mollyreadsandcrafts's Reviews (978)

I write in my reviews how I love mature adult relationships, but sometimes you just need some toxic, forbidden love to change things up and this delivered. A wild, sexy ride for Raven and Clint. 

Clint basically raised Raven alongside his son, Joey, through his teenage years, saving him from a horrible home life. Now in their early 20s, Joey leaves for Army (I think) training camp and Raven moves back into their childhood home with Clint. Raven has spent years pining for Clint and after revealing his feelings, they spend the summer getting selfishly lost in their romance. Real life is still outside their walls though, and their deeply obsessive love may not be strong enough to overcome the obstacles thrown their way. 

Clint starts the summer trying to live for himself, and Raven is there to facilitate that in any way. That was the healthy part of their relationship. They believed in each other and gave unconditional support and love to the other's dreams. While it got dark there for a while, they were able to come back to that good place with a more mature mindset, having gone through the necessary self improvement. Now the dark part of their relationship - wow was it toxic. It was dark, obsessive, suffocating, and just mean in some parts. While it always sucks to have separation, there was so much growth needed that couldn't have happened without a step back. 

There's a lot going on with this book, but I liked that about it. It's a little over the top, the characters are dramatic, and it wasn't always the best relationship. There's a lot of sex. A lot of dirty, primal, possessive sex. Their chemistry was off the charts though, so more power to them. Joey was an interesting character, and I really hope we get a book about him and whatever mysterious thing he went through with his partner. Another solid book from C.P. Harris! 

Read if you like: 
• best friend's dad 
• age gap 
• hurt/comfort
• forbidden romance

Another endearing couple as expected from E.L. Massey. Low on hockey and spice (there is none) but high on good friends and cute moments. 

Patrick Roman (Rome) accepts a scholarship to a top hockey boarding school in order leave his past behind and get a better shot at a successful future. Immediately upon meeting Damien, he knows he doesn't like the guy. Damien wants to focus on poetry and hockey, but he and Rome can't stop antagonizing each other on and off the ice. As the semester progresses they realize they might have judged each other too fast, and form an unlikely friendship and eventually something more than friends. They have to figure out how to navigate their relationship as their pasts and futures weigh heavily on them both. 

This story deal with some heavier topics while still having that YA-feel to it. There's multiple sensitive subjects discussed, and one of my favorite parts was the effort that both Rome and Damien put into bettering themselves and adjusting their worldview. They're teenagers, so mistakes and miscommunications were made, but they took the time to understand one another. Once they got past their prejudices they were so adorable and had such fun banter, while still giving each other comfort and support. 

Once again I loved all the side characters, E.L. Massey writes the best friends and family. If I had a complaint it would be that Rome and Damien are so young for some of the big life changes they make. Maybe I'm cynical and jaded, but I can't imagine living their lives and thinking about forever at that age. I'm glad they make it work because I love them together! 

Read if you like: 
• hate to love  
• hurt/comfort
• hockey 
• opposites attract

This book was so adorable and not in the cheesy, too sweet way but in the heartwarming, feel good way that makes you all happy. 

Eli is a figure skater who has seizures after an accident. Alex is the youngest NHL captain - he's literally 19 which is insane to me, he's been in the league for what 2 years? But I digress. He has a lot of media attention for his very vague past mistakes, and it also turns out he's a closeted athlete. On Eli's first day at his college's team's practice he meets Alex, and Alex convinces him to go on a casual, seemingly platonic date. As they spend more time together, Eli finds Alex isn't the cocky, arrogant man he portrays to the media. Alex starts to realize that maybe there's something that would be worth coming out for (it's Eli). 

Alex is such a sweet character. I wish we got a little more detail of his background, I don't think I even know where he's from, but he's so endearing and somewhat naive in his courtship of Eli. I liked Eli a lot for knowing who he is and what he needs, and establishing those boundaries. He seems very self assured for his age and what he's been through and I appreciate that in a character. It's a very low spice story - kissing and fade to black - but you can tell they have chemistry and just click. 

Probably the best part of the story besides Alex being cute for Eli were the side characters. This NHL team is the absolutely best. I love Jeff and Kuzy, and everyone is so supportive even if some were a little wary at first. I need a whole book on Cody and James honestly. With Alex's past, I love that he's found a family with this team and with Eli. 

This was as low angst as I was expecting but also not. I kept waiting for the other shoe to drop, but this first book was mostly just the start of their sweet romance with lovely characters and a few laughs. Onto book 2!

Read if you like: 
• friends to lovers 
• hockey player/figure skater
• feel good romance