Books like 'Playing to Win'
Readers who enjoyed Playing to Win by Stephanie Street also liked the following books featuring the same tropes, story themes, relationship dynamics and character types.
contemporary young adult sports high-school from hate to love heroine athlete m-f
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I sold myself to the devil for Vinyls... Pitiful I Know by DarknessAndLight
Rated: 4.36 of 5 stars · 35 ratingsLexi Grayson is a normal teenager, as normal as she can be with her unobserving skills and her overthinking mind. But she might need the overthinking if she wants to unravel the smirking mystery that is Blake Eaton...Categorized as:
high-school from hate to love sports young adult contemporary friends to lovers humor bad boys -
That Promise by Jillian Dodd
Rated: 4.43 of 5 stars · 26 ratingsWhat happens to childhood promises when you grow up?Growing up, Devaney Diamond and Chase Mackenzie promised to go to college together. But it’s been two years since the summer that changed everything between them, and their friendship hasn’t recovered...Categorized as:
sports high-school from hate to love m-f contemporary young adult new adult friends to lovers -
That Promise by Jillian Dodd
Rated: 4.43 of 5 stars · 26 ratingsWhat happens to childhood promises when you grow up?Growing up, Devaney Diamond and Chase Mackenzie promised to go to college together. But it’s been three years since the summer that changed everything between them, and their friendship hasn’t recovered... -
In the Clear Moonlit Dusk Vol. 4 by Mika Yamamori
Yoi and Ichimura-sempai's experimental dating relationship continues in full swing. Although hesitant at first, Yoi is flustered as she notices her feelings for him develop over time. Meanwhile, it seems Yoi holds a special place in Ichimura-sempai's heart as well, as he gets jealous over a new “prince” working at her part-time job... -
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In the Clear Moonlit Dusk Vol. 5 by Mika Yamamori
After a tumultuous trial period, Yoi and Ichimura-sempai finally pour their hearts out at the summer festival, and the two officially start going out. It's uncharted waters now for both teenagers, and while Yoi insists on keeping things at a measured pace, Ichimura-sempai is about ready to dive in headfirst... -
That Summer by Jillian Dodd
Rated: 4.44 of 5 stars · 18 ratingsDevaney Diamond’s summer break was shaping up to be the best one ever. Her longtime crush was finally interested in her, and by the time school rolled around in the fall, she knew he’d be her boyfriend...Categorized as:
high-school sports m-f contemporary young adult friends to lovers angst length-medium -
In the Clear Moonlit Dusk, Vol. 3 by Mika Yamamori
Yoi Takiguchi is a girl who's called a "prince" because of her beautiful appearance and the stylish way she carries herself. She meets Ichimura-sempai, who is also called a prince at her school and somehow they start a trial relationship... -
Fence: Redemption #4 (Fence: Redemption (Single Issues) #4) by C.S. Pacat, Johanna the Mad
Rated: 4.62 of 5 stars · 12 ratingsIn the FINAL ISSUE of The GLAAD Media Award-nominated sports comic’s latest chapter, Seiji gets an up close and personal look into Nicholas’ past, and a clearer picture of just how much determination it took for Nicholas to overcome adversity and a rocky start... -
Hana-Kimi: For You in Full Blossom, Vol. 5 by Hisaya Nakajo
Rated: 4.29 of 5 stars · 30 ratingsDRAG RACEIt's the final day of the Osaka High School Festival, and two big competitions are still up in the air: the relay race and the cross-dressing pageant! You'd think Mizuki, an actual XX-chromosome girl disguised as a boy at an all-guy high school, would be a better cross-dresser than her classmates, but things are never so easy--and what if winning the contest blows her cover? That might... -
Fence, Vol. 4: Rivals by C.S. Pacat, Johanna the Mad
Rated: 4.24 of 5 stars · 36 ratingsThe GLAAD Award nominated series Fence returns as a graphic novel series as best-selling novelist C.S...Categorized as:
sports from hate to love high-school young adult contemporary m-m queer found-family -
Waiting for Spring 12 by Anashin
Rated: 4.41 of 5 stars · 18 ratingsWaiting for Spring manga volume 12 features story and art by Anashin. Mizuki is a shy girl who’s about to enter high school, and vows to open herself up to new friendships. Of course, the four stars of the boys’ basketball team weren’t exactly the friends she had in mind! Yet the five quickly hit it off... -
Hana-Kimi: For You in Full Blossom, Vol. 3 by Hisaya Nakajo
Rated: 4.26 of 5 stars · 31 ratingsMEN AT WORKIzumi, his friend Nakatsu and our crossdressing heroine Mizuki are hired to work at a beach chalet run by the family of weird school nurse Dr... -
You Don't Have a Shot by Racquel Marie
Rated: 4.49 of 5 stars · 14 ratingsA queer YA romance about rival soccer players from author Racquel Marie, perfect for fans of She Drives Me Crazy.Valentina “Vale” Castillo-Green’s life revolves around soccer. Her friends, her future, and her father’s intense expectations are all wrapped up in the beautiful game...Categorized as:
sports from hate to love high-school contemporary young adult f-f queer length-medium -
High School Debut, Vol. 03 by Kazune Kawahara
Rated: 4.25 of 5 stars · 32 ratingsHopeless Haruna needs help finding a boyfriend! After failing to win the eye of any guy in high school, Haruna enlists the help of cute upperclassman Yoh to coach her on how to make herself more appealing to the male species... -
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Man o' War by Cory McCarthy
Rated: 4.51 of 5 stars · 12 ratingsAn achingly honest and frequently hilarious coming-of-age novel about an Arab American trans swimmer fighting to keep their head above water in a landlocked Midwestern town.River McIntyre has grown up down the street from Sea Planet, an infamous marine life theme park slowly going out of business in small-town Ohio... -
In the Clear Moonlit Dusk, Vol. 2 by Mika Yamamori
Rated: 4.24 of 5 stars · 28 ratingsYoi Takiguchi is a girl who's called a "prince" because of her beautiful appearance and the stylish way she carries herself. She had mixed feelings about longing to be like a shojo manga hero. That's when she meets Ichimura-sempai, who is also called a "prince... -
In the Clear Moonlit Dusk, Vol. 1 by Mika Yamamori
Rated: 4.23 of 5 stars · 29 ratingsYoi Takiguchi has long legs, a deep voice, and a handsome face... in other words, Yoi is such a good-looking guy that most people don't notice or care that she is, in fact, a girl. Indeed, she's had the nickname "Prince" as long as she can remember. That is, until she met Ichimura-senpai... the only person who's really seemed to see her for herself... -
Trust Him by Caitlyn Dare
Rated: 4.40 of 5 stars · 15 ratings𝗦𝗵𝗲 𝘄𝗮𝗻𝘁𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝗳𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗵𝗶𝗺. 𝗛𝗲 𝘄𝗼𝗻'𝘁 𝗹𝗲𝘁 𝗵𝗲𝗿 𝗶𝗻.Hadley Rexford wasn’t supposed to get under my skin. But I thought she was like me, until I push her too far, and destroy everything we had.I want to hurt her.Consume her. In the end, I’ll make sure she’s only ever mine.Cole Jagger wasn’t to supposed to become everything to me... -
Waiting for Spring, Vol. 1 by Anashin, あなしん
Rated: 4.20 of 5 stars · 30 ratingsA sweet romantic story of a soft-spoken high school freshman and her quest to make friends, Waiting for Spring will delight fans of earnest, fun, and dramatic shojo like Kimi ni Todoke and Say I Love You.Mizuki is a shy girl who's about to enter high school, and vows to open herself up to new friendships... -
High School Debut, Vol. 02 by Kazune Kawahara
Rated: 4.17 of 5 stars · 33 ratingsHopeless Haruna needs help finding a boyfriend! After failing to win the eye of any guy in high school, Haruna enlists the help of cute upperclassman Yoh to coach her on how to make herself more appealing to the male species. Yoh agrees, with one catch: Haruna had better not fall for him!Haruna begins to develop feelings for Fumiya, Yoh's friend... -
Cheeky Brat, Vol. 8 by Mitsubachi Miyuki
When Hakamada crushes their dreams of the Winter Cup, Yuki’s tenure as basketball club manager is now over...However, her relationship with Naruse has only begun! But between Naruse’s captaincy and Yuki’s frantic studies, they hardly ever see each other...Categorized as:
sports from hate to love m-f high-school young adult contemporary humor length-short -
Cheeky Brat, Vol. 9 by Mitsubachi Miyuki
Today is the day her future will be decided. After all, it’s finally time...for entrance exams. However, one thing after another keeps going wrong! Meanwhile, as Yuki’s graduation gets closer and closer to becoming a reality, Naruse is painfully aware that soon, he’ll be separated from Yuki by more than just a couple of classroom doors..Categorized as:
sports from hate to love m-f high-school young adult contemporary humor length-short -
Cheeky Brat, Vol. 7 by Mitsubachi Miyuki
It's autumn, and the qualifier for the Winter Cup is just around the corner! But first, time for one of Yuki’s last school festivals. Between prepwork for that, studying, managing the basketball team, and dating Naruse, Yuki just might have bitten off more than she can chew..Categorized as:
sports from hate to love m-f high-school young adult contemporary humor length-short -
Fence: Redemption #2 (Fence: Redemption (Single Issues) #2) by C.S. Pacat, Johanna the Mad
Rated: 4.45 of 5 stars · 10 ratingsOld schools and old exes bring Seiji to a boiling point... -
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Where You See Yourself by Claire Forrest
Rated: 4.29 of 5 stars · 15 ratingsWhere You See Yourself combines an unforgettable coming-of-age tale, a swoon-worthy romance, and much-needed disability representation in this story about a girl who's determined to follow her dreams... -
Hana-Kimi: For You in Full Blossom, Vol. 2 by Hisaya Nakajo
Rated: 4.14 of 5 stars · 33 ratingsPERSONAL BESTHigh jump champion Izumi Sano has realized that his slender new roommate Mizuki is a girl, but he's decided to keep her secret so she doesn't get kicked out of their all-boys' high school... -
Like Other Girls by Britta Lundin
Rated: 4.22 of 5 stars · 20 ratings"What if I played football?" I ask. As soon as it's out of my mouth, I feel stupid. Even suggesting it feels like I've overstepped some kind of invisible line we've all agreed not to discuss. We don't talk about how Mara is different from other girls. We don't talk about how Mara is gay but no one says so...Categorized as:
sports high-school from hate to love young adult contemporary f-f queer length-medium -
The Borrow a Boyfriend Club by Page Powars
A feel-good, coming-of-age rom-com from debut author Page Powars that follows a trans teen who joins a boyfriend borrowing service masquerading as an Italian Club to prove that he’s one of the guys, especially to its frustratingly handsome leader.Noah Byrd is the perfect boy. At least, that’s what he needs to convince his new classmates of to prove his gender... -
Better Than Before by Lynn Painter
Rated: 4.15 of 5 stars · 30 ratingsLynn Painter’s Better Than the Movies collides with Betting on You when, after meeting the annoyingly cute Bailey on his flight, Charlie gets picked at the airport up by his cousin, Wes, who introduces him to his annoyingly cute neighbor, Liz...Categorized as:
high-school from hate to love young adult contemporary forced proximity length-novella -
Fumbled Futures: A Sports Romance Collection by Meagan Brandy
Rated: 4.67 of 5 stars · 6 ratingsThe cocky quarterback and his friends have come together in a boxset! This collections includes Fumbled Hearts, Defenseless Hearts, and the exclusive short story no longer available anywhere else, Fourth Down! Follow new girl, Kalani Embers, and friends on their journeys to forever ... One big book, three addictive love stories! Fumbled HeartsHe’s the persistent playboy who refuses to walk away... -
Runaways by Nicole Dykes
Rated: 4.40 of 5 stars · 10 ratingsRunaways . . .You’ve heard about kids running away, but do we ever truly know why they run?Rae and Law had no choice. Forced to run when life let them down, when it was either leave or be subjected to an unimaginable fate.Can they survive?Two young people, completely alone on the streets with nothing but each other.This is their story... -
Cross Game 4 by Mitsuru Adachi
Rated: 4.35 of 5 stars · 11 ratingsReads R to L (Japanese Style), for audiences T With Ko in his second year of high school and Aoba in her first, the regionals for Summer Koshien are about to begin! The third round pits Seishu up against mighty Ryuou Gakuin—one of the teams favored to win the whole shebang... -
Girl Against the Universe by Paula Stokes
Rated: 4.14 of 5 stars · 29 ratingsMaguire is bad luck. No matter how many charms she buys off the internet or good luck rituals she performs each morning, horrible things happen when Maguire is around. Like that time the rollercoaster jumped off its tracks. Or the time the house next door caught on fire. Or that time her brother, father, and uncle were all killed in a car crash—and Maguire walked away with barely a scratch... -
Home Game by Ginger Scott
Rated: 4.25 of 5 stars · 14 ratingsFootball has been my life. Not that I ever had a choice in the matter. When your dad is a retired, future Hall-of-Fame quarterback, the gridiron tends to weave its way into your DNA.I always loved the game, but I could do without the spotlight that comes with being Peyton Johnson, the great Reed Johnson’s daughter...Categorized as:
sports from hate to love high-school young adult football athletes contemporary length-medium -
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Cheeky Brat, Vol. 11 by Mitsubachi Miyuki
Rated: 4.27 of 5 stars · 13 ratingsWith Yuki living on her own, Naruse in his last year of high school, and more than a few months of dating history under their belt, one rainy after in Yuki’s apartment leads to.. -
Dear McKinnon by Danielle Keil
Rated: 4.27 of 5 stars · 12 ratingsEveryone knows what it means to have a teal envelope taped to their locker on the first day of the month. Everyone except new girl McKinnon Gregory.The envelope is the start of a monthly tradition called the Secret Admirers, and something McKinnon never thought she'd see. To her surprise-- and everyone else's-- the teal envelope is taped to her locker on March first... -
The Broken Hill High Series: Box Set #4-5.5 by Sheridan Anne
Broken Hill Hearts – Book 4 I have never been at such a low. School work? Stuff it. Manners? Get screwed. Being a decent human being? Over my dead body. And it’s all because of him. Nate was supposed to be the reason I wake up in the morning, until he took that reason away. Now, I’m left feeling like an empty shell of the girl I used to be. He’s the love of my life... -
A Thousand Words by Treblehearts
Rated: 4.33 of 5 stars · 9 ratingsReece Bremer goes through life with a scowl and cold personality. Jessica Andrews goes through life with a glowing smile and positive outlook. Reece looks at life with dull, judgmental eyes that make him hate the world and the people living in it. Jessica, well . . . She looks at life through a camera. Literally... -
Habits by Anna B. Doe
Rated: 4.38 of 5 stars · 8 ratingsHow can something so wrong feel so good? A brand new standalone in Greyford High series is coming March 27th! Senior year. Three girls. Three guys. Secrets and lies. Demons of past and present. Old insecurities and new fears. One more year left to pretend. One more year to wreck it all. The countdown begins... -
Wednesday Riders by Tudor Robins
Rated: 4.38 of 5 stars · 8 ratingsThe island. Meg can’t wait to get back. She’s excited to see her new mare kick up her heels in Salem’s old paddock. She’s impatient to run on country roads between breeze-blown hayfields.Mostly, Meg longs to be back with Jared again.It’s going to be the perfect summer... -
Cross Game 5 by Mitsuru Adachi
Rated: 4.38 of 5 stars · 8 ratingsReads R to L (Japanese Style). In the summer of his second year in high school, Ko and the Seishu baseball team must take on mighty Ryuou Gakuin and their genius slugger Keitaro Mishima. With everything on the line, will destiny find Seishu moving on to the next round? Later, new neighbors are setting up shop next to Kitamura Sports, and their daughter bears a striking resemblance to Wakaba.. -
Cross Game 7 by Mitsuru Adachi
Rated: 4.38 of 5 stars · 8 ratingsThis poignant coming-of-age story will change your perception of what shonen manga can be. About the game of life...and baseball.Reads R to L (Japanese Style), for audiences T. Cross Game is a moving drama that is heartfelt and true, yet in the brilliant hands of manga artist Mitsuru Adachi, delightfully flows with a light and amusing touch... -
Perfect Someday by Lauren Runow
Rated: 4.50 of 5 stars · 6 ratingsI knew, someday, I’d have the life of my dreams.I just wasn’t prepared to lose him in return.Growing up in small-town Mason Creek, it's hard for a girl to dream big. Since my mom was barely making ends meet, I knew moving away for college wasn’t in the cards. What I didn’t know was how singing a Miranda Lambert song while unpacking a box would change my life forever .. -
Cheeky Brat, Vol. 10 by Mitsubachi Miyuki
Rated: 4.22 of 5 stars · 13 ratingsWhat does he MEAN “that wasn’t nearly enough”?! Well, it is true that between my part-time job and classes and getting dragged into stuff with the college basketball club, it’s been a lot harder to find time to just BE together, but…I’m really trying, okay?! Speaking of the basketball club, turns out that weird flirty guy at the park is also my coworker and a club member—seriously hope he and... -
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Wolf Girl and Black Prince, Vol. 4 by Ayuko Hatta
When Kyoya learns Erika gifted Kusakabe the same sweet she made for him, he loses it—and the pair’s days as a pretend couple are over! Complicating matters, Kusakabe asks Erika out for White Day...Categorized as:
m-f from hate to love high-school length-short contemporary young adult japan glimpses-kisses -
The Good Girl & the Bad Boy by M.L. Collins
Rated: 4.18 of 5 stars · 15 ratingsWhat happens when Jackson High’s Good Girl and Bad Boy are forced to work together? I’ll tell you:I destroy his guitar. (Accidentally!)He uses my guilt to trick me into doing his work.For three weeks!Until I find out he lied. Oh, heck no. This bad boy has crossed the wrong girl.I call him out on it. In front of the whole school.Check mate, bad boy. “It feels good to be bad,” he whispers...Categorized as:
high-school from hate to love m-f young adult contemporary new adult humor length-short -
Breaking The Bad Boy by kaddydee
Rated: 4.11 of 5 stars · 21 ratingsAshley Martin has been through more grief than a person experiences in their entire life and carries baggage that no kid should ever entail. Tyler Miller is the school's scandalous bad boy who acts on impulse, blinded rage and will single-handedly destroy anybody who stands in his way...Categorized as:
high-school from hate to love contemporary young adult friends to lovers forced proximity -
Cheeky Brat, Vol. 12 by Mitsubachi Miyuki
Rated: 4.26 of 5 stars · 10 ratingsSo after the whole Hakamada debacle and then how the whole Finals League ended, it’s kinda awkward every time I see Hakamada-kun...Still, I’m incredibly happy that Naruse won! Although, now he’s literally telling EVERYONE he knows about us, so I’m not entirely sure how to react around everyone else anymore.. -
Making Her Mine by Monica Murphy
Rated: 4.16 of 5 stars · 15 ratingsBeck Callahan.Star defensive Lineman.Most popular boy on campus.One of my best friends.He’s always been off limits because I know a relationship with him could never work. Like, ever. He’s too perfect, too sweet, too good looking. Taking what we have a step further has the potential to ruin everything, and his friendship is too important to me...Categorized as:
sports high-school m-f new adult young adult friends to lovers contemporary virgin heroine -
Killer Spirit by Jennifer Lynn Barnes
Rated: 4.06 of 5 stars · 32 ratingsSaying Toby Klein is an unlikely cheerleader is like saying Paris Hilton might be into guys--understatement of the year. But the varsity squad at Bayport High gives new meaning to the phrase All-American, and Toby's double life as a varsity cheerleader and a government operative means balancing protocol, pep rallies, computer hacking, and handsprings...
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