Ho-Ho-Holanov!
Welcome to the eleventh day of Boobsmas, a day that that I am dedicating entirely to my latest obsession, Heated Rivalry. 💖🏒
If you’ve watched it, you know. If you haven’t, I regret to inform you that your emotional stability is currently intact—but only temporarily.
If you’ve read any of my books, it should come as no surprise that I’m a queer sports romance fan, through and through. But I’d like to think that there’s something out there for every kind of sports fan.
In lieu of my usual holiday romance recommendations—and because I know many of us are counting down the days to the Heated Rivalry season finale… I mean, Christmas—today, I’m offering you a different set of romance recs.
And, this time, I’ve asked a few friends to join in on the fun…
Whether you’re here for rivals-to-lovers, teammates catching feelings, or athletes finding space to be fully themselves, there’s something magical about this corner of the romance genre.
I hope at least a couple of these finds their way onto your TBR list.
Love Pucked by Emily Silver
One thing I’ve seen Heated Rivalry fans screaming for since the series’ release was a sapphic take on hockey romance. Well, Emily Silver has got you covered with the Toronto Rosebuds series!
The first book in the series is a second chance, forbidden romance between a coach and her player… who also happens to be her ex.
Icing the Kicker by Emily Shacklette
Double the athlete, double the fun. When Alex, an NHL goalie, kisses Elliot, a long kicker for the San Francisco Redwoods, he realizes two things. First, that he might be bisexual—*squeals* I love a bi-awakening story—and second, that Elliot might just be his good luck charm. 🏈🏒
Sound familiar, Scott and Kip fans?
Butterfly Effect by Ruby Rana
Sure, it’s an M/F pairing, but y’all should know better than now—especially if you read my books—that doesn’t make it any less of a queer love story.
In this one, Wade is a bisexual, and seemingly carefree NHL goalie, and Gabe is an Indian-biracial sportscaster. Their history of clashing both on and off the ice makes for a thrilling “I hate how much I want you” to lovers kind of story.
Break Performance by Rhea Fox
This one’s for all of the monster lovers out there, but especially Becky Feldman—because even feathered young Night Ravens play hockey and fall in love with their team captains.
Beak Performance is a fun, steamy read—but somehow, simultaneously cozy and wholesome—where we witness Arne’s bi-awakening and Max’s journey to accept that he is worthy of all the good things Arne brings to his life.
Cleat Cute by Meryl Wilsner
It’s a sapphic rivals-to-lovers romcom (sound familiar, Hollanov fans) for fans of Ted Lasso and A League of Their Own, where two soccer teammates are at odds before falling in love as their team gears up for the World Cup.
As somebody who often compares her own fictional baseball team to the comradery found on Ted Lasso’s AFC Richmond, take it from me, you won’t want to miss this one.
And as an added bonus, Cleat Cute might be coming to the small screen sooner than we know it! It was announced in 2024 that real-life pro athlete power couple, Megan Rapinoe and Sue Bird, are set to produce the TV adaptation.
My good friend—and unofficial “momager”—Laura Yamin from What to Read Next decided to get in on the Heated Rivalry action and recommend a few books, too.
And be sure to check out Laura’s podcast interview with Heated Rivalry author, Rachel Reid.
Wake Up, Nat & Darcy by Kate Cochrane
Cut from the U.S. women’s hockey team right before her third chance at gold, Natalie is scrambling for a plan that’ll help her avoid moving back home. 🥇Enter a guest hosting gig for USA’s winter games coverage… alongside Darcy, her ex-girlfriend.
Ex-lovers. Ex-rivals. New cohosts. What could go wrong?
Iced Out by C.E. Ricci
Quinton and Oakley have been rivals since high school, and watching that rivalry follow them onto the same Leighton University hockey team makes for such a fun, addictive read. ❤❤❤
The banter, the heat, the quirky hockey superstitions—they’ll all have you flipping the pages and kicking your feet like a schoolgirl.
Becky’s Book Recs
When I asked her for any books she might want include on the list, Becky Feldman offered me the following disclaimer:
“Unless there’s an orc on a hockey team that I don’t know about—in which case, somebody better DM me—I usually only read your sports romances, Kelly.” And with that, I give you…
All Bats Are Off by Kelly Reynolds
This one’s for all of the Ted Lasso fans who wanted more Trent Crimm content. ⚾ In this short and spicy novella written by yours truly, Brock, a gay sports reporter—with a certain kind of piercing—falls for Jonathan “Tuck” Tucker, the Roasters’ second baseman with tree trunk thighs meant for climbing.
Because we all know “it’s only one night to get it out of our systems” never works out that way. 😉
Have another queer sports romance to add to the list? Drop it in the comments below. And remember…
Never apologize for loving a love story so hard.
Be feral. Stay dangerous.
And happy holidays.
xo
Want to join my Facebook reader group, Kelly’s Book Baddies? It’s a welcoming and inclusive space for ALL romance lovers to talk about their favorite books. 🌈 We have weekly discussion topics, monthly giveaways, and the occasional recipe swap.
Need a few more holiday romance recs? Great news! I have a series of spicy novellas, all of which take place between Thanksgiving and New Year’s Eve, and feature a cast of queer, plus-size baddies. Plus, they’re set by the beach, and you know what that means? Crop tops at Christmas.
When you subscribe to my Substack, you’ll automatically receive exclusive access to my sapphic shortie, “Love is in the Air.” 🏳️🌈👩❤️💋👩 This spicy short was originally published in the (now out of print) Queer and Cute anthology.
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