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Merissa (13956 KP) rated Bratva's Intern (Bratva's Undoing #1) in Books
Jul 8, 2025
BRATVA'S INTERN is the first in the Bratva's Undoing series and the first of two that has Maxim and Wren as the main characters.
So, firstly, as you may have gathered from the title, this has to do with the Russian mob. Maxim travelled to America when he was young and built up from there. Wren is a (in his own words) completely average and unremarkable student, who suffered the disappearance of his father when he was twelve. He doesn't mention his mother much, so I'm not sure if she's still alive or not. Anyway, these two meet in a coffee shop, and it all goes from there, but I won't say too much as I don't want to give any spoilers.
This was a one-sitting read for me. I simply couldn't put it down once I'd started it. The back-and-forth between them, the confusion, the jealousy, the 'what the hell is going on here?' moments; they all add up to a fantastic story. Maxim is possessive of Wren and makes no bones about telling him, which is just what Wren needs to hear. I loved how Wren showed his backbone to stick up for others, and yet failed to stand up for himself. I shouted out when Maxim helped give him more confidence, and the backing and support Wren hasn't had for far too many years. Maxim tries to keep Wren out of it for the most part, but Wren is a stubborn and independent man who just didn't see the danger (because he's been kept out of it!) until it was too late.
I loved the ending of this book. It ties some things up nicely, giving a HFN ending for Maxim and Wren, while leaving me with answers I still need! What happened to Wren's dad? What is going on with Archie? Who applied on Wren's behalf for the internship?
Honestly, I loved Maxim and Wren so much. They are ably supported by other characters, some of whom I adored (Nik, Jess, Darius), and some of whom gave me an itchy feeling, where it feels as though more is going on, but I won't know until the author shares. And, no, I don't need to name them because anyone who's read the book knows d@mn well who I'm on about!
Absolutely brilliant and HIGHLY RECOMMENDED by me. I can't wait for the second book in this series!
** Same worded review will appear elsewhere. **
* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book; the comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Jul 1, 2025
So, firstly, as you may have gathered from the title, this has to do with the Russian mob. Maxim travelled to America when he was young and built up from there. Wren is a (in his own words) completely average and unremarkable student, who suffered the disappearance of his father when he was twelve. He doesn't mention his mother much, so I'm not sure if she's still alive or not. Anyway, these two meet in a coffee shop, and it all goes from there, but I won't say too much as I don't want to give any spoilers.
This was a one-sitting read for me. I simply couldn't put it down once I'd started it. The back-and-forth between them, the confusion, the jealousy, the 'what the hell is going on here?' moments; they all add up to a fantastic story. Maxim is possessive of Wren and makes no bones about telling him, which is just what Wren needs to hear. I loved how Wren showed his backbone to stick up for others, and yet failed to stand up for himself. I shouted out when Maxim helped give him more confidence, and the backing and support Wren hasn't had for far too many years. Maxim tries to keep Wren out of it for the most part, but Wren is a stubborn and independent man who just didn't see the danger (because he's been kept out of it!) until it was too late.
I loved the ending of this book. It ties some things up nicely, giving a HFN ending for Maxim and Wren, while leaving me with answers I still need! What happened to Wren's dad? What is going on with Archie? Who applied on Wren's behalf for the internship?
Honestly, I loved Maxim and Wren so much. They are ably supported by other characters, some of whom I adored (Nik, Jess, Darius), and some of whom gave me an itchy feeling, where it feels as though more is going on, but I won't know until the author shares. And, no, I don't need to name them because anyone who's read the book knows d@mn well who I'm on about!
Absolutely brilliant and HIGHLY RECOMMENDED by me. I can't wait for the second book in this series!
** Same worded review will appear elsewhere. **
* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book; the comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Jul 1, 2025
Debbiereadsbook (1735 KP) rated Silas's Sweetheart (Divergent Omegaverse #4) in Books
Aug 2, 2025
I liked that Ziggy was a perfect match for Silas' desires.
Independent reviewer for Archaeolibrarian, I was gifted my copy of this book.
This is book 4 in the Divergent Omegaverse series, and I recommend that you read books 1-3 first. Not strictly necessary, but you will get more of this group of men and the world they live in.
Silas didn't want to return home, but his parents called 8 Starling brothers to them and dropped a bombshell: They were retiring and the company was to be run by the brothers. So, he goes to his happy place to forget for a while. Meeting the snake shifter rocked his world, but finding the same shifter in his office as his new PA? Silas isn't sure he can manage to keep his hands to himself. Ziggy offers an alternative, since he is equally smitten with Silas. Then the emotional past comes back to Silas and he hurts Ziggy, badly. Can he get Ziggy to give him a second chance?
I loved Silas and Ziggy, I really did but not so much their story and *insert wailing* I don't know why!
So, here's what I did like.
I liked that both Silas and Ziggy found themselves rocked by the encounter at Hidden Desires. I liked that they both found themselves wanting to repeat that. I liked that Ziggy was a perfect match for Silas' desires.
I did not like what happened to Sials when he was a child. I liked that it bought Booker into the family though. But Silas is still suffering the effects of that attack and it's this that makes him mess up, big time, with Ziggy.
I liked that Ziggy, while hurt and trying to move on, really cannot. I do love that Ziggy was able to let Silas explain his actions and the reasons why he acted the way he did. Once Ziggy gets the full picture, he is willing to let Silas back in, IF he remembers to use his words next time!
I loved that we visited the Darling Ranch and met Cass (Unbar The Barred) for the first time, along with a few other characters who piqued my interest. So much so, I saw pairings that were not there and I'm not sure if I'm disappointed with myself, or excited about those correct pairings!
There is some overlap with books 2 and 3, and some fall out from that visit to the factory. I hope those omegas get their HEA, cos they really need it!
Can't quite figure out what's different to the other books, but that;s Ms Sayle for you! She properly messes with my book brain!
4 very good stars (sorry!)
*same worded review will appear elsewhere
This is book 4 in the Divergent Omegaverse series, and I recommend that you read books 1-3 first. Not strictly necessary, but you will get more of this group of men and the world they live in.
Silas didn't want to return home, but his parents called 8 Starling brothers to them and dropped a bombshell: They were retiring and the company was to be run by the brothers. So, he goes to his happy place to forget for a while. Meeting the snake shifter rocked his world, but finding the same shifter in his office as his new PA? Silas isn't sure he can manage to keep his hands to himself. Ziggy offers an alternative, since he is equally smitten with Silas. Then the emotional past comes back to Silas and he hurts Ziggy, badly. Can he get Ziggy to give him a second chance?
I loved Silas and Ziggy, I really did but not so much their story and *insert wailing* I don't know why!
So, here's what I did like.
I liked that both Silas and Ziggy found themselves rocked by the encounter at Hidden Desires. I liked that they both found themselves wanting to repeat that. I liked that Ziggy was a perfect match for Silas' desires.
I did not like what happened to Sials when he was a child. I liked that it bought Booker into the family though. But Silas is still suffering the effects of that attack and it's this that makes him mess up, big time, with Ziggy.
I liked that Ziggy, while hurt and trying to move on, really cannot. I do love that Ziggy was able to let Silas explain his actions and the reasons why he acted the way he did. Once Ziggy gets the full picture, he is willing to let Silas back in, IF he remembers to use his words next time!
I loved that we visited the Darling Ranch and met Cass (Unbar The Barred) for the first time, along with a few other characters who piqued my interest. So much so, I saw pairings that were not there and I'm not sure if I'm disappointed with myself, or excited about those correct pairings!
There is some overlap with books 2 and 3, and some fall out from that visit to the factory. I hope those omegas get their HEA, cos they really need it!
Can't quite figure out what's different to the other books, but that;s Ms Sayle for you! She properly messes with my book brain!
4 very good stars (sorry!)
*same worded review will appear elsewhere
Troubled Skies (Blue Skies #3)
10.0
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When Red, White, and Royal Blue meets Below Deck… To say Ricky is having a bad year is an...
Contemporary MM Romance
Dead Money Run (A Lou Malloy Crime Series #1)
7.0
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Lou Malloy has just maxed out on a fifteen year prison sentence for the theft of $15 million and...
Debbiereadsbook (1735 KP) rated Save The Date (Square Mile Rogues #4) in Books
May 5, 2026
loved that neither saw the past of the other as a problem.
Independent reviewer for Archaeolibrarain, I was gifted my copy of this book.
This is my review, and I am going to be honest, ok?
In the beginning, I hated this book. It was making no sense, Oliver and Peter had a say but also a third person and I couldn't see why this other person had a say for such a long time. Worse still, the third person kept talking about "him" and a name was not used and I was getting frustrated so bad! I really considered dumping this book, I was that cross with it.
And then! I have absolutely no idea what happened, but it kept me reading and then suddenly everything made perfect sense and I actually found this a very good read in the end.
I hated (capital letters, underlined, italics and bold) absolutely hated what they did on that game show. The person in charge was a b!tch of the highest order, and just wanted ratings, she wasn't at all bothered what they did to people. Just gotta get that in! The fact that this came with a Married at First Sight style game show tag, makes me think about that show (cos I've watched it, don't judge me!) and what happens in the background on that one.
But I loved that both Peter and Oliver managed to walk away at the very right time for them both.
Opposites really do attract, and Oliver and Peter were polar opposites. I loved that neither saw the past of the other as a problem, once they actually talked about things away from the dating show. Their respective history doesn't all come out in one go and I loved being able to catch my breath before the next bit was thrown at me.
And there were some corkers thrown at me! Peter's marriage and how that worked, was one. Much of Oliver's past comes out in the book, though.
And that third person's mysterious he?? I got that so very wrong! But I loved the way it all came together, I really did.
This is the first book I've read of Ms Soames and now I know how she likes to mess things up in my head, I might venture into her world again. OH, and before I go, this book is billed as book 4 in the Square Mile Rogues series and a quick look at books one and two (cos I can't find book 3!) shows me that this can be read as a stand alone to those books. I don't think any of those main characters pop up here.
Because it took me a while to start to enjoy, . . .
4 very good stars
*same worded review will appear elsewhere
This is my review, and I am going to be honest, ok?
In the beginning, I hated this book. It was making no sense, Oliver and Peter had a say but also a third person and I couldn't see why this other person had a say for such a long time. Worse still, the third person kept talking about "him" and a name was not used and I was getting frustrated so bad! I really considered dumping this book, I was that cross with it.
And then! I have absolutely no idea what happened, but it kept me reading and then suddenly everything made perfect sense and I actually found this a very good read in the end.
I hated (capital letters, underlined, italics and bold) absolutely hated what they did on that game show. The person in charge was a b!tch of the highest order, and just wanted ratings, she wasn't at all bothered what they did to people. Just gotta get that in! The fact that this came with a Married at First Sight style game show tag, makes me think about that show (cos I've watched it, don't judge me!) and what happens in the background on that one.
But I loved that both Peter and Oliver managed to walk away at the very right time for them both.
Opposites really do attract, and Oliver and Peter were polar opposites. I loved that neither saw the past of the other as a problem, once they actually talked about things away from the dating show. Their respective history doesn't all come out in one go and I loved being able to catch my breath before the next bit was thrown at me.
And there were some corkers thrown at me! Peter's marriage and how that worked, was one. Much of Oliver's past comes out in the book, though.
And that third person's mysterious he?? I got that so very wrong! But I loved the way it all came together, I really did.
This is the first book I've read of Ms Soames and now I know how she likes to mess things up in my head, I might venture into her world again. OH, and before I go, this book is billed as book 4 in the Square Mile Rogues series and a quick look at books one and two (cos I can't find book 3!) shows me that this can be read as a stand alone to those books. I don't think any of those main characters pop up here.
Because it took me a while to start to enjoy, . . .
4 very good stars
*same worded review will appear elsewhere
The Long Way Home (Coming Home #1)
7.0
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Marcus The love of my life made me promise to fall in love with someone else. How’s that for an...
Contemporary MM Romance Small Town
Debbiereadsbook (1735 KP) rated The Prince of Asgard (The Nine Worlds #2) in Books
Mar 22, 2026
the emotions creep up and I loved watching them fall!
Independent reviewer for Archaeolibrarian, I was gifted my copy of this book.
This is book 2 in The Nine Worlds series, and it can be read as a stand alone. I would recommend, however, that you read book 1, The Magic of Vanaheim. It will give you a better understanding of this world, the Norse mythology and the wonderfulness that is Ms Nansen's writing!
Thori kills a dragon a few years ago, and now he finds himself sold, as a thrall, to the man who loved that dragon. He just needs to kill that man too, and he can be free. But there are other things at work, and Thori needs to work WITH Njord to save the world they live in. He's just not sure he can let Njord go, once they have.
I loved book one, Hakon and Talvi do pop up here. But you don't need their story to follow this one. There is a little overlap between the two, because I wrote in that review: But the biggest question is just what is going on with Talvi's uncle and the thrall??
Well, now I know!
I loved this book, I really did. Thori and Njord (Talvi's uncle) butt heads right from the start, but it's the way they grow closer that I loved. It's a proper slow burn, and it was right and proper that these two took some time to become fully invested in the other.
Lots and lots of Norse and Viking mythology and lore and again, some I knew of, some not. But I've given up trying to match my (very limited) knowledge to what's on the page because I'm fairly certain, what I think I remember from wherever I picked it up, is wrong and I'm getting mixed up. So once I stopped, I was able to fully engross myself in this book, this world and these people.
Some violence, but hey! Vikings and witches and all manner of deadly beings, so to be expected. I found the smex a bit lighter (than book 1) but no less powerful and steamy. The emotions creep up on both Thori and Njord and I loved watching them fall.
There was a sort of third act break up, sort of, but Thori remedies that beautifully! And with such a gift!!
I don't know who might be next, I'm sure there were clues here, but I might have missed them, concentrating on Thori and Njord as I was but I WILL read it. There is clearly a bigger picture I'm yet to see, but my book brain is screaming at me, that something bigger is going on that is already clear!
5 full and shiny stars
*same worded review will appear elsewhere
This is book 2 in The Nine Worlds series, and it can be read as a stand alone. I would recommend, however, that you read book 1, The Magic of Vanaheim. It will give you a better understanding of this world, the Norse mythology and the wonderfulness that is Ms Nansen's writing!
Thori kills a dragon a few years ago, and now he finds himself sold, as a thrall, to the man who loved that dragon. He just needs to kill that man too, and he can be free. But there are other things at work, and Thori needs to work WITH Njord to save the world they live in. He's just not sure he can let Njord go, once they have.
I loved book one, Hakon and Talvi do pop up here. But you don't need their story to follow this one. There is a little overlap between the two, because I wrote in that review: But the biggest question is just what is going on with Talvi's uncle and the thrall??
Well, now I know!
I loved this book, I really did. Thori and Njord (Talvi's uncle) butt heads right from the start, but it's the way they grow closer that I loved. It's a proper slow burn, and it was right and proper that these two took some time to become fully invested in the other.
Lots and lots of Norse and Viking mythology and lore and again, some I knew of, some not. But I've given up trying to match my (very limited) knowledge to what's on the page because I'm fairly certain, what I think I remember from wherever I picked it up, is wrong and I'm getting mixed up. So once I stopped, I was able to fully engross myself in this book, this world and these people.
Some violence, but hey! Vikings and witches and all manner of deadly beings, so to be expected. I found the smex a bit lighter (than book 1) but no less powerful and steamy. The emotions creep up on both Thori and Njord and I loved watching them fall.
There was a sort of third act break up, sort of, but Thori remedies that beautifully! And with such a gift!!
I don't know who might be next, I'm sure there were clues here, but I might have missed them, concentrating on Thori and Njord as I was but I WILL read it. There is clearly a bigger picture I'm yet to see, but my book brain is screaming at me, that something bigger is going on that is already clear!
5 full and shiny stars
*same worded review will appear elsewhere
Debbiereadsbook (1735 KP) rated Around and Around We Go (Vermont Trailblazers #2) in Books
Apr 30, 2026
it was EPIC, when Sandro let Bennett in!
Independent reviewer for Archaeolibrarain, I was gifted my copy of this book.
This is book 2 in the Vermont Trailblazers series. While it can be read as a stand alone to book 1, The Best Parts of Him, I reckon you SHOULD read that book first. Why? Cos it was freaking awesome and so is this one!
Sandro is the oldest player in the team, and until his knees and/or back give out, he'll keep playing cos The Trailblazers are heading for a third consecutive championship this year. He just needs to hold out and put up with this documentary that is being made around them. Bennett is the director. He too, is facing the end of his career if this series tanked as much as the last one. That he is here, facing the love of his life after 15 years? Minor detail, and Bennett just needs to talk to Sandro, if Sandro will let him.
What I noticed while reading this book, (nay, I inhaled this book!) was although it's a hockey based book, there was very little actual on ice descriptions of play. And as a non-sporty person, I absolutely loved that! There are some, but only enough to give you a picture of what's going on, and it's not in great detail. It all made perfect sense to me, as sometimes, I get overwhelmed by the detail and I didn't here and I was able to fully concentrate on Sandro and Bennett.
And they were beautiful, they really were.
I fully understood why Sandro didn't really want to talk to Bennett, off camera, the man was still hurting, even after all this time, but when Sandro allowed Bennett in, finally?? Oh it was truly epic. Sandro made Bennett work for it, he really did.
I loved that Bennett found the theme for the series based on his own experience. Loved how the older Trailblazers were helping the new team members who really were struggling. And that Sandro found his future, along the same thread.
It takes time for the steam to build, and I loved being made to wait for it. This book is more about the emotions of these two men, and giving the other a second chance. Oh Bennett wanted Sandro, he really did, but Sandro wasn't sure about letting him in and I loved that they didn't jump straight back in. 15 years is a long time!
Absolutely cracking follow-up to book 1, and I can't wait to see what comes next. Well, I know who comes next, but I gotta wait so freaking long!
A stunning 5 star read!
*same worded review will appear elsewhere
This is book 2 in the Vermont Trailblazers series. While it can be read as a stand alone to book 1, The Best Parts of Him, I reckon you SHOULD read that book first. Why? Cos it was freaking awesome and so is this one!
Sandro is the oldest player in the team, and until his knees and/or back give out, he'll keep playing cos The Trailblazers are heading for a third consecutive championship this year. He just needs to hold out and put up with this documentary that is being made around them. Bennett is the director. He too, is facing the end of his career if this series tanked as much as the last one. That he is here, facing the love of his life after 15 years? Minor detail, and Bennett just needs to talk to Sandro, if Sandro will let him.
What I noticed while reading this book, (nay, I inhaled this book!) was although it's a hockey based book, there was very little actual on ice descriptions of play. And as a non-sporty person, I absolutely loved that! There are some, but only enough to give you a picture of what's going on, and it's not in great detail. It all made perfect sense to me, as sometimes, I get overwhelmed by the detail and I didn't here and I was able to fully concentrate on Sandro and Bennett.
And they were beautiful, they really were.
I fully understood why Sandro didn't really want to talk to Bennett, off camera, the man was still hurting, even after all this time, but when Sandro allowed Bennett in, finally?? Oh it was truly epic. Sandro made Bennett work for it, he really did.
I loved that Bennett found the theme for the series based on his own experience. Loved how the older Trailblazers were helping the new team members who really were struggling. And that Sandro found his future, along the same thread.
It takes time for the steam to build, and I loved being made to wait for it. This book is more about the emotions of these two men, and giving the other a second chance. Oh Bennett wanted Sandro, he really did, but Sandro wasn't sure about letting him in and I loved that they didn't jump straight back in. 15 years is a long time!
Absolutely cracking follow-up to book 1, and I can't wait to see what comes next. Well, I know who comes next, but I gotta wait so freaking long!
A stunning 5 star read!
*same worded review will appear elsewhere
Midge (525 KP) rated Who (Stalker #1) in Books
Feb 9, 2019
A Touch Of Brilliance!
Who scares you the most, a complete stranger or a person you know that has you in their sight?
Megan Mitcham’s latest novel, "WHO," delivers an intensely evocative story in this first book of her new Stalker series. With intelligently crafted words and an intriguing plot that has plenty of suspenseful twists, this novel made me want to keep on turning the pages. At first, I found the book a little slow and I was worried that the story wouldn’t live up to its promise, however, the pace soon picked up and I knew I was reading a book that I would come to really enjoy.
Billionaire Larkin Ashford is the fiercely independent owner of her fashion empire which was founded on the back of wedlock. When her company has the opportunity to go public, her Board of Directors won’t give her the green light, unless she agrees to marry. A series of threatening messages aren’t making her decision any easier. As she retreats to her rooftop hideaway to clear her head, she finds herself imprisoned in the strong arms of a mysterious chap who thinks she was about to jump…
Despite her friends’ warnings that her knight in shining armour could be her stalker, she can’t get him out of her head. Determined to find the truth, she searches for her mystery man and discovers a dark secret that could destroy everything that she holds dear. With her empire in danger, she’ll have to uncover the truth before her fortune and her life are reduced to tatters.
I loved the character of Larkin who is efficient, imaginative and extremely shrewd. She has deep-rooted issues with trust from her past and she doesn’t believe in love or long-term relationships. Her mother died when she was thirteen, and she has a tense relationship with her emotionally distant father. She does have a few really close friends that are supportive and loyal. I loved that Megan Mitcham introduced us to an abundance of wonderful characters, especially Larkin’s girlfriends, Genevieve, Marlis and Libby. Their exuberance collectively provides many moments of fun, support and girlie laughter.
Larkin’s high profile life is very much lived in the limelight and with major personal and business decisions needing to be made, who is causing so much trouble for her and what will be the price she has to pay?
I had so many different scenarios playing out in my head, and even though I anticipated some of the twists, I couldn’t settle on the outcome and I was kept guessing until the end. The author definitely did not disappoint with the conclusion of this book!
If you love dramatic plots, intrigue and enjoy crime novels with a bit of romance, then Megan Mitcham delivers with abundance in "WHO."
Thank you to Hidden Gems and the author, Megan Mitcham for a free ARC of this book in exchange for a voluntary, honest review.
Megan Mitcham’s latest novel, "WHO," delivers an intensely evocative story in this first book of her new Stalker series. With intelligently crafted words and an intriguing plot that has plenty of suspenseful twists, this novel made me want to keep on turning the pages. At first, I found the book a little slow and I was worried that the story wouldn’t live up to its promise, however, the pace soon picked up and I knew I was reading a book that I would come to really enjoy.
Billionaire Larkin Ashford is the fiercely independent owner of her fashion empire which was founded on the back of wedlock. When her company has the opportunity to go public, her Board of Directors won’t give her the green light, unless she agrees to marry. A series of threatening messages aren’t making her decision any easier. As she retreats to her rooftop hideaway to clear her head, she finds herself imprisoned in the strong arms of a mysterious chap who thinks she was about to jump…
Despite her friends’ warnings that her knight in shining armour could be her stalker, she can’t get him out of her head. Determined to find the truth, she searches for her mystery man and discovers a dark secret that could destroy everything that she holds dear. With her empire in danger, she’ll have to uncover the truth before her fortune and her life are reduced to tatters.
I loved the character of Larkin who is efficient, imaginative and extremely shrewd. She has deep-rooted issues with trust from her past and she doesn’t believe in love or long-term relationships. Her mother died when she was thirteen, and she has a tense relationship with her emotionally distant father. She does have a few really close friends that are supportive and loyal. I loved that Megan Mitcham introduced us to an abundance of wonderful characters, especially Larkin’s girlfriends, Genevieve, Marlis and Libby. Their exuberance collectively provides many moments of fun, support and girlie laughter.
Larkin’s high profile life is very much lived in the limelight and with major personal and business decisions needing to be made, who is causing so much trouble for her and what will be the price she has to pay?
I had so many different scenarios playing out in my head, and even though I anticipated some of the twists, I couldn’t settle on the outcome and I was kept guessing until the end. The author definitely did not disappoint with the conclusion of this book!
If you love dramatic plots, intrigue and enjoy crime novels with a bit of romance, then Megan Mitcham delivers with abundance in "WHO."
Thank you to Hidden Gems and the author, Megan Mitcham for a free ARC of this book in exchange for a voluntary, honest review.
Debbiereadsbook (1735 KP) rated Scott (Owatonna U Hockey #2) in Books
Mar 29, 2019
much better than book one!
Independent reviewer for Archaeolibrarian, I was gifted my copy of this book.
This is book two in the Owatonna U Hockey trilogy, but you don't need to have read book one first. I have though, and found THAT book not really to my liking.
THIS one, however, I enjoyed far more.
Scott is suffering, since his brother died, and decides to self medicate with illegal steroids. After punching his best friend in the face, Scott is suspended for a whole 12 months, and is quite literally, chucked out his home. With nowhere to go, he happens to meet Hayne at a mandatory counselling session. Hayne, for reasons he cannot fathom, takes pity on Scott and the pair become inseparable. They each have their own demons, but together, they just might be able to overcome them.
Like I said, a MUCH better read, for me anyway, that Ryker. And much of that is because I didn't much care for Ryker in his book and I'll come back to that in a minute, though.
Hayne is a free spirited artist, in his final year at college. He is terrorised by his tenants, and spends all his time in his room, trying to paint his final piece. Meeting Scott, who turns out to be the muse he was missing, wasn't planned, but Hayne runs with it. Helping Scott get back to hockey seems the right and best thing to do. That Scott helps Hayne is a much added bonus.
Hayne is LOVELY!! So sweet, I wanted to punch his housemates! And the fact that he really sees Scott helps. Scott is trying to be the son his father wants, but he isn't his brother Luke. He will NEVER be Luke. His father pushes Scott away, and it takes his mother, who has been self medicating in the bottom of a bottle, to pull HER big girl panties up, and make her husband and son see that they are BOTH suffering and TOGETHER they can make some semblance of a relationship again.
Loved Hayne's mum and Mimi! Loved that they took Scott in when he needed someone the most, Hayne aside.
Back to Ryker. I did not like him in his book, but he does redeem himself somewhat here! While Scott is hiding, his friends, the ones he thought hated him, were planning an intervention, and Ryker is foremost at getting Scott to see that his friends don't hate him, they just didn't see how much he was suffering.
It does carry some darker story lines, grief, bereavement, alcohol and drug abuse, but they are all part and parcel of Scott's story, and they are very well written.
Oh, and you'll need tissues. I cried a LOT with this book!
Can't QUITE get past the first person to stretch to 5 stars, but a much better than book one:
4 stars
**same worded review will appear elsewhere**
This is book two in the Owatonna U Hockey trilogy, but you don't need to have read book one first. I have though, and found THAT book not really to my liking.
THIS one, however, I enjoyed far more.
Scott is suffering, since his brother died, and decides to self medicate with illegal steroids. After punching his best friend in the face, Scott is suspended for a whole 12 months, and is quite literally, chucked out his home. With nowhere to go, he happens to meet Hayne at a mandatory counselling session. Hayne, for reasons he cannot fathom, takes pity on Scott and the pair become inseparable. They each have their own demons, but together, they just might be able to overcome them.
Like I said, a MUCH better read, for me anyway, that Ryker. And much of that is because I didn't much care for Ryker in his book and I'll come back to that in a minute, though.
Hayne is a free spirited artist, in his final year at college. He is terrorised by his tenants, and spends all his time in his room, trying to paint his final piece. Meeting Scott, who turns out to be the muse he was missing, wasn't planned, but Hayne runs with it. Helping Scott get back to hockey seems the right and best thing to do. That Scott helps Hayne is a much added bonus.
Hayne is LOVELY!! So sweet, I wanted to punch his housemates! And the fact that he really sees Scott helps. Scott is trying to be the son his father wants, but he isn't his brother Luke. He will NEVER be Luke. His father pushes Scott away, and it takes his mother, who has been self medicating in the bottom of a bottle, to pull HER big girl panties up, and make her husband and son see that they are BOTH suffering and TOGETHER they can make some semblance of a relationship again.
Loved Hayne's mum and Mimi! Loved that they took Scott in when he needed someone the most, Hayne aside.
Back to Ryker. I did not like him in his book, but he does redeem himself somewhat here! While Scott is hiding, his friends, the ones he thought hated him, were planning an intervention, and Ryker is foremost at getting Scott to see that his friends don't hate him, they just didn't see how much he was suffering.
It does carry some darker story lines, grief, bereavement, alcohol and drug abuse, but they are all part and parcel of Scott's story, and they are very well written.
Oh, and you'll need tissues. I cried a LOT with this book!
Can't QUITE get past the first person to stretch to 5 stars, but a much better than book one:
4 stars
**same worded review will appear elsewhere**