Book picks similar to
Rosewood by A.J. Lange


m-m
beauty-and-the-beast
romance
sad-past

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.

Blurred Lines


L.C. Davis - 2020
    I don't just play by the rulebook, I've devoted my life to it as a law student--much to the chagrin of the alpha males around me. When my twin falls for a heavily inked alpha who runs a tattoo studio alongside his equally disreputable brother, James, my buttoned-up world is turned on its head. I'm planning a tattoo of my own, but having just one is different, isn't it?Beautiful yet stuffy Shan and I have never gotten along. When he shows up at my studio and shocks me by announcing he's there for a tattoo, I end up being the one to leave my mark on his skin--and after a reckless one-time encounter, he leaves a mark on my heart that I'm afraid will never fade...Blurred Lines is a short and sweet novella prequel to the Inked & Marked series, which revolves around inked alpha males and the omegas who keep them in line. Blurred Lines features a snarky, driven omega and a gentle giant alpha who helps him learn to embrace his wild side.Themes Include: Mate marking, surprise baby, enemies-to-lovers romance, and a guaranteed HEA.

An Unforgettable Love


Jerry Cole - 2019
    He has plenty to do, being the head ranger of the Tahoe National Forest, but living alone in a cabin in the middle of the woods isn’t exactly the most riveting life. He’s known excitement, too. For many years he served as a sniper in the marine corps, but a devastating shoulder injury has reduced him to civilian duties. These days, a walker’s twisted ankle or a trapped raccoon is about as exciting as it gets. Nothing can prepare him, though, for the day he comes across a man lying in the middle of a lonely forest road. The man is alive, but he’d certainly been left for dead. When he wakes up in the hospital, it becomes obvious that he’s suffering from amnesia. With nothing to identify him save for the huge angel tattoo that spreads across his shoulders, the hospital staff name him Gabriel, and tell Hopper that with nowhere else to send him, once he’s recovered from his injuries he’ll have to be sent out into the world. Against his better judgement, but always a sucker for swarthy looks and piercing blue eyes, Hopper agrees to allow Gabriel to stay with him. Perhaps, together, they can work at finding out who this mystery man is, why he was left lying in the forest, and who could possibly have attacked him so badly. What Hopper can never prepare himself for is how deeply he will fall for this handsome stranger, and how he will be able to let Gabriel go when the past, as it always does, comes to catch up. Please Note: This book contains adult language and steamy adult activities, it is intended for 18+ Adults Only. Novel, approximately 82,000 words in length. HEA (happy ever after ending). Does not end with a "cliffhanger." Themes include: Forest Ranger, Amnesia, Angel tattoo, Lake Tahoe, Falling in love, ex-marine

The Carpenter


Robin Stone - 2017
    One small bed. Two ex-lovers. What could go wrong?Broken-hearted Grant retreats to a cabin in the woods to work on his master's thesis and escape the sadness of a recent breakup. A blizzard is on the way, but Grant has food, books, and a cozy fireplace. But when a loud knock jolts Grant from his chair, he's stunned to see his intense ex-boyfriend, Adam...Adam wants to win back Grant's love, but it won't be easy. Harsh words were spoken during their breakup, and Adam's struggling to heal from his wounded past. Grant wants to start a family, but Adam can't imagine being a father...The men cooperate to stay safe and warm during the blizzard, but they can't deny their feverish attraction. They discuss a future together, but old hurts surface. Can Adam and Grant resolve their differences and have the future they always planned, or will this weekend be their final goodbye?The Carpenter is a 20,000 word standalone gay romance with a Happily Ever After.

The Plunge


Ruthie Luhnow - 2016
    One day, he leaves it all behind and heads to the mountains in a desperate attempt to find himself. Matt can’t outrun his problems, though—and things only get more complicated when he meets a young, charismatic stranger he can’t seem to stay away from. Wild, passionate, and deeply troubled, Josh Day is interested in one thing: forgetting his crappy life. Whether it’s at the bottom of a bottle or in bed with a fling, Josh moves too quickly and parties too hard to give himself a chance to think about everything that’s gone wrong. When Josh meets Matt at a party, it seems like the perfect opportunity for his next hook up. The two men are quickly drawn to each other, opening up to one another in ways they never have before. As Matt and Josh grow closer, they are forced to confront their inner demons. To be together, Matt will have to leave his old life behind completely and Josh must face the trauma he’s been hiding from—but they find that love alone may not be enough to overcome their fears. Will both men be brave enough to take the plunge? The Plunge is an emotional m/m contemporary romance with hurt/comfort themes, plenty of heat, and a happy ending.

Brutal Forces


Jason Collins - 2021
    Bodyguards don’t mix with romance, so I’ve been married to my job for the past few years. But when that job lands me in a cabin guarding a man named Taylor, things aren’t so clear cut. I’ve always been straight, but something’s drawing me to him, and the more we’re together the less I want to fight it.He’s testifying in a huge case, and if he wants to make it to the stand, I’ve got to keep him safe. That means keeping my distance—and keeping my feelings in check. Special Forces trained me to fight, but Taylor needs more than just a soldier.TAYLOR:Working in IT isn’t usually high stakes, but when a mercenary group starts hunting me down, I’m forced to seek protection from a bodyguard. I’m testifying before Congress, and I need Jack’s help to make it there in one piece. We can’t cross the professional line or Jack may end up becoming a lethal distraction.With a steely face and a soft heart under a tough shell, I can’t keep my mind off him—especially when we’re trapped together. But these killers are hellbent, and Jack needs a clear head if he’s going to protect me. The last place I should be is by his side, but that’s the only place I feel safe.This is a standalone MM romance.

Lone Wolf


Shelley Munro - 2011
     R.J. Blake begins a new session tutoring young werewolves in the old ways—before the introduction of the shift-suppressing drugs that allow their kind to live secretly among humans. He expects nothing out of the ordinary. Until sexy, smart, aggravating-as-hell Corey Wilson arrives. Older than the others, son of a powerful Los Angeles pack leader, Corey is an instant temptation he cannot afford. The last thing Corey wants is three months stuck in the Yellowstone wilderness, followed by the stifling life his father has all mapped out for him. One glimpse of R.J., though, sparks a determination to seduce the older man before he leaves. Yet as R.J. guides him through the sometimes terrifying process of rediscovering his heritage, a deepening respect calls to his artistic soul and fuels a burst of creativity. When their time comes to an end, Corey senses hesitation behind R.J.’s insistence that theirs was simply a summer fling. Inspiring him to take a leap of faith with consequences neither of them saw coming. A dangerous plot that reaches from the heart of their love to the highest office in the land… Warning: This book contains a young werewolf intent on seduction, an older werewolf determined to resist said seduction, werewolf politics and brutality, a little spilled blood, and hot, naked manlove in the great outdoors.

Falling for the Pet Doctor


Crystal Lacy - 2022
    Out of his depth and dealing poorly with grief, Felix turns to compassionate veterinarian Tyler for comfort.Losing the love of his life in an accident has made Tyler Hayworth afraid to risk his heart again. When Felix walks into his life, Tyler tries his best to steer clear of temptation--but lowers his guard when he realizes Felix is only looking for a temporary fix for his loneliness.Felix is going back to the mainland soon. They can both take what they need from each other without compromising their hearts, right?An emotional romance featuring a singing African grey parrot, lots of cats and dogs, and a sweet, well-deserved happily-ever-after. This 44,000 word novella was originally published under Radish Fiction under the name Finding Home. It has been revised and edited for re-publication here.

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 Family Jules Collection


Sean Ashcroft - 2020
    

Taming the Bander


Summer Devon - 2013
    It’s the perfect home for a bander, a type of shifter known to be notoriously taciturn. Now Jake runs the place, and he’s content with the hard truth that he’ll always be alone.Summer visitors are a necessary evil. And Vaughn Prentiss is exactly the sort of tourist that gets on Jake’s last nerve. A happy-go-lucky, carefree, trust-fund baby.Vaughn can’t fathom why Jake seems to enjoy insulting him for no reason. Yet he’s attracted to the man’s gruff kindness with the preserve’s youthful workers. And it hasn’t escaped his notice that Jake is something special. Something not quite human.When Vaughn discovers his financial manager has absconded with the family fortune, Jake acts on impulse to offer him a job, and wonders if he’ll live to regret it. It’s hard enough to keep his shifter nature private, much less keep his paws off his newest employee…a man Jake is coming to admire. If only he could be sure, when danger reveals the truth of what he is, if Vaughn will stay by his side—or run.Product Warnings: Contains a sexy “pretty boy” who’s smarter than he looks and a grouchy shapeshifter who can’t resist strong hands and a wicked tongue. Prepare yourself. This book is anything but tame.

Very Late Blooming


Hayden Hunt - 2016
     I'm not at a particularly good point in my life right now. I've recently lost the only person I truly loved and I'm not sure how to get back on my feet. The things I once cared about so deeply simply don't seem to matter anymore. I've lost my passion for life and I have no idea how to get it back. Honestly, at this point I don't even have the energy to care about getting it back. Until my loud and overly perky florist neighbor, Oliver, decides to weasel his way into my life. I've got a love for life but have never been in love... until I met him Things are going good for me, they usually are. I've got good friends, a great relationship with my parents, I feel very passionate about my job as a florist. Things aren't going too bad in my romantic life either, though I do have a tendency to jump from guy to guy pretty quickly. But what can I say? I haven't felt that urge to settle down yet. That is, until I meet my new neighbor, Gabe. Getting involved with a neighbor seems like a terrible idea... But I can't help myself, my connection to him feels magnetic. This standalone gay-for-you novella of 30,000 words and comes complete with a HEA ending! Includes bonus material from two of my other books!

Broken


X. Aratare - 2016
    In exchange, Nick’s family gets a chance to regain their fortune. Is this the worst mistake of Nick’s life, or will it lead to a love only found in fairy tales? A modern, M/M retelling of Beauty & The Beast. Sensitive, aspiring photographer Nick Fairfax wants nothing to do with his family's corporate business, or their vicious, cold-blooded lifestyle. Intending to give up his inheritance and pursue his art, he arrives at his father's office, only to find that Fairfax Industries has fallen to a scarred man in a hooded cloak. The man is the reclusive billionaire Lord Bane Dunsaney, and he is bent on destroying the Fairfaxes. But when he sees Nick, everything changes. Bane offers the Fairfaxes the chance to regain their fortune if Nick will reside at Moon Shadow, his secluded mansion, and do whatever the billionaire wants for a whole year. Nick has no real choice other than to agree to Bane’s terms. At Moon Shadow, Bane lords his power over Nick, going even so far as to take Nick’s phone, computer and beloved camera away. The billionaire claims such measures are to protect his privacy, but Nick is convinced they are so Bane can control him. Each is determined to see the worst in each other. But as time passes, Nick glimpses a Bane that is much more than the cold-hearted figure that he met in his father's office. He discovers that Bane is a man betrayed by love and no longer believes in it. But what Nick comes to know about Bane is nothing compared to the man’s true secret. Bane is cursed. He is a tiger-shifter who has no control over his beast. And that beast wants Nick.

Forbidden Bonds


Sheri Eleese - 2020
    At birth, he was prophesied to have the paramount powers of this generation and the next; powers which would overturn the world. When his magic didn’t manifest, his life became filled with dangers and threats from the magic user community; his biggest adversary being his own mother. His older brother, Bryan, has spent his lifetime protecting Lysander from his mother’s machinations. Now Bryan is at risk and Lysander is determined to save his brother, whatever the cost. Roman, a vampire Prince, has lived over one thousand years. As a young vampire, Roman lost his family to deceit and treachery. Overnight, he became responsible for the safety and well-being of his people. His life consists of ruling over and providing for his coven, growing his business portfolio, and running his club, Darkness. He had long given up hope on ever finding his mate. Roman was not prepared for Lysander. Fate, sometimes, is a fickle mistress.

Out For Spring Break


Avery Ford - 2018
    He’s booked a gay cruise as a way to go far away from where anyone knows him or where anyone might see him, and just be his nerdy self. It’s really far out of his comfort zone, but maybe that’s what he needs in order to cut loose and start living a little. Maybe he’ll even talk himself into hooking up with some guy there. On a ship full of gay guys, surely he’s got a shot with someone, right? College jock, Tyler, won two tickets to a cruise. A gay cruise. He’s not out – not even fully come to terms with his sexuality yet. He’s pretty sure he’s bi. He’s definitely attracted to guys, but has only been sexually active with girls. So, he hasn’t given friends and family any details of this cruise, just that he’ll be gone over Spring break. On the inside, he’s anxious but excited for his chance to finally at least have the opportunity to do something with a guy. Nobody will know or care – and if he doesn’t follow through with it, at least he’s still going to be on a cruise. It can’t be that bad. When Jay and Tyler meet, sparks fly between them. Neither were expecting such a connection...but when the cruise comes to an end, will either of them have the courage to face their true feelings? Or will it just end up being nothing more than a Spring fling? This is a steamy, standalone MM contemporary book - enjoy!