Welcome to the world of romance, where love blooms amidst the pages of captivating stories. In this article, we delve into the realm of college sports romance novels, exploring tales of passion, second chances, and the irresistible allure of forbidden love. From the thrill of the game to the tender moments shared between protagonists, these books offer readers an escape into a world where emotions run high and hearts collide. Join us as we unveil a curated selection of five must-read titles, each deserving of a place in your ‘pretty book stack.’ Get ready to indulge in a journey of summer swoons, second chances, and the magic of falling in love on the field.
Midnight Kisses by Jeanine Bennedict
“Midnight Kisses” by Jeanine Bennedict follows the unexpected romance between Greta Sahnoun, the football coach’s daughter who despises the sport, and Otis Morgan, a Heisman-winning quarterback with a troubled knee and a longing for love. Their initial encounter at a party leads to a steamy one-night stand, followed by a series of casual encounters fueled by attraction and banter. However, as their relationship deepens, both Greta and Otis confront their emotional baggage and struggle with their feelings for each other. With witty dialogue and steamy scenes, the novel explores themes of love, vulnerability, and self-discovery as the couple navigates the complexities of their connection.
Puck Shy by Teagan Hunter
“Puck Shy” by Teagan Hunter follows the tumultuous year of a hockey player whose life seems to be spiraling out of control. After a devastating loss in Game Six, getting arrested, and a near accident, he realizes he needs to get his act together if he wants to secure his contract with the Carolina Comets. Determined to focus solely on his career, he unexpectedly meets Harper, a charming woman who doesn’t care about hockey and offers him a much-needed distraction. Despite his initial reluctance to pursue a relationship, he finds himself drawn to her witty humor and intelligence. As their connection deepens, he struggles to balance his professional aspirations with his growing feelings for Harper. With humor and steamy moments, “Puck Shy” is a standalone romantic comedy that explores the challenges of love and career in the world of hockey.
Shutout by Avery Keelan
“Shutout” by Avery Keelan is a college hockey romance filled with steam, humor, and heart. After a sudden move, the protagonist finds herself living with her older brother and his hockey teammates, including the tall, tattooed goalie Tyler Donahue – who she had a memorable Halloween hookup with. Determined to keep their past a secret, they agree to pretend it never happened, but sparks fly whenever they’re together. As they navigate their no-strings arrangement, they find themselves drawn to each other in unexpected ways. With a broody goalie hero, a sunshine party girl heroine, and plenty of swoon-worthy moments, “Shutout” is a story about love, secrets, and the irresistible pull of attraction.
Stay with Me by Nicole Fiorina
“Stay with Me” by Nicole Fiorina introduces us to nineteen-year-old Mia, who is sent to Dolor University, a reformatory college in the UK, as a last resort to save her from herself. With a history of sociopathic tendencies, Mia plans to keep her head down and ignore everyone around her to make it through the next two years effortlessly. However, her plans are disrupted when she meets Ollie Masters, a captivating young man with green eyes, tattoos, and a poetic voice. Despite her reservations, Mia is drawn to Ollie, but she knows their connection could lead to either her salvation or his destruction. With mature content, graphic sexual scenes, and disturbing themes, “Stay with Me” is a gripping tale of love, danger, and self-discovery.
Consider Me by Becka Mack
“Consider Me” by Becka Mack introduces us to Carter Beckett, the NHL’s notorious bad boy known for his skills on the ice and his charm off it. When he sets his sights on the protagonist, she’s determined not to fall for his smooth talk and player reputation. Preferring simplicity over complication, she keeps her distance and relies on her own solutions for her needs. However, as Carter starts to reveal his genuine self, she finds her walls crumbling, but she’s still hesitant to trust him completely. As their relationship deepens, Carter finds himself in unfamiliar territory—begging for a chance with someone who refuses to be won over easily. “Consider Me” is the first book in the Playing For Keeps series, offering a mature hockey romance filled with heat, humor, and emotional twists.
The Two of Us by Taylor Torres
“The Two of Us” by Taylor Torres follows Mara Makinen as she reluctantly returns to her small lake town in Maine after seven years away. Facing a family emergency, Mara is determined to avoid Ambrose King, the reminder of the worst mistake of her life, who lives across the street. As she navigates her grief, trauma, and past mistakes, Mara discovers that sometimes holding onto pain means letting go of love. This heart-wrenching emotional romance explores themes of hope, forgiveness, and the healing power of love amidst loss and difficult circumstances. Content warnings include death of a parent, death of a loved one, grief, trauma, and substance addiction.
Icebreaker by Hannah Grace
“Icebreaker” by Hannah Grace follows Anastasia Allen, a competitive figure skater, and Nate Hawkins, the captain of the hockey team. Forced to share a rink, sparks fly between them despite their initial dislike. When Anastasia’s skating partner faces challenges, she turns to Nate for help, leading to unexpected romance. This bestselling novel explores rivalry, teamwork, and love in the world of competitive sports.
Change on the Fly by Maren Moore
“Change on the Fly by Maren Moore” delves into the complexities of love and forgiveness in the high-stakes world of professional hockey. Reed and our protagonist find themselves drawn to each other despite the odds, but must confront their pasts and insecurities to find true happiness.
Lucky Hit by Hannah Cowan
“Lucky Hit” by Hannah Cowan follows Oakley Hutton, a hockey prodigy ready to conquer the sports world and live his dream. Octavia Layton, on the other hand, is haunted by a broken past, unable to move forward due to childhood betrayal. Despite their differences, they find themselves drawn to each other, unable to resist the magnetic pull between them. As they navigate their complex relationship, they push each other out of their comfort zones and discover unexpected connections that transcend their differences. “Lucky Hit” is a story of opposites attracting, pushing boundaries, and finding common ground despite their disparate backgrounds.
The Enforcer by Avery Keelan
“The Enforcer” by Avery Keelan tells the story of a former couple, hockey superstar Nash Richards and his ex-girlfriend, who is now his intern. Despite their painful breakup, they find themselves forced to work closely together for a semester. As they navigate their complicated history and the department’s strict no-dating policy, old feelings resurface, leading to a rekindling of their romance. However, as they grow closer, Nash’s hidden secrets threaten to unravel everything they’ve rebuilt. Set against the backdrop of college romance and hockey, this tale explores themes of love, forgiveness, and the risks we take for the ones we care about.
Breakaway by Grace Reilly
In “Breakaway by Grace Reilly,” we explore the complexities of a friends-with-benefits arrangement that threatens to unravel into something more. Cooper, a college athlete with dreams of making it big, finds himself drawn to Penny, his coach’s daughter. As they embark on a secret affair, they must confront the consequences of their actions and decide whether love is worth the risk.
Fortuna Sworn by K.J. Sutton
“Fortuna Sworn” by K.J. Sutton follows the titular character, the last of her kind, as she searches for her missing brother among humans. Working at a bar by day and searching for him by night, her life takes a dangerous turn when she catches the eye of a powerful faerie who desires her. Reluctantly, Fortuna agrees to leave her safe existence behind and reenter a world of creatures and power. However, as she delves deeper, she realizes that the faerie’s offer comes with unforeseen consequences that threaten not only her heart but her very life. This dark fantasy novel explores themes of desire, power, and the sacrifices one makes for the ones they love. Trigger warnings include scenes or themes of sexual harassment, toxic relationships, and slavery.
Stealing Home by Grace Reilly
“Stealing Home” by Grace Reilly is the third installment in the beloved Beyond the Play series, a BookTok favorite. Sebastian, a baseball player focused on his final season before the MLB draft, finds himself distracted by his gorgeous and enigmatic roommate, Mia. Despite her past rejection, Sebastian offers Mia a place to stay for the summer, leading to a complex dance of emotions and desires. Mia, an astrophysics student with goals of her own, struggles to resist Sebastian’s undeniable charm and the intense attraction between them. As they navigate their complicated relationship, old feelings resurface, threatening to derail their carefully laid plans. Filled with swoons, spice, and second chances, “Stealing Home” is a captivating adult college sports romance that fans won’t want to miss.
The Best Kind of Forever by Celeste Briars
Aeris Relera, accustomed to a string of misfortunes, finds herself rescued from a night of excessive drinking by Hayes Hollings, a disgraced NHL player seeking redemption. As Hayes plots to rebuild his public image with Aeris as his pretend girlfriend, Aeris grapples with the possibility of opening herself up to love again. However, both are harboring secrets that could threaten any chance of a future together.
Also read: The best 10 Fantasy romance books – black & purple stack
