Pucked Up (Pucked, #2) by Helena Hunting Series: Pucked #2
Published by Audible Studios on October 25, 2015
Format: Audiobook
Narrator: Joe Arden
Length: 11 hrs and 49 mins
Genres: Romance, Sports Romance
Amazon Audible
****The 2nd standalone novel in The PUCKED Series****
Miller “Buck” Butterson has been banging his way through life ever since a puck to the face fixed his messed up front teeth. After five years in the NHL, deflecting goals on the ice and scoring them with puck bunnies, Miller has decided he’s ready for a girlfriend. A real, non-bunny girlfriend to take on dates, and not jump into bed with after five seconds of conversation.
Miller thinks he’s found that woman in his teammate’s sister. Except, unlike team captain and all-around nice guy Alex Waters—who happens to date his stepsister, Miller’s media reputation as a manwhore is well earned. Beyond that minor detail, Miller doesn’t know the first thing about relationships or the time and effort they require.
Miller learns—eventually—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.
Pucked Up is the second book in Helena Hunting’s wildly popular Pucked series. I had a lukewarm reaction to the first book, Pucked, but decided to give the series another shot. I guess I liked this book marginally more.
Here’s the thing: Miller “Buck” Butterson is dumb. I don’t necessarily mean he has a low IQ, but he is allergic to wise decisions. He doesn’t think before he acts, which constantly—and I do mean constantly—places him in cringe-worthy situations. Even when he realizes he has made a bad decision, instead of fixing it he somehow manages to make it worse. His “it’s not what it looks like” defense grows old. Buck is a nice guy, but no matter how I try to spin it, stupidity isn’t sexy.
Sunshine “Sunny” Waters is sweet, but she comes across as naïve and immature. She lets others influence her decisions, and it can be simultaneously understandable and frustrating. I actually really liked Buck and Sunny together, though.
The other major problem I have is that both the humor and the plot are extremely sexually based—and we’re talking the raunchy variety. I have no problem with naughty sexy times, but I doubt there’s a single chapter where Buck isn’t hyper-focused on sex. While there are times I laughed out loud, the romance was lost on me. I have thoroughly enjoyed some of Helena Hunting’s other work, but I’m beginning to think this series just isn’t for me.
Joe Arden narrates the audiobook. I love the sound of his voice, and his interpretation of Buck is wonderful. For some reason, though, when he voices Sunny most of the sentences sound like questions. It’s a rather odd quirk, but still an enjoyable performance.
Recommended for fans of:
Sports romance
Humorous erotica
The great outdoors
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 would say, keep going! The second book is my least favorite of the series, but they continually get better as you go. I think the third is my favorite of the series.
Really? Ok, Bex. I trust you! 🙂
So I would say that each book gets better as the series goes on. I think Randy’s book might have been my favorite. Keep going! Especially if the audiobooks are good.
Nice review!