Book picks similar to
Red Hot by M.A. Gray


brother-s-best-friend
romance
mm
contemporary

Clay


D. Alex - 2021
    I love coffee and watching reruns in my just-right-for-me sized apartment.I loved my ex-boyfriend until he went off the deep end and started to stalk me.When things turned sour, an unlikely savior came stumbling into the hallway.His name was Dax. I’d been searching for a way to talk to him. Having him rescue me from my ex was never the plan. But neither was falling in love with him. If you love: next door neighbor romances, Schitt's Creek references, adorable grannies, hot sex scenes, jealous exes, low angst, and happy endings without cliffhangers, then you'll love this book!

Temptation Ranch


Jodi Payne - 2021
    So when he heads out to his favorite neighborhood gay bar for a more casual Friday night, he’s looking to drink, dance with his friends, and maybe have a little sexy fun on the side. Tad certainly doesn’t expect to run into a man like Strait McMasters, a stunning, deep-voiced, stoic cowboy who seems to be everything Tad wants in one studly package. Billionaire Strait intends to have a drink in honor of a friend who passed away when he stops in at the bar, but he’s not one to question his gut, and his instinct says that Tad, the young man with the unruly blond hair, is worth a second look. When their one-night stand turns into a several-day binge, Strait knows he’s found something special, and he hopes to keep it. Tad is sure Strait can give him a stern look and a firm hand if only Tad can find the right way to tell him what he needs. Strait, meanwhile, isn’t sure Tad is ready for what it means to be part of his life, which includes a private island and full-time security. Will they find a way to truly understand each other, or is this temptation short term?

Falling Back


Mercy Celeste - 2019
    With few options in his field, he returns to the diner he’d worked at as a teenager. Waiting tables again was like rubbing salt in an open wound. Resigned to his fate, Chase puts on a smile to greet his very first customer. Divorced, children’s book author, Gavin Hayes was looking for a quiet place to write. The corner table at the diner down the street had the best afternoon light. He could grab a bite to eat and work on his manuscript in peace while he tried to salvage what was left of his life. He never expected the friendly smile of the new blue-haired waiter to spark something inside him that had grown cold. While Chase has no plans to stay. Gavin has no plans to leave. Can love at first sight, bring them together?

A Diamond in the Mud


Sterling Rivers - 2016
    Do they dare to be more? After a bad breakup, Alex Abbott is living with his parents and looking for a job. The best thing about being home is seeing his closest friend again. Going away to college didn’t diminish Alex’s attraction to Gavin Crawford one bit … but Gavin is straight, and doesn’t even know Alex is gay. Gavin is tired of serial monogamy. For now, all his energies are going into his fledgling motorcycle shop. Reconnecting with Alex gives him a boost, as does the other man’s offer to help him with advertising. But when Alex confesses he’s gay, Gavin’s initial surprise is quickly overcome by curiosity … and other feelings it’s more difficult to put a name to. Alex is relieved by Gavin’s acceptance, but becoming more than friends is fraught with danger. If he lets himself fall for the one man he’s always wanted, his heart will be shattered once Gavin goes back to women. Will Alex risk everything? And if he does, how can Gavin convince him that he’s not just playing around this time?

His Guardian Angel


David Horne - 2018
    The next time he meets the handsome trauma nurse, he’s hiding from the world in his twin brother’s luxurious beach house, trying to heal the wounds in his soul. He still can’t wrap his mind around losing his partner on that fateful night. The last thing Caesar wants on his vacation is company. He wants to hide until he can bury his pain. He isn’t expecting to fall for anyone, either. But he can’t hide from his feelings for Lucas. Lucas Cameron has accepted his friend’s invitation to spend his holiday in Gary’s vacation home on a small island, after six years as a trauma nurse in the ER at Bellhaven General. This will be his first real vacation since he started there. He doesn’t expect Caesar Polanco, the hard-nosed police detective he had cared for on that horrific night months ago, to be his vacation neighbor. The man had made an impression on him back then, despite his injuries, and now, six months later, even his grouchiness does nothing to stop Lucas' attraction to him. Neither man is looking to start a relationship, but they’re falling for each other. Can they find common ground, despite Caesar’s overwhelming grief? Please Note: This book contains adult language & steamy adult activities, it is intended for 18+ Adults Only. Novel, approx. 31,000 words in length. HEA (happy ever after ending). Does not end with a "cliffhanger."

The Secret Billionaire


Jason Collins - 2020
    Money isn’t who I am, so when I finally use a dating app, I make up a fake “me” with no strings attached. But when I meet Jacob, the spark between us is real.He’s the only man I want, but the closer we grow, the higher the risk he’ll find out I’m not the man he’s falling in love with. Worse, Jacob would never date a rich guy, and with good reason—but that doesn’t change who I am. And who I am could tear us apart when he finds out.He can’t fall in love with a lie.JACOB:I don’t date rich, and I don’t date risky.Another wealthy guy in my life is the last thing I need. My affluent boss used his power to harass me, and now I’m knees-deep in a lawsuit. But when a friend signs me up for the dating app Matched, I don’t exactly back out, and before I know it, I’m matched with Ben.Our date lasts until sunrise, and I know I’ve got to see Ben again. Feelings form fast, and I can’t keep my mind off him—or what he might be hiding from me. I can’t shake this bad feeling, and the more Ben hides, the more I’m worried there’s a dark secret that could pull us apart.Who am I really falling in love with?

Welcome to the Pack


B.A. Tortuga - 2016
     Midnight Rodeo, #1 When head bullfighter Denton is killed by a demon bull, his twin, Denver, comes back to take his place. Denver was gone for years, working mundane rodeos and missing his twin. He’s not sure the pack can heal him since the other bullfighters challenge Denver at every turn. All except Blaine, who’s an outcast himself, and who knows Denver is like no one he’s ever met. Blaine knows he has no place in the pack Denton created, but Denver is different. Denver makes his wolf heart sing. Can he help heal Denver from his twin’s loss, and find his own place in the greater scheme of things? This is a previously published work. The publisher has changed.

The Manny: Gay Romance


Beau Brown - 2021
    He’s done his time and has worked hard to keep his nose clean ever since. He keeps out of other people’s business and he expects the same in return.When a family tragedy strikes, he’s forced to take in his late, estranged, sister’s five-year-old daughter. Jack doesn’t know the first thing about kids. He’s never even met his niece until now because she was raised in another state. His future plans didn’t include children, but now he’s stuck with a kid.For the first time in a long time, he has to ask for help. Even if he could connect with his grieving niece, Mia, he lacks the desire. However, whether he wants to be close to the child or not, he’s legally responsible for her safekeeping. Since he can’t emotionally give Mia what she needs, he decides to hire a professional.Thomas Andrews is a carefree soul who adores children and believes in helping others. He loves his job as a manny and is thrilled to help bring happiness to Mia’s world. What he doesn’t expect is to butt heads with Jack as often as he does. Jack’s cold hands-off approach to caring for Mia irks Thomas more than he can say.But Thomas being Thomas, he can’t hold his tongue, and his criticisms don’t go over well with his new employer. What really has Thomas mystified is why he cares so much what Jack thinks, or why he feels attracted to the surly man. He knows he should just collect his generous paycheck and keep his mouth shut.With someone as opinionated as Thomas, that’s easier said than done.

Finding His Place


Nic Starr - 2017
    Despite striving to win his father's affection, a confrontation that has been years in the making leaves Kieran devastated to realize he will never be good enough. Jealous of the half brother he's never met, and who most likely doesn't know of his existence, Kieran vows to find out what makes his brother so special in their father's eyes.Darius Jensen manages a nightclub. He loves his job, but is reluctant to commit when given the opportunity to become a partner. His previous foray into business ownership with a boyfriend had disastrous results, and Darius is still paying the price, both financially and emotionally.When Kieran starts working with Darius at Sparks, Darius shows him it's not too late for Kieran to realize his dreams--the fulfilling career, a loving family, and someone who loves him for who he is. If only Kieran can convince Darius of the same thing. But before Kieran's and Darius's dreams can come true, Kieran needs to come clean with his brother and deal with the resulting fallout... which threatens his relationship with Darius.Note: This book was originally published as part of the Memories with the Breakfast Club Kindle World. The text remains unchanged.

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.

Unlovable


Rachel Kane - 2019
    But I never would've downloaded it, if I'd known it was going to match me to one of my students...let alone the son of the head of my department. But that's okay, as long as I never see Jet outside of class again, I should be fine, right?At least, until Jet's dad sends me on a mission to rescue a rare species, and decides Jet needs to go with me, as a character-building lesson.Jet: Tag is everything I'm not. He's serious, grounded, and mysteriously sad. He's so different from the shallow boys around me, the frenemies I've surrounded myself with whose drama is exhausting me. But nothing can happen between us. My dad would flip out if he knew.But once we're in the mountains together, things change. I can't stop pushing until I learn what makes Tag tick, but then it's too late, the feelings are too real to hide.How are we going to tell my dad? A Student-Teacher Gay Romance.

Silver and Sage


A.D. Ellis - 2019
    Then Sage shows up. Sage is Silver’s exact opposite, his renter, and his new employee. The kid is much too young and much too innocent. There are a million reasons why Silver and Sage should never get together. And Silver plans to keep it that way. Until all of those reasons go up in flames with one kiss. Silver & Sage is a steamy, slow burn M/M age gap, opposites-attract romance between a shy, inexperienced nerd and an outgoing grump of a bar owner. *This is the first book in the Silver in the City series.*

Almost Heaven


Ruthie Luhnow - 2017
    A paid vacation with his celebrity crush seems too good to be true—and he quickly finds it is.Ezra McKinnon has a reputation for being a brilliant writer—and a bit of a diva. After the runaway success of his first novel, Ezra suddenly finds himself spending his time partying instead of writing. Ezra feels the pressure to replicate the success of his first book, and the last thing he needs is a traveling companion who can't seem to shut up—and who Ezra can't keep his hands off.Between car breakdowns and hotel room mix-ups, the disastrous trip forces the two men to work together. Around Charlie, Ezra finally feels comfortable letting go of his celebrity persona, and Charlie thinks he may have found a guy who treats him well. But as soon as they're back home, things start to fall apart.Will their fledgling relationship survive the real world, or was this just a brief road trip fling?Almost Heaven is an enemies-to-lovers m/m contemporary romance with plenty of (slightly kinky) heat, and a happy ending.

The Guardian Series: The Complete Set


Max Walker - 2018
    These four books follow the interconnected lives of men who act as protectors and the men that fall in love with them. COVER ME Tristan Cole made a mistake by falling for his best friend, Adrian Hawk, all those years ago. Their friendship disintegrated after Tristan made a drunken move on Adrian. Now, the both of them are working as FBI agents positioned across the country from each other. But when they find themselves working on the same case after years of not speaking, they end up having to face their pasts headon while also hunting down an infamous drug kingpin before he sets off a devastating terror plot. FIRST DOWN Sean Drake is a star college football player still deep in the closet. With an increasingly crazy stalker seemingly around every corner, his coach decides a bodyguard would be a smart investment. In comes Connor Hawk, a man who resigned himself to living a lonely life dedicated to his work. When Connor and Sean meet, their chemistry is undeniable. Now, both men must come to terms with feelings they thought they were never destined to have. Can their budding relationship survive the worsening advances from the stalker or will they both not even make it to first down? EAGLE GRIP Isaac Hawk’s life wasn’t going as planned. He looked for a change and ended up accepting a job as security for the American gymnastics team. That meant he was traveling to Rome for the Olympics. He knew he would cross paths with his ex, Diego Cruz, but he didn’t realize what that meant. Neither did Diego, who was taken off guard by their chance encounter. Both men will need to deal with their emotions while an old flame of Diego’s threatens to throw them both off the balance beams and into their graves. FIRE FLOW Sexy firefighter, Colton Drake, has everything going for him, so why was he having such a terrible time finding someone to spend his life with? Cue Mason Bleu, a fire investigator who gets transferred to Colton’s station. They immediately connect on a level that rocks the both of them. The men must handle the fiery passion that promises to consume the both of them, all while a serial arsonist spreads fear throughout the community. Can they make it through the fire or will they be turned to ashes? _________________ These are four full-length, very steamy gay romance books containing zero cliffhangers and plenty of loving.

Triumph


Avery Ford - 2018
    In the ten years since he’s graduated, he’s opened a bookstore and made it his mission to bring diversity and inclusion to Silver Lake while working hard to maintain the small town charm that he loves so much. The only thing missing is someone to share his dreams - his once best friend, who left Calvin behind with a broken heart.   Jack Roberts has the life he’s always wanted. He left Silver Lake ten years ago for college in Boston and hasn’t looked back since. If it wasn’t for the occasional holiday trip to visit his parents, he’d happily forget all about that town and all the memories it holds, especially Calvin Berry, who despite trying, Jack’s never forgotten.   When Calvin and the other business owners in Silver Lake are on the verge of getting pushed out in favor of nameless corporations, Calvin knows he has to do something. He wants to turn Silver Lake around, and he needs as much help as he can get—even if that means asking for it from the man he used to call his best friend. Can Calvin and Jack get over the hurt from their past and take a second chance on each other? Will they be able to move forward and discover that despite the distance between them, their feelings for each other only grew stronger?