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Empire State Hockey #2
Puck Princess
Cassie Wright
First kiss.
First love.
First heartbreak.
That’s what Max was to me. He took every one of my firsts, before leaving me alone and broken hearted while he went off to live the playboy life of a star hockey player. But now, six years later, he’s asking for my help. With the possibility of a private video sitting in the wrong hands, he needs us to date, well, ‘fake date’, to keep his reputation clean.
But can I help him? Even if it means risking my heart a second time.
Max Daniels
First kiss.
First love.
First heartbreak.
Six years ago, all it took was twenty-four hours before my life had gone from perfect to a complete and total disaster. In one day, I went from having Cassie, to watching her in the arms of someone else that very next day. It was the first time I’d ever truly felt alone.
But now, years later, I need help and she’s the only one I can trust. If I can convince her to help me, maybe, just maybe, I can make her believe in more.
I’ve always had my eye on the puck, but now I want the girl, too.
First kiss.
First love.
First heartbreak.
That’s what Max was to me. He took every one of my firsts, before leaving me alone and broken hearted while he went off to live the playboy life of a star hockey player. But now, six years later, he’s asking for my help. With the possibility of a private video sitting in the wrong hands, he needs us to date, well, ‘fake date’, to keep his reputation clean.
But can I help him? Even if it means risking my heart a second time.
Max Daniels
First kiss.
First love.
First heartbreak.
Six years ago, all it took was twenty-four hours before my life had gone from perfect to a complete and total disaster. In one day, I went from having Cassie, to watching her in the arms of someone else that very next day. It was the first time I’d ever truly felt alone.
But now, years later, I need help and she’s the only one I can trust. If I can convince her to help me, maybe, just maybe, I can make her believe in more.
I’ve always had my eye on the puck, but now I want the girl, too.
311 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 13, 2023
144 people are currently reading
1426 people want to read
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July 21, 2023
*ARC REVIEW
🌟 2/5
‼️ While this can be read as a standalone, this is book 2 in the Empire State Hockey series!
ℙ𝕆𝕍: first person, dual perspectives
𝕊𝕦𝕞𝕞𝕒𝕣𝕪:
Cassie Wright
First kiss. First love. First heartbreak. That’s what Max was to me. He took every one of my firsts before leaving me alone and broken hearted while he went off to live the playboy life of a star hockey player. But now, six years later, he’s asking for my help. With the possibility of a private video sitting in the wrong hands, he needs us to date, well, ‘fake date’, to keep his reputation clean. But can I help him? Even if it means risking my heart a second time.
Max Daniels
First kiss. First love. First heartbreak. Six years ago, all it took was twenty-four hours before my life had gone from perfect to a complete and total disaster. In one day, I went from having Cassie, to watching her in the arms of someone else that very next day. It was the first time I’d ever truly felt alone. But now, years later, I need help, and she’s the only one I can trust. If I can convince her to help me, maybe, just maybe, I can make her believe in more. I’ve always had my eye on the puck, but now I want the girl, too.
𝕄𝕪 𝕋𝕙𝕠𝕦𝕘𝕙𝕥𝕤:
If you, as a reader, were jump into this book without reading the 1st book, you'd probably be confused. There are so many repeated scenes from the 1st book without giving it a ton of context in this book. It's been a while since I read the first, and I was confused!
The timeline is also very weird. It jumps forward and tells things but doesn't show it in certain areas. One of the scenes in the beginning I thought should have been shown because of how pivotal it was to the storyline.
It may not be super important, but I do not remember any of the side characters from the 1st book. This book mentions so many characters that I'm left feeling like that meme/gif with the confused white monkey with its hands raised.🙈
Overall, it wasn't a book I enjoyed. That's just me, so take that with a grain salt. While I might not have enjoyed it, others might!
🌟 2/5
‼️ While this can be read as a standalone, this is book 2 in the Empire State Hockey series!
ℙ𝕆𝕍: first person, dual perspectives
𝕊𝕦𝕞𝕞𝕒𝕣𝕪:
Cassie Wright
First kiss. First love. First heartbreak. That’s what Max was to me. He took every one of my firsts before leaving me alone and broken hearted while he went off to live the playboy life of a star hockey player. But now, six years later, he’s asking for my help. With the possibility of a private video sitting in the wrong hands, he needs us to date, well, ‘fake date’, to keep his reputation clean. But can I help him? Even if it means risking my heart a second time.
Max Daniels
First kiss. First love. First heartbreak. Six years ago, all it took was twenty-four hours before my life had gone from perfect to a complete and total disaster. In one day, I went from having Cassie, to watching her in the arms of someone else that very next day. It was the first time I’d ever truly felt alone. But now, years later, I need help, and she’s the only one I can trust. If I can convince her to help me, maybe, just maybe, I can make her believe in more. I’ve always had my eye on the puck, but now I want the girl, too.
𝕄𝕪 𝕋𝕙𝕠𝕦𝕘𝕙𝕥𝕤:
If you, as a reader, were jump into this book without reading the 1st book, you'd probably be confused. There are so many repeated scenes from the 1st book without giving it a ton of context in this book. It's been a while since I read the first, and I was confused!
The timeline is also very weird. It jumps forward and tells things but doesn't show it in certain areas. One of the scenes in the beginning I thought should have been shown because of how pivotal it was to the storyline.
It may not be super important, but I do not remember any of the side characters from the 1st book. This book mentions so many characters that I'm left feeling like that meme/gif with the confused white monkey with its hands raised.🙈
Overall, it wasn't a book I enjoyed. That's just me, so take that with a grain salt. While I might not have enjoyed it, others might!
May 4, 2024
Sisters Best Friend, Friends to Enemies to Lovers. Max and Cassie were best friends until one night they took it one step further. Enter a huge teenage miscommunication and 6 years of hatred ensues, until one steamy night is caught on camera, and now they need to pretend to be together to help Max career.
"Of course I remember, Princess. I already told you; I remember everything about you."
🌶️🌶️🌶️
You do need to read the first book in the series, or I think you may be a little confused and miss some of the relationship angst that happens. I had a hard time with this book as I despised Max in book one, he was a legit asshole and I couldn't see how that would be redeemed. Once you get more into the backstory, you see how truly fucked up his relationship with his parents was, and how they turned him against his sister, and manipulated them both. He was redeemed in my eyes.
Now to the miscommunication... the thing happened when they were 17, so it makes absolute sense that the teenagers wouldn't understand how to communicate with each other and get past the misunderstanding. My problem is that SIX years later, and the truth comes out and they both see the others side of things.... Cassie still thinks she can't trust him. That drove me nuts.
This book (maybe the whole series) also feels just hockey adjacent. I really liked the tension in the first half of the book, but I mostly skimmed near the end. I need to mention the psycho Puck Bunny Carina, and how I believe she played an important role in the beginning of the story, but by the end, you knew she was the "bad guy".
Max turns to me, fire in his eyes as he brings us to a stop. "Because I'm done fucking pretending, Cassie. I'm done pretending you're not meant to be mine, and I'm really fucking done pretending I'm not already yours."
"Of course I remember, Princess. I already told you; I remember everything about you."
🌶️🌶️🌶️
You do need to read the first book in the series, or I think you may be a little confused and miss some of the relationship angst that happens. I had a hard time with this book as I despised Max in book one, he was a legit asshole and I couldn't see how that would be redeemed. Once you get more into the backstory, you see how truly fucked up his relationship with his parents was, and how they turned him against his sister, and manipulated them both. He was redeemed in my eyes.
Now to the miscommunication... the thing happened when they were 17, so it makes absolute sense that the teenagers wouldn't understand how to communicate with each other and get past the misunderstanding. My problem is that SIX years later, and the truth comes out and they both see the others side of things.... Cassie still thinks she can't trust him. That drove me nuts.
This book (maybe the whole series) also feels just hockey adjacent. I really liked the tension in the first half of the book, but I mostly skimmed near the end. I need to mention the psycho Puck Bunny Carina, and how I believe she played an important role in the beginning of the story, but by the end, you knew she was the "bad guy".
Max turns to me, fire in his eyes as he brings us to a stop. "Because I'm done fucking pretending, Cassie. I'm done pretending you're not meant to be mine, and I'm really fucking done pretending I'm not already yours."
October 26, 2023
⭐️⭐️⭐️.⭐️ this book started off strong!!! Gave me all the feels and kept me wanting more..up until 67%. I was very over the plot and bored with the same old thing that Cassie was afraid and couldn’t trust Max. Very over done at that point. I was LOVING it until the end. The end was also super predictable and not really what I envisioned but THAT IS OK. I was sooooo hopeful but unfortunately it wasn’t my favorite hockey book.
July 22, 2023
“You were all my first. Every last one of them. My first kiss, my first fuck, my first love, and my first heartbreak. You got them all, princess.”
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶🌶🌶
I always love the best friend sibling trope, then throw in second chance romance and it’s always been her and you get the magic Lexi James has written. She delivered gold with Max and Cassie’s story. I love that she went back six years to give us what happen between them. Why did they detest each other? And why Max acted the way he did?
Max and Cassie were destined for each other. It all boiled down to they were too young and didn’t know how to communicate. They definitely needed that time apart to explore and find themselves. As the story progresses you see how they have matured and can understand each other’s feelings. Max is easily lovable. He just exudes sex appeal and swagger. On top of everything he’s extremely thoughtful. The banter between them and the friend groups gives you a lot of LOL moments. I highly recommend this book.
Tropes: hockey romance, found family, second chance romance, sisters best friend, fake dating, forced proximity, no 3rd act break up.
Lexi you have given us gold again! 🫶🏼🤌🏼 Thank you for the ARC
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶🌶🌶
I always love the best friend sibling trope, then throw in second chance romance and it’s always been her and you get the magic Lexi James has written. She delivered gold with Max and Cassie’s story. I love that she went back six years to give us what happen between them. Why did they detest each other? And why Max acted the way he did?
Max and Cassie were destined for each other. It all boiled down to they were too young and didn’t know how to communicate. They definitely needed that time apart to explore and find themselves. As the story progresses you see how they have matured and can understand each other’s feelings. Max is easily lovable. He just exudes sex appeal and swagger. On top of everything he’s extremely thoughtful. The banter between them and the friend groups gives you a lot of LOL moments. I highly recommend this book.
Tropes: hockey romance, found family, second chance romance, sisters best friend, fake dating, forced proximity, no 3rd act break up.
Lexi you have given us gold again! 🫶🏼🤌🏼 Thank you for the ARC
November 18, 2024
Okay I really didn't think I'd end up loving Max after meeting him in Power Play, but honestly I can't help it! Cassie and him have such a long history and I love how close they became growing up before everything blew up in their faces. But seeing them reconnect and fake date (you know I'd love it based on this trop alone!), really had me rooting for things to work out!
What to expect:
-Best friend's brother
-Fake dating
-Second chance
-Forced proximity
-Found family
What to expect:
-Best friend's brother
-Fake dating
-Second chance
-Forced proximity
-Found family
November 22, 2024
DNF
Boring story & grammar me vs I
Boring story & grammar me vs I
July 21, 2023
4.5⭐️
First, I’d like to say THANK YOU Lexi James for allowing me to read an advanced copy of Puck Princess! These are my honest thoughts.
Max Daniels and Cassie Wright were each others’ first everything - kiss, love, heartbreak, they even lost their virginity to each other in high school. Now, it’s six years later and Max is being called up to the NHL and Cassie is vying for her dream internship within the NHL. These once best friends now enemies will have to face each other head on once again whether they like it or not.
The relationship between Max and Cassie was special, you could tell from the prologue how much they meant to each other. When things went south shortly thereafter, it left me heartbroken for them. Now that they’re back in each others’ lives, that magnetism between them is still there even though they both are in denial about it. When Cassie’s best friend, Max’s older sister Sawyer, needs to move out of their apartment and suggests that Max moves in - everything is bound to come to a head…right?
You’ll have to read this one to find out what happens between the two of them and what really happened all those years ago that pushed them away from each other. This one has ALL the tropes - hockey romance, sisters best friend, forced proximity, friends to enemies to lovers, fake dating, reformed playboy, second chance romance and all the spice you could want.
This is the second book in the Empire State Hockey series, it can be read as a stand-alone but you do see a lot of Sawyer and Rex from Book 1, Power Play, in here as well. I can’t wait for more from Lexi James! This series is great so far!
First, I’d like to say THANK YOU Lexi James for allowing me to read an advanced copy of Puck Princess! These are my honest thoughts.
Max Daniels and Cassie Wright were each others’ first everything - kiss, love, heartbreak, they even lost their virginity to each other in high school. Now, it’s six years later and Max is being called up to the NHL and Cassie is vying for her dream internship within the NHL. These once best friends now enemies will have to face each other head on once again whether they like it or not.
The relationship between Max and Cassie was special, you could tell from the prologue how much they meant to each other. When things went south shortly thereafter, it left me heartbroken for them. Now that they’re back in each others’ lives, that magnetism between them is still there even though they both are in denial about it. When Cassie’s best friend, Max’s older sister Sawyer, needs to move out of their apartment and suggests that Max moves in - everything is bound to come to a head…right?
You’ll have to read this one to find out what happens between the two of them and what really happened all those years ago that pushed them away from each other. This one has ALL the tropes - hockey romance, sisters best friend, forced proximity, friends to enemies to lovers, fake dating, reformed playboy, second chance romance and all the spice you could want.
This is the second book in the Empire State Hockey series, it can be read as a stand-alone but you do see a lot of Sawyer and Rex from Book 1, Power Play, in here as well. I can’t wait for more from Lexi James! This series is great so far!
August 20, 2023
*sigh*
I feel like im being gracious giving this a full 3 ⭐️
Max was swoon-worthy, I’ll give it that! Also, a bit of a redemption arc for sure! 🖤
“You were all my firsts. Every last one of them. My first kiss, my first fuck, my first love, and my first heartbreak. You’ve got them all, Princess.”
“Because I’m done fucking pretending, Cassie. I’m done pretending you’re not meant to be mine, and I’m really fucking done pretending I’m not already yours.”
Here we go…the first 100 pages I felt were a recap, word for word, same dialogue and allll, of the end of Power Play. I wasn’t a fan of that. I didn’t get much else from the main characters POV tbh. Besides that, their reintroduction left more to be desired. Their relationship lacked chemistry in the present and we were led to believe in the Prologue that their deep connection in the past is implied throughout the story. Nothing ruins a second chance romance in my opinion more than the miscommunication trope. ESPECIALLY the lack of ANY communication that led to the relationship’s demise. Then, we witness more of that in the present and it’s just frustrating.
There wasn’t enough tension or angst that supports some of these specific tropes in the book either. (forced proximity, forbidden best friend’s brother, “it’s always been you”…do I need to go on?!) Overall, I found it lacking. I’m disappointed because I was highly anticipating enjoying this book as I was picking up the hints towards the end of Power Play that Max & Cass were up next.
I feel like im being gracious giving this a full 3 ⭐️
Max was swoon-worthy, I’ll give it that! Also, a bit of a redemption arc for sure! 🖤
“You were all my firsts. Every last one of them. My first kiss, my first fuck, my first love, and my first heartbreak. You’ve got them all, Princess.”
“Because I’m done fucking pretending, Cassie. I’m done pretending you’re not meant to be mine, and I’m really fucking done pretending I’m not already yours.”
Here we go…the first 100 pages I felt were a recap, word for word, same dialogue and allll, of the end of Power Play. I wasn’t a fan of that. I didn’t get much else from the main characters POV tbh. Besides that, their reintroduction left more to be desired. Their relationship lacked chemistry in the present and we were led to believe in the Prologue that their deep connection in the past is implied throughout the story. Nothing ruins a second chance romance in my opinion more than the miscommunication trope. ESPECIALLY the lack of ANY communication that led to the relationship’s demise. Then, we witness more of that in the present and it’s just frustrating.
There wasn’t enough tension or angst that supports some of these specific tropes in the book either. (forced proximity, forbidden best friend’s brother, “it’s always been you”…do I need to go on?!) Overall, I found it lacking. I’m disappointed because I was highly anticipating enjoying this book as I was picking up the hints towards the end of Power Play that Max & Cass were up next.
July 15, 2023
This is the second book in Lexi’s hockey series. There is a parallel timeline for the first 30% or so of this book, where we see events in Power Play come to fruition. Max was really a huge a-hole in the first book and wasn’t sure how the second book was going to go, but I here to say that he totally redeemed himself!
You see in Power Play that Max and Cassie clearly had history and in this book we find out how. They’ve been in love with each other since they were teens, but some heavy miscommunication left them feeling bitter toward each other and toward love. But when an intimate video threatens to impact them both, they decide that fake dating is the way to save their reputations, which leads to them finding their way back to each other for real.
I am such a simp for a fake dating romance and Puck Princess delivered. I absolutely loved Max and Cassie’s story. There was so much banter and tension…phew!!! Who knew that Max’s mouth could compete with that of Daddy Rex!!
These two characters were perfect for each other. Max is a complicated guy whose actions for the ones he cares about get misinterpreted and Cassie is very independent who wants to be more than want her parents want her to be. I think Max’s growth was my favorite in this book…he not only grows his relationship with Cassie but also his relationship with Sawyer.
Thank you to Lexi James and team for the eARC.
Tropes:
Fake Dating
Second chance
Forced Proximity
Best Friend's Brother
Enemies to Lovers
It’s Always Been You
Overall: 5
Spice: 4
You see in Power Play that Max and Cassie clearly had history and in this book we find out how. They’ve been in love with each other since they were teens, but some heavy miscommunication left them feeling bitter toward each other and toward love. But when an intimate video threatens to impact them both, they decide that fake dating is the way to save their reputations, which leads to them finding their way back to each other for real.
I am such a simp for a fake dating romance and Puck Princess delivered. I absolutely loved Max and Cassie’s story. There was so much banter and tension…phew!!! Who knew that Max’s mouth could compete with that of Daddy Rex!!
These two characters were perfect for each other. Max is a complicated guy whose actions for the ones he cares about get misinterpreted and Cassie is very independent who wants to be more than want her parents want her to be. I think Max’s growth was my favorite in this book…he not only grows his relationship with Cassie but also his relationship with Sawyer.
Thank you to Lexi James and team for the eARC.
Tropes:
Fake Dating
Second chance
Forced Proximity
Best Friend's Brother
Enemies to Lovers
It’s Always Been You
Overall: 5
Spice: 4
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 17, 2023
What a book, after reading power play you see Max not so nice with his sister swayer but we get to see the real Max in this one.
I loved Max’s character I knew he wasn’t a baddie there was a reason for this it broke my heart finding the truth behind why Max was the way he was.
Cassie is a strong willed character after her own heart ache with her family she struggles to trust.
Reading there story was painful at time due to miscommunication when there were 17 years old and the fact that Max is Cassie best friend brother she felt guilty for having feeling for him.
This book will have you hooked and even better Max is hot scenes in the bedroom or anywhere really as Max doesn’t care where he show Cassie his affection.
No spoilers 5 huge stars⭐️
I loved Max’s character I knew he wasn’t a baddie there was a reason for this it broke my heart finding the truth behind why Max was the way he was.
Cassie is a strong willed character after her own heart ache with her family she struggles to trust.
Reading there story was painful at time due to miscommunication when there were 17 years old and the fact that Max is Cassie best friend brother she felt guilty for having feeling for him.
This book will have you hooked and even better Max is hot scenes in the bedroom or anywhere really as Max doesn’t care where he show Cassie his affection.
No spoilers 5 huge stars⭐️
July 18, 2023
This is the second book in Lexi James Empire State Hockey series. I believe it is best to read the first book before the second to have the full context. They are more interconnected than stand alone.
Lexi knows how to right the sexiest men that dominate in dirty talk. Max is no exception.
Cassie and Max had a chance at being something special in high school, but it didn’t work out. They now have their second chance. Can they get past their hate to see the love?
The beginning of this book is a bit choppy in my opinion. It feels like the story is jumping in time without a clear indication of the time jump. However, after you get through the portion of the story that overlaps with the first book (first 20 percent) the story flowed really well. I loved the story so much! Their love is stuff of dreams ❤️
Lexi knows how to right the sexiest men that dominate in dirty talk. Max is no exception.
Cassie and Max had a chance at being something special in high school, but it didn’t work out. They now have their second chance. Can they get past their hate to see the love?
The beginning of this book is a bit choppy in my opinion. It feels like the story is jumping in time without a clear indication of the time jump. However, after you get through the portion of the story that overlaps with the first book (first 20 percent) the story flowed really well. I loved the story so much! Their love is stuff of dreams ❤️
October 28, 2024
I love a sister’s best friend and this one was so good!
Max and Cassie were each other’s firsts when they were younger and became best friends in between.
There might have been a bit of miscommunication going on with these two but if one thing was clear it was the love that Max had for Cassie no matter what. Oh man did I swoon.
And the way he called her Princess? OMG
• sisters best friend
• fake dating
• forced proximity
• enemies to lovers
• second chance
Max and Cassie were each other’s firsts when they were younger and became best friends in between.
There might have been a bit of miscommunication going on with these two but if one thing was clear it was the love that Max had for Cassie no matter what. Oh man did I swoon.
And the way he called her Princess? OMG
• sisters best friend
• fake dating
• forced proximity
• enemies to lovers
• second chance
November 1, 2024
I just couldn’t do it. I wanted to. But now I was skimming entire pages.
The characters, especially the FMC, feel very immature. And I guess sure. They are college aged. So they haven’t technically reached full maturity but just still. They felt too immature for their age.
And I guess the writing style? I wasn’t feeling it.
I liked the idea of the story. Just the execution of it wasn’t my thing.
I DNF’ed at 60%.
The characters, especially the FMC, feel very immature. And I guess sure. They are college aged. So they haven’t technically reached full maturity but just still. They felt too immature for their age.
And I guess the writing style? I wasn’t feeling it.
I liked the idea of the story. Just the execution of it wasn’t my thing.
I DNF’ed at 60%.
November 9, 2024
“Puck Princess”
The second installment in the
(Empire State Hockey book series) ❄️🏒
7⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️Read!!!
I am utterly obsessed with this book right now I’m going to re-read it over 10x✨🩷
Lexi James, created pure magic throughout this whole journey. This book captivated me from the first page to the very last💫
The two main characters stole my heart, I still can’t bear the thought of it ending the way this book was rich in twists and shimmering with beautiful love, it enveloped me in a luxurious narrative that Lexi James, wrote so well🥹Every moment was exquisite with so much emotions & exciting heartwarming moments!
leaving me utterly obsessed with this whole series as it lavish a journey that always fulfiled every expectation you can think of🥹🤩
“Puck Princess” Stars two captivating/engaging main characters: ✨🩷Cassie Wright & Max Daniels❄️✨
Which are also the Best friends & siblings of the two main characters In the first installment “Power play” Staring ✨Sawyer Daniels & Rex Lockwood✨Who you will get the chance to meet and love and if you’re a big fan of the first book you will get to read sneak peeks of their lovely relationship in the future:)
💖Now: Lexi James, shoots us right away into a tale where. Cassie's world shattered when Max vanished, taking her heart with him, even to her First kiss, first love, and her very first heartbreak at such a young age unexpectedly,
Six years later, he’s back, asking for her help as a fake date. to fix his imaginary as a professional Hockey player in NHL but old wounds and new uncertainties clash down on Cassie, as she stands in a wave weaving her heartstrings if she should risk her heart again or protect it. All while Max’s past haunts him, filled with so many regrets throughout the years that has passed since their last interaction together holding onto whatever memories they last share in the hopes of rekindling their relationship back together now mending what was lost! Love, heartbreak, and second chances weave through their story constantly that Lexi James, writes profoundly as each chapter passes and I couldn’t love this book anymore with the lovely tropes that involve deeply throughout this emotional story.
Forced proximity, fake dating, roommates, second chance, hockey romance, best friends brother💖
Effortlessly Lexi James, writes this story so beautifully just as she does for her fantastic characters.
Cassie Wright, embodies her character with so much love and passion and determination that I truly admire even down to her loving personality that gives loves each time and her fiery persona that adds depth to her character that has share blends of warmth and beauty throughout everything! Her fierce love for Max, evident since their youth and it’s so beautifully spoken! Every moment they share reveals deep emotional layers and showcases her unwavering support🥹
The author's skill shines through Cassie's journey, making her a character that truly resonates and evokes empathy, creating a love story that stays with you forever and that love also passes straight through to my favorite lover🥹Max Daniels, he’s such a lovable character in this book!
His essence inspires admiration and aspiration, making him a standout in my top five book bfs.💋✨His charm and talents bring vibrancy to any scene which I truly adore by the Author! Max embodies everything I look up to, and his presence is not just desired but essential. He elevates the narrative, sparking enthusiasm and brilliance that resonates deeply each page and chapter especially with his sarcastic personality & almost golden retriever humor that resonates with you every step of the way!! and you fall in love with him even more with the love he gives & expresses to his Princess Cassie🩷🥹 Max, deliverers beautiful heartfelt moments with endless love he has & showers for her so deeply with whatever chance he has to express that!
Even his protectionism is highly attractive💯💖 Max, always tries his best to put a smile onto his princess face! Listening to every detail she shares and helping her no matter what the circumstances are, his love for her beats everything else in world as he lays for her sounds only!! And it’s so adorable & tearjerking as you read each page! I seriously need Max Daniels in real life asap!! And it’s not a request it’s a demand😂💖
“Princess, I’m not leaving you. I’m never leaving you again. You’re mine. Do you understand that? Mine. I love you, Cassie.”
Max Daniels✨💋💫
Catch up with all of the
(Empire State Hockey book series) ❄️🏒
On Kindle unlimited asap!!
To be ready for final book, Penalty Kill in January 2025!!!!
The second installment in the
(Empire State Hockey book series) ❄️🏒
7⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️Read!!!
I am utterly obsessed with this book right now I’m going to re-read it over 10x✨🩷
Lexi James, created pure magic throughout this whole journey. This book captivated me from the first page to the very last💫
The two main characters stole my heart, I still can’t bear the thought of it ending the way this book was rich in twists and shimmering with beautiful love, it enveloped me in a luxurious narrative that Lexi James, wrote so well🥹Every moment was exquisite with so much emotions & exciting heartwarming moments!
leaving me utterly obsessed with this whole series as it lavish a journey that always fulfiled every expectation you can think of🥹🤩
“Puck Princess” Stars two captivating/engaging main characters: ✨🩷Cassie Wright & Max Daniels❄️✨
Which are also the Best friends & siblings of the two main characters In the first installment “Power play” Staring ✨Sawyer Daniels & Rex Lockwood✨Who you will get the chance to meet and love and if you’re a big fan of the first book you will get to read sneak peeks of their lovely relationship in the future:)
💖Now: Lexi James, shoots us right away into a tale where. Cassie's world shattered when Max vanished, taking her heart with him, even to her First kiss, first love, and her very first heartbreak at such a young age unexpectedly,
Six years later, he’s back, asking for her help as a fake date. to fix his imaginary as a professional Hockey player in NHL but old wounds and new uncertainties clash down on Cassie, as she stands in a wave weaving her heartstrings if she should risk her heart again or protect it. All while Max’s past haunts him, filled with so many regrets throughout the years that has passed since their last interaction together holding onto whatever memories they last share in the hopes of rekindling their relationship back together now mending what was lost! Love, heartbreak, and second chances weave through their story constantly that Lexi James, writes profoundly as each chapter passes and I couldn’t love this book anymore with the lovely tropes that involve deeply throughout this emotional story.
Forced proximity, fake dating, roommates, second chance, hockey romance, best friends brother💖
Effortlessly Lexi James, writes this story so beautifully just as she does for her fantastic characters.
Cassie Wright, embodies her character with so much love and passion and determination that I truly admire even down to her loving personality that gives loves each time and her fiery persona that adds depth to her character that has share blends of warmth and beauty throughout everything! Her fierce love for Max, evident since their youth and it’s so beautifully spoken! Every moment they share reveals deep emotional layers and showcases her unwavering support🥹
The author's skill shines through Cassie's journey, making her a character that truly resonates and evokes empathy, creating a love story that stays with you forever and that love also passes straight through to my favorite lover🥹Max Daniels, he’s such a lovable character in this book!
His essence inspires admiration and aspiration, making him a standout in my top five book bfs.💋✨His charm and talents bring vibrancy to any scene which I truly adore by the Author! Max embodies everything I look up to, and his presence is not just desired but essential. He elevates the narrative, sparking enthusiasm and brilliance that resonates deeply each page and chapter especially with his sarcastic personality & almost golden retriever humor that resonates with you every step of the way!! and you fall in love with him even more with the love he gives & expresses to his Princess Cassie🩷🥹 Max, deliverers beautiful heartfelt moments with endless love he has & showers for her so deeply with whatever chance he has to express that!
Even his protectionism is highly attractive💯💖 Max, always tries his best to put a smile onto his princess face! Listening to every detail she shares and helping her no matter what the circumstances are, his love for her beats everything else in world as he lays for her sounds only!! And it’s so adorable & tearjerking as you read each page! I seriously need Max Daniels in real life asap!! And it’s not a request it’s a demand😂💖
“Princess, I’m not leaving you. I’m never leaving you again. You’re mine. Do you understand that? Mine. I love you, Cassie.”
Max Daniels✨💋💫
Catch up with all of the
(Empire State Hockey book series) ❄️🏒
On Kindle unlimited asap!!
To be ready for final book, Penalty Kill in January 2025!!!!
August 2, 2023
Max Daniels and Cassie Wright were each other's first everything. First kiss, first love, first heartbreak and they lost their virginity to each other in high school. Now, it's six years later and Max has gotten a spot in the NHL while Cassie has earned her dream internship in the NHL working in PR. These once best friends who are now enemies will have to face each other head on whether they want to or not.
The relationship between Max and Cassie was special. You could see from the prologue how much they meant to each other. They were friends, but there were always simmering feelings there that were more than friendship. The next day after their first time together, it didn't work out. I was heartbroken for them. They were so young, and neither of them knew how to communicate about the past or misunderstandings. They are back in each other's lives, and the feelings and chemistry between them are still there, despite them both being in denial about it. When Cassie's best friend who's also Max's older sister moves out, she suggests Max moves in. He hates the place he's currently living and Cassie needs help paying for the apartment. Now that Max and Cassie are living together, everything between them could come to the forefront, right?
I really like how the relationship developed between them. This is a slow burn enemies-to-lovers romance and you could feel the tension of their feelings, but also the close friendship between that feels natural for them. I just love how Max was determined to make things right with Cassie even though it was difficult to talk about what exactly happened between them all those years ago. Cassie realizes what happened and how they both made mistakes. She's scared about a real relationship with Max because she doesn't know if she can trust him with her heart. Max has recently found himself in a scandal and someone is trying to tarnish his reputation. Max comes up with a plan for him and Cassie to fake date, so that being in a committed relationship can clean up his image. Cassie agrees to help him, but of course along the way, this fake relationship starts to feel real. I loved all the tropes in this one and how they seamlessly fit together.
Besides the romance, I appreciated the side characters, mainly being Rex and Sawyer, the couple from the first novel. They both play a big role in supporting Max and Cassie individually in their struggles and together as a couple. I loved that they were so supportive. There is some overlap in the timeline from the first novel, but that is only for the first 20%. It was also great to see the camaraderie between Max and his teammates. We do get teased about a potential future couple, and something going on with a certain character. This series is great so far, and I'm looking forward to reading more. I love new adult and sports romances especially hockey, so this one was another great one. I loved Max and the fact that he redeemed himself at the end of the previous novel, so I was really eager to read his story. I loved him even more in this novel. He's misunderstood, but he's a sweetheart on the inside.
The relationship between Max and Cassie was special. You could see from the prologue how much they meant to each other. They were friends, but there were always simmering feelings there that were more than friendship. The next day after their first time together, it didn't work out. I was heartbroken for them. They were so young, and neither of them knew how to communicate about the past or misunderstandings. They are back in each other's lives, and the feelings and chemistry between them are still there, despite them both being in denial about it. When Cassie's best friend who's also Max's older sister moves out, she suggests Max moves in. He hates the place he's currently living and Cassie needs help paying for the apartment. Now that Max and Cassie are living together, everything between them could come to the forefront, right?
I really like how the relationship developed between them. This is a slow burn enemies-to-lovers romance and you could feel the tension of their feelings, but also the close friendship between that feels natural for them. I just love how Max was determined to make things right with Cassie even though it was difficult to talk about what exactly happened between them all those years ago. Cassie realizes what happened and how they both made mistakes. She's scared about a real relationship with Max because she doesn't know if she can trust him with her heart. Max has recently found himself in a scandal and someone is trying to tarnish his reputation. Max comes up with a plan for him and Cassie to fake date, so that being in a committed relationship can clean up his image. Cassie agrees to help him, but of course along the way, this fake relationship starts to feel real. I loved all the tropes in this one and how they seamlessly fit together.
Besides the romance, I appreciated the side characters, mainly being Rex and Sawyer, the couple from the first novel. They both play a big role in supporting Max and Cassie individually in their struggles and together as a couple. I loved that they were so supportive. There is some overlap in the timeline from the first novel, but that is only for the first 20%. It was also great to see the camaraderie between Max and his teammates. We do get teased about a potential future couple, and something going on with a certain character. This series is great so far, and I'm looking forward to reading more. I love new adult and sports romances especially hockey, so this one was another great one. I loved Max and the fact that he redeemed himself at the end of the previous novel, so I was really eager to read his story. I loved him even more in this novel. He's misunderstood, but he's a sweetheart on the inside.
July 19, 2023
“Good night, Princess. I love you. Always,”
I love love loved Sawyer and Rex’s story but Max’s redemption glow up might make him my new favorite MMC. These two start like oil and water after some intense history and tons of miscommunication. Their relationship at the start of the book I’d call faux hatred. More like a snipe-y type thing with jabs back and forth but I think they are more alike and equally skeptic/jaded/hesitant to dive in head first with each other. These two have serious chemistry that is captured in the subtle looks and acts of kindness throughout the story which I think also made their journey more delicate since it’s more nuanced. The uncaffeinated gremlin quote has me in literal tears from laughing so hard. It was PERFECT and their banter/quips were so good.
This definitely felt like a slower burn with some hits of spice sprinkled throughout the story but everything after their tryst in the hall while she is out with Spencer’s takes the cake and we get to see a dominant Max. He definitely gives off daddy vibes with those moves and I love every minute. Yea he had been possessive and obsessed earlier in the book but he raised the bar. Jealous Max is a hot Max. That scene with the belt. IYKYK
I think we can all agree that Carina is literally the worst but she is a great villain to drive these two together and give us some epic clap backs. Cassie has a sharp tongue and when Carina is on the receiving end, it is gold. Even Max got some jabs in too! As much as I hated her and hated both Cassie and Max’s parents, they all played such a major role in the progression of their story. It shifted the whole story to more of the found family kind of narrative which fit so well and the drama from all those storylines blended perfectly together into their overall journey.
Favorite Quotes:
“I lean forward and grab a new mug and a spoonful of sugar before filling it to the top and handing it back to the p*****-off little gremlin who is still sending a glare my way. I hear if you see an uncaffeinated gremlin in the wild, you’re supposed to throw caffeine at them and run. Kind of like a Molotov cocktail but in a good way.”
“It’s the people who choose you day in and day out. The people who fight for you, fight with you, and just let you be your true self. Those are the people that matter,”
“I tried to move on, I tried to get past you, but I couldn’t. I never could. You have invaded my mind, my body, my whole entire world. You’ve buried yourself so deep inside my heart I knew I would never get you out, but yeah, you’re right. It didn’t stop me from trying.”
“You were all my firsts. Every last one of them. My first kiss, my first F, my first love, and my first heartbreak. You’ve got them all, Princess.”
I love love loved Sawyer and Rex’s story but Max’s redemption glow up might make him my new favorite MMC. These two start like oil and water after some intense history and tons of miscommunication. Their relationship at the start of the book I’d call faux hatred. More like a snipe-y type thing with jabs back and forth but I think they are more alike and equally skeptic/jaded/hesitant to dive in head first with each other. These two have serious chemistry that is captured in the subtle looks and acts of kindness throughout the story which I think also made their journey more delicate since it’s more nuanced. The uncaffeinated gremlin quote has me in literal tears from laughing so hard. It was PERFECT and their banter/quips were so good.
This definitely felt like a slower burn with some hits of spice sprinkled throughout the story but everything after their tryst in the hall while she is out with Spencer’s takes the cake and we get to see a dominant Max. He definitely gives off daddy vibes with those moves and I love every minute. Yea he had been possessive and obsessed earlier in the book but he raised the bar. Jealous Max is a hot Max. That scene with the belt. IYKYK
I think we can all agree that Carina is literally the worst but she is a great villain to drive these two together and give us some epic clap backs. Cassie has a sharp tongue and when Carina is on the receiving end, it is gold. Even Max got some jabs in too! As much as I hated her and hated both Cassie and Max’s parents, they all played such a major role in the progression of their story. It shifted the whole story to more of the found family kind of narrative which fit so well and the drama from all those storylines blended perfectly together into their overall journey.
Favorite Quotes:
“I lean forward and grab a new mug and a spoonful of sugar before filling it to the top and handing it back to the p*****-off little gremlin who is still sending a glare my way. I hear if you see an uncaffeinated gremlin in the wild, you’re supposed to throw caffeine at them and run. Kind of like a Molotov cocktail but in a good way.”
“It’s the people who choose you day in and day out. The people who fight for you, fight with you, and just let you be your true self. Those are the people that matter,”
“I tried to move on, I tried to get past you, but I couldn’t. I never could. You have invaded my mind, my body, my whole entire world. You’ve buried yourself so deep inside my heart I knew I would never get you out, but yeah, you’re right. It didn’t stop me from trying.”
“You were all my firsts. Every last one of them. My first kiss, my first F, my first love, and my first heartbreak. You’ve got them all, Princess.”
July 21, 2023
I really wanted to enjoy this book but it definitely got me wanting more. I was intrigued by Max and Cassie's story in the previous book and in the beginning I loved reading their interactions and knowing more about their past but I felt like sometimes they still were a bit immature and their back and forth got a little tiring after a while. They were friends since they were kids and they shared their first kiss, first time and everything but after a miscommunication they stopped being friends and hating each other. In the present Cassie was still best friend's with Max's sister and they went to the same college but they usually just avoided each other until one night at a party when they shared an intimate moment but still they never talked about their falling out.
Cassie was a great heroine and I really enjoyed her interactions with Sawyer and how they always supported each other. She had a lot of drama with her parents but I loved how she finally stood up to them and decided to cut them out of her life. She and Max had a lot of history and she never forgot about him but she was still hurt after everything that happened when they were 17 so when they saw each other they usually fought but it still was obvious that the connection between them was still there.
Max wasn't a favorite in the previous book but I loved how he and his sister worked things out and how he finally saw how awful their mother was. He and Cassie were very close when they were in high school but everything changed after their first time together. Max was always jealous when he saw Cassie flirting with other guys and after sharing a moment together at a party, someone was sending them pictures of their moment so they had to act as a couple in order to fix that PR problem, especially with Max being a hockey player. At first they still acted cold towards each other but Max always tried to get Cassie to open up about their feelings and reassure her that he never forgot about her.
They had some nice interactions but there were times that I had to skip some of their moments, especially when they argued over little things. They had a lot of chemistry and I still enjoyed their steamy scenes, what I didn't like much was their fighting and how it took them a lot to fix things between them. All of their friends knew they loved each other so it took them a while to work things out but at the end they opened up and finally decided to be together after all the drama between them.
The story had some nice things and I really wanted to love Cassie and Max's story, and while I did enjoyed some of their interactions, I still expected more. Sawyer and Rex were amazing as always and I also enjoyed their moments with their friends so I hope the next book is more enjoyable than this one.
Cassie was a great heroine and I really enjoyed her interactions with Sawyer and how they always supported each other. She had a lot of drama with her parents but I loved how she finally stood up to them and decided to cut them out of her life. She and Max had a lot of history and she never forgot about him but she was still hurt after everything that happened when they were 17 so when they saw each other they usually fought but it still was obvious that the connection between them was still there.
Max wasn't a favorite in the previous book but I loved how he and his sister worked things out and how he finally saw how awful their mother was. He and Cassie were very close when they were in high school but everything changed after their first time together. Max was always jealous when he saw Cassie flirting with other guys and after sharing a moment together at a party, someone was sending them pictures of their moment so they had to act as a couple in order to fix that PR problem, especially with Max being a hockey player. At first they still acted cold towards each other but Max always tried to get Cassie to open up about their feelings and reassure her that he never forgot about her.
They had some nice interactions but there were times that I had to skip some of their moments, especially when they argued over little things. They had a lot of chemistry and I still enjoyed their steamy scenes, what I didn't like much was their fighting and how it took them a lot to fix things between them. All of their friends knew they loved each other so it took them a while to work things out but at the end they opened up and finally decided to be together after all the drama between them.
The story had some nice things and I really wanted to love Cassie and Max's story, and while I did enjoyed some of their interactions, I still expected more. Sawyer and Rex were amazing as always and I also enjoyed their moments with their friends so I hope the next book is more enjoyable than this one.
July 18, 2023
Tropes:
-best friends to enemies to lovers
-roommates
-hockey romance
-second chance
-family drama
-fake dating
-reformed playboy
-sister's best friend
-possessive & protective MMC
-no 3rd act breakup
Blurb:
Cassie is Max's sisters' best friend, therefore, they were always around each other growing up. They grew closer over time, found solace in one another during tough times, & eventually fell in love & were each other's firsts in their late teenage years. However, after some major miscommunication happened, they became enemies. They end up at the same college, but avoided each other for nearly all 4 years, until they end up at the same party. One thing leads to another, & an intimate video is taken & circulated, putting both of their reputations in danger, especially with Max hoping to get drafted into the NHL. Max's sister suggests they fake date because the video would be seen as an intimate moment between a couple & revenge porn. But as we know, fake dating always leads to real feelings & real dating - enemies or not - & Becoming roommates makes it inevitable.
Max:
Max is sensitive, loving, kind, considerate, & now, broken. He & Cassie were inseparable in their teen years, but when miscommunication separates them, Max goes into self-destruct mode. In order to forget about Cassie, he sleeps around & is a commitment phobe. In regard to his family, his mom is toxic & he is repairing his relationship with his sister. However, when shit hits the fan with his mom, affecting both he & Cassie, Cassie, again, becomes his solace.
Cassie:
Cassie is independent, determined, & strong-willed. Cassie's father has always been hard on her, & because she is almost done with her degree in PR, he insists she work for him instead of getting an internship with the NFL or NHL in PR. However, she gets the internship, & her father is furious & basically disowns her. Cassie works with two hockey teams, one of which is Max, which also brings them closer together. That, & the whole roommate dealio.
The Spice:
JFC. The spice in this book was so goddamn hot, it is still taking me a bit to get over it. Lexi definitely hit the spice out of the ballpark, & understood the assignment. I also loved that Cassie & Max were each other's firsts in high school, & that Max never kissed any other girl besides her until 6 years later when they kiss again. Then they give each other a couple more firsts when they fake/real date. They were just so passionate, precious, hilarious, & hot together.
Final Thoughts:
I absolutely fucking LOVED this book!!! I loved that Max & Cassie had a history together, which made the present day even more special between them once they stopped being enemies. Also, I fucking love the roommate trope, & we all know the tension becomes palpable with MCs when they live together. IT WAS SO HOT & SUSPENSEFUL. Anyways... I highly recommend this book to all the hockey girlies - you won't be disappointed. ALSO!!! NO 3RD ACT BREAKUP!!!
-best friends to enemies to lovers
-roommates
-hockey romance
-second chance
-family drama
-fake dating
-reformed playboy
-sister's best friend
-possessive & protective MMC
-no 3rd act breakup
Blurb:
Cassie is Max's sisters' best friend, therefore, they were always around each other growing up. They grew closer over time, found solace in one another during tough times, & eventually fell in love & were each other's firsts in their late teenage years. However, after some major miscommunication happened, they became enemies. They end up at the same college, but avoided each other for nearly all 4 years, until they end up at the same party. One thing leads to another, & an intimate video is taken & circulated, putting both of their reputations in danger, especially with Max hoping to get drafted into the NHL. Max's sister suggests they fake date because the video would be seen as an intimate moment between a couple & revenge porn. But as we know, fake dating always leads to real feelings & real dating - enemies or not - & Becoming roommates makes it inevitable.
Max:
Max is sensitive, loving, kind, considerate, & now, broken. He & Cassie were inseparable in their teen years, but when miscommunication separates them, Max goes into self-destruct mode. In order to forget about Cassie, he sleeps around & is a commitment phobe. In regard to his family, his mom is toxic & he is repairing his relationship with his sister. However, when shit hits the fan with his mom, affecting both he & Cassie, Cassie, again, becomes his solace.
Cassie:
Cassie is independent, determined, & strong-willed. Cassie's father has always been hard on her, & because she is almost done with her degree in PR, he insists she work for him instead of getting an internship with the NFL or NHL in PR. However, she gets the internship, & her father is furious & basically disowns her. Cassie works with two hockey teams, one of which is Max, which also brings them closer together. That, & the whole roommate dealio.
The Spice:
JFC. The spice in this book was so goddamn hot, it is still taking me a bit to get over it. Lexi definitely hit the spice out of the ballpark, & understood the assignment. I also loved that Cassie & Max were each other's firsts in high school, & that Max never kissed any other girl besides her until 6 years later when they kiss again. Then they give each other a couple more firsts when they fake/real date. They were just so passionate, precious, hilarious, & hot together.
Final Thoughts:
I absolutely fucking LOVED this book!!! I loved that Max & Cassie had a history together, which made the present day even more special between them once they stopped being enemies. Also, I fucking love the roommate trope, & we all know the tension becomes palpable with MCs when they live together. IT WAS SO HOT & SUSPENSEFUL. Anyways... I highly recommend this book to all the hockey girlies - you won't be disappointed. ALSO!!! NO 3RD ACT BREAKUP!!!
September 3, 2023
⭐ - 3.25 / 🌶- 3
Dual POV & HEA
🇵🇱🇴🇹 & 🇷🇪🇻🇮🇪🇼
“I tried to move on, I tried to get past you, but I couldn’t. I never could. You have invaded my mind, my body, my whole entire world. You’ve buried yourself so deep inside my heart I knew I would never get you out, but yeah, you’re right. It didn’t stop me from trying.”
This book is the second in a series and is supposed to be able to be read as a standalone but if you haven’t read the first one (which I admittedly have not) you will be so lost through a fair portion of the book, so I would suggest reading Power Play before reading Puck Princess. That being said, overall the plot of the book was a good plot. Max and Cassie grew up next-door to each other and Cassie is his sister's best friend. They shared their first with each other in high school and a miscommunication led them to hating each other for the next six years. The book follows Max and Cassie as they fake a date after a blackmail video was taken of them in an intimate moment at a party. This of course leads them to have to address their lingering feelings for each other through the rest of the book.
I really liked being able to see the history of Max and Cassie and what happened. It was nice to see them be able to talk it out and work through their issues with one another. Watching Max show his soft side for Cassie after all these years was so sweet. You can tell that he really cares about her. Cassie clearly cares about Max but is far more reserved about giving into her feelings about him after their past and what his sister may think. The spice was spicy in this book but often felt non consensual on Max’s end and that really turned me off for most of them. There is a difference in being dominant and practically r**ping the girl you have feelings for.
The zingers that Cassie would throw at Carina and Max through the book were top notch. Overall the banter really carried the story when the plot was dragging. I also love when an author includes text between the characters, and Lexi did not disappoint there! The jokes and fun facts Max would send Cassie seemed so realistic and I loved it!
Overall this book is lacking. The plot is so good but the story itself just felt so heavy but with nothing more than a surface level scratch to get to the point. I also felt like the way they spoke to their parents “mother/father” and calling Max “daddy” out of the blue really pulled me out of the story and like I was watching a bad soap opera.
-----
Swooning Over:
✸ how much Max loves Cassie
✸ the pillow fort
✸ Max playing with Rory
Things that gave me the ick:
✸ so much slut shaming
✸ the lack of consent through the book
-----
🇹🇷🇴🇵🇪🇸
✸ forced proximity
✸ fake dating
✸ siblings best friend
✸ second chance
✸ enemies to lovers
🇹🇷🇮🇬🇬🇪🇷🇸
✸ physical abuse of parent and teenage child
Dual POV & HEA
🇵🇱🇴🇹 & 🇷🇪🇻🇮🇪🇼
“I tried to move on, I tried to get past you, but I couldn’t. I never could. You have invaded my mind, my body, my whole entire world. You’ve buried yourself so deep inside my heart I knew I would never get you out, but yeah, you’re right. It didn’t stop me from trying.”
This book is the second in a series and is supposed to be able to be read as a standalone but if you haven’t read the first one (which I admittedly have not) you will be so lost through a fair portion of the book, so I would suggest reading Power Play before reading Puck Princess. That being said, overall the plot of the book was a good plot. Max and Cassie grew up next-door to each other and Cassie is his sister's best friend. They shared their first with each other in high school and a miscommunication led them to hating each other for the next six years. The book follows Max and Cassie as they fake a date after a blackmail video was taken of them in an intimate moment at a party. This of course leads them to have to address their lingering feelings for each other through the rest of the book.
I really liked being able to see the history of Max and Cassie and what happened. It was nice to see them be able to talk it out and work through their issues with one another. Watching Max show his soft side for Cassie after all these years was so sweet. You can tell that he really cares about her. Cassie clearly cares about Max but is far more reserved about giving into her feelings about him after their past and what his sister may think. The spice was spicy in this book but often felt non consensual on Max’s end and that really turned me off for most of them. There is a difference in being dominant and practically r**ping the girl you have feelings for.
The zingers that Cassie would throw at Carina and Max through the book were top notch. Overall the banter really carried the story when the plot was dragging. I also love when an author includes text between the characters, and Lexi did not disappoint there! The jokes and fun facts Max would send Cassie seemed so realistic and I loved it!
Overall this book is lacking. The plot is so good but the story itself just felt so heavy but with nothing more than a surface level scratch to get to the point. I also felt like the way they spoke to their parents “mother/father” and calling Max “daddy” out of the blue really pulled me out of the story and like I was watching a bad soap opera.
-----
Swooning Over:
✸ how much Max loves Cassie
✸ the pillow fort
✸ Max playing with Rory
Things that gave me the ick:
✸ so much slut shaming
✸ the lack of consent through the book
-----
🇹🇷🇴🇵🇪🇸
✸ forced proximity
✸ fake dating
✸ siblings best friend
✸ second chance
✸ enemies to lovers
🇹🇷🇮🇬🇬🇪🇷🇸
✸ physical abuse of parent and teenage child
July 18, 2023
🏒ᴾᵁᶜᴷ ᴾᴿᴵᴺᶜᴱˢˢ ᴿᴱᵛᴵᴱᵂ👑
4.5/5⭐️
Max and Cassie have loved each other since they were teenagers.
Cassie is best friends with Sawyer who is Max’s sister. When Sawyer left for college, Max and Cassie got even closer.
They both have terrible parents. Manipulative and controlling amongst other things.
One night changed everything for them. Lots of miss communication and broken hearts leave them hating each other for the next 6 years.
Cassie tries to avoid Max when she sees him around campus because he acts like he hates her.
One night at a party changes everything again, but for the better🙃
Insert fake dating so they can make the video/image going around of Max going ⬇️ on Cassie on the patio like it was a real couple being spied on during an intimate moment.
They end up living together and all of their feelings from the past come up. It’s intense but Max is sick of acting like he hates her when he still loved her.
It’s always been her… He hasn’t kissed anyone since her.
Cassie is confused and scared to give her heart to him again but he is hell bent on proving to her that she can trust him.
Max is super sweet and he loves Cassie hard.
When Max gets all bent out of shape seeing her in someone else’s jersey, I love that shit🫠
“𝘐 𝘴𝘸𝘦𝘢𝘳 𝘵𝘰 𝘎𝘰𝘥, 𝘊𝘢𝘴𝘴𝘪𝘦. 𝘋𝘰𝘯’𝘵 𝘧𝘶𝘤𝘬 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘮𝘦 𝘰𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘴. 𝘛𝘢𝘬𝘦 𝘪𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘧𝘶𝘤𝘬 𝘰𝘧𝘧. 𝘈𝘯𝘥 𝘥𝘰𝘯’𝘵 𝘤𝘢𝘭𝘭 𝘮𝘦 𝘋𝘢𝘥𝘥𝘺 𝘶𝘯𝘭𝘦𝘴𝘴 𝘺𝘰𝘶’𝘳𝘦 𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘥𝘺 𝘵𝘰 𝘨𝘦𝘵 𝘴𝘱𝘢𝘯𝘬𝘦𝘥,” “𝘜𝘨𝘩. 𝘍𝘪𝘯𝘦. 𝘉𝘶𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘣𝘦𝘴𝘵 𝘐 𝘤𝘢𝘯 𝘥𝘰 𝘪𝘴 𝘵𝘰 𝘱𝘶𝘵 𝘢 𝘴𝘸𝘦𝘢𝘵𝘴𝘩𝘪𝘳𝘵 𝘰𝘯.” “𝘛𝘩𝘢𝘵’𝘭𝘭 𝘥𝘰. 𝘑𝘶𝘴𝘵 𝘢𝘴 𝘭𝘰𝘯𝘨 𝘢𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘫𝘦𝘳𝘴𝘦𝘺 𝘪𝘴 𝘨𝘰𝘯𝘦.” “𝘠𝘰𝘶’𝘳𝘦 𝘢 𝘣𝘢𝘳𝘣𝘢𝘳𝘪𝘢𝘯,” 𝘊𝘢𝘴𝘴𝘪𝘦 𝘴𝘯𝘢𝘱𝘴 𝘣𝘢𝘤𝘬, 𝘣𝘶𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘦’𝘴 𝘯𝘰 𝘣𝘪𝘵𝘦 𝘵𝘰 𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘸𝘰𝘳𝘥𝘴. 𝘐𝘯𝘴𝘵𝘦𝘢𝘥, 𝘪𝘵 𝘢𝘤𝘵𝘶𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘺 𝘴𝘰𝘶𝘯𝘥𝘴 𝘭𝘪𝘬𝘦 𝘢𝘯 𝘦𝘯𝘥𝘦𝘢𝘳𝘮𝘦𝘯𝘵. “𝘖𝘯𝘭𝘺 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘺𝘰𝘶, 𝘗𝘳𝘪𝘯𝘤𝘦𝘴𝘴.”
4.5/5⭐️
Max and Cassie have loved each other since they were teenagers.
Cassie is best friends with Sawyer who is Max’s sister. When Sawyer left for college, Max and Cassie got even closer.
They both have terrible parents. Manipulative and controlling amongst other things.
One night changed everything for them. Lots of miss communication and broken hearts leave them hating each other for the next 6 years.
Cassie tries to avoid Max when she sees him around campus because he acts like he hates her.
One night at a party changes everything again, but for the better🙃
Insert fake dating so they can make the video/image going around of Max going ⬇️ on Cassie on the patio like it was a real couple being spied on during an intimate moment.
They end up living together and all of their feelings from the past come up. It’s intense but Max is sick of acting like he hates her when he still loved her.
It’s always been her… He hasn’t kissed anyone since her.
Cassie is confused and scared to give her heart to him again but he is hell bent on proving to her that she can trust him.
Max is super sweet and he loves Cassie hard.
When Max gets all bent out of shape seeing her in someone else’s jersey, I love that shit🫠
“𝘐 𝘴𝘸𝘦𝘢𝘳 𝘵𝘰 𝘎𝘰𝘥, 𝘊𝘢𝘴𝘴𝘪𝘦. 𝘋𝘰𝘯’𝘵 𝘧𝘶𝘤𝘬 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘮𝘦 𝘰𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘴. 𝘛𝘢𝘬𝘦 𝘪𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘧𝘶𝘤𝘬 𝘰𝘧𝘧. 𝘈𝘯𝘥 𝘥𝘰𝘯’𝘵 𝘤𝘢𝘭𝘭 𝘮𝘦 𝘋𝘢𝘥𝘥𝘺 𝘶𝘯𝘭𝘦𝘴𝘴 𝘺𝘰𝘶’𝘳𝘦 𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘥𝘺 𝘵𝘰 𝘨𝘦𝘵 𝘴𝘱𝘢𝘯𝘬𝘦𝘥,” “𝘜𝘨𝘩. 𝘍𝘪𝘯𝘦. 𝘉𝘶𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘣𝘦𝘴𝘵 𝘐 𝘤𝘢𝘯 𝘥𝘰 𝘪𝘴 𝘵𝘰 𝘱𝘶𝘵 𝘢 𝘴𝘸𝘦𝘢𝘵𝘴𝘩𝘪𝘳𝘵 𝘰𝘯.” “𝘛𝘩𝘢𝘵’𝘭𝘭 𝘥𝘰. 𝘑𝘶𝘴𝘵 𝘢𝘴 𝘭𝘰𝘯𝘨 𝘢𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘫𝘦𝘳𝘴𝘦𝘺 𝘪𝘴 𝘨𝘰𝘯𝘦.” “𝘠𝘰𝘶’𝘳𝘦 𝘢 𝘣𝘢𝘳𝘣𝘢𝘳𝘪𝘢𝘯,” 𝘊𝘢𝘴𝘴𝘪𝘦 𝘴𝘯𝘢𝘱𝘴 𝘣𝘢𝘤𝘬, 𝘣𝘶𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘦’𝘴 𝘯𝘰 𝘣𝘪𝘵𝘦 𝘵𝘰 𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘸𝘰𝘳𝘥𝘴. 𝘐𝘯𝘴𝘵𝘦𝘢𝘥, 𝘪𝘵 𝘢𝘤𝘵𝘶𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘺 𝘴𝘰𝘶𝘯𝘥𝘴 𝘭𝘪𝘬𝘦 𝘢𝘯 𝘦𝘯𝘥𝘦𝘢𝘳𝘮𝘦𝘯𝘵. “𝘖𝘯𝘭𝘺 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘺𝘰𝘶, 𝘗𝘳𝘪𝘯𝘤𝘦𝘴𝘴.”
July 20, 2023
We met Cassie and Max in book 1 of The Empire State Hockey Series, the one with dirty-talking Daddy Rex. Yeah - that one! Puck Princess can be read as a standalone, but I recommend reading Power Play first, as it ties directly into Puck Princess.
I absolutely adored Cassie in Power Play and was so excited to find out that she was getting her own story. We also meet Max, who I despised, so I was pleasantly surprised to see his side of the story. I like how the book's first part was an overlap of Power Play from Max's and Cassie’s perspectives.
Max and Cassie were childhood friends, they confided in each other and shared all of their firsts. Unfortunately, there was a miscommunication that turned them into enemies for years. It isn’t until Cassie goes to a party at Max’s house (she didn’t know when she agreed) that things began to rekindle between them.
Intimate pictures and a video are sent to Max and his Mom that don’t look good for Max as he’s entering his Rookie year on the NY Ice Hawks Hockey team (with Daddy, I mean Coach Rex). In order to spin the possibility of bad press Max and Cassie agree to pretend to be dating, this isn’t super difficult since they now live together (Thanks Cassie). And we ALL know how this ends & we’re ALL here for it!
I loved this story, Max and Cassie <3 4ever! So many tropes are wrapped into this story, and they all work, which is incredibly impressive. Hockey, Forced Proximity, Fake Dating, Forbidden(ish) - Best friends sibling/sibling’s best friend. **NO THIRD ACT BREAKUP**
The spice was on point as well - there was a slow burn, but the backyard at the party … YES!
I can’t wait for the next story!!
I received Puck Princess as an ARC from Lexi James for my honest review. Lexi - Thank you so so much for giving me the opportunity to read and review this book.
I absolutely adored Cassie in Power Play and was so excited to find out that she was getting her own story. We also meet Max, who I despised, so I was pleasantly surprised to see his side of the story. I like how the book's first part was an overlap of Power Play from Max's and Cassie’s perspectives.
Max and Cassie were childhood friends, they confided in each other and shared all of their firsts. Unfortunately, there was a miscommunication that turned them into enemies for years. It isn’t until Cassie goes to a party at Max’s house (she didn’t know when she agreed) that things began to rekindle between them.
Intimate pictures and a video are sent to Max and his Mom that don’t look good for Max as he’s entering his Rookie year on the NY Ice Hawks Hockey team (with Daddy, I mean Coach Rex). In order to spin the possibility of bad press Max and Cassie agree to pretend to be dating, this isn’t super difficult since they now live together (Thanks Cassie). And we ALL know how this ends & we’re ALL here for it!
I loved this story, Max and Cassie <3 4ever! So many tropes are wrapped into this story, and they all work, which is incredibly impressive. Hockey, Forced Proximity, Fake Dating, Forbidden(ish) - Best friends sibling/sibling’s best friend. **NO THIRD ACT BREAKUP**
The spice was on point as well - there was a slow burn, but the backyard at the party … YES!
I can’t wait for the next story!!
I received Puck Princess as an ARC from Lexi James for my honest review. Lexi - Thank you so so much for giving me the opportunity to read and review this book.
July 15, 2023
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.75
I was so excited to receive this ARC after reading Power Play earlier this year! I loved Rex and Sawyer's story and was delighted to see that this book was about Sawyer's brother, Max, and her best friend, Cassie. We got a small glimpse into both of their characters in Power Play and I was hopeful that Max would redeem himself (because let's be honest, he was a real jerk in that book).
Well, I'm here to tell you that he 100% redeemed himself! I liked that we got to see his side of an important event that happened in Power Play. The first 25% of the book takes place in tandem with a portion of Power Play which I thought was a really cool way to have books in a series!
I loved reading Cassie and Max's banter and seeing them discover what actually happened all of those years ago that drove them apart. I'm such a sucker for the it's always been you trope and all of the little things that Max did to show Cassie he really does remember what she loves.
Make sure to add this one (and Power Play if you haven't read it) to your TBR ASAP! This one comes on out on Monday, July 17th. Thank you so much to Lexi and her team for this ARC!
Read if you love:
🏒hockey romance
🏒found family
🏒second chance romance
🏒childhood friends to lovers
🏒sister's best friend
🏒happily ever after
🏒no third act breakup!
🏒fake dating
"Why is it still her? After all this time, after everything that happened, it's still only her. It's only ever been her."
I was so excited to receive this ARC after reading Power Play earlier this year! I loved Rex and Sawyer's story and was delighted to see that this book was about Sawyer's brother, Max, and her best friend, Cassie. We got a small glimpse into both of their characters in Power Play and I was hopeful that Max would redeem himself (because let's be honest, he was a real jerk in that book).
Well, I'm here to tell you that he 100% redeemed himself! I liked that we got to see his side of an important event that happened in Power Play. The first 25% of the book takes place in tandem with a portion of Power Play which I thought was a really cool way to have books in a series!
I loved reading Cassie and Max's banter and seeing them discover what actually happened all of those years ago that drove them apart. I'm such a sucker for the it's always been you trope and all of the little things that Max did to show Cassie he really does remember what she loves.
Make sure to add this one (and Power Play if you haven't read it) to your TBR ASAP! This one comes on out on Monday, July 17th. Thank you so much to Lexi and her team for this ARC!
Read if you love:
🏒hockey romance
🏒found family
🏒second chance romance
🏒childhood friends to lovers
🏒sister's best friend
🏒happily ever after
🏒no third act breakup!
🏒fake dating
"Why is it still her? After all this time, after everything that happened, it's still only her. It's only ever been her."
July 17, 2023
This was my first book by Lexi James, so I wasn’t sure what to expect. It is the second book in the Empire State Hockey series, but it can be read as a standalone.
Six years ago, Max and Cassie slept together while they were in high school. Then, something happened and both felt betrayed by the other, so they started to hate each other.
Now, even though six years have passed, they still hate each other. Max isn’t interested in a relationship or puck bunnies. He just wants to focus on his future in the NHL.
Cassie is also focused on her career. She wants to get a job in PR for an NHL or NFL team. Her father wants her to work for him, but she is determined to make it on her own.
When Cassie’s friend convinces her to go to a party, she ends up running into Max. Despite his hate for her, there’s still a part of him that cares for her, so he does his best to protect her. They end up hooking up in a relatively public area, a video is taken, and Max’s future is on the line…unless he can convince everyone that they’re dating.
Max and Cassie had so much history between them, so it wasn’t hard for them to pretend to fake date. Or maybe it was because beneath that hate, they actually still had feelings for each other. But they just had such great banter and a strong connection.
Cassie wasn’t a pushover and stood up for herself. She didn’t let anyone tear her down or make her feel less than. Max had a protective side and would not let anything or anyone hurt Cassie.
I enjoyed this book and look forward to the next one!
Six years ago, Max and Cassie slept together while they were in high school. Then, something happened and both felt betrayed by the other, so they started to hate each other.
Now, even though six years have passed, they still hate each other. Max isn’t interested in a relationship or puck bunnies. He just wants to focus on his future in the NHL.
Cassie is also focused on her career. She wants to get a job in PR for an NHL or NFL team. Her father wants her to work for him, but she is determined to make it on her own.
When Cassie’s friend convinces her to go to a party, she ends up running into Max. Despite his hate for her, there’s still a part of him that cares for her, so he does his best to protect her. They end up hooking up in a relatively public area, a video is taken, and Max’s future is on the line…unless he can convince everyone that they’re dating.
Max and Cassie had so much history between them, so it wasn’t hard for them to pretend to fake date. Or maybe it was because beneath that hate, they actually still had feelings for each other. But they just had such great banter and a strong connection.
Cassie wasn’t a pushover and stood up for herself. She didn’t let anyone tear her down or make her feel less than. Max had a protective side and would not let anything or anyone hurt Cassie.
I enjoyed this book and look forward to the next one!
July 18, 2023
4.5 ⭐
Oh, sweet sensitive Max. His and Cassies story broke my black heart. Max and Cassie had a night together in highschool, with promises for the next day. Promises that were broken and caused hate,angry and distance between these two former friends...
Six years have past since that night, and these two cannot stand be to in each others presence. Max has his eyes set on the NHL, keeping women out of his bed and has a no kissing rule. Cassie is Sawyers BFF, with her eyes set on public relations for an NHL or NFL team, not the PR team for her fathers law firm(much to his dismay)
Cassie gets talked into a college party and it just so happens to be at Max and his roommates house. He may be hurt, but he won't stand for his roommate giving her a hard time. He "rescues" her and takes her away from it all to talk... which turns into more than just talking.
Outside,where people can see, and take video of. He receives this anonymously in a text, and convinces Cassie to "fake date", incase it gets out.
But, the lines of fake and real blur real quick, and the truth of what transpired after the first night opens their eyes to what's right infront of them.
I loved seeing the soft side of Max, nd Daddy Max. He really cares for Cassie, and I love the "its always been you" moments. Sawyer and Rex are just as cute as they were in Power Play. I think they all keep Rex young 🤣
(Sawyer was such a little instigator in getting these two together). I really wanted to punch Carina in the vag for them all. She was just the worst!
Oh, sweet sensitive Max. His and Cassies story broke my black heart. Max and Cassie had a night together in highschool, with promises for the next day. Promises that were broken and caused hate,angry and distance between these two former friends...
Six years have past since that night, and these two cannot stand be to in each others presence. Max has his eyes set on the NHL, keeping women out of his bed and has a no kissing rule. Cassie is Sawyers BFF, with her eyes set on public relations for an NHL or NFL team, not the PR team for her fathers law firm(much to his dismay)
Cassie gets talked into a college party and it just so happens to be at Max and his roommates house. He may be hurt, but he won't stand for his roommate giving her a hard time. He "rescues" her and takes her away from it all to talk... which turns into more than just talking.
Outside,where people can see, and take video of. He receives this anonymously in a text, and convinces Cassie to "fake date", incase it gets out.
But, the lines of fake and real blur real quick, and the truth of what transpired after the first night opens their eyes to what's right infront of them.
I loved seeing the soft side of Max, nd Daddy Max. He really cares for Cassie, and I love the "its always been you" moments. Sawyer and Rex are just as cute as they were in Power Play. I think they all keep Rex young 🤣
(Sawyer was such a little instigator in getting these two together). I really wanted to punch Carina in the vag for them all. She was just the worst!
July 17, 2023
“Max can get it. All day. Every day. Twice on Sundays.”
And I will say please and thank you 🙌
We meet Max in Power Play as Sawyer’s infuriating brother and there are so many scenes where he was unlikeable. But after the glimpse at what else might be going on for Max, I knew I would lose my mind over him. Lexi James beyond delivered on Max and Cassie’s story and I felt seen and validated in these characters in ways I never could have expected. A portion of this story is told concurrently to Sawyer and Rex’s story and getting those scenes from Max’s perspective was phenomenal. THE SPICE 🌶️. These two had me tearing up and fanning myself. THE BANTER AND TENSION. All chef’s kiss - I cannot stop gushing about this book!
Max and Cassie were each other’s first everything, but six years ago it all fell apart and now they are left doing their best to avoid each other. Until now Cassie may be the only one who can save Max from losing everything he’s worked for. But with their explosive chemistry, spending so much time together can only mean they will have to confront all the feelings they still have for each other.
You’ll Find —
Hockey Romance
Second Chance
It’s Always Been You
Fake Dating
Forced Proximity
So incredibly grateful to Lexi James for the opportunity to beta read and for the gifted digital review copy!
And I will say please and thank you 🙌
We meet Max in Power Play as Sawyer’s infuriating brother and there are so many scenes where he was unlikeable. But after the glimpse at what else might be going on for Max, I knew I would lose my mind over him. Lexi James beyond delivered on Max and Cassie’s story and I felt seen and validated in these characters in ways I never could have expected. A portion of this story is told concurrently to Sawyer and Rex’s story and getting those scenes from Max’s perspective was phenomenal. THE SPICE 🌶️. These two had me tearing up and fanning myself. THE BANTER AND TENSION. All chef’s kiss - I cannot stop gushing about this book!
Max and Cassie were each other’s first everything, but six years ago it all fell apart and now they are left doing their best to avoid each other. Until now Cassie may be the only one who can save Max from losing everything he’s worked for. But with their explosive chemistry, spending so much time together can only mean they will have to confront all the feelings they still have for each other.
You’ll Find —
Hockey Romance
Second Chance
It’s Always Been You
Fake Dating
Forced Proximity
So incredibly grateful to Lexi James for the opportunity to beta read and for the gifted digital review copy!
July 17, 2023
I have been excited for Puck Princess for months and this book did not disappoint!
We met Max and Cassie in Power Play - the first book in Lexi's Empire State Hockey Series. I'm not going to lie, I really did not like Max after reading Power Play. But holy hell, did Puck Princess change my view of him. Max is a sexy, slutty, dirty mouthed hockey player, but underneath all of that is someone who loves fiercely, and it's so unbelievably caring.
Cassie is a strong, independent woman who doesn't take shit from anyone let alone her best friend's brother.
I personally am not the biggest fan of the miscommunication trope however, Lexi has written it so well. The tension and passion between these two characters truly made me forget that their enemies to lovers relationship began with a miscommunication.
I absolutely loved that Sawyer and Rex were apart of this book, and seeing their relationship continue to grow was incredible. I especially loved Max and Rory's relationship. I thought it was so cute, and it definitely made me think that Max would be a really incredible dad one day!
On another note, all of the FRIENDS references in this book were amazing! It just spoke to my heart, because never have I read a book or had a friend that understood every single one of my FRIENDS references
We met Max and Cassie in Power Play - the first book in Lexi's Empire State Hockey Series. I'm not going to lie, I really did not like Max after reading Power Play. But holy hell, did Puck Princess change my view of him. Max is a sexy, slutty, dirty mouthed hockey player, but underneath all of that is someone who loves fiercely, and it's so unbelievably caring.
Cassie is a strong, independent woman who doesn't take shit from anyone let alone her best friend's brother.
I personally am not the biggest fan of the miscommunication trope however, Lexi has written it so well. The tension and passion between these two characters truly made me forget that their enemies to lovers relationship began with a miscommunication.
I absolutely loved that Sawyer and Rex were apart of this book, and seeing their relationship continue to grow was incredible. I especially loved Max and Rory's relationship. I thought it was so cute, and it definitely made me think that Max would be a really incredible dad one day!
On another note, all of the FRIENDS references in this book were amazing! It just spoke to my heart, because never have I read a book or had a friend that understood every single one of my FRIENDS references
July 17, 2023
Max and Cassie were each others’ first everything. First love, first kiss, first time, first heartbreak. Just when they thought they finally had everything they wanted, their complicated family lives got in the way, tearing them apart.
Fast forward to college, where they attend the same school. Cassie is besties with Max’s sister Sawyer…and that relationship is extremely strained. With that and their past, the couple absolutely loathes each other. But when they have a moment of weakness (outside…because 🥵🥵🥵) that results in a scandalous video that neither of them consented to, they agree on a fake relationship to save Max’s hockey career. To make things even more complicated, Max moves in with Cassie when she finds herself needing a new roommate. Old habits die hard when the two realize they can’t stay away from each other physically…but emotionally they’re still trying to sort through their past. Can they do it right the second time around? Or are things broken beyond repair??
Being an alpha reader, then a beta reader, then an ARC reader…I read this book through several times. I swear to you i never got sick of this couple. Max is 𝘴𝘯𝘦𝘢𝘬𝘺𝘺𝘺𝘺𝘺𝘺𝘺 dirty and I’m just saying he is 𝓋𝑒𝓇𝓎 𝒸𝓇𝑒𝒶𝓉𝒾𝓋𝑒 with a belt, so there’s that. Tell me you read that scene just once and I’ll tell you 𝒕𝒐 𝒚𝒐𝒖𝒓 𝒇𝒂𝒄𝒆 that you’re a liar. The drool was 𝓱𝓮𝓪𝓿𝔂, okay?!
Fast forward to college, where they attend the same school. Cassie is besties with Max’s sister Sawyer…and that relationship is extremely strained. With that and their past, the couple absolutely loathes each other. But when they have a moment of weakness (outside…because 🥵🥵🥵) that results in a scandalous video that neither of them consented to, they agree on a fake relationship to save Max’s hockey career. To make things even more complicated, Max moves in with Cassie when she finds herself needing a new roommate. Old habits die hard when the two realize they can’t stay away from each other physically…but emotionally they’re still trying to sort through their past. Can they do it right the second time around? Or are things broken beyond repair??
Being an alpha reader, then a beta reader, then an ARC reader…I read this book through several times. I swear to you i never got sick of this couple. Max is 𝘴𝘯𝘦𝘢𝘬𝘺𝘺𝘺𝘺𝘺𝘺𝘺 dirty and I’m just saying he is 𝓋𝑒𝓇𝓎 𝒸𝓇𝑒𝒶𝓉𝒾𝓋𝑒 with a belt, so there’s that. Tell me you read that scene just once and I’ll tell you 𝒕𝒐 𝒚𝒐𝒖𝒓 𝒇𝒂𝒄𝒆 that you’re a liar. The drool was 𝓱𝓮𝓪𝓿𝔂, okay?!
July 10, 2023
I’m so happy that I discovered Lexi’s hockey series! I loved Power Play, and Puck Princess overlaps seamlessly. There is a parallel timeline for the first 30% or so of this book, where we see events alluded to in Power Play come to fruition. There were points where Max came off as a huge asshole in book 1, but I’m so happy he got his redemption in this one.
Max and Cassie clearly had history, and now we know how. They’ve been in love with each other since they were teens, but some heavy miscommunication left them feeling bitter and jaded toward each other and toward love. But when an intimate video threatens to impact them both, they decide that fake dating is the way to save their reputations, which leads to them finding their way back to each other for real.
Max could go from being so sweet (the scenes with his coach’s daughter were adorable) to absolutely dirty in the bedroom. The man has a mouth on him and the moves to back it up. He gained back Cassie’s trust, and it was a beautiful thing to read. He also rebuilt his relationship with his sister (Sawyer, the FMC in book 1), which also made me so happy. Overall, his growth arc was my favorite part of the book.
Thank you Lexi James for the ARC!
Max and Cassie clearly had history, and now we know how. They’ve been in love with each other since they were teens, but some heavy miscommunication left them feeling bitter and jaded toward each other and toward love. But when an intimate video threatens to impact them both, they decide that fake dating is the way to save their reputations, which leads to them finding their way back to each other for real.
Max could go from being so sweet (the scenes with his coach’s daughter were adorable) to absolutely dirty in the bedroom. The man has a mouth on him and the moves to back it up. He gained back Cassie’s trust, and it was a beautiful thing to read. He also rebuilt his relationship with his sister (Sawyer, the FMC in book 1), which also made me so happy. Overall, his growth arc was my favorite part of the book.
Thank you Lexi James for the ARC!
July 13, 2023
⭐⭐⭐⭐
🌶🌶🌶
Tropes:
🏒fake dating
🏒forced proximity
🏒best friend's brother
🏒enemies to lovers
I loved Power Play, but W.O.W. Puck Princess was hands down amazing! There was so much tension, and with everything going on in the book, you never know how it's going to turn out. Max was insufferable in the first book but was redeemed at the end, and in Puck Princess, Max was jaw-droppingly gorgeous. Cassie was also an admirable character, and I love her so much.
I can't believe how well Lexi put together this story because I wanted NEEDED more of their story. Their bickering and tension had me on the edge of my seat. Cassie is a strong independent woman that aspires to be more than what her parents set for her, and overall, her character is inspirational. Max is a complicated guy who did everything for the ones he loves but gets misinterpreted. The two characters are perfect for each other, and they are goals!
I also love the fact that this is a unique hockey romance that I haven’t read before. I’ve read a lot of hockey romances, but I want haven't been reminded of anything else which I love. I also really appreciate that they acknowledge there was a miscommunication in their story because they don’t act like it was normal behavior and blow things out of proportion.
🌶🌶🌶
Tropes:
🏒fake dating
🏒forced proximity
🏒best friend's brother
🏒enemies to lovers
I loved Power Play, but W.O.W. Puck Princess was hands down amazing! There was so much tension, and with everything going on in the book, you never know how it's going to turn out. Max was insufferable in the first book but was redeemed at the end, and in Puck Princess, Max was jaw-droppingly gorgeous. Cassie was also an admirable character, and I love her so much.
I can't believe how well Lexi put together this story because I wanted NEEDED more of their story. Their bickering and tension had me on the edge of my seat. Cassie is a strong independent woman that aspires to be more than what her parents set for her, and overall, her character is inspirational. Max is a complicated guy who did everything for the ones he loves but gets misinterpreted. The two characters are perfect for each other, and they are goals!
I also love the fact that this is a unique hockey romance that I haven’t read before. I’ve read a lot of hockey romances, but I want haven't been reminded of anything else which I love. I also really appreciate that they acknowledge there was a miscommunication in their story because they don’t act like it was normal behavior and blow things out of proportion.
July 20, 2023
Huge congrats to @lexijameswrites on the release of Puck Princess! It’s available now in paperback, ebook and through KU!!!
If you haven’t read Power Play, run to read that first, because while I really enjoyed Rex Lockwood, but dare I say, I love Max more?! But you still need them both!!! Puck Princess follows Max, Sawyer’s brother, and Cassie, Sawyer’s best friend. The 3 of them grew up together, and while Max and Cassie had a lot of history, time and misunderstanding have ripped them apart. That is, until a very private video starts circulating and Max needs Cassie to help keep his reputation with his new team out of the gutter.
Now don’t get me wrong, I love some tension and angst, but there’s just something about a guy that lays everything out on line for the girl he’s after and doesn’t play any games. That is Max to a T. Such a simp and the sweetest, most misunderstood guy.
Also, the spice was 🥵. There is one specific line in this book that had me freakin’ screaming and sending it to some besties. Feel free to ask, and I’ll send it to you as well.
Thank you again @lexijameswrites for allowing me to read the eARC of Puck Princess. Solidifying my love of hockey romances one book at a time!
If you haven’t read Power Play, run to read that first, because while I really enjoyed Rex Lockwood, but dare I say, I love Max more?! But you still need them both!!! Puck Princess follows Max, Sawyer’s brother, and Cassie, Sawyer’s best friend. The 3 of them grew up together, and while Max and Cassie had a lot of history, time and misunderstanding have ripped them apart. That is, until a very private video starts circulating and Max needs Cassie to help keep his reputation with his new team out of the gutter.
Now don’t get me wrong, I love some tension and angst, but there’s just something about a guy that lays everything out on line for the girl he’s after and doesn’t play any games. That is Max to a T. Such a simp and the sweetest, most misunderstood guy.
Also, the spice was 🥵. There is one specific line in this book that had me freakin’ screaming and sending it to some besties. Feel free to ask, and I’ll send it to you as well.
Thank you again @lexijameswrites for allowing me to read the eARC of Puck Princess. Solidifying my love of hockey romances one book at a time!
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