9 Best Winter Sports Romances to Read During the 2026 Olympics
With the 2026 Milano Cortina Winter Olympics about to dominate everything, now is the perfect time to pick up a winter sports romance book.
Stories centered around winter sports have taken over the romance genre, with Elle Kennedy’s Off Campus series and Rachel Reid’s Game Changers series of books dominating social media. Winter romances have also broken into the TV world, with Heated Rivalry quickly becoming a global phenomenon since its November 2025 premiere.
Heated Rivalry’s success has even crossed over into the Olympics. Hudson Williams and Connor Storrie — who play enemies-to-lovers hockey players Shane Hollander and Ilya Rozanov, respectively — served as torchbearers during the official Olympic Torch Relay on January 25.
The 2026 Winter Olympics kick off with the Opening Ceremony on Friday, February 6. Today’s Savannah Guthrie will cohost the event alongside NBC Sports’ Terry Gannon. Olympian Shaun White and NBC Sports’ Mike Tirico will provide additional coverage. Olympic events will be available to watch across NBC, Peacock, CNBC, and USA Network.
In honor of the Olympics, Swooon has rounded up nine winter sports romances that’ll spice up your reading list.
The Favorites
Layne Fargo
Layne Fargo’s The Favorites is Wuthering Heights on the ice. Kat and Heath are a once-in-a-lifetime ice dancing duo with a troubled past. They make it all the way to the Olympics, but a scandal brings their partnership on the ice to a sudden end. The novel chronicles Kat and Heath’s intense, messy, and all-consuming relationship from its early days to the present, just as Kat finally decides to tell her side of the story. — Avery Thompson
Heated Rivalry
Rachel Reid
Who hasn’t heard of Heated Rivalry by now? The hit HBO series is based on the first book in Reid’s Game Changers series and follows the years-long relationship between hockey stars Shane Hollander and Ilya Rozanov. Initially pitted as rivals in the hockey world, the pair secretly build a relationship behind closed doors. Like any good slow burn romance, it takes years for Shane and Ilya to realize that their feelings are deeper than they expected. The couple’s story is continued in Reid’s 2022 novel The Long Game. — Paige Strout
Consider Me
Becka Mack
Olivia Parker has no intention of falling for resident hockey bad boy Carter Beckett’s charm. That means, for the first time, he’s the one who has to do the chasing. The first of Becka Mack’s hilarious and emotional Playing for Keeps series, this is one hockey romance that will keep you on your toes every step of the way. — Rebecca Perlmutter
Pucking Around
Emily Rath
Why choose just one hunky hockey player when you can have them all? Pucking Around by Emily Rath follows sports medicine practitioner Rachel Price, who joins the staff of the Jacksonville Rays. There she runs back into the greatest one-night stand of her life, who doesn’t even remember her. Drawn to multiple players for different reasons, Rachel asks herself why the puck she can’t just date all three at once. — Rebecca Perlmutter
Finding Her Edge
Jennifer Iacopelli
If you’re looking for a winter sports romance with a little less spice and a little more Persuasion, check out Finding Her Edge by Jennifer Iacopelli. Recently adapted for Netflix, this YA romance follows Adriana Russo, an ice dancer who returns to the sport with a hot new partner just as her old partner and first crush returns to her family’s rink. Not even Bella, Edward, and Jacob could prepare you for this icy love triangle! — Rebecca Perlmutter
The Deal
Elle Kennedy
Now that Kennedy’s The Deal is getting the adaptation treatment on Prime Video, it’s time to study up on the source material. If you like a snarky heroine, a book boyfriend with hidden depths, and fiery chemistry, then Hannah and Garrett’s story is for you. Garrett is the Briar U’s star hockey player, but music major Hannah couldn’t be less impressed by him. When Garrett needs to get his GPA up, and Hannah needs to get her crush’s attention, they come to an agreement: Hannah will tutor Garrett in exchange for him acting as her fake boyfriend. It doesn’t take long for the star center to fall for his tutor, but can he convince her he’s boyfriend material? — Morgan Pryor
Him
Sarina Bowen and Elle Kennedy
If you love Heated Rivalry and Off Campus, do we have a recommendation for you. Kennedy may be best known for her MF (male/female) series, but she’s also written a few MM (male/male) romances with Sarina Bowen. Wes and Jamie offer all the hilarious banter and steamy chemistry that Kennedy’s leads are known for — but that’s not all. Him is a sweet second chance romance. Wes and Jamie were best friends before they shared an awkward night as teenagers. When they reunite as college athletes and coaches at Lake Placid hockey camp, Wes is forced to confront his longtime crush on Jamie, who has only ever shown interest in girls. It sounds like an angsty premise, but don’t worry — Him is totally heartwarming. Plus, there’s a sequel! — Morgan Pryor
From Lukov with Love
Mariana Zapata
Similar to Icebreaker, Zapata’s novel follows the enemies-to-lovers story of figure skaters Jasmine Santos and Ivan Lukov. Nearing the end of her career, Santos unwillingly agrees to partner up with Ivan to give skating one last go. In the process, she discovers there may be more to her rival than meets the eye. Who doesn’t love a good slow burn romance? — Paige Strout
Icebreaker
Hannah Grace
This BookTok staple is the first in Grace’s Maple Hills series. The novel follows figure skater Anastasia Allen and hockey player Nate Hawkins, two athletes dedicated to their respective sports and to disliking each other. The pair’s relationship takes a romantic turn as they are forced to share the same ice rink on campus, eventually leading to Nate becoming Anastasia’s temporary skating partner. Not to mention, the book features several spicy scenes that will keep readers intrigued. — Paige Strout
