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3.89 AVERAGE
3.89 AVERAGE
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
FIRST READ: Nov 2023
SECOND READ: Dec 2023
FORMAT: Audio
ENTERTAINMENT VALUE: 3.5 / 5⭐
TECHNICAL / PRODUCTION: 3.75 / 5⭐
FINAL – OVERALL: 3.5 / 5 ⭐
FINAL – OVERALL: 3.5 / 5 ⭐
This fourth installment of the Puckboy series follows Aleks as he burst his way into the pansexual life as a freshly divorced man. Having only ever been with his high school sweetheart before, his expectations of getting out there and sowing his wild oats just don’t align with his personality and all he really wants is to experience all the things he’s never had the chance to before with Gabe, the attractive fireman who swung onto the scene when a house party got a bit out of hand. Gabe is more than happy to work Aleks through his list of firsts, even if that means immersing himself in a world of a sport he couldn’t possibly care less about.
I’m sad to say that, while I liked the characters perfectly fine, this has easily been the least memorable of the Puckboy series yet. It wasn’t bad, but I honestly couldn’t remember much of what happened once I was done reading it – the only reason I read it twice was because I later stumbled on a standalone book involving three of this one’s side characters, and I couldn’t for the life of me remember whether a particular circumstance from that book was explained in this one or not (answer: it was vaguely hinted at in a scene that was clumsily shoehorned in as setup).
This brings to light my frustration with James/Finley collaborations all taking place within an interconnected universe. Sometimes I enjoy authors’ works quite a lot, but get frustrated by the expectation that I need to read everything they write in order to understand what’s happening. My first time reading this one, it wasn’t until the third mention of Gabe’s past living arrangements (about half-way into this book) that I realized, “Holy shit, I’ve already met this book’s main character before in another book, and of course these two unrelated worlds would have to collide together so gracelessly.”
This brings to light my frustration with James/Finley collaborations all taking place within an interconnected universe. Sometimes I enjoy authors’ works quite a lot, but get frustrated by the expectation that I need to read everything they write in order to understand what’s happening. My first time reading this one, it wasn’t until the third mention of Gabe’s past living arrangements (about half-way into this book) that I realized, “Holy shit, I’ve already met this book’s main character before in another book, and of course these two unrelated worlds would have to collide together so gracelessly.”
If you want to play Six Degrees of Separation, look no further than the James/Finley book extended universe. Every character across the continent can be connected to any other character in six or fewer social connections (and let’s be real, it’s usually fewer).
This book has representation for gays and pansexuals. There is otherwise little else in the way of diversity.
The following elaborates on my content warnings. These may be interpreted as spoilers, but I do not go into deep detail.
This book contains: alcohol use; fires (minor property damage, larger emergency endangering people and animals, mentions of smoke inhalation and shock); mentions of past child abandonment rooted in homophobia; minor and moderate injuries (bruising, strain/pull), mention of past serious injury (gash, bleeding); fist-fighting; and, brief depiction of medical anxiety.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Cursing, Violence, Fire/Fire injury, Alcohol, Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Homophobia, Panic attacks/disorders, Blood, Abandonment
Aleks is the newly divorced pan hockey player. Gabe is the firefighter, amongst a crew sent to the gay collective's drunken party.
The setup for the party and the party scene were great and really enjoyed that, but didn't really get to grips with Aleks character very much it seemed a bit vague. Loved Gabe's macho character and hockey-hating spicy-talking ways. Story was a bit meh.
In summary enjoyed it fine on audiobook, but wouldn't read again. As with all this series, it's well written but I think there are some I've preferred.
The setup for the party and the party scene were great and really enjoyed that, but didn't really get to grips with Aleks character very much it seemed a bit vague. Loved Gabe's macho character and hockey-hating spicy-talking ways. Story was a bit meh.
In summary enjoyed it fine on audiobook, but wouldn't read again. As with all this series, it's well written but I think there are some I've preferred.
funny
relaxing
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Foolish Puckboy
Aleks and Gabe
Wouldn't it be wonderful to have relationships and amazing friendships like these guys do in this universe, lol. I have throughly enjoyed this series. Hope there is still more to come.
Aleks and Gabe
Wouldn't it be wonderful to have relationships and amazing friendships like these guys do in this universe, lol. I have throughly enjoyed this series. Hope there is still more to come.
medium-paced
This book is the perfect balance of professional hockey player, frat humour and sweetness... in short it's another Pucking Disaster Masterpiece!
This book is a quintessential Eden and Saxon romp with lots of heat, lots of sweet and lots of laughs, and especially, lots of dirty talk! Plus cameos from the Queer Collective and Gabe's roommates! I also appreciate that they didn't fall into the fallen firefighter trap...
I can't wait to see where the next books take us - both in the Puckboys world and Saxon's Accidental Love series! Fingers crossed for more potential crossovers - maybe with some of Erin's Mike Bravo guys???
This book is a quintessential Eden and Saxon romp with lots of heat, lots of sweet and lots of laughs, and especially, lots of dirty talk! Plus cameos from the Queer Collective and Gabe's roommates! I also appreciate that they didn't fall into the fallen firefighter trap...
I can't wait to see where the next books take us - both in the Puckboys world and Saxon's Accidental Love series! Fingers crossed for more potential crossovers - maybe with some of Erin's Mike Bravo guys???