A hockey romance, best friend’s sister trope with an hilarious twist; her seeing him naked is his new superstition before a game. It happens once by mistake - and their team has an incredible game. He’s a hockey player and a winning routine is important. She’s a sports journalist, her brother is in the team, she understand the superstition.

Sure, she’s off limit because of her brother. He has a reputation of a ladies’ man and she doesn’t even like him, really. Except now it just has to keep happening. And it escalates...

It was just absolutely ridiculously fun. I loved Joy and Dalton’s characters, they were a great match. The book had me smiling and giggling for the most part, and the serious and emotional moments were really well written, having the characters show vulnerability and taking the book to a new level.

Cute, but not fresh enough for me to love like I was hoping to. I feel like hockey needs a lot more to it to be original with it getting over saturated. It's starting to feel like it is all the same and something I have read before.

I really enjoyed this book. It was funny, romantic, and steamy. I love reading about sports romances, because I never know what to expect. I love this series. I'm grateful that netgalley and the publishers let me read this in exchange for an honest review

The Pucking Proposal is a must read for sports romance fans. I would recommend for fans of Elle Kennedy. Trust me, you have never read a book like this before. I enjoyed this title so much; I plan to read her other books as well.

A secret, best friend's sister hockey romance featuring goalie Dalton Days and sports reporter Joy Barlow. After Joy stumbles upon a naked Dalton in the locker before the best game of his life, he is convinced that she is his good luck charm and convinces her to play along. As they get to know each other, their relationship gets complicated with feelings and becomes harder to hide from other people.

When it comes to hockey, unflappable Maple Creek sports reporter Joy Barlowe is privy to a lot of behind-the-scenes locker room activity. Like stumbling upon Dalton Days in all his unabashed glory. When the muscled goalie goes on to score better than he ever has, he offers Joy a unique proposal. A provocative pregame ritual is born.

Dalton has the best stats in the league, but he’s also superstitious. Now he’s found his good luck charm. Joy is not only game, she’s playing along. She’s also his best buddy’s younger sister and totally off-limits. What happens between them has to be their late-night FaceTime secret. That’s the naked truth. So is the fact that Joy and Dalton are discovering there’s more to each other than meets the eye.

Falling in lust? Easy to hide. Falling in love? Much harder. Now Dalton has one more proposition for Joy. And the fallout could rock Maple Creek.

Loved it. Will recommend to others

The Pucking Proposal is the second book in Lauren Landish's Maple Creek series. I haven't read the first in the series and felt like it could be read as a standalone. Joy is a sports reporter who happens to walk into the locker room and views the star goalie's nether regions. He ends up having an amazing game and blames it on Joy being a good luck charm. Thus, the ridiculous plot ensues.

I could not stand the hero and the heroine wasn't much better. He was just so immature and pompous without being endearing. This is a bananas plot with the entire premise surrounding pregame rituals. It ended up being repetitive. I also wanted to add that the title was a tad misleading. I thought this book would be about a fake engagement but it wasn't at all.

2.5 stars rounded up

Thank you to Netgalley and Montlake for this eARC. All opinions expressed are my own. #netgalley #ThePuckingProposal #montlake

The Pucking Proposal was a really fun sports romance - featuring a strong, sassy sports reporter who has no interest in dating an athlete and a minor league hockey goalie struggling to find his luck in a new season. I loved Joy and Dalton. Joy doesn't take a lot of crap from anyone and definitely has the reputation in her family and with her friends that she is not one to back down. Dalton is a 30-year old goalie who is afraid that he will never get his call to the NHL and will soon be replaced by the rookie goalie new to his team. Hockey players, and a lot of athletes in general, have a lot of pre-game rituals - but after J0y accidentally walks in on Dalton naked in the locker room - Dalton becomes convinced that they will have to continue to repeat the ritual to keep his winning streak going. And of course - they take things steps further and feelings develop. I ended up loving the story line. I'll admit I didn't love Dalton's "ritual" when it first started, but it is easy to fall in love with Dalton. He is so patient with Joy adn loves her sassy nature and quirks, never wanting to hold her back. There were plenty of spicy and funny moments and a lot of heart. I didn't read the first book in the Maple Creek series - but I'm definitely excited to go back and read Hope and Ben's story. Thank you to Montlake and NetGalley for the chance to read this novel.

Pre-game rituals must be taken seriously, even when they seem completely outrageous - and indecent!

Hilariously believable.

Hockey trope. Brother's best friend. Playing to win.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. Thank you, to NetGalley and the publisher, Montlake for the opportunity to read this book.

Blurb from Goodreads: “A sports reporter and a hockey player get up close and personal in an outrageously sexy romantic comedy by Wall Street Journal and USA Today bestselling author Lauren Landish.”

This was my first book by Lauren Landish and it will not be my last. I was not aware that this was book two in a series, however, it is an interconnected standalone and it was able to be read independently of the rest of the series. However, I do plan to go back and read book one of this series (Maple Creek) so that I can get the full experience.

Hockey romances will always be one of my favorite subgenres and this was not an exception to that. This had it all: banter, spice, jealousy, hidden/forbidden romance, and a whole lot of funny side characters.

When a specific “act” becomes part of Dalton’s pre-game superstitions, Joy is catapulted into a “friends with benefits” situation that she never planned on or even wanted. But everyone knows, that if a hockey player has a superstition and they are on a winning streak, they will stop at nothing to make sure that nothing changes and that they can continue that streak.

This was such a great book, that I felt like was a very quick read and I found myself laughing often at the banter between Dalton and Joy (and honestly, with Hope and Shep as well).

Favorite lines from the book:

- “She makes it sound like ordering a caramel Frappuccino at Starbucks. Hello, one good guy, please, with loads of whipped cream and an extra drizzle of loyalty.”

-”You hold the power to do your best, so don’t let anyone stop you. Especially yourself”

This is the second book in the Maple Creek series but can be read as a standalone. This is a cute but also spicy hockey rom-com with a badass FMC. I liked the interactions between Joy and Dalton and the way they became friends first. These two were on fire. Now when both of their pasts keep popping up, they both have some things to figure out. Dalton was sure about his feelings, and gives our girl a harsh wake up call. Their happily ever after was so worth the read.

I love when the spice is done very well! This was such a cute story. I wasn’t disappointed at all. The chemistry between the lead characters was off the charts. I need to start reading more from this author!

Thank you NetGalley and Montlake for the arc of this book.

This book is perfect for your hockey romance era. It has the best friend’s sister, sports reporter/hockey star, sports superstitions that all make a seriously fun story. After a chance-flashing, the pair find a new routine they have to complete before each game. Their pregame ritual gets more involved, and more complicated as time goes on. Joy was a fun character who was making a name for herself in a male-dominated field. She loved toeing the line and seeing just how far she could get, without going too far. Obviously it goes too far, and turns into a super steamy situation. These two were on fire. Now when both of their pasts keep popping up, they both have some things to figure out. Dalton was sure about his feelings, and gives our girl a harsh wake up call. Their happily ever after was so worth the read.

This was such a cute and lighthearted read! Good amount of spice and humor! Also, who doesn’t love a good brothers best friend trope??? I will be purchasing a physical copy as soon as it’s released! It’s one of those easy reads to get you out of a reading slump and something I could reread for fun, as a comfort book.

Rating: 3/5
Spice: 2/5

Joy works for a local news stations as a sports reporter. She's tough, smart and doesn't trust easily.

Dalton is the goalie for the minor hockey league. Known to be a player, with a nickname of "One Night," no one thinks he will ever settle down. Oh, and his teammate and best friend just happens to be Joy's brother.

One accidental new pre-game ritual turns Daltons season into a winning one, and starts an unlikely relationship between the two. Can they overcome the obstacles they set in their own ways?

Overall, this is a easy to read sports rom-com. I found there to be too many hyperboles and puns to where it got a little overwhelming.

Thanks to NetGalley and Montlake for the eARC! All opinions and reviews are my own.

Can never go wrong with a hockey romance. I thought this was such a fun story and loved the characters so much. I will definitely be reading more from this author.

You can truly never go wrong with a hockey romance- ever!!!!! I have never read a book by this author until now but I’ll definitely be reading more by her! Typically in romance novels I tend to not like or get annoyed with one of the MC but I loved both the mmc and fmc. The tropes and spice were 🤌🏼

Sports broadcaster, sister of hockey team captain is off limits to all the ice hockey team.
Superstition plays a part in pre game rituals. An accidental encounter leads to the team goalie marking time.
Can it be a relationship or disaster within the team and family?
A HEA romance. 2nd in a trilogy but can easily be read as a standalone

This was a quick read that I devoured on a sick day. This was my first book by Lauren Landis and I’ll definitely be on the lookout for more from this series. Hockey romance fans will enjoy this!

I didn't read the previous book in this series but I love a good hockey romcom so I decided to try this one.

Sports reporter Joy Barlow is covering the local hockey team (which includes her brother) and enjoys a bitter banter with goalie Dalton Days.

One day, that banter leads to Joy getting an eyeful of Dalton. Then it's hockey, so it becomes a superstition for him to give her an eyeful before every game.

This is all top secret and, of course, becomes complicated with emotions.

It's a cute book. I wasn't super enamored with any of the characters but it entertained me for the afternoon. I probably won't be picking up any others in the series.