So Pucked Up

Thin Ice #1

by Charity Parkerson

Hockey is all Jay knows. It’s all he loves. Then he met Callan.

Jay’s career has always been everything to him. He’s sacrificed his entire life to make his dreams of fame come true. Now that he’s on top, he’s enjoyed more than his fair share of the one-night benefits. Women come all too easily to him. Never in a million years does he dream he’ll get brought to his knees. That’s why the last thing he expects is a man to be the one who ends up making him insane, especially since he’s straight.

While Callan’s twin Cato has always been the star of the family, he hasn’t left Callan behind. Where Cato goes, Callan is along for the ride. But whereas Cato enjoys the limelight, Callan is horribly shy. He tries staying out of the way. The last thing he wants is to hurt Cato’s career by everyone learning about his gay twin. Not to mention, he doesn’t want the attention. That is until he meets Cato’s teammate, Jay. He wouldn’t mind a little of Jay’s time.

So Pucked Up is the first book in Charity Parkerson’s Thin Ice series. These are sports bi-awakenings and steamy romances meant to heat up your day.

Genres: M M Romance, Hockey, Sports, Romance, Contemporary, Sports Romance, LGBT

102 pages, Kindle Edition

Published January 22, 2024

About the author

Charity Parkerson is an award winning and multi-published author with several companies. Born with no filter from her brain to her mouth, she decided to take this odd quirk and insert it in her characters.

*Eight-time winner of Readers' Favorite Awards
*2014 Golden Ankh nominee
*2013 Readers' Favorite Award Winner
*2013 Reviewers' Choice Award Winner
*2012 ARRA Finalist for Favorite Paranormal Romance
*Five-time winner of The Mistress of the Darkpath

**Connect with her online:
Website: charityparkerson.com
Facebook: facebook.com/authorCharityParkerson
facebook.com/TheMenofSin
Twitter: twitter.com/CharityParkerso

Reviews

[ivy · Rating 2 out of 5]

The story of the golden retriever hockey player and his best friend’s tiny, artistic, pretty twin brother who awakens his bisexuality.

It’s 102 pages, you get what you get. Things move ridiculously fast. Dialogue can venture into a little cringe. I’ll still probably read the next one when I want something short to pass the time.

[Mariam, · Rating 2 out of 5]

What a great recipe for divorce

[Audi♡ · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Callan’s asshole was witchcraft. Jay didn’t stand a chance" HAHA

The Plot twist!!! Poor Cato.
Cute lil story tho 💚

[Brat · Rating 5 out of 5]

first in the thin ice series
brother's best friend
twins
almost instalove
short story enjoyable

[Sheena · Rating 2 out of 5]

2/5 stars

[Alex (HEABookNerd) · Rating 2 out of 5]

The idea behind SO PUCKED UP was really cute but the execution just wasn't there for me. The writing for the dialogue was great but the rest of the writing was awkward with choppy and extremely short sentences. Jay and Callan were really sweet together but Jay moves so fast from being a straight playboy to falling for a guy. Additionally, I admit to feeling a little cheated out of their relationship because there's a jump from their first date to 8 weeks later and they're completely devoted to each other at that point. Why didn't we get to see how their relationship developed? I don't mind insta-lust or insta-love but I also feel like we need to see why the characters are so in love with each other rather than just being told they are.

As for the plot outside of the romance, there isn't much hockey in this one but that's alright since it's a novella. We don't really meet any other characters other than Callan's twin brother, Cato, who is also teammates with Jay. Cato was very protective of his twin brother, with good reason since their father has apparently tried to kill Callan several times because Callan is gay. This bombshell was dropped with very little emotion and absolutely no follow up so it felt like it was more for shock value than anything else.

I've never read this author before so maybe their stuff just isn't for me.

Content Warning: past abusive parents

[Monikat · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a great love-at-first-sight, bi-awakened by you, feel good novella. I already know I'll be inhaling this series. These types of quick reads are perfect for my summer reading.

[Essie · Rating 2 out of 5]

This story is way to short with too much time jumps, things moving too quickly and short, choppy sentences that made this an unpleasant read for me.

[CC · Rating 3 out of 5]

It’s a short story so the romance is fast. It’s sweet and sexy and the characters are good. No over the top angst or ridiculous plot twists. Just a lovey love story.

[Kobie · Rating 3 out of 5]

9% "Callan lit a hair." I had to read this 4 times to understand what it meant. I envisioned hair on fire. An insta-love story.

[mich ⚘ · Rating 3 out of 5]

When Jay finally gets to meet his best friend and hockey teammate’s twin brother – he doesn’t expect to instantly be drawn to him. Callan is shy and is used to being protected by his brother especially after the way he was treated by their father. And, when he meets Jay, he knows he shouldn’t get attached to this straight man – but Jay is so sweet he fears it’s too late for that.

So Pucked Up was a short, sweet read with two adorable mcs. However, it was just a little *too* insta love for me. I really enjoyed the premise of the books and both main characters – but I would’ve loved the feelings to be drawn out a little longer. But, on the other hand, this is a perfect book if you’re looking for a fast paced, low angst romance book!!!

[Kris · Rating 4 out of 5]

WHAT THE FUCK!! THIS WAS TOO SHORT AND THE END HAD BEEN AUDIBLY GASPING AT WORK ;-;


*spoils*
Cato being in love with Jay was super shocking to me… im so sad that he knew what was going on and tried to suppress it. Honestly, it ruined the Jay and Callan couple to me … hopefully i will see cato get his happy ending and can feel good again ;-;
And the way callan will never know !!! Painful !!! Jay is a dummy and it’s too much ;-; i love u cato

[Maggie May · Rating 4 out of 5]

A short, cute, sweet story. Even the spicy bits seem like candy-coated peppers. The story is very bare bones, wrapped in fluff. It’s a good read when you want something quick and easy. There is a little twist at the end that seemed kind of pointless and out of nowhere, but it’s obviously a setup for the next book.

[Heather MMRomanceReviewed]

Charity Parkerson never fails to deliver a steamy story with all the feels in a short, sweet package! Coming in at right around 100 pages of instant connection and similar interests, So Pucked Up was a great, quick read with a great twist and a satisfying HEA.

I really love how all of her series flow from one book to the next and the teasers that we get with each book. I honestly usually wait to binge read the whole series so I can devour them, but I got a chance for an early peek at So Pucked Up so I took it and now I'm waiting on tinderhooks for the next book in the series to release!

[Mainely Stories · Rating 5 out of 5]

So good

This is an extremely light hearted love story Involving a hockey player and the brother of 1 of his teammates. It's fun, low angst and I can't wait for the next book in the series by one of my absolute favorite authors.

[Kristy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sweet

This was a sweet bi awakening, best friend’s brother romance. There wasn’t much hockey, but given the length of the book that was understandable. I love how much character development this author manages to squeeze into such short books - she is one of the best at this!

I’m looking forward to the next one in this series.

[Victoria · Rating 5 out of 5]

so Pucked Up

What a great book! Sometimes you just want to read a short and sweet book with no drama and a happy HEA, and this book was it. I can’t wait to read book 2. Highly recommend.

[Moomba · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fabulous start into the new series!

[Mildred · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loving this new series ❤️

[Christian · Rating 3 out of 5]

📚 Review: So Pucked Up
⭐️⭐️⭐️ / 5

The idea behind So Pucked Up was really cute; flirty hockey player meets his teammate’s shy twin brother? Yes, please. I was totally on board for the setup. And to be fair, Jay and Callan are both very sweet characters with a soft connection that could’ve been swoon-worthy.

Jay is your typical charming playboy who’s never considered being with a guy until he meets Callan. And Callan is quiet, gentle, and used to being protected by his twin brother after facing rejection and trauma from their father. Their instant attraction is clear, and there were moments of really lovely chemistry between them.

But unfortunately, the execution just didn’t fully work for me.

While the dialogue was fun and natural, the rest of the writing felt choppy — short, awkward sentences that kept pulling me out of the story. I also struggled with how fast Jay shifted from identifying as straight to being completely devoted to Callan without much emotional exploration. That could’ve been a powerful arc, but it was rushed.

And that brings me to my biggest issue: the pacing.
We go from their first date to suddenly eight weeks later and they’re fully in love and we miss all the in-between. I don’t mind a bit of insta-love, especially in a novella, but I need to see why these characters are falling for each other, not just be told that they are. I felt a little cheated out of the emotional journey.

As for the plot beyond the romance — there’s very little hockey here, which is fine, but worth noting if you're expecting a strong sports subplot. The only real side character is Callan’s twin, Cato, who’s extremely protective of him. That part made sense, especially when we find out their father has apparently tried to kill Callan multiple times because he’s gay.

Yeah. That bombshell is dropped very casually, and without much emotional weight or follow-up, so it felt more like a shock tactic than a meaningful exploration of trauma.

Final Thoughts:
So Pucked Up is a short, sweet MM novella with two lovable leads and a soft romance vibe. But for me, the pacing was too rushed and the writing style made it hard to fully sink into the story. That said, if you're in the mood for something quick, low-angst, and fluffy - and you’re okay with insta-love - it still might hit the spot.

[els✨ · Rating 4 out of 5]

- an MM romance, hockey romance, best friends brothers, instalove, bi-awakening
- love how they eventually met!!
- cheeky FaceTime in the bath, love that for them
- the way Callan trauma dumped on Jay shouldn’t of made me laugh because it was so sad but it was just so sudden
- Jay didn’t freak out as nearly as much as i thought he would figuring out he’s also attracted to men… kinda loved it
- their first date was so frickin cute!!! loved it
- amazing first time, explosive
- Jay would not be able to just leave the road trip even if it was the last night but not the end of the world
- you also can’t trade during play offs so that wouldn’t of happened yet either…..
- as soon as they said they were going to Vegas i knew what was about to happen hahahaha
- absolutely LOVE how he came out to the world
- would of loved to of seen their dick head fathers reaction… that might be in the next one?
- no third act break up besties x
- WOAH I HAD NOT SEEN THAT COMING
- aw now i just feel bad for Cato 🥺
- the wedding was so so sweet
- for 100 pages, this author packed A LOT in!!
- REALLY loved this!! super sweet and a twist i didn’t see coming!

[Lany Mills · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book is a short and sweet one, but that also means that Jay and Callan’s story wasn’t given the detail and devotion they deserve. I thought the idea was super cute and I liked the story but I feel like this was almost like the planning of the book, a lot of bone and not enough meat. The characters, especially Jay, moved so quickly in their relationship, which is to be expected since it’s so short, but the quick pace and time skips made the book an unpleasant read. Basically if the book was longer it could have been amazing but the fact that so many parts could have been so interesting had they been emphasized, for example, Cato and Callan’s home life, what their father did to callan was brushed over so quickly, also Jay being a supposed play boy and having been with so many women. “You’re really not used to having to take people on dates, are you? You just take them straight to bed.” The author should have shown this more instead of having Jay fall in love with Callan only 2 months after being with him

[Heidi · Rating 3 out of 5]

Pucking amazing (haha get it? So pucked up, pucking amazing?)

This was so pucking good! I don't usually like fast paste books (still pretty fast for my liking) but OMG! the plot twist of Cato being in love with Jay??? SHOCKED me! I loved the ending, but them getting married after only 4 months??? Like, i get it, but wheres the action? I honestly wanted to see more of how the relationship bloomed and how Cato's feelings for Jay got in the way, i wanted more drama between them, maybe someone being too touchey feely with Jay infront of Callan.

I loved the characters but once again, a bit too fast. I wouldve loved to see their dynamics with the other teammates.
(Please excuse my terrible puns)

[Caro · Rating 2 out of 5]

La idea de este libro me gusta pero creo que la ejecución no es la mejor, es un libro muy corto por lo que todas las cosas se mueven demasiado rápido y hay muchos saltos en el tiempo, se conocen y al capítulo siguiente ya llevan meses saliendo.

Debido a que es muy corto no se puede ver mucho sobre los protagonistas, Jay es el jugador de hockey estereotipado pero con personalidad de golden retriever y Callan es el introvertido y serio, siento que su relación tenía potencial.

El drama con el hermano también tenía potencial pero nos lo cuentan en dos líneas casi al final, pero algo hizo bien la autora porque ahora me veo con la necesidad de leer el siguiente para ver qué pasa con él.

[Jenna ✨DNF Queen✨Here, Sometimes... · Rating 2 out of 5]

What?!?! 🤣🤣🤣 I cannot even…

This was like cotton candy… sweet AF with the deceptive appearance of substance that’s actually all fluff and air and sugar with a slightly funny aftertaste courtesy of that bizzare last minute plot twist 😕

A WHOLE LOT happened in 102 pages, including leaving believability and realism in the dust!!! At least they ditched the condoms along the way while they rode the insta-everything rocket ship!! 🚀

TLDR: this was fun, and free, and fast… and left me laughing, not necessarily for good reasons 🤣

[Tricia Ledford · Rating 5 out of 5]

Short, spicy, and sweet.

HEA.
Third person POV.
Bi-awakening.
Jock and shy nerdy tropish.
Hurt/comfort.
No third act break up!
Fluffy, but hot.
🌶🌶🌶 3/5 for heat. Good details. Lots of feelings too.

Jay is instantly confounded when he finally meets his best friend's twin brother. Callan is a shy, beauty, with a very protective twin, but Jay can't seem to stay away from Callan. Jay is drawn to Callan in a very visceral, yet caring way. But Jay is straight.... Or is he?.... Lol, guys come on, he isn't so straight.

[☆Esme☆ · Rating 1 out of 5]

1.5⭐️⭐️

The only reason I read this was bc it's 100 pages, and i just wanted to knock something off my tbr.

I actually wouldn't recommend bc the smut wasn't even that good, and that's basically the only point of picking this book up bc it's 100 pgs of absolutely NOTHING

Best friends, brother, bi awakening hockey romance.

They literally got married after 4 months of nothing 😭

I can't really complain bc I did what It said it would...

[ Also, I'm currently just starting szn 4 of Sons Of Anarchy, so I've been in full hyperfixation mode, so I have had any time to read...]

[D. · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was short, and the relationship between Jay and Callan was a fast-paced romance. Theirs was smooth sailing without drama, so when Cato, Jay's best friend and Callan's twin brother, revealed to Jay that he was in love with him, I was shocked. I didn't see it coming. Like Jay said, he always thought Cato was straight, but he was not.

The following book will be about Cato. I hope he heals and can move on with his new life with his new club.

[Paige · Rating 4 out of 5]

Finally a book from this author that is like the old books I love so much! I’ve missed this type of writing, I feel like we haven’t had it in so long! Idk if it’s because it’s the first in a new series but it was so nice to feel like I was reading her books again!!

Loved these two characters, they were super cute together. It was short and sweet!! Hopefully this continues the rest of the series!!

[Mhor · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 stars, the reason it’s not a 3 below.

As a twin do I have thoughts.

let’s just say the shitty way Callan and Jay treated their twin and bestie isn’t ok.

Like come the fuck on. You don’t tell him you’re dating, you say he should have realised and yet you never bothered to ask him if he did or not 😩

And then throw in he’s in love with Jay. Damn

Also, unsure how we were supposed to know (or believe) that Cato was in love with Jay given he was in two seconds of the story.