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pucking_reading's reviews
86 reviews
Face Off (Seattle Serpents #2) by Teagan Hunter
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
5.0
๐ฆโโ๐ทโโ๐จโ โ๐ทโโ๐ชโโ๐ปโโ๐ฎโโ๐ชโโ๐ผ
Face Off is the second book in the Seattle Serpents series. The book follows Lawson a player on the Serpents and Rory the veterinarian twin sister of Auden (FMC in book one.) After Lawson finds a stray puppy on Christmas even and ends up in Roryโs clinic with it, the two become intertwined in each others lives in order to in Lawsons wordsโฆ โcoparentโ Daisy the Labrador puppy. Close proximity and good vibes lead to a friendship and then so much more with these two.
Lawson and Rory are my favorite couple of 2024 thus far. Their banter, chemistry, and individual personalities are top notch. I loved seeing Lawson show Rory through actions that he wasnโt the bad boy he portrayed himself to be for the enteral public; and the way he called her Wednesday - top notch adorable. From Lawsons golden retriever personality compliments Roryโs black cat one so well. I loved seeing her let him break through her tough exterior and go totally soft for him. They are such a cute couple! The respect he shows her even when she shuts him down is so sweet. I loved seeing Rory who was such a tough cookie on the outside show how dedicated she was to her patience.
This book has a fairly slow burn, and the buildup was so worth it. Every spicy scene once they started was spicy and the chemistry was off the charts. Teagan always writes such believable and lovable couples, and these two were no exception.
This book has no third act breakup and a cute puppy, so basically there isnโt anything not to like. I highly suggest adding It to your TBR asap!
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โ๐นโโ๐ทโโ๐ดโโ๐ตโโ๐ชโโ๐ธ
โธ golden retriever x black cat
โธ hockey player x veterinarian
โธ no 3rd act breakup
Never Mine to Hold by Jennifer Sucevic
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? No
3.25
โ๐ทโโ๐ชโโ๐ปโโ๐ฎโโ๐ชโโ๐ผ
This is the third book in the Western Wildcats series following goalie Wolf and his childhood friend turned enemy Fallyn.
Fallynโs determination to provide for herself after her family goes broke was admirable, even If she had to set her morals aside to do it. She not only set herself up to pay for school, but also got a regular job to help support herself day to day. You could really see how her character blossomed and gained confidence through both money making endeavors.
Wolf was there to force her to accept help despite their animosity. From helping her with learning to drive so she didnโt lose her brothers beloved car, to making sure she got to and from work at the bar safely, and even to being the one to purchase her virginity so that a stranger wouldnโt be the one to do it. (cringey but the sentiment was sweet)
Their relationship was strained after the trauma they endured when Fallynโs brother died in a car crash during high school in which Wolf was driving and the fallout that caused them both over the years.
This book definitely had spice and was a little taboo at times, which is Jennifers thing for sure with this series. The spicy scenes were very well done and believable for the characters which I always appreciate.
Overall this was not my favorite book in the series and I felt like Wolf and Fallyn didnโt really have chemistry and nothing much happened plot wise, but if you like an enemies to lovers/brothers best friend plot with a lot of spice this may be the book for you!
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โ๐นโโ๐ทโโ๐ดโโ๐ตโโ๐ชโโ๐ธ
โธ enemies to lovers
โธ college hockey
โธ virgin mcโs
โธ secret Identity
Sticks and Stones by S. Massery, S.J. Sylvis
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
4.0
๐- 4 / ๐ถ- 3.5
Dual POV & HEA
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This bookโฆ wow.
Stone and Wren have a rocky past after an incident in high school that led to the MCs hating each other. Once college comes around, they both are following their dreams of making it to the NHL and becoming a chemist respectively. But when Wren needs a place to live after a breakup, she is forced to share a room with Stone by surprise.
As you can imagine - the tension between them is HIGH! However, when Stone takes it too far and demons from Wren's past start to show back up and threaten her safety, his feelings towards her start to change as he will do anything to keep her safe.
The authors did such a great job making me really hate Stone but then grow to love him as the story went on. He had every right to hate Wren for what she did to him, but he was also such a protective presence in her life after a while that it was hard to hate him for long.
Wren was such a complex character. Her life was not easy and she has so much trauma but she takes all of that and uses it to better herself and work towards a future as a chemist. She was so feisty and never afraid to stand up for herself, taking all the horrendous things people around her threw at her with tough skin.
This book was SPICY. Our MCโs had such amazing and instant chemistry that I was panting. Their scenes together were so hot and if you want a spicy book with an alpha MMC this is the one for you.
I was lucky enough to receive the arc for Sticks and Stones and it was the perfect introduction to bully and darker romances. The story really kept my attention and the writing was well done. I am giving it four stars mainly because I don't think bully romance is really for me and there were points that I found a little cringe.
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โ๐นโโ๐ทโโ๐ดโโ๐ตโโ๐ชโโ๐ธ
โธ dark romance
โธ enemies to lovers
โธ brothers best friend
โธ touch her and d!e
In Your Wildest Dreams by Rebecca Jenshak
emotional
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
4.5
๐- 4.5 / ๐ถ- 2.5
Dual POV & HEA
โ๐ฆโโ๐ทโโ๐จโ โ๐ทโโ๐ชโโ๐ปโโ๐ฎโโ๐ชโโ๐ผ
Ash and Bridget have a meet-cute when he tosses her a puck during a game. Striking out, Ash doesn't meet her again for a few months, but constantly thinks about her. When he gets injured and has to go to the hospital during another game, luck is on his side when the pretty blonde on his mind ends up being his nurse. Nursing student Bridget is a loner with no time or desire to date. But after her frequent run-ins Ash, she can't help but deny her attraction to him. The only downside? Her abusive ex is now the assistant GM for the Wilds hockey team and he has a bone to pick with Ash.
Ash and Bridget are seriously the cutest couple. He respects her and really is a healing presence for her after such a crappy relationship. She is a bit younger than him but is everything he has wanted in a partner. They truly both get their HEA with each other! It was also so fun to see all the couples from the previous books, and how they welcomed Bridget into their found family so easily.
Like most RJ books - it is not overly spicy but has plenty to keep smut loving readers satisfied! The chemistry between the MCs is so good, and the surprise kinks were a fun addition to the story!
I have been waiting for Ash to get a book since I first read Wildcats. His character is such an amazing addition to every story he has been in, and just gives off good guy vibes. When I saw he was getting his own book finally, it went to the top of my TBR.
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โ๐นโโ๐ทโโ๐ดโโ๐ตโโ๐ชโโ๐ธ
โธ hockey player x nurse
โธ secret relationship
โธ he falls first
โธ found family
Canadian Boyfriend by Jenny Holiday
emotional
funny
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
๐- 5 / ๐ถ- 1.5
Dual POV & HEA
โ๐ฆโโ๐ทโโ๐จโ โ๐ทโโ๐ชโโ๐ปโโ๐ฎโโ๐ชโโ๐ผ
After meeting a hockey player in passing during her teen years, Rory creates a fake canadian boyfriend to make her feel less lonely and like an outcast from her peers. Years later, she never expects that man to show up as the newly widowed father of one of her dance students.
Mike Martin is the father of Olivia, and recent widow who also happens to play for the local NHL team. Learning to juggle his career with fatherhood and his grief he seeks out the help of Rory and ask her to move in and act as a โnot nannyโ while he is out of town during the season.
This book Is not like other romance books I have read. The focal point focuses so much on character growth and less on the physical connection.
The instant chemistry and strong friendship that was built between Aurora and Mike was so great, and watching their relationship blossom gave me all the feels. Watching them use their kid-free time to sneak around and โmake out like teenagersโ was adorable and their whole relationship felt so realistic and genuine. All the small sweet things that Mike does for Rory had me squealing and kicking my feet.
It was cute how we got to see glimpses into Aurora's past with the letters she wrote to her version of Mike when he was just her Canadian boyfriend as a teen. I also loved the strong mental health representation and positive light on therapy that was shown through the book both with Mike and Rory.
Special mention of Olivia. She was such a well written and realistic tween, something you don't see much in romance books.
Canadian Boyfriend releases 1/30/24
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โ๐นโโ๐ทโโ๐ดโโ๐ตโโ๐ชโโ๐ธ
โธ hockey player x ballet teacher
โธ single dad
โธ forced proximity
โธ mental health rep
Dual POV & HEA
โ๐ฆโโ๐ทโโ๐จโ โ๐ทโโ๐ชโโ๐ปโโ๐ฎโโ๐ชโโ๐ผ
After meeting a hockey player in passing during her teen years, Rory creates a fake canadian boyfriend to make her feel less lonely and like an outcast from her peers. Years later, she never expects that man to show up as the newly widowed father of one of her dance students.
Mike Martin is the father of Olivia, and recent widow who also happens to play for the local NHL team. Learning to juggle his career with fatherhood and his grief he seeks out the help of Rory and ask her to move in and act as a โnot nannyโ while he is out of town during the season.
This book Is not like other romance books I have read. The focal point focuses so much on character growth and less on the physical connection.
The instant chemistry and strong friendship that was built between Aurora and Mike was so great, and watching their relationship blossom gave me all the feels. Watching them use their kid-free time to sneak around and โmake out like teenagersโ was adorable and their whole relationship felt so realistic and genuine. All the small sweet things that Mike does for Rory had me squealing and kicking my feet.
It was cute how we got to see glimpses into Aurora's past with the letters she wrote to her version of Mike when he was just her Canadian boyfriend as a teen. I also loved the strong mental health representation and positive light on therapy that was shown through the book both with Mike and Rory.
Special mention of Olivia. She was such a well written and realistic tween, something you don't see much in romance books.
Canadian Boyfriend releases 1/30/24
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โ๐นโโ๐ทโโ๐ดโโ๐ตโโ๐ชโโ๐ธ
โธ hockey player x ballet teacher
โธ single dad
โธ forced proximity
โธ mental health rep
Player Of Mine by Hannah Cowan
emotional
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
His Greatest Muse by Hannah Cowan
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
๐- 4 / ๐ถ- 3
Dual POV & HEA
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Hannah has such an amazing way of painting scenes with her words and stories. HGM2 was no different. Noah and Tinsley were made for each other and the love they feel for each other was so deep from page to page. After the anticipation of reading HGM2 I was so excited to see some of the teasers and speculations I had come to fruition on the page. While it can be read and understood as a standalone, it is highly encouraged to read the other books by Hannah before starting this one to understand the backstory of the MCs and many of the SCs that are met through the story.
WARNING: spoilers ahead
Noah and Tinsley have been soulmates since the first time they met as children. Besties till the end. Noahโs a tortured bad boy/rocker and Tinsley is his golden girl boxer. The two embarked together on a tour across Canada and the USA for their debut album tour and boxing tour respectively. The pair finally give in to their primal feelings for each other and finally go past just friends. When Tinsleys things start to go missing, and a man keeps showing up at all of their events, the pair start to suspect the worstโฆ she is being followed. Noah will go to no ends to keep his girl safe even if that means letting his composure slip aside at times.
The last 30% of the book was everything I had hoped for and I screamed when my suspicions of some of the plot points were true. Seeing Tinsley get revenge on her stalker was E V E R Y T H I N G. The slow plot buildup and world building that happened in the start of the book was all worth it once we really got into the stalker plot. I also enjoyed the new and old side characters that were met through the story. Noah's bandmates, manager, and Tinsleyโs brother all seem so interesting and I hope to read more about them in the future.
It was also so nice to see the OG crew. The Huttonโs and Loweryโs plus their kids.
Noah and Tinsley brought all the spice. They really went from zero to 500 and I was here for it.
I knew that this book would not be as light or mildly angsty as the rest of Hannahโs books and was fully prepared for that. This was a wonderful step into a darker writing style and I look forward to reading the new dark romance series that she is writing.
Overall I want to give Hannah a huge virtual hug and congratulate her on the book I know she worked so hard on. Noah and Tinsley are the perfect soulmates she intended and got their twisty little happy ending.
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โ๐นโโ๐ทโโ๐ดโโ๐ตโโ๐ชโโ๐ธ
โธ friends to lovers
โธ rock star x boxer
โธ touch them and die
โธ morally grey MMC
Same Time Next Year by Tessa Bailey
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.75
Chasing Hartes by Madyn Rose
medium-paced
4.5
๐- 4.5 / ๐ถ- 2
Dual POV & HEA
โ๐ฆโโ๐ทโโ๐จโ โ๐ทโโ๐ชโโ๐ปโโ๐ฎโโ๐ชโโ๐ผ
Single mom Millie and MLB first basemen Jake meet and enjoy a nameless one night stand on a cruise ship. Five months later, they meet again at a summer festival. Can their complicated lives allow them to be together? You betcha, but not without its hurdles.
Millie and Jake were a cute couple. He is such a cinnamon roll for her and she has to accept that even moms deserve love from hot men too. Every page I just wanted to scream for her to let him in and accept his love. When she did I was so happy for her character that she was finally getting the man of her dreams. Jake was a great boyfriend to her and was always there to show her her worth. I loved his relationship with Millie's daughter, Aubree, too. He was the perfect man for both of them!
The supporting characters were so fun. Millieโs girlfriends and brothers were always there to back her up and always had something funny to say. Jake's friends as well though you don't see them as much.
This is technically a baseball and billionaire romance but other than the travels for work, I don't feel like they really had much to do with the story. I was confused at points when the MCs would talk about his private jet, which would not make sense for an MLB player to have, but once his family story was revealed it all made sense. I personally would have preferred for the plot to spend less time on Millie's relationship and drama with her ex and more on the couple navigating his family and their relationship, it had much more interesting potential than a shitty baby daddy.
Chasing Hartes is not a spicy book. There are for sure some steamy moments and a few spice scenes, but overall the book is pretty tame in that regard. It is a heavily plot driven story and not a smut driven story. Which is great, and totally refreshing sometimes, but it is something to keep in mind before reading.
There were absolutely points in the book where the plot got redundant and felt like it was dragging. This mixed with how much of the plot only focused on Millie being a single mom instead of her and Jake building their relationship, I had to give it four stars instead of five.
Thank you Madyn and BookSirens for the opportunity to read Chasing Hartes. All opinions and reviews are my own.
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โ๐นโโ๐ทโโ๐ดโโ๐ตโโ๐ชโโ๐ธ
โธ small town
โธ single mother
โธ he falls first and harder
โธ billionaire
Dual POV & HEA
โ๐ฆโโ๐ทโโ๐จโ โ๐ทโโ๐ชโโ๐ปโโ๐ฎโโ๐ชโโ๐ผ
Single mom Millie and MLB first basemen Jake meet and enjoy a nameless one night stand on a cruise ship. Five months later, they meet again at a summer festival. Can their complicated lives allow them to be together? You betcha, but not without its hurdles.
Millie and Jake were a cute couple. He is such a cinnamon roll for her and she has to accept that even moms deserve love from hot men too. Every page I just wanted to scream for her to let him in and accept his love. When she did I was so happy for her character that she was finally getting the man of her dreams. Jake was a great boyfriend to her and was always there to show her her worth. I loved his relationship with Millie's daughter, Aubree, too. He was the perfect man for both of them!
The supporting characters were so fun. Millieโs girlfriends and brothers were always there to back her up and always had something funny to say. Jake's friends as well though you don't see them as much.
This is technically a baseball and billionaire romance but other than the travels for work, I don't feel like they really had much to do with the story. I was confused at points when the MCs would talk about his private jet, which would not make sense for an MLB player to have, but once his family story was revealed it all made sense. I personally would have preferred for the plot to spend less time on Millie's relationship and drama with her ex and more on the couple navigating his family and their relationship, it had much more interesting potential than a shitty baby daddy.
Chasing Hartes is not a spicy book. There are for sure some steamy moments and a few spice scenes, but overall the book is pretty tame in that regard. It is a heavily plot driven story and not a smut driven story. Which is great, and totally refreshing sometimes, but it is something to keep in mind before reading.
There were absolutely points in the book where the plot got redundant and felt like it was dragging. This mixed with how much of the plot only focused on Millie being a single mom instead of her and Jake building their relationship, I had to give it four stars instead of five.
Thank you Madyn and BookSirens for the opportunity to read Chasing Hartes. All opinions and reviews are my own.
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โ๐นโโ๐ทโโ๐ดโโ๐ตโโ๐ชโโ๐ธ
โธ small town
โธ single mother
โธ he falls first and harder
โธ billionaire
Hot Shot: An Orlando Storm Novel by Marissa James
hopeful
lighthearted
mysterious
relaxing
medium-paced
5.0
๐- 5 / ๐ถ- 3
Dual POV & HEA
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Hot Shot is the first book in the Orlando Storm series.
Hunter is the rookie player on the Orlando Storm hockey team. Unsure of his worth to his team and an overall humble attitude, his world is turned upside down when he happens upon Madison while sheโs having car troubles. He has been one of my favorite MCs for a long time. He came off as a realistic character and was instantly loveable.
Madison, having recently moved to Orlando to live with her aunt after a string of bad luck with love and her career as a baker. Juggling her job, getting to know father, who happens to be the Stormโs head coach โ for the first time in her life. After car troubles have her flashing a very cute good samaritan, she never expects that her life will change so much.
I loved how Hunter and Madison both canโt keep eachother off their minds after meeting. This really is an amazing slow burn friends to lovers story. The way they take the time to really get to know each other (or so you thinkโฆ) before finally giving into their desires to be a couple was refreshing. It wasn't a will they won't they situation and I appreciated that for a change. Once they are together, of course the drama sets in, but it is so well done that you are always going โWHAT?!โ Madison did a great job leading her audience on, so kudos to her!
The book isn't overly spicy but has great chemistry between the sheets for the MMCs.
Hot Shot was such an easy low angst read, and I loved it! It was such a great debut novel by Madison. I cannot wait to follow along with the next books in the series to see where Hunter and Madison end up.
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โ๐นโโ๐ทโโ๐ดโโ๐ตโโ๐ชโโ๐ธ
โธ friends to lovers
โธ hockey player x baker
โธ reverse age gap
โธ coaches daughter