I finished listening to both Heated Rivalry and The Long Game. I already posted my thoughts on HR (both the book and the show), so next up is the sequel.
I want to preface this post, because I have critiques about this series, the story, and the portrayal of Shane and Ilya’s relationship. However, this is also a series I truly enjoyed and have been watching and reading on repeat as my current obsession. This is a “I said it was my favorite, not that it was good” situation.
Obviously it’s very popular, because of the characters, not necessarily the strength of the writing (good not great). Ilya and Shane have the perfect mix of tension and tenderness that draws people in, and both of them (especially Ilya, which is why I love him so much) can feel relatable despite being hockey superstars. The several side couples don’t hold a candle to them. I am trying to read the other books in the series, but so far I have ended up returning to Heated Rivalry. Tough Guy, in particular, has a rough start and I have yet to pick it back up.
Let’s get back to the point and talk about some of my thoughts on TLG. In general, you know I love a wedding, and I’m happy to have Shane and Ilya enter domestic bliss with their dog. I know Unrivaled is due to come out with more external conflict expected, and maybe they’ll finally have the kids they’ve been talking about for years.
Speaking of Anya, my one beef with my perfect baby boy Ilya is that he doesn’t like cats. That’s like, the top red flag in a man. I love seeing him baby talk the dogs and spoil his own, but I’m with Shane on this one. Get this man a cat and he’ll fold as soon as it falls asleep on his chest.
On the subject of red flags, let’s move into some heavier stuff. This book is primarily in Ilya’s perspective, depicting his internal struggles with depression, his career, and the fear that after uprooting his life for Shane, his dedication is unreciprocated. That includes a storyline on Ilya going to therapy. Here’s my question: why isn’t Shane in therapy? Why are we acting like Ilya is the only member of this pair who has mental health problems to work out? Shane is a walking ball of anxiety, and his obsessive need for control and perfection is concerning. This is why (a potentially controversial opinion) Yuna is not my favorite, because I feel like Shane inherits these tendencies from her and she pushes him to be constantly perfect. Someone needs to sit Shane down and ask him when was the last time his heartbeat was normal. Add some therapy to the yoga routine.
Moving into the career category: the entire series has it set up so that Shane and Ilya will end up playing together for the Ottawa Centaurs. I have mixed feelings about this development. I understand it as a plot device; it originally functions so Ilya and Shane can enact their plan of living close to each other and establishing a public friendship through the charity. However, and I understand it’s addressed in the book, you have to create conflict somehow, whatever, the idea of dumping Ilya Rozanov on some backwater team after such an impressive showing in Boston, while Shane stays on a top-tier team, drives me crazy. For the solution to that to be for both of them to end up on the backwater team is even more annoying. It gives them an opportunity to play together, yes, for a team where they feel safe, yes, they can rebuild the Centaurs and lead them into a new era, sure, but both of them are elite players and they should be on elite teams. Even if they can’t stay in Montreal after coming out, if we’re going to have them play together, give us something better than Ottawa so it doesn’t feel like their talent has been trashed. Or maybe that’s how we’re supposed to feel, as a more realistic depiction of how coming out would affect them. Side note in relation to that: Crowell sucks and I hope he dies. Personally, I don’t necessarily want to see the couple play together. I want to see Ilya play at the top of his game again. Perhaps I’m a little biased.
The biggest thing I want to talk about is the use of a proposal to try and solve their underlying problems. Grand gestures (nor the sex they constantly default to) are not solutions. After finding out that his boyfriend feels undervalued and unseen in their relationship, instead of considering how they ended up here and talking it out, Shane’s brilliant idea is to ask Ilya to marry him. The plane scare did contribute to the hastened timeline, but even if it’s intended to prove that he loves Ilya as much as Ilya loves him, you need to talk to him and validate him before you put a ring on his finger. They still don’t talk about their problems or about Ilya’s mental health until after they’re engaged. Before you are married, legally tied to each other, try talking your sh*t out and being completely vulnerable. You can’t maintain a marriage with a total lack of communication or recognition of their own emotions. Combine that with Shane telling Crowell, “I choose him,” and it’ll be perfect.
Also, what is up with Ilya not talking to Svetlana for years? Even when they lived in different countries, they stayed in touch, but suddenly they stop talking when he moves to Canada. It’s easy enough to lose touch with someone, but they had been friends for so long. Anyway, I’m glad they reconnected.
I still enjoyed the book and there were other parts I especially loved. Ilya surrounded by all the dogs at Harris’ place, Shane learning Russian, Ilya making queer friends, Shane and Ilya coaching at the camp, Ilya with Shane’s parents, of course, the trophy room, and at the top: Ilya and Shane watching their documentary together and Shane realizing the full weight of Ilya’s love and terror in the moment Shane went down on the ice. That line, “How could they not have known?” KILLED ME.
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I can’t wait to see TheePeach again, and I love love love stories that continue beyond marriage. Plus it looks like we’re getting EmiBonnie?? I’m ecstatic!
Been reading a lot of BL lately since I've been at home recovering from a procedure.
Even if something has been on my list to read for a while, if I start it and I don't like it, I'll drop it. Some of my drops this last week or so include:
It's Just a Dream, Right?
I know. I know, okay? Super hyped, supposed to be really good. I got a couple chapters in, and the plot was just not holding my attention, and I also disliked the art style.
Pure Intentions
The cringe did me in before Chapter 3. Concept is fun, couldn't do it.
Those Who Deserve to Die
I'm not sure if I'll finish this one. MC is giving that he is not meant for an undercover assignment, and I can already feel the inevitable secondhand embarrassment when his terrible ruse is discovered.
Hitsuji no Kawa wo Kita Kemono
Plot pacing is wild, characters don't pull me in. Pass.
Alright, let's talk about what I actually read!
Go Riyou wa Keikaku Teki ni
This is a double header with the title below. Quick read, not a lot of substance.
Gohoubi wa Shitsuke no Ato
I preferred this one more because I am a fan of the "younger member of the mafia is in love with his boss" trope. I'm not saying these are great stories, but they are good brainless pick me ups.
Neko to Wakagashira
Short spinoff of Hakujin to Kurobotan, a series I love. Read it if you want a laugh and then go back and re-read the main story.
The Seesaw Game of Distorted Love
I need to stop reading random short series from like, ten or twenty years ago. There's barely a point to this, but I still got to the end.
Mad Dog
The MC in this is a total badass. I would say if you like the art style from Pearl Boy and the characterization of Ahjusshi from The Dangerous Convenience Store, you'll enjoy the ML as well. I like hot guys with blood and knives, so take that into consideration when judging the quality of this pick.
Golden Opportunity
This is raw in more ways than one. Definitely some trigger warnings. We have a time-traveling buff bottom and the mafia boss he's obsessed with...plus some twists along the way.
Kei X Yaku: Bound By Law
This series was actually fire, I have no idea why I've never heard of it before. Apparently it has a drama adaptation too. The chemistry is crackling even with minimal physical contact between the main couple. I want more volumes and for them to get married immediately.
I want to highlight some of the cutest QL reads I've stumbled across recently. Some are new, some are rereads, but all of them will tug on your heartstrings.
She Loves to Cook, and She Loves to Eat
This GL manga is a 10/10. It was simple and sweet with an unexpected depth to the themes it explored. I loved reading every second of it, and I would devour many more volumes.
Monthly in the Garden with My Landlord
I am a sucker for a rural setting. The age gap in this is a little questionable, but over all it's a cute and healing read.
Sasaki and Miyano
I am not a slow burn girlie, so the first time I ever watched Sasaki and Miyano, I was like, Miyano, will you just make up your mind already? Getting older, watching it again and reading the manga, I can appreciate the level of consideration and respect the couple has for each other and their feelings. They are undeniably adorable, and Sasaki is one of my favorite characters ever. If you want something cute and touching, you need to read and watch this series. I personally prefer the English dub on this one just for Sasaki, but it's great either way. The manga also has a fun panel design, and the comedic side characters help the whole thing blossom into a perfect high school romance.
Hirano and Kagiura
This is the spinoff of the second couple from Sasaki and Miyano. I like the main couple and story much better, but both are good and I think it's fun to read them together, since they weave scenes between both stories.
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I’ve been on an anime kick again recently, both BL and non-BL, so I thought it would be a good time for this post. My pinned rankings post only includes the dramas I’ve watched. There’s a lot less on the anime list but here we go:
Cherry Magic: Thirty Years of Virginity Can Make You A Wizard?
Isekai Office Worker: The Other World’s Books Depend on the Bean Counter
Yuri!!! On Ice
Sasaki and Miyano
Go For It, Nakamura-kun!
This Boy is a Professional Wizard
The Summer Hikaru Died
Twilight Out of Focus
DAKAICHI
Stranger By The Shore
Given
The High School Life of a Fudanshi
Banana Fish
Orenchi no Furo Jijo
DRAMAtical Murder
BL-adjacent anime, AKA the Honorable Mentions
My New Boss is Goofy
Buddy Daddies
Kiss Him Not Me!
Free!! Iwatobi Swim Club
A Gentle Noble's Vacation Recommendation
Ron Kamonohashi's Forbidden Deductions
Prince of Stride: Alternative
The Case Files of Jeweler Richard
91 Days
Moriarty the Patriot
Noblesse
I've watched so many anime and some of them so long ago that these are what I remember have Gay Sh*t Going On. There are others with hints or subplots, which I didn't feel merited inclusion. Tell me some of your favorites!!
My audiobook adventures continue! Just in time for the start of Pride Month, I finally finished listening to Heated Rivalry. Am I late to the party as usual? Of course. Have I watched the show? Not yet.
It's not my usual cup of tea, but it won me over with an uncanny charm (get the reference?) that has obviously garnered its huge fanbase.
I don't think I have a lot of new opinions to contribute on this. I was talking to some friends about it after finishing the book; I enjoyed the cute, slow-burn romance, and I love Ilya. I want to put him in my pocket. I think it was well-written, although you can definitely tell it started as fanfiction. The constant sex scenes get to be a bit much, and they're a little repetitive.
It's great for what it is, which is an easily digestible romance rather than something truly poignant and unique. It pulls you in and keeps you there, and isn’t that all that matters in a story? I was rooting for Shane and Ilya to find happiness, so I'm looking forward to reading the rest of the series and watching the show.
I did more reading than watching this week. I think the only thing I watched was the latest episode of Go For It, Nakamura-kun, which remains cute, and I'm waiting to see how far it develops.
I listened to the audiobook versions of volumes 1 and 2 of The Other World's Books Depend on the Bean Counter. Have I read them already? Yes. Do I own at least one volume already? Yes. Still, the audiobooks were done well so it was a fun experience. 10/10 would recommend. Time to rewatch the anime, I'm certifiably obsessed.
I bought the manga for My Dear Agent and Mobsters in Love this week. I've read them before, a while ago - still just as cute the second time around. I'm happy to add them to my collection.
I also picked up a one shot, You're All Mine Tonight. Not bad. Definitely spicy, and the conclusion wrapped up quick. Nice art, good for what it is. My credit card is not happy with all these purchases but this is the price of my happiness.
I read up to volume 4 of Minato's Laundromat. I have...some questions for the author. No matter how slice of life the setting, I don't think you can quite categorize a BL about a teenager and a thirty-something as 'fluffy'. It's written well, but like, what are we doing here??? Even Minato acknowledges it's not right early on so why are we acting like the teenager being the pursuer makes it justifiable?
All I've done this week is surround myself with BL - watching, listening, reading, writing, reviewing - that is to say, a great week.
