⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️☆ (4/5)
This hockey romance brings heat, humour, and just the right amount of heart. Lauren Landish blends sports romance tropes with a strong emotional core, creating a couple you can’t help but root for. It’s spicy, snappy, and seriously swoony—a solid win for sports romance lovers.

"The Pucking Proposal" is a fairly fluffy, easy to read, brother's best friend hockey romance. The premise is a little bit silly - FMC Joy sees MMC Dalton's jewelry adorned member just before a hockey game - which Dalton's team goes on to win. He then concludes that her seeing 'him' is his good-luck charm. Somehow Joy - who is the little sister of Dalton's best friend - agrees? Of course more than seeing quickly ensues.

I love hockey romances, but I must admit that this one seemed a little far-fetched, not just for the initial premise but also because Dalton plays on the local minor league team yet this team somehow engenders a ton of press and public attention? This story also, while in no way lacking on the main couple's physical connection, didn't do the best job on showing how they somehow developed a deep emotional connection (I think I might have watched too much Love is Blind given that line). The story overall was just fluff, even with an annoying third-act separation.

Definitely a good light beach or vacation read. 3 stars. Thank you to NetGalley for a complimentary copy of this book. These opinions are my own.

The Pucking Proposal is definitely a hockey romance and I'm sure some readers would really love it. However, it fell flat for me, I didn't love either of the main characters and the dialogue could be a lot at times. I'd look forward to trying some else from Lauren Landish to see if it goes differently.

THank you to netgalley and the publishers for providing me with an arc for an honest review.

SO MANY great tropes in this book that I loved! Grumpy x sunshine, he falls first, forbidden, small town… and hockey! Honestly I couldn’t ask for a better book. I haven’t read a lot from this author but I will now!

loved this romance and how the reporter and hockey player did a fake dating and then eventually fell in love. love this town also and seeing the other couples.

While the premise appeared a little cringe-worthy, this book ended up being one of the funniest things I have read in a long time. Joy is everything you want to be. A minority absolutely kicking it in her chosen field and Dalton is a gorgeous yet slightly weird goalie man-mountain. The slow burn with the speed bumps along the way made this a delightful romance read. I love the self-love aspect and the vulnerability of sharing that with someone else. I read this as a standalone but I am super keen to go back and read the first in the series and I look forward to further books in the series.

Big thanks to NetGalley, Montlake and Lauren Landish for a copy of this book. This is my honest review.

I was excited about this one as I love a hockey romance. Unfortunately I found this one slow going and it didn't grab my attention. Perhaps it's a case of right book at the wrong time, either way I've decided to not finish this one.

4.5⭐
2.5🌶️

TPP was such an entertaining read, I literally devoured it!

Under bizarre circumstances, Joy becomes a good luck charm to Dalton and insists on their 'ritual' before every hockey game. Joy discovers beneath the cocky playboy reputation Dalton upholds, there's a sweet man there too.

It's not long before feelings start getting involved but Joy has vowed never to fall for an athlete ever again. She holds Dalton at arms length, despite him going all-in for her.... But will Joy ever be able to let go of her past and fight for her one true love?

Joy and Dalton shouldn't have worked, but they just did... I adored them so much! Joy is such a likeable character, who's fun and a right ball-busting bish, trying to make herself seen in a male dominated field (she's a sports event reporter). She definitely doesn't make it easy for Dalton who just wants a chance with the only woman who's made him want to settle down. He was so sweet for Joy (albeit scared of her 😂) and wasn't going give up until he won her heart. Their banter was on point and the amount of times I was waiting for them to give in... Gah!!! 🙈

I definitely preferred this over Hope's story, but also can't wait to see what Lauren brings us with Shep's book!!!

Thank you Lauren, Montlake and Netgalley for giving me the opportunity to read and review this book! All opinions are my own 🫶🏼

This story wasn't really for me, the conflict and plot to get the two together was good but it didn't connect for me how quickly they went into it

I had a great time with this! I am a sucker for a hockey romance. I’m also a big fan of a tough guy melting for the right woman. I am in love with Joy’s parents. They were amazing and I wanted more. This definitely contained an unconventional meet-cute but I thought it was hilarious. This was full of humor, family, friendships, and spice. I love these characters and look forward to more.

I couldn't focus on this book for some reason. The premise sounded cute but it was also the 2nd book in an interconnected series (I think??) so maybe that's why I didn't finish it. I'm unsure if I'll reread this book.

Book 2 in Maple creek series - with a slight instalove, but then a slow burn which is worth the wait. This one was such fun and I wanted to know what would happen next throughout. I adored Joy and Dalton was so much fun. I know need to go and read book 1 of Maple Creek

This sports romance delivers exactly what it promises: a fun, steamy, and undeniably entertaining read. If you're a fan of forbidden relationships – in this case, the classic "best friend's sister" trope – and crave a healthy dose of humor and undeniable chemistry, you'll likely find yourself enjoying this book.

The story centers around Joy Barlowe, a sports reporter, and Dalton Days, a hockey goalie, whose unexpected encounter sparks a winning streak for the team. Driven by superstition, Dalton convinces Joy to continue their "arrangement," leading to a predictable but enjoyable progression of their relationship. While the plot doesn't stray far from familiar romance tropes, the engaging characters and witty banter keep the pages turning.

However, the book does have a notable drawback: the relationship, while physically charged, lacks substantial emotional depth. The connection between Joy and Dalton felt primarily rooted in attraction, leaving a desire for a more profound connection. Despite this, the book successfully delivers on its promise of lighthearted entertainment and a good time. If you're looking for a quick, enjoyable, and steamy read, this book fits the bill. Just be prepared for a focus on physical chemistry over deep emotional connection.

Get ready for a wild ride! The Pucking Proposal is a fun, small-town hockey romance that delivers on humor, chemistry, and spicy goodness! This book is perfect for anyone who enjoys their love story served with a dose of good laughs. While the instalust is immediate, the story beautifully builds Joy & Dalton's relationship out with a slow-burn pace. The banter and tension are fantastic, keeping you hooked from start to finish. This was my first Lauren Landish book, and I'm already eager for more!

The Pucking Proposal starts immediately with the spice and doesnt let up the whole time, beware of that, this is not a sweet and sappy slow burn rom com. I enjoyed it and read in one sitting, its a fun sports/hockey romance, but a little light on the actual intimacy and connection between the main characters. I will read the third in the series when that comes out.

Love Lauren Landish’s fun banter in all her novels, and this was right on par with the others. Love the concept and the tie to sports romance (especially hockey romances, which are still super hot). Great development of the relationship between the main characters as well.

Joy Barlowe Sports Reporter and Dalton Days hockey player start off with a bang of a proposal and end up having to attempt to cover up them falling in love. Such a hilarious story and so sweet too.

This book is a fun and steamy sports romance for anyone who loves a good forbidden relationship (she’s his best friend’s sister!) with a lot of humor and chemistry.

The story follows Joy Barlowe, a sports reporter who ends up in an unexpected situation with goalie Dalton Days, and it somehow leads to the team’s winning streak. To keep the good luck going, Dalton convinces Joy to keep helping him with his "superstition," which leads to them getting closer.

Despite having a predictable plot, I had fun reading it. The characters were good and witty. The only “complaint” was that there wasn’t much depth added to their relationship, felt a lot like physical attraction mainly and therefore, lacking a bit of connection in more ways. But I was still entertained and had a good time.

Thank you NetGalley, the publisher and author for providing me this ARC in exchange for an honest review!

The Pucking Proposal by Lauren Landish
Maple Creek series #2. Contemporary sports romance with erotica elements. Best friend’s sister troupe. Can be read as a stand-alone.
Joy Barlowe is a sports reporter in Maple Creek with behind-the-scenes locker room access.
Hockey players are not shy and have been told to treat all reporters the same. Joy has questions for goalie Dalton Days and finds him in all his unabashed glory. Joy makes a couple of uninterested remarks, asks her question and escapes the locker room. Dalton has a fantastic game after their encounter, and superstition being a huge part of sport preparation, he asks Joy to take a peek for all of his upcoming games. They start a private and provocative pregame tradition that starts as hands-off but escalates as the season continues.

Whew. Hot and steamy! Lots of funny banter and then more steam.
Delightful and seductive.

I received a copy of this book from NetGalley.

Juuuust the book I needed for something light, silly and steamy.

I read this as a standalone but looking forward to going back and reading the first book in the series!

This would be the perfect read for lovers of Meghan Quinn and Lauren Blakely. I loved Dalton and Joy's personalities and the whole plot was just outrageous and funny.