Books like 'Playing to Win'
Readers who enjoyed Playing to Win by Sasha Lace also liked the following books featuring the same tropes, story themes, relationship dynamics and character types.
contemporary grumpy sunshine sports christmas soccer insta-love dual-pov forced proximity found-family new adult
-
Smith by Riley Edwards
Rated: 4.60 of 5 stars · 21 ratingsSmith and Aria's story...Categorized as:
grumpy sunshine found-family forced proximity suspense contemporary military length-medium -
The Best of All by Karla Sorensen
He’s commitment phobic. She believes in happy endings. The twist of fate that binds them is a surprise they never saw coming in a bittersweet romance about instant family—and not-so-instant love.A decade-old animosity is the only thing Liam Davies and Zoe Valentine have in common... -
Path To Resolution by TheFeveredBookaholic
Rated: 4.61 of 5 stars · 15 ratingsWolfe Emerson is notorious for two things: being an absolute beast in a boxing ring and being a voluntary mute. His story remains unspoken and he prefers to live his life in silence. That is, until, his world is turned upside down when he meets someone who is louder than life... -
Ivory's Fight by Jane Blythe
Rated: 4.62 of 5 stars · 13 ratingsFalling in love has no place in a mission of revenge.Abducted as a baby, Ivory Smith was trained to be one thing; a killer. Rescued before she could fulfil her captor's purposes now she works for Prey Security's Artemis Team taking down human traffickers...Categorized as:
insta-love grumpy sunshine forced proximity suspense military contemporary length-medium -
-
Love By Design: A Blind Date Holiday Novella by Samantha Christy
Rated: 4.62 of 5 stars · 13 ratingsA sexy Christmas novella that’s a cross between The Devil Wears Prada and Holidate.Holland McQuaid works for the toughest designer in New York City. It’s a dream job. It’s heaven and hell at the same time. But when she gets her lucky break, and the job turns into something she never expected, it comes with strings... -
Team Player 2: A Sports Anthology by Charleigh Rose, Ella Fox
Rated: 4.54 of 5 stars · 15 ratingsMuscular football players. Passionate tennis pros. Sexy soccer stars. All sorts of alpha hotties, on the field and off. Have no fear! The team is back again, and this time...it's thicker. You'll get your sports romance fix with brand-new stories from eleven bestselling authors. Need one last summer fix? Dive into this anthology... -
Forever Wild by K.A. Tucker
From the international bestselling author of The Simple Wild comes Forever Wild, a novella that continues the story of Calla's journey to the Alaskan wild and a life she never imagined for herself. The holiday season is upon Calla and Jonah, and with the mistletoe and gingerbread comes plenty of family drama...Categorized as:
new adult christmas grumpy sunshine found-family contemporary humor length-short open-door -
Bad Boy Bachelor Christmas by Ali Parker, Weston Parker
Rated: 4.59 of 5 stars · 11 ratingsThe Grinch ain’t got nothing on me.The only good and green thing about Christmas is the money it rakes in.I’m not interested in carols, candies, or dealing with extra-Christmassy type people.Until I hire one. A hot college student joins my design team.She makes up for her annoying jovial spirit with her sexy curves.And her willingness to give herself to me.If only that was enough... -
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...Categorized as:
sports grumpy sunshine found-family forced proximity dual-pov new adult single-father football -
Fake Around and Find Out by S.M. Shade
An enemies-to-lovers, fake relationship romantic comedy.The Happy Haven Trailer Park is not where I hoped to be at age twenty-five.Circumstances have left me without a job or a car in a small town where work is scarce. When my insufferable neighbor approached me with a very indecent proposal to co-star in his videos on the Lonely Hands app, I had to resist the impulse to punch him in the mouth...Categorized as:
grumpy sunshine dual-pov new adult found-family humor contemporary from hate to love length-medium -
-
Kiss by Kiss by Kaylee Ryan
Rated: 4.29 of 5 stars · 17 ratingsAuroraOne look at Grant Riggins standing in my bakery looking at me like I’m his last meal is enough to know I’m in way over my head.He’s relentless in his pursuit. The kind of man I could get lost in. But Grant makes me wish for things I can’t have.I’ve finally got my life back... -
Finding Home by Jenn McMahon
Rated: 4.49 of 5 stars · 12 ratingsBlair Andrews has spent the better part of her adulthood playing trophy wife to her politician husband in San Francisco. All she knows is her pampered, polished, perfect life.Until it all comes crashing down around her.After hiding out in her sister’s spare bedroom for months to avoid pitying looks on the streets, she decides it’s time to escape city life and learn to stand on her own... -
Anger Banger by S.M. Shade
The residents of Happy Haven Trailer park have been waiting for this for a long time. The slumlord who abandoned this place and let our homes deteriorate has been court ordered to live here while making repairs. Imagine our surprise when the guy who shows up to move in to the dilapidated trailer across the street isn't the sixty year old man we expected, but his son...Categorized as:
new adult found-family grumpy sunshine forced proximity from hate to love contemporary humor -
-
Beneath the Ice by L.A. Cotton
Rated: 4.44 of 5 stars · 12 ratingsAre you ready to fall in love with a Laker? When Connor Morgan wants something, he goes after it and doesn’t stop until he gets it. Enter Ella Henshaw. She’s the love of his life. Beautiful. Loyal. He has their future all mapped out. When Ella watches Connor take a nasty hit on the ice, she prays it isn’t going to ruin his final season with the Lakers. Or compromise his shot at going pro...Categorized as:
sports new adult forced proximity dual-pov grumpy sunshine found-family angst college -
-
Get Frosted by Amy Aislin
Rated: 4.31 of 5 stars · 17 ratingsFor years, Mik has wanted nothing more than to put coal in Rudy Snow's stocking.As former pro hockey players, they’ve been rivals for years. It started in Mik’s rookie season, when a reporter pitted him against his older brother's best friend. Rudy pushes Mik’s buttons like no one else, going out of his way to one-up him at every turn... -
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... -
The Holiday Stand-In by Kortney Keisel
Rated: 4.23 of 5 stars · 24 ratingsHe's everything I've ever wanted. Too bad he's my boyfriend's twin brother.When my boyfriend says he’s too busy working—again—to spend the holidays with me and my family, I’m sure Christmas is ruined.Not only will I be alone, but my family is convinced he doesn't love me...Categorized as:
forced proximity christmas insta-love new adult dual-pov love triangle forbidden love contemporary -
On Thin Ice by L.A. Cotton
Rated: 4.39 of 5 stars · 13 ratingsAn emotional and angsty grumpy x sunshine hockey romance from USA Today and WSJ bestselling author L A Cotton. Are you ready to fall in love with a Laker?When Harper Dixon discovers her father is the Lakeshore U Lakers new assistant coach, she wonders if her life can get any worse.Enter Mason Steele.Arrogant. Cold. With enough ice around his heart to freeze anyone who gets too close...Categorized as:
sports new adult dual-pov forced proximity grumpy sunshine from hate to love college angst -
Brazen Girl by Ali Dean
Rated: 4.44 of 5 stars · 11 ratingsIt only takes a second for her world to come crashing down.Jordan’s crash is a wake-up call for everyone. Recovering from a head injury brings new challenges no one is expecting or prepared to handle. Jordan begins to doubt that she has what it takes to make it as a pro skateboarder... -
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 new adult forced proximity grumpy sunshine contemporary christian football length-medium -
Man Candy by Vanessa Vale
From USA Today best-selling author Vanessa Vale, a small-town billionaire romance with a hot-as-puck hockey hero and a wannabe romance writer.I’m looking for Mr. Right. Date after blind date, they’re all duds. None of them meet the requirements on my Man List.Until Dex James.My brain? It says he’s all kinds of wrong.He’s young. In town on vacation. A lazy billionaire.He’d only be a fling...Categorized as:
sports insta-love dual-pov grumpy sunshine forced proximity contemporary humor super rich hero -
Some Kind of Blunderful by Livy Hart
If you ask Mia Madden, the road to dating hell is paved with suspiciously hot online profiles. Take tonight’s date, for example. Alex Conroy’s whole “boardroom in the streets, lumberjack in the sheets” thing totally works for her, but his profile did not convey that he represents everything she loathes about corporate hustle culture. He’s not even worth her bottle of purse wine... -
-
Coming Down Her Chimney by Shaw Hart, Cameron Hart
Rated: 4.29 of 5 stars · 15 ratingsShe had the best intentions.Avery Sinclair lives to spread Christmas cheer. Growing up in an orphanage, Christmas was the only time that she got presents, but her love of the holiday is more than that. It’s the only time when people treated her with kindness.That’s why she’s on her neighbor’s roof, trying to untangle the string of Christmas lights that she’s putting up for him...Categorized as:
christmas insta-love grumpy sunshine dual-pov contemporary virgin heroine age difference alpha male -
Brazen Steele by Ali Dean
Rated: 4.37 of 5 stars · 11 ratingsBeckett Steele knows what he wants and he’s finally going after it. But there’s one thing that might complicate his mission. It was easy to sign the legally-binding contract prohibiting a public relationship when he had no intention of falling in love... -
Brazen Tricks by Ali Dean
Rated: 4.50 of 5 stars · 8 ratingsHer new path is all about split second decisions. One of them will change her life forever.Jordan’s ready to embrace her identity as a pro skateboarder but wants to do it on her own terms.With her boyfriend the most popular skateboarder in the world, it’s not easy being seen and treated as just the girlfriend... -
Keeping a Christmas Promise by Jo Thomas
Rated: 4.50 of 5 stars · 8 ratingsFour friendsTwenty-five years ago, Freya and her three best friends created a bucket list. The future seemed bright, full of hope and most importantly guaranteed . . .One promiseNow they are travelling to Iceland in memory of the friend they've lost, determined to fulfil her dream of seeing the Northern Lights at Christmas... -
Forged by Sacrifice by L.J. Evans
Rated: 4.50 of 5 stars · 8 ratings“My heart enlarged at a thought I’d never had for another woman... I wanted to keep her.” Leaving his Navy career behind, Mac Whittaker is ready to join his family on Capitol Hill and pursue the political dream he’s had since childhood. He has the entire American fairy tale at his fingertips, and all he needs to complete it is a woman he adores at his side... -
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... -
Fighting For Your Touch by Nikki Ash
Rated: 4.37 of 5 stars · 10 ratingsCaleb As a teenager I learned firsthand how untrustworthy and cruel a woman could be. She destroyed me from the inside out and took everything from me. The first chance I got, I ran, and have been running from my past ever since. Until I met Hayley. She's a complete game changer. She's everything I never thought a woman could be... -
The Vegas Bluff: A Sinful Christmas Romance by Ajme Williams
Rated: 4.34 of 5 stars · 10 ratingsI was right all along… Amelia was just like all the other women I never wanted to see again after spending one night together. In fact, she turned out to be worse than them. Let me backup… It’s true when they say that Las Vegas should be burned to the ground. I’d burn it myself after ending up married to a woman and having no memory of it... -
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... -
A Little Too Close by Rebecca Yarros
Rated: 4.10 of 5 stars · 41 ratingsFrom USA Today bestselling author Rebecca Yarros comes a small town, single parent romance.Nine years ago, Weston Madigan saved me. I came to Colorado penniless, heartbroken, and pregnant, searching for a fresh start. Weston gave me a job at his family’s resort, then left the next day and never returned, not even to visit...Categorized as:
sports forced proximity christmas dual-pov new adult insta-love grumpy sunshine military -
-
Romancing the Quarterback (Galentine's Getaway) by Eve London
Rated: 4.33 of 5 stars · 9 ratingsA curvy gal plus quarterback steamy instalove short.MinaAll I want to do is spend some time with my girlfriends on our valentines getaway, not go toe-to-toe with the burly, cover model worthy guy who's staying in the room next door. And when I find out he's a pro football player, that lands him firmly in the swipe left category... -
The Doctor Who Stole Christmas by K.C. Crowne
Rated: 4.33 of 5 stars · 9 ratingsA grumpy doctor.A wicked blizzard.And only one bed in sight.What could possibly go wrong?I never expected to find myself trekking through a blizzard...All to deliver "vital documents" to the elusive Dr. Grump's remote cabin...Categorized as:
forced proximity christmas grumpy sunshine contemporary super rich hero length-medium -
The Grump Who Saved Christmas by Tracy Leigh
Rated: 4.33 of 5 stars · 9 ratingsWhen I first met Callum Reed, I thought he was one of the most handsome men I’d ever seen.Until he opened his mouth and ruined it all.Because the sexy-as-sin man dressed in a tailor-made suit is trying to steal my ranch from me... -
Game Day by Piper Lawson
Rated: 4.33 of 5 stars · 9 ratingsIn the heat of victory, I asked her to be mine forever. We’d both triumphed in our own way:Nova broke free from her past.I led my team to a championship and discovered life beyond the court. Our journey to "I do" was supposed to be easy. Except…The hottest resort in Aspen is only available is on short notice.A new season with the Denver Kodiaks looms on the horizon... -
Fret Me Not by Sarah Estep
Rated: 4.33 of 5 stars · 9 ratingsThere's a fine line between love and fake....Rockstar Sam Shoop has retreated to his secluded cabin In Crane Cove for some privacy. Unfortunately for him, the residents haven’t gotten the memo and want to set him up with every available person they know... -
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... -
Cocky Striker: A Hero Club Novel by Evan Grace
Rated: 4.38 of 5 stars · 8 ratingsYou've met Chance Bateman...Are you ready to meet his son??Some say I’m cocky — I say I’m confident. Things have always come easy for me; sports, academics…girls. And I’ve used all of that to my advantage the past three years of college.I’ve got it all, or at least I thought I did until Laken walks into my life... -
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... -
British Black Sheep (Cocky Hero Club) by Lauren Smith
Rated: 4.38 of 5 stars · 8 ratingsAn arrogant Brit might just be the right cup of tea for her…He is exactly the kind of man Brie Honeyweather swore never to love…or lust after ever a sexy, arrogant, British bad boy in a designer suit. Alec is the last person Brie wants to be stuck on an international flight to London with, but hey…at least they’re in first class... -
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... -
-
My Ex's Dad is Coming to Town by Eve London
Rated: 4.38 of 5 stars · 8 ratingsSometimes, love finds you in the most unexpected places... like in the arms of your ex’s dad.WinterThis Christmas was supposed to be about getting away from the mess I left behind, not cozying up to the grumpiest man I’ve ever met—who also happens to be my ex’s father. But Cole’s steady presence and the way he sees past my defenses make me feel safe in a way I never thought possible...Categorized as:
christmas grumpy sunshine forced proximity age difference contemporary length-novella -
The Trail Often Crossed by Ambar Cordova
Rated: 4.38 of 5 stars · 8 ratingsIn this spicy sports romance, a woman has to face her attraction to the new man in town, who happens to be her newest rival.Everything she touches dies.Roe has always been a trailblazer. From a very young age, she learned that life has its own twists and turns, and the only way of making it out the other side is on your own...Categorized as:
sports forced proximity grumpy sunshine found-family multicultural contemporary suspense male-pov -
Cruel Love by Isla Vaughn
Rated: 4.38 of 5 stars · 8 ratingsI fell for the enemy.He broke me, and then put me together again. Our future? It’s worth fighting for. Or it was before the accident.The accident stole Phoenix from me. Now, he’s nice… kind even. But the memory of me—of our baby—is gone. Despite everything, I’m left fighting for our child and the man I’ve come to love...Categorized as:
sports new adult found-family forced proximity from hate to love angst second chances contemporary -
Cruel Love by Isla Vaughn
Rated: 4.38 of 5 stars · 8 ratingsI fell for the enemy.He broke me, and then put me together again.Our future? It’s worth fighting for.Or it was before the accident.The accident stole Phoenix from me. Now, he’s nice… kind even. But the memory of me—of our baby—is gone. Despite everything, I’m left fighting for our child and the man I’ve come to love...Categorized as:
sports new adult found-family forced proximity from hate to love angst second chances contemporary -
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... -
Finding Tomorrow, A sexy, angsty, suspense filled, all-the-feels protector romance with a hot alpha hero HEA.: A Trading Yesterday Novel by Kahlen Aymes
Rated: 4.60 of 5 stars · 5 ratingsFrom USA Today bestselling author Kahlen Aymes comes a new, sexy standalone novel. A complete STAND-ALONE follow-up to Kahlen’s smash hit, Trading Yesterday! Outwardly, my life was rocking. As a sportscaster at ESPN, I’ve traveled the world, attending the most prestigious sporting events, and meeting all sorts of famous people...
Find out more about romance.io.
Get recommendations by genres & tropes
Use the romance book finder to mix and match over 100 content keywords to find the books that match your preferences

Or - use our amazing romance book finder to get recommendations based on your favorite content tropes and themes. Mix and match at will.