We’re coming up on a truly amazing time to be a sports fan in America. Baseball and soccer are ramping up to the final weeks before the playoffs. Football has officially kicked off (and within a week or two, I’ll finally understand the new rules surrounding that exact play). Preseason is in sight for basketball and hockey. With all that to come, we’re staring down the perfect sports-watching experience for so many different fans!

If you’re not a fan of watching sports or need something to do during the commercial breaks, dive into a sports romance that’ll have you cheering for the home team. Sports romance books are steadily growing in popularity, and pretty much every sport imaginable is represented in these pages. There’s just something about people at the top of their game, going for with “W” in both their sport and their love life that inspires us all to cheer.

Once you find a romance that gets you shouting, don’t be a fair-weather fan. Get yourself over to the Libby app and get to reading!

If you’re taking it to the paint...

How You Get the Girl by Anita Kelly
🎧 Audiobook

After being a benchwarmer at University of Tennessee, Julie still has basketball in her blood, and she agrees to be the coach for the girls’ basketball team at her old high school. Julie is shocked to discover that the newest member of her team is being fostered by Elle, her idol and celebrity crush—a former UT basketball star who disappeared from the spotlight after a career-ending WNBA injury. Is there something more between them than just a love of the game?

This book hits on lots of great points and has wonderful representation across the board. Julie is trying to discover who she is within the queer community and the labels that come with it, while Elle is dealing with the load of unexpectedly fostering a teenager while dealing with her own mental health issues. Don’t draw a foul on this one.

If you’re missing the Olympics already...

Let the Games Begin by Rufaro Faith Mazarura
🎧 Audiobook

Set during the fictional 2024 Athens games, an IOC intern, Olivia, and a British track and field star, Zeke, both pursue their dreams, while also pursuing each other. Olivia wants nothing more than to turn this internship into a permanent position, and Zeke wants people to stop worrying about his recent breakup and concentrate on his athleticism. Can they both follow these dreams while also following their hearts?

In addition to being connected by their love of sport, both Zeke and Olivia are children of Zimbabwean immigrants. This book does a great job of delving deeper into what it means to represent your nation at this level and the choices and responsibilities that are put upon young shoulders. In addition, the surrounding cast of fellow Olympians from all around the globe is not to be missed. Take this one to the top of the podium!

If you want to go for it on 4th...

🎧 The C*ck Down the Block by Amy Award

What if the boy next door turned out to be the star quarterback for Denver’s NFL team? And you’re the sweet librarian with a famous mother who’s been misjudged forever? And you have chickens and a crazy rooster for a side cast of characters? Then you’re Trixie, and you’re in need of a fake boyfriend—stat—to show everyone at your high-school reunion that you’re not the person they thought you were. The catch? Chris, that NFL player from next door, has actually been in love with you forever, so you bet sparks are going to fly.

In addition to being steamy, this book also brims over with great body representation. Also, this is the first book in The Cocky Kingmans series, and it’s going to take you straight into the end zone, ready to grab up the next in series when you’re finished!

If you’ve ever said something you’ve regretted...

The Art of Catching Feelings by Alicia Thompson
🎧 Audiobook

Anyone who’s ever been to a live sporting event knows that yelling at the officials and the players is pretty par for the course. But what do you do when the heckler goes a bit too far (after a few beers too many), and you make Chris, a star baseball player, cry during the game? If you’re Daphne, you slide into his DMs and express your sympathy for what was done to him. But maybe you forget the part where you apologize and mention that you’re the person who got him into this mess in the first place. As Daphne and Chris get closer over these messages, the lies loom large. Can this be a home run or will it be a pop fly?

The plot is heavily predicated on Daphne keeping a major truth away from Chris, so keep that in mind if it isn’t something you like. That being said, the messaging between these two is hot and heavy, like You’ve Got Mail after dark, so you can almost forgive the deception as a reader. This one knocks it out of the park!

If you’re working on your backswing...

40-Love by Olivia Dade
🎧 Audiobook

Who’d think the flirty guy who helped you from accidentally exposing yourself to strangers would end up being the handsome tennis coach at your resort? Not Tess. However, when she discovers that her hero in shining tennis whites is Lucas, a former tennis-pro turned resort coach, they decide to have a bit of fun while she’s on vacation. Can their connection last beyond this vacation fling?

In addition to this being another body-positive title on the list, we also have an age gap romance where our female main character is 40 and the male main character is 26. While this proves to be a point of contention as they look to their future, you can bet that this one will be game-set-match in the end!

If you’re looking for that checkered flag...

Cross the Line by Simone Soltani
🎧 Audiobook

Formula 1 Driver Dev is a classic bad boy. He’s also Willow’s brother’s best friend. These things should all be reasons for her to stay away from him, but ever since they kissed last year, that’s all that’s been on her mind. When she offers to help him rehab his image and up his social media game, he can’t say no. But how can they make sure their spark is more than just a pit stop for both of them?

This book not only has two BIPOC leads, Willow also experiences hypermobility, a disability that affects how she moves through the world, but does not slow her down. This romance took years in the making, and you’ll be cheering when they cross the finish line!

If you’re looking to just roll with it...

The 7-10 Split by Karmen Lee
🎧 Audiobook

Ava and Grace were friends for years, bonded by the love of competitive bowling. But years ago, one kiss between them fractured their friendship. When Grace shows up to coach the bowling team at the local high school where they both work, Ava feels old resentments move to the surface like a ball at a return. Can they get along well enough to make sure the bowling team has a future? Or, like a 7-10 split, are they just too far apart to move?

If you’re feeling some fall back-to-school vibes with some fun friends-to-rivals-to-something bigger, then this one is just going to roll down the lane for you.

If you’re in need of a full court press...

🎧 The Right Move by Liz Tomforde

Here I present you with another “sibling’s best friend” book. This time, he’s the new captain of the Chicago Devils and she’s just trying to get her life back together. NBA superstar Ryan needs a girlfriend to help revamp his cold image, and Indy needs someone to help prove to her ex-boyfriend that she’s moved on. Add to the mix that she’s just become his roommate, and you can bet these two will be running zone on each other before you know it!

Some people from Indy’s past, like her ex, might be hard to read about, so keep that in mind. However, the new people she’s surrounding herself with will hopefully make up for her treatment prior. Ryan is an ideal book boyfriend, so get ready to cozy up courtside for this one!

If you’re craving peanuts and Cracker Jack...

You Should Be So Lucky by Cat Sebastian
🎧 Audiobook

If you’re in the mood for a mid-century, grumpy-sunshine, queer romance, then you’ve found the right book! Eddie just can’t catch a break. Hit by bad game after bad game, people are starting to notice. Mark, an arts reporter, doesn’t know a thing about baseball when his paper has him step into the sports reporter’s shoes. Eddie is trying to turn his career around and Mark wants to be left alone. But soon, the draw of the two is undeniable as they find themselves learning to love and respect each other more and more.

This book deals with issues of grief and being closeted in a time that was not friendly to the queer community. The loving cast of characters that fills this universe is a family that anyone would want to embrace fully. The love of Eddie and Mark is fireworks after a win by the home team!

If you’re ready to throw a flag...

The Wall of Winnipeg and Me by Mariana Zapata
🎧 Audiobook

Vanessa is feeling like she’s at 4th and long with her boss, famous football baddie Aiden. She puts in her notice when she’s tired of waiting hand and foot on a man that treats her like she’s nothing. After she’s been gone a week, she’s shocked to see this quiet, grumbly player on her doorstep, begging her to come back. If she decides to throw a Hail Mary and come back, can he treat her like she deserves? And can they deny what’s rushing down the field straight towards them?

This slow burn romance is a classic in the sports romance world for a reason. Our hero is extra grumpy, and there’s a marriage of convenience plotline that is touchdown-dance-worthy for readers of that trope.

These reads are all championship-level, and you’re sure to find your G.O.A.T on the Libby app!

*Title availability may vary by library & region.

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