Beach Day Collision Course

Tess Owens, a thirty-something lawyer trapped in a toxic marriage, meets Ryan Langley, a young, charming hockey star, during a chaotic beach day with friends. Their first interaction is a literal collision—Ryan accidentally hits Tess with a soccer ball, leading to a flirty, awkward, and unforgettable moment. The chemistry is instant, but both are entangled in their own lives. Tess is best friends with Rachel, the team doctor for the Jacksonville Rays, and Ryan is one of Rachel's players. Their connection is electric, but circumstances and loyalty keep them apart—for now.

One Kiss, Many Consequences

Later that day, Tess and Ryan share a private, passionate kiss in a kitchen, both aware it's a line they shouldn't cross. The moment is charged with longing and possibility, but also guilt and fear. Tess is still married, albeit separated, and Ryan is ten years her junior, a rising star with everything to lose. They agree to keep the kiss a secret, but the emotional aftershocks ripple through both their lives, setting the stage for future complications.

Wedding, Whispers, and Warnings

At Rachel's unconventional wedding, Tess and Ryan's paths cross again. The event is a whirlwind of love, celebration, and secrets. Their attraction simmers beneath the surface, but Tess's loyalty to Rachel and her own unresolved marriage keep her from acting on her feelings. Meanwhile, Ryan is drawn deeper into Tess's orbit, falling for her spirit and vulnerability. The wedding becomes a crucible, forging new bonds and exposing old wounds.

Dancing with Scandal

At the wedding reception, Tess and Ryan share a dance that is both innocent and incendiary. Unbeknownst to them, a sneaky caterer snaps photos, capturing their chemistry. The images are later leaked online, igniting a scandal that threatens Tess's career and reputation. Her estranged husband, Troy, seizes the opportunity to weaponize the photos, using them as leverage in their ongoing marital battle. The dance, meant as a fleeting moment of joy, becomes the match that lights a much larger fire.

The Morality Clause Trap

Troy uses the leaked photos to trigger the morality clause in Tess's employment contract, resulting in her forced leave from her law firm. The double standard is glaring—Troy's own infidelities are ignored, while Tess is punished for a perceived indiscretion. Isolated and betrayed, Tess is pushed to her breaking point. She realizes that her marriage is not just over, but actively harming her. With nowhere else to turn, she flees to Jacksonville, seeking refuge with Rachel and the Rays.

Running from the Fire

Tess arrives in Jacksonville, emotionally battered and physically exhausted. She's welcomed by Rachel's found family—her polyamorous partners and the hockey team. Ilmari, one of Rachel's husbands, offers Tess a job helping with his sea turtle nonprofit, giving her purpose and a reason to stay. But the past is never far behind. Troy's manipulations continue from afar, and Tess struggles to find her footing in a new city, haunted by old fears and new desires.

Accidental Roommates, Intentional Sparks

Through a series of mishaps, Tess and Ryan become accidental roommates in Ilmari's beachside bungalow. The forced proximity is both a blessing and a curse. Their chemistry is undeniable, but both are wary—Tess of repeating old mistakes, Ryan of overstepping boundaries. As they navigate daily life—shared meals, late-night confessions, and playful banter—their connection deepens. The line between friendship and something more blurs, and both must confront what they truly want.

Secrets, Scars, and Support

Tess and Ryan begin to open up about their deepest wounds. Tess reveals the extent of Troy's abuse—emotional, psychological, and physical—and her fear of never being free. Ryan shares his struggles with severe dyslexia, the shame he's carried, and his fear of not being "enough" for someone as accomplished as Tess. Their honesty becomes the foundation for real intimacy, as they learn to trust not just each other, but themselves.

The Ex's Shadow Looms

Troy refuses to let Tess go, using every tool at his disposal—legal threats, blackmail, and emotional warfare. He hires a private investigator to stalk Tess and Ryan, sending her boxes of invasive photos and shredded divorce papers. He even forges a restraining order against Ryan, weaponizing Ryan's learning disability by printing it in a font he can't read. The psychological warfare intensifies, pushing Tess to the edge and threatening Ryan's career.

New Beginnings, Old Chains

Despite the mounting pressure, Tess and Ryan choose each other. They become lovers, partners, and each other's sanctuary. The Rays rally around them, offering protection and support. But the threat of Troy—and the trauma he represents—remains. Tess must decide whether to keep running or to stand and fight for her future. Ryan, for his part, must learn to accept help and believe he is worthy of love, even with his scars.

The Team Becomes Family

The Jacksonville Rays, led by Rachel and her partners, become Tess's chosen family. They support her through every crisis, from legal battles to emotional breakdowns. The team's camaraderie and loyalty provide a stark contrast to the isolation Tess felt in her marriage. Together, they confront Troy's threats, strategize legal countermeasures, and offer the unconditional love Tess has always craved. The message is clear: you are not alone.

Love on the Ice

As Tess and Ryan's relationship deepens, so does their joy. They explore each other's desires—emotionally and physically—breaking free from shame and embracing pleasure. Their love becomes a source of healing, not just for themselves, but for those around them. Ryan's career soars, and Tess finds purpose in her new work and community. Together, they redefine what it means to be "home."

Blackmail and Betrayal

Troy makes his last, desperate play—threatening to destroy Ryan's career and reputation unless Tess returns to him. He serves Ryan with a fraudulent restraining order, hoping to break them apart. But this time, Tess refuses to run. With the support of her friends, her legal acumen, and Ryan's unwavering love, she turns the tables. The Rays confront Troy en masse, exposing his lies and crimes. Tess finally receives her signed divorce papers, and Troy is left powerless.

Facing the Past

Tess meets with her former mother-in-law, Bea, who tries to negotiate a quiet end to the scandal. Tess demands accountability—therapy for Troy, a donation to her nonprofit, and, most importantly, her freedom. She realizes that true closure doesn't come from revenge, but from reclaiming her own narrative. With the past finally behind her, Tess is free to choose her future.

Claiming Joy, Choosing Home

Tess and Ryan move into a new beach house, symbolizing their fresh start. They choose each other every day, not out of obligation, but out of love. Their relationship is built on mutual respect, vulnerability, and joy. They support each other's dreams, celebrate each other's victories, and weather life's storms as a team. The Rays remain their extended family, and the future is wide open.

The Final Play

One year later, Tess proposes to Ryan in spectacular fashion, surrounded by friends, family, and the entire hockey arena. Their love story, once marked by fear and running, is now defined by courage and commitment. They choose each other, not because they have to, but because they want to. The past no longer holds them captive; together, they write their own ending.

Rain, Release, and Renewal

In a final act of catharsis, Tess and her friends gather on the beach, casting their pain and regrets into the ocean. The rain washes away the last remnants of the past, and Tess stands in the surf, hand in hand with Ryan, ready to face whatever comes next. Their story is one of survival, transformation, and the wild, liberating power of love.

Characters

Tess Owens

Tess is a thirty-something lawyer whose life has been shaped by abandonment, trauma, and a toxic marriage to Troy. She is fiercely intelligent, witty, and passionate, but years of gaslighting and emotional abuse have left her doubting her worth. Tess's journey is one of reclaiming her agency—learning to trust herself, accept love, and choose joy. Her friendship with Rachel is her anchor, and her relationship with Ryan becomes her salvation. Through vulnerability and courage, Tess transforms from a woman running from her past to one who runs toward her future.

Ryan Langley

Ryan is a 22-year-old hockey star with a heart of gold and a hidden struggle—severe dyslexia. Despite his outward confidence and charm, he carries deep insecurities about his intelligence and worth. Ryan falls hard and fast for Tess, drawn to her strength and spirit. He is patient, supportive, and unafraid to be vulnerable, offering Tess the unconditional love she's never known. Ryan's journey is about embracing his own value, accepting help, and fighting for the woman he loves—even when it means confronting his own fears.

Troy Owens

Troy is Tess's estranged husband, a master manipulator who uses emotional, psychological, and legal abuse to maintain control. He is threatened by Tess's independence and Ryan's youth, resorting to blackmail, stalking, and even physical violence. Troy embodies the dangers of unchecked privilege and entitlement. His downfall comes not from Tess's revenge, but from her refusal to play his game any longer.

Rachel Price

Rachel is Tess's anchor and chosen family. As the team doctor for the Rays and partner to three men, she models a life lived on her own terms. Rachel is protective, insightful, and unafraid to call Tess out on her self-sabotage. Her unwavering support helps Tess find the courage to break free and choose happiness.

Ilmari "Mars" Price

Ilmari is one of Rachel's husbands and a key member of the Rays. He offers Tess a job and a safe haven, becoming a quiet but steadfast ally. His own struggles with self-worth and belonging mirror Tess's, and their friendship is built on mutual respect and understanding.

Jake Price

Jake is Rachel's other husband, a defenseman for the Rays, and the heart of the team. He brings levity and warmth to every situation, but is fiercely protective of those he loves. Jake's loyalty to Tess is unwavering, and he is instrumental in rallying the team to her side.

Caleb Price

Caleb is Rachel's third partner, a behind-the-scenes force who offers practical help and emotional grounding. He is the quiet glue that holds the family together, and his support for Tess is both subtle and profound.

Shelby O'Sullivan

Shelby is the wife of the Rays' captain and a child psychologist. She recognizes Tess's trauma and offers gentle, nonjudgmental support. Shelby's own history with abuse gives her unique insight, and her friendship with Tess is a source of healing and hope.

Poppy St. James

Poppy is the team's PR manager, outwardly bubbly but inwardly struggling with her own secrets and desires. Her subplot mirrors Tess's journey—learning to accept love, embrace vulnerability, and find her place in a chosen family.

Novy, Morrow, and the Rays

The rest of the Rays—Novy, Morrow, Sully, and others—form the backbone of Tess and Ryan's support system. They offer protection, camaraderie, and a sense of belonging that both protagonists have long been denied. Their loyalty is unconditional, and their acceptance is transformative.

Plot Devices

Dual Narration and Alternating POV

The novel alternates between Tess and Ryan's perspectives, allowing readers to experience both the internal and external obstacles they face. This structure deepens empathy and highlights the ways trauma, love, and hope are experienced differently but can be healed together.

Found Family and Chosen Community

The Rays and their partners are more than teammates—they are a chosen family. This device contrasts with the toxic, isolating dynamics of Tess's marriage, showing the power of collective care and solidarity in overcoming abuse and rebuilding a life.

The Morality Clause and Legal Manipulation

Troy's use of the morality clause, blackmail, and fraudulent legal documents illustrates how systems meant to protect can be twisted to oppress. The legal battles are not just plot obstacles, but metaphors for the struggle to reclaim agency and truth.

Symbolism of Home and Belonging

The beach, the bungalow, and the new house all symbolize Tess and Ryan's search for safety, freedom, and belonging. The act of moving, redecorating, and finally building a home together parallels their internal transformation from survivors to thrivers.

Sex as Healing and Empowerment

The novel uses explicit, consensual, and exploratory sex not just for titillation, but as a means for Tess and Ryan to reclaim their bodies, desires, and agency. Their physical connection is a site of healing, trust, and mutual empowerment.

Foreshadowing and Repetition

The novel is rich with callbacks—beach day, the kitchen kiss, the dance, the jersey, the proposal—that create a sense of destiny and closure. Repeated motifs (running, laughter, home, "puppy") reinforce the themes of growth and transformation.

Analysis

Pucking Wild is a bold, emotionally intelligent romance that reimagines the sports romance genre as a story of survival, healing, and radical self-acceptance. At its core, the novel is about breaking free from cycles of abuse—personal, relational, and systemic—and choosing joy, love, and community. Tess's journey from a woman defined by her trauma to one who claims her own narrative is both cathartic and inspiring. Ryan's arc, meanwhile, challenges toxic masculinity by centering vulnerability, care, and the courage to ask for help. The novel's explicit celebration of sex-positivity, body diversity, and found family makes it a standout in contemporary romance. Its message is clear: you are not what has been done to you, and you are worthy of love, laughter, and a home of your own making.

Last updated: July 6, 2025