Books like 'The Beautiful Game'
Readers who enjoyed The Beautiful Game by Holly Wallace Smith also liked the following books featuring the same tropes, story themes, relationship dynamics and character types.
contemporary sports multicultural m-f grumpy sunshine fake relationship competent heroine cold heroine independent heroine heroine athlete
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The Forgotten One by Catherine Bybee
Rated: 4.55 of 5 stars · 28 ratingsNew York Times and USA Today bestselling author Catherine Bybee spins a dazzling tale of long-lost relatives, overnight riches, and unexpected romance in the dramatic second book of The Heirs series. Sarah McNeilly is a rare find in the tabloid industry. She won’t ignite gossip. She finds the truth. And for once, that’s what her boss wants... -
Billionaire Unreachable ~ Wyatt by J.S. Scott
Rated: 4.62 of 5 stars · 18 ratingsWhat happens when the man you think you despise turns out to be a completely different guy beneath the surface? I didn't like Wyatt Durand. He might be my friend's older brother, but he was unpleasant, sarcastic, and the grumpiest guy on the planet. It didn't matter to me that he was a breathtakingly gorgeous, ultra-wealthy billionaire with the very prestigious Durand last name... -
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Power Play by Toni Aleo
Rated: 4.48 of 5 stars · 23 ratingsPosey Adler is coming home. After a devastating journey for what she mistakenly thought was true love, she is saying to hell with men and love forever. As the Nashville Assassins’s new assistant coach for special teams, Posey is ready to focus on her job and have the attention on her for a change... -
Love By Design by Samantha Christy
Rated: 4.67 of 5 stars · 15 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... -
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The Billionaire's Secrets by J.S. Scott
Rated: 4.37 of 5 stars · 29 ratingsFormer rock star Xander Sinclair may be out of rehab, but he’s not out of the woods. Still haunted by his parents’ murders, he has secluded himself in his Amesport mansion and dodges any attempted contact from his two brothers. Struggling not to fall into relapse, he believes he’s battling his demons alone. That is, until Samantha arrives to work as his live-in housekeeper...Categorized as:
super rich hero independent heroine m-f contemporary sweet heroine length-medium audiobook -
Hart to Heart by M.E. Carter, Jacob Morgan
Rated: 4.46 of 5 stars · 22 ratingsListening Length: 5 hours, 6 minutes. We’re the Harts. Between an engagement, a wedding and an adoption, we’ve had the best year of our lives. Things have never looked better for any of us. But just because you say “I do” doesn’t mean you get a happily ever after. And sometimes, you get tackled more in life than you ever did on the football field... -
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... -
The Real Thing by Brenda Jackson
Rated: 4.46 of 5 stars · 20 ratingsWhat happens when a pretend boyfriend wants more than make-believe? Find out in this Westmoreland novel from New York Times bestselling author Brenda Jackson! No red-blooded man turns down the chance to escort gorgeous Trinity Matthews—and Adrian Westmoreland is definitely red-blooded. For her, he'll pretend to be her man. But keeping his hands to himself? That is impossible...Categorized as:
fake relationship multicultural m-f contemporary african-american black-mc length-short audiobook -
Wishing on a Star by Mandy Baggot
Rated: 4.38 of 5 stars · 20 ratingsA single mum. A superstar athlete. A Christmas like no other. Anna Heath is divorced, a single mum and trying desperately to keep her life in order. Despite her friends' best efforts, Anna has stopped looking for love and is determined to give her daughter, Ruthie, a Christmas to remember. Sam Jackman has just been dealt with life-altering news, and all he could think to do was run... -
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... -
Forever by Ivy Smoak
Rated: 4.29 of 5 stars · 27 ratingsBrooklyn. I will never take a single day for granted again. Despite everything, I’m still here. I’m still breathing. And I’m not going anywhere. Even though 16 years have passed, my heart still belongs to Matthew Caldwell. And I think it’s about time we start our forever. Matt. I waited 16 years for Brooklyn to come back to me... -
Replay by Amy Daws
Rated: 4.19 of 5 stars · 42 ratingsNot all players deserve a second chance… no matter how hot their first chance was. Football club lawyer, Santino Rossi is known in the locker room as the two-month chump. For years he’s been on a mission to find someone he can share his basil plant with and cure him of his former playboy ways...Categorized as:
sports soccer m-f contemporary secret-relationship tall-heroine length-medium audiobook -
Hart to Heart by ME Carter, Murphy Rae
Rated: 4.35 of 5 stars · 18 ratingsWe’re the Harts. Between an engagement, a wedding and an adoption, we’ve had the best year of our lives. Things have never looked better for Jaxon, Addison and myself. But just because you say “I do” doesn’t mean you get a happily ever after. And sometimes, you get tackled more in life than you ever did on the football field... -
Home Run by Jordan Marie, Robin Harper
Rated: 4.26 of 5 stars · 24 ratingsGreen Lucas doesn't know what's about to hit him. Complete Standalone Romance. Wanted. A woman with grit and fire who will help me get my son’s head out of his ass. You must be self-sufficient and not looking for a gravy train. Common sense is a plus, book smarts are optional. Cannot have red hair, as my son seems to go for that type and he needs something to shake him up... -
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Nun the Wiser: A Grumpy Sunshine Romantic Comedy by Smartypants Romance, Lissa Sharpe
Matilda Markov is ready to put her former nun days behind her and experience all the worldly pleasures she can. (ALL the worldly pleasures. ) But when she feels her friend group starting to slip away from her, just like she's lost so many people who were close to her before, she takes some bold action to try to keep everyone together...Categorized as:
m-f grumpy sunshine multicultural cold heroine sunny hero super rich hero contemporary humor -
Clear Shot by Kat Mizera
Rated: 4.33 of 5 stars · 6 ratingsThe deal was simple: marry my teammate’s sister, fake the fairy tale, get her a green card, and part ways like it never happened. No feelings. No strings. No complications. Yeah, well… that didn’t go according to plan. We caught feelings. Big ones. Now she’s pregnant, with my baby. And just when I’m ready to admit this might be more than just a deal, she drops a bombshell: she’s leaving... -
The Fall of East by Nana Malone
Rated: 4.83 of 5 stars · 6 ratingsTHE SIZZLING CONCLUSION TO THE HEAR NO EVIL TRILOGY. Nyla Kincade has stolen my ruthless heart. Now that she owns it I’m not taking it back. I’ve vowed to protect her and all that we love with everything that I have. I will die before I break that oath. Considering the danger we face, that might be a careless promise. But I’ve fought this hard for vengeance, I must see it through... -
Overdrive by Caitlyn Tajon
She’s the rookie with something to prove. He’s the reigning champion with everything to lose. Aurélie Dubois has spent her life chasing speed. When her twin brother is forced off the Formula 1 grid, she steps into his seat with no apologies. The world isn’t ready for a female driver. And they’re especially not ready for her...Categorized as:
sports m-f independent heroine super rich hero athletes heroine athlete contemporary office -
Play Dead by Avery Cockburn
Rated: 4.45 of 5 stars · 11 ratingsThe popular Scottish gay-romance series returns with this must-read novella! Colin’s wounds have finally healed. He’s ready for his big comeback on the football pitch and can’t wait to return to a normal life—especially the rampaging sex he and his boyfriend, Lord Andrew, once indulged in. But Andrew has his own invisible wounds... -
Catch a Wave by Savannah Scott
Rated: 4.38 of 5 stars · 13 ratingsDid you ever see a guy and just know you had to meet him? That was me and Bodhi Merrick. I couldn't take my eyes off him as he donned his wetsuit at the famous big-wave surf spot, Mavericks. I'll never forget that day. Or every time our paths crossed after that. Big wave surfing is a small world...Categorized as:
sports multicultural m-f siblings-bff humor forced proximity contemporary length-medium -
Just Say Yes by Rosalind James
Rated: 4.26 of 5 stars · 19 ratingsSome fires warm you up. And some burn you down. Kevin McNicholl may be a brutal force on the rugby field, but off the field, the star New Zealand All Black is a famously nice guy. His new tenant, though, arouses more than his protective side. She sets him on fire. Pity he’s evicting her. Every woman deserves her dreams. Chloe Donaldson can’t afford dreams, so she's given them up... -
Distance Forever by Luna Mason
It’s their wedding anniversary and this year, it’s Keller's turn to surprise Sienna. In true Keller style, expect an extravagant get away, filled with lots of spice and worshipping of his wife. But when Sienna tells him that she doesn’t feel beautiful after having kids, Keller makes it his mission to spend the entire weekend showing her otherwise… and he won’t stop until she believes him... -
Delayed Call by Toni Aleo
Vaughn 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...Categorized as:
sports athletes independent heroine m-f contemporary from hate to love explicit-plentiful audiobook -
Playbook Breakaway by Kenna King
Rated: 4.19 of 5 stars · 24 ratings***brother's best friend, marriage of convenience, steamy hockey romance***. “Marrying a stranger wasn’t part of my playbook. Falling in love with her? Definitely not. ”. On the ice, they call me East—fast hands, sharp edges, zero hesitation. Off the ice? I keep my life simple. Hockey. Teammates. No complications I can’t skate away from...Categorized as:
sports m-f athletes hockey virgin heroine contemporary marriage of convenience dual-pov -
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The Story of Us by Brittney Sahin
Rated: 4.57 of 5 stars · 7 ratingsA football fanatic sports columnist. A sexy Italian soccer player. When in Rome . . . Maggie Lane, a sports columnist and diehard football fan, is not exactly enthused when her editor-in-chief sends her to Rome, Italy, to write a feature story on Italian soccer star Marco Valenti. The last thing she wants to do is spend three weeks covering soccer right before the American football season begins... -
Love on Display by Dana LeCheminant
They’re sworn enemies. They also happen to be incredibly attracted to one another. After bonding at a half-marathon, rival gym owners Cam and Kailani discover the person they thought could be their soulmate turns out to be the reason their respective businesses are failing... -
Inking The Billionaire by Flora Ferrari
Rated: 4.40 of 5 stars · 10 ratingsCEO, bad boy, and tattoo enthusiast. He’s the sort of man any woman could imagine herself with. And by any woman, I mean me. But there’s a problem…Or two. It should be the job of a lifetime. The chance to tattoo billionaire CEO Silas Stone. But the thought of him shirtless beneath me…...Categorized as:
multicultural super rich hero m-f contemporary new adult age difference insta-love length-short -
Cougar From Hell by Marika Ray
I have my fresh start in a new town, this time a widow with a preteen daughter who rolls her eyes enough to make them stay that way. Too bad my past mistake is also here to greet me. Daxon Hellman. Town a-hole. Hot young contractor hired to build my house in the woods. It’s only when I’m face-to-face with him for the first time that I realize he’s the mystery man from two years ago...Categorized as:
m-f independent heroine competent heroine cold heroine sunny hero humor contemporary age difference -
Ice Cold Kiss by Cynthia Eden
Rated: 4.40 of 5 stars · 10 ratingsThe son of a serial killer. A devil in the flesh. Midas Monroe knows that his big size intimidates plenty of people, and when they learn about his twisted past? Most folks go running. But he’s not like his dear old monster of a dad, despite the stories that still circulate in the press. He’s a bodyguard. Protecting and defending is his bit. No emotional attachments, ever. And no mistakes... -
Game Day by Piper Lawson
Rated: 4.36 of 5 stars · 11 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... -
Unexpectedly Hers by Jamie Beck
Rated: 4.16 of 5 stars · 24 ratingsBy day, bashful wallflower Emma Duffy works at her family’s bed-and-breakfast. By night, she secretly pens erotic romance hot enough to melt the snow in their cozy Rockies town. But Emma’s real life is about to heat up when her mother books the entire inn to a professional snowboarder, hoping the publicity will put them on the map...Categorized as:
sports m-f athletes contemporary length-medium small town third-person-pov audiobook -
The Baby-whisperer and the Brute by Tru Taylor
Rated: 4.34 of 5 stars · 11 ratingsYou can’t appreciate all the implications of the word “conflicted” until you come face to face with the guy you’ve been secretly lusting after for weeks. .. and then learn he’ll be signing your paychecks—Angelina Rappaport. Some people might call me sheltered. That doesn’t begin to cover it. I’ve been practically sequestered my whole life... -
The Agent by Nancy Herkness
Rated: 4.24 of 5 stars · 16 ratingsLetting down her guard leaves a woman vulnerable to love—and to a menacing stalker—in a pulse-pounding novel by Nancy Herkness, award-winning author of The Hacker. After fleeing her abusive ex, New Jersey salon owner Natalie Hart is reclaiming her life and self-esteem. Her fragile recovery doesn’t need a player like former FBI agent Tully Gibson, no matter how tempting a fling sounds...Categorized as:
super rich hero competent heroine m-f contemporary suspense bodyguard-hero length-medium audiobook -
Game Breaker by Catherine Gayle
Rated: 4.28 of 5 stars · 12 ratingsUSA Today bestselling author Catherine Gayle presents another novel in the Portland Storm hockey romance series. He’s becoming a Game Breaker on the ice. With the playoffs right around the corner, Nate “Ghost” Golston is focused on only one thing—getting the Portland Storm to the Finals so he can finally hoist the Cup... -
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Ghost Dance by Catherine Gayle
Rated: 4.29 of 5 stars · 11 ratingsUSA Today bestselling author Catherine Gayle presents another novel in the sexy Tulsa Thunderbirds hockey romance series. He had it all. And lost it in an instant. The night Dmitri Nazarenko won hockey’s Holy Grail, he lost more than he ever bargained for. With a world of guilt weighing him down, Dima can never forgive himself for his tragic misjudgment... -
Here I Am by Rochelle Alers
Rated: 4.27 of 5 stars · 11 ratingsBorn into a real-estate dynasty, Brandt Wainwright chose football over the family business, and now he's a Super Bowl MVP. That streak of good fortune runs out the day Brandt crashes his SUV into a tree. During the long recuperation, the fun-loving quarterback becomes cranky and sullen—until private nurse Ciara Dennison shows up for duty... -
Love in Overtime by Melissa Baldwin
Rated: 4.33 of 5 stars · 9 ratingsPlaying hockey in Maple Falls was meant to be just a charity gig, but then my new publicist showed up, melting the ice—and my heart. Cooper. I never anticipated being roped into a charity hockey game during the off-season. But here I am, heading to Maple Falls, all because my publicist decided to retire. Change was inevitable, but I didn't foresee it coming so soon... -
Bottom of the Ninth by Jami Davenport
Rated: 4.38 of 5 stars · 8 ratingsThis long-awaited story of the third Wolfe brother introduces the Seattle Skookums baseball team. Zeke Wolfe, the man who's written off his entire family, rescues a young woman and three children on a stormy Seattle night. Before he knows it, he has an instant family and a fake fiancé he's certain he doesn't want...Categorized as:
sports fake relationship m-f contemporary cold hero single-mother baseball length-medium -
The Devoted Groom by Cami Checketts
Rated: 4.38 of 5 stars · 8 ratingsA grieving football player hoping his son will speak again; a speech pathologist with a dark secret; and an unexpected love that sparks danger from the past. After Ryder Quinn’s wife died, his four-year old son stopped speaking. Desperate for a solution, Ryder hires Bree Stevens, a spunky speech pathologist to be his son’s nanny and therapist. Bree moves in, breathing new life into their home... -
Tempting The Billionaire by Christina Tetreault
Rated: 4.38 of 5 stars · 8 ratingsSometimes temptation strikes when you least expect it. Straight-laced Courtney Belmont prefers to avoid the spotlight that the media always has focused on her family. She leaves any behavior that might catch its attention to her younger sister. All that changes when Josh Williamson, better known to his fans as J. T. , sits down next to her while she’s on vacation...Categorized as:
super rich hero m-f fake relationship contemporary single-father length-short actors famous heroine -
Dirty Secret by Crystal Kaswell
Rated: 4.38 of 5 stars · 8 ratingsShe's the one woman he can't have. .. Cameron Hunt wins, whatever it takes. The tech mogul destroys every obstacle in his path. Until Sienna. The inexperienced college student is his best friend's kid sister. Gorgeous, feisty, incredibly off limits. So why is Cam dreaming about her kiss? He's desperate to claim her and struggling to keep his distance. Worse, Sienna wants him too...Categorized as:
multicultural super rich hero m-f contemporary new adult siblings-bff length-long audiobook -
Irreplaceable by Jenna Hartley
Rated: 4.38 of 5 stars · 8 ratingsOne impulsive, passionate week changed my life. And I can’t stop thinking about it…or him. The hot Italian with the full lips and inked skin. The passionate man who made me feel incredible until I realized it was all a sham. Because he lied. About his name. About everything. Now, I’m not only pregnant with his child but thrust into the spotlight...Categorized as:
sports multicultural super rich hero soccer contemporary pregnancy secret child grovel -
Ice Queen by A.J. Wynter
Rated: 4.38 of 5 stars · 8 ratingsThe Ice Queen has a Secret. Every hockey player knows that the coach's daughter is off-limits. But, what about the owner's daughter? Is she off-limits too? Asking for a friend. .. To make things even more complicated, she's the general manager of the team. AKA my BOSS. So, yeah. If I want to see the playoffs, we need to keep this relationship a secret... -
Chicago Blaze Books 1 & 2 by Brenda Rothert
Rated: 4.38 of 5 stars · 8 ratingsBecause the only thing better than one hot hockey romance is two, the first two books in the Chicago Blaze hockey romance series , Anton and Luca, are bundled together in this collection. Book 1 - Anton. He’s known as Father Anton to his teammates—the brooding, sexy captain of the NHL’s Chicago Blaze has a reputation for…not having a reputation... -
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Stout of My League by Sylvie Stewart
Rated: 4.38 of 5 stars · 8 ratingsLynn Brooks is officially over it. With four overprotective brothers, the youngest Brooks sibling has had enough with bossy alphas. So, when professional baseball star Joey Martel makes a play for her, she's determined to steer clear of him and his toxic circle of jocks. Being the latest conquest for another overbearing caveman? No thanks...Categorized as:
sports grumpy sunshine athletes contemporary friends to lovers age difference humor length-medium -
Falling For His Fake Fiancè by J.B. Heller
Rated: 4.38 of 5 stars · 8 ratingsWhat’s a guy to do to save his MLB career after one too many of his exploits hit the tabloids? Marry his housekeeper, apparently…. I’m a pretty laid back guy who doesn’t take much outside my job seriously, preferring to party my way through life. But my poor decisions have landed me with The Bad Boy of Baseball, title. I’m totally cool with it, management however, is not... -
Jung-Woo: BWWM, BWAM, Surrogate, Billionaire Romance by Katie Dowe
Rated: 4.50 of 5 stars · 6 ratingsA sexy BWAM surrogate romance by Katie Dowe of BWWM Club. Billionaire Jung-Woo has never gotten along with his father. So, to spite him he plans to have a baby with a woman of his choice! Sports-bar owner Adele is swimming in debt, and is in search of a lifeline to reel her back from bankruptcy…... -
I Need You To Love Me by Genicious
Rated: 4.17 of 5 stars · 15 ratingsTogether they are nothing more than madness,. but they say there’s always some madness in love. Six years elapsed since he shattered her life. Four years since she’s brought him to his knees. Now, Ace is the youngest boxing champion in the world – a force to be reckoned with. He’s dangerous, heartless, and always gets his way. Calla moved to New York to chase her career... -
Gridiron Bad Boy: A Football Romance by Eddie Cleveland
Rated: 4.23 of 5 stars · 11 ratingsI fought for my country. Now, it's time to fight for my dreams. I traded my combat boots for cleats and the battlefield for the football field. I'd say it worked for me. With scouts from the professional league at my games and more girls lined up outside my locker room than at the door of a club, I'm living every bachelor's American Dream... -
Should Have Been Me by Jessica Prince
Rated: 4.17 of 5 stars · 14 ratingsShe’s a sunny, sassy photographer. Jolie Prescott has always been in love with love. She spent most of her life walking around with hearts in her eyes and immediately jumped at the chance to start a wedding planning company with her two best friends. So when her own fiancé called off their wedding and immediately started dating someone else, it was a major blow she never saw coming...
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