7 Spicy Sports Romance Recommendations (oh yes, this genre is still going strong)
Ahh, the humble Sports Romance novel, it’s still one of my go-to genres when I’m stuck in a reading slump, or if I need something to cleanse my reading palate after a particularly heavy or intimidating book.
I’m not sure why I used the word humble tbh because there is absolutely nothing modest about the characters and plotlines in these stories. Let me quickly catch you up with the common tropes of the genre, as well as some titles that should be considered the cornerstones.
Sports Romance - What is it?
It’s very simple, I’m sure you’ve already figured it out. The love interest in these adult (or sometimes “new adult” if you still buy into that category being a thing) are most often than not men who play… sports. In a nutshell.
Popular sports include Ice Hockey, American Football, Baseball, Soccer.
Basically, anywhere the money and the fame is. Because that usually has to play into the mix somewhere.
It is also often told in a dual pov between the athlete and the non-athlete.
Common Tropes
Genre specific ones include:
Drama surrounding the signing of an athlete to a bigshot team
The relationship can (and will) cause the athlete to nearly lose their career
Lots of working out, running, gym scenes, plus the athlete eating lots of food
Jock culture (sometimes critiqued, thankfully)
Fights, neanderthal behaviour, protection kinks (cos they have all that athletic vim and vigour)
Lots of spicy scenes, or the whole book leading up to one
Tropes that tend to pop up on the regular in this genre include:
Surprise pregnancy (although it’s never really a surprise, is it? It’s called a condom. Jeez)
Fake dating
Secret relationship (or even marriage)
Enemies to lovers
Forbidden romance (this one is in almost every single title, tell me I’m wrong)
Virgin romance
Grumpy sunshine
Friends to lovers
Alpha male love interests
Forced proximity
To name but a few! Because this is a genre thick and heavy with tropes. But… That’s why we like it, right?
A quick list of staples before I get into some recs of books I’ve recently read or discovered:
‘The Deal’ by Elle Kennedy
An absolute must. It’s the Sports (College) Romance series.
‘The Wall of Winnipeg and Me’ by Mariana Zapata
I’m not a huge fan of Zapata’s writing, but Wall of Winnipeg is endlessly popular.
‘The Ivy Years’ by Sarina Bowen
And the best part is Bowen and Kennedy have tag-teamed on a further series and it’s just chefs kiss
‘How to Date a Douchebag’ by Sara Ney
A little different for the college set sports romances, I think. But it’s so much fun and deserves more attention.
Recently, I’ve been on another Sports Romance binge, so I thought it was time for an updated list…
‘Puck Me Secretly’ by Odette Stone (Also, ‘Home Game’ and ‘The Penalty Box’)
I started reading this series on the plane home from Florida and I devoured it from start to finish. As I’m writing this I’m currently near the end of book four. So, you know, it’s a very edible series. I like how outlandish some of the plot twists and turns are. It’s very dramatic, almost too nuts to believe, and I can’t stop reading it. Hockey.
‘Blindsided’ by Amy Daws
This was very different from other Sports Romances I have read. And although I had some issues with the Britishisms, it was overall a cute and satisfying read. Football.
‘Rule Number Five’ by J. Wilder
Can’t say yay or nay to this one as I haven’t read it yet (as will be the case for most of these on the list) but I keep seeing it pop up, so I have a cautious but good feeling about it. Hockey.
‘Pucking Around’ by Emily Rath
Yes, this book really is 756 pages long. But don’t be disuaded. Some of the most engrossing romance books I’ve read have been HEFTY. But, to be fair, I haven’t read this yet either. It is sitting in my KU library ready to go though. It’s a “why choose” romance trope, which I think is fairly uncommon for a Sports Romance. Hockey.
‘Egotistical Puckboy’ by Eden Finley and Saxon James
Two reasons this makes the list, the cover (intensely gaudy, and I kind of dig it) and it’s a m/m romance. This isn’t that rare in the Sports Romance genre, it’s harder to come by a sapphic Sports Romance read, but there are always more queer reads needed. Hockey.
So there you have it. Have at it. Happy reading!
Are you a Sports Romance fan?
Written by Sarah
