Step into the sultry, high-stakes world of the Carolina Reapers, where the ice of the NHL rink meets the heat of passionate romance! Samantha Whiskey’s Carolina Reapers series is a sizzling blend of sports and contemporary romance, following the ruggedly charming players of a fictional South Carolina hockey team as they navigate love, ambition, and the thrill of the game. With heart-pounding chemistry, complex characters, and a backdrop of Southern nights, this series has captivated romance readers looking for stories that score both on and off the ice.
From the first novel, this spin-off of Whiskey’s Seattle Sharks series delivers fast-paced, emotionally rich tales that keep fans hooked. Whether you’re a hockey enthusiast or a hopeless romantic, the Carolina Reapers offer a perfect mix of drama, banter, and steamy connections that make every page a delight.
How Carolina Reapers Began
Samantha Whiskey, a bestselling romance author and self-proclaimed lover of hockey and hot alpha males, launched the Carolina Reapers series in 2019 with Axel. Inspired by her passion for sports and romance, Whiskey crafted this series as a spin-off from her popular Seattle Sharks novels, bringing her signature blend of smoldering passion and heartfelt storytelling to a new team. Set in Charleston County, South Carolina, the series draws on the vibrant Southern setting to infuse its stories with charm and warmth, creating an immersive world where hockey stars find love in unexpected places.
Whiskey’s goal was to write quick, engaging reads with flawed yet lovable characters. Her background as a mother, wife, and dog enthusiast shines through in the authentic relationships and family dynamics that anchor the series, making it a standout in the sports romance genre.
The Heart of Carolina Reapers
The Carolina Reapers series spans ten novels, each named after its leading man, a player on the Reapers team. Axel (2019) kicks things off with Axel, a Swedish Hockey League star who proposes a six-month marriage contract to Langley Pierce, the team’s fierce PR head, to join the Reapers. Their fake-dating-turned-real-love story sets the tone for the series’ blend of humor, heat, and heart. Sawyer (2019) follows Sawyer, a goalie balancing his NHL dreams and caregiving for his ailing mother, as he falls for Echo, a bold bartender with a no-strings-attached pact that sparks intense chemistry.
Connell (2019) introduces a prank-loving Scottish defenseman whose romance with Annabelle is both sweet and steamy, while Cannon (2020), a fan favorite, pairs the brooding, tattooed skater Cannon with Persephone, a kind-hearted Southern belle, in a modern Beauty and the Beast tale. The series explores themes of trust, redemption, and balancing personal dreams with love, often through tropes like friends-to-lovers, fake dating, and second chances. Whiskey’s smooth, flowing style and vivid Charleston setting make each book a quick, addictive read filled with sassy heroines and hockey hunks.
The interplay of hockey action and emotional depth is a hallmark of the series. Readers are drawn to the Reapers’ camaraderie and the way Whiskey weaves real-world issues—like mental health, family obligations, and career pressures—into her escapist romances, creating stories that resonate long after the final page.
Why Carolina Reapers Resonates
The Carolina Reapers series has carved a niche in the sports romance genre, earning praise for its memorable characters and electric chemistry. Fans on platforms like Goodreads rave about the series’ ability to balance spicy romance with heartfelt moments, with novels like Cannon and Maxim often cited as favorites for their emotional depth. Whiskey’s knack for crafting interconnected stories, where past characters reappear as part of the Reapers’ family, fosters a sense of community that keeps readers invested.
The series’ lasting appeal lies in its universal themes of love conquering obstacles and the thrill of chasing dreams, whether on the ice or in the heart. By blending the adrenaline of hockey with the warmth of Southern romance, Carolina Reapers offers a fresh, addictive take on contemporary romance that continues to win new fans.
- Publication Years: 2019–2022
- Number of Books: 10
- Setting: Charleston County, South Carolina
- Genre: Sports Romance, Contemporary Romance
Ready to fall in love with the Carolina Reapers? Grab Axel and dive into a world of hockey, heart, and happily-ever-afters!