- #1
Honestly, I was waiting to finish the novel before reviewing and rating it. Please take this review with a pinch of salt.Firstly, I think the writing and pacing is slow at the start. It has this simple flow. It drags a bit since it is all sports stuff and the shenanigans that lead to ML and MC reuniting. ML practically forces them to reunite. So you end up thinking this is a "ML corner MC" novel. Well, not really. The novel is interesting to me in its worldbuilding, the author's knowledge of swimming. I don't necessarily think it is the best novel in the world, but I am curious how the couple turns out.To me, the MC does seem very contradictory. But it is possible that he isn't sure what he wants, which can look like he is flaky. And while I don't agree with him being super passive in his previous relationships, I don't think it's wrong of him to stick to one-night stands if he is not committed. He clearly seems content with drifting along the river after having lost his direction in life after having to quit swimming. I cannot recall how he views his gender, but he definitely takes secondary genders seriously.I am still waiting to know how he had the implant (a suppressant of sorts) and yet ML smelled him. I might need to reread to check if this was answered.I thought the ML would be more of a red flag actually. However, he seems more straightforward and makes it a little obvious he wants to pursue a relationship with the MC. Try as he might, the MC desperately tries to keep it professional and wants ML to avoid the pitfalls he fell through as a fellow professional swimmer. MC has to realise that his well-being is actually important and he shouldn't be placing ML's or other's above him. This is why I disagree with him passively waiting for his partners to break up with him. It was a one way street for him, yet for the other they have to work twice as hard to maintain said street.Passive people will never succeed in romantic relationships. It sucks that no one told MC to stop this. ML is forcing MC to be more vulnerable and understanding of himself. MC values ML not just because he is The Olympic Swimmer, he feels a connection in their shared experiences as professional swimmers. There is still an age gap, and I think they are still exploring. It would be weird for both emotionally stunted and stubborn people to know how to navigate a relationship immediately. So far, I am waiting to see how they will handle the issues that come their way considering the corruption within the industry and that Spoiler
they got a BABY on the way PRECISELY because the MC f*cked himself over prioritizing ML's performance. Basically, he cannot use suppressants and did a natural heat with ML. MC later realises why ML was angry with him when ML later does the same thing lol. Lmao MC, you reap what you sow.
[collapse]I just want to note that there is a review accusing the other reviewers of being bots while insisting to not take their review personally... A quick check at some reviewers' profiles should show that they aren't bots. I don't intend to pick a fight with them as they seem defensive but reviews are supposed to be a place to review the novel. Some people are going to be vague because they don't know what to elaborate on. It is their opinion. This novel being highly rated doesn't mean it will be a guarantee that YOU will rate it high. There is no perfect novel for everyone to like, we have different tastes. Maybe this book's flaws is too much for some while others will be fine with it. I rated some books 5 stars but some don't think it deserves the 5 stars. The ratings can be arbitrary. I even changed a review from 3 to 2 stars after some time has passed. Some may change their mind later on that the novel wasn't as good as they believed. But anyway, please don't attack other reviewers here for choosing to read the novel or rating it high. Other novels can get rated 1 star for no reason, who's to say novels can get 5 star for no reason? At any rate, read the novel and judge for yourself. also editing in to say thank you for the translator for translating the novel!