If you tore through Rachel Reid’s Heated Rivalry and immediately wanted more career stakes and razor‑sharp banter on the ice, you’re not alone. Shane and Ilya’s story hits that perfect sweet spot: rivals‑to‑lovers, years of secret history, and a hockey world where the sport isn’t just a backdrop—it’s the heartbeat of the story. This list is for readers who want to stay in that world a little longer. You’ll find a mix of college and pro settings, queer and straight pairings, spicy and softer titles—but every recommendation keeps hockey front and center.
First up, we’ll revisit Heated Rivalry as our starting point for anyone who may not have read it yet, then move into books that echo its rivalry and slow burn, titles that dial up the heat and drama, and finally some quieter backlist and under‑the‑radar gems (including this week’s reading challenge pick).
1. Heated Rivalry by Rachel Reid
Our anchor: an intense rivals‑to‑lovers romance between two NHL stars whose entire careers, reputations, and hearts are on the line. Reid balances razor‑sharp banter, years of secret history, and a queernorm sports world that lets the emotional stakes really shine. If you fell for the obsession, the big feelings, and the way hockey is woven into every part of their lives, this is the perfect starting point for the rest of this list.
Bookshop.org: Paperback $17.70 ~ eBook $9.90
If You Loved the Rivalry and Slow Burn
These picks scratch that same itch of tension, banter, and the slow, delicious shift from enemies or rivals into something real.
2. Icebreaker by Hannah Grace
This one’s for the readers who want more college vibes + big spice. When a grumpy hockey captain and a driven figure skater are forced to share ice time—and then living space—their rivalry slowly turns into something much messier and sweeter. This one is perfect for TikTok‑era romance fans who want found family, mental health representation, and locker‑room shenanigans alongside the steam. It’s also great those of us who grew up with the 1992 movie The Cutting Edge.
Bookshop.org: Paperback $16.77 ~ eBook $10.99
3. The Deal (Off‑Campus #1) by Elle Kennedy
A classic entry point into hockey romance as a whole subgenre. A star player and a focused, no‑nonsense heroine strike a tutoring‑for‑fake‑dating bargain that spirals into real feelings. It’s banter‑heavy (which you know I love), emotionally grounded, and ideal for readers ready to go deeper into hockey romance.
Bookshop.org: Paperback $15.83
4. Iced Out by C.E. Ricci
For readers craving more intense rivals‑to‑lovers on the ice. Two hockey players start as enemies‑with‑benefits, insisting it’s only physical even as jealousy and real vulnerability creep in. Expect high tension in the locker room, plenty of emotional fallout, and a payoff that will scratch the same itch as Heated Rivalry’s long‑simmering connection.
Bookshop.org: Paperback $19.99
If You Want Hockey + More Heat
These books lean into locker‑room vibes, team dynamics, and high‑stakes lives off the ice, while still delivering big emotions.
5. Pucking Strong by Emily Rath
A great pick if you want more grown‑up, off‑the‑ice drama. A star forward enters a marriage‑of‑convenience with the team’s physical therapist, and suddenly the stakes aren’t just about game nights—they’re about careers, health, family, and home. This one leans into found family, team dynamics, and a strong sense of community, with the heat dialed way up.
Bookshop.org: Paperback $18.59
6. Gravity by Tal Bauer
For a more feelings‑forward, pro‑level NHL story. Two longtime friends and teammates realize that the bond they’ve built over years of playing together has quietly turned into something much deeper. Bauer leans into the emotional side of realizing you’re in love with your best friend, while still delivering all the road trips, game‑day nerves, and behind‑the‑scenes NHL vibes.
7. Consider Me by Becka Mack
A perfect “already blew through the big names? try this next” pick. Consider Me follows a cocky NHL star whose playboy reputation meets its match in a heroine who has zero interest in falling for a hockey player. What starts as relentless flirting and banter slowly turns into a surprisingly tender, relationship‑focused story with friend‑group dynamics and plenty of off‑the‑ice moments. It’s bingeable, emotional, and a great capstone for readers who want to live in hockey romance land for a while.
Bookshop.org: Paperback $17.71
Backlist & Quieter Hockey Gems
If you’ve already hit the buzzy TikTok titles and want something a little cozier or more under‑the‑radar, these are great next steps.
8. My Phony Valentine by Courtney Walsh
A charming, slightly quieter hockey romance where fake dating collides with small‑town life. When a hockey player agrees to be someone’s “fake” Valentine, real feelings start to sneak in alongside all the staged moments. It’s a great pick for readers who prefer lower angst, high swoon, and character‑driven stories that still deliver plenty of on‑ice flavor. It’s also perfect for those of us who adore small-town romances – this felt like it could have been set in my hometown!
9. The Au Pair Affair by Tessa Bailey
This week’s reading challenge pick also pulls double duty as a hockey recommendation. A player who desperately needs stability hires an au pair who’s carrying her own past hurts, and their forced proximity turns into simmering attraction. Expect Tessa Bailey’s signature heat, lots of domestic/at‑home scenes, and a solid emotional throughline about trust, caretaking, and building a new kind of family. My favorite scene? Let’s just say it has him rescuing her after a night out with friends goes a little too far and ends with a very public make out session!
Bookshop.org: Paperback $17.70 ~ eBook $1.99
10. Just Don’t Fall by Emma St. Clair
A cozy, funny hockey romance that leans into community, friendship, and social media themes while still delivering great chemistry. When a hockey player and a sunshiney love interest collide in a small‑town setting, the result is more comfort‑read than high drama. Ideal for readers who like their sports romance hopeful, warm, and a little less dark than some of the heavier titles on this list. My favorite part? The female main character is so very relatable – a little bit clumsy, passionate about her work, and the girl all the boys view like a little sister.
Bookshop.org: Paperback $18.63
Give Me Your Favorites
Whether you’re here for queer rivals‑to‑lovers, college chaos, or quieter small‑town stories with a stick and puck in the background, there’s plenty of hockey romance to explore after Heated Rivalry. Drop your favorite hockey romances in the comments—especially any indie or backlist titles you want more people to find.
This post contains affiliate links.
What I’m Reading
- Current print book: How to be Okay When Nothing is Okay, Jenny Lawson
- Current audio book: Irish Fairytales and Folklore, WB Yates
- Book I’m most looking forward to: Revenge Prey, John Sandford
Discover more from Read With Lindsey
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
