE
4.18 AVERAGE
I read this one within a day— I simply could not put it down. It executed some of my favorite tropes so well!
I loved Maverick and Clover as individual protagonists and together as romantic couple. They were such wonderfully layered, complex characters that had their own individual arcs apart from their brewing love story. But, of course, their love story was just as powerfully and beautifully done as their solo arcs. Sometimes I felt so anxious, fearful they’d be “caught.” I truly rooted for them to find a way forward, together.
I also appreciated that as delectable as the smut scenes were, there was always time to ensure consent.
I had only brief, minor qualms. To be honest one of my pet peeves is calling young(er) characters “old souls,” that happened a few times which I can’t say I’m fond of. But that’s, again, just a personal nitpick. I also did have some trouble with the ending, I am not sure if I fully embraced every aspect— but I most certainly embraced this whole book.
This story captured my heart and it’s one I absolutely recommend to all.
This book is a standalone that connects to a larger world, with characters and references to the prior books. I have not read its predecessors and didn’t have any trouble at all familiarizing myself with established characters and events. The author did a great job allowing this book to stand on its own and welcoming new readers in.
I received this book for free from Social Butterfly PR in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
My Thoughts
Before I dive into the review, I want to situate this book in the world it exists. Bitter Sweet Heart is part of H. Hunting's Lies, Hearts & Truths Series which follows the adult children of characters from two of her other series. Specifically the Pucked and All In Series written as Helena Hunting. Bitter Sweet Heart occurs around the same time frame of what happens in Little Lies; however, where Little Lies focuses on how Lavender (Waters - Pucked) and Kody (Bowman - Lie for a Lie) cope with a trauma they all experienced children, BSH is how that trauma impacted Maverick and his journey toward healing.
"But if this is too much for you, all you have to do is tell me I'm alone in this, that my feelings are misplaces. Doesn't matter if it's true or not. I'll go. I'll walk away. I don't deserve you anyway."
H. Hunting
We meet Maverick in Little Lies as a college hockey star and protective big brother who gives his smiles (among other things) freely but doesn't do relationships. His senior year of college brings with it a lot of stress about what the future holds, including being drafted into the NHL and learning his intense summer one-night stand is his new professor. *gasp*
Bitter Sweet Heart is an age gap romance that really doesn't feel like an age gap romance. Maverick and Clover are 8/9 years a part but with being in Maverick's head you quickly realize how fast he had to grow up after what Lavender experienced as a kid. I loved him in Little Lies but here, Maverick really shines. He is so incredibly thoughtful and self-aware but also filled with so much guilt that he is blinded to the impact he has on the lives of those around him.
I also thought Hunting did a fantastic job of showing how trauma can impact an entire family, even if they did not have the direct experience. Every member of the Waters family dealt with it in their own way and it changed the dynamic within their family for years to come. Maverick in particular felt like he was to blame for so many things that were out of his control that it impacted the role he played in his family, the relationships he let himself have and how he felt about himself as well as his future. It was so genuine and incredibly heartbreaking at times.
Overall
Overall, Bitter Sweet Heart was a more deeply emotional experience than I anticipated. Maverick and Clover's story is as much about their intense connection and steamy passion as it is about healing their wounds and trusting themselves. This might be my favorite series from Hunting. It is the perfect balance between romcom sports romance and heartbreaking, raw love. I cannot wait to see whose story we get next. Can I cast my vote for our resident Sage BJ?!
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About H. Hunting
NYT and USA Today bestselling author, Helena Hunting, writing as H. Hunting, lives on the outskirts of Toronto with her incredibly tolerant family and two moderately intolerant cats. She started her writing career with new adult angsty romance and branched out in sports romance and romantic comedies that will make you laugh and swoon. But sometimes she likes to serve up a little heartache on the way to the happily ever after.
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Clover’s ex is a d bag, and I got extra swoony over Mav being all protective and white knight for clover. I appreciated the conversation about hockey not being Mav’s end game. It’s refreshing to read a book where the college hockey player recognizes that pro isn’t goal for him. And as always love when Alex and violet show up for their kids and add to both the hilarity and wise words. They really are A+ parents.
And I always love to see how the little hints of something going on with Mav in Kody and Lav’s book play out here. Little Easter eggs are just the cherry on top for this second Gen of the pucked and all in series. I will devour this world every time.
I am so glad I sucked it up and read it anyway. Maverick seems like a douche because who wouldn't be if they blamed themselves for a tragic event and bore that burden for years? I absolutely love Maverick and his old soul, and the fact that Clover ended up being his professor never bothered me because he needed someone mature to understand that about him. Also, the whole thing about the Waters "curse" really was just the icing on the cake!
I also loved that Maverick chose his own path in the end. It was a surprising little twist that helped keep the story fresh and distinguished from Helena Hunting's other hockey books.
And I just can't get enough of the verbal diarrhea that Violet passed down to her children - laugh out loud funny every time!
Finally, the afterword that Helena wrote describing the journey of this book and how it relates to Little Lies was so moving and emotional. That the author can lay her heart out not just through her characters but by genuinely discussing the things in her own voice is absolutely refreshing.
This book though. OH MY FREAKING WORD. So good. Loved the hook up that turned out to be with his professor. Then as everything was unfolding, and we were finding out more about Mav's past, my heart was breaking. This man has been through some stuff. Don't get me wrong, Clover's storyline was intense as well, but really I read this book because it's a Waters kid, and I freaking love that fictional family.
The situation with Clover's ex I wasn't fully expecting. I mean I figured things would go down, but I wasn't expecting him to do what he did. But yet what I did expect him to do, he didn't do.
This book was an emotional roller coaster. Clover is such a good compliment to Maverick. She is everything he needs. The way they support each other, even when they should stay apart, is truly touching and beautiful.
Alex Waters brought me to tears at one point. Seeing Violet and Alex as parents is one of my favorite things. They aren't perfect and they definitely make mistakes where Maverick is concerned. But they are loving and kind. And trying to do right by their kids. Violet in Mama bear mode was EVERYTHING!
There are so many moments in the story where you can see how caring and protective Maverick is. He melted my heart many times over.
This is a standalone but I highly recommend reading Little Lies first. You get a lot of background and there.