Pucking Wild is the second book in the Jacksonville Rays series by Emily Rath, offering a heartwarming and spicy hockey romance with plus-size and bisexual representation.
1.1 Overview of the Book
Pucking Wild is the second installment in the Jacksonville Rays series, blending spicy romance, humor, and heartfelt moments. It follows Tess Owens, a confident plus-size divorcée, and Ryan Langley, an NHL forward, as they navigate love, personal growth, and found family. The story balances drama with lighthearted fun, offering a relatable and swoony narrative that explores themes of independence and belonging.
1.2 Author Background: Emily Rath
Emily Rath is a bestselling author known for blending spicy romance with humor and relatable characters. Her works, including the Jacksonville Rays series, have gained international acclaim. Rath’s writing often features strong female leads and heartfelt narratives, resonating with readers worldwide. Her engaging style and ability to craft swoony, laugh-out-loud stories have solidified her place in the romance genre.
Series Background
Pucking Wild is the second book in the Jacksonville Rays series by Emily Rath, following the prequel That One Night, introducing Rachel’s story and continuing the series with new characters and plots.
2.1 Jacksonville Rays Series
The Jacksonville Rays series by Emily Rath is a collection of hockey romances blending spice, humor, and heartwarming stories. It begins with That One Night, a prequel introducing key characters like Rachel, setting the stage for Pucking Around and its sequel Pucking Wild. Each book explores themes of love, family, and personal growth, captivating readers with its relatable characters and engaging plots.
2.2 Connection to “Pucking Around”
Pucking Wild seamlessly follows Pucking Around, continuing the Jacksonville Rays series. The story begins after the events of the first book, with Tess Owens navigating her new life. While Pucking Around focused on family bonds, Pucking Wild explores themes of home and independence, maintaining the series’ signature blend of humor, spice, and heartfelt moments. The connection ensures a smooth transition for returning readers, enriching the series’ cohesive narrative.
Main Characters
Tess Owens and Ryan Langley are central to Pucking Wild, with Tess navigating her newfound independence and Ryan offering unexpected support, Together, they drive the story’s emotional depth and romance.
3.1 Tess Owens: Plus-Size Divorcée
Tess Owens is a confident, 33-year-old plus-sized divorcée embarking on a new life in a new city. Her journey of self-discovery and resilience is central to the story, offering a refreshing perspective on body positivity and independence.
3.2 Ryan Langley: NHL Forward
Ryan Langley is a charming and talented forward for the Jacksonville Rays, whose kind-hearted nature contrasts with his athletic persona. His chemistry with Tess evolves naturally, blending humor and emotional depth, making him a relatable and endearing character.
Themes and Representation
Pucking Wild explores themes of self-discovery, found family, and personal growth, featuring positive plus-size and bisexual representation, highlighting empowerment and inclusivity in its narrative.
4.1 Plus-Size Representation
Tess Owens, a confident plus-size divorcee, takes center stage in Pucking Wild, embodying self-assuredness and resilience. Her journey challenges societal beauty standards, portraying a strong, empowered woman who embraces her identity. The narrative beautifully balances her insecurities with moments of triumph, offering a refreshing and relatable portrayal of body positivity. Tess’s character is both inspiring and uplifting, making her a standout role model for readers.
4.2 Found Family and Belonging
Tess Owens discovers a sense of belonging among her new friends and the hockey team, fostering a supportive environment; The story highlights how found family helps her overcome past hurts, embracing her true self. This theme resonates deeply, showing how meaningful connections can heal and provide a sense of home, making Tess’s journey both heartwarming and inspiring for readers seeking relatable and uplifting narratives.
4.3 Personal Growth and Independence
Tess Owens’ journey in Pucking Wild is a powerful exploration of self-discovery and independence. Starting fresh in a new city, she learns to embrace her true self, overcoming abandonment issues and societal expectations. Her growth is marked by confidence, self-acceptance, and the courage to pursue love on her own terms, making her transformation both inspiring and relatable for readers seeking stories of empowerment and personal triumph.
Romance Elements
Pucking Wild captivates with a reverse age gap, friends-to-lovers dynamic, and a Dom/Domme switch exploration, blending spice and humor to create a swoony, relatable love story.
5.1 Reverse Age Gap Dynamic
The reverse age gap between Tess and Ryan adds a fresh twist, exploring themes of confidence and vulnerability. Tess, a mature divorcee, finds herself drawn to Ryan’s youthful charm, creating a dynamic that challenges societal norms while fostering mutual growth and attraction. This trope enriches the story, offering a modern take on love and relationships.
5.2 Friends-to-Lovers Trope
The story beautifully explores the friends-to-lovers trope, as Tess and Ryan transition from a close-knit group of friends to something more intimate. Their bond evolves naturally, blending trust, camaraderie, and shared experiences. This progression adds depth to their relationship, making their romance feel authentic and heartfelt, while maintaining the spicy and humorous tone that defines the series.
5.3 Dom/Domme Switch Exploration
Pucking Wild introduces an intriguing Dom/Domme switch dynamic, exploring themes of power exchange and mutual respect. This element adds a unique layer to Tess and Ryan’s relationship, blending intimacy with empowerment. The switch dynamic is portrayed as consensual and balanced, enhancing their emotional connection while maintaining the book’s spicy and engaging tone throughout their journey.
Plot and Timeline
Pucking Wild begins in December, following Tess Owens’ fresh start after her divorce. She navigates a new city and meets Ryan Langley, blending drama with lighthearted moments seamlessly.
6.1 Wedding Setup and New Beginnings
The story unfolds with Tess Owens escaping her tumultuous marriage and starting anew in a fresh city. She finds solace in Rachel’s group, where NHL players charm her, setting the stage for her journey of self-discovery and unexpected love with Ryan Langley, a Jacksonville Rays forward. The wedding backdrop sparks new beginnings, blending emotional depth with vibrant camaraderie.
6.2 Balancing Drama and Fun
Pucking Wild masterfully blends emotional depth with lighthearted moments, as Tess navigates her past and newfound feelings for Ryan. The story maintains a vibrant tone, balancing Tess’s personal growth with the camaraderie of the hockey team, ensuring a narrative that is both heartfelt and entertaining without feeling overly intense.
Reception and Reviews
Pucking Wild has received praise for its character development, with readers highlighting Tess’s growth and relatability. Some noted pacing issues but overall enjoyed the blend of spice and humor.
7.1 Positive Feedback on Character Development
Readers praised Pucking Wild for its strong character development, particularly Tess’s journey from insecurity to confidence. Her relatability and growth resonated deeply, making her a fan favorite. The story’s balance of spice and emotional depth was highlighted, with many appreciating the realistic portrayal of personal struggles and triumphs. Tess’s transformation and the exploration of themes like found family and independence earned widespread acclaim.
7.2 Constructive Criticism on Pacing
Some readers noted that Pucking Wild had pacing issues in certain sections, feeling slightly slow. However, the improved balance of spice and plot compared to Pucking Around was appreciated. While the story maintained its engaging tone, a few parts lacked the same momentum, making it feel drawn-out for some. Overall, the pacing was still enjoyable for most, with the narrative flowing smoothly.
Availability and Formats
Pucking Wild is easily available as an eBook and PDF, published by Penguin Books on September 7, 2023, ISBN 9781405963428, under Fiction, Romance, and Humor.
8.1 PDF and eBook Options
Pucking Wild is widely available in both PDF and eBook formats, accessible on major platforms like Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and Kobo. The eBook is published by Penguin Books, with ISBN 9781405963428, ensuring easy access for readers worldwide. A PDF version can also be downloaded from trusted sources, making it convenient for fans of the Jacksonville Rays series to enjoy Tess and Ryan’s story in their preferred format.
8.2 Publisher and Release Details
Pucking Wild, published by Kensington, was released on March 26, 2024. With an ISBN of 9781496752413, it is available in paperback. The book, part of the Jacksonville Rays Hockey series, is authored by Emily Rath. This second installment in the series offers a blend of romance and hockey themes, appealing to fans of the genre. Its release further solidified the series’ popularity among readers.
Author’s Style and Voice
Emily Rath’s writing in Pucking Wild blends spice with humor, creating a swoony and relatable narrative that captivates readers with its vibrant characters and heartfelt storytelling.
9.1 Blend of Spice and Humor
Emily Rath masterfully combines spicy romance with witty humor in Pucking Wild, creating a narrative that is both sultry and light-hearted. Her ability to balance steamy scenes with comedic moments ensures an engaging read, keeping readers entertained and invested in the characters’ journeys. This blend adds depth and relatability, making the story memorable and enjoyable.
9.2 Swoony and Relatable Writing
Emily Rath’s writing captivates with swoony moments and relatable character dynamics in Pucking Wild. Her portrayal of Tess and Ryan’s relationship is authentic, making readers root for their love story. The relatable struggles and triumphs of the characters, combined with romantic tension, create a heartfelt and engaging narrative that resonates deeply with readers seeking both passion and realism in their romance stories.
Social Media and Fan Engagement
Emily Rath actively engages with fans on Instagram and TikTok, sharing updates and behind-the-scenes content, fostering a loyal community around her Jacksonville Rays series and Pucking Wild.
10.1 Emily Rath’s Online Presence
Emily Rath maintains a strong online presence through her website and social media platforms like Instagram and TikTok. She shares updates about her books, interacts with fans, and posts behind-the-scenes insights into her writing process. Her engaging content fosters a close-knit community of readers who eagerly follow her work and the Jacksonville Rays series, including Pucking Wild.
10.2 Fan Reactions and Community
Fans of Pucking Wild have praised the book for its strong female lead and positive representation, with many appreciating Tess’s confidence and journey. The community actively discusses the series in online groups and on social media, sharing fan art and theories. Readers have also noted the book’s well-balanced mix of humor, spice, and heartfelt moments, making it a favorite among romance and hockey romance enthusiasts.
Book Specifications
ISBN: 9781496752413, published by Kensington on March 26, 2024, featuring 496 pages with dimensions 5.45 x 8.24 x 1.27 inches, making it a compact read.
11.1 ISBN and Publishing Details
ISBN: 9781496752413, published by Kensington on March 26, 2024. The book features 496 pages with dimensions of 5;45 x 8.24 x 1.27 inches, making it a compact and easy-to-read format.
11.2 Page Count and Dimensions
Pucking Wild features 496 pages, offering an immersive reading experience. The book’s dimensions are 5.45 x 8.24 x 1.27 inches, making it a comfortable size for readers to hold and enjoy. The detailed page count ensures a comprehensive story, while the compact dimensions enhance portability and readability.
Pucking Wild is a charming hockey romance with positive themes, blending spice and humor. Its heartfelt story and relatable characters make it a must-read for fans of the genre.
12.1 Final Thoughts on “Pucking Wild”
Pucking Wild captivates with its blend of humor, spice, and heartfelt moments. Tess and Ryan’s journey offers a refreshing take on love, self-discovery, and acceptance, leaving readers eager for more from the Jacksonville Rays series while appreciating the unique voice and style Emily Rath brings to contemporary romance.
12.2 Encouragement to Read the Series
With its captivating characters, heartfelt storytelling, and spicy humor, the Jacksonville Rays series is a must-read for romance enthusiasts. Pucking Wild shines as a standout installment, blending emotional depth with lighthearted fun. Readers will fall in love with Tess and Ryan’s journey, making it a compelling reason to dive into the entire series and experience the magic of Emily Rath’s writing.