Welcome to this week's edition of Top Ten Tuesday which is hosted by That Artsy Reader Girl. This week's theme is Genre freebie (Pick any genre you’d like and build a list around it. You can even narrow the topic if you’d like, such as: thrillers with unreliable narrators, fantasy romance with fae characters, or historical romance with suspense elements.)
This week I thought I would focus on sports romances. Now, I wouldn't say I read a lot of these any more, but back in the day I read a lot of Jaci Burton's books which all featured men with bare chests on their covers. Part of the reason for doing this topic is also because I have read a couple of books recently which have more unusual sports than just ice hockey or American football. This is a mix of old and new books.
Head Over Wheels by Leonie Mack - I really enjoyed this book which features two professional cyclists who fall in love. Can't wait for the next book set in this world. (my review)
Tigers and Devils by Sean Kennedy - I read this one years ago now. This is a m/m romance where one of the main love interests is a professional Australian Rules Footballer. (my review)
Wicket Maiden by Chrissie Harrison - The main female character in this book is a professional cricketer. (my review)
Breaking the Ice by Amy Andrews - The main male character in this book is an injured ice hockey player who is working in his late grandmother's bookstore while he is recovering. (my review)
A New Dawn at Owl's Lodge by Jessica Redland - The main male character in this book is a former Olympic gymnast (my review)
Clean Point by Meg Jones - This is a tennis romance. It's on my kindle but haven't read it yet
Red Dust Running by Anita Heiss - One of the main characters in this book is a rodeo rider! I heard Anita Heiss speak about this book at Melbourne Writers Festival and it sounds like so much fun.
The Perfect Play by Jaci Burton - Given I mentioned Jacy in my intro I couldn't imagine not including one of her books in my post.
It Had to be You by Susan Elizabeth Phillips - SEP was writing hockey romances when they were hot the first time round. I have to say though....can you imagine a book getting published with this cover now?
Double Play by Jill Shalvis - I used to love Jill Shalvis' books a lot but I haven't read one for years now and I have no idea why.
Do you know of any sports romances which feature unusual sports?
Besides the sports you’ve listed here I can’t think of any off-hand. I don’t seek them out however.
ReplyDeleteI don't seek them out either, but some time they find me!
DeleteI haven't read any of these but sports romance is definitely a popular genre these days. Here's mine for this week: Here's mine for this week: https://portobellobookblog.com/2025/08/05/top-ten-tuesday-5th-august-genre-freebie-memoirs-toptentuesday-amreading-bookrecommendations-tuesdaybookblog-booksky-%f0%9f%92%99%f0%9f%93%9a/
ReplyDeleteThere are definitely plenty of books out there set in the sports world! It's just a case of finding the good ones!
DeleteThis is a completely new-to-me genre! Fascinating.
ReplyDeleteThanks for stopping by Deb!
DeleteI've seen a one recently published that features pickleball. I've also read a lot of ones that featured car racing. What I enjoy is when the characters aren't in the traditional gender roles. One of the racing books I read she was the team own, in another she was an up and coming driver.
ReplyDeletePam @ Read! Bake! Create!
https://readbakecreate.com/football-reads-ten-books-to-prepare-for-football-season/
Oh, a pickleball romance sounds like fun!
DeleteSomeone else did a sports theme this week as well. Fun!
ReplyDeleteGreat minds think a like or something like that!
DeleteI haven't read a sports romance before. I probably should at some point...
ReplyDeleteHave a great week!
Emily @ Budget Tales Book Blog
My post:
https://budgettalesblog.wordpress.com/2025/08/05/top-ten-tuesday-historical-fiction-recommendations/
One day one will call your name and it will be the right time!
DeleteI don't read a lot of sports romances myself, but I do love a good m/m hockey romance. Tennis would be another good one, honestly. Authors should branch out more and take on, I don't know, lacrosse? :D
ReplyDeleteHere is our Top Ten Tuesday. Thank you!
I guess the more well known the sport, the more readers who might buy the book!
DeleteLove me a good sports romance, Marg. Some of these sound amazing. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeletehttps://thebookconnectionccm.blogspot.com/2025/08/top-ten-tuesday-top-ten-things.html
Glad you liked it Cheryl!
DeleteI do enjoy sports romances as well. I know there was one with bowling, but can't think of the name.
ReplyDeleteBowling sounds like a fun theme!
DeleteI read Tigers & Devils ages ago, I may need to pull it back out.
ReplyDeleteI do remember enjoying this book! I am not sure how many other books like this there are out there!
DeleteWhat a niche genre! It seems to be really popular right now. Also... what about football/soccer?
ReplyDeletehttps://clairehennighan.wordpress.com/2025/08/06/my-top-ten-historical-fiction-novels/
There must be lots of soccer books out there, surely!
DeleteIt seems like I’ve read a couple where sports have played a big role but I can’t recall the titles! This is a fun topic! ~Carol @ ReadingLadies
ReplyDeleteThanks Carol!
DeleteI still want to read Tigers and Devils, it was on my radar years ago.
ReplyDeleteI remember liking it when I did read it!
DeleteI love sports romances. I prefer them to be baseball centered, but I enjoy all kinds. I haven't read many lately, but now you are tempting me :) Great topic!
ReplyDeleteI've read a few baseball romances over the years Yvonne!
DeleteI haven't seen this genre, but it sounds interesting!
ReplyDeleteIt's like a sub genre of contemporary romance!
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