Lovin' los libros

 

 

I can't emphasize to you all enough how much I am enjoying this series. Maybe it's because it's been so long since I've read a truly great college new adult romance series, where the characters go to class, they go to sports practices, hang out with friends, attend social functions, etc. It's not all about the romance and sex. Friendships are developed and emphasized and I love seeing these characters find their way.

 

With that being said, I am a bit bummed to say this book has been my least favorite of the series thus far. I say this mainly because I was SO frustrated with Michael. I hated how he treated Rikker for a good portion of the book and while I understand his fears, it was really frustrating at the same time. It took Michael a good long while to come around and admit to himself that he had feelings for Rikker, so there was a lot of avoidance on his part.

 

I really loved Rikker though. It's not easy to be the new guy- but it's even harder to be the new gay guy. He deals with a lot of crap because of his sexual orientation and it really hurt my heart to see people be so cruel. I also hated how lonely he was. While he ends up befriending Bella and Hartley, he still doesn't have that camaraderie that some of the others have. He isn't ashamed of who he is and where Michael clung to his fear, Rikker stared it in the face and came out the better man.

 

One of my favorite new additions to the series is Bella. She has a reputation for being the hockey go-to girl, but she really has deeper feelings for Michael. Naturally, she is deeply hurt when she finds out the truth, but she is still supportive of her friend. I am really looking forward to her story because she really deserves to find her person.

 

Even though I wasn't crazy about Michael, I did enjoy the romance once we got to that point. Michael has always felt more for Rikker, so seeing him finally coming to terms with that and embracing his feelings really endeared him to me. It just took a long time to get to that point. I know it seems sort of unfair for me to be hung up on Michael, because I honestly cannot imagine what it's like to be struggling with your identity and sexual orientation. He has been raised in a very Christian environment, and while his parents were always a bit more lenient than say Rikker's, he is afraid of the repercussions. He sees firsthand what Rikker deals with the slurs and the separation and he isn't ready to step out into that just yet. I really hope we get to see more of Rikker and Michael in Bella's book now that they are together!

 

 

While the previous book in the series was my least favorite, this one just might be my favorite. (It's pretty close with Bridger's book, The Year We Hid Away) I adored Bella with Rafe and I loved how they became friends first, which seems to be the common theme in this series. This book tackles a pretty important topic that I fear is more common in college settings than most realize.

 

We met Bella in the previous book, as the spunky, feisty, hockey manager who doesn't hide the fact that she likes hooking up with the players on the team. She got a little razzed about it by one of the other players (Big-D, who is a total big D....) but no one really did any slut-shaming with her. She doesn't do relationships, as both times she's allowed herself to fall, she's gotten her heart broken. She's confident in herself and I love that she goes through life so brazenly and without shame. Which is why my heart absolutely broke for what happened to her in this book. I hated seeing the light snuffed out of such a vibrant girl because there are so many cruel people in this world. No, it's not what you're probably thinking thank goodness, because I think I would have been destroyed had things gotten worse. However, seeing Bella transform into a girl who hides herself away and shut out the world, was not cool. I am so thankful she had so many amazing people in her corner.

 

Rafe is absolutely one of the best people she could have the privilege of knowing. Sure, things were a little awkward after they slept together one night, but he ended up being such a good friend to her. I loved that he was so dedicated to her and trying to help her through everything, but he still wanted her desperately. However, Bella doesn't do relationships and he refuses to sleep around. (Love the role reversal!) Don't worry though. These two have plenty of sexy times together and I just adored them together.

 

I also really liked Bella's roommate Lianne. In the beginning she isn't a very likeable character because of how she pretends Bella doesn't exist, but she does come around and I ended up loving her. She's a total geek and she's really shy. Oh and she's famous too, so there's that. I'm so glad Sarina decided to write a book for her. She needs to come out of her shell and feel the love too!

 

We do get to see Rikker and Michael like I hoped and they are happier than ever, so I'm glad they were able to get past everything and really work as a couple. While this book isn't centered around hockey as much as some of the others, I did love seeing them rally behind Bella, especially after she completely isolated herself from everyone. It was heartwarming to see how much they cared for her and missed her.

 

You can read all of these books as stand-alones, so I would definitely make sure you get this one, especially if you love a realistic, poignant storyline that has great friendships and romance to round it out.