Sporty Spice

20 steamy love stories about elite athletes

From the Olympics to Major League Baseball to the Eurocup, we're enjoying a lot of sporting entertainment this summer. Whether on the international stage or community rec leagues, this is the prime season for sports. And for sports romances! There's something especially sexy about romances involving elite athletes. It's just fun to imagine that level of peak physicality being applied to, ahem, passion. From football to gymnastics to soccer, here are some of our favorite sports romances.

Baseball 

Caught Up by Liz Tomforde

As a single dad and the starting pitcher for Chicago's MLB team, Kai is stretched too thin and can't find a decent nanny. His coach's daughter, Miller, is taking some time off from her work as a high-end pastry chef so her dad talks her into stepping in as the nanny for Kai's son. It's just a temporary fix, but why does it feel so right?

The Changeup by Nicole Falls

As a girl who plays baseball, Geffri Robinson knows she's a novelty. When a chance exhibition comes along, Geffri finds herself with an amazing opportunity to shine. But with all great success come trolls. Enter Noah Fence, an overly opinionated sports blogger who decides to challenge her to a competition.

The Player by K. Bromberg

When an injury threatens to end Easton Wylder’s season early, the team calls in renowned physical therapist, Doc Dalton, to oversee his recovery. But at his first session, it's Doc's daughter, Scout who greets him. Scout Dalton is feisty, athletic, and gorgeous, but Easton isn't entirely confident she can help him.

The Trade by Meghan Quinn

Cory Potter was none too pleased when he got the call telling him he'd been traded. And not just to any team, but his childhood rivals: the Chicago Rebels. But after meeting Natalie the trade is the least of his concerns. She's perfect—the girl of his dreams. Also, she's married.

Basketball 

One Last Shot by Alexandra Warren

Professional basketball player Selena "Sharpshooter" Samuels seems to have everything going for her. But her success seems threatened when her new assistant coach turns out to be Deandre "Dre" Leonard, a guy rebuilding his career after scandal. A guy she may or may not have had a huge crush on growing up. 

Hook Shot by Kennedy Ryan

A single, divorced dad in the final years of his basketball career, Kenan Ross's perfect life has blown up in his face. He's still picking up the pieces when he meets Lotus DuPree. A wildflower. A storm. A kick to his gut and a wrench in his plans from the moment their eyes meet.

How You Get the Girl by Anita Kelly

When a sassy junior joins East Nashville High's basketball team, Coach Julie Parker's up to the challenge. What she's not prepared for is the teen's new foster parent, a super-hot ex-WNBA baller. Elle Cochrane may be way out of her league, but somehow Julie persuades Elle to step in as her assistant coach.

Football

Fumbled Hearts by Meagan Brandy

Kalani is the tough, jaded new girl just trying to get through each day. The last thing she wants is to let anyone in. Nate is the cocksure quarterback who refuses to walk away. He's always gotten everything he wanted until Kalani. And somehow, it only makes him want her more.

Blind Side by Kandi Steiner

After a nasty breakup with his high school sweetheart, college football star Clay Johnson is a mess. When his behavior necessitates a meeting with shrinking violet Giana, the team's Public Relations Coordinator, he proposes a crazy plan with the dual benefits of helping her get noticed and making his ex jealous.

The Dating Playbook by Farrah Rochon

As a personal trainer, Taylor Powell kicks serious butt. Nonetheless, her bills are piling up and the money situation is dire. Enter Jamar Dixon. The oh-so-fine former footballer wants back into the NFL, and he wants Taylor to train him. There's just one catch—no one can know what they're doing.

Gymnastics

Burnout by Rebecca Jenshak

Knox is the tattooed motocross bad boy who got kicked off his team for fighting. Avery is an Olympic gymnast coming back from a knee injury and scared she'll never be the same. When Knox shows up at Avery's gym asking her to train him, she's pretty sure it's a bad idea, but she can't seem to say no. 

Out of Bounds by R. S. Grey

Brie is a rising star for the U.S. Olympics gymnastics team. Erik Winter is her new coach, intent on proving himself with success at the upcoming games in Rio. Their fates are bound together, but Erik's demeanor is arrogant and critical. If what he wants is a fight, Brie can give as good as she gets.

Head Over Heels by Hannah Orenstein

When it comes to her career as an Olympic gymnast, Avery has some baggage. Now reeling from a breakup with her football star boyfriend, she returns to her Massachusetts hometown where new coach Ryan recruits her to help him train a promising young gymnast with Olympic aspirations.

Hockey 

He's Not My Type by Meghan Quinn

Halsey is the star player for the Vancouver Agitators. He's had a crush on Avery since the moment he first saw her, even though she had a boyfriend. When she's suddenly single and in need of a place to stay, Halsey finds himself living with the girl of his dreams. But how can he get out of the friendzone?

The Risk by Elle Kennedy

As the feisty, wild daughter of Briar's head hockey coach, Brenna has a reputation as a bad girl. Still, she draws the line at hooking up with a player from a rival team. Harvard's star forward, Jake Connelly is just that. He's also arrogant and annoyingly attractive. And now Brenna needs him to be her fake boyfriend.   

Him by Sarina Bowen and Elle Kennedy

Jamie could never figure out why things got weird between him and Wes on the last night of hockey camp the summer they were eighteen. When the two former best friends are reunited as camp coaches four years later, Jamie learns a few things about his friend—and about himself.

Soccer 

Rock Bottom Girl by Lucy Score

Downsized, broke, and dumped, 38-year-old Marley finds herself coaching soccer at her hometown high school where Jake, former high school bad boy, is now the tattooed track coach and teacher of the year. The two strike a deal: He'll teach her how to coach if she teaches him how to be in a relationship.   

Kulti by Mariana Zapata

Beware of meeting your idols. When Reiner Kulti shows up to coach 27-year-old Sal's soccer team, it takes her less than a week to start wondering what she'd seen in the international soccer icon—now a shadow of his former self. Nothing could have prepared her for this man. Or the murderous urges he brought out in her.

Endurance by Amy Daws

Dr. Belle Ryan is a stressed-out surgical fellow. Tanner Harris is a footballer who has been shagging his way through London. He rejected her. She loathes him. Now fate has put them in a position where they're forced to pretend they actually like each other. But when sparks start to fly, rage turns to passion and tempers run sizzling hot.

Everything for You by Chloe Liese

Oliver is a beloved rising soccer star and the heart of their team's spirit. His co-captain is legendary veteran player Gavin, a gorgeous grump who's always raining on Oliver's parade. Sick of their hostility, their Coach gives them an ultimatum: put an end to their enmity or say goodbye to being captains.

Sports and romance. Two great things that go great together. Get into the spirit of summer sports with these high-octane romances. Do you have any favorite sports romances to recommend?

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Read more by Ashly Moore Sheldon