Recent Reads: Pucking Around by Emily Rath

Pucking Around by Emily Rath 
Series: Jacksonville Rays #1
Publisher: Emily Rath Books
Publication Date:  March 20, 2023

 

Format: Ebook
Source: Kindle Unlimited - Borrowed

Rating:


Goodreads Synopsis: 

When an ambitious sports medicine practitioner scores her dream job working for Jacksonville’s hottest NHL team, she knows the last thing she should do is get tangled up with a player. After all, how could she choose just one?

My name is Rachel Price, and two months ago I walked away from The Perfect Man—sweet, funny, and so sexy he should be illegal. We shared one magical night. No names. No strings. I never thought I’d see him again. I was wrong.

As it turns out, Mr. Perfect is the playboy grinder for the Jacksonville Rays, the NHL’s hottest new hockey team . . . and thanks to the ten-month fellowship I just landed, I’m his new physical therapist. Imagine my anticipation as those familiar muscled legs walk towards me, the way my pulse races as he reaches out to . . . shake my hand. The jerk doesn’t even recognize me!

This is going to be the longest ten months of my life. Because now Mr. Perfect Mistake is determined to use his every seductive trick to win me back. Meanwhile, I also have to contend with his best friend the surly team equipment manager, and an exasperatingly stubborn, superstitious goalie who’s convinced I’m his good luck charm.

This is my chance to prove myself, and I’m not risking it for anything. But between one unexpected night, and one secret revealed, these men are ready to test all my limits. Still, I can’t fall for a player—let alone three. Or can I?

Review: 

As with book .5, Book 1s rating is for enjoyment not writing... and it is smut at parts.

This installment in the series cranks up the heat, humor, and heart to deliver a romance that’s as unconventional as it is irresistible. Rachel Price is back, and this time, she’s juggling her dream job as a sports medicine practitioner for the Jacksonville Rays with the complicated affections of three very different men.

The witty banter I loved in the novella is here in full force, keeping the tone light and playful even as the story dives into deeper emotional territory. The chemistry between Rachel and her three love interests—two hockey players (including a familiar face from the first book) and the gruff but endearing equipment manager—is off the charts. Each man brings something unique to the table, and the dynamic between them feels natural and full of affection.

The romance is undeniably steamy, with scenes that sizzle and a slow build of trust and connection that makes the group dynamic believable. What impressed me most, though, was how much love and care the story gave to every character. It’s not just about the physical attraction; it’s about the emotional bonds they form as they navigate their complicated feelings for one another.

The story also explores Rachel’s personal growth, as she balances her ambition with her desire for love and connection. The conflicts she faces feel authentic, and her journey is as compelling as the romance itself.

If you’re a fan of unconventional love stories, witty dialogue, and characters you can’t help but root for, this book is a must-read. It’s a bold, unapologetically steamy story that’s full of heart and humor, and I couldn’t put it down.