Book picks similar to
Falling for Flynn by Kate Willoughby


sports
romance
sports-romance
contemporary

Score on Me


Melody Heck Gatto - 2014
    She didn't believe in Prince Charming, or happily ever afters. Well, actually, she just didn't believe they would ever happen to her. Kat was not built for love. She always felt like the fat girl that no one really saw. Being bullied as a child led to a lifetime of self-doubt. She feared that she would always see that little fat girl staring back at her in the mirror. Even as an adult, she's still dealing with it. Hockey was her escape. She loved the game and she loved the players. One player in particular. He was dreamy. Even swoon-worthy. His dark eyes were mesmerizing. His smile devilishly sexy. His signature flowing locks always looked effortlessly perfect. He was flawless in every way... Too bad she would never get a guy like him. Well, at least that's what she thought. Kris Lafleur was the star defenseman for the Pittsburgh Renegades. Hockey was his life. Well, it was easy to be so dedicated to the game when he hadn't had much luck in the romance department. His hockey star status attracted puck bunnies and gold diggers. Neither was the kind of girl you wanted to bring home to mom; actually neither were the kind of girl that Kris even wanted to associate with. Deep down he was a hopeless romantic. He was looking for someone who was as devoted to him as he was to her, and not so interested in his bank account. Then he saw her... Was it her smile? Was it her laugh? He didn't know what it was, but she already had his heart.

Crazy Maybe


A.D. Justice - 2014
    But that wasn't always the case. Andi never knew what a “normal” life was like. Having been raised in foster care from the age of six after the death of her parents, Andi became emancipated at 16 after an especially horrible incident forced her into a psychiatric hospital. Luke Woods, the family black sheep and street-brawler, is determined to be a successful professional boxer despite his family’s protests. He needs Andi’s help to get there. The wedge between him and his family over his past relationship issues and career choices is not easily overcome. Luke must learn to face the past mistakes, fears and demons that constantly plague him. Fireworks and passions quickly ignite between Andi and Luke in the midst of the chaos that surrounds and threatens them. She never revealed the secrets and lies that have plagued her, but when she publicly inherits her family fortune, the living, breathing past comes back to torment her and threaten all that she holds dear. For the first time in her life, Andi must learn to rely on someone else to love and protect her or risk losing the man she loves. Sometimes love isn’t enough. Sometimes it’s all you need.

Breakaway


Lindsay Paige - 2013
    His rival is James Wayne University and their captain, Trevor McCarthy. After an incident in high school and his mother’s death, Levi does whatever he can to make McCarthy’s life a little harder. When leaving the rivaling campus one night, Levi meets one person who can unknowingly help him mess with McCarthy. My one job in this is to mess with McCarthy’s head and all it has done is mess with mine.Presley McCarthy lives in the shadow of her twin brother, Trevor. After being separated when their parents divorced, all Presley heard about was Levi Carr being a bully to Trevor. Now in college, Presley is trying to be her own person, but when she meets Levi Carr, it all changes. But will the changes be good or bad?He is nothing like my brother described. Maybe I’ve been wrong all along.*This book is intended for mature audiences.*

Perfect Pitch


Mindy Klasky - 2014
    All she has to do is follow the pageant's rules - no smoking, drinking, or "cavorting" in public.That's fine, until D.J. Thomas - God's gift to baseball - throws her a wild pitch. He slams her in an interview, and the video goes viral. Sam's no shrinking violet. She parlays D.J.'s apology into a national T.V. appearance - and a very unexpected, very public kiss.Soon, paparazzi catch the couple in a steamy make-out session, and Sam's music program is on the block. The blazing hot relationship is threatened even more when D.J.'s son begs to trade in Little League for music class.Can Sam and D.J. sizzle past the sour notes and find their perfect pitch?

Hooking


Kristine Allen - 2020
    Hooking was my penalty. It’s never something I set out to do, but it happens. After all, it’s hockey.Hockey is life. Getting traded was a kick to the nuts, but at least I was still playing. It was all that mattered.Until Sydney.Our relationship was forbidden, but I didn’t care—I hadn’t run from a fight yet.I had her right where I wanted her, until everything crashed around me. My past came back to bite me in the ass and I was faced with getting kicked off the team. Now, I’m trying to pick up the goddamn pieces.I’m not going to choose between her or hockey. I want it all. Because despite everything, she’s the best thing I’ve ever hooked.

The King and the Kindergarten Teacher


Shanae Johnson - 2019
    She’s the queen of nap time. Can they learn to rule with their hearts?   Esmeralda Pickett reigns over the subjects in her kindergarten class. She’s probably the last adult who still believes in fairy tales because all the stories do for her young charges is put the kids to sleep. Esme dreams of being swept off her feet by a charming prince, so when she’s saved from the dangers of texting while walking by a real live king, she’s certain her storybook romance is set to begin. Though sparks fly between the king and the kindergarten teacher, the pages get stuck when Esme learns that the monarch can only marry a woman of royal blood. And while she’s a true blue New Yorker, her blood is as red as it comes.   King Leonidas’s first wife was selected for him at birth. Now a widower, Leo has the right to choose his second wife, but it won’t be the love match he’s secretly dreamed of making. The small country of Cordoba is facing an economic crisis, and marrying a rich duchess would secure his people’s future. But can his heart afford another loveless marriage?   As Esme and Leo get to know one another, it’s clear there’s a thing between them. But another thing— her lack of royal blood—is keeping them apart. As the clock ticks closer to midnight, will Esme get her storybook ending? Or will this fairytale turn grim?   Find out if love will reign in this light-hearted, sweet romance of royal engagements. The King and the Kindergarten Teacher is the first in a series of royal romances that are beyond the common tale!

Ponderosa Resort Volume 2: The Novellas


Tawna Fenske - 2020
    Er, Dad got around). Fans of laughter, tears, and tingly bits will love this series from a USA Today bestselling author. This boxed set contains two standalone novellas that not only give you a glimpse of the Ponderosa Resort world, but introduce you to folks you'll be seeing again in the new Juniper Ridge Romantic Comedy Series.About Mancandy Crush (novella 1)A SPECIAL PONDEROSA RESORT NOVELLA!Josh Mattis is totally over getting his heart stomped six years ago, so what’s with the mule kick to the chest when he spots the girl who ghosted him? Turns out she’s not his teenage fling, but her twin sister—and she needs a fake date to her cousin’s wedding.Valerie Vincent would rather shove sewing needles in her eyes than have one more person tell her she needs adventure. All she needs is a quiet reading nook and a chance to enjoy Bree’s quirky Christmas nuptials in the summer sun at Ponderosa Resort. Okay, she’d also like to skip the pitying looks when her twin trots out her fab new fiancé, but Val can fix all that with one rugged river guide who’s happy to play her arm candy.As Josh and Val bond over weird eggnog and messed-up mistletoe hunts, the July sun isn’t the only source of scorching heat. Will the past be a blast of icy cold reality, or can their fling last longer than a peppermint fudgesicle on a hot day?About Snowbound Squeeze (novella 2)A SPECIAL PONDEROSA RESORT NOVELLA!Gable Judson needs a hideout. A safe place to escape the shambles of his Hollywood life. When college pal James Bracelyn offers a secret cabin an hour from Ponderosa Resort, Gable’s got the car pointed toward Oregon faster than paparazzi pouncing on a nip slip.Gretchen Laslo needs a retreat. Not just to work on her PhD dissertation, but to flee the messy breakup that left her inner critic shouting “duh, girl.” Meeting sexy, mysterious Gabe the night before she leaves is just another reminder to stay focused on her brain, because her heart’s kind of a dumbass.When a Bracelyn family mix-up collides with the worst storm to hit Central Oregon in years, Gretchen and Gable end up accidental roommates. Roommates without internet or TV or—God forbid—an ice cream maker. With both hiding secrets they’d rather not reveal, whatever will they do to pass the long winter nights?

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.

Interference


Mignon Mykel - 2016
    A way to give her the meeting her boss requested, but still say ‘no’ to her pitch.Look, I’ve never wanted the extras that come with an NHL career.Sponsorships, sure.Reality television? Hard no.Except—now that I’ve met the pixie redhead—I find myself agreeing...with one stipulation.She gets to be part of the show in whatever way that allows me to see her again.Twenty female “contestants” be damned.

One Night with the Rebel


Kendall Ryan - 2021
    We spent one scorching-hot night together, and then she disappeared into the sunset with the golden jock everyone adored. Which makes sense, right? A girl as beautiful and brilliant as Eden Wynn doesn’t end up with a rebel like me.I expected them to live happily ever after, except that's not what happened.She's back—and tempting me like no one else has. And while I'm certain I'll only tarnish her shine, I want her. Only her. I'd heard the old notion that one night held the power to change everything. I just never believed it. Until now.

Breaking Free


Juliana Haygert - 2013
    To others, her family and her relationship with Eric is perfect. But she knows the truth. She lives it.After a fire takes her grandma's life and kills her horse, Hannah's immaculate life spirals out of control. Her father disapproves of her decision to run her grandma’s ranch instead of focusing solely on learning the family business; Animal Control brings her Argus, a mistreated horse that she can't turn away even though she's not ready for another horse; and her boyfriend, Eric Bennett, a world famous polo player, becomes possessive and authoritarian. Despite her best efforts to disguise it, Hannah grows wary of him.Then, Leonardo Fernandes struts onto the polo scene. A cocky rookie with a messy life of his own, he’s drawn to Hannah and isn’t afraid of showing it, even when Eric makes it clear she is his and he’ll do whatever it takes to keep it that way. Hannah suffers for Eric’s jealousy. The abuse only gets worse when Leo steals the title of best polo player in the world from Eric.But the title isn’t enough for Leo. He wants Hannah too, and she can’t deny her attraction to him either. Somehow, she must find a way to break free from abusive Eric before he breaks every bone in her body.Author's note: this book contains scenes of domestic violence, mentions of animal cruelty, strong language, sex scenes (no rape!), and a HEA.The Breaking Series:Breaking Free (Book 1)Breaking Away (Book 2)Breaking Through (Book 3)Breaking Down (Book 4)*All books are standalone and can be read out of order.

A Lot Like Home


Kat Cantrell - 2018
    Smooth-talking ex-SEALs need not apply... Ex-Navy SEAL Caleb Hardy is desperate to atone for past mistakes by helping the old woman whose letters got him through the war. When he and his band of brothers drop into her sweet, dying Texas town, only one thing stands in the way of his redemption.Superstition Springs native Havana Nixon is convinced letting a big developer into their tiny Texas oasis is the only way to save the town and she’s not about to let a newcomer—no matter how gorgeous—derail her plans. Especially after her aunt tosses out one of her famous “love predictions” matching her with the most infuriating man on the planet.If only these enemies could stop fighting long enough to admit they’re falling for each other… Welcome to Superstition Springs, the place where destiny is the ultimate matchmaker. All you have to do is believe.

Talk to Me


Clare James - 2014
    The young, handsome, high-scoring player quickly became a fan favorite. He had everything going for him: fame, fortune, a promising career, and his pick of women. But when he made an abrupt exit from the NHL last spring, everything changed and he’s been in hiding ever since.Casey Scott plans to find out why.After interning for free all summer at the top television station in the Twin Cities, Casey lands an on-air gig. Trouble is, the new role is Sports Girl—which means reporting from local bars and tailgating parties to create excitement for the hometown heroes. All while wearing tiny team jerseys that are so tight they leave little to the imagination.But she has a plan. Uncover the biggest sports mystery of the decade, and she’ll be on her way. Question is, how far will she go to get the story?*Caution: This story contains explicit sex scenes with an alpha hockey player … who gives an entirely new meaning to the term Body Checking. *

Match Fit


Amélie S. Duncan - 2016
    He's a walking wet dream.He's also mine. Or at least he's pretending to be... Brooke Notorious British bad boy footballer Dylan Pierce is scorching hot...and he knows it.With a mouth as filthy as his reputation, linking myself with him could ruin my public image.But showbusiness is all about risk, and as a down-on-my-luck actress,this could be the break my career needs. Dylan Brooke Sullivan is my most difficult opponent yet.Being seen with a good girl like her may give me a chance at Hollywood stardom,but I never expected to crave this feisty redhead.I can't lose my focus--I always keep my eye on the ball,I'm always match-fit.And winning her is the most important game I've ever played.Author Note: This standalone no cliffhanger romance (with sports) contains unapologetic insta-attraction, dirty talk, dirtier sex, with a sizzling hot, passionate, loving alpha male.

Adam


Jennifer Ashley - 2015
    He settles in to heal at his family's ranch, where his four brothers, famous trick riders, train horses.Adam is stunned to find Bailey Farrell working there—she was the shy girl who'd helped Adam graduate high school so he could run off to Hollywood. Except the budding Bailey, with whom Adam had a brief but intense affair, has blossomed into a beautiful woman. Now the sparks that had once ignited between them threaten to explode.Adam is beaten-up, broken-down, and has lost his nerve—the stunt that injured him also killed his best friend. The only one he can turn to is Bailey, but will Bailey, who has come back to Riverbend to lick her wounds after a painful divorce, be willing to help him again?Book 1 of Riding Hard. A 230-page (approx) novel—20 chapters, plus bonus sneak peek at Grant's book and a recipe for Mrs. Ward's Harvest Pie.