📖 Overview
Sarina Bowen is a USA Today and Wall Street Journal bestselling author known for contemporary romance novels, particularly in the new adult, sports romance, and LGBTQ+ categories. Her work frequently features hockey players, college settings, and complex relationship dynamics.
Bowen's most recognized series include The Ivy Years, set at fictional Harkness College, and the Brooklyn Bruisers, which follows a professional hockey team. Her breakthrough came with The Year We Fell Down (2014), which earned critical acclaim for its portrayal of a disabled college athlete.
Her writing often incorporates themes of personal growth, family dynamics, and overcoming adversity. Notable collaborations include the Him series, co-written with Elle Kennedy, which garnered attention for its male/male hockey romance storyline.
Several of Bowen's works have received Romance Writers of America RITA award nominations, and she continues to publish both independently and through traditional publishers. Her background as a Yale graduate brings authenticity to her collegiate settings.
👀 Reviews
Readers praise Bowen's authentic portrayal of complex characters and her handling of sensitive topics like disability, sexuality, and trauma. Many reviews note the depth of research in her hockey-themed books and college settings.
What readers liked:
- Strong character development and emotional depth
- Natural dialogue and chemistry between leads
- Accurate representation of hockey culture and collegiate life
- Balance of serious themes with humor
- Consistent quality across series
What readers disliked:
- Some find later series books formulaic
- Occasional complaints about predictable plots
- A few readers note similarities between different book couples
Ratings across platforms:
- Goodreads: Most books rate 4.0-4.5/5 stars
- Amazon: Average 4.5/5 stars across titles
- BookBub: 4.4/5 average rating
One reader commented: "The characters feel like real people with real problems, not just romance novel stereotypes." Another noted: "Her hockey scenes read like she's been in the locker room herself."
Criticism example: "Later Brooklyn Bruisers books follow the same basic template as earlier ones."
📚 Books by Sarina Bowen
The Year We Fell Down - A college hockey player and a former athlete with a spinal cord injury develop a friendship in their freshman dorm.
The Year We Hid Away - Two college students with troubled family histories find solace in each other while keeping their pasts secret.
The Understatement of the Year - Two former friends reunite in college, confronting their past relationship and their identities as gay hockey players.
Him - Two male hockey players reconnect at coaching summer camp years after a pivotal moment in their friendship.
Us - Professional hockey players Ryan Wesley and Jamie Canning navigate their relationship while managing their careers.
Rookie Move - A professional hockey player gets a second chance with his high school girlfriend when she becomes his team's publicist.
Hard Hitter - A veteran hockey player dealing with chronic pain meets a yoga instructor with a stalker problem.
Pipe Dreams - A professional hockey player pursues a relationship with his teammate's sister while dealing with family obligations.
Bittersweet - A farmer and a chef with a complicated history work together at a Vermont apple orchard.
Steadfast - A recovering addict returns to his hometown and reconnects with his first love while working at his family's auto shop.
Keepsake - A single mother takes a job at a Vermont farm and develops feelings for the taciturn farmer who employs her.
Brooklynaire - A tech CEO falls for his longtime assistant while she manages his professional hockey team.
The Accidentals - A teenage girl connects with her estranged rock star father after her mother's death.
Superfan - A pop star and a professional hockey player navigate a relationship while dealing with their high-profile careers.
The Year We Hid Away - Two college students with troubled family histories find solace in each other while keeping their pasts secret.
The Understatement of the Year - Two former friends reunite in college, confronting their past relationship and their identities as gay hockey players.
Him - Two male hockey players reconnect at coaching summer camp years after a pivotal moment in their friendship.
Us - Professional hockey players Ryan Wesley and Jamie Canning navigate their relationship while managing their careers.
Rookie Move - A professional hockey player gets a second chance with his high school girlfriend when she becomes his team's publicist.
Hard Hitter - A veteran hockey player dealing with chronic pain meets a yoga instructor with a stalker problem.
Pipe Dreams - A professional hockey player pursues a relationship with his teammate's sister while dealing with family obligations.
Bittersweet - A farmer and a chef with a complicated history work together at a Vermont apple orchard.
Steadfast - A recovering addict returns to his hometown and reconnects with his first love while working at his family's auto shop.
Keepsake - A single mother takes a job at a Vermont farm and develops feelings for the taciturn farmer who employs her.
Brooklynaire - A tech CEO falls for his longtime assistant while she manages his professional hockey team.
The Accidentals - A teenage girl connects with her estranged rock star father after her mother's death.
Superfan - A pop star and a professional hockey player navigate a relationship while dealing with their high-profile careers.
👥 Similar authors
Elle Kennedy writes hockey romance and new adult college stories with similar themes to Bowen's work. They co-authored books together and share a focus on sports romance with strong character development.
Kristen Callihan creates contemporary romance series centered on professional athletes and musicians. Her writing style and relationship dynamics mirror Bowen's approach to new adult romance.
Lucy Score focuses on small town romance and complex family relationships in her books. Her characters deal with similar struggles to Bowen's protagonists, including career changes and finding love in tight-knit communities.
Tessa Bailey writes contemporary romance with emphasis on workplace relationships and career-driven characters. Her books feature the same mix of humor and emotional depth found in Bowen's works.
Rachel Reid specializes in hockey romance with LGBTQ+ storylines. Her writing captures the sports world authenticity and inclusive themes that readers appreciate in Bowen's True North and Brooklyn Bruisers series.
Kristen Callihan creates contemporary romance series centered on professional athletes and musicians. Her writing style and relationship dynamics mirror Bowen's approach to new adult romance.
Lucy Score focuses on small town romance and complex family relationships in her books. Her characters deal with similar struggles to Bowen's protagonists, including career changes and finding love in tight-knit communities.
Tessa Bailey writes contemporary romance with emphasis on workplace relationships and career-driven characters. Her books feature the same mix of humor and emotional depth found in Bowen's works.
Rachel Reid specializes in hockey romance with LGBTQ+ storylines. Her writing captures the sports world authenticity and inclusive themes that readers appreciate in Bowen's True North and Brooklyn Bruisers series.