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meganemarshall's review
emotional
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
I originally started this book in april, and due to reading slump, I put it down. I am so happy, I finally picked it back up! A hockey player and a firefighter!
There was no way this book couldn't be good. Aleks and Gabe were so great together. I loved their communication, and I felt that their relationship grew naturally. Just like in the first book, there was no third act break up. They had an issue that was talked out and solved it really quickly, which I loved. The banter was fun. Gabe had such a dirty mouth. As always, I loved seeing the Queer Collective. It's great to see the guys from the previous books or the series, but also from the CU hockey series as well.
I have read so many of Eden Finley and Saxon James' works. They somehow change the formula up just enough that the books don't feel bland or repetitive. I can't wait to keep reading. Quinn's book is next.
There was no way this book couldn't be good. Aleks and Gabe were so great together. I loved their communication, and I felt that their relationship grew naturally. Just like in the first book, there was no third act break up. They had an issue that was talked out and solved it really quickly, which I loved. The banter was fun. Gabe had such a dirty mouth. As always, I loved seeing the Queer Collective. It's great to see the guys from the previous books or the series, but also from the CU hockey series as well.
I have read so many of Eden Finley and Saxon James' works. They somehow change the formula up just enough that the books don't feel bland or repetitive. I can't wait to keep reading. Quinn's book is next.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Minor: Homophobia
emilygibbs's review against another edition
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Minor: Homophobia and Fire/Fire injury
maddie_0930's review
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cursing, Homophobia, Sexual content, and Abandonment
Moderate: Fire/Fire injury and Alcohol
Minor: Injury/Injury detail
lauwbinx's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cursing and Sexual content
Moderate: Abandonment
Minor: Homophobia, Infidelity, and Toxic relationship
galleytrot's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
FIRST READ: Nov 2023
SECOND READ: Dec 2023
FORMAT: Audio
ENTERTAINMENT VALUE: 3.5 / 5⭐
TECHNICAL / PRODUCTION: 3.75 / 5⭐
FINAL – OVERALL: 3.5 / 5 ⭐
FINAL – OVERALL: 3.5 / 5 ⭐
This fourth installment of the Puckboy series follows Aleks as he burst his way into the pansexual life as a freshly divorced man. Having only ever been with his high school sweetheart before, his expectations of getting out there and sowing his wild oats just don’t align with his personality and all he really wants is to experience all the things he’s never had the chance to before with Gabe, the attractive fireman who swung onto the scene when a house party got a bit out of hand. Gabe is more than happy to work Aleks through his list of firsts, even if that means immersing himself in a world of a sport he couldn’t possibly care less about.
I’m sad to say that, while I liked the characters perfectly fine, this has easily been the least memorable of the Puckboy series yet. It wasn’t bad, but I honestly couldn’t remember much of what happened once I was done reading it – the only reason I read it twice was because I later stumbled on a standalone book involving three of this one’s side characters, and I couldn’t for the life of me remember whether a particular circumstance from that book was explained in this one or not (answer: it was vaguely hinted at in a scene that was clumsily shoehorned in as setup).
This brings to light my frustration with James/Finley collaborations all taking place within an interconnected universe. Sometimes I enjoy authors’ works quite a lot, but get frustrated by the expectation that I need to read everything they write in order to understand what’s happening. My first time reading this one, it wasn’t until the third mention of Gabe’s past living arrangements (about half-way into this book) that I realized, “Holy shit, I’ve already met this book’s main character before in another book, and of course these two unrelated worlds would have to collide together so gracelessly.”
This brings to light my frustration with James/Finley collaborations all taking place within an interconnected universe. Sometimes I enjoy authors’ works quite a lot, but get frustrated by the expectation that I need to read everything they write in order to understand what’s happening. My first time reading this one, it wasn’t until the third mention of Gabe’s past living arrangements (about half-way into this book) that I realized, “Holy shit, I’ve already met this book’s main character before in another book, and of course these two unrelated worlds would have to collide together so gracelessly.”
If you want to play Six Degrees of Separation, look no further than the James/Finley book extended universe. Every character across the continent can be connected to any other character in six or fewer social connections (and let’s be real, it’s usually fewer).
This book has representation for gays and pansexuals. There is otherwise little else in the way of diversity.
The following elaborates on my content warnings. These may be interpreted as spoilers, but I do not go into deep detail.
This book contains: alcohol use; fires (minor property damage, larger emergency endangering people and animals, mentions of smoke inhalation and shock); mentions of past child abandonment rooted in homophobia; minor and moderate injuries (bruising, strain/pull), mention of past serious injury (gash, bleeding); fist-fighting; and, brief depiction of medical anxiety.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Cursing, Violence, Fire/Fire injury, Alcohol, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Homophobia, Panic attacks/disorders, Blood, and Abandonment
20sidedbi's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Minor: Biphobia, Homophobia, Infidelity, and Fire/Fire injury
rachelmichelson's review
4.0
I love these two writers, their CU series hits all the marks for me. This book was lovely. Alexs is a good egg and deserved his HEA.
But. It's also forgettable, which makes it frustrating since the charm of any multi long series is remembering supporting cast and details. You might need it later.
I couldn't figure out if I was suppose to know more about Gabe and the crumbs he would share, or we just never really get to know Gabe.
And I suppose, that's what is odd. How could this relationship go the distant, if we aren't certain they are communicating with each other.
But. It's also forgettable, which makes it frustrating since the charm of any multi long series is remembering supporting cast and details. You might need it later.
I couldn't figure out if I was suppose to know more about Gabe and the crumbs he would share, or we just never really get to know Gabe.
And I suppose, that's what is odd. How could this relationship go the distant, if we aren't certain they are communicating with each other.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia
onlyonebookshelf's review
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Content Warnings
Minor: Homophobia
aelin_morgenstern's review
emotional
funny
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Violence
Minor: Homophobia, Outing, and Injury/Injury detail
inkiereads's review
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
I was very excited to read Aleks’s story, and I’m so happy now! He and Gabe are great together, and I loved exploring their relationship. The communication was great, even if it did take some time at moments before they got there. It’s always fun to have other guys from the Collective show up, and Gabe fits right in there with the other partners!
Content Warnings
Minor: Homophobia
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