It was an interesting book but it didn't stand out to me because there are so many other books just like this one. Now I will say that even though the book was nothing special it did the basic story line well. The tension was well written and the characters had chemistry. But I will also say that the love triangle that the author tried to incorporate wasn't done very well and the other love interest fell flat. Him and the FMC had almost no chemistry so It wasn't realistic for her to want to forgive him and get back together with him. The other thing that dragged my rating down is the overuse of the word "prick". It was in every other line and often wasn't needed, making the FMC seem almost childish in her language even though she was an adult. Overall though this book wasn't bad but there are some things that make the book somewhat unenjoyable.

Revenge puck (you will know I am not a native speaker when you hear that I got the pun once I was done reading the book) was just everything it promised, some fake dating that turns all too real and I enjoyed it.

I might have liked a single point of view better, better but the switch enabled the author to give us a better understanding of both sides. I liked Preston, but in a very bookish way (send me that kind of man in real life, and I would consider that a walking red flag) that makes me think, some more nuance would have improved the book.

The subplot was also solved too easily from my point of view.

Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with this sweet romance in exchange for my honest review.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the digital ARC!

This was a perfectly fine sports romance featuring an attractive hockey player and a sweet hair stylist. We meet Elle when she's being dumped by hockey star Christian Riley - he's got a championship to win for the Bobcats and doesn't need any extra distractions, of which he considers her to be. On top of that, she finds out that he wasn't even remotely monogamous with her, and apparently thought she knew this (she did not). Understandably, she's heartbroken and upset, so she decides to get back at him.

The only guy Christian would have issues with her fooling around with is Preston Lawrence, a defenseman for the Warhawks and Christian's enemy number one. Elle thinks he's the perfect candidate to get back at Christian, and so manages to catch Preston and approach him with her idea - take a photo together to throw Christian off his game. Preston - renowned for not wanting anything to do with fans, and particularly women - surprisingly agrees to this, and takes it one step further by kissing her in front of fans and reporters. This sets the rumour mill going and succeeds in messing with Christian.

The only problem is that both Elle and Preston decide to keep up the façade of fake dating for a little while, only for both to realise that they're actually pretty into each other.

Preston is a sweetheart, and I loved his affection and protectiveness towards his sister. At the same time, he can be a bit dense, which he at least can excuse as him not being experienced in dating. It's been years since he dated, or slept with anyone, and he's very strict about it. At the same time, he can be overwhelming - he's not liked by his own team and is on the verge of losing his position as they have no interest in renewing.

Elle has a lot of insecurities to battle through. Even though Preston is lovely, he does do stupid things sometimes but Elle tends to fly off the handle at the smallest thing, and make a mountain out of a molehill. She's a lovely character, but sometimes I wanted her to just stop and think for a second. Thankfully, she has her best friend to tell her to do that, who has a lot more sense than Elle.

Overall, this was fine. It felt a little too instalove (they fall in love over what seems to be like...two weeks) but it didn't detract too much. This will definitely find its market with the sports romance lovers!

1.5

Thank you Netgalley, the Publisher, and the author for this advance copy of Revenge Puck in return for an honest review.

Lets start with the pros.
-Grumpy x Sunshine
-Witty Characters
-Drama
-Sports Romance/Hockey
-Fake Dating
-Jealous Exes
-Billionaire Hockey Players
-Easy to Read

I liked the idea of Preston having a sister at home with a son that he is doing everything for. Keeping the media out of their lives so they can live a somewhat normal life. So no one gets word of them including Christian. I liked the overall story.

Unfortunately, the book just fell flat for me. The writing was easy to read but just bland. The characters didn't have enough to them for me to connect to them. The story didn't have any spark to help it stand out from the rest. It just felt like every other story with different names to the characters. I liked the idea of the jealous ex we are trying to make mad but some of the story was a bit too obnoxious. Why is the FMC still so hurt about her ex after all the things he called her and the ways he made her feel? How did the FMC and MMC go from fake dating and not knowing each other to feeling like they are end game in just a minute? How is Christian going to act in every way that he did to then be like I messed up, I loved Maya and I didn't realize what I had until you were gone? I get that whole story but he just did way to much to be redeemable. I just feel this story could have given us so much more to make it different from the rest and that is what disappointed me most. It just felt very basic.
It also could use a good edit as there are lots of spelling mistakes and wrong words.

I greatly enjoyed this book! This was my first read of L. A. Hart's and I will definitely be going back for more!
I loved how fast-paced this book was and the jealousy of the MMC, especially when he loves seeing her in his jersey. I greatly enjoyed the banter between these two, and their chemistry was palpable. The open door scenes were SPICY!!
I do wish the book was a little longer, or maybe just some deeper connection between the characters so we could really feel and invest in their love more. Overall though it was such a fun read and I am so grateful for the opportunity to review!

This is a quick and dirty hockey romance. We have a fake dating premise which is a perennial fan fave. We also have a heavy dose of instalove which is not one of my faves. I also found the conversation between characters to be stilted. I can absolutely see diehard hockey romance lovers enjoying this but it wasn’t for me. I found myself much more interested in the side characters who will get their own book but, since I didn’t particularly enjoy the writing I will probably skip it.

DNF at 52%
I got this as an ARC from NetGalley. I really tried to get through this because I thought the premise was really cute, but unfortunately this just wasn’t for me. There was so much dialogue and it was getting very confusing and boring. There just wasn’t enough happening to keep me engaged and I was unable to get into the story. I found myself looking for excuses to NOT read this.

I though this book was a super fun and easy read. At the beginning it did seem like the timeline was a little fast and it was giving insta-love but as it went on I really got invested in the characters and their relationship. If you are looking for a fun and easy romance with a hot hockey player then this is the book for you. I also really like this book because there were no unrealistic/drama-to-just-have-drama/eye-rolling misunderstandings between the main characters. I also am always up for a fake-dating trope! Really liked this book and would recommend for anyone who is a sucker for a sports/hockey romance.

This was a DNF for me. I found the FMC quite off putting unfortunately and only managed about 10% before I gave up reading

This was an easy, quick hockey romance book. It was written simply, so it was a rapid read. Also, the plot moved quickly, and something was always happening. It was quite spicy but overall it was a nice average hockey romance.

Solid 4 stars. The pacing is good, the writing is quip and witty. I love how the parts of the hockey game made you feel like you're in the arena but not too technical, just good enough to feel the high emotions.

Preston and Elle are meant to be, they just didn't know it yet. Elle thought she was with the hottest player in the league, turns out she got played. At a whim, she went for his arch nemesis, got a selfie or an ussie to rile up the ex. Turns out, this is the girl Preston gave up his celibacy for. Hard working, hockey is life, focused, grumpy Preston was into messing with his enemy, especially coming down to the championship game, and it worked. Except his heart did not notify him that he's falling for Elle. Elle is kind, insecure, but positive and cheerleader for others, best friend anyone can ask for, swore off hockey players, but here's Preston. He treats her with the utmost respect, and truly treat her like a queen both in public and in private. You want to talk about golden retriever, there's one for you. When sh_t started to get real, they really need to make that effort to turn it real.

The conflict was goofy, and too quick and light - no depth to it. Made you feel like it was not justified. But also impressed that the turn around and leading to the 'right' decisions being made changes 4 people's lives.

I will say, this is a fun, quick and exciting read for me. The first night I opened the book, I read all the way to 60%, until I have to sleep. It's THAT good and pacing kept up. Glad the end came together, even though a bit bumpy. Also prep for the next book. Will definitely read that too.

Thank you to NetGalley & BooksGoSocial for the ARC

I found it very hard to get into this and connect to the characters which I found very disappointing because I love hockey romances. However. I Ddo think that it would be good for a lot of people and the writing style just wasn't for me.

I’m a sucker for a good sports or hockey romance. Elle is a salon manager and is dating Christian Riley from the Bobcats hockey team. He unexpectedly breaks up with her and she devises a plan with her best friend to make him regret it. In comes Preston, the rival hockey player, whose goal is to lay out the other team. The plan works to get under Christian’s skin but no one thought it would develop into more.
Elle’s trust is broken so it makes sense she is so hesitant with Preston. I love their back and forth banter and getting both points of view. At times I was definitely thinking just go for it she loves you too.
The twist and side story of why Preston and Christian already hate each other is perfect. For their story to come full circle back to tolerating each other pulled on my heart strings.
I didn’t want to put the book down and loved it all.

I really enjoyed this book.
Main characters Elle, Preston and Christian. I only add Christian as a main character bc this book has a lot to do with him. Something might be bad ,some thing might be good. You have to make that decision for yourself.
My favorite character was Preston aka the Wooly Mammoth; the beast. lol. He is such a rough but super sweet guy. We get a guy falls first in this book, I feel.
Elle was such an adorable character as well, she seems to bring the best out of everyone and is such a good person/friend, even when she shouldn't have to be.

This book gets you hooked from the beginning and keeps you attached til the end.
There is so much growth and character development in this book and in all of the characters and so nice to read.

The Epilogue is funny, strange and a bit confusing at first til you keep reading for a bit. So much fun.
Loved it!
I am so glad to have had the opportunity to read and review this book.
Can't wait to see what else this author has to read. :)

I enjoyed this book. I liked the fake dating turned into real feelings and the rivalry between the hockey players. There was also a hint at the next book which intrigued me wanting to know what happens. I look forward to reading more in this series!

Thank you Netgalley for this ARC.

This wasn’t great, but it wasn’t terrible either. I struggled with the dialogue—it felt immature and uninspired, making it hard to stay engaged. I usually love a good revenge plot, but this one didn’t pull me in.

I wasn’t a big fan of Elle. She came across as self-centered and disrespectful toward others, yet she also lacked confidence in herself and what she wanted. Her dynamic with her ex was strange throughout the book, even toward the end.

The romance felt rushed—despite the hero being portrayed as a grumpy, difficult guy, they were immediately into each other with little build-up. Overall, this one just didn’t work for me.

This book was just ok. MMC had red flags that were just swept under the rug. I still don’t understand the FMC’s character or how they fell in love in under a week. Christian’s character arc was the only thing I liked. That and the cover is nice!

Elle approaches Preston as she knows it Will annoy her ex, but what will happen when feelings get involved in fake dating? I liked how it was told from both points of view. Looking forward to the next book in this series.

Pros
- Loved the concept
- The possessiveness and jealousy was fun
- Really enjoyed the Maya/Christian side plot
- Great chemistry

Cons
- I never felt truly connected to the characters
- This felt like a book 1 of 2 for the couple instead of a complete story

This is the first book by L.A. Hart I have read but I love a good hockey romance so I took a chance. Overall a really good premise for a book and solid writing. I had mixed emotions on this book honestly. When I read the first chapter I was instantly turned off. I did not like the characters and really disliked the cavalier attitude about relationships in the start. But I decided to continue on and give the book a shot and it definitely got better. Honestly I really liked Preston but I had a hard time connecting with Elle in this book. I just didn't jive with her thought processes and how she handled things. That being said, overall I did end up enjoying the book and would recommend giving it a chance.

Basically this story is your mutual revenge plot; the enemy of my enemy is my friend. When Elle gets dumped by her hockey playing "boyfriend" Christian, she is pretty upset. When she learns that Preston is his biggest enemy on the ice, she decides to try to enlist him to get back at Christian. Preston doesn't do relationship...or really people...or really anything except hockey. But he is intrigued when Elle approaches him and is all in when he hears her plan. But what happens when both start to feel more than what the fake relationship started out as? And what happens when Preston may get traded to the other side of the U.S.? And can Elle learn to trust another hockey playing athlete?

I would say this book get 3.5 stars for me overall. It's a good story and well written but I just didn't connect as much.