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Pucking the Grump Next Door
Pucking the Grump Next Door is a sweet-but-spicy standalone hockey romance featuring enemies-to-lovers tension, forced proximity heat, and a grumpy hockey star who’s one slow burn away from falling for the fiery artist next door.
He’s my grumpy, hockey-playing next-door nightmare…and now I’m stuck living with him.
All I wanted was to focus on my art and keep my scholarship.
The last thing I needed? Kellan Grumpy. Ice-cold. Built like a Viking with a temper to match.
But when a pipe bursts and floods my apartment, I have nowhere to go.
Now I’m in his place, testing his patience, and pushing every one of his buttons.
Our late-night fights spark with undeniable tension—until one reckless night shatters the line between love and hate.
Suddenly, I crave the man I swore I’d never fall for.
The way his rough hands feel against my skin.
The way he listens when no one else does.
The way he holds me—like he’s afraid to let go.
But just when I finally let myself fall for him, the NHL comes calling and Kellan does exactly what I feared most—he pushes me away.
And this time, I don’t know if I’ll survive the hit.
He’s my grumpy, hockey-playing next-door nightmare…and now I’m stuck living with him.
All I wanted was to focus on my art and keep my scholarship.
The last thing I needed? Kellan Grumpy. Ice-cold. Built like a Viking with a temper to match.
But when a pipe bursts and floods my apartment, I have nowhere to go.
Now I’m in his place, testing his patience, and pushing every one of his buttons.
Our late-night fights spark with undeniable tension—until one reckless night shatters the line between love and hate.
Suddenly, I crave the man I swore I’d never fall for.
The way his rough hands feel against my skin.
The way he listens when no one else does.
The way he holds me—like he’s afraid to let go.
But just when I finally let myself fall for him, the NHL comes calling and Kellan does exactly what I feared most—he pushes me away.
And this time, I don’t know if I’ll survive the hit.
- GenresHockey
190 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 22, 2025
130 people are currently reading
67 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
March 26, 2025
Kellan and Wren . . .
Kellan Hayes and Wren Monroe both have plans for their future. His plan is definitely to become a professional hockey player. And Wren is devoted to her art which she takes very seriously. The two of them are neighbors. So when her apartment gets flooded, the most logical thing is to move in with Kellan, even though the two of them argue back and forth often. But eventually something changes and Wren notices. Kellan notices that she is being nice to him and is trying to figure it out. And it starts to feel like a relationship starting… until the NHL contacts him. Is this going to drive them apart since his obvious priority is hockey? Or should they communicate and find out how strong their relationship really is and if they can trust that it really is love that both of them have been feeling?
Kellan Hayes and Wren Monroe both have plans for their future. His plan is definitely to become a professional hockey player. And Wren is devoted to her art which she takes very seriously. The two of them are neighbors. So when her apartment gets flooded, the most logical thing is to move in with Kellan, even though the two of them argue back and forth often. But eventually something changes and Wren notices. Kellan notices that she is being nice to him and is trying to figure it out. And it starts to feel like a relationship starting… until the NHL contacts him. Is this going to drive them apart since his obvious priority is hockey? Or should they communicate and find out how strong their relationship really is and if they can trust that it really is love that both of them have been feeling?
August 12, 2025
lighthearted
Ehh..it was okay. It was lighthearted and a quick read but the writing was very repetitive at times. The FMC was so shy and standoffish at the beginning then did a 180 and was going for what she wanted out of nowhere. The storyline seemed rushed imo
Ehh..it was okay. It was lighthearted and a quick read but the writing was very repetitive at times. The FMC was so shy and standoffish at the beginning then did a 180 and was going for what she wanted out of nowhere. The storyline seemed rushed imo
March 23, 2025
*** ARC review ***
If your favorite tropes are hockey romance, enemies to lovers and forced proximity then add this to your list!
Wren is an art student and Kellan is a hockey player. They have nothing in common except sharing a wall that separates their apartments. They are complete polar opposites but when a pipe burst in Wren’s apartment, Kellan tells her to move in with him the day after they had a heated argument over Eminem. What could go wrong when a creatively messy woman moves in with three orderly hockey players? I absolutely devoured this book! The way Kellan is protective of her when they are sworn enemies and how Wren stands up for herself and how beautifully they complement each other…
If your favorite tropes are hockey romance, enemies to lovers and forced proximity then add this to your list!
Wren is an art student and Kellan is a hockey player. They have nothing in common except sharing a wall that separates their apartments. They are complete polar opposites but when a pipe burst in Wren’s apartment, Kellan tells her to move in with him the day after they had a heated argument over Eminem. What could go wrong when a creatively messy woman moves in with three orderly hockey players? I absolutely devoured this book! The way Kellan is protective of her when they are sworn enemies and how Wren stands up for herself and how beautifully they complement each other…
March 26, 2025
Kali Kendrick lights the lamp with PUCKING THE GRUMP NEXT DOOR. University of Boston art major Wren Monroe and star hockey player Kellan Hayes are feuding neighbors. After the pipes burst in Wren’s apartment, Kellan offered to let her stay at his place while the repairs were being done.
Wren and Kellan both have a lot to focus on this year. Wren needs to get her scholarship portfolio together and Kellan needs to focus on the draft. Neither one of them needs any distractions. However, as they get to know the other they begin to trust and grow as a result.
This is the first book that I have read by Kali Kendrick. I enjoyed her writing style. The characters were likable and relatable. The plot was interesting. I voluntarily reviewed an advanced reader copy of this book.
Wren and Kellan both have a lot to focus on this year. Wren needs to get her scholarship portfolio together and Kellan needs to focus on the draft. Neither one of them needs any distractions. However, as they get to know the other they begin to trust and grow as a result.
This is the first book that I have read by Kali Kendrick. I enjoyed her writing style. The characters were likable and relatable. The plot was interesting. I voluntarily reviewed an advanced reader copy of this book.
July 8, 2025
Kellan and Wren's Story
This is a fun, hockey themed love story.
Wren Monroe is a college student at UB, majoring in art. She is passionate and talented, although she says away from risk. Her mother deserted her family before her father developed kidney disease.
Kellan Hayes is the Captain of the UB hockey team. His father was a problem player who was injured after his 5th season. He pushes his son mercilessly to relive his success.
Kellan and Wren are neighbors who bicker with each other. When Wren has a flood in her apartment, Kellan offers her an empty room on his apartment, with 2 of his teammates.
Their story is entertaining and full of love. They both grow beyond their personal challenges. I recommend this book.
This is a fun, hockey themed love story.
Wren Monroe is a college student at UB, majoring in art. She is passionate and talented, although she says away from risk. Her mother deserted her family before her father developed kidney disease.
Kellan Hayes is the Captain of the UB hockey team. His father was a problem player who was injured after his 5th season. He pushes his son mercilessly to relive his success.
Kellan and Wren are neighbors who bicker with each other. When Wren has a flood in her apartment, Kellan offers her an empty room on his apartment, with 2 of his teammates.
Their story is entertaining and full of love. They both grow beyond their personal challenges. I recommend this book.
April 13, 2025
I don’t know who I loved more…. The hero and heroine or their friends!
The story… not quite enemies to lovers, nor insta-love or slow-burn. It seemed to straddle and the author made it work!
I loved the progression of their love story - a little more realistic than I truly expected and even brought in a little tension without initiating a break-up.
A wonderful story, and I really, really, really want to see their friends stories too..
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
The story… not quite enemies to lovers, nor insta-love or slow-burn. It seemed to straddle and the author made it work!
I loved the progression of their love story - a little more realistic than I truly expected and even brought in a little tension without initiating a break-up.
A wonderful story, and I really, really, really want to see their friends stories too..
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
April 14, 2025
I absolutely loved this! Kali does such an amazing job creating her characters and telling their stories. A schedule following, no bs hockey player whose sole focus is the NHL and a messy, goal driven artist meet over her loud music interrupting his nap. They have a forced proximity when he offers for her to stay with him and his roommates. This is an enemies to lovers where he falls fast and hard. The struggles Kali has both go through are very relatable and she makes you feel what the struggle with them. I couldn’t get enough of this book and looking forward to the next one.
March 24, 2025
it was such an easy read to go through. the characters were very relatable and endearing! i loved the dynamics between them all. i have always had a thing for enemies to lovers stories and tie that with forced proximity, i was a goner! it's just a bonus that he's a hockey player too! i like that they had depth to their personalities and it wasn't just a steamy story with no real meat.
March 24, 2025
This is my second Kali Kendrick book and it won’t be my last. This was an ARC and it’s a hockey romance. I loved Kellan and Wren’s story. They live next door to each other and it was a bit rocky, until a pipe bursts in her apartment. I loved them and their friends were hilarious! Cheddar Bob was amazing, too!
March 26, 2025
The grumpy hockey player is Wren nightmare neighbor. When her pipes burst Kellen offers for her to stay next door with him until her apartment is fix. The undeniable tension has the lines shattering between love and hate for Kellen and Wren. Enjoyed reading this fantastic grumpy and sunshine hockey romance!
April 17, 2025
This author Kali is a complete master when it comes to writing some of the very best sports romance books including this one right here. Kellan and Wren start out as enemies but soon develop something very romantic. Prepare to swoon with this book because it is written very very well.
May 14, 2025
Charming
An enchanting story between Wren and Kellan filled with love, laughter and chaos. They learn to trust each other and acknowledge their fears which leads to their HEA. A quick and easy read. Don’t hesitate to grab your favorite beverage and settle down and enjoy.
An enchanting story between Wren and Kellan filled with love, laughter and chaos. They learn to trust each other and acknowledge their fears which leads to their HEA. A quick and easy read. Don’t hesitate to grab your favorite beverage and settle down and enjoy.
March 27, 2025
I loved this book so much. It was so sweet and swoony. Kellan and Wren are so adorable together. The tension and banter between the two was amazing. I really enjoyed it. I definitely recommend.
April 10, 2025
I enjoyed pucking the grump next door which was Kellen and Wren’s story. I thought it was an intense and sizzling read. I got a copy of the book. And voluntarily leaving this review.
May 31, 2025
Great read!
Great great great. I read this whole book while working. I had some down time and I fondue it at work. That's how good it was. Thank you!
Great great great. I read this whole book while working. I had some down time and I fondue it at work. That's how good it was. Thank you!
April 1, 2025
3 stars
April 12, 2025
Pucking the Grump Next Door has the tropes and the feels. Hockey hunk, opposites attract, forced proximity, college romance, protective male, etc. and the chemistry is off the charts.
They hate each other in the beginning but he’s always watching her when she’s around. His roommates, and hockey team mates, always tease him about liking her. He can’t admit it, even to himself until he offers her their spare room.
Fun, steamy, and sweet, this is a definite recommendation from me.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
They hate each other in the beginning but he’s always watching her when she’s around. His roommates, and hockey team mates, always tease him about liking her. He can’t admit it, even to himself until he offers her their spare room.
Fun, steamy, and sweet, this is a definite recommendation from me.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews