Step into the steamy, heart-pounding world of the Playing for Keeps series by Becka Mack, where the ice is cold, but the romance is scorching! This collection of hockey romance novels follows the rugged players of the fictional Vancouver Vipers NHL team as they navigate love, lust, and life’s emotional rollercoasters. With swoon-worthy heroes, fiery heroines, and a perfect blend of humor and heart, this TikTok sensation has captured the hearts of sports romance fans everywhere.
Whether you’re a hockey enthusiast or just love a good love story, Playing for Keeps delivers standalone novels packed with chemistry, banter, and emotional depth. From bad-boy players to forbidden flings, each book invites you to cheer for happily-ever-afters both on and off the rink.
How Playing for Keeps Began
Becka Mack, a self-proclaimed sarcasm queen and former kindergarten teacher from Ontario, Canada, started writing after the tragic loss of her brother. Inspired to seize life’s adventures, she poured her love for humor, heat, and heartfelt storytelling into her novels. The Playing for Keeps series, launched in 2022 with Consider Me, quickly gained traction on TikTok, turning e-books into instant bestsellers. Mack’s goal? To craft relatable characters who drag readers through emotional highs and lows on their way to love.
The Heart of Playing for Keeps
The series stars different Vancouver Vipers players, each book a standalone tale woven with interconnected characters. Consider Me (2022) introduces Carter Beckett, the NHL’s cocky bad boy, who meets his match in feisty teacher Olivia Parker. Their electric push-and-pull romance sets the tone for the series’ steamy yet soulful vibe. Play With Me (2022) follows Garrett Andersen, a star winger torn between loyalty and desire for his captain’s off-limits sister, Jennie Beckett. Their friends-to-lovers arc is equal parts spicy and sweet.
Unravel Me (2023) shifts to Adam Lockwood, the Vipers’ golden-boy goalie, who finds unexpected love with single mom Rosie. This emotional story explores vulnerability and trust, balancing heavy themes with Mack’s signature wit. Fall With Me (2024), the latest, dives into Jaxon Riley’s redemption arc as he falls for Lennon Hayes, the team’s new photographer, after a chaotic one-night stand. Themes of forbidden love, found family, and personal growth shine across the series, set against Vancouver’s vibrant backdrop.
Mack’s writing blends humor, raw emotion, and sizzling tension, creating a world where hockey’s intensity mirrors the stakes of love. Fans adore the banter, steamy scenes, and the way each couple’s journey feels unique yet tied to the Vipers’ tight-knit crew.
Why Playing for Keeps Resonates
Playing for Keeps has carved a niche in the sports romance genre, fueled by its TikTok-driven rise and Mack’s knack for crafting lovable, flawed characters. Its blend of spicy romance and heartfelt drama appeals to readers craving escapism with substance. The series’ focus on found family and emotional authenticity has sparked a loyal fanbase, with posts on X calling it “one of the best hockey romance series ever.” As Mack prepares to release a fifth book, Breathe With Me, in 2025, the Vipers’ world continues to grow, cementing its place in romance fans’ hearts.
- Publication Years: 2022–2024 (with a fifth book slated for 2025)
- Number of Books: 4 (plus one upcoming)
- Setting: Vancouver, Canada, with the fictional Vancouver Vipers NHL team
- Genre: Sports romance, contemporary romance
Ready to hit the ice with the Vancouver Vipers? Grab Consider Me and dive into the Playing for Keeps series for a romance that’s as thrilling as a game-winning goal!