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Puck That: New York Storm

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Opposites attract when the hotshot player discovers the team’s new PR person secretly hates hockey. Will she end up in the penalty box, or will they team up to score the ultimate goal — true love?

JJACQUELINE
After five years of working myself to the bone at my previous job, I landed what anyone in my field would classify as a career dream: Public Relations Specialist for the New York Storm. Yes, I’m a small-town Texas girl who knows absolutely nothing about hockey, but I’ll figure it out eventually, right?

Wrong. As if pretending to love a sport I don’t understand in front of the most rabid sports fans in the country isn’t tough enough, one of the players seems to be on a mission to make me miserable. My job makes it impossible to avoid him and my sex-starved body doesn’t want me to. Plus, when he’s not being a jerk, he’s sweet, funny, smart, and… I like him. A lot. Even more the night he comes clean about his motives, then gives me a grovel no woman could resist. But I’m a girl who plays for keeps, and he’s only interested in scoring.


MERRICK
Hockey isn’t just my career, it’s who I am. So when I overhear the team’s new PR person say she hates the sport, I’m on a mission to make her miserable enough to quit. Yes, I was eavesdropping, hovering where I shouldn’t have been because she’s adorable, smart, and sexy AF. And yes, she’s great at her job. But the New York Storm has been my family since I was drafted, and I’m not letting some uptight hockey-hater get comfortable where she doesn’t belong.

The trouble is, the more I get under her skin, the deeper she gets under mine. And the night I swoop in to rescue her from a handsy teammate, I realize I don’t want her to leave the organization… or my life.

76 pages, Paperback

Published October 25, 2022

54 people are currently reading
75 people want to read

About the author

Karla Doyle

56 books433 followers
Karla grew up in a small town on the north shore of Lake Erie. She trained and worked in the fashion industry for over two decades, before embracing the writing muse. When she's not writing romance, Karla loves spending time with her family, friends, and pets, reading romance novels, and playing online Scrabble.

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Displaying 1 - 30 of 47 reviews
Profile Image for Laura.
9 reviews
June 13, 2025
disinteresting at the best of times, icky at the worst of times.

i don’t understand why this had to be a hockey book. there was no hockey. this could have been a book about a fit finance guy.

merrick and jacqueline were an exercise in miscommunication in fiction and they did not pull it off well. i thought we were done with it after the boinking scene but no, let’s up our carbon footprint and have the same conversation twice.

they were also an exercise in how to not behave around people. so horny for each other were they that somebody should have been fired. did jacqueline keep her “dream job” at the end despite probably breaking many morality clauses in her contract? who is to say?

expected more from the smut. there was enough build up and decent content, but why did it feel boring?

i did like how it was 69 pages long.
Profile Image for Oriana Reads.
4,306 reviews37 followers
October 28, 2022
Merrick is a hot shot ice hockey player on the field and off the field. But his demeanor suddenly changes after meeting the teams new PR person. Jacqueline moved to New York for her PR position and quickly started to crush on Merrick. But she knows he is a love them and leave them type, and that's not her. But sparks fly and Merrick falls hard and fast😉 Sweet, steamy, romantic, fun to read, kind of Instalove😉 and safe with a sweet HEA 😍😍😍🤩
Too much "player" for my taste but that's just a personal preference 🤷🏻‍♀️😉
3,482 reviews42 followers
October 24, 2022
Merrick is an ice hockey player who has spent an unsual amount of time doing PR activities for his team because he likes the PR person Jacqueline. But one day he overhears her saying that she doesn't really understand ice hockey. He gets mad because why would his team hire a public relations person who doesn't even care about his beloved sport?

I know I know, he's got a bad case of first world problems. But it was a nice, quick, light read even if the central conflict is rather inconsequential.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Olive.
376 reviews12 followers
October 23, 2022
Loved! This hockey romance novella is a quick and easy read. Low drama, low stakes, but still a page turner. I breezed through it, but I didn't want it to end.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Jen.
484 reviews
February 26, 2023
Quick novella - short and cute enough to finish, but I don’t get the hype.
Profile Image for Char (1RadReader59).
3,225 reviews19 followers
October 30, 2022
Merrick and Jacqueline’s story is funny and romantic. Jacqueline is the PR person for the, NY Storm. She is excellent, at her job. The owner and staff, are so happy they hired her. The hype they heard about her ability, before hiring her, is all true. With her help, the Storm is in a stronger positive light, in the public eye.

However, Merrick overhears a private phone conversation, she is having, and he gets upset. Instead of asking, her about it, he decides revenge is so much better. What he does do is try, to catch her in a lie, or two. But, she creatively, skirts the line. Because when she mentions, the weekend ice skating fundraiser, he brings up that she, should skate, too. She tells him, “I didn't bring skates from, Texas.” Which is skating, the truth.

Merrick is awful, after overhearing her comment. When she says, “I just thought, I’d get hockey by now, but I don’t, and I hate it.” And he decides, to get her skates. She talks, to Merrick about everything, and she tells him, she never owned skates. She doesn't even know, how to skate. Although he’s mad, he thinks it's cute, that she has no clue, about putting on skates.

But, then he gives her minimal instructions, takes her to the center ice, and leaves her. She falls numerous times, and continues to make a fool, of herself. Just trying to get to the door. Trying not to injure the people, for who they are doing the fundraiser. It took his sleazeball teammate, who is pawing at her, to get him to help her. But, by then she was pissed off, at him and didn't want his help, or for him to touch her.

I can’t say, I blame her. He tries to apologize, but, some things cut deeper than a mere, ‘sorry.’ It's when he finally accuses her outright, that things get interesting. Once he utters, what he believes are truths, he knows he Fks up.

Very good story of the game post office. A child's party game. The old, what he thinks he heard, and what he actually heard, can be two different things. Merrick thought he was doing recon, to get laid by the new PR person, Jacqueline. However, what was really going on, was albeit messed up, it was a courtship. See how they are able, to overcome all the misunderstandings, and hurt feelings, to make things work.
Profile Image for Nikki_Kate.
1,781 reviews
April 7, 2023
Fabulous, absolutely love this one. A nice quick short read.

Merrick meets Jacqueline because she is the PR person for the New York Storm. Merrick is doing more public relations events than he's ever done and the season has only just started. Merrick walks to her office and hears her talking to someone telling them she hates hockey. Jacqueline comes to one of the events and Merrick has ice skates waiting for her, she doesn't want to skate. He helps her put them on and then takes her out onto the ice. He leaves her to help with others who are skating. When one of his teammates skates to Jacqueline Merrick comes back to her. She makes her way to the side and takes off her skates. Merrick as a few aways games so he doesn't see her for a week. After that he tries to call her but a male voice answers her phone and tells Merrick she is sleeping. At the Storms pre-holiday party Jacqueline shows up alone, soon one of the other players is trying to pick her up, when she tries to leave he pulls her closer to him. Merrick see it and steps in to stop him. Merrick asks her is she is ready to go home, his home and he tells him yes. After some talking Merrick gets it straighten out about her hating hockey, she doesn't hate it, she hates that she doesn't understand it. Jacqueline stays the night with Merrick, the next morning he wakes early for a string of away games. He tells her she can stay as long as she likes. When he returns Jacqueline is gone home back to Texas, so Merrick follows her. He wants her to understand their night together wasn't a one time thing. Merrick tells her he loves her and then she tells him she loves him too. At the season opener after the win the championship again, Jacqueline sits with all the wives and girlfriends. She is well accepted into that group. Merrick has her called down to the ice, he rolls out the red carpet for her to walk onto the ice. Merrick goes down on one knee and asks her in front of the home opening crowd if she'll marry him, she says yes.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Michele McMullen .
2,516 reviews84 followers
October 25, 2022
Pack your bags and lace up those skates were on back on the ice with New York Storm. This is Merrick and Jacqueline's tale. Merrick is known around town as the team playboy, but in reality, he has never met a woman that he wants to spend more than one day or night with. Jacqueline is new to the hockey world; she is on the PR side and is still learning the lingo and the rules. When the team player starts volunteering for publicity events, she is grateful but leery. What is his game? He is smooth, sweet, charismatic and yes, he does make her just little weak in the knees. She can't get involved; she will lose more than her heart.
The moment he lays eyes on Jacqeline he is enthralled but the more time he spends with her he knows that she may be more than a onetime kind of gal, and this doesn't scare him at all. He gets the impression that she doesn't like hockey and he is going to try to sway her in the game and on him! She thinks of him as a catch and release kind of guy, and she makes him more than aware that she can only be thrown back once and survive. Now he just needs to show her that he is more than a player on and off the ice.
~~Michele McMullen ~~
3,001 reviews30 followers
October 22, 2022
Merrick, the male lead, has enjoyed being a free agent since he became a professional hockey player but he’s been unreasonably attracted to Jacqueline, the female lead, since she started working for his club. Whilst there’s no no-fraternisation clause in their contracts, Jacqueline knows she’ll want more than he does…

This short story is dual POV, well written, and a sweet and steamy romance with some miscommunication. I enjoyed that the characters did end up actually discussing not only the initial miscommunication but the secondary one around relationship expectations. I enjoyed their intimate scenes. I enjoyed Jacqueline’s handling of the situation and appreciated that Merrick was willing to put in the effort to chase her to allow the relationship to establish.

I received a complimentary copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Emily Pennington.
20.8k reviews361 followers
October 25, 2022
Jacqueline and Merrick . . .

Jacqueline just got a job as Public Relations Specialist for the New York Storm hockey team. A major problem, however, is that she knows nothing at all about hockey, and then makes the mistake of admitting out loud that she “hates” the game. One of the players, Merrick, who lives and breathes hockey, overheard her comment and takes offense. He puts on the pressure, hoping the hockey-hater will quit the job she is obviously not suited for.

Merrick does his best to make her miserable enough to quit. And yet, with all the encounters necessitated by the job, there seems to be a strong attraction building up. When a teammate makes a move on her and Merrick comes to her rescue, will he recognize that he wants her for himself? And will she admit she feels the same about him?

3,196 reviews28 followers
October 23, 2022
I loved Puck That: New York Storm. This is a great series. Merrick is a big name player who isn’t into relationships but something about Jacqueline draws him in. He just wants to get her out of his system, he doesn’t want or need a longer term commitment, he has hockey for that. Jacqueline knows Merrick is a player but she still wants him. Maybe they give in one time and then they can move on. She knows it won’t mean anything to him but fie her it will mean everything. Can she move on? Imagine his surprise when he doesn’t want to. Can he convince her it’s forever? A great storyline and lovable characters. I really enjoyed this book and I would definitely recommend it and the whole series.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
818 reviews5 followers
November 1, 2022
Merrick is an ice hockey champion player and he has a secret crush on Jacqueline the PR for the team he loves as a second family. He visits her office perhaps more than he should, standing by the door he overhears that she hates hockey! He is going to make her pay!! Jacqueline is well aware of Merricks reputation with the ladies but her heart flip flops when he's around. They have an easy friendship that's until he asks strange around her! What is going on?!

I thoroughly enjoyed reading this engaging, entertaining and unputdownable story! I really liked the pacing of the story and how their relationship changes and grows. Told from dual POV reveals intimately their thoughts, feelings and emotions. There's an epilogue and a HEA.
5,045 reviews28 followers
October 26, 2022
Jacqueline landed a job as a public relations specialist for the NY Storm, but she knows absolutely nothing about hockey. There is one player that catches her attention above all the others, Merrick.

Merrick's life has been all about hockey, never having more than a night with a woman. Until the new PR person shows up from Texas. She is sexy, but when he eavesdrops and hears she hates hockey, it is time to make her want to leave.

The more time he spends with her the less he wants to drive her away.

I received an Advance Readers Copy of this book with no obligation to write a review.
Profile Image for Aliama.
2,355 reviews9 followers
October 28, 2022
Another great story in the New York Storm series. Jacqueline works in the PR dept for the Storm and Merrick overhears a conversation she’s having and misunderstands. As much as he’s attracted to her, he’s more committed to his hockey family. Jacqueline has been attracted to Merrick since she started her job but lately things feel different and then weird with the whiplash of moods he’s been having. A quick read that had me hooked from the start. A feisty independent heroine looking for home and a hotshot hockey player who’s willing to change his ways. I received an arc copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
495 reviews
October 21, 2022
Merrick has been the New York Storms playboy for years. When he sees Jacqueline he knows he wants her. She’s in charge of PR for the team and he’s been doing all the events. When he thinks she hates hockey he tries to push her out but when the truth comes to light he can no longer resist her. What will happen when one night isn’t enough for him but she thinks it’s all he’s offering? The perfect amount of angst, steam, spice and a sweet HEA. Delicious read.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Nicole Potter.
1,570 reviews16 followers
October 25, 2022
"But you're a catch & release guy, and I can only survive being thrown back once."

5 stars excellence from start to finish. Do you love ice hockey romance? If yo answered yes then I highly recommend reading "Puck That". Merrick feels an immediate attraction for the teams PR rep Jacqueline but a simple misunderstanding may destroy it all. Can Merrick prove that he's no longer interested in just scoring & he wants a HEA with her?
How far will he have to chase her down?.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Michelle.
10.7k reviews28 followers
November 3, 2022
Jacqueline gets her dream job as a PR specialist for the New York Storm hockey team where she meets Merrick one of the NY Storm. When he overhears how she really feels about hockey Merrick decides she has to go but the more time he spends on making her quit the deeper he falls for her and things take a steamy turn. Puck That is a sweet, hockey romance and is part of the multi-author New York Storm series. I look forward to reading the rest of this sweet and steamy series. I voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book.
Profile Image for kymagirl.
6,317 reviews89 followers
October 21, 2022
Jacqueline (h), a PR specialist for the New York Storm hockey team, finds herself drawn to Merrick (H), hockey player and player, who seems to run hot and cold towards her. After hearing Jacqueline on the phone, Merrick considers it his duty to get her to quit, btu even as he tries to drive her away Merrick struggles with his growing feelings. Some misunderstanding and miscommunication complicate their relationship. Sweet hockey romance with a side of hot and steamy action.
Profile Image for Jenn Theis.
308 reviews1 follower
October 23, 2022
This was a fun book, I really enjoyed it. I admit it took me a bit to warm up to Merrick. I'm not a fan of a player and a few things in the beginning made me think I wouldn't like this one, but he came around well. The book had a perfect level of light drama, something you don't often see it the shorter books, and it gave a nice dimension to the story.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Laura Carter-Alexander.
562 reviews9 followers
October 24, 2022
When Merrick discovers that Jacqueline hates hockey even though she is his team's new PR. They had been building a friendship that was slowly leading to more. In his bid for revenge, he slowly starts to fall for her. Jacqueline is more than he ever expected. What happens when Jacqueline learns the real reason he started a relationship with her? Will she be able to forgive the man she has been falling for?
2,286 reviews13 followers
October 25, 2022
I volunteered to read this ARC for an honest review. I enjoyed this quick story about Jacqueline and Merrick. She's the Storm's new PR employee. He's the guy shot winger. He's become obsessed with her until her hers, she doesn't get hockey and she hates it. But he misses her meaning and decides to torment her. They have chemistry but the misunderstanding puts pressure on them.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
986 reviews7 followers
October 25, 2022
This is a really lovely hockey romance novella, a quick and easy enjoyable read. It’s the Merrick and Jacqueline’s story. He’s a professional hockey player, unreasonably attracted to her, a new PR for his club. The story is very well written, it’s sweet and steamy and there is some miscommunication. I recommend.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for casvec.
7,458 reviews75 followers
October 31, 2022
This is a wonderfully written story that is easily to get lost in. The heat and tension between Jacqueline and Maverick is a beautiful twist and turn as the truth is revealed and the misunderstanding is understood.

I loved that even though Maverick was determined to run Jacqueline off, he still wanted her and to protector. The push and pull between his heart and his mind made me melt.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
1,897 reviews6 followers
November 3, 2022
Merrick was in love with Jacqueline from the moment he saw the Storms new PR person. He volunteered for everything to get her attention. Jacqueline had a crush on Merrick but his love them and leave them reputation was not for her. Merrick is determined to win her over. Sweet, steamy romance with amazing chemistry, a little drama and misunderstanding and a beautiful HEA.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
3,177 reviews
November 4, 2022
An enjoyable sports romance story.

An enjoyable sports romance story. My second read in the New York Storm series and it did not disappoint. Jacqueline finds herself in Merrick’s life when he overhears a conversation and takes matter into his own hands. What happens next is a quick and cute sports romance story that was easy to read with likable characters. I enjoyed Jacqueline fierce independence and how Merrick shows how wrong he was.
Profile Image for Debra Soehner.
1,283 reviews10 followers
October 21, 2022
Jacqueline is a PR rep for the Storm Hockey Team and Merrick is a star player, he misunderstands when he overhears a telephone call and decides to act against his attraction. Great chemistry between these 2 and I enjoyed this shorter story.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
873 reviews7 followers
October 23, 2022
Jacqueline and Merrick were awesome! Jacqueline was the head of PR but was clueless about hockey. Merrick was a hockey pro but clueless about love. These two were just so good together! I loved how their relationship grew, despite how things tried to keep them apart.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Sarah Nielsen.
4,221 reviews20 followers
October 23, 2022
This was a great hockey romance. It was a short story but well written and it felt like a full length novel. The story had a little drama but not too much. Jacqueline and Merrick had amazing chemistry and I loved their story.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
3,553 reviews52 followers
October 26, 2022
I thought this was a cute romance though to be honest, Merrick really should've grovelled more! I found Jacqueline to be sweet and kind, while Merrick was truly in love with her but just didn't deal with things well. Otherwise, I quite enjoyed this novella.

I received a free advanced reader copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving my fair and honest review.
4,310 reviews11 followers
October 26, 2022
What a cute fun storyline. So many misunderstandings gets in the way, loved how Jacqueline is smart, savvy businesswoman who gets the job done and honest to a fault. Enjoyed Merrick’s nickname for Jacqueline as he really fell for her hard and completely. Great ending and looking forward to reading more.

I am voluntarily leaving a review for this book that I received free.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 47 reviews

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