A review by jamieb_19
Stubborn Puckboy by Saxon James, Eden Finley

emotional funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? N/A
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

“You’re still the same old Novi. You act tough and joke about being a delightful ray of sunshine, but the truth is, you’re not joking at all. Deep down, you’re a gentle sweetheart who wants to be loved for who he is.”

I’m such a big fan of The Puckboys series. I know I’m always in for a good time whenever I pick one up. The love stories still feel fresh, and as The Queer Collective keeps growing, their shenanigans only get better and better. This newest installment was so good, it’s definitely one of my favorites in the series. Colby and Novi were so perfect for one another, and I loved seeing them figure out how to have their happily ever after - one that was 17 years in the making!

“Ty zastavlyaesh’ menya poteryat’ kontrol’.”
You make me lose control.

Novi was such a great character! I loved how everyone was kind of scared of him, but in his mind, he was a delight (spoiler alert: he actually was a delight!). I loved his confidence; he had the cocky Russian thing down pat. I loved his selective language barrier and the game he’d play trying to catch people correcting his English. But for all his confidence and larger-than-life personality, my heart hurt for him having to hide away his sexuality thanks to a complex situation with his home country. Seeing the toll that having to hide such a big side of himself took on him was very sad.

"I want you. I want you now. And if I have to face the reality I’ve been hiding from for the last seventeen years to have you, then I will."

But, once Colby came back into his life, he was not going to let his chance slip away again, and with every taste he got of the life he’d only dreamt about, the more and more he fully came alive. I loved how all-in he was and how confident he was in their relationship. Even with all the odds stacked against them, Novi was willing to do whatever it took to have a future with Colby. It was so sweet (even if Novi’s idea of romantic gestures needed a little work hahaha).

One thing I especially loved about this book was the way Colby and Novi communicated. Perhaps it’s because they were older and more mature characters, but they communicated so well. They had a lot of obstacles to their HEA, but they talked things through, and there were never any games between them. Okay, so maybe Novi blindsided Colby a few times, but it was never anything bad and was very true to his character (and highly amusing).

“I deserve to exist too, even if in secret.”

I can’t finish this review without mentioning all the amazing cameos we had from the other Collective members. Oskar and Lane were featured heavily, thanks to their proximity to LA, where the book took place, and I loved seeing them again. Ezra and Anton were also in it a lot, since Ezra and Novi were besties (which was hilarious btw). And the epilogue was pure Collective chaos, and I loved every second of it! I have no idea who the next Puckboy will be, but you can be sure that I’ll be there on release day, ready to devour it!

“I never thought this would happen,” he rasps.
“I’m sorry.” I kiss my way along his jaw. “I was a stubborn man who missed out on so much.”