The Procrastinators Book Club discussion

Welcome to the Unsteady Buddy Read Discussion thread! This thread officially opens on July 6th and anyone can join at any time. Please keep in mind that spoilers are allowed in this thread but only up to the group's current reading place. Do not spoil the book if you've read further than the group. Any extra days can be used to catch up!

Each day we will be reading by chapters or page numbers. Page numbers are an approximation based on the hardcover or paperback that is the default on Goodreads. The suggested Buddy Read discussion schedule is as follows:

Week of 07/06
July 6th: Prologue - Chapter 8
July 7th: Chapter 9 - 16

Week of 07/08
July 8th: Chapter 17 - 24
July 9th: Chapter 25 - 32
July 10th: Chapter 33 - 40
July 11th: Chapter 41 - Epilogue

PARTICIPANTS
~ Ela
~ Sophie

Prologue - Chapter 8

(view spoiler)[ I'm really liking the book so far - Sadie and Rhys' characters, how both of their lives have been shown, how they met. I really like Oliver and Liam and I'm really hoping they're going to be shown more, although I don't have high hopes for that.

I'm curious to see how Sadie and Rhys' relationship is going to change, and how they're going to be able to help each other. Also, I'm looking forward to seeing Rhys' teammates and if they're going to meet Sadie.

I'm wondering if Rhys' parents maybe have their own book because I think I'd read it.
(hide spoiler)]

Prologue- chapter 8

(view spoiler)[ I agree, I’m also LOVING it so far. It was so sweet seeing Sadie help Rhys through his panic attack.

I really feel for Sadie, she takes so much on and has no one to rely, I can’t wait to see Rhys inevitably help her. I’m happy that at least Rhys has a supportive family. I’m looking forward to Rhys opening up to his parents about his panic attacks and what triggers them.

I do hope we see more of her brothers, I can foresee Rhys forming a special bond with them.

I’m going to have a look to see if Rhys’ parents have a book. I definitely want to read it if they do. (hide spoiler)]

Sophie wrote: "Prologue- chapter 8..."

(view spoiler)[ I like how Sadie's helped Rhys too, and I'm looking forward to when she opens up to him and gives him a chance to help.

I'm glad about Rhys' parents too, and I want to see him talk to his father because it seems like Rhys isn't comfortable with him (and how connected he is to hockey) anymore.

I only just realised that this is this author's debut book - and it's so good!
(hide spoiler)]

Chapters 9 - 16

(view spoiler)[ I was just wondering if Sadie's coach actually is helpful or if her gratitude is overshadowing his actual personality. I'm hoping someone, whether it's Rhys or Rora or even Victoria, helps Sadie see that the coach is awful.

Even though I do want to see more of Sadie's brothers with her and with Rhys, I'm doubting that it's going to happen even more now. There was a scene where Rhys and Bennett are at a cafe where Sadie works and her brothers come in. Rhys says that they can sit with them, but their interaction is completely skipped over and Bennett's reaction to this development in Rhys' life isn't even shown.

Rora seems like such a good friend with how she's helping Sadie out, and I wouldn't mind reading a book about her.

Something else that isn't being shown enough for me is that I think Sadie is trying to get custody of her brothers, but there's only been one scene with a brief conversation with a lawyer and it's only mentioned one more time after that. I don't want to see the whole legal process, but I do want more details about what she's actually doing, what she still has to do, and how she sees herself taking care of them when she does get custody.
(hide spoiler)]

Chapters 9-16

(view spoiler)[ I 100% think that there is something dodgy going on with coach Kelley and the way he treats Sadie. That last part of chapters 16 was a little uncomfortable to read. Someone absolutely needs to step in.

The custody thing is lacking for me too. You would think it would be at the fore front of her mind constantly, but like you said, we’ve only heard about it once. There needs to be more of balance between the romance plot and the side plot, that’s what really builds a story.

Aurora is a really supportive friend and I’m glad Sadie has her to rely on. I absolutely NEED a Rora and Freddy book. Maybe they’re next 👀 (hide spoiler)]

Sophie wrote: "Chapters 9-16..."

(view spoiler)[ I know! The hug at the end was so uncomfortable and I'm wondering if he's taken advantage of Sadie before while she was spiraling. Sadie's obviously very defensive when it comes to the coach because she feels like she has to be grateful to him, so I'm curious to see how and who is going to help her see things clearly.
(hide spoiler)]

Chapters 17-24

(view spoiler)[ I feel so bad for Rhys now that Toren Kane, the guy who injured him, is now on the same team. I hope this doesn’t unravel all of the hard work he’s put in with trying to better his anxiety.

I love how obsessed Rhys is with Sadie. Like YES! Worship the ground she walks on. I love it. <3 (hide spoiler)]

Ok, I couldn’t stop and I read ahead a little. I’m just loving it.

Chapters 25-32

(view spoiler)[ The scene with with Paloma and Sadie was interesting. I would like to see them potentially be friends.

I feel so bad for both of them. :( I know Sadie thought she was doing the best thing by breaking it off, but she really just needs to let him in. At least she’s letting him help a little.

The scene with Sadie’s brothers and Rhys’ parents was so sweet 😭🥹 and simultaneously sad. I hope we see more of that combo.

Rhys finally opened up to his dad, yay. It was so healing. I’m happy that he has a support system.

I so so need Freddy and Aurora. Their chemistry is insane. (hide spoiler)]

Chapters 33-40

(view spoiler)[ Was Paloma with Bennett? I swear I felt some tension between them in a previous chapter, and now she’s stayed the night.

We have officially reached girlfriend status!!! It’s been a long time coming, and I’m glad that Sadie is the one who took the lead and made it official. We also got an I love you. I love them.

The way Rhys takes care of Sadie and her brothers 🥹 I’m going to be sad when this is over. (hide spoiler)]

Sophie wrote: "Chapters 17-24..."

Chapters 17 - 24

(view spoiler)[ Yeah, I'm worried about how he's dealing with it. I'm not sure if it's because of Toren or if it was going to happen anyway, but I'm pretty sure the tweaked ankle was a lie to get out of the game. The problem is that not enough of his practices with the team are shown to see if he's actually improving or if he's ignoring the problem and will eventually explode.

I'm curious about Toren. So far he hasn't been shown much and I'm wondering if he's going to eventually start getting along with the team or if he's just an awful person. I feel like the party they're planning will force a confrontation between Rhys and Toren.

I love that too, but I'm hoping to see more of them talking about their problems - Sadie trying to get custody over her brothers and Rhys dealing with his PTSD because it doesn't seem like he's actually dealing with anything.
(hide spoiler)]

Sophie wrote: "Ok, I couldn’t stop and I read ahead a little. I’m just loving it.

Chapters 25-32 ..."

I definitely agree that it's getting harder to stop reading - I might just finish today.

(view spoiler)[ I agree. Sadie cut Paloma off before she could finish her sentence and it felt like she might have said something different to what Sadie's assumed. I'm curious if Paloma might get her own book. Maybe with Bennett? Because of how he walked off as soon as she sat down at their table.

I'm hoping now that Rhys knows about her situation she'll be more open about asking him for help and there'll be more details about what she's doing. I mostly just want more scenes with Liam and Oliver.

Also, I'm nervous about the situation with Coach Kelley. I think it's smart of Sadie not to talk to the coach's lawyer, but he still knows too much. Will he use it to blackmail her?

I loved the scene with Rhys talking to his father! His parents are great and I think that they might be able to help out with Liam and Oliver.

I'm curious about what happened at the party, and then what they were doing when Rora wasn't answering her phone and Freddy eventually answered instead.
(hide spoiler)]

Chapters 33 - 40

I'm definitely continuing - I can't wait to see how things wrap up.

(view spoiler)[ I think Paloma had to be with Bennett because of Bennett's reactions in this section. Also, was that his dog?

I'm really liking the book and the characters, but unfortunately I don't think there's going to be enough of the side characters shown for me - Liam and Oliver, Bennett, Freddy and the other teammates, Aurora.

There's still the matter of custody (and I really hope it's going to talk about what Sadie plans to do next), Sadie's awful coach, and I think Rhys might talk to Toren.
(hide spoiler)]

Chapter 41 - Epilogue

(view spoiler)[ Rhys' patience and understanding was amazing - even when Sadie got scared and tried to make Rhys leave, he stuck by her and made sure both Sadie and her brothers understood that he wasn't leaving.

I really liked that Rhys and his parents did things to help Sadie with her brothers and her coach, but I didn't like how it was just occasionally mentioned - I wanted to see those scenes.

I feel like there wasn't enough of a confrontation between Rhys and Toren - it makes me curious if he's going to get his own book, especially with the video Freddy found.

The epilogue was great and I can't wait to read more by this author because there are a lot of characters that I'd want to see more of.
(hide spoiler)]

I finished and I’m obsessed

(view spoiler)[
4.5 stars ✨

This scratched such a necessary itch in my brain. I was in need of a sweet and emotional romance.

I adored how patient, attentive, loving and supportive Rhys was of Sadie. She really needed that, girlie had a severe case of eldest daughter syndrome.

The anxiety representation was so accurate. Men’s mental health is rarely seen in books so I’m happy it was written, and written accurately. The support that he received from Sadie was nice to read. The two of them were really a crutch for each other. It was balanced.

There was no third act breakup! They actually communicated! It’s so rare and so refreshing.

The family aspect really added to the story, whether it was positive or negative. Side plots are always needed! I teared up a few times over some of the family troubles.

The side characters, I pretty much loved them all. I can’t wait to read their stories. There’s at least 3 in the works…👀

It was a very very solid debut. I can’t wait for book 2! :) (hide spoiler)]