Double Pucked Summary, Characters and Themes

Double Pucked is a spicy, feel-good hockey romance by Lauren Blakely, blending heart, heat, and humor with a bold twist on the traditional love triangle. 

At its core, it’s about Trina, a book-loving, recently heartbroken woman whose cheating ex leads her straight into the orbit of two irresistible NHL stars—Chase Weston and Ryker Samuels. What starts as revenge evolves into a heartfelt journey of healing, discovery, and unconventional love. With plenty of banter, blazing chemistry, and emotional depth, this is a story about rewriting the rules, following your heart, and letting love—however unexpected—take the lead.

Summary

After discovering her boyfriend Jasper is cheating—courtesy of her dog vomiting up another woman’s thong—Trina ends the relationship in dramatic fashion. With her pride wounded and her dog Nacho in tow, she makes off with Jasper’s prized VIP hockey tickets as an act of sweet revenge. 

Armed with petty signs and her best friend Aubrey, she shows up at the game ready to reclaim her power. What she doesn’t expect is to catch the attention of two of the team’s biggest stars: Ryker Samuels, the gruff protector, and Chase Weston, the charming sweetheart.

From the moment their eyes lock, the chemistry is electric. After a flirtatious evening in the VIP suite and a wild post-game night of drinks and games, things escalate. The banter turns steamy, and Trina finds herself in the midst of a shared night with both men—intense, consensual, and surprisingly emotional. 

The trio wakes to a new, confusing dynamic: more than a hookup, less than a relationship. With nowhere else to stay, Trina is invited to temporarily crash at their place, and so begins a week of emotional chaos, playful domesticity, and smoldering tension.

Over pancakes and shirtless breakfasts, Trina bonds with both men. Chase is warm, flirty, and deeply supportive. Ryker is protective, thoughtful, and hiding a secret bookish side. Trina slowly realizes she’s forming real connections—with both of them. 

When her critical sister Cassie visits, the guys step up to defend her, and their care deepens. They encourage her dream of owning a bookstore and even pitch in to support her entrepreneurial goals.

But it’s not all smooth sailing. Public labels, private doubts, and emotional complications begin to creep in. The trio discusses boundaries, threesomes, and whether what they’re building can last beyond the bedroom. 

A gala forces the question: is Trina anyone’s “girlfriend”? Can she be both of theirs?

Even as they try to define their bond, moments of jealousy, insecurity, and real vulnerability surface. Trina wrestles with feelings of unworthiness, while Ryker and Chase reaffirm their own friendship with a private pact—whatever happens, they won’t let love ruin their brotherhood.

Despite their best efforts to play it cool, emotions run wild. Solo dates with each guy bring different flavors of romance and reflection, deepening Trina’s love for them both. A fishing trip helps them bond further, but an encounter with her ex—and a tense media leak—threatens to unravel everything. Trina begins to pull back, questioning if she’s a complication in their lives.

But when she finally breaks down and confesses her love—for both men—they respond not with pressure, but understanding. 

They ask, “What if it works?” and decide to stop hiding. Love, they realize, doesn’t have to follow a script.

In a defining moment, Chase and Ryker surprise Trina with the ultimate gesture of devotion: they help fund her dream bookstore. It’s a physical manifestation of their belief in her, and their commitment to building a shared future.

By the end, the trio faces the world as a unit—stronger, braver, and open about their love. In the epilogues, we see them thriving: Trina’s bookstore is a success, the men continue to shine on the ice, and their relationship is not just surviving—it’s blossoming. 

Equal parts romantic, spicy, and tender, Double Pucked proves that love doesn’t have to be traditional to be true.

Characters

Trina

Trina is a strong-willed, witty, and independent woman who evolves significantly throughout the book. At the beginning of the story, she’s heartbroken after discovering her boyfriend’s betrayal.

Rather than wallow in sorrow, she takes charge of her life, using the situation to seek revenge in a playful yet empowering way. Over the course of the novel, Trina’s character deepens as she begins to navigate the complexities of a relationship with two men.

She balances her emotional needs with her own ambitions and personal growth. Her vulnerability becomes apparent as she grapples with the growing affection for both Chase and Ryker.

Trina’s journey from heartbreak to finding love in an unconventional, yet fulfilling, arrangement is one of growth, self-discovery, and embracing the unexpected.

Chase Weston

Chase is one of the two male leads in the story and serves as the charming, sweet, and supportive counterpart to Trina. He is confident both in his professional career as a hockey player and in his personal life.

However, his emotional depth gradually reveals itself as the story progresses. Chase’s connection with Trina is characterized by genuine care and affection, and he becomes one of the pillars of stability in the evolving dynamic.

His actions reflect his desire to make Trina feel special, and he offers support for her aspirations, particularly her dream of owning a bookstore. While he’s protective and loving, his maturity and openness in discussing the complexities of their relationship show that he values clear communication and emotional honesty.

Ryker Samuels

Ryker is initially portrayed as gruff and guarded, but as the story unfolds, his softer, more vulnerable side emerges. His deep affection for Trina is rooted in more than just attraction; it comes from a place of understanding and shared emotional intimacy.

Ryker’s protective instincts, especially in moments when Trina is feeling insecure or facing outside pressures, demonstrate his commitment to her well-being. His backstory, which includes a tough childhood and a strong sense of family loyalty, adds layers to his character, making him more relatable and complex.

Ryker’s growth throughout the novel is reflected in his willingness to communicate his feelings and adjust his perspective on love and relationships. He navigates his feelings for both Trina and Chase, and his connection with Trina becomes one of emotional depth and trust.

Aubrey

While not a romantic lead, Aubrey plays a crucial role in the story as Trina’s best friend. She offers advice, moral support, and comic relief during some of the more intense moments.

Aubrey is instrumental in encouraging Trina to embrace her independence and own her desires, particularly when it comes to navigating her feelings for Chase and Ryker. Her loyalty to Trina is unwavering, and she helps keep the narrative grounded with her candid, sometimes humorous, perspective on the evolving relationship.

Cassie

Cassie, Trina’s sister, serves as a contrast to Trina in terms of personality. She is assertive, opinionated, and focused on her own career.

While she initially disapproves of Trina’s complicated relationship with the hockey players, her interactions with Ryker and Chase show that they are all capable of offering the emotional support Trina needs. Cassie’s character adds a layer of familial tension, but her eventual acceptance of Trina’s choices marks a significant shift in Trina’s journey toward independence.

Themes

Exploration of Non-Traditional Relationships and Love Triangles

The story in Double Pucked is the exploration of unconventional relationships, particularly the complexities of a love triangle involving two men and one woman. The book delves into the dynamics of a polyamorous arrangement, where both romantic and emotional connections intertwine in unique and challenging ways.

The relationship isn’t just about physical attraction but involves deep emotional layers, where trust, communication, and understanding become vital. The characters are forced to confront jealousy, societal expectations, and personal insecurities, all while navigating their feelings for each other.

This theme challenges traditional notions of love and partnership, inviting readers to question the boundaries of monogamy and the validity of multiple loving relationships.

Healing from Emotional Trauma and Empowerment through Self-Discovery

Another prominent theme is the journey of emotional healing and self-discovery. Trina, the protagonist, is reeling from a betrayal by her ex-boyfriend, which leaves her heartbroken and homeless.

However, rather than allowing herself to be defined by this trauma, she embarks on a path of empowerment and personal growth. As she builds new relationships with Chase and Ryker, she begins to rebuild her sense of self-worth, exploring her desires and her ambitions.

The book portrays how emotional scars can be healed through the support of others, but also through the strength of one’s own self-reflection and resilience. The evolving nature of her relationships with both men also serves as a metaphor for her own personal journey of overcoming betrayal and finding fulfillment on her own terms.

Gender Roles, Power Dynamics, and Challenging Societal Expectations

Double Pucked also explores the complexities of gender roles and power dynamics within relationships. The men, Chase and Ryker, are both successful NHL players, and their interactions with Trina challenge traditional power structures often seen in male-female relationships.

Instead of the men merely acting as dominant figures, the story portrays them as being emotionally available, supportive, and equally invested in Trina’s happiness. Trina, in turn, defies the typical role of the passive romantic partner and asserts her independence.

Her ability to balance her desires and professional ambitions challenges gender expectations that often dictate how women should behave in romantic relationships. The trio’s relationship is a study in mutual respect, equality, and the dismantling of traditional power dynamics that can often limit personal and relational growth.

Public Scrutiny and the Challenge of Defying Conventional Norms

A recurring theme is the tension between private desires and public scrutiny. As the trio’s relationship becomes more serious, they must navigate the external pressures of societal judgment, particularly when their polyamorous arrangement becomes public.

This theme highlights the challenges of living authentically in a world that often demands conformity. The characters face the fear of public criticism and the possible alienation of their friends and families, yet they ultimately choose to embrace their relationship openly.

The book portrays the importance of staying true to oneself despite external judgment and underscores the courage it takes to live in a way that is meaningful to the individuals involved, rather than to conform to what others expect.

The Power of Emotional Intimacy in Building Lasting Connections

While the book includes plenty of steamy physical moments, the true heart of the story lies in the emotional intimacy between the three main characters. Their growing affection for one another is not only about physical attraction but about the deeper emotional bonds they form.

Their connection is built on shared vulnerability, open communication, and mutual support. The theme of emotional intimacy is crucial as it contrasts with the idea that relationships are merely about physical encounters.

Instead, the novel emphasizes the importance of understanding and respecting each other’s emotional needs, particularly in a non-traditional relationship. This theme suggests that emotional closeness, not just physical chemistry, is the foundation for any lasting connection, especially when navigating the complexities of a polyamorous setup.

Breaking Free from the Constraints of Conventional Love Stories

Lastly, Double Pucked challenges the traditional narrative structure found in romance novels. Rather than following a simple “boy meets girl” plot, it weaves a more intricate tale of three people trying to make a relationship work outside of societal norms.

It invites readers to consider love in its many forms and encourages them to break free from the traditional concept of what a “romantic relationship” should look like. This theme allows for a broader interpretation of love and partnership, pushing readers to rethink not only how they view relationships but how they might redefine their own romantic experiences.

The story moves away from the typical “happy-ever-after” in a monogamous context and instead presents a vision of love that is expansive, inclusive, and focused on personal and collective growth.