Trope

Clean Sports Romance Books

Sports romance is part book about an athlete, part book about the very specific person who finally sees them as a regular human. I didn't think I was a sports romance reader until a hockey series pulled me all the way in, and now athletes take up a suspicious amount of my TBR.

It's all no spice, closed door if anywhere on the page. The pull of the trope is straightforward: athletes have devotion, real stakes, a public version of themselves that doesn't match the private one, and one person who gets to see the whole picture. Clean writers do sports romance especially well because the chemistry can play out at practice, in the parking lot after a loss, at the team dinner where she's the only one who isn't a fan.

Hockey shows up a lot in this corner (I have a dedicated page for it). What you'll find here: football players who got drafted out of small towns, baseball players whose careers are nearly over and who don't know what comes after, college athletes whose love interests aren't impressed by their stats, and the rare retired pro whose second act is the actual love story.

Showing:Sports

Cover of Falling Back to You by Morgan Taylor Giesbrecht

Falling Back to You

Morgan Taylor Giesbrecht

#3 in The Reluctant Romantics

Childhood FriendsNeighborsForced ProximitySmall TownSecond ChanceSingle ParentModern DayRomanceFallChristianHockeySportsNannyIdaho

Cover of Mistletoe Face Off by Kate O'Keeffe

Mistletoe Face Off

Second ChanceSingle ParentModern DayFake DatingChristmasRomanceHockeySportsIllinois

Cover of Gracie's Guide to Dating by Rebecca Jo Jackson

Gracie's Guide to Dating

Rebecca Jo Jackson

#4 in Sweet River Series

Modern DayFake DatingRomanceSummerSportsTexas

Cover of As You Ice It by Emma St. Clair

As You Ice It

#7 in Appies Hockey Romance

North CarolinaModern DaySmall TownMountainsRomanceHockeySports

Cover of The Love Gimmick by Mary Rudder

The Love Gimmick

Forced ProximityFake DatingModern DayWashingtonRoad TripCaliforniaRomanceCelebritySportsMissouriOregon

Cover of A Summer of Stars by Liana Cincotti

A Summer of Stars

Enemies to LoversNew YorkModern DayFake DatingRomanceCelebritySportsEuropeTennis

Cover of All that Glitters by Annah Conwell

All that Glitters

#2 in RomCom University

Enemies to LoversRomanceChildhood FriendsCollegeFriends to LoversHockeyModern DaySports

Cover of Penalties and Proposals by Anne Kemp

Penalties and Proposals

#7 in Love on Thin Ice

Enemies to LoversRomanceForced ProximitySmall TownSecond ChanceModern DayWashingtonHockeySports

Cover of The Double Play by Annah Conwell

The Double Play

#4 in More Than a Game

Grumpy SunshineRomanceModern DayAlabamaBaseballSportsNanny

Cover of Pucks and Pranks by Tiffany Noelle Chacon

Pucks and Pranks

Tiffany Noelle Chacon

#1 in Sports in the Sunshine State

Enemies to LoversRomanceOpposites AttractHockeyForced ProximityFloridaSecond ChanceModern DaySecret IdentitySports

Cover of The Icing on the Cake by Grace Worthington

The Icing on the Cake

Grace Worthington

#7 in Love in Maple Falls

Secret IdentityModern DayWashingtonSmall TownNeighborsRomanceHockeySports

Cover of Home Run Heart by Hailey Gardiner

Home Run Heart

Hailey Gardiner

#2 in Kitt's Harbor

Second ChanceThanksgivingModern DayWashingtonSmall TownRomanceBaseballSports

Cover of Checking Mr. Wrong by Anne Kemp

Checking Mr. Wrong

#3 in Love in Maple Falls

Grumpy SunshineSmall TownForced ProximityRomanceModern DayWashingtonHockeySports

Cover of The Lucky One by Monique Brasher

The Lucky One

Monique Brasher

#4 in Enchanted Hollow

Forced ProximityFake DatingMagical RealismModern DayRomanceRetellingSportsFootball

Cover of Fumble All the Way by Deb Goodman

Fumble All the Way

#4 in The Peppermint Playbook

Enemies to LoversMountainsModern DayChristmasRomanceColoradoSportsFootball

Cover of The Christmas Catch by Toni Shiloh

The Christmas Catch

Second ChanceModern DayChristmasRomanceChristianFootballGeorgiaSports

Cover of The Sugar Creek Blame Game by River Ford

The Sugar Creek Blame Game

#6 in Seasons of Sugar Creek (The Fletcher Family)

Friends to LoversRomanceModern DayVermontFootballSports

Cover of The Ex Puck Bunny by Ellie Hall

The Ex Puck Bunny

#5 in Nebraska Knights

Brother's Best FriendHockeySingle ParentModern DayNebraskaRomanceSports

Cover of Absolutely Not in Love by Jenny Proctor

Absolutely Not in Love

#2 in Appies Hockey Romance

North CarolinaModern DaySmall TownMountainsNeighborsRomanceHockeySports

Cover of A Match Made in Fall by Melissa Baldwin

A Match Made in Fall

Melissa Baldwin

North CarolinaModern DayFake DatingRomanceFallHockeySports

Cover of Jingle Blades by Tomi Tabb

Jingle Blades

#1 in The Peppermint Playbook

Best Friend's BrotherSportsModern DayMountainsChristmasRomanceColorado

Cover of Love on the Ropes by Mary Rudder

Love on the Ropes

Grumpy SunshineRomanceFriends to LoversCelebrityForced ProximityMissouriSecond ChanceSingle ParentModern DaySports

Cover of When Alec Met Evie by Jenny Proctor

When Alec Met Evie

#6 in Appies Hockey Romance

Best Friend's BrotherHockeyNorth CarolinaSingle ParentModern DaySmall TownMountainsRomanceSports

Cover of Her Goal by Ellie Hall

Her Goal

#3 in Love in Hockey Town

Best Friend's BrotherHockeyEnemies to LoversRomanceModern DaySmall TownSports

Cover of Desire Or Defense by Leah Brunner

Desire Or Defense

#1 in D.C. Eagles Hockey

Enemies to LoversRomanceModern DayHockeySports

Cover of The Parent Playbook by Elsie Woods

The Parent Playbook

#5 in Love on Thin Ice

Second ChanceSingle ParentModern DayWashingtonSmall TownRomanceHockeySports

Cover of The Cheat Sheet by Sarah Adams

The Cheat Sheet

Friends to LoversCaliforniaModern DayRomanceFootballSportsCity

Cover of The Friend Face Off by Grace Worthington

The Friend Face Off

Grace Worthington

#3 in Love on Thin Ice

Brother's Best FriendHockeyFriends to LoversSmall TownModern DayWashingtonFake DatingRomanceSports

Cover of Redd, Whit & Blue by Ellie Hall

Redd, Whit & Blue

#2 in Nebraska Knights

Second ChanceModern Day4th of JulyNebraskaRomanceHockeySports

Cover of Skating and Fake Dating by Ellie Hall

Skating and Fake Dating

#4 in Love in Maple Falls

Modern DayWashingtonFake DatingSmall TownRomanceHockeySports

Cover of Soulmates and Slapshots by Melissa Baldwin

Soulmates and Slapshots

Melissa Baldwin

#6 in Love in Maple Falls

Opposites AttractRomanceModern DayWashingtonSmall TownHockeySports

Cover of Catch Me If I Fall by River Ford

Catch Me If I Fall

#2 in Seasons of Sugar Creek (The Fletcher Family)

Single ParentModern DaySmall TownRomanceFallVermontAge GapSportsNanny

Cover of Presley's Christmas Catch by Ranee S Clark

Presley's Christmas Catch

#3 in LA Rays Sports Romance

Friends to LoversChristmasModern DayCaliforniaRomanceFootballSports

Cover of The Kiss Class by Ellie Hall

The Kiss Class

#3 in Nebraska Knights

Forced ProximityFake DatingModern DayChristmasNebraskaRomanceHockeySports

Cover of The Perfect Putt by Annah Conwell

The Perfect Putt

#2 in More Than a Game

Modern DayWorkplaceRomanceAlabamaSportsGolf

Cover of Checking You Twice by Larissa Hommes

Checking You Twice

#3 in The Peppermint Playbook

Modern DayMountainsChristmasRomanceColoradoHockeySports

Cover of Could've Fooled Me by Jenny Proctor

Could've Fooled Me

#1 in Georgia Jaguars Hockey

Marriage of ConvenienceModern DayRomanceGeorgiaHockeySports

Cover of A Very Merry Matchup by Becca Kinzer

A Very Merry Matchup

Modern DaySmall TownChristmasRomanceIowaChristianBaseballSports

Cover of A Maui Little Christmas by Ella Beachley

A Maui Little Christmas

Forced ProximityChristmasModern DayRomanceBaseballSportsHawaii

Cover of The Player and the Pop Star by Cait Elise

The Player and the Pop Star

#1 in The Vista City Kings

Enemies to LoversCaliforniaModern DayFake DatingRomanceCelebritySportsFootball

Cover of Love at Teamsgiving by Ellie Hall

Love at Teamsgiving

#6 in Nebraska Knights

Enemies to LoversRomanceSecond ChanceThanksgivingModern DayHockeyFallSports

Cover of Breaking the Ice by Whitney Dineen

Breaking the Ice

#1 in Love on Thin Ice

Millionaire / BillionaireHockeyEnemies to LoversRomanceForced ProximitySmall TownModern DayWashingtonSports

Cover of The Run Option by Annah Conwell

The Run Option

#3 in More Than a Game

Marriage of ConvenienceModern DayRomanceAlabamaFootballSports

Cover of My Lucky Charm by Courtney Walsh

My Lucky Charm

#2 in Holidays With Hart

Grumpy SunshineNew YearsModern DayRomanceSportsIllinois

Cover of A Christmas Court(ship) by Tiffany Noelle Chacon

A Christmas Court(ship)

Tiffany Noelle Chacon

#3 in Letters to Mrs. Claus

Best Friend's BrotherSportsModern DayChristmasRomance

Cover of Summer Ever After by Kortney Keisel

Summer Ever After

#1 in Falling for Summer

Best Friend's BrotherFloridaModern DaySmall TownForbiddenRomanceGolfSports

Cover of A Groom of One's Own by Emma St. Clair

A Groom of One's Own

#3 in Appies Hockey Romance

Marriage of ConvenienceNorth CarolinaModern DaySmall TownMountainsRomanceHockeySports

Cover of My Wife by Ellie Hall

My Wife

#2 in Love in Hockey Town

Grumpy SunshineSmall TownSingle ParentModern DayRomanceHockeySports

Cover of Love in Overtime by Melissa Baldwin

Love in Overtime

Melissa Baldwin

#4 in Love on Thin Ice

Grumpy SunshineSmall TownModern DayWashingtonWorkplaceRomanceHockeySports

Cover of Offside and Off-Limits by Kate O'Keeffe

Offside and Off-Limits

#2 in Love in Maple Falls

Modern DayWashingtonSmall TownForbiddenRomanceHockeySports

Cover of The Rescue Equation by Sarah Marie Gandy

The Rescue Equation

Sarah Marie Gandy

#1 in Foundations

Friends to LoversForbiddenModern DayRomanceFallLacrosseChristianSportsCollegeMusic

Cover of Secret Or Shutout by Leah Brunner

Secret Or Shutout

#4 in D.C. Eagles Hockey

Modern DayRomanceHockeySports

Cover of Love Catch by Laura Langa

Love Catch

#2 in The Love Playbook

Friends to LoversRomanceForced ProximityAge GapModern DayBaseballVirginiaSports

Cover of Love at First Skate by Ellie Hall

Love at First Skate

#6 in Love on Thin Ice

Friends to LoversSmall TownForced ProximityRomanceModern DayWashingtonHockeySports

Cover of The Golden Goal by Annah Conwell

The Golden Goal

#1 in More Than a Game

Brother's Best FriendHockeyEnemies to LoversRomanceModern DayAlabamaSports

Cover of Chess Not Checkers by Annah Conwell

Chess Not Checkers

#1 in RomCom University

Modern DayRomanceFootballCollegeSports

Cover of Runaway Bride and Prejudice by Emma St. Clair

Runaway Bride and Prejudice

#5 in Appies Hockey Romance

North CarolinaModern DaySmall TownMountainsRomanceHockeySports

Cover of Since We've No Place to Go by Kate Watson

Since We've No Place to Go

Enemies to LoversChristmasForced ProximityRomanceModern DayBaseballSportsIllinois

Cover of The Holiday Assist by Taylor Epperson

The Holiday Assist

Taylor Epperson

#5 in The Peppermint Playbook

Best Friend's BrotherSoccerModern DayFake DatingMountainsChristmasRomanceColoradoSports

Cover of One Last Play by Annah Conwell

One Last Play

#4 in Sweet Peach

Grumpy SunshineRomanceModern DayAge GapCityFootballGeorgiaSports

Cover of Flirtation or Faceoff by Leah Brunner

Flirtation or Faceoff

#2 in D.C. Eagles Hockey

Modern DayFake DatingRomanceHockeySports

Cover of Rookie Season by Katie Bailey

Rookie Season

#1 in Hockey Boys of Loft 3B

Forced ProximityCaliforniaModern DayRomanceHockeySportsCity

Cover of The Confidentiality Clause by Annah Conwell

The Confidentiality Clause

#5 in More Than a Game

Best Friend's BrotherSportsModern DayRomanceAlabama

Cover of Green Card Christmas by Jen Atkinson

Green Card Christmas

#2 in Just A Guy With A Goal

Marriage of ConvenienceModern DayChristmasRomanceSoccerSports

Cover of Fake-Off with Fate by Whitney Dineen

Fake-Off with Fate

#1 in Love in Maple Falls

Friends to LoversSmall TownModern DayWashingtonFake DatingRomanceHockeySports

Cover of Movers and Fakers by Annah Conwell

Movers and Fakers

#3 in RomCom University

Millionaire / BillionaireCollegeGrumpy SunshineRomanceModern DayFake DatingSports

Cover of Hooked on You by Kathleen Fuller

Hooked on You

Kathleen Fuller

#1 in A Maple Falls Romance

Opposites AttractRomanceModern DayArkansasChristianBaseballSports

Cover of Love Never Happens with your Brother’s Best Friend by Francesca Spencer

Love Never Happens with your Brother’s Best Friend

Francesca Spencer

#3 in Love Never Happens

Brother's Best FriendFootballForced ProximitySmall TownModern DayRomanceVirginiaSports

Cover of Hoppily Ever After by Kimberly Hanson

Hoppily Ever After

Kimberly Hanson

#4 in Holiday Rivals

Forced ProximitySmall TownModern DayRomanceCelebrityCanadaHockeySports

Cover of Off the Bench by Tiffany Noelle Chacon

Off the Bench

Tiffany Noelle Chacon

#2 in Sports in the Sunshine State

Opposites AttractWorkplaceGrumpy SunshineForbiddenThanksgivingModern DayRomanceFootballFloridaSportsFall

Cover of Goalie and the Girl Next Door by Elsie Woods

Goalie and the Girl Next Door

#5 in Love in Maple Falls

Grumpy SunshineSmall TownModern DayWashingtonRomanceHockeySports

Cover of Fake Skating by Lynn Painter

Fake Skating

Childhood FriendsMinnesotaFriends to LoversRomanceYoung AdultModern DayFake DatingHockeySports

Cover of My Merry Mistake by Courtney Walsh

My Merry Mistake

#3 in Holidays With Hart

Opposites AttractRomanceGrumpy SunshineHockeyModern DaySportsIllinois

Cover of The Romcom Remake by Jen Atkinson

The Romcom Remake

#1 in Just A Guy With A Goal

Modern DayRomanceSoccerSports

Cover of A Courtside Romance by Toni Shiloh

Feb 2, 2027

A Courtside Romance

Opposites AttractBasketballSingle ParentModern DayFake DatingRomanceDCChristianSports

Cover of The Rebound Play by Kate O'Keeffe

The Rebound Play

#2 in Love on Thin Ice

Second ChanceModern DayWashingtonSmall TownRomanceHockeySports

Cover of First Love, Second Draft by Becca Kinzer

First Love, Second Draft

Second ChanceModern DayRomanceChristianSportsBaseball

Cover of Margo and the Faux Good Luck Beau by Ellie Hall

Margo and the Faux Good Luck Beau

#4 in Nebraska Knights

Marriage of ConvenienceGrumpy SunshineNebraskaModern DayRomanceHockeySports

Cover of His Jersey by Ellie Hall

His Jersey

#1 in Love in Hockey Town

Millionaire / BillionaireHockeySecret IdentityModern DayFake DatingSmall TownRomanceSports

Cover of Betrothal Or Breakaway by Leah Brunner

Betrothal Or Breakaway

#3 in D.C. Eagles Hockey

Marriage of ConvenienceChildhood FriendsRomanceFriends to LoversHockeyModern DaySports

Cover of Holiday Hostilities by Katie Bailey

Holiday Hostilities

#2 in Cyclones Christmas

Enemies to LoversChristmasForced ProximityRomanceModern DayGeorgiaCityHockeySports

Cover of Perfectly Complicated Christmas Romance by Grace Worthington

Perfectly Complicated Christmas Romance

Grace Worthington

#4 in Perfect Crush Hockey Romance

Enemies to LoversChristmasGrumpy SunshineRomanceSingle ParentModern DayHockeySports

Cover of Stupid Cupid by Ellie Hall

Stupid Cupid

#1 in Nebraska Knights

Modern DayValentine'sRomanceHockeySports

Cover of Love Between Innings by Laura Langa

Love Between Innings

#1 in Waves Baseball

Enemies to LoversRomanceForced ProximityFake DatingModern DayBaseballVirginiaSports

Cover of The Safety and the Secret by Cait Elise

The Safety and the Secret

#2 in The Vista City Kings

Forced ProximityCaliforniaModern DayRomanceFootballSports

Cover of Serving Scrooge by Katie Nelson

Serving Scrooge

#2 in The Peppermint Playbook

Grumpy SunshineWorkplaceMountainsChristmasRomanceColoradoSports

Cover of The Buy-In by Emma St. Clair

The Buy-In

#1 in Love Stories in Sheet Cake

Marriage of ConvenienceSecond ChanceModern DaySmall TownRomanceFootballSportsTexas

Cover of Season's Schemings by Katie Bailey

Season's Schemings

#1 in Cyclones Christmas

Marriage of ConvenienceModern DayChristmasRomanceGeorgiaHockeySportsCity

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