mollyreadsandcrafts's Reviews (978)

Eddie is a baseball who gets traded to the New York Robins and finds himself in the slumps of all slumps. Mark is a reporter who has spent the last year quietly mourning. Mark is sent to cover the story of Eddie and his season. They are two lonely souls who find new life with one another, but struggle with the privacy of their relationship. 

I loved these two. Mark is the epitome of a "black cat" character. He's a bit of a snob, very particular, but also can't help but fall for the sweet new baseball player. My heart hurt so much for Mark. From how he finds out about William's death to not being able to grieve properly and openly, it's a horrible thing that many people had to go through. He's in such a hard place, and Eddie is the breath of air he needs. Eddie is a complete sweetheart, while also being a bit of a hot head. I loved his character arc. He's a little naive, but when life challenged him he realized the important things and came to terms with a lot of things he avoided before. They couldn't be more of opposites, but are exactly what the other needs. 

I love the books I've read by Cat Sebastian. There's humor, emotions, and characters you can't help but to root for. The side characters are supportive and interesting on their own, and add some good perspective to the story. If I had to pick something I didn't care for, it just seemed like a lot of baseball which I don't particularly like and it had some slower parts. I loved these characters though, and I can't wait to read more of her works! 

Read if you like: 
• baseball          
• grumpy/sunshine         
• secret relationship       
• historical romance (1960s) 

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This book and I had a slow burn happening. It took me a while to warm up, but I ended up loving these guys and watching their relationship unfold and mature along with them. I'm not usually a fan of long time spans, with hook ups happening over years, but it was done pretty well. I was extremely stoked to realize there's a sequel because that ending was not nearly enough for me! 

•minor spoilers• 

When Ilya and Shane first meet you can feel their chemistry, and it's ultimately what brings them back to each other over the years. I don't usually like romances that take place over years and years, but I think one of the reasons it worked here is that they were so young. They were only 18 when they met and 25/26? in the current scenes. I think it's crazy they never formed even a friendship after 6 years but it also seemed to work for them. I enjoyed seeing the whole process of the relationship over time, kind of growing with them, even if I did just want to force them to love each other the whole time. Because you can tell it's going to happen and it's going to be good! They really bring out different parts of each other, Ilya's softer side and Shane's wilder side, while still having a solid emotional and physical connection. 

Maybe it's just me, but this is the second book in the series and like the first, the amount of sex scenes was insane. It didn't bother me as much as the first, maybe because all of their interactions were basically only hook ups for over half the book, but it seemed a bit much. 

We get a "happy for now" ending. I was never a fan of their long game plan, but I also thought the book was ending a lot sooner and didn't realize there was a sequel. It gives Him/Us (Elle Kennedy and Sarina Bowen) vibes from when they are together and happy but still hiding, and the toll that takes on a relationship. I'm excited to read the rest of the series but especially their second book. 

Read if you like: 
• hockey 
• secret romance
• opposites attract

Nick lives as ordinary life as he can, working his way up to a reporter at the Chronicle. When Andy, the owner's son, starts working there to get his feet wet, Nick immediately takes him under his wing. They have an unlikely friendship, that soon forms into something more fragile and dangerous for two men in NYC during this time. 

I adored both of these characters, and loved them even more together. Andy's a bit of a mess, but he's so dang genuine and endearing. Nick adores Andy even if he knows it's a dangerous and impossible dream. Nick is a bit of a grump but has the softest spot for Andy, taking care of him and quietly understanding his insecurities. Andy gives Nick the hope for a life he never imagined for himself - one with a partner who truly loves him. They have such contentment and happiness in the small domestic moments most take for granted, and it could melt any cold heart. It's a slow burn, but their friendship and eventual romance was so sweet. 

The secondary characters added so much to the story. I genuinely loved them all, especially watching Andy and his dad get closer. It was so important for them to have this found family full of support and no judgment, and I loved that they had that group of friends they could be themselves around. 

This time period is so intriguing to me. In history class a lot of this time period was glossed over even though these stories are so important. The LGBTQ media from this time is so heartbreaking, inspiring, and emotive and I recommend reading about it for everyone.  

This was my first Cat Sebastian book and I'm definitely going to read more. It got the tiniest bit slow in the middle there but I really liked the writing style and character development. Really interesting in read her other works! 

Read if you like: 
• historical romance (1950s/1960s)          
• friends to lovers        
• secret relationship       

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