Books like 'Played'
Readers who enjoyed Played by Naima Simone also liked the following books featuring the same tropes, story themes, relationship dynamics and character types.
contemporary romance sports in-uniform enemies-to-lovers alpha-mc multi-pov grumpy-sunshine fake-relationship grumpy-mc
-
On the Surface by Nikki Ash
Rated: 4.67 of 5 stars · 12 ratingsPeople see what they want to see. They only view what’s on the surface, and they’re easy to fool. I let them see on the outside that I’m a successful businesswoman. My clothes are designer, my makeup flawless, and I live in a high-rise condo in Lennox Hills. They see perfection, not what lies beneath the surface...Categorized as:
cheerful-mc enemies-to-lovers grumpy-mc grumpy-sunshine multi-pov sports adult age-gap -
Times Like These (Blue is the Color) by Julia Wolf
Rated: 4.50 of 5 stars · 16 ratingsNick Fletcher has the voice of a god and a tongue as sharp as a knife. His words can cut, and this time, his quick temper has earned him an intruder in his life and on his tour. Dalia Brenner looks like a grown-up Annie gone bad, but he wants nothing to do with her pin-up worthy curves and smart mouth...Categorized as:
alpha-mc cheerful-mc enemies-to-lovers grumpy-mc grumpy-sunshine multi-pov adult age-gap -
War by Brittanee Nicole
Rated: 4.58 of 5 stars · 12 ratingsI’ve never been a good bet.I wear my emotions on my tattoo-covered sleeve, I say all the wrong things and I revel in pissing off a certain redhead far more than I should. In other words, I’m the last person the court would choose to parent any child, let alone three of them.Yet being their father is all I want...Categorized as:
sports enemies-to-lovers fake-relationship grumpy-sunshine cheerful-mc grumpy-mc multi-pov romance -
Pass Interference by Christina C. Jones
Rated: 4.60 of 5 stars · 10 ratingsMy bio might speak for itself, but I still have everything to prove. Everything to gain. Everything to lose. On the field, and off. I’m here for a reason, and Nate Richardson isn’t one of them… except, he won’t let me relegate him to a non-factor. Even knowing what’s at stake, he won’t let me pass him off. So I’ll adapt. Open myself up. Dominate my position. Defend my right to be here... -
-
Wins & Losses by Alexandra Warren
Rated: 4.60 of 5 stars · 10 ratingsNasir Valentine has one thing on his mind: winning a championship title in his first year as head coach of the boys basketball team. But when his team captain’s father is murdered just before the start of the season, he quickly learns coaching high school basketball in the inner city is a lot more than just drawing numbers and arrows on a dry erase board... -
Something Like Love by Christina C Jones
Rated: 4.60 of 5 stars · 10 ratingsEddie is arrogant, quite vain and slick at the mouth - or simply confident, discerning, and unafraid to speak his mind, if you ask him. Astrid is annoyingly perky, unpolished, and a little delusional about Eddie’s attraction to her - or, according to her, energetic, authentic, and absolutely spot on about the driving factor of a certain local tattoo artist’s “hatred” of her...Categorized as:
black-mc cheerful-mc enemies-to-lovers grumpy-mc grumpy-sunshine poc-mc sports adult -
Twenty-four Three by K.C. Mills
Rated: 4.60 of 5 stars · 10 ratingsA shot in the dark.A mistaken identity.A undeniable attraction.An injured hitman finds himself depending on a stranger and for Carter Reed trust is not something he’s willing to extend. Unfortunately when it comes to McKenna Smith, Carter can either allow her to be his saving grace or risk losing something more precious than trust…his life.Stakes are high...Categorized as:
grumpy-sunshine cheerful-mc grumpy-mc black-mc poc-mc romance forced-proximity contemporary -
Free Agent by Christina C. Jones
Rated: 4.60 of 5 stars · 10 ratingsFor Rori Mitchell, delulu is decidedly not the solulu.Getting her lick back is.What starts as chance encounter at a sporting event ends up being a perfect distraction from the chaos of a broken heart. Instead of throwing herself into work, she throws herself - for good or bad - into Tatum Wilder.An offensive tackle for the Connecticut Kings, Tatum is used to high-stakes games and intense scrutiny... -
Love's Neutral Zone by Love Belvin
Rated: 4.83 of 5 stars · 6 ratingsMaaz Zyad, number ninety-seven of the Connecticut Kings, wasn’t a big name in his first three seasons in the League. Thanks to his temperamental girlfriend posting and tweeting her every grievance about the League and Kings franchise, Zyad’s become one of the most talked about players in the media.The Kings cut him a contract extension with a huge pay increase under one condition... -
Until It Was Love by Pippa Grant
Rated: 4.43 of 5 stars · 14 ratingsThere are a million reasons why I shouldn’t date Fletcher Huxley. He’s a growly-faced, stubborn-streaked, international rugby legend trying to revive his flailing career in the US after being canned by his team overseas...Categorized as:
sports enemies-to-lovers grumpy-sunshine cheerful-mc grumpy-mc fake-relationship multi-pov alpha-mc -
The Grand Ruin: Lance & Scarlet, Part One by J.C. Hawke
Rated: 4.63 of 5 stars · 8 ratingsBeing stood up on your birthday sucks.It sucks even worse when it's your brother's egotistical best friend and CFO who delivers the blow.My first encounter with Lance Sullivan had me crying in an elevator as I clung to a stranger for comfort.On our second, he stormed my dress fitting pretending to be my husband.And by the third... I'd made the bastard smile.I do not have time for a man in my life... -
Bittersweet by Christina C. Jones
Rated: 4.50 of 5 stars · 10 ratingsIt's looking like Anika might be alone for the holidays... unless the very last person she'd ever want to spend them with can convince her otherwise. Is it really enemies-to-lovers if the disdain is one-sided?Bittersweet is a novella...Categorized as:
black-mc cheerful-mc enemies-to-lovers grumpy-mc grumpy-sunshine poc-mc adult audiobook -
Gotta Be Bayou by Erin Nicholas
Rated: 4.50 of 5 stars · 10 ratingsHow do you get over a woman you never should have been, ahem, under in the first place?Just when FBI special agent Spencer Landry had decided to forget about investigative journalist Maxine — Max — Keller and their one hot night together, there's a threat made against her and Spencer's protective instincts get all riled up. Again... -
Wicked Games by Maureen Smith
Rated: 4.42 of 5 stars · 12 ratingsFrom USA Today Bestselling Author Maureen Smith comes a sizzling new interracial romance series featuring four hockey hunks who lose their hearts on the road to winning the Stanley Cup….College recruiter Nadia Warner has sworn off jocks for good. So when her sports reporter brother drags her out to a hockey practice, the last thing she’s looking for is romance... -
-
A Tale of Two Cities: A Valentine's Novella by Alexandra Warren
Rated: 4.67 of 5 stars · 6 ratingsWhen people think of a holiday for love, they automatically come up with Valentine's Day. But for Brooklyn and Austin, the day after is when the real fun begins thanks to a dare of a DM on Instagram that leads to the two of them spending a hot weekend in Miami together. ;) A Tale of Two Cities Collection: Cute & Sweet Millennial Meets Over a Holiday, All With One Thing In Common; Cities... -
A Tale of Two Cities: A New Year Novella by Alexandra Warren
Rated: 4.67 of 5 stars · 6 ratingsWhen people think of a holiday for love, they automatically come up with Valentine's Day... -
Forever Wild by Rebecca Jenshak
Rated: 4.31 of 5 stars · 16 ratingsThe annoyingly handsome hockey captain glaring at me needs my help.He won't admit that, of course. But with his teammate's gone for the summer and him fresh off a season-ending injury, someone has to keep him in check and it's not the nurses he keeps running off...Categorized as:
sports grumpy-sunshine cheerful-mc grumpy-mc enemies-to-lovers athlete multi-pov romance -
To Be Your Last by Rae Kennedy
Rated: 4.50 of 5 stars · 8 ratingsI’ve never done something so reckless. So exciting. Perfect Gracie Gallagher would never run away from home with four men she just met. But when Logan invites me on tour with his band for the summer—I say yes.Logan is charismatic and carefree. With him, I'm fun Gracie. Wild Gracie.But then why can’t I stop thinking about the tattooed singer? Colin doesn’t want me here. He’s quiet and cold...Categorized as:
cheerful-mc enemies-to-lovers fake-relationship grumpy-mc grumpy-sunshine adult book contemporary -
Can't Help but Want You by Tay Mo'Nae
Rated: 4.50 of 5 stars · 8 ratingsJust when things seem to be going well a curve ball is thrown at Tae causing Brenna to take a step back from their situation. Now becoming a father, Tae puts all his attention on his son, ignoring the yearning inside of him.Brenna thinks moving on is the key to her problems, but what she soon learns is the heart wants what the heart wants...Categorized as:
grumpy-sunshine cheerful-mc grumpy-mc enemies-to-lovers sports black-mc poc-mc romance -
Possessed by Passion by Brenda Jackson
Rated: 4.40 of 5 stars · 10 ratingsThey're discovering the healing powers of passion Burned-by-love architect Hunter McKay came home to Phoenix to open her own firm, not rekindle her fleeting high school romance with playboy Tyson Steele. But when she runs into the sexy surgeon at a nightclub—and he unleashes that legendary Steele charm—Hunter fears she's headed straight for heartbreak once again... -
Redneck Romeo by Xavier Neal
Rated: 4.40 of 5 stars · 10 ratingsA small town man. A big city woman. A star-crossed love affair that begins in paradise... What starts as five days of fun in the sun leads to two people traveling down an emotional dirt road. Down a highway paved with good intentions but full of unpredicted roadblocks... -
Cold as Ice by Nichole Rose
Rated: 4.40 of 5 stars · 10 ratingsCaptain of the team? He's not giving up until he's Captain of her heart.KrisWhen you're the Captain, you get what you want.Until the one thing you want refuses to cooperate.I've been chasing Kelsey, our feisty publicist, for years.She won't give me the time of day.I know she wants me too.I see it in her eyes every time she looks at me.But she runs as soon as I get close... -
Face Off by Teagan Hunter
Rated: 4.40 of 5 stars · 10 ratingsI have two goals this season:1. Stay single.2. Get Rory Sinclair to admit she doesn’t completely hate me.When I find a stray dog roaming the streets of Seattle, the last place I expect to end up is in the office of a grumpy veterinarian—the one woman who can resist my charm. Twin to my teammate’s girlfriend, Rory is full of fire, but I’m not afraid of her flame...Categorized as:
sports enemies-to-lovers grumpy-sunshine cheerful-mc grumpy-mc multi-pov alpha-mc romance -
All I've Wanted All I've Needed by A.E. Valdez
Rated: 4.33 of 5 stars · 12 ratingsHarlow Shaw feels naïve for believing in happily ever afters but she craves a love that lights her up.She thought she had it all with her boyfriend. Until his promising baseball career overshadows their relationship and he asks her a life changing question. It causes her to wonder if what they have is all she ever truly wanted.Harlow is yearning for more than the curated life she is living... -
-
Downfall by Evelyn Sola
Rated: 4.33 of 5 stars · 12 ratingsHe thought he had his life figured out, but he had no idea.Summer Madison is the opposite of everything Maxwell Sutton finds attractive in a woman. And yet, here he is, fighting powerful feelings for the new personal assistant his brother hired while he was out of town.Everything about her is wrong, yet his thoughts are consumed with nothing but her...Categorized as:
enemies-to-lovers alpha-mc grumpy-sunshine cheerful-mc grumpy-mc poc-mc romance contemporary -
Nanny for the Bossholes by Rebel Bloom
Rated: 4.33 of 5 stars · 12 ratingsI got dumped and fired for not making babies with my boss.And now my only way to get revenge is to become a nanny for his enemies...My plan for revenge was simple: Get a job with the Graves Brothers, my ex's biggest competitors...Categorized as:
enemies-to-lovers alpha-mc multi-pov grumpy-sunshine cheerful-mc grumpy-mc romance reverse-harem -
Love You Wild by Becka Mack
Rated: 4.29 of 5 stars · 14 ratingsShattered. That’s the best way to describe Claire Thompson after the ultimate betrayal. When her long-term boyfriend cheats on her, Claire decides she’s done with men. Maybe forever. Healing the pieces of her broken heart seems like too impossible a task...Categorized as:
alpha-mc cheerful-mc enemies-to-lovers grumpy-mc grumpy-sunshine sports adult billionaire -
The Holly Dates by Brittainy C. Cherry
Rated: 4.25 of 5 stars · 16 ratingsAll she wanted for Christmas was a boyfriend for the holidays…All he wanted was for her to take her crappy first dates elsewhere… Quirky Holly Jackson was unlucky in love, yet her romantic heart refused to give up her search for companionship—even after her fiancé left her at the altar on Christmas Eve...Categorized as:
alpha-mc cheerful-mc enemies-to-lovers fake-relationship grumpy-mc grumpy-sunshine multi-pov poc-mc -
The Life Coach by Sienna Waters
Rated: 4.60 of 5 stars · 5 ratingsIt's time to let a little sunshine into your life...Meet Vivien Curtis, a divorced, depressed, reclusive true crime addict. All she wants is to be left alone, and for the kids to stay off her lawn.Until Alice Knowles appears. A young life coach hired by Viv's best friend Evie to get Viv back on her feet again, Alice wants nothing more than to meet Ms. Right, get married, and start adopting cats...Categorized as:
enemies-to-lovers grumpy-sunshine cheerful-mc grumpy-mc contemporary lgbtq wlw fiction -
Besotted: An Enemies-to-Lovers Small-town Romance by Rebecca Sharp
Rated: 4.50 of 5 stars · 6 ratingsFrom bestselling author, Dr. Rebecca Sharp, comes an unrequited enemies-to-lovers standalone romance...Eve Williams is a hopeless romantic.Wearing her heart on her sleeve, she’s certain she’ll know her fairytale prince when she meets him. And when a ruggedly handsome cowboy with brooding Texan charm moves to town, Eve finds herself completely besotted...Categorized as:
enemies-to-lovers alpha-mc multi-pov grumpy-sunshine cheerful-mc grumpy-mc contemporary suspense -
Duke: Faking the Play by Kayley Loring, Connor Crais
Rated: 4.50 of 5 stars · 6 ratings#4 Callum Duquette. Placekicker for the Boston Tomcats. Former underwear model. NICKNAME: Duke. I thought the most annoying thing about being a single dad was that my friends were always trying to find me a date. Until a sassy British ray of sunshine bumps into me at a bookstore...Categorized as:
sports grumpy-sunshine cheerful-mc grumpy-mc fake-relationship athlete alpha-mc romance -
The Fall Out by Jenni Bara
Rated: 4.50 of 5 stars · 6 ratingsLet me tell the story of how I fell in love with a woman who had no idea that we were even dating. The ridiculousness started when she stole my beer, and trust me, my grumpy self doesn’t normally share. But somehow, Avery Wilson is the exception to every one of my many rules.Unfortunately, I’m not hers...Categorized as:
sports grumpy-sunshine cheerful-mc grumpy-mc athlete romance friends-to-lovers slow-burn -
Houston, We Have a Problem by Dana LeCheminant
Rated: 4.50 of 5 stars · 6 ratingsHouston Briggs is at a crossroads, facing the possible end of his career after a devastating injury. With an uncertain future ahead of him and his siblings finding their own happy endings, he’s desperately seeking peace and purpose.Enter Darcy Paxton, his refreshing new neighbor who is nothing like the women of his past relationships...Categorized as:
sports enemies-to-lovers multi-pov grumpy-sunshine cheerful-mc grumpy-mc romance contemporary -
Perfect Praise by Grace Pearce
Rated: 4.50 of 5 stars · 6 ratingsMaren and Locke both exist in the same world of professional golf—he's the number one player in the world while she just takes his picture.Never mind that Locke unintentionally leads the press to believe that he and Maren are dating, because when she confronts him, he couldn't care less...Categorized as:
sports grumpy-sunshine cheerful-mc grumpy-mc athlete romance forced-proximity contemporary -
-
Fumble. Pass. Repeat. by T'Lyn
Rated: 4.58 of 5 stars · 12 ratingsKyce Jefferson understood change. His life had been a continuous reminder that nothing last for ever. However, his one constant had always been football. Women come and go but the Chicago Bears was his team, his home and his life. Being traded was the last thing he expected or wanted.Iyoni Nixon lived and breathed for her son. He was her reason... -
Man of Fantasy by Rochelle Alers
Rated: 4.38 of 5 stars · 8 ratingsClose friends since childhood, Kyle, Duncan and Ivan have become rich, successful co-owners of a beautiful Harlem brownstone. The one thing each of them lacks is a special woman to share his life with—until true love steps in to transform three sexy single guys into grooms-to-be….Handsome psychotherapist Ivan Campbell could diagnose his own issues in a heartbeat—fear of commitment... -
Fake it For Fortune by Weston Parker
Rated: 4.38 of 5 stars · 8 ratingsWhoever said money can’t buy happiness is a liar.Take it from me. It buys loads of thrills.That is until my father sabotages me with a contingency.To have all my riches?I need a wife.Talk about old school.When I catch wind of a dating agency that helps billionaire bachelors like me, I see an opportunity.Appease my dad.Pretend to have a bride for six months.Give her the money...Categorized as:
fake-relationship multi-pov grumpy-sunshine cheerful-mc grumpy-mc romance contemporary billionaire -
Dash: Rushing the Play by Kayley Loring, Connor Crais
Rated: 4.30 of 5 stars · 10 ratings#99 Dash Taylor. Rookie defensive end for the Boston Tomcats. 285 pounds of fast-twitch muscle. Nickname: Big D.I’ve been sacking quarterbacks since junior high and causing trouble since I was born.My college coach thinks I have a bad attitude, so he makes me take ballet lessons as punishment. If I don’t turn things around on the field next season, he’ll bench me...Categorized as:
alpha-mc athlete cheerful-mc enemies-to-lovers grumpy-mc grumpy-sunshine sports adult -
Better. Obsesión by Carrie Leighton, Elena Rodríguez
Rated: 4.39 of 5 stars · 18 ratings«¿Y si te dijera que prefiero un amor equivocado a un sueño perfecto?»La historia de Thomas y Vanessa ha llegado a su fin. Las mentiras y las traiciones pesan demasiado, y no siempre es posible reparar lo que está roto...Categorized as:
enemies-to-lovers grumpy-sunshine cheerful-mc grumpy-mc romance young-adult contemporary fiction -
The Wrong Man by Delaney Diamond
Rated: 4.25 of 5 stars · 12 ratingsThey have nothing in common. So why can’t they stay away from each other?Construction foreman Tomas Molina has no desire to settle down. He enjoys the single life too much, with all the choices of women available to him. But when ad executive Talia Jackson becomes single again, they start an affair that has him questioning his beliefs about relationships... -
The Enforcer by Olivia T. Turner
Rated: 4.25 of 5 stars · 12 ratingsHe's mean.And grumpy.When he's on the ice, he's the most violent player out there.But there's something about him I just can't shake.There's a sweetness hiding under that gruff, brute exterior.A little boy peeking out who wants to come out and play.I never thought I'd be with someone like Tucker McKinstry.But once I get past that rough hard shell, I can't imagine being with anyone else...Categorized as:
sports grumpy-sunshine cheerful-mc grumpy-mc multi-pov alpha-mc romance contemporary -
Love Me Tomorrow by Maria Luis
Rated: 4.21 of 5 stars · 14 ratingsThey call her America’s Sweetheart. And me? I’m the so-called “inked god” she dumped on TV. I’ve tried to forget her. I’ve tried to move on. Until I discover that her family is opening a new restaurant next to my tattoo parlor. If I were a gentleman, I’d offer my congratulations and go my own way. If I were a gentleman, I’d let her be . . . but I’m not... -
Latte Darling by S.J. Tilly
Rated: 4.17 of 5 stars · 18 ratingsI have a nice life - living in my hometown, owning the coffee shop I’ve worked at since I was 16.It’s comfortable.On paper.But I’m tired of doing everything by myself. Tired of being in charge of every decision in my life.I want someone to lean on. Someone to spend time with. Sit with. Hug.And I really don’t want to go to my best friend’s wedding alone...Categorized as:
alpha-mc cheerful-mc fake-relationship grumpy-mc grumpy-sunshine multi-pov adult age-gap -
Glove Save by Teagan Hunter
Rated: 4.17 of 5 stars · 18 ratingsI’ve been told I’m the grumpiest goalie in the league, and that may be the case, but who cares when I’m also killing it this season? The Carolina Comets are currently on a record-breaking run, and I intend to keep it that way.This means the last thing I need is distractions, but my mother didn’t get that memo...Categorized as:
sports enemies-to-lovers grumpy-sunshine cheerful-mc grumpy-mc multi-pov romance contemporary -
-
13 Locuras que regalarte by Alice Kellen
Rated: 4.15 of 5 stars · 20 ratingsAutumn ha crecido en hogares de acogida y su pasado es como un lienzo en blanco...Categorized as:
enemies-to-lovers grumpy-sunshine cheerful-mc grumpy-mc romance new-adult contemporary young-adult -
Come Undone by Penny Dee
Rated: 4.33 of 5 stars · 6 ratingsJAKE She’s annoying and tenacious.And so damn beautiful it’s distracting.She’s also my new agent. And even though I don’t want a new agent, Mackenzie Eden is pretty determined to be mine.Did I mention she’s annoying?So of course I get snowed in with her at my grandfathers logged cabin. For four days.Four long, secluded, hot days…MACKENZIEI’ve never met anyone so damn stubborn in my life... -
Breakaway by Rochelle Alers
Rated: 4.33 of 5 stars · 6 ratingsWhen E.R. doctor Celia Cole-Thomas is wounded and her fiancé killed in a shootout at the hospital, the only way she can heal her body and her heart is to spend time at her mountain retreat. In her remote cabin on the Tennessee border, she isolates herself from the world—until Gavin Faulkner moves into a nearby lodge... -
Power of the Pen by Xyla Turner
Rated: 4.33 of 5 stars · 6 ratingsBeing a nationally acclaimed blogger about the literary world, sassy MzJames uses her status to express her opinion that literature has taken a major hit in quality. Her main target is Z. Hays who she feels demeans women in his books with his views, terminology and especially BDSM scenes... -
Field of Pleasure by Farrah Rochon
Rated: 4.33 of 5 stars · 6 ratingsOriginally Published by Harlequin Kimani Romance – September 2011 Jared Dawson is used to taking big hits on the football field, but nothing could have prepared the New York Sabers star cornerback for the blow he experiences when he catches his long-time girlfriend in bed with an ex-teammate. Seeking a balm to soothe his wounded ego, Jared decides a no-strings-attached fling is the way to go... -
Falling for the Grinch by Amy Alves
Rated: 4.33 of 5 stars · 6 ratingsShe kissed the wrong man, and she liked it.No longer content waiting for the love of her life to walk into her bakery, Dani Reed decides this holiday season, she's going to fulfill some long-awaited fantasies. This Christmas will be all about self-discovery. . . and pleasure.But a certain fire chief is getting in the way of her sexy plans...Categorized as:
alpha-mc cheerful-mc enemies-to-lovers grumpy-mc grumpy-sunshine in-uniform multi-pov adult
Or - use our amazing romance book finder to get recommendations based on your favorite content tropes and themes. Mix and match at will.