Pucking My Sister's Best Friend: An Enemies to Lovers College Hockey Romance

by Evie Butler

My sister’s best friend is sunshine to everyone but me, and lately I can’t stop thinking about what she’d taste like.

I save Sophia Reyes from face-planting on the library steps, and it goes viral.
The next day she’s at my rink, taking notes.

As team captain, I snap at her.
She snaps back, and the air between us turns dangerous.

I tell myself to keep my hands to myself, and I keep failing.

She’s the reporter who could ruin my season.
She’s also the one I can’t stop wanting.

When her article drops, my team becomes a target overnight.

A teammate’s crash lands us in hospital corridors and the fallout gets real.
Late nights turn into run-ins, and kisses that wipe my discipline clean.
We’re supposed to be at each other’s throats, not coming undone like this.

Then she owns the damage.
It changes everything—and I fall hard.

Then a Chicago dream job calls her name, and what’s grown between us is suddenly on the line…

243 pages, Kindle Edition

Published January 6, 2026

Reviews

[Sheila M. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sophia Reyes and Maya Atwood are college roommates but have been best friends since they were children. Maya’s older brother, Blake Atwood, goes to the same college and is the captain of the school’s hockey team. Sophia, a journalism student, and Blake, a finance major, have lusted after each other for years, but Maya has made it known that a relationship between them is off limits. Sophia does the unthinkable and writes a misleading article about Blake and the hockey team culture, causing a breakdown in trust between Sophia and the Atwood’s, the school, and the hockey team. Sophia has to work hard to get back into their good graces, and Sophia and Blake had to decide if a future together was something they were willing to fight for.

Overall, this was an engaging story full of love, struggle, and following your dreams. The characters, the storyline, and world building were good. I would recommend this book to readers that like spicy, emotional, forbidden, best friend’s brother, friends to lovers, hockey romance stories.

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

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story was impressive in its dramatic intensity and the emotional growth of its college-aged main characters. I started the book thinking of what a typical college hockey romance story was usually like, but Ms. Butler brought so much more to the table. Blake and Sophia are both very ambitious college seniors who can see their life after graduation looming and are striving to make it all they have ever dreamed of. Add to that some real life events, some dicey choices, and some increasing attraction, and the story certainly takes off. Ms. Butler is a gifted storyteller, making sure I could feel and understand the emotional highs and lows these characters experience. She chooses her words very cleverly and expressively, making sure I could see and understand the whole picture (and often leading to a bit of a laugh at the same time). This is the first book I have read by this author, and I am looking forward to reading more of her work.

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

[Silvia · Rating 4 out of 5]

I started out really enjoying Sophia and Blake and their story. Then Sophia started to make choices that honestly didn’t sit right with me. And after her initial article blowing up lives and her subsequent article telling the whole story, she made more conscious choices that broke my heart right along with Blake’s.
Sophia was the hardest part of the story for me. While I started out liking her, I hated what her ambition did, and the choices she made in pursuit of success. I will say that this story felt very real. Honest and real. Love isn’t always a fairytale. It rarely is. Love is choosing to put in effort and do the work, and this book showed that!
My favorite quote in this book comes from Sophia’s professor when she tells her, “A career built on sacrificing every meaningful connection isn’t success. It’s loneliness wrapped in accolades.” I think that was something that Sofia needed to hear.
I volunteered to review an Advance Reader Copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving my honest opinion.

[Sonya Wagner · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sophia is a senior in college, majoring in journalism with goals to make it big. She writes an article, with some half truths but doesn’t do enough research that paints the hockey team, and specifically Blake, her best friend's brother and hockey team captain in a really bad light. This article causes waves, and if Sophia want’s to succeed is tasked with following the hockey team and reporting the whole truth this time. Of course we get the underlying sexual tension between Sophia and Blake, making both of them dig deeper in what is important in life.

I enjoyed the peak into the journalism world, seeing how Sophia developed stories and ideas. I thought it was an interesting take with the FMC being the one focused on her future and letting her personal relationships falter. There was some fun spice & banter throughout the story.

Overall, good elements are here for me, but this story just didn’t hit for some reason. I have enjoyed other books by this author more.

Thank you to the author for the ARC!

[Jetscarbie · Rating 3 out of 5]

This plot was a little different (possible spoilers ahead)

First off, I did not like h at all. She was awful.
H was perfect, for the most part. Just stressed to the fullest.

So- if you’re BFF with H’s sister, would you rather ruin your relationship with BFF by hooking up with her brother OR completely ruining her brother’s reputation?
Well, h does both.

h is such a shitty reporter she puts out a hit piece on H without one piece of information basically accusing the whole hockey team of doping. I can’t even figure out how the hockey team put up with her later on.

She does “redeem” herself and the team by actually making a better article. A factual article this time 🥴

By this time, h and H are shagging.

She hurts him again by ignoring his calls when she’s at a work function- on his birthday. They had started to pull apart from each other. H’s sister has to talk with him and tell him he doesn’t deserve how h is treating him.
They do work it out

One year later they live together in Chicago. He proposes.

[Bernie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Blake is a NHL contender and Captain of his college team. Sophia is a journalism student, long standing friend and roommate of his sister Maya. Both are greedy for success but he is more principled and generous in attitude and behaviour. She is arrogant, unprincipled and chased the fame without considering the fallout or truth. She is self absorbed and focused. Their relationship has all the aspects of student love and angst..they fall in bed and in love quickly, then possibly fall out of it all. He finally decides he is no longer going to do the chasing and again, she eventually sees the error in her behaviour. Once bitten, twice and not prepared to let it happen a third. I had sympathy for him and frustration with her, despite her explanation and reasoning. Being honest, I wanted him to succeed and her to fail.

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

[Pam · Rating 5 out of 5]

First I want to say - the beginning of the book felt like high school - I really thought Sophia and Blake were in high school - so there is a little bit about age that was confusing - seems like Blake is 2 years older than Sophia and his sister - but they are all in college and seem to all be finishing at the same time - and Sophia is trying to get into college (at the end I assumed Sophia was going for her Masters) - but this was confusing for me throughout the story. The beginning of the story was funny, and the description was so clear I could see the coffee arcing in the air! Sophia's character grew - I started out really liking the "librarian nerd type" - then I really didn't like her - to really liking her. This book takes you through it all - funny, sad, angry, wanting to slap sense into Sophia and then wanting to say awww! Great story. Coffee arcing to heart issues to awww moments.

[Donna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Review of an advanced copy from the author

When Sophie Reyes trips over her best friend's brother and hockey captain and it goes viral all over campus she's humiliated.

Blake Atwood is the campus hockey captain. He's the one guy she is supposed to stay away from and his younger sister Maya would not be happy.

Sophie is a reporter and has this semester all planned out hoping to make it to Chicago for a dream job. She is supposed to do a piece on the campus hockey team that doesn't go the way it should and puts her plans in jeopardy and the team a target with some major fallout.

She and Blake had gotten close but this article changes everything. Can she make it right?

4 stars
This was a good story that I enjoyed. But I did wonder why he didn't go for a career in hockey since he seemed to love it and was good at it. And that wasn't addressed.

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wow. Ok. Blake. Blake made this for me. He was perfect. He was such a good guy. He was incredibly patient and forgiving with Sophia. And Sophia. She is why I took away a star. I try not to do that, but she made me so angry. She was so selfish and immature. She didn't listen to her gut instincts. Just gah! I want to ring her neck. But I will say, Evie sure as heck had me hooked and I couldn't put it down. Thankfully in the end Sophia learns a lot of lessons and what is truly important in life. I was relieved. I had tears a couple times while reading sad and happy. It was well written. And I will definitely continue to read Evie's books.

I received a complimentary copy and am voluntarily leaving my honest review.

[Cheryl · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pucking My Sister’s Best Friend by Evie Butler is the story of Blake and Sophia. Her best friend has a brother…Blake, who is the captain of the hockey team. Sophia is a budding journalist and wants to make a name for herself…no matter the cost. But, if the cost involves nearly destroying Blake…does that make it ok???

This story was gut-wrenching. I gotta say that there are times when people go too far…and, maybe losing it all is what is needed to get their lives back. I had trouble with forgiveness in this story. It was a little too selfish, cynical, and life-altering to me. But, that’s why we read these books!!! Things can change! People can forgive! Lives can be altered!! Great story!!!

[Catherine · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book had me hooked from the beginning. Sophia is at college and an aspiring journalist. Encouraged to write a hot piece of journalism for the school paper brings her closer to her off limits, best friend’s brother, Blake. After a brief encounter in a club, hockey captain Blake’s cocky walls go up and the resulting interview yields the complete opposite of what should be out there. Following publication the lives of those involved in Sophie’s article implode affecting not just the team but also their families. As Sophie tries to make amends, Blake finds it harder to forgive but slowly sees how she is trying to make up for her past regrets. This is a brilliant read with twists, turns and heat.

[Helen · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a cute, off-limits best friend’s brother hockey romance. Sophia, an aspiring journalist covering the college hockey team, makes one reckless decision that threatens Blake’s hockey future—and her own career. Watching her wrestle with the consequences and decide what kind of writer and person she wants to be was engaging, though her immaturity was frustrating at times (a reminder that she’s still young).

Blake, the team captain, stood out as he learns he can’t give everything to everyone. With solid chemistry, hockey drama, and meaningful growth, this was an enjoyable read despite a few bumps along the way.

[Deb · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is not your typical insta-love romance. Blake and Sophia have a known each other for years until mutual attraction builds to something more. Much like real life they encounter hurdles and challenges both personal and professional.

I found it easy to relate to both characters as they struggled with career decisions, family illnesses and priorities.

If you enjoy college, hockey or sister’s best friend tropes you too can relate to this book. Be sure not to miss the epilogue for a wonderfully romantic gesture.

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

[Jean · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great read. Sophia is a walking disaster. You know the writing is good when you love a character, then don’t like her, then love her again. Sophia is a journalist student assigned to write a piece on the hockey team. Blake is the captain of the hockey team and Sophia’s best friend’s brother. Panicking she published an article she didn’t thoroughly investigate and it ended up hurting too many innocent people including herself. Enjoyed it.

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

[Sharon Dubuque · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great story!

Blake is a hockey captain. His sister, Maya is also at the same college. Her roommate is her longtime friend, Sophia. They grew up together. She always thought Blake was handsome. One day she slips on the stairway and lands, coffee and all, on top of Blake. From that moment on, memes are everywhere. She and Blake are the topic. She writes an article on his team, but bad stuff falls on Blake. Now they need to find away to fix this and settle the spark they have for each other.

[Suzanne Normandeau Legault · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing book! I couldn’t put it down until I’d finish it. Blake and Sophia’s journey is a rocky one, filled with emotional baggage that will grip your heart and cut your oxygen. But their determination, perseverance and strength will outweigh the scars and merge their souls forever. A highly emotional reading, that will leave you breathless and overdosed with love. A reading that will keep you up past your bedtime. This is what happens when you’re reading an Evie Butler book ❤️!

[Cindy Lokken Kator · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sophia is an aspiring journalist and Blake is her best friend's brother. They begin a tentative relationship but the Sophie writes an article that throws Blake and his team under the bus. She is required to write a follow up piece to redeem herself which gets the guy back but causes a new problem. I loved Blake standing up for himself and Sophia realizing she is following some bad habits that she needs to change.

[Frances Packingham · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dang this was good. I got emotionally invested in this book. Sophia made a decision that hurt everyone around her. She fixes that problem and then creates another one. But then the truth of why comes out and she and Blake can finally figure things out. I love that this story goes back and forth on pov. I like being able to see what's going on in Sophia's mind as well as Blake's. Great book.

[Kyrie Mangus · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sisters Best Friend

Hockey player plus sisters best friend equals a delicious romantic book with all the tension you crave. Sophia and Blake are amazing together. Their banter, the jokes, the conversation and even the tension and heat between them make it that much hotter. This is an amazing read and I will always one click Evie Butler after this.

[Amanda Frye · Rating 4 out of 5]

I fell in love with this story from the first chapter. Blake was an ideal book boyfriend and Sophia had me mad at times. I love that they mixed in hockey while telling the romance.

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

[Barbara · Rating 5 out of 5]

The way Sophia and Blake are written is perfect. They have great bantering, romance and enough heat to melt the ice right from under your feet. What better way to start your day glowing than by reading this 5-star romance book right here by Evie. OMG it is a really wonderful book that I devoured.

[Ann · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a great hockey romance. Sophia and Blake aren’t supposed to be a thing since she is his sister’s best friend. She literally falls into his lap from a accidental fall and then everything just happens from there…

[Lori · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed how this book started. Blake and Sophia had wonderful chemistry and I loved every minute of the read!

[Justine · Rating 5 out of 5]

loved it

This book wow I loved it & I love how it was the MC was the more vulnerable in the book instead of the female character, I really did enjoyed the story…

[Amanda Marlowe · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sophia and Blake have known each other for a while, she's best friends with his sister, Maya.
Sophia is at college to become a journalist but what she does! Really? Talkabout throw him under a bus! I realise that she's not very old but that's not an excuse. Will he forgive her? Can Maya accept what she did and the impact on their father?

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

An interesting read from Evie

[Kristina Schurmann · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another solid read by Evie Butler. It was an easy and spicy read. The banter and tension between Blake and Sophia seemed a bit excessive but the spice was so well done. It was definitely a rollercoaster of a story. I would definitely recommend!