You've probably seen the cover. It’s moody, elegant, and looks nothing like the neon-bright sports romances currently flooding the Kindle Unlimited charts. North Is the Night Emily Rath is doing something very different. Most people hear "hockey romance" and think of locker rooms, modern-day chirping, and maybe a social media scandal. Rath basically said, "Hold my skates," and transported the entire genre back to the 1920s.
It’s bold.
Honestly, the "Pucks & Prohibition" series is a bit of a gamble. Historical romance is usually the domain of Regency ballrooms or Victorian parlors. Mixing the brutal, early days of the NHL with the smoky, underground world of the Jazz Age shouldn't work this well, but it does. North Is the Night follows the story of Ilmari "Ike" Laine, a character who has lived rent-free in readers' heads since he appeared in the prequel, The Redemption. If you’re looking for a cookie-cutter story, this isn't it.
Why the setting of North Is the Night Emily Rath changes everything
The 1920s weren't just about flapper dresses and Gatsby-style parties. It was a gritty, transitional era. For the characters in North Is the Night, the world is still reeling from the Great War. This isn't just "flavor" or "aesthetic." The trauma of the past informs every decision Ike makes. Emily Rath manages to weave the historical reality of 1920s Chicago and Montreal into the narrative without making it feel like a dry history textbook.
You've got the rise of organized crime. You've got the raw, outdoor-rink energy of early professional hockey. The skates were literal blades of steel strapped to leather boots. No high-tech padding. Just blood, ice, and a lot of heart.
Most people get it wrong when they assume historical romance has to be "soft." North Is the Night is anything but soft. It’s visceral. The stakes feel higher because, back then, everything was more precarious. A single injury could end a career. A single scandal could land you in a cell. Rath leans into that tension. She uses the atmosphere of the Prohibition era to mirror the internal suppression her characters feel.
The Ike and June dynamic
Let’s talk about Ilmari Laine. He’s the "Fin" we’ve all been waiting for. In the prequel, he was the steady, silent type, but in North Is the Night, we finally get under his skin. He’s a man of few words, which makes the moments he actually speaks feel like a sledgehammer to the chest.
Then there’s June. She isn't your typical historical "damsel." She’s sharp. She’s navigating a world that wants to put her in a box, and her chemistry with Ike is—well, it’s explosive. Rath is known for her "spicy" scenes, and she doesn't hold back here, but the emotional intimacy is what actually carries the weight. You feel the longing. You feel the desperation of two people trying to find a North Star in a world that feels increasingly dark.
Breaking the "Sports Romance" Mold
Traditional sports romance often relies on the "big game" as the primary plot driver. While the hockey in North Is the Night is expertly written—Rath clearly knows her puck possession and period-accurate rules—it’s the character study that matters most.
The book tackles heavy themes. We're talking about grief, the search for identity, and the heavy burden of expectation. Ike is carrying the weight of his family and his heritage. June is fighting for a sense of self-worth that isn't tied to the men in her life.
- The pacing is deliberate. It’s a slow burn that actually feels earned.
- Unlike some modern romances that rush to the "happily ever after" in 200 pages, this is a journey.
- The secondary characters aren't just props; they feel like real people with their own messy lives.
People often ask if you need to read the prequel first. Kinda? The Redemption sets the stage and introduces the core group, but North Is the Night is strong enough to stand on its own. However, seeing Ike’s growth from a side character to a lead is incredibly satisfying.
The Emily Rath Phenomenon
Emily Rath has built a massive following, particularly on TikTok and Instagram, because she understands what readers want: high-heat romance paired with genuinely high-quality prose. She doesn't talk down to her audience.
She also doesn't shy away from the darker parts of history. The 1920s were a time of massive inequality and social upheaval. While the book is a romance first, it acknowledges the world its characters inhabit. This groundedness is why North Is the Night resonates with people who usually find "fluff" boring. It feels real.
There’s also the sheer length. Rath writes "chonky" books. We’re talking 500+ pages. In an era of short, snappy, 250-page novellas, Rath is giving us a feast. It allows for world-building that most romance authors just don't have the space for. You live in 1925 by the time you're halfway through. You can practically smell the woodsmoke and the cold air of the rink.
Accuracy and the "Pucks & Prohibition" Era
Rath did her homework. The details of the early NHL—the "Original Six" era vibes before the league even fully crystallized—are spot on. The way the game was played, the lack of forward passing in certain zones, the sheer physicality of it... it’s all there.
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But she also gets the social nuances right. The way people spoke, the clothes, the social hierarchies. It’s immersive. When you read North Is the Night, you aren't just reading a story; you're stepping into a time machine.
What Most People Get Wrong About Ike Laine
There’s a misconception that Ike is just another "brooding hero." That’s a massive oversimplification. Ike’s silence isn't a personality trait; it’s a survival mechanism. He’s a man caught between two worlds—his Finnish roots and his American reality.
He’s incredibly protective, but not in a "alpha-jerk" way. It’s a quiet, fierce devotion. June doesn't need "saving" in the traditional sense, and Ike realizes that. He supports her. He stands by her. It’s a partnership of equals, which is refreshing for a story set in the 1920s.
Honestly, the way they handle conflict is more mature than 90% of the contemporary romances I've read lately. They talk. They struggle. They mess up, but they try.
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Actionable Insights for Readers
If you're ready to dive into the world of North Is the Night Emily Rath, here is how to get the most out of the experience:
- Read "The Redemption" first. Even though you can jump straight into North Is the Night, the emotional payoff for Ike’s story is 10x stronger if you’ve seen where he started. It’s a quick read and sets the atmospheric tone for the series.
- Clear your schedule. This is not a "read in one sitting" book unless you have ten hours to spare. It’s a meal, not a snack. Give the story room to breathe.
- Pay attention to the historical cameos. Rath weaves in real-world history and figures that give the setting an extra layer of legitimacy.
- Don't skip the Author's Note. Emily Rath often provides context on her research and the historical liberties she may have taken, which is fascinating for history buffs.
- Check the content warnings. Like most of Rath's work, this book deals with mature themes and some heavy emotional content. It’s always good to know what you’re getting into before you start.
The "Pucks & Prohibition" series is far from over. With North Is the Night, Rath has solidified her place as a powerhouse in the sub-genre of historical sports romance—a niche she basically carved out herself. It’s a testament to the fact that readers want more than just tropes; they want stories that feel as big and complex as real life.
Make sure you’ve got a comfortable spot and maybe a glass of something "Prohibition-friendly" nearby. You’re going to be in 1920s Chicago for a while.