With the excitement now surrounding *Heated Rivalry*, readers of books are keenly looking for additional hockey narratives. On Sunday, April 19, at BookCon, the session “You Had Me at Hockey: A Look at One of Sports Romance’s Hottest Genres” showcased authors Rachel Reid (*Heated Rivalry, Game Changer*), Emily Rath (*Pucking Around*), Ngozi Ukazu (*Check Please*), Stephanie Archer (*The Wild Card*), and Kate Cochrane (*Wake Up, Nat & Darcy*), moderated by fellow author Bal Khabra (*Collide*), discussing the burgeoning popularity and sustained success of hockey romance.

Khabra initiated the discussion by inquiring how hockey attained such fame. Ukazu wittily likened it to the genre “breaking free,” akin to the Omegaverse reaching mainstream popularity, while Reid underscored the intrigue of hockey, stating, “what [the players] are doing seems impossible.” Archer pointed out the sport’s physical intensity and the stardom of players, particularly in Canada, as captivating factors.

Nonetheless, the genre’s triumph transcends tropes. Rath contended that the publishing success is intertwined with racism, pointing out that straight, white women’s perspectives have historically dominated the romance genre, and hockey is notably the whitest sport. The NHL is largely composed of white individuals, with ESPN reporting in 2022 that 83.6% of players and staff within the league were white, in contrast to the NFL and NBA, where white representation is less common.

The authors also shared insights into their writing methodologies, exploring deeper facets of their creations, including explicit content. Rath observed, “I believe the least alluring action you can undertake is writing a sex scene.” Reid echoed this sentiment during her panel on Saturday, describing intimate scenes as means to propel the emotional journey. Archer stressed that omitting sex scenes equates to overlooking essential character growth.

The panel also considered future directions. Numerous authors now weave BIPOC and queer representation into their stories, pushing back against the genre’s emphasis on whiteness and homophobia. Rath asserted, “We’re crafting the world we desire.”

Reid acknowledged movement towards the future these authors and readers envision, noting the NHL’s willingness to collaborate with them. “Individuals from within genuinely wish to advocate for change and realize this vision.”

With the hockey fanbase stronger than ever, a devoted team backs these authors in fostering transformation.