Book picks similar to
Defenseless by Amy Jarecki
contemporary
sports
author
romance
First Score
Lyssa Lemire - 2021
Star of the hockey team. He spends more time in bed with sorority girls or passed out on frat house floors than he does in classrooms. Which is why he’s about to get kicked off the team unless he passes every one of his finals.Me: Girl genius who started college so young that I’ve just turned eighteen my senior year. Which has made dating while in college, well, pretty much impossible.Hence, the v-card.Blaze and I both have something the other wants. If I tutor him, I can guarantee he’ll pass all his exams. And he has a personality so repugnant to me that with him I can have a totally un-emotional, no-strings-attached first time. Because there’s no way I could fall for someone like Blaze Walker.Not even as my eyes begin to linger a little too long on his jagged muscles, and his on my thighs as we sit next to each other at the study table. Not even as the occasional brush of our hands elicits enough sparks to smell the smoke. Not even as our time studying together begins to peel back layers of the sexy-as-sin jock to reveal someone a lot more complicated than his reputation lets on …Nope, there’s just no way.Truly, a plan worthy of my genius. Nothing could go wrong.First Score is a full-length, 80k word standalone sports romance novel featuring lots of drama, lots of heat, lots of sparks, lots of laughs, a lovable cast of characters you won't soon forget, and two total opposites who fall for each other in a way that will make you swoon! Heart-warming happy ever after guaranteed!
Someone You Love
Kristen Granata - 2021
They didn’t make it all the way through the list before she died, but she made Charly promise to finish it and live her life to the fullest.Spending the summer in a coastal mountain city in Maine is next on her list. The scenic town is perfect for finding adventure, and the quirky inn owner makes her feel right at home in the guest house.Except for the fact that her new living quarters belong to the owner’s grump of a grandson.Bryce Holden was an NFL player before sustaining a career-ending spinal injury. The people he thought would stand by his side left him when he was no longer a football star. Now, he prefers to live his life as a recluse, keeping outsiders at arm’s length where his heart is safe.The last thing Bryce needs is to fall for a beautiful woman who will leave him like everyone else. But when he sees Charly’s incomplete bucket list, and the bruised heart she wears on her sleeve, he resolves to help her on her journey.Even if it means losing her at the end of it.
Chasing Sunshine
Hannah Gray
Get drafted into the NFL and escape the shadow of his spiteful father. Eyes forward, no distractions. That is, until Cameran Steele crashes into his life, and suddenly, all of those self-made rules get thrown out the window after one look into her sad blue eyes. He knows she’s running from something, and he wants to be her escape. But what happens when the one who might be his exception pushes him away?Cameran Steele has experienced her fair share of tragedy and heartache. When she lost her parents at the age of seventeen, she thought it couldn’t get much worse. Boy, was she wrong. After escaping her own personal hell four years later, she finds herself at New England University, eager for a fresh start. Her eyes are on the prize—graduation and a better life for herself. Nothing can get in her way. But when a cocky and persistent football player sets his eyes on her, she struggles not to give in. She knows he’s the one without a doubt in her mind. But sometimes, even the right one comes along at the wrong time.
No Bad Days
J. Sterling - 2017
Sterling comes another smash hit in the college romance department! If you loved The Perfect Game, you're going to love No Bad Days.I'm the hottest guy at State. It's not cocky when it's the truth. Girls want to date me. Guys want to be me. Cliche, I know, but welcome to my life. There's more to me than what they all see though. Isn't that usually the case? No one knows the reality of my life. They think they do, but they have no idea. I hide it well. I have to or it will break me. Jess Michaelson is gorgeous, ambitious and totally wants me. She doesn't hide it well. Honestly, I'm not sure she even tries. Jess thinks I'll give up pursuing her... but I won't. She thinks this is just some game I'm playing at... but it's not. Jess belongs with me and I'm going to make sure she knows it.
Kiss To Conquer
Anna B. Doe - 2020
Hayden thinks he knows all about Callie’s life before Blairwood and he’s not ready to let go of the past, much less forgive her for what she has done three years ago.One thing’s for sure… it’s going to take more than a kiss to conquer their broken past.Note: Kiss To Conquer is an enemies-to-lovers sports romance and it can be read as a standalone novel.
Coached
Hunter Rose - 2021
Rugged. Playmaker. Casanova…All those names apply to Darren Walters. Yes, he’s cocky too.How can you not be when you look and play like him?The beginning of college should be the start of something new.Yet, here I am still stuck crushing on the star quarterback of the college team,and my older brother’s best friend - Darren.I’m sure he’s always seen me as the nerdy younger sister type.Oh, and did I forget to mention that I’m still a virgin and have no idea about guys?I know… I'm hopeless.Darren promised my brother that he’d look out for me and protect me.The best thing I can come up with is to have him coach me how to date.Coach me to say all the right things,kiss the right way,and when we’re alone…Sigh, if only our love story was that simple.
Crushed
Brit DeMille - 2018
She’s doing just fine on her own, thank you very much. Allowing her head to be turned by a hot hockey player and putting her job at risk?Not. Happening. Ever.Not even if he looks like a god.Not even if he possesses enough charm to tempt the panties from a nun.Not even if she has to cross her fingers behind her back every time she tells him she’s not interested.Policies exist for a reason. Rules are not meant to be broken and sexy players are not to be trusted.Right?*CRUSHED is a super sexy STANDALONE sports romance about a Ukranian/American hockey god and the new social media manager for the team. Twitter is about to explode!
Jock Blocked
Shae Sullivan - 2020
Finish my senior year, then my PhD, and then it’s on to teaching just like my grandmother.There isn’t a single roadblock in my way… until he shows up at my tutoring center.Carter Jenkins.Football star. Arrogant Jock. All around brutal bastard.He may be everyone else’s favorite quarterback—but to me, he’s just the dick that ruined a naïve girl’s first days in college.And now here is he, with his smug face and penetrating eyes, demanding my help.Yeah right.I’ve heard the stories. He’s going all the way to the NFL, so long as he’s not put on academic probation for failing classes. Which is where I’m supposed to come in. And if it wasn’t for my boss/secret crush pleading with me to take Carter on, I’d drop him like a bad habit.So reluctantly, I agree.I’ll do this favor and help the guy I really can’t stand, for the guy I really want to be with.It should be no sweat…because I hate football players.And no matter how much time Carter and I spend together, or how different he may seem, there’s no way in hell I’d ever fall for one…From Bestselling author Shae Sullivan comes a new, deliciously tension filled enemies to lovers sports romance about the quarterback who has it all and the girl who refuses to fall for him. Standalone romance. HEA.
Frayed
Laura Pavlov - 2021
Innocent girl next door. Two different worlds. One small town. A million reasons why they should have stayed away from one another.My life was mapped out for me before I even entered the world.Who I'd date, where I’d attend college, what I'd be when I grew up.But there was a time in everyone's life when they'd face a fork in the road.Should I go left, or should I go right?It didn't matter as long as I didn't remain stagnant any longer.Jett Stone opened me up to a whole new world.Reminding me that it was okay to find my own way.I could have roots in Willow Springs and still spread my wings and fly.What I didn't expect was to fall in love with the broody football player.The boy I’d known since kindergarten.The boy who had somehow become my everything.
Head in the Game
Lily Cahill - 2016
She grew up in one of the country's biggest college football towns, but she's a painter. She doesn't go all weak-kneed for some jock. Especially not after the sex scandal that tore apart the team and destroyed her world. So when she takes a summer adjunct job at Mountain State University, the last guy she wants to see in class is an arrogant, cocky football player. Then Riley Brulotte walks in. He's everything she's sworn to hate ... and sexy as hell. He's all wrong for Lilah. So why does he feel so right? Riley "Lotto" Brullote knows one thing: How to play football. As one of the Mountain State Mustang's star players, this tight end has taken some hard hits on the field. But Lilah Stone is the first woman to knock him flat. With her abundant curves and bold nature, she'd draw his attention even if she weren't his summer art teacher. Riley has to play his best this season if he wants any shot at being drafted, but the toughest play of all might be for Lilah's heart.
Playing with the Enemy
Madison Wright - 2019
Tall, Dark and Douchey is causing me all kinds of problems... Working 3 jobs while at college and struggling to maintain my GPA, I crashed pretty hard. The result. I’m being punished and I have to share a room with the biggest name and hearth-throb on campus. The trouble: • He’s the burning hot, bad-boy superstar of the football team • Biggest sports star on campus and even bigger jerk • Sexy as hell My only problem, I’m a SUCKER for a bad boy and damn if his dominant attitude isn’t skin tingling. And now he sleeps on a bed only a few feet from mine! One game day with him and my life changes forever. Will I be able to make it through this semester with my GPA and dignity intact?…
Dirty Saint
Vesper Vaughn - 2016
He has this whole university fooled. Not me. I've seen a whole other sinful side to Mr. Touchdown. I've witnessed his swagger. Heard his filthy mouth and lost count how often he says the Lord's name in vain. I can’t stand that man. So why is he starring in my dreams? Why do I have a carnal highlight reel in my mind, looping with images that have nothing to do with the game of football? Now I’m the first-ever water girl for the university football team. My plan? I need to stay far, far away from temptation. I’m here for the thrill of the game. Not to worship the sexy-as-sin Quarterback. But from the first day of practice Saint's sultry gaze makes it perfectly clear that he intends to score. SAINT: They call me Saint. That’s because I’m a miracle on the football field. I’ve taken this cloistered, religious university and launched it into the national spotlight. All I want is to play ball and get to know some of my lovely and devoted female fans. They flock to my games. They can't wait to offer me anything I want after the final play. But all that changes when I catch sight of Esther. The water girl is the only girl on campus who doesn't want me. That's okay because I like a challenge, I like strategy and I really like the idea of finally claiming Esther's heavenly body. This standalone, full-length novel contains cursing, steamy sex scenes, no cheating, and a guaranteed happily ever after.
Looking to Score
Carrie Gray - 2020
Oakley Davis is the star running back at our University, and the reason I’ve broken my vow to avoid the college party scene. Thanks to a mixup with my advisor, I’m now serving my Public Relations internship as a glorified babysitter to the party-hard football players.Specifically, Oakley.He’s impossible to manage. His Instagram is full of half-naked, drunk photos and he’d rather attend parties than practice. His brand needs some serious work, and when he’s not driving me insane, he’s sleeping his way through the entire female population. But I’m determined. I have plans to graduate a semester early and nothing or no one will get in my way. I’m a Virgo, after all. Oakley Davis might be a privileged, cocky, football star, but I’m Amanda Matthews; and I’ll do whatever it takes to get my A. I have to make sure I don’t end up falling in love with the idiot, first.
Fake Fiancée Goals
Barbi Cox - 2021
Move to a small town don't date women that hate my guts.Unless she's sexy, has curves in all the right places and needs a fake fiancee too.Easy Right? Wrong!My usual type. Blonde with commitment issues and a little crazy.The new neighbor that hates me and my loud parties?She's not my type. But my body says that's a lie.I want to see more of those sexy curves and I can use a fake fiancée to get out of trouble with the team.Will she take me up on my offer to fake it?Will she let me convince her she's the only woman for me?A Steamy Enemies to Lovers Curvy Girl Fake Fiancée Small Town Professional Soccer Playboy Romance with a HEA and of course no cheating!
Simply Complicated
S. Nelson - 2021
Proposition a man and extend a challenge: help me accomplish something I’ve never been able to do before with past boyfriends.But there are rules.He needs to be a stranger and someone who won't judge me if I can't cross the finish line.Luke Sorenson, one of the most famous soccer players in the world, isn't meant to be that man. He's the guy I grew up next door to. The man who broke my heart ten years ago, then moved across the country and never looked back.He also happens to be the one person in the world I can't stand.But as my best friend points out, he's the best option.Besides, it's only for one night. What can possibly go wrong?***The last person I expect to see when I walk into a random corner bar is Olivia Brighton, the one woman I let slip through my fingers when I chased my dream a decade ago.Not only do I run into her again, but I offer to help her out with her dilemma, and she accepts.It's supposed to be a one-time occurrence. One shot to prove my skills in bed.But that one shot turns into a deal, which morphs into something neither of us predicts.One thing's for certain—everything is about to get simply complicated.