Confessions of a Former Puck Bunny is the fourth book in the adult sports romance taking shots series by Cindi Madsen. This book was a lot of fun. Each of the books in the series can be read as standalones. I have not read the first three books, but I have a feeling that I will really enjoy them after reading this one. 

Confessions of a Former Puck Bunny has everything I am looking for in a sports romance. Great characters, witty dialogue, hot hockey players and a wonderful romance woven throughout. This novel twisted all kinds of tropes for me. There is a tutor, but in this case the tutor is the hockey player and the former puck bunny is the tutor-ee. I love a college romance. 

Lindsay and Ryder jumped off the page for me. I love Cindi Madsen's romances because they seem to come alive before my eyes. I have a confession to make along with Lindsay...I loved reading about all of her hockey player kisses. Confessions of a Former Puck Bunny was everything I was looking for in a romance...and more.

5 Stars

Lindsay is a reformed girl. After spending her life competing for men's attention - specfically hoickey players - she's done and on her way to finding her dream job in NY City. But Ryder, he has other plans. She knows Lindsay has a bone to pick with hockey but he likes a challenge so he becomes her friend in the hopes that she will see him as more than a friend.

Problem is that no one is more determined, and no one is more stubborn than Lindsay and with the odds not in their favor thanks to the horrible set of parents they were both given, it's going to be a tough ride.

Lindsay got to me. We are all, at the end of the day, reformed. We go through things in life and one day we wake up after Karma bites us in the kaboosh and then and there decide we want to be better. So cheers, to all my reformed peeps out there. It's never too late to be a different person. As long as you are breathing, youan always reform yourself. 

Review by Laura

This was a fun, dramatic, funny story. Predictable story line with the usual drama. Good read for sure. Told in dual POV
Thanks Netgalley for the Arc

“If things were different… I could really see myself slipping.”

“Just slip.” I reached up and ran my thump across her bottom lip, my blood pumping hotter at her sharp exhale. “I’ll catch you.”

Lindsey Rivera is a former puck bunny… after getting her heart broken from a hockey player she vows to never return to that life. She removes herself from temptation, shifting her focus to graduation and her future career, she now guards her heart above all else, especially when it comes to hockey players. However, she never saw Ryder “Ox” Maddox coming. Ryder doesn’t give up so easily and is willing to fight for what he wants and Lindsey is all he sees. The more time she spends with Ryder the more she feels herself slipping and if she’s not careful she will find herself breaking all her rules. But like they say… Every addict has their relapse.

Lindsey and Ryder had crazy hot chemistry with banter that left me squealing. Every-time Lindsey would throw up a wall to protect herself it would drive me crazy, but it only made those moments where the lines of friendship was almost crossed that much better. Ryder was such a stand up guy! He was a closed off rock to the rest of the world but to Lindsey he was cuddly teddy bear. His charm, brains, hardworking personality, chivalrous attitude, and determination would have any girl swooning and seeing Lindsey fight her feelings both maddening and exciting.

I absolutely LOVE the Taking Shots Series! They are full of breathtaking angst and witty humor. They are sexy, fun, and flirty and Confessions of a former Puck Bunny didn’t disappoint. The characters are perfectly flawed, the pace flowed naturally, the writing and story-line was put together effortlessly, and I adored catching up with the characters from the earlier books.

XX,

Jennifer

Told from dual first person points of view (Ryder and Lindsay) CONFESSIONS OF A FORMER PUCK BUNNY follows Lindsay as she struggles to pass her final class of university math. Enter rookie hockey sensation Ryder Maddox, Lindsay’s latest math tutor, and the man with whom Lindsay will fall in love. What ensues are Lindsay’s attempts to keep her distance from everything hockey, hoping to heal her reputation and forget about the past.

Lindsay Rivera is a former puck bunny whose reputation with the players precedes our heroine’s introduction including her failed attempt to seduce then destroy team member Hudson Decker and the BC hockey team (Anatomy of a Player #2). As a rookie, Ryder Maddox is unaware of Lindsay’s reputation, or her previous one-night stands with the members of his team. Ryder’s attraction to Lindsay will be complicated when the past reveals more than either one knew.

The attraction between Ryder and Lindsay is immediate but Lindsay struggles with her past reputation, staying clear of all things hockey related including the members of the team. One year ‘clean and sober’ from the world of hockey Lindsay fears falling back into old habits when Ryder Maddox enters her life. Ryder intends to prove to Lindsay that the past is in the past; his pursuit of our story line hero is sweet and romantic. The $ex scenes are intimate and provocative without the use of over the top, sexually graphic language and text.

All of the previous couples play secondary and supporting roles including Lyla and Beck, Whitney and Hudson, Megan and Dane. We are introduce to Ryder’s parents: his father, a former professional hockey player, and his long suffering mother who struggles with sins from the past.

The world building follows the BC hockey team as they vie for the playoffs towards another championship season. Ryder and Lindsay’s relationship continues to build although Lindsay struggles with her previous behavior and reputation.

CONFESSIONS OF A FORMER PUCK BUNNY is a predictable story line with a couple of twists that add some outside conflict into an already struggling relationship. The premise is realistic and engaging; the characters are spirited, colorful and animated; the romance is fated and passionate. CONFESSIONS OF A FORMER PUCK BUNNY is an enjoyable and welcome addition to Cindi Madsen’s TAKING SHOTS new adult, romance series

Such a fun book! I loved watching Lindsay try to resist Ryder, and how he kept pursuing her. What college girl wouldn't want help from a tutor that hot? Lindsay and Ryder had to overcome her past and both of their parents' shortcomings to try to make their relationship work. I loved this book because the story was very believable, and the characters had just the right amount of flaws and doubts, and both of them had their own goals and passions, but they recognized that being together made them happier and more complete than being apart. This was the first book I read by Cindi Madsen, and while it's fine as a stand-alone, I'm headed to read the first three in the series now. 

This review is of an ARC provided by Entangled Publishing.

Ryder aka Ox is the quiet one of the guys on the Hockey team. Always making sure he and everyone else makes it to workouts. He's driven in both work ethic and learning. But when he helps his teammate, Hudson in Anatomy of a Player get his girl Whitney back, he's blindsided by his attraction to the school paper's editor, Lindsey.

But Lindsey want's nothing to do with Hockey players. Since she fell for and realized it was a one-sided thing with Hudson a year ago, she's changed her puck bunny ways. She also doesn't want to end up like her mother, relying on men to take care of her going from one wealthier than the next in order to survive. 

It's been a years since she's been to a Hockey game and whenever Ryder is around her, he not only talks more than he does any other time in his life, but he goes all out to try to get Lindsey to relax, have fun, and consider him as a dating option.

Since Ryder is younger and never really spent much time partying, he doesn't know Lindsey's former reputation, until he talks her into going to the quad with his buddies and their girls. Lindsey is approached and all of her past spills out.

Ryder doesn't care, and as they get to know each other, Lindsey finds herself falling for him. That is until his parents get involved and a past connection with their families is revealed.

Ryder will have to decide if he's the type of guy who can defy his parents and do what's best for himself and Lindsey will have to decide if she's willing to take and give a second chance to a hockey guy who's broken her heart... again.

I really enjoyed this one. I liked that Lindsey was a bit older and that ultimately they were both willing to make sacrifices to make the other happy.

A reformed puck bunny is now a roving college reporter. Desperate to pass math she'll need help from the one man who she swore she needed to stay away from.

Will history repeat itself? Can she overcome her past? 

Dive into this hot hockey adventure.

Let me start by saying that this is the first I've read in the series but it's a standalone so I had no problems keeping up.
It's a good story and I liked the characters, even the secondary characters like the couples, friends of Ryder.
Lindsey is a former puck bunny, but she is not shallow in the least. She is a great student, editor of the paper, lover of words and hockey players..but she decided she didn't like who she was so she changed , going cold turkey except a few slips here and there.
Now tho she has a big problem..Ryder! He is the guy that offers to help her with maths..but he is also a hockey player, a sexy beast ;) and an intense one at that, but very funny and humble too.
She tries her best to keep her distance but you know how it goes..He’s persistent and she can’t really resist him.
There are a few twists that add a bit of drama and although you could see where the story was going, it was still charming and fun!
I will def read the previous books in the series!

Really loving this series by Cindi so far. Sure, some I like better than others but overall it's a great series. 
I really liked the characters and I'm glad 

Great romance. And good characters.  I liked Lindsay and Ryder. They went well together.

I loved this book for the title originally and how it was different than most of the college pro athlete and girl. Lindsay wasn't a "nerd" or "weird girl". She was a reformed punk bunny. She freely admitted it. So when Ryder "Ox" Maddox, hockey player extraordinaire started flirting with her, she wasn't having it. She wasn't that girl anymore and she wasn't looking to go back there. 

Except Ryder isn't your typical male college athlete, at least how books portray them. So yeah, Lindsay doesn't want to be a puck bunny, but Ryder just might sway her to become a 1-puck bunny. 

A good, NA book that defies the stereotypical college athlete/puck bunny genre. And for that I am truly appreciative!

Hockey romance is always a must read, especially when you read it from Cindi Madsen.   Loved every minute of Lindsay's and Ryder's story. Which I loved the trope I'm a big sucker for them. 

This was no different I just had to know Lindsay's story. She intrigued me back when her character was introduced in Anatomy of a Player. This was a different hockey story, girl was a reformed puck bunny. meaning she was no longer following hockey plays and wanted to shack up. But with ryder is was so much more. It was a hot read between the pages.
Both characters lit up the pages. One of my faves in the series!

I Enjoyed reading. Funny, laugh out loud moments when reading.  Lindsey is determined to not date a hockey player. Ryder is determined to change her mind.  Love the tactics he used.  Of course there are challenges; her past reputation, his family and her mother's reputation. Secret revealed that they have more in common than they thought.  Loved the book could not put it down. Recommended read.

I've been around the hockey romance book block a few times and have never seen a former puck bunny's perspective. What a fresh and fun story! Sweet and sexy, Confessions of a Former Puck Bunny is a slow burn of a romance that oozes angst and pounds with passion!



Ryder and Lindsay's explosive electricity was unstoppable! I felt their chemistry fused with angst combust! The passion fanned those flames of fire, sparking even more desire. How could I not fall for this amazing alpha who has a sweet side buried beneath all the sexy?!? With a hot, charming, caring, wealthy, and sweet alpha of a hero, Confessions of a Former Puck Bunny felt like a Cinderella fairy tale.

Like some of the most powerful drugs, all it took was one hit to be hooked—because I was definitely already addicted to the way Ryder Maddox kissed.
 

As much as their attraction is off-the-charts hot, Lindsay needs a delay in the game before she gets hurt like in the past. Her heart needs to be protected like a hockey puck, or Ryder will never score in this game of love. 

What if we crash and burn?
 

I SWOONED HARD, my soul soared high, and my heart was hit like a hockey puck over this sweet and smoldering story. Cindi Madsen thrust me into the thrilling hockey world, painting a vivid picture where I was at the games feeling the ache of these characters and the adrenaline rush of hockey, and it was one enthralling experience. I WAS ALL IN AND IT WAS SO PUCKING GOOD! 

"If things were different...I could really see myself slipping."

"Just slip." I reached up and ran my thumb across her bottom lip, my blood pumping hotter at her sharp exhale. 

"I'll catch you."
 
🌟🌟🌟🌟 Pucking Good Stars

I love Cindi's books, they're always brilliant reads and this one is no exception! From the moment we met Lindsay in Anatomy of a Player I was so hoping we'd get to see her have a happy ending and this book really delivers! 

Quite frankly, Ryder is adorable, it's so cute that he saw her that night and decided to not give up. I loved that he was secretly a math nerd. He's like a big teddy bear really, I wasn't too sure I liked him much after Whitney's story but I loved him in this book he was really sweet and hardworking and adorable. 

Lindsay I felt for, she'd had a crap time with other hockey players and just wanted to avoid them all. As usual, Madsens female MC's are relatable and easy to connect with and both she and Ryder had their own problems which made both of them easy to connect with and sympathise with. 

I love the college setting and getting to see hockey players before they make it big, most hockey books are set when the guy is in the NHL or whatever so this is a nice change. I loved watching Ryder wear down Lindsay and the two of them get closer and closer. I got the warm and fuzzies more than once. 

The writings brilliantly done, fast paced and I forever love the alternating POVs and getting in to both characters heads. I love how it's not smooth sailing, there's issues to be overcome and then the super cute ending. I also forever love getting to see the other characters, although I still need to read Dane and Megan's story! You can read each of these as a standalone if you really want! Personally Whitney and Hudson's story is my favourite, but Lindsay and Ryder are tying for second with Lyla and Beck! 

I really enjoy Madsen's books, I've read pretty much everything she's read except for one or two books, and I'm really hoping for more books in this series! But we'll see! Madsen always provides brilliant writing, a fast pace, brilliantly done split POV, relatable characters, an authentic setting, and a romance that'll have you feeling all warm and fuzzy!

If you love hockey and hockey players then this is a must read. Now I've never heard of a "puck bunny" but understand it very well now. What a fitting name for what they are. This book is exactly what the title says, confessions from a FORMER puck bunny.

Lindsey has learned her lesson, hence her confessions. She was once a "puck bunny" and did the whole circuit of following players around, partying with them and so forth. But she has learned the hard way that that's not what she wants. It is all she knows, thanks to her mom, but she wants better and good for her. So that "better" is her struggle to try to survive college, graduate, get a job that she wants and be happy and almost in that order too. She has built such tall and thick walls that being happy doesn't matter, surviving and graduating does. But there is a little problem standing in her way. Her math class. This class can keep her from graduating if she doesn't get it under control and that's where we meet Ryder.

Ryder is a freshmen hockey player that happens to be VERY good in math (I don't like those kind of people either Lindsey). So you can see where this is going and how they might meet. But what you don't know is the struggle Ryder faces in just trying to get to know Lindsey because of her walls. She is only protecting herself. You learn why, and understand and empathize with her but you also take Ryder's side because you think he is a good guy. He basically is, but every good story has some bumps and twists and turns. Ryder has been groomed by his father, a former NHL star, to get to the NHL draft someday, all else be damned. And I mean ALL ELSE. So social life is non-existent. No college age male or female can handle that? You can only hope that this couple comes out on top when they are done going through the blender. Add school, graduation, failing math class, hockey team, finals, playoff and some meddling parents and it's a whirlwind. It's worth the read to see how it all comes out. Just hang on for the long ride ahead.

I love love love sports romance reads, I love hot sweaty Alpha men. And then I love them fighting for their women and this read is pretty much that more. 

So what's this about?
This book is about an ex-puck bunny when we say that we mean a girl who runs after hockey players and the more the merrier.. Lindsay though had a bad time and so now left that all behind and so she studies, she's changing her future and that means cutting and running and staying on the straight and narrow. Well that is until she needs a maths tutor and Ryder comes to help, he just happens to be a hockey player so that's where things change. And frankly that's all I'm telling you in concern to what this book is about.. 

My feelings
I loved loved loved Ryder, he is caring, loving, and slowly builds a friendship with Lindsay even if she doesn't want that. He pulls those walls down that surround her. Then he's also protective, sexy and then hard working. He works out and helps others so I suppose they both get by but they don't really live and that's why they need each other. I really enjoy books about characters that are happy to change themselves to learn how to live, and realise they need more even if that's against everything they live for. 

This is very much high on the characters, I love books about characters that want to succeed in life and want to try to better themselves. It's also fun and with added depth that keeps you turning the pages.

This is a sexy, sweet and heart warming romance with a little tid-bit of drama on the way. The perfect sexy NA sports romance read, that captures all the feels of young love.

Enjoy xo

Confessions of a Former Puck Bunny was an awesome novel. This book is a standalone, but some of the characters have their own books as well. I did not read any other books in this series and enjoyed this book. This book has humor, heat, and a lot of emotions. I absolutely loved this book.

The plot of this book intrigued me. A former puck bunny reformed meets a hockey player who is irresistible. While this is the bare bones of the plot, this book is about so much more. As you dive in, you get immersed into these characters world. The plot is relatable because these characters could be you or your friend or even a family member. I also loved the inclusion of hockey. I have always loved hockey so this was what drew me to the book.

The characters are so dynamic. I think we often forget that there is more than meets the eye with characters. Lindsay is a commendable character. She has a lot going on beneath her surface that she needs to work on. I also love her strength. She has gone down some dark roads in the past to get to where she is and she is continually making improvements to her life. She is the poster child stating that just because you made mistakes in your past does not mean you have to continue to live that way. I adore her character. Ryder is an remarkable character as well. He has different kinds of baggage weighing him down, but he is also strong. He had a lot of developing to do throughout this story, but I am happy with how he came out.

If you are looking for heat, this is the right book for you. These characters share a chemistry that burns through the pages. I loved all the sexual tension in this book. What I loved even more was being able to watch them combust. I think the author did an amazing job at making these characters and their interactions feel organic.

The author has an astonishing writing style. I love the dual point of views. I like getting to know where each character is coming from. The steady pace of this book is enjoyable for readers. I also think the conflict in this book was written wonderfully. Most importantly, I feel the hockey aspect was done well. It seemed like the author did her research.

Overall, I loved this book. These two characters have become important to me and I hope we get to see where they go from here. I also want to go back and read the stories of the other characters as well. I would love to know how they got to where they are.  I would recommend this book to friends and family. Great job!



Star Ratings:
Plot: 5/5
Characters: 5/5
Heat: 5/5
Writing Style: 5/5
 Overall: 5/5

Cindi Madsen is an author that I've come to enjoy; with her sweet New Adult romances, passionate characters and her addictive storylines. The Taking Shots series has become a fave of mine since I picked up Getting Lucky Number Seven back in 2015. I love any sort of sport romance, so I was intrigued to see how Ryder was going to win over Lindsay after she had sworn off all men who play hockey!

From the opening chapters, I was amused by the way Lindsay avoided Ryder! Only to get stuck with him tutoring her in math! I could see that he was clearly interested in her, but she was determined not to step in that world again after being hurt previously. She classed herself as a puck bunny, because she had an unhealthy desire to be with and/or pick up ice hockey players. It was sad to see how her mother's ways had rubbed off on her. I liked seeing all her Confessions, to understand the depth of why she wanted to stay out of that world. But what I loved was seeing the change in herself! She put all her former ways behind her and became her own person, despite Ryder pulling her back in.

Ryder really was a sweet guy, and he constantly made me swoon. He was keen to get under Lindsay's skin, despite her pushing him away. He helped her every chance he could, and encouraged her to have a little fun every now and then. I liked seeing their friendship grow, and for them to fall for one another. But of course there is something that gets in the way! 

I love being back in this world and Cindi Madsen allowed me to visit all the guys and gals that I adore once again! Ryder and Lindsay were so good together, and I enjoyed watching their story build! Ryder's parents were pushy though, and I wanted them to back off and let him live his life. But these two lost souls, who had two different upbringings were so perfect together. If you enjoy a good sports romance, get this one today!

Cindi Madsen's new adult college hockey romance series Taking Shots has showcased a variety of characters but this is the first one that takes a twist on the expected by featuring a hockey player in pursuit, instead of the other way around. Lindsay has 'been there, done that' – played the adoring hockey fan and gotten her heart crushed along the way. She's sworn off hockey players for good, not ashamed of having had several hookups with different players in the past but turning over a new leaf and avoiding the game, and the players. But math is one thing she can't avoid, and when handsome and attractive hockey player Ryder turns out to be a volunteer tutor at the resource center she reluctantly agrees to let him help her. Ryder's payment plan is simple – let him take her out and they'll call it even. Lindsay needs to get a B in math to graduate so she's got no choice. But when the attraction between them threatens to spill over into something more serious, will she be able to resist temptation?

I really appreciate the sex positive heroine in this story, a young woman who has had her fun but also knows that playtime doesn't last forever and that being a 'puck bunny' and a party going gal isn't going to get her a serious job after college. Hockey players are her kryptonite so avoiding them is her best bet  until Ryder comes along and wreaks havoc on her plans. I love Lindsay's 'confessions', spread throughout the story where she is honest with herself about her faults and her previous life choices. Ryder is the nice guy hero throughout, a man who sees Lindsay not as a conquest but as a smart, feisty and likable woman. When her previous reputation from the locker room rears its head, he's quick to defend her and her choices – no slut shaming from him. It's the last year of college for them both, and career opportunities mean tough choices as well as guarding hearts from getting in too deep to prevent them from being broken. There are several sexy scenes with this couple, and the resolution to the main conflict gives them a happy ending suited to their romance. Friendships play a big part in the story, and several characters from earlier in the series make an appearance. As a hockey romance, it's got the required on ice scenes, locker room chats and after game parties that make up the rest of the story. Confessions of a Former Puck Bunny is an entertaining and fun story, a fitting end to the series. 

This review has been posted at Amazon, BN and Kobo. It has been posted at All About Romance and feedback updated with the link.