The Pucking Wrong Number Summary, Characters and Themes
The Pucking Wrong Number by C.R. Jane is a spicy, emotionally charged sports romance.
It starts with a mistaken text and spirals into a slow-burn, enemies-to-lovers connection between a guarded survivor and a hockey superstar. Monroe Bardot has clawed her way out of trauma, navigating life with grit, sarcasm, and zero tolerance for BS. Lincoln Daniels, on the other hand, is the golden boy of the NHL—rich, famous, and emotionally wrecked. Their worlds collide through anonymous texts, and what begins as snarky banter turns into a lifeline neither of them knew they needed. It’s messy, sexy, and unexpectedly healing.
Summary
Monroe Bardot has seen hell and clawed her way out with nothing but grit and a killer sense of sarcasm.
After escaping a toxic foster home just before her 18th birthday, she lands in Dallas with no money, no support system, and nowhere to go. She ends up sleeping on a park bench until a kind stranger leads her to Haven, a women’s shelter.
Over the next year, Monroe starts rebuilding her life—working two jobs, going to community college, and living in a rundown apartment while dodging her creepy landlord and a predatory doctor at her job.
Enter Lincoln Daniels: NHL superstar, rich, broody, and secretly wounded. One night, Lincoln tries to text the daughter of his father’s business associate, Kara—but it goes to the wrong number.
That number belongs to Monroe. Her snarky reply hooks him instantly. She’s not impressed by his fame, mostly because she has no idea who he is. And even if she did, she’s not the type to swoon for money or celebrity.
Lincoln, intrigued by her sass and mystery, keeps texting. Monroe, despite every instinct screaming at her not to trust anyone, finds herself enjoying their anonymous connection.
Their texts go from playful to flirty to emotional therapy sessions with a side of dirty jokes. Neither knows who the other is, but they can’t stop.
Lincoln becomes obsessed. He starts digging, eventually learning Monroe’s name and background. But he doesn’t tell her—he’s afraid that if she finds out he’s a famous hockey player (and that he’s been stalking, ahem, “looking out for her”), she’ll bolt.
So he plays guardian angel in secret—paying her rent through her landlord, pulling strings to ease her work life, and hiring a PI to make sure she’s safe. Creepy? Maybe a bit. But in a feral, “I’d burn the world for you” way.
Meanwhile, Monroe is falling for this mystery man. She doesn’t know his name, but she knows he listens, sees her, and doesn’t treat her like she’s broken.
Still, she starts noticing things—like her problems vanishing with no explanation—and wonders who the hell she’s really texting.
Eventually, they agree to meet. Lincoln tries to stage the perfect reveal but fumbles hard. When Monroe realizes who he is—and how much he’s been hiding—she’s gutted. Her worst fears about power, manipulation, and trust are confirmed. She walks away, angry and heartbroken.
But Lincoln’s not giving up. Instead of flashy apologies, he shows up. Quietly, consistently, and vulnerably.
He opens up about his trauma: his abusive father, the death of his brother, the emptiness of fame. Slowly, Monroe lets him back in—not because she needs saving, but because she sees that he’s as damaged and determined as she is.
They rebuild from the ground up. Love, for them, isn’t about fantasy—it’s about showing up, day after day, scarred but trying.
In the epilogues, we see their future: Monroe thriving in her career, Lincoln being her loudest cheerleader, and their relationship filled with steam, sweetness, and a little chaos. Plus, the bonus content teases stories from Lincoln’s teammates—each as hot, hilarious, and heartwarming as he is.
Characters
Monroe Bardot
Monroe’s character is shaped by a troubled and traumatic childhood that left deep emotional scars. Her early life was filled with hardship: she was raised by a drug-addicted mother who died in front of her, and after that, she was shuffled through foster homes.
The pain of her experiences is something that Monroe carries with her, making her tough and independent. Her escape from an abusive foster home at the brink of her 18th birthday shows her courage and desire for a better life.
Though she starts from a place of vulnerability, Monroe’s growth throughout the story is remarkable. She evolves from a fiercely independent woman who refuses to rely on anyone, to someone who learns to trust and accept help.
Despite the hardships she’s faced, Monroe is incredibly resilient, refusing to let her past define her and continuously fighting for her independence and survival. Her sarcasm and no-nonsense attitude make her an unflappable character, but beneath this tough exterior lies a deep vulnerability that she only begins to show when she lets her guard down with Lincoln.
Lincoln Daniels
Lincoln is a classic example of a man with a troubled past hiding behind a facade. As a star NHL player, he carries the weight of his fame and the expectations that come with it. However, his public persona is a sharp contrast to his private struggles.
Haunted by the death of his brother and the emotional manipulation of his cold, distant father, Lincoln’s trauma is a key part of his character. While he initially comes off as charming and confident, his obsession with Monroe reveals his deeper emotional needs.
He is drawn to her because she isn’t impressed by his fame, offering him a connection that feels real and not tied to his celebrity status. Throughout the story, Lincoln grapples with opening up about his past, and his growth centers around his ability to show vulnerability and let go of control.
His love for Monroe is intense, but he learns that love isn’t about control; it’s about trust, honesty, and mutual healing.
Ari Lancaster and The Vibe Squad
Lincoln’s teammates bring a lot of humor and camaraderie to the story. They aren’t just comic relief, but add depth to the world Lincoln inhabits. Each of them has a distinct personality, making them interesting characters in their own right.
Ari Lancaster is Lincoln’s best friend, known for his filthy mouth and flirtatious nature. Though his banter is often sharp, it’s clear that he has Lincoln’s back in ways that go beyond the locker room.
His potential for a romantic storyline is hinted at, with a possible love interest who can match his wit and sarcastic charm. Bender, the goalie, is the older, more experienced member of the team. He’s the one who cracks dad jokes and keeps the locker room lively.
His tough exterior hides a soft side, and there’s definitely room for a redemption arc where he might reveal more about his personal life and vulnerabilities. Dalton, though quieter and more introspective, has an arc that hints at his growth as he navigates pressure and self-doubt.
He might not steal the spotlight, but his character development feels like it could lead to something significant in future stories. Finally, the Coach of the team is a lovable tyrant with no chill. His tough love and offbeat humor add a layer of warmth to the team dynamic, acting as a father figure who doesn’t hesitate to yell at his players but does so out of deep care and affection.
Together, these teammates form a dynamic and entertaining support system for Lincoln, adding not only humor to the story but also emotional depth and authenticity to his life off the ice.
Themes
The Harrowing Impact of Trauma on Personal Identity and Growth
Monroe’s journey is defined by the trauma she endured in her early life—abandonment, abuse, and living in foster care with a predatory father. This past shapes her deeply, influencing every aspect of her identity.
The theme of trauma here is explored through Monroe’s struggle to heal and reconcile with her painful history. She is constantly battling to maintain a sense of independence and strength, even as the memories of her past continue to haunt her.
Her vulnerability is buried under layers of deflection and sarcasm, and this emotional armor makes it difficult for her to trust others, especially men. Monroe’s fight is not just against her past but against the very idea that she could ever be loved without being “rescued.”
The narrative shows how trauma can mold a person’s personality—her guarded nature, her mistrust of others, and her fierce self-reliance are all coping mechanisms in response to her fractured past.
The Dichotomy of Fame and Secrecy in Relationships
Lincoln’s character brings forth a contrasting but equally powerful theme: the tension between fame and secrecy in relationships. As a professional hockey player, Lincoln’s life is under constant scrutiny, and his identity is public knowledge.
However, his relationship with Monroe unfolds through a hidden, anonymous exchange of texts, where the lines of fame and secrecy blur. His desire to keep his identity hidden from Monroe comes from a place of fear and vulnerability—he worries that if she finds out who he truly is, she will be driven away by his wealth, fame, and the baggage that comes with them.
The secrecy creates a sense of anticipation and excitement, but it also introduces the tension of deception, which ultimately leads to a breakdown in trust between them. The book reflects on how fame can distort authentic connections and the challenges that arise when two people from different worlds attempt to bridge the gap between the public and private selves.
The Complex Intersection of Independence and Vulnerability in Intimate Relationships
A significant and complex theme in The Pucking Wrong Number is the tension between independence and vulnerability in intimate relationships. Monroe’s character, having been abandoned and hurt by those she once trusted, views independence as a shield against emotional harm.
Her reluctance to open up to Lincoln, despite their growing emotional connection, reflects the internal conflict between wanting to protect herself and yearning for genuine intimacy. For Monroe, vulnerability feels like a risk—allowing someone to see her true self is tantamount to exposing her scars and weaknesses.
Lincoln, on the other hand, is initially emotionally unavailable and hides behind his public persona. His eventual decision to embrace vulnerability, both in sharing his traumas with Monroe and in opening himself up emotionally, reflects the theme of growth in relationships.
Their evolving bond demonstrates that true intimacy requires shedding the walls of self-preservation and embracing mutual vulnerability, where both individuals can be fully seen and loved for who they truly are.
The Paradox of Control and Surrender in Love
One of the most intriguing themes in the book is the paradox of control and surrender in romantic love. Lincoln, a man who has spent his life in control both on the ice and off, initially tries to exert control over his relationship with Monroe through secrecy and manipulation—using his wealth and resources to influence her life without her knowledge.
His obsession with Monroe, while stemming from genuine feelings, often teeters on the edge of possessiveness. This dynamic shifts dramatically as Lincoln learns to let go of his need to control.
Monroe, too, grapples with her own need for control, born out of a lifetime of chaos and loss. As they learn to trust each other and confront their own emotional baggage, they both realize that true love requires surrender—the willingness to let go of control and allow space for vulnerability and authenticity.
The evolution of their relationship reflects the emotional journey of learning that love cannot thrive in a dynamic based solely on power; instead, it flourishes in mutual respect and acceptance.
The Transformation of Self-Worth Through Love and Acceptance
Throughout The Pucking Wrong Number, there is a significant exploration of how love and acceptance can serve as a transformative force in a person’s journey toward self-worth. Monroe’s struggle to accept love and her worth is at the heart of the narrative.
For most of the book, she feels unworthy of affection, constantly battling the belief that her traumatic past defines her future. Her growth is inextricably linked to her ability to accept the love that Lincoln offers her, not because she’s been “saved,” but because she deserves it as an individual.
Lincoln’s journey, too, is one of accepting love and confronting his own trauma, especially regarding the guilt over his brother’s death and the toxicity of his relationship with his father. The central theme of self-worth, deeply tied to both characters’ pasts, shows that healing is not just about personal growth but also about learning to accept love as a validating force in one’s life.