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4.16 AVERAGE
4.16 AVERAGE
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
emotional
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
It’s hard for me to believe that these characters would fall in love with each other.
As an example, Aspen’s chronic pain and injuries are part of the story but I can’t help but feel like something is missing. I am not immersed in her reality of living with long term pain and the day to day sacrifices it takes and how it affects body, mood, personality.
The writing of her personality is somewhat disjointed. Her personality is supposed to be muted because she’s ignoring her problems (What about the strain of daily physical pain? Does it give her apathy? Irritability? How is that muting the expression of her self? What about maintaining her sobriety?)
Cate has a lot of soul searching to do herself. Cate’s actions and words especially in the first act are disjointed to me.
I also can’t see these two getting together easily after the way things were handled in the first act. Frankly, I’m not a big fan of either of the characters. Not that they are bad people. And I am also not a fan of the pacing of their relationship (getting together and building something like love).
With 2 people that are so different and with just okay communication skills it’s hard for me to believe in their story.
Finally, there’s an inherent assumption throughout the book, that money is not an issue. And for a lot of the ‘obstacles’ presented in the plot, a lot of things require affluence so that they are solved that easily/fast. Thus weakening the value of a plot because the characters have the money and ability to not be faced with delays, moving when they want to, having luxurious vacations, big houses. It left a weird taste in my mouth.
As an example, Aspen’s chronic pain and injuries are part of the story but I can’t help but feel like something is missing. I am not immersed in her reality of living with long term pain and the day to day sacrifices it takes and how it affects body, mood, personality.
The writing of her personality is somewhat disjointed. Her personality is supposed to be muted because she’s ignoring her problems (What about the strain of daily physical pain? Does it give her apathy? Irritability? How is that muting the expression of her self? What about maintaining her sobriety?)
Cate has a lot of soul searching to do herself. Cate’s actions and words especially in the first act are disjointed to me.
I also can’t see these two getting together easily after the way things were handled in the first act. Frankly, I’m not a big fan of either of the characters. Not that they are bad people. And I am also not a fan of the pacing of their relationship (getting together and building something like love).
With 2 people that are so different and with just okay communication skills it’s hard for me to believe in their story.
Finally, there’s an inherent assumption throughout the book, that money is not an issue. And for a lot of the ‘obstacles’ presented in the plot, a lot of things require affluence so that they are solved that easily/fast. Thus weakening the value of a plot because the characters have the money and ability to not be faced with delays, moving when they want to, having luxurious vacations, big houses. It left a weird taste in my mouth.
adventurous
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
emotional
hopeful
reflective
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
I do not believe I can count on one hand the number of times I have read "Gold" in the past 18 months. E.J. Noyes knocked it out of the ballpark with this one as it still makes tears fall out of my face... and NOT because of a gut-punch third-act breakup, because she created such believable, relatable, and lovable characters that you can't help but keep trying to ship them.
Aspen Archer is a former Olympian and World Medal skier. Many previous injuries and a terrible fall on her skis had taken her off the competition circuit. She now gives private skiing lessons across the globe, trotting wherever her heart decides to go. We meet her at a ski resort in Australia, and we get to know her intimately through this first-person point of view story (I've decided that first-person stories are my favorites).
Aspen meets Kate by way of giving Kate's daughter, Gemma, ski lessons. Ironically, both Kate and Aspen are from the United States, and Kate lives near Aspen's hometown in Colorado. Additionally, Kate, a physical therapist, reveals that Aspen's injuries were case studies during her schooling.
After a quick and spicy romance, Kate decides that she cannot pursue a relationship with Aspen when she returns home. The reasoning is that Aspen just isn't taking care of her wrecked body, and Kate and Gemma need someone who loves themself better.
The story unfolds from there, where we see Aspen become introspective and grow, learning how to mature without sacrificing her childlikeness.
We also witness Kate learn how to trust after her previous partner controlled and manipulated her.
My favorite part was watching the bond between Gemma and Aspen grow stronger.
Of course, you KNOW I did NOT eyeball this one. I let my earballs do the work. I would argue that this is Abby Craden's best work. The pain and fear we hear in the characters' voices, especially from Kate at the end, is palpable. Abby's voice for "littles" is always adorable, and this story includes an itty-bitty Phoebe, who just melts your heart.
I highly recommend this story. It has the spice (early on, too), tenderness, maturity, and just exuberant love.
Aspen Archer is a former Olympian and World Medal skier. Many previous injuries and a terrible fall on her skis had taken her off the competition circuit. She now gives private skiing lessons across the globe, trotting wherever her heart decides to go. We meet her at a ski resort in Australia, and we get to know her intimately through this first-person point of view story (I've decided that first-person stories are my favorites).
Aspen meets Kate by way of giving Kate's daughter, Gemma, ski lessons. Ironically, both Kate and Aspen are from the United States, and Kate lives near Aspen's hometown in Colorado. Additionally, Kate, a physical therapist, reveals that Aspen's injuries were case studies during her schooling.
After a quick and spicy romance, Kate decides that she cannot pursue a relationship with Aspen when she returns home. The reasoning is that Aspen just isn't taking care of her wrecked body, and Kate and Gemma need someone who loves themself better.
The story unfolds from there, where we see Aspen become introspective and grow, learning how to mature without sacrificing her childlikeness.
We also witness Kate learn how to trust after her previous partner controlled and manipulated her.
My favorite part was watching the bond between Gemma and Aspen grow stronger.
Of course, you KNOW I did NOT eyeball this one. I let my earballs do the work. I would argue that this is Abby Craden's best work. The pain and fear we hear in the characters' voices, especially from Kate at the end, is palpable. Abby's voice for "littles" is always adorable, and this story includes an itty-bitty Phoebe, who just melts your heart.
I highly recommend this story. It has the spice (early on, too), tenderness, maturity, and just exuberant love.
Content Warnings
Minor: Addiction
emotional
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
The MC was often in a sad, emotional, sunken place. I found it underwhelming.
emotional
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Minor: Addiction, Drug abuse, Panic attacks/disorders
adventurous
emotional
funny
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
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
relaxing
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I've now read 4 books by this author & she's fast becoming a top favorite. Her books feature very interesting characters & always a sizzling romance. This book is no exception, the main character Aspen is a former Olympian who ended her career via a horrifying accident at the games. She's spent her time away from the spotlight as a floating ski resort instructor. She's traveled the globe & currently is instructing in Australia.
She ends up teaching fellow Americans into Cate & her daughter Gemma, who are on holiday. Obviously a romantic fling begins between Cate & Aspen, which could lead to a great relationship so long as their past fears & failures don't overshadow them.
Another stellar story by this fantastic author.
She ends up teaching fellow Americans into Cate & her daughter Gemma, who are on holiday. Obviously a romantic fling begins between Cate & Aspen, which could lead to a great relationship so long as their past fears & failures don't overshadow them.
Another stellar story by this fantastic author.
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Solid read. Definitely cozy and showed more of the relationship as oposed to just them getting together.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Drug abuse, Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Addiction, Medical content, Medical trauma
Minor: Miscarriage, Physical abuse, Toxic relationship