Speakeasy: Hockey Romance and the Rise of Sports Fiction**

In this episode of Speakeasy from West Egg Ventures, Amar and Kailey dive into one of the fastest growing and most surprising niches in publishing: hockey romance. What started with early hits like Ice Breaker has turned into a cultural wave, powered by BookTok, pun-filled titles, and a huge community of readers who cannot get enough of athletes, slow burn tension, and workplace crushes.

We explore why hockey became the heart of the trend, how the tropes connect with readers, and what this says about women as an underserved fan base in sports. We also look at the larger ripple effects. Do these fictional romances turn casual readers into actual sports fans? How are teams and leagues responding? And why does this genre feel like the Hallmark movie equivalent of publishing in the best possible way?

From F1 pit lane love stories to WWE universe romances, from dedicated bookstore events to real data showing massive sales growth, this episode unpacks the storytelling, the fandom, and the fun behind sports romance. Amar even wonders if he should write one himself.

If you are curious about sports, books, fandom, or why this trend has taken off the way it has, this episode is for you.

Episode Time Codes and Topics

0:00 to 1:00
Introduction and the surprising rise of hockey romance
How this niche became a breakout category on BookTok

1:00 to 3:00
Origins of sports romance
Early titles, the hockey foundation, and expansion into F1 and other sports

3:00 to 4:30
Why readers connect
Workplace dynamics, forbidden crushes, athlete mystery, and slow burns

4:30 to 6:00
How social platforms fuel the movement
BookTok views, bookstore romance events, and niche fan communities

6:00 to 7:30
From fiction to fandom
Does reading sports romance lead people to watch actual games

7:30 to 9:00
Sports romance in pop culture
Rom com roots, WWE storylines, and crossover storytelling moments

9:00 to end
Comfort reading, best pun titles, and whether Amar should write one
Closing thoughts and listener recommendations

Official Show Description

Speak Easy with Amar Shah and Kaylee Chicoski is where storytelling meets strategy and fandom becomes community.

Hosted by Emmy-winning storyteller Amar Shah and Shorty Award-winning strategist Kaylee Chicoski, the show explores how fan engagement drives culture, connection, and business growth.

From Taylor Swift to the Super Bowl, each episode, produced by West Egg Ventures, dives into how brands, creators, and fans build lasting loyalty through emotion, authenticity, and shared story.

Our Mission
We help sports, lifestyle, and culture-driven brands grow through fan-first strategy, creator-led content, and cultural activations that turn engagement into loyalty.

Learn more at WestEggVentures.com

📩 info@westeggventures.com

🎥 YouTube: youtube.com/@WestEggVentures

💼 LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/west-egg-ventures