Crazy Pucking Love

ARC Review: Crazy Pucking Love (Taking Shots) by Cindi Madsen Teen angst with a side of adult drama. In the past I have not been a fan of young adult romance but Ms. Madsen may have just changed my mind. Crazy Pucking Love is Gilmore Girls meets 90210. A little light humour to add to the emotional drama and the sensual chemistry between Dane and Megan.

4.5 stars — While I originally did get this one from NetGalley, I procrastinated on it so long, I actually bought my own copy… I loved this one so much because I loved both characters. Dane was everything I was hoping for, damaged but also funny, sweet, and caring…and suffering from a little bit of stupid (not academically, but decision-making-wise). He also suffered from “deciding he knows what’s best for others and making decisions for them”-itis, not just with Megan but with others as well. And normally that doesn’t really work for me, but it fit with who his character was, and the past that shaped him. I was a bit disappointed that we didn’t get some closure with his family…I think that’s one area where all the books in this series are a little weak. They introduce background stories, but they don’t give resolution to them. I’m a reader that likes to know it all and gain closure in all things. Megan was so my kind of girl. She was insecure, but trying to be more confident and accepting of herself. I could identify with her, right down to her love of math (though I went into Comp Sci and not Engineering, there is a rivalry). She had her own struggles, between trying to convince herself that she could settle for less, and trying to live up (or rather down) to those expectations. She actually made me groan sometimes, b/c it was so obvious that she was fooling herself and that things were obviously not going to work out as she’d wanted them to. In some ways she was being just like the stereotype of girls who claim one thing and do another, but when you see the strength of her connection with Dane, it feels different somehow. I ached for her, and her doubts, and just how freaking adorable she was. I LOVED that while Megan struggled with her insecurities, and her progress might have been slow at times, I could understand that some of that came with age and experience. And she truly did wobble her way towards becoming a stronger person on her own, and I loved watching her develop other strong relationships (her friendships with Lyla, Whitney and to my surprise Vanessa!). The killer for this one was the two of them together. They had SOOOOO much chemistry, and I’m not just talking the steamy kind (though hooweee, right from the first kiss). But more important than all that, I felt their friendship chemistry! The way they interacted with each other, they just lit me up and gave me tummy butterflies. While this isn’t the last book in the series, I read them out of order so it’s *my* last book. One thing I love about this series is that it features 4 very smart heroines, but not the same kind of smart. Yay brains!! They were all very different heroines, but they were all inspiring in their own right. I wouldn’t have minded if the heroes had had some better academics, or it was clearer how they ended up balancing school with sport (especially given how both Hudson and Dane struggled)…but at least we end on a high with smarty-pants Ryder (in the next book). So yeah. Another thoroughly entertaining book in this series, and it just made me want to go back and reread Confessions to finish things off.

Cindi Madsen scores a hat trick with the third book in the Taking Shots series CRAZY PUCKING LOVE. I love this series. In this story, Megan Davenport, the little sister of team captain, Beck Davenport (book one), is a freshman at Boston College. She meets the boy of her dreams, Dane Kowalski, only to discover that he is her brother’s teammate and sworn off-limits. However, Dane and Megan have a class together and are both insomniacs, so they decide that the threat shouldn’t stop them from becoming friends. This contemporary sports romance is suitable for new adults. I like Megan. We met her in book one, when she struggled with her parents’ death and was seeking out negative attention. Now she is starting school at Boston College with a list of positive goal. She wants a fresh start and to be true to herself. She is a sweet girl whom you can’t help but like. I love her geeky side and am glad she chooses to embrace that part of her and not worry about the popular crowd. I found her math equations amusing. I enjoyed learning more about Dane’s character. Dane is Hudson Decker’s (book 2) best friend. The two grew up together in the Bronx. Dane has some issues concerning his ex-girlfriend that he needs to overcome to move forward. He is also worried about his younger sister, Lissa. He is a good guy, that cares about the people that are important to him. I enjoyed the plot. I like how Megan and Dane meet. I like how they hang out at the diner. I thought the part about them both being insomniacs and understanding each other cleaver. I enjoyed the creative ways they spent time together. I love both their geeky sides. The two get each other and are a good fit. Both the characters grow and have obstacles to overcome as individuals and a couple. I enjoyed how the story ended. Cindi Madsen continues to do a phenomenal job with this series. I cannot wait for her next book in the series. I voluntarily reviewed an advance reader copy of this book.