Book picks similar to
In the Ring by Rie Warren
m-m
mm
romance
contemporary
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.
Down by Contact
Sloan Johnson - 2017
Will romance be sacked by the media, or can this star-crossed couple make it to passion’s endzone?My whole life, I’ve carried a secret that could destroy my dreams. Sure, I may have completed one of the greatest rookie campaigns the NAFL has ever seen, but the only way to keep myself and the team focused on winning was to stay firmly in the closet. And now, with the whole world eager to prove I was a one-season wonder, a TV crew follows me everywhere… and the cameraman is the guy whose heart I broke.At first, we thought it was a coincidence. But it didn’t take long for both of us to figure out that someone at the network was in on our history. And they expect drama.With a spot on the Breakers roster and my heart on the line, I’m about to face the most terrifying opponent I’ve ever played: love.Down by Contact is the first book in the Tackled By Love series, previously available under the pen name Sloan Johnson.
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.
Out in the Field
Kate McMurray - 2012
His dream comes true and then some; he finds himself playing alongside his idol, first baseman Matt Blanco, who is everything he dreamed of and more. Matt Blanco is entering the twilight of his career, plagued by injuries and two decades of lying about who and what he is, but he thinks he still has a few good years left in the major leagues. Then he meets Iggy and everything turns upside down. But carrying on an affair with a much younger man is one thing. Having an affair with his teammate introduces a whole new set of complications. When a trade and a career-ending injury threaten to keep them apart, both men have to figure out what they’re willing to risk for the love of baseball and each other.
The House on Hancock Hill
Indra Vaughn - 2014
He’d blame his past if he wasn’t trying so hard to avoid it.When his family’s farmhouse burns to the ground, he’s summoned to identify a body found in the ashes. Jason returns to Hancock, Michigan, and reunites with a childhood friend, small town vet Henry McCavanaugh. After fifteen years apart, their rekindled friendship soon develops into much more. But Jason’s baggage threatens their blossoming romance, and he leaves town unannounced to escape his feelings—and Henry’s feelings for him. He has learned the hard way if something seems too good to be true, it’s best to run for the hills. Jason stress-bakes more confections than he knows what to do with before wondering if he’s running in the wrong direction.
Grand Slam
J.T. Cheyanne - 2013
He survived growing up gay in rural Alabama due to his impressive skill on the baseball diamond. Now living in Rhode Island and playing for the AAA Pawtucket Red Sox, he’s only a few steps away from his goal.Brock Kinkaid, CPA, faced each day with a smile that hid his deepest desire. He wanted to be a father. Unfortunately, the gay men he knew were not into the daddy scene. Resigned to being childless, he lavished his attention on his niece and nephew. When Corey won tickets to see the local baseball team in action, they suckered him into taking them despite the fact he loathed the game. Who would have guessed one homerun ball would change everything?
Fired Up
Riley Hart - 2019
If it hadn’t been for that one teenage slipup where I kissed Beau Campbell, I’d be able to keep fooling myself. Football is the one thing I use to distract myself from the truth, and when I screw-up and lose the game I love, I find myself right back in Fever Falls. And right back face-to-face with Cranky Campbell, who hates me even more than he did when we were kids. Whatever magic he held over me then is still there. As much as I fight it, I still want him. And I always get what I want…well, except with Beau, who constantly calls me on my crap. Why do I like that so much? BEAU I might’ve spent years watching Ash live out my dream—without the off-field antics and orgies with women, at least—but I’ve made a good life for myself. I’m a firefighter, and I coach my brother’s football team for those with developmental disabilities. But when Ash swings back into town armed with his monster ego and an arsenal of stupid nicknames, everyone is in awe of him. Nope, not me. I don’t care if our kiss years ago was responsible for my sexual awakening. I won’t fall for Ashton Carmichael. Though that resolution would be a whole lot easier if he wasn’t so tempting. Once he finds his way into my bed, I’m screwed—in more ways than one. But there’s more to Ash than meets the eye, buried beneath his ego, sarcasm and how we burn up the sheets together. Soon, it’s more than a game. We don’t just get each other fired up, we just might win each other’s hearts. Too bad things are never that simple…
Stalker
R.D. Hero - 2013
He's always one step behind his white knight, with camera in hand, and no one's ever gotten in his way until Eric's best friend, Pacer Daringer, cast a shadow over Abel's happily ever after. Now Pacer has the little stalker in his sights, and he's determined to teach Abel a lesson. What he didn't count on was that Abel might like it.
Fire Horse
Mickie B. Ashling - 2013
Adolescent longing. Adult passion. Is their timing finally right?Preston Fawkes is ten the first time he meets Konrad Schnell, the fifteen-year-old rising star of the San Antonio Polo Club. Captivated, Pres vows to learn the game at the hands of his newly acquired friend and mentor, even though his rancher father disapproves. Konrad Schnell is also a rancher’s son, but his parents see their son’s full potential as a high goal polo player and do their best to give him every advantage. But Konrad has a secret that could jeopardize everything. He’s a gay man living in the heart of Texas and his parents—and everyone in his world—would disown him if he were to come out. Preston’s hero worship soon grows into something deeper, but the friends are separated when thirteen-year-old Preston goes off to boarding school in England. When they reconnect three years later, they finally get to explore their true feelings. As adolescent passion turns to adult realities, they face new consequences at every turn. When the stars seem about to align and they’re ready to begin their lives together, fate alters their plans. Will they remain star-crossed forever or will destiny bring them back together?
The Quarterback
Mackenzie Blair - 2017
Matt is also very much in the closet, and he thinks he’s kept his secret well hidden. Until his best friends take him to a happy endings massage parlor and request a male masseuse for him. In walks Trevor Kim, a gorgeous, pierced, tattooed fellow Bodine student who does massages—without happy endings—to pay for school after his family kicked him out for being gay. Trevor takes one look at Matt and breaks all his own rules about mixing business with pleasure.Matt needs to keep his scholarship, win the National Championship, and survive his asshole father. Instead, he falls in love. Trevor needs to accept that the football god is meant to end up with him rather than a perky cheerleader. It’s time for a happy ever after for both of them.
Simple Men
Eric Arvin - 2010
He goes out drinking with his colleagues, gets along well with his players, and dates all the prettiest women in town-he has the life most straight men dream of. But lately none of the women he dates seem to be igniting any passion in him. Then he meets the new school chaplain, Foster Lewis. Romantic attraction to another man is new and terrifying, and Chip just can't put his finger on why he's drawn to Foster, but it's stronger than anything he's felt for anyone in his life. Never one to back down from a challenge, Chip decides to go for it. But love is never simple, and sometimes it's a downright mess!
Crashing the Net
Samantha Wayland - 2014
He’s broke, bruised, and covered from head to toe in cheap lube, but he isn’t going to let that stop him. All he needs is a place to live and some time to figure out how to reconcile who he really is with who everyone wants him to be.Dumping three gallons of lube on the new kid is just another day at the office for Alexei. He knows exactly who he is: a goalie on the ice, a prankster in the locker room, and a man who knows better than to share his private life with anyone. He’s let people in before and it’s taught him that if he can’t have what he really wants, it’s better to be alone.Despite their apparent differences, an unlikely friendship grows. Neither of them could ever have guessed how much they really have in common.
Man to Man
G.A. Hauser - 2006
Breaking up after a six month relationship with Luis, his partner and co-worker, Josh decided to make a total change in his life. Yearning the sun and sand, Josh tested to become a Los Angeles County lifeguard.Tanner Cameron was a permanent lifeguard and had made a career out of life-saving and being a paramedic. Divorced for a year after a five year marriage that ended badly, Tanner was trying to be content with his job and stayed away from the advances of the women he worked with. It seemed to Tanner that all the young ladies he met wanted marriage and babies, two things he no longer felt as essential. But Tanner was alone, and not happy about it.When Josh is assigned to Tanner during his mentorship program, Josh instantly falls for the tall, handsome guard in the red swimsuit. The only problem is, Tanner is straight. Very straight. And constantly reminds Josh of that fact when Josh's flirting gets carried away.The attraction and admiration Josh feels for Tanner soon sweeps him away. In a job where distractions can be fatal, Josh and Tanner struggle to keep their focus on the job as the chaos of nearly sixty million visitors flood the California coastline.As Josh’s good looks and seduction tactics begin to find a way through Tanner’s barrier of fear and intimidation, Josh finally makes some headway with the straight stud. But soon Josh wonders if all his efforts are in vain. Tanner is straight and always will be, and any hope Josh has to change him seem insurmountable. Or are they?Can Tanner get over the terror of the label he fears the most and open up his heart to the right partner? Or will he be unable to rescue his heart from a charming lifeguard whose idea of bliss is working it out, man to man?
Note:
This is a previously published work. The title, author, and/or publisher may have changed.
Right as Raine
Lucy Lennox - 2021
And the absolute biggest mistake I could make right now would be to fall for Mikey Vining, my best friend, employee and, more importantly, Coach’s baby boy. I might fantasize about Mikey at night-—every night—but actually touching him would be a serious personal foul. And falling for him? That’s completely out of bounds.Mikey:I’ve learned my lesson about falling for one of my dad’s players. They’re a bunch of spoiled jocks with more muscles than brains. I’ve spent years learning to keep my eyes, and my hands, to myself. But resisting the temptation becomes nearly impossible when Tiller Raine and I end up together in a small cabin in a remote Colorado town. Suddenly, there’s not much to do but look at each other. And talk. And hopefully, hopefully touch.But what happens when our stay in Aster Valley is over and it’s time to return to the real world? Will Coach blow the whistle on our relationship? Or will Tiller admit there might actually be something he loves more than football after all?
Lucky
Garrett Leigh - 2018
There are no trophies for being gay in his game. Locked into his rep as the meanest defender on the pitch, keeping his secret is soul-crushing, but love has no place in his sport, even if his soft heart craves it. Lucky Coleman is on his knees when he meets a man with more money than sense. It’s a Grindr hook-up for cash, not a love match, but dreaming of his desperate, kind eyes earns a place amongst his numerous bad habits. Meeting once was risky, twice pushes Dom’s courage to the limit. Losing Lucky seems inevitable, but his tight grip on his image counts for nothing when Lucky starts to fall. Catching him could cost Dom everything, but if he can set his heart free, getting Lucky long term might be a risk worth taking.