Pucking Strong

Jacksonville Rays, Book 4

De: Emily Rath

Narrado por: Diontae Black, Tor Thom

My name is Teddy O'Connor, and I just made a terrible mistake. It's been six years since I was an intern for the Jacksonville Rays NHL team. And it's been six long years since I first met him. Henrik Karlsson, star forward of the Rays...and king of my heart.

I'm a doctor now, a respected professional in my field. And Henrik doesn't even know I exist. So, you tell me why I'm risking everything to follow this man halfway around the world!

After receiving news of his sister's tragic death, Henrik must fly to Sweden to retrieve his young niece. She's injured and grieving, but a new hockey season is about to start. Henrik can't possibly care for her alone. In fact, the Swedish government won't let him. I'd be heartless not to help...right?

Well, that's what I told myself last week as I signed our Swedish marriage license. And it's what I'm telling myself now as the Rays PR Director stares us down. They want this marriage to look real. The team's public image, our jobs, and his niece's custody agreement all depend on it.

But my problem isn't that I don't love my new fake husband. God help me, my problem is that I do.

Contains mature themes.

©2025 Emily Rath Books (P)2025 Tantor Media

Mixed feelings about this one

Loved the story. Dr Emily has written another beautiful chapter in the Rays saga. The fake marriage to real lovers trope was so good. Teddy’s pining was delicious. The portrayal of Henrik’s demisexuality was so well done. No problems at all with the story.

My issue is, like several others, is with the narration. Specifically the creative choice to have Tor use a the Swedish accent for all of Henrik’s with the exception of the other characters dialogue. It was distracting and especially when we got to the “spicy” scenes, the cadence & tone took me out of the mood. I adore Tor’s natural voice and he usually hits it out of the park but I think was a miss.

I know it’s rare that an audiobook is re-recorded but I’d love to hear this one re-done with Tor using his natural voice for the narration of Henrik’s chapters and a softer accent for Henrik’s dialogue.

Dionte’s Teddy chapters were much more enjoyable and the accent he used to read Henrik’s dialogue was much easier on the ears.

Overall it’s not as bad as some narration but I think there is room for improvement.

Ms Rath does it again 🥹🫶🏻

I couldn’t wait for this book to come out! I started the series about a year and a half ago and immediately fell in love. When I finished the last book I was so sad I had to wait for this to come out. I had it saved and ready to go when it dropped a few days ago! I could have sat and listened to the whole thing quickly, but I stretched it out so it would last longer 😭 Teddy and Hendrik are so beautiful and I loved listening to their relationship evolve. This was definitely a slow burn, but definitely worth! Hendrik trusting Teddy 😩 I already want to re read it!

queer/bipoc representation

Firstly, there are spoilers.



im not usually one for slow burns but this series has me by a choke hold. teddy is by far my character and narrator. Dionetae did a great representing the Black and queer community through his overall style, subtly sassiness, and his overall acting skills. The cultural pieces that were intentionally put into the writing was heartwarming and made sense for the plot. Calling out the racism and homophobia in the NHL was so needed.

Henriks struggle with demisexual was well thought out and gave a new perspective of the queer community hasnt given before. while I love Henrik's character,

Tor Thorn is not on my roster of audio narrator I wouldve recommended for the role. while the character's came as across as robotic and monotone in english, it felt like his internal narration should been comfortable and lilting. he may have ben Swedish but his heart was soft and gentle in his own mind. there really wasnt much difference in the two voices and was a struggle to listen to the Henrik chapters.

also this has been done as a dual duet, id might listen again.

A Hard Hitting Slow Burn

Whenever Emily Rath writes hockey romance, it’s a guaranteed win and Pucking Strong proves it yet again. While the first book still holds the top spot in my heart, this one just might be my second favorite in the series.

This installment follows Teddy O’Connor, who returns years after his internship with the Jacksonville Rays as a doctor of physical therapy. What starts as a professional reconnection quickly spirals into a life-changing choice: joining Henrik Karlsson on an emergency trip back to Sweden after Henrik’s sister’s tragic death.

To protect Henrik’s young niece, Karro - grieving, injured, and facing the risk of being kept in Sweden - Teddy agrees to a marriage of convenience. Suddenly, these two men are bound not just by paperwork, but by shared responsibility, fierce loyalty, and the fragile beginnings of a deeper connection.

Normally, slow burn romances aren’t my favorite trope, but here? It worked beautifully. The tension and pacing gave their relationship the space to grow emotionally first, before the sparks ignited. And when they did, it wasn’t a tease, it was earned.

And can we talk about Henrik’s press conference? The way he stands up, claims Teddy as his own, and protects him so publicly… that was hot. Not just hot, but romantic in a way that screams devotion and vulnerability. One of my favorite moments in the whole book.

This story felt like one of the most beautiful love stories in the series so far. Themes of devotion, loyalty, and kindness create the foundation for Henrik to embrace his demisexuality, step out of his shadows, and allow himself to be vulnerable, not just as a partner, but as a father figure, teammate, and man.

As always, Rath balances the sports backdrop with heart, humor, and heat, but it’s the tenderness of Teddy and Henrik’s journey that truly stands out. This is a book about found family, healing, and love that feels as steady as it is passionate.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5 — A big win, and another standout in one of my all-time favorite series.

True love!

The story was great. The Henrik narrator not my favorite but worked ok teddy was very good I enjoyed the twists and turns it was awesome to hear about the characters from other Rays books