How a Small Publisher Turned a Queer Hockey Romance Into a Bestseller

A tiny Thuringian press never expected this. Now, thanks to a steamy HBO Max adaptation, their queer love story is flying off shelves—and printers can't keep up.

, and Administrator

2026 February 26 . 7:44 AM

1 min read

The image shows a book with a picture of a group of people playing hockey on it. The people in the... — The image shows a book with a picture of a group of people playing hockey on it. The people in the picture are wearing helmets and holding hockey sticks, and there is a net in the background. The text on the book reads "Hockey".

Rush on Thuringian Publisher Thanks to Series Hit "Heated Rivalry" - How a Small Publisher Turned a Queer Hockey Romance Into a Bestseller

A small Thuringian publisher has found sudden success thanks to a streaming series. Heated Rivalry, a love story between two hockey players, has sent demand for the book soaring. Second Chances, the publishing house behind the German paperback, now faces an unexpected surge in orders.

The book's popularity began when HBO Max adapted it into a series. Fans quickly noticed the show stayed true to the original, keeping its explicit, 'spicy' scenes intact. This authenticity helped drive interest in the printed version.

Originally, digital rights were held by another publisher. But Second Chances secured a deal for a special paperback edition, set to debut at the Leipzig Book Fair in March. The print run has already reached five figures, making it the top seller among the company's nearly 100 titles.

Jeanette Bauroth, the publisher, has welcomed the attention. She highlights how the story's queer romance is reaching wider audiences and offering hope in difficult times. However, the rest of the series rights were auctioned off, meaning Second Chances won't handle deluxe or hardcover editions.

With demand skyrocketing, multiple printers are now working overtime. The sudden success has transformed a niche title into a mainstream hit.

The paperback's release will coincide with the Leipzig Book Fair. Second Chances has already printed tens of thousands of copies, ensuring availability for eager readers. While the publisher celebrates the book's impact, the rights to future editions now lie elsewhere.