Get Your Heart Racing with 9 Action & Adventure Sports Novels
Book RaiderThere's something extraordinarily thrilling about plunging into the world of action and adventure sports - right from the safety of your cozy armchair, of course. Need a hit of adrenaline with none of the actual danger? Why not immerse yourself in the high octane world of extreme sports novels?
These tales of daredevil antics and death-defying champions have all the excitement, drama and heart-pounding exploits you can handle, without needing to break a sweat. Pack your bags, or rather, put on your reading glasses, and let's take a leap into the adrenaline-fueled, captivating world of action & adventure sports novels. Sit tight, buckle up and prepare to dive headfirst into these tales of thrill and derring-do!
Back Spin
by Harlan Coben
Why Back Spin is on this list: This book is for those who love sports with a side of plenty-to-leave-you-guessing adventure. Back Spin is set in the high-stakes world of professional golf, making it a clear fit for our action & adventure sports novels pile.
Harlan Coben's Back Spin drops you right onto the green of the U.S. Open golf tournament. Sure, it sounds idyllic, but beneath the tranquil exterior, something sinister lurks. The kidnapping of a golf legend's son leads investigator Myron Bolitar on a course filled with lies, abduction, and mysterious family connections. Your heart will be pounding as Bolitar tees up against a cunning adversary.
What readers like: Fans love the non-stop action, well-shot suspense, and curveball plot twists. If spotting the plot twist was as easy as hitting a hole-in-one, we'd all be detective-genius-golfer hybrids by now. Readers also appreciate the insightful look into the world of professional golf - it's not all polo shirts and cocktail parties. See if you can solve the mystery before Bolitar does - game on.
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Refusal
by Felix Francis
Why Refusal is on this list: If a heart-pounding horse race sounds like your cup of tea (or perhaps a jug of cold sports drink), 'Refusal' is your next book to dive into.
'Refusal' is a high-stakes choice in this action-packed sports novel. The story focuses on Sir Richard Stewart, a renowned former horserace jockey, now retired. But tranquility doesn't seem to be in the cards for him. After a series of mysterious deaths in the racing world, our protagonist finds himself reluctantly thrown back into the thick of the action. Will he manage to unravel the mystery and stay alive in the process? You'll have to read to find out.
What readers like: Bookworms who've raced through this book say they love its detailed racing scenes, the gripping storyline and the expert way Felix Francis portrays the tension and excitement of the horse racing world. Also, if you’re the one who sniffs out the mystery before the last page, the clever twists in this tale will give your detective instincts a run for their money.
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Match Me You Can
by Susan Elizabeth Phillips
Why Match Me You Can is on this list:
This is not just any sports novel, but an enthralling romantic comedy embedded in the high stakes world of professional football. The story revolves around Annabelle, a quirky and determined matchmaker who’s racing against time and fate to find the perfect bride for the city's most eligible bachelor, Heath Champion - a spectacularly handsome sports agent who’s ruling the sports world. As they each play their game, the result is a playful and emotional match where everyone's keeping score. Expect surprises and laughter and lots of inner battles that race your heart.
What readers like: Readers have fallen in love with the unique setup of a sports world filled with romantic tensions, the strong characters who are hilariously real, the heart-racing stakes of a love match that’s not playing by the rules, and mainly the blend of humor, action and feel-good romance.
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The Rule of Luck
by Catherine Cerveny
Why The Rule of Luck is on this list: The Rule of Luck has that 'on-the-edge-of-your-seat' vibe because it skillfully integrates action, adventure, and sports into a heady mix of futuristic escapade. It's totally suitable for our heart racing theme.
Set in a future not so far off, our main character is a professional tarot card reader whose life takes an unexpected turn when a mysterious, yet attractive man walks into her shop. As it turns out, this guy isn't just anyone—he's a criminal, and his actions set off a chain of events pulling them both in a world full of heart-pounding chases, futuristic sporting events, and a whole lot of space shenanigans. It's gambling, sports, and lawlessness wrapped into one delicious sci-fi package.
What readers like: Readers have really dug deep for the stimulating plot line, the well-crafted characters, and even the unexpected elements of romance. Fans have appreciated the blend of sports, action, sci-fi, and fortune-telling, labeling it as an exhilarating ride. Plus, there's a handsome criminal. Who wouldn't want to read about that?
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Unbroken: A World War II Story of Survival, Resilience, and Redemption
by Laura Hillenbrand
Why Unbroken: A World War II Story of Survival, Resilience, and Redemption is on this list: If you think you've done some pretty extreme sports, wait till you read about surviving a World War. Now that's what we call an adrenaline rush.
This book tells the thrilling yet inspiring story of Louis Zamperini, a former Olympic track star who survived a plane crash in the Pacific theater, spent 47 days drifting on a raft, and then more than two and a half years as a prisoner of war in several brutal Japanese internment camps. It's a journey of endurance, resilience, and, yeah, sports, but on a whole new level.
What readers like: Besides Laura Hillenbrand's brilliant storytelling, readers love the adrenaline rush, the moments of triumph and the astonishing resilience of the human spirit seen throughout the story. It will keep you on the edge of your seat, cheering for Louis and biting your nails all at the same time.
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The Atlantis Gene: A Thriller
by A.G. Riddle
Why The Atlantis Gene: A Thriller is on this list: While it may sound like a history lesson into Atlantis, the 'thriller' part warrants its spot on our list of action-packed sports novels. Hold on to your reading glasses folks, you're in for an adventurous reading ride!
This genetic thriller will take you on a journey to the edge of human history with a tantalizing mix of cutting-edge science, historical intrigue, and breath-taking action. Two strangers must team up to stop a cataclysmic event, all while evading a shadowy organization bent on using the secrets of the past for their own nefarious purposes.
What readers like: "The Atlantis Gene: A Thriller" is raved about for its tantalizing edge of your seat suspense. Readers adore Riddle for deftly blending fact and fiction, while others are equally impressed by the wild, thrilling and unforeseen turns that leave them hanging off their comfy home perches till late at night.
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Bossypants
by Tina Fey
Why Bossypants is on this list: This book is not your typical novel about adventurer sports, it's about the mental gymnastics of navigating a male-dominated industry. Tina’s adventures, or rather misadventures, through the world of might not be physical, but they sure are transfixing.
Bossypants is a hilarious recollection by Tina Fey detailing her life from her awkward teenage years to her time on Saturday Night Live, and eventually her creation and performance in the famous program 30 Rock. The book offers a brutally honest, yet witty view of the ups and downs she's experienced in her life, with her hilarious observations on love, work, and parenthood.
What readers like: Readers appreciate this book for its humor, honesty, and the fact that it's narrated by the author herself, lending an authentic voice to her own experiences. Fans of Tina Fey or those who enjoy humorous, relatable, and female-empowering books will definitely enjoy this delightful read. This is definitely an adventure through the comedy world anyone would love to be a part of.
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The River
by Peter Heller
Why The River is on this list: If your idea of a good time includes combining wilderness survival with a nail-biting mystery, then 'The River' is definitely your cup of adrenaline tea.
This brilliantly crafted novel revolves around two best friends, Wynn and Jack, who embark on a leisurely canoe trip in northern Canada. Things take a dramatic turn when they hear a man and woman arguing violently in the fog. The next day, they find only the confused and distraught man who denies all knowledge of a woman. With a dangerous wildfire closing in, they are caught in a race against time, deciding whether to outrun the flames or face the mystery head-on.
What readers like: Readers rave about the breath-taking pace, descriptive scene setting, and the ingenious blend of outdoor adventure with a suspenseful storyline. The complexity of the friendship between Wynn and Jack adds a soulful touch to the ruthless struggle for survival, making 'The River' not just an action-packed ride, but a thought-provoking read too.
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The Longest Ride
by Nicholas Sparks
Why The Longest Ride is on this list: Just when you think rodeo life can't get any more exhilarating, Sparks throws in a lotta love and a touch of that old 'fight for survival' - talk about an adrenaline rush!
The Longest Ride weaves together dizzying tales of love, danger, and ambition. It features Ira, a 91-year-old widower stricken in a car crash, and Sophia and Luke, young lovers caught up in the heated world of professional bull riding. As their lives intersect, expect plenty of suspense, tension, and twists that will make your heart pound like you're on a wild bull ride.
What readers like: Readers dig this novel for its blend of romance and thrill, the distinct character arcs, and the immersed rodeo culture. They appreciate Sparks' ability to take a thrilling sport like bull riding and mix it in with a heartfelt love story - it's like eating spicy wings with a sweet dip, an oddly satisfying combo!
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