Book picks similar to
Wintermaker by Spencer Spears


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contemporary-romance
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Chasing Shadows


Annabelle Jacobs - 2016
    The police are convinced Michael drowned, but Jamie knows better. No way would Michael swim to his death, especially on a beach with a wicked rip tide. Finding a stranger in his brother’s cottage only deepens his misgivings. Felix Bergstrom is recently discharged from the British Army. Unable to put the past behind him, he takes an unhealthy interest in old acquaintance and millionaire businessman Karl Weston, hoping to catch him up to no good. Michael’s disappearance adds fuel to Felix’s suspicions. Weston’s clifftop home overlooks the beach where Michael supposedly walked into the sea, but Weston has an alibi for that day. When Jamie and Felix meet, the physical attraction is instant. Mistrust keeps them from acting on it until finally all their secrets are laid bare. But time isn’t on their side. Before they’re able to work out whether they have a future, danger catches up with them and threatens to put an end to everything.approx 60,000 words

Rock-A-Bye


Rachel Kane - 2018
    If that wasn't bad enough, my new boss turned out to be Simon, the gorgeous guy I hooked up with at the club the other night, before realizing who he was. All I have to do to get my trust fund back is straighten up, do a good job, and keep my hands off Simon. No problem, right? But he is so shy and cute and I'm not sure I can do it...especially because I think he feels the same way about me. But here's the thing: I don't need the trust fund money for me. I need it for my son. Nobody knows about him, because I don't want my toxic uncle to destroy his life. Simon Bowden: How could I fall for a rich disaster like Evan? I'm Mr. Responsibility, and for me and my friends, the Crays have been our natural enemies since high school. But when I discover that he's hardly the shallow playboy I thought he was--that he has depth and secrets--I can't hold back, I have to have him. But I think his family knows...and they're trying to poison him against me. Everybody thinks I'm meek and mild, but they're going to learn differently when they try to take my man away. Rock-A-Bye is the first standalone in the Cray's Quarry series, about five best friends who won't stop meddling in each other's love lives, until each one has an HEA.

I Think We Missed Our Turn


L.A. Witt - 2021
    They don’t want to risk their friendship, and they definitely don’t want things getting awkward at the art gallery where they both work. But even as they’ve moved on with their lives, they’ve both quietly regretted that decision.When Armin’s father scores the gallery a collection of sculptures from a renowned and reclusive artist, he sends Armin and Marques on the road to pick them up.As the two friends embark on a multi-state trip, they each assume the other is still with his longtime partner. Armin doesn’t know that Marques’s now-ex-boyfriend is moving out. Marques doesn’t know that the last fraying threads of Armin’s relationship have snapped. Secretly, they pine for each other from across the console of their rental car, each wishing they hadn’t missed the chance to be together years ago.But maybe they haven’t missed that chance after all.I Think We Missed Our Turn is a short and fun ~39,000-word novella with a happy ending and no cheating.

Let Me Catch You


Kent Deron - 2016
    Staying with his father’s former boss, Stephen Davis, provides a distraction from his mess of a life, and a face that continues to haunt him. Soon though, awkward interactions with Stephen, and strange happenings in the night, begin to rattle Inver who is unaware his handsome host intends to make him pay for the sins of his father.It’s 1995 and cocky womanizer Stephen has returned to the family farm to inherit a responsibility that was never meant to be his. Feeling bored and trapped he develops an unlikely friendship with social outcast Shaun Munro. As lines between mates are crossed, Stephen begins to question what he stands for. The true spirit of their friendship betrays those around them, leading to severe consequences in a town rife with secrets, and forces Stephen to choose which path in life to take.

To All a (Very Sexy) Good Night


K.A. Mitchell - 2010
    MitchellIan Stanton is the earl’s dutiful second son, always doing the proper thing. One exquisite exception: Nicholas Chatham. Except the consummation of their two-year relationship left Ian convinced that their desires were never meant to be indulged. Five years later, Ian is home from war, wounded in body and spirit. Nicky never believed what they felt for each other was wrong, and he has plans to make things right. Now he has only twelve nights to convince Ian that happiness is not the price of honor and duty, but its reward.  The Dickens With Love by Josh LanyonThree years ago, antiquarian James Winter lost everything: his job, his lover and his self-respect. Now a rich collector wants him to do whatever it takes to buy a newly discovered Christmas story by Charles Dickens from the nutty professor who owns it. The catch: the buyer must remain anonymous. Sedgwick Crisparkle turns out to be totally gorgeous—and on the prowl. Faster than you can say “Old St. Nick”, they’re mixing business with pleasure. But once Sedgwick discovers James has been a very bad boy, their chance for happiness is disappearing quicker than Santa’s sleigh.

Unexpected Homecoming


A.J. Henderson - 2015
    Ben is not too happy going back to the small-town since it has been his dream to get out of there.Until Ben finds out that his high-school crush, Matt, is still around, now working as a town veterinarian. And to his surprise Matt is out and currently single. Now it seems that his own dog, his supporting Dad, and the rest of the nosy town residents, especially the elderly bingo-gang lead by his own grandma, are playing matchmaker for Ben and Matt. Guess going back to his home town might be the best decision for Ben after all.Photo Description: Two men in a pool, one man sitting on the other’s shoulders. A golden retriever stands in the water next to them. A house and trees are visible in the background.This story was written as a part of the M/M Romance Group's "Love is an Open Road" 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. This story may contain sexually explicit content and is intended for adult readers. It may contain content that is disagreeable or distressing to some readers. The M/M Romance Group strongly recommends that each reader review the General Information section before each story for story tags as well as for content warnings.

Rise from the Ashes


Noah Harris - 2017
     Adam Miller doesn’t have an exciting life. But then, he’s never wanted one. He’s happy to play his small part in the world. He’s a cog in the machine, sure, but an important one that keeps the machine running. He’s happy to remain in the background, a mid-level employee with a cramped cubicle and an amiable friend to those in his pack. But his habit of not making waves also means that he must keep an integral part of himself hidden from those he calls family. Despite being shrouded in secrecy, Adam’s love life takes a distinct turn for the better when he meets Joshua Wetmore. Like the rest of Adam’s life, his romance with Josh appears to be quietly progressing right on schedule. Their sweet courtship is born just as Adam’s pack asks him to step forward into the demanding leadership role of Alpha. Adam struggles to prioritize his developing relationship with Josh, while still keeping their connection private. The spotlight on him is bright, and his secret might be the spark that ignites the tinder of discontent within his pack. As Adam’s doubts about whether he’s truly meant for the Alpha role haunt him, his pack’s safety is threatened by impending turf war. And his seemingly easy going new boyfriend brings his own set of dangerous complications. As the stakes get higher and higher, Adam must find the courage to rise to the occasion. With his pack, with Josh and with himself. Rise from the Ashes is an M/M paranormal romance that explores the boundaries we construct for ourselves and the determination and heart required to break them down. Expect sexy scenes and heartrending emotion as Adam and Josh are called to risk it all for love.

Love is…Meeting His Mom


Kindle Alexander - 2019
    After a whirlwind engagement, he’s nervous beyond belief when he must meet his mother-in-law. But his fiancé Avery knows just how to release the tension. Check out this deleted scene from Always, currently available on Amazon.

Green's Thumb


Alexander Elliott - 2016
     Mitch Graham and Karl Hartman are meant for each other - they just don’t know it yet. They’re both gay, middle aged, single, and open to meeting that special someone. Problem is, they never get out of the house! With Karl working from home, and Mitch’s non-existent social life, it seems unlikely the two will ever meet. When Mitch decides on a whim to visit a new dog park, Karl’s greyhound takes a shine to him and the game is on. In a sneaky bid to spend more time together, Karl hires Mitch to do some landscaping work on his front yard. It doesn’t take long for something special to grow along with the flowers. Notice: Recommended for readers 18+. This book contains adult themes and sexuality, including M/M romance, and is suitable for mature readers only!

Crushed


A.R. Steele - 2017
    One phone call brings a handsome, witty volunteer to his side. Harley coaxes the dog out, but with a price: the awakening of persistent cravings Tynan’s fought to subdue. "Looks like there’s about six puppies on the way." In all his years with the animal rescue, Harley never knew meeting a cute guy could be a perk of his position. Tynan's snappy style and soft heart immediately intrigue him. As he struggles to figure out if Tynan's even into men, he realizes Diamond is pregnant - and that Tynan won't be able to foster her alone. "Living together is going to be an exercise in frustration." Harley's looking for a place to stay and Tynan has a room to spare, so they agree he'll move in and help take care of Diamond. But will Tynan come to accept that his feelings for Harley are more than respect? And when tragedy strikes, will their friendship be able to survive? Crushed is the first book of the Foster Puppies gay romance series. This 200-page novel is a light yet emotional read with lots of heat. It has a happily ever after ending and can be enjoyed as a standalone or as part of the collection.

Harlan's Ryde


Havan Fellows - 2013
    Will Ryder cross a line no man should cross to obtain a second chance?Ryder Halloway made a life changing decision about his relationship with Harlan when he was young and stupid. Thanks to one rash moment, he lost it all. He lost the only man he would ever love, his drive to even try to finish college and his zest for life.Seven years later finds him in front of Harlan's house preparing to take back what he lost with a vengeance. He's prepared to use all the tricks in his arsenal to plow through every wall, protest and excuse Harlan might come up with.Of course, he never expected Harlan to put him in the hospital.Harlan Mychels had his heart broken in college by the popular Ryder. He learned his lesson about love and since then hasn't allowed anyone even remotely close to his heart. Then one morning he turns and sees the one person able to tear his walls down and destroy what is left of it.He uses every defensive tactic in his possession to keep Ryder at arm's length, but Ryder is persistent. Harlan's not sure if he can stay safe from heartache, and he starts wondering what the real heartache is – letting Ryder in again...or letting him go for good.**This book was previously published in the Story Orgy anthology Word Play**

Waiting for Them


Alie Nolan - 2020
    Caleb, the boy who stole his heart when he was a teenager, and then disappeared in the middle of the night. Over the years, Matty has imagined seeing Caleb again, but his fantasy reunion doesn’t quite go to plan when he turns up at Caleb’s bakery and meets Caleb’s husband, Elliott.Elliott is thrilled Caleb is finally getting the opportunity to reunite with the family he walked away from a decade ago. He has always known deep down Caleb’s ex, Matty, and his lost-lost family would find him one day, but nothing could have prepared him for developing feelings for his husband’s ex-boyfriend.Caleb has never dreamed that he’ll get a second chance with the family that once adopted him, so now that he has, he doesn’t want to risk losing them a second time. Although, when a relationship begins to form between Elliott, Matty, and him, it seems like it can only go one of two ways—he could lose everyone all over again, or finally get everything he’s ever wanted.Waiting for Them is a 56K word MMM romance that includes second chances, a lost-long family, a small town, and cute animals. This is the first book in the Little Hollow series, but it can be read as a standalone.

Made Marian Collection: Volume One


Lucy Lennox - 2018
    Thankfully, the sexy stranger sitting next to me is more than willing to share a few kisses in the name of revenge. It gets even better when those scorching kisses turn into a night of fiery passion.  The only problem? Turns out the stranger's brother is marrying my sister later this week. Tristan: I have one rule: no messing with the guests at my vineyard resort. Of course the one exception I make turns out to be the brother of the woman my brother’s about to marry. Now we’re stuck together for a week of wedding activities, and there’s no avoiding the heat burning between us.  So fine, we make a deal: one week. One week to enjoy each other’s bodies and get it out of our system. Once the bride and groom say I do and we become family, it’ll all be over between us. Right? Brad: When Brad opens his Vegas hotel room door to find a hot police officer waiting on the other side, he assumes crazy Aunt Tilly has sent him a strip-o-gram. But instead of getting naked, Detective Gorgeous pulls out his cuffs — turns out, the badge and uniform aren’t just props, this cop is the real deal. Taming Teddy: Teddy: If there’s one thing I don’t do, it’s commitment. You don’t become an award-winning photographer by staying in one place. I’m always on the road, looking for the next shot, the next award, the next hot body. Which is how I end up on Dr. James Marian’s front porch in the middle-of-nowhere Alaska. He’s known as the Wildlife Whisperer, and I want to photograph him in action. He’s reluctant at first, but I can be persuasive.  Soon enough I have him in bed saying yes over and over and over again, but my ability to shoot and scoot is frozen by a Denali snowstorm. Jamie: I always thought of myself as the marrying type. Until I got left at the altar. Now I have a new motto: never commit and never fall in love. So when a cocky nature photographer decides I’m the key to his next masterpiece, it seems like the perfect arrangement: the hotshot’s only in town for a brief assignment and then he’ll be gone. No commitment, no strings, and no chance of getting my heart broken again. There’s just one problem: I think I’m falling in love. Now I’m afraid that maybe I’m the marrying type after all. And he definitely is not. Jumping Jude: Jude: Reaching the top of the country music charts brings out the crazy, and there’s no one crazier than my ex. Unfortunately, his threats to out me are escalating. Enter the bodyguard of my dreams. I’d probably chafe under his constant presence if his attention to my body wasn’t so… ah… thorough. Now I have to worry about outing myself to millions of fans if I can’t keep my hands off him in public. Derek: Now I’m an ex-Marine turned babysitter. If I have to hear Jude sing his mega-hit Bluebells one more time, I might murder him myself, and after 6 years in special ops, I know my way around a weapon. Unfortunately, so does he. Except his arsenal includes washboard abs and a killer set of pipes.

Whispers of Home


April Kelley - 2015
    After being bullied all his life for being gay, that’s exactly what he does. He loses all contact with everyone in the town of Pickleville, including his emotionally distant mother and the only true friend he ever had.When his best friend and mother of the child they share, get murdered he knows he must ask for help in the one place he thought he would never go back to. Coming back home isn’t easy and finding himself attracted to the town man-slut spells disaster. Travis Heath isn’t at all what his reputation suggests though.

By Degrees


J.B. McDonald - 2009
    It was a lesson he took seriously, and it's the only thing that keeps him safe from more heartbreak. Conner doesn't understand this desire to control things, but he doesn't need to. He loves everything about his control-freak friend, even the way he quirks just one eyebrow. He has for years. With Con's arrival, everything starts unraveling in Tim's life. He's questioning his sexual orientation, wrangling with emotions from his past, and fending off questions from Con's well-meaning family. Drowning in a world out of his control, his one hope is to let go and trust that love will save him. But after so many years of burying his feelings, he's not sure it's possible.