Where to Start with Becka Mack
If you are looking to dive into the steamy, emotional, and banter-filled world of Becka Mack, your absolute best starting point is Consider Me, the first book in the mega-popular Playing for Keeps series. This novel serves as the introduction to the Vancouver Vipers hockey team and establishes the tightly-knit found-family dynamic that makes her books so beloved. While her debut novel, Love You Wild, is a standalone contemporary romance, starting with the Vipers series is recommended if you want to experience the TikTok-viral sports romances that put Mack on the map.
Becka Mack Books in Order of Publication
For readers who want to follow the author's writing journey and see how her storytelling style evolved, reading in publication order is straightforward. Here is the chronological release order for all of Becka Mack's books:
- Love You Wild (2021) – Standalone Novel
- Consider Me (2022) – Playing for Keeps Book 1
- Play With Me (2022) – Playing for Keeps Book 2
- Unravel Me (2023) – Playing for Keeps Book 3
- Fall With Me (2024) – Playing for Keeps Book 4
- Breathe With Me (2025) – Playing for Keeps Book 5
Deep Dive: The Playing for Keeps Series
The Playing for Keeps series centers around the professional hockey players of the fictional Vancouver Vipers organization. The series is celebrated for combining high-heat scenes, laugh-out-loud banter, "golden retriever" alpha heroes, and deeply emotional subplots dealing with personal healing, grief, and family struggles. Below is a detailed breakdown of each book in the series:
Consider Me (2022)
The series kicks off with Carter Beckett, the Vancouver Vipers' superstar captain and notorious playboy. Carter is accustomed to getting whatever—and whoever—he wants, until he meets Olivia Parker, a smart, sarcastic kindergarten teacher who is entirely unimpressed by his charm. Olivia resists his advances, prompting Carter to reform his wild ways to win her trust. Their romance features playful banter, delicious tension, and a heartwarming transformation from a playboy to a devoted partner.
Play With Me (2022)
The second installment follows Vipers right-winger Garrett Andersen, a dedicated, rule-following athlete who finds himself in a forbidden situation when he falls for Jenny Beckett. The complication? Jenny is his team captain's protective younger sister. Garrett and Jenny struggle to keep their sizzling attraction under wraps, leading to a high-stakes, forbidden-love romance filled with secret hookups, intense chemistry, and the inevitable fallout when their secret is revealed.
Unravel Me (2023)
In the third book, the spotlight shifts to Adam Lockwood, the brooding and reserved goalie for the Vipers. Burned by past partners who only valued his wealth and fame, Adam keeps his guard up. His life changes when he runs into Rosie Wells, a busy single mother and veterinary student. Because Rosie doesn't follow professional sports, she has no idea who Adam is, allowing him to be his true self. This slow-burn, emotional romance explores themes of trust, single parenting, and overcoming past betrayals.
Fall With Me (2024)
The fourth entry focuses on Jaxon Riley, a tattooed and surly Vipers defenseman known for his aggressive play on the ice and his reputation as a playboy (though at home, he is a dedicated cat dad). Jaxon ends up having a wild, bickering-filled one-night stand in Cabo San Lucas with Lennon Hayes, only to discover later that she is the newly hired photographer for the Vancouver Vipers. Forced into close proximity, the two navigate an enemies-to-lovers dynamic, dealing with Jaxon's feelings of unworthiness and Lennon's attempt to rebuild her life after a broken engagement.
Breathe With Me (2025)
The fifth and final novel of the series centers on superstar player Emmett Brodie and event planner Cara Hunter. Unlike the previous books that feature new couples meeting, this novel explores the depth of a committed relationship. Emmett is a devoted, supportive partner who stands by Cara as they face a heartbreaking infertility journey and struggles to conceive. The book is highly emotional, highlighting the strength of their bond, the realities of marriage struggles, and the constant support of their hockey family.
Becka Mack's Standalone Novel
Love You Wild (2021)
Before launching her sports romance empire, Becka Mack debuted with Love You Wild, a standalone contemporary romance. The story focuses on Claire Thompson, a fiery and stubborn woman who is devastated after a betrayal by her long-term boyfriend, promising to keep men at a distance. Enter Avery Beck, a charming and wealthy multi-millionaire playboy who is determined to break down her walls. It features the signature wit, heat, and emotional depth that fans of the Vipers series will easily recognize.
What to Know Before You Start
While Becka Mack's books can technically be read as standalones—as each novel focuses on a distinct couple and concludes with a satisfying happily-ever-after—readers will get a much richer experience by reading the Playing for Keeps series in chronological order. The character interactions are heavily cumulative; characters from previous books frequently appear in later installments, and major life updates (marriages, babies, and career changes) occur in the background of subsequent books.
Mack's writing is characterized by its balance of extreme heat (high spice levels) and heavy emotional themes. The author often channels her own experiences with personal loss and grief into her characters, making their emotional growth feel authentic and earned. Be prepared to experience both hilarious, laugh-out-loud moments and cry-worthy emotional challenges before arriving at the final page.