LOVED!!!! 

Nate Hawkins is irrefutable proof that men written by women are Built Different™. He’s protective, thoughtful, emphatic in his feelings, and cares deeply. A dream boat!! 

This didn’t need to be 13 hours long (on audio obvs) but I also never wanted it to end bc I had such a great time. I read about 10-15 books a month and anticipate this being my fav one of April. 

Lots of great small discussions about consent which continues even once Nate and Stassie get together, which was good to see. On that note, the “enemies” part of the “enemies to lovers” is over quite quickly. 

I enjoyed the relationship with her first person (I forgot his name, Ryan maybe) and how that was portrayed. It was always friendly continued to be friendly throughout. In many situations I can see this being portrayed negatively or one of the two spiraling out as it evolved but it didn’t! It was just pleasant. 

I enjoyed how clearly Stassie was able to communicate her feelings and all her discussions of therapy and the mental health benefits. 

I’m used to the hockey gays which are wildly explicit but also have book covers of oiled up shirtless men with 12-packs so you know what you’re getting into. Don’t be fooled, this book is spicy AF. Truly I was taken aback. I loved it don’t get me wrong but you MUST prepare yourself for that going in bc it is a surprise with the cute little illustrated cover. 

The epilogue was the ultimate wish fulfillment which meant I was surprised by the very last scene bc I thought it must have already happened, knowing these two. So not quite the grand finale the author was anticipating but still very nice! 

My only real critique is that Aaron was just such a universal Bad Guy that it was frustrating watching Stassie fight so hard to keep him in her life when he did terrible thing after terrible thing. We only hear references about the brief good times they had in the past, we didn’t get to experience it so it’s like…why is she having this internal struggle, he’s clearly the worst with no redeemable qualities. Tbh I wish we got to hear more details of how things turned out with him. I’d like to see the consequences of his own actions please and thank you!! 

My other complaint is about the next book in the series: I desperately want it to be about Henry and it’s NOT!! Don’t make me fall in love with him and then not immediately provide me with his story!! Alas.