Loved it! Light, sweet, funny and a little sexy with great banter and fun characters. I have loved this series and highly recommend it for anyone looking for a light-hearted romance!

HOCKEY ROMANCE. Seriously, need I say more?

Lindsay Rivera is no stranger to hockey players. In fact, she spent the beginning of her college career hanging all over them. When she meets her first heartbreak, though, Lindsay realizes she doesn't want to be anything like her mom and depend on men her whole life. Instead, Lindsay has decided to swear off hockey, including hockey players, and focus on graduating, editing the college newspaper, and finding a career she will love after college. But when a math class threatens her ability to graduate, Lindsay knows she has to find help. To her dismay, that help lies within a very hot, very off limits hockey player. Ryder Maddox wants Lindsay from the moment he sees her and has no idea why she hates hockey players so much. Ryder isn't one to back down from a challenge, though, and is determined to show Lindsay that this hockey player is here to stay.

Ummm, can Ryder just be a real person? And fall madly in love with me? Because I fell madly in love with him. While I didn't read any of the other books in the series, I had no problem diving into this book and loved how sweet and determined Ryder was. And can we talk about how amazing he was at hockey? While we didn't get that much hockey in the beginning of the novel (since Lindsay was dead set on staying away from him), we got tons near the end and I was loving every minute of the action.

Now that I've read this book, I definitely want to read the previous books in this series to see the couples that showed up in this story. I loved the support system Ryder had and how Lindsay fell in love with them too. And let's not forget about that chemistry! I loved the chemistry between Ryder and Lindsay and how hard Lindsay tried to resist him. While there were some slower moments, I loved the romance and the hockey this book delivered.

If you can't tell, this was an awesome hockey romance that I just gobbled up. It was fun to see someone like Lindsay who had changed so much and wasn't throwing herself at the hot hockey player who showed her interest. Um, is she crazy? If you want an addicting sports romance with a sweet, irresistible love interest, you have to pick this up!

For a hockey romance it's sad that there wasn't much hockey in the book. I found the pace really slow. It's my least favorite in the series

I had to DNF this book for not being able to get into it.

It’s not what I thought it would be. I expected the puck bunny/former puck bunny to be actually shown to us and not told and during all that we watch Lindsay meet and fall for Ryder. Instead they have already met and he’s working to attract her and she’s working to avoid them.

Which still sounds cute and all, but their interactions just weren’t that good. But more so, the author’s way of writing and wording things just did not flow well for me. I had a lot of trouble getting past the second chapter. I did, hoping it would pick up, but just couldn’t get into the story, relate to the characters and enjoy the writing. Despite labelling each chapter and part as to who is talking, there was no difference in tone and voice for me so I got confused as to who was talking when.

As a result I DNFd this book. I would still like to thank the author and publisher and Netgalley for providing me with a copy with this though.

I have to admit when I signed up for Confessions Of A Former Puck Bunny it was based upon the title (and partly the author who I love but mainly the title name) because if you are a hockey fan or have even read any hockey romances you know what a puck bunny is. And if you don’t, which I will forgive this time only, but it is a girl or woman who sleeps with hockey players because they are hockey players. Don’t worry if you haven’t read all of the previous books, this can be read as a standalone but I do recommend the other books as well just because.

Confessions Of A Former Puck Bunny is about Lindsey (the obvious former puck bunny) and Ryder aka Ox (the hockey player). But there is so much more to this book than someone just changing their ways. Ryder will surprise you just as much as Lindsey will and I loved both characters. This is a new adult romance and that is one of my favorite genres plus it has hockey so this book whore was in heaven. Don’t go into this one with the mindset that there is no way that Lindsey can be anything more than a slut who spreads her legs for any and all hockey players, if you do, well then I hope you are fully contrite when you finish because Lindsey will prove you wrong.

This is a book I can easily recommend and say needs to be on your TBR lists for sure!

#review @CindiMadsen ‏


QueenZany 4 Star Review
Confesssions of a Former Puck Bunny
Cindi Madsen



Confesssions of a Former Puck Bunny just hit the spot! I was desperately in need of a good ROMCOM! So when I discovered the series I had to dive in!
Also who could really resist a storyline like this! NO ONE!! Let's be honest there is a little of Lindsey in everyone of ladies! We all had our moments I did! So when Ryder Maddox came in swooping! My heart did a double take!!
GOD!!! The sweetness, the connection and the love is what drove this book!!
So if you're looking for a fantastic college romance with a sports twist look no further! You will be pucked from the start!!

4 stars

Confessions of a Former Puck Bunny was a fun and entertaining read.

I'm a huge fan of author Cindi Madsen's writing and once again she's given us wonderful, entertaining characters that will bring out the feels and leave you with a huge smile on your face.

I loved watching Lindsay and Ryder “Ox” together, they made me laugh, they made me swoon and they even frustrated me a little with their stubbornness.
They had amazing chemistry and they totally belonged together.

Overall, Confessions of a Former Puck Bunny is a great addition to the Taking Shots series and I highly recommend it.

*Get your copy here...*
Amazon: http://amzn.to/2nDvQTG
B&N: http://bit.ly/2ny78Du
iBooks: http://apple.co/2n61PQu

*A big thank you to the publisher for the advance copy.*

OMG, I loved, loved, loved this book! Lindsay is totally my fictional sister-from-another-mister. We're like twins with the editing, you can't turn that stuff off and give us HEAs forever and math? Ugh! And Ryder? Don't even get me started on that guy :) Between his refusal to give up on Lindsay no matter how prickly she was or how many walls she threw up to his math whispering abilities to his excellent making-up-for-being-an-a-hole grand gesture (the placement of that paintball gun had me flinching in sympathy), the fact that he is a hockey player too is like mile-high icing piled on the best cake ever.

Because, hockey.

Although I'm sad that this is apparently the last book in the series (but why? There are other players on the team....Daniel could use an HEA, for example, subtle hint... ;)) I have to admit that Lindsay and Ryder struck exactly the right final note. Though you could absolutely read Confessions of a Former Puck Bunny as a standalone, do yourself a real favor and read the other three books too because these four couples are amazing. They're great when they're secondary characters meddling into their friends' relationships, but they're even better when they're center stage in their own stories.

Plus...did I mention hockey?

Need I say more?

Rating: 4 1/2 stars / A

I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book.

Reviews shared on Goodreads, Amazon, Barnes & Noble and V's Reads: https://vsreads.com/2017/05/16/caught-offside-confessions-of-a-former-puck-bunny-review-and-giveaway/

This is the fourth book in a series, but fully enjoyable as a standalone.

Lindsay Riviera is a college senior looking to remake her life. She grew up not knowing her father, and with a mother who used her looks and wiles to find boyfriends to support their lifestyle. That's not who Lindsay wants to be, and she struck out to be a sex-positive person, in control of her finances and lovers. Thing is, while she hung out with the hockey players at Boston College, and took great thrill in hooking up with them, she got her feelings bruised when the player she thought was really into her turned out to be using her the way she'd used others.

So, she stepped back, took a hockey hiatus, and accepted it when her tell-all expose on collegiate sports--written by her handpicked reporter--turned out to be more pro-sports than she liked. All Lindsay needs to do is pass her remedial mathematics course, and she can graduate and leave her "puck bunny" status in the rear view mirror. Lindsay isn't happy to learn the only math tutors available either despise her...or are on the starting defense for the Screaming Eagles hockey team.

Ryder "Ox" Maddox is a pleaser. He's a sophomore in college and a math major, despite his father's desires. Ryder's dad played professional hockey for years, and is determined to see Ryder follow on his skates. His mother isn't quite so stern--after all her marriage was ruined by Ryder's father chasing too many puck bunnies, and she's an upstanding mayor in a posh Connecticut burb. Which is why Ryder needs to be a perfect kid--and also why Ryder's an uptight guy.

Still, he really likes Lindsay's sass, and hopes to charm her into his life. HE has no idea about her player-chasing ways but she comes clean about it, and he seems untroubled--until his team mates are trying to score her.

I really liked the frankness of this New Adult romance. It's about making mistakes and learning from them. Lindsay and Ryder make lots of mistakes, and they make it right time and again. It has a nice sex-positive message, with Lindsay holding herself accountable for her own actions, and not allowing anyone the slut-shame her. There's a rather slow burn to the romance, with Lindsay pushing Ryder away, and building a friendship that slides into more. And, they make good partners to each other, as well. There's real conflict regarding the status of their relationship, and the status of their academics--because Lindsay is due to graduate, and Ryder isn't ready to let her go.

For me, the story was mostly about the complicated dynamics of interpersonal relationships in the small hockey-fan community. Lindsay is a strong determined woman, who makes choices that benefit her--and allows Ryder to join her where she is. Likewise, Ryder is a great guy, kind and compassionate, but also scarred by his heavy parental expectations, and the infidelity that tore his family apart. I liked the book and felt the plot was mostly on target. There's some unexpected melodrama with Ryder's parents, particularly, but the resolution managed that to my satisfaction. I received a review copy via NetGalley.

This is my first time reading Cindi Madsen and I found this book to be overall pretty cute. Maybe a little predictable with the drama at the end, but it has a good guy hero which always makes me smile. This read pretty good as a stand alone although I did feel like I missed out on some supporting character development.

Lindsay is almost ready to graduate college and go out to the real world to try her hand at editing. She is going to start in the newspaper business but hopes to become a book editor one day. To graduate, she must pass her math class and it’s giving her a lot of trouble. She decides to go to the school tutoring center, and she runs into the one guy she has been drooling over, and avoiding for some time.

Confession #2: Ryder Maddox’s deep, sexy voice sends fuzzy tingles through my entire body, and I’m powerless to stop it.

This guy, Ryder, is a star hockey player for the college team and she has sworn off hockey, and hockey players for almost a year now. Lindsay grew up with a mom who relied on men for financial and emotional support. Going from one guy to another, their family life was never stable and Lindsay swore she would never turn into her mother. But when she started college, she found herself drawn into the hockey world..and the hockey men. She became a “puck bunny” fighting for the players attention and becoming very competitive with the other girls that were hanging around. After a year or two of this, Lindsay decides enough is enough, and quits cold turkey with everything to do with hockey. But now she has the hots for Ryder.

Ryder was handed a hockey stick when he learned to walk, as his dad was a NHL player and now wants his son to be a star. His parents marriage is a farce, and his father is never proud of him – always there with a critique on how he can play better. But despite all of that, Ryder turned out to be a decent, good guy. He is very attracted to Lindsay, and when he confronts her in the tutoring center, she admits she needs help with math and he admits he is very good with math – so he starts to tutor her. Lindsay is somewhat standoffish, as she is terrified of going back to shaming herself with begging for male attention in the hockey world. But as she gets to know Ryder, her feelings deepen for him and her trust of him grows into love.

While Lindsay can be a bit prickly in this book, I enjoyed her journey from scared to death to even talk to Ryder, to truly becoming his friend. The romance isn’t rushed in this one. Decent sexual tension leads to a solid foundation for a friendship before they attempt romance. Lindsay has no problem hanging out with Ryder, it’s going back around his teammates and the other women that she finds intimidating. Knowing she slept with some of the guys, and got in fights with some of the girls, it takes a while for her to gain the confidence to be around them. Ryder is made aware of her past and just keeps it all in the past, which I liked. Lindsay realizes the women she now hangs around with at the games, truly want to get to know her and be her friend, which is nice to see.

As I said, this is a bit predictable as Ryder’s rotten dad, causes rotten trouble at the end, which you can see coming. This causes a fight, and a break up and eventually a reconciliation and the HEA. I wish there had been less drama at the end, and more quality page time with Ryder and Lindsay together. But overall a cute, new adult read.

Grade: B

Sweet, endearing, and fun!!! <b>Confessions of a Former Puck Bunny</b> b Cindi Madsen was your feel good book that made you laugh, smile, and swoon. I really enjoyed the story line of this book as it explores a young woman finding her way and carving out her future as she embarks to life after college.

Lindsey Rivera is a former puck bunny, who decided that she didn’t want to be just like her mother. And so when she was set on her goals to study and finish college while avoiding hockey players, she never intended that a rising hockey player who is two years younger might be the new game changer. Ryder Maddox likes Lindsey a lot. In fact, he likes her so much that he wants to show her that she isn’t just a puck bunny to him but someone that he actually cares for. So will this former puck bunny discover that Ryder is worth taking a shot?

Like I said earlier, this book was fun and cute!!! Readers would instantly like Lindsey as you can see the growth and maturity of her choices as she tries to get her life on track. So if you are looking for a sweet read that was fast paced and satisfying then I suggest you give this book a shot!

Puck bunny. noun | [puhk buhn-ee]
A female ice hockey fan whose interest in the sport is primarily motivated by sexual attraction to the players rather than enjoyment of the game itself.

Confession of a former Puck Bunny is the first book that I read in that series and it was SCARY GOOD .
Lindsay has sworn that she will never EVER
1. Kiss
2. Sleep
3. Hang out
with a hockey player AGAIN. Hockey was her kryptonite and she has done everything possible to make sure that her life as a Puck Bunny was behind her. She is failing her maths class … but needs the grade to be able to move to NYC to fulfil her dreams! Lucky for her, she has found the perfect maths tutor BUT he is also a sexy hockey player!

“ I don’t care about your past. I want your future.”

Ryder “ Maddox” has always been attracted to Lindsay and jumped to the opportunity to tutor her maths, to get closer to her… one challenge though… how will he manage to make her take her guard down, and give him a chance?

“Just slip.” I reached up and ran my thumb across her bottom lip, my blood pumping hotter at her sharp exhale. “I’ll catch you.”

I really enjoyed reading this book and to quote Cindi Madsen “I wanted a book that left me with a grin on my face—that happy heartwarming sensation that made it easier to face the real world.” and Confession of a former Puck Bunny was all that.


“The moral of the story is that everyone deserves a special someone who overlooks their past and their flaws and loves them anyway. That’s the true definition of happily ever after.”

Read a hockey book they said. You’ll love it they said. Don’t worry that you burned that t-shirt when you worked for the Dallas Stars and you don’t read hockey romances because it sets up triggers for you. Keep an open mind and just read. I’ve read Ms. Madsen before so I’m confident in her ability to write characters that I will love but this is my first NA from her. Boy, am I glad that I took a chance.

Ox and Lindsey are absolutely perfect for each other. They had me swooning, laughing and at times, wanting to bop them over the head but nonetheless, I fell in love with them. I can totally understand where Lindsey is coming from. I saw puck bunnies first hand for 6 years when I worked for the Stars but Lindsey is self-aware of why she backed off and why getting involved with Ox would be a bad thing. Lindsey grew up and evolved from the beginning of the book until the end. Working as an editor for the school paper showed that she had more to offer about herself than she previously thought.

Ox is hot. No doubt about it but he’s also a softie and a math nerd. You knew? I liked how he really pursued Lindsey. He never gave up and he wasn’t all alpha about it either. He didn’t realize why Lindsey didn’t want to go out with him but he knew that she was attracted to him. Ms. Madsen developed their friendship first and then the romance. Sure, there are smexy times but this book isn’t about that at all. It’s about how two people can connect when one of them has sworn off the lifestyle. Yes, being with an athlete (good or bad) is a lifestyle. Lindsey just wants to pass her math class.

Ms. Madsen has sold him on her NA books. Everybody kept talking about them but like Lindsey, I shied away because of the hockey angle. I won’t be making that mistake again. 🙂

WEDNESDAY, MAY 17, 2017
Confessions of a Former Puck Bunny by Cindi Madsen (Review)

Can I say that Confessions of a Former Puck Bunny was pretty funny. I haven't read a Cindi Madsen book that wasn't fun. Anyway, we are taking a journey along the rocky relationship of Lindsay Rivera and Ryder "Ox" Maddox. Now Lindsay use to be a puck bunny. However, after getting burn she decided to reform her ways. Her focus is on school and work, aka no fun in life. Is this going to stop Ryder, oh no he wants a chance with Lindsay and he'll do it anyway he can even tutor her in math.

I have to give Ryder props for sticking with Lindsay even when she's being challenging. Lindsay faces some challenges, one being her mother and the fear becoming like her. Then we have Ryder who doesn't care where Lindsay comes from, but wants to be with the person who she is now.

Confessions of a Former Puck Bunny is a pretty straightforward story. You have the hockey player who wants the girl. The girl who doesn't want to go back to where she use to be. Now how are they going to make this work. However, there are a couple of surprises along the way which do popup, and I have to say I didn't see them coming. Yet, they make total sense. Overall, Confessions of a Former Puck Bunny is a pretty fun read, but at the same time got me. If you are in the mood for a little fun and chase, you might give this a try.

Copy provided by Entangled via NetGalley

Rating:
4 1/2 Stars

This was a voluntary review via the publishing house. My thoughts are my own.

It was a interesting book, liked how when she realized she was emulating her mother she did a 360 and changed. The paintball scene and the lead up to it was entertaining! The repeating angsty words we hear from the girl detracted from the book as we hear this almost all the way through. we get it already…

Confessions of a Former Puck Bunny is book 4 in the Taking Shots series. I've read the second book and this one and they can be read as standalone.

Lindsay calls herself a "Former Puck Bunny" since she has sworn off all hockey players after one breaks her heart. She used to eat, sleep, and breathe hockey... well hockey players. Now she wants nothing to do with them. Until Ryder comes along and makes her want to break her rule.

I really enjoyed this book! It was funny and cute and just an overall great read. I love Lindsay! She's funny and I loved her confessions throughout the book. I would highly recommend.

Cindi Madsen takes us on a wild, thrilling ride in CONFESSIONS OF A FORMER PUCK BUNNY, which is unexpectedly fun to read.

Lindsay is a great narrator; I love her voice and her strength, especially the way she turned her life around and made the goal of pursuing her dream. More than her though, I love Ryder, especially the way that Lindsay's past didn't matter to him, and that he only wants "her future". If only more men were like him! Both characters are lovable and relatable, and I kept rooting for them all the way!

Oooh and hockey! I was exposed to hockey by Elle Kennedy's The Deal, and now I can't get enough of it! While hockey features some part in this book/series (the heroes are all hockey players), there are no overly technical terms or narrations that would make your eyes glaze over. So, no worries on that score.

The main characters in the previous books have cameo roles here, and it's a treat for series fans to see them, especially those who wanted to know what happens after their HEA in their books. But for me, who is new to this series, I can say that this book is a standalone and I enjoyed it thoroughly. Ms. Madsen is a new-to-me author, but this definitely won't be my last book. I must say that I'm soooo tempted to go back and read all the books!

3.5 stars

I have read every book in this series (book one is still my favorite) and Confessions of a Puck Bunny had some good and and not so good aspects for me. I enjoyed the book overall but, at the same time there was some things that didn't gel with me.

I loved Ryder. He knew what he wanted and went after it. He wanted Lindsey. She needs help in math and he tutors her. She is into him, but he is a hockey player, and being a "former puck bunny", she has sworn to stay away from him.

I was not a fan of the "puck bunny" thing. It was all too much. And there the thing wither her mom... oy vey!

But I did like to see all the previous characters make appearances in this one. And I liked Ryder and hoe he was intelligent. I hate when jocks are portrayed as dumb.

Confessions of a Former Puck Bunny by Cindi Madsen is the fourth book in the Taking Shots Series.
This book can be read as a stand-alone, but I recommend to read in order.
This is Lindsay and Ryder´s book.
Lindsay Rivera, college student and former Puck Bunny has sworn off hockey players and vowed: " I´m never falling for another hockey player. "
But then comes rookie Ryder-OX- Maddox, hockey star and her new math tutor.

And now the fun begins.
I read this book in one sitting, I couldn´t put it down.
I loved the characters and how they struggle- I could feel their emotions in the words.
I recommend Confessions of a Former Puck Bunny and give 4,5 Stars.
Thank you Cindi Matsen !