This series has me in a choke hold! I love a marriage of convenience and this did not miss! These two have such great chemistry!

This was my first Emily Rath book and was definitely a good one to start with. There was a lot of depth here and while the romance was wonderful, there's much more here about family and healing and responsibility and mental health and how to look after each other.

I really liked Teddy and Henrik and their slow burn story, While I don't always love the marriage of convenience trope I thought it worked well here and felt realistic and integral to the story,

While this can definitely be read as a stand alone, I do think that having more context on the characters and team would have been helpful.

Thanks for the early copy. Will definitely pick up more from this author.

This was SO GOOD! I haven't read a full length Emily Rath so I didn't know what to expect. But I LOVED IT!

Read this book if you like:
*Marriage of convenience
*Hockey MM romance
*Grief, Hurt, Comfort
*Demisexual rep
*Workplace Romance
*Yearning
*Slow burn
*Touch him and die

Teddy is a bean and needs to be protected at all costs. I love how passionate he is with everything and everyone he loves. His relationship with Karro was one of my favourite things to watch bloom and the epilogue made me tear up.

Henrik you soulful Swedish giant. I was heartbroken alongside him after finding out about his sister and everything that is happening with his parents. Of course he would be so closed off. but the way he opened up with Teddy was so beautiful to watch.

I loved to see all the side characters and how they interacted with our mains and it has made me put Pucking Around at the top of my tbr so I can see how they all fell in love. The Jacksonville Rays are such a huge family and I want to be a part of it!

Other things I really enjoyed:
All of the swan princess content
Henrik asking Teddy to "teach him"
"talk to my husband like that again, it'll be the last time you ever talk to me"
The baking as a love language
Teddy doing everyday things with Karro to help with her physical therapy.
Swedish pet names.

Emily Rath's Pucking Strong delivers a delightful and engaging dive into the world of contemporary romance, particularly for fans who enjoy a good dose of sports and witty banter. From the outset, Rath establishes a vibrant atmosphere, drawing readers into the competitive yet charming environment of professional hockey.

The novel shines in its character dynamics. The protagonists are well-developed, each bringing their unique personalities, vulnerabilities, and strengths to the forefront. Their interactions are filled with a compelling mix of humor, tension, and genuine connection, making their journey together both entertaining and emotionally resonant. Rath excels at crafting dialogue that feels authentic and sharp, contributing significantly to the overall charm of the story.

In summary, Pucking Strong is a fun, heartwarming, and thoroughly enjoyable contemporary MM (Male/Male) contemporary romance. It's an excellent choice for those who love sports romance, strong character chemistry, and a story that leaves you with a smile. It's a truly charming read that will leave you rooting for its characters long after you've turned the final page.

Pucking Strong is another standout addition to Emily Rath’s comforting and ever-evolving hockey romance series. With each book somehow getting better, this story delivers everything you could want: a slow burn, second chance, friends-to-lovers romance, wrapped in a heartfelt marriage of convenience, and featuring both bisexual and demisexual awakenings.

This instalment follows Teddy, a physical therapist returning to work with the Jacksonville Rays after seven years, and Henrik, a Swedish hockey player whose world is upended when he becomes the guardian of his 5-year-old niece, Karolina. Their journey is tender, emotional, and deeply romantic, as they navigate grief, change, and rediscovered love.

Packed with emotional depth, found family vibes, and excellent LGBTQ+ representation, this book blends warmth, steam, and character-driven storytelling. The Alzheimer’s subplot adds poignant complexity, while the found family dynamic, especially with Karolina, is utterly heart-melting.

Whether you're a hockey fan or not, the combination of heart, spice, and emotional stakes makes this a highly addictive and beautifully written read. A must for fans of MM romance and stories that balance swoon-worthy romance with real-life challenges.

Tropes:
🏒 MM Hockey Romance
💍 Marriage of Convenience
🌈 LGBTQ+ Representation
👨‍👧 Found Family
👨‍👧 Single Guardian

Another fantastic addition to such a comfort series for me. It seems crazy that each book in the series gets better and better!A slow burn, second chance, friends to lovers with a marriage of convenience and a bisexual AND demisexual awakening. Honestly, say less.

Teddy is physical therapist who worked for the Jacksonville Rays 7 years ago, now he is back and his heart still sings certain Swedish hockey player, Henrik. Teddy has to step up when Henrik’s life is turned upside down by his sister’s death and suddenly becomes the guardian for his 5-year old niece, Karolina.

This book is everything you could possibly want. Sweet and emotional, excellent plot, growly and possessive boyfriend/husband vibes and plenty of great spice.

This was an easy 5 star rating for me.

5 ⭐️ & my favourite of the series!
When I say I devoured this book, I mean I literally could not put it down!

I’m a big Emily fan so when I got this ARC I was so frigen excited! It follows Henrik & Teddy as they manage their way through a dramatic and drastic life change. It’s beautifully written, emotionally provoking and so addicting. I fell completely in love with all three characters and the family they built. I could not pick a favourite moment because the entire book from start to finish was everything I didn’t know I wanted!

TROPES:
MM Hockey romance
Marriage of Convenience
LGBQT+ Rep
Found family
Single Guardian

Pucking Strong was a warm and romantic read with plenty of heart. The opening events made for an emotional and gripping start to the story, which really centred you in Teddy and Henrik’s world.

I can’t say I’m a hockey fan, but there’s something about this world that always draws me in, with its warmth, steaminess, and connection. I really enjoyed the slow burn, which gave me time to truly get to know Teddy and Henrik. The Alzheimer’s storyline was handled with care and added depth to Henrik’s character, and the Swedish element gave the story a bit of extra character. Karolina was a sweetheart and it was lovely to see this little family come together. Overall this was highly readable and I flew through it in a day.

Thank you to the publisher for the advance copy of this book. All opinions expressed are my own.

This was possibly my most anticipated book of 2025 and it did not disappoint. Teddy and Henrik's relationship - that starts out as a marriage of convenience - is just so precious. Teddy is an absolute cinnamon roll who is loyal to the people he cares about and Henrik is a hockey player who keeps people at arms-length (cw: death of sibling, injured niece), until a family tragedy requires him to lean on others for the first time, and it opens up his world. The writing is fantastic, the way the story weaves into the greater Jacksonville Rays world and incorporates all the characters we know and love while entering Teddy and Henrik figuring out their feelings while caring for and raising a young girl was incredible. But have tissues on hand, because you'll need them!

There is something so wholesome about the Jacksonville Rays series. Don't get me wrong, there is so much spice as well, but the found family brings a tear to my eye, in each book. And this one, is no different.

I loved watching Teddy and Henrik find eachother and in turn find themselves. Watching Henrik on his self discovery, felt important and I have no doubt that there will be readers who, his story, resonates with.

Also, seeing our guys from the previous 3 books is the gift that keeps giving. Protection and Innuendo from Novy!? Wisdom from Ilmari!? Facts from Caleb? Kingly behaviour and outfits from Jake? Sweet Dad Behaviour from Ryan!? Sign me up!

This series got me into Romance and it was an... awakening shall we say. I hope this series never ends. and if it does, at least I can go back to the beginning again.

Thankyou so much to NetGalley for the review copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Pucking Strong was amazing! Teddy and Henrik (Morbror) completely stole my heart, they're so adorable.
I couldn't stop smiling. And the spice? OH. MY. GOD.
I needed a fan.
Also, protect Karro is the sweetest cinnamon roll who deserves the world. This book hit every emotional note and then some!

Emily Rath has done it again with Pucking Strong, a spicy, soft-hearted, and emotionally devastating (but in a hot way) sports romance that had me screaming, crying and throwing pucks.

Let’s talk about Maddox Paige: grumpy, golden-hearted, secretly struggling, and so painfully in love he doesn’t even know what to do with himself. He’s not just a hockey player; he’s a walking, talking serotonin boost with tattoos and ADHD. And then there’s Neve, queen of boundaries, brilliant, blunt, and not here for anyone’s nonsense. Together? They are enemies-to-lovers catnip with banter so sharp I got paper cuts.

But what really got me? The feelings. This book isn’t just spicy (though… trust me, it is spicy). It’s about grief, self-acceptance, neurodivergence, and what it means to be “strong” in a world that expects you to have it all together. It’s tender and vulnerable, even when the characters are being complete disasters.

If Pucking Around made you blush and giggle, Pucking Strong will hit you right in the chest—and then offer you a warm hoodie and a forehead kiss.

I Highly Recommend!

This was honestly such an unexpected marriage of convenience/ friends to lovers kind of romance!!! I am a sucker for a marriage of convenience trope as well as anything forced proximity/one bed which were all delivered. Not only were these tropes executed well but they were delivered in a non cheesy way that was so romantic and honestly played super well into the whole friends to lovers act. Teddy and Henrik are the two main MMCs and they honestly couldn’t have been more opposite of eachother, but you know what they say about opposite attracting!! When Henrik first discovers his romantic notions for Teddy it’s like his whole world has been flipped upside down, but Teddy is the perfect gentleman (most of the time🌶️). Their relationship wasn’t easy in the beginning but together they got through it. This was one of my first LGBTQIA+ books and I absolutely ate it up. I loved reading about their love for eachother and for the found family they became it was so beautiful and I would definitely recommend this book. Henrik is also Swedish and we love a book where the MMC speaks in his native language and the other love interest has no idea what they’re saying!!

I loved this book so much, it's an intense slow burn with alot of pining but man is the pay off worth it! The feelings that Henrik and Teddy have for eachother is so deep and I loved watching them come together!

It was also so much fun to catch up with the old gang and see the chaos that they all bring to the table, the found family element runs deep through this series and you can really feel how much the team loves one another.

Spice wise this was about a three out of five
🌶🌶🌶, once again it is a sloooowburn so it takes a while for things to get going but once they do it is so hot! I really enjoyed how Teddy helped Henrik discover more of himself sexually and that there was so much communication about likes and dislikes.

I just really loved the connection in this one, I feel like it was good that it was so long because you got to see the whole relationship develop and it was so lovely.

This series has been so much fun and I can't wait to read more about all of these people I've come to love!

⭐️♾️
🌶️♾️

This might just be my favourite book of the year!
Did I read this in a day? Yes.
This book, compared to the rest in the series is much slower in terms of spice and so much more emotional. I was an absolute wreck in parts and totally unprepared for how emotionally connected I would become to my favourite trio.

Teddy- He is the sweetest, soft teddy bear and wears his heart on his sleeve. Watching this man fall in love and be his goofy, dramatic self was an absolute BLESSING. This man could ask me to crawl and I’d ask how slow. I loved how gentle he was with Henrick even at the detriment to his own feelings while Henrick discovered his sexuality and true feelings.
Henrick- This stoic Swedish man had me hooked. I cannot tell you how much I love this man. The way he is the grumpiest man unless it’s Henry or Karolina had me swooning. The possessiveness of this man toward Henry when he feels comfortable in his sexuality is perfection. I loved reading as he became more comfortable and relaxed with his new found role as not only a father figure to his niece but also a husband.
The Plot- I loved the found family in this book it was so sweet and how the whole team came together for these guys. The banter in this one was top notch! If you’ve read any of Emily Wrath’s books you know she’s a queen at banter and she really aced it in this one. I was howling at the WAG jacket scene it was perfect!

Thank you @emily wrath and @netgalley for this ARC!

This was my first book by Emily Rath, and my first MM romance, and it was such a powerful, emotional rollercoaster in the best way. The plot was rich with heartbreak, healing, and hope, especially the storyline involving Henrik’s niece, which added real emotional depth

I loved the fake marriage setup and how the chemistry between Teddy (the ultimate cinnamon roll!) and Henrik (the guarded, grieving hockey star) built so naturally. Their opposites-attract dynamic, personal growth, and found family themes were beautifully done

The tropes: sports romance, marriage of convenience, workplace romance, and more, were layered and meaningful. The pacing was great, and the emotional beats hit hard. I was fully invested from start to finish

A heartfelt, well-written story with genuine characters and so much heart. Huge thanks to Penguin Books and NetGalley for the ARC. I can’t wait to read more from Emily Rath!

I absolutely adored this book!

I love Emily’s writing. It’s funny, clever, sweet, sexy and so, so INCLUSIVE. Henrik and Teddy’s story was absolutely everything and I just loved it so much. They were the perfect match, and the way they were a complete pair just made me so happy. Teddy truly bought Henrik out of his shell, and seeing him absolutely flourish was so inspiring and heartwarming. Karro was so special too, integral to the story.

Loved this and highly recommend!

I absolutely adore this series and i’m so glad I got an arc of Pucking Strong! This book was so good and loved the connection between Teddy and Henrik, their chemistry was perfect. I loved the m/m romance and demisexual rep. My favourite trope was also in this book: marriage of convenience !! If I was an emotional reader, this book would have for sure made me cry. Pucking Strong made me smile and have all the warm and fuzzy feelings.
Get this series on your tbr asap!

A page-turner with emotional punch - Pucking Strong is a great addition to the Jacksonville Rays series!

This book explores the relationship between Henrik Karlsson and Teddy O'Connor the former PT intern from earlier books, while dealing with the new responsibility of caring for a child of a recently deceased family member. This story was definitely more of a slow burn than her previous books in this series but it did not disappoint. The romance was beautifully written as we are taken on a journey as characters explore their sexualities and grow with each other.

This book incorporated lots of the previous characters from the series in a great way where they didn't overpower the narrative and added moments of comedy and guidance. We see a glimpse of the main characters that will be featured in the next book, and I can't wait to get my hands on it already!

Overall this was a fun read that I couldn't put down, and I would definitely recommend this to book to people who love Emily Rath's previous books!

ARC REVIEW

(No Spoilers)

THANKYOUUU NetGalley and Penguin Random House Australia <3

I dropped my whole TBR the second I got my hands on this ARC - one of my most anticipated reads of the year!! Love all things ER and the Jacksonville Rays series!!!

I found the start slow, but Pucking Strong was overall a heartfelt, chemistry filled romance that makes it worth the wait!! ⭐⭐⭐⭐