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This might sound like an exaggeration, but there’s literally nothing that gets my heart pumping like a sports romance book!
You guys, I devour sports romance, and I actually think this is a pretty popular sentiment—this subgenre has produced some of the very best romance books in the past few years.
I mean, didn’t you hear about Icebreaker last year?
Anyway, in this post, I’ve compiled the best, most romantic, most heartwarming, and most swoon-worthy basketball romance books that I personally feel everyone needs to read.
I’ve read all the books on this list, and I can tell you for a fact—they are absolutely incredible.
There’s everything from friends-to-lovers, enemies-to-lovers, and rivals-to-lovers to some seriously intense chemistry between two unforgettable characters.
Trust me, by the end of each book, your heart will be bursting, and you’ll be rooting for the characters from start to finish.
Let me know in the comments which of these lovely romance books you enjoyed!
Before I Loved You by Ashley Elizabeth
Sarah has always relied on herself—until a one-night stand with Paul leaves her with two pink lines and a new future.
Just when she’s ready to embrace this unexpected turn, a ghost from her past comes back, threatening everything.
This one has deep emotions, unexpected twists, and a heroine learning to trust love.
Long Shot by Kennedy Ryan
Iris thought she had her happily ever after—until she realized her prince was more of a villain.
Stuck in a toxic relationship, she never expected August West, an NBA star, to come along and show her what love should really be.
But her past won’t let go that easily.
This book hits hard and it mixes deep heartbreak with undeniable chemistry.
Let Me Hold You by Alexandria House
Leland McClain is a charming, talented NBA player who always gets what he wants and he wants Kimberly Hampton.
But Kim, who runs a community center and has a complicated past, isn’t looking for love.
Leland’s determined to change that. This one is a swoon-worthy age-gap romance with all the feels.
Waiting to Score by Elouise Tynan
Monty’s escape plan from her clingy ex? Kissing the first guy she sees—who just happens to be West Wright, the campus basketball star.
Now, she needs a fake boyfriend, and West offers to play the part.
But the more they pretend, the more real it starts to feel.
This has all the fake-dating, slow-burn goodness we love!
Nice Guys Don’t Win by Micalea Smeltzer
Zoe didn’t expect her new roommate, Cole, to be one of her dad’s top basketball players.
And she definitely didn’t expect to fall for him.
Dating a basketball player is against the rules, but Cole is different.
A sweet and forbidden college sports romance that makes breaking the rules seem worth it.
She Drives Me Crazy by Kelly Quindlen
Scottie and Irene are sworn enemies until a fender bender forces them into a carpool arrangement.
When Scottie sees a chance to get revenge on her ex, she ropes Irene into a fake dating scheme.
But spending time together makes them realize there’s a thin line between hate and love.
A fun, queer, enemies-to-lovers story with all the teen rom-com vibes.
How You Get the Girl by Anita Kelly
Julie coaches high school basketball, and when she asks former WNBA star Elle to help out, sparks fly in this queer adult romance book.
Julie struggles with dating, so Elle offers to coach her in love—just like basketball.
But as their practice sessions turn into something more, they have to decide if they’re ready for the real thing.
A heartfelt, slow-burn romance full of warmth, this is a basketball romance book you absolutely need to read.
Hating the Player by Rebecca Jenshak
Violet has zero interest in Gavin, the campus party king—until they end up on the same camping trip with only one tent left.
Suddenly, keeping her distance isn’t so easy.
A flirty, fun college romance with forced proximity and plenty of tension.
Beautiful Broken Love by Shanora Williams
Davina is still grieving her husband’s death, but throwing herself into work has kept her going.
When she meets Deke, a charismatic NBA star, she starts feeling things she never expected. But can she open her heart again?
This is a deeply emotional second-chance romance about healing and finding love after loss.
Her Good Side by Rebekah Weatherspoon
Bethany and Jacob both need dating practice—so they agree to fake date.
But their practice kisses start to feel real, and suddenly, they have to ask themselves: what if their perfect match was right in front of them all along?
I absolutely loved this sweet and swoony YA romance perfect for fans of Jenny Han.
Night Shift by Annie Crown
Kendall would rather spend her nights working at the campus library and reading romance novels than partying.
But when Vincent, the basketball team captain, shows up looking for poetry recs, their late-night banter turns into something more.
A bookish girl + an athlete + forced proximity? Yes, please!
Ravaged by Naima Simone
Miriam has one dating rule: no athletes.
It’s a hard rule, even when her best friend, Jordan—the man she secretly loves—is a basketball star.
But when he sets her up with a teammate, things get complicated. Jordan isn’t ready to let her go without a fight.
A best-friends-to-lovers romance with all the tension and longing.
Beneath the Stands by Emily McIntire
Elliot was a rising basketball star—until an injury shattered his dreams.
Now, he’s back at his sister’s school as a coach, and the last person he expects to see is Becca, his sister’s best friend and the girl he never forgot.
A second-chance, small-town romance with deep emotions and undeniable chemistry, you should totally read this book.
These all have that heartfelt, emotional depth that sports romance books often have, with strong relationships, character growth, and big emotions.
Which one are you adding to your TBR first?
