If you’ve spent any time on the romance side of social media lately, you know the "hockey guy" is currently the undisputed king of the genre. This book doesn’t just lean into that; it builds a whole altar to it. It’s the second entry in the Pucking Revenge series, and it doubles down on the messy family dynamics that made the first one a hit with its core audience.
The appeal of the "spite" date
The hook here isn't just the sports—it’s the friction. Most fake-dating stories rely on a "we need to fool my parents" or "I need a date to a wedding" setup. This one is fueled entirely by a desire to make an ex-boyfriend suffer. Katy isn't just looking for a rebound; she’s looking for a tactical nuclear strike on her ex’s ego.
Braydon is the "campus golden boy," which is romance-novel shorthand for tall, athletic, and surprisingly sensitive once you get him alone. The fact that he’s the estranged half-brother of the guy who cheated on Katy adds a layer of taboo that keeps the pages turning. It’s a specific flavor of drama that feels like a high-budget soap opera. If you enjoy stories where the "good guy" has a hidden intensity, Braydon fits the bill perfectly.
High heat, low stakes
With a 4.5 rating on Amazon, it’s clear the target audience is satisfied. That’s because the book knows exactly what it is. It doesn't try to be a gritty sports drama or a complex character study. It’s a delivery system for chemistry.
The transition from "tutoring for business classes" to "practiced kisses" happens exactly as fast as you think it will. If you’re looking for a deep exploration of collegiate sports culture, you’re in the wrong place. But if you want a story where the "fake" part of the dating lasts about three chapters before things get explicit, this delivers. It’s fast-paced, high-octane erotica that thrives on the "he touches her and she forgets her own name" energy.
Who this is actually for
This is the literary equivalent of a double espresso at 10 PM. It’s going to keep you up, and you might feel a little buzzed from the drama, but you’ll enjoy the rush while it lasts. It’s an ideal "vacation read" or something to burn through on a long flight when you want to completely shut off your brain.
If you’ve already read the first book in the series, you know the vibe. If you’re new to the "Pucking" universe, just know that the sports are mostly a backdrop for the steam. It’s unapologetic, it’s trope-heavy, and for the 58+ people who have already rated it 5 stars, it’s exactly the kind of "guilty pleasure" that makes the genre so addictive. Just make sure your Kindle has a lock screen if you’re reading this in the school pickup line.