Book picks similar to
My Name Is Ayla by Phetra H. Novak


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Painting with Fire


Lissa Kasey - 2016
    Since Bastian is Charlie’s best friend’s nephew, Charlie hesitates to get involved, but can’t help but be drawn to the young artist.Bastian has created a sanctuary for himself on San Juan Island’s Friday Harbor to avoid his dysfunctional family. When a death in the family drags his aunt back home to stay with him, he never expects to meet a man like Charlie.Will the flame between them ignite a real bond or fizzle out?Note: This MM romance features a Native American firefighter, a spicy redhead with a passion for painting dolls, and a lot of family drama which ends up in a best friend's brother, hurt/comfort romance.

To See the Sun


Kelly Jensen - 2018
    He wants more, though. A companion—someone quiet like him. Someone to share his days, his bed, and his heart.Gael Sonnen has never seen the sky, let alone the sun. He’s spent his whole life locked in the undercity beneath Zhemosen, running from one desperate situation to another. For a chance to get out, he’ll do just about anything—even travel to the far end of the galaxy as a mail-order husband. But no plan of Gael’s has ever gone smoothly, and his new start on Alkirak is no exception. Things go wrong from the moment he steps off the shuttle.Although Gael arrives with unexpected complications, Abraham is prepared to make their relationship work—until Gael’s past catches up with them, threatening Abraham’s livelihood, the freedom Gael gave everything for, and the love neither man ever hoped to find.

Through It All


Ashley Beale - 2013
    I will stand up for you forever. I'll be there for you, through it all. Even if saving you sends me to heaven." -The Red Jumpsuit Apparatus.Landon Hastings has lived a life of luxury. When he starts to question things in his life, he leans on Sawyer Wexler, the new girl in school that intrigues him.Neither of them can deny their feelings for one another, yet they don't push in trying to go too fast. Sawyer has a past that still haunts her, and Landon has a future that he has worked his whole life for.Can they accept the things they cannot change and push through the obstacles in their lives?And is it worth it?

Late for Christmas


Amy Lane - 2021
    Until the crisp fall morning when he pauses to watch his neighbor’s handsome son chase his dog down the sidewalk… and gets hit by a tree.Mark Taylor sees the whole thing, and as a second-year medical resident, he gets Cassidy top-notch care. In spite of himself, he’s fascinated by his mother’s stodgy neighbor, and as he strives to help Cassidy recover from a broken leg, he begins to realize that behind Cassidy’s obsession with punctuality is the story of a lonely boy who thought he had to be perfect to be loved.Mark and his family are far from perfect—but they might be perfect for Cassidy. As the two of them get to know each other, Cassidy fantasizes about the family and happy-ever-after he never thought he’d have, and Mark starts to yearn for Cassidy’s wide-eyed kindness and surprising creativity. But first they have to overcome Cassidy’s fears, because there is so much more fun to be had during Christmas than just being on time.

Take the Fall, A Cowboy's Promise Book 1


Megan Squires - 2020
    She’s pretending not to care.Growing up, they shared a fence line, first kisses, and a romance that had the whole town talking. But Maren Friar traded her barbed-wire life for city lights and gave up on her childhood dream of marrying the cowboy next door. He’d made it clear that had been nothing more than playing house.Rodeo pickup man Grady Cutter works hard, loves harder, and when he gives his word, it’s his bond. But agreeing to stay away from Maren hurts worse than being bucked off a wild bronco.Now Maren’s returned home to her ranch and Grady is done pretending. With her father no longer standing in their way, they’re finally learning what the grown-up version of their love can look like. But the pretty blonde constantly at Grady’s side makes Maren second guess everything. And she can’t stomach the fact that Grady seems to be the only man in Riverburn to know the real truth behind her father’s mysterious death.Will digging up past secrets ruin their chance at a future forever? Or will they discover that the best love stories are often a lifetime in the making?

Lawfully Matched


Lorana Hoopes - 2018
    Little does she know the man she intends to marry has a dark past, sending her fleeing into a neighboring town and into Jesse Jenning's life. Jesse never wanted to be in law enforcement, but after a band of robbers kills his fiancee, he dons the badge and swears revenge. Will he find his fiancee's killer? And when Kate flies into his life, will he be able to put his painful past behind him in order to love again?

The Best Laid Plans


Lauren Gallagher - 2016
    When yet another adoption falls through, Gabe is ready to give up. Shahid isn’t far behind him. Apparently being a gay couple—half of which is Muslim—is just one strike too many.Then their friend Kendra suggests carrying their baby for them. None of them like the odds or invasiveness of IVF, but there is one other method they could use. Though Shahid is gay, Gabe is bi, and they both quickly warm up to the idea. Especially when they realize just how much chemistry they have with her.It’s a simple plan—Kendra will have the baby, they’ll all share parenting responsibilities, and the means of conception will be a hell of a lot more fun than adoption paperwork or medical procedures. As things heat up between Kendra and Gabe, though, Shahid’s long-buried insecurities about being with a bisexual man bubble to the surface. When some medical news stops everything in its tracks, they realize just how many emotions are involved. And no matter how they play this, one person might be left out in the cold.This 80,000 word novel was previously published.

Untouchable


Kay Simone - 2018
    That’s the plot of a porn, not a romance.” Morton Harper--Harp for short--is 44, divorced, hated by most of his picturesque Colorado town, and more than happy to spend the rest of his life holed up in the cabin he built on Storm Mountain. But when Harp seeks out a massage therapist to help him heal after a car accident, his whole world is turned upside down. Parker is almost two decades younger than Harp, handsome, and full of life--he should be the kind of person Harp hates. Instead, Harp finds himself reluctantly charmed by Parker’s bubbly personality, his patience for all of Harp’s quirks… and Parker’s six-pack doesn’t hurt either. "I know I can trust you. And I know you’re being kind. But I’m rusty at having a friend." Parker James is a miracle worker, both with muscles and with picky clients. But with Harp, he may have met his match. From the moment he sees Harp--axe in hand, glaring at him from the front yard, Parker knows he has his work cut out for him. But though Harp is moody, ornery, and closed off, Parker keeps catching a glimpse of someone who is funny and compassionate... and wounded. As they strike up an unlikely friendship, Parker longs for more--and though Harp has hurts of his own, he’s helping Parker heal his, too. “I’ve never had someone like you before. Someone who wanted to take care of me. Someone who made me feel like I was the most important thing in the universe.” As their sessions progress, both men find themselves falling for the other. But Parker’s confidence was shattered by a cruel ex and Harp is still reeling from a painful divorce and dramatic outing--and their own families and past hurts prove difficult to navigate, even as they come together. It’s undeniable that Parker and Harp make each other stronger and better--but can Parker really reach someone so untouchable? Untouchable is a 275,000 word contemporary slow burn m/m romance with enemies-to-lovers, hurt/comfort, and May/December themes. Please see the copyright page in the "Look Inside" preview to read this work's content warnings (contains minor spoilers).

The Weight is Over


Jason Collins - 2018
    Since gorgeous men don’t usually go for guys like me, I tend to indulge in the latter. When I score a week-long job as the hospitality manager for a private island resort, it’s the wakeup call I need. I’m surrounded by hot, sculpted bodies—men who look like they’re straight out of fitness magazines. I stand out, but not in the way I want to. Even though gyms have never been my thing, I decide to try the island’s workout center. That’s where I stumble into what must be the hottest guy at the resort. He’s exercising shirtless, but hell, I would too if I was him. Of all the men on the island, this one takes the cake. Chiseled. Perfect. Out of my league. But through a treadmill accident of embarrassing proportions, the hottest guy on the island suddenly becomes my hero. I don’t know if I’m his type, but I find myself wondering if a night between the sheets counts as cardio. NICHOLAS: I always seem to be drawn to the sculpted, Adonis types. More than just that, they have to be shallow. That’s how I protect myself—by finding guys who would rather hit the gym than actually get to know me. The real me...not just the physical. Lately, though, I’ve been hoping for more than that. And then I meet Evan. There’s an instant connection. The chemistry is there, but with him, it’s much more than physical. He’s sweet, funny, and adorably clumsy. I’m excited by the idea of building a future, and I want to explore it with him, but the notion of letting someone in terrifies me. Evan doesn’t know it yet, but he’s the guy I’ve been fantasizing about. I don’t want to rush it, but the spark is undeniable, so I decide to start with a private invitation. Maybe it’s time to show Evan my idea of a workout. Note to readers: This is an extra spicy MM romance. Readers can expect two passionate men and several steamy scenes that will leave you breathless.

Meat Market


Rob Radcliffe - 2015
    Fortunately Greg's best mate Stu has come to the rescue. Now it's Stu's job to lead Greg down the path of enlightenment, where woman swarm by their hundreds and will pay for Greg's company. Welcome to the Meat Market, where everything has a price, even love.

The Chestnut Tree (A Short Story)


Jo Thomas - 2014
    Could the answer to his problems lie in the chestnut orchard at the bottom of the garden?Only Ellie can help Daniel unlock the delicious secret that will bring them the fresh starts they need. And as autumn approaches, romance will blossom amid the glowing embers of the chestnut fire...*Contains an exclusive extract from Jo's brand-new novel, THE OLIVE BRANCH, out February 2015*

Becoming Robin: A Tale of Self Discovery


Zoe Taylor - 2017
    A cross-country move away from everything Robert has known followed by a chance encounter trigger a different sort of existence. Can "Robin" adapt or will it all come tumbling down?

Giving Chase


Riley Hart - 2020
    Unfortunately, that ship sailed when I was a teenager, even though Chase Hawthorne always treated me like nothing more than a younger sibling. Things were worse after my parents died. Chase was sweet and supportive, which only strengthened my feelings for him. But then he'd act like I couldn't take care of myself, and that part didn't go over well with me. Yeah, I had a habit of screwing up. I'd always been the weird boy in our small town, but just like my big brother, he took overprotective to a new level. Until one night when I was eighteen and Chase and I hooked up. It was a ding to the ego that he left town right afterward. Ridiculously, I'm still not over him. CHASEI betrayed my best friend, Griffin, the night I messed around with Kellan. So I ran--first to the Marines, then into law enforcement. Ten years later, I'm back home, this time as a patrol officer rather than a troublemaker's son. Oh, and unable to keep my hands off Kellan Caine. There's always been something about him...the way he stands strong in who he is, even when he's standing alone. I'm trapped between someone I want more than anything and Griff, the guy who's like family to me. Yet the more time I spend with Kellan, the harder it becomes to deny there's something real between us. With my dad stirring up trouble, and me going behind my best friend's back, everything's a mess. The more tangled the web gets, the more I realize I need Kellan. And that there might be something in the Hawthorne family history that'll make me lose both Kellan and Griffin for good.

Where the World Ends


Kade Boehme - 2014
    While searching for a stolen vehicle, he gets lost and meets Colin Sharpe who’s a member of the local Native American tribe. The two are attracted to one another but after a run-in with some tribe teenagers that ends in bad blood between the sheriff’s department, Will and Colin’s father, the two can’t think of worse people to get involved with. When Colin's father and the tribal council wage a war against Will in the form of a lawsuit with some nasty allegations from a troubled teenager, Colin and Will must face the reality that they have no future. But after running into each other in a more neutral environment, they decide to throw caution to the wind and get each other out of their systems. What was supposed to be one night turns into an affair that neither sees having a happy outcome. Will's been hurt by falling for the wrong man before. Can he and Colin put aside the tribe's prejudices and make a stand for love?

The Silver Cage


Anonymous - 2018
    A young and naive journalist. A tragic past, a dark secret, and an unforgettable tale of passion and love. WARNING: The Silver Cage is intended for mature readers; it contains graphic sensuality and strong themes including suicide, sexual identity, and self-harm. --- Anonymous is a pseudonymous international bestseller. The Silver Cord, a companion novel to The Silver Cage, will be released in the first half of 2018.