Guest post written by Heart Racer author Megan Avery
Romance author Megan Murphy was born and raised in Kentucky, aside from a short stint in northern Indiana, which became the basis for her debut novel. She currently lives outside Louisville (pronunciation: Luhl-vul) with her husband and rescue dog, Captain. She enjoys books, coffee, and dogs—the bigger the better. Megan also writes under the name Megan Avery.
About Heart Racer: The Love Hypothesis meets Heated Rivalry in this spicy, dual-pov, academic rivals rom com – as nerdy as it is sure to raise your pulse… Released April 23rd 2026.
If given an inch to recommend a book, I’ll fill an entire mile with books I’ve read and loved. From recent reads to long-standing favorites, this list will explore my favorite sports and STEM romances, as well as a few genre-blending recs for those who refuse to choose! (Spoiler Alert: there is a lot of rivals to lovers here. I learned something new about myself today.)
Sports Romance
Always Only You by Chloe Liese
One of my all-time favorites! A friends-to-lovers romance between a hockey player and the team’s social media manager, with beautiful #OwnVoices chronic illness and autism representation.
Thirty Love by Tom Vellner
Rival tennis players go head-to-head, with beautiful, tender moments sewn into banter that had me laughing out loud. This is for everyone still searching for something to scratch the Heated Rivalry itch.
Ready to Score by Jodie Slaughter
A small-town, sapphic romance about rival teachers competing for the same assistant football coaching slot, determined to ignore the sparks between them. They fail miserably; there’s a bar bathroom scene that lives in my head rent-free.
The Cheat Sheet by Sarah Adams
A heartwarming fake-dating romance between a dance teacher and her best friend, who also happens to be an NFL quarterback. The grand gesture in this book is in my hall of fame. This one is closed-door, for readers who prefer less spice!
STEMinist Romance
A Little Buzzed by Alys Murray
A virgin sex toy engineer meets her match in her company’s new software developer, who’s never used a sex toy. Naturally, the only option is to team up and figure out the kinks of their company’s newest product. For research. Warning: contents may cause your e-reader to overheat.
The Kiss Quotient by Helen Hoang
A modern classic, in my humble opinion. An econometrician hires a male escort to practice physical intimacy. She’s smart, he’s smitten, I’m in love.
The Geographer’s Map to Romance by India Holton
A historical fantasy romance that features a marriage in crisis between two, you guessed it, geographers. They’re tasked with tracking and disarming a magical storm, thrusting (wink) them into forced proximity that requires them to figure out where their marriage fell apart.
The Love Simulation by Etta Easton
For anyone obsessed with Artemis II this month. A vice principal and her nemesis, the school’s hot science teacher, team up for a Mars simulation to win a scholarship for their school. BIPOC leads, forced proximity, and a hilarious supporting cast.
Why Choose (Sports x STEM Romance)
Deep End by Ali Hazelwood
Queen Ali broke ground when she combined the best of both worlds in this new adult romance. A collegiate diver and swim captain work together in the lab for an internship, and in the bedroom to safely explore complementary kinks.
Collide by Bal Khabra
A new adult romance where a hopeful sports psychologist and a star hockey player team up on a research project that stretches the confines of “enemies to lovers.” Devoured in a day!
Heart Racer by Megan Avery (that’s me!)
Biochemistry major Keely and champion sprinter Max turn rivals when competing for the last spot on a post-grad scholarship that will make or break not only their futures, but their hearts. Found family, forced proximity, and small-town vibes make this the perfect spring read (in my humble opinion).
Top of My TBR
The Greatest Game by Tara Sexton
A soccer coach has to win the championship or lose her job, which would be hard enough if the rival school didn’t hire the hottest man she’s ever seen, an ex-pro from England.
Crash into You by Simone Soltani
Aforbidden love story between a star F1 driver and his rival’s daughter, made all the more complicated after their one-night stand turns into an unexpected pregnancy.
Unrivaled by Rachel Reid
If you haven’t heard of Heated Rivalry yet, I’m going to need your screen time management strategy, please and thank you.
