Tricky Pucking Play

Chicago Blades #7

by Alix Vaughn

I’m at a swanky gala with a hockey god I’ve been drooling over for months.
My perfect night screeches to a halt when a woman announces to the entire room that my date is her son’s father.
This must be a joke.

My champagne buzz immediately evaporates. Every eye swings to Logan.
He goes white with shock.
He’s never seen this child before.

By morning, the headlines are brutal, and the man who had me aching to know how the night was going to end is fighting for custody with a woman who clearly hates him.

Watching him transform into a dad is the sexiest thing I've ever seen.
Those huge hockey hands tying tiny shoes. Bedtime stories read with the same intensity he brings to the ice.

But he's juggling fatherhood, the Stanley Cup Finals, and me. His lawyer says I'm a liability. Every date, every kiss, every paparazzi photo of us threatens his custody case.

I could destroy everything he's fighting for. But walking away means losing both of them.

Genres: Amazon, Hockey Romance, Sports, Hockey

354 pages, Kindle Edition

Published December 12, 2025

Reviews

[Joanne Barton · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Tricky Pucking Play” is the sixth book in the “Chicago Blades Series.” Logan McCoy is the Captain of the Chicago Blades Hockey Team. He is at the stage that he wants more in his life - wife, children….someone to come home too that knows him, not the hockey player, not the Chicago Blades captain, but him. “The cycle used to feel exciting—new city, new face, new bed. Now it just feels like wandering in circles without a destination.”

Reese Thompson is a kindergarten teacher at Parkside Elementary and loves her job. Whilst walking out with her get morning coffee before work she accidentally “drenches the front of a dark blue sweater that's stretched across a broad chest. I stare straight into the chest in question, which is wide and apparently immune to the laws of physics because it didn’t budge.” When she looks up, it’s Logan McCoy. Captain of the Chicago Blades. In the flesh….standing in front of her, wearing her coffee! Before leaving, with his jacket to cover her up, he puts his number in her phone…. “Ball's in your court now, Reese."

“When Reese crashed into me, something weird happened. Not just attraction—I've felt plenty of that before - but something...easier. Comfortable. She didn't simper or try to impress me. She was just real, flustered and funny, and completely herself.”

There is never a dull moment! This book is everything you expect from a sports romance with a touch of alpha male thrown in. I’m very happily hooked - I did not want it to end! Once I started reading, I could not put this book down! At times you will laugh, you will cry, get angry and frustrated - most of all, you will love the twists! This book will charm “the pants off you” and leave you going back for more. This is a lovely book that will keep you hooked! It has fun, laughs, intrigue, twists that you do not expect, and physical attraction. You will fall in love with Logan and Reese. They compliment each in some many ways - faults and all. Please note that tissues may be required.

“He pulls me back down to his chest, his heartbeat steady beneath my ear. Outside, snow has started to fall, dusting Chicago in white. Inside, wrapped in Logan's arms, I feel safe and excited.”

I was hooked by the first chapter. This is a lovely book that will keep you hooked! It has fun, laughs, intrigue, twists that you do not expect, and physical attraction. I thoroughly enjoyed this beautiful love story. From page to page, chapter to chapter, from cover to cover - you will enjoy this beautiful story. This book will not disappoint! Highly recommended 😊

[JoyceLynn · Rating 4 out of 5]

The “surprise son” trope? Messy already. But finding out a whole child was kept from a father who would’ve actually shown up?? Yeah no. I was heated. Because let me say this clearly: when a man is trying to be a father and a mother withholds that child out of spite, jealousy, or control — she’s not just hurting him. She’s hurting the child. Period. There are too many kids out here begging for present, loving fathers for someone to be gatekeeping one. It’s selfish. It’s petty. It’s cruel.

And the way she tried to justify it?? Ma’am. Be serious.

Instead of seeing it as one more person to love that baby, protect that baby, provide for that baby — she chose bitterness. That part had me talking to my book like I was about to fight a fictional character. Because you don’t get to play God with somebody’s parenthood just because your feelings are hurt.

Now Reese? Oh I LOVED her bad. Because she could’ve been insecure. She could’ve been territorial. She could’ve made it about her. But no. She stepped up for her man and his son with grace. No drama. No expectation of applause. Just love. And that kind of maturity? That’s dangerous. That’s wifey energy. That’s “I’m building, not competing” energy. Meanwhile the bitter baby mama was over there fumbling the moral high ground.

It was heartbreaking watching a man realize he lost years he can’t get back. That pain? Whew. I felt it. That’s the kind of emotional damage you don’t just shake off.

And listen… thank God for the spice because emotionally we were drowning. The author said, “I’m going to wreck your heart… but I’ll make sure you’re breathless for other reasons too.” 🤣

This one wasn’t just a romance — it was layered, messy, and painfully realistic. And the fact that it got me in my feelings? That’s how you know it did its job. This book had me in my feelings, in my rage, and in my petty era all at once. And I ate it up.

[Siobhan D · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reese literally drenches Logan when they first meet. Her coffee goes flying over him. Reese who is a kindergarten teacher and Logan is the Reese Captain of the Chicago Blades. It’s not only coffee that is hot between them. The chemistry and sparks between them is hot and spicy. Logan can’t believe he has met a loving, caring woman like Reese. Their relationship is tested when a child Logan never knew about comes into his life. When the fight to gain custody of his child and PR telling them to drop Reese, Logan fighting for his woman and child is the must thing in his life.
This book is not just a hockey romance book it is full of emotions and growth, oh trust me the spice is hot and perfect.

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

[J.p · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderful story of self growth, fighting for true love and a happy ever after. Reese is a teacher, a wonderful caring FMc and Logan is a hockey player and until recently also a player out of the rink but lately he wants the stability and to find real love. When these two literally bump into each other sparks and chemistry is evident. Everything is going smoothly until obstacles arise and choices and sacrifices need to be made. A book with drama, passion, humour, a little heartbreak and plenty of heat. Such amazing and likeable characters, the story just flew beautifully and their chemistry just ignited the pages making this a great book. Can’t wait to read more of this series.

[Helen · Rating 5 out of 5]

When kindergarten teacher Reese accidentally drenches the Captain of the Chicago Blades, sparks fly instantly—and what follows is a heartfelt, swoon-worthy romance. This book truly has it all: irresistible hockey players, real-life messiness, and strong, resilient women who ground the story. Logan’s journey toward believing he deserves Reese’s love is tender and emotional, and once he finally lets himself fall, it’s absolutely swoon-worthy. I loved this story and completely fell for these two. Highly recommend!

[Didi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Logan has lived the life of a hockey playboy but has realized he wants something more in his life. Cue a coffee meet-cute with kindergarten teacher, Reese. Sparks and coffee fly and their relationship is growing until a surprise revelation has Logan’s life in an uproar. Can their feelings for each other overcome the obstacles? I enjoyed watching Reese and Logan both grow amidst the messiness. Definitely a rollercoaster romance ride but worth every minute for a HEA.

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

[Gazelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Logan is finally ready for something meaningful when Reese runs into him literally. As much I am not that crazy about third act break-ups, I did really enjoy the book. The characters really have to grow and adapt throughout the book in order to make things work. I'm glad that at the end of the book everyone was happy. I stayed up too late finishing it, but I really wanted to know what was going to happen!

[Carolyn Meredith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cute meet cute when they were already set up to meet soon anyway. At 50% through I was wondering what bad thing was going to happen to them and then the shoe dropped. This made me so mad, I didn’t want to keep reading but I knew I had to in order to get back to the good stuff. It was well worth getting back to that point. The ending is amazing. Well written with wonderful characters and good steam. I enjoyed this one so much.

[Megan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book. There was a lot to unpack as it went through the story but I really liked that it included a teacher and how she related to both the kids in her class and her boyfriend's once we found out he had a kid. I can't even imagine being told to take a leave of absence when that is your life. It would be really hard to leave your class especially in the middle of the year, not on your terms. I will continue to read more by this author and look forward to reading more of the Chicago Blades series.

[tre.wandereads · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love the meet cute! It's so ordinary and yet has never happened to me in real life.. with a hot guy. hahaha anyway, I love the characters. And I love how they were developed into characters that grew with each other. They grew into their roles, like regular people, and I love how real it is. Absolutely adored them both!

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed this easy-to-read Sports Romance between an athlete and a kindergarten teacher. The storyline has drama, non-communication, great secondary characters, attraction, chemistry, surprises, and a loss that affects the MMCs game. Coming to a realization, this couple may find their HEA. I found this book entertaining and engaging. I voluntarily read an ARC and this is my hones treview.

[Michellelovesreading · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love reading hockey romances. This was such a good book. I 10/10 recommend this book.

Stars:⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Spice:🌶️🌶️🌶️

[Sandy Gutting · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is so well written the story will grab your heart and won't let go!! This is a must read happy ending love story!!

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nice read. Very refreshing

[sandra silliman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good

I enjoyed this book and the characters in this book and how they had to cost go of TBE past

[Sarah Green · Rating 4 out of 5]

Meet cute

A lovely meet cute read. Instant attraction between them,then throw in the surprise and that brings the trouble in a cute package.

Well written and likeable characters.

[Anne · Rating 4 out of 5]

beautiful well written story. made me cry at the end.

[Emma Kupsa · Rating 5 out of 5]

The next installment in the Chicago Blades series, which has been brilliant so far. Jessica literally runs into Logan spilling her coffee on him after learning he will be visiting her school as part of a reading initiative, Jessica is a kindergarten teacher. Logan is now ready for a relationship or something more than one night so this is perfect timing. However, Logan discovers he has a child and things don’t go as smoothly for them. Be assured there is a HEA but you need to get on the rollercoaster first!!
I enjoyed this book and highly recommend to anyone to read!