Wicked Pucking Orc

The Orc Hockey League

by Veronika Kane

A prim figure skating heiress. A savage orc hockey enforcer. One month to a charity performance that will save both careers.

I’ve been secretly obsessed with Kardok the Wicked for two seasons. The penalties, the fights...that thing he does with his tongue every time he scores.

Unfortunately, I’m also the daughter of the man who owns the rink where Kardok’s team plays—which means I know exactly how much trouble he is. The OHL calls him reckless. The media calls him feral. My father calls him a walking lawsuit.

And now I’m supposed to teach him figure skating.

I’m silk blouses, pearl earrings, and years of comportment lessons and perfect posture. Kardok is seven feet of tusks, muscles, bad decisions, and raw power on skates. He swears during rehearsals, turns every practice into a spectacle… And he keeps looking at me like he already knows exactly how I’d sound if I stopped being such a good girl.
But… He’s trying. Trying to learn control. Trying not to start fights. Trying to master figure skating without checking someone into the boards.

And somewhere between the lifts, the spins, and teaching hockey’s wickedest orc how to glide, I start wanting things I’ve spent my entire life pretending not to want. Like him.

But the closer we get to opening night, the harder it becomes to ignore that if this goes wrong, it won’t just ruin the show—it could destroy his career, my father’s business, and my very carefully controlled life.

Which would matter more if Kardok didn’t make losing control feel so good.


Opposites Attract · Forced Proximity · Grumpy/Sunshine · Secret Crush · Forbidden Romance · Wrong Side of the Tracks · Fated Mates · Found Family · Sports Romance · He Falls First


***
The Orc Hockey League is a cozy-spicy monster romance series where fierce orc athletes rule the ice, rivalries run hot, and love hits harder than a body check. Each book can be read as a standalone and ends with a happily ever after.


Heat Explicit Romcom-forward with emotional depth; chaotic, funny, sexy, sweet Series Series standalone; interconnected world with found family thread HEA — Fated Mate bond confirmed, marriage Dual POV, First Person Alternating Content Explicit scenes; orc-specific biology; workplace-adjacent romance; no violence beyond hockey context; found family themes

Genres: Paranormal, Ebooks, Romance, Hockey, Fantasy

294 pages, Kindle Edition

Published June 8, 2026

About the author

Veronika Kane is the monster-loving alter-ego of USA Today Bestselling Author Caroline Lee. One of Caroline's favorite genres to read is SciFi Romance, which led her to monster romance. When she discovered it was possible to set big, buff, delicious monsters in contemporary cozy small towns, she was sold. And that's how she ended up with a new pen name and a new series.

Welcome to the town of Eastshore Isle, the only beach town on the east coast experiencing negative population growth. You know who's going to help save the town? That's right; super-sexy, laugh-out-loud orcs.

Just like Caroline's HistRomComs, except greener.

Reviews

[Victoria · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 stars

[Britt · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an enjoyable blend of two of my favorite things: monster romance and hockey romance! Seriously, what’s hotter than a “bad boy” hockey player orc?? Nothing, the answer is nothing.

I enjoyed the forced proximity/working relationship that Kardok and Lila were subjected to, but I enjoyed even more than neither one of them minded 😉 I loved how they were able to express through the ice skating the blending of their two worlds and their two ice-related professions, as well as show that Kardok was not all brutal force.

I loved the connection to Eastshore Island, another monster series by Kane, that was woven in and how the couple eventually made it out there so see some of our favorites from that series.

I enjoyed the characters we met in this book and would definitely be interested in reading others in this series by the other authors.

Thank you to Veronika Kane for the eARC! The thoughts and opinions expressed above are honest and my own.

[littlesmuttyone · Rating 4 out of 5]

Tropes: Opposites Attract · Forced Proximity · Grumpy/Sunshine · Secret Crush · Forbidden Romance · Wrong Side of the Tracks · Fated Mates · Found Family · Sports Romance · He Falls First

I been loving all these orc hockey romances im sucker for these kind :) . Lila is a figure skater but that is behind her even so she still loves ice skate for run and has a secret crush on Kardok she always follows the rules and been a good girl ,she is drawn to him just as he is to her .

His tongue every female was hypnotized by that i dont even blame them cause same. Maddie has suggested lila and kardok to skate together for a special event, which draw more attention to their games and also give them pr views, plus lila gets to be close to her crush 😍.

The moment he saw lila, he couldn't keep his eyes off her, and I loved every second of that . And now he gets to spend time with her. Maddie had faith in him where he was disappointed in himself for the last game he wanted to change that .

The chemistry between so good and had me so excited the connection that was building up . They were both learning from each other things they never expected to want to know . When they finally kissed, omg  it was perfect, and I know lila was definitely wet from that.

Fuck yes he is pierced 😍

[ Kardok was…everything I’d always wanted, and not just in a sexual way—although that was going swimmingly, thank you for asking—but in basically every other way that mattered.]


Lila and her father were so cute he loved his daughter so much 💗

[Madison Warner Fairbanks · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wicked Pucking Orc by Veronika Kane
The Orc Hockey League series, various authors. Alternating POV 1st. Connected to Eastshore Isle series. Can be read as a stand-alone.
Lila Fairbanks manages the charity division of her father’s business and works most of her hours at the Bramblebluff Ice Complex. The rink is used by residents and professionals alike including the Teal Terrors, the local Orc League for their practice.
A marketing scheme has former figure skating champion Lila paired with orc hockey player Kardok in a gala event to raise funds for the community. Figure skating and hockey not only have different skates, they also have vastly different skating styles, goals and fans. It’s going to be up to Lila to work with Kardok so they can mess their styles and create an exhibition style performance to wow the crowd. She’s up to the task as long as she can keep her thoughts on skating and not the wicked tongue of her new orc partner.

What a fun romance. Minor references to the famous movie give this a great jumping off point. Lila and Kardok sparkle with banter, chemistry and preconceived expectations.
Both are used to the cameras and audience but this is different. They’ll need to depend on the other in this dance to the finish line. They’ll practice over and over to get it right. For the cameras.

Joyful, sexy, and an altruistic goal. Romance, lust, and a wicked orc. My hea.

[Jillian · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a fun orc hockey romance. It is part of the multi-author Orc Hockey League series and connects to Kane's Eastshore Isle series, but it can be read as a standalone.

Human FMC Lila runs the charity foundation for her father's business, which happens to own the rink where she used to practice figure skating. The PR department decides it would be a great event to have Lila use her figure skating skills in a Dancing with the Stars-style ice gala, paired with the orc hockey team's "wicked" player, orc MMC Kardok, whom Lila has been fangirling over for quite a while.

I really enjoyed this book! I'm not usually a sports romance girly, but hockey has been trending, and I'll admit I can see the appeal. I loved how this book blended both ice hockey and figure skating while still focusing on the couple and their romance. It was sweet while also having a lot of heartfelt moments and growth for both characters. Also spicy, never forget spicy!

Overall, this was a great orc hockey romance. I look forward to reading more from this series, as well as the other Eastshore Isle orcs this book connects with. Protective Pucking Orc and My Orc Hookup were both teased at the end of this book.

Spice 4/5
Plot: 4.5/5
Writing: 4.5/5
My Enjoyment: 4.5/5

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

[Kelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

The figure skater and the hockey player. OH YEAH. I'm in!

Lila is a now-retired figure skater who runs the charitable side of her father's business. She's used to making the business (and her father) look good, so when a PR opportunity pops up that pairs her with the league's wildest player, she says yes. Sure, she had some reservations. But they were mostly of the "he's so hot, I forget how to make words when he's around" variety. Which is maybe a little embarrassing, but it's something they can work around.

On Kardok's end, he's been blaming himself for the team losing in the playoffs last year and he's willing to do anything to earn their forgiveness. Even learn how to ice dance with the most beautiful woman he's ever met and potentially embarrass himself to no end at a charity event where they're going to perform. Lila isn't from his world, but being with her is effortless. And being around her sparks something instinctive in him that he's not quite ready to name.

A charity event, a rowdy group of hockey players, an Orc with a penchant for licking things, and a lady who is finding herself all over again as she teaches this wild hockey player how to ice dance. *thumbs up*

-Kelly @ Reading the Paranormal

[Lyndsay L · Rating 5 out of 5]

Veronika has sure done it again!!! This book was amazing from start to finish. I loved every single moment of this book. This story was so well-written I loved how this author put Kardak a hockey player in a charity figure skating event with Lila. The emotional journey that these two go through while they are training and getting to know and trust one another on the ice is both intense and heartwarming. I loved every single moment of this book it kept me reading from the minute I turned the first page. The way Kardak's team mates were supportive and bugged him through out the book made me laugh. These two were so made for one another and you can't help but fall in love with this couple. The way they support one another, and open up to each other. The way these two came together made for a spicy, hot read you may need to turn on the fan to cool down as you make your way through. This author's writing keeps getting better and better I cannot say enough good things about this book. I loved the hockey angle with the Orcs and hope we get to see more of them. This is a definite must read!!!

[K. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely loved this! As a certified hockey girlie (dated multiple players AND someone whose family owned an NHL team) I can say with my full chest that the best thing to happen to hockey romance was undoubtedly Roni Kane’s orcs.

No surprise at all that this was such a good read with an orc male that will literally make you drool and a female main you can relate to and love. Wicked Pucking Orc had such a beautiful Romeo and Juliet storyline in that Lila is a pretty and fragile figure skater and Korrak is a … well, hockey playing orc. So you know how that is!

But Lila isn’t what people probably expect her to be and that’s her own doing. She projects an image of perfection but loves watching Korrak’s games in team colored pajamas while throwing popcorn at the screen. I loved the relationship between these two and there were so many poetic lines throughout.

It was great to start building on a new “world” where we can meet some other orcs but tie it in to the Eastshore Isle series I love so much!

[Lynn_G · Rating 5 out of 5]

Former professional figure skater Lila is asked to work on a pairs exhibition to benefit local children at the ice arena complex her father owns. When she finds out she’s to be paired with orc hockey player Kardok, she’s intrigued and nervous in equal measure.

Still sensitive about his last minute penalty costing his team the chance at the championship, Kardok knows he has no choice but to participate in the exhibition despite having no background in figure skating. Working with the beautiful Lila is a bonus, and their attraction to each other is off the charts.

After practicing together, Lila and Kardok soon become physically intimate, but how could a princess like Lila have any interest in a brutish orc for anything more than a good time?

This was another fun fated mates novella from Veronika Kane between a human and an orc. I was fortunate to have received an advance reader copy from the author, and I’m pleased to share my honest review.

[Tima · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars. This story is dual POV, well written and edited, and a fast paced, sweet and steamy, fated mates, opposites attract, colleagues to more, contemporary fantasy romance between Lila, the female human ex-figure skater lead, and Kardok, the male orc ice hockey player lead. I enjoyed the contrast between their approaches to life. I empathised with Lila’s perceived need to be perfect. I enjoyed seeing her relax as she felt confident in Kardok’s acceptance of her. I enjoyed Kardok’s surprise at his interest in Lila and his genuine care for her. I enjoyed his growing confidence that he could be more than a brute. I enjoyed the steamy intimate scenes. I enjoyed the supportive secondary characters. I enjoyed the acknowledgement of the realities of speciesism/racism, and the work done to combat it. I enjoyed the happy ending.

I received a complimentary copy from the author and this is my voluntary honest review.

[Dr. Lillian · Rating 5 out of 5]

Second in a new, multi-author series, Wicked Pucking Orc is Veronika Kane’s first Orc story away from Eastshore, but it’s got all the same feels - low-angst, Fated Mates, great characters, humor, and more. In this story, Lila, the rich figure skater, and Kardok, the savage enforcer of an Orc hockey team, work together for a charity event and learn so much about themselves in the process.

I loved that Lila knew who she was deep down, but wasn’t courageous enough to show it because of how she’d been raised. I liked seeing Kardok grapple with his vulnerability about being the reason his team lost the championship and finally share that out loud, then figure out what to do about it. The slow burn of this story and “will they won’t they” was just right, but don’t worry, there’s plenty of heat in the latter half of the story! I don’t usually read hockey romance, but I had to read this once since it’s Eastshore-adjacent.

I received an early version and voluntarily leave this review.

[Zena · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolute Bliss!
So, a puck is used to play Ice Hockey - then mix that in with an Orc romance in which our main male character, Kardok the Wicked and a rich young lady, Lila, who is efficient and hard-working too, do some figure skating together and if you are lucky, you get a story (like this one) written by an author who knows how to write one about falling in love, finding your soulmate, some angst, some really funny scenes, some serious ones and some which are real hot (just some of the stuff written about) and to top that, you get a few hours of absolute delightful reading to entertain you - and I did! Absolute bliss and I love it all!
I just finished reading an early copy of this super book and am happy to leave my voluntary review.

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wicked Pucking Orc by Veronika Kane was an unputdownable read for me. It was a fun and steamy story with an engaging cast of characters.

I’m not usually a fan of cocky athletes as leading men, but Kardok is special. I enjoyed how fast he fell for Lila yet how clueless he was at first that she’s his mate. I also appreciated the love he has for his team of hockey brothers in arms. Ms. Kane did an admirable job of introducing several of the other team members whose stories I’m looking forward to reading.

I thought Lila was a string but vulnerable heroine. She could have been completely unlikable and snobby, but she was the complete opposite. I hope we see them make cameo appearances in the remainder of the series.

I received an ARC. The opinions expressed above are mine.

[Joce · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was great!!!!!! It’s a low angst romance; however, it is a bit more angsty than Veronika’s other books (in my opinion). I loved the pining, the growth, the je ne sais pas. I don’t know how to describe it. I guess I loved how they each found their own place and confidence with each other. But there’s not a word to describe that. 😅 This book made me experience big feelings in the form of tears.

I’m always a sucker for hockey player/figure skater romances. Probably stims from The Cutting Edge, which was my very first romance movie I saw. 😂

Veronika did it again! This will def be on my reread list!!!!

[R · Rating 5 out of 5]

Never have I ever thought a hockey player could learn to figure skate, let alone on orc hockey player, but here we are. I loved Lila and Kardok's story. It's a classic rich girl/bad boy vibe, only the rich girl isn't insufferable, and well, he's an orc.
If you've read and loved any of the Eastshore Isle series books, you'll instantly fall in love with this one. Same universe, same vibe, different location. Even a few cameos. If you haven't, you should, but it's totally not necessary to enjoy this one.
Yes, it's a sport themed book, but you don't need to be a hockey fan, or even an ice skating fan to enjoy it.

[Carol-Ann · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this story! So many barriers for Lila and Kardok to overcome, many of them in their own minds! It always amazes me how often we see problems when they don’t really exist. This book does a wonderful job of breaking down those barriers in both characters’ minds and helping them find a path forward together.

The plot is entertaining and there is enough drama, spice, and fun to keep me reading it all in one sitting.

Very enjoyable!!

[Dorothy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wicked Pucking Orc
By Veronika Kane

More orc fun. I wasn’t going to read this one. I’m not a big fan of hockey so I thought I’d just pass. But somehow the blurb caught me and pulled me in. And I decided another orc escapade was just the thing. As usual Roni does her orc ish world proud and gives us more orcs to love. And even if you’re not a hockey fan maybe you just need to be an orcs’ fan.

[Jen Reading · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved The Cutting Edge vibes with a dash of low angst pining and a healthy dose of swoonworthy orc. I loved the trust and emotional growth that they build throughout the story and I enjoyed watching Kardok try his best to learn control while Lila starts wanting to let go of her carefully controlled life. The story is funny, sweet, and steamy. It is connected to the author's Eastshore Isle series but is easily read as a standalone.

[Wendy · Rating 5 out of 5]

What could be better than sexy orcs playing hockey!! Love this new series. Kardok plays for the Teal Terrors Hockey team and feels he can make up for mistake in their playoff game by skating in the charity event coming up. Interestingly, he will be skating with a retired figure skater Lila. I love the image of an Orc figure skater tossing his partner up in the air! I’m really enjoying these orc stories!

[Holly Stevens · Rating 5 out of 5]

Veronika Kane's Wicked Pucking Orc is part of a three book multi-author series. This one features Lila, a former figure skater who works for her father's organization, and hockey player Kardok, known as "Wicked." The two team up to put on a figure skating routine to raise money for local kids' hockey. As they learn to trust each other to dance on ice, they fall in love. Sweet and spicy story.

[Gina · Rating 5 out of 5]

What do you get when you match an ex figure skater up with with a beast of a hockey player? A darn good time. It was romantic when they practiced together, and she had learned to trust the big sexy orc. Once the trust built there was bedroom fun. What Kardok did not count on was falling in love with Lila.

[Trixie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed the story. It was so engaging that I found it hard to put the book down. The ice skating performance was my favorite part, and I could vividly picture it in my mind, feeling connected to their story and heartbreak. It truly felt perfect to me. I loved how their happiness and love were beautifully expressed in every word.

[Angel · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have recently been getting into hockey romances, but orc hockey romance? Sign me up each and every time! This was a fun read! Oh and extremely hot! I don't know what it is with the "aquarium" vibe to hockey romances that just does it for me, but I really enjoyed this! Also shout out to Veronika for always writing amazing books that never cease to be amazing!

[Joanne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hot!

I loved all the characters. I loved the story. I also love how it's interconnected with the Emerald Isle characters but you don't have to read those to enjoy this book but I highly recommend reading that series for no other reason than every single story is so amazingly good.

[Kim Torrance · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love Veronika Kane Orcs and Kardok was no exception. I loved how Lila and Kardok brought their worlds together and made it their own. Showing up the people who were trying to tear them apart.

I liked that she also linked to the Eastshore family of orcs who are already well loved and hope that the rest of the teal terrors get to experience the joy of Eastshore.

[Puna · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5 stars. This book should not have taken 4 days to get through. Based solely on my feelings for the FMC this would have gotten, at best, 2 stars and the MMC didn’t really make up for her. But that could just have been a me thing so it got an extra .5 stars.

[Natalie Bigelow · Rating 5 out of 5]

You feel all the emotions

Of all the books that I have read in this Orc Hockey series, this book is my favourite! You feel all the emotions: happiness, joy to anger and injustice. The build up in the story was amazing, their banter was great and i loves the dual pov. must read!

[Marianne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Super orc/sports romance! Sweet and spicy, with wonderful chemistry.

[Mini · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wicked

Another fun orc romance with the added benefit of it being a hockey rom-com. Luv all of Veronika Kanes Orc books

[Blaire Taylor · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cheesy but love it