BookTok Fuels Hockey Romance Boom to Screen

The surge in popularity for hockey romance novels, once a niche market, has been significantly propelled by the rise of BookTok. Author Elle Kennedy, who published her first hockey romance in 2009, attributes much of the recent boom to the platform's ability to create new readers and revive interest in physical books. Her widely successful 'Off Campus' series, which chronicles the lives of a college hockey team and the women around them at the fictional Briar University, has found a substantial new audience thanks to social media.

The 'Off Campus' series, known for its blend of college life and heavier themes, was optioned for screen adaptation in 2019. After a lengthy development process, the show officially premiered on Prime Video on May 13. While the author was not involved in the daily production, she was granted script approval and viewed early cuts, ensuring key character dynamics, such as the slow-burn relationship between Garrett Graham and Hannah Wells, were authentically portrayed. The series adaptation also emphasizes the importance of friendships and team dynamics, mirroring the novels.

Filming for the second season of the 'Off Campus' adaptation is scheduled to commence in Vancouver. The success of this series is seen as a positive development for the broader hockey romance genre, with Kennedy expressing excitement for fellow authors and their screen adaptations, like 'Heated Rivalry.' She views the growing spotlight on hockey-themed romance as beneficial for all involved, highlighting the positive and inspiring nature of the genre.