Books like 'Delayed Penalty'
Readers who enjoyed Delayed Penalty by Teagan Hunter also liked the following books featuring the same tropes, story themes, relationship dynamics and character types.
contemporary funny hockey sports m-f boss & employee grumpy sunshine from hate to love secret-relationship found-family
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Full House by Emilia Finn
Rated: 4.79 of 5 stars · 18 ratingsMiles “Iowa” Walker is a fighter on a mission. He’s determined to win this year’s Stacked Deck tournament. He plans to get his six-year-old daughter out of a bad situation. And if there’s any time and money leftover, he’d love to take her out for ice cream without worrying about the cost or deadly consequences. Miles and his daughter have known only what it’s like to struggle...Categorized as:
sports single-father m-f found-family sweet heroine cheerful heroine athletes new adult -
Made For You by Natasha Madison
From Wall Street Journal and USA TODAY bestselling author Natasha Madison comes. A brand new stand-alone enemies-to-lovers grumpy/sunshine sports romance. A spin-off from the Only One series. Vivienne. I did the last thing I ever expected to do. I bought a boat. A beautiful boat that was all mine to spend the summer on...Categorized as:
sports athletes forced proximity grumpy sunshine from hate to love cold hero hockey m-f -
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Forever Wild by Rebecca Jenshak
From USA Today bestselling author Rebecca Jenshak comes an age gap sports romance that brings all the heat, banter, and swoon. The annoyingly handsome hockey captain glaring at me needs my help. He won’t admit that, of course. But with his teammate’s gone for the summer and him fresh off a season-ending injury, someone has to keep him in check and it’s not the nurses he keeps running off...Categorized as:
hockey sports m-f grumpy sunshine forced proximity found-family from hate to love sassy heroine -
Falling for Mr. Bad by Melissa Foster
Rated: 4.66 of 5 stars · 16 ratingsShe’s a badass musician and mechanic with no patience for overinflated egos. He’s a billionaire with no time for drama. Going head-to-head has never been so much fun. .. or so dirty. Scorching heat, laugh-out-loud humor, and loads of heart make this sexy enemies-to-lovers, close proximity, forbidden, workplace, small town standalone romance unputdownable... -
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The Invitation by Adriana Locke
I hate Ripley Brewer. So, why am I fake dating him while being trailed by cameras recording our every move? My best friend was in a pinch, and she’s the only person in the world I would do anything for... -
Planes, Reins, and Automobiles by Kate Watson
She's sunshine. He's frostbite. They've got 1,600 miles to go before Christmas—and he's about to discover his new enemy might be his anonymous online soulmate. Oliver Fletcher has one goal, and he's not happy about it: get home for his brother's wedding... -
Caught by Love by Melissa Foster
He’s set on pleasure, but she’s all business. Sizzling chemistry and a surprising connection set this sexy love story in motion. But is it enough to last forever? Find out and fall in love on the sandy shores of Silver Island, home to coffee shops, boat races, midnight rendezvous, and the sexy, sharp-witted Steeles. Archer Steele is one of the leading vintners on the East Coast... -
Twenty-four Three by K.C. Mills
A shot in the dark. A mistaken identity. A undeniable attraction. An injured hitman finds himself depending on a stranger and for Carter Reed trust is not something he’s willing to extend. Unfortunately when it comes to McKenna Smith, Carter can either allow her to be his saving grace or risk loosing something more precious than trust…his life. Stakes are high... -
Wicked Heart by Ivy Layne
Rated: 4.61 of 5 stars · 14 ratingsFinn Sawyer hates everything about being back in Sawyers Bend. He walked away from his family years before, living off his wits and skills in the kitchen, refining his craft as he worked his way across Europe. Then the father who left him for dead is murdered, and the will offers Finn a chance at his dream... -
Alice Taylor is More Than a Princess by Jen Atkinson
He’s a man with a secret. She’s honest to a fault—and about to blow his cover. Alice Taylor is ready to leave her small-town life behind and start fresh. When the opportunity to work for billionaire Billy Baxter—who’s launching a professional soccer team—lands in her lap, she jumps at the chance. Adventure, a new city, and a career? Yes, please. Only Alice didn’t plan on Will... -
My Lucky Charm by Courtney Walsh
A humiliating break-up leads to an impulsive New Year’s Kiss with a complete stranger. What could possibly go wrong? It’s no secret that I love life. And Dr Pepper. But also, I love a challenge. . . So when the coach of the Chicago Comets gives me the opportunity to help their star player, newly traded to their team, acclimate to life in Chicago, I'm all in. I have to be...Categorized as:
grumpy sunshine sports hockey m-f boss & employee cheerful heroine cold hero single-father -
Kiss My Giraffe by Erin Nicholas
Rated: 4.58 of 5 stars · 13 ratingsEnemies to friends to almost lovers then back to enemies…to lovers. She's got a lot of baggage. .. literally and figuratively. And an entourage. And a freaking giraffe. For real. For a guy who wants to keep things simple, this is anything but. So why can't he stay away? Knox and Fiona's story! Finally! -
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... -
Don't Fall For The Billionaire: A Billionaire Single Dad/Nanny Romance With All The Autumn Feels by Sandi Lynn
Rated: 4.34 of 5 stars · 10 ratingsTaking the nanny job was supposed to be a temporary arrangement for me. I needed money, not a full-blown life detour, with no prior qualifications, and definitely not a brooding billionaire with a too-serious stare and a daughter who hadn’t smiled in months. But Ashton Cross isn’t what I expected. Yes, he’s powerful. Intimidating. Frustrating. He watches me like he’s starving...Categorized as:
m-f boss & employee grumpy sunshine super rich hero single-father cold hero humor contemporary -
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Now's The Time by Harlow James
Rated: 4.61 of 5 stars · 12 ratings“Let me experience all of you tonight, Penelope…since this is all that we get. ”. That was the agreement between me and Maddox Taylor, the NFL’s most notorious playboy and mega-talented quarterback who happened to be out in California for one night—one night in which I broke all of my rules and gave in to the undeniable attraction I felt for the man... -
Mr. Playboy by Cala Riley
A bad decision. An irresistible temptation. Chloe Madison has a talent for chaos—and lately, her life’s been proof of that. Between a flooded apartment and a sudden job loss, she’s hit rock bottom. The last thing she expects is help from Brantley Gibson, the owner of the Boston Foxes and notorious heartbreaker. He's the one man she swore to avoid, but desperation has a way of rewriting rules...Categorized as:
from hate to love m-f sports hockey sassy heroine working class heroine bad boys possessive hero -
Rosie and the Beast Next Door by Kaylee Baldwin
Rated: 4.70 of 5 stars · 10 ratingsIt is a truth universally acknowledged that a hockey player in possession of a bad reputation must be in want of a fake girlfriend. Rosie Forrester is in desperate need of cash after an embarrassing run-in with the law. Enter Dylan Savage, a disgraced hockey player who needs a place to hide out for a few months while he figures out how to get back on his team... -
Bayside Fantasies by Melissa Foster
Rated: 4.64 of 5 stars · 11 ratingsFall in love at Bayside, where sandy beaches, good friends, and true love come together in the sweet small towns of Cape Cod. Bayside Summers is a series of standalone steamy romance novels featuring alpha male heroes and sexy, empowered women. They’re fun, flirty, flawed, and easy to relate to. In USA Today bestseller BAYSIDE FANTASIES. . -
Your Christmas Love by Layla Hagen
Rated: 4.40 of 5 stars · 19 ratingsSienna Hensley-Bennett loves everything about the Christmas season, from hanging decorations to the cozy get-togethers with her family. Despite being part of the well-known Bennett family, Sienna is determined to first gather experience before joining their business. Her job at Statham department store is perfect for that. But her new boss, Winston Statham, is going to be a slight problem...Categorized as:
super rich hero cold hero m-f boss & employee sassy heroine contemporary humor christmas -
Isabelle and the Beast by Marie Soleil
Rated: 4.58 of 5 stars · 12 ratingsIt was supposed to be a quick meeting. I’ve been trying to break into acting for years, and now I’m FINALLY up for a lead role in a romcom movie. It’s a huge step up from barista #3, especially considering who’s supposed to play my love interest—Adam Stone...Categorized as:
forced proximity grumpy sunshine from hate to love contemporary humor length-medium audiobook -
Goalie Interrupted by Anne Kemp
Coaching him was never part of the plan. Falling for her should NOT happen. But in hockey––and love––sometimes the best plays come when you break the rules. Elle: Coaching the River City Renegades is exactly where I want to be—hockey, small-town charm, and zero drama…but there’s him. Dixon Andrews. The team’s broody, infuriating, gorgeous goalie... -
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... -
Delayed Call by Toni Aleo
Rated: 4.27 of 5 stars · 28 ratingsVaughn Johansson is the Nashville Assassins' star player. He's brash, cocky, and talented. And he isn't afraid to let anyone know it. He lives his life on his own terms, never forming romantic attachments, and only allowing his very closest to see his true, caring self. Brie Soledad has the weight of the world on her shoulders... -
A Smoky Mountain Hockey Holiday by Toni Aleo
Rated: 4.59 of 5 stars · 11 ratingsOne chalet in the Smokies. Four loving families. While all the grandbabies are on Santa’s Nice List, a few of the adults are getting coal in their stockings. But no matter their status with the man in the red suit, Elli Adler will spoil each and every one of her favorite people with love and holiday cheer... -
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Enticing Her Love: Sutton Steele by Melissa Foster
Pro: Stuck sharing a bed with my hot, broody boss. Con: He’s trying to get me fired. Discovery Hour reporter Sutton Steele spends her days trying to keep her job, while her insanely hot, infuriating boss, Flynn Braden, would love nothing more than to see her gone... -
Accidentally Fudging the Beast by Nichole Rose
Nothing tastes as good as chocolate…until it nearly kills the hot hockey star of your dreams. Dani. I had a vision when I made fudge for the team's homemade Secret Santa exchange. It didn't involve nearly killing Trent Kirk, the hot hockey star I've been obsessing over for months, but here we are anyway. Now, he's insisting that I spend Christmas break helping him recover...Categorized as:
sports m-f hockey athletes sassy heroine possessive hero super rich hero grumpy sunshine -
Surly Romance by Nia Arthurs
Billionaire. Recluse. My new worst enemy. Darrel Hastings is the sexiest therapist from hell. Tall. Jacked. Green-eyed jerk. My mere existence seems to put him in a bad mood. As hot as he is, I’m not exactly getting warm and fuzzy in his presence either. So when Darrel mistakenly offers me a decorating job, I turn it down so hard his head spins... -
Mr. Jerk by Leslie North
The first time I met Noah Parker, he asked if I was an escort. Apparently when you’re a billionaire sports agent, finding strange half-naked women in your hotel room is…normal? That didn’t stop me launching a stiletto at him. He’s fine—good reflexes. Still, he walked into my hotel room—claiming it's his—and has no plans on leaving. Neither do I. Which is how I end up sharing a bed with Mr. Jerk... -
The Tenacious Act by Marion De Ré
Our contractor declared bankruptcy and we now have to leave our bookstore opening into the hands of a professional hockey team. Thankfully, the guys are also skilled off the ice and dedicated to help us make our dream come true. Particularly, Maxime, my friend’s brother who’s a relentless flirt with a goofy personality. And as hot as he might be, I don’t do boyfriends... -
Checking Mr. Wrong by Anne Kemp
Rated: 4.22 of 5 stars · 10 ratingsI’m sarcasm with a messy bun. He’s a sweetheart with a slapshot. Sparks were one thing—those fireworks, though? Yeah…no one warned me about those. Mabel. Returning to Maple Falls wasn’t part of my five-year plan—or my backup plan. Or any plan, really. But here I am, back in my quirky hometown, dodging my mother’s judgment and trying not to cringe every time someone mentions the viral moment... -
Man Handle by Vanessa Vale
What happened to my life? One minute I’m just a single dad and fire chief. The next, I’m Mr. January. That’s right, Georgia from Georgia’s been hired to organize the annual fundraiser. The former pageant queen’s not satisfied with a chili dinner. No. She came up with the crazy idea of a firefighter calendar. With puppies and kittens. The department’s gone crazy over the idea. And her... -
My Wife by Ellie Hall
Rated: 4.33 of 5 stars · 6 ratingsHe’s a new Mr. Mom. She’s a jilted bride. When her role as the nanny develops into a marriage of convenience, will playing house become less of a game? Liam. I don’t know what I’m doing. In fact, I have no idea where this kid came from. I mean, I know that part, but when he showed up on my doorstep, not only did I have to put everything on hold, but my hockey coach threw me into the sin bin... -
Over & Out by Claire Wilder
Rated: 4.33 of 5 stars · 6 ratingsIntroducing a brand new enemies to lovers romance from USA TODAY Bestselling Author Claire Wilder! Three months ago, a dirt bike accident stole my confidence, my beloved ride, and the one thing that made me feel alive. Now I’m going through the motions in my coastal tourist town, totally adrift… and trying not to think about the stranger who pulled me from the wreckage... -
Grits and Glamor by B.R. Goodwin
Between years of juggling multiple jobs and, more recently, her very own bunny colony, Chloe Garland is exhausted and, despite her best efforts, no closer to her goal of opening a gourmet, Southern cuisine restaurant... -
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Wrong Number, Right Grump by Piper Cook
Rated: 4.29 of 5 stars · 7 ratingsWrong number. Right timing. I left my ex the world’s most unhinged breakup voicemail—complete with colorful language, a few creative threats, and a playlist he could shove where the sun doesn’t shine. Only…I vented to the wrong number. Worse? The stranger listened to my rambling rant and had the nerve to respond...Categorized as:
grumpy sunshine cheerful heroine sassy heroine cold hero m-f contemporary humor length-novella -
Silver Linings by Violet Page
Rated: 4.29 of 5 stars · 7 ratingsSilver James has perfected the art of keeping everything at a distance—her career, her friends, and most definitely romance. Her motto is simple: keep life carefree and fun. The more she avoids the unexpected, the less likely she is to get hurt... -
Charity Case: The Complete Series by Piper Rayne
Rated: 4.63 of 5 stars · 8 ratingsThese three women are the toughest juries they’ll ever have to plead their case to. THIS BOX SET INCLUDES…. Clean Slate (Charity Case #0. 5). Moving two thousand miles away wasn’t my plan, but when family needs you, you come. Before I can head back to my hometown of Chicago though, I have two men to say good-bye to. Neither one of them will be happy to hear the news... -
Partnering with the Artist by Camilla Evergreen
Becoming millionaire comic artist Zakery Bachelor’s muse was not on my bucket list. Though, to be fair, neither was tumbling into his lap while running from my ex. At a comic con. In a furry costume disguise. When Zakery suggests we fake date for a month and make an appearance at a Creator’s Ball to prove something to my ex, I oblige for the sake of closure... -
Driving Maisie Crazy by Deborah M. Hathaway
Rated: 4.63 of 5 stars · 8 ratings“What happens on an Irish bus tour stays on an Irish bus tour…”. This is the second book in the clean and sweet romcom Men of the Isles series by Deborah M. Hathaway. Although this clean, road trip, forbidden romance is a stand-alone novel, the books are best enjoyed when read in order. Don't miss the other novels in this series! Book 1: Winning Winnie's Hand. Book 2: Driving Maisie Crazy - 2025...Categorized as:
forced proximity secret-relationship forbidden love contemporary humor length-medium -
Perfectly You by Claudia Y. Burgoa
Rated: 4.56 of 5 stars · 9 ratingsUSA TODAY Bestselling Author Claudia Burgoa brings us a light-hearted small-town romantic comedy full of a swoon-worthy billionaire, single dad romance, and big laughs. I need a massive break. So long to my cheating boyfriend and betraying roommate. Goodbye hectic emergency room and long hours... -
Ice Ice Maybe by Rich Amooi
Rated: 4.56 of 5 stars · 9 ratings“I want you to date my daughter. ”. Those seven words hit Nolan Reid like a puck to the head. Once destined for NHL stardom, a skiing accident left Nolan driving the Zamboni for the San Diego Sea Lions. But his humble life of maintaining the ice is about to get complicated. The billionaire owner’s insane plan? Nolan fake-dates his daughter Zena to ignite her ex’s jealousy... -
Duke-ing it Out by Jami Albright
Rated: 4.50 of 5 stars · 10 ratingsIt’s game, set, and match when this pro football player turned trainer squares off against a gorgeous tennis player with an attitude as big as Texas. Duke Wayne returns to his hometown for one reason and one reason only—reckless pro tennis star Sienna Ramsey has lost her ever-lovin’ mind. His feisty client is ready to throw her career away in favor of a simple life... -
The Plan by Karla Sorensen
Have you ever fake dated your bodyguard? I don't recommend it. Especially if he's anything like Erik Wilder: former football player, world class know-it-all and unapologetic grump. To be clear, I didn't want a bodyguard (hence the fake dating idea). Most days, I can’t figure out why he wants the job either. We drive each other insane, probably because we’re as opposite as two people can be...Categorized as:
sports from hate to love forced proximity grumpy sunshine cold hero m-f contemporary humor -
The Nanny and the Hothead by Krista Sandor
Charlotte Ames despises hotheads. You know the type. The growly, perma-scowling bully who blows his top at the slightest inconvenience. And her former boss, Top Chef Mitch Elliott, is the king of all hotheads. How big of a jerk is he? Big enough to make her hurl a salad at the guy. Those vegetables didn’t ask to be strewn across the floor... -
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Perfectly Complicated Christmas Romance by Grace Worthington
He's allergic to Christmas. She practically bleeds tinsel. Their holiday collision is about to get complicated. Single mom Janie Bennett has one pull off the perfect Christmas pageant for her kindergarten class. What she doesn't need is the world's grumpiest hockey player ruining her holly-jolly plans. Enter Rourke Riley, Mr...Categorized as:
hockey sports m-f grumpy sunshine from hate to love forced proximity teacher-heroine sweet heroine -
Wild Card by Maggie Rawdon
The infamous playboy and star wide receiver for the Seattle Phantom is the last person on earth I would ever expect to come to my rescue. Tobias Westfield and I can’t see eye-to-eye on anything. But when my date goes to hell and I end up stranded in the pouring rain on my birthday, he’s there—holding my hand and playing the adoring boyfriend. I might have had him all wrong... -
The Gossip and the Grump by Pippa Grant
He's the last man I should've picked for a one night stand. .. See that guy over there? The insanely tall, broad-shouldered, dark-haired, scowling, “I don’t drink coffee” suit? Surprise! He’s the new owner of my family’s mountain café. The café that has been my life purpose since I was born in the kitchen there almost thirty years ago...Categorized as:
super rich hero grumpy sunshine from hate to love forced proximity cold hero m-f humor contemporary -
Thunderstruck by Dana LeCheminant
Rugby player Cole Evanson doesn’t need romance complicating his life. So when the team’s new athletic trainer—the spunky and stunning Carissa Paxton—arrives, Cole knows he should steer clear and let his teammates make their moves. Easier said than done. Carissa’s vivacious and sweet nature tempts Cole to risk his infamous family curse, which would be a mistake for everyone... -
Faking It with #41 by Piper Rayne
Fake. Being the heir to Jacobs Enterprises, I’ve been around fake people my entire life. I promised myself a long time ago that I wouldn’t change for anyone. Which is the only reason I’m a professional hockey player who lives on the beach and does as he pleases without answering to anyone—except my father. And now, my daughter... -
The Roommate Mistake by Pippa Grant
An injured rugby star, his pregnant roommate, and one rule they can’t Don’t date the owner’s daughter. It was supposed to be an easy house- and dog-sitting gig while the owner was gone for a month. But when my sportsing landlord comes home unexpectedly, injured and in need of a new arrangement, we end up as accidental roommates instead...Categorized as:
sports m-f athletes grumpy sunshine forced proximity found-family tortured hero forbidden love
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