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harrow_nash's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
fast-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
4.5
captwinghead's review against another edition
4.0
3.5 stars
This made me open to reading more sports romance, if they had more BIPOC as the main characters. Also, unlike the Riley Hart book I read, the characters actually talk in depth about racism inside the sport.
This book centers Emmitt Armstrong, a Black hockey player, and Ryu Mori, a Japanese American hockey player. It's sort of introduced as an enemies to lovers thing as both are competing for the chance to be the starting goalie for the NHL team the Atlanta Venom. Or so we think (I'll get to that later). Ryu is cold and witholding, Emmitt is cocky and warm. They clash from the beginning, but through their team practices and outings, they grow closer. You know the drill.
Emmitt and Ryu have this UST that gets interpreted as real tension before they end up in a casual hook up situation. I was glad to see an interracial couple between 2 MOC. The sex scenes were hot, well written, and pleasantly had Emmitt as more of the bratty submissive instead of leaning into fetishizing Black men the way some m/m novels do with Black characters. Ryu was hot and dominating and enjoyed the way Emmitt bent for him in ways he didn't for anyone else. I enjoyed that start, although the transition into them wanting more of a relationship wasn't all that smooth, IMO.
Ryu and Emmitt bond over not really getting their parents' approval. For Ryu, it's his mother and father not enjoying that he's not the "Best" yet. For Emmitt, it's that his father wanted him to play in the NFL, not the NHL, and he's generally disinterested in his son's career. Also, they're both MOC playing in an overwhelmingly white dominated sport. So, I get the common ground here.
1) I hated that the coaches let Emmitt go into this thinking he had a real shot at starting. Only Morley (who I loved, BTW) had the balls to tell him the truth: there was no way they were going to let Emmitt start. The coaches only put him on the team and let him think he had a chance so he'd try real hard and so that Ryu wouldn't get complacent. That's cruel. It really soured the entire playoffs for me. Just tell Emmitt upfront.
2) Morley and Emmitt were kinda interesting to me as a pairing in some ways... I like characters that are cool and seemingly emotionless, like Ryu. However, there was something about Morley's chemistry with Emmitt. Not just because he invited him to a threesome, but he was more upfront about his support for Emmitt. The scene where he was hurt during the game against the Marauders and Morley went crazy was just a lot more interesting and more passionate a response. They even have conversations about whether Morley could ever settle down and be with one person and he says it'd be great if they also played hockey. Also, they would never have the issue of competing for the same spot since they played different positions. Kinda wonder what it would've been like if Morley was the guy?
3) The ending, as many have said, was rushed. We also sort of get over Emmitt's disappointment over not starting really quickly. The Stanley Cup Final was odd for me because I feel like Emmitt would've been more conflicted during it, especially since he was going on about how a Stanley Cup might be the only thing his dad would respect. And they get it, but Emmitt wasn't playing when they did. I just don't get why the ending glosses over any conflict he probably would've felt. Also... the competition between Ryu and Emmitt doesn't go away. They just start again the next season. This relationship seems doomed to go nowhere if they're constantly competing with each other - though the ending pushes it as a way for them both to keep improving. It will build resentment eventually.
So, of the sports romances I've read (if you count Check, Please, it's a total of 3), this is definitely my favorite. It actually discusses racism in a way that was significant but not preachy or too much, I liked the characters and it was well paced for the most part. I just ended up shipping the wrong people in a way and think Emmitt's feelings were sort of glossed over in the end.
This made me open to reading more sports romance, if they had more BIPOC as the main characters. Also, unlike the Riley Hart book I read, the characters actually talk in depth about racism inside the sport.
This book centers Emmitt Armstrong, a Black hockey player, and Ryu Mori, a Japanese American hockey player. It's sort of introduced as an enemies to lovers thing as both are competing for the chance to be the starting goalie for the NHL team the Atlanta Venom. Or so we think (I'll get to that later). Ryu is cold and witholding, Emmitt is cocky and warm. They clash from the beginning, but through their team practices and outings, they grow closer. You know the drill.
Emmitt and Ryu have this UST that gets interpreted as real tension before they end up in a casual hook up situation. I was glad to see an interracial couple between 2 MOC. The sex scenes were hot, well written, and pleasantly had Emmitt as more of the bratty submissive instead of leaning into fetishizing Black men the way some m/m novels do with Black characters. Ryu was hot and dominating and enjoyed the way Emmitt bent for him in ways he didn't for anyone else. I enjoyed that start, although the transition into them wanting more of a relationship wasn't all that smooth, IMO.
Ryu and Emmitt bond over not really getting their parents' approval. For Ryu, it's his mother and father not enjoying that he's not the "Best" yet. For Emmitt, it's that his father wanted him to play in the NFL, not the NHL, and he's generally disinterested in his son's career. Also, they're both MOC playing in an overwhelmingly white dominated sport. So, I get the common ground here.
Spoiler
My issues with this book are threefold:1) I hated that the coaches let Emmitt go into this thinking he had a real shot at starting. Only Morley (who I loved, BTW) had the balls to tell him the truth: there was no way they were going to let Emmitt start. The coaches only put him on the team and let him think he had a chance so he'd try real hard and so that Ryu wouldn't get complacent. That's cruel. It really soured the entire playoffs for me. Just tell Emmitt upfront.
2) Morley and Emmitt were kinda interesting to me as a pairing in some ways... I like characters that are cool and seemingly emotionless, like Ryu. However, there was something about Morley's chemistry with Emmitt. Not just because he invited him to a threesome, but he was more upfront about his support for Emmitt. The scene where he was hurt during the game against the Marauders and Morley went crazy was just a lot more interesting and more passionate a response. They even have conversations about whether Morley could ever settle down and be with one person and he says it'd be great if they also played hockey. Also, they would never have the issue of competing for the same spot since they played different positions. Kinda wonder what it would've been like if Morley was the guy?
3) The ending, as many have said, was rushed. We also sort of get over Emmitt's disappointment over not starting really quickly. The Stanley Cup Final was odd for me because I feel like Emmitt would've been more conflicted during it, especially since he was going on about how a Stanley Cup might be the only thing his dad would respect. And they get it, but Emmitt wasn't playing when they did. I just don't get why the ending glosses over any conflict he probably would've felt. Also... the competition between Ryu and Emmitt doesn't go away. They just start again the next season. This relationship seems doomed to go nowhere if they're constantly competing with each other - though the ending pushes it as a way for them both to keep improving. It will build resentment eventually.
So, of the sports romances I've read (if you count Check, Please, it's a total of 3), this is definitely my favorite. It actually discusses racism in a way that was significant but not preachy or too much, I liked the characters and it was well paced for the most part. I just ended up shipping the wrong people in a way and think Emmitt's feelings were sort of glossed over in the end.
achaoticgay's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
charliereads24's review against another edition
emotional
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
emilybordelovewrites's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
inkstndfngrs's review against another edition
3.0
Like the first book in the series, I was pretty meh all the way through this one. Maybe I just don't like the authors style. I really loved Ryu and kinda wanted his story to be...just...better. Blegh.
Also, just gonna throw it out there: I know that Bellzy's story is next and the authors have put a 4th book on the shelf. I haven't looked to see if there was any indication as to who's story it would be, but...uh, I would definitely have read a Morley/Bellzy novel.
Enigmatic pansexual loudmouth with the cool, collected bisexual captain (and maybe his ex-wife)? Yes please.
Oh well. I'll try and find something to like about the next one anyway.
Also, just gonna throw it out there: I know that Bellzy's story is next and the authors have put a 4th book on the shelf. I haven't looked to see if there was any indication as to who's story it would be, but...uh, I would definitely have read a Morley/Bellzy novel.
Enigmatic pansexual loudmouth with the cool, collected bisexual captain (and maybe his ex-wife)? Yes please.
Oh well. I'll try and find something to like about the next one anyway.
love_bookswillbetheendofme's review against another edition
5.0
This is definitely enemies to idiots to lovers.
tartine0beurre's review
4.0
* J'ai adoré la fin, la déclaration d'amour était parfaite.
* Deux hommes de couleurs.
* Chacun avec un background familiale interessant sans être omniprésent.
* Des moments très cute, surtout celui où ils se retrouvent dans la chambre d'hôtel pendant la Stanley Cup après leur breakup. Genre la tendresse et l'amour qu'ils ont l'un pour l'autre c'est trop mims.
* J'adore le drama du breakup mais qu'en même temps ils soient tout les deux sur la même longueur d'onde, dans le sens où pendant la Coupe ils sont plus ensemble mais qu'après ils se donneront une seconde chance.
* Les personnages secondaires étaient top, j'espère que le prochain livre sera sur Morli (j'ai lu le livre en audio donc je sais pas si son prénom s'écrit comme ça but anyways).
* Deux hommes de couleurs.
* Chacun avec un background familiale interessant sans être omniprésent.
* Des moments très cute, surtout celui où ils se retrouvent dans la chambre d'hôtel pendant la Stanley Cup après leur breakup. Genre la tendresse et l'amour qu'ils ont l'un pour l'autre c'est trop mims.
* J'adore le drama du breakup mais qu'en même temps ils soient tout les deux sur la même longueur d'onde, dans le sens où pendant la Coupe ils sont plus ensemble mais qu'après ils se donneront une seconde chance.
* Les personnages secondaires étaient top, j'espère que le prochain livre sera sur Morli (j'ai lu le livre en audio donc je sais pas si son prénom s'écrit comme ça but anyways).