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megand1230's review
5.0
Saved by Love is just what I needed this summer. The characters, the story, the struggle, it was all written wonderfully. Toni Aleo took something so many people deal with now a days and wrote it with such care. I loved both Evan and Callie when we previously met them in other books. Sometimes side characters become some of my favorite characters because there is such a mystery to their stories and that is exactly how I originally felt with these two. Such a great read and you will not be disappointed when you pick this book up!
amgibson2's review
5.0
Evan Adler walked away from a career in the NHL. He returns home to Nashville to work on himself and finish college at Bellevue. It’s the first time he’s away from his twin brother, but he thrives when he is finally able to follow his path, and not the one he felt he needed to follow. Owen is still his number one hype man, but it’s from a distance.
Callie Pearce is a successful gymnast for Bellevue. She is a strong, independent woman who will fight for those she loves. Raised by her sister, she has become the woman she is because of the obstacles faced.
A few things that stuck out:
#1 Toni Aleo knows how to write relationships! Evan and Owen have a twinship like no other. The Adlers know how to love hard and they do it so well. The close friends and family are such a tight knit group, that we all want to be a part of it. Evan and Callie were made just for each other. Their love story and the way they complement and complete each other confirms that.
#2 As a society, we tend to see men as weak if they experience mental health issues or tend to be extremely emotional. That’s not true and I wish more people would understand and try to change the perception. Toni does a great job addressing these issues in her stories and making them personal to those who may otherwise not have a personal connection!
#3 Callie and Aviva’s rule of not letting go of a hug until the other person does first is one that we need to implement. You never know what other people are going through and what they may need. A hug can solve so many hurts.
#4 I didn’t think it was possible to fall even more in love with Shea Adler, but I was wrong!
#5 I will never look at Winnie the Pooh the same again. ;)
Callie Pearce is a successful gymnast for Bellevue. She is a strong, independent woman who will fight for those she loves. Raised by her sister, she has become the woman she is because of the obstacles faced.
A few things that stuck out:
#1 Toni Aleo knows how to write relationships! Evan and Owen have a twinship like no other. The Adlers know how to love hard and they do it so well. The close friends and family are such a tight knit group, that we all want to be a part of it. Evan and Callie were made just for each other. Their love story and the way they complement and complete each other confirms that.
#2 As a society, we tend to see men as weak if they experience mental health issues or tend to be extremely emotional. That’s not true and I wish more people would understand and try to change the perception. Toni does a great job addressing these issues in her stories and making them personal to those who may otherwise not have a personal connection!
#3 Callie and Aviva’s rule of not letting go of a hug until the other person does first is one that we need to implement. You never know what other people are going through and what they may need. A hug can solve so many hurts.
#4 I didn’t think it was possible to fall even more in love with Shea Adler, but I was wrong!
#5 I will never look at Winnie the Pooh the same again. ;)
alisonbooklover's review
5.0
so emotional
Dang this was a great story to read. I felt so connected to the story and Evan and Callie. Loved seeing all the background characters that I love. I love all the topics discussed in this book.
Dang this was a great story to read. I felt so connected to the story and Evan and Callie. Loved seeing all the background characters that I love. I love all the topics discussed in this book.
bjehl2's review
4.0
Saved by Love is the 7th book in the Bellevue Bullies series. It was an emotional ride from start to finish and was an enjoyable story.
Evan is an athletic training student at Bellevue University. After retiring from the NHL and leaving his twin brother behind, he has to learn to be on his own. However, is his anxiety actually as well managed as he needs it to be? What happens when the stressors of life come back and he begins to struggle again?
Callie is a champion gymnast who is not necessarily looking for romantic love. She has the family she always dreamed of as a child and has been able to find true happiness with them. Now, she is finding her footing as an adult. What happens when the new athletic training student sparks her interest? How will she handle the two most important men in her life when they start butting heads? Will she be able to support herself and Evan?
While this book can technically be read as a standalone, it is definitely better to be read after you have read the Ice Cats and Assassins series. The background information presented in these series help to ground the current story.
As a psychologist and someone who deals with my own mental health challenges, I appreciated this book. However, while trying to break down stereotypes about autism the author really perpetuated them. I think that more care in the writing of mental health conditions can be a bit more nuanced. For example, someone having anxiety or autism is just one part of a person's identity, but it often overtakes the characters. The same can be said for many body diverse characters. People are so much more than a mental health condition or their body size. This is why I took a star off of my rating.
Overall, this was an enjoyable read and I was happy to see the continuation of the Bullies' universe.
Evan is an athletic training student at Bellevue University. After retiring from the NHL and leaving his twin brother behind, he has to learn to be on his own. However, is his anxiety actually as well managed as he needs it to be? What happens when the stressors of life come back and he begins to struggle again?
Callie is a champion gymnast who is not necessarily looking for romantic love. She has the family she always dreamed of as a child and has been able to find true happiness with them. Now, she is finding her footing as an adult. What happens when the new athletic training student sparks her interest? How will she handle the two most important men in her life when they start butting heads? Will she be able to support herself and Evan?
While this book can technically be read as a standalone, it is definitely better to be read after you have read the Ice Cats and Assassins series. The background information presented in these series help to ground the current story.
As a psychologist and someone who deals with my own mental health challenges, I appreciated this book. However, while trying to break down stereotypes about autism the author really perpetuated them. I think that more care in the writing of mental health conditions can be a bit more nuanced. For example, someone having anxiety or autism is just one part of a person's identity, but it often overtakes the characters. The same can be said for many body diverse characters. People are so much more than a mental health condition or their body size. This is why I took a star off of my rating.
Overall, this was an enjoyable read and I was happy to see the continuation of the Bullies' universe.
sturgesschildren3's review
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
fast-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? It's complicated
5.0
I loved the cover ! The title is so very very apt ❣️What was between the pages I loved even more !!!
Before I even start my review I just want to thank the author for taking a subjects that many think is taboo , especially in adults . Thank you for honouring those that live with it everyday , thank you for honouring those who live with those who deal with it everyday . Thank you for making other people see it from a different perspective , I’m so grateful for you . I appreciate you ❣️
Evan and Owen are twins , both play for the NHL, the Adler family is a hockey family only has retired due to mental health reasons and I could only begin to imagine the disappointment Evan must’ve felt but he doesn’t lie down and fade , yes he struggles but he becomes coach to the girls gymnastic team…..
Callie , what a gem of a girl ❣️our first introduction was at a press conference for Nico , her brother in law and you can just feel the love she has for her brother in law and her family . Nico goes public with his diagnosis and this is where I just got into an emotional mess ….Callie has always had a crush on the Adler twins one , however is taken , the other not and I think we have a match ladies and gentlemen 😉
Watching Evan and Callie was a privilege, a journey filled with tears and hurdles but filled with love , support ,friendship, hope and encouragement ❣️
A shout from the ice rink and bars kind of read ❣️📕
yerot's review
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
5.0
Saved by love is a story about two athletes. One is a man who’s dreams were ripped away from him when he was forced to medically retire from the NHL. As he tries to move on with his life, he gets a job training the women’s gymnastic team. There he meets Callie, a star gymnast who works hard and loves harder. She is a sweet girl who cares about everyone so when she sees how down on himself Evan is, she makes it her mission to help him realize his worth. Through this journey they form a love that helps their future.
I really enjoyed this book. It is a great love story that is well developed and makes you feel hope again right along with the characters. It is easy to lose yourself in the book and I can’t wait to read the rest of the stories in the series.
kazbo5771's review
fast-paced
5.0
Looking at the reviews before I read this book, it seemed that this is the story that so many people were waiting for. I was kind of worried that I may a bit lost by reading the 7th book in the series having not read any of the others but that was not the case. Although I can sense that there are other great stories that I now want to read, this book can be read as a standalone easily as the author fills any gaps there may have been.
I really need to read some of the other books by this author now as I absolutely loved Evan and Callie’s story. As someone who suffers badly with mental health issues I could relate to Evan so much. I just wanted to give that man a huge hug. The author does an amazing job of handling Evan’s mental health journey. I loved how she showed just how much the love and support of those around him, in particular Callie, allowed Evan to work through his issues.
This is so much more than a romance story, although I loved the romantic side of Evan, added to the fact that this is a very sexy story at times. Evan and Callie are amazing characters and I could have read about them for hours and hours.
Well worth the 5 stars!!
julesherb's review
5.0
I find it strange that for someone like me who is so NOT sporty how much I actually do love a good sports romance! I was drawn into this story from the very start and was held captive till the last word. This is the first book I have read from this author and it definitely will be the first of many for me I am sure. While I read this book in the series and fully enjoyed it I will however be going back to the very start of the series to read all the prior books to further enhance my understanding and enjoyment. I mean its the thing to do when you enjoy something so much right?
Evan and Callie are wonderful characters who held a place in my heart for the entire book. Evans battles with extreme anxiety rang true to me as mental health is dealt with on a daily basis in my own home. It was written with love and hope which is something we all need in our lives right??
Evan and Callie are wonderful characters who held a place in my heart for the entire book. Evans battles with extreme anxiety rang true to me as mental health is dealt with on a daily basis in my own home. It was written with love and hope which is something we all need in our lives right??
faithfulgirl4's review
emotional
4.0
A hockey player and a gymnast. Both are lost in different ways. Evan is dealing with a host of mental health issues while Callie is trying to find her way in the world after losing both of her parents and being raised by her sister. She desperately wants her brother-in-law to adopt her too.
This book focuses on several real-world issues and I appreciate the author tackling these. Some of them are more difficult than others! I think that's my favorite part of this story, is how the characters aren't your typical picture-perfect people. They are flawed and that's what ultimately makes this story loveable.
While this book is part of a series, I read it as a stand-a-lone. I am guessing the previous books cover some of the other characters that we read about in this story but I did not feel at a loss while reading this one. However, I do believe that I will go back and read the previous books for more context.
This book focuses on several real-world issues and I appreciate the author tackling these. Some of them are more difficult than others! I think that's my favorite part of this story, is how the characters aren't your typical picture-perfect people. They are flawed and that's what ultimately makes this story loveable.
While this book is part of a series, I read it as a stand-a-lone. I am guessing the previous books cover some of the other characters that we read about in this story but I did not feel at a loss while reading this one. However, I do believe that I will go back and read the previous books for more context.