Book picks similar to
Playing the Game by Stephanie Queen


romance
sports
contemporary-romance
contemporary

Follow My Lead


Lisa Renee Jones - 2012
    If anyone finds out, it will be the end of both their reputations—and the scandal the media has been waiting for. Then again, with chemistry like theirs, it might be worth it!***Follow My Lead is a sexy standalone in the Stepping Up series. This was previously published with Harlequin, and is a reissue.

The Forbidden Sitter: A Billionaire Holiday Romance (Nightclub Sins)


Michelle Love - 2021
    

Sweet Somethings


Barbara Freethy - 2017
     Roman Prescott has always lived his life in the shadows. Being invisible meant staying alive—during his troubled childhood and his years as a soldier. But when an injury sends him back to the small town of Fairhope, he can't hide from his past or the light brought forth by a beautiful pastry chef. Having lost her parents at a young age, Juliette Adams has had her share of tragedy, but now she fills her days making sweet desserts in her bakery and trying to recapture her happy childhood. Then she meets an attractive, brooding man, who is not only tearing down her old house but might just tear apart her fragile future. She's not interested in the tragic love story she was named after—she wants a love that will lift her up, that will last, and this sexy soldier has one foot out the door. They both know they should ignore the sparks between them, but Valentine's Day fever has lit up the town and old love letters and long-buried secrets keep bringing them together. Can these two wary souls get past their fear of loving and losing to finally win the greatest love of all? If so, what could be sweeter than that?  AUTHOR'S NOTE:  SWEET SOMETHINGS is a full-length standalone novel. But to add a cool twist, it's set in the world of a romantic movie called COFFEE SHOP that is being released on the same day! Both stories (the book and the movie) take place in the same small coastal town, and some of the characters cross over. You can read/watch each separately without missing a beat, as they each have their own independent storylines, but if you'd love to check out both, you'll have even more fun! PRAISE FOR BARBARA FREETHY NOVELS: "Freethy is an expert at creating unforgettable characters." Library Journal "A warm, moving story of the power of love." NYT Bestselling Author Debbie Macomber on Daniel's Gift "A warm and wonderful book about love, family and everything that’s important in life. Irresistible! I loved it!" NYT Bestselling Author Susan Elizabeth Phillips on Ask Mariah "A fabulous, page-turning combination of romance and intrigue. Fans of Nora Roberts and Elizabeth Lowell will love Golden Lies.” — Kristin Hannah "In the tradition of Lavyrle Spencer, gifted author Barbara Freethy creates an irresistible tale of family secrets, riveting adventure and heart-touching romance." NYT Bestselling Author Susan Wiggs on Summer Secrets “Hooked me from the start and kept me turning pages throughout all the twists and turns. Silent Run is powerful romantic intrigue at its best.” — NYT Bestselling Author JoAnn Ross on Silent Run “If you love nail-biting suspense and heartbreaking emotion, Silent Run belongs on the top of your to-be-bought list. I could not turn the pages fast enough.” — NYT Bestselling Author Mariah Stewart “Barbara Freethy writes with bright assurance, exploring the bonds of sisterhood and the excitement of blue water sailing. SUMMER SECRETS is a lovely novel.” — NYT Bestselling Author Luanne Rice

Bubbles with Brunch


Ainsley St. Claire - 2021
    Only the title has changed.If your best friend was arrested for murder? Would you lie or tell the truth?AxelI don’t want complicated, drama, or serious in the women I date.That was until I met her.Mia’s different—she’s beautiful, smart, and knows baseball better than I do.Her close friend is arrested for murder and life becomes complicated.Chaos engulfs her.Drama colors all parts of her life.And, maybe serious wouldn’t be so bad.MiaLife’s not as easy for me as people think.Sure I’m CEO of a Fortune 50 company I founded.I’ve got a group of girlfriends who’d doing anything for me.But I can’t meet a decent guy to save my life until I met him.Axel makes my toes curl and my heart melt.But the timing may just be wrong.Bubbles with Brunch is a romance with a happy ending and the first book in the The Stiletto Sisters series. This series is about strong women who need strong men. This book can be read as a stand alone that highlights the women seen in the Venture Capitalist Series and the Tech Billionaire series.

The Butterfly Storm


Kate Frost - 2013
    A new start in Greece with Alekos, her boyfriend of just six weeks, removes Sophie from a mundane 9-5 job, takes her away from the difficult relationship she has with her mum, and gives her the opportunity and belief that she is finally doing something positive and exciting with her life.But a lot can change in four years. An engagement, a domineering mother-in-law to be and the reality of life in Greece not being quite what Sophie imagined puts a strain on her relationship with Alekos.When an accident forces Sophie back to the UK to look after her estranged mum, she has time to reevaluate her life, her idea of family, where she wants to be and, most importantly, who she loves.

Squeeze Play


Aven Ellis - 2017
    Having spent a lot of her life in the background due to family circumstances, Hayley is eager to step up and be heard—and bring much needed change to her new organization. With romance on the shelf, it’s time to focus on herself and new career. Armed with a workbook to help her improve on a personal and professional level, Hayley is ready to become a better version of who she already is. But will a baseball player for the Washington Soaring Eagles challenge her thoughts on not only dating, but the person she thinks she needs to be? Brody Jensen is the new catcher for the professional team in DC. Baseball is everything to Brody and has been his salvation while growing up. Brody wants to make the most of his full-time shot behind the plate. Which means no serious relationships. However, when a chance encounter leads him to Hayley, Brody finds himself wanting to know all about the beautiful blonde who has engaged him from the moment he spotted her. Together, they find themselves questioning the ideals they had set for not only relationships, but themselves, too. When the cherry blossoms bloom in the nation's capital, Cupid puts a squeeze play on Hayley and Brody. Will they be brave enough to love themselves and each other? Will love be called out? Or will their relationship be safe at home?

Gloves Dropped


Camellia Tate - 2020
    I’m not giving her a chance to do it a second time.I’ve made mistakes.Mistakes that I’ve learned from.I’ve come a long way to make it as captain of the Salt Lake Pumas.So of course, that’s when she comes back.The girl who ruined my life twelve years ago.But not again.I’m a changed man. I’ve worked hard for this.My head knows I need to ignore the woman El has become.My body’s much more easily swayed.The fire in her eyes burns through my cool-headed defenses.No one told me that giving in to the sparks between us might make me change all over again.

Second Chance Summer


Allie Boniface - 2009
    He’s trying to escape his. Love may be their only hope.Ten years after leaving home, the last thing Summer Thompson expects is to inherit her estranged father's half-renovated mansion. And the last thing she wants is to face the memories of the night her brother died, fleeting as they may be. Now a San Francisco museum curator, she plans to stay east just long enough to settle the estate and get rid of the house. Until she finds it occupied by a hunky handyman who's strangely reluctant to talk about his past.Damian Knight has been hiding his mother and sister from a violent ex, and Whispering Pines is the one place they’ve found peace and safety. He keeps to himself. He tells no one about his past. Yet when the lonely, haunted Summer steals his heart, he finds himself opening up to her in ways he should never risk. Especially to a woman who's planning to leave town after selling their refuge out from under them.As their attraction grows, the past begins to catch up with them. Summer's mounting flashbacks leave her confused and determined to uncover the truth about the night her brother died. But that truth will cross paths with the man Damian and his family have been avoiding for years.Can new love help them defeat the pain of the past? Or are some scars too deep to ever heal?If you love small towns, memorable characters, and swoon-worthy happy endings, then you'll love this sweet romance by a USA Today best-selling author! (Note: this book was previously released as Summer's Song. Revisions and updates accompany this new version!)

Unexpected Love at Silver Ridge


Claire Cain - 2020
    As the local ski resort's manager, he's been struggling to keep the business strong... and it's not working. With her past in the rearview, Wells Bryant restarts her life in the small town as the newest owner of the town's inn. The last thing on her mind is falling for a handsome mountain man. Although he hits all the right notes of sweet and trustworthy, her hard-won independence forces her to resist anything but friendship. Through Liam's scramble to save his family's legacy, and despite the armor around Wells' heart, the pair form an unexpected bond. But when Liam makes a crucial mistake putting him and Wells at odds, will Silverton, the resort, and their bond survive?

When We Were Us


Tawdra Kandle - 2016
    That’s who we’ve been since birth: Nate, Leo . . . and me, Quinn, the token girl. Our mothers met in a prenatal class and became best friends, which meant that the three of us hit every milestone together, from the first day of school to the very first kiss. And beyond.I’ve always been caught in the middle between the two boys. I’ve been in love with Leo since I was eight, even though he doesn’t see me as anything but his pal. And I know that Nate’s hung up on me. I see the look in his eyes. I wish I could say I felt the same, but I don’t. It's getting harder and harder to keep him in the friend zone, though. Things between the three of us aren't easy anymore. Leo’s popular, the football team’s star receiver, and the object of every girl’s fantasy. I know he doesn’t mean to leave us behind, but now Nate and I are just people he used to know.What used to be so simple is suddenly messy and complicated. Leo is all I’ve ever wanted, but even if I had the chance to be with him, how would Nate would handle it? When that chance does come along . . . in the most unexpected way . . . I’m helpless to resist Leo. What was always meant to be is finally happening . . . but will it come at the risk of losing both my friends?

Undercover Princess


Lenora Worth - 2018
    a modern day fairy tale Born to an Italian father and native Texas mother, Nico Lamon returns to Texas to launch an exclusive deal with the iconic Castle Department Store. Guilty for not being there when his father died, Nico has brought the House of Lamon back from the brink of bankruptcy. He devises a marketing gimmick that will benefit both the Castles and the House of Lamon: find the perfect woman to be the fashion line's spokesperson and to wear the gorgeous Valentine shoes he personally designed. When he spots Eleanor in the crowd, he won't stop until she's that woman. His woman. Eleanor Castle returns to Castle Department Store undercover as head of security, but she's really back to reclaim her heritage and save both the store and her aging father. Eleanor has a plan to stop her evil stepmother from her devious doings and she won't stop until she knows her face is safe. But when Nico spots her at a gala and decides she's the one who should wear the shoes and that she's also the one he wants in his life, Eleanor has to reevaluate her undercover plan. Nico slips a red shoe on her foot and captures her heart. How can she fall for a prince of a man without exposing herself and her bruised heart?

Do Not Tell Me No


Kathryn Jane - 2012
    But when her life suddenly goes sideways, she suspects her judgment is messed up because of the chemistry between her and a sizzling hot mystery man. Gage’s secret assignment is to protect Cassandra, but she’s got him twisted up like a pretzel and second guessing every move he makes. She's ready to climb over anything in her way, but he's a master at roadblocks.A fun, fast-paced Romantic Adventure by a Canadian Author.Full book length

Strangers Like Us


Mary Campisi - 2017
    Readers who loved Mary Campisi

The Worth Series: Books 1-3


Mara Jacobs - 2013
    Having lost half her body weight, she's headed to her small hometown to test out her new body on an old flame. Just a harmless fling to get her self confidence back before she returns to the city and the new man in her life.But Lizzie's plan has a few bumps in the road.Finn Robbins can't believe Liz is back in town. Desperate to be the holder of her innocence eighteen years ago, he never got the chance. Now she's back and he can finally check her off his to do list.But her friends, his son, and the mysterious Annie may have something to say about that.Book 2:Worth The DriveAll Katie ever wanted was a baby. Be careful what you wish for.Katie Lipton is the town beauty, but that never got her what she wanted most—a baby. And, oh yeah, a faithful husband would have been nice, too.Reeling from her husband’s cheating and desertion, Katie embarks on a one-night fling with professional golfer Darío Luna. Never could she have imagined that one night with Darío would give her something fifteen years of marriage couldn’t—morning sickness.Darío was raised without a father, and he has no intention of the same fate befalling his child. He’s still not sure about Katie, though. Did she trick him? Lie to him? But his feelings for her, and this crazy attraction he feels, soon has him putting his doubts aside to spend more time with her. He tells himself it’s for the sake of the baby. Yeah. Right.Agreeing to try to work out some sort of relationship before the baby is due, Katie travels with Darío to his golf tournaments, walking the course with him by day...and giving in to their attraction by night. But will it be enough?Book 3:Worth The FallAlison is way too smart to be this dumb about a guy.Alison Jukuri is the smart one. But it hasn't seemed to help her much in her relationships with men. And now she's on the verge of making one, big stupid move.Again.Petey Ryan has spent his life hitting and being hit as a defenseman in the NHL. But now he's about to go up against his biggest foe of all ... tiny Alison Jukuri.A woman with whom he shares a long-held secret. * * * * * * * * * * These books each contain 2-3 fairly graphic love scenes and the F-bomb is detonated somewhat frequently. If they were movies, they would be rated R.The Worth Series thus far:1. Worth the Weight (Lizzie and Finn)2. Worth the Drive (Katie and Dario3. Worth the Fall (Alison and Petey)4. Worth the Effort (Deni and Sawyer)4.5 Totally Worth Christmas - novella (Phoebe and Charlie)5. Worth The Price (Liv and Twain)6. Worth The Lies (Kelsey and Huck)

Final Target


Zara Keane - 2020
    Through the crosshairs of his sniper rifle, he realizes that his target is a former girlfriend—a woman who supposedly died five years previously.Moira Collins is an intelligence agent whose cover has been shot to smithereens. When she finds herself on the wrong side of an assassin’s rifle, she’s appalled to recognize the only mark she ever let herself fall in love with.