R. Nassor may spend more time with books, tea, and ceramic mugs than recommended by professionals but it hasn’t failed her so far. Nassor has a MA in English Literature from Georgetown University, where she looked at the way medieval and early modern literature reappear in fantasy books today. She’s been writing about romance, fantasy, science fiction, and pop culture for quite a while, starting at Book Riot in 2020. She’s also written for Tor.com. You can follow her on Tiktok and contact her through her website.
Queer hockey romance is all the rage this holiday season, and we have Rachel Reid, Jacob Tierney, and the brilliant cast, crew, and team behind Heated Rivalry to thank for it.
Heated Rivalry follows rival hockey players, Canada’s Shane Hollander (Hudson Williams) and Russia’s Ilya Rozanov (Connor Storrie), over their secret eight-year sexual and romantic relationship. As they discover who they can be together, their world is changed by close friends, family, and queer role models—notably Scott Hunter (François Arnaud) and Kip Grady (Robbie G.K.)—who show them what’s possible. Produced by Bell Media’s Crave, written and directed by Jacob Tierney, and adapted from the first two books of Rachel Reid’s Game Changers series (Game Changer and Heated Rivalry), this very queer Canadian show has captured the hearts of millions of viewers.
Why We All Love Heated Rivalry
When I first heard that one of my favorite queer book series was going to be adapted for TV, I was cautiously optimistic, but thought it was impossible to do Reid’s books justice. Then the trailer dropped, and I knew we were in trouble because it was obvious that the show would be devastatingly good. The kind of unimaginably good that would break the internet. Luckily, between the write-in campaign and perhaps general media buzz, HBO became an international distributor for the show in select countries, including the U.S. Since then, every episode has been a masterpiece.
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Heated Rivalry works because everyone involved in the show respects romance readers, queer people, and women. Oftentimes, Tierney adapts the book scene by scene, making welcome creative changes that only highlight the emotional core of the source material. Every actor involved brought their sincerity, dedication, and talent to the show. Finally, Reid is one of the best in the romance game. She understands character, world-building, and story on an almost genetic level. Together, they are able to adapt a show that loves hockey, even as it recognizes its harmful flaws from its handling of sexual assault cases to the lack of racial diversity in the sport to its homophobic roots. Although the MHL is a legally distinct imaginary hockey league, the completely unrelated NHL has had no out players at the highest level of play.
Instead, both the books and the show imagine a world where some of the best hockey players in the league are queer and ready to change the game from the inside. Reid and Tierney engage in an act of radical queer optimism through the depictions of love and yearning in Heated Rivalry, and audiences are responding positively to that universe.
Okay, I Watched Heated Rivalry. Now What?
After driving into the sunset with Shane and Ilya at the end of the stunning season finale, many may be asking themselves, “What now?” First, if you haven’t done so yet, please read Rachel Reid’s six-book Game Changer series and her two queer hockey stand-alone books, Time to Shine and The Shots You Take. Then pre-order the book she is set to announce this January. Also, don’t forget to read Reid’s blog containing additional scenes from the Game Changers series and check out the official Heated Rivalry merch shop.
Now you have plenty of time to read these queer hockey romances while you wait for Heated Rivalry season 2. After all, Tierney admitted it’s going to take at least 18 months, so we do have until 2027. I, for one, am rooting for him to take all the time he needs. The following hockey romance recommendations cover a wide range of queer identities and levels of play. While I have selected specific books, I can also vouch for the rest of these authors’ queer hockey romance backlists. Let’s get into it.
Check Out These Queer Hockey Romances
Game Misconduct by Ari Baran
Michael Sato is an undersized defenseman who had to work for his rookie spot on a professional hockey team. Daniel Garcia is one of the largest, meanest enforcers in the league, trying to finish out his last few seasons strong. Mike nearly knocking Danny out certainly does not help his retirement plan. When their physical altercations on the ice lead to an off-ice brawl and hook up, these two players at the start and end of their careers have to decide if they’re willing to risk hockey for a chance at love.
Check, Please! Book 1: #Hockey by Ngozi Ukazu
First published as a Tumblr webcomic in 2013, Ukazu’s graphic novel was one of the first queer hockey romance series to find a major audience and is a foundational text for the genre. The series follows former figure skater turned college hockey player Eric Bittle as he vlogs and falls for his broody, hot captain, Jack. Bitty must overcome his fear of checking as he creates community and space for queer players in the league via his love of baking and hockey. Keep an eye out for the new volume, set to release in 2026.
Love Pucked by Emily Silver
Although Delaney is excited to coach a professional women’s hockey team, having to coach her ex is a thorn in her side. She thought she left her love for Lydia behind, but when proximity reignites their passion, Delaney knows their relationship is anything but over. Acknowledging that there are plenty of ethical reasons why a player and her captain should not be together doesn’t make it easier when Delaney is forced to choose between her heart and hockey.
Egotistical Puckboy by Eden Finley and Saxon James
A spinoff of the CU Hockey Series, the first book in the 10-book co-written queer hockey series follows rival hockey players Ezra and Anton. Sleeping with your NHL rival is something that even infamous gay party boy Ezra Palaszczuk knows is a bad idea. The quiet, strait-laced Anton Hayes knows any association with Ezra could ruin his carefully constructed career, but when he has a chance with Ezra, he never says no. Especially not when Anton is traded to Boston, and the two are forced to spend time proving their animosity is in the past. Now that the media is rooting for their friendship, Ezra and Anton finally have a chance at something more.
Team Players by Deanna Grey
As the bisexual women’s hockey team captain at Mendell University, Aderyn doesn’t back down from a challenge…Not even one against Samson, the playboy captain of the men’s hockey team. Samson bets he can be celibate for longer than it takes Aderyn to have one-night stands. But as the three-month bet goes on, Samson begins to realize he has a lot more to lose than a friendly bargain if he lets Aderyn go. While I recommend reading the first book, Sunny Disposition, Team Players is the book with two hockey captains at odds falling for each other.
For Pucking Ever by D. Sparks
Derrick had the rookie goalie season of a lifetime, getting his team to the Stanley Cup finals, when a potentially career-ending injury changes everything. Now he is forced to recover in a rival team’s city with only their team’s veteran goalie, Sebastian, to turn to. Complicating matters further, months ago, they had a hot one-night stand that ended abruptly. These two goalies may have a second chance at a star-crossed romance if they are willing to learn how to trust each other.
Like a Power Play by Elle Sprinkle
A student coach and a team captain play hard and fall harder in this sapphic college hockey romance. Starting center of the women’s hockey team, Peyton Clarke, is living up to her father’s NHL legacy. She will do anything to prove herself, even if it means taking reckless chances. Darcy Cole’s rheumatoid arthritis diagnosis forced her to quit hockey, but her head coach mother won’t let her give up on her dreams entirely. As a student assistant coach, Darcy is forced to manage rash players like Peyton. When contentious coaching morphs into undeniable attraction, Peyton and Darcy discover a personal relationship that could change their lives for the better.
Season’s Change by Cait Nary
If Olly Järvinen wants to restart his hockey career with his new team, he needs to ignore his attractive, cheery rookie roommate, Benji Bryzinski. Ever since Benji made it to professional hockey, he has refused to let a hot, grumpy roommate divert his careful diet, exercise, and mental acuity. He knows what he has to do to stay on the team, and it’s to stay away from Olly. But spending basically all their time together, Olly and Benji begin to develop feelings that aren’t strictly professional or platonic. When their attraction becomes undeniable, they will have to face their feelings if they want to change their lives.
Wake Up, Nat & Darcy by Kate Cochrane
Natalie Carpenter and Darcy LaCroix are given the cohosting gig of a lifetime, covering Wake Up’s USA winter games. Just two problems: they are ex-college hockey rivals and ex-girlfriends. Darcy and Natalie are willing to put their past aside for the sake of their careers, but soon their on-screen chemistry gains a following that ships them hard. When they play into audience expectations and their performative closeness sparks real feelings, Darcy and Natalie will have to confront their past mistakes to make things work a second time around.
Shoot Your Shot by Lexi LaFleur Brown
Bisexual aspiring tattoo artist Lucy has dated almost everyone in her artistic Seattle social circle, so when she comes across a charismatic man who wants to have a one-night stand, she goes for it. She never expected to become his good luck charm. NHL player Jaylen Jones got a last-minute roster spot after an incredible hook-up; of course, he is convinced she might be the key to turning around his failing hockey career. And if their good luck arrangement gives Jaylen another chance to be close to Lucy long-term, that can’t hurt his game either.
Goalie Interference by Avon Gale and Piper Vaughn
After his performance last season, Ryu Mori was expected to become the starting goalie for the team, not compete for the spot with a rookie too hot for his own good. Emmitt Armstrong has worked for his spot in the big leagues, and he won’t let Ryu walk over him. When their competition turns up the heat in their personal relationship, winning becomes complicated. As much as they want that starting spot, they couldn’t imagine stealing their partner’s joy, even if it fulfils a personal dream.
The Billion Dollar Legacy by Dominique Davis (February 7, 2026)
Juliana Kane cannot wait to expand the Brooklyn Brawlers and establish a professional women’s hockey team. So, when a tucked-away clause in her father’s will rests on her marrying by 28 or losing everything she’s built with her family, she is stunned. Avery Blackwater is a beautiful Canadian puck bunny facing deportation. Although they cannot stand each other, marriage could solve both their problems. Their staged relationship has to fool everyone, but when their feigned romance becomes real, Avery and Juliana have to decide if they want more from their marriage of convenience.
Gravity by Tal Bauer
When Quebec-born star captain of Montréal Étoiles Bryce Michel falls for Hunter Lacey at the NHL’s All-Star Weekend, their lives change forever. Hunter is just trying to play well enough to get by when he gets invited to the All-Star Weekend and has a chance to meet his hero. Somehow, the real Bryce is even better than his imagination, but as a straight guy, Hunter never expected anything other than a platonic connection. He was proven wrong when one kiss tumbles into something world-shattering. When they return to their real lives, can these two players on different teams make something that lasts?
Icebreaker A. L. Graziadei
Graziadei’s young adult debut follows two college hockey players who fall in love while competing to be the best on their team. Mickey James III is a freshman looking to make his family proud. His father and grandfather played for the NHL, and many predict Mickey will follow in their footsteps, being the league’s top draft pick. That is, if the attractive, talented Jaysen Caulfield doesn’t get in the way. As their rivalry morphs into something decidedly romantic, both Jaysen and Mickey will have to decide if they are ready to risk their on-ice careers for their off-ice relationship.
Pucking Strong by Emily Rath
A Swedish hockey star and the team’s physical therapist enter a fake marriage that leaves them with real feelings. Teddy knew he fell for Henrik the moment he saw him, and six years later, his latent crush appears to burn stronger than ever. When Henrik’s sister dies, and his niece is injured, Teddy offers to go with him to Sweden to use his expertise as a physical therapist to help him retrieve her. One thing leads to another, and before Teddy knows it, he’s married to Henrik. As their relationship grows, Henrik delves into his demisexuality, and the two men build a real home together.
While we all wait for Heated Rivalry season 2, there are plenty of queer hockey romance books to keep us all occupied. As a fan, I am excited by the possibility of TV tie-in covers and new audiobooks with an expanded audio cast from the production. I’m also keeping an eye out for which Game Changers books will be included in the next season of the show. Personally, I think Role Model would naturally tie into the plot of The Long Game. Nevertheless, I am sure I will see you all in Ottawa next season.
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