4 stars. Captivating mm romance, in the series' football-setting, and like the first installment deeply centered in Scotland's (Glasgow's) politics.
The4 stars. Captivating mm romance, in the series' football-setting, and like the first installment deeply centered in Scotland's (Glasgow's) politics.
The physical intimacy between Colin and Andrew started early on, fast and intense. That's not something I usually care for, and for quite a while I was a bit apprehensive about how both went all in physically but at the same time kept most of themselves hidden from the other. Then their relationship slowly developed in a romance, with hurdles and draw backs between them, and I found that part done very well. Their connection and feelings got more believable and felt real.
I felt a bit disconnected to Colin and Andrew at times, maybe because they both were 19 and 20 years old, but from the start they acted more like in their mid twenties or even thirties. This (lack of) feelings on my side might be connected to their rather fast developing physical relationship, while both young men held so much of themselves back, though.
Again, like in the first book, I loved the character development and relationship development.
The political context was intense, and the author kept me interested and glued to the nearly 400 pages....more
3,25 stars. I enjoyed Duncan and Brodie's story, but not as much as Fergus and John's story. Duncan and Brodie are 18 years old. The plot and relationsh3,25 stars. I enjoyed Duncan and Brodie's story, but not as much as Fergus and John's story. Duncan and Brodie are 18 years old. The plot and relationship developed a bit fast for my taste, but this is a novella after all.
I'm glad I started with book 1 (John and Fergus) and not with this one (book 0.5) because I'm not sure I'd have been interested enough to continue the series after this novella.
Can't wait for Lord Andrew and Colin's book (book 2) now....more
3,75 stars. Given how disappointed I've been lately with most reads, I was surprised how much I enjoyed Sasha and Danny's story. This is a light mm spo3,75 stars. Given how disappointed I've been lately with most reads, I was surprised how much I enjoyed Sasha and Danny's story. This is a light mm sports romance featuring two young gymnasts, Danny who competes with the US team and Sasha who competes with the russian team. They become first friends, then a bit more, as they figure out their sexuality and attraction, meeting once or twice a year at different competitions.
The story starts with the boys at age 16/18 and ends two years later with a tentative hfn, as there are two more installments coming out in the future.
5 stars. I adored this. So, so much. Gene's story is beautiful, romantic and full of hope. I loved the writing style (it reminded me a lot of Casey McQui5 stars. I adored this. So, so much. Gene's story is beautiful, romantic and full of hope. I loved the writing style (it reminded me a lot of Casey McQuiston's Red, White & Royal Blue, but with fewer and less explicit sex scenes).
The story is told in single pov, third person present tense, and it totally worked for me. Gene is a trans man playing baseball on a minor league team. The character development was done very well, I loved seeing how Gene learned to let himself not only hope for, but want good things for himself. Getting to know Luis obviously took a bit longer, but I loved to catch more and more glimpses of him. It was so lovely to see how comfortable Gene got around Luis, how he felt at ease with Luis, once Gene took an effort to know Luis, and Luis started to open up to Gene. Luis had some struggles to push through and had to learn on his own where he wanted to get, and I loved that Gene respected that.
The relationship development was slow and beautifully written, I was glued to the pages, rooting for Gene and Luis. Both their families had great supportive roles, and I loved them for it. It's so refreshing to not have meddling, know-it-all family members in a romance novel!
There's lots of baseball but even if I don't know a thing about baseball, I didn't mind that at all. The author's love for the sport was brightly shining through.
Can't recommend this book enough. Thanks Marieke for recommending it to me!...more
3,5 stars. I've never read a contemporary mm book that was so whacky/OTT, yet still sweet and enjoyable. I'll try to keep this short, because I think 3,5 stars. I've never read a contemporary mm book that was so whacky/OTT, yet still sweet and enjoyable. I'll try to keep this short, because I think either you hate this, or you love this, or like me you don't want to think too much as to why you didn't hate it.
The things that stood out the most to me (each one on the OTT-side of the possible variations) : -possessiveness on Mercy's side (but counterbalanced by constant checking-in and reassurance of consent), -awesome family of siblings, despicable parents (Mercy's family), awesome parents and brothers (Jack's), -great group of friends (Jack's hockey friends), with zero need for personal space (their sleeping arrangement as flatmates is sleeping naked in one big bed, all 5 of them), -zero homophobia, zero issues regarding a coach/player - relationship, -spanking, lots of spanking (there's even some excurse/psycological explanation on spanking as non sexual stress-relieving-method thrown in), -insta lust that develops into a forceful need to be together, but thankfully Jack and Mercy slowly and steadily are building a strong emotional connection, too.
Everything concerning Rhett (Jack's ex) left me a bit apprehensive.. but I know I usually don't like an ex playing any part in a romance. Rhett's role, his character and his interactions with Jack were handled in a unique way, and overall (in the book's OTT way) made sense.
I enjoyed the middle part of the story the most, Jack and Mercy falling in love, catching up emotionally.
3,5 stars rounded up, because of the lack of stupid misunderstandings (they TALKED surprisingly well and open about issues) and the fact that there was no dramatic third act breakup (if you asked Jack, at least, ...more
3,5 stars. There were parts I enjoyed a lot, and parts that felt very meh.
The first 20% of his book where hard to get through. Zeke acting/feeling so3,5 stars. There were parts I enjoyed a lot, and parts that felt very meh.
The first 20% of his book where hard to get through. Zeke acting/feeling so OTT around his idol Spencer was cringey. Thankfully there were multiple occasions for them to talk and interact, so around 30% I could get behind the idea that there was ground for their mutual attraction beyond the physical attraction. The writing was a bit all over the place, different from Changing Season. The parts with Addie (the child) were better in the second half of the book.
I enjoyed being in Zeke's head, he was a lot, but endearingly so. Many things he said (yelled) or how he often acted were OTT though, and felt artificial. I didn't mind that we got just Zeke's pov, because Spencer wasn't able to hide his feelings at all.
What I really enjoyed was the intimacy between Zeke and Spencer, and their sex scenes in the second half of the book. There was so much chemistry and feelings and fun, I loved it.
Overall I enjoyed the second half of the book a lot more than the first half....more
5 stars. LOVED Olly and Benji. So, so much. Who else I loved: Their teammates (Poiro!!). Olly's brothers. Their coach. Benji's former billet family. And no5 stars. LOVED Olly and Benji. So, so much. Who else I loved: Their teammates (Poiro!!). Olly's brothers. Their coach. Benji's former billet family. And no, Olly's dad is not on this list, I hated him. I hate parents who pressure (=mistreat) their children because they want them to reach their full potential. It makes me sick. I didn't particularly like Benji's sister, but I appreciated how the author decided to flesh out her character, never OTT but in a realistic way. I felt sorry for her.
The storyline was awesome, I felt every step of the way with Olly and Benji. I'm already happy that I'm going to reread this some time in the not so distant future. It took me long to get into the story because of the abrupt writing style, but the longer I read, the more it felt completely in sync with the MCs's thoughts. I loved that therapy was central to the plot, I appreciated how Benji felt about mental health being part of an athlete's concern as well as physical training and healthy nutrition (and I appreciated that parts of a vegan diet were mentioned and not ridiculed like many authors do). It was lovely to see how Olly slowly took Benji's advise and got stronger and healthier. I loved how much they were there for each other, and how fierce their teammates' support was, on the ice as well as off the ice, when dealing with Benji's brother in law or Olly's dad for example.
Last note - mild SPOILERS ahead: I had read in the comments of lila's review (btw thanks lila for reminding me of this book!) what was going to happen around the 50% mark and was on one hand grateful for the heads up but still apprehensive how I'd feel about a threesome between the MCs and a random woman, before the MCs got together. But I was surprised and so glad that the author wrote it the way she did. It was a short scene, they were drunk, and thankfully it didn't trigger spontaneous "he's mine" reactions....more
Reread 06/2024 5 stars. I love Shane and Brady SO much. This is definitely an all time favorite. Catherine Cloud's writing speaks to me.. reading her boReread 06/2024 5 stars. I love Shane and Brady SO much. This is definitely an all time favorite. Catherine Cloud's writing speaks to me.. reading her books I always feel I don't want them to end, ever. -------- Read 03/2024 5 stars. Another awesome story by Catherine Cloud, you can find it on AO3. Thanks Tess for bringing this to my attention! I love Catherine Cloud's books, she's one of my favorite authors, but sadly she has only 4 novels published so far.
This was my first time on AO3 so it took me a bit to figure out that I could download the whole book, lol.
Shane and Brady's story is heartbreaking but thankfully heartwarming and sweet, too.
There's lots of hockey, awesome supporting friends and loving family, dogs and cats to cuddle, but also homophobic family members and all the hurt that comes with those. Being in the closet due to the pressure and homophobia in sports is a central topic in the author's books.
I loved that the diverse cast wasn’t introduced like bullet points to check off, but these informations were introduced subtly as a part of the characters' lives. We didn't know Brady's mum was black until way into the second half of the book, and Shane's friend Michael being asexual was treated with the same genuineness.
I loved Shane and Brady, loved to see them slowly falling in love and holding on to their love. This was told in single pov from Shane's perspective, but Catherine Cloud is such a talented author, I didn't miss Brady's pov.
THE LONGING... so so so good, THE SLOW BURN.... fantastic. And the fact that we got so much time with Shane and Brady after they got together was truly awesome, as they had still struggles and situations that kept me interested and glued to the pages until the end (this wasn't short with more than 500 pages so there was a satisfying amount of time of them being a couple).
It's fade to black, but it was nevertheless perfect for me. Some small errors, but this isn't a published book (yet?) but a series of chapters released over a couple of years.
Just one quote..
"When Shane gets into a bit of a scrap with the Wildcats’ Johnny Moore, Brady texts him after, asks, "what did he say to you?" What he said wasn’t even that bad, it was just, “Haven’t scored in a while, eh, pretty boy?” and Shane might have brushed it off and skated away, but Johnny Moore is the same guy who called him a cocksucker and got away with it last season, so Shane sort of flipped his shit. He doesn’t tell Brady any of that, though, he just says, "i think he was upset because he’s not as handsome as me". "it’s true, he isn’t", is Brady’s reply and Shane definitely isn’t feeling things, because feeling things isn’t allowed, but it does take him a few minutes to come up with an adequate reply. Five minutes later, Brady has offered that he’ll murder Johnny Moore the next time he sees him and everything’s back to normal again."...more
2,5 stars. I wasn't convinced from the start, and forced myself to read on, and read on, sooner or later the story just HAD to get better, right? (plu2,5 stars. I wasn't convinced from the start, and forced myself to read on, and read on, sooner or later the story just HAD to get better, right? (plus, the book isn’t included in k. u. so I had to give it a chance once I had bought it!)
Well... I'm giving up on this one at 73%. I just don't feel anything. The MCs feel one dimensional, their issues feel bland, like things the author had to come up with but didn't have the will to go into, leaving everything at a surface level. There was no chemistry between the MCs (in my opinion), either. Maybe it's a me-thing, me and my mood not wanting to cooperate? But.. I enjoyed books by this author, even recently loved her book The play of his life (5 stars!). This was disappointing, though....more
4,5 stars. I'm so happy I still loved this rereading it the first time after 8 years! This was one of my earliest MM novels, back when I started readin4,5 stars. I'm so happy I still loved this rereading it the first time after 8 years! This was one of my earliest MM novels, back when I started reading English romances. My reading tastes have changed a lot since then (and I hope my English - knowledge as well), but I enjoyed Rik and Graham's story still so, so much.
I loved how both characters were shown in a detailled and believable way. It was very realistic how Graham felt guilty over what had happened, and how for so long he was full of fear of being seen as queer, and only at snails pace let go of that fear. Rik was an interesting character, too. His personality was very different from Graham's, and it was heartbreaking to see how lonely he was, and how hard he tried not to care too much. I loved how they so very slowly built a connection and fell in love.
Their friend Bella was an awesome side character. I loved that she used to have sex with as many guys as she wanted and wasn't slut-shamed (as happens too often in romances).
I've read 34 books by Sarina Bowen now, but for me this earlier series is her best work (the series is mostly MF, though), and The Understatement Of The Year is still my favorite MM romance by her (I know, I know, everyone loves Him and Us more.. exept me).
"She said she didn't take me for the homophobic type. But that was dead wrong. I was the most homophobic person alive. Because" homophobic" means "afraid of homosexuals". And I was pants-shitting terrified of myself."...more
3,25 stars. Overall enjoyable mm romance between a closeted jock and a dancer, who are getting to know each other again after not having seen each othe3,25 stars. Overall enjoyable mm romance between a closeted jock and a dancer, who are getting to know each other again after not having seen each other for 7 years. Then, at age 11 and 12, they had both been battling cancer in the hospital, drawing strenght from their friendship.
The storyline felt a bit constructed, and the writing style a bit bland and clunky, but overall the book was ok. Sadly it didn't feel more than that, it didn't grip me, and didn't touch me deeply despite the emotional subjects. The dialogues at the end between the Henry and his parents in the hospital, with Lark and his mom present, felt a bit ott pathetic. Plus, I didn't like the sex scene in the epilogue. Sounds like a strange complaint, but it felt out of place for an epilogue.
I'm not sure if I'll read the sequel, I'll have to think about it some more....more
5 stars. I can't quite believe it, but this book was so not what I had expected. Don't make the mistake (like I did) to expect yet another Heated Riva5 stars. I can't quite believe it, but this book was so not what I had expected. Don't make the mistake (like I did) to expect yet another Heated Rivalry-copy because this book isn't one, like, at all. And that's a marvelous thing. Not because I didn't like HR, I loved it. But because this story spins for once a refreshing take on mm ice hockey romance and I enjoyed every second of it. I was either smiling or holding my breath because of the many lovely and heartbreaking feelings that spilled from the pages.
It took me a bit to get into the story and to get the dynamics between Noah and Alex and their respective friend - groups. I'll definitely jump right into the plot on a reread (and there are going to be rereads of this book in the future, I'm already happy for future me, rereading this slow burn gem). Once I got the dynamics between all the characters I was all in and hooked.
The storyline was stellar. No miscomunication or misunderstandings, no stupid third act breakup, BUT two young NHL players figuring out themselves, their sexuality and love lives. In part on their own and despite a rather lgbtq- hostile hockey environment, and in a great part with the help of their meddling and supportive group of friends and siblings. I loved to see how both MCs grew and figured out who they were, what the feelings each was experiencing meant, and which direction they wanted their lives to take.
I loved both Noah and Alex, but I have a soft spot for MCs who are lost and vulnerable in their believe that they cannot ever have what they long for, so it's obvious Noah stole my heart. I wanted to hug him, tell him all would be ok and to just breathe and not worry so much all the time. There were many lovely side characters. Beside Alex's awesome friend group and his sisters, I have to mention Millie (Noah's best friend) because she was THE BEST. Fierce and honest and 100% in Noah's corner. I loved her so much for having his back, always, but espescially in the first half of the book, when he didn't know how to feel about himself, and was hurt by his father's homophobia and reprimands so deeply.
The storyline has so, so many fantastic dialogues and text-chats about feelings and sexuality, all written in a real-feeling way. I loved the many exchanges between Alex and Noah, between Noah and Mollie, and between Alex and his friends. The text messages were awesome in their own way (and those in Alex's groupchat with his friends, including later on Noah, were funny and special in their realness). There was never a dull moment, I never felt the story couldn't hold my interest, although it was on the longer side with 408 pages.
Note to steam: for a long time not even touches, so the kisses and the two well written sex scenes near the end were very satisfying (for me).
TW homophobia (mostly from a parent).
Ps the author mentions magical twists in their books in their bio, but there's no magic involved in the story.
Thanks to the author and NineStar Press for gifting me an ARC! All my gushing above were my honest and genuine thoughts. This was my first novel by Stephanie Hoyt, and I'll be on my way to check out their backlist now....more
Reread 02/2024 I needed a short comfort read and this was perfect. Love Riley and Christian, how much they care for each other, how strong their connectReread 02/2024 I needed a short comfort read and this was perfect. Love Riley and Christian, how much they care for each other, how strong their connection is. The novella is maybe not perfect, but it's making me smile. I love it.
ps I appreciate when MCs are "allowed" to cry when they are sad. Usually authors have the strange conviction that nobody should see grown men cry, that they have to keep their tears to themselves until they are alone. And that's just dumb. Christian was sad and cried, and the story just continued. Awesome.
4,5 stars.
----------------- 12/2023 5 stars, because this was the perfect book for me and my current reading mood.
The story started in an awesome way: the first time Christian meets Ryan, his former best friend-turned-lover-turned-ex after 6 years, they... HUG. No ugly words or petty behavior, but mutual comfort-seeking. And the story continued as lovely and I enjoyed every moment of it. I didn't care who was to blame for their breakup years ago, because they both didn't hold grudges as they reconnected. I felt how much they still loved each other and cared for each other.
This novella isn't for everyone because there is no drama, no angst. Just two adults figuring out how to stay together. There's some lack of communication but the author's writing skills made the storyline feel smooth and real....more
4 stars. Lovely end to the series (beginning the series I never would have thought that "lovely" could be a term I would use for this series 4 stars. Lovely end to the series (beginning the series I never would have thought that "lovely" could be a term I would use for this series ...more
4,5 stars. The second novel in the series is just as awesome as the first. They actually feel like one book, together with the third installment, they 4,5 stars. The second novel in the series is just as awesome as the first. They actually feel like one book, together with the third installment, they don't really stand on their own.
I loved Vic and Dan, their charakters are very realistic and although there certainly is character development, it is (haleluja!) DEVELOPMENT, and not a sudden change of attitude. Their fights and their making up feel realistic and make sense. It's undeniable how much they love each other, though. Phantastic writing skills, in my opinion.
I 'd like to add that the impression I had reading the first installment is still as strong: Rachel Reid should at least have given V. L. Locey a shout out in Heated Rivalry for having given her a blueprint for Heated Rivalry. The MCs Ilya and Shane are near copies of Vic and Dan. (This series was written in 2015 and Heated Rivalry in 2018). I won't list all the similarities again, because I already did so in my last review.
Now I'm curious how Vic and Dan's story will continue/finish in the third installment....more
4,5 stars. How to review this... as someone who has read and loved Heated Rivalry by Rachel Reid?
First I feel I have to start with saying that Rachel R4,5 stars. How to review this... as someone who has read and loved Heated Rivalry by Rachel Reid?
First I feel I have to start with saying that Rachel Reid should have bought V. L. Locey at least a flower basket for providing her with so much "inspiration" for writing Heated Rivalry, at least? This was written in 2015, years before HR, so I assume Rachel Reid read it before writing HR, because there are too many similarities for it to be a coincidence (and I honestly don't know how to feel about that... a shoutout from RR in HR to V. L. Locey would have been a correct gesture, maybe?) -Vic is Polish, Ilya is Russian, -both Vic/Ilya are bisexual, and their characters are almost identical (Vic being ruder than Ilya, though), both were abused by a parent, and knew they would need therapy but thought of it as a thing for the future to get to, -Dan's mum is Inuit, Shane's mum is Asian, -both Dan/Shane are short for hockey players, both are loved by their team, both are gay, both are in the closet, both are sweet and caring. -and all 4 play professional hockey, obviously.
So that was that.
As for my review of this book, I loved it, but have to admit the hockey player's (and coach's) language was cruder than what I would be comfortable with in real life. Especially Vic was extremely rude, lashing out seemingly without any care. The writing style was on the abrupt side, but in sync with the characters, the plot was fastpaced.
Although this first installment is on the shorter side, I felt the attraction between Vic and Dan and their falling in love felt believable. I wouldn't have thought I could care for such a rude character like Vic, but I felt his hurt and fears, and his love. The author wrote his raw emotions in a awesome way.
I'll continue the series, obviously, but I'm also sure I'll reread this, sooner or later....more
reread 03/2023. My favorite mm hockey romance. I love Morgan and Noah so, so much. Morgan is special. So deserving of love, yet so afraid to accept himreread 03/2023. My favorite mm hockey romance. I love Morgan and Noah so, so much. Morgan is special. So deserving of love, yet so afraid to accept himself. And Noah is awesome, patient and supporting, even when Morgan's inability/reluctance to let Noah in hurts Noah. Every time Noah hugs Morgan, and Morgan can just be and let himself being held, I melt again. So so beautiful.
ps in the author's new book "A different point of view" there's a short story "Snowed in" that feels like the perfect epilogue to Morgan and Noah's book! A 28 pages epilogue (where we even learn that Morgan is going to therapy... love it) ❤️
("A different point of view" is a collection of chapters of the author's books and new short stories connected to the author's books, told from different pov's, it got released. just recently, in march 2024)
------- reread 10/2023 Reread this because I challenged Nicole to read it, and obviously I had to check beforehand I still felt as enamoured with it as I had reading it the first time.
Still 5 stars, still an all time favorite. Still love this so so much. Both Morgan and Noah are amazing characters, each in their own way.
Everything I felt reading this the first time, I felt rereading.
It's a calm, quiet story that nevertheless evokes deep feelings (in me, at least).
I just wish more people would read and enjoy this. ---------- original review 08/2023 Another amazing and heartbreaking book by Catherine Cloud!
I had loved Caught Off Guard and decided afterwards to read the author's other books, but started chronologically. I'm glad I did, because I got to know Noah in Three Is The Luckiest Number, and in Love And Other Inconveniences he is one of the MCs, although the entire story is told in Morgan's pov.
I love books told in just one pov, because I have to keep closer attention, and the author (if it's done right) gets me much much more connected to the narrating MC then in books with alternating povs.
Since Catherine Cloud is an amazing writer, I felt deeply with Morgan. He is a phantastic hockey player, and the opposite of every cocky jock cliché, he is quiet and unsure how to act in social situations. He is just very slowly accepting that he isn't straight, and doesn't allow himself for a long time to act on it. He has a hard time seeing that Noah cares for him. I love Morgan so, so much. He is special and deserving of love and acceptance. The way the author shows him craving and cherishing Noah's hugs is heart gripping.
Noah on the other hand is outgoing, liked by everyone and much more settled in who he is and knows what he wants.
Their story is one of the most beautiful mm hockey romances I've read.
I'm going to reread it again and again in the future.
reread 03/2024 Love Matthias and Casey so much.. still 5 stars. ------------ read 05/2023 5 stars. This was a quiet, but amazing mm hockey romance told freread 03/2024 Love Matthias and Casey so much.. still 5 stars. ------------ read 05/2023 5 stars. This was a quiet, but amazing mm hockey romance told from one (Matthias's) pov.
Contrary to most mm hockey romances (with dual pov) this one is not all about sex. Although I love those other books a lot, this storyline was even better in my opinion, because it was unique and special to watch Matthias and Casey first just coexisting, then getting along and slowly getting closer to each other, not knowing for a long time how Casey really felt.
I love romances told from just one pov, because I don't get everything handed from the start and have to pay closer attention to nuances. Also, it feels much closer to real life where I have just my pov, too. The romances told in one pov seem to touch me more because they feel so much more realistic to me.
I loved Matthias. Loved his character, his insecurities in some areas and that he did his best to fit in with the team and do his part.
There was no drama, there was a lot of hockey, and there was always a, first subtle, then sweet, underlying romance - trope parallel to the hockey - trope.
I'm sure I'll read this again soon! And I'll have to check out the author's other books, too....more
2 stars. This was just another Heated-Rivalry-imitation, but contrary to Rachel Reid's Heated Rivalry this book had less to no chemistry between the M2 stars. This was just another Heated-Rivalry-imitation, but contrary to Rachel Reid's Heated Rivalry this book had less to no chemistry between the MMCs, stilted conversations (especially when they were talking about feelings), and very little to zero character development.
The MMC's fell in love through fucking, but I didn't get their supposedly growing connection and felt no chemistry between them. The MMC's conversations about feelings didn't feel genuine, they sounded like one small monologue after another, not like actual conversations.
After 80% I just wanted to get to the end because the story didn't capture me anymore.
4 stars. West and Jasper's book was sweet, an enjoyable read.
The only thing I don't really get (but that's me) is why a nearly 40 year old would care t4 stars. West and Jasper's book was sweet, an enjoyable read.
The only thing I don't really get (but that's me) is why a nearly 40 year old would care to show his high school bullies that he changed from the bullied kid he was, to a capable adult who is dating a hockey player. But everyone is different and Jasper needed closure, I think (and this trope seens to be reallllllly common)....more
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