Book picks similar to
Against the Current by Elaine Ashford
m-m
college
mm
sports
Language Lessons
Jay Bell - 2011
For Joey, he didn't care if it ever came at all. He was much too busy adding notches to his bedpost and preparing for life as an adult. But when a casual fling waxes nostalgic about the one that got away, Joey starts to wonder if he isn't missing something after all, if there really is something to be learned from the language of love.
One Week Stand
Dillon Hunter - 2016
You don’t even need to know his last name. Hell, you don’t need to know his first name…”
Gabe Campbell doesn’t do one night stands, but after his boyfriend walks out on him, his best friend insists that it will be the perfect cure for his heartache. Gabe isn’t so sure, but when he meets a hot businessman who’s only in town for a week, it seems like the perfect opportunity to cut loose for once… as long as he can remember not to fall for a guy he’ll never see again.
“I will never, ever trust someone like that again."
Getting his heart broken once was more than enough for Nick Jeffries, and he’s spent the eight years since avoiding love in favor of easy, no-strings fun with men who don’t put his heart at risk. When his job offers him the chance to move from L.A. to Seattle, though, he finds more than he bargained for when a one night stand has him longing for things he’d long since stopped believing in.
“Trust me enough to give me a chance..."
Is one week long enough for two men to let go of their past and take a chance on forever… ?
One Week Stand is a steamy, standalone gay romance of approximately 25,000 words, with a HEA and no cliffhangers.
Chasing Chance
M.E. Parker - 2019
They become so ingrained in your memory that you can’t let them go, no matter how hard you try. Some may seem small and insignificant when they happen. Others are so big and important that you know, even while you’re in the moment, that your life will be forever changed. For me, almost all those moments—both the small and insignificant as well as the big and important—were moments I shared with Chance Wyrick. If I were in a support group for hopelessly pathetic gays, I’d have to introduce myself by saying, “Hi, I’m Andy Michaelson and I can’t stop myself from thinking about Chance Wyrick.” From the time we met, when we were only six years old, and for the next twelve years, he was my best friend. I fell in love with him along the way. I couldn’t say exactly when it happened, only that it happened. Words of advice: Never fall in love with your best friend, especially if he’s one of the most popular kids at school, the best high school quarterback in the state, or if he happens to be your next-door neighbor. But most of all… Never, I repeat never, fall in love with your best friend if he’s straight. Nothing good can come of it. Trust me. Our friendship was over before we finished our last year of high school. My best friend became my ex-best friend. I hoped to forget about him when I went off to college. But Chance followed me there. So did all the memories. I tried to forget him. I did. But he was more beautiful than ever. He was the starting quarterback for Gilcrest University. He was larger than life. He was impossible to ignore. We hadn’t spoken in years, but the memories still hit me out of nowhere, and they still hurt. By the time I started my third year at Gilcrest, I was beginning to think I’d never be over him. As it turns out, I was right… Chasing Chance is the first book in the Gilcrest University Guys series. It’s a full-length, “friends to lovers” romance novel. It has “coming out” and “first-time gay” themes, is stocked full of STEAM, heartache, and laughter, and it has a guaranteed happy ending. The series will follow the love stories of four college friends. Chasing Chance is the first of two books that will tell Andy and Chance’s love story. Look for book two, Catching Chance, to come out next month!
A Lesson in Truth
Sloan Parker - 2010
Michael's his advisor and former instructor. The two shouldn't have feelings for each other, but after two years of friendship and longing, David can no longer deny what he's feeling. Is Michael ready to accept being more than a teacher to a man fifteen years younger? And if they give into their desires, is it only a way for them to say good-bye?
Cocky
Sean Ashcroft - 2017
I want you to pretend to date me.” Faking a relationship with an injured hockey player had never been on Eliot’s to-do list, but when he’s sent by his editor to interview the newly-out hockey legend Danny Harper, he gets a little more than he bargained for. Eliot has been stuck writing a fashion and grooming column that no one reads since he started at Cocky—a men’s lifestyle magazine—a year ago. Desperate to prove himself, he takes the assignment to interview Harper, even though he couldn’t hold a hockey stick the right way up in an emergency. Danny turns out to be nothing like he expected—a lonely man who’s missed out on a lot by being in the closet, rather than the overconfident jock Eliot expects him to be. As much as he resists it, Eliot finds himself drawn to the other man. When Danny proposes they fake a relationship to improve his image, Eliot jumps at the chance—not only does he need the money, but his curiosity about Danny demands to be satisfied. With Danny struggling to get through the season on a busted knee and Eliot digging up the story that could make his own career, can the two of them bring themselves to admit their real feelings and find their happy ending? Cocky is a standalone gay romance with a HEA and no cliffhanger. It does, however, contain peppermint lip balm, platonic(ish) bed-sharing, explicit sex scenes, hockey-related injuries, and several five a.m. starts.
Touchdown
T.S. McKinney - 2016
After meeting Lincoln, will he have the courage to finally do what makes him happy?Alexander – I like to imagine myself a rebel – an ass-kicker that takes what he wants regardless of what others think. I make my own path and flip off the people who don’t agree. I laugh in the face of conflict. Nobody tells me what to do.In reality, everything about me is a lie – past, present, and future. The Bryant name requires certain things and all my decisions are based on those requirements. I like football, but the family name demands I love it. I want to be an artist, but the family name demands I be a lawyer. The family demands I fall in love with a nice girl, but I’m falling for, well, the opposite of nice AND girl. I’m a coward and a liar.Lincoln – I like to imagine myself a loner – a cold heartless bastard that takes what he wants. I lived the biggest part of my life with parents that were ashamed of me for more reasons that one could begin to count, so I trust no one.I have a low tolerance for bullshit and hate liars.So why did I go and fall in love with the biggest liar of them all?
The Three of Us
Stephen del Mar - 2013
It’s the first week of college and he’s following his jock of a roommate around like a puppy dog. It’s pretty pathetic and he knows it. Then he sits down next to this little nerd in his English class and things change. “The Three of Us” is a story of first loves, coming of age and friendship.This story was written as a part of the M/M Romance Group's "Love Has No Boundaries" event. Group members were asked to write a story prompt inspired by a photo of their choice. Authors of the group selected a photo and prompt that spoke to them and wrote a short story.
Offside
Ryan Loveless - 2011
When he is transferred to St. Louis, his new teammates don’t exactly roll out the welcome mat. It doesn’t help that Adam sees “the Gateway to the West” as a step down from his high-profile position in LA—an attitude Adam has no problem sharing with his new housemate and fellow center forward, Colin Evets. Colin is Adam’s only friend on the team, but when Adam misinterprets Colin’s Midwestern charm for something more, he could end up ruining both their friendship and their careers. As Adam struggles to make a better impression, Colin tries to decide if the person he’s been showing the world is who he wants to be with Adam. The pressure to win influences decisions both on the field and off as Adam and Colin discover how making the wrong move can be very right.
Takedown
Sierra Riley - 2016
Mitchell fled to a new life as a New York City realtor rather than defend himself against the rumors flying around his small Nebraskan hometown. After all, Luke accidentally got the gay part right. Since his abrupt outing, Mitchell's been too wound-up to even date until he's forced back home.“This is all I've got.”Luke Hanson never forgave himself. Low lighting, one too many drinks, and an overactive conscience led to a terrible mistake. Luke tamped down his feelings and threw himself into his career instead. All Luke wants now is a white picket fence and a career as an MMA fighter. Then his trainer, Hugh, tells him Mitchell is coming back to town for two weeks... to sell the gym, after the death of Mitchell's uncle, gym owner Toby.“Don't play mind games with a fighter.”Luke convinces Mitchell to let him run the gym rather than sell it on the spot. But Mitchell's parents can't accept who Mitchell is, and Luke's future rides on winning his first big promotional fight. With a ticking clock, hothead Luke has to finish things... but hopefully not with Mitchell. Does a small town MMA fighter even have a chance with a high-powered realtor in backwater Nebraska?Takedown is a steamy, standalone gay romance novel with a HEA and no cliffhangers.
Let There Be Light
A.M. Johnson - 2018
Hard work and drive kept Royal O'Connell one step ahead of his competition. His spot on the swim team, keeping his scholarship, was the only plan that mattered. His world was ebony and ivory. Natural talent and ambition set Camden Morgan apart from the other music majors. His dedication scoring him a full ride. Normally, their paths would have never crossed….But when Royal meets his best friend's new roommate, his big plan and Camden’s controlled environment faces a variable that could destroy it all. Attraction. The world they live in had no room for error. That undeniable pull between them was dangerous and neither one of them could've prepared for the choice they'd have to make. Love isn't always an easy road and, when everything they've worked for is on the line, they'll have to decide if being together is worth the risk. Let There Be Light is a full-length standalone.
Quarterback Sneak
Pepper Espinoza - 2008
Facing a potentially career-ending knee injury, the last thing Cache wants to deal with is speculation about his personal life. If the injury doesn't end his career, the swirling rumors could. Especially since all the speculation and rumors are true... Genres: Gay / Contemporary / Sports / Athletes
Model Student
Ann Lister - 2018
Each story in this series will be under 10,000 words and can be read as a stand-alone. In Book One: “Model Student,” you will meet Stefan, the subject for a college figure drawing class who has a unique dilemma whenever the professor poses him in the direction of the classroom hottie, Ty. Out of the fear of losing his job as the class model, Stefan is faced with an intriguing solution from Ty that might just remedy his issue, but will it also quench his sudden thirst for Ty, or will it leave him with an entirely new problem? Model Student is a fast-paced romp filled with humor and a healthy dose of erotic delights served up to you by Stefan and Ty.
A Competitive Edge
Adara O’Hare - 2012
When he arrives at the house to move back in, the room is a mess and Heath is acting very strange: he's apologetic and bashful instead of the antagonistic jerk he usually is. Heath's personality switch catches Fleury off-guard in ways he doesn't want to examine. It's also too good to be true; Heath reverts to his old ways once the other team members arrive back at the house. After that, Heath runs hot and cold throughout the semester, swinging between flirty and frustrating.Then, at the first track meet of the outdoor season, Fleury makes a huge, stupid error that ends up in a twisted ankle and Heath taking his place as the anchor leg of the 'A' relay. It doesn't help matters that Heath is the only one who saw exactly what caused Fleury's accident.Fleury can't help but wonder which Heath will greet him when they return from the track meet. Will it be the rival gloating about his stupidity? Or will Heath surprise him with kindness? If he wants more than a cold shoulder, Fleury will have to take matters into his own hands.Original Prompt:Dear Author.I'm running warm up laps around the track when the shot put throwers start their practice throws. Ogling them distracts me enough that I veer off course into the hurdles. The end result is embarrassment, a sprained ankle, and losing my chance to participate in today's meet against our biggest rival. As a senior, I don't want to give up my spot, but I especially don't want to give it up to him.Since the start, we've been rivals on the track. We run the same distances and are competing with each other for spots at the starting block. But while I'm sure what relationship we have on the field, I'm less sure what we have off of it. Being forced to share a bedroom in a house with our other teammates doesn't help any. One day he's flaying me with sarcasm and the next he's gazing soulfully at me from across the room when he thinks I can't see. What's his problem? I can't figure him out. And what will happen tonight? Will he gloat about taking my spot, or surprise me by offering comfort just when I need it most?Photo Description: Two photos, each of a young man. One is tall, skinny, and pale-skinned with straight, platinum blonde, straw-like hair. He wears black skinny jeans and a tight black shirt with a V-neck and the sleeves pushed up to his elbows. The other guy is a few inches shorter, slightly more muscular and tanned, with wavy, brown hair. He wears black jeans and an open black leather vest, showing off his body.This story was written as a part of the M/M Romance Group's "Love is Always Write" event. Group members were asked to write a story prompt inspired by a photo of their choice. Authors of the group selected a photo and prompt that spoke to them and wrote a short story.Download the story, read it at the Author's website or here or find it in Love Is Always Write: Volume 2.
Ballsy Boys: The Complete Series
K.M. Neuhold - 2017
You won’t want to miss out on this bestselling series.Now in one box set with all five books plus two bonus novellas.RebelI love working for Ballsy Boys, but when you make the kind of videos I do, relationships are pretty damn impossible. Guys find me sexy and want to either be with me or be me, but no one has ever cared enough to see the real me...until Troy.TankI’ve never hated anyone like I hate Brewer. But when Rebel pairs us to do a scene together, I have to admit I’m looking forward to taking all my irritation out on his...well, you get the picture. When one scene turns into a whole fake relationship, I’m not sure we’re going to make it out of this without some bloodshed.HeartI vowed to never let another man close, but when my sweet, nerdy friend Mason asks for my help improving his skills in the bedroom, I can’t resist. And then there’s my gorgeous yet grumpy parole officer who has made it his mission to save me. They both seem determined to test my resolve, and it’s getting harder and harder to remind myself why it’s so dangerous to trust.CampyI pretend to be Campy, but I am Cameron. But does anyone even know the real me?When I meet my new roommate, a sexy Texan cowboy and break-out TV star named Jackson, all my lies start to come out. He makes me want to be myself, but I’ve spun so many lies that I don’t even know who I am anymore. The more I fall for him, the more I worry that all my secrets will destroy us before we have a chance to be together.PixieEverybody loves Pixie.Everybody wants Pixie.But Pixie needs a Daddy, and his heart is set on me.I want nothing more than to take care of him, to protect him and pamper him…but how can I start something with him when I know I’ll eventually break his heart? Can I really be the Daddy Pixie needs?★★★★★ This box set also includes Ballsy, the prequel short as well as Mixer, an exclusive new short story with Greg the bouncer and bartender Nick finding love together. ★★★★★
Sticking It
K. Vale - 2013
We all do dumb shit when it’s just the guys, after all, right? And I mean, clearly they’ve seen me before when I was competing on the college team, but I guess it’s an understatement to say that they’ve never seen me perform in such― ahem― brief attire.Most of the guys looked uncomfortable, but I noticed one of them looking at me like he had something else in mind. He’s new and kinda one of the more quiet ones among us, so I don’t know much about him. I’ve only just started to realize that I might… well, kinda sorta totally… like guys and not girls. Is it possible he could maybe be… like me?Photo Description: A young, heavily muscled man, with his dark hair in a pompadour, is performing a gymnastics routine on a pommel horse wearing only his underwear.This story was written as a part of the M/M Romance Group's "Love Has No Boundaries" event. Group members were asked to write a story prompt inspired by a photo of their choice. Authors of the group selected a photo and prompt that spoke to them and wrote a short story.