The Charlie Method by Elle Kennedy: A book about polyamourus people, something I never thought I would find that hot, but I stand revised. Charlie, Beckett, and Will absolutely sizzle together, and I loved watching all three characters grow throughout the story. The premise is refreshingly unique, yet it never felt strange or unrealistic. I could completely relate to Charlie’s doubts and her struggle to figure out whether this unconventional relationship could really work. What impressed me most was how open and honest the three of them were with each other. Nothing felt forced, and their relationship developed in a way that seemed surprisingly natural. The world is no longer simply black and white, so why should the literary universe be?
Love Song by Elle Kennedy: ‘Love Song’ is set in the ‘Off Campus’ universe, but it is not officially listed as the fourth Campus Diaries novel, probably because Wyatt never attended Briar University. Wyatt is Gigi’s twin brother and therefore the son of Graham and Hannah from ‘The Deal’. His love interest is Blake, the daughter of Logan and Grace from ‘The Mistake’. That is also the novel’s biggest appeal. We get to see the beloved original couples as parents and watch how their lives have evolved 25 years later. Blake and Wyatt have known each other forever, but spending a month together at Lake Tahoe changes everything. Personally, I enjoyed the chapters featuring the supporting characters the most. While Blake and Wyatt’s romance was believable, the whole tortured artist storyline simply wasn’t for me. In the end, though, it hardly matters because the novel is a quick, entertaining read that keeps the pages turning.
The Frozen River by Ariel Lawhon: It felt wonderful to read something other than hockey romances for a change. Historical fiction has always been my favourite genre, and ‘The Frozen River’ is a truly riveting novel. Based on the real diary of eighteenth century midwife Martha Ballard, it brings an extraordinary woman back to life. The fact that her diary survived for centuries is remarkable in itself, allowing a woman’s voice from that era to still be heard today. Even more impressive is that she was literate and found the time to document her daily life. Her actual diary may not be quite as dramatic as this fictional retelling, but it provided the perfect foundation for a captivating story. Do yourself a favour and read this book. Martha Ballard is an unforgettable force of nature.
Game Changer by Rachel Reid: Even after finishing the ‘Off Campus’ series and all of its spin offs, I still wasn’t ready to leave the world of hockey behind. Rachel Reid’s ‘Game Changer’ series, and its acclaimed television adaptation ‘Heated Rivalry‘, was therefore an obvious next choice. The first novel follows Scott and Kip, whose relationship is only touched on in the television series. After reading the book, I think the adaptation actually did a great job giving them only one episode, as the novel itself does not have a particularly substantial plot. Still, it was an enjoyable return to the hockey world. There is certainly plenty of spice, although I thought some scenes could have been toned down or left out alltogether. Not all of them moved the story forward, and I occasionally found myself skimming ahead. Even so, I am more than happy to get my hockey fix through Rachel Reid’s series.
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