A review by roksyreads
Shiver by Crea Reitan

medium-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? Yes

4.5

If Egon Wolf doesn’t get his act together academically, he risks losing his ice hockey scholarship. With his future hanging in the balance, Egon’s hunt for a tutor leads him to Rahesh ‘Rake’ Aahnu. A handsome and intelligent dual-major, Rake has a dangerous side when bored—there’s nothing he enjoys more than the challenge of making straight men fall for him and leaving them wanting more, only for him to walk away. But as Rake tutors Egon in his studies and more pleasurable pursuits, it becomes clear that neither of them will be able to walk away unscathed.  

Whilst I was expecting Shiver would be a spicy, tantalising read with a solid college/ice hockey setting and can say with certainty it met those expectations, I was not expecting this book to be so emotionally intense and heartbreaking! MMC Rakesh’s initial attitude made me somewhat uncomfortable, but as I gained insight into him, I began to appreciate the complexities of his character and the challenges he was facing connecting to and accepting the deeper, emotional parts of himself. MMC Egon, too, had his own struggles to overcome with crippling self-confidence issues, and his chapters were especially challenging at times, resonating with me as they did. Their romance, which centres themes of self-discovery and was enhanced by an element of forbidden love, left me a little wrecked at times, but it was worth it for their HEA.