Faking It With My Pucking Protector: A Brother's Best Friend Surprise Pregnancy Hockey Romance

by Lexi Landon

My brother’s best friend is my fake boyfriend.
And the father of my baby.

When I bolt from my wedding in tears,
I crash straight into Jackson’s arms.

My brother’s best friend. Sexy NHL superstar. Single dad to twin boys.
And my childhood protector I’ve secretly crushed on since forever.

He gives me a place to stay,
And seeing him with his boys melts my heart.

When he offers to fake date to keep my ex away,
It’s supposed to be a simple plan.
But the way he shields me like it’s instinct…
That undoes me.

It’s not long before the lines blur,
And we’re tangled in his sheets.

I have no idea how my brother will react…
When he finds out I’m falling for his best friend.

He’s the opposite of what I had before.
Honest, steady, and so right it terrifies me.

Now I’m pregnant.
And telling him might shatter the safest thing I’ve ever known.

Faking It With My Pucking Protector is an extra steamy brother’s best friend, surprise pregnancy, fake dating, single dad, hockey romance. No cheating, no cliffhangers. Just steamy enjoyment, HEA guaranteed and two epilogues included! Enjoy!

Genres: Contemporary, Hockey, Sports Romance

590 pages, Kindle Edition

Published August 26, 2025

About the author

Lexi Landon loves writing contemporary romances about steamy billionaires and the women who are their downfall.

They are emotional roller coasters that will keep you turning the pages, but she is a true romantic and always gives a Happily Ever After.

When she's not indulging in her passion of creating hot romances, she loves hikes with her dog and doing yoga.

Sign up for Lexi’s newsletter and get her novella "Broken Billionaire" for FREE!

Sign up here!

Reviews

[Charlotte · Rating 3 out of 5]

I loved how it started. It gets straight in there with the action, which meant I was hooked a few pages in.
It had enough to keep me reading, wanting to know what was going to happen next.

Why not 4/ 5 stars?
The book had many chapters with details of each hockey game. Personally, less of that detail and more of the following;
- Development of relationships both MC had with Jacksons sons, both their best friends and parents.
- Pregnancy only discussed between MC at 82% for about 3 chapters before it changed back to hockey. I would have liked for this to have happened earlier in the book so we see the MC journey through this more.
- MC announced their relationship, no mention of how this changed the daily life of Ava. Paparazzi, etc.
- Ex-fiance was possessive and controlling. To have a few more chapters where he appears and causes issues.

[Michellelovesreading · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was such a good book. I read it in a couple days. I love hockey books.

Stars:⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Spice:🌶️🌶️🌶️

[Melissa Reid-Ciferri · Rating 4 out of 5]

Swoon-worthy
This is not my typical genre, but I'm not mad about it. This is a Brother's Best Friend, Hockey Romance with a Surprise Pregnancy storyline. Here's the score...

FULL REVIEW & POSSIBLE SPOILERS AHEAD:
This is the story about Ava & Jackson. Ava ends up hightailing it from her wedding when she finds out her hubby-to-be douchbag Brad cheated on her. 🤬  She bolts out of the chapel & slams straight into her brother's best friend, Jackson (literally). This 6'4" tall, sweet as honey, deliciously sexy man has always protected her & when he sees the tears in her eyes, he swoops in to save her once again. 🙌

Not having anywhere to go, he offers her a place to stay. And this is where things get complicated. He's had a crush on Ava since they were kids so he's definitely got a softspot when it comes to her, but he's her brothers best friend. He's also a widower, now a single father with two twin boys & a hockey superstar. 🥴

Living under the same roof, days pass by & Ava starts to feel better. But soon Mr douch-bag is back & is messing up her life again. So, Jackson suggests they pretend to be together to get Brad to leave her alone. Oh ya, what could go wrong with this plan?🤦‍♀️ Pretending doesn't seem to be very hard because they soon find out they fit perfectly, just like peanut butter & jelly. The more time they spend as a "family", lines start to get blurred. And boy do they blur!🔥

Oh my goodness, this story is definitely an emotional rollercoaster for sure! I laughed, I cried, I cursed, I was on the seat of my pants feeling like I was in their story with them, & somehow I fell in love along the way just like when I'm watching hallmark! 🤧😭🫶 I really enjoyed the Hockey lingo too. Miss Lexi did her hw. Bravo, an absolute must read. 4.5⭐️'s!

TROPES & TW's:
🖤 Hockey Romance
🖤 Brother’s Best Friend
🖤 Fake Relationship
🖤 Protective, Cinnamon Roll MMC
🖤 Surprise Pregnancy
🖤 Slow 🔥
🖤 Sp!ce 🌶🌶🌶 .5

FAV QUOTES/SCENES:
I know what it feels like to be blown open. And I know what it feels like not to want anyone touching the pieces.

And in that moment, I know, I'll do whatever it takes to keep her safe.

“Let me know if you want to chuck that thing out the window. I’ll bring the shovel and help you bury it.”

He's always been the one to catch me when I fall.

Some things don't change. Keeping her safe feels like breathing.

"You don't have to carry everything all by yourself. Not anymore"

"There's my good luck charm"

"I want you, Ava. All of you"

And in that hush, I know this isn’t just the start of a new chapter. It’s the beginning of a thousand stories we’ll write together. Our messy, loud, beautiful forever.

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

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

My brother’s best friend is my fake boyfriend.
And the father of my baby.

When I bolt from my wedding in tears,
I crash straight into Jackson’s arms.

My brother’s best friend. Sexy NHL superstar. Single dad to twin boys.
And my childhood protector, I’ve secretly crushed on since forever.

He gives me a place to stay,
And seeing him with his boys melts my heart.

When he offers to fake date to keep my ex away,
It’s supposed to be a simple plan.
But the way he shields me like it’s instinct…
That undoes me.

It’s not long before the lines blur,
And we’re tangled in his sheets.

I have no idea how my brother will react…
When he finds out I’m falling for his best friend.

He’s the opposite of what I had before.
Honest, steady, and so right it terrifies me.

Now I’m pregnant.
And telling him might shatter the safest thing I’ve ever known.

This contemporary brother's best friend opposites attract surprise pregnancy hockey romance is page-turning with exceptional world-building and characters that are alpha protector/heroine, humorous, captivating, and realistic. Their journey is enthralling, with faking it with my pucking protector, explicit romance that is consumed by steamy sizzling passion, lust, desire, and spice with all the feelings to leave readers breathless and begging for more, drama, humor, heartfelt emotions/emotional depth, action, adventure, and more. I recommend reading this book by an extraordinary author who knows how to captivate her readers' hearts and attention with faking it with my pucking protector and an explicit brother's best friend surprise pregnancy hockey romance that is sure to transport readers into a world that is wildly lustful, entertaining, and unforgettable.

I received this ARC in exchange for a voluntary review.

[Nicole Henderson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ms. Landon knows how to bring readers a story to fall in love with. This book is no different. Ava literally ran away from her wedding after receiving images of her fiancé cheating. She ran right to the house of her brother's best friend. Jackson Hart plays hockey for the Pittsburgh SteelClaws. He was also the widowed dad to twins, Liam and Noah. Thankfully, he had help. He needed it with his busy schedule. Ava landed at his door during playoffs. Jackson had always been Ava's protector even when they were kids. She needed protection now from her ex-fiancé. He was determined to get her back or ruin her. To stop the ex in his path, Ava and Jackson decided to fake date. Can't squeeze into a position that is already occupied, right?

So Ava and Jackson jump into fake dating. She is going to his games and working on her non-profit, Open Pages, during the day. One night things get out of hand. While Ava is thinking we are in a different place, Jackson is doing everything he can to put distance between them. That is not how this works, right? Will Jackson get over the fear of betrayal to his deceased wife? Once we are over that hurdle, it is smooth sailing except now Ava isn't feeling well. Despite being on birth control, a surprise pregnancy was in the cards for these two. How will Jackson and the twins take it? Once Jackson got over his issues, he went back to being the protector that Ava needed. Ms. Landon gives readers the whole story. I felt like I was sitting on the sidelines watching every play. Feeling all the feelings the characters experienced. Ms. Landon will always be on my must read list.

[Pat Stanton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jackson and Ava's Story

This is a sweet love story about a young woman who flees her wedding and cheating fiance and her childhood protector and friend who has always cared for her.
The book opens with Ava Monroe on her wedding day, discovering that her fiance is a lying, cheating jerk. She flees the venue, literally running into Jackson Hart, her brother's best friend and the guy who always protected her since she was 5, and he was 7.
They go back to his home, where she meets his twin 6 year old sons. His wife died 2 years ago, and the boys have a live-in nanny/housekeeper. She moves into the guest bedroom until things settle down. :)
Jackson also happens to be the Captain of the Pittsburgh based NHL team.
A side story is his team's miraculous run in the NHL playoffs, considering the team didn't even qualify for a playoff spot until the last game of the regular season.
Ava's ex-fiance is a manipulative jerk who keeps trying to dominate Ava and get her back. Jackson and Ava pretend a fake relationship to get rid of the ex.
As is usual, fake becomes real.
This is almost 600 pages, but it is a quick, enjoyable read. Both characters are endearing and lovable. I recommend it.

[Karen J Baker · Rating 5 out of 5]

I normally don't read books with a sports theme, but this was really good, and I'm so glad I didn't pass it up. When Ava finds out right before she is to walk down the aisle that her groom-to-be is a cheating, lying jerk, she runs out of the church straight into the arms of her brother's best friend, Jackson. Growing up, he had been her unofficial protector, and he immediately steps into that role again to get her away from the church. Jackson is a single dad with twin boys. They are still dealing with the loss of his wife two years earlier. Jackson takes her to his home to stay so she can decide what she wants to do next. As she spends more time with him and his boys, they are growing close and are beginning to feel like a family. Will her ex showing up ruin the new life she has started to establish? Will her brother's reaction to their growing relationship spoil the future they are creating? This storyline has everything you could want in a good read: loss, betrayal, protective hero, loving families, sweet heroine, and hope for an HEA.

I am thankful to the author for this book and I am leaving an honest, voluntary review.

[Kris · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely speechless…
I stayed up way too late, just to read this, and I have zero regrets.

There were no emotional highs and lows - some dips - but what an amazing journey.
This had to be one of the best (if not the best) hockey romances I’ve read. The inclusion of the game experiences, the injuries, the emotions from the wins and losses… it was all there.
The ex was a piece of work… oh well… he did his job in helping get Jackson and Ava together!
I loved Jackson - a bit concerned with his ability to start a relationship, but once he was in, he was waving those green flags like it was no one else’s business.
His boys, Noah and Liam, were precious, and the relationship formed with them and Ava was gorgeous.

In some places, it did feel a bit long, but I get it - the setup with the play-offs and the story arc from that just added richness to the story. The character arcs in this were amazing - seeing Ava go from petrified to owning her world was amazing.

10/10 loved this.

[Katie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a heart warming, enjoyable story! Runaway bride meets perfect protector. Ava is just a regular person, trying to make her relationship work until it all falls apart just before she’s set to walk down the aisle so she runs. Jackson is a lovely man (her youthful protector, older brother’s best friend) - a professional athlete, widowed father of two, with a big heart and a wide streak of protectiveness. He’d been Ava’s protector when she was young so this was the circle coming complete. I loved how he stood up for her but didn’t try to control her, supported her and cared for her and let her care for him when he faced hardships, the way she accepted his sons and became family in such a natural way. It was a really lovely story, some teary spots, but so feel-good! Hot and sweet!

I received a free Advance Review Copy of this book and this is my voluntary review.

[Ruth R · Rating 5 out of 5]

In her wedding day Ava was in the bridal suite. She received a massage from a friend, there were photos of her fiancé cheating on her.
She couldn’t breathe so she ran out of the building she bumped into solid body, Jackson her brother best friend.
He took her with him to his house , there she met his 6 year old twins .
He offers her to stay at his house , his wife left this world two years ago .
One morning she was going to practice with him, when they heard the knocking on the door,
Jackson opened the door , Brad her ex showed up but Jackson as always steps in front of her,
Like where they were kidd he was her hero.
When they went to practice a teamate asked him who she was, he was angry because he wanted no one to look at her.
He came with an idea on his mind, they fake dating so her ex could back off.

An amazing story that I really recommend reading.

[Krystina · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
🌶️/5
Faking It With My Pucking Protector is overall such a cute little feel good hockey romance. I absolutely fell in love with Ava and Jackson their relationship was just adorable. I am a total sap when it comes to main characters growing up together and finding each other later on in life. The found family aspect of this was so beautifully written in this. Who would have thought Ava leaving her trash fiancé(he who shall not be named) would take her to such a beautiful life. This had so many things that kept me hooked in this like hockey, found family, great laughs, and just a tiny bit of spice. I would recommend this if you are looking for a great feel good sort of book!

[Coffeenbooks · Rating 4 out of 5]

- Bride on the run
- Brother's best friend
- Fake relationship
- Unplanned pregnancy
- Hockey romance
- Single father

This book had a lot going on and I was all in. The story starts off as Ava is getting ready to marry a real piece of work. She wises up and leaves his sorry self at the altar. But now she isn't sure what to do! She ends up seeking help from her brother's best friend Jackson.

When Ava's former fiance tries to make trouble, Jackson, a widower with twins, agrees to pose as Ava's boyfriend. However, feelings become real between them before too long...

I enjoyed watching these two learn how to love again.

[Zoey’s Review Corners❤️ · Rating 3 out of 5]

Hmmmmm. I don’t know how to feel about this one. I was definitely entertained while reading that’s for sure but the lack of timeline or sign of the passage of time got confusing at times because we at home then boom hockey practice is over like whaaat when did that happen. I’m also at a point where I feel like surprise pregnancy and accidental pregnancy are different because the pregnancy came 60 maybe 70% into the book. Book was also slower paced than normal which was cool.
Jackson and Ava were cute together and Jackson’s sons Noah and Liam were funny and cute as heck.
Overall enjoyed but nothing too spectacular

[Barbara Hanson · Rating 4 out of 5]

When Ava’s ex doesn’t take no for an answer, Jackson, her brother’s best-friend, steps in to help. They agree to be in a pretend relationship to get the ex off her back, however it starts to feel less fake and more real!
This was a great story: Jackson and his twins take Ava in when she needs help and basically adopt her! The interactions between all the characters were priceless, from the arguing twins to his wonderful nanny/housekeeper. My only critic is I wish the ex had his comeuppance.
I voluntarily received and reviewed an ARC copy of the book.

[Helen · Rating 5 out of 5]

When Ava discovers her fiancé’s betrayal just moments before she’s supposed to say I do, she flees the wedding venue and runs into her brother’s best friend. Jackson has always been protective of his best friend’s little sister and he can’t let her down now. He brings her home with him and lets her heal from her shock and heartache. When her Ex starts coming around he steps in as her fake boyfriend to make sure he gets the message she’s moved on. Soon they feel like a real family, his twin sons love Ava and she loves them too. Fake becomes real and they both have a second chance at love. I really enjoyed this story. It grips you right from the start and keeps you engaged throughout. All the supporting characters are fun and you find yourself smiling while you’re reading at the dialogue. I received this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

[L KQ · Rating 5 out of 5]

Building a Foundation

Want a book you can enjoy while sitting back and relaxing? Faking it with my Pucking Protector has just the right amount of drama, romance and spice. Sometimes I just want a slow burn between characters that build their relationship from friendship and that is exactly what you get in this story. Jackson and Ava had explosive chemistry but his protectiveness and respect towards her was the best part of this read. I really enjoyed the plot and character growth as well.

I am voluntarily leaving this review.

[Katie Peck · Rating 4 out of 5]

3 stars overall but will give it a 4. There is open door spice but it isn’t super spicy and detailed. 1.5 chili peppers for the spice level. There are a few cringe phrases that the author used multiple times in the book…”i let out a breath I didn’t know I was holding” as an example. It was just redundant at times and sometimes repetitive in the storyline. It was easy to read and I liked the plot and the characters.

[Debdutch · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Faking It with My Pucking Protector” by Lexi Landon

-A runaway bride finds safety—and love—with her brother’s best friend. I received a free copy and am voluntarily sharing my honest thoughts.

Jackson, a widowed hockey star, is the perfect mix of protector and soft-hearted dad. Fake dating turns real as Ava bonds with him and his adorable twin boys.

Heartwarming, emotional, and rich with hockey life—this romance is a true win.

[Fiona Abbott · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely loved this book, it had it all. Ava’s relationship with Jackson and his boys is just fabulous; following her discovery of being betrayed by her husband to be she flees from the church on her wedding day straight into Jackson’s arms. He soon becomes more than just her protector and this book is seriously hot; and soo sweet! Can’t recommend it enough.

I was lucky enough to get this book as an ARC and this is my voluntary review

[Karen Sorg · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ava and Jackson are together again. Ava was always following Greg and Jackson around when they were younger. When Ava decided not to get married to Brad, Jackson was just outside and she ran into him. Jackson saved her again, just like always. She does decide to spend time with Jackson and his twin sons just to get her head on straight. But what happens next... Lexi has a way with story telling. Read this book it is great.

[Renee Hughes · Rating 5 out of 5]

With the world in seeming endless chaos, I really needed this story. It’s breathtaking. Jackson and Ava will steal your heart. And those boys….precious. It’s a story about one of the scariest times of life - starting over. The writing is graceful and captures all the fears and vulnerabilities of these two special people. The background of hockey makes it exciting and real. Such a joy. Absolutely heartwarming.

[Phoenix · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this.

I liked the connection between Ava and Jackson, how they knew each other when they were younger. I loved how he protected her from her ex, and helped her become stronger where her ex made her lose herself.

This whole story was good. I loved the plot. The characters were well written and I loved the writing style.

Thank you Lexi Landon for allowing me to be a part of your ARC team and letting me read this in exchange for an honest review.

[Virginia Danyow · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book! It's a great story about love that grows over time. A shocking revelation, on her wedding day, put Ava back in Jackson's path after years of not seeing each other. Jackson is Ava's brother, Greg's best friend, and has always been protective of her. Years have not changed that, so when she needs a place to recover from a life changing shock, Jackson steps in. Turns out the torch they both carried for years never went out.

I received a copy of this book as an advanced reading copy in exchange for my voluntary review.

[Marilyn Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ava knew Jackson as her brother’s best friend and now a NFL superstar. He’s a single father with twin sons and he invites her to meet them and stay with him. As she’s there her ex is a problem and he offers to fake date her. But this leads to more! I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book.

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Unputdownable!! I skipped my chores and even a meal until this book was finished!
She couldn't go through with her wedding and ran. But her ex wouldn't take no for an answer and won't leave her alone. What is she gonna do???

[Barbara · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ava and Jackson’s story will have you swooning over their romance and keep you up late turning the pages. I loved reading this amazing romance story with a make your heart smile HEA ending. This book gets a perfect 5 stars from me.

[Abby Lynn · Rating 5 out of 5]

I adore hockey romance! No spoilers, but this is one on my top new favorites. Have you ever read a romance story that has everything you wanted and so much more? This is one of those. Definitely a must read if you love romance!

[Tricia Adams · Rating 4 out of 5]

Heartfelt and endearing

Ava and Jackson, this a storyline I can get behind on. The growing up together, being best friends or friends because of a sibling. Having your first crush and hoping that one day it becomes something better.

[Liana · Rating 3 out of 5]

Easy read had a good story line behind it but I found it slow and repetitive sadly, it didn’t seem to go anywhere.

[Cindy Palmer · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a good hockey read. I wish that there would've been a bit more spice however I did enjoy the read and will definitely read another book by this author.