Common Goal

03 · Reader evidence

What the evidence says

What readers repeatedly liked

• Likable Lead. The reviewer enjoyed the characters and found them likeable; Eric is praised as a breath of fresh air with interesting traits including demisexual tendencies, Ivy League education, and love of art and travel; The reviewer describes Eric and Kyle as lovely, wonderful men and a lovely couple. Supported by 8 sources (source 13546, source 13547, source 13548, source 13550, source 13552, source 13553, source 13554, source 13556).
• Strong Chemistry. The attraction between Eric and Kyle is described as mutual and deep; Some readers enjoy Eric and Kyle’s chemistry and compatibility, finding them sweet and cute together once they move past their insecurities; Eric and Kyle’s physical attraction is described as off the charts with terrific chemistry. Supported by 6 sources (source 13546, source 13547, source 13548, source 13552, source 13553, source 13554).
• Explicit Heat. Multiple readers praise the sex scenes as very hot and among the best in the series; The book is described as totally sexy with physical attraction off the charts and Kyle offering to help Eric in the bedroom; Kyle teaches Eric about edging, kink, and gay sex, with an emphasis on consent and fun. Supported by 4 sources (source 13547, source 13548, source 13552, source 13553).
• Complex Characters. Kyle is described as cute, sexy, and really complex by some readers who appreciate his multilingualism and hardworking nature; Both men are described as supremely well realized, with Eric struggling to reconcile career end with new love and Kyle doubting his own appeal due to his past; Secondary characters are plentiful but complex enough to be interesting, and quickly fall into place despite initial overwhelm. Supported by 3 sources (source 13547, source 13548, source 13554).
• Genre Fans. The reviewer places the series in their top five sports romance list and recommends it as a top spot entry; Reviewer found it an enjoyable addition to the hockey romance series and appreciated the evolving team dynamics; Reader says the book exceeded their low expectations and became one of their favorites in the series. Supported by 3 sources (source 13548, source 13552, source 13553).
• Explicit Comparison. The reviewer compares Common Goal favorably to Heated Rivalry, calling it almost as good; Common Goal is compared unfavorably to Reid’s Heated Rivalry, described as gentler but lacking the magic of the other book. Supported by 2 sources (source 13548, source 13550).
• Character Growth. Eric struggles to reconcile the end of his hockey life with the beginning of another and is up for the challenge despite loss of control; Reader praises the character development as great and says they liked both leads’ stories equally. Supported by 2 sources (source 13548, source 13553).
• Satisfying Ending. The reviewer calls it one of the best romances of the year and loved watching the characters fall in love; Reviewer liked how the couple worked through their issues by the end. Supported by 2 sources (source 13548, source 13552).
• Easy Comfort Read. The book is described as skip-able within the series, with multiple readers saying you can skip it without missing anything impactful for the rest of the series; Reader says the book was cute and they liked it a lot despite finding the love story and ending underwhelming. Supported by 2 sources (source 13547, source 13553).
• Distinctive Heat. The sexual progression felt organic rather than formulaic, avoiding expected patterns and not following a tick-box approach; Reader notes the book sets up Eric bottoming multiple times but never delivers that scene on the page, which was disappointing. Supported by 2 sources (source 13546, source 13553).
• Healthy Communication. By the end, the characters found ways to be open and honest with each other; All interactions, sexual and non-sexual, emphasize consent, which erased any potential discomfort from the age gap. Supported by 2 sources (source 13546, source 13554).
• Tender. The reviewer praises the small kindnesses and vulnerability imbued in the characters’ interactions; Reader describes Common Goal as a sweet book but not very memorable. Supported by 2 sources (source 13548, source 13556).

What readers repeatedly flagged

• Rushed Ending. The ending is criticized as rushed and unsatisfying, with the book ending before readers get to see the couple together in an actual relationship; Reader says it seemed like the author forgot to write an ending, and the ending massively disappointed them as underbaked; Reader says the book needed 2-3 more chapters to finish things off neatly and the epilogue relied on telling rather than showing. Supported by 4 sources (source 13547, source 13553, source 13554, source 13556).
• Weak Communication. The protagonists struggle to have open conversations about their feelings, which could have resolved conflicts earlier and raises concerns about their ability to handle difficult conversations; The central conflict relies on the characters not communicating, with miscommunication and lack of discussion dragging on for much of the book; Both characters clearly have feelings but pretend otherwise, which the reviewer finds entertaining but notes they are dumb about their feelings. Supported by 4 sources (source 13546, source 13547, source 13550, source 13553).
• Predictable Plot. A reader notes the plot feels too neat and convenient, with Eric getting everything he wanted at the first attempt with little inner turmoil; The reviewer could see the HEA coming for most of the book and found the journey neither unique nor interesting. Supported by 2 sources (source 13547, source 13554).
• Weak Plot. Readers call the plot the weakest of the series, with characters lacking real motivation or conflict and the story feeling like a rough draft; Reader felt the author didn’t put as much care into this book or these characters, citing nutrition details as evidence; The conflict resting on the age difference felt forced and flimsy, growing more tiresome toward the end. Supported by 3 sources (source 13547, source 13553, source 13554).
• Weak Chemistry. Some readers cannot stand the couple together and wish they had just remained friends, despite liking both characters individually; Reader felt the relationship was what they needed at that moment rather than a true love match, which didn’t hook them emotionally. Supported by 2 sources (source 13547, source 13553).

Where reader reactions differ

• Weak Communication. The protagonists struggle to have open conversations about their feelings, which could have resolved conflicts earlier and raises concerns about their ability to handle difficult conversations; The central conflict relies on the characters not communicating, with miscommunication and lack of discussion dragging on for much of the book; Both characters clearly have feelings but pretend otherwise, which the reviewer finds entertaining but notes they are dumb about their feelings. Supported by 4 sources (source 13546, source 13547, source 13550, source 13553).
• Explicit Comparison. The reviewer compares Common Goal favorably to Heated Rivalry, calling it almost as good; Common Goal is compared unfavorably to Reid’s Heated Rivalry, described as gentler but lacking the magic of the other book; Reader compares Common Goal’s pacing of sex scenes to Heated Rivalry, noting HR has two sex scenes in the prologue while CG’s first comes at the halfway point. Supported by 3 sources (source 13548, source 13550, source 13553).
• Easy Comfort Read. The book is described as skip-able within the series, with multiple readers saying you can skip it without missing anything impactful for the rest of the series; Reader says the book was cute and they liked it a lot despite finding the love story and ending underwhelming. Supported by 2 sources (source 13547, source 13553).
• Distinctive Heat. The sexual progression felt organic rather than formulaic, avoiding expected patterns and not following a tick-box approach; Reader notes the book sets up Eric bottoming multiple times but never delivers that scene on the page, which was disappointing. Supported by 2 sources (source 13546, source 13553).
• Weak Chemistry. Some readers cannot stand the couple together and wish they had just remained friends, despite liking both characters individually; Reader felt the relationship was what they needed at that moment rather than a true love match, which didn’t hook them emotionally. Supported by 2 sources (source 13547, source 13553).
• Tender. The reviewer praises the small kindnesses and vulnerability imbued in the characters’ interactions; Reader describes Common Goal as a sweet book but not very memorable. Supported by 2 sources (source 13548, source 13556).

Individual observations

• Weak Narration. The narrator is well-suited to Kyle but fails at voicing Eric, lacking nuance and gravitas, and makes secondary characters sound like immature teenagers.
• Flat Characters. Eric’s character arc is described as flat, with him passively letting retirement happen rather than actively planning or growing.
• Unlikable Lead. Some readers find Kyle insufferable and unlikeable, citing his financial situation and behavior as off-putting.
• Hea. The reviewer was convinced of the couple’s longevity and their HEA by the end.
• Explicit Recommendation. Readers recommend Tough Guy and Role Model as better alternatives within the same series.
• Repetitive. Reviewer grew tired of Eric’s constant back-and-forth about being with Kyle due to the age gap.
• Slow Paced. Readers describe the book as dragging, with the back-and-forth about the age gap going on far too long before the relationship progresses.
• Uneven Pacing. Multiple readers say the pacing is off, with the relationship starting very late and then rushing to the epilogue without enough time seeing the couple together.
• Strong Prose. The reviewer enjoyed the writing.
• Witty Writing. The reviewer praises the humor and fun writing, including a priceless scene where Ilya orders drinks and gives Scott a hard time.

Reader sources

1. dearauthor.com – Independent review
2. Reddit discussion
3. allaboutromance.com – Independent review
4. cannonballread.com – Independent review
5. redhairedashreads.com – Independent review
6. Reddit discussion
7. smartbitchestrashybooks.com – Independent review
8. Reddit discussion