Books like 'Play Maker'
Readers who enjoyed Play Maker by Ava Olsen also liked the following books featuring the same tropes, story themes, relationship dynamics and character types.
contemporary gay romance funny queer sports hockey queer-awakening college from hate to love bisexual
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The Long and Winding Road by T.J. Klune
Sequel to The Art of Breathing. Family is not always defined by blood. It’s defined by those who make us whole—those who make us who we are. And here, at the end, Bear and Otter will be tested like they’ve never been before. There’s a knock at the door from a little girl who has nowhere else to go. There’s a phone ringing, bringing news they do not expect... -
![Time to Shine by Rachel Reid]()
Time to Shine by Rachel Reid
A merry and bright hockey romance about finding your place, finding your people and finding your way back to the one you love the most. For Landon Stackhouse, being called up from the Calgary farm team is exciting and terrifying, even if, as the backup goalie, he rarely leaves the bench. A quiet loner by nature, Landon knows he gives off strong “don’t talk to me” vibes...Categorized as:
sports athletes sunny hero forced proximity bisexual super rich hero slow burn queer -
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![Line Mates & Study Dates by Eden Finley, Saxon James]()
Line Mates & Study Dates by Eden Finley, Saxon James
ASHER. Hockey, studying, and school runs. That’s my life now. After a tragic accident that took our parents’ lives, it’s up to me and my big brother to take care of our five younger siblings. In between burning their meals and keeping them from killing each other, I’m supposed to get a college degree...Categorized as:
college athletes sports new adult grumpy sunshine cold hero secret-relationship hockey -
![Presidential Chaos by Saxon James]()
Presidential Chaos by Saxon James
Two houses. Two Presidents. One hell of a happy ending. Zeke. Being President of a frat house means everything is on my shoulders. Idiot brothers, epic pranks, a list of organizational duties long enough to make my eyes bleed. None of it fazes me. But senior year is almost over, and I’m ready to take a step back. Until the hazing rumors start... -
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![Broken Ice by Marina Vivancos]()
Broken Ice by Marina Vivancos
After being forced to take suppressants for a year by his coach, Beau’s body is a mess. He has a debilitatingly painful heat every two weeks, and there’s no medication available to help him. Being traded from the team that did that to him is a slap to the face. Being traded to their direct competitors, the Miami Manatees, is just the cherry on top of the sh*t sundae that has become his life...Categorized as:
sports grumpy sunshine hockey possessive hero athletes hurt-comfort sunny hero queer -
![Until You by Briar Prescott]()
Until You by Briar Prescott
I’m the first one to tell you I have issues. Trust issues. Family issues. Probably a few others I haven’t discovered yet. Which is why I prefer to keep my life as simple and uncomplicated as possible. Until him. Blake McAdams barrels into my life and refuses to leave...Categorized as:
angst grumpy sunshine sunny hero queer hurt-comfort tortured hero possessive hero new adult -
![Heart by Jesse H. Reign]()
Heart by Jesse H. Reign
The first time I laid eyes on him my heart skipped a beat. My obsession began the way all obsessions do…with a spark. A small, seemingly insignificant flicker that quickly took root. He was pure, liquid light. A sunshine boy with a heart of gold. He turned my world up-side-down. I couldn’t sleep. I couldn’t eat. I couldn’t let him out of my sight... -
![Poetry On Ice by Jesse H. Reign]()
Poetry On Ice by Jesse H. Reign
I can’t tell if we’re fighting…or flirting? Being traded to the Seattle Vipers has left me with mixed feelings. On the one hand, they’re my team, the team I’ve loved and supported since I was a kid, but on the other hand, he’s here. Him. Ant Decker. Infamous NHL bad boy. Right wing to my left. A man who’s made it his sole purpose in life to be better than me...Categorized as:
grumpy sunshine from hate to love hockey queer-awakening cold hero forced proximity queer bisexual -
![Face Offs & Cheap Shots by Eden Finley, Saxon James]()
Face Offs & Cheap Shots by Eden Finley, Saxon James
JACOBS. For the last three years, I’ve lived and breathed hockey with one goal: team captain. There’s only one thing standing in my way. TJ Beckett. Beck is irresponsible and immature, and I’ve hated him since the moment we met freshman year. Yet, the coaches see something in him I obviously can’t, and they refuse to choose between us...Categorized as:
from hate to love college new adult athletes sports bisexual secret-relationship queer -
![Semantic Error, Vol.1 (Semantic Error (Novel) #1) by Soori Jeo]()
Semantic Error, Vol.1 (Semantic Error (Novel) #1) by Soori Jeo
Computer science major Chu Sangwoo is the epitome of an inflexible and strict rule-abiding person. While working on a liberal arts group project with freeloaders who don’t put in any effort, Sangwoo reasonably decides to remove their names from the final presentation. But he didn’t imagine how involved he would become with the person whose study-abroad plans were messed up because of that project...Categorized as:
queer from hate to love new adult grumpy sunshine angst queer-awakening forced proximity slow burn -
![Bromantic Puckboy by Eden Finley, Saxon James]()
Bromantic Puckboy by Eden Finley, Saxon James
Bilson. The idea of moving away from Seattle was a joke at first. I have too many failed relationships here. Too much baggage. So when I find myself signing with Nashville and leaving everything behind, I’m hopeful a new start will cure me of my attachment problems. I fall fast and hard, and I’m quickly realizing it’s not so easy to escape my emotional damage. That follows no matter where I go...Categorized as:
sports hockey queer-awakening found-family athletes queer bisexual secret-relationship -
![Stubborn Puckboy by Eden Finley, Saxon James]()
Stubborn Puckboy by Eden Finley, Saxon James
Colby. Once upon a time, playing for the NHL was my dream. Then Radimir Novicov skated circles around me and made it clear I’d never be good enough. He was smart, talented, and worst of all–sexy. Every closeted guy knows that you don’t hit on your teammate, even if his gaze lingers longer than it should...Categorized as:
queer hockey sports new adult athletes grumpy sunshine secret-relationship found-family -
![The End Zone by Riley Hart]()
The End Zone by Riley Hart
Jeremy. Seeing my best friend West, happy with his fiancé opened my eyes to things I’ve been missing in my own marriage. My divorce, which was amicable, followed. Strangely, at West’s wedding, I find myself confiding in Darren, the straight, confirmed bachelor and star quarterback of the Atlanta Lightning...Categorized as:
sports athletes bisexual secret-relationship queer queer-awakening angst hurt-comfort -
![An Unrivaled Off Season by Ashlyn Kane, Morgan James]()
An Unrivaled Off Season by Ashlyn Kane, Morgan James
Any other year, hockey player Grady Armstrong would be licking his wounds after a disappointing playoffs exit. Somehow, this year, he’s in the stands as his rival-turned-boyfriend Max Lockhart competes for the Stanley Cup… and there’s nowhere he’d rather be. Well, except maybe lifting the Cup himself... -
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![Iced Out by C.E. Ricci]()
Iced Out by C.E. Ricci
All's fair in hate and hockey. My path to success never included an enemy as a teammate, especially one as infuriating as Quinton de Haas. Clawing under my skin is his favorite pastime, only feeding the animosity between us as the years pass. We’re as completely opposite as two people can be; the golden boy and the black sheep. Constantly at odds or at each other’s throats...Categorized as:
sports athletes from hate to love college bisexual secret-relationship angst forced proximity -
![Drilled by K.M. Neuhold]()
Drilled by K.M. Neuhold
A month in a remote cabin with the last man I ever expected to see again? I can’t decide if I should punch him or drill him. It might end up being both. After more than a decade, the last person I expected to see walk into the Four Bears Construction offices as a new hire was Ridge. He was my first crush, and my first heartbreak when he started dating my sister... -
![Just a Taste by Briar Prescott]()
Just a Taste by Briar Prescott
Lake. So. .. I’m getting married. Just three minor details: my husband-to-be is technically also my step-brother, he’s straight, and we’re absolutely nowhere in the vicinity of being in love. Ryker. Only then comes the you-may-kiss-your-husband part. Turns out kissing your husband is a terrible idea because it makes you have strange thoughts you’ve never had before... -
![On Board by Jay Hogan]()
On Board by Jay Hogan
Leroy Madden is in trouble. Big, handsome, Fox Carmody trouble. Leroy has buried his attraction to the enigmatic fisherman in irritation and pointless bickering, keeping Fox at a safe distance. But with the troublesome man now living in Leroy’s house, it’s becoming impossible for Leroy to keep his true feelings hidden, or the fact that Leroy maybe isn’t so straight, after all...Categorized as:
forced proximity from hate to love bisexual slow burn cold hero angst secret-relationship queer -
![Goaltender Interference by Brigham Vaughn]()
Goaltender Interference by Brigham Vaughn
The last thing Connor O’Shea needs is more complications …. After too much celebrating at his brother’s wedding, Connor wakes up next to cocky Toronto goaltender Jesse Webber—pro hockey’s reigning f*ckboy. With three kids and a failed marriage under his belt, Connor might be ready to admit he’s attracted to men, but that doesn’t mean his life has to change...Categorized as:
hockey forced proximity grumpy sunshine sports queer queer-awakening found-family athletes -
![Mr. Important by Lucy Lennox, May Archer]()
Mr. Important by Lucy Lennox, May Archer
One New Year’s masquerade. One anonymous hookup. One billionaire-sized mistake. Once upon a time, someone looked at my scrawny, impetuous eight-year-old self and nicknamed me Mr. Important… and I believed them. That was my first mistake. Two decades, a dozen failed careers, and a thousand meaningless hookups later, I’ve made more mistakes than I can count... -
![Until Jude by Briar Prescott]()
Until Jude by Briar Prescott
I'm the first one to tell you doing the right thing has never been high on my list of priorities. Same goes for respecting the law. And ethics in general. It's more like guidelines anyway. Until him. Jude Riley. I invite myself into his life and refuse to leave. I know it's wrong. I know I shouldn't. I do anyway. It's never meant to turn into anything serious. It's never supposed to matter... -
![The Amazing Alpha Tau Self-Improvement Project by Lisa Henry, Sarah Honey]()
The Amazing Alpha Tau Self-Improvement Project by Lisa Henry, Sarah Honey
Dalton Beauregard has a plan, and it involves acing all his exams, making the Dean's List every year he's at Lassiter College, and going to med school and becoming a doctor. Marty O'Brien has a plan too. His is to improve his life by emulating those around him. He's going to need a study plan, a tutor, and. .. a boyfriend? Dalton can't believe he's even considering this. It's utterly ridiculous...Categorized as:
new adult bisexual college queer neurodivergent queer-awakening sunny hero super rich hero -
![Fandom by Eden Finley]()
Fandom by Eden Finley
DENVER. Everyone remembers the night the boy band Eleven broke up. Hearts shattered around the world, including my own. I made a mistake, and I’ve been avoiding bandmate Mason Nash ever since. At first it was hard, but eighteen months ago, he made it easier by leaving Hollywood and disappearing. When Eleven reunion talks start, I’m against it completely... -
![On or Off, Volume 4 (On or Off (Paperback Ed.) #4) by A1]()
On or Off, Volume 4 (On or Off (Paperback Ed.) #4) by A1
Winner of the Ridibooks 2019 BL Awards. Published in English for the first time in full color and fully uncensored! Yiyoung and his college friends have formed a startup company together, and even managed to score a proposal meeting with the illustrious SJ corporation...Categorized as:
grumpy sunshine angst new adult queer queer-awakening bisexual from hate to love forced proximity -
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![Method Acting by N.R. Walker]()
Method Acting by N.R. Walker
Chase Soria. Every budding actor knows acting is a difficult gig. There will be grueling auditions and punishing rejections. If you’re lucky, there’ll be roles that pay the bills and even roles that won’t. Roles we don’t believe in. But that’s what acting is—acting as if we do believe in them. So when the semester’s production project is announced and I’m cast as one of the leads, I’m ecstatic...Categorized as:
grumpy sunshine new adult forced proximity queer college bisexual sunny hero cold hero -
![The Poster Boy by E.M. Denning]()
The Poster Boy by E.M. Denning
One goal to make a career. One kiss to derail a life. Marek Myers is an up-and-coming goalie, but he's also not out. At least, he wasn’t. Because one kiss with the wrong man slams Marek out of the closet and into the spotlight. Determined to the make the best of a bad situation, Marek goes on the offensive, charming the media one interview at a time, happy to be the poster boy the media is after...Categorized as:
sports queer athletes cold hero sunny hero grumpy sunshine from hate to love anal sex -
![Blitzed by S.E. Harmon]()
Blitzed by S.E. Harmon
NFL tight end Andrew McAdams isn’t thrilled to be sidelined with an injury. He’s even less thrilled about his legal troubles. Community service is the only thing standing between him and jail so. .. yeah. That’s a no-brainer. It's not all bad news, though. He gets to work with Jesse Fox, who is as gorgeous as he is guarded. And there's no rule saying he can't do his hours and have a little fun...Categorized as:
sports athletes bisexual grumpy sunshine forced proximity hurt-comfort queer found-family -
![Scoring Chance by A.J. Truman]()
Scoring Chance by A.J. Truman
A totally fake marriage… with very real feelings. I'm a carefree bachelor who never wanted kids. But it seems life has other plans. When my best friend and hockey teammate Tanner Chance finds himself jobless with four kids to support, I suggest a wild marriage. My health insurance can cover Tanner’s family, but to keep nosy coworkers from sniffing out the scheme, the whole Chance clan moves in... -
![Playing Dirty by C.E. Ricci]()
Playing Dirty by C.E. Ricci
Our rivalry formed long before we became siblings. Madden Hastings has been my nemesis since the day we met. A divide was born from the age-old rivalry between our universities,. but this year, another layer developed. It became personal. Because the captain of Blackmore’s baseball team? He’s also my new step brother. My disdain for the sudden blending of our families leads to more conflict,...Categorized as:
sports from hate to love queer-awakening college queer new adult bisexual secret-relationship -
![Malicious Compliance by E.M. Lindsey]()
Malicious Compliance by E.M. Lindsey
My life is good. I work from home, I answer to no one, and I pay my rent on time. In short, things are peaceful and solitary—exactly the way I like them. Yes, my apartment might be a dump with paper-thin walls and plumbing issues, but it’s mine all the same. And then he moves in...Categorized as:
from hate to love angst forced proximity hurt-comfort grumpy sunshine queer m-m contemporary -
![Unrivaled by Ashlyn Kane, Morgan James]()
Unrivaled by Ashlyn Kane, Morgan James
People say there’s a fine line between love and hate. If you ask Grady Armstrong, the line’s as obvious as the one across the middle of a hockey rink. So he can’t explain why he doesn’t walk away when his Grindr hookup—a guy who accused him of impersonating himself—turns out to be Max Lockhart, a rival player Grady once punched in the face... -
![Irresponsible Puckboy by Eden Finley, Saxon James]()
Irresponsible Puckboy by Eden Finley, Saxon James
Tripp. The worst part of being in love with my straight best friend is the fact he’s too oblivious to see it. Years of pining have left me exhausted, and I need a break from Dex. I need space to get over my feelings. But when his relationship falls apart and he turns to me for comfort, I cave immediately. If there’s one thing I hate more than being hurt, it’s seeing Dex struggle... -
![Manhandled by Lauren Blakely]()
Manhandled by Lauren Blakely
A spicy friends-to-lovers standalone sports romance from #1 New York Times Bestselling author Lauren Blakely writing MM romance as L. Blakely. .. My buddies made me do it. I swear. I didn’t plan to bid big on a date with my baseball player best friend at the auction. But he looked really good in that tailored suit, and I can't resist a dare...Categorized as:
athletes sports angst forced proximity queer childfree-couple secret-relationship anal sex -
![The Head Game by Brigham Vaughn]()
The Head Game by Brigham Vaughn
Fisher Cats Defenseman Rushed to Hospital After In-Game Fall—Mystery Beau Revealed? The Fisher Cats defenseman is conscious and in stable condition following a seizure that occurred during the recent game against Buffalo. Updates indicate that while still hospitalized, he’s hopeful for a quick return to the ice... -
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![Deke by Eden Finley]()
Deke by Eden Finley
Ollie. Word of advice: don’t come out to random guys in public restrooms. Even if they’re charming and adorably nerdy and offer to help. My family believe I can’t be happy if I’m not out to the world. I have a bitter ex-boyfriend and an unstable NHL career to show for it. A fake boyfriend seems like an easy and quick solution to get my family off my back, and this guy is volunteering...Categorized as:
sports from hate to love athletes new adult secret-relationship hockey queer sunny hero -
![Stroker by K.M. Neuhold]()
Stroker by K.M. Neuhold
Is there an easy way to tell your lifelong best friend that you secretly married his brother eight years ago? Asking for a friend…. When Gates shows up needing a place to crash, I offer him my spare room. Whatever happened between us nearly two decades ago is water under the bridge. I don’t lie awake at night wondering what could have been. Nope, definitely not... -
![Family First by R.J. Scott, V.L. Locey]()
Family First by R.J. Scott, V.L. Locey
Rated: 4.50 of 5 stars · 8 ratingsAn injury threatens to end Stan’s career. Will he choose to fight for his beloved hockey, or put his family first? Few goalies are as dedicated as Stan Lyamin, known for his resilience on the ice, talking to his pipes, and his love of Elvis. Add in his adoration of his family and his life has been filled with all the things that bring him joy... -
![Off the Boards by Maia Kinley]()
Off the Boards by Maia Kinley
I’m obsessed with the prettiest, smartest guy on campus—and he’s never even looked my way. Killian. It’s my last season playing college hockey, and I’m determined to help get the team all the way to championships this year. Unfortunately, whether I actually get to be on the ice depends on how well I do in statistics... -
![Everything for You by Chloe Liese]()
Everything for You by Chloe Liese
Enemies become lovers in this sizzling sports romance about taking a chance on love when life’s taught you it’s a losing game. Oliver Bergman is a beloved rising soccer star, all sunshine smiles and the heart of their team’s spirit. To make matters worse, he’s obscenely attractive. In he’s genetically designed to get under misanthropic, miserable Gavin’s aggravated skin...Categorized as:
queer from hate to love sports grumpy sunshine forced proximity new adult hurt-comfort found-family -
![Finance Bros by August Jones]()
Finance Bros by August Jones
Ryan. Ever say something you regret? Like regret so hard you get the word REGRET tattooed on your arm? Same. I accidentally told my stepbrother I was in love with him when we were fourteen. In my defense, strong cough syrup was involved, but to my great regret he hasn’t missed a chance to show me how disgusting I am ever since. He damn near ruined my life... -
![Road Rules (Rules of the Game) by Brigham Vaughn]()
Road Rules (Rules of the Game) by Brigham Vaughn
Rule #1: Hockey Comes First. As NHL team captain, Zane Murphy’s goal for the upcoming season is simple: take the Evanston River Otters all the way to the Stanley Cup. Rule #2: Only On the Road. But an unexpectedly hot night with his best friend and teammate Ryan Hartinger throws Zane’s carefully laid plans and his sexuality into disarray. Rule #3: Don’t Fall in Love with Your Best Friend... -
![Unbreakable Stories: Snow by Jocelynn Drake, Rinda Elliott]()
Unbreakable Stories: Snow by Jocelynn Drake, Rinda Elliott
Unbreakable Stories: Snow is a collection of short stories and a novelette set after the events of Shatter, book 2 of the Unbreakable Bonds series and before Torch, book 3. Follow the continuing, passionate and heartfelt romance between Dr. Ashton "Snow" Frost and Jude Torres as they merge their lives together as a couple...Categorized as:
queer anal sex found-family grumpy sunshine possessive hero sunny hero cold hero m-m -
![Gemini Keeps Capricorn by Anyta Sunday]()
Gemini Keeps Capricorn by Anyta Sunday
Sometimes, one stubborn Capricorn is all it takes… to drive Wesley Hidaka to crazy, flirtatious lengths. Wesley loves annoying his RA Lloyd Reynolds. He just can’t help it. Lloyd is focused, decisive, grounded. He has this amusing ability to follow rules . Of course Wesley wants Lloyd to break one… or three hundred...Categorized as:
new adult college slow burn grumpy sunshine secret-relationship queer m-m contemporary -
![TYLER by N. Boeyer]()
TYLER by N. Boeyer
Tyler. I’d found my heart—my everything—but then he got one shot to follow his dream. So he left… and took my heart with him. I love Jace. So freaking much. But hiding our relationship from the public to boost his career is harder than I expected. I get it. He’s following his dreams...Categorized as:
queer new adult sports anal sex hurt-comfort secret-relationship athletes sunny hero -
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![Headstrong by Eden Finley]()
Headstrong by Eden Finley
A straight guy gives gay hookup tips to a virgin. What could go wrong? When I first met Whit, I couldn’t get away from him fast enough. He’s a hockey player, and I hate everything to do with the sport that once broke my heart. But I can’t help feeling sorry for the guy. He’s newly out and desperate to meet someone, but his eagerness seems to scare potential hook-ups away... -
![Gym Bros by August Jones]()
Gym Bros by August Jones
Calyx. If I could teach yoga and never have to walk a runway again, I’d do it in a heartbeat. But tell that to my manager-slash- part-time lover. Eager to get me back to work, but willing to be patient, he asks me to help his son recover from a torn hamstring. I accept the opportunity to use my brain and my body to help get an athlete back on his feet...Categorized as:
sports queer angst bisexual queer-awakening found-family possessive hero tortured hero -
![Flagrant Foul by Jesse H. Reign]()
Flagrant Foul by Jesse H. Reign
He’s my brother’s best friend. I’m the annoying kid who followed him everywhere. Now we’re playing for the same team. Sev Delorean is an NHL D-man with an excess of swagger and stickhandling techniques that made him world famous. He’s the bane of my existence and my reason for living. He's strictly off limits though. My brother has made that perfectly clear... -
![Pumped by Linden Bell]()
Pumped by Linden Bell
Rated: 4.30 of 5 stars · 10 ratingsEverest. Owen and I do not get along. He thinks I'm irresponsible and I find him arrogant and uptight. Good thing we only see each other when my sister and his brother pester us into attending family events. But when a fatal car accident leaves our niece orphaned, my brother-in-law and I are forced to raise her together--as long as we don't strangle each other first...Categorized as:
forced proximity from hate to love grumpy sunshine hurt-comfort found-family angst sports queer -
![Jingle Bells & Mistletoe by Sammi Cee]()
Jingle Bells & Mistletoe by Sammi Cee
Jonathan watched all of his friends fall in love, get married, and grow their families. All he’s ever wanted is a relationship as wonderful as the one his parents have always had... -
![The Linebacker by Emerson Beckett, Rheland Richmond]()
The Linebacker by Emerson Beckett, Rheland Richmond
Rated: 4.38 of 5 stars · 8 ratingsIs it wrong for me to want the world to know I’m in love with Patrick Griffin and have been since we were eight-years-old? Patrick Griffin. I hurt him. I didn’t mean to. Now he’s gone, and I deserve it. As a linebacker in the NFL, I've never found the right time to come out of the closet. Not even when I promised Cole I would...
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