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Pucking Dark Hearts #1
Pucking Hearts Collide
Ice racing was the only thing on my radar. My goal? To return from a knee injury and make the Winter Olympic team.
My problem? Having to share my practice rink with up-and-coming hockey team, the Opal Springs Ghouls.
All they want is to turn professional and put the town on the hockey map.
Their problem? They don't want to share the ice with me either, and they don't mind letting me and everyone else know. Three of them in particular have made it their mission to make my life h*ll, by any means necessary.
Even if they break me.
Good luck with that, I won't be broken that easily, but fighting both them and my attraction to them might just shatter me forever.
**This is an RH hockey romance with darker themes.**
My problem? Having to share my practice rink with up-and-coming hockey team, the Opal Springs Ghouls.
All they want is to turn professional and put the town on the hockey map.
Their problem? They don't want to share the ice with me either, and they don't mind letting me and everyone else know. Three of them in particular have made it their mission to make my life h*ll, by any means necessary.
Even if they break me.
Good luck with that, I won't be broken that easily, but fighting both them and my attraction to them might just shatter me forever.
**This is an RH hockey romance with darker themes.**
268 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 2, 2024
63 people are currently reading
197 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
May 7, 2024
hmmmm
I’m not quite sure how I feel about this book. I feel like it is missing a bit of plot towards the end. It felt a bit rushed and too easily all wrapped up in a HEA.
I’m not quite sure how I feel about this book. I feel like it is missing a bit of plot towards the end. It felt a bit rushed and too easily all wrapped up in a HEA.
June 2, 2024
The animosity from the MMC is from his imagination. Hard pass.
May 3, 2024
Catalina was a young g woman recovering from a knee injury. She was training for the Olympics in speed skating. She was working for hard to get in shape for the Olympics trials on the only ice rink in town. The local hockey team was causing issues with her using the ice. Two of them were being douchbags to her. My heart was breaking from how they were treating her. Then something tragic happened and I cried. It was a hard book to put down.
October 3, 2025
DNF
Guys had no redeemable qualities and ms independent was way too easy to fall into bed with them. I just couldn't get into it.
Guys had no redeemable qualities and ms independent was way too easy to fall into bed with them. I just couldn't get into it.
June 3, 2024
I received a copy of this book from the publisher/author to review for Stephanie's Book Reports.
This is the story of Catalina, Shaw, Cruz and Easton. Cat is recovering from a devastating injury to her knee. However, she is not about to let that stop her from going to the Olympic team for speed skating. She is good enough to do it too. The only problem, there is only one ice rink in town and she has to share it with the hockey team. There are some guys on the team that want her there less than others and they are going to do everything in their power to make sure that happens. Cruz, Shaw and Easton have worked to hard to let some little tiny speed skating princess ruin their team chances of joining the national hockey league. She is about to learn who really rules the ice in their town. However, Cat herself throws a wrench in all those plans. The more they get to know her the more they realize that she is not what they thought they were. Now with tragedy on the horizon will they be able to come together and find out who is responsible or have they caused to much damage in their mission to run Cat off the ice? You have to read to find that. I really loved Cat. She is a strong female character who is not going to let these men ruin things for her. She already is dealing with her knee injury and has a big dream of the Olympics and no one is going to stop her from accomplishing that dream. Cruz is my favorite of the guys. He really stole my heart. But don't take that to mean that Shaw and Easton aren't great too. Once you get past all the bullying and horrible things they try to do to get Cat off their ice.
This is the story of Catalina, Shaw, Cruz and Easton. Cat is recovering from a devastating injury to her knee. However, she is not about to let that stop her from going to the Olympic team for speed skating. She is good enough to do it too. The only problem, there is only one ice rink in town and she has to share it with the hockey team. There are some guys on the team that want her there less than others and they are going to do everything in their power to make sure that happens. Cruz, Shaw and Easton have worked to hard to let some little tiny speed skating princess ruin their team chances of joining the national hockey league. She is about to learn who really rules the ice in their town. However, Cat herself throws a wrench in all those plans. The more they get to know her the more they realize that she is not what they thought they were. Now with tragedy on the horizon will they be able to come together and find out who is responsible or have they caused to much damage in their mission to run Cat off the ice? You have to read to find that. I really loved Cat. She is a strong female character who is not going to let these men ruin things for her. She already is dealing with her knee injury and has a big dream of the Olympics and no one is going to stop her from accomplishing that dream. Cruz is my favorite of the guys. He really stole my heart. But don't take that to mean that Shaw and Easton aren't great too. Once you get past all the bullying and horrible things they try to do to get Cat off their ice.
April 24, 2024
This is the first book that I have read by this author and I sit here trying to write this review I’m not sure how to. I want to say that I loved the characters. Shaw was my favorite. He is the type of hero that I wish every romance novel had. The other guys were great but Shaw was the best of the bunch. Our heroine, Cat was great too. I loved her passion for what she wanted to do and just her overall demeanor throughout the book.
The plot was great also. While a little predictable, I found myself hooked from the start. The hate to love, the mystery that surrounds what happened, etc. the author came up with an addictive plot.
Now to my issues with the book. It was really hard to feel the romance. I felt like it was to fast paced to really feel these characters fall for eachother. Maybe that was the point? I’m not sure. I just know that I felt like if it was more drawn out, I would’ve felt that romantic connection better.
As for the MM…… there was only 2 very small MM interactions in this book. I didn’t feel it at all. I would have loved to see more about that. See it really evolve or the guys at least talk to each other in depth about their feeling, etc. I didn’t need the stream of it, I just wanted to really see that connection with them as potential lovers and not just best friends.
Overall, I did like this book. The author left Easter eggs for the next book and I have high hopes for that one. I plan to read it when it comes out in June. The author is a great writer, I just feel that this story was to rushed to really feel it (hopefully that makes sense. 3.5 stars
The plot was great also. While a little predictable, I found myself hooked from the start. The hate to love, the mystery that surrounds what happened, etc. the author came up with an addictive plot.
Now to my issues with the book. It was really hard to feel the romance. I felt like it was to fast paced to really feel these characters fall for eachother. Maybe that was the point? I’m not sure. I just know that I felt like if it was more drawn out, I would’ve felt that romantic connection better.
As for the MM…… there was only 2 very small MM interactions in this book. I didn’t feel it at all. I would have loved to see more about that. See it really evolve or the guys at least talk to each other in depth about their feeling, etc. I didn’t need the stream of it, I just wanted to really see that connection with them as potential lovers and not just best friends.
Overall, I did like this book. The author left Easter eggs for the next book and I have high hopes for that one. I plan to read it when it comes out in June. The author is a great writer, I just feel that this story was to rushed to really feel it (hopefully that makes sense. 3.5 stars
May 3, 2024
"Catalina has fought to get back to the top of her sport. After an injury sidelined her, she will not let anything stop her from making the Olympic Team for speed skating. Not even the super conceited pucking hockey players from her hometown team.
Cruz, Shaw and Easton have worked too hard to let some little princess ruin their teams chances of joining the national hockey league. They decide that she needs to be brought down a peg or two and to learn who really rules the ice. What harm could a little bet due?
The more that they get to know Catalina the ore they realize that she is not what they thought she was. Will they come to regret the choices they have made?
When tragedy strikes will they be able to come together as one unit to find out who is responsible or has too much happened to bridge the gap?
I loved this book. They characters were amazing and I really liked the story. This is a dark romance with bullying, so please check your trigger warnings before reading. I cannot wait for the next book in the series."
Cruz, Shaw and Easton have worked too hard to let some little princess ruin their teams chances of joining the national hockey league. They decide that she needs to be brought down a peg or two and to learn who really rules the ice. What harm could a little bet due?
The more that they get to know Catalina the ore they realize that she is not what they thought she was. Will they come to regret the choices they have made?
When tragedy strikes will they be able to come together as one unit to find out who is responsible or has too much happened to bridge the gap?
I loved this book. They characters were amazing and I really liked the story. This is a dark romance with bullying, so please check your trigger warnings before reading. I cannot wait for the next book in the series."
May 2, 2024
Wow! I absolutely loved this book. Fantastic characters and amazing plot. Very beautifully written and easy to read.
Catalina Ryan is a speed skater. One year ago she had an injury to her knee and was forced to move back to Opal Springs with her father. She is now better and training for the Olympics with her father as her trainer.
One day she is interrupted by a hockey team. The three guys especially glowered at her. Cruz and Easton made about who will be first to bed Cat. Shaw was silently seething. I absolutely loved every single one of their interactions. I loved how despite the hate they were still attracted to each other. Liked how their relationship got only stronger after the accident. The chemistry and passion between them all is very powerful.
Overall I loved this book very much and I can’t wait for the next one. If you’re a fan of hockey romance then you’re going to love it.
Catalina Ryan is a speed skater. One year ago she had an injury to her knee and was forced to move back to Opal Springs with her father. She is now better and training for the Olympics with her father as her trainer.
One day she is interrupted by a hockey team. The three guys especially glowered at her. Cruz and Easton made about who will be first to bed Cat. Shaw was silently seething. I absolutely loved every single one of their interactions. I loved how despite the hate they were still attracted to each other. Liked how their relationship got only stronger after the accident. The chemistry and passion between them all is very powerful.
Overall I loved this book very much and I can’t wait for the next one. If you’re a fan of hockey romance then you’re going to love it.
May 22, 2024
Pucking Hearts Collide by Maggie Alabaster
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
“No one could say Catalina Joanna Ryan was a quitter.”
The statement remained constant throughout the entire story: Cat was overcoming a near career-ending injury and was thrown through a loop by having to fight for rink time with some hockey players. While training for the Winter Olympics in speed skating, the local hockey team, hoping to make it big and get a new arena for their small town, is making it hard for her to train. Specifically, three of them, two being huge jerks about it, openly causing huge issues down the road. The romance in the story was very fast-paced but it worked. Shaw was the sweetest of the three. Cruz was the typical bad boy from books, and Easton was a class clown type of guy. The relationships between Cat and them had realistic dialogue and problem-solving conversations. I enjoyed that the author set up the next book well by introducing the characters throughout this one, and that little tidbit at the end made me excited to jump right into the next.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
“No one could say Catalina Joanna Ryan was a quitter.”
The statement remained constant throughout the entire story: Cat was overcoming a near career-ending injury and was thrown through a loop by having to fight for rink time with some hockey players. While training for the Winter Olympics in speed skating, the local hockey team, hoping to make it big and get a new arena for their small town, is making it hard for her to train. Specifically, three of them, two being huge jerks about it, openly causing huge issues down the road. The romance in the story was very fast-paced but it worked. Shaw was the sweetest of the three. Cruz was the typical bad boy from books, and Easton was a class clown type of guy. The relationships between Cat and them had realistic dialogue and problem-solving conversations. I enjoyed that the author set up the next book well by introducing the characters throughout this one, and that little tidbit at the end made me excited to jump right into the next.
June 4, 2024
4.5 star
I really wanted to give this a 5 star by the end of the book but, I almost didn’t continue reading it. Up until 30% I felt like it was just blah but… again, I’m glad I pushed forward and finished it!
One thing I also didn’t realize — this is a RH book! Oops! I love me a good RH book so, once that got to popping off in the book I was done for!!
The steam in this book was great! The drama was dramatic enough to keep you going. And everything was just 😚 yes!! It worked.
In the beginning, Cat (female lead) was starting to get on my nerves but, I can say that about the male leads as well. Haha! But, again, by 30% they grabbed me and wouldn’t let go!
Thank you for letting me read & review your book! I look forward to book 2!
Review by Angie
I really wanted to give this a 5 star by the end of the book but, I almost didn’t continue reading it. Up until 30% I felt like it was just blah but… again, I’m glad I pushed forward and finished it!
One thing I also didn’t realize — this is a RH book! Oops! I love me a good RH book so, once that got to popping off in the book I was done for!!
The steam in this book was great! The drama was dramatic enough to keep you going. And everything was just 😚 yes!! It worked.
In the beginning, Cat (female lead) was starting to get on my nerves but, I can say that about the male leads as well. Haha! But, again, by 30% they grabbed me and wouldn’t let go!
Thank you for letting me read & review your book! I look forward to book 2!
Review by Angie
May 2, 2024
This is the first in a new series, and what a great beginning this story is!
Catalina is a speed skater, and when she suffers a knee injury, she heads back home to be with her dad. Cruz, Easton, and Shaw are complex characters, and are on the hockey team.
This is a well written easy to read, emotional roller coaster, with family, friendships. enemies / lovers, a reverse harem, passion, humor, witty banter, undeniable chemistry, romance, and love, which leads to an entertaining, unpredictable, and steamy, dark hockey romance.
I look forward to reading more from this talented author whose work I highly recommend.
Catalina is a speed skater, and when she suffers a knee injury, she heads back home to be with her dad. Cruz, Easton, and Shaw are complex characters, and are on the hockey team.
This is a well written easy to read, emotional roller coaster, with family, friendships. enemies / lovers, a reverse harem, passion, humor, witty banter, undeniable chemistry, romance, and love, which leads to an entertaining, unpredictable, and steamy, dark hockey romance.
I look forward to reading more from this talented author whose work I highly recommend.
May 3, 2024
This was a different read than the others I have read by Maggie. This is a true sports romance, no Mafia involved. We do have a cameo from Aiden from the Dusk Bay Demons series but it's not a major part of the story.
Cat is strength personified. She fights back to Olympic competition level after a knee injury when out of no where she is blindsided by news.
Shaw is by her side when she gets this news and never steps away. He is a gruff cinnamon roll. Eventually Cruz and Easton find their way out of their way to realize what they want for a future.
Enjoy the ride, the angst, the emotions and see where it leads.
Cat is strength personified. She fights back to Olympic competition level after a knee injury when out of no where she is blindsided by news.
Shaw is by her side when she gets this news and never steps away. He is a gruff cinnamon roll. Eventually Cruz and Easton find their way out of their way to realize what they want for a future.
Enjoy the ride, the angst, the emotions and see where it leads.
May 2, 2024
Love this book. Love Catalina, Cruz, Easton, and Shaw’s romance story. This book was a different type of hockey romance than I’m used to. I normally read books that are FM or MM, never a reverse harem romance. Catalina is in the sport if ice racing but she has to share the rink with a up-and-coming hockey team. Neither one wants to share the rink. Three of them have tried to make Catalina’s life miserable but no of them can fight the attraction they feel for each other. Such a great story if you like reverse harem romances. Worth the read
May 2, 2024
Catalina just wants to get back to her olympic dream but having to share the ice with the Opal spring ghosts ice hocky team things turn heated quick especially with Cruz, Easton and Shaw. Well written steamy RH hocky, sports romance.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
May 7, 2024
What a great start to the series! I loved Cat! I loved her strength and her fight to pursue her dream. Cruz and Easton got on my nerves, but quickly grew on me. I loved Shaw. He was absolutely perfect for Cat. THe four of them together were great. This is a well written reverse harem, hockey romance with plenty of drama and steam.
June 6, 2024
Olympic hopeful Catalina is an amazing Ice racer. She practices daily and is diligent with her training. The problem is so is the possible NHL hockey team the Ghouls, who don’t like to share their space.
This book is filled with drama, suspense, danger and tons of passion. A reverse harem, this book will give you tons of back ground, multiple POV’s and lots of love.
This book is filled with drama, suspense, danger and tons of passion. A reverse harem, this book will give you tons of back ground, multiple POV’s and lots of love.
July 5, 2024
I like the way this started, but it kind of petered out after the attack. It was kind of all pointing fingers and then all is forgiven, I love them all, they all love me, HEA. Very rushed at the end not really any character building. It had a great start slow middle and just a hurry to wrap everything up and finish it at the end.
November 17, 2024
Awesome
Absolutely amazing stroy! I'm glad Cruz got his head out of his booty and realised Cat wasn't evil, nor did she need bringing down any pegs
Absolutely amazing stroy! I'm glad Cruz got his head out of his booty and realised Cat wasn't evil, nor did she need bringing down any pegs
October 22, 2025
🔴 This is a poly romance, not a RH 🔴
1 star because the author failed to disclose in the blurb that the book contains MM.
1 star because the author failed to disclose in the blurb that the book contains MM.
May 13, 2024
Overall, I enjoyed this book. If you want hockey romance with enemies to lovers and why choose/RH, then this is definitely for you. It does have some suspense/mystery vibes with what happens to Cat. She is definitely a fighter and doesn't give up. We do see a lot of intense emotions during their journey because neither Cat or the guys want to give in when it comes to what they want. I did like how Shaw steps up and supports Cat.
I would like to have seen a little more of their relationship developing. The end felt so little rushed once Cruz and Easton figured out that they wanted a relationship with Cat. I also would have liked to see more of the relationship with Cruz and Easton grow and develop.
I am looking forward to the next book.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I would like to have seen a little more of their relationship developing. The end felt so little rushed once Cruz and Easton figured out that they wanted a relationship with Cat. I also would have liked to see more of the relationship with Cruz and Easton grow and develop.
I am looking forward to the next book.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
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