Pucking Only

Night Hawks Hockey #2

by Katie Strong

***Pucking Only is a best friend’s brother, enemies to lovers, steamy, contemporary hockey romance. It is the third book in the Night Hawks series and can be read as a standalone***

What do you do when the one person who rejected you is the only one you can’t forget?

I’m on the verge of a big promotion at my dream job as a game developer, but there’s a I need to code a hockey video game, and I know nothing about the sport.

Luckily, my best friend, Grace, is dating the captain of the Night Hawks. Spending time with them should give me the insight I need to crush this project.

Problem solved, right? Not quite.

Her twin brother, Carson, is their goalie—the same Carson who rejected me in high school.

He’s just as maddening and infuriating as ever, and our banter is loaded with tension. Every stolen glance, every brush of our bodies sends my heart racing.

As the chemistry between us simmers dangerously close to the surface, so does my resolve.

I know I should keep my distance, but with him pushing all the right buttons, I flip the script.

He can have me…casually. Because this time, I won’t give my heart away.

Even if it was always his.

Genres: Hockey, Hockey Romance, Romance, Sports, Sports Romance, Enemies To Lovers

330 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 2, 2024

Reviews

[Adeselna · Rating 4 out of 5]

*I received this book as an ARC*

It feels such a breath of fresh air when I get to read women at their jobs! “Pucking only” is about a game developer, Skyler, and her quest to design a concept for a hockey game for her gaming company. She has to compete against a male co-worker to see who has the best game and then be fully programmed and integrated. To help her design the game, she enlists the help of the Night Hawks, where Carson, the guy who broke her heart when she was a teen, plays as a goalie. 

Katie Strong did a great job at using Skyler to demonstrate what a lot of women endure in a male-dominated environment. I am very happy she did not try to cover for the misogyny in the field and through Skyler we could see how unfair the system is. Game development and IT in general are very focused, it used to be the worst, we are making small progress but we are still far off. Skyler had to endure a lot, she had to do twice the work to get recognition and even then it seemed like she could never win. And this is a lot of us.

Those of us who felt we worked harder, who got so much better results, who did all we could to just reach that milestone and to get zero recognition. I got Skyler immediately because her motivations were pretty obvious - she just worked so hard for that promotion - and she had to go the extra mile with the hockey game to get that. Her effort was never enough, her recognition would only be achieved if she was perfect while Sam only had to do the bare minimum for everything.

We get to see Skyler observing the team, designing the game features, her starting to enjoy hockey, and seeing the player’s motion and expressions be transported into the game was pretty cool. Katie Strong does a good job of describing Skyler’s work. It is usually something I consider to be worked in some books - when the author only tells the reader how good a character is at their job - but I need the receipts, I need to see the passion the character has that makes them the best! With Skyler we get that, we get her meeting with the team, watching the games, and all her passion for game development and ensuring gamers will have fun when playing her game just like a real hockey game. Skyler is also pretty down to earth, she wears graphic t-shirts like a lot of us gamers do for work, and the reader can genuinely feel the love she has for games. 

Carson’s POV, on the other hand, is very focused on him fighting his attraction to her. I appreciated Skyler’s POV as we get to see her insecurities and how she tries to navigate her feelings and her mental health with Carson and the job. Caron’s chapters focus on his attraction to her and his jealousy of how Skyler gets to make friends among the team and enjoys the perks of their feedback. We get to see how Skyler affects Carson’s job as she gets under his skin and his attraction to her just keeps being more obvious. They bicker a lot and their attraction is quite obvious from the beginning so while Skyler is trying to focus her attention on the job, Carson is losing his head on the game thinking about her.

“Pucking only” is a great fun and light-hearted novel even if you’re not a sports fan, the hockey part is quite enjoyable to read, and the same goes for the gaming part. Even if gaming is not your hobby, this book is for you everything is in its correct dosage for a great reading time.

[Korkoi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Their Long Road to Forever -
Skylar never got over Carson’s rejection when they were teenagers, which led to her directing all her efforts in her career. However, everything changed when Carson saw Skylar again years later when they were adults and he felt an inexplicable pull towards her. The tension between Skylar and Carson grew as they spent time together and exploded into a steamy night of no holds barred pleasures, but they agreed to return to their previous friendship status, as neither one of them was prepared to acknowledge what happened.

Nevertheless, Skylar and Carson soon realised they couldn’t keep their hand off each other and agreed to a friends with benefits relationship. Unfortunately, neither Skylar nor Carson considered their feelings when they made the agreement, which led to a situation where a misunderstanding nearly destroyed their budding romance. Fortunately, Carson was able clear up the misunderstanding and admitted his true feelings for Skylar, so he could convince her to give them a chance to work together towards a happy future together.

Wow oh Wow! If you want to experience a rollercoaster of emotions as you eagerly devour this mesmerizing tale, filled with angst, betrayal, challenges due to gender stereotypes, frustration, passion and drama, that culminates in this captivating romance story. Believe me when I say you won’t be able to stop reading this book once you start.

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

[Mirelsa · Rating 4 out of 5]

This story of Skylar, a talented video game coder, and Carson, the Night Hawks’ hockey goalie, is captivating and heartwarming. Their dynamic as former friends and lovers made for an engaging read, and I truly enjoyed how they interacted. The characters, both main and supporting, were wonderfully developed and so endearing. The relationships throughout the book felt genuine and added depth to the narrative. If you’re looking for a fast-paced story filled with likable characters, this is a fantastic pick. I’m so glad I had the chance to read it!

[Aussie · Rating 5 out of 5]

The FMC Skyler who is a game developer that has a quest to design a concept for a hockey game for her gaming company  but she has to complete against a male co-worker to see who has the best game than to be fully programmed and integrated .. She ask for help from the Night Hawks to help her design the game and there was Carson who broke her heart  when she was a teenager that plays a goalie.  

I was instaly hooked to the storyline and love every bit of it and  I can't wait till I read more of Katie's  books

[Donicca · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5
I received this book as an e-arc for review

I absolutely loved this one! It kept me very entertained and interested.
I loved all the relationships in the book and every character was so sweet 🩷.
If you want a fast paced book with characters you’ll love this is book for you! I’m so glad I’ve read this!!

[☆Laura☆ · Rating 3 out of 5]

Me asusté con el misterio de la hija de Stacey; por un momento, creí que el padre era Carson.

[Serena Books · Rating 3 out of 5]

’Nunca me he sentido así por nadie más y no quiero sentirlo. Es solo tú. Siempre has sido tú.’



•Mi opinión puede contener Spoilers.
•Esta destinada a ser un descargo personal no para que alguien más lea pero si lo haces y te ofende, me disculpo porque sé lo que es que te guste un libro y otros lo critiquen.



Pucking Only de Katie Strong Serie Night Hawks Hockey libro 3

Argumento:

¿Qué haces cuando la persona que te rechazó es la única que no puedes olvidar?

Estoy a punto de conseguir un gran ascenso en el trabajo de mis sueños como desarrolladora de juegos, pero hay un problema: necesito codificar un videojuego de hockey y no sé nada sobre ese deporte.

Por suerte, mi mejor amiga, Grace, está saliendo con el capitán de los Night Hawks. Pasar tiempo con ellos debería darme la información que necesito para triunfar en este proyecto.

Problema resuelto, ¿no? No del todo.

Su hermano gemelo, Carson, es su portero, el mismo Carson que me rechazó en la escuela secundaria.

Es tan irritante y exasperante como siempre, y nuestras bromas están cargadas de tensión. Cada mirada furtiva, cada roce de nuestros cuerpos, acelera mi corazón.

A medida que la química entre nosotros hierve peligrosamente cerca de la superficie, también lo hace mi resolución.

Sé que debería mantener la distancia, pero cuando él presiona todos los botones correctos, cambio el guión.

Él puede tenerme… casualmente. Porque esta vez, no entregaré mi corazón.

Aunque siempre fue suyo.



Mi humilde opinión:

Romance deportivo, hockey, de enemigos a amantes, hermano de la mejor a amiga.

Skylar a los 15 me pareció valiente, ella fue directa y le dijo al chico que le gustaba lo que sentía por él pero Carson le dijo que ella no era su tipo, que las chicas le gustaban mas femeninas, y la terminó lastimando profundamente. Desde entonces ella se juro que no cambiaria por nadie, no abriría de nuevo su corazón para que no lastimen de esa forma otra vez.

Diez años más tarde Skyler es una creadora de video juegos luchando por su lugar en donde trabaja. Le dan un proyecto para un video juego sobre hockey con el que tiene que competir con otro compañero, su jefe no esta apostando por ella pero Skylar tiene la ventaja de que su mejor amiga Grace esta saliendo con un jugador de hockey profesional, el capitán de los Night Hawk, lo que le dará mucha información sobre el juego para crearlo. Sin embargo, significa ver de nuevo al hermano de Grace, su ex crush de adolescente y a quien hoy no soporta ver, él es el arquero del equipo y quien la rechazo una vez.

Carson se sorprende de volver a ver a Skylar porque hace años perdieron contacto y además en el pasado no hacían mas que pelear. Ahora ella esta de visita para trabajar y descubre que sus sentimientos por ella cambiaron, no importa cuanto intente negarlo, la desea pero esta fuera de los limites por ser la mejor amiga de su hermana. Me sacó de quicio Carson, cómo no recordaba que ella le confesó sus sentimientos siendo los dos adolescentes? Se ponía celoso, le ordenaba que no se acerque a sus amigos, estaba en negación con Skylar. Solo cuando ella acepta salir con uno de los compañeros de equipo, Zander, un tipo super lindo en todo sentido, él se vuelve loco de celos.

No me gustó la manera en que los dos enfrentan la situación, no hay una conversación, tienen sexo y luego siguen esquivando los sentimientos, era molesto que actúen tan inmaduramente. Las cosas se ponen incomodas y se evitan después del “incidente” como él le llama, ella sigue con sus inseguridades y él pensando que cruzó los limites con la mejor amiga de la hermana. Carson no quiere una relación romántica entonces por que busca de nuevo a Skylar? Y deciden ser amigos con beneficios para sacarse las ganas y luego volver a sus vidas cuando ella se vaya? Me volvían loca estos dos con su montaña rusa de contradicciones! Se forma una amistad entre ellos cuando dejan la animosidad de lado y comienzan su romance.

Hay incertidumbre y angustia durante los últimos días de Skylar en Denver, Carson finalmente se da cuenta que quiere mas con ella pero cómo le pide que se quede e intenten estar juntos cuando ella tiene una vida y trabajo en California? Lo quería matar! Se acobardó, no le dice que quiere seguir viéndola, no le habla y ella obviamente tampoco le dice nada porque su rechazo tuvo un gran impacto en ella en el pasado. Entonces la ultima noche terminan lo que sea que tuvieron incomodos pero en buenos términos. Los dos no hablan y suponen cosas. No puedo creer que Grace tuviera que decirle algunas verdades a Carson para que se despertara y se diera cuenta que siempre estuvo enamorado de su amiga! Mi dolor de cabeza no terminaba porque cuando él va a decirle lo que siente por ella una mujer lo arruina todo. Skylar lo ve con una ex y sale corriendo…

Aparte del romance Skylar tiene que luchar en su trabajo porque no recibe el reconocimiento que se merece por ser mujer. El jefe era un imbécil y un machista de primera y su compañero de trabajo otro imbécil que la utilizaba. Grace estuvo muy bien en darle consejos y decirle que tenia que valorarse, dejar ese trabajo donde no solo no la hacia feliz sino que no apreciaban su dedicación y creatividad. Ella hace un gran trabajo con su video juego de hockey pero el jefe le termina dándole a su compañero el proyecto. Era evidente que por ser mujer la ignoró y era evidente también que le robaban los proyectos para apropiárselos. Me encanto que Skylar les dijera lo que pensaba de ellos y renuncia con la frente en alto, la aplaudí!

El final es lindo y también un alivio luego de tanto drama innecesario. Carson explica lo de la ex en la fiesta, pide disculpas por su idiotez adolescente, hace una sentida declaración de amor y todo se arregla con ella mudándose a Denver donde se sintió en familia con Grace y los Night Hawk.
Stacy se une al grupo, ella era la amiga que había dejado la escuela porque quedo embrazada de un jugador de hockey, será el jugador que llegará para reemplazar a Cruz? Ya quiero saber la historia completa!

[Jane litherland · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the second instalment of the Night Hawk series by Katie Strong. So where to start , let’s start with Skylar ,bless her heart . Rejected in high school for a start and now she has to see Carson who plays in goal for the Night Hawks again if she wants to learn about the game of hockey. Her bestie Grace , Carson’s sister is going steady with the Night Hawk’ Captain so she has a shoe in at least. She’s developing a video game about hockey but she doesn’t know the rules or anything else , what’s this about top shelf and what’s a biscuit got to do with it? She’s pucked if she knows so that’s why she goes to someone who knows the lingo . She needs to crush this project but dealing with Carson who once did the crushing …of her heart when he rejected her in high school has her playing it cool . Then bingo , she’s falling and there’s no net ..well of course there’s a net in hockey I meant the safety kind . She gets to know the team and it’s a dream , at least for her . She’s learning a lot about different positions and movement and how they move along the ice and the rules of which there’s so many and the terminology too . Like a sponge she learns as she wants to do good in her job , she’s no slob and it does hurt that because she’s a woman she must exert and prove herself at work while her male counterparts are given all the perk. Carson and Skylar is feeling the tension and sexual chemistry is at boiling point , she’s about to burst , lose her mind. So she’s screwed or wishes it so …here I go ,getting ahead . I’m just remembering them going head to head .. It’s just puck luck who falls first , it’s like a dam begging to burst. Such is their thirst for each other…oh brother! They agree after one night in the sack that they’d stay just friends but then they’re right back at it like rabbits. There’s a misunderstanding of where they were at that nearly led to the relationship falling flat but it worked out. Give em a shout . Bravo. A well written story with lots of layers and loved how descriptive the author is of the players and other characters too. Some might say they learned something from the descriptions of everything …I mean the hockey and not the nookie but whatever floats your Zamboni or gets you horny haha how unfortunate a rhyme. Anyway I had a good time reading thanks to Katie Strong for writing such a good book. I appreciate the research it took.

[Jane · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 stars

You can read all of my reviews at Nerd Girl Loves Books.

Apparently I am in my hockey sports romance era, because that seems to be all I’m reading lately – and I’m not mad at it. Of course, it helps that I seem to be signing up for a lot of hockey romance book tours....but I digress.

This book is great. It has all the fun tropes I love – enemies-to-lovers, best friend’s brother, hockey, steamy scenes, tight white t-shirts and GREY SWEATPANTS. I mean, seriously? What more do I need to say?

Skyler is a game coder working in her dream job. The problem is that she's often overlooked and her skills are not appreciated in a male dominated career. I can totally relate to the toxic misogynistic work environment Skyler worked in and the frustration she had in not being recognized for her hard work. I felt her pain in being shut down over and over again. I loved the close relationship between Skyler and Grace, her best friend from her childhood. The support and encouragement Grace provided Skyler helped her have the courage to make positive changes in her life.

Skyler is given the opportunity to create a new game and compete with her nemesis for a promotion. Unfortunately, the job is to create a new hockey game, and she knows nothing about the sport, or any sport. Luckily, Grace's twin brother Carson, her childhood enemy, is a professional hockey player and Grace does social media for Carson and several players on the team. Skyler flies to Colorado to work with the team to learn the sport and the nuances involved.

Skyler and Carson’s chemistry was hot. It was clear to everyone except them that the fighting, animosity, and banter was just their way of flirting. Carson is not very evolved in expressing his feelings so you won’t find much cozy, comfy displays of affection here. Somehow, however, the author makes it work.

This book is available on KU and is a quick and easy read. This is book 2 in the series, but you don’t need to read that one before you read this one.

I was provided a complimentary copy of this book from the author. All opinions are my own.

[Hope · Rating 2 out of 5]

i'm a sucker for enemies to lovers trope but this one didn't make the cut

it's not insta lust here but def only lust, not love. H/h have known each other since they were babies and his twin is her bff. he rejected her when they were 15 cause she is a tomboy and he likes girly girls like an ow he mentions by name. h is heartbroken and they go from friends to enemies. he dates the above said ow who is the exact opposite of h throughout high school

they meet a decade later and H's first reaction to her is I’m not sure what I expected to happen when I saw Skyler again after so many years, but getting an immediate erection wasn’t anywhere near at the top of my list. the entire chapter after meeting her is him getting a boner for her

they start banging, no surprises there. but there is literally no depth to their relationship whatsoever. all they do is hookup with no strings and once they end, H's twin tells him that he's loved h his whole life and he agrees, lmao what?

after their breakup she finds him awfully close with his ex gf, the same ow he chose over h. i hate when people can't draw boundaries with their exes. he lets her drape all over him and doesn't push her off when she gets handsy. his reasoning to his twin the next day was Elizabeth just… she caught me off guard. I didn’t want to be rude . what about being rude to h? she saw it all happen and if you're hoping he ran after her desperate to make it right, that doesn't happen lol.

[Kim · Rating 5 out of 5]

While Pucking Only is #2 in the Night Hawks Hockey Series, it can work nicely as a stand-alone, leaving the reader curious to read Book 1 but not missing plot info.
I enjoyed reading Skyler & Carson's story, and Skyler's challenges in the video-gaming development industry are presented well and realistically. The fact that Carson is the twin brother of Skyler's best friend, Grace, makes for a little extra tension between the characters and plays well into the difficulties the couple have trying to form their relationship, while at the same time struggling with the issue of disappointing or alienating Grace. Since this struggle began when they were in high school, their stubborn "dislike" of each other rather than confessions of attraction is very believable.
I also loved the final wrap up and the resolution Skyler got saw with her job situation and her (completely unlikable) co-workers!
I very much enjoyed the plot & the supporting case of characters and I am definitely looking forward the more of Katie Strong's books!
For a fairly quick, spicy & totally enjoyable read, I recommend Pucking Only. I plan to expand my collection to include more Katie Strong books, as well!

[Micaela Bermúdez · Rating 4 out of 5]

I felt identified with Skyler in many parts of this book, liking someone who doesn't like you, being a "tomboy" for things related to the female gender, but very feminine to fit into activities or environments especially related to the male gender. Many times I wanted to slap him in the face, especially when he was a teenager or in some parts of the final where he didn't communicate or was left in "unfortunate situations" arrrghhh. The tension and chemistry between them was very good and it was entertaining in general.

The only thing I didn't like (and it's a personal issue that has nothing to do with the story) was that between both POVs, some resources and phrases were repeated a lot, such as the same way of thinking or the same internal dialogue. Although this can be taken to mean that both are in tune with what they are feeling or what is happening to them, I found it repetitive and I was bored reading the same thing I had just read a few pages before. Despite this it does not disappoint!

I voluntarily read an early copy of this book, thank you Katie for the great opportunity!

[Janice M · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved the chemistry between Carson and Skylar. The banter between them was a cute enemies to lovers vibe. One rejection all those years ago and he's still haunting her thoughts. Skylar is a computer programmer and I absolutely love that we got to see a bit of her world and the struggles you might face as a woman in that industry. I can't imagine what that would feel like to live in real life and be treated that way especially when you're the best programer, yet you don't have d*ck so you don't live up to the hype.

Then there's Carson.... sexy hockey player who's also your best friends twin brother. I adored how Grace was not afraid to go toe to toe with either of these two when she thought they were making dumb decisions. I also REALLY appreciated that Carson wasn't the STAR of the hockey team like you see in most books. He was just another guy on the team, trying to make a living doing what he loved most.

Personally, I felt at times that these two were a little childish with their feelings. But overall, I liked the plot, loved the characters, and definitely want to go read Grace and Jensens story now! It's a quick read and I would definitely recommend it!

[SaltyBeach NSpicyReads · Rating 5 out of 5]

📖ARC 𝗥𝗘𝗩𝗜𝗘𝗪 🏒✨
Sᴛᴏʀʏ: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Katie Strong outdid herself with this book. It was my first book by this author and I’m a new fan ☺️ I had the first book on my TBR and didn’t realize this was the second book in the series until I opened the ARC copy but all I can say is wow and now I’m definitely headed back to read the prequel and the first book lol 🤩

I really loved this book! The main character love story is fun, great banter, no strings and a quick read. You’re just waiting for the fireworks to explode 😂 watching them pretend to not have and avoid their feelings is angsty and makes you want to shake them…while racing forward trying to see if they can figure it out lol. I loved the dynamic between the team and other secondary characters.

You can read this as a standalone (I obviously did lol) but definitely add this and the rest of the series to your TBR! I’m sincerely hoping we get more Night Hawks Hockey - great read!

✨𝑇ℎ𝑖𝑠 𝑖𝑠 𝑎𝑛 𝐴𝑅𝐶 𝑅𝑒𝑣𝑖𝑒𝑤. 𝑇ℎ𝑜𝑢𝑔ℎ𝑡𝑠 𝑎𝑟𝑒 𝑚𝑦 𝑜𝑤𝑛. 𝑃𝑖𝑐𝑡𝑢𝑟𝑒𝑠 𝑎𝑟𝑒 𝑛𝑜𝑡 𝑚𝑖𝑛𝑒 𝑏𝑢𝑡 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑑𝑒𝑠𝑖𝑔𝑛𝑠 𝑎𝑟𝑒 𝑚𝑦 𝑜𝑤𝑛.✨

Tʀᴏᴘᴇs:
🎮 ʙᴀᴅᴀss, sᴛʀᴏɴɢ FMC
🏒 ʙᴇsᴛ ꜰʀɪᴇɴᴅ’s ʙʀᴏᴛʜᴇʀ
🎮 ᴡᴏᴍᴇɴ ɪɴ sᴄɪᴇɴᴄᴇ
🏒 ʜᴏᴄᴋᴇʏ ʀᴏᴍᴀɴᴄᴇ
🎮 ɴᴏ sᴛʀɪɴɢs ᴀᴛᴛᴀᴄʜᴇᴅ
🏒 HEA

[Christine Biesheuvel · Rating 4 out of 5]

My Best Friend’s Brother
They have known each other since they were kids, his twin sister is her BFF, roommates through college, but moved apart for their jobs. In her teens Skyler realizes that she really likes Carson and tells him so. But, young lad that he is, he discards her feelings and tells her that he prefers ‘girly’ girls. A hurt and humiliation that stays with her through all the years and that has since soured her relationship with him. As a game programmer she is a woman in a men’s world, fighting for recognition of her talent and hard work, creating tunnel vision for the job she thinks she wants.
Thrown back together their world turns around its axis and they need her friend and his sister Grace to hand them a mirror to realize what is really important.
KS paints a very realistic process how two people can grow apart through hurt and what it takes to face reality. And doing this in a wonderful romantic way, with lots of lovely side characters (some not so lovely..). Highly recommended.

[Diane Lynch Lynch · Rating 4 out of 5]

Skyler McKenzie had a crush on her best friend Grace Monroe’s (PUCKING VACATION, Night Hawks #0.5) twin brother, Carson. He shot her down, and she has hated him ever since. Fast forward ten years later. She has her dream job as a game developer. She is competing for a promotion. The winner of a new hockey game gets the job. She seeks Grace’s help for insight into the game of hockey. Grace’s boyfriend Jensen Reece is the captain of the Colorado Night Hawks. Unfortunately, Carson is the team’s goalie.

Katie Strong does an excellent job with this story. The characters are likable and face interesting situations. Skyler and Carson have known each other their entire lives. They have a complex relationship. I enjoyed their interaction. I also, loved the story line.

This is the first book that I have read by Katie Strong. I enjoyed her writing style and plan to read more books by her in the future. I voluntarily reviewed an advance reader copy of this book.

[Donna Williams · Rating 5 out of 5]

So I am completely new to the author and I must say I really enjoyed this book. I was quickly sucked in and found myself racing to the next page to see what happened. This is the story of Skylar, a talented video game coder, and Carson, the Night Hawks’ hockey goalie. This book is captivating and heartwarming. Their dynamic as former friends and lovers made for an engaging read, and I enjoyed how they interacted. The characters, both main and supporting, were wonderfully developed and so endearing which kept me interested in the story. The relationships throughout the book felt genuine and added depth to the narrative. If you’re looking for a super fast-paced story filled with wonderful characters , this is a fantastic pick for your. I’m so glad I had the chance to read it! Add it to your TBR you won’t be disappointed people I promised

[Stephanie Corbett · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the second book in the Night Hawks Hockey series, and this book focuses on the team goalie Carson and his sister’s best friend Skylar.

Carson and Sky have known each other since childhood, and they are frenemies with a lot of angst and pent up frustration. Sky is a video game coder, so when the latest game is based on ice hockey, who else would she come to but her best friend and her brother.

The tug between the characters and their attraction keeps the book engaging and enjoyable, and is a wonderful second adventure in this series. Plenty of chemistry and action as well as humour.

I voluntarily reviewed an advanced copy of this book.

[Janine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Take one phenomenal game coder chick, and add one intense Hockey Jock. Then mix in a bit of Best Friend's Brother, with a touch of spurned teenage crush, and you come up with the brilliance that is Pucking Only!

Carson and Skyler's connection is intense! The banter is *chef's kiss* and the passion is wow... And then you get the grand gesture... *swoon* There is so much to love about this book, snippets of Grace and Jensen not withstanding. :)

Definitely a re-read for me in the future, and I'm super excited to see where we go next in this series.

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

[Helen Lohman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Always Right There

I enjoyed this story so much! Carson and Sky’s story goes back to their teen years. The two have always bickered back and forth, but their true feelings are never talked about. Watching them go through the steps to see if they can find love at last is great. Katie does an amazing job with her characters and makes you feel what they feel. There were times you just want to smack Carson as he can be completely blind to his own feelings. Jensen points out his feelings back in college and Grace makes him realize that he has ALWAYS had feelings for Skylar! This book was fun and I couldn’t put it down. Ready to see what’s in store for Stacey.

[Reads lotsa stuff · Rating 5 out of 5]

Are you really that clueless? A quick read with a complicated relationship. For a pair that has known each other their entire lives, navigating their feelings for one another is difficult. There has always been a connection but it was more antagonistic than romantic. Does growing up change things or will snarky comments be the end all get all? Does seeing your life through the eyes of others make it all much clearer? Great characters that pull you right in and keep you entertained.

[Linda Lavoie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fall in love with this crazy, incredible, romance, we follow Carson, a hockey player, his sister Grace going through their life with all the good and bad that comes with it. The past has a way to come and bite you. It has all the ingredients for a heartbreaking and heartwarming read for our greatest reader’s pleasure. Highly recommended it, all the série is awesome.

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

[Jean · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great series to enjoy. There is a fine line between hate and forever love. When teenage Skyler confessed her feelings to Carson of really, really liking him, he laughed at her and told her she wasn’t girly enough for him. He thought of her as an a little sister. Vowing never to let another man hurt her again.

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

[Olivia W · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not a fan of "enemies" to lovers trope and their relationship seemed to come about in an odd way. I did read the first book and the prequel, but I think I liked those because while the passion was there, there was a lot of communication between the two of them. I like both characters individually, but the relationship seems a little forced. Still love her work and am looking forward to what she will release next.

[Alex · Rating 5 out of 5]

Carson & Skyler: Book 2 of Night Hawks Hockey Series: Best friend’s brother/ enemies to lovers/ spicy hockey romance: Interconnected standalone. Loved the prequel and book 1 (Grace & Jensen’s story) in this series, and this was a great addition to it. (Grace is Carson’s twin sister and Skyler’s best friend.) I really enjoyed the banter between Carson and Skyler, and loved their story. I highly recommend this entire series.

[Audrianna Allen · Rating 5 out of 5]

So I’m a sucker for hockey romances, usually they are just fun reads with not much depth. However, this book was fun and with depth!! I enjoyed the push and pull between Carson and Skylar. It’s written so lifelike, that it is believable and the plot keeps you entertained.
If you enjoy second chance, hockey romances, this is a perfect one to add to your TBR for snuggle up winter nights!!.

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

[Ineta · Rating 5 out of 5]

After 2 previous books in this Night Hawks Hockey Series (OK, OK, after 1.5) there were no questions about starting this one. Because I already loved the Author's style. And this series is amazing.
Loved characters - Skylar and Carson. Bold and brave, colorful and funny. Loved the story-line. Easy and fun to read. Give me more!.

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

[Cassie Hammer · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received an ARC copy of this book and am leaving a voluntary review.
"Skyler McKenzie. The one girl I will never touch, but the only girl who I can never fully get out of my head." The tension between Skyler and Carson is addicting! They go from enemies to friends with benefits to FINALLY being in a relationship together! ❤️ I couldn't get enough of this book and look forward to reading more by Katie Strong. 😃

[Aaliyah Hunt · Rating 3 out of 5]

Giving a solid 3.5 star rating on this one. It's a cutesy romance of a girl being in love with the man she grew up with, but after being rejected, she decides she deserves more and moves on. However, deep down, he'll always be a guy she loves. Once his frontal lobe develops, he realizes the girl he grew up with is now a beautiful woman he's loved deep down.

Like I said, cutesy romance. It's definitely enjoyable, and a good come-down book from that mafia/dark romance book you've read.

[Jeanna · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book because it was different and still incorporated a bit of drama, slow burn, and steam. Carson is your average hockey player, and Skyler is a confident, kind of nerdy, badass game designer. Their story is relatable. It was cute to see Carson struggle when everyone else just knew.