Pucking Forbidden

by Katie Strong

415 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 30, 2026

Reviews

[The Book Ssirren]

This was a great story. I loved the friendship Julian and Hadley had. There was definitely that undeniable attraction, but Julian was off limits as her father didn’t want her dating a hockey player, and her grandfather was coaching him. Stuck in London doing something she didn’t, she makes her way to Denver to finally pursue what she wants in life. I loved seeing her and Julian finally start to blossom into something more along the way. This was such a sweet and steamy story with a really great ending. Sad that this is it, bit it was a fun journey getting here.

[Natiley Holmes]

ARC Review

Sometimes the hardest part of fighting for your future isn’t the big choices, it’s the ones that test everything you’ve been trying not to want. Your Pucking Forever completely delivers on that emotional truth, and it does it with equal parts swoony romance, hockey tension, and heartfelt stakes.

From page one, I was pulled in by Hadley’s struggle, her entire life has already been mapped out, every step, every expectation, every should laid out by the father who never gave her real freedom. Moving to Denver was supposed to be her first real step toward independence, but instead it brings her face to face with the one man she’s been trying to keep out of her heart Julian Wilder.

And oh, Julian. Quiet, guarded, impossible to ignore he’s the kind of hero who doesn’t just say the right things, he means them. He’s a dream with a pulse, and the chemistry between him and Hadley is built in the small moments, late night skates, lingering touches, and that feeling of being seen when the world has been trying to control her. Their we’re just friends dynamic didn’t feel like a cliché, it felt like a real slow burning fight against their own wants.

What I loved most was the tension that kept escalating beyond romance alone. Family politics, hockey connections, and the pressure of expectations all work together to make the relationship feel earned, and then Katie raises the stakes in a way that lands emotionally. When Julian is forced to make an impossible decision, the book shifts from will they/won’t they to something deeper, what love costs, what sacrifices can’t be avoided, and what it really means to believe you’ll be allowed to keep what you want most.

By the end, I was emotional in the best way, because the romance isn’t just sweet or spicy or fluffy. It’s about agency. It’s about learning that wanting something doesn’t automatically make it risky…but trusting that you’ll get to keep it might.

If you’re in the mood for a hockey romance that balances protectiveness, tenderness, and gut punch emotion with a satisfying payoff, Your Pucking Forever is an easy 5 stars. I didn’t just enjoy it, I felt it.

[Elizabeth]

Pucking Forbidden
Katie Strong

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (4/5)
Spice: 🌶️
ARC Copy

I really enjoyed reading Hadley and Julian’s story in Pucking Forbidden. From the moment they met, Hadley felt something for Julian, and it was clear that their connection was something neither of them could easily ignore.

Hadley struggles with making choices for herself and has a hard time believing in her own worth. She feels like she owes her dad something, which allows him to have a lot of control over her life. But when her attraction to Julian becomes impossible to deny and an unexpected major life change forces her to confront what she really wants, Hadley has to start figuring out who she is and what kind of life she wants for herself.

Julian plays left wing for the Night Hawks, and he also feels an immediate connection with Hadley. But there are plenty of reasons for him to hesitate, including their age difference and the fact that Hadley’s grandfather is his coach. Even with all those complications, neither of them can deny the connection between them.

What I Loved About the Book

Hadley & Julian
I really enjoyed watching these two find their way to each other. Hadley has so much growth throughout the story as she learns to make her own decisions and stand up for what she wants. Julian is supportive of her while also having his own reasons for being hesitant about their relationship.

The supporting characters
I really enjoyed seeing how the people around Hadley and Julian supported their relationship. The way their friends and family connected with both of them added another layer to the story, and I especially loved seeing everyone rally around Hadley and Julian as they navigated everything together.

Overall, Pucking Forbidden was an enjoyable hockey romance with a couple I really liked. I loved watching Hadley grow into herself, while Julian learned to trust their connection despite all the reasons it could have been complicated.

If you enjoy hockey romance, age-gap romance, strong chemistry, and couples who are willing to fight for their happily ever after, definitely add Pucking Forbidden to your list.

[Brandie Wilson]

Pucking Forbidden: Night Hawks book 7 (the final book) by Katie Strong

I received an ARC for an honest review.

It’s Julian (Wilder for anyone who has read the previous books) and Hadley’s turn. Can they make it with an age gap (7 yrs), an overbearing father who has Hadley’s life all planned for her (not exactly what she wants to do) and oh yeah, her grandpa is Julian’s coach…

Since the moment Julian met Hadley when she helped Stacey give birth at the arena, Julian has been taken in by her. But they are friends, “just friends”. Watching them both try to fight their feelings to remain “just friends” was amusing because they were destined to fail.

Julian struggles with his wants vs what he feels he is worth while helping and being available for the woman who helped raise him. Hadley struggles with pleasing her father and finding her own career path which her father has clear ideas about.

Pucking Forbidden Takes you on a journey. At one point I was silent screaming “Seriously Wilder get it together man!” And just when he does plot twist. That’s when things go down hill fast for our lovebirds…and then…well, it’s a bit of an emotional roller coaster to get to the HEA but so worth the ride.

Super important mind the content warnings. Parental manipulation, description of past child abuse, parental abandonment and alcohol abuse. If these things are upsetting for you this might be a book to avoid.

[Sandy]

Nooooo! This can't be the end of this series. Perhaps Lainey or Trey can have a book and introduce even more characters. I have grown to love all the characters in this series. The deep, supportive friendships the characters have, the love they have all found and the many challenges they have overcome is what makes this series burrow into your soul.

I was up until 3:30 this morning finishing Hadley and Julian's story. It did not disappoint. Their characters had flaws and a lot of parental baggage. Together they were stronger and were able to open up and change. The age gap wasn't as large as it was implied. If Julian was closer to Hadley's age, he probably wouldn't have been what she needed - a more mature man who helped her live the life she wanted. There was more than one outside force influencing the outcome of the story and an unlikely supporter near the end that made the HEA possible. Warning: There are references to past childhood abuse.

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

[Reads lotsa stuff]

Location matters, always. A story that starts not only with a long distance relationship , but with a transatlantic acquaintance. Julian is the Right winger for the NHL Denver Night Hawks. Hadley is a prelaw student studying in London. She is also the 20 year old granddaughter of the Night Hawks head coach. Both characters have backstories that complicate their perception of the world and how they fit in it. Having met at a prior teammates wedding and been attracted to each other. The friendship has progressed to texting with increased frequency. This is the eighth book in the series and many characters are well known as they were all featured in previous books. They are not ignored and enhance the telling of this tale. There are conflicts as these two navigates trust, family responsibilities, independence and the future. Hoping this isn’t the last of the Night Hawks as there are a fun team to follow!

[Pat Stanton]

Julian and Hadley's Story

The eighth and final book in the Night Hawks NHL series features loner Julian Wilder and Hadley Sullivan, the granddaughter of the Coach of the NHL team.
Julian had a difficult childhood, living with an abusive drunken father. He bears many physical and emotional scars from his father and the fact that his mother and older brother both left him behind
Hadley is a college student in London when the book begins, enrolled in pre law even though she wants to teach children. Her father is domineering and refuses to listen to her. She was introduced earlier in the series.
All the characters who have been part of the series play prominent roles in this book. The guys are good natured and close: the women are often very pushy, especially with young Hadley.
The whole business with the transfer to the Chicago team is outlandish but it is fiction.
The love story is sweet and a nice ending to the series.

[Hayley]

So I finished this days ago and needed a few days to sit and process it 😌

First of all, that was so freaking good!! 🥰🥰

Hadley is a spunky girl, and Julian is such a soft teddy bear. He just needs all the love and hugs 🫂🥺🥹

I absolutely adore Hadley and Julian, and they are the sweetest and most beautiful 🥰
Their story has so much to share, unpack, and process. Their trails, their pasts, their current life, and just figuring out how they can be together and learning how much love and support they have from the Night Hawks Team and others around them 🥹🥺

This really tied up all the ends into a beautiful, heartfelt, loveable series! ❤️
I will absolutely be reading this whole series over again, and I highly encourage those who love hockey romance to do so!! 🥰🥰

Thank you, Katie, for sending me this arc so I could share my love and support of you and your work 🥰

[Korkoi]

Communication is Important in Every Relationship -
This is a is well-paced, friends to lovers, sports romance story with excellent character development that combined a perfect mix of sweetness, intense passion and emotional depth to ensure a wonderful reading experience. I really enjoyed turning the pages as I watched Hadley and Julian’s friendship grow into something so much more, whilst dealing with and a deeply moving and emotional issues. More importantly, the author did a great job ensuring the connection between Hadley and Julian felt real and effortless. I can say without a doubt, that Pucking Forbidden was a perfect end to Night Hawks Hockey Series.

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

[Stephanie Corbett]

This is the final book in the Night Hawks series, and is a wonderful book in its own right… but you will get so much more from it if you read the series in order.

This book focuses on Night Hawks defenseman Julian Wilder, and Hadley a young college student who happens to be the granddaughter of the Night Hawks coach.

There is plenty of action, on and off the ice. There is steamy chemistry which definitely heats things up and an intricate storyline that keeps you turning those pages. In addition, we have the whole hectic, crazy and steadfast Night Hawks crew that we love from this exciting series.

I highly recommend this book and the entire series. I voluntarily reviewed an advanced copy of this book.

[Desiree Henley]

I am so sad to see The Night Hawks come to an end, but OH, what an ending! I enjoyed this series so much and I'm not one for sports romance. Katie Strong has won me over! Pucking Forbidden was such a heartbreaking, strong, romantic, sweet, and spicy love story. Hadley had to overcome so many obstacles in her life: law school, coach, and family. Yet, she didn't let them come against what and who she really wanted. Julian was the perfect fit for her. I found the storyline sweet and entertaining with bits of heartbreak. I truly found this to be the perfect journey to end this series. Thank you, Katie Strong for letting me be not only a part of your ARC team, but a part of such fantastic writing!

[Christine Biesheuvel]

Not Too Young For Love
I’m so sorry to have to let the Night Hawks go. I enjoyed all their books tremendously.
Both Hadley and Julian have kept themselves quite isolated, she dedicates herself to her law studies, more or less forced by her father and he because of a youth of violent abuse by his father. Her journey toward independence and his way to find his worth with his team colleagues outside of hockey and with his woman.
Exited to find out what the next world will be where KS will let her heroes and heroines find their loved ones.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Lectures_de_Jess]

The final book in the Night Hawks series is Julian and Hadley’s story. I really enjoyed their love story and the tropes (hockey, forbidden, age gap (but a small one), found family). Julian is ready to do anything to protect her and his friends, even if it goes against what he wants or needs. His relationship with his Grams was also so cute! And Hadley? She wants to be with him, and I loved watching her become her true self.

I also wanted to review the entire series. One of the things I enjoyed the most was the friendship throughout all the stories. The girls? They stick together, they would go to the ends of the earth for each other, and they support each other no matter what. I loved that girl power and the love between them.
And the guys? They are teammates, friends, but also family. Their friendship is just as strong, and I loved seeing how they always had each other’s backs.

I think this quote from Pucking Forbidden says it all:
“We understand why you considered it. We know you were trying to protect us, but you forgot one basic rule… we handle our shit together. Being on this team doesn't stop when we take off the jerseys. We're friends for life, Julian. Family. You're irreplaceable to us, on and off the ice.”

[Kendra]

Final Nighthawks Hockey book and it’s bittersweet to be finishing it. This time we have right winger Julian Wilder and Coach Sullivan’s granddaughter, Hadley. Hadley is feeling daunting pressure from her dad to follow the path he sets for her, and her friendship with Julian develops into more as he supports and encourages her. Julian is feeling pressure with choices he must make, and it builds the perfect amount of angst and yearning. This couple perfectly wraps up the series, and although some of the things they deal with are heavy, the book itself isn’t.
Sweet slow burn, can read as a standalone, but way better following the series.

[Shannon Binegar-Foster]

I voluntarily reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book.
She is stuck in London at college, pursuing a degree in a field she doesn’t want. He is her friend and off limits as her grandfather his coach. Things heat up between them when she transfers to Denver and tries to change her father’s mind on what she should study. When a scandal threatens to take him away from her after a major mistake on his part, can things get fixed so he can stay? Will her father ever truly hear her and relinquish his control?
Such an emotional charged love story. Some very heavy topics. Just enough spice and humor to balance everything out. Loved it.

[Jasmine Martin]

Pucking Forbidden arc review

I was given the opportunity to read this arc for an honest review

This book started off with a bang! You can tell from the beginning that there’s some sort of flirty friendship happening between Hadley and Julian. I was locked in this whole book. Julian and Hadley might be my favorite couple in this whole series. There were very tough subjects discussed between the two MCs but it was handled very well. I loved seeing all the previous couples and seeing them all interact with the new mcs as well. I genuinely enjoyed this book and was very thankful to have gotten to read this arc copy

[Jen Smith]

4.5. I loved this book fiercely. I enjoyed every bit of watching Julian Wilder and Hadley fall in love. I mostly loved watching the just friends narrative get broken down. I love a good "found family" book. Hadley found that in spades and this Denver crew loved her and protected her and had her back when she needed it most. Julian was loyal and protective and so sexy when he finally down his guard and stopped hiding behind the mask of "she's just my friend". I am so sad this series is over but it ended perfectly.

[Aleksandra]

Pucking Forbidden was the perfect emotional finale to the Night Hawks series. I loved Julian and Hadley’s forbidden, friends-to-lovers romance, especially their chemistry, banter, and the way they helped each other break free from the expectations holding them back. The supportive friendships and close-knit team family made this story especially heartfelt. I was completely hooked and stayed up until 3:30 a.m. to finish it! I’m just not ready for this series to end. Katie Strong delivered another emotional, steamy, and thoroughly satisfying hockey romance.

[Ann]

I received this as an ARC. This was the final book in this amazing series. I’m so glad it’s over. It was great from the first book and this last one was no exception. I know Katie says she is sad to see this go, so hopefully at some point she’ll do another holiday one with all the characters and what they are up to now. I think that would be fun. If you haven’t read this series, please do. Start from the short novella and work your way through. You will not be disappointed!

[Thaimelly Rigobello]

A man who earns what he wants slowly and patiently. A girl who needs to learn how to stand up for herself and make her own decisions. A supportive group of friends. We have so many emotions in this book, so many lessons and so much love too - respect, kindness, patience and growth. Everything a normal life requires. I love when a story is so relatable in various aspects. Loved it. 😍.

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

[Monica Metzler]

I absolutely loved this book. Being in situations that you feel stuck by familiar obligations is always tuff. Finding a guy that needs distractions to help with past trauma may seem like a bad idea but turns out to be the best thing ever. Throw in a great friend group foundation and see where things go.

[Samantha Carol-Ann]

Finished this read just in time for release day 💜

Pucking Forbidden is book 7 of the Night Hawks series and focuses on our main characters Julian and Hadley.

This book was such a fun read, I had such a fun time visiting the Night Hawks again.

If you love forbidden romance, hockey romance, age gap, found family and opposites attract...Pucking Forbidden is for you!

[Debbie Benson]

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review. I'm sorry the series is ending but it is a very good one. I'm glad that Julian and Hadley find love and happiness with each other after having to make some hard choices.

[DEBBIE GG]

review of advance
copy received by
the author

this is the final book in the Night Hawks Hockey Series. the main couple is trying to satisfy loved ones or trying to overcome past hurts. the plot is well done and all the characters are well written. i enjoyed this book very much.

[Jen]

Strong conclusion to the NightHawks hockey series! Forbidden romance and an age gap tropes with two MC’s who have been through family struggles, including past child abuse and past & current controlling parent