Book picks similar to
Courtside Crush by Kayla Tirrell


young-adult
contemporary
sports
romance

Varsity Heartbreaker


Ginger Scott - 2020
    I even changed schools just to make the hurt disappear.But no matter how hard I tried to not think about Lucas, I just couldn’t stay away from the high school quarterback with perfect blue eyes and so many secrets.I’m back. We’re seniors now. We’ve grown—all of us. And Lucas Fuller might be different, but I’m different too. This is my time to take risks, to experience life and to fall in love for real.I want Lucas Fuller to be a part of my story, but I know for that to happen, I need to know the truth about our past.

Jackson: Against the Boards


Zoe Beth Geller - 2020
    He's not looking for a committed relationship but when he meets Olivia in a country bar, he is scrambling to make the night last longer than expected.Olivia's is always on the defensive with men. But her list of college experiences still has a box that hasn't been checked off. She's still waiting for her first boyfriend.Meeting Jackson has her sliding off her barstool and she decides there's no harm in a hot fling, she may never get this opportunity again. She'd love to have a boyfriend, but she'll take what she can get as graduation is right around the corner. Besides, Jackson is a jock, and surely, he has plenty of other girls lined up after her. But one thing leads to another.Graduation is looming around the corner and he hasn’t said those three little words that she’s been waiting for or defining where they stand. To complicated matters more, his parents fly into town for a family get together bringing his old high school sweetheart with them. What could possibly go wrong?Against the Boards is a passionate romance between the sexiest player on the college team and Olivia, the Denver native who is searching for her first boyfriend. This is a standalone novel in The Sin Bin Hockey Series.

I Hate You, I Love You Part 1


Bailey B. - 2020
    Fierce. Nothing at all like the girl I used to know, which is absolutely terrifying because Danika Winters is the only person outside of that room who knows the truth. She could ruin me, and I’m not talking about my reputation. I couldn’t give two shits about what the kids at St. A’s think. I’m talking major, life altering, jail time ruined.I’ll do whatever it takes to keep her quiet. Even if it means destroying the only person I’ve ever cared about.DanikaThey say when you meet the person you’re supposed to be with, time stops. Your brain takes in every microdetail, committing it all to memory, and you’re hit with this unexplainable need. A need to get to know that person, talk to that person, simply be beside that person. And then there’s the kiss. A fire spreading, earth-shattering, kiss that wipes all others from your memory. I’ve felt that pull towards someone once, and it consumed me. I wasn’t supposed to fall for my middle school best friend. But he wasn’t supposed to break my heart.

Bruised


Sarah Skilton - 2013
    But when she witnesses a holdup in a diner, she freezes. The gunman is shot and killed by the police. And it's all her fault.Now she's got to rebuild her life without the talent that made her special and the beliefs that made her strong. If only she could prove herself in a fight--a real fight--she might be able to let go of the guilt and shock. She's drawn to Ricky, another witness to the holdup, both romantically and because she believes he might be able to give her the fight she’s been waiting for.But when it comes down to it, a fight won’t answer Imogen's big questions: What does it really mean to be stronger than other people? Is there such a thing as a fair fight? And can someone who's beaten and bruised fall in love?

Until You Set Me Free


D.M. Davis - 2018
    Davis’ Until You Set Me Free is a heart-wrenching romance about a millionaire in the making and his best friend's younger sister…Joseph McIntyre is everything I'm afraid to want. I've never been a fairytale-happily-ever-after kinda girl. I'm the nerdy girl with my nose in a book or my laptop. The little sister of the guy who sucks all the air out of the room. You blink twice you'll miss me. And I'm fine with that. Until the day Joseph shows up over Thanksgiving break. I've never wanted to be noticed so badly in my life. Turns out he sees me. He wants me. Just not yet. Samantha Cavanagh shouldn't even be on my radar… and yet she is. I'm the youngest McIntyre brother. Confidence has never been a problem.Yet proving my worth, my standing, getting my degree and taking my rightful place at my family's tech company has always been my focus.There's no room for anything else… anyone else. Until the day I follow my best friend home from college.The day his sister walks in the room, making me want what's not mine to take.A mix of unassuming confidence and beauty, she vibrates with intelligence and sweetness.The caveman in me wants to claim her, mark her, keep her. But I can't.She's not ready… I'm not ready. I'll wait. We have time. Turns out we don't…When a mad-man threatens her life, all bets are off. I'll do anything to keep her safe even when she does everything to push me away.Until You Series Books 1-3 are Joseph and Samantha's epic love story and should be read in order. Intended for mature audiences. Until You Novels: Until You Set Me Free | Until You Are Mine | Until You Say I Do | Until You Believe | Until You Forgive (coming 2021)Until You Set Me Free had a makeover (same book, different cover) as of Aug 18, 2021

The Last First Game


Gina Azzi - 2015
    Epic parties. Wild nights. Welcome to my senior year of college. At least, this is what I imagine when I accept a semester-long medical internship in LA, California. But reality trumps imagination when I meet him. Cade Wilkins, Astor University football god and projected NFL draft pick. With thundercloud eyes, a teasing smirk, and a ripped body, Cade is my game changer. I fall for him faster than he can score a touchdown. Except our happily-ever-after is fumbled. One tackle ends him. One party destroys me. Broken promises. Ugly truths. Ruined futures. Welcome to my senior year of college. The real version. *** All four books in The College Pact Series (originally published under The Senior Semester Series) have been re-edited and revamped with new content and a fresh look. All books in this series can be read as standalones. The College Pact Series The Last First Game (June 4, 2019) Kiss Me Goodnight in Rome (June 20, 2019) All the While (July 16, 2019) Me + You (August 14, 2019) Reviews:

The Flip Side


Shawn Johnson - 2016
    And it’s not easy flying under the radar when you’re aiming for Olympic gold…especially when an irresistible guy comes along and threatens to throw your whole world off balance.

Four Months, Three Words


C.W. Farnsworth - 2020
    Not only has playing professional football been the dream since he was a kid, the financial incentive isn’t one he could walk away from even if he wanted to. That is, until a chance collision has the unexpected outcome of making Jace realize he might want something more than the goal he’s spent most of his life pursuing. Might want someone more. …she’s the girl he can never have. For Vivienne Rhodes, the opportunity to attend Lincoln University represents what she’s always craved more than anything: normalcy. One semester is all she has before returning to a future that’s set in stone. Her mere presence on campus is only made possible by an elaborate arrangement. The essential component of it is that no one can know her real identity. Falling for the star quarterback is most definitely not part of the plan. But it will all be fine, just as long as she keeps those feelings to herself. Because that unchangeable future? Can’t include Jace Dawson.

Puck Drop


Brittney Mulliner - 2018
    As long as they keep their relationship a secret everyone wins. Since their parent’s death, Chloe Schultz has put every ounce of her energy into her twin brother, Erik’s, NHL career. She won’t let distractions—like dating—get in the way of keeping the Utah Fury as the championship team. Until she meets Reese. Reese Murray was shocked when he was traded the week before the season started. He’s bitter, but he won’t let that stop him from proving he’s the best. The Fury welcomes Reese, with one warning, stay away from the marketing manager, Chloe Schultz, if he wants to stay on Erik’s good side. Too bad she’s the first woman that’s caught his eye in years. Can Chloe and Reese keep their focus while trying to hide their growing attraction, or will their secret come out and tear the team apart?

Meet Me at Midnight


Jessica Pennington - 2020
    Two star swimmers forced to spend their summers on a lake together sounds like the perfect match. But it’s the same every year—in between cookouts and boat rides and family-imposed bonfires, Sidney and Asher spend the dog days of summer finding the ultimate ways to prank each other. And now, after their senior year, they’re determined to make it the most epic summer yet. But their plans are thrown in sudden jeopardy when their feud causes their families to be kicked out of their beloved lake houses. Once in their new accommodations, Sidney expects the prank war to continue as usual. But then she gets a note—Meet me at midnight. And Asher has a proposition for her: join forces for one last summer of epic pranks, against a shared enemy—the woman who kicked them out. Their truce should make things simpler, but six years of tormenting one another isn’t so easy to ignore. Kind of like the undeniable attraction growing between them.

The New Girl: A Pacific High School Bully Romance (Pacific High Series Book 1)


Ashley Rose - 2020
     My mom thinks sunshine, the beach and fresh air is just what I need. Which would be great if I didn’t also mean having to be The New Girl at Pacific High. Because apparently, that role comes with a target on my back. Hunter West is the king of the school, the popular, rich and spoiled bad boy who also happens to be drop dead gorgeous. They warned me about him and said that he won’t stop until he gets what he wants. And he wants me. But he’s the baddest of bad boys, and he seems dead set on becoming my worst nightmare. You see, he’s never had anyone say no before. Until he met me. But I don't like bullies. But he's not taking no for an answer. If he thinks he can change my mind, he’s got another thing coming. WARNING: The New Girl is the first book in the Pacific High Series. It is a young adult/new adult romance that at times deals with real-life gritty themes, sexual content and cursing. But if you want teen angst, heart pounding drama, and lust-filled romance, then this bad boy romance series will be right up your alley.

Love Notes


Heather Gunter - 2013
    And when you are left to face your demons alone, will you learn that only you have the power to overcome them?Charlie has never had it easy. Between the constant moving and the incessant fat comments and jokes from her father, her self-worth is nonexistent. Her reflection in the mirror shows her nothing but a plain Jane. Music is the only thing that keeps her sanity in check.Charlie catches the eye of the town star quarterback, Maverick. With her curves, her brunette hair, and the voice of an angel, Maverick has never met anyone like her. Everything that is different about Charlie just makes Maverick like her more. Unfortunately, Charlie doesn’t see it herself.Proving it to her may deem harder than he thinks, especially when tragedy strikes and tears them apart.Now standing on her own two feet she may finally learn exactly who she is, what’s she’s capable of and how very un plain Jane she really is.

Sexy Bad Neighbor


Misti Murphy - 2017
    A war that involves goats, phallic chandeliers, stolen kisses in the rain, strawgasms, and eating out on the kitchen counter. A war that could damn well involve two hearts and a plan. Her plan doesn’t involve falling in love. His life doesn’t involve plans. This could be a problem.

Nude Awakening


Penny Clarke - 2020
    Then I never would have―quite literally―bumped into Levi Hart moments before he dropped trou in class.He can turn up the charm all he wants―I’m not sleeping with the guy that starred in a sex tape circulating campus last year (and no, I didn’t watch it. Much). Even if the more he takes his clothes off, the more it turns me on, it’s not happening.Levi is no stranger to nudity.Yes, I was in that video. But I’m trying to put that behind me, which is why I’m doing this art class modeling gig. Now, I just need to convince Rylie Stone to overlook my past mistakes…and maybe not run away every time I get naked.Rylie can deny it all she wants, but I’ve seen how she stares at my body. She wants me. And I want her. So I’m pulling out all the stops (and taking off all my shirts) until she realizes just how much fun can be had when you go after what you want.

Paper or Plastic


Vivi Barnes - 2015
    Alexis Dubois just got caught shoplifting a cheap tube of lipstick at the local SmartMart. She doesn't know what's worse—disappointing her overbearing beauty-pageant-obsessed mother for the zillionth time…or her punishment. Because Lex is forced to spend her summer working at the store, where the only things stranger than the staff are the customers.Now Lex is stuck in the bizarro world of big-box retail. Coupon cutters, jerk customers, and learning exactly what a "Code B" really is (ew). And for added awkwardness, her new supervisor is the totally cute—and adorably geeky—Noah Grayson. Trying to balance her out-of-control mother, her pitching position on the softball team, and her secret crush on the school geek makes for one crazy summer. But ultimately, could the worst job in the world be the best thing that ever happened to her?