Reviewed by Sadonna
TITLE: Love Pucktually 
SERIES: Melting Ice
AUTHOR: M.M. Phoenix
PUBLISHER: Self-Published
LENGTH: 375 pages
RELEASE DATE: February 17, 2026
BLURB:
I wasn’t planning on making out with him. I’m straight. I just…got bullied into it by a talking parrot, okay? Please, you have to believe me…
ACE
None of what happened was my fault, and I’d rather not explain how I ended up in Devon’s bed.
First, I’d have to tell people I’m straight, and that would already raise questions. Then I’d have to explain why I set his bar on fire, and then got bullied into making out with him by a talking parrot, and—
You can see how that would be an awkward conversation.
In my defense, it was all for charity. The making out part, I mean. Pucks for Paws and all.
Well, technically it wasn’t, but it was during this thing for charity. I didn’t actually have to make out with him, I just…
I’m not really making my case, am I?
DEVON
Some say December’s the busiest time of the year, and it definitely is for me.
This one started with two dozen oversized penguins (also known as a hockey team in formal wear) trashing my bar. And by “my” bar, I mean a bar I work at. Since—checks watch—earlier today.
But that’s okay, because I got to lie on top of one of them (the hottest one, thank you)for a minute, so all is well in the universe.
Speaking of hockey players… Have you seen a warm-up skate? Because if you haven’t, you definitely should. The way they drop down on the ice, spread their legs, and pump their—
Actually, I can’t talk right now. I have an animal shelter to save, a parrot to thank, a warm-up to catch, and an unfairly hot hockey forward to try to convince to let me lie on top of him again.
Like I said, December’s super busy.
Low Pucktually is a low angst, high-heat bi-awakening Hockey Romance. It’s a part of Melting Ice series and can be read as a stand-alone.
REVIEW:
Devon is a college student with a job at a bar. One night the local hockey team – the Chicago Wolves – comes into the bar. There is a a bit of a ruckus and a small fire involving the Christmas tree 😉 Luckily they get the fire out. But then a women enters who has been mauled by kittens she is trying to bathe. She’s about to lose the animal shelter she runs and is devastated. The hockey team and the bar decide to help.
Ace is a hockey player on the Wolves. He’s been assigned bar tending duties for the fund-raisers. He ends up being “trained” by Devon who is an adorable younger guy. Devon is a flirt and full of snarky banter. Ace says he’s straight though. They end up at the animal shelter and are enamored of the same senior blind dog there. They keep running into each other.
Meanwhile, Ace is looking for help with another assignment – Santa hats for a charity game. He goes on Reddit looking for a tailor and gets a response from a stranger. The suggestion works out. They keep messaging and the guy flirts with Ace. He’s trying to keep his distance, but he also has been goaded into a kiss with Devon at the bar and he’s not sure he’s all the straight after all. And he’s going to have to come clean with Devon 😉
When Devon and Ace finally figure out what’s going on, well things get hot. And heavy. Ace hasn’t been interested in anyone in quite a while and he’s clearly interested in Devon. Devon is shocked – to say the least. But they are working together more and more on the fundraising and charity game to save the shelter. Unplanned events keep getting in their way and Ace isn’t exactly ready to come out. Until he is 😀
This is the first book I’ve read by this author. I love it – the banter, the humor, the found family – it’s a fun, sexy read. So many laugh out loud moments. Devon is a hoot and Ace discovering who he is? Precious! I loved the animals and the charity works and the other players and Leila! Devon and Ace are hot and sweet together. I adored them! They have their hands full with school, jobs, hockey and the saving the animal shelter. It’s a low angst good time. The way the team, the bar, the shelter staff and even the local fire station guys jump in to save the day is so much fun. And yes, it is VERY Chicago 😉 This book is SOOO much fun! I really loved this fun romance. We all could use from delightful stories right now. Highly recommended and I can’t wait for the next book 🙂
RATING: 
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