Picture a London-born storyteller who swapped costume design for crafting steamy sports romances—meet Clare Hastings! With over twenty novels since her 2018 debut, this prolific author has won hearts with her Atlanta Rising Football Club series, blending passion, drama, and soccer flair. Her journey from fashion to fiction is as captivating as her stories, proving it’s never too late to chase a new dream.
The Making of Clare Hastings
Born into a family of writers and journalists, Clare Hastings grew up surrounded by storytelling in London. Her early career, however, took a different path. For over three decades, she thrived as a costume designer and stylist, working on countless shoots and commercials. A stint as an assistant to Anna Wintour at Harpers and Queen sparked her media savvy, but it was her creative spirit and love for narrative that eventually led her to writing. In 2018, at a stage when many might settle, Hastings published her debut novel, House in Little Chelsea, launching a new chapter.
Clare Hastings’s Unforgettable Stories
Hastings’s romances are vibrant, emotional, and grounded in real-world issues, often set against the backdrop of professional soccer. Her Atlanta Rising Football Club series is a fan favorite, with titles like Out of Bounds, a 2021 enemies-to-lovers tale of Felicity Sutherland, a fierce executive, and Gunnar Gracin, a widowed coach navigating unexpected fatherhood. Pressure Point (2021) explores unrequited love through goalkeeper Liam Daley and quirky therapist Avery Houghton, while Slide Tackle (2022), a novella, tackles homophobia in sports with a heartfelt M/M romance between player Mahoney Holmes and therapist Trent Slater. Hastings’s style blends steamy chemistry, witty banter, and social commentary, making her stories both escapist and thought-provoking.
Her earlier works, like Cakewalk and Thinking ’Bout You, showcase her knack for new adult and contemporary romance, often weaving in themes of second chances and personal growth. Hastings’s diverse experiences as a stylist inform her vivid character descriptions, while her London roots add a cosmopolitan flair to her settings, even when they shift to Atlanta’s soccer pitches.
Why Clare Hastings Matters
Clare Hastings’s impact lies in her ability to craft inclusive, relatable romances that resonate with modern readers. Her Atlanta Rising series highlights women thriving in male-dominated industries and addresses issues like workplace sexism and homophobia, earning praise for its authenticity and emotional depth. By transitioning to writing later in life, Hastings inspires aspiring authors to embrace reinvention. Her growing fanbase, evident in glowing Goodreads reviews, cherishes her ability to balance spice with substance, making her a standout in contemporary romance.
- Debuted in 2018 with House in Little Chelsea.
- Authored over 20 titles, including the Atlanta Rising Football Club series.
- Former costume designer and stylist for over 30 years.
- Based in London, with a family legacy in writing and journalism.
About Clare Hastings
Ready to dive into a world of soccer, spice, and heartfelt romance? Snag Out of Bounds and discover why Clare Hastings’s stories are a winning goal!