9 Hockey Romance Books That Would Make Great TV Shows Like ‘Heated Rivalry’

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You’ve likely seen the buzz around Heated Rivalry, the new Canadian sports romance series that premiered on HBO and Crave this winter. Based on Rachel Reid’s popular novel, the show tells the story of hockey rivals Shane Hollander and Ilya Rozanov, whose intense competition turns into a passionate, secret romance. Since its debut on November 28, 2025, Heated Rivalry has quickly become a hit, with viewers and critics praising its writing, the strong connection between the lead actors, and its open portrayal of a queer love story.

The show has become a huge hit, even surprising industry experts – Variety called it “the year’s biggest TV surprise” and noted how quickly HBO acquired the rights after seeing the initial episodes in Canada. IMDb reports the latest episode, “I’ll Believe in Anything,” has earned a perfect 10/10 rating, making it one of the highest-rated episodes ever. The show is also generating a lot of buzz online, with clips, edits, and fan reactions going viral on TikTok and X.

The show is captivating, and it’s not just the love story that draws you in. It expertly combines the excitement of sports, the intensity of a team’s inner workings, and genuine emotional moments. It proves that romance novels – particularly those focused on specific interests like hockey – can make fantastic TV when handled well. And it seems Heated Rivalry is only the beginning of what’s to come.

Hockey romance novels have been consistently popular for years, blending the exciting world of the rink with sweet love stories. Whether it’s a classic enemies-to-lovers plot or a charming small-town setting, readers clearly love these books. If you enjoyed Heated Rivalry and are looking for your next read, we’ve compiled a list of 9 hockey romance books that would also make fantastic TV shows.

‘Game Changers’ Series by Rachel Reid


Crave

Rachel Reid’s Game Changers series is a wonderful collection of modern hockey romances, exploring the lives of professional players as they deal with fame, self-discovery, and finding love. The first book, Game Changer, centers on Scott Hunter, the New York Admirals’ wholesome captain, and his unexpected connection with Kip Grady, a smoothie shop employee, leading to a gentle and meaningful romance.

I’m a huge fan of this series! It started with a great story, and each book since has built on that world, introducing new characters and teams. But what really gets me is how the author manages to tackle tough issues within hockey – things like homophobia and the pressure players face – while also giving us genuinely sweet and compelling love stories. Every book feels complete on its own, but it’s so fun to see familiar faces pop up! Now that Heated Rivalry is a hit show, I really hope they adapt the rest of the Game Changers books – Common Goal and Role Model especially have that perfect mix of funny locker room talk and really touching moments.

‘Him / Us’ by Sarina Bowen & Elle Kennedy

Sarina Bowen and Elle Kennedy’s Him begins with a reconnection between Jamie Canning and Ryan Wesley, childhood friends whose relationship became strained after a difficult night at hockey camp. Years later, they meet again when their college hockey teams compete for the national championship, forcing them to deal with unresolved feelings. The follow-up novel, Us, explores their lives as adults, with Ryan becoming a star rookie in the NHL and Jamie facing the challenges of keeping their relationship a secret.

This two-part story beautifully portrays the excitement of first love, the courage it takes to come out, and the struggle to find balance between career goals and personal fulfillment. As a TV series, Him / Us would offer a winning combination of sports action and romantic drama. The summer camp scenes from the first story would be captivating, and the second story’s themes of keeping secrets and dealing with public scrutiny would create ongoing suspense. Fans already connect with the strong chemistry between Jamie and Wes, and those heartfelt moments would translate powerfully to the screen.

‘Vancouver Storm’ Series by Stephanie Archer


HBO

The Vancouver Storm series, written by Stephanie Archer, has quickly become a favorite among hockey romance fans. Each book focuses on a different player from the fictional Vancouver Storm hockey team. The first book, Behind the Net, tells the story of a moody goalie and the woman who used to have a crush on him. The Fake Out involves a fake relationship, and later books like The Wingman and Gloves Off delve into personal growth, family issues, and new beginnings, all set against the exciting world of professional hockey.

Archer’s stories are engaging because of their clever dialogue, surprising emotional moments, and familiar, beloved themes like enemies-to-lovers, fake relationships, and characters thrown together. A TV show based on these books would work well as an anthology series, with each season focusing on a different character’s love story within the same world. Moments like the high school reunion in Behind the Net would be visually stunning, and the marriage-of-convenience plot in Gloves Off would deliver plenty of exciting drama. Given its popularity and use of current romantic tropes, this series is perfectly suited for streaming platforms.

‘Playing for Keeps’ Series by Becka Mack

Becka Mack’s Playing for Keeps series is a popular romance series that readers quickly get hooked on, similar to binge-watching a TV show. Each book focuses on a different player from the Vancouver Vipers hockey team and the complications of finding love in the public eye. Consider Me features Carter Beckett, a talented and outwardly confident hockey star who is secretly a sweetheart, and Olivia Parker, a teacher who isn’t impressed by his celebrity status.

Mack consistently delivers engaging romance novels centered around the world of hockey. Each story offers a delightful balance of heartwarming connection and exciting drama, and her characters feel authentic. Adapting these books for television would be fantastic – the ongoing storyline with the Vipers hockey team allows for a new couple to be featured each season, with beloved characters making appearances. The dynamic between Carter and Olivia is particularly compelling and perfect for building suspense, while the aftermath of Fall With Me introduces mature themes that would translate well to the screen. Viewers can anticipate visually appealing hockey practice scenes, fun team road trips, and steamy moments that are hard to miss.

‘Toronto Terror’ Series by Helena Hunting


Crave

Okay, so I’m totally obsessed with Helena Hunting’s Toronto Terror series! It’s just full of all the best romance tropes – you know, the ones that keep you reading until sunrise. Each book focuses on a different player from the hockey team, but what really gets me are the storylines. Seriously, a brother’s best friend? A dad’s best friend who you shouldn’t even think about? And fake relationships that actually turn into something amazing? It’s perfection!

Hunting excels at taking well-worn storylines and making them feel fresh and exciting. She blends humor, emotional depth, and the intense world of professional hockey into her work. This creates a series that is both lighthearted and realistic, featuring flawed but compelling characters you genuinely care about. The adaptation has already proven its appeal – it’s consistently a bestseller on Amazon, and fans love its authentic depiction of hockey and city life, as well as the strong sense of camaraderie among the players that enhances the central romance.

‘Offside’ by Avery Keelan

Avery Keelan’s Offside is a classic college hockey romance. The story centers around rivalry and new beginnings. Bailey James is reeling from a tough breakup when she meets Chase Carter, a star player on the opposing team. Their initial connection as a rebound quickly evolves into something deeper as Bailey regains her self-assurance and Chase deals with the challenges of his popularity.

This book expertly captures the drama of college life – from rumors and team dynamics to exciting game nights – while always keeping the heartwarming connection between the main characters at its core. It’s a quick, emotionally charged read filled with memorable scenes that you’ll want to highlight. It would translate beautifully to the screen, with striking contrasts between lively parties and the quiet intensity of the ice rink, and between painful breakups and hopeful new beginnings. The birthday breakup and the adorable meet-cute involving rival jerseys are already standout moments. With all the positive attention it’s getting in the romance community, a movie or series adaptation would likely become a beloved comfort watch.

‘D.C. Stars’ Series by Chelsea Curto


Warner Bros./Crave

Chelsea Curto’s D.C. Stars series is known for its steamy and daring romances. Each book is titled after a hockey term – starting with Face Off and continuing through Power Play, Slap Shot, Hat Trick, Sin Bin, Cross Check, and Weak Side – and features a different player from a fictional Washington D.C. hockey team finding love. These books offer the same intense heat as Curto’s Heated Rivalry.

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I’m completely hooked on these books, and it’s not just the romance! What really gets me is how the author weaves in great team dynamics, fun banter between the characters, and these little hints about couples we’ll meet later on. Honestly, if this were a TV show – I’m picturing something like the D.C. Stars – it would be the perfect blend of a sports drama and a rom-com, total chaos in the best way! The titles, which are all hockey terms, practically tell you what each season will be about. Like, a season called “Sin Bin”? That just screams penalties and passion! We fans are already obsessed with finding all the little clues the author leaves throughout the books, and I think that kind of connected storyline would be a huge hit on a streaming service.

‘Pucking Around’ Series by Emily Rath

Okay, so I just finished Emily Rath’s Pucking Around, and wow! This book is HUGE – over 700 pages – but I seriously couldn’t put it down, it was like binge-watching my favorite show. The story centers around Rachel Price, a doctor who has a one-night stand that gets super complicated when she finds out he’s a player on the team she works for! It’s a really steamy, messy story about navigating work relationships, confusing feelings, and a love triangle that just keeps things incredibly hot. I was hooked from beginning to end!

Rath has built a rich world around her original story with additional books like prequels (That One Night) and spin-offs (Pucking Wild, Pucking Sweet, Pucking Strong), as well as the “Ever After” series that lets fans revisit beloved couples. Given how popular the books are, a TV adaptation would be a guaranteed hit. The story’s beginning, with a hook-up at a Seattle bar, would make a fantastic opening scene, and the complicated dynamic of Rachel dating athletes could drive the plot all season. Adding details about the team’s locker room, press events, and how they handle injuries would make the show even more believable.

‘Gravity / The Rest of the Story’ by Tal Bauer


Crave/Warner Bros.

Tal Bauer’s novel, The Rest of the Story (also called Gravity), takes the familiar idea of a terrible sports team and crafts a heartfelt, slow-developing romance. Told from the perspective of an NHL player newly assigned to the struggling Rocky Mountain Outlaws, the story begins with a description of his emotionally guarded state – his heart is ‘vulcanized rubber, puck hard’ – hinting at a narrative focused on both team and personal transformation.

As a total sports movie fan, I’m really hooked by this story! It follows a team, the Outlaws, who start as a mess but gradually come together, with two co-captains, Shea Darling and another, leading the charge. What’s even more interesting is that these two leaders are also falling for each other – and keeping it under wraps! It feels really authentic because it’s all happening while they’re dealing with losing games, the press breathing down their necks, and all the drama that happens inside the locker room. Honestly, this would make an amazing TV show – think a classic sports drama, but with a really sweet and believable romance woven in. All those tough road games, quiet moments between the captains, and then the emotional payoff of their relationship… it’d be a hit with anyone who loves sports or romance!

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2025-12-28 04:21