Gay Hockey Romance Books That Score Big (On and Off the Ice)
Love a good sports romance with swoony rivals, secret hookups, and second chances? These gay hockey romance books bring heat, heart, and a lot of ice time.
13 Best Gay Hockey Romance Books to Read Right Now
If Heated Rivalry wrecked you (again) and you’re suddenly wondering what other gay hockey romances you’ve been sleeping on… welcome. You’re in good company. With the show blowing up online…yes, we’re all still swooning over that shower and locker room scene, and yes, we’ve rewatched it 12 times, readers and non-readers are diving headfirst into the world of queer sports romance some for the first time.
And honestly? It’s about time.
Gay hockey romance has been quietly serving heart-stopping emotion, rivalry tension, and some of the best character arcs in romance. Whether you’re chasing that same chemistry high or just need a new OTP to obsess over, these books are here to ruin you in the best way.
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Francesca’s Top Gay Hockey Romance Picks
Not sure where to start? Here are my personal favorites. The ones that made me swoon, cry, and occasionally scream into my pillow:
- Him by Sarina Bowen and Elle Kennedy: If you love Heated Rivalry, this is the other OG. Second chance, best friends to lovers, tons of tension. Honestly, sometimes I mix the plots up in my head.
- The Rest of the Story by Tal Bauer: Tal Bauer should be on every romance reader’s must-read list. This one’s emotional, intense, and has all the feelings.
- The New Guy by Sarina Bowen: A little softer, a little sweeter. A pro player meets the athletic trainer… and his son. More tender than rivals, but still so satisfying.
Gay Hockey Romance Books That Score Big
Him by Sarina Bowen and Elle Kennedy
Jamie and Wes reconnect after years apart, sparking more than just old memories. One summer at hockey camp turns into six weeks of discovering boundaries, and breaking them. A story of second chances, love, and friendship, filled with emotional twists, sexy scenes, and hilarious moments.
Heated Rivalry by Rachel Reid
Hockey captains Shane and Ilya are rivals on the ice, but behind closed doors, they can’t resist each other. What begins as secret hookups between fierce competitors quickly turns into something more. Balancing their love while maintaining their public rivalry could ruin them, but walking away is even harder.
Grab Heated Rivalry on Amazon and check out my Heated Rivalry book review.
The Rest of the Story by Tal Bauer
A new team, a new chance…just don’t fall for your co-captain. When traded to the struggling Rocky Mountain Outlaws, a team of misfits, our hero’s one-night-stand rules crumble upon meeting Shea Darling. Together, they’re building something amazing both on and off the ice, if only they can take the risk to make it last.
Grab The Rest of the Story on Amazon
The Fall by Tal Bauer
When a hockey player wakes up with no memory of the past year, including the gorgeous man calling him “babe”, he fakes his way through a life he doesn’t remember. Emotional, steamy, and unforgettable.
Egotistical Puckboy by Eden Finley and Saxon James
Ezra and Anton are NHL rivals who can’t stand each other, until they end up in bed together. Their one-night stand turns into many, even as their animosity and egos clash. With chemistry hotter than a power play, they try to keep it strictly physical, but some desires aren’t so easy to ignore.
Grab Egotistical Puckboy on Amazon
Breakaway by Avon Gale
Lane Courtnall, a rookie with a bright future, and Jared Shore, a seasoned enforcer, clash on the ice and then connect in bed. Despite their differences, Lane brings out Jared’s softer side, while Jared helps Lane navigate life as a gay hockey player. Love and hockey collide in this spicy sports romance.
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Iced Out by C.E. Ricci
Hockey rivals Easton and Quinton share nothing but hate until a heated rivalry turns into even hotter secret hook-ups. When their encounters start leading to victories on the ice, the two enemies agree to keep going, telling themselves it’s all for the team…even if their hearts begin to say otherwise.
The New Guy by Sarina Bowen
Hockey player Hudson “New Guy” Newgate knows not to get attached, especially after being traded so often. But when he meets athletic trainer Gavin, sparks fly. Both need to keep things professional. Hudson for his career, Gavin for his son. But the chemistry between them is undeniable, making staying apart impossible.
One-Time Shot by Lane Hayes
Jett is the hotshot hockey player. Malcolm is the geeky grad student. Their worlds collide when a science project forces them to spend time together. Adorkable chaos ensues.
Game Misconduct by Ari Baran
Rivals Mike and Danny clash both on and off the ice. Mike, an undersized defenseman, and Danny, the league’s enforcer, refuse to back down, until their chemistry ignites into something more. To turn their enemies-to-lovers spark into something real, they’ll need to drop their defenses and risk it all.
Grab Game Misconduct on Amazon
Deke by Eden Finley
Ollie needs a fake boyfriend to get his family off his back about coming out. Lennon volunteers without realizing Ollie is a pro hockey player. Things get complicated when Lennon, a sports journalist, gets reassigned to cover hockey, and Ollie.
Down in Flames by Kate Meader
Hudson Grey, hockey’s rising star, wanted someone to help him lose his V-card. A random hookup with firefighter candidate, Declan, seemed perfect until Hudson ghosted him. Now, a year later, Hudson is back, out and proud, and he wants Declan’s help to explore the gay dating scene. Sparks fly, and neither can resist a second chance.
Next Man Up by L.A. Witt
After losing his best friend, Avery is thrown into team captaincy. Peyton is the new center trying to earn his place, and ignore his longtime crush. Grief and chemistry.
Final Thoughts
There’s just something about hockey romance that hits different, especially when it’s queer. These stories bring the emotional highs, the team dynamics, the tension, and the wins. If you’ve fallen hard for one of these books (or characters), you’re not alone. And if you’re just getting started? Buckle up.
Looking for even more icy-hot reads? You’ll find plenty of favorites like these over in our hockey romance recs and queer books. Just don’t blame us if your TBR explodes.
Let me know in the comments which of these romances you’re most excited to read or if there’s a gay hockey romance you think I need to add to the list. I’m always ready for another book boyfriend with skates.
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