Welcome to the Chicago Slayers Locker Room
Mira Lyn Kelly’s Slayers Hockey series is a beloved staple of the contemporary sports romance genre. Balancing locker-room camaraderie, witty banter, and open-door spice, each novel centers on a different member of the fictional Chicago Slayers NHL team finding their happily-ever-after.
While the books are designed to be enjoyed as standalones, diving into them in the right sequence helps you track the overlapping subplots, recurring friendships, and family trees that make the team feel like a real community. From fake marriages to forbidden rivalries, here is everything you need to know to get started.
The Best Starting Point: Official vs. Unofficial Orders
If you ask long-time readers where to start, you will get two primary suggestions:
- The Official Path (Recommended): Start with Dirty Secret. This is the official Book 1 of the Slayers Hockey series and does a fantastic job introducing the core team members, their banter, and the high-stakes NHL atmosphere.
- The Completionist Path: Start with Dirty Player. While technically published as Book 2 of Kelly’s Back to You series, this book stars Greg Baxter, a center for the Chicago Slayers. Reading this first introduces you to the team environment early and sets up the events of the main series, especially since Greg’s sister, Allie, is the heroine of the first official Slayers book.
Slayers Hockey Books in Publication Order
Following the publication order is the easiest way to experience the natural progression of the characters and their relationships. Here is the complete breakdown of the books:
1. Dirty Player (2018) — Unofficial Prequel
Though technically part of the Back to You series, this friends-to-lovers story is the perfect entry point. It follows star center Greg Baxter and sports reporter Julia. Bound by a high school reunion pact, a single kiss sparks an intense, forbidden romance that sets the stage for the Slayers universe.
2. Dirty Secret (2019) — Book 1
The official series starter. Vaughn Vassar is a Slayers player with a massive secret: he is falling for Natalie "Allie" Baxter—the sister of his teammate and rival, Greg Baxter (from Dirty Player). This forbidden romance features high emotional stakes and sets up the central family connections of the series.
3. Dirty Hookup (2020) — Book 2
This story shifts focus to George Bowen and Quinn O'Brian. What begins as a casual hookup quickly spirals into a complicated web of feelings as team dynamics and personal histories collide, proving that hockey players are not as untouchable as they seem.
4. Dirty Rebound (2020) — Book 3
A heartwarming friends-to-lovers romance featuring player Ruxton "Rux" Meyers and single mother Cammy Wesley. Rux is determined to prove he can be the partner Cammy and her child need, blending sweet domestic moments with sizzling chemistry.
5. Dirty Talker (2021) — Book 4
Wade Grady and Harlow Richards take center stage in this high-tension installment. Wade is known for his fast-talking charm, but Harlow is not easily swayed. Their banter-filled romance is a fan-favorite for its witty dialog and emotional depth.
6. Dirty Deal (2021) — Book 5
Axel Erikson and Nora Bennett enter a fake relationship deal that feels all too real. As Axel tries to navigate the pressures of his professional career, Nora provides the perfect distraction—until real feelings threaten to blow up their arrangement.
7. Dirty Christmas (2022) — Novella (Book 5.5)
This festive holiday novella follows Noel Nichols and a feisty redhead named Misty. When Noel finds himself stranded in a small town during a snowstorm, he must convince Misty that he is more than just a naughty player. It is a lighthearted, sweet, and sexy holiday detour.
8. Dirty Groom (2022) — Book 6
A classic marriage-of-convenience and grumpy-meets-sunshine trope. Grumpy goalie Liam and the spirited Stormy enter a quick marriage, leading to unexpected domestic chemistry and deep emotional revelations as they try to keep their arrangement strictly business.
9. Dirty D-Man (2023) — Book 7
Grant Bowie and Piper Boerboom find themselves in a high-stakes romance. As a defensive player (D-man), Grant is used to protecting his net, but protecting his heart from Piper—the sister of his teammate—proves to be his toughest challenge yet.
10. Dirty Dare (2023) — Novella (Book 8)
An emotional M/M second-chance romance novella. Slayers player Trevor and his former high school rival and swim captain Cameron Dorsey are reunited years after a secret, life-altering encounter. They must decide if they are willing to dare the ice and risk their hearts again.
11. Dirty Flirt (2024) — Book 9
Ben Boerboom (brother to Piper from Dirty D-Man) and Lara navigate a second-chance, best-friends-to-lovers story. The long-standing tension between them finally boils over, delivering plenty of emotional payoffs and familiar face cameos.
12. Dirty Fighter (Expected 2026) — Book 10
The highly anticipated next installment in the Slayers Hockey lineup. Originally projected for a 2025 release, official publisher listings and author updates indicate this book is scheduled for mid-to-late 2026.
Chronological Order and Timeline Caveats
Because the Slayers Hockey books are contemporary standalones, chronological order matches publication order very closely. The only minor adjustments are the two novellas:
- Dirty Christmas takes place during the winter holidays and fits comfortably between the events of Dirty Deal and Dirty Groom.
- Dirty Dare is a shorter, self-contained story that can be read anytime after Dirty D-Man, though it is best enjoyed in its publication slot to keep up with the team’s evolving roster.
What to Know Before You Start
Before you jump onto the ice with the Slayers, here are a few things to keep in mind:
- Standalone Convenience: Every book has a complete happily-ever-after and focuses on a new couple. You do not need to worry about cliffhangers.
- Steam Level: These are high-heat, "open-door" romance novels. Expect plenty of spicy scenes alongside emotional development.
- Chicago Settings: As a resident of Chicago and a fan of the Blackhawks, Mira Lyn Kelly fills these books with authentic local vibes, icy rinks, and cold-weather comfort food.