Pucking Around Summary, Characters and Themes
Pucking Around by Emily Rath is a tale that blends professional challenges with personal growth. The novel follows Rachel, a 27-year-old woman who navigates the ups and downs of her career in sports medicine while also exploring her complicated relationships with the men in her life. After an unexpected opportunity with the Jacksonville Rays NHL team, Rachel moves to Florida to start fresh.
Along the way, she encounters the complexities of balancing her personal and professional life, her evolving feelings for her colleagues, and the pressure of being in the public eye. This story touches on themes of resilience, self-discovery, and love, set against the high-stakes world of professional sports.
Summary
Rachel Price is a 27-year-old sports medicine doctor, trying to overcome the professional setback of losing a prestigious fellowship. She’s back in Cincinnati, feeling stuck both personally and professionally.
Her roommate Tess pushes her to go out and have fun despite her reluctance. Rachel’s emotional turmoil stems from her failure to secure the Barkley Fellowship, a program she had been a prime candidate for. This loss forces her to return to her residency program, a place that reminds her of her unfulfilled dreams.
Rachel’s days are filled with frustration and self-doubt, and things seem to stay in this funk until Tess insists on pushing her to move past her disappointment.
After a wild night out, Rachel wakes up to messages from her twin brother, Harrison, and an unexpected phone call from Dr. Halla, her boss. The phone call reveals a surprising twist—Rachel has been offered the Barkley Fellowship after a fellow was injured. This unexpected chance forces her to drop everything, move to Jacksonville, and start over with the Jacksonville Rays, a new NHL team.
Her arrival in Jacksonville is marked by a series of mishaps, starting with missing luggage and an awkward first encounter with Caleb Sanford, a fellow staff member. Rachel’s bag bursts open at the airport, causing her personal items to scatter across the tarmac, including a rather embarrassing gift from Tess.
Caleb, who helps her gather the items, offers a glimpse into their potential future interactions. Despite the awkwardness, there’s an undeniable chemistry between them.
Rachel settles into her new apartment, where Caleb—who turns out to be her neighbor—helps her out when she gets locked out of her apartment. As they spend more time together, Rachel begins to notice Caleb’s quiet kindness and care for her, which complicates her feelings since she is trying to maintain professional boundaries. Caleb, initially gruff and distant, proves to be someone Rachel can depend on, and they slowly form a deeper bond.
Rachel’s growing feelings for Caleb mirror the challenges she faces with her job and the pressures of her new role. As she begins her work with the team, her responsibilities start piling up, and she’s confronted with the realities of treating professional athletes. She meets Vicki, the operations manager, who welcomes her warmly, and Poppy, the PR head, who is overly enthusiastic about Rachel’s celebrity connections due to her father’s fame. Rachel doesn’t want her career to be overshadowed by her father’s rockstar status, and this pressure weighs on her.
One of the players, Jake Compton, complicates things further. Rachel meets Jake in a less-than-ideal way, but there’s an undeniable attraction between them.
Despite their prior, anonymous encounter in Seattle, where they shared a night together, Jake doesn’t remember her, which frustrates Rachel. Their ongoing interactions are marked by professional tension and unspoken attraction. Rachel’s struggle with the growing chemistry between them intensifies as she juggles her responsibilities as a doctor and her personal feelings.
As Rachel continues to treat the players, including Jake, she bonds with the staff, especially Tyler, the team doctor, and Hillary, the team nurse.
The demands of her job become more evident as she faces the intensity of the players’ physical needs and the professional boundaries she must uphold. Despite her internal resistance, the flirtation between her and Jake intensifies, creating moments of humor and tension.
During a physical therapy session, Jake pushes Rachel’s emotional limits, and their connection becomes undeniable.
Rachel’s emotional journey is complicated by her internal struggle between her career and her budding feelings for Jake. The flirtation turns into more, with Rachel even sending provocative photos to Jake, which tests the boundaries of their professional relationship.
Their encounters become increasingly charged, both emotionally and physically, and Rachel finds herself falling for him, even as she tries to maintain control over her career and boundaries.
The tension between Rachel and Jake reaches a peak, leaving Rachel at an impasse as she grapples with how to navigate the increasingly complicated dynamics between them.
The chemistry between them is undeniable, but the potential fallout from their relationship remains uncertain. As Rachel contemplates her future, the stakes become even higher, with her job on the line and the pressure to maintain professional conduct while dealing with her personal feelings.
In the midst of these challenges, Rachel faces the realities of her career and the risks involved in her relationship with Jake. Her journey is one of self-discovery, learning how to balance her professional ambitions with the complexities of her personal life.
As the story concludes, Rachel’s path forward remains uncertain, leaving readers to wonder how she will navigate the delicate balance between her career and the possibility of a future with Jake. The narrative ends with a cliffhanger, keeping readers on edge, eager to see what will happen next in Rachel’s journey.
Characters
Rachel Price
Rachel is the protagonist of Pucking Around, a 27-year-old woman caught in the whirlwind of personal and professional challenges.
After the crushing blow of losing a prestigious sports medicine fellowship, Rachel’s life is in a state of uncertainty. She is hesitant to embrace new opportunities and relationships, preferring to stay within her comfort zone. The story of Rachel is one of resilience, as she pushes through her personal disappointments and tries to rebuild both her career and her confidence. Her internal struggle to balance her professional responsibilities with her emotional desires forms a core part of her character.
As she navigates her relationship with Caleb, Jake, and Ilmari, Rachel begins to shed her old inhibitions and embraces the complexities of her emotions and desires. Despite the turbulent journey, Rachel grows significantly, learning to accept both her career path and the unorthodox nature of her romantic life. Her vulnerability, determination, and emotional growth are key themes that drive the story forward.
Caleb Sanford
Caleb is one of the most intriguing characters in Pucking Around, a man who starts as an aloof and grumpy figure but gradually reveals his warmth and kindness.
Initially introduced in an awkward encounter where he helps Rachel with a spilled bag of personal items, Caleb’s relationship with Rachel grows over time, marked by a series of deepening emotional connections.
He is not just a colleague but becomes a true support system for Rachel, providing her with help in navigating both professional and personal challenges. Although Caleb is a bit guarded, his genuine care for Rachel shines through, making him a reliable and loving figure in her life.
His interactions with Rachel evolve from mere necessity to something much deeper, as they share moments of vulnerability and emotional intimacy. Caleb’s character contrasts the gruff exterior with a tender heart, making him a standout figure in Rachel’s journey of self-discovery and love.
Jake Compton
Jake, a professional hockey player for the Jacksonville Rays, is one of the more complicated characters in Pucking Around.
Initially introduced as a brief romantic encounter that Rachel had in Seattle, Jake’s reappearance in her life adds emotional depth to the story. He is charming, distant, and emotionally guarded, traits that both draw Rachel in and frustrate her. Their relationship is a mix of intense physical chemistry and complicated emotional baggage. As the story progresses, Rachel’s attraction to Jake grows, but so does the tension surrounding their professional relationship.
Despite their chemistry, Jake is slow to recognize the significance of their past encounter, and his emotional distance becomes a point of contention. As the narrative develops, Jake becomes more open, revealing his emotional vulnerabilities and deeper desires, especially in the context of their growing connection.
His dynamic with Rachel showcases the complexities of navigating a relationship where personal feelings and professional boundaries constantly intersect.
Ilmari
Ilmari, another key figure in Pucking Around, is a character burdened with emotional scars from his past, particularly regarding his strained relationship with his father, Dr. Halla.
His initial coldness and emotional guard make him a difficult character to fully understand, but over time, Rachel helps him work through the emotional complexities that shape him. Ilmari’s relationship with Rachel is marked by deep emotional conflict, not just between the two of them but also involving his unresolved issues with his father. The story reveals his vulnerability, especially in moments of emotional connection with Rachel, where he slowly opens up about his pain and the impact of his father’s neglect. This makes Ilmari’s character one of personal growth and healing, showing his journey from emotional isolation to a deeper, more trusting bond with Rachel.
Their relationship is a mix of intense passion and emotional struggle, as they navigate the complexities of intimacy and trust. His presence in the story reflects the challenges of dealing with personal history while trying to build a future with someone else.
Tess
Tess plays an important yet secondary role in Pucking Around, acting as Rachel’s supportive and somewhat mischievous roommate. Her role in the narrative is to help Rachel out of her funk, encouraging her to have fun and explore new opportunities, despite Rachel’s initial reluctance.
Tess’s presence serves as a contrast to Rachel’s more serious and introspective nature, providing a lighthearted and humorous counterbalance. Her attempts to push Rachel into new experiences, such as going out and having fun after a breakup, show her caring nature and her desire to see Rachel live a fuller, more adventurous life.
Tess’s character highlights the importance of friendship and emotional support, reminding Rachel that she is not alone in facing life’s challenges. Though Tess’s role is more peripheral compared to other characters, her influence on Rachel’s development is significant, especially in encouraging Rachel to open up to new experiences.
Dr. Halla
Dr. Halla, though not a central character in the traditional sense, plays a crucial role in Ilmari’s backstory and emotional development.
His strained relationship with his son, Ilmari, is a pivotal part of the emotional landscape in Pucking Around. As a figure from Ilmari’s past, Dr. Halla represents the unresolved pain and abandonment Ilmari feels. When he re-enters Ilmari’s life, it causes emotional turmoil and conflict, forcing both father and son to confront their past.
Dr. Halla’s manipulation of Rachel in an attempt to mend his relationship with Ilmari adds a layer of complexity to the narrative, highlighting the ways in which people can be pawns in the emotional struggles of others.
His role in the story serves as a catalyst for Ilmari’s growth and Rachel’s deeper understanding of her role in his life, as she navigates the difficult balance between her professional duties and her growing feelings for Ilmari.
Poppy St. James
Poppy, the head of PR for the Jacksonville Rays, is a bright, energetic, and at times overly enthusiastic character in Pucking Around.
Her excitement about the media potential that Rachel represents highlights the constant pressure Rachel faces to live up to a public image, especially as she is tied to her famous rockstar father.
Poppy’s role is one of both support and challenge, as she inadvertently pressures Rachel to embrace her celebrity status, a concept that Rachel is uncomfortable with. Despite this, Poppy remains a well-meaning character, showing a genuine desire to help Rachel succeed in her new role.
Her influence over Rachel’s public life creates a tension between Rachel’s private and professional selves, pushing Rachel to confront the expectations placed upon her because of her father’s fame.
Themes
Career and Professional Struggles
In Pucking Around, Rachel’s journey is not only one of personal growth but also a deep exploration of professional challenges.
From her initial defeat in the prestigious Barkley Fellowship program to her uncertain start with the Jacksonville Rays, Rachel’s professional struggles shape her character. Her identity is heavily tied to her career, which complicates her emotional well-being.
The narrative places a strong emphasis on how setbacks in one’s career can lead to self-doubt, frustration, and the constant pressure of proving oneself. Rachel’s feelings of inadequacy after losing the fellowship and her subsequent struggles in a new, demanding environment highlight the difficulty many face when their professional dreams seem to crumble.
Her inability to fully embrace her success when offered the fellowship at the Jacksonville Rays further underlines the tension between personal happiness and professional achievement.
This theme touches upon the broader reality that career setbacks are often accompanied by emotional and psychological turmoil, but it also highlights the resilience needed to persevere, as Rachel ultimately embraces her new role and the opportunities it offers, despite the challenges.
Identity and Self-Discovery
Rachel’s journey is profoundly intertwined with her quest for self-discovery. At the beginning of the story, she is grappling with the aftermath of professional failure and a personal life that feels unfulfilling.
This internal struggle intensifies when she is confronted with the complexities of her new role at the Jacksonville Rays, a team that demands a high level of public visibility.
Her emotional growth is fueled by the process of reevaluating who she is—both personally and professionally. The revelation that she is seen more for her connection to her famous father than her own merit forces her to confront the identity she’s constructed around her career. The tension between how others perceive her and how she views herself is a key factor in her self-discovery process.
As Rachel navigates through these personal challenges, she begins to redefine her sense of self, making decisions that align more with her own desires and values. This theme speaks to the universal struggle of reconciling external expectations with internal desires and highlights the importance of self-acceptance in overcoming personal and professional obstacles.
Relationships and Emotional Complexity
The evolving relationships in Pucking Around are central to Rachel’s emotional journey, especially as she navigates complex dynamics with multiple people.
Her romantic entanglements with Caleb, Jake, and Ilmari add layers of emotional tension, vulnerability, and growth. The narrative intricately examines the difficulties of balancing love and professional boundaries, especially when feelings become entangled with career responsibilities.
Rachel’s initial hesitations toward Caleb and Jake gradually transform into a deep emotional connection, despite the risks these relationships present. The polyamorous dynamics explored in the book are not without their complications, as Rachel is forced to confront her insecurities, jealousy, and confusion.
The complexity of these relationships is intensified when trust is broken or when one partner’s actions challenge her understanding of their commitment to each other.
Moreover, the addition of Ilmari’s estranged relationship with his father further complicates the emotional web Rachel finds herself caught in, revealing how past traumas influence current relationships. As Rachel’s relationships evolve, so does her understanding of love, commitment, and the emotional responsibilities that come with being involved with multiple people.
This theme speaks to the challenges of navigating non-traditional relationships, emphasizing the importance of communication, trust, and emotional honesty.
Personal Resilience and Overcoming Adversity
At the heart of Pucking Around is a powerful message of resilience. Rachel’s ability to bounce back from the disappointments of losing a fellowship and facing uncertainty in her career serves as a testament to her inner strength.
Throughout the story, her perseverance is tested time and again. Whether it’s dealing with the public scrutiny tied to her relationship with professional athletes, managing the complex demands of her job, or confronting her own emotional vulnerabilities, Rachel demonstrates a remarkable capacity to withstand adversity.
Her growth is not immediate, nor is it without setbacks, but her ability to face challenges head-on and use them as opportunities for personal growth is central to her character arc.
As she moves through difficult situations, she becomes more confident in her decisions and more comfortable in her own skin. The theme of personal resilience in the face of adversity resonates as a reminder that setbacks are not the end of the road but rather part of the journey toward self-improvement and eventual success. Rachel’s story is one of reclaiming agency in her life, finding strength even when it feels like everything is falling apart.
Family and Emotional Bonds
Family plays a significant role in Pucking Around, influencing Rachel’s choices, emotional state, and ultimately her journey. Rachel’s relationship with her family, particularly her twin brother Harrison and her father’s public persona, are key drivers in her emotional development.
The contrast between Harrison’s supportive, albeit distant, presence and the emotionally fraught relationship Rachel has with her father highlights the tension between familial love and personal fulfillment. Her father’s fame casts a long shadow over her sense of self-worth, complicating her ability to define her identity outside of his legacy.
This dynamic forces Rachel to navigate her relationship with him on her own terms, setting boundaries that allow her to carve out her own path. Additionally, her brother’s concern for her well-being reveals the emotional complexity of sibling relationships, where love and concern are mixed with unspoken expectations.
The exploration of familial bonds serves as a reminder that the relationships we have with our family, even when strained or distant, significantly impact how we view ourselves and navigate the world.
Ultimately, Rachel’s story reveals that understanding and navigating family dynamics can be just as pivotal to personal growth as romantic or professional achievements.
Public Image and Personal Privacy
In Pucking Around, Rachel’s life is constantly at odds with the pressures of maintaining a public image, especially as her career as a sports medicine professional is intertwined with the public and media attention focused on the Jacksonville Rays hockey team.
The narrative explores the tension between Rachel’s desire for privacy and the demands placed on her by her profession and personal relationships. As the media makes her father’s fame a focal point of her identity, Rachel is forced to wrestle with how much of herself she is willing to share with the public.
This theme emphasizes the complexity of managing personal boundaries in the age of social media and public scrutiny, where personal lives are often on display for consumption. Rachel’s internal conflict over her public image becomes especially apparent when her romantic relationships are thrust into the limelight, testing her ability to maintain a sense of privacy and autonomy.
The exploration of public image versus private life reflects a modern reality many people face, where the desire for authenticity can clash with the expectations of others.
As Rachel navigates this dynamic, she begins to learn the importance of setting boundaries, prioritizing personal well-being over external pressures, and finding a balance between the two worlds.