10 Sports Romance Books with Plus Size Heroines (and Heroes!)
Disclosure: We are part of the Amazon Affiliate/LTK Creator programs. We will receive a small commission at no cost if you purchase a book. This post may contain links to purchase books & you can read our affiliate disclosure here.
Sports romance is one of the most popular romance subgenres—but too often, the athletes and heroines all seem to look the same. That’s why today’s conversation with author and podcaster Kelly Reynolds on the What to Read Next Podcast felt so refreshing. We dove into why plus size characters matter in romance and how fat joy itself can be a radical act of representation.
To celebrate, we’re sharing a roundup of sports romances that feature plus size characters—from baseball to rugby, football to hockey. Whether you love grumpy quarterbacks, poly rugby teams, or baseball coaches nicknamed “Coach Daddy,” this list has something to add to your TBR.
Hit It and Quit It by Kelly Reynolds
Buy on Amazon | Baseball Romance | KU ✅
When a mid-size heroine finds herself tangled with a baseball player, sparks fly both on and off the field.
Why You’ll Love It: A smart, sexy baseball romance that centers a heroine with a body type that reflects the real-life average.
Pitches Be Crazy by Kelly Reynolds
Buy on Amazon | Baseball Romance | KU ✅
A full-figured heroine takes center stage in this baseball romance that doesn’t shy away from showing curves, folds, and the kind of body rarely seen in romance covers.
Why You’ll Love It: A joyful, body-positive romance with unapologetic representation—and plenty of on-field tension.
All Bats Are Off by Kelly Reynolds
Buy on Amazon | Baseball Romance | KU ✅
This book flips expectations with a plus size hero—a baseball player with thick thighs who isn’t the typical six-pack athlete.
Why You’ll Love It: Representation for plus size men in sports romance, which is still rare to find.
Addicted to Glove by Kelly Reynolds
Buy on Amazon | Baseball Romance | KU ✅
A long-awaited romance between the team’s coach (affectionately dubbed “Coach Daddy”) and the team’s social media director. A fling turns into an “oops, she’s pregnant” storyline with heart.
Why You’ll Love It: Coach/employee tension, second chances, and a heroine who owns her space.
Every Move You Make by Sloan Spencer
Buy on Amazon | Rugby, Why-Choose Poly Romance | KU ✅
Inspired by real-life rugby stars, this romance features two men and one woman navigating love, attraction, and teamwork on and off the pitch.
Why You’ll Love It: A polyamorous sports romance that gives space to plus size male and female athletes.
No Cooldown for Love by Aliyah Burke
Buy on Amazon | Basketball, Interracial Romance | KU ✅
When a former pro basketball player rescues a stranded heroine during a snowstorm, their instant chemistry turns into something much deeper.
Why You’ll Love It: A swoony snowstorm setup and a romance that blends sports with heartwarming second-chance vibes.
Stumped by Anna P
Buy on Amazon | Cricket, Age Gap Romance | South Asian rep
A cricket romance set in India, where an older heroine falls for a younger athlete on the field.
Why You’ll Love It: Unique setting, South Asian representation, and an age-gap sports romance you haven’t read before.
The Game by Leonor Soliz
Buy on Amazon | Football Romance | KU ✅
A grumpy quarterback reconnects with a one-night stand—only now she’s the PR manager hired to save his image.
Why You’ll Love It: The ultimate “grumpy QB meets PR manager” trope, with plenty of sparks, banter, and tension.
The Cock Down the Block by Amy Award
Buy on Amazon | Football Romance, Plus Size Heroine | KU ✅
The first in Amy Dawns’ hilarious and body-positive football series, packed with outrageous titles and heartfelt stories.
Why You’ll Love It: Laugh-out-loud humor mixed with genuine plus size representation.
Pucking Around series by Emily Rath
Buy on Amazon | Hockey Romance (Book 2 heroine plus size) | KU ✅
While the first book kicks things off, it’s the second book where Tess, a plus size heroine, takes the spotlight in a spicy hockey romance full of age-gap drama and kink.
Why You’ll Love It: Hockey romance with fat joy, toys, and pegging—perfect if you love boundary-pushing spice.
Conner (Glendale Magic Series) by Mary Warren
Buy on Amazon | Hockey Romance, Plus Size Heroine
Mary Warren’s hockey series features plus size heroines in every book, starting with Connor.
Why You’ll Love It: Warren is a must-follow for fat rep in romance, and her books combine humor, heart, and hockey heat.
Meet Kelly Reynolds
Kelly Reynolds is a romance author and the host of the beloved podcast Boobies & Noobies, where she blends book discussions with humor, holiday romance countdowns, and panel chats on hot romance topics.
She’s the author of multiple series, including her Rose City Roasters Baseball romances and holiday novellas set in Los Angeles. Kelly’s books often feature plus size heroines, queer love stories, and laugh-out-loud banter—all with plenty of spice.
Follow Kelly online:
Related Posts
- 12 Holiday Romance Novels with Extra Heat – More Recommendations made by Kelly Reynolds
- Spicy Sports Romance Recommendations: Tennis Romance
- Your Next Bookish Obsession: Pickleball Romances
- Books Similar to The Striker by Ana Huang: Ballerina Romances
- Books Like Ted Lasso
Final Thoughts
From baseball to hockey, plus size characters are showing up and changing the game in sports romance. Whether you’re looking for steamy, funny, or heartwarming reads, these authors are proving that fat joy belongs on and off the field.
🎧 Want to hear more? Listen to the full conversation with Kelly Reynolds on the What to Read Next Podcast.