NFL playoff season is upon us, and whether you’re cheering on your favorite team or mostly in it for the Tayvis content we’ll soon be blessed with (It’s me. Hi. I’m the one in it for the Tayvis content), there’s truly nothing like it.
If your household is anything like mine, the place is brimming with the sounds of shouting at the games on TV. And if you’re anything like me, you’re wondering if anyone else notices how suggestive football commentary can be (tight ends, tush pushes and penetration? Come on).
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Maybe you’re also daydreaming about the coach on the sidelines. What might happen if he spent a decade secretly pining for his best friend’s off-limits twin sister only for her to show up in their small town, single for the first time in years? Would he decide now was the time to prove to her they’ve always been meant to be, and go all-out trying to win her over before she leaves again? The fictional coach in my new book, Only in Your Dreams, out Jan. 21, does just that.
Atria Books
Football romances give us a juicy peek into the proverbial locker room of professional sports, full of tension as characters balance their devotion to the game with their tumultuous love lives. There’s enough game-day drama for the sports lovers, swoony moments for the non-fans and (ahem) multiple types of scoring to keep you hooked from start to finish.
Here are 10 football romances that’ll have you swooning and fanning yourself through every single play.
‘The Wall of Winnipeg and Me’ by Mariana Zapata
Avon
The queen of slow-burn romances delivers a tension-filled story between a pro football star and his longtime assistant, whose relationship takes a wild turn when he shows up on her doorstep with a shocking request. I adored the way Aidan and Vanessa grow into their relationship, learning to trust and lean on each other in a way that felt incredibly real and organic.
‘The Jock’ by Tal Bauer
Tal Bauer
This story wrapped a fist around my heart from the first tentative meeting between Wes and Justin, who fall in love while studying abroad, only to come home and face the realities of their relationship. Bauer’s writing has a way of immersing you in the story, making your stomach flutter whenever the characters are together, and your heart break as they navigate the challenges of coming out faced by professional athletes.
‘Plays Well with Others’ by Lauren Blakely
Lauren Blakely Books
This steamy romantic comedy is packed with some of my personal favorite tropes: fake dating, best friends to lovers and dating coach. The dynamic between Rachel and her football star BFF Carter was incredibly fun, their story fresh and captivating. I also loved the realistic ADHD representation in Carter.
‘Fumbled’ by Alexa Martin
Penguin Publishing Group
There’s nothing like a second-chance romance, and this one delivers with juicy tension, secrets and years of longing between Poppy and footballer TK. I love reading about strong women in romance, and Poppy is certainly that — her resilience and love for her son, not to mention her scorching chemistry with TK, will have you rooting for her happily-ever-after from the very first page.
‘Playbook’ by Rebecca Jenshak
Rebecca Jenshak
This fake dating romance kicks off with a unique premise and hilarious meet-cute that turns London and rookie footballer Brogan into pen pals before they take their (phony) relationship live. Their dynamic is so fun, the chemistry off the charts and if that’s not enough, the cast of side characters make up a found family that will truly warm your heart.
‘Coach’ by Devney Perry
Devney Perry
Millie and Coach Ford had my heart in knots from the very beginning, in the sweet moment where their friendship takes a romantic turn only to get derailed when Ford receives some life-changing news. Fast forward a decade later when they reconnect as new colleagues, and you’re served a swoony workplace romance as they unpack their history and build a future together.
‘Rival Hearts’ by Maggie Rawdon
Maggie Rawdon
Another addictive second chance romance, this one between exes Quentin and Madison, who are forced to work together to improve Quentin’s image with fans when he joins the team as a former rival team’s quarterback. This one is steamy, full of pining and regret over past mistakes, made even more angsty because the two come from sports dynasty families with long-standing grudges.
‘First Down’ by Grace Reilly
Avon
This college football romance is a take on the classic star athlete/tutor set-up, and will keep you entertained right through the fourth quarter. The chemistry between James and Beckett had me dying to see their relationship progress throughout the story. I loved their bond and partnership, and the way they supported each other through every challenge thrown at them.
‘The Cheat Sheet’ by Sarah Adams
Dell
Is there anything better than a best-friends-to-lovers romance? How about one where he’s a pro football player, she’s a ballerina, and they’re thrust into a fake relationship that has them thinking … what if? Bree and Nathan are the sweetest pair and so easy to root for; the pining and tension en route to their happy ending jumps right off the page.
‘The Hook Up’ by Kristen Callihan
Canary Street Press
This romance between Anna and college football star Drew is so swoony and heartfelt, even in the stages where they fight to keep their connection purely physical. Their Pretty Woman-style “no kissing” rule had me on the edge of my seat just waiting for them to break it. I also loved the authentic representation of collegiate football in this one, showcasing the work student athletes put in to be at the top of their game.
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