This book was such a joy to read, I really didn't expect to like it as much as I did (no real reason). Finn and Oliver were super sweet and I loved seeing their relationship unfold. 

•minor spoilers• 

I was a fan of Oliver from the beginning. I love characters like him who just are who they are and don't try to change. Plus he's the sweetest sunshiney character I've read in a while, they always get me. I honestly loved how Finn was instantly possessive and protective of him. I'm not normally into insta-love, but this felt different from that. More like "insta-mine until I figure out my feelings, everyone else back off and don't mess with him". 

The plot was somewhat predictable but I was still up late reading what was going to happen. Vivian was always saving the family from drama with her sunshiney happiness, and it allowed Finn and his father's issues to have some depth and not be rushed. The ending felt a little too good to be true, mostly how they are immediately super successful with what they wanted to do after graduation, even though they're 18/19. Maybe that happens for some people? 

I'm a fan of the writing. For a debut novel I was pretty impressed and I'll definitely be reading more by this author!

Read if you like: 
• hurt/comfort 
• grumpy/sunshine 
• stepfamily

I did really enjoy this book, I just felt like some of the flow was off between the beginning and the middle. I loved Jeremy and his family was the best. I'm glad Preston found exactly what he needed in them. 

TW/CW: domestic abuse 

•minor spoilers• 

While I love Jeremy and Preston, Preston was a massive asshole at first. Understandably, since he has a ton of trauma but it seemed a quick flip between that and everyone trying to be his friend and sticking up for him. I feel like they fell in love super fast too, with their main personalities being they loved each other. I wish we got a look into their relationship outside of their need to be together. I liked the epilogue where we got to see Preston getting the help he needed outside of their relationship. 

While I'm glad Preston didn't have to deal with his dad that much in the book, I also felt like he disappeared for the entire middle part? A good thing really but that was the major plot point. Jeremy's family made up for everything though, they're hilarious and I loved the all Christmas parts (and the quilts 🥹) 

The writing was good enough, randomly a little repetitive - like the same random phrase would be used back to back then never used again. I still really enjoyed the story and the characters. Where's this Brendon and Paul story though??

Read if you like:
• hockey romance 🏒
• enemies to lovers 
• trauma healing

I knew it would be hard to follow up The Endgame and my loves Anson and West, but Darren and Jeremy did great. Also helped that West and Anson were pretty involved in their story and I got to swoon over them some more. I felt like everything that happened was what I expected to go wrong in The Endgame, but that never did. Overall I loved their friendship turned relationship and how they overcame all the outside worlds obstacles. 

•minor spoilers• 

You could tell these two hit it off immediately. They seemed to complement each other perfectly and I loved watching their friendship grow into something more. They were both super supportive of each other and really worked for their relationship instead of running or breaking up, which we love to see. 

They definitely had a lot of outside obstacles to overcome and it really added to the depth of their relationship. The plot moved really well throughout the story and the timeline made it feel really realistic, no instalove or problems weren't instantly solved. We got to see how Jeremy and Darren worked through everything together and it made them stronger. 

I thought this was written very similarly to The Endgame. Nice and easy to read, and even though this takes place over months you never felt like you were missing anything.

Read if you like: 
• friends to lovers 
• sports romance 🏈
• bisexual awakening

This was just what I needed right now, the perfect mix of angst and romance and all the feelings. I loved both these characters and just wanted to give them all a big hug. 

•minor spoilers• 

These guys...Anson had my heart hurting. He made me tear up so many times. I just wanted to hug him and tell him it'll all be okay. I love West's love for him, and how understanding he was. They just had that kind of relationship that you knew was it. It was supportive and loving, and even with the slow start with texts and calls you could really connect with them. 

I'm not normally a fan of all the plot and events taking place over so many months, but it worked here. I think because the characters were just so good you didn't feel like you missed any of their connection. I was so nervous about Anson coming out without meaning to, and his story of coming out to his family had me tearing up. The plot was really focused on Anson and his acceptance of who he is and how West helped him and supported him, but also how West's experience was the flip side of not having that support. 

Sometimes for me this author can get a little bogged down with internal feels and monologues in her writing, but this is my favorite of hers by far. It was written well and if I could I would've sat in bed and read it straight through. Looking forward to the next!

Read if you like: 
• football 🏈
• long distance 
• secret romance 
• you should just read it