Final Breakaway

For Puck's Sake #11

by Crea Reitan

My marriage of circumstance is proving to be the recipe to happily ever after.

Keno

Sometimes when you meet your person, you immediately click and all the pieces of your life fall into place. Instant best friends. Platonic soulmates. Hockey buddies and vacation partners.

And sometimes, you don’t even know you’ve fallen in love.

When a joke about marrying my best friend is taken seriously, we embark on making it happen. I mean, Etna makes a strong argument for marriage even though it was my teasing idea so who am I to argue? For seven months, we hurdle toward a wedding and a life together that allows us to be best friends forever.

Our days are filled with sexy banter, awkward first times, too many decisions to make, and the promise of a life that leaves me breathless. I’m marrying my best friend. What could be better than that?

***

This is a LGBTQIA+ story with content not intended for those under 18 years of age due to graphic scenes and situations.

Genres: M M Romance, Friends To Lovers, Hockey, Sports, Romance, Sports Romance, Slow Burn

363 pages, Kindle Edition

Published March 13, 2025

About the author

Crea lives in upstate New York with her dog and husband. She has been writing since grade school, when her second grade teacher had her class keep writing journals. She has a habit of creating secondary, and often time tertiary, characters that take over her stories. When she can't fall asleep at night, she thinks up new scenes for her characters to act out. This, of course, is how most of her meant-to-be-thrown-away characters tend to end up front and center - and utterly swoon-worthy! Don't ask her how many book boyfriends she has...

When not writing, Crea is an avid reader. Her TBR pile is several hundred books high (don't even look at her kindle wish list or the unread books on her tablet). Sometimes, she enjoys crafting; sometimes, exploring nature; sometimes, traveling. Mostly, she enjoys putting her characters on paper and breathing life into them. Oh, and sleeping. Crea loves to sleep!

Reviews

[moonlight ☾ [semi-hiatus] · Rating 4 out of 5]

brb gonna go read Lo/Caulder's book next bc if Lo putting Keno and Etna's wedding rings on his nipples isn't a sign i'm gonna love his character, idk what will. 😭

on a serious note, i loved Keno and Etna together and how seamlessly the transition of them being best friends to a married couple felt. i also agree with what was talked in the book that a long lasting love stems from a friendship and trust between the people involved in the relationship and i loved seeing how they had that type of friendship with each other before anything else. 🥹

[Dani · Rating 4 out of 5]

Adorable and entertaining! I'm pretty sure I haven't read this exact relationship dynamic before without there being some kind of fake relationship involved, and it was so refreshing that these guys just went straight into a real relationship.

I loved how they knew they were each other's person. The way they progressed their relationship from best friends to more was both sweet and funny - I loved their calendar scheduling 😂 The wedding planning stress was SO relatable and I totally agree that themes suck and colour schemes are better! Wedding planning is super stressful though and it definitely made me think back to my own and how happy I was to get rid of all my planning stuff after - the best part was the food tasting for me too 😂

More people should have Keno and Etna's attitude to relationships though, the world would be a nicer place.

I also loved seeing Brek from the Van Doren series being their estate agent, plus Lark Taylor's Caffeine Daydreams are the wedding band, so that was a cute crossover too!

[Shonee · Rating 4 out of 5]

He Can Handy My J Any Day

3.5 🚛🚛🚛🚛 (mack trucks part right in his little garage)

Why do I feel like this whole book is on the spectrum? I like it. The sex mishaps were hilarious, and the hand job in this was immaculate.

[James]

DNF at 54%

Looking at all the other reviews, everyone seems to love this book. I’ll keep this review short and sweet. I simply don’t see it. I love this author, but this book wasn’t it. There was genuinely no chemistry between the characters, and the fact that they just seemed to be doing things ‘just because’ made me not even care. I stopped over halfway through the book, and neither of them was acknowledging their queerness on any real level. They didn’t even seem attracted to each other in any way beyond friends.

The other thing that made it really hard to keep up was that the characters were literally the same person. It felt like the author didn’t even know which was which. One was supposed to be the impulsive “baby” of the hockey team, yet he kept being the one to be reserved and making thoughtful decisions, and taking charge. Then all of a sudden, their personalities would shift.

I finally stopped this book when I realized I was skipping multiple pages at a time. I just felt no connection to the characters. There was no true in-depth understanding of anyone in the book, everything felt surface level. This had so much potential, and like I said, I LOVE the author’s other books, but unfortunately this was a major disappointment for me.

[eebabek reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 ☆
Oh my gosh! These two. The ultimate best friends to lovers.

This is such an unconventional start to a relationship but seeing as they essentially already thought of each other as their platonic soul mate, adding in a physical relationship wasn't much of a stretch for Keno and Etna. They both accepted it, and they way they approached it was logical, but they had such a fun time with it. The first bj scene had me giggling!

"For love to exist between two people, there must be trust and friendship above all else." And that's what Crea's books are largely about. Two people trusting and loving each other. It's beautiful.

[Natalie · Rating 1 out of 5]

DNF - 13%
For one the writing was really slow and I just couldn't get into it and secondly marrying your straight best friend is just kinda unrealistic, more so than most of romance novels

[Jeanette Buck · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was another great book in this hockey series. This was quite a different story to what I have read before. It was a straightforward story with no angst about two straight friends who fall in love. Best friends and teammates Keno and Etna clicked when they met and are literally joined by the hip. After having seen what other friends have gone through they decide that the best foundation for a marriage is friendship and they start planning their wedding. Despite both being straight they navigate a romantic relationship and realise they aren't as straight as they thought they were. This was such a lovely love story and I enjoyed reading it.

[Aga Slonina · Rating 4 out of 5]

So happy with another ARC from one of my favourite MM authors!! I absolutely adored these two, best friends to lovers trope in this was done so well🤩 I really enjoyed the fact that it’s not exactly the usual way you would expect friends to turn to lovers, like it wasn’t an accidental like “omg i just realised my best friend is attractive ” no no. They fully had a PLAN to make this happen, like they sat down and decided they are going to be in a relationship and made a step by step ‘manual’ on how to perfect it😭 I have literally never read a book like this one, and what I really liked is that there was no hiding their relationship, everyone literally knew, people would make jokes about them being married anyway🤣

Even though they had a written plan on each step they would take in progressing their relationship, it still felt very natural and none of it seemed forced, the spice was also soo good and definitely felt very natural for them both even though they planned the steps😂There were some scenes in the book which literally screamed MARRIED COUPLE but they were both so oblivious to it. I mean they shared a bed, a bank account, and they practically lived together?? Like HELLO??

Keno and Etna were absolutely perfect for each other, they were both hilarious and absolutely adorable, I mean Etna had Keno swooning 24/7! Although Keno’s proposal was definitely one of the most romantic moments in the book🥹 I really enjoyed how openly they discussed everything, there was no guessing or miscommunication between them, they built an amazing relationship and I actually did tear up at their wedding chapter because it was just so fricking cute! But one of the most memorable moments in the book was when Keno not so subtly chokes despite Etna’s warnings 🤣🤣 I was laughing along with Etna, bless Keno he really was distracted 👀

I really did have a great time reading this book, I loved the story, absolutely adored the characters, including the side characters, it was just yet another great read by Crea Reitan, I will forever cherish these MM romances💕

[Mars Rads · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.25 Stars

If you are looking for a MM hockey romance, this series is where you should start. This book is yet another wonderful book in this series with deep characters that you can really connect to. So many LGBTQIA+ books include two characters where at least one is completely surprised by their new feelings and tries to hide them by shoving them way down deep. I appreciated that these two were so close at best friends that everyone around them joked that they should get married. The way that these two approached their relationship had me personally chuckling. It wasn’t crazy and frantic, but these two friends went into their marriage with such a detailed plan and did their research. This book had such a different approach to things that it really got my attention and kept it. It made me want to keep reading. It was such a well written MM hockey romance.

Keno and Etna were adorable. Their friendship was so close and the way that they slowly realized that they actually loved each other in a deeper more romantic way made me so happy to read it. Some of the best marriages are formed when best friends tie the knot (having married my best friend, I should know). The way that they interacted with each other showed the amazing chemistry that they had from the very start. Their approach to their marriage was such a refreshing twist on things and made this story very enjoyable to read. I thought these two made this unique story what it was, and it was hard not to fall in love with them.

This series does such a great job of writing MM hockey romances and this book is such a great example of how these stories are not just a repeat of the others in the series. The spice between these two was so enjoyable because they were exploring and experiencing everything together. This was such a refreshing take on the MM hockey romance and I really appreciated reading something that wasn’t the same old story again. It’s such an enjoyable story and one that is perfect for those looking for something different.

[Chris · Rating 4 out of 5]

3,5 von 5*

Keno und Etna sind nicht nur Teamkameraden, sondern auch beste Freunde. Und das vom ersten Tag an. Sie verbringen nicht nur ihre Zeit gemeinsam am Eis, beim Training und eben auf den Reisen mit dem Team, sondern trennen sich auch in ihrer Freizeit so gut wie nie. Sie leben also praktisch zusammen und verbringen eben ihre Zeit gemeinsam. Für ihre Teamkollegen sind sie längst wie ein altes, verheiratetes Ehepaar. Und ein Video, dass die zwei Männer betrunken und sich am Strand küssend zeigt, macht die Sache auch nicht besser. Doch Keno und Etna nehmen es belustigt zur Kenntnis und lassen sich davon nicht ärgern.

Nach einem Spiel in Vegas keimt in ihnen plötzlich die Idee auf zu heiraten. Natürlich ist es erst ein dummer Scherz. Doch Keno und Etna  gehen die Angelegenheit sehr pragmatisch und fast schon analytisch an. Ja, sie leben praktisch zusammen. Sie unternehmen alles zusammen und sie können sich auch vorstellen nach ihrem Rückzug aus dem aktiven Sport das alles fortzusetzen. Also warum nicht heiraten? Wäre da nicht der Umstand, dass sie beide eigentlich heterosexuell sind. Also eigentlich. Keno scheint hierbei schon etwas weiter zu sein. Praktische Erfahrungen hat er nicht, aber die Aussicht mit Etna intim zu werden, macht ihn neugierig.

Das Buch zu bewerten ist gar nicht so einfach. Für mich ist es jetzt mal das schwächste Buch der Reihe. Die Helden sind wirklich liebenswert und sie machen auch Spaß. Aber irgendwie hat das Setting nicht ganz für mich gepasst. Anders als bei Brigham Vaughns Road Rules konnte mich die Entwicklung nicht so überzeugen und mitnehmen. Aber ich habe schon deutlich schlechtere Bücher mit seltsameren Plots gelesen. Dass Keno und Etna sich sehr nahe sind, das nimmt man ihnen sofort ab. Gefallen hat mir, dass sie sich körperlich nur sehr langsam näher gekommen sind. Und dass es hierbei auch immer wieder zu Situationen kam, die ihnen unangenehm waren und die sie erst für sich einordnen musste. Das machte die Geschichte und eben die Entwicklung dann doch etwas "realistischer".

[Sarah Coggins · Rating 5 out of 5]

Final Breakaway was my first read of the For Puck’s Sake series and was such an adorable, refreshing read.
Keno and Etna were instant best friends from the start, their friends continually joked that they were like a married couple, but even though they already shared so much, neither one of them see what everyone else does. What they have is definitely more than just a bromance. One day a joke Keno makes about best friends getting married has Etna thinking, it turns into something so much more serious and the pair actually decide to take that next step and make a plan to get hitched.

This is far from your typical best friends to lovers story, it’s so unique and definitely takes this trope to another level, making it the perfect story.

The fact that Keno and Etna had always seen themselves as being straight and each had their own concerns about how the marriage could effect their friendship, but we’re still willing to make it work, is what had me completely invested in this story.
I loved how the pair decided to take a structured approach to explore both the familiar and the ‘new’ intimate side of their relationship by putting a written plan in place, again it wouldn’t be considered the norm but it definitely worked for them.
The way they put so much effort into researching everything, were open with each other about it all by communicating and supporting each other through each of those steps, is what still made it feel very natural and real, none of it seemed forced, even during those spicy moments.

There were definitely plenty of awkward moments experienced by them both throughout, bringing lots of humour to the story, it had me in hysterics so many times.

It was definitely clear from the start that Keno and Etna loved each other very much and getting to experience the journey they take to build their relationship into so much more made this such a brilliant read!

[Sabrina · Rating 5 out of 5]

How cute were Keno and Etna!? Their story was just so, so sweet. A true best friends to lovers tale. It’s no secret that Keno and Etna are best friends and basically act like an old married couple. The moment these two met, they clicked. And neither batted an eye at it. They just knew they were meant to be in one another’s lives from then on. They were always free to be who they were around one another and never had a problem being in one another’s spaces. The only thing that never occurred to them? Moving their relationship into something romantic. Not even a drunken kiss neither remember from a few summers ago made them think they should be anything more than friends. But a conversation about marriage and how it can have different meanings leads them to realizing something pretty big. What if they got married? They already act like they are. They have the partnership that are the basic building blocks of a wonderful marriage. Falling in love? Neither really bat an eye at the idea that if they actually give one another a chance to, that they wouldn’t. So they agree! They spend the next several months turning their friendship into so much more. Planning a wedding, a future they can spend together, slowly change their relationship into something romantic physical and not. And the big one, falling in love. It’s clear that these two love one another very much but what I really loved about this story is how they really transformed their friendship into so much more. Such a sweet story! Just two best friends realizing what they mean to one another and they are excited to build a life together. And just so much laughter as they stumble into the unknown but aren’t afraid because they have the person they are meant to be with by their side. There is no way you can’t love Keno and Etna!

I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Noa Ashley · Rating 4 out of 5]

"I think that our love will change too, and we could be in love someday if we allow ourselves to be. If we open ourselves up to that possibility. The question is whether we’re willing to give it a chance." - Etna

"I suppose if I were going to kiss any guy, I’d kiss him. He’s my best friend, so why not, right? I guess he’s attractive." - Keno

Keno & Etna are best friends, they (almost) share everything, a bank account, food, clothes and so much more. They are just intertwined in each others lives even before they joked about getting married, them getting married just makes sense.

There is a lot of wedding planning. And planning their spicy life in little steps because this is a big thing for them, their first time with a man. There is a Calendar moment at the beginning of every chapter and that made it very easy to understand and what to expect from the chapter. My nero spicy brain felt very seen and understood. ALSO the Van Doren family is mentioned, I'm happy with every little breadcrumb about them!!! The timeline of their love story felt right, they took it slow. Hugging and kissing felt like a second nature, the more they had moments like "This is one of those moments when I think a nice hug would help soften the misery of today’s defeat."

"If the world were a queer-accepting society, I’m pretty sure we’d have fallen in love hard and fast." - Keno

Crea always finds a way to make (sadly) realistic moments be a part of her books, those parts make me feel seen. I really love that this is a fictional book but that it also could be about people in real life. I mean marrying your best friend and then fall in love is just a dream.

My husband isn’t becoming my best friend. My best friend is becoming my husband." - Etna

I received an ARC copy of this book. Thank you so much.

[Ash · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.0 ⭐

Genre: M/M Romance
Format: eBook
Series: For Puck's Sake - 11

Character Development: 3/5
Plot: 3/5
Writing Style: 3/5
Spice Level: 2/5
Overall Rating: 4/5

Keno & Etna were adorable. This was a sweety swoony story of two best friends becoming more throughout trial and error. There is a lot of planning in this book. Whether it's marriage planning or spicy life milestones. Nat the flower shop owner, please tell me that he will get his own book. Idk why but I need to know his story. He has such a calming presence. Back to our boys, they were just refreshing. It was low angst, heck basically no angst. Just a gooey book about two BFFs falling for each other naturally.

The Van Doren's were mentioned briefly. We also got a Brek cameo (one of Oakley's BFFs. You can read Oakley's story in Loren) I always love little crossover moments.

Crea always creates interesting stories that make you think. Her characters are always up to something. Yet they are always relatable and realistic moments. ♥

What to Expect:
• Best Friends to Lovers
• Teammates to Lovers
• First Times
• Marriage of Circumstance
• Slow Burn
• HEA


Cheating: No
Third-act breakup: No
POV: Dual POV (First Person POV)
KU: Yes
I received an advance review copy, and this is my honest review.

[VicReads · Rating 4 out of 5]

🏒 𝙵𝚒𝚗𝚊𝚕 𝙱𝚛𝚎𝚊𝚔𝚊𝚠𝚊𝚢 🏒
𝚋𝚢 @creareitan

🄰🅁🄲 🅁🄴🅅🄸🄴🅆

4.25/5 ⭐️
1/5 🌶️

↓↓
Etna and Keno were the absolute cutest!

These two are the definition of soulmates. They started out as platonic soulmates that trusted enough on each other to get married and to trust that their love would grow into something more than just as friends.

While it is a little unconventional on the reason why they got married also I understand why they did it as well. They had such a beautiful connection. They had the kind of connection that will last a lifetime and other could only hope for with their best friend.

Watching them go through the awkward phases was hilarious at times. Watching them fall in love with each other and then realizing they may have been oblivious and in love with each the whole time was a journey. I was going through the emotions right along with them.

This was such low angst and I really enjoyed all the side characters as well. Such a good series.

𝕋𝕣𝕠𝕡𝕖𝕤 / 𝕎𝕙𝕒𝕥 𝕥𝕠 𝔼𝕩𝕡𝕖𝕔𝕥
🏒 Hockey Romance
🏒 Best Friends to Lovers
🏒 First Times
🏒 Slow Burn
🏒 Teammates
🏒 Marriage of Circumstance
🏒 Double Queer Awakening

#CreaReitan #FinalBreakaway #ForPucksSakeSeries #MMRomance #Hockey #BestFriendsToLovers #FirstTimes #SlowBurn #Banter #TeammatesToLovers #MarriageOfCircumstance #bookstagram #newrelease #booksbooksbooks #books #booklover #instagood #booknerd #bookworm #bookreview #romance #kindleunlimited

[BooksBooksandmoreBooks69 · Rating 5 out of 5]

This series has no end in sight, and that makes me happy. Each book reveals another couple and more characters, each book has been different, and although some haven’t been my favourites, all have been welcome.

This story just has all the happy vibes you could ever want. I smiled through most of the book, and when not smiling I was laughing.

Best friends that marry seems like a friendship to lovers trope? It’s so much more than that.

We also get a mention of the Van Doren family, that always makes me happy. I really like that the author is entwining that series in with this one.

Love the calendar on the front of each chapter, we know what’s coming, but I still got excited to see it.

“My husband isn't becoming my best friend. My best friend is becoming my husband." - Etna 💜

Keno and Etna have been friends a while, their lives are so intertwined that when a joke is mentioned that they act like a married couple, it starts the thought process , and soon it’s snowballing and taking center stage in their lives.
Small touches/kisses and cuddling is the first step as neither have ever been with a man! That too becomes second nature and both lament that they’d wish they had done it sooner.

It’s mushy, it’s cheesy, and in places corny. But i absolutely loved it.

🦋

[XxnightxowlxX74 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Marrying his best friend…

They’ve been best friends from the moment Keno was traded to Arizona. Inseparable and almost always together. Their teammates tease them that they act like a married couple.

After a conversation with Keno about unconventional marriages, some based on friendship and convenience, got Etna thinking. Etna couldn’t shake the thought of marrying his best friend, the man he saw always in his future but as his best friend and not as a husband since they both were straight-ish.

I really enjoyed Etna and Keno’s story. Best friends, straight but open to the idea of being husbands. Working together to explore if they could be more. Their friendship was foremost the sweetest and they laughed through most of the awkwardness of getting to know each other’s bodies.

They planned their wedding and relationship goals into their calendars so they wouldn’t be overwhelmed and stressed. Step by step guiding them through marrying their best friend and exploring the new physical side of their relationship.

I really love this series! Each book brings with it a different view and amazing characters! I love seeing past characters making cameos throughout the series.

[tilda Robinson · Rating 4 out of 5]

this book was so good! it was very well written, and i read it on my kindle so i made quite a few notes and highlights.

i laughed, cried, and everything in between! i love the way they go from best friends who are VERY unknowingly in love, to complete lovers who are head over heels for one another.

everything about this book was amazing, when the plot is concerned. there was one bit that REALLY confused me, but i was reading super late so i was stumbling over words and missed a whole three pages.

on the proposal scene, i CRIED. sat bolt upright in bed, at 10:30pm, gasped, cried, and told all of my friends about it the next day. it was AMAZING. i set the scene in my head, and imagined it just right. it was beautiful.

however, when crea mentioned a TRADE i panicked. i said ‘if one of them gets traded, i’m going to SOB.’ but they didn’t! so, it was a really good book and i’m going to proudly talk about it to my friends.

the wedding scene was perfect, the nipple rings, the flower gun, EVERYTHING. it was the most amazing chaos to begin with and had me sobbing (happy tears only!) by the vows. i think etna’s vows were beautiful, but KENO’S vows??? absolute tears.

thank you for making another masterpiece, crea, i can’t wait for the next one!!

[Alix · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another good hockey romance from this author, yay! This is a BFFs-to-lovers, slow burn and it is sweet and entertaining and is just perfect for a lazy weekend reading in bed. Keno and Etna became instant best friends since the moment Keno was traded to Arizona. Ever since a certain beach moment went viral, there's always been some speculation about them....so when certain things are overheard, Etna and Keno just go with it and get married. They're straight but consider themselves each other's soulmates (so sweet). There's months of PLANING (and a cute calendar at each chapter beginning) of all kinds - their wedding, but then also planning for exploring intimacy between them and more! - such a cute idea! And while this is a slow burn, there are some fun adventures to be had *ahem* in hot air balloons and so forth. I love their banter, the cameos (one of my fave things about this author's books!!), their epic communications skills, and how well they support one another - swoon! I spy a cute side character or two that I hope gets their own book, too. This is another winner from this author.

I received a complimentary copy and am leaving this review voluntarily .

[Kierra Hayes · Rating 5 out of 5]

So sweet

This book put a fun and unique spin on the friends-to-lovers trope, with the main characters entering into a marriage pact and using calendar reminders to help them transition into a romantic relationship. It was so heartwarming to watch them intentionally build a loving, caring relationship. I especially loved the color-coded reminders for relationship tasks and wedding planning—it was such a cute and practical touch.

The story beautifully explored the idea that sexuality exists on a spectrum that can shift and evolve. This was perfectly shown through two seemingly straight best friends who committed to building a romantic relationship with marriage as their goal. They were all in and truly did the work to make it happen. Watching the love grow between Keno and Etna was such a joy, and the hilarious mishaps during the spicy scenes added charm and humor. The side characters were also a delight and added depth and fun to the story.

I loved how Keno and Etna faced the unknown together, fully committed to making it work—and they did, all the way to the altar. This was a 5-star read for me: sweet, adorable, and full of heart from start to finish.

[Claudia · Rating 1 out of 5]

I need to write this down before I forget.

I’m at 10% and you definitely need to read the series to keep up with a 100 names and stories. I feel nothing for them and the mcs did not interact or very briefly by now.. it’s painful but I’ll continue

I also can’t know who out of the 2 is talking because they have zero personnality and feels the exact same.

29% sure it’s already confusing why not bring Edna the twin sister of Etna ??! It’s so bad

47% the pacing feels right but everything outside their (learning journey) is so boring and easy. I need to remember this is meant to be a goofy, generic mm insta everything

52% still not sure who’s talking. They are the exact same. I know more about their d*cks then I do about them

70% I don’t know why I don’t call it

TOD 83%

Wow this was so bad. The spice was fine but I still don’t know them so I couldn’t feel anything about it

Characters: absolute disaster. we could’ve had a 1 out of the boring and too long chapters about flowers and guests to get to know them but no.
Story 1/5
Spice 2/5

[Avery · Rating 5 out of 5]

Etna and Keno are inseparable, ever since they ended up on the same team, they do everything together. They spend their time in one of their houses, they share a room on the road even if they don’t have to. So, when a joke about marrying each other turns into serious thoughts, they end up with the person who was always right there and maybe they secretly did fall in love a long time ago.

I just loved Etna and Keno so much. This is taking friends to lovers to a whole other level! The friendship level is already epic, this is what they mean when they say you find your person. Neither Keno nor Etna can imagine a life without each other, side by side is where they belong. But then you get the marriage twist, and I was hooked solid. I couldn’t put it down after that. A far from traditional way and reasoning to propose a marriage but it is them and it worked. The journey to an intimate relationship was so fun to read. A schedule, no diving straight in but tentatively learning each other’s wants and needs.

As always another amazing read by Crea! And I don’t know where Nat came from but can he have a book please? I’m sold.

[thatbeccagirl_reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

Keno & Etna are the definition of best friends who maybe secretly fell in love, and it’s just too cute. Like, imagine joking about marrying your bestie and then actually making it happen—but it works. It just makes sense. From hockey teammates to future spouses, they’ve always been inseparable. This book is pure slow-burn, friends-to-lovers goodness with a side of wedding planning chaos!

What really hit me though? The way they explore intimacy beyond just the physical. The fact that they plan cuddle sessions and hand-holding, it’s just so freakin' adorable. And trust me, while the romance is so sweet, it definitely gets spicy.
There’s some serious heat in this one that’ll have you blushing.

If you love bromance-to-lovers, hockey romance with swoon-worthy moments and a little extra spice, this is it.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[bookingcrazzyy · Rating 4 out of 5]

"My husband isn't becoming my best friend. My best friend is becoming my husband"

This book has a different take on friends to lovers as Keno and Etna plan to get married and grow into lovers. Keno and Etna are best friends and are already as close as two people could be outside of a relationship. To them it makes the most sense to get married to each other.

This book mainly centers around the wedding planning and developing their new relationship and the aspects that come with it. All of the spicy aspects are planned out and scheduled milestones. Watching these twos relationship grow is sweet and sometimes funny. There are also the ah hah moments where they wonder if the feelings and attraction were always there.

And of course the author always addresses some of the harder topics and makes it something some people might experience in the day to day life. This book was a great addition to the series!

[Richelle Zirkle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Etna and Keno are attached at the hip. Everyone around them jokes about the two of them being an old married couple. They do everything together, and they share everything, including a bank account. Even though they each maintain a home, they're always in one another's pocket, at one house or the other, and even share a room on the road when it's not necessary. When in jest, it comes up that they might as well just get married, it causes them to pause and reflect. They would be spending the rest of their lives with the person that means the most to them. They already love each other. They would just be trying to add a romantic physical element. They approach it so thoughtfully and tentatively, testing boundaries and learning what the other likes. I was hooked—from wedding planning each minute detail to how they got their families involved to the HEA… This was a charming story that will steal your heart!

[Naurarwen · Rating 5 out of 5]

These two are adorable and I love them so much. Keno and Etna are best friends, they do everything together, and while they have two houses, they spend most of their time in just one of them. They have the most unconventional start to their relationship where a joke of "best friends getting married" becomes a reality for the two of them.

While it was unconventional and not your typical friends to lovers, I loved the dynamics of the two together and the fact they sat down and did a step by step on how to progress. They were open with each other and told each other of their worries and doubts.

Did the two have moments where things didn't go to plan, they sure as hell did but I still loved going through this journey with the two of them from start to finish. The author always finds a way to explore different relationship dynamics and she does it so beautifully.

I can't wait to see what comes next from her.

[Emmi (bookish_redpanda) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Format: 📱 eBook 📱 (ARC)

Another amazing book from Reitan in the For Puck's Sake universe, and probably one of the sweetest (though she still injects that spice!) stories to date. I'm a sucker for a friends-to-lovers romance, and this is hands down one of - if not the top - romances of that trope I've read.

Etna and Keno are just so adorkably sweet, and I love that their love story built on the idea that they've acted like an old married couple practically since they met. I 100% followed their train of thought with making it official, and this story is one of those that will make you kick your feet, giggle and swoon at the romance aspect, but also have you laughing as the MMCs discover what it's like not only to plan a wedding (seriously, I'm glad I'm not going through that right now) but to open themselves up to intimacy with each other.

As sweet as the wedding planning was, and the found family with the other hockey player's that Reitan always injects into her books, I honestly think my favourite parts of the book was the navigating the physical side of their relationship - and I don't just mean in a spicy way. It was sweet how they researched intimacy, planned times for cuddle sessions and hand holding (and of course, more down the track), but it was great to see that as they explored the relationship more, they realised just how in love they truly were.

My husband isn’t becoming my best friend. My best friend is becoming my husband.

There was just something so beautiful about this story, and I love the emotional journey Retian took us on with Etna and Keno.

Reitan has hinted at an upcoming MMC in this one, and I cannot wait for their story after meeting him here.

Thank you to the author for the eARC opportunity. These are my honest thoughts that I have provided voluntarily.

[tobifun.pp · Rating 5 out of 5]

rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
spice: 🌶️🌶️
feelings: 🤣🥰🥵😍🫠

"Oh look." ... "A lemon." I almost choked with laughter during this scene in the book. I don't usually read thoroughly sweet, low heat books, but because Final Breakaway is by Crea Reitan, I figured why not. I haven't regretted it for one second. Keno and Etna are so adorable!

Soulmates at first sight, a bromance develops between Keno and Etna that resembles a platonic marriage. They do everything together. They practically live together, even sleeping in the same bed, which they paid for from their joint bank account.

After a game in Las Vegas, the idea of marriage sprouts between them. The way they get there and the slow approach to the physical aspect of marriage is so entertaining and funny!

As a bonus, you get to meet characters from the "Creaverse" that you have already grown fond of.

[Stacey Foss · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is so heartwarming and delightful from the start Etna and Keno are inseparable best friends that everyone teases are the old married couple. They do everything together except cross that line from friendship to something more. When one day they are talking about marriage and relationships, and topic comes to mind that Etna can't get out of his head and when he proposes it to Keno everything changes. These two are true soulmate and their journey will bring happiness to your heart and soul while you read. You won't be able to stop smiling as these two discover what love they truly have for each other and how deep it runs. It is heartwarming and steamy with laughable moments and very little drama. Another hit from Crea Reitan I can't get enough of her books. I was given this book as an ARC for my honest review.

[lmreadsromance · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read Final Play by and this has to be one of my favourite stories of the year, it was truly beautiful to read. This is a true teammates/best friends to lovers romance with a very unique storyline.
Etna and Reno were instantly drawn to each other and quickly became best friends. From the moment that Reno was traded to Etna’s team they were inseparable.

After a joke about marriage and best friends are made, they decide to make it happen.

Watching their platonic love for each other develop organically into romantic love with simple acts of touch and intimacy was beautiful to witness. Etna not only made Reno melt with his sweetness, he made me swoon alongside him.

Their communication with each other as they discussed and decided what they wanted in their lives moving forward was unmatched. They were a true

The cameo by my favourite fictional band was brilliant!

I absolutely love Crea’s entire universe and how each story is vastly different. I cannot wait for the next one!