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mjsam's review against another edition
4.0
After reading Ask, Tell I went back and bought Noyes’ back catalogue. First on my list was Gold, which I really enjoyed. Aspen and Cate are both great characters (although the use of first person to tell the story means that we don’t get as good a handle on Cate as we do with Aspen). The two have immediate chemistry and their relationship unfolds over a period of time, which gives them time to develop, both as characters and a couple.
I loved the secondary characters as well, especially Gemma and Cate’s friends, and Hayley. All add to the story and further the relationship between the leads.
The story doesn’t lack angst, but the two leads do talk to each other (for the most part) and they also listen, which helps them address issues. I also liked that the story continued past the usual get together stage so that we see how they function in the relationship, though the end still seemed a bit rushed to me. Still, this is another great read by Noyes and I look forward to reading her other books. 4 stars.
I loved the secondary characters as well, especially Gemma and Cate’s friends, and Hayley. All add to the story and further the relationship between the leads.
The story doesn’t lack angst, but the two leads do talk to each other (for the most part) and they also listen, which helps them address issues. I also liked that the story continued past the usual get together stage so that we see how they function in the relationship, though the end still seemed a bit rushed to me. Still, this is another great read by Noyes and I look forward to reading her other books. 4 stars.
booklover0691's review against another edition
2.0
I guess I'm the odd person out since nearly everyone else rated this book highly. It didn't hold my interest so it was a DNF for me.
crobbins'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.
alloveragain's review against another edition
5.0
9/10
Why didn’t I read one of E.J. Noyes’ books sooner? I love her characters and I love the beautifully written captivating story she’s telling. The book made me happy. What more could I ask for?*
I don’t even know where to begin - I loved everything. Everyone was so amazing. Obviously, I liked Cate’s daughter, Gemma, the most but Aspen was pretty close behind. Their backstories are interesting and felt very real. I love their adorable family and I got pulled into it very quickly. I will probably reread it and, honestly, I’m thinking about doing it right now.
This story also reminded me how much I love snow and winter and mountains. I miss skiing and, since I started reading this book, I’ve been talking my girlfriend’s ear off about it. Well, actually, she misses it probably as much. If not more. Broke life is hard.
If you have this book in your to-read shelf don’t waste time like I did and just jump into it already. No safety net needed - this book’s got you.
9/10 audio
Abby Craden did an amazing job narrating this book. I know that, in the past, I didn’t rate her audiobooks as high but now that I’ve gone through some not-so-good narrators I appreciate Abby Craden so much more**. Well, when she steers clear of non-American accents. But, really, if you haven’t already read this book (or you plan to reread it), pick up an audio copy ASAP.
* I think that I put almost all of her books in the to-read shelf now. I’m excited for more.
** I guess I was just lucky to start out with Angela Dawe and ended up comparing all the narrators to her.
Why didn’t I read one of E.J. Noyes’ books sooner? I love her characters and I love the beautifully written captivating story she’s telling. The book made me happy. What more could I ask for?*
I don’t even know where to begin - I loved everything. Everyone was so amazing. Obviously, I liked Cate’s daughter, Gemma, the most but Aspen was pretty close behind. Their backstories are interesting and felt very real. I love their adorable family and I got pulled into it very quickly. I will probably reread it and, honestly, I’m thinking about doing it right now.
This story also reminded me how much I love snow and winter and mountains. I miss skiing and, since I started reading this book, I’ve been talking my girlfriend’s ear off about it. Well, actually, she misses it probably as much. If not more. Broke life is hard.
If you have this book in your to-read shelf don’t waste time like I did and just jump into it already. No safety net needed - this book’s got you.
9/10 audio
Abby Craden did an amazing job narrating this book. I know that, in the past, I didn’t rate her audiobooks as high but now that I’ve gone through some not-so-good narrators I appreciate Abby Craden so much more**. Well, when she steers clear of non-American accents. But, really, if you haven’t already read this book (or you plan to reread it), pick up an audio copy ASAP.
* I think that I put almost all of her books in the to-read shelf now. I’m excited for more.
** I guess I was just lucky to start out with Angela Dawe and ended up comparing all the narrators to her.
nonbinaryknight's review against another edition
5.0
This book was really good. I’ve enjoyed both E.J. Noyes books I’ve read even though I don’t particularly like reading books told from one person’s point of view. This book was great though.
I had slight issues with keeping myself invested in the book but I’m completely willing to put that down to a focus issue I was having in general. The book was amazing, and I absolutely love Aspen.
The author did a very good job, at least from my perspective (note: I know nothing about serious injuries in sports or the mental health issues that and other events can cause a person to have) at portraying the pain that Aspen felt, even years after her injury. Not just physical pain either.At one point Cate even calls out that Aspen hadn’t been properly taking care of herself and seemed to be punishing herself by forcing her to deal with the pain. Also, the author didn’t spend too much time on Aspen’s previous drug addiction, nor did she make that a factor that led to Cate leaving her.
The situations that arose between the two characters was well-explained to where a reader could understand why certain characters made the decisions that they did. The author also gave the characters time to discuss their problems with each other instead of the issue either disappearing or lingering in the air at the end of the book.
Also, the side characters were amazing, and I loved Cate’s daughter.
This book is great. It has great characters, drama that made sense within the story being told, and a resolution that felt like it rounded off the characters and the issues they had dealt with through the book.
I had slight issues with keeping myself invested in the book but I’m completely willing to put that down to a focus issue I was having in general. The book was amazing, and I absolutely love Aspen.
The author did a very good job, at least from my perspective (note: I know nothing about serious injuries in sports or the mental health issues that and other events can cause a person to have) at portraying the pain that Aspen felt, even years after her injury. Not just physical pain either.
The situations that arose between the two characters was well-explained to where a reader could understand why certain characters made the decisions that they did. The author also gave the characters time to discuss their problems with each other instead of the issue either disappearing or lingering in the air at the end of the book.
Also, the side characters were amazing, and I loved Cate’s daughter.
This book is great. It has great characters, drama that made sense within the story being told, and a resolution that felt like it rounded off the characters and the issues they had dealt with through the book.
zefrien's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
sad
fast-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
4.75
jlh_reads's review against another edition
3.0
Not your average lesbian romance. Very predictable plot twist combined with “Would you live alone for 3+ years? And how would that impact you?”
jeh's review against another edition
4.0
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.
wc4's review against another edition
5.0
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.