Monica’s Reviews > Role Model > Status Update

Sometimes this story feels like an afterthought

Also, I feel like the author doesn’t have the voice of Troy quite right. Sometimes she has Troy mention the price of items or wasting water and if he’s supposed to be a millionaire NFL player, I don’t think he would care about money

This book just doesn’t have enough conflict. It be a whole book. There’s not enough character growth. They’re both pretty bland. Honestly could’ve been a short story

Still a good and easy read. Just doesn’t have the emotional depth like Heated Rivalry and Shane & Ilya’s story does. But it’s nice to be in the same universe as Heated Rivalry while waiting for the next book to come out

Also their romantic tension is just so on the nose. It feels so obviously written like she’s forcing these characters to be attracted to each other but I don’t really feel it. This book just lacks depth

I feel like the author spent most of her time developing Shane and Ilya’s story and this story feels like an afterthought b/c the metaphors are really cringe. I know she’s trying to express their longing for each other but so many of the descriptions are sooo bad that it kind of takes you out of the story.

Or his broken friendship with Kent. I feel like she hints at it when they fight at a game, but like I’m hoping she goes more in depth

Back to personal growth: I feel like the author could’ve explored Troy’s gay phobia and his struggles to come out more in depth. Troy constantly states how he struggles but I don’t feel like the emotional depth is expressed as well.

Also this book is quite chaste compared to Heated Rivalry and the Long Game. I’m 40% through and they still haven’t kissed