Scan barcode
kj468's reviews
333 reviews
Odd Man Rush by Tierney Rose
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
3.75
I really liked the relationship dynamics here and the various awakenings were great. I expected this to start off with them knowing they were in a platonic marriage, but was pleasantly surprised to get to read them coming to that conclusion. The ending felt rushed, though. I wish the epilogue didn’t come as quickly as it did — a lot of stuff felt like it was on the tip of being resolved and then BAM! Epilogue. Kind of like the epilogue was used to skip over writing some “difficult” conversations, but I actually would have really really liked to see those (would have been nice to see the three of them having a conversation about what the new relationship between the two men meant for the three of them).
I'm Your Guy by Sarina Bowen
emotional
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
4.5
I enjoyed this more than I did the first time around! The audiobook was great (occasionally tommasso was a littttttle bit monotone, but it didn’t ruin it for me). Love the slow burn between these two.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia
The New Guy by Sarina Bowen
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.75
First reread, first time on audio. The audiobook was great, very well done. This book is a bit more angsty/drama-y than I normally prefer, but it’s well done and the emotions are great and I enjoy it a lot. I love Hudson’s respect for Gavin’s family life and his love for his dead husband. The epilogue is perfect. Jordan is an adorable kid and Hudson has a great relationship with her.
Name From a Hat Trick by L.A. Witt
emotional
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.75
Outstanding!!! I listened to the audiobook and really enjoyed both the narration and the story itself. The representation of so many identities is incredibly well done and one of the best parts of the book.
This book deals with so many complex issues with delicate care and hope. One of the MCs is a closeted gay man — closeted even to himself for a long time. There’s discussions about comphet and understanding what is attraction vs society expectations. He’s also got clinical anxiety, and the author does a wonderful job capturing the way it encompasses his thoughts and consumes his life sometimes. His journey with his anxiety — from not understanding what it is to getting help to getting control over it — was excellent.
The other MC is an openly bisexual single dad who had a kid with a good friend. He has a great relationship with the mother of his kid, who has a husband and is involved in the kid’s life. Their entire family is such excellent representation and a great role model for how atypical family units can look. They all parent together, without jealousy or anger or competition, and are so understanding of each others needs. It was so refreshing to see.
The child, Dallas, has debilitating chronic migraines, and they’re a central part of the story. The author also did a great job with the representation, capturing how they can affect both the individual and the family unit and making it clear that chronic illness (or anxiety for that matter) is not a character flaw.
This is my second book by this author, and I’m already so trusting. The characters have great communication; even when they act poorly based on emotion, they come back together with mature, open conversations. It feels really realistic to life — two emotionally competent, communicative people doing their best and apologizing and forgiving for each other when they get it wrong.
Hockey is definitely a relevant part of the story, but there’s no actual gameplay — which isn’t a problem, just a comment.
I’m really glad I bought the audiobook! I had a feeling I’ll be rereading in the future!!
This book deals with so many complex issues with delicate care and hope. One of the MCs is a closeted gay man — closeted even to himself for a long time. There’s discussions about comphet and understanding what is attraction vs society expectations. He’s also got clinical anxiety, and the author does a wonderful job capturing the way it encompasses his thoughts and consumes his life sometimes. His journey with his anxiety — from not understanding what it is to getting help to getting control over it — was excellent.
The other MC is an openly bisexual single dad who had a kid with a good friend. He has a great relationship with the mother of his kid, who has a husband and is involved in the kid’s life. Their entire family is such excellent representation and a great role model for how atypical family units can look. They all parent together, without jealousy or anger or competition, and are so understanding of each others needs. It was so refreshing to see.
The child, Dallas, has debilitating chronic migraines, and they’re a central part of the story. The author also did a great job with the representation, capturing how they can affect both the individual and the family unit and making it clear that chronic illness (or anxiety for that matter) is not a character flaw.
This is my second book by this author, and I’m already so trusting. The characters have great communication; even when they act poorly based on emotion, they come back together with mature, open conversations. It feels really realistic to life — two emotionally competent, communicative people doing their best and apologizing and forgiving for each other when they get it wrong.
Hockey is definitely a relevant part of the story, but there’s no actual gameplay — which isn’t a problem, just a comment.
I’m really glad I bought the audiobook! I had a feeling I’ll be rereading in the future!!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Panic attacks/disorders
Moderate: Chronic illness
Aftermath by L.A. Witt
emotional
hopeful
informative
slow-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
4.25
Really really good book. I loved both of the MCs; they both had excellent journeys in the book (Brent with reinventing himself after hockey and John finding himself after divorce). I loved seeing a bi man who married a woman & when he married her, everyone knew he was bi.
The communication between the MCs and their inner dialogue were two of the best parts in the book. The author really dived into their thoughts and emotions, and they seemed so realistic for the circumstances they were both in.
Brent’s journey with his chronic pain was wonderful. I loved seeing a character with chronic pain in such detail, hearing how the pain affected him both mentally and physically. I thought this rep was excellent.
John had a compelling journey too, even thought I got annoyed with a major action of his in the third act.
Still, I could understand why he was doing the annoying thing and it felt very human. The way he apologized for the annoying thing was too notch though.
The ex wife character bothered me a little — partially because she sucked, and partially because she fell into the stereotype of mean ex wife.
The communication between the MCs and their inner dialogue were two of the best parts in the book. The author really dived into their thoughts and emotions, and they seemed so realistic for the circumstances they were both in.
Brent’s journey with his chronic pain was wonderful. I loved seeing a character with chronic pain in such detail, hearing how the pain affected him both mentally and physically. I thought this rep was excellent.
John had a compelling journey too, even thought I got annoyed with a major action of his in the third act.
Still, I could understand why he was doing the annoying thing and it felt very human. The way he apologized for the annoying thing was too notch though.
The ex wife character bothered me a little — partially because she sucked, and partially because she fell into the stereotype of mean ex wife.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism
Moderate: Chronic illness, Alcohol, Injury/Injury detail, Car accident, and Mental illness
Minor: Animal cruelty and Infertility
Game Misconduct by Ari Baran
Did not finish book. Stopped at 4%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 4%.
Nope this is way more violent and dark than I anticipated. Not for me
Booklover by J.E. Birk
emotional
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
This was enjoyable but not outstanding. I liked how much everyone in the book loves romance books. The main characters were good and both dealing with real problems. I didn’t expect quite the level of drama that the book ended up having. Probably a good one to check content warnings for (which I didn’t)
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gun violence and Abandonment
Moderate: Drug use, Alcohol, Injury/Injury detail, and Toxic friendship
Minor: Suicidal thoughts
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.
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.
Tropes: age gap romance, fwb, “educational” sex
Kinks: edging, handcuffs
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.
Tropes: age gap romance, fwb, “educational” sex
Kinks: edging, handcuffs
Tough Guy by Rachel Reid
emotional
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.75
Pretty good. Didn’t have the narration problem that the first one had. I loved the first ⅔ but the third act drama wasn’t my favorite. I was glad for Ryan’s journey with hockey (and knew what his journey would lead to, because of The Long Game), but I wasn’t thrilled with how Fabian handled the situation.
Game Changer by Rachel Reid
2.0
I didn’t love the plot and the narrator ruined it. More details to come