Book picks similar to
The Boy Who Laughed by Marc Murrey


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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?

Remember Him


Steve Milton - 2019
     He broke my heart ten years ago. Back in high school, Baxter pretended he didn't know me. I was a skinny, plaid-shirt-wearing nobody. I was openly gay, but nobody even cared — except Baxter, when he wanted a hookup. That was all a nerd like me could expect from the star quarterback and prom king. He treated me as his shameful secret. I’ve stayed away from Baxter for a decade now, even when he came back to visit Honey Bay. I’m older now. Wiser. I know I deserve better. But I can't stop thinking about those fleeting moments in Baxter's arms. Andy Silver: my one weakness. Every time Andy smiled at me from under his floppy hair, I couldn’t help myself. How could a nerd in wire-rimmed glasses be so hot? It was a high school fling. I spent ten years running away from it. My parents never would have understood who I really was. Disappointing my father was out of the question. I couldn't live the life I wanted, even if I loved Andy more than he ever knew. Bumping into Andy ten years later was the shock of my life. That shy nerd is a celebrity now? And he works out? I shouldn’t dwell on how much I miss being with him, even if every sight of him sends me there. My parents sent me to Honey Bay for business. I might just stick around for a second chance at love. Remember Him is a 42,000-word small-town second-chances gay romance. On their way to a feel-good happy ever after, a jock and a nerd dodge windmill blades, fog up the windows, and discuss the fine points of timber, lumber, and plain old wood.

Brushstrokes


Sara York - 2017
    He’s played the starving artist for long enough, and he’s tired of tending bar at a trashy go-go joint to make ends meet. His last boyfriend manipulated him until he almost lost himself, now he just wants to stand on his own. People only want to be around Enrique Fitzgerald because of his money. Trust doesn’t come easily, and neither does dating…especially since he’s opened his mind to the possibility that his interest in men isn’t just a passing phase. Enrique thinks he’s meeting with a middle-aged female artist, and Julian thinks he has a private showing with the patriarch of the Fitzgerald family. It’s fireworks from the first handshake but neither one knows how to make the first move. They both hold back, keeping secrets from each other. The truth is bound to come out. When it does, will their connection be enough to keep them together, or will the strain be too much?

Tight End


M.D. Saperstein - 2019
    Oh, and he’s still in the closet. Unwilling to sacrifice his career or livelihood - not to mention the fact that not even his family knows - his personal life remains on the back burner. Dr. Wyatt Carrington lives his best life out and proud. With the love and support of his friends, families, and coworkers, he has never questioned his decision to come out. He dates often but has been unable to find his true love. Or at least a man that understands his crazy work schedule. When Wyatt is tasked with the unfortunate and unenviable responsibility of telling Brick that some of his players may have genital warts, the meeting has both men feeling...well, uncomfortable. After a series of coincidental run-ins, Ben decides to bite the bullet and ask Wyatt out. Though very discreet, secrets - and gay men - come out of the closet sooner or later. It’s always best when it’s done of your own volition. But that’s not always how the cookie crumbles. Or in their case, the pizza.

Beginnings


Eve Raineer - 2019
    At least that's how it is in my wolf pack, has been since high school. There's only two problems with that: one, I'm a man, and two, I'm human. Back from college and armed with my teaching certificate all I want is to quietly teach chemistry to the kids of my hometown, wolf and human alike, but its never that easy in Silver Branch. Weird things start to happen, a hot guy shows up, and suddenly I'm mixed into affairs probably better left to wizards and shifters. Nick Duval My family sucks, my pack sucks and all I've ever wanted was to get break free and leave to live life on my own terms. But I can't risk the danger that would put my Mom and little brothers in so I'm trapped pretending to be the perfect son and Alpha heir. My overbearing father has finally set his ultimatum, marry the adopted human son of his dead best friend or the woman of his choosing. I'm gay, so neither option is particularly appealing to me. However, when I meet this human I know he's the one for me, all I have to do is convince him. All hell breaks loose and I start to find that the biggest challenge might not be convincing my Mate, but rather keeping him. Can Nick, Billy, and the other residents of Silver Branch band together to stop the monster someone is trying to summon in their midst? Can they keep their hands off each other long enough to save the world? Beginnings is an M/M non-mpreg shifter romance intended for adults only. It contains swear words, some violence, and sexy times.

The Perfect Blend


A.D. Ellis - 2021
     Justin plans to put his business and baking skills to good use once he owns the small-town coffee shop of his dreams. He’s willing to do whatever it takes to make his dreams come true. If that means involving an unsuspecting silver fox in his scheme, so be it. Morgan knows moving to Briarton was the right step in getting his life back on track. A case of mistaken identity lands Morgan right in the middle of young, handsome Justin’s completely unexpected plan. Morgan should just say no, but something deep inside urges him to take a chance. Will Justin and Morgan complete the terms of their unconventional deal? Or will they finally admit there’s more between them than they first realized? **The Perfect Blend is a steamy, M/M age-gap, marriage of convenience, coffee shop romance.**

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?

Replay: The Complete Series


K.M. Neuhold - 2020
    Meet Lincoln, Benji, Lando, and Jude— the hottest rock stars of the decade, who’ve just about hit rock bottom.Face the Music:When I left the love of my life asleep in my bed ten years ago without a backward glance, I never thought I’d get another chance.Fame isn’t making Lincoln happy the way he thought it would. Will a chance encounter with the man he left behind all those years ago finally heal his scars?Play it by Ear:The heart always knows, even when the mind forgets.An accident left Dawson unable to remember the one weekend he and Lando spent together. The one weekend that inspired dozens of Downward Spiral songs. Can Lando make him fall all over again?Beat of Their Own Drum:There’s nothing Jude needs more than a firm hand...except maybe a gentle touchThe band’s resident bad boy is about to get an attitude adjustment in the form of a brand new handler, or as Bennett likes to call himself: celebrity babysitter. Oh, and by the way, he’s also Archie’s ex. Things might be about to get interesting.Strike a Chord:Want to fake date me?A plan hatched from desperation as they both watch our careers burn. Benji can’t think of a better option than fake dating his best friend’s twin brother, Paris. The fact that they’ve secretly crushed on each other since high school shouldn’t be a problem. Right?Bonus Content:Available as part of this collection is a short prequel novella to get a peek into the state of the band before love starts to heal them. You also get exclusive interviews with each of the band members, and a steamy bonus scene for Jude!***See the first page for trigger warnings***

The Mortician


Ezra Dawn - 2017
    He’s the go to guy when it comes to preparing a body for burial. No one can do the job like he can. Even the worst of injuries don’t faze him. You name it he can fix it. He’s a miracle worker. However, when it comes to romance people tend to run from him screaming. Being a Komodo dragon shifter just doesn’t do it for them. Mufasa “Miles” Deidrick is your average lion shifter and a closeted gay man. When his sister dies unexpectedly his parents are too distraught to make the funeral arrangements, leaving the job to him. He doesn’t expect to find his mate. Now, he’s faced with a situation he has to come to terms with. One being that his mate is a man and the other? He has to come out to his parents. Procrastination won’t help him this time instead it may only hurt him. (Warning: Contains sexual content, Man on Man action, and explicit language not suitable for those under the age of 18.)

Containing the Alpha Dragon


Emma Knox - 2019
     An accidental ritual unleashes them to reign again... Introverted and suppressed omega Liam had no idea that the adventure and excitement he’s longed to experience as an archaeologist would fall into his lap at the Smithsonian Institute. But that’s exactly what happens when his supervisor tells him to inspect three giant dragon statues from the Alps and he unwittingly awakens one of them. Suddenly, there’s a gorgeous, thousands of years-old Roman being standing in front of him—and he declares that Liam is the fated mate he’s waited for to release him. Draconus is the eldest of three dragon-shifter brothers who ruled the Roman world until the ultimate betrayal drove them into a magical slumber. Alive for the first time in ages, he’s thrilled that his delectable mate, the prophesied hero destined to rule at his side, is standing right in front of him. But Liam denies he’s who Draco has waited for. The world has radically transformed since the dragon brothers last drew breath. Too bad the traitorous force that nearly wiped them out centuries ago didn’t end up extinct as well… Containing the Alpha Dragon is the first book in the Alpha Dragon Brothers trilogy and is an Mpreg dragon-shifter romance. It’s full of sizzling hot men, ruthless enemies, and an epic HEA.

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.

Not Letting Go


Danni Keane - 2013
    When someone dies, how are you supposed to behave? Josh Roberts has no idea. Losing his dad has left him deeply confused. He loved his dad, so why isn't he crying? All Josh can think about is spending time with his boyfriend, Bradley. He can't wait to go to Uni, when he and Bradley will finally get to be alone.Bradley wants nothing more than to give love and support to his grieving boyfriend. But Josh's expectations of a life together next year are putting a lot of pressure on him. He's not going to get good enough grades for Uni, especially if whenever they are in Josh's room they don't get round to any real studying. Why can't Josh understand that?

One Good Thing


Arden Steele - 2020
    If he doesn’t go, people might think he still cares, which he doesn’t, thank you very much. Showing up alone isn’t any better, but he has neither the time nor the inclination to jump back into the dating scene. So, what’s a guy to do? Hire a fake boyfriend, of course! +One isn’t a dating agency. Fine. He’s not looking to make a love connection, just survive one week with even a shred of dignity intact. Then, Jace Harkins walks through the door, and Greyson knows he’s in trouble. Jace is the total package—successful, witty, gorgeous—but falling for him wasn’t supposed to happen. Yet, every smile, every touch, every whispered endearment pulls him in a little deeper until the line between reality and fantasy begins to blur. Too bad it can’t last. After all, it’s just make-believe, right?

The Outdoorsman's Son


Daniel Elijah Sanderfer - 2019
    A gay coming of age story, of young love and determination. Derrick is used to small-town midwestern life. At seventeen, he's learned to adjust to about anything. But when his parents decide to move to the small town of Dale, Indiana after the death of his Grandpa, his whole world is turned upside down. Nothing can help him adjust when he meets Timothy, the sexy son of an outdoorsman shop owner. Everything in his black and white world suddenly has color and meaning far beyond what he ever could have imagined. When Timothy invites him to a party at his dad's farm to kick off spring break, all of his fantasies about being Timothy's boyfriend seem to be coming true. But Timothy is in an arranged relationship with a popular girl named Mindy and when he realizes he's more than just smitten with Derrick it leads to a series of confrontations that change his life forever Join best selling author Daniel Elijah Sanderfer for this heartwarming coming of age story about hope, young love, and desire. *NEWLY EDITED AND PROOFREAD VERSION UPLOADED 1/24/2020* The Outdoorsman's Son 2 is also now available, just search for it here on Amazon. Thanks for reading!

The Body in the Backyard


Hollis Shiloh - 2017
     Abe starts amateur sleuthing in self-defense...and to spend time with Gregory. When the two green thumbs look into their neighborhood's dirty little secrets, who knows what they'll dig up? A cozy gay mystery 51,000 words