The Pucker and the Princess

by Jerica MacMillan

Who knew moving next to a hockey player would change my life?

Looking for a fresh start, away from the impossible-to-meet expectations of my family in Texas, I take a job in Seattle.

But my antagonistic new neighbor seems to be determined to make my new home as hostile as the one I came from. On the first day, he slams the door in my face when I’m moving in, makes me drop my box and break one of the keepsakes my grandmother passed down to me, and doesn’t even apologize!

It’s okay, though. I repay the favor at every chance I get. Until one day, I see him panicking, his car dead, clearly late for something important, judging by his suit.

Unable to help myself, I give him a jump, and end up helping him replace his battery after he’s back from his first preseason game. That’s right. Jerky neighbor with the dead battery? He’s a professional hockey player.

He insists on paying me back for my help with tickets to the first game of the season. We go out for drinks afterward and end up starting a friendship that’s everything I needed in this lonely new city.

He’s the perfect friend, and sometimes I think he’d be the perfect boyfriend too, except neither of us are focused on dating right now. With past bad relationships making us gun shy, friendship seems the best, and safest, choice.

Until one fateful night, when he kisses me.

Then acts like he regrets it immediately.

Now my only friendship here is screwed, my mom’s hounding me about coming home for Christmas, where it turns out my ex-fiancé—and Dad’s right hand man—is engaged, and my shiny new life is in tatters around me. Could something start going right, please?

Genres: Hockey, Sports, Sports Romance, Romance, Friends To Lovers, Hockey Romance, Contemporary Romance

338 pages, Kindle Edition

Published June 3, 2025

About the author

Jerica MacMillan has been reading romance since she stumbled into the paperback section of the library as a middle schooler. And it's been an ongoing love affair ever since!

You can frequently find her sipping coffee out of snarky mugs while dreaming up stories and trying to bring them to life on the page. Join her Book Club at www.jericamacmillan.com/book-club and get a free book!

Reviews

[Shannon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Kindle Unlimited: Yes
Stand-alone: Yes***
Author: Jerica MacMillian
Rating: 4.5/5 ⭐️
Spiciness Rating: 3/5 🌶
POV: First Person Dual Perspective
Main Couple: Dozer and Marissa
Trope(s): Hockey Romance, Slow burn, Friends To Lovers

There very well may be my first read by Jerica- at least according to my Goodreads. Gah, this book was everything I needed. Low angst, witty, slow burn, friends to lovers. Romance on overload. I ate this book up in almost one sitting. Sorry, absolutely not sorry. This is a detailed read, on the longer side, has us swooning watching Dozer and Marissa’s friendship grow. He gives her the unconditional support her father and ex-boyfriend were never secure enough to give.

Marissa Kane has moved to Seattle, Washington far from her hometown of Texas. Five years ago, she found herself in a rut, wishing her father would really see her love and passion for his auto shop, wishing her boyfriend would really see her and propose. Seeing her younger sister go after her dreams was the motivation she needed to begin living her own life and chase her own dreams.

Now she has an amazing promotion, a place to store her next passion project, and an apartment in the hub of it all.

When Dozer sees the new neighbor moving into his complex she checks all his boxes. But, he is staying away from prissy princesses. He is still getting over his last relationship. So, he goes on the defense and instead of being an accommodating neighbor is rude.

Well, Marissa gives as good as she gets.

Until she comes to his rescue.

And, they get to know one another.

Their friendship grows.

Until they cross a line.

And, they both have to face their feelings and what it means for them going forward.

[Andrea · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book started off great I loved the fact that the FMC works with cars and I loved how she treated the MMC. Not rude, but she clearly put him in his place. I like that. They became friends and that she learned about hockey, even though it was a little bit boring, I still liked the story. And then it completely fell apart. There was really no third act break up, but there was a small misunderstanding that got fixed pretty quickly.

The book Just ended in the middle of everything and then fast forwarded to the end of the hockey season. I mean there was absolutely no further fleshing out of the story. They got together after Thanksgiving. They were apart a week and then they were together one week and then they were apart two weeks because he was playing hockey and she was at her parents and then he flew to see her so she didn’t have to go to an engagement party for her former fiancé by herself and he was weirdly rude to the ex and then literally the book was over. No resolution, no talking nothing.

I also have no understanding why she is a princess.

[Terry · Rating 4 out of 5]

A sweet enemies-to-lovers romance

I really liked the progrssion of Marissa and Dozer's relationship ... first enemies, then casual friends, then good friends and then lovers. Neither one of them was looking for a relationship, but it just goes to show that when there's chemistry, it's hard to fight the attraction. I wanted to give Marissa's ex and parents a swift kick for the way they treated her, but at least she got along with her siblings even though they didn't see each other often. And Dozer is just a sweet teddy bear and I hated that women just took advantage of his good nature. I thought that Marissa and Dozer were perfect for each other.

Marissa and Dozer get off on the wrong foot the day she moves into his building. Dozer is a defenseman in the NHL and has no intention of getting into a relationship especially after the last one. Marissa has taken on a new role at her employment and it moved her clear across the country. This suited her just fine as she wanted to get away from her ex-boyfriend and her parents. When Marissa sees Dozer perplexed by his truck that won't start, she decides to help him ... after all, she had the talent to take over her father's garage, but according to her father she didn't have the right body mechanics to take it over. And if her and Dozer can clear the air between them, maybe they can become friends ... right.

I received an ARC courtesy of the author.

[Haley · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book did not have the ending these characters deserved. It was such a slow build up and when the main characters finally got together the book ended. At the end the FMC is forced to go to her exs engagement party and while she’s there he starts being nasty to her. The MMC surprises the FMC and shows up. You would think there’s be some epic smack down of the FMC standing up for herself but after the MMC is introduced to the ex they just leave. There’s really no closure to that storyline and it’s throughout the whole book. I mean she moved to Seattle and spread her wings because of how he treated her. She’s this awesome fierce woman, she has the MMC backing her up and nothing. They just leave. It’s even hinted that the exs new fiancé doesn’t know who she was. I was really hoping she’d find out and it cause major issues for the ex, but no. It all just falls flat and ends. The dad and the mom are also major problems at the end and there is no wrap up with that either except for 2 or 3 lines. It’s just a let down after how well written the FMC it feels like a total let down of her the MMCs characters. It almost feels like the author hit deadline, thought “ I need to submit this” wrote a crummy wrap up chapter and hit done. Absolutely no effort into the ending. If that doesn’t scare you this book is great, just don’t expect the ending to answer all your questions.

[Jennifer Jansen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Marissa and Dozer don't get off on the right foot. Marissa is moving into her new apartment and Dozer doesn't hold the door for her while she's moving and he's heading out. He tries to justify it in his head, but he realizes that he's being a jerk but needs to stay away from the new girl. Both are coming off bad relationships and have sworn off dating. Marissa ends up helping Dozer with his car and he's insistent on paying back the favor, so he gets her hockey tickets. They quickly end up becoming friends. They're comfortable with each other and love each other's company. They're pretty much dating without the physicality of it. They honestly do have a great friendship even though they were ignoring what it really was. Throw in some miscommunication and there's our conflict. Honestly, I'm happy that the conflict didn't last very long because I'm not sure I could have gone on reading about it very long. My only real gripe is that her relationship with her parents wasn't really improved any, but I guess that's realistic that it wasn't. I wouldn't have minded a peek into their future, but maybe we'll get a bonus epilogue of it someday.

[Whitney Leary · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jerica has a way about writing that sucks you in and you cannot put the book down and this book didn’t disappoint. I love how she continues to intertwine characters who were so meaningful to us in other books into new stories. We got to learn more about Gabby and Lance’s sister Marisa in this story. Marisa has left Texas to get out from under her parents when it has become clear her dad isn’t going to give her the auto body and there’s no future with a guy that she waited far too long for. When she moves to Washington, she immediately has a negative run in with Dozer. Then they continue to meet - when he has a dead battery in his beloved truck, Marisa is there to help him and it begins a budding relationship. Dozer has played in the NHL for years and has dated women that he can’t decide if they are only there for money. When he first believed Marisa was nothing but a princess, that was changed when he started to get to know her. Neither were looking for a relationship and yet can they go from friends to lovers? Will they both be able to move past their former relationships and their insecurities?

[Elizabeth Polk · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dozing with Dozer in my dreams

I really liked the story, if anything I'm sad I didn't get more. It was a quick read without being too short. A good filler kindle book between tackling my physical TBR shelf. The ending was good and I'm satisfied, but also I'm left wanting more. Saving grace is that I know the two of them are living wonderfully off in the pages of the book world.
We had a brief enemies to friends arc, and then friends to lovers into a HEA. Their relationship grew so beautifully, it's the healthy and supportive love we all deserve.
Both the fmc and mmc felt relatable and inviting. They were funny and entertaining with their banter and inner monologues. And, they're in their 30s--love that.
FMC is strong, driven and self aware while showing us it's never too late to reach for the life you want. Rooting for Marissa was like being happy for your bestie when all you want is to see them win.
MMC is all the good things. Strong, caring, respectful, loving. Dozer is definitely another book boyfriend for the charts. All green flags, all charm. I'll daydream about him till my next read.
I recommend as your next hockey/sports/romance read.

[Rachel E. · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a truth zone. I was able to read this as an ARC and want to be truthful about my experience. I read this book in just over a week (pacing it in between other reads). Personally the first half of the book didn’t grip me in a way I like my books to draw me in. I contemplated many times DNFing. I was not committed or connected to the characters. They were fine, though a little surface level. The story was pretty average for a sports rom. I wish I had something amazing to say, and this isn’t meant to be discouraging, the other reviews are glowing, maybe it just wasn’t my cup of tea. The star of this show though was Dozer, Marissa grew on more in the third act; before that I really couldn’t stand her. I give grace though for her trauma and not letting people in.

As previously stated, so many times I just wanted to move on and read something else, but both out of obligation and curiosity, I forced my self to persevere to the end. I’m glad I finished it. There was a HEA of sorts, thankfully the last few chapters brought it home.

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a terrific read. I was engaged from the beginning by Marissa and Dozer's first encounter, which made them instant enemies, which led to plenty of snark and even a few pranks. The way their "neighborly" relationship got started and then proceeded felt very real to me. I could imagine both Marissa and Dozer having the exact personalities to behave exactly as they did, and then to eventually become friends and more as they each learned more about the background of the other - the facts eventually explained the rough first encounter. Ms. MacMillan also writes a wonderful "found family" with Dozer's teammates and their partners. A wonderful group like this always has me feeling like I missed something in life by not being on a hockey team! I always love to read a less-than-traditional FMC (Marissa is a skilled mechanic and works on classic cars); she makes her own choices and is making it on her own, despite her awful family. I certainly hope this is the first in a series!

I was given an ARC and volunteered to write a review.

[Emily Pennington · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dozer and Marissa . . .

Dozer and Marissa are new neighbors who start off badly but turn their awkward beginning around to something both of them needed. Marissa wants a new beginning, away from her demanding and thoughtless parents, so she moves to another state. Dozer, a professional hockey player next door, is not at all friendly and his actions cause her to drop her moving box and break a keepsake from her grandmother. But when his car won’t start and she helps him out, they are able to start a real and comfortable friendship that looks like dating without benefits. They simply enjoy each other’s company. Dozer had been taken advantage of in past relationships so wasn’t eager for anything more. Marissa likewise was content to just stay friends. But as their friendship escalates, will they each get over their past insecurities and open their hearts to trusting in love again? Or will they be too afraid to take that sort of chance?

[ReadonReader · Rating 4 out of 5]

When one moment and one act of irritation sets the tone for Dozer and Marisa’s relationship from the start you just know things are going to heated. Dozer has been treated poorly by women who only use him and his first reaction to his new neighbor is less than friendly. Marisa is trying to get a fresh start away from her ex and family that can be pushy, but when she first meets Dozer the met was not so cute and leaves her angry. The back and forth between these two was fantastic and with both of them having preconceived notions about the other they realize just how wrong they were. The more time they are around each other the more the tension builds and the more they have to fight these feelings they have. Neither one was looking for anything but this just stumbled in their laps so what will they do with it now that they have it? I loved Dozer he was such a giant teddy bear that loved what he loved and felt no shame and while I enjoyed Marisa and understood her irritation with her family there were times I found her to be a bit irritating. Overall, this was a great read and I really enjoyed it.

[Linda Olinger · Rating 5 out of 5]

The more books Jerica MacMillan writes, the better they get! And that’s saying something since every book of hers I have read has been spellbinding! The Pucker and The Princess definitely did not disappoint!
Although the initial meeting between Marissa and Dozer is nowhere near a “meet cute”, it’s definitely a beginning.
He’s a NHL defenseman for the Seattle Emeralds who has been used for his money and abused emotionally by every woman in his life except his Mom! She’s a new resident of Seattle from Texas where she grew up in her Dad’s garage building classic cars!
Needless to say their first impression of each other is pretty far off base! She thinks he’s an a**h*le and he thinks she’s a princess!
Can two people so different become friends, and maybe something more?
Another beautifully written book by Jerica MacMillan, that will pleasantly surprise you with its depth, hockey action, some funny parts, and plenty of steam!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️for The Pucker and The Princess!

[Lauren Wulf · Rating 4 out of 5]

If first impressions killed I think the first impression Dozer gave Marissa and vice versa would’ve knocked these two on their behinds. Oh wait, it did in the funniest/nicest way possible.

Marissa’s new to Seattle, new to the building, and a shiny princess Dozer sees as a threat to the peace he’s trying to garner for himself. When he finds himself in a pickle only Marissa’s willing to grudgingly help him out of, he repays the favor with tickets to her first hockey game. One of his hockey games.

Suddenly, the princess he thought she was and the jerk she thought he was fades into nights spent watching sports, watching each other work, and a lot of laughs as these two fall head over heels for each other.

I will say, at first I wasn’t quite feeling their story, but I grew to really like Dozer and Marissa together. It was both sweet and spicy, and a good read for the first Jerica MacMillian book I’ve ever read. I’m excited to see how her other books measure up.

[Donnavean Jones · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hockey & a Power princess....

Marissa, the loving hard ass that has to prove herself in her chosen career EVERYDAY. Never truly knowing love from her partners
Dozer, the hot asf Hocky Dman getting used by women for his money or his fame. Only tuly wamting to love someone that deserves it.
Meet cute? No way she jumps his vehicle, teaches him basic car skills and then they become friends.
Relationships that start as friendships tend to be so much better.
Love the banter, their friendship, the locker room banter, and her will to not let anyone break her. She never sees the love coming, self doubt, and past hurt put blinders over both sets of eyes and the love comea naturally. I gave a 5 star review, because i love seeing this type of story. The growth, the learning the beauty of it all
I recommend for 18+ for the mature description of sexual activity. 3 🌶🌶out of 5 🌶🌶🌶🌶🌶

[Kristi Lange · Rating 3 out of 5]

cute but not my fav.. 3.5

Dozer and Marissa get off on the wrong foot when Dozer slams a door in her face (which is out of character, he’s a gentleman the rest of the book) and then shortly after, Marissa finds Dozer stranded and helps him jump his car.

In an effort to pay her back, he gets her tickets to one of his hockey games and drinks afterwards. Both have made it clear they’re not looking to date right now and strike up a friendship. But their friendship is essentially them dating without the intimacy until Dozer kisses Marissa during a movie night.

The main thing i didn’t like was how much both of them talked about their ex.. like we get it. they sucked and made you not want to date but it just felt like there were sooooo many monologues about the exes

-neighbors to friends to lovers
-hockey player MMC
-mechanic FMC
-both fall hard
-miscommunication (resolved quickly though)

[Kathy · Rating 4 out of 5]

When Ben [Pucker] first sees Marissa as she's moving into the same apartment building he mistakes her for a "princess" because of how she looked. When she helps him out with his car a few days later he rethinks his opinion and is intrigued by her.
What happens when a hockey player who has been hurt by women meets a hurt woman who destroys all the misconception he has about her? Pucker enjoys getting to know Marissa and finding out that there is a lot more to her than her girly looks. And Marissa enjoys spending time with Pucker and starts to enjoy hockey.
Can two people who have been hurt just be friends or will more develop?
I loved seeing a story where the main characters take time to really get to know each other and slowly develop a relationship.
I voluntarily read an arc and this is my honest opinion.

[Nancy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh how I loved this story! From the minute Marissa moves into the building Dozer, a NHL player lives, its fireworks, but not in the good way. They each think they have the other pegged. But when Dozer needs help, Marissa isn't the type to leave someone stranded. As they get to know one another they realize they were wrong. Soon these two become inseparable as friends only because god knows neither needs a relationship like they've each experienced. Then one kiss changes everything. Dozer is a sweetheart and wants nothing more than his friendship with Marissa back. It takes some heartache and awakening for these two to realize they both want the same thing - each other! Their love story is full of chemistry, love, having the other's back, and understanding! I couldn't get enough and can't wait for more players on this team to be bitten by love!

[Piper Brintnall · Rating 2 out of 5]

This isn’t a one star book but it’s definitely not anything above 2 stars. This book is flat, bland, characters have no chemistry, and plot is under developed. You will read more than half of the book before any type of spark happens between Dozer and Marissa. And even then, it’s a tiny kiss and then Marissa overreacts and refuses to talk to Dozer.

Her parents (both of them) are actually the worst. Her dad is a misogynist and while he may “love Marissa in his own way”, he actually sucks. And her mom is a passive aggressive manipulator who cares more about what others think than protecting her own daughter. Who makes their daughter go to the engagement party of her ex purely because the ex is an employee!??? Thank god for Dozer showing up.

Skip this book, y’all. Ignore those who rate this as a 5 star read. I promise you, it is not. You’ll thank me later.

[Yasmin · Rating 5 out of 5]

This spicy standalone hockey romance brings the heat—and the heart. If you’ve read Hooking Up with the Hockey Player, you’ll remember Dozer. Now it’s his turn to fall hard… and fight it every step of the way.

Dozer’s done with love—burned by a gold-digger ex girlfriend and focused on the game. Marissa’s over men who waste her time. So when she moves into Dozer’s building and their first meeting turns into a verbal smackdown, it’s game on. What starts as enemies quickly slides into friendship... and then straight into dangerously hot territory.

Their connection is electric, but the emotional baggage? Heavy. One misunderstanding and fear-driven silence nearly wreck it all. But when one of them finally steps up, sparks fly—on and off the ice. Dozer goes from emotionally unavailable to ultimate book-boyfriend material, especially when Marissa needs him most and is too proud to ask.

With a sizzling enemies-to-friends-to-lovers arc and all the hockey romance angst you crave, this one checks all the boxes: banter, slow burn, big feels, and a hero who shows up when it counts.

[Lisa H · Rating 5 out of 5]

He makes all the wrong choices..

Dozer is a hot mess. He falls hard and fast for very pretty brunette princess type without getting to know them first. As a hockey player, clearly, he’s taken one too many pucks to the head. His new plan is to stay away from the pretty catnip who just moved into the building. He managed to alienate her on day one by slamming the door in her face. Literally.

I really liked Marissa. She’s just moved to Seattle, trying to break away from complacency and break away from being too accommodating to her parents and ex boyfriend.

So many tropes. But I liked that this was a slower burn, even if Dozer had borderline stalker tendencies. At least it’s all in his empty head.
Recommend.

[Elizabeth Hubbell · Rating 4 out of 5]

There's a few triggers in this book, so be aware, verbal abuse, eldest daughter.
Marissa loves cars, working on cars, and she loves make up and pretty clothes. There is drama at home, a dad who just doesn't get that a business could also be Father and Daughter, not Father and Son. Then there's Peter - and there again, if he wanted to, he would, but he doesn't propose until given the ultimatum, then it's - well, ok, there's the ring. She ends up in Washington State and meets 'Dozer,' who has also been trying to handle the drama in his athletic career, the puck bunnies that chase after the players for their 15 minutes of fame, the girls in his life were users, and he's done dating. Then his truck won't start, and there's the 'meet cute' because the first meeting - was far from 'Cute'. It was a great book as it went along, a fast read, gave me goosebumps, yeah, a definite re-read.

[Tara Peters · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dozer and Marisa start off on the wrong foot. They both have relationship trauma that plays into their interactions. I liked Dozer right away, but something made me hesitant about Marisa. I can’t put my finger on what happened, but it took me awhile to like her. Their banter and chemistry is there and I liked how they started out as enemies and worked their way up to being more. Communications is key, and when a misunderstanding occurs, they have a break until their friends step in. There is a lot of emotion in this book. I look forward to the next in the series. I received an ARC and this is my honest, voluntary review.

[Sally · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love reading books by Jerica and this one doesn't disappoint.
Dozer and Marissa meet when she is moving into the building he lives in and they don't get off on the right foot.
When Dozer needs help when his truck won't start Marissa helps him out and soon they start a friendship even though the chemistry between them is sparking.
They were perfect together but one little misunderstanding has them staying away from each other.
Can they get over it and start afresh or even give into the chemistry and become more than friends.
A must read with a perfect ending.
I voluntarily reviewed an advanced reader copy of this book.

[Cindy Hughes · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dozer and Marissa started off in a bad way. It took them awhile to work it out and become friends. They worked together well and soon they moved their relationship to the next level. I loved them as a couple! They have amazing chemistry! Some misunderstandings cause them trouble. They both have insecurities from past relationships. Will they be able to work them out and get to their hea? I loved The Pucker and the Princess! It drew me in and wouldn’t let me go! I couldn’t put it down! Everyone needs to read The Pucker and the Princess! You’ll love it too!

[Dee Mac · Rating 4 out of 5]

Slow burn
I really enjoyed this slow burn, emotional story about Marissa and Dozer.
These two were realistic and relatable. They both harboured doubts about love and relationships and had sworn off dating, only to be attracted to each other from their first awkward meeting. I loved how their friendship grew first and Dozer’s absolute swoon worthy moments later in the story.
Sweet, steamy and swoony, with great banter, helpful friends, hockey action, interesting family drama and heartfelt emotion.

[Melanie Andrews · Rating 4 out of 5]

Adorable RomCom

I absolutely LOVED this book! It was honestly hard for me to put down. I is a great read and it draws you in within the first couple chapters!
This ROMCOM will having you laughing out loud so many times.
I’m giving this book a 4.5 rating because it ended SO ABRUPTLY and it felt incredibly RUSHED in the last couple of chapters. It didn’t even perfectly tie up in the end in my opinion. It was an amazing book but I wish the ending was better. The characters feel like “real life” people and you can truly relate to them.
I definitely recommend reading it!

[Jessica Cruz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dozer and Marissa start off on the total wrong foot but manage to pull off touring into great friends. Some miscommunication causes a small rift between the two of them, but their friends help them see their way back. I loved this book and how they grew into a great friendship before they took it to the next level. The two work great together, and don't pull any of the stupid moves that could ruin things. Absolutely delightful book to read. I highly recommend it!

[K Webz · Rating 4 out of 5]

This story was so enjoyable. Dozer and Marisa are such likable characters and even though when she moves in next door to him, they start off on the wrong foot, a wonderful friendship form after she helps him out of a jam. These two spend so much time together, they in a way are dating but without the intimacy because neither one will acknowledge what is there. Dozer is sweet and has been used in his past relationships, and Marisa is a breath of fresh air for him.

[Mary Beth · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Heartwarming Story with a Little Spice

This slow burn romance has relatable characters you can't help but cheer for and has a realistic view of a friends to lovers trope. I loved how the FMC saw herself as flawed and was shown by the MMC that she was perfect as she was and that her family is just as flawed - perfection is overrated. It's definitely a good read and an author I'd read again.

[Amanda Hines · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a good enemies to friends to lovers, very cute in that aspect. There was no 3rd act breakup so I spent the last 30% of the book waiting for something to happen. The only upset I have was that nobody told off her parents. We just left the book with nobody standing up to her dad for how he behaves and that’s why all the kids moved away bc mom just enabled it and kinda added to the pressure.