Lucky Puck

by Stephanie Queen

Brody

You know you're having a bad day when you wake up alone in a hotel room and your wallet is missing. And your keys. And when you've finished rummaging around the room, you realize your clothes are missing too. All of them. Down to your boxers. Now all you have is what's on your back.

Absolutely nothing. You're stark naked. Did I mention I'm in Vegas for the NHL All Star weekend and I'm playing in the game—in one hour?

But I'm a lucky puck because I still have my phone and I call my agent, Bianca Brooks--aka temptation in a pin-striped suit—and she's ready to save my lucky a$$.

Could this be the start of something special? Or is it the start of my stubbornly sticky reputation for trouble?

Brody is a rookie phenom who is susceptible to gorgeous women and bright lights and might have a habit of running blindly into trouble...

Bianca is his killer sports agent out to make a name for herself. So she bails him out of his troublesome situation. With a catch.

The catch :
His agent is a scorching beauty with a take-no-prisoners attitude and she insists on locking him down--but not in a good way.

Lucky Puck is part of the Portsmouth Whalers hockey romance series and includes many characters from the other books in the series. Take a leap of faith with Brody & Bianca as they navigate a crazy mistake and make it crazier on their way to falling past lust and just possibly into love.
( adult language and sexual content)

Genres: Hockey

339 pages, Kindle Edition

Published August 29, 2025

Reviews

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed this story very much. The way that Bianca and Brody (such great names!) found their way into a fake marriage was so creative; it was such fun to watch it all unfold and just get more and more complicated. Both of them have adult-level dedication to their careers - Brody to hockey and Bianca to being a sports agent - yet both have emotional baggage to overcome and growth to achieve in the personal relationship arena. MS. Queen's writing gives the reader a front row seat - almost a mind reader's point of view - to all the back and forth of their story. The chapters alternate points of view in an interlocking sort of way, so each chapter both moved the story forward but also stayed linked to what had just happened in the chapter before. The spicy moments were just right in advancing their relationship, and are evocatively written. This is the fifth book in this series, and I am definitely inspired to catch up on the back list!
I was given an ARC and happily volunteered to write a review.

[Karyn Foley · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved the way this book started, I felt like it dropped me right into the action, no slow build up just here you go. Bianca and Brody are strongly committed to being the best in their chosen fields. Brody is a rookie hockey phenom and Bianca is his up-and-coming sports agent and neither can afford a scandal. They find themselves in a fake marriage to avoid said scandal and we have a front row seat to all the action as their story unfolds. I love all of Queen’s books but this one is definitely a favorite.

[Twins Reading Books · Rating 5 out of 5]

Stephanie Queen's Lucky Puck launched my heart right into fireworks with Brody waking up in Vegas with nothing but bad luck and a ticking clock! It's compulsive from the first chapters, with a setup that feels entertaining and unsettling because the stakes are Brody's career, reputation, and morality, Bianca is his razor-sharp partner, who swoops in with her tailored suit and sharper wit, determined to save him while still making sure that he does not ruin both of their careers! The electricity between them roared in my veins and it was heard inside the fibers of my heart, creating a push-pull of attraction and irritation that keeps you glued to the page!
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Stephanie Queen sets up the stage like a spotlight on ice, fast, stunning, and leaving little time to breathe. It's an addictive start that builds you in with equal parts suspense and humour. What unfolds next is magnificent in its chaos, a fake marriage that feels like a gamble but develops into something considerably more detailed! Bianca and Brody have adult-level commitments that pull them in opposite directions, their loyalty to the rink, her unrelenting rise in the harsh industry of sports management, however, their fake arrangement pulls them into a proximity that tests more than just patience, it reveals vulnerabilities that they've both been suppressing under aspirations!
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Stephanie's prose not only expands the plot but also further develops the entanglement, LUCKY PUCK is about two people colliding at high speeds and refusing to let go, even though logic says they should! The hot spicy moments are mind-blowing, well-timed, with oustanding flavours, I enjoyed every line of this masterpiece spicy novel! Bianca's take-no-prisoners attitude softens just enough to expose flaws in her armour, meanwhile Brody's wild charm sharpens into something more arresting, something worth fighting for! LUCKY PUCK is a riveting sports romance that every romance reader must have in their TBR list, engaging, compulsive, and graceful in delivery, with just enough rough edges to keep it original, this was my first book from Stephanie Queen, but one hundred percent won't be my last, this is in top of my sports romance reads of the Year!!!

[Amber Daulton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brody Holden is a star hockey player whose skill and good looks have rocketed him to the top of his game. Though he often fantasizes about Bianca, his sexy and curvy sports agent, he knows she’s off-limits. That doesn’t stop him from teasing her whenever he can—or making poor choices that land him and Bianca in trouble.
Bianca Brooks is torn between hating Brody for his arrogance and falling for his charm. But her mixed feelings won’t stop her from doing her job, which is to protect him and his already less-than-stellar reputation, no matter what. When they’re roped into a fake marriage, they’ll have to decide if the chemistry between them is real or just a fling.
This was a great story! I connected with Bianca right away. She’s trying to build her career in a male-dominated field, and the success of her career hinges on her client. Unfortunately, her client is a sexy young man who’s not even old enough to legally drink. By trying to pull him out of the fire, she gets burned right alongside him.
As much as I liked Bianca, I had trouble liking Brody. Sure, he was fun, flirty, and hot, but his arrogance was a bit too much for me at times. Once he started to mature and make better decisions, I grew to like and understand him better. Brody and Bianca are opposites, yet they fit well together and evened each other out.
The chemistry between them was off the charts. Ms. Queen sure knows hot to write steamy love scenes!
For readers of hockey romance, Lucky Puck belongs on your reading list.
5 Stars

[Gin · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars.
The book started off strong for me. Interesting take on the trope, likeable characters, a good dose of humour. However, one secondary character seriously ticked me off and a couple of questions about the details distracted me from enjoying the book.

1. Kara-- I understand that she wants to look out for her brother, but what she did was a total dick move. And why would she keep this person around given what they did to her brother? It makes even less sense given that Brody said the two of them are close. Finally, I don't recall her ever apologizing to either Brody or Bianca, which was disappointing.

2. Unless I missed it, I don't recall seeing how old Bianca is. At first I thought she was closer to thirty, but other details in the book, and her behaviour later in the book, led me to believe she is mid-twenties at most. Even so, I hate when books made a big deal of an age gap or older woman/younger man relationship but don't actually say how old both characters are (at least we know Brody is 20).

3. I read an ARC so I can't tell if this is intentional or if the author started to use one word then changed their mind but didn't catch all the times it was used, but Brody calls Bianca 'honeybuns' up until the first part of Chapter 23 then switches to 'Honey Pants' for the remainder of the book. I get that it's in character because Brody is probably trying to get a rise out of Bianca but I still cringed just a little bit with both terms of endearment.

I received an ARC and am voluntarily leaving an honest review.

[Tiffany Brooks · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lucky Puck is everything I love in a sports romance: fast-paced, sexy, and unexpectedly heartfelt. Stephanie Queen had me laughing from the very first page, when Brody wakes up without his wallet, keys, or even his clothes! The Vegas setting, the NHL All-Star weekend, and the chaos that follows all feel cinematic.

But beyond the humor, what really sold me is the chemistry between Brody and Bianca. She’s the epitome of a strong, capable heroine, confident, sharp, and determined to prove herself in a male-dominated field. Brody, meanwhile, could’ve been a cliché “bad boy athlete,” but Queen gives him layers. He’s cocky yet self-aware, playful yet earnest, and genuinely trying to grow up. Their relationship crackles with tension, banter, and real emotional stakes.

By the end, I was rooting for both of them not just as lovers, but as individuals finding their way in the world. It’s witty, romantic, and packed with heat. Stephanie Queen just keeps getting better, and this one’s an absolute winner.

[Danielle Shaw · Rating 5 out of 5]

i was given an Arc copy of this and have decided to review as follows

The story is based on Brody a Hockey rookie for the Portsmouth whalers and his sports agent Brooks

After being told to watch him like a hawk so he don’t get into any trouble while i’m. vegas Bianca aka Brooks finds that leaving him alone with a vegas showgirl is exactly what he has managed to do

Brady to his credit wakes up to an empty bed no clothes or anything else for that matter and a no memory of what happened the night before
His agent Brooks is therefore left to work with what little Brody has and to try and piece together what’s happened all while not letting the press find out that he could be married to a showgirl from vegas all the while trying to hide her growing feelings for the young hotshot

The story itself was easy to follow and made you feel for brooks the whole way through while she tried to navigate the situation and make sure brody stayed on top of

The writing itself was well executed and what i have come to expect of this writer

It’s a worthwhile read and a great romance

[Kristen Dennis · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love the fake marriage trope. They always have some good reason for getting into it and then end up falling in love even tho they fight it. Gives me such feel good feelings.

This book was great! It has me laughing out loud, swooning, and interested to the very last page.

I thought it was an interesting twist that we got to experience Brody's healing from heartbreak while he was falling in love with Bianca. He was such a sweet character and the playboy ways weren't played up as much as other books. It was refreshing that the fake marriage was not to help his reputation with brands.

I also enjoy when the female character is a curvy girl because it's such much more realistic and relatable. You can see throughout the book where Bianca had minor body image issues but she is constantly reassured throughout. Bianca is a strong, confident and self made woman that would be a role model to anyone.

Lucky Puck was a great read and put me in a fantastic mood from reading it.

[Whitman Jessica · Rating 5 out of 5]

What starts as a hilarious “oh no” situation quickly turns into a beautifully written love story about trust, redemption, and ambition. Brody’s chaotic morning in Vegas is pure gold and I couldn’t stop laughing at the image of a naked hockey player scrambling before a major game. But it’s Bianca’s entrance that takes this story from fun to unforgettable.

Queen does an incredible job balancing comedy with emotion. Bianca’s professionalism and drive make her a compelling foil to Brody’s impulsiveness, yet she’s not written as cold or one-dimensional. Their dynamic reminded me of a perfect romantic comedy duo sparks flying, tempers flaring, but always with genuine affection underneath.

By the final chapters, I found myself touched by how vulnerable Brody becomes. He learns that being a “lucky puck” isn’t about charm or fame, it’s about finding someone who challenges and believes in you. A smart, sexy, and deeply satisfying romance.

[Sophie Hargreaves · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’ve read a lot of hockey romances, but Lucky Puck stands out for its originality and humor. Stephanie Queen writes with a breezy confidence that makes the story fly by. The Vegas setting gives it a vibrant, unpredictable energy, and the whole “lost everything but your phone” premise is absolutely hilarious and surprisingly relatable!

Bianca Brooks might be my new favorite heroine in the Portsmouth Whalers series. She’s not just a love interest, she’s a woman on a mission, trying to carve out respect and success in a world that doesn’t hand it easily. Her scenes with Brody are electric; every conversation feels like a tug-of-war between attraction and exasperation.

This book isn’t just about falling in love, it’s about learning to trust, to take responsibility, and to laugh through life’s absurd moments. Fans of smart banter and heartfelt chemistry will adore this. I finished it smiling and immediately wanted to reread it.

[Charlotte Dean · Rating 5 out of 5]

Stephanie Queen’s writing has always had charm, but Lucky Puck might be her most delightful yet. She takes what could’ve been a simple “rookie player meets tough agent” trope and turns it into something genuinely moving and laugh-out-loud funny.

The pacing is perfection and very scene builds naturally on the last, and the sexual tension between Brody and Bianca practically hums off the page. What I loved most, though, was the emotional honesty. Brody isn’t just a pretty face on the ice, he’s struggling to live up to expectations, balance fame, and make good choices. Bianca, for her part, is juggling her ambition with her heart. Their connection feels earned, not rushed.

Queen writes with warmth and wit, and by the end, I felt like I’d just finished a movie I didn’t want to end. Lucky Puck is a home run or should I say, a hat trick for romance readers.

[Narci · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cupids Arrow gone wild on Phenom and his Honey Pants…...I absolutely loved the creative way Brody and Bianca just landed in the biggest hoax NHL has seen. From the first moment Brody wakes up to realize his bad luck and a ticking time bomb to calling the only person he dreads but know can help with his predicament was the most entertaining, fun and cringe worthy moment that set the tone for rest of story. It was amazing, brilliant, crazy, cringe worthy and so much fun to read. Neither Brody or Bianca can afford a scandal that can ruin their careers, but with Biancas wit, Brody charm and charisma this story takes a life of its own. Bianca and Brody banter is undeniable, their chemistry out of this world and what started out as the craziest idea ever known can mean then end or beginning of their status. I loved it and wanted so much more. I voluntarily reviewed this ARC I received

[Karen Wright · Rating 5 out of 5]

A must read! From beginning to end, I was sucked in! Fake marriage, agent/hockey player romance!

Brody wakes up with a ring on his finger, his watch, clothes and wallet gone. His agent Bianca tries to find out who it is. When she does, let’s just say the girl wants her ring back. Brody knows she’s not only older, but she’s off limits. Well, one thing leads to another and Brody and Bianca end up “married.” Will this fake marriage turn to a real marriage or will this whole ordeal fall apart? Add in an old flame who is a pain in the butt. She doesn’t help Brody and Bianca’s situation.Wait til you find out what happens! Along the way, it seems Brody and Bianca develop feelings for each other. Will they act in these feelings. In the end, how will this fake marriage turn out? How will other people who don’t know react?

[Cheryl A · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the fifth book in the Portsmouth Whalers series and I enjoyed reading it. It is a fast easy read with a wonderful HEA. I like reading fake marriage and age gap tropes and Stephanie does an awesome job of it. Brody is the phenom hockey player who is definitely against relationships because he had his heart broken. Bianca is the assistant agent assigned to him. She is a bit nerdy, curvy, and very career driven. She knows she is not his type but goes along with the fake marriage knowing it isn’t right. I loved how their relationship developed. This to me is worth the read.

[Vickie · Rating 5 out of 5]

There is nothing better than a hockey rom-com. This a hilarious faux pas. What a crazy fake marriage, hamming it up, catching feelings, showing off, moving in together and blackmail. Caught up in trying to make things right, everything gets out of control. What happens in Vegas, doesn't necessarily stay in Vegas.

[Barbara · Rating 4 out of 5]

What happens in Vegas does not always stay in Vegas, as Brody and Bianca learn. A questionable decision by Brody and “help” from the team captain lead to an interesting situation for this hockey phenom and his agent (assistant to the agent). Definite chemistry between these two and a chance at HEA if they can just get out of their own way.

[Michelle · Rating 3 out of 5]

I am voluntarily leaving a review after receiving an ARC from Hidden Gems.

it was cute. A fake Hockey marriage and agent to athlete trope. It was nice to see Bianca as the sports agency and that her fake relationship did not hurt career.

The story is well written. It predictable but overall it enjoyable.

[Irene · Rating 5 out of 5]

Enjoyed this story very much, and how their fake marriage developed, and tried to fool everyone. Lots of laughing out loud moments. This book came together really well, and this entire series great.

[Tanya · Rating 5 out of 5]

He is in trouble as he wakes up with everything he had gone and he needs to play in a game in just a hour. He needs help so he rings her and she is about to come to his rescue but will it be in a good way? See where it will all end
I received an advance copy from hidden gems and a great tale

[Sue Carter · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book. Very entertaining. Loved the main characters. 😃

[Angie Hardy]

It was so good I enjoyed it. I loved the characters. I was given an arc and I choose to give a honest review.