Bitter Pucking Rivals

Hunks Who Puck #7

by Lina George

Hayden and Theo are bitter rivals, having been playing on opposing teams for the entirety of their collegiate hockey careers. Hayden is an introverted Somerset Seagull while Theo, a Wildwood Wolverine, seems reckless and rowdy in comparison. They're used to using their casual disdain as an advantage against one another on the ice. But when a hockey camp shake up means they're stuck on the same team for an entire week, can these bitter rivals find common ground?

This short read is a contemporary new adult hockey romance featuring the enemies to lovers trope, a gay (male/male) pairing, and it is part one of a two-part story within this series.

Genres: Sports, Sports Romance, M M Romance, Romance, Enemies To Lovers, College, Gay

50 pages, Kindle Edition

First published April 9, 2024

Reviews

[Moraa (vacation hiatus) · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars

Despite not being a fan of the writing style I will be reading the next instalment because:

- the spice was kinda hot
- it's <60 pages
- this and the sequel can be read as a standalone

Kindle freebie: 22.7.24

[Manic killer · Rating 1 out of 5]

Sigh

I am still trying to understand what this was. Eh, I read it thinking I was going into a very good rivals to lovers novella. I’m don’t even know where the rivalry in this was.

[Jackie Ziegler · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is part of one of Hayden and Theo's story. They play on rival teams are paired on the same team during this training camp they are both attending. While they have chemsitry, Hayden is just getting angry with Theo. During a game they end up arguing, even though they are on the same team,and are both told to get off the ice. In the locker things heat up with them but how far will Hayden let these feelings go?

Part 1 of 2 of this couple.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[John · Rating 2 out of 5]

This isn't a book. It's the start of a book. It's a premise. It's a teaser about a larger story that won't be explored unless you pick up the next book (presumably). I thought "minimum viable publication" was a Thing only in academia and the publish-or-perish world, but apparently it's made its way into fiction as well.

It's also shocking that the MC knows everything about anal sex and getting a partner ready for it despite never having tried it or even thought about it before. Do better.

[L KQ · Rating 5 out of 5]

Unexpected Tension Relief

Hockey Rivals that can't seem to get along are now paired during camp but tempers flare. Hayden is generally reserved while Theo is confident and outspoken. What happens at the end culminated a new beginning to their rivalry and view of each other. I can't wait until the next one to see how it all works out.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[P3 · Rating 1 out of 5]

Thankful it was only 50 pages

I'm so glad that it was a novella. If this book had more than 50 pages, It would've been a DNF. if you are writing a sports book do some research on the sport. If you are writing about a city, know where it's located.
Please check for errors that spell check doesn't catch. It's only 50 pages, so it shouldn't be too hard. This book stated that it is to be continued, and I will not be following up. I do not recommend this book.

[Jonathan Prim · Rating 4 out of 5]

This one really works—and a big part of that is thanks to the long-form storytelling built from the very first short story in the series. Even in the brief thirty seconds we saw Hayden from another perspective, he left an impression, so getting his full story here felt earned. The rivalry, the characters’ reasons for being there, and the perfectly planned “moment” all come together beautifully. And the fact that this is part one of a two-part series? Delicious. Woohoo!

[Patrick · Rating 5 out of 5]

Enemies to ???

Hayden had always disliked Theo, due to their rivalry on the ice and Theo's taunting. When they both end up at the same hockey camp and on the same team, things go downhill fast. But things take a 180 turn when they are kicked off the ice. This story is fast moving and hard to stop reading. My only complaint is that it is too short. I want more.

[Tarneisha Chavis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another fast quick read! I enjoyed how it focused on just one character and how he was feeling about everything in life. I love the awakening of Hayden's sexuality. I love the enemies to lovers trope. Hayden was under too much pressure and just needed to figure things out personally. Im excited to see where Hayden and Theo go from here.

[Debbie Benson · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review. A quick read where rivals Hayden and Theo finally act on simmering desires. It gets really steamy and I would like to see more this relationship.

[Samantha Fox · Rating 2 out of 5]

I went into this thinking it was introducing these characters story and I was little confused about how other characters were described. The chemistry between the two main characters feels forced and is kind of out of pocket. I feel like this has potential to be more than what it is.

[Jordan Fiest · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book seven of Hunks Who Puck is my absolute favourite so far in this series. Oh boy was it steamy and sexy. Damn this was a great novella. I loved the chemistry between the two men. Yummy. I can’t wait for book eight.

[Angela · Rating 4 out of 5]

bitter picking rivals

This one was slightly different from the rest in the series but equally as cute. It ends in a cliffhanger but concludes in the next book in the series.

Sports: hockey
MM
Rivals
Enemies to l0vers
Cliffhanger

[S.L. Sullivan · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was fine. I read it as a palette cleanser and I'm not sure my palette is properly cleansed, but we go forth. I do with this book and the adjoining novella were combined into one. I'll definitely read the second one at some point.

[Naomi (aplace_inthesun) · Rating 1 out of 5]

I’m all for rivals to lovers but this novella was was the length of a sneeze and it was done.

I don’t need huge backstories in novellas just characters that hook you in so you want to know more.

This has neither chemistry or tension which I would expect from rivals to lovers.

Bummed.

[Lauri MissDysfunktion]

The lines were just too cringey. Usually I can look past a few typos but when the sentences don’t make sense I can’t do it.

[Eleni · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 Stars

[Linda Carter · Rating 4 out of 5]

book review

I found this book entertaining and I’m assuming it continues Hayden and Theo’s story continues. I really liked the characters :)

[Jennifer Carter · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found this book entertaining and I’m assuming it continues Hayden and Theo’s story continues. I really liked the characters :)

[Abby · Rating 1 out of 5]

Oh this was real bad.

[Mads · Rating 3 out of 5]

it felt like it ended so fast but the next novella is the part 2 which will be nice to get more info on them together

[Dani · Rating 2 out of 5]

This focused on the wrong things for me to get locked in. Sure, they kind of had some tension together but I never picked up on why or why the main was so angry. I’ve already forgotten his name.

[Olga · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars

[Kitchen Sink Books · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am loving, more and more, hockey romances. There is just something about them that clicks for me and with this one being the first in a two parter there is a lot of hockey and I was hooked. Perhaps it is all that testosterone but these hockey players are funny, cute and determined ... to win of course!

In this, the seventh book of the Hunks Who Puck series we see the longtime rival teams, the Somerset Seagulls and the Wildwood Wolverine's along with a number of other college teams joining together for a week long training camp in Canada. It's a long coach ride for them all and tempers are ready to flare. It gets worse when they are told that to stretch out the stiff limbs after travel the teams are going to be completely mixed up for some friendly play. Well that is what the coaches are planning at least!

Hayden plays for the Seagulls and is an introverted, quiet player who we are about to discover is battling with himself over feelings he has never before acknowledged. Theo is goalie for the Wolverine's, outgoing, boisterous and Hayden's complete opposite. He also, in recent games, has blocked Hayden's goals and that irks. So they don't get on too well, even though Theo attempts to call a truce. Events come to a head when, during the game Hayden loses his cool completely and the two are sent off. This leaves them alone in the locker room and with tempers flaring there seems to be only one outlet for them both but what it means for them we will have to wait for the next installment to learn.

A short, easy read, perfect for a coffee or lunch break this book is both a tease - we want to know what will happen for these two, and a brilliant hockey story. Pacey, well written and pitched perfectly for all those who love their sporty MM romances. These two are certainly bitter rivals but can they harness that and turn it into something more?.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Jai Oni · Rating 1 out of 5]

Rating: ⭐️
Enjoyment: ❤️