Pucked

3.5 stars

I picked this book up with no expectations really since I haven't read that many books in the sports rom genre. I will say that I did enjoy this book mostly for the ridiculousness of the FMC and the MMC for his consistency in asking for consent. There were some things that rubbed me the wrong way but it didn't deter me from finishing the book.

What rubbed me the wrong way at times and may deter others:

- The FMC's constant ridicule and shaming of hockey team fans, most specifically female fans. They were referred to as “puck bunnies” and the FMC's favorite term: “hockey hookers”. This made every female other than the FMC, her friend, and the team's family members into essentially attention seeking whores, sluts, and any other creative insult she could think of.

- Her constant yes and no with the MMC. What I mean: she says one thing but does another and regrets it. But does it again and then when it should be shown that she knows who he is (the MMC) as a person he makes a mistake (pretty big one, I'll admit) but she acts like “I was right the whole time”. Which means, she was just waiting for him to mess up.

- She (FMC) was pretty obnoxious to an extent and immature. Especially surrounding the MMC's “MC” or appendage. Though to me, her utter ridiculousness as a character did make me laugh because I never expected a character like her. Considering how the author wrote her, I would say they both have pretty strange imaginations and perhaps no filters.

So, it's not the best book that I have ever read but it was pretty good for an easy read though it lasted longer than I expected. A lot of the portrayals of people or concepts were OTT. But nonetheless, I mostly liked it for the side characters and the MMC. So I will definitely continue the series just to see their stories.

BTW I am not an expert critique or anything. I honestly find most things people hate to be funny and/or enjoyable, even if it's stupid (to them or just in general). Just letting anyone who reads this know.

Picked this up hoping for a fun, distracting romance and ended up having to DNF. The main character is SO childish and I struggled with the immaturity a lot. I didn't feel any chemistry between Violet and Alex and the writing also wasn't great enough to warrant continuing. What really pushed me over the edge was the incessant slut-shaming. Violet never stops putting down other women, assuming the worst of them, and thinking them terrible for... wanting to sleep with hockey players. Take a chill pill and get over yourself.

This wasn't for me.

I did not like the way the FMC spoke. It made her come across as childish and, at times, juvenile. The nicknames the FMC gave everything was starting to get irritating. The MMC handle the situation like shit but I did like the way he apologized and groveled.

The cover of this book is what got me.. I hope the other books in the series are good.

Final rating: 2 stars ✨

Shockingly good!
The girly talked about her beave a LOT. It was almost endearing but a bit over the top?

Alex is a sweetie cinnamon roll. Must be protected at all costs.

the smut scenes in this read like they were written by a 13 year old who just discovered adult websites... which is basically 90% of the book

I love this book. So funny so hot! Go read it.

hilarious AND cute!

I don't think I have laughed so much while reading a book in a while. This was so good. I wish there was more!!!
-Stephanie

3.50

2.5 stars
This book started out really funny. I truly enjoyed reading it, even if Violet's awkward tendencies sometimes felt a little much. These two were so sweet together and I absolutely loved Alex... until the climax/conflict whatever you want to call it. 

Because honestly, everything was going well, this was going to be a 4 star rating, until Alex went stupid... we know he isn't because of how he can quote English Literature, yet... he does sometimes so stupid and unlike him, I ended up scowling for the rest of the book. 

Do I recommend it? Probably, with a big caveat. UGH I'll never get over how the author did this book... I'm so upset still. 

violet es adorable <3
Ms. Bullock is my spirit animal
Alex <3


Original de: El Extraño Gato del Cuento

Este tipo de portada me da un poco de miedo, toda oscura y musculosa, parece prometerte algún dramón que terminaras pidiendo tratamiento psicológico. O quizá solo sea yo, con lo exagerada que tiendo a ser.

Pucked fue todo menos oscuro. Helena Hunting me gustó mucho con su serie debut Clipped Wings, desde que publicó su última historia corta no se me había antojado leer nada de su autoría, hasta Pucked.

En el comentario que la escritora escribió sobre Pucked en su página de Goodreads, ella dice que este libro se pasa de ridículo. Y cuánta razón tiene.

En este libro nos presenta a Violet, hermanastra de un jugador de Hockey que ha decidido nunca más tener nada uno de ellos gracias a una mala experiencia. Todo eso hasta que aparece Alex, un tipo en teoría cliché de toda novela New Adult.

Pucked no es el libro ANGST que la portada me vendía, al contrario, es bastante divertido.

Violet y Alex son la pareja más rara que he leído hasta ahora. Los dos tienen una mente bastante pervertida, cosa que hasta ahora lo había visto mayormente en personajes masculinos. Los escritores generalmente tienden a hacer personajes femeninos un tanto tímidos. Oh, no, no Violet. Es refrescante leer mujeres cómodas con su sexualidad. Sobre todo porque Violet tiene una ligera ansiedad, que si bien no es algo en lo que se centra el libro, es importante el saber que su ansiedad no es algo que la defina, sino parte de quien es.

Tengo una relación muy curiosa con un personaje como Violet, conozco a personas extrovertidas, de esas personas con personalidad con volumen bastante alto, y en mi vida diaria, generalmente se me hace incómodo estar cerca de ellos; pero con Violet ha sido todo lo contrario, más el hecho que sea tan ruidosa y a la vez lidiar con su nerviosismo ante grupos grandes, se me hizo sumamente cómodo. La representación importa.

Luego esta Alex.

Me gusta cuando los personajes no son lo que parecen, sobre todo que si tienen un pasado, no tenga necesariamente que ser oscuro.

Un detalle que me ha gustado bastante es que las redes sociales forman parte bastante importante de la trama, cosa que muchos escritores tienden a evitar. Estamos en 2015 y siguen trayéndonos historias con tecnología de hace 20 años. Hay que modernizarse escritores.

Helena Hunting trajo drama y oscuridad con su serie debut, pero esta vez trae personajes frescos y divertidos de leer. Pucked me ha gustado bastante, sobre todo porque Violet me recordaba a una Serena (Sailor Moon) borracha.

Twitter || Blog || Pinterest || Tumblr || Instagram || Facebook