As an NHL player, relationships haven’t been my thing. Shrouded in secrecy and speculation, they never last very long. But then that’s what happens when you require an NDA before the first date.Until Charlene. She’s like a firefly. She’s elusive, and if you catch her she’ll burn bright, but keeping her trapped dulls her fire and dims her beauty.I caught her. And as much as I might want to keep … might want to keep her, I’ll never put the lid on her jar. Not at the risk of losing her. So I’ve let her set the rules in our relationship.
But as long hidden secrets expose us both, I discover exactly how fragile Charlene is, and how much I need her.
We’re all broken. We’re all messed up. Some more than others. Me more than most.
more
“I wonder if the ability to intuit brokenness in other people is a sixth sense only other damaged people are privy to. Like me and Charlene.”
I was expecting #HockeyHunks and laughs, but that’s not all Helena Hunting delivered. She served up some beautifully broken characters whose “broken parts sort of fit together.” She made me feel their pain and their love for each other.
Unfortunately, as most of us have already learned, sometimes love isn’t enough. Once you find the one, that doesn’t necessarily mean you just get to sit back and enjoy your happily ever after. Sometimes, being fucked up keeps you from getting to the ‘sit back and enjoy’ part. Many times we get in our own way; fear is a powerful thing. Is it better to avoid love, rather than risking your heart?
He’s been content to let her set the pace of their relationship. He didn’t want to push, to put a lid on his firefly. He was afraid if he tried to capture her she would fly away. But, that doesn’t mean he doesn’t want more. He knows that she’s keeping secrets that she’s afraid to share. He knows that nothing she tells him will scare him away, but he doesn’t know how to convince her of that. So, he just accepts what she’s willing to give him.
They might have continued on like that indefinitely if her past had not caught up to her. Secrets never stay hidden forever, right? When her biggest fear finds her she must take inventory and decide if she’s brave enough to reach for what she wants or if she’s going to let it continue to control her. Fight or flight? Will she let her light shine and admit her love, or will she flee in fear? How long can she hide from her heart? And is that really possible with Violet as a best friend? Not likely with a bestie without a filter, right? Especially when that bestie learns that she’s been keeping secrets from her too.
As we’ve all come to expect, the family/friend connections in the Pucked series are priceless and entertaining. They have each other’s backs, but they are also the first to point fingers and tell tales. I can’t get enough of their shenanigans and look forward to every opportunity to spend time with them. The line forms here…
I just got a paperback ARC! This series is EVERYTHING!
How can it be that another series that I love has come to an end?!?! Helena Hunting crafted a world and characters that could please any romance lover’s heart – we got zany hijinks and hilarity with Violet, Alex, Sunny, and Buck, outrageous sex appeal and heavier emotions with Lily, Randy, Poppy, and Lance and Charlene and Darren’s story was the ultimate combination of the two. I’ve been dying to know what was going between the two characters ever since I met them (initially in Pucked Over because I read out of order like a rebel), but I can safely say that I was not expecting anything like what was delivered. I devoured Pucked Love and was shocked at the twists and turns that Helena Hunting delivered – it made me appreciate her writing even more and heightened my mournful attitude over seeing this series come to an end. I’ll admit that they are not my favorite couple of the series (that honor goes to Lily and Randy and Poppy and Lance), but they definitely earned a place in my heart. 5 out of 5 wine glasses.
At the beginning I would like to honor the end of the Pucked series with a minute of silence…
And now seriously. I had great expectations about Pucked Love, in the end this is the last part of this amazing series. And what Helena Hunting served to us is real fireworks! The story of Charlene and Darren turned out to be one BIG SURPRISE! The book is loaded with emotions up to the last page! And although I was sure that Lance Romance will always be my hockey no.1, after reading Pucked Love he had to make room for Darren … (sorry, Lance … you will survive it ;))
Charlene and Darren’s characters are known from the first part of the series. Charlene is the best friend of crazy Violet, and Darren is Alex’s buddy and also a member of the same hockey team. Through all 5 parts of the Pucked series, we received scraps of their story. Now is the time to get to know it completely and dispel the aura of mystery that surrounded their relationship. But will it work if they both hide secrets not only from others, but also from each other? Over the years they have been together, they have developed a kind of comfort, but instead of going forward, they stand still. Only the disclosure of their greatest secrets will allow this relationship to evolve … or simply destroy it.
Stories from the characters past shocked me completely. I never suspected that there was so much pain and shame behind the entire facade of mystery. Discovering the secrets of Charlene and Darren has awakened a great deal of compassion, empathy and understanding in me. And I must point out that Darren deserves a standing ovation! His patience, devotion and love for Charlene is worth its weight in gold. I’m even tempted to say that he’s the PERFECT boyfriend. Can I keep him for myself?
All fans of the Pucked series MUST read this part. First of all – for Charlene and Darren, to get to know this couple from a completely different angle. Second – for the whole crew that accompanied us from the first part. For goodbye, the author allowed us to peek into their lives, and also showed us that sometimes the closest family are those with whom we don’t have blood ties. And thirdly – for a sense of humor typical for Helena Hunting. Despite the hard topics contained in the book, as well as the enormity of emotions, the author has managed to include in this part funny insertions that always make me laugh through tears.
Pucked world – I will miss you!
I’ve never read anything like this book. So hilarious and touching at the same time.
Best Kind of Love
Fair warning, I don’t listen to audible, but there was no way I was waiting to get my hands on Darlene!! I needed them, and guess what I loved it. I love the narrators, I adore Charlene, and Darren was fantastic.
Charlene and Darren are not anything what I was expecting, they were more. These two are broken and damaged, and I love the they find a home within on each other. These two exemplify how a family isn’t just blood but a group of people who come together of their choosing to care and support one another. They also show that love isn’t about controlling or suppressing likes and desires but exploring and supporting them. These two are complete and utter perfection. Everything from their banter to their steamy moments to their sweeter interactions made me swoon.
You think you know what Pucked Love is about. You don’t. It is so much more. Yes, Helena Hunting still provides us with the humor that made us fall in love with the Pucked series. We get to revisit all the couples we have grown to love. We get one final visit with the crew that has embedded themselves into our lives and hearts. It was written in such a way that I felt like coming home, and I never ever wanted it to end.
With every amazing series filled with unique and interesting characters, there is a mix of happiness and sadness. Pucked Love is everything I could have wanted for the final book in this series, and yet, there is still that sting of sadness because it is over. I wanted to sit a reminisce with these people about the good times, the hardships, the romance, and the friendship. So, savor this book. Savor each word, each chapter, and each emotion. You will want to keep every single moment you can with this clan that has taught us the meaning of home and family
Darren and Charlene it’s about pucking time!!! They have teased and taunted us with glimpses of their secretive relationship through countless other tales and now it’s finally time to see behind the curtain. Charlene didn’t know what to expect out of the enigma that is Darren Westinghouse, but him pulling out an NDA on their first date was quite the surprise. Hockey’s Iceman loves his privacy and wants to keep his relationship, in all its kinky splendor, with her under wraps. They give each other exactly what they need and want for two such independent private people. They are devoted and happy but there are no strings or expectations other than the terms they set. Now with a possible separation looming and a threat from Charlene’s past it seems the time has come for them to come out of the shadows and in to the light.
Pucked Love is amazing in both audio and book. I listened to the audio the moment it was available and once the ebook was available I was able to relieve all the moments again.
I absolutely love Charlene and Darren. These are two flawed characters, yet they are so perfect for each other. Darren knew how to handle Charlene, he knew if he pushed too much it could scare her away and that wasn’t something that he was willing to risk. Darren’s love towards Charlene is truly magical. Charlene has only ever wanted Darren from the moment she met him and she is afraid of losing him. From the start there is so much chemistry between the two of them and as their story gets deeper the more that chemistry grows and grows.
There is the perfect mixture of sweet, hilarious, steamy and emotions all throughout this story. As sad as it is to see the series come to an end I couldn’t think of a better couple to end it with.
Darren & Charlene are so much more than expected
Loved Charlene & Darren’s story!! It had all the feels and steam and hilarity I wanted. Hot. Sweet. Funny. All the bits from the usual suspects. Fantastic.
I almost didn’t want to read this book because it’s the end of the series and I am so not ready for this series to end. Every character in this series has a special place in my heart. Throughout this series, Charlene and Darren have remained such a mystery to me. I could never quite figure out their relationship. I loved being able to dive into their backstories and find out who they are. They both have demons from their past that have made them jaded about love and positive relationships and as the story progresses, we get an inside look into how their pasts have really shaped their future. It broke my heart to hear of what they both have experienced in life and how they were so scared to take the next step in their relationship. On the flip side, it was beautiful watching them break down each others walls and realize how much they meant to one another. I can’t even tell you how many times I cried throughout this book. It was the perfect ending to my favourite series. Don’t miss out on this book!
My all time favorite series of any author is the Pucked series and I waited so long for this book to come out. It is so sad, not because the book is not great, because it is one of the best books in the entire Pucked Series but because this means our Author Helena Hunting is putting our Hockey guys to bed. Seems we have waited for this couple Charlene and Darren to tell our author their story for so long and when they finally opened up to her it was wild man. I knew that this last book was going to take us readers on a ride and I was not wrong at all. The only thing i was wrong about was what I thought were the reasons behind little “Easter eggs” that our author has given us in past books about this couple. Boy was I wrong! If you have not read this series and you are starting out you can read and enjoy this book but why not LOVE this book and the other books as well. Start with book 1 and settle in and read them all. Don’t worry if you are not into BDSM as this book is not heavy into that at all either. Just jump in feet first or rather slap that puck!
The second time I read this I was really lucky. I had double eye surgery in December of 2018. I had to stop reading books while my eyes healed and it had been driving me crazy thus by default my hubs. He picked up my paperback of Pucked Love and started reading it outloud to me every night starting January 1.
The Pucked series has to be one of my favorite series ever and it all started with Violet and Alex! It’s been a rollercoaster ride and I’m sad to see this series come to an end. This story is about Violet’s best friend Charlene and Darren, who we have both met in the previous books. A love of two broken souls trying to find peace with one another and maybe in the end they’ll find something more than they’ve been searching for…
Charlene and Darren have been together for the last two years but both seem to have some commitment problems due to their pasts but something seems to be changing and with the draft coming up, the future of where Darren is going to play is unknown. Even though their connection is getting deeper there’s something that keeps holding them back. But when an unexpected visitor comes back into Charlene’s life, there’ll be a change between Charlene and Darren for the better but when a stranger from her past comes back to haunt her, it’ll bring her back to what has happened and distance herself from everyone around her. But the love between Darren and Charlene grows stronger and he’ll do whatever it takes to keep her safe. Will they finally get the happy ending they both deserve?…
Such a beautifully perfect conclusion to one of my favorite series!
Oh my goodness i hate it when i come to the end of the series and you don’t want these characters to ever go but when it comes to the Pucked family and Helena Hunting these stories will stay with me forever.
I remember when i first picked up Pucked and thought this is the funniest stuff ever and i fell in love with all the characters. I was excited to read Darren and Charlenes story because they were always there but you knew that there was so much more to their stories.
This was perfect for these two characters Darren seemed just as broken as Charlene and they didn’t know what it was like to love or be loved in a sense they were both pretty much treated like objects and that was really sad to read. Darren was so sweet but he had no idea when it came to relationships and Charlene didn’t want to be trapped.
To read these guys story and watch them grow and trust in each other was really what made me live this last book especially with all the characters from the previous books so prominent and it really just showed ya how much of an amazing family they were and even if you felt alone you always knew they were there.
Absolutely loved this book, i cried, laughed, i cried from laughing it was such an amazing story that was also heartfelt and beautiful.
Perfect way to end the best series and i will miss Violets no filter and lily and randy getting randy all the time and Alex costumes for his privates and miller being the big softy he is with sunny and her innocence, Charlene and her amazing soul and Darren for being so clueless loved this gang so much.
A massive 5 pucking stars for this book and the series
I’m not even sure I can put into words how I feel about this book. How much I love these characters. This series isn’t just a series, these characters have become family. Pages I can dive into when I need something familiar, something comforting. It’s like seeking solace or a comforting hug from a friend.
So to say I’m sad that this is the last book in the series is a huge understatement. But I do realize that all good things must come to an end eventually. And Helena Hunting saved the best for last. PUCKED LOVE is the perfect end to this crazy funny series. Not only do we get Darren and Charlene’s story – you think you know, but you have no idea – but Hunting gives us an early Christmas gift by wrapping up everyone’s loose ends. I absolutely love how she created a little hockey family amongst these couples. Family isn’t always about being blood related. It’s about being there for each other through the good times and bad.
Darren and Charlene are two beautifully broken people who have found comfort in one another. Scarred by their childhoods, they have a difficult time opening up and letting others in. But somehow they have worked their way into each other’s life and become the each other’s safe haven.
I love these two beautifully broken people. Their relationship isn’t like the others but it works for them. I love that they want more but each fears upsetting the status quo. I love that Darren has become so very protective of Charlene.
One of my favorite scenes in this book is when Darren goes to Alex for relationship advice. Alex. He wants more with Charlene – his delicate firefly- but she’s afraid of being trapped and he’s afraid of smothering her.
“I’ll never put the lid on your jar.”
That has to be one of the most beautiful quotes ever. So simple yet so powerful.
PUCKED LOVE had everything that I wanted and didn’t know that I needed. You’ll laugh, you’ll cry, and you’ll fall in love with this crazy cast of characters all over again.
“I waited my entire adult life for you to come along and make sense of my world. I’m prepared to wait as long as I need to for you to accept that.”
Pucked Fans, the love story that you’ve been waiting for is here and IT. WAS. EVERYTHING.
There’s this indescribable feeling when a series you absolutely adore is coming to an end. You try to hold on to it for as long as possible, eyeing the cover from across the room, wishing you could devour it whole, but not wanting to crack…because the moment you do, there is no turning back. There’s no experiencing it for the very first time, again. This was me, from the moment I received my early copy of Pucked Love by Helena Hunting. A complete myriad of emotions waged war inside of me, from beginning to end, but when that last page was turned, I felt nothing but complete gratification and bliss. Helena Hunting has just rocked my world, once again.
Darren and Charlene…Charlene and Darren. These two have been like an enigma to me. Such mystery surrounded these two that I didn’t know what was coming. There were hints here and there, but nothing to paint a full beautiful picture like the one this book portrayed. Once I delved in, I knew I was going to be blown away by these two. Their pasts, their struggles, their craving for one another…it ran much deeper than I could have ever imagined. In Pucked Love, we get to witness some major shifts in their relationship and that journey is something else. I’ve just absolutely fallen in love with these two, with their relationship, with their dynamic, with everything that they represent.
This romance was more than an emotional powerhouse, so I don’t want to scare you away. It had impeccable writing with tons of comedic relief from all of your favorite characters from the series. It had loads of heart, tons of entertainment, and enough sexy times that will have you blushing from head to toe. It’s crazy. It’s fun. It was just a complete BLAST to read! I couldn’t have asked for a better happily ever after for these two and for the rest of the Pucked gang. Thank you, Ms. Hunting for bringing these characters to life and for making us fall hard for each and every one of them.
I’ll be honest, I wasn’t sure what to expect going into Pucked Love. Darren and Charlene had been on the periphery of things the whole series but I knew a whole bunch of nothing about them and I was very much looking forward to getting their story.
they were both a bit of a mess. Yes, they both had their careers and friendships on lock down. However, when it came to their desire to settle down and plan for a future, they couldn’t see how to make that happen. Charlene didn’t want to be trapped. And Darren loved her too much to ever pressure her for something she didn’t want to give. It was the small things he did for Char that proved just how much he understood her.
Call it a random not so lucky twist of fate that changes things for Charlene and Darren. It was a necessary evil that both were trying to hide from but it put a lot of things into perspective. And it was the wake up call they both needed. And I will say the fact that it was Darren who started pushing for more, put the gooey smile on my face. At times it was subtle, others not so much.
Things were looking good, like they were moving forward instead of this perpetual state of stagnancy until an unexpected visitor sends things spinning out of control once again….
Darren and Charlene were so different from the other couples in the series, but they were so perfect for each other. Their broken pieces just fit. There was plenty of Violet and Alex, Miller and Sunny, Lily and Randy, Poppy and Lance, even the parents make more than one appearance. This book was Helena Hunting at her finest, funny and romantic and awkward and dramatic and sweet. Gah! Writing this review is so bittersweet. It’s the end of an era and Pucked Love was the perfect way to wrap up this series.
It’s been a long wait to get Darren and Charlene’s story but oh, so worth it, a true rollercoaster of emotions that lifted me up and then dropped me off the edge. These characters could make a rock feel, or bleed. Their chemistry was that scorching.
I tell ya, each of the ‘Pucked’ series of books have been above and beyond good, but this one. Aaah! Maybe it’s the anticipation of it that made it so good, or just simply Helena’s writing. Whatever, it was, I love these two, they made the best conclusion to a fantastic series. I wish it weren’t over, but, I guess all good things have to end eventually. But, you know… maybe… hmm. Somewhere down the road, we’ll find another?? Let’s hope so.
Anyhoo, if you haven’t read any of the Pucked books yet, you’re in for a delightful week or so of binge reading and for fans, one-click this baby today. You know you want to.
La page se tourne donc sur cette saga que j’ai découverte en 2015 avec Pucked et le personnage aussi incroyable que loufoque de Violet. Au fil des tomes, je me suis attachée à chacun des personnages qui nous ont offert leur histoire, leur déboire et leur aventure. Cette équipe de hockeyeur de Chicago nous a transporté au fil des matchs et chacun a su nous toucher avec sa propre histoire. C’est toujours un pincement au coeur de dire au revoir à des personnages aussi marquants. Ce tome est un tome que j’attendais avec impatience mais je ne m’attendais pas à découvrir une histoire aussi émouvante que celle de Charlene et Darren.
Charlene Hoar est une jeune femme que nous connaissons depuis Pucked étant donné qu’elle est la meilleure amie de Violet. Elles partagent tout et elles semblent toutes les deux frivoles. Son histoire avec Darren se tisse au fil des tomes et il est vrai que nous ne savons pas vraiment ce qui se trame entre ces deux là. Des doutes, des rumeurs quant à leur préférence sexuelle ont étiolé les précédents tomes mais nous n’avons jamais su ce qu’il en était vraiment. La scène d’ouverture peut porter à confusion et toute l’équipe va réagir à sa manière et ébaucher de nouvelles hypothèses mais tous sont très loin de la vérité. On ne connait pas vraiment le passé de notre héroïne et on va se prendre une claque en découvrant à quel point elle cache sa fragilité. L’histoire est donc émouvante et j’ai souvent eu le coeur serré en découvrant à quel point elle semble brisée et incapable de vivre une “relation classique” comme sa meilleure amie. On va donc constater qu’elle est la seule à ne pas être stable dans sa relation amoureuse avec Darren et cela commence à la peser.
Certes elle a besoin de son indépendance mais plus que tout elle a besoin qu’on lui prouve qu’elle est aimée. Si Alex et Violet, Miller et Sunny, Randy et Lilly ou encore Poppy et Lance sont très démonstratifs quand il s’agit d’amour, ce ne sera pas le cas de Charlene qui aura l’impression d’être mise de côté et de ne pas vivre ce que ses amies vivent. Son attitude est assez complexe et contradictoire car elle a envie de démonstrations et d’affections mais en même temps elle tient férocement à son indépendance. Elle cache un énorme secret qui la ronge et elle ne l’a partagé avec personne d’autre. En omettant ce détail important, elle pense cacher sous le tapis ce qui la ronge mais cela l’empêche d’aller de l’avant. Ses failles sont très émouvantes et j’ai adoré être surprise en découvrant ce personnage. Bien entendu , nous avons des scènes sexy et marrantes mais nous aurons aussi des moments d’émotions et de partages. Saura t-elle s’ouvrir sur ce qui la trouble? Pourra t-elle avancer dans sa relation avec Darren?
Darren Westinghouse est un personnage que nous connaissons également depuis le tout début car il est le meilleur ami d’Alex et il sera toujours présent au fil des aventures. Comme pour Charlene , nous ne savons rien sur lui car il est la discrétion même et il fait même signer des accords de non divulgation pour préserver sa vie privée. Cela semble assez ironique étant donné qu’il est sous le feu des projecteurs lors des matchs de hockey qu’il joue avec son équipe mais nous allons enfin découvrir ce qu’il cache depuis des années. Il est vrai que quand nous le découvrons dans ce tome, nous avons toujours cette impression qu’il est un homme froid , distant et qui ne s’investit pas émotionnellement. Il est là pour ses co-équipiers et il sera toujours là pour épauler Alex sur la glace mais à 34 ans , son avenir est toujours très incertain. A la fin de la saison, il pourrait bien devoir partir jouer pour Vegas ! Voilà deux ans qu’il est en couple avec Charlene et pourtant il n’y a aucun signe qui indique que leur relation est au même niveau que celle des autres. C’est simple, ils ne vivent pas ensemble, ils ne projettent pas de se marier et ne communiquent pas tous les jours même quand il a des matchs à l’extérieur.
C’est simple Darren est un énigme et il sera très difficile de le déchiffrer. Sans l’aide d’Alex, il ne saura pas avoir des gestes tendres et simples comme n’importe quel couple aurait. La raison à ce comportement assez surprenant : son enfance et sa famille. On va enfin lever le voile sur son secret et même s’il est moins intense et moins marquant que celui de Charlene , il laisse tout de même de grande trace. Darren et Charlene sont deux être torturés qui ne savent pas comment s’engager émotionnellement parlant , à qui on n’a jamais appris à aimer correctement . Ils sont perdus et se sont trouvés mais il leur faudra traverser la tempête à deux pour en ressortir grandis. Lui aussi a des failles mais il est moins à vif que notre héroïne. C’est donc très mignon de le voir tâtonner et esquisser quelques pas en avant. Pourtant il sait que sa bien aimée est une luciole et que s’il veut la garder auprès de lui il ne doit ni la pousser dans ses retranchements ni refermer le couvercle et l’étouffer. L’équilibre sera donc difficile à trouver et il faudra donc éviter le moindre faux pas.
Bref, c’est avec émotion que j’ai terminé ce roman qui a su me toucher de manière tellement inattendue. Certes, l’humour est toujours très présent et c’est toujours un régal de retrouver cette bande d’amis que nous avons appris à apprécier au fil du temps mais jamais je n’aurai cru être aussi émue par l’histoire de Charlene et Darren. On dit parfois qu’on garde le meilleur pour la fin et même si Violet restera un personnage qui m’aura fait rire au fil des tomes, il est évident que je n’oublierai pas de si tôt la conclusion de cette saga épique et fun d’Helena Hunting.
The much anticipated final installment of the pucked series is finally here! Charlene and Darren are everything we wanted and a bag of Doritos! 😉 They have been in a happy, although alternative, relationship for the last two years. That might change when concerns on Darren being traded to another team comes up. Darren and Charlene both have many secrets from their past that suddenly resurface and not in a good way. Can these two stay together or will anxieties and poor communication get the best of them? Told in Dual POV; this is such a wonderful romantic comedy and the whole pucked gang is back with all their hysterical antics!