What do you think?
Rate this book
Portland Seabirds #2
Butterfly
Felix Papillon is determined he’ll never be hurt again. He may look like he has his life together from the outside—starting goalie for the Portland Seabirds, fancy car, adoring fans clamoring for his autograph—but he won’t allow anyone to see the scars on his heart. When he meets Fisher Montgomery in the back of a dimly lit bar, the attraction is instant and mutual. But Felix isn’t going to drop his guard just because of a pair of pretty brown eyes and excellent shoulders. He’s learned his lesson. So he gives Fisher a fake name, and he makes it clear from the beginning that no matter how compatible they are in and out of bed, their relationship will never be more than physical. That’s just fine by Fisher. He’s got enough to handle being a closeted gay man teaching kindergarten in a conservative private school. Someday he wants to settle down, but right now, with student loans, an old car about to fall apart, and a parent taking an inappropriate interest in him, Fisher doesn’t have time to wonder why the man he’s sleeping with looks vaguely familiar. For a while, things seem to be going just fine. But nothing lasts forever, and soon enough, both men will be forced to confront the ghosts of their pasts if they’re going to have any hope for a happy future.
254 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 6, 2021
102 people are currently reading
405 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 76 reviews
November 12, 2022
I want to pull my hair out 😂
Again, I liked the couple but they weren't developed enough. They had no personality traits outside of their careers except one had a dog and one had a cat.
The plot started out good but then went completely off the rails - reminded me of a contestant on a cooking show who just doesn't know when to stop adding pointless stuff. Too many random side characters who appear for less than a chapter was annoying too.
The whole thing with the creepy dad was just weird and unnecessary. It added nothing except disbelief - the character was portrayed as standing up for himself and his friends but couldn't bring himself to report sexual harassment??? This could have been left out entirely and the character just got a new job.
Also going to LA to find the ex, a semi famous actor who they dont know but a friend says they drink at a particular bar every night??? WTAF!!!! I was ready to throw my kindle at how ridiculous this got. It was entirely bizarre, completely unrealistic and just made zero sense.
And then the car gets crumpled by a lorry and they just casually climb out the broken window and don't need a hospital, even though Fisher hit his head hard enough to black out?? I know healthcare is completely different in the US but that baffled me!
There was just so much that derailed this story that I didn't even care when they got back together. I'm assuming another book will be coming with Simon, otherwise there was literally no point including him at the end.
The annoying thing is I like the group of characters, how they're referred to in other books etc. and I can really see the potential, but JFC stop throwing everything but the kitchen sink into each book just to add unnecessary drama 😤😤😤😤
Again, I liked the couple but they weren't developed enough. They had no personality traits outside of their careers except one had a dog and one had a cat.
The plot started out good but then went completely off the rails - reminded me of a contestant on a cooking show who just doesn't know when to stop adding pointless stuff. Too many random side characters who appear for less than a chapter was annoying too.
The whole thing with the creepy dad was just weird and unnecessary. It added nothing except disbelief - the character was portrayed as standing up for himself and his friends but couldn't bring himself to report sexual harassment??? This could have been left out entirely and the character just got a new job.
Also going to LA to find the ex, a semi famous actor who they dont know but a friend says they drink at a particular bar every night??? WTAF!!!! I was ready to throw my kindle at how ridiculous this got. It was entirely bizarre, completely unrealistic and just made zero sense.
And then the car gets crumpled by a lorry and they just casually climb out the broken window and don't need a hospital, even though Fisher hit his head hard enough to black out?? I know healthcare is completely different in the US but that baffled me!
There was just so much that derailed this story that I didn't even care when they got back together. I'm assuming another book will be coming with Simon, otherwise there was literally no point including him at the end.
The annoying thing is I like the group of characters, how they're referred to in other books etc. and I can really see the potential, but JFC stop throwing everything but the kitchen sink into each book just to add unnecessary drama 😤😤😤😤
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 26, 2021
Oof. What a disappointment after enjoying the first book in the series quite a bit. I also thought Felix was quite a cool character and was happy to see more of him, but I'm not sure he was done justice.
So this book, unlike the slow-burn of Roughing, starts with a purely physical arrangement that obviously, inevitably turns into more. And just like all MCs who start off with a FWB-type thing, these fools look for reasons not to be together, and it was real dumb. The first half was okay, but the second half was pure nonsense. The manufactured drama at the end was just too much. And generally, there was more tell than show, which was annoying. I still am interested in this universe a a whole, but this was a miss for me.
So this book, unlike the slow-burn of Roughing, starts with a purely physical arrangement that obviously, inevitably turns into more. And just like all MCs who start off with a FWB-type thing, these fools look for reasons not to be together, and it was real dumb. The first half was okay, but the second half was pure nonsense. The manufactured drama at the end was just too much. And generally, there was more tell than show, which was annoying. I still am interested in this universe a a whole, but this was a miss for me.
January 11, 2021
I see Felix's story I CLICK! ❤💜🥰
I have come to appreciate the way Michaela Grey writes, she makes lovely characters who are so good at their core that you don't mind the bad parts of the book. This one was no different, Felix I knew was great but Fisher? A giant who is a teacher of little kids, who gets glitter in his hair all the time and likes to teach about letting the boys know they can use pink and be scared and girls know they can play hockey and not be properly dressed all the time. A GIANT TEDDY BEAR! Lovely characters.
But, I must say that with each book I spect more about the author so in this there were some stuffs that bothered me:
- The beginning, because of the characters hangups, it was a purely a sexual relationship so it was difficult to connect, it was mentioned that thay talked between rounds but it wasn't described so I never felt a connection until 30% of the book or so. I do appreciate that the sex scenes were just mentioned, so it wasn't a fuckathon.
- I understood Felix's issues but I didn't get Fisher's, you were burn once by somebody a lot like Felix in a way but reacting the way he did at their problem, it didn't make sense to me.
- Fisher went to somebody else to understand Felix's past issue, that was so unnecessary and wtf that I can't even start ro process it.
- The solution to that problem marked the start of a series of dramatic and over the top tropes that for the first time this author used and that disappointed me a lot because I spect more from her.
- Lastly, the epilogue was shit, it was obviously the foundation of the next book, but this characters needed a more firm closure AND! To make matters worse, she changed Fisher's personality in one action. That hurt!
Still I enjoyed the middle and I enjoy this little world. I also liked how she destroyed some stereotypes here, specially the thing happening with the dad. I still like this author, hope her original stories make an appearance in the next one. 🥰❤
I have come to appreciate the way Michaela Grey writes, she makes lovely characters who are so good at their core that you don't mind the bad parts of the book. This one was no different, Felix I knew was great but Fisher? A giant who is a teacher of little kids, who gets glitter in his hair all the time and likes to teach about letting the boys know they can use pink and be scared and girls know they can play hockey and not be properly dressed all the time. A GIANT TEDDY BEAR! Lovely characters.
But, I must say that with each book I spect more about the author so in this there were some stuffs that bothered me:
- The beginning, because of the characters hangups, it was a purely a sexual relationship so it was difficult to connect, it was mentioned that thay talked between rounds but it wasn't described so I never felt a connection until 30% of the book or so. I do appreciate that the sex scenes were just mentioned, so it wasn't a fuckathon.
- I understood Felix's issues but I didn't get Fisher's, you were burn once by somebody a lot like Felix in a way but reacting the way he did at their problem, it didn't make sense to me.
- Fisher went to somebody else to understand Felix's past issue, that was so unnecessary and wtf that I can't even start ro process it.
- The solution to that problem marked the start of a series of dramatic and over the top tropes that for the first time this author used and that disappointed me a lot because I spect more from her.
- Lastly, the epilogue was shit, it was obviously the foundation of the next book, but this characters needed a more firm closure AND! To make matters worse, she changed Fisher's personality in one action. That hurt!
Still I enjoyed the middle and I enjoy this little world. I also liked how she destroyed some stereotypes here, specially the thing happening with the dad. I still like this author, hope her original stories make an appearance in the next one. 🥰❤
August 18, 2021
I am on the end of day two of bed rest for severe back pain and bored out of my mind and feeling uncharitable and I know that I am experiencing severe fatigue of my own making with regards to this project but... I almost DNFed this in the first 5% and then again in the last 20.
There were so many issues in this that made me feel insane that my wife barely made it in the door from work before I verbally assaulted her with a laundry list of them and I don't know that I need to do it again here, but it was so, so disappointing to read this after enjoying so many of Grey's books and actually saving this one because I was looking forward to it so much, and then to be given 1. a condom for a blowjob (I desperately need m/m authors to really reconsider this choice. Would you do it for a blowjob between a man and a woman? Would you ever even think to use a dental dam for cunnilingus? Why do you think gay oral sex is inherently more dangerous when it has been proven time and time again that it is an extremely low-risk behavior even before the advent of prophylactic medications like Prep? Why are you writing gay stories if you aren't interrogating your homophobia?) 2. a very liberal use of the word rape/rapist (At minimum, it needed the word 'attempted' in there), 3. the decision to make Fisher --
Okay, okay. I'll stop. There was a lot to like here including the leads, but Grey's books have been so solid up until now and it really just makes the disappointment that much more acute. Bummer.
There were so many issues in this that made me feel insane that my wife barely made it in the door from work before I verbally assaulted her with a laundry list of them and I don't know that I need to do it again here, but it was so, so disappointing to read this after enjoying so many of Grey's books and actually saving this one because I was looking forward to it so much, and then to be given 1. a condom for a blowjob (I desperately need m/m authors to really reconsider this choice. Would you do it for a blowjob between a man and a woman? Would you ever even think to use a dental dam for cunnilingus? Why do you think gay oral sex is inherently more dangerous when it has been proven time and time again that it is an extremely low-risk behavior even before the advent of prophylactic medications like Prep? Why are you writing gay stories if you aren't interrogating your homophobia?) 2. a very liberal use of the word rape/rapist (At minimum, it needed the word 'attempted' in there), 3. the decision to make Fisher --
Okay, okay. I'll stop. There was a lot to like here including the leads, but Grey's books have been so solid up until now and it really just makes the disappointment that much more acute. Bummer.
February 13, 2025
Ah man, I was actually enjoying this one. Then it all went downhill when Fisher thought it would be more prudent to fly to LA and ask the man who broke Felix’s heart what happened rather than drive across town to ask Felix or even his best friend. WTF 🤣
I think the crash was unnecessary. There was already a decent amount of angst and drama going on with their relationship and the stuff with Calum. The whole Calum this was also a bit unnecessary and, cringey to be honest. What’s wrong with just choosing one plot line and digging in deep with it? I guess it answered Fishers question about how he would get to see Felix again though. 🙄
Once again, the ending was stupid. I’m pretty sure at this point we don’t need an epilogue to tell us who the next book will be about. We can just wait and see. I’d rather that than these abrupt endings. The connections between the characters from previous books were slightly better this time, but not great.
Miscommunication is a key plot point, and it goes on and on, same as in the other books.
Other than that, it was kinda cute. I like Felix. Fisher was ok too, but we learned almost zero about him and his mysterious relationship with Leo. Once again, nothing is cleared up, and we’re left with more questions than answers. No depth, we learn nothing really about anyone, and it just leaves you wanting more exactly the same as the rest of the series. I'm kinda getting annoyed at myself for continuing, but, only 1 left now.
Edit: Bloody hell 🤦🏽♀️😂 I’ve just checked the next book and it’s not even about Fall. So, what the hell was that epilogue about?! Frustrating doesn’t even cut it now.
I think the crash was unnecessary. There was already a decent amount of angst and drama going on with their relationship and the stuff with Calum. The whole Calum this was also a bit unnecessary and, cringey to be honest. What’s wrong with just choosing one plot line and digging in deep with it? I guess it answered Fishers question about how he would get to see Felix again though. 🙄
Once again, the ending was stupid. I’m pretty sure at this point we don’t need an epilogue to tell us who the next book will be about. We can just wait and see. I’d rather that than these abrupt endings. The connections between the characters from previous books were slightly better this time, but not great.
Miscommunication is a key plot point, and it goes on and on, same as in the other books.
Other than that, it was kinda cute. I like Felix. Fisher was ok too, but we learned almost zero about him and his mysterious relationship with Leo. Once again, nothing is cleared up, and we’re left with more questions than answers. No depth, we learn nothing really about anyone, and it just leaves you wanting more exactly the same as the rest of the series. I'm kinda getting annoyed at myself for continuing, but, only 1 left now.
Edit: Bloody hell 🤦🏽♀️😂 I’ve just checked the next book and it’s not even about Fall. So, what the hell was that epilogue about?! Frustrating doesn’t even cut it now.
May 10, 2024
2+
Z wielką chęcią ponownie dałabym 4 gwiazdki, bo naprawdę lubię styl pisania autorki, ale się nie da - nawet te 3 gwiazdki są, szczerze mówiąc, naciągane i to sporo...
Przynajmniej jeden wątek jest zdecydowanie za dużo - creepy tatuś ze szkoły Fishera był po prostu niepotrzebny (wg mnie oczywiście), a to, co się działo w ostatniej mniej więcej 1/4 książki, to przegięcie jednak trochę pałki - drama goniła dramę, OTT okrutne, w dodatku pod sam koniec ckliwość i słodycz ponad miarę...
Ale pomimo tego jednak naciągane mocno 3 gwiazdki, bo wcześniejsze dwie książki mi się podobały i ta, która już teraz czytam, również - to biorę tę historię jako wypadek przy pracy 😉
Z wielką chęcią ponownie dałabym 4 gwiazdki, bo naprawdę lubię styl pisania autorki, ale się nie da - nawet te 3 gwiazdki są, szczerze mówiąc, naciągane i to sporo...
Przynajmniej jeden wątek jest zdecydowanie za dużo - creepy tatuś ze szkoły Fishera był po prostu niepotrzebny (wg mnie oczywiście), a to, co się działo w ostatniej mniej więcej 1/4 książki, to przegięcie jednak trochę pałki - drama goniła dramę, OTT okrutne, w dodatku pod sam koniec ckliwość i słodycz ponad miarę...
Ale pomimo tego jednak naciągane mocno 3 gwiazdki, bo wcześniejsze dwie książki mi się podobały i ta, która już teraz czytam, również - to biorę tę historię jako wypadek przy pracy 😉
January 13, 2021
I liked it and I didn't. The story is nice, the execution clunky. Can you really fall in love without knowing anything, and I mean anything about the other person? Without seeing them interact with other people? Well, I guess you can. Both Felix and Fisher (oh, the names, why!?) are kind people. And.. When you start a story with fuck buddies, no falling in love, it's not OK not to include any sex on page. The author shows the intro threesome, but then nothing. We don't see them at their most intimate moments, as there is barely any other interaction. The relationship between Fisher and Leo is not explained - what's the story there?!
January 8, 2021
probably 3.5 stars but I liked this! I've read two other books from this author and enjoyed them and that included the first book in this series. I'll be honest and say that I didn't remember any of these characters at all. I sort of remembered Saint and Carmine once I got a refresher but this wasn't at the front of my mind going in. It was nice to return to some of these characters, even if my memory was fuzzy.
I'm going to start with a suuuuper petty complaint and then I will move on to more substantive stuff. The author kept referring to sex as "playing" and it was really grating on me! This is probably just an issue for me and no shame to the writer here, the rest of it was really well written but every time a character asked if they "played" with someone else it jumped out at me. I think it's just because I've never seen this turn of phrase before but I thought it was a kind of weird language choice. Okay, moving on!
Besides that petty complaint, I thought the writing was good. I thought the set-up was interesting, though I was a little surprised the sexual relationship moved away from Leo so fast but I thought that was fine. I liked that Fisher's job played a bigger role in this story. The stuff from the summary about the inappropriate parent does play a plot important role but was in the book less than I expected. There was less hockey in this book than in the author two. I would have liked to see more of that because I like hockey but it didn't feel like there needed to be more for plot reasons or anything.
The plot was interesting because of the backstories of both these characters. They both have issues to work through, though I would say Felix's backstory was more severe and legally serious. I thought some parts were frustrating. Obviously, they both have issues in their past but I do wish they had just had a conversation later in the relationship like "hey, we've been sleeping together for a while, are we still doing a no strings attached thing?" I understand the need for conflict and this didn't bother me tooo much but it still something I thought while reading. Also, because this was a non-string-attached thing at first, we didn't see much of Fisher and Felix interacting outside of sex which made it harder to believe that they had fallen in love. Sex can be very intimate and can lead to further connections but they only start going on "dates" after they've already both admitted to themself that they're in love and that rang a little hollow for me.
This is was a good follow up to book one and I'm interested to see where this goes from here. I'm also interested in seeing Theo's story that we got a sneak peak of in this book. I'm excited to see what this author does next!
I'm going to start with a suuuuper petty complaint and then I will move on to more substantive stuff. The author kept referring to sex as "playing" and it was really grating on me! This is probably just an issue for me and no shame to the writer here, the rest of it was really well written but every time a character asked if they "played" with someone else it jumped out at me. I think it's just because I've never seen this turn of phrase before but I thought it was a kind of weird language choice. Okay, moving on!
Besides that petty complaint, I thought the writing was good. I thought the set-up was interesting, though I was a little surprised the sexual relationship moved away from Leo so fast but I thought that was fine. I liked that Fisher's job played a bigger role in this story. The stuff from the summary about the inappropriate parent does play a plot important role but was in the book less than I expected. There was less hockey in this book than in the author two. I would have liked to see more of that because I like hockey but it didn't feel like there needed to be more for plot reasons or anything.
The plot was interesting because of the backstories of both these characters. They both have issues to work through, though I would say Felix's backstory was more severe and legally serious. I thought some parts were frustrating. Obviously, they both have issues in their past but I do wish they had just had a conversation later in the relationship like "hey, we've been sleeping together for a while, are we still doing a no strings attached thing?" I understand the need for conflict and this didn't bother me tooo much but it still something I thought while reading. Also, because this was a non-string-attached thing at first, we didn't see much of Fisher and Felix interacting outside of sex which made it harder to believe that they had fallen in love. Sex can be very intimate and can lead to further connections but they only start going on "dates" after they've already both admitted to themself that they're in love and that rang a little hollow for me.
This is was a good follow up to book one and I'm interested to see where this goes from here. I'm also interested in seeing Theo's story that we got a sneak peak of in this book. I'm excited to see what this author does next!
September 21, 2023
So this is one of the first (if not only one) that Grey has written that is a direct sequel to an earlier book that she wrote in the shared universe, "Roughing" which follows the teammates in the Portland Seabirds, this time focusing on Saint's best friends, Felix.
At the end of the first book, while Saint and Carminie had settled into their relationship, Felix had been publicly doxxed by his resentful ex, and that sparked his anxiety at an all time high - so when we arrive, a year after the first book, Felix is simply enjoying hookups between his team schedule, and not sharing any personal information about himself. He meets Fisher and Leo, two friends that he ends up going home with and engaging in a threesome, though he ends up having a deeper connection with Fisher and tentativley sets up an agreement for benefits while keeping each annoymous. Felix gives himself the name of French, and Fisher agrees.
From the onset, the reader knows that this will not go well. Not only do both of their issues not compliment each other (Felix has anxiety about relationships and trusting people, while Fisher wants a long term relationship NOT with a hockey player), but watching Felix and Fisher slowly become comfortable with each other and knowing that it will not end well was an interesting pacing for Grey. I will say that I felt that this story was slightly different in pacing and how the characters were pacing themselves in the development of their relationship.
I did find it a bit anticlimactic, if I have to be honest. I think in part because of one of Fisher's subplot's and the reveal for him on what happened that made him hate hockey (I'm sorry, you carried around a grudge for that long? Grow up), and while I know that this was supposed to be an unofficial sequel, it was a little annoying to see the couple from the previous book (Saint and Carmine) still not able to move forward from their own dynamic that was found in the first book, or that it didn't seem like there was character development from that first book.
At the end of the first book, while Saint and Carminie had settled into their relationship, Felix had been publicly doxxed by his resentful ex, and that sparked his anxiety at an all time high - so when we arrive, a year after the first book, Felix is simply enjoying hookups between his team schedule, and not sharing any personal information about himself. He meets Fisher and Leo, two friends that he ends up going home with and engaging in a threesome, though he ends up having a deeper connection with Fisher and tentativley sets up an agreement for benefits while keeping each annoymous. Felix gives himself the name of French, and Fisher agrees.
From the onset, the reader knows that this will not go well. Not only do both of their issues not compliment each other (Felix has anxiety about relationships and trusting people, while Fisher wants a long term relationship NOT with a hockey player), but watching Felix and Fisher slowly become comfortable with each other and knowing that it will not end well was an interesting pacing for Grey. I will say that I felt that this story was slightly different in pacing and how the characters were pacing themselves in the development of their relationship.
I did find it a bit anticlimactic, if I have to be honest. I think in part because of one of Fisher's subplot's and the reveal for him on what happened that made him hate hockey (I'm sorry, you carried around a grudge for that long? Grow up), and while I know that this was supposed to be an unofficial sequel, it was a little annoying to see the couple from the previous book (Saint and Carmine) still not able to move forward from their own dynamic that was found in the first book, or that it didn't seem like there was character development from that first book.
March 5, 2021
Not what I expected, but definitely enjoyed.
Because I jumped immediately from book 1 'Roughing' of the series into 'Butterfly'' I was confused because the epilogue, I thought was setting up 'Butterfly' and was going to be to beginning of 'Butterfly', but it's very much not. (The actual starting point of 'Butterfly' is a totally hot three-way scene...and not what I was expecting lol.) Ultimately I really enjoyed this even though it's a bit of a slow burn and has a bit of miscommunication (that's brought on by neither Felix nor Fisher wanting to let their relationship be more than sex, even though both of them really really want it to be much more!). I enjoyed reading them navigate through their past relationship trauma into trusting each other with each other's hearts. I had a couple of niggles, but I'm really just digging the series and looking forward to the next one.
Dual POV hockey sports romance, slow burn, some hurt/comfort and heat, and a "worth the pain" happy ending.
Because I jumped immediately from book 1 'Roughing' of the series into 'Butterfly'' I was confused because the epilogue, I thought was setting up 'Butterfly' and was going to be to beginning of 'Butterfly', but it's very much not. (The actual starting point of 'Butterfly' is a totally hot three-way scene...and not what I was expecting lol.) Ultimately I really enjoyed this even though it's a bit of a slow burn and has a bit of miscommunication (that's brought on by neither Felix nor Fisher wanting to let their relationship be more than sex, even though both of them really really want it to be much more!). I enjoyed reading them navigate through their past relationship trauma into trusting each other with each other's hearts. I had a couple of niggles, but I'm really just digging the series and looking forward to the next one.
Dual POV hockey sports romance, slow burn, some hurt/comfort and heat, and a "worth the pain" happy ending.
January 8, 2021
Another hit for Michaela Grey.
The preview made it sound like this was going to be MMM, but it is not. This focuses entirely on Felix and Fisher and since I liked Fisher more in the preview, I didn't have a problem with it at all.
All in all, the writing was superb, the world of the two was fleshed out with believable and lovable/hateable side characters and they each had their lives, their passions, and ultimately their own compromises to make this work.
Two things were not as... good, I suppose. Once, in the last chapter, they talked about an ex that had been referred to as one name and suddenly Fisher calls him a different name. Just once and it could be the case of the ex having two first name sounding names, but it kind of pulled me out of the moment.
Then the epilogue. I won't say what it was, but Fisher's behavior felt absolutely out of character. I understand why it happened. (Mainly to set up the next book in the series about Simon, who, did he show up in the first book? From the Author's note and the newsletter email, it felt like this was a big deal and people were asking for it, but I don't really remember him at all.) but after everything that happened in the book, he wouldn't have done that with only this little reason.
Now, spoilers for the preview at the end of this book. The preview is about Goalie Tandem, a book about the Sentinels and about their goalie Theo Wallin aka Brick. First of all, another series in this hockey universe which is incredible. Second, when I read the first couple sentences and realized it was about Theo who we met during the events of Butterfly, I was really excited. Theo has the reputation of being cold and an asshole and not giving anyone the time of day. It was a different kind of MC, you know, but reading the preview. Let's say, I'm a little afraid he will be nothing like it and just as warm and fuzzy as everyone else. Saint and Carmine were advertised as Enemies to Lovers which was more Friends to Lovers and Fisher seemed calmer and rougher, but turned out not to be. I just want something different. Theo and Nikolas seemed already on the way to be best buddies in the preview and that's. Well. You can't make Theo call himself an introvert, can't introduce him as this asshole and cold guy and then have him open up immediately as soon as they meet just because Nik is cute.
The preview made it sound like this was going to be MMM, but it is not. This focuses entirely on Felix and Fisher and since I liked Fisher more in the preview, I didn't have a problem with it at all.
All in all, the writing was superb, the world of the two was fleshed out with believable and lovable/hateable side characters and they each had their lives, their passions, and ultimately their own compromises to make this work.
Two things were not as... good, I suppose. Once, in the last chapter, they talked about an ex that had been referred to as one name and suddenly Fisher calls him a different name. Just once and it could be the case of the ex having two first name sounding names, but it kind of pulled me out of the moment.
Then the epilogue. I won't say what it was, but Fisher's behavior felt absolutely out of character. I understand why it happened. (Mainly to set up the next book in the series about Simon, who, did he show up in the first book? From the Author's note and the newsletter email, it felt like this was a big deal and people were asking for it, but I don't really remember him at all.) but after everything that happened in the book, he wouldn't have done that with only this little reason.
Now, spoilers for the preview at the end of this book. The preview is about Goalie Tandem, a book about the Sentinels and about their goalie Theo Wallin aka Brick. First of all, another series in this hockey universe which is incredible. Second, when I read the first couple sentences and realized it was about Theo who we met during the events of Butterfly, I was really excited. Theo has the reputation of being cold and an asshole and not giving anyone the time of day. It was a different kind of MC, you know, but reading the preview. Let's say, I'm a little afraid he will be nothing like it and just as warm and fuzzy as everyone else. Saint and Carmine were advertised as Enemies to Lovers which was more Friends to Lovers and Fisher seemed calmer and rougher, but turned out not to be. I just want something different. Theo and Nikolas seemed already on the way to be best buddies in the preview and that's. Well. You can't make Theo call himself an introvert, can't introduce him as this asshole and cold guy and then have him open up immediately as soon as they meet just because Nik is cute.
January 23, 2025
I just love this author!
February 1, 2024
1.5 stars
I do not understand this idea in seemingly all hockey romance books that in the US there is some mysterious paparazzi machine that tracks NHL players (Canada could be another story, perhaps, I don't know.) I read daily about hockey in The Athletic/ESPN, I listen to 2 hockey podcasts regularly, I watch games 3 times a week and I could not tell you about most hockey players personal lives other than what is shared by official social media. I know about rumors and beefs and all kinds of shit, because of Twitter and TikTok (I have too much time to scroll social media), but the average American adult just doesn't fucking care! This overarching theme that hockey players are literally hounded to death is fucking weird (and in the apparently crazed hockey market of... Portland? A mob? At a farmer's market, obviously a known hotbed of crazy hockey fans? Oh fuck off 🙄) If I brought up, for example, the 2023 Perry/Bedard rumors to anyone not a dialed-in online hockey fan they would have zero clue what I was talking about!
All that is to say, this book isn't great. The story is all over the place. There's blackmail, a gross sexual harassment thing, kinda instalove, a fucking ridiculous stupid knight in shing armor bullshit going to LA that should be a red flag all by itself, a car wreck, LEAVING A NHL HOCKEY GAME AS THE STARTING GOALIE because of a non-fatal car wreck? 😱😤😤😤 FUCK ALL THE WAY OFF and I still have no idea about really anything about the two MCs besides they're nice? And don't get me started with this author's ham-handed way of handling diversity as a white presenting woman. It's not good.
I do not understand this idea in seemingly all hockey romance books that in the US there is some mysterious paparazzi machine that tracks NHL players (Canada could be another story, perhaps, I don't know.) I read daily about hockey in The Athletic/ESPN, I listen to 2 hockey podcasts regularly, I watch games 3 times a week and I could not tell you about most hockey players personal lives other than what is shared by official social media. I know about rumors and beefs and all kinds of shit, because of Twitter and TikTok (I have too much time to scroll social media), but the average American adult just doesn't fucking care! This overarching theme that hockey players are literally hounded to death is fucking weird (and in the apparently crazed hockey market of... Portland? A mob? At a farmer's market, obviously a known hotbed of crazy hockey fans? Oh fuck off 🙄) If I brought up, for example, the 2023 Perry/Bedard rumors to anyone not a dialed-in online hockey fan they would have zero clue what I was talking about!
All that is to say, this book isn't great. The story is all over the place. There's blackmail, a gross sexual harassment thing, kinda instalove, a fucking ridiculous stupid knight in shing armor bullshit going to LA that should be a red flag all by itself, a car wreck, LEAVING A NHL HOCKEY GAME AS THE STARTING GOALIE because of a non-fatal car wreck? 😱😤😤😤 FUCK ALL THE WAY OFF and I still have no idea about really anything about the two MCs besides they're nice? And don't get me started with this author's ham-handed way of handling diversity as a white presenting woman. It's not good.
January 20, 2023
It was a nice low angst story. They were cute together and had good chemistry.
Spoiler of a potential ick factor for some readers, Felix and Fisher met via a threesome with Fisher's friend Leo.
Spoiler of a potential ick factor for some readers, Felix and Fisher met via a threesome with Fisher's friend Leo.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 30, 2021
3.5 stars rounded up.
I’m right on the border between rounding this up and down.
Grey manages to write doofuses so well — I’ve read four of her books in a row now, and in almost every one I’m affectionately rolling my eyes at what idiots these guys are. But I’m almost never frustrating with the plotting of their dumbass decision, because it is perfectly in line with their dumbass characters. It doesn’t just feel like her as an author forcing miscommunications as plot points.
Though seriously boys, have a conversation. You have your first ever one in the penultimate chapter, and look how well that turned out.
It was a bit weird that they met via a threesome hookup with Leo, but then he was 100% dropped from their relationship, and never mentioned again as a potential partner.
I *hated* the bit where Fisher flew down to LA to confront his ex’s ex. That’s just creepy.
I did like that they actually worked through some issues at the end before jumping back in bed together, and acknowledged that it wouldn’t be smooth sailing going forward.
Contains: athlete+teacher, FWB-to-lovers, idiots to lovers, asshole ex (CW: doxxing, gaslighting, emotional abuse), mostly MM with one MMM
Steam: 2.5/5🔥 (threesome hookup in first chapter, many fade to black scenes through the middle, then a full sex scene at end)
I’m right on the border between rounding this up and down.
Grey manages to write doofuses so well — I’ve read four of her books in a row now, and in almost every one I’m affectionately rolling my eyes at what idiots these guys are. But I’m almost never frustrating with the plotting of their dumbass decision, because it is perfectly in line with their dumbass characters. It doesn’t just feel like her as an author forcing miscommunications as plot points.
Though seriously boys, have a conversation. You have your first ever one in the penultimate chapter, and look how well that turned out.
It was a bit weird that they met via a threesome hookup with Leo, but then he was 100% dropped from their relationship, and never mentioned again as a potential partner.
I *hated* the bit where Fisher flew down to LA to confront his ex’s ex. That’s just creepy.
I did like that they actually worked through some issues at the end before jumping back in bed together, and acknowledged that it wouldn’t be smooth sailing going forward.
Contains: athlete+teacher, FWB-to-lovers, idiots to lovers, asshole ex (CW: doxxing, gaslighting, emotional abuse), mostly MM with one MMM
Steam: 2.5/5🔥 (threesome hookup in first chapter, many fade to black scenes through the middle, then a full sex scene at end)
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 26, 2021
When I saw this one was about Felix I just about died. I loved getting more of him and I his relationship ship with Caz and Saint is hilarious and adorable 😂 Fisher is great, and I love that he and Felix both have pets that don’t give a fuck 🙌🏻
June 13, 2021
The second half was boring, and I skipped the entire epilogue.
January 12, 2021
4,5 stars rounded up. This was so far my favorite hockey romance by Michaela Grey. There was no question I would read this newest installment in the ever expanding hockey universe that the author is creating. However, I was somewhat reluctant to begin as I prefer hockey romances between players while Butterfly was a romance between a goalie and a kindergarten teacher. But the moment I started reading I was immediately drawn into the story. I read it in one sitting until wee hours in the morning.
Goalies are and will forever be my absolute favorites and Felix Papillon did not disappoint as a character. He was a complex, dedicated, intense, loyal and sexy. Fisher shared all those qualities as well. They complimented each other perfectly. I enjoyed reading both parts with Felix and his teammates and parts with Fisher and his students and friends.
I thought the pacing of the story was spot on, I found the villain a particularly sinister one and I was relieved his screen time was limited. The conflict did not seem like it was written just for the sake of conflict and I appreciated how the story built up to it. I can't think of the aspect of the story that I did not enjoy. I enjoyed all of Felix's teammates, Saint and Carmine were really sweet as an established couple with their own insecurities and Fisher and Leo's enduring friendship was something I also have to mention among my favorite parts.
Can't wait for Goalie Tandem, because if there is anything better than a hockey romance where one character is a goalie it is hockey romance where both characters are goalies :D
Themes: fuckbuddies, in denial, idiots in love, goalies!
Goalies are and will forever be my absolute favorites and Felix Papillon did not disappoint as a character. He was a complex, dedicated, intense, loyal and sexy. Fisher shared all those qualities as well. They complimented each other perfectly. I enjoyed reading both parts with Felix and his teammates and parts with Fisher and his students and friends.
I thought the pacing of the story was spot on, I found the villain a particularly sinister one and I was relieved his screen time was limited. The conflict did not seem like it was written just for the sake of conflict and I appreciated how the story built up to it. I can't think of the aspect of the story that I did not enjoy. I enjoyed all of Felix's teammates, Saint and Carmine were really sweet as an established couple with their own insecurities and Fisher and Leo's enduring friendship was something I also have to mention among my favorite parts.
Can't wait for Goalie Tandem, because if there is anything better than a hockey romance where one character is a goalie it is hockey romance where both characters are goalies :D
Themes: fuckbuddies, in denial, idiots in love, goalies!
May 16, 2025
Felix & Fisher 3.5!
Well this one was cute!
Felix and Fisher both have their reasons for holding back on commitment, both have had their hearts broken but after meeting at a bar they have great chemistry immediately and start a quick FWB relationship not longer after.
I really enjoyed both the MMCs individually they were just really great and interesting people, I loved Felixs relationship with Saint, as well as Fishers interactions with his friends.
Now, I could’ve done without some of the dramatics but this is my second book from the author and I have a feeling the third act drama is their thing. I don’t hate it, at all. It’s just that the relationship feels like it has a lot of realism and the drama always feels kind of hysterical. Did I still enjoy it, absolutely. But my man Fisher travelling to LA, I mean, what? You just wouldn’t. Like ever. And…the truck? And we walk away…unscathed? What was it all for 😂
Another thing I was confused by, we didn’t get to see much of Felix and Fisher alone, by that I mean there was a lot of closed door action. Why? Let me in…😂 Again, defientely not a deal breaker, just an interesting choice.
Overall I enjoyed this, I think the author writes really interesting characters that are super endearing.
Well this one was cute!
Felix and Fisher both have their reasons for holding back on commitment, both have had their hearts broken but after meeting at a bar they have great chemistry immediately and start a quick FWB relationship not longer after.
I really enjoyed both the MMCs individually they were just really great and interesting people, I loved Felixs relationship with Saint, as well as Fishers interactions with his friends.
Now, I could’ve done without some of the dramatics but this is my second book from the author and I have a feeling the third act drama is their thing. I don’t hate it, at all. It’s just that the relationship feels like it has a lot of realism and the drama always feels kind of hysterical. Did I still enjoy it, absolutely. But my man Fisher travelling to LA, I mean, what? You just wouldn’t. Like ever. And…the truck? And we walk away…unscathed? What was it all for 😂
Another thing I was confused by, we didn’t get to see much of Felix and Fisher alone, by that I mean there was a lot of closed door action. Why? Let me in…😂 Again, defientely not a deal breaker, just an interesting choice.
Overall I enjoyed this, I think the author writes really interesting characters that are super endearing.
March 14, 2021
4.5 stars
Excellent, exactly the kind of read I needed today!! I just couldn’t put it down.
I love this trope. Yes, you know the one... “it’s just a hookup, it can’t get serious, I don’t do relationships, but I end up falling in love anyway”. That one.
I loved the instant chemistry between Fisher and Felix/French and how their hook ups slowly turned into more. I loved reading more about Saint and Carmine’s relationship. And I loved Fisher’s friends.
Oh, and when I realised that Felix’s pet name for Fisher actually translated to “fisherman”, I actually internally screamed in joy.
The only thing I didn’t fully understand was Fisher travelling to LA to talk to Paul. Maybe I don’t really get how cheap/expensive domestic flights are in the US, but for someone who keeps saying that he can’t get fired because still has student loans to pay, to then book two flights on a whim to try to find a person in such a huge place like LA... well, it seemed a bit unrealistic.
All in all very enjoyable. If you’ve liked the previous Hockey books by Michaela Grey, you’ll like this one.
Excellent, exactly the kind of read I needed today!! I just couldn’t put it down.
I love this trope. Yes, you know the one... “it’s just a hookup, it can’t get serious, I don’t do relationships, but I end up falling in love anyway”. That one.
I loved the instant chemistry between Fisher and Felix/French and how their hook ups slowly turned into more. I loved reading more about Saint and Carmine’s relationship. And I loved Fisher’s friends.
Oh, and when I realised that Felix’s pet name for Fisher actually translated to “fisherman”, I actually internally screamed in joy.
The only thing I didn’t fully understand was Fisher travelling to LA to talk to Paul. Maybe I don’t really get how cheap/expensive domestic flights are in the US, but for someone who keeps saying that he can’t get fired because still has student loans to pay, to then book two flights on a whim to try to find a person in such a huge place like LA... well, it seemed a bit unrealistic.
All in all very enjoyable. If you’ve liked the previous Hockey books by Michaela Grey, you’ll like this one.
June 1, 2024
3.0
Felix Papillon, 26, NHL Goalie-Portland Seabirds, biracial, prankster, gaslit and then doxxed by ex boyfriend, bi, kind, playful, loyal
dark eyes
dark hair
Fisher Montgomery, Kindergarten teacher-Saint Mary Conservatory (Christian School), blackmailed by parent, burned by ex boyfriend who chose hockey over him, wants the white picked fence, gay, steady, kind, creative
black hair
brown eyes
Third person dual POV
Portland, OR
Saskatoon, Saskatchewan
Los Angeles, CA
hockey romance, one night stand to FWB to lovers, hidden identity, found family, POC MC
A good solid story. I had trouble believing in the relationship's strength because of the secret identity, but still a good time.
Felix Papillon, 26, NHL Goalie-Portland Seabirds, biracial, prankster, gaslit and then doxxed by ex boyfriend, bi, kind, playful, loyal
dark eyes
dark hair
Fisher Montgomery, Kindergarten teacher-Saint Mary Conservatory (Christian School), blackmailed by parent, burned by ex boyfriend who chose hockey over him, wants the white picked fence, gay, steady, kind, creative
black hair
brown eyes
Third person dual POV
Portland, OR
Saskatoon, Saskatchewan
Los Angeles, CA
hockey romance, one night stand to FWB to lovers, hidden identity, found family, POC MC
A good solid story. I had trouble believing in the relationship's strength because of the secret identity, but still a good time.
March 10, 2021
Another great MM hockey romance
I’ve loved all of the Portland Seabirds books so far and this one is no exception. This one features Felix, who was introduced previously in the series as Saint’s best friend, and Fisher, who he meets in a bar.
The romance develops beautifully, and as with all of Michaela Frey’s books the characters are deep and complex with unique issues and motivations. The writing is great as ever and there’s plenty of heat and a wee bit of angst for those who like that.
Recommended for fans of Grey’s previous works as well as fans of Samantha Wayland and generally great hockey romance.
I’ve loved all of the Portland Seabirds books so far and this one is no exception. This one features Felix, who was introduced previously in the series as Saint’s best friend, and Fisher, who he meets in a bar.
The romance develops beautifully, and as with all of Michaela Frey’s books the characters are deep and complex with unique issues and motivations. The writing is great as ever and there’s plenty of heat and a wee bit of angst for those who like that.
Recommended for fans of Grey’s previous works as well as fans of Samantha Wayland and generally great hockey romance.
February 9, 2025
Miscomunication trope done wrong.
The entire book could have been cut in half by a simple conversation. Also some plot points were straight up weird. Flying to LA to confront his partners ex? okay? Not weird at all and did fuck all for the plot too.
It also lacked chemistry, I honestly did not know why these two liked each other apart from being FWB. Also a FWB situation where there is none of it to be found, like the amount of fade to blacks was frustrating as hell because so much seemed to happen off page that it started to really irritate me to the point of not wanting to continue.
So far definitely the weakest of these books Ive read so far
The entire book could have been cut in half by a simple conversation. Also some plot points were straight up weird. Flying to LA to confront his partners ex? okay? Not weird at all and did fuck all for the plot too.
It also lacked chemistry, I honestly did not know why these two liked each other apart from being FWB. Also a FWB situation where there is none of it to be found, like the amount of fade to blacks was frustrating as hell because so much seemed to happen off page that it started to really irritate me to the point of not wanting to continue.
So far definitely the weakest of these books Ive read so far
January 8, 2021
It started with threesome (kaget juga sih). Fisher and Leo is fuck buddies (?) slash best friend who like to play together. Hubungan Fisher dengan Leo itu sedikit membingungkan dan di buku ini kurang diperjelas hubungannya mereka itu seperti apa. Adegan sedikit mengganggu pada saat Felix putus dengan Fisher, di situ Fisher menginisiasi untuk having angry sex dengan sahabatnya itu dan sudah jelas pastinya Leo menolak. Ketidakjelasan hubungan antara Fisher dengan Leo itu membuat ku memberikan 4 bintang. Nilai plus di buku ini adalah Saint dan Carmine, my favorite couple from previous book.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 15, 2021
I’m so in love with this intertwining series
Like seriously I cannot get enough. This one was just * chefs kiss*. There was the perfect amount of believable relationship angst with the extra ness that I’d expect of books with well off MCs. Every book I find answers to situations in others within the series and with every book I have MORE questions that I can’t wait to get answers to in the future. Ugh and I’m already half in love with the next release that we got a little snippet of at the end!
Like seriously I cannot get enough. This one was just * chefs kiss*. There was the perfect amount of believable relationship angst with the extra ness that I’d expect of books with well off MCs. Every book I find answers to situations in others within the series and with every book I have MORE questions that I can’t wait to get answers to in the future. Ugh and I’m already half in love with the next release that we got a little snippet of at the end!
April 22, 2021
Book #2 in the Portland Seabird series is an enjoyable gay ol' time in the world of ice hockey and the hot and hunky men who play the sport and their hunky and hot loves and admirers. All the sexy men for book one are back and this time around they have a sex hot kindergarten teacher in the mix.
With a strong story and engaging characters and an interesting twist to a tried and true (and slightly overused plot device), Micaela Grey has given us a wonderfully fun reading experience you won't want to put down.
With a strong story and engaging characters and an interesting twist to a tried and true (and slightly overused plot device), Micaela Grey has given us a wonderfully fun reading experience you won't want to put down.
April 14, 2024
I give all of the author's book the same rating, because on the overall scale they are just good. But among the books I've read from Michaela Grey this is the best one yet.
Both main characters are relatable, especially Felix. At least for me. The hockey is not really front and center in this one, especially since Fisher has nothing to do with it. But even with the separation near the end (of which I'm not exactly fond of), their relationship is fun to follow, it's nicely developed.
Short and fun, pick it up if you need a bit of pick me up.
Both main characters are relatable, especially Felix. At least for me. The hockey is not really front and center in this one, especially since Fisher has nothing to do with it. But even with the separation near the end (of which I'm not exactly fond of), their relationship is fun to follow, it's nicely developed.
Short and fun, pick it up if you need a bit of pick me up.
January 24, 2021
Butterfly gets his HEA
So happy to read Felix's story and continue with Michaela Grey's hockey series.
I thought this book was a step up in writing too, it's super tight and the tension is perfect - I never wanted to hurry the story along and I was sucked in straight away.
This is the kind of book where the characters are so beautifully drawn that you are angry for them, you hurt for them and you are happy when things work out.
Can't wait to see what this author does next.
So happy to read Felix's story and continue with Michaela Grey's hockey series.
I thought this book was a step up in writing too, it's super tight and the tension is perfect - I never wanted to hurry the story along and I was sucked in straight away.
This is the kind of book where the characters are so beautifully drawn that you are angry for them, you hurt for them and you are happy when things work out.
Can't wait to see what this author does next.
August 22, 2022
After a casual hook up, Felix and Fisher decide to keep personal details out of their supposed casual hook ups. I did NOT see that reveal coming. I def thought Wren would convince Fisher to go to a game and Felix would be revealed on the Jumbotron or something. The not communicating/miscommunication trope usually doesn’t work for me, but it did for this book. The finally laying it all out there for each other scene was nicely done.
March 3, 2024
A super quick read. I liked both Fisher and Felix, they both were sweet and worked well together. I enjoyed the way the story played out and how it was resolved. Their history was interesting and created the little bit of conflict there was in the story. Really liked the found family element of it and how things were resolved when they communicated and got over their fears.
Also, was not expecting this book to start with a threesome but heyho.
Also, was not expecting this book to start with a threesome but heyho.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 76 reviews