The fantasy of the romance novel is further enhanced when incredibly hot sports stars are involved. Thankfully, there are a myriad of sports romance novels available for our consumption. Some of the best sports romance books come in a series, making that delight last longer than a single book. What more do we need? Variety. Read on for some of the best sports romance novels I’ve been lucky enough to read!
Table of Contents
Best sports romance books
I’m always on the lookout for good sports romance books. Most of the books I’ve reviewed are part of a series, which I recommend reading in order whenever possible (though most don’t have to be, if you don’t mind the spoiler alert of a happy ever after).
Though I always recommend reading series in order, all of the series below contain standalone novels that don’t have to be read as part of the series or in order for them to make sense!
Disclaimer
Pen and Lady a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites. This post contains affiliate links. If you click them and make a purchase, I’ll receive a small commission.
Best sports romance novels reviewed
Check out a variety of sports romance books!
Action point: Do you notice a lack of football, basketball, and soccer romances on this list? Me, too! I haven’t found any great ones that I liked (or could even GET THROUGH). If you have a suggestion of football, basketball, soccer, or another sport romance novel awesomeness, please leave a comment or send me an email!
Figure Skating
Pairing Off
by Elizabeth Harmon
Sometimes, you pick up a book and think, “this looks good.” Sometimes, you’re met with disappointment, but sometimes, you get magic. Pairing Off really hit all of the magical romance buttons, as well as taking place in a land so foreign and far from me.
Carrie Parker is an American figure skater whose partner caused one of the biggest scandals in skating history and then implied that she’d been in on it. Though not banned from American figure skating, she’s definitely no longer wanted there. Anton Belikov is a Russian pairs champ (silver medalist) who was dropped by his partner at the last minute. Can these two come together and skate, for Russia?
This book blew me away. From the sexy-as-heck Anton and his accent, kindness, strength, and accent (oh, did I mention accent?), he’s my new favorite book boyfriend. I was dying throughout this book, because the romance is there. We have damaged characters, who do so much for others, and are really afraid to go after happiness for themselves. They are lovely souls, really. I wasn’t expecting such beauty to emerge from this lovely book.
Please, may I have some more?
Baseball Romance Books
The Devil in Denim
by Melanie Scott
Maggie Jameson’s perfect life has fallen apart. Her father sold his baseball team, one that she expected to run and then inherit one day. Worst of all, he sold it to the very rich and incredibly attractive Alex Winters (oh, and two other hot dudes, but we’ll learn more about them later). After hauling her out of a bar in a most embarrassing way, Alex has a proposition for Maggie. Can Maggie accept the deal and the handsome Alex along with it?
This novel is focused on the New York Saints, the failing third New York baseball team. It’s a great read and a strong start to a GREAT baseball series.
This is book 1 in the New York Saints series. They are best read in order.
Angel in Armani
by Melanie Scott
Sara Charles has problems. And a whole lotta bills. Sara is a longtime helo (helicopter) pilot with a business left struggling after her father’s helo accident the year prior. After a bad thunderstorm damaged her remaining helicopter, she’s about ready to be banished from the boys club in which she’s previously excelled – by taking a job with a rival who won’t let her see time in the air.
Enter Lucas Angelo. Lucas, part owner of the NY Saints baseball team and renowned surgeon, he depends on helicopter travel to help him with his increasingly busy schedule. One problem, Lucas hates flying. When he can’t get enough of Sara Charles, her steady flying or her hot bod, he offers her a job…
First, I love kick ass women and that describes Sara Charles. She is a skilled helo pilot and dedicated daughter. She’s not afraid of much – and I so admire her love of being a pilot, something I would be too scared to do! Oh, and there’s baseball, a hot as heck surgeon. This book delivers on hotness and great characters.
This is book 2 in the New York Saints series.
Lawless in Leather
by Melanie Scott
Raina Easton is a burlesque dancer and club owner. Somehow, she finds herself as the dance captain to the New York Saints “Fallen Angels” dance team and attracted to the brooding Malachi “Mal” Coulter. Though she isn’t one to mix business and pleasure, Mal’s concerns about the violent acts directed at her club hit her in the feels. Even if she doesn’t want those feels. At all.
Mal is one of those guys who has seen things in his life and doesn’t show his feelings much. He is a protector and he has a fierce need to protect Raina.
Playing Hard
by Melanie Scott
Ollie Shields has been loyal to the New York Saints baseball team and has spent his entire career playing for them. He’s at the top of his game and then a little upstart named Finn Castro comes to try to usurp his position. Ollie’s not worried, he’s never been in better form.
Then, there’s an accident that threatens to take it all away.
Ollie is miserable, but his chance meeting with Amelia Graham gives him a little bit of hope through the darkness. Too bad she’s almost like a sister to Finn Castro.
Playing Fast
by Melanie Scott
Finn Castro succumbed to the pressure of being in the Major League and was sent down to the Saints farm team in Saratoga Springs, New York. Being demoted does affect Finn – and he’s determined to keep his act clean. He’s gotten lucky so far, as no one pressed charges against him. He can’t afford another mess up. As it is, the team owners of the NY Saints are giving him a huge change by demoting him instead of firing him.
Except, then there’s Eve.
Eve Harlowe is the person who keeps The Preachers together. She raised her four sisters after their parents were tragically killed. The staff at the Preachers adore her, so she’s not the person with whom to start a relationship and then mess it up. Eve Harlowe has a few secrets. First, she’s had a huge crush on Finn Castro since he started playing for the NY Saints, so when he shows up in her office, she’s determined to act like he doesn’t affect her.
But damn, if Finn isn’t intrigued with her.
Can he win her over? Will Eve finally move on with her own life?
Finn is SUCH A JERK in the previous book and I wondered if he could be redeemed. Finn earns it in this book. It’s a solid addition to this series and I recommend it!
This is book 5 in the NY Saints Series and currently the last. I hope more come our way sometime soon!
Hockey Romance Books
Do you love hockey and romance? Check out more hockey romance novels!
Rookie Move
by Sarina Bowen
This book comes with a trigger warning (see below).
Leo Trevi is suddenly traded to the NHL team, the Brooklyn Bruisers, and not only is it coached by his ex’s father, his ex is the publicist for the team. Should we mention that his ex, Georgia, also broke his heart 6 years prior?
Of course, we should!
Georgia Worthington didn’t want to leave Leo, not really, but circumstances of her life told her it was the right thing to do. Working with him was going to be difficult, but Georgia knew she could keep the relationship professional. Or she could until his open mic at a press conference caught him declaring that he still has feelings for her… Oops!
This event catapults Georgia into press clean-up mode. Will it also catapult her right into Leo’s waiting arms?
This is the first book in the Brooklyn Bruisers series, all about the Brooklyn Bruisers hockey team. The newest NHL addition! This series is phenomenal and I do recommend every book, preferably read in order. Sarina Bowen’s novels are all well written, with interesting character backgrounds.
Trigger warning: This book contains scenes involving rape. If you do need to skip this book, you will not miss out!
Simply Irresistible
by Rachel Gibson
This is book 1 in the Chinooks Hockey Team. I accidentally read this one last – starting with See Jane Score by accident. However, I still managed to enjoy this book, but I do wish I’d read it first!
I love the entire series and I recommend it for hockey romance loving readers!
See Jane Score
by Rachel Gibson
See Jane Score introduced me to the world of the Chinooks Hockey Team (this is book 2, don’t be like me, read the first one first!)
Jane Alcott is a regular woman, living the single life in the big city. She also may be leading a double life. By day, she’s the subdued yet stubborn reporter who travels with the Chinooks hockey team and by night, she’s a fiction writer. She’s the writer who created the Honey Pie series, which include scandalous accounts of a Bond-like woman that has everyone talking.
Luc Martineau, goalie for the Chinooks, doesn’t like reporters and he really doesn’t like Jane traveling with the team. Reporters dig and he doesn’t want this one digging into his past. But then Jane wears a sexy red dress and all bets are off.
This book includes several scenes of locker room pants dropping and a woman overcoming adversity. I loved this book, this world, and especially seeing Jane score.
Rugby
The Player and the Pixie
by Penny Reid and L.H. Cosway
Lucy Fitzpatrick isn’t a rugby fan, despite the fact that her brother is famous… for playing rugby. However, that’s really not her biggest problem, which comes to light right in front of Sean Cassidy, teammate and arch enemy of her brother. Sean has problems of his own.
Lucy finds herself incredibly attracted to Sean, her brother’s nemesis. Sean is strongly disliked by his team, due to his negative personality. He pushes people away and doesn’t have a desire to please anyone. Until Lucy comes along. Sean helps Lucy with her secret, as long as she’ll help him with his secret. Sean doesn’t know how to please a woman in bed!
WHAT? YES!
You may already know I’m a big, no huge, fan of Penny Reid. Penny Reid and L.H. Cosway teamed up to create this awesome rugby universe and I totally recommend this series.
This is book 2, because like above, I haven’t yet read the first book (you can purchase it here!
The Cad and the Co-ed
by Penny Reid and L.H. Cosway
Eilish Cassidy and Bryan Leech
So, Bryan was a cad. He was a heavy drinker, partier, and everything that comes with that. Eilish was the young woman he slept with, but doesn’t remember. Fast forward and Bryan is a recovering alcoholic, preferring tea to booze these days. He doesn’t mind being teased about his old man tendencies.
But he doesn’t remember his night with Eilish, a woman who now intrigues him like no other.
Eilish has worked hard since the night she was with Bryan. Her life changed unexpectedly, but she was able to move forward. Her best option is accept a job with the team, even if that means exposing her secret.
She’s hidden Bryan’s son from him for years.
Can these two wrongs be righted?
As always, Reid and Cosway deliver a wonderfully layered novel, full of flawed people who actually grow within the novel. This book wasn’t cheesy or hokey, despite the secret pregnancy trope. If you like secret babies, it’s a solid choice!
The Varlet and the Voyeur
by Penny Reid and L.H. Cosway
William Moore is a farm boy from Oklahoma, currently living in Ireland and playing for an Irish rugby team. He’s got a great reputation as the all-American, clean cut good guy. But Will has a difficult secret and he’s about to be outed.
Enter Josey Kavanaugh. Okay, Josey is a bit of a mess, but she’s trying! When her living arrangements come to an unexpected end, Josey needs not only somewhere to live, but a job so she can pay her way through veterinarian school.
When it’s decided that Will needs a companion the keep him out of trouble, Josey lands the job that comes with a rent free apartment. Josie is positive she can keep Will from falling back into his voyeuristic ways (which were done with full consent, which is a wonderful addition). But what happens when Josey catches feelings?
This book tackles a tough and unusual topic: being a voyeur. As always, it’s done in a loving and sensitive way. One can’t help liking William Moore.
What are your favorite sports themed romance novels?
While this isn’t an exhaustive list, I do recommend the books above. I loved them and found the series they were from to also be solid and well written.
What are your favorite sports themed romance novels? My readers give the best feedback. Please comment with book suggestions below, especially if your favorite sport is missing in action. Thank you!
