The idea of moving away from Seattle was a joke at first.
I have too many failed relationships here. Too much baggage.
So when I find myself signing with Nashville and leaving everything behind, I’m hopeful a new start will cure me of my attachment problems.
I fall fast and hard, and I’m quickly realizing it’s not so easy to escape my emotional damage. That follows no matter where I go.
When my new teammate, rookie goalie Miles Olsen, attaches himself to my side, the media are excited to exploit our bromance. Little do they know, he’s doing me a favor by keeping me away from making mistakes with women.
That’s the deal we made at the beginning of the season, but as time goes on, and we’re both going through a dry spell, Miles suggests a different arrangement. One I’ve never contemplated. One I shouldn’t consider.
One I can’t stop thinking about.
Miles
My first day as starting goalie for Tennessee is made mildly more terrifying by coming face to face with NHL veteran Cody Bilson. Hero worship? Me? Never!
He reminds me of my old frat buddies; loyal, kind, easy to trade banter with. But my dude is lost and trying to find himself again--without getting married this time.
I want to help him, and while my suggestion might not be conventional, it sure as hell is effective. The only way to make sure he doesn't marry a woman again? Blow off steam with a man instead.
We're both straight, we're both single, and we're both down for a good time.
**slight spoilers towards the end of my review so be warned!**
I have found my favourite Puckboys couple - I love Bilson and Miles 🥰
This was everything I was hoping for, although I would have loved more of the Frat Bros to pop in! I loved how Bromotions helped them talk about their feelings, I loved Miles' weird Goalie quirks and the way they just felt so right together from the very beginning.
Bilson and Miles's story just gave me such a happy feel the entire way through. I couldn't stop smiling, I laughed so much at their ridiculousness, and they felt believable as overgrown man children. And yes, I stopped everything else I was doing today to read this immediately because I have been so impatient to get Bilson's book ever since he was first introduced. One of my favourite things about these books is that the angst is always low and the fun is always high - they're great escapism and every character is so loveable, even when they're extremely OTT.
I'm also really hoping that the bit at the end with Easton and the mention of his big brother's best friend is the set up for the next book because that is a pairing I am DYING to see... The potential charity event also sounds amazing and I'm so here for it, and I am seriously hoping Beck and Jacobs, even Rainn and Whit may be involved, as well as Frat Bro and Fake Boyfriend support... THAT would be my dream book in this story universe.
Thank you SO MUCH for the ARC Saxon James & Eden Finley - I absolutely love the Sadenverse and as always I can't wait for the next installment.
BRUH, ARE THE PUCKBOYS BACK!? OR AM I JUST A TEMPORARY VISITOR TO ENJOYMENT TOWN!?
I'm nervous because i've seen some dogshit reviews about book 7, BUT MILES AND BILSON WENT HARD. Probably the most fun since I read egotisical and irresponsible puckboys??? and since frat wars? (i'm fucking weak ass hoe noodle for the first 3 frat wars books, why? I have no idea. Ehhhhhhhhh, sue me, i like what i like hehehehe)
I hated Miles stupid pet rocks, but like....... when he held them and came out, I wanted to squeeeeeeee a little. And serial marriage man finding his human????? Yeah, i'm into that.
(Not sure why this makes me so weak, but parents who are not understanding of sexuality and then GO OUT OF THEIR WAY TO UNDERSTAND IT AND BE SUPPORTIVE, make me weak. I'm always a sucker for a family who grow or want to be better.)
I had a smile a mile wide on my face throughout this book.
It's possibly both the funniest, and the most heart warming at the same time as, while it seems like it should be all froth and silly behaviour, it actually deals with some pretty emotionally deep subjects but with a very light touch.
Cody Bilson's got issues, he's been married and divorced four times and he falls in love at the drop of a hat. It's become a bit of a joke within the ice hockey world but buried underneath all the humour is a very real sense of insecurity stemming from childhood.
He's desperate for affection as he never had any from his parents and their attitudes meant none of the nannies or other staff ever stayed around long enough for him to build any substitute relationships either.
On the other hand, Miles Olsen, (who we met in the Frat Wars series), seems like your typical goalie, he talks to his pipes, he has a couple of pet rocks, he's living in his parents' garden cottage...
and he's got a praise kink that needs an outlet.
These two hit it off as friends from the moment Bilson transfers to Nashville and when Miles comes up with the idea of them blowing off their sexual steam together, it seems like a win win situation.
I think what I loved the most about this particular book in a series that's been a massive hit overall for me, was that both men really just needed to find their person.
Neither of them are badly behaved people, they're both kind, a little bit silly, and have huge hearts that need an outlet to feel peace.
What starts off as a bromance in the media's eyes, begins to get a bit more serious as they spend time together because they just get the other at a soul deep level, the smoking hot sex that they're also having is a definite bonus too!
Of course, things aren't ever going to be that easy and both men start getting those pesky feelings, with added complications of neither of them originally thinking of themselves as queer, compounded by fears of the reaction from their teammates, Miles' parents and the media jokes about Bilson ditching women for men to stop himself getting married.
No spoilers here but I felt their journey together was grounded in a lot of emotional connectivity and support, things developed along a natural progressive line with both of them seeking to explore more and growing all the feels when they discovered the support they needed in each other.
We get to catch up with a lot of the Queer Collective, which I always love, but we also get a sneak guest appearance from Master of Mayhem's Robbie and Brandon, which made me chuckle.
There's plans afoot at the end of this book which I really do hope turn into another story and I'm very much intrigued by some of the developments which take place after Cody and Miles have decided they really are queer and their together.
Overall this is definitely high on my favourites table from this series, I think I'm still shading Aleks and Gabe's Foolish Puckboy at the very top though, but honestly, there's not been a weak entry in any of the Puckboys stories for me.
Hopefully still more to come!
#ARC kindly received from the authors via Foreword PR, I am voluntarily leaving a review
I have not felt this way about a puckboys book since the first one but I FUCKING LOVE MILES AND BILSON😭😭😭😭😭 especially Miles, what a fucking angel. This was honestly so much fun. They are now on par with Ezra and Anton for me.
The whole premise of this is : "If i can't sleep with a woman without falling in love, why don't we have a threesome without a third? We're both "straight" so we won't fall in love and you like to be pegged so it's a win win." Queue the most entertaining 200 pages I've read in a while.
The codependent bromance/ idiots to lovers was absolutely serving AND I ABSOLUTELY ADORE THEM. Also the Tripp and Dex cameo was PERFECT. Dex and Miles being the most beautiful himbos ever was the best. This is also the only puckboys to ever make me cry so do with that what you will.
This was such a good turn around for me as I wasn't a big fan of the last instalment in this series but I AM OBSESSED.
Ratings ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 🌶🌶🌶
*I received an arc in exchange for an honest review*
i actually did not expect to finish this and i’m actually shocked i liked this so much bc i’d all but given up on EF and SJ, together and separate, bc almost every book i’ve attempted by them has been mid or a dnf, and i’ve attempted A LOT, i don’t even think i’ve recorded half of them on goodreads💀 i didn’t even have high hopes for this, but i needed something mindless and fun, and holy shit did it deliverrrrrr!!!!!!!! and i’m still confused on how much it delivered bc how was it so funny all the time!!!! bruh, all the back and forth was amazing and genuinely funny, i was shoook😂😂😂 i have so many highlights of shit that just made me giggle….every marriage/ex-wife joke landed, sorry bilson🤣🤣🤣 bilson and miles had chemistry for days and it was so natural, i was obsessed. like how did y’all manage to make:
“On your back, CB. I’m gonna reverse cowgirl the cum out of you.”
sound like normal, casual, every day bro talk when y’all are bout to do the exact opposite of normal, casual, every day bro shit💀💀💀 like the chemistry was too good, too natural, like these mfs are definitely finding each other in every universe.
i can already tell this is gonna be in my reread rotation, i love how lighthearted and fun it is. well, except for that time i cried in the last third of the book💀 but all good things and exactly the reason i had to give it 5 stars bc all the feels😍🤧🥺😭🤩
okay and ik i’m veering into to hater territory here, but not everything has to be interconnected y’all pls😭😭😭 ik that’s the authors’ thing but that’s part of the reason this whole ‘universe’ doesn’t really do it for me (aside from the usually mid books) and i’m not really talking about this book specifically per se, just the incessant cameos in the EF/SJ universe like ik ik it’s fun if you’re a super fan, but i find it soo annoying like damn ! they had their book, can we just focus on the main couple of this book pls😭😭😭 like the epilogue really had nothing to do with the main couple and was more like cameo central and checking in on the antics from people/couples from other books. I DON’T CARE, gimme more miles and bilson!!!!! okay rant over, still 5 stars, still don’t know how this happened, still going in my reread list, MUAH💋
SO GOOD!! I love this series so much! As always when it comes to Saxon James and Eden Finley, they hit it out of the park. I love Bilson and Miles so much, the chemistry they had was amazing. I’ve been wanting Miles to have a story since meeting him in the Frat Wars series and I’m so happy it was Bilson he ended up with. These two were so funny together, but also so sweet.
Move over Tripp and Dex, Miles and Bilson have taken over as my favorite Puckboy couple!!
Miles is an absolute goofball, and I adored his character so much. He's quirky and weird, but such a sweetheart and I instantly fell in love with him from his first chapter. He and Bilson kept me rolling with their interactions, and their dynamic just really worked for me.
Also really loved seeing some of my Frat Wars babies pop up! & cannot wait for more of this series!
- pro hockey - teammates - small age gap - idiots to lovers - bi awakening x2
I’m suddenly transported back to late 2020 / early 2021. I had just gotten back into reading thanks to the MM romance genre. Eden Finley and Saxon James were a huge part of the beginning of that journey for me. This book reminded me why I fell in love with their works in the first place. It’s funny and charming. All the butterflies and swoony feelings. Banter on banter on banter. Hot. Lovable, memorable characters. Sports. But not too much. A perfect balance of all that makes a good Eden and Saxon book. When they’re good, they’re so good. And this? One of their very best. I took a break from them for such a long time because I was tired of it all feeling like too much of the same but I can confidently say we’re so back. WE’VE NEVER BEEN MORE BACK!!! It’s fresh. It’s fun. It had me smiling at my kindle for hours. What a delight!!
This audiobook is a real struggle. I think the writing is good, but Cendese is making ALL the characters sound the same which makes it real difficult to follow who's saying what. It's super confusing. Also, Hoopla has misnamed *all* of the Bilson chapters with the heading "Dilson." I wish I knew who to contact to fix that. It's annoying as hell...
UPDATE: Finished. I managed to finish by switching from the Audio to KU version.
I really feel that the writing was solid, the story was sweet. It wasn't as hilarious as Clueless but it was a low angst sweet friends to lovers story which I appreciated. I'm beginning to look back over my Sadenverse journey and wonder if Saxon James is the magic juice in this series. There's no way to know without knowing exactly who writes what. And maybe they are just better together but overall my Eden Finley reads have not been as liked as the Sadenverse ones. :/
Also, this is the audiobook where I began to think Cendese doesn't really have his heart in narrating anymore. He seemed to be regretting his life choices. Like dude, stop narrating MM if you're going to fail it so epically. We already have enough bad narrators out there.
I understand why this was so many people’s fave in the series! I loved Miles and Bilson so much🥹 I really liked both characters individually and liked them even more together. I just loved their relationship so much, it truly was friends to lovers and it was done really well and didn’t feel forced. It also makes me soooo happy when the awakenings are just go with the flow and chill 😌
I was either cackling or smiling throughout my whole read (and crying a lil bit at the end) and the banter was truly bantering 🥰 I could’ve done with out the back and forth with Miles about something that took the whole book to happen but it still didn’t take away my love of this book! Oskar & Lane are still my faves but these two are definitely next in line 🤗
Bromantic Puckboy is another fun hockey romance, it might be my favourite in the series (so far). It definitely has my favourite book cover of the series.
Bilson and Miles make for a great addition to the Queer Collective.
This was fun, I couldn’t tell which POV I was reading but this gave me vibes more reminiscent of the original CU series than the more recent books by this author duo. Less OTT and cringey content (except for 96% that almost killed me), more actual focus on the MC’s. Not as swamped by the characters from other books although still tonnes of cameos. Still superficial and ridiculous, but in a less obnoxious way.
This made me aggressively happy. I loved it. New fave Puckboys book.
THE PREMISE: Bilson’s sworn off women because he keeps marrying them, except now he’s moved teams and is horny as hell … lucky fooling around with his new bromantic bestie doesn’t count, right?
TROPES & VIBES: - Idiots/besties to lovers - Laugh out loud MM ice hockey romcom - Phenomenal found family - Top tier shit talking and bantz - Double bi-awakening
Tropes: friends to lovers, idiots to lovers, double bi-awakening, workplace romance Feels: 5/5 Steam*: 4/5 Kinks: praise kink, liking taking orders, dirty talk, toys Angst: low HEA: yes Pairing: MM Triggers/potential icks/content warnings: fear of parents being homophobic Cheating between MCs: No Any cheating: No Other person drama: There's no real other person drama. Once they hook up, they aren't with anyone else. Miles pretends he's going to hook up with Cody's ex at one point to steal a dog.
Reread July 10, 2026
Five stars! This book is definitely a keeper and future comfort reread for me! Top tier! It had everything
Miles is 24. He is a goalie who is finally in his rookie year in the NHL after doing his time in the lower leagues. He is very close to his parents and his team is in his hometown so he lives with his parents, happily because he's so close to them. He's also afraid they're homophobic because they've always said things like Love The sinner, hate the sin. He's always identified as straight but really it's out of fear of homophobia from his parents. When he was in college he was part of the frat group in the frat wars series and he saw a bunch of his frat brothers coming out. It opens his eyes, made him curious, made him try pegging and love it which should have been a sign. Miles is a very friendly guy. He introduces himself to his team by bringing everyone friendship bracelets he made them. He's quirky, he has pet rocks that are his lucky charm but he talks to, and he names the net and talks to her. He gives off the frat boy / idiot vibe.
Cody Bilson is 31. He's been divorced four times. He didn't have a good relationship with his parents and he's always seeking a serious relationship to compensate, but he jumps too fast, gets desperate, ties people to him and is clingy and then realizes they aren't a good match. He's swearing off women even as casual hookups to prevent himself from glomping on and repeating his cycle. He's a veteran NHL player but he moves to Miles team to escape Seattle where all of his exes are.
Miles and Cody instantly have a connection. They become fast BFFs and get a bromance going. They fit well together, somehow they are exactly what the other person needs in their life. Miles volunteers to keep Cody from giving into temptation with women and becoming clingy. But that accidentally morphs into them hooking up with each other so that Miles can get someone to peg him and Cody can get someone to have sex with him that he won't immediately propose to. But they care about each other so much that there is no way this ends with them not falling in love. But there's complications of course with their relationship because their teammates they don't want to come out and create all kinds of media attention and miles is afraid that coming out will blow up his relationship with his parents and he wants them to be part of his life.
There's so much I love about this, so here's the things I loved, kind of in chronological order: - Aleks and Gabe are my babies! I love them from their own book. Them, Ezra and Anton, and now Miles and Cody are my favorite Puckboys. At the start of the book they appeared a bunch because Cody was on their team. And every time they spoke they ate, they had beautiful effortless zingers. The way they just tolerated Cody's antics with a sigh. - The way I clapped with all the Frat Wars references! I loved that series and I was so happy to see the friend group continuing to pal around and be supportive of each other. Love those glimpses into their lives. - I love humor in my romance books and this had laugh out loud moments of hilarity sprinkled throughout it as well as deep emotional moments. The humor just fit right in place, it was a natural part of all the character relationship dynamics. I enjoyed every minute. I'm going to have a tough time picking my favorite moments to highlight at the end of my review because there were so many of them. - I love Cody's ugly dog - Slutty tapeworm. These guys are so romantic. Not. Lol - I loved every single moment with Lucia. Damon would be proud of her. She's basically a female Damon. Also, good on the boys for communicating openly with Lucia. They made her question her life decisions. But they weren't that bad of a PR nightmare, they kept her in the loop, more TMI than she wanted, but she was prepared! - Cody weaponizing his bisexuality against Tripp and Dex - Tripp still having to put up with being called Human Tripp. I mildly feel bad for all the readers who haven't read the Sadenverse and are not getting the inside jokes from other books. But I enjoy them so much, Saxon and Eden keep going please I beg! - I love that I never thought these guys were going to hurt each other deliberately. There was never any miscommunication trope or artificial external villains. I'm not the kind of reader that enjoys sitting on pins and needles, anxious about when/whether one MC is going to do something that hurts the other MC terribly. It's a horrible, anxious headspace. I much prefer a book like this one, where the characters care about each other so much that they wouldn't intentionally hurt them. I love when the tension in a love story is not lack of care. I have such a weakness for that. - I love that Cody knows Miles well enough to read him. He knows he's worried about his parents and not hesitant or regretful about their relationship - I loved how Miles came out to his parents. What he said was beautiful and and his parents reaction was a pleasant surprise to me. I wish all humans treated people who were different from them as if the most important person in their life could turn out to be that difference. I think there would be a lot less hate in the world, a lot more acceptance and understanding. - I loved how Miles and Cody came out to their teammates. And then the world in the next moment. It was hilarious how it happened as them having a conversation in front of their teammates and their poor teammates struggling to compute what they were hearing as the bromance transformed into romance in their heads. And them immediately offering support. - Ezra and Anton, my OG mother fucking babies. Loved every elements of their appearance in the book. Ezra was so Ezra. The attempted lesson about docking.
I'm just so happy with this book. I had 50 annotations in this book and they were all good moments. I have no negative notes for this book. Which is kind of crazy for me because I am a critical person and in my reviews I like to state what I enjoyed and what I disliked just for my record. So even if I enjoyed 98 out of 100 things in a book, I will still list the two things that I didn't like even though they were minor in comparison to everything I liked.
Also, people, I think it's happening! I've been wanting a Puckboy book to feature a hockey player and ref. It would be gold. I just know they would do it so well. And in this book Easton AKA middle Kiki made reference to his brother's best friend being a ref and how his brother would not let them hook up. Gimme, gimme. Now.
Some notable moments:
"“I’m telling you, we could be fucking center ice, and they’d still be all, ‘Aww, that’s a bromantic pregame ritual.’ I really don’t think we have anything to worry about with the media, maybe not even with the team.""
"I don’t look up as I force all the feelings out of me. “So I’m bi, and I think I have known for a while, but I’ve never given myself time to think of it as an option because the last thing I ever wanted to do was disappoint you. Or make you love me less. But then I met Bilson, and there was no way to stop myself from falling for him, and now that I know what it’s like to be loved without bullshit expectations, it’s made it pretty damn clear that I can’t change who I am. You’re the ones who have to change your mindset. If you want me in your life and if you love me how I’ve always thought you did, you need to figure it out fast. I’m not straight. I’ve never been straight. And I know that queer people scare you or make you uncomfortable or whatever the hell the Bible teaches, but please. Please try to remember you love me, a real person you made, more than some imaginary dude in the sky.”"
I love Saxon and Eden for giving us scenes like this. "Miles knocks, and as soon as Lucia answers, he turns on his boyish charm. “I have bad news for you, Chia.” She slumps. “What have you two done now?” “Nothing. Everything. Nothing bad, I mean.” Miles loses some of his confidence. “It’s that your and my impending marriage is off.” “Oh no,” she deadpans. “How will I cope? Please, tell me why we could never be?” “I’m a taken man now.” She glances between me and Miles, and she slumps. “You two didn’t run off and get married, did you?” “Why do I feel like that’s directed at you?” Miles asks me."
Little D chirping on Ezra as per usual. And Anton not even able to defend his man. "Asher rubs his jaw. “I wish I could say this was a new low for Ezra, but sadly, this is just a new medium for him.” Anton agrees. “I should protest on my man’s behalf, but I really can’t. He peeled a carrot in the shape of an uncut dick.”"
*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.
Some parts were really good. Others - not so much.
I’ll start with the parts I liked. And that was mostly the bromance-romance between Cody and Miles. They were so… fratboyish, for the lack of a better term, big goofy idiots with really good chemistry. I loved their characters, and how their relationship developed.
Sadly, there were quite a few things that kept me from fully enjoying it, and for the most things, I actually blame myself.
See - I love the CU Hockey series by these authors. But with the “Puckboys” spinoff, it all became a bit… much. It’s still fun, but this entire idea of the “Queer collective” took things too far. I swear you need a map by now to keep track of all the queer couples, their former and current teams, potential new queers and allies. They all meet up regularly, and there’s a WhatsApp group chat (because of course there is…) and each character chimes in and has opinions and is funny and… a bit overwhelming really. And not really adding to the story.
As for the other thing - again, I blame myself - I listened to the audiobook 🙄 Don’t judge, I needed one to listen to while driving, and I thought I could handle Alexander Cendese, because he’s not as bad when narrating the “frat boys/jocks” pov. And I was right, he kind of fits Miles’ character. But still, he’s… not good. Whenever he narrates, I never know who’s talking when he impersonates younger men. It’s all one voice and cadence. And as for the “older voices”… uh. They either sound really old (he made Miles’ father sound like 70), or old, whiny and toothless (Miles’ mother) - and I can’t imagine them being much older than 50.
I should just turn around and run whenever I see his name on the narrators list 🙄 even though - as always - the other half was narrated by Iggy Toma, who’s really good.
Annnnnyyyyywayyyyy.
It’s funny, great banter, low drama, hot bi awakening, but I can’t in good conscience rate it with more than 3 stars 🤷♀️
These puckboys are very lovable. This story was so cute, entertaining and I was not ready for it to be over. I love Miles, he is so weird in the most endearing way and Bilson loving him completely is just too precious. Together they are a beautiful couple. The friendship was awesome, Killer, Seedy and Stone, Annette, Cobra, the friendship bracelets, so so good. I cannot wait to see what’s next for this couple in the next book. Ezra making an appearance is always the highlight of every puckboy book, he is too much and I love him. Love the QC and how everyone is so supportive. My heart is so happy for these characters. Excited for Easton’s book next!
After the 1st and 2nd book of the series (that I absolutely adored), I didn't really feel the connection with the other couples and I wasn't expecting much from this book. I'm so glad I gave this one a chance! It's a low angst light read that makes you go "aww" between a laugh and another. The two MCs are idiots and I love them just like that. The flow of the story did make sense, nothing was rushed, they just felt the bromotions and worked with them without too much drama. Everything made sense and that's what really matters because lately books tend to make little to no sense.
Ok this was a lot of fun to read. So funny and unserious. I had a good time with it. The stealing the dog scene had me cracking up. A lot of crossovers in this one though sheesh. I think the next one may have more too. They can be fun, but wow it’s a lot of people to remember. Anyway, this book was fun and enjoyable, definitely not serious but good for when you just want something funny to read.
May 12th, 2024: reread had to happen asap so here we are 🤝🏻👌🏻
*whispers* what the fuck. I loved this one SO MUCH, I can't even write a proper review yet cause I need to gather my thoughts. 😭💓 . . REVIEW Bromantic Puckboy is exactly what I wanted it to be - a cute and hilarious story of two men realizing they might not be as straight as the initially thought, of falling in love and being terrified that the other doesn't feel the same *cue some slight angst that leads to communication!!* Miles and Bilson are definitely himbos in their own right and from their ridiculous dialogue to inner monologues that made me cackle, it was all an epic (and bromantic 😂) ride. Add to that some truly unforgettable cameos and there you have it - one of the best books I've read this year (and just generally okay! I am waiting to get my hands on a physical copy for my Sadenverse shrine haha).
Puckboys is one of my favourite series and Bromantic made it to the very top when it comes to the best couples! 🤭 Give me all the soft himbos who are not afraid of going after what they want (after realizing what that is, of course! cause they ARE still himbos).
You absolutely need to read Bromantic Puckboy if you adore:
• himbo x himbo dynamic/sweet dumbasses • books that make you laugh out loud • sexual awakening • friendship bracelets hehe (that was such a Travis Kelce moment, Saxon and Eden!! I see you!! 😂😍) • sex ed by Ezra Palaszczuk 😂
All in all, a fabulous addition to Puckboys and I can't wait for some brother's best friend dynamics for book seven!
I don't care about the cringe name, I love this series and cannot wait for this to be in my hands 😍 ------------------- Tomorrow, Tomorrow, I'll have you Tomorrow... ------------------- I got it! ------------------- Honestly, this just made me miss the other couples and make me want to re-read.
Well, that couldn’t be more of an unbelievable situation but it was fun so…..3 stars I liked it. Miles is a cutie Love me some honesty and communication
"That’s it. I can’t stand it anymore. The bromance is all well and good, but tonight, I need to cut the strings and get laid."
Bromantic Puckboy by Eden Finley and Saxon James is the sixth 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 Miles and (Cody) Bilson's story.
What To Expect:
❣️MM sports (hockey) romance ❣️Double bi-awakening ❣️Found family ❣️Friends to lovers ❣️Slow burn ❣️Steamy first times ❣️Cute AF bromance ❣️HEA
Another classic sports romance from the formidable Finley/James combo - fun, easy reading, low angst and a HEA. What's not to love?!
I'll give it 3.5⭐ this time around, I honestly do like Miles and Cody,
but I'll say it's a damn shame their story went down the same road as most of these installments; it became ridiculous and juvenile soon enough.
Good main characters, I appreciated the bi-awakenings, the sex was good (the very few parts that were on-page), but again it feels like someone talking about these guys like they aren't really professional hockey players, just some characters that you can't take seriously.
It could've been really good, but I'm with my older review on this one, the awkwardness was there and I couldn't get rid of the feeling. Some installments have improved my opinion, but this one stays the same.
Now I'm finally getting to the recent installment, that's why I re-read the series. I just hope the youngest Kiki brother is getting a good one. ____________________________
Original review on Jun 11th/24
This installment is definitely better than the last three I've read. The main relationship was good, but the rest is still below average.
I like this community of gay hockey players and how supportive they are, but the series could do with a book that's a little more serious and goes to a certain depth. By now I know exactly what'll happen in every other book that's coming and this time around I still can't rate it more than 3⭐.
🟣 Teammates 🟡 Double bi-awakening 🟢 One guy has been married 4 times already, "childhood trauma" 🔵 No angst, coming out 🟣 Age gap - 24/31 🌶️ Sex was actually the only good thing in this book; a lot of sex scenes off-page; oral, rimming, penetrative; t/b
Cody is the guy from the previous installment that's been married 4 times already and he's being traded to Tennessee, just so he can get away from all the ex wives. Cody gets really close with Miles, the rookie goalie on the team. They become fast friends and in an unsuccessful night out going for a threesome, they decide to hook up.
"Bilson is in complete control, and I’m not so much approaching the edge as being thrown off it. His hard chest against my back, those heavy noises in my ear, large bicep against my throat, and when I reach behind me, hands sliding down his sides, there’s all hard angles there too."
So they end up having sex, first time with a man for both. The sex was really good, I loved it and the rest of what they did was hot, sexy, amazing, although more could be on-page. Cody and Miles falling for each other part was very believable, most of it was realistic and good.
Miles' bi-awakening wasn't really a bi-awakening, so much as only accepting what's been there for a few years already. He hasn't come out mostly because of his religious family, but he's really coming to terms with who he is and what he likes, there was a bit of angst thrown in there, but in general they were accepted as a couple.
How they went about everything though was overdone, chewed over, heard many times before, first the press, then the social media, then the teammates, it's always the same thing in this series. It's too movie-like, oftentimes juvenile and the dialogues become ridiculous sooner or later.
They have a bromance going on which was the main focus in the book and the authors were overselling the whole idea.
"And so they know that I’m the kinda bro who makes other bros bracelets."
"Not just friends but people I can talk to, be bromotional with, not have to always put on the cocky and confident act."
“Standing up for your man? How bromantic of you.”
“Oohhh, coming between the bromance?”
“We’re doing bromotions?”
"This is about exploring a whole new side of our… brolationship."
Couple that up with
"I swear some sites made it seem like finding the prostate is as hard as finding a woman's clit."
and
"Through all the smothering and the weirdness, you've promised yourself to me. No take backsies."
"No take backsies."
and you've got yourself a ridiculous love story in the end, that had all the potential to be really good. It almost seems like the authors are infantilizing these almost 30 year old guys, the story that starts out good and has adult themes, suddenly becomes a teen-wreck-romance, ridiculous and OTT.
So, if you're not too demanding, this is an easy, light read with no angst and good sex, could've been better though.
I really enjoyed this book. It's chaotic and fun and I eat that up every single time. If you just want to have a light reading with no angst this is for you.
This is a standalone but I think if I read the first books I would have appreciated the last two chapters.