The Pucking Proposal

Maple Creek

By: Lauren Landish

Narrated by: Teddy Hamilton, Carly Robins

A sports reporter and a hockey player get up close and personal in an outrageously sexy romantic comedy by Wall Street Journal and USA Today bestselling author Lauren Landish.

When it comes to hockey, unflappable Maple Creek sports reporter Joy Barlowe is privy to a lot of behind-the-scenes locker room activity. Like stumbling upon Dalton Days in all his unabashed glory. After the muscled goalie goes on to score better than he ever has, he proposes Joy take another peek before his next match. It works, and a provocative pregame tradition is born.

Dalton has the best stats in the league, but he’s also superstitious. Now he’s found his good luck charm. Joy is not only game, she’s playing along. She’s also his best buddy’s younger sister and totally off-limits. What happens between them has to be their late-night FaceTime secret. That’s the naked truth. So is the fact that Joy and Dalton are discovering there’s more to each other than meets the eye.

Falling in lust? Easy to hide. Falling in love? Much harder. Now Dalton has one more proposition for Joy. And the fallout could rock Maple Creek.

©2025 by Lauren Landish. (P)2024 Brilliance Publishing, Inc., all rights reserved.

Critic reviews

“A total treat to read from start to end, I loved all the lighthearted drama and humor…”—Harlequin Junkie

A fun story

This is a fun and lighthearted romcom. What starts out as a ridiculous pregame hockey ritual ends up turning into something so much more.

Hilarious story enemy to lovers

The narration was fabulous. The story was funny, and I loved the banter between the siblings and the main characters.

3.5 stars

I thought this book was super sweet! Dalton and Joy were fun characters and I liked the way the narrators brought the two to life.

There were definitely times I was laughing out loud at some of the superstitions Dalton had and how fiery Joy was. I loved her independence but seeing her open up may have been one of my favorite parts of the story.

Hockey, Humor, and a Happy Ending

I loved this book!! I love a good forbidden love, brother’s sister and best friend trope.

Lauren always writes the best banter, the best sassy, strong FMCs and she can bring the spice.

The whole reason that Dalton and Joy hook up is because of his pre game ritual getting added onto because she saw his man junk one time before his game. So, naturally, she has to keep doing for the team! From there, they start sharing lots of personal details and how they have been hurt in the past. The walls around their hearts start crumbling and they know they have progressed from a superstition to so much more. But there is a lot at stake including big brother Shepard’s rule of NO ONE messes with his sister.

There is a third act break up that is resolved quickly and perfectly for a hockey romance. Enjoy the reading - Peace ☮️ and Love ❤️ my friends!!

So funny 😂

I Absolutely loved this one!! Love the banter and the narration is perfect!!! 5 stars all around