Series Review: Pucked by Helena Hunting

Series Review: Is this series worth your time? Does it get better as the novels progress? Or does it get worse? Find out below:

Synopsis for Pucked (from Goodreads):

With a famous NHL player for a step-brother, Violet Hall is well acquainted with the playboy reputation many hockey stars come with. She’s smart enough to steer clear of those hot, well-built boys with unparalleled stamina. That is until she meets the legendary team captain—Alex Waters.

Violet isn’t interested in his pretty, beat-up face, or his rock-hard six-pack abs. But when Alex inadvertently obliterates Violet’s previous misapprehension regarding the inferior intellect of hockey players, he becomes more than just a hot body with a face to match.

In what can only be considered a complete lapse in judgment, Violet finds out just how good Alex is with the hockey stick in his pants. But what starts out as a one-night stand, quickly turns into something more. Post-night of orgasmic magic, Alex starts to call, and text, and e-mail and send extravagant—and quirky—gifts, making him difficult to ignore, and even more difficult not to like.

The problem is, the media portrays Alex as a total player, and Violet doesn’t want to be part of the game.

Series: Pucked

Crosses over with the Clipped Wings Series in a novella, Get Inked (#5.5)

Author: Helena Hunting
# of Books: 6 (Full Reading Order Here)

Has a novellas & deleted scenes extras.

Book Order: Connected but Chronological Events
Complete?: Yes
Genre: Adult, Erotica, Romance, Contemporary, Sports, Hockey
Heat Rating: Hot
Point of View: First Person, Alternating
Publication Dates: May 2015 – November 2018
Source & Format: Own–eBook

Disclaimer: I finished Pucked (Book 1 – Review Below) but DNF’d Pucked Up @ 42% and Pucked Over @ 6%. Find out why below…

Why I Picked it Up / My Expectations:

Pucked had two things I absolutely love in my romance reads: hockey players and a playboy hero who actually has a heart of gold. Plus, this series is kinda everywhere I look; especially on Kobo where I buy most of my books. So I was definitely curious to see what all the fuss was about.

What I Liked:

–Canadian-isms–

Ok, as a Canadian, it’s a bit of a personal peeve when people use Canadian stereotypes incorrectly in novels. The number of times I’ve seen “eh?” used incorrectly in books has me apologizing on their behalf. It’s painful.

But thankfully Helena Hunting is also a Canadian so she knows how to add the dialogue effortlessly into the story.

–Alex–

Alex is what you want in a “bad” boy (who really isn’t) hockey player to be. As a Canadian who has grown up watching hockey, Alex is exactly what my NHL player dreams are made of. He’s a sweet, down to earth guy who kicks serious ass on the ice. Swoon!

What I Didn’t Like:

–Odd-Ball Heroines–

Honestly, I was in the right mood when I read Pucked because Violet could have easily rubbed me the wrong way. She’s one of those quirky, no filter heroines who can rub a reader the wrong way. Her humour isn’t for anyone and I know that if I was in a different mood, I would have DNF’d it simply for that reason alone. But once I learned more about her character, I started to see the humour in her comments.

However, when I started Pucked Over (Book 3), I felt like I was reading Violet all over again even though it’s a brand new heroine. And this time, I really wasn’t in the mood for it. It felt like a regurgitation of the first book.

–Lack of a Plot–

The main reason I DNF’d Pucked Up was the fact that I was 40% in and nothing was happening. And when I thought back to Pucked, there wasn’t much of a plot either.

Instead of drama or plot, I got pages of the leads describing their attraction towards their partner or sexy times. i wanted more conversations to deepen the relationships or some dramatic twist to keep me interested.

Will I Finish It?

No. I was really excited to read Pucked Up but flet severely let down. And I really only looked at Pucked Over because I had already bought it. I’m ok with leaving these unfinished.