Hero – Can include retired/former athlete but probably primarily sportsball romance
Part of the Passports to Pleasure Series of standalone romances
Heat Factor: The last bit is a big ole sexathon. On a boat.
Character Chemistry: Instalust becomes instalove
Plot: Hattie goes on vacation and meets an Italian hottie
Overall: There were some gaps and I was left with…questions
Heartstopper, Book #4
Reviews of the rest of the Heartstopper series: Book #1, Book #2, Book #3
Heat Factor: The only sex is the stuff Charlie’s mom made up in her head
Character Chemistry: Wanting to be there but not knowing how
Plot: Charlie acknowledges his eating disorder and other mental health struggles
Overall: Well, this one made me all choked up
Heartstopper, #3
Reviews of Heartstopper #1 and #2
Heat Factor: Sleepovers are now forbidden at Charlie’s house, but they do go on a field trip to Paris… (and talk about how they’re not ready yet)
Character Chemistry: Silly teenager flirting
Plot: Acknowledging oneself is one kind of scary, but coming out is a whole other kind
Overall: The sweetness remains! But there’s also a lot of giggling.
Heat Factor: They have a lot of sex. (A lot.) And it’s explicit but not every time.
Character Chemistry: He was meant to love the white swan!
Plot: Gay football player thinks he can spend his college career with his head down and without romantic entanglements…until he meets the love of his life during a summer study abroad in Paris
Overall: Holy angst, Batman!
Heat Factor: It’s actually not that slow a burn, but getting to that first kiss is oof
Character Chemistry: They just like each other so gosh darn much
Plot: (Best friend) and (father) of The Jock’s protagonists are third wheels so much that they find themselves pairing off, particularly after the quarterback is left behind while everyone else has summer break
Overall: It’s a sweet one. Floating hearts just coming right off it.
Heat Factor: Kisses!
Character Chemistry: It’s not like they’re without their problems, but this is a really lovely relationship
Plot: Bitty goes to college and learns how to be himself. And he falls in love with the NHL-bound hockey captain.
Overall: I read everything within 24 hours. Absolutely delightful.
Continue reading “Series Review: Check Please! by Ngozi Ukazu (2018-2020)”
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