Menace in Vegas

Pucked Up Hearts #2

by Jennifer Rose

Allison Payne had one goal—survive her best friend’s wedding.
Instead, her ex dumped her, she got drunk and made out with an infuriating hockey player in a bathroom.

Now she’s stranded on a road trip to Vegas with him.
Connor walking red flags Byrns.
He’s cocky, chaotic, and way too hot for his own good.

Every rental car is a nightmare.
Every hotel has only one bed.
And Connor keeps calling her his wife.

She just needs to make it to Vegas without falling for the menace in the driver’s seat.

Connor Byrns didn’t mean to catch feelings.
But one look at the curvy firecracker in his passenger seat, and he’s wrecked.
One song. One kiss. That’s all it took.
Now he’s planning a wedding Allie hasn’t agreed to. Yet.

Obsession like this doesn’t fade.
It escalates.
And by the time they hit Vegas, one thing’s for sure—
She’s not leaving without his last name.


A spicy, darkly hilarious, dangerously addictive rom-com featuring a morally gray hockey menace already calling her his wife, a sharp-mouthed heroine who swears she hates him (but keeps ending up in his bed), and a road trip so chaotic it should come with a warning label.


Book two of the interconnected Pucked Up Hearts series. Hot hockey players. Bad decisions. Unhinged love stories.
They thought they had the game figured out—until love flipped the script.

TropesRoad Trip RomanceForced ProximityOne BedVegas WeddingCurvy HeroineProtective Cinnamon Roll Hockey HeroHe Falls FirstFound Family

Genres: Rom Com

400 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 8, 2025

About the author

Jennifer Rose lives in a small town in Pennsylvania with her best friend and husband, two dachshunds, and a rabbit. She loves frozen mocha coffees, fall/Halloween, and long walks in nature.

She loves hearing from readers!

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Reviews

[Darlene I read WAY to many books · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5⭐️

We saw these two in the last book, and I'll be honest, what happened? Conner was so obsessed with Allie, and in this book, he was so annoyed by her and wanted nothing to do with her until the road trip. So, the whole personality changed?! Allie was still annoyed and didn't want Conner. The road trip to Vegas was fun; the creepy hotels were funny, as were the long car rides. When they were in Vegas, they got married because, why not?

And once again, can we talk about not adding the gross grandma who was over the top and kept talking about sex, going on Conner and Allie's honeymoon, and ruining it? Heck, even Conner and Gram's relationship wasn't like the first book; he was annoyed with her too. Please, dear author, don't have this grandma in the books.
No ow/om drama, no cheating, secondary character, drama, sexy times, no virgins

Recommend-yes
Cover-⭐️⭐️⭐️
Heat level-🌶🌶🌶

Slowburnish
Stalking & Harassment (targeted toward secondary characters)
Praise kink
Push away h
No condom
Kidnapping Attempt (not by the MMC)
Verbal Threats & Intimidation (not by the MMC)
Violence / Physical Fights (not between MMC and FMC)
Emotional Manipulation (not between MMC and FMC)
Hea
Epilogue

[Echo · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm not good at reviews so all I can say is allie and Connor are hilarious and gram is even funnier! if you read the first book in the series and enjoyed it you will love this one even more!

[Rhae Asphy · Rating 3 out of 5]

ARC REVIEW BOOKSPROUT:

I have a lot to say about this book, but I want to start by saying that Connor is a beautiful character from beginning to end. I am grateful that you suggested me as an ARC on BOOKSPROUT and that I read this book. Connor and Allie's story is really worth knowing.

I admit that the premise of traveling to Las Vegas and getting married seemed a bit cliché and overused in romance books, but Connor was the hook that kept me reading. We have a (very sweet) love story, tension, sex, and a pretty funny road trip. However, we also have a moment of tension involving secondary characters (Daltyn and Peyton), and that's where I almost lose the thread.

I would love to give it five stars, because it made me laugh and smile a lot because of how cute Connor is, but at times I felt like there were a lot of things missing. Allie is a protagonist I could relate to in some situations, though I struggled with her personality in others. I would have liked more character development and depth in her personal life, beyond just commenting on her father and ex-boyfriend.

The same thing happens to me with Connor. While he's a sweet, caring, and thoughtful man, his story is empty. There's only a passing mention of his family. Why wasn't there more emphasis on that if they're the main characters?

I loved the story from the first chapter until it started to give a lot of importance to the situation between Peyton, Landon and Daltyn. That part bored me quite a bit, because it's also used a lot in romance books, just to create a tense situation that wasn't necessary. Although at least Connor showed his concern and love until the end. I really love this character.

3 out of 5 stars, but I highly recommend it.

[Jackie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love Connor, Allie, and Gram!!! I was so excited to find out this book was about him. He won me over with Gram in the first book. This book had me laughing the whole time. Connor was so playful in the first book and it's fun to see him unravel. Allie is a spitfire and loves pushing his buttons. I loved the flip flops of who was in control when both are set to lose. But Gram stills the show, as it should be! Can't wait to find out what happens next!

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

[Catie · Rating 5 out of 5]

An ARC was provided to me by the author in for an honest and voluntary review. All of my reviews contain my honest opinions and are not affiliated with the viewpoint of the author. Please note that this review may contain spoilers. So reader discretion is advised. As always, be aware of your own personal triggers.

Menace in Vegas is the next installment of the Pucked up Hearts series. This time, we get to see the world from the eyes of Connor “Walking Red Flags” Byrns (Ford’s best friend and teammate) and Allison “Allie” Payne (Harper’s best friend). Book 2 starts right where the first ends. Allie and Connor are about to head to Las Vegas to celebrate Ford and Harper’s wedding. Nothing to worry about more than packing and making it through TSA. But, as luck would have it, they missed their flight and without any other option, they rented a car and resorted to driving to Vegas. Now Allie is stuck in the car with Connor and still nursing a broken heart from Mark’s betrayal. Along the way, there’s a ton of quirky cars, rooms with only one bed, and of course… sparks. Connor is determined to make sure that Allie doesn’t leave without first taking his last name. When the two finally make it to their destination, what happens next is nothing short of a riot. But as with every Jennifer Rose novel, something terrifying is waiting just around the corner, ready to strike down any possibility of a happily ever after.

My favorite thing about this book in particular, is the constant tension between Allie and Connor. They’re both so hurt from the past that that shared trauma heavily influences their relationship. They are both stubborn and insistent about what their future together looks like. Allie is a character that I felt really connected to. She’s experienced trauma that affects her ability to accept love not just from others, but herself as well.

I’ve read every single Jennifer Rose novel, but this is by far my absolute favorite! The clever combination of humor, spice, and a healthy dose of chaos keeps the reader’s attention glued to the page. And as always, it wouldn’t be a true Jennifer Rose book without a few cameos along the way.

If you loved Exes and Oh Hell No then you’re going to love Menace in Vegas even more! With the same old antics and the same great cast of characters, you’ll love stepping back into the Pucked Up Hearts series. Gram is waiting for you!

Overall: ★★★★★

Spice: ★★★★★

Humor: ★★★★★

Storyline: ★★★★★

Characters: ★★★★★

Likelihood to Recommend: ★★★★★

[Serena Buss · Rating 5 out of 5]

Menace in Vegas is the second book in the Pucked Up Hearts series. It is just as good as book one! I highly recommend reading book one before this one. Exes and Oh Hell No is book one. It introduces Connor and Allie, and Menace in Vegas is their story. Connor is a tall, sexy, possessive, walking red flag. Allie is a beautiful, curvy, fierce woman. The banter between Connor and Allie is hilarious and tense at the same time. These two are perfect for each other! The spice between them was definitely spicy! The character that always steals the spotlight is Gram. I love Gram! She's hilarious and definitely living life to the fullest! Now, I hope there's going to be a third book! I love these books so much!
Thank you Jennifer for including me as an ARC reader!

[Michelle Frater · Rating 3 out of 5]

Take one obsessed hockey player with zero chill, throw him in a car with a fiery, freshly dumped spitfire who knows exactly how to push his buttons, and you’ve got yourself the road trip from hell—and one seriously entertaining romance. It all kicks off after Harper’s wedding (if you’ve read book one, you know the kind of chaos that was). One missed flight to Vegas later, Allie and Connor are forced to share a ride in a pink VW convertible lovebug—yes, pink—and from that moment on, it’s game on. Picture a muscle-bound hockey player crammed into that tiny car and try not to laugh. That alone had me snorting. But cramped quarters are nothing compared to the tension simmering between these two. Allie delights in ruffling Connor’s feathers, and Connor? Well, one impulsive little mistake by Allie flips the dynamic completely and let’s just say he gives as good as he gets. Payback’s a bitch, sister. Let it be said that Connor is not known a relationship kind of guy, but the moment he met Allie, there was only one woman he wanted in his life and suddenly, Mr. Not-Into-Relationships is all in. Connor’s relentless charm, cocky certainty, and slow-burn seduction nearly drive Allie up the wall—and straight into his arms. Of course, in classic romance fashion, it doesn’t hurt that every motel on their route has just one bed. (The trope gods were kind with that one.) Honestly, the road trip portion was hands-down my favorite. The banter, the tension, the chemistry—it was all pitch-perfect. That is, until they hit Vegas... and Gram showed up. Look, I loved Gram in the first book—her antics were hilarious. But in this one, she felt less “zany grandma” and more “cockblock in a sequined dress.” Her constant interruptions, even turning up on Allie and Connor’s honeymoon, started to wear thin. Sure, she got a few laughs, but it was just a bit too much. Then there’s the subplot with Daltyn, Peyton, and Landon, which could just be setting up the next book—but it also hijacked more of the honeymoon than I’d like. When I signed up for a romance with an obsessed hockey hottie, I wanted more time on the ice, if you know what I mean. That said, I still had a blast reading this. Even with the distractions, Allie and Connor’s chemistry is sizzling, their banter is top-tier, and Connor will definitely make you wish you had a hockey player dead-set on making you, his forever. No masks this time around (sad face), but still a fun, flirty, fiery read that hits all the right notes—especially if you're a sucker for forced proximity, enemies-to-lovers tension, and heroes who don't know how to quit.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Mafia Wife · Rating 4 out of 5]

I could hardly wait for this one! This is part of a series and wow the individual romances are standalone, I really recommend that you read them in order. You meet this couple in the first book and really get a view of the start of their relationship and I think it’s really important to starting this one, it really lays out the foundation. This one takes a turn from the first one as it has a lot more humor and is not as obsessive. This pics right up where the first one leaves off, she has just broken up with her long distance, boyfriend and he couldn’t be happier about it because from the moment he saw her, he knew that she was his. After unexpectedly missing their flight to Vegas to join their friends they end up taking a road trip together. They are both strongly attracted to each other, but he is the one that’s willing to put it all out there where she is still gun shy. They take turns teasing each other back back-and-forth, pushing each other’s buttons. There is a lot of humor, but there is also plenty of hot steamy spice. I love these characters. They play off of each other so well. I read the whole thing in one sitting I couldn’t put it down. The only thing that wasn’t my favorite about this story was that last arc that was thrown in, it felt like there was not enough prep to lead up to that, and it felt like it came out of left field. I am sure that it is intended to be the set up for the next couple, but there was a little flow issue for me. Otherwise the story is fantastic just like the first one and I can’t wait for the next one.

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

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this! I loved Connor is Ford and Harper's book and was so excited that his was next. And come on, we already knew who he was obsessed with. I loved watching him fall in their book. And I get more of that!? Yes, please and thank you. My only gripe, and maybe this was fixed after the final edit, was that Mark didn't break up with her like it said in this one. In Ford and Harper's book she told Harger she blurted out to Mark on the phone that they should take a break and he didn't fight it. That kind of irked me. I had when there are continuation mistakes. I read their book right before this one so I guess it was fresh in my mind and that's why I caught it. Anyway, that bothered me but Connor made up for it. I loved him so much. I need an obsessed MMC and he was perfect. I love all of Jennifer's books and look forward to more.

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

[Alex Wallace · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book 2 of the Pucked Up Hearts was just as crazy as the first one. Attending her Besties Wedding was supposed to be complication free, but Allison definitely underestimated Connor and his infatuation with her. Nothing could have prepared her for Vegas and the thoughts Connor has in his head. Will Allie be able to keep Connor at arm's length? Will Connor succeed in giving Allie his last name? Find out in the steamy second book. If you haven’t read Exes and Oh Hell No (Book One: Pucked Up Hearts) be sure to read it first. While this book is a stand-alone book the series continues with characters from the previous book, so reading book 1 will help you understand the relationship between Allison and Connor that carries over to book 2.

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

[Melissa Wilson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is book 2 in Pucked Up Hearts series. I highly recommend that book one is read first due to characters from first book is in the second. I'm so happy to read Connie's story. He is a walking red flag but you can't help but love him. The banter between him and Allie is funny. The one who wins the book though is Gram..that woman is hilarious and the way she traumatizes everyone with her antics is pure gold. The characters and banter are comical. There is some drama with a stalker . Really enjoyed this book. This is the second book I read from the author and I'm hooked.

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

[Morally_Gray_Nola · Rating 5 out of 5]

‘Menace in Vegas’ is the follow-up to ‘Exes and Oh Hell No’—which I L O V E D. I had my fingers and toes crossed for Connor and Allie’s story to be next. I am over the freakin’ moon right now people! *happy dance* If you read Exes and Oh Hell No you will understand, because Conner is such a doe eyed pup for Allie from the time they meet, and she is a black cat with claws O U T. ahhhhh a match made in heaven.

Connor has tunnel vision: Win Allie’s heart. He has cared for her, knows in his heart she is meant to be his, since he first laid eyes on her. He is utterly obsessed. Allie, reeling from her cheating ex, is having a hard time admitting her attraction to Connor. Persistence is key here.

Connor and Allie touch upon a lot of emotions, even laying bare a few wounds, during their drive to Vegas. They have drama in Vegas and Key West, too. They go through a lot … together. Every girl should be so lucky to have someone like Connor love them like he loves Allie. * sigh*

And Gram is back causing hell and havoc

[Amber Kirk · Rating 5 out of 5]

After reading the first book I was soooo so excited to hear that this was about Conner and Allie who I absolutely loved! And that we get to see more shenanigans of grams I absolutely love her, they had me laughing 🤣 right away getting on the plane with the flask 🤣 and let’s not forget petal and Wanda on the way to Vegas lmao poor Conner! I could feel his frustration lol
Allie is funny as heck provoking and making Conner unravel seeing a bear come out, and their banter. They have this thing of her just fighting her feelings and just bicker I loved it. Conner would get upset but they just have this undeniable chemistry
He knew right away he was making her his wife.
I absolutely love this series I 💯 recommend reading this series! You’ll get a kick out of grams 🤣

[Narelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Allison Payne and Connor Byrnes. I dare anyone to read this book and not have a smile on your face for most of it. A deliciously written romcom leaning towards the darker side with an absolutely obsessed man in Connor, and Allison, his curvy woman. With plenty of heated banter, a road trip (complete with Petal and Wanda), one bed nights and so much more. I absolutely love this series and hope there’s more to come!.

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

[Elaine Delgado · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love Conner and Allison story. I was drawn in from the beginning. I love me a curvy MFC so that was already a plus. Absolutely loved the banter between the two of them I was dying laughing throughout and adored them both. Definitely enjoyed the spice level in this book as well. This is a must read so go ahead and add it to your list.

[Sara Jacobs · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely LOVED Connor on Ford's book and I am SO happy that him and Allie got their own book! Connor is hilarious and then having Gram there to create even more chaos made it that much better.

They have such a quick and strong chemistry and Allie deserves someone WAY better than her ex.

This book has it all. Funny, drama, suspense, dark, you name it it's in there.

[Nikka · Rating 2 out of 5]

Bonus stars for a chubby FMC. ❤️

I DNF'd under 100 pages. I didn't love the first book in this series and thought the second might be better because I liked Connor and Allie's dynamic as side characters in the first book. It ended up being a lot of the same tropes. The fake denial of desire. The "forced" proximity trope (I use forced very loosely). Just didn't work for me.

[Victoria Stanley · Rating 5 out of 5]

What can I say? I laughed, I cried from laughing so hard. And then it got deep. And I felt the mmc-where he was coming from. I can only hope to see more from these guys…and of course Gram. Believe me you won’t be disappointed with Connor and Allison story.

[Mary S. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love reading Connor and Allie story. Love the c&azy things Gram gets into. This was funny and romantic read. Connor was an all alpha male that knew what he wanted, Allie took a bit to get there but when this two do it’s all fireworks and so much more that it definitely doesn’t stay in Vegas! lol!

[Sharon Lee · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is worth reading just for Connor. What an absolute dreamboat. Oh and Grams - LOL hilarious!

This was funny, sweet, romantic and had great spice.

Looking forward to book 3.

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

[T.I. · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is such a great read. I was hooked right from the start. I couldn't put it down. So good. Happy reading.

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I swear, Gram is my spirit human. The banter in these books was fun.

[Amanda Grange · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hilarious! The banter between Allie and Connor had me hyperventilating. Honestly, Gram is too much and I live for it. Please tell me she's in book 3!.