Pucking Ever After: Volume 1 Summary, Characters and Themes
Pucking Ever After: Volume 1 is a heartfelt, spicy, and deeply funny continuation of Emily Rath’s hockey romance universe.
It’s not your typical love story—it’s a slice-of-life look into the polyamorous relationship of four unforgettable characters: Jake, Rachel, Ilmari, and Caleb. Set after the events of Pucking Around, this companion novel dives into everyday chaos, vulnerability, and connection through a series of short, intimate chapters. Whether they’re navigating IKEA, hospital drama, or existential questions about ice cream and emergency contacts, this found family radiates warmth, humor, and emotional truth. It’s a romantic rollercoaster full of love—in all its many forms.
Summary
The story begins with a simple ice cream errand that spirals into a heartfelt meditation on emotional attunement. Jake, a thoughtful and slightly over-analytical man, searches for the perfect flavor for each of his partners.
What seems like an ordinary trip to the grocery store becomes an endearing glimpse into how much he understands—and cherishes—the unique essence of those he loves. His obsession with finding something that perfectly suits Ilmari speaks volumes about his depth of care and how invested he is in making everyone in the relationship feel seen.
Tensions rise when something as routine as filling out an emergency contact form opens up deeper insecurities. Jake feels overlooked when he realizes Caleb and Ilmari listed each other and not him, despite their deep connection.
Rachel, a literal doctor and someone who has each of them in her heart, is also left off everyone’s list, adding a comedic but poignant layer to the misunderstanding.
What unfolds is a raw and honest conversation about titles, expectations, and how different people interpret emotional bonds. The moment leads to vulnerability, but ultimately reinforces the strength of their chosen family, as they come together—flaws and all—to reaffirm what they mean to one another.
A quieter, more introspective moment unfolds as Rachel grapples with pregnancy fears and the uncertainty of their unconventional path forward.
While on a late-night flight, she spirals into worry—about parenthood, about naming rights, about how society will view their family. But with just a few quiet words and a tender hand on her belly, Ilmari brings her back to safety. It’s not a grand gesture, but that’s the point—this story thrives in the quiet strength of the everyday.
Rachel’s internal monologue offers a window into the real-world complications of building a family structure that doesn’t fit the norm, but also highlights the profound intimacy and trust that define their relationship.
Later, what starts as a dreaded trip to IKEA turns into an unexpectedly romantic adventure. Ilmari, usually stoic and reserved, is pulled into a whirlwind of flat-pack furniture, domestic planning, and playful flirtation with Rachel.
In the maze of showrooms and Allen wrenches, the pair reconnect through humor and shared frustration, revealing how even the most mundane errands can be opportunities for deepening intimacy. It’s chaotic, it’s real, and it reflects how love often lives in the moments in between.
Emotions peak after the birth of Rachel’s baby, when a hospital paternity test threatens to disrupt the family’s dynamic.
But instead of division, the results spark reflection, reassurance, and a deeper bond.
While biological ties matter on paper, it’s clear that what binds these people together is love, not blood. Jake, especially, wrestles with feelings of fear and belonging, but ultimately finds peace in knowing that their family is strong because of their emotional commitment—not in spite of its complexity, but because of it.
The book closes on a high-energy, passion-fueled note with Jake on the ice, leading his hockey team with confidence and power.
Watching him from the stands, Ilmari and Caleb admire him—not just for his athleticism, but for the emotional strength he brings into their shared life. After the game, playful banter and flirty power dynamics reaffirm the love and respect flowing between them all. It’s sexy, tender, and layered with meaning.
Together, these vignettes paint a vivid, deeply human picture of love that breaks rules, but never breaks hearts. The result is a warm, witty, and emotionally rich celebration of chosen family, mutual care, and all the messy, beautiful ways we show up for the people we love.
Characters
Jake
Jake is one of the central characters of the story, and his personality is revealed through his attention to detail and deep emotional connection with his partners. In the first chapter, he showcases a unique “superpower” of knowing his partners’ ideal ice cream flavors, a metaphor for his ability to understand and cater to their individual needs and preferences.
His relationships with Ilmari, Caleb, and Rachel are based on emotional depth, trust, and loyalty. Jake’s vulnerability is particularly highlighted when he becomes upset over the emergency contact issue in Chapter 2, as it taps into his insecurities about being valued within the polyamorous structure.
However, his emotional intelligence allows him to reconcile these feelings and strengthen the bond with his partners. Throughout the book, Jake’s role as both a caretaker and a leader within the group is solidified, with moments of playfulness, leadership, and reflection.
Ilmari
Ilmari presents a contrast to Jake, offering a more stoic and reserved persona. His emotional connection with the group is equally deep, but he tends to show affection through actions rather than words.
In Chapter 3, when Rachel is struggling with pregnancy dreams, Ilmari offers comfort without needing to be prompted, which speaks to his perceptive and sensitive nature.
He may initially seem reluctant to embrace the chaos of shared domestic life, as seen in the IKEA chapter, but over time, he comes to enjoy the intimacy and connection that grows from these seemingly mundane moments.
His relationship with Rachel in particular shows how he balances his more structured personality with the warmth of their connection.
Ilmari also plays an interesting role in the dynamics of the polyamorous family, as his quieter presence offers a stabilizing influence that complements the more outspoken personalities of the others.
Rachel
Rachel is a central figure in the family, often serving as the emotional glue that holds the group together. A literal doctor by profession, Rachel’s logical and rational demeanor contrasts with the emotional depth of her relationships.
Her reflections during the red-eye flight in Chapter 3 highlight her introspective side as she processes the challenges and joys of being in a polyamorous family, especially when it comes to questions of legality and identity.
Despite her intellectual approach to life, Rachel also demonstrates profound emotional vulnerability, particularly in her pregnancy-related concerns.
Her bond with Ilmari, Jake, and Caleb is rich and multifaceted, encompassing moments of humor, tenderness, and deep emotional support. Rachel’s character is also marked by her ability to mediate conflict, as seen when she diffuses the tension over emergency contacts, which reinforces her role as both a caretaker and a stabilizing force within the group.
Caleb
Caleb, though not as prominently featured as Jake or Rachel, plays an important role in the emotional landscape of the story. He shares a playful and flirtatious dynamic with Jake, and his teasing about Jake’s hockey performance in Chapter 6 adds an element of competitiveness and sexual tension to their relationship.
Caleb’s presence highlights the emotional complexity of their polyamorous family, where love, admiration, and desire coexist in a multi-layered dynamic. His playful banter with Jake and Ilmari is a means of reinforcing their mutual respect and admiration, and it adds a layer of intimacy and fun to the story.
Caleb’s role underscores the importance of humor and lightness in a relationship, even when navigating the complexities of a nontraditional family structure.
Themes
Complexity of Polyamory and Nontraditional Relationships
One of the central themes of the story is the complexity and richness of polyamorous and nontraditional relationships. In a world where monogamy is often portrayed as the default, the narrative challenges conventional ideas about love and commitment.
The characters’ polyamorous bond is not a simple equation of love divided among multiple partners; instead, it highlights the emotional depth that each relationship offers. For instance, the opening chapter reveals Jake’s profound sensitivity to his partners’ preferences, using something as simple as selecting ice cream to underscore his deep understanding of them.
Each character in the group offers a different facet of emotional and physical connection. The exploration of their dynamic showcases how multiple, interconnected bonds can coexist and thrive. The emotional and psychological complexities faced by the group—ranging from jealousy to loyalty and the fluidity of roles—are thoughtfully examined through various moments in the story.
This theme resonates deeply with readers who may be navigating or curious about unconventional forms of love.
The Fluidity of Identity and the Concept of Chosen Family
Another critical theme is the fluidity of identity within familial and romantic contexts, especially within the framework of a chosen family. The idea of who gets to be the “husband,” “wife,” or “best friend” is questioned in moments such as the emergency contact discussion in Chapter 2.
While each character may have different expectations of who fills these roles, it becomes clear that these labels are fluid and shaped by the bonds formed between them rather than by societal norms. The chapter where Rachel contemplates the legalities of their unconventional family—particularly in the context of pregnancy and the concept of fatherhood—adds depth to this theme.
It suggests that while legal structures and societal expectations may define family in rigid terms, the characters’ sense of belonging and kinship is based on shared love and emotional support, not biology or official titles. This is underscored in the paternity test chapter, where the characters demonstrate that what truly matters is not the biological connection, but the love and responsibility they share for one another.
Domesticity as a Site of Intimacy and Playfulness
In a chapter like IKEA, domesticity becomes a crucial site of intimacy and playfulness. Ilmari’s initial reluctance to join Rachel on an IKEA trip gives way to moments of bonding and flirtation, highlighting how mundane activities can evolve into meaningful experiences in the context of a loving, multifaceted relationship.
Domestic spaces are often associated with the mundane and the everyday, but for the characters in this book, these spaces become arenas where emotional and physical connection are explored. The navigation of such environments becomes symbolic of how love, even when shared among multiple people, can find moments of deep tenderness.
The chapter elevates the seemingly trivial—assembling furniture, navigating the aisles of a store—into acts of closeness and shared joy. This reinforces the theme that intimacy can be cultivated in the most ordinary moments.
Masculinity, Power Dynamics, and Emotional Vulnerability
Throughout the book, themes of masculinity, power dynamics, and emotional vulnerability are explored, particularly through Jake’s character. The theme of masculinity is woven through Jake’s performance in the hockey game, where he is not just admired for his physical prowess but is also the subject of a competitive affection from both Ilmari and Caleb.
This dynamic demonstrates how emotional vulnerability and strength are not mutually exclusive. The playful yet serious exchanges between Jake and Caleb about their roles—Jake being the “king” on the ice while Ilmari holds sway in their personal life—offer a nuanced exploration of male identity, competition, and intimacy.
The narrative consistently shows how the characters, especially Jake, navigate their roles as leaders, lovers, and partners, balancing strength and power with emotional depth and vulnerability. These moments challenge traditional notions of masculinity, suggesting that true power comes not from dominance, but from the ability to be emotionally attuned and responsive within intimate relationships.
Redefining Fatherhood and the Role of Biological Ties
A particularly classy theme in the story is the redefinition of fatherhood and the role of biological connections. The paternity test chapter underscores this theme by highlighting the importance of choice, commitment, and emotional connection over biological determinism.
The characters in this polyamorous family recognize that fatherhood is not just about biology but about love, care, and responsibility. This moment is rich with emotional nuance, especially in how it reflects Jake’s feelings of vulnerability and devotion.
It is a powerful statement about how society’s traditional views on parenthood can be limiting. The narrative shows how a more inclusive and open definition of family can embrace all forms of love and commitment, irrespective of genetic ties.
Navigating Legal and Social Structures in Nontraditional Relationships
Lastly, the theme of navigating legal and social structures in nontraditional relationships appears prominently throughout the book. As Rachel contemplates the logistics of naming a father on the birth certificate and dealing with the restrictions of marriage law, the story touches on the complexities that polyamorous families face in a world that predominantly recognizes nuclear families.
The characters’ ability to thrive emotionally, even when their familial status is not legally recognized, highlights a crucial challenge for many modern relationships that do not fit neatly into societal frameworks. This theme extends into the broader issue of how legal systems and social expectations often fail to recognize or support the unique needs of nontraditional families.
It suggests that individuals must navigate these barriers to create spaces where they feel valid and valued.