Books on Our Radar: Two Can Play That Game by Zakiya N. Jamal

The WNBA Finals wrapped up last week, and congratulations to the The Golden State Valkyries on the championship! When a season ends like that, I’m left wanting more of the competition and chemistry that kept me watching. I have a book on my radar that scratches that itch: Two Can Play That Game by Zakiya N. Jamal is a queer sports romance coming November 17th, and I’m excited to read it because I love watching sports and I love reading sports romances and the WNBA is “for the gays!”*

In my past, as I have been in a sapphic relationship for a LONG TIME, I was still reading adult hetero sports romances, because ‘Yay sports!’ and now, NOW we are finally getting more queer and sapphic sports romances. Nothing is more fun in a contemporary romance plot for me than sports! And no sport is more queer than the WNBA (with over 50 out players!)! So even if you aren’t a huge sports fan, but you want to support the gays, than maybe grab a ticket to your WNBA team next season…or be sure to watch Unrivaled, an off season league created by the players for the players! *And as our MVP, Gabby Williams, of the WNBA Golden State Valkyries said it best – do it “FOR THE GAYS!”

Two Can Play That Game

by Zakiya N. Jamal
Published by: Berkley Books
on November 17, 2026
Genres: Adult, Contemporary Romance, LGBTQIA+, Romance
Bookshop
Goodreads

After a chance courtside encounter, a fake relationship between a rising influencer and a WNBA star gets a little too real in this swoony sapphic romance.

Chelsea has never cared about sports. But when she’s invited to sit courtside at a New York WNBA game, she welcomes the break from her usual routine. What she doesn’t expect is a basketball nearly colliding with her face—or the six-foot-four hottie who jogs over, flashing a heart-stopping grin, to retrieve it.

Adrienne “AD” Davis is a player on and off the court, notorious for their inability to stay in a relationship. Still, something about Chelsea sticks with them—even though their instant connection can’t bring AD to offer more than one night.

But AD’s agent makes a Chelsea should pretend to be AD’s girlfriend. It’s a strategic move. AD, hoping to retire after this season, needs to lock down some brand deals—but their identity as a Black, nonbinary lesbian with a messy dating history makes sponsors wary. Chelsea, a sex-positive influencer, is ready to pivot her platform, and this feels like the perfect next step. With Chelsea’s network and AD’s star power, they could both strengthen their public images. Once the season ends, they’ll go their separate ways.

As the ruse starts to work and their connection deepens, Chelsea finds herself on unsteady ground. Falling for AD wasn’t part of the plan, and if she lets herself get too close, she might lose the future she’s finally starting to build.

Thank you to Berkley Books for the free gifted copy!