Book picks similar to
Gilded Ambition by Jason Collins
m-m
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romance
lgbt
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
Try It
Felix Brooks - 2017
Which has made his existence in small town America more than a little awkward, to say the least, and has led to him being a little bit shy and very inexperienced when it comes to dating. Which means that, even though he’s had a thing for his best friend Johnny for, well, just about as long as he’s known him, he would never consider doing anything about it. At least not until Johnny makes an ignorant comment and asks Ken if he’d ever considered just not being gay. When Ken, angered by that, snaps back that maybe Johnny should try gay sex if he thinks that’s all there is to it, he never expects Johnny to take him up on it. Nor does he expect that his friend will love it and want to do it again. But once feelings start to grow, will Johnny be able to deal with the fact that he’s obviously not straight, or will he let the world pull them apart? Try It is a gay romance between a jock and an artist who turn from friends to lovers. It features explicit scenes.
What Lies Between Us
Felice Stevens - 2016
His days are filled with wedding preparations, yet he still finds time to make plans and decisions without consulting Sam and his mother, firmly believing he knows best.Sam is ready to settle in for the perfect life with Zach but years of bad habits have come back to haunt him. Struggling to accept himself and his future, he chooses not to share his fears, unwilling to look weak in Zach’s eyes.Real life gets in the way of the best intentions and when their secrets explode, the aftermath challenges the foundation of a relationship both believed unshakeable. Falling in love is the easy part, and Zach and Sam discover that only with honesty can they overcome what threatens to tear them apart.
A Taste of Honey
B.G. ThomasG.P. Keith - 2014
Bears are real men with real bodies—and that doesn’t always mean a perfect six-pack or an immaculately smooth chest. With bears, it can mean more man to love. The men in this anthology are chubs, cubs, grizzlies, pandas, polar bears, and more—all looking for a connection. And beneath their burly physiques are hearts of gold. Explore the bear scene and beyond with these big, hairy guys and the men who find them irresistibly sexy.
Welcome to Lobster Cove
Carol Lynne - 2015
There, he hopes to find work as a stonemason, heal his broken heart and give his brother a safe place to call home.Life was good in New York City for chef Dante Madia, until his business partner betrayed him. Determined to trust only himself, Dante risks everything on a new restaurant venture in a small fishing village built on acceptance.Neither man is looking for love, but in a town like Lobster Cove, secret dreams have the ability to become realities.
Time for Goodbyes
Jay Argent - 2019
A boy next door. The latter dates a girl, but will that change soon?
After Kevin meets Lucas, he can’t get him out of his mind. And as if life at Oak River High isn’t hard enough, Kevin has a girlfriend. In the web of mixed feelings and unjust expectations, one thing leads to another, and ultimately someone’s heart is broken.Time for Goodbyes is a sweet romance and the first novel in Jay Argent’s Oak River Boys series. It’s a story about the kind of love that isn’t always easy but is definitely worth fighting for.
The Emo and the Jock
N. Phillips - 2012
Evan is a lonely, abused emo who longs for a better life, while Cole is the popular quarterback of his high school's football team. Unbeknownst to Evan, Cole is gay and has had crush on him for years. However, Evan wants nothing more than to graduate and leave his current life behind him. Then, his teacher gives him a second chance in the form of a tutor, who just so happens to be Cole Morgan. Cole and Evan quickly grow close. Little do they know Charlie, Cole's jealous ex-boyfriend, is spending his time scheming to break up the happy couple. Stalking and watching Cole's every move, he wants nothing more than to have the jock as his again, whatever the price.
Tahoe Blue
Eden French - 2020
Will he find closure or will he give first love a second chance?Coming back to Tahoe was a mistake. At least, that’s what Carson Keaton thinks the minute he returns to his hometown. When he ran away seven years ago, he left everything behind, including Brand West, the only person he ever loved. Not that he had a choice. But now that the danger has passed, he returns home to reclaim Brand. The biggest question is, is it too late?Brand West is a paramedic with a broken heart. Just after high school graduation, the love of his life hopped a Greyhound to Hollywood, leaving without explanation. Now, seven years later, Brand is determined to forget about Carson by throwing himself into his career, his community, and—thanks to his best friend playing matchmaker—a hot new lover. But now Carson’s back in town, as irresistible as ever, leaving Brand with two choices: find closure and move on, or give first love a second chance.
Safe Word
Alice Shaw - 2018
Can you handle the beast? Face pics only. Omegas: call me daddy.” -Leo’s Grindr Profile
Hayden Williams looked at the picture of his parents on his dresser every single night. He never thought he’d fall in love. He never thought he’d wake up in Mr. Right’s arms. He wasn’t exactly looking out for him. But Hayden isn’t gay. He’s a bisexual omega, looking for the opposite of what’s “safe.” When he sends a few pictures to a mysterious alpha online, he realizes he’s found what he’s been looking for: someone dangerous. Now, he can no longer hold back his desires. Leo Kennedy used to be the idol of the leather scene. He used to be a player. Now, he’s somewhat of a legend. Leo is a seasoned alpha. He’s been searching for the perfect omega for years, but he’s beginning to think perfect doesn’t exist. So when Hayden tells him he’ll do anything, he better mean anything. The more the two build up tension, the closer they come to loving each other. When they finally meet in the dim-lit club, they get their release. But Leo’s last relationship broke him, and Hayden isn’t even out of the closet. Are they ready to move from a life of leather and lace into something comforting, safe, and potentially dangerous? Safe Word is a full-length first time gay romance novel with a dash of mpreg. It is 50,000 words. This book contains hot and sexy leather scenes, emotional moments full of mystery and desire, and a beautiful baby to keep you smiling for days. This mpreg book is meant for 18+ readers.
The British Devil
Greg Hogben - 2012
A secretary in a small-town Southern Baptist church in Texas, she bristles at Greg’s secular beliefs. Through passive-aggressive manipulation, subtle deceit, or outright battle, Vivien resolves to banish Greg and return Danny to the fold, come hell or high water. Greg’s hold on Danny’s heart is pitted against Vivien’s crusade for Danny’s soul.All the while, Greg devotes himself to keeping Danny happy while negotiating the cultural differences of his life in America. Danny’s new career as a lawyer takes them from his native Texas to New York. But with Vivien testing Greg’s stiff upper lip at every turn, something has to give.The British Devil is a semiautobiographical novel exploring culture, religion, and love in a bi-national relationship.
Wow!
Sean Kennedy - 2018
Seven couples. Seven stories. One night. A night for love. Mark is a respectable banker during business hours, but on a Saturday night he becomes the fabulous Allotta Moxie, drag queen extraordinaire. Allotta is everything Mark is not—confident, bold, sassy, and well-loved. He wishes he had a quarter of her self-assurance, especially when it comes to Joel, the new hire at work. Most men run a mile when they discover Allotta hiding in his closet. She's a lot to take on. So what will be Joel’s reaction when he meets Allotta for the first time? And more importantly, will Allotta like Joel?
Chartreuse
T.E. Ridener - 2014
Sheltered by his domineering, cynical mother, he never gained much of a social status and he’s never known true affection. At the age of 19, he finally moves out to start his own life and he has no idea where he’s going from here. Rowan Kelly moved to the tiny town of Chartreuse, Alabama in hopes of starting anew. After a messy breakup that lingers over his head, and his heart, he believes he’s finally found the perfect place to open his clinic and do what he loves best; helping animals. Despite how picture perfect the quaint little town seems, the 26 year old feels like something is missing….. Two lonesome hearts will have a chance encounter in a town that doesn’t seem to be ready for the acceptance of love equality, but will it stop them from being together?
If Wishes Were Horses
Silvia Violet - 2014
Now he’s got another chance to capture his target, but the gorgeous rancher he’s investigating makes him long for things he can’t have.Ken gave up his society life to run a ranch, and he’ll do anything to protect what’s his. When he starts to suspect his new employee is hiding something, he knows he should send the man away. But Andy is as gorgeous as he is infuriating, and he‘s pulling Ken to him like a magnet. Both men long for control, yet neither knows how to surrender.A clash of wills is inevitable, but neither man expects the tenderness that grows every time they touch. With secrets between them and outside forces threatening the ranch, each man will need to decide how far he’s willing to go to protect the other.
Maple Springs: The Complete Series
Spencer Spears - 2019
The series follows a group of friends in the lake-side small town of Maple Springs as they uncover secrets, reconnect with old flames, and find love in the most unexpected of places…Billion Dollar BetKian: He’s a self-made billionaire. He wants to destroy my town. And he’s straight up told me he’s bad at relationships. There’s no reason for this to work, and every reason for it not to. So why can’t I stop falling for him?Beneath OrionColin: I don’t date. Period. And I definitely don’t date single dads. Or straight guys. Or men who give me butterflies and make me feel things. I’m supposed to be protecting my heart. But it’s so hard to remember that when I’m in his arms.Sugar SeasonGraham: What do you do when your random hook-up turns out to be your dead husband’s estranged brother? You feel guilty as sin. You swear it’ll never happen again. And you definitely don’t wake up with him in your bed… over and over again.Strawberry MoonJosh: How the hell do you survive a summer stuck in a tiny cabin with a guy who hates your guts? A guy who just happens to be your deliciously hot, but total mistake of a one-night-stand from a week ago. And more importantly--how do you keep yourself from repeating that delicious mistake all summer long?
Slow Summer Heat
Renae Kaye - 2018
However, what they don’t know is that Geoffrey sometimes watches his hot young neighbor, Vaughn, in the pool. Vaughn has invited Geoffrey to join his pool parties, but Geoffrey knows it’s only pity.As if things can’t get worse, Geoffrey’s air conditioner breaks during a heat wave in Western Australia—and just before Christmas. In search of some relief, he camps out in his backyard, where he also has a prime view of Vaughn swimming… naked. When Geoffrey’s injured falling from his spying post, Vaughn comes to his rescue and Geoffrey doesn’t think he can be more horrified.But he could be in for a sweet holiday surprise. Is he ready to take the dive?