The Book Barista Reviews: Pucked Over by Helena Hunting

Title:  Pucked Over

Series:  Pucked, #3

Author:  Helena Hunting

Release Date:  January 22, 2016

Lily LeBlanc isn’t versed in the art of casual sex, but after seven years in an on-again, off-again relationship, she’s definitely willing to give it a shot. And who better to try it with than her best friend’s boyfriend’s best friend? What could possibly go wrong? Nothing at all.

NHL player, Randy Ballistic, lives up to his last name on the ice and in the bedroom. His best friend and teammate has recently given up the puck bunnies and traded them in for a real girlfriend. And she just happens to have a seriously feisty, extra-hot best friend on the rebound. Randy’s more than happy to be Lily’s spring board back into the dating scene.

Casual sex is only casual until those pesky things called emotions get involved. Once that happens, someone’s bound to get pucked over.

 

So we’ve determined that Helena Hunting can write angst (see the Clipped Wings series) but boy oh boy can she write humour.  She wins the prize for outrageous and funny.  Add sexy to this mix and you’ve got a MUST READ situation with the Pucked series.  Be warned!  There are “fur burgers” and “vagina prisons” in this book, so if you’re the prudish type don’t say I didn’t warn you.

Randy “Balls” Balistic, yes that’s his last name, was introduced to us in the first book of this series but I did not realize he was this hot.  He’s got the beard and manbun/long hair thing down pat.  He’s Miller’s best friend and as such has managed to get together with Lily, Sunny’s best friend (Miller and Sunny are together).  He’s a hockey player who has a good time with puck bunnies and she’s a girl that has just ended a long term relationship (with a total idiot).  They’ve decided that they’re just having fun and that if it should get more serious then they’ll call it quits.  As you would expect, things do become more serious but you’ll have to read this book to find out who realizes it first.

In the previous book, I didn’t actually like Lily very much but I’m happy to report that I loved her in this book.  As for Randy, what’s not to love?!  All you need to do is use the visual used on the cover (Franggy Yanez).  Need I say more?!

Please note that although this is the third book of the series, like the other two books, it can be read as a standalone.

I loved this book and could not put it down.  I definitely gave it five freaking awesome cups of yummy Tim Horton’s coffee!

 

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In case you want the other books in this series:

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The Book Barista Reviews: Pucked Up by Helena Hunting

Title:  Pucked Up

Series:  Pucked, #2

Author:  Helena Hunting

Miller “Buck” Butterson has been banging his way through life ever since a puck to the face fixed his messed up front teeth, and he was drafted into the NHL during his first year of college. After five years of deflecting goals on the ice and scoring them with puck bunnies across the Continental US and parts of Canada, Miller is ready for a girlfriend. A real girlfriend of the non-bunny variety. One he takes on dates and doesn’t jump into bed with after five seconds of conversation.

Miller thinks he’s found that woman in his teammate’s sister. Except, unlike Alex Waters, center, team captain and all round nice guy—who happens to be dating his step-sister—Miller’s manwhore reputation is well earned, and not blown out of proportion by the media. Beyond that minor detail, Miller doesn’t know the first thing about having a girlfriend. But he’s determined to make it happen.

What he doesn’t take into account is the amount of time and effort relationships require, or that constantly letting bunnies take selfies with him to post all over social media isn’t going to win him any points in the boyfriend department. Miller learns—not so quickly—that if he wants to make Sunshine “Sunny” Waters fall for him, he’s going to have to do a whole lot more than show her his stick skills in the bedroom.

I was really looking forward to this book.  After reading Helena Hunting’s other books I knew I was going to be in for a treat.  Once again, she came through.  Or shall I say “the Yeti came through!”?

We were introduced to Miller/Buck/Yeti and Sunny in Pucked, the first book in this series but, I’m not gonna lie, everyone in that book was somewhat overshadowed by Alex, Violet and the MC.

Miller was a manwhore until he met Sunny.  Now he wants Sunny to be his girlfriend.  He’s done with all the puck bunnies.  Sadly, social media doesn’t allow anyone, especially Sunny, to believe that’s true.

First off I want to say that Miller (I like that name better than Buck) was not really a Yeti and he was very attentive to his manscaping needs.  Which was a source of comedy.

Secondly, Miller made me feel for him so much. No matter what he did things always turned out badly for him.  Being a reformed manwhore was not going well for him.  It seemed that everyone, and I mean EVERYONE, just did not give him the benefit of doubt.  He just couldn’t win for trying.

Sunny always seemed to come around to understanding whatever predicament Miller got himself into but oddly enough he kept getting into messes that made it really hard for Sunny to trust him.  When she wasn’t listening to her best friend, her ex boyfriend and her brother, she and Miller totally understood each other.

One thing that I loved about Miller was how he managed to overcome his difficulties.  Things never seemed to come easy for him, except for hockey, but he worked really hard and he really was rather smart and intelligent….except when it came to letting fans *cough* puck bunnies *cough* sit on his lap.  Above all else, Miller had a huge heart.  A YETI SIZED HEART!!!  I’m not sure that anyone could read this book and not love him to death.

This was a great read. I had no doubt that it would be.  Pucked Up easily got five hot and yummy cups of Tim’s finest, served with cookies. CHOCOLATE CHIP COOKIES!!!

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The Book Barista Reviews: Pucked by Helena Hunting

With a famous NHL player for a step-brother, Violet Hall is well acquainted with the playboy reputation many hockey stars come with. She’s smart enough to steer clear of those hot, well-built boys with unparalleled stamina. That is until she meets the legendary team captain—Alex Waters.

Violet isn’t interested in his pretty, beat-up face, or his rock-hard six-pack abs. But when Alex inadvertently obliterates Violet’s previous misapprehension regarding the inferior intellect of hockey players, he becomes more than just a hot body with a face to match.

In what can only be considered a complete lapse in judgment, Violet finds out just how good Alex is with the hockey stick in his pants. But what starts out as a one-night stand, quickly turns into something more. Post-night of orgasmic magic, Alex starts to call, and text, and e-mail and send extravagant—and quirky—gifts, making him difficult to ignore, and even more difficult not to like.

The problem is, the media portrays Alex as a total player, and Violet doesn’t want to be part of the game.

Ok, I’m not gonna lie. I love Helena Hunting. How can you not love the person who created Hayden and Tenley, Ryder and Liese and NOW Alex and Violet?!

I’m always a sucker for a hockey playing book boyfriend but add in this gorgeous cover and I was sold.

Violet doesn’t like or trust hockey players. I mean, would you when your hockey player stepbrother is the biggest manwhore? Then she meets Alex, her stepbrother’s team captain, and then it all goes out the window.  He’s sweet, funny, smart, good looking and um…he owns an MC.  [Note:  You’ll have to read the book to find out what that stands for *snickers*]  When Alex pursues her relentlessly she can’t resist him.

Alex has an image that he has allowed the media to perpetuate.  It isn’t until that image gets in the way of his happiness with Violet that he realizes what a mistake he’s made.

This book made me LOL. No! It made me LMFAO!  There is lots of inappropriate humour that is really, really funny. This book was also very, very sexy. So if laughing out loud and sexy times are not your thing….*sigh* your loss. It wasn’t just humour and sex though.  There were plenty of sweet and serious moments.

I LOVED THIS BOOK!!! I gave it five of the most delicious super yummy Iced Capps. (see what I did there…I’m Canadian…Alex is Canadian…only a Tim’s Iced Capp would do here!)

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The Book Barista: Review and Giveaway of The Librarian Principle by Helena Hunting

Title:  The Librarian Principle

Author:  Helena Hunting

Release Date:  December 21, 2014

Annaliese Harper knows that one tiny mistake can jeopardize a career before it’s even begun. Letting your boss find the extensive collection of porn on your personal laptop is one way. Sleeping with him is another. Liese manages to do both.

As the new librarian at a prestigious small-town private high school, Liese is drawn to her sexy, charismatic principal, Ryder Whitehall—an attraction she refuses to acknowledge given their relationship and her recent liberation from a delusional ex-boyfriend.

Liese is certain Ryder’s flirtation is the product of her sex-deprived imagination—until he discovers her digital porn stash during working hours and demands a private meeting. Behind closed doors, their attraction explodes into a dangerous, passionate affair that not only threatens their jobs and reputations, but most of all, their hearts.

I received an ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.  After having read Clipped Wings and Inked Armor I knew I really wanted to read Helena Hunting’s new book.

This book was very different from Helena Hunting’s last books.  I found this to be much more light-hearted and fun.

Leise has a great new job and a hot new boss, Ryder.  The sexual tension between them is palpable but they are keeping it professional…or at least trying to.

Leise and her best friend Marissa have a collection of naughty pics that Marissa photoshopped to look like Ryder.  Imagine Leise’s panic when Ryder finds these pics by accident.  How Ryder reacts to these pics is interesting.  Professionalism goes out the window and the two engage in a very hot and steamy affair.

At first I thought Ryder might not be the guy I wanted him to be but he’s definitely book boyfriend material. He’s smart, sexy and a bit on the alpha side. HOT. HOT. HOT.

I couldn’t put this book down.  I needed to know how they would make their relationship work.  Ryder being Leise’s boss really throws a wrench in things and makes everything much more difficult for them. Throw in a crazy ex and stuff just gets even more complicated.

As always, secondary characters always make a story more interesting.  I already mentioned Marissa, Leise’s best friend.  Another secondary character is Blake.  Blake is Leise’s co-worker and friend who also has history with Ryder, which throws another wrinkle into Leise and Ryder’s relationship.

This really was a pleasure to read.  I gave The Librarian Principle five very tasty and steamy cups of delicious coffee.

 

“You have no idea how much trouble you’re in.” His tone held none of the subversive humor that typically colored their private exchanges.
She swallowed thickly as he stopped in front of her. Even at his most relaxed, she found his presence intimidating, but the way he loomed over her now made her weak in the knees. The notion their relationship could be anything more than professional should never have entered her mind, no matter the temptation.
“I can explain.” Her eyes darted around the room in search of an escape she knew didn’t exist.
“Your office. Now,” he ordered, grabbing her laptop in one hand and her wrist with the other.
Even though she was horrified, his warm fingers wrapped around her wrist thrilled her. The pull she fought ignited, flashing across her skin like fire. And then she remembered this might be the end of her career. He propelled her into the library office and dropped the laptop on her desk. He released her wrist and shut the door, turning the lock.
“Do you have any idea—” His eyes blazed, the words cut short as he tugged at his tie. Liese watched nervously as he paced the room, his head down, fingers gripping the back of his neck, jaw working as he ground his teeth together. She couldn’t begin to imagine what he would do if he saw some of the other images she’d saved.
He gestured to the laptop. “What the hell was that?”
Liese jumped, a squeaky sound came out of her, and she clapped a hand over her mouth. Ryder rarely raised his voice.
It would be in her best interest not to reveal that her best friend had created a series of photoshopped pictures of the two of them in compromising positions. She also thought it wise not to say anything about the folder she’d created to store them, or how they fed her unhealthy infatuation with him. Or how they functioned as her primary source of masturbatory material.
“It was mostly a joke,” she mumbled.
“Do you think this is funny?” He looked incredulous as he towered over her, but his voice was smooth silk. Livid though he was, the tension between them pulsed like shock waves through the air.
“Not particularly, no,” Liese replied, refusing to look away for fear of appearing weak, or guilty. If she could maintain a facade of self-righteous indignation, maybe he wouldn’t touch her laptop again. In her peripheral vision, Liese noted the way his hands continued to clench and unclench at his sides.
“Where did that picture come from? Are there more?”
Much to her dismay, his palm settled on the laptop.
“I really wouldn’t—”
Ryder ignored her half-made request and flipped it open. It only took a few seconds for the screen to flicker to life and the advertisement to pop up. The gif played in a loop, the vigorous pumping continuing endlessly.
Liese sighed. “I don’t think there’s a way to explain this without it sounding incredibly bad.”
She buried her face in her hands and wished she could disappear as Ryder began to inspect the advertisement. Liese peeked through her fingers to watch him lean forward, hands splayed on either side of the laptop. Ryder squinted at the image, and then looked her over. His eyes moved down her body and back up, tracking her with an expression that bordered on predatory. Satisfied fascination knotted Liese’s stomach as the change took place: the undeniable draw she’d kept in check all this time echoed in his eyes. Some invisible line had been crossed, and Liese doubted she’d be able to return to the safety of the other side—the side where she pretended the attraction was all in her head.
“Please tell me that’s not you.” A note of aggression lent a sharp and bitter tang to the words. His fingers flexed against the desk, the tips turning white with pressure.
“It’s not my body,” Liese whispered, shaking her head.
“You’re quite sure about that?”
“It’s photoshopped.”
“Is that so?” He quirked an eyebrow, relief relaxed the tense line of his jaw. Ryder inspected the scene, apparently no longer fazed by the naked, gyrating bodies now that he knew she hadn’t made a porno and pasted his head on her previous partner. Ryder minimized the picture, allowing a series of folders to pop up on the screen.

 

I have two copies of The Librarian Principle to give away in the format of the winners’ choice.  All you have to do is comment on this post or on my Facebook page.  So easy!  You’ll definitely want to win this.

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WWW Wednesdays: December 10, 2014

To play along, just answer the following three (3) questions…

• What are you currently reading?
• What did you recently finish reading?
• What do you think you’ll read next?

Here’s where I’m at:

What I’m currently reading:

Voyager by Diana Gabaldon

Yes, I’m back to Jamie and Claire.  Loving it but feeling a bit tortured.  How much can two people endure?!  I will keep calm and carry on reading it.

What I recently read:

The Librarian Principle by Helena Hunting

I really enjoyed this book.  Then again, I love whatever Helena Hunting writes.  She writes the best book boyfriends!!!  My review will post very soon.

What I hope to read next:

Bad Romeo by Leisa Rayven

I got this from NetGalley and have heard good things about it.  I’m looking forward to reading it.

Here’s you’re chance to tell me what your W…W…W… are. SHARING IS CARING!

Cover Reveal: The Librarian Principle by Helena Hunting

 

Title:  The Librarian Principal

Author:  Helena Hunting

Release Date:  December 21, 2014

 

Annaliese Harper knows that one tiny mistake can jeopardize a career before it’s even begun. Letting your boss find the extensive collection of porn on your personal laptop is one way. Sleeping with him is another. Liese manages to do both.

As the new librarian at a prestigious small-town private high school, Liese is drawn to her sexy, charismatic principal, Ryder Whitehall—an attraction she refuses to acknowledge given their relationship and her recent liberation from a delusional ex-boyfriend.

Liese is certain Ryder’s flirtation is the product of her sex-deprived imagination—until he discovers her digital porn stash during working hours and demands a private meeting. Behind closed doors, their attraction explodes into a dangerous, passionate affair that not only threatens their jobs and reputations, but most of all, their hearts.

Liese was in the middle of adjusting her skirt when her phone chimed. She rummaged around inside her purse and found Marissa had sent her a message. Against her better judgment, she checked it. There was no text, only a photo, and it was too small in the message window to adequately discern the content. She clicked the image, and it expanded on the screen.

A noise that sounded vaguely like a cat dying escaped her. Marissa had done it again. Ryder’s head was superimposed onto the body of yet another well-hung porn star, and this time the image also included a woman—superimposed with Liese’s face—sprawled out over a desk, much like the one she stood in front of now.

“Hi there.”

Liese screamed, caught completely unaware. She turned to find Ryder standing in her office doorway, leaning against the jamb, his coat thrown over his arm, briefcase in hand. His suit jacket was unbuttoned, giving him a more relaxed look than usual. And sexier. If that was possible.

“Sorry, I didn’t mean to frighten you,” he said. “You seemed rather invested in whatever you were reading just now.”

Liese hit the button on her phone, and the screen went blank. “It was my girlfriend,” she explained.

Ryder stared at her, unblinking.

At his lack of reaction, she elaborated. “My best friend—she’s expecting me later this evening. She was just checking in.”

“Oh.” He sounded relieved for some reason she couldn’t fathom. “Am I keeping you? We can reschedule for next week if you need to go.”

“No, no, it’s fine. I’m happy to meet with you, unless you have another engagement.” Liese slid her phone back into her purse, turning off the volume as she did so.

“I have no prior engagements.”

They stared at each other for a few interminable seconds before Liese realized they were on her territory, and she should invite him in. “Would you like to work in my office or out there?” Liese gestured to the empty library beyond.

He glanced over his shoulder and then surveyed their current surroundings. “I think your office would be more private.”

“Sure. Right.” Liese nodded, clutching the back of her chair.

“Unless you’d be more comfortable working out there,” Ryder supplied, watching her speculatively from his spot in the doorway.

“What? Oh, no. Not at all. I’m perfectly comfortable with you in me.”

His shock formed a counterpoint to her horror.

“In my office! I’m perfectly comfortable working with you in my office.”

Helena Hunting lives on the outskirts of Toronto with her incredibly tolerant family and two moderately intolerant cats. She’s putting her degree in English Lit to good use by writing contemporary erotic romance. She is the author of Clipped Wings, her debut novel, and Inked Armor.

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The Book Barista: Review of Inked Armor by Helena Hunting

I received an ARC of Inked Armor in exchange for my honest opinion.

Summary

In this follow-up to Clipped Wings, the emotional love story continues between Hayden and Tenley; two young people who desperately want to love and be loved but are afraid to completely let go of their pasts.In the wake of losing Tenley Page, tattooist Hayden Stryker’s tumultuous past is haunting him. Plagued by nightmares about the murder of his parents, Hayden reaches out again to Tenley. Having run from the man she doesn’t believe she deserves, Tenley finally lays her guilt to rest. Despite their intense physical attraction, Hayden and Tenley struggle to repair their fragile emotional connection. As Hayden gets closer to the truth, he must find a way to reconcile his guilt over his parents’ death in order to keep the woman who finally cracked his armor, and found her way into his heart

My Opinion

This is the long-awaited sequel to Clipped Wings.  I totally fell in love with Hayden and Tenley and couldn’t wait to get to this book.

This book picks up right after where the first book left off.  Hayden is trying to cope with Tenley’s sudden departure. Tenley is dealing with Trey and wrapping up her parents’ and Connor’s estates.  She finally stands up to her asshole almost-brother-in-law and realizes that she needs to be with Hayden and that her life is in Chicago.

Hayden, in the meantime, is broken without Tenley.  He’s always had nightmares about his parents’ deaths but missing Tenley has made them worse.

After Tenley comes back he’s somewhat upset with her for leaving him in the first place and constantly needs her reassurance that she won’t be leaving again.  I think Tenley understands this and is more than willing to keep making him understand the depth of her feelings for him.

Tenley also helps him deal with the feelings of guilt he has over his parents’ deaths.  He eventually gets the closure he needs to move on from that horrible night.  They help each other deal with the guilt they each feel.

I loved this book so freakin’ much!!!!  I loved this series so freakin’ much. Hayden will forever be my most favourite pierced and inked book boyfriend in the history of book boyfriends!!! Five hot and steamy cups of java are not enough to convey how much I enjoyed this book.

Buy Links

Amazon Cupcakes & Ink
Amazon Clipped Wings
Amazon Inked Armor
Amazon Cracks in the Armor

BN Cupcakes & Ink
BN Clipped Wings
BN Inked Armor
BN Cracks in the Armor

Kobo Cupcakes & Ink
Kobo Clipped Wings
Kobo Inked Armor
Kobo Cracks in the Armor (not available yet)

iBooks Cupcakes & Ink
iBooks Clipped Wings
iBooks Inked Armor
iBooks Cracks in the Armor

Author’s Bio

Helena Hunting lives on the outskirts of Toronto with her incredibly tolerant family and two moderately intolerant cats. She’s putting her English degree to good use by writing popular fiction. She is the author of Clipped Wings, her debut novel, and Inked Armor.

Helena’s Social Media

Website  |  Twitter  |  Facebook  |  Goodreads

Tantalizing Tuesdays: Book Boyfriends

Tuesday has arrived!

If you’re over 18 and want to see the pics for this week’s Tantalizing Tuesday, then click the link below to continue. Consider yourself warned!