Stuck: A Sentient Object Romance

by Nicole Parker

"It's a really good stick."

"Okay?"

"Do you not see that? This is like a super good stick. A once-in-a-lifetime stick."

After Kyle brings home a really cool stick that he finds in the park, he quickly discovers it's an even more exciting find than first expected.

With Kyle being particularly busy helping others around town, his roommate, Ethan, hesitantly offers to step up and resolve the mystery of the really cool stick.

Xylon has been a stick for a long, long time, and has all but accepted his inflexible state.

Can Ethan and Xylon face their pasts for a chance at a future together?

Stuck is book 17 in the Kyleverse, a series of sentient object romance short stories. Kyle isn’t the main character, but he shows up to help the plot in one way or another. The stories are sequential but can be read as standalones.

Genres: LGBT, Novella

92 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 18, 2026

About the author

Nicole Parker is the author of creative and humorous romance stories. She is a 30-something California native who spends the great majority of her free time writing books, reading books, or organizing her ever growing TBR list. She also has a spouse, some kids, and pets, but this isn't about them. Nicole's books are funny, raunchy, silly, and most importantly full of good vibes and happy endings.

Reviews

[Gnome ForTheBooks · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you have never read Nicole Parker, you are missing out on some of the most questionable, spicy, flavorful sentient romances out there.

Stuck is about a stick that is stuck as a stick and stuck communicating via telepathy with someone who use to be glasses but would much rather be stuck with them making sticky messes than stuck outside. And yes, that sentence makes perfect sense once you’ve read it.

I’m not gonna lie, though. I went into this one with my guardrails UP. Scaffolding reinforced around them. Possibly a moat with some type of dangerous fish. Because I absolutely love Kyle, and for a minute I thought I knew where this story was going. I was fully prepared for Nicole Parker to make me so mad I was going to have to block her.

Thankfully, I was VERY wrong.

I really need to remember how much I love Nicole’s writing and just trust her, because of course she wouldn’t do THAT to me (🤨- side eyeing and waiting for that shoe to drop). It was weird, spicy, hilarious, and shocker (no, actually not shocked at all) had me emotionally invested in the happiness of a literal stick.

But honestly
“It REALLY is a good stick.” 🪵

[Meredith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another entry in the Kyleverse and it’s just as spicy, sweet and sticky as I could want! I could write essays on the delights that Nicole delivers, both in terms of sentient object innovation and in terms of diversity and sense of self.

This one finds Kyle finding a “really good stick”. Relatable. But Xylon is more than just a stick. He’s a cursed carpenter turned tree and the stick with its giant knot and sappy glory is all that remains. Does Xylon get played with? Absolutely. Do we get scenes full of sap and consensual fun? Also absolutely.

Ethan and Xenon’s love story is fast, fun and will make you smile with joy. As always, Kyle is THERE for his friends. Over and over and over again.

Is there a happy ending? There’s so many of them.

Thanks so much to Nicole for the review copy. All opinions are voluntary and honest.

[Sarah-Louise · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'd like to start by thanking the author for providing me with an advanced copy of this book to read. All thoughts and opinions shared are my own!

I mean, if fucking a stick isn't too weird to you. "A Random Stick, maybe." If it helps, I've been told I'm a really cool stick.

I am still dying from this one, I was literally losing my mind over how much I loved this 'really good stick'. As with the Kyleverse, the whole premise is so funny and chaotic and just picks you up when you need it! Yes, he is a sentient stick. Yes, he gets used for pleasure. No, you don't get any more information than that just read the chaos book!! Also please know the spice is very spicy and truly spectacular, and again YES THE STICK IS INVOLVED!!

Tropes: Sentient Object Romance | MM Romance | Curses | Thought Bond Communication | Spicy Friend Group | Banter | Flavoured Cum |

Other: Fast Paced | Novella |

[Ashley’s Bookshelf · Rating 5 out of 5]

Okay I discovered Nicole and the Kyle Universe a couple of months ago and I am ridiculously obsessed! So when I received this ARC copy I was so dang excited it was probably a little unhealthy 😅

Kyle is back and better then ever and this time with a stick 🪾 iykyk

Anywho, Nicole did an incredible job of bringing this sentient object to life (you see what I did there 🤭) and if you’ve ever wanted to give this a chance I highly recommend checking out Kyle and his nonsense 😂

This wa so fun and never in my life did I think I’d feel this way about a stick but here I am ❤️‍🔥

[Lisa Bing · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was another really fun addition to the series and I can't say enough about how good the 'really good stick' was ;P Xylon is more than a stick, though. He's a cursed carpenter, so yeah, it makes sense that he got turned into a stick with knots and sap and everything. Ethan steps up to help Kyle with the stick he found, only there's so much more to the stick than he expected... I really couldn't get over how fun this one was, filled with chaos and hot spice, and that it gave two great characters a wonderful HEA. Keep in mind this stick is, um, going places, so be prepared ;P

[Caitlin · Rating 5 out of 5]

When I saw the art for this one I cackled. And then immediately ran to read. I promise, you won't regret it!

[Kimbot the Destroyer · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you have read the Cosmere, this hits different.
The expected sentient object excellence from Nicole Parker and Kyle (who remains perfect).

[Sixella MK · Rating 4 out of 5]

September 2026 Small Business BookTok ARC Reviews (BookTome Edition): “Stuck” by Nicole Parker

Note: This ARC was given to me for free by the author and I am reviewing this book voluntarily.

Kyle is always ready to get down to business when it comes to going on Sentient Shifter Adventures with his friends, and this time..He's going into the “stick” of it!

From the author of the “Kyleverse” series and the co-author of the author-collaborated series “Ghostlight Falls” comes the seventeenth installment in the former series! (Ok, I'm gonna break the fourth wall here! First off..seventeen books in the “Kyleverse” series? As far as I know, this has to be the LONGEST RUNNING Sentient Romance series ever recorded which is an achievement of itself! I tip my hat to you, Nicole!) Now, you’re probably thinking..A Stick Shifter?! How does that work?! All I'm gonna say so I don't spoil this book is..Trust the process, Parker always knows how to write her signature comedic spice! Ready to “stick” your nose into this book, (The puns never end for me!! XD), Then don’t miss out on this book when it hits online shelves on September 18, 2026!

Rating: 4/5⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice Meter: 5/5🌶🌶🌶🌶🌶

- Tropes: Sentient Romance, MM Romance, Sentient Romance Wingman MMC, Sentient Stick Shifter MMC x Cursed Roommate MMC, Magical Hijinx, Communication via Magical Link, Sentient Romance Friend Group!

- Trigger Warnings: (Full Descriptions Can Be Found in the Book).

[balayageandbooks · Rating 5 out of 5]

How Author Nicole Parker manages to have me in ALL my feels over a sentient stick….but like, he’s a really good stick.

Hear me out… I already adored Ethan and Kyle’s unique relationship….because let’s be real our boy Kyle’s phone be ringing off the hook!

So I truly loved how Ethan got his very own stick…person…iykyk.

This book went 0 to 100 real quick… and I ain’t mad about it….cause LAWD HAVE MERCY these MMC’s are HAWT together! And honestly I’m always excited for some new flavors!

And did I tear up a bit when our tied together couple finally planted their trust in each other… and their relationship grew some pretty incredible roots (you see what I did there?!)… yes, yes I did.

Once again Author Nicole Parker has permanently altered my brain… and honestly I’m ok with it!

[Robyn G · Rating 5 out of 5]

“When I said it wasn’t you, it was me, I meant it. I was linked with someone before, and it almost ruined his life.” And you’re worried I’ll ruin yours? “No, I’m worried I’ll ruin yours.” Ethan, I am a tree branch. There’s not much lower I can go. Keep me away from any open flame, and we’ll be good. He laughs.

This gave me a good chuckle!
NP writes a book i just read it, throw anything in my direction and I'll read it if it's Nicole Parker lol
We got to see our main guy Kyle, the knowledge of all, got to hear how some of the others are and had some freaky time with a stick, what is not to love?!

[Kate Brasington · Rating 5 out of 5]

✨✨ARC REVIEW✨✨

So Kyle really showed off his golden retriever side in this book. I mean the man picks up a stick and takes it with him because “it’s a really good stick.” It IS a really good stick and more 🤪 I love how everywhere Kyle or Ethan take this stick they all compliment that it’s a nice stick 🤣
Leave it to Nicole to have me lusting after two boys with a stick and also getting me a little emotional over said stick??? I’m so glad we get to see more of Ethan after her transformed!
If you are looking for a good time go pick up one of the Kyleverse books!

[Dani · Rating 4 out of 5]

Have you ever found the perfect stick? Ethan did when he found Xylon.

This sentient object romance brings you flavored cum, cursed object, flavored 💦, voyeurism, and KYLE!

You need to check out this quick, sweet and sexy read!

“I’ve used dildos before. He’s not even shaped like anything that should feel good. He’s a fucking stick. But that was mind-blowing. And it should’ve been satisfactory at best.”

[Kitm0nster · Rating 4 out of 5]

You ever see a really good stick? Kyle did, and then Ethan and him DP with the magical no splinters stick! Xylon just needs a big ole hug and gets many from Ethan! I really enjoy how the magical curses take the subject actually learning the lesson before they get reversed!

Yes if: Mind connected to a magic stick while it fucks you
No if: Exhibitionism

Sentient stick
Established roommates
"try having sex with it"
Cursed by goddess
Mental link
A really good stick

[Puppets & Paperbacks · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an ARC read

This is a Kyleverae story. It is a sentient object story with smut and it’s a novella. Make sure you know what all that means before reading.

This one was hella cute and Nicole is teaching adults lessons through fucking.

Ethan has his own story you can read all about. He was like NYE glasses or something like that. He’s also like…umm… in a weird place relationship wise. Like him and Kyle 🍆on the reg, but there seems to be something more deeper with stick here and Ethan.

The stick has his own issues. His story is kind of sad because he used to be a tree, but has been cut and windows down to just this beautiful looking stick. He’s also got his own relationship issues when it comes to sticking around or like commitment.

Clearly they’re perfect for each other because Ethan is able to help stick with his curse and they’re able to learn from their mistakes and start life again.

This is a novella so the interpersonal conflict and character arcs do happen quickly and could be interpreted as shallow or surface level, but that’s what you get with a novella. They’re still great characters and you fall in love with them. Like, you wanna be their friend and see them flourish as a couple.

It’s totally cute and the stick being cursed by a god is a great unique story that you do not want to miss reading.

[ThatsSomeGoodSmut · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to the author for a copy of this book.

Dang, that's a good stick! Look at that stick. Ope, it's a cursed dude..... I would expect nothing less than this absolute absurdity from Nicole, and I loved every second of it. Xylon was cursed to be a tree a long time ago by a Greek goddess. A branch broke off, and Kyle picks him up to show off, because it's a REALLY good stick! How do we go from showing off a stick to sticking it up your butt? Isn't that just the natural progression of things? No? Well I guess you've got to read to find out how we got there.

[Brittany Steminist Booknerd · Rating 2 out of 5]

As far as sentient object romances go, this was ok. I think this isn’t really meant to be read as a stand alone. I have no idea who Kyle is but I get the impression you should know before you start. He’s never really explained. Neither is the backstory for Ethan. I guess that’s in another book too.

[whatelierareads · Rating 5 out of 5]

You know you’ll love this.
What more could you want from a stick with commitment issues who finds his roots, and then there is Kyle, he’s down for anything. Another banger from Nicole, thank you for always making my day by writing these stories

[ShadowSmut Jen · Rating 5 out of 5]

So so good! I love the kyleverse but this one was, chefs kiss! I to know what it’s like to find a good stick and not be able to let it go. 5 star MM spice all the way through, it was 🥵 loved every second, couldn’t put it down. Sap cum, yes please!

[Kelli · Rating 3.5 out of 5]

I swear that the Kyle-verse is just getting better and better. Ethan (Countdown) deserves all the goodness that comes his way. Xylon is a great character. And Kyle just continues to grow as a person and I'm happy he's got people who see him as more than the fun-time guy.

[lunchbrary · Rating 5 out of 5]

There is literally NOTHING Nicole can write that I won’t read.

[Carrie · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very good stick indeed! This was ridiculous and fun!

** I received an eARC from the author as a member of their Patreon and am voluntarily leaving an honest review. **

[Alex S · Rating 4 out of 5]

Literally from the first line!! Nicole writes the horniest stuff I’ve ever read 😂 that’s a good stick

[Ryley Hollenzer · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Kyle, do you want a stick up your ass?”
A good mix of fun and feels. Xylon and Ethan had the perfect chemistry to work through the curses of the past and present. With some juicy excitement inbetween. Nicole really got me with this one!

[christy · Rating 5 out of 5]

that is indeed one damn good stick

[Abookcasefull · Rating 5 out of 5]

If Nicole knows one thing it’s write about an object you never even thought about being sentient.

Absolutely cinematic was this one.

“Kyle, do you want a stick up your ass?”

[Lanae (findmeonsmutlane) · Rating 5 out of 5]

"It's a good stick."

will never hear this phrase the same again.

5 stars.

[Logan · Rating 4 out of 5]

It 100% was a REALLY good stick

[Chareads · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a really fun, short, cute, emotional and sexy rend
I need to catch up on this series, i’m in love with these characters

[Dani Brenneman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nicole Parker is a genius. Only she can write a story of a really good stick and I loved every minute of it!!!

[Taylor Dawicke · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hilarious!