A review by spicycronereads
Puck Shy by Kayla Grosse

adventurous funny hopeful lighthearted fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

Kayla Grosse does it again! Damn. This was almost as much fun as Trick Shot and certainly as schmexy. You should definitely read Trick Shot first so you recognize those characters when they show up. 

From the moment FMC Stevie / Cherry meets MMC Lucas, the chemistry and banter are off the charts. Read the complete content warnings as there is some k!nk. It is of a different flavor from the first book - highlights include exhibitionism / voyeurism, praise, and light punishment of various kinds. There are FF, MF, MFF, MFFM, pairings, but no swords crossing. The spice is face-melting at times (nothing can top that shaving scene from Trick Shot though) 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️

As with Trick Shot, there isn’t much plot but there are a few surprises thrown in there that make for good glue to hold the spice together. 

That said: Even though this is a novella and we are all here for the spice, there were a few things that I wish were slightly more developed. I do wish we got some sense of why Stevie has the hesitations that she does (is there a Chad?!? Or is she just making non-normative choices? I couldn’t tell). And I would have liked to have seen some of the two month interim (maybe as social media posts?) to have been shown some of the changes rather than told them. That said, there were still lots of things to love about the plot. The way Stevie’s sexuality and reproductive choices are handled are empowering and affirming. 

The secondary characters are fun. Nia is super sexy and helps Stevie be her best, most confident self. Johnny is hilarious. I know he isn’t a McKnight brother but I want him to get his own novella. And when these two join in the fun? *fans self* 🫠

In terms of diverse representation, Stevie is polysexual and plus sized (and refreshingly not totally self conscious about it). Nia is also a poly, curvy girl and dark skinned with curly hair, so maybe Black? Or Afro-Latina? 

Overall this is a low angst, spicy read with lots of heart. I really liked it. I had to go back and give Trick Shot more stars because this one is definitely a ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ but Trick Shot is just a bit better imo. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ /🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️.

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