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Fadeaway #2
Edge of Glory
Now in college, Danny faces a whole slew of problems. Can he like guys and still play basketball? Can the guys on his team accept him for who he is? And what about Sam? Is he willing to give up him for the game? Follow Danny through his college years and the choice that will change his life forever.
341 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 22, 2016
10 people are currently reading
127 people want to read
About the author
John Goode
35 books668 followersJohn Goode is a member of the class of '88 from Hogwarts school of wizardry, specializing in incantations and spoken spells. At the age of 14 he proudly represented District 13 in the 65th Panem games where he was disqualified for crying uncontrollably before the competition began. After that he moved to Forks, Washington where, against all odds, dated the hot, incredibly approachable werewolf instead of the stuck up jerk of a vampire but was crushed when he found out the werewolf was actually gayer than he was. After that he turned down the mandatory operation everyone must receive at 16 to become pretty citing that everyone pretty were just too stupid to live before moving away for greener pastures. After falling down an oddly large rabbit hole he became huge when his love for cakes combined with his inability to resist what sparsely worded notes commanded and was finally kicked out when he began playing solitaire with the Red Queen's 4th armored division. By 18 he had found the land in the back of his wardrobe but decided that thinly veiled religious allegories where not the neighbors he desired. When last seen he had become obsessed with growing a pair of wings after becoming obsessed with Fang's blog and hasn't been seen since.
Or he is this guy who lives in this place and writes stuff he hopes you read.
Or he is this guy who lives in this place and writes stuff he hopes you read.
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Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
August 19, 2024
✰ 3 stars ✰
“If the moment you made a choice you knew right then and there if it would work out or not, you could prepare yourself.
Make your next move and get ready for whatever came next.
But life isn’t like that., Instead you make these choices and you wait, not knowing if you’ve already fucked things up beyond fixing.”
If there was one word that I could use to describe John Goode's writing style, it would be gritty. Gritty and very edgy, with this undercurrent of testosterone that is screaming to be heard. Or is that the characters he writes feel so very real and intense in their emotions and actions that you can't help but envision them as real-life people. It's visceral. And Danny's challenge as a college freshman who is on the precipice of success with an illuminating and illustrious basketball career in his future is only overshadowed by the ever-looming struggle of admitting his sexuality. 'There’s nothing wrong with being scared. What’s wrong is letting that fear rule your life.' Owning up to the fact of how he's attracted to men, when the only accepting choice is to be anything but that. 😢 It is that ever-present fear that prevails throughout the course of his first year that serves as the catalyst of his decisions, his emotions, his health, his journey to the NBA. While the story does start in media res, with his thoughts jumping between the past and the present, it is on the Edge of Glory that Danny has to determine and decide what are the things that matter most in his life? What path will he follow that proves his self-worth? For the love of the game? Or for the love of his life? 😥
John Goode never holds back with his punches - literal or physical. He delves deep into the homophobic and the inequality that exists in college sports and how closeted players have to work twice as hard to prove their worth, hide who they are, and even endure the taunts and leers of those less than mature teammates or opponents. It's evident in the blatant racism and disregard of more talented and deserving black players in favor of the all-American white boy that the media and college colomegarte wish to profit off. It's staggering and it takes a mental toll. But Danny endures. 'Nothing’s impossible, Danny. Unless you stop trying.' 😢 He prevails, even when he makes wrong calls or bad judgments; even when he earns a manager, who is more on his side than he expected. He is a bit naive at times, where he does make some rather irresponsible life choices. At eighteen, he's awkward with his alarming height, hesitant with his showing his true colors, and terrified of rejection, but on the outside, he's 'cute, in shape and ridiculously talented. All you have to do is go out there and smile and I bet you get a standing ovation.' It is a bad mix. But, what helps is that through the mess of defeat, is that crowning moment where he realizes the error of his ways. 🫂
“We either keep being miserable because we sacrifice the things we really want for the things we think we should want, or we stop being pussies and man up.
Go get the thing in life that is going to make us complete, and fuck the rest of the world. If they aren’t ready for a gay athlete, then someone else will be. Because I’d rather be a happy me than a miserable someone else.”
It comes with a brutal awakening that threw a curve-ball of what I felt did not matter, until it did. It certainly allowed him to see things in a different perspective, which was the much-needed wake-up call. It becomes impossible not to ingrain yourself in his journey, despite how often you feel so infuriated by his comments and demeanor. 🙄 With his pseudo big brother Nate in his corner, and his father as his morality and sensitivity compass, Danny is trying. But, it's not easy. It comes with his fair share of experimentation and making inappropriate choices with those who take advantage of his feelings and willingness to participate in an illicit affair to blow off steam. 'If I was straight this would be easier.' It's the overwhelming pressure of rising to everyone's expectations and hoping to appease others - at the detriment of his own well-being. It's enough to want you to shake him to snap him out of this cloud of ill-gained choices. But, if he doesn't learn from his mistakes and choices now, there may never come a time again. Never a moment where he understands that there is more to life than just basketball. That his heart is allowed - deserves to have space to be himself - to be with the person that makes him happiest. 🥺
Danny and Sam's relationship certainly came out of nowhere; Sam's expectations of Danny's loyalty and feelings, even more so. And yet, there was still so much heart to their yearning - 'he looked up at me and I swear I saw forever in his eyes.'. 🥹 Sam, who is out and proud, only wants what is best for Danny - for him to see that he is more than just the number on his jersey. Risking his own health and losing his identity is not worth the millions that he could amass. There was such palpable emotion in how they grew closer, how they fell in love; a candid humor of blurted confessions, but delivered with a heartfelt tenderness of honesty to Danny's expressive thoughts and how he felt closer to him than anyone else. 🤍🤍 Certain moments were written with such a glow of happiness to them; this escape from the demands of his sports life that made them both feel so safe and appreciated with each other. ' He was giving me a gift. An incredible, wondrous gift that was beyond words.' And I love when they crossed the lines of physical intimacy with each other; JG has always had such a reserved way of addressing the physicality of romance, but here he captured it so poignantly and so sincerely, I was just gobsmacked. The deep trust and the overflowing of affection at their vulnerable display was just 🤌🏻❤️🔥🤌🏻
“I risk my health every time I walk out on the court. Every time I are. You think your only value is in that game.”
He leaned forward and I could see the tears in his eyes. “You’re wrong. All that game is going to do is kill you.” He grabbed my hand and squeezed it.
“I wish I didn’t love you, I really do.” He let go. “It would make watching you kill yourself a little easier.”
I was still a bit thrown off at certain aspects of their dynamic. Am I wrong to feel that Sam was too demanding to expect that Danny would put his duties as a sports player on hold to make space for a more personal life? To push him to stop hiding in self-loathing and not judge himself too harshly, and embrace who he truly was? To find time to relax and unwind, when any minute away not in his training regime could reduce his talents? 😒 A little bit; I mean, his blow-outs felt a bit out of place and too much, like, why was he pushing so much for it? I know it's also at the risk of his health that he was concerned, but being all emotional and complaining about not having time to spend with him, felt a bit disproportionate to his personality; I know he has suffered a painful relationship before, but I felt that was a bit out of place. "I didn’t understand why, but he was scared. And I had to do anything I could to take that fear away.' ❤️🩹❤️🩹 But, when the author eventually brings them back together in such a powerful and emotionally strung connection that I was convinced that their love would survive; that when the apologies were made, that when they saw how important they were to each other, that Danny truly cared for Sam, loved him with the utmost conviction that all their fall-outs did not matter in the long run. 🥲
The cast of characters were well-fleshed out; with their flaws, their foibles, their vices and their triumphs, Danny's teammates felt like a real team. The energy of the basketball game was palpable and I could hear the bounce of the ball with each vivid descriptive detail. But, the piece de resistance definitely belongs to Brad. That pivotal scene and the final one that hints to a book 3 (that sadly has not yet made its way into fruition) lit up my heart and brought such a smile to my face. 🥰 It made Danny's journey feel so worth it that I did not want it to end here, knowing that Danny does play such an impactful part in Brad's life later on - a bittersweet victory that still has its fair share of problems, but one perhaps with a more level-headed sense that shows how Danny has crossed that edge, stronger than he was before. 👍🏻 It remains to be seen if we get to see Danny's triumphant moment as the star that he's always been, so I can only hope that John Goode won't allow this series to Fadeaway. 🙏🏻
“If the moment you made a choice you knew right then and there if it would work out or not, you could prepare yourself.
Make your next move and get ready for whatever came next.
But life isn’t like that., Instead you make these choices and you wait, not knowing if you’ve already fucked things up beyond fixing.”
If there was one word that I could use to describe John Goode's writing style, it would be gritty. Gritty and very edgy, with this undercurrent of testosterone that is screaming to be heard. Or is that the characters he writes feel so very real and intense in their emotions and actions that you can't help but envision them as real-life people. It's visceral. And Danny's challenge as a college freshman who is on the precipice of success with an illuminating and illustrious basketball career in his future is only overshadowed by the ever-looming struggle of admitting his sexuality. 'There’s nothing wrong with being scared. What’s wrong is letting that fear rule your life.' Owning up to the fact of how he's attracted to men, when the only accepting choice is to be anything but that. 😢 It is that ever-present fear that prevails throughout the course of his first year that serves as the catalyst of his decisions, his emotions, his health, his journey to the NBA. While the story does start in media res, with his thoughts jumping between the past and the present, it is on the Edge of Glory that Danny has to determine and decide what are the things that matter most in his life? What path will he follow that proves his self-worth? For the love of the game? Or for the love of his life? 😥
John Goode never holds back with his punches - literal or physical. He delves deep into the homophobic and the inequality that exists in college sports and how closeted players have to work twice as hard to prove their worth, hide who they are, and even endure the taunts and leers of those less than mature teammates or opponents. It's evident in the blatant racism and disregard of more talented and deserving black players in favor of the all-American white boy that the media and college colomegarte wish to profit off. It's staggering and it takes a mental toll. But Danny endures. 'Nothing’s impossible, Danny. Unless you stop trying.' 😢 He prevails, even when he makes wrong calls or bad judgments; even when he earns a manager, who is more on his side than he expected. He is a bit naive at times, where he does make some rather irresponsible life choices. At eighteen, he's awkward with his alarming height, hesitant with his showing his true colors, and terrified of rejection, but on the outside, he's 'cute, in shape and ridiculously talented. All you have to do is go out there and smile and I bet you get a standing ovation.' It is a bad mix. But, what helps is that through the mess of defeat, is that crowning moment where he realizes the error of his ways. 🫂
“We either keep being miserable because we sacrifice the things we really want for the things we think we should want, or we stop being pussies and man up.
Go get the thing in life that is going to make us complete, and fuck the rest of the world. If they aren’t ready for a gay athlete, then someone else will be. Because I’d rather be a happy me than a miserable someone else.”
It comes with a brutal awakening that threw a curve-ball of what I felt did not matter, until it did. It certainly allowed him to see things in a different perspective, which was the much-needed wake-up call. It becomes impossible not to ingrain yourself in his journey, despite how often you feel so infuriated by his comments and demeanor. 🙄 With his pseudo big brother Nate in his corner, and his father as his morality and sensitivity compass, Danny is trying. But, it's not easy. It comes with his fair share of experimentation and making inappropriate choices with those who take advantage of his feelings and willingness to participate in an illicit affair to blow off steam. 'If I was straight this would be easier.' It's the overwhelming pressure of rising to everyone's expectations and hoping to appease others - at the detriment of his own well-being. It's enough to want you to shake him to snap him out of this cloud of ill-gained choices. But, if he doesn't learn from his mistakes and choices now, there may never come a time again. Never a moment where he understands that there is more to life than just basketball. That his heart is allowed - deserves to have space to be himself - to be with the person that makes him happiest. 🥺
Danny and Sam's relationship certainly came out of nowhere; Sam's expectations of Danny's loyalty and feelings, even more so. And yet, there was still so much heart to their yearning - 'he looked up at me and I swear I saw forever in his eyes.'. 🥹 Sam, who is out and proud, only wants what is best for Danny - for him to see that he is more than just the number on his jersey. Risking his own health and losing his identity is not worth the millions that he could amass. There was such palpable emotion in how they grew closer, how they fell in love; a candid humor of blurted confessions, but delivered with a heartfelt tenderness of honesty to Danny's expressive thoughts and how he felt closer to him than anyone else. 🤍🤍 Certain moments were written with such a glow of happiness to them; this escape from the demands of his sports life that made them both feel so safe and appreciated with each other. ' He was giving me a gift. An incredible, wondrous gift that was beyond words.' And I love when they crossed the lines of physical intimacy with each other; JG has always had such a reserved way of addressing the physicality of romance, but here he captured it so poignantly and so sincerely, I was just gobsmacked. The deep trust and the overflowing of affection at their vulnerable display was just 🤌🏻❤️🔥🤌🏻
“I risk my health every time I walk out on the court. Every time I are. You think your only value is in that game.”
He leaned forward and I could see the tears in his eyes. “You’re wrong. All that game is going to do is kill you.” He grabbed my hand and squeezed it.
“I wish I didn’t love you, I really do.” He let go. “It would make watching you kill yourself a little easier.”
I was still a bit thrown off at certain aspects of their dynamic. Am I wrong to feel that Sam was too demanding to expect that Danny would put his duties as a sports player on hold to make space for a more personal life? To push him to stop hiding in self-loathing and not judge himself too harshly, and embrace who he truly was? To find time to relax and unwind, when any minute away not in his training regime could reduce his talents? 😒 A little bit; I mean, his blow-outs felt a bit out of place and too much, like, why was he pushing so much for it? I know it's also at the risk of his health that he was concerned, but being all emotional and complaining about not having time to spend with him, felt a bit disproportionate to his personality; I know he has suffered a painful relationship before, but I felt that was a bit out of place. "I didn’t understand why, but he was scared. And I had to do anything I could to take that fear away.' ❤️🩹❤️🩹 But, when the author eventually brings them back together in such a powerful and emotionally strung connection that I was convinced that their love would survive; that when the apologies were made, that when they saw how important they were to each other, that Danny truly cared for Sam, loved him with the utmost conviction that all their fall-outs did not matter in the long run. 🥲
The cast of characters were well-fleshed out; with their flaws, their foibles, their vices and their triumphs, Danny's teammates felt like a real team. The energy of the basketball game was palpable and I could hear the bounce of the ball with each vivid descriptive detail. But, the piece de resistance definitely belongs to Brad. That pivotal scene and the final one that hints to a book 3 (that sadly has not yet made its way into fruition) lit up my heart and brought such a smile to my face. 🥰 It made Danny's journey feel so worth it that I did not want it to end here, knowing that Danny does play such an impactful part in Brad's life later on - a bittersweet victory that still has its fair share of problems, but one perhaps with a more level-headed sense that shows how Danny has crossed that edge, stronger than he was before. 👍🏻 It remains to be seen if we get to see Danny's triumphant moment as the star that he's always been, so I can only hope that John Goode won't allow this series to Fadeaway. 🙏🏻
May 21, 2017
As much as I loved/hated
Going the Distance
, I just plain loved Edge of Glory.
Book two of the Fadeaway series covers the college years for Daniel Devin Monroe. He's still closeted because he's sure that coming out would ruin his basketball hopes and dreams, and his own fears about being out are still deeply in his head.
When Danny reconnects with Sam though, everything is put to the test.
I absolutely loved the Sam/Danny storyline. Not too sappy, not too perfect, it was just perfectly pitched. You get to experience, along with Danny, the joys of first love...
How much being in love at that age encompasses everything.
And seeing how easily we can fuck things up because of fear or stupidity. With some much-needed life lessons along the way.
I loved getting to see Danny spend time with Nate and his dad again. Especially as things left off after Going the Distance on some seriously rocky shores.
Though the story has plenty of angst, it does have humor too, which helps to offset what could have been a much darker-in-tone story.
Instead of the story being suffocating or dark, which it could absolutely have been...Goode tempers the dark -
- and sometimes more weighty matters...
...with hope and humor. Which makes this, like most of Goode's books, another winner.
I definitely liked that Danny is far less self-loathing in this. Like I said before, yes, the angst is still pretty high in this, but Goode pulls it off pretty seamlessly. So seamlessly you often don't realize how angsty a section was until you're out and think back about it.
Because it's Danny that drives this story. It's his POV (with a couple of surprise POV appearances by Sam that were really needed and came at the right time), so the reader really gets to be inside his head. Which is sometimes a hard place to be, but when Danny is with Sam...when you get to experience that happiness...THAT is what awesome writing is, folks.
I absolutely love Danny and Sam together, and I cheered for their hard fought HFN which is so sweet to behold.
I can't wait to see how the story works out in the final book.
Advanced Review Galley copy of Edge of Glory (Fadeaway #2) provided by the author in exchange of an honest review.
This review has been cross-posted at Gay Book Reviews.
Book two of the Fadeaway series covers the college years for Daniel Devin Monroe. He's still closeted because he's sure that coming out would ruin his basketball hopes and dreams, and his own fears about being out are still deeply in his head.
When Danny reconnects with Sam though, everything is put to the test.
He took a deep breath. “It’s just you’re so close to fucking perfect it kills me. You’re masculine, cute as hell, in shape and I can’t say that body hurts. You’re athletic, friendly and don’t seem to have an ego at all. If I was describing my perfect guy, he’d end up sounding a lot like you.” I stared at him with my mouth open. “Except you refuse to accept who you are and what you like. It makes everything else useless, because I can’t trust you.”
“No.” He stopped me. “It’s not about you telling people or coming out. It’s about you being able to say you’re gay to yourself. I could give a fuck about what you tell other people, Danny. It’s that you don’t like yourself because you don’t like being gay. I could never be with someone who thinks like that.”
No one had ever said anything like that to me before and it was crippling. Here was this guy, who I had drooled over, saying he would go out with me in a second, if I could just get over being gay. I said the first thing that came to mind. “I might be able to be gay if I had someone like you to be with.”
I absolutely loved the Sam/Danny storyline. Not too sappy, not too perfect, it was just perfectly pitched. You get to experience, along with Danny, the joys of first love...
“I’m a fuck up, I admit that. But I look at you and….” My courage finally gave out. “I like you.”
I looked down at my shoes, unable to meet his gaze. He reached across and lifted my chin, forcing me to look him in the eye. “But you look at me and…?” he asked.
“And I want to be a better person. You make me want to be a better person so I can be with you. I know that sounds stupid but—”
He leaned over and kissed me.
I wisely shut up and kissed him back.
How much being in love at that age encompasses everything.
His lips touched mine and my head swam as if I was drunk. I reached up and pulled him closer.
It was as if everything I’d been missing was suddenly right there in front of me. Because it was; I just hadn’t realized it yet.
And seeing how easily we can fuck things up because of fear or stupidity. With some much-needed life lessons along the way.
“Your problem is that somewhere along the way you became deathly afraid of who you are.” I scowled and he shook his head. “No, not the gay thing, I mean in regards to your body. You’re a freaking giant and you walk around like you’re scared of your own shadow. You never learned to assert yourself because you’ve spent so much time trying to diminish yourself and now, when you need to step up, you have no idea how because you spent too much time acting like a little bitch.”
I loved getting to see Danny spend time with Nate and his dad again. Especially as things left off after Going the Distance on some seriously rocky shores.
“Danny, I don’t know how many times I need to say this. But I’ll keep right on saying it until you believe me. I don’t care who you date, as long as you’re happy. And if you are dating someone, I want to know about it because I’m your dad and we used to be able to talk about anything…” He hesitated then added, “I’d like to have that again, son.”
Though the story has plenty of angst, it does have humor too, which helps to offset what could have been a much darker-in-tone story.
“So, basically you’re just pulling a Danny?” my dad asked out of nowhere when we stopped for gas.
“What?”
“You’re in your head worrying about things you can’t change, and things that most likely will never happen. You know, pulling a Danny.”
“I don’t do that,” I protested.
My dad calmly made a phone call to someone and put it on speaker. I heard Nate’s voice. “What’s up, Mr. Monroe?”
“If I told you Danny was ‘pulling a Danny’ what would you say he was doing?”
“Um… worrying about crap he can’t do anything about and stressing over things he imagined about something. Is this about his present?”
“I hate you.”
Instead of the story being suffocating or dark, which it could absolutely have been...Goode tempers the dark -
“You don’t get it, Sam! They were going to kick me off the team.”
“And you don’t get it, Danny. You could have changed the subject and called their bluff.”
“It wasn’t a bluff!” I yelled back. “It’s not a fucking bluff, Sam! It’s never been a bluff! Why can’t you get this? I want to play basketball. Basketball is my life and I can’t do that if they kick me off the team.”
“You’re never coming out, are you?”
I said nothing.
- and sometimes more weighty matters...
“I wish I could hate you,” he told me in a soft voice.
I wasn’t sure if he knew I was awake but he had to know I couldn’t answer.
“I really do. It would make things so much easier if I just hated you and moved on.” One finger traced over the top of my hand and gave me chills. “You think basketball is all you are. You think your only value is in that game.”
He leaned forward and I could see the tears in his eyes.
“You’re wrong. All that game is going to do is kill you.”
...with hope and humor. Which makes this, like most of Goode's books, another winner.
“You want to make a difference? You want to make people change?” Kyle asked me. I nodded. “Then just stand there and refuse to move. Don’t budge, don’t explain, just stand there because you have the right to stand there. The secret to institutions is that they don’t have as much power as people think they do. Their power comes from the fact that people think they have it. It’s not true. Take the illusion away from them.”
I definitely liked that Danny is far less self-loathing in this. Like I said before, yes, the angst is still pretty high in this, but Goode pulls it off pretty seamlessly. So seamlessly you often don't realize how angsty a section was until you're out and think back about it.
Because it's Danny that drives this story. It's his POV (with a couple of surprise POV appearances by Sam that were really needed and came at the right time), so the reader really gets to be inside his head. Which is sometimes a hard place to be, but when Danny is with Sam...when you get to experience that happiness...THAT is what awesome writing is, folks.
I absolutely love Danny and Sam together, and I cheered for their hard fought HFN which is so sweet to behold.
I can't wait to see how the story works out in the final book.
Advanced Review Galley copy of Edge of Glory (Fadeaway #2) provided by the author in exchange of an honest review.
This review has been cross-posted at Gay Book Reviews.
December 21, 2016
Review to come..
December 28, 2016
This book is intensely good,all 208 pages of it.The words literally vibrate with life & almost spin of the pages as you become immersed in the character of Danny & the lengths he would go to to play basket ball even at the cost of losing the love of his life Sam.
January 10, 2017
Wow! This was such sweet and thrilling ride! If you loved "Going the Distance", "Edge of Glory"is going to blow your mind!
One of the things i loved most about the 2nd Fadeaway book was the writing style; it all resembles a movie where you get small snippets of "present" life and then you're thrown back into the past so you can see how things ended up where they were. It makes for a "at the edge of your seat" read and it keeps your blood pumping at all times. John Goode is a master when it comes to playing with your emotions, and I say at as the best compliment. I love it when I can't put a book down and it's 3 a.m. and I'm still reading.
Since i don't want to spoil the plot, I won't get into details but I want to express how much more I fell in love Danny.. he is such an amazing character. The way his feelings regarding his sexuality, the expectations people had from him, basketball (which is his life) and Sam are presented is nothing short of brilliant. I laughed, cried, got frustrated (yes, Danny is not perfect and sometimes you want to hit him upside the head) and fell in love with Sam alongside him. Oh yes.. Danny and Sam.. even though their relationship is hard and they have to overcome a lot of obstacles and communication problems, i think they're perfect for each other:
Another thing that i looooved is the way basketball is an integral part of the book, it's almost like a character in itself, which is only fitting since basketball is Danny's life. Now, if you're not a sports fan don't get nervous (i never followed basketball myself), the way John described it will make you change your mind and will make you wish you could actually see LIVE the way Danny plays the game. Gah!! I want to see him on a court so much! And all the team members, starting with Nate, are awesome supporting characters and they keep you invested in their lives until the very last minute.
You will hurt, you will hurt so much to see how hard the life of a gay athlete can be and it makes me sick to my stomach to think that stuff like this actually happened and sadly probably is still happening . I can never understand how who a person loves can be such a big deal and can take everything from you.... But in the end Danny didn't compromise and took life and sexuality in his owns hands.. we will see how that will turn out in the next book.. which I hope will be out next week? *puppy dog eyes*
There so many more things I could say about "Edge of glory" but i could never do John Goode's work justice. You simply have to read it and feel it for yourself. Trust me, you won't regret it!
Smooches!
One of the things i loved most about the 2nd Fadeaway book was the writing style; it all resembles a movie where you get small snippets of "present" life and then you're thrown back into the past so you can see how things ended up where they were. It makes for a "at the edge of your seat" read and it keeps your blood pumping at all times. John Goode is a master when it comes to playing with your emotions, and I say at as the best compliment. I love it when I can't put a book down and it's 3 a.m. and I'm still reading.
Since i don't want to spoil the plot, I won't get into details but I want to express how much more I fell in love Danny.. he is such an amazing character. The way his feelings regarding his sexuality, the expectations people had from him, basketball (which is his life) and Sam are presented is nothing short of brilliant. I laughed, cried, got frustrated (yes, Danny is not perfect and sometimes you want to hit him upside the head) and fell in love with Sam alongside him. Oh yes.. Danny and Sam.. even though their relationship is hard and they have to overcome a lot of obstacles and communication problems, i think they're perfect for each other:
He looked up at me and I swear I saw forever in his eyes. I know that sounds stupid but it’s the truth. It was the same thing I’d felt when I saw his picture on Facebook last year. It was like I’d known him my whole life before we ever met.
Another thing that i looooved is the way basketball is an integral part of the book, it's almost like a character in itself, which is only fitting since basketball is Danny's life. Now, if you're not a sports fan don't get nervous (i never followed basketball myself), the way John described it will make you change your mind and will make you wish you could actually see LIVE the way Danny plays the game. Gah!! I want to see him on a court so much! And all the team members, starting with Nate, are awesome supporting characters and they keep you invested in their lives until the very last minute.
You will hurt, you will hurt so much to see how hard the life of a gay athlete can be and it makes me sick to my stomach to think that stuff like this actually happened and sadly probably is still happening . I can never understand how who a person loves can be such a big deal and can take everything from you.... But in the end Danny didn't compromise and took life and sexuality in his owns hands.. we will see how that will turn out in the next book.. which I hope will be out next week? *puppy dog eyes*
There so many more things I could say about "Edge of glory" but i could never do John Goode's work justice. You simply have to read it and feel it for yourself. Trust me, you won't regret it!
Smooches!
March 3, 2017
In book two of the series, Danny is in college. The stakes here are high. His father couldn't possibly afford to pay his way through school, if he were to lose his athletic scholarship. Plus his future in pro sports, which could be very bright, is on the line. But Danny at the same time is dealing with his growing off-and-on relationship with Sam. At this point, irreconcilable pressures are trying to make him choose between the game that he lives, breathes, and is supported by, and the man he might be able to love.
The timeline bounces a bit, with momentary foreshadowing that I wasn't crazy about, but that's a personal quirk and the story itself is strong. I really appreciate that here are young guys who really do make major mistakes. They do the wrong thing and don't immediately realize or fix it. They are sometimes weak in believable ways, or act out of hurt, or are afraid, or blind to other people. I sometimes wanted to smack them, but they felt very real.
The secondary characters are important, nicely varied, and manage to touch on socially relevant issues without preaching. The basketball component is exciting, present and real enough to be appropriate for a sports-MC story, but not so much that the character-based plot is overwhelmed. I was pulled quickly though this book, and now have to wait not-so-patiently for book 3 like the other fans of this series.
The timeline bounces a bit, with momentary foreshadowing that I wasn't crazy about, but that's a personal quirk and the story itself is strong. I really appreciate that here are young guys who really do make major mistakes. They do the wrong thing and don't immediately realize or fix it. They are sometimes weak in believable ways, or act out of hurt, or are afraid, or blind to other people. I sometimes wanted to smack them, but they felt very real.
The secondary characters are important, nicely varied, and manage to touch on socially relevant issues without preaching. The basketball component is exciting, present and real enough to be appropriate for a sports-MC story, but not so much that the character-based plot is overwhelmed. I was pulled quickly though this book, and now have to wait not-so-patiently for book 3 like the other fans of this series.
February 7, 2017
Aaaaaaaaahhhhh! Cliffy!!!! We need the final book!! I can't wait to see the last piece of Danny's story arc.
I love how real Danny is. John Goode does a fanastic job of making the reader care so much about him. I was so engaged every moment of this story. And, let me tell you...this story was rough at times. This book was a definite roller coaster. But, I love these characters - and I need more! <3
I love how real Danny is. John Goode does a fanastic job of making the reader care so much about him. I was so engaged every moment of this story. And, let me tell you...this story was rough at times. This book was a definite roller coaster. But, I love these characters - and I need more! <3
February 6, 2017
Awesome book. Danny is my favorite. But how does John Goode manage to write about basketball without boring me to death?
February 6, 2017
Book 2 of the Fadeaway trilogy is just as stellar as the first. In this book, we follow Danny to Texas A&M where he is the only freshman in the starting lineup in over ten years. And this does not make him the most popular player on the team. As he starts his first year, he is just as determined to suppress and deny his sexuality as before; that is until he meets his Facebook fantasy, Sam Parker, face-to-face. Sam is immediately taken by how genuine and nerdy (and hot) the socially awkward basketball player is and Danny is drawn to Sam's outgoing personality and boldness in being out and proud. But out and proud is just not in the cards for Danny which makes a relationship with Sam impossibly difficult.
There are times you just want to shake both Danny and Sam for the things they do to each other, but that just highlights the hopeless obstacles gay players face in college and professional sports. Nobody ever tells a straight player that he can't play college sports if he is a man-slut, but throw a gay player into the mix and suddenly we need contract provisions addressing sexual deviancy. So Danny is left with trying to satisfy the normal emotional and sexual needs of a healthy young adult male while dealing with jealousies and racial tensions from fellow players in what is supposed to be a team sport.
This book is chock-full of wonderful characters. There is Danny's dad who works unfailingly to help Danny accept his sexuality. Saying that is an uphill battle is the understatement of the century, but fortunately Danny gets his stubborn streak from his dad. Nate is back as Danny's steadfast best friend, who makes a great member of the "it's ok if you're gay, Danny" team. And in this book, we meet Rod, Danny's agent who doesn't really care about Danny's sexuality but sees his job as keeping Danny on the basketball court. There are also a delicious array of evil antagonists who see their job as helping Danny derail his basketball career. And then there's Danny, who loves Sam, but does he love basketball more?
I love how the author gets down into the nitty-gritty of the game. The locker room rivalries and backstabbing teammates and the political posturing of athletic department bureaucrats and the propaganda/gossip machines that are sports reporting outlets.
An all-around great series for anyone who loves sports or if you just want to see the hoops we make people jump through to conform to artificial stereotypes.
There are times you just want to shake both Danny and Sam for the things they do to each other, but that just highlights the hopeless obstacles gay players face in college and professional sports. Nobody ever tells a straight player that he can't play college sports if he is a man-slut, but throw a gay player into the mix and suddenly we need contract provisions addressing sexual deviancy. So Danny is left with trying to satisfy the normal emotional and sexual needs of a healthy young adult male while dealing with jealousies and racial tensions from fellow players in what is supposed to be a team sport.
This book is chock-full of wonderful characters. There is Danny's dad who works unfailingly to help Danny accept his sexuality. Saying that is an uphill battle is the understatement of the century, but fortunately Danny gets his stubborn streak from his dad. Nate is back as Danny's steadfast best friend, who makes a great member of the "it's ok if you're gay, Danny" team. And in this book, we meet Rod, Danny's agent who doesn't really care about Danny's sexuality but sees his job as keeping Danny on the basketball court. There are also a delicious array of evil antagonists who see their job as helping Danny derail his basketball career. And then there's Danny, who loves Sam, but does he love basketball more?
I love how the author gets down into the nitty-gritty of the game. The locker room rivalries and backstabbing teammates and the political posturing of athletic department bureaucrats and the propaganda/gossip machines that are sports reporting outlets.
An all-around great series for anyone who loves sports or if you just want to see the hoops we make people jump through to conform to artificial stereotypes.
November 29, 2017
The drama continues...
It was nice to catch up with Danny again. That boy has been through a lot. In typical John Goode fashion, this story is bigger than one book...or two books. We get the conclusion in the third book. We did get a nice cameo from Brad and Kyle on their way to California. Another great series in the making. 4.0 for Sam.
It was nice to catch up with Danny again. That boy has been through a lot. In typical John Goode fashion, this story is bigger than one book...or two books. We get the conclusion in the third book. We did get a nice cameo from Brad and Kyle on their way to California. Another great series in the making. 4.0 for Sam.
February 15, 2017
Warning: May Contain Spoilers from Book One, Going the Distance
Please note that Edge of Glory is the second novel in the Fadeaway series by author John Goode. It is most definitely not a standalone novel, and I highly recommend reading the first, Going the Distance, before reading this review–not only because it will contain spoilers but also you will definitely want to know these characters from the very start. As the concise blurb states, Danny is now off to college, and the novel picks up with him in pre-season basketball camp where his rap as a drug user has preceded him. Never mind that the usage was a one off and spurred on by the fact that he needed a little medicinal help to actually attempt sex with his then girlfriend; the new team he is desperately trying to fit into is pissed and letting him know it. Even his best buddy and “big brother”, Nate, isn’t terribly happy with Danny. But it’s the black members of the team who see his get-out-of-jail-free card sentencing and lack of real punishment, other than constant drug testing, as a typical white man’s way of beating the rap.
It’s here that the first of many important social statements are nailed down in this incredible novel. Never preachy or judgmental, John Goode hits the nail square on the head by exposing the inequality that many African American males find in the judicial system every day. His teammates not so gently remind him that being a white boy definitely has its privileges. Unfortunately for Danny, that is not the only thing he is getting pressure about. The other would be the fact that he is the only freshman to be a starting player on the team, and some don’t believe he deserves it. Yes, the aces seem to be stacked pretty high against our MC from the start, but none will pressure him like his own fears about being outed as gay. However, in true Danny fashion, this guy stays the course and treats his teammates with respect while bringing his A-game. By the time the season starts, the players have a grudging respect for him, and he and Nate are back on solid ground.
Danny likes solid ground but rarely manages to stay there, for who should also be at college but Sam? Sam Parker, the boy who lit up the world for the very closeted Danny back in high school. Thus begins a journey that will lead to falling in love, deciding to remain in the closet, getting to the final four during March Madness, and nearly blowing everything Danny has worked so hard for. Along the way, Danny will acquire a manager, make more than his fair share of enemies and mistakes, and finally be forced to decide if he can really spend the rest of his life running from who he really is. He will mend the rift between him and his dad, fall head over heels in love, and nearly destroy that love before a sane voice of reason steps into his life to shake Danny awake to the reality of what is most important. Once again little gems of reason and wisdom will fall from the most unlikely of sources, and John Goode will use those moments to remind us all that the dreams we have may never see the light of reality unless we are honest and true with ourselves.
It is most definitely painful at times to watch Danny and Sam fumble their way through their growing relationship. It is also both humbling and magical to witness how Danny transforms himself again and again, using that iron will and deep sense of fairness that’s inside him to eventually manage to do the right thing—even when it could mean the end of a life-long dream. John Goode writes deeply flawed characters who manage to find laughter amongst the tears, and who morph into better people before our eyes. Danny and Sam grow up in this story; Danny and his teammates learn hard life lessons on and off the court, and unfortunately, bad guys sometimes really do get away with shitty stuff. It’s all there in this novel, and so much more.
I have said this so many times, but I think it bears repeating: Author John Goode is an outstanding storyteller. His characters encapsulate that “every man” we meet on the street where we live, the one who no one realizes has had to hide in the shadows and fear being who he really is meant to be, the one who longs to lead a life that is so often denied him. Mr. Goode writes this man with humor, grace, a hefty dose of flaws and a streak of courage. He creates characters that touch something deep inside each of us and leave behind a lasting impression.
Edge of Glory is not just a worthy sequel but is also an outstanding second chapter in a series that comes highly recommended to you.
Reviewed by Sammy for The Novel Approach Reviews
Please note that Edge of Glory is the second novel in the Fadeaway series by author John Goode. It is most definitely not a standalone novel, and I highly recommend reading the first, Going the Distance, before reading this review–not only because it will contain spoilers but also you will definitely want to know these characters from the very start. As the concise blurb states, Danny is now off to college, and the novel picks up with him in pre-season basketball camp where his rap as a drug user has preceded him. Never mind that the usage was a one off and spurred on by the fact that he needed a little medicinal help to actually attempt sex with his then girlfriend; the new team he is desperately trying to fit into is pissed and letting him know it. Even his best buddy and “big brother”, Nate, isn’t terribly happy with Danny. But it’s the black members of the team who see his get-out-of-jail-free card sentencing and lack of real punishment, other than constant drug testing, as a typical white man’s way of beating the rap.
It’s here that the first of many important social statements are nailed down in this incredible novel. Never preachy or judgmental, John Goode hits the nail square on the head by exposing the inequality that many African American males find in the judicial system every day. His teammates not so gently remind him that being a white boy definitely has its privileges. Unfortunately for Danny, that is not the only thing he is getting pressure about. The other would be the fact that he is the only freshman to be a starting player on the team, and some don’t believe he deserves it. Yes, the aces seem to be stacked pretty high against our MC from the start, but none will pressure him like his own fears about being outed as gay. However, in true Danny fashion, this guy stays the course and treats his teammates with respect while bringing his A-game. By the time the season starts, the players have a grudging respect for him, and he and Nate are back on solid ground.
Danny likes solid ground but rarely manages to stay there, for who should also be at college but Sam? Sam Parker, the boy who lit up the world for the very closeted Danny back in high school. Thus begins a journey that will lead to falling in love, deciding to remain in the closet, getting to the final four during March Madness, and nearly blowing everything Danny has worked so hard for. Along the way, Danny will acquire a manager, make more than his fair share of enemies and mistakes, and finally be forced to decide if he can really spend the rest of his life running from who he really is. He will mend the rift between him and his dad, fall head over heels in love, and nearly destroy that love before a sane voice of reason steps into his life to shake Danny awake to the reality of what is most important. Once again little gems of reason and wisdom will fall from the most unlikely of sources, and John Goode will use those moments to remind us all that the dreams we have may never see the light of reality unless we are honest and true with ourselves.
It is most definitely painful at times to watch Danny and Sam fumble their way through their growing relationship. It is also both humbling and magical to witness how Danny transforms himself again and again, using that iron will and deep sense of fairness that’s inside him to eventually manage to do the right thing—even when it could mean the end of a life-long dream. John Goode writes deeply flawed characters who manage to find laughter amongst the tears, and who morph into better people before our eyes. Danny and Sam grow up in this story; Danny and his teammates learn hard life lessons on and off the court, and unfortunately, bad guys sometimes really do get away with shitty stuff. It’s all there in this novel, and so much more.
I have said this so many times, but I think it bears repeating: Author John Goode is an outstanding storyteller. His characters encapsulate that “every man” we meet on the street where we live, the one who no one realizes has had to hide in the shadows and fear being who he really is meant to be, the one who longs to lead a life that is so often denied him. Mr. Goode writes this man with humor, grace, a hefty dose of flaws and a streak of courage. He creates characters that touch something deep inside each of us and leave behind a lasting impression.
Edge of Glory is not just a worthy sequel but is also an outstanding second chapter in a series that comes highly recommended to you.
Reviewed by Sammy for The Novel Approach Reviews
December 28, 2016
5 stars and more!
I think I’ve started this review three different times because I was having difficulty putting all my feels into a coherent review. I’ve loved Danny’s character from those scenes in 151 Days, and I wanted to see what happened to Danny after Brad told him to go after his man. And oh, boy! We get to see that here.
Danny is still the flawed, wonderful, caring person he is in Going the Distance. He still absolutely panics at the idea of people finding out his sexuality or disappointing his father. Only now it’s more clinical, manifesting in more panic attacks and, at times, crippling fear. He has so much to lose now with his basketball scholarship. All he wants to do is play basketball.
That changes when he is reunited with Sam, who is also going to Texas A&M, and it is pretty clear that neither of them have really gotten over their first meeting. These two were so damn good for each other. The passion and love they had for the other was actually palpable.
Which is why I hated all the assholes in this book who tried to screw that up.
Thank goodness for all the wonderful people that were in Danny’s corner. I just want to state here that Nathan should get the Best Friend of the Year award, hands down. All the things he does for Danny, beyond being there and supporting him, are too numerous to name. And huge kudos to Danny’s dad who is still trying to make up for that mess he made with his reaction back in Germany. Added to our merry list of wonderful people is now Rod Davis, Danny’s agent. Time and time again, he represented Danny, thinking of what was best for him, and I look forward to seeing his impact in Danny’s life.
I need to take a moment to say how much I love the parts with Brad – and Kyle – in this book. In 151 Days you could see the strength of Brad’s character with his reaction to Texas A&M and his advice to Danny back then. It was so damn good to see how that strength was transferred to Danny, helping him to the decision that he needed to make.
On a side note, the basketball in this book was like chocolate for me. It added such texture to the story, and I loved seeing Danny in his element. How it gave him confidence and strength, even though he didn’t always have that in his personal life.
So it basically comes down to Danny is one of my favorite characters. I love him to pieces. He’s just this great guy who is so damn humble, who struggles to do the right thing and doesn’t get it right all the time. Anytime I can get to read more about him, I’m there in a heartbeat! Even when he gets put through the heartaches and pains of life, causing my poor little heart to feel each and every cut they make.
Danny is left in a better place than where he started in the book, supported and loved by so damn many people. I’m anxiously waiting right along with Danny and the others to hear back about the decision that will affect Danny’s future. What that means is I have a powerful case of the grabby hands for the next book, too.
***My free copy was from the Kickstarter project for this book. I don’t know if that needs to be said, but this is my honest review.***
I think I’ve started this review three different times because I was having difficulty putting all my feels into a coherent review. I’ve loved Danny’s character from those scenes in 151 Days, and I wanted to see what happened to Danny after Brad told him to go after his man. And oh, boy! We get to see that here.
Danny is still the flawed, wonderful, caring person he is in Going the Distance. He still absolutely panics at the idea of people finding out his sexuality or disappointing his father. Only now it’s more clinical, manifesting in more panic attacks and, at times, crippling fear. He has so much to lose now with his basketball scholarship. All he wants to do is play basketball.
That changes when he is reunited with Sam, who is also going to Texas A&M, and it is pretty clear that neither of them have really gotten over their first meeting. These two were so damn good for each other. The passion and love they had for the other was actually palpable.
Which is why I hated all the assholes in this book who tried to screw that up.
Thank goodness for all the wonderful people that were in Danny’s corner. I just want to state here that Nathan should get the Best Friend of the Year award, hands down. All the things he does for Danny, beyond being there and supporting him, are too numerous to name. And huge kudos to Danny’s dad who is still trying to make up for that mess he made with his reaction back in Germany. Added to our merry list of wonderful people is now Rod Davis, Danny’s agent. Time and time again, he represented Danny, thinking of what was best for him, and I look forward to seeing his impact in Danny’s life.
I need to take a moment to say how much I love the parts with Brad – and Kyle – in this book. In 151 Days you could see the strength of Brad’s character with his reaction to Texas A&M and his advice to Danny back then. It was so damn good to see how that strength was transferred to Danny, helping him to the decision that he needed to make.
On a side note, the basketball in this book was like chocolate for me. It added such texture to the story, and I loved seeing Danny in his element. How it gave him confidence and strength, even though he didn’t always have that in his personal life.
So it basically comes down to Danny is one of my favorite characters. I love him to pieces. He’s just this great guy who is so damn humble, who struggles to do the right thing and doesn’t get it right all the time. Anytime I can get to read more about him, I’m there in a heartbeat! Even when he gets put through the heartaches and pains of life, causing my poor little heart to feel each and every cut they make.
Danny is left in a better place than where he started in the book, supported and loved by so damn many people. I’m anxiously waiting right along with Danny and the others to hear back about the decision that will affect Danny’s future. What that means is I have a powerful case of the grabby hands for the next book, too.
***My free copy was from the Kickstarter project for this book. I don’t know if that needs to be said, but this is my honest review.***
December 22, 2016
Another wonderful 5 starred story from John, who is such an underrated author!! Book 2 of 3 in the life of Danny Monroe, college basketball star, and as with the previous story, I skimmed the basketball stuff unless there was something of relevance, In this one, Danny fell in love and tried to stay in the closet at the same time...not an easy feat by any means!! I would just say 'Oh what a tangled web we weave, when first we practice to deceive'...it was such a struggle for him and his boyfriend, and I sincerely doubted that we would ever get to the point where he could just stick his metaphorical middle finger up at the college, and say 'this is me, a gay basketball player...deal with it!!'.
Loved that we got a little bit more of Brad and Kyle too, and Nate was his usual supportive self. Wasn't keen AT ALL on the boyfriend's [not giving the boyfriend away here...] father I have to say...having plenty of money and being a self-centred bigot obviously go hand in hand in Texas. The picture below may give a clue away as to whom the boyfriend is though....
Proud to have been one of John's Kickstarter sponsors for this story....long may it continue!! Oh, and {{{Hugs}}} to Lisa Worrall for the editing!!
August 29, 2017
Just like the first one. I couldn't put it down. Idk if I loved it even more. I just love this story and these characters so much. Idk why, it is not a super special or different book, but it is just so well written and thought out and uuuugh. Just perfect. Also, I laughed and cried a lot... a LOT.
Reread 29.08.17
I wasn't as emotional as I was when I first read it, but I was still feeling all the feels.
Seriously, when is the third book going to come?!?!
John I'm waiting!!!!
Reread 29.08.17
I wasn't as emotional as I was when I first read it, but I was still feeling all the feels.
Seriously, when is the third book going to come?!?!
John I'm waiting!!!!
April 14, 2017
M/M. Book #2 in a really good series. Our main MC Danny is now at Texas A&M playing basketball still struggling with his sexuality (mostly now in keeping it secret from the rest of the world). Since we've already been through the high school years in basketball, the b-ball portions of the book got a little tedious but Danny, Dad, Nate and the others were great characters.
Book #2 ends with Danny preparing for the NBA and the readers left hanging as to how the pro's and their fans are going to handle finding out Danny is gay. The end of the books says there is a book #3 coming but it doesn't seem to be out yet.
Book #2 ends with Danny preparing for the NBA and the readers left hanging as to how the pro's and their fans are going to handle finding out Danny is gay. The end of the books says there is a book #3 coming but it doesn't seem to be out yet.
March 4, 2017
John, why do you torture me like this? When is Fadeaway coming out? Damming you are always doing this to me. Send me what you have written, I want to know now want happen to my baby Sam!!!
February 21, 2017
A Winner
I didn't especially like the first book in this series. But I adore this one. The author hit his stride somehow with this one. Sports never meant anything to me, so for me to read an entire book about basketball is quite laughable. But I did, and I'm admitting to it. The characters of this book were so vivid, those we were meant to adore and those we were meant to despise. Warts and all, they were so real that I had to keep reading to see what happened next. From one page to the next I was really never sure what was coming next. It was nice to watch Danny grow and mature and come into his own over the course of this story. John Goode has delivered another winner with this book.
I didn't especially like the first book in this series. But I adore this one. The author hit his stride somehow with this one. Sports never meant anything to me, so for me to read an entire book about basketball is quite laughable. But I did, and I'm admitting to it. The characters of this book were so vivid, those we were meant to adore and those we were meant to despise. Warts and all, they were so real that I had to keep reading to see what happened next. From one page to the next I was really never sure what was coming next. It was nice to watch Danny grow and mature and come into his own over the course of this story. John Goode has delivered another winner with this book.
February 6, 2017
I reeeeeeallly liked where John took Danny in this one and how he is getting there.
I did want to shake Danny numerous times, but the ending had me smiling like a loon. Can't wait to see what happens in the next book? :D
I did want to shake Danny numerous times, but the ending had me smiling like a loon. Can't wait to see what happens in the next book? :D
April 28, 2020
I would like to warn people that there are spoilers in my comment so don’t read beyond the third paragraph after this. I don’t give details, just my impressions but I still wrote things...
This might be my third or fourth comment about a book. Ever. Either I loved it so much I needed to say something or the reverse.
This book is definitely in the first category. It’s not perfect, I mean, there were moments I wanted to scream at Danny for being so clueless, but all in all I really liked the guy. And I even liked Sam better :-) they are not perfect people and yet they are perfect together.
John Goode made it possible for me to appreciate Basketball for the book even though it’s not something I enjoy that much. It was explained in a way, a noob like me could enjoy it without it being to much.
But most of all I was on the edge of my seat a lot of time. Either because of the games ou because of the romance between Danny and Sam.
Danny is pictured in such a way the reader is never sure if he is going to end up doing the right thing for himself or not. And while that is frustrating to no end, it also makes it a good read.
The second half of the book started to give me hope for Danny which was good and even if he made some stupid things at times (like really stupid and really frustrating) I like the fact that I won’t end up pining for the third book in a state of depression the way I was with the first one (and I just waited for a night...)
Finally seeing Brad and Kyle was awesome in so many ways.
And now, I’m left waiting for the next book to be published. Hopefully I will not wait that much, and I wonder how the people waiting for it, since this one was published, even survived!
This might be my third or fourth comment about a book. Ever. Either I loved it so much I needed to say something or the reverse.
This book is definitely in the first category. It’s not perfect, I mean, there were moments I wanted to scream at Danny for being so clueless, but all in all I really liked the guy. And I even liked Sam better :-) they are not perfect people and yet they are perfect together.
John Goode made it possible for me to appreciate Basketball for the book even though it’s not something I enjoy that much. It was explained in a way, a noob like me could enjoy it without it being to much.
But most of all I was on the edge of my seat a lot of time. Either because of the games ou because of the romance between Danny and Sam.
Danny is pictured in such a way the reader is never sure if he is going to end up doing the right thing for himself or not. And while that is frustrating to no end, it also makes it a good read.
The second half of the book started to give me hope for Danny which was good and even if he made some stupid things at times (like really stupid and really frustrating) I like the fact that I won’t end up pining for the third book in a state of depression the way I was with the first one (and I just waited for a night...)
Finally seeing Brad and Kyle was awesome in so many ways.
And now, I’m left waiting for the next book to be published. Hopefully I will not wait that much, and I wonder how the people waiting for it, since this one was published, even survived!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 28, 2017
This one is much lighter IMO than the first Fadeaway book. Danny's in love ;) so how can it not be a more positive book, right? I laugh how Goode used Basketball as a side character basically. I'm not a sports person but the games never bored me and always served a purpose. Well done :)
Danny's gift to Sam was just
I'm very happy about Danny's growth/evolution in this story. When I met him in 151 Days (Foster High Series) I didn't know what to think of him but now I can gladly say I'm a fan of Danny's and or basketball !
well, maybe not basketball...
Danny's gift to Sam was just
I'm very happy about Danny's growth/evolution in this story. When I met him in 151 Days (Foster High Series) I didn't know what to think of him but now I can gladly say I'm a fan of Danny's and or basketball !
well, maybe not basketball...
April 12, 2017
// I do not see a good rating in this book's future :-/! That pains me, because I really do appreciate this author's writing AND the importance of his messages through his books. But this book ... all it was about was fighting ... fighting bigotry, fighting double standards, fighting misconceptions, fighting stereotypes & stigmas, fighting misunderstands, fighting fear, fighting the system, fighting each other [because of everything else I've listed], and fighting to be together in the face of it all (because they share a love that is truly wonderful). But holy shit ... so much DRAMA ... not so much angst, just DRAMA!! I don't read books to read drama; I loathe it in life and I loathe it in books. It's just so ... unnecessary!!
Also, a theme I see a lot of in Goode's books is other characters getting involved in the relationship between the MCs, after the two get into a fight and break up. I mean ... this makes me think that:
1. Kyle and Brad would't have managed to work things out if everyone didn't make their two cents known.
2. Tyler and Matt wouldn't have worked out if Robbie and Sebastian didn't get involved.
3. Danny and Sam would have missed THEIR opportunity if Nate and Sam's brothers didn't intervene.
REALLY?!!? It's not that I don't think they would have found their way to one another regardless, I do know they would have, because I believe their love and their desire to make it succeed is most definitely strong enough. But still, there's a pattern of people always coming in to help the MCs work their way back to one another. There's always friends and family who force the MCs to work through their problems and realize they want and need to FIGHT for each other. Why is that necessary?!!? It makes me think (or worry) that if people didn't get involved, they wouldn't have seen reason on their own. That concerns me. More specifically, it pisses me off!!!!
*******
How on earth did I miss that this was set for release???????? Want! Big BIG WANT!!
Also, a theme I see a lot of in Goode's books is other characters getting involved in the relationship between the MCs, after the two get into a fight and break up. I mean ... this makes me think that:
1. Kyle and Brad would't have managed to work things out if everyone didn't make their two cents known.
2. Tyler and Matt wouldn't have worked out if Robbie and Sebastian didn't get involved.
3. Danny and Sam would have missed THEIR opportunity if Nate and Sam's brothers didn't intervene.
REALLY?!!? It's not that I don't think they would have found their way to one another regardless, I do know they would have, because I believe their love and their desire to make it succeed is most definitely strong enough. But still, there's a pattern of people always coming in to help the MCs work their way back to one another. There's always friends and family who force the MCs to work through their problems and realize they want and need to FIGHT for each other. Why is that necessary?!!? It makes me think (or worry) that if people didn't get involved, they wouldn't have seen reason on their own. That concerns me. More specifically, it pisses me off!!!!
*******
How on earth did I miss that this was set for release???????? Want! Big BIG WANT!!
January 7, 2017
I love the first book and I really looked forward to the sequel. However, I have to say it kinda disappointed me. The story seems rush; all the characters were flat, had no dimensions, no depth or whatsoever. The romance storyline came out as forced. I'm not a big fan of bratty Sam to begin with and I expected Danny to end up with Cody and he's become— what?—a supporting character with brief lines? Come on, he could've been better! You can't just dismiss his character like that (I hope there's more of Cody in book 3) Not to mention, the whole "whites are oppressed" reverse-racism nonsense through out the book. Did the author take a trip to a parallel universe where white people got shot by black cops for calling them n word and black people call white cops mayonnaise or pig get to stay alive? Because guess what, the reality is the opposite and that's racism, not your hurt feeling when some one compare you to bland food. It's not necessary at all, yet I had to read that nonsense with my own eyes. So here you go, 2 stars from me.
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