Thank you to Lauren Blakley and her team for the advance reader copy of Double Pucked, out June 5, 2023.
This book is two things I have been dying to see Lauren Blakley write: a hockey romance and a why choose! I knew Lauren’s style would suit the Lily Gold type of book, and this sure delivered. It is so much fun and definitely a great place to start for readers who are starting their journeys into reading throuples/triads/poly relationships.
I am a Lauren Blakely review team member, but I remain honest and genuine in my reviews.
A jilted book nerd, a plan for sweet revenge, and the two hockey stars who volunteer as her tributes…
When I discover my boyfriend is cheating on me, I move out right away taking what I love most – my dog. As I fly out the door, I make sure to swipe the thing my ex loves best. The VIP tickets he won to a hockey game, complete with the chance to spend an evening with the city’s two biggest NHL stars. I can’t wait to snap selfies with my ex’s idols and rub it in his face. Except, when I head out with the two hockey studs, they have something else in mind besides sweet revenge. Would I like to spend the night…with both of them? Talk about the VIP experience. That’s what I get for one knee-weakening, sheet-grabbing night. In the morning, I plan to return to my bestie’s house to crash on her couch with my dog. But when they learn what happened with my awful ex, they ask me to be their temporary roomie for the week. Oh, and one of them needs my help with his grumpy reputation. The other? Well, he wants me to be his fake date at an upcoming wedding. Looks like I’m about to get double pucked. Again.
Double Pucked is a roomies to lovers, fake dating, image makeover, super spicy hockey rom com with a guaranteed why-choose style HEA! No swords cross. The two guys are all about HER all throughout! This story is perfect for fans of Lily Gold and Emily Rath!
Check out my more detailed thoughts below…
- Characters: Our heroine is Trina, a book nerd who doesn’t really know a lot about hockey, but does know she wants to piss off her cheating ex. So she steals his VIP tickets to a hockey game, which includes a meet and greet with two hockey players. After the VIP experience night, Trina begins to live every gal’s fantasy, she has the love and attention of not one but two hockey players. Readers are bound to love Trina, as she moves into Chase’s place for a week with her no-nonsense attitude and adorable dog. Speaking of Chase, he and Ryker are our heroes. Do you love a grumpy hero? Do you love a sunshine hero? You get both in this book! Chase is sunshine, the protector and super loyal. In contrast, Ryker is the grump, married to the sport. I did feel Trina’s character felt more developed than the hockey boys and would have loved to have seen some better balance there.
- Setting: The story is set in San Franciso, a setting that will be familiar to fans of Lauren’s sports romances. The boys play for rival teams, San Francisco Sea Dogs and California Avengers. I do wish there was more hockey in this hockey romance. I was excited to see Lauren’s take as she has done virtually every other sport already and we needed more time on ice and with the teams.
- Pacing: This story was paced very well. Funnily enough, the majority of it takes place in a week. You may think one week is not long enough to fall in love with one man, but Lauren will show you it is long enough to fall for two.
- Romance: I loved that once Trina barrels into their lives the boys shower her affection in different yet equal ways. I want to be forthright here, I prefer sword cross in my poly romance, but I get why Lauren did it the way she did. She was able to balance showing these new romantic relationships blossoming with the ever-present and hugely important friendship between the two guys. They don’t just need Trina’s love, they need each other’s friendship. But don’t get me wrong the relationship part is the best part. From their first scene together these three were smoking hot. If you love when Lauren Blakley pushes the steam then this will be one that makes you happy. Along with all the great sex scenes, there were so many adorable quiet moments of pancake breakfasts and dog walks. Making this a story equally sweet and a scorcher!
Double Pucked receives four out of five stars.
You can pick up the story here.
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Thank you again to Lauren and her team for the review opportunity. Thank you for reading and supporting my blog.
