Sweet Pucker

Toronto Northmen #2

by Hilary Rose

Avery

Seven years ago, I walked away from the only man I’ve ever loved, believing I wasn’t the right woman for him. Ryan Gunner was my first everything, and he was supposed to be my last—until I broke his heart.
The imprint he left on me has never faded, and when Ryan is traded to The Toronto Northmen—the same team I work for—I vow to remain professional, even if he’s everything I’ve ever wanted. I’m not the woman who can give him the life we dreamed of sharing, and our love story is best left in the past.

Ryan

When my team asked me to waive my “No-Movement-Clause,” I agreed—on one condition. Trade me to The Toronto Northmen and send me home to the woman who’s always owned my heart: Emerson Avery. The past seven years have been torture. We’re meant to be together, and she can try to play the “just friends” card, but I’m not falling for it. Kissing her again proves that together we’re hot enough to melt ice. So why is she still fighting against us?

This time around, I'm in it to win it. If there's one thing I’ve learned skating on a pair of steel blades, chasing after a frozen piece of rubber, it’s that all is fair in love and hockey.

Genres: Second Chance, Sports, Romance, Hockey

313 pages, Kindle Edition

Published March 13, 2023

About the author

Hilary Rose is a teacher who lives near Toronto, Canada. She has her master’s degree in sports journalism but decided she enjoyed writing about fictional hockey players more than real ones. She is a passionate hockey fan who sometimes gets a little too emotionally invested in her team’s wins and losses. She’s a huge Swiftie who spends far too much time sweating on her Peloton because she can’t sit still for more than a few minutes—unless it’s to write her next book.  

Reviews

[Paula (in & out) · Rating 1 out of 5]

I often wonder if writers who write "romances" believe in what they write in RL

For instance, this "Hero" & heroine are supposed to be childhood sweethearts and soulmates but after planning their future HEA with kids and all, at age 18 heroine learns she has Endometriosis and that the scarring left her with the ability that she may never have kids. So she breaks up with H without telling him in order to give him the chance to find someone else and have the family he wants.

Now I'll give it to the writer that this was one 2nd chance that at least she had both MCs remain celibate, BUT..... and yes there is a BUT because:

1) Hero walks away without fighting for heroine and starts his hockey career. Now mind you, they are supposed to be deeply in love and have this unbreakable bond so for him to walk away without trying to find out what went wrong and not fight for her? Yeah, I call that BS.

2) Then we have story begin 7 yrs later and we learn that even though both MCs remained celibate and still in love with each other and Hero finally gets the balls to fight for his girl by changing teams to be near her, we also learn that for 2 years he was in a so-called fake relationship with OW. A beautiful mixed race actress who was Gay.

Now this OW is described by Hero as very attractive and that they faked their relationship in the press so that the media would not find out that she was Gay so she didn't lose roles and for him to have a date to events he had to go to.

It was not clear whether or not they lived together but the moment the OW comes into the picture, we get to see what a close bond they have. The OW was described by Hero as someone who knew him so well (and vice versa) that they could read minds. We were told that the press often showed them kissing and acting all lovey-dovey and there is even a conversation between OW & Hero in which she makes a point how well she knows him and references the fact that he snores when he sleeps. The conversation made reader believe that they sleep in the same bed because how else did she have an upfront view of his sleeping habits...

But then towards the 85% when H finally makes a move to go after heroine, we have the OW helping him pack up his s**t (kinda personal thing to do for a "just" friend, no?) and move to the same town with him. Why you ask? Yep, I asked that too...

So now we have heroine who had watched him move on with OW for 2 years and was heartbroken, has to deal with his reappearance and that of what she believes is his GF.

And you would think that Hero (after he made the decision to go after her) would tell her that the relationship was all fake and that OW is Gay, right? Yeah, no! In fact, it was the OW who set her straight and OF COURSE now heroine & she have to become BFFs too. Lol.

But wait... after heroine almost gets killed because of OW's crazy agent coming after her, we learn that heroine miraculously became pregnant and that the OW & heroine's BFF's sister are now a couple too and she wanted H's sperm so they could have a baby too and OF COURSE he gave it to them. So he is now having 2 babies with 2 women and heroine is okay with it....

So we basically have a plot where heroine is a doormat and a stupid idiot, and a Hero who got his cake and ate it too. The fact that he made his career a priority than go after the woman he supposedly loved and allowed her to believe he was in a new relationship with OW for 2 years and not consider the fact that he was hurting her, or not tell her the truth about him & the OW because it was more important to protect her secret then to be honest to heroine OR during a press conference when a reporter asked him if it was true that OW was Gay and he straight out lied thereby once again protecting the OW and disregarding heroine and how she may be hurt or embarrassed (never mind make a baby with OW), showed how much the heroine was high on his priority list. IMO, I would think if OW had not been Gay, heroine would have been old news. So THIS is what folks consider love & romance? Hmmm... I must be from another planet then....

This story BTW went from what was a somewhat sweet romance between the 2 MCS to a triangle with OW in the end and no warning by author for those of us that don't like or want to read triangle romances. I'm sick of folks misleading readers like this. I want a f****g warning! I don't want to waste my time & money for something that it is not! Is that too much to ask writers?

Ugh! Whatever. I'm done ranting. This is just not worth it.

[Tessa]

H donating his sperm to his gay BFF, normally this wouldn't have pissed me off so much IF HE WOULD OF ACTUALLY ASKED THE h BEFORE AGREEING!!!! YOU DON'T MAKE THAT TYPE OF COMMITMENT WITHOUT TALKING TO YOUR SIGNIFICANT OTHER!!!!!!! The fact that he still thinks it's a great idea after learning she's pregnant pisses me off. Is he also going to play daddy to OW baby?? Not to mention them only agreeing to be their surrogate if he agrees to donate his sperm is pretty fricken shady IMO...sorry end of rant🤣

[Heather · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a wild and insane ride!

All the drama in this one. But some of the best and sweetest moments too.
Make sure you read all the TW’s on this one, there are some definite rough spots!

Ryan and Avery are the sweetest couple around and getting the occasional flash back into their childhood (adolescent hood?) was the cherry of the cake! Add in the drama caused by some unfinished business Ryan brought home from LA and you get all the fun that this book could bring.

My only complaint? It ended too soon!

[Cara Toth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Once again Hilary has gone above an beyond with her Characters. Ryan is most women’s dream man. A man who loves harder then he plays hockey, a man will will wait 7 years to love you again, a man who would give his gay best friend (once fake girlfriend) sperm so she could could a child with the women she loves. Avery a smart kind and talented girl who feel in love with Ryan before she knew what love was . Avery is given horrible news as high schooler and make a choice that send her into seven years with the love of her life. Ryan goes on to play hockey in the NHL becomes a super star well loving Avery still! After so many obstacles in her journey to become the women she is today Avery and Ryan get to happy !
I’m Sweet pucker we meet new characters who’s story are opened to us and characters we love already who’s stories expand! Hilary has wrote an amazing book about Love, empowerment and friendship. Of course her hockey writing is on point and blends amazing with the story , Hilary knows her hockey !!!!!!
#mustread #hockeyromance

[Lana H · Rating 5 out of 5]

I honestly don’t know where to begin , I read lucky pucker & it was amazing !!! But then I picked up sweet pucker and oh my gosh! I fell inlove with the book and the characters! You could feel the love/hate Avery had for Ryan but could feel the love Ryan had for Avery !!! I got goosebumps reading this ! If I could give this a 10 star rating I would ! I’m addicted to this book!.

[Hilary Rose · Rating 5 out of 5]

Seeing as the characters in this novel happily live full, active lives in my imagination and I wrote this book, I think it’s amazing. These characters are like having imaginary BBFs. I hope you all love this book as much as I enjoyed writing it.

[Christine Brown · Rating 5 out of 5]

And we finally know why!!

This book brings a condition that affects millions of women around the world the the for front of the story and in turn making Avery make the hardest decision at such a young age. That decision will break her heart and the heart of the love of her life.

When Ryan is traded back to Toronto his one main goal, win back the heart of the love of his life, Avery. But there are a few roadblocks along the way, an ‘ex’ GF who was left in LA, her money grabbing agent. Let’s just say things get interesting.

Avery on the other hand has shut out love and will never give up her secret, why she broke up with Ryan. That hard shell she has melts for the one man she has only loved. Ryan will love her no matter the circumstances.

Of course the hockey aspect of the story is on point and we meet a few new characters along the way and can’t wait to see where there story will take us.

[Leah Pretty Pistolz · Rating 5 out of 5]

5⭐️3🌶️
I love this book SO much and I feel like I have a lot in common with Avery and this is the first time I've really connected with a character🫶 This was sweetest story but it also has so many crazy twists to it some bad but mainly good 🥰❤️

Ryan and Avery's story will always be one of my favourites! The love and chemistry these 2 have is so beautiful. Ryan knew who he wanted right from the start and that never changed. Avery thought Ryan deserved better due to a health diagnosis she received and she ended up leaving him. They were apart for 7 years but Ryan came back to Toronto to win his woman back and thankfully everything ended up working out for the best❤️

I honestly am loving this series so much and am now starting book 3, Wild Pucker! Hilary, I absolutely adore your writing! ❤️ I highly recommend this book!

[Kikicanadianchick kikicanadianchick · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thai book had me hooked from the very start. The love between Em and Gunner was so beautiful and had me rooting for them from the start. I loved that this book had so much drama and the twists and turns kept me reading needing to know how it was going to end. Well done Hilary!!! And now onto book 3!

[Heidi · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great book. In fact I love the series so far. I have no idea how this book could ever inspire a one star review that’s been edited 3 days a row AND an attack of the author. I guess some morality police have too much time of their hands.

[Mandy’s Spicy Book Reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

soulmate kind of love

The fact that Ryan waited seven years to get his true love back. Getting traded to go back home to his true love Avery. Who knew two could be celibate waiting for each other. Loved this story.

[Jennah Sobevski · Rating 5 out of 5]

Once again, Hilary had me hooked with her writing from start to finish. This was a beautiful and heartwarming story of second chance high school sweethearts.

⭐️Beware of the trigger warnings before reading ⭐️ it does deal with infertility, stalking, gun violence, and drug addiction.

The relationship between Ryan and Avery was very sweet and I was rooting for them. It was clear from the beginning that they had never stopped loving each other.

I cannot wait for Wilder’s book!

[Chasity’s_booknook · Rating 5 out of 5]

No spoilers. I absolutely loved this book. I flew through it because I couldn’t put it down! The first book ending alluded to what’s happening in this book. I love the characters the author has created and the family unit that has become some of my favorite people.

[AnnaMeansFun · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was… a hot mess.

I hate second-chance trope with passion, because there are always three reasons why it happens and all three of them make you wanna bang your head against the wall.
It’s either a miscommunication (another annoying trope in itself), a character making a stupid mistake or a character playing martyr and not giving the other character any choice in the matter.

This one was the third case with a heroine deciding to leave her apparent soulmate without any explanation, because she found out she might have troubles getting pregnant and so she felt she was flawed and he deserved better.

There is so much to unpack here and everything about is wrong. First off - women are not incubators. An ability to get pregnant doesn’t make you any more or any less of a woman. It made me so freaking mad that not only she thought that but that her mother, who knew, let her feel like that for years, too.
Second off - they were supposed be so much in love with each other, knowing each other so well, soulmate shit and all, yet one “see you never, have a nice life” letter and the guy is gone? Not trying to understand what happened, not trying to win her back? Love of his life, my ass.

The whole stalker drama was also off. Top notch building security, multiple locks on the doors and the bad guy was able to just casually stroll into the mfc’s apartment? Make it make sense.

I’m not even gonna get into that epilogue mess, because what in the Alabama was that?

Even though the plot was all over the place, I still had some fun with that found family vibe, the banter and the hockey aspect of the novel, because the accuracy of the sport was spot on.

[Nim_reads_a_lot · Rating 4 out of 5]

This story had everything:

Second chance romance. ✅
Factually correct hockey ✅
Forced proximity ✅
Suspense and thrills ✅
Spice ✅

Our FMC, Avery, has endometriosis and has a panic attack that leads to poor choices. Her high school sweetheart, Ryan, who has no clue and fails to follow up with questions goes off to the NHL. Freaking 7 years later they end up in Toronto again as he had enough of waiting and wants her back. Avery is in charge of social media and PR for that team and so begins some forced proximity and Avery realizing she’s more than a uterus.

As a person with a uterus that sometimes hates her I love the endometriosis rep. I love the fact that she struggles because sometimes dammit it’s hard. I was disappointed that it let her lose her greatest love but she was young and dumb. It happens. I enjoyed their story and the whole stalker plot line kept me hooked. It made it stand out a bit from all the other hockey romances out there as there was some real drama and danger.

This was a quick read from an Indie author who clearly loves hockey. It’s freakishly accurate. I now understand the Stanley Cup finals and draft deadline. I recommend this book for hockey fans and those who like a little suspense with their romance.

Also everyone is hot.

[Kimberly · Rating 4 out of 5]

I don’t think I’ve ever watched an entire hockey game but I’ve read a lot of hockey romance novels and this author really seems to understand hockey. The extra hockey jargon was super fun, and made it worth reading to me.

I loved the characters in this; Ryan is a cutie and Avery is carrying the world on her shoulders. Watching them find their way back to each other was fun, and supporting characters were top notch. Also there’s some very unexpected danger that was bananas but kind of worked?

I will say, as someone who had a hysterectomy to deal with endometriosis, the references to endo felt a little convenient (“no problem, sweetie, it’s “completely treatable” but you probably can’t have kids”)…please, tell me what treatment you are talking about here because hormones and surgery are no joke and that felt really underdeveloped to me.

Overall, solid 4 stars and 2 spoons.

[Craftybookworm11 · Rating 1 out of 5]

This was a DNF for me. Only 21% in and I just couldn't anymore. For one the author states how the team in a young team then like 3 paragraphs later stated that some fans had been around since the 60s? Doesn't add up. Then Ryan decides hurting Em is totally fine because he has to protect his "best friend". Then I come here to read reviews to see if it gets better to find out he donates sperm this woman without even asking Em if it's OK? Not to mention he doesn't tell her that the whole relationship was fake in the first place? Don't waste your time.

[Bookcorner_talk · Rating 5 out of 5]

Avery and Ryan’s story did not disappoint. Their chemistry is incredible. Loved how he came back for her. A man who knows who he loves and refuses to let anyone else into his life always catches my heart. The twists and turns in this story had me gasping and crying and just plainly screaming and I loved every second of it. Just when I thought Hilary couldn’t make this series better here she goes and proves me wrong! Such a fabulous read with the absolute best heartwarming ending. I rate it 5 ⭐️ of course because it’s just that awesome!!!!

[Amelia · Rating 2 out of 5]

Humm the idea is nice but predictable but also a few holes in the story. For someone who is in PR and aware of clients' do and don'ts, her getting it on with her boyfriend in car is irresponsible and just irritating especially with a crazed stalker out to get her. And the fact that the agent out for revenge picked her, doesn't really hold water. She never tells anyone why she left him and then blurts it out to all these girls including his best friend.

[Melissa Melmch · Rating 4 out of 5]

love this book

This book follows Ryan and Em Ryan is a hockey player and Em is a PR girl who works for his hockey team The Toronto Northmans they dated in high school and fell in love but broke up due to Em having some personal issues now 7 years later they meet again and there forever begins. They have some highs and lows along the way. This novel is well written and the story is amazing I totally recommend this series and cannot wait to start book 3

[Olga Higb · Rating 5 out of 5]

finally a hockey romance that surprised me

Well at least a little. This was so great, sweet, love filled and anxious. I was surprised a little. I was so happy for them. And I love the stories !

[Sarah Nguyen · Rating 5 out of 5]

second chance romance after 7 years
hockey player trope
no drama in the relationship

[Jordyn Rae · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5/2.75 rounded up.

[Jessica Martens · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really like this one out of the trilogy. The drama, the second chance romance and the amount of angst I was yelling at my kindle! I devoured this book fast!

[Brianna Harrington · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5