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.