Cocky Mother Pucker delivers exactly what I look for in a college sports romance. The banter is quick and spicy, and the chemistry is sizzling. The fake-dating setup doesn’t feel forced; it slips into something real before either character sees it coming.
Title: Cocky Mother Pucker
Author(s): Sarah Smith
Series: Hollis U #1
Published by Self Published on March 9,2026
Pages: 370
Genre(s): Contemporary Sports Romance
Source: Kindle Unlimited
Format: eBook 
Purchase: Amazon
Rating: 
Series Rating:
Heat Level: 
I’m known for three things: I’m captain of my college hockey team.I’m hot.I’ve got a big “stick” and plenty of pretty ladies to handle it for me.
Yeah, that’s cocky as hell, but it’s true.
One problem: I’m failing my classes.
I need to get my grades up or I’m off the team, and I’ll lose my shot to play pro hockey.
So when Poppy Wylder asks me to fake date her to get back at her ex, I’m in. Under one condition: she tutors me.
I’ve had a crush on this beautiful genius since we went to high school together. She hates me though.
But one unexpected kiss changes everything.
This good girl with a naughty streak in the bedroom is my fantasy come true.
She confides in me about her dreams. I tell her mine.
We agreed to call it quits at the end of the semester, but I’ve caught major feelings…I want to make Poppy mine for real…
I just have to convince her to take a chance on the guy she never wanted.
College hockey romance! Book 1 in the Hollis U series!
Tropes Fake dating Hockey himbo MMC Nerdy FMC Bad boy/good girl Spice coaching Hand necklaces STFUATTDLAGG No third-act breakup!
Nick is the cocky, charming captain of the college hockey team. He’s struggling academically, and if he doesn’t fix it fast, he’s off the ice. He needs help, and he knows it.
Enter Poppy, his brilliant high school crush and his twin sister’s best friend. She agrees to tutor him, but only if he’ll pretend to be her boyfriend to shake up her ex. What starts as a simple tradeoff slowly shifts into something deeper, with real feelings creeping in long before either one is ready.
Cocky Mother Pucker is a delightful, fast-paced romance that hits all the right notes. The banter is sharp, the chemistry is electric, and the fake-dating dynamic actually matters to the plot.
Nick gives you the classic cocky-hockey-captain energy, but what makes him stand out is how quickly the swagger drops when it comes to Poppy. He’s sincere, protective, and completely undone by her in the best way.
Poppy is steady and smart and is trying to move past an ex who never appreciated her. Using Nick to rile up said ex adds an extra layer of tension, especially when the pretend relationship starts feeling somewhat too real. Watching her realize she deserves more than crumbs gives the story unexpected emotional depth.
While no tropes were reinvented, the story embraces its setup with confidence and charm. Nick and Poppy’s moments together feel warm, natural, and funny. Their steady shift from “we’re just faking this” to “this might actually be something” is precisely the kind of payoff that makes fake-dating romances my catnip.
Overall, it’s a flirty, heartfelt read with memorable characters and a romance worth rooting for.
| Story Evaluation | |
|---|---|
| Plot |
4 |
| Characters |
5 |
| World Building |
4 |
| Writing Style |
4 |
| Pacing |
4 |
| Cover |
1.5 |
| Enjoyment |
4 |
| Ending |
4 |
| Overall: | |
Nadene’s addiction to reading began at an early age, when a family friend gifted her a copy of Wuthering Heights. From that moment she was never without a book. She will read anything as long as the material is compelling enough to hold her attention. She gained many experiences through the pages of the books she had the opportunity to read. She created this blog to share her love of books with like-minded individuals, hoping that in sharing reviews of the books read, visitors to the blog will discover their next addictive read. When not reading, Nadene enjoys cooking, listening to music, and watching television.
