Reviews

The Puck Arrangement by Trinity Lemm

mistysreads's review

adventurous emotional funny inspiring lighthearted fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

 

I loved reading this book, I laughed in this book more than I have in a long time. The banter was on point. I loved when Crew and Kota were in a room together, they are hilarious. Lane and Bridget were very relatable characters. They tried to do what was right and stay away from each other but the tension and chemistry between them was stronger. 

 

This is my first book by Trinity Lemm, and she did not disappoint. She has such a way of writing depth into characters that makes you feel every emotion that they do. There were a few times throughout the book, I cried with Bridget. It was almost like I was there with her and feeling what she was. There were a few times I also wanted to shake characters and yell, what are you thinking? In the end, I wish we got to see where they end up in the future but besides that I ended the book with a smile and a laugh. I highly recommend this book and I hope you enjoy Lane and Bridget’s story as much as I did. 

 

Received ARC in exchange for voluntary honest review from Trinity Lemm and Grey’s Promotions. 

saylessreadmore's review

medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

Very disappointed. This had a lot of potential but fell flat. Some of the situations that the characters were placed in felt too far fetched, even for fiction. 
The FMC was not for me. I found her very immature and selfish. 

thebookishdogmom's review

lighthearted medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.0

This was a sweet and simple college hockey romance! Two pairs of friends end up sharing a 4 bedroom apartment due to a lease contract mix-up, which leads to attraction and secret relationships. 

I was surprised that Lane and Bridget didn't actually get together right away, but that helped build the tension between them! It also helped them grow their friendship first. Even though they were mutually attracted to one another, they got to know one another on a deep level, building trust and allowing themselves to be vulnerable with one another, before adding in the layer of physicality and romantic feelings. I think these two work together so well because they built a strong connection first. 

I did feel like the story was missing something. The chapters were very short, and it almost made it feel like the time needed to dive into the characters' backstories, and emotional trauma was cut short to really have an emotional impact. I also felt like all the conflicts throughout the book were resolved too quickly and buttoned up to clean. 

Side note: the use of the word "crotch" during the spicy scenes was a major turnoff for me, and I almost DNFd because of it. But i pushed through because I was invested in the characters and wanted to see how it all ended. 

I received an early ebook but the review is my own. 

Tags: 
-new adult 
-hockey romance 
-forced proximity/roommates 
-secret relationship
-found family

Spice: 1.5/5 

First person/Dual POV

liz_mackie's review

4.5

A slowburn, friends to lovers' sports romance as best friends Bridget and Kota see their dreams of sharing a flat go up in smoke when a booking mistake leads them to sharing with two ice hockey players – Lane and Crew.  This was Bridget and Lane’s story as they both fell for each other but didn’t realise it and so they friend zoned the other.

For all the romance was slowburn, there was nothing slow about the writing.  Told from dual points of view, the overall story was fast paced and lighthearted even though there was some angst and emotional turmoil as both Lane and Bridget worked through some issues.  Despite his hidden pain Lane made for perfect boyfriend material, he was just so sweet and caring, and he cooked – what more could a girl want!  When they finally did get together it led to a lot of sneaking around behind their roomies backs which made for some amusing moments.  At times Bridget did come across as being needy and immature especially in her behaviour towards the end of the book but not enough to spoil my read.  The best thing for me about The Puck Arrangement was the relationships between the characters, aside from that of hero and heroine but Bridget and Kota; and Lane and Crew who he saw as his brother.  All these characters were written with a depth to them and their bonds apparent making you care about them.  An added bonus was the hate at first sight relationship between Kota and Crew and, if their open warfare antics here were anything to go by, I would love to read a book featuring their relationship from their point of view.

crooks_book_nook's review

emotional funny hopeful reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

This book taught me that I really like the accidental roommates to lovers trope. Thank you, Trinity and Grey's Promotion, for the ARC!

This was a fun story of two girls that are best friends and two guys that are best friends and teammates who are moving into a new apartment complex, end up having to be roommates. Bridget is pretty shy and quiet, wants nothing to do with hockey players after a bad experience dating one. Kota is her best friend, doesn't put up with crap, and insta hates Crew (he insta hates her right back). Lane is crushing on Bridget, and Bridget is crushing on Lane, but they can't be honest with each other because the first rules put in place is NO DATING.

I really liked the backgrounds of Lane and Bridget. They both have family related issues (not the same, but avoiding saying because of spoilers) and I liked seeing how these two become friends and support each other through their struggles. I can't wait to read the second book in this duology to get the other side of this story. 

Spice: 🌶🌶.5

katiemarie3015's review

4.5

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5 / 🌶🌶

✨️Hockey Romance
✨️Roommates 
✨️Friends to Lovers
✨️He Falls First
✨️Witty Banter 
✨️Touch Her and Die

I love a good hockey romance, and this one hit so many of the feelings! Lane and Bridget had such a strong connection right from the beginning, and it was great to see their relationship develop. Once they stopped denying their feelings, it was clear they were perfect for each other! This book also had some really great side characters and was full of witty banter! The scene in the bar with his hockey buddies coming to her defense will forever stay on my mind! I’m curious to see what comes next!

bibliophilebookstackswithdi's review

emotional funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

Bridget and Lane. 

If you love hockey romances with an air of mystery and a forced proximity trope then Trinity Lemm’s The Puck Arrangement is for you. 

The FMC & MMC find themselves nearing the end of their college careers and facing huge life decisions. Neither can afford to be distracted or risking anything when they come into each other’s lives. 

This book was everything and I recommend any hockey romance lover to check it out. The characters’ personal struggles will draw you in and you’ll love watching while their relationship grows. 

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thecozylibrary_'s review

5.0

LANE MF AVERY! i love how this story came out and all the mishaps that took lane and bridget to where they are now. what lane went through broke my heart, and i wish i got to see more of them at the end with an epilogue! i am so happy for bridget, she deserves the world.

amber_verbaenen's review

4.0

Where do I start…

The first half fell a bit flat for me and I knew I was missing something. We constantly jumped from event to event and day to day and every time I was at the edge of my seat and I thought “yes yes yes now this will probably happen and I’m gonna lose my shit in a possitive way” the chapter and event ended and the next chapter was 3 days later & they never talked about that certain event or day ever again. So it took quite a while before I was really sucked into the story.

BUT (and this is a big but)

The second half was absolutely amazing. Everything I missed during the first half was made up for in the second half. There was tension, there was a lot of chemistry, it was sexy, there was a really good plot, emotional stuff happened, the slow burn wasn’t slow burning anymore, it made me giggle countless times, small jokes made me laugh out loud and there is a bar fight, that’s all I’m saying but that fight alone is worth reading this book! (Spoiler: it was kinda hot) And I absolutely LOVED the ending, it was the best ending and it was everything I wanted for the end of the story. I can’t wait for the second book and if I’m right about who this one is going to be about, I needed this book like yesterday. I’m so so excited about it!!

I’m forever grateful I got an ARC for this one and thank you so so much to Trinity for giving me one!! I really enjoyed it and I can’t wait to see what she’s going to write in the future.

admya's review

4.5

🏒 Contemporary Romance  
🏒 Sports Romance  
🏒 Forced Proximity  
🏒 Tragic Past  
🏒 Secret Romance  
🏒 Slow Burn  
🏒 Friends to Lovers  
🏒 Roommates to Lovers  
🏒Angsty 

Star: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5 

"The Pucking Arrangement" by Trinity Lemm is a delightful and heartwarming contemporary romance that follows the lives of Bridget Bell and Lane Avery as they navigate unexpected living arrangements and budding feelings for each other. Set against the backdrop of Cedar University, the story unfolds with charm, humor, and a healthy dose of hockey. 

Bridget, determined to uncover the truth about her origins, finds herself unexpectedly thrown together with Lane, the charismatic hockey captain whose presence threatens to derail her plans. As they navigate their shared living space and the complexities of their growing attraction, both Bridget and Lane must confront their fears and uncertainties about the future. 

Trinity Lemm skillfully crafts relatable and endearing characters, each with their own quirks and insecurities. Bridget's determination and vulnerability make her a sympathetic protagonist, while Lane's charm and inner conflict add depth to his character. The dynamic between them is electric, filled with witty banter and simmering chemistry that keeps readers eagerly turning the pages. 

The supporting cast of characters, including Bridget's best friend and Lane's loyal friend, add further dimension to the story, providing both comic relief and emotional support to the main characters. Lemm's writing is engaging and immersive, drawing readers into the world of Cedar University and the lives of its inhabitants. 

At its core, "The Pucking Arrangement" is a story about love, friendship, and the courage to take risks. As Bridget and Lane navigate their feelings for each other amidst the chaos of university life, they discover that sometimes the best things happen when you least expect them. 

In conclusion, "The Pucking Arrangement" is a charming and heartwarming romance that will leave readers smiling long after they've turned the final page. Trinity Lemm has crafted a delightful tale of love and self-discovery that is sure to resonate with fans of the genre.