Ready, Set, Spike: These Queer YA Sports Stories Score

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queer ya sports books cover collage

Earlier this year, readers could not get enough Heated Rivalry. At about the time that that series became a smash hit with a deeply beloved adaptation, the Olympics were also heating up television screens. Sports were everywhere this winter, and the excitement for both the fictional and not-fictional athleticism (and romance!) has not slowed down as we’ve entered into summer.

While Rachel Reid’s series is published for adult readers, we know that teens who are looking for queer romances also likely turned to the series. 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. A couple of these books are brand new, too, so you’ll be among the first to brag about reading a deliciously queer volleyball romance and the queer cheerleaders story.

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.

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

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

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?

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