The Pucker-Up Pact by J P Sterling

The Pucker-Up Pact by J P Sterling

The Pucker-Up Pact is the first book published in J P Sterling's Sweet Hockey Romcom Novella Series, of which there are four subsequent novellas. Similar to Exit West, I chose this book to fulfill a reading challenge. It shows a bit of a toxic relationship between one of the lead characters and a secondary character, but nothing more that that. If you're looking for a clean romance, look no further. But you should probably read further before picking it up.

Axl is a hockey player playing for a newly formed AHL team with big dreams of working his way up to the NHL one day. If only his temper wouldn't get in his way. He is starting to get a reputation for his lack of anger management skills on the ice. He needs something to rehabilitate his image, and if it put people in the seats that would be even better. Otherwise he will never be noticed and moved up to the NHL. Meanwhile, Sophie has just cancelled the last two shows on her world tour after finding out her boyfriend has been cheating on her. Even more humiliating than having the whole world witness the moment she discovered him, is seeing him with his new girlfriend all over social media. She needs to find someone fast to prove that she isn't heartbroken, and if it makes her ex jealous, even better. Luckily, Axl's coach thinks he knows a way to help them both.

I can not overstate how much I did not like this book. The best thing about it was that it was less than 200 pages so I didn't suffer for long. You know that I love a cheesy romance, but I have limits. It would be nice if the progression of the relationship felt natural. If the chemistry between the characters could be felt at all, though I prefer it to be palpable. I like a story with dynamic relationships between more than just the love interests. Where I feel connected to the secondary characters or the setting as well as to the main characters. You get none of that here. In fact, there's only like 4 secondary characters and I think one is more of a villain. Nothing about the relationships in this book felt natural, not even Sophie with her family. You never even hear from any of Axl's teammates. There is no character depth, let alone growth. The dialogue actually felt painful at times. The narration of the audiobook was atrocious. The setting was nearly nonexistent, similar to the plotline. But at least it was short.

I'm giving The Pucker-Up Pact 1.5 stars and I believe that's being pretty generous. It has a 0 spice rating, the characters only kiss although I'm not convinced the author knows what takes place during a couples massage because she seemed to think it was really risqué. I won't be reading more from the author, and I recommend you save yourselves and pass on this book.

If you're a sucker for punishment, you can find the author on Instagram @authorjpsterling

Pairs well with tiramisu and understanding hockey basics.

I wouldn't call this my favorite quote but it may give you an idea of the style of writing:

"Women are evil. That's been my mantra ever since senior year of high school when my first girlfriend Susie Marie Jensen ripped my heart out and stomped all over it by cheating on me with some nerd."