Books like 'The Player and the Pretender'
Readers who enjoyed The Player and the Pretender by Erin McCarthy also liked the following books featuring the same tropes, story themes, relationship dynamics and character types.
contemporary funny sports multicultural black-mc curvy heroine athletes dual-pov
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The Legend by Shey Stahl
Rated: 4.46 of 5 stars · 17 ratingsIn a lifestyle of speed, adrenaline and desire, one racer has sacrificed everything for the sport he loved. In turn, he will fight for his name, his family and now his life to be the legend he’s been portrayed to be. You can be everything you set out to be if you want it bad enough. You can be that record breaker you said you’d be. You can be that hero you always thought you would be... -
Playing Mr. Perfect: Clay Braden by Melissa Foster
Quarterback Clay "Mr. Perfect" Braden is determined to show sexy scientist Pepper Montgomery the benefits of hands-on research in PLAYING MR. PERFECT, the first book in the Bradens at Ridgeport series by New York Times and Wall Street Journal bestselling author Melissa Foster. Loaded with heat, humor, and heart, this steamy, small-town, opposites-attract standalone romance is unputdownable... -
Just One Look by Rosalind James
Rated: 4.58 of 5 stars · 12 ratingsLuka Darkovic has some tackling skills. He hadn’t planned on using them to bring down a runaway dog the size of a Shetland pony, though, especially not when his neck is already buggered. At 33, a rugby forward protects his vertebrae.. He’s even less happy when the dog’s incompetent owner turns up in his hospital cubicle the next day with a plan to fix those vertebrae... -
The Champion by Shey Stahl
Rated: 4.32 of 5 stars · 21 ratingsA powerful love story of tragedy, love, and commitment. The fourth book in the Racing on the Edge series submerges you in the lifestyle of a champion of a sport that dominates America. Through smoke and methanol, you learn the good, the bad, and the secrets no one wants you to know... -
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Take Two by Evelyn Sola
Rated: 4.47 of 5 stars · 12 ratingsCharlieI’m far from perfect.I’ve made mistakes.And every day I wake up and make a promise to myself. A promise to stay on the right path and not let my past take hold.Relationships are risky for someone not in recovery. For a guy like me, it could not only be dangerous, but it could compromise all the work I’ve done to stay clean. At least that’s what my family thinks...Categorized as:
multicultural sports black-mc bwwm friends to lovers suspense strong heroine contemporary -
Lobsters, Bisques, and Berries by Olivia Gaines
Rated: 4.63 of 5 stars · 8 ratingsLakota Simjak is nothing like he looks. A laid-back kind of fella that takes life as it comes, while enjoying the simple beauty of the day to days. However, the lonely nights and eternal mornings tells him it’s time for a change. He wants a wife.Melody Willis’ trophy case displays thirty years of being in the music business and performances all over the world. Yet, she goes to bed alone... -
Bargaining with the Librarian: BWWM Enemies to Lovers by A.R. Williams
Rated: 4.47 of 5 stars · 10 ratingsJasper Stockton did the unimaginable and slept with his daughter-in-law’s mother, Gayle Turner, whom he dubbed “the red dragon.” From the moment he met her, she drove his blood pressure through the roof, aggravated him repeatedly, and made him want to gag her holier-than-thou mouth on several occasions... -
Defensive Stance: Las Vegas Ramblers by Kasha Thompson
Deion McCabe is a veteran basketball player with an adversarial disposition. Following an altercation with a fan during a game, the league orders him to attend anger management. Deion’s behavior and subpar gameplay threatens to jeopardize his livelihood. He’s courting disaster and must demonstrate to the organization that he’s capable of turning his fate around... -
Morning Wood by Megan Wade
Rated: 4.45 of 5 stars · 10 ratingsGet ready to fall in love with the mountain men of Clearwater Construction! These blue collar men are about to meet the women of their dreams!In Morning Wood by Megan Wade, chef Piper and carpenter Levi have a misunderstanding over lumber and cold showers that leads to a punny union to last the ages.. -
Breakaway (The Rule Book Collection) by A.M. Johnson
Rated: 4.43 of 5 stars · 10 ratingsAs Tampa Bay's star center, Mark Carmelo's life was hockey, and after a bitter and public break up, all he wanted to do was focus on the game. Until he saw her. The one that got away. The one he thought he'd never see again. For thirteen years, Stevie West drowned in her lackluster life. Recently divorced from her “roommate” with passionless benefits, she was ready to start over... -
Savor by Xavier Neal
Rated: 4.42 of 5 stars · 10 ratingsLately, Logan "Unbreakable" Kellar's life has been a series of miscommunications with catastrophic consequences. However, this time around, the consequences threaten to not only damage his current relationships but erase a future he only ever dreamed of... -
Power Play by C.J. Cartwright
Rated: 4.67 of 5 stars · 6 ratingsWhat if the one who got away… comes back? They say you never forget your first love. But does time truly heal all wounds?Levi Fawkes knows hockey, and not much else. As the captain of the Astoria Bay Thunder, his eyes are always locked on the goal... -
Bad Boy by Janet Elizabeth Henderson
Rated: 4.44 of 5 stars · 9 ratingsA Bad Boy trying to be good, a Good Girl driven to be bad and a five year old who wants to rule the world… Being good is so freaking hard. And boring. Flynn Boyle has only been doing it for a couple of hours and already he’s had enough... -
T.Y.P.O.: Take Your Pants Off by Frankie Love, C.M. Seabrook
Rated: 4.44 of 5 stars · 9 ratingsA typo in a text brought us together.Auto-correct gone wrong? It's never been so right! Aylee is scared of a couple things: Being in the water for one and being with a man for another. Good thing I'm the guy who got the message because I can kill two birds with one stone. Alpha-hole much? Let's call it confident. I know what Aylee needs because I have my own demons to conquer...Categorized as:
sports multicultural black-mc humor virgin heroine alpha male new adult contemporary -
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Love on Display by Dana LeCheminant
Rated: 4.44 of 5 stars · 9 ratingsThey’re sworn enemies. They also happen to be incredibly attracted to one another.After bonding at a half-marathon, rival gym owners Cam and Kailani discover the person they thought could be their soulmate turns out to be the reason their respective businesses are failing...Categorized as:
sports multicultural from hate to love contemporary humor friends-benefits length-medium -
Tease by Camilla Stevens
Rated: 4.31 of 5 stars · 13 ratings“Hello, neighbor. Going down?” Miss PinkThat’s what I call her.Her “real” name is too ridiculous to repeat.Besides, my nickname for her is more than apt. Everything about her is pink, from the pink champagne she gets delivered by the caseload, to the tiny pink feathers I find randomly breezing down the hallway of our apartment building in her wake.It’s ridiculous…in the most addictive way... -
Just Playin' by Shandi Boyes
Rated: 4.21 of 5 stars · 17 ratingsPresley “Elvis” Carlton was at the top of his game. Number one draft pick, engaged to an up-and-coming model, and voted best player of the decade his first year on the field. Things were golden. . . until an accident saw everything important torn from his grasp...Categorized as:
sports athletes curvy heroine new adult humor contemporary secret-relationship length-medium -
Black Light: Worthy by Stella Moore
Rated: 4.29 of 5 stars · 12 ratingsHandling bossy, demanding millionaires is just a regular Tuesday for Katherine Callahan, one of the most in-demand financial planners on the east coast. Austin Barrick may be baseball’s biggest star, but she figures there’s not much difference between him and the rest of her clients. That is, until he walks into her office, flashes his million-dollar smile, and asks her to dinner... -
The Friend Face Off by Grace Worthington
Rated: 4.35 of 5 stars · 10 ratingsGetting involved with your brother’s best friend is risky enough. But when he's a hockey player? It's a whole new level of bad idea.As a ravenous reader, I’ve got a I’m obsessed with hockey romances.But let me tell you, real life hockey players are nothing like my book boyfriends.So I threw down the gauntlet on BookTok. I challenged any single guy out there to prove me wrong... -
Traded by Lisa Suzanne
Rated: 4.11 of 5 stars · 12 ratingsThe first time I met pro football’s hottest quarterback, we ended up horizontal just before the most embarrassing moment of my life.The second time, I unleashed all my pent-up anger on him.The third time was when the owner of the Vegas Aces introduced him as the newly traded player I’d be coaching for the next year. No…I’m not a football coach. I’ve been hired as his full-time behavior coach... -
Just Say (Hell) No by Rosalind James
Rated: 4.26 of 5 stars · 12 ratingsNeed an Escape to New Zealand?Valentine's Day. Even a hard man needs a soft side. Marko Sendoa isn’t a beach man. He’s not an Auckland man. He’s a hard man. Born Basque tough, raised in the heart of New Zealand’s Southern Alps, and bred on hard work, discipline, and getting the job done... -
Shut Up and Kiss Me (Midnight Kisses) by Kat Baxter
Rated: 4.30 of 5 stars · 10 ratingsThis soccer star has one night to win it all…or risk losing everything.Ben PrescottBy most people’s standards, I’ve got it pretty good. I have a lucrative job playing my favorite game in the world: soccer. I get to live in my favorite city: Austin, Texas. I basically have it all. Except the woman I love. Why, you ask? Because she's my baby sister's best friend... -
Cherish by Evelyn Sola
Rated: 4.33 of 5 stars · 9 ratingsAlexandraI thought I finally had my life figured out. Fate? Destiny? I know mine. But one afternoon questioned everything I thought I knew.Then it happened. Dr. Jason Dupree crashed into my life.His eyes linger on me longer than they should in polite company. You see, there is nothing polite about him. He’s arrogant and overconfident. His touch? It’s my undoing... -
Whiskey Kisses by Lena Hampton
Rated: 4.33 of 5 stars · 9 ratingsCountry music’s bad boy falls for a straight laced plus sized accountant.Wilder Mann is accustomed to sneaking out on groupies before they wake up, not chasing them down the hotel hall barefoot in his boxers to keep them from leaving with a part of his heart. Then again, Serenity is no groupie. She’s not even a fan...Categorized as:
multicultural curvy heroine black-mc humor bwwm african-american contemporary length-short -
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Lunchtime Chronicles: Spice Cake by Keta Kendric
Rated: 4.33 of 5 stars · 9 ratingsRenata: My sweet personality is one of my best attributes. At least, that’s what I thought until my friends staged an intervention on my behalf and demanded I attend racial sensitivity training. What? The suggestion filled me with special, individually wrapped curse words for each of them…until I met Rook. Rook: My caring and unselfish ways were often complimented... -
Trivial Pursuits by Aven Ellis
Rated: 4.38 of 5 stars · 8 ratingsLandon Holder is exactly the kind of man Livy Adams should stay far away from. The flashy, flirty star defenseman for the Chicago Buffaloes is known for hooking up with women all over Chicago. Livy finds herself attracted to Landy, but his sexy good looks and charm are irrelevant... -
Royal Engagement by Chance Carter
Rated: 4.38 of 5 stars · 8 ratingsA Prince with one rule. Never marry a princess. I follow my heart. It's the code I live by. And that's saying a lot, since they've been trying to put me in a royal match since the day I was born. I'm not cut out to be a prince. I've always been more of the playboy type. The crown sits a lot more comfortably on my older brother's head... -
Going All In by Ali Parker, Weston Parker
Rated: 4.38 of 5 stars · 8 ratingsBeing the nice guy leaves me open to being a rebound romance.Which I’m not interested in. I’ve got better things to do.Like taking my spot on the NBA draft picks. It’s all that matters to me.Love has never been on the radar. I’m too focused for all that fluff.Then life slows me down. Way down.An injury at the end of the spring semester has me working my way back to full health all summer long... -
Keep It Together by Rachel John
Rated: 4.38 of 5 stars · 8 ratingsIt's not awkward unless we make it awkward. Carmen... I’ve forgiven Isaac for being a jerk to me when we were kids, but while my grudge against him is gone, my fears are alive and well. I don't care how much chemistry there is between us. I’m done with guys and their commitment issues, and I’ve found a way to make life a whole lot easier.I friend-zone them. Every single one... -
Famous Last Words by Shann McPherson
Rated: 4.38 of 5 stars · 8 ratingsA laugh out loud haters-to-lovers, fake-dating hockey romance. Not so long ago, Robbie Mason had it all. Three Stanley Cup wins, two Hart trophies, and sponsorship deals worth millions. But then he went and broke his own teammate’s jaw, and the best defenseman in the history of the NHL hit rock bottom, hard... -
Knock Knock by SaRai Savage
Rated: 4.50 of 5 stars · 6 ratingsSix years – well five years, three months, and eight days since my life was irrevocably changed, and there’s nothing I can do about it. As much as I want to move on…how do I do that? How do I allow myself to feel those butterflies of love again when I know what the consequences could be? Life can change in the blink of the eye... -
Reckless Goals by Katie Rae
Rated: 4.60 of 5 stars · 5 ratingsRhysDespite being in my mid thirties and one of the world’s best soccer players, I had never reached my main goals in life—to be a husband and a father.But after being left heartbroken and alone on the night I planned to propose to my girlfriend, I realized how reckless that goal was. Love, in general, was reckless…...Categorized as:
sports dual-pov athletes age difference forced proximity contemporary humor new adult -
Changing Lanes by Katie Graykowski
Rated: 4.13 of 5 stars · 20 ratingsProfessional Football Player, Devon Harding found his soul mate at the age of seventeen. Trouble is, he can’t remember her last name. For the last fourteen years, he’s been waiting for The Universe to send her back to him. When that day comes, he nearly falls all over himself to get to her. But he plays it cool and waits for her to come to him. And she walks right past him... -
Cocky Quarterback: Eric Cocker by Faleena Hopkins
Rated: 4.08 of 5 stars · 24 ratingsThis series is 18+ERIC do you capture a girl's heart? Make her laugh. The waitress with the bird tattoo drawn up her middle finger got my attention by not caring if she has it. My team thinks it's hilarious she's not into me. Trouble is she likes musician types.... But hey, I'm a star quarterback and a Cocker which means I don't drop the ball...Categorized as:
sports athletes dual-pov contemporary new adult from hate to love humor length-medium -
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Love So Perfect by Marquita Valentine
Rated: 4.19 of 5 stars · 11 ratingsLove So Perfect, Book 5 in Marquita’s contemporary romance series about the Lawson Brothers. Star quarterback Austin Lawson’s dating life is fair game to the myriad gossip bloggers. Thanks to his most recent screw up with a social media savvy super model, he’s forced to return home so that his PR team can do damage control...Categorized as:
athletes sports curvy heroine humor contemporary virgin heroine small town length-novella -
Bender by Colleen Charles
Rated: 4.19 of 5 stars · 11 ratingsMy second chance is the biggest gamble of my life. I am Marco Rossi, once an Italian nobody, now living the dream as a Vegas Venom player. I thought I was swapping my lonely orphan past for a team-family. But I was wrong. I am on thin ice with everyone, but especially when it comes to Madison McKay...Categorized as:
sports athletes curvy heroine hockey friends to lovers contemporary humor length-medium -
Dirty Boy: A Curvy Girl Sports Romance by Nichole Rose
Can this dirty boy convince his curvy girl that love is worth any risk?DanteBehind my back, people call me rude.To my face, they call me a star.I never cared what anyone had to say.All that mattered to me was football and my family.The minute I saw Ella Morgan, everything changed.Now all I think about is that sweet smile.She thinks we're just a summer fling. She's wrong...Categorized as:
sports curvy heroine athletes dual-pov humor virgin hero contemporary virgin heroine -
Poetry Man by Melanie Schuster
Rated: 4.25 of 5 stars · 8 ratingsAfter trying everything from blind dates to online matchmaking to speed dating, Alexis Sharp has given up finding Mr. Right. Or even Mr. Almost Right. Until the stormy night when the South Carolina spa owner gets a flat…and a hunky stranger comes to her rescue. Sexy, sensitive, supersuccessful Chicago chef Jared Van Buren is everything Alexis could want in a man... -
Breakout by Aven Ellis
Rated: 4.25 of 5 stars · 8 ratingsWhile Texas is known for loving football, Lexi Stewart has always been drawn to the ice. Hockey is her passion, and she wants nothing more than to pursue a career in video editing for the home network of the Dallas Demons hockey team. Lexi has an editing job for a corporate account, but it’s not fulfilling... -
The Gate to Everything by Ava Miles
Rated: 4.25 of 5 stars · 8 ratingsMillions of readers have fallen in love with Ava’s bestselling Dare series…come join the family. USA Today Bestselling Author Ava Miles presents a heartwarming and romantic second-chance story about love and family. Quarterback Jordan Dean thought he had everything until his long-time girlfriend broke up with him. His football rock star life had become too burdensome to her... -
Billionaire Baby Blues by Mia Caldwell
Rated: 4.25 of 5 stars · 8 ratingsNew Release Special Price — Complete Novel with HEA. Shattered dreams might become Neesa’s greatest gift. All Neesa ever wanted was a family of her own. After learning she can’t have children, grief-stricken Neesa sells her farm, packs up, and leaves to travel the world. She hopes to find a way to heal, and discover a different destiny than what she’d once planned for herself... -
Roughneck by Sosie Frost
Rated: 4.25 of 5 stars · 8 ratingsTidus Payne is as smooth as whiskey, as dangerous as a lit match, and sexier than a midnight mistake. He’s the sort of man who’d drink the devil under the table and then stick around Hell for more fun. He’s rough. He’s rude. He’s un-redeemable. And Tidus is the only mechanic within twenty miles... -
The Art of Falling in Love with Your Fake Fiancé by Anne Kemp
Rated: 4.25 of 5 stars · 8 ratingsAll’s fair in love and war…until you agree to be your best friend’s fake fiancé.Levi: Life as an NFL player has always been fast-paced, but nothing prepared me for becoming the guardian of my godson, Duncan. With his grandmother contesting custody, I need to prove that I’m a steadfast influence who’s not going anywhere and there’s one sure-fire way to show that: get engaged... -
Love at First Skate by Ellie Hall
Rated: 4.25 of 5 stars · 8 ratingsThey say love is messy. Turns out friendship is too, especially when you’re stranded in a cabin with your best friend and hearts are on thin ice.TeddyI’ve heard that men and women can’t be friends without it becoming something more. Harlow and I put that theory in the penalty box, thank you very much... -
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Top Dog by Rye Hart
Rated: 4.33 of 5 stars · 6 ratingsMy mafia family rejected our love.So I loved him all the more. When I was forced to leave I took my secret with me.Now I'm back. And I'm not alone.This forbidden love affair is about to start a war. Romeo They call me a thug. Vengeful. Fierce. And I don't give a f*ck. I'm here to make things right with Julia. The only woman I've ever wanted. And the only one I could never have... -
10-99 (Line of Duty) by Xyla Turner
Rated: 4.33 of 5 stars · 6 ratings“Sometimes, the perfect person for you is that whom you least expected it to be.” ~Unknown Life events have a way of forming your beliefs even when you didn’t notice... -
No More Mr. Chai Guy (The Coffee Loft: Fall Collection) by J.P. Sterling
Rated: 4.33 of 5 stars · 6 ratingsWelcome back to The Coffee Loft, where a new round of stories has been brewed especially for you.Those of you stopping by to visit again, we’ve missed you. The feeling of home is the same that you loved before. If it’s your first time, prepare to be swept off your feet.While our menu hasn’t changed, we think you’ll be pleased with the fall favorites we’ve added... -
Miles Apart by Tanvier Peart
Rated: 4.33 of 5 stars · 6 ratingsTest-driving the best friend of my best friend's husband between the sheets is off-limits. I know it, and so does Miles.We're not friends and only tolerate each other in small doses whenever our paths cross. Miles Walker is a pain in my side who challenges me to no end. But he's also my mirror who sees all of me, even the parts I try to hide. Fate seems hell-bent on bringing Miles and me together...Categorized as:
black-mc multicultural from hate to love contemporary humor african-american length-medium -
Christmas Carol by Jordan Marie
Rated: 4.17 of 5 stars · 10 ratingsCrude. Surly. Mean.That was the reputation Cyrus Martinez had—especially this time of year.Cyrus hated everything about Christmas.Every. Single. Thing.He didn’t believe in the joy of the season.Life had dealt him blow after blow and now he lived for himself and no one else.The one good thing in his life, was baseball and fate had been trying to mess that up too... -
Slap Shot: A Marriage of Convenience Hockey Romance by Maria Luis
Rated: 4.17 of 5 stars · 10 ratingsHe’ll do anything for his best friend…even marry her. I live by two universal truths: When I step onto the ice, I’m a god. Daisy Hall is the other half of my soul. My teammates joke that I’m too co-dependent with the coach’s daughter, and maybe that’s true. We’ve been thick as thieves since college, and even when I got drafted to the Boston Blades, Daisy followed me across state lines...
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