It doesn’t matter that I was the number one draft pick in the NHL or that I’m projected to be the next great generational player, because none of it is enough to impress my childhood crush back in my hometown.
Sam used to mock me for being like a Disney Princess with my uncanny knack for finding animals in need. And being home in Colorado for the summer, I’m bound to run into him now that he runs the animal shelter where I used to volunteer. Where I used to try to get his attention every chance I had.
He never noticed me then, at least not in the way I wanted.
But if there’s one thing my time in the NHL has taught me, it’s how to fight for what I want.
SAM
It’s been a few years since I saw the Disney Princess volunteer, but when he brings in a stray cat, I almost can’t believe it’s the same guy.
Damn, has he changed.
Gone is the gangly, pimple-faced teen, and in his place is a man who’s grown up and bulked out. He used to follow me around, asking endless questions about animal care.
Now he’s back, but instead of asking about animals, he’s asking about me. About my life.
Flirting with me. And he’s good at it, too.
There’s something about Lachie that’s undeniably irresistible. I’m willing to give in to his charms, even knowing all he can offer is a summer fling.
Turns out, my Disney Princess grew up to be a real Prince Charming.
so i was on a social media break when they announced they were doing limited indie paperback pre-orders for this book since they signed to be traditionally published (which btw, yay!!) and i missed the deadline by a couple of hours... and now i'll never have the complete series. so yeah.
but with the chaos of never knowing which version you're getting (model cover or simple) because it certainly never matched the amazon listing, this is a fitting chaotic end. fingers crossed some copies wind up on ebay.
5⭐️🥲 Damn I’m literally crying tears of pride after reading this and it’s over a bunch of fictional hockey players and their fictional legacy. I can’t believe it’s over, and this book was such a wonderful way to end the series. I may be a little emotional about it because this series was one of my first MM series that really got me back into reading.
This book follows Lachie, the youngest (and dare I say, cutest?) Kiki brother, while he chases his childhood crush, the manager of the local animal shelter in his hometown. Now that Lachie is a fully grown 21 year old pro hockey player with the looks to go with it, Sam definitely notices when Lachie comes in with a stray after a few years of not seeing each other. These two immediately have (amazing) chemistry; the flirting is off the charts fun! So the agree to a summer fling. Can they contain what they have to just a couple months of fun?
This book was SO FUN. I was giggling so hard for so much of it. There was the perfect balance of shenanigans from the collective, and sweet af romance between Sam and Lachie. I absolutely loved that their feelings were so strong, and it was honestly sexy how much they were sweet for each other.
It was also hot. Like, Lachie loves to be praised, and Sam sometimes grabs him and pulls him in by the necklace?? Hello!!!?? Their chemistry is awesome, and they also don’t have annoying bad communication. Their characters are both so likeable and well done. ❤️
Though I admit the middle of the book lagged a little for me, both the beginning and ending of the book made up for it. Though everyone is obsessed with Heated Rivalry (including me!), I will always recommend this SERIES as the best MM hockey series I’ve read to date.
Rapid fire tropes for those interested: -younger hockey player / animal shelter manager that doesn’t know shit about hockey -amazing cameos from characters from previous books -fast attraction and great flirting -summer fling to more -PUPPIES!!
Please, seriously, just read this series. It’s so much fun. Saxon and Eden are seriously some of my favourite authors for a reason. 🥰
It’s an end of an era! And what better way to end this series than with the final Kiki brother? Lachie might be the youngest of the Collective but it’s his time to fall in love. Lachie returns home for the summer and finds himself back at one of his favorite places: an animal shelter. There is a reason he’s been called a Disney Princess and that’s because every animal seems to find him and like him. There is no escaping. It’s how he found himself at the shelter when he was young and how earned the nickname by the guy he was crushing on who worked at the shelter…and still does. And this time, Lachie can act on his crush. Show Sam that he has grown up. Sam can’t believe that the teenager he remembers has grown up. And that there is now a spark between them. Sam is honestly clueless when it comes to exactly who Lachie is. So finding out that Lachie is a very successful NHL player was quite the surprise. But what was more of the surprise? That this thing between them where they agreed would only be for the summer feels like so much more. Sam has never felt this way before and the more time he spends with Lachie, the more he hates being apart from him. These two fell hard and fast. But as much as Lachie wishes he could be playing in Colorado, his team is in St. Louis and they aren’t letting him go anytime soon, not with how contracts work. I adored these two and felt so bad for them trying to figure out how a relationship could work between them when they are just getting started and how they can stand the distance and time apart. But I loved how in the end they figured out a plan and let their hearts guide them. They were a great couple to end the series on. Plus, it meant a good amount of cameos from others in the series! And a great finale of how the Collective will embrace its future. Great, great series! Absolutely adored it and I’m so sad to see it end. But it was just amazing all around! I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Sam affectionately calls Lachie a Disney princess. Animals have always been drawn to him. Since he was a preteen, Lachie has been bringing animals to the shelter where Sam works. He had a major crush on Sam, but Sam paid no attention. The last time they saw each other, Lachie was 18 and Sam was 24. Lachie left to pursue his hockey career, and now, three years later, he’s back in town for the summer. While hiking, a pregnant cat attaches itself to him, so he has no choice but to take her to the shelter. Sam is shocked to see the grown-up Lachie and is immediately attracted to him.
What began as a summer fling quickly blossomed into a beautiful and supportive relationship. Lachie leaving to St. Louis broke my heart, and don’t even get me started on adopting Angelica. The banter in this book was so good right of the bat. I loved the sweetness between Lachie and Sam. They were meant to find each other again. These two trust their hearts and, even when doubt crept in, they pushed through and communicated. I love the relationships the brothers have now. Over the past three books we have seen their bonds change and strengthen, they were so support of Sam and Lachie. The scene with the brothers and Sam really warmed my heart.
I adored the relationship between Sam and Ethan. Ethan was so supportive of him and really pushed Sam when he needed.
The scenes where we see the collective all together are always a highlight of the books. The final scene, with updates on everyone, perfectly brought the series full circle.
Heartbroken that my favourite series has come to an end, but it couldn’t have ended with a better book
Lachie was exactly how I imagined and his idolisation of Ezra was so entertaining. I loved how he continually used Anton and Ezra's obsession with each other to his advantage 😂
Disney Princess Lachie was entertaining, endearing, and honestly I feel like he had one of the harder choices in the series when it came to his career and love. I really enjoyed how the Kiki brothers have grown and their relationship by the end of this book was so good - I'm still not sold on the Kiki parents though...! Connor and Easton making sure that Sam doesn't feel abandoned after the summer was adorable too.
Sam was perfect for Lachie and I really enjoyed how hockey meant absolutely nothing to him, much to the Kiki's dismay 😂 The relationship between them felt like it was meant to be, and oh my god the angst when Lachie's summer break was over made me cry! Both Sam and Lachie have huge decisions to make, especially when their relationship is so new, but I enjoyed that we got to see them trying every option rather than just blindly rushing into things.
I honestly feel like if I say much more it'll give too much of the book away 😂😂
I am so sad that this series is over though. I've become so attached to all of these characters and I'm going to miss their antics. The epilogue was bittersweet and I'm hopeful there'll be more to come from the hockey guys in some form in future because I'm so not ready to say goodbye to them!
***** I received an ARC of this book from Foreword PR, and this is my honest review
The happiest Happily Ever After that ever there was.
I don’t know what else to say except that I can’t wait to read it again, and can’t wait to read it as part of the series as well.
It was incredible to see glimpses of every previous Puckboy, and have their storylines updated with the timeline (not that we follow a timeline in the Sadenverse. No maths allowed!).
The story of Lachie and Sam was perfect and while it could serve as a standalone, I would imagine one would have so many questions about every side character who makes an appearance.
I loved the conflict resolution, and was happy to see it through.
Perfection all around.
To Ollie’s and Soren’s coming out; To the CU boys becoming men; To the big and little Dalton’s making their marks; To the even-littler Dalton’s future; To Ezra’s egotistical legacy, and Anton by his side; To Tripp and Dex irresponsibly defining commitment; To Lane taming a shameless Oskar; To Aleks and Gabe both fanning the flames; To Vance working through the kinks and helping Ayri find a clue; To Bilson and Miles taking bromance to romance; To Easton and Knox forbidding to give up; To Connor and Parker’s shared possessiveness; To the stubbornness of Novi and Colby; To Disney Princess Lachie and his charming prince, Sam; To every interwoven thread in this universe; And most of all, to Eden and Saxon for making it happen:
Cheer’o to being Queer’o!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Charming Puckboy is such a satisfying, feel-good read and a wonderful way to spend more time in a world I’ve completely fallen in love with.
I absolutely adored these two! Their dynamic, their chemistry, and the way their relationship unfolds felt warm, natural, and so easy to root for.
What made this book extra special were the glimpses of the rest of the queer collective. Seeing where everyone ended up, catching those little updates, and feeling that sense of found family come full circle added so much emotional weight. It really makes the whole series feel connected and complete in the best way.
There’s a softness to this book that makes it incredibly comforting. It balances humor, romance, and heartfelt moments effortlessly, and it leaves you with that cozy, satisfied feeling when you reach the end.
That said… I genuinely hate that this is the last book. Saying goodbye to these characters and this world is not easy, especially when it’s become such a comfort series. It’s definitely one I’ll be coming back to again and again because all the characters and their stories feel like home every time you pick them up.
A big thank you to Eden Finley, Saxon James, and their team for the opportunity to read this as an ARC. I’m so grateful to have been part of this last Puckboy journey a little early.
If you’re looking for a feel-good, flirty, and laugh-out-loud MM hockey romance, Charming Puckboy by Saxon James and Eden Finley absolutely delivers.
This was an easy 5-star read for me. The story has that perfect balance of humor, heart, and heat that this author duo does so well. The chemistry between the main characters is instant and electric, but what really makes it shine is how their relationship develops beyond the banter and attraction. There’s a genuine emotional depth underneath all the playful chaos, and it pulls you in before you even realize it.
The humor is top-tier—witty, sharp, and at times completely ridiculous in the best way. I found myself smiling through so many scenes, especially the team dynamics, which add an extra layer of fun and found-family vibes. But it’s not just lighthearted—there are moments of vulnerability that give the characters real depth and make their journey feel meaningful.
And of course, the romance? Swoony, spicy, and full of those little moments that make your heart squeeze. Watching them figure things out, break down walls, and fall hard was incredibly satisfying.
Overall, Charming Puckboy is charming in every sense of the word—fun, emotional, and utterly addictive. If you love MM sports romance with humor, heart, and unforgettable characters, this one is a must-read. 🏒💙
I want to start this review with a confession… I requested a proof of this book without realising it wasn’t book 1 in a series 😅 and now loved it so freaking much that I’m adding 9 books to my TBR in one day! Running to KU to download them all immediately!
I loved every second of this book and I’m not even joking when I say after reading just the first chapter I had an incredibly strong feeling this was going to be a five star read and I was completely right! This book had me hooked and I loved Lachie and Sam so much, I’ve literally only just finished reading the book and I already miss them!
This book is an age gap (6 years) romance between a professional hockey player and the manager of the animal rescue he used to volunteer at and boy oh boy were these two perfect! The way this story and romance evolved was just everything I want in a book and I ate up every last crumb! I’m a sucker for the summer fling but end up catching feelings trope in books and this was immaculate.
Thank you endlessly to Canelo for sending me a proof of this book and introducing me to two new favourite authors! 🫶
4.5 stars. This is the tenth and final book in the series and what an ending it is. The youngest of the Kiki brothers Lachie is a pretty chilled and laid back guy until he hits the ice where he excels. Sam manages the local animal shelter and is blissfully ignorant when it comes to hockey. These two wonderful men share a love of animals and before long start a “respectful summer fling”. Their chemistry is undeniable and their romance takes its natural progression from fling to more. Along the way they do have lots of feels when separated due to hockey commitments but communication and an underlying belief that they are meant for each other leads them to a heart warming HEA. Of course the Queer Collective members are always there to offer assistance (with a healthy dose of mayhem) and it’s so good catching up with them all again. Just because they are older doesn’t mean that they’re all wiser which makes this final book in the series all the more fun. I was left happy, sappy and smiling at the end of this very enjoyable and satisfying Queer Collective finale.
5⭐️ Five stars, no question…in fact, all the stars.
Our Disney Princess, Lachie, and his very own Prince Charming, Sam? Everything. Soft, chaotic, and completely gone for each other in the best way. I loved every second of their story.
What I wasn’t prepared for was this ending.
The fact that it was Ezra Palaszczuk; yes, chaos gremlin in chief, who had me full-on crying was not on my bingo card. Not laughing (okay, also laughing), but genuinely emotional. And seeing the whole queer collective together one more time? That hit harder than I ever expected.
This wasn’t just the end of a book. It’s the end of an era.
And yeah… I’m gonna need a minute to recover from this one. 🥹😭
I received a complimentary advanced copy of this book and this is my voluntary, honest review.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
I CAN'T BELIEVE THIS IS THE LAST BOOK OF THIS SERIES 😭 But what a way to end it.
I've been desperately waiting for Lachie 🥰 aka Disney Princess lol I've always loved him in the other books and im so happy to finally have his book.
Lachie is as sweet as I expected him to be and how fitting that he fell in love with an animal shelter manager 🥰 its the only right fit for him.
I still very much dislike the Kiki brothers parents. Even as a mom of an almost 21 year old I cant ever picture myself saying some of the things his parents mostly his mother says in front of Sam.
Im sad I didnt take my time reading this one because im so sad the series is over BUT I truly hope we get a book for Ethan because I NEEDDDDDDDDDD IT SO BAD!
I received this book as an arc in exchange for an honest review.
What am I supposed to do now that this series has ended? I absolutely adored this book. I could not put this book down whatsoever like I read this book in basically once sitting only stopped to have dinner. I am not ready for this series to end this is has to be one of my favourite series. I don’t know what Eden Finley and Saxon James put in this series but it is so addicting. I absolutely love Lachie and Sam together. They are absolutely amazing together. I will definitely be rereading this series sometime soon and buying physical copies of each and every book to have them as a trophy on my shelf.
It’s the end of an era. The last Puckboys book, and wow did this one deliver. Little Kiki Lachie is a Disney Princess with animals always finding him, and Sam is the manager of an animal shelter. They have known each other for years. Lachie has had a crush on Sam since they were teenagers and Sam doesn’t even know who the Kiki brothers are!!! A summer fling, Queer Collective shenanigans, a box of puppies and one very large contract make this book a must read in the series. Saxon and Eden definitely made me fall in love brought out a few tears lots of laughs and made me remember how much I love this series.
Love, love, LOVE!! Im sure I’ve said it before about other Puckboys but Lachie and Sam are my favorite!! I absolutely loved them and their story. They are both the perfect blend of sassy and sweet. Their banter is hilarious and the love and support they have for each other is literally everything!! I am so sad this series is ending but I truly believe it was the perfect ending. The shenanigans with the other Collective members was too tier as always, and that ending with Ezra has tears in my eyes, it was absolute perfection (I feel like I’ve said that alot but this book was so good).
I received this book as an ARC from Foreword PR and these are my honest opinions.
Wow, what an ending to a series. This is now my favourite book out of all the puckboys. I loved everyone and everything. Lachie the Disney princess was so sweet, complete Golden Retriever, I loved him so much and Sam was the sweetest. It was nice to see the other members of the collective in this book and also some new characters, I especially loved Ethan. This book had me laughing, smiling and crying (especially that last chapter, why did you have to do that to me). I was in tears by the end but they were happy tears. It's a bittersweet moment, I didn't want to finish the book but at the same time I did, can't believe it's over.
I have loved every Puckboy book and this one is absolutely no exception. Lachie and Sam are perfection. I adore their banter and the lighthearted humor they bring to a tough situation. I have been waiting for Little Kiki since Easton’s book and this did not disappoint. It gave us the feelings and the heart we expect from Saxon and Eden but also the banter and humor we always want from the Queer Collective. I can’t believe this is the end for these boys. I’m gonna miss them so much.
*sniff* it's the end of an era *sniff* I still remember reading Egotistical Puckboy for the first time few years ago, and now the series is over. We end with Little Kiki, who happens to attract animals like a Disney Princess. Also, he's had a crush on animal shelter Sam for years. But when summer flings turns something more, the two need to figure out how to make a relationship work long-distance. Loved this! QC shenanigans, random animals, Kiki brothers all together, and nice amount of spice. I will keep rereading this series for years to come.
I was lucky to be given the opportunity to read an advanced copy of this book!! Every time I read one of these books I end up laughing out loud!!! And this book is no exception. Lachie and Sam story is heartwarming and sweet, but it’s when all the collective members jump in that the fun begins. It’s the perfect ending of a great series, that is funny and a really good time but also hopes for a change in how queer people are perceived in professional sports. I really hope that we could se a future like this!!!
It’s the end of an era… While I didn’t want to turn the last page, every moment of the book had me flipping to find out what happened next. Lachie, the Disney Princess that he is, has the funniest re-meet cute. The attraction between him and Sam leapt off the page and the passion that they share for each other and animals was so sweet. Sam clearly loves what he does and wants to help it only animals, but his chosen family. His heart is so big and Lachie is clearly the one meant for him. I’m so sad the Puckboys are over but am excited for what this duo will write next!
This book was absolutely wonderful! All the Puckboy books are fantastic and this was no exception! Lachie and Sam were everything I wanted from the last couple in a fantastic series! It is so bittersweet to finish this book because while I loved every minute of it while reading I will miss the queer collective shenanigans. If you haven’t started this series then you should because these guys are so much fun! While this is the end for this series I know something amazing will follow and these characters will forever be in the hearts of anyone who reads them!
ARC Review *** I was so sad to read this only because it’s the end of an era! These books have brought me so much joy. Now this book definitely was amazing I loved Sam and Lachie I want to keep him. Watching them together was such a breath of fresh air, they made it work for each other. This was probably in my top 3 of favorites in this series. It was such a different story than the others, it hit different. Maybe due to it being the last and a final goodbye to my favorites. But definitely worth the read.
Omg! I loved this book! I’m so sad this series has ended! Lachie is so adorable! And let’s not forget about Sam! Oh Sam he’s such a sweetheart! I love the collective. Crazy guys! I couldn’t put this book down! I read it within 24 hours!
This book stated out a little slow and all over the place. But it all came together for a perfect ending to the series. And bonus, we get a revisit from all of the past players and a glimpse into what they’re doing now.