Books On Board
series Reading Order

Assassins Books in Order

26 Books
3 Reading orders
2011 – 2023 Published
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Reading order

Where to Start

For the absolute best reading experience, you should start at the very beginning with the original Assassins series. The series kicks off with Taking Shots (2011), introducing the fictional Nashville Assassins hockey team and setting the stage for the interconnected romances, team dynamics, and family ties that define the universe. Reading in publication order ensures you avoid major character relationship spoilers.

The Original Assassins Series

This initial set of books establishes the core characters and the team franchise. Follow this order:

  • Taking Shots (2011)
  • Trying to Score (2012)
  • Empty Net (2012)
  • Blue Lines (2012)
  • Falling for the Backup (2013) — Novella

Nashville Assassins Series

The saga continues under the expanded Nashville Assassins banner. This sequence tracks the veteran players and contains key holiday and standalone stories:

  • Breaking Away (2014)
  • Laces and Lace (2014)
  • A Very Merry Hockey Holiday (2014) — Novella
  • Wanting to Forget (2015)
  • Overtime (2015)
  • Rushing the Goal (2016)
  • Pucks, Sticks, and Diapers (2016)
  • Face-Off at the Altar (2016)
  • Delayed Call (2017)
  • Twenty-Two (2017)
  • In the Crease (2017)
  • Two-Man Advantage (2017) — M/M Standalone Romance
  • How We Fell in Love (2018)
  • One Timer (2019)

Nashville Assassins: Next Generation

This spin-off series shifts the focus to the children of the original team members. Follow the next generation in this order:

  • Dump and Chase (2019)
  • Power Play (2019)
  • Bring It Home (2020)
  • Blades of Glory (2020)
  • The Chase is Over (2020)
  • Dirty Toe Drag (2021)
  • A Smoky Mountain Hockey Holiday (2022) — Novella
  • Heavy Shot (2023)

Spin-Offs and Universe Crossovers

Toni Aleo's hockey universe is highly interconnected. The Bellevue Bullies series is a notable spin-off. Specifically, the book Rushing the Goal serves as a direct crossover between the two series. Additionally, characters like Claire Anderson are introduced in Breaking Away before leading their own stories in Bellevue Bullies. For a broader hockey fix, you can also explore her Carolina IceCats and Knoxville Bears series, which feature minor cameos and references set in the same shared world.

Frequently Asked

QWhere should I start reading the Assassins series?

You should start with Taking Shots (2011), which is the first book in the original Assassins series and establishes the Nashville Assassins hockey team universe.

QCan the Assassins books be read as standalones?

Yes, each book focuses on a different couple and features a complete romance. However, because the characters are teammates and friends who frequently appear in each other's stories, it is highly recommended to read them in order to avoid spoilers.

QHow does Bellevue Bullies fit into the reading order?

Bellevue Bullies is a spin-off series set in the same universe. The book Rushing the Goal serves as a crossover, and characters like Claire Anderson from the first Bellevue Bullies book are introduced in the Assassins book Breaking Away.

QWhat is Two-Man Advantage?

Two-Man Advantage (2017) is an M/M standalone romance set in the Assassins universe. It follows two professional hockey players, Wells and Matty, and can be read independently or alongside the main series.

QWhat is the Next Generation series?

The Nashville Assassins: Next Generation series is a spin-off that begins with Dump and Chase (2019). It follows the love lives of the children of the original series characters.