Words: Erin Bowden

The party’s over; the 2026 Milano-Cortina Winter Olympics has wrapped. And this year there was more than enough drama to fill several volumes: sibling medal wins, banned political-statement headgear, love rat confessions live on TV, rogue wolfdogs on the track, sweary curling wars, shock figure skating fails, rapper Flavor Flav becoming a bobsleigh hype man, and an actual fugitive arrest.

The good news? You don’t have to wait another four years to get back into the drama of it all! Here’s five book recommendations to keep the spirit of the Winter Olympics alive.

1. The Favourites by Layne Fargo

If the tension and drama of ice dance had you hooked, The Favourites is for you. This one already featured on my top reads of 2025, but it consumed my mind so entirely it’s only right to bring it back here. The story follows the tumultuous relationship between ice dancers Katarina Shaw and Heath Rocha as they fight and claw their way to the top. The combination of a rollercoaster romance, compelling characters and cutthroat competition make this book a hard one to put down. While still fictional, this book offered an insight into the behind the scenes of ice dance and ultimately asks the question, how far will athletes go to win?

2. Blade by Wendy Walker

Ana abruptly left figure skating behind 18 years ago and became a defense attorney, but when her old skating coach turns up dead, she must return back to her old training facility to face ghosts from both her past and her present. Written by a former competitive skater, this twisted psychological thriller explores the extremes of the cutthroat world of figure skating. The past and present timeline presents a multilayered mystery that against the sporting backdrop makes this more than your typical murder mystery.

3. Heated Rivalry by Rachel Reid

With the recent phenomenon of the TV adaptation, this probably isn’t the first time you’ve recommended this read. An LGBT take on a classic hockey romance- despite their chemistry, Shane and Ilya know they can’t be together as they’re both captains of rival NHL teams. The book takes you on a decade long journey of their slow burn enemies to lovers arc that has resonated with audiences worldwide due to the intense chemistry and loveable characters. Better yet, it’s part of the ‘Game Changer’ series, giving you a whole world of sports romances to enjoy.

4. Carrie Soto Is Back by Taylor Jenkins Reid

If you love the competitive spirit of the Winter Olympics but are yearning to be sat watching Wimbledon with an Aperol, Carrie Soto Is Back is the perfect read. The story follows retired tennis player Carrie Soto as she trains to defend her title and claw her way back to the top. Whilst Carrie may be competitive and stubborn (sometimes to a fault), it is her dedication to the sport that hammers home the true sentiment of this book, that you can achieve anything you set your mind to despite your age, circumstance or the opinions of others. Additionally, the author weaves a skilful commentary on how the media portrays women in sport that is important to consider throughout this Olympic season.

5. The Great Alone by Kristin Hannah

If you loved the snowy setting of the games but sport isn’t for you, my final recommendation is The Great Alone. Set in snowy Alaska in 1974, this contemporary fiction novel follows a Vietnam vet and his family after they move, somewhat unprepared, to an off the grid Alaskan town. However, this book is about so much more than just the harsh climates of Alaska, underpinned by the aftershocks of the war and the ways in which this affects our characters differently. This story of a family in crisis demonstrates the power and strength of love, and ultimately is a story about women finding their strength in a harsh world.

Warning: spoilers below in this review!