4.5⭐ 4🌶️

It’s been a hot minute for me, but it was nice to be back in the Jacksonville Rays universe. I’m not typically a contemporary romance reader, but Emily always manages to make me giggle, sweat, and feel a little fuzzy inside–this series is definitely an exception in my book. I loved all three of our MCs in very different ways and the love triangle angle starting out was all the angst I typically crave…until it wasn’t and then I was swooning as these three navigated their relationship together. This was a rollercoaster ride full of emotions and I went from laughing straight out loud to tearing up more than once. I really enjoyed this one and I’m sure I’ll be back for more with Pucking Strong in the future.

This very spicy addition to the Jacksonville Rays series by Emily Rath does not disappoint if you’re looking to get to know more of the characters from the Rays world. Great for fans of more graphic romance.

Poppy St. James is the PR Director of the new Jacksonville Rays hockey team. She is determined to prove herself and make herself indispensable to the future of the team. Her job certainly won't be easy dealing with Lukas Novikov, he is a star on ice but his personal life is a PR nightmare. He flirts with anything that moves and has a special skill of getting under Poppy's skin. Colton Morrow is a dream to work with, he is polite, considerate, and the definition of a loyal Leo, and when you become one of his people you are one for life.

Poppy's family leaves her in a tailspin, and it may push her into making a bad decision, or two. Those decisions lead to a surprise pregnancy that threatens everything she has built in her life.

I honestly devour the books in this series. Emily has a true winning formula with these books. she has a beautiful balance of romance, intimacy, and more hard hitting topics. There was a chapter in his book when Colton won't let Lukas wallow any longer that honestly had me laughing from start to finish. Emily writes such witty banter, the back and forth between Lukas and Poppy was *chefs kiss*.
These books are really long, and though I never get bored I do think the more serious aspects of the story could have more to it. The smut is so detailed and plentiful, but I feel the characters could have had more relationship building through conversation.

My love letter to Emily Rath, I love you.

You write books that make me forget the world exists. Every reader wants an immersive book, but with the3 events of the last week, your words and characters made me feel like there is still good in the world. Poppy reminds me that there is still good people out there and how to treat the world better than it treats us. Colton showed me how to live life with arms wide open, cherish those we love, and to not be afraid. Lukas showed how to love fiercely, even when the world is cruel, and protect the ones your love.

Emily does an amaing job of intertwining her sexy hockey boys with "baggage" and making you become so attached to the characters that you are flushing one minute and sobbing the next.

Steamy hockey polyamourous romance with numerous subplots that keep things interesting. Definitely MMF as described, and a good bit of diversity on the team. Longer than most romances and cover a range of family dynamics.

This romance novel delivers a heartwarming and beautifully crafted story about love blooming in unexpected places, with characters who feel endearing and real. The chemistry between the leads is palpable, creating moments both charming and intense as their relationship unfolds against a vividly depicted backdrop. With a blend of wit, emotion, and engaging plot twists, it’s a perfect escape for readers seeking a feel-good love story.

I made it through the book but barely and after taking a break for a while. I hated the names but its fine I give up on this series at this point. I liked the first books but now its odd.

Thank you NetGalley and publisher for this arc!!

What a good book! I enjoyed this more than I thought I would. I loved the main characters! They had great chemistry and worked so well together. I loved how the book just flowed. My first by this author but will not be my last!!!

This book had me laughing one minute and fighting back tears the next. I freaking LOVE Poppy- she is my new hero. This one is very spicy, and there are several TWs at the beginning of the book, so please be sure to check them before reading. That said, I think Emily does a great job of showing/celebrating unconventional relationships/love stories. The plot of this one was great with some twists I didn't see coming!


I can't wait for Teddy and Henrick's story!





Thanks to NetGalley and Kensington Publishing for an advanced readers copy of this book.
#PuckingSweet #NetGalley.

I am obsessed with Emily Rath’s ability to create and express traditionally unconventional relationship structures completely and totally normal. She makes every character so lovable you never think twice about not rooting for their every happiness. Love is love is love is love. No one does it better than Rath.

Emily Rath Does. Not. Miss. I have been impatiently waiting for Poppy, Lukas, and Colton’s story since Pucking Wild and it was even better than I could have imagined. This book had me in tears more than once as the characters’ pain was relatable and hit close to home. Lukas Novikov now holds a special place in my heart and is by far my favorite of the Rays(sorry Mars). I loved how Colton was so steadfast in his love for both Lukas and Poppy and the way he refused to let Lukas self-sabotage. Poppy’s battle to prove herself in both the male dominated world of Hockey and with her own family had me cheering for her(when I wasn’t crying of course). Everything these three went through to get their happy ending really had me falling in love with them over and over throughout the book. I also loved the little glimpses of the Price family and the development of their story throughout the book since the timelines overlap. I genuinely love these characters so much and I cannot wait to get more glimpses of them in future books.

HOLY SPICE.

I cannot look anyone in the eye if they knew I read and enjoyed this but I really did. I love queer lovestories being told in a way that is the norm, not the exception. Colton has a heart of gold and is my #1 in this book - I love this guy!

If you're into sports romance and pure smut - this is the book for you!

4.5 ⭐️This book was the perfect mix of hot and sweet. It’s a big book but it flew by for me.

I adored Poppy. She is of perfect for them. Poly is always hot but doesn’t always work for me as a plausible relationship. This time I loved them all together. I could have used more of Lucas and Colton. I love how their relationship grew over into a physical one.

Another fun ride with the Jacksonville Rays. I do love when The epilogue throws me a teaser. Looking forward to hear what kind of trouble Henrik got into. Thank you NetGalley & Emily Rath for this ARC, all my opinions are my own.

Rath blew me out of the water with this novel! She really knows how to craft likeable characters and an enthralling plot line. We already had hints of Poppy, Lukas, and Cole in the previous novels, but this novel expanded on them in such a beautiful way. I loved seeing their plot line expand and see their characters develop to the end of the novel. I also like how the plot intertwines with the previous two novels and gives us new perspective on what has already happened. This is a must read for Jacksonville Rays fans!

I would read Emily Rath's grocery list if she published it. I absolutely love her writing style, I LOVE the characters, and the whole Jackson Rays series is incredible.

Thanks to NetGalley and Kensington Publishing for an advanced readers copy of this book.

You've been warned... this book is SMUT. We're talking, rutting, grinding, sucking, feral sexy times, SMUT. If you like completely unbelievable MMF p*rn, you'll love this one.

The author herself has previously stated that her books are fantasy, I get that... but whose fantasy?! For me, the story lines are just so far out there but set in a current, plausible setting, which makes it so hard to fall into and believe. I just can't wrap my head around one woman being so magical in bed that she can land multiple, hunky hockey players, resulting in these happy little endings. (Also, who has this kind of stamina?! Recovery time anyone?)

I have read both books in the series prior to this one, and my feelings on book 3 mirror book 1: I almost DNF'd multiple times. They're just kinda... cringey. She redeemed herself with book 2, so I was willing to give book 3 a shot, but it was a hard one to swallow (pun intended.) I think this will be the last of the Jacksonville Rays for me.

I have no issues with 2 guys to 1 girl, but it would have been nice for the author to venture into a different poly dynamic. This was just another variation of the 3 to 1 of book one (just minus one player in the game.) She had a great opportunity to take this in a FFM direction and totally missed the opportunity. (Um, HELLO?! Poppy, Tina, and Lukas, am I right?!) Now THAT I would read.

I did enjoy the family story lines in this one, which is probably what kept me to the end. I was invested and wanted to see how it all panned out. I will also give the author MAJOR credit for her ability to keep the facts straight from the stories running in tandem. That is no easy feat.

📚Trope(s): Hockey Smut, MMF, Accidental Pregnancy
What you get: 🍆🍑🍆💦🏒🤰🏼👶🏻
⭐️Plot: 3/5
🔥Chemistry: 4/5
🌶️Spice: 10000/5

Absolutely loved Cole, Lukas and Poppy’s story. It’s a wonderful addition to the series. The steam is hot hot hot, it’s laugh out loud funny and one of my favorite reads of the year. I can’t wait to read more of the series in the future.

I think maybe this series isn't for me, but I can see why other people enjoy it! I felt like a lot was going on but also nothing at the same time weirdly enough. The book felt wayyyyyy too long for what it was, but the spicy scenes were good!

Thank you to the publisher, author, and NetGalley for allowing me to read and review this title. I love this series by Emily Rath. The characters are likable and you're rooting them on personally and professionally even though they're fictional. She writes in a way that's down-to-earth and relatable. Who doesn't want to show their sister's friends that they're amazing by having not one but two hot hockey "friends." This book is spicy and while it can stand alone, it shouldn't. You should definitely read the other titles in this storyline and they won't feel repetitive, more like you're getting the behind-the-scenes of the things you've already read about..

I was so excited for this book from the teases in the 2 previous books. Unfortunately it fell flat for me, Poppy, Novy and Morrow have a love triangle turned triad, but I felt like some of the conflict was predictable and easily avoidable, which is one of my bookish pet peeves. Maybe I over hyped it in my head, but I found the book slow and did struggle with it. This book followed the timeline from the start of book one through the end of book 2 and there was some repetition in the storyline with the Price family. The spice was good and plentiful in the book.


I received an ARC of this book and voluntarily give my honest review.