Emily Rath celebrates PUCKING STRONG at B&N-Settlers Ridge, PA

Join on Friday, September 5, 2025, as we welcome viral sensation and New York Times bestselling author to discuss and sign her new adult novel . In this delicious slow burn, spicy MM, workplace hockey romance, the Jacksonville Rays go international when their Swedish star forward and the team’s physical therapist have to stage a very real fake marriage!

The author will be in conversation with and .

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To make this event safe and enjoyable for all attendees, please read the below guidelines ahead of buying a ticket, so you know what to expect on the day. To avoid disappointment, we must stress that there will be no access to the event for non-ticketholders.

BOOK ADMISSION - $21.35 (Admission + one signed copy of ): **LIMITED QUANTITY AVAILABLE**: A ticket PER PERSON includes:

• One signed, personalized copy of Trade paperback.
• Admission to the event space with , and .

• The authors will pose for photos during the signing. Photos may be taken from in front of the table. A B&N bookseller will be on-hand to assist.
• Emily will personalize ONE copy of per attendee. Attendees may bring up to four additional books to get signed (signature only). The authors' backlist will be available for purchase at the event.
• Seating will be provided on a first-come, first-served basis.
• Any gifts for the author will be collected prior to the photo line.

• Other books by the author will be available for purchase at Barnes & Noble - Settlers Ridge.

• Due to health and safety and space limitations, those without a ticket will not be permitted into the event space.

• No memorabilia will be signed at the event.
• No large bags will be permitted into the event.

• Please arrive on time according to your ticket in order to secure your seat in the event space. Late arrivals may only have access to standing room and may not have the opportunity to enter the event space.

• The exact time at which the event ends will be determined on the day. To avoid disappointment, we strongly advise you to arrive on time for the event. Late arrivals may not have the opportunity to meet the author.

• All event guidelines are subject to change.

• If you have any additional questions, please can call the store directly at: (412) 809-8300.

• Barnes & Noble may cancel this event at any time with or without notice to the ticket holders.

Please note that Eventbrite is the only authorized dealer for this event. Each person must have a ticket to enter.

Attendees can receive refunds up to 1 day (24 hours) before your event start TIME of 7 PM.

If you are unable to attend the event, Barnes & Noble - Settlers Ridge, PA will hold your book(s) for seven days after the event. Please contact the store to arrange your pickup.

Should this event be canceled due to changing COVID-19 concerns, all customers will be refunded their ticket price to the original method of payment per Eventbrite's refund policy.

Event guidelines are subject to change.

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ABOUT PUCKING STRONG:

Oh god, I’ve got to get over this crush! I’m a doctor now, a respected professional. And Henrik doesn’t even know I exist. So you tell me why I’m risking everything to follow this man halfway around the world!
After receiving news of his sister’s tragic death, Henrik must fly to Sweden to retrieve his injured, grieving young niece. But with a new hockey season about to start, Henrik can’t possibly care for her alone. In fact, the Swedish government won’t let him. He needs me. They both do. I’d be heartless not to help—right?
Well, that’s what I told myself last week as I signed our Swedish marriage license. It’s what I told myself yesterday as I moved into his apartment. And it’s what I’m telling myself now as the Rays PR Director stares us down. They want this marriage to look real. The team’s public image, our jobs, and Henrik’s custody agreement all depend on it.
But my problem isn’t that I don’t love my fake husband. God help me, my problem is that I do.

ABOUT EMILY RATH:

Emily Rath is a New York Times and internationally bestselling author whose chart-topping, sex-positive, queer-inclusive novels include the Second Sons Regency romances, the Tuonela Duet fantasy novels, and the Why Choose Tiktok sensation, the Jacksonville Rays Hockey Romances. A former university professor, she holds PhDs in Political Science and Peace Studies. Emily was born in Florida, raised in Kentucky, and now lives in the Pacific Northwest with her husband, son, and cats. She can be found online at EmilyRathBooks.com, on Instagram @emilyrathauthor and on Tiktok @emilyrathbooks.

ABOUT M.A. WARDELL:

Writing as M.A. Wardell, LAMBDA Literary Award nominee Matt writes spicy queer rom-coms.​ His goal is to tell adult gay love stories with a diverse representation of flawed and damaged characters who find healing through love. Matt loves rom-coms and has always wished for better representation, so he's writing the stories he wishes existed. The queer men in his stories are flawed and messy. Helping them find their HEA is Matt's passion.

ABOUT C. P. HARRIS:

When not writing, C.P. Harris can be found reading about the flawed, possessive characters often reflected in her own work. She prefers her love stories a little toxic, a lot complicated, with a happily ever after well worth the struggle it took to get there. If being wrecked by romance is your jam, then C.P. may be the author for you.

Event Venue

Barnes & Noble - Settlers Ridge, 800 Settlers Ridge Center Drive, Pittsburgh, United States