Book picks similar to
Battle for the Top by Ariella Zoelle
mm
m-m
sports
contemporary
Out of Bounds
T.A. Chase - 2008
Empty, off-season flings are all he can look forward to until he retires. He figures his secret is safe—until he meets Ingram Fletcher, a nightclub owner who ignites a passionate inferno in his body.Gram has lusted after Kasey ever since the long, tall basketball player was traded to Phoenix a year ago. But with Kasey’s twin brother running interference, up until now Gram’s been unsure if it’s safe to make a play. Then some incidental contact in the crowded club leads to a kiss that starts Gram wondering if a relationship is possible—now, and beyond March Madness.A romantic weekend together answers that question. Now the only one remaining is if Kasey is ready make a fast break out of his comfort zone.
Just One Kiss
Lisa Worrall - 2011
but it's entirely new for them.. They have been best friends forever but this is their first taste of each other..They were both straight guys or so they thought they were!!And after this wonderful episode will they mark it as a once in a lifetime thing or will they confess their undying love for each other and face the reality of their love.They look so adorable together!!Photo Description: On a beige couch two dark-haired, shirtless men kiss, mouths open, eyes closed. The man above arches back and supports himself on braced arms, so their hairless chests are held a whisper apart. The man below grips his lover's bicep, and with the other hand curves tentative fingers over his jeans-clad ass.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.Read the story here or find it in Don't Read in the Closet, Volume 1.__________Genre: contemporaryTags: gay m/m, gay for you, virgins, friends to lovers, copsWord Count: 7,055
Offside
Ryan Loveless - 2011
When he is transferred to St. Louis, his new teammates don’t exactly roll out the welcome mat. It doesn’t help that Adam sees “the Gateway to the West” as a step down from his high-profile position in LA—an attitude Adam has no problem sharing with his new housemate and fellow center forward, Colin Evets. Colin is Adam’s only friend on the team, but when Adam misinterprets Colin’s Midwestern charm for something more, he could end up ruining both their friendship and their careers. As Adam struggles to make a better impression, Colin tries to decide if the person he’s been showing the world is who he wants to be with Adam. The pressure to win influences decisions both on the field and off as Adam and Colin discover how making the wrong move can be very right.
The Straight Friend
Raleigh Ruebins - 2022
Is it so wrong that I’m madly in love with him?Ryder has always been there for me, even throughout years of being deployed in the Army overseas. Now he’s finally out of the military, back in our small-town home, and it’s everything I’ve ever wanted....Other than the fact that I secretly want to drag him into bed every night.My simple life as a high school teacher isn’t exactly as action-packed as Ryder’s life has been. But now that he’s back home, he’s searching for somewhere to belong, too. And when he tells me he’s curious about experimenting with men--in bed--I just about choke on my beer.But is Ryder just trying me out? Or could my straight best friend actually be the one?
In The Crease
Stephani Hecht - 2010
Still, that didn’t prepare him for the news that she would be marrying one of the dreaded McCoven brothers.All through his high school years, Bobby and his younger sibling, Andrew, made Cole’s life a living hell. It didn’t help matters that they belonged to a rival hockey team, so the feud carried over to the ice. Now, his sister tells him she’s actually marrying Bobby, and she expects Cole to be happy about it?Determined to change her mind, Cole flies home to confront her. Instead, he finds himself being sized for a tux as he’s made a groomsman before he’s whisked away to the rehearsal dinner. There, he runs into the other brother, Andrew. Cole is both shocked and dismayed to find himself drawn to the other man. Andrew wastes no time in letting him know the attraction goes both ways.After a few too many drinks, the two end up sharing a night of passion that changes them both forever. But will Cole be able to let go of all his doubts and old resentments long enough to find his own happily ever after?
Buzz
E. Davies - 2015
Cam can't hide his past – especially when his heart racing is a big risk, and boy, does his new boss's nephew make his heart race. Noah's exactly the kind of guy Cam needs after his hellish ex.“I want to do something new.”Art curator Noah Clark is glad his beekeeping uncle hired this hunk. Cameron is a sweet, smart bad boy. Noah works hard, like organizing a hockey-themed art exhibition, and he wants to let himself love hard. Noah's busy life would be perfect with Cameron, but what's his new lover hiding?“Tell me why you've been watching me.”Pitting Cam's budding relationship with sweet Noah against millions of bucks, Cam is offered a lot of money to abandon his new priorities: life, love, and family. The game of their lives is on the line. And after all's said and done, is it too late for Noah to forgive Cam for his partial truths?
The Probability of Mistletoe
E.J. Russell - 2017
But in the ten years since graduation, their contact has dwindled to nothing, and it’s all Keith’s fault. If he hadn’t tried to kiss Parker under the mistletoe at the winter formal their senior year, Parker wouldn’t have bolted. At their ten-year reunion, Keith intends to do everything in his geeky power to make amends.Parker should have known that scheduling the reunion the day before Christmas Eve was a recipe for a headache of monster proportions. But when Keith sends a text that he’ll be attending, the evening doesn’t look so bleak. Can an unnecessary makeover, a nostalgic breakfast, an abortive shopping trip, and a whole lot of mistletoe culminate in a long-overdue first kiss?
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.
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?
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?
Unrequited
Abigail Roux - 2009
He's stuck in a rut, uninspired by his job, and in love with a man who has no clue. Thinking a change of scenery and company will do his aching heart some good, he goes off on a road trip with his best friend, only to find that the answers to his problems may have been right there in front of him all along.
Kneading You
C.S. Poe - 2019
He’s been hired to save an old library from closing, but his obstacles include not only fighting for state funding, but a Selectman who wants to tear the building down in favor of a shopping center. Christopher is introduced to Miles Sakasai, a charming tattooed repairman on site to restore the historical interior of the building. Working in close proximity has both men falling hard for each other. It also provides Christopher with an opportunity to learn about Miles’s passion for baking. And as it turns out, Miles’s skills in the kitchen may end up being the key to saving the library—but only if his bread can rise to the occasion.
Ryker
R.J. Scott - 2018
Ryker is hockey royalty, Jacob is a poor country boy. Can two vastly different people find common ground and become the men they want to be? Ryker comes from a long line of championship-winning hockey players. Playing college hockey to develop his game is his only focus, and nothing will stand in the way of him working to become the best player. He has no room for relationships, people who point out his flaws, or anyone who calls him on his dreams. He certainly has no place for love, and meeting Jacob is nothing but a useful distraction on the side. After all trying to get his Owatonna Eagles teammate into bed is less work and more play. When tragedy rocks his family, his charmed life crumbles, and the only person he can turn to is the same one who claims to hate him. Jacob Benson has only known hard work and stifling conservative values his whole life. Born and raised in the small rural community of Eden Crossing, Minnesota, he’s the only son of a hard-working but struggling dairy farming family. Jacob is using his skills in hockey to finance his way to an agricultural science degree. These four years at Owatonna U. will probably be the only time he has to enjoy life, gain acceptance about his sexuality, and live openly before his inevitable return to the farm. Running into a pretty rich boy like Ryker Madsen is putting a damper on his enjoyment of life away from home. Ryker’s flip, conceited, carefree attitude grates on Jacob’s every nerve. So why, if Ryker is everything he dislikes, does he want nothing more than to explore the sinful dreams that his annoying teammate stars in every night?
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.
Swimming the Distance
Annabeth Albert - 2016
Despite sharing a home and a dog with Kyle, three-time Olympian Bohdan Petrov isn’t ready to come out publicly. After Bohdan’s lies start stacking up, Kyle’s not sure he can keep waiting quietly in the shadows. When their estrangement takes a toll on Bohdan’s performance, both must decide where their priorities lay once and for all.