DNF at 50%

This was a very straightforward feel good book that reminded me of a couple Nicholas Sparks books combined into one, with the knowledge of someone who's gone to therapy and can regurgitate the lessons they've learned. The overall statement smacking me in the face was forgiveness. The writing was good, if you like feel good quotes and a lot of internal emotional dialogue, this one might be for you.

I enjoyed:
-not a tiny heroine (strong as hell firefighter)
-tough heroine + sweet hero trope
-mental health rep throughout the book
-heroine had past trauma she was holding on to and needed to process through
-hero being super conscientious, slow, and caring during the sex scene

I wasn't into:
-lack of dialogue or the reader seeing the heroine/hero growing to like one another besides the physical attraction they have, and a few kind moments of the hero doing the bare minimum of being a listener.
-heroine putting on one dress and it being the "she's all that" instant hottie with legs and sexy hair.
-both so quick to declare undying love to each other. after 70% of listening to them hide whatever feelings are going on for the sake of their jobs, they both announce that they love each other in front of a live audience of every person who knows the two of them? not my thing.
-heroine's soliloquy to her stalker about her past trauma, and them basically going from hate to understanding in mere minutes.
-so much bow wrapping up of the book, everything worked out, all relationships were mended including the firefighter that tried to kill them and was sexist as hell.

Probably will forget this book pretty quickly, but it was something quick to read through with a good role and trope reversal of the sunshine/grumpy trope.

2.5

DNF for now.

Still love these two, but all the drama and angst threw in was very meh.

Wow, this was such a sweet and vulnerable M/M romance! Plus with Sarina Bowen and Elle Kennedy you know you're going to get some A+ hockey content, and this didn't disappoint. There are few books that make me outwardly react to characters on the page, and this book had me making all kinds of outbursts and exclamations. Getting to watch Wes actually be vulnerable with someone and watch Jamie come to terms with his sexuality and maneuvering their friendship and love for one another was SO TENDER. This was low angst, had real life worries about coming out and being accepted by the people in your life, and letting yourself care about someone else.

I hope the second book in this duology is just as good! Keep the sexy scenes coming :)

2.5/5 stars.

I loved certain aspects of this book - Chinese American representation, Chinese culture and foooood, rock climbing, music, etc etc. I thought that was all done well and was interesting. However, the angst and length of their relationship was too insta-lovey for my taste. I liked their chemistry but a lot of their arguments and feelings were too immature for me.