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Hockey Romance Books: The Best Reads for Heated Rivalry Fans in 2026
The best hockey romance books for fans of enemies-to-lovers, rivals-to-lovers, and sports romance. Top reads, series, and where to start in 2026.
Verto Editorial
Contributing Editor
June 19, 2026
Updated June 19, 2026 · 7 min read
Bottom line: Hockey romance is the fastest-growing subgenre in sports romance, and Rachel Reid’s Heated Rivalry is the book that started it all. Whether you’re new to the genre or looking for your next read after finishing the Game Changers series, this guide covers the best hockey romance books in 2026.
Hockey romance has become a dominant force in the romance genre. What started as a niche subgenre has exploded into bestseller lists, BookTok fame, and multiple series spanning dozens of books. The appeal is straightforward: hockey provides a built-in world of tension, rivalry, forced proximity, and athleticism — the perfect backdrop for romance.
If you’re new to hockey romance, or you’ve read Heated Rivalry and need to know what to read next, this guide covers the essential books and series.
The Book That Started It All: Heated Rivalry
Rachel Reid’s Heated Rivalry (Game Changers #2) is the book most frequently credited with launching the hockey romance boom. It follows Shane Hollander and Ilya Rozanov — star players on rival teams who have been hooking up in secret for years while competing for the same awards.
Why it works: The tension is exquisite. The rivalry is genuine — they want to beat each other. But the connection is undeniable. Reid balances on-ice competition with off-ice vulnerability in a way that feels earned rather than contrived.
Read this if: You want enemies-to-lovers, slow burn, secret relationship, and emotional depth beyond the typical sports romance.
Essential Hockey Romance Series
| Series | Author | Books | Vibe | Start With |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Game Changers | Rachel Reid | 6 books | Emotional, queer-inclusive, high heat | Role Model (book 1) or Heated Rivalry (book 2) |
| Off-Campus | Elle Kennedy | 4 books | College sports, banter, classic tropes | The Deal |
| Briar U | Elle Kennedy | 4 books | College, spinoff of Off-Campus | The Chase |
| Vancouver Storm | Stephanie Archer | 3 books | Pro hockey, romantic comedy | The Right Move |
| Chicago Falcons | Piper Rayne | 6 books | Small-town, family saga, comedy | The Trade |
| Brooklyn Hockey | Sarina Bowen | 6 books | Pro hockey, series romance | Brooklynaire |
Top Standalone Hockey Romance Books
If you prefer a single book rather than a series commitment, these are the best standalone hockey romances:
Icebreaker by Hannah Grace College hockey romance between a figure skater and a hockey player who are forced to share the same practice rink. Enemies-to-lovers with strong found-family elements. This is the most popular hockey romance on BookTok.
The Deal by Elle Kennedy The original college hockey romance. A hockey player needs tutoring from a smart, driven woman who has no interest in jocks. Classic bet-turned-relationship with excellent banter.
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The Right Move by Stephanie Archer Professional hockey romance with a fake dating setup. The MMC is a grumpy, stoic defenseman who asks his teammate’s sister to pose as his girlfriend. Proximity and tension delivered as promised.
Role Model by Rachel Reid Book 5 in the Game Changers series but works as a standalone. A closeted NHL enforcer falls for a social media influencer. Slow-burn, queer romance with genuine character development.
Underrated Hockey Romance Books Worth Reading
- The Long Game by Rachel Reid — The sequel to Heated Rivalry. Picks up years later with Shane and Ilya navigating their public relationship and the pressures of long-term commitment in the NHL.
- Common Goal by Rachel Reid — A veteran goalie questioning his career and sexuality finds connection with a younger bartender. Gentle, emotional, and deeply satisfying.
- Brooklynaire by Sarina Bowen — NHL team owner falls for his personal assistant. Wealth disparity romance with genuine warmth.
- The Chase by Elle Kennedy — A hockey player falls for his coach’s daughter. Forbidden romance with strong comedic beats.
Hockey Romance Tropes (And Where to Find Them)
| Trope | Best Book |
|---|---|
| Enemies to lovers | Heated Rivalry |
| Forced proximity | The Right Move |
| Fake dating | The Right Move |
| Grumpy/sunshine | Icebreaker |
| Secret relationship | Heated Rivalry |
| Best friend’s sister | The Deal |
| Coach’s daughter | The Chase |
| Queer awakening | Common Goal |
How to Read Hockey Romance in Order
For the Game Changers series:
- Game Changer
- Heated Rivalry
- Tough Guy
- Common Goal
- Role Model
- The Long Game
For the Off-Campus series:
- The Deal
- The Mistake
- The Score
- The Goal
For Briar U:
- The Chase
- The Risk
- The Play
- The Dare
Final Verdict
Hockey romance is the perfect entry point to sports romance — the hockey setting provides structure and tension without requiring sports knowledge. Start with Heated Rivalry if you want emotional depth, Icebreaker if you want BookTok energy, or The Deal if you want classic college romance tropes. All three are excellent, and each will lead you deeper into a genre with dozens more books waiting.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Why are hockey romance books so popular?
Hockey romance combines the tension of elite athletic competition with forced proximity (teammates, rival players, shared housing) and high stakes. The genre offers consistent tropes — enemies-to-lovers, found family, grumpy-sunshine — within a familiar sports framework. Rachel Reid's Heated Rivalry series is widely credited with popularizing the subgenre.
What are the best hockey romance books for beginners?
Start with Rachel Reid's Heated Rivalry — it's the gateway book that converted thousands of readers to hockey romance. Follow with Icebreaker by Hannah Grace for a college setting, or The Deal by Elle Kennedy for a classic enemies-to-lovers sports romance. Each represents a different flavor of the genre.
Are hockey romance books interconnected or standalone?
Most hockey romance books are part of series that follow a team, allowing recurring character appearances while each book focuses on a different couple. You can read most as standalones, but reading in series order enhances the experience. Elle Kennedy's Off-Campus series and Rachel Reid's Game Changers series are both best read in order.
Do I need to know hockey to enjoy hockey romance?
Not at all. The hockey setting provides structure — practices, games, road trips, team dynamics — but the romance is the focus. Authors explain hockey terminology naturally through context. If you understand that hockey involves skates, sticks, goals, and checking, you know enough to enjoy any book on this list.
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