Entertainment
Obsessed with Heated Rivalry? 8 Other Hockey Books to Read Next
It’s no secret that hockey romance books are having a major moment — thanks in no small part to the steamy, sexy new HBO Max series Heated Rivalry, adapted from Rachel Reid’s popular Game Changers series. In case you’ve missed the thirst-heavy buzz, the hockey romance was originally adapted for Canadian streaming service Crave before HBO Max picked up Heated Rivalry for U.S. and Australia streaming, Variety originally reported.
Hudson Williams stars as Shane Hollander and Connor Storrie plays Ilya Rozanov, “two of the biggest stars in Major League Hockey, bound by ambition, rivalry and a magnetic pull neither of them fully understands,” per the show’s synopsis.
After you’ve plowed through Heated Rivalry and its series siblings, check out authors like Lynn Painter and Peyton Corinne who have sent clappers right into the net on the literary front, with a little assist from Booktok.
‘The Graham Effect’ by Elle Kennedy
Gigi Graham just wants three things: qualify for the women’s national hockey team, win an Olympic gold medal and get out from under her famous dad’s shadow. But first, she needs to improve her game behind the net, and needs help from the rude, opinionated (and sexy as all get-out) Luke Ryder. Will they be able to work together, or will the increasingly hot tension between them squander both of their goals?
‘The Last Guy on Earth’ by Sarina Bowen
Jethro Hale is the last player Coach Clay Powers wants to see on his roster, and it’s not just because of their love affair 15 years ago. A sexy dalliance between a player and a coach? You’d sooner see an ice hockey game in hell. Unless…
‘If You Love Me’ by Helen Hunting
A long-lost love, a goalie at the height of his powers and a new assistant coach — if you think you know where this is going, get ready to be surprised. This one just gets hot and hotter before the final buzzer and there’s a whole series to dive into when you’ve finished this one.
‘Unloved’ by Peyton Corinne
On the ice, Freddy is a star left winger with a bright future but off it, his learning disabilities have him struggling to pass his classes to secure a coveted NHL contract upon graduation. Ro is a hopeless romantic with an unsatisfying love life — until she becomes Freddy’s new tutor. As their study sessions turn to late-night phone calls, the two teach each other more than what’s on the exam.
‘Spiral’ by Bal Khabra
Elias, a newly drafted Toronto Thunder hockey player, is still getting used to the media microscope that tracks his every move — on the ice and off it. Enter Sage, an aspiring ballerina who dreams of joining the Aurora Ballet Theatre, but needs to raise her online profile to land the gig. Maybe they can both get what they want by faking a relationship, or maybe the sparks that start to sizzle when they do will make them both go down in flames.
‘Shutout’ by Avery Keelan
When her tall, tattooed Halloween hookup turns out to be her new roommate — not to mention the goalie for her brother’s hockey team — things take a heated turn in more ways than one. Think spicy texts, stolen kisses and the inevitable fall from casual into something a lot less so.
‘The Wingman’ by Stephanie Archer
Newly single Darcy Andersen needs to get her confidence back and her outgoing bestie and pro hockey player Hayden Owens is just the right person to help her. But as their lessons get closer and closer to the real thing, we start to wonder: Could the player have taught her the game too well?
‘Fake Skating’ by Lynn Painter
Dani couldn’t help idolizing her mom’s best friend’s son Alec growing up. Now, Dani is back in Minnesota for her senior year and still reeling from her parents’ divorce. But Alec is all grown up: a hockey star who’s having a little too much fun with his adoring (female) fans. Once a series of unexpected events force them to fake a relationship, we’ll find out whether they can pick up where they left off — or end up somewhere even better.
The first two episodes of Heated Rivalry are now streaming on HBO Max. New episodes drop Fridays.
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