Pucking Surprise For The Grumpy Captain By Kali Kendrick Book Review

I stayed up way too late reading Pucking Surprise for the Grumpy Captain: A Secret Identity. I just love a slow burn with a grumpy/sunshine vibe! The secret identity twist and forced proximity made the tension so real. If you crave winter sports romance, this book brings the heat.

Key Takeaways

Pucking Surprise for the Grumpy Captain has a slow-building romance. There is a big secret identity twist. The forced proximity makes real tension and chemistry.
The story has a grumpy hockey captain. The heroine is warm and lively. Their relationship grows in a natural way. They share honest moments and playful jokes.
The book takes place in a bright winter sports world. It mixes real hockey details with humor and feelings. This makes it great for people who like fun and heartfelt romances.

Pucking Surprise for the Grumpy Captain: A Secret Identity

Plot

I have to admit, Pucking Surprise for the Grumpy Captain: A Secret Identity hooked me from the first chapter. The story centers on a grumpy hockey team captain who thinks he has everything under control—until a new face shakes up his world.

The twist? She hides her true identity, and he has no clue who she really is. This secret identity plot kept me guessing and made every interaction feel loaded with tension.

The captain, known for his icy attitude, suddenly finds himself sharing close quarters with someone who challenges him at every turn.
Forced proximity ramps up the stakes. They have to work together, live together, and try not to kill each other (or fall in love).
The winter sports backdrop adds a chilling edge. I could almost feel the cold rink air and hear the scrape of skates.

I love how the author uses the secret identity trope. It’s not just a gimmick. It drives the story and makes every scene feel like a ticking time bomb. I kept thinking, “What will happen when he finds out?” That suspense kept me flipping pages way past my bedtime.

Main Characters

The characters in Pucking Surprise for the Grumpy Captain: A Secret Identity feel real and relatable. Here’s who you’ll meet:

The Captain: He’s grumpy, stubborn, and totally dedicated to his team. He acts tough, but I could see his softer side peeking through. He’s the kind of guy who pretends not to care, but you know he’s hurting inside.
The Heroine: She’s sunshine in human form. She brings warmth and chaos wherever she goes. Her secret identity adds layers to her character. I found myself rooting for her, even when she made risky choices.
Supporting Cast: The teammates and friends add humor and heart. They tease, support, and sometimes meddle in the main couple’s business. I laughed out loud at some of their banter.

I felt like I was right there in the locker room, eavesdropping on their inside jokes.

Setting

The setting in Pucking Surprise for the Grumpy Captain: A Secret Identity feels like a character itself. The author paints a vivid picture of the hockey world:

The ice rink becomes a stage for drama, romance, and rivalry.
Snowy nights and chilly mornings set the mood. I could almost see my breath in the air.
The team’s shared house forces everyone into close quarters. No one can hide for long.

This winter sports setting makes the story feel authentic. I could sense the pressure of big games and the comfort of post-practice hangouts. It’s the perfect backdrop for a romance that’s both sweet and pulse-pounding.

Tropes & Themes

Secret Identity

I have to give props to Kali Kendrick for making the secret identity trope feel fresh. In Pucking Surprise for the Grumpy Captain: A Secret Identity, the heroine’s hidden identity isn’t just a side plot. It’s the heartbeat of the story.

Every time she almost slips, my heart raced. I kept thinking, “Will this be the moment he finds out?” That tension made the slow burn even better.

The secret identity adds layers to every conversation.
I felt the risk in every stolen glance.
The reveal scene? Totally worth the wait.

Forced Proximity

Forced proximity is one of my favorite romance setups, and this book nails it. The main characters have to share space, which means they can’t avoid each other. I laughed at their awkward run-ins and cheered when they started to open up. The close quarters made their chemistry impossible to ignore.

Tip: If you love stories where characters are stuck together and sparks fly, you’ll eat this up.

Grumpy/Sunshine

The grumpy/sunshine dynamic shines here. The captain’s icy attitude meets the heroine’s warmth, and the clash is electric. I loved watching her chip away at his walls. Their banter felt real, not forced. It’s a classic trope, but Kendrick gives it heart.

The grumpy captain falls first, and it left me gasping.
The sunshine heroine brings out his softer side.

These tropes work together to make the romance feel both familiar and new. I couldn’t put it down.

Character Dynamics

Chemistry

I’ll be honest, the chemistry between the captain and the heroine had me hooked from the start. I found myself grinning at their banter and holding my breath during those close moments. The slow burn felt real.

Every time they brushed hands or shared a look, I felt the tension. I even caught myself kicking my feet under the covers like a teenager.

The captain’s gruff attitude made every soft moment feel earned.
The heroine’s sunshine energy brought out his hidden warmth.
Their playful teasing made me laugh out loud.

If you love that feeling when two people try to fight their feelings but fail, this book nails it.

Development

Watching these two grow felt rewarding. At first, the captain kept his guard up. He acted like he didn’t care, but I saw his walls start to crumble. The heroine learned to trust herself and take risks. Their relationship didn’t just happen overnight. It built up, step by step, with every late-night talk and shared secret.

Both characters faced their fears and changed for the better.
I rooted for them as they learned to open up.
Their journey felt honest, not rushed.

Enemies-to-Lovers

The enemies-to-lovers vibe added so much fun. They started off clashing over everything. I loved how their arguments turned into inside jokes. The captain fell first, and that twist left me gasping. The payoff felt sweet and totally worth the wait.

The tension made every scene exciting.
Their transformation from rivals to partners felt natural.

This book gave me all the feels. I couldn’t put it down!

Writing & Pacing

Style

Kali Kendrick’s writing style feels like a warm blanket on a cold night. I noticed right away how she balances sharp dialogue with softer, emotional moments. The banter between characters pops off the page. I never felt lost or confused.

The story moves forward with purpose. I saw this same praise in other reviews.

Flow

The pacing kept me hooked. I never felt bored or rushed. Each chapter ended with just enough suspense to make me say, “One more page.” The slow burn romance built up naturally. I could feel the tension growing with every scene.

The story didn’t drag, and the emotional beats landed right on time. I have to give props to Kendrick for knowing when to let the characters breathe and when to turn up the heat.

Short chapters made it easy to keep reading.
No wasted scenes or filler.
The story kept me engaged from start to finish.

Humor

The humor in this book made me laugh out loud. The teammates’ jokes and the main couple’s playful teasing felt real. I loved the light moments mixed in with the drama. It made the heavier scenes easier to handle. The author’s sense of timing with jokes and banter really shines.

If you want a romance that makes you smile as much as it makes you swoon, this one delivers.

Strengths & Weaknesses

Emotional Impact

I have to give props to Kali Kendrick for making me feel so much. I stayed up way too late, clutching my pillow and whispering, “Just one more chapter.” The emotional depth surprised me.

I laughed at the team’s jokes, but I also felt a lump in my throat during the big reveal. The slow burn romance had me rooting for the couple. Sometimes I even caught myself grinning like a fool.

Standout moments: The captain’s soft side, the heroine’s vulnerability, and those late-night talks.
Relatable struggles: Both characters face real fears and doubts.
Humor: The banter kept things light, even when my heart ached.

I’ll be honest, a few scenes left me gasping and hugging my Kindle.

Sports Realism

I love when a sports romance actually feels like it knows hockey. The rink scenes felt real. I could almost hear the skates and smell the ice. The author didn’t overload me with stats or jargon, but I still got the sense of real games and team pressure.

Authentic details: Locker room banter, practice drills, and game-day nerves.
Team dynamics: The found family vibe worked for me.

If you want a book that gets the hockey vibe right, this one delivers.

Predictability

To be fair, I saw some twists coming. The secret identity reveal didn’t shock me, but it still felt satisfying. The romance followed a familiar path, and a few plot beats felt a bit safe.

Predictable moments: The big reveal, the “will-they-won’t-they” tension.
Pacing: A couple of chapters dragged, but nothing that made me want to quit.

Who Should Read This

Ideal Readers

If you like hockey romance, you should check out Pucking Surprise for the Grumpy Captain: A Secret Identity. This book is great for readers who:

Want a slow burn story that keeps you reading late at night
Like seeing a grumpy hero change because of someone cheerful
Enjoy stories with forced proximity and secret identity twists
Want both funny moments and real feelings in a book

I cheered for both main characters, even when they messed up. If you enjoy couples who feel real and teams that act like family, you’ll like this book.

Similar Books

If you have read other winter sports romances, you might notice some things are the same here. I thought about books like Hannah Grace’s “Icebreaker.” People talk about it with Elle Kennedy and Mariana Zapata’s hockey romances.

Fans love the strong couple chemistry, the open talk about romance, and how these books show real sports problems like injuries and team drama.

“Icebreaker” is popular for its new ideas and deep feelings. It’s a TikTok hit, just like Pucking Surprise for the Grumpy Captain: A Secret Identity.
Elle Kennedy and Mariana Zapata’s books are known for tough male leads and strong female characters. If you like those, you’ll probably like this one too.
The sequel “Wildfire” is praised for character growth, which is also a big part of this book.

If you want a romance that feels both new and familiar, with all the best hockey story ideas, you should add this book to your TBR.

I can’t help but recommend this to anyone who loves a slow burn with real hockey vibes. The secret identity twist and forced proximity made every scene pop. With a strong 4.25-star rating and tons of happy readers, this one is perfect for fans who want romance that feels both fun and real.

Overall, the strengths far outweigh the weaknesses. I’d rate it a solid 7/10 for emotional punch and hockey feels.