From Hockey Lovers to 'Spice' Connoisseurs

Books for every kind of 'Heated Rivalry' fan

Are you watching Heated Rivalry yet? The steamy HBO series has become the latest pop culture phenomenon. The story of two young hockey stars who fall in love is based on a book of the same name by Rachel Reid, part of her Game Changers series. Both the books and the show dish up plenty of spicy, slow-burning romance. Reid's already popular titles are topping bestseller lists and fans eagerly await the newest addition to the series (scheduled for release next fall). And a second season of the HBO series has also been announced. Here are the seven books in the Game Changers series: 

• Game Changer—When a particular smoothie seems to help New York Admirals captain Scott Hunter break his on-ice slump, he's eager to recreate the magic . . . and to get to know the sexy guy behind the counter. 

• Heated Rivalry—Publicly, Montreal team captain Shane Hollander and Boston team captain Ilya Rozanov are arch enemies. Privately, they can't get enough of each other. 

• Tough Guy—Pro hockey star Ryan Price may be an enforcer on the ice, but outside of hockey he struggles with anxiety. When he reconnects with a blast from his past, musician Fabian Salah, it looks like a fresh start.  

• Common Goal—Veteran goaltender Eric Bennett is ready to make some big changes, like dating men for the first time. His friends-with-benefits arrangement with graduate student Kyle Swift leaves both wanting more.   

• Role Model—The hits just keep coming for Troy Barrett. After being traded to the worst team in the league, the last thing he wants is to "work on his online presence" with the team's peppy social media manager. 

• The Long Game—To the world they are rivals, but to each other they are everything. Now Ilya is finally ready to tell the world about their love, but Shane is still worried about the impact it will have on his career.  

• Unrivaled—After more than a decade of hiding their love, Ilya and Shane are finally able to stand together in the light. But a cruel backlash from some hockey fans may present their greatest challenge yet.   

With enough heat and heart to melt an ice rink, it's easy to understand why this series has inspired such a frenzied following. And while you wait for the new book and season two of the HBO hit, here are our recs for every kind of Heated Rivalry fan.  

Representation is important!

One of the things we love so much about the Game Changers series is its sensitive depictions of various cultures, sexual identities, and personality characteristics. Characters struggle with real-world challenges like disordered eating and social anxiety. Here are some romances featuring diverse characters and issues.  

Pioneer Summer by Katerina Silvanova and Elena Malisova 

The year is 1986, and Yurka Konev, 16, is dreading another summer at his Soviet summer camp. But this year, an unexpected connection changes his life forever. Cowritten by a Ukrainian-Russian duo, this star-crossed gay romance gives readers a look into the repressive culture Ilya endures in his home country.    

The Prospects by K. T. Hoffman 

As the first openly trans player in professional baseball, Gene Ionescu has nearly everything he's ever let himself dream of—that is, until Luis Estrada, Gene's former teammate and current rival, gets traded to the Beavers, upending the careful equilibrium of Gene's life. 

Futbolista by Jonny Garza Villa 

Gabi is a Mexican-American college goalkeeper with aspirations of a pro-soccer future. But when he develops unexpected feelings for his philosophy tutor, he begins to understand that he may be bisexual. Like Heated Rivalry, this story explores the challenges of queer love in a hypermasculine culture.       

The Kiss Quotient by Helen Hoang 

Data analyst Stella Lane thinks math is the only thing that unites the universe, making human connections difficult. To get some lessons in dating, she hires Michael Phan, a gorgeous personal escort. Like Shane, who Reid wrote as being on the autism spectrum, Stella struggles with the social aspects of romance.   

More hockey please!

Plenty of serious hockey fans appreciate how realistically Heated Rivalry represents the sport. If you want a hockey romance that dishes up lots of serious pucking action, try one of these hockey-centric love stories.  

Pucking Strong by Emily Rath 

Dr. Teddy O'Connor, physical therapist for the NHL's Jacksonville Rays, has pined after star forward Henrik Karlsson for years. With the sudden tragic death of Henrik's sister, Teddy agrees to stage a fake marriage in order to help the Swedish player gain custody of his young niece.   

Him by Sarina Bowen and Elle Kennedy 

Ever since a drunken encounter at hockey camp when they were eighteen, best friends Jamie and Wes haven't spoken. Now, four years later, they’ve returned to coach at that same camp. Can they finally acknowledge everything that is pulling them together and keeping them apart? 

The Shots You Take by Rachel Reid 

Riley Tuck thought he'd left his major league hockey life behind when he moved back to his small Nova Scotia hometown ten years ago. But then an unexpected tragedy strikes, bringing ex-teammate and former best friend-with-benefits Adam Sheppard back into his life. 

Brooklynaire by Sarina Bowen 

Nate Kattenberger is the gorgeous billionaire owner of the Brooklyn Bruisers. But he still doesn't have what he really wants. For seven years he's been nursing a secret crush on his assistant Rebecca Rowley. But after one wild night together, Rebecca withdraws, insisting it can never happen again.  

I like it spicy!

If what you love best about Heated Rivalry is all the hot action that happens off the ice, you're not alone. In an interview with Rolling Stone, Jacob Tierney, creator of the HBO series, describes his discovery that "these books are so smutty!" If you're in it for the steamy sex, here are some similarly spicy titles.  

Like a Power Play by Elle Sprinkle  

As the starting center for her university's hockey team and the daughter of a retired NHL star, Peyton Clarke has everything to prove. Former star player Darcy Cole has been sidelined to a student coach role by rheumatoid arthritis. When Peyton's reckless playing style clashes with Darcy's cautious approach, sparks fly.      

Face Off by Chelsea Curto 

Emmy Hartwell is finally getting her NHL chance with the struggling D.C. Stars. Team captain Maverick Miller, desperate to turn things around, agrees to play nice with his fiery new left-winger even though they're total opposites. But the tension between them boils over into a fiery heat in the bedroom.  

Mile High by Liz Tomforde  

Evan Zanders is a Chicago hockey star, so he can't figure out why the flight attendant on the team's private plane dishes out such a saucy attitude toward him. Stevie's been a flight attendant for years, but Zanders is the most egotistical and self-righteous diva she's ever worked with.   

The Playing Game by Ainsley Booth 

Two years after the hottest night of his life with a mysterious woman who refused to tell him her name, NHL veteran Kieran Marsh finally spots her at another game. Harper Roberts, a pediatric nurse, with a solid reason to avoid a relationship with a pro hockey player. But Kieran is determined to convince her.    

Let it simmer! 

It's hard to beat the emotional payoff of a slow-burn romance. The push-and-pull, will-they-won't-they tension between Ilya and Shane keeps us breathless with anticipation through every scintillating moment of their journey. Here are some more hard-fought romances to enjoy. 

The Graham Effect by Elle Kennedy 

Gigi Graham is focused, fearless, and ready to step out of her famous father's shadow. Luke Ryder is six and a half feet of brooding baggage and zero patience for distractions. Their deal is strictly business. But the more they push each other on the ice, the harder it becomes to ignore what's happening off it. 

The Trade Deadline by A. L. Heard 

After a fleeting encounter when they're in Juniors, Ryan Russell and Lars Nilsson end up on the same NHL team. It's one thing to have a one-night stand with someone from another country; it's a whole other mess to sleep with your teammate. If sparks fly again, can they resist temptation? 

Play You For It by Samantha Saldivar 

Jordan D'Amato is the first woman to be named head coach of a top-level men's college basketball team. Caroline Beck is the sports reporter determined to get the story. Jordan is wary of the media, but Beck wins her over. As they start to fall for each other, both women need to decide how much they'll risk for love.  

Love Pucked by Emily Silver 

When Delaney took the job with the Toronto Rosebuds, she didn't expect to be coaching her former teammate (and lover), the woman who ruined her for all others. Lydia is a distraction she can't afford, but the more time they spend together, the more Delaney realizes that she isn't over her ex.  

Rivals-to-lovers is my jam!

Sometimes the fuel that powers a passionate rivalry is, well, passion. That's what makes a rivals-to-lovers romance so thrilling. We all love the fiery heat behind lovers who fight their way into each other's arms. If this is the type of romance you love, here are some titles to add to your TBD list.  

Face Offs & Cheap Shots by Eden Finley and Saxon James 

Christopher Jacobs and Teddy Beckett are seniors vying to be team captain of their college hockey team. Jacobs is serious and hardworking, while Beck is a talented jokester. As their teammates put them through a series of challenges, Jacobs and Beckett begin to develop surprising feelings for each other.  

Kiss and Cry by Keira Andrews 

Canadian figure skating competitors Henry Sakaguchi and Theo Sullivan are about as different as two people can be. Henry is intense and disciplined. It irks him whenever the charming, carefree Theo beats him. When they start training together, they're surprised to find themselves catching feelings for one another.   

Cleat Cute by Meryl Wilsner 

Grace Henderson has been a US Women's soccer star for a decade, but when she's sidelined by injury, a bold new upstart, Phoebe Matthews, takes her spot. The last thing Grace expects is to fall for her rival. Now as the World Cup approaches and Grace works to recover, the stakes are higher than ever. 

Icebreaker by A. L. Graziadei 

With a father and a grandfather who have gone down in NHL history, seventeen-year-old Mickey James III is almost guaranteed the league's top draft spot. The only person standing in his way is his infuriating (and infuriatingly attractive) teammate Jaysen Caulfield. 

Take me on an emotional journey

Creator Jacob Tierney told Rolling Stone that he loved how much the books focus on Shane and Ilya’s relationship first. "This is not about somebody coming out, it’s about two people figuring out they are allowed to be in love." Here are some other romances that pack a satisfying emotional punch. 

The Last Guy on Earth by Sarina Bowen 

He may be the most decorated goalie in the league, but Jethro Hale is the last player Coach Clay Powers wants to see on his roster. And it's not like he can even explain why. Nobody knows about their love affair fifteen years ago. Cue the painful memories and the reawakening of deep feelings on both sides. 

Egotistical Puckboy by Eden Finley and Saxon James 

Pro hockey players Ezra Palaszczuk and Anton Hayes will never get along. Ezra embraces his sexual identity while Anton is careful about keeping his orientation private. They can't agree about anything. But that doesn't stop them from falling into bed together over and over again.    

Everything for You by Chloe Liese 

What if Roy Kent and Danny Rojas fell in love? Oliver Bergman is a beloved rising soccer star, the heart of his team's spirit. His team co-captain, Gavin Hayes is a legendary player at the other end of his career. When tension boils over between the two, their coach demands that they figure out how to work together. 

Winging It by Ashlyn Kane and Morgan James 

Hockey is Gabe Martin's life. Dante Baltierra just wants to have some fun on his way to the Hockey Hall of Fame. Falling for a teammate isn't in either game plan. But plans change. When Gabe gets outed, it turns his careful life upside-down and the last person he expects to pull him through is Dante. 

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Read more by Ashly Moore Sheldon