First of all, thank you to Emily Rath and Netgalley for advanced access to this book. This was romantic, erotic, emotional, and a fun trip back into the world of the Jacksonville Rays! Fans will be delighted!

I am so in love with Henrik and Teddy! I've been reading the Jacksonville Rays series since Pucking Around was first released, and have been so looking forward to an MM book. It did not disappoint AT ALL. I think this was my second favorite in the series following Rachel and her men. This was also the first book I've read that featured a demisexual main character, which I thought was written very well. I'm so impressed with Emily Rath and her representation of so much the the LGBTQ+ community throughout her books. The slow burn is slowww, but very much worth the wait. The spice is phenomenal between Teddy and Henrik! And of course, it's always wonderful to get to see characters from previous books again. Overall, I absolutely loved Pucking Strong and I can't wait to keep recommending this series.

Teddy is a new comfort character. I think he was wonderfully written, silly and dramatic in a way that made him immediately lovable. Henrik's journey was deeply emotional and hopeful as he found his family in caring for Karo and Teddy. I loved the family aspect between these three. I do wish there was a bit more Karo especially dealing with her emotions, maybe some negative reactions to how her life was changing, just to see her depth and have the boys face that kind of obstacle. However, I know the point is Henrik and Teddy's journey.
The book is both insta-love and slow burn. I definitely preferred the slow build up. I also admit to coming into the book with a more critical lens than I did for any of the other books in this series given the characters stray from the authors lived experiences. There were some things I felt could have been done better around Teddy's family like including more of his mother and aspects of Henrik's journey that could have been expanded upon. I did find myself wanting some Ace inclusion or descriptions of other places Henrik's sexuality could have lied before going straight to demi though it says up front there is a demi character so you know where the conversation will go anyway.
I'm curious about what will come next for the Jacksonville Rays!

I enjoyed this book but I did realize that my limit for reading about gay sex in depth is around 2 scenes and this book had around 6 or 7. I did like the chemistry between them and the aspect of representation of demisexuality.

This was so much more than a marriage of convenience story. Teddy, an out and proud gay black man has just been reunited with his long standing crush who has never seen him, or anyone with any real kind of interest. Cue a terrible accident where Henrik is now trying to get guardianship of his orphaned niece, and may lose her to the foster system because of his busy travel schedule in the NHL. In comes Teddy for the save. He agrees to marry Henrik to create a stable family for her, without any regard for how much it will hurt to be married to a man who can’t love him back.

The story has a delicious slow burn full of baby steps and finding home in another person. Henrik had never desired someone before because he’d never been in love or really fully known by another person. I loved that Henrik has no hang ups on being perceived as gay, and no shame when he allows himself to let Teddy love him. Once his heart is open, there’s nothing he wouldn’t do for Teddy. Even the little moments when they still felt fake, Henrik would do these little romantic things to show Teddy that he saw him and appreciated him in his life. Swoon.

I loved this book. As someone who has read the books leading up to this one in the series, it felt like coming home to a clean house after a long vacation. Teddy coming back and seeing everyone felt like me coming back to see everyone. I felt included in the book since I hadn't read in a while. I loved the dynamic between Teddy and Henrick. They were both such different people, but they complemented each other so well. The character development throughout the story was very well done. It wasn't rushed. This felt different than the previous books in a good way. There was less spice, but it wasn't missed. The tension was enough to keep me going. Very well done!!

I have never read anything by Emily I didn't love completely! But this book just takes that love to a whole new level!! Emily is extremely intelligent, and the way she writes is dynamic and engaging. I couldn't put it down, and loved every second!

I loved everything about this book! It was a much anticipated release for me and I could be happier about the chance to read an arc copy. Thank you and I look forward to reading again on the release date and recommending this book

Teddy and Henrik’s love made me so emotional, I love them and their love so much. I also loved that there was no third act breakup/no one tried to run away. They were the family they were meant to be. Karro was a sweetheart too, i loved her bond with her Morbor and Teddy! The epilogue made me cry, honestly. So freaking sweet. I also loved the look into the Ray’s of the future, i like that everyone is moving on, such a natural progression of life

The fourth installment of the Jacksonville Rays series and I am swooned over Teddy and Henrik. This book was INCREDIBLE. I enjoyed it from beginning to end, and I felt like it was me living through all of this now.

5/5. This was one of my "drop everything now and read immediately" books of the year and woooooo buddy did Emily Rath deliver. The author created magic with the Jacksonville Rays and every single book just gets better and better. Teddy might be my favorite (as a fellow double Pisces) but nothing makes me happier in this series than seeing the Price men pop up. I cried at least 5 times (in a good way) while reading this and I'm so glad I have my pre-order for the physical book. You know I'm going to need that full series on my shelf and this series is one I will definitely be re-reading. I know Pucking Strong is just publishing this summer but I already need the next book in the series and the next Pucking Ever After volume. And, let me tell you, as someone who NEVER reads the novellas, this is high high praise because I would have kicked myself to miss The Dentist story. A++. Recommend to literally anyone who loves a good romance.

Thank you for the opportunity to review early! This was a wonderful continuation of the Jacksonville Rays' stories - I loved getting to know Henrik and Teddy. I loved the lack of a third act breakup - I liked getting to see them tackle problems together and grow together, and really enjoyed every bit of this story. Novy's destined to be the best side character, truly.

I laughed, I cried, and things definitely got steamy. This was a great slow-burn ending to the Rays series. I especially appreciated the community of characters from books 1-3. Jake and Novy always make me laugh. I really enjoyed seeing the MCs grow and find their ways to be their full selves together.

An excellent addition to the Jacksonville Rays Romance series. New readers and fans alike will fall in love with Henrik and Teddy. Rath continues to write with diverse representation in her characters and each book just keeps getting better!

Love, love, love Emily Rath's Jacksonville Rays series! Teddy and Henrik's story is just as good as every other book in this series. I love the growth both of them experience. Watching their romance bloom from friends to more was beautiful. And I'm a sucker for a good fake marriage situation. Love!

No one does love and connection like Emily Rath! This entire series is one messy, crazy, beautiful connection after another. The way she breathes life into the character, making them so relatable and vulnerable, makes me feel for full of love and relief and hope that this kind of journey is real. Henrik and Teddy went on such a crazy ride, from page one their lives were flipped and bulldozed over, and in that crazy they found each other and made a beautiful scene that had me crying all over the place. This book has a 5 star couple, with 5 star romance/spice, and 5star side characters!!! I love see the price family, the langley’s, and Poppy with her men😍 I’m so invested in this fictional world that Emily Rath made.

Pucking Strong is exactly what the title suggests—emotionally strong, character-driven, and a standout installment in Emily Rath’s Jacksonville Ray's series. While the pacing is noticeably slower than in previous books, this deliberate slow burn works to its advantage. The extra space allows for deeper emotional development, giving readers a chance to really connect with the characters and their individual journeys—its not just spice upone spice upon spice. Though, the spice is so good.

Unlike some of the recent books in the series that needed a companion novella to fill in the emotional gaps, Pucking Strong stands firmly on its own. Rath takes her time building the connection between the leads, weaving in backstory and vulnerability in a way that feels natural and satisfying. It’s refreshing to see a relationship develop with patience and complexity, without sacrificing the tension or payoff.

If you’ve been craving more character depth and emotional nuance from your hockey romance reads, this one delivers. Pucking Strong proves that sometimes, taking things slow leads to a much stronger finish.

When stoic hockey player Henrik is at risk of losing custody of his niece after is sister's passing, team physical therapist, Teddy, steps up and offers to help him. While that assistance originally takes the form of flying with him to Sweden to offer moral support and proper medical transport of the child, it turns into a marriage-of-convenience with Teddy's long-time crush.

I've read three of the four (or four of five, if we count the prequel) books in this series, and I've enjoyed all of them, but they are all so, so long. The author even acknowledges this in her author's note. For the other two I read, it didn't bother me so much, because they involved polyamorous relationships that justified additional character and relationship development. That justification doesn't exist with this book, which focuses on Henrik (who comes to realize he is demisexual) and Teddy (who is gay). This book describes itself as a slow burn, which I don't find, but the beginning was very slow--and not just in a sexual way. The plot took a bit to pick up, and it wasn't until about halfway where I found myself really engrossed and enjoying it. The second half of the book was very good, though, and if you're a fan of the Jacksonville Rays universe this one can't be missed (especially because it seemed like it might be the last one--but I could be wrong).

Thanks to Kensington for my eARC! All thoughts and opinions are my own.

4 stars - 7/10

Tender, powerful, and emotionally resonant, Pucking Strong is Emily Rath at her best. This slow-burn romance between physical therapist Teddy and hockey star Henrik blends grief, healing, and found family into a story that’s both deeply heartfelt and undeniably charming.

With nuanced LGBTQ+ and demisexual representation, sharp banter, and chemistry that simmers on every page, Rath crafts a love story that feels authentic and earned. The pacing lags slightly in the middle, but the emotional payoff more than makes up for it. By the final chapter, you’ll feel like you’ve lived alongside these characters—and you won’t want to leave.

A standout addition to the Jacksonville Rays series and a solid read for fans of sports romance, queer love stories, and narratives that celebrate vulnerability and chosen family.

4 ⭐️

just finished pucking strong by emily rath and wow, this book was such a heartwarming and emotional journey.
i’m giving it 4 stars because while it was a beautiful story, there were a few pacing issues that slowed it down for me.

the story follows teddy and henrik, two men brought together by unexpected circumstances. teddy, a physical therapist, becomes the guardian of his niece after a tragic accident, and henrik, a professional hockey player, steps in to help. their relationship starts as a marriage of convenience but slowly blossoms into something deeper.

what i loved most about this book was the slow burn romance. the development of teddy and henrik’s relationship felt natural and genuine. there wasn’t any insta-love, just this steady, careful unraveling of walls and fears. their chemistry was undeniable, and the way they supported each other through grief and healing was touching. there were so many soft, quiet moments between them that made me melt.

the representation of a demisexual character was also refreshing and handled with care. teddy’s sexuality wasn’t just mentioned once and forgotten—it was woven thoughtfully into his character arc and the way he interacted with intimacy. it felt honest, nuanced, and respectful. i really appreciated that.

emily rath’s writing is engaging and filled with emotion. she has a way of creating characters that feel real and relatable. no one in this story felt like a cardboard cutout—everyone had depth, especially the side characters. even the little moments, like scenes with the team or teddy with his niece, felt rich and lived-in. the jacksonville rays series continues to impress me with its focus on found family and unconditional love.

however, the pacing in the middle of the book dragged a bit for me. there were moments where the story felt repetitive, and i found myself wanting it to move forward a little faster. like, i loved the emotional beats, but a few scenes could’ve been trimmed or combined without losing anything important. that’s really the only reason it’s not a full five stars for me.

that said, the emotional payoff at the end made it totally worth it. the final chapters had me soft-smiling and tearing up at the same time. i closed the book feeling full in the best way. henrik and teddy felt like a couple i’d root for in real life—imperfect, but trying their best, and choosing each other again and again.

overall, pucking strong is a beautiful story about love, healing, and the importance of support systems. it’s not just about romance, but about community, grief, and choosing to move forward. it’s a great addition to the jacksonville rays series, and i can’t wait to see what’s next. i’ll definitely be grabbing whatever emily rath writes next in this world.

thank you to netgalley and kensington books for the arc.