Book picks similar to
Player by Sean Ashcroft
m-m
mm
sports
mm-romance
Superhero
Eli Easton - 2013
But Jordan was lucky. He met Owen Nelson in the second grade, and they’ve been BFFs ever since. Owen is a big, beautiful blond and their school’s champion wrestler. No one messes with Owen, or with anyone close to him, and he bucks popular opinion by keeping Jordan as his wingman even after Jordan comes out at school.Their friendship survives, but Jordan’s worst enemy may be himself: he can’t seem to help the fact that he is head-over-heels in love with a hopeless case—his straight friend, Owen. Owen won’t let anything take Jordan’s friendship away, but he never counted on Jordan running off to find a life of his own. Owen will have to face the nature of their relationship if he’s to win Jordan back.
Trading Teams
Romeo Alexander - 2018
Jake thought he had life all figured out. He had the perfect girlfriend, a starting position on the Varsity baseball team, and a raging social life. He was living the dream. That is, until he discovers that he’s in danger of losing his scholarship. The ultimatum? Get a tutor; or get out. Jake has no choice but to buckle down and put his head in his books. No sweat, right? The only problem is that the only person available to tutor him is a quiet nerd who would rather be alone than spend any time with a headstrong jock who isn’t used to applying himself to anything but sports. For Kyle, college was only a formality. He didn’t need the degree, and he barely attended his classes and still passed with flying colors. Instead of sitting in class, he’d rather be chasing his true passion—designing and programming an original MMORPG game. Kyle doesn’t need a social life, and he definitely doesn’t need a boyfriend, especially because that would require stepping out of the closet, something he has no intention of doing any time soon. The only problem? He’s been assigned to tutor a handsome jock who would much rather be out on the field than stuck in a classroom. When it comes to having life figured out, Jake and Kyle will have to realize that there’s more to life than good grades and games. Neither one of them is ready for what their newfound camaraderie will mean; but the bases are loaded and it’s time to step up to the plate. Trading Teams is a standalone college romance featuring a nerdy gamer and a jock with his head in the clouds. This steamy romance includes intimate scenes of graphic sex and is intended for mature readers only. Batter up!
Open Tackle
L.C. Chase - 2011
Not willing to ruin their friendship, Rory keeps his feelings buried. But a drunken confession by Owen changes everything. Will Rory lose his best friend, or will he realize his sweetest dream?Original Prompt: Dear Author,I can't tell you how long I've wanted a story to go along with this picture. I love the thought that they have been friends forever and just couldn't resist each other anymore.I would be forever grateful if you could help me out!!Photo Description: Two shirtless young men lay on top of each other, the one on top with his pants pushed down to expose his butt, kissing on a grassy field. A football rests in the grass next to them.This story was written as a part of the M/M Romance Group's "Hot Summer Days" 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.__________Genre: contemporaryTags: gay m/m, friends-to-lovers, college, football, athletes, first-timeWord Count: 6,410
Winging It
Ashlyn Kane - 2015
It doesn’t include being the first out hockey player or, worse, getting involved with one of his teammates. But things change.Dante Baltierra is Gabe’s polar opposite—careless, reckless… shameless. But his dedication to the sport is impressive, and Gabe can overlook a lot of young-and-stupid in the name of great hockey. And Dante has a superlative ass in a sport filled with superlative asses.Before Gabe can figure out how to deal, a tabloid throws him out of his comfortable closet into a brand-new world. Amid the emotional turmoil of invasive questions, nasty speculation, and on- and off-ice homophobia, his game suffers. Surprisingly, it’s Dante who drags him out of it—and then drags him into something else. Nothing good can come of secretly sleeping with a teammate, especially one Gabe has feelings for. But with their captain out with an injury, a rookie in perpetual need of a hug, and the race to make the playoffs for the first time since 1995, Gabe has a lot on his plate. He can’t be blamed for forgetting that nothing stays secret forever.
Future Fake Husband
Kate Hawthorne - 2018
For the past seven years, Cole has dedicated himself to managing Mallory Vineyard, the winery his family owns. It’s not that he hasn’t had time for a relationship so much as he’s never found anyone he wanted to devote time to beyond the initial getting to know you stage. But that all needs to change—and fast—because if Cole wants to inherit the vineyard, he needs to be married. Rhett Kingston is about to have a new life dropped into his lap. What started out as a night of lonely drinking in a local bar ends with Rhett agreeing to "fake marry" his twin brother’s best friend. Rhett will act as the perfect future fake husband for Cole and, in turn, Cole will help Rhett launch the event planning business he’s always dreamed of owning. Before they know it, their totally fake relationship is tangled up with completely mutual desire. After a destination wedding forces Cole and Rhett into the same bed, sparks fly and fictional feelings escalate and threaten to turn into something very, very real and more than either of them bargained for.
The Only Way to Live
M.A. Innes - 2020
Nothing, that is, until Derek senses some unexpected curiosity from the man he always thought was straight. But who better than an adventurous switch to help Sean explore his wild side?Sean knows better than to take Derek’s teasing seriously. There’s a reason he’s always called the impetuous younger man “the pest.” But when Derek’s playful banter leads to some interesting reactions, Sean has to decide what’s more important…hiding behind what he’s always assumed or finally getting to discover who he really was all along.62k wordsStory Contains: M/m sexual content, playful use of the term Daddy, BDSM elements, spanking, a mischievous switch, a fun adult toy store, and a man who always thought he was straight.Author’s Note: There is no age play in this book, although Derek loves to drive Sean crazy about their age difference.
Billion Dollar Bet
Spencer Spears - 2016
Maybe it’s because he lost his parents so young, maybe it’s just his caring nature, but he can’t stop diving in when he should be heading for the hills. And just when he decides to swear off guys for the summer, he meets drop-dead gorgeous Jack Thorsen, who might just be the man of his dreams.It’s not fair, because Kian doesn’t even have time for guys right now. His hometown of Maple Springs, Minnesota is considering selling miles of pristine wilderness to a Wall Street billionaire who wants to open a resort and play at being a hotelier. But Kian’s spent his whole life fighting against big businesses and he’s ready to go toe-to-toe with the mystery mogul - until he realizes that the billionaire is Jack himself.
“So what’s your flaw? Why are you still single?”“Well, for starters, I always fall for jerks.”“Should I be relieved, then, that you don’t want to go out with me?”“The problem is, Jack, I think you’re exactly my type.”
Billionaire Jack Thorsen is married to his work and likes it that way. Growing up in foster care taught him to look out for himself and since the day he left for college, he’s never stopped striving. Despite his best friend’s urging, he’s not looking for a guy. Even after he meets sweet and sexy Kian Bellevue, he’s still determined to keep his guard up. People can’t hurt you if you never let them close.But it’s not like Jack doesn’t have a heart. When he finds out that Maple Springs, the home he left behind, is on the brink of bankruptcy, he proposes to buy their unused public lands and create an eco-resort. It’s an obvious win-win - who could oppose it? That is, who, other than Kian, the guy he can’t get out of his head.
“Are you sure this is a good idea? Things with us are complicated.”“So is life. But you make me feel good. And I need that tonight.”
Jack needs Kian on his side if he wants the town to vote in favor of his resort and he’s not afraid to play dirty. His proposition: Kian spends the summer with him. If Jack convinces Kian to support him, Kian will get the town on Jack’s side. But if he fails, Jack will withdraw the proposal completely. It’s a crazy bet, but Kian would be crazy to turn it down - right?There’s only one problem. Jack - tall, handsome, and emotionally unavailable - is exactly Kian’s type. And Kian is surprisingly good at breaking down the barriers Jack spent years putting up. With their hearts on the line as well as a hotel, will both men risk it all for a chance at love?Billion Dollar Bet is a 55,000 word, stand-alone romance novel with sizzling summer heat. No cheating, no cliffhangers, and a guaranteed HEA.Available for $0.99 for a limited time!
Relay
Layla Reyne - 2018
A last chance at swimming gold, a second chance at lasting love.
Team captain.Olympic medalist.Devoted son and brother.Alex has it all, and all the demands that go with being the best.The last thing he needs on his crowded plate—and on his team—is his closeted ex.Dane is swimming’s biggest star.Carefully crafted from crib to pool, his fame feeds his celebrity parents’ empire.He dropped the act once—the summer he fell in love with Alex.Ten years later, the performance is crushing his soul.So is resisting the man he still loves.As the team struggles to gel, Alex and Dane clash in and out of the pool.Forgive and forget is easier said than done.But something has to give, if Alex and Dane want a shot at gold.And a second chance at love.Team captain and team celebrity square off in this enemies to lovers, second chance MM sports romance between two elite swimmers fighting against their hearts and fighting for Olympic gold.
Volley Balls
Tara Lain - 2011
His last attraction to an alpha male got him into an abusive relationship, and now ogling two hot members of the Australian volleyball team on Laguna Beach gets him harassed yet again. Australian Gareth Marshall needs to come out. A lifetime of hiding his orientation from his best friend and volleyball partner, Edge, as well as everyone else around him, has left him hurt and frustrated. When Gareth gets a load of David posing nude as the Michelangelo statue in the famous Laguna Pageant, he knows his days in the closet are numbered. And David is more than willing to help him take the first step out of the dark.But Gareth’s teammate, Edge, has secrets of his own, and David's ex-lover will never be happy without David under his thumb. With everything stacked against him, can a gay Laguna man find happiness with an alpha male – or two?
Play Hard
J.T. Fox - 2016
Read at your own risk.
Wanting him is the riskiest play of all...
Miami star quarterback Jordan Barr is the hottest man that halfback Eric "The Brick" Higgins has ever laid eyes on, and he's wanted him in his bed for years.
When a chance encounter puts the two pro football players in the same town, the same TV studio, and the same locked room, the sparks don't just fly, they burn. The chemistry between them is intense, immediate, and explosive and Eric isn't about to miss his chance to have Jordan off the field. He'll have Jordan naked in his bed--rumors of game fixing haunting both of their teams be damned.
Eric is one extraordinarily stunning man, and Jordan would love nothing more than to show Eric what it's like to be taken by someone who knows exactly what he wants, in the bedroom and out. But Jordan has bills to pay and far too many responsibilities to throw caution to the wind.
He has to resist. But it's getting hard....
Really, really hard.
Play Hard is the first installment in a three-part MM romance trilogyPraise for Play Hard:
"Dirty-talking deliciousness!" -NYT and USA Today Bestselling author Lauren Blakely
"Play Hard was fast-paced, face-fanning, and ferociously sexy fun! I loved this hot story of two alpha males in love and can't wait for part two." -Bestselling author Lili Valente
"Two scorching hot, dirty talking football players - need I say more? These guys light up the pages." -Melissa Collins
Breakaway
Avon Gale - 2015
He's put his foot in his mouth a few times and alienated his teammates. Then, during a rivalry game, Lane throws off his gloves against Jared Shore, enforcer for the Savannah Renegades. It’s a strange way to begin a relationship. Jared’s been playing minor league hockey for most of his career. He’s bisexual and doesn’t care if anyone knows. But he’s determined to avoid another love affair after the last one left him devastated. Out of nowhere a one-nighter with rookie Lane Courtnall gives him second thoughts. Lane reminds Jared why he loves the game and why love might be worth the risk. In turn, Jared hopes to show Lane how to be comfortable with himself on and off the ice. But they’re at different points in their careers, and both men will have to decide what they value most.
Straight Up
J.S. Finley - 2017
After the Marines, they went their separate ways, but he can’t forget…never forget and never leave a man behind, but that’s what he did when he ran from Brent. Maybe it wasn’t the best reaction, but he couldn’t face the truth. Now he has a second chance and he doesn’t want to blow it, instead, he wants to blow Brent. Brent: Maybe there’s something between he and Jake, but Brent can’t ask, and Jake won’t tell because in the Marines being gay is bad for business. Time heals all wounds, and that’s what Brent is gambling on when they meet in the hills of Tennessee. Brent is hoping for friendship…but if there is more, he’ll take it. When Brent meets his straight friend again in Tennessee will they remain friends or will they become more?
Eight Days
Cardeno C. - 2012
Story is now bundled with In Another Life.
A story from the Dreamspinner Press 2012 Advent Calendar collection Evergreen.Maccabe Fried and Josh Segal have nothing in common, but they’ve been friends forever. Maccabe is an athlete with dreams of playing professional baseball. Josh is a good student with dreams of being with Maccabe. Then both dreams come true.Maccabe and Josh fall into a passionate long-distance romance, and after years of hiding from the world, Josh wants to bring their relationship into the open. When Maccabe refuses, Josh is faced with a tough decision: stay with the man he loves or live the life he deserves. Somebody's bound to get hurt, but in the season of miracles, there's always hope for 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.
Out of the Penalty Box
Genevive Chamblee - 2019
Recovering from an injury and traded to a new team, Aidan is attempting to prove his viability to his coaches, fans, and teammates. Just when he believes he’s succeeded, another accident during the playoffs threatens to unravel all of his progress.Having relocated away from family and friends, Aidan turns to his extroverted team captain, Christophe Fontenot, whose jovial nature lifts everyone’s spirits. But when Aidan discovers his attraction for Christophe changes the meaning of “body checking,” Aidan questions more than his hockey skills.Should he deny what he feels or come out of the “box?”Part of the Game On Collection.