Book picks similar to
The Shutout by Dianna Roman
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All the Way Out
Ingrid Sterling - 2021
So, he’d started dating Rebecca, his devoutly Catholic girlfriend who wants to wait to have sex until she’s married, during his junior year of high school and never looked back.But on the last night of a team trip to Rome, on the cusp of his senior season at Northwestern University, a Heisman, a number 1 draft pick and a National Championship, Zach seeks out one last anonymous encounter. He opens Grindr and slips out into the Italian summer night to meet Liam - Liam who has a face that looks like it was carved from Carrara marble by one of the ancient greats and whose brazen facade becomes sheepish when he’s asked about his past in Paris. The night is intense, better than Zach could have imagined. But like all one-night stands, it comes to an end by morning’s light.But what happens to Zach’s carefully manicured plans for a professional football career and a life in the closet when Liam shows up, not only on the Northwestern campus the first day of the fall semester, but in Zach’s upper-level Plato seminar, too?
Bending the Rules
Brigham Vaughn - 2022
Last season’s catastrophic knee injury sidelined him and ended the Toronto Fisher Cats’ chance in the playoffs but now he’s determined to have one final season to win the Cup before he retires.Hockey has always come first, but when fate offers him a second chance with his college crush, he’s desperate to not repeat the mistakes of his past.Rule #2: Don’t mess with fateWhen a chance meeting on a scenic train trip puts Noah back into Simon Lawrence’s life, he’s wary even though their connection is as strong as ever.Noah walked away from him once to pursue his hockey dreams and the photographer and gallery owner has been burned by long-distance relationships in the past.A future together will require braving not only the distance and time apart, but the media scrutiny that comes with dating a pro hockey player.Rule #3: Trust your heartWhen a catastrophe at the gallery hits just as the pressure of the playoffs is heating up, Noah will have to bend the rules and convince Simon that this time, love comes first.---Note: Bending the Rules was previously released as a free short story called Train to Snowhere. It has been expanded into a full-length novel and significant parts of the plot have changed.
Well Trained
Jason Collins - 2021
They definitely don’t step right up to my desk, stand over me like a Greek god, and offer me their services. I’ll buy whatever he’s selling, as long as I can stare up at him from this angle every day. He’s commanding, and he’d be a perfect trainer. For the rescue dogs—and maybe even for me. The gravel in his voice sends me straight to my knees.His fingers mold me into perfect passivity.And when I see the conflict in his eyes, I know I’m in too deep.He’s in control, and I might just love it.ANDREW:My visit to the farm was supposed to be a quick sale—until I meet Jeff. When he lifts his eager eyes up to me, I want to get unprofessional. Out of line. Bossy.Will I train the dogs on his farm every day?No problem.Will I put Jeff in his place every night?It’s all I can think about.I have a business to run, and a willing man to tease.The two may collide, but it might be worth it.This is the first book in the Rescue Farm series. It can be read as a standalone with no cliffhanger.
Playing the Point
Ashley K. Broome - 2017
It happened. But even he couldn't predict that he'd be going from Seattle to their biggest rival, the Sioux Falls Martens. It didn't keep him from happily packing his bags and moved to a team that, hopefully, wanted him there.With plans to keep his head down and to prove to the Marten's organization and his new teammates that he was a worthwhile trade, Henny thought he was ready.Until he met Matt.Matt Doherty, the captain of the Martens, had Henny throwing any plans he'd made out the window. Their chemistry was instantaneous, on the ice and off it. Getting his mind off the captain and on the game was near impossible. There was something about how Matt treated Henny that made it too easy for him to think there could be something more than friendship between them.As the season progresses, the temptation becomes harder to resist. For the first time, Henny started to think that he could have both hockey, and love.
To Whom It May Concern
A.M. Johnson - 2022
But when Syrus Albie, aka yellow sweater guy, (you'll see) walks into The End Book Store, Clay's mundane little world turns to sunshine.I don't want to ruin it, but I can definitely say, when an introverted as hell narrator finally meets his favorite author and crush, all of his usual protocols go up in flames. Set in the For Him World, this standalone is the perfect introduction or addition to this steamy MM collection.
Scoring With Him
Lauren Blakely - 2021
As a pro athlete, I have one unbreakable rule when it comes to men -- Don't date another baseball player. Good thing I haven't been tempted once in four years in the majors. Until the day a rising star walks into my locker room. Outgoing, affable, and sexy-as-sin, Grant has confidence and talent for miles. He seems to get me too, maybe because we each have our fair share of secrets and scars -- ones we'll both fight to protect. But, I've got far too much trouble in my past to want to bring any into my present. All the more reason to resist the kind of dirty deeds his lips and eyes promise. Even after I plant a scorching, hot kiss on the rookie one night after a game. Even after he sends me the world's sexiest selfie. But when Grant reveals his biggest secret, I'm so damn ready to rip up the rulebook. Turns out he's a virgin and he wants me to help him get around all the bases. The only rule? Don't fall in love with him as we go. Scoring with Him is book one in the utterly addictive Men of Summer series. This romance between two professional athletes spans five epic years and continues in Winning With Him.
Bat Boy
Christina Lee - 2020
Except, things have never come together for me in the romance department. Until Kellan Crawford walks onto the field as the team’s newest bat boy. Bells and whistles go off in my body, and just like that, I’m totally crushing on a guy for the first time in my life. Too bad he’s the coach’s son and officially off-limits.Kellan CrawfordI’m working toward my statistics degree, so landing the bat-boy position with the Easton U Pirates is right up my alley. It keeps me close to the action on the field, even if that means hauling equipment, picking up sweaty jockstraps, and putting up with the players’ antics. My dad’s the coach, and his number-one rule is never to play favorites…which probably includes getting too friendly with the team captain. But Brady Donovan’s annoyingly perfect smile and protective nature are making that nearly impossible.When something shifts between us at an away game, everything is thrown off-kilter. Donovan’s never been with a guy before, and I certainly don’t want to be his test case. But I can’t seem to help myself. He’s sweet and hot and somehow charms the baseball pants right off me. If Coach ever catches wind of this, he’ll bench us both. Disappointing my dad might kill me, but so would losing the guy who makes my heart pound harder than a home run in the bottom of the ninth.So much for not playing favorites.
Home & Away
Samantha Wayland - 2015
Callum Morrison isn’t one of them.Rupert is a quiet, thoughtful business man and, sadly, a total wimp. Maybe not the ideal candidate to run a professional hockey team, but he signed on to do it anyway. As his life has reminded him on an almost daily basis since, this isn’t the most brilliant idea he’s ever had. And that was before Callum showed up.Being in the spotlight is just part of being a professional athlete, but Callum needs a break. He arrives in Moncton unannounced, determined to help grow the team he just bought, and under the assumption he’d be welcome. Possibly he should have tried to make a better first impression.Callum figures he can push through the rest of the summer, never expecting two kids, a host of friends, and his growing feelings for Rupert to derail everything he has ever believed about what he wanted, and what he could have.
Family Camp
Eli Easton - 2019
He’s tried to become a dad for so long, and he hopes the three of them can be the family he’s always wanted. What he doesn’t anticipate is the prickly and gorgeous camp counselor who constantly comes to his rescue.Travis spends a week every year at Camp Evermore, the camp his adoptive parents own. As a pro baseball player, his presence guarantees a full campground and excited campers. He has one rule: never, ever mess around with anyone at camp. His profession demands he stay in the closet. But one sweet and funny new dad is about to test all his resolve.Sparks fly for Geo and Travis, and not because of the nightly campfire. Having been a foster kid himself, Travis is drawn to Geo’s sincerity and big heart and to his kids. The four of them just fit. But will this be a summer romance? Or can they find a way to be a family long after Family Camp is over?
Beauregard and the Beast
Evie Drae - 2019
If he wins, his record-breaking title reign will remain unbroken. If he loses, he’s on the fast track for retirement. But when nerdy and awkward Beauregard Wilkins stumbles through his front door, staying focused on the task at hand becomes a struggle.After taking over as his little sister’s legal guardian when their parents passed away, Bo is used to working hard to take care of his family. And now that Lulu is off at the expensive college of her dreams, he can’t afford to lose the generous salary his new position as Adam’s live-in personal assistant offers. However, as chemistry sizzles beneath the guise of an unexpected friendship, Bo discovers his new boss hardly lives up to his beastly reputation.At the end of the day, Adam always thought the most significant fight of his life would be a physical one. But when things take an unexpected turn, he realizes
his greatest prize can't be won in the octagon.
Cash & Cary
Sam E. Kraemer - 2021
He told me the first day of our minicamp that he’d make my life a living hell. Oh, he achieved that goal in spades, but I doubt in the way he intended.Tragedy never takes a holiday, and having suffered one, I’m not ready for another. When it happens, Cary is there to support me. I have a guardian angel who’s been looking out for me, and I never knew it.Now, I wonder what the cost will be for both of us—since I’ve already fallen for him.••◆◆◆••★Cary Brewer★Skip Mitchell told me that his nephew is a hell of a pitcher. Seeing the kid in action proves the man right. But when I lay eyes on Cash Mitchell, my gut ties itself in knots. Ask anyone—I’m not that guy.The attraction I’m fighting tooth and claw will only be detrimental to both of our careers. I need to get away from him, but how do I do that?The kid has me completely under his spell, and the blue in my uniform will match the blue in my pants if something doesn’t give.This work of fiction is approximately 55,000 words in length, ends in an HEA, and can be read as a standalone novel.
Illegal Contact
Santino Hassell - 2017
Gavin already has a reputation as a jerk with a temper on and off the field—which doesn’t help him once he finds himself on the wrong side of the law. And while he’s been successful professionally, he’s never been lucky when it comes to love.Noah Monroe is a recent college grad looking for a job—any job—to pay off his mounting student debt. Working as Gavin’s personal assistant/babysitter seems like easy money. But Noah isn’t prepared for the electrifying tension between him and the football player. He’s not sure if he’d rather argue with Gavin or tackle him to the floor. But both men know the score, and neither is sure what will happen once Gavin's timeout is over…
Hold the Door
Vinni George - 2021
When Sam finds out an older, hotter, and amazingly talented Max Martino is part of the acquisition, he knows the only way to keep his sanity is to avoid Max—and their history—at any cost.Max never planned to settle down, but recently he’s been pining for roots. A new job, a new city, and a second chance with Sam makes the thought of staying in one place exciting for the first time ever.But the harder Max pushes, the farther Sam runs, sometimes literally, and Max begins to wonder if Sam can ever let go of the biggest mistake Max ever made—leaving.But maybe a second chance at forever is as simple as holding the door open for love.Hold the Door is an 80,000-word contemporary romance that features friends to lovers and a second chance at love, a sassy work husband, and surfing lessons that often lead to more. Hold the Door is the first book in the Open Doors series and can be read as a standalone.
Trulli, Madly, Deeply
J.J. Harper - 2021
Is it enough to find out there’s someone for everyone? One older, resigned little and a belligerent lone Daddy doubt it.Rowan escaped to Puglia to work through his grief of losing his husband by rebuilding a derelict cluster of the region’s heritage buildings. His friends told him he was stupid and quickly dropped away, leaving him to complete the dream he’d shared with Christof.Three long years later, the Trulli Cupido are ready for guests, adults with the same penchant as him: exclusive holidays for Daddies and their littles or boys. But he doubts he’ll find himself another Daddy; he’s too old now. Until he walks in, and hope soars in his chest.Ethan can’t believe he’s let himself be talked into a holiday by his best friend. Being a lone Daddy on a holiday for couples is going to be a disaster. The brilliant white cone-topped villa is stunning and romantic, but the chance of finding a little will be slim to none. But he never expected his host, the most beautiful man he’s ever seen. Could he be the one for him?Trulli, Madly, Deeply features an unconventional Daddy and a little who’s given up on love.This book is part of the Destination Daddies multi-author series. Each book can be read as a standalone, but there are so many destinations and Daddies to discover. Why not grab them all?
Yours to Be Forgiven
Hayden Hall - 2021
He also happens to be the branch executive of the financial firm I work for, as well as the last man I would ever want to be snowed in with. Oddly specific? Yeah, about that last part…Max’s petty vengeance makes me break a Christmas promise to my children and gets us both stranded in his remote cabin. To make matters worse, the jerk has the nerve to look even hotter when he takes his suit off.As if being stuck with him isn’t bad enough, it turns out we’ll have to share the bed.Is it the crackling fire or the burning taste of whiskey or something else altogether that’s heating up the space between us?His annoying bickering and his rotten heart make me want to punch him, if only he would quit looking at me like that.We’re hurling toward the breaking point. If the storm doesn’t kill us, we might just kill each other. Or do something else, equally disturbing.I swore I would never swoon again, but I’m starting to think I'm on a promise-breaking streak.Yours To Be Forgiven is the first in my new trilogy. Though the romance between Max and Ethan reaches a happy ending here, there is a subplot that continues in book 2, Yours To Be Forgotten. This book was written for the fans of enemies to lovers, damaged millionaires reformed, broken hearts healed, and snowstorms trapping two opposing men in one cozy cabin. Give yourself an early Christmas gift with Yours To Be Forgiven and get immersed in the age-old tale of unexpected love.