January often brings tones of blue-ness to the scene and books slumps are rife post-Christmas. What more could we need than a bit of romance, a bit of spice and add in some sports.
Micky here. I indulged in an unplanned sports romance re-read fest recently because my brain needed comfort with complete and utter attention-grabbing reads. Sports romance is a sub-genre I particularly love and I lean on old favourites as I can’t say that I’m up to date with more recent releases in this sub genre.
I’ve got some recs from my little impromtu sports-romanceathon and then some other sports romance I’d also rec. I’d love to hear from you about some more recent releases that you’d rec to me. Spice levels on a scale of 1-5 (but this is subjective).
First up, Real & Mine by Katy Evans. I lived the life of underground fighting with Remington ‘Riptide’ Tate and Brooke, his sport’s therapist and more. These were first published in 2013 and I’ve read them a number of times. They are super spicy and super alpha if that’s your bag. In truth, I don’t go for these types anymore but I will forever love these two. This is a six book series, with the first three focused on the same couple and later books are companions. Spice level : 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
Content warnings for violence and mental illness
Next in my sports-romanceathon were Ride & Crash by Harper Dallas. These books are set in an elite snowboarding world with interconnected couples in each book. These stories are all push and pull, chemistry, a little drama and completely unputdownable. They’re also in Kindle Unlimited. There’s a third book to come in the Wild Sequence series and although it’s been a while, I can’t wait for more from Harper Dallas.
Spice level : 🌶️🌶️🌶️
Now to some much-loved sports romance recommendations from Hollis and I:
The Keeper by Jillian Liota (YA) – female football (soccer) — 🌶️
Check, Please! by Ngozi Ukazu (NA) – LGBTQIAP+ hockey — 🌶️
The Wall of Winnipeg & Me by Mariana Zapata – American football — 🌶️🌶️
Kulti by Mariana Zapata – football (soccer) — 🌶️🌶️
Furia by Yamile Saied Mendez (YA) – female football (soccer) — 🌶️🌶️
From Lukov With Love by Mariana Zapata – ice skating — 🌶️🌶️
The Best Thing by Mariana Zapata – rugby — 🌶️🌶️
Long Shot by Kennedy Ryan – basketball — 🌶️🌶️🌶️
Wrecking Ball by P Dangelico – American football — 🌶️🌶️🌶️
Heated Rivalry by Rachel Reid – LGBTQIAP+ hockey — 🌶️🌶️🌶️
The Year We Hid Away by Sarina Bowen (NA) – hockey — 🌶️🌶️🌶️
Him by Sarina Bowen & Elle Kennedy – LGBTQIAP+ hockey — 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
The Game Plan by Kristen Callihan – American football — 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
So now we need your help. Update us on the more recent sports romances that you’ve loved, please and thank you! Tell us what your favourites are and if we share any.
A Take from Two Cities 