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Steamy sports romances that will get your heart racing
Things get physical in these highly bingeable, deliciously wicked sports romances.
Publicado el 17 de abril de 2024
Fangirl Down: A Novel
Tessa BaileyJoining the ranks of other great sport romances listed here like “Icebreaker” and “Cleat Cute,” this grumpy/sunshine tale set on the golf course is the latest winner from romcom queen Bailey (“It Happened One Summer”). When a struggling pro golfer’s biggest fan agrees to be his caddie and help improve his game, his surly attitude begins to melt (likely due to all the steam).
Icebreaker: A Novel
Hannah GraceGrace’s viral BookTok favorite may be set on the ice, but the chemistry between her protagonists is on fire. A scheduling error at U.C. Maple Hills thrusts Anastasia, a figure skater and Olympic hopeful, and Nate, the captain of the hockey team, into the same rink. “Icebreaker” is witty and steamy with well-developed, ambitious characters and a cute cover that’s taking over everyone’s reading list.
Cleat Cute: A Novel
Meryl WilsnerWilsner’s third sapphic romance pairs Grace Henderson, a veteran soccer player, with Phoebe Matthews, the novice who subs in when Grace gets injured (think “Ted Lasso,” only queer). Grace and Phoebe (both of whom are neurodivergent) end up in a friends-with-benefits situation — but could there be more to their relationship? Turns out it’s complicated. “Cleat Cute” offers lots of steamy, consensual sex scenes and introspection against the heated rivalries and heart left on the soccer field.
The Graham Effect
Elle KennedyLongtime fans of the beloved “Off-Campus” series get an inside look at the second generation of Briar U’s hockey stars. Gigi Graham (yes, daughter of THE Garret Graham) needs to level up her skills. Ryder, the grumpy yet undeniably hot men’s hockey co-captain, wants to land a summer coaching position with Gigi’s dad. What starts as quid pro quo on the ice quickly turns into something more heated. Packed with sizzling chemistry and nostalgia, Kennedy delivers yet another flawless college sports romance that will have you sweating one minute (don’t get us started on the shower scene, 12/10) and crying the next.
Holeshot
Jackie Barbosa
“Holeshot” is the first book in Jackie Barbosa’s “Motocrossed” series. Motocross isn’t a sport usually featured in sports romances, so that, along with Barbosa’s strong, distinct voice makes this a different spin on the New Adult genre. The hero is an athlete who’s secure about his motocross and sexual talents, and little else (he’s intimidated by the self-possessed and ambitious heroine). “Holeshot” is hot and fun, just like the sport of motocross itself.
It Had to Be You
Susan Elizabeth PhillipsHead back to the sultry beginning with the romance that kicked off the bestselling “Chicago Stars” series. Much to the shock and dismay of head coach Dan, his championship-winning NFL team has just been inherited by none other than an airhead socialite. Except Phoebe is anything but a bimbo and is determined to rise to the occasion of her new role. Sparks fly when Dan and Phoebe clash in this beloved old-school romance that has persisted for over 20 years as a fan favorite.
Semi-Tough Luck
Jackie Barbosa
“Semi-Tough Luck” skates the edge of New Adult, as its protagonists are older and more established than most New Adult protags. The writing is bluntly immersive, immediately enfolding the reader in the gritty reality faced by the heroine and the complicated lifestyle of the hero. It’s sharp, sexy, and surprisingly nuanced.
Pinned
Jackie Barbosa“Pinned,” the third book in Barbosa’s “Motocrossed” series, details the unexpected complications from a one-night stand. Neither of the protagonists wanted anything beyond their hook-up, but two months later, the heroine finds the hero to let him know about the consequences of their actions. This New Adult romance includes a wide range of emotions, from seriously sexy to deeply contemplative.
High Heat
Sierra DeanSierra Dean continues her “Boys of Summer” series with a rookie pitcher and a sports writer. The pitcher had a fabulous first season, then blew the World Series in the seventh game. The sports writer is wasting her talents at a trashy sports blog. An exclusive with the pitcher, and what caused his massive failure, would vault her up the big leagues of sports writing. But to get that exclusive the two are going to have to trust each other — and that might lead to something more.
Out of the Ring: A Fight for Forbidden Love
Wendy DalrympleA new-to-the-sport MMA fighter gets taken under the wing of a champion, with both women keenly aware of the potential conflicts in and out of the ring. Dalrymple’s short and sweet sapphic love story involves a bit more action than a typical sports romance thanks to fighting and training scenes sprinkled throughout.
The Baller
Vi KeelandA cocky quarterback gets pushback from a sports reporter who doesn’t want to be another trophy on his bedpost. While, yes, there’s plenty of steamy scenes that match up with the cover, “The Baller” is a surprisingly emotional sports romance that doesn’t shy away from heavy topics like grief and loss.
Rules of Contact
Jaci BurtonFlynn, a football extraordinaire with a new restaurant venture, tries to block his feelings for Amelia, his new chef who’s been burned in love before. As hard as these two try to prevent mixing business and pleasure, their pent-up tension and off-the-charts attraction to one another culminates in a passionate affair. A low-drama romance that’s downright steamy with a great mix of food, football, and passion.
You Make It Look Good
Callie LennoxA basketball player who moonlights as a model can’t stop thinking about the photographer who shot him — their swapped barbs soon become swapped kisses in this m/m romance. Lennox’s short and sweet novella is perfect for readers who need a quick injection of romance in their lives.
Recipe for Persuasion: A Novel
Sonali DevJane Austen’s “Persuasion” gets a modern desi retelling in Dev’s gorgeously written book that introduces a chef and a rugby player with a shared past who get paired in a reality TV cooking competition. High school sweethearts torn apart by disapproving family members, Ashna and Rico not only get a chance to save Ashna’s failing restaurant, but also a second shot at love for themselves.
Mile High
Liz TomfordeStevie, a flight attendant, winds up working on the private plane of Chicago’s NHL team — and she can’t stop clashing with the top player, Zanders. There’s a no-fraternization policy, which is fine, because Stevie can’t stand Zanders’ attitude. But because this is a hockey romance, you already know that rules are meant to be broken and beneath Zanders’ bad-boy image beats a heart of gold. Spicy hookups in the air, combined with plus-size representation and BIPOC main characters, equal a high-flying love story.
Loving a Keeper
Liz LincolnWomen’s soccer gets a sapphic twist in the third standalone entry of the “Milwaukee Wolfpack” series. When forced-proximity sexual tension turns into a friends-with-benefits situationship between Rose and Cassie, the two don’t think things will go much further. But their undeniable chemistry and the support they have for one another, on and off the soccer field, have them questioning whether they could be more than teammates someday.
Kiss Hard
Nalini SinghSingh’s sinfully sexy “Play Hard” series culminates in a slow burn frenemies-to-lovers romance that’s equal parts tender and spicy. The last thing Catie, a kickass Paralympic athlete, wants is a distraction in the form of her childhood pal, Danny, a world-class rugby player. However, when a tricky situation threatens Danny’s career, Catie jumps into a fake relationship with him to defend her longtime friend. Singh deftly navigates themes of anxiety, addiction, drug assault, and ableism while also handling disability representation with thoughtfulness and care.