Holy puck, folks! If you’re looking for a romance that’ll melt the ice faster than a Zamboni on steroids, “Pucking Around” by Emily Rath is your ticket to the penalty box of passion. This first installment in the Jacksonville Rays series is hotter than a fresh-off-the-bench hockey player and twice as addictive.
As someone who’s devoured more sports romances than a team scarfs down post-game pizzas, I gotta say—Rath’s debut novel skates circles around the competition. It’s got all the ingredients for a five-alarm fire: a feisty doctor with a rock-star pedigree, a hunky hockey player with memory issues, his brooding best friend, and a moody Finnish goalie who’s more superstitious than a black cat on Friday the 13th. Throw ’em all on the ice together, and you’ve got a recipe for some serious steamy shenanigans.
The Play-by-Play: What’s the Deal with “Pucking Around”?
Alright, let’s break it down for ya. Our girl Rachel Price is living her best life, scoring a sweet gig as the new doc for the Jacksonville Rays. She’s ready to make her mark in the world of pro hockey… until she realizes her new patient is none other than the guy she had a scorching one-night stand with two months ago. Plot twist: he doesn’t even recognize her! Talk about a power play to the ego.
But wait, there’s more! Rachel’s got not one, not two, but THREE hot hockey hunks vying for her attention:
- Jake Compton: The forgetful Adonis who rocked her world in Seattle
- Caleb Sanford: The grumpy equipment manager with a heart of gold (and some interesting body mods)
- Ilmari Kinnunen: The Finnish goalie who’s convinced Rachel’s his lucky charm
Now, I know what you’re thinking—”Three guys? That’s gotta be offside!” But trust me, Rath handles this lineup with the finesse of a seasoned coach. The chemistry between all the characters is electric, and the tension? Thicker than playoff beards in June.
Heating Up the Ice: Why “Pucking Around” Scores Big
Let’s face it, in the world of romance novels, originality can be as rare as a tooth-perfect hockey player. But “Pucking Around” by Emily Rath brings some fresh moves to the genre playbook:
- Character Depth: These aren’t your typical cardboard cutout romance leads. Rachel’s got daddy issues (literally – her dad’s a rock star), a complicated past, and a potty mouth that would make a sailor blush. The guys are equally well-rounded, each with their own baggage and quirks.
- Humor: I snorted my coffee more times than I care to admit. Rath’s got a knack for witty banter and hilarious situations. (Pro tip: Don’t drink anything while reading the “tentacle dldo” scene. You’ve been warned.)
- Hockey Know-How: As a hockey fan, I appreciated the authentic feel of the locker room scenes and on-ice action. Rath clearly did her homework—or she’s secretly been moonlighting as an NHL equipment manager.
- Steamy Scenes: Holy smokes, people. Clear your schedule and maybe grab a fan, because things get HOT. Like, “Is it legal to print this?” hot. But it’s not just gratuitous—the intimate moments really develop the characters and their relationships.
Penalty Box: A Few Minor Infractions
Look, no game is perfect, and “Pucking Around” does have a couple of moments where it slips on the ice:
- Pacing: Sometimes the plot moves faster than a slap shot, while other times it’s slower than a penalty kill. A bit more consistency would’ve been nice.
- Side Characters: With so much focus on the main quartet, some of the secondary characters feel a bit underdeveloped. But hey, that’s what sequels are for, right?
- Realism: Okay, I know we’re not reading these books for their true-to-life depictions of professional sports. But there were a few moments where I had to seriously suspend my disbelief. (Though let’s be real, if there was a team this hot in real life, I’d be first in line for season tickets.)
The Future Lineup: What’s Next for the Jacksonville Rays?
Here’s the real kicker – “Pucking Around” is just the first in a planned five-book series! Rath’s already got us hyped for the next installments:
- “Pucking Wild” (Book 2)
- “Pucking Sweet” (Book 3)
- “Pucking Strong” (Book 4)
- “Pucking Free” (Book 5)
If they’re anything like this debut, we’re in for a treat. I’m already placing bets on which Ray will be the star of each book. My money’s on our brooding Finn for book 2, but hey, I’ve been wrong before.
The Final Buzzer: Is “Pucking Around” Worth Your Time?
Look, if you’re a fan of:
- Hockey hunks with hearts of gold
- Steamy scenes that’ll fog up your e-reader
- Laugh-out-loud humor
- Complex characters with real issues
- A dash of drama to keep things interesting
…then “Pucking Around” by Emily Rath is an absolute must-read. It’s the literary equivalent of a hat trick—funny, sexy, and surprisingly emotional.
Sure, it’s got its rough edges, but so does every rookie season. And let me tell you, based on this debut, Rath is definitely one to watch. She’s taken the well-worn path of sports romance and turned it into something fresh and exciting.
So grab your stick (er, e-reader), lace up your skates, and get ready to fall head over heels for the Jacksonville Rays. Just don’t blame me if you end up binge-reading until 3 AM and show up to work looking like you’ve gone three rounds with an enforcer.
Trust me, it’s totally worth it.
Rating: 4 out of 5 pucks
(Because perfection is overrated, and we gotta leave room for Rath to score even bigger with the rest of the series!)