magsisforeverreading 's review for:

One-Touch Pass by J.J. Mulder

4.5

emotional hopeful 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

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I will admit up front that I love everything J.J. Mulder has written, and One-Touch Pass was no exception. It is a hockey romance filled with emotional beats and tender moments. 

Nate sees Marcos across a room at a party and feels drawn to him. He has never experienced sexual attraction to a man before, but is unmistakably lusting after Marcos. 

Marcos can't believe that someone like Nate, who he describes as looking like a Greek god, could be interested in him. He has been in a deep emotional spiral since a horrific incident at a party shortly after he transferred to SCU with his best friend, Max, and doesn't feel like he deserves Nate. Lucky for both of them, Nate sees who Marcos really is and gently persists in pursuing him. 

I'm not sure if I've connected with a character of the opposite gender as much as I have with Marcos. He suffers from touch aversion, which has exponentially grown due to his PTSD. I have struggled for years to put into words why I dislike being touched by others, and I felt seen while reading. My heart broke as Marcos doubted that he could be in a relationship with the overwhelming anxiety he encountered from something as "simple" as cuddling. Reading about his journey was validating and inspiring. I appreciated that at no point in the book was it stated or implied that he would ever be "cured." 

Nate is truly the ultimate book boyfriend. He is what people mean when they talk about golden retriever boyfriends - a genuinely happy guy, ready with a smile and a positive outlook on life. He takes his burgeoning bisexuality in stride, instantly accepting his attraction to Marcos. Most importantly, he doesn't push Marcos. He accepts and loves him for all of him, stress and anxiety included. 

Their love story is so touching. I recommend One-Touch Pass to anyone who enjoys reading about complex, realistic relationships ❤️‍🩹📚. 4.5/5.