Pucking Sweet Summary, Characters and Themes
Pucking Sweet by Emily Rath is a steamy, emotional, and character-driven MMF hockey romance that explores love, self-discovery, and acceptance. T
he story follows Poppy St. James, the new PR director for the NHL’s Jacksonville Rays, as she navigates the chaos of managing hockey players’ public personas while dealing with unexpected love and life-changing surprises. Torn between two defensemen, Lukas Novikov and Colton Morrow, Poppy finds herself in a deeply emotional relationship with both men, leading to a powerful exploration of vulnerability, healing, and unconventional love that defies societal norms.
Summary
Poppy St. James lands her dream job as Director of Public Relations for the Jacksonville Rays, a new NHL team.
Ambitious and determined, Poppy is ready to prove her worth in a male-dominated industry, despite the immense pressure from her wealthy and conservative family.
Her job, however, is far from easy—especially when it comes to managing the antics of party-boy defenseman Lukas Novikov. Novy, as his teammates call him, is a talented player but a public relations nightmare.
His wild behavior keeps Poppy on her toes, as he constantly drags his best friend and fellow defenseman, Colton Morrow, into trouble.
Unbeknownst to Poppy, Colton has been secretly in love with her for years. Calm, grounded, and dependable, Colton even requested a trade to the Rays just to be closer to her. But while Colton harbors deep feelings for Poppy, he struggles to express them.
Meanwhile, Novy’s teasing, chaotic energy masks his deep insecurities stemming from a troubled childhood marked by abandonment. Despite his playful antagonism, Novy finds himself increasingly drawn to Poppy, though he fears rejection and intimacy.
The dynamic between the three characters shifts dramatically when Poppy makes a life-altering discovery—a surprise pregnancy.
The shocking news forces them all to confront their feelings. Poppy finds herself caught between two very different men who both care deeply for her. Instead of choosing one, Poppy discovers that both Colton and Novy offer something unique, and she doesn’t have to settle for a conventional relationship.
Colton, ever the peacemaker, proposes that the three of them can build something beautiful together.
He believes that they are stronger as a trio and encourages Novy and Poppy to embrace their feelings without fear. However, the transition is not without challenges. Novy and Colton have been best friends for years, but neither has ever considered a romantic relationship with another man.
Their bond slowly deepens into something more intimate, though Novy struggles with his insecurities and fears of abandonment.
As the trio navigates their evolving relationship, they face judgment and bigotry from the outside world.
Poppy’s conservative family strongly disapproves, especially when they learn about the unconventional nature of her relationship with Colton and Novy. Despite the backlash, Poppy stands firm, choosing love and happiness over societal expectations.
One of the most emotional arcs in the story is Novy’s journey of self-acceptance. He learns to confront his fears of rejection and open himself up to love from both Poppy and Colton.
Colton, meanwhile, embraces his feelings for Novy, leading to a heartfelt bi-awakening arc that transforms their friendship into a loving, supportive partnership.
The romance between the trio is both deeply emotional and wildly passionate. The story features multiple steamy encounters that reflect their growing intimacy and trust.
From playful banter to deeply vulnerable moments, each scene reveals more about the characters and strengthens their bond.
In the end, Poppy, Colton, and Novy fully embrace their unconventional love, preparing to build a future together as they await the birth of their child. Their journey highlights the importance of love, acceptance, and the courage to defy societal expectations to find happiness on one’s own terms.
Characters
Poppy St. James
Poppy St. James is a central figure in Pucking Sweet, serving as the Director of Public Relations for the Jacksonville Rays hockey team. At 27, Poppy is an ambitious, strong-willed woman determined to make her mark in a male-dominated industry.
She comes from a wealthy family that imposes high expectations on her, and though she is constantly measured against these standards, she fights to carve her own path and prove her worth. Throughout the novel, Poppy’s professional life is juxtaposed with her personal life as she navigates a complex relationship with two of the team’s defensemen, Lukas Novikov and Colton Morrow.
Despite her career success, Poppy struggles with self-doubt, especially in the face of her family’s disapproval. This tension grows when she unexpectedly finds herself pregnant, throwing her already complicated life into chaos.
Her journey throughout the book is one of personal growth and self-acceptance, learning to prioritize her own needs and desires while reconciling her identity with societal expectations. She shows tremendous emotional resilience, especially in moments of vulnerability when dealing with her relationships with Colton and Lukas.
Poppy ultimately emerges as a more confident and self-assured person by the book’s end, finding strength in her evolving relationships and personal growth.
Lukas (Novy) Novikov
Lukas Novikov, known as Novy, is a 26-year-old defenseman for the Jacksonville Rays with a complex emotional history that shapes his actions and relationships throughout the story. Growing up with a difficult childhood marked by abandonment, Lukas developed deep-rooted insecurities and a fear of rejection that prevent him from fully connecting with others emotionally.
He hides these vulnerabilities behind a carefree, mischievous persona, often using sarcasm and playful antagonism to mask his true feelings. Novy’s initial interactions with Poppy are marked by teasing and playful banter, but as their relationship develops, it becomes clear that he is deeply attracted to her.
However, his struggles with intimacy make it difficult for him to express his feelings. The relationship between Lukas and Poppy is complicated by his own emotional barriers, but through their interactions, Lukas begins to confront his past traumas and open up about his insecurities.
His dynamic with Colton evolves as well, as Novy experiences a bi-awakening that leads to a slow but powerful emotional bond with his best friend. Lukas’s arc is one of emotional healing and growth, as he learns to trust and embrace the love of both Poppy and Colton, culminating in a deeper understanding of himself and his capacity for love.
Colton (Cole) Morrow
Colton Morrow, or Cole, is the dependable and emotionally grounded defenseman who serves as the peacemaker and stabilizing force in the trio’s relationship. He is the steady anchor between the chaotic personalities of Poppy and Lukas, offering them a safe space to work through their issues.
Colton’s past is marked by heart surgeries he underwent in his youth, which have shaped his empathetic and patient nature. He is the most emotionally open of the three, and his tenderness and attentiveness are key to maintaining harmony in their complex relationship.
Colton has harbored feelings for Poppy for years, and his deep affection for her drives him to request a trade to the Rays just to be closer to her. Unlike Lukas, Colton is more open to the idea of polyamory, and he actively pushes for the three of them to pursue a relationship together.
His relationship with Lukas evolves gradually, as Colton helps Lukas confront his emotional baggage and find a sense of security in their bond. Colton’s journey is one of acceptance and emotional maturity, and his role in the trio is essential to bringing them together and helping them navigate the challenges of their unconventional relationship.
Themes
The Emotional Struggles of Balancing Career Aspirations with Personal Identity
In Pucking Sweet, one of the most dominant themes is Poppy’s internal struggle to reconcile her career ambitions with her personal desires and identity. As the Director of Public Relations for the Jacksonville Rays, Poppy is thrust into a high-pressure, male-dominated environment where she has to prove her worth.
Throughout the story, Poppy’s family constantly imposes high expectations on her, which are a source of anxiety. Her mother’s disapproval and the rigid demands of her upbringing place a constant strain on her, leaving Poppy to question her own value.
While her professional accomplishments are impressive, they come at the expense of her personal life and happiness. It is only through her relationships with Lukas and Colton that she begins to understand her own worth beyond the judgments of others.
This theme captures the essence of finding one’s own voice in an often oppressive environment and ultimately learning to embrace personal desires, even when they conflict with societal or familial pressures.
The Complexity and Emotional Depth of Overcoming Past Trauma to Accept Vulnerability in Relationships
Another central theme in Pucking Sweet revolves around the emotional growth of Lukas, who has endured deep-seated trauma from his troubled childhood. Lukas’s struggles with abandonment and feelings of unworthiness create a barrier to his ability to fully open up and trust others, particularly in romantic relationships.
His relationship with both Poppy and Colton challenges him to confront these vulnerabilities, pushing him to let down his emotional defenses and accept love, even though it feels foreign and frightening. Lukas’s journey from being a playful, emotionally distant figure to someone capable of real intimacy is not linear, and the process is fraught with setbacks and emotional turmoil.
His arc demonstrates the complexity of healing from past trauma and the courage required to build new, healthy connections. His character’s evolution is one of the most powerful elements of the book, showing that emotional growth is often a painful, messy, and non-linear journey that requires both time and self-compassion.
Redefining the Concept of Family Through Non-Traditional Relationship Structures and Found Family Dynamics
Pucking Sweet also delves deeply into the theme of redefining family, particularly through the lens of non-traditional relationship structures. The book centers on the concept of polyamory, where Poppy, Lukas, and Colton form a unique and unconventional relationship dynamic.
Their connection pushes the boundaries of what society typically recognizes as a “family” unit, especially as they navigate judgment, prejudice, and misunderstanding from the outside world. Poppy’s decision to come out to her conservative family about her relationship adds a layer of external conflict, where rejection and bigotry highlight the emotional costs of defying traditional family structures.
However, the trio ultimately creates a family of their own, built on trust, respect, and shared love. The idea of “found family” becomes a powerful narrative force in the story, illustrating that family is not defined solely by blood ties, but by the people who choose to support and care for one another unconditionally, regardless of societal expectations.
This theme highlights the beauty of forging connections that transcend conventional norms and embrace the complexities of human love.
The Journey of Self-Discovery and Sexual Identity Within the Context of Bi-Awakening and Fluidity of Sexuality
Sexual identity is a core theme in Pucking Sweet, particularly in the exploration of Novy’s bi-awakening. Novy’s character undergoes a profound internal shift as he comes to terms with his attraction to Colton, despite having previously considered himself straight.
This theme explores the fluidity of sexuality, showing that attraction and identity are not always fixed or defined by rigid categories. For Novy, the process of accepting his feelings for Colton is not instantaneous, as he struggles with internalized fears and societal judgments.
His eventual acceptance of his attraction to another man is portrayed as an organic, emotional evolution, highlighting the complexity of sexual identity and the need for self-acceptance. Novy’s journey not only emphasizes the importance of recognizing one’s true self but also challenges the societal expectations that often restrict personal expression.
It shows that exploring one’s sexuality can be a deeply emotional and liberating process, one that is best navigated with honesty and openness.
The Struggles and Triumphs of Building an Inclusive Relationship in a World That Often Rejected or Failed to Understand It
The evolving relationship between Colton, Lukas, and Poppy also tackles the theme of inclusivity in love. As a polyamorous triad, they face societal stigma and misunderstanding, a reflection of the broader challenges that many non-traditional relationships experience in real life.
The trio not only struggles with the internal complexities of balancing their feelings for each other but also with the external pressures of a world that may not accept or understand their relationship. This external judgment becomes a source of tension, particularly in moments when they are forced to confront the prejudices of those around them.
Their journey is one of defiance and resilience, as they work through these societal challenges, finding strength in their bond. The story ultimately celebrates the idea that love, in all its forms, should not be constrained by societal norms or labels.
It conveys a powerful message of inclusivity, illustrating that relationships can be as diverse and multifaceted as the people involved in them, and that true love requires the courage to defy expectations and embrace what feels authentic.