Puck Now, Talk Later

Hunks Who Puck #1

by Lina George

Ansel Adams is the Somerset Seagulls' star goalie. He's also a serious perfectionist, and he is massively in his head after a disappointing loss to the Wildwood Wolverines.

Aria Turner, on the other hand, is a playful optimist. She is a fellow Somerset University student who works at the beach-themed campus coffee shop. When, in a rush, Aria runs into Ansel and sends him tumbling, these college students quite literally start off on the wrong foot.

However, there's more than meets the eye to both Ansel and Aria. His seriousness comes from working hard to achieve what people seem to think comes easy. Her playfulness comes from overcoming adversity and realizing the importance of enjoying your one precious life. And when Aria asks Ansel to repay a small favor, the two are finally forced to realize they might be less 'oil and water' and more so 'perfectly meant to be.'

This short read is a contemporary new adult hockey romance featuring a grumpy/sunshine pairing, instalove/instant attraction, and a satisfying HEA.

Genres: Romance, Sports Romance, Sports, Hockey, Hockey Romance, Contemporary, Ebooks

50 pages, Kindle Edition

Published January 25, 2024

Reviews

[Gabby · Rating 1 out of 5]

-12 stars If I could

There's an hour I will never be able to get back. That was SO BAD. So cringe. So bad. The worst 49 pages I have ever read. I don't know why so many people gave this good reviews on goodreads (to whom I say fck you as the ratings led me to read this). I regret everything. I wouldn't be surprised if the author came out and said they were 12.

[Andrea ☾ [is inconsistently consistant] · Rating 2 out of 5]

2 ⭐️ That's going to be a no from meeeee

What in the actual manic pixie dream girl was that? So a guy is an absolute asshat to you but you are just SOOOO chipperrrrrrr!! that it's just... fine? And he's so grumpy that him being rude as hell it's funny????? Nope.

[Angie.andbooks · Rating 1 out of 5]

not for me

Not my cup of tea. Glad it was short, one less book on my tbr list. . . . .

[Nicola Malloch · Rating 1 out of 5]

This was bad

[Sarah Davidson · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this book a while ago just kept forgetting to update it on Goodreads. Whoopsie but yeah it was fine.

[Kara (bookishskippy) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Managed to complete reading this is the plane ✈️ and it was such a sweet short story between aria and Ansel like the steamy romance ❤️‍🔥 just take me away

[autumn 🍁📚🌻☕️ · Rating 2 out of 5]

🏒 Puck Now, Talk Later, by Lina George
⭐ 2 stars


Finished Reading: January 27, 2025
Reading Challenge: 8/100 books read in 2025
Novella Challenge: 5/100

Puck Now, Talk Later is the first in a collection of short stories revolving around the players of the Somerset seagulls - a collegiate level hockey team. This story is about Ansel the star goalie on the team, who puts pressure on himself to be the best at all times. When straight laced Ansel runs into free spirited Aria their worlds collide - literally - and Aria turns his life upside down.

I found this story to be a little silly, there was a lot of exposition to set the scene at the beginning, and a lot of repetitive descriptions that really could have been done without, but it was cute enough. I found Aria a little obnoxious, and the insta-love came a little out of nowhere but because the story is so short that’s understandable. Overall it was a quick read so I wasn’t too invested, or too disappointed in the story as a whole.

[Anna · Rating 2 out of 5]

Honestly I was so close to putting it down and I’m ngl I wish I had - but I continued cause it was a 45 min read and I was a good 15 mins in.

Eating disorder warning.

All I can say is seriously girl you can’t just through an eating disorder in there without any warning. Poor Aria (who I hated at the beginning way to happy honestly - don’t know wether it’s the british in me but it had me cringing) who didn’t get any backstory till easily over a 3/4 a way through, brought up her eating disorder half way through. And all I can say is if you are gonna throw it in as a plot point like that please discuss how she’s been dealing with it not just ram it in last second tell everyone she’s handled it then bring it up again during the only spicy scene they have which shows she’s clearly struggling.

[Ashley · Rating 5 out of 5]

I defiantly need more of this couple, they are just perfect and the story is amazing. It's defiantly a page turner and it's a short read so perfect if you want a short hockey romance.
After losing the first game of the season Ansel decides to push himself to the limit with extra training as well as collage. He meets Aria in an unexpected way and cant seem to go anywhere without running into her. When finding her working in the cafe and having the best coffee of his life, will Ansel make a move or will he continue to focus on pushing himself

[Jackie Ziegler · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is my first read by this author. Storyline is cute, not really sure where it is going. Hopefully there is more to this series.

Ansel is the goalie for Somerset University, he constantly gets in his head and puts way to much pressure on himself. His teammates even tell him he needs to loosen up. Aria works as a barista and also attends Somerset. After a chance encounter, they quickly become friends but Ansel wants more. Will Aria understand the pressures and help him?.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[The Dirty Bookworm · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not my Cup of Tea

Honestly, i dont think this was a bad read. It just wasn't my cup of tea. I didn't care for Ansel or Aria. I didn't like the writing style or tone of the writing at all. The language just seemed off, as if the author was just trying to use big words, but the characters weren't written in a way that they fit with their personalities or intelligence level.

But those are just my opinions, so take them with a grain of salt. I know a lot of people like this story, and that's great. It wasn't for me, so i won't be continuing the series.

[alorah rodriguez · Rating 5 out of 5]

this book was fantastic read since it was hockey romance. reading hockey romance for the first time had me nervous since i didn't know or what to expect but overall this book was sooo freaking good. it was soo hard to put down this book even though i put it down a few times. i'm very glad that both aria and asher were able to find each other. the spice level was very steamy like i wanted more of it.

[Maelle C · Rating 3 out of 5]

I usually like short stories, but I think this book would have deserved to be a little longer. The psychology of the MCs would have really deserved to be more in-depth, and it would also have been interesting to see how their relationship could have helped them.

Nevertheless, the story is interesting and has a lot of potential, and the writing is fluid and pleasant.

[The clumsy Valkyrie · Rating 2 out of 5]

I don't know what to say. Just felt really cringy to me tbh. I don't give low ratings very often but this just wasn't it for me.

The oil and water thing felt forced just for the sake of it and I don't know why they would be perfectly meant to be tbh. 🙈

You often see people say it was okay but it could've been 100 pages less. I think this needed about 100 pages more. 🫤

[Jonathan Prim · Rating 2 out of 5]

Ansel and Aria, what a duo. These bite-sized stories promise fast-paced plot, quick character building, and a headlong tumble into love. Ambitious, yes, but here it falls flat. The hockey action takes center stage, leaving the romance in the penalty box. Ansel has more chemistry with his roommate than his actual love interest…now that would have been a plot twist.

[Wendy Livingstone · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is Ansel and Aria’s story.
This is a well written quick read, with friendships, grumpy / sunshine, instant love, undeniable chemistry, and is an entertaining hockey romance.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Justine Renee · Rating 4 out of 5]

This one's really short, but it's cutee. I probably would've loved this more as a full novel with more build up. But I still liked it tho. A cute quick read if you're trying to catch up with your reading goal.

[Amber · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a cute & short hockey romance. You fall in love with Aria right away, and hearing a part of her story makes you want to know more about her and root for her. Ansel doesn't give typical jock energy, and I love that about this book.

[Ashlee McElroy · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐️: 3.5
🌶️: 2
this is a short novella hockey romance, it was adorable honestly. ansel is such a sweetheart and i loved aria’s personality so much.
but i do wish i could have gotten more details on them and more to this story!
it felt a little rushed in my opinion but i did still enjoy this book!

[cj ♥ · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 for this one - it was only short, like 50 pages short. i love a short book but this one really missed out on character building, i didn't really like any character to be honest. i found it hard to connect *at all* it just felt pretty cringe.

[Tarneisha Chavis · Rating 3 out of 5]

A perfectionist and an optimist! It's like they were made for each other. He is all serious and let everything bother him and she is playful and doesn't let anything bother her. The connection was there. The plot just wasn't enough in my eyes but overall it was a good book. Such a fast read!

[Nate · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed Ansel and Aria’s story. It was an engaging, fun read. But am voluntarily leaving this review.

[Melissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Aria and Ansel

This is a quick, cute story about how opposites are attracted to each other. There is a little steam at the end.

[Marquita L. Miller · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute short story.

This is a cute short story. Ansel is super serious and Aria is optimistic. Together they balance each other. The inner thoughts for Ansel are a bit long-winded!!!

[Camille Robitaille · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good

Good short story. Yes the main character plays hockey but I wouldn't consider it a hockey romance. Still fun reading.

[Tiffany Wilson · Rating 4 out of 5]

pretty good.

I really liked it. Short and sweet. Definitely a short book to read. If you like love and hockey, it’s for you!

[Mae · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was as good as you would expect a book this short to be.

[Shelby Baggett]

Too short. Not very good overall

[Angela · Rating 4 out of 5]

cute

Awww!!!! Supper cute short story! Ansel and Aria are sugary sweet. I wish there was more to their story!

Sports: hockey
Opposites attract
Short story

[jess ☆ · Rating 2 out of 5]

fmc is a cutie so that's the only reason why this book is getting 2 stars