What do you think?
Rate this book
Pucking Alphas #1
Packed In The Penalty Box
Molly always pictured herself as a one alpha kind of omega.
University life suited her: books and quiet evenings with her bunny were just fine, if a bit boring. Packs were messy, and she just needed to finish school, settle down with a nice alpha, and live her comfortably-ever-after.
That had been the plan, before her best friend dragged her to a chaotic hockey game and threw a wrench in everything.
When action on the ice takes an unexpected turn, #58 - Grayson Wood - comes crashing through the boards—and right through Molly’s dreams of a quiet life.
Banned from the American NHL for solving one too many problems with his fists, the bad-boy alpha holds a dangerous appeal that Molly is powerless to resist.
That is until Grayson’s ex-teammate arrives with a revelation that might just put their dreams on ice. There’s more to Molly’s new boyfriend than meets the eye: he’s not a lone alpha at all. Now her roster might be bigger than she bargained for.
Can Grayson make the save, or is it game over for their budding relationship?
University life suited her: books and quiet evenings with her bunny were just fine, if a bit boring. Packs were messy, and she just needed to finish school, settle down with a nice alpha, and live her comfortably-ever-after.
That had been the plan, before her best friend dragged her to a chaotic hockey game and threw a wrench in everything.
When action on the ice takes an unexpected turn, #58 - Grayson Wood - comes crashing through the boards—and right through Molly’s dreams of a quiet life.
Banned from the American NHL for solving one too many problems with his fists, the bad-boy alpha holds a dangerous appeal that Molly is powerless to resist.
That is until Grayson’s ex-teammate arrives with a revelation that might just put their dreams on ice. There’s more to Molly’s new boyfriend than meets the eye: he’s not a lone alpha at all. Now her roster might be bigger than she bargained for.
Can Grayson make the save, or is it game over for their budding relationship?
380 pages, Kindle Edition
Published January 4, 2024
969 people are currently reading
2031 people want to read
About the author
Melissa Huxley
19 books439 followersI'm a pure chaos demon living in Midlands England with my cinnamon roll of a fiancee and a small mountain of squishmallow cows.
You'll often find me writing or reading smut, doing some sort of DIY craft or chasing the neighborhood cats down for snuggles.
You'll often find me writing or reading smut, doing some sort of DIY craft or chasing the neighborhood cats down for snuggles.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 351 reviews
January 4, 2024
I made it to 22% before I DNF'd.
The writing was sophomoric; the dialogue was insipid; and we knew more about the BFF Alexis than the MC's.
The writing was sophomoric; the dialogue was insipid; and we knew more about the BFF Alexis than the MC's.
Want to read
February 8, 2024omegaverse and hockey clearly I need it 👁️👄👁️
January 3, 2024
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️🌶️🌶️½
“Good little omegas get knotted, not bratty ones.”
Melissa Huxley is a new to me author. Her book, Packed in the Penalty Box, is a sweet omegaverse with accidental bonding and sexy hockey players. I found it to be an enjoyable, quick, and easy read.
There is a bit of angst, what with one of the Alphas acting like a total douchecanoe, some mild (one-sided) OW drama, and Molly finding herself bonded to an entire pack, not just one Alpha. Her life gets ripped asunder, and finding her place within the pack is not without challenges.
I never did come to like the grumpy one. He treated Molly so poorly in the beginning and maintained that attitude for much of the book. Given his continual antagonism, I did not feel he was as apologetic as he should have been. Molly may have forgiven him, but I didn’t forget the hurtful things he said to her. I would have preferred him to have a more protracted redemption arc, showing contrition.
The other Alphas were perfect, even Grayson, the one who accidentally got her tied into the pack. Sure, he needed to regain Molly’s trust, but his betrayal was one of omission, not out of malice. I appreciated that it took some time for Molly to become comfortable with the idea of being in a pack with multiple Alphas, rather than a monogamous marriage with only one. It didn’t hurt that two of the other Alphas in the pack were full of golden retriever energy and made it their goal to show her how much they wanted her.
This is a medium/fast-burn romance with moderate spice. It includes MF, MFM+, and group scenes in explicit detail, and more than one heat. There is no sword crossing.
A standalone, Packed in the Penalty Box ends in a HEA.
Genre: Omegaverse Hockey Romance
Tropes/Features: Hockey!!, forced proximity, accidental bonding, hockey-playing MMCs, shy and sweet omega FMC, grumpy/sassy, all-in MMCs, nesting/heat/knotting/slick, mild OW drama
Narrator: Multiple 1st Person POV
Relationship Type: Why Choose MFMMM, medium/fast burn, moderate spice
Book Type/Ending: Standalone with HEA
TW/CW: None listed
🌶️🌶️🌶️½
“Good little omegas get knotted, not bratty ones.”
Melissa Huxley is a new to me author. Her book, Packed in the Penalty Box, is a sweet omegaverse with accidental bonding and sexy hockey players. I found it to be an enjoyable, quick, and easy read.
There is a bit of angst, what with one of the Alphas acting like a total douchecanoe, some mild (one-sided) OW drama, and Molly finding herself bonded to an entire pack, not just one Alpha. Her life gets ripped asunder, and finding her place within the pack is not without challenges.
I never did come to like the grumpy one. He treated Molly so poorly in the beginning and maintained that attitude for much of the book. Given his continual antagonism, I did not feel he was as apologetic as he should have been. Molly may have forgiven him, but I didn’t forget the hurtful things he said to her. I would have preferred him to have a more protracted redemption arc, showing contrition.
The other Alphas were perfect, even Grayson, the one who accidentally got her tied into the pack. Sure, he needed to regain Molly’s trust, but his betrayal was one of omission, not out of malice. I appreciated that it took some time for Molly to become comfortable with the idea of being in a pack with multiple Alphas, rather than a monogamous marriage with only one. It didn’t hurt that two of the other Alphas in the pack were full of golden retriever energy and made it their goal to show her how much they wanted her.
This is a medium/fast-burn romance with moderate spice. It includes MF, MFM+, and group scenes in explicit detail, and more than one heat. There is no sword crossing.
A standalone, Packed in the Penalty Box ends in a HEA.
Genre: Omegaverse Hockey Romance
Tropes/Features: Hockey!!, forced proximity, accidental bonding, hockey-playing MMCs, shy and sweet omega FMC, grumpy/sassy, all-in MMCs, nesting/heat/knotting/slick, mild OW drama
Narrator: Multiple 1st Person POV
Relationship Type: Why Choose MFMMM, medium/fast burn, moderate spice
Book Type/Ending: Standalone with HEA
TW/CW: None listed
March 3, 2024
On the surface, this is a cute OMV. If this were one of my first, I would have absolutely loved it, but there wasn't much here that was breaking the mold, and there were far too many inconsistencies in the storyline for my liking.
The MMCs aren't very well fleshed out, so they're all swappable in every scene except for the asshole one.
He never really apologizes for the horrible way he treats her even 3/4 of the way into the book, he just grows on her until she decides she has to have him too. Despite not knowing if he even likes her, they somehow grow to love each other, but that's all done off page for some reason. When he treats her well, he treats her really well, but we don't see any changes in his behavior other than comments from his pack members on the changes until he's suddenly wanting her.
"Was I now part of the people he needed to protect? Would he do what was best for me and not just the guys? I wasn’t sure, but my gut told me to trust him."
This quote from the FMC is alllllll the way ay 92% because this guy has STILL done nothing to show her that he doesn't still think of her as nothing but a gold digger and a distraction for his pack. Hell, even in all of this chapters he's still struggling internally because he laments the trouble she's caused their pack, even this late in the game.
The OW/unnecessary villain is somehow able to get past their security and into their box seats, and also into their gated community without being stopped?
Her phone doesn't work in the US until it suddenly does?
Her card doesn't work at hockey rinks in the US? Please tell me you've never traveled internationally without telling me you've never traveled internationally.
The tabloids came out with horribly vile lies about her, and their first reaction was that they either needed to deny that she was bonded to them, or just ignore it. They ignored it, and let her name be dragged through the mud for weeks! And it's never addressed that they all just kept her as their dirty little secret and let her be tarnished in the news until it went one step too far after that.
“It’s a pack house. It’s for pack members. It felt a little disrespectful to bring women here when our omega would live here with us one day.”
Mad respect to the author for this.
Okay but with all that said, this was just fun to pass my time with. The FMC wasn't the strong, stoic type, but she also wasn't the simpering type. This was a good read overall. Tons of time was spent giving the side character bsf a huge personality to advertise the next book that will probably have her in it though that I wish was spent giving these MMCs personalities.
The MMCs aren't very well fleshed out, so they're all swappable in every scene except for the asshole one.
He never really apologizes for the horrible way he treats her even 3/4 of the way into the book, he just grows on her until she decides she has to have him too. Despite not knowing if he even likes her, they somehow grow to love each other, but that's all done off page for some reason. When he treats her well, he treats her really well, but we don't see any changes in his behavior other than comments from his pack members on the changes until he's suddenly wanting her.
"Was I now part of the people he needed to protect? Would he do what was best for me and not just the guys? I wasn’t sure, but my gut told me to trust him."
This quote from the FMC is alllllll the way ay 92% because this guy has STILL done nothing to show her that he doesn't still think of her as nothing but a gold digger and a distraction for his pack. Hell, even in all of this chapters he's still struggling internally because he laments the trouble she's caused their pack, even this late in the game.
The OW/unnecessary villain is somehow able to get past their security and into their box seats, and also into their gated community without being stopped?
Her phone doesn't work in the US until it suddenly does?
Her card doesn't work at hockey rinks in the US? Please tell me you've never traveled internationally without telling me you've never traveled internationally.
The tabloids came out with horribly vile lies about her, and their first reaction was that they either needed to deny that she was bonded to them, or just ignore it. They ignored it, and let her name be dragged through the mud for weeks! And it's never addressed that they all just kept her as their dirty little secret and let her be tarnished in the news until it went one step too far after that.
“It’s a pack house. It’s for pack members. It felt a little disrespectful to bring women here when our omega would live here with us one day.”
Mad respect to the author for this.
Okay but with all that said, this was just fun to pass my time with. The FMC wasn't the strong, stoic type, but she also wasn't the simpering type. This was a good read overall. Tons of time was spent giving the side character bsf a huge personality to advertise the next book that will probably have her in it though that I wish was spent giving these MMCs personalities.
May 3, 2024
i really thought the app had glitched and mixed four different books together here but no it really is just one tire fire of every awful trope, ‘verse AND type of paper-thin, mary-sue ass characterisation combined into one almost impressively awful waste of my time.
why are the characters all british? why are they so repetitive in their very dated british-isms? why - as a cast of people who have allegedly grown up around hockey and even now play semi-professionally allegedly in some cases - does it appear that no one here has ever so much as observed a single OHL or AHL game, let alone NHL? the writing is depressingly underdeveloped, barely edited, and not even good enough for an un-beta’d ao3 wip. twitfic that’s being posted with closed eyes on a malfunctioning android, maybe.
also i genuinely believe that people who trick you into thinking they’re capable of making even basic sound decisions as a ‘writer’ by posting a summary in the third person- only for the actual “book” itself to be written from the first person perspective - deserve jail time.
why are the characters all british? why are they so repetitive in their very dated british-isms? why - as a cast of people who have allegedly grown up around hockey and even now play semi-professionally allegedly in some cases - does it appear that no one here has ever so much as observed a single OHL or AHL game, let alone NHL? the writing is depressingly underdeveloped, barely edited, and not even good enough for an un-beta’d ao3 wip. twitfic that’s being posted with closed eyes on a malfunctioning android, maybe.
also i genuinely believe that people who trick you into thinking they’re capable of making even basic sound decisions as a ‘writer’ by posting a summary in the third person- only for the actual “book” itself to be written from the first person perspective - deserve jail time.
January 17, 2024
I did like the story overall (4), but it was kind of hard to read (2.5). The set-up was kind of fun and I liked how the alphas were introduced in stages so theoretically there was time to get to know each one individually. I felt like some of the characters were a bit weak though. Honestly, the character with the most substance was her bestie Alexis who I have a feeling we might see more of (or at least I hope we do). Mav and Nils felt interchangeable other than Nils backstory which was kind of muddled. Greyson stands out because he was the first and they are bonded so have a different connection and understanding. Zach stands out a bit due to his aggressive/protective attitude. He's also a few years older and he definitely has the older, stern, pack lead feel to him.
The main problem I had was how messy the book was. Despite one of the characters being detail focused the book isn't. For example if you combine the backstory through the book Nils was an eight yo high school student who moved to the midwest and met the rest of the pack because his dad (who remains in Sweden) got an amazing job offer. The seasons make no sense with an NHL schedule, it feels like they just took a European club league and called it the NHL. The timeline makes little sense it starts on a Friday, the next day she has classes all day and exactly a week later is Wednesday or Thursday (I couldn't tell). From one persons perspective an event happened days ago, and the next persons it happened yesterday, I am honestly not sure if the chapters were just not chronological or people cannot track time.
A few more that are lightly spoilery: I could list a million more but I don't want to spoil, spoil anything. My point being I felt like I could never get my footing in time or place because thing were a bit too chaotic.
The main problem I had was how messy the book was. Despite one of the characters being detail focused the book isn't. For example if you combine the backstory through the book Nils was an eight yo high school student who moved to the midwest and met the rest of the pack because his dad (who remains in Sweden) got an amazing job offer. The seasons make no sense with an NHL schedule, it feels like they just took a European club league and called it the NHL. The timeline makes little sense it starts on a Friday, the next day she has classes all day and exactly a week later is Wednesday or Thursday (I couldn't tell). From one persons perspective an event happened days ago, and the next persons it happened yesterday, I am honestly not sure if the chapters were just not chronological or people cannot track time.
A few more that are lightly spoilery: I could list a million more but I don't want to spoil, spoil anything. My point being I felt like I could never get my footing in time or place because thing were a bit too chaotic.
March 2, 2024
☆ 2.5 ☆
Not what I was expecting or hoping for, but it was still alright. Very tame, almost juvenile omegaverse rh read.
The time frame seemed to be all over the place. Molly went to the hockey game on a Friday, but had school the next day. There were a lot of little indiscrepancies. Things they were saying in the inner monologues that just didn't add up.
After Molly and Grayson bonded, she became annoying as hell. Half of the time, she acted and spoke like a toddler.
The sex was very tame. Rather than feeling their connection, feelings, emotions. More like words on the page.
There was no character development, and I never felt the connection she had with the guys or even the pack connection between the guys.
Annoyances:
- I would think the constant smell of "buttery popcorn" would become nauseating
- The credit card thing boggled my mind. "Only American cards work in rinks."
- The whole Amber scene in the box was unneeded. And when she went to their pack house. Also, how was she even able to get to their house living in a gated community? Where the leaked pictures came from wasn't a surprise.
- "chicken broth soup" it's just chicken broth.
- The overuse of the word "Alpha"
Not what I was expecting or hoping for, but it was still alright. Very tame, almost juvenile omegaverse rh read.
The time frame seemed to be all over the place. Molly went to the hockey game on a Friday, but had school the next day. There were a lot of little indiscrepancies. Things they were saying in the inner monologues that just didn't add up.
After Molly and Grayson bonded, she became annoying as hell. Half of the time, she acted and spoke like a toddler.
The sex was very tame. Rather than feeling their connection, feelings, emotions. More like words on the page.
There was no character development, and I never felt the connection she had with the guys or even the pack connection between the guys.
Annoyances:
- I would think the constant smell of "buttery popcorn" would become nauseating
- The credit card thing boggled my mind. "Only American cards work in rinks."
- The whole Amber scene in the box was unneeded. And when she went to their pack house. Also, how was she even able to get to their house living in a gated community? Where the leaked pictures came from wasn't a surprise.
- "chicken broth soup" it's just chicken broth.
- The overuse of the word "Alpha"
April 9, 2024
this one lost me at the 30% mark, it just felt very cringe to me as the book went on. I know they were in college but a lot of stuff that happened just had me questioning how this was even considered? She goes into heat and suddenly he’s in her apartment taking care of her???? It was really fast paced almost to the point of making no sense. It felt like the author really wanted to get to the heat/spicy parts of the book so everything else just hoped on the fast track.
It was really the writing that threw me off, like I said it got cringy really quickly and I just lost that eagerness to read. I pushed through and finished it but I won’t continue the series unfortunately☹️ I was really looking forward to these books too!
It was really the writing that threw me off, like I said it got cringy really quickly and I just lost that eagerness to read. I pushed through and finished it but I won’t continue the series unfortunately☹️ I was really looking forward to these books too!
February 6, 2024
Very stilted writing. Long and arduous for minimal plotline. Very little character development. Additionally, I hate when British authors write American characters but still have the Americans say British-like things. That completely throws the story for me.
Finally, the multiple comments regarding the dangers of American food felt uncouth at best.
Finally, the multiple comments regarding the dangers of American food felt uncouth at best.
October 16, 2024
0 estrellas, he leido 100 paginas y no puedo más. No me interesa la pareja, no me interesa la historia y cuando he leido por 17 vez un «ella no es como las demás» casi estampo el kindle contra la pared
February 22, 2024
2.5 ⭐️
Had many things I didn’t like and some inconsistencies that just pulled me out
Had many things I didn’t like and some inconsistencies that just pulled me out
May 29, 2025
Я очікувала, що тут прям справжній омегаверс, а отримала якусь пародію. Абсолютно поверхневі бісячі герої, непропрацьований сюжет і пусті діалоги. Чесно намагалась зачепитися за щось хороше, і цим виявилися парочка альф. Хоча і до них у мене є питання, бо їхня поведінка іноді вводила в ступор.
Головна героїня своїми примхами і наїздами на рівному місці викликала бажання стукнути її. Вона абсолютно нелогічна і дивна. Особливо, мене дивувало, що вона сама, як омега, не знає про біологію пар альфа-омега.
Головна героїня своїми примхами і наїздами на рівному місці викликала бажання стукнути її. Вона абсолютно нелогічна і дивна. Особливо, мене дивувало, що вона сама, як омега, не знає про біологію пар альфа-омега.
December 5, 2024
Picking up this book, I was looking forward to a thrilling hockey, why choose with bold characters that have amazing development and personalities...and it hurts me to say that I was let down.
The potential was definitely there with the story but they way the characters were written felt very generic.
And despite the FMC's struggle of being not wanting to uproot her entire life for her pack, ultimately, that's what she did.
Maybe I'm just being a realist but she gave up everything for them and I just didn't see that much sacrificed for her on the boys' end. A big turn off for me.
Also after over 600 pages...and what was her surname? Molly who? Peach??
My goodness.
The potential was definitely there with the story but they way the characters were written felt very generic.
And despite the FMC's struggle of being not wanting to uproot her entire life for her pack, ultimately, that's what she did.
Maybe I'm just being a realist but she gave up everything for them and I just didn't see that much sacrificed for her on the boys' end. A big turn off for me.
Also after over 600 pages...and what was her surname? Molly who? Peach??
My goodness.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 6, 2024
3.5 stars - The writing was a bit choppy and Zach didn’t grovel enough for how he treated her at first.
January 5, 2024
A fall (or more like crash) into your lap of a meet-cute that was pucking adorable! 🏒🥰
I never thought I would enjoy a sports romance but my slight obsession with OV's has expanded my palate with a multitude of tropes that would never have crossed my TBR list otherwise. I put off reading a different sports OV in the past, but when I finally caved for the other tropes involved, I wasn't even sure what my initial hesitation was bc I found it added to the story and loved it.
This was my first hockey read (I know, I'm behind with the wave of hockey romances that have been blowing up the past year or so) but I LOVED Melissa's previous release and having dipped my toes prior into a different sports OV (and realizing I actually enjoy that aspect) I was counting down the days until I could finally dive in to explore this one.
This was a little more on the sweeter side than her previous release, with less outside drama and rules/restrictions regarding Omegas. Honestly, non-shifter omegaverses are my go-to when I'm in a contemporary mood, so I liked that this was more like our everyday society with just the added special twist of A/B/O dynamics.
It kind of felt like I got two stories in one. For the most part, the first half of the book follows Molly and Grayson while they learn more about each other and form a relationship. Molly is not interested in pursuing a pack and is oblivious to the fact that Gray has one. They were absolutely adorable together, so much so that I was good with this just being a M/F story (it's not) and Gray leaving his pack to just be with Molly. 😍 But then his pack comes to check on him and discovers exactly why he's been out of touch with them recently, Molly realizes he's not a lone alpha like she initially thought and I was a little too giddy watching it all play out after that reveal. 🤩
It's a trope I love where they don't realize there was something missing and needed until it's slapping them, hard, in the face. The universe (and some repercussions of their actions) intervened to make them go through the necessary changes to improve their lives. Mistakes were made with all parties involved, not just between Molly and Gray, so they had a bit of growth to do (some more than others) but it was nice to see them all work through it together.
Molly had the most to lose in this situation with the changes that needed to be made to accommodate the whole pack after the accidental bonding, but I like how she didn't just automatically give in. Her struggles to come to terms with her new reality were done in a relatable way. She had her occasional freak out moments (understandably so) but ultimately remained open minded while standing firm in her decisions regarding what is important to her with her goals and priorities.
Packed In The Penalty Box sucked me in and I enjoyed every minute I spent reading it. One of my favorite meet-cutes I've read in a while, that's for sure. This was a sweet, feel good, happy read for me, even with some of the angst and minor drama involved. I adored Molly's story and the HEA she was able to achieve that was fitting for her. I will definitely be adding this book to my physical bookshelf and my go-to comfort rereads pile. I'm absolutely looking forward to reading it again when the mood strikes.
I never thought I would enjoy a sports romance but my slight obsession with OV's has expanded my palate with a multitude of tropes that would never have crossed my TBR list otherwise. I put off reading a different sports OV in the past, but when I finally caved for the other tropes involved, I wasn't even sure what my initial hesitation was bc I found it added to the story and loved it.
This was my first hockey read (I know, I'm behind with the wave of hockey romances that have been blowing up the past year or so) but I LOVED Melissa's previous release and having dipped my toes prior into a different sports OV (and realizing I actually enjoy that aspect) I was counting down the days until I could finally dive in to explore this one.
This was a little more on the sweeter side than her previous release, with less outside drama and rules/restrictions regarding Omegas. Honestly, non-shifter omegaverses are my go-to when I'm in a contemporary mood, so I liked that this was more like our everyday society with just the added special twist of A/B/O dynamics.
It kind of felt like I got two stories in one. For the most part, the first half of the book follows Molly and Grayson while they learn more about each other and form a relationship. Molly is not interested in pursuing a pack and is oblivious to the fact that Gray has one. They were absolutely adorable together, so much so that I was good with this just being a M/F story (it's not) and Gray leaving his pack to just be with Molly. 😍 But then his pack comes to check on him and discovers exactly why he's been out of touch with them recently, Molly realizes he's not a lone alpha like she initially thought and I was a little too giddy watching it all play out after that reveal. 🤩
It's a trope I love where they don't realize there was something missing and needed until it's slapping them, hard, in the face. The universe (and some repercussions of their actions) intervened to make them go through the necessary changes to improve their lives. Mistakes were made with all parties involved, not just between Molly and Gray, so they had a bit of growth to do (some more than others) but it was nice to see them all work through it together.
Molly had the most to lose in this situation with the changes that needed to be made to accommodate the whole pack after the accidental bonding, but I like how she didn't just automatically give in. Her struggles to come to terms with her new reality were done in a relatable way. She had her occasional freak out moments (understandably so) but ultimately remained open minded while standing firm in her decisions regarding what is important to her with her goals and priorities.
Packed In The Penalty Box sucked me in and I enjoyed every minute I spent reading it. One of my favorite meet-cutes I've read in a while, that's for sure. This was a sweet, feel good, happy read for me, even with some of the angst and minor drama involved. I adored Molly's story and the HEA she was able to achieve that was fitting for her. I will definitely be adding this book to my physical bookshelf and my go-to comfort rereads pile. I'm absolutely looking forward to reading it again when the mood strikes.
January 27, 2024
Genre: Adult Omegaverse, Hockey Romance
3.5/5 🌶️
Pack Stone Structure:
Molly - Omega
Zach - Lead Alpha
Maverick - Alpha
Nils - Alpha
Grayson - Alpha
Tropes & Themes: hockey romance, why-choose omegaverse without MM, accidental bonding, heat tending and mating bites, sick/care, wearing the wrong jersey & scent marking with a jersey
Spoiler-free summary:
Molly is just trying to get her college degree and find a job in the field she loves, but when she goes to a hockey game and player smashes through the barrier and injures her, the trajectory of her life changes forever.
Grayson hates that he hurt the omega, but can’t be sorry that it brought them together. When she hits her heat, he helps her through it, but when passions and hormones are high, they accidentally bond.
Molly didn’t want an alpha so soon, but maybe she can make it work? She would, if it weren’t for the fact that Grayson has a secret pack that she wants nothing to do with.
Thoughts:
This was a very middle of the road omegaverse, in my opinion. I really enjoyed some aspects of this book, namely the premise, but the writing was sometimes distractingly off-putting. The biggest issue was the gratuitous use of explanation points that really caused some awkward dialogue that tanked some of the scenes. Unfortunately, in the line-up of omegaverse writing, this just fell flat.
Additionally, the character’s emotions were very 2D, and maybe even juvenile?
The sick/care trope was also massively overdone.
I also feel like the relationship development between Molly and Zach was rushed, although the moment they came together was very hot. In fact, the smut was very decent.
I obviously still liked it enough to finish the book, and I think that omegaverse readers will enjoy it as a whole. Nothing about this was irredeemable, and with some editing, it totally would have been a four star read.
3.5/5 🌶️
Pack Stone Structure:
Molly - Omega
Zach - Lead Alpha
Maverick - Alpha
Nils - Alpha
Grayson - Alpha
Tropes & Themes: hockey romance, why-choose omegaverse without MM, accidental bonding, heat tending and mating bites, sick/care, wearing the wrong jersey & scent marking with a jersey
Spoiler-free summary:
Molly is just trying to get her college degree and find a job in the field she loves, but when she goes to a hockey game and player smashes through the barrier and injures her, the trajectory of her life changes forever.
Grayson hates that he hurt the omega, but can’t be sorry that it brought them together. When she hits her heat, he helps her through it, but when passions and hormones are high, they accidentally bond.
Molly didn’t want an alpha so soon, but maybe she can make it work? She would, if it weren’t for the fact that Grayson has a secret pack that she wants nothing to do with.
Thoughts:
This was a very middle of the road omegaverse, in my opinion. I really enjoyed some aspects of this book, namely the premise, but the writing was sometimes distractingly off-putting. The biggest issue was the gratuitous use of explanation points that really caused some awkward dialogue that tanked some of the scenes. Unfortunately, in the line-up of omegaverse writing, this just fell flat.
Additionally, the character’s emotions were very 2D, and maybe even juvenile?
The sick/care trope was also massively overdone.
I also feel like the relationship development between Molly and Zach was rushed, although the moment they came together was very hot. In fact, the smut was very decent.
I obviously still liked it enough to finish the book, and I think that omegaverse readers will enjoy it as a whole. Nothing about this was irredeemable, and with some editing, it totally would have been a four star read.
November 12, 2025
Good book, AMAZING best friend!
First and foremost - EVERYONE needs a friend like Alexis in their lives. This is the most important thing about this book. She a ride or die and I love her to bits, taser and all. If nothing else, I give the book five stars just because of her.
The book itself was pretty good. The FMC, Molly, had her path pretty much planned out. Finish university, get a job teaching history, maybe marry a beta or alpha and have a couple kids. All of that goes out the window when she's literally smashed into by a massive hockey player and needs stitches to fix up her arm. Neither of them can really resist each other's scent, but when she goes in to heat and the hockey player (Grayson) helps her through it... they give in to their baser instincts and things get complicated.
What's worse? He has a pack that he didn't tell her about, and she's never wanted a pack.
The head of the pack, Zach, is a right jerk. As the book went on, I wasn't sure how he was going to redeem himself in time. He did eventually manage to get in her good graces, but if you expect groveling, there wasn't any. Just slow understanding of him.
There were parts that I feel could have been done better and even a couple of tiny inconsistencies that not everyone might catch. They don't effect the story, so it doesn't matter, anyway. Since I can't give partial stars on Goodreads, I just rounded up to 5.
A good book that doesn't have insta-love, has some push and pull, and I think is overall a good story that doesn't get boring!
First and foremost - EVERYONE needs a friend like Alexis in their lives. This is the most important thing about this book. She a ride or die and I love her to bits, taser and all. If nothing else, I give the book five stars just because of her.
The book itself was pretty good. The FMC, Molly, had her path pretty much planned out. Finish university, get a job teaching history, maybe marry a beta or alpha and have a couple kids. All of that goes out the window when she's literally smashed into by a massive hockey player and needs stitches to fix up her arm. Neither of them can really resist each other's scent, but when she goes in to heat and the hockey player (Grayson) helps her through it... they give in to their baser instincts and things get complicated.
What's worse? He has a pack that he didn't tell her about, and she's never wanted a pack.
The head of the pack, Zach, is a right jerk. As the book went on, I wasn't sure how he was going to redeem himself in time. He did eventually manage to get in her good graces, but if you expect groveling, there wasn't any. Just slow understanding of him.
There were parts that I feel could have been done better and even a couple of tiny inconsistencies that not everyone might catch. They don't effect the story, so it doesn't matter, anyway. Since I can't give partial stars on Goodreads, I just rounded up to 5.
A good book that doesn't have insta-love, has some push and pull, and I think is overall a good story that doesn't get boring!
January 7, 2024
*Reverse Harem
*Omegaverse
*Multi-POV
*hockey based
*Nerdy FMC
*mix of alphas
*accidental bonding
*english vs American
*established harem (4)
*fast/mid burn 🔥
*standalone
*interconnected world
Something different!
I’ve read a few hockey books lately and this is definitely my favourite hockey OV so far 😁 I love the balance between hockey (the playing of games, contracts, world surrounding it etc) and the Omegaverse aspect (you get nesting, scents and heats! 🔥🌶️🌶️🌶️) you get everything that this book is listed as! What’s more I like the different storyline to this, with the accidental bonding and the secretish pack, it’s brings something different to this trope 👏
The characters are strong, our FMC is nerdy but still has a backbone and certainly tells the alphas when they’re in her bad books and why 😂 Graysons heart is in the right place…his execution though is a little idiotic and gets him in trouble - a lot 🙄 then theres sweetheart caretaker Nils, the puppy dog Alpha Mav and then there’s Zach who is a total tool, yeah you will probably hate him at points but he does come round to show a softer side! He could have maybe grovelled a little more but you do see enough of his self-realisation for their journey to make sense! There’s certainly challenges along their way that could make or break each of their careers, can they work through it or will it all be too much to ask?!!
If you love RH OV and Hockey this is defo the read for you 😄
*Omegaverse
*Multi-POV
*hockey based
*Nerdy FMC
*mix of alphas
*accidental bonding
*english vs American
*established harem (4)
*fast/mid burn 🔥
*standalone
*interconnected world
Something different!
I’ve read a few hockey books lately and this is definitely my favourite hockey OV so far 😁 I love the balance between hockey (the playing of games, contracts, world surrounding it etc) and the Omegaverse aspect (you get nesting, scents and heats! 🔥🌶️🌶️🌶️) you get everything that this book is listed as! What’s more I like the different storyline to this, with the accidental bonding and the secretish pack, it’s brings something different to this trope 👏
The characters are strong, our FMC is nerdy but still has a backbone and certainly tells the alphas when they’re in her bad books and why 😂 Graysons heart is in the right place…his execution though is a little idiotic and gets him in trouble - a lot 🙄 then theres sweetheart caretaker Nils, the puppy dog Alpha Mav and then there’s Zach who is a total tool, yeah you will probably hate him at points but he does come round to show a softer side! He could have maybe grovelled a little more but you do see enough of his self-realisation for their journey to make sense! There’s certainly challenges along their way that could make or break each of their careers, can they work through it or will it all be too much to ask?!!
If you love RH OV and Hockey this is defo the read for you 😄
February 14, 2024
I really liked this, however it felt like it was written by two different people??? Somewhere along the way the author decided we needed more! Exclamation! Points! ?????? And it changed the entire vibe which I really did not love, but I enjoyed the overall storyline enough to not give a crap, and the alphas were so freakin cute I loved them and yes I will read the next one so don’t sass me.
I just really hate the overuse of exclamation points. Truly.
I just really hate the overuse of exclamation points. Truly.
March 4, 2024
Molly’s pack
What a crazy way to meet a hockey player! It was so obvious right from the start that Grayson and Molly were meant to be. The way they bonded may have moved things along faster than anticipated but it definitely turned out well. The other alphas fell for her so easily - well, Zach may have taken a bit. There were definitely some bumps in the road too. I totally enjoyed this one! Excited about the next book!
What a crazy way to meet a hockey player! It was so obvious right from the start that Grayson and Molly were meant to be. The way they bonded may have moved things along faster than anticipated but it definitely turned out well. The other alphas fell for her so easily - well, Zach may have taken a bit. There were definitely some bumps in the road too. I totally enjoyed this one! Excited about the next book!
April 15, 2025
It felt like this was going in the direction of a third act breakup (the heroine was irrationally blaming the MMCs 🙄), but it ended up all right without anyone actually putting emotional distance between each other, which made me happy 🥰. It was pretty weird to hear a side character have my name and for the name to be mentioned again and again since I haven’t heard or met many people with my name personally 😝.
April 27, 2024
Packed In The Penalty Box was amazing!
Packed In Tne Penalty Box, book 1 in the Pucking Alphas series, by Melissa Huxley @melissahuxleyauthor. Melissa is a new to me author. I know! 🤦🏼♀️
Wow! Such a great book about Molly & her Alphas’! I loved this book from page 1. I couldn't put it down. If you like Omegaverse, RH, no MM, hockey & spice, this book is for you!
Packed In Tne Penalty Box, book 1 in the Pucking Alphas series, by Melissa Huxley @melissahuxleyauthor. Melissa is a new to me author. I know! 🤦🏼♀️
Wow! Such a great book about Molly & her Alphas’! I loved this book from page 1. I couldn't put it down. If you like Omegaverse, RH, no MM, hockey & spice, this book is for you!
February 15, 2025
A fairly standard omegaverse romance though with the added bonus of hockey players and accidental bonding thrown into the mix. The first third of the story felt a bit disjointed if I’m being honest, but things smoothed out after the pack started spending more time together.
If you’re feeling hockey romance and omegaverse, check this out 🏒🥅
If you’re feeling hockey romance and omegaverse, check this out 🏒🥅
January 8, 2024
This book was so good! There were so many ups and downs throughout the whole thing. Grayson made some dick moves at the beginning. I felt so bad for Molly! I’m glad she had Alexis for support. Everyone deserves a friend who will taser someone for them if it’s needed. Although Grayson started out a bit rough, he really made up for it throughout the book! I also loved Maverick. He was really there for Molly in the beginning when she’s reeling from everything. He was such a sweetheart to her right from the beginning *swoon*. Nils was also amazing, but Zach started out being insufferable. I’m glad his eyes were finally opened and he realized what he was doing. My favourite character definitely has to be Potato. Who doesn’t love a cute lil bunny!? This book did leave me with a lot of questions by the end (Alexis was definitely acting shifty), so I hope we get a book to explain what’s going on there!
March 6, 2024
I enjoyed it so much I couldnt even highlight anything 😭
March 8, 2025
My choice for this month's book club 🤭 My girlies are in for a treat🏒
January 9, 2024
I really loved this story, despite being annoyed by Molly and a couple of Grayson's packmates at times. I love how they find their way as a pack and overcome the obstacles that came from Molly and Grayson's unplanned bonding. Very steamy and romantic and even a little funny. I don't love that it was written in past tense, even though I'm glad it was first person.
March 5, 2024
I’ll be completely honest here, I read the free sample, not the whole book, but the free sample had enough peeking-over-the-horizon red flags I came here to look at the other reviews and just had no interest continuing anymore.
Things that nagged at my red flag alarm:
* The CLASSIC “my bff, roommate, cousin, best gal pal, whatever is DRAWING me out of the house where I’m content to remain a rebellious couch potato against an army of wild extroverts and human interactions outside of my character interests (in this case studying)!” I’m just not a fan of the “they made me!” Plot maneuvers authors use their FL’s best friends as. Own it. Homebody or hockey but own your comfort and capacity. Don’t roll your eyes and then grouch while you willingly have your arm twisted like your better than this and exasperated. It sounds so conceited.
* The hockey player Greyson who crashed through the barrier honestly doesn’t sound like he cares much that the FL is hurt. He’s too busy thinking about how good she smells and his c0ck. When he DOES call himself out for not remembering she’s a frigging human being with nerves, pain receptors, a traumatic freak experience and FEELINGS. His acknowledgement was so pitiful I wondered why it has been included in the first place when the injuries he caused her where no where NEAR the forefront of his mind in the least for so much of his chapter.
* the best friend accepting the free following game tickets and offering to leave her best friends number to the hockey player who tried crushing her. The number hookup was a bit more forgivable than the girls happily accepting AND GOING to the next game so readily. The FL should want absolutely nothing to do with MORE bodily injury. She literally lays it out in black and white the whole time we’re in her POV. Focusing on not being hit by the puck no matter how small her chances are, not wanting to move seats from the barrier bc that might put her into stray puck flying territory, not trying to ice-skate anymore bc she kept falling. I know she has to get checked by the doctor but she also gave HIM her number too and she should be eager to avoid the game for a good bit longer after only JUST healing a week after the incident.
Reading the other reviews about some arsehole character who doesn’t let up being an arsehole even past 90% and who’s so easily forgiven for his awful behavior plus how the pack left her out to dry with the media circus calling her all sorts of slander? All this BS and no epic grovel? Nah. No thanks. My brain cells would LEAK.
This was a no for me.
Things that nagged at my red flag alarm:
* The CLASSIC “my bff, roommate, cousin, best gal pal, whatever is DRAWING me out of the house where I’m content to remain a rebellious couch potato against an army of wild extroverts and human interactions outside of my character interests (in this case studying)!” I’m just not a fan of the “they made me!” Plot maneuvers authors use their FL’s best friends as. Own it. Homebody or hockey but own your comfort and capacity. Don’t roll your eyes and then grouch while you willingly have your arm twisted like your better than this and exasperated. It sounds so conceited.
* The hockey player Greyson who crashed through the barrier honestly doesn’t sound like he cares much that the FL is hurt. He’s too busy thinking about how good she smells and his c0ck. When he DOES call himself out for not remembering she’s a frigging human being with nerves, pain receptors, a traumatic freak experience and FEELINGS. His acknowledgement was so pitiful I wondered why it has been included in the first place when the injuries he caused her where no where NEAR the forefront of his mind in the least for so much of his chapter.
* the best friend accepting the free following game tickets and offering to leave her best friends number to the hockey player who tried crushing her. The number hookup was a bit more forgivable than the girls happily accepting AND GOING to the next game so readily. The FL should want absolutely nothing to do with MORE bodily injury. She literally lays it out in black and white the whole time we’re in her POV. Focusing on not being hit by the puck no matter how small her chances are, not wanting to move seats from the barrier bc that might put her into stray puck flying territory, not trying to ice-skate anymore bc she kept falling. I know she has to get checked by the doctor but she also gave HIM her number too and she should be eager to avoid the game for a good bit longer after only JUST healing a week after the incident.
Reading the other reviews about some arsehole character who doesn’t let up being an arsehole even past 90% and who’s so easily forgiven for his awful behavior plus how the pack left her out to dry with the media circus calling her all sorts of slander? All this BS and no epic grovel? Nah. No thanks. My brain cells would LEAK.
This was a no for me.
November 26, 2025
Packed In The Penalty Box: 4 ★ | Finished | Easy to follow writing style | Loveable characters | Decent plot | Cliché but Intriguing premise | Fun reading experience
Pack Power Play: 2 ★ | Finished with skim reading | Easy to follow writing style | Problematic characters | Passable plot | Intriguing premise | Frustrating reading experience
I liked Molly’s story in the first book, but I can’t say the same for Alexis. In the second book, everything just felt ridiculous. Alexis is unlikable as a heroine, and the relationship development felt forced and insincere.
Pack Power Play: 2 ★ | Finished with skim reading | Easy to follow writing style | Problematic characters | Passable plot | Intriguing premise | Frustrating reading experience
I liked Molly’s story in the first book, but I can’t say the same for Alexis. In the second book, everything just felt ridiculous. Alexis is unlikable as a heroine, and the relationship development felt forced and insincere.
March 4, 2024
dnf at 17%
There were some inconsistencies in timelines, and the writing was lacking. Reusing words over and over, calling the female characters guys, etc. I quit when he ordered her soup, said it would be there in 20 minutes, and in the next sentence he was going to get it because it would be there. Peaches and peppermint are not two complimentary smells either.
There were some inconsistencies in timelines, and the writing was lacking. Reusing words over and over, calling the female characters guys, etc. I quit when he ordered her soup, said it would be there in 20 minutes, and in the next sentence he was going to get it because it would be there. Peaches and peppermint are not two complimentary smells either.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 351 reviews