Kelly is a former librarian and a long-time blogger at STACKED. She's the editor/author of (DON'T) CALL ME CRAZY: 33 VOICES START THE CONVERSATION ABOUT MENTAL HEALTH and the editor/author of HERE WE ARE: FEMINISM FOR THE REAL WORLD. Her next book, BODY TALK, will publish in Fall 2020. Follow her on Instagram @heykellyjensen.
Kelly is a former librarian and a long-time blogger at STACKED. She's the editor/author of (DON'T) CALL ME CRAZY: 33 VOICES START THE CONVERSATION ABOUT MENTAL HEALTH and the editor/author of HERE WE ARE: FEMINISM FOR THE REAL WORLD. Her next book, BODY TALK, will publish in Fall 2020. Follow her on Instagram @heykellyjensen.
There’s some show on streaming that’s caused quite a commotion in the book world. Something about hockey and gay men?
That’s, of course, being silly to be silly on purpose. Heated Rivalry, adapted from the book series by Rachel Reid, has been a smash hit. There have been some great book lists put together, too, from readers who are still waiting to get their hands on the source material and those who are looking for more queer hockey romances.
It’s not only a moment for sports with Heated Rivalry, though. We’re just weeks away from the winter Olympics as well.
Running–or should I say skating–with that, it seems like there’s an opportunity to both go a little bit broader and a little more specific. Last year, we covered queer YA sports romances, with a focus on those books with a guaranteed happily ever after. While this list includes plenty of queer YA sports romances, it goes even wider to include other LGBTQ+ sports books. You’ll get to bop around between capital-R romances and books that tackle (ahem) meaty topics as they relate to high school and college sports and the queer experience. Some of the non-Romance titles might include bonus kissing, too.
None of these are repeats from the above-linked list, meaning you’ve got a lot of options for great queer YA sports books. You’ll also get a sneak peek at a couple of titles hitting shelves in May.
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Queer YA Sports Fiction
Chasing Pacquiao by Rod Pulido
What happens when someone you look up to lets you down by declaring people like you are less than human? That’s a big part of this story, which follows a queer teen named Bobby who wants nothing more than to graduate high school safely.
Bobby’s school is notoriously violent, and he knows that being openly queer would make him the perfect target. This is made more true by the fact is Filipino community does not easily accept people like him. But when he’s outed without permission, Bobby realizes being quiet and unprepared is no longer an option. He turns to take up boxing in order to prepare himself were he to be in a fight.
Bobby looks up to champion Filipino boxer Manny Pacquiao. Pacquiao is his inspiration in all ways: he helps Bobby keep going when things get too hard and he’s an inspiration for Bobby to pick up boxing. But then Pacquiao publicly declares that he does not support queer people, leaving Bobby wounded beyond words.
So where does he turn now?
Furious by Jamie Pacton and Rebecca Podos
Jojo is ready for a successful racing career, but it’s been sidelined following the tragic death of her NASCAR legendary mother in a racing accident. Now, she’s back in the tiny town of Dell’s Hollow, working at her grandma’s auto repair shop.
In walks Eliana “El” Blum. El is tough and she loves her motorcycle. El grew up idolizing Maxine, the older sister of a friend who tore it up on the motocross scene. But Maxine suddenly disappeared and El is determined to find out what happened.
With adventure boiling in both of their blood, Jojo and El team up to find out what happened to Maxine. Of course, they’re going to develop a Lot Of Feelings…and enjoy a lot of time in cars and on bikes.
All Access members, find eight more LGBTQ+ YA sports books below, plus a list of this week’s new queer book releases.
Futbolista by Jonny Garza Villa
Gabriel Piña is a college freshman and he’s got his eyes set on continuing his stardom on the football (the soccer variety) field. He’s definitely straight–at least, he is until he begins to develop feelings for Vale, who is tutoring Gabi in philosophy. Gabi kissed Vale once at a party and now it seems the “not having feelings” beliefs are anything but true.
The trouble is that being bisexual will be damning for Gabi on the football field. Queerness isn’t welcomed in the sport, especially professionally.
This is a romance, so you know how it’s going to end. The story is set over the course of Gabi’s freshman year, so readers who love college-set stories will dig this one. Sounds a bit like one that would do well with fans of Check Please.
Icebreaker by A. L. Graziadei
Okay, hockey romance fans, this one’s for you.
Mickey James III is a college freshman and he’s a hockey legacy. His dad and grandfather were both big deals in the sport, and Mickey is well on his way to being a #1 NHL draft pick.
Standing in his way? Jaysen Caulfield. That’s Mickey’s very attractive and very skilled teammate. He’s also a potential top draft pick.
It doesn’t take long for their rivalry to turn into something different–something more, err, romantic–and now, Mickey has to decide what it is his heart truly wants.
Leave It On The Track by Margot Fisher
Morgan survived the fire that killed her fathers and destroyed her beloved roller rink in Utah. Now, she’s being sent to live with her older half-sister in Portland. Morgan’s not spent much time with her, and she’s not only grieving so many losses in her life, Morgan’s not sure that she’s ready to step into accepting her queerness, even in an LGBTQ+-friendly place.
The good news? Morgan quickly finds community in a local roller derby group. They’re friendly and helping her process everything she’s been through.
Morgan may even be beginning to feel some feelings for one of her new teammates as she comes to better understand who she is and where she fits in the LGBTQ+ community.
One Of The Boys by Victoria Zeller
Grace Woodhouse was a killer on the field. She was a star kicker and had Division 1 prospects. But then she came out as transgender and quit football.
It’s senior year, and Grace is navigating everyhing. A new self. New friends. Then, there’s her former teammate asking her to please come back and play on the football team again.
Grace is hesitant, but she decides to go back. Now, her biggest challenges are less about the opposing team. They’re about navigating homophobia, feelings she may still harbor for her ex, and coming to understand her past, her present, and her future.
Queerleaders by Olivia A. Cole and Ashley Woodfolk (May 19, 2026)
When Davie Cathee joined the Oak Haven High cheerleaders three years ago, every other cheerleader on the squad came out as queer. They became the queerleaders of the school.
But now Davie is the cheer squad’s captain and there’s a vicious rumor spreading that she only allows queer people on the team. Charges of discrimination abound and now, Davie has to recruit at least one straight cheerleader or face losing team funding from the school.
So when Kendall Hayes shows up and Davie sees she’s got a boyfriend, Davie also sees her opportunity to recruit a straight girl. Too bad that Kendall and her boyfriend broke up and that Kendall is actually bisexual.
The two of them will now need to keep all of those things under cover in order to keep the cheer squad viable. Too bad the two of them are developing some Big Feelings for each other.
Skater Boy by Anthony Nerada
This book looks like such a fun read. It follows Wesley “Big Mac” Mackenzie, the resident bad boy of his school. He’s failing senior year for all of the reasons you might imagine, including that he prefers to spend his time skateboarding. So when his mom drags him to see The Nutcracker, he is not interested. Not in the least.
Until he sets his eyes on Mr. Nutcracker himself, Tristan Monroe.
This is a romance about the closeted bad boy and the lengths he’ll go to in order to win over the good-boy crush.
Smash or Pass by Birdie Schae (May 12, 2026)
Ellie forces herself to do everything Right. By dating the Right person and acting the Right way, she can avoid being made fun of or seen only for her autism. But when Ellie’s “Right” boyfriend dumps her before they’re supposed to go to beach volleyball camp together, she’s distraught. All of her plans are out the window.
Now, she’s going to get her boyfriend back. First up, going to Camp SMASH, which will help her get her reputation back. Too bad she’s paired up with Sierra, a girl who is a volleyball legacy. Sierra, a girl who Ellie thinks might make getting her boyfriend back way more complicated than she bargained for.
Sierra, the girl for whom Ellie begins to think breaking all of the “Right” rules is the Right thing to do.
You Don’t Have a Shot by Racquel Marie
Vale’s life is soccer. She loves the game, but it’s more than just a game. She’s good, her future depends on the game, and she’s got expectations to exceed from her father. But then Vale incites a fight with long-time rival Leticia Ortiz, and everything becomes chaotic.
Vale decides she’ll find solace over the summer by working at her old youth soccer camp. It sounds like the right chance to reignite a love for the game and get back to the heart of what it means to be an athlete.
But then she discovers that she’ll be co-captaining the youth team this summer with none other than Leticia. Will fists fly? Or will it be sparks?
This Week’s New Queer Book Releases
Dive into these new LGBTQ+ books hitting shelves this week.
– George Falls Through Time by Ryan Collett
– Steppe by Oksana Vasyakina, translated by Elina Alter
– Better the Devil by Erik J. Brown
– Hemlock by Melissa Faliveno
– Semantic Error: The Novel, Vol. 1 J. Soori
– Mine, Yours & Ours by Karmen Lee
– How to Lose a Goblin in Ten Days by Jessie Sylva
– Worst-Case Scenario by Ray Stoeve
– I Don’t Wish You Well by Jumata Emill
– Soul of a Gentleman Witch by David Ferraro
– A Wild Radiance by Maria Ingrande Mora
– If All the Stars Go Dark by S.G. Prince
– Leo Rising: Queer Spaces, Sexuality, and Fame by Archie Bongiovanni
– Bytchcraft by Aaron Reese, Bex Glendining, Lema Carril, and Morgan Martinez
– A Black Queer History of the United States by C. Riley Snorton and Darius Bost
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