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A review by dinohakari
Crossing Blades by Hayden Hall
4.0
In my review on the book that this author released prior to this one (in the Destined to Fail series), I said that I applauded when an author stepped out of their comfort zone either to try new styles or try different stories. And that I had liked the result in that case. Now, when I saw that [a:Hayden Hall|20997448|Hayden Hall|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1677346645p2/20997448.jpg]'s new series was about college romances again, I was thrilled, because that's what attracted me to this author in the first place. I was missing those kinds of stories from him!
But now I realized that although he returns to that world, at least in this first book of this new series, it is as if the author had blended all his series into one. I mean, we've the college romance, we've the group of friends, the banter, but we also have a little more depth in the characters. And while it all works out smoothly in the end, the path to get there is a bit more complex and harrowing. By this I do not mean that in his previous college romances there hasn't been some angst or drama, or that they didn't touch on some sensitive topics, but perhaps that it was better balanced between something that was funny while also touching on those sensitive topics. Something that is different in this story. Here it highlights more the anguish and resentment that Riley feels towards Cam for the way he left him three years ago, and the fear and anger that Cam feels towards Riley for making him feel, and the subsequent denial of said feelings, which makes Cam acting cold and hateful towards Riley.
Obviously, it's a story about misunderstandings and miscommunication between two young people who are learning to live and who have been hurt by different people (Riley by Cam, and Cam by his parents) and who have a hard time trusting what they feel.
The only reason I'm not giving it 5 stars is because I didn't like that Cam, just transferred to his new college and barely meeting his new teammates, tells one of said teammates what happened with Riley in the past, not knowing if Riley was out, or if his teammates were homophobic or not. This seemed out of character for someone as reserved, closed off, and distrustful as Cam, and it only served to hurt Riley more, which I don't think was necessary.
In short, all in all, I loved the book and I highly recommend it, and obviously, I look forward to the next one!
I was giving an advanced copy and voluntarily wrote a review.
But now I realized that although he returns to that world, at least in this first book of this new series, it is as if the author had blended all his series into one. I mean, we've the college romance, we've the group of friends, the banter, but we also have a little more depth in the characters. And while it all works out smoothly in the end, the path to get there is a bit more complex and harrowing. By this I do not mean that in his previous college romances there hasn't been some angst or drama, or that they didn't touch on some sensitive topics, but perhaps that it was better balanced between something that was funny while also touching on those sensitive topics. Something that is different in this story. Here it highlights more the anguish and resentment that Riley feels towards Cam for the way he left him three years ago, and the fear and anger that Cam feels towards Riley for making him feel, and the subsequent denial of said feelings, which makes Cam acting cold and hateful towards Riley.
Obviously, it's a story about misunderstandings and miscommunication between two young people who are learning to live and who have been hurt by different people (Riley by Cam, and Cam by his parents) and who have a hard time trusting what they feel.
The only reason I'm not giving it 5 stars is because I didn't like that Cam, just transferred to his new college and barely meeting his new teammates, tells one of said teammates what happened with Riley in the past, not knowing if Riley was out, or if his teammates were homophobic or not. This seemed out of character for someone as reserved, closed off, and distrustful as Cam, and it only served to hurt Riley more, which I don't think was necessary.
In short, all in all, I loved the book and I highly recommend it, and obviously, I look forward to the next one!
I was giving an advanced copy and voluntarily wrote a review.