Kendall Ryan is a bestselling romance author recognized by the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and USA Today more than 100 times. After a three-year hiatus, she's returning this September with a new hockey romance series Must Love Hockey.
Kendall has written more than two dozen novels, including several self-published bestsellers. She's sold millions of books, which have been translated into several languages in countries around the world. In My Hockey Era, the first installment in her new series, is out September 15.
We talked with her about how choosing indie publishing has shaped her success, how she keeps coming up with new ideas, and what romance trope is her favorite.
What first drove you to start your career writing romance?
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.
You have worked with some larger, traditional publishers in the past. What made you choose the indie publishing route, and how has that decision shaped your success?
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.
Going indie…was mostly about the joy of building something that's entirely mine, from the first word to the final post-launch celebration.
How would you describe your creative process?
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."
With a backlist of so many incredible romance titles, what keeps you energized with new ideas?
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.
So many readers are obsessed with this niche ice hockey romance genre—do you have any particular romance subgenre or trope you love to read?
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.
If you could give future indie romance authors a tip, what would it be?
Don’t chase trends. By the time you’ve written that “hot” trope, TikTok has already moved on to something else.
What can you tell us about your brand new book In My Hockey Era and the forthcoming Must Love Hockey series?
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.
Craving hockey, heat, and hate-to-love sparks?
Kendall Ryan’s latest romance brings it all!
Any behind-the-scenes stories you can share about the creation of In My Hockey Era? (Is there any scene, character, or setting in the book inspired by your real life? Was there a scene that was particularly fun, challenging, or almost-too-spicy to write? Any personal stories about the writing process for this particular book?)
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.
