Romance Readers Reading Challenges discussion

I agree, it did seem a bit too easy after how worried Harper was about the fallout. I did like how Remy tried to take care of her even when they were trying to stay away from each other- like how he sent he food.

:) Start tomorrow?

Sounds good!

I'll be listening to the audiobook again, the author is giving the narrators a challenge with all these accents, Cajun, Scottish, Russian...

I got started, just finished chapter three - they didn't go by as fast as the last book.

Liking it so far. Their history will make things interesting.

(view spoiler)[ I'm also glad Isobel already told Violet about her history with him, so there isn't some big secret hanging over them like the last book. I like that their (the sisters) relationships seem to be progressing. (hide spoiler)]

I like Isobel better than Harper already. Even though she was her father's favourite (read: the one most likely to carry on his playing legacy), she seems to have a clearer picture of him than Harper did.

I am really, really not liking their father. I mean, a hockey player hit his daughter, and he only trades him when one of his other players threatens to go to the police? But another daughter is "relieved" of her virginity, at her insistence, and he ruins the players career and opportunities to play in the big leagues? >:

I feel as though this will be a different kind of story, not so much about "we shouldn't because of team dynamics", but more because "we were really hurt in the past".

Isobel feels as though she is going to have much more angst based on her looks, and the fact that the thing that she was good at, and loved doing, she can't anymore.

I don't like that Vadim throws her being a woman and a "failed" hockey player in her face. I wasn't sure who to phrase that.

The dad was definitely awful!

I'm not sure how I feel about Vadim. He's coming across as a little insecure? Or something. I mean, he was going on about how he wasn't even sure that he had even slept with all the women who were talking about sleeping with the "Czar of Pleasure" and wasn't sure how he got the name. Then in the next breath he is going on about how he had to have given Isobel an orgasm because he was the "Czar of Pleasure".
I liked that he stuck up for her with Shay, though. Even though he himself had said that to her face.

I don't know how Isobel thinks it's not all right to date players because it's unprofessional and might look like she's sleeping her way to a coaching job, but thinks that it's all right to date trainers? They all work for the team, and could potentially influence the coaching decision whether they are the highly visible players, or the personnel behind the scenes.

I was kind of "meh" reading these chapters.

Me too. I'm kind of over the whole- I can't have a relationship with a player because I'm a woman in a man's field- thing. It was such a big part of the last book and then at the end it was portrayed as no-big deal and now we have to go through it again in this book. I really hope Violet's obstacles are different - this one is old already.

I ended up finishing chapter 10 - I wanted to find out how she answered his question that ended chapter 9 - that was pretty blunt.

One thing I don't understand - who turned out the lights? And then turned them back on? Did I miss something?

I still don't understand Vadim's obsession with Isobel not having an orgasm. However, I thought that his straight up asking was pretty darn funny.

I have no idea who turned out the lights. Isobel decided on a power outage, but that doesn't make sense to me. Wouldn't other things be affected by a power outage?

I like that we're getting to see them interact and be together outside of sex.

Me too.

With the lights at first I thought it was the jerky player (I can't remember his name), but then I remembered the team was out of town. I feel like Vadim should have told her the truth about who overheard her, so she'd be more careful in the future. That guy is a creep.

I fell a little behind today, but will catch up tomorrow. Sorry!

That’s all right. I had an issue with the stereo type of someone from Russia. Otherwise, kind of eventful, but forgettable for chapters 11-13.

I was thinking the same thing about the Russian stereotypes - the author refers to them so much it's crazy. I read another book recently with a Russian character and they talked about Russian stereotypes to dismiss them, but in this book it's like she is reaffirming them.

I lost track of where I was supposed to be - so I think I went too far again. Sorry it's been that kind of weekend. I finished chapter 17.

I don't have much to say. The book is ok, I thought I would like it more than the first one, but it lost a little momentum for some reason. Hopefully it'll finished strong :)

I like his relationship with his sister.

I got home from work today and realized that I completely forgot to talk about what I read yesterday.

I also like his relationship with his sister; it's very sweet.

I don't understand what my issue is with the story right now. I like both main characters, with Isobel being a little ahead in my polls, but I am having a tougher time reading this one than I did the first one. Maybe because there hasn't been much with the sisters, so the story is relying solely on Isobel and Vadim?

Re: the stereotypes: she had the easy going, family loving, laisser les bons temps rouler Cajun, now the stoic Russian. So laconic Texan and dour Scotsman in the next two books?

Exactly! Oy the stereotypes. It doesn't help that she keeps pointing them out- ie "I'm like this because I'm Russian." Even the part where Isobel says something about him liking the snow because it reminds him of Russia - Not ALL of Russia is ALWAYS snowy.

I wonder what's going to happen with his mother?

I kind of lost track with my odd weekend- what chapter should I be on tomorrow?

Starting chapter 21, I think. I accidentally went another chapter, when I was supposed to finish at chapter 20.

I like Vadim's relationship with Alexei and his sister. His "Little woman, you must do as I say" attitude toward Isobel is annoying. She's a grown-ass woman, it's up to her to make decisions about her life. I'm glad that Isobel didn't cave to him. However, I'm ticked off that she isn't telling her sisters about the tryout. It affects the team. I mean, if she couldn't coach in Montreal and be there for home games, how is she going to be part of Team USA and be at home games? I guess the season is almost over, but still.

I don't understand how Vadim can think "mine" and "how will I live if she dies playing hockey?" about Isobel and still not think that he is in love with her?

Good point, he is awfully possessive of her. He also needs to work on communicating with her. He tells her he doesn't want her to play but not why- so she thinks it's because he can't share the spotlight, but it's because he's worried about her. Although he did say something to that effect, but she didn't take it that way - maybe it's more on her end because of how her dad was.

I don't know if any of that made sense :)

I finished 23 last night.

(view spoiler)[ I don't like that they played that highlight reel at the benefit- they had to know that could be a trigger for her - and possibly her family too. It's good they stopped before the hit, but still it lead right up to it. (hide spoiler)]

Oh and I've been wondering since the beginning of the book - is his tattoo for her - the one with the blazing skates?

I liked the guys playing hockey with the kids, especially Cade.

I didn't think that it was well done with the tribute, but I can understand it, especially since Isobel keeps how much the loss of hockey affected her hidden. She seems to have just casually adjusted her goals to coaching, at least to the outside eye.

Re: the tattoo. I'm not sure. I was sort of under the impression that was one he had before, but I could have been completely missing that point.

What was Vadim thinking? He had to know that would make her mad. I get that he was well-intentioned, but that was still kind clueless. I think Isobel needs time to grieve - both her dad and hockey.

I know!!! I was all "GRRRRR!!!!" at Vadim. He was just like her father, and they both seem to be selfish men. Her father made all her decisions based on the fact that he wanted to leave his hockey legacy, and Vadim made all her big decisions based on the fact that he didn't want her to die and leave him. Vadim's reason is a *little* bit more easier to relate to, but not much.
I was a little surprised at how fast Isobel made the leap from being hockey player to being a WAG with nothing to contribute. She's good at coaching, but it's too hard, so she won't do it? That doesn't seem like the hockey player spirit. I mean, I get that it's still her grief for her father, etc talking, but still.
I did like the fact that when Vadim needed to process what was going on with his mother, his first thought was to go to Isobel. That was quickly negated, though, on finding out the extent of his ass-hattery.

The WAG thing bothered me too. I also didn't like Vadim response asking her if she wanted to be a W or a G? He apparently can't read her very well.

If she's having such a hard time coaching men why not coach women? Or kids? And sure coaching has been hard, but there were players on the team who wanted to work with her - so she was already making progress there.

I'm not quite done with today's reading, but now I'm annoyed with Isobel. She was ready to jump all over Vadim for telling people, but then she just waves it off when she finds out it was her fault.

And really - hockey is worth risking her life? I get why she was mad at Vadim for taking the decision away from her, but she was being crazy.

Oh and she was awful to him right before such an important game? She's totally sabotaging their chances.

And I really like Violet :)

Yeah, Isobel didn't make the best choices, that is for sure. Violet is awesome, but I thought that about Isobel in the first book, and, for me, she hasn't lived up to her potential.
I liked that Harper could understand both sides, and that she still called Isobel out on trying to live for her father, rather than for herself.

Just finished! Overall it was good, but nothing very special.

(view spoiler)[ I'm a little confused - since they won that game, do they get to keep the team? Or do they have to win the playoffs too?

I also don't really like that it seemed to all come down to Vadim - I guess one player can throw off the whole team, but that seems unfair to the rest of them.

Also, like the last book the end seemed too easy. But I guess if she doesn't want to coach the team that would make it a bit easier. (hide spoiler)]

I was disappointed, at little, because I thought that Isobel would have a better story. I believe that they get to keep the team, since I think that the provision was that they make the playoffs.

I laughed a little at your comment "I guess one player can throw off the whole team", because as I was reading that part, I kept thinking about Roberto Luongo and the Vancouver Canucks. When he wasn't playing well, the rest of the team seemed to forget that they knew how to skate and score. I mean, some of the other players were in contention for the scoring championship, but if Luongo was having an off night, no one did anything to pick up the slack.

I don't understand why Isobel couldn't be a contractor consultant? Like figure skaters or ballet performers? That way, she would have no influence of who the coaches played or didn't play. I liked that she is taking time to figure out what she wants to do.

I was pretty "meh" about the book. Vadim and Isobel both ticked me off, and the ridiculous stereotypes that were seemingly meant to be taken seriously rubbed me the wrong way.

I agree about the stereotypes - they are so over-the-top.

Do you want to read the next together? Or are you sick of the series :) ?

Do you mean the novella with Cade? Unfortunately, I don't have Violet's book, and won't be able to get it until after July 1.

I'm interested in seeing where the series is going.

I was thinking the novella. Do you have it?

Yes, I do.

Starting tomorrow?

Sounds good!

I read the first 3 chapters, and I'm liking it so far! I'm a little worried about the stereotypes again, but we'll see.

I like Cade and Dante together. I'm a little worried about the stereotypes, too. But I became inured to the boss/subordinate situations, so maybe that will happen for this? Or maybe it won't be in focus so much. But why can't it be "the hockey player", rather than "the Texan", and "the GM", rather than "the Italian"?

Agreed. And of course "the Italian" wears really nice suits and is dark and brooding, and of course speaks Italian and "the Texan" is loud and wears cowboy boots, etc.

Oh, Dante. Dante, Dante, Dante. You're a class act. Poor Cade.

I finished chapter 6. I like that the tables turned there and Cade became the nervous one. The end of the chapter was a little.... brutal? Abrupt? Cold? Something....

Yes, Dante was definitely not at his best at the end of the chapter.

I finished chapter 9. I am liking this better than the other 2, I'm not completely sure why though :)

I like Cade and Violet's friendship.

And this is probably an odd thing to mention, but have you noticed hairy men are more common in m/m books than m/f? I haven't read a lot of m/m, but I've been reading a few lately and noticed that - why do you think that is? Men are more into hairy men than woman are? or am I imagining it?

Yes, Cade and Violet are very sweet.

I'm actually enjoying this one, too. Maybe because they aren't whangtsting (whining and angsting) back and forth?

I liked that Dante was the one who made the first move this time around.

As for hairy...I read a lot of m/m, and it's not necessarily something that I notice being mentioned excessively. I did notice it here, especially Cade's obsession with the hairy legs.

What's your favorite m/m? Or would who is your favorite m/m author be an easier question?

Oh, boy! Ask and you shall receive. These are books that I re-read often that might be to your taste.

Favourite books:
Too Stupid to Live
Adulting 101
The Shearing Gun
Winging It
Tigers and Devils


Favourite authors: - These authors generally write consistently good books.

Avery Cockburn
Keira Andrews
Kaje Harper
Anyta Sunday
Eli Easton
Amy Lane - some of her books are really angst-ridden
N.R. Walker
A.J. Thomas
Lily Morton
Jaime Reese


I really like the writing of Harper Fox, but she is one of those authors who is "when she is good, she is really, really good, but when she is bad, she is horrid."

UnusualChild{beppy} wrote: "Oh, boy! Ask and you shall receive. These are books that I re-read often that might be to your taste.


Favourite books:

Too Stupid to Live
Adulting 101
[book:The..."


Thanks! My TBR list just got much longer!

Finished chapter 12. I wonder what's going to happen with his dad - Dante's family situation is pretty heartbreaking.

Cade taking care of Dante when he was sick was sweet.

Yes, it is. I like that Dante's sisters ignore his parents, though.

I got my hopes up that Cade's father would understand, but then the info about his mother was highly discouraging, as was his reactions to Dante.

Finished chapter 15.

Chapter 13 was so sweet. Then chapter 14 was depressing. Chapter 15 seems to be headed in the right direction though. I really like Violet- I hope her book is good.

(view spoiler)[ I like that Bren offered to go with Cade when he came out to his dad. I don't like that we didn't get to see Cade's coming out through his perspective. Cade's mother was so mean - that was a pretty cruel way to deal with a kid.

I hope Shay gets traded - or better yet sent down to the minors (is that the right word in hockey? I like that you actually know something about hockey - unlike me :) ). (hide spoiler)]