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Puckboys #5
Clueless Puckboy
Quinn:
Straining my groin is bad enough. It puts my hockey career, my future, but even worse, my dignity on the line.
Having to get massages in that area from Vance Landon, one of the team trainers, is mortifying.
It’s impossible to hide my feelings toward him. If my constant blushing and bumbling doesn’t give it away, my body does.
It’s getting to the point where I wonder if hockey is even worth the embarrassment.
Trying to avoid him only makes him seek me out more. He’s determined to rehab my injury, but all I want is for him to leave me alone.
Or fall for me.
One or the other.
Vance:
Ayri Quinn isn’t your typical jock...except for the fact he refuses to admit when he’s injured.
I’ve seen more than enough professional sportsmen lose the career they love due to injury, and I’m not having it happen again.
Especially not when the guy in question happens to be the sweetest, most awkward, innocent jock I’ve ever met.
When a night out leads to Quinn reinjuring himself, I create a care plan that keeps me hands on, literally. Unfortunately, working with him in close proximity brings all those feelings I’ve been trying to ignore to the surface.
I just need to get him better, so he can be back on the ice and out of my bed.
Ah, my massage bed.
Because if this goes on any longer, I might mean my actual bed.
Ayri Quinn is impossible to resist.
Straining my groin is bad enough. It puts my hockey career, my future, but even worse, my dignity on the line.
Having to get massages in that area from Vance Landon, one of the team trainers, is mortifying.
It’s impossible to hide my feelings toward him. If my constant blushing and bumbling doesn’t give it away, my body does.
It’s getting to the point where I wonder if hockey is even worth the embarrassment.
Trying to avoid him only makes him seek me out more. He’s determined to rehab my injury, but all I want is for him to leave me alone.
Or fall for me.
One or the other.
Vance:
Ayri Quinn isn’t your typical jock...except for the fact he refuses to admit when he’s injured.
I’ve seen more than enough professional sportsmen lose the career they love due to injury, and I’m not having it happen again.
Especially not when the guy in question happens to be the sweetest, most awkward, innocent jock I’ve ever met.
When a night out leads to Quinn reinjuring himself, I create a care plan that keeps me hands on, literally. Unfortunately, working with him in close proximity brings all those feelings I’ve been trying to ignore to the surface.
I just need to get him better, so he can be back on the ice and out of my bed.
Ah, my massage bed.
Because if this goes on any longer, I might mean my actual bed.
Ayri Quinn is impossible to resist.
7 pages, Audible Audio
First published October 5, 2023
1189 people are currently reading
3562 people want to read
About the author
Eden Finley
70 books7,828 followersEden Finley is an Amazon bestselling author who writes steamy contemporary romances that are mostly full of snark and light-hearted fluff.
She lives to create an escape from real life for herself and her readers.
She's also an Australian girl and apologises for her Australianisms that sometimes don't make sense to anyone else.
She lives to create an escape from real life for herself and her readers.
She's also an Australian girl and apologises for her Australianisms that sometimes don't make sense to anyone else.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,187 reviews
October 11, 2023
***4.0 rating***
" Now I'm allowed to touch him? Just being in the same room together is near impossible. When I see him, I want to fix his messy hair, feel the scrape of his mustache on my lips, hook my thumb into the band of his athletic shorts, and make sure everyone knows who gets to take him home at night."
I found this book to be an incredibly delightful read. It arrived at just the right moment when I needed something to spark my interest. After finishing Avril Ashton's 'Call the Coroner,' I thought my reading slump was over. However, that turned out not to be the case. While I did read a few books after that, and some of them were quite good, I just couldn't fully immerse myself in them, as I typically do with books that I truly enjoy. So, when I had the opportunity to dive into 'Clueless Puckboy,' I approached it with a hint of hesitation.
Could this book be the cure for my reading slump? Perhaps.
'Clueless Puckboy' managed to rekindle my excitement for hockey romances. It made me look forward to picking up my next book, at the very least.
What I appreciated about this book was its sweet, straightforward, and light-hearted approach. At this moment, I'm not really in the mood for angsty reads, and 'Clueless Puckboy' provided the perfect escape from that.
Ayri Quinn's character was undeniably adorable and remarkably clueless. His awkwardness and shyness were utterly endearing, enough to bring a smile to my face. I couldn't help but laugh out loud when he went to Vance, the team trainer, to address his groin injury, as his awkwardness was cringe-worthy in the most endearing way possible. His unmistakable crush on Vance, evident from his tomato-red blushes, was heartwarming. In some ways, his character reminded me of Dex, and that was a delightful connection to make.
While not every book in this series has been a hit for me, 'Clueless Puckboy' is certainly among the top three favorites. It's cute and utterly adorable. Quinn, with his endearing awkwardness, has won a special place in my heart as the king of all things awkward. Vance was equally impressive, but Quinn, my awkward king, holds a unique spot in my affections.
If you've enjoyed previous books in this series and are in the mood for a heartwarming, fluffy, and light-hearted romance, I believe 'Clueless Puckboy' will be a satisfying read for you.
Expect:
-Low angst
-Hockey player/Team Trainer
-Mutual pining
-Forbidden love
-Workplace romance
-Close proximity
-Awkward/adorable MC
- Slight age gap
-Hurt/Comfort
-Feel-good romance
- Queer Collective (fave idiots)
I received an advance review copy for free, and this is my honest opinion/review.
" Now I'm allowed to touch him? Just being in the same room together is near impossible. When I see him, I want to fix his messy hair, feel the scrape of his mustache on my lips, hook my thumb into the band of his athletic shorts, and make sure everyone knows who gets to take him home at night."
I found this book to be an incredibly delightful read. It arrived at just the right moment when I needed something to spark my interest. After finishing Avril Ashton's 'Call the Coroner,' I thought my reading slump was over. However, that turned out not to be the case. While I did read a few books after that, and some of them were quite good, I just couldn't fully immerse myself in them, as I typically do with books that I truly enjoy. So, when I had the opportunity to dive into 'Clueless Puckboy,' I approached it with a hint of hesitation.
Could this book be the cure for my reading slump? Perhaps.
'Clueless Puckboy' managed to rekindle my excitement for hockey romances. It made me look forward to picking up my next book, at the very least.
What I appreciated about this book was its sweet, straightforward, and light-hearted approach. At this moment, I'm not really in the mood for angsty reads, and 'Clueless Puckboy' provided the perfect escape from that.
Ayri Quinn's character was undeniably adorable and remarkably clueless. His awkwardness and shyness were utterly endearing, enough to bring a smile to my face. I couldn't help but laugh out loud when he went to Vance, the team trainer, to address his groin injury, as his awkwardness was cringe-worthy in the most endearing way possible. His unmistakable crush on Vance, evident from his tomato-red blushes, was heartwarming. In some ways, his character reminded me of Dex, and that was a delightful connection to make.
While not every book in this series has been a hit for me, 'Clueless Puckboy' is certainly among the top three favorites. It's cute and utterly adorable. Quinn, with his endearing awkwardness, has won a special place in my heart as the king of all things awkward. Vance was equally impressive, but Quinn, my awkward king, holds a unique spot in my affections.
If you've enjoyed previous books in this series and are in the mood for a heartwarming, fluffy, and light-hearted romance, I believe 'Clueless Puckboy' will be a satisfying read for you.
Expect:
-Low angst
-Hockey player/Team Trainer
-Mutual pining
-Forbidden love
-Workplace romance
-Close proximity
-Awkward/adorable MC
- Slight age gap
-Hurt/Comfort
-Feel-good romance
- Queer Collective (fave idiots)
I received an advance review copy for free, and this is my honest opinion/review.
October 13, 2023
It's no secret that I absolutely love the Sadenverse, but giving me a book with SO MUCH Asher Dalton content.... I am ridiculously happy! Asher is my favourite Sadenverse character hands down so I always want more of him and Kole.
Ayri and Vance were definitely clueless, but really cute about it and this book just made me really happy. It was also refreshing how they were totally responsible about their relationship and didn't have a PR disaster like all of the other couples - even though they basically couldn't figure themselves out for the longest time, I actually feel like they had one of the healthier relationships. Quinn's fake fighting in the playoffs made me laugh too.
The only thing I can't get my head around is picturing a character with a mustache - they seriously give me that icky feeling, so in my head it just didn't exist!! It's weird because I love a good beard, but a mustache on it's own just gives me the shudders and not in a good way.
I really wish there was a book just catching up with everyone in the Collective because there isn't a single character that I don't love. Even better would be a super Sadenverse crossover/reunion with all of the CU Hockey boys, Frat Boys, Popstars and the Fake Boyfriend characters...
Ayri and Vance were definitely clueless, but really cute about it and this book just made me really happy. It was also refreshing how they were totally responsible about their relationship and didn't have a PR disaster like all of the other couples - even though they basically couldn't figure themselves out for the longest time, I actually feel like they had one of the healthier relationships. Quinn's fake fighting in the playoffs made me laugh too.
The only thing I can't get my head around is picturing a character with a mustache - they seriously give me that icky feeling, so in my head it just didn't exist!! It's weird because I love a good beard, but a mustache on it's own just gives me the shudders and not in a good way.
I really wish there was a book just catching up with everyone in the Collective because there isn't a single character that I don't love. Even better would be a super Sadenverse crossover/reunion with all of the CU Hockey boys, Frat Boys, Popstars and the Fake Boyfriend characters...
October 6, 2023
DNF at 35%, then skimmed to the end.
That's it, I give up. It's time to declare time of death on this book and this series.
The CU hockey series was damned enjoyable, because there were so many different character types and it had that lovely coming-of-age feeling. This one though? It's become carbon copies of the same overgrown men-children, the same banter, the same shenanigans, the same steam.
Asher was by far the best bit (and yes, he's from the CU series, so of course he's the one thing I could stomach 😂), because he at least has a sort of personality that isn't just banter and fun times.
Anyway, it was fun at first, but after five books of more of the same, I'm done. And I think I'm officially done with both these authors.
That's it, I give up. It's time to declare time of death on this book and this series.
The CU hockey series was damned enjoyable, because there were so many different character types and it had that lovely coming-of-age feeling. This one though? It's become carbon copies of the same overgrown men-children, the same banter, the same shenanigans, the same steam.
Asher was by far the best bit (and yes, he's from the CU series, so of course he's the one thing I could stomach 😂), because he at least has a sort of personality that isn't just banter and fun times.
Anyway, it was fun at first, but after five books of more of the same, I'm done. And I think I'm officially done with both these authors.
September 20, 2023
Clueless Puckboy is officially my favorite book in the series! I apologize in advance because this review is going to be all over the place.
Quinn!! Baby boo with his pornstache aka the king of being embarrassed. He's absolutely precious and adorable! Poor thing injured his adductor and he has a massive crush on Vance, the team trainer. So, whenever Vance has to manipulate Quinn there, you can imagine the reactions that follow, it’s priceless! Vance has a crush on Quinn too, but he started to be really interested when he overhears Quinn confessing his attraction to him to Asher. Their journey from mutual attraction to something more is just too cute for words.
Quinnie is seriously the most adorable man-child hockey player ever. His crush on Vance makes him blush and stumble over his words, and it's just the cutest sh*t ever. Sometimes, he says things that only make sense to him, like this hilarious and cute scene about cheating. He must be protected at all costs, I would literally die for him.
This book is all about forbidden love, idiots in love, and the sweet agony of mutual pining. The tension between Quinn and Vance is palpable, and their first kiss at the bridge gave me butterflies in my stomach. I literally melted! And don't even get me started on the first time they make love. It's not just physical, it's a beautiful expression of love - tender, passionate, and sweet. They fit together like puzzle pieces, and their journey unfolds naturally, step by step. They bring out the best in each other, and it's heartwarming to witness.
This book is a beautiful, feel-good, and swoon-worthy story. It's low on angst and high on positive vibes. Vance is an incredible boyfriend, always lifting Quinn's confidence and making him feel amazing. Watching their feelings grow for each other was an absolute joy.
The Queer Collective is still as hilarious as ever, and I adore each and every one of them! I love how they have Quinn's back, but also tease him about his lip sweater. Asher though! I fell in love with him all over again.
I'm already looking forward to reading the next book! Gimme, gimme! I don’t want this series to ever end, it's just too good!
[Thank you Saxon James, Eden Finley and Foreword PR for providing me with an ARC, this is my honest review]
Quinn!! Baby boo with his pornstache aka the king of being embarrassed. He's absolutely precious and adorable! Poor thing injured his adductor and he has a massive crush on Vance, the team trainer. So, whenever Vance has to manipulate Quinn there, you can imagine the reactions that follow, it’s priceless! Vance has a crush on Quinn too, but he started to be really interested when he overhears Quinn confessing his attraction to him to Asher. Their journey from mutual attraction to something more is just too cute for words.
Quinnie is seriously the most adorable man-child hockey player ever. His crush on Vance makes him blush and stumble over his words, and it's just the cutest sh*t ever. Sometimes, he says things that only make sense to him, like this hilarious and cute scene about cheating. He must be protected at all costs, I would literally die for him.
This book is all about forbidden love, idiots in love, and the sweet agony of mutual pining. The tension between Quinn and Vance is palpable, and their first kiss at the bridge gave me butterflies in my stomach. I literally melted! And don't even get me started on the first time they make love. It's not just physical, it's a beautiful expression of love - tender, passionate, and sweet. They fit together like puzzle pieces, and their journey unfolds naturally, step by step. They bring out the best in each other, and it's heartwarming to witness.
This book is a beautiful, feel-good, and swoon-worthy story. It's low on angst and high on positive vibes. Vance is an incredible boyfriend, always lifting Quinn's confidence and making him feel amazing. Watching their feelings grow for each other was an absolute joy.
The Queer Collective is still as hilarious as ever, and I adore each and every one of them! I love how they have Quinn's back, but also tease him about his lip sweater. Asher though! I fell in love with him all over again.
I'm already looking forward to reading the next book! Gimme, gimme! I don’t want this series to ever end, it's just too good!
[Thank you Saxon James, Eden Finley and Foreword PR for providing me with an ARC, this is my honest review]
October 9, 2023
i was expecting more tbh but this was still super cute and funny. that epilogue though omgggg 🥹
loved all the Queer Collective and CU Hockey cameos, they gave me life ❤️🩹
loved all the Queer Collective and CU Hockey cameos, they gave me life ❤️🩹
April 30, 2024
Reread/Relisten: April 2024:
This was pretty good the second time around, but like with book 4 this isn't one of my favorites in the series.
Now on to Bilson's book lol!
Original Read/Listen: October 2023:
Audio: 4 stars. I love Iggy Toma but Alexander Cendese isn’t a favorite of mine haha. Book can be found on Scribd as well.
Book: 3-3.5 stars
This book was cute, but I felt like it was lacking something. It was a great addition to the Collective, and maybe I would have enjoyed it more if I reread all the books before this. But for what it was it was decent, but kinda forgettable.
Haha I do always get a good laugh with all the Collective guys getting together. I definitely thought this book was better than the other Eden Finley and Saxon James books I’ve read recently so I count this as a win!
This was pretty good the second time around, but like with book 4 this isn't one of my favorites in the series.
Now on to Bilson's book lol!
Original Read/Listen: October 2023:
Audio: 4 stars. I love Iggy Toma but Alexander Cendese isn’t a favorite of mine haha. Book can be found on Scribd as well.
Book: 3-3.5 stars
This book was cute, but I felt like it was lacking something. It was a great addition to the Collective, and maybe I would have enjoyed it more if I reread all the books before this. But for what it was it was decent, but kinda forgettable.
Haha I do always get a good laugh with all the Collective guys getting together. I definitely thought this book was better than the other Eden Finley and Saxon James books I’ve read recently so I count this as a win!
October 6, 2023
The latest entry in the "Sadenverse" is a pretty straightforward, very low angst tale of hockey player Ayri Quinn and one of the physical therapists that work for his team, Vance. Both are lusting after the other, and once it's known and after a short period of trying to deny their attraction to each other (for some unknown reason), they give in, become boyfriends, and live HEA.
That's basically it, folks.
The writing is good as usual, and Quinn is at times bumbling and "clueless" (hence the book title), whereas Vance is more put together, not surprising as he's six years older. Lots of the Queer Collective show up, including Asher Dalton, who plays with Quinn for Buffalo. Seriously, with all the various series and books that are part of this shared universe, I'm considering making up a scorecard of all the characters because I'm not always remembering who is who and their particular personalities. As a comic book nerd, I love shared universes, but it's getting hard to remember all these guys.
That's basically it, folks.
The writing is good as usual, and Quinn is at times bumbling and "clueless" (hence the book title), whereas Vance is more put together, not surprising as he's six years older. Lots of the Queer Collective show up, including Asher Dalton, who plays with Quinn for Buffalo. Seriously, with all the various series and books that are part of this shared universe, I'm considering making up a scorecard of all the characters because I'm not always remembering who is who and their particular personalities. As a comic book nerd, I love shared universes, but it's getting hard to remember all these guys.
January 15, 2024
Clueless Puckboy is a quick and fun sport romance, between hockey player Quinn and one of his team trainers Vance. Despite the workplace aspect of the romance, it's low angst with our character's being mature (mainly Vance) and actually communicating to management about their relationship.
Our story starts out with a groin injury. Getting the area massaged to relieve pain is par for the course, except when you're hopelessly crushing on the person giving the massage. So, of course the only sensible option (to Quinn at least) is to avoid Vance at all costs and go to a masseuse to help with the pain. Under a fake name.
But hiding the extent of the injury leads to it getting worse and means Quinn cant avoid Vance any longer if he wants to heal his injury and play again. And it turns out his crush wasn't one-sided after all.
Our story starts out with a groin injury. Getting the area massaged to relieve pain is par for the course, except when you're hopelessly crushing on the person giving the massage. So, of course the only sensible option (to Quinn at least) is to avoid Vance at all costs and go to a masseuse to help with the pain. Under a fake name.
But hiding the extent of the injury leads to it getting worse and means Quinn cant avoid Vance any longer if he wants to heal his injury and play again. And it turns out his crush wasn't one-sided after all.
April 14, 2024
Possibly the funniest queer collective book to date 🤣
October 19, 2023
RTC.
3.75 stars.
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September 3, 2024
Same old, same old. Which isn’t necessarily bad, but not overwhelmingly good, either.
Let me start by saying that I actually made it through the audiobook, despite it being narrated partly by Alexander Cendese, whom I love to hate. Why oh why do Eden and Saxon always come back to him? Why not let Iggy Toma narrate both povs? I would have made immersing myself into the story a lot easier.
As for the story: it’s about Quinn, a hockey player with a groin injury, who’s had a crush on his team’s PT for a long time, and who tries to avoid him because he ahead pops a boner when Vance (the PT) works on him.
That is, until Vance overhears Quinn confessing his crush to his friend.
It’s… nice. Cute for the most time, although a bit silly at times, but hey… jocks, right? It’s not the best book this pair has written, but not the worst, either. Somehow these two were missing the chemistry others of their couples have.
On top of that, I haven’t read Sadenverse books for a while and I could only vaguely remember the other couples from “The Collective”, so I didn���t really properly appreciate the cameos.
It was… nice. Predictable. Ok when you're looking for something you can listen to on the side.
Let me start by saying that I actually made it through the audiobook, despite it being narrated partly by Alexander Cendese, whom I love to hate. Why oh why do Eden and Saxon always come back to him? Why not let Iggy Toma narrate both povs? I would have made immersing myself into the story a lot easier.
As for the story: it’s about Quinn, a hockey player with a groin injury, who’s had a crush on his team’s PT for a long time, and who tries to avoid him because he ahead pops a boner when Vance (the PT) works on him.
That is, until Vance overhears Quinn confessing his crush to his friend.
It’s… nice. Cute for the most time, although a bit silly at times, but hey… jocks, right? It’s not the best book this pair has written, but not the worst, either. Somehow these two were missing the chemistry others of their couples have.
On top of that, I haven’t read Sadenverse books for a while and I could only vaguely remember the other couples from “The Collective”, so I didn���t really properly appreciate the cameos.
It was… nice. Predictable. Ok when you're looking for something you can listen to on the side.
October 8, 2023
The best part of this book was the Asher Dalton cameos.
Generously giving this a 3, but I was mostly bored while reading, I didn’t really connect with either MC, and the series is starting to feel like the same thing over and over again. That’s not to say that I didn’t enjoy previous books, Aleks and Gabe’s book is a favorite of mine, but I feel like the series is following a pattern and I’m no longer in the mood for it.
Generously giving this a 3, but I was mostly bored while reading, I didn’t really connect with either MC, and the series is starting to feel like the same thing over and over again. That’s not to say that I didn’t enjoy previous books, Aleks and Gabe’s book is a favorite of mine, but I feel like the series is following a pattern and I’m no longer in the mood for it.
October 7, 2023
This was a fun enjoyable book. Always enjoy this series universe. Very light, sweet, low angst and funny. At time the humor was a bit too over the top for me but maybe that’s because I’m not 24 like the characters lol. Not my fave in the series but still really liked it
August 9, 2025
2nd time listening to this and I actually enjoyed this more this time round - lots of laugh out loud moments, I forgot how much I love Asher Dalton!
🎧 Alexander and Iggy as always ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🎧 Alexander and Iggy as always ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
October 12, 2023
this was actually very cute and endearing and maybe i liked it more than i normally would because of the previous release but whatever.
and while we’re talking about that horrible fiasco i just want to say: go sports.
and while we’re talking about that horrible fiasco i just want to say: go sports.
March 11, 2025
I stand by what I said in my first review.
Mehhhhhhhhhhhhhhh.
At least it didn't get worse 🤷🏻♀️🤷🏻♀️🤷🏻♀️
Imagine being mean to your boyfriend for 6 weeks because you are playing good hockey, and are scared if you talk/be nice to him, your hockey playing skills will decrease.
DA FUQ?
Ain't no way I woulda been that patient.
Bye bitch. 👋👋👋
Original review:
They were just kinda meh???? And when one MC was being a mutt to his boyfriend for no reason, it made no sense and I was zoning out after that. I didn’t hate it. But just needed some zing in this book considering it’s like 5 books deep, author should spice things up in the way the stories roll out?? I don’t know. Banter was still good.
And I always love the inclusions of the collective boys.
Mehhhhhhhhhhhhhhh.
At least it didn't get worse 🤷🏻♀️🤷🏻♀️🤷🏻♀️
Imagine being mean to your boyfriend for 6 weeks because you are playing good hockey, and are scared if you talk/be nice to him, your hockey playing skills will decrease.
DA FUQ?
Ain't no way I woulda been that patient.
Bye bitch. 👋👋👋
Original review:
They were just kinda meh???? And when one MC was being a mutt to his boyfriend for no reason, it made no sense and I was zoning out after that. I didn’t hate it. But just needed some zing in this book considering it’s like 5 books deep, author should spice things up in the way the stories roll out?? I don’t know. Banter was still good.
And I always love the inclusions of the collective boys.
October 4, 2023
THIS BOOK WAS JUST A RIOT AND I LOVED IT!
So much fun.
Ayri Quinn is the most adorable member of the Queer Collective to ever get a crush on his team trainer and his bumbling tongue-tied attempts to ignore Vance leave him flustered and aching.
For a while, i wasn’t sure how much Eden and Saxon were going to draw out the fact he couldn’t really get himself untangled whenever Vance is around, but fortunately it’s not enough to make it become annoying.
Vance has also been doing his best to avoid the attraction he has for Quinn, sure that it doesn’t mean anything when the younger man gets hard each time he has to work on him. After all, it’s a natural reaction when you’re getting a bone deep massage right?!
Eventually though, these two clueless numpties realise they like each other, and after a brief kerfuffle over the protocols of dating in the workplace, they get together when Vance takes Quinn on a very cute walk to look at a bridge while they’re on an away trip to New York.
I couldn’t help but laugh throughout this book as Quinn’s youthfulness and general lack of experience in dating results in a number of daft conversations, funny incidents and other humorous events that see Vance falling more deeply for him every time he fumbles his way through starting dating.
There’s never any meanness, though, and Quinn, while a touch naive, isn’t stupid, and Vance never lets him forget that he’s talented, a skillful player with a great future ahead of him – if he can get out of his head.
One place Quinn’s not naive is in the bedroom and he bosses Vance like a Sgt Major, burning up the sheets with confidence and attention to detail.
They switch things up and the playful nature of their sexual relationship is grounded in their growing emotional connection.
With plenty of other Queer Collective members on hand to add their usual helpful snark and support, the latest Puckboys novel sits well in the series as a whole and brings its own little surprise as to where things might go next.
No spoilers but let’s say I’m really hoping we do get it!
So much fun.
Ayri Quinn is the most adorable member of the Queer Collective to ever get a crush on his team trainer and his bumbling tongue-tied attempts to ignore Vance leave him flustered and aching.
For a while, i wasn’t sure how much Eden and Saxon were going to draw out the fact he couldn’t really get himself untangled whenever Vance is around, but fortunately it’s not enough to make it become annoying.
Vance has also been doing his best to avoid the attraction he has for Quinn, sure that it doesn’t mean anything when the younger man gets hard each time he has to work on him. After all, it’s a natural reaction when you’re getting a bone deep massage right?!
Eventually though, these two clueless numpties realise they like each other, and after a brief kerfuffle over the protocols of dating in the workplace, they get together when Vance takes Quinn on a very cute walk to look at a bridge while they’re on an away trip to New York.
I couldn’t help but laugh throughout this book as Quinn’s youthfulness and general lack of experience in dating results in a number of daft conversations, funny incidents and other humorous events that see Vance falling more deeply for him every time he fumbles his way through starting dating.
There’s never any meanness, though, and Quinn, while a touch naive, isn’t stupid, and Vance never lets him forget that he’s talented, a skillful player with a great future ahead of him – if he can get out of his head.
One place Quinn’s not naive is in the bedroom and he bosses Vance like a Sgt Major, burning up the sheets with confidence and attention to detail.
They switch things up and the playful nature of their sexual relationship is grounded in their growing emotional connection.
With plenty of other Queer Collective members on hand to add their usual helpful snark and support, the latest Puckboys novel sits well in the series as a whole and brings its own little surprise as to where things might go next.
No spoilers but let’s say I’m really hoping we do get it!
April 11, 2024
“This isn’t some insecure you’re not good enough to be with me kind of deal, is it? Because I have to say, neither of us are perfect, but I’m really beginning to believe we might be perfect for each other.” And I think I just fell in love with him.
Clueless Puckboy by Eden Finley and Saxon James is the fifth book in the Puckboys series of standalone (but interlinked) MM books, following the life and loves of teammates and rivals in the NHL.
This series follows on as a spin-off to Eden and Saxon's delicious CU Hockey series, hence we get some glorious cameo appearances from the boys in the Collective to enjoy!
This is Quinn and Vance's story.
Ayri Quinn is the sweetest, most awkward, innocent jocks ever and Vance Landon is one of the team trainers. When Quinn injures his groin, Vance has to get really up close and personal with the injury and in a forced priximity situation, lines begin to get blurred and feeling from both guys start rising (excuse the pun) to the surface.....
Another classic sports romance from the formidable Finley/James combo - fun, easy reading, low angst and a HEA. Perfect!
4 steamy stars ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Clueless Puckboy by Eden Finley and Saxon James is the fifth book in the Puckboys series of standalone (but interlinked) MM books, following the life and loves of teammates and rivals in the NHL.
This series follows on as a spin-off to Eden and Saxon's delicious CU Hockey series, hence we get some glorious cameo appearances from the boys in the Collective to enjoy!
This is Quinn and Vance's story.
Ayri Quinn is the sweetest, most awkward, innocent jocks ever and Vance Landon is one of the team trainers. When Quinn injures his groin, Vance has to get really up close and personal with the injury and in a forced priximity situation, lines begin to get blurred and feeling from both guys start rising (excuse the pun) to the surface.....
Another classic sports romance from the formidable Finley/James combo - fun, easy reading, low angst and a HEA. Perfect!
4 steamy stars ⭐⭐⭐⭐
October 8, 2023
Pretty on par with the rest of the series. I liked the tension in the beginning but lost interest in the second half once they got together. Then I was pretty much just skimming between mentions of Asher Dalton, who was my fave from the CU series. This felt like it followed a pretty similar formula to other reads by these authors and the characters felt a bit recycled, with the moustache being the most interesting new feature. There was a lot of character input from the Queer Collective, they basically carried the story in the second half. I liked the premise but the forbidden aspect got sorted out pretty quick with no real impact and I guess I just wanted more oomph and character development there over the mindless banter. This was an easy, predictable read.
September 19, 2023
3.5 stars rounded up for all the tiny Asher scenes because he is everything to me.
This was really fun and really cute it just didn't stand out as much as some of the others in the series. Ayri is the biggest sweetheart on earth, and his friendship with Ezra and Asher was my favourite thing in this book.
The relationship between Vance and Ayri is super cute. As always with these, it was super low angst and easy to knock out in one sitting. If you're looking for a fast and fluffy read, then this should do the job.
*I received an arc in exchange for an honest review*
This was really fun and really cute it just didn't stand out as much as some of the others in the series. Ayri is the biggest sweetheart on earth, and his friendship with Ezra and Asher was my favourite thing in this book.
The relationship between Vance and Ayri is super cute. As always with these, it was super low angst and easy to knock out in one sitting. If you're looking for a fast and fluffy read, then this should do the job.
*I received an arc in exchange for an honest review*
October 14, 2024
Re-read on Oct 14th/24
Yeah, I'm definitely bumping down this rating to 2⭐.
It started out good enough, Quinn is the mustache guy from the previous book, he's Asher's best friend and has a total crush on the team's athletic trainer Vance.
What I thought was going to be a sexy, fun story about them hooking up and falling for each other, again turned out to be just an overused bunch of terrible dialogues, developments and an awkward chemistry between the main characters.
Sure, the sex was good enough, but what good does that do if most of the time you're feeling like you're reading about a couple of 15 year olds? I wasn't sold on their relationship, I couldn't feel the passion beyond that bridge moment with the video sex, that was basically the only time I was excited to see them together.
“And now you think I’m an idiot. I mean, I am one, but now you know it too.”
His thumb rubs over my cheek. “Oh, Quinnie, honey, my clueless boy… I already knew you were an idiot.”
The description of the hockey games and everything connected to them
"During our break in between periods, Vance, Boone, and O’Hennessy tape, massage, and ice our boo- boos while Coach gives us a “This is your moment” speech."
I mean who'd want to read 300 pages of that?? You can't take this seriously. This is fangirling and nothing more.
"We might be a group of completely egotistical, irresponsible, shameless, foolish, and clueless fuckboys, but I wouldn’t change any of them for the world."
Yeah, no. 😐
______________________________
Original review on Oct 8th/23
Not reaching 3⭐, but I'm leaving it, because I like this series and all connected to it, I like this hockey Universe and the characters in it, but oh my god, this was even worse than Oskar and Lane.
Asher saved this book. I wanted to DNF this book at 40%, because I knew already it wasn't going to work.
🔵 Hockey player / team's athletic trainer
🟢 Age gap - 6 years 24/30
🟡 Secret relationship
🟣 Pining
🔵 Sports injury, a bit of forced proximity
🟠 Stilted dialogues, just weird, I didn't like it
🌶️ Smut kind of good, a couple of sex scenes, descriptive; oral, penetrative, both vers
The only thing I liked was that first sex scene between Quinn and Vance, other than that everything was completely boring and not memorable.
So many cringe dialogues, monologues, Vance talking to the boss about a potential relationship was weird, I mean I understand letting them know about an actual relationship, but a hook-up? Do you really have to let them know you fucked someone in your free time?
I couldn't decide if I liked Quinn or not, is he innocently sweet, is he kind of sexy or is he just immature? That last testing of their relationship with him acting out was completely immature. Faking fights to get his mojo on and then having the worst hate sex in the history of hockey books.
"Yet, with every new detail I learn about him, the more I find him irresistibly sexy. Even his lack of knowledge when it comes to female anatomy is somehow charming."
Whaaaaat. 😆
Boy, bye.
BYE.
Yeah, I'm definitely bumping down this rating to 2⭐.
It started out good enough, Quinn is the mustache guy from the previous book, he's Asher's best friend and has a total crush on the team's athletic trainer Vance.
What I thought was going to be a sexy, fun story about them hooking up and falling for each other, again turned out to be just an overused bunch of terrible dialogues, developments and an awkward chemistry between the main characters.
Sure, the sex was good enough, but what good does that do if most of the time you're feeling like you're reading about a couple of 15 year olds? I wasn't sold on their relationship, I couldn't feel the passion beyond that bridge moment with the video sex, that was basically the only time I was excited to see them together.
“And now you think I’m an idiot. I mean, I am one, but now you know it too.”
His thumb rubs over my cheek. “Oh, Quinnie, honey, my clueless boy… I already knew you were an idiot.”
The description of the hockey games and everything connected to them
"During our break in between periods, Vance, Boone, and O’Hennessy tape, massage, and ice our boo- boos while Coach gives us a “This is your moment” speech."
I mean who'd want to read 300 pages of that?? You can't take this seriously. This is fangirling and nothing more.
"We might be a group of completely egotistical, irresponsible, shameless, foolish, and clueless fuckboys, but I wouldn’t change any of them for the world."
Yeah, no. 😐
______________________________
Original review on Oct 8th/23
Not reaching 3⭐, but I'm leaving it, because I like this series and all connected to it, I like this hockey Universe and the characters in it, but oh my god, this was even worse than Oskar and Lane.
Asher saved this book. I wanted to DNF this book at 40%, because I knew already it wasn't going to work.
🔵 Hockey player / team's athletic trainer
🟢 Age gap - 6 years 24/30
🟡 Secret relationship
🟣 Pining
🔵 Sports injury, a bit of forced proximity
🟠 Stilted dialogues, just weird, I didn't like it
🌶️ Smut kind of good, a couple of sex scenes, descriptive; oral, penetrative, both vers
The only thing I liked was that first sex scene between Quinn and Vance, other than that everything was completely boring and not memorable.
So many cringe dialogues, monologues, Vance talking to the boss about a potential relationship was weird, I mean I understand letting them know about an actual relationship, but a hook-up? Do you really have to let them know you fucked someone in your free time?
I couldn't decide if I liked Quinn or not, is he innocently sweet, is he kind of sexy or is he just immature? That last testing of their relationship with him acting out was completely immature. Faking fights to get his mojo on and then having the worst hate sex in the history of hockey books.
"Yet, with every new detail I learn about him, the more I find him irresistibly sexy. Even his lack of knowledge when it comes to female anatomy is somehow charming."
Whaaaaat. 😆
Boy, bye.
BYE.
July 15, 2024
By now I already know what to expect when I pick up a Saden book but wow this was even more bland than usual. There was nothing significant happening and it felt very repetitive. I get that the authors probably were going for low angst, sweet and what not but this did not deliver.
The first half of the book was extra frustrating because it just kept going back and forth without building any proper connection between the two mcs. The second half, while significantly better than the first, was just there. It had its moments but nothing worth remembering.
The first half of the book was extra frustrating because it just kept going back and forth without building any proper connection between the two mcs. The second half, while significantly better than the first, was just there. It had its moments but nothing worth remembering.
September 2, 2024
3 ⭐️
Spice: 🌶️🌶️.5/5
Format: audiobook
Narration: 🎤🎤🎤/5
“We might be a group of completely egotistical, irresponsible, shameless, foolish, and clueless fuckboys, but I wouldn’t change any of them for the world.”
This was leagues better than Oskar’s book, but honestly I was still pretty bored. I think I’m at the point where all the couples and relationships and hockey games are just blurring together.
Ayri and Vance were cute, but nothing super groundbreaking happened with them. Ayri’s shyness was super similar to Aleks’s. Vance was pretty much a carbon copy of Lane. There was a lot less spice in this book than the others, and it was pretty boring. I didn’t feel the chemistry between them at all. And there was way too much Ezra in this book.
But there were definitely some perks. Asher Dalton! So, so much Asher Dalton. He’s just so babygirl, and I am obsessed with him. I was more excited about the scenes with him and Kole than I was the main characters. And then at the end when he credited West for his Stanley Cup win, I only teared up a whole lot. Also Cody Bilson! Cody talking about Miles Olsen! Easily four of my top favorites from the Sadenverse.
The only book I have left in this series is Tripp and Dex’s, and I’m fairly certain I’m going to love it because best friends to lovers is elite. I don’t think it’s going to beat out Bromantic Puckboy though. I can’t believe that was my first Sadenverse book and remains to be my favorite after all this time. Miles and Bilson are just THAT couple.
I rated this three stars mostly based on the other characters and things happening outside of the relationship. I just finished this book and I already forgot everything to do with Ayri and Vance.
Spice: 🌶️🌶️.5/5
Format: audiobook
Narration: 🎤🎤🎤/5
“We might be a group of completely egotistical, irresponsible, shameless, foolish, and clueless fuckboys, but I wouldn’t change any of them for the world.”
This was leagues better than Oskar’s book, but honestly I was still pretty bored. I think I’m at the point where all the couples and relationships and hockey games are just blurring together.
Ayri and Vance were cute, but nothing super groundbreaking happened with them. Ayri’s shyness was super similar to Aleks’s. Vance was pretty much a carbon copy of Lane. There was a lot less spice in this book than the others, and it was pretty boring. I didn’t feel the chemistry between them at all. And there was way too much Ezra in this book.
But there were definitely some perks. Asher Dalton! So, so much Asher Dalton. He’s just so babygirl, and I am obsessed with him. I was more excited about the scenes with him and Kole than I was the main characters. And then at the end when he credited West for his Stanley Cup win, I only teared up a whole lot. Also Cody Bilson! Cody talking about Miles Olsen! Easily four of my top favorites from the Sadenverse.
The only book I have left in this series is Tripp and Dex’s, and I’m fairly certain I’m going to love it because best friends to lovers is elite. I don’t think it’s going to beat out Bromantic Puckboy though. I can’t believe that was my first Sadenverse book and remains to be my favorite after all this time. Miles and Bilson are just THAT couple.
I rated this three stars mostly based on the other characters and things happening outside of the relationship. I just finished this book and I already forgot everything to do with Ayri and Vance.
April 28, 2024
Adorable and funny 🫶 + Short and entertaining 👌
I laughed several times 😄
4.5⭐️’s
I laughed several times 😄
4.5⭐️’s
September 12, 2023
Another great book in the Puckboys series, Saxon James and Eden Finley write these books incredibly well and each time I’m left wanting the next instalment.
Vance and Ayri are adorable, poor Ayri just can’t catch a break with his embarrassing moments around Vance. So many cringey moments and I loved all of them!
This is a fun low angst hockey romance with great main character and an an awesome supporting cast.
Vance and Ayri are adorable, poor Ayri just can’t catch a break with his embarrassing moments around Vance. So many cringey moments and I loved all of them!
This is a fun low angst hockey romance with great main character and an an awesome supporting cast.
October 4, 2023
I'll start off by saying that I'm a fan of Saxon and Eden. I've enjoyed all their books so far, but this one, in my opinion, hasn't been up to the level of the previous ones in this series.
Quinn is an ice-hockey player who injures himself. He doesn't want to say anything to the team trainers because he's got a crush on Vance, one of the trainers. Every time Quinn gets a massage from Vance he gets way too excited and the situation becomes very embarrassing for him. Eventually the injury gets worse and he can't hide it any longer.
And to be honest, that is basically the story. Quinn and Vance danced around each other for half of the book and nothing really happened during that time. There was not a major conflict, none of the MCs had a past trauma that made them act up or anything. They were just two guys trying to keep their distance because they worked together and work romances, if they don't end up working, can be difficult to deal with.
Like I said, I like these authors but I found this book lacking on the plot side. The development of the story was slow and I was left feeling like I never got to really know Vance. The reader gets a lot of info on what was going on in Quinn's head, how he felt and why he acted the way he did, more or less. Vance, however, was kind of a mystery.
I found Quinn's inability of speaking a full sentence around Vance very cute, and there were a few funny scenes because Quinn was sort of naive and certainly very clueless. Vance was the perfect boyfriend, too perfect if I can say so, therefore there was not even a small fight or misunderstanding between them. I like low angst stories, but I always expect some emotional moments or low key conflict of some sort.
I can say the book was ok. I like the writing style of the authors and the story was entertaining but it didn't make me feel much. There were not intense emotions involving the love story between the MCs or a hooking plot. Overall, I liked it but it wasn't the best book by them.
Quinn is an ice-hockey player who injures himself. He doesn't want to say anything to the team trainers because he's got a crush on Vance, one of the trainers. Every time Quinn gets a massage from Vance he gets way too excited and the situation becomes very embarrassing for him. Eventually the injury gets worse and he can't hide it any longer.
And to be honest, that is basically the story. Quinn and Vance danced around each other for half of the book and nothing really happened during that time. There was not a major conflict, none of the MCs had a past trauma that made them act up or anything. They were just two guys trying to keep their distance because they worked together and work romances, if they don't end up working, can be difficult to deal with.
Like I said, I like these authors but I found this book lacking on the plot side. The development of the story was slow and I was left feeling like I never got to really know Vance. The reader gets a lot of info on what was going on in Quinn's head, how he felt and why he acted the way he did, more or less. Vance, however, was kind of a mystery.
I found Quinn's inability of speaking a full sentence around Vance very cute, and there were a few funny scenes because Quinn was sort of naive and certainly very clueless. Vance was the perfect boyfriend, too perfect if I can say so, therefore there was not even a small fight or misunderstanding between them. I like low angst stories, but I always expect some emotional moments or low key conflict of some sort.
I can say the book was ok. I like the writing style of the authors and the story was entertaining but it didn't make me feel much. There were not intense emotions involving the love story between the MCs or a hooking plot. Overall, I liked it but it wasn't the best book by them.
July 22, 2024
3.75⭐
I will consider this one as my comfort book from the whole series, it was so cute with really mature characters. I loved Vance and Quinn relationship among their personalities.
It had some boring moments though and many unnecessary hockey talks, but it's still enjoyable for me.
“This isn’t some insecure you’re not good enough to be with me kind of deal, is it? Because I have to say, neither of us are perfect, but I’m really beginning to believe we might be perfect for each other.”
And I think I just fell in love with him.
Series rating:
1_ Egotistical Puckboy. 3.5⭐
2_ Irresponsible Puckboy. 3⭐
3_ Shameless Puckboy. 4⭐
4_ Foolish Puckboy. 2.5⭐
5_ Clueless Puckboy. 3.75⭐
***
I heard it's the slowest in the series and had less smut, so I hope it will be my favorite.
And Why's Quinn so cute??
I will consider this one as my comfort book from the whole series, it was so cute with really mature characters. I loved Vance and Quinn relationship among their personalities.
It had some boring moments though and many unnecessary hockey talks, but it's still enjoyable for me.
“This isn’t some insecure you’re not good enough to be with me kind of deal, is it? Because I have to say, neither of us are perfect, but I’m really beginning to believe we might be perfect for each other.”
And I think I just fell in love with him.
Series rating:
1_ Egotistical Puckboy. 3.5⭐
2_ Irresponsible Puckboy. 3⭐
3_ Shameless Puckboy. 4⭐
4_ Foolish Puckboy. 2.5⭐
5_ Clueless Puckboy. 3.75⭐
***
I heard it's the slowest in the series and had less smut, so I hope it will be my favorite.
And Why's Quinn so cute??
October 6, 2023
Tropes: workplace romance, found family
Feels: 3/5
Steam*: 3/5
Kinks: no
Angst: low
HEA: yes
Pairing: MM
Triggers/potential icks/content warnings: none
I love Saxon and Eden's books. But this book was disappointing to me.
Ayri is an awkward, innocent/naive, baby-faced NHL player who is not confident in himself. He's 24. He's gay, doesn't do hookups, has only had one serious boyfriend it seems. He spent a lot of time in the AHL and is scared that he's going to be sent back there. He gets a groin injury and he wants to hide it because he's afraid to seem weak and get sent down to the AHL and he's also wildly attracted to the trainer and gets hard every time the trainer touches him. Been crushing on him for a year.
Vance is the trainer, he's 30. He's attracted to Ayri but he's very professional, so he doesn't want to do anything about it, and he doesn't look too hard at Ayri.
They try to stay away from each other for quite a while. But then decide to just give in. They notify management and do it by the books so that there won't be any HR or PR trouble with their relationship. Vance is very mature and insists. They get serious over time.
There were some nice things about this book. There's a lot of lovable characters. Ezra and Anton are my BABIES, and they had some lovely cameos. It's nice to see the QC guys again, especially Asher because we haven't seen that much of him. There were some great moments from him, especially is instinctive yelling of eat s*** and die in all kinds of situations. There are some great moments of chaos and humor.
I'm conflicted about what to rate this book because there were a lot of little moments that I enjoyed, but looking back at what I liked, most of those were comedic moments or queer collective moments. If I'm just judging this book based on Ayri and Vance's characters and their relationship together, then this is 3 stars.
The problem with this book in my eyes was relationship development:
- At the 35% mark, they aren't anywhere near developing a romantic relationship, Ayri isn't even comfortable enough to communicate with Vance. Asher has to steal his phone and text for him.
- At the 41% mark, Vance comments that he misses Ayri, but they haven't at that point even really spent time with each other in a friend or romantic capacity so the expression of that emotion seems too soon. Though, frustratingly, you would as a reader want more development by the 41% mark, so it's bad that they haven't developed the relationship enough for it to be believable by that mark.
- At the 45% mark, Ayri is thinking that Vance only really likes him because he knows about the crush he has on Vance, and is available. I think that's telling, that there hasn't been enough happening between the two of them during that 45% for Ayri to be convinced Vance has feelings. I, as the reader, am not convinced that Vance has feelings at this point. Vance could take it or leave it easily.
- At 48% - This book has already built almost zero chemistry between these characters. And at the 48% mark, their first hookup is them going to their separate hotel rooms to have a planned FaceTime jerk off? When the book is already struggling to build that intimacy and you have them race AWAY from each other in order to just look at eachother physically, you're not building closeness between those characters. It's just physical.
- Their hookups are so premeditated and controlled. They aren't spontaneous or emotional until the very end of the book. That kills the sense of the intensity of their feelings. I'm not expecting them to be in love at this point, but feelings in the early stages of the relationship should still be intense and not ambivalent. For example, at the 63% mark, they are literally on day one of being able to touch each other and Vance is turning down sex. He's so cool and above it all, he's insisting that day two involve non-sexual activity. He's not immersed in emotion, he's not lost in Ayri.
I think around the 70% mark the relationship development started to get more believable. There seemed to be more of a balance of sex, non-sexual intimacy, knowing each other, and feeling for each other. But it felt like the first 70% of the book was just wasted opportunity to build a connection. I'm fine with a slow burn, but when 3/4 of the book doesn't even feel like it's developing the relationship and you only have the last 25% of the book to do all that work, it's just too little too late.
So, anyway... I have conflicted feelings about this book. A bunch of things that I liked about it, but not the relationship development between Ayri and Vance, which is the most important thing to get right.
Some notable moments:
"“Try to think of unsexy thoughts and keep my dick from getting hard. For a while, hippos wearing tutus did it. I’ve also gone through thoughts of my grandparents having sex, the nature channel—you know, where they’re all like, ‘Look at this family of cute little penguins. Now here’s a huge-ass sea lion eating the babies in front of their mothers.’ I’m scared I’m going to have to start thinking about snuff films and cannibalism soon. The hippos aren’t cutting it anymore.” Ezra blinks at me."
"“I’m not giving any of you the details. My point of this call isn’t Vance. It’s something he said.” “Do me harder?” Oskar asks. “That’s not where that goes?” Ezra says. “I hate you all,” I grumble."
"Ezra snorts. “I offered you an orgy. What, like that’s not enough for you?” “And I offered you a black eye,” Soren throws back. “That’s still on the table, anytime you want it.” Anton grabs Ezra’s waist and pulls him into his lap, and whatever he says into Ezra’s ear has the man melting. Dear fucking god, the evil that must exist in one person to be able to control Ezra fucking Palaszczuk."
*FYI about steam: I rate steam based on a combination of quality & quantity. I note kink separate from steam because I don't want to underrate steamy reads that don't have much kink.
**Note about spoilers: I like to comment on the plot of a book in reviews, so I almost always mark my reviews as containing spoilers. But I try to avoid spoiling the big dramatic moments! As a reader, I personally like to know what I'm getting into before I read a book so I know more about the content and if it's to my taste/mood, so I try to give that information in my reviews for myself when I'm considering rereading and also for other readers.
Feels: 3/5
Steam*: 3/5
Kinks: no
Angst: low
HEA: yes
Pairing: MM
Triggers/potential icks/content warnings: none
I love Saxon and Eden's books. But this book was disappointing to me.
Ayri is an awkward, innocent/naive, baby-faced NHL player who is not confident in himself. He's 24. He's gay, doesn't do hookups, has only had one serious boyfriend it seems. He spent a lot of time in the AHL and is scared that he's going to be sent back there. He gets a groin injury and he wants to hide it because he's afraid to seem weak and get sent down to the AHL and he's also wildly attracted to the trainer and gets hard every time the trainer touches him. Been crushing on him for a year.
Vance is the trainer, he's 30. He's attracted to Ayri but he's very professional, so he doesn't want to do anything about it, and he doesn't look too hard at Ayri.
They try to stay away from each other for quite a while. But then decide to just give in. They notify management and do it by the books so that there won't be any HR or PR trouble with their relationship. Vance is very mature and insists. They get serious over time.
There were some nice things about this book. There's a lot of lovable characters. Ezra and Anton are my BABIES, and they had some lovely cameos. It's nice to see the QC guys again, especially Asher because we haven't seen that much of him. There were some great moments from him, especially is instinctive yelling of eat s*** and die in all kinds of situations. There are some great moments of chaos and humor.
I'm conflicted about what to rate this book because there were a lot of little moments that I enjoyed, but looking back at what I liked, most of those were comedic moments or queer collective moments. If I'm just judging this book based on Ayri and Vance's characters and their relationship together, then this is 3 stars.
The problem with this book in my eyes was relationship development:
- At the 35% mark, they aren't anywhere near developing a romantic relationship, Ayri isn't even comfortable enough to communicate with Vance. Asher has to steal his phone and text for him.
- At the 41% mark, Vance comments that he misses Ayri, but they haven't at that point even really spent time with each other in a friend or romantic capacity so the expression of that emotion seems too soon. Though, frustratingly, you would as a reader want more development by the 41% mark, so it's bad that they haven't developed the relationship enough for it to be believable by that mark.
- At the 45% mark, Ayri is thinking that Vance only really likes him because he knows about the crush he has on Vance, and is available. I think that's telling, that there hasn't been enough happening between the two of them during that 45% for Ayri to be convinced Vance has feelings. I, as the reader, am not convinced that Vance has feelings at this point. Vance could take it or leave it easily.
- At 48% - This book has already built almost zero chemistry between these characters. And at the 48% mark, their first hookup is them going to their separate hotel rooms to have a planned FaceTime jerk off? When the book is already struggling to build that intimacy and you have them race AWAY from each other in order to just look at eachother physically, you're not building closeness between those characters. It's just physical.
- Their hookups are so premeditated and controlled. They aren't spontaneous or emotional until the very end of the book. That kills the sense of the intensity of their feelings. I'm not expecting them to be in love at this point, but feelings in the early stages of the relationship should still be intense and not ambivalent. For example, at the 63% mark, they are literally on day one of being able to touch each other and Vance is turning down sex. He's so cool and above it all, he's insisting that day two involve non-sexual activity. He's not immersed in emotion, he's not lost in Ayri.
I think around the 70% mark the relationship development started to get more believable. There seemed to be more of a balance of sex, non-sexual intimacy, knowing each other, and feeling for each other. But it felt like the first 70% of the book was just wasted opportunity to build a connection. I'm fine with a slow burn, but when 3/4 of the book doesn't even feel like it's developing the relationship and you only have the last 25% of the book to do all that work, it's just too little too late.
So, anyway... I have conflicted feelings about this book. A bunch of things that I liked about it, but not the relationship development between Ayri and Vance, which is the most important thing to get right.
Some notable moments:
"“Try to think of unsexy thoughts and keep my dick from getting hard. For a while, hippos wearing tutus did it. I’ve also gone through thoughts of my grandparents having sex, the nature channel—you know, where they’re all like, ‘Look at this family of cute little penguins. Now here’s a huge-ass sea lion eating the babies in front of their mothers.’ I’m scared I’m going to have to start thinking about snuff films and cannibalism soon. The hippos aren’t cutting it anymore.” Ezra blinks at me."
"“I’m not giving any of you the details. My point of this call isn’t Vance. It’s something he said.” “Do me harder?” Oskar asks. “That’s not where that goes?” Ezra says. “I hate you all,” I grumble."
"Ezra snorts. “I offered you an orgy. What, like that’s not enough for you?” “And I offered you a black eye,” Soren throws back. “That’s still on the table, anytime you want it.” Anton grabs Ezra’s waist and pulls him into his lap, and whatever he says into Ezra’s ear has the man melting. Dear fucking god, the evil that must exist in one person to be able to control Ezra fucking Palaszczuk."
*FYI about steam: I rate steam based on a combination of quality & quantity. I note kink separate from steam because I don't want to underrate steamy reads that don't have much kink.
**Note about spoilers: I like to comment on the plot of a book in reviews, so I almost always mark my reviews as containing spoilers. But I try to avoid spoiling the big dramatic moments! As a reader, I personally like to know what I'm getting into before I read a book so I know more about the content and if it's to my taste/mood, so I try to give that information in my reviews for myself when I'm considering rereading and also for other readers.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 11, 2024
Clueless Puckboy started out SO promising. I wanted to like this. Alas, it just felt like recycled plot and banter. The leads acted like children and I needed some extra angst to keep me engaged. Didn’t love this and didn’t hate it. It was more just ok and definitely forgettable.
September 14, 2023
4.8-5/5 ⭐️
Oh wow, this was exactly what I NEEEDED.
i love love loved this book! the more i read about these boys, the more unwilling i am to leave the fictional queer hockey world. and particularly this one.
and this book might be one of the most adorable of them all. like, a blushing, awkward hockey player crushing on his trainer? all those days of babysitting (not literal lol) duties? ASHER BEING A BIG SOFTIE THAT HE IS? all that fake-fights and nitpicking and the grand gestures that aren't really grand but steal breath anyway? i'm already desparate for a reread.
favorite parts:
☆ Ayri and Vance's whole goddamn relationship arc. see, bumbling, awkward idiots who turn into a stammering, blushing idiots when they're around their crush are just my *thing*, but if it's a manchild hockey player? sorry brain burst. so of course i adore Quinnie. seriously, his soft, sweet inner side was to die for.
but also, the way Vance came around to his feelings had me screaming. it didn't feel forced or rushed but rather so natural i was bopping with excitement the whole time. and then how they managed to *maintain* that relationship, despite the queerphobic industry they're in and the high stakes of a public queer relationship and the debilitating pressure of a stanley cup, had me MELTING. Vance was such a perfect boyfriend honestly. i adored them as a couple.
☆ Asher (and Cole). i just...Asher might be my fave CU hockey jock, i'm realizing. and this book provided me with a new full catalogue of all his grumpy and sweet versions that my brain is happy to munch on. i LOVED his friendship with Ayri growing and seeing them stick together in a supportive team in a supportive environment so much. and like, him missing Kole and all the Asher/Kole moments were breathing life into me.
☆ Quinn and Ezra's relationship. me ADORE. Ezra being all caring and big-brother-like protective over Quinn did something to my chest? i really loved the growth of their relationship and seeing how deep it went and how Quinn found a place in the Collective for himself.
☆ the Collective appearances! especially the last one?? it makes my day when i see my favorite characters from different series cross over, so i almost cried to get glimpses of Collective members from all over. aaagh it was so wholesome and heartwarming and just GOOD to see them all gathering together with their partners whenever they have a chance. i freaking love them so much.
thank you Saxon James, Eden Finley and Foreword PR for the arc!
Oh wow, this was exactly what I NEEEDED.
i love love loved this book! the more i read about these boys, the more unwilling i am to leave the fictional queer hockey world. and particularly this one.
and this book might be one of the most adorable of them all. like, a blushing, awkward hockey player crushing on his trainer? all those days of babysitting (not literal lol) duties? ASHER BEING A BIG SOFTIE THAT HE IS? all that fake-fights and nitpicking and the grand gestures that aren't really grand but steal breath anyway? i'm already desparate for a reread.
favorite parts:
☆ Ayri and Vance's whole goddamn relationship arc. see, bumbling, awkward idiots who turn into a stammering, blushing idiots when they're around their crush are just my *thing*, but if it's a manchild hockey player? sorry brain burst. so of course i adore Quinnie. seriously, his soft, sweet inner side was to die for.
but also, the way Vance came around to his feelings had me screaming. it didn't feel forced or rushed but rather so natural i was bopping with excitement the whole time. and then how they managed to *maintain* that relationship, despite the queerphobic industry they're in and the high stakes of a public queer relationship and the debilitating pressure of a stanley cup, had me MELTING. Vance was such a perfect boyfriend honestly. i adored them as a couple.
☆ Asher (and Cole). i just...Asher might be my fave CU hockey jock, i'm realizing. and this book provided me with a new full catalogue of all his grumpy and sweet versions that my brain is happy to munch on. i LOVED his friendship with Ayri growing and seeing them stick together in a supportive team in a supportive environment so much. and like, him missing Kole and all the Asher/Kole moments were breathing life into me.
☆ Quinn and Ezra's relationship. me ADORE. Ezra being all caring and big-brother-like protective over Quinn did something to my chest? i really loved the growth of their relationship and seeing how deep it went and how Quinn found a place in the Collective for himself.
☆ the Collective appearances! especially the last one?? it makes my day when i see my favorite characters from different series cross over, so i almost cried to get glimpses of Collective members from all over. aaagh it was so wholesome and heartwarming and just GOOD to see them all gathering together with their partners whenever they have a chance. i freaking love them so much.
thank you Saxon James, Eden Finley and Foreword PR for the arc!
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