Book picks similar to
The Rivalry by Van Cole


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sports-romance

Quarterback Sneak


Baylin Crow - 2019
    RUSH: I’m in love with my best friend. There wasn’t an exact moment when I fell for him. It was something that grew and evolved over time. He loves me back, but it’ll never be more than platonic. It can’t be because he’s straight. Then one night he kissed me and left me with more questions than answers. The very next morning my trust was shattered by a family secret. I’d been lied to my whole life. He was by my side through it all, offering support when I needed it most. How can I risk losing a friendship that held me together when I was falling apart? TORIN: He friend-zoned me. Four years ago, I gathered enough courage to kiss my best friend. What I’d hoped would be a pivotal moment that would start a new kind of relationship between us was over before it began. His world was upended, so I put my feelings aside and stepped back into my role as a friend he could count on. He wasn’t ready then, but now it’s time to find out if he’s willing to take a chance on us being something more. We’ve been friends, roommates and teammates, but I want him, body and heart. Quarterback Sneak is a low angst, high steam novella about childhood friends, trust and football.

Playing for Keeps


Avery Cockburn - 2015
    Reeling from a brutal breakup, he’s determined to captain his LGBT soccer team out of scandal and into a winning season. For that, he needs strict rules and careful plans. He does NOT need a brash, muscle-bound lad messing with his head and setting his body afire.John Burns has a rule of his own: Don’t get attached. Boyfriends are for guys with nothing to hide. Nobody—not his university mates, not the men he beds—knows his family’s shame. Now his double life is starting to unravel, thanks to a certain Highlander whose storm-riddled eyes turn John inside out, who wears a kilt like he was born in it.Fergus is the first man John wants to share his secret with—but he’s the last man who could handle it. John knows the truth would shatter Fergus’s still-fragile heart. But how can he live a lie when he’s falling in love?

Given the Circumstances


Brad Vance - 2013
    Both men are hungry for connection – Brian needs the acceptance, encouragement and support he never had growing up, and when he finds out his new best friend is gay, it brings his own identity into question. Roger needs a big brother, a best friend, but that will never be enough, especially not when he’s this close to big, strong, handsome Brian. And both men want something more – careers as professional athletes. For Roger, the demands of the closet, the need to reject the love of a man to fulfill his love of the game, will be a crushing burden. For Brian, his downfall will be the substances he uses to get an edge over the competition, and to suppress his gnawing self-doubt and guilt.One set of desires will bring them together, the other will force them apart…

Half as Much


E.M. Denning - 2018
    He works hard for one of the toughest teachers on campus and he likes to unwind the same way any other twenty-something does; with sex. When his friends with benefits arrangement ends badly, Rider finds himself at the school health clinic where he meets campus nurse, Eli James. Rider thinks this will be a simple hook-up, but he doesn’t count on the connection that forms between them. He sees this as his golden opportunity to tell Eli his secret desires, after all, what has he got to lose? Eli James was enamored with Rider from the moment he saw him. His round eyes, and pouty, innocent mouth hid a man who wanted sinfully delicious things. The idea of sharing Rider appeals to Eli, but only on his terms. As they navigate a relationship based on emotional exclusivity and sexual variety, they end up falling deeper and deeper in love. When an event neither see coming rocks their world, Rider knows he needs to do something drastic to rectify the situation or risk losing Eli to the crushing weight of guilt. Please visit the author's website for a list of content warnings

The Goalie's Secret


Riley Knight - 2016
    He’s always found the starting goalie Dante to be incredibly attractive, had a bit of a hero worship thing for him, and in person, he’s just as devastatingly handsome as ever. Immediately, Cody finds himself wanting things that he thinks he can’t have. Dante, too, is immediately drawn to the beautiful young man, but Cody has been taught from a young age that he can’t be who he is, not if he wants to succeed in hockey. And Dante, too, is too cautious to be open about his own attraction to other men. Maybe friendship is all that the two can expect to have. Still, they’re drawn together irresistibly, and while the hockey world starts to speculate about whether or not they’re competing for the starting goalie position, they’re actually just busy trying to hide what they are both coming to feel for each other … The Goalie’s Secret is a gay hockey romance featuring explicit scenes. There is guaranteed no cheating, no cliffhangers, and an HEA ending. Enjoy!

Savage Rivals


Becca Steele - 2021
    From our first encounter, our rivalry has been escalating, spiralling out of control.Until one night when everything between us changed.He pushed me too far, and we crossed a line that should never have been crossed.Now, I can’t get him out of my head.Can we ever be more than rivals, or are there too many obstacles in our way?One thing I know for sure.Things between us will never be the same again.Savage Rivals is a standalone M/M new adult high school romance with enemies to lovers and gay awakening themes. This book contains mature situations and content.I *Originally included in the Brutal Boys on Devils Night collection. This edition of Savage Rivals has been expanded with additional content.

Illegal Contact


Santino Hassell - 2017
    Gavin already has a reputation as a jerk with a temper on and off the field—which doesn’t help him once he finds himself on the wrong side of the law. And while he’s been successful professionally, he’s never been lucky when it comes to love.Noah Monroe is a recent college grad looking for a job—any job—to pay off his mounting student debt. Working as Gavin’s personal assistant/babysitter seems like easy money. But Noah isn’t prepared for the electrifying tension between him and the football player. He’s not sure if he’d rather argue with Gavin or tackle him to the floor. But both men know the score, and neither is sure what will happen once Gavin's timeout is over…

One More


Daisy May - 2017
    Can our relationship handle one more?" Reuben has a law degree, dammit. He shouldn't be slinging coffee for annoying customers. Determined to find a better job, he contacts an attorney on a networking website. As soon as he and Jasper meet, Reuben develops a crush on the distinguished older man - but he's also well aware of the ring on Jasper's finger. Online, Jasper was intrigued by the newly-minted lawyer's innocent face. In person, he's entranced by Reuben's passion and idealism. Yes, Jasper's been happily married for fifteen years... but he and his husband also have an "arrangement," and he knows Charlie's weakness for sweet young twinks. When Jasper suggests the three of them get together, Reuben nervously agrees. A threesome with two mature men will be the wildest thing he's ever done. Jasper's just so irresistible, and Reuben is sure Jasper's husband is just as good-looking. He doesn't realize Charlie is his least favorite regular from the coffee shop. Will Jasper and Charlie be able to spend a hot night with Reuben? And if they do, could three-way passion become a love to last a lifetime? (One More is a 225-page M/M/M menage romance, with a HEA and no cliffhanger.)

Chasing Chance


M.E. Parker - 2019
    They become so ingrained in your memory that you can’t let them go, no matter how hard you try. Some may seem small and insignificant when they happen. Others are so big and important that you know, even while you’re in the moment, that your life will be forever changed. For me, almost all those moments—both the small and insignificant as well as the big and important—were moments I shared with Chance Wyrick. If I were in a support group for hopelessly pathetic gays, I’d have to introduce myself by saying, “Hi, I’m Andy Michaelson and I can’t stop myself from thinking about Chance Wyrick.” From the time we met, when we were only six years old, and for the next twelve years, he was my best friend. I fell in love with him along the way. I couldn’t say exactly when it happened, only that it happened. Words of advice: Never fall in love with your best friend, especially if he’s one of the most popular kids at school, the best high school quarterback in the state, or if he happens to be your next-door neighbor. But most of all… Never, I repeat never, fall in love with your best friend if he’s straight. Nothing good can come of it. Trust me. Our friendship was over before we finished our last year of high school. My best friend became my ex-best friend. I hoped to forget about him when I went off to college. But Chance followed me there. So did all the memories. I tried to forget him. I did. But he was more beautiful than ever. He was the starting quarterback for Gilcrest University. He was larger than life. He was impossible to ignore. We hadn’t spoken in years, but the memories still hit me out of nowhere, and they still hurt. By the time I started my third year at Gilcrest, I was beginning to think I’d never be over him. As it turns out, I was right… Chasing Chance is the first book in the Gilcrest University Guys series. It’s a full-length, “friends to lovers” romance novel. It has “coming out” and “first-time gay” themes, is stocked full of STEAM, heartache, and laughter, and it has a guaranteed happy ending. The series will follow the love stories of four college friends. Chasing Chance is the first of two books that will tell Andy and Chance’s love story. Look for book two, Catching Chance, to come out next month!

Luca


L.A. Witt - 2021
    With nothing to distract me from this loneliness, it’s going to be a miserable summer.Then I hire Luca for one night.At least, it was supposed to be one night.LucaEthan isn’t like my other clients (not that I have many these days). He’s nice. He’s genuine. He doesn’t treat me like I’m here to earn my pay.When he asks me to make this a regular thing for the summer, my wallet doesn’t leave me much choice.But I’m pretty sure my heart isn’t supposed to get involved.Gentlemen of the Emerald CityLuca is Book 1 of Gentlemen of the Emerald City, a sexy series centered around the high class, high-dollar Gentlemen of Seattle’s most exclusive escort service. Each book is full of snark, sass, and sweetness, and like any Emerald City client, you’re guaranteed a happy ending.

Catching Kalen


Maya Nicole - 2021
    It was supposed to be a random hookup but when I walked into my summer school course there he was, standing at the front of the room.My professor.Will Monroe catch me, or will he strike out?Catching Kalen is a contemporary standalone full-length gay romance. Contains adult situations and language. There are brief scenes and references to parental/spousal physical and emotional abuse.

He Shoots, He Scores


Tricia Owens - 2020
    With his confidence shot, his career begins to fall apart and an early retirement seems inevitable. Unwanted by his former team, Neil is traded to one that's starting over. Even worse, he's joined there by his biggest rival, the sexy Swede Adrian Magnusson. Adrian feels responsible for Neil's fall from grace and is determined to revive his career, but Neil wants to stay far away from this Swedish temptation, or else he'll lose the last thing of value he owns: his reputation.

Bathhouse Confessions 2: M/M Gay Erotica Bundle


Nathan Bay - 2019
    Leave your hang-ups and inhibitions at the door because this is a place where anything goes.This sizzling boxed set includes three delicious tales set in California during the summer of 1955:“Fog City Temptation” (San Francisco)A mysterious soldier explores his forbidden passions with an adventurous young man.“Hollywood Heartthrob” (Los Angeles)A mild-mannered fella gets swept up in a whirlwind secret love affair with the hottest hunk in Tinseltown.“Deep Release” (Sacramento)A bearish British doctor with magic fingers unlocks the desires of an insatiable high school graduate.Each pulse-pounding tale of gay romance is just the right length for an exciting bedtime story. Grab a towel and join us in the steam room...

Breakaway


Avon Gale - 2015
    He's put his foot in his mouth a few times and alienated his teammates. Then, during a rivalry game, Lane throws off his gloves against Jared Shore, enforcer for the Savannah Renegades. It’s a strange way to begin a relationship. Jared’s been playing minor league hockey for most of his career. He’s bisexual and doesn’t care if anyone knows. But he’s determined to avoid another love affair after the last one left him devastated. Out of nowhere a one-nighter with rookie Lane Courtnall gives him second thoughts. Lane reminds Jared why he loves the game and why love might be worth the risk. In turn, Jared hopes to show Lane how to be comfortable with himself on and off the ice. But they’re at different points in their careers, and both men will have to decide what they value most.

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?