Recommendations based on "Calling the Play"

Matt:Want to know the fastest way to get screwed out of a football career? Get photographed in a compromising position in a gay bar. Yep, welcome to my life.My agent says he can fix my image. He wants me to become the poster boy for gay football players. Me? I just want back on the field. I'll do anything to play for the NFL again, even pretend to have a steady boyfriend. If only my fake boyfriend wasn't Noah Huntington III - the most arrogant, entitled rich guy in the world.Noah:Pretend to be Matt Jackson's boyfriend, my best friend said. It'll be fun, he said. What Damon neglected to mention is Matt is surly and bitter. Being his boyfriend is a job in itself. From his paranoia over being constantly photographed to his aversion to PDA, being with Matt isn't the care-free fake relationship I expected when I signed on to do this.It's supposed to be a win-win. I get to stick it to my politician dad who thinks no one is good enough for the Huntington name, and Matt's reputation of being the bad boy of football dies.What I don't expect is to start caring for the guy. That's not part of the plan. Then again, neither is fooling around with him.Oops.

New York Times bestselling author Sawyer Bennett hits the ice with this stand-alone story of a playboy athlete whose winning ways lead him to a beautiful woman with a lot to lose. Carolina Cold Fury star Garrett Samuelson never wants to miss out on a single minute of fun. Whether he’s playing hockey, hanging out with friends, or walking the red carpet with a new date on his arm, he lives every day to the fullest. When he meets Olivia Case, he sees someone who’s exactly his type—confident, sexy, smart . . . his next fling. But the more he pursues her, the more Garrett shares a side of himself that other women don’t normally get to see. Olivia has been keeping a secret. While Garrett lives for the next thrill, Olivia’s not sure she’ll live to see the next day. She’s undergoing treatment for some serious medical issues, and she doesn’t have time for a relationship with no guarantees—especially one with a hot-as-sin womanizer who won’t take no for an answer. But as she gets to know the real Garrett, Olivia can’t help falling for him . . . hard. To reveal the truth would mean risking everything—but you can’t score without taking the tough shots. The Carolina Cold Fury series from New York Times bestselling author Sawyer Bennett can be read together or separately: ALEX GARRETT ZACK RYKER HAWKE MAX ROMAN LUCAS VAN REED MAREK And don’t miss her Arizona Vengeance series: BISHOP ERIK LEGEND The Love Hurts series features sexy standalone novels: SEX IN THE STICKS JILTED And the Sugar Bowl series is one treat you’ll want to read in order: SUGAR DADDY SUGAR RUSH SUGAR FREE   “One of the best voices in contemporary romance.”—New York Times bestselling author Lauren Layne Praise for Garrett “Garrett is sexy, emotional, and real. Sawyer Bennett never fails to deliver heroes I fall hard for and heroines I adore.”—New York Times bestselling author Violet Duke “Garrett is a sizzling and emotional read with laughter and secrets thrown in for good measure. Sawyer Bennett had me at hello.”—New York Times bestselling author Lexi Ryan “Sawyer Bennett has outdone herself with Garrett. If you like secrets, romance, hot sex, and an epically fantastic ending that leaves you totally satisfied, then this is your book.”—New York Times bestselling author Lauren Blakely “Garrett took me on an emotional roller-coaster ride. It’s sexy yet heartwarming, with a totally swoon-worthy hero.”—New York Times bestselling author Melody Grace Includes an excerpt from another Loveswept title.

A NEW YORK TIMES BEST ROMANCE BOOK OF 2022 "Subtle and spectacular...every page serves up a stunner." —The New York Times “This book is EVERYTHING I want in a sports romance.” —Lyssa Kay Adams, author of The Bromance Book Club, on Unwritten Rules Charlie Braxton has it all: a wicked curveball, a beautiful wife, and the kind of money and attention that's attached to a professional baseball contract. Except his famous curveball comes with intense social anxiety, his wife is actually his soon-to-be ex-wife, and the money… Well, suffice it to say, he knows what it’s like to be treated like an ATM. But at least he’s better off than the new guy. Relief pitcher Reid Giordano is struggling to maintain his sobriety—and his roster spot. The press, along with a heck of a lot of his new Oakland teammates, seem to think his best baseball days are behind him. Only Charlie Braxton gives him the benefit of the doubt—and a place to stay when Reid finds himself short on cash…and friends. When their growing friendship turns into an unexpected attraction, and that ignites a romance, both Charlie and Reid must grapple with what it means to be more than teammates. And as their season winds down, they’ll need to walk away…or go out there and give it everything they’ve got.

A USA TODAY BESTSELLER!Shane and Ilya’s story, first seen in Heated Rivalry, continues in this long-awaited hockey romance from Rachel Reid."Everything you could want from this magnetic couple! A passionate, sexy, emotional sequel that grips your heart! Shane and Ilya forever!" —#1 NYT Bestseller Lauren Blakely, author of Hopelessly BromanticTo the world they are rivals, but to each other they are everything.Ten years.That’s how long Shane Hollander and Ilya Rozanov have been seeing each other. How long they’ve been keeping their relationship a secret. From friends, from family…from the league. If Shane wants to stay at the top of his game, what he and Ilya share has to remain secret. He loves Ilya, but what if going public ruins everything?Ilya is sick of secrets. Shane has gotten so good at hiding his feelings, sometimes Ilya questions if they even exist. The closeness, the intimacy, even the risk that would come with being open about their relationship…Ilya wants it all.It’s time for them to decide what’s most important—hockey or love.It’s time to make a call.Game ChangersBook 1: Game ChangerBook 2: Heated RivalryBook 3: Tough GuyBook 4: Common GoalBook 5: Role ModelBook 6: The Long Game

A sweet and spicy friends-to-lovers romance set against the backdrop of the Australian Open, from the author of Clean Point.In the aftermath of Dylan Bailey’s tenth Grand Slam loss, she decides to put her racket away for good. Until a tempting bet from fellow pro Oliver Anderson convinces her to give it one last shot.If she sticks it out, and still loses the next tournament, she takes home his US Open Trophy, and is free to walk away from the sport forever. To sweeten the deal, Oliver proposes a twist—he’ll swap his racket for a whistle and coach Dylan in the months leading up to the Australian Open.After all, with the solid friendship they’ve built, surely working together could score a game point.They just need to keep their eyes on the ball and ignore their sizzling tension.As Oliver and Dylan navigate the unpredictable court, they rediscover their love for the sport, but the feelings they share could complicate things. With the world watching their every move, they must ensure their partnership stays on-court.But as the lines between coach and player blur, especially in a sport where every detail is scrutinized, keeping their feelings in check may be their toughest match yet.

Once bitten, twice shy …The mantra I live by so no one can hurt me in the same way my parents did.I’m Tommy Schneider, the most feared player in the NHL with a last name to match my bad boy reputation. Only, I’m the better, stronger, faster version of my estranged dad. Everything in my life I control with expert precision—from the hits I land in fights to the tattoos covering my body. Nothing and no one can get the better of me. I’m impermeable, a wall of steel that’s as cold as it is opaque.So when my trade to the New York Blades is met with controversy, it’s fair to say I’m unbothered. The recently appointed General Manager expects a brutal enforcer, and that’s exactly what he’ll get.But what I didn’t expect when I landed in Brooklyn? Jenna Miller. And the way she unceremoniously turned me down. I shouldn’t let her rejection weave it’s way under my skin, and I definitely shouldn’t have punched her brother when he tried to defend Jenna’s honor.Instead, I should heed my mantra and walk away from the girl who hates my guts and grates on me with her bratty smile and backtalking mouth. If I don’t, I know someone will eventually get hurt. But each time I back off, I wind up standing outside her apartment door again.I’m in the fight of my life, with so much more at risk than just broken bones and bruises …This time, it’s my heart on the line.

A brother's best friend hockey romanceLoganI like my life controlled, measured, exactly on schedule. Which is why I don’t date teammates’ sisters.But Tallulah “Lulu” Parnell makes that one hell of a rule to keep. Sunshine in a maxi dress, always asking questions she shouldn’t, always finding new ways under my skin.When she moves in across the street, her brother Eli asks me to keep an eye on her during some dating mission to find herself, and suddenly I’ve got a front-row seat. Watching her walk out the door for guys who don’t deserve her, in dresses I can’t stop thinking about, smiling in ways that aren’t meant for me.Somewhere between a flooded kitchen, a string of failed dates, dog-sitting, and her volunteering me for career day, she asks me for lessons—the kind that don’t belong in a classroom.I should refuse. Say no. Value my life.Instead, I let her in. And the more I touch her, the harder it gets to remember why I’m supposed to resist. She’s showing me there’s more to life than one safe lane, and I’m proving she’s so much more than people assume.With hockey, the game starts when you break the ice with the first goal.With Lulu, it’s endgame.Break The Ice is a grumpy x sunshine, brother's best friend / teammate’s sister, spicy lessons hockey romance, and is book three in the Colorado Storm series of interconnected standalones.Perfect for fans of: Brother's Best Friend (aka Team Mate's Sister) Secret Relationship Pro Hockey Player x Middle School Teacher She Falls First, He Falls Harder Spice Lessons Grumpy x Sunshine The Goodest Boi Retriever & The Most Psychotic Schnauzer A Spicy Dressing Room Scene 👀 When Ms. “Everyone underestimates me” meets Mr. “Prove 'em wrong, baby.” The Most Chaotic Halloween Scene™ in Denver, Colorado

What happened in high school stayed in high school. Until now. Five years ago, Michael Graham betrayed the only person who ever really knew him. Since then, he's made an art of hiding his sexual orientation from everyone. Including himself. So it's a shock when his past strolls right into the Harkness College locker room, sporting a bag of hockey gear and the same slow smile that had always rendered Graham defenseless. For Graham, there is only one possible reaction: total, debilitating panic. With one loose word, the team's new left wing could destroy Graham's life as he knows it. John Rikker is stuck being the new guy. Again. And it's worse than usual, because the media has latched onto the story of the only "out" player in Division One hockey. As the satellite trucks line the sidewalk outside the rink, his new teammates are not amused. And one player in particular looks sick every time he enters the room. Rikker didn't exactly expect a warm welcome from Graham. But the guy won't even meet his eyes. From the looks of it, his former... best friend / boyfriend / whatever isn't doing so well. He drinks too much and can't focus during practice. Either the two loneliest guys on the team will self destruct from all the new pressures in their lives, or they can navigate the pain to find a way back to one another. To say that it won't be easy is the Understatement of the Year. Warning: unlike the other books in this series, this heartbreaking love story is about two guys. Contains sexual situations, dance music, snarky t-shirts and a poker-playing grandmother.

A boxed set of three novels and a novella in the Portland Storm hockey romance series by USA Today bestselling author Catherine Gayle.BREAKAWAYPortland Storm captain Eric “Zee” Zellinger knows how to get the job done, but leading his once elite team to victory is fast becoming a losing battle. He can’t lose focus now—not with his career on the line. But when his best friend’s little sister makes him an offer he can’t refuse, Eric could lose the drive the team relies on from their captain.Still in a downward spiral after a life-altering event in college, Dana Campbell is desperate to try anything to break away from the horror of that fateful night—even enlisting the help of the only man she trusts completely.No matter how irresistible she is or how tempting the offer, Eric might not be able to cross that line—especially with the team’s chance at the playoffs on the line. Now, Eric has to take one last shot, but will he choose Dana’s Breakaway chance at happiness or the move that could secure his career?ON THE FLYBeing sidelined for far too long due to injuries, Portland Storm player Brenden “Soupy” Campbell is ready to take his career to the next level and make his new position on the team stick. After he meets the general manager’s cute new assistant, Brenden knows he’s right where he’s supposed to be.Determined to change things up On the Fly and establish a future for herself and her children, Rachel Shaw jumps at the opportunity to work for the Storm. She’s not going to let anything—or anyone—get in her way, especially not a sexy and overly cocky hockey star.But when Brenden pulls out all the stops and turns on the charm, Rachel refuses to make the same mistake twice. Now, it’s up to Brenden to cement his spot—both on the team and in Rachel’s heart.TAKING A SHOTRising hockey star Jamie Babcock is ready to take the most important shot of his life—and this time, it’s not on the ice. Dating his teammate’s daughter might be riskier than going head to head with one of the Portland Storm’s rivals. But time is running out—it’s now or never.High school senior Katie Weber knows all too well the woes of adolescence, but throw in a leukemia diagnosis, and her life just got a lot more complicated. With prom looming and a shiny bald head to contend with, Katie might sit at home on the most important night of her potentially very short life. Unless Jamie Babcock, her ultimate crush, finally makes the move she’s been praying for. But that’s not the only miracle she needs.Now Jamie must show Katie just how important she is and how hard she must fight.Before it’s too late…LIGHT THE LAMPHockey star Liam Kallen lost his scoring touch when his wife died. Still broken up over her loss, Liam’s darkness overpowers him, but his new team—the Portland Storm—needs him. A chance meeting brings him face to face with Noelle Payne, the most positive and upbeat woman he’s ever met, and his darkness begins to fade. There’s never been a challenge that Noelle can’t conquer. Brightside optimist to a fault, Noelle refuses to succumb to the luxurious life Liam can give her, as she longs to find deeper meaning and purpose in her life. Now it’s up to Liam to open up and show her that she’s the light he’s needed all along—giving her the greatest purpose of all. He might have saved her, but can Noelle be the light that saves him.The Portland Storm series reading order:1. Breakaway2. On the Fly3. Taking a Shot4. Light the Lamp5. Delay of Game6. Double Major7. In the Zone8. Holiday Hat Trick9. Comeback10. Dropping Gloves11. Home Ice12. Mistletoe Misconduct13. Losing an Edge14. Game Breaker15. Defensive Zone16. Power Play17. Neutral Zone18. Free Agent - coming soon19. Journeyman - coming soon20. Sleigh Bells & Slap Shots - coming soonThe Portland Storm series is a hockey romance series, but it is about a lot more than just hockey. Serious themes are explored in each book, including rape, cancer, addiction, miscarriage, molestation, grief, and many others. If you have triggers, please be aware that some or all of these books could contain material which would trigger you. Even if you don't have triggers, consider this your tissue warning. You could ugly cry while reading them.KEYWORDS: sports romance, hockey romance, athlete, tearjerker, emotional romance, cancer, rape, brother's best friend, grief, forbidden romance, jock, sexy romance, ptsd, cancer

From the bestselling author of the San Francisco Thunder series comes a sexy forbidden romance between a determined hockey player and the woman he won't let get away. As his team's enforcer on the ice, Sebastian Deveau is America's favorite fighting Frenchman. But he's just as likely to get into trouble off the ice -- especially when it comes to women. Shayne Beckford is so over hockey. It ruined her parents' marriage. It spoiled her brother's dreams. And let's not even talk about her college boyfriend . . . So when Sebastian Deveau walks into her brother's gym, she has no idea who he is. All she knows is that he's one gorgeous man with the sexiest accent she's ever heard. And since she never has to see him again, she lets him give her the best orgasm of her life right on top of the gym's dryer.But Sebastian isn't going to let this one-night stand get away so easily. He fights for what he wants, even if it takes fighting a little dirty . . . More in the Hometown Players series: One More Shot Making a Play The Final Move