More Than a Puck

by Emory Winters

The Big Cat Hockey League is thrilled to announce tonight's unlikely face-off! Playing to win is the Nashville Nasher's star forward, snow leopard Wilder Rowe, and none other than the fierce, retired Lion defenseman-turned-coach Embry Dean. Everything is on the line as the two figure out if love and life is more than just a puck...
Wilder Rowe
A month's suspension from the league sucks, but assisting the hot alpha coach that I spent my teenage years crushing on doesn't sound like much of a punishment, does it?
Except, for reasons I can't understand, the dude seems to hate me. Nothing I do is right. I’m pretty sure I can’t even breathe correctly around him, and oh boy, if looks could kill...
But you don't get to be one of the best players in the BCHL as an omega by quitting at the first hurdle, and I'm determined to make Embry Dean like me if it's the last thing I do.

Embry Dean
Why do Wilder Rowe's suspension terms feel like I’m the one being punished?
I had Wilder figured out the moment I laid eyes on him as a cocky 18 year old in the Big Kitten League.
Playing the class clown matters more than applying himself, and as someone whose career got cut short due to injury, it’s infuriating to watch him take it all for granted.
The fact he’s the best smelling omega I’ve ever scented—meaningless. And the accidental kiss we share is just a trip of mouths. When he breaks into my house to take care of me? Trespassing and not endearing at all… because there’s no way I could possibly have been wrong about the aggravating snow leopard, right?

Genres: Omegaverse, Shapeshifters, M M Romance

282 pages, Kindle Edition

Expected publication November 19, 2026

About the author

Having been an avid reader her whole life, Emory got back into writing in early 2023. She began writing the first draft of Star-crossed Betas in June of the same year, and the story spilled out of her onto paper in just seven weeks.

It didn’t take long for Emory to realise that there were more love stories to be told and a larger mystery at hand, so it became book one of a four-part series.

In the rare moments Emory isn’t writing or editing, she can usually be found reading with her cat, Buffy. Or, in better weather, out walking in the beautiful Yorkshire scenery that provided the perfect backdrop for her books.

Reviews

[Whisper Wallen · Rating 3.5 out of 5]

I was really loving the first 50%. The characters worked well together and it was sweet with the caretaking. But the second half just wasn’t it for me. Not to give any spoilers but those who don’t like 3rd act breakup this unfortunately has one. I finished it and loved the ending but it was like whiplash and I didn’t like that at all.

[Jessica Swan · Rating 4.25 out of 5]

Thank you to the author for the ARC!

This was SO CUTE. I loved the characters and the wholesomeness of the romance. The snuggle piles!!!! The nesting!!! Truly just such a good book and I cannot wait for more books in this series to come out. <3

[Ema · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved it as a whole but the 3rd act breakup was not necessary. It was there just to add more drama which i get but to make it last two years? That was too much, i was wondering if those book even has an HEA as a couple or if we will see how they moved on with their life after their one big love

[Diane · Rating 4.5 out of 5]

So there are two things I hate in a book, one of which is an instant DNF for me & that is cheating. Thankfully there wasn’t that in this book, but there was the other thing I hate in my books but is not an automatic DNF. That would be the stupid unnecessary breakup towards the end of the book to add drama. There isn’t a need for that IMO, but that is just my opinion. That is why I rated it 4.5 instead of 5 stars. Putting that aside, I loved it. I especially love the snuggles that they do. It’s so sweet. So, we have Emery who misjudged Wilder when he first lays eyes on him, thinking he is a showboater. Fast forward to after Embry has a to retire from the game due to severe concussion that has major lasting effects. So we find him taking over coaching duties after his dad retires. Wilder gets into trouble after attacking another player on the ice and has to serve a 30-day suspension and is sent to help out with Embry’s team, being basically his gofer. Emery likes the smell of him and he knows that Embry is his mate, but he doesn’t want to give into his feelings at first. But once he does, I loved seeing them together and the teams. Then the thing that really made me mad, the unnecessary breakup. But they do get their HEA. I can’t wait for more in this series.

I rec’d a copy of this book from GRR and this is my honest opinion.

[Dora Hasko · Rating 5 out of 5]

ARC copy received from the author.

Emory Winters’ More Than a Puck is sweet yet bittersweet, beautiful yet painful, and above all, it explores important, serious themes.

Our main characters are big-cat shifters. And, of course, they play in the Big Cat League.

Or rather, they used to. Embry, a famous and exceptionally talented lion-shifter alpha, has to work as a coach instead of playing because of an injury. Meanwhile, Wilder, a snow-leopard-shifter omega with special abilities, is suspended and has to work alongside Embry as an assistant coach for a month.

Wilder doesn't mind at all, because Embry is his longtime secret, unrequited love.

Embry, on the other hand, is furious. Why does he, of all people, have to take this frivolous, scatterbrained kid under his wing?!

Of course, Embry completely misunderstands not only Wilder but also his own feelings. And thanks to their forced proximity, he soon discovers that this omega isn't nearly as repulsive as he thought. In fact, he smells wonderful, has a beautiful smile, and, if you ask Embry's alpha, he's his omega! (And this very willing omega believes he's finally found his mate. 😍)

But just when Embry finally has Wilder in his arms, life intervenes and puts serious obstacles in their way.

Wilder and Embry have to fight for their happiness, because sometimes love really is worth fighting for. After all, nothing in life comes for free, but happiness is worth the price.

And through it all, we readers get to enjoy Emory Winters’ beautiful, poetic writing about love, passion, longing, friendship, heartbreak, nesting 😋😍, and family ties. Thank you for the experience—I really enjoyed it. 😊

[Bere Peltier · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a beautifully written alpha/omega shifter hockey MM romance featuring a snow leopard and a lion! This book has it all: longing, pining, dislike to lovers, lovers to something like friends and then back to lovers again.

I absolutely adore this couple. They feel so real, and the struggles they go through genuinely hurt as you read their story. I cried, laughed, and fell in love with both of them.

The family dynamics were another highlight for me. We get to see two completely opposite family environments and how deeply they shape and affect their children. I swear, my heart broke for them so many times, but I also felt like I was part of their happy family.

And everything they go through and do just to be together is so beautiful. They truly deserved their happy ending! ❤️

I laughed, I cried, I suffered, and I fell in love. An absolute must read! Highly recommended!

Gay romance reviews gave me this book in exchange of my honest opinion.

[Jenya Cro · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this book, devoured it within a day. The big cat snuggle puddles, the pining and the happy ever after! A big cat shifter hockey omegaverse, ticked off all the boxes for me, Embry and Wilders love story was so beautifully written and sometimes stressful which added to the story. I hope for more books to come from this world!

[Tammy Parker · Rating 5 out of 5]

***ARC ***

Thank you so much for writing this book with a character that has migraines. Very rewarding that a author takes that approach to a medical issue. So thank you!

Wilder was such a sweet, lighthearted character. I enjoyed him alot.

Embry was at first more reserved, but he too came around.
Loved that they finally fought for their love in the end.

[Kayla Allen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really freakin go good! I loved the big car shifter hockey and these two were adorable! It was a little angsty and made my heart hurt but it made the ending all that much sweeter! This is a book I feel confident recommending to anyone!

[Annette✨ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Review to come