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The Pucking Girl Next Door

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Smith Cabot is known as the ultimate player, in hockey and in life.

Lately though, the high life doesn’t feel the same and it’s starting to affect his game. When his best friend suggests
retreating to the mountains for the holidays to figure out what he wants in life, he jumps at the
chance. Coming up with a plan for his life seems to be easy until he sees Annabelle, his best friend's little sister, and she's all grown up.

Annabelle Rogers has always dreamed of a fairytale life. The perfect job. The perfect life. She
had it all planned out, but when her dream job turns out to be a nightmare, everything changes.

Now she's stuck in a small town named Embers Bend for Christmas, alone.

Things couldn’t possibly get any worse, right? Wrong. She didn’t expect to come face to face with her brother’s best friend, Smith. Not only is she missing time with her family, but she has to figure out how to survive being in the same house
as the boy she's always had a crush on. Only now he's a man, all man.

What happens when Smith and Annabelle are snowed in and forced to be together. Will they be able to make it
happily ever after?

101 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 25, 2024

26 people are currently reading
82 people want to read

About the author

Nichole Ruschelle

30 books81 followers

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5 stars
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4 stars
32 (37%)
3 stars
21 (24%)
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6 (7%)
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 49 reviews
Profile Image for Amber.
84 reviews7 followers
November 30, 2024
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Thank you to Nichole Ruschelle for the ARC of The Pucking Girl Next Door!

I love adding in a fast pace good read every once in a while. This novella is a great, short read! Smith & Annabelle are both great characters. Finding yourself alone in a house with your childhood crush is what dreams are made of. Especially when that crush is even better looking as an adult. Can Smith fight the first attraction he’s felt in a while? Is he willing to put his friendship with Steve on the line for a chance with Annabelle?
Profile Image for arianna winsor.
32 reviews
November 13, 2024
first off, i want to thank the author for sending me an ARC copy of this book! as promised, this is my honest review.

this was a cozy and cute christmas holiday read that is fast paced without feeling rushed, best friends little sister, duel POV, that i completed reading in just under two hours (i am a fast reader). i absolutely loved the christmas vibes and the overall experience of reading this was good. character backgrounds and relationships were well written. there is repeated use of words such as "but" and "always" and "after".

below i have listed specific parts of the books that could use revision with the hopes the author reads this review and catches them as i would genuinely like to help and see her achieve and publish her best possible works. most of these are short parts of sentences quoted directly from the book itself as it's written or small errors. (i read this book on kindle)

- chapter 2, page 18: "my dad would be probably try to get me" wording error.
- chapter 5, page 25: incorrect paragraph spacing before the word "forgetting".
- chapter 7, page 32: "And I all I can seem to" wording error.
- chapter 8, page 37: "'We we're young boys.'" wording error.
- chapter 8, page 40: a couple spelling errors such as the word "to" should be "too".
- chapter 9, page 43: spacing error mid paragraph.
- chapter 12, page 58: "This about the buildup, not just the release." wording error.
- chapter 13, page 63: "making sure I that if I look anywhere" wording error.
- chapter 16, page 74: "When look over my shoulder," wording error.
- chapter 18, page 82: spacing error mid paragraph.

of course if any of these were intentional then that is my bad and i am very sorry. obviously i might not have caught everything that was an error or potential error, these are simply the ones that stood out to me and i wanted to let the author know about in case she wants to edit them.

again, a huge thank you to the author for sending me an ARC copy of this book, it was an absolute pleasure of a read. i am generally pretty prickly with my star ratings. 1 star is dnf, 2 star is not horrid but not enjoyable, 3 star is not great not terrible though still semi enjoyed, 4 stars is enjoyable and good content that held my interest as well as potential reread someday, 5 stars is absolutely amazing would read a million times.

i would and already have recommended this book to other reader friends for a perfect cozy christmas read!
Profile Image for Kimberley.
442 reviews8 followers
November 17, 2024
This was a cute and fast paced Christmas novella so perfect for an afternoon reading session. Hockey themed while featuring some great tropes like snowed in and brothers best friend. Smith and Annabelle were the cutest as was Annabelle’s relationship with her brother. This was a great festive read. I received a complementary copy from the author.
Profile Image for Maxine.
373 reviews18 followers
November 23, 2024
I am giving this a 3.75. This is a small quick holiday novella that was a cute hockey read with childhood friends where the MMC is also the brother's best friend. Now this book is part of an interconnected series with each book being a standalone. I can attest this is a true standalone because while there were mentions of previous incidents, I didn't feel like I was missing out on the story.

As this is a novella the story is a little rushed, but it was cute when they first see each other as it's been forever since they saw each other, and they didn't recognize each other. But of course, when they realize who each other is they are immediately attracted to each other and old feelings at least for Annabele come back to the surface. It was a sweet straight forward story with a touch of the holidays to get you in the spirit.

I do wish there had been a scene however with a blow up at the boss quitting. Would have been a little cathartic and could have bumped it up to a 4 for me but otherwise it was a straightforward story with only really very minor easily solved bumps.

This book is about Smith who decides to stay at his best friend's family mountain home for some R&R and to escape his family around the holidays. He was supposed to be all alone, that is until he walks in on a woman he has never seen before or so he thought. Turns out it is Annabelle his best friend's younger sister who he uses to play with and who he hasn't seen for years. She unfortunately missed her plane for the family vacation due to her jerk of a boss, but she hopes to make it out on a later flight. That is until a snowstorm comes in shutting down the airport and snowing her in with her childhood crush. Seeing each other after all this time brings out new feelings in Smith and old feelings for Annabelle. Maybe the heat between these two will be enough to melt some snow?

I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Profile Image for Rebmay.
2,827 reviews50 followers
November 23, 2024
Fate brings Annabelle and Smith together again at Christmas during a snowstorm. He is staying at her parent’s mountain home at the suggestion of her brother who is also his best friend. Though she was supposed to join her family in the Bahamas for Christmas, a last minute work assignment from her overbearing boss leads her to miss her chance to fly out before a snowstorm closes down the airports. When the power goes off in her small home, Annabelle is forced to take refuge in her parent’s house which is a stone’s throw away. Both she and Smith are surprised to see each other and there are definitely sparks between them. The feelings they once had for each other begin to resurface and despite the bro code that nibbles at Smith’s conscience, those sparks soon combust. But when reality sets in again, they remember the bro code, that they live and work thousands of miles apart and various other potential roadblocks to maintaining a relationship. Will they fight to be together, for love?

I will be happy to recommend this captivating book.
Profile Image for Elly Christmas.
145 reviews
November 23, 2024
ARC this is my honest opinion

Sooooo. We have Smith and Annabelle. You remember Smith yes? No, well you have gotta read about his dad Silas, and his ex-/ new stepmom Kimberly in her heart's desire. Not that you really have to read it but it would help explain a little about his relationship with his dad.

Okay now back on track. This was a cute short holiday childhood first love book. He is her older brother's best friend. Annabelle has been in love with him all her life. He was the one who got away. Smith feels the same way. He fell for her without really knowing it. So when they are snowed in together they get close. A tale as old as time. Snowstorms are the best wingmen. While being snowed in they get close and take the plunge into their feelings.

This was a good brother's friend romance. It was quick and cute. Of course, it is interconnected to Nichole's other books. Which makes it nice that you know the supporting characters. You know the struggles they went through to find their special someone.
Profile Image for Jessica Bradford.
383 reviews18 followers
December 24, 2025
This was a super cute, super quick, snowed in holiday read.
If you need something to get you through a slump and you’re feeling a little festive, Nichole Ruschelle definitely has you covered with this little gem.
Smith Cabot is a hockey player that is trying to find his way out of a funk and when his best friend/teammate Steve suggests going off for the weekend to clear his head, he offers up his family’s house in the mountains. His family is going to the Bahamas so the house will be empty, of so they think.
Steve’s younger sister Annabelle is stuck in a very demanding not so rewarding job that she feels she needs so when her boss tells her she needs to complete a very last minute task before leaving for the day, Annabelle fears she won’t make her flight in time to meet her family in the Bahamas. Of course she doesn’t and she’s stuck at home.
Due to a hardhitting snow storm Smith and Annabelle are stuck, together, and let’s just say the romance flies off the pages.
Profile Image for kymagirl.
6,274 reviews89 followers
November 20, 2024
Professional hockey player Smith (H) heads to a remote cabin for the holidays to clear his mind, and the last person he expects to find is Annabelle (h), his childhood friend, his best friend’s little sister. What starts as an awkward reunion turns into something deeper as the two are drawn together by old memories and undeniable attraction. But Smith’s career keeps him on the road, and Annabelle’s life is firmly rooted in her hometown, leaving them to wonder if they’re only setting themselves up for heartbreak. Just as they start to envision a future together, doubts and misunderstandings threaten their future unless someone is willing to take a leap of faith. Hot and steamy forbidden, Christmastime romance, exploring risking everything for love and learning that sometimes, the hardest shot is the one that really counts.
Profile Image for Allison Comis.
868 reviews11 followers
April 5, 2025
Great book. This was about Smith. He is a hockey player that was having a tough season. His friend told him he needed to get away and he could use his parent’s house since they wouldn’t be there. They were all going to the Bahamas for Christmas. Annabelle is his best friends Steve’s sister. She was supposed to go on the trip with them but she got stuck at work and missed her flight because her boss put more work on her that she didn’t need to do but her boss told her she needed to get it done or she wouldn’t have a job to come back to. When she was finished she went home because she moved her flight to the morning. Well she ended up being stuck because of the snow storm. She went to the main house and was surprised to see Smith there. Neither one recognized the other. Annabelle always had a crush on Smith turns out he had one on her too. I love how everything played out.
Profile Image for Amanda Marlowe.
2,434 reviews25 followers
November 20, 2024
Smith and Annabelle knew each other years ago when they lived next door, then her family moved, and although he played hockey with her brother he hadn't seen her.
Then he needs to get away, and doesn't want to go to his father's house, as his ex-girlfriend is now pregnant with his father's baby! So as Steve and his family are going away for Christmas, the family home will be empty, so Steve suggests that Smith stay there, little knowing that due to work commitments Annabelle is going to be staying in her guesthouse at the bottom of the garden!
Smith sees Annabelle and realises that she's his one, now to persuade her! Not an easy task! Also what about the bro code? Will Steve be cross or accept it?

An entertaining read from Nichole
Profile Image for Amanda Reads.
679 reviews11 followers
December 24, 2024
Can a childhood crush turn into something more?!?!

I love Nichole's books and this one may be my favorite so far...
We met Smith in Her Hearts Desire where his dad fell for Smith's ex-girlfriend and I always hoped Smith would get his story. He is a former player.. But lately he feels like something is missing, he figures out what it is when he runs into Annabelle at her parents home.
Annabelle had a crush on Smith when they were children. He is her brothers best friend, so she was around him a lot before her family moved. Now Smith and Annabelle have to decide if they are going to make a relationship work. Can they be together long distance? How will Annabelle's brother react? Will Smith finally come to terms with his dad and Kimberly's relationship?
5⭐
2.5🌶
Profile Image for Emily.
370 reviews16 followers
March 21, 2025
This one was hard for me because at times I really enjoyed it and at other times, I felt as though the story was just moving along to get to the next part a little to quickly.

I loved the concept of the long lost love in this story- Annabelle has had crush on her former childhood neighbor and her brother's best friend, Smith, since they were kids. Of course nothing could happen because she was younger and that is a cardinal sin against the bro code, but that doesn't mean if paths cross later in life that the shots can't be taken. I loved their instant realization that they could be something so much more, but it didn't feel natural to me- it felt very rushed and at moments forced. I also think that the ending of the story was extremely rushed and again, didn't feel very natural to me. Annabelle and Smith certainly got their happily ever after, I would have just loved to have seen it more developed, and I think had this been a longer story and not a novella, that could have happened because the potential was there and these were certainly great characters who had somewhat developed foundations individually laid down.

The one thing I was surprised that I related to in this story was Annabelle's feelings towards her job and career. It is hard being in a career where you are constantly made to feel like you are little despite the amount of effort you put into it and staying due a variety of different factors, with pay being one of them. I did enjoy her side journey outside of her discovery of her feelings for Smith with her career and future. Again, I would have loved to have seen more but it was a nice added bonus to the story.
Profile Image for Jordan Fiest.
2,106 reviews31 followers
November 21, 2024
The Pucking Girl Next Door is part of the multi author series Power Play Off The Ice: Snowed In For The Holidays.

This was a very cute Christmas themed novella. This is a brother's best friend, sports storyline and I loved it all. We met Smith in Her Heart's Desire and we get to see his story and his HEA.

Smith really knows what he wants when he sees it. Annabelle is a very insecure person. I felt bad for both of these characters when her insecurities came up and tried to sabotage them. But it's Christmas time and love finds its way through this hiccup.

I really enjoyed this installment. I can't wait to read more.
Profile Image for Tamara Fruge.
509 reviews4 followers
November 15, 2024
This book can be read as a stand alone but I think it makes more sense if you know about Smith beforehand. It could just be me though as I have followed through Nichole Ruscelle’s world and enjoyed every character. Smith is a pro hockey player with some baggage. Unfortunately, that baggage is gaining weight and starting to effect more then his mood. He looks into getting away to relax and in turn his world shifts. Following how things go and the steps to the end was enjoyable and added well to the series.
Profile Image for Kellie Waldron.
782 reviews17 followers
Read
November 23, 2024
This is a fast paced story. It does have a Christmas underlying theme, but not overly done. It is very fast paced, at times feeling a little rushed.

This is the story of Scott and Annabelle. They have known each other since they were kids. They each had a crush on the other, but never did anything about it. Scott has been feeling that he is missing something and it is throwing his game off. Annabelle is feeling that she only does work and nothing else. Can the chance meeting show that they need each other?

It is a cute holiday read.
Profile Image for Sarah.
1,053 reviews
November 26, 2024
The Pucking Girl Next Door is a good, quick, cute holiday story!

What you get.....
♡Brother's Best Friend
♡Snowed In
♡Forced Proximity
♡Protective MMC
♡Christmas Romance
♡Hockey Romance
♡Hockey Player
♡Secret Crush

Smith and Annabelle have amazing chemistry. I loved we finally got his story and was happy he found the one thing that was missing in his life.

Nichole does a great job at sucking you into her stories and making you love her characters!

I enjoyed their story and can't wait for the next book!
Profile Image for Grinning Cat.
3,732 reviews121 followers
December 5, 2024
The Pucking Girl Next Door
MMC/FMC- Smith and Annabelle
Genre- Holiday Romance
Length- novella
Heat- they do the things and use the P word
Series? Y
Safety? Y
Triggers- sex, the yips
Tropes- Childhood Friends, Brother’s Best Friend, Forced Proximity (snowbound), Ebil Boss, She’s All Grown Up, Instalove, Endgame
What I liked- I really liked the way the author did the Instalove, with the addition of their childhood memories together. And I loved that Smith didn’t throw his friendship with her brother out the window when he got a look at her.
Profile Image for Bella Street.
244 reviews5 followers
November 19, 2024
Snowed in
Brother’s best friend
Best friend’s sister
Secret crush
Girl next door
Forced proximity
Christmas
Hockey
Dual POV

This is a super quick and cozy holiday novella, perfect to jump start your holiday reads. I finished this in just over an hour, in one sitting. It is fast paced, but it doesn't feel rushed. I tend to love Nichole’s books, and this one is no different. I love a good brother’s best friend hockey romance. AND there’s Christmas with forced prox??? SIGN. ME. UP. This will not disappoint, I loved every second of it.

Profile Image for Sisters and books.
99 reviews
November 18, 2024
Smith and Annabelle were a perfect little quick story around the holidays that just made it perfect to curl up and read in a couple hours!

Annabelle and Smith- in the most perfect way- get stuck at her parents house together over Christmas! Her old crush comes back ten fold and he finally realizes what he was feeling when he was a teenager! This is an INSTA love as soon as the words are spoken! It gets hot and heavy quick!!!!

Cute little Christmas read!
Profile Image for Carmela Dimattia.
1,910 reviews22 followers
November 25, 2024
A wonderful Christmas romance about Annabelle and Smith who have been friends since childhood and are once brought together again years later when they are both snowed in at Annabelle’s family’s cottage. The attraction is palpable with lots of hot and steamy moments. Annabelle has her doubts but in the end they give their romance a chance and life is perfect for them. I enjoyed this very much.
Profile Image for L KQ.
5,595 reviews21 followers
December 5, 2024
Snowed in Reunion

Being snowed in with your childhood crush was both heart pounding and nerve wracking for Annabelle and Smith. It was a wonderful short story with many sweet moments that made this an enjoyable read. I loved the chemistry between these two and how the obstacles they endured were overcome together. This was an enjoyable read.

I received an ARC of this book and voluntarily leave this review.
Profile Image for Kristin Keele.
326 reviews5 followers
February 13, 2025
The Pucking Girl Next door by Nichole Ruschelle is a quick, delightful read set within the Rose Valley universe. This charming hockey romance brings together the classic "girl next door" and "best friend's sister" tropes, making for an irresistibly cute and fun dynamic. The chemistry between the characters is authentic, creating a heartwarming story that’s perfect for fans of sweet, feel-good romances. With its lighthearted vibe and emotional depth, this book is another perfect addition to the Rose Valley series, leaving you with a smile and a craving for more.
Profile Image for Jess.
532 reviews5 followers
November 27, 2024
Another super fast read and SUPER fast burn from Nicole Ruschelle.
This one was sweet but didn't hit the mark for me because it was over so quickly there was zero development.
Boy sees best friends sister after years apart, instantly falls in love with her, she completely uproots her entire life after one night together....
If you're a fan of insta-love, this is likely a good fit for you.
Profile Image for Dusty Shirley.
951 reviews11 followers
December 11, 2024
Smith's heart

Smith finally grows a heart. Or it resurfaces after a fluke snowed in run in with his best friend's little sister Annabelle. Her goal is to live in the mountains in a small town and his is to continue his hockey career. Will they let logistics tear them apart? Another Nichole hit for sure.
Profile Image for Library.of.linds.
695 reviews31 followers
December 14, 2024
This is a super cute girl next door novella. It was a super fast read but I really enjoyed it!! There isn’t very much hockey in this book but it was still really good.

Smith has always liked Annabel but she’s his best friend’s sister. But when they get snowed in together they finally give into their feelings.

I am obsessed with Nichole’s novellas and can’t wait to read what’s next!!!!
1,156 reviews23 followers
December 22, 2024
Fun Holiday/Sports Read!!!

I picked this up when I needed a pick up and it did exactly that! I love every book from this author, but this one fit me perfectly! The quick pace of the story and well-developed characters filled my heart. I loved how we saw some previously loved characters by this author and I hope she does more like this! Amazing!

Profile Image for Macey Tissot.
64 reviews2 followers
November 12, 2024
Quick spicy read for the holidays. Hockey themed romances are currently my weakness. This book has my other favorite trope, brother's best friend. I wish this book was longer as I loved it and due to the length it felt sped up. I can't wait for Silas's and Kimberly's story.
Profile Image for Mikaela .
2 reviews
November 13, 2024
I flew through this book, the chemistry’s between the characters is amazing and who doesn’t love a forced proximity and best friends little sister. A great short christmas romance book that had me giggling.
Profile Image for Brittany T.
264 reviews12 followers
November 15, 2024
It was a very cute and short read. Annabelle and Smith are just the cutest. Plus the way Steve talks to Annabelle you can definitely tell they are brother and sister. It reminded me alot of my siblings. Thus was a cozy short little Christmas story and u thoroughly enjoyed it.
Profile Image for Jennifer Painter Slotter.
576 reviews3 followers
November 17, 2024
This quick holiday read had a lot of emotions in it. I enjoyed Smith and Annabelle's story. Forced proximity is one of my favorite tropes and this one did not disappoint. Loved their connection. This was a fun steamy holiday read!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 49 reviews

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