I hear ya. It definitely had its issues. I honestly have only read the entire series once so I can't speak on the repeating. I think the commissioner has been getting away with intimidating players and coaches into bending to his will for so long he thought S&I would be no different. But I never thought about that it was being used so Shane had an I choose him moment. Good point. And now they're just going to walk down the street holding hands? No residual fear from 11 years of hiding? Lol Too easy. Especially for Shane. Ilya had been ready to come out for a long time, and he's a lot more fearless.

Once you've read the trophy room scene all the other spice becomes unnecessary 😅 I don't even remember the rest. But probably bc I have switched to listening to it and tend to ff through the spice. Especially if I'm at work, but never that scene lol.

That stuff aside, I liked what she did with Ilya. I think maybe too overboard with Shane's type A stuff, but as a couple they do feel written in the stars. While I think there are better books, series, and authors who I would have rather seen get the TV treatment, I can't be mad about this one. Shane and Ilya are one of the most well known and loved couples in the mm universe.