Book picks similar to
Crossing Lines by Jane C. Rain
sports-romance
sports
dnf
football
When Stars Burn Out
Carrie Aarons - 2018
So slowly that each layer burning out feels like agony … or suddenly, exploding into a million pieces before the universe even has a grasp of what is happening.When Paxton Shaw left Demi Rosen without so much as a goodbye, he stole her shine in both manners.Now, eight years later, he’s trying to pull her back into his orbit. The nation’s most beloved football player, a tight end with a seriously tight end, has finally realized Demi is the one who got away.But she’s a different woman than the weak girl who used to come running whenever he called in the middle of the night. Strong, successful, her life’s mission being to grant the wishes of children whose flames have all but been extinguished.And untouchable, as dark and cold as a midnight sky with no moon in sight.When one special child forces their star-crossed paths to collide, it’s impossible to keep the feelings of their past buried. Paxton had been her Halley’s Comet; the once in a lifetime love that scorched Demi’s heart in the most spectacular of fashions.She promised herself she would never make that mistake again. But, how can she forget the dreams of love she once had, when Paxton wants to make them come true?
The Wrong Game
Kandi Steiner - 2018
One genius idea. Zero interest in a relationship. The plan is simple: a brand new, hot, preferably funny, definitely single male will fill one of those seats for every Bears game at Soldier Field. And I’ll fill the other. I can’t think of a better way to use the season passes I’d bought for my ex-husband. I am a woman of plans, and this one’s foolproof. Until Zach Bowen offers to be my practice round. He’s infuriating. Presumptuous and overbearing. And absolutely, undeniably gorgeous. Any woman with a heartbeat would be attracted to him, and mine picks up speed every time he speaks. But as I said, I’m a woman of plans — and I’m not backing down on this one. One night. One game. And then, his time’s up. He can try to change the rules, but here’s the truth: he can’t win if he’s playing the wrong game. The Wrong Game is a stand-alone, angsty, enemies-to-lovers sports romance.
Secret Plunge
Jasmin Miller - 2020
. . once you weather life’s bumps to get there. Of course.Like finding out your drop-dead-gorgeous one-night stand turned baby daddy is Ryan Monroe, swimming gold medalist who came out of retirement for one more Olympic Games.And that your dad is his new coach.Or that Ryan will never overlap his personal life with his work life again.That’s when the secrets . . . the omissions begin. Because sometimes, that’s how you protect fledgling relationships and those you love. Isn’t it?*previously published in Romantically Ever After*
The Enemy Trap
Maren Moore - 2021
Hayes Davis is America’s sweetheart, the #1 hockey player in the country, and my fake fiancé.Simple, right? It would be, if my betrothed were anyone else.But it turns out America’s sweetheart is arrogant, selfish, and a guy I have no intentions of letting break my heart again.It was never supposed to happen.But then one night changes everything.Now, he’s not only my pretend fiancé but my very real baby daddy.How can two people who hate each other pull off the lie of a lifetime while figuring out how to raise a child together?Everything between us was supposed to be fake, but I’m not pretending anymore
The Perfect First
Maya Hughes - 2019
Math genius. Lover of blazers. The only girl I know who can make Heidi braids look sexy as hell. And she’s on a mission. Lose her virginity by the end of the semester. I walked in on her interview session for potential candidates (who even does that?) and saw straight through her brave front. She’s got a list of Firsts to accomplish like she’s only got months to live. I’ve decided to be her guide for all her firsts except one. Someone’s got to keep her out of trouble. I have one rule, no sex. We even shook on it.I’ll help her find the right guy for the job. Someone like her doesn’t need someone like me and my massive...baggage for her first time. Drinking at a bar. Check. Partying all night. Double check. Skinny dipping. Triple check. She’s unlike anyone I’ve ever met. The walls I’d put up around my heart are slowly crumbling with each touch that sets fire to my soul. I’m the first to bend the rules. One electrifying kiss changes everything and suddenly I don’t want to be her first, I want to be her only. But her plan was written before I came onto the scene and now I’m determined to get her to re-write her future with me.
Our Overtime
S.C. Kate - 2021
Turning to coaching in the closest thing to a hometown he’s ever had becomes the next best answer…But when he sees the only girl he’s ever loved at the tryout - for her son, no doubt- he rethinks this decision.Thinking about seeing her in the stands looking down at him with a husband by her side all season long just about kills him.His urgent mission- find out the kid’s last name and make sure he doesn’t make his team.———Getting married to her husband wasn’t her first choice, and neither was ending up a divorcee at 31. But Jules finally escaped the loveless marriage with her new little love - her eight-year-old son Canyon.Her new plans- move back to her hometown, sign Canyon up for a hockey tryout at her old rink, and create their new life together.It’s only when she sees familiar handwriting on the tryout sign-in sheet that she questions all of her old and new plans.
Say You Swear
Meagan Brandy - 2022
It didn’t matter how wild I allowed my imagination to run, it always led me to the same place in the end. It led me to him. My future was clear, and he was it. Until suddenly ... he wasn’t. Now I’m a shell of who I was, on a path too blurry to follow, and I see no way out.No way up. They say first loves last forever.That’s exactly what I’m afraid of.
5 Rounds
Nikki Castle - 2021
The only problem is, she can't stand his arrogant, self-centered roommate, Tristan.Now, she has to figure out how to live in the same house with him for ten days while dealing with all the temptation that comes with… including punching Tristan’s smug face in. But when one night strips them of their masks and exposes the truth, they’re forced to reexamine how they really feel about each other.While Remy struggles with her attraction to this notorious womanizer, Tristan has to decide if his feelings for Remy are worth it, or if they'll just distract him from his longtime goal of becoming a world champion.Can Tristan and Remy drop their guards long enough to fall in love? Or will old prejudices deliver the final blow?Scroll up to dive into the world of Philly MMA today!
Off to the Races
Elsie Silver - 2021
The horse trainer I need to turn the family racing business around. She’s feisty, confident, and so damn tempting. And our chemistry? It sizzles.We clash from the moment we meet. And in a small town, on an even smaller farm, it’s hard to keep your distance. It’s even harder to keep that friction from turning to fire.But keeping things professional? That might be the biggest struggle of all. Because Billie is the whole package, whip-smart with a body I fantasize about when I’m alone, and quite possibly the only woman who can save this place—and me.She drives me crazy. In every sense of the word. Every smart-mouthed little comment—every game we play—I end up wanting more. Wanting her closer. With me. Under me.I try not to let her get to me, but the more time we spend together the more I crave her. Her lips. Her trust. Her heart.I want it all.But at what cost?Because suddenly I don’t just want to win races, I want to win the girl.OFF TO THE RACES is a sizzling slow burn, standalone romance with no cheating. It’s the first book in the Goldrush Ranch series, set in a small town called Ruby Creek.
Bad Boys Break Hearts
Micalea Smeltzer - 2020
Rich. Hotter than sin. The campus’s reigning bad boy. We knew each other once upon a time, but even if I’m named after a princess, it doesn’t mean my life is a fairytale. My plan is to keep my head down, get my degree, and leave this town.But the moment Mascen Wade recognizes me all my carefully laid plans come crumbling down. He’s decided he wants to make my life a living hell. But I’m not so easy to push around and won’t put up with his bully playground antics. Too bad for me I’ve never been able to resist him.
Blindsided
Amy Daws - 2019
Midfielder Maclay “Mac” Logan is a loud-mouthed, tattooed ginger content with focusing on football. But when an adorably-freckled seamstress comes barreling into his life, he finds Netflix-And-Bickering with her to be his new favorite pastime. Freya Cook is used to being the invisible woman with a needle and thread, offering cheeky punchlines as she helps dress London’s finest. She’s plus-sized in body and spirit, and other than her friendship with Mac, talking to the opposite sex is one skill she never mastered. However, after one innocent game of Never Have I Ever, Mac offers to play Love Coach for Freya. What neither of them see coming are the feelings that develop when the clothes come off. Now they’re both about to learn the biggest lesson of all: Don't fall in love with your best friend.Blindsided is a full length (97,000 words) contemporary rom-com standalone with a sports theme.
Bad Boy Player
Kat T. Masen - 2017
EmersonEveryone thinks they know who I am. I'm the TV star who fell in love with her co-star, Wesley Rich. But it wasn't real. It was a life designed to entertain millions of watchers each Monday night. A life I had no control over. Until my past came to visit... All it took was one night. One night to relive my past. One night to forget my future. With someone who'd been there all along...Logan Soccer is my life--it's in my blood. I train hard, I play hard, and I win. Nothing breaks my focus. Except Emerson. Every Monday night. She's an obsession I can't seem to shake. I don't know what was harder: hiding how I feel about his sister from my best friend, or watching the woman I want live a life with someone else.
Filthy
Serena Akeroyd - 2020
Not even God will deny a man like him.I'm certainly not God.I'm just a woman he's set his sights on. One he’ll never relinquish. His idea of being ‘kind’ is to give me two options.One Destroy the reputation of a man I love.TwoBed him . . . and he’ll forget about what he knows.One night only. He doesn't know I'm a virgin.And when he finds out?One night isn't enough.-- Not for him, and not for me. --But his world is forged on the misery of others. He might have a house in the Hamptons, stare at the Hudson when he sits behind his desk,and manage a billion dollar hedge fund, all of that doesn’t change the fact that he’s a mobster. One of the infamous Five Points. Being with him puts me in danger. But my heart?Well, it’s been in danger from the first moment we met . . .*-*Note: This was originally released as "The Air He Breathes".
The Lawyer
Marni Mann - 2021
Dalton, my sister’s cutthroat entertainment lawyer.And he has a proposition for me.He wants to make me famous.Of course, that means sharing a screen with my wildly jealous sister.It means giving up my career.It means the whole world will suddenly know everything about me.Which presents one catastrophic problem—Dominick doesn’t date famous people. So, do I take a chance at becoming a Hollywood star, or do I pass up the opportunity to be with the man who gave me a taste of forever?
Wicked Game
Mercy Celeste - 2011
Jaime is on the verge of superstardom in the NFL; all that’s missing is a Super Bowl ring and a personal assistant who can handle his business without handling his business. Cass seems to be the best person for the job. She’s smart, mouthy, dependable, pig-headed, loyal, and completely not his type. So why can’t Jaime think of anything except Cass? He knows one thing for dead certain. If the game doesn’t kill him, sex with Cass Pendleton most definitely will.