Pucking Strong (Jacksonville Rays Hockey)
The Jacksonville Rays go international when their Swedish star forward and the team’s physical therapist have to stage a very real fake marriage in this delicious slow burn, spicy MM, workplace hockey romance from viral sensation Emily Rath!
My name is Teddy O’Connor, and I just made a terrible mistake. It’s been six years since I was an intern for the Jacksonville Rays NHL team. Six years since I wrapped ice packs on knees and played Mario Kart on chartered planes. And six long years since I first met him. Henrik Karlsson, star forward of the Rays . . . and king of my heart.
Oh god, I’ve got to get over this crush! I’m a doctor now, a respected professional. And Henrik doesn’t even know I exist. So you tell me why I’m risking everything to follow this man halfway around the world!
After receiving news of his sister’s tragic death, Henrik must fly to Sweden to retrieve his injured, grieving young niece. But with a new hockey season about to start, Henrik can’t possibly care for her alone. In fact, the Swedish government won’t let him. He needs me. They both do. I’d be heartless not to help—right?
Well, that’s what I told myself last week as I signed our Swedish marriage license. It’s what I told myself yesterday as I moved into his apartment. And it’s what I’m telling myself now as the Rays PR Director stares us down. They want this marriage to look real. The team’s public image, our jobs, and Henrik’s custody agreement all depend on it.
But my problem isn’t that I don’t love my fake husband. God help me, my problem is that I do.
My name is Teddy O’Connor, and I just made a terrible mistake. It’s been six years since I was an intern for the Jacksonville Rays NHL team. Six years since I wrapped ice packs on knees and played Mario Kart on chartered planes. And six long years since I first met him. Henrik Karlsson, star forward of the Rays . . . and king of my heart.
Oh god, I’ve got to get over this crush! I’m a doctor now, a respected professional. And Henrik doesn’t even know I exist. So you tell me why I’m risking everything to follow this man halfway around the world!
After receiving news of his sister’s tragic death, Henrik must fly to Sweden to retrieve his injured, grieving young niece. But with a new hockey season about to start, Henrik can’t possibly care for her alone. In fact, the Swedish government won’t let him. He needs me. They both do. I’d be heartless not to help—right?
Well, that’s what I told myself last week as I signed our Swedish marriage license. It’s what I told myself yesterday as I moved into his apartment. And it’s what I’m telling myself now as the Rays PR Director stares us down. They want this marriage to look real. The team’s public image, our jobs, and Henrik’s custody agreement all depend on it.
But my problem isn’t that I don’t love my fake husband. God help me, my problem is that I do.
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Community Reviews
Emily Rath has once again given us a love story that’s as tender as it is scorching. What stood out most to me was the beautiful diversity of love and characters—there’s truly a reflection for everyone tucked within these pages.
Of all the MMCs, Teddy shined the brightest for me. His open-hearted vulnerability and his selfless nature—choosing joy for others even when it meant setting aside his own needs—hit me right in the chest. Watching the bond between friends deepen into admiration, and then blossom into love, was pure magic.
And oh, the spice. Let’s just say… I didn’t have to be a man to feel the heat radiating off those pages. Rath knows how to strike the balance between intimacy and intensity, and this book proves it.
But what surprised me most was the second love story hidden within these chapters—the tender relationship between Henrick’s five-year-old niece and Teddy. Their growing bond was heart-melting. Teddy didn’t just love Henrick; he breathed new life into the entire Karlson family.
Pucking Strong is more than a romance—it’s a reminder that love, in all its forms, heals, connects, and transforms.
Of all the MMCs, Teddy shined the brightest for me. His open-hearted vulnerability and his selfless nature—choosing joy for others even when it meant setting aside his own needs—hit me right in the chest. Watching the bond between friends deepen into admiration, and then blossom into love, was pure magic.
And oh, the spice. Let’s just say… I didn’t have to be a man to feel the heat radiating off those pages. Rath knows how to strike the balance between intimacy and intensity, and this book proves it.
But what surprised me most was the second love story hidden within these chapters—the tender relationship between Henrick’s five-year-old niece and Teddy. Their growing bond was heart-melting. Teddy didn’t just love Henrick; he breathed new life into the entire Karlson family.
Pucking Strong is more than a romance—it’s a reminder that love, in all its forms, heals, connects, and transforms.
Pucking Strong by Emily Rath is the fourth book in the Jacksonville Rays series (seventh if you count the novellas) and it was everything I expected and more. Fans of the series will get more of what they love about the world the author has created, plus appearances by the rest of the Rays family from previous books. Humor, heart, and heat aplenty!
While I love all of Emily’s characters, I think Teddy is at the top of the list (although Mr. Ryan Langley is on the book boyfriends roster). He’s chaotic, lovable, and perfect in his own way. His inner monologue is absolutely hilarious. I love how the author creates characters with depth in an authentic relationship that allows for character growth with both parties. She always manages to balance this with sensitive themes and hysterical antics that guarantee entertainment and connection with the story.
This was my first MM romance but I knew Emily Rath would not disappoint. I’m so glad I picked up Pucking Around and cannot wait to complete the series!
While I love all of Emily’s characters, I think Teddy is at the top of the list (although Mr. Ryan Langley is on the book boyfriends roster). He’s chaotic, lovable, and perfect in his own way. His inner monologue is absolutely hilarious. I love how the author creates characters with depth in an authentic relationship that allows for character growth with both parties. She always manages to balance this with sensitive themes and hysterical antics that guarantee entertainment and connection with the story.
This was my first MM romance but I knew Emily Rath would not disappoint. I’m so glad I picked up Pucking Around and cannot wait to complete the series!
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