Hot as Puck: A Sexy Flirty Standalone Romantic Comedy

Lili Valente scores with HOT AS PUCK. NHL forward, Justin Cruise, helps his kindergarten-teacher best friend, Libby Collins, by giving her dating lessons. This contemporary sports romance takes place in Portland. HOT AS PUCK is a fun “friends turned lovers” romance. Admittingly, I instantaneously liked the main character, Justin, because he has the same name as my son, they both play hockey, and have hazel eyes with dark hair. That being said, it got a little weird during some of the scenes, and I quickly had to get my son out of my thoughts when reading the story. I like Justin and Libby. They have been friends since they were kids. Libby taught him how to crochet when he was sick in bed with mono. Neither one of them has ever thought about the other romantically, until his twenty-eighth birthday party, and then they were both in denial. Libby asks Justin to give her dating lessons because she feels she is socially awkward. There are a lot of entertaining dialogs and imagery throughout the story. One of my personal favorites was Libby’s comparison to all massive toothed worms in 1980s movies. You’ll have to read the story to find out what I’m talking about – it’s in chapter six. I also love Libby’s and Laura’s texts. HOT AS PUCK has a great plot. It is well-written and hard to put down. I loved the ending. I’m looking forward to Libby’s sister, Laura’s story with Justin’s teammate/captain, Brendan, SEXY MOTHERPUCKER. I voluntarily reviewed an advance reader copy of this book.

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:)