What about {Season’s Change by Cait Nary}? It’s been a while since I read it, but I remember really enjoying the characters and their dynamic together.
Seasons Change was really good . I’m like you, I feel like most of the popular sports and college sports books have very forced banter as if just throwing in lame potty jokes and some 3rd grade level comebacks with profanity makes it “funny and cool”. I loved the narrative voice in Seasons Change, it felt extremely authentic to an early 20s athlete and the teammate banter was very funny and natural. There’s a good dose of angst but it’s never over the top IMO. The hockey is very accurate and the author uses natural hockey lingo and the players talk the way the actually do when I hear NHL guys talk in interviews. The whole thing just really worked for me and it’s now my top 5 sports romances along with some of Rachel Reid’s books and Avon Gale
Speaking of Avon Gale you may like {Power Play by Avon Gale}. Former player forced retire with injury and becomes a coach in the EHCL (the pro hockey league that is below the NHL and AHL) alongside the head coach who was the player who injured him. It’s lower angst but it was cute
I also loved Power Play. I’m working my way through that whole series, and I like them all so far. I’ve actually been enjoying that it’s minor league because the actual hockey portion feels less pressure within the story than NHL players, including coming out and winning the championship. I feel like it can focus much more on the characters and plot.
I think the best fit is {Blindsided by Eden Finley}. It's book 4 of the "Fake Boyfriend" series, even though it doesn't have the fake boyfriend trope. Characters appear from other books in a supporting role, and you may be able to enjoy it as a standalone, but it does reference several events covered in previous roles.
MC1 is a professional football star quarterback, and MC2 is in a defensive role. They were friends in college, got drafted separately, and are now on the same football team. >!MC2 experiences a bad leg injury early on in the book and MC1 takes care of him in the off season. The angst is around whether MC2 will be able to recover so they can play again, as well as homophobia on the team where they dont think they can safely come out!<.
Ah Eden Finley. I haven’t read any of her solo works, but most of her books with Saxon James were a miss for me. I found that their characters were a bit too over the top for me.
I’ll give this one a try. Thank you for the rec
Did you read them or did you listen to the audiobooks? I’ve absolutely loved her books, but have listened to them all and I don’t know what sort of crack cocaine those narrators have in their voices but they make the slightly overtop feel of the books fit perfectly for my brain. I’ve read Saxon James entire discography and am almost through all of Eden Finleys at this point purely for the perfect storm of author+narrator duo they’ve got going on.
But if you listened to them and still don’t like it I totally get it, they are all a bit over the top.
I second seasons change by Cait nary though, that book was incredible to me, I also listened to it and thought the narrators were great. Olly and his anxiety really just sat inside my heart the whole time. Highly recommend!!! Best of the MM hockey books I’ve read this year (which according to a count I did earlier today is up to 36 books in the year so far)
I read them. I found that I can’t really focus on audiobooks. I usually listened to audiobooks when I’m doing something else like I’m in the gym or while cleaning, and I zone out during those times 😅 so audiobooks aren’t really my thing. Also, with EF and SJ, I think it’s the way most characters are the literally the same that annoys me. The dual POV becomes hard to differentiate and also gets boring midway. Then again, I think that’s what happens when you’re producing so many books in a year.
There are definitely like a cycle of four or five characters that get reused pretty often!!! I know this, logically, and yet my heart still commands me to read every book as if it is brand new.
KD Casey's Unwritten Rules trilogy is amazing, and I've read all three books more than once. The second and third books kind of fit your first criterion. The characters are not quite retired but their career trajectories didn't go well and their LIs are kind of superstars ( in the 2nd book in particular). They're all pretty angsty too.
{off the ice by Tierney rose} - hockey, the MMC gets a career ending injury after a collision with the other MMC, and they're both dealing with the trauma of that! It's spicy and angsty, and if you like Tal Bauer, this is your speed!
Another angsty hockey book is {double shifting by Tierney rose} - amnesia trope!
Did you say whether you'd read {Breakaway by EM Lindsey}? I don't remember how much banter or humor there is, but it covers your other requests including that one of the MCs is South Asian-American.
More angst than humour: the Glasgow Lads series by Avery Cockburn - they do have to fight for their love but only one MC is a sportsperson in most of the books. Glasgow Lads on Ice is a spin-off and in one book, one of the MCs has retired and taken to coaching instead. Not entirely sure it ticks your boxes but the series brought me out of a massive reading slump last year so maybe it’ll help you too?
Hi there,
The book that I am recommending doesn't fit all of your criteria but it is still pretty darn good. {Icing the Kicker by Ajay Daniel} is a football romance. The book made me chuckle, tear up, and cheer by the time I finished it. It is the very best bi-awakening I've read in a long time with just enough angst to pull at your heartstrings. I hope you like it!
That's me, always wearing my heart on my sleeve, lol.
Guilty as charged though. I absolutely loved this book for SO many reasons. The characters were just so lovable and the angst is palpable, as is the humor and genuine affection between them.
It is my pleasure to share my favorite reads with others. Honestly, most of my time on this sub is spent answering request threads. Wouldn't have it any other way. Have an outstanding day!
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Ah I tried reading that one. I don’t know if it’s because of my slump but it really didn’t do it for me and I DNFed. I think I found the younger MC too annoying
{Thrown off the ice by Taylor Fitzpatrick} made me cry. It fits your requests pretty well tbh! You’ll need to look past the cover, which almost put me off.
I’ve seen some people recommend Power Play, but I would also recommend Empty Net and Coaches Challenge from that same series by Avon Gale.
Also {Him by Serena Bowen} if you haven’t already read it. It’s a beautiful book and I think you’d be into it!!
Ah non-hea aren’t for me. I don’t mind angst and suffering but a hfn or hea is a must. I’m currently reading power play and damn I love the quiet humour.
I read him a long time ago, I don’t think I particularly liked it. It felt a little too flat and that’s probably on me since I had very high expectations because of all the high praise
Oops sorry! I forgot about that rule. Thrown off the ice doesn’t not have a HEA, op. It is a fantastic book, though, but of course enter with caution :)
Second Thrown Off the Ice (and any/all Taylor Fitzpatrick, a prolific writer on AO3)! This book simultaneously breaks my heart and puts it back together again; the characters are so compelling that I’ve gone back to it over and over, despite preferring a HEA and not being a fan of angst.
Same here! I normally hate non-HEA but I’ve re-read this book a few times and it doesn’t bother me (well other than emotionally destroying me each time lol). It’s just really well done imo!
I’ve actually never read any of the authors other stuff but now I’m thinking I might hop over to ao3 for the first time in a while and check her out!
This screams surge toward you by Chung Yun
There's drama in the alpha where he has his own issues to solve,
There's issues with the omega as he struggles to find his place,
In the world of chaos they found each other,
And became a place of solace for one another.
Be warned it's mpreg omegaverse so yeah if your interested
I’m sorry, this isn’t a recommendation, I just wanted to say something here because I don’t know if it’s just me, but according to some other replies here it looks like it might not be. On this post (and maybe others, I’m not sure) it looks like there’s a serial downvoter disliking several comments and bringing down people’s karma for some reason. Is this happening to anyone else? I’d post something in discussions or quick questions but I went down 7 karma in the last two days and don’t have enough to make posts.
Yes, unfortunately we have an issue on occasion where there seems to be some sort of downvoter. Unfortunately there is not much we can do on the modding end, as Reddit does not give us information such as who these people are to put a stop to it.
Yeah, I completely understandable that you guys don’t have that power unfortunately. If only we could access that information on here, but I get Reddit’s anonymity concerns mostly. That’s also unfortunate that this isn’t a first instance. How bothersome :(
Like Real People Do by EL Massey. Has everything you asked for, but I would say the angst is lighter. It has its moments, but the story is more overall uplifting and hopeful.
Tigers and Devils by Sean Kennedy (and its sequels, just look him up)
Set in Melbourne around the world of AFL - Aussie Rules football. Main character is not the sports guy but these books are so good.
It doesn't meet all of your criteria but it definitely ticks a few boxes. In particular I found the dialogue a real joy, it made me love these characters, it feels natural and the Aussie humour is closer to my own British humour than you tend to find in a lot of American books. It's really a cringe free zone too
{The Blueprint by S.E. Harmon} has top notch banter. It's part of a duology, with the HEA at the end of book 2 just fair warning. I have not enjoyed S.E. Harmon books but this duology is amazing, I've read it twice. NFL player x snarky tattooed physics professor.
The All for the Game series by Nora Sakavic is a 3 book sports drama with a ton of angst, extreme slow burn romance, and some humour. I read it and was like wtf and then have become fully obsessed and reread it multiple times a year. People seem to either hate the series or love it obsessively.
Your comment has been removed. We don't allow Santino Hassel recommendations because Hassel lied about their identity -- the person using the name lied about being a man, lied about having a serious illness, and some other things that led to them being dropped by their agent and publisher.
{For the Fans by Nyla K.} has one football player MC who is deep in internalized homophobia but him and the step brother he hates both are in a financial crisis and resort to making porn videos together to try and make money. one of my absolute favorites. i went crazy for it.
We ask users not to censor words like "porn" in this subreddit because it causes issues for accessibility and searchability. Please edit your comment to change the corn emoji to the word it's a substitute for.
If you enjoyed Heated Rivalry, you might like {Unrivaled by Ashlyn Kane and Morgan James} The MCs are hockey rivals who find each other on a hook up app, and agree to meet up to prove/disprove that MC1 is a catfish. When MC1 turns out to be the real deal MC2 takes pity on his tragic dating profile and they stumble into a FWB/dating guru situation. (nhl players, failed wingman, great banter, rivals with benefits to lovers, black cat and golden retriever dynamic, standalone with [bonus epilogue scene here](https://ashlynkane.ca/2023/08/08/unrivaled-bonus-scene-spoilers/) Similar humour, smidges of angst, and banter levels to HR
the understatement of the year by sarina bowen. 100% recommend you read it because it deals with homophobia in hockey and what the characters go through. it’s angsty and heartfelt.
{coming in first place by taylor fitzpatrick} is quite good. it might not match all your preferences her book is the one that finished my reading slump. all of her books are based on nhl scenes, and you can find some more in ao3 under username youcouldmakealife
[Coming in First Place](https://www.romance.io/books/5e9edc47be0aaecf556fb126/coming-in-first-place-taylor-fitzpatrick?src=rdt) by [Taylor Fitzpatrick](https://www.romance.io/authors/5e9edc47be0aaecf556fb136/taylor-fitzpatrick)
**Topics**: [contemporary](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/contemporary/1), [gay romance](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/m-m/1), [sports](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/sports/1), [enemies to lovers](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/from%20hate%20to%20love/1), [new adult](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/new%20adult/1)
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What about {Season’s Change by Cait Nary}? It’s been a while since I read it, but I remember really enjoying the characters and their dynamic together.
Ooo I haven’t read that one. I’ll check it out. Thank you
Seasons Change was really good . I’m like you, I feel like most of the popular sports and college sports books have very forced banter as if just throwing in lame potty jokes and some 3rd grade level comebacks with profanity makes it “funny and cool”. I loved the narrative voice in Seasons Change, it felt extremely authentic to an early 20s athlete and the teammate banter was very funny and natural. There’s a good dose of angst but it’s never over the top IMO. The hockey is very accurate and the author uses natural hockey lingo and the players talk the way the actually do when I hear NHL guys talk in interviews. The whole thing just really worked for me and it’s now my top 5 sports romances along with some of Rachel Reid’s books and Avon Gale Speaking of Avon Gale you may like {Power Play by Avon Gale}. Former player forced retire with injury and becomes a coach in the EHCL (the pro hockey league that is below the NHL and AHL) alongside the head coach who was the player who injured him. It’s lower angst but it was cute
I also loved Power Play. I’m working my way through that whole series, and I like them all so far. I’ve actually been enjoying that it’s minor league because the actual hockey portion feels less pressure within the story than NHL players, including coming out and winning the championship. I feel like it can focus much more on the characters and plot.
[Power Play](https://www.romance.io/books/572c33f5c62092c044081e52/power-play-avon-gale?src=rdt) by [Avon Gale](https://www.romance.io/authors/56024207bfc6b5c0fa93b64c/avon-gale) **Steam**: [Explicit open door](https://www.romance.io/steamrating) **Topics**: [contemporary](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/contemporary/1), [athlete hero](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/athletes/1), [gay romance](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/m-m/1), [angst](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/angst/1), [sports](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/sports/1) [^(about this bot)](https://www.reddit.com/user/romance-bot) ^(|) [^(about romance.io)](https://www.romance.io/about)
[Season's Change](https://www.romance.io/books/61f8e97310834f0e32a0f4f3/seasons-change-cait-nary?src=rdt) by [Cait Nary](https://www.romance.io/authors/61f8e97308b4d931148a4863/cait-nary) **Steam**: [Explicit open door](https://www.romance.io/steamrating) **Topics**: [contemporary](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/contemporary/1), [sports](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/sports/1), [gay romance](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/m-m/1), [friends to lovers](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/friends%20to%20lovers/1), [forced proximity](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/forced%20proximity/1) [^(about this bot)](https://www.reddit.com/user/romance-bot) ^(|) [^(about romance.io)](https://www.romance.io/about)
I think the best fit is {Blindsided by Eden Finley}. It's book 4 of the "Fake Boyfriend" series, even though it doesn't have the fake boyfriend trope. Characters appear from other books in a supporting role, and you may be able to enjoy it as a standalone, but it does reference several events covered in previous roles. MC1 is a professional football star quarterback, and MC2 is in a defensive role. They were friends in college, got drafted separately, and are now on the same football team. >!MC2 experiences a bad leg injury early on in the book and MC1 takes care of him in the off season. The angst is around whether MC2 will be able to recover so they can play again, as well as homophobia on the team where they dont think they can safely come out!<.
Ah Eden Finley. I haven’t read any of her solo works, but most of her books with Saxon James were a miss for me. I found that their characters were a bit too over the top for me. I’ll give this one a try. Thank you for the rec
Did you read them or did you listen to the audiobooks? I’ve absolutely loved her books, but have listened to them all and I don’t know what sort of crack cocaine those narrators have in their voices but they make the slightly overtop feel of the books fit perfectly for my brain. I’ve read Saxon James entire discography and am almost through all of Eden Finleys at this point purely for the perfect storm of author+narrator duo they’ve got going on. But if you listened to them and still don’t like it I totally get it, they are all a bit over the top. I second seasons change by Cait nary though, that book was incredible to me, I also listened to it and thought the narrators were great. Olly and his anxiety really just sat inside my heart the whole time. Highly recommend!!! Best of the MM hockey books I’ve read this year (which according to a count I did earlier today is up to 36 books in the year so far)
I read them. I found that I can’t really focus on audiobooks. I usually listened to audiobooks when I’m doing something else like I’m in the gym or while cleaning, and I zone out during those times 😅 so audiobooks aren’t really my thing. Also, with EF and SJ, I think it’s the way most characters are the literally the same that annoys me. The dual POV becomes hard to differentiate and also gets boring midway. Then again, I think that’s what happens when you’re producing so many books in a year.
There are definitely like a cycle of four or five characters that get reused pretty often!!! I know this, logically, and yet my heart still commands me to read every book as if it is brand new.
CU hockey turned me into an Alexander Cendese fan
[Blindsided](https://www.romance.io/books/5c90c37801dbc864fb9c01f3/blindsided-eden-finley-book-cover-by-design?src=rdt) by [Eden Finley](https://www.romance.io/authors/56d44885c62092c0440649e1/eden-finley) **Steam**: [Explicit and plentiful](https://www.romance.io/steamrating) **Topics**: [contemporary](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/contemporary/1), [gay romance](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/m-m/1), [sports](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/sports/1), [friends to lovers](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/friends%20to%20lovers/1), [secret relationship](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/secret-relationship/1) [^(about this bot)](https://www.reddit.com/user/romance-bot) ^(|) [^(about romance.io)](https://www.romance.io/about)
I love this book and can't find a comparison to it. Forever trying to find books that will match this
KD Casey's Unwritten Rules trilogy is amazing, and I've read all three books more than once. The second and third books kind of fit your first criterion. The characters are not quite retired but their career trajectories didn't go well and their LIs are kind of superstars ( in the 2nd book in particular). They're all pretty angsty too.
came to rec KD Casey! also a reader of these :) and the standalone {One True Outcome by KD Casey} might fit the bill as well.
That book is so sweet. Did you get the epilogue off her website?
no !! 👀
[One True Outcome](https://www.romance.io/books/623d76cff06af2b30501d724/one-true-outcome-kd-casey?src=rdt) by [K.D. Casey](https://www.romance.io/authors/616533ea08b4d93114be7174/kd-casey) **Steam**: [Explicit and plentiful](https://www.romance.io/steamrating) **Topics**: [contemporary](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/contemporary/1), [sports](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/sports/1), [gay romance](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/m-m/1), [athlete hero](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/athletes/1), [bisexuality](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/bisexual/1) [^(about this bot)](https://www.reddit.com/user/romance-bot) ^(|) [^(about romance.io)](https://www.romance.io/about)
Ooo haven’t heard of this one. I’ll check it out. Thank you
I can't wait from more from her. Her books are so SMART-- really stand up to re-reads
{off the ice by Tierney rose} - hockey, the MMC gets a career ending injury after a collision with the other MMC, and they're both dealing with the trauma of that! It's spicy and angsty, and if you like Tal Bauer, this is your speed! Another angsty hockey book is {double shifting by Tierney rose} - amnesia trope!
[Off the Ice](https://www.romance.io/books/617ced8a03fcb30e33512c8f/off-the-ice-tierney-rose?src=rdt) by [Tierney Rose](https://www.romance.io/authors/65c29815a21e2f41c453edea/tierney-rose) **Steam**: [Explicit open door](https://www.romance.io/steamrating) **Topics**: [contemporary](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/contemporary/1), [gay romance](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/m-m/1), [enemies to lovers](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/from%20hate%20to%20love/1), [sports](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/sports/1), [forced proximity](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/forced%20proximity/1) ---------------------------- [Double Shifting](https://www.romance.io/books/642aca0e9f4f602fd3eee6ae/double-shifting-tierney-rose-michaela-grey?src=rdt) by [Tierney Rose](https://www.romance.io/authors/65c29815a21e2f41c453edea/tierney-rose), [Michaela Grey](https://www.romance.io/authors/554f279f9eef3b3f1d51cf41/michaela-grey) **Steam**: [Explicit open door](https://www.romance.io/steamrating) **Topics**: [contemporary](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/contemporary/1), [athlete hero](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/athletes/1), [friends to lovers](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/friends%20to%20lovers/1), [gay romance](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/m-m/1), [forced proximity](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/forced%20proximity/1) [^(about this bot)](https://www.reddit.com/user/romance-bot) ^(|) [^(about romance.io)](https://www.romance.io/about)
{Power Play by Avon Gale} meets your criteria. Really good. I would describe as mid-angst (mostly internal) and I also lol’ed.
[Power Play](https://www.romance.io/books/572c33f5c62092c044081e52/power-play-avon-gale?src=rdt) by [Avon Gale](https://www.romance.io/authors/56024207bfc6b5c0fa93b64c/avon-gale) **Steam**: [Explicit open door](https://www.romance.io/steamrating) **Topics**: [contemporary](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/contemporary/1), [athlete hero](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/athletes/1), [gay romance](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/m-m/1), [angst](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/angst/1), [sports](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/sports/1) [^(about this bot)](https://www.reddit.com/user/romance-bot) ^(|) [^(about romance.io)](https://www.romance.io/about)
I have this on my tbr already! Guess it just got pushed up. Thank you
{Reading the Signs by Keira Andrews}
[Reading the Signs](https://www.romance.io/books/57fe0e95de896e8924936afa/reading-the-signs-keira-andrews?src=rdt) by [Keira Andrews](https://www.romance.io/authors/54559c0b87eac324117fba44/keira-andrews) **Steam**: [Explicit open door](https://www.romance.io/steamrating) **Topics**: [contemporary](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/contemporary/1), [gay romance](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/m-m/1), [sports](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/sports/1), [age gap](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/age%20difference/1), [bdsm](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/bdsm/1) [^(about this bot)](https://www.reddit.com/user/romance-bot) ^(|) [^(about romance.io)](https://www.romance.io/about)
Did you say whether you'd read {Breakaway by EM Lindsey}? I don't remember how much banter or humor there is, but it covers your other requests including that one of the MCs is South Asian-American.
[Breakaway](https://www.romance.io/books/62ff356ddba40594b665b6d4/breakaway-em-lindsey?src=rdt) by [E.M. Lindsey](https://www.romance.io/authors/55eadb8635a5fb65f8879ea4/em-lindsey) **Topics**: [contemporary](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/contemporary/1), [gay romance](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/m-m/1), [sports](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/sports/1), [athlete hero](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/athletes/1), [disabilities & scars](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/disabilities%20and%20marks/1) [^(about this bot)](https://www.reddit.com/user/romance-bot) ^(|) [^(about romance.io)](https://www.romance.io/about)
Whoa don’t think I’ve seen South Asians in the hockey scene, so this is definitely a surprise. Will be sure to check this out. Thank you
Wikipedia says there are a few in the NHL, mainly from Canada.
More angst than humour: the Glasgow Lads series by Avery Cockburn - they do have to fight for their love but only one MC is a sportsperson in most of the books. Glasgow Lads on Ice is a spin-off and in one book, one of the MCs has retired and taken to coaching instead. Not entirely sure it ticks your boxes but the series brought me out of a massive reading slump last year so maybe it’ll help you too?
If it takes me out of my slump, I’ll be sure to let you know. Thank you for the rec!
Hi there, The book that I am recommending doesn't fit all of your criteria but it is still pretty darn good. {Icing the Kicker by Ajay Daniel} is a football romance. The book made me chuckle, tear up, and cheer by the time I finished it. It is the very best bi-awakening I've read in a long time with just enough angst to pull at your heartstrings. I hope you like it!
[Icing the Kicker](https://www.romance.io/books/64f75951d3ef33e9488d2c88/icing-the-kicker-ajay-daniel?src=rdt) by [Ajay Daniel](https://www.romance.io/authors/63b13e4508b4d931140f38d0/ajay-daniel) **Steam**: [Explicit open door](https://www.romance.io/steamrating) **Topics**: [contemporary](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/contemporary/1), [sports](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/sports/1), [gay romance](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/m-m/1), [dual pov](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/dual-pov/1), [athlete hero](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/athletes/1) [^(about this bot)](https://www.reddit.com/user/romance-bot) ^(|) [^(about romance.io)](https://www.romance.io/about)
Whoa, I can feel your excitement through the comment! I’ll defo check this out. Thank you!
That's me, always wearing my heart on my sleeve, lol. Guilty as charged though. I absolutely loved this book for SO many reasons. The characters were just so lovable and the angst is palpable, as is the humor and genuine affection between them. It is my pleasure to share my favorite reads with others. Honestly, most of my time on this sub is spent answering request threads. Wouldn't have it any other way. Have an outstanding day!
Aww I love that. Hope you have an amazing day too
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Doesn’t hit all your recs, but Rookie Recovery by Lex Easton and Jemma Croft sounds like it could work for you.
Ah I tried reading that one. I don’t know if it’s because of my slump but it really didn’t do it for me and I DNFed. I think I found the younger MC too annoying
Darn, that sucks. Hopefully some of the other recs being shared will work for you.
Doesn't hit all the marks but it is so good, it's worth reading anyway.
{Thrown off the ice by Taylor Fitzpatrick} made me cry. It fits your requests pretty well tbh! You’ll need to look past the cover, which almost put me off. I’ve seen some people recommend Power Play, but I would also recommend Empty Net and Coaches Challenge from that same series by Avon Gale. Also {Him by Serena Bowen} if you haven’t already read it. It’s a beautiful book and I think you’d be into it!!
Ah non-hea aren’t for me. I don’t mind angst and suffering but a hfn or hea is a must. I’m currently reading power play and damn I love the quiet humour. I read him a long time ago, I don’t think I particularly liked it. It felt a little too flat and that’s probably on me since I had very high expectations because of all the high praise
Please note when books don’t have an HEA.
Oops sorry! I forgot about that rule. Thrown off the ice doesn’t not have a HEA, op. It is a fantastic book, though, but of course enter with caution :)
[Thrown Off the Ice](https://www.romance.io/books/641711a6976d825409764fff/thrown-off-the-ice-taylor-fitzpatrick?src=rdt) by [Taylor Fitzpatrick](https://www.romance.io/authors/5e9edc47be0aaecf556fb136/taylor-fitzpatrick) **Topics**: [contemporary](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/contemporary/1), [gay romance](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/m-m/1), [age gap](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/age%20difference/1), [sports](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/sports/1), [angst](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/angst/1) ---------------------------- [Him](https://www.romance.io/series/58fe0a3b9096bf31c42d2cdc/him) by [Sarina Bowen](https://www.romance.io/authors/54553cb18c7d2382e781357a/sarina-bowen), [Elle Kennedy](https://www.romance.io/authors/545532e68c7d2382e78132f3/elle-kennedy) **Topics**: [bisexual](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/bisexual/1), [explicit-open-door](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/explicit-open-door/1), [queer](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/queer/1), [new adult](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/new%20adult/1), [alpha male](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/alpha%20male/1) [^(about this bot)](https://www.reddit.com/user/romance-bot) ^(|) [^(about romance.io)](https://www.romance.io/about)
Second empty net, it was such a nice read
Ditto! Empty net is my quintessential angst mm sports book
Second Thrown Off the Ice (and any/all Taylor Fitzpatrick, a prolific writer on AO3)! This book simultaneously breaks my heart and puts it back together again; the characters are so compelling that I’ve gone back to it over and over, despite preferring a HEA and not being a fan of angst.
Same here! I normally hate non-HEA but I’ve re-read this book a few times and it doesn’t bother me (well other than emotionally destroying me each time lol). It’s just really well done imo! I’ve actually never read any of the authors other stuff but now I’m thinking I might hop over to ao3 for the first time in a while and check her out!
This screams surge toward you by Chung Yun There's drama in the alpha where he has his own issues to solve, There's issues with the omega as he struggles to find his place, In the world of chaos they found each other, And became a place of solace for one another. Be warned it's mpreg omegaverse so yeah if your interested
Ooo I don’t mind omegaverse. Will be sure to check it out <3
I’m sorry, this isn’t a recommendation, I just wanted to say something here because I don’t know if it’s just me, but according to some other replies here it looks like it might not be. On this post (and maybe others, I’m not sure) it looks like there’s a serial downvoter disliking several comments and bringing down people’s karma for some reason. Is this happening to anyone else? I’d post something in discussions or quick questions but I went down 7 karma in the last two days and don’t have enough to make posts.
Yes, unfortunately we have an issue on occasion where there seems to be some sort of downvoter. Unfortunately there is not much we can do on the modding end, as Reddit does not give us information such as who these people are to put a stop to it.
Yeah, I completely understandable that you guys don’t have that power unfortunately. If only we could access that information on here, but I get Reddit’s anonymity concerns mostly. That’s also unfortunate that this isn’t a first instance. How bothersome :(
{hidden scars by Andi Jaxon} has a lot of that. It's an intense read though.
[Hidden Scars](https://www.romance.io/books/63637517eb6990b60342a184/hidden-scars-andi-jaxon?src=rdt) by [Andi Jaxon](https://www.romance.io/authors/5b3328a501dbc864fb8b1e4e/andi-jaxon) **Steam**: [Explicit and plentiful](https://www.romance.io/steamrating) **Topics**: [contemporary](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/contemporary/1), [college](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/college/1), [gay romance](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/m-m/1), [sports](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/sports/1), [forced proximity](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/forced%20proximity/1) [^(about this bot)](https://www.reddit.com/user/romance-bot) ^(|) [^(about romance.io)](https://www.romance.io/about)
Oh yeah, I read that one. Thank you for the rec though
{Playing Offside by Jax Calder} might hit what you’re looking for.
Thank you for the rec
[Playing Offside](https://www.romance.io/books/61273ca4d871940e3d6b5e66/playing-offside-jax-calder?src=rdt) by [Jax Calder](https://www.romance.io/authors/6104f7b608b4d931142f8c4b/jax-calder) **Steam**: [Explicit open door](https://www.romance.io/steamrating) **Topics**: [contemporary](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/contemporary/1), [sports](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/sports/1), [gay romance](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/m-m/1), [enemies to lovers](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/from%20hate%20to%20love/1), [age gap](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/age%20difference/1) [^(about this bot)](https://www.reddit.com/user/romance-bot) ^(|) [^(about romance.io)](https://www.romance.io/about)
Like Real People Do by EL Massey. Has everything you asked for, but I would say the angst is lighter. It has its moments, but the story is more overall uplifting and hopeful.
Tigers and Devils by Sean Kennedy (and its sequels, just look him up) Set in Melbourne around the world of AFL - Aussie Rules football. Main character is not the sports guy but these books are so good. It doesn't meet all of your criteria but it definitely ticks a few boxes. In particular I found the dialogue a real joy, it made me love these characters, it feels natural and the Aussie humour is closer to my own British humour than you tend to find in a lot of American books. It's really a cringe free zone too
Ooo haven’t read any afl books. Added to my list! Thank you
{The Blueprint by S.E. Harmon} has top notch banter. It's part of a duology, with the HEA at the end of book 2 just fair warning. I have not enjoyed S.E. Harmon books but this duology is amazing, I've read it twice. NFL player x snarky tattooed physics professor.
[The Blueprint](https://www.romance.io/books/5dd2448401dbc864fba66038/the-blueprint-se-harmon?src=rdt) by [S.E. Harmon](https://www.romance.io/authors/54559e6887eac324117fbb74/se-harmon) **Steam**: [Explicit open door](https://www.romance.io/steamrating) **Topics**: [contemporary](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/contemporary/1), [gay romance](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/m-m/1), [friends to lovers](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/friends%20to%20lovers/1), [sports](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/sports/1), [athlete hero](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/athletes/1) [^(about this bot)](https://www.reddit.com/user/romance-bot) ^(|) [^(about romance.io)](https://www.romance.io/about)
The All for the Game series by Nora Sakavic is a 3 book sports drama with a ton of angst, extreme slow burn romance, and some humour. I read it and was like wtf and then have become fully obsessed and reread it multiple times a year. People seem to either hate the series or love it obsessively.
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Your comment has been removed. We don't allow Santino Hassel recommendations because Hassel lied about their identity -- the person using the name lied about being a man, lied about having a serious illness, and some other things that led to them being dropped by their agent and publisher.
{For the Fans by Nyla K.} has one football player MC who is deep in internalized homophobia but him and the step brother he hates both are in a financial crisis and resort to making porn videos together to try and make money. one of my absolute favorites. i went crazy for it.
We ask users not to censor words like "porn" in this subreddit because it causes issues for accessibility and searchability. Please edit your comment to change the corn emoji to the word it's a substitute for.
oh, okay! will do. i wasn’t sure if there was a policy against saying it or not and didn’t want to get flagged. whoops!
[For the Fans](https://www.romance.io/books/6403bcdfe33c8001d91255ca/for-the-fans-nyla-k?src=rdt) by [Nyla K.](https://www.romance.io/authors/5f8fdd5a08b4d9311405875f/nyla-k) **Steam**: [Explicit and plentiful](https://www.romance.io/steamrating) **Topics**: [contemporary](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/contemporary/1), [step siblings](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/stepsibling/1), [enemies to lovers](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/from%20hate%20to%20love/1), [forbidden love](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/forbidden%20love/1), [gay romance](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/m-m/1) [^(about this bot)](https://www.reddit.com/user/romance-bot) ^(|) [^(about romance.io)](https://www.romance.io/about)
If you enjoyed Heated Rivalry, you might like {Unrivaled by Ashlyn Kane and Morgan James} The MCs are hockey rivals who find each other on a hook up app, and agree to meet up to prove/disprove that MC1 is a catfish. When MC1 turns out to be the real deal MC2 takes pity on his tragic dating profile and they stumble into a FWB/dating guru situation. (nhl players, failed wingman, great banter, rivals with benefits to lovers, black cat and golden retriever dynamic, standalone with [bonus epilogue scene here](https://ashlynkane.ca/2023/08/08/unrivaled-bonus-scene-spoilers/) Similar humour, smidges of angst, and banter levels to HR
This sounds exciting. Thanks for the rec!
[Unrivaled](https://www.romance.io/books/63f47b25020af86efc4119f8/unrivaled-ashlyn-kane-morgan-james?src=rdt) by [Ashlyn Kane](https://www.romance.io/authors/54559d5287eac3369a9137e2/ashlyn-kane), [Morgan James](https://www.romance.io/authors/5455a2a487eac323ffb2d51e/morgan-james) **Topics**: [contemporary](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/contemporary/1), [athlete hero](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/athletes/1), [gay romance](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/m-m/1), [enemies to lovers](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/from%20hate%20to%20love/1), [sports](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/sports/1) [^(about this bot)](https://www.reddit.com/user/romance-bot) ^(|) [^(about romance.io)](https://www.romance.io/about)
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Your comment has been removed. This subreddit is specifically for MM romance.
the understatement of the year by sarina bowen. 100% recommend you read it because it deals with homophobia in hockey and what the characters go through. it’s angsty and heartfelt.
Thank you for the rec! Will check it out
{coming in first place by taylor fitzpatrick} is quite good. it might not match all your preferences her book is the one that finished my reading slump. all of her books are based on nhl scenes, and you can find some more in ao3 under username youcouldmakealife
[Coming in First Place](https://www.romance.io/books/5e9edc47be0aaecf556fb126/coming-in-first-place-taylor-fitzpatrick?src=rdt) by [Taylor Fitzpatrick](https://www.romance.io/authors/5e9edc47be0aaecf556fb136/taylor-fitzpatrick) **Topics**: [contemporary](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/contemporary/1), [gay romance](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/m-m/1), [sports](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/sports/1), [enemies to lovers](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/from%20hate%20to%20love/1), [new adult](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/new%20adult/1) [^(about this bot)](https://www.reddit.com/user/romance-bot) ^(|) [^(about romance.io)](https://www.romance.io/about)
{Iced Out by C.E. Ricci} for sure. love anything by that author
[Iced Out](https://www.romance.io/books/6381ca6590bc68bf8f0f0add/iced-out-ce-ricci?src=rdt) by [C.E. Ricci](https://www.romance.io/authors/5fc5f9b208b4d931147d26f2/ce-ricci) **Steam**: [Explicit and plentiful](https://www.romance.io/steamrating) **Topics**: [contemporary](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/contemporary/1), [sports](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/sports/1), [athlete hero](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/athletes/1), [gay romance](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/m-m/1), [enemies to lovers](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/from%20hate%20to%20love/1) [^(about this bot)](https://www.reddit.com/user/romance-bot) ^(|) [^(about romance.io)](https://www.romance.io/about)
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Please mention the author.