Step into the steamy, heart-pounding world of the Hot Jocks series, where sexy hockey players and fierce heroines collide in a whirlwind of romance and passion! Crafted by New York Times bestselling author Kendall Ryan, this contemporary romance collection has readers swooning over its irresistible blend of sports, love, and emotional depth. Whether you’re a hockey fan or just crave a story that sparks chemistry, Hot Jocks delivers a rink-side seat to unforgettable love stories.
With nine books and a novella, the series follows the Seattle Ice Hawks, a team of confident, stick-handling athletes who meet their matches in smart, independent women. Ryan’s knack for witty banter and sizzling tension makes every book a page-turner, perfect for anyone who loves a good happily-ever-after with a side of spice.
How Hot Jocks Began
Kendall Ryan, a romance powerhouse with over 100 bestseller list appearances, launched Hot Jocks in 2019 with Playing for Keeps. Inspired by her love for crafting alpha heroes with heart, Ryan saw hockey as the perfect backdrop for stories of grit, teamwork, and passion. The series was born from her desire to blend the high-stakes energy of sports with the emotional stakes of love, creating a world where players fight as hard off the ice as they do on it. Ryan’s Midwestern roots and knack for relatable characters helped shape the series’ grounded yet dreamy vibe.
The Heart of Hot Jocks
The Hot Jocks series shines through its standalone novels, each focusing on a new couple. Playing for Keeps kicks things off with Justin, a hockey star who falls for his teammate’s off-limits sister, Elise, after a night of champagne-fueled passion. Their forbidden romance sets the tone for the series’ mix of humor, heat, and heart. In Down and Dirty, rookie Landon and charity worker Aubree navigate an accidental Vegas marriage, blending slow-burn chemistry with laugh-out-loud moments. Taking His Shot follows Jordan, a determined player, as he woos the feisty Harper, only for a secret to threaten their budding love. Finally, Breaking the Rules, a novella, revisits fan-favorite couple Owen and Becca, offering a sweet, sexy check-in with the Ice Hawks.
The series thrives on themes of trust, redemption, and overcoming personal barriers. Ryan weaves tropes like friends-to-lovers, enemies-to-lovers, and forbidden romance into each story, all set against the vibrant, competitive world of professional hockey. The Seattle setting adds a fresh, urban edge, while the team’s camaraderie and male-only romance book club (yes, really!) inject humor and warmth. Ryan’s style—steamy yet emotional, with strong, relatable heroines—makes Hot Jocks a standout in sports romance.
Why Hot Jocks Resonates
Hot Jocks has carved a niche in contemporary romance, earning praise from readers and authors like Elle Kennedy, who called it “delicious and steamy hockey goodness.” Its blend of swoon-worthy heroes and empowered women resonates with fans who crave stories of love conquering all. The series’ focus on emotional growth alongside physical attraction has made it a comfort read for many, while its diverse tropes keep each book fresh. By centering hockey, a sport with raw intensity and teamwork, Ryan taps into a cultural fascination with athletes who play hard and love harder.
The series’ lasting appeal lies in its ability to balance spice with substance. Fans on Goodreads and Amazon rave about its “perfect” pacing and “swoon-worthy” moments, cementing Hot Jocks as a must-read for romance lovers. Its influence has helped elevate sports romance as a genre, proving that love stories can be as thrilling as a game-winning goal.
- First Book: Playing for Keeps (August 2019)
- Total Books: 9 novels and 1 novella
- Setting: Seattle, with the Ice Hawks hockey team
- Author: Kendall Ryan, New York Times bestseller
Grab Playing for Keeps and dive into the Hot Jocks world of romance, hockey, and heart-melting moments! Whether you’re new to the series or a longtime fan, these stories will have you cheering for love from the first face-off.