The NHL’s biggest bad boy is about to fall for the virgin next door…I am the world’s biggest dating failure. We’re talking my last date went home with our waitress kind of failure.But I have an ace in the back pocket of my mom jeans—my sexy-as-sin best friend, NHL superstar forward, Justin Cruise.Justin owes me favors dating back to seventh grade, long before he became a hotshot with a world … famous…stick. So in return for my undying platonic loyalty, all I want is an easy-peasy crash course on how to be a sex goddess.How hard can it be?***I have never been so hard in my life.The things I want to do to my sweet, kindergarten-teaching, mitten-crocheting best friend Libby Collins are ten different kinds of wrong. Maybe twenty.But I’m a firm believer in teaching by example, and by the end of our first lesson, we’ve graduated to a hands on approach to her sexual education: my hands all over her, her hands all over me, and her hot mouth melting beneath mine as I prove to her there isn’t a damned thing wrong with the way she kisses.Give me a month, and I’ll transform Libby from wall flower to wall banger, and ensure she’s confident enough to seduce any guy she wants.Problem is… the only guy I want her seducing is me.Hot as Puck is a sexy, flirty, friends-to-lovers Standalone romantic comedy from USA Today Bestseller Lili Valente.Keywords: hockey romance, virgin romance, lessons in seduction, new adult, new adult romance, sports romance, sports, friends to lovers, opposites attract romance, opposites attract, workplace, humor, comedy, romance, contemporary, alpha male, love, career, bad boy, family, fiction, forbidden, forbidden romance, romantic comedy, roommates, roomie, roomies, best friends to lovers romance, contemporary romance, best friends in romance, brothers, athletes, rom com, hilarious, romance series, romance books, beach reads, funny, stories, sensual, sensual romance, hot guy, sexy, heartwarming, heart-warming, kissing books, romance series, long series, long romance series, wealthy hero, wealthy heroes, sports romance, Lili Valente, L. Valente.
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Best. Hero. Hobby. Ever. (Yes, hero hobby. LOVE LOVE LOVE!)
I want my own Justin!!
Definitely one of the better “No, we’re JUST friends, a little sexy-time-fun shouldn’t wrech that -WHOOPS-is this L.O.V.E?!”-storys I’ve read. A cute and charming storyline free from ellaborate side stories, horrible tragedies, anxtious selfloathing or mob-related crime syndicates. Straight shooting (sorry) with the sweet vibe of those sappy but lovable HEA 80’s movies.
So… Childhood besties who NEVER even bothered to give each other a second glance through out their 11-yo relationchip are suddenly thrown into a HOT situation. Libby is the socially awkward, mega-shy preschool teacher with a linnen-fetish and too much time for hyper-efficiency. Jus is the OTT Hottie hockey pro who’s always glowing in the spotlight (but suffers from both serial monogamy syndrome and had a severe relationship phobia without any real self-awareness). Both love spending time with Lauren (her sister / his work BFF), both spend time togeater at holidays (their parents’ are neighbors) and they both share an unusually deep interest in crocheting going back over a decade.
Not to spoil anything but YEAH! It’s not entirely impossible that they WILL fall in love with each other.
The book has lots of heart, a fun vibe and some semi-crazy elements. AND one quite unique surprise involving a Bull, which totally raises the bar for me. I’m throwing myself into the entire Bad Mother Pucker series by Lili Valente as we speek. Yay!
This was a great friends to lovers story. I enjoyed Libby and Justin. There was plenty heat and sweetness. And I have to say the end was great!!! My favorite scene.
Hot as Puck is the first novel in the Bad Motherpuckers series by the ever-talented Lili Valente. I have read all of Lili’s books and have loved every single one for different reasons. She can write anything from humor to darkness. This series is more the sexy, fun, and spontaneous side of her writing. And fuck if it isn’t hot as fuck…
Justin Cruise might be a leading hockey player on the ice but he is so much more off of it. He cares fiercely for his best friend Lauren and her little sister Libby. He would do anything for them. So when Libby wants lessons on how to flirt and be a sex goddess he can’t refuse. He knows this is a bad idea especially after the first lesson when he kisses her. He knew she was inexperienced with the opposite sex but he also knew that it wasn’t her fault. It was the idiots that she was dating. They didn’t see what they were walking away from. And he is determined to show her just that. That she is the one out of everyone’s league and not the other way around.
Libby is a hot mess. She can’t talk to men without tripping over herself or twisting her tongue in knots. The only man she could be somewhat normal around is Justin. That is until she starts thinking about him naked. And damn…what a sight it is. After their first lesson she knew she wanted more. More of a hands on approach to his teaching. If she could learn to be a sex goddess with him then maybe she will have a chance with someone that she could have a forever with. She knows Justin would never be that man so what could go wrong with some friends with benefits action, right?
OMG! I love a sexy friends to lovers story. Justin and Libby’s story is not only sexy but it’s so much fun! Their banter. Their love of crocheting. Their sweetness. It’s everything I look forward to in this kind of story. The characters are lovable. So lovable. I mean come on…a hockey player that can use a hook, give toe-curling pleasure, and writes some damn good poetry. What’s not to love? And Libby…a teacher that makes you laugh, smile, and is beautiful but doesn’t know it. These two are adorable, hot, and sweet.
Overall…It’s one amazing start to a new series by one of my favorite authors! It made me laugh, cry, and heat up! I can’t wait for the next book.
Quotes:
Nothing calms me down like hooking on a granny square until I’ve got one big enough to cover my entire damned bed.
“Oh, sweet Libs, I’m going to make a dirty girl of you yet, and it’s going to be a beautiful, beautiful thing.”
“Do you always talk about your cock in third person?”
“Not always. Sometimes I stick a hat on him, do my best cock voice, and put on a puppet show to build morale. Maybe if you’re really lucky, I’ll do one for you later.”
Sometimes love is right under your nose
Hockey sports romance seems to be a weakness I didn’t know I had.
I love the story. Friends to lovers is always a plus for me. Especially ones where neither friend has ever looked at the other romantically before and it’s as if they had the blinders ripped off and they’re seeing their bff in a new light. But they’re still friends!!
I knew there would be some sweet, some steamy, some feels, and some humor, because after all, it’s a Lili book, and she did not disappoint me.
I loved Justin and Libby. Hot hockey player and shy, awkward kindergarten teacher? Right up my alley. And he has no issue proudly proclaiming his hobbies. That they crochet together is adorable. I’m glad I popped this one on. Very enjoyable listen.
Great book, laugh out loud funny.
Friends to lovers tropes is one of my favorites, but I wasn’t expecting to laugh as much as I did watching Justin and Libby fall for each other! Justin was a sexy goof and Libby was sassy cute. Their chemistry was sizzling and I loved the dorky moments they shared about crochet patterns, drinks, relationships… The best moment, however, was Ferdinand. Too stinking cute!
Hot as Puck by Lili Valente is the first new standalone in her new collection of hockey stories. This book focuses on the friends-to-lovers story of Justin and Libby. Justin the hot as sin hockey player and Libby the innocent kindergarten teacher.
Two friends who have known each other AND been best friends since 7th grade, these two are clueless about the passion they have for each other until the exact moment they’re not. It is like an awesome meet-cute when they’ve already met. Minimal on drama and angst but with enough tension to keep it VERY interesting, this story is romantic, sweet, steamy, and heart-warming. Well-written and well-paced. I absolutely love when my must-read authors keep on proving exactly why I love them so hard! Enjoy!
This was my first Lili Valente book and I absolutely loved it! It was funny, hot, emotional, and her hero, Justin, is ALL the things. I can’t wait to read the next one!
A Review of Hot As Puck by Lili Valente
Friends to lovers – 5+++++ stars
When we meet Justin Cruise, he is celebrating his 28th birthday and has just broken up with his girlfriend after she tried to coerce him into proposing to her soon so she could plan their wedding for the next summer or else she would look into other options. As a hockey player for the Portland Badgers, he is not interested in anything long-term other than his team. With a multi-million-dollar contract, beautiful loft, and his health, he just wants to enjoy his life and friends.
Libby Collins and her older sister Laura lived next door to Justin as children and she has been friends with Justin since she spent months teaching him how to crochet when he was homebound with mono. Libby had to be home schooled until the ninth grade due to a severe stuttering problem, which also caused her to be extremely shy and introverted. After seeing Sylvia storm out of Justin’s birthday party, she decides to ask her best friend for a favor—to teach her about sex and flirting with guys.
This is such a sweet and innocent love story that both Justin and Libby will learn from. I thoroughly enjoyed the banter between these two characters and how they learned so much about each other, even though they already knew things about each other that a lot of other people couldn’t know. And the honesty they kept front and center in their relationship was awe inspiring. This author knows how to give you all the ‘feels’ that you want in a couple.
Favorite quote:
“How have I been her friend for so long without finding out if her hair feels like silk? Friends should know those things about each other, right? Maybe?”
**Honest review voluntarily provided from a Complimentary Copy**
Wow! Lili Valente did not disappoint me in her new book Hot as Puck! It was a sweet story I could certainly identify with. Libby is a shy kindergarten teacher with a best friend that is a professional hockey player. Libby and Justin shared so much growing up next door to each other. Justin is a hot bad boy and when things get crazy in his life with women he always turns to Libby for help. Libby is always there for him but when Libby realizes she has failed miserably at dating she asks Justin for help to overcome her sexual issues. Well, they solve it alright!! I loved every word in this book and look forward to the next book in the series!
Hot as Puck is the first novel in the Bad Motherpuckers series by the ever-talented Lili Valente. I have read all of Lili’s books and have loved every single one for different reasons. She can write anything from humor to darkness. This series is more the sexy, fun, and spontaneous side of her writing. And fuck if it isn’t hot as fuck…
Justin Cruise might be a leading hockey player on the ice but he is so much more off of it. He cares fiercely for his best friend Lauren and her little sister Libby. He would do anything for them. So when Libby wants lessons on how to flirt and be a sex goddess he can’t refuse. He knows this is a bad idea especially after the first lesson when he kisses her. He knew she was inexperienced with the opposite sex but he also knew that it wasn’t her fault. It was the idiots that she was dating. They didn’t see what they were walking away from. And he is determined to show her just that. That she is the one out of everyone’s league and not the other way around.
Libby is a hot mess. She can’t talk to men without tripping over herself or twisting her tongue in knots. The only man she could be somewhat normal around is Justin. That is until she starts thinking about him naked. And damn…what a sight it is. After their first lesson she knew she wanted more. More of a hands on approach to his teaching. If she could learn to be a sex goddess with him then maybe she will have a chance with someone that she could have a forever with. She knows Justin would never be that man so what could go wrong with some friends with benefits action, right?
OMG! I love a sexy friends to lovers story. Justin and Libby’s story is not only sexy but it’s so much fun! Their banter. Their love of crocheting. Their sweetness. It’s everything I look forward to in this kind of story. The characters are lovable. So lovable. I mean come on…a hockey player that can use a hook, give toe-curling pleasure, and writes some damn good poetry. What’s not to love? And Libby…a teacher that makes you laugh, smile, and is beautiful but doesn’t know it. These two are adorable, hot, and sweet.
Overall…It’s one amazing start to a new series by one of my favorite authors! It made me laugh, cry, and heat up! I can’t wait for the next book.
Quotes:
Nothing calms me down like hooking on a granny square until I’ve got one big enough to cover my entire damned bed.
“Oh, sweet Libs, I’m going to make a dirty girl of you yet, and it’s going to be a beautiful, beautiful thing.”
“Do you always talk about your cock in third person?”
“Not always. Sometimes I stick a hat on him, do my best cock voice, and put on a puppet show to build morale. Maybe if you’re really lucky, I’ll do one for you later.”
Well the queen of sexy romantic comedies has totally outdone herself once again. Often times as I read one of Lili Valente’s novels I think to myself “she won’t be able to top it,” and then she gives us Hot As Puck which left me completely overwhelmed and full of contentment. In Ms. Valente’s usual style, has delivered a fun and entertaining story which is brimming with laugh out loud moments and replete with steamy, hot and sexy romance as well.
Justin and Libby have been best friends for years sharing a platonic connection through family and, well, crocheting. But when Libby decides she is tired of her failed attempts at dating, she knows that Justin is her answer, determined that he is the only one who can help her transform from a sweet kindergarten teacher to a sexual goddess. Although hesitant to cross that line with Libby, Justin reluctantly consents to be her teacher, both agreeing they will not let it affect their best friend status. But as the lesson begins it sets both of their libidos aflame and they suddenly realize that their bond extends far beyond mere friendship. But both Justin and Libby are afraid to tell the other how deeply and quickly their emotions are growing for fear of hurting the relationship they already share, especially if Libby’s sister ever finds out what they’ve been up to. Will Justin and Libby be able to find the courage to share their true feelings for each other before it’s too late?
Well I fell hard and fast for Libby and Justin. Their bantering through texting as well as their face to face interactions made me giggle. Even now as I’m writing this review I have a smile on my face as I think back on their story. Not to mention the oh-so-hot and sweltering escapades they share together on the couch, in the bedroom and pretty much everywhere else. Their connection to one another goes so much farther than friendship, and it was so much fun reading this book and watching them both discover how deep their bond truly goes. I’m hoping we get a chance to revisit Justin and Libby with future stories as the support characters were just as fun to spend time with. Lili Valente has definitely scored many, many goals with Hot As Puck and has certainly earned a solid five stars, though honestly it deserves many more.
A New Favorite!!!
Lili Valente has an amazing talent for writing characters and story lines that I wish I could live! I didn’t think anything would be more loveable and laugh-out-loud than the Magnificent Bastard series but this book takes the cake:)
When sweet and innocent kindergarten teacher Libby decides it’s time to come out of her shell and learn how to entice men, she turns to her childhood friend, Justin Cruise, who also happens to be a all-star hockey player and sex god. With a long-standing friendship it should be no sweat to learn the basics about dating and sex. Or so she thinks…
When Justin accepts Libby’s proposal to “teach” her how to act around men he never expects to fall for her. After all, he’s known her his whole life and never felt an attraction. But sometimes falling in love with your best friend doesn’t happen immediately, it happens over time. Now he just has to convince Libby that he wants more than a “friends with benefits” relationship.
I cannot say enough good things about this book, I absolutely fell in love with Libby and Justin. Lili Valente writes her characters in such a way that they not only feel like real people but they’re people that you want to be friends with. I highly recommend this sweet and sexy book:)
Lili Valenti remains Rom Com royalty with this latest book which is aptly titled as it is most definitely hot as puck!! I really loved this book! Between the storyline, the laughter, the sexts, the sexy times, and just Justin & Libby, well you get the gist, I loved it all!!!!
Justin is a super hot and sexy hockey player who get this, crochets! Not only that but he poses on social media with his hand-made items. Sometimes with just his those items, wink wink. He is an amazing player both on and off the ice.
Libby is a beautiful and adorably sweet school teacher who does not have much experience with men. She is very innocent especially in Justin’s brand of off-ice activities. They have been friends for years though so she finally asks Justin to help her get some experience.
There is some serious hotness between these two and this arrangement goes so well that soon there is more than just a friends with benefits vibe in the air and real deep feelings are involved.
Without giving anything away, I think my favorite part besides all of them (haha) was the way Justin communicates with Libby during his hockey game.
Will they go their separate ways once her lessons are finished? Or will they make a go as a real couple? You need to find out in this 5 star Rom Com from the amazing Lili Valenti.
This is a kind of predictable friends-to-lovers about a regular girl and her hot af NHL player friend, but it’s done very well. I liked starting the story from Justin’s POV and getting a look into his head first because a lot of stories start with her POV and it takes a while to figure out exactly what’s going on with him, so this was a nice change. Justin was immediately likeable and it was fun watching him struggle with the sudden realization that he was attracted to Libby. She’d always been like a little sister to him so he’d never even considered any other type of relationship but Libby showing off her curves in a sexy outfit and prowling for a date is more than he can handle.
When she asks him to help her overcome her crippling anxieties with the opposite sex, he agrees but they agree it’s just physical and they’re only friends. Justin quickly realizes that they’ve been ignoring their special connection for years and eventually comes to terms with the fact that he’s in love. Libby fears rejection and worries about losing her friend so she’s afraid to admit to her feelings but Justin has to take his shot and makes a grand gesture in an attempt to win her heart. This is a light-hearted and fun story with a HEA and I’m glad I picked it up. This is the first in a series but can be read as a standalone.
Hot as Puck is a friend’s to lovers book with interconnecting characters that makes this book interesting. It’s a short story of life long friends becoming lovers trying to hide it from the sister who is actually the bff.
Libby Collins is a Kindergarten teacher, virgin and strikes out with the men. Justin Cruise is a pro hockey player who likes to knit. Libby and her sister, Laura, have been neighbors and best friends with Justin since they were kids.
Libby asks Justin to take her virginity so she can be more confident and ask the man she’s interested in out. They have never been interested in each other sexually until this moment.
With the sex comes feelings and they both think the other isn’t interested in more until the bff/sister finds out and blows up. This drama causes them both to realize they are in love and can’t live without each other…
I love hockey rom-coms and this was another great one. Justin and Libby are so cute. I love this trope of friends to lovers. Their connection is strong and their witty banter so fun.
Shes quirky and shy, he’s hot. They are best friends. She asks for his help in the dating/men department. Guess what happens. It’s funny and sweet and ends well.
This is my favorite rom-com ever!! I love Justin and Libby-Libs =)
I read this book on my Google books for free and I laughed so much, but wow the steam factor is a 5!! Libby is a beautiful, awkward virgin and has trouble dating men, it’s so funny how Lili Valente wrote one of Libby’s date walked out with the waitress LoL!
Justin is a sweet and gorgeous hockey player and they have know each other since she was in 7th grade. This is an incredibly fun read, a smooth flowing rom-com, something I desperately needed while recovering from Covid. Thank you Lily Valente =)