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cozycritiques's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
5.0
”Beck boops me on the nose, and I jerk back out of his hold and get the hell away. He waits until the elevator doors are closing before he gets in the final word. Like usual. “May the best captain win.””
- Face Offs & Cheap Shots
Tropes: Sports Romance (Hockey), College Romance, Teammates, Enemies to Lovers, Opposites Attract, Queer Awakening
Representation: LGBQ+ (Gay, Pansexual)
Spice Scale: 🌶🌶🌶🌶
CW: Hazing, Underage Drinking, Coming Out, Misogyny
Enemies to lovers is one of those tropes that can be so difficult to do without making both characters utterly unlikeable or so that it’s hard to believe they could ever actually fall in love. However, this is probably one of the softest enemies to lovers stories I’ve ever read. Beck and Jacob’s rivalry in the beginning was executed perfectly, having the right amount of snark and witty banter without it being over the top. From the beginning, you could tell something was under the surface. Like Zach said, the sexual tension coming off of them was palpable, especially during the challenges the team set for them to compete for team captain. But that sexual tension quickly became so much more, and I couldn’t help grinning as Beck and Jacobs began falling for each other hard.
I am such a sucker for queer awakenings, and so the fact that this book had two made it that much better. They are both handled so well and so differently, which felt really authentic to the characters. Jacobs processing his previous possible queer feelings in the context of his growing feelings for Beck was a nice contrast to Beck’s sexual awakening, which was taken much more in stride.
This is slowly becoming my new favorite series. I loved Power Plays & Straight A’s, but Face Offs & Cheap Shots was even better. It was well-paced, spicier, and had more character development and growth, but it still captured the fluffy, low-stakes vibe of the first book I loved so much. It also set up the next book's plot, so I’m excited to see where that goes.
- Face Offs & Cheap Shots
Tropes: Sports Romance (Hockey), College Romance, Teammates, Enemies to Lovers, Opposites Attract, Queer Awakening
Representation: LGBQ+ (Gay, Pansexual)
Spice Scale: 🌶🌶🌶🌶
CW: Hazing, Underage Drinking, Coming Out, Misogyny
Enemies to lovers is one of those tropes that can be so difficult to do without making both characters utterly unlikeable or so that it’s hard to believe they could ever actually fall in love. However, this is probably one of the softest enemies to lovers stories I’ve ever read. Beck and Jacob’s rivalry in the beginning was executed perfectly, having the right amount of snark and witty banter without it being over the top. From the beginning, you could tell something was under the surface. Like Zach said, the sexual tension coming off of them was palpable, especially during the challenges the team set for them to compete for team captain. But that sexual tension quickly became so much more, and I couldn’t help grinning as Beck and Jacobs began falling for each other hard.
I am such a sucker for queer awakenings, and so the fact that this book had two made it that much better. They are both handled so well and so differently, which felt really authentic to the characters. Jacobs processing his previous possible queer feelings in the context of his growing feelings for Beck was a nice contrast to Beck’s sexual awakening, which was taken much more in stride.
This is slowly becoming my new favorite series. I loved Power Plays & Straight A’s, but Face Offs & Cheap Shots was even better. It was well-paced, spicier, and had more character development and growth, but it still captured the fluffy, low-stakes vibe of the first book I loved so much. It also set up the next book's plot, so I’m excited to see where that goes.
Content Warnings
Minor: Alcohol and Misogyny
Hazing, Underage Drinking, Coming Outapolen's review against another edition
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cursing and Sexual content
Minor: Misogyny and Homophobia
ruthiedr89's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Sexism and Misogyny
Minor: Classism and Alcohol
20sidedbi's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.25
Some of the hottest sex of this series, but way more cliches and stereotypes.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Outing, Alcohol, Alcoholism, and Classism
Moderate: Homophobia and Misogyny
bookishval's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
Omg this was such a fun read!
To be honest, I was hesitant at first about reading this book, because even though I loved The Frat Wars by Saxon James and I'm familiar with Eden Finley's works, the first book in this series didn't do it for me. I DNF'd it.
But I love a good rivals to lovers with banter, so I gave this book a chance. And it didn't disappoint me!
I finished this book in less than a day, it gave me everything I love about this two authors' writing style. The banter was great, the dynamic and chemistry between the leads was amazing, the spicy scenes were so well placed and written!! Also, the dual povs definitely made the story more entertaining.
Like most of Saxon's books, this was such a fast, hilarious and spicy read, exactly what I needed right now! Also, really appreciated the no third act break up. I prefer it when the leads actually communicate and trust each other, which is what happened in this book. I was honestly so scared that there was gonna be an awful and unrealistic breakup, but no worries!
This book gave me what I needed, and even though I don't see myself finishing the first one, I'm really excited to try out the others in this hockey saga:)
To be honest, I was hesitant at first about reading this book, because even though I loved The Frat Wars by Saxon James and I'm familiar with Eden Finley's works, the first book in this series didn't do it for me. I DNF'd it.
But I love a good rivals to lovers with banter, so I gave this book a chance. And it didn't disappoint me!
I finished this book in less than a day, it gave me everything I love about this two authors' writing style. The banter was great, the dynamic and chemistry between the leads was amazing, the spicy scenes were so well placed and written!! Also, the dual povs definitely made the story more entertaining.
Like most of Saxon's books, this was such a fast, hilarious and spicy read, exactly what I needed right now! Also, really appreciated the no third act break up. I prefer it when the leads actually communicate and trust each other, which is what happened in this book. I was honestly so scared that there was gonna be an awful and unrealistic breakup, but no worries!
This book gave me what I needed, and even though I don't see myself finishing the first one, I'm really excited to try out the others in this hockey saga:)
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny, Sexism, and Sexual content
Moderate: Homophobia
tankytoon's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Better than the first installment definitely. Sexier, wittier, meaty-er.
Loved the banter between Beck and Jacobs. Not calling them Topher and Teddy as it's cringey.
Double-awekening is one of my fave tropes but somehow it was too quick for me. They went from 0 to 180 in a matter of chapters and not sure if I'm on board with that.
Although Jacobs loosening up and Beck adulting do make up for their insta- mutual hate/love, I still have some reservations about how neatly everything resolves itself.
Lighthearted read but most likely not continuing with the series.
Loved the banter between Beck and Jacobs. Not calling them Topher and Teddy as it's cringey.
Double-awekening is one of my fave tropes but somehow it was too quick for me. They went from 0 to 180 in a matter of chapters and not sure if I'm on board with that.
Although Jacobs loosening up and Beck adulting do make up for their insta- mutual hate/love, I still have some reservations about how neatly everything resolves itself.
Lighthearted read but most likely not continuing with the series.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny and Gaslighting
annikaa's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
funny
lighthearted
reflective
fast-paced
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Misogyny and Sexism
Minor: Homophobia
nickoliver's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
3.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content and Cursing
Moderate: Misogyny
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