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On the Board #1
Rookie Mistake
Rookie forward Isaac Rivera is still finding his footing in the big leagues where he’s no longer the best player on the roster. It’s a whole new world, especially now that several of his hockey idols have become teammates. Friends, even.
There’s one who’s more than a hockey idol, though… and he might end up being more than a friend.
Julien Landry is a powerhouse on the ice. In eight years, he’s become one of the league’s top defensemen and the heartthrob everyone wants to bed. But fallout from a painful mistake as a rookie, followed by years of rough-and-tumble hookups, have him itching for something more.
When a connection sparks between him and Isaac, he discovers what he’s been missing: someone he can trust with his body and his heart. As long as Isaac and Julien keep the heat between them off the ice, what could go wrong?
But Julien’s past is never far behind him, and when it comes crashing in, he might lose everything—his career, his friends, and the first person he’s ever really loved.
CW: discussions of past abuse and sexual assault
There’s one who’s more than a hockey idol, though… and he might end up being more than a friend.
Julien Landry is a powerhouse on the ice. In eight years, he’s become one of the league’s top defensemen and the heartthrob everyone wants to bed. But fallout from a painful mistake as a rookie, followed by years of rough-and-tumble hookups, have him itching for something more.
When a connection sparks between him and Isaac, he discovers what he’s been missing: someone he can trust with his body and his heart. As long as Isaac and Julien keep the heat between them off the ice, what could go wrong?
But Julien’s past is never far behind him, and when it comes crashing in, he might lose everything—his career, his friends, and the first person he’s ever really loved.
CW: discussions of past abuse and sexual assault
534 pages, Paperback
First published June 28, 2022
279 people are currently reading
2604 people want to read
About the author
Anna Zabo
25 books708 followersAnna Zabo (they/them) writes contemporary and paranormal romance for all colors of the rainbow. They live and work in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, which isn’t nearly as boring as most people think.
Anna is non-binary and uses they/them pronouns and prefers Mx. Zabo as an honorific.
Anna grew up in the wilds of suburban Philadelphia before returning to their ancestral homelands in Western Pennsylvania. They can be easily plied with coffee.
Anna has an MFA in Writing Popular Fiction from Seton Hill University, where they fell in with a roving band of romance writers and never looked back. They also have a BA in Creative Writing from Carnegie Mellon University.
Anna is non-binary and uses they/them pronouns and prefers Mx. Zabo as an honorific.
Anna grew up in the wilds of suburban Philadelphia before returning to their ancestral homelands in Western Pennsylvania. They can be easily plied with coffee.
Anna has an MFA in Writing Popular Fiction from Seton Hill University, where they fell in with a roving band of romance writers and never looked back. They also have a BA in Creative Writing from Carnegie Mellon University.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 368 reviews
July 2, 2022
***3.5 rating***
"Bonne fête, Isaac. Mon coéquipier. Mon ami. Mon amour."
Brief Summary:
Rookie Mistake is an MM sports romance story centering around two hockey players, one a veteran (Julien Landry-27), and the other a rookie, named Isaac Rivera (22). The story has a lot of Canadian context, with Julien being from Quebec (yay Canadian representation) and speaking French from time to time but the team itself is American, (Pittsburgh Griffins).
Isaac Rivera has always had a crush on the veteran player and things seem to be in his favor when Julien returns his feelings. Throughout their relationship, the couple navigates some serious issues such as SA, being a couple in a hockey team, and forge a friendship with people who you know have your back, especially when things get tough. The story itself is not complete without a villain of course, but I shall not spoil that for those who have yet to read this story. In this book the reader will find romance, friendship, and some characters that will turn to surprise you. Worth the read? I shall discuss that next.
Verdict :
This was a buddy read with my gal, Gloria thanks for reading this long ass book with me lol.❤️
My overall view on this book is that it was an alright read. Nothing spectacular, predictable just like every other MM sports romance that has been released this year. However, not all hope is lost. I will explain. While, the book is overwhelmingly long (526 pages on kindle), the story itself had potential, the main characters, Isaac and Julien are very likeable and you do end up rooting for them but the way the story dragged on and on, made this a less enjoyable experience for me. This could have been easily wrapped up in 250 pages, there was no need for it to be this long. Readers lose interest when the interest has not been piqued early on and the story was quite boring in the beginning. It did not get interesting until 46% in. The romance was also very fast-paced, 10% in they get each other and have a "connection". Hell, 11% in things get spicy. I didn't mind it but the connection was poorly executed, there was no built up or tension, just how hot each MC thought the other was. Again, a better execution of their relationship, and a shorter length would have made this easily a 4.0 rating. They also had way too many sex scenes, I love a good sex scene especially if its BDSM, which was the case in this book but it became too repetitive and felt like a filler.
I did enjoy Julien's vulnerability with Isaac, he did surprise me at times. A very loveable character overall, same with Isaac. The teammates were a nice touch too, especially Nikolai "Nikki" Sidorov and Elias Karlsson. The authors did a good job at establishing their unsaid tension and feelings, definitely piqued my interest for the second book, I will be reading that.
Now having said all of that, do I recommend this? Kind of? I mean if you are okay with reading 500 pages and enjoy a fast paced romance then by all means go ahead. I did think it was an alright read, had much potential (not including the writing errors), but certainly could have been better. A missed opportunity for the authors. Do with that what you will, I am still gonna read the second book and for some reason even though this was a 3 star read I couldn't stop reading it lol🤡.
"Bonne fête, Isaac. Mon coéquipier. Mon ami. Mon amour."
Brief Summary:
Rookie Mistake is an MM sports romance story centering around two hockey players, one a veteran (Julien Landry-27), and the other a rookie, named Isaac Rivera (22). The story has a lot of Canadian context, with Julien being from Quebec (yay Canadian representation) and speaking French from time to time but the team itself is American, (Pittsburgh Griffins).
Isaac Rivera has always had a crush on the veteran player and things seem to be in his favor when Julien returns his feelings. Throughout their relationship, the couple navigates some serious issues such as SA, being a couple in a hockey team, and forge a friendship with people who you know have your back, especially when things get tough. The story itself is not complete without a villain of course, but I shall not spoil that for those who have yet to read this story. In this book the reader will find romance, friendship, and some characters that will turn to surprise you. Worth the read? I shall discuss that next.
Verdict :
This was a buddy read with my gal, Gloria thanks for reading this long ass book with me lol.❤️
My overall view on this book is that it was an alright read. Nothing spectacular, predictable just like every other MM sports romance that has been released this year. However, not all hope is lost. I will explain. While, the book is overwhelmingly long (526 pages on kindle), the story itself had potential, the main characters, Isaac and Julien are very likeable and you do end up rooting for them but the way the story dragged on and on, made this a less enjoyable experience for me. This could have been easily wrapped up in 250 pages, there was no need for it to be this long. Readers lose interest when the interest has not been piqued early on and the story was quite boring in the beginning. It did not get interesting until 46% in. The romance was also very fast-paced, 10% in they get each other and have a "connection". Hell, 11% in things get spicy. I didn't mind it but the connection was poorly executed, there was no built up or tension, just how hot each MC thought the other was. Again, a better execution of their relationship, and a shorter length would have made this easily a 4.0 rating. They also had way too many sex scenes, I love a good sex scene especially if its BDSM, which was the case in this book but it became too repetitive and felt like a filler.
I did enjoy Julien's vulnerability with Isaac, he did surprise me at times. A very loveable character overall, same with Isaac. The teammates were a nice touch too, especially Nikolai "Nikki" Sidorov and Elias Karlsson. The authors did a good job at establishing their unsaid tension and feelings, definitely piqued my interest for the second book, I will be reading that.
Now having said all of that, do I recommend this? Kind of? I mean if you are okay with reading 500 pages and enjoy a fast paced romance then by all means go ahead. I did think it was an alright read, had much potential (not including the writing errors), but certainly could have been better. A missed opportunity for the authors. Do with that what you will, I am still gonna read the second book and for some reason even though this was a 3 star read I couldn't stop reading it lol🤡.
June 30, 2022
2.5 stars
I gotta say, this one bummed me out. I've only read one Anna Zabo before -- the first in their Takeover series -- but I really enjoyed it. And as is evident by my GR shelves, I have an extraordinarily high tolerance for hockey romance. So my expectations for this were in the medium-to-high range. And, well. You win some, you lose some.
The main problem was that this was a 500-page book that should have been a 200-page book. There was no subtext. Everything was text. So. Much. Text.
Here's how it went (over and over again):
MC 1 interior monologues about something he wants to say or do. Usually at some length.
MC 1 says or does the thing he wants to say or do. We get the dialogue or action.
MC 1 interior monologues AGAIN about the thing he just said or did, often with a platitude along the lines of "communication is hard but I'm glad we talked" or an entirely unfounded worry along the lines of "that thing worked out but I'm still not convinced I deserve him because he's so wonderful and I'm not", etc etc.
New chapter, switch POV, and WE GET THE WHOLE PROCESS AGAIN FROM MC 2.
Too much!! Way too much!!
And while the MCs in Takeover made some dumb-ass decisions, they felt like adults. I read them as adults. They were grown people. These two read much more NA-y, which age-wise is correct for Isaac (who's only 22), but which Julien, who's been playing professionally for 8 years, really should have aged out of. They just have this young, dumb, insecure feel about them that I couldn't really connect to. And the way they acted in the relationship and interacted with each other had that same young, dumb, insecure tone about it ("does he really like me? Little old me? With my hot bod and extreme wealth and professional competence? What is there to like about meeeeeeee?"). I mean, yes, hot, wealthy, competent people can be insecure, whatevs, but it's a bit zzzzzzzzz for the rest of us.
The thing is, I enjoyed the fact that this is a hockey story where homophobia is actively ostracized by players, coaches, and fans, and where coming out to the team is more about workplace romance than being gay (Isaac) and pansexual (Julien). I enjoyed the very close relationship between Nikki, Elias, Julien, and Isaac. I enjoyed the way Julien's Tragic Backstory eventually played out, with the Legitimately Very Gross and Bad Guy (props for a convincing villain) getting his much deserved comeuppance.
What I didn't enjoy was Julien interior monologuing about how he never wants to think about his Tragic Backstory, it's behind him, live in the now! -- over and over and over again, like yes, we get it Julien. Because it's not just unnecessary; it makes me feel patronized to. I mean, we've all read books before? We need one, max two references to a Tragic Backstory in order to know that it's an undetonated bomb that's gonna go off at some point to cause maximum damage to the current relationship? Harping on it repeatedly without taking any action (like going to therapy or, call me bananas, talking about it to your new partner or close friends) is just super-repetitive and irritating and *grumble*. Because I don't think our reaction to the aforementioned bomb going off is supposed to be, FINALLY, MY GOD, COULD YOU PLEASE DEAL WITH THIS LIKE AN ADULT NOW??? Which, uh. Was mine.
The hockey stuff was good, though.
I gotta say, this one bummed me out. I've only read one Anna Zabo before -- the first in their Takeover series -- but I really enjoyed it. And as is evident by my GR shelves, I have an extraordinarily high tolerance for hockey romance. So my expectations for this were in the medium-to-high range. And, well. You win some, you lose some.
The main problem was that this was a 500-page book that should have been a 200-page book. There was no subtext. Everything was text. So. Much. Text.
Here's how it went (over and over again):
MC 1 interior monologues about something he wants to say or do. Usually at some length.
MC 1 says or does the thing he wants to say or do. We get the dialogue or action.
MC 1 interior monologues AGAIN about the thing he just said or did, often with a platitude along the lines of "communication is hard but I'm glad we talked" or an entirely unfounded worry along the lines of "that thing worked out but I'm still not convinced I deserve him because he's so wonderful and I'm not", etc etc.
New chapter, switch POV, and WE GET THE WHOLE PROCESS AGAIN FROM MC 2.
Too much!! Way too much!!
And while the MCs in Takeover made some dumb-ass decisions, they felt like adults. I read them as adults. They were grown people. These two read much more NA-y, which age-wise is correct for Isaac (who's only 22), but which Julien, who's been playing professionally for 8 years, really should have aged out of. They just have this young, dumb, insecure feel about them that I couldn't really connect to. And the way they acted in the relationship and interacted with each other had that same young, dumb, insecure tone about it ("does he really like me? Little old me? With my hot bod and extreme wealth and professional competence? What is there to like about meeeeeeee?"). I mean, yes, hot, wealthy, competent people can be insecure, whatevs, but it's a bit zzzzzzzzz for the rest of us.
The thing is, I enjoyed the fact that this is a hockey story where homophobia is actively ostracized by players, coaches, and fans, and where coming out to the team is more about workplace romance than being gay (Isaac) and pansexual (Julien). I enjoyed the very close relationship between Nikki, Elias, Julien, and Isaac. I enjoyed the way Julien's Tragic Backstory eventually played out, with the Legitimately Very Gross and Bad Guy (props for a convincing villain) getting his much deserved comeuppance.
What I didn't enjoy was Julien interior monologuing about how he never wants to think about his Tragic Backstory, it's behind him, live in the now! -- over and over and over again, like yes, we get it Julien. Because it's not just unnecessary; it makes me feel patronized to. I mean, we've all read books before? We need one, max two references to a Tragic Backstory in order to know that it's an undetonated bomb that's gonna go off at some point to cause maximum damage to the current relationship? Harping on it repeatedly without taking any action (like going to therapy or, call me bananas, talking about it to your new partner or close friends) is just super-repetitive and irritating and *grumble*. Because I don't think our reaction to the aforementioned bomb going off is supposed to be, FINALLY, MY GOD, COULD YOU PLEASE DEAL WITH THIS LIKE AN ADULT NOW??? Which, uh. Was mine.
The hockey stuff was good, though.
Read
June 29, 2022DNF ~17%
Don't listen to me, I'm cranky.
I was super enjoying this until we got to the first sex scene, and then it just fell off a cliff. I'm all for subverting stereotypical expectations, but I like it a lot less when it feels like a bait & switch. I honestly felt like I was reading entirely different characters--their entire dynamic/interplay/banter etc. totally changed, and it felt really off-putting and bizarre. I am, once again, in the minority here, and maybe it's just this one first sex scene that's very weird, but I didn't find it particularly hot, and I'm pretty sure this is just not the book I wanted to be reading. But like I said, I'm in a mood and everybody else who's read this so far seems to think it's the best thing since sliced bread, so YMMV.
Don't listen to me, I'm cranky.
I was super enjoying this until we got to the first sex scene, and then it just fell off a cliff. I'm all for subverting stereotypical expectations, but I like it a lot less when it feels like a bait & switch. I honestly felt like I was reading entirely different characters--their entire dynamic/interplay/banter etc. totally changed, and it felt really off-putting and bizarre. I am, once again, in the minority here, and maybe it's just this one first sex scene that's very weird, but I didn't find it particularly hot, and I'm pretty sure this is just not the book I wanted to be reading. But like I said, I'm in a mood and everybody else who's read this so far seems to think it's the best thing since sliced bread, so YMMV.
July 3, 2022
Well, HELLO, worst book hangover of the year. It's nice to meet you.
This book, oh god. It was gorgeous, angsty and romantic and heartfelt and tough and UGH, just 100% my jam and I'm pretty much in mourning now because I don't want to leave Isaac and Julien and their team and friends behind, EVER.
I'm pretty sure this is going to end up in my top ten reads of the year, even though it's still April, and I'm also pretty sure that this book has stolen the top position for favourite sports romance I've ever read. Yes, it was that good.
Rookie Mistake was the perfect balance between light-hearted and "oh my god, my soul hurts". It literally has every single thing I love in a romance, and then some: banter and humour, a found-family that will leave you in tears (of joy), angst with a dash of hurt/comfort and another dash of "I have been unexpectedly whacked over the head with a shovel of feels", hockey (but not in an overwhelming-I-don't-know-the-rules-what-is-happening-way) and well-earned victories, and also, kink and heat and a romance that literally stole my breath away.
Julien and Isaac were fantastic protagonists. I absolutely adored them, flaws and all. Isaac was endearing and protective and careful and also reeeally hot, the perfect gentlemen. He's got flaws and insecurities and he gets lost in his head a lot (100% relatable), but he still puts in the time to be better, to overcome his fears and to ask for help, and I admired him so damn much, start to finish.
And Julien? God, where do I start. Julien's tough and snarky and equally protective of Isaac as Isaac is of him, but he's also messy and damaged and gritty and anxious, so insecure and vulnerable you'll find yourself wishing somebody would just whisk him away from everything. God, I was so proud of him.
Their relationship was perfectly built, and it felt pretty damn realistic. There's drama for sure, and there's miscommunication and insecurities and self-sabotaging, like any other relationship, but what I really adored was the fact that both Isaac and Julien put in the time to be better, to act better, to know better. They talk, to each other and to others (well, Isaac more than Julien), and they research and they try to do better, and every single one of their missteps and misunderstandings are eventually talked about and that was such a refreshing thing to see in a romance. Sure, theirs isn't a perfect relationship, but it's 100% honest.
And also, the kink and light D/s undertones? GOD, I adored their dynamic, inside and outside the bedroom. This is the second book I've read in a row where there's some kind of dynamic reversal with the MCs in the bedroom, where the opposite of what I was expecting happens, and I might just go looking for more.
The side characters were as fantastic as the MCs. Darian and Julien and Isaac's family and team were fabulous, but I loved (I LOVED) Nisha and Elias. So damn much.
I'd literally die for them. Even though they're not main characters (YET? One can hope, and possibly make a sacrifice to a moon goddess in the meantime), they're both so alive. So well-rounded and complex and they have such an interesting dynamic, with each other and with Julien and eventually with Isaac too.
The writing was seamless, the prose utterly gorgeous and it made me feel a ton of feels. This isn't my first L.A. Witt book, but I think I might need to go and find myself more Anna Zabo: I know they write a lot of kinky romances, so I'm pretty sure my bank account won't thank me when I'm done with their backlist *cackles with glee*
Anyway, this book comes out in June. I was lucky (and, I'd say, blessed) to read an ARC of this wondrous book two months in advance, but now I can't wait for June, to have more people read it, so they can scream about it with me. And I'm also in desperate need of more.
Worst book hangover ever. Ugh. Anyway, I totally recommend this.
I received an ARC from the authors in exchange for an honest review.
__________________________
Re-read: GOD, I LOVE THIS BOOK, so so so much. Also, THE BLURB FOR ELIAS AND NISHA'S BOOK *preemptive sobbing* my absolute faves. I cannot wait for them to utterly destroy my sanity.
This book, oh god. It was gorgeous, angsty and romantic and heartfelt and tough and UGH, just 100% my jam and I'm pretty much in mourning now because I don't want to leave Isaac and Julien and their team and friends behind, EVER.
I'm pretty sure this is going to end up in my top ten reads of the year, even though it's still April, and I'm also pretty sure that this book has stolen the top position for favourite sports romance I've ever read. Yes, it was that good.
Rookie Mistake was the perfect balance between light-hearted and "oh my god, my soul hurts". It literally has every single thing I love in a romance, and then some: banter and humour, a found-family that will leave you in tears (of joy), angst with a dash of hurt/comfort and another dash of "I have been unexpectedly whacked over the head with a shovel of feels", hockey (but not in an overwhelming-I-don't-know-the-rules-what-is-happening-way) and well-earned victories, and also, kink and heat and a romance that literally stole my breath away.
Julien and Isaac were fantastic protagonists. I absolutely adored them, flaws and all. Isaac was endearing and protective and careful and also reeeally hot, the perfect gentlemen. He's got flaws and insecurities and he gets lost in his head a lot (100% relatable), but he still puts in the time to be better, to overcome his fears and to ask for help, and I admired him so damn much, start to finish.
And Julien? God, where do I start. Julien's tough and snarky and equally protective of Isaac as Isaac is of him, but he's also messy and damaged and gritty and anxious, so insecure and vulnerable you'll find yourself wishing somebody would just whisk him away from everything. God, I was so proud of him.
Their relationship was perfectly built, and it felt pretty damn realistic. There's drama for sure, and there's miscommunication and insecurities and self-sabotaging, like any other relationship, but what I really adored was the fact that both Isaac and Julien put in the time to be better, to act better, to know better. They talk, to each other and to others (well, Isaac more than Julien), and they research and they try to do better, and every single one of their missteps and misunderstandings are eventually talked about and that was such a refreshing thing to see in a romance. Sure, theirs isn't a perfect relationship, but it's 100% honest.
And also, the kink and light D/s undertones? GOD, I adored their dynamic, inside and outside the bedroom. This is the second book I've read in a row where there's some kind of dynamic reversal with the MCs in the bedroom, where the opposite of what I was expecting happens, and I might just go looking for more.
The side characters were as fantastic as the MCs. Darian and Julien and Isaac's family and team were fabulous, but I loved (I LOVED) Nisha and Elias. So damn much.
I'd literally die for them. Even though they're not main characters (YET? One can hope, and possibly make a sacrifice to a moon goddess in the meantime), they're both so alive. So well-rounded and complex and they have such an interesting dynamic, with each other and with Julien and eventually with Isaac too.
The writing was seamless, the prose utterly gorgeous and it made me feel a ton of feels. This isn't my first L.A. Witt book, but I think I might need to go and find myself more Anna Zabo: I know they write a lot of kinky romances, so I'm pretty sure my bank account won't thank me when I'm done with their backlist *cackles with glee*
Anyway, this book comes out in June. I was lucky (and, I'd say, blessed) to read an ARC of this wondrous book two months in advance, but now I can't wait for June, to have more people read it, so they can scream about it with me. And I'm also in desperate need of more.
Worst book hangover ever. Ugh. Anyway, I totally recommend this.
I received an ARC from the authors in exchange for an honest review.
__________________________
Re-read: GOD, I LOVE THIS BOOK, so so so much. Also, THE BLURB FOR ELIAS AND NISHA'S BOOK *preemptive sobbing* my absolute faves. I cannot wait for them to utterly destroy my sanity.
June 30, 2022
Felt like the other similar sport books, the reading appears totally heavy because of the lenght, despite the easy writing flow it did not capture me so much
July 14, 2022
I liked this one, but it was FAR longer than it needed to be. There were a lot of sections that had the characters treading over the same old ground in a marginally new way that could have all been cut for pacing.
dropped
May 12, 2023dnf @50%
started being annoyed with it, put it down in favor of another book, lost interest and was never motivated to pick it up again.
started being annoyed with it, put it down in favor of another book, lost interest and was never motivated to pick it up again.
June 30, 2022
DNF .. This was just bad..
July 12, 2022
I enjoy hockey romances to begin with, and when the characters are interesting and complex, that's even better. Isaac is a talented but not stellar rookie forward in his first season in the pros. He's working hard, trying to prove he belongs on an NHL team, trying to celebrate victories and agonizing over his mistakes. He's a worrier, certain that putting a foot wrong may end up in him being sent back down, and while his teammates- men he idolized not very long ago- reassure him that everyone makes mistakes, he can't relax.
The last thing he needs is an inappropriate crush on star defenseman Julian Landry. He doesn't even know if Julian is gay or bi. The league is more open to gay players than it was, but the closet is still a comfortable place to be. But when he and Julian strike sparks off each other, neither one backs down.
Their relationship begins about sex, and well-hidden, but there are things about Julian that puzzle Isaac. Julian likes to be submissive in bed, something that sends relatively-inexperienced Isaac scrambling for information and guidance. And yet, Julian's reactions suggest that all is not well, between them or in his past. Isaac wants to be everything Julian needs, but that's not as simple as treating him right in bed.
I appreciated that Julian had a past he's escaped but not overcome. That he sometimes self-sabotaged and that he didn't feel able to explain to Isaac where he was coming from. The long shadow cast by emotional abuse felt realistic, and tangled up with Julian's submissive tendencies.
The sex between the characters added to their relationship dynamics, although there were more sex scenes than the story perhaps needed. It's a long book, but I appreciated the length, giving time for these two men to work out who they were to each other, and how. (And they talked to each other - I do love communication.) The best friend teammates were great, and beg for a story of their own. Julian's family was a cute note. (And yes, "mononcle" one word is how Quebecois kids refer to their uncles, sometimes abbreviated to "mononc'" - the smattering of Julian's French through here was a fun touch.)
Isaac was a bit perfect and a few of the details of how things played out with Julian's abuser were occasionally more satisfying than realistic, but there is a feel-good ending, and by then I was cheering hard for these two characters, and glad to see them reach their HEA.
The last thing he needs is an inappropriate crush on star defenseman Julian Landry. He doesn't even know if Julian is gay or bi. The league is more open to gay players than it was, but the closet is still a comfortable place to be. But when he and Julian strike sparks off each other, neither one backs down.
Their relationship begins about sex, and well-hidden, but there are things about Julian that puzzle Isaac. Julian likes to be submissive in bed, something that sends relatively-inexperienced Isaac scrambling for information and guidance. And yet, Julian's reactions suggest that all is not well, between them or in his past. Isaac wants to be everything Julian needs, but that's not as simple as treating him right in bed.
I appreciated that Julian had a past he's escaped but not overcome. That he sometimes self-sabotaged and that he didn't feel able to explain to Isaac where he was coming from. The long shadow cast by emotional abuse felt realistic, and tangled up with Julian's submissive tendencies.
The sex between the characters added to their relationship dynamics, although there were more sex scenes than the story perhaps needed. It's a long book, but I appreciated the length, giving time for these two men to work out who they were to each other, and how. (And they talked to each other - I do love communication.) The best friend teammates were great, and beg for a story of their own. Julian's family was a cute note. (And yes, "mononcle" one word is how Quebecois kids refer to their uncles, sometimes abbreviated to "mononc'" - the smattering of Julian's French through here was a fun touch.)
Isaac was a bit perfect and a few of the details of how things played out with Julian's abuser were occasionally more satisfying than realistic, but there is a feel-good ending, and by then I was cheering hard for these two characters, and glad to see them reach their HEA.
July 4, 2022
DNF @ 46%
This book is long, far too long.
I liked some of it , it definitely had some good potential but it felt like these MCs were quickly drawn together into quite a serious relationship and then just pages and pages of no real substance.
Sadly I had to DNF because I was bored.
This book is long, far too long.
I liked some of it , it definitely had some good potential but it felt like these MCs were quickly drawn together into quite a serious relationship and then just pages and pages of no real substance.
Sadly I had to DNF because I was bored.
Read
June 29, 2022Paused at 25%.
Not what I was expecting. No slow burn and lots of BDSM sex.
Not what I was expecting. No slow burn and lots of BDSM sex.
May 9, 2023
Nope. Boring. And why is it soooo LONG??
Read
April 21, 2022Co-written with LA Witt. Out on June 28th. 150,000-words. m/m. Rep: pansexual, gay. Nonbinary minor character.
Content notes under the spoiler tag.
Content notes under the spoiler tag.
November 2, 2022
First of all, hockey. So, yeah, I liked the hockey aspect of this book. Isaac and Julien and the entire team give us lots and lots of hockey action and it's pretty well done. But ... at 536 pages, it was just too darn long. There's a lot of ground covered here, and loads of angst and anguish, and after a very satisfying 30% of the book, (not to make light of a very powerful and well-done story of sexual abuse), I felt like my "angst module" has been overloaded and burned out. 3.5 stars.
December 31, 2025
Safety info, content warnings and tropes down below.
3.75 stars.
I enjoyed this a fair amount but it wasn’t anything special for me either. Maybe it's just my current mood. I definitely think the narrator was the wrong choice for the book – he could not stay in the correct accent (sometimes going paragraphs completely forgetting the character was supposed to have a French-Canadian accent), and the accents themselves were terrible (Swedish Sean Connery, anyone? No, it doesn't work), which didn't help. I felt like I was *supposed* to be feeling stuff, like I could tell where it was supposed to be sad for example, but unfortunately I never actually felt much.
The characters were sweet and it was nice to have a bit of a role reversal. The older (still young) ‘veteran’ player is the submissive type who prefers to bottom, and the smaller rookie takes the reins in the relationship. Unfortunately (for me, at least) it was mostly sex for a good while, which rarely holds my attention.
At least there was a fair amount of gameplay and other hockey content, which I enjoy a lot, as long as the author knows the sport well, which LA Witt thankfully does.
I would’ve maybe rated this higher if I didn't spend so much time cursing Michael Farraiuolo for ruining it with his narration, but there’s little chance of me having the concentration to read 500+ pages with my eyeballs these days.
Blanket spoiler warning ⬇️
⚠️ Tropes & content tags ⚠️
Rookie/veteran pairing
Fast burn
Hockey players
Sports romance
Past trauma
Hookup to lovers
Pansexual rep
Size difference
Hurt/comfort
Tattooed MC
⚠️ Spice menu ⚠️
Hair-pulling
Rough sex
Biting
Tearing up from being dicked down
"Get on your knees"
Facefucking
Cuffed and fucked
Flip-fucking
Loud in bed
⚠️ Content warning ⚠️
Explicit sexual content
Alcohol consumption
Rough sex
Some details of past reckless and dangerous sexual encounter
Violence (fighting on the ice)
Mentions and some details of MC being emotionally, verbally and sexually abused by ex (past)
Bondage (cuffed during sex)
Mentions of gambling
MC cheated on by ex (past)
⚠️Book safety ⚠️
Cheating: No
Other person drama: No
Breakup: No, but a couple days with no contact
POV: 1st person, dual
Genre: Sports romance
Pairing: M/M
Strict roles or versatile: Versatile
Main characters’ age: 22 and 27
Series: Interconnected standalone
Kindle Unlimited: No
Pages: 536
Happy ending: Yes
You can find most of my reviews on Instagram as well: https://www.instagram.com/booksafety?...
3.75 stars.
I enjoyed this a fair amount but it wasn’t anything special for me either. Maybe it's just my current mood. I definitely think the narrator was the wrong choice for the book – he could not stay in the correct accent (sometimes going paragraphs completely forgetting the character was supposed to have a French-Canadian accent), and the accents themselves were terrible (Swedish Sean Connery, anyone? No, it doesn't work), which didn't help. I felt like I was *supposed* to be feeling stuff, like I could tell where it was supposed to be sad for example, but unfortunately I never actually felt much.
The characters were sweet and it was nice to have a bit of a role reversal. The older (still young) ‘veteran’ player is the submissive type who prefers to bottom, and the smaller rookie takes the reins in the relationship. Unfortunately (for me, at least) it was mostly sex for a good while, which rarely holds my attention.
At least there was a fair amount of gameplay and other hockey content, which I enjoy a lot, as long as the author knows the sport well, which LA Witt thankfully does.
I would’ve maybe rated this higher if I didn't spend so much time cursing Michael Farraiuolo for ruining it with his narration, but there’s little chance of me having the concentration to read 500+ pages with my eyeballs these days.
Blanket spoiler warning ⬇️
⚠️ Tropes & content tags ⚠️
Rookie/veteran pairing
Fast burn
Hockey players
Sports romance
Past trauma
Hookup to lovers
Pansexual rep
Size difference
Hurt/comfort
Tattooed MC
⚠️ Spice menu ⚠️
Hair-pulling
Rough sex
Biting
Tearing up from being dicked down
"Get on your knees"
Facefucking
Cuffed and fucked
Flip-fucking
Loud in bed
⚠️ Content warning ⚠️
Explicit sexual content
Alcohol consumption
Rough sex
Some details of past reckless and dangerous sexual encounter
Violence (fighting on the ice)
Mentions and some details of MC being emotionally, verbally and sexually abused by ex (past)
Bondage (cuffed during sex)
Mentions of gambling
MC cheated on by ex (past)
⚠️Book safety ⚠️
Cheating: No
Other person drama: No
Breakup: No, but a couple days with no contact
POV: 1st person, dual
Genre: Sports romance
Pairing: M/M
Strict roles or versatile: Versatile
Main characters’ age: 22 and 27
Series: Interconnected standalone
Kindle Unlimited: No
Pages: 536
Happy ending: Yes
You can find most of my reviews on Instagram as well: https://www.instagram.com/booksafety?...
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November 23, 2023
Hallmark Witt style, lots of repetitive internal monologues. At 500 pages, it's at least twice as long as needed, especially since the MCs are an established couple around the 40% mark...
There were some good bits, particularly in the beginning and among the hockey teammates scenes. But the endless thinking the characters do made me skim large parts. Same with the many smexy scenes, I jumped right past them. And the crying! So much crying... Way too much crying.
I did hang in there to find the good bits, and to learn how the main plot points were resolved, but in hindsight I could have dropped out at 85% and not missed out on much.
There were some good bits, particularly in the beginning and among the hockey teammates scenes. But the endless thinking the characters do made me skim large parts. Same with the many smexy scenes, I jumped right past them. And the crying! So much crying... Way too much crying.
I did hang in there to find the good bits, and to learn how the main plot points were resolved, but in hindsight I could have dropped out at 85% and not missed out on much.
August 3, 2022
Nunca me han convencido los que reducen la novela romántica a cuentos de hadas.
Pero a veces hay historias que encajan perfectamente en el prototipo. Monstruos aterradores, bellas princesas que no pueden llevar una vida normal, encerradas en su torre, y paladines de corazón puro que las rescatan, con la ayuda de unos cuantos caballeros amigos, hermanos...
Tras una relación abusiva, la vida emocional de Julien Landry (27), es muy limitada. Hasta que llega al equipo Isaac Rivera (22), un novato buenazo que puede rescatarlo de su infierno particular. Al depredador sexual se le mata (simbólicamente) con el apoyo de unos cuantos secundarios y se aspira a conseguir el Santo Grial (la copa Stanley).
También hay leyendas medievales así, y alguna que otra hagiografía. Los arquetipos vienen a ser los mismos. Aunque sea un male/male romance ambientado en la NHL, sigue funcionando.
Crítica más extensa, en mi blog.
Pero a veces hay historias que encajan perfectamente en el prototipo. Monstruos aterradores, bellas princesas que no pueden llevar una vida normal, encerradas en su torre, y paladines de corazón puro que las rescatan, con la ayuda de unos cuantos caballeros amigos, hermanos...
Tras una relación abusiva, la vida emocional de Julien Landry (27), es muy limitada. Hasta que llega al equipo Isaac Rivera (22), un novato buenazo que puede rescatarlo de su infierno particular. Al depredador sexual se le mata (simbólicamente) con el apoyo de unos cuantos secundarios y se aspira a conseguir el Santo Grial (la copa Stanley).
También hay leyendas medievales así, y alguna que otra hagiografía. Los arquetipos vienen a ser los mismos. Aunque sea un male/male romance ambientado en la NHL, sigue funcionando.
Crítica más extensa, en mi blog.
June 29, 2022
Sigh.
I’m in love with this new series.
I just finished this book earlier in the day, and I already miss having all of those hockey boys in my life. I adored this story, the feelings, the whole hockey aura. But most of all, I loved the characters. LA Witt is a new-to-me author, but I’ve read everything Ana Zabo has written, and this book with their combined efforts was wonderful. My favorite thing about Ana Zabo’s books is their ability to make the characters so real. This development is almost artful in the way they are able to take these creations that only exist in their mind and make them just as much flesh and blood as anyone I know. Knowing that I’ve just finished this book and these guys are not waiting for me to pick them up again in a few minutes makes me feel like I’ve lost friends I’ve gotten to know so intimately, and they’re going on with their lives, without me!
Julien and Isaac made me just want to melt into a puddle of goo at how perfectly they fit one another. The rookie player who met his idol in real life and found the man underneath the famous player to be one truly worth worshiping. And the seasoned pro that met the man who was able to see beneath the mask he wore and see the vulnerability that lay beneath. Their relationship gutted me in its sincerity, and I can’t wait to see them again to know what has been happening to them.
It wasn’t only the relationship of the main characters that hooked me, but Elias and Nikki as well. The depth of the friendship and caring between these four people had me wanting my own Russian/Swedish cheering squad.
Rookie Mistake was touching and sad and sexy and sweet. It was filled with clear, open lines of communication, friends that went above and beyond to care for those they loved, and big, puppy-like hockey hunks that made me want to fling myself onto the ice. I expected no less when I saw who had written this story, and now I have another author whose works I need to delve into as well.
Review copy provided for a voluntary review.
I’m in love with this new series.
I just finished this book earlier in the day, and I already miss having all of those hockey boys in my life. I adored this story, the feelings, the whole hockey aura. But most of all, I loved the characters. LA Witt is a new-to-me author, but I’ve read everything Ana Zabo has written, and this book with their combined efforts was wonderful. My favorite thing about Ana Zabo’s books is their ability to make the characters so real. This development is almost artful in the way they are able to take these creations that only exist in their mind and make them just as much flesh and blood as anyone I know. Knowing that I’ve just finished this book and these guys are not waiting for me to pick them up again in a few minutes makes me feel like I’ve lost friends I’ve gotten to know so intimately, and they’re going on with their lives, without me!
Julien and Isaac made me just want to melt into a puddle of goo at how perfectly they fit one another. The rookie player who met his idol in real life and found the man underneath the famous player to be one truly worth worshiping. And the seasoned pro that met the man who was able to see beneath the mask he wore and see the vulnerability that lay beneath. Their relationship gutted me in its sincerity, and I can’t wait to see them again to know what has been happening to them.
It wasn’t only the relationship of the main characters that hooked me, but Elias and Nikki as well. The depth of the friendship and caring between these four people had me wanting my own Russian/Swedish cheering squad.
Rookie Mistake was touching and sad and sexy and sweet. It was filled with clear, open lines of communication, friends that went above and beyond to care for those they loved, and big, puppy-like hockey hunks that made me want to fling myself onto the ice. I expected no less when I saw who had written this story, and now I have another author whose works I need to delve into as well.
Review copy provided for a voluntary review.
July 17, 2022
My damn this book is awesome! Very well written book with all the feels! It’s got all the emotions! All. Of. Them.
Hurt, comfort, sensual, angst, joy, sadness, anxiety, trepidation, hope, all of them….
The dynamic is not what you would initially expect but it works so well. The men definitely have layers underneath their personas. Broody and broken and Strong. Don’t underestimate either MC!
Hurt, comfort, sensual, angst, joy, sadness, anxiety, trepidation, hope, all of them….
The dynamic is not what you would initially expect but it works so well. The men definitely have layers underneath their personas. Broody and broken and Strong. Don’t underestimate either MC!
Read
April 2, 2022Available June 28.
June 29, 2022
A Joyfully Jay review.
4.5 stars
Rookie Mistake is a fun, sweet, steamy, and heartfelt story that gives a nice balance between the couple’s relationships and the sport they’ve dedicated their lives to. Despite Isaac and Julien being teammates who decide to keep the relationship a secret, there isn’t a lot of drama around the decision. The story is character focused and mostly follows the natural progression of their relationship, Dom/sub dynamics, and season. At a whopper 500+ words, I was impressed that it doesn’t feel that long; the pacing is good overall and aided by how natural the writing style and dialogue feel. I’m also always pretty stoked when a story is big on communication for its characters and derived oodles of warm feelings from this element as well. Neither man has relationship experience and also incorporating BDSM into their sex life means communication is vital to making it work as lovers and teammates.
Read Jovan’s review in its entirety here.
4.5 stars
Rookie Mistake is a fun, sweet, steamy, and heartfelt story that gives a nice balance between the couple’s relationships and the sport they’ve dedicated their lives to. Despite Isaac and Julien being teammates who decide to keep the relationship a secret, there isn’t a lot of drama around the decision. The story is character focused and mostly follows the natural progression of their relationship, Dom/sub dynamics, and season. At a whopper 500+ words, I was impressed that it doesn’t feel that long; the pacing is good overall and aided by how natural the writing style and dialogue feel. I’m also always pretty stoked when a story is big on communication for its characters and derived oodles of warm feelings from this element as well. Neither man has relationship experience and also incorporating BDSM into their sex life means communication is vital to making it work as lovers and teammates.
Read Jovan’s review in its entirety here.
December 6, 2022
Witt and Zabo are a lethal combination.
With 500+ pages, we really get to see the progression of their relationship and the story takes its time with the important moments and really allows you to get invested. This book is especially for those who love following a couple past the honeymoon phase and exploring the minutiae of their work and private lives. It's about those little moments where the story shines.
The first half is very straightforward and low angst while the second part has a bit more drama without overdoing it. Most of the conversations revolve around Julien's past but overall, the story is more focused on his healing and than dredging up those terrible memories. So while it tackles a serious subject matter, the story still has a lightness to it.
I loved following Isaac and Julien as they grow together from teammates to lovers to hopelessly in love with each other. Their approach to BDSM and their communication were incredible.
Thank you to the author for an advanced reading copy in exchange for an honest review..
With 500+ pages, we really get to see the progression of their relationship and the story takes its time with the important moments and really allows you to get invested. This book is especially for those who love following a couple past the honeymoon phase and exploring the minutiae of their work and private lives. It's about those little moments where the story shines.
The first half is very straightforward and low angst while the second part has a bit more drama without overdoing it. Most of the conversations revolve around Julien's past but overall, the story is more focused on his healing and than dredging up those terrible memories. So while it tackles a serious subject matter, the story still has a lightness to it.
I loved following Isaac and Julien as they grow together from teammates to lovers to hopelessly in love with each other. Their approach to BDSM and their communication were incredible.
Thank you to the author for an advanced reading copy in exchange for an honest review..
November 30, 2023
3.5 Stars
I really liked the set up of this series, the world, the friendship group, and Julien and Isaac.
However, there are a LOT of pacing issues with this book and it desperately needed an editor to cut out at least 100 pages. There was no need for this book to be that long when nothing was happening for the majority of the book. I wish the story had been more slow burn as they got together practically right away and started dating. It repeated several scenes and conversations over and over again, which felt unnecessary. Indeed, it felt like there was nothing driving the plot a good chunk of the book.
There was some angst towards the end in the form of ex drama. It was obviously a shitty situation but again, an editor should have trimmed that section down.
As for the kinky/steamy scenes…there is such a thing as too much. For starters, I found the domination kink a little unbelievable and it felt forced at times. Then, the sex scenes felt repetitive and constant; the book would have fared better with less focus on sex. For as long as this book was, it would’ve been nice to get scenes with Isaac and Julien bonding and developing a relationship outside of sex and hockey. It felt like they only went three places: Julian’s house, his bedroom, and hockey rinks.
I’m excited for Elias and Nisha to get their own book soon! Those two have so much tension between them under their friendship.
I really liked the set up of this series, the world, the friendship group, and Julien and Isaac.
However, there are a LOT of pacing issues with this book and it desperately needed an editor to cut out at least 100 pages. There was no need for this book to be that long when nothing was happening for the majority of the book. I wish the story had been more slow burn as they got together practically right away and started dating. It repeated several scenes and conversations over and over again, which felt unnecessary. Indeed, it felt like there was nothing driving the plot a good chunk of the book.
There was some angst towards the end in the form of ex drama. It was obviously a shitty situation but again, an editor should have trimmed that section down.
As for the kinky/steamy scenes…there is such a thing as too much. For starters, I found the domination kink a little unbelievable and it felt forced at times. Then, the sex scenes felt repetitive and constant; the book would have fared better with less focus on sex. For as long as this book was, it would’ve been nice to get scenes with Isaac and Julien bonding and developing a relationship outside of sex and hockey. It felt like they only went three places: Julian’s house, his bedroom, and hockey rinks.
I’m excited for Elias and Nisha to get their own book soon! Those two have so much tension between them under their friendship.
June 25, 2022
Great story, it's dark in parts, with mention of both physchological and emotional abuse, but that's exactly what makes it so compelling. Julian is so broken by his past, and that shows clearly in his behaviour. He comes across as confident and cocky, when he is extremely emotionally scarred and vulnerable. The authors describe convincingly the conflict and the difficulty in getting away from the people and situations that have hurt you.
The secondary characters in the story were so well written, one thing Julian has going for him is the support he receives from his friends and team mates. Isaac, his love interest, is perfect for his lost soul, giving Julian the strength and support he needs. A good read, about facing life's baggage, with heavy moments but in between there are moments of laughter and steamy sex making the whole thing more enjoyable.
The secondary characters in the story were so well written, one thing Julian has going for him is the support he receives from his friends and team mates. Isaac, his love interest, is perfect for his lost soul, giving Julian the strength and support he needs. A good read, about facing life's baggage, with heavy moments but in between there are moments of laughter and steamy sex making the whole thing more enjoyable.
August 23, 2022
I've never read Witt but I love Zabo's work so I had high expectations, and they were realized! I like that the bulk of the conflict is outside of the relationship, that the hockey stuff is right on (no nitpicks!), and it doesn't follow the usual beats. It is a little long but the story mostly fits the page count, and I enjoyed every minute of my time with Isaac and Julien.
Check out my standalone review on Booktube for even more thoughts!
Content notes:
Check out my standalone review on Booktube for even more thoughts!
Content notes:
dnf
August 17, 2023DNF at 25%
Didn't like this one bit. Their BDSM sex life seems to overshadow everything and unfortunately it's not to my liking. Julien seems stupid more than reckless and that scene with the blogger pretty much put the final nail on the coffin:
So. It's obvious what Julien's story is. It's obvious what's Issac's friend story is going to be. It's a long story to read something so obvious, about two characters that don't really move me or make me root for them. So DNF it is.
Didn't like this one bit. Their BDSM sex life seems to overshadow everything and unfortunately it's not to my liking. Julien seems stupid more than reckless and that scene with the blogger pretty much put the final nail on the coffin:
So. It's obvious what Julien's story is. It's obvious what's Issac's friend story is going to be. It's a long story to read something so obvious, about two characters that don't really move me or make me root for them. So DNF it is.
Read
August 17, 2022Dnf 23% simplemente malo
November 16, 2022
Since I love M/M hockey romance and I always enjoy Anna Zabo's books I had a feeling ROOKIE MISTAKE was going to be a good read for me and I was not disappointed! This was such a beautiful, heartfelt, and emotional read and it even earned the rare distinction of making me cry. Isaac Rivera is in his rookie season and playing on the same team as his childhood idol and crush but he never expected veteran Julien Landry to notice him, let alone be attracted to him too. There was so much to love in ROOKIE MISTAKE and there were quite a few things that pleasantly surprised me with the direction Zabo and Witt took the story. It was also a pretty long romance (over 500 pages!) but I loved that we got to see so much of Julien and Isaac's relationship.
When Julien and Isaac first have sex I figured this would be like most other M/M hockey romances where they continue to casually hook up because they simply can't help themselves but I loved loved loved that they actually wanted to date each other and form a relationship. Both of these guys have the absolute biggest hearts, but they're also both inexperienced with relationships. I appreciated that we saw how strong their connection was just as teammates first because it helped set the stage for why they worked so well together sexually, especially with Julien asking the younger and less experienced Isaac to take the lead in the bedroom. As the story progressed I swooned every time Isaac got more confident in his dominant side as he learned to read Julien's needs in every part of the relationship. As sweet and adorable as these two were together they were also incredibly sexy and there was a great balance of steamy moments to hockey moments to sweet relationship moments.
I related strongly to Isaac's nerves and anxiety and his worries about living up to other people's expectations and those moments really resonated with me. And the way Isaac cared for and supported Julien through all the highs and lows was just so beautiful. Julien had such a tragic backstory that was slowly revealed throughout the book and my heart just absolutely twisted for what he went through. He's become stronger and more confident but he can't quite shake off the abuse that he went through and I was so happy in the end to see him not only getting professional help but also getting the closure that finally allowed him to move on.
I won't lie, when I got to the 50% mark and everything was going so perfectly -- they were dating, the team knew about them, they did the holidays together, and met each other's families -- I started to worry we were going to get some really angsty third act breakup. But thankfully Zabo and Witt took things in a different direction. While there is a dark moment for Julien, I loved the way these guys worked through things and supported each other through the painful moments. And I also appreciated that after that dark moment we had plenty more of the story so we could see Julien and Isaac find their center again and get back to a better place in their relationship.
And of course I can't finish this review without mentioning how much I adored the friendships that we saw in ROOKIE MISTAKE as well as how supportive a team these guys had. Nikki and Elias were such great friends and teammates, not only in the way they've been there for Julien all these years but also the way they took Isaac under their wing. I liked that Isaac formed his own friendships with Nikki and Elias outside of the connection to Julien and that he found his own place on the team. I can't wait to see where this series will go.
Content Warning: past sexual assault and mental/verbal abuse which is still affecting Julien
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Favorite Quotes:
Oh God. That smile. A little asymmetrical. A lot sexy. Full of all the reassurance I hadn’t believed I’d deserved until it had come from the beautiful lips of the hottest player ever to touch the ice.
- - - - -
“You really love this, don’t you? Being on your knees for me. Obeying me.” Heat there, but also wonder.
“If I didn’t, I wouldn’t be here.” I paused. “Anything, Isaac. Anything you want from me.”
“Pourquoi?”
I had to chuckle at his pronunciation. “Because I trust you. You’re not going to hurt me.” I gave a small shrug. “Well, not in ways I don’t like, anyway.”
When Julien and Isaac first have sex I figured this would be like most other M/M hockey romances where they continue to casually hook up because they simply can't help themselves but I loved loved loved that they actually wanted to date each other and form a relationship. Both of these guys have the absolute biggest hearts, but they're also both inexperienced with relationships. I appreciated that we saw how strong their connection was just as teammates first because it helped set the stage for why they worked so well together sexually, especially with Julien asking the younger and less experienced Isaac to take the lead in the bedroom. As the story progressed I swooned every time Isaac got more confident in his dominant side as he learned to read Julien's needs in every part of the relationship. As sweet and adorable as these two were together they were also incredibly sexy and there was a great balance of steamy moments to hockey moments to sweet relationship moments.
I related strongly to Isaac's nerves and anxiety and his worries about living up to other people's expectations and those moments really resonated with me. And the way Isaac cared for and supported Julien through all the highs and lows was just so beautiful. Julien had such a tragic backstory that was slowly revealed throughout the book and my heart just absolutely twisted for what he went through. He's become stronger and more confident but he can't quite shake off the abuse that he went through and I was so happy in the end to see him not only getting professional help but also getting the closure that finally allowed him to move on.
I won't lie, when I got to the 50% mark and everything was going so perfectly -- they were dating, the team knew about them, they did the holidays together, and met each other's families -- I started to worry we were going to get some really angsty third act breakup. But thankfully Zabo and Witt took things in a different direction. While there is a dark moment for Julien, I loved the way these guys worked through things and supported each other through the painful moments. And I also appreciated that after that dark moment we had plenty more of the story so we could see Julien and Isaac find their center again and get back to a better place in their relationship.
And of course I can't finish this review without mentioning how much I adored the friendships that we saw in ROOKIE MISTAKE as well as how supportive a team these guys had. Nikki and Elias were such great friends and teammates, not only in the way they've been there for Julien all these years but also the way they took Isaac under their wing. I liked that Isaac formed his own friendships with Nikki and Elias outside of the connection to Julien and that he found his own place on the team. I can't wait to see where this series will go.
Content Warning: past sexual assault and mental/verbal abuse which is still affecting Julien
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Favorite Quotes:
Oh God. That smile. A little asymmetrical. A lot sexy. Full of all the reassurance I hadn’t believed I’d deserved until it had come from the beautiful lips of the hottest player ever to touch the ice.
- - - - -
“You really love this, don’t you? Being on your knees for me. Obeying me.” Heat there, but also wonder.
“If I didn’t, I wouldn’t be here.” I paused. “Anything, Isaac. Anything you want from me.”
“Pourquoi?”
I had to chuckle at his pronunciation. “Because I trust you. You’re not going to hurt me.” I gave a small shrug. “Well, not in ways I don’t like, anyway.”
July 18, 2022
Julien’s damaged.
Isaac’s learning love and kink.
Thoughtful, hot romance.
Isaac’s learning love and kink.
Thoughtful, hot romance.
October 13, 2023
First-abominably long. A lot of conflicting thoughts on this one.
I didn't buy Julien's "falling in love with Isaac" experience. I don't know. It felt incredibly fast for someone with his history. Even without full knowledge of his history, it seemed exceptionally out of character, even with the limited information we had on his personality at that point.
On the flip side, Isaac was so well written. His constant anxiety, eagerness to please and second guessing was exactly what you'd expect from someone that's falling in love with their idol that they've been secretly crushing on for years.
And yet he was the more hesitant one. While Julien, with all his trauma, was more "jump first, ask questions later".The discordance in their behavior vs their personalities was so jarring. For Julien to be the way he was so soon with Isaac, both emotionally and sexually, especially given his past was not very believable to me.
Let's not forget the sexual dynamics between these two. It was very shocking that they were that way. It makes no narrative sense whatsoever. But I guess there's no one size fits all behavior for those situations.
To be fair, them getting together after a mature adult conversation 15% in should have been the first clue that something wild was going on. This never happens in books 😂
That said, I'm always a huge fan of books that don't employ third act breakups- very surprising given how soon they got together. I honestly expected their relationship to be fraught with a lot of mess and drama(and in a way, it was-but not in the typical way). I love that the authors found a unique interesting way of bringing the drama without splitting up a couple we all know will be getting back together.
I did love the handling of Julien's past, even though irl things don't really work out as neatly - but that's why we read, yes?
I loved how woven in the foundation of Nisha and Elias' relationship was. If the next book starts from where this one stops, I'd not feel like any background information on them is missing. Really looking forward to them.
I didn't buy Julien's "falling in love with Isaac" experience. I don't know. It felt incredibly fast for someone with his history. Even without full knowledge of his history, it seemed exceptionally out of character, even with the limited information we had on his personality at that point.
On the flip side, Isaac was so well written. His constant anxiety, eagerness to please and second guessing was exactly what you'd expect from someone that's falling in love with their idol that they've been secretly crushing on for years.
And yet he was the more hesitant one. While Julien, with all his trauma, was more "jump first, ask questions later".The discordance in their behavior vs their personalities was so jarring. For Julien to be the way he was so soon with Isaac, both emotionally and sexually, especially given his past was not very believable to me.
Let's not forget the sexual dynamics between these two. It was very shocking that they were that way. It makes no narrative sense whatsoever. But I guess there's no one size fits all behavior for those situations.
To be fair, them getting together after a mature adult conversation 15% in should have been the first clue that something wild was going on. This never happens in books 😂
That said, I'm always a huge fan of books that don't employ third act breakups- very surprising given how soon they got together. I honestly expected their relationship to be fraught with a lot of mess and drama(and in a way, it was-but not in the typical way). I love that the authors found a unique interesting way of bringing the drama without splitting up a couple we all know will be getting back together.
I did love the handling of Julien's past, even though irl things don't really work out as neatly - but that's why we read, yes?
I loved how woven in the foundation of Nisha and Elias' relationship was. If the next book starts from where this one stops, I'd not feel like any background information on them is missing. Really looking forward to them.
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