raynerira21 's review for:

The Pucking Wrong Number by C.R. Jane

2.5

dark tense fast-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

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C.R. Jane’s The Wrong Pucking Number is a hockey romance that spins a wild, messy web of accidental texts, intense attraction, and deeply chaotic characters. The premise starts with a wrong-number text that quickly turns into a steamy, no-boundaries sort of connection between the heroine and a hot, emotionally volatile hockey player. What begins as flirty banter escalates into a full-blown, no-holds-barred situationship that blurs every line of logic and self-preservation.

Content Warnings: Emotional manipulation, toxic relationship dynamics, mental health issues (poorly addressed), possessiveness, obsession, and explicit sexual content.

While it might appeal to fans of dark romance or “so-wrong-it’s-right” storylines, this book left me with one overwhelming reaction: “What the fuck did I just read?” The characters, particularly the leads, are deeply unwell—and not in the sexy, tortured way. I spent most of the book mentally urging them to seek intensive therapy—like full-time, inpatient therapy. Their interactions are a whirlwind of jealousy, controlling behavior, and emotional whiplash, often disguised as romance. At a certain point, it stops feeling spicy and starts feeling deeply uncomfortable.

C.R. Jane has a knack for writing chemistry and fast pacing, but the plot often crosses from “dramatic” into “unhinged.” If you enjoy chaotic love stories where the red flags are the point, this might be your jam. But for me, it was more exhausting than exciting. I can appreciate a bit of mess in my romance, but this one tipped too far into pure dysfunction.