Kate Willoughby Books in Order (Updated August 4, 2026)

Kate Willoughby is an American contemporary romance author best known for professional hockey stories. Her largest series follows the San Diego Barracudas, while her other books include retired hockey players, the San Francisco Dragons, college athletes, magical wishes, summer-camp reunions, and several early erotic romances.

The bibliography contains separate continuities rather than one enormous hockey universe. San Diego Barracudas should be read as its own team sequence. Hockey on Tap follows retired players in a brewery and restaurant setting, while San Francisco Dragons introduces another professional organization.

Most romances resolve within one book. Order still matters when teammates, relatives, previous couples, and changes within a team appear again.

Begin With the Route That Fits You

1. For Kate Willoughby’s principal hockey series, begin with On the Surface.
2. For older heroes and retired players, begin with Falling for Flynn.
3. For another professional hockey team, begin with Clean Sweep.
4. For college hockey in a multi-author shared world, read Darkroom.
5. For magical romantic comedy, begin with Once Upon a Fling.
6. For a self-contained reunion romance, choose Whatever It Takes.

The San Diego Barracudas Reading Route

The San Diego Barracudas books were originally published under the In the Zone series name. Current editions use the team name more prominently, but the stories and recommended order remain the same.

The series follows professional hockey players, veterans nearing retirement, injured athletes, rookies, and people drawn into the team’s extended circle.

On the Surface

On the Surface (2014): Veteran player Tim Hollander is traded to San Diego after a public outburst damages his reputation, then becomes involved with pediatric nurse Erin Collier after defending her at a team autograph event.

This is the foundation of the Barracudas series. It introduces the team’s locker-room relationships and establishes the balance between hockey pressure and private life used throughout the later books.

Across the Line

Across the Line (2014): Calder Griffin is recovering from a serious knee injury when he meets restaurant owner Becca Chen, but their intense attraction is complicated by demanding careers on opposite coasts.

Calder wants to return to the Barracudas and escape comparisons with his more successful brother. Becca is determined to prove that her chosen career deserves her family’s respect.

The book stands alone romantically, but Tim and the Barracudas provide continuing team context.

On the Brink

On the Brink (2016): College hockey prospect Hart Griffin questions everything he thought he understood about his sexuality after an encounter with male fan Jeremy Fenton.

The novella explains how Hart and Jeremy met and developed their relationship. Hart is connected to Calder from Across the Line, giving the story a family link to the main series.

Although it takes place before some of the professional hockey novels, the author places it between Across the Line and Out of the Game in the suggested reading order.

Out of the Game

Out of the Game (2015): Barracudas reserve goalie Alex Sullivan faces an unexpected romance while professional uncertainty and personal responsibilities make it difficult to plan beyond the current season.

The story continues the San Diego team setting and develops another player who has already existed within the series’ supporting cast.

Read it after On the Brink to preserve the Griffin family and team progression.

Under the Spotlight

Under the Spotlight (2015): Veteran right winger Joe Rutherford begins a long-distance relationship with rising actress Christine Caspary after their charity work brings them together.

Joe is approaching the end of his hockey career just as Christine’s acting career begins accelerating. Their conflict centers on distance, changing public attention, and whether Joe can support a partner whose fame may soon exceed his own.

The book gives an established older player the central role and continues the Barracudas’ mentoring and team-family relationships.

In the Moment

In the Moment (2017): Jane Merrifield attends a Grease-themed week at Camp Firefly Falls and unexpectedly encounters Mac, the man who broke her heart when they were teenagers.

This second-chance romance was first associated with the multi-author Camp Firefly Falls world and was later incorporated into the Barracudas reading order.

It can be understood independently, but its current placement is after Under the Spotlight.

On the Rebound

On the Rebound (2024): Barracudas captain Jason Locke faces sudden personal upheaval and an unexpected relationship that forces him to reconsider the carefully controlled life built around hockey.

The novel returns to the San Diego team after a long publication gap. Earlier team familiarity adds context, but the central romance has its own complete arc.

This is the sixth main Barracudas novel and Kate Willoughby’s latest verified published book.

San Diego Barracudas Books in Recommended Order

1. On the Surface (2014): Tim attempts to repair his reputation after joining San Diego and falls for pediatric nurse Erin.
2. Across the Line (2014): Calder rebuilds his injured career while beginning a difficult cross-country relationship with Becca.
3. On the Brink (2016): Hart Griffin and Jeremy Fenton begin a relationship that changes Hart’s understanding of himself.
4. Out of the Game (2015): Reserve goalie Alex becomes the next Barracudas player to face a life-changing romance.
5. Under the Spotlight (2015): Veteran player Joe and actress Christine try to sustain love while their careers move in opposite directions.
6. In the Moment (2017): Former teenage sweethearts reunite during a themed summer-camp vacation.
7. On the Rebound (2024): Captain Jason Locke faces a new relationship during a period of unexpected personal change.

The publication years around On the Brink and Out of the Game do not match the recommended story placement. Follow the author’s suggested order rather than sorting those two solely by year.

Are the Barracudas Books Standalones?

Yes, each principal book follows a different couple and provides a complete romantic ending.

Reading in order is still recommended. Team members return, relatives become romantic leads, and later stories reveal which earlier couples remained together.

On the Brink is the most optional entry, but it gives Hart and Jeremy a full origin story and clarifies their connection to Calder.

Hockey on Tap Books in Order

Hockey on Tap follows retired professional players connected through a brewery and restaurant. The series uses older heroes who are trying to build meaningful lives after hockey.

Falling for Flynn

Falling for Flynn (2016): Retired player Flynn Hammerstrom meets lifelong hockey advocate Tracy Duval after she challenges a fantasy-camp advertisement that appears to exclude women.

Tracy has spent years proving that women belong in hockey. Flynn is ready for a calmer relationship after a difficult marriage, but the controversy surrounding the camp brings the kind of conflict he hoped to avoid.

The story introduces the former teammates and the business relationships supporting the second book.

Crazy for Cole

Crazy for Cole (2017): Former player and brewery co-owner Cole Ripley asks executive chef Fedora Echeveria to pretend to be his girlfriend, despite a workplace rule forbidding the owners from dating employees.

Fedora previously lost a job after becoming involved with a boss and has no intention of repeating the experience. A fake date and a business trip make their attraction increasingly difficult to contain.

Read it after Falling for Flynn for the retired-player friendship and brewery context.

Hockey on Tap Reading Order

1. Falling for Flynn (2016): Tracy challenges sexism at a hockey fantasy camp and catches the attention of retired player Flynn.
2. Crazy for Cole (2017): Cole and his executive chef enter a fake relationship that threatens their workplace rules.

The two romances are complete standalones, but the shared business and former hockey friendships make publication order preferable.

San Francisco Dragons Books in Order

The San Francisco Dragons series follows players connected to another professional hockey organization.

These books do not require the San Diego Barracudas series. They have their own team, characters, and starting point.

Clean Sweep

Clean Sweep (2018): Dragons player Cameron Bowes needs a housekeeper before the team films an at-home promotional feature, but the woman hired to help brings an unexpected family situation into his carefully managed life.

The romance combines professional image management with domestic proximity and the creation of an instant household.

This is the correct introduction to the Dragons.

Animal Attraction

Animal Attraction (2019): First-grade teacher Maggie Hudson discovers that an NHL player has the dog she lost months earlier and refuses to return it without resolving who the animal truly belongs to.

The disagreement places Maggie repeatedly in the player’s life, turning grief, animal companionship, and unwanted attraction into a romance.

Earlier Dragons characters may appear, but the central conflict is self-contained.

His Christmas Cinderella

His Christmas Cinderella (2019): Dragons player Gideon Aguilar mistakes Bailey Peng for someone else while traveling to a team holiday party, beginning a modern Cinderella romance shaped by mistaken identity and Christmas timing.

The novella provides a shorter festive return to the Dragons organization.

Read it after Animal Attraction so the team and its social circle are already established.

San Francisco Dragons Reading Order

1. Clean Sweep (2018): Cameron’s need for a housekeeper creates an unexpected family arrangement.
2. Animal Attraction (2019): A missing dog brings Maggie into conflict with a professional hockey player.
3. His Christmas Cinderella (2019): Gideon and Bailey meet through a holiday mistaken-identity situation.

Darkroom and the Moo U Hockey World

Darkroom

Darkroom (2021): Photography student Indi Briscoe decides she wants to lose her virginity and chooses pressured college hockey prospect Hudson as the man she wants for a one-night encounter.

Hudson comes from a prominent hockey family and is struggling under expectations surrounding his future. Indi is a Chinese American adoptee with a port-wine birthmark who is working through questions involving confidence, identity, and belonging.

Their supposedly uncomplicated arrangement develops into a relationship in which each becomes the other’s source of support.

Do You Need the Other Moo U Books?

No.

Darkroom is Kate Willoughby’s contribution to the multi-author Moo U Hockey Romance series, set at the fictional Burlington University in Sarina Bowen’s World of True North.

The other installments follow different couples and were written by other authors. They provide additional campus atmosphere but are not required to understand Indi and Hudson’s romance.

Darkroom does not belong to the San Diego Barracudas or San Francisco Dragons series.

Be-Wished Books in Order

Be-Wished is a magical contemporary-romance series built around wishes, fairy intervention, and relationships that receive supernatural assistance.

Several books were reissued under new titles. The alternate names refer to the same stories and should not be counted twice.

Once Upon a Fling

Once Upon a Fling (2009): Mariah’s margarita-fueled wish brings former lover Tucker back into her life, giving them another chance to turn unfinished attraction into a lasting relationship.

The book was previously published as All In.

It introduces the wish fairy and the magical bracelets connecting the series.

Once Upon a Wolf

Once Upon a Wolf (2009): A woman’s fantasy brings her together with Adam, a wolf-shifter who can satisfy her desires but may be unable to preserve his sanity once real emotions enter their relationship.

The book was previously published as A Wolf at Her Door.

It adds paranormal shifter elements while continuing the wish-based premise.

Once Upon a Kiss

Once Upon a Kiss (2010): Paralyzed Navy SEAL Jack Kimball unexpectedly regains the use of his legs after his neighbor Livvy uses illegal wish magic.

The book was previously published as Once Upon a SEAL.

Jack and Livvy must confront the limits and consequences of magical interference when the wish begins behaving unpredictably.

Once Upon a Hero

Once Upon a Hero (2011): Former wish fairy Davina must choose a husband before midnight or accept the match selected by her controlling grandmother.

The book was previously published as Just Winging It.

Its focus on a former fairy brings the magical system itself into the central romance and closes the principal four-book sequence.

Be-Wished Reading Order and Alternate Titles

1. Once Upon a Fling (2009), previously All In: A wish reunites Mariah with former lover Tucker.
2. Once Upon a Wolf (2009), previously A Wolf at Her Door: Wish magic connects a woman to dangerous wolf-shifter Adam.
3. Once Upon a Kiss (2010), previously Once Upon a SEAL: Livvy uses magic to restore injured SEAL Jack’s mobility.
4. Once Upon a Hero (2011), previously Just Winging It: Former fairy Davina must find a husband before a magical deadline.

Wolf Wishes collects the first two stories.

Midnight Wishes collects the third and fourth stories.

The collections do not add new romances.

Whatever It Takes

Whatever It Takes (2017): A former couple reunites at Camp Firefly Falls, where themed summer activities and unresolved history make avoiding their teenage heartbreak impossible.

The book belongs to the multi-author Camp Firefly Falls series.

Each Camp Firefly Falls installment follows a separate couple and is written to stand alone. Other books in the shared setting are optional.

Although both involve the camp, Whatever It Takes should not be confused with In the Moment. They are separate romances.

Early Standalone Romance and Erotic Fiction

Kate Willoughby published several standalone works before becoming primarily associated with hockey romance.

These titles use different tones and content boundaries. Some are erotic romance rather than the contemporary sports romance found in her later books.

Carnal Devotions

Carnal Devotions (2005): A relationship built around intense physical attraction and private desires forces its central characters to decide whether passion can support a deeper commitment.

This early erotic romance is separate from every later series.

Losing It

Losing It (2006): A character’s attempt to surrender control, inexperience, or a carefully protected part of life develops into an emotionally complicated erotic relationship.

The novella stands alone.

Hostile Takeover

Hostile Takeover (2008): Fiona Sheridan becomes part of a coercive arrangement involving businessman Rockwell when her stepfather attempts to sell the failing family company.

The book contains dubious or forced consent, voyeurism, and multiple-partner sexual content. It is substantially darker than Willoughby’s hockey romances.

Readers should treat it as a separate erotic work rather than an example of the tone used in the Barracudas series.

Secrets of the Jin-Hakku

Secrets of the Jin-Hakku (2008): A speculative or paranormal erotic romance explores hidden identities, unusual powers, and a relationship shaped by a world outside ordinary contemporary life.

The book is independent of Be-Wished.

Leap of Faith

Leap of Faith (2009): A character must risk emotional and personal security to pursue a relationship that cannot advance without trust.

This is a standalone romance.

Fit to Be Tied

Fit to Be Tied (2010): Attraction and negotiated control place a couple inside an erotic relationship involving trust, restraint, and commitment.

The novella is separate from the later sports series.

Going Down Dirty

Going Down Dirty (2012): A provocative encounter develops into a romance in which sexual chemistry creates complications neither character expected.

The story can be read independently.

Collections and Omnibus Editions

Wolf Wishes

Wolf Wishes (2011): Collects Once Upon a Fling and Once Upon a Wolf in one volume.

It should not be counted as another Be-Wished installment.

Midnight Wishes

Midnight Wishes (2012): Collects Once Upon a Kiss and Once Upon a Hero.

Readers who own the individual stories do not need the collection for additional continuity.

In the Zone Books 1 to 3

In the Zone Books 1 to 3 (2016): Collects On the Surface, Across the Line, and Out of the Game.

The collection does not include On the Brink, despite the novella’s recommended placement between the second and third novels.

Seasons of Seduction III

Seasons of Seduction III (2007): A multi-author erotic-romance anthology containing a Kate Willoughby contribution alongside stories by other writers.

Only Willoughby’s included story belongs in an author-specific bibliography.

Torrid Topaz

Torrid Topaz (2009): A multi-author collection of erotic or romantic fiction that includes work by Kate Willoughby.

The volume should not be counted as a standalone novel written solely by her.

Nonfiction

Story Sparking

Story Sparking: How to Generate Ideas for Woman’s World 5-Minute Romances: A writing guide explaining techniques for generating concise romance-story ideas suited to the Woman’s World short-fiction format.

This is nonfiction and should remain separate from Willoughby’s romance bibliography.

Kate Willoughby Books in Broad Publication Order

The following list uses first publication years where they could be confirmed. Reissues and collections are not counted as new stories.

1. Carnal Devotions (2005): An early erotic romance about physical desire becoming emotionally consequential.
2. Losing It (2006): A standalone novella involving inexperience, surrender, or the loss of emotional control.
3. Hostile Takeover (2008): Fiona becomes trapped in a coercive business and sexual arrangement with Rockwell.
4. Secrets of the Jin-Hakku (2008): A speculative erotic romance involving hidden powers and identities.
5. Once Upon a Fling (2009): A magical wish reunites Mariah with former lover Tucker.
6. Once Upon a Wolf (2009): Wish magic brings a woman together with wolf-shifter Adam.
7. Leap of Faith (2009): A standalone relationship requires its characters to risk trust and security.
8. Once Upon a Kiss (2010): Livvy uses magic to help paralyzed Navy SEAL Jack walk again.
9. Fit to Be Tied (2010): Trust and restraint shape a separate erotic relationship.
10. Once Upon a Hero (2011): Former fairy Davina must choose a husband before midnight.
11. Going Down Dirty (2012): Sexual chemistry turns a provocative encounter into a complicated romance.
12. On the Surface (2014): Tim joins the Barracudas after a scandal and falls for pediatric nurse Erin.
13. Across the Line (2014): Injured player Calder begins a cross-country relationship with restaurant owner Becca.
14. Out of the Game (2015): Reserve goalie Alex becomes the next Barracudas player to find love.
15. Under the Spotlight (2015): Veteran player Joe and rising actress Christine attempt a long-distance relationship.
16. On the Brink (2016): College prospect Hart meets Jeremy and questions his assumed sexuality.
17. Falling for Flynn (2016): Tracy challenges a sexist hockey camp and falls for retired player Flynn.
18. Crazy for Cole (2017): Retired player Cole enters a fake relationship with his executive chef.
19. In the Moment (2017): Former teenage sweethearts reunite at Camp Firefly Falls.
20. Whatever It Takes (2017): Another couple confronts unfinished history in the summer-camp shared world.
21. Clean Sweep (2018): Dragons player Cameron’s search for household help creates an instant family.
22. Animal Attraction (2019): A missing dog brings teacher Maggie into conflict with an NHL player.
23. His Christmas Cinderella (2019): Gideon and Bailey meet through a holiday mistaken-identity encounter.
24. Darkroom (2021): College hockey prospect Hudson becomes involved with photography student Indi.
25. On the Rebound (2024): Barracudas captain Jason Locke faces romance during a period of personal upheaval.

Publication Order or Series Order?

Series order is more useful.

A complete publication-order read would move between erotic romance, magical wishes, professional hockey, retired players, and multi-author shared worlds. Those books do not form one continuous timeline.

Within San Diego Barracudas, follow the author’s suggested order and place On the Brink before Out of the Game.

Within Be-Wished, use the four current Once Upon titles and avoid counting their original titles as additional stories.

Latest Kate Willoughby Book

On the Rebound (2024): San Diego Barracudas captain Jason Locke faces an unexpected relationship while changes in his personal life disrupt the control he normally maintains on and off the ice.

It is the sixth principal Barracudas romance and Kate Willoughby’s latest verified published novel as of August 4, 2026.

Upcoming Kate Willoughby Books

Kate Willoughby has discussed a romantic comedy titled A Room with a Dude, involving a Japanese American professional surfer, a fixer-upper hotel, and Hollywood-related complications.

A completed publication date could not be reliably confirmed as of August 4, 2026. It should therefore be treated as a work in progress rather than an officially scheduled release.

No other forthcoming Kate Willoughby title with a confirmed release date was found.

Frequently Asked Questions

What Is Kate Willoughby’s First Book?

Carnal Devotions (2005): An erotic romance in which intense physical attraction develops into a relationship with deeper emotional consequences.

It is separate from the hockey books for which Willoughby later became best known.

What Is Kate Willoughby’s First Hockey Romance?

On the Surface (2014): Veteran player Tim Hollander joins the San Diego Barracudas after a scandal and falls for pediatric nurse Erin Collier.

It begins her principal professional hockey series.

Is In the Zone the Same as San Diego Barracudas?

Yes.

The original series name was In the Zone. Current author branding places greater emphasis on the San Diego Barracudas team name.

The books should not be counted as two different series.

Where Does On the Brink Belong?

Read On the Brink after Across the Line and before Out of the Game.

It follows Hart Griffin, who is connected to Calder from the second Barracudas novel.

Is On the Brink Required?

No. It is a prequel novella with a complete male-male romance.

It is still recommended because it develops the Griffin family and adds another layer to the Barracudas world.

Is In the Moment a Camp Firefly Falls Book or a Barracudas Book?

It has been associated with both.

The story began in the multi-author Camp Firefly Falls setting and is now included in the author’s suggested San Diego Barracudas order as Book 5.

Is Whatever It Takes Connected to In the Moment?

They share the Camp Firefly Falls setting, but they follow different couples.

Neither is a direct sequel to the other.

How Many San Diego Barracudas Books Are There?

There are six main novels:

1. On the Surface
2. Across the Line
3. Out of the Game
4. Under the Spotlight
5. In the Moment
6. On the Rebound

On the Brink is the additional prequel novella placed between Books 2 and 3.

Can the Barracudas Books Be Read Out of Order?

The main romances are complete within their individual books.

Publication order is still recommended because teammates, relatives, and established couples return. Reading in order also makes the team’s changes easier to follow.

Are Hockey on Tap and San Diego Barracudas Connected?

Both involve hockey and retired players, and Falling for Flynn includes a Barracudas fantasy camp.

Hockey on Tap nevertheless has its own central business and series identity. New readers can begin it with Falling for Flynn.

How Many Hockey on Tap Books Are There?

There are two:

1. Falling for Flynn
2. Crazy for Cole

How Many San Francisco Dragons Books Are There?

There are three:

1. Clean Sweep
2. Animal Attraction
3. His Christmas Cinderella

Is Darkroom Part of Kate Willoughby’s Private Hockey Series?

No.

It belongs to the multi-author Moo U Hockey Romance world and follows a college couple in Vermont.

Do You Need the Other Moo U Books Before Darkroom?

No.

Indi and Hudson receive a complete romance within Darkroom.

Are All In and Once Upon a Fling Different Books?

No.

All In was retitled Once Upon a Fling.

A Wolf at Her Door became Once Upon a Wolf, Once Upon a SEAL became Once Upon a Kiss, and Just Winging It became Once Upon a Hero.

Are Wolf Wishes and Midnight Wishes New Stories?

No.

Wolf Wishes collects the first two Be-Wished romances. Midnight Wishes collects the third and fourth.

Does Kate Willoughby Write Only Hockey Romance?

No.

Her earlier bibliography includes erotic romance, paranormal stories, magical romantic comedy, and short fiction. She has also discussed a contemporary romantic comedy involving a professional surfer.

What Is Kate Willoughby’s Latest Book?

On the Rebound is her latest verified published novel.

It was released in 2024 and continues the San Diego Barracudas series.

Conclusion

Begin with On the Surface for the clearest introduction to Kate Willoughby’s hockey romances. Continue through Across the Line, place On the Brink before Out of the Game, and finish the Barracudas sequence with On the Rebound.

Hockey on Tap and San Francisco Dragons should be read as separate groups. Darkroom belongs to the multi-author Moo U world and requires no earlier Willoughby books.

For the magical romances, use the four current Be-Wished titles and avoid duplicating their original names. The early erotic standalones can be read independently and have a darker, more explicit tone than the later hockey books.