I confess that I often categorize a book as being a sports romance if a main character is an athlete and there’s romance involved. Does that make it a real sports romance, though, even if the sport is only vaguely discussed and never actually played? I guess that’s up for debate. All I know is that The Player is the kind of sports romance that attracted me to the genre in the first place.
Lauren Blakely has become my go-to author when I’m looking for a lighthearted escape. Her romantic comedies are pure joy and 100% addictive. Most Valuable Playboy takes several tropes—sports romance, friends-to-lovers, and best friend’s sister—and manages to combine them successfully.
The Failing Hours is the second book in the How to Date a Douchebag series. While it’s not necessary to have read book one, I think you’ll have a better understanding of the characters and, therefore, enjoy it more if you do. Plus, The Studying Hours is a really great book.
I really enjoyed this college rom-com. How to Date a Douchebag: The Studying Hours is the first sports romance I’ve read about wrestlers. Personally, I’ve never been a fan of wrestling. Big sweaty guys, grabbing each other in headlocks like elementary kids in a playground fight, rolling around on mats, and pinning each other down? Meh. And those unitard thingies they wear? I don’t care how much junk they show, they just aren’t sexy to me. I guess I’m in the minority because all the girls on campus get lady boners over the wrestlers. They must have a really sucky football team or something. Who knows? So yeah. The wrestlers are a big deal at this college and, apparently, the majority of them are big douche canoes.
The WAGs series revolves around characters finding love while navigating the world of professional hockey. Stay is the second standalone in this highly entertaining series, and it strikes all the right notes.
I am in love with a fictional character, and I don’t care who knows. That’s right. Finn from The Hot Shot by Kristen Callihan has stolen my heart. You might have heard of him: 6’4”, gorgeous, talented, professional quarterback, sensitive, and witty. Yeah. He’s mine. All mine!!
I swear. The Rugby series by L.H. Cosway and Penny Reid just keeps getting better and more enjoyable. My heart is doing a little happy dance after reading The Cad and the Co-Ed.
I’ve come to one conclusion: Sawyer Bennett is not human. It seems like she adds to her impressive arsenal of work every couple months with books ranging from romantic suspense and erotica to lighthearted contemporary romance. How is that even possible? How, I ask you?! I don’t know, but as long as she keeps cooking up these sweet sports romances with a hint of spice, I’ll keep gobbling them up like candy. Roman was a tasty treat for me.
Sarina Bowen and Elle Kennedy have proven once again that they are a formidable writing team. Put them together and you get magical storytelling that warms your heart and assails you with humor. Good Boy is the first book in the M/F WAGs series, which is a spinoff of the M/M Him series. WAGs is an acronym for wives and girlfriends of professional athletes, in case you didn’t know.
I’m a fan of the Driven series by K. Bromberg, and Down Shift makes a nice addition. You’ve got two strong main characters, each of whom are at a crossroads in their lives. Zander is forced to face his past and evaluate his priorities when his reckless behavior puts him dangerously close crashing and burning. Getty needs to find independence and confidence after escaping an abusive past.
I love Sarina Bowen’s work and was super excited to learn she was releasing a new sports romance series. I had high expectations for Rookie Move. Unfortunately, this one was a bit of a letdown for me.
Sawyer Bennett is a versatile writer and she does a wonderful job showcasing her lighthearted romance skills with Max. This book has two major things going for it as far as I’m concerned.