Book picks similar to
Guarded Hearts by Louisa Keller
m-m
lgbt
second-chance
mm
The Lighthouse Keeper
Jason Collins - 2020
Now I’m racing to Briton Bay to put my reporter skills to work. Nicholas, the lighthouse keeper, is a rare new face in this sleepy coastal town, and his connection to my aunt isn’t the only reason I’m interested.He’s not just a neighbor I keep bumping into, he’s a former doctor with a puzzling past I’m endlessly curious about—and a face I wouldn’t mind seeing every day. It isn’t long before we feel an undeniable spark, but our relationship is a new complication. Falling in love on the job wasn’t in my plans.I owe it to my aunt to keep a clear head, but I can’t investigate when all I can think about is Nicholas. I’ll need his insights to get to the bottom of this, and the closer I get, the more I risk heartbreak for us both.As it turns out, Nicholas may be the biggest mystery of all.NICHOLAS:I wanted a fresh start, but trouble follows me.I moved to Briton Bay to escape my past. It was never the plan to make friends with the locals, least of all my elderly neighbor. Her passing is a shock, but not as much as her nephew, a reporter, arriving in town to investigate.Alex is as sharp as he is hot, and I can’t keep my eyes off him. The last thing I need right now is romance, but I have second thoughts when our investigation brings us closer than I planned. Now there’s more at stake than I ever expected.But the sooner he solves this mystery, the closer he is to leaving town forever. I should keep my heart out of it—but that’s the one thing I can’t do.The more we’re together, the more dangerous this becomes.Note to readers: This is a standalone MM romance.
Finding His Place
Nic Starr - 2017
Despite striving to win his father's affection, a confrontation that has been years in the making leaves Kieran devastated to realize he will never be good enough. Jealous of the half brother he's never met, and who most likely doesn't know of his existence, Kieran vows to find out what makes his brother so special in their father's eyes.Darius Jensen manages a nightclub. He loves his job, but is reluctant to commit when given the opportunity to become a partner. His previous foray into business ownership with a boyfriend had disastrous results, and Darius is still paying the price, both financially and emotionally.When Kieran starts working with Darius at Sparks, Darius shows him it's not too late for Kieran to realize his dreams--the fulfilling career, a loving family, and someone who loves him for who he is. If only Kieran can convince Darius of the same thing. But before Kieran's and Darius's dreams can come true, Kieran needs to come clean with his brother and deal with the resulting fallout... which threatens his relationship with Darius.Note: This book was originally published as part of the Memories with the Breakfast Club Kindle World. The text remains unchanged.
Seeing Sunrise
Raleigh Ruebins - 2017
It’s his last summer of freedom before graduating from college, and during his first week in town, he has a sexy hookup in a bar with a hot, mysterious man. The connection is explosive, but afterward, the guy refuses to meet up again. But two days later, Jesse finds out that that same man will be his roommate for the rest of summer…
"Is this how you get all the guys?" "Not all the guys act like you."
Nathan Stanford is still hurting after his engagement crumbled almost two years ago. He’s fully focused on his work as a photographer, and he’s definitely not looking for a serious relationship. But when he meets the young, intriguing Jesse in a bar, he can’t hold himself back. He never expected to end up living with Jesse for the whole summer. He’s completely afraid of taking things any further, but at the same time, he can’t pull away…
“Stay with me. Just for tonight.”
Soon, Nathan is pulled into Jesse’s life. He’s forced to photograph a wedding that Jesse is catering, and ends up bringing Jesse on an overnight camping trip soon after. It soon becomes clear that their feelings can’t be ignored, and what they thought was a summer fling could be so much more…. ----- Seeing Sunrise is a 60,000 word steamy, emotional MM romance, with slight May/December themes - HEA ending guaranteed.
Out of the Shade
S.A. McAuley - 2019
That he hooks up with just as many men as he does women is a secret Jesse's been hiding for years, fearful of losing his family and tight group of friends. He's a Kensington boy--a group of guys that grew up in the same neighborhood and somehow all ended up back in their hometown. They, and his family, are the only things that still matter in his otherwise soul-sucking life.Chuck Dunn, a tattooed and pierced sports photographer, has refused to step back into the closet since he was disowned by his family, but he keeps choosing men who can't fully be with him. Finally free from a long-term relationship he should've ended years ago, he quits his high-profile gig in favor of getting back to the art of sports photography--documenting a local boxing club that works with at-risk teenagers. He may not have the same swagger anymore, but he's working to be happy with who he is.When Chuck joins one of the Kensington boys' community center sports leagues, Jesse's self-imposed rules are systematically demolished. But there's one barrier Jesse can't find the strength to break through--coming out to the other Kensington boys. Chuck knows hooking up with Jesse is a bad idea. Falling for him even worse. But he can't stay away.Chuck is damaged by his past. Jesse is frightened about his future. But, together, they may just be able to come out of the shade.Reader Advisory: Out of the Shade is a standalone novel with an HEA that carries the following warnings--alcoholism, mentions of sexual and physical abuse, mentions of drug addiction, mentions of rape, attempted suicide by a minor character, violence, homophobia, closeting
The Boy I Love The Most
J.J. Riley - 2020
Hiding among the choir, he was content to be ignored at school. But in order to make his singing dreams come true and win the scholarship, he has to push aside that shyness and stand out. When new kid, Maverick Cole shows up, all of Ashton’s plans are thrown into chaos. Now he has to work with his new duet partner to perfect their song for the biggest choir competition in the country. The moment things start to look up, Ashton suddenly finds himself at the lowest point in his life. His new friend steps in to save him, proving their friendly rivalry might be more than friendship, on and off the stage. If only he could tell Maverick how he really feels. With his heart and his future on the line, will Maverick and Ashton be able to work together to make this work or will the pressure of winning tear them apart? The stakes are high, so Ashton will have to be ready to not only stand out, but come out. Especially if he wants to win both the competition and his Maverick’s heart. Besides, who needs therapy when you have harmony? *The Boy I Love The Most is a young adult gay romance*
A Sip of Rio
Teodora Kostova - 2016
Not only is his dream holiday slipping through his fingers, but Liam is sick and tired of getting his heart broken. Blaine Reed has a solution that can save Liam’s plans. Recently divorced, Blaine needs a break, and a couple of stress-free weeks in Rio with a sexy guy like Liam sound like heaven. Liam and Blaine hit it off right from the start, becoming good friends even before they’ve left London. Despite their efforts to ignore the simmering attraction between them, it boils over when they end up sharing a room in one of the most romantic cities in the world. Being together in Rio is easy, and it’s exactly what Liam needs – no feelings, no drama, nobody getting hurt. Until someone does. When the holiday bubble bursts, it’s up to them to find a way to be together outside of Rio’s seductive magic. **47K words** **Stand alone** **MM Romance**
Clickbait
Garett Groves - 2017
An abrasive internet sensation. Desire even enemies can’t deny. Jeff Taylor is a cable news juggernaut with an ax to grind—particularly with the media industry that made him. After a tough interview with Kile Avery, online troll extraordinaire, Jeff melts down on air and tells the world just what he thinks of the media machine. He’s swiftly fired and blacklisted by every major media organization… except one. NewSpin—the same fluff media company that Jeff most blames for the current state of journalism—wants to hire him to do a piece on Avery.
“Avery’s a wolf in sheep’s clothing. I’d sooner live under a bridge than work with him.”
Kile Avery is a viral blogger who thinks love and traditional media are dead. He’s built an online empire quickly by posting scathing video takedowns. So when Kile’s approached by NewSpin for a documentary series on his meteoric rise to fame, he can’t say no… even if Jeff Taylor is the reporter assigned to the project.
“When we started this, I wanted to destroy Taylor. Now I just want to sleep with him.”
The two have nothing in common save for their mutual hatred, but they quickly discover they share real chemistry on and off camera—chemistry neither of them wants to admit to, privately or publicly. Can they set aside their differences and come together to make a ratings hit? Or is their story destined to become yet another clickbait headline? Clickbait is the first book in a series of lighthearted and witty M/M romance novels that can all be read as a stand-alone or as part of the series. If you like political backdrops, witty banter, and steamy enemies-to-lovers stories, then you’ll love this first installment in the Off the Record series. No cheating, no cliffhangers, and a guaranteed HEA. Buy Clickbait to get the cameras rolling on Jeff and Kile today!
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.
Triumph
Avery Ford - 2018
In the ten years since he’s graduated, he’s opened a bookstore and made it his mission to bring diversity and inclusion to Silver Lake while working hard to maintain the small town charm that he loves so much. The only thing missing is someone to share his dreams - his once best friend, who left Calvin behind with a broken heart. Jack Roberts has the life he’s always wanted. He left Silver Lake ten years ago for college in Boston and hasn’t looked back since. If it wasn’t for the occasional holiday trip to visit his parents, he’d happily forget all about that town and all the memories it holds, especially Calvin Berry, who despite trying, Jack’s never forgotten. When Calvin and the other business owners in Silver Lake are on the verge of getting pushed out in favor of nameless corporations, Calvin knows he has to do something. He wants to turn Silver Lake around, and he needs as much help as he can get—even if that means asking for it from the man he used to call his best friend. Can Calvin and Jack get over the hurt from their past and take a second chance on each other? Will they be able to move forward and discover that despite the distance between them, their feelings for each other only grew stronger?
Off-Campus Setup
Maria Vickers - 2017
Between the university screwing up his living arrangements, the weird meddling old woman who runs the boarding house, and the fellow student who instantly catches his eye, life in Cali is more than he expected, and he isn’t sure he’s ready for any of it. College was supposed to be an adventure, but this might be more than Levi can handle. Nathan Orion wants to have fun. That’s what he lives for and it's exactly what his college years are supposed to be about. He’s happy with living the single life and being carefree…that is until the new student at his grandmother’s boarding house crashes into his life. Now he’s been recruited to show the new guy around, and if Nathan has his way, it won't be just on-campus.Will there be more, or is this only an illusion? Two men thrown together, not expecting anything, but possibly finding so much more than an off-campus setup.
One Night In Whisper...
K. Sterling - 2018
Population: 2. At least, that’s how it feels after Beck Night’s mother, Maggie, passes away. Despite his best efforts, he can’t seem to escape and disentangle his life from Magnus Deacon, his mother’s sexy former boss. Beck isn’t a fan of the bachelor billionaire extraordinaire, unlike the rest of Whisper. After a lifetime of being forgotten and lost in the shuffle as Deacon and Maggie achieved greatness, Beck just wants to get on with his life and save the town’s dying library. Fate and his best friend, Delilah, seem to have other plans for Beck and he’s coerced into working for a man he can’t stand. Or keep his hands off of. Deacon would have been a wealthy and powerful man even if he hadn’t been born a billionaire and blessed with every possible advantage. Fortunately for Deacon, he was born with every advantage and knows he was extremely blessed. He’s never lost sight of that fact or that he wouldn’t be the man he was if it weren’t for the town of Whisper and Maggie Night. After Deacon loses Maggie to cancer, he turns to Whisper and her adorably cranky son, Beck, for help picking up the pieces. Determined to win Beck's forgiveness and trust, Deacon finds he won’t be satisfied until he’s got Beck’s body and his heart too.Whisper’s just like any other small town in America. There’s a story behind every smile and secrets are hard to come by. How about a story that starts with two lost, heartbroken men with almost nothing in common, except loving the same woman? Can they find their way to each other and a lifetime of love? In a small town like Whisper, chances are very good.
Class Action Love
Peter Styles - 2018
It’s not that I’m shocked to find myself fixated on a one night stand. Aloof, gruff and looks damn good naked aren’t exactly dealbreakers for me. Not to mention every single thing I learn about the man just checks off another box on my personal list of things guaranteed to make me feel warm fuzzies. And I, as a general rule, do not do warm fuzzy feelings. And it’s not that our initial hook-up was less than ideal. Sure, I’d like to remember actually meeting Jimmy and whatever it was I said to get him into bed. Instead of, y’know, having been so hammered I had to fake my way through the morning after. Whatever, I never claimed to be a saint. And it’s not even that my second encounter with the man was walking into work to negotiate a new merger with Boston branch leader “Mr. God I Wish I Could Remember The Sex I Had With You”…aka Jimmy Swan. But with everything combined? Even years as a marketing executive can’t come up with a spin other than extremely complicated to put on that curveball. Go big or go home has always been my personal mantra though. I’ve just got to figure out the perfect pitch to convince Jimmy Swan I’m a catch, and not just a drunken mistake. Because complicated or not, I’ve got no intention of going home from this merger alone. This 50,000 word novel is a sizzling story of business meeting pleasure both in the boardroom and under the sheets. These men don’t hold back and neither do these pages, so please be eighteen years and up when reading! A Contemporary Gay Romance
Completely Changed
Kamisa Cole - 2019
You pick who you love. It’s what my adoptive mother taught me. It’s what I believed all my life. Until Alec McGowan walks in. As head of security of the bar we work at his safety is my responsibility. But it’s more than that. He buries himself under my skin, and no matter how much I fight it, I cannot stop thinking about him—or wanting him. It’s when tragedy strikes that I realize Alec might be all I ever needed. But… Is it already too late for us?
DiverCity—Seattle’s hottest bar—invites you to a place where love is love is love.
Christmas Riches
H.L. Day - 2019
But does that include age? Christmas comes early for Aiden Malone in the form of a seductive, blue-eyed stranger down on his knees. But a shocking revelation about his new “friend” has him running for the hills and cursing his stupidity before the night is out. Tom's not prepared to give up that easily. He may be rich where Aiden's poor. Innocent in a way that Aiden isn't. And on the wrong side of twenty. But he's old enough to know what he wants. And that's Aiden. He just needs to persuade the older man to look past his hang-ups about age and wealth. Lust and prejudice pull Aiden in opposite directions, severely testing his willpower. As Tom's layers begin to peel away, Aiden discovers the younger man's life of privilege may not be all it seems. If Aiden gives in, they could have the sweetest Christmas that either of them has ever tasted. But Tom's about to shatter their joy with a surprise announcement. Decisions need to be made on both sides. It’s down to Aiden, though, to stay strong and decide whose happiness is more important. His? Or Tom's? Because they can’t have it both ways. It's possible their relationship won't even last as long as it takes for the snow to melt.
Gabriel's Storm
Sue Brown - 2020
Gabriel fights strong winds and dangerous waves to rescue an unconscious young man. He carries the man back to his cottage and sits with him until he wakes, only to discover he’s suffering from amnesia.When Sam wakes up in the cottage of a brooding, handsome stranger with a tragic past who saved him from drowning but obviously doesn’t want him there, he remembers nothing except being captive in his own body.Then they are trapped together as the village is cut off by a landslip, and Gabriel has no choice but to offer grudging hospitality. Gabriel finds himself unwillingly attracted to his houseguest, and Sam just wants to take away the pain in the eyes of the lonely widower. But first they need to find out who Sam is and why he’s having nightmares about men trying to kill him.