Romance Novels for Heated Rivalry Fans
ROUND UP
Spice on the Ice: Hockey Romances & More Heated Rivalries
Caught up in the Heated Rivalry excitement? These romances will keep you wonderfully sated until the second season is released.
As someone who enjoys hockey purely through the romance genre, I can understand the recent rise of interest in the series. But again, as someone who has enjoyed her fair share of hockey romances, I’ll be honest, Rachel Reid’s Game Changers Series isn’t my favorite. It’s a great entry point, though! We get good plot lines, characters and spice.
But the TV adaptation had me second-guessing my initial reaction because it is so well done! The characters, the tension, the spicy scenes were magnificent, and I thoroughly enjoyed my binge.
So, if you’re anything like me, you may be craving more — more drama, more hockey, more romance. Lucky for you, I have a long list of recommendations and I’m more than happy to share. First, read the Game Changers series. Then explore similar reads!
What Victoria Loved About the Game Changers Series
MEET SCOTT & KIP: Game Changer (Game Changers #1) by Rachel Reid (Amazon)
A sweet meet cute turns into a relationship worth cheering for, especially when you see how utterly adorable these two are behind closed doors. There is so much love between Scott and Kip that it makes their circumstances that much more frustrating. But this romance sets the stage for the series and if this is the plot line needed to open doors for everyone else, we’ll let Scott and Kip break down barriers.
VICTORIA’S RATING: 3.5/5
MEET ILYA & SHANE: Heated Rivalry (Game Changers #2) by Rachel Reid (Amazon)
The steam ramps up in this book, so prepare yourself for a very spicy first period. There’s so much to dive into between the stolen moments and years of yearning / depriving each other. But I wish we could’ve gotten more of the in-between and more attention on the why behind the secrecy. I’m a fan of the slow burn, but TBH the ending left me wanting and I’ll be speed reading through the rest of the series to get to Book 6, so I can close the loop on Shane & Ilya’s story.
VICTORIA’S RATING: 3.5/5
MEET RYAN & FABIAN: Tough Guy (Game Changers #3) by Rachel Reid (Amazon)
A second chance, opposites attract romance between a misunderstood enforcer (it’s a hockey position) and an aspiring musician. This has a pretty different vibe from the previous two books in the series as the characters have a clearer grasp of their identity, but a dive into the characters’ complex relationship with hockey. We also spend a good portion of the story off-the ice, exploring the city and nightlife with Fabian, which is a nice balance to the series’ hockey-centric universe.
VICTORIA’S RATING: 3/5
MEET ERIC & KYLE: Common Goal (Game Changers #4) by Rachel Reid (Amazon)
Age-gap and lessons: a combination I love. Book 4 introduces a divorcé and the bartender from the Kingfisher. It’s plenty flirty and playful as Eric embraces his identity with help from Kyle. And it’s a different perspective of hockey given Eric’s tenure and the focus on this pivotal moment of his career. There are also fun updates about the characters we’ve met thus far… and a lot of Easter eggs dropped for what’s to come.
VICTORIA’S RATING: 3/5
MEET TROY & HARRIS: Role Model (Game Changers #5) by Rachel Reid (Amazon)
On my TBR; check back for my review.
VICTORIA’S RATING: X/5
BACK TO ILYA & SHANE: The Long Game (Game Changers #6) by Rachel Reid (Amazon)
On my TBR; check back for my review.
VICTORIA’S RATING: X/5
Favorite Scene
“Mine,” Ilya’s breath tickled Shane’s skin when he spoke the single word.
“Yours,” Shane said dreamily.
“All of this. For two weeks. Is mine.”
Forever, Shane wanted to say. Forever if you ask.
- HEATED RIVALRY by Rachel Reid
Similar Reads & Recommendations
THINGS GET POLITICAL: Red White and Royal Blue by Casey McQuiston (Amazon)
MM | A love so big it can’t be contained to one nation. This forbidden romance between a prince and the president’s son redefines what it means to keep a relationship hidden. You’ll laugh, you’ll sigh, you’ll cry. Red White and Royal Blue will take you on a journey of a hesitant friendship that blooms into a heartwarming love.
VICTORIA’S RATING: 5/5
PLAY ON THE SAME TEAM: Everything for You by Chloe Liese (Amazon)
MM | In our Haus, when we say “football” this is what we mean (aka soccer). If you aren’t a fan of the sport but you have seen Ted Lasso and loved it, look no further. These two teammates couldn’t be more different. They are ice cold on the field, but their chemistry burns hotter than fire off-the field. Oh, and if you like this one, you’ll be glad to know this is #5 in the Bergman Brothers series.
VICTORIA’S RATING: 4/5
FOCUS ON FORBIDDEN: We Could Be So Good by Cat Sebastian (Amazon)
MM | This book is a hug — soft and gentle. A perfect friends-to-lovers, would-do-anything-for-you kind of love. Nick and Andy’s love story is so sweet that the softest touch, the smallest gestures were so genuinely intimate, I felt the affection pouring off the pages and enveloping me.
VICTORIA’S RATING: 4/5
TACKLE IDENTITY IN THE SPORT: Crash Test by Amy James (Amazon)
MM | This might be my favorite F1 romance yet! The drama is intoxicating and addicting, the heartbreak is brutally frustrating. The friendships are heartwarming and inspiring. The sport politics are somewhat believable, if not aspirational. But the romance is memorable — full of fear, anguish and hope. If you’re in the mood for a heart squeeze and a little cry, this one’s a good pick.
VICTORIA’S RATING: 4.25/5
BREAK BARRIERS IN A DIFFERENT INDUSTRY: Atmosphere by Taylor Jenkins Reid (Amazon)
FF | A historical sapphic love story for your list! The way I sobbed through the final 10% of this book.To witness life through the lens of these characters is a blessing. I felt like the smallest speck of life as the characters stared at the dark sky full of stars and zoom out into space and simultaneously the grandest being to be able to see the beauty of the world around us and know the fortune of getting to embrace the magic of it all. Get ready to be inspired by people going after and achieving their dreams— these characters break glass ceilings.
VICTORIA’S RATING: 4.5/5
A COLLEGE HOCKEY TEAM: Off-Campus Series by Elle Kennedy (Amazon)
MF | Warning: this series triggered my obsession for hockey romance. Head back to college and dive into the drama of the hockey team. This Tik-Tok recommendation lives up to the hype. The first book features a hot hockey player in need of some academic tutoring an a cute tutor in need of some love tutoring à la Common Goal (Game Changers #4). Fair warning, you’ll be reeled into the Off-Campus series and probably end up becoming a hockey fan.
VICTORIA’S RATING: 4/5
SAME SPORT, SIMILAR NAME: The Game Changer by Lana Ferguson (Amazon)
MF | A different twist on forbidden and taboo: a career-saving PR stunt brings a hockey player and his best friend (and teammate’s) little sister together. It’s a light-hearted reprieve from the overflowing tension of some of these other recommendations.
VICTORIA’S RATING: 4/5
FRIENDSHIPS THAT SPAN ACROSS TEAMS (AND SPORTS): The Bromance Book Club Series by Lyssa Kay Adams (Amazon)
MF | A group of friends (athletes, small business owners, etc.) gather in a secret romance book club to exchange advice and help each other find (and keep) love. Similarly to how the men in the Game Changers come together to form unexpected friendships, the book club is foundational to these characters’ development.
VICTORIA’S RATING: 3-4/5
LEAN INTO THE RIVALRY: Backhanded Compliments by Katie Chandlers (Amazon)
FF | The tennis commentary is so well written, you’ll feel as if you’re watching the match rather than reading about it. The tension is so taut that I felt my head spinning and swiveling as if watching the action— it’s not just the conversation of the rally, but the fiery dialogue and vivid description of body language that’ll have you at the edge of your seat to see who comes out victorious at every interaction.
VICTORIA’S RATING: 4/5
A COMBINATION OF GAME CHANGER PLOTS: The Dixon Rule (Campus Diaries #2) by Elle Kennedy (Amazon)
MF | I was thrown for a loop and for a second, I wasn’t sure how I’d land. Don’t let the pretty cover fool you, this book tackles difficult topics from loss, grief and assault. But it’s also a beautiful story of resilience, trust and friendship between two enemy neighbors who enter into a fake relationship and end up falling in love. Diana Dixon and Shane Lindley can’t seem to live in peaceful harmony, especially when Shane can’t keep his hands off of Diana’s cheerleading squad, and their chemistry is fire. But when it matters most, these two show up big for each other. TW: Domestic abuse (not MMC), death, grief
VICTORIA’S RATING: 4/5
BEST FRIENDS ON A HOCKEY TEAM: Rules of Our Own (Rule Breaker #3) by Jessa Wilder (Amazon)
MMF | A right-people, wrong-time romance centered on a failed college relationship. This triad is composed of two best-friend hockey players and the girl who got away are forced to share a villa at their friends’ wedding, and they’re reminded of their off-the-charts chemistry and given the chance to explore what could’ve been. But when it’s time to part ways, they start to question if that’s the right path forward, or is it finally time to give it another shot? TW: Domestic abuse (not MMCs)
VICTORIA’S RATING: 3.5/5
The Best of the Best: Victoria’s Top Pick
ON THE ICE: Pucking Around (Jacksonville Rays #1) by Emily Rath (Amazon)
MM/MF/MFMM | This is a looooong book, but I personally didn’t mind it. I picked it up for the hockey and I kept reading it for, well, the other sticks and scoring. But really, I was intrigued by the relationship dynamics of this workplace / neighbors / friends-to-lovers romance featuring broody and cinnamon roll love interests. While others will complain this didn’t need to be so long, it was all quite satisfying.
VICTORIA’S RATING: 4/5
A DIFFERENT ICE SPORT: The Favorites by Layne Fargo (Amazon)
MF | Just in time for the Winter Olympics, this should be on everyone’s list ahead of the sporting event. The on-and-off-ice drama is worthy of a gold medal, the vivid descriptions of sport had me holding my breath for the majority of the book, and the romance had me at the edge of my seat. I was utterly disappointed to finish this book and return to my real life… but I was also grateful because my heart couldn’t have handled much more.
VICTORIA’S RATING: 4/5
NOT SPORTS-RELATED: Here We Go Again by Alison Cochrun (Amazon)
FF | An HoH Book Club Pick! Here We Go Again was an unexpected gift. Second-chances, peaceful endings. Living life to its fullest. This beautiful story unfolds through witty banter, literary references, and beautiful scenery.
You’ll laugh out loud, you’ll cry (or sob). You’ll laugh-cry. But this story, these characters… they’re among the most beautiful I’ve read. My hope is at that when you turn that final page, you’ll go hug the people most dear to you.
VICTORIA’S RATING: 5/5
LONG DISTANCE + CUTE PET + DEMENTIA: Say You’ll Remember Me by Abby Jimenez (Amazon)
MF | An HoH Book Club Pick! If you’re looking for a romance with the emotion and tension of Heated Rivalry and The Long Game, you’ll enjoy this. There’s also an adorable pet who offers comedic relief as the story addresses heavy and difficult topics, similarly to the pets that Ilya seeks comfort from in TLG.
VICTORIA’S RATING: 4.5/5
Until the next chapter!
xo, Victoria
P.S. Craving more books featuring these sub-genres, tropes, and themes? Tap the links below.
