Triumphant wins, gut-wrenching losses, last-second shots, underdogs, competition, and loyalty—it’s fun to be a fan. But when a football player takes a hit to the head after yet another study has warned of the dangers of CTE, or when a team whose mascot was born in an era of racism and bigotry takes the field, or when a relief pitcher accused of domestic violence saves the game, how is one to cheer? Welcome to the club for sports fans who care too much. In Loving Sports When They Don’t Love You Back, acclaimed sports writers Jessica Luther and Kavitha A. Davidson tackle the most pressing issues in sports, why they matter, and how we can do better. For the authors, “sticking to sports” is not an option—not when our taxes are paying for the stadiums, and college athletes aren’t getting paid at all. But simply quitting a favorite team won’t change corrupt and deplorable practices, and the root causes of many of these problems are endemic in our wider society. An essential read for modern fans, Loving Sports When They Don’t Love You Back challenges the status quo and explores how we might begin to reconcile our conscience with our fandom.

“My go to author for sexy romance.” #1 NYT’S Bestselling author Lauren Blakely. The Playmaker: My only goal is to heal from this concussion and get back on the ice—until Nina Callaghan shows up at my door asking for hockey lessons. She’s my best friend’s kid sister, which puts her in the hands-off zone, so I used to tease her without mercy—the ballerina on ice—until a knee injury grounded her. But little Nina is all grown up now, and wants something from me, and I sure as hell want something back. Now it's game on, and I'm pulling out all the plays. The Stick Handler: Call me a prick for canceling our wedding at the eleventh hour, but when my ex threatens to ruin my career and reputation, it’s the icing on the uncut wedding cake. She gives me a week to reconsider, and I take it—at the Italian resort booked for the honeymoon that will never be, and there’s no one I’d rather take with me than Katee, the girl who has held a special place in my heart since forever. When the concierge mistakes her for the bride, we go with it. Only problem is, the place reeks of romance and keeping my hands to myself might prove to be the toughest game I’ve ever played. The Body Checker: I’m all about the game, a no attachment, no strings kind of guy, so when a puck bunny shows up at my door, shoves a pink bundle into my hands and drives off into the sunset, it turns my world upside down. I’m not cut out to be a family man. I know nothing about babies and I’m the last guy who should be taking care of one. But I do know someone who is equipped for the job—Quinn Reed, my best friend’s kid sister. Problem is, she kind of…hates me.

“My go to author for sexy romance.” – Lauren Blakely, #1 NYT’S Bestselling author. When Weston Hatfield rides back into town like he owns it, I don’t want anything to do with him. I definitely don’t want to take the mean boy from my youth out on my tour boat. Or laugh with him as we watch the whales play in the Bay. Know what else I don’t want to do? Fall for him. He’s an NHL superstar…I’m a girl who knows her way around a lobster boat. Can you say opposites? But I like who I am, and you know what? I’m beginning to think he likes me for who I am, too. Until he does the one thing that proves otherwise…the one thing I’m not sure I can come back from.

“My go to author for sexy romance.” – Lauren Blakely, #1 NYT’S Bestselling author. All I want is to build my landscaping business and take care of my grandmother. But when some hot out-of-towner rams his vehicle into mine, and doesn’t have the funds to pay for repairs, we come to a compromise. He works off the damage by working for me. When a touch leads to a kiss, I quickly learn that while he might not have a green thumb, he certainly has a magical touch. Who knew a collision would lead to a crash course on love? But after I discover the secret he’s been hiding, will our feelings for one another wither or will they bloom into something more?

“My go to author for sexy romance.” #1 NYT’S Bestselling author Lauren Blakely. Getting involved with a client’s father is a strict no. But when hot hockey player Zander shows me how good he is at talking bad, it sets off a firestorm of need hot enough to melt the ice on the rink he plays on. I’m not good at relationships and have basically given up on men. But a brief fling with a dirty talking hockey player sounds pretty good at the moment. I didn’t expect to actually fall for him and his daughter. I think he might be falling for me too. Until I do that one thing that taps into his darkest fears and incinerates the fragile trust that’s built between us. How can we possibly move forward after that?

Enjoy the final book in a small town sports romance series by USA Today Bestselling contemporary romance author Mary E Thompson. After Greg’s professional football career ends, his agent gets him a job coaching college football, hoping it’ll improve his tarnished image. Greg is less than thrilled with the opportunity, and even less impressed with his two kickers; a junior with a history of injuries and an untested freshman. Single mom Isabella has always held tight to the control she had over her life. With her son going off to college, she knows she has to ease up on that and trust he’ll make smart decisions, and that his coaches will watch out for him. With the media highlighting every single one of Greg’s failures, he’s not sure he can handle the pressure of teaching two kids how to make something of themselves. But when he meets Isabella, he finally feels like the man he always thought he’d be. The one he doubted ever existed. Until Isabella made him want to come out and stay.

“My go to author for sexy romance.” – Lauren Blakely, #1 NYT’S Bestselling author. I had perfected turning a bad situation around and making it work for me. But when dream sex turns out to be real and too much tequila ends up with Elvis and a sidewalk wedding that’s actually legit, I thought I’d reached my limit. First, I’m not the type of girl hot hockey player, Cason goes for. But the love marks on my body the next morning told a different story, so imagine my surprise when he offers to be my temporary husband to help me with a situation. Talk about turning a reckless mistake into a win-win situation! What could possibly go wrong with having a harmless affair with the hottest guy on the planet? Oh, only just about everything.

Landon Brooks. The ultimate bad boy every girl wants. His world at Kingston College is full of parties, booze and sex. The opposite of mine. I’m the quiet twin he never knew existed, until he heard a lie—I hated him. Maybe that’s why he pursued me—why I became his obsession. It’s all about the chase, right? I can’t deny that I like the attention. That my body burns for him. I shouldn’t crave him. I hate that I do. We don’t belong together. That should have been enough to stop me from sneaking into his room, from teasing a thirst I just can’t quench…because once the hunt is over, it’s ALL over. Unless he never knew it was me…

“My go to author for sexy romance.” #1 NYT’S Bestselling author Lauren Blakely. Jonah Long…a father? Move in and help him take care of his daughter? As crazy as that sounds, I agreed to the temporary arrangement—for the child’s sake. Problem is, living with the guy I’ve crushed on since forever, is messing with my body as well as my brain. And now, watching him grow as a man, seeing the bond between father and daughter build, I can’t help but want this family for myself. But we’re just playing house, and Jonah isn’t interested in making this ready-made family the real deal…right?

“My go to author for sexy romance.” #1 NYT’S Bestselling author Lauren Blakely. When it comes to relationships, I need all the help I can get. When Rider agrees to be my buffer, I happily put myself in his capable hands. It isn’t his fault my date goes south, but the tough as nails hockey player takes it personally. Under his wing, I find the freedom to let go, and the joy of having it accepted. But can two people, one afraid he’s unlovable and the other afraid to love, trust in themselves enough to realize this could be their shot at happily ever after?