Publisher: Avon
Genre: Time Travel Romance
Source: Publisher
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It is a truth universally acknowledged that a modern single man in possession of a hockey jersey may be exactly what a Regency woman needs to avoid the shackles of marriage... Goalie for the Austin Regals, Tucker Taylor is benched due to health issues. So he decides to visit his sister in England. But an accidental plunge into an icy pond thrusts him back to 1812 where he comes face to face with a captivating blue-eyed woman who regards him as if he’s grown two heads.
Lizzy Wooddash dreams of a life surrounded by books, engaging conversation, the presence of literary icons like Jane Austen, and... nary a husband in sight. But in Regency England, only widows like her cousin Georgie enjoy freedom and solitary pursuits, unencumbered by expectations. The only way to quickly become a widow is by marrying a dying man or killing a perfectly healthy one, neither of which Lizzy desires.
A visitor from the future might just be the husband of her dreams. Once married, they can figure out how to return Tucker to his proper time, and his absence—aka death—will make Lizzy the widow she always dreamed of becoming. Yet as sparks ignite, they soon realize that matters of the heart rarely adhere to carefully laid plans. Can their love stand the test of time, or will Lizzy get exactly what she wanted...as well as a broken heart?
It is a truth acknowledged within my own circle that if you put a Jane Austen reference in a book title or summary that I am likely to pick said book up. I’m also a fan of hockey, so between Puck and Prejudice featuring a time-traveling hockey player and Lia Riley creating a heroine who is pals with Jane Austen, there was little doubt that this would land itself in my reading pile.
Lizzy Wooddash dreams of freedom, of writing, and of not being bound by her family’s desires for her. Which is why when a confused man in strange garb shows up, lost, confused, and in need of help, the perfect solution to all of Lizzy’s problems lies with him. After battling cancer, Tucker Taylor has been benched from the Austin Regals until his doctor clears him to play. While visiting his sister in England, Tucker gets in a car accident and finds himself in 1812. What’s a man who couldn’t tell Austin from Brontë to do? Accept the help of a trio of women who not only believe him, but are determined to assist him to find a way back. In return, Tucker is all-too-happy to marry Lizzy so that she can be “widowed” to gain freedom when he finds his way home. It’s the perfect plan, except neither Lizzy nor Tucker expect to fall for each other.
Puck and Prejudice starts off slow but finds its footing as Lizzy and Tucker begin to fall in love. The story is cute and while you may have to suspend more disbelief than usual for this book, it’s entertaining enough. I liked the characters and the romance was sweet, with Lizzy and Tucker fitting each other well. That being said, the time travel bits were not as well thought-out as they could have been. I finished the book with more questions than I would have liked and there were some plot holes that left me a bit annoyed. And while I liked it when things started moving for the romance, it did feel a bit shallow.
If you’re a Janeite, there are plenty of references to Austen’s work that don’t really play a role but are cute nonetheless. If you’re not familiar with Austen’s work, missing out on those elements won’t detract from the story as it’s all very shallow and fleeting (including Jane’s presence). Overall, this was an OK story. It was entertaining enough to pass the time with and there was nothing wrong with it, but it didn’t grab my attention the way I would have liked.
FTC Disclosure: I received this book for free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
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