I cannot say enough! Emily Rath knocks it out of the park again! We've been waiting for this, and it does not disappoint! Poppy, Novy, and Colton's story is so beautiful. I loved their banter, their willingness to explore new things, and how to navigate throwing a baby in the mix. I cried and I couldn't put it down! I loved the use of Novy's astrology too! So cute! As a scorpio myself, I just kept giggling!

I LOVED IT SO MUCH! KEEP IT UP OUR QUEEN EMILY!

As I have read about Poppy St. James, novy and morrow in other books. This story was told so well through a timeline we’re aware of and then some! To live and learn from others perspectives when a story has already been told is a very daunting task. Emily created this storyline with finesse and a lot of granola! After reading this why choose romance. This reminds me you never really know someone or what someone is going through. You think Poppy is just tightly wound, Lukas is just a goofball and Colton is just some happy go lucky guy that follow Novy around. Their love and friendship is something that everyone strives for. This also reminds you that family is what you make of it & sometimes chosen is the better option.

My ARC was provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. I seriously screamed when I saw I was approved for this book. I’ve already pre-ordered this book (twice because of the switch from indie to mainstream publisher) but am beyond pleased to have early access and be able to tel you to RUN, DON’T WALK to your nearest indie bookstore or wherever you can grab this book/series. Emily Rath does an incredible job of building up to the complexities of her characters’ relationships and while there are PLENTY of steamy scenes, I have seen a lot of feedback that she does a great job of bringing forth some of the actually elements of polyamorous relationships vs usual “why choose” books which can sometimes feel like jumping from steamy scene to steamy scene. I feel as if this author lets the focus be on the characters’ relationships and vulnerabilities primarily and builds the story from there.

Thank you to NetGalley and Kensington Publishing for providing this book, with my honest review below.

Pucking Sweet is part of a series (Jacksonville Rays) but can be read as a standalone very easily. I mention this because I don’t have a frame of reference for previous books - but if they’re as hot as this one then extreme spicy lovers will likely love them as much!

Focused on a brand new hockey team to the NHL, with PR Director Poppy and two players, Lucas and Colton, all acting as the main characters, this is not your grandma’s romance. The primary plot revolves around Poppy trying to get the team’s perception in their area off on the right foot while working through rebel Lucas’s non compliance to her stringent rules. Lucas never had a great family life, in opposition to Colton who is dealing with the death of his father. Together the three form a found family… and during that journey the spice comes way out. This is a book that is all about a polyamorous relationship between our three leads as they support each other’s mental and physical health as well as through family drama. There’s definitely heart here but the sex scenes are also very open door and very hot.

A unique read for me, I’m very curious if the other books follow this thread (based on the lead up to the fourth book, I know that at the very least this series must focus on looking at non heterosexual relationships, and acknowledging them as standard, as this book did). If you are okay with quite a lot of playful spice and that relationships can extend to multiple partners at the same time, you have a warm romance with a strong plot line that would carry even without the sex scenes.

Pucking Sweet by Emily Rath is a sizzling romance that blends workplace tension with the electrifying world of professional hockey. This book follows Poppy St. James, a PR powerhouse who’s determined to secure her dream job by keeping the team’s unruly players in line, especially the troublesome defenseman, Lukas Novikov. The mix of steamy romance, emotional depth, and the high stakes of professional sports makes for an entertaining read.

Poppy, Lucas, + Colton

-hockey romance
-mmf dynamic
-love triangle to all lovers
-surprise pregnancy
-found family

gahhhh i love the rays so much!! they’re such a great team & the more we learn about them all the more found family aspects we dive into & it makes me so happy!! the emotions all these characters had in this one were so deep & i loved them so much for it!! & goodness gracious were they all hot asssss fuuuuuckkkk!! 🥵🥵🥵

Pucking Sweet, written by Emily Rath, is the third title in the Jacksonville Rays series.

Format: NetGalley ebook
Genre: Contemporary fiction, Romance
Overall score:⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice level:🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
Characters:
*Poppy (FMC)
*Colton (MMC)
*Lukas (MMC)

This is one of the best books I have read this year!!! I love a sexy, hockey romance story, but this book is so much more!

The communication between the three main characters is by far, the best I have read in a book. I love how the author allowed the characters to express their hopes for their relationship, their desires for the spicy times, their dreams for the future, as well as their fears from past traumas.

Each of the main characters had their own issues, but together, this throuple was able to work it out as adults without bringing in more drama like other authors tend to do. There was a tiny bit of drama in the third act but again, they talked it out as adults and quickly resolved the insecurity.

The family drama and hatred was handled well, no puck bunny drama was included in the book, and the epilogue was fantastic!!

This is an excellent addition to the Jacksonville Rays series, looking forward to reading the next book in the series!

Thank you to NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this title!

Absolutely amazing.
This has taken the top as my favorite from this series.
Lukas floored me with his sensitivity and I fell in love with him within the first few chapters. The way he viewed Colton was so different than how Colton viewed him at first and oof, it made me emotional.
Poppy is just incredibly strong, adorable and bad ass rolled into one southern charm and I am obsessed with her.


I cried and laughed more in this book than any other and I am HONORED to be able to read this as an arc. Emily Rath never ceases to amaze me with her relatable characters and their journeys. 100/10

Pucking Sweet is hands down one of the easiest 5-star ratings I've ever given. From the moment I started reading, I just knew this book was going to be my favorite in the series—and I was absolutely right.

Let's start with Lukas Novy Novikov. From the first moment I met him, I knew he was going to steal my heart, and boy, did he ever. Novy is the kind of character that stays with you long after the last page is turned. His journey, his vulnerability, and the way he hides behind his tough exterior while still being an absolute sweetheart had me completely hooked. The dynamic between him and Poppy was electric; their banter was both sassy and wonderful, keeping me entertained and invested throughout. Novy owns my heart, and I'd die for him in a heartbeat!

One of the most touching moments was when Novy was talking to Cole about emergency contacts—my heart just broke for him. Here’s this big, bad defenseman who doesn’t see his own worth, hiding behind his image and pushing everyone away. But Poppy and Cole manage to break through his walls, revealing the soft-hearted, lovable man underneath. Add to that Novy’s wicked sense of humor, and he had me laughing out loud multiple times throughout the book.

The pacing of the story was nothing short of perfect. Yes, the book was long—gloriously long—and I loved every second of it. Not once did it feel like the story was dragging; instead, each moment felt necessary and beautifully crafted. The slow burn between Novy and Poppy was paced amazingly well, and nothing felt rushed or forced.

As for Colton, I'll admit, he annoyed me a bit in the beginning with his possessiveness over Poppy. Maybe it was the Leo in him—I've never had the best luck with Leos, so that checked out for me. But once he got over that phase, I absolutely loved him. His relationship with Lucas, first as friends and then as something more, was so well done. And when that love triangle finally resolved? The swoon was real.

And I can't forget Tina—the best friend everyone needs in their life. If you don’t have a friend who would drive the getaway car when you need it most, what are you even doing with your life? Tina was everything you could ask for in a friend and more.

This book made me laugh, cry, kick my feet in excitement, I shrieked, I swooned, and I felt every emotion under the sun. But one thing I never wanted to do was put this book down. The ending left me on the edge of my seat, and I can't wait for the next book in the series. Pucking Sweet is everything I wanted and more—an absolute must-read.