Book picks similar to
The Love Playbook by Jerica MacMillan
sports-romance
arcs
college
virgin-hero
You Keep Breaking Us
Carrie Aarons - 2022
We were the golden couple of our high school. The king and queen of prom, the sweethearts voted most likely to get married and have babies, and the absolute idiots who decided to attend the same college.Because that’s when it all fell apart. The naïve, puppy love versions of ourselves couldn’t see the obvious cracks we’d had back in our hometown. But they sure revealed themselves when we started living in an off-campus house together with four of our other friends.Within a semester, blow-out fights, jealousy, every-other-week breakups, and my abandonment issues had him bowing out. Not just on me, but on the house, too. Until our senior year, when his parents refuse to keep paying rent on two places.So he moves back in, and I’m forced to live with my ex. The one who has ruined all other men for me. The one I still cry myself to sleep at night thinking about. The one who confesses, during a run-in in a dark hallway, that he hates how much he still loves me.And when he starts dating again, he might as well plunge a knife straight through my heart. Despite our breakup, I’m on the verge of losing him for real this time, and possibly forever. The only option is to seek help for my deep-seated trauma, the thing that Callum always encouraged me to see someone about. The thing that eventually pushed him away.Put two of the most driven, headstrong, and passionate people in any relationship and it’s bound to combust. We’ve always had that twin flame kind of love.So, together we might burn. But we also might heal.
Down By Contact
Jessica Ruddick - 2021
She’s content to spend her time building up her social media business so she can take it full time after graduation. First though, she has to survive her half sister’s wedding. Just once she’d like to hold her own with her wicked stepmother and walk away not feeling like the redheaded stepchild. Step one—find a suitable date. Enter Justin Olmsted, the friend who’s stuck by her for years. He fits the job description: they’ll have fun, he’s cool with pretending to be in love with her, and he’s hot enough to shut up her stepmom.Justin had a great run as a linebacker for VVU, and now he’s desperate to get a foot in the door—any door—of a college coaching staff. That’s easier said than done, but that’s not the only thing on his college bucket list. He’s had a thing for his friend Layla since they met four years ago, and he’s tired of waiting on the sidelines for the right moment. This wedding is Justin's chance to sweep Layla off her feet. It’s time to convince her that leaving the friend zone is worth the risk.
The Girl in the Love Song
Emma Scott - 2020
But most of us knew them as the Lost Boys...Miller Stratton is a survivor. After a harrowing childhood of poverty, he will do anything it takes to find security for himself and his mom. He’s putting all his hopes and dreams in the fragile frame of his guitar and the beauty he creates with its strings and his soulful voice. Until Violet. No one expects to meet the love of their life at age thirteen. But the spunky rich girl steals Miller’s heart and refuses to give it back. Violet McNamara’s life hasn’t been as simple as it looks. Her picture-perfect family is not so perfect after all. Her best friend Miller is her one constant and she is determined not to ruin their friendship with romantic complications. But the heart wants what it wants. As Miller’s star begins to rise to stratospheric heights, what will it take for Violet to realize that she’s the girl in all of his love songs?Lost Boys is a new series of interconnected, coming-of-age standalones from USA Today bestselling author Emma Scott, coming in 2020
The Art of Falling For You
Maya Hughes - 2021
In her glasses and stage crew black clothes she has a knack for fading into the background. She’s probably the only one who rolls her eyes when I walk past instead of cheering on my last touchdown play. But before I can shove her into the recesses of my mind filed under “Not my problem” she lands herself smack dab in the middle of my dreams. I catch her singing with a voice unlike any I’ve heard before that taps into feelings I shouldn’t have for the girl who avoids me at all costs. With three months until graduation, the final play is on. Only it’s not for more points. It’s for Bay. Unlike my success on the field, this win is anything but assured. But I can’t stop myself from taking the risk. There’s no flashing scoreboard. There’s no cheering crowd. There’s only her and me. The countdown clock is ticking. The only thing scarier than finding my first love will be losing her.The Art of Falling for You is the first book in the new Fulton U universe sports romance, Falling trilogy.
More Than the Game
Jenni Bara - 2021
The last thing Beth needs is Twitter’s favorite bad boy–Marc Demoda–walking into her life to stir things up.Marc lives for the three b’s; baseball, bars, and ball bunnies, until the unthinkable happened. An accident destroys his shoulder and his career, leaving him desperate to get back in the game. Too bad no one hires notorious bad boys to coach. With his reputation on life support, Marc finds his saving grace might be the feisty blonde he can’t get out of his head.When pictures of Beth and Marc’s chance encounter blow up on Twitter, they strike a deal to avoid further scandals and fix their image. But even in the harsh public spotlight, their fake relationship begins to feel real. Beth's growing feelings for Marc have her questioning if she can permanently handle the limelight, just as Marc wonders if Beth might mean more than the game.
Hefty
Jessa Kane - 2020
Zach, the hefty offensive lineman for Juniper High School’s football team is in love with the beautiful head cheerleader. Jill is completely out of his league, there’s no way she could ever want him back…oh, and she’s his sister’s best friend. But one magical night in the back row of the bus changes everything when Jill asks Zach to help her explore a budding need for intimacy…and he’s the only one she trusts enough to help. What else is a big man to do when the incredible girl he’s loved since childhood offers her lips…and so much more? But is winning Jill’s love really so far-fetched? Or has Zach had it all along…
Ace of Hearts
Ella Goode - 2019
High marks in all her classes are the path to being a cardiothoracic surgeon like her beloved stepdad. She has no plans on falling for anyone, especially not the hot jock who keeps staring at her. The athletes at FU High have the worst reputation and she refuses to let one climb into her jeans—no matter how nice Owen “Fast” McCoy seems. It only takes one look for Owen to know that Alice “Ace” Alister is the girl for him. He’s eighteen but he knows what he wants—a successful football season and the new transfer. He’ll do whatever it takes to achieve those goals from extra practices to joining the sewing club. He won’t give up until he becomes the ace of her heart.
Ground Zero
April Canavan - 2021
Ground Zero: The center or origin of rapid, intense, or violent activityJoshI carried her lifeless body out of a burning building.One that collapsed on top of us, forcing us to fight for survival.Where she gave her life so that I could live.That nightmare wasn’t the happy ending I thought I’d find in the flames.Turns out, it wasn’t our ending at all.It was the beginning of our story.The one where I fell in love without knowing what was happening.Or the destruction she would thrust into my path.NiaMy entire life has been bringing me to the brink of…Well, I don’t know, but it’s something big.What I do know is that I won’t settle.Not in my career, and not in my love life.I wasn’t even looking for a relationship.Until he walks through the flames and ash, right into my bed.Ours might not be the perfect story.But that’s half the fun.And if I survive the carnage he drags me into…I might just fall in love after all.
Monday Night Guy
Liz Lovelock - 2018
He’s a basketball captain with charm and popularity. Will her vow to stop dating jerks have to take a time out?Bookworm Addison James has vowed to crush it in her second year in college. Avoiding guys who'll break her heart is at the top of her to-do list. But when a smoking hot jerk makes her Monday night shift part of his weekly routine, she wonders if her resolution will even last until midterms…Parker Kent knows he’s at the top of the popularity food chain and loves playing it to the max. While he enjoys the looks he gets from showing off his sport-sculpted, tattoo-covered body, it's the witty banter with Addison that truly draws him to her. Unfortunately, he can’t seem to persuade the gorgeous geek to let down her defenses.When Addison discovers a grand betrayal involving Parker's current squeeze, she's ready to swear off dating for good. But the basketball captain persists in showing up with plenty of reasons for her to change her mind. Can Addison let go of the wall around her heart to chance love with Parker or will another relationship land out of bounds?Monday Night Guy is the first book in the My Guy series of New Adult sweet college romances. If you like snappy dialogue, delicious characters, and swoon-worthy moments, then you'll love Liz Lovelock's feel-good novel.
Off the Ice
Julie Cross - 2017
One semester off, that’s what she promised herself. Just long enough to take care of her father and keep the family business—a hockey bar beside the ice rink—afloat. After that, she’s getting the hell out. Again.Enter Tate Tanley. What happened between them the night before she left town resurfaces the second they lay eyes on each other. But the guy she remembers has been replaced by a total hottie. When Tate is unexpectedly called in to take over for the hockey team’s star goalie, suddenly he’s in the spotlight and on his way to becoming just another egotistical varsity hockey player. And Claire’s sworn off Juniper Falls hockey players for good.It’s the absolute worst time to fall in love.For Tate and Claire, hockey isn’t just a game. And they both might not survive a body check to the heart.
Marching Offsides
A.M. Williams - 2020
She plays her music and calls it a day. But when she’s paired with King University’s star quarterback for a class project, she discovers that football might not be all that confusing.Jackson is the big man on campus and star quarterback. People love him and flock to wherever he is. He doesn’t realize how much he hates it until he meets Camden, a girl that acts like she doesn’t know who he is.Can two people from different social groups overcome the expectations placed on them to find true love?This was originally published as part of the Heart Beats Music Anthology, a charity anthology that donated all proceeds to the Mercery Phoenix Trust. The story is the exact same as what was published there, just by itself now.
You Rock
Lola West - 2021
No little sisters, no job, just me, visiting an old friend, celebrating Valentine’s day, and pretending I’m a carefree college student. Hungry for adventure, I’m spending my last night of freedom attending Lust and Found: A Blind Date Scavenger Hunt. I was hoping to get paired with a carefree hottie. But, instead I’m stuck with an uptight, straight-laced, stick in the mud. At least the hottie part is still in place. ♥ Eric ♥I’m a music major, a future recording engineer, and I should be in the studio working. Instead I’m participating in this silly game because my friends think it’s time for me to hook up with a girl, any girl. They can’t understand the pressure and responsibility I feel to succeed. My parents think that compared to science or math, music is a joke, so I have to prove myself a talent beyond measure. But you can’t turn down your friends every time they ask, so now, I’m burdened with this sparkling sprite of a woman. She's got lavender hair and an irritatingly joyful personality. There’s just something about her, I can’t seem to look away. The Sweet Hearts series is a collection of 14 swoon-worthy Valentine’s Day love stories from some of your favorite romance authors! Treat yourself to all the books in the series:PUPPY LOVE by Kali HartBE MINE by Jagger ColeYOU ROCK by Lola WestHEY QT by Jade BayDREAM TEAM by Anita KnightMY HERO by Mazzy KingHEART OF GOLD by Fern Fraser1-800 CUPID by C.L. CruzTOO SWEET by Lana DashCUTIE PIE by Nichole RoseKISS ME by Kat BaxterLET'S KISS by Barbra CampbellHONEY BUN by Eve LondonYES DEAR by Vanessa Booke
Shielding Lily
Alexa Riley - 2016
She’s a senior finishing her last semester, and all she wants to do is graduate and get out of town. Her home life is a secret hell, and she’s trying to find a way out. But everything changes when Ren says hello and sees right through to her truth.Ren Hendrick’s succeed's at everything he touches, including football. But he’s never been passionate about anything. He’s quiet and keeps to himself, which pisses people off. But he can’t find the desire to care. He’s lived a life without color until Lily walks in and lights up his world.Their story is one of sweet young love and finding your forever before you can even dream of what that is. It’s one of protecting what belongs to you and having the courage to follow your heart, no matter your age.Warning: Call your dentist and schedule an appointment, because you’re going to get nothing but cavities from this sugary book. Ren and Lily start off so innocent, but by the time it’s over, you’re gonna need to hose yourself off. We’re talking two virgins who turn into maniacs. You’re welcome!
Rebellious
Kristy Marie - 2021
No cuddling. No blah, blah, blah. He wrote the rules onto our skin—every ink stroke tragically smeared by the lines we’d crossed. He claimed it was the only way we could be together—the only way we wouldn’t destroy our families.But there was an exception to his rules—one he never saw coming.All I needed was opportunity and a sunburn. The girl who played by his rules is gone. This girl… is not his “friend.”
Savage God: A Dark College Bully Romance
Ivy Blake
He feasts on my tears and screams for breakfast, stares me down with hateful eyes and taunts me with salacious threats.I was the first girl to say no to him…But Nate doesn’t give a shit about the word no.I was lucky to escape him once, now my luck has run its course.Oakwood was meant to be my safe haven, my escape from home, but now it’s become the lion’s den and my tormentor lurks in the shadows, waiting to pounce.My cries mean nothing to him; they only make him want me more. Nate doesn’t ask, he takes.My bully likes to play with his prey before he devours it.He vows to bring me to my knees and have his way with me.I don’t know when he’ll strike, but I know he’ll make me pay for daring to disrespect him.Nate knows all the right spots to touch, which makes me hate him even more.But when his hand is wrapped around my throat, it’s hard not to be tempted by that deliciously cruel mouth.I won’t stop fighting him, I won’t bend to his will. And yet, I don’t know how much longer I can continue living in fear. If I surrender, will Nate finally leave me alone?‘Savage God’ is a standalone dark college bully romance that will be a part of a series of standalones set at Oakwood Academy. Check the trigger warnings before diving into Nate and Violet’s deliciously dark story! Recommended for older readers.