Katy Archer writes new adult college sports romance set at Nolan University. Her books feature hockey, football, and basketball players, with recurring friends, teammates, siblings, and couples connecting the three branches of the Nolan U world.
The novels are interconnected standalones. Each full-length book follows a different couple and provides a complete romantic ending, but later installments reveal which earlier couples stayed together and how their lives developed.
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Publication order is therefore recommended, not because the romances end on cliffhangers, but because the Nolan U community grows from one team to the next.
Quick Answer
The safest starting point is Hockey House V-Cards, a collection of prequel stories introducing several Nolan U hockey players before their main romances.
Readers who prefer to begin with a full novel should start with The Forbidden Freshman.
The complete series sequence is:
- Nolan U Hockey
- Nolan U Football
- Nolan U Basketball
Football and basketball introduce their own teams, so they can also be read independently. Starting with hockey provides the widest background for Nolan University and its recurring found family.
How the Nolan U Universe Is Organized
Katy Archer’s catalog currently contains three connected sports series.
- Nolan U Hockey begins with four prequel stories and continues through five primary couple novels. The Forever Game then returns to all the established hockey couples.
- Nolan U Football begins with a prequel about Zander and Sienna. Five full-length couple stories follow, then The Holiday Play revisits the entire football group after college.
- Nolan U Basketball begins with Meet the Boys, an ensemble novella introducing five planned romances. The first full-length basketball romance is His Reckless Freshman.
There are no unrelated standalone novels in the confirmed catalog. Every original English-language Katy Archer book currently belongs to Nolan U.
Nolan U Hockey Books in Order
Nolan U Hockey follows the residents of Hockey House. The players appear in one another’s books, support each other through family and relationship problems, and eventually form a close extended family.
Each primary novel has a different central couple.
0.5. Hockey House V-Cards
Hockey House V-Cards (2023): Four Nolan U hockey players reveal how they lost their virginity, introducing the personalities and histories behind the men who later receive full-length romances.
This is a collection of prequel stories rather than one continuing couple romance.
It can be read first for the complete introduction to Hockey House. Readers who prefer to meet the characters through their main relationships may save it until after The Forbidden Freshman.
1. The Forbidden Freshman
The Forbidden Freshman (2024): Ethan loses a bet that requires him to avoid women for a month, then becomes fascinated by a sharp-tongued freshman he rescues from a dangerous situation.
The book opens the main hockey sequence through a forbidden attraction, a hidden secret, and the pressure of a bet that could affect Ethan’s place on the team.
This is Katy Archer’s first full-length novel and the strongest starting point for new readers.
2. The Heart Stealer
The Heart Stealer (2024): Protective defenseman Liam finds a frightened woman outside Hockey House and becomes determined to help her, even though she refuses to explain who hurt her.
The romance centers on safety, trust, and Liam’s need to protect someone who is more resilient than he initially assumes.
Earlier Hockey House residents remain active, but Liam and Rachel’s relationship is complete within this book.
3. The Game Changer
The Game Changer (2024): Casey’s carefree one-night-only lifestyle ends when Caroline arrives with a positive pregnancy test and news that forces him to reconsider everything he expected from college.
The book uses an accidental pregnancy to move Casey from casual relationships toward responsibility, commitment, and family.
It should be read after The Heart Stealer because the established Hockey House relationships continue around Casey and Caroline.
4. The Love Penalty
The Love Penalty (2024): Hockey player Asher and high-achieving student Leilani openly dislike each other, but an impulsive kiss and a painful secret turn their hostility into a protective relationship.
This is an enemies-to-lovers romance with strong emotional themes.
The book contains an off-page sexual assault reference. Readers sensitive to that subject should review the full content guidance before beginning.
5. The Only Goal
The Only Goal (2024): Baxter receives another chance with his former best friend Tammy when she arrives at his home carrying a child and needing somewhere safe to stay.
The romance combines childhood friendship, unrequited love, second chances, forced proximity, and single parenthood.
Baxter and Tammy become especially important in the ensemble conclusion, The Forever Game.
6. The Forever Game
The Forever Game (2024): On the night before Baxter and Tammy’s repeatedly delayed wedding, every Hockey House couple faces a new adult problem involving marriage, proposals, careers, parenthood, infertility, or an unexpected pregnancy.
This is an ensemble epilogue novella rather than a sixth new-couple romance.
It includes major updates for Ethan, Liam, Casey, Asher, Baxter, and their partners. Read all five full-length novels first.
The Correct Nolan U Hockey Order
For the complete experience, read:
- Hockey House V-Cards (2023): Optional prequel stories about four hockey players.
- The Forbidden Freshman (2024): Ethan’s romance opens the main series.
- The Heart Stealer (2024): Liam protects a woman hiding a traumatic experience.
- The Game Changer (2024): Casey faces an unexpected pregnancy and adult responsibility.
- The Love Penalty (2024): Asher and Leilani move from hostility toward love.
- The Only Goal (2024): Baxter reconnects with Tammy and her child.
- The Forever Game (2024): All five couples return for a post-college ensemble story.
No additional original English-language hockey novel had been announced as of August 4, 2026.
Are Casey and Liam Separate Nolan U Hockey Books?
Some international and automated catalogs list books titled Casey and Liam.
These are alternate character-title editions of existing Nolan U Hockey romances, not additional stories that follow The Forever Game.
Casey corresponds to The Game Changer.
Liam corresponds to The Heart Stealer.
Readers do not need both title versions.
Nolan U Football Books in Order
Nolan U Football follows the residents of Football Frat. The series keeps the found-family structure of the hockey books while changing teams and introducing a new group of central couples.
The full-length romances stand alone, except that The First Play provides the beginning of Zander and Sienna’s history before The Forever Play.
0.5. The First Play
The First Play (2025): High school quarterback Zander falls for Sienna, but pressure from his parents and concern about his football future threaten their young relationship.
This novella begins the couple’s story before the separation that shapes The Forever Play.
Read it first when you want Zander and Sienna’s relationship chronologically. It does not provide their complete ending.
1. The Forever Play
The Forever Play (2025): Nolan U quarterback Zander discovers that Sienna, his former high school girlfriend, secretly had his daughter after disappearing from his life more than three years earlier.
The novel combines secret child, second chance, family pressure, and Zander’s determination to recover the relationship he lost.
Readers should place The First Play immediately before it for the full emotional history.
2. The Off-Limits Play
The Off-Limits Play (2025): Wide receiver Carson falls for Nylah, the coach’s daughter, despite a direct warning that every player must stay away from her.
The romance uses forbidden attraction, coach’s daughter tension, and a player whose reckless reputation hides more complicated emotional wounds.
Zander, Sienna, and the Football Frat group continue in supporting roles.
3. The Surprise Play
The Surprise Play (2025): Popular football player Wily meets Elizabeth, the tutor who refuses to complete his assignments and insists that he is capable of earning his own degree.
The relationship develops through tutoring, personal growth, bullying, and Wily’s unexpected need to protect the woman who refuses to be impressed by him.
This is a complete player-and-tutor romance.
4. The Illicit Play
The Illicit Play (2025): Blake and Grady enter a forbidden relationship that grows out of the tension established around the earlier Football Frat couples.
The novel focuses on a connection they should not pursue, the consequences of crossing that boundary, and the emotional reasons neither can walk away.
It should remain fourth because their earlier appearances establish the attraction before they become the central couple.
5. The Perfect Play
The Perfect Play (2025): Gentle football player Tyrell tries to help Dani begin dating again after the death of his best friend, only to realize that none of the men he chooses for her can offer what he wants to give her himself.
The book addresses bereavement, survivor guilt, friendship, and loving the former partner of someone who died.
It is the final primary new-couple novel in the football sequence.
6. The Holiday Play
The Holiday Play (2026): The Football Frat couples reunite for a delayed Christmas celebration held over Valentine’s Day, while careers, children, marriage, money, travel, and parenthood create new conflicts.
Zander and Sienna, Carson and Nylah, Wily and Elizabeth, Blake and Grady, and Tyrell and Dani all return.
This is an ensemble epilogue novel. It assumes every primary football romance has already been completed.
The Correct Nolan U Football Order
Read the football books as follows:
- The First Play (2025): Introduces Zander and Sienna in high school.
- The Forever Play (2025): Reunites them after Zander discovers their daughter.
- The Off-Limits Play (2025): Carson falls for the coach’s daughter.
- The Surprise Play (2025): Wily becomes involved with his tutor.
- The Illicit Play (2025): Blake and Grady cross a forbidden boundary.
- The Perfect Play (2025): Tyrell helps his late friend’s former partner begin again.
- The Holiday Play (2026): The complete Football Frat group returns after college.
The First Play is essential for readers who want Zander and Sienna’s whole story. The other full-length novels complete their featured romances in one volume.
Nolan U Basketball Books in Order
Nolan U Basketball is the third major branch of the shared university world.
The series begins with an ensemble setup novella rather than immediately focusing on one couple. It introduces Charli, Darian, Ben, Sawyer, Jimmy, Mac, and the people expected to become their romantic partners.
1. Meet the Boys
Meet the Boys (2026): Charli and her brother Darian invite potential housemates to a lake house, secretly planning to judge who should join their off-campus home, but the weekend instead creates the beginnings of five romances.
The novella introduces several future couples rather than completing one central relationship.
It was released on July 21, 2026 and is the latest fully released Katy Archer book as of August 4, 2026.
Read it before the full basketball novels. It establishes character dynamics that later books are expected to develop.
2. His Reckless Freshman
His Reckless Freshman (scheduled for August 2026): Ben has sworn off relationships to concentrate on basketball and school, but freshman journalist Jolie asks him for patient help after a deeply disappointing first sexual experience.
Their private lessons begin without romantic promises. Emotional attachment and a disruptive secret make the arrangement increasingly difficult to keep temporary.
The book is described as a complete standalone romance within the basketball setting. As of August 4, 2026, it remained listed for preorder.
3. Jimmy and Alex’s Romance
Jimmy and Alex’s Romance (working title, scheduled for November 2026): Jimmy and Alex are expected to become the third published entry in Nolan U Basketball.
The title displayed in current catalogs appears provisional rather than final. Reliable sources had not yet confirmed a complete synopsis or final retail title as of August 4, 2026.
Treat it as announced but subject to change.
Is Meet the Boys a Prequel?
Functionally, yes.
Current catalogs number Meet the Boys as Nolan U Basketball book one, but its role resembles the prequel collections used for the hockey and football series. It introduces the house, the players, and five developing romantic pairings.
The safest order is still:
- Meet the Boys
- His Reckless Freshman
- Jimmy and Alex’s Romance, once released
- Later announced basketball romances
Do the Three Nolan U Series Connect?
Yes. They share Nolan University and the broader campus environment.
The series remain readable on their own because each team receives a dedicated introduction. Hockey establishes the earliest found-family group, football introduces Football Frat, and basketball begins with a new off-campus house.
Reading all three branches in publication order provides the fullest sense of the university growing from one sports community into another.
Complete Nolan U Universe Reading Order
The cleanest complete route is:
Nolan U Hockey
- Hockey House V-Cards (2023): Four prequel stories introduce Hockey House.
- The Forbidden Freshman (2024): Ethan and a freshman challenge the terms of his bet.
- The Heart Stealer (2024): Liam protects Rachel while she hides a traumatic secret.
- The Game Changer (2024): Casey and Caroline face an accidental pregnancy.
- The Love Penalty (2024): Asher and Leilani move from enemies to lovers.
- The Only Goal (2024): Baxter receives another chance with Tammy.
- The Forever Game (2024): Every hockey couple returns.
Nolan U Football
- The First Play (2025): Zander and Sienna begin their high school relationship.
- The Forever Play (2025): Their second chance begins after Zander discovers his daughter.
- The Off-Limits Play (2025): Carson falls for the coach’s daughter.
- The Surprise Play (2025): Wily falls for the tutor challenging him academically.
- The Illicit Play (2025): Blake and Grady pursue a forbidden connection.
- The Perfect Play (2025): Tyrell and Dani face grief and survivor guilt.
- The Holiday Play (2026): The Football Frat couples reunite with their children.
Nolan U Basketball
- Meet the Boys (2026): A lake-house weekend introduces five possible romances.
- His Reckless Freshman (2026): Ben and Jolie begin a private lessons arrangement.
- Jimmy and Alex’s Romance (2026): Announced third basketball entry with a provisional title.
This is a recommended universe order, not a strict chronology that must be followed to understand every romance.
Publication Order
Katy Archer’s original English-language bibliography is compact enough to follow by year.
2023
- Hockey House V-Cards (2023): Four Hockey House players reveal the stories behind their first sexual experiences.
2024
- The Forbidden Freshman (2024): Ethan’s month without women is challenged by a freshman hiding a secret.
- The Heart Stealer (2024): Liam protects a frightened woman who appears outside Hockey House.
- The Game Changer (2024): Casey discovers that a former one-night stand is pregnant.
- The Love Penalty (2024): Asher and Leilani move from mutual hostility to emotional intimacy.
- The Only Goal (2024): Baxter reconnects with Tammy and her child.
- The Forever Game (2024): The complete hockey cast returns for weddings and adult milestones.
2025
- The First Play (2025): Zander and Sienna begin their relationship in high school.
- The Forever Play (2025): Zander learns that he has a daughter.
- The Off-Limits Play (2025): Carson secretly pursues the coach’s daughter.
- The Surprise Play (2025): Wily’s tutor refuses to let him avoid his academic responsibilities.
- The Illicit Play (2025): Blake and Grady pursue an off-limits relationship.
- The Perfect Play (2025): Tyrell helps Dani move forward after the death of his best friend.
2026
- The Holiday Play (2026): The Football Frat couples reunite for a holiday ensemble story.
- Meet the Boys (2026): A lake-house selection weekend opens Nolan U Basketball.
- His Reckless Freshman (2026): Ben and Jolie enter a private lessons arrangement.
- Jimmy and Alex’s Romance (2026): An announced basketball romance currently using a provisional title.
Only released books should be counted in a final publication total. The last two entries remain upcoming as of the article date.
Special Editions and Duplicate Listings
Katy Archer has released deluxe, collector’s, translated, audio, and standard editions of her Nolan U books.
Deluxe editions may contain special artwork, decorative formatting, author notes, or bonus design features. They do not create new positions in the reading order.
Collector’s editions may use sprayed or embedded edges and direct-sale packaging. The central novels remain the same.
French, German, and Italian translations sometimes use different title structures or character names. A translated edition should not be counted as a separate original book.
Audiobook records also duplicate the same stories.
Check the author, original English title, featured couple, and series number before purchasing editions that appear to be new installments.
Chronological Order Versus Publication Order
The most meaningful chronological choice concerns the prequels.
Hockey House V-Cards occurs before the full Nolan U Hockey romances.
The First Play occurs years before The Forever Play and explains Zander and Sienna’s original relationship.
Meet the Boys occurs before the individual Nolan U Basketball romances it introduces.
Beyond those placements, publication order is the best chronology. Rearranging the full-length books does not improve the experience because each couple’s story occurs as the university community naturally expands.
Recommended Reading Order
Start with Hockey House V-Cards when you enjoy meeting characters before their main relationships. Begin with The Forbidden Freshman when you prefer a full-length opening.
Complete all five primary hockey romances before reading The Forever Game. The ensemble novella contains marriage, pregnancy, career, and family updates that spoil every previous ending.
Move to football with The First Play and The Forever Play. Continue through the remaining Football Frat couples, then save The Holiday Play for last.
Begin basketball only after Meet the Boys. Its lake-house weekend establishes several attractions and conflicts that the later novels will develop.
Latest Katy Archer Book
The latest fully released Katy Archer book as of August 4, 2026 is Meet the Boys, published on July 21, 2026.
Meet the Boys (2026): Charli and Darian secretly evaluate potential housemates during a lake-house weekend, only for the gathering to ignite five unexpected romances and establish the Nolan U Basketball cast.
It is a series-opening ensemble novella rather than a complete single-couple novel.
Upcoming Katy Archer Books
His Reckless Freshman
His Reckless Freshman (scheduled for August 2026): Basketball player Ben agrees to give freshman journalist Jolie private lessons after she decides one bad experience has made intimacy something she would rather avoid.
The exact retail date was not displayed consistently across reliable catalogs as of August 4, 2026.
Jimmy and Alex’s Romance
Jimmy and Alex’s Romance (working title, scheduled for November 2026): Jimmy and Alex are set to receive a full basketball romance after their introduction in Meet the Boys.
The title and complete synopsis remain subject to change.
Additional basketball romances are expected because Meet the Boys introduces five developing pairings. Titles and dates should not be treated as confirmed until formally announced.
Frequently Asked Questions
What was Katy Archer’s first book?
Hockey House V-Cards was published in 2023.
Hockey House V-Cards (2023): Four Nolan U hockey players share the stories of their first sexual experiences before the main Hockey House romances.
What was Katy Archer’s first full-length novel?
The Forbidden Freshman was published in 2024.
The Forbidden Freshman (2024): Ethan must avoid women after losing a bet, then falls for a freshman whose secret could affect both of them.
What Katy Archer book should I read first?
Begin with Hockey House V-Cards for the complete Nolan U introduction.
Begin with The Forbidden Freshman when you want to start with a full novel.
Are Katy Archer’s books standalones?
The primary novels are interconnected standalones.
Each full-length romance has a different couple and a complete ending. Prequel and ensemble books depend more heavily on the rest of their series.
Do the Nolan U Hockey books need to be read in order?
They can be understood individually, but publication order is recommended.
Later books show earlier couples together and develop the shared Hockey House friendships.
Is Hockey House V-Cards required?
No.
It provides early stories about several players but does not contain a continuing plot required for The Forbidden Freshman.
Is The Forever Game a new-couple romance?
No.
It is an ensemble epilogue following all five established Hockey House couples.
Should The First Play be read before The Forever Play?
Yes, for the complete chronological story.
The First Play shows Zander and Sienna in high school. The Forever Play follows their reunion after Zander learns about their daughter.
Is The First Play a standalone?
No. It is a prequel to Zander and Sienna’s full romance.
Continue with The Forever Play for their lasting resolution.
Are the Nolan U Football novels standalones?
The five primary couple novels provide individual happy endings.
Their friendships continue, and The Holiday Play assumes every romance has already been completed.
Is The Holiday Play book six or book seven?
Catalogs number it differently depending on whether The First Play is counted as book 0.5 or as the first published football title.
Its stable placement is after The Perfect Play.
Is The Holiday Play a Christmas book?
It is a holiday reunion, but the Football Frat Christmas celebration takes place over Valentine’s Day because the group could not gather at the usual time.
Is Meet the Boys a full-length romance?
It is described as a series-opening novella.
The book introduces five possible romances rather than resolving one central couple.
Is His Reckless Freshman released?
As of August 4, 2026, the official page still listed it for preorder.
It was scheduled for August 2026.
What is Jimmy and Alex’s book called?
Current catalogs use Jimmy and Alex’s Romance.
That wording appears to be a provisional title. A final title had not been reliably confirmed by the article date.
Are Nolan U Hockey, Football, and Basketball connected?
Yes. They share Nolan University.
Each branch introduces its own team and immediate friendship group, so readers may also begin with any sport.
Are Casey and Liam new hockey sequels?
No.
Those character-name listings are alternate editions of The Game Changer and The Heart Stealer.
Are deluxe editions separate books?
No.
They may add artwork or decorative features, but they contain the same central romances.
Does Katy Archer have non-sports books?
No confirmed original English-language novel outside the Nolan U sports universe was listed as of August 4, 2026.
What is Katy Archer’s latest book?
Meet the Boys is the latest released title.
It opened Nolan U Basketball on July 21, 2026.
Conclusion
Begin with Hockey House V-Cards for the complete Nolan U experience, or start with The Forbidden Freshman for the first full-length romance.
Read all five main hockey novels before The Forever Game. Move next to football, placing The First Play directly before The Forever Play and saving The Holiday Play until every Football Frat couple has been introduced.
Nolan U Basketball begins with Meet the Boys. It is the newest released book and provides the necessary setup for His Reckless Freshman and the romances that follow.
Publication order gives new readers the clearest progression from Hockey House to Football Frat and then to the basketball house.
Frank is the editor of BookSeries.blog, focusing on publication order, chronological timelines, and spoiler-free reading guides for book series and fictional universes.