Discover the best sports romance books to read in this epic book list.
Whether you’re a fan of baseball romance books, football romance books, hockey romance books, or more, you’ll find a sports romance book to read in almost every sport in this list below!
*Disclosure: This post may include affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
I’ve always been a sports gal. I played basketball and volleyball and would always watch football on Sundays with my Dad growing up.
Blending my love of romance books with sports is just icing on the cake, especially when I read what I consider to be one of the best sports romance books.
As an athlete who played throughout high school and also in college, I understand the dedication, hard work and sacrifices that are required to play at a high level.
But the pro level – I can’t even imagine the pressure as well as the amazing pride that goes along with this type of success in sports.
I love reading about athletes in various sports in my romance books.
Not only seeing a glimpse into their athletic world – the interaction with teammates, the game day focus, the training – but also how they juggle love.
When it comes to the sports romance books, I don’t discriminate.
I’m an all sports loving girl, so I’ll read hockey romance books, football romance books, soccer romance books, baseball romance books, basketball romance books, wrestling romance books, rugby romance books, water polo romance books, race car driving romance books – you name it!
The Best Sports Romance Books by Sport
For this sports romance book list, I picked out my favorite romance books by sport. So if you’re a fan of sports romance, you can’t go wrong with these amazing books. Many of these books are in a series but each can easily be read as a standalone.
Best Baseball Sports Romance Books
The Brentwood Baseball Series
by Meghan Quinn
Meghan Quinn is one of my favorite authors because she brings such hilarious humor to her stories along with characters I absolutely adore.
We first meet these baseball boys in college and follow them into the major leagues.
If you love great jocks and fabulous women all mixed with laugh-out-loud moments and moments that will tug on all of your heartstrings, these baseball sports romance books are for you.
One of my all-time favorite book boyfriends is Jason from The Lineup because he is just all-around perfect. You’ll just have to check out this must-read book (or my review) to understand why!
Read these then also check out my list of best baseball romance books.
Best Basketball Sports Romance Books
Hoops Series
by Kennedy Ryan
I have to say that I’ve only read one basketball book, surprisingly, but it won’t be my last because Hook Shot was not only so well written but it was also very poignant in the subject matter that it explored.
I know that’s the case with Kennedy Ryan’s other baller books in this sports romance book series too.
Plus, she won a RITA award in 2019 for Long Shot so you know that it’s going to be a good one.
If you like your boys in the NBA, check out these basketball sports romance books!
Best Boxing Sports Romance Books
Real Series
by Katy Evans
My favorite boxing sports romance book hands down is REAL by Katy Evans.
Not only does it feature a fantastic boxer but it also focuses on a mental health issue as the boxer has bipolar disorder.
I don’t know or remember reading if Katy Evans has personal experience with this disorder or if she just researched the heck out of it, but I thought it was such a rare look into this mental health disorder and I found the book so fascinating.
Best Football Sports Romance Books
Chicago Star Series
by Susan Elizabeth Phillips
One of the first romance book series that I devoured was the Chicago Stars series by Susan Elizabeth Phillips.
Not only do these sports romance books feature hot football players from the Chicago Stars team but they are so well written.
Phillips also brings the best humor to her books which made these unforgettable and recommendations worth reading.
It’s honestly hard to pick a favorite from this series, but This Heart of Mine may take the prize. Read these then also check out my list of best football romance books.
Game On Series
by Kristen Callihan
Kristen Callihan follows four football players in this sports romance book series that starts in college and moves into the NFL.
I loved all of these books but The Game Plan may be my favorite.
I have a soft spot for the silent, strong type like NFL center, Ethan Dexter. Rumor is he’s a virgin, but one dare may change that fact.
His story is a must read, though you’ll love all of these football romance books in the Game On series.
Best Hockey Sports Romance Books
The Pucked Series
by Helena Hunting
I can’t believe how many hockey romance books I’ve read! Let’s just say A LOT.
Who knew this was such a popular sport to write about but my favorite authors like Sarina Bowen, Elle Kennedy, Sawyer Bennett, and Odette Stone have all written amazing hockey romance books that I’ve devoured over and over.
Helena Hunting’s Pucked series is an all-time favorite sports romance series for me and is the series that made me first fall in love with this author’s work.
I loved following the teammates through the series but it is also the heroines of these novels and the laugh-out-loud moments that really make these books shine.
After this series you’ll also want to check out her All In hockey romance series as well! Also, check out my best hockey romance books list.
Best Rugby Sports Romance Books
The Rugby Series
by L.H. Cosway and Penny Reid
I love the writing duo of L.H. Cosway and Penny Reid and boy do they write some creative stories surrounding the rugby boys who play in Ireland.
The Player and the Pixie is so good it made my best romance novels list because I love the story setup.
The supposed playboy of rugby, who in reality is actually terrible in the sack, gets “lessons” to improve his skills by the sister of a teammate whom he’s on less than great terms with.
It’s fantastic and one of the best of the relationship coach trope books.
All of the books in this series are totally worth reading.
Best Soccer Sports Romance Books
The Harris Brothers Series
by Amy Daws
I adore the Harris brothers who all play football aka soccer!
There’s a common family story that’s weaved within the Harris Brothers sports romance series although each can be read as a standalone.
But telling it to you straight, you’re going to want to read them all!
Tanner may inch out as my favorite but each of the Harris brothers have an awesome story to share with Amy Daws’ signature witty banter that I can’t get enough of.
Plus, you get extra footballer stories with other members of their soccer teams in Payback and Blindsided as well as the team’s lawyer in Replay which are equally fantastic.
Best Water Polo Sports Romance Books
Malibu University Series
by P. Dangelico
Who knew you could find romance books about water polo players?
We are just two books into this water polo sports romance series so far as of this initial writing and it’s so good!
P. Dangelico pens these gems with her usual brilliance about the boys of the Malibu University water polo team. These boys juggle water polo practice, school and some times some heavy personal baggage to work through.
You’ll want to jump on this sports romance book series for sure.
Best Wrestling Sports Romance Books
How to Date a Douchebag Series
by Sara Ney
Let me just say that Sara Ney paints one heck of a picture when it comes to hot college wrestlers in their singlet get-ups.
Hot dang – the guys of the Iowa wrestling team are a bit cocky, a bit horny, and what some may call douchebags, BUT they actually turn out pretty great in these awesome, new adult sports romance books.
Go on and read them and picture them filling out that wrestling singlets!
Best Variety Sports Romance Books
Play by Play Series
by Jaci Burton
I think Jaci Burton is one of my most-read authors and she gets that distinction in part due to her Play by Play sports romance series which I devoured when I first fell for romance books.
The series starts off following a family of three siblings – one footballer, one baseball player, and a sister who falls for a hockey player.
From there the series continues with football and baseball romance books with a bit of hockey, race car driving and surfing mixed in.
Burton doesn’t disappoint with these sports romance books plus the bedroom scenes are super hot.
Best Sports Agent Sports Romance Books
Play Hard Series
by K. Bromberg
Of course there is more to the sports world than just the athletes – there’s the sports agents as well!
If you’re looking for fantastic sports romance books that focus on sports agents then look no further than the Play Hard series by K. Bromberg.
These books follow the four Kincaid sisters who are all sports agents working for the family agency.
Not only do these books have amazing women at the helm but they have such wonderful storylines that feature male athletes in a variety of sports including hockey, soccer, football and baseball.
If you are a lover of sports romance books, I highly recommend adding these books to your TBR pile!
Best Alternative Sports Romance Books
Best Race Car Driving Sports Romance Books
Driven Series
by K. Bromberg
Now that I live in NASCAR country I fully embrace race car driving as a sport. You couldn’t pay me enough to travel at high speeds around a single track with other cars nipping at my bumper.
No thank you, but it sure does at some extra excitement to a sports romance book!
Bromberg’s Drive series is much more than car racing as it ventures into some heavy topics.
Once you devour these sports romance books, you can then watch the made for TV series on Passionflix.
Best Parkour Sports Romance Books
Running on Air Series
by L.H. Cosway
I have to credit the movie Casino Royale for first introducing me to parkour but I loved learning more about it in Cosway’s Running on Air series.
These sports romance books follow a team of parkour athletes who perform for a reality TV show. Cosway does a great job of describing the various stunts they pull in amazing locations around the world while also weaving in heartfelt love stories.
These are great sports romance books to expand your romance book reading into areas beyond mainstream sports.
Best Mushing Sports Romance Books
Running Wild
by K.A. Tucker
The Simple Wild series by Tucker whisks you away to the wilds of Alaska, but it’s only in Running Wild that you get an up close and personal look at the sport of mushing with the famous Iditarod race.
Not only does this book look at the sport from the musher’s point of view, but it also discusses the dogs who are racing across miles through the snow and ice from a veterinarian’s perspective.
I felt like I was a part of the race while reading this book, making it one of the best sports romance books I’ve read. Check out my review of Running Wild.
Best Bull Riding Sports Romance Books
Chestnut Springs Series
by Elsie Silver
There’s nothing more thrilling than watching a man try and stay on a bucking bull at the rodeo. If he makes it to 8 seconds – WOW!
Elsie Silver gives us a few bull riders to love within her Chestnut Springs series. First up is Rhett, the irresistible professional bull rider in Flawless and then Theo, the up and coming bull rider who Rhett coaches in Reckless.
Not only do you get a glimpse into this cool sport, but you get some amazing book boyfriends too! Check out my book review of Reckless.
Best Running Sports Romance Books
Waking Olivia
by Elizabeth O’Roark
While not a series, I adored this book that looks at long-distance running, first as a college athlete and then beyond.
I don’t think you could convince me to run a mile these days so I’m in awe of Olivia’s talent in this sports romance that is a profound romance between athlete and coach.
Are you a fan of sports romance books? Which is your favorite? Let me know in the comments below!
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Thanks for this great list! Lots of books to add to my list of to be read. But how could you forget “Heated Rivalry “ by Rachel Reid? One of the best couples ever!!! A great introduction to MM romance.
Heidi, I totally agree that Heated Rivalry is one of the greatest! You’ll find it on my list of the best enemies to lovers books in MM romance 🙂