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The Understatement of the Year

Book 4 in the series:The Ivy Years

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'The Understatement of the Year' by Sarina Bowen is a New Adult romance set in an elite American college, focusing on the lives of two main characters, Graham and Rikker. The plot delves into themes of internalized homophobia, gay bashing, and the struggles of being openly gay in a sports environment. The story follows the rekindling of a childhood friendship and romance between Graham and Rikker, as they navigate their feelings for each other, the challenges of being on a hockey team, and the complexities of their shared past. The writing style is described as fresh, engaging, and touching on serious issues with sensitivity, making the characters relatable and the plot believable.

Characters:

The characters are well-developed, showcasing personal struggles, strength, and growth through their relationship.

Writing/Prose:

The style is engaging and sensitive, effectively exploring serious themes while maintaining emotional depth.

Plot/Storyline:

Involves complex themes of friendship, love, and personal growth amidst societal challenges.

Setting:

The setting enhances the narrative, situated within the competitive world of college hockey, illuminating societal issues.

Pacing:

Pacing effectively combines reflection and action, keeping readers invested in the characters' journeys.
In all my favorite movies, when something bad was going happen, the protagonist usually sensed it. He saw a sign, or felt a disturbance in the force. But that’s not how my real life worked. And I’m no...

Notes:

The book is part of 'The Ivy Years' series but can be read as a standalone.
It focuses on the relationship between two hockey players, Graham and Rikker, who were childhood friends and lovers.
Graham struggles with his sexuality and fears being outed, influenced by a past hate crime.
Rikker is openly gay and has to face challenges as the only out player on the college hockey team.
The story explores themes of friendship, love, acceptance, and overcoming prejudice.
Graham’s character is portrayed as deeply troubled and affected by past trauma, leading to self-loathing and alcohol use.
Rikker is characterized as patient and understanding, offering support to Graham despite their complicated history.
The narrative is emotional, highlighting the pain of being in the closet and the journey to self-acceptance.
The book received praise for its well-developed supporting characters, including Graham’s mother and Rikker’s grandmother.
The ending has been described as abrupt by some readers, leaving them wanting more about the characters' future.

Sensitive Topics/Content Warnings

Content warnings include themes of internalized homophobia, hate crimes, bullying, and mental health issues, which may be triggering for some readers.

Has Romance?

Yes, the book features a strong romance element, focusing on the relationship between the main characters, Graham and Rikker.

From The Publisher:

What happened in high school stayed in high school. Until now. Five years ago, Michael Graham betrayed the only person who ever really knew him. Since then, he's made an art of hiding his sexual orientation from everyone. Including himself. So it's a shock when his past strolls right into the Harkness College locker room, sporting a bag of hockey gear and the same slow smile that had always rendered Graham defenseless. For Graham, there is only one possible reaction: total, debilitating panic. With one loose word, the team's new left wing could destroy Graham's life as he knows it. John Rikker is stuck being the new guy. Again. And it's worse than usual, because the media has latched onto the story of the only "out" player in Division One hockey. As the satellite trucks line the sidewalk outside the rink, his new teammates are not amused. And one player in particular looks sick every time he enters the room. Rikker didn't exactly expect a warm welcome from Graham. But the guy won't even meet his eyes. From the looks of it, his former... best friend / boyfriend / whatever isn't doing so well. He drinks too much and can't focus during practice. Either the two loneliest guys on the team will self destruct from all the new pressures in their lives, or they can navigate the pain to find a way back to one another. To say that it won't be easy is the Understatement of the Year. Warning: unlike the other books in this series, this heartbreaking love story is about two guys. Contains sexual situations, dance music, snarky t-shirts and a poker-playing grandmother.

Ratings (17)

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Loved It (9)
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Reader Stats (37):

Read It (18)
Want To Read (9)
Not Interested (10)
 
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