The characters for the most part are good. Stassie is pretty complex and that's something that I can appreciate, she sticks to what she believes in and her actions follow that, which I think is very uncommon in some book characters. I will say that there were many times when she was just way way too mean.

 

Like I understand wanting to make a strong female mc but that does not mean she has to be a bitch. It also really annoyed me why she kept defending Aaron over and over again even with direct proof that he's an awful person.

 

Nate was just kinda there. I think he would have been a bit more interesting if he had any problems or down sides to him at all. But they are pretty much just like “Nate is an amazing person and boyfriend who is perfect in every way.” Now this would be great in real life but it doesnt make a very interesting book. I think they were trying to do that with his dad but it just kinda fell short. But there are so many cute and thoughtful things that he does that make you fall in love with him anyway. 

 

The side characters were kinda annoying. Aaron definitely does his job of pissing you off. Stassies best friend Lola is pretty annoying, and her hatred towards Olivia is weird and just straight up mean. Nathan's friends are nice, but dont really have that much of a personality. Although we can all agree that we love Henry. 

 

THE PLOT 

 

I think that the main problem with this book is that it moves very quickly in the beginning, and Nate and Stassie start their relationship almost immediately without (many) issues. From there on out there is not really an overlaying plot that leads the book along. It does not have a main issue/plot that needs to be faced or anything, it's basically just showing their relationship and how it grows and progresses and that makes it drag on and stall way too many times.

 

One of my biggest complaints about this book was honestly there was too much smut/side stuff going on. When I heard that it was about hockey and ice skating I was so excited because that is such a good premise to go into. I was honestly disappointed because there was literally barely any talk of either. We barely even heard about a hockey game throughout the whole thing and I kept waiting for at least something and there was nothing. 

 

THE SMUT

 

The smut was obviously somthing that booktok talked about constantly and for good reason. I seriously was not expecting the amount of stuff in this book. It was insane, especially because it seems innocent at first glance. If you like smut this book will NOT dissapoint. 

 

I have read my fair share of smut, and this book does deliver a good amount, almost too much when it gets repetitive. It's not that kinky so if youre into that stuff it's not really like that, I would call this more “making love” than anything else. I could NOT get behind the kitchen scene though, I mean come on, people eat there. 

 

TO SUM UP

 

If you are in the mood for a cute relationship book that's easy to read and doesnt have that much of a deep plot, then this would be a good book for you. It definitely focuses on the progression of their relationship rather than an overlying plot, but if you are into the cute stuff then you will like it. Dont go into it thinking it has much to do with hockey or ice skating, that is more of a side personality thing than anything else.

​

Trigger Warnings:

- Slut-shaming

- Graphic Sex 

- Sexual Assault

- Disordered Eating

- Death of a Parent