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A review by jamieb_19
Pucked Up by E.M. Lindsey
challenging
emotional
funny
lighthearted
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
After seeing all the tension between Boden and Hugo in Zero Pucks, I was interested to see the story there. It was obvious there was more going on than just Boden being upset that Hugo was able-bodied and coaching a team of people with disabilities. I liked their first anonymous hookup and the shock of seeing each other again a few weeks later when Hugo shows up as the new coach for Boden’s sled hockey team. They had a few fiery exchanges in the days after the discovery. But then Boden completely pushes Hugo away, and they spend very little time together for a good chunk of the story. It made it hard for me to root for them as a couple. Boden was so angry and self-sabotaging, even when it came to his friends. And the thing is that if you hadn’t read the first book, you didn’t get to see a lot of the self-destructive behavior in this one, just the fallout or him lashing out over things that happen off-page. Which made it even harder to understand his motivations.
I liked the way Hugo and Boden ended up together, even if there wasn’t much of a clear path that got them there. I would have liked more romance and maybe more push and pull between them along the way. As it was, there was only push (Boden pushing Hugo away) and not any pull that would bring them back together.
Hugo was a good character, though. His past was sad, and I liked seeing the way his experiences shaped the way he approached Boden and life in general now. I may not completely understand why it was Boden for him, but I’m glad that Hugo found love again.
Honestly, the side characters are where this book shone. We didn’t see a ton of Tucker, though he did make a few appearances, but we got lots of Ford, and I love that guy! I’m very excited for his book, especially now knowing the setup. That one’s bound to be juicy!! I also loved Micah and hope he gets a book somewhere along the line. He’s a riot, and it’s clear he’s a bit misunderstood, so I’d love to see more of what makes him tick.
Overall, the book was a little up and down for me, but I still liked spending time in this universe with this ragtag group of characters and look forward to what’s next.
I liked the way Hugo and Boden ended up together, even if there wasn’t much of a clear path that got them there. I would have liked more romance and maybe more push and pull between them along the way. As it was, there was only push (Boden pushing Hugo away) and not any pull that would bring them back together.
Hugo was a good character, though. His past was sad, and I liked seeing the way his experiences shaped the way he approached Boden and life in general now. I may not completely understand why it was Boden for him, but I’m glad that Hugo found love again.
Honestly, the side characters are where this book shone. We didn’t see a ton of Tucker, though he did make a few appearances, but we got lots of Ford, and I love that guy! I’m very excited for his book, especially now knowing the setup. That one’s bound to be juicy!! I also loved Micah and hope he gets a book somewhere along the line. He’s a riot, and it’s clear he’s a bit misunderstood, so I’d love to see more of what makes him tick.
Overall, the book was a little up and down for me, but I still liked spending time in this universe with this ragtag group of characters and look forward to what’s next.