Pucked

Okay, let’s be real: I’ve listened to *a lot* of hockey romances, and most blend together like overplayed power plays. *Pucked* is the exception. From the first chapter, Helena Hunting’s writing grabs you by the collar—Alex Waters is the kind of infuriatingly charming hero who’d make you roll your eyes in real life, but here, his arrogance is so *earned* that you can’t help but lean in. And Violet? She’s not just a feisty love interest; she’s a fully realized character with a career, a sharp wit, and a refusal to be impressed by abs or a Stanley Cup ring. That dynamic alone makes this worth your time. Now, the narration: John McLaren *is* Alex Waters. His voice drips with that ‘I know I’m hot’ confidence, but he’s smart enough to let the vulnerability peek through when it counts. Muffy Newtown’s Violet is the perfect foil—her delivery is crisp, sarcastic, and packed with eye-rolls you can *hear*. Their back-and-forth is the audiobook’s secret weapon; it’s like listening to a screwball comedy where the leads are equally matched. My only critique? The secondary characters sometimes feel underdeveloped—Alex’s teammates, in particular, could’ve used more distinct voices in the narration to avoid occasional confusion. And while the conflict in the third act is compelling, the resolution wraps up a *touch* too neatly for my taste. But those are minor quibbles. The production quality is flawless, the pacing never drags, and the steam level? Oh, it’s there, but it’s the *talking* that’ll leave you breathless. If you love enemies-to-lovers with bite, snappy dialogue, and narrators who *get* the assignment, this is your next listen.