This was the perfect in between for the DOSAB series. Book 2 was just so extremely dark, and I can't imagine it getting better quickly in book 3, so this has fit perfectly in between the two for a little fluff relief. (The audiobook is also absolutely fantastic, like the rest of the DOSAB series. I looove Mik's narrator!)

Reading this a second time around definitely went much better, but I have to attribute that to the audiobook experience rather than the book itself

Ahhh I genuinely really enjoyed this, and it might be my favorite of the many romances I was all reading at the same time.

Something about the relationship in this one just CLICKED, and I loved how it developed as the story progressed. I loved seeing them go from enemies to rivals to lovers and their dynamic was so fun to read, especially when the banter was heavy (and it never really went away, even after they got together!) I also really enjoyed how, with both characters together, a lot of ground was covered in terms of social issues/family issues, and yet it never felt like the story was trying to contain too much. Everything got spotlighted, though the issues affecting Mickey more so of course, and I really appreciated the perspective this story seemed to give about depression, that even if you're considered 'privilege' you can still suffer from and struggle with it. I also really loved the support system that this book set in place, even if Mickey didn't always trust it would be there for him, and I loved seeing him grow to rely on those around him more and more.

I also just, really enjoyed the hockey aspects of this book, and I was so tense during so many of the game moments, which goes to show how well-written that part of this book was. Who would be the first draft pick?? Would Mickey be a team player or work towards furthering his own career first??? It was interesting to see how different characters made different choices based on what their focus was, and how hockey is both a solo and team sport at the same time in different aspects. Anyways, definitely want to go read a bunch of hockey romances now, haha.

Overall, I really enjoyed this book, and it outshone a lot of other books I was reading at the time. I'll definitely be keeping an eye out for other books by this author!

I absolutely adored this book, and it was made even better by reading it with a friend (love u Brenda <3)

This book sucked me in quickly based a lot on nostalgia, almost, as reading this reminded me of a lot of the texts I used to read in my travel writing class in uni, except with less shitty people involved (well... less shitty narrator at least). I was wholly immersed in the setting and scenery of the story so quickly, and could feel the bitter cold alongside our characters. The description was so well-written and gave me such a strong sense of place throughout this whole story, and I loved seeing how each new chapter would reveal more secrets of Bedlam and its hidden beauty.

I loved our main character, Merrick, but I loved Raphael even more, and it was a joy to see the two open up more and share bits and pieces about their histories. Merrick also seemed genuinely invested and interested in Bedlam beyond some monetary gain to be had from stealing some trees, and it made the reader that much more invested in Bedlam and it's people as well. It was fascinating to see Merrick unravel Bedlam, and Raphael, piece by piece, and I found myself excited about each new chapter. It was also an achingly beautiful story, and I loved how generations were wrapped up in this single, ongoing story that Merrick stumbled upon.

I adored this book, and I can't wait to see what the other books in this series are like, and if they can bring the same strong imagery and beautiful writing as this one.

3.5 but rounded up

I really enjoyed this trilogy overall, and that it provided just a good, consistent set of queer romances. None of them ended up an absolute favorite, but I did enjoy each one overall (and the covers will look gorgeous on my shelves!)

Overall I'm a bit conflicted on this one since I didn't love how certain aspects were tackled, but overall it was still cute and I liked both the characters. My main issue was Margot and her jealousy/fear of losing people, and how it felt so manipulative at points + got 'resolved' so quickly at the end, while Olivia is forced to go through a trial basically to prove she's working on her own issues. It feels unbalanced, where Olivia's flaw is overblown and Margot's flaw feels like it's brushed aside. On top of that, I wasn't the biggest fan of the miscommunication trope and how it was used here, though it got better as the book progressed. The ending also felt very quick, and by the end I was a bit done with weddings, haha.

It seems like I'm complaining a lot, but honestly, it really wasn't that bad. Most of this was an issue at the end of the book, so the larger part of my experience was enjoyable and fun! I liked Margot a lot, and was so happy to finally see her point of view on things. Olivia was also so sweet, and I loved seeing them rekindle their friendship and then relationship. You could tell they really liked each other and just wanted to keep the other happy, even if they sometimes forgot that talking through things can really help with that haha.

I'm excited to see if this is the end of this series, and if so, what this author writes next!