Best Sports Romance Books (2026): Hockey and Football Reads

A reader looking for the best sports romance books knows the sport first. This list compares football and hockey romances.

ShelfAnswers earns a commission when you buy through links on this page, at no extra cost to you. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Affiliate disclosure.

The picks

#	Product	Shelf Score	Buy
1	The Cheat Sheet by Adams	9.8/10	Buy on Amazon
2	Out of My League by Brown	9.7/10	Buy on Amazon
3	A Little Complicated by Rae	9.6/10	Buy on Amazon
4	Rookie Move by Bowen	9.6/10	Buy on Amazon
5	Change Your Play by Hayden	9.5/10	Buy on Amazon

1

The Cheat Sheet by Adams

Sarah Adams·9.8/10 Shelf Score

i

The Shelf Score runs from 9.2 to 9.8 and weighs fit for the reader or goal (35 points), contents and edition (25), value (25) and listed reading age or level (10, where the listing gives one), using only what the book listing states. How we pick ›

Friends to lovers football romance with a dance studio owner and a football hero.

Check price on Amazon

Pros

• Book 1 of 2 in a football romance duology
• Listing adds a new chapter and author Q&A
• 336 pages stated for a football romance

Cons

• Mature themes stated in the description plainly
• Studio plot may not suit every football fan
• Book 1 of 2 leaves a second book ahead

2

Out of My League by Brown

Brea Brown·9.7/10 Shelf Score

i

The Shelf Score runs from 9.2 to 9.8 and weighs fit for the reader or goal (35 points), contents and edition (25), value (25) and listed reading age or level (10, where the listing gives one), using only what the book listing states. How we pick ›

Pro football romance with a noncommittal heroine and a determined quarterback hero.

Check price on Amazon

Pros

• 382 pages stated for a pro football romance
• Book 1 of 4 opens a football series
• 2nd edition dated November 17, 2019

Cons

• Mature themes stated in the description plainly
• Older edition from November 17, 2019
• Book 1 of 4 leaves more series books ahead

3

A Little Complicated by Rae

Kelsie Rae·9.6/10 Shelf Score

i

The Shelf Score runs from 9.2 to 9.8 and weighs fit for the reader or goal (35 points), contents and edition (25), value (25) and listed reading age or level (10, where the listing gives one), using only what the book listing states. How we pick ›

Slow-burn college hockey romance with a twin love triangle and a standalone ending.

Check price on Amazon

Pros

• Book 1 of 6 with a standalone ending
• Dual first person narration stated plainly
• College hockey setting suits hockey romance fans

Cons

• Explicit scenes stated in the description plainly
• No page count stated on the listing
• Book 1 of 6 leaves a long series ahead

4

Rookie Move by Bowen

Sarina Bowen·9.6/10 Shelf Score

i

The Shelf Score runs from 9.2 to 9.8 and weighs fit for the reader or goal (35 points), contents and edition (25), value (25) and listed reading age or level (10, where the listing gives one), using only what the book listing states. How we pick ›

Hockey romance with a former couple reunited on a new team.

Check price on Amazon

Pros

• Book 1 of 3 opens a hockey series
• Reissue edition dated September 6, 2016
• Publicist and player pairing suits hockey fans

Cons

• Mature themes stated in the description plainly
• Older edition from September 6, 2016
• Book 1 of 3 leaves more series books ahead

5

Change Your Play by Hayden

Bree Hayden·9.5/10 Shelf Score

i

The Shelf Score runs from 9.2 to 9.8 and weighs fit for the reader or goal (35 points), contents and edition (25), value (25) and listed reading age or level (10, where the listing gives one), using only what the book listing states. How we pick ›

Short off limits college football romance with rival schools and banter.

Check price on Amazon

Pros

• Book 1 of 4 opens a football series
• Short romance suits a quick series start
• Edition dated August 11, 2023

Cons

• Mature themes stated in the description plainly
• No page count stated on the listing
• Short length may disappoint readers wanting longer books

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

More picks to compare

• Playing to Win by FindlayHockey romance with fake dating, Book 1 of 6.Check on Amazon
• Her Coach by RylanForbidden hockey romance with a coach and an owner daughter, Book 1 of 3.Check on Amazon
• Pitching for Her Heart by ReeSweet college baseball romance with childhood friends, Book 1 of 3.Check on Amazon
• Petty Hearts by ThorneClosed-door college hockey romance for rivals to lovers fans.Check on Amazon

Compare the picks

Book details as published, collected 25 October 2026.

How we scored them

The Shelf Score weighs fit, contents and edition, and value. How we pick explains the weights.

Scores run from 9.2 to 9.8: each book’s point total is placed on that range, so more points always means a higher score. Reading age or level counts on a list where at least one listing gives one, and a book whose listing gives none then scores zero on it. Where no listing gives one, the score is taken over the other 85 points. Books carry no warranty, so warranty is not scored.

How to choose the best sports romance books

Match the sport to the reader

Start with The Cheat Sheet for football. A Little Complicated suits hockey.

Start at Book 1 of each series

Every pick is Book 1 of its series. Change Your Play suits a quick start.

Before you buy

• Check the series position.
• Check the publication date.
• Read the description for mature themes.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where should a reader start?

Pick Book 1 of that sport.

Do these books contain mature themes?

Several descriptions state mature themes plainly.

Which book suits a short romance?

Change Your Play is short.

Still deciding? Our top pickThe Cheat Sheet by Adams

Check price on Amazon

Related lists

See book club and fiction lists.

More lists: contemporary romance novels and book series with romance.