Book picks similar to
Out of the Blue by Kay Simone
mm
age-gap
m-m
arc
Burn Me
Jess Whitecroft - 2018
Six months sober following a brush with death, Rocco knows a thing or two about the painful process of giving up drugs and alcohol, including one of the biggest rules – no relationships in the first year of recovery. Thrown together again in their attempt to help Matt stay sober, Daniel and Rocco find themselves drawn closer and closer to one another, despite knowing that Rocco is damaged, dangerous, and that falling in love with him is like playing with fire. Can they compromise and find their way, or will Rocco’s vulnerability send everything they’ve fought for up in smoke? This book contains dark themes (addiction, depression, suicide) that some readers may find distressing.
Out of the Shade
S.A. McAuley - 2019
That he hooks up with just as many men as he does women is a secret Jesse's been hiding for years, fearful of losing his family and tight group of friends. He's a Kensington boy--a group of guys that grew up in the same neighborhood and somehow all ended up back in their hometown. They, and his family, are the only things that still matter in his otherwise soul-sucking life.Chuck Dunn, a tattooed and pierced sports photographer, has refused to step back into the closet since he was disowned by his family, but he keeps choosing men who can't fully be with him. Finally free from a long-term relationship he should've ended years ago, he quits his high-profile gig in favor of getting back to the art of sports photography--documenting a local boxing club that works with at-risk teenagers. He may not have the same swagger anymore, but he's working to be happy with who he is.When Chuck joins one of the Kensington boys' community center sports leagues, Jesse's self-imposed rules are systematically demolished. But there's one barrier Jesse can't find the strength to break through--coming out to the other Kensington boys. Chuck knows hooking up with Jesse is a bad idea. Falling for him even worse. But he can't stay away.Chuck is damaged by his past. Jesse is frightened about his future. But, together, they may just be able to come out of the shade.Reader Advisory: Out of the Shade is a standalone novel with an HEA that carries the following warnings--alcoholism, mentions of sexual and physical abuse, mentions of drug addiction, mentions of rape, attempted suicide by a minor character, violence, homophobia, closeting
Completely Changed
Kamisa Cole - 2019
You pick who you love. It’s what my adoptive mother taught me. It’s what I believed all my life. Until Alec McGowan walks in. As head of security of the bar we work at his safety is my responsibility. But it’s more than that. He buries himself under my skin, and no matter how much I fight it, I cannot stop thinking about him—or wanting him. It’s when tragedy strikes that I realize Alec might be all I ever needed. But… Is it already too late for us?
DiverCity—Seattle’s hottest bar—invites you to a place where love is love is love.
The Lighthouse Keeper
Jason Collins - 2020
Now I’m racing to Briton Bay to put my reporter skills to work. Nicholas, the lighthouse keeper, is a rare new face in this sleepy coastal town, and his connection to my aunt isn’t the only reason I’m interested.He’s not just a neighbor I keep bumping into, he’s a former doctor with a puzzling past I’m endlessly curious about—and a face I wouldn’t mind seeing every day. It isn’t long before we feel an undeniable spark, but our relationship is a new complication. Falling in love on the job wasn’t in my plans.I owe it to my aunt to keep a clear head, but I can’t investigate when all I can think about is Nicholas. I’ll need his insights to get to the bottom of this, and the closer I get, the more I risk heartbreak for us both.As it turns out, Nicholas may be the biggest mystery of all.NICHOLAS:I wanted a fresh start, but trouble follows me.I moved to Briton Bay to escape my past. It was never the plan to make friends with the locals, least of all my elderly neighbor. Her passing is a shock, but not as much as her nephew, a reporter, arriving in town to investigate.Alex is as sharp as he is hot, and I can’t keep my eyes off him. The last thing I need right now is romance, but I have second thoughts when our investigation brings us closer than I planned. Now there’s more at stake than I ever expected.But the sooner he solves this mystery, the closer he is to leaving town forever. I should keep my heart out of it—but that’s the one thing I can’t do.The more we’re together, the more dangerous this becomes.Note to readers: This is a standalone MM romance.
A World Apart
Mel Gough - 2017
He has a career to shine in and a beautiful family. But his marriage has broken down, and being a small-town cop is turning into a dead-end job.Hot-headed troublemaker Donnie is used to being side-eyed by the fuzz. Getting dragged into the station for a crime he didn’t commit is no big surprise – but a cop who gives a damn sure is.Ben has no clue how much a second encounter with the secretive redneck will shake up his life. Donnie’s sullen vulnerability arouses a passion Ben hasn’t felt for a long time. Soon, nothing matters but helping Donnie fight his demons. Can they carve a new life together out of the ashes?
A Sip of Rio
Teodora Kostova - 2016
Not only is his dream holiday slipping through his fingers, but Liam is sick and tired of getting his heart broken. Blaine Reed has a solution that can save Liam’s plans. Recently divorced, Blaine needs a break, and a couple of stress-free weeks in Rio with a sexy guy like Liam sound like heaven. Liam and Blaine hit it off right from the start, becoming good friends even before they’ve left London. Despite their efforts to ignore the simmering attraction between them, it boils over when they end up sharing a room in one of the most romantic cities in the world. Being together in Rio is easy, and it’s exactly what Liam needs – no feelings, no drama, nobody getting hurt. Until someone does. When the holiday bubble bursts, it’s up to them to find a way to be together outside of Rio’s seductive magic. **47K words** **Stand alone** **MM Romance**
Off-Campus Setup
Maria Vickers - 2017
Between the university screwing up his living arrangements, the weird meddling old woman who runs the boarding house, and the fellow student who instantly catches his eye, life in Cali is more than he expected, and he isn’t sure he’s ready for any of it. College was supposed to be an adventure, but this might be more than Levi can handle. Nathan Orion wants to have fun. That’s what he lives for and it's exactly what his college years are supposed to be about. He’s happy with living the single life and being carefree…that is until the new student at his grandmother’s boarding house crashes into his life. Now he’s been recruited to show the new guy around, and if Nathan has his way, it won't be just on-campus.Will there be more, or is this only an illusion? Two men thrown together, not expecting anything, but possibly finding so much more than an off-campus setup.
Socks for an Otter
Posy Roberts - 2019
As a sign of goodwill, Louis offers to cook for him. But all Sebastian sees is the privilege he used to have.This isn’t a fairytale. Louis isn’t Prince Charming. And Sebastian can make it on his own.But it’s been days since he’s had a hot meal. And a blizzard is coming.Will Sebastian’s pride be his appetizer? Socks for an Otter is a heartwarming riches-to-rags MM romance brewed with hurt, comfort, comedy, a second chance at love, age gap, and men from different worlds who will give you all the feels.
Born for Leaving
Jude Munro - 2020
Too bad distractions, like the hot little convertible he has his eye on, cost megabucks. And Oliver is flat broke. Renting the spare bedroom in his rundown beachfront cottage is his only option to pick up the cash he needs--a risky proposition, as Oliver is the polar opposite of a people-person. When he responds to a bizarre ad in the Waterfront Gazette seeking summer housing, he gets more than he bargained for. But Oliver can cope... After all, how much harm can a single quirky tenant do to his tightly guarded life in three short months?Where Oliver is a loner by design, urban cowboy Bodie is a loner by necessity. A family dispute long ago dropkicked him onto the path of a lifelong wanderer. This changes when Bodie moves into the tiny beachfront cottage and starts working the door at Oliver's bar.Despite Oliver and Bodie's nearly paralyzing instinct to avoid commitment, they fall into a wary romance. And to their surprise, life as a couple is sweetly satisfying; that is, until their jealous boss devises a cruel plan to destroy the tentative bond they've built. True to form, Bodie hits the road, leaving Oliver to lick his wounds alone.Can these wounded souls defy their urge to flee and fight for love?**Trigger Warning: discussion of childhood sexual molestation of adult character, graphic physical violence, off-page coerced sexual relationship
Seeing Sunrise
Raleigh Ruebins - 2017
It’s his last summer of freedom before graduating from college, and during his first week in town, he has a sexy hookup in a bar with a hot, mysterious man. The connection is explosive, but afterward, the guy refuses to meet up again. But two days later, Jesse finds out that that same man will be his roommate for the rest of summer…
"Is this how you get all the guys?" "Not all the guys act like you."
Nathan Stanford is still hurting after his engagement crumbled almost two years ago. He’s fully focused on his work as a photographer, and he’s definitely not looking for a serious relationship. But when he meets the young, intriguing Jesse in a bar, he can’t hold himself back. He never expected to end up living with Jesse for the whole summer. He’s completely afraid of taking things any further, but at the same time, he can’t pull away…
“Stay with me. Just for tonight.”
Soon, Nathan is pulled into Jesse’s life. He’s forced to photograph a wedding that Jesse is catering, and ends up bringing Jesse on an overnight camping trip soon after. It soon becomes clear that their feelings can’t be ignored, and what they thought was a summer fling could be so much more…. ----- Seeing Sunrise is a 60,000 word steamy, emotional MM romance, with slight May/December themes - HEA ending guaranteed.
Why I Left You
Colette Davison - 2017
The last thing he needs is Brett, the guy who walked out on him four years ago. Yet, he could be just what Jamie needs.Brett has his own way of dealing with heartache. Ever since Jamie left him, he's been running away from commitment. But when he Jamie comes back into his life, he’s forced to re-examine everything.Brett and Jamie are drawn back into each other’s arms by an undeniable spark. But unless they can come to terms with the past, their relationship won’t survive the present.Why I Left You is a MM hurt/comfort, friends to lovers romance with explicit language and steamy scenes between gay men. It’s the first in a series of standalone romances with a happy ever
Guarded Hearts
Louisa Keller - 2018
Cue Forest Ethridge, my prickly, defensive coworker. I'm drawn to him right off the bat...despite the fact that he seems to find me more of a nuisance than anything else. I fall hard and fast, despite his warnings that I should guard my heart carefully. Just as he's opening his own heart to me, Forest disappears without a trace, leaving me wondering what exactly went wrong. Ten years later I'm still grappling with the repercussions of my first devastating love...and that's when he shows up again. Can I look past my own pain long enough to find out what happened? Or is it better to move on with my life? "I have one rule: don't let anybody in." Forest: As a teenager, I learned the hard way that nobody except my sister Faye can be trusted. Still reeling from our parents' abandonment, we've figured out how to fly beneath the radar. For years I never let anybody in...until I met Blaise Lancaster. He's kind and funny and full of hope. Making out with him is a mistake, and promising to take his virginity is an even bigger one. But before I can make good on my promise, Faye and I are thrust into chaos once more. It's time to leave my hometown once and for all, and there's no time for goodbyes. A decade later I'm still wary and defensive. My solace at the end of each day is listening to Blaise's award-winning podcast. When I find out that he'll be visiting a local bookstore on a promotional tour, I decide to go and skulk in the back of the room. Then our eyes meet, and I realize that my feelings for Blaise have never truly flickered out. Is it too late to rekindle my first love? And will Blaise be able to forgive me? Guarded Hearts is a standalone enemies-to-lovers gay romance featuring a whole lot of mutual pining, a second chance at love, and an HEA.
Love's Magic
Jan Jarrell - 2017
Traumatized by the attack, Nate sets his feet on a no-holds-barred path of activism designed to force university officials into addressing the issue of on-campus assault. To his shock, his primary frustration comes not from the university, but from his partner, David Gardener, a veteran of 12 years as a very popular Professor of Revolutionary War History. Terrified of losing his hard-won status at the school, David is reluctant to support Nate's militant efforts, while Nate, feeling abandoned by his partner, sees David's aversion to his activism as indifference to the trauma he suffered. Day by day they watch as their relationship disintegrates, while still struggling to resolve the disruptive issues engulfing the school they love. At the same time Irishman Colin Campbell, handsome and charismatic Sergeant for the campus police force, fights his own on-going war against campus assault. But behind his obsessive desire to gain justice for victims lies a devastating secret which could forever destroy his fiercely independent facade and expose his deepest fear. Ultimately, it is Colin’s powerful connection to a quiet, dark-eyed Title IX consultant which threatens to tear down his defenses and shatter the barriers protecting his heart.Colin was the bolt of lightning that ignited Joshua Abram’s heart. Cocky and irresistible, the dynamic police officer was everything Joshua had ever longed for in a man, and despite Colin’s insistence that he didn’t ‘do relationships’ Joshua couldn’t help but fall hopelessly in love. He knew his attraction to Colin could only end in heartbreak. His quiet, introverted nature could never hope to snare the vibrant, freedom-loving Irishman, so despite the undeniable and heated passion between them, he forces himself to back slowly away.When disagreements over an oddly disturbing case causes Colin’s hot Irish temper to erupt, their relationship is irrevocably shattered. Heartbroken, and convinced that Colin never wants to see him again, Joshua flees Charlottesville without a word, leaving Colin adrift and inconsolable. Finally forced to admit that he desperately needs Joshua by his side, Colin must now face the dark and long-suppressed memories which are irrevocably linked to his love for the handsome, Jewish consultant. Without even a forwarding address to guide him, he vows to find Joshua and beg his forgiveness. Colin’s struggle to conquer his pride and fear in order to find the love of his life and achieve their happily ever after will touch your heart. Four lives in turmoil fighting for the relationships they cherish, and at the heart of the struggle, a great university struggles to survive its most harrowing challenge. Please Note: This book contains adult language & steamy adult activities, it is intended for 18+ Adults Only.
The Last Summer
Ruthie Luhnow - 2018
Only one person has ever seen past Alfie's sarcastic, standoffish exterior—his best friend and the love of his life, Wynn. And though Wynn insists he's straight, Alfie is sure, deep down, Wynn feels their connection, too. Alfie plans to leave town right after graduation—and when he goes, he's bringing Wynn along with him. "This place will kill me if I stay." Wynn is used to being a disappointment—to his father, to his teachers, to his coach. And in a place where two boys would never be allowed to fall in love, naïve Wynn can't comprehend that his feelings for Alfie run far deeper than friendship. But then Alfie shows up at his window in the middle of the night and asks Wynn to run away with him—and though Wynn can't bear the thought of Alfie leaving him, Wynn isn't brave enough to leave. "I've loved you every minute of every day that I've known you." Twelve years later, Wynn shows up on Alfie's doorstep, bedraggled and heartbroken. Though the two friends have not seen each other in over a decade, they find their connection hasn't faded. However, before Alfie and Wynn are able to build a new life with one another, they will have to face the demons from their past. Once more, they find themselves in their tiny, toxic hometown—but this time, they're together. The Last Summer is an m/m emotional, slow burn romance with friends-to-lovers, second chance, and gay awakening themes, plenty of heat, and a happy ending.
Beneath the Surface
Kate Sherwood - 2012
Technically he's a lawyer, but really he's a problemsolver. He just never expected the problem to be Caleb Sinclair, the passionate but introverted artisan carpenter who lives next to the proposed quarry site."Know your enemy." That's Caleb's philosophy. And trying to turn fertile farmland into a gravel pit earns Peter the title of "enemy." Caleb loves that land, and if he has to make peace with his homophobic neighbors to make war on Peter, so be it. Except knowing his enemy doesn't turn out anything like he expected. Peter's not the fairy-tale monster-he just might be the first step to happy ever after.