Lacey (laceybooklovers)'s Reviews > Pucking Around

If this was 2-300 pages shorter and if we got a more fleshed-out heroine, this would've been an easy 5 stars. Still, I adored it! It's a why choose hockey romance between a physical therapist who's been newly hired to an NHL team and her 3 heroes. Jake is from a one-night-stand but he’s off limits to her now because he's one of her hockey players. Caleb is Rachel’s new neighbor/the team equipment manager/Jake’s best friend/a former hockey player and he's openly bi. The third and final hero is Mars, who is a Finnish goalie aiming for the Olympics. All of these characters are fantastic and I was instantly hooked onto their story as soon as I started reading. I know there's a prequel novella about Jake and Rachel, but I honestly didn't need to read it to feel that chemistry and to know these characters.

The amazing thing about this book and what I liked most was the way each guy moved at a different pace in their romance with Rachel. Jake and Rachel pretty much fall head over heels for each other right away. It’s instalove between them, but I didn’t mind it too much just because Jake is too lovable with his golden retriever energy. Caleb and Rachel take it a bit slower, mainly because Caleb is a grump, and there’s also a best friends-to-lovers romance that develops between Caleb and Jake. (There's definitely some sword-crossing going on there.) Mars is the one who takes the longest to fully be a part of this group, mostly because he’s the last to join and he isn’t interested in Jake or Caleb, just in Rachel. And yes, Mars is my fav!

There’s never a dull moment in this story. All the smut is crazy hot and fun, and there’s a LOT of it in these 750 pages. I do wish some of it was cut down so Rachel’s character could've shined more, but I at least still really enjoyed this book and I’m definitely going to be reading more from this author!