The 5 Best Sports Romance Novels Trending This Year
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This past Friday, Rebecca challenged Marcus and Matthew to a soccer shootout in our backyard. It ended with Marcus tripping over his own mismatched socks, Rebecca accidentally launching the ball into the neighbor’s basil patch, and Matthew inventing a new victory dance that will never see the light of day (trust me, humanity isn't ready).
Romance novels are my ultimate comfort read—they give me heart-tingling escapes, literary best friends, and emotional rollercoasters that somehow always end with hope. I love recommending books because the right story can brighten a tough week, spark laughter on a gloomy day, and maybe, just maybe, nudge someone into trying a new genre. Seeing fellow readers gush over book boyfriends and debate the best tropes is my kind of joy, and sports romances are trending for a reason—the adrenaline, the passion, and the rivalries just up the stakes. Here are my top picks for sports romances this year!
₹347.88
4.96 out of 5 stars
Fangirl Down: A Novel (Big Shots Book 1)
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Fangirl Down by Tessa Bailey
Tagged As:
golf romance, forbidden crush, sports star, redemption, humorous banter, slow burn, contemporary romance, HEA
Plot Summary:
Winnie’s life has always revolved around her favorite pro golfer… until a chance encounter off the course brings her face-to-face with the man himself, Sawyer. He’s cocky, adrift after a scandal, and definitely off-limits. When Winnie winds up recruited as his assistant, sparks (and golf balls) fly in every direction. What starts as reluctant teamwork becomes downright irresistible, with plenty of awkward hilarity and true heart.
Why I Love This Book:
No one does sassy heroines and flawed heroes like Tessa Bailey. Winnie is such a relatable fangirl, and her dynamic with Sawyer is both hilarious and deeply swoony. You get all-the-feels moments alongside banter and embarrassment that made me laugh out loud. The growth and redemption arcs are genuinely uplifting!
Who Will Like This Book:
Golf fans or anyone who’s ever nursed a secret crush will love this. If you need lighthearted awkwardness, quick-witted banter, and a romance that makes you grin and cheer, this book is a must read.
Steam Level: 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️Explicit
₹2,232.95
₹1,953.72
4.64 out of 5 stars
How You Get the Girl
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How You Get the Girl by Anita Kelly
Tagged As:
basketball, queer romance, rivals to lovers, coach/player, coming out, found family, slow burn, contemporary, HEA
Plot Summary:
As a basketball coach at a local recreation center, Marlow has a comfortable routine—until thrumming with new energy thanks to rival Noah, a former college player whose arrival shakes everything up. Sparks fly on and off the court as competitive tension gives way to deeper connection and honest vulnerability. Love and identity mix with the pressure of past mistakes, bringing both characters out of their shells.
Why I Love This Book:
Anita Kelly crafts romance with real heart. The basketball setting feels authentic, and the chemistry between Marlow and Noah is both exhilarating and sweet. Their emotional journeys are handled beautifully, and the slow build makes the payoff totally worth it. The supporting cast adds warmth and humor, giving this book serious “found family” vibes.
Who Will Like This Book:
Ideal for fans of queer romance and rivals-to-lovers tropes, especially those who enjoy stories where sports serve as both metaphor and arena for growth. If you crave big feels, inclusive rep, and lots of heart-to-heart moments, pick this one up.
Steam Level: 🌶️🌶️🌶️Moderate
₹2,211.67
₹1,935.10
4.88 out of 5 stars
The Path to Loving Him
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The Path to Loving Him by Meghan Quinn
Tagged As:
baseball, second chance, small town, single dad, emotional, fun friendship, quirky supporting cast, contemporary, series, HEA
Plot Summary:
When Ava moves back to her hometown, she just wants a fresh start and a distraction from her heartbreak. Enter Liam: single dad, ex-baseball star, and the boy she'd once loved. Sparks reignite as Ava helps Liam navigate parenthood, romance, and the chaos of raising his adorable daughter. Between baseball games, meddlesome neighbors, and plenty of nostalgia, their second-chance story tugs every heartstring.
Why I Love This Book:
Meghan Quinn has a knack for balancing laugh-out-loud moments with tearjerker scenes. Ava and Liam’s story is genuinely moving—the single dad angle is handled with warmth and authenticity, and the chemistry is palpable. The quirky town is a character in itself, adding delight to every chapter.
Who Will Like This Book:
Any reader craving second chances, small-town feels, and a story with real emotional depth. Baseball fans, single dad enthusiasts, and lovers of found family will absolutely eat this up.
Steam Level: 🌶️🌶️🌶️Moderate
₹1,768.45
₹1,547.73
4.54 out of 5 stars
Poetry on Ice: Totally Pucked, Book 1
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Poetry On Ice by Jesse H. Reign
Tagged As:
hockey, opposites attract, poet heroine, jock hero, friends to lovers, contemporary romance, college setting, emotional, HEA
Plot Summary:
Hockey star Leo crashes into quiet, poetry-loving Eliza’s life on a snowy college campus. Their connection is unlikely but magnetic—his impulsivity meets her introspective calm, and soon they’re exchanging verse (and secret glances) in the library. Between the demands of training and personal obstacles, the pair discover common ground in vulnerability and genuine friendship, leading to a romance that’s both tender and fiercely passionate.
Why I Love This Book:
I’m a sucker for opposites attract, and this book hits that sweet spot. Leo’s hockey swagger and Eliza’s poetic soul are beautifully paired, and their development from friends to lovers feels natural and moving. College life and snowy nights add extra charm. The emotional intimacy stands out just as much as the chemistry.
Who Will Like This Book:
Anyone who loves emotional, friends-to-lovers romance with a college setting and quirky yet realistic characters. Hockey fans and poetry lovers alike will find a lot to savor here.
Steam Level: 🌶️🌶️🌶️Moderate
₹1,993.61
₹1,744.52
4.89 out of 5 stars
Icebreaker: A Novel
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Icebreaker by Hannah Grace
Tagged As:
hockey romance, figure skating, forced proximity, enemies to lovers, college setting, supportive hero, spicy, contemporary, series, HEA
Plot Summary:
Anastasia’s figure skating dreams hit a snag when she’s forced to share the rink with a rowdy college hockey team—and their infuriating (but undeniably attractive) captain, Nathan. Forced proximity and constant banter quickly turn into something more, with high-stakes competitions, spark-flying chemistry, and emotional support through some very real struggles.
Why I Love This Book:
The enemies-to-lovers tension here is absolutely delicious! Nathan is a cinnamon roll hero hidden behind his tough hockey exterior, and Anastasia is fierce and funny. Their journey is packed with steam, heart, and plenty of laugh-out-loud moments. Plus, I was totally rooting for both on ice and off.
Who Will Like This Book:
If you want serious heat, college sports drama, and a heroine with real grit, this is your book. Hockey fans and skating enthusiasts will especially love all the rink shenanigans and high-stakes emotion.
Steam Level: 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️Explicit
