9 Sports Romance Books That Could Be the Next ‘Heated Rivalry’ Hit
Hockey suddenly became the hottest sport last November, when HBO Max started streaming the Canadian sports romance series Heated Rivalry, an adaptation of Rachel Reid’s Game Changers book series. (How the Zambonis kept the ice from totally melting in that steamy series, we’ll never know.)
Then we got more “pucking” action with the hockey-player-meets-tutor Prime Video series Off Campus, and before your ice skates get dull, Icebreaker will enter the rink at Netflix.
But so many other sports romance books are ready for adaptation, including the MVPs below. With the World Cup in full swing, soccer has taken center stage. It’s time to bring a queer soccer romance to the screen. And then there’s Wimbledon, and we all know how much we enjoyed Challengers. Bring on the tennis love stories! And don’t just take our word for it — we’re also citing a glowing Goodreads review for each. Which sports romance book do you want to see adapted next? Let us know in the comments below.
The Open Era
Edward Schmit
From a debut novelist comes this novel about tennis player Austin Hardy, whose status as the first openly gay man to compete in a Grand Slam sends him spiraling into anxiety. Worse yet for his nerves, Austin is also going up against the handsome, talented, and “probably straight” Diego Cruz.
“Not only is this a f**king stellar, grand slam of a novel — this is a debut. Which is wild,” wrote Goodreads reviewer Jason Conrad. “It is well-crafted, well-written, moving, and meaningful. Books like this take some authors ages to craft. I am stunned.”
Just Between Us
Adeline Kon
Speaking of debut releases, we have this graphic novel about a figure skater who’s in search of her missing spark. In the run-up to the Olympics, Lydia Chen is feeling a bit spun out. But she gets new inspiration when rival Elaine Yee starts training at the same rink…
“This book packaged a tender romance and deep characters with such a beautiful entertaining art style, and the author is clearly a huge figure skating fan herself, which comes through so well in Elaine and Lydia’s characters,” said reviewer Evie.
Futbolista
Jonny Garza Villa
Billed as a “classmates-to-friends-to-lovers romance that’s equal parts raunchy, heartfelt, queer, and Mexican-American,” this story is about Gabriel Piña, a rising college soccer star. When his philosophy classmate Vale offers to tutor him, the two grow closer, and Gabi reexamines his own straightness… though he worries that queerness is at odds with his futbolista ambitions.
“Emotionally resonant, unexpectedly steamy, and melding together a coming-of-age story, philosophy, and a love story with all of my favorite tropes, Futbolista is a winning goal of a new adult romance that sets a new gold standard for this genre,” reviewer Lance said.
The Passing Playbook
Isaac Fitzsimons
While we’re on the topic of soccer romances, consider this 2022 Lambda Literary Award Finalist. The Passing Playbook is the story of Spencer Harris, a 15-year-old trans boy and “Messi-in-training” who passes as cisgender at the private school he transfers to. Soon, he’s falling for one of his new classmates. But then Spencer’s world is upended by a discriminatory law, and the young athlete has to make hard choices.
“With a sweet romance on the backdrop of high school, soccer and first loves, The Passing Playbook is a big heart of a book about how acts of courage — both small and large — can be so empowering,” Cemetery Boys author Aiden Thomas wrote on Goodreads. “Fitzsimons explores complicated relationships and family dynamics that many trans and queer kids experience with care.”
Him
Sarina Bowen and Elle Kennedy
Another awards contender is this 2015 nominee for the Goodreads Choice Award for Readers’ Favorite Romance — the start of a three-book-and-counting series — and it’s a different kind of heated rivalry on the ice. Jamie Canning and Ryan Wesley’s friendship took a more-than-friendly turn at hockey camp years ago, and now that they’re both camp coaches, they’re back in each other’s orbits.
“This was the first MM romance I have ever read, and it blew me away,” said Goodreads user Sneeze. “I have read it seven times so far, and I will definitely keep on rereading it. I absolutely love Wes and Jamie.”
Check, Please! Book 1: # Hockey
Ngozi Ukazu
In this first collection of the Check, Please! webcomics, figure skater-slash-vlogger-slash-baker Eric Bittle is getting used to playing hockey at a prestigious northeastern university. He’s not about the checking, he realizes… but he is into checking out the “attractive but moody” team captain, Jack.
“Oh my word, it’s so cute, I’m gonna die,” wrote user Destiny in a five-star review. “This is one of the most precious, laugh-out-loud, heartwarming, charming damn things I’ve ever read in my life. I need a million more volumes, please.”
Everything for You
Chloe Liese
Speaking of team captains, meet Oliver Bergman and Gavin Hayes, the romantic leads of this fifth entry in Chloe Liese’s Bergman Brothers book series. Oliver is the bright-eyed, bushy-tailed soccer upstart; Gavin is the grumpy veteran facing the end of his career. When their coach tells them to shape up or lose their co-captain positions, they finally connect — in more ways than one.
“This book was so much fun to read,” raved user Christy. “But not only that, it was emotional [and] had the best family vibes and representation and the most wonderful Ted Lasso feels.”
The Prospects
KT Hoffman
Gene Ionescu is living high on the proverbial hog at the start of The Prospects. He’s a beloved member of the minor-league Beaverton Beavers team, and he’s the first openly trans professional baseball player. And then comes Luis Estrada, Gene’s former teammate, current rival, and future… prospect.
“This book!” exclaimed user Lila. “I cannot emphasize how much f**king heart it has. It’s so delicious and soft and lovely and washes over you like fine wine. These boys who’re afraid to hope — afraid to reach out in the fear that they’ll be rejected the moment they show vulnerability — took my breath away.”
Running Home to You
Samantha Saldivar
Samantha Saldivar, author of Play You For It, turns from basketball to softball for this novel teased as a “sweeping sapphic sports romance.” The story tracks the relationship between Abby Cruz and Kate Hutchins, who start off as odd-couple teammates on Insley University’s softball team. They forge a relationship that continues years after their college days and reaches a make-or-break point when they return to Insley for an alumni game a decade later.
“This was, and I don’t say this lightly, the best sapphic book I’ve read this year,” reviewer Whitney wrote. “I would even go as far as saying this is in my top five in all genres of the year.”
