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4.16 AVERAGE
4.16 AVERAGE
Despite the all the glowing reviews, this book didn’t stand out to me in the same way as it did for others. It was definitely one of the better sports oriented books I’ve read and was the best in involving nuances of communication. This is a really good book and the pace is quite varied. It was missing something but I’m not sure what exactly. I’ll update this review if I think of it.
The story might seem familiar: retired injured Olympian meets a single mother and romance happens. However, I like that we're also shown the difficulties Aspen (the MC ) had to go through and is currently experiencing after her injuries. We also have Cate, who has her own problems and baggage. It would've been simple to have them meet, fall in love, and happily-ever-after. The story arc makes Aspen, especially, a fuller character since it's told from her POV.
This book is in my recommended books of the month
https://lezreviewbooks.com/recommended-lesfic-books-of-june-2018/
'Gold' is the third book by Ms. Noyes that won't disappoint her growing fan base. I think by now lesfic readers can agree that she has evolved from a promising writer to a damn good one.
Pro alpine skier Aspen Archer is retired from competitive skiing due to a serious injury. She prefers to keep a low profile by teaching in ski resorts and hiding her problems. While working in Australia, she meets Cate Tierney, a Physical therapist with relationship issues and a teenage daughter. Their mutual attraction is undeniable but will their emotional baggage get in the way of happiness?
This book is written in first person as it's this author's usual style (she affirms that she cannot write in third person). As the story is told from Aspen's point of view, the reader gets into her headspace enjoying her sarcasm and wit while suffering with her insecurity and anxiety. Aspen lives with constant physical pain in addition to her inability to redeem herself. Her suffering is so raw that we want to shake her out of it though it's a fight she has to do for herself. On the other hand, we know little about Cate as each layer of her story is peeled excruciatingly slow. We don't understand many things that she does or says but Ms. Noyes gradually clues us in. Together, their chemistry is spot on, realistic and hot.
All the secondary characters, children and adults, are well defined and have their own distinctive voice. I love the way this author casually drops hints about the characters' personalities and hides others, unapologetically teasing the reader. She suddenly throws a tidbit of information that ties a loose knot or reveals something that we didn't know it was missing. These are fantastic 'penny drops' moments such as, for example, the reason for Aspen's agent nickname. Ms. Noyes doesn't give in to the urge to make us understand or to explain what's going on. The characters and the story talk for themselves. As a result, the book is a delightful read with a good balance between enjoyment and angst.
Overall, another winner by EJ Noyes. 5 stars.
ARC provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
See all my reviews at
www.lezreviewbooks.wordpress.com
https://lezreviewbooks.com/recommended-lesfic-books-of-june-2018/
'Gold' is the third book by Ms. Noyes that won't disappoint her growing fan base. I think by now lesfic readers can agree that she has evolved from a promising writer to a damn good one.
Pro alpine skier Aspen Archer is retired from competitive skiing due to a serious injury. She prefers to keep a low profile by teaching in ski resorts and hiding her problems. While working in Australia, she meets Cate Tierney, a Physical therapist with relationship issues and a teenage daughter. Their mutual attraction is undeniable but will their emotional baggage get in the way of happiness?
This book is written in first person as it's this author's usual style (she affirms that she cannot write in third person). As the story is told from Aspen's point of view, the reader gets into her headspace enjoying her sarcasm and wit while suffering with her insecurity and anxiety. Aspen lives with constant physical pain in addition to her inability to redeem herself. Her suffering is so raw that we want to shake her out of it though it's a fight she has to do for herself. On the other hand, we know little about Cate as each layer of her story is peeled excruciatingly slow. We don't understand many things that she does or says but Ms. Noyes gradually clues us in. Together, their chemistry is spot on, realistic and hot.
All the secondary characters, children and adults, are well defined and have their own distinctive voice. I love the way this author casually drops hints about the characters' personalities and hides others, unapologetically teasing the reader. She suddenly throws a tidbit of information that ties a loose knot or reveals something that we didn't know it was missing. These are fantastic 'penny drops' moments such as, for example, the reason for Aspen's agent nickname. Ms. Noyes doesn't give in to the urge to make us understand or to explain what's going on. The characters and the story talk for themselves. As a result, the book is a delightful read with a good balance between enjoyment and angst.
Overall, another winner by EJ Noyes. 5 stars.
ARC provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
See all my reviews at
www.lezreviewbooks.wordpress.com
Goooooooooooooooold!!!!!!!!
What a stu.pen.dous book! E.J. Noyes has scored a hattrick with Gold, an excellent feel good romance that ticks all the boxes. I’m such a fan of this woman’s writing. I was swept off my feet after her debut novel Ask Tell and will buy everything she puts out, don’t even need to read the blurb.
I could go on and on and explain in great detail what I loved about this book but what’s the point if fucking everything was bloody perfect?! The romance is awesome, I had such a character crush on Cate, I would marry her in a heartbeat (sorry Aspen).
There are not many books that leave you euphoric after you finish them. This one does. I’m high as a kite right now on lurve. Lol!
Buy this book, people. Enjoy it and sing E. J. Noyes’ praises far and wide and let her know how much you love and appreciate her fabulous contribution to the lesfic community.
f/f off the wall sexual chemistry!
Themes: I was ambivalent about skiing but I love it when Noyes writes about it, prescription drug addiction, such a wonderful romance, there is some relationship related angst but not of the stupid kind, this was constructive to the story and none of that where-at-the-80%-mark-lets-throw-in-some-bullshit-angst-to-stirr-the-pot-for-no-reason angst.
5 Olympic stars
What a stu.pen.dous book! E.J. Noyes has scored a hattrick with Gold, an excellent feel good romance that ticks all the boxes. I’m such a fan of this woman’s writing. I was swept off my feet after her debut novel Ask Tell and will buy everything she puts out, don’t even need to read the blurb.
I could go on and on and explain in great detail what I loved about this book but what’s the point if fucking everything was bloody perfect?! The romance is awesome, I had such a character crush on Cate, I would marry her in a heartbeat (sorry Aspen).
There are not many books that leave you euphoric after you finish them. This one does. I’m high as a kite right now on lurve. Lol!
Buy this book, people. Enjoy it and sing E. J. Noyes’ praises far and wide and let her know how much you love and appreciate her fabulous contribution to the lesfic community.
f/f off the wall sexual chemistry!
Themes: I was ambivalent about skiing but I love it when Noyes writes about it, prescription drug addiction, such a wonderful romance, there is some relationship related angst but not of the stupid kind, this was constructive to the story and none of that where-at-the-80%-mark-lets-throw-in-some-bullshit-angst-to-stirr-the-pot-for-no-reason angst.
5 Olympic stars
I liked the MC and her LI well enough, but the side characters are absent to perfunctory-support-system at best. So it could have been okay, if not for the formulaic conflict/separation to prompt character growth. It was less fake/dramatic than usual but still unnecessary and I would have liked a story of a healthy relationship helping the MC in that respect so much more. And then, the pace of their relationship is so unrealistic (getting engaged within 3 months, as well as resolving years of self-hate for one and emotional abuse for the other in that same time) , it made me hate the ending.