Book Review: Forbidden Puck by June Winters

Boston Brawlers Book 1

Waiting for the right guy.

Ella Couture didn't mean to save herself. But success runs in the family and Ella, a fiery and self-made interior decorator, never wanted to settle for anything less than a quality man. But another disappointing breakup has Ella flirting with idea of a meaningless fling -- because this whole v-card business has gone on for way too long. When Ella visits her brother Lance for the weekend, she finds herself all alone with his teammate, Radar. The rugged hockey star is tall, chiseled and gorgeous -- and based on his past, he won't get attached. It's a nice fantasy ... but Ella isn't the type of girl to sleep with her brother's best friend. That's what she keeps telling herself, anyway ... Live by the code, die by the code.

On the ice, tough guy 'Radar' enforces the code of the game with his fists. And he won't let anyone mess with the team's superstar center, Lance Couture. Radar might sleep around, but he knows to keep his distance when Lance's sister visits the two roommates at their Boston condo. The code has a rule about family members, after all: they're strictly off-limits. Not that Radar's worried about breaking that rule -- he's already heard an earful about how insane his best bud's younger sis is. But Lance never said anything about Ella being a cute babe with an adorable laugh. And he definitely never said anything about how she's finally ready to lose her v-card ... But if Radar can't keep his hands off Ella, not only will he stab his best friend in the back -- he'll ruin everything he's worked for. So why can't he get that girl out of his mind?

Forbidden Puck is a 60,000 word, slow-burn hockey romance! This stand-alone novel is the first entry in the Boston Brawlers series. Narrated in alternating first person. No cheating, no cliffhanger, HEA guaranteed.

---

My Review:

I've said it before: I'm a sucker for a best friend's sibling story, and this was a beautifully executed example of a good one. I've read the two previous books and got a kick out of seeing their heroes mentioned from the other side of the ice. I got such enjoyment out of watching Ryan and Ella try to fight their attraction and I thought it was a marvel to see him step up and be the better man because he believed she shouldn't settle for less. The banter between the siblings was silly and fun, though I thought Lance deserved to be put in his place a heck of a lot more often than it actually happens. The radical honestly policy was an interesting twist to the plot and makes for a fascinating stumbling block at times. I'm excitedly awaiting the next book that takes place in this league. I received a complimentary copy of this book through Hidden Gems Books.