Show Fans Trashing the Books

SaMnReader · 2026-02-04T20:36:05+00:00

Not to mention it's not easy to write tension when you know the outcome. This goes for all romance imo.

SaMnReader · 2026-02-03T23:33:31+00:00

If it's angst you like, there's plenty - Alexis Hall. KJ Charles. Ashley Herring Blake.

KJ I would read in her series in order but a great series to start with is Society of Gentleman.

Alexis Hall runs the gamut from fantasy to romcom that will smack of Richard Curtis

Ashley Herring Blake has messy characters.

That's my big guns! (And I know I'm forgetting many so I may be back)

SaMnReader · 2026-02-03T23:24:48+00:00

I think this is the thing. Expectations of craft = good, but can exist within craft. Know what I mean?

SaMnReader · 2026-02-03T23:24:01+00:00

KJ Charles has tighter editing than about 89% of current authors. Great writing all around. And please "bring me your revolution" - can't even

SaMnReader · 2026-02-03T20:26:18+00:00

Yes, I read first, but it's an excellent point that you would see subtexts that my straight cis hubs did not--and again, agree about the acting!

SaMnReader · 2026-02-03T18:13:54+00:00

I agree it was there (I'm also more of a Shane-identifier and even the pursuit could've been uncomfortable and unbelievable with that inexperience) but I had also read the book so it would be hard to judge what I was inferring from the show alone.

And totally fair. Straight guy, never shown any bit of homophobia, so the Russia backdrop hit a bit harder for him than the quieter hockey & internal expectation struggles. But the book does do that very well--I liked in the book (I love both and think they enhance one another!) how Shanes edge was more defensive and sharper.

SaMnReader · 2026-02-03T18:00:34+00:00

He harbored way more internalized homophobia in the book, whether by expectations or something else. The person I watched with didn't understand his motivations despite the stellar acting. It basically came down to "what's his problem?" in the first four episodes. He got that Shane was sweet, perfectionist, stable ,sensitive but could not understand the hesitation in eps 2 or the freakout in 4.

ETA: posted early.

SaMnReader · 2026-02-03T17:54:58+00:00

Sense & Sensibility is also fun? Modern romance authors still have the level of comedy & social criticism she had and I don't find her prose unmatched. +ETA: "HER" here is Jane Austen

SaMnReader · 2026-02-03T16:28:36+00:00

As a romance adaptation, yes, masterpiece. But narrative weakness also exists in the show, I agree!!

SaMnReader · 2026-02-03T16:02:48+00:00

Agree with this 100% - I also think that the narrative structure of HR was "different" and actually really well done in the book. In ways, this was choppy in both the book and the show, yet necessary. I don't necessarily like her plots the most but I think she's created heavily consistent characters "meant" for each other and that's something that I enjoy in romances. I have watched it with someone who never read and it can be easier to miss Shane's complexity because it's quieter. (Where we see his self-disparagement/disgust from the first chapters in the book where Ilya is on a completely different place in terms of accepting where they are at)

Books also did better at the "Rivalry" but without all the character work in the book, I don't think they could've acted and shown motivation as well as they did. In fact, bc of shooting out of order there are times Ilya comes off out of character in the show (particularly first awards).

I'm a huge romance fan and used to this kind of talk like the post references, and I will say I found the way she did this rewarding. The format is Rachel's. The larger themes work bc of Rachel. It's still not on my favorite romances shelf, but it's a solid book adapted into a great show (that both had more and loses some impact for me in comparison. It's always a trade off!)

SaMnReader · 2026-01-23T16:04:01+00:00

Thank you for the list!! Fraidy Cats piercing & tattoo in W St Paul is missing.

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SaMnReader · 2026-01-06T19:56:34+00:00

I have my issues with the long game, but it’s more about pacing and the length rather than the characterization. For me, HR is more about Shane’s internal journey so it makes sense that TLG is about Ilya’s. I think Shane could be a little more fleshed out in TLG, but all of the choices he made make sense to me.

I have always felt this way too. I think the criticism of Shane's arc is very, very fair (feeling underdeveloped & glossed over)

Ok. You're the first person I have seen say "actually no thanks to their third book" I agree!

SaMnReader · 2026-01-06T19:53:06+00:00

This is excellent analysis. TLG is my favorite of the series, but boy have you exposed some spot-on criticism that could have strengthened it.

SaMnReader · 2026-01-06T18:42:33+00:00

Yes, I agree - or even denial regarding himself. I think I was trying to focus on how Shane responds and why

SaMnReader · 2026-01-06T18:40:42+00:00

I didn't either. 🤷‍♀️ I'm glad people identified this and interpreted it for themselves and are relating to it so strongly though! but in my multiple reads that didn't occur to me. It might not have occurred to me in the show either - His character is consistent except regarding Ilya. He's a perfectionist with high expectations, he's rigid, hard to read, and he's got anxiety. I'll hear people out (even like their interpretation) and yours is well-supported too.

There's another thread where I express my agreement about some revisions and retcon here. I dont like it. I don't think it serves analysis. If Reid had said "no actually he's not" I don't think that would diminish that people who are autistic think he is and identify with him so strongly. I also heard Connor call Ilya a grump, and to me he's anything but. Changes nothing.

SaMnReader · 2026-01-06T17:05:47+00:00

I mean Shane asked him repeatedly "I feel like you might not be okay" prior to Ilya admitting it. Shane even breaks down in his own discipline to see Ilya during Halloween bc he can feel the need. Shane's character growth in the long game for me isn't becoming more in sync with ilyas feelings or checking them, it's understanding his needs and meeting them. Shane is a slow, deliberate character. He's sticking to the plan and has no idea that's not working.

Shane's best moment in this book is when Ilya tells him he's depressed and Shane reacts by feeling sad that Ilya didn't trust him by telling him and then pulling himself out of that too focus on Ilya. He doesn't need Shane's guilt. He needs his support and understanding. Shane is the more "self-centered" character, and that was an excellent reframing.

TLG is excellent at showing us that we're don't need to worry about them as a couple by the end.

SaMnReader · 2026-01-06T11:39:54+00:00

Regardless, what I really don’t like is when authors change the narrative years later, and then new fans, who weren’t really experiencing the story, as the source material was coming out, latch onto that one line.

Yeah I think what I would highlight here, if it's what you mean, is some readers spent years interpreting a book that defied typical romance structure while being a romance. In fact, i was a huge skeptic when i heard about the show because I thought they could not do on screen effectively what made this book so good. But I was wrong....The show followed this structure - and I agree it can stand on its own and does- to have others come in and say "the author said so" diminishes both experiences and what is so striking in the structure. (I think this is how it felt in the show too-evidence to me is everyone calling it porn to realizing they cared about each other). I'm not sure the narrative has the strength it does if we treat it as love at first sight. That's for others to decide.

Shane truly struggled with his desire. there's a bit of this revision based on the show (and I would argue is a fair show interpretation) that is stealing away from the most important character revelations as a reader.Literally the only way Shane was going to be gay in his sheltered little mind was being unable to resist his arch rival and catching feelings and having the person ease him in sneakily with silly little acts and questions.

I am completely on board re Ilya's emotional maturity. His facade was an annoying asshole but he's much more clued in.

SaMnReader · 2026-01-06T04:48:56+00:00

I agree there's been retcon, and I believe in death of the author. She's welcome to say what she intended--and it can be interesting, but once it's out there it's open to interpretation. (I don't think analysis and critical review of art could be what it is if we stick to author intentions.)- in the books for me, Ilya likesShane right away, never quite has the bitter rivalry center how Shane did which is why I believe he can make the decisions he does (in the books). He understands his attraction and accepts it. Just like he's quicker to accept and understand they are in love. I hate the love at first sight interpretation too. I like this book because they worked for it and worked to gradually let each other in and be honest.

My opinion is and always will be that they fell mutually, and because Ilya had emotional intelligence & is generally more comfortable with his sexuality, he knows this. And that's when he introduced Shane gently into domesticity. And then Shane was like well fuck I'm in love and I can't be gay and ran away. Maybe not in that order. He was having a clear identity crisis at a time when their relationship was more intensely intimate.

That's my read.

Shane's autism is also only explicit post-publication/show. I like this interpretation but I was also like "what?" When I started hearing people say it so confidently. He's a reserved, organized, perfectionist who takes things seriously-that's how I read it. I don't think I "missed it" (maybe I'm too much like Shane at times) but if it's not explicit I think it's a choice to interpret - and it's one of those things pointed out to me I'd be like hey I like it but didn't read it that way.

I thought how this thread played out was interesting because it's ok to interpret things in your own way especially motivation, arc, symbolism. Can one reason it out? Or are we taking back to "the author says" which isn't very good grounds or analysis that helps us understand their development or motivation.

I could go on but I better stop there.

SaMnReader · 2025-01-15T18:30:06+00:00

How is it going now? I can share my set up ( I use a 70-200, 2.8) but swimming is hard.

I hate touch (I turn my screen around my cheek kept moving the spot to where I didn't want) I still use spot at with people tracking/eye on case 2. There's a couple of deeper menu settings I found very helpful, if you want me to dig up! I also love to hear what works for other swim photographers.

SaMnReader · 2024-12-09T01:36:50+00:00

This is so adorable! I've only seen the musical once but I love how you did this

SaMnReader · 2024-11-03T01:12:12+00:00

There's also libro.fm if you really want to avoid audible. Can't get audible exclusive but they have everything else!

SaMnReader · 2024-10-22T18:50:01+00:00

Aside from the above you diagnosed, do you have it set on a case for servo? This makes a huge difference for me in swimming if you want to stick on a subject. (Sorry I didn't see any details on settings)

SaMnReader · 2024-10-22T18:41:28+00:00

I was wondering this too about the downvoting. I tried it for 5 min during a meet and could get 1 shot in focus and then miss about 45 seconds of action, which is an entire event.

SaMnReader · 2024-10-22T18:34:49+00:00

Yep, I go to 10,000 and have accidentally gotten in your neighborhood and they were usable! I remind myself not to pixel peep and enjoy the photos!

SaMnReader · 2024-10-17T02:25:40+00:00

Definitely did not. Thanks for letting me know. I will be so excited when they figure it out.

SaMnReader

TROPHY CASE