Heated Rivalry was a surprise TV hit, and the books by Rachel Reid have shot up the New York Times bestseller charts since its release. Season one is finished and the long wait for season two begins, but that doesn’t mean you have to be done with hockey romance. Not by a longshot.
From center ice to the goal, preseason to the Stanley Cup, and MM to MF, here are five hockey romances to tide you over until the next power play.
The Rest of the Story by Tal Bauer (2023)
View on Amazon.com
When it comes to MM sports romance, few authors are better reviewed than Tal Bauer. The books are so popular they named a brand of hockey skates after him. (Not really.)
Two co-captains are tasked with rebuilding a bottom of the barrel team. It is a toxic locker room, and Morgan hopes to get in and get out as soon as he can. However, Shea catches his eye and soon the two are working together to turn this going nowhere team into a contender.
This book is heavy on the hockey in a way some other books on this list are not, but the slow burn and the steam build just the same. The Rest of the Story is a tale of redemption, finding yourself, and, of course, love.
The Pilot & the Puck-Up by Pippa Grant (2018)
View on Amazon.com
Zeus Berger is a king on the ice. Big muscles, big ego, and a big mouth.
Josephine (Joey) Diamonte is a no-nonsense adventure pilot who is far from a girly girl.
Their attraction is instant and intense in this sometimes wacky romantic comedy. The steam levels are higher than average in this Dual POV with a HEA. This is the first book in the Copper Valley Thrusters series, but it can be read as a standalone.
View on Amazon.com
An age-gap, grumpy x sunshine romance where an older defenseman takes a talented rookie center under his wing… off the ice. This isn’t a one-night stand romance, but one that builds and grows over a long period of time.
There is comedy, steam, and feel-good moments throughout, but the story takes you places that you don’t expect it to. A fluffy romance this is not. A fulfilling story this is.
Warning: You’re probably going to cry.
View on Amazon.com
Rupert Smythe is a smart and thoughtful businessman who finds himself running a professional hockey team. The complete wrong fit. Callum, a star player for another team, is part-owner of Rupert’s team and is determined to help. They clash instantly, but that is only the beginning of their story.
Hockey is more of a backdrop in this story, but it still hits the right notes. It’s a love story, of course, but also a story of found family and coming out.
Irresistible You by Kate Meader (2017)
View on Amazon.com
After the death of her father, Harper Chase becomes the most powerful woman in the NHL as owner of the Chicago Rebels. She’s determined to make it work and won’t let anything, including star center Remy DuPre, stop her. (A Cajun hockey star? Sure. Of course.)
They both have their own reasons that they need to make the playoffs. They both feel an attraction to the other. Everything says they shouldn’t, but sparks are sparks and these two have them.
The first in the Chicago Rebels Series that gets better as it goes on.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Vince is the Entertainment Editor at Book Notification. His first book was Green Eggs & Ham by Dr. Seuss, and his passion for reading took off from there. He'll read just about anything, but can usually be found re-reading his favorite Pynchon novels and Seattle Mariners box scores.