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

Another great story for the team

I enjoyed this listen. First time I’ve pre ordered an audio book. The accents do take a little getting used to but I felt like the cadence and nature of it fit the character well overall. It was interesting to have the romance developed in a different way than would generally be expected as well. Hoping too there may have been a little tease at the potential for another story in this amazing setting.

Speechless

Wow. This book was beautiful! Emily Rath has a way with words, This is precisely the reason I will read ANYTHING she writes. She has somehow given all of these characters their own story in a way that makes it seem like they are real at this point. I love the dynamic between Teddy and Henrik , they were so different and yet the fit so well together..they were truly the definition of opposites attract in the best way,The love they have for each-other is sooooo deep .Henrik’s character development was beautiful, watching him come out of his shell and accept his sexuality and grow for himself and Teddy was top tier.This book didn’t go without bumps and I loved watching them navigate through it as a team. I loved watching how Teddy took on that “dad” role almost instantly to Henricks niece. Beware of the ending guys and make sure you have tissues!! The narrators were perfect!!! They really made this book so easy to listen to and I enjoyed it that much more!

Dr.Emily Rath this was my most anticipated book of the year and you truly knocked it out of the park. Thank you for all of the hard work you put into this , I could feel it throughout every word that I read. You wrote Teddy and his family without disrespecting the black community and I applaud you for that…in this day and age people act that it’s hard but you showed just how easy it is.

I will be re-reading this asap.
10/10 story
10/10 narrators
20/10 writing
3.5/5 spice

I love my spicy books, there was a lot more story than spice in this and it was the perfect amount this book needed. The story was truly superior without the spice and the spice just made it that much better!

god this book 😍

another perfect book by Emily. the slow burn but oh so hot and sweet love between these two 😍😍

300 PAGES. THREE HUNDRED. The YEARNING

Emily Rath absolutely CRUSHED it. The sweetest novel. The tension and yearning was top tier.
I blew through this. I was wrapped about this books metaphorical pinky finger.
Demisexuality was the PERFECT addition to this series. I loved it and I love this book so much.

Love the story, love the narration

This book is a new 6 star read for me. My gosh, the love story is just so beautiful. Teddy’s patience with Henrik had me yearning for more. Henrik acknowledging his sexuality and asking Teddy to try with him was so beautifully done. Every scene - just beautifully done. Dionte Black was the perfect Teddy. I could literally hear the emotion and it felt so real to me, not like he was reading a story. And Tor Thom’s portrayal of Henrik was so perfect. I am not an expert on Swedish accents, so I will only review how it made me feel, and Henrik’s dry, serious, monotone narration was so well done, it had me cackling at some points (example: I love how Henrik says “vut” (what) throughout the book). I could go on and on but I’ll end by saying Diontae Black is a new favorite narrator of mine and this story is also a new favorite of mine. I laughed, swooned, cried…all the feels. So perfect, truly.

Perfection

👏🏼🔥 This is now my 2nd listen and it is still perfection. Diontae Black & Tor Thom did amazing with Teddy and Henrik. I felt all of the emotions in this story. I am a fan of the series but Tedrik is now my absolute favorite.

Love this series

This story was so precious. I’m giving it 5 stars across the board but the accent Tor did was really bad. It grew on me because of the story and because D was so good but I can see where it might turn some folks off from listening. Tor is usually one of my favorites but this was not his best performance.

Fantastic listen!

I love going into a book blind and being completely taken in. Emily Rath has written a love story that tugs at the strings of the heart. Henrik and Teddy have a past. OK, it was a quick save, but even after meeting him and six years as a PT intern, Teddy still gets those butterflies when it comes to Henrik. Now a respected doctor, he takes on a whole new role. When Henrik gets the news his sister died, he is off to Sweden and Teddy accompanies him for support. No, they don't know each other, but Teddy works for the team and it seems like a good idea. When the government doesn't want to give custody to Henrik though, Teddy decides if they were married, Henrik would be looked upon more favorably. Married now, with a recovering niece Karro, the three return to America. Now they face the scrutiny of the public, figure out roles and living situations and still take care Karro. What do they find out? Rath writes a story of discovery and love, finding your true soulmate and understanding the needs of your partner. It's beautiful from start to finish. Henrik is a quiet man, keeps to himself and slowly he changes and comes out of his shell. Teddy is the total opposite, boisterous and affectionate, he is a person impossible not to love. And then Rath adds in relevance, not only with the LGBTQ community, but with dementia and how it effects a family. This is a fantastic story, and I am so glad I had the chance to listen.

Diontae Black is a new to me narrator and he finds the personality of Teddy immediately. His liveliness comes through with all the caring for people in an instant. He pulls out the Swedish Henrik at times with ease too. Then Tor Thom comes in with the deep baritone as Henrik. But this is not the Thom I normally hear. The Swedish accent comes through and he channels himself directly through as Henrik. Private to a fault, doesn't socialize and is socially awkward, the voice matches the man. But it changes as the story progresses and Henrik begins to melt that heart of his and find his happiness. I loved this collaboration and the chemistry they built to make Teddy and Henrik real. It's fantastic.

I loved it 😍

I swooned. I laughed. It was great. I love this series and this was a great addition. I can’t wait for the next book. Wonder where the final book will take us.

Perfect pairing

Teddy and Henrik are the perfect pair in this book. They build a relationship on love and support and overcome every obstacle as a team. I love this story and these characters!
The narrators were perfidy these characters and the story was better for their efforts.