Book picks similar to
The Carpenter's Apprentice by Van Barrett
m-m
mm
romance
m-m-romance
The Bucket List
R.J. Scott - 2015
Attending a school reunion, going to England, and visiting London and Stonehenge, are all on the list. Jason is determined to cross everything off and, at the same time, work through his grief at his brother's death.Closeted soap actor Mark Wesley is shocked when a blast from the past looks him up and devastated when he realizes he will never have a chance to make things right between him and an old friend. When he left town he'd never looked back, and is firmly in the closet, working on a soap opera and living a lie. Losing his friend is a shock to his system and forces him to re-evaluate where his life is going. Together Jason and Mark agree to work on Andrew's bucket list, only Jason and Mark grow closer and passion turns to love. Was this Andrew's plan all along? That his little brother and his best friend should fall in love?NB: Originally a short unfinished blog story, readers of RJ's blog insisted the story be expanded and finished and she listened to them. With twenty five thousand words added, expansion of the story line, and more scenes set in the UK, this story is very different to how it began.Word Count: 42,000
Out in the Open
A.J. Truman - 2014
After a high school social life spent anonymous and alone, things are finally falling into place for him. He’s found a group of friends just as studious as he, and is on track for a promising legal career. Out in the open, things couldn’t be better, but secretly Ethan yearns for some real excitement in his life. He finds it in cocky fratboy Greg Sanderson, who challenges every rigid, preconceived notion Ethan lives by. Soon, their sparring relationship turns sexual, and these enemies-with-benefits get their freak on all over campus. Yet the more Ethan comes out of his shell, the more Greg retreats into his, working overtime to keep his ladies man public persona intact. As the sex gets hotter, and they get closer to getting caught, one part of their arrangement can’t stay hidden any longer: love. OUT IN THE OPEN is a M/M new adult romance filled with humor, heart, and hot guys. The book is intended for audiences 18+ as it contains explicit sex and language.
Perfect Imperfections
Cardeno C. - 2014
Before embarking on yet another international concert tour, he wanders into a bar in what he considers the middle of nowhere and meets a man who wins him over with his friendly smile and easy-going nature. Accountant slash bartender slash adventure-seeker Reg Moore has fun talking and drinking with The Jeremy Jameson and can’t say no when the supposedly straight rock star makes him a once in a lifetime offer: keep him company on his tour by playing the part of his boyfriend. Listening to music, traveling the world, and jumping off cliffs is fun. Falling in love is even better. But to stay with Jeremy after the stage lights dim, Reg will need to help him realize there’s nothing pretend about their relationship.
Not in the NFL
Terry O'Reilly - 2011
But along comes Brendan Fletcher, an outstanding, Super Bowl-winning linebacker who awakens something in Adam, something Adam hadn’t known was there. And now it’s wakened, the quarterback will never be the same. Despite the threat to their careers and their personal safety, Adam and Brendan find themselves irresistibly drawn to each other, starting something that grows from gratification of mutual needs to something more. Can these men of strength and power on the gridiron overcome the homophobia of their profession? Can they make what they have found stand for something more important than the fame and fortune of playing NFL football or even becoming Super Bowl champions?
My Handyman
Rob Colton - 2010
When Cliff's steamy encounter with handyman Kent turns into a relationship, there's no instant happy ending for the men who come from different worlds. Kent is in deep in the closet and out-and-proud Cliff isn't prepared to be anybody's secret. Note: Cliff and Kent live in a fantasy world where they don't have to worry about STDs.
Scorch
H.J. Welch - 2017
When he gets there, he finds his whole life is being turned into a reality TV show, which might be enough to get his career back on track. Elion isn't a bad boy, he's barista in a town so small he knows every customer by name. His world is turned on its head when Blake walks right through his door. And like a fool, in front of thousands of viewers, Elion feels that old spark reignite from their high school days. Blake hasn't ever been with a guy before, but his producer insists an on-screen fling is just what their ratings need, and Elion is more than okay with that. But reality and fiction begin to blur, and falling in love becomes tantalizingly possible. When a super fan attacks Blake out of jealousy, will Elion and Blake's love be enough to save their lives and their hearts? Scorch is a steamy, standalone gay romance novel with a guaranteed HEA and absolutely no cliffhanger.
The Ballerino and the Biker
Rebecca James - 2018
After years studying the art in Milan, Morgan comes home to New York City to apprentice with the Manhattan Ballet Company only to be hit by the unexpected death of his older brother, Jake. The grieving dancer learns his life is threatened by a dangerous rival motorcycle gang and that pierced, tattooed, HOT biker Zeke Ivers has been assigned by Jake’s MC to guard him. Saddled with the constant presence of the infuriating man, Morgan juggles the demands of an exhausting dance schedule as well as his new responsibilities as CEO of his family’s multi-million-dollar company. He never expects to develop an attraction for the straight, obnoxious biker, but that’s exactly what happens. Estranged from an abusive family, Zeke Ivers has lived at the Sentinel’s club house and worked on cars since he was a teen. When fellow club member Jake Wentworth and a rival club president’s girl are killed on Jake’s bike, the Sentinel’s president delegates the protection of Jake’s little brother, Morgan, to Zeke. Zeke would do anything for the club that pulled him off the streets, but Morgan’s a ballet dancer, for Christ’s sake, as well as annoying as hell. Still, Zeke finds himself inexplicably drawn to the young man. The more attracted Zeke becomes to Morgan, the more the biker is forced to examine his sexuality and decide whether two people from opposite sides of the tracks could possibly have a future together, or if Zeke should do what is fast becoming too painful to consider: let Morgan go.
Seeing You
Dakota Flint - 2009
Guilt for walking away unscathed...and for secretly loving Simon's partner, Wade. Unable to bear the pain, Dylan left the Lazy G ranch to rebuild his life elsewhere.A year later he reluctantly responds to his sister's plea to come home, where he finds the Lazy G falling apart. And so is Wade. Wade has stopped caring about the ranch, about everything that should matter most to him.Though there's more ranch work than one man can possibly handle, Dylan throws himself into the task. Wondering how he's going to find the strength to pull Wade out of the fog of grief when his own is still as raw as a fresh wound. Wondering when Wade will finally see that his second chance for happiness is standing right in front of him.
Fake It 'til You Make Out
Isla Olsen - 2020
But it’s what happened to me.When I bump into my cheating ex and catch sight of the moon-sized rock on her finger, there’s only one option to save face: pretend to be dating my gay best friend, Declan.And when she outs me on Facebook and everyone I know sees it, there’s still only one option: keep pretending to be dating Declan. And when Declan and I have to kiss to keep up the ruse and it turns out there’s actually a spark between us (more like a blazing inferno, if truth be told) there’s once again only one option… Warning: this book is not appropriate for anyone who doesn’t like laughing, anyone who doesn’t like dogs, or anyone who doesn’t like hot men having a lot of sex…with each other.*Happily Ever After included
Indigo Road
R.J. Jones - 2015
Once they’ve said goodbye to their families, Josh and his best friend Alex are taking off to discover America in an old but reliable VW van, planning on not seeing snow for an entire year.Josh has always considered himself straight—except for that one time in college—so when he and Alex are living in such close proximity on the road, he’s unsure what these new feelings mean. Is it because they’re spending 24/7 together, or is it something deeper? And does it really matter since Josh has only ever seen Alex with women?While in Oregon, Josh meets Johnno, a sexy but confusing Aussie surfer. While having an impromptu surfing lesson, Johnno helps Josh realize who he is and what he wants—but Alex’s reaction leaves Josh confused.From a Montana ranch to the bright lights and dangerous streets of Los Angeles, to a dark and lonely deserted highway in Alabama, join Josh and Alex as they drive around the US, discovering not only who they are, but who they can be together.
A Taste of Sin
Kate Hawthorne - 2019
What if he’d not been an orphan? What if he’d been adopted? What if his best friend Reed hadn’t been torn out of his life when they were teens? But as an adult, he’s focused on the things he can control—his faith, his calling, and his pride.If you still want me, then I’ll have you.Finally together after a lifetime apart, Dominic and Reed find themselves in a state of emotional upheaval, complicated by the rules of their religions. Reed is terrified of losing his soul, and Dominic, his heart, but neither of them are willing to give up on the second chance they’ve been given without first enjoying a taste of sin.Forgive me, Father; it appears I’ve sinned.
Exchange of Hearts
N.R. Walker - 2015
Surrounded by wealth, nannies, and material things, all he craves is the approval of his father. Sent away to the boarding school his father and grandfather attended, it’s assumed he will follow in their footsteps from Sydney’s prestigious Ivy League school straight into medical school.But Harrison doesn’t want to be a doctor.He dreams of music and classical piano. His only true happiness, his escape from the world expected of him, is dismissed by his intolerant and emotionally detached parents. Levi Aston arrives from London for a three-month student exchange program. Free-spirited and confident in who he is and what he wants to do with his life, Levi convinces Harrison not give up on his dreams.But convincing Harrison not to give up on his family might not be so easy.
Noble
Rinda Elliott - 2019
The cause of his pain? The bed and breakfast’s big, shy caretaker, Nolan Sadler. Revealing his feelings for the man hadn’t just been embarrassing, it had been a disaster.Now Samuel is older and has vowed to keep his heart safe. But the sudden death of the B&B owner forces Samuel home. Home, where his family wants him to stay. Home, where he must face Nolan. Home, where he must find a way to resist falling back in love with a man who will never love him in return.
Noble is a standalone Christmas MM novella with an age gap, nosy family, sexy times, and a true love that time can’t stop. It deals with Nolan’s issues with depression, so some might find that triggering.
Last Chance in Vegas
Isabelle Arran - 2016
A suitable one of course, and his father has provided a list. All he has to do is choose – after all, any of the prospective brides would jump at the chance to snag the eligible bachelor, he’s wealthy and comes from the right kind of family.So why is he finding it so hard? He shouldn’t care – after all, it’s just a society marriage. Right?“How soon?”Shy songwriter Nial is reeling over the news. Jake has been his best friend since forever, and his roommate for years. The fact that he’s secretly in love with the man doesn’t help either. Now his life is being ripped to shreds, not to mention his heart.“I want to have one last crazy weekend.”When Jake suggests a pre-bachelor party in Las Vegas, can Nial make it through the trip without breaking? But when Jake insists on being Nial’s “wingman” on the search for hot, available guys…can Nial finally let go and succumb to the moment?Last Chance in Vegas is a steamy, stand-alone MM romance novella of 22000 words with no cheating, a HEA ending, and no cliffhanger.
Fix Me
Van Cole - 2020
I’m Happy To Be Back Home… Even Happier When I See An Old FriendPahrump, Nevada.I've missed you.England's wild green landscape is nothing like the flat orange desert.I was raised here, I've come back to renovate the house for my mom.You'll never guess who runs the local construction company – Eric, my childhood best friend.I've been in love with Eric since high school, as if coming home wasn't complicated enough.The name's Eric.Recently divorced, father of a six-year-old, and a project manager for a construction company.I love my kid, and the money's good – but it's lonely, and stressful, to say the least.I just heard Will's back in town.It'll be nice to see him again.Fix Me is a standalone Gay First Time Best Friend Romance with a HEA and NO cheating!