26 Sports Romance Novels
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There’s something irresistible about sports romance novels.
I’m not sure whether it’s the elite athletes or high stakes competition, but the combination of passion and ambition just hits different for me. In this post I’ve put together a list of some of the very best sports romance books, to help you decide which title to pick up next.
26 Best Sports Romance Novels
One of the things that I love about this genre is that there’s just so much choice. As one of the fastest growing contemporary romance subgenres, you can find pretty much any kind of sport represented here.
The romance itself is varied too, and you’ll find all of the popular tropes like forced proximity, enemies to lovers, grumpy sunshine, fake dating, friends to lovers and so much more. The spice levels differ too, with a number of closed and open door romance options to choose from.
What Is Sports Romance?
Any book that includes both sport and romance as two of the main themes can be described as a sports romance book.
As a subgenre of contemporary romance, these books may include characters that are both athletes, coaches, or professionally connected the sports world in some way, like a social media manager. There’s often an element of tension to the stories too, featuring high level competition, complex team dynamics and intense emotions.
Why to Choose Sports Romance Novels
There are loads of reasons to choose a sports romance novel as your next read. Here are a few of my reasons:
Page turning, high stakes competition that will keep you on your toes
Natural physical tension between the characters
A sense of ambition mixed with vulnerability
Team camaraderie and fun group dynamics
Sports Themed Romance Novels
Here is my list featuring 26 of the very best sports romance novels. Enjoy!
Heated Rivalry by Rachel Reid
Recently adapted into a popular series for Crave Canada, Heated Rivalry is the second book from Rachel Reid’s Game Changers series. Find out more about her books on my blog post here.
Synopsis:
“Nothing interferes with pro hockey star Shane Hollander’s game. Now that he’s captain of the Montreal Voyageurs, he won’t let anything jeopardize that—definitely not the sexy rival he loves to hate.
Boston Bears captain Ilya Rozanov is everything Shane’s not. The self-proclaimed king of the ice, he’s as cocky as he is talented. No one can beat him—except Shane. Publicly, they’re enemies. Privately, they can’t stop touching each other.
The smart thing to do? Walk away, once a few secret hookups turn into a struggle to keep their relationship out of the press. The truth could ruin them both. But for Shane and Ilya, secrecy is soon no longer an option…”
Cleat Cute by Meryl Wilsner
Synopsis:
“Grace Henderson has been a star of the US Women's National Team since she was 16. But when she's side-lined with an injury at just 26, a bold new upstart, Phoebe Matthews, takes her spot. Phoebe is everything Grace isn't - a gregarious jokester who plays with a joy that Grace has lost somewhere along the way. The last thing Grace expects is to become friends-with-benefits with this class clown.
Phoebe Matthews has always admired Grace's skill and was starstruck to be training alongside her idol. But she quickly finds herself looking at Grace as more than a mere teammate. After one daring kiss, she's hooked. Grace is everything she has been waiting to find.
As the World Cup approaches, and Grace works her way back from injury, the women try to find a way they can play together instead of vying for the same position on the pitch. But as the sparks between them start to ignite, will both players realise they care more about their relationship than making the roster?”
Carrie Soto is Back by Taylor Jenkins Reid
Synopsis:
Carrie Soto is the greatest player the world has ever seen.
But six years after her last match, she watches a young British tennis player steal her world record - and Carrie knows she has to go back and reclaim her rightful place at the top. Even if the world doesn't believe in her. Even if it almost breaks her.
This is a story about the cost of greatness and the burden of fame. The fight for a place in history is about to begin…
The Wall of Winnipeg and Me by mariana Zapata
Synopsis:
“Vanessa Mazur knows she's doing the right thing. She shouldn't feel bad for quitting. Being an assistant/housekeeper/fairy godmother to the top defensive end in the National Football Organization was always supposed to be temporary. She has plans and none of them include washing extra-large underwear longer than necessary.
But when Aiden Graves shows up at her door wanting her to come back, she's beyond shocked.
For two years, the man known as The Wall of Winnipeg couldn't find it in him to tell her good morning or congratulate her on her birthday. Now? He's asking for the unthinkable.
What do you say to the man who is used to getting everything he wants?”
Finding Her Edge by Jennifer Iacopelli
Another book that has recently been adapted into a hit TV series, Finding Her Edge follows a slightly different storyline than the show but is definitely still worth a read.
Synopsis:
“Adriana Russo's dream is to conquer the figure skating Junior World Championships. But with her family's ice-skating rink facing financial ruin, allowing cameras to film their every move is the only thing keeping that dream alive.
Then her new dance partner, Brayden, sparks an idea that could turn them into stars: let the world believe their on-ice chemistry is real. But as Adriana begins to fall for Brayden, Freddie - her former partner and first crush - skates back into her life.
Will Adriana claim her place on the podium or will she follow her heart?”
Icebreaker by Hannah Grace
Synopsis:
“Anastasia Allen has worked her entire life for a shot at Team USA. It looks like everything is going according to plan when she gets a full scholarship to the University of California, Maple Hills and lands a place on their competitive figure skating team.
Nothing will stand in her way, not even the captain of the hockey team, Nate Hawkins.
Nate’s focus as team captain is on keeping his team on the ice. Which is tricky when a facilities mishap means they are forced to share a rink with the figure skating team -including Anastasia, who clearly can’t stand him.
But when Anastasia’s skating partner faces an uncertain future, she may have to look to Nate to take her shot. Sparks fly, but Anastasia isn’t worried… because she could never like a hockey player, right?
Deep End by Ali Hazelwood
Synopsis:
“Scarlett Vandermeer is swimming upstream. A junior at Stanford and a student athlete who specializes in platform diving, Scarlett prefers to keep her head down, concentrating on getting into med school and on recovering from the injury that almost ended her career. She has no time for relationships - at least, that's what she tells herself.
Swim captain, world champion, all-around aquatics golden boy Lukas Blomqvist thrives on discipline. It's how he wins gold medals and breaks records: complete focus with every stroke. On the surface, Lukas and Scarlett have nothing in common. Until a well-guarded secret slips out, and everything changes.
So they start an arrangement. And as the pressure leading to the Olympics heats up, so does their relationship. It was supposed to be just a temporary, mutually satisfying fling. But when staying away from Lukas becomes impossible, Scarlett realizes that her heart might be treading into dangerous water...”
Fangirl Down by Tessa Bailey
Synopsis:
“Wells Whitaker was once golf’s hottest rising star, but lately, all he has to show for his “promising” career is a killer hangover, a collection of broken clubs, and one remaining supporter. No matter how bad he plays, the beautiful, sunny redhead is always on the sidelines. He curses, she cheers. He scowls, she smiles. But when Wells quits in a blaze of glory and his fangirl finally goes home, he knows he made the greatest mistake of his life.
Josephine Doyle believed in the gorgeous, grumpy golfer, even when he didn’t believe in himself. Yet after he throws in the towel, she begins to wonder if her faith was misplaced. Then a determined Wells shows up at her door with a wild proposal: be his new caddy, help him turn his game around, and split the prize money. And considering Josephine’s professional and personal life is in shambles, she could really use the cash…
As they travel together, spending days on the green and nights in neighboring hotel rooms, sparks fly. Before long, they’re inseparable, Wells starts winning again, and Josephine is surprised to find a sweet, thoughtful guy underneath his gruff, growly exterior. This hot man wants to brush her hair, feed her snacks, and take bubble baths together? Is this real life? But Wells is technically her boss and an athlete falling for his fangirl would be ridiculous… right?”
Collide by Bal Khabra
Synopsis:
“When Summer Preston's professor issues her with an ultimatum, she finds herself on an unexpected collision course with hockey captain Aiden Crawford. Summer hates everything about hockey, for good reason, but she isn't going to let that stand in the way of her becoming a sports psychologist.
Aiden loves being the hockey captain, except when his team's reckless mistakes risk jeopardising their entire season. When Coach puts him forward for a research paper as punishment, he has no choice but to accept.
Summer can't stand his blasé approach to life, and Aiden doesn't understand her uptight, scheduled one. They are off to a rocky start, and provoking each other - it turns out - is what they do best. As sparks fly, neither wants to be the one to give in. Can they get everything they want - including each other?”
Like a Power Play by Ellie Sprinkle
Synopsis:
“Peyton Clarke has everything to prove. As the starting center for Greenrock University’s women’s hockey team, she’s determined to earn her place - no handouts, no shortcuts. Being the daughter of a retired NHL star, Peyton is desperate to show she’s more than just a product of her father’s fame. But when her relentless drive starts to blur the line between dedication and recklessness, she risks everything, including her future.
Darcy Cole never thought she'd return to hockey. Once a rising star at Minnesota State, her dreams were shattered when rheumatoid arthritis forced her to quit the sport she loved.
Now, thanks to her meddling head coach mother, she’s stuck as a student assistant coach, a role she never asked for. Darcy has sworn off the ice, keeping her past as a player a secret. But when Peyton Clarke’s reckless playing style clashes with her cautious approach, something sparks - and then explodes.
To Darcy, Peyton is a reminder of everything she had to give up. To Peyton, Darcy is just the coach’s daughter who has no business telling her how to play. But Darcy is no stranger to hockey, and when their worlds collide, they both start to realize that maybe they have more in common than they think - both on and off the ice.”
Wake Up, Nat & Darcy By Kate Cochrane
Synopsis:
“Cut from the US women's hockey team right before her third chance at gold, Natalie Carpenter is scrambling for a plan that'll help her avoid moving back home. The answer: a guest-hosting gig on Wake Up, USA's winter games coverage. Her cohost: Darcy LaCroix, Nat's ex-girlfriend, one-time college teammate turned adversary.
Since leaving Team Canada, Darcy has worked hard to make a name in broadcasting. If her big break requires sharing screen time with the former cocky freshman who turned her world upside down, so be it. At this point, there's nothing between them except history.
But audiences disagree. #PuckingHotties is trending hard, and Nat and Darcy agree to lean into it – for ratings, obviously. It's not like Nat can forget the way Darcy broke her heart or their bitter team rivalry.
Between working, travelling together and that irresistible spark, it's getting hard to separate what's real and what's for the camera. Because somewhere underneath everything that went wrong is the sneaking suspicion that nothing will ever feel quite this right again.”
The Graham Effect by Elle Kennedy
Synopsis:
“Gigi Graham has exactly three goals: qualify for the women's national hockey team, win Olympic gold, and step out of her famous father's shadow. So far, so good, except for two little things. Fine - a little thing and a big, grumpy thing. She needs to improve her game behind the net, and she needs help from Luke Ryder.
Ryder is six-foot five, built, opinionated, rude… and sexy as hell. But he's still the enemy.
Briar's new hockey co-captain has his reasons, though. The men's team just merged with a rival program, leaving Ryder with an angry roster where everyone hates one another's guts. To make matters worse, the summer coaching spot he's angling for with the legendary Garrett Graham is out of reach after he makes the worst possible first impression on his hero. So, really, this compromise with Gigi is win-win. He helps her make the national team, she puts in a good word with her dad.
The only potential snag? This bone-deep, body-numbing, mind-spinning chemistry they're trying to ignore. It's a dangerous game they're playing, but the risks just might be worth it.”
The Favourites by Layne Fargo
Synopsis:
“The whole world was obsessed with Kat and Heath.
Childhood sweethearts turned Olympic champions, they captivated fans with their scorching chemistry, rebellious style and rollercoaster relationship – on and off the ice.
Until that fateful day. As the world watched, the unthinkable happened.
Everyone saw it.
Nobody knows the truth.
But that’s about to change.”
Throttled by Lauren Asher
Synopsis:
“Noah: Maya Alatorre is the sister of my teammate… and my new obsession. Keeping my distance during the Formula 1 season should be easy, except I always find ways to see her: press tours, pre-race rituals, sponsor events and black-tie galas. The more time we spend together, the stronger my desire grows.
Sneaking around with her is one thing, but wanting more? Never going to happen. She might be a distraction dressed like a daydream, but no woman is worth risking the championship title over. Or so I thought.
Maya: Noah Slade is Formula 1 royalty and my brother’s biggest rival. When I’m invited to join my sibling while he competes for the World Championship, I promise to avoid Noah at all costs. Twenty-one races, two drivers who hate each other, and one forbidden attraction I can’t ignore.
Developing feelings for Noah wasn’t part of my plan. But then again, neither was anyone finding out. Turns out the man I was warned about happens to be the one I can’t stay away from – even if he breaks my heart once the season comes to an end.
Offtrack by Esha Patel
Synopsis:
“Diana Zahrani is Formula One’s first female racing driver this century. All the other drivers are told to race carefully around her, and leave her to her real job: being a pretty face and good advertising for a hypermasculine sport. But Diana’s not worked this hard her whole life just to be a mascot.
World Championship favourite Miguel de la Fuente is not taking any rookie seriously, let alone a woman. With his first championship win looming, all he has to do is stay focused – and make sure Diana stays out of his way.
But motorsports is a small world, and as Diana and Miguel race their way through the season, they’re forced to face each other again and again. When sparks fly, Miguel and Diana must decide for the sake of their teams where their priorities lie: on track, with the championship, or offtrack, with each other…”
She Drives Me Crazy by Kelly Quindlen
Synopsis:
“What happens when two high school nemeses fall in love?
Seventeen-year-old Scottie Zajac can’t catch a break. First there’s the embarrassing loss to her ex-girlfriend in their first basketball game of the season, and then she gets into a fender bender with the worst possible person: her head cheerleader nemesis, Irene Abraham.
Irene is as mean as she is beautiful, and Scottie makes a point to keep her distance, only their little car accident means the girls are forced to ride together to school. Every day.
But when an opportunity arises for Scottie to get back at her toxic ex – and climb her school’s social ladder – she convinces Irene to take part in an elaborate fake-dating scheme that threatens to reveal some very real feelings.”
The Passing Playbook by Isaac Fitzsimons
Synopsis:
“Fifteen-year-old Spencer Harris is a proud nerd, an awesome big brother and a Messi-in-training. He's also transgender. After transitioning at his old school leads to a year of bullying, Spencer gets a fresh start at Oakley, the most liberal private school in Ohio.
At Oakley, Spencer seems to have it all: more accepting classmates, a decent shot at a starting position on the boy's soccer team, great new friends, and maybe even something more than friendship with one of his teammates. The problem is, no one at Oakley knows Spencer is trans - he's passing.
So when a discriminatory law forces Spencer's coach to bench him after he discovers the 'F' on Spencer's birth certificate, Spencer has to make a choice: cheer his team on from the sidelines or publicly fight for his right to play, even if it means coming out to everyone - including the guy he's falling for.”
Cross The Line by Simone Soltani
Synopsis:
“Formula 1 driver Dev Anderson’s career is on the line. After a social media disaster leaves him with an angry team and sponsors threatening to jump ship, he needs someone to help save his image.
At a party in Monaco, he bumps into the woman who can fix it all. There’s just one problem: she’s his best friend’s little sister. And, okay, maybe there’s another problem – he kissed her last year and hasn’t been able to stop thinking about it since.
Recent college grad Willow Williams needs a job. She may have a talent for seeing the bright side of any bad situation, but it’s hard to stay positive when she’s struggling to get hired. So when Dev offers her a temporary solution, she can’t help but say yes. Even if it means ignoring the crush she’s had on him since childhood.
Willow and Dev are determined to keep things strictly professional, regardless of old feelings and the blazing chemistry between them. But in the glittering and high-stakes world of Formula 1, some lines are meant to be crossed…”
The Cheat Sheet by Sarah Adams
Synopsis:
“Bree Camden is helplessly (and secretly) in love with her longtime best friend and NFL legend, Nathan Donelson. And that's the least of her problems. After a car accident ended her chance of becoming a ballerina, Bree now runs her own dance studio - if she can afford the rent to keep it open, that is.
When Nathan comes to the rescue and buys the entire building, a stubborn Bree is not happy about it. Rebelling with a couple - okay, maybe more than a couple - of tequila shots, she spills her deepest, darkest secret to a TMZ reporter. One viral video later, the world thinks Nathan and Bree are the perfect couple and Nathan's publicist has an idea that could mean financial security for Bree.
The catch? They have to pretend to be in love. For three. whole. weeks. Is now the moment for Bree to finally act on her hidden feelings? And is it possible that Nathan has been hiding some of his own?”
The Art of Catching Feelings by Alicia Thompson
Synopsis:
“Daphne Brink doesn’t follow baseball, but watching ‘America’s Snoozefest’ certainly beats sitting at home in the days after she signs her divorce papers.
After one too many ballpark beers, she heckles Carolina Battery player Chris Kepler, who quickly proves there might actually be a little crying in baseball. Horrified, Daphne reaches out to Chris on social media to apologize… but forgets to identify herself as his heckler in her message.
Chris doesn’t usually respond to random fans on social media, but when a DM from “Duckie” catches his eye, he impulsively messages back. Duckie is sweet, funny, and seems to understand him in a way no one else does.
Daphne isn’t sure how much longer she can keep lying to Chris, especially as she starts working with the team in real life and their feelings for each other deepen. When he finds out the truth, will it be three strikes, she’s out?”
The Long Game by Elena Armas
Synopsis:
“Adalyn Reyes has something to prove. After years of working at her father’s football club she wants to make a name for herself. But not for the wrong reasons.
When an embarrassing video of Adalyn goes viral, her father sends her to a small town to turn around their struggling soccer team. She arrives armed with plans to kick them into shape only to find a group of nine-year-old girls. One person is there to help: Cameron Caldani, a goalkeeping legend who is also inexplicably in town. After an unfortunate incident involving a rooster, the two find themselves on opposing sides.
Adalyn thinks Cameron is a surly, scowling brute. Cameron thinks Adalyn needs to take life less seriously. Despite their differences, the two need to play nice and remember they’re on the same team. After all, it’s a long game…”
Intercepted by Alexa Martin
Synopsis:
“Marlee Harper is the perfect girlfriend. She's definitely had enough practice by dating her NFL-star boyfriend for the last ten years. But when she discovers he has been tackling other women on the sly, she vows to never date an athlete again. There's just one problem: Gavin Pope, the new hotshot quarterback and a fling from the past, has Marlee in his sights.
Gavin fights to show Marlee he's nothing like her ex. Unfortunately, not everyone is ready to let her escape her past. The team's wives, who never led the welcome wagon, are not happy with Marlee's return. They have only one thing on their minds: taking her down. But when the gossip makes Marlee public enemy number one, she worries about more than just her reputation.
Between their own fumbles and the wicked wives, it will take a Hail Mary for Marlee and Gavin's relationship to survive the season.
Behind the Net by Stephanie Archer
Synopsis:
“After my ex crushed my dreams in the music industry, I'm done with getting my heart broken. Working as an assistant for an NHL player was supposed to be a breeze, but nothing about Jamie Streicher is easy. He's an intimidatingly hot, grouchy jerk who can't stand me. The guy has a massive ego. Keeping things professional will be no problem, even when he demands I move in with him.
Beneath his surliness, though, Jamie's surprisingly sweet and protective.
When Jamie learns how bad my ex was in bed, his competitive nature flares, and he encourages and spoils me in every way. The creative spark I used to feel about songwriting? It's back, and I'm writing music again. Between wearing his jersey at games, rowdy parties with the team, and being brave on stage again, I'm falling for him.
He could break my heart, but it might be worth it.”
Pucked by Helena Hunting
Synopsis:
“I have zero interest in legendary hockey player Alex Waters or his pretty, beat-up face and rock-hard six-pack abs. Having a famous pro athlete for a stepbrother means I’m aware that a lot of these guys are notorious f-boys, therefore all hockey games I attend are under duress.
That is until Alex starts talking books to me. Then he becomes more than just a hot body with the face to match. And I discover just how good Alex is with the hockey stick in his pants.
I consider our night of orgasmic magic as just that: one night. But Alex starts to call. And text. And email and send extravagant - and quirky - gifts. Suddenly, he's too difficult to ignore, and nearly impossible not to like.
The problem? Alex is a total player. And me? I don’t want to be part of the game.
The Wrong Quarterback by C.R Jane
Synopsis:
Casey: I’ve spent the last two years trying to keep the pieces together after my family fell apart. College was supposed to be my chance to start fresh—new beginnings, new dreams, and one thing I thought I could always count on.
Him: Gray was my anchor, my constant, my everything. Until he wasn’t. Then Parker Davis crashed into my life and crumbled my reality. The first time I met the Tennessee star quarterback, something like obsession sparked in his eyes. He’s relentless, charming, and absolutely sure of what he wants.
And what he wants… is me. He tells me I’m his endgame, and he’s determined to prove it. But what’s the line between obsession and love? And what does it mean for me when that line begins to blur?
At first I think Parker Davis is all wrong. But what if… he’s exactly right?
Powerless by Elsie Silver
Synopsis:
“I've been living in the friend zone for years now. To Jasper Gervais's fans, he's just the hockey heartthrob on TV. But to me, he's still the lost boy with sad eyes and a heart of gold. The man I've loved in secret for years.
So when my life falls apart on my wedding day, it only makes sense that he's the one to swoop in and save me. And when his world comes crashing down around him, I'm there to return the favour.
But the more time alone we spend together, the more I start to realise that Jasper isn't looking at me like a friend anymore. And he isn't touching me like one, either. He acts like he wants me. But after years of turning me away, he's going to need to prove it…”