20 Best Hockey Romance Books to Get in The Rink

I wasn’t a fan of sports romance, much less hockey romance, so I never found myself on the hockey romance bandwagon that readers jumped in recently. A sexy cover and the fake dating trope hooked me in one day, and I realized I’d been an idiot because sports (or hockey) romances are just as adorable as any other romance.

I went through a phase where I read most of the books in this list one immediately after the other, because once you finish one hockey romance, you absolutely need another one to satisfy your craving for the rink.

So puck-er up and get ready to hit the ice to explore romance, hockey style!

Best Hockey Romance Books List

What’s Hockey Romance?

Hockey romance is a subgenre of romance with stories that revolve around a hockey player as the MC. We usually get a series of interconnected standalones – often with one book per character/player.

Hockey romance authors bring in some favorite tropes like fake dating, brother’s best friend, forbidden love, and opposites attract to the plot, so the stories have you hooked from the get-go. It’s easy to settle in when these tropes are involved, because you know the story’s going to be light, sexy, and warm.

My misgivings about hockey romances were soon swept away by tall, muscular, sweaty jocks skating in the rink and being all sweet and adorable off the rink. Needless to say, I quickly gave myself a stern talking to for being late to the party and went right into hockey romance, determined not to be left out of the rink any longer.

My spice meter will help you on this if you’re looking for some naughty action, both on and off the rink. This is my personal opinion, and your smut preferences might vary, but the meter will give you some idea of the level of smut in each book.

• 🌶️– sexual language and a little on-page action
• 🌶️🌶️– a lot of sexual language and some on-page action, may be occurring couple times
• 🌶️🌶️🌶️– some explicit action and dirty talk, occurring frequently
• 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️ – a lot of explicit action and dirty talk, occurring frequently
• 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️ – super graphic and explicit, occurring very frequently

Best Hockey Romance Book Reviews

1. The Deal – My Favorite

It’s true that you never forget your first because years after I read my first hockey romance, The Deal, I’m still swooning over it. This is the book that made me a fan of Elle Kennedy, hockey romance, and by extension, sports romance. Yeah, it really is just that good.

I think what drew me to The Deal were its characters. Hannah, our FMC, is a strong, independent woman who’s been through a lot, and her character growth throughout the book is so heartwarming to see. Garrett, despite his arrogant exterior, has his own vulnerabilities making him an absolutely endearing MMC. An added bonus is that he sounds really hot on paper – a hockey captain who is cocky yet caring? Take all my money and get me a Garrett Graham.

This book hit all the right notes for me because it featured one of my favorite tropes of all time – fake dating! I couldn’t get enough of the tension and chemistry between Hannah and Garrett, especially when they had those jealousy-fueled, possessive moments, while denying any sort of interest in each other (cue eye roll).

Garrett’s fiercely protective nature? Absolutely on point! The standard alpha-male is hot as sin, right? But this one was devastatingly so – Garrett struck a perfect balance between “don’t even think about crossing my girlfriend” and “I’m more than happy to be my girlfriend’s supportive sidekick, whether she’s handling things herself or not.” The slow burn of their romance was pure torture – in the best possible way.

The rollercoaster from having an unwilling tutor-student relationship to fake dating, to being friends and eventually lovers had me glued to the book like it was the hottest tea in town. Their witty banter, intense emotional connection, and undeniable attraction made the book an instant 5-star for me.

If you’re looking for a book that will leave you feeling all warm and bubbly inside or you want to get into sports romance, The Deal is the right book for you. Trust me, Elle Kennedy will not disappoint.

• Best for – Fans of fluff, rom coms, friends to lovers, fake dating, and hokey romances
• Not for – Readers who’re looking for more explicit content, a quick burn

2. The Mistake

When I fell head-over-heels with The Deal (and Garret!), the first in the Off-Campus series, it seemed only natural to pick up the second book featuring Logan. Elle Kennedy managed to reel me in with a crazy-addictive hockey romance in the first book, so I figured: why wouldn’t the second book deliver? And deliver it did, this time with a beautiful second chance romance trope.

Second chance romances make me cry every single time. These don’t just dwell on the relationship but also give us insight into how people grow and change with time, especially for the ones they love. Who can say no to a story like that?

John Logan, the MMC, is the perfect example of a character who turns a new leaf when he realizes he’s been stupid and careless. What’s even more perfect is that this guy spends an entire year pursuing Grace, our FMC, after a mistake causes her to push him away. This time around though, he shows her he’s in it for the long haul and proves it by working on himself.

Logan and Grace make the sweetest couple. They’re opposites but they go to such lengths to understand each other. I love that Kennedy didn’t spend the entire book focusing on the conflict between the pair. We actually get to see how their relationship grows, how good they are to each other, and how cute they are together. Honestly, when it comes to my favorite couples in the Off-Campus series, Logan and Grace are only a close second to Hannah and Garrett.

If you aren’t yet ready to let go of the Briar University hockey team after reading The Deal, then go start The Mistake today. From lovable tropes to characters who are just so easy to fall in love with, Kennedy has done it again!

• Best for – Fans of second chance romances, and opposites attract trope
• Not for – Readers who are looking for explicit content

3. The Score

Guess what I did after finishing the Mistake? Yep, I immediately picked up The Score, even though I had my doubts about Dean. His playboy reputation in the first two books was something else, so I was thinking, “There’s no way this guy can be redeemed.” But man, did Elle Kennedy prove me wrong!

Dean and Allie start out as this bickering pair of friends, you know, the kind who are only friends because their besties happen to be dating each other’s besties. But then, one accidental, totally-not-planned, drunken night happens, and suddenly they can’t get each other out of their heads. And just like that, the magic kicks in.

Dean is all about the “Life of Dean” – no worries, no stress, and definitely no overthinking. On the other hand, Allie lives her life by the book, following her meticulously outlined plan for the future. So when Dean persuades her to dip her toes into the “Life of Dean” to help her get over a breakup, they start to rub off on each other in the best possible way. I loved watching them become each others’ ride-or-die.

If you’re familiar with the “you came – you called” moment from Netflix’s Sandman, well, let’s just say there’s a similar moment in this story that also involves our favorites, Hannah and Garrett. It’s a moment that I could read over and over again because it’s just that awesome.

I think I’ll always have a soft spot for Dean and Allie cause they were just too damn adorable with each other. We get to see how an unlikely pair become each other’s lifelines, so in my opinion, Elle Kennedy really killed it in this one. Why wait, run and add this book to your TBR!

• Best for – Fans of friends-with-benefits, humor, and growth arcs.
• Not for –  Readers who are not a fan of casual sexual encounters and dislike third-act breakups. 

4. The Goal

The first three books in the Off-Campus series were spectacular reads, so I decided to pick up  the fourth one too. I cannot seem to get enough of this series, mostly because Elle Kennedy explores new tropes and fresh storylines in each new book of the series. So yes, The Goal is about our favorite Briar University hockey players, but it did not feel formulaic in the slightest.  

Now, I’ve seen a lot of reviewers saying that Tucker and Sabrina were their least favorite couple of the series, but for me, the book struck a soft chord. I have mad respect for the way they dealt with their accidental pregnancy – hella mature and responsible. 

Tucker’s the sweetest, the most sensible one from the friend group and he deserves the WHOLE world. He refuses to let go of his responsibility and is very clear about taking responsibility from the get go. Despite the many miscommunications which occur between him and Sabrina, he refuses to give up on them. I love a guy in hot pursuit, ready to show his girl how much he loves her, and Tucker does this perfectly. 

Sabrina can be a little harsh at times, but I loved that she was so understanding of Tucker from the beginning. She does not demand things from him and readily takes on her share of the responsibility. A queen who takes charge of her own life in spite of hurdles is everything. 

Together, both Sabrina and Tucker are perfect for each other. It was just frustrating to see them care for each other so much but refusing to get together 🙄. The angst is in full swing in this book because we are on edge, thinking ‘will they or won’t they?’ 

Elle Kennedy does not lose her magic in this book either, so if you’re not yet ready to let go of our favorite Briar Uni hockey team, this book is the right pick. But be warned, there will be a lot of tears!

• Best for – Fans of a slow burn, mature college themes 
• Not for – Readers who are uncomfortable with accidental pregnancies

5. Consider Me

When I saw the cover of Consider Me, I thought I was in for an angsty, emotional read. But I was pleasantly surprised to discover that this is a funny, OTT cheesy hockey romance.

Hockey romance features the reformed playboy trope a lot, but I’m not going to lie, I have zero complaints. Consider Me also follows this trope with Carter, our MMC, and Olivia, our FMC. Carter might start out as a douchebag to the world but he turns into such a lovable, goofy softball when he falls hard and fast for Olivia. When a guy falls first, and falls hard, consider me a goner.

This book’s a great break if you’re looking for a romance with little angst and tension. The cheese levels between Carter and Olivia were overflowing but I genuinely didn’t mind those moments because they made for such a warm read. 

The book is also VERY smutty. I did find some of the sex scenes a little cringe, namely with the wordplay, but I’m willing to overlook that because Becka Mack gave us such an adorable couple. 

I will also say that this book can also get a little repetitive at times, especially with the banter between the characters. However, this doesn’t take away the cuteness between Carter and Olivia, who show just how much they mean to each other, giving the book its well-earned reputation among hockey romance fans. 

It’s an easy and compelling read that rings similar to our favorite Off-Campus series, so definitely go for it if you’re looking for a cutesy hockey romance. This is the ideal pick if you want a reformed playboy trope without too much angst.

• Best for – Fans of reformed playboy trope
• Not for – Readers who like lots of angst

6. Pucked

After my obsession with hockey romance started, I heard through the book vines that there’s a must-read smutty one. You know what that means – lots of sexy times. That’s how I got into my first Helena Hunting romance, and boy, am I glad I found her. The book follows along the innuendo of the title itself, so settle in for a steamy read! 

A sensational one night stand between Violet and her step brother’s teammate, Alex, leads to them being unable to keep their hands off of each other. Do they have a ton of hot sex in this one? Yes. Are they idiots for not realizing that they’re perfect for each other outside of just the bedroom? Also yes. 

Don’t get me wrong, the book isn’t all smut. The relationship that develops between our two MCs is a true classic. It was so beautiful to see two well-written characters learning to trust each other, balancing each other out perfectly, and creating the most adorable dynamic between themselves. All the sexual and romantic tension in this book had me in pieces and to top it off, Hunting is hilarious – such a pleasant surprise in a smut-heavy novel. 

I thoroughly enjoyed this funny, sexy read and I became a fan of Helena Hunting – so I’d say it’s worth trying out. I highly recommend it for a weekend quick burn if you like the player type (I’m sure you do😄).

• Best for – Fans of smutty romance, playboy/quirky girl trope, rom com
• Not for – Readers who are looking for a slow burn

7. Him

I first came across this book when I was searching for more Elle Kennedy books to read. She wrote this with Sarina Bowen and I was super excited to read it, especially because it’s an M/M sports romance. 

This book is so, so good because the authors delivered the estranged best friends-to-lovers trope with absolute perfection. Jamie and Wes have been best friends since forever, meeting at a summer hockey camp every year as kids. But a misunderstanding one year leads them to not contact each other for four whole years (idiots, I tell you). They meet again at college during an ice hockey competition, and that’s where our romance kicks off. 

The friends to lovers trope had me literally sobbing my eyes out. Wes desperately wants to come out to Jamie because he still considers Jamie his best friend, even after all those years. And I love that we got to see how they developed a romantic relationship on the foundation of the friendship they had as kids – my heart just kept melting. 

I think the authors did a fabulous job creating such an impactful, meaningful book for the hockey romance genre by exploring a M/M romance between two hockey players – a turn from conventional expectations from jocks. 

Pick this up if you love Elle Kennedy (like me), MM romances (also like me), and this combo on an ice hockey rink.

• Best for – Fans of the estranged best friends to lovers trope
• Not for – Readers who are looking for a quick burn

8. Simply Irresistible

I was looking for a slow burn hockey romance when a friend recommended Simply Irresistible, first book of the Chinooks Hockey Team series. It’s a love story that develops over seven years and has that angsty, pining-for-each-other romance that is utterly devastating and too difficult to resist. 

Usually hockey romance MMCs take up a lot of space in my heart, but in this one, I’m gushing over the FMC. Georgeanne is perfection with a capital P. She starts at rock bottom and we get to see how she changes her attitude and her outlook on life. Although the story starts with her as a blonde trophy-wife, we see how she progresses to become a thriving business owner and devoted single mother. Rachel Gibson has done such a wonderful job in giving a great character arc for the FMC. 

John is a bit of a jerk, but I admire how he cleaned up his act and is ready to be a father to their daughter. The romance felt so natural, especially because we see them go through life as individuals before they get together. 

Simply Irresistible is, well, simply irresistible. Rachel Gibson is a talented, funny writer and really seems to know her sports, so be sure not to miss out on this book when you’re going on a hockey romance deep dive.

• Best for – Fans of mature themes
• Not for – Readers who are uncomfortable with accidental pregnancies

9. Taking Shots

After the Off-Campus series, I was looking for a good hockey romance series when I came across Toni Aleo’s Nashville Assassins. Taking Shots is the first book of the series and the blurb said it’s the fangirl meets famous hockey player trope, so naturally, I was sold. 

I am not yet over the reformed playboy in hockey romances, especially because the MMC in this one is freaking adorable. Shea’s to die for! He’s patient, loving, sweet, caring, and sexy, all mushed together in the form of a seriously hot hockey player. 

Although our FMC, Elli, is witty and feisty, she’s totally insecure that such a famous player is pursuing her. But together, they learn to be there for each other, despite the topsy-turvy nature of their relationship. 

Dating a hockey player is not easy (the girls, the away games, the whole shebang) so Elli’s insecurities get kinda out of hand. Shea handles it like a true gentleman, showing her that he’s in it for the long haul. He supports her through it all and we certainly love a kind, supportive king! 

It was a perfect hockey romance to try out and once I was done with it, I immediately decided to check out the rest of the series. If you’re looking for some warm, fuzzy romance with a sweet MMC, you should give this book a try.

• Best for – Fans of reformed playboy trope and slowburn
• Not for – Readers who are looking for a quick burn

10. Pucked Up

After I read the first book in the Pucked series that had me laughing out loud and raising my eyebrows (in all the good ways) at the smutty scenes, I knew I had to read the second one too. So Pucked Up it is!

My favorite thing about this book is the MMC, Miller. Miss Hunting, you’ve brought me to my knees with this MMC of yours. Miller should be the poster boy from now on for ‘endearing playboy’ because I had so many butterflies reading about how flustered this hot jock gets. The fact that he is completely lost when it comes to having a real girlfriend who cares about him? Ugh, he’s just the cutest. 

Miller’s so determined to turn over a new leaf for Sunny, our FMC, and the amount of effort this man puts in – I mean he just raised the bar for all men out there. Sunny has brains and looks combined perfectly together, and she is superb for Miller because she’s not willing to settle for the least effort. 

One hiccup though, I felt like the humor in the first book was much better than in this one and that’s really the only reason I’m giving this a 4 stars out of 5. 

So, read this book, fall in love with yet another book boyfriend, and wait for your Miller-in-shining-armor to come pick you up. Don’t settle for anyone less.

• Best for – Fans of brother’s teammate trope, smutty hockey romances
• Not for – Readers who are looking for a slow burn

11. Pucked Over

The Pucked series has me seriously hooked, so after the second book, I just binged the next. It turns out Helena Hunting may be my second favorite hockey romance author, following Elle Kennedy. 

In the third book, we have Lily, who is getting over a guy who’s not been very good to her, and Randy, who’s sworn off of relationships. So his relationship-phobia meets her fresh-breakup and they agree to just hook up. But when she realizes she’s falling head over heels for this man, she decides to cut him off, assuming that’s what he wants. He’s suddenly faced with the prospect of losing her and lo and behold, Mr. I-hate-relationships is ready to move the world for her. 

This ‘casual hookup to falling in love’ romance was just so exciting to read about. I felt like I was in the story with them and that’s really a testament to Hunting’s writing. She made us wait a bit for the romance to pick up but once it did, this whole heap of intense feelings just took to the rink. You honestly cannot ask anything more from a good romance novel.

And I have to say, this is also the most steamy book from the Pucked series. That says a lot because Hunting has crafted those smut scenes incredibly well in all the books. Pucked is still my fav fav book of the series, but Pucked Over follows at a close second. Pick this book up for a good time with a sexy hockey romance and see how hockey players play off the rink!

• Best for – Fans of smutty hockey romance and casual sex to lovers trope
• Not for – Readers who are looking for a slow burn

12. See Jane Score

I fell in love with Rachel Gibson’s books because of Simply Irresistible, where she gave us a wonderful FMC-centered slowburn. So when I found the story of a pesky reporter and a handsome goalie from the same Chinooks Hockey Team, I knew I had to give it a shot. 

See Jane Score follows Jane, a stubborn reporter who leads a double life reporting on Luc and his teammates by day, and writing a porn series for men by night. Luc thinks she’s a pain in the ass but can’t seem to get her out of his head once he learns of her vulnerabilities. It’s the same for Jane – she too realizes that behind his larger-than-average ego, he’s a sweet, caring person. He’s used hockey to mask the pain of his past, but Jane slowly breaks his walls down.

Needless to say, I’m a sucker for these kinds of hate-to-love romances with a burning passion.

Like Simply Irresistible, See Jane Score takes some time to develop but when it does, you’re in for a LOT of feels, including plenty of swooning over the steamy scenes. I’d definitely recommend this to satiate your thirst for hockey romance with a fantastic famous player/reporter trope.

• Best for – Fans of the reporter/famous player trope, opposites attract trope
• Not for – Readers who are looking for a quick burn

13. Taking A Shot

I picked up Taking A Shot because I was once again looking for a guilty-pleasure hockey romance – y’know something with more than your average spice. I wasn’t let down because boy, those smutty scenes made me feel all sorts of hot and bothered. 

I might’ve gone there for the smut, but I definitely stayed for Jenna – the sexy and feisty FMC. I’ve always fangirled over well-developed FMCs and Jenna really takes the cake. She’s spent her entire life putting others first, so when she meets Ty, our MMC, she doesn’t know how to go after what she wants. The book follows her as she learns to stand up for herself, chase after her passions, and learn to deal with the fact that she’s falling for a hot jock. 

From the get go, Ty is the sweetest. Many hockey romances feature douchebag jocks (whom we love anyway), but Ty is a sweetheart. We all dream of boyfriends who effortlessly get us and let me tell you, Ty is the blueprint. I almost got jealous of Jenna for how well she scored in the boyfriend department. 

If you’re a fan of the sweetheart man meets feisty FMC trope, then this is the book for you. It’s a quick burn with a steaming hot hockey romance, so grab this to fulfill your weekend smut cravings.

• Best for – Fans of the sweetheart man/feisty FMC trope, quick burns, smutty hockey romance
• Not for – Readers who are looking for a slow burn

14. Forever Pucked

We are back with our coolest pair, Violet and Alex, from Pucked and this time with a wedding just around the corner. I obviously had to read Forever Pucked – it’s the sequel to Pucked, afterall. 

Ever since classic rom coms like 27 dresses, I’ve been obsessed with stories that show wedding planning. Actually, ever since I planned my own wedding at the big ol’ age of 7, I’ve loved wedding planning. But our girl Violet may be slightly too overwhelmed with all the wedding plans, because she breaks out into hives whenever she thinks about her own wedding to superstar Alex, her handsome and sexy husband-to-be. 

Other than all the fun (or not, depends on who’s reading) wedding planning, I really loved the caretaker storyline. Alex faces a major injury at work and a good portion of the book follows Violet as she takes care of him, making sure he’s okay. I loved that Helena Hunting chose this storyline because it really gave us a great insight into the now-developed relationship between Alex and Violet. We are left rooting for the pair more than ever, especially as both of them try to make sure that their relationship – both the emotional and physical aspects of it – isn’t affected due to the injury. 

Despite the delicate theme, Hunting had me laughing out loud through the story with her humorous writing style and that’s a testament to how well she crafted Forever Pucked. It’s a fun, sexy, and fabulous sequel to Alex and Miller, and the most wholesome ending for the series. Pucked fans, don’t miss out on this.

15. Trying to Score

If you know me, you know I’m a second chance romance girl. So when I heard that the second book of the Nashville Assassins series follows this trope between Fallon and Lucas, I happily settled in for a heart-wrenching read.

Let’s start with Lucas. He’s angry, miserable, and he’s the best on the rink, but unhappy with his personal life. There’s just something about angry MMCs – I’ll walk right into that red flag any day. On the other hand our FMC, Fallon, is on a winning streak. After having her heart broken, all she has done is work hard to make her business a success. But now she has to deal with the reason for her heartbreak – Lucas – coming back into her life. 

Although Lucas and Fallon have had a two-year relationship, we start the story seven years after he broke her heart. It’s usually tough for second chance romances to establish the previous relationship and how it affects their present love story, but Toni Aleo does this perfectly. 

I immediately started rooting for Fallon because the girl stands up for herself and shows Lucas what he really missed out on. She doesn’t need him anymore; she chooses to love him the second time around. Lucas is an idiot but he didn’t fail to melt my heart – he’s so determined to show Fallon that he’s serious and committed to her now. 

This book does deal with some mature themes like a hidden pregnancy and cheating, but ultimately, it’s a sweet, endearing story about a hot, angry hockey player re-opening his heart to the love he once turned away from. Who can say no to that? Go for it!

• Best for – Fans of second chance romances
• Not for – Readers who are uncomfortable with accidental pregnancies and adultery

16. Off Sides

Once my hockey romance frenzy kicked up, I was on a mission to devour every hockey-themed book I could find. So when I stumbled upon the Off series, I had to give it a shot. I mean, who can resist a story that matches the adrenaline of hockey with burning, sizzling romance? It’s like a double shot of excitement!

Our FMC, Danny, has had her fair share of life’s hardships. She was a young music prodigy who, despite losing her parents and everything she knew, is carving her own path in the world through her blood, sweat, and tears. Then we have Ryan, our MMC. He is a trust fund baby who is also the captain of his university hockey team, with a congressman for a dad. Talk about privilege. 

Danny and Ryan aren’t exactly a match made in heaven, and they definitely shouldn’t have crossed paths. But an accidental meet-up at a diner brings them together, and sparks start flying. Of course, like in any good romance, we have some drama in the form of the ex-girlfriend and the meddling mother. The drama is worth it because the HEA is nothing short of a masterpiece.

Sure, there are moments that might feel a bit cliché, and the romance unfolds fast. But I was in the mood for a fast-paced love story and Danny and Ryan had my heart racing the exact way I wanted it to. 

So if you’re ready for a whirlwind of emotions and an unforgettable love story, I recommend you get this book ASAP.

• Best for –  Fans of insta-love, chance meetings, and rich MMC/poor FMC trope
• Not for – Readers looking for a slow burn romance and readers who don’t like ex drama

17. Any Man of Mine

Any Man of Mine is another installment in the Chinooks Hockey Team series with tropes like accidental marriage and second chance romance – so of course I picked it up.

Our MCs Autumn and Sam are about as similar as night and day. Autumn is a fiercely independent, successful wedding planner with her life mapped out, while Sam is a hockey player who thinks no further than what goal (and woman) he scores next.

These two have a history together, and it’s a doozy – they drunkenly got hitched in Vegas a few years back. Fast forward to a chance meeting after two years, and that’s when things really start to get interesting.

Sam isn’t the most likable character at the start, but as his redemption arc kicks in, you start to understand why Autumn might consider giving him a second chance. His behavior at the beginning of the book screamed selfish and reckless but despite his flaws, you can’t help falling for Sam. His irresistible charm and those witty one-liners had me going “aww” multiple times throughout the book.

Autumn is the epitome of “I’m not taking any crap from anyone.” It was so refreshing to see an FMC who stands her ground and makes the MMC do a bit of groveling. Oh, and their banter? It was like a verbal game of ping-pong in the best possible way.

While it may star a not-so-perfect hero in the beginning, it’s the character development and the sparks between Sam and Autumn that make the story a captivating read. So, if you’re in the mood for a romance filled with characters you’ll grow to love, this book is a must-read.

• Best for – Readers who like the accidental marriage trope, second chance romance, redemption arc
• Not for – Readers who don’t like a lot tension between the leads

18. Empty Net

Empty Net, the third in the Nashville Assassins series, is like that hot cup of cocoa on a chilly winter’s day – warm, comforting, and oh-so-satisfying. 

Our leading lady, Audrey, is a total boss lady currently getting over her ex (who is all sorts of nasty, in my humble opinion). Then there’s Tate Odder, our charming and talented hockey player with a reputation for being a bit of a ladies’ man. When Audrey and Tate cross paths, the chemistry between them is off the charts!

What I loved most about Empty Net is how Toni Aleo crafts the relationship between the MCs. Audrey and Tate’s connection is so palpable you can practically feel the tension sizzling off the pages. Audrey’s struggle to maintain her professional boundaries while dealing with her undeniable attraction to Tate was so realistically done that I was glued to the book to find out what happened next. 

Speaking of what happened next… I didn’t imagine the sweet Tate would be not-so-sweet in the bedroom! The smut scenes between our leads were so blisteringly hot that you might even need a glass of water to cool you off. The steamy moments are also heart warming at the same time because Tate and Audrey both learn to let go of the demons holding them back. 

Toni Aleo really knows her hockey, and she brings the sport to life with all the excitement and intensity it deserves. The hockey world adds a thrilling backdrop to the romance, and I loved the game’s dynamics and the players’ emotions so much.

Empty Net was such a cute and hot book that left me with a silly grin on my face and an itch to read more of the Assassins series. Give the book a shot, and get ready for some heart-pounding action on and off the ice!

• Best for – Readers who enjoy forced proximity, heart of gold MMCs, and friends to lovers trope
• Not for – Readers who don’t like ex drama and whiny FMCs 

19. True Love and Other Disasters

Hockey? Enemies-to-lovers? Opposites attract? Rachel Gibson’s True Love and Other Disasters does it all. I couldn’t resist getting into another book from the Chinooks Hockey Team series, so here we are.

Faith, our FMC, gets the shock of her life when her late husband leaves her in charge of the Chinooks hockey team. Then there’s Ty Savage, the team’s charismatic and just a tad cocky captain. The enemies-to-lovers trope is in full swing as these two clash and slowly discover a deeper connection beneath the surface.

What’s utterly captivating about the book is witnessing Faith’s incredible character arc. She goes from a woman unwillingly thrown into the hockey world to a confident and capable leader. Her past is downright intriguing as we get to learn about how she escaped a life of poverty. 

Then there’s Ty. His transformation from a cocky hockey player who only cares about winning to someone who is willing to open his heart adds so much depth to the story and you can’t help but adore him.

Once our two MCs look past their differences, their chemistry goes off the charts and sparks fly. There’s something so incredibly hot about enemies-to-lovers steamy scenes and let me tell you, I just devoured the smut. Ty is as hot in the bedroom as he is on the ice, and their attraction increases tenfold when they get together.

Whether you’re a hockey fanatic or simply a sucker for a cutesy love story, this book is a must-read. You’ve got love, you’ve got rivalry, and that crazy-hot attraction between two opposites. If you want a hockey romance that’s just simply impossible to resist, here’s your pick.

• Best for – Readers who enjoy slowburn, opposites attract, and enemies-to-lovers tropes.
• Not for – Readers who are not a fan of blackmail and third-act breakups.

20. Alex

Buckle up, because this book is a steamy rollercoaster of emotions from the Cold Fury Hockey series by Sawyer Bennet. 

Alex Crossman, the quintessential moody and brooding NHL superstar, finds his life taking a wild turn when his management team decides he needs a complete image revamp. Enter Sutton Price, a fiercely independent social worker, who has to work with Alex on a drug awareness program and gets swept up in this whirlwind of change. Their professional relationship sparks a scorching attraction and it’s almost like we are watching fireworks on the fourth of July!

Here’s the kicker though – both Alex and Sutton carry some heavy emotional baggage from their pasts. It was so beautiful how they came to the decision to give love a chance, simply because they cared for each other too much to give up on their love.

We get to know Alex and Sutton intimately because Bennett effortlessly develops the characters as our story flows along. Her writing helped me connect with the MCs, and probably because I started rooting for them so much, the ending felt a bit rushed. I felt like everything was tied up with a nice little bow, too quickly and too neatly. 

While the ending left me wanting for more, the ride with Alex and Sutton is worth it. The book is a rollercoaster of love and healing, so grab your favorite snack and enjoy the ride!

• Best for – Readers who like the bad-boy good-girl trope.
• Not for – Readers who like paced out books

So here they are – all the hockey romances that I read like a fanatic. They might all revolve around hockey, but they all have different flavors and bring something unique to the table, whether that’s an emotional story, some lighthearted humor, or some seriously spicy relationships. Take your pick from these cute/steamy/angsty/smutty/sporty books and dive head first into the rink. If you’re wondering where to start (20 recs is a lot, sorry, couldn’t help myself!), here are some must reads in the hockey romance genre!

What are the ‘Must Reads’ in Hockey Romance?

Elle Kennedy’s Off-Campus series is considered the holy grail of hockey romance books, and many readers (like I did) got into not just hockey romance, but also other sports romances because of her. Queen really told us there’s nothing wrong with a jock or two to fulfill our book boyfriend desires. 

Consider Me by Becca Mack is another big one that everyone’s talking about and for good reason. With cheese levels that are off the charts and easy humor, it’s one of those light hockey romances to settle you into the genre. 

The Pucked series is good for readers looking for some smut along with the hot players. The books are spicy, funny, and they’ve got lovable characters throughout the entire series, dealing with mature themes, and of course, some high levels of smut. You can start off with the first book, Pucked.

What to read next

If you’ve enjoyed my favorite romance hockey books and are looking for another warm, fuzzy romance genre to explore, my list of brother’s best friend romances will help you out. Check it out for some angst and tension as (somewhat) forbidden love takes the stage.

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