Pucked (Pucked, #1) by Helena Hunting Series: Pucked #1
Published by Self-Published on May 3, 2015
Pages: 382
Format: Audiobook
Narrator: Muffy Newtown, Nathan Everett
Length: 11 hrs and 10 mins
Genres: Romantic Comedy, Sports Romance
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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.
Book: 3 stars
Audiobook: DNF @ 50%
Pucked was an okay read, but I guess I was expecting more given the popularity of this series.
Violet is overly immature and sex-crazed. It was cute the first few times, but by the thirtieth beaver metaphor for her lady parts I developed eye strain from rolling my eyes so hard. And her fixation with Alex’s penis—aka “monster cock”, aka “Super MC”—is somewhat disturbing. I get that it’s a romantic comedy, but the sexually based humor kind of fell flat for me. Alex is super sweet and romantic, but also incredibly clueless. They have nice chemistry together, though, and there are many entertaining moments throughout.
I loved Violet’s crazy mother! I see potential with some of Alex’s teammates (including Violet’s manwhore stepbrother, Buck) as well as Violet’s best friend, Charlene. I am a fan of Helena Hunting’s writing so I plan to keep reading and hopefully I’ll enjoy the next book more.
Now, about the audiobook. I know I’m picky about narrators, but Nathan Everett’s narration is beyond bad. Alex is Canadian and Everett lays on a super thick Canadian accent that at times sounds Irish, sometimes German, and even Russian. I’m pretty sure this wasn’t intentional. Also, the timbre of his voice is that of a pre-pubescent boy and not a manly hockey player. It just doesn’t mesh with the character. I loved Muffy Newton’s vocal performance as Violet! Fun fact: Did you know Muffy Newtown and Erin Mallon are one and the same?? She’s one of my favorite narrators. Anyhow, since Nathan Everett’s narration threatened to ruin the entire story for me, halfway through I stopped listening, returned the audio, and switched to reading the book instead. I’ve never done that before. Smart decision.
About Helena Hunting
New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of PUCKED, Helena Hunting lives on the outskirts of Toronto with her incredibly tolerant family and two moderately intolerant cats. She’s writes contemporary romance ranging from new adult angst to romantic sports comedy.
I don’t think I could have listened to this one. I just recently read it. All those beaver and MC and references would have been too much on audio. Plus, it sounds that narrator was not a good pick.
I know some of the other books have different narrators, so I’ll see how I feel at the time.