Steamy Romance Sports Books

Beautiful Disaster: A Novel

Author: Jamie McGuire

Year: 2011

Genre: Romance

More info: Beautiful #1

Spice Rating:💋💋💋💋

Age Range: 18+

Plot

Abby is trying her hardest to be a good girl. She has a new life at college, has cut ties with her past, and is determined not to fall for her typical bad-boy tastes. However, when Abby meets Travis, she has met her match.

Travis wants Abby at first glance. Unbeknownst to Abby, Travis is a street fighter who tricks her into making a bet. If she loses, she must move into his apartment. If he loses he must stay abstinent. A totally ridiculous scenario that somehow works.

Trigger Warnings

Toxic relationship, violence

Why Kirsten likes it

Travis is the ultimate bad boy. Self-destructive, Tattoo-covered, but man, when he fell, my heart exploded! If you like standoffish boys like Edward Cullen, Christian Grey, or Reid Royal as much as I do, this is a great series for you.

Find this book in: Books set in College / Sports Romance

Hockey Romance Books

Icebreaker

Author: Hannah Grace

Year: 2022

Genre: Romance

More info: Maple Hills #1

Spice Rating:💋💋💋💋💋

Age Range: 18+

Plot

This STEAMY romance is a friends-to-lovers story of figure skater, Anastasia and hockey player, Nate.

After Anastasia’s partner breaks his arm, she’s desperately in need of a doubles partner to qualify for the Olympics. Nate is head over heels for her, so he willingly gives up his time. Will she accept his advances and take him out of the friend zone? You’ll have to read it to see! 😜

Trigger Warnings

Eating Disorder

Why Kirsten loves it

This book is not for the faint of heart. It made me blush numerous times while reading. But I loved every minute of it! There is one scene in an Uber that had my jaw on the floor.

Find this book in: Books about Women in Sports / Romance Sports Books / College Romances

The Deal

Author: Elle Kennedy

Year: 2015

Genre: Romance

More info: Off-Campus #1

Spice Rating:💋💋💋💋💋

Age Range: 18+

Plot

The first in a series of books set in college about hockey players is also the series that got me hooked on the college romance books sub-genre! This one features a bunch of bachelor hockey players who are the campus hotshots.

To get the attention of the man she really wants, Hannah convinces the cocky captain to go on a pretend date with her in exchange for her tutoring services. Garrett is desperate to get his GPA up so that he can stay on the hockey team and play professionally when he graduates.

But when one kiss leads to a STEAMY hook-up, Hannah needs to reevaluate which man she wants.

Trigger Warnings

Rape

Why Kirsten loves it

It’s very similar to the How to Date a Douchebag series, but it has a bit more heart and a little less humor. This is one of the steamy fake dating books EVER but I loved it.

Find this book in: College Romances / Sports Romances / Fake Dating Romances / Books Set in College

The Chase

Author: Elle Kennedy

Year: 2019

Genre: Romance

More info: Briar U #1

Spice Rating:💋💋💋💋

Age Range: 18+

Plot

Are you looking for a swoon-worthy new adult romance that is laugh-out-loud funny? I got you. I downloaded The Chase and it suck me in right away, kept me turning the pages, and made the time fly by.

Elle Kennedy kills me every single time. This series features more of the hockey players at Briar U and the girls that they fall in love with. It’s a spin-off of Kennedy’s Off Campus series.

Trigger Warnings

Sexual assault

Why Kirsten loves it

The books in this series are so hilarious but also swoon-worthy. There are also some serious sex scenes in here – so fair warning if that’s not your jam. This grumpy sunshine book is a great choice for a new adult romance.

Find this book in: Sports Romances / Grumpy Sunshine Books / College Romances

The Graham Effect

Author: Elle Kennedy

Year: 2023

Genre: Romance

More info: Campus Diaries #1

Spice Rating:💋💋💋

Age Range: 18+

Plot

Welcome to the world of the Campus Diaries series, where Gigi Graham is determined to shine in hockey while stepping out of her famous father’s shadow. But to improve her game, she needs the help of the grumpy yet undeniably sexy Luke Ryder, her enemy-turned-ally. As they navigate a world of rivalries, angry teammates, and intense chemistry, they’ll discover that sometimes taking risks on and off the ice might lead to the ultimate win.

Why Kirsten loves it

I love that this is Elle Kennedy’s third series set at Briar University – particularly because Gigi is the daughter of Graham from The Deal. I loved getting to see him as a dad! It felt so full-circle! I also enjoyed the badass that is Gigi for her merit. Girl is working hard to make that Olympic team! #gifted by Bloom

Find this book in: Steamy Sports Romances / Most Anticipated October 2023 Books

Football Romance Books

The Rule Book

Author: Sarah Adams

Year: 2024

Genre: Romance

More info: The Cheat Sheet #2

Spice Rating:💋💋💋💋

Age Range: 18+

Plot

Derek is a hotshot football star coming back from an intense injury. He needs a new agent to launch his comeback and Nora’s firm assigns her to the taste without knowing their history.

They used to be college sweethearts until Nora dumped Derek seemingly out of the blue. Now Derek is determined to get her to quit while Nora is fighting for her chance to prove herself in the male-dominated field of sports agents.

Why Kirsten loves it

The chemistry between Nora and Derek was delicious, as was how they supported one another. I’m a sucker for a second-chance romance, so I knew up front I would adore this one. There is a steamy scene in this book but the author tells you when it will be so you can skip it!

Find this book in: Sports Romances / Beach Reads 2024

The Bromance Book Club

Author: Lyssa Kay Adams

Year: 2019

Genre: Romance

More info: Bromance Book Club #1

Spice Rating:💋💋💋💋

Age Range: 18+

Plot

Gavin, a professional baseball player in Nashville, recently discovered his wife has been faking her orgasms. Determined to do better in the bedroom, and avoid a divorce in the process, Gavin joins a secret club – a book club!

But this book club is unlike any other. It’s comprised of the biggest alpha males in Nashville and they only read romance books. Together, the members of the bromance book club help Gavin win back his wife.

Why Jackie loves it

This book was the perfect break I needed into a world of romance. The idea of a bunch of men getting together to read romance novels to try and improve their relationships is amazing.

Although now that I think of it, maybe this book is a fantasy. This book is a perfect light read that I finished in a day and as far as rom-com novels go, it is a definite must-read!

Find this book in: Sports Romance Novels / Faux Celebrity Fiction / Books about Books / Rom-Com Books / Second Chance Romance

Fallen Crest High

Author: Tijan

Year: 2012

Genre: Romance

More info: Fallen Crest #1

Spice Rating:💋💋💋💋

Age Range: 18+

Plot

I fell hard for the Kade boys and their journey to accepting Samantha as their future stepsister, friend, and romantic interest. Samantha is a traumatized daughter of divorce, forced to live in with her mother’s newest boyfriend and his sons.

The Kade boys rule the local high school scene with their good looks, football prowess, and bad-boy reputations. But Samantha is not impressed – which only makes the brothers respect her even more.

Trigger Warnings

Emotional Abuse

Why Kirsten loves it

Drama, parties, hot boys, and backstabbing friends – this book is everything a guilty pleasure should be.

Find this book in: Sports Romances / High School Romances

Fake It Till You Bake It

Author: Jamie Wesley

Year: 22

Genre: Romance

More info: Sugar Blitz #1

Spice Rating:💋💋💋💋

Age Range: 18+

Plot

Donovan is an NFL player who also owns a struggling cupcake bakery with a few of his friends. Jada is internet famous, and not in a good way. She rejected a proposal on a bachelor-like TV show and now she’s got haters all over!

After taking a job at Donovan’s store, she lies to a reporter and says she was still thinking of Donovan when she rejected the proposal.

So now she is fake-dating Donovan and helping the cupcake store in the process. But can they turn this fake relationship into something more?

Why Kirsten likes it

Um yes, and with SIZZLING chemistry to boot! This is a fake dating book at its steamiest.

Find this book in: Ultimate Beach Reads 2023 / Fake Dating / Romance Sports Books

Baseball Sports Romance Books

The Proposal (The Wedding Date #2) by Jasmine Guillory

Author: Jasmine Guillory

Year: 2018

Genre: Romance

More info: February 2019 Reese Witherspoon Book Club Pick, Wedding Date #2

Spice Rating:💋💋

Age Range: 18+

Plot

When Nikole’s “boyfriend” proposes to her at a baseball game and cannot even spell her name correctly, it is a recipe for disaster.

Luckily, Carlos and his sister are at the game to help Nik escape the onslaught of paparazzi waiting. You can guess the rest.

Why Jackie loves it

I read this book on a plane flight. It was light, funny, and completely predictable.

Find this book in: Sports Romance Novels / Rom-Com Books / Jasmine Guillory Books / Best Romance Novels

Evvie Drake Starts Over

Author: Linda Holmes

Year: 2019

Genre: Romance

More info: July 2019 Read with Jenna Book List Pick

Spice Rating: 💋💋💋

Age Range: 18+

Plot

When Evvie’s husband dies unexpectedly in a car crash, she is still staying in her house a year later. Everyone in her small town thinks that she is overcome with grief but in actuality, it is guilt.

Dean is a retired major league baseball pitcher who woke up one day and was unable to throw the ball over the plate. When he moves into the apartment in the back of Evvie’s house the two become friends and agree to never talk about baseball or her husband.

Trigger Warnings

Emotional Abuse

Why Jackie loves it

I just adored this celebrity romance book. It was such a sweet and light romance, easily read on the beach.

Find this book in: Sports Romances / Celebrity Romance Books / Friends-to-Lovers

More Romance Sports Books

Fangirl Down

Author: Tessa Bailey

Year: 2024

Genre: Romance

More info: Big Shots #1

Spice Rating: 💋💋💋💋

Age Range: 18+

Plot

Wells Whitaker was supposed to be the next big thing in golf but his career has spiraled. Josephine Doyle is his biggest fan who is always there to cheer him on no matter what until the days he quits.

Now he knows he has made a huge mistake. He goes to find Josephine and begs her to be his caddy which she agrees to because she needs the money to rebuild her family’s pro shop after a storm.

Why Kirsten loves it

I’d never read a golf romance before but was pleasantly surprised by how much I liked it! As in every Tessa Bailey book, Josephine and Wells had chemistry in spades and the sexy scenes were HOT!

Find this book in: Best Romance Books of 2024 / Sports Romances

Cross the Line

Author: Simone Soltani

Year: 2024

Genre: Romance

More info: Lights Out #1

Spice Rating:💋💋💋💋

Age Range: 18+

Plot

F1 Driver Dev Anderson is struggling with his image after his old social media manager uploaded an ego-crushing post ( Fake STDs anyone?) Now he’s hired his best friend’s little sister to help rehabilitate his image.

As Willow travels the world with Dev in the hopes that this short-term opportunity will lead to her getting a dream job in marketing, she needs to work to repress the feelings she has for Dev. Because they both know that her brother will not be happy to find out they are in a relationship.

Why Kirsten loves it

I love the Netflix series Drive to Survive, so I was thrilled to finally see the world of F1 represented in a romance! I loved guessing who the characters were inspired by. I’m pretty sure Danny Riccardo was the inspiration behind this one, or at least I think so! I can’t wait to see who is the main protagonist next time.

Find this book in: Steamy Romance Sports Books