Navigating Kendall Ryan's Hockey-Themed Romance
Kendall Ryan is a bestselling romance author recognized by the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and USA Today more than 100 times. She has written over two dozen novels, including several self-published bestsellers. After a three-year hiatus, she is returning this September with a new hockey romance series Must Love Hockey. The first installment In My Hockey Era is out September 15th!
Craving hockey, heat, and hate-to-love sparks? Kendall Ryan’s latest romance brings it all! Modern Romantics and Game Day Heroes (we see you!) come together in this new series!
In My Hockey Era
by Kendall Ryan
From New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and USA Today Bestselling Author, Kendall Ryan, comes a brand new romance!
Lucy Quinn loves hockey. What she doesn't love? The latest PR stunt from her favorite team-a hockey romance book club designed to lure in more female fans. Pandering to so-called "thirsty" fans? It totally cheapens the sport.
The worst part? They've slapped Bennett Wilder-the infuriatingly cocky, annoyingly handsome star forward-on the cover of this PR disaster like he's some kind of book boyfriend. Gross.
So Lucy does what any passionate, totally rational fan would do-she starts a boycott.
Bennett doesn't love being the face of a book club, but, hey, it's harmless fun... until he finds out some feisty, foul-mouthed superfan is trashing it, he's intrigued. And maybe just a little bit turned on. So, naturally, he makes it his mission to shut her up-with charm, persistence, and exceptionally skilled hands. Somehow, he always manages to make her forget why she was mad.
But as their very public rivalry turns into something much deeper, Lucy realizes one terrifying truth-she might just be falling for the one guy she swore to hate.
Interview with Kendall Ryan
Q: What first drove you to start your career writing romance?
A: I started writing romance because therapy was expensive, fictional men always text back, and the voices in my head wouldn’t shut up until I gave them a book deal. It’s also the only job where daydreaming about hot, emotionally unavailable men counts as ‘work.’ I hope readers walk away swooning, smiling, and maybe coming back for more.
Q: Having worked with traditional publishers before, what drew you to go indie, and how has that decision impacted your journey as an author?
A: I genuinely love the creative process—from writing and cover design to marketing and reader engagement. Going indie gave me the freedom to be hands-on with every part of the journey, which has been both empowering and (surprisingly) fun. It wasn’t about control… okay, maybe a little—but mostly it was about the joy of building something that's entirely mine, from the first word to the final post-launch celebration. Along the way, I've been fortunate to work with some amazing editors, both within Big 5 publishing, as well as independent editors, which has made the journey even better.
Q: If you could offer one piece of advice for emerging indie romance writers, what would it be?
A: Don’t chase trends. By the time you’ve written that “hot” trope, TikTok has already moved on to something else.
Q: How would you describe your creative process?
A: My process is far from glamorous. I would describe it as chaotic and caffeine-fueled. I listen to music while I write. And I live by my outline. There are lots of breaks for being “mom.”
Q: With such an impressive romance backlist, what inspires you to keep coming up with fresh story ideas?
A: I just genuinely love this genre—like, full-on heart-eyes love it. But it’s the readers who really keep my inspiration tank full. Their enthusiasm, reviews, emails, Instagram posts, TikToks... it's something I love. I feel like over the course of the years, I now sort of keep the reader in the back of my brain. What will her experience be when she picks up this book? I want it to stand out and deliver something totally swoon-worthy.
From In My Hockey Era:
As I round the corner, I nearly run straight into a wall of solid muscle.
Correction—Bennett Wilder.
“Whoa,” he says, catching my elbow like I might actually need steadying. Which I don’t, because I am a professional who does not get thrown off by irritatingly attractive hockey players.
I step back, forcing a neutral expression. “Wilder.”
“Quinn,” he says, his mouth curving into a smirk. “You came.”
“I said I would.”
“Still could’ve bailed.”
I raise an eyebrow. “Tempting, but I’m a woman of my word.”
“Good to know.” His eyes flick over me like he’s assessing, like he’s seeing me differently than last time. If he notices the whole dress and boots ensemble, he doesn’t let on. “Nervous?”
I scoff. “About a book club? Please.”
“Right. Big, scary group of romance readers. Terrifying.”
I huff, sidestepping him and continue down the hall. “You should be worried. If they find out you didn’t actually read the book, they’ll eat you alive.”
Bennett chuckles, falling into step beside me. “That’s where you’re wrong, Quinn. I read every single page.”
I glance at him, skeptical. “Yeah? Prove it.”
His smirk deepens. “Ask me anything.”
I narrow my eyes, trying to decide if he’s bluffing. But before I can challenge him, Vivian appears in the doorway of the media room, waving us over.
“Perfect timing! Let’s get started.”
Bennett winks at me before stepping inside.
And, for reasons I refuse to acknowledge, my stomach flips.
It’s show time.
Vivian stands at the podium, smiling at the crowd. “We are so excited to kick off our very first Stampede Book Club event with all of you!”
Loud cheers explode around the room. I gaze out, my eyes scanning the faces.
“And what better way to start than with a special live discussion, co-hosted by our very own Bennett Wilder and one of our most passionate fans, Lucy Quinn!”
There’s applause. Bennett grins like this is the best thing to ever happen to him. I swallow the urge to groan.
Vivian steps aside, and suddenly all eyes are on us. On me.
Bennett leans toward his mic. “So, Lucy, should we start with general thoughts? Maybe on how much you loved this book?”
I shoot him a look. “Yeah, sure. Let’s talk about the many ways this book made me want to set it on fire.”
Laughter ripples through the room. Bennett presses a hand to his chest like I’ve wounded him. “Wow. That’s how we’re starting?”
“Would you rather I lie?”
“I’d rather you admit it wasn’t that bad.”
“Then you’re in for a long night, Wilder.”
His grin widens. “Can’t wait.”
And just like that, we’re back in it. Back to the banter, back to the bickering. Back to the way it feels like the whole room disappears when he looks at me like that—like he’s enjoying every second of this.
Like he’s enjoying me.
Q: Hockey romance is definitely having a moment right now! As a reader, are there any specific romance subgenres or tropes you find yourself gravitating toward?
A: Give me grumpy/sunshine with a side of fake dating, and I’ll devour it. Enemies to lovers? Yes. Forced proximity? YES. Accidental marriage in Vegas? Chef’s kiss.
Q: What can you tell us about your new book In My Hockey Era and the forthcoming Must Love Hockey series?
A: In My Hockey Era is a slow-burn hockey romance featuring Lucy Quinn—a paramedic and fiercely opinionated sports blogger who accidentally goes viral—and Bennett Wilder, the hockey player she starts trolling online. It’s got banter, forced proximity, media chaos, and a cinnamon roll hero. Their chemistry is electric, their dynamic is chaotic, and their love story is one of growth, vulnerability, and learning to let someone in.
This book kicks off the Must Love Hockey series, a collection of intense, character-driven love stories set in the high-stakes, emotionally charged world of—yep—hockey! Each book features a new couple with messy pasts, big feelings, and themes of what it means to choose both love and yourself. If you’re into sports romance with heart, heat, and heroines who don’t hold back—you’re in the right era.
Q: Take us behind the scenes. Is there any part of the story inspired by your real life or any scene that was particularly fun to write?
A: Honestly? Bennett Wilder’s banter skills are 100% stolen from real life… except instead of a charming hockey player, it’s my golden retriever of a husband making me laugh while I’m trying to concentrate. The “only one bed” scene almost didn’t make it in because there was so much delicious tension I was worried I’d have to send readers an ice pack with their preorder.
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