October and November mark the start of the National Hockey League season, a great time of year to read hockey romance novels. The romance genre is a broad category that encompasses many subgenres, themes, and tropes, with some of the best romance books based on the time of year. Fall is the perfect opportunity to cozy up with witchy romances, while summer vacation romances are ideal in the summer. As winter quickly approaches and the NHL season gets into full swing, Now is the perfect time to consider reading some hockey romance books.
There is a wide selection of hockey romances to choose from, featuring a variety of tropes, character personalities, and situations. Many of these books are popular on BookTok, but some may not be as well known. Some hockey stories also make great LGBTQ+ romance books, although there aren’t that many. Popular tropes in hockey romances include rivals with benefits, sunny and grumpy, fake dating, and best friend’s brother. However, tropes don’t make a romance book great – the relationship should be fascinating. Fortunately, several hockey romance books contain compelling romantic relationships.
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Heated rivalry over Rachel Reid
The second in the Game Changers series
Heated rivalry by Rachel Reid is her second book Game changers books, an LGBTQ+ hockey romance series. The two tracks, Shane Hollander and Ilya Rozanov are sworn rivals because of the teams they play for, but they already established their rivalry before they were even called up to the NHL. However, they quickly begin a secret, no-strings-attached relationship that eventually turns into an epic romance. Shane and Ilya are an iconic couple, with their electrifying chemistry on and off the ice, flirty banter, and undying devotion.
Although Game changers is a series of independent novels, the last book in the series, The long gameis actually a direct sequence of Heated rivalryportraying all the obstacles that Shane and Ilya must overcome for their relationship to work. Heated rivalry It has high levels of spice, but also a lot of heart. It’s impossible not to root for Shane and Ilya’s romance, despite Shane’s anxieties and Ilya’s reservations about their relationship. Heated rivalry is the perfect book to read while watching this NHL season.
9
On Ice by Kelly Farmer
The first book in the Out On The Ice series
About that, On ice is the first book in a hockey romance trilogy by Kelly Farmer. It revolves around a former hockey player, Caro Cassidy, who is now a coach, and a current hockey player hired to mentor kids at the camp, Amy Schwarzbach. On ice It’s a rewarding romance, given everything Caro and Amy go through individually and together. Both characters show excellent growth, which only strengthens the romance. Furthermore, On ice is a perfect illustration of why there needs to be more sapphic sports romance books.
8
Play With Me by Becka Mack
The second book about playing forever
Play with me is the second book in the popular series by Becka Mack Playing forever series, focusing on the romance between hockey player Garrett Andersen and dancer Jennie Beckett. Their relationship has an extra flavor since Jennie is the younger sister of Garrett’s team captain, making it a somewhat forbidden romance. Although their relationship starts out as a friends-with-benefits arrangement, they slowly let their walls down and become more vulnerable with each other, making their romance that much more satisfying.
7
Icebreaker by Hannah Grace
The First Book in Maple Hills
Icebreaker is Hannah Grace’s first book Maple Hills series, and Nate and Anastasia’s romance is an excellent way to start these books. Nate is not just a hockey player, but Anastasia is a figure skater, and the forced proximity of sharing a skating rink makes the prospect of their inevitable romance that much more exciting. It becomes even more interesting when Anastasia asks Nate for help with figure skating because she urgently needs a temporary partner. It’s comical when Nate gets into figure skating, but it also adds to the risk of their dynamic.
The chemistry between Nate and Anastasia is immediate, even though their relationship starts out as difficult friends. The relationship they build over time is also incredibly rewarding. Another great aspect about Icebreaker is that it’s more than just an epic romance – Nate and Anastasia are well-written characters who are easy to fall in love with. Both Nate and Anastasia face everyday struggles that make them that much more real and relatable. Icebreaker is another great way to start the NHL season, especially for those who also enjoy figure skating.
6
Closing by Avery Keelan
The second book of the rules of the game
Avery Keelan’s second book Game rules The series features the romance of another teammate’s sister. However, Closing is still considerably different Play with me — both the circumstances and the risks differ significantly from Becka Mack’s book. Closing revolves around Seraphina and Tyler, who unexpectedly become roommates for the yearalong with Seraphina’s brother and another teammate. They spend the night together on Halloween, so their roommate experience begins right after that memorable occasion, even if they don’t become intimate again right away.
Seraphina and Tyler’s relationship is difficult to maintain, as they have their own problems. Seraphina has ADHD and is battling her mother’s cancer, while Tyler carries many burdens that he can’t control all the time. However, they also establish a great friendship before resuming their relationship, complicating their dynamic. There is also no separation in the third act, which can be off-putting in romance novels, especially since the trope is overdone. Seraphina and Tyler’s love story is certainly worth reading, and the sensitive themes are handled with respect.
5
Uncover Me by Becka Mack
The third book about playing forever
Playing forever is an excellent hockey romance series overall, and Unravel me, the third book, is another ideal installment for the NHL season. Unravel me goes in a totally different direction as it revolves around a famous hockey player and a single mother. Adam Lockwood, the male lead, fears developing romantic relationships because people have used him to gain fame. However, Rosie, the female lead, doesn’t know who he is, which is the perfect scenario for someone like Adam, who has been burned many times.
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Playing through the Keeps series By Becka Mack |
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Book title |
Publication date |
Tropes |
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Consider me |
March 22, 2022 |
Reformed bad boy, obsessed boy |
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Play with me |
October 4, 2022 |
Best friend’s brother/best friend’s younger sister, forbidden romance |
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Unravel me |
August 1, 2023 |
Insta Hookup, Hidden Identity, Single Mom |
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Fall with me |
July 31, 2024 |
Enemies to lovers, one-night stands, roommates with benefits |
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Breathe with me |
TBD |
TBD |
Unravel me also contains plenty of drama, as Rosie struggles to finish veterinary school as a single mother, and Adam harbors a terrible secret. Despite all the drama, Rosie and Adam’s romance has a lot of spice, although they also have many similarities. The tropes in Unravel me aren’t very frequent in hockey romances, another reason why this book is so unique. Unravel me is Becka Mack at her best, with two flawed protagonists, a compelling narrative, and an epic romance that’s definitely worth reading.
4
Collide by Bal Khabra
The First Out of Ice Book
Starting Bal Khabra Off the ice series, Collide features psychology student Summer Preston and hockey player Aiden Crawford. Despite their initial dislike for each other, fate forces them together when Summer needs Aiden to be her research partner on her project. Collide portrays a sweet romance where opposites attract and unexpected love occurs. Confession of love also happens in the rain, one of the most romantic ways of confessing love in fiction. Collide It’s a quick and fun read, but still unlike any other hockey novel.
3
The Fake By Stephanie Archer
The Second Book in Vancouver Storm
The False Exit by Stephanie Archer is the second book in Storm in Vancouver series, which revolves around Hazel Hartley and hockey player Rory Miller as they create a fake relationship so Hazel can get revenge on her ex-boyfriend. The False Exit is the perfect fake dating romance bookembodying everything that makes the trope iconic – intense chemistry, a genuine friendship, rule-breaking, and a “will they, won’t they” dynamic to die for. The False Exit It’s a typical hockey romance book, but it should be glossed over. In truth, The False Exit is a must-read hockey romance classic this season.
2
Center Ice by Julia Connors
The First Boston Rebels Book
Julia Connors started the Boston Rebels books in 2024 with the first installment, Ice Center. It has unusual, often highly controversial tropes like secret baby and second-chance romance. The narrative follows Drew and Audrey, two people who spend a night just before Drew is drafted into the NHL. Upon returning to Boston five years later Drew discovers that their one-night stand resulted in a child, which causes him to reevaluate his priorities. Despite these tropes, Ice Center It’s a great book.
Ice Center describes Audrey and Drew’s dynamic as a head and heart situation, with Drew representing the heart while Audrey represents the head.
Drew and Audrey’s dynamic doesn’t feel too contrived, and they should work on their relationship, especially for their son, Graham. Drew also has feelings for Audrey, feelings that began in college and that emerged after their reunion.complicating their potential romance. Audrey is much more reluctant to rekindle any romances, despite their old friendship from college when she taught Drew calculus. Ice Center describes Audrey and Drew’s dynamic as a head and heart situation, with Drew representing the heart while Audrey represents the head. As a result, it creates a fascinating narrative and romance.
1
Daydreaming by Hannah Grace
The Third Book in Maple Hills
All Maple Hills books worth reading, but Daydream is the best and most creative yet. It revolves around the series’ fan-favorite character, hockey player Henry Turner, as he unexpectedly befriends nerdy writer Halle Jacobs. Their friendship eventually turns into a beautiful romance based on trust, loyalty and devotion. Halle also ends up tutoring Henry, where they really get to know each other. Halle is a complex and easy-to-root for protagonist, although there is much more to Henry than meets the eye. Daydream is the ideal book to read this NHL season.