If you’re anything like me, you’ve probably had your heart and soul completely stolen by sports romance at some point. And if ice hockey is your game of choice, then Emily Rath is definitely an author you want on your radar.

Who is Emily Rath?

Emily Rath is a USA Today bestselling author who’s carved out a seriously loyal fanbase thanks to her unique blend of spice, swoon, and strong character development. She writes steamy contemporary romance, often with delicious slow burns, poly dynamics, and messy-but-relatable characters you root for from page one. Her stories go big on emotion and even bigger on steam — and her books unapologetically embrace desire, mental health, empowerment, and everything in between.

Why You’ll Love the Jacksonville Rays Series

The Jacksonville Rays is a spicy, emotional, and deeply character-driven hockey romance series set in Florida. The setting is hot (literally and figuratively), the tension is thick, and the characters are full of heart. This isn’t just a “pucks and abs” situation—these books offer depth, growth, and an exploration of open relationships, jealousy, healing, and vulnerability.

And let’s be real: Pucking Around was a solid 5-star and 5-chili read for me. 🔥 I devoured it like a slapshot to the soul.

🧡 Book 1: Pucking Around

Tropes: Reverse harem, why choose, teammate romance, hockey romance, forced proximity, MMFM romance
Spice Level: 5/5 🔥
Rating: 5 stars from me, easy!

We meet Rachel, a newly hired athletic trainer for the Jacksonville Rays who just packed all of her belongings and moved to Jacksonville. Enter the hockey guys: Jake (who she had the amazing and soul finding ONS with in Seattle two months ago), Caleb (the Equipment Manager), and Ilmari (aka Mars) (the Finnish bear goalie) — three teammates who share more than just the rink. Rachel finds herself caught between them emotionally and physically… and the best part? She doesn’t have to choose. This is a poly romance that celebrates emotional connection, physical chemistry, and communication.

The character dynamics here are everything. Jake is charming and a little cocky. Caleb is broody and protective. Ilmari? Quiet and safe in the storm. Together, they form a relationship that feels emotionally secure and deeply sensual.

🔥 Pucking Ever After Vol. 1 & Vol. 2

Tropes: Domestic bliss, growing pains, found family, marriage/commitment
Spice Level: Still hot, but even more emotional.

These volumes continue the story of Rachel, Jake, Caleb, and Ilmari but also Ryan & Tess from Pucking Wild, as they navigate the real-life aftermath of falling into an unconventional love. It’s about strengthening bonds, figuring out how to live in a poly household, and healing old wounds while building something that lasts. You get cozy moments, spicy interludes, and deeper emotional growth.

These are perfect for fans who fell hard for book one and need more of these characters (aka all of us).

💜 Book 2: Pucking Wild

Tropes:
✨ Forced proximity
✨ Reverse age gap
✨ Opposites attract
✨ Grumpy/sunshine
✨ He falls first

Spice Level: 4/5 🔥 
My Take: This one adds a fresh layer of tension and charm to the series — and the forced proximity trope is absolutely elite here.

After suffering a knee injury, Ryan—a talented forward on the Jacksonville Rays—is benched for recovery and needs a temporary place to stay. His teammate Jake offers up Mars’ empty apartment. Simple enough, right?

Wrong.

Because Rachel—our fave from Pucking Around—has also promised the very same apartment to her best friend Tess, who’s come down from Cincinnati to volunteer on Mars’ new turtle conservation project. Tess is trying to shake off her (ex) husband run in from work, escape the noise, and have a little peace. Ryan’s definitely not part of that plan.

But plans change. 😏

Suddenly, Ryan and Tess are living under the same roof. He’s bubbly and a little chaotic; she’s anxious and keeping her life in check. They bicker, they banter, and the tension? Deliciously unbearable in the best way. She’s older and more experienced. 

The slow burn hits just right, and when it ignites, it’s game on. The chemistry is undeniable, and the emotional payoff is as satisfying as the spice.

This book continues the Jacksonville Rays tradition of delivering heat, heart, and hockey in one irresistible package. You’ll fall in love with Ryan and Tess — and probably wish you were the one stuck in that apartment, too. 😉

💛 Book 3: Pucking Sweet 

Tropes:
✨ MMF romance
✨ Workplace romance
✨ Sports romance
✨ Polyamory / sharing the sunshine girl
✨ Unexpected pregnancy
✨ Found family
✨ Bi awakening

Spice Level: 4/5 🔥
My Take: This book is a full-course meal of steamy, sweet, and emotionally rich storytelling. It delivers exactly what the title promises… and more.

In Pucking Sweet, we finally get the full story of Poppy St. James, the whip-smart, always-put-together PR queen for the Jacksonville Rays. She’s the calm in the chaos, the brains behind the media game, and totally off-limits. But try telling that to Lukas Novikov, the Russian defenseman with a quiet, protective streak a mile wide, and Colton Morrow, the cheeky, flirty enforcer with a heart of gold and a body made for sin.

The catch? Poppy has undeniable chemistry with both of them. And—plot twist—the guys also have undeniable chemistry with each other.

What starts as sneaky flirting, simmering tension, and late-night confessions grows into something much deeper: love in all directions. Lukas and Colt decide they can share Poppy—but what makes this book extra special is how their bond with each other grows too, forming a true triad of love, trust, and mutual desire.

And just when things are getting extra sweet… boom — surprise pregnancy. 
Talk about emotional vulnerability and growth. This book explores masculinity, communication, queerness, and commitment in ways that feel real and raw—without ever sacrificing the spice.

It’s heartwarming, toe-curling, laugh-out-loud funny, and drop-your-kindle hot. You’ll find yourself rooting for all three of them to win—both on and off the ice.

Book 4: Pucking Strong

Mark your calendars, hockey romance lovers—Pucking Strong is skating our way on August 26th! 💥 This time, it’s all about Teddy, the Rays’ former intern turned team doctor, and Henrik Karlsson, the brooding Swedish forward with a heart of gold. When Henrik finds himself in a custody battle to bring his young niece to the U.S., he and Teddy agree to a marriage of convenience—because nothing says “workplace boundaries” like fake husbands, right? 👀🔥 Expect MM romance, heartfelt moments, and all the emotional slow burn and spice we’ve come to live for in the Jacksonville Rays universe!

What Makes This Series a Win?

• 🔥 Spice level: These books bring the heat! There’s passion, connection, and creative spice scenes that never feel repetitive or gratuitous.

• 💔 Emotional depth: These characters don’t just fall in love—they grow, they struggle, and they heal.

• 💕 Representation: Emily is unapologetic about poly dynamics, kink, and mental health. Her stories are inclusive, honest, and real.

• 👏 Character-driven: Every single love interest is fully developed. No cardboard cutouts here.

• 🏡 Found family & team vibes: There’s warmth and camaraderie that adds richness to every story.

Final Thoughts

Emily Rath has done something amazing with the Jacksonville Rays series — she’s given us hockey romance that’s steamy, emotional, and boundary-breaking. If you’re craving spice, soul, and some serious swoon, this is the series for you.

Especially if you’re like me and think reverse harems + hockey = a new favorite subgenre. 

Whether you’re already a fan or you’re just discovering the world of Emily Rath, now is the time to get your skate on. And don’t miss her other books – check them out down below!