Fake Dating My Ex’s Hockey Star Brother is high-heat erotica wrapped in a trendy sports-romance cover. It’s not "teen spicy"—it’s adult-marketed romance with explicit, graphic sexual content that makes up a significant portion of the page count. If your teen is asking for this because they saw a "hockey romance" edit on social media, they’re likely looking for the aesthetic, but the actual content is written for an adult audience.
TL;DR: Fake Dating My Ex’s Hockey Star Brother by Brittnee Nicole is a "spicy" adult romance featuring explicit sexual scenes and mature themes like revenge and infidelity. While it’s a hit in the "BookTok" world, it’s far more graphic than typical Young Adult fiction. For teens who want the sports vibe without the erotica, try Check & Mate by Ali Hazelwood or browse our best books for kids list.
If you haven't been keeping tabs on the "BookTok" or "Bookstagram" corners of the internet, you might be surprised to learn that hockey is currently the hottest thing in publishing. The Pucking Revenge Series is a juggernaut in this space.
Book 2, Fake Dating My Ex’s Hockey Star Brother, follows Chloe, who was recently dumped by her cheating fiancé. To get back at him, she enters a fake relationship with his brother, Kellan, who happens to be a professional hockey star. It hits every trope that 2026 readers are obsessed with: fake dating, revenge, "he falls first," and the "brother's ex" forbidden fruit angle.
But here’s the thing: this isn't a YA novel. It’s "New Adult" or "Contemporary Romance," which is code for "there will be multiple, multi-page, extremely graphic sex scenes." The plot is the vehicle for the heat, not the other way around.
The reason this book (and the series) is popping up on teen radars is purely down to the algorithm. Social media edits of "hockey guys" and "book boyfriends" don't usually come with age ratings. A teen might see a quote or a fan-art image and think it’s a sweet story about a girl and a professional athlete.
In reality, the "spice" level here is a 4 or 5 out of 5. We’re talking:
- Explicit Language: Heavy use of "four-letter words" throughout, both in dialogue and during the intimate scenes.
- Graphic Sex: These aren't "fade-to-black" moments. They are descriptive, frequent, and central to the "revenge" plot.
- Mature Themes: The story deals with betrayal, toxic family dynamics, and a fair amount of "revenge" posturing that isn't exactly a blueprint for healthy relationship growth.
Why hockey? It’s the current "it" sport for romance authors because it combines the "tough guy" aesthetic with the "golden retriever" energy (men who are aggressive on the ice but soft for the heroine).
If your teen is genuinely into the hockey setting but you’re not ready to hand them a book that reads like a Penthouse forum, you have to be specific. The "Pucking" in the title is a massive neon sign that this is for adults. In the romance world, puns on the word "puck" are almost always a signal for high-heat content.
If your teen wants the "hockey star" or "star athlete" vibe without the graphic erotica, there are better entries that actually fit the digital guide for high school demographic.
While this is about chess, not hockey, it’s the gold standard for "rivals to lovers" in the YA space. It has the tension and the swoon-worthy lead without the graphic descriptions. Hazelwood is a titan in adult romance, but she wrote this specifically for the YA market.
Heads up: This is the book that started the current hockey craze. It is also very spicy (New Adult). If they are asking for Brittnee Nicole, they have probably already heard of Icebreaker. It’s essentially the "PG-13 to R" version of the same genre. It’s worth knowing that this is the "gateway" book for most teens entering this space.
For the "fake dating" trope without the "revenge sex" angle, Kasie West is the queen of clean YA romance. It’s sweet, fast-paced, and focuses on the emotional stakes rather than the physical ones.
If your teen has already read Fake Dating My Ex’s Hockey Star Brother or is halfway through it, don't panic. It's a book, not a life sentence. Use it as a bridge to talk about the things the book handles poorly:
- The "Revenge" Narrative: Ask them, "Is dating someone's brother actually a good way to heal from a breakup, or is it just a way to stay tied to your ex?" It's a great way to talk about moving on versus getting even.
- Fantasy vs. Reality: Romance novels are fantasies. Talk about how the "possessive" behavior often celebrated in these books (the "who did this to you?" trope) is actually a major red flag in real-world dating.
- The Algorithm: Ask how they found the book. It’s a chance to explain how TikTok and Instagram push content based on "vibes" rather than age-appropriateness.
The most important thing to know is that The Pucking Revenge Series is self-published through Kindle Unlimited. This matters because self-published "KU" books often have much higher spice levels than traditionally published books you’d find at a Barnes & Noble. There’s no editorial board toning things down for a "mass market" audience—it's written specifically for adult romance fans who want the heat.
Q: Is 'Fake Dating My Ex’s Hockey Star Brother' appropriate for a 14-year-old?
No, not by most standard definitions. It is an adult romance novel with graphic sexual descriptions and heavy profanity. It is written for an adult audience, not the YA market.
Q: What is the age rating for the Pucking Revenge series?
While books don't have official MPAA-style ratings, this series is firmly 18+. It is classified as "New Adult" or "Contemporary Romance" with a high spice rating.
Q: Are there any content warnings for this book?
Beyond the explicit sexual content, the book deals with infidelity (the inciting incident), toxic family relationships, and some verbal aggression. It’s a "revenge" romance, so the emotional tone can be petty and intense.
Fake Dating My Ex’s Hockey Star Brother is exactly what the title suggests: a trope-heavy, high-heat fantasy. It’s a fun, fast read for adults who love the genre, but it’s a massive leap in content from typical high school library fare. If your teen is looking for hockey romance, steer them toward our best books for kids list and look for titles specifically tagged as Young Adult (YA).
- Check out our digital guide for high school for more on navigating social media trends.
- Explore the best shows for kids if they want more sports-themed drama.
- See our full parents guide to the Pucking Revenge series for breakdowns of the other books.