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duckyreads's review
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
In Olympic Enemies, we follow two male gymnasts, Oliver and Lucas, as they prepare to compete in the Paris 2024 Olympics. Despite their contentious relationship as teammates for Great Britain, Oliver and Lucas are assigned as roommates and spend the next three weeks learning more about each other, leading to an understanding and eventually developing into a heartfelt relationship.
I really enjoyed Oliver and Lucas as the main characters, and as someone who religiously watched gymnastics every Olympics, this setting was perfect! I loved that the story was dual POV, and I thought that the writing flowed easily.
I usually don't mind cultural references in contemporary romances, but the Brooklyn Nine-Nine references felt like there were on every other page and took me out of the narrative at times. The switch from arguing to kissing was also very abrupt and there could've been more time developing a friendship between Lucas and Oliver before they took that leap.
Hopefully, we get a sequel with Tom and Alicia!
Thank you to The Wild Rose Press and Netgalley for a copy of the eARC in exchange for an honest review.
I really enjoyed Oliver and Lucas as the main characters, and as someone who religiously watched gymnastics every Olympics, this setting was perfect! I loved that the story was dual POV, and I thought that the writing flowed easily.
I usually don't mind cultural references in contemporary romances, but the Brooklyn Nine-Nine references felt like there were on every other page and took me out of the narrative at times. The switch from arguing to kissing was also very abrupt and there could've been more time developing a friendship between Lucas and Oliver before they took that leap.
Hopefully, we get a sequel with Tom and Alicia!
Thank you to The Wild Rose Press and Netgalley for a copy of the eARC in exchange for an honest review.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Outing
Moderate: Death
Minor: Grief, Car accident, Child death, and Abandonment
lilyrooke's review
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.0
are you looking for an M/M enemies-to-lovers sports romance set in the Olympic Village?
read this if you enjoy: quick, easy reads in the same genre with angst and heat.
rep: gay MC; bi MC.
cw: public outing; references to the violent death of a spouse and (view spoiler); past trauma; sex.
Forced to share a room for the duration of the Olympics, rivals and teammates Lucas and Oliver's relationship moves fast from enemies to lovers under the pressure of the approaching performance. As they attempt to keep their 'rivals with benefits' situation secret from their team and the press, both men grow to learn more about what the other is hiding. While personally I did not feel the spark between Lucas and Oliver and had some questions about the pacing of their relationship bearing in mind the emotional context, I think readers who gravitate towards this subgenre should definitely give the book a go.
CAWPILE: 3.3 (2*)
favourite aspect: I thought the gymnastics and training scenes were written really well. I enjoy watching Olympic gymnastics but don't consider myself an expert by any means, yet I found these scenes engaging and fun to follow.
a wish: I would have liked the two protagonists to have had more varied narrative voices, as I often struggled to differentiate between whose perspective I was reading. I think if Oliver's past trauma had been explored in more emotional and psychological detail it would feel better embedded.
disclaimer: I received an ARC of this book from The Wild Rose Press via NetGalley and I am voluntarily leaving this honest review.
read this if you enjoy: quick, easy reads in the same genre with angst and heat.
rep: gay MC; bi MC.
cw: public outing; references to the violent death of a spouse and (view spoiler); past trauma; sex.
Forced to share a room for the duration of the Olympics, rivals and teammates Lucas and Oliver's relationship moves fast from enemies to lovers under the pressure of the approaching performance. As they attempt to keep their 'rivals with benefits' situation secret from their team and the press, both men grow to learn more about what the other is hiding. While personally I did not feel the spark between Lucas and Oliver and had some questions about the pacing of their relationship bearing in mind the emotional context, I think readers who gravitate towards this subgenre should definitely give the book a go.
CAWPILE: 3.3 (2*)
favourite aspect: I thought the gymnastics and training scenes were written really well. I enjoy watching Olympic gymnastics but don't consider myself an expert by any means, yet I found these scenes engaging and fun to follow.
a wish: I would have liked the two protagonists to have had more varied narrative voices, as I often struggled to differentiate between whose perspective I was reading. I think if Oliver's past trauma had been explored in more emotional and psychological detail it would feel better embedded.
disclaimer: I received an ARC of this book from The Wild Rose Press via NetGalley and I am voluntarily leaving this honest review.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Outing
Moderate: Sexual content
Minor: Grief, Car accident, Child death, Death, and Abandonment
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