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Puckboys #2
Irresponsible Puckboy
Tripp
The worst part of being in love with my straight best friend is the fact he’s too oblivious to see it.
Years of pining have left me exhausted, and I need a break from Dex. I need space to get over my feelings. But when his relationship falls apart and he turns to me for comfort, I cave immediately.
If there’s one thing I hate more than being hurt, it’s seeing Dex struggle. I can’t leave him in a time of need, even if my friends say it’s my biggest downfall.
They say Dexter Mitchale is my weakness, but if that’s true, I don’t want to be strong.
Dex
I’ve always been the dumb one. It’s what I’m known for, and usually I don’t let it get to me.
I have hockey, and I have my best friend, Tripp. What more do I need? To settle down? No thank you. Marriage? Hard pass. According to ex-girlfriends, that makes me “irresponsible.”
But the solution I come up with to get over my fear of commitment might be my dumbest idea yet. Not only does it have team management breathing down my neck, but it puts a strain on my friendship with Tripp.
This PR nightmare could lose me the only person I’ve ever loved. Losing girlfriends is nothing. Losing Tripp? It’s not an option.
I’ll do whatever it takes to keep him.
The worst part of being in love with my straight best friend is the fact he’s too oblivious to see it.
Years of pining have left me exhausted, and I need a break from Dex. I need space to get over my feelings. But when his relationship falls apart and he turns to me for comfort, I cave immediately.
If there’s one thing I hate more than being hurt, it’s seeing Dex struggle. I can’t leave him in a time of need, even if my friends say it’s my biggest downfall.
They say Dexter Mitchale is my weakness, but if that’s true, I don’t want to be strong.
Dex
I’ve always been the dumb one. It’s what I’m known for, and usually I don’t let it get to me.
I have hockey, and I have my best friend, Tripp. What more do I need? To settle down? No thank you. Marriage? Hard pass. According to ex-girlfriends, that makes me “irresponsible.”
But the solution I come up with to get over my fear of commitment might be my dumbest idea yet. Not only does it have team management breathing down my neck, but it puts a strain on my friendship with Tripp.
This PR nightmare could lose me the only person I’ve ever loved. Losing girlfriends is nothing. Losing Tripp? It’s not an option.
I’ll do whatever it takes to keep him.
280 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 11, 2022
About the author
Eden Finley
57 books6,006 followersEden Finley is an Amazon bestselling author who writes steamy contemporary romances that are mostly full of snark and light-hearted fluff.
She lives to create an escape from real life for herself and her readers.
She's also an Australian girl and apologises for her Australianisms that sometimes don't make sense to anyone else.
She lives to create an escape from real life for herself and her readers.
She's also an Australian girl and apologises for her Australianisms that sometimes don't make sense to anyone else.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,388 reviews
April 25, 2022
This latest fun and flirty Puckboys story was pretty much exactly what I was hoping for and expecting, in a really good way. 😁
[My interpretation of Dex...]
From previously-completely-str8 Dex being absolutely clueless, while hopelessly-in-love-with-his-str8-best-friend Tripp painfully pined after him.
“Tripp?”
“Yeah?”
“Can you hold me?” I wriggle closer to him.
“Fuck’s sake, I’m naked under here.”
“And? It’s nothing I haven’t seen before. Besides, the blanket is between us, so it’s not like it’s gay.”
“Right. Because being gay would be terrible.”
“You know that’s not what I mean. It’s just platonic snuggles.”
Finally, the tension starts to leave him. “Yeah, I know.”
To Tripp finally trying to impose some personal boundaries to protect his fragile heart.
“I think … I think we need to start looking at us from the outside. If we’re ever going to make our relationships work, maybe we need to --” He takes a breath. “-- stop being so possessive of each other.”
“I’m not possessive!”
“Who do I belong to?”
“Me, but --”
He grins.
“Shut up.”
To Dex starting to entertain thoughts of possibly "more" from his relationship with Tripp, simply because he's Tripp.
My gaze goes unfocused, and I rub my jaw, trying to work out how long it would take for him to get desperate enough to offer for real.
If he did, would I go through with it? It’s always been so easy to be affectionate with him; would that really be any different? I know I’m straight, but Tripp doesn’t count.
To Dex being fully on board with dude sex -- including the "butt stuff".
He claims my mouth again, getting more confident as he stretches and rubs at places I’ve never realized could be so much fun.
My ass is buzzing, and the more he works me open, the more it makes my cock throb.
Like it’s a secret agreement between my ass and my balls. When one of us is having fun, we’re all having fun. And goddammit, this is fun.
And finally to Dex realizing what's most important in his life. And yeah, more "butt stuff". 😆
Maybe that means I put more of a target on my head than I already have.
But with Tripp’s warm, large hand in mine, those people can all go and fuck themselves.
Although, seeing the way Tripp took that dildo, I’m beginning to think that isn’t the insult people think it is.
Next time someone tells me to go and fuck myself, I think I’ll give it a try.
One thing that I really appreciated was that Dex's ex-girlfriend had a very *MINIMAL* presence, since that type of petty bullshit drama can completely ruin a book for me.
However, her new boyfriend can suck a big ole' bag of moldy dicks. And good riddance to bad rubbish where he's concerned. Fucker.
Overall, this was a great 4.25 star book, for me, with my only niggle being that it didn't quite pull on my heart-strings quiiiiiiiite as much as I'd ideally prefer.
The last part of the story seemed to be a setup for eternal-playboy and troublemaker Oscar and his team's PR guy, Lane, which I'm very much looking forward to.
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My ARC copy of the book was provided by the authors in exchange for a fair, unbiased review.
See All My Latest Reads (Review Quick-Links)
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May 25, 2022
this author duo are falling victim to generic mediocrity, i fear🧍
my head is just blank after reading this. i truly cannot offer any poignant insight or observations of this book bcos it was like every other bitch. this has left me feeling so uninspired, it was pretty painful to get through at times with how bland, aimless and generic it was.
this has been written so many times before by these two as a duo and individually. Dex was just Cohen from the CU series and Chad from SJ’s Frat Wars’ love child, truly the dumbest man i have ever read in a romance. and he was the best character in this whole damn book.
Tripp... Tripp is a man and he exists. and he’s ginger.
Oskar can choke. Ezra can choke. Anton can choke. Fensby can choke. Jessica can choke. just a round of applause for the most bland, irritating and indistinguishable characters that have managed to occupy this whole book.
EF and SJ are just regurgitating old shit and churning it out without offering anything new and interesting. i am so exhausted of these books now and it makes me sad bcos these two managed to write Beck and Jacobs... they need to regroup or some shit bcos im tired. all their stories, characters, and relationships are blending together into this big boring blur of the same stereotypes and witty dialogue.
it wasn’t bad... it’s just there.
and sorry to Julia for having to put up with me venting as i lost my mind whenever someone called Dex dumb and were mean to him🔪 all those fugly bitches can choke.
my head is just blank after reading this. i truly cannot offer any poignant insight or observations of this book bcos it was like every other bitch. this has left me feeling so uninspired, it was pretty painful to get through at times with how bland, aimless and generic it was.
this has been written so many times before by these two as a duo and individually. Dex was just Cohen from the CU series and Chad from SJ’s Frat Wars’ love child, truly the dumbest man i have ever read in a romance. and he was the best character in this whole damn book.
Tripp... Tripp is a man and he exists. and he’s ginger.
Oskar can choke. Ezra can choke. Anton can choke. Fensby can choke. Jessica can choke. just a round of applause for the most bland, irritating and indistinguishable characters that have managed to occupy this whole book.
EF and SJ are just regurgitating old shit and churning it out without offering anything new and interesting. i am so exhausted of these books now and it makes me sad bcos these two managed to write Beck and Jacobs... they need to regroup or some shit bcos im tired. all their stories, characters, and relationships are blending together into this big boring blur of the same stereotypes and witty dialogue.
it wasn’t bad... it’s just there.
and sorry to Julia for having to put up with me venting as i lost my mind whenever someone called Dex dumb and were mean to him🔪 all those fugly bitches can choke.
May 16, 2022
dnf @ 70ish %.
✦ this was just weak. weak plot, weak characters. no real depth. boring as fuck.
✦ i tried really hard to like this, but i just didn't. i just do not care about these people at all.
✦ most of Eden/Saxon books just blur together for me at this point, because they all just feel similar in a way. formulaic, generic and unoriginal.
✦ it might just be a me thing though, because i can't help but hate most cutesy, humorous, contemporary romances with stupid, nonsensical plot lines that are so wildly popular these days.
✦ i always give these authors a shot for some reason, even though i've only really liked two, maybe three, of their books. i think i might have to stop doing that, and finally admit that this duo (together and and as separate authors) is just not for me.
✦ this was just weak. weak plot, weak characters. no real depth. boring as fuck.
✦ i tried really hard to like this, but i just didn't. i just do not care about these people at all.
✦ most of Eden/Saxon books just blur together for me at this point, because they all just feel similar in a way. formulaic, generic and unoriginal.
✦ it might just be a me thing though, because i can't help but hate most cutesy, humorous, contemporary romances with stupid, nonsensical plot lines that are so wildly popular these days.
✦ i always give these authors a shot for some reason, even though i've only really liked two, maybe three, of their books. i think i might have to stop doing that, and finally admit that this duo (together and and as separate authors) is just not for me.
August 19, 2023
second reread: July 2023
***4.0 rating***
Second time around, I still love these two. Dex tho is my favorite, I love Tripp too but Dex and his forever golden retriever energy will have my heart 🥺💕.
Also glitch reads app is still showing I am reading this I am not. Will they ever fix this crap I think not😫😭
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***4.0 rating***
“I’m dumb a lot of the time, but the best dumb decision I ever made was marrying you. Because now I know why I could spend forever with you, and only you. I know we’re supposed to stand up here and announce some bogus divorce, but I don’t want that. I want us.” My voice breaks. “Always. Forever. Because I am so fucking in love with you, I don’t know myself without you.” 🥺❤️
Listen, I get that a lot of people didn't like this book but hear me out, I kind of loved it. Not quite but sort of? Was it predictable and cliched? Sure. The whole "fake marriage" gay-for-you trope has been done to death. But in this book it worked. I haven't read the whole CU series maybe that is why but I genuinely liked Tripp and Dex. The names are a bit ridiculous but my love for the himbo that is Dex and his immaculate golden retriever energy outweighs the negative reasons why one wouldn't like this book.
This review is probably going to be me mostly talking about Dex, but how can I not? He was so precious and pure. His love for Tripp was always honest, even when it was "platonic".
"People joke about us having a bromance all the time, but it’s the best way to describe us. I love him. More than Jessica. Tripp’s my ride or die. No one can come between a friendship like ours."
"The idea of choosing one person to spend my whole life with is scary. But as long as Tripp is always there, I know I can get through anything."
"Jessica pissed me off because of the things she said, but I don’t miss her. Tripp is literally right there, sitting across the table from me, and I miss him more than I ever have. But he’s my best friend. And if my best friend is happy, that means more to me than some sulky feelings I’ll get over soon enough."
“Are you okay, Dex?” Oh no. He had to go and ask that, didn’t he? I’m fine, totally fine, but the second he hits me with that question, my throat gets thick and my eyes start to get all wet. I try to push it all down and remind myself that I’m happy for Tripp. If he’s happy, I’m happy. That’s how we work. “Yes,” I squeak."
As platonic as Dex thought they were, I never doubted his love for Tripp. His admiration, neediness, co-dependency, and desire to be constantly in Tripp's personal space just made me love him that much more. And while the author portrays Dex as "dumb" or a himbo, he truly wasn't. He always tried to be there for Tripp and would just do about anything to keep him happy. I loved his love for his best friend.
When Dex starts catching feelings for his bestie it's even more endearing because while he considered himself "straight", to him it didn't matter that Tripp was a man. To Dex Tripp was just that Tripp, his person, and bestie. The feelings just made their friendship more solid and well romantic.
"I kissed my husband, and I liked it, but to me, it was no different than when he holds me or I kiss his cheek or we stay up all night talking. It makes me … full. Happy."
"I bite him, not hard enough to hurt, but enough to sink my teeth in and feel the slight give of his skin. My lips replace my teeth, sucking a bruise into his shoulder, marking him as mine. Only mine. My husband, my best friend, my everything."
How can you not love them? They are just so precious, especially Dex. He truly is a golden retriever that you want to adopt and keep. That is indeed what Tripp did, he kept Dex. Their marriage might have started as a lie/joke and sure the whole premise of the story was somewhat ridiculous but it was also sweet, and loving. Dex made me love this cliched romance.
I liked Tripp too but Dex had a way of worming his way into my heart. My only complaint is that there was hardly any hockey and the teammates could have been better. The first book had a better vibe when it came to hockey and team spirit. I am not sure how I feel about Oskar or reading his story yet, he didn't make that big of an impression on me but I hope that changes once I read his book.🤞
What can I say I am a simple girl, give me a book with hockey and romance and you pretty much have won me over.
***4.0 rating***
Second time around, I still love these two. Dex tho is my favorite, I love Tripp too but Dex and his forever golden retriever energy will have my heart 🥺💕.
Also glitch reads app is still showing I am reading this I am not. Will they ever fix this crap I think not😫😭
--------------------------------------------------
***4.0 rating***
“I’m dumb a lot of the time, but the best dumb decision I ever made was marrying you. Because now I know why I could spend forever with you, and only you. I know we’re supposed to stand up here and announce some bogus divorce, but I don’t want that. I want us.” My voice breaks. “Always. Forever. Because I am so fucking in love with you, I don’t know myself without you.” 🥺❤️
Listen, I get that a lot of people didn't like this book but hear me out, I kind of loved it. Not quite but sort of? Was it predictable and cliched? Sure. The whole "fake marriage" gay-for-you trope has been done to death. But in this book it worked. I haven't read the whole CU series maybe that is why but I genuinely liked Tripp and Dex. The names are a bit ridiculous but my love for the himbo that is Dex and his immaculate golden retriever energy outweighs the negative reasons why one wouldn't like this book.
This review is probably going to be me mostly talking about Dex, but how can I not? He was so precious and pure. His love for Tripp was always honest, even when it was "platonic".
"People joke about us having a bromance all the time, but it’s the best way to describe us. I love him. More than Jessica. Tripp’s my ride or die. No one can come between a friendship like ours."
"The idea of choosing one person to spend my whole life with is scary. But as long as Tripp is always there, I know I can get through anything."
"Jessica pissed me off because of the things she said, but I don’t miss her. Tripp is literally right there, sitting across the table from me, and I miss him more than I ever have. But he’s my best friend. And if my best friend is happy, that means more to me than some sulky feelings I’ll get over soon enough."
“Are you okay, Dex?” Oh no. He had to go and ask that, didn’t he? I’m fine, totally fine, but the second he hits me with that question, my throat gets thick and my eyes start to get all wet. I try to push it all down and remind myself that I’m happy for Tripp. If he’s happy, I’m happy. That’s how we work. “Yes,” I squeak."
As platonic as Dex thought they were, I never doubted his love for Tripp. His admiration, neediness, co-dependency, and desire to be constantly in Tripp's personal space just made me love him that much more. And while the author portrays Dex as "dumb" or a himbo, he truly wasn't. He always tried to be there for Tripp and would just do about anything to keep him happy. I loved his love for his best friend.
When Dex starts catching feelings for his bestie it's even more endearing because while he considered himself "straight", to him it didn't matter that Tripp was a man. To Dex Tripp was just that Tripp, his person, and bestie. The feelings just made their friendship more solid and well romantic.
"I kissed my husband, and I liked it, but to me, it was no different than when he holds me or I kiss his cheek or we stay up all night talking. It makes me … full. Happy."
"I bite him, not hard enough to hurt, but enough to sink my teeth in and feel the slight give of his skin. My lips replace my teeth, sucking a bruise into his shoulder, marking him as mine. Only mine. My husband, my best friend, my everything."
How can you not love them? They are just so precious, especially Dex. He truly is a golden retriever that you want to adopt and keep. That is indeed what Tripp did, he kept Dex. Their marriage might have started as a lie/joke and sure the whole premise of the story was somewhat ridiculous but it was also sweet, and loving. Dex made me love this cliched romance.
I liked Tripp too but Dex had a way of worming his way into my heart. My only complaint is that there was hardly any hockey and the teammates could have been better. The first book had a better vibe when it came to hockey and team spirit. I am not sure how I feel about Oskar or reading his story yet, he didn't make that big of an impression on me but I hope that changes once I read his book.🤞
What can I say I am a simple girl, give me a book with hockey and romance and you pretty much have won me over.
January 30, 2024
|| 3.5 stars ||
➛First read: May 2022 | ★3.5 stars
➛Second read: April 2023 | ★3.5 stars
This is your typical best-friends to lovers hockey romance with a fake dating trope.
Of course one of the two MCs is 'straight' and the other is out and proud, but also secretly in love with, and pining for, his bestie.
It's the oldest story in the book, and well.. it's a classic for a reason. It's cute, it's enjoyable, it's sweet, it's fun, it's angsty, it's swoon-worthy. It's a good trope. It really is. And this book delivers pretty well.
This book is nothing new, and doesn't give a new spin to what we've seen plenty of times before, but it still works.
I enjoyed myself. I'm not blown away or anything, but I don't think I expected to be.
Dex and Tripp are best friends and, luckily, it is truly obvious that they really are best-friends. Sometimes in books we're told that two characters are besties, but nothing in their behaviour actually supports that, but here it really did.
These two care very deeply for each other, spend every waking minute together, are each other's number one priority, are in tune with one another's feelings and thoughts, but also have actual fun together. Even without the romance, their friendship was already pretty adorable.
And well, since I actually liked their friendship, I was also pretty annoyed with how other people treated it as a bad thing, and specifically how they treated Dex poorly for it.
Tripp's friends are aware that he's been madly in love with Dex since like forever, and therefore somehow think it's fair to be complete arseholes to Dex because he is (unknowingly) hurting Tripp by showing him affection and stuff.
I'm sorry, but this simply really annoyed me, because none of that situation was Dex's fault. He didn't know about Tripp's feelings, so in his head, all he's doing is being the best best-friend ever. How dare they make him feel sad because of that?
Seriously, I know Oskar is going to be the main character for the next book, but after the way he treated Dex in this book, I'm kind of in a hate mood towards him so far. It's gonna take some effort to make me like him.
Anyway, as has probably already been kind of obvious from my protectiveness for Dex so far: I absolutely adored Dex. He was so sweet, adorable, kind, caring, vulnerable, affectionate, caring and lovely. He's a great person, and I was totally rooting for him the whole way through. His 'cluelessness' only endeared me to him more. I couldn't find a single fault when it comes to him, and I wanted to constantly give him hugs throughout this book.
When it comes to Tripp, I'm not nearly as loving. I don't have anything against him at all, but I also didn't exactly care about him. He was a bit bland, to be honest. He also managed to annoy me a couple of times at the beginning, but his fierce love and devotion to Dex made me like him well enough. Seriously, he was so in love with Dex it's almost a bit insane. He was desperate to have Dex in his life, even if it meant living in a state of pining and unrequited love for the rest of his life. I’m honestly a complete sucker for this type of devotion; I loved it so much.
Dex and Tripp really work well together. They just fit. I do wish they could have communicated their feelings a bit better, because if they would have just talked openly, most of the 'angst' within their relationship would have been over with a lot sooner. But well, I guess that means we also wouldn't have had this book, so maybe it was a necessary evil.
'Puckboys' series:
1. Egotistical Puckboy - 4.5 stars
2. Irresponsible Puckboy - 3.5 stars
3. Shameless Puckboy - 1.5 stars
➛First read: May 2022 | ★3.5 stars
➛Second read: April 2023 | ★3.5 stars
This is your typical best-friends to lovers hockey romance with a fake dating trope.
Of course one of the two MCs is 'straight' and the other is out and proud, but also secretly in love with, and pining for, his bestie.
It's the oldest story in the book, and well.. it's a classic for a reason. It's cute, it's enjoyable, it's sweet, it's fun, it's angsty, it's swoon-worthy. It's a good trope. It really is. And this book delivers pretty well.
This book is nothing new, and doesn't give a new spin to what we've seen plenty of times before, but it still works.
I enjoyed myself. I'm not blown away or anything, but I don't think I expected to be.
Dex and Tripp are best friends and, luckily, it is truly obvious that they really are best-friends. Sometimes in books we're told that two characters are besties, but nothing in their behaviour actually supports that, but here it really did.
These two care very deeply for each other, spend every waking minute together, are each other's number one priority, are in tune with one another's feelings and thoughts, but also have actual fun together. Even without the romance, their friendship was already pretty adorable.
And well, since I actually liked their friendship, I was also pretty annoyed with how other people treated it as a bad thing, and specifically how they treated Dex poorly for it.
Tripp's friends are aware that he's been madly in love with Dex since like forever, and therefore somehow think it's fair to be complete arseholes to Dex because he is (unknowingly) hurting Tripp by showing him affection and stuff.
I'm sorry, but this simply really annoyed me, because none of that situation was Dex's fault. He didn't know about Tripp's feelings, so in his head, all he's doing is being the best best-friend ever. How dare they make him feel sad because of that?
Seriously, I know Oskar is going to be the main character for the next book, but after the way he treated Dex in this book, I'm kind of in a hate mood towards him so far. It's gonna take some effort to make me like him.
Anyway, as has probably already been kind of obvious from my protectiveness for Dex so far: I absolutely adored Dex. He was so sweet, adorable, kind, caring, vulnerable, affectionate, caring and lovely. He's a great person, and I was totally rooting for him the whole way through. His 'cluelessness' only endeared me to him more. I couldn't find a single fault when it comes to him, and I wanted to constantly give him hugs throughout this book.
When it comes to Tripp, I'm not nearly as loving. I don't have anything against him at all, but I also didn't exactly care about him. He was a bit bland, to be honest. He also managed to annoy me a couple of times at the beginning, but his fierce love and devotion to Dex made me like him well enough. Seriously, he was so in love with Dex it's almost a bit insane. He was desperate to have Dex in his life, even if it meant living in a state of pining and unrequited love for the rest of his life. I’m honestly a complete sucker for this type of devotion; I loved it so much.
I’m his best friend.
He’s my heart and soul.
And nothing will ever change that.
Not even his inability to love me back.
Dex and Tripp really work well together. They just fit. I do wish they could have communicated their feelings a bit better, because if they would have just talked openly, most of the 'angst' within their relationship would have been over with a lot sooner. But well, I guess that means we also wouldn't have had this book, so maybe it was a necessary evil.
'Puckboys' series:
1. Egotistical Puckboy - 4.5 stars
2. Irresponsible Puckboy - 3.5 stars
3. Shameless Puckboy - 1.5 stars
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June 8, 2022
Irresponsible Puckboy is book two in the Puckboys series by Eden Finley and Saxon James. These two authors make such a brilliant writing team. This book was so adorable. It was sexy and steamy and swoony and also a little heart breaking at times. I loved every minute of it.
Dex Mitchale and Tripp Mitchell are both pro NHL players for the Las Vegas team. They have been best friends since they first met. Tripp is an out gay player and Dex is straight and in a somewhat toxic on again, off again relationship. When this book starts, they are once again off! His girlfriend wants more from Dex than he is able to give. Is it just her that he can’t imagine being married to or is it marriage to anyone? Will he ever be able to make that sort of commitment? To figure it out, Dex comes up with a crazy idea to find his answer!
Since they first met, Tripp has been completely, head over heels in love with his straight best friend. For years he has savored every minute he gets to spend with Dex, knowing that the only way he’ll ever get to have him in his life is as his best friend. He can never let him know how he really feels. But then Dex comes up with a crazy idea. An idea that changes everything.
Dex is noticing Tripp in ways that a straight man doesn’t notice another man. But he’s not gay! He likes women. But he’s never felt for any woman the way he feels about Tripp.
I adored these two. Especially Dex. He just stole my heart. The only thing that bothered me was the way he thought of himself, in such a self-deprecating way. It broke my heart. In the end, in my eyes, he was the smartest one of all.
“If I thought cuddling with him was the most amazing thing, I was wrong. Kissing Tripp is addictive.”
When Dex decided he was all in, that he wanted to explore this brand new interest he had in Tripp’s body, I loved the way he had no hesitation. I also loved the way that these two were each other’s first priority always. But it was Dex that really seemed to just feel so much, that he took responsibility for everything. So yeah, I have a bit of a crush on him!
I pretty much tore my way right through this, I couldn’t put it down. I love the way these two authors write together. I have an inkling who might be next in this series so now I can’t wait to see if I’m right. Whoever it is, I’m all in!
For more about this book and so many others, come and visit me at Carol's Crazy Bookish World.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/Carol...
Dex Mitchale and Tripp Mitchell are both pro NHL players for the Las Vegas team. They have been best friends since they first met. Tripp is an out gay player and Dex is straight and in a somewhat toxic on again, off again relationship. When this book starts, they are once again off! His girlfriend wants more from Dex than he is able to give. Is it just her that he can’t imagine being married to or is it marriage to anyone? Will he ever be able to make that sort of commitment? To figure it out, Dex comes up with a crazy idea to find his answer!
Since they first met, Tripp has been completely, head over heels in love with his straight best friend. For years he has savored every minute he gets to spend with Dex, knowing that the only way he’ll ever get to have him in his life is as his best friend. He can never let him know how he really feels. But then Dex comes up with a crazy idea. An idea that changes everything.
Dex is noticing Tripp in ways that a straight man doesn’t notice another man. But he’s not gay! He likes women. But he’s never felt for any woman the way he feels about Tripp.
I adored these two. Especially Dex. He just stole my heart. The only thing that bothered me was the way he thought of himself, in such a self-deprecating way. It broke my heart. In the end, in my eyes, he was the smartest one of all.
“If I thought cuddling with him was the most amazing thing, I was wrong. Kissing Tripp is addictive.”
When Dex decided he was all in, that he wanted to explore this brand new interest he had in Tripp’s body, I loved the way he had no hesitation. I also loved the way that these two were each other’s first priority always. But it was Dex that really seemed to just feel so much, that he took responsibility for everything. So yeah, I have a bit of a crush on him!
I pretty much tore my way right through this, I couldn’t put it down. I love the way these two authors write together. I have an inkling who might be next in this series so now I can’t wait to see if I’m right. Whoever it is, I’m all in!
For more about this book and so many others, come and visit me at Carol's Crazy Bookish World.
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May 11, 2022
4.5* (Upped my rating as I did actually really enjoy this one)
Oh that was fun and also super sweet with a side hint of sadness actually at how much Tripp had hidden his feelings for Dex.
One story angle is so ridiculous that it's genius because Dex really is the biggest (and sweetest) himbo to ever be in love with his best friend without ever realising it.
He's Brendan Fraser 'George of the Jungle' levels of oblivious and it's both cute and cringe-worthy watching him stumbling into awareness.
Tripp has been hiding his feelings for the three years they've been best friends and it's him who's hesitant to move things into a relationship even when Dex is full on committed to exploring his attraction.
While I liked this one a lot, it just missed out on being a 5* read because it was lacking a bit of tension for me.
Although it is obvious that Dex loves Tripp, I think I just needed a bit more self-awareness from him and I'd have really liked a conversation between the two of them rather than the angle taken in the narrative.
That's totally a me thing though, not a questioning of the authors' choices, because how things go down also works perfectly as a catalyst.
However, on the sexual exploring front, this book's definitely a 5* read. Once Dex commits, he does so wholeheartedly and without any fears or second guessing.
And there's enough ice hockey-ing (totally a real word honest) to keep me happy there with tension arising for the plot out of that scenario rather than relationship woes.
All in all, I thoroughly enjoyed watching Dex wake up to his feelings and seeing Tripp get the future he never imagined could be on the cards.
I'm really hoping Oskar's up next as there's all kinds of sparks between him and his team's new PR guy 😁
#I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book.
Oh that was fun and also super sweet with a side hint of sadness actually at how much Tripp had hidden his feelings for Dex.
One story angle is so ridiculous that it's genius because Dex really is the biggest (and sweetest) himbo to ever be in love with his best friend without ever realising it.
He's Brendan Fraser 'George of the Jungle' levels of oblivious and it's both cute and cringe-worthy watching him stumbling into awareness.
Tripp has been hiding his feelings for the three years they've been best friends and it's him who's hesitant to move things into a relationship even when Dex is full on committed to exploring his attraction.
While I liked this one a lot, it just missed out on being a 5* read because it was lacking a bit of tension for me.
Although it is obvious that Dex loves Tripp, I think I just needed a bit more self-awareness from him and I'd have really liked a conversation between the two of them rather than the angle taken in the narrative.
That's totally a me thing though, not a questioning of the authors' choices, because how things go down also works perfectly as a catalyst.
However, on the sexual exploring front, this book's definitely a 5* read. Once Dex commits, he does so wholeheartedly and without any fears or second guessing.
And there's enough ice hockey-ing (totally a real word honest) to keep me happy there with tension arising for the plot out of that scenario rather than relationship woes.
All in all, I thoroughly enjoyed watching Dex wake up to his feelings and seeing Tripp get the future he never imagined could be on the cards.
I'm really hoping Oskar's up next as there's all kinds of sparks between him and his team's new PR guy 😁
#I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book.
May 18, 2022
This hurts.
I’m sorry but I’m bored out of my fucking mind. I have nothing to say accept this book had a lot of fucking potential and it all went down the drain. I had such high hopes for this especially because I adore this trope but it can’t go perfect everytime and unfortunately, this was one of them.
The relationship between Dex and Tripp did not connect with me. I had a hard time following their conversations and so called banter. I don’t know if it’s because I’m stressed due to classes and exams and what not but this book just wasn’t easy? It wasn’t the fun and easy going book that I wanted. There was no dark content but the book didn’t make an easy read for me.
I skipped a lot of the book including scenes that could’ve been important so honestly I cannot give an honest opinion on the plot and story but I can say that I didn’t care enough to go through the whole thing. I skipped to the end which I pleasantly enjoyed because Eden Finley didn’t take the typical route and cause a scene between the characters to create a conflict and that made me happy.
I’m going to continue with the series obviously but my enthusiasm is a little dimmer
“You like belonging to me?”
“I mean, in a non-codependent, healthy kind of way, yes. I like the way you worship my body like I’m a prized possession and not a toy to play with. I like that you respect me and love me, and you’ve always been yourself around me. I love who we are together. I love our bond. Most of all, I love you”
I’m sorry but I’m bored out of my fucking mind. I have nothing to say accept this book had a lot of fucking potential and it all went down the drain. I had such high hopes for this especially because I adore this trope but it can’t go perfect everytime and unfortunately, this was one of them.
The relationship between Dex and Tripp did not connect with me. I had a hard time following their conversations and so called banter. I don’t know if it’s because I’m stressed due to classes and exams and what not but this book just wasn’t easy? It wasn’t the fun and easy going book that I wanted. There was no dark content but the book didn’t make an easy read for me.
I skipped a lot of the book including scenes that could’ve been important so honestly I cannot give an honest opinion on the plot and story but I can say that I didn’t care enough to go through the whole thing. I skipped to the end which I pleasantly enjoyed because Eden Finley didn’t take the typical route and cause a scene between the characters to create a conflict and that made me happy.
I’m going to continue with the series obviously but my enthusiasm is a little dimmer
“You like belonging to me?”
“I mean, in a non-codependent, healthy kind of way, yes. I like the way you worship my body like I’m a prized possession and not a toy to play with. I like that you respect me and love me, and you’ve always been yourself around me. I love who we are together. I love our bond. Most of all, I love you”
September 8, 2022
*** I reviewed a complimentary copy of this book***
Dex and Tripp are so ridiculously cute and perfect for one another. I love that everyone can see how in love they are with one another. Watching them dance around their mutually shared feelings is so adorable and sets up for an cute best friends to lovers romance.
Irresponsible Puckboy focuses on Dex and Tripp as best friends who are entirely devoted to one another to the point that Dex's girlfriends dumps him because he cannot "commit." To prove he can have a serious relationship he jokingly tells Tripp they should get married to prove he is not afraid of a marriage commitment.
What happens next is a series of mishaps that force the best friends to "fake" their marriage for PR reasons and their real feelings start to emerge. This "accidental" marriage is a great way to force these best friends to admit their true feelings, but of course it is never as easy and simple as it seems.
Irresponsible Puckboy is hilariously sweet romance that is full of witty banter that had me laughing out loud many times. Dex and Tripp are so adorably cute together.
Dex and Tripp are so ridiculously cute and perfect for one another. I love that everyone can see how in love they are with one another. Watching them dance around their mutually shared feelings is so adorable and sets up for an cute best friends to lovers romance.
Irresponsible Puckboy focuses on Dex and Tripp as best friends who are entirely devoted to one another to the point that Dex's girlfriends dumps him because he cannot "commit." To prove he can have a serious relationship he jokingly tells Tripp they should get married to prove he is not afraid of a marriage commitment.
What happens next is a series of mishaps that force the best friends to "fake" their marriage for PR reasons and their real feelings start to emerge. This "accidental" marriage is a great way to force these best friends to admit their true feelings, but of course it is never as easy and simple as it seems.
Irresponsible Puckboy is hilariously sweet romance that is full of witty banter that had me laughing out loud many times. Dex and Tripp are so adorably cute together.
May 18, 2022
~4.25~
The title speaks the truth. Dex and Tripp are indeed irresistible.
I found all my favorite things in this low-angst, high-heat story:
- BFFs to lovers (Dex is just a tiny bit possessive of Tripp, but, hey, that's totally normal best friend behavior)
- Bisexual awakening (platonic naked cuddles are great, but butt stuff is even better)
- Fake (but oh-so-real!) husbands
- Humor & banter
- The Collective still going strong
- The villain (in this case, a homophobic asshole player on Tripp and Dex's team) getting his comeuppance
- HEA (nothing is coming between Dex and Tripp, except maybe a dildo)
This book is just so much fun to read!
The title speaks the truth. Dex and Tripp are indeed irresistible.
I found all my favorite things in this low-angst, high-heat story:
- BFFs to lovers (Dex is just a tiny bit possessive of Tripp, but, hey, that's totally normal best friend behavior)
- Bisexual awakening (platonic naked cuddles are great, but butt stuff is even better)
- Fake (but oh-so-real!) husbands
- Humor & banter
- The Collective still going strong
- The villain (in this case, a homophobic asshole player on Tripp and Dex's team) getting his comeuppance
- HEA (nothing is coming between Dex and Tripp, except maybe a dildo)
This book is just so much fun to read!
May 11, 2022
tell me i wasn’t the only one with a hand stretched out, ready to give Dex reassuring head pats for the entirety of this book 🥺
when a faux wedding meant to be simple commitment practice turns real, what other choice do these two dorks sharing a single endearingly faulty brain cell have other than to keep the act going? the sequence of events is oh so wholly ridiculous that it’s borderline perfection for the utterly besotted piner and his overly affectionate golden retriever of a pinee (i may or may not be making up words at this point, my brain doesn’t function well past my bedtime 🤣), and i must say i appreciated how, albeit brought to light from a PR angle, the implications of their impromptu wedding in the full context of marriage equality were considered.
i can’t deny that i was scared for my himbo son after the shaky start with Tripp’s friends treating Dex essentially like some outcast left to fend for himself at recess (and thus making him feel lesser given he’s not in on the joke *insert war flashbacks to poor Cohen in the third CU Hockey book* ). i can understand where their hearts were at when they decided to act the way they did, but thank goodness for Tripp eventually calling them out on their icky behavior, as well as acknowledging throughout that the way people would take variations of the “Dumbass Dexter” moniker and run with it like it’s a gosh damn marathon was quite frankly hurtful.
the main antagonists are trash, but as someone allergic to any variation of vindictive ex drama, i’m glad it didn’t get out of hand and we could shout “good riddance!” to a certain individual killing any and all good vibes in the vicinity 💅 can’t forget the numerous cameos that certainly helped cushion my heart from the drama instigators above (Damon!! 😭💖).
all in all, the power of best friends to lovers continues to reign supreme, and fake marriage antics give their not-so-platonic snuggles and Dex’s pansexual awakening a sweet course to meander as they finally reach their very own HEA. when i accidentally marry my best friend in an alternate universe (my subtle nod to dr. strange 2 heh🕴) , i too plan to adorn myself with a matching ��i’m with stupid” t-shirt and water wings as tribute 😂 now if only we could’ve seen more of this “hot goalie contortion sex” they spoke so highly of… 👀
i fully expect Oskar’s public sex kink to kick into high gear with reluctant Lane in tow in what i presume is the next book, so i’m off to find a nice, cozy spot to twiddle my thumbs until then!
when a faux wedding meant to be simple commitment practice turns real, what other choice do these two dorks sharing a single endearingly faulty brain cell have other than to keep the act going? the sequence of events is oh so wholly ridiculous that it’s borderline perfection for the utterly besotted piner and his overly affectionate golden retriever of a pinee (i may or may not be making up words at this point, my brain doesn’t function well past my bedtime 🤣), and i must say i appreciated how, albeit brought to light from a PR angle, the implications of their impromptu wedding in the full context of marriage equality were considered.
i can’t deny that i was scared for my himbo son after the shaky start with Tripp’s friends treating Dex essentially like some outcast left to fend for himself at recess (and thus making him feel lesser given he’s not in on the joke *insert war flashbacks to poor Cohen in the third CU Hockey book* ). i can understand where their hearts were at when they decided to act the way they did, but thank goodness for Tripp eventually calling them out on their icky behavior, as well as acknowledging throughout that the way people would take variations of the “Dumbass Dexter” moniker and run with it like it’s a gosh damn marathon was quite frankly hurtful.
the main antagonists are trash, but as someone allergic to any variation of vindictive ex drama, i’m glad it didn’t get out of hand and we could shout “good riddance!” to a certain individual killing any and all good vibes in the vicinity 💅 can’t forget the numerous cameos that certainly helped cushion my heart from the drama instigators above (Damon!! 😭💖).
all in all, the power of best friends to lovers continues to reign supreme, and fake marriage antics give their not-so-platonic snuggles and Dex’s pansexual awakening a sweet course to meander as they finally reach their very own HEA. when i accidentally marry my best friend in an alternate universe (my subtle nod to dr. strange 2 heh🕴) , i too plan to adorn myself with a matching ��i’m with stupid” t-shirt and water wings as tribute 😂 now if only we could’ve seen more of this “hot goalie contortion sex” they spoke so highly of… 👀
i fully expect Oskar’s public sex kink to kick into high gear with reluctant Lane in tow in what i presume is the next book, so i’m off to find a nice, cozy spot to twiddle my thumbs until then!
May 13, 2022
you've heard of "there was only one bed" but can I interest you in "there was only one brain cell"?
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book.
if i had to choose authors guaranteed to get me out of a slumpy mood, you can bet these two would be at the top of the list.
the latest release in the Puckboys series feature some of my favorite things:
💕idiots to lovers
💕there was only one brain cell
💕bi-awakening
💕fake marriage
💕familiar faces from the Fake Boyfriend & CU Hockey series
I’ve had my eye on Tripp and Dex since they were first mentioned, and their story didn’t disappoint in the least. highly recommend this one if you're looking for laughs, ridiculousness, oblivious best friends, and plenty of steam.
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book.
if i had to choose authors guaranteed to get me out of a slumpy mood, you can bet these two would be at the top of the list.
the latest release in the Puckboys series feature some of my favorite things:
💕idiots to lovers
💕there was only one brain cell
💕bi-awakening
💕fake marriage
💕familiar faces from the Fake Boyfriend & CU Hockey series
I’ve had my eye on Tripp and Dex since they were first mentioned, and their story didn’t disappoint in the least. highly recommend this one if you're looking for laughs, ridiculousness, oblivious best friends, and plenty of steam.
May 12, 2022
3.5 stars
⭐ ✨✨✨
Did I love it? Nooo... Maybe? I mean I liked it.... ish.
I got like a whole night of sleep after 2 hours of sleep (mind you, might have affected my mood reading this book) and I still have no thoughts, dumbfounded thoughts, empty thoughts.
I mean, I didn't have ANY expectations for this book, and yet at the same time, this book was kinda... exactly like what I predicted. Even the marriage part because that mindset thinking was so on part of Dex.
First of all? I HATE HOW everyone treated Dex so poorly (except Tripp). Can we talk about how Anton cornered Dex in the beginning? I like Anton but I wanted to tell him to SHOVE IT AND FUCK OFF. Did not like Oskar and now I'm having a hate-love relationship with Ezra. Dex, like Tripp says, is such a sensitive soul, I wanna protect him ALWAYS and to see some of the shit he went through this book pissed me off and broke my heart. Especially seeing how much Dex tried to protect Tripp from the marriage outbreak.
So I guess it's safe to say, Dex is my favorite part of the book.
Some of my thoughts while reading the book with quotes ↓
Fucking fuck fuck is the love language of this series.
Omgggg low-key the SWEETEST thing I've ever heard.
🤣🤣🤣🤣😩😩😩😩😩😩🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣😩😩😩😩🤣🤣🤣🤣
IM SORRY????!!!!!!!!!!!!
Seeing Tripp do nothing short of everything for Dex melted my heart yet seeing how he ached through it all was sad but also so damn maddening, it was hard to enjoy the scenes of the together and cute and hot and then the next chapter/sentence being: this is not real.
I have no hard thoughts about this series, no soul aching, no captivating findings. I just read this book, thought it was cute and eh and that was the end of it. Sorry to disappoint anyone omg.
initial reaction:
The CU universe is getting bigger and bigger and I'm NOT okay.
Did I love it? Nooo... Maybe? I mean I liked it.... ish.
I got like a whole night of sleep after 2 hours of sleep (mind you, might have affected my mood reading this book) and I still have no thoughts, dumbfounded thoughts, empty thoughts.
I mean, I didn't have ANY expectations for this book, and yet at the same time, this book was kinda... exactly like what I predicted. Even the marriage part because that mindset thinking was so on part of Dex.
First of all? I HATE HOW everyone treated Dex so poorly (except Tripp). Can we talk about how Anton cornered Dex in the beginning? I like Anton but I wanted to tell him to SHOVE IT AND FUCK OFF. Did not like Oskar and now I'm having a hate-love relationship with Ezra. Dex, like Tripp says, is such a sensitive soul, I wanna protect him ALWAYS and to see some of the shit he went through this book pissed me off and broke my heart. Especially seeing how much Dex tried to protect Tripp from the marriage outbreak.
So I guess it's safe to say, Dex is my favorite part of the book.
“No one has the same journey, Dex. It’s okay if you haven’t figured it out yet. That doesn’t mean you’re not valid.”
The idea of choosing one person to spend my whole life with is scary.
But as long as Tripp is always there, I know I can get through anything.
I slump into the seat. “I don’t want to be alone forever, and if that means tying my life to someone else’s, I’m going to need to find a way to do it.”
Tripp’s quiet for a moment, and it’s just as the couple up front are done signing and officially pronounced married that he nudges my side. “You’ll always have me. I don’t even need the piece of paper.”
That makes me warm inside.
Some of my thoughts while reading the book with quotes ↓
We’re … legally married?
Fucking, fuck fuck.
Fucking fuck fuck is the love language of this series.
“I missed you these last couple of days while you were avoiding me. I can’t lose you to another team. I’d be too tempted to let you score a goal every time I played against you.”
Omgggg low-key the SWEETEST thing I've ever heard.
I take a deep breath and put on the performance of a lifetime. “I’d … love … chat.” I make sure I pause movement in between words too. “Dealing … crisis. Hello? I think … bad … reception.” I quickly hit the End button.
Oh no. The call dropped out.
Shame.
Real shame.
🤣🤣🤣🤣😩😩😩😩😩😩🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣😩😩😩😩🤣🤣🤣🤣
“Mm, maybe. Rumor has it Little Dalton will be joining them next season”
IM SORRY????!!!!!!!!!!!!
Seeing Tripp do nothing short of everything for Dex melted my heart yet seeing how he ached through it all was sad but also so damn maddening, it was hard to enjoy the scenes of the together and cute and hot and then the next chapter/sentence being: this is not real.
I’m his best friend.
He’s my heart and soul.
And nothing will ever change that.
Not even his inability to love me back.
Sooner or later, I’m going to have to face the Collective, but today is not that day. I already know what they’ll tell me anyway.
You’re only hurting yourself.
But the alternative is hurting Dex, and that’s something I’m not willing to do. Ever.
My hands grip his suit jacket as I kiss him back. He kisses me like I’m breakable. It’s slow, sweet, consuming.
I hate it.
It’s the worst thing he’s ever unknowingly done.
Because as we stand at an altar, promising ourselves to each other and sealing it with a kiss, my heart has never experienced such pain.
I have no hard thoughts about this series, no soul aching, no captivating findings. I just read this book, thought it was cute and eh and that was the end of it. Sorry to disappoint anyone omg.
initial reaction:
The CU universe is getting bigger and bigger and I'm NOT okay.
May 19, 2022
3.5 stars
Full review to come. But I was looking for a no thoughts just vibes reading experience and this provided me exactly that. I do think that these authors books are starting to all sound a little too similar for me, but I still really enjoyed this one. I did wish it was a little different but I will give it that, this formula surely does work very well. It was super sweet and the tropes hit all of my buttons and I liked the way that the book executed them. And mostly i’m just a sucker for friends to lovers and I really enjoyed how this trope was done in this one, it was a lot of fun to read.
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book
Full review to come. But I was looking for a no thoughts just vibes reading experience and this provided me exactly that. I do think that these authors books are starting to all sound a little too similar for me, but I still really enjoyed this one. I did wish it was a little different but I will give it that, this formula surely does work very well. It was super sweet and the tropes hit all of my buttons and I liked the way that the book executed them. And mostly i’m just a sucker for friends to lovers and I really enjoyed how this trope was done in this one, it was a lot of fun to read.
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book
May 13, 2022
This was cute and fun! Ridiculous and dumb! And sexy. Dex is a big loving teddy bear. A “straight” very affectionate teddy bear. Tripp is the cliche gay best friend in love with him. They were adorable together.
I think I’m a bit over the whole multiseries universe thing though. I’m more into stand alone books, and a lot of the past characters annoy me so I’m not necessarily excited to see them again.
I loved these guys WAY MORE than Anton and Ezra.
I think I’m a bit over the whole multiseries universe thing though. I’m more into stand alone books, and a lot of the past characters annoy me so I’m not necessarily excited to see them again.
I loved these guys WAY MORE than Anton and Ezra.
May 11, 2022
Two best friends.
One is in love with the other.
The other is unaware of it- or his feelings.
Las Vegas.
Irresponsible Puckboy by Eden Finley and Saxon James is on-brand with its predecessor. It's fun, light, romantic, and steamy. Dex & Tripp lived up to my expectations and has left me eager for the next installment.
4 stars!
May 19, 2022
Trip and Dex's story? :)
May 15, 2022
This is a hard one for me to rate or review. I had some realizations or revelations while reading it and I want to be fair to the book and not bash it because the majority of those were me and my taste and not the book. I’m rambling as usual.
First of all I did think this was cute. I didn’t hate it. Dex and Tripp were adorable. Dex in particular. He was such a sweet, clueless little himbo. I wanted to put him in my pocket and protect him. And I appreciated that there weren’t unnecessary miscommunications. True the two chuckleheads could have cleared things up a lot faster by some talking. But then the book would have been over in under a hundred pages. 🤣 So it was a sweet story.
However…Things started to feel very similar to many other books by these authors. Same voices, same banter, same tone. A bit formulaic. The guys didn’t seem older than the ones in the college series. I felt they were pretty much the same where I would think there would be a difference in maturity. I had noticed this in the last one but it was kind of just in the back of my mind then.
And that’s where I want to be clear that I think it’s maybe more just me realizing we might not be the best fit anymore. Because they clearly have a formula that’s working for them but it’s not really working for me anymore. I don’t want to say I’d never try another by them. I need my fluff-o-meter charged semi regularly and this book achieved that. But I’ll most likely look elsewhere for that requirement. We’ll see. 🤷🏻♀️
First of all I did think this was cute. I didn’t hate it. Dex and Tripp were adorable. Dex in particular. He was such a sweet, clueless little himbo. I wanted to put him in my pocket and protect him. And I appreciated that there weren’t unnecessary miscommunications. True the two chuckleheads could have cleared things up a lot faster by some talking. But then the book would have been over in under a hundred pages. 🤣 So it was a sweet story.
However…Things started to feel very similar to many other books by these authors. Same voices, same banter, same tone. A bit formulaic. The guys didn’t seem older than the ones in the college series. I felt they were pretty much the same where I would think there would be a difference in maturity. I had noticed this in the last one but it was kind of just in the back of my mind then.
And that’s where I want to be clear that I think it’s maybe more just me realizing we might not be the best fit anymore. Because they clearly have a formula that’s working for them but it’s not really working for me anymore. I don’t want to say I’d never try another by them. I need my fluff-o-meter charged semi regularly and this book achieved that. But I’ll most likely look elsewhere for that requirement. We’ll see. 🤷🏻♀️
February 24, 2024
Reread: I love these dorks
There were two things on my mind when I finished Egotistical Puckboy in January: 1 – That was amazing and I loved it. 2 – If Tripp and Dex aren’t the protagonists of the next story, I’m going to be very sad. Because friends to lovers!!!! Look, I will not lie. I am a sucker for a friends-to-lovers trope. I’m an enemies to lovers person as much as all of you, but if there’s one trope I love more, it’s a good friends-to-lovers. So, when I read the synopsis for Irresponsible Puckboy, my expectations were pretty high. I tried to lower them just because it seemed a little ridiculous how crazily excited I was for this book, but it was to no avail, since my expectations remained as high as ever.
Thankfully, Eden and Saxon did not let me down! They’re one of my favorite writing duos, and this book perfectly highlighted some of the reasons why. I just love the fact that Irresponsible Puckboy and Egotistical Puckboy are so different. They’re clearly in the same universe, and they feature a lot of the same characters, but theses are two very different protagonists with a very different love story than the previous two. There are so many things I want to say about this book, but as someone who went in knowing relatively little about how their relationship would progress, I want to keep a lot of the details to myself, because it really elevated my experience with the book. So, without further ado, let’s get into the review. Though, I am going to be keeping this one shorter, just because I want you all to experience the same joys and surprises as I did.
First off, Irresponsible Puckboy was absolutely ridiculous. The scenarios these characters get themselves into is hilariously absurd, and had me shaking my head and smiling at every turn. There’s not as much back and forth banter in this one as in Egotistical Puckboy, but I think it really worked for these two. Because they already had a preestablished friendship, they had a lot of inside jokes they would share. So, while I didn’t laugh quite as much in this one, that in no way diminished my enjoyment of it, because I was smiling through practically the whole thing.
Okay, now it’s time to rave about the friends to lovers trope. It was so good!!! Watching Tripp pining over Dex was kind of sad but also really sweet, because he just loves him so much. But at the same time, watching Dex being oblivious but still completely in love was also so adorable. These two care about each other so deeply; so much so that Dex, a commitment-phobe, would do anything possible to keep Tripp in his life. I also want to point out how wonderful it is that Dex isn’t afraid to be affectionate with Tripp, even when he still doesn’t understand his feelings. There is no toxic masculinity in their friendship, and honestly no boundaries, considering Dex just plops right into bed with Tripp and his hookup at one point (silly Dex).
The progression of their relationship was so good and authentic. It felt natural, and not too rushed (some might argue differently for this, but I really think with both of their characterizations and their predetermined friendship that it was the natural development). They were so adorable and sweet, and I absolutely loved them! I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again: Friends to lovers is my kryptonite and I adored this take on the trope.
Irresponsible Puckboy was so endearing and wholesome, while also dealing with some serious issues and topics, especially surrounding the NHL and less than accepting teammates. This was such a joy to read, and I cannot wait for Oskar’s story (which I assume will be next, but we’ll see!).
Thank you so much to Eden Finley, Saxon James, and Foreward PR & Marketing for bringing this wonderful book into my life! I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book.
There were two things on my mind when I finished Egotistical Puckboy in January: 1 – That was amazing and I loved it. 2 – If Tripp and Dex aren’t the protagonists of the next story, I’m going to be very sad. Because friends to lovers!!!! Look, I will not lie. I am a sucker for a friends-to-lovers trope. I’m an enemies to lovers person as much as all of you, but if there’s one trope I love more, it’s a good friends-to-lovers. So, when I read the synopsis for Irresponsible Puckboy, my expectations were pretty high. I tried to lower them just because it seemed a little ridiculous how crazily excited I was for this book, but it was to no avail, since my expectations remained as high as ever.
Thankfully, Eden and Saxon did not let me down! They’re one of my favorite writing duos, and this book perfectly highlighted some of the reasons why. I just love the fact that Irresponsible Puckboy and Egotistical Puckboy are so different. They’re clearly in the same universe, and they feature a lot of the same characters, but theses are two very different protagonists with a very different love story than the previous two. There are so many things I want to say about this book, but as someone who went in knowing relatively little about how their relationship would progress, I want to keep a lot of the details to myself, because it really elevated my experience with the book. So, without further ado, let’s get into the review. Though, I am going to be keeping this one shorter, just because I want you all to experience the same joys and surprises as I did.
First off, Irresponsible Puckboy was absolutely ridiculous. The scenarios these characters get themselves into is hilariously absurd, and had me shaking my head and smiling at every turn. There’s not as much back and forth banter in this one as in Egotistical Puckboy, but I think it really worked for these two. Because they already had a preestablished friendship, they had a lot of inside jokes they would share. So, while I didn’t laugh quite as much in this one, that in no way diminished my enjoyment of it, because I was smiling through practically the whole thing.
Okay, now it’s time to rave about the friends to lovers trope. It was so good!!! Watching Tripp pining over Dex was kind of sad but also really sweet, because he just loves him so much. But at the same time, watching Dex being oblivious but still completely in love was also so adorable. These two care about each other so deeply; so much so that Dex, a commitment-phobe, would do anything possible to keep Tripp in his life. I also want to point out how wonderful it is that Dex isn’t afraid to be affectionate with Tripp, even when he still doesn’t understand his feelings. There is no toxic masculinity in their friendship, and honestly no boundaries, considering Dex just plops right into bed with Tripp and his hookup at one point (silly Dex).
The progression of their relationship was so good and authentic. It felt natural, and not too rushed (some might argue differently for this, but I really think with both of their characterizations and their predetermined friendship that it was the natural development). They were so adorable and sweet, and I absolutely loved them! I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again: Friends to lovers is my kryptonite and I adored this take on the trope.
Irresponsible Puckboy was so endearing and wholesome, while also dealing with some serious issues and topics, especially surrounding the NHL and less than accepting teammates. This was such a joy to read, and I cannot wait for Oskar’s story (which I assume will be next, but we’ll see!).
Thank you so much to Eden Finley, Saxon James, and Foreward PR & Marketing for bringing this wonderful book into my life! I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book.
May 18, 2022
* 5 stars *
Irresistible Puckboy is Dex and Tripp's story, from teammates and best friends to lovers. I had a blast with the first book of the series and I loved this one even more!
Dex is trying to work on his commitment issues and half-heartedly tries to work things out with his girlfriend. His solution for his problems is pure Dex. Something only he could have thought of as a brilliant idea. It was supposed to be a secret, something between them, a silly afternoon together where a friend helped out another friend. Well, that backfired epically. Everybody found out and they had to do some damage control.
I'm being vague on purpose as the authors prefer it to be a surprise to readers. It's not difficult to find out what happens, I knew before I started the story, but I'll keep this spoiler free.
Those two were inseparable. From platonic snuggles—yeah, Dex named them that and Tripp couldn't say no to him—to spending the off season together, they were always in each other's space and that's the way they liked it.
When Tripp's friends tried to run interference to help him get over Dex, Dex was miserable that they couldn't seem to spend any time together all of a sudden. He wanted Tripp close to him and he was fairly possessive of him. He was deliciously oblivious to his feelings even though they were pretty clear to anyone looking in from the outside.
No need to worry though because eventually they part ways with the platonic part of their relationship and a whole new aspect of it is revealed.
These two are funny, clueless idiots together. They are perfect partners in crime. Inseparable even when the lack of space hurts them. Together, they navigate their new reality, trying to enjoy the situation they've found themselves into for as long as it lasts. But, they're clueless idiots, as I've said, and they almost fall victims to miscommunication before one of them stands up.
It's a story full of laughter and sweet moments, with two of the most adorable characters I've read about in a while. I was excitedly waiting for their story and I wasn't disappointed in the slightest. This writing duo sure knows how to write about hockey and I look forward to reading more from them in the future.
~ I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book. ~
Irresistible Puckboy is Dex and Tripp's story, from teammates and best friends to lovers. I had a blast with the first book of the series and I loved this one even more!
Dex is trying to work on his commitment issues and half-heartedly tries to work things out with his girlfriend. His solution for his problems is pure Dex. Something only he could have thought of as a brilliant idea. It was supposed to be a secret, something between them, a silly afternoon together where a friend helped out another friend. Well, that backfired epically. Everybody found out and they had to do some damage control.
I'm being vague on purpose as the authors prefer it to be a surprise to readers. It's not difficult to find out what happens, I knew before I started the story, but I'll keep this spoiler free.
Those two were inseparable. From platonic snuggles—yeah, Dex named them that and Tripp couldn't say no to him—to spending the off season together, they were always in each other's space and that's the way they liked it.
When Tripp's friends tried to run interference to help him get over Dex, Dex was miserable that they couldn't seem to spend any time together all of a sudden. He wanted Tripp close to him and he was fairly possessive of him. He was deliciously oblivious to his feelings even though they were pretty clear to anyone looking in from the outside.
No need to worry though because eventually they part ways with the platonic part of their relationship and a whole new aspect of it is revealed.
These two are funny, clueless idiots together. They are perfect partners in crime. Inseparable even when the lack of space hurts them. Together, they navigate their new reality, trying to enjoy the situation they've found themselves into for as long as it lasts. But, they're clueless idiots, as I've said, and they almost fall victims to miscommunication before one of them stands up.
It's a story full of laughter and sweet moments, with two of the most adorable characters I've read about in a while. I was excitedly waiting for their story and I wasn't disappointed in the slightest. This writing duo sure knows how to write about hockey and I look forward to reading more from them in the future.
~ I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book. ~
March 23, 2024
- best friends to lovers
- fake dating/marriage
- sports romance
Dex might be the biggest himbo alive but he is also the sweetest, and I loved watching him realize how much he loved Tripp
He just be protected at all costs
- fake dating/marriage
- sports romance
Dex might be the biggest himbo alive but he is also the sweetest, and I loved watching him realize how much he loved Tripp
He just be protected at all costs
May 12, 2022
"Waking up wrapped around my best friend isn't a new experience, but for a while now, it's been a painful one."
Awwww, these two were soooo cute together! 😍 I am really getting through some gorgeous 'palate cleanser' reads this week!
Irresponsible Puckboy by Eden Finley and Saxon James is book 2 in the Puckboys series, and this one is Dex and Tripp's story.
We are back with the boys of the NHL, in Las Vegas this time around. Dex and Tripp are best friends and have been since they started together in the NHL. Tripp is out and proud and Dex is straight, with a long term girlfriend (who doesn't last long - no cheating here) and a huge fear of commitment. Oh and Tripp has been desperately in love with Dex for a lonnnng time 😍.
Dex isn't the sharpest tool in the shed, and is totally oblivious to Tripp's feelings, but he DOES know that he loves Tripp and that he's the bestest best friend anyone could have. So who else would he ask to fake marry him in Vegas just to 'try out' the whole marriage commitment thing.....
"That might be the truthiest truth to ever truth about us. Though I think I'm a whole idiot on my own, so together, we're one and a half of one."
You know what you're getting when you dive into a Saxon James and Eden Finley book and Irresponsible Puckboy has it in spades.
This comes recommended, if you love:
🌶 MM sports romance
🌶 Friends to lovers
🌶 Fake marriage
🌶 GFY/pansexual awakening
🌶 First times
🌶 Steamy times 🔥🔥
🌶 Low angst
4 cute and steamy stars ✨✨✨✨
Awwww, these two were soooo cute together! 😍 I am really getting through some gorgeous 'palate cleanser' reads this week!
Irresponsible Puckboy by Eden Finley and Saxon James is book 2 in the Puckboys series, and this one is Dex and Tripp's story.
We are back with the boys of the NHL, in Las Vegas this time around. Dex and Tripp are best friends and have been since they started together in the NHL. Tripp is out and proud and Dex is straight, with a long term girlfriend (who doesn't last long - no cheating here) and a huge fear of commitment. Oh and Tripp has been desperately in love with Dex for a lonnnng time 😍.
Dex isn't the sharpest tool in the shed, and is totally oblivious to Tripp's feelings, but he DOES know that he loves Tripp and that he's the bestest best friend anyone could have. So who else would he ask to fake marry him in Vegas just to 'try out' the whole marriage commitment thing.....
"That might be the truthiest truth to ever truth about us. Though I think I'm a whole idiot on my own, so together, we're one and a half of one."
You know what you're getting when you dive into a Saxon James and Eden Finley book and Irresponsible Puckboy has it in spades.
This comes recommended, if you love:
🌶 MM sports romance
🌶 Friends to lovers
🌶 Fake marriage
🌶 GFY/pansexual awakening
🌶 First times
🌶 Steamy times 🔥🔥
🌶 Low angst
4 cute and steamy stars ✨✨✨✨
August 17, 2022
reread : 17/8/22
i’m always so happy when i reread and i love it as much as the first time. dex is my favorite himbo.
original review:
5 stars rating that surprises literally no one.
fake marriage, best friends to lovers, pansexuality discover, basically all of my favorite tropes together.
i won’t add anything. it’s perfection.
i’m always so happy when i reread and i love it as much as the first time. dex is my favorite himbo.
original review:
5 stars rating that surprises literally no one.
fake marriage, best friends to lovers, pansexuality discover, basically all of my favorite tropes together.
i won’t add anything. it’s perfection.
May 21, 2022
This book was fun, light and sweet. For the most part I liked it. I was in the mood for something light and that's what I got.
There were things I didn't like. For example there wasn't any dept in this book and it's something normal maybe since it was intended to be a light, fluffy book. However, what I didn't like was Dex. He was amazing, but was it necessary to make him look "dumb"? It was like the authors tried on purpose (tried really hard) to make Dex look like an idiot. It was said a lot of times that everyone knew this about him. Knew exactly what? That he is dumb? Yeah, this part bugged me in the wrong way. 💔
Even though I hated this part, it has more to do with the way the authors tried to portray Dex than with Dex himself. I felt like there were two Dex (if that makes sense), the one who I love, Dex who is so sweet, passionate, expressive, sometimes anxious and Dex who everyone said and tried to convince me he is dumb. Yeah, maybe this doesn't make sense, but that's how I felt.
Also, can we talk about Tripp? 😍🥺 I loved him so much. All the time I wanted to wrap him in a tight hug. Ughhh, he was amazing!!! I expected a little bit more... umm epic scene when Dex found out Tripp had feelings for him for years but it didn't deliver for me. Dex feelings were also a little bit sudden and it was made to look like he was "dumb" because he didn't find out about his feelings sooner. That part annoyed me a lot. Whyyyy again blaming and making it seem like he is dumb?
In conclusion, this book as many of my friends said looks very similar to other books by these two authors. It was something familiar but I still loved it. Sorry about my messy review. 🤣
There were things I didn't like. For example there wasn't any dept in this book and it's something normal maybe since it was intended to be a light, fluffy book. However, what I didn't like was Dex. He was amazing, but was it necessary to make him look "dumb"? It was like the authors tried on purpose (tried really hard) to make Dex look like an idiot. It was said a lot of times that everyone knew this about him. Knew exactly what? That he is dumb? Yeah, this part bugged me in the wrong way. 💔
Even though I hated this part, it has more to do with the way the authors tried to portray Dex than with Dex himself. I felt like there were two Dex (if that makes sense), the one who I love, Dex who is so sweet, passionate, expressive, sometimes anxious and Dex who everyone said and tried to convince me he is dumb. Yeah, maybe this doesn't make sense, but that's how I felt.
Also, can we talk about Tripp? 😍🥺 I loved him so much. All the time I wanted to wrap him in a tight hug. Ughhh, he was amazing!!! I expected a little bit more... umm epic scene when Dex found out Tripp had feelings for him for years but it didn't deliver for me. Dex feelings were also a little bit sudden and it was made to look like he was "dumb" because he didn't find out about his feelings sooner. That part annoyed me a lot. Whyyyy again blaming and making it seem like he is dumb?
In conclusion, this book as many of my friends said looks very similar to other books by these two authors. It was something familiar but I still loved it. Sorry about my messy review. 🤣
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February 10, 2022With such a title we already know who's next. :)
April 25, 2022
"I'm his best friend.
He's my heart and soul.
And nothing will ever change that.
Not even his inability to love me back."
This was just absolutely adorable. Dex, sweet, naive, particularly slow on the uptake Dex was so freaking lovable. It's no wonder Tripp fell for him almost immediately after meeting him. His sunny personality and unwavering loyalty to his best friend was so earnest and heartfelt. I loved watching him figure out his feelings for Tripp and not only because they both fit together perfectly. It was just cute. Nothing truly changed between them except the fact that now they gave each other orgasms.
Ironically Dex jumped right in with both feet, while it was Tripp who had the most reservations. While Dex is thinking this is the start of a beautiful relationship, Tripps convincing himself that it's all temporary. It's hard to believe you can have everything you've ever dreamed of without being slightly wary. You'd think the hott AF sex they were having might have clued Tripp in a bit more. Dex isn't the only one in their relationship that misses the obvious.
As usual the Queer Collective was a barrel of laughs. I love how protective they are of each other, yet constantly give each other shit. I have a strong feeling Oskar is going to be the next Puckboy to find his forever. Talk about a PR nightmare. Not only do they have to deal with Oskars kink for hooking up in public, but also the fact that the PR manager himself is who Oskar has set his sights on. This oughtta be fun.
He's my heart and soul.
And nothing will ever change that.
Not even his inability to love me back."
This was just absolutely adorable. Dex, sweet, naive, particularly slow on the uptake Dex was so freaking lovable. It's no wonder Tripp fell for him almost immediately after meeting him. His sunny personality and unwavering loyalty to his best friend was so earnest and heartfelt. I loved watching him figure out his feelings for Tripp and not only because they both fit together perfectly. It was just cute. Nothing truly changed between them except the fact that now they gave each other orgasms.
Ironically Dex jumped right in with both feet, while it was Tripp who had the most reservations. While Dex is thinking this is the start of a beautiful relationship, Tripps convincing himself that it's all temporary. It's hard to believe you can have everything you've ever dreamed of without being slightly wary. You'd think the hott AF sex they were having might have clued Tripp in a bit more. Dex isn't the only one in their relationship that misses the obvious.
As usual the Queer Collective was a barrel of laughs. I love how protective they are of each other, yet constantly give each other shit. I have a strong feeling Oskar is going to be the next Puckboy to find his forever. Talk about a PR nightmare. Not only do they have to deal with Oskars kink for hooking up in public, but also the fact that the PR manager himself is who Oskar has set his sights on. This oughtta be fun.
May 11, 2022
4.5 “love me a bendy goalie” stars!
Eden & Saxon are the perfect writing team. Their books never fail to be hilarious, entertaining, laugh-out-loud, sexalicious stories, and I’m here for them every time. There’s never been one of their books that I haven’t thoroughly enjoyed. And Dex and Tripp don’t let me down.
Dex is like a Labrador- a bit dopey, a bit silly, but totally loveable. And Tripp’s quiet devotion for his best friend is just as loveable. Once they cave into sex after falling into a fake wedding, they are FIRE! Their dancing scene is **PHEEEEW**, as is the scene where we see the benefits of goalies who are bendy…. Honestly, no spoilers…. But. READ. IT.
There’s a bit of drama, but never enough to give you actual heartache, and they get their HEA. The lack of complexity & the slight predictability is the only reason why I don’t give them a 5 star. They entertain me, and are my fave reads when I’m looking for a palate-cleanser from heartache and book hangovers. Give it a go (but if you haven’t read them before, at least start at the beginning of this series, but preferably read the CU Hockey series first!)
Eden & Saxon are the perfect writing team. Their books never fail to be hilarious, entertaining, laugh-out-loud, sexalicious stories, and I’m here for them every time. There’s never been one of their books that I haven’t thoroughly enjoyed. And Dex and Tripp don’t let me down.
Dex is like a Labrador- a bit dopey, a bit silly, but totally loveable. And Tripp’s quiet devotion for his best friend is just as loveable. Once they cave into sex after falling into a fake wedding, they are FIRE! Their dancing scene is **PHEEEEW**, as is the scene where we see the benefits of goalies who are bendy…. Honestly, no spoilers…. But. READ. IT.
There’s a bit of drama, but never enough to give you actual heartache, and they get their HEA. The lack of complexity & the slight predictability is the only reason why I don’t give them a 5 star. They entertain me, and are my fave reads when I’m looking for a palate-cleanser from heartache and book hangovers. Give it a go (but if you haven’t read them before, at least start at the beginning of this series, but preferably read the CU Hockey series first!)
June 10, 2022
I never thought I’d say it, but I think I might have read enough hockey books from Eden Finley and Saxon James for a while.
So yes, ofc I knew what to expect from this book, after all, I’ve read them all and liked almost all, too. The problem I have is that the characters, who at one point were well written and unique, start to blur - I know that Dex is so much like Cohen that I struggle to keep the storylines apart. And the storyline here is very similar to another of their books (CU hockey book 2, the one with Jacobs and Beck) - 2 guys from the same team falling for each other, even if here, Dex and Tripp are already best friends to start with.
It’s an easy read, with a lot of funny and - when they finally get IT going - steamy moments, but I skimmed a lot.
On top of them, this entire “Queer Collective” thingy feels a bit forced - a group of queer guys who chat and talk about RELATIONSHIPS? And keep analysing FEELINGS?
Uhm. No. I don’t I think so (and yes, this from me, who claims to be able to squint hard and ignore unrealistic plot lines).
So yes, it’s fun, but neither book or characters will stay with you for long after you finish reading. Sorry Eden & Saxon, it’s not you, it’s me. Probably.
So yes, ofc I knew what to expect from this book, after all, I’ve read them all and liked almost all, too. The problem I have is that the characters, who at one point were well written and unique, start to blur - I know that Dex is so much like Cohen that I struggle to keep the storylines apart. And the storyline here is very similar to another of their books (CU hockey book 2, the one with Jacobs and Beck) - 2 guys from the same team falling for each other, even if here, Dex and Tripp are already best friends to start with.
It’s an easy read, with a lot of funny and - when they finally get IT going - steamy moments, but I skimmed a lot.
On top of them, this entire “Queer Collective” thingy feels a bit forced - a group of queer guys who chat and talk about RELATIONSHIPS? And keep analysing FEELINGS?
Uhm. No. I don’t I think so (and yes, this from me, who claims to be able to squint hard and ignore unrealistic plot lines).
So yes, it’s fun, but neither book or characters will stay with you for long after you finish reading. Sorry Eden & Saxon, it’s not you, it’s me. Probably.
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May 14, 2022I AM Sorry but I can't rate this.
I just got bored and found it same as other books.
I wanted this to be better as I liked the first one
I just got bored and found it same as other books.
I wanted this to be better as I liked the first one
June 4, 2022
I am not a big fan of friends to lovers. But every once in a while, one will pique my interest, and I usually fall in love. Now add on hockey and MM, and you will not see me until I finish with the book. Sadly, that didn't happen here. Here is my unpopular opinion.
As I always say, don't let my review discourage you from reading this book. It could be your five stars read.
Tripp and Dex are best friends. Dex is straight and not exactly the brightest bulb in the bunch. He is also a commitment-phobic; his girl just left him for not taking the next step. Dex comes up with an idea to Marry Tripp to prove he can get married. Here is where the problem is. Tripp is secretly in love with Dex. Does Dex know? No.
Tripp is supposed to be the smarter of the two. He is far from smart. They both irritated me a time or two. Maybe several. Dex, I get. Tripp, I expected more of his character.
I know you have to trust the process and let the story unfold, and of course, if everything comes out sooner, there is no book. I felt like it dragged on and was on repeat. At one point, I almost DNF’d the book. I kept reading, waiting for the build-up, then the major event, and back together. Instead, it was anti-climactic.
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