A review by mar_reads7
Unravel Me by Becka Mack

emotional funny lighthearted reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

I have complicated feelings about certain aspects of this book. But out of all the couples in the Playing For Keeps series so far Adam and Rosie were my absolute favourites. That is why even though there things I didn't love about the book I am happy to give this 4 stars. Because I love the journeys they went on individually and the one they went on together. I loved reading about their relationship growing. I loved that even though there was a very obvious connection from the first time they met Becka Mack still took the time to let us see every step of the falling in love process. There's a real foundation of love with these two, which is what I had been wanting to see for Adam since Consider Me, and what I couldn't help but want for Rosie too since she was introduced here. And in the end this book gets 4 stars because it was impossible not to constantly have a grin on my face while reading it. This was a very happy reading experience for me overall, and I definitely think as far as this series goes Adam and Rosie have the most beautiful story. 
That being said, if I put aside my love for the characters and my love for their love there were a few things plot wise which I didn't like too much. 
I have a minor grievance with

how long it took Adam to tell Rosie the truth about his job. When she opens up to him about her parents she tells him this thing that has brought her insurmountable pain. Something that defined her life and that she keeps close to her heart. In that moment it would have been very easy for him to be honest too. It was endlessly easier for him to tell her "hey, you know how I said my job is hockey player adjacent? well it's actually just hockey player. I've been in a long term relationship and a lot of bad dates where my money and job were the only thing people wanted from me so I didn't tell you because you didn't know and it felt refreshing to just be me and know you liked me for me. but I'm sorry I lied" or something of the sort than it was for her to open up about her parents. If not in that moment then the next morning. I was really annoyed by how long it took for him to explain himself because up until that point he was really great at communicating with Rosie. It was frustrating that that was the one thing he couldn't say. I call this one a minor grievance because I did love the part of the book where his family and friends help him realise he is worthy of being loved. There was a lot emotional catharsis to it, which I wouldn't have had without the too long wait for Rosie to find out.

And my major grievances

I don't think Brandon and Courtney were handled as well they could have been. 
Brandon was actively a neglectful parent and I don't think Adam punching him was the way to handle the situation. Rosie deserved to be the one to have the final word with Brandon and I don't like that Adam got to have it. It was out of a want to protect her and Connor, I understand that, but she held her tongue so much around him that I think she deserved to let it all out without restraint. Adam got to say his piece to Courtney but Rosie didn't get that with Brandon and I don't like that.

As for Courtney, it felt rushed. The conflict shows up 88% of the way through the book. And it's not that I wanted it to linger, it's just that there was never a real importang conversation between Adam and Rosie about what would happen if she was telling the truth. I feel like that should have happened, not just because that's what real people would do, but also because it was a good moment to really drive home that no one can get between Rosie and Adam. Aside from that we also never really get to know anything about Courtney other than she is hated by everyone. Which it's fine that she is because she was an awful person, but I thought we might get some more insight into who she was when Adam first fell in love with her. I thought we'd get more insight into how things got worse and worse with them that wasn't just information we already had from previous books. And maybe no one wanted that but me, but I genuinely think it would have made the moment Adam gets to tell her to go fuck herself much more cathartic for the reader.

tldr: great characters, great chemistry, incredibly sweet love story, definitely my favourite Playing For Keeps couple and MCs, definitely my favourite love story out of the 3 so far; plot wise Play With Me is still the better book in the series imo