Puckboys Book 9: Stubborn Puckboy by Eden Finley & Saxon James

 

Puckboys Book 9

Colby

Once upon a time, playing for the NHL was my dream. Then Radimir Novicov skated circles around me and made it clear I’d never be good enough. He was smart, talented, and worst of all–sexy. Every closeted guy knows that you don’t hit on your teammate, even if his gaze lingers longer than it should.

All it took was one drunken close call before our friendship was in tatters, he was called up to the NHL, and I was sent for further conditioning.

Playing in the NHL was off the table, so coaching became my new dream.

And seventeen years later, I’m finally heading to the big time.

Video coach. Pro level. The only downside?

It’s for Novi’s team.

Novi

Radimir Novicov is not scared of anything. I am one of the best. Future Hall of Famer. There are two years left on my contract and I will end my career on the highest high anyone did see.

Then I will slink into the shadows where no one will hear of me again.

Because while I’m playing professionally, I cannot come out and be myself. Not with my family still in Russia.

The plan has been set since I first moved to America, and I only have two years left to wait. It should be easy to focus on hockey.

Then Colby Kessinger walks back into my life. The teammate with the lopsided smiles and cocky attitude–the one who made my heart want things it can’t have.

Now two years feels like a lifetime.

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/230089014-stubborn-puckboy

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My Review: 5/5 Stars

It has been a very long time since Colby and Novi have seen one another. They were friends back when their hockey careers were just beginning, but one night caused a rift that never got to be mended after their careers continued in different directions. Now, seventeen years later, they are on the same team. Colby’s career has led him to coaching and this is the first step in a NHL coaching career. While Novi is entering the final few seasons left of his hockey playing career. All his life, Novi has kept who he was a secret. Being from Russia and being gay was not a good thing. He could not show any support to the LGBTQ community or else that could be used on the few family members he has left in Russia. He won’t take a chance on his own happiness if it means those he loves will be hurt. But with Colby back in his life, he is realizing just how lonely these years have been and just how tired he is as well. He missed his chance with Colby all those years ago. Is he truly going to miss it again? The more he is around Colby and even those of the Queer Collective, the more he starts to wonder if he wants to finally speak out before he retires. Colby never understood truly what happened that night with Novi, but he finally gets to clear the air. And in doing so, all those feelings come rushing back. But starting a relationship with Novi is a bad idea. Not just because for Novi’s reasons of hiding but even Colby’s career would be on the line as well. Is he ready to sacrifice his hard work for the possibility of a broken heart? Colby and Novi were just absolutely adorable and hilarious and just everything. I could not stop laughing with these two while also swooning at their second chance romance. I loved how they were able to find one another again and take that chance. The other best part of this book besides those two? The Queer Collective. OMG. This has to be the most chaotic I have ever seen them. And I was here for it! I could not stop laughing every time they were on the page. And with Ezra claiming Novi as his new bestie? Oh man, the Ezra shenanigans never ended. Great, great story overall! I loved being back in this world and I can’t wait for more!

I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Isle of Kala Book 1: The Way You Lie by Crea Reitan

 

Isle of Kala Book 1

Sometimes a happy ending comes with heartbreak. 

Falling in love with my father’s best friend wasn’t on my to-do list. Yes, he’s hot. Sure, I’ve been flirting with him since I was sixteen. Of course I’d be down for a little fun.

When Laiken begins returning my flirting, things get heated. It was supposed to be sexy fun and nothing more. We weren’t planning on making this a forever thing.

But falling in love isn’t a choice.

As it turns out, not everyone agrees and sometimes disapproval is loud, painful, and heartbreaking.

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/234179770-the-way-you-lie

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My Review: 4/5 Stars

In this universe of series from Crea, the Isle of Kala has been its own main character. We’ve visited the islands so many times and have met super interesting characters. And I’m so glad to see that these characters are getting their own books! We are kicking this off with Laiken and Elijah aka Lie. For those who are familiar with Crea’s books, you might remember them from a few books. Specifically from The Crease. Now we get to back up from that time to see how these two got together and what exactly happened. Laiken has been in Lie’s life since the day he was born. He is the son of Laiken’s best friend, Nathan. For a very long time, Laiken has only seen Lie as just that. His best friend’s child. But when Lie returns from college, suddenly Laiken sees him as someone completely new. An adult home and figuring out his life. It’s the first time Laiken realizes he is attracted to Lie and he knows he will never be able to do anything about it. It crosses so many lines. Meanwhile, Lie has flirted with Laiken since he was a teenager and realized he liked guys. He knew Laiken would never take it seriously, but lately he notices Laiken looking back at hime. And the moment these two cross the line and kiss, it’s all over for them. They know they can never be together for real or let Nathan know they dared be more. But before they know it, they are falling for one another. Hard. And it’s only a matter of time until everything is revealed. It was really great to get their story after getting pieces of it in other books. We know things blow up but watching these two fall in love is very sweet. They know what it will look like to others seeing them get together, but they both know the truth. This wasn’t planned nor was it ever a thing until now. We also get a piece of a few others like Cash and Onyx and that ending has me demanding for their book to come faster! Can’t wait to see what other stories get told!

I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.