Hannah Grace’s “Icebreaker” fell directly into my hands two years ago, and while it was far from my first hockey romance (keep reading), it definitely had all the same hallmarks that keep me coming back for a good sports romance every time. The tension, the game-day support, the will-they-won’t-they of it all!
It was tough not to fall in love with Nate Hawkins and Anastasia Allen, especially when the former is an adorable hockey player and the latter is a gorgeous figure skater. The emotional communication between casual hook-ups to ice rink rivals to (finally) committed significant others is not to be overlooked. On-page therapy sessions in a romance novel? Amidst scene after scene of down and dirty? Yes, please.
If it’s more of that you’re after, I’m your girl. Between my ongoing addiction to the book lover’s side of TikTok (BookTok) and my endless Kindle library, my awareness of all things rom-com is unmatched. Here are some of my favorite romance books with love stories that are every bit as heart-wrenchingly sweet as Nate and Stassie.
1. “Daydream” by Hannah Grace
If you were expecting me to kick off this list with “Wildfire” (book two in the Maple Hills series), consider this my curveball—or whatever the hockey equivalent of a curveball might be. I don’t exactly read hockey romance for the sports commentary...
No, no. The first one I have to suggest is “Daydream”, because y’all, I was DYING for Henry’s book the moment I finished “Icebreaker,” and I know for a fact I was not alone. Sweet, darling, thoughtful, feminist Henry deserves his main character moment. I was utterly convinced he HAD to be next, but "Wildfire" came first, leaving all of us waiting for Henry's book out in the cold.
Junior year of college finds Henry in a tricky class with an even trickier professor. Determined not to let procrastination get the better of him—especially now that he’s captain of the hockey team—Henry joins forces with Halle, the classmate whose book club he accidentally crashes.
While I’m writing this, I’m eagerly awaiting the August 2024 release date, but I cannot wait for the sparks to fly between Henry and Halle. I plan to devour this book in one sitting when it comes out. Nobody talk to me...
2. “The Year We Fell Down” by Sarina Bowen
OH. MY. GOD. Whatever else you’re reading right now, put it down and pick up this book. It's heartbreaking, funny, sweet, sexy, and beautiful. If I hadn’t already adored Sarina Bowen for her True North series, I would be well and truly addicted thanks to the Ivy Years books.
Corey Callahan was eager to start college as a champion hockey player, but when an accident during a game puts her in a wheelchair, her whole life changes. Enter Adam Hartley, a fellow hockey player who's also recovering from an injury and conveniently resides in the handicapped-accessible dormitory of Harkness College.
Every book in this series absolutely shreds me to pieces, so make sure you have a full box of tissues handy, but please, oh, please just read it.
3. “The Deal” by Elle Kennedy
As if anyone has walked by an “As Seen on BookTok” table at any bookstore in the past two years and hasn’t encountered this book already. Oh, well. You’re going to reencounter it.
Elle Kennedy’s Off-Campus series kicks off with “The Deal,” a deliciously dirty opener that boils down to one crucial idea: “I’ll help you keep your grades up so you can stay on the hockey team if you help me flirt with a guy I like.” Gosh, I wonder where that could lead?
4. “The Cheat Sheet” by Sarah Adams
I am not a football person. Sorry, not sorry: It’s just not my sport. The bit of my brain that knows that, though, seems to conveniently forget such a thing in the face of a book about a heartsick lady madly in love with her pro football player best friend.
Bree Camden is the dearest of buds with Nathan Donelson, but she’s been pining after him for too long to keep her mouth shut when a reporter starts asking questions (there might have been a little tequila involved). Forced to date publicly until after the Super Bowl, it becomes tougher and tougher for the pair not to cross the line between besties and bedmates.
So, maybe football’s not so bad…
5. “Collide” by Bal Khabra
The first book of Khabra’s Off the Ice series, “Collide” introduces brainy, ambitious Summer and friendly, flirtatious Aiden when they are forced to work together on a student research project. Designed to launch Summer’s grad school plans and make up for a big mistake that threatens Aiden’s hockey season, this project shoves some pretty conflicting personalities into the same space. Can you say “forced proximity”? Hockey romance is not without its tropes, after all.
6. “Team Players” on Dipsea
Phew, there's something about a soccer player, isn’t there? A soccer player with a British accent adds a little extra dose of heat, and if that wasn’t enough, an Irish accent gets added to that mix pretty quickly in this audiobook.
Darius and Noelle both feel inexplicably drawn to Darius’s teammate Bryce, and when the couple invite Bryce to train with them, it doesn’t take long for all three of them to warm up to each other. Training leads to locker rooms, locker rooms lead to post-match celebrations and so much more in this steamy listen.
7. “The Fake Out” by Stephanie Archer
The only thing cuter (and sexier) than a good college sports romance? A professional sports romance. Archer’s Vancouver Storm series starts with “Behind the Net,” but “The Fake Out” is book two, and it’s my personal favorite.
Hazel is ready to move on from her atrocious ex-boyfriend (we’ve all been there), and what better way to get back at him than to fake date Rory? Not only did Hazel tutor him back in high school, Rory is also her ex’s biggest rival on the rink. Win-win, right?
Beneath all that flirty arrogance, though, is a genuinely sweet guy who doesn’t appear to be faking any of it. Swoon.
8. “The Bromance Book Club” by Lyssa Kay Adams
I may be pushing the bounds of “sports romance” here, but bear with me. The protagonist is a baseball player, and the journey of emotional development is VERY “Icebreaker”-adjacent.
If you read no other contemporary romance series, read this one. The Bromance Book Club is a group of guys who get together weekly and read romance books. Yes, really!
Taking their cues from bookish hints that inspire their own romantic gestures, Nashville’s tough guys aim to improve their relationships one bodice ripper at a time. The first book focuses on Gavin who is intent on saving his flailing marriage, but each book in this series is well worth the read.
9. “The Enforcer” by Avery Keelan
Okay, okay. One more hockey book before we move on to other sports. This one is too hot not to mention, and I can never resist a good second chance romance...
Violet and Nash dated freshman year, but when they reunite as seniors, things are very different. Nash is eager for a professional hockey career in the NHL while Violet is working toward becoming a sports trainer. When her senior internship assigns her to be his personal trainer for a whole semester, though, the old spark returns with a vengeance. Too bad about the team’s anti-fraternization policy, huh?
10. “Book Lovers” by Emily Henry
Want to diverge from the world of sports romance but keep a few “Icebreaker” vibes? A little forced proximity between two consummate nerds with devoted career ambitions, perhaps? I’ve got you covered.
I love every last one of Emily Henry’s books—and “People We Meet on Vacation” is being adapted into a movie soon, so read up, bookworms! That said, it's no surprise that “Book Lovers” hooked me. Nora is a high-powered New York literary agent, Charlie is an ultra-serious editor, and they do NOT meet on the best of terms. So what are they doing constantly running into each other in Sunshine Falls, North Carolina?
Small-town cuteness meets enemies-to-lovers? (Okay, more like begrudging coworkers to lovers.) Be still my heart. And your TBR...
Looking for even more steamy sports romance? Check out Dipsea’s collection of audiobooks, and pay special attention to the “Athletic” tag.
Or download the Dipsea app for the best listening experience.
