Heartless as Puck

Chicago Chaos Hockey Duology #1

by A. Rivers

With one year to prove I’m captain material or lose my hockey career forever, dating is a distraction that could cost me everything.

When I dreamed of becoming captain, I never imagined my team would consist of rookies and misfits, or that being unable to wrangle them would jeopardize my future in the league.

My agent suggests I lead by example and 'settle down', which sounds ridiculous, but I'm desperate enough to try anything. Apparently, that includes pretending to date my shy assistant. The trouble is, Jane refuses to play along.

Our relationship is supposed to be all business, but I quickly realize I don't know my "trusty" assistant nearly as well as I thought. Before long, my career isn't the only thing on the line.

My heart is too.

Genres: Contemporary, Hockey, Romance

316 pages, Kindle Edition

Published August 27, 2026

About the author

A. Rivers writes steamy romance books with take-charge heroes and strong heroines who aren't afraid to fight the odds for love. On the rare occasions when she ventures out of the writing cave, you can probably find her face down in a book, cuddling her pets, or planning her next overseas adventure with her husband.

If you'd like to keep up to date with her books and news, subscribe to her newsletter today!

Reviews

[Sammyll · Rating 5 out of 5]

Heartless Austin was know for his fierce hockey playing, it came first and he had no room in his life for romance. Jane his shy assistant also lived in his house, they have a great bond, working and living together without any issues.
Jane also at college studying Speech Therapy has a famous Hockey family of her own, her dad, brother and Uncle all Hockey Dynasty, so when it was suggested to Austin to fake date Jane to gain great press for his Hockey team, Jane was not happy. Having kept to herself for so long due to people only befreinding her because of her family she was hurt. Austin seemed closed off at times, never really paying Jane much attention but now he sees her in a totally different light. It's opened up his eyes, and he likes what he sees. 😳😍
A well written Hockey romance, flowed easily, I was hooked! The banter, family dynamics made this story relatable, it felt very homily and comforting, real! Although I don't follow Hockey, I know how huge it is in the USA as my son is studying over there atm and he informs me so it was great to read how the game played etc.
Really enjoyed this, don't want to spoil the plot, dive in yourself you won't be disappointed 🥰 can't wait to read the next book in the series as the ending was intriguing. The added bonus epilogue was a treat too. Thanks to the Author and InkSlingerPR for the ARC copy.

[Joanne Barton · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Heartless As Puck” is the first book in the “Chicago Chaos Hockey Duology.” This is a steamy hockey romance featuring fake dating with a contract, a grumpy NHL captain, the assistant who lives above his garage, and a hero who falls first and falls hardest. “Heartless As Puck” is a guaranteed happily ever after and no cliff hangers. Chicago Chaos is starting the season off with a new Coach and a new owner….with that, the toxic behaviors accepted by the previous management, Coach and Captain, were out the door! It is also a lovely surprise to have one of my favourite’s from “The Colorado Dragons Series” make an appearance…

Austin Harris is named as the temporary captain of the new look Chicago Chaos. Jane Foster is his personal assistant and has been for about six months. She was invaluable to managing his schedule and keeping track of his life as well. With Jane having experience at cooking for athletes, she rents Austin’s studio for below market value, with the proviso was that she prepare his meals a few times a week. With the captaincy up for grabs, Austin’s agent decides that he needs a girlfriend, and that said girlfriend should be her. Twice, she said no, until they agreed on ten rules between them. Will they be able to stick to the rules? If not, who will break them?

“Get a hold of yourself. You are in control of your own emotions. Austin is just your boss. No matter how sweet he is, or how possessively he behaves, or how good of an act he puts on when it comes to looking at you like he wants to eat you, none of it is real. His gaze searched mine. “Do you feel this too? This thing between us?” A breath shuddered from me. “I feel something. I’m not sure what.”

This is 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. It has fun, laughs, intrigue, twists that you do not expect, and physical attraction. You will fall in love with Austin and Jane. She makes him smile and happy….they bring out the best in each other.

“The kiss started out chastely, the same as every one we’d shared before, but then he grabbed me by the hips and backed me up against the nearest tree, angling his head to get deeper. His tongue stroked mine and one of his hands smoothed up my back between my shoulder blades. He groaned and tore his mouth from mine, kissing down the side of my neck, sending shivers through me.”

I loved this book from the first chapter. This is a lovely book feel good emotional romance. From page to page, chapter to chapter, from cover to cover - you will enjoy this beautiful story. This book will not disappoint!

[Yami’s Bookshelf · Rating 4 out of 5]

🏒 MMC: Austin “Heartless” Harris
💗 FMC: Jane
🌶️ Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️
⭐ Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️.5

Okay, give me a grumpy hockey player, his sweet personal assistant, forced proximity AND fake dating and you already know I’m going to be all in. 😂🏒❤️

Austin definitely earned his “Heartless Harris” nickname at the beginning. Hockey is pretty much his entire life and becoming captain is what he wants more than anything. He keeps everyone at a distance and isn’t exactly known for being the warm and fuzzy type. Then there’s Jane, his live-in personal assistant who has her own complicated history with hockey and would honestly prefer to stay as far away from the spotlight as possible.

So naturally, these two end up fake dating. 😂

I really liked watching their relationship slowly change once Austin actually started SEEING Jane as more than the woman who keeps his life organized. The chemistry was definitely there, but I also loved the softer moments between them. Jane brought out a completely different side of Austin and I loved watching those walls of his slowly come down.

Jane was probably my favorite part of the story though. She has a stutter and carries a lot of hurt from her past and her family, so seeing her confidence grow throughout the book made me love her even more. She was sweet, but she wasn’t weak, and I loved that about her.

And of course once that fake relationship started feeling a little too real… YES PLEASE. 😍 The tension, the spice, the forced proximity and all those little feelings sneaking up on them made this such an easy read for me.

There’s also more emotion and family drama here than I was expecting. Both Austin and Jane have complicated relationships with their families, just in very different ways, and I liked how that played into who they were and why they guarded themselves so much.

Overall, Heartless As Puck was such a fun start to the Chicago Chaos Hockey Duology. It gave me hockey, fake dating, boss/assistant, forced proximity, family drama, spice and a grumpy MMC who discovers he might not be quite as heartless as everyone thinks. 😉❤️

And that ending definitely has me curious about book two! 👀🏒

Tropes I loved:
🏒 Hockey Romance
💗 Fake Dating
🏠 Forced Proximity
💼 Boss/Assistant
😒 Grumpy MMC
🔥 Slow-Build Chemistry
👨‍👩‍👧 Complicated Family Dynamics
❤️ HEA

[Suzi McWhinney · Rating 5 out of 5]

With a Rep and also known as Heartless Harris, Austin lived and breathed all things Hockey. Playing for The Chicago Chaos, all was not well with the team. Living up to their name as The Chaos of the league, Austin wanted to make an impression so he would be considered for captaincy. When the team was advised of new management and some players had already been offered up as trades, Austin secretly began to think things may be changing for the better for him and his team.
Only problem with all the changes happening, his agent decides to throw him a curveball.
Make himself look like he was settled and in a serious relationship, he may then be considered for the role of Captain for the team.
Enter Jane, his assistant, and the only person he would consider to ask if she would be his fake girlfriend.
Having never dated seriously, he had no other options open for him, and he did not want to invite unwanted scrutiny into his life.
Jane agrees, even though she struggles with a health issue of her own and hates being in the limelight.
Once she agrees, it seems Austin begins to learn a lot more about his assistant than he ever knew before. Especially when he finds out she does not go by her family name, as she tries to fly under the radar. Her father, Uncle and brother are all NHL legends, with her brother still playing on an opposing team to Austin.
What starts out as fake soon turns real. Very real for them both! When they let their feelings get the better of them, they are caught up in a scandal.
How does Austin protect Jane from the backlash, as he also tries to protect his career. Especially now as he has declared his love for her! He is finding it difficult to decide what/who is more important. Jane or Hockey!
An overall great read with plenty of feels. Romantic and steamy all rolled into one! Yum. Austin certainly sounds like a keeper and maybe not as heartless as everyone thinks he is!

[Carole Anderson · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the first book in the Chicago Chaos Hockey Duology and it is filled with tension, rivalry and a gentle acceptance of what is hidden inside. There are themes of parental neglect and drama, forced proximity, fake relationship, emotional damage and angst, but culminates in a sweet HEA for the two main characters.

Jane is entrenched in a hockey dynasty but hides her family from others as it has caused her pain and grief. Whilst studying to be a Speech Therapist she also works as a personal assistant to a guarded and distant hockey player. In order to promote his ability to lead as captain of his team, she eventually gives in and starts a fake relationship with Austin and it soon spirals into a chemistry that ignites them both. When tragedy strikes and problems occur, the course of their true love becomes a rocky slope to recover from.

Austin is a fairly jaded and guarded man, broken inside from clashing with his father for years, so he puts distance between himself and others. This affects his relationship with his team members and has earned him the nickname of Heartless Harris. In an effort to gain captaincy of the team, Austin reluctantly puts himself into a fake partnership with his PA Jane. When their reputations are compromised, Austin learns quickly that his main priority has become the love of his life and sets out to transform their temporary situationship into a hard-won forever.

This was a sweet contemporary sports romance of two characters that grew and matured as they overcame the problems that life put in front of them including contrasting families, fractured incohesiveness of team mates and an eventual relationship that brought them both joy.
I have thoroughly enjoyed the hours of respite this reading has gifted me and thank the author for giving me the opportunity to enjoy the arc and provide my voluntary review.

[Korkoi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Faking it for Real -
Austin and Jane had co-existed happily since she started working for him, so being asked to change the status of their relationship was a step to far for her, but she finally agreed after including her conditions of acceptance. Spending time together in their new relationship was initially awkward, but their attraction for each other grew, as the innocent touches and stolen kisses blurred the lines.

Unfortunately, not long after Austin and Jane crossed the boundaries of their agreement, they found themselves in a situation that threatened their new relationship. However, dealing with the situation made Austin and Jane realise their feelings for each other were no longer fake, but a misunderstanding nearly cost them a chance at happiness.

Thankfully, having the support and guidance of their close family members and friends, allowed them to openly communicate and share their feelings for each other, so they could work together towards building their future. This is another great read from a truly talented author. I really enjoyed turning the pages of this brilliant fake relationship sports romance story filled with emotional and heartwarming moments, a bit of drama and some exciting spicy instances, that drew me in from the beginning and kept me glued to the pages until the end.

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

[Suzanne Normandeau Legault · Rating 5 out of 5]

A sports romance where you get to meet a very special player Austin Harris of the Chicago Chaos hockey team. Very successful professionally, he is not emotionally. He’s not close to his family, especially his father after being psychologically abused and used as a commodity due to his talent instead of a loved son. Austin is a broken soul, unable to express emotions or feelings until Jane enters his life as his assistant where she manages his professional demands but unexpectedly falls for him and keeps her feelings hidden. She sees him differently than others do and is determined to help him unleash his real side without fear of rejection. Jane being his opposite family wise, she grew up in a loving family, but she also was exposed to the world because of her NHL family members : uncle and brother and used for her connections. So they do have the same challenges to overcome. She has a speech impairment and because of that, she’s always struggled with verbal communication and decided to stay hidden. Strong, stubborn and determined makes this woman irresistible to Austin and together they discover unconditional love and this love will bind their hearts forever. I was captured from the very first page , well written with strong characters makes this reading very captivating. A most recommended book!

[Amanda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jane is no stranger to hockey personally and now she is professionally the assistant to Austin “Heartless Harris” while working on getting her degree to be a speech therapist. Every other player on Austin’s team is jealous of him either wanting to date her or have her so efficiently and helpfully run their lives. She had trouble as a young kids with her speech and the fame and pressure that her family had. So she moved away to college and used her mother’s maiden name to keep a low profile. Austin is in his last few years of the NHL after playing for the Chicago Chaos for the last 10 years, the team is going through a major upheaval with new ownership and coaching due to a bad history. So now, Austin is hoping that he can be the captain of the team and thinks that this is his only shot. His agent is convinced that he needs to look more stable and settled with a girlfriend and that Jane of the Wright hockey legacy would be the perfect fake girlfriend. Austin does not know how his shy and reserved assistant could be the right choice. Once Austin and Jane start to blur the line of professional to personal will it be causal or will they be more serious? Will she be able to deal with the pressure and attention or will she just say forget it and move on?

[Tima · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.25 stars. This story is dual POV, well written, and a fast-paced, employee/boss to lovers, fake dating, contemporary sports romance between Austin, the male professional ice hockey player lead, and Jane, his female personal assistant/college student lead who he begs to act as his fake girlfriend to allow him a better chance of securing captaincy of his team. I empathised with Jane’s fear regarding how her stutter would be managed under pressure. I enjoyed seeing her self-confidence grow as the story progressed. I laughed ruefully at Austin’s career oriented approach to life, and enjoyed seeing him mature into consideration of other priorities, both for himself and others. I enjoyed the relationship development, and the sincere care between lead characters. I enjoyed the steamy intimate scenes. I appreciated the consideration of the contrast between families of origin and the impact that has on a person. I enjoyed the support that Austin’s sister and Jane’s best friend and her family provided to them. I enjoyed the happy ending and the set up for the next story in the series.

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

[Lyn Brownlie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely loved this story
This is Book 1 of the Chicago Chaos Hockey Duology where we meet hockey player Austin and his assistant Jane.
Away from hockey both are very private people with complex pasts and family situations.
Jane’s family are also big in the hockey world, with her trying desperately to keep that part of her life separate from what she is doing now.
But things are changing for the Chaos and to attain the coveted position as Captain, Austin requires a fake girlfriend.
Will Jane once asked play that role for him?
If so will she overcome the challenges she has to perform the task?
This story was sweet at times, steamy others then add in some drama, an embarrassing situation plus backup from family and friends and this truly was wonderful to read.
What a fantastic start to a series that I hope will be more than the duology that it’s going to be.
I loved Austin and Jane plus all the characters that were introduced along the way.
I’d love reading more stories in this world.
I received an ARC in exchange for my honest review.
Thanks to A. Rivers for the gifted copy and the opportunity to read this book - all opinions are my own.

[Kara Quade · Rating 5 out of 5]

Austin is a professional hockey player for the Chicago Chaos. He keeps everyone at a distance except his sister. Jane is Austin's personal assistant who runs his schedule, cooks his dinners, and lives in the studio above his garage. When the captaincy is up for grabs, Austin's agent suggests Austin and Jane fake a relationship. Will Jane say yes to Austin's proposal to being his fake girlfriend? Will Austin agree to Jane's rules to being his fake girlfriend? What happens when their fake relationship turns real? Will an intimate moment between Austin and Jane cost Austin the Captain position with the Chaos? Can Austin show Jane his feelings for her are real by choosing her and not her connection to her famous hockey family? I loved Heartless As Puck by A. Rivers. Austin and Jane are a great couple with scorching hot chemistry. I love Jane's family, and how they rallied around Jane and brought Austin and his sister into the fold after witnessing their father in action after he showed up at Austin's home. I would highly recommend getting Heartless As Puck by A. Rivers. I received a free copy of this book, and I am voluntarily leaving my honest review.

[Helen · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a great hockey fake romance story! Jane is Austin’s efficient but shy assistant. When there are changes to the team’s management and roster, the Captain position is suddenly up for grabs. His agent suggests that having a fake girlfriend would show management that Austin is serious and ready to settle down. Jane seems like the obvious choice.

Jane comes from a family of hockey stars, but she’s reluctant to have that connection used to benefit Austin. She also struggles with her speech and has always avoided the spotlight. Becoming Austin’s fake girlfriend will definitely put her front and center.

Despite her reservations, Jane agrees to the arrangement, and it doesn’t take long for both of them to realize their feelings are becoming very real. When a scandal threatens everything, Austin steps up and proves to Jane—and himself—that he really is boyfriend material and has what it takes to go all the way.

A sweet, fun hockey romance with fake dating, great chemistry, and a couple you can’t help but root for!

[Misty McQueary · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you so much to A. Rivers for letting me do an arc review of Heartless as Puck!

You guys! I have never read a hockey romance before and I am OBSESSED! I could NOT put this book down! I had it finished in less than 2 days!

Austin has been on the same hockey team for a decade now. His goal has been to become team captain and this has never been in the cards. Not until the team gets bought out and new management brought in. Now his agent thinks he needs to have a serious relationship for the managers to take him seriously and that he will have roots to stay in the city and that will help them choose him to become team captain. So what other way to do that than fake a relationship with his assistant, Jane?!?! Nothing can go wrong, right?? RIIIIIGHT……

This book was everything I could ask for! I had theories on what would happen and boy was I wrong! The twists it took, I did not see those coming! The way Austin and Jane’s relationship grew was amazing. This book was funny, very fast paced, and just an overall good time! I cannot wait to read book 2 in this series! HIGHLY recommend you pick it up to read!

The book releases August 27th and will be on KU too!

[Naughty Nightie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Austin was a dedicated hockey player because his father trained him relentlessly, wanting him to chase his dream. He had no time for romance and earned the nickname Heartless Harris. He had a dedicated assistant, Jane, who knew what he wanted or needed even before he did. The Chicago Chaos got a new owner who wanted to turn the team around. Austin was named assistant Captain. He needed to prove himself if he wanted to make team captain. Gus, his agent, decided he needed a girlfriend to improve his image and make him seem more stable. Jane became the ideal choice according to Gus. Contracts were signed. But then things didnt goi according to plan; feelings got in the way. Then the unthinkable happened during a Team camp, and reputations were violated. Will Austin and Jane ever get their HEA?
I recieved an ARC for my voluntary, honest review for NN Book Blog. If you love a sweet hockey romance, then you will enjoy this read. What a great start to the Chicago Chaos Duology, and I can't wait to see what happens next.

[Silvia · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a very good hockey romance! Jane and Austin were equally great, but it was the conflicts they faced, together and individually, that really made this story!
Austin was looking to achieve one of his life’s goals of becoming an NHL captain. To do so, his agent makes a suggestion that has him seeing his assistant Jane in a new light.
Jane is the daughter/sister/niece of a hockey dynasty. She’s had many people in the past use her to get to her famous family. She wants nothing to do with the limelight and wants to be seen for who she is, not who she’s related to.
What happens when fake dating turns into more? Or when Austin takes a chance and trusts someone with his heart? Or when Jane is willing to do something she normally wouldn’t for the sake of someone she cares deeply for?
What you get is this really good story and amazing characters! I’m looking forward to seeing what the deal is with Matthews and Chelsea!!!
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book and I am voluntarily leaving my honest opinion.

[Tasha · Rating 5 out of 5]

Heartless as Puck by A. Rivers is such a fun, steamy hockey romance! I loved the fake-dating setup between a determined hockey captain and his shy assistant. What starts as a way to help his career quickly becomes much more complicated when real feelings enter the picture. The chemistry between the characters was fantastic, and I really enjoyed watching their relationship develop from an arrangement into something genuine. The hockey setting added plenty of excitement, while the romance brought the perfect mix of tension, humor, and emotional moments. I especially loved seeing the hero discover that there was much more to Jane than he originally realized. Their dynamic kept me turning the pages, and the story had that addictive quality that makes it hard to put down. Overall, Heartless as Puck is one to add to your TBR!

I received an ARC copy from the author themself. Thank you for giving me the chance to read this novel and share my honest review of the novel

[Julie Cunningham · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars rounding up
Review of advance copy received from A. Rivers and Inkslinger

Heartless as Puck by A. Rivers
Book 1 in the Chicago Chaos Hockey Duology

Tropes
Hockey romance
Fake dating
Forced proximity
Boss / Assistant
Slow building chemistry / fast paced book
Hidden family dynamics

These two broken people work so well together. Austin Harris is a grumpy man that they call “heartless” but underneath he has childhood trauma caused by his dad which has made him the way that he is. Jane is his assistant. She is an introvert who has a stutter which make her very self conscious. She has famous hockey players in her family that she doesn’t want anyone to know. Austin’s agent wants him and Jane to fake date. Jane agrees and at first they are just friends then the real feelings come on. Jane is afraid but Austin keeps showing up and letting her know he is all in,durning the good and bad times. This book has set us up for the next one so well.

[C. Gray · Rating 5 out of 5]

Since reading The First Rule of Faking It, I’ve been counting down the days until I got to read Jane’s book. She is the strong, shy kinda girl that I love reading about. Jane and her older brother Alec have grown up in the spotlight so being a PA for a sexy hockey player is easy, until he asks for a big favor. Austin underestimated his shy assistant and learns quickly that there is so much more to Jane than he realized. I’m hoping Alexa changes her mind and does more than two books in this series because I’m loving these guys. Matt is next but I’d love to get Nick and Drew books as well. 🖤🔥🏒🔥🖤

My favorite quote from Jane:

The kiss tasted of joy. If you’d asked me a few days ago how joy tasted, I would’ve had no idea, but now I could confidently say that it was the perfect combination of chocolate and man, with a faint hint of peanut, as if he’d stolen one of the peanut protein cookies he loved so much from the pantry earlier in the day.

[Liberty Munson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a fantastic slow burn hockey romance that had hooked from the beginning. A slow burn romance that is ignited when they enter a fake relationship to help his career. But what I loved about this story is that Jane didn't want to do it...no, she vehemently doesn't want to do it. She's painfully shy and doesn't want to be used for her family connections. And this is the turning point for Austin... when his attraction becomes more because he realizes that he knows very little about Jane but he wants to learn more.

There are moments of vulnerability and tension that propel the story forward without requiring a third act breakup (thank you!), a scandal that had me wondering if Austin's agent was trustworthy (FWIW, I am still not sure although I am not sure if it matters, but he adds to the tension in the plot.)

A great start to a new series!

[Dianna F · Rating 5 out of 5]

Heartless as Puck has that boss‑assistant tension that evolves into something hot enough to melt the ice. The moment Austin and Jane step into their fake relationship, the chemistry stops pretending. It’s immediate, charged, and impossible to shove back into “professional.” I loved every moment of it!

Austin is amazing in all the right ways: protective, steady, and always stepping up before Jane even asks. I especially loved how his support helps Jane rise. She finds her voice, stands her ground, and her confidence blooms. Their shift from fake to real hits harder because she’s not just falling for him; she’s stepping fully into herself.

A fast, fiery hockey romance where the feelings spark quick, the hero shows up every time, and the heroine claims her power right alongside the love.

[Jenn the Readaholic · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well, I can already confirm that I’m hooked. Austin and Jane think they’re faking it, but not for long. Luckily, they communicate, even when it feels impossible to do so. They stick together. They deal with the nonsense. And when it seems like one might take the easy way out, the twist and surprise come to prove that nope, they’re all in on this relationship.

These two richly deserve their happiness and now I can’t wait to find out why someone inhaled his sandwich, instead of eating it. I’m pretty sure we have one heck of a story ahead and it’s probably going to hurt. I’m definitely here for it though, because the hurts that this author brings always include the perfect remedy and solution to making all right for the future!

[MJ Scott · Rating 5 out of 5]

Aiden and Jane are just employer and employee. She’s his assistant, trying to blend in while overcoming her stuttering difficulties. He’s an NHL hockey player whose focus is on becoming team captain. Aiden needs Jane’s help to make him look like captain material, and with her connection to a hockey dynasty, he seems like a shoo-in. Their story begins with them pretending to be a couple, but as secrets are revealed and Aiden and Jane learn more about each other, they soon realize their true feelings. When Jane is faced with humiliation, the way Aiden comes to her rescue is sure to make you cheer for their happy ending.

[Sharon Jones · Rating 5 out of 5]

I seem to be reading quite a lot of fake relationship romance novels lately, and after finishing Austin & Jane’s story this would definitely rank as one of my favorites.
Right from the beginning I was invested in their story, but even more so once the fake relationship and the reasoning behind it came into play. It made sense for Austin and reading Jane struggle to agree just made the story more realistic.
But from this moment on I ended up loving this book even more. When their feelings started to change, I was almost giddy with how it all played out. It’s not smooth sailing but what it was, was amazing to read.

[Kristy · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars. Austin wants to be captain of the hockey team more than anything. He keeps everyone at a distance and isn’t exactly known for being the warm and fuzzy type. Enter Jane, his live-in personal assistant who has her own complicated history with hockey and would honestly prefer to stay as far away from the spotlight as possible. But when the captain position opens and Austin wants his shot, his agent thinks he needs a relationship would help for the new owners to take him seriously. And what better way to do that than a fake relationship with Jane. This is the first book in the Chicago Chaos Hockey Duology and look forward to what comes next.

[Amanda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you A. Rivers for the ARC, all opinions are mine. I really enjoyed the characters of Heartless As Puck. Austin “Heartless” Harris was all about himself and staying focused on his hockey career and the captaincy. Jane who started out his assistant became his fake girlfriend in a strategic move encouraged by Austin’s agent to prove he was settling down. Jane had some secrets of her own that Austin didn’t know and I think it made him see her differently at first. Then as he gets to know her better he just sees her as herself. I did really enjoy when Jane had her F it moment and gave into how she felt about Austin. This was a good read and I enjoyed it. Looking forward to the next one.

[De Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book. Oh my goodness this book. I completely and utterly devoured this one. Give me a grumpy hockey man and I’ll be happy every single time. And Austin did not disappoint. He’s big and tough and broody, until he’s not. And I freaking love that. Jane is so relatable. Wanted to make something of herself without the shadow of her family name. Their connection felt so genuine despite the fake circumstances. And their chemistry was off the charts. This story was the perfect balance between sweet and heat, with a splash of humor and drama included. I read this story so quickly. It was just that good. And I just cannot wait for the next book to come out. I need it like now.

[Johanna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book 1 of Chicago Chaos Hockey Duology. And a wonderful start it is! Look forward to more from this world.

'Our relationship is supposed to be all business, but I quickly realize I don't know my "trusty" assistant nearly as well as I thought. Before long, my career isn't the only thing on the line.
My heart is too.'

The characters were very appealing and likeable and complicated and absolutely perfect together. Plot was intriguing and exciting and well paced. World building was excellent and impressive. Thoroughly enjoyed and highly recommend.

Grab a copy, kick back and enjoy!.

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

[Nancy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh, how I love fake dating and seeing it become so much more! This book was great! 



Austin is the temp captain of his hockey team. His agent suggests he settles down by dating his assistant to possibly be named captain. Jane has been working for Austin, for a few months while also attending school. She is great keeping everything organized for him but hates the limelight so much she doesn't even use her family name. As they fake date they both learn so much about each other, while their feelings are becoming more. I loved this rollercoaster to love, their agreement and how much they grew into a beautiful, caring couple!!!

[Dana Garland · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jane is Austin's assistant and is great at what she does! When major changes come to the team Austin plays for, his agent thinks the best thing for Austin is for him to be in a stable relationship. Jane reluctantly agrees. Through this turn of events, her secret xomes out. Will Austin still be able to trust her? Will their fake relationship remain fake? What will happen with the truth comes to light? Will they find a happily ever after? This is such a good book. I highly recommend. One click and enjoy it yourself!

[Lori Zakrzewski · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you like reading about hockey and romance, this is the book for you. Austin is trying to prove to the new team management he's the right person to lead the team as their captain. Jane is his assistant, definitely indispensable, a little shy, but a spine of steel when needed. When they decide to fake date to improve Austin''s image, their relationship quickly goes from fake to real. Throw in some family drama from Austin's dad and unconditional support from Jane's famous hockey family and you have a wonderful read.