Pucking the Forbidden Left Winger

by Evie Butler

I nearly ran over my dad's star player with my car. Knocked him flat into a puddle. Then I slept with him.

Griffin Hale is the grumpiest man alive.
Six-foot-two of tattooed, filthy-mouthed trouble.

He's the star left-winger for the NHL team my father owns, and there’s one don't touch the players.

I break it anyway.
One reckless night in Boston, I swear will never happen again.

Now I'm assigned to babysit him for the entire playoff run.
Every event, every day.

God help me, what that man does with that stick on the ice makes me forget every rule I've got.

But he keeps slipping past my guard.
Kneeling at a sick kid's bedside, standing up for my son like he's his own.
So much for the hard-ass act.

And just like that, I'm gone.
Completely his. Completely wrecked. I'm in love.

Then we get caught.
My father makes him my job, or his career.

What he doesn't there's a third thing on the line now — his baby.

287 pages, Kindle Edition

Published August 28, 2026

Reviews

[Mere]

This could be a rom-com movie! From the first chapter I was laughing how everything possible could go wrong for Avery on her first day of work including almost hitting the soon to be love of her life! I really enjoyed reading the touching tale of Avery’s journey of life’s ups and downs and watching her prevail. The author shows her as a strong woman who is balancing working full time and raising her son. During the story, you see Avery and Grif’s characters grow individually and opening their heart to trust, care and love someone again.
Grif is portrayed as a rough around the edges but he is a softie who cannot deny his feelings and love for Avery.
I really like the layout of the book how it includes about Avery’s relationship to her son and father. The story picks up where it left off in book 1 with the players and their relationships and it includes a lot of hockey actions, especially for those like myself who enjoy the sport as much as the romance! For those who need a little spice and fun then you will enjoy the adventure of Avery and Grif sneaking around to avoid getting in trouble. It made me chuckle how they had to act like teenagers who wanted so bad to eat the forbidden fruit and Grif showed just how much love will not stop you from getting anything you want-he was ready to sacrifice his own love of hockey. Finally the author shows us a reminder that life is too short and that forgiving someone and loving others is so important.
If you enjoyed reading book 1 of Maddox’s story then this book is a must read. I am looking forward to reading more of the series!

[Karen]

This story starts with an incredible meet/cute. It's almost impossible to imagine that when Avery nearly runs over Grif on a rainy street, that it will lead to anything other than a lawsuit, but it's just the opening salvo in a very back and forth sort of romance plot that I enjoyed very much. Besides being a single mother, Avery works for the front office of the team that Grif plays for and that her father owns. Avery and Grif both bring some serious emotional baggage to the table which makes their eventual relationship situation even more fraught. I sympathized completely with both of them as they tried to fit their demanding jobs and secret relationship into their lives. Seeing Avery succeed after her rough start at her new job was particularly gratifying. But the real "star of the show" in this novel was the increasing intensity of their connection, both physical and emotional, and the suspense about what might happen next. I was captivated as all the feelings and events (hockey playoffs!) just wound things tighter and had me racing for the conclusion. This a terrific story with a bang-up conclusion. I bet it would make a great film!
I was given an ARC and volunteered to write a review.

[Helen]

I really enjoyed Avery and Grif’s story! Avery is the new Community Relations Manager for the Philadelphia Phantoms, a dream job she’s determined to make work. Her dad owns the team and gives her one rule: Do not mess around with any of the players. That should be easy enough, right?

As a single mom to a five-year-old, Avery isn’t looking for romance anyway. Then she almost runs over Griffin—and somehow, that only makes him more interested. He knows she’s completely off-limits, but he can’t stop thinking about her and he wants her.

The chemistry between these two is off the charts! Both Avery and Griffin carry scars from past relationships and struggle to trust that love can actually work. Watching them fight their attraction, confront their pasts, and finally take a chance on each other was so enjoyable.

It takes almost losing everything for them to realize that some risks are worth taking. A fun, sexy, emotional romance with great chemistry and plenty of heart.

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

[Donna]

Philadelphia Phantoms

On Avery Carrington's first day of work for the Philadelphia Phantoms she was running late, stuck in traffic and almost hit a guy that darted out in traffic, what else could go wrong?
Turns out the guy was Griffin Hale who is the left-winger, resident bad boy for the Phantoms, the team her father owns.

As the manager of community outreach she will be working with six of the players which includes Griff during the playoff run on every event. Her dad has already made it clear she is not to get involved with any players if she wants to keep her job.

Griff is not really happy with her but does as told. She sees another side of him when they visit the kids in the hospital. They grow closer and fall for each other but get caught by her father. They have a choice to make.

4.25 stars
I really enjoyed this. It wasn't just a love story but also had hockey action, fighting for the Cup.

[Suzanne Normandeau Legault]

Amazing book! I was captivated and captured from the very beginning. NHL star left winger Griffin Hale, tattooed bad boy and an attitude to go with it, has no idea his world is about to be rocked right out of orbit when Avery Carrington almost runs him over with her car. She’s stressed, late and starting a new job with the NHL Philadelphia Phantoms. Avery happens to be the team owners daughter and has been ordered by her father to stay away from all players if she wants to remain employed with them. Imagine what happens when Griffin enters that conference room and sets his beautiful blue eyes on Avery’s amazing green ones? ALL BETS ARE OFF!!! This book is filled with raw emotions that will grip your heart, fill your soul with love , disobey direct orders and guarantee you the forever of your dreams. A real page turner you won’t be able to stay away from.

[Tasha]

Pucking the Forbidden Left Winger by Evie Butler was a fun, spicy hockey romance that kept me hooked! I loved the forbidden attraction and the chemistry between the characters. Their push-and-pull dynamic made the romance exciting, while the emotional moments added some nice depth to the story. The characters were easy to root for, and I enjoyed watching their relationship develop despite the obstacles standing in their way. There was plenty of heat, romance, and hockey drama to keep things entertaining. If you enjoy steamy hockey romances with forbidden love, strong chemistry, and characters who can't seem to stay away from each other, this is definitely worth reading. Overall, Pucking the Forbidden Left Winger was a quick, enjoyable read for romance lovers!

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

[JP18267]

Ouch, that is one way for two people to come crashing into each other's lives. Avery and Grif have this instant tension simmering and you can feel the sparks igniting. Oh my heart—Grif at the children's hospital was completely endearing and showed a whole other side to him; I fell for him right there. Watching his and Avery's dynamic shift and grow was absolutely explosive. And the elevator scene? I was seriously holding my breath. I loved how the technical hockey elements were woven with their budding romantic relationship. This was my first Evie Butler story and I will definitely be checking out her other books.

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

[Malayna S]

This is the first book I have read by Evie Bulter and really enjoyed it. It is about Avery Carrington (the team owners daughter) and Grif Hale the star left ringer. Avery was warned by her father when she was hired as the Manager of Community Relations do not touch the players. One Night in Boston after a game she ends up sleeping with Grif and told him it never happened. They try to avoid the pull and attraction they have for each other and ended up failing and getting together. Avery and Grif are then trying to keep it secret from her father and end up caught. Grif is then given an ultimatum stay away and Avery can have her job back or if he chooses Avery he will be gone. What will he decide?

[Bernie]

Avery is starting her new job with the Phantoms NHL team and her morning starts out bad and gets worse. Her father owns the team and has stringent rules for her, one being not to date a player. Grif's morning start is not great, his mood is poor and his surprise when he sees Avery is based on their earlier encounter, but also her appeareance.
Both have issues and woes. His home life and upbringing brutal, hers is dominated and controlled by her father. Neither fathers are pleasant. There is a huge cost to this couple's relationship. Threats and fears create more problems. Actions have conse3and oftern dec5are made with good intentions but for the wrong reasons. It is definitely a predictable experience as to how it develops when so many things influence it.

[Cheryl]

Pucking the Forbidden Left Winger by Evie Butler is the story of Griffin and Avery. He’s a left-winger on an NHL team…one owned by her dad. No one knows who she really is, though she’s in charge of Community Outreach for the team. She’s nursing a broken heart while bringing up her son. Things get tough when they have a little dalliance.

So many unexpected situations here!! Griffin tries to work his way through them, but he’s in a bit of a pickle. Avery wants what she wants and that isn’t always something that’s possible…especially with an irate rather at the team’s helm. The struggles and problems are real and the situations are heartbreaking. Good story!!

[Amanda Marlowe]

Avery is a widow with a young son, she's now got a job at the Phantoms working as the community outreach person, her father although he loves her is strict and not particularly nice.
Grif is one of the players, he's had a bad experience with his ex fiancé and hasn't forgiven his brother but he's totally obsessed with Avery, as she is with him, but the rules are no fraternising with the players.
They start to meet in secret but things become very difficult, what will Grif do?
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

A great emotional read from Evie

[Fran]

I loved Avery and Griff. Their meet cute is out of this world. She's the new community relations and the daughter of the owner. Her one rule is to not get involved with the players. But there's something about Griff that keeps calling to her and he can't keep his mind off her. As they fall for each other what will her father do when he finds out. Well written, fun read, lots of heat and heart, great romance and I loved the story.

[Kathleen]

This is a book with a romance and hockey.
Avery has a very eventful first day at her new job.
Grif is a star who also needs a little PR for the team.
These two act like teenagers who are trying not to get caught but can't keep away from each other.
Both Avery and Grif have past baggage and need a little time to believe what they feel is real.
An incident let's them see that life is short and sometimes you just need to go fir what you want.

[Shannon Binegar-Foster]

I voluntarily reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book.
I thought book one was great….this was incredible. You how some books have a character that you just hate with every fiber of your being?? For me it was Avery’s dad. This was such an emotional story. So much hurt in both Avery and Griff’s lives. Their chemistry off the charts. I absolutely loved it.

[DEBBIE GG]

if your looking for a meet/cute laugh out loud romance you found it here. you have a hockey player and the owners daughter and both are off limits. but the chemistry is explosive between these two. there is laugh out loud humor and i loved the plot and the back and forth these two have. characters from the book before are around and it’s a nice heart warming love story

[Cindy Lokken Kator]

This is a forbidden love story that will sneak past your defenses and have you rooting for Avery and Grif. They have to work through several obstacles in their way to being together. It was a read I really enjoyed!