Grumpfest

Puck & Play #1

by Honey Mavryck

He's the grump with a shattered past. She's the sunshine determined to put him back together—if his demons don't break them both first.

I don’t do smiles. I don’t do team bonding, calendar shoots, or charity events. I play hockey. I stay out of the spotlight. After what happened, I learned one thing: never get close enough to get burned.

Then Lily Thompson storms into my life—PR sunshine wrapped in floral dresses and relentless optimism. Her job? Drag me, the resident grump, into her world of photo ops and feel-good content. Her goal? Make the fans see the “real” me—the one I buried when my world fell apart.

But I’ve got secrets to keep. My hidden talent? Off-limits. My past? Locked down. And my heart? Not up for negotiation.

Except Lily’s not taking no for an answer. The more I push her away, the brighter she shines—and the harder it becomes to resist her pull.

Just as I start to trust again, my past catches up with me. My rival is determined to turn old wounds into fresh ammunition, and watching Lily stand between me and the darkness makes me realize that letting her in might be the bravest thing I've ever done—or my biggest mistake.

One thing's certain: losing her would be the one hit I can't come back from.

This first-in-series, standalone hockey romance features grumpy-sunshine tension, heated banter, and wicked slow-burn chemistry. If you love heart-and-panty melting HEAs, grab a front-row seat and get ready for some time in the sin bin—you've been warned.

Genres: Sports, Contemporary, Slow Burn, Romance, Sports Romance, Hockey Romance, Hockey

454 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 14, 2025

About the author

Romance author. PhD in HEAs. Minor in Smirks. Writing hot love tales that'll make your e-reader blush. Current obsessions: Ex-SEAL hunks, hockey hotties, & perfecting eating spaghetti seductively (Spoiler: impossible, still I persist).

(Also writing as Luna Rose)

Reviews

[Amee · Rating 4 out of 5]

As far as hockey tropes go…Grumpfest, book one in the Puck and Play series, stood up to some of my favorites, and will definitely be a series I continue reading. Mavryck laid a good foundation for future books going forward, introducing guys on the team and allowing us into their world. There’s a Russian on the team who intrigued me a bit, as well as a female hockey player, Tiana who befriends our FMC Lily. I loved Lily’s bubbly personality which at times wasn’t enough to stave off the grumpiness of our MMC Max. I liked the originality of the plot and of Max’s reasons for the walls he enacted as well as how Lily busts them down. I will say it felt like it dragged around the will they/wont they parts.
Thanks to BookSirens for this free advanced copy. My review is left voluntarily.

[Kristiej · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 out of 5.

I recently found a web site kind of like Net Galley where you get emails about books for review. If you’re interested in them, you let the company know, they contact the author who then will approve you and you are sent an ebook copy. I VERY rarely accept books sent by authors so I’m not quite sure why I joined. For the most part, after a quick glance, I just delete but when I read the outline of this book, it called my name so I listened and let them know I wanted to read this one. The author approved and I had a copy only a couple of hours later.

I was a bit apprehensive before starting it. It’s a new to me author but it’s a grump/sunshine, hockey romance and I love those tropes. When offered a book by an author, I tie myself up in knots. What if I don’t like the book? Since it was set by the author for free, I feel obligated to like it even if I don’t, not wanting to hurt her/his feelings. So I’d want to say nice things. But then my review wouldn’t be honest and I’d feel like I’m lying to anyone reading my review. And what if I’m not in the mood to read the book? I pick what books to read my next book 95% by mood. So you see my dilemma and why I turn most of them down.

But I needn’t have worried about this book. I loved it and it’s extremely close to 5 stars with only a couple of minor quibbles. Max, our hero is a defenceman for a pro hockey team. Grumpy doesn’t begin to cover it. He was heartbreakingly betrayed by his girlfriend and his good friend in college and he’s never forgotten it. All he wants to do is play hockey, not make friends or hang out with his teammates. And heaven forbid he gets involved in any kind of community involvement. Nope that is so not in his plans.

And this is not a good thing for Lily, the new public relations person. Max refuses to have anything to do with team activities and is even willing to do some sabotage. This dives Lily bonkers. At the same time there is blazing chemistry between them and their battles act as almost a turn on between. But eventually Lily gets him almost kicking and screaming to acquiesce to joining in. This is a fun story between thunder clouds and sunshine. It takes a while before we learn what the betrayal Max experienced was but when we do, our hearts hurt for him. And all along Lily knows that underneath his grumpy exterior is a good person who is hiding that goodness. She knows she has to be patient and not push things. So both are well developed good people with depth to them and I like both very much.

Max is a bit too determined to be stubborn at times but that doesn’t keep me from loving him. And Lily has also experienced betrayal and heartbreak but that’s pretty glossed over and I would have a liked a bit more depth. But that’s pretty glossed doesn’t keep me from recommending this book with a happy thumbs up. This is the first book in hopefully a series about the guys on the team they figure in quite a bit in this book and I want more. This book is available on KU. If I didn’t already own a copy I’d be tempted to pick up a copy for my library as I can see me reading it again.

[Erin FitzGerald · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was absolutely magical. It took me a few starts (pulled away by responsibilities) before I could really sit down and dive in, and I read until past three in the morning, when I could no longer keep my eyes open.

Lily and Max are the perfect combination, my favorite grumpy/sunshine trope, but both have been wounded by those they trusted. It's made it difficult for them to open their hearts to anyone else, but the betrayal Max experienced has continued to haunt him (thanks, Brad) and makes him virtually unreachable.

The banter between Max & Lily is absolutely chef's kiss. The connection is visceral and the spice is delicious. I devoured this book and I'm *so* ready for Jack and Nikolai's stories! (Please?)

[Amanda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great hockey romance!!! A must read if you grumpy/sunshine characters tropes. Max has been hurt by his past and refuses to let anyone in, until a new PR manager, Lily burts in like a ray of sunshine refusing to let Max stay in his old ways. I loved the character development and the way that they grew to enjoy each other's company throughout the story. A spice romance with a great storyline. Definitely interested in what this author does next. I received a free copy of this novel from Voracious Readers.

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

This has a good story to it. I enjoyed the grumpy x sunshine trope and I liked seeing the growth of the characters throughout. The author used some great comparisons in this book, I laughed at a few, and really understood what she was trying to portray through those comparisons. It was great.

[Aleksandra_m · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m so happy that I had the chance to read this book. It was my first, but definitely not the last, book by this author. She did an amazing job of making me experience different emotions every couple of pages. I felt sad for Max, sometimes angry with him for the way he treated others, but I immediately understood where the issue came from. This book also showed how easy it is to ruin someone’s life or reputation, while the bully doesn’t suffer any consequences — unfortunately, that’s what happens in everyday life. I’m looking forward to the next book and have only one question — where can I sign up for an ARC?

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Cassi B · Rating 5 out of 5]

☀️Grumpy x Sunshine
🏒Workplace (Player & PR)
☀️Opposites Attract


Max is truly a grump and deserves the nickname so much after what he had endured at the hands of his ex-girlfriend and former teammate. Read the prequel novella, Max, for more details.

Where Max is as grumpy as they come, Lily is the total opposite! Despite the fact she has her own trust issues, from the past, she learned to deal and not let it fester. Much to Max's chagrin & the disbelief of his teammates, he finally is forced into PR events and doesn't totally hate them. 

Max's trust issues run deep and another former college teammate is traded to his team. This digs up more, but also allows healing to begin. 

[Brita Mackay · Rating 4 out of 5]

Max appears to be grumpy, apparently for no reason. But, what a lot of people don't know is that he has a shattered past. Lily on the other hand is the sunshine to his grump and she's determined to put him back together, to heal his broken heart. That is, if Max's demons don't break both of them before she can put his heart back together first.

Max isn't one who likes to pose for smiles. And he really doesn't do team bonding or calendar shoots, or the charity events all his other teammates love to brag about. He plays hockey and stays out of the spotlight. After what happened, he learned the biggest lesson of all, never let anyone ever get close enough to burn you.

Suddenly Lily Thompson rams into Max's life – she's all PR sunshine that's wrapped in those floral dresses and has this relentless optimism. Her job? Is to drag me, kicking and screaming if need be, into photo ops and feel-good content, her world. Her ultimate goal? Is to make all of Max's fans see the “real” Max – the one he keeps hidden, the one he has kept buried away since the day his world fell apart.

But, Max has always kept his secrets hidden and he plans to keep them hidden. His hidden talent? That's off-limits. His Past? He keeps that locked down. His heart? That's not up for negotiation, no one is getting close to that.

Except Lily isn't taking no for an answer. The more Max tries to push her away, the brighter she seems to shine – and for Max, the harder it becomes to resist the pull she has on him.

But, just as Max starts to open up and trust again, his past catches up with him. His rival is bound and determined to take his old wounds, reopen them, and turn them into fresh new ammunition to be used against him. And as Max watches Lily stand between him and the murky darkness, he suddenly realizes that letting Lily in may just be the bravest and strongest thing he's ever done in his life – or it could be his biggest mistake.

There is one thing that's certain: Max knows that losing Lily would be the one thing that he would never be able to come back from.

Grumpfest Puck & Play by Honey Mavryck is the first in a new series. This is a standalone in a new hockey romance series that features: grumpy-sunshine tension, heated banter, and the best wicked slow-burn chemistry. If you are someone who loves heart and panty-melting HEAs, then you are going to want to grab a front-row seat for this one and get ready for some time in the sin bin, and don't say that you haven't been warned.

This is the first book by Honey Mavryck that I have read and I am not sorry that I started with Grumpfest. And I can already see that Puck & Play is going to be a great series. And even though I am not a huge hockey romance reader, there are a few hockey romance series that I have come to love and this series has been added to that list.

Max, he is such a grump. Actually, he is beyond grumpy. But, if you know what he has been through, you would have every reason to be grumpy too. He's a member of the Orlando NHL hockey team. But, because he's so grumpy, when it comes to team events and bonding events, he just does the bare minimum, and to him, that's just pushing it for him.

At least that is till the team starts working with a new PR team and that's where he meets Sunshine and daises Lily and when they first meet, his first reaction is to almost puke. But, at the same time, there's something about her, her ideas, the way she refuses to take no for an answer that starts to pull down his walls that's been surrounding him. As Lily continues to stand up to him over and over again, the walls start to slowly come down.

Then Max watches with surprise as Lily stands up for him against his rival, the very bitter rival who is the reason that Max had all his walls standing in the first place.

Can Max trust Lily enough now to let her into his life all together forever without any doubt because he knows the chemistry is binding them together?

Or will Lily do, say, or know something slam those walls back in place, stronger than ever?

This book is just amazing! I just can't believe some of the things that happened between Max and Lily and what Max has had to go through. And the spicy is beyond just spicy, it is hot, passionate, and stunning in all ways possible. And I was just so amazed that Max let Lily in.

I love the way that Honey added in so much humour and I had tears rolling down my face from laughing so much.

If you haven't added this book and this series to your TBR list already then you need to add it ASAP. This is one amazing fun read.

[Logan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to the author for providing a free copy via BookSirens! I'm leaving this review voluntarily.

This was probably 4.5 stars, so I'll round up to 5. I was really into it, and I loved Max, but there were some parts that I just didn't get.

I previously read the Max prequel, which gave me some background about what happened to Max and why he refused to let people in. I do recommend doing this. It's 100 pages, so it's a quick read.

I love the way the author writes. Sharp, clear, and easy to read and visualize. ("Desperation wrapped in Ann Taylor and a prayer." YES. Love this.) I loved the hints of humor, too. ("His expression didn't change, but something flickered behind those forest-fire eyes--amusement? Homicidal intent? Hard to tell, really." Perfect.) And I love that hockey is a real part of the story.

Reading a ton of romance novels, I'm no stranger to descriptions of how the characters smell, but smelling like "coconut sunscreen and Sharpies" is a new one for me that made me chuckle. (And who doesn't love the smell of Sharpies?!)

It seemed a little silly that everything continued to revolve around music and getting Max to perform. And some of the conflict with Brad just didn't make much sense to me. Like, why would anyone care what he had to say about things that happened seven years ago? Why did he hold such a grudge against Max at all? And why would anyone care why Lily was hired, even if it was for the reasons Brad alleged?

I did struggle a little with characters having similar names, especially Jack/Jake and Henderson/Harrison. There was also inconsistent spelling of Griffon/Griffin and there were some issues with formatting of the quotation marks (they were open quotes instead of closing quotes). There were some continuity errors, like when she was described as wearing pink sneakers but then when she walked away, "her heels click[ed] against the concrete," or when it says Max's "guitar case was propped in the corner of [his] living room" immediately followed by "I pulled the guitar case from the back of my closet, brushing off a layer of dust," or at the end, if she was sitting in row 12, how was she talking to Tyler during a faceoff and banging on the glass? I also noticed a few typos here and there but still considerably less than a lot of indie books I've read.

Looking forward to the rest of the series!

[Rebecca · Rating 5 out of 5]

Honey Mavryck's "Grumpfest" delivers a delightful and deeply emotional journey, expertly blending the classic grumpy-sunshine trope with layers of compelling personal struggle. At its heart is a hockey player haunted by a shattered past, determined to keep everyone at arm's length, and the relentlessly optimistic publicist whose mission is to break down his walls.

Our hero, a self-proclaimed grump, lives by a simple code: no smiles, no team bonding, and absolutely no emotional attachments. After a past trauma, he's learned to stay out of the spotlight and keep his heart under lock and key. Enter Lily Thompson, a force of nature in floral dresses, radiating PR sunshine. Her task? To drag him, the team's resident curmudgeon, into the world of fan engagement and positive press. She's set on revealing the "real" him, the one he buried when his world crumbled.

What ensues is a charming and often intense push-and-pull as Lily chips away at his carefully constructed defenses. He's got secrets—a hidden talent, a locked-down past, and a heart he believes is off-limits. Yet, Lily's unwavering optimism and refusal to back down prove to be his undoing. The more he pushes, the brighter she shines, and the harder it becomes to resist her magnetic pull.

Just as he begins to trust, his past inevitably resurfaces, threatening to shatter their fragile connection. An opportunistic rival is poised to weaponize old wounds, forcing him to confront whether letting Lily in was the bravest thing he's ever done or his gravest mistake. Mavryck crafts a story where the emotional stakes are incredibly high, making it clear that losing Lily would be a hit he couldn't recover from. "Grumpfest" is a winning blend of humor, heartache, and the ultimate triumph of love over darkness.

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

[Marea · Rating 5 out of 5]

Max is way, way beyond what Grumpy dwarf was in the classic Snow White movie for several valid reasons. So when it comes to Orlando NHL team events and “bonding” he does the bare minimum and even that is pushing it. Well at least it was until the new Public Relations started with the team. She is so full of sunshine and daises he almost wants to puke. But there is just something about Lily coming up with some great ideas and her refusal to take no as an answer that finally puts a crack or two in the wall that he has surrounding him. That wall which might come tumbling down after Lily stands up for him against the very bitter rival who is the main reason behind it. The question now will be can he trust her enough to let her into his life permanently because there is no doubt there is a chemistry between them. Or will something she knows and does make that wall even strong.

This book is a wowza!! Some of the things that happened not just between them but also in Max’s past are mind blowing. The scenes aren’t just spicy, they are hot and spicy when Max does let her in. There were times I was laughing and times I wanted to smack the guy upside the head. This is a book that has to be added to your endless TBR list because it is one of the favorites on my list, one that I know I can read several times. Which takes a lot to be on!!

Thanks to the author for an ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

[Christine Swinney · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked the whole premise of the book. You know, hurt, grumpy guy gets the girl and his attitude totally changes, but the yearning and the hurt aggression was a little too much for me. There were about 6 or 7 scenes that were exactly the same until they finally hooked up. He caged her in against a wall and there was longing, but then… nothing. Don’t get me wrong, when they finally did, it was heavy, but it took about 75% of the book to finally happen. I also didn’t love how he mistreated the FMC most of the time even at one point telling her to “f off”. He may have been jaded, but it was too aggressive for me. And she even took it every time! Kept coming back for more. I wish at some point he had to win her back. Anyway, he finally caves and lets down all barriers. I didn’t like the subtle message that he needed someone else to validate him either. Some of the banter was great, but very repetitive. Could have been a shorter book had the repetitive scenes been cut. All in all, I love the characters and the supporting characters and I think I see another book in the future with possibly Jack and the new employee.

[Vicki · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars!

This is book two in the author’s Puck and Play series and features Max, the Sunblades’ star defensive lineman with a chip on his shoulder and such impenetrable emotional walls that even HE can’t see over them anymore.

When Max and Lily, the team’s new PR manager, clash from their very first meeting, due in part to an unwilling attraction, it doesn’t take long for his icy attitude to show signs of melting but it seems that the past betrayal, the reason for his grumpy attitude, refuses to stay in the past—a constant and unwanted reminder that it’s better not to trust anyone.

Although this was a slow burn romance, it was still an extremely enjoyable read. Max was secretly a big ol’ softie and unable to maintain his grumpy attitude in the face of Lily’s caring and persistent manner which I absolutely loved. Especially his vulnerability as she slowly broke down the walls he’d hidden behind for so long (chef’s kiss!). Awesome book!!

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

[Lindy D · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this story! Max was so wounded by a past betrayal. Lily was an upbeat happy go lucky PR person for his hockey team!
The story was filled with angst and thus they developed their relationship slowly. But even though it was a slow build with secrets on both sides I could not put this book down! Max had so much to get "over" and Lily and he had to struggle with this mutual deep attraction, tempered by Max's history! It was so well-written. With a rookie team player falling over his own excitement and hero worship of Max as comic relief like a puppy tripping over his own feet! Other mates on his team reveal their importance in team dynamics. She writes with an obvious sense of humour and camaraderie between the members of the pro hockey team. Lily develops a wonderful friendship with a woman in a leadership role for the same company which shows the importance of women supporting and empowering each other in professional sports leadership roles. I completely enjoyed the smile out loud HEA ending and the bonus scene. I will continue to to read other books by this author!

[Shawna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Grumpfest
Stars: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️

Synopsis:
Max: Not willing to have another relationship after he was burned badly in the first serious one he was involved in. The grumpy hockey player is not willing to share his life with anyone and hasn't for the last 7 years, let alone the new PR for his team. When she arrives he stays as far away as possible and does his best to keep his persona up.
Lily: On a 6 month probationary term for the local hockey team, full of rainbows and sunshine, plans to unravel the grumpy hockey player one layer at a time. Lily was burned by her ex-boyfriend and made her way out of that deep dark hole.

My thoughts: I really liked this book. It has so many layers to it that it was like peeling a banana -- one layer at a time. Lily has so many PR tricks up her sleeve but doesn't know that using them will unravel her heart toward her grumpy hockey player. I loved the banter between them, the comradery between Lily and some of the teammates, and even the PR stunts she was able to use in the storyline.
The story has a slow burn as well as an HEA that is so sweet. Along with the grumpy-sunshine trope is a deep personal struggle that some people could relate to. In addition there is a huge push-pull in this story that keeps you reading and not wanting to put down this book. Do I recommend? -- absolutely! 

[Judy Taylor · Rating 5 out of 5]

Grumpfest by Honey Maverick

Enemies to lovers
Grumpy men
Second chance

Max is the defensive lineman for the ice hockey team. In college Max was the captain until his girlfriend and teammate colluded to get rid of him. He was asked to not only leave the team but the school. Seven years later he’s on a professional team but very closed off. His trust issues are nil.
Enter the new PR manager Lily. She’s been tasked to bring the team together and promote community unity. She’s on a trial bases after fighting for her career after being backstabed by her former boyfriend. She not only lost her job but became an object of ridicule.
How can she turn the “grump” into someone likable? Every turn is met with obstacles. The challenges are awesome and surprising. You will be kept in suspense, and will laugh and cry for the hero’s.
Wasn’t sure if I would like a book on ice hockey but I’m ready for her next one. Well worth the read!

[Pà · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really liked this book. Max is probably the grumpiest character I ever read, I mean, his actual nickname is Grump, so that says it all. Lily is the total opposite, sweet, sunny, and always thinking about Max and what he’s been through.
Their chemistry was so strong, it felt impossible for them not to fall for each other. When they finally let go? Perfect.

Max took a while to open up though, sometimes it felt like too much, like I wanted to shake him a bit. But when he finally let Lily in, he became everything. And Lily never gave up on him. She was always there, always fighting for them.

Overall, a really good book with lots of emotions and some beautiful moments. Thank you so much to the author for giving me the opportunity to read the book in advance, I received this for free and I'm leaving a honest review

[Lady T · Rating 4 out of 5]

Tropes: Grumpy x Sunshine, Workplace, Redemption Arc
Heat: Slow-burn with emotional intensity

A delicious mix of angst, chemistry, and heart. Grumpfest gives you a broody, emotionally scarred hockey player and the sunshine PR queen tasked with melting his icy exterior. It's smart, spicy, and full of emotional depth without losing that playful edge.

Perfect for readers who love their romance with tension, healing, and just the right amount of fire.

This book hit hard in the best way—grumpy, wounded hockey god meets sunshine PR queen with a mission. Tension? Yup. Banter? On point. Heat? Oh yes. I adored their slow burn, their emotional baggage, and that sweet moment when it all cracked open.

I’ll be thinking about Max’s grumpy face and that damn calendar shoot for days. Give me more!

[Ester Rodrigues · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5⭐️
It wasn’t bad. I feel like it was a bit repetitive at some parts and I was starting to get a bit annoyed at hearing him talk about how “he can’t kiss her” like okay cool.

Max is really hot and grumpy which we love. I love the sunshine/grumpy but Lily gave childish a lot of the time and I feel like you don’t have to write the woman acting like a child for them to be sunshiny you know. I personally felt like they didn’t have a connection until like 40% in and in their mind they had already been wanting to get into each others pants right after meeting?? What happened to hi, hello how are you??

Maybe I’m just not a insta love person. I’m still going to try her other books though. I might like them better.

Anyway, thank you so much for sending me an arc.

[Chasity7474📚❤️ · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a slow burn hockey workplace romance. Read 0.5 first.

The premise was good. The tension, the grumpiness, Lily and the team dynamics were great. The issue that made him grumpy made sense at that time in his life. What was off was the fact that something like that still made him almost scared and let him be basically bullied by a former college teammate even 7 years later.

Lily is the new PR person and is instantly attracted to Max. He is also instantly attracted to her but he doesn’t do people. He isolated himself and at times was a complete jackass to not only his team but Lily. Hence the name “The Grump”. His character arc was great and seeing him finally open was worth the very long wait.

Rookie is hands down my favorite. I hope he gets his own book down the road!

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Grumpfest is a good Grumpy Sunshine story!

What you get....
♡Hockey Romance
♡Grumpy Sunshine
♡He's a Hockey Player
♡She's the new PR Manager
♡Damaged Hero
♡Great Banter
♡Slow Burn
♡Enemies to Lovers???
♡Hidden Talent
♡Close Proximity
♡Spicy Scenes
♡Possessive
♡Dominant Alpha Male
♡Found Family

Lily and Max have great banter and the tension is 🥵🔥🥵🔥🥵!!
Max did not make things easy for Lily or his teammates. The growth for Max is so good. He softens his heart instead of keeping it locked up like Fort Knox.

"Every heated argument had been foreplay in disguise!" 🥵🔥🥵

Honey does a wonderful job of sucking you into her stories and making you love her characters.

I couldn't put it down! The ending was great and I can't wait for the next book!

[Samantha S. (TikTok: RADHouse - RileyAnthonyDesigns) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Just finished my ARC of Grumpfest: Puck and Play by Honey Mavryck — and wow, this one was such a fun hockey romance! 🥅🔥 I’m giving it 4.5⭐️ because it perfectly balanced humor, heart, and chemistry. It’s a quick, feel-good read that gives you just enough spice and banter to keep you grinning the whole time. I loved the dynamic between the characters — that classic grumpy-meets-sunshine energy with all the emotional warmth that makes Honey Mavryck’s writing so easy to love.
If you’re in the mood for a fast-paced, flirty sports romance that still gives you feels, Grumpfest: Puck and Play definitely deserves a spot on your TBR. The perfect weekend read for anyone who can’t resist a grumpy hockey player with a soft spot. 🩵🏒

[Jessica Martinez · Rating 5 out of 5]

This say it book one but their is a prequel that I recommend reading it giving more answer to hid past. You can read without it but it so much better with it.
Betrayal grump v.s sunshine haunt past. Their is alot banner with him and her. It slow burner enemies to lovers
Max is the grump when his team and his gf betrayed him and took a personal moment made him a laughing stock to the point they made his switch school and team in hockey. It been 7 years but he just a wall now and he dont let anyone in. Until the new owner want a better pr for him hire lily the only person who can seem to get pass the wall.
I can't wait to read the next one.

[Jennifer Kingsborough · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this hockey romance! Grumpy Max and sunshiney Lily made such a fun pair to read about, and the supporting cast added even more charm to the story. I especially loved Lily’s bright, positive attitude, it made her so lovable, especially knowing everything she’s endured in her career. Max’s character growth was one of my favorite parts. Watching him slowly thaw from grumpy to slightly less grumpy felt so real and satisfying. His struggle with trust and betrayal added depth, and it made me root for him even more. I was so glad Lily never gave up on him,she truly saw the heart beneath all those walls.

Thank you Honey Mavryck for the ARC! Can’t wait to read book 2!

[Karen Boozer · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the first book I have read by Honey Maverick and I have to say that I absolutely loved it! Max has had a rough past and has been betrayed by people that he thought he could trust. He has build his walls so high and tough that is going to take a miracle to get through them.

Lily is the one that sees through Max's walls and works to break them down. She is able to get him to break out of his shell and become a real part of the team. She gets him to show everyone a side of himself that is real and amazing. Lily does have to work hard to get Max to trust her but his trauma is hard to get past so their are bumps in the road.

This is is a must read!

[Alex Sedrowski · Rating 4 out of 5]

Max & Lily are the typical workplace friction to heat & spice. He’s the grumpy defenseman on the hockey team she does PR for. She sees through his gruff exterior to the heart he is protecting after an ex and ex-teammate humiliated him. Overall their story is cute with some side characters that show potential for their own books. I got a little distracted with the name changes that happened-Thompson versus Thomson and Coach Burke versus Donovan. Not sure if it was editing errors or something missed with the coach name but just was distracting. A quick sports romance read with some good spice after a slow burn.

[Kashish Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Couldn’t get enough of this once I started. As someone who loves a good sports romance, this book hit all the right notes—on-ice drama, off-ice chemistry, and a satisfying emotional arc. The banter between the main characters was sharp and addictive, and I appreciated how both leads grew throughout the story. It hooked me from the first chapter and never let up. The author’s writing style made the characters feel real, and the pacing kept me turning pages late into the night. If you’re into hockey, romance, or both, this one’s definitely worth a read.

(I received a complimentary copy of this book.)

[Leslie M · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5 - Review: Grumpfest: Puck & Play by Honey Mavryck

Surprisingly great book.

This one completely caught me off guard—in the best way. The angst? Top notch. The spice? Absolutely spicing.

The FMC is solid, feisty, and full of sunshine energy that perfectly balances out the MMC’s grumpy, closed-off demeanor. He’s the classic “walls-up, heart-hidden” type, but you get attached to him so fast. Their chemistry is just addictive—equal parts tension, banter, and slow-burn payoff.

If you’re into grumpy/sunshine dynamics with real emotional depth and a good dose of heat, Grumpfest: Puck & Play delivers. Honey Mavryck nailed the vibes.

[Alexis Roberts · Rating 5 out of 5]

Grumpfest: Puck & Play by Honey Mavryck is exactly the kind of addictive, steamy romance you love — a perfect mix of forced proximity, a damaged alpha hero, and sizzling chemistry. The tension is relentless, and the slow burn meets spicy payoff in all the right ways. The characters are messy, magnetic, and flawed in a way that makes every interaction feel electric.

It’s fun, sexy, and emotionally charged, balancing humor and heat while keeping the stakes high. Fans of hockey romance, alpha heroes, and steamy, tension-driven relationships will devour this one.

Overall, it’s an intense, playful, and satisfying romance that hits all the right beats.

[Coffeenbooks · Rating 5 out of 5]

- Hockey romance
- Grumpy/sunshine
- Close proximity
- Epic effit moment

I just love the grumpy/sunshine trope. It is quickly becoming one of my top go tos. Max may be the grumpiest MMC I have read in a long time... and I loved that! He was grumpy for a reason, though, and that made it so much sweeter when Lily manges to break through his shell.

The effit moment was sheer perfection!!

There is a prequel to this series that describes more of Max's background. It's also a stellar read.