Pages: 320
Published: 2025
Genre: Sports Romance, LGBTQ+ Romance, Contemporary
Spoiler-Free Synopsis:
Connor Kikishkin has always believed he was a good guy. Maybe not perfect, but good enough. Then his personal life starts unraveling, forcing him to confront the possibility that the people closest to him may see him very differently than he sees himself. As if that crisis is not enough, his NHL team is suddenly bought by Parker Duchene, someone Connor knows all too well from high school.
Parker was once the target of Connor’s bullying, and now he has power over Connor’s career. Still grieving the loss of his father, Parker plans to enjoy making Connor squirm for every ounce of forgiveness. But the more time they spend together, the harder it becomes to separate resentment from something much more complicated.
My Thoughts / Review:
This book ended up having way more emotional depth than I expected going into it. At first, I honestly did not like Parker all that much. His bitterness and emotional manipulation made him hard to connect with early on, and there were moments where I questioned how this relationship was going to work. But as the story unfolds, you start to realize that so much of Parker’s behavior is tied to grief, insecurity, and years of unresolved hurt. His emotional warfare slowly starts turning back on himself the more he falls for Connor, and that shift was incredibly satisfying to watch.
Connor, meanwhile, is probably one of the easiest characters in this entire series to love. He has this goofy, lovable energy that makes it impossible not to root for him, even while he is being forced to confront the reality that he has hurt people in ways he never fully understood. What I appreciated most is that the book does not excuse his past behavior, but it also allows him room to grow and genuinely reflect on the kind of person he wants to be moving forward.
Their dynamic works because Connor’s openness balances Parker’s intensity so well. Parker expects Connor to fight back or resent him, but instead Connor keeps showing vulnerability, sincerity, and this almost frustrating level of care that slowly chips away at Parker’s walls. It creates this really compelling emotional push-and-pull where both characters are constantly forcing each other to confront uncomfortable truths about themselves.
Listening to this one on audiobook made the tension and emotional beats hit even harder. The narrators captured Parker’s sharp edges and Connor’s softer, chaotic personality perfectly. The banter landed, but so did the quieter moments where grief, regret, and vulnerability finally start surfacing.
This book also stands out because it tackles accountability in a more nuanced way than some sports romances do. It is not just about attraction or chemistry. It is about understanding how past actions ripple into adulthood and what it actually means to grow beyond the person you used to be.
While Easton and Knox are still sitting at the top for me, Connor and Parker ended up surprising me in the best way. By the end, I was completely invested in them.
Would I Recommend It?
Absolutely. If you love rivals-to-lovers, emotionally messy characters, redemption arcs, and relationships built on tension, vulnerability, and growth, this is a fantastic addition to the Puckboys series. Honestly, one of the more emotionally layered books in the lineup.
Favorite Moment Highlight:
The gradual shift where Parker realizes his plan to emotionally torture Connor is falling apart because he genuinely cares about him now. Those moments hit so well emotionally.
✨ Loved my review? You can grab your own copy of Possessive Puckboy on Amazon!
Leave a Reply