Reviewed by Valerie

 

TITLE:  Egotistical Puckboy

SERIES:  Puckboys #1

AUTHORS:  Eden Finley and Saxon James

PUBLISHER:  Self-Published

LENGTH:  303 pages

RELEASE DATE:  February 10, 2022

BLURB:

Ezra

Partying, dudes, and hockey. What more could a gay NHL player want?

If it weren’t for Anton Hayes, my life would be perfect.

Not that he affects my life in any way. At all. That would imply I care what the winger from Philly thinks of me.

Which I don’t.

Not even a one-night stand with him can thaw his misplaced animosity toward me.

He says I’m the one with the ego, but he can talk. He rivals me for most egotistical puck boy in the league.

I hate him as much as he hates me. Even if I crave a repeat.

Anton

When it comes to hockey, I’m all about the game.

I’ve worked for years to be one of the best in the league, and l’ve done it without splashing my orientation all over the tabloids.

My hockey image is one I’ve carefully cultivated, and after one night with Ezra Palaszczuk, I risk it all.

He’s cocky, obnoxious, and has an ego bigger than Massachusetts. And okay, maybe he’s the sexiest man I’ve ever known.

We’ll never get along. Not when we sleep together. Not even when my possessive streak awakens.

That doesn’t stop us from falling into bed together over and over again.

 

REVIEW:

Shoot, score, and win with this fantastic enemies-to-lovers story. This quote says it all:

“It’s lust and snark rolled into an intense sexual connection … and then so much more. I’ve never cared about someone else’s happiness more than my own. I’ve never wanted to spend every moment with someone. I’ve never wanted to be vulnerable and feel safe with one person while protecting him with everything I have.”

You’ll find great hockey, off-the-charts chemistry, epic banter, scorching sex, and above all, two wonderfully endearing leading men you’ll fall in love with from the start. They’re perfect for each other. Importantly for me, their cockiness is not over the top arrogance but fun and playful, just how I like it. In fact, everything about this book is just how I like it.

Ezra and Anton play for rival NHL teams in Boston and Philly, respectively. Ezra is a very out and proud player whose ridiculous off-ice behavior regularly lands him in the tabloids or gossip pages. He has a huge ego, but not unpleasant, as I mentioned. He’s the quintessential egotistical fuckboy. I mean, puckboy. Well, both, in fact. Aaand, he’s semi-obsessed with Anton. Anton is also gay but only out to his family and team. He values his privacy and doesn’t want to be reduced to being “Anton, the gay hockey player”. He’s irked by Ezra’s outré shenanigans and thinks he’s “entitled, eccentric, and egotistical.”

The story begins when Boston is in Philly for a game. The men have never gotten along; their antagonism and chirping on the ice is well-known. So it’s true hate sex when they hookup after the game. Then Anton is traded to Boston and they’re in each other’s orbit full-time. Publicly, the media loves them, calling it a bromance, much to Anton’s chagrin. He knows Ezra’s antics are going to land them both in the tabloids, which he’ll loathe. Privately, they can’t keep their hands – and other body parts – off each other so they continue to hookup. Of course, Ezra is a loudmouth with his non-stop talk and snark even when they’re fucking.

Both men are clear that this is just some fun between the sheets. Ezra has no desire to ever settle down or have a long-term relationship. In contrast, Anton does eventually want a husband, house, and maybe kids. The become good friends and the overall sarcasm and hostility gradually give way to gentler banter. But Anton is longing for – needs – a connection beyond sex, and when they finally kiss, he gets it. He feels owned and gives up control to Ezra. He doesn’t know how to balance a secret relationship, though, keeping it hidden while also letting Ezra know he means something real to him. He doesn’t want Ezra to devalue himself, an issue he has due to a horrible relationship with his father. Ezra is secretly vulnerable and needs validation. There’s some miscommunication, although nothing too bad, when they both want more but are too afraid to talk to each other. When they finally talk themselves through it honestly, like adults, the real swooning begins. *sigh*

There’s a great secondary cast, including Ezra’s NHL Queer Collective – a handful of gay hockey players that befriend and support each other. I love this! It’s so refreshing to have multiple out sports stars in a league and for them to have a collective … awesome! The Boston teammates are an amusing bunch, too, with their humorous pranks and camaraderie.

There are two things I’d like to mention: first, this is a true hockey book, with lots of game play, practice, and time in the locker room and showers. Ahem. Thankfully, this is not a hockey book in name only. Second, Ezra had an appearance in the CU Hockey series but it’s definitely not necessary to have read those books before this one.

Egotistical Puckboys is an excellent book. If you love hockey, banter, love, and sex, this is the perfect choice for your next read. Ezra and Anton will make a breakaway with your heart.

RATING: 

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