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iam's reviews
1573 reviews
Shameless Puckboy by Eden Finley, Saxon James
4.0
Something about this felt different than the other books in the series/by the authors.
It wasn't hate-to-love, exactly, but it felt like the truly first book where for a long time the characters genuinely didn't like each other, even beyond the point where they have sex.
Oskar is acerbic and pushes everyone away, and Lane is stubborn and determined to save Oskar from himself - they meshed well, but also clashed heavily. It made their eventual falling for each other all the sweeter, though there wasn't all that much sweetness between them even in their loving moments.
The added tension of their workplace romance with potential ethical issues was handled rather well, or I guess it was never an issue between the two of them, more of an outside conflict that threatened the relationship. There was no direct power imbalance between them (other than a bit of consensual sexual one).
I appreciate the change of pace in the series, so far each book has been very unique and distinct from each other.
Content warnings include: public sex, exhibitionism, sex on-page, workplace relationship with potential ethical issues; Mentions of homophobia, teen getting kicked out for being gay.
It wasn't hate-to-love, exactly, but it felt like the truly first book where for a long time the characters genuinely didn't like each other, even beyond the point where they have sex.
Oskar is acerbic and pushes everyone away, and Lane is stubborn and determined to save Oskar from himself - they meshed well, but also clashed heavily. It made their eventual falling for each other all the sweeter, though there wasn't all that much sweetness between them even in their loving moments.
The added tension of their workplace romance with potential ethical issues was handled rather well, or I guess it was never an issue between the two of them, more of an outside conflict that threatened the relationship. There was no direct power imbalance between them (other than a bit of consensual sexual one).
I appreciate the change of pace in the series, so far each book has been very unique and distinct from each other.
Content warnings include: public sex, exhibitionism, sex on-page, workplace relationship with potential ethical issues; Mentions of homophobia, teen getting kicked out for being gay.
Irresponsible Puckboy by Eden Finley, Saxon James
4.0
This one was quite hard hitting.
This is a best-friends-to-lovers romance, which usually isn't my type of book, but I did quite enjoy it due to the specific dynamic. Tripp has been in love with Dex for years, while Dex is a huge puppy of a man in almost all the ways, including utterly oblivious to his best friend's feelings for him, as well as his own feelings towards Tripp...
I for once was not bothered by this obliviousness - it can be a trope that gets pulled on wayyy too long in other books. Here it felt right, but oof, the way into happiness still was long and paved with a lot of hurt on both sides. But the hurt/misguided actions also came from a place of love, which made them bearable.
Tripp and Dex were both so nice, not as snarky and arrogant as many other characters in the series, which was a nice change. I think this may be one of my favourites in the series.
Content warnings include: homophobia, sex on-page.
This is a best-friends-to-lovers romance, which usually isn't my type of book, but I did quite enjoy it due to the specific dynamic. Tripp has been in love with Dex for years, while Dex is a huge puppy of a man in almost all the ways, including utterly oblivious to his best friend's feelings for him, as well as his own feelings towards Tripp...
I for once was not bothered by this obliviousness - it can be a trope that gets pulled on wayyy too long in other books. Here it felt right, but oof, the way into happiness still was long and paved with a lot of hurt on both sides. But the hurt/misguided actions also came from a place of love, which made them bearable.
Tripp and Dex were both so nice, not as snarky and arrogant as many other characters in the series, which was a nice change. I think this may be one of my favourites in the series.
Content warnings include: homophobia, sex on-page.
See You in Boston by Eden Finley, Saxon James
5.0
Super nice novella from the CU hockey series.
I remembered enjoying Tyson a lot as side character in book 3 of the series, and being disappointed that he didn't end up being a love interest in one of the other books - then I found this free novella and was more than happy to see Tyson gets his romance too - and with Rossi, no less!
This one was only vaguely hockey adjacent, instead taking place mostly as the two charactes do an internship in the financial sector. This was only a backdrop though, albeit a very interesting and unusual one for such a light hearted romance where one characters is very flamboyantly queer.
I remembered enjoying Tyson a lot as side character in book 3 of the series, and being disappointed that he didn't end up being a love interest in one of the other books - then I found this free novella and was more than happy to see Tyson gets his romance too - and with Rossi, no less!
This one was only vaguely hockey adjacent, instead taking place mostly as the two charactes do an internship in the financial sector. This was only a backdrop though, albeit a very interesting and unusual one for such a light hearted romance where one characters is very flamboyantly queer.
Bromantic Puckboy by Eden Finley, Saxon James
5.0
While all of the titles of this series are sort of silly, this one felt especially silly and I have to admit, in combination with knowing one of the main characters to be supposedly very "frat-bro-ish", I was not super looking forward to it.
I ended up absolutely loving it though!
This is the first book in the series dealing with bi-awakening on-page, from characters who had never even considered themselves anything but straight before. It added a new dynamic to the series, especially since it was both of the main characters, but it was handled in a super lovely way and I really loved the romance.
This also meant that coming out in an environment that is thought to be potentially hostile was a topic in the book, though not a huge one, and of course it all ended well.
Content warnings include: sex on-page, kidnapping a dog. Mentions of homophobia, divorce, breakup.
I ended up absolutely loving it though!
This is the first book in the series dealing with bi-awakening on-page, from characters who had never even considered themselves anything but straight before. It added a new dynamic to the series, especially since it was both of the main characters, but it was handled in a super lovely way and I really loved the romance.
This also meant that coming out in an environment that is thought to be potentially hostile was a topic in the book, though not a huge one, and of course it all ended well.
Content warnings include: sex on-page, kidnapping a dog. Mentions of homophobia, divorce, breakup.
Clueless Puckboy by Eden Finley, Saxon James
4.0
Another workplace romance in the series - to be fair almost all of them are workplace romances, I guess I mean one with potential for ethical concerns? Unlike in Oskar's book, here it is handled professionally the whole way through.
The dynamic between Vance and Quinn was exceptionally sweet, full of pining and, of course, cluelessness, though never to the point of obliviousness or frustation. There were a few comical moments that almost veered too far for me, but they never crossed a line.
The workplace injury plotline was big in the beginning, but thankfully mellowed somewhat, which I found relieving.
As usual, I loved the cameo appearances from the other characters, as well as the subtle setup for the next book.
The dynamic between Vance and Quinn was exceptionally sweet, full of pining and, of course, cluelessness, though never to the point of obliviousness or frustation. There were a few comical moments that almost veered too far for me, but they never crossed a line.
The workplace injury plotline was big in the beginning, but thankfully mellowed somewhat, which I found relieving.
As usual, I loved the cameo appearances from the other characters, as well as the subtle setup for the next book.
Up in Flames by Eden Finley, Saxon James
3.0
While this was by no means a bad romance, the fact that the one big "outside conflict" that the romantic relationship had to fight being an abusive relationship, that one characters is still in at the beginning of the book, made this a bit too heavy for me. While there is plenty of sass and lightheartedness, the abusive parts were not easy to read.
There is also unresolved trauma outside of the abusive relationship, and the timeline of the romance also felt a bit iffy, though I guess there was nothing overtly wrong with it.
Overall this just felt a bit anxiety inducing to me, especially the added aspect of social media and how the characters dealt with that - or rather, didn't deal with that, which, honestly, probably the best way to go about it.
Content warnings include: being left at the altar, abusive relationship (not the main one), gaslighting, death threats, manipulation, car crash, death of unnamed side characters; mentions of: burning, death of sibling, family abandonment.
There is also unresolved trauma outside of the abusive relationship, and the timeline of the romance also felt a bit iffy, though I guess there was nothing overtly wrong with it.
Overall this just felt a bit anxiety inducing to me, especially the added aspect of social media and how the characters dealt with that - or rather, didn't deal with that, which, honestly, probably the best way to go about it.
Content warnings include: being left at the altar, abusive relationship (not the main one), gaslighting, death threats, manipulation, car crash, death of unnamed side characters; mentions of: burning, death of sibling, family abandonment.
A Stealthy Situation by Saxon James
3.0
Sweet romance with some twin-mixup shenanigans, that unfortunately didn't give me what I wanted from it.
I did enjoy the main romance. Harrison's plant nerdy-ness was adorable, and I liked reading about Bennet and Emmet all grown up after meeting them as kids in Line Mates & Study Dates. That said, their brotherly relationship and the rest of their family came way too short for me. I wanted all the cameos and family reunions, and there was pretty much none of that except one or maybe two phone calls. There even WAS a big family reunion, but it was pushed off-page and then barely talked about. Big disappointment and missed opportunity.
I also found the complete lack of resolution for the main big outside conflict super unsatisfying. Sure, the whole "no matter what we find a way" is nice and lovely, but to just avoid giving a solution to the problem left me feeling almost robbed of a proper ending.
I also didn't get why Harrison cared so much about the "cheating". There was nothing in his characterization to give a hint about why he wants to follow the rules there.
Not a bad book at all, it just didn't give me what I wanted from it.
I did enjoy the main romance. Harrison's plant nerdy-ness was adorable, and I liked reading about Bennet and Emmet all grown up after meeting them as kids in Line Mates & Study Dates. That said, their brotherly relationship and the rest of their family came way too short for me. I wanted all the cameos and family reunions, and there was pretty much none of that except one or maybe two phone calls. There even WAS a big family reunion, but it was pushed off-page and then barely talked about. Big disappointment and missed opportunity.
I also found the complete lack of resolution for the main big outside conflict super unsatisfying. Sure, the whole "no matter what we find a way" is nice and lovely, but to just avoid giving a solution to the problem left me feeling almost robbed of a proper ending.
I also didn't get why Harrison cared so much about the "cheating". There was nothing in his characterization to give a hint about why he wants to follow the rules there.
Not a bad book at all, it just didn't give me what I wanted from it.
Twincerely Yours by Eden Finley
5.0
This was everything I wanted A Stealthy Situation to be, and so much more.
The family dynamics were amazing, even though the drama and secrets at times were painful - but that's what the book said I signed up for, so that's fair.
The one thing that confused me to no end and broke my immersion a bit was how the hell Jonah was a professor. I admittedly don't know how becoming a professor in the US works, but if it's anything like in my country, being a professor at 25 would be a huge acchievement and a very very big deal. Given that him being a professor was barely acknowledged aside from the ethical "omg student/teacher relationship" drama, I assume it has to be different in the US???
Jonah also really didn't read like a professor, possibly due to his young age.
The family dynamics were amazing, even though the drama and secrets at times were painful - but that's what the book said I signed up for, so that's fair.
The one thing that confused me to no end and broke my immersion a bit was how the hell Jonah was a professor. I admittedly don't know how becoming a professor in the US works, but if it's anything like in my country, being a professor at 25 would be a huge acchievement and a very very big deal. Given that him being a professor was barely acknowledged aside from the ethical "omg student/teacher relationship" drama, I assume it has to be different in the US???
Jonah also really didn't read like a professor, possibly due to his young age.
Can't Say Goodbye by Eden Finley
4.0
I ended up really enjoying this polyam romance.
The beginning was a bit repetetive - the guys sporadically meet for sex, but since we mainly focus on the times when they meet, and they only meet for sex, there was a looooot of sex scenes. The pining, because there is a lot of repressed emotion here, also go a bit much, though never overbearing.
Once things became more than sex though, I really loved it.
I especially loved the inclusion of Brady's vast family, including his brother Peyton from Football Royalty, his fathers from Blindsided, his uncles from Fake Out, and even glimpses at characters in future series like the guys from Rival.
This can absolutely be read as a standalone, but the enjoyment is greatest if you know all the background characters.
The beginning was a bit repetetive - the guys sporadically meet for sex, but since we mainly focus on the times when they meet, and they only meet for sex, there was a looooot of sex scenes. The pining, because there is a lot of repressed emotion here, also go a bit much, though never overbearing.
Once things became more than sex though, I really loved it.
I especially loved the inclusion of Brady's vast family, including his brother Peyton from Football Royalty, his fathers from Blindsided, his uncles from Fake Out, and even glimpses at characters in future series like the guys from Rival.
This can absolutely be read as a standalone, but the enjoyment is greatest if you know all the background characters.
The Bastard and the Heir by Eden Finley, Saxon James
4.0
Another one where I was unsure of the beginning, but really enjoyed the end.
Given the title I of course knew what I was going in for, so I was not surprised at the whole social incest stuff. As a reader, we find out very early that Darcy and Wren aren't actually, related, and Darcy knows from the beginning, but Wren only finds out later... after a whole lot of attraction happened, though both of them are adamant to suppress it until after they know for sure they aren't related. Still, that big reveal happened later than I personally would have liked.
Both characters could be stubborn, but never to the point of frustration. There were some side plots that had me quite worried about turning out badly, but the way things developed and how everything wrapped up was quite wonderful, and I really really liked it!
Given the title I of course knew what I was going in for, so I was not surprised at the whole social incest stuff. As a reader, we find out very early that Darcy and Wren aren't actually, related, and Darcy knows from the beginning, but Wren only finds out later... after a whole lot of attraction happened, though both of them are adamant to suppress it until after they know for sure they aren't related. Still, that big reveal happened later than I personally would have liked.
Both characters could be stubborn, but never to the point of frustration. There were some side plots that had me quite worried about turning out badly, but the way things developed and how everything wrapped up was quite wonderful, and I really really liked it!