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The Chicago Challengers Series #2
Puck Bunny
He's one scandal away from losing everything.
It took grit and determination, but John Richards has managed to claw out a spot for himself in the NHL and hold onto it for over a decade.
Unfortunately, thanks to a combination of poor choices and a shadow from his past, he's one misstep away from losing it all.
What he needs now is a miracle.
She's one bad date away from giving up on love.
Annie Taylor is cursed. It's the only possible explanation for the recent string of bizarre dates she's had with men ranging from Spandex fanatics to macaroni artists.
What she really needs is a dating hiatus, a break from her never-ending quest to find The One.
Annie is shocked when her brother-in-law's teammate proposes a fake-dating scheme. Her wholesome kindergarten teacher vibe is just what he needs to rehab his image.
It sounds crazy, but the more she thinks about it, the more perfect she realizes his plan might be. How better to protect her heart–and preserve her sanity–than to “commit” to the least available man possible?
Puck Bunny is the second book in Jillian Maclean's heart-warming Chicago Challengers hockey series.
It took grit and determination, but John Richards has managed to claw out a spot for himself in the NHL and hold onto it for over a decade.
Unfortunately, thanks to a combination of poor choices and a shadow from his past, he's one misstep away from losing it all.
What he needs now is a miracle.
She's one bad date away from giving up on love.
Annie Taylor is cursed. It's the only possible explanation for the recent string of bizarre dates she's had with men ranging from Spandex fanatics to macaroni artists.
What she really needs is a dating hiatus, a break from her never-ending quest to find The One.
Annie is shocked when her brother-in-law's teammate proposes a fake-dating scheme. Her wholesome kindergarten teacher vibe is just what he needs to rehab his image.
It sounds crazy, but the more she thinks about it, the more perfect she realizes his plan might be. How better to protect her heart–and preserve her sanity–than to “commit” to the least available man possible?
Puck Bunny is the second book in Jillian Maclean's heart-warming Chicago Challengers hockey series.
- GenresHockeyHockey Romance
418 pages, Kindle Edition
Published February 25, 2026
14 people are currently reading
17 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 47 reviews
February 26, 2026
⭐️⭐️⭐️.5
Thank you Love Notes PR & Jillian Maclean for the ARC!
This was such a cute, cozy hockey romance! You’ve got grumpy/sunshine, fake dating, and a slow burn that really slow burns — and honestly, I had a soft spot for it.
Annie was so relatable, especially watching her figure herself out again, and John? Total grump on the outside, secret marshmallow on the inside. I loved seeing his softer side peek through.
The third-person POV took me a minute to settle into, and the miscommunication stretched things out a bit more than I prefer, but I genuinely liked these two together. They brought out the best in each other, which made the emotional payoff feel worth it.
The ending caught me off guard — not bad at all, just different than I pictured!
Overall, a sweet, character-focused romance that slow-burn lovers will definitely enjoy. 💕
Thank you Love Notes PR & Jillian Maclean for the ARC!
This was such a cute, cozy hockey romance! You’ve got grumpy/sunshine, fake dating, and a slow burn that really slow burns — and honestly, I had a soft spot for it.
Annie was so relatable, especially watching her figure herself out again, and John? Total grump on the outside, secret marshmallow on the inside. I loved seeing his softer side peek through.
The third-person POV took me a minute to settle into, and the miscommunication stretched things out a bit more than I prefer, but I genuinely liked these two together. They brought out the best in each other, which made the emotional payoff feel worth it.
The ending caught me off guard — not bad at all, just different than I pictured!
Overall, a sweet, character-focused romance that slow-burn lovers will definitely enjoy. 💕
February 14, 2026
ARC review thank you to love notes for picking me! This book was cute and I loved the character growth but the self deprecation on both sides did become a bit exhausting as the book went on. The ending was a bit odd but overall it was a fun read!
February 28, 2026
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5 stars for this book. I loved Annie and John so much. I loved how much they cared for each other. John might be a tough NHL enforcer with his team and Annie might be a sweet family oriented kindergarten teacher but they were at their best when they are together. Both these characters were so well written.
John, like many pro athletes went a little wild after making it to the big show and for a long time, he embraced that lifestyle. He wanted to prove he wasn't the poor kid from the wrong side of Philly. He liked flashy and expensive things, compensating for his oast and trying to run from his past. Scared that someone would see him as less worthy because of his childhood. Scared that they would see him as a dumb kid who shouldn't have made it. He thought negatively about himself and believed he wasn't good enough for an amazing woman like Annie.
Annie might have an NHL player for a brother in law but she doesn't follow hockey. She will attend games, usually to help her sister. One of her best friend's was also dating a player. Annie knew some of the players because of this but none would consider her a puck bunny, unless they were idiots. She was a friend but nothing more. She loved her life as a teacher but was extremely hard on herself. She was self conscious about her figure and her weight. She didn't believe she was beautiful and felt that she wasn't worth a players time. She continually compared herself to the typical supermodel WAGs and didn't trust that any guy, especially a pro athlete would want her. She settled for less, accepting dates from guys who were truly unworthy of even one minute of her time. When John offered her his extra ticket she thought there was no way a catch like him could want to date anyone as plain as her.
After they were seen together, John was getting positive pr so they decided to fake date, eventually living together after a plumbing and heating emergency. With fake dates for social media posts and many nights in together they settled into a comfortable friendship. They were determined ti help each other, Annie learning more about her own wants and needs and John getting the best contract we could. Soon real feelings were in play but neither felt worthy of the other. I hated how they truly felt so negatively about themselves. They both need to work on their self esteem and self worth. When they finally truly communicate with each other without fear they could gave a happily ever after. Though they do have to stop letting the media and outside sources dictate their relationship. As long as they continue to love and support each other they will be a power couple for years to come. Annie might have a puck bunny shirt but she will never be a bunny. She is one of the Challengers WAGs and she caught her buck!
Thank you Jillian Maclean and LoveNotesPR for the ARC and the opportunity to review!
John, like many pro athletes went a little wild after making it to the big show and for a long time, he embraced that lifestyle. He wanted to prove he wasn't the poor kid from the wrong side of Philly. He liked flashy and expensive things, compensating for his oast and trying to run from his past. Scared that someone would see him as less worthy because of his childhood. Scared that they would see him as a dumb kid who shouldn't have made it. He thought negatively about himself and believed he wasn't good enough for an amazing woman like Annie.
Annie might have an NHL player for a brother in law but she doesn't follow hockey. She will attend games, usually to help her sister. One of her best friend's was also dating a player. Annie knew some of the players because of this but none would consider her a puck bunny, unless they were idiots. She was a friend but nothing more. She loved her life as a teacher but was extremely hard on herself. She was self conscious about her figure and her weight. She didn't believe she was beautiful and felt that she wasn't worth a players time. She continually compared herself to the typical supermodel WAGs and didn't trust that any guy, especially a pro athlete would want her. She settled for less, accepting dates from guys who were truly unworthy of even one minute of her time. When John offered her his extra ticket she thought there was no way a catch like him could want to date anyone as plain as her.
After they were seen together, John was getting positive pr so they decided to fake date, eventually living together after a plumbing and heating emergency. With fake dates for social media posts and many nights in together they settled into a comfortable friendship. They were determined ti help each other, Annie learning more about her own wants and needs and John getting the best contract we could. Soon real feelings were in play but neither felt worthy of the other. I hated how they truly felt so negatively about themselves. They both need to work on their self esteem and self worth. When they finally truly communicate with each other without fear they could gave a happily ever after. Though they do have to stop letting the media and outside sources dictate their relationship. As long as they continue to love and support each other they will be a power couple for years to come. Annie might have a puck bunny shirt but she will never be a bunny. She is one of the Challengers WAGs and she caught her buck!
Thank you Jillian Maclean and LoveNotesPR for the ARC and the opportunity to review!
March 1, 2026
Disclaimer: I received an ARC of the book and spoilers towards the end
This book was...fine. Originally, I was going to give the book 3 stars, but the last 10% was so random and unrealistic, that I bumped it down to 2 stars.
I'm a big fan of fake dating, but the characters have to know each other for a while (i.e. friends, co-workers, best friend's brother, etc). I felt the fake dating felt a bit too random as John and Annie have only met each other a handful of times. (I haven't read book 1 of the series so they might have known each other more then, but in this book, I got the impression that they've only met a few times before deciding to fake date). I was also surprised that the most of the book takes place over the time span of one month, which is stated in Chapter 52 & 57. This short of a timeframe make the storyline unrealistic for me.
I also got a bit annoyed with the author because she kept emphasizing how John and Annie didn't think they were each other's type. For example, John saw himself as dumb trailer trash that barely passed high school that would never measure up to Annie's academic level. Annie because she was curvier with a bigger butt and thick thighs (oh no my lobster too buttery and my steak too juicy) which wasn't the typical body type of John's past puck bunnies.
Some of the dialogue was a bit cringe like when John said he needed to put on his big boy pants and tell Annie how he felt or Annie's inner thoughts of "“What in the name of Goldfish crackers had she stumbled into?”
Spoiler alert!
The author deciding to have Annie kidnapped in Chapter 71 with only 75 chapters in the book felt so out of left field. I was rolling my eyes a bit because the boss of the kidnapper turned out to be the dad of Annie's students.
BUT there were some parts of the book that I did enjoy. For example, I loved the scenes where Annie got her butterfly tattoo and John was explaining the meaning behind his lioness and cub tattoo and when they went to the sex store together. John really encouraged Annie to take a self-discovery journey while they were fake dating so she could grow as a person and learn what she likes.
This book was...fine. Originally, I was going to give the book 3 stars, but the last 10% was so random and unrealistic, that I bumped it down to 2 stars.
I'm a big fan of fake dating, but the characters have to know each other for a while (i.e. friends, co-workers, best friend's brother, etc). I felt the fake dating felt a bit too random as John and Annie have only met each other a handful of times. (I haven't read book 1 of the series so they might have known each other more then, but in this book, I got the impression that they've only met a few times before deciding to fake date). I was also surprised that the most of the book takes place over the time span of one month, which is stated in Chapter 52 & 57. This short of a timeframe make the storyline unrealistic for me.
I also got a bit annoyed with the author because she kept emphasizing how John and Annie didn't think they were each other's type. For example, John saw himself as dumb trailer trash that barely passed high school that would never measure up to Annie's academic level. Annie because she was curvier with a bigger butt and thick thighs (oh no my lobster too buttery and my steak too juicy) which wasn't the typical body type of John's past puck bunnies.
Some of the dialogue was a bit cringe like when John said he needed to put on his big boy pants and tell Annie how he felt or Annie's inner thoughts of "“What in the name of Goldfish crackers had she stumbled into?”
Spoiler alert!
The author deciding to have Annie kidnapped in Chapter 71 with only 75 chapters in the book felt so out of left field. I was rolling my eyes a bit because the boss of the kidnapper turned out to be the dad of Annie's students.
BUT there were some parts of the book that I did enjoy. For example, I loved the scenes where Annie got her butterfly tattoo and John was explaining the meaning behind his lioness and cub tattoo and when they went to the sex store together. John really encouraged Annie to take a self-discovery journey while they were fake dating so she could grow as a person and learn what she likes.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Puck Bunny 🐰
Firstly,I want to thank LoveNotes PR & Jillian Maclean for trusting me with this wonderful ARC!🩵
After overcoming every difficulty,John Richards is finally into NHL.Yet,he will find himself one wrong decision away from being kicked out.
Annie Taylor,doesn't remember herself being in a successful date.So, when her brother's in law teammate,suggests her to fake date,she believes that only through this way her curse may be lifted.
THAT WAS AMAZING.It literally gave EVERYTHING that I wanted it,to give.We have passion,love,funny moments,hockey,a super hot man,and a sunshine girly that is about to discover herself!What else can I ask?As you understand a 5 star rating is MANDATORY is this one.✨
Getting into the characters,both Annie & John had incredibly chemistry,and I could not get enough of them.Every scene they had was even better than the previous one!As individuals,they are POLAR opposites,and if you ask me that is what made them THE COUPLE!
Their romance,is instant attraction,yet slow burning as they both need to understand who they truly are and not just have an other relationships that is going to end up just hitting a wall.Specifically Annie,is doing a great job,& in the end we see a new wonderful woman,that is ready to conquer the world with her energy!GO GIRL!
An other little detail I loved,was the mystery that was going around for the most of the book about John past.The whole idea was,really good written and the ending of that story did not disappoint AT ALL!
Just like that,I arrived at the epilogue that was so,so original and gave me the moment that I was like WE HAVE THAT 5 STAR HERE!🫣
Long story short,if you are in the mood of a cute hockey romance or just finished heated rivalry and need an other five star in your TBR,Puck Bunny is THE PERFECT read for you!
Out On 25th,Feb 🏒
5⭐
Firstly,I want to thank LoveNotes PR & Jillian Maclean for trusting me with this wonderful ARC!🩵
After overcoming every difficulty,John Richards is finally into NHL.Yet,he will find himself one wrong decision away from being kicked out.
Annie Taylor,doesn't remember herself being in a successful date.So, when her brother's in law teammate,suggests her to fake date,she believes that only through this way her curse may be lifted.
THAT WAS AMAZING.It literally gave EVERYTHING that I wanted it,to give.We have passion,love,funny moments,hockey,a super hot man,and a sunshine girly that is about to discover herself!What else can I ask?As you understand a 5 star rating is MANDATORY is this one.✨
Getting into the characters,both Annie & John had incredibly chemistry,and I could not get enough of them.Every scene they had was even better than the previous one!As individuals,they are POLAR opposites,and if you ask me that is what made them THE COUPLE!
Their romance,is instant attraction,yet slow burning as they both need to understand who they truly are and not just have an other relationships that is going to end up just hitting a wall.Specifically Annie,is doing a great job,& in the end we see a new wonderful woman,that is ready to conquer the world with her energy!GO GIRL!
An other little detail I loved,was the mystery that was going around for the most of the book about John past.The whole idea was,really good written and the ending of that story did not disappoint AT ALL!
Just like that,I arrived at the epilogue that was so,so original and gave me the moment that I was like WE HAVE THAT 5 STAR HERE!🫣
Long story short,if you are in the mood of a cute hockey romance or just finished heated rivalry and need an other five star in your TBR,Puck Bunny is THE PERFECT read for you!
Out On 25th,Feb 🏒
5⭐
February 28, 2026
This hockey romance was such a soft, sweet surprise and honestly left me with the biggest smile 🏒💗
Book two in the series leans into some of my favorite tropes — grumpy/sunshine, fake dating, slow burn, and hockey player x teacher — and it balances them so well. It’s light and cute in places, but also layered with emotional growth and self-discovery that made it feel meaningful.
Annie completely won me over. Her journey toward self-acceptance felt so genuine and relatable. Watching her agree to fake date John and slowly start questioning what was real? I loved every second of that tension. You could feel her heart opening little by little, and it made the payoff so much sweeter.
And John… I expected full grumpy hockey player energy, but instead we get this shy, slightly awkward, soft-underneath-the-scowl man who absolutely melts for Annie. The way his walls come down around her was everything. He may be reserved in public, but in private? He makes sure Annie knows exactly how beautiful and worthy she is. The quiet devotion. The tenderness. The way he steps up and takes charge when it matters. Swoon.
Their slow burn is definitely slow — slower than I usually prefer — but it works for their story. You really get to see them build trust and friendship before anything else, which makes their relationship feel solid and earned. And that little twist near the end? Totally caught me off guard in the best way.
If you love romances where the couple genuinely brings out the best in each other, where growth and softness matter just as much as chemistry, and where the grump falls the hardest? This one is absolutely worth picking up. It’s sweet, heartfelt, and full of those quiet, swoony moments that make you hug the book when you’re done 💕✨
Book two in the series leans into some of my favorite tropes — grumpy/sunshine, fake dating, slow burn, and hockey player x teacher — and it balances them so well. It’s light and cute in places, but also layered with emotional growth and self-discovery that made it feel meaningful.
Annie completely won me over. Her journey toward self-acceptance felt so genuine and relatable. Watching her agree to fake date John and slowly start questioning what was real? I loved every second of that tension. You could feel her heart opening little by little, and it made the payoff so much sweeter.
And John… I expected full grumpy hockey player energy, but instead we get this shy, slightly awkward, soft-underneath-the-scowl man who absolutely melts for Annie. The way his walls come down around her was everything. He may be reserved in public, but in private? He makes sure Annie knows exactly how beautiful and worthy she is. The quiet devotion. The tenderness. The way he steps up and takes charge when it matters. Swoon.
Their slow burn is definitely slow — slower than I usually prefer — but it works for their story. You really get to see them build trust and friendship before anything else, which makes their relationship feel solid and earned. And that little twist near the end? Totally caught me off guard in the best way.
If you love romances where the couple genuinely brings out the best in each other, where growth and softness matter just as much as chemistry, and where the grump falls the hardest? This one is absolutely worth picking up. It’s sweet, heartfelt, and full of those quiet, swoony moments that make you hug the book when you’re done 💕✨
March 1, 2026
I give 3.5 stars. I got this as an ARC and having never read any of her material I was excited to read someone new. It's hard to get into fake dating tropes even though they're one of my favorites because they're often too similar; however; this one was still interesting enough to continue reading. John is a former playboy and Annie is his Captain's sister-in-law and of course she has to move in because there are issues at her house. Very classic plot and both characters are interested in each other from the beginning but think they are out of each other's leagues. I had to look up a few words to make sure I understood them which seemed a bit too much at times but it's not terrible. I think the writing was okay and I was invested in the outcome of the story. I wish there was more banter and humor between teammates but I didn't read the first one to know what the tone of the series is. I thought it was cool to have the tabloid articles but wasn't a fan of the chapters where there were text exchanges. Overall, it was a cute book with likeable characters. I would read the rest of the series to see how the other character's stories go, but it's not a deep book that makes me immediately want to grab the rest. I think the author is off to a great start and I look forward to seeing what she writes next.
February 23, 2026
“Annie was already doing a number on him with her beautiful body and sweet self. Now she had to smell delicious, too? Not fair.”
This book is so good, how the fake dating to real dating is done is perfection. They needed the fake dating to get from acquaintances to more. They needed the ability of that ruse so that they had time to figure themselves out as well as be their selfs and allow the other to fall in love with who they truly are.
John is a true big softy at heart. He might be the bad boy whilst on the ice but he’s so sweet and thoughtful. When Annie says she wants to try new things, he’s on board and he doesn’t take over but he helps her come up with ideas of new things to try and joins her in trying them. He’s got a huge heart and cares immensely.
And when things do develop in the spicy department, John is pretty damn spicy 🌶️ his mouth is 🥵
Annie is a sweetie, she spends most of the time beating herself up and thinking she’s not worthy after a long list of exs are horrific to her, but I love the way with a little bit of Johns help but mostly her own strength she rebuilds her confidence. Even though she’s been knocked down she gets back up. And she’s just sweet.
I liked the added level of drama this one had compared to the first book, with Johns old school friend causing trouble and making it difficult for John and Annie.
Look forward to seeing what Jillian is going to do with the rest of this series.
🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
“She wasn’t just beautiful; she was a goddess.”
This book is so good, how the fake dating to real dating is done is perfection. They needed the fake dating to get from acquaintances to more. They needed the ability of that ruse so that they had time to figure themselves out as well as be their selfs and allow the other to fall in love with who they truly are.
John is a true big softy at heart. He might be the bad boy whilst on the ice but he’s so sweet and thoughtful. When Annie says she wants to try new things, he’s on board and he doesn’t take over but he helps her come up with ideas of new things to try and joins her in trying them. He’s got a huge heart and cares immensely.
And when things do develop in the spicy department, John is pretty damn spicy 🌶️ his mouth is 🥵
Annie is a sweetie, she spends most of the time beating herself up and thinking she’s not worthy after a long list of exs are horrific to her, but I love the way with a little bit of Johns help but mostly her own strength she rebuilds her confidence. Even though she’s been knocked down she gets back up. And she’s just sweet.
I liked the added level of drama this one had compared to the first book, with Johns old school friend causing trouble and making it difficult for John and Annie.
Look forward to seeing what Jillian is going to do with the rest of this series.
🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
“She wasn’t just beautiful; she was a goddess.”
February 28, 2026
Thank you to the author and Love Notes PR for my gifted copy.
Hockey romance is a go-to genre for me. While this story involved hockey players, there wasn’t a lot of hockey involved. I enjoyed this story. It was light and fluffy. The characters were charming. I didn’t particularly see the MMC as a “bad boy” but I understand where that was coming from. I enjoyed knowing the characters’ inner feelings when they didn’t know each others. It made me want to scream a couple of times but it was charming. I dislike the miscommunication trope. It just seems silly when a quick conversation would solve things.
While I enjoyed this story, it didn’t knock my socks off. I felt that the characters’ insecurities was mentioned a lot in the early chapters to the point it was repetitive and made me roll my eyes. I tended to skip those paragraphs because I got it - she’s self-conscious of her body, he thinks he is “just a dumb jock.” The repetitiveness really brought the story down for me. I also felt the “kidnapping” at the end felt forced. It didn’t help that I just read a different hockey romance with a similar plot but that I thought was executed a little better.
Overall, I enjoyed the story and chemistry between the characters. It was an easy read which is always a good thing.
Hockey romance is a go-to genre for me. While this story involved hockey players, there wasn’t a lot of hockey involved. I enjoyed this story. It was light and fluffy. The characters were charming. I didn’t particularly see the MMC as a “bad boy” but I understand where that was coming from. I enjoyed knowing the characters’ inner feelings when they didn’t know each others. It made me want to scream a couple of times but it was charming. I dislike the miscommunication trope. It just seems silly when a quick conversation would solve things.
While I enjoyed this story, it didn’t knock my socks off. I felt that the characters’ insecurities was mentioned a lot in the early chapters to the point it was repetitive and made me roll my eyes. I tended to skip those paragraphs because I got it - she’s self-conscious of her body, he thinks he is “just a dumb jock.” The repetitiveness really brought the story down for me. I also felt the “kidnapping” at the end felt forced. It didn’t help that I just read a different hockey romance with a similar plot but that I thought was executed a little better.
Overall, I enjoyed the story and chemistry between the characters. It was an easy read which is always a good thing.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 1, 2026
ARC review book 2 in the Chicago Challenges series
Antecdotal thoughts while reading
Annie's best friend (dad is asst. coach) plus sister are tied to the hockey team. She has no other choice than to join in the festivities.
John being awkward is sweet to read.
John from modest, humble beginnings and doesn't fit in with the rich and famous NHL lifestyle.
Will there be a fake relationship to clean up his image?
Don't think I would of lasted as long with the insect guy.
Cheese and crackers. Holy snickerdoodle. Holy fracker on a cracker. Oh sheep! 😂
The ex and a recent past date....oh no! Related!!! WTF
Oh boy, drunk Annie isn't good.
Some forced proximity starting
That's a big first step in your year of discovery Annie!
I love how they've both shocked each other enough to throw back sake like a shot.
Who is this Estelle lady?? Why does she sound like a long time puck 🐰? Maybe from high school days??? Question answered.
I think both John and Annie's love language is acts of service. They both seem to nurture each other.
Trying to see if you've got game John?? 😄
John, are you Dyslexic?
At some point Estella needs to be responsible for her own choices, good or bad.
Welp, you screwed up big time!
Oh 💩! Does this trace back to Estelle?
Antecdotal thoughts while reading
Annie's best friend (dad is asst. coach) plus sister are tied to the hockey team. She has no other choice than to join in the festivities.
John being awkward is sweet to read.
John from modest, humble beginnings and doesn't fit in with the rich and famous NHL lifestyle.
Will there be a fake relationship to clean up his image?
Don't think I would of lasted as long with the insect guy.
Cheese and crackers. Holy snickerdoodle. Holy fracker on a cracker. Oh sheep! 😂
The ex and a recent past date....oh no! Related!!! WTF
Oh boy, drunk Annie isn't good.
Some forced proximity starting
That's a big first step in your year of discovery Annie!
I love how they've both shocked each other enough to throw back sake like a shot.
Who is this Estelle lady?? Why does she sound like a long time puck 🐰? Maybe from high school days??? Question answered.
I think both John and Annie's love language is acts of service. They both seem to nurture each other.
Trying to see if you've got game John?? 😄
John, are you Dyslexic?
At some point Estella needs to be responsible for her own choices, good or bad.
Welp, you screwed up big time!
Oh 💩! Does this trace back to Estelle?
Review of advance copy received from Indie Reviewers
Annie es una maestra de kínder que vive tranquila, rodeada de libros, niños y planes sencillos. Lo último que necesita es complicarse la vida con un jugador profesional de hockey que aparece en todas las columnas de chismes de Chicago. Sin embargo, una invitación inesperada a una obra de teatro la pone en el radar de John Richards, el ala derecha más temido y comentado de los Chicago Challengers.
John tiene la fama de fiestero y chico problema, pero fuera del hielo su historia es distinta. Viene de un pasado humilde, ha trabajado duro por cada contrato y no está tan cómodo bajo los reflectores como todos creen. Cuando los rumores comienzan a circular y su imagen pública amenaza con afectar su carrera, Annie se convierte en la persona menos probable para ayudarlo.
Lo que inicia como un favor pronto se transforma en algo mucho más profundo. Annie descubre que detrás del jugador rudo hay un hombre leal y protector, mientras John encuentra en ella una estabilidad que no sabía que necesitaba.
___
Le falto un mejor desarrollo al tema de E.
Gracias Love Notes PR por el ARC.
John tiene la fama de fiestero y chico problema, pero fuera del hielo su historia es distinta. Viene de un pasado humilde, ha trabajado duro por cada contrato y no está tan cómodo bajo los reflectores como todos creen. Cuando los rumores comienzan a circular y su imagen pública amenaza con afectar su carrera, Annie se convierte en la persona menos probable para ayudarlo.
Lo que inicia como un favor pronto se transforma en algo mucho más profundo. Annie descubre que detrás del jugador rudo hay un hombre leal y protector, mientras John encuentra en ella una estabilidad que no sabía que necesitaba.
___
Le falto un mejor desarrollo al tema de E.
Gracias Love Notes PR por el ARC.
Review of advance copy
The strong enforcer and the sweet teacher have explosive chemistry.
John Richards is an enforcer on the ice and one shot away of losing his career due to poor decisions and a questionable past. He needs help.
Annie Taylor has had the worst luck when it comes to love. She has a tendency to attract the worst of the worst. She needs a dating hiatus.
Fake dating each other seems like the solution to both their problems: date a kindergarten teacher and clean up his image, date a notorious playboy and take a dating break.
What starts off as fake, quickly turns into something real and undeniable, but insecurities and past problems become obstacles in the pursuit of love.
Puck Bunny is an amazing story of slow burn attraction, deep connection and true love.
Jillian Maclean gives us a testimony of how love knows no bounds, of polar opposites attracting, of finding your soulmate in unexpected places, of being enough, finding yourself and overcoming insecurities.
The story is well written, the characters have depth and the plot evolves naturally.
A beautiful, spicy, swoon worthy romance.
Thank you for the ARC.
John Richards is an enforcer on the ice and one shot away of losing his career due to poor decisions and a questionable past. He needs help.
Annie Taylor has had the worst luck when it comes to love. She has a tendency to attract the worst of the worst. She needs a dating hiatus.
Fake dating each other seems like the solution to both their problems: date a kindergarten teacher and clean up his image, date a notorious playboy and take a dating break.
What starts off as fake, quickly turns into something real and undeniable, but insecurities and past problems become obstacles in the pursuit of love.
Puck Bunny is an amazing story of slow burn attraction, deep connection and true love.
Jillian Maclean gives us a testimony of how love knows no bounds, of polar opposites attracting, of finding your soulmate in unexpected places, of being enough, finding yourself and overcoming insecurities.
The story is well written, the characters have depth and the plot evolves naturally.
A beautiful, spicy, swoon worthy romance.
Thank you for the ARC.
February 13, 2026
Advanced Readers Copy Review!
First of all so honored to get an arc copy and be given this opportunity!! Thank you Love Notes PR & Jillian Maclean 💋🫶
3.5 ⭐️
Now what we’ve all been waiting for, the review. This was adorable, super cute, little spicy, little funny, ya know everything we want from a hockey romance! You can always count on me to read a fake dating hockey romance 🥰
Had mostly everything I wanted. The slowburn, the opposites attract, overcoming insecurities, the typical hockey player in need of saving his reputation, and the girl giving up on love. I am a fake dating LOVER! Especially when it doesn’t become fake and is undeniable 😏
I wish there was a smidge bit more spice (please don’t come after me for this one 😩). I also felt really disconnected from the characters, maybe it’s because of the third person pov, I’m not sure. Sometime the conversation felt very forced as well which made it a little bit hard for me to get through.
All in all this is a good hockey romance book, BUT as someone who has read lots of hockey romance this did not stand out to me all that much. I really enjoyed my time reading it though do not mistake that! 🩷
First of all so honored to get an arc copy and be given this opportunity!! Thank you Love Notes PR & Jillian Maclean 💋🫶
3.5 ⭐️
Now what we’ve all been waiting for, the review. This was adorable, super cute, little spicy, little funny, ya know everything we want from a hockey romance! You can always count on me to read a fake dating hockey romance 🥰
Had mostly everything I wanted. The slowburn, the opposites attract, overcoming insecurities, the typical hockey player in need of saving his reputation, and the girl giving up on love. I am a fake dating LOVER! Especially when it doesn’t become fake and is undeniable 😏
I wish there was a smidge bit more spice (please don’t come after me for this one 😩). I also felt really disconnected from the characters, maybe it’s because of the third person pov, I’m not sure. Sometime the conversation felt very forced as well which made it a little bit hard for me to get through.
All in all this is a good hockey romance book, BUT as someone who has read lots of hockey romance this did not stand out to me all that much. I really enjoyed my time reading it though do not mistake that! 🩷
Review of advance copy
When I got to the end of this book and realized this is only the author’s second book ever (not just the second in the series), my jaw actually hit the floor.
This story has a little bit of everything: deep character connection, found family, the transformative power of love and support, and yes… a few hot, spicy page-turners. 🥵🔥
When we first meet these characters, we immediately see their insecurities and self-doubt. On the outside, they appear confident, stable, and attractive—but internally, they’re battling that quiet voice that tells them they aren’t enough. That they’re unlovable. That voice felt painfully real and incredibly relatable.
What I loved most is how their growth mirrors each other. They’re different, yet exactly what the other needs. Watching them not only fall in love with each other, but also learn to love themselves, made the emotional payoff hit so much harder.
The unexpected drama added just the right amount of tension and gave the story an extra layer I didn’t see coming. And that full-circle moment? I absolutely lost it. Phenomenal.
I’m officially obsessed and already counting down to book three. Hopefully sooner rather than later.
This story has a little bit of everything: deep character connection, found family, the transformative power of love and support, and yes… a few hot, spicy page-turners. 🥵🔥
When we first meet these characters, we immediately see their insecurities and self-doubt. On the outside, they appear confident, stable, and attractive—but internally, they’re battling that quiet voice that tells them they aren’t enough. That they’re unlovable. That voice felt painfully real and incredibly relatable.
What I loved most is how their growth mirrors each other. They’re different, yet exactly what the other needs. Watching them not only fall in love with each other, but also learn to love themselves, made the emotional payoff hit so much harder.
The unexpected drama added just the right amount of tension and gave the story an extra layer I didn’t see coming. And that full-circle moment? I absolutely lost it. Phenomenal.
I’m officially obsessed and already counting down to book three. Hopefully sooner rather than later.
February 26, 2026
Thank you for the ARC — this is my honest review.
Puck Bunny by Jillian MacLean was exactly what I hoped it would be: a fun, swoony hockey romance with fake dating, layered characters, and just enough emotional depth to keep it from feeling predictable.
The tropes alone had me excited — hockey romance and fake dating are two of my absolute favorites romance tropes (maybe the only romance I read) — and while the book doesn’t necessarily reinvent the genre, it brings thoughtful nuance to familiar dynamics.
John is incredibly sweet without feeling flat. He has that soft, quietly devoted energy that makes him easy to root for. Annie, on the other hand, is such a genuinely good-hearted character, but she struggles with her own insecurities and internal doubts. Both of them carry emotional baggage that clouds how they interpret each other’s actions, which creates believable tension rather than unnecessary drama.
For most of the novel, the story feels like a comfort read: witty banter, natural chemistry, swoony fake dating moments, and emotional vulnerability woven in at the right pace.
Then the final stretch shifts the tone. The drama toward the end genuinely caught my attention — not in a cliché way, but in a “wait… what is happening right now?” way. It raises the emotional stakes and gives the story a stronger payoff.
Overall, this is a romantic, engaging sports romance with heart, humor, and just enough angst to keep things interesting. If you love hockey romance and fake dating, this one is definitely worth picking up.
Puck Bunny by Jillian MacLean was exactly what I hoped it would be: a fun, swoony hockey romance with fake dating, layered characters, and just enough emotional depth to keep it from feeling predictable.
The tropes alone had me excited — hockey romance and fake dating are two of my absolute favorites romance tropes (maybe the only romance I read) — and while the book doesn’t necessarily reinvent the genre, it brings thoughtful nuance to familiar dynamics.
John is incredibly sweet without feeling flat. He has that soft, quietly devoted energy that makes him easy to root for. Annie, on the other hand, is such a genuinely good-hearted character, but she struggles with her own insecurities and internal doubts. Both of them carry emotional baggage that clouds how they interpret each other’s actions, which creates believable tension rather than unnecessary drama.
For most of the novel, the story feels like a comfort read: witty banter, natural chemistry, swoony fake dating moments, and emotional vulnerability woven in at the right pace.
Then the final stretch shifts the tone. The drama toward the end genuinely caught my attention — not in a cliché way, but in a “wait… what is happening right now?” way. It raises the emotional stakes and gives the story a stronger payoff.
Overall, this is a romantic, engaging sports romance with heart, humor, and just enough angst to keep things interesting. If you love hockey romance and fake dating, this one is definitely worth picking up.
Review of advance copy
Thank you to LoveNotesPR for the ARC 💓
3.5 ⭐️ (Goodreads we need half stars please 🙏)
🏒 Hockey player
✏️ Teacher
🫶 Fake dating
🪞 Image/reputation damage control
Hockey player MMC John has a bit of a bad image and reputation that is threatening to destroy the career he has worked so hard for. Annie, his team mates sister in law and kindergarten teacher might just be the answer to his problems. Annie is down on luck after a string of really terrible dates and feels ready to take a dating break. The pair enter a fake dating situation in order to protect their hearts and reputation but as we know this plan doesn't always follow the rules...
Lots of potential in this read and fake dating is one of my favourite tropes but for me it was too long (over 400 pages), there wasn't enough spice (personal preference 😜) and it was in 3rd person! I cannot with the 3rd person im sorry! 🙄
The book was ok but nothing stood out for me.
The cricket protein bar chat was something else... 😳 not in a good way!
Sorry, this one just wasn't for me.
3.5 ⭐️ (Goodreads we need half stars please 🙏)
🏒 Hockey player
✏️ Teacher
🫶 Fake dating
🪞 Image/reputation damage control
Hockey player MMC John has a bit of a bad image and reputation that is threatening to destroy the career he has worked so hard for. Annie, his team mates sister in law and kindergarten teacher might just be the answer to his problems. Annie is down on luck after a string of really terrible dates and feels ready to take a dating break. The pair enter a fake dating situation in order to protect their hearts and reputation but as we know this plan doesn't always follow the rules...
Lots of potential in this read and fake dating is one of my favourite tropes but for me it was too long (over 400 pages), there wasn't enough spice (personal preference 😜) and it was in 3rd person! I cannot with the 3rd person im sorry! 🙄
The book was ok but nothing stood out for me.
The cricket protein bar chat was something else... 😳 not in a good way!
Sorry, this one just wasn't for me.
Review of advance copy received from Indie Reviewers
ARC received via LoveNotesPR and Jillian Maclean. Loved this so much!!!! ❤️
5🌟 2.5🌶
Annie and John, love love love! John is the older bad boy of hockey who needs to clean up his image. Annie, Kindegarten teacher, is his teammate's Sis in Law who is familiar with the team. A team company event to the theater sparks this interesting relationship. Annie would love to go, John's typical female interests wouldnt fit the vibe and he offers her to he his plus one. Now starts the Forced Proximity and Fake Dating, and boom, insanely fast intense blurred lines. Caught up in dating to improve his image, he begins to fall for Annie first, all while Annie is realizing she is falling for him too. One of my favorite scenes is the Adult Fun Store 🤣 There is a 3rd act breakup type sitch, that just made me lose my mind! It really is a small world for this series is all I'm gonns say haha. Written very well and could be read as a standalone, but I do recommend reading Book 1, Stick Side, as well. Cover art is adorable, but the visual of Annie given from descriptions in the book doesn't match up in my mind, but nothing wrong with that.
5🌟 2.5🌶
Annie and John, love love love! John is the older bad boy of hockey who needs to clean up his image. Annie, Kindegarten teacher, is his teammate's Sis in Law who is familiar with the team. A team company event to the theater sparks this interesting relationship. Annie would love to go, John's typical female interests wouldnt fit the vibe and he offers her to he his plus one. Now starts the Forced Proximity and Fake Dating, and boom, insanely fast intense blurred lines. Caught up in dating to improve his image, he begins to fall for Annie first, all while Annie is realizing she is falling for him too. One of my favorite scenes is the Adult Fun Store 🤣 There is a 3rd act breakup type sitch, that just made me lose my mind! It really is a small world for this series is all I'm gonns say haha. Written very well and could be read as a standalone, but I do recommend reading Book 1, Stick Side, as well. Cover art is adorable, but the visual of Annie given from descriptions in the book doesn't match up in my mind, but nothing wrong with that.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Puck Bunny is NHL enforcer John Richards and kindergarten teacher Annie Taylor’s sweet and spicy, fake to real romance story. It’s book two in The Chicago Challengers Series but it’s the first book I have read by this author. I loved everything about this book from the characters to the camaraderie this team share as well as everything in between.
Annie’s sister is married to John’s teammate so when John needs some help cleaning up his reputation and Annie needs help with her bad dating history it seems like fake dating will do them both a favour. But what happens when real feelings come into play……….
This is a well written, entertaining, emotional and witty story about deep love, friendships and bonds being made. It may be the first book by this author for me but it won’t be the last. I smiled and I swooned as I fell hard and fast for this adorable couple and the teammates that play a big part in this journey.
Annie’s sister is married to John’s teammate so when John needs some help cleaning up his reputation and Annie needs help with her bad dating history it seems like fake dating will do them both a favour. But what happens when real feelings come into play……….
This is a well written, entertaining, emotional and witty story about deep love, friendships and bonds being made. It may be the first book by this author for me but it won’t be the last. I smiled and I swooned as I fell hard and fast for this adorable couple and the teammates that play a big part in this journey.
Review of advance copy received from Author
John and Annie’s story was an epically slow burn.
He’s mired in scandal, hoping to salvage his career, and she’s completely over dating…
When they’re mistakenly reported as dating, John asks for Annie to continue, fake dating for a few months until everything settles down.
This moved almost too slow. I liked John, but there was so much focus on his ‘worthiness’, and he kept holding back. He was so selfless with others, but cruel to himself, but it did get frustrating waiting for it to move along. His history was heartbreaking, and even though she wasn’t in much, I thought that Estelle weaponised it to keep her hooks in him.
Annie was so naive, it wasn’t funny. I also liked her, but geez… she was definitely clueless about the men in her life. And the drama at the end…. so out of the box, and hilarious. I actually quite enjoyed that bit!
It was an interesting book. I thoroughly enjoyed it, but there was just something missing for it to truly captivate me.
He’s mired in scandal, hoping to salvage his career, and she’s completely over dating…
When they’re mistakenly reported as dating, John asks for Annie to continue, fake dating for a few months until everything settles down.
This moved almost too slow. I liked John, but there was so much focus on his ‘worthiness’, and he kept holding back. He was so selfless with others, but cruel to himself, but it did get frustrating waiting for it to move along. His history was heartbreaking, and even though she wasn’t in much, I thought that Estelle weaponised it to keep her hooks in him.
Annie was so naive, it wasn’t funny. I also liked her, but geez… she was definitely clueless about the men in her life. And the drama at the end…. so out of the box, and hilarious. I actually quite enjoyed that bit!
It was an interesting book. I thoroughly enjoyed it, but there was just something missing for it to truly captivate me.
February 22, 2026
The story follows Annie, a kindergarten teacher with bad luck in dating and John, a professional hockey player with a bad boy reputation, in need of an image improvement before his contract renewal. They end up in a fake dating scheme to help each other out but of course things don’t go as they plan.
Sadly this book really missed the mark for me. The premise of opposites attract and fake dating was promising and the characters seemed interesting.
However, the writing style felt unnecessarily overcomplicated at times, which made reading uneasy.
I also found the story boring, it made me skim through pages just to get through the book.
Honestly, the story didn’t captivate me at all, I just couldn’t care less about the characters and in my opinion the ending didn’t really fit. I see what the writer was trying to do, but it felt forced.
Thank you to Love Notes PR for the ARC. This is my honest review.
Sadly this book really missed the mark for me. The premise of opposites attract and fake dating was promising and the characters seemed interesting.
However, the writing style felt unnecessarily overcomplicated at times, which made reading uneasy.
I also found the story boring, it made me skim through pages just to get through the book.
Honestly, the story didn’t captivate me at all, I just couldn’t care less about the characters and in my opinion the ending didn’t really fit. I see what the writer was trying to do, but it felt forced.
Thank you to Love Notes PR for the ARC. This is my honest review.
Review of advance copy received from Author
I am so honored to be an arc reader for Jillian's second book!!
I didn't get to read her first book before starting this arc read- so I can proudly say it is an interconnected standalone. The characters from the first book are mentioned in this book but you do not need their back story to follow along in the book.
Is it ever a second act breakup if they were fake dating first? Hockey bad boy settles down for the kindergarten teacher.
What I loved most about this story is that John never thought he stood a chance intellectually with a girl like Annie and Annie physically thought she would ever stand a chance with a guy like John. But through the fake dating they both taught each other how to love themselves more and that they both deserve the moon and back.
Thank you again Jillian for allowing me to be an arc reader. I cannot wait for book 3!
I didn't get to read her first book before starting this arc read- so I can proudly say it is an interconnected standalone. The characters from the first book are mentioned in this book but you do not need their back story to follow along in the book.
Is it ever a second act breakup if they were fake dating first? Hockey bad boy settles down for the kindergarten teacher.
What I loved most about this story is that John never thought he stood a chance intellectually with a girl like Annie and Annie physically thought she would ever stand a chance with a guy like John. But through the fake dating they both taught each other how to love themselves more and that they both deserve the moon and back.
Thank you again Jillian for allowing me to be an arc reader. I cannot wait for book 3!
Review of advance copy
4 Stars
2 Chili Peppers
Book 2 in The Chicago Challengers Series
Can be read as a standalone
John and Annie's Story
I really enjoyed this book. John is the made out to be the typical playboy hockey player that has been in the sport for a long time but has never settled down. Meanwhile Annie is a school teacher who is hockey adjacent because her sister is married to John's teammate. John is need of a new reputation and Annie needs a break from the dating scene. When the two begin a fake-dating relationship they see what the other has been going through, but also John starts to see how amazing Annie truly is and how good she is for him. Annie also realizes what John can offer her.
Overall a cute book and one with good characters and a good plot of assumptions and how sometimes you can find your person in the least likely of places.
2 Chili Peppers
Book 2 in The Chicago Challengers Series
Can be read as a standalone
John and Annie's Story
I really enjoyed this book. John is the made out to be the typical playboy hockey player that has been in the sport for a long time but has never settled down. Meanwhile Annie is a school teacher who is hockey adjacent because her sister is married to John's teammate. John is need of a new reputation and Annie needs a break from the dating scene. When the two begin a fake-dating relationship they see what the other has been going through, but also John starts to see how amazing Annie truly is and how good she is for him. Annie also realizes what John can offer her.
Overall a cute book and one with good characters and a good plot of assumptions and how sometimes you can find your person in the least likely of places.
Review of advance copy
I loved Annie and John!!
I loved how awkward John was despite his playboy status. Underneath the playboy vibes and man hoe nature was a real softy. I loved how John noticed everything about Annie. He was there for her to provide the tools to find herself again while allowing himself to bask in her presence.
I also really loved Annie. She was super wholesome and just a good character. she gave John everything he was missing after losing his beloved Grams and gave him hope that he could have something good for once.
Although I have to say it... screw Estelle. There was not really a way I could find redemption for her. She was never really repentant for her actions and just continued to abuse John's goodwill.
I loved how awkward John was despite his playboy status. Underneath the playboy vibes and man hoe nature was a real softy. I loved how John noticed everything about Annie. He was there for her to provide the tools to find herself again while allowing himself to bask in her presence.
I also really loved Annie. She was super wholesome and just a good character. she gave John everything he was missing after losing his beloved Grams and gave him hope that he could have something good for once.
Although I have to say it... screw Estelle. There was not really a way I could find redemption for her. She was never really repentant for her actions and just continued to abuse John's goodwill.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
This book was overall a pretty cute hockey romance. It had some good tropes: grumpy x sunshine, slow burn, fake dating, hockey player/teacher. And it definitely had its moments of sweet, fun, a little heartache, and a whole lot of self-discovery.
I really enjoyed Annie’s character. I thought she was really relatable, and her self journey was nice to see. I liked that she had some horrible dates (haven’t we all?!) and that she wanted to rediscover herself. I think that just made her all that more relatable. John was way more shy than I expected! He was super sweet though, and his bad boy but with a good heart definitely shined through. I liked that he had a more take charge attitude behind close doors (IYKYK) and helped Annie see her self worth, curves and all!
What I didn’t truly enjoy was the third person 🫣 it really took me half the book to get used to it, although some people can look past that. I also was pretty over the tip-toeing around each other, and they both had a hard time expressing feelings so the slow burn was verrryyyy slow. (But it’s a trope and main part of the book sooo I can’t be too upset). I also was kind of surprised by the ending. It wasn’t bad, but I definitely wasn’t expecting it.
Overall, it wasn’t a bad book. I think if you can get past the third person, a super slow burn, and look forward to a couple who helps bring out the best in each other, then you will enjoy this book! I’ll definitely be continuing to read more by her.
This was an ARC read for me, and this is my honest opinion. Thank you to the author and love notes pr for this opportunity!
I really enjoyed Annie’s character. I thought she was really relatable, and her self journey was nice to see. I liked that she had some horrible dates (haven’t we all?!) and that she wanted to rediscover herself. I think that just made her all that more relatable. John was way more shy than I expected! He was super sweet though, and his bad boy but with a good heart definitely shined through. I liked that he had a more take charge attitude behind close doors (IYKYK) and helped Annie see her self worth, curves and all!
What I didn’t truly enjoy was the third person 🫣 it really took me half the book to get used to it, although some people can look past that. I also was pretty over the tip-toeing around each other, and they both had a hard time expressing feelings so the slow burn was verrryyyy slow. (But it’s a trope and main part of the book sooo I can’t be too upset). I also was kind of surprised by the ending. It wasn’t bad, but I definitely wasn’t expecting it.
Overall, it wasn’t a bad book. I think if you can get past the third person, a super slow burn, and look forward to a couple who helps bring out the best in each other, then you will enjoy this book! I’ll definitely be continuing to read more by her.
This was an ARC read for me, and this is my honest opinion. Thank you to the author and love notes pr for this opportunity!
Review of advance copy
Thank you to Love Notes PR for allowing me to read this early in exchange for an honest review.
The characters in this book felt a lot more fleshed out. I loved the fake dating and how it was used to help both of them. They both felt like they were getting something out of the arrangement. Seeing the softer side of the bad boy is always going to win me over and this book does it so well by introducing Grams and trying to honor her memory. I could have done without everything with Estelle and the lack of communication throughout that, but over all the book was a fun read.
✔️ Hockey Romance
✔️ Fake Dating
✔️ Slow Burn
✔️ Opposites Attract
✔️ He Falls First
The characters in this book felt a lot more fleshed out. I loved the fake dating and how it was used to help both of them. They both felt like they were getting something out of the arrangement. Seeing the softer side of the bad boy is always going to win me over and this book does it so well by introducing Grams and trying to honor her memory. I could have done without everything with Estelle and the lack of communication throughout that, but over all the book was a fun read.
✔️ Hockey Romance
✔️ Fake Dating
✔️ Slow Burn
✔️ Opposites Attract
✔️ He Falls First
March 1, 2026
John is dubbed the playboy of the NHL. For his contract renegotiations he needs so polish up his image. Annie is one more bad date away from giving up on love. She needs to take a dating hiatus. So John proposes a deal to her: they fake date. Annie is a loving, caring kindergarten teacher and will certainly help his playboy image to go away. And while she is in a fake committed relationship she can’t date other men and gets her much needed break. So Annie says yes and the longer their fake relationship last the more lines get crossed, the more lines blur and the more feelings than don’t feel fake arise.
Puck Bunny is book 2 of the The Chicago Challengers series by Jillian Maclean. It’s a standalone in this interconnected series and can be read independently. I haven’t read book 1 so far and I never felt like I got too much information on book 1 so I’m positive that I can read book 1 even after reading book 2.
Puck Bunny was my first book by the author and it won’t be my last. I had some trouble with the 3rd person narrative because I prefer books in the 1st person narrative so it took some time for me to find my reading flow. But I really enjoyed this story. Both characters struggle with the way they see themselves and I could really relate to that. I loved to seem them both grow in different ways because I liked them both straight from the beginning and it was so fun to see them finally finding themselves. Annie is such a cute character and I loved her sass. John is one of those characters with a lot of depth and I loved that so much. The story is cute, a little too slow burn for my taste but the suspense at the end really made it all come back together. And I loved the way the suspense at the end was handled. 😂
Puck Bunny is book 2 of the The Chicago Challengers series by Jillian Maclean. It’s a standalone in this interconnected series and can be read independently. I haven’t read book 1 so far and I never felt like I got too much information on book 1 so I’m positive that I can read book 1 even after reading book 2.
Puck Bunny was my first book by the author and it won’t be my last. I had some trouble with the 3rd person narrative because I prefer books in the 1st person narrative so it took some time for me to find my reading flow. But I really enjoyed this story. Both characters struggle with the way they see themselves and I could really relate to that. I loved to seem them both grow in different ways because I liked them both straight from the beginning and it was so fun to see them finally finding themselves. Annie is such a cute character and I loved her sass. John is one of those characters with a lot of depth and I loved that so much. The story is cute, a little too slow burn for my taste but the suspense at the end really made it all come back together. And I loved the way the suspense at the end was handled. 😂
Review of advance copy received from Author
Just want to start of by thanking Jillian Maclean and Love Notes PR for sending me a ARC of this book🫶🏻 so so grateful for the opportunity.
Absolutely loved this book. It was heartwarming, sweet and had me kicking my feet. Not only that, the smut was HOT. There weren’t too many smut scenes in this book but WOAH when they did come up, 10/10.
Both main characters were amazing.
John was so sweet and caring even though he thought Annie wanted nothing to do with him. SPOILED THE FUCK OUT OF HER. And that man had a mouth. Was also adorable in awkward situations.
Annie was adorable in the way every kindergarten teacher is. The way she cared so much about children and used basically ALL of her time to do things for them was very heartwarming.
All in all this was an amazing read and highly recommended for sports romance fans!!
Absolutely loved this book. It was heartwarming, sweet and had me kicking my feet. Not only that, the smut was HOT. There weren’t too many smut scenes in this book but WOAH when they did come up, 10/10.
Both main characters were amazing.
John was so sweet and caring even though he thought Annie wanted nothing to do with him. SPOILED THE FUCK OUT OF HER. And that man had a mouth. Was also adorable in awkward situations.
Annie was adorable in the way every kindergarten teacher is. The way she cared so much about children and used basically ALL of her time to do things for them was very heartwarming.
All in all this was an amazing read and highly recommended for sports romance fans!!
February 25, 2026
Puck Bunny will make you laugh, tear up, then throw in some suspense and intrigue and a whole lot of spice and you have a great book. John plays on the hockey team, the Challengers and he is a bad boy. With contract renewal coming up he needs to change his ways. In comes Annie a sweet kindergarten teacher with a penchant of dating the wrong guys. They decide she would be his girlfriend, and he would help her learn to know herself better hoping that would help her dating game. What follows is a cute story about two people looking for love.
February 26, 2026
ARC REVIEW
Cute hockey romance with classic tropes grumpy/sunshine, fake dating, and a very slow burn. Annie was super relatable, especially her journey to rediscover herself, and John was much sweeter than expected with a soft heart beneath the tough exterior.
The third-person POV took some getting used to, and the miscommunication made the romance feel extra slow at times, but the characters genuinely brought out the best in each other. The ending also surprised me not bad, just not what I expected.
Overall, an enjoyable, character-driven romance, especially if you love slow burns.
Cute hockey romance with classic tropes grumpy/sunshine, fake dating, and a very slow burn. Annie was super relatable, especially her journey to rediscover herself, and John was much sweeter than expected with a soft heart beneath the tough exterior.
The third-person POV took some getting used to, and the miscommunication made the romance feel extra slow at times, but the characters genuinely brought out the best in each other. The ending also surprised me not bad, just not what I expected.
Overall, an enjoyable, character-driven romance, especially if you love slow burns.
March 1, 2026
As someone who usually loves a hockey romance, this one fell flat.
Hockey felt like it could have easily been removed and not changed the story, the FMC and MMC spend 90% of the time lamenting their stupidity/appearance, and the big twist is too far onto the side of ridiculous it completely takes you out of the story imo.
The ending was also very rushed compared to the rest of the book, which is odd considering the entire timeline sounds like it happens within two months?
All together it felt more like a first draft than a ready for publication novel.
Hockey felt like it could have easily been removed and not changed the story, the FMC and MMC spend 90% of the time lamenting their stupidity/appearance, and the big twist is too far onto the side of ridiculous it completely takes you out of the story imo.
The ending was also very rushed compared to the rest of the book, which is odd considering the entire timeline sounds like it happens within two months?
All together it felt more like a first draft than a ready for publication novel.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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