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qraveline's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Drug abuse
Minor: Domestic abuse
lovemeknot's review against another edition
dark
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
5.0
Absolutely fantastic, honestly may be my favourite from E.J thus far, tied with if the shoe fits. Characters were incredibly loveable especially Gem and the story just had me engrossed, I laughed, I cried, some annoyance…which mostly came from the ending or last few chapters rather I hate that we didn’t hear from Aspens sister at all in the closing chapters, they were so close and so many big moments happened near the end of the book you’d think you’d hear from her but she was just non existent, I would have liked a big family moment Other than that grievance there’s not much else I didn’t like about the book. Highly recommended
patricia71's review against another edition
5.0
4,75 stars. E.J. Noyes is now one of my favorite writers of lesfic’s. Can’t wait to read her next books. I’ve read all her books up till now, so time to re-read or listen to the audio. Yes!! But this one....I have a feeling after reading this one that somewhere in the book I missed a couple of pages. And those pages were Cate’s history with her ex. I will be listening to the audio soon, so maybe then I will get that part. But because I ‘missed’ that for me important part, something lacked in this story. I would have been more emotional involved I think. But even with that missing it is still a very good book that I will be re-reading often. En Noyes writes some of the best sex scenes ever in all her books. This one will not disappoint in that way either.....damn!!!
sherpawhale's review against another edition
5.0
Man. I've seen people talk about how Gold is their favorite of Noyes, and I can see why now. Noyes really excels at rising above and beyond for the material, be it a military surgeon dealing with PTSD, a self-quarantined social science experiment, and then a former ski champion-turned chronic pain managing ski instructor. A lot of her romance novels could really just be novels, except with a lot of (well-written) smut xD.
Aspen's growth was so much fun to watch and cheer for, and it was fun to see Noyes tackle a relationship that starts quickly with sex before tackling mental issues.
Aspen's growth was so much fun to watch and cheer for, and it was fun to see Noyes tackle a relationship that starts quickly with sex before tackling mental issues.
judeinthestars's review against another edition
5.0
[May 2nd, 2020: Review updated after I listened to the audiobook]
April 2019 review:
So many feelings! What can I say? Read this book. It’s good. It’ll make you feel good.
A word of warning, though: Aspen suffers from anxiety and panic attacks, which are very accurately described. If you’re worried you might be triggered, maybe wait for the right time, when you’re feeling strong, to read this book, which is totally worth it.
May 2020 review:
When I read this book a year ago, I rated it 5*. I wish I had more stars to give the audiobook version. E. J. Noyes is an incredible writer, Abby Craden is an incredible narrator, and the combination of the two works perfectly every time.
After an accident brought an end to her career as an Alpine skier, Aspen Archer became a ski instructor, losing herself in the sports she loves despite not being able to compete anymore. On holidays in Australia, Cate Tierney hires Aspen to give lessons to her daughter Gemma, then for herself. The attraction between the two women is instant. Cate is everything Aspen wants in a woman: smart, beautiful, kind, and a mother to a clever and sweet kid. Cate’s feelings are just as strong but she comes with baggage (who doesn’t?) and is wary of asking too much from Aspen, who is a few years younger than her.
Pain, whether physical or mental, is a recurring theme is E. J. Noyes’ books, or, more specifically, the way her characters deal or do not deal with that pain. How they grow from it, with it, away from it. How they conquer it. In Gold, Aspen is living with physical pain from her accident and with anxiety and panic attacks that probably go back to way before that. Cate is recovering from an abusive relationship. Both are scared of themselves, of not being strong enough, and of not being able to be there for the other. What makes Noyes such a great writer (among other things) is her ability to always hint at hope, making the reader root passionately for her characters, feel optimistic even in the darkest times.
E. J. Noyes is also one of those writers who completely stump me and my review-writing skills. Nothing I write will do her books justice. I have so much respect and love (yes, love) for her words that mine fade, as if they weren’t worthy of coming so close to the sun. So I’ll leave it at what I wrote in my first review: read (or listen to) this book. It’s good. It’ll make you feel good.
April 2019 review:
So many feelings! What can I say? Read this book. It’s good. It’ll make you feel good.
A word of warning, though: Aspen suffers from anxiety and panic attacks, which are very accurately described. If you’re worried you might be triggered, maybe wait for the right time, when you’re feeling strong, to read this book, which is totally worth it.
May 2020 review:
When I read this book a year ago, I rated it 5*. I wish I had more stars to give the audiobook version. E. J. Noyes is an incredible writer, Abby Craden is an incredible narrator, and the combination of the two works perfectly every time.
After an accident brought an end to her career as an Alpine skier, Aspen Archer became a ski instructor, losing herself in the sports she loves despite not being able to compete anymore. On holidays in Australia, Cate Tierney hires Aspen to give lessons to her daughter Gemma, then for herself. The attraction between the two women is instant. Cate is everything Aspen wants in a woman: smart, beautiful, kind, and a mother to a clever and sweet kid. Cate’s feelings are just as strong but she comes with baggage (who doesn’t?) and is wary of asking too much from Aspen, who is a few years younger than her.
Pain, whether physical or mental, is a recurring theme is E. J. Noyes’ books, or, more specifically, the way her characters deal or do not deal with that pain. How they grow from it, with it, away from it. How they conquer it. In Gold, Aspen is living with physical pain from her accident and with anxiety and panic attacks that probably go back to way before that. Cate is recovering from an abusive relationship. Both are scared of themselves, of not being strong enough, and of not being able to be there for the other. What makes Noyes such a great writer (among other things) is her ability to always hint at hope, making the reader root passionately for her characters, feel optimistic even in the darkest times.
E. J. Noyes is also one of those writers who completely stump me and my review-writing skills. Nothing I write will do her books justice. I have so much respect and love (yes, love) for her words that mine fade, as if they weren’t worthy of coming so close to the sun. So I’ll leave it at what I wrote in my first review: read (or listen to) this book. It’s good. It’ll make you feel good.
rougeang13's review against another edition
5.0
I’ve been listening to all of EJ’s books in anticipation for her next release. I read them all last year and she quickly became my fav author. Listening to her books, Abby Craden has become my favorite narrator. Her voice is soothing and she’s never altered my previous interpretation of Noyes’s characters.
Sports romance, I love it. You can tell EJ is a skier and loves to ski based on her excellent writing in this book (I’m sure plenty of research was involved as well). This is probably my favorite book by her and I had the same realization reading this as I did the first time. She writes self discovery along with trauma soooo GD well, it’s hard not to feel connected to her MCs. And they way they fall in love and love each other, perfection.
Anyway, I’ll get off my EJ Noyes soap box now :)
Sports romance, I love it. You can tell EJ is a skier and loves to ski based on her excellent writing in this book (I’m sure plenty of research was involved as well). This is probably my favorite book by her and I had the same realization reading this as I did the first time. She writes self discovery along with trauma soooo GD well, it’s hard not to feel connected to her MCs. And they way they fall in love and love each other, perfection.
Anyway, I’ll get off my EJ Noyes soap box now :)
elvang's review against another edition
5.0
What a beautiful love story. I loved the authentic feel to the post career life for many professional athletes. Aspen's scars, both physical and emotional keep her relationship with Cate from developing into her white picket fence, wife, dog and kids dream. Lots of soul searching and growth needed for this former Olympic ski racer. Loved the passion and obvious connection every time Cate and Aspen shared moments together.
It's been a while but this book tops my list for best last line in a novel. Loved it.
It's been a while but this book tops my list for best last line in a novel. Loved it.
lariissand's review against another edition
4.0
4,5*
An amazing read! Characters' personalities match well, they evolve together, but there is a clear cut halfway through the story and it almost feels like two books in one.
In the first half, Aspen openly talks about her feelings with her therapist and her sister, reflects on what these feelings are or files them for later. In the second half, her sister is not in the picture anymore, she has a great relationship, career is going great and everything is perfect. The crossing line, the main obstacle presented in the story could easily have been solved had they talked more about it, so it kinda fell flat for me. The events towards the end gave another breath of life to the story, making the book finish on a good note. +1 star there.
In and of itself, this is a nice book. I love that Aspen has tattoos and piercings, that Cate can be very forward sometimes, that the supporting characters all bring a small detail to the story. Another job well done for Noyes!
An amazing read! Characters' personalities match well, they evolve together, but there is a clear cut halfway through the story and it almost feels like two books in one.
In the first half, Aspen openly talks about her feelings with her therapist and her sister, reflects on what these feelings are or files them for later. In the second half, her sister is not in the picture anymore, she has a great relationship, career is going great and everything is perfect. The crossing line, the main obstacle presented in the story could easily have been solved had they talked more about it, so it kinda fell flat for me. The events towards the end gave another breath of life to the story, making the book finish on a good note. +1 star there.
In and of itself, this is a nice book. I love that Aspen has tattoos and piercings, that Cate can be very forward sometimes, that the supporting characters all bring a small detail to the story. Another job well done for Noyes!
seeowlread's review against another edition
3.0
3.5 stars. I loved everything about this adorable love story EXCEPT that the main character firmly believed she had to love herself before she could be loved. It was not handled as harmfully as it usually is, but was still off-putting.
banrions's review against another edition
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
This was a 3.5ish stars for me. Which apparently puts me slightly in the minority, considering all the reviews I’ve read absolutely loving this wholeheartedly. This is the second book I’ve read by E.J. Noyes (the first being Turbulence) and like that one, I enjoyed this but I didn’t love it. This comes down to more personal preference things than a poorly written or executed book.
I’m not a huge fan of first person narration anymore, but I can get behind it. However, when it comes to romance, I always would much rather get both POVs (or more, if it’s poly) and actually see both parties falling in love, and be able to get inside their heads, rather than stick with only one character. I really wanted to hear Cate’s pov!! I also thought that the romance was a bit too instalove for my tastes. Aspen was basically ALL IN after a three week vacation, and then with the time split after they get back together, it’s careening pretty quickly into Uhaul and possible marriage in what felt like sooo quickly that I just found myself telling characters to shut up and stop moving so fast and essentially, yelling at my audiobook. (Which, is not new for me, I yell out loud at characters all the damn time when I read books). I also think that I somehow totally missed that Cate’s ex was abusive? I got that she didn’t really want Gemma, and was a manipulative, but later on when Aspen was talking about her thinking she’s might hit her or something, I was really confused and thrown off. i might have been checked out while listening when that came up or something and missed it, but it threw me. I was also surprised that Danielle and her kids just sort of disappear in the second half of the book. Iirc, they said they were like Cate’s neighbors or something, so it surprised me that they never made another appearance or were even mentioned again after the vacation.
I did absolutely LOVE Abby Craden’s narration. The voice she gave Gemma, in particular made me adore her. I enjoyed this and I’ll check out more from this author, became I hear nothing but great things and maybe I’ll connect a bit more with another one.
I’m not a huge fan of first person narration anymore, but I can get behind it. However, when it comes to romance, I always would much rather get both POVs (or more, if it’s poly) and actually see both parties falling in love, and be able to get inside their heads, rather than stick with only one character. I really wanted to hear Cate’s pov!! I also thought that the romance was a bit too instalove for my tastes. Aspen was basically ALL IN after a three week vacation, and then with the time split after they get back together, it’s careening pretty quickly into Uhaul and possible marriage in what felt like sooo quickly that I just found myself telling characters to shut up and stop moving so fast and essentially, yelling at my audiobook. (Which, is not new for me, I yell out loud at characters all the damn time when I read books). I also think that I somehow totally missed that
I did absolutely LOVE Abby Craden’s narration. The voice she gave Gemma, in particular made me adore her. I enjoyed this and I’ll check out more from this author, became I hear nothing but great things and maybe I’ll connect a bit more with another one.