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lifeinthebooklane's review
4.0
When opposites meet and find that they aren't as different as they first thought
Whilst the Men of the North Books can all be read stand alone, I do think that having read at least the first few books of the series would really improve your enjoyment of this book. The Athlete is Hunter's story, he was one of the young male Nmen who attended the first cross-border school. The series, if you don't know it, is set in a dystopian future and much of the background to the world is contained in the first couple of books of the series.
I have read and loved every book I have read by this author, her characters have depth and personality and their emotions become your emotions. Hunter and Emanuela's story didn't disappoint, and there were plenty of little twists to the tale to make it feel fresh and original.
I loved how atypical a Motlander Emanuela was, it was also quite funny that she didn't appreciate the boot being on the other foot! She was so very much more used to being the one causing, rather than taking, offence. I didn't feel quite as much of a connection to Ema as I did to Hunter, but this was because of the paradoxical nature of who was more in touch with their feelings and emotions. It really brought a different feel to both the book AND the series, I love how it's constantly evolving and doesn't get stale or same old, same old.
Hunter quite simply made me melt. Who knew he had such a soft heart and caring nature under all that rugged manly Nman-ness? He totally made this book for me, he was swoony, sexy, alpha, caring and sweet all wrapped up in one gorgeous package. Oh the subtle changes that attending the mixed school has had.
Jonah, Ema's brother, really brought something special to the story too. I loved his scenes with Mila, so cute and funny. Best of all was his 'chat' with Hunter and Solo at the wedding. Wise words and advice we could all follow!
There were some wonderful glimpses of 'friends' from previous books and hints at future pairings. I am so looking forward to how THOSE stories play out. I really don't know how she does it, but this is yet another amazing book by Elin Peer.
Whilst the Men of the North Books can all be read stand alone, I do think that having read at least the first few books of the series would really improve your enjoyment of this book. The Athlete is Hunter's story, he was one of the young male Nmen who attended the first cross-border school. The series, if you don't know it, is set in a dystopian future and much of the background to the world is contained in the first couple of books of the series.
I have read and loved every book I have read by this author, her characters have depth and personality and their emotions become your emotions. Hunter and Emanuela's story didn't disappoint, and there were plenty of little twists to the tale to make it feel fresh and original.
I loved how atypical a Motlander Emanuela was, it was also quite funny that she didn't appreciate the boot being on the other foot! She was so very much more used to being the one causing, rather than taking, offence. I didn't feel quite as much of a connection to Ema as I did to Hunter, but this was because of the paradoxical nature of who was more in touch with their feelings and emotions. It really brought a different feel to both the book AND the series, I love how it's constantly evolving and doesn't get stale or same old, same old.
Hunter quite simply made me melt. Who knew he had such a soft heart and caring nature under all that rugged manly Nman-ness? He totally made this book for me, he was swoony, sexy, alpha, caring and sweet all wrapped up in one gorgeous package. Oh the subtle changes that attending the mixed school has had.
Jonah, Ema's brother, really brought something special to the story too. I loved his scenes with Mila, so cute and funny. Best of all was his 'chat' with Hunter and Solo at the wedding. Wise words and advice we could all follow!
There were some wonderful glimpses of 'friends' from previous books and hints at future pairings. I am so looking forward to how THOSE stories play out. I really don't know how she does it, but this is yet another amazing book by Elin Peer.
isitcake's review
informative
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
This is probably the most boring of the series. Hunter goes to play soccer on a co-ed Motherlands team, which is captained by Emanuela, councilman Jonah's sister (he's an aspiring councilman and he first meets Pearl and Mila in this book). Soccer isn't just about scoring points in the Motherlands, its also about style and sportsmanship (cursing out the ref will make you lose points). Like everything else, the team spends a lot of time talking about feelings and they all shower together. This makes it difficult for Hunter since he's not used to being around women he finds attractive.
Emanuela and Hunter start off as enemies, which is somewhat of a defense mechanism since they're attracted to each other. The team proposes that they be roommates which of course means they have to share Emanuela's one bed too - since its impossible for them to move another bed into the room. But things really escalate when Hunter goes to a sex club operated by her family.
What I didn't like about this book is that Hunter's "broken heart" from his time with Alice in the last book felt so overblown. Like he was ready to marry Alice after such a short time. His big hangup in this book is that he thinks he'll fall for and be broken hearted by any woman he sleeps with. When he goes to the sex club he goes in wanting to be blind folded to prevent this (kind of dumb plot). Emanuela hears about it and takes the place of the woman he was going to be with. They end up having sex with Hunter supposedly not knowing its her - but of course he recognizes her smell, sounds, feel.
Afterwards he tries to get her to admit it was her but she's hung up on all the throwaway comments he's made. Like how he would never date a team member, or someone older than him (she's 2 years older), and someone else says Hunter prefers skinny blondes. Emanuela was frankly just annoying. How is a team captain so lacking in self confidence!?
The other plot event that happens is they go to Willow and Solo's wedding in the Northlands and bring Jonah with them. There he meets Mila and Pearl and everyone and people see how much Hunter cares for Emanuela.
Then back in the Motherlands there's a ridiculous incident with a bobcat attack on the family Nostalgia Park and Hunter is called in to take care of it. Emanuela gets all butt hurt that he's gone to kill it plus she mistakenly heard he was going to the sex club afterwards and she fucking breaks up with him over the phone but he shows up later and is like wtf and they work it out I guess.
Of course at the end they get together and she agrees to marry him and she'll retire from soccer in a few years to have kids.
Just a ton of this story felt sooo contrived to come up with things to force them together then apart. Definitely the weakest book of the series.
What I didn't like about this book is that Hunter's "broken heart" from his time with Alice in the last book felt so overblown. Like he was ready to marry Alice after such a short time. His big hangup in this book is that he thinks he'll fall for and be broken hearted by any woman he sleeps with. When he goes to the sex club he goes in wanting to be blind folded to prevent this (kind of dumb plot). Emanuela hears about it and takes the place of the woman he was going to be with. They end up having sex with Hunter supposedly not knowing its her - but of course he recognizes her smell, sounds, feel.
Afterwards he tries to get her to admit it was her but she's hung up on all the throwaway comments he's made. Like how he would never date a team member, or someone older than him (she's 2 years older), and someone else says Hunter prefers skinny blondes. Emanuela was frankly just annoying. How is a team captain so lacking in self confidence!?
The other plot event that happens is they go to Willow and Solo's wedding in the Northlands and bring Jonah with them. There he meets Mila and Pearl and everyone and people see how much Hunter cares for Emanuela.
Then back in the Motherlands there's a ridiculous incident with a bobcat attack on the family Nostalgia Park and Hunter is called in to take care of it. Emanuela gets all butt hurt that he's gone to kill it plus she mistakenly heard he was going to the sex club afterwards and she fucking breaks up with him over the phone but he shows up later and is like wtf and they work it out I guess.
Of course at the end they get together and she agrees to marry him and she'll retire from soccer in a few years to have kids.
Just a ton of this story felt sooo contrived to come up with things to force them together then apart. Definitely the weakest book of the series.
ezichinny's review against another edition
4.0
I am only rating this book this high because of Emanuela. I loved her as a heroine. I have disliked Hunter for a couple of books now but in his own book, his heroine Ema gave him all he could handle. She didn't cut him any slack despite her attraction to him.
Ema forced Hunter to deal with many stereotypes he has of women both as athletes and as leaders. She wasn't the stereotypical mothlander as she was combative and blunt in speech. I did like their progression from enemies to lovers.
I especially loved the author's "reflective" look back and discussion on whales, the man that landed on the moon etc. It's interesting to see how we judge past societies and think about how we will be judged.
I don't hate Hunter anymore but he didn't suffer that much. He has his twin back and now his new love Emanuela. All in all, I was satisfied at the end.
Ema forced Hunter to deal with many stereotypes he has of women both as athletes and as leaders. She wasn't the stereotypical mothlander as she was combative and blunt in speech. I did like their progression from enemies to lovers.
I especially loved the author's "reflective" look back and discussion on whales, the man that landed on the moon etc. It's interesting to see how we judge past societies and think about how we will be judged.
I don't hate Hunter anymore but he didn't suffer that much. He has his twin back and now his new love Emanuela. All in all, I was satisfied at the end.
amyiw's review against another edition
5.0
4 1/2 This was a surprise as Hunter wasn't my favorite though he is pretty good here.
So Emanuela is more like a nWoman than the nWomen. Part of that is from her family and her brothers. I really liked this dynamic as it was so different and showed that there are people that were bucking the stifling system of the Motland. The chemistry of banging heads for the two and how it attracted Hunter, her feistynes, was great. The biggest issue I had was the and that didn't take away from the couple.
So Emanuela is more like a nWoman than the nWomen. Part of that is from her family and her brothers. I really liked this dynamic as it was so different and showed that there are people that were bucking the stifling system of the Motland. The chemistry of banging heads for the two and how it attracted Hunter, her feistynes, was great. The biggest issue I had was the
Spoiler
"murder of the cougar" how ridiculous. Self defense isn't even murder in the human sense.shealwaysreads's review against another edition
5.0
Elin Peer has not only used her creative juices to give the readers what they wanted but she also managed to excel in her own work.
I didn’t think that it was possible for the series to keep on improving, but nothing is slower her down and The Athlete, book 8 of the men of the north series will not disappoint. Dare I say that it is by far my favorite of the series.
While I was sure that it would follow the usual path that I’ve come to adore enjoy of opposites attract, Hunter and Emanuela’s start seems that way. The more the story developed the more you saw that this is not the case with Book 8.
I enjoyed the added touches of a reminder that this takes place in the future with the theme park and the mentions of technological breakthroughs from our former cast member Shelly of The Genius (Men of the North, Book 6)
With The Athlete have the very common sport (soccer) being a major role in the novel I was interestedly see how both sides of the border would treat the sport and was pleased with both ways repressing the nation they played for.
The chemistry between our main characters was spot on. The banter and confusion they faced kept me laughing but also gave me an overall feeling satisfied and in awe.
To read more reviews check out www.shealwaysreads.com
I didn’t think that it was possible for the series to keep on improving, but nothing is slower her down and The Athlete, book 8 of the men of the north series will not disappoint. Dare I say that it is by far my favorite of the series.
While I was sure that it would follow the usual path that I’ve come to adore enjoy of opposites attract, Hunter and Emanuela’s start seems that way. The more the story developed the more you saw that this is not the case with Book 8.
I enjoyed the added touches of a reminder that this takes place in the future with the theme park and the mentions of technological breakthroughs from our former cast member Shelly of The Genius (Men of the North, Book 6)
With The Athlete have the very common sport (soccer) being a major role in the novel I was interestedly see how both sides of the border would treat the sport and was pleased with both ways repressing the nation they played for.
The chemistry between our main characters was spot on. The banter and confusion they faced kept me laughing but also gave me an overall feeling satisfied and in awe.
To read more reviews check out www.shealwaysreads.com
daisyblu3's review against another edition
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
tweetatweet1's review
5.0
I received this ARC in exchange for an honest review. I so enjoyed this story. I loved seeing a woman give as good as she got. I enjoyed learning more about Hunter. We didn’t get to really know him before just the angry big brother.
I liked how the character acted like real people. My favorite was the heroine Emanuela. Finally a Momsy who wasn’t so nice. This story had me giggling late into the night. The antics! I loved her family, they were a trip. These characters where so lively. I recommend this story and series. I’m starting to get sad knowing there are just 2 books left in this series then it will end ☹️
I liked how the character acted like real people. My favorite was the heroine Emanuela. Finally a Momsy who wasn’t so nice. This story had me giggling late into the night. The antics! I loved her family, they were a trip. These characters where so lively. I recommend this story and series. I’m starting to get sad knowing there are just 2 books left in this series then it will end ☹️
lindas_bookstoread's review against another edition
5.0
Read the beta of the book. This is book eight of ten, and I will say, that I am getting sadder as the last books release is coming. If you have not read The Men of the North series, I will tell you, you are definitely missing out! Elin's dialogue is so refreshing. She'll have you laughing out loud, which I love. Her characters are amazing, and I feel like I'm a part of their lives. I really think Elin could write more in this series, but as one of her followers, I cannot wait to see what she has planned next!!!
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