The Puck Stops Here by Rachael Stewart is a sizzling, fast-paced sports romance that blends humor, heart, and heat in just the right amounts. The story follows Astrid Sinclair, a determined journalist who joins forces with a group of women stranded in an airport to form a pact for revenge on the exes who wronged them. Astrid’s target? Aiden Carter, a famous hockey player who broke her new friend’s heart. Armed with confidence and a press badge, Astrid dives into the world of professional hockey—but an unexpected twist throws her off course when she finds herself irresistibly drawn to Aiden’s brooding and magnetic twin brother, Blake.

The novel delivers classic romance tropes—revenge, enemies to lovers, and mistaken identity—with a fresh, modern voice. Stewart creates a deliciously electric chemistry between Astrid and Blake, balancing flirty banter with moments of vulnerability that give the story depth. Astrid is a smart, spirited protagonist with a strong sense of justice, while Blake’s quiet intensity adds an emotional layer that goes beyond the usual sports hero mold.

While the revenge plot sets the story in motion, the heart of the novel lies in the emotional growth of its characters and their journey toward trust and love. With its mix of high-stakes drama, witty dialogue, and steamy scenes, The Puck Stops Here is perfect for fans of contemporary romance with a sporty edge and a strong, self-assured heroine. It's a fun, flirty read that offers both escapism and emotional payoff.

I was hooked from the beginning!
It was amazing and engaging. 
I was instantly sucked in by the atmosphere and writing style. 
The characters were all very well developed . 
The writing is exceptional and I was hooked after the first sentence.

📱E-Book Review📱

The Puck Stops Here
Rachael Stewart

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I'm back with the third book in The Karma Club series which sounded like so much fun!
4 interconnected books written by different authors which follow the lives of these 4 strangers brought together by past relationship traumas.
You may have seen my reviews for books 1&2 - The Payback Plan by Amy Andrews - back in April and How To Get Even by Pippa Roscoe - which I read in May.

I've been really enjoying this little series and it was great to back with the girls and their plans of revenge.

In this book we find Astrid on a mission to exact revenge on hockey superstar Aiden, who ditched his childhood sweetheart the second he became famous, but as we expected, things don't quite go to plan...

I think that this story has been my favourite so far in the series, purely because I'm definitely in my sports romance era at the moment.

I found it super easy to become engrossed in this pretty much instantly!
I loved the writing style which was just so easy to read and fun, even though we do deal with some quite sensitive topics here.

It was great to see the lengths that Astrid would go to using her work to get up and close with Aiden and his twin Blake.
I loved Blake and his grumpy antics always getting in the way of her plans.

This one does get pretty spicy in places and I was all there for it!

I totally raced through this read in no time and am so excited that I now have the fourth and final book to get going with and discover our last plan - I can't wait to see what fun lies ahead.

I went into The Puck Stops Here without reading the previous books in the Karma Pact series, and while it worked fine as a standalone, I do think some of the setup — particularly the Karma Pact itself — might’ve made more sense with that background. That said, I found the initial premise a bit far-fetched. Sienna wanting revenge for a high school heartbreak ten years later felt like a stretch. I couldn’t help but think… surely she should’ve just moved on with her life by now?

But thankfully, that setup gave us Astrid and Blake, and they made the whole thing worth it.

From the start, I was 100% Team Blake. The uncertainty in the first half over whether Astrid would end up with him or Aiden had me on edge, but Blake’s character won me over early. The grumpy x sunshine dynamic between him and Astrid was done really well — they balance each other out in a way that felt natural and genuinely enjoyable to read.

One of the strongest parts of the book was the build-up to their big argument. The emotional tension was chef’s kiss. But then… it was over almost as soon as it began. The resolution felt rushed, especially given how big a moment it was for Blake to open up and finally trust someone. I wanted more from the aftermath — more emotional weight, more time to feel the impact.

Despite that, I really enjoyed the book. It had heart, heat, and characters you could root for. The pacing was steady (until that ending), and the romance was satisfying overall. If you like hockey romance with just the right amount of angst and spice, it’s definitely worth a read

Rachael Stewart’s The Puck Stops Here combines humor, spice, and an inventive twist on the classic hockey romance. The revenge pact angle brought a fresh energy, and I liked how Astrid’s plan to target one twin led her straight into the arms of the other. Blake and Astrid’s connection was fun to watch develop, with plenty of heat and some heartfelt moments along the way.

That said, I found it difficult to stay fully immersed in the story. Whether it was the pacing, the mid-chapter POV shifts, or just the setup not quite clicking for me, it didn’t grab me as much as I wanted it to. A solid read overall, though, and one that fans of lighthearted sports romance will probably enjoy!

My favourite so far in the Karma Club series. Probably because the MMC is a hockey player 😉

The third book of the series. We're getting the hang of it by now, the women met at the airport, aired their grievances about their exes, and have sworn to exact revenge on each other's behaves! In the first two books... we see that things easily go sideways. And in this story, that certainly continues!! Astrid has managed an interview with the Titan Twins, a top notch hockey brotherly duo, in order to boost Blake's reputation that's been taking a downward turn lately. She's also supposed to be making Aiden pay, but ends up falling for his bad boy twin brother in the process. "Save one brother's career if he so deserved, while dishing up just desserts on the other."

I liked how the twins balanced each other out, and how caring they are for their mother. Blake and Astrid each have their own personal battles, and I absolutely love how they help each other and their open communication (even if it's only because of the interview). Definitely some insta-love here, and insta-lust, which I'm not usually a fan of, but it works. We also learn there is a lot more to Aiden and Sienna's story 10 years ago, on both of their sides. I can't wait to read the fourth and last book, and see how Sienna's story plays out!! Eek! I'm a little bummed we didn't get to read the article Sienna writes in the end, but ah well, we know it was good!

One critique - I believe the author is British, and while Astrid's character is British, some of the things the twins say throughout this story are British terms or sayings... American hockey bros definitely wouldn't be going around saying "Too true"... that just took me out of it a little.

Thank you to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for this ARC!

The third book in the Karma Club series. Astrid is supposed to be getting revenge on Aiden, but she is falling for Blake, his twin. Will they be able to have a future together when he finds out who she really is? A great read, looking forward to the fourth book in the series.

Aiden is the latest man to receive payback from the Karma Club. His ‘crime’? He abandoned his childhood sweetheart when he, his twin brother Blake and their mother left town without him letting Sienna know they were leaving. Sienna has never forgotten him, nor forgiven him for abandoning her when she needed him most. Now a famous ice hockey player, he never responded to any of the messages she sent him nor answered any of her calls. Feisty Astrid is the instrument of revenge. Her plan? Get close to Aiden, make him fall in love with her and then abandon him. Unfortunately, as with many of the best laid plans, there’s a hiccup or several!

I really enjoyed this book and the previous ones in the series. One thing that really stands out is the love and camaraderie between the four women as they show their loyalty and support for each other.

The Puck Stops Here is book three in The Karma Club series, 4 interconnected standalone books written by 4 different authors. This was another great addition to series and once again just like books 1 & 2 the story's flowed seamlessly together despite having different authors (you can however absolutely read this on its own).

In this book we have journalist Astrid and her target for revenge is hockey superstar Aiden, Astrid just didn't see Aiden's twin Blake coming.....
This was another banter filled, sizzling chemistry read but with a good dose of emotion, redemption, tougher topics & pulling at the heartstrings. I liked the shake-up of the revenge targets twin brother as a romantic interst & Blake was a great romantic interest, portrayed as the bad boy but in reality far from it. I loved Astrid, she's tough, fiery & independent but also soft & genuine.

This was a great, fun, banter filled easy read, another perfect summer read.

The Puck Stops Here is the third book in a new multi-author series, The Karma Club. The series is a spicy revenge romance and is perfect for fans of Olivia Goldsmith’s The First Wives Club and Sally Thorne’s The Hating Game. The Puck Stops Here should definitely be read after The Payback Plan and How to Get Even.
26-year-old Astrid Sinclair spends Christmas Eve stranded at Chicago’s O’Hare Airport due to a snowstorm and hangs out at Just Desserts, a sweets shop. She shares a table with three other stranded female travelers, and the ladies bond over prosecco and desserts. They share their tales of heartbreak and woe, and devise a scheme whereby each lady will seek revenge on another lady’s ex. The plan is to cause chaos in each heartbreaker’s life, not irreparable harm.
Astrid’s heart was broken by artist Chase Miller, who failed to disclose that he was still technically married when his wife burst into their Paris hotel suite six months ago. Her new friend, Bella Carmichael, falls in love with Chase in How to Get Even and discovers the truth about Chase’s wife’s devastating betrayals, which she shares with Astrid. Now Astrid is planning to seek revenge for Sienna, who was abandoned by her high school boyfriend, Aiden Carter. Aiden and his twin, Blake, play hockey for the New York Titans NHL team.
Aiden and Blake Carter are known as the Titan Twins among hockey fans; cool-headed Aiden is “Ice” whereas hot-headed and impulsive Blake is “Fury”. While both brothers are standout forwards, Blake’s role as the Enforcer on and off the ice is not appreciated by the team’s management. After a video of Blake punching a man outside of a bar goes viral, the team PR person, Stella, accepts an offer from journalist Astrid Sinclair to do a feature piece on the twins. A previous piece on a troubled football player swayed public sentiment and allowed him to regain respect from fans. Blake is immediately attracted to Astrid’s sexy-librarian appearance.
Astrid’s plans to get revenge on Aiden for Sienna get derailed by her growing attraction to Blake. She learns that the twins have a tragic backstory, and their family history is more messed up than hers. The twins really support each other although they are super-competitive. Astrid also has to deal with the knowledge that Chase and Bella are falling in love.
The Puck Stops Here is a hilarious enemies-to-lovers rom-com with engaging characters. While readers can predict the overall storyline, they will be engrossed by how Astrid‘s attempts at revenge on Aiden while trying to fight her attraction to Blake. The author’s descriptions are so clear that it’s like watching a movie. The chemistry and banter between Astrid and Blake are off the charts. Although Astrid is British and the Carter twins are American, readers from both continents can easily understand their dialogue.
The Puck Stops Here does contain some profanity sprinkled throughout the story and an open-door sex scene. It’s similar in spice level to Sally Thorne’s The Hating Game. I’m now anxious to read Sienna’s story, which is Settling the Score by Clare Connelly.
I received an Advance Review Copy (ARC) from NetGalley and Boldwood Books for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

I enjoyed this book it’s the second book in the series

Tropes:
🏒 Revenge pact

🏒 Hockey romance

🏒 Forbidden romance

🏒 Celebrity romance

🏒 Reputation redemption

Karma comes to play...

When journalist Astrid Sinclair meets her kindred spirits at a snowed-in airport, she knows she’s found her ride-or-die circle—women with a lot to love and an ex they'd sooner hate. But hating's no fun, karma is! So they hatch a plan to go after one another's ex...

Astrid's target? NHL superstar Aiden Carter—the man who traded his childhood sweetheart for the bright lights of fame, tearing her new BFF's heart in two. Astrid's plan? For the punishment to fit the crime!

Armed with killer heels, sexy specs, and an all access press pass, Astrid infiltrates the New York Titans as a journalist writing an exclusive exposé on Aiden and his twin brother, Blake. She’s got the charm, the wit, and all the right moves to get under Aiden’s skin. But there’s a snag—brooding, maddeningly irresistible Blake keeps getting in her way.

Astrid is here to break a heart, not lose her own. But when sparks fly with the wrong twin, she’s playing a dangerously different game…

4.5 stars.

This book was amazing had me smiling, screaming out of frustrated and kicking me feet at how cute the mc were.

The story centers around a friendship group who had bad break ups and want to get karma/ revenge on their exes, however the FMC never expected to fall in love with Blake the twin brother of Sienna exes.

Their relationship and journey throughout the book is to die for. The banter, the flirtation as they go through will they or won’t they? Just a great build up throughout the book making it fall in love with the characters. While i don’t love the concept of the book as its built on deception they way its written and the characters cannot make me hate it in anyway.

thank you net galley for this arc!

I feel as if I didn't enjoy this as much as I could have. It is a standalone but the books prior definitely give more background to the characters! This is definitely a fun John tucker must die type book and the friendship among the girls is hilarious

Astrid's goal is to avenge her new friend's heart by exposing Aiden, NHL player. But his twin brother, Blake gets in the way. Can she break Aiden's heart without losing her heart to his twin?

Thank you NetGalley for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I’m so glad I stuck with the book because I usually have a hard time with 3rd person writing in contemporary romances!!

Astrid Sinclair is a journalist who agrees to make a pact with her friends to get revenge on their exes for making them suffer, and she gets Sienna’s ex, Aiden, an NHL superstar.

The thing is… Aiden has a twin, Blake.
And Astrid ends up falling for him.

I loved Astrid’s fierce but gentle personality, and how we get to know the twins’ backstory and caring sides.

Honestly, it’s a cute, fluffy book that’ll have you kicking your feet and throwing your head back laughing.

It has a 3rd act breakup but it gets resolved quickly which thankgod!

The Puck Stops Here by Rachael Stewart, book three in The Karma series, is Astrid's emotional story. Astrid, a journalist, has been scorned by a man. While snowed in at the airport she meets three other women who turn into her ride-or-dies as they bond over the men that hurt them. It’s during this drunken experience that they make a pact to give back a little karma to the men that did them wrong. Will the plan succeed or backfire in the most delicious way imaginable.

Astrid, a journalist, is using her occupation to get close to hockey twins Blake and Aiden. The real target here is Aiden, who truly broke another member of the club, Sienna’s, heart years ago when he left town and broke all contact. Astrid goes behind the scenes to write an article about the brothers and how they became such superstars in the NHL. Things don’t quite go to plan when Astrid falls for Aiden’s twin brother Blake; who might be just what she needs. It becomests complicated when feelings change and Astrid struggles with her deceit.

I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book.
#NetGalley #Boldwood #ThePuckStopsHere

I loved the blurb and the fact that it was mentioned it is like a John Tucker Must Die movie made me request a book on NetGalley.
What I didn't know is that this is book 3 in a series. I have Book 1 on my Kindle (also an ARC from NG), but this one hooked its claws on me first. I thought this book was a standalone, and it kind of is but it is heavily connected to the previous books. I said heavily because reading the first chapter made me realise I have NO clue what was going on. I didn't know who was who to the point I had to actually go to Goodreads to decipher who is the FMC. A lot of names and no description what is their connection. The fact that it is written in third POV makes deciphering that much harder.
What also bothered me is that the revenge pact or early memories of how they (the friends of FMC) met weren't even mentioned. I was really disappointed and frankly slightly pissed not to know what is going on. Obviously, I knew the basics from the blurb, but otherwise, chapter 1 is a mess through and through for a new reader. A recap of previous encounters and books would be nice in passing.
The rest of the book was quite okay. Blake was a great, easygoing character who felt things deeply. As for Astrid, it was mentioned she's from the UK and working there, but I felt like the future after they stayed together wasn't mentioned. Does she stay in the USA, work remotely, or what?
Would love more spicy scenes too, but oh well.
3.5 stars

A chance meeting in a crowded airport sets Astrid off on a revenge mission for her new bestie. Only she never counted on his twin brother, Blake. Can she stay focused on the plan: punishing Aiden for ghosting his high school sweetheart? Or will her growing feelings for Blake having her aborting the mission?

Read if you like:
-Revenge Plots
-Off Limits
-Forced Proximity

I liked The Puck Stops here but I didn't love it. It was super funny and completely chaotic at times in the best way. But I never really found myself invested in the romance portion of the book. Bad Boy Blake was hot and I loved finding out he had a secretly soft side, but I never really connected with Astrid and Blake as a couple.

I love the Karma Club books. I love the hijinks these characters get into, and the karma they give the men!

There are 4 books by 4 authors. Each FMC is giving karma to another's ex boyfriend. These books are funny and touching. And I love the connection and friendship the 4 FMCs have made.

In The Puck Stops Here, Astrid is after one twin of a major hockey team. She uses her journalistic background to get close to him and realizes there's more to the story than his ex, and her friend, Sissi, knows. There's also his twin brother that she has an undeniable attraction to.

This book didn't have as much funny karma (though did have some!) but it really had heart. It had growth for all the main characters. I loved the story. I loved how the brothers took care of each other. I loved the attraction between Astrid and Blake. It's a great book and I cannot wait to read the next Karma Club book.

This is the third instalment in The Karma Club series and this may be my favourite one so far! I love discovering the new stories and how seamlessly they all blend in despite being written by different authors.
This story focuses on Astrid and her attempt at Just Desserts on Aiden, she uses her work life to infiltrate his ice hockey team to write an article on Aiden and his twin brother Blake and of course karma doesn't quite go to plan.
There is so much emotion through this one, the twins, Astrid and Sienna have had so many hard things happen in their life that could easily break a person down, the subjects being explored and (some) old wounds being healed were really beautiful to read.
Of course it had some delightfully spicy moments in it and they were HOT!
I was hooked really quickly into this and finished it in less than 24hours, I just didn't want to put it down! I am looking forward to the 4th instalment, though I don't want it to be over because I really love these girls, their friendship, and the antics they get up to, but as they say, all good things must come to an end. I would absolutely recommend this, but I think you have to read the full series in order to truly enjoy it!