Book picks similar to
The Perfect Catch by Maggie Dallen
romance
contemporary
young-adult
sports
My Summer Mistake
Anne-Marie Meyer - 2020
Dad’s gone. Mom spends more time passed out on the couch than doing anything else. Thankfully, I have school and soccer to keep me distracted. Until Logan Cartwright walks back into my life. He’s acting like his family didn’t ruin mine and confusing me more than ever. I’m supposed to hate him, but he’s nice and everywhere I don’t want him to be.LoganI’m back home in Sweet Mountain, ready to start my life sans my parents. They’re desperately trying to save the business they took from the Davenports and have abandoned me at my grandmother’s house while they come up with a plan. Which is fine with me. When I run into Bella, I’m trying to fight the desire to fix what our parents broke. She’s distant and vulnerable. My protective instincts take control. If only I could get her to trust me, she’d see how much I want to help, not hurt.Dive into My Summer Mistake, the first installment of the BRAND NEW multi-author series, Sweet Mountain High.
The Perfect Play
Britney M. Mills - 2020
But as he starts hanging out with Penny, his former best friend from next door, he realizes what he’s missed in the three years since they stopped talking. And when they kiss after a party, he starts to see a whole new future for his life. Penny Davis has her sights set on a softball scholarship, hoping to get out of Rosemont as soon as she graduates. Straight A’s, working at the local diner, and practicing her softball skills are the routine. Until she bumps into Jake White in the hall. When he starts paying more attention to her again, after nearly three years of next-door radio silence, she allows herself to hope that what they once had might be there again. But falling in love is easier said than done.
One of the Guys
A.R. Perry - 2019
One of the guys to the rest of the world. With that comes constant fights with her mom when it comes to wearing dresses and makeup. To her, it’s a waste of time. Time she would rather use at the skate park and hanging out with her best friend Spencer. Well, that was her outlook until she bumps into her longtime crush at a wedding. Now she’s made it her mission to get him to notice her before he graduates and moves out of state. No matter the cost. Even if it comes with dresses. Spencer Hendricks has spent the better part of his teenage years trying to ignore the growing crush on his best friend, Rylee. He can’t go there—won’t jeopardize their friendship. Everything seems to be going according to plan until his parents drop the bombshell of a divorce and Rylee asks him to help score the attention of one of the most popular seniors at school. Now he’s faced with the possibility of moving to another state mid-year and his best friend ditching him all at the same time. With their lives seemingly headed in different directions, will they lose what they have always known, or find something neither of them expected?
Pepped Up
Ali Dean - 2013
It’s all I can think about, and I’m willing to do anything it takes to make it happen. I can handle long miles and hill sprints in cross country, but guys? That’s an entirely different challenge.I’ve kept my feelings hidden from the boy next door all this time. My longtime friend, Jace Wilder doesn’t see me that way. He has the personal magnetism and good looks to hook just about any girl in town -- and he has. Our friendship stands apart from high school social circles, and I’m fine with that, or so I keep telling myself.That is, until running star Ryan Harding moves to town and bridges the gap. Apparently, I’ve caught his eye and suddenly Jace starts seeing me in a different light. Everything changes, for all of us. On the trails, my goals are clear. Train, run, breathe, run, win. But when it comes to Jace and Ryan, it’s nowhere near as simple. This battle can’t be won by crossing a finish line, this war is in my heart.
Falling for Ben & Other Impossible Things
Yesenia Vargas - 2020
the one brother who does not date.The second Scarlett (literally) runs into Ben, she knows she’s in big trouble. Between those serious green eyes and a body made for the football uniform he rocks on Friday nights, she can’t help but fall hard for Ben.But why would Ben ever look twice at her, the new girl? She’s nothing special, and he may as well be on the cover of a teen magazine.Little does Scarlett know… she and Ben are about to get a lot closer than she ever could’ve dreamed… for the most mortifying reason.Get ready to fall hard for this sweet, funny young adult romance. Grab your copy now!
Courtside Crush
Kayla Tirrell - 2019
Of course, it didn’t stop there. Thanks to a condemning video, I also got eight weeks of community service and athletic probation right before basketball season is supposed to start. (There goes my spot as captain!)
Thankfully, there’s a guy at Marlowe Junction’s Helping Hands who makes passing the time more enjoyable. He’s gorgeous, funny, and a huge basketball fan.
Too bad he’s also my brother’s biggest enemy…
Courtside Crush is a modern-day retelling of Romeo and Juliet, perfect for anyone who likes their sweet romance with a dash of drama. It is the first book in the Varsity Girlfriends series.
Quarterbacks Don’t Fall For Invisible Girls
Emma Dalton - 2021
No one at school knows I exist, least of all star quarterback Brayden Barrington. What sucks is that I have a major crush on him. What sucks even more? He only has eyes for my dad, a college sports recruiter. When Brayden concocts a plan for us to fake date so he could get close to my dad, of course I say yes. Massive crush, remember?With the help of the new friends I make at my school’s book club, I can navigate this confusing path of pretend. Sort of. Not really. I’m not the one pretending, but I’ll end up with the broken heart. Because Brayden and I live in two different worlds and he’d never in a million years choose a girl like me.Or would he?Quarterbacks Don’t Fall For Invisible Girls is the first book in the Invisible Girls Club, a sweet YA contemporary romance series. If you like invisible girls who snag the boys of their dreams, this book is for you!
Four Doors Down
Emma Doherty - 2016
She has good friends and a gorgeous boyfriend but Ryan Jackson, the bane of her existence, keeps popping up everywhere. She doesn't care that they were best friends for years. She doesn't care that their moms are close and therefore she hears more about him that she'd ever care to know. She doesn't care that their mutual friend, Jake, keeps pushing them all to hang out together, and she especially doesn't care that the rest of the school bows down and worships him. Becca decided years ago that he wasn't worth her time and nothing, NOTHING, is going to change her mind.
Tomboy’s Don’t Wear Pink
Christina Benjamin - 2020
But one viral video gives her more than she bargains for, including a chance to start the softball team she’s always wanted. In love and sports, timing is everything. If Casey doesn’t do what it takes to get her softball team off the ground now, she may not get another chance. The only problem... it could cost her the one thing she loves more than sports — Lucas Hargrove.Lucas Hargrove seems to have it all, money, looks, baseball, Harvard. But looks can be deceiving. The pressure of living up to his perfect image is getting to him. He doesn’t even know if he wants to go to Harvard. The only thing he does know is that he can’t fight his feelings for Casey Beeler any longer, no matter what his parents say. But who gives up Harvard for a girl they’ve only kissed once?Casey attempts to navigate high school mean girls, homecoming dates and her new softball team, all while pursuing her long-time crush. But stealing hearts isn’t as easy as stealing bases.Can these two star-crossed lovers find their way, or will they have to choose between love and the sports they love?
A sweet stand-alone high school sports romance.
Dare You to Kiss the Quarterback
Lacy Andersen - 2019
So what if my parents are recently divorced, the captain of the cheerleading team hates me more than tan lines, or that I’ve been forced to wear the school’s smelly mascot costume? Those things I can handle. (Maybe) But if I get to sing my original song at the town’s big centennial event, I’ll be on my way to living the life I’ve always dreamed.But there’s only one problem:Collin thinks-he’s-God’s-gift-to-women Preston.Foster kid. Bad boy. And star quarterback of the Rock Valley High football team.It’s bad enough that the whole school thinks we made out at a party (Nothing happened. Seriously.), but now I’ve been partnered with Collin to perform at the centennial event. If I get it my way, he’ll drop out and we’ll both forget our near-kiss ever happened.But Collin and his cocky half-grin aren’t easy to forget.Neither is the shiver-inducing way he looks at me.I’ve got to keep my eyes on the prize, but being around Collin might just be the distraction that I need.
This is a sweet young adult romance in the Rock Valley High series of stand-alone novels.
Perfectly Oblivious
Robin Daniels - 2017
Unfortunately Bebe seems to be immune to his flirty charm and good looks, which means one of two things: a) she’s completely oblivious to how he feels, or b) she’s just not into him. If that’s the case, declaring his love would be disastrous for their friendship. Bianca Barnes (Bebe) has a huge problem: the universe hates her. Every time she admits feelings for a boy, he ends up falling for her sweet, popular, and beautiful sister Beth. To avoid a broken heart, Bebe has sworn herself to secrecy. Nobody can know how she feels about Cam…Ever! Neither person wants to confess their feelings, but the universe has its own plan. Out of the blue, Bebe is courted by a secret admirer. Cam has to step up his game and Bebe has to make a choice. Play it safe and accept the affections of her mystery man or challenge fate and take a chance on the boy she loves. Content Description: This is a stand-alone YA contemporary romance with companion novels to follow. It contains minor language, innuendo, crude humor and steamy tension but is generally very clean. No sex. Recommended for ages 12 and up.
Interference
Kay Honeyman - 2016
But when a scandal sends her family to Red Dirt, Texas, she decides to step back for a while. She’ll take pictures for her portfolio. She’ll volunteer at her aunt’s animal shelter. And most of all, she’ll stay out of politics (including her father’s latest election) and away from guys (especially after her ex’s betrayal).But…If Kate’s political skills can be useful in Red Dirt, should she really let them go to waste? After all, her friend Ana Gomez and quarterback Kyle Stone would be a perfect match. Her dad’s campaign could benefit from a teenage perspective. The irritatingly handsome Hunter Price should learn he doesn’t know everything…When Kate’s plans backfire, she must find the soul beneath her DC spin, and risk her heart—the biggest involvement of all.
Defending Taylor
Miranda Kenneally - 2016
After all, that's what is expected of a senator's daughter. But one impulsive decision-one lie to cover for her boyfriend-and Taylor's kicked out of private school. Everything she's worked so hard for is gone, and now she's starting over at Hundred Oaks High.Soccer has always been Taylor's escape from the pressures of school and family, but it's hard to fit in and play on a team that used to be her rival. The only person who seems to understand all that she's going through is her older brother's best friend, Ezra. Taylor's had a crush on him for as long as she can remember. But it's hard to trust after having been betrayed. Will Taylor repeat her past mistakes or can she score a fresh start?
All Laced Up
Erin Fletcher - 2016
Everyone except Lia Bailey. When the two are forced to teach a skating class to save the rink, Lia’s not sure she’ll survive the pressure of Nationals and Pierce’s ego. Not only can’t he remember her name, he signed her bottle of water like she was one of his groupies. Ugh. But if there’s one thing Lia knows better than figure skating, it’s hockey. Hoping to take his ego down a notch—or seven—she logs into his team website under an anonymous name to give him pointers on his less-than-stellar playing. Turns out, Pierce isn’t arrogant at all. And they have a lot in common. Too bad he’s falling for the anonymous girl online. No matter how much fun they’re starting to have in real life, she’s afraid he’s going to choose fake-Lia over the real one…
Ninja Girl
Cookie O'Gorman - 2017
She teaches at her family-owned martial arts gym, The Academy, and cares more about training to be the next Bruce Lee than hooking up. In fact, Snow's never even been kissed. But when Girls Night rolls around, Snow decides to prove to her friends (and herself) that she's not just some boring tomboy. Impulsively, she kisses a hot stranger and even manages to escape his two security guards. One stolen kiss… Ash Stryker's senior year sucks. His politician father pulled him out of Chariot High, separating him from his championship-winning soccer team. Now he's stuck at a prissy private school with no friends, no team and no chance of being scouted. On top of that, thanks to the death threats his dad's received, Ash has a security tail aka professional babysitters. When the mystery girl from the movies shows up at his school, rappelling from the rafters, Ash knows one thing: he won't let her get away again. One interesting job proposition… After a seemingly random attack, Ash's mother surprises everyone. She hires Snow to be Ash's personal bodyguard until after the election. But can Snow's kick-ass skills hold up against the rising threats to Ash's family? More importantly, can Ash convince his ninja girl to screw ethics and kiss him again? Opposites attract in this YA romance where a smooth talker meets his match in the tough girl who (literally) sweeps him off his feet. Moral of the story: Sometimes even bad boys need a bodyguard.