My Pucking Sweet Book Review - No Spoilers

Plot Summary

Pucking Sweet by Emily Rath is the third book in the Jacksonville Rays hockey romance series, but it stands all on its own. The story follows Poppy St. James, a newly hired PR director tasked with keeping an unruly hockey team’s antics out of the headlines. Poppy is ambitious, stressed, and desperate to prove herself beyond her one-year contract. Her biggest challenge is defenseman Lukas Novikov—wild, unpredictable, and impossible to control. Adding to her chaos is his teammate Colton Morrow, whose steady kindness and surprising depth start to break down Poppy’s defenses. A single, fateful call home sets off a chain of events that leaves Poppy's carefully curated life upside down—suddenly, she's juggling an unexpected pregnancy, work drama, and feelings for not just one, but two complicated men. The book’s timeline runs alongside previous books in the series, giving fresh views on well-loved events and deeper insight into the Rays’ world.

Why I Love This Book

I love how sharp, funny, and messy this book is. The banter has me grinning, but the anxiety and vulnerability of each character hits hard. Poppy’s struggle to find her voice in a high-pressure, male-dominated world feels all too real. Her relationships with Novy and Colton—one wild, one grounding—are complicated and tender. I like that the romance isn’t just about heat (though there’s plenty of that), but about trust, learning to communicate, and building a family out of chaos. The hockey backdrop feels alive, but the real action is in how these three try to make it work outside the rink. The exploration of polyamory is honest and caring—no one gets left behind emotionally. I appreciate the mix of humor, heartbreak, and slow, hard-won growth. Every character, even when flawed or stubborn, feels human. When I finish the last page, I’m rooting for their happiness and already missing the Rays.

Who Will Like This Book

If you love steamy hockey romance with found family, MMF “why choose” dynamics, and characters who are trying to do better, you’ll click with this. It’s perfect for readers who want explicit, consent-driven polyam romance but also need honest emotional stakes—messiness, vulnerability, humor, and hope. If you’re looking for a workplace romance with off-the-charts chemistry and a real story behind the steam, this delivers. If slow-burn isn’t your thing, you’ll still get plenty of payoff.

⚠️ Trigger warning: This book contains explicit sexual content (including group and MM scenes), surprise pregnancy, family tension, workplace shenanigans, and mental health topics like stress and anxiety. If you’re uncomfortable with poly relationships or open-door sex, check the tags before reading.

Tagged As

hockey romance, mmf romance, why choose, polyamory, sports romance, workplace romance, surprise pregnancy, found family, steamy romance, explicit, praise kink, dual pov, strong heroine, chaotic hero, soft hero, banter, emotional growth, queer romance, sassy heroine, new adult, team dynamics, contemporary romance, series, open-door romance, HEA, kindle unlimited, indie romance, consent positive

Steam Level

The spice level is off the charts—this book is extremely explicit with frequent, graphic scenes and a focus on group and MM romance. Each encounter is woven into the story’s emotional core, making every moment both sexy and meaningful.