The Athlete
(Men of the North #8)
by Elin Peer
4.5 stars ⭐⭐⭐⭐✪
When opposites meet and find that they aren't as different as they first thought
Whilst the Men of the North Books can all be read stand alone, I do think that having read at least the first few books of the series would really improve your enjoyment of this book. The Athlete is Hunter's story, he was one of the young male Nmen who attended the first cross-border school. The series, if you don't know it, is set in a dystopian future and much of the background to the world is contained in the first couple of books of the series.
I have read and loved every book I have read by this author, her characters have depth and personality and their emotions become your emotions. Hunter and Emanuela's story didn't disappoint, and there were plenty of little twists to the tale to make it feel fresh and original.
I loved how atypical a Motlander Emanuela was, it was also quite funny that she didn't appreciate the boot being on the other foot! She was so very much more used to being the one causing, rather than taking, offence. I didn't feel quite as much of a connection to Ema as I did to Hunter, but this was because of the paradoxical nature of who was more in touch with their feelings and emotions. It really brought a different feel to both the book AND the series, I love how it's constantly evolving and doesn't get stale or same old, same old.
Hunter quite simply made me melt. Who knew he had such a soft heart and caring nature under all that rugged manly Nman-ness? He totally made this book for me, he was swoony, sexy, alpha, caring and sweet all wrapped up in one gorgeous package. Oh the subtle changes that attending the mixed school has had.
Jonah, Ema's brother, really brought something special to the story too. I loved his scenes with Mila, so cute and funny. Best of all was his 'chat' with Hunter and Solo at the wedding. Wise words and advice we could all follow!
There were some wonderful glimpses of 'friends' from previous books and hints at future pairings. I am so looking forward to how THOSE stories play out. I really don't know how she does it, but this is yet another amazing book by Elin Peer.
Synopsis
How do you win a soccer game when you’re not just playing against the other team, but your captain too?
When Hunter Hercules, the biggest soccer star in the Northlands, is transferred to play in the Motherlands, he’s mad as hell. Not only is their style of soccer different, but they have mixed teams and his female captain, Emanuela, calls him unsophisticated and claims that she’s a better player than him. What a fucking joke!
The whole thing is ridiculous and infuriating to Hunter. That’s why when the soccer club sends all the players on a team-building trip, Hunter shows up determined to put the little woman in her place. It should have been easy, but Emanuela isn’t a normal sweet Motlander he can push around. She’s competitive to the bone, and when Hunter plays dirty she’s fast to adapt and hit him back tenfold.
Someone should have warned her not to mess with an Nman.
The Athlete is book #8 in Elin Peer’s highly praised series Men of the North. Readers call these books “unputdownable” because of the sharp dialogue, fast pace, and depths of the characters.
If you like strong women, alpha males, and a roller-coaster ride of emotions, then this romantic sci-fi is a safe pick for you.
Ratings
5 stars - This is a book I will not forget and would definitely read again.
4 stars - I really enjoyed this book, I might not read it again but I would definitely recommend it to others.
3 stars - This story was good but either forgettable or just very typical of its genre.
2 stars - Whilst the book was readable I either didn't enjoy parts of the plot or just could not connect to the main characters.
1 star - This is a book I simply could not finish for reasons listed in the review.
