A review by kj468
Common Goal by Rachel Reid

lighthearted medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes

4.0

Overall I enjoyed it, even though it’s not my preferred tropes. Lots of pining and a slow burn while fwb, but it’s facilitated mostly by a complete lack of communication, which always annoys me a little. I don’t normally read age gap romances, so idk how standard this is, but I got annoyed with the older MC’s internal dilemma that he was too old to “steal” the younger MC’s youth, etc. It was fine at first but the more it went on the more I was like omg get over yourself. Also the third act breakup resolves really close to the end for my tastes. 

I liked seeing bisexual rep in a guy who was married to a woman but knew he was bi the entire time. So it wasn’t a bi-awakening but instead an exploration of a new kind of sex. I also really liked the spice in general. 

Tropes: age gap romance, fwb, “educational” sex 
Kinks: edging, handcuffs