4.5⭐️

I was kindly provided with the ARC of this book by NetGalley and HarperCollins Publishers in exchange of an honest review, thank you!✨

This book… this book got me through a roller coaster of emotions! I laughed, I cried, I blushed and I honestly had a great time reading the story of Lizzie and Tuck 🩵

I was soooo excited when I read the blurb because, a hockey player who traveled to the regency era?? I was sold!! And boy if it paid off ✨

The author’s writing was just perfect and I just couldn’t stop reading, I was so invested in their story and at times I was really worried about Lizzie and Tuck getting their HEA, and I was crying happy tears when they found a way to have it and at the same time keep living their lives and be with the people they loved and also and most important keep reaching their own dreams as a couple but also as an individuals and it was so perfect ❤️

I’m definitely going to keep reading more of the author ✨

Suspended belief for this one! I honestly ate this up even though it felt like a fever dream. Could some plot points have been better thought out? Sure! But this book was for the girlies, not for the Jane austen purists. Loved it!!

This book reminded me of a Korean drama called, Scarlet Heart Ryeo and maybe another tv show or movie but I can’t remember which. I’m a bit iffy on how to rate this book, I enjoyed some parts of this book but I also didn’t enjoy the ending that much. Also, I don’t really know how to feel about Jane Austen’s character in the book. I didn’t expect her to have a whole character that was walking and talking in the book. It sort of gave fanfiction vibes where they include random celebrities as side characters. I also don’t know how to feel about the part where she talks about Tom Lefroy since some refute the reasoning as to why they didn’t get married was because of his mother. Lastly, I want to thank everyone involved in letting me receive a free arc in exchange for a honest review. (Thank you very much!)

3.5/5!

My only issues with this book were 1) it needed to be about eighty pages longer, just to be a bit more developed, and 2) I had a REALLY hard time keeping up with the tone for about the first 100 or so pages. It would work, and then it felt jarring and like she hadn't quite found her footing. I think one more draft might have helped this.

Other than that, Tuck and Lizzy were SO cute, and I loved the ending and how they made it work for them. They got their HEA in a unique way, and it made me really happy. I thought the character dynamics worked really well, and some of the banter had me cheesy smiling. It ended up being so cute, and I'm glad I kept reading it!

3.5 stars! This was a quick, easy, and fun read! It’s a goofy read where a hockey player travels back in time and enters a fake marriage with Jane Austen’s best friend. This was the type of book you have to go into with a fun, non serious attitude and mindset - it’s absurd and I love it. The ending felt a but rushed but overall had a fun time reading this one!

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Thanks you to NetGalley and Avon for an arc in exchange for an honest review!

This book was a breath of fresh air. It felt familiar in its use of romance genre, yet so wholly imaginative and innovative.

I was struck by how well balanced the historical and contemporary came to be— it was woven together seamlessly. Lizzie read very much like a protagonist of a historical romance and Tuck read very much like a protagonist of contemporary romance. You’d think they would clash in staying firmly in their ‘category,’ but to all utter delight they complement one another so brilliantly. It was beautiful to see their interactions and development across the narrative.

At first glance you might expect total silliness, but this romance is full of heart and depth. One led by two very remarkable leads.
Tucker was my favorite of the two leads, he’s a survivor in many ways, and he’s so loyal and kind-hearted. He was good natured about his situation and always open hearted in how he felt every step of the way. I appreciated how he wore his heart on his sleeve.
Lizzie, on the other hand, is a very pragmatic and initially closed off lead whose feathers don’t get too ruffled by a man falling out of time in front of her. Instead she picks up her skirts up and marches on with an ever unfolding plan. It admittedly took me a bit to warm up to her, but once I did, I was all in for Miss Lizzie Wooddash. She is a realist but also a dreamer. She has big dreams she feels are insignificant and unreachable, but Tuck helps to validate and encourage her to explore those dreams, to make her goals reality. I so adored the friendship that quickly formed between our leads and smile at how trust and love soon followed.

As much as I connected with Tuck and Lizzie as individual characters, and as much as I thoroughly enjoyed watching their conversation and proximity, I did find I did not as easily connect to their romance. The spice is delicious! Their bond so undeniable! But I would have loved a bit more emotionally intimate romancing. Nevertheless, I came to care deeply for both characters and held my breath, crossing fingers and toes that they’d receive a much deserved happily ever after. Because they more than earned it.

The ending surprised me— it’s a rather pragmatic ending. Truthfully, I would have preferred one with more swoons and sacrifice, but I commend the author for writing an ending incredibly befitting of both characters, especially for Lizzie. I find it brave to step out of expectations and to stay true the character arcs’ developed. I genuinely applaud it and the more I think of the ending, the more satisfy I become.

This book was a good time, has delicious spice, fun banter, but also a heart with true depth. I’m so glad to have read it.

Thank you NetGalley and Avon for this complimentary arc, I leave this honest review voluntarily.

Thank you to NetGalley and Avon/Harper Voyager for this eARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

The mix of hockey romance and Regency era was unexpected. This book made me curious, so I had to read it.
I really enjoyed the time travel. Tucker accidentally ending up in 1812 and trying to navigate life was very funny and entertaining. I liked the relationship between him and Lizzy, the slow burn and how they respected each others' wishes. The story kept me reading because I was genuinely wondering how their story would end and if they'd find a way to be together. Even though I wasn't expecting it to end like that (no spoilers), I was happy about it.
Also, as someone who loves Pride and Prejudice, having Jane Austen as Lizzy's friend was great.

This story was everything I didn’t know I needed to read.
A huge thank you to #NetGalley and Avon/Harper Voyager for this free Arc of #puckandprejudice in exchange for my honest opinion. This is the first time I ever read a Lia Riley story and it definitely will not be the last. From strong main characters to a plot which isn’t very common in who knew hockey and Bridgerton esque regency era was what anyone needed to read.
I absolutely adored this story and definitely recommend others to read it. This story was extremely entertaining and hard to put down.

Hockey romance with Jane Austen allegories?! Consider me obsessed! This was such a hilarious and fun romance with sports action, literary references, and beautiful writing! I am hooked for Lia Riley's next release now!

This is a great book for hockey romance fans. This is not a great book for historical romance fans.

It is hard to see what makes Tucker Taylor, the MMC, such a compelling figure to Lizzy, the FMC, other than the fact that he’s from the future. He speaks and acts like your standard hockey romance hero, complete with saying “good girl” in bed, but he doesn’t have much of a personality. Worse, Tucker seems manipulative and self-centered near the end of the book (I won’t get into spoilers here), and he’s disappointed she tossed his conspicuous hockey jersey… because he wants to see her wear it in bed for him. Cringe.

Even cringier is that Tucker’s input influences Jane Austen in a very direct and icky way. Yes, Jane Austen is in the book, writing “Pride & Prejudice.” Also, the main characters have sex against a tree during a thunderstorm, which is not very smart. And one of the 3 reasons Tucker suggests the 21st century is better is… tampons?

And are hockey players that clueless about history and books? And if so, how does no one notice Tucker’s bizarre behavior? Explaining he’s from America isn’t sufficient. And don’t get me started on the time-travel mechanics.

*I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

This book was so fun to read. It was light and entertaining. A fabulous beach read for a sunny day. In some ways the ending was not satisfying. I wanted her to stay in modern day with him and publish but i think the agreement they came to was more realistic for their characters and commitments.

Thank you to Netgalley, Avon and Harper Voyager, and to the author for this arc!

As a lover of hockey, and someone with a Jane Austen tattoo, the second I saw the title and premise of this book on April fools day, prank or not, I knew I desperately wanted to read it! This book turned out to be the cutest marriage of convenience crossover, between 1812 and the modern world. Who would’ve ever thought that a professional hockey player and a good friend of Jane Austen would hit it off? Not me, but this was an adorable read, and a really fun romcom to enjoy! I loved Tuck’s thoughtful, endearing way of stumbling through Lizzy’s world, and Lizzy’s headstrong spark! So grateful for the opportunity to get to read this one.

When I saw the cover, I knew I had to read this book. It’s slow burn, the characters had me laughing, Tucker had me blushing, and there were times I was crying. Lia Riley had me feeling so many emotions and it was so hard to put this book down to go to work.

When Tucker Taylor finds himself in 1812, there’s a lot he needs to come to terms with, most important is how to get home. Lizzy Wooddash wants to live her life how she wants, not how society wants. She wants to write, spend her time with good friends, and be widowed so she can have all of that freedom. Through their travels and searching for ways to get Tucker home, they find something they didn’t expect, love.

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for this arc copy, this was a fun read, and I can’t wait to recommend it.

"Puck and Prejudice" by Lia Riley offers a delightful and imaginative blend of time travel, romance, and historical fiction, with a nod to Jane Austen's classic works. This novel presents a unique twist on the fish-out-of-water trope, combining elements of sports, Regency-era England, and contemporary sensibilities.

The story follows Tucker Taylor, a professional hockey player on medical leave, who finds himself unexpectedly transported from present-day England to the year 1812 after a car accident. There, he encounters Elizabeth "Lizzy" Wooddash, a strong-willed woman ahead of her time who dreams of becoming a writer and living independently.
Riley's narrative cleverly juxtaposes Tucker's modern perspective with the societal norms of Regency England, creating humorous and thought-provoking situations. The author's decision to include Jane Austen as a minor character adds an extra layer of charm for Austen enthusiasts.

The central conflict revolves around Lizzy's desire for independence in a time when women had limited options. The arrangement between Tucker and Lizzy - a marriage of convenience that would grant Lizzy the freedom of widowhood - sets up an engaging premise that allows for both character development and romantic tension.

While the concept may seem far-fetched, Riley manages to create a story that is both entertaining and heartwarming. The gradual development of genuine feelings between Tucker and Lizzy adds depth to what begins as a purely transactional relationship.

The novel successfully balances humor, romance, and historical elements, making it an enjoyable read for fans of multiple genres. It prompts readers to consider how they might explain modern concepts to someone from the past, adding an interactive element to the reading experience.

If you’re a Jane Austen fan then you’ll enjoy this book. The romance is a slow burn. You’ve got an idea of what will likely happen throughout the book but the ending is satisfying. There’s a bit of smut and loads of odes to Pride and Prejudice with Jane Austen making her own appearances here and there. I enjoyed both MC’s and thought they were pretty level headed. There is no third act break up and the characters are mostly open with each other throughout. If you’re looking for a sweet but spicy book with time travel to the regency era, then definitely pick up Puck & Prejudice.

Hockey & Regency Era in the same book? Sign me up!

While benched on medical leave, professional hockey player Tucker Taylor travels to England to visit his sister. On his way home from the bar, black ice skids his car off the road and into a pond. Upon surfacing, he’s still in England … he’s just in 1812 instead.

Upon his arrival, Tucker meets Elizabeth “Lizzy” Wooddash. Lizzy is an independent and headstrong woman who doesn’t wish to be reduced to somebody’s wife. Lizzy dreams a life of writing and publishing a novel, travel and freedom. But in Lizzy’s time period, only widowers can have the things she hopes to have. Tucker and Lizzy strike up a “team mutual benefit” deal - Lizzy will help find a way to return Tucker back home in exchange for Tucker marrying her. Once they find a way to send Tucker home, Lizzy will get what she desires as well, to become a widow.

Their marriage was real, their feelings for their temporary spouse wasn’t supposed to be. Do all the best love stories end tragically?

Oh boy what a cute read this was & a fun twist on time travel! It really makes you think if you came across someone who didn’t know a thing about your time period how you’d explain certain things to them LOL! I am also a huge Jane Austen fan so it was fun that she was thrown into the story as a side character (and I also really loved Georgie as well).

✨ Marriage of Convenience
✨ Forced Proximity
✨ Time Travel
✨ Professional MMC Hockey Player
🌶️: 2.75/5

TW: this story contains mentions of cancer

Thank you to NetGalley, Avon and Harper Voyager and Lia Riley for an advanced reader copy in exchange for my honest opinion!

2.5⭐️
In my opinion, this book was lackluster with a plot that wasn’t well thought out. As someone who has watched and read many Pride and Prejudice reproductions, this was a miss for me. Idk what it was but I just couldn’t get into it.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for the arc of this title.

Vibes: Hallmark time travel but make it sexy, A Gentlemanly Himbo, oh no it's marriage of convenience but love

Heat Index: 7/10

The Basics:

Pro hockey player Tuck Taylor is in a bit of a bind after he falls back in time to the Regency. He doesn't know what the hell to do—but fortunately, he can rely on Lizzy, a rather independent young woman of her age. Lizzy just wants to be as free as possible, which can only really happen if she's a widow. Solution: Lizzy will help Tuck get back to the 21st century, and he'll marry her beforehand. She'll be a widow without having to worry about the truly dead husband part. Problem solved! Except... the marriage of convenience thing is a lot harder when you're for real attracted to each other.

The Review:

Really, what a cute book. It knows the assignment. It does the things. It's a little goofy, but it's supposed to be. And it actually has both heat and heart. I'd describe it, as I did above, as a true "Hallmark but if they FUCKED" vibe. Which is what Hallmark should be, in my opinion.

One thing I found really smart about this is that Riley wastes no time on the "does Lizzy know he's a time traveler?" thing. She knows he's a time traveler, and she knows right away (which really added to the Hallmark aspect, for me). Tuck shows her his phone. She takes it all remarkably well. We're in business. I hate little more than bad pacing, and this pacing made sense to me. We get the time travel plot going quickly, but the actual romance is kind of like... Neither a fast or slow burn. Shit got down to business in a timely manner, but they didn't jump into bed together (or declare their love) immediately.

Lizzy and Tuck aren't super complex, but they kind of don't need to be. I will say that I liked Lizzy more—Tuck was a lovely guy. But he was a little TOO lovely to me. A lot of people are going to love that. For me, if a hero is a hockey player, I kinda prefer the "grr big man with a secret soft side" hockey hero, versus a "my gentlemanly and sensitive nature is on display from jump" hockey hero. Tuck is more of the latter, and truly, a lot of people will LOVE that. He's respectful and gentle, but he also knows how to turn it out.

There was one dialogue exchange that didn't really feel like... something a man would say... But I GOT IT. Tuck is sweet. Tuck is With Her, I think. And honestly, in these times especially, I totally get the appeal. Plus, it does make sense to make him on the up and up, considering the fact that Lizzy already lives in Misogyny Central.

One aspect of Tuck's history is that he's a cancer survivor. I found this really interesting, especially since it's something that he has a bit of PTSD over. He's really still adjusting to his new reality (and it does add a bit of pressure to the need for him to go back to his time—he really needs to keep track of his health and seek modern medicine if his cancer returns). There's a really great conversation that he and Lizzy have about one side effect of his treatment that I found so refreshing.

Also, it leads to her thinking that like... his dick just doesn't work. To which he is appalled, and trust and believe, IT WORKS.

Generally, this is a funny, light novel. I found the ending a bit too on the nose, but I can see why those choices were made. It's not the choice I would've made as a writer. But it's undoubtedly an HEA, and it does fit the overall tone of the story. This romance just doesn't take itself too seriously, and like—it shouldn't. Don't we want to have fun sometimes?

The Sex:

Ummm this was surprisingly hot. If you're a fan of "teach me" content".... You'll be happy here. There's some "finding myself in an inn" action, some "frantic jerking it because I'm too hot and bothered" content, a really good first time, tree mouth stuff (you'll see). It's good!

Also, there's a really great moment when one of Lizzy's friends who's been around the block tells her a thing or two about "riding the dragon". Not only was this funny—I just really love it when more experienced ladies tell their buddies what to expect in historicals. It's cute! It's sweet! More of it!

Anyway—yeah, if you want something completely serious, then this won't be for you. But like... why would you think it would be? This is about a time traveling hockey player romancing a Jane Austen fan. Just let it be. Have fun. Enjoy the sexy content. For the love of God. Enjoy yourself! Enjoy this! We need cheery fun sometimes!

Thanks to NetGalley and Avon for providing me with a copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

This would be a fun read for any regency and Jane Austen enthusiast. It was cute and I enjoyed seeing the shenanigans take place due to time travel and culture shock.

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/208539323

Loved this one! Great and fun read. Highly recommend.
Many thanks to the publisher, Netgalley, and the author for my ARC.