Tag Archives: Sport

My Fight / Your Fight by Ronda Rousey

Book Review, , ,
Overview

Title: My Fight Your Fight
Author: Ronda Rousey
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Biographies, Memoirs, Sport
Pace: Medium
Format: eBook, Novel
Year: 2015

Thoughts

As a Martial Arts practitioner, I already knew who Ronda Rousey was – I mean, you can’t really follow Women’s UFC without knowing who the woman is. But, I didn’t really know much beyond she was awesome. Actually, reading this kind of put me to shame in my knowledge for the birth of Women’s UFC (of which I really enjoy following). For starters, although I knew Rousey was a pioneer in the sport, but I didn’t realise that she was literally the first woman to fight on UFC Card. It was really fun reading about this while I actually watched those first fights that Rousey talks about. And then constantly sharing the extra bits of information with my poor partner who is not interested.

I always love reading a good memoir, partly because it’s just interesting how other people live and function. But, it also helps to solidify some of my understanding of myself. In the case of Rousey’s story, it really just solidified for me that I’m not a competitor. The dedication and commitment alone is pretty intense, but also that unwillingness to lose. I just… don’t care if I win or lose a match, as long as my opponent finds me interesting. But Rousey’s dedication and literal inability to lose is just astounding. It speaks so highly of her commitment, but also shows just how driven you really have to be to rise to the top like this.

Before each chapter of My Fight / Your Fight started, there is a bit of a quote from Rousey that kind of highlights the theme and the topic that is about to be uncovered. I really liked this. It was a way to give context, but also provide an extra snippet from her life that otherwise wouldn’t have fit into the overall chapter arc. It was a great way to set the tone and start you off in the right head space for each snippet of her life that she was about to impart. Some of these small chunks were actually my favourite parts of the whole memoir. They gave a great insight into some of the daily life and struggles of a Pro MMA fighter. And just into Rousey’s life and thought process as a general.

I absolutely devoured My Fight / Your Fight, not only was it subject matter that I am intensely passionate about (and live daily to a degree), but it was also just a really interesting and well written memoir. There is a cost to being at the pinnacle of your sport, and Rousey does not shy away from this. Rather, she fully embraces that there are many sacrifices you have to make. And she’s willingly made them. But, even more powerfully, she’s shared those sacrifices and challenges in her writing, showing us the dedication and commitment it takes to be a trail blazer in Women’s Sports and MMA.

<- A Woman in the Polar NightGogo Mama ->

Image source: Penguin Books

Roar by Dr. Stacy T. Sims

Book Review, ,
Overview

Title: Roar
Author: Dr. Stacy T. Sims
Rating Out of 5: 3 (On the fence about this one)
My Bookshelves: Non-fiction, Sport, Women’s health
Pace: Slow
Format: eBook, Non-fictional text
Year: 2016

Thoughts

I bought this book because I really loved a podcast that Dr. Stacy Sims spoke in. Plus, I love my sport and I’ve been wanting to train with my cycles and hormones for a long time. I’m normally a big fan of non-fictional texts that partake wisdom to me. And I’m normally happy to read them over a period of months. But I found Roar just a little bit difficult to get through.

I was hoping for a much broader focus of how women can work with their hormones and cycles to optimise their training. However, I found that Sims really focused in on a very small niche of individuals. In fact, even as someone who spends a ridiculous amount of time training, and training intensely, I found that a lot of this information was for those athletes who are full-time athletes. Not people who just want to harness their biology to improve their skills and fitness.

Reading Roar at a time when I was recovering from having two children in two years, and the whole body-image issues that come along with it, may not have been the best of ideas. I actually found that I had to put this to the side for a little while just because I found it to be a little triggering. Primarily because I can’t actually choose to eat healthy some days, it can often be a choice of eating or not due to exhaustion and the insanity of having young children.

<- More women’s healthMore sport ->

Image source: Amazon

This Is Me by Ian Thorpe

Book Review, , ,
Overview

Title: This Is Me
Author: Ian Thorpe
Rating Out of 5: 4.5 (Amazing, but not quite perfect)
My Bookshelves: Australian authors, Biographies, Sport
Pace: Slow
Format: eBook, Novel
Year: 2012

Thoughts

Ian Thorpe was a massive figure of my early years and I remember all of the media attention that surrounded him. However, I was quite young, and although I remember that he retired because of the media. And that Thorpe was a phenomenal swimmer, I didn’t really know much more about his journey to being an elite athlete. As someone who is obsessed with her own sport, not only did I love the recognisable moments of his journey, but I also seriously enjoyed how his dedication showed in the pool. It was intriguing to read about an athlete at the top of his game, and the fine line between health and sickness that he walks whilst doing it.

As much as I loved this biography, one thing that really stuck out to me was how frequently Thorpe denied his sexuality. This book was published a few years before he officially came out. And of all the things he discussed, he denied his sexuality at least three times. Having been pressured and discussed from such a young age in the media, you can see how this had such a big impact on him and his understanding of himself. I can completely understand just why he would have this approach, and it made me all that much frustrated with the pressures that media can put on people just for a “good story”.

Even though I remember a lot of Thorpe’s accomplishments, I didn’t really register that he tried to go to the London Olympics. It was great that he wrote this in a diary format, focusing on the lead up to these Olympics, and the gruelling training regime he followed. It made for an interesting format – each chapter was a dated diary entry in the lead up to, and then the aftermath of his trials for the London Olympics. But then, the second half was a flashback to another moment within his life. Although not in chronological order, I loved going on these side journeys, to moments that I recognised. Plus, he effortlessly puts forth his charity and the many different ways that he is constantly improving the lives of others.

Everything about this biography was fascinating. I loved the insight into a really prominent figure in my childhood. But, it was also incredibly fun to get some realistic insights into how an elite athlete trains. The dedication and passion that is going to drive that kind of commitment is something I can never truly understand. But it made for a great insight into someone else’s life and a completely different way of living.

<- WillThe Mapmaker’s Wife ->

Image source: Booktopia

Fast Girls by Elise Hooper

Book Review, , ,
Overview

Title: Fast Girls: A Novel of the 1936 Women’s Olympic Team
Author: Elise Hooper
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Feminism, Historical fiction, Sport
Pace: Medium
Format: eBook, Novel
Year: 2020

Thoughts

I’m someone who likes to read a good biography or historical fiction as a bit of a nighttime read. I tend to find they’re not quite as fast paced and intense as my fantasy and romance books. Fast Girls was supposed to be one such read. It didn’t end up being like that at all. Fast Girls was absolutely impossible to put down and filled my brain with so much amazing information that I honestly couldn’t sleep after reading it. The three stories of Betty Robinson, Louise Stokes and Helen Stephens were riveting and emotionally entangling. I love that they were based in reality, and it wasn’t just the stars that Hooper chose to focus on, but the other members of the Olympics team. Those that are sometimes just as talented, but get overlooked.

The fact that Hooper used two well-known women, Betty Robinson and Helen Stephens, but also a lesser known Olympian, Louise Stokes to tell this tale was a brilliant, and, admittedly, surprising move. It’s a great reminder of the strength of women and some of the different hurdles we’ve had to overcome in the past. I love that it honours the women who have come before and how important their multitude of contributions are. Not just those that are loud, proud, front and centre. But also the people who continued fighting and maybe never got any kind of acknowledgement whilst they were alive. It was definitely an interesting, but also very humbling read and thing to think about.

I’m passionate about my two chosen sports and have definitely got more dedication than some to do well in those fields. However, the dedication and passion that top athletes show is a bit of a different story. I love how well Hooper talks about this commitment. How it is almost a part of breathing to be running for these girls. Particularly in the 1930’s when they had even greater challenges to overcome than I do today. I can’t imagine that level of commitment and pure love – I get close with some things, but not like this. I love that Hooper spends a lot of this story emphasising that it’s not just the natural talent that got these three women to the top of their field. It was also their passion, commitment and pure stubbornness.

After reading Fast Girls, I not only want to discover more about Betty Robinson, Helen Stephens and Louise Stokes (although my understanding is that there is a whole lot less information about Louise out there). I also want to discover more about the “Nazi Olympics” of 1936. I’m also absolutely fascinated by the life and trials of Stella Walsh, who, whilst she didn’t feature in this story, has an interesting journey all of her own. I can’t imagine the social and political pressures surrounding the 1936 Olympics, and for this reason alone, I want to know so much more about it!!!

<- Angels of the PacificLearning to See ->

Image source: Elise Hooper

Able by Dylan Alcott

Book Review, , , ,
Overview

Title: Able: Gold Medals, Grand Slams & Smashing Glass Ceilings
Author: Dylan Alcott
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Australian authors, Biographies, Disability, Sport
Pace: Slow
Format: eBook, Novel
Year: 2018

Thoughts

I added this to my shelves on a bit of a whim and because it was an Australian author on Kobo Plus. But man, did I not want to put this down! The first chapter was admittedly really difficult to read and had me in tears a few times. I’m a mother and I can’t imagine watching my newborn go through the medical difficulties that Alcott faced from the very beginning of life. But, once I overcame that emotionally fraught hurdle, I did not want to put this down. Alcott’s passion and drive made me feel a little like a lump to be honest, but I loved the way they leapt of the page and made me feel inspired.

Even though I found reading about the start of Dylan’s life to be really difficult. I found it difficult as a mother of two and wondering how I would’ve handled this situation. Even though Dylan is disabled, there was no point in this entire biography that I felt pity for him. He writes with such love and a sparkling joy of life that pity or any kind of negative feeling is the furthest thing from my mind. That’s not to say that he doesn’t highlight the different restrictions and difficulties he’s had to face due to society, a lack of access and just all round ignorance, but there was no negative emotions leaping off the page at me, so how could I feel them whilst reading about his journey?

Admittedly, I know pretty much nothing about basketball or tennis. I have a rough idea of how they are each played, but honestly, no idea whatsoever of how tennis is even scored. It did make parts of this a little more difficult to read, because I wasn’t really sure the importance of some of Alcott’s tennis scores. But I did understand that it was impressive. I also very quickly understood the depth of dedication and joy that Dylan is able to feel from playing these sports. The fact that he is one of the few dedicated and skilled enough to be a multi-sport Paraolympic gold medalist. That is an accomplishment that I both admire and can’t even fathom.

Through all of Dylan’s accomplishments and adventures (like wheelchair crowd surfing), Dylan is constantly and actively promoting the normalisation of disabilities and celebrating our differences. Rather than always highlighting the limitations that being Differently Abled can place upon a person, he promotes the ways in which people can live their best lives. Even though Alcott is constantly highlighting his love for his life and his self, he also constantly talks about the journey that he had to go on to love himself. Everybody has a hard road at times in loving and accepting themselves, and it was nice to read about how someone else negotiated this in their own lives.

<- I Am MalalaMao’s Last Dancer ->

Image source: Booktopia

Breathe by Rickson Gracie

Book Review, , , ,
Overview

Title: Breathe: A Life in Flow
Author: Rickson Gracie
Rating Out of 5: 4.5 (Amazing, but not quite perfect)
My Bookshelves: Audiobooks, Biographies, Martial arts, Sport
Pace: Slow
Format: Audiobook, Novel
Year: 2021

Thoughts

My coach told me about this book and, after a bit of a delay, I decided to download and listen to the audiobook. I knew that it would be good and interesting. But I had no idea just how… unforgettable it would be. Not to mention seriously confusing, overwhelming and intense. I’ve always joked that BJJ is a bit of a cult – I didn’t quite realise how correct and true to reality that comment would be.

Listening to this story of the origins of BJJ and the history of the Gracie family while I was driving to and from BJJ training was definitely a bit of a surreal experience. I had some basic understandings of where the martial arts form comes from. And I had some understanding of the intricacies and politics of the Gracie family. But, honestly, until I read this – I didn’t realise that I just had no idea.

Although the focus on this biography is very much around fighting and martial arts, it also talks about family and love. Rickson Gracie talks about his (many, many) brothers, his father, his children, his wife… and all of it intertwined with his life and love of BJJ. There are many moments of wisdom and love that I took away from his story that I really wasn’t expecting. I know that BJJ was developed for those who are smaller and not necessarily stronger than their opponents. But I didn’t expect such a spiritual journey and attachment, such a beautiful acceptance of life in all of its glory and horrors.

For anybody who is interested in sports, spiritual wellbeing and the growth of an international phenomenon, this is the biography for you. I love that not only does Gracie talk about the origins of BJJ, his own family history, and his training, but the origins of UFC also take centre stage here. I honestly had no idea how intertwined BJJ was with UFC from the very beginning – I thought it was just something that had evolved over time. Definitely a book that I will be picking up again and again and again.

<- Born to RunAn Astronaut’s Guide to Life on Earth ->

Image source: HarperCollins Australia

Love Hard by Nalini Singh

Book Review, , , ,
Overview
Love Hard (Hard Play, #3) by Nalini Singh

Title: Love Hard
Author: Nalini Singh
Series: Hard Play #3
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Contemporary, Contemporary romance, Sport
Dates read: 9th – 13th April 2021
Pace: Medium
Format: Novel
Publisher: Nalini Singh
Year: 2020
5th sentence, 74th page: “Do I look like I was born yesterday?”

Synopsis

New York Times bestselling author Nalini Singh brings you the next sizzling story in her Hard Play contemporary romance series…

Jacob Esera, star rugby player and young single father, has worked hard to create a joyous life for his six-year-old daughter. After the death of his childhood sweetheart soon after their daughter’s birth, all Jake wants is safety and stability. No risks. No wild chances. And II especially II no Julity Nelisi, former classmate, scandal magnet, and a woman who is a thorn in his side.

As a lonely teenager, Juliet embraced her bad-girl reputation as a shield against loneliness and rejection. Years later, having kicked a cheating sports-star ex to the curb, she has a prestigious job and loyal friends – and wants nothing to do with sportsmen. The last thing she expects is the fire that ignites between her and the stuffed-shirt golden boy who once loved her best friend. 88 Straitlaced jacob Esera versus wild-at-heart Juliet Nelisi? Place your bets.

Thoughts

From the blurb, I was expecting Jacob’s backstory to be far more painful and tragic. And it was quite sad and horrible. But nowhere near what I was expecting. I mean, teenage parent and the death of the love of his life is really sad. But he didn’t dwell on it but found a way to move on with his life. Something that I think is really awesome and important – he found a way to live his life and be happy in the moment.

All throughout this story, Esme just stole the show. She is just too damn cute and, although she isn’t the one the romance is about. I just wanted to give her a huge hug! She’s just a constant, adorable little show stealer. One that makes you grin and want to hug her through the pages of the book. The fact that Jacob is such a wonderful father just makes him an even more dreamy male lead…

Jules was such a great lead female (as is all of Singh’s female leads). Her friendship requirement to a relationship is such a great point. One that I think we all need to make in our own lives and relationships. After all, my partner is my best friend, and it’s the laughter and friendship that bring everything together.

This was another beautiful Singh story. One that uses all of her usual enjoyment and happiness. One that also reminds us that we always should look forward and embrace the future. And the potential for future happiness. It’s such a great journey. One that draws you all that much further into the Esra brothers’ world and makes you believe in true love again and again.

<- Rebel HardMore Nalini Singh ->

Image source: Goodreads

Rebel Hard by Nalini Singh

Book Review, , ,
Overview
Image result for book cover rebel hard nalini singh

Title: Rebel Hard
Author: Nalini Singh
Series: Hard Play #2
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Contemporary, Contemporary romance, Sport
Dates read: 11th – 14th February 2021
Pace: Medium
Format: Novel
Publisher: Nalini Singh
Year: 2018
5th sentence, 74th page: No point trying to make a decision about the rest of our lives based on two short meetings.

Synopsis

New York Times bestselling author Nalini Singh continues her Hard Play series with a sweet, sexy romance featuring big, fat, OTT weddings, a meddling grandma, and a too-serious hero who needs to be unbuttoned.

Nayna Sharma agreed to an arranged marriage in the hope it would heal the fractures in her beloved family… only to realize too late that a traditional marriage is her personal nightmare. Panicked, she throws caution to the winds, puts on the tiniest dress she can find, and ends up in the arms of a tall, rough-edged hunk of a man who has abs of steel – and who she manages to mortally insult between one kiss and the next.

Abandoned as a child, then adopted into a loving family, Raj Sen believes in tradition, in continuity. Some might call him stiff and old-fashioned, but he knows what he wants – and it’s a life defined by rules… yet he can’t stop thinking about he infuriating and sexy woman who kissed him in the moonlight then disappeared. When his parents spring an introduction on him, the last woman he expects is her. Beautiful. Maddening. A rule breaker in the making.

He’s all wrong for her. She’s all wrong for him. And love is about to make rebels of them both.

Thoughts

I’ve been hanging to read Nayna and Raj’s story since they first made their appearance in Cherish Hard. They are such a fun and intriguing couple. Partner their wonderful meet-cute with the restrictions and cultural clashes that they both feel. It was most definitely a beautiful, wonderful and intriguing story. Alright, I knew that they’d end up together… but the journey to get there was seriously intense.

My favourite thing about this contemporary romance is that it deals with a culture I know nothing about. Singh’s ability to look at how these two cultures work side by side was brilliant and impossible to put down. I loved how she was able to make you think of New Zealand and how people from other cultures fit into this wonderful world. There was something wonderful about having a different culture fit into a genre that I am currently completely obsessed with.

I can’t imagine being in a situation where all I want is to please my family. To find a way to make them happy, even if it is at my own expense. And the fact that Nayna sacrifices so much for her family is just beautiful. And seriously tragic. Particularly when you realise that the older sister who has kind of put her in this situation suffers pretty much no consequences for her actions. Raj is the perfect person to partner with such a tragic story – he acknowledges and sees what she is going through and decides to try and protect her, no matter what others are then going to think of him.

This is a beautiful romance. Yet, aside from the cultural issues and the different challenges Nayna and Raj face, it is the flirting that I love the most. Those awkward, funny moments, the moments where Raj is sending topless photos. The moments when work mates are giving each other a good ribbing. The multiple parts of the story that have you grinning in appreciation and leave you with a gigantic smile on your face.

I absolutely adored this story, like I do all Nalini Singh books. And now I need to dig through my TBR and start Love Hard.

<- Cherish HardLove Hard ->

Image source: Goodreads

The Cad and the Co-Ed by L.H. Cosway & Penny Reid

Book Review, , , , ,
Overview
Image result for book cover the cad and the co-ed

Title: The Cad and the Co-Ed
Author: L.H. Cosway & Penny Reid
Series: Rugby #3
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Contemporary, Contemporary romance, Sport
Dates read: 5th – 6th February 2021
Pace: Fast
Format: Novel
Publisher: SmartyPants Romance
Year: 2017
5th sentence, 74th page: Avoidance was the best policy.

Buy The Book Now at The Book Depository, Free Delivery World Wide

Synopsis

Keeping a secret this big is going to take lots of balls. Specifically, rugby balls.

THE CAD
Bryan Leech is a cad.
Or, he was a cad.
No one is quite certain.
Once the quintessential playboy, Bryan claims he’s done with wild parties and weekend benders. No more one night stands leading to mornings he can’t remember; no more binges and blackouts; no more exploits plastered all over the tabloids and rag sheets. According to Bryan, he’s cleaning up his act. 8 The only problem is, no one believes him.

THE CO-ED
Eilish Cassidy never thought she’d be a mother at nineteen or still in college at twenty-four. Cut off from every member of her family except her favorite cousin, she’s finally managed to put her life back together. Stronger and wiser, Eilish enters her last semester of university determined to stand on her own. Now she just needs to find an internship. The only problem is, her best option – by far – places her directly in the path of her son’s father, and he doesn’t remember her at all.

THE PLAN
Bryan is determined to prove he’s changed. Eager to settle down with the right woman, he’s got his sights set on the gorgeous redhead who seems terribly familiar.
Eilish is determined to hid her secret.
She’ll do anything to keep her child safe, even if that means ignoring her own wishes and desires.
But what happens when Bryan starts to remember? And what will it take for Bryan to convince the girl he forgot that she’s unforgettable?

Thoughts

As the third book in the Rugby series, this was probably also the most heart breaking. After all, Eilish gets pregnant and kicked out of her family. Bryan is a recovering alcoholic who has completely stuffed up many, many things in his own life. And just, in general, the battles that these two have to face are really sad. And that’s just the first chapter – you know that things aren’t going to be all rosy anytime soon when you start out with a beginning like that.

Yet again, this series took me by surprise. I’ve never read a book that features an alcoholic. Let alone one that features the alcoholic as the male lead in a romance. Whilst this isn’t a dark spin on the issue, it is one that highlights the negatives and difficulties of such a thing. It’s an intense and wonderful journey. I’m someone who has a few people in my life with substance abuse issues, so I was incredibly excited to read about it in such a hopeful manner.

From the beginning of this book, I wasn’t a huge fan of Josey. Everyone has a friend that they’ve known forever and have kind of outgrown. For some of us, it’s more a matter of change and you can reconnect. For some it’s not a painful outgrowing. And then there’s friendships like Josey’s… the ones that really don’t fit anymore. The friendships that are beginning to turn toxic and are more of a chore than an enjoyment. It makes me actually want to put a pause on reading this series… because Josey is featured in the next one and I really didn’t connect to her throughout this whole story.

I’m at the age now that stories which feature parents in any way, shape or form are becoming more and more attractive. I was always told that you like reading about the people who are about the same age as you, and I’m certainly finding that to be the case. Alright, Eilish is a few years younger than I am in this story. But her issues are very adult ones. And her maturity and beauty shines through this whole story.

<- The Player and the PixieThe Varlet and the Voyeur ->

Image source: Amazon

The Hooker and the Hermit by L.H. Cosway & Penny Reid

Book Review, , , , ,
Overview
Image result for book cover the hooker and the hermit

Title: The Hooker and the Hermit
Author: L.H. Cosway & Penny Reid
Series: Rugby #1
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Contemporary, Contemporary romance, Sport
Dates read: 3rd – 5th February 2021
Pace: Medium
Format: Novel
Publisher: SmartyPants Romance
Year: 2015
5th sentence, 74th page: It’s boring as fuck, but at least I’m trying.

Buy The Book Now at The Book Depository, Free Delivery World Wide

Synopsis

New York’s Finest
Blogging as The Socialmedialite
April 22
LADIES AND GENTS! I have an announcement!
You know that guy I featured on my blog a few months ago? The really, really hot Irish rugby player who plays the position of ‘hooker’ in the RLI (Rugby League International)? The one with the anger management issues, the body of a gladiator and the face of a movie star? The one with the questionable fashion choices leading me to ask whether he was the lovechild of a leprechaun and a hobbit? Ronan Fitzpatrick? Yeah, that guy.

Well, I have a confession to make…

THE HERMIT
Annie Catrel, social media expert extraordinaire at Davidson & Croft Media and clandestine celebrity blogger, can make anyone shine in the court of public opinion. She is the Socialmedialite, anonymous creator of New Yorks Finest and the internet’s darling. Virtual reality is Annie’s forte, but actually reality? not so much.

THE HOOKER
Ronan Fitzpatrick, aka the best hooker the world of rugby has seen in decades, despises the media – social or otherwise. The press has spun a web of lies depicting him as rugby’s wild and reckless bad boy. Suspended from his team, Ronan has come to Manhattan to escape the drama, lay low, fly under the radar. Only, Ronan isn’t easy to overlook, and he can’t escape the notice of the Socialmedialite…

THE PLAN
When Ronan is sent to Davidson & Croft Media to reshape his public image, he never expects to cross paths with shy but beautiful Annie, nor does he expect his fierce attraction to her. He couldn’t be happier when her boss suggest pairing them together.

What lengths will Annie take to keep her virtual identity concealed? And what happens when the hooker discovers who the hermit really is?

Thoughts

I did read the Rugby books a little bit out of order. Mostly because I was so excited to start them, that I received The Player and the Pixie before The Hooker and the Hermit, so sunk into that one instead. But, that meant that the instant this book arrived on my doorstep, I sunk myself right into it. And didn’t really come up for air until I’d turned that final page. Which may explain why I’m a bit behind in all of my adult responsible stuff at the moment…

Annie is the most heart-wrenching, yet beautiful lead female that I’ve read in a long time. She is so completely shut off from the world. I mean, I’ve had a lot of introverts filling up my shelves… but the level of her introversion? Stunning. And horrifying. I also don’t get the social media thing completely (although I do enjoy it a little), so I was completely perplexed about how she has such a strong online identity. Her past, her present, wow. They were seriously intense and made me want to reach through the pages of the book and hug her… tightly.

Since I read The Player and the Pixie first, I knew a little of Ronan’s history with Sean and Brona. But, meeting her in the flesh, so to speak, was so much more… painful. And kind of horrifying to be honest. I mean, I know that people like this exist… and there are hints of them in the many other books that I’ve read… but having to read about this character face to face (so to speak) was even more creepy. It made me constantly feel for Ronan and hope for his happily ever after with Annie. Plus, it made every moment that Annie runs away all that much more painful and tragic.

This is such a wonderful new-age kind of romance. It takes place with technology, twitter and social media front and centre. Something that I don’t see in a lot of romances. I love that it discusses media, and how we are judged for what we look like. And just many, many issues that are front and centre in our own daily lives. It makes it all that much easier to feel connected to and a little more in love with Ronan and Annie.

The Hooker and the Hermit is a fantastic novel and beginning of a series (if you’re not like me and getting WAY too excited). I fell head over heels in love with this story. Head over heels in love with the characters. And head over heels in love with this whole set up / series. Most definitely one of those unforgettable books that I’m going to be reading again and again in years to come.

<- More L.H. CoswayThe Player and the Pixie ->

Image source: Amazon