Books like 'The End Zone'
Readers who enjoyed The End Zone by Erin MacKenzie also liked the following books featuring the same tropes, story themes, relationship dynamics and character types.
contemporary football sports forced proximity dual-pov found-family friends to lovers
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Flaunt by Adriana Locke
Rated: 4.45 of 5 stars · 28 ratingsLooking for a Fake FiancéHave you ever wanted to prove someone wrong so badly that you could taste it?It doesn’t matter if they’re right. The fact that they had the audacity to go there is what counts.Hi. It’s me. I’m that person.The man I’ve been casually seeing told me I’m not “wife material” and I should “lower my expectations... -
This Much Is True by Adriana Locke
Rated: 4.41 of 5 stars · 26 ratingsWhen celebrity Laina Kelley bolted from her small hometown church on her wedding day, she ran to the first place that came to mind—the home of the local farrier, a gorgeous playboy who just so happens to be her first love … and biggest frenemy... -
Determining Possession by Christina C. Jones
Good decisions don’t always leave you unscathed. Sometimes, the best choice might be the one that leaves you vulnerable. The one that forces you to face a not-so-distant past that hurts, or go through with something you never thought would come to fruition. The one that makes taking a risk your only viable option. Wilhelmina “Wil” Cunningham is no stranger to pressure... -
All Hail the Underdogs by E.L. Massey
When seventeen-year-old Patrick Roman is offered a scholarship to a top hockey preparatory school, he thinks maybe his notorious bad luck has finally ended. With a hearing for his legal emancipation on the horizon, he dreams of getting scouted and securing a place on a D1 college team. There’s only one Roman has serious beef with his new winger on the team, Damien Bordeaux... -
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Roman by Samantha Whiskey
Rated: 4.29 of 5 stars · 26 ratingsI’m one of the fastest running backs in the NFL, but I can’t outrun my feelings for my best friend.I’ve wanted Teagan Hall for over a decade, but I’ve never been willing to risk our friendship.Then she shows up at my doorstep, fleeing her abusive ex, and everything changes.Now she’s not just my best friend—she’s my roommate.She's also the sexiest thing I’ve ever seen.Every innocent touch crackles... -
Wicked Love by Willow Aster
Rated: 4.29 of 5 stars · 24 ratingsA sexy, small town, grumpy sunshine, single dad, sports romance from USA Today Bestselling Author Willow AsterI fell in love with his little girl first.From the moment nine-year-old Becca Fox and I hugged, it was like we’d known each other forever. Precocious, sweet, and kind, I just knew this little girl was exceptional. Her dad, though? Not so much... -
Tight Laced by Lisa Suzanne
Rated: 4.43 of 5 stars · 15 ratingsOne of us will have to give up the future we’ve dreamed of if we’re going to make this work. It’s not going to be me. We can’t both have that same thought if we want to stay together when our contract ends.But the more I see him struggle against the things his mother does to him, the harder I fall. The more his ex tries to get in his way, the more I want to stand up for him...Categorized as:
sports friends to lovers forced proximity age difference contemporary siblings-bff length-short m-f -
That First Flight by Jenn McMahon
Rated: 4.32 of 5 stars · 20 ratingsSomething tells me, nothing I do can stop myself from feeling things for my roommate.I’ve always wanted to be a chef.But the same day two pink lines showed up on the test, was the day I gave up chasing my own dreams to put my daughter first.I didn’t expect that to lead to a life of being scrutinized by my parents for every single move I made.After years of it, I was done... -
The Proposal by Adriana Locke
Breaking Rugby’s bad boy marries his best friend’s little sisterIf Renn Brewer would’ve asked me to marry him, I would’ve said no.Why?One, his reputation precedes him. His name is in the headlines at least once a month. Two, he’s not just my brother’s best friend. They’re teammates. And three, I’m in my self-care era.Unfortunately, a version of me equates self-care with bad choices... -
Writing the Rules by Mariah Dietz
Rated: 4.39 of 5 stars · 15 ratingsPoppy Anderson was nailing her sophomore year at Brighton University. She liked her classes, had the greatest best friend, and was finally ready to start dating again. Or she was … until her ex, Mike, transferred to Brighton and started exchanging long stares and inside jokes that Poppy thought he’d forgotten.Paxton Lawson was long ago labeled ‘The Golden Boy...Categorized as:
sports friends to lovers football contemporary new adult college siblings-bff length-long -
Sterling Fight by L.B. Dunbar
These former friends might be faking their engagement, but revealed crushes prove there might not be anything fictional about their arrangement.In college, I often saw Judd Sylver in the library. He was a cool, broody type of guy who reminded me of a deeply tortured soul who might write poetry... -
Are We There Yet? by Savannah Scott
A vintage VW van. Four friends. A cross-country road trip.It will be the best adventure of my life, if only I can shake the feelings I have for Cameron .Cameron Reeves is as gorgeous as his name makes him sound.He’s about six feet tall, which is the height I always wrote in my ideal man list in my journal. Yes. I have a list of qualities I want in a man... -
Beautiful Broken Love by Shanora Williams
Rated: 4.31 of 5 stars · 17 ratingsFrom New York Times bestselling author Shanora Williams comes an emotional page-turner about two people still reeling from tragedy who look to each other for the strength to move forward.It’s been months since her dreams of forever were brutally shattered. Seven long months since her husband and soulmate, Lew, died in her arms, leaving her to carry on. Alone... -
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The One I Need by Chelle Sloan
Rated: 4.56 of 5 stars · 9 ratingsYou’re cordially invited to the wedding of Oliver Price and Izzy McCall…That’s how my wedding invitations should have started. I should know, I’ve had my wedding planned since I was ten. I should’ve been wearing a designer tuxedo, not a tuxedo t-shirt. The wedding should’ve been in a church with family and friends, not in a 1960’s style chapel with Elvis as the officiant... -
Under the Radar by Melanie Moreland
When two new roommates discover their mutual crush, New York Times bestselling author Melanie Moreland takes us on a journey of falling in love.One of the Donner boys. Troublemakers.That was the reputation that followed Chase his whole life. Until he grew up and realized he could do better. Be better.But that choice cost him. His freedom, his family, his chance at love... -
Fake Fiancé at First Sight by Kristine W. Joy
I can't believe I'm at the point in my life where I need to convince a stranger to pretend to be my fiancée. My publicist came up with the idea to hire a fake fiancée to improve my bad-boy reputation and “win over the hearts and minds of fans.” But I'm the one who impulsively decided to bring one home with me for my brother's vow renewal...Categorized as:
friends to lovers forced proximity found-family humor contemporary m-f length-medium open-door -
Knock Out by Jiffy Kate
Rated: 4.36 of 5 stars · 14 ratingsIn the blink of an eye, Willow Bernard goes from stocking shelves at the Piggly Wiggly to kicking butt at Viking MMA.Willow Bernard has taken a lot of hits in her twenty-two years but always manages to come back swinging. Hoping to fly under the radar for a change, she relocates to Green Valley...Categorized as:
sports friends to lovers forced proximity fighters contemporary grumpy sunshine humor length-long -
Tight Fit by Lisa Suzanne
Rated: 4.41 of 5 stars · 12 ratingsIt’s okay to admit I’m scared.Outside forces are working hard to tear us apart, but we’ve teamed up against them. It’s the internal struggles we’re battling that could spell the ultimate end.When Ben makes a public show to prove how committed we are, I’m left confused as I struggle to figure out whether his feelings for me are real or if they’re part of the act...Categorized as:
sports friends to lovers forced proximity age difference contemporary length-short m-f -
Someone You Love by Kristen Granata
Rated: 4.24 of 5 stars · 21 ratingsA touching forced proximity summer romance about healing and taking chances.Charly Johnson created a bucket list when cancer left her mother with less than a year to live. They didn’t make it all the way through the list before she died, but she made Charly promise to finish it and live her life to the fullest.Spending the summer in a coastal mountain city in Maine is next on her list...Categorized as:
sports forced proximity football new adult contemporary grumpy sunshine christian length-medium -
Cheap Trick by Emily Goodwin
Rated: 4.25 of 5 stars · 18 ratingsDanielle Cross has spent her whole life running from breakups and troubles. She’s never stayed in the same place for long…until now.The moment she walks through the doors of Logan Dawson’s bar, there’s an attraction between them neither can deny. And when Danielle needs a date to her sister’s wedding, Logan is the man for the job...Categorized as:
friends to lovers dual-pov forced proximity contemporary office new adult length-short -
The Marriage Auction 2, Book One by Audrey Carlan
Rated: 4.25 of 5 stars · 18 ratingsThree women and one man put themselves up for auction in a high-stakes game of marriage, money, and mayhem. The spice is high, the characters intense, and the plot will keep you guessing until the bitter end. This is the filthy, gritty, angsty soap opera you never knew you needed. Welcome to The Marriage Auction... -
Quitting the Quarterback by Lisa Suzanne
Rated: 4.67 of 5 stars · 6 ratingsA steamy Pro Football, Single Mom, Forbidden Doctor/Patient Romance from Amazon Top Ten Bestselling author Lisa Suzanne.I went to Vegas to celebrate my divorce, and the pro football star was there celebrating his new contract. I heard someone call his name, and I wasn't about to miss my chance to get with the man my ex had idolized... -
The Brickwall and The Bombshell: a fake dating baseball romance by Jiffy Kate
He needs respectability and she needs a safe place to land. It’s a win-win, right? Mack Granger’s reputation is a PR nightmare. As his career winds down, he realizes he needs to clean up his act. One way to secure his post-MLB future is to convince the media he’s in a stable, loving relationship. When fate drops a roomie with benefits into his lap, it’s like hitting a grand slam...Categorized as:
dual-pov sports friends to lovers forced proximity suspense mystery contemporary explicit-open-door -
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The One I Want by Chelle Sloan
Rated: 4.50 of 5 stars · 8 ratingsAs a professional football player, I had a playbook for everything on the field. Then I retired and found out there’s no playbook for life—especially when the one you thought was perfect gets flipped upside down. There’s no play for suddenly becoming a divorced, single dad. There’s no plan for moving your family back to the town you grew up in...Categorized as:
sports forced proximity friends to lovers football single-father age difference contemporary humor -
Escape by A.K. Evans
Rated: 4.50 of 5 stars · 8 ratingsWhat happens when your home turns toxic? The place she should have felt safest was a nightmare turned reality for Josie Day. Each day that passes gets worse and worse. And it’s been that way her entire life. But she refuses to be a statistic, so she comes up with a plan to get out...Categorized as:
friends to lovers found-family forced proximity contemporary suspense military length-medium -
Fighting for Berlin by Katie Reus
Rated: 4.50 of 5 stars · 8 ratingsHer instinct has always been to fix things…Berlin is no stranger to loss. After her parents died, it was just her and her younger sisters. Now that they’re all in college she’s been focusing on her new job with Redemption Harbor Security. But when one of her online VR buddies goes uncharacteristically radio silent, she gets worried and makes it her mission to find him... -
Caution by A.K. Evans
Rated: 4.50 of 5 stars · 8 ratingsLike every hardworking member of Harper Security Ops, Forrest Hickman takes time away from work to relax and recharge. And he often does that while riding his snowboard on the slopes of his favorite ski resort.He wasn’t sure anything would be better than some time alone to clear his head. That is, until he meets someone to spend his break with... -
Make Your Save by Cali Melle
Rated: 4.50 of 5 stars · 8 ratingsFalling for my ex-boyfriend’s brother was never supposed to happen… especially while I’m pretending to be his fiancée.When I find Rowan Taylor’s infant daughter abandoned outside the hospital I work at, both of our lives are instantly flipped upside down...Categorized as:
forced proximity sports friends to lovers dual-pov found-family hockey single-father secret child -
With a Hitch by R.C. Boldt
Rated: 4.40 of 5 stars · 10 ratingsRC Boldt brings us a smart, sexy new standalone about a matchmaker/dating coach who's faced with the challenge of finding Mrs. Right for the city's beloved NFL wide receiver... She’s playing it safe. He’s playing for keeps. DARCY Growing up in the foster system, I learned the hard way that lasting love doesn't always come easy... -
So Flocked by Sarah Estep
Rated: 4.44 of 5 stars · 9 ratingsAfter the wedding, they’ll go their separate ways and no one will ever know what happened in the lighthouse.Jordy Taylor is a disaster. Over the hill by professional football standards, the veteran quarterback isn’t ready to hang up his pads just yet, but his team might have other plans...Categorized as:
forced proximity sports dual-pov found-family football contemporary age difference insta-love -
The Christmas You Crash by Piper Hale
Rated: 4.26 of 5 stars · 13 ratingsOne blizzard. One cabin. One uninvited hockey player. Ho, ho, humbug. Normally I love Christmas. The lights, the snow, the cozy traditions. Then my parents divorced. Intent to avoid awkward holiday drama, I head to our family’s secluded cabin for a nice, relaxing week alone.At least that’s the plan until Ryder Hanson shows up uninvited and dressed like a serial killer... -
Fluke by Adriana Locke
SEEKING AN EX-HUSBAND I need a fake ex-husband. Let me explain … I may have let it slip to my new co-workers that I have an ex-husband. Now they’re fascinated with the details, specifically with him. Why wouldn’t they be? He’s gorgeous, has exceptional skills in the bedroom, and is determined to win me back. But there’s a problem. He doesn’t exist...Categorized as:
friends to lovers forced proximity dual-pov contemporary humor explicit-open-door length-medium m-f -
That Time I Kissed The Groomsman Grump by Julie Christianson
BRADYYeah, I shouldn’t have kissed Natalie Slater.Not on the porch. Or at the beach. Or in the storage closet. Especially not the storage closet. But to be fair, she kissed me first. Six months later, I’m still thinking about it.Trouble is, I’ve made promises that tie me to our small town, while Natalie can’t wait to escape. I’ve got no business pursuing her or my secret ambitions... -
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The Valentine's Bet: A Sweet RomCom by Kristine W. Joy
What happens when a hopeful romantic bets a grumpy skeptic that love really exists?Now that I’ve landed my dream job in NYC, I’m finally ready to find Mr. Right.What better way to meet new people in a big city than a speed dating event?Or so I thought—until I got stuck with the biggest cynic in the room... -
Aftersome by Remi Rose
Rated: 4.33 of 5 stars · 9 ratingsTen years ago, I lost the love of my life.In a blink of an eye, he was gone and to this day, I still seem to be picking up the pieces of my broken heart.But in losing Hayes, we had also lost Mal. The misunderstood hockey player who wished more than anything that he could turn back time and trade places with his best friend. So, in his grief and guilt, he left. Without a goodbye... -
Perfect Praise by Grace Pearce
Rated: 4.33 of 5 stars · 9 ratingsMaren and Locke both exist in the same world of professional golf—he's the number one player in the world while she just takes his picture.Never mind that Locke unintentionally leads the press to believe that he and Maren are dating, because when she confronts him, he couldn't care less... -
My Favorite Mistake by Claudia Y. Burgoa
Rated: 4.38 of 5 stars · 8 ratingsUSA TODAY BestsellingAuthor Claudia Burgoa brings us a brand new hockey romance about missed opportunities, accidental weddings, and found family. What happens in Vegas might go viral!The first time I met Caspian Spearman, we had the perfect night.The second time, I was on the arm of his biggest rival.The third night… was a string of mistakes... -
The Fastball by Emily Childs
Rated: 4.38 of 5 stars · 8 ratingsShe's the coach's aggravating daughter. He's the shy guy on first base. And they have no idea they're keeping the same secret. After a devastating accident that leaves his throwing hand in shambles, MLB first baseman, Dax Sage, finds out the woman handling the PR for his recovery is none other than the gorgeous, frigid daughter of his head coach... -
Christmas in Paradise by Brittany Larsen
Rated: 4.38 of 5 stars · 8 ratingsCould an innocent fling turn into the real thing?I only want two things out of life: a career as a wedding planner extraordinaire and for Mom to stop treating me like a kid. Is that too much to ask? Probably.That is, until I get the chance to plan a televised, Christmas-themed wedding a thousand miles away from Mom in Paradise, Idaho. It seems like all my dreams might be coming true... -
Undeniable Love by Samantha Chase
Rated: 4.38 of 5 stars · 8 ratingsA Small Town, Enemies to Lovers, Sports Romance from New York Times bestselling author, Samantha Chase She’s a small town girl looking to escape her monotonous life. He’s the NFL superstar looking to return to his roots. Twelve years ago, he nearly destroyed her family. Now they’re working together and the attraction she feels is…completely undeniable. Lucy Dawson dreamed of leaving South Creek... -
First Comes Forever by Kay Cove
Rated: 4.38 of 5 stars · 8 ratingsFriendship is strength. Love muddles everything. And a baby would definitely blur the lines. Amani is keeping secrets. On the surface, she’s envied as a successful influencer with millions of followers, but no one, not even her found family, knows the truth. She’s burnt out, fed up, and devastated over the news that her chances of ever having a baby are slim to none, and she’s running out of time... -
Replay by L.A. Shaw
Rated: 4.38 of 5 stars · 8 ratingsI’ll never forget the first time I saw Berkley Black.I can still picture what she was wearing and how she took my breath away—she was the most beautiful girl I’d ever seen.The love we shared was something I know I’ll never experience again...but I walked away, even though it was the hardest thing I’ve ever done...Categorized as:
sports found-family football dual-pov forced proximity contemporary college new adult -
The Fate Philosophy by Sarah A. Bailey
Rated: 4.43 of 5 stars · 7 ratingsFollowing the long overdue break-up from her insufferable ex-boyfriend, Macie Cunningham was ready for a fresh start.She thought she’d find that new beginning when she impulsively moved to Los Angeles with her best friend, but after six months here, all she’s discovered is that her life is strenuously the same. The same career—one she’s not so sure she still loves... -
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Saving the Halfback by Aly Westman
Traumatic past, dark secrets, found family.I spent most of high school as a ghost. Avoiding, blending, disappearing. It wasn’t until my ex slipped into a coma after a freak accident that something inside me shifted. I was able to breathe again, find myself. I even joined the football team, something my ex never would’ve allowed...Categorized as:
sports friends to lovers dual-pov football reverse harem high-school contemporary poly -
Faked and Fumbled by Gina Azzi
Rated: 4.50 of 5 stars · 6 ratingsKnoxville Coyotes football heartthrob Cohen Campbell is my brother’s best friend. Now, he’s the man posing as my fake boyfriend. Simple, right? Wrong.I thought my luck couldn’t get worse than when my long-term boyfriend publicly dumped me. Wrong again. Now, my ex is dating my cousin, and our friend group is embarking on an annual ski trip.Desperate to save face, I beg Cohen to pretend to like me...Categorized as:
sports football friends to lovers forced proximity humor contemporary siblings-bff athletes -
On a Flight to Sydney by J.A. Forde
Rated: 4.50 of 5 stars · 6 ratingsWhat if the very last thing you’re looking for turns out to be exactly what you need?Joss Morgan is perfectly happy with her life in Sydney, thank-you-very-much. She may be single, have only one true friend, and live alone… but she doesn’t need a man… or more friends… or anything at all...Categorized as:
friends to lovers forced proximity dual-pov contemporary military humor length-medium -
Coerced by A.K. Evans
Rated: 4.50 of 5 stars · 6 ratingsAria Todd is the new girl in town. She doesn’t mind the title. In fact, she’s thrilled that she’ll have the chance to start over in a place where nobody knows her. Where nobody can get to her. And where her new neighbor has her peeking out her window regularly. Paxton Fields is Steel Ridge’s resident nice guy. He’s kind to everyone, even the injured and abandoned animals he rescues on occasion...Categorized as:
friends to lovers found-family forced proximity contemporary suspense military length-medium -
Living with Fire: A Firefighter Romance by Tamara Rene
Rated: 4.50 of 5 stars · 6 ratingsThis new city was supposed to keep me alive, not burn me to the ground. You know that moment when you realize you’re supremely screwed? That’s me when I realize I’m trapped in my building and see smoke. In the last twenty-four hours I’ve been cheated on, quit my job, and insulted a sexy stranger — now I’m staring death in the face and even my family doesn’t know where I am... -
Single Chance: A Single Dad Small Town Romance by Amy Knupp
Rated: 4.50 of 5 stars · 6 ratingsSometimes all you get is a single chance to turn a surprise into happily ever after… Chance One night. That’s all I wanted. A single night to forget I’m a widowed single dad with a million responsibilities and a ton of emotional baggage. To remember what it’s like to just be a man. I didn’t need any extra drama in my life. Romantic complications? No thanks...
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