172 reviews for:

One-Touch Pass

J.J. Mulder

4.1 AVERAGE

homestar_runner's review against another edition

4.75

emotional 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

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Such a good book!  So glad we got Marcos' story and he got his HEA!

jamieb_19's review against another edition

4.5

emotional funny hopeful 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

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“You’re really pretty,” I hear myself say, completely unbidden. “Like my horse.”

I’ve enjoyed this series so much, and this latest addition was just as wonderful. Nate and Marcos were adorable. I loved how Nate had zero chill when it came to Marcos. He saw him, he wanted him, and he put his all into winning him over. Marcos was wary, naturally, but Marcos wasn't immune to Nate’s charms for very long. It was nice seeing Marcos find someone outside of Max that he could lean on. Nate helped Marcos in so many ways, a lot like Luke helped Max in Save the Game. This book was a great complement to Max’s book, and I’m glad we got to see both him and Marcos heal after the trauma that happened when they first transferred to SCU.

I’m shaky with the realization that I am completely fucked. I don’t want to be friends with Nate. Not even a little bit. Friends is nowhere near good enough.

In this book, we get to see exactly how much what happened to Max affected Marcos, too. It was heartbreaking seeing the guilt he carried and how he felt like he needed to protect everyone. It was a heavy burden on his shoulders, and he had no one to talk to about it. I was glad that he sought help in this book and that he and Max finally talked about it now that Max was in a better place.

I also thought Marcos’ touch aversion was handled very well. Here you have Nate, who by nature is a touchy-feely, friendly guy, and he’s head over heels for Marcos, who can barely stand anyone touching him on a good day, and you have a bit of a conflict. But I thought the way they talked through it and the way Nate was patient and understanding were great. There was a lot of great communication between these guys when it came to all sorts of topics. I loved to see it.

All the bits on Nate’s uncle’s ranch were also fun. Seeing the way Marcos took to baby Tuna was the sweetest, and I think the slower lifestyle there was good for him, too. I’m glad we had another epilogue and a bonus chapter so we could see a bit into the future! I already miss these guys and look forward to reading book 5 when it comes out!

Falling in love with Nate was a little like stumbling while walking down a hill. I tried to catch myself, but eventually gravity won.

joksas's review against another edition

2.75

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thought we were going to get a female side character at long last but alas, she showed up for two pages and was never seen or heard from again. then i thought we were getting a different one but it turns out she was just a horse. hard out here.

the cowboy ranch side quest dragged on long enough that i aged ten years. also i hate to be this person but marcos’s complete lack of job or rental plans as a graduating senior or for months following graduation had me ???? i was more stressed about his surely impending lease end date than he was, given it never was brought up once. i sure hope someone tells this man about the cpa exams because god knows he isn’t aware they exist 

as usual, lots of easily rectifiable plot and character choices that were baffling to the point of making the book less enjoyable. i walk a lonely road [looking for good hockey romances], the only one that i have ever known [since first stumbling upon heated rivalry and needing something to fill the void]

mollyreadsandcrafts's review against another edition

4.25

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We've met Marcos before as Max's best friend in Save the Game. Marcos has a huge heart and is highly empathetic, which means he takes on a lot of responsibility and blame that's not always his, especially with the Max situation. He is struggling with his anxiety and increasingly debilitating touch aversion when Nate blows into his life like a perfect sunshiney summer day. While at first he's in denial that someone like Nate could want him or that he's even ready for a relationship, Marcos soon realizes he can't ignore his attraction to Nate. He decides to prioritize his mental health so he can really be there for his friends and have the love he's always dreamed of. He goes on a journey of self love and finds himself happier than ever for it. 

Nate is so determined, endearing, and just a genuinely happy guy. Nate sees Marcos and knows that's it, that's what he wants, and he goes for it. He gladly falls head over heels for Marcos while working on being the perfect partner for him. He constantly shows up for him while letting him know in small ways that he listens and respects his boundaries. While a bit of a slow burner, when Marcos finally accepts his feelings he does everything he can to be apart of Nate's world. They have such a strong emotional connection first and foremost that they built slowly and steadily, making it easy to for both of them to open up and fall in love.

My biggest issue is that we never see Marcos tell Nate why he's become so much more touch averse recently - aka that Max situation. That was such a formative part of his story and his character and I wish we got to experience that conversation. I also wish we knew what happened with Marcos's therapy. I would've loved him to keep it up, or discuss with his parents about the severity of his issues and why he needed it. 

I love J.J. Mulder's stories, but there's always one or two important plot points that kind of get dropped off as the story goes on. I'd love to see her characters have those hard conversations that deepen their relationships, rather than just the glance over the issues, and have a strong ending. If these were addressed, these books would be easy five star reads for me which is why it bums me out. 

As always, I really enjoyed the story. A hockey player/cowboy? Hurt/comfort and grumpy/sunshine? The book was made for me. I'm secretly hoping for a cowboy/small town romance after the hockey series finishes up, their ranch seems like the perfect setting for more stories to be told! Plus - we need all the Nate, Marcos, and Tuna content. It's always great to see all the other characters, especially Max and Luke living out there happily ever after. I'm excited about the next story and getting to revisit everyone again! 

Read if you like:

• grumpy/sunshine

• hockey playing cowboy  

• hurt/comfort 

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johannasophie_x's review against another edition

4.75

adventurous emotional lighthearted slow-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

jbolki's review against another edition

4.0

emotional funny lighthearted relaxing 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

laul's review against another edition

3.5

emotional 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

wrappedupinrommance's review against another edition

4.0

emotional funny hopeful 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: No

outforawalk's review against another edition

4.5

funny hopeful lighthearted tense medium-paced

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: Complicated

anihot's review against another edition

3.75

emotional funny slow-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