Puck Match

Lux Brumalis

by Kris Butler

This was the one game I couldn't lose. When I started Carrington University, becoming the school Puck Matcher was not on my Bingo card. But once I stepped into the role, I discovered a new hobby I loved. Plus, it was nice being seen as more than “that Enby hockey player” around campus.

Being a student-athlete, my free time was limited, so I set up rules to keep things simple.

Never fall for one of your matchesNever mix hockey and matchmakingOnly one Puck Match a semester
Things were going great. I had my group of friends, hockey, and hobbies I enjoyed. So cue the inner turmoil when my coach pointed out I wasn’t the team player I believed I was! What the what!

In a panic, I broke one of my rules, and everything I knew turned upside down.
A simple kiss was no longer just a kiss.
New sensations overwhelmed me at every turn.
And the person who offered to tutor me was my best friend’s rival.

And then it hit me.
I’d broken another rule.
I fell for not one, but three of my matches...And I couldn’t have any of them.

Love was truly pucked up.

Puck Match is connected to the Lux Brumalis series but can be read as a standalone. Puck Match follows Reese—a non-binary character—at college. This is a slower burn with medium spice toward the end. It is a multiple love interest story and there is no cheating. The book does end with a HEA.

Genres: Why Choose, Sports Romance, Friends To Lovers

483 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 8, 2024

About the author

Kris Butler writes under a pen name to have some separation from her everyday life. Writing has become her second love, providing a safe place to normalize mental health through her characters. Kris enjoys writing emotional books with flawed characters, sassy heroines, and all the book boyfriends she loves to drool over. You can find her at home most nights reading with her husband and furbaby, trying to maintain her nerdy sock collection, or playing tabletop games with her friends. Kris loves to talk with readers about her books, even if it’s just them yelling at her for that cliffhanger. If you enjoyed her book, please consider leaving a review. You can find her in her reader group or on social media.

Follow Kris's journey as an author on Instagram (@authorkrisbutler) and Facebook, and join her reader group (Kris Butler's Misfit Penguins) for exclusive content.

If you enjoyed her book, please consider leaving a review.

Reviews

[ChristiLovesBooks_smut · Rating 5 out of 5]

Puck Match, book 4 of the series Lux Brumalis by Kris Butler @authorkrisbutler. Kris is an absolute favorite author of mine. Just wow! Holy wow!

I absolutely loved this book about Reese, Cam, Braden & Landon! Loved catching up with Henley from books 1-3 in the series. Tropes: RH, No MM, College Hockey, non-binary character, a couple of virgins, love is love & found family. An amazing book!

[MK · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have never read a book I didn’t enjoy from KB and “Puck Match” was no different! This book featured the beloved character Reese, whom we first met as the younger sibling to Henley Henshaw. This book brings readers along while for the characters journeys of self-discovery, love, and loyalty. Reese navigates their relationships with their lovers.

The dynamic between Reese and their lovers is multifaceted, and displays the beauty of friendships evolving into more, along with enemies becoming friends.

The demi representation is beautifully and respectfully woven into the narrative, allowing readers who relate to the complexities of being demi, connect with Reese's character.

Fans of the other Kris Butler books will be thrilled to see cameos from previous characters like Henley Henshaw and her husbands, adding a bit of familiarity, and solidifying the connectedness of this book world.

“Puck Match” is an amazing who choose with Demi and nonbinary representation, this book is full of exploration of identity and love, with just the right amount of angst and spice! It’s an absolute must read for anyone who enjoys a character-driven story with some hockey in the mix!

[claire dovey · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed reading Reese's story.. this may be one of my favourite Kris Butler books!

I was worried as I don't really know/understand the different terms used, but Kris put explanations at the beginning of the book which made things easier. I loved all of the characters, but I think Cam is my absolute favourite. I would definitely recommend this to everyone.

I received an ARC of this book and am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Deb Barringer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Puck Match, by Kris Butler, is the 4th and final installment in her absolutely amazing Lux Brumalis Collection. True to Ms. Butler's talent, Puck Match gave me everything I was expecting and so much more! While it could be read as a standalone, it slides in nicely behind her sister, Henley's stories, and it's the perfect place to tell Reese's tale.

I loved how the group was both advanced/worldly and sheltered/naive at the same time. Growing up playing sports seriously, gives you a different perspective on things than most kid's of a similar age experience. It can also make you surprisingly naive and sheltered, as your focus is totally on your sport. I liked the fact that at least Reese, Braden and Miller hadn't explored their sexuality yet, instead focusing on hockey and waiting for the right person and appropriate time.

I enjoyed all of the characters, from old friend's from previous books, to new additions that brought new life to the story. Braden, Cam and Landon definitely form a unique trio. With so much history between Braden and Landon, I kept waiting for more bloodshed. Reese is amazing. Understanding what it means for her to be a NiBi (Non-Binary) is where reading books 1-3 really helps. It is such a gift to be able to observe Reese's sexual awakening. Her guys are so incredibly kind, loving, understanding and accommodating.

The storyline is fast-paced and well written, filled with action, college-level sports, jealousy, new love, 1st time feelings of sexuality, Non-Binary identification and remarkable teamwork with a strong determination to win.

Overall, this is probably one of the best Kris Butler book's I have read, and that's saying a lot since she is one of my top 3 favorite authors. I have read through the reviews posted so far, but I don't understand why some of you raved about the book yet only give it 4 stars. Just saying...

[Deborah Peach · Rating 5 out of 5]

Puck Match was thought-provoking, insightful, moving, sensitive, compassionate, and eye-opening. It is a why-choose story about four hockey players: Reese, Brayden, Cam, and Landon. Although meant to be a standalone, you will meet characters from the completed Lux Brumalis series. The author addressed Reese's nonbinary and demisexuality with sensitivity and compassion, leaving me with a better understanding of their character, the challenges they faced playing their chosen sport, and daily life. The on-ice hockey action was accurate and descriptive, bringing the sport to life.

Reese is confused about why their feelings change for long-time friends Brayden and Cam. Cuddles, hugs, and affectionate displays have always been easy between the three friends. Hockey has been a massive part of their lives that bonds them. Luckily, they attend the same college and can play on the men's and women's teams. Reese is known for pairing people up with suitable matches but has never been able to do so for themselves. When they unwittingly pair up Brayden and Cam with two others, Reese discovers that feelings suddenly come into play. Enter another player on the men's team that strikes up inexplicable stirrings in Reese, and confusion becomes their daily state. How do you tell your two best friends and their mutual enemy that you want more without upsetting the apple cart?

Puck Match is the first book I have read by the author, and I am eager to read more of their writing.

[Richelle Zirkle · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was so eager for Reese’s story, and it didn’t disappoint. Anyone who read Lux Brumalis and invested in the Henshaw siblings has been dying to get their HEA. The way Reese is now slowly coming into their demisexuality and owning their desires for not only two of their best friends but embracing a classmate and rival/enemy of their BFFs speaks volumes. Brayden and Cam have complicated the friendship by engaging in the puck match fun and being paired with Reese’s teammates, but Landon’s offering Reese the opportunity for them to experiment and learn things in a non-threatening way. All the relationship drama happens against the backdrop of the hockey season which offers even more on ice drama and in-fighting than anyone could ever expect from both the ladies’ and men’s teams. Reese’s focus remains steadfast, and I admire that Henshaw strength running through their veins, keeping them strong and convicted to hold their course in hockey and in love, working, always putting in the effort for the HEA they want. The cameos by beloved characters are always treasured. Now the love for Miller just needs to be realized…

[Ally · Rating 4 out of 5]

So I’ll be totally honest, this book didn’t really do it for me, especially compared to some of the other series/books I’ve really enjoyed by the same author. In terms of enjoyment, it’s a 3* for me. HOWEVER, it was still well written and that’s what I’m rating it based on. I think the thing that made it so that I wasn’t able to get into it, was that the characters read more like they were in high school, rather than college. I wasn’t able to find any that I connected with, though a few made me chuckle/smile. I can see younger individuals enjoying it, though it does have some spice, so keep that in mind. I don’t tend to see a lot of books that are representing anything other than straight, gay, or bi, so I liked that. The characters were a cute, found family, sort of group. Most of the book is centered around relationship development, so there isn’t a lot of other plot going on in the background, but it worked for what it was and the pacing was good. As I said, it’s a good book, just not one I connected with personally.

[J · Rating 5 out of 5]

Puck Match- Kris Butler

So sad to see the end of the Lux Brumalis series, because I love these characters soooo much! I’ve been waiting for Reese’s story and it’s every bit as wonderful as I was hoping it would be! Camelot is mine- you can’t have him! The development each character goes through to find their HEA is perfect! The epilogue had me crying tear of joy. I guess if it has to end, this is the best way it could. Enjoy!

[Clary · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed Reese, Cam, Braden & Landon. This why choose hockey romance story revolves around these 4 young college students and their growth both as adults and as a polycule. Kris did such an amazing job capturing the intricacies of being a young nonbinary hockey player as well as the difficulties of getting into a group style relationship. It was a good read, with emotional moments, spicy moments, romantic moments, and funny moments, one that I enjoyed thoroughly.

[Dian Kinsman · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book. It focuses on Reese and her growing relationships between Braden, Cam and Landon. I thought they were sweet together. I liked how sex was not overly important or the only focus. Reese and some of her guys come into their sexual awareness later in life, and that's OK. Not all teenagers/young adults have the same experience, and this book highlights several of those. The ending left me melting, it was a great ending!

[Martha · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love Love in all it's forms and this book, oh this book. I was so immersed in this story.
I couldn't put it down. Reese, Braden, Cam and Landon will live rent free in my head for a long time. I really have no words except I loved this story. Kris will be one of my favorite authors until the end of time. Highly recommend.
I received an advance review copy from the author and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[TarynLA · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kris Butler does it again!!
Puck Match is book 4 (standalone) in the Lux Brumalis series. It’s an RH college hockey romance with no mm.
Reese who is non- binary has their $exual awakening with her 2 BFF’s and the boy’s ’bad boy’ teammate who is not their friend.
There’s just the right amount of angst and a bit of miscommunication.
It was an amazing read that I could not put down.

[Stephanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

A socially relevant story dealing with the terms of being nonbinary. Following Reece and her journey along with her friends was entertaining and an enjoyable experience.

[Poccca Nachname · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just loved the book 💗 so nice to see Reese's Happy Ending

[Cori K · Rating 5 out of 5]

Perfect book! Loved every second of reading it!
It has great enby and demi representation and I really enjoyed them having their own love story. It also kind of helped me understand myself better.
10/10 would recommend!

[Diomadis]

DNF! 3% and i couldn’t take it anymore. Sentence structure , ever the story was going…intro to characters the back story all of it sounded like a teenager trying to spit out a story.

[Bridget · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cam was the biggest Golden retriever of all golden retriever book boyfriends I've ever read I absolutely loved him.

[Chris · Rating 5 out of 5]

so addicted

Love this whole series and I hate -hate for it to end. These characters are an emotional investment that pays in dividends.

[Jennifer Dodge · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book!

This was a great book! I'm glad I got to read reese story! I highly recommend reading this book! .

[Lira · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’ll start with the praise for Kris Butler, Kris chose to go unpopular (I personally don’t see it often if at all) way and write RH with non-binary character. I knew what to expect when I started reading this book but came blind at the same time, if it makes sense.

Puck Match didn’t disappoint! I loved the writing (obviously! loove Butler’s writing and want more people to read her books!).

Loved the plot:

a mix of friends to lovers, love matching, college hockey, humble but rich lifestyle at times, with sprinkles of bullying and finding strength to put deserving in their places.

Usually I have definite favorite character but I loved them all this time ☺️ Well, maybe cinnamon roll was the sweetest but.. no, they were all delicious and great, and well written ❤️

What I also really liked was the demi representation! How Reese handled their self exploration, fearless and honest. Not without doubts and what ifs, but they stayed strong and daring.

In all those big and small predicaments, self discovery, romance and friendship grows, there was good humor and warmth ☺️

I am grateful to be one of those who got the ARC. Thank you! All opinions are my own and this is my honest review.