Ice Cold Meets Sunshine Gold: The Ultimate Grumpy/Sunshine MM Hockey Romance Recommendations
If there is one trope that reigns supreme in the world of MM sports romance, it’s Grumpy/Sunshine. There is something undeniably addictive about a stoic, brooding hockey player having his icy exterior melted by a chaotic, golden-retriever energy love interest.
Whether you are looking for forced proximity, steamy locker room encounters, or the classic teammates-to-lovers slow burn, the current lineup of MM hockey books is delivering goal after goal. If you are craving stories where the “I hate everyone but you” energy is off the charts, you’ve come to the right place.
Here are my top recommendations for Grumpy/Sunshine MM Hockey Romances that you need to add to your TBR immediately.
1. Puck Tease by Chase Power
The Trope: Captain vs. Rookie | Age Gap | Forced Proximity
The Vibe: “I am trying to run a team here, and you are making TikToks in my kitchen.”
If you love the classic “Stone Cold” veteran clashing with a chaotic ray of sunshine, Puck Tease is the gold standard.
The Setup: Silas “Stone” Kincaid is the 36-year-old captain of the Mammoths. He is a man of rules, silence, and absolute control. Enter Nico Vierra: a 21-year-old rookie sensation who is as talented as he is annoying. Nico lives for social media, barely takes anything seriously, and seems determined to drive Silas insane.
Why It Works: The grumpy/sunshine dynamic hits peak perfection when Nico’s apartment floods, forcing him to move into Silas’s isolated “glass fortress” of a lake house. What starts as a coach-mandated babysitting gig turns into a masterclass in tension. Silas tries desperately to maintain his boundaries, but Nico is a force of nature who chips away at the captain’s walls—one thirst trap and smile at a time. The tension between Silas’s need for control and his desire for the one person he shouldn’t want is delicious.
Read this if you like:
- Strict Daddy vibes (without the label)
- “Touch him and you die” protectiveness
- Domestic forced proximity
- The grumpy one obsessively watching the sunshine one’s “content”
2. The Enforcer’s Luck by Jax Wilder
The Trope: Enforcer vs. Star Player | Bi-Awakening | “Just for the Game” Rituals
The Vibe: “I’m breaking down, and you’re the only thing holding me together.”
Sometimes the sunshine character isn’t just chaotic—sometimes they are the Golden Boy of the franchise. The Enforcer’s Luck delivers a heavy emotional punch alongside the steam.
The Setup: Garrick “Ford” Rutherford is an aging enforcer whose body is failing him. He’s in a slump, hurting, and terrified his career is over. Luca “Lucky” Rossi is the team’s platinum-blonde superstar—beautiful, talented, and seemingly perfect. When Ford’s anxiety threatens his game, Luca offers a unique form of… stress relief in the showers. It starts as a superstition to help the team win, but it quickly spirals into something much deeper.
Why It Works: This book flips the script. Ford thinks he’s the big, scary protector, but Luca is the one with the quiet confidence who takes charge when it matters. The “bi-awakening” aspect is handled with scorching heat, as Ford goes from “I don’t do this with guys” to “I will literally throw my body in front of a train for you.” The transition from a secret “good luck” ritual to a desperate, career-risking love story is pure dopamine.
Read this if you like:
- Hurt/Comfort at its finest
- Secret locker room hookups
- Size difference (Ford is massive; Luca is lean and pretty)
- Protective enforcers who are soft only for their boy
3. The King’s Submission by Jax Wilder
The Trope: The Hated Villain vs. The Calm in the Storm | Player/Staff | Redemption
The Vibe: “Everyone hates me, but you just sharpened my skates.”
While often categorized under grumpy/sunshine, The King’s Submission offers a darker, moodier twist. It’s less about “sunshine” and more about the “steady calm” that a chaotic grump desperately needs.
The Setup: Damon “The King” Kingsley is the villain of the NHL. He’s been traded to the Seattle Sharks (where he has to face Ford, the man whose career he helped end), and the entire locker room hates him. He is isolated, angry, and ready to lash out. Enter Emmett, the team’s quiet, unassuming equipment manager. While the rest of the world sees a monster, Emmett just sees a guy who needs his blades sharpened and his laundry done.
Why It Works: Damon is the ultimate Grump—defensive, aggressive, and expecting rejection. Emmett is the soothing counterweight who refuses to be intimidated. The relationship builds in the quiet sanctuary of the equipment cage, amidst the hum of washing machines and the scent of industrial soap. It’s a powerful story about a man who thinks he’s unlovable finding the one person who isn’t afraid of his darkness.
Read this if you like:
- “Us against the world”
- Power dynamics (Player vs. Staff)
- Prickly characters who need to be taken care of
- The “he’s a monster to everyone else but a puppy for me” dynamic
Why We Can’t Get Enough of MM Grumpy/Sunshine
Why do these books dominate the bestseller lists? Because they promise balance.
In the high-stakes, hyper-masculine world of professional hockey, characters like Silas, Ford, and Damon are conditioned to be walls of stone. They are enforcers, captains, and villains who carry the weight of the world. The “Sunshine” character—whether it’s the chaotic rookie Nico, the golden boy Luca, or the steady Emmett—offers them a safe place to put that weight down.
It’s not just about the opposites attracting; it’s about the relief of being seen.
Ready to Hit the Ice?
If you are new to the genre or looking for your next obsession, these titles from Fractal Enigma are the perfect place to start. They deliver the heat, the heart, and the hockey action that fans are craving.
Have you read any of these? Let me know in the comments which Grumpy/Sunshine pair is your favorite!
