Books like 'The Friendship Equation'
Readers who enjoyed The Friendship Equation by J.R. Gray also liked the following books featuring the same tropes, story themes, relationship dynamics and character types.
contemporary gay romance funny friends to lovers new adult queer-awakening sports secret-relationship queer class difference
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Loving the Legend by Kit Grey
Since Pro basketball player Ty “Pretty Boy” Washington picked up a basketball, he’s only ever wanted one to make it to the pro league and win championships. As the number one pick in the draft, he defies the odds in his rookie year by beating the record of one of the greatest players in the league, Sid “The Wonder Kid” King... -
Iced Out by C.E. Ricci
All's fair in hate and hockey.My path to success never included an enemy as a teammate, especially one as infuriating as Quinton de Haas.Clawing under my skin is his favorite pastime, only feeding the animosity between us as the years pass.We’re as completely opposite as two people can be; the golden boy and the black sheep.Constantly at odds or at each other’s throats... -
Hear Me Out by Lila Rose
Fear keeps the truth away from his brothers. Fear and pain keeps him away from the man he loves. Hawks MC member Maddox “Beast” Lawson had a difficult time growing up. Tired of being ridiculed because of his effed-up brain-to-mouth connection, it was easier to say nothing at all... -
Face Offs & Cheap Shots by Eden Finley, Saxon James
JACOBS For the last three years, I’ve lived and breathed hockey with one goal: team captain.There’s only one thing standing in my way. TJ Beckett.Beck is irresponsible and immature, and I’ve hated him since the moment we met freshman year.Yet, the coaches see something in him I obviously can’t, and they refuse to choose between us...Categorized as:
sports new adult athletes bisexual secret-relationship anal sex first-person-pov alpha male -
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The Revenge Agenda by Saxon James
Rush: When I show up to surprise my boyfriend in a barely-there festive outfit, I’m expecting him to be alone. Not hosting family. His fiancé’s family. Down one boyfriend and up a lot of embarrassment, I flee with my tail between my legs. The broken heart will fade. My humiliation, not so much, but my saving grace is the fact that I never have to see either of them ever, ever again... -
Let's Do This by Loren Leigh
ShawEver since we met two years ago, Eden Burkehammer has made everything better.The big defenseman sets me at ease. He’s a beast on the ice—brutal and physical—but when it’s the two of us, he turns to me with these unexpectedly soft brown eyes. This gravelly laugh that makes my whole body smile... -
Presidential Chaos by Saxon James
Two houses. Two Presidents. One hell of a happy ending. Zeke Being President of a frat house means everything is on my shoulders.Idiot brothers, epic pranks, a list of organizational duties long enough to make my eyes bleed.None of it fazes me.But senior year is almost over, and I’m ready to take a step back.Until the hazing rumors start...Categorized as:
sports new adult friends to lovers athletes secret-relationship queer anal sex sweet-hero -
Bromantic Puckboy by Eden Finley, Saxon James
BilsonThe idea of moving away from Seattle was a joke at first.I have too many failed relationships here. Too much baggage.So when I find myself signing with Nashville and leaving everything behind, I’m hopeful a new start will cure me of my attachment problems.I fall fast and hard, and I’m quickly realizing it’s not so easy to escape my emotional damage. That follows no matter where I go...Categorized as:
sports friends to lovers queer queer-awakening secret-relationship athletes bisexual new adult -
Seth by Carly Marie
Be yourself because everyone else is taken. But what if that risks everything you know? Seth Johnson has worked his entire career to be remembered more for his skill than as an openly gay NHL player. Finding a boyfriend has been pushed to the back burner. As for exposing his softer side, the side that loves lace and lingerie? It’s not happening... -
Thick as Thieves by Lucy Lennox
Julian:I've been in love with my best friend since forever. Okay, fine. Like, kindgergarten. It started out platonic, obviously, but then became... nope. Still platonic. The problem is that Parker Ellis has been straight since forever. And that makes it difficult to convince him the two of us are meant to be together.And now there's no point. All is lost... -
Stick Shift by K.M. Neuhold
Is it possible my straight best friend had a sudden stick shift?I made peace with my hopeless crush on my straight best friend, Journey, years ago. It helps that he’s never in the country long and our relationship consists of sporadic texts and video chats at odd hours.Now Journey is back. Back in the country, in my space, sharing my bed, and something is changing between us... -
Loving Jay by Renae Kaye
Rated: 4.23 of 5 stars · 22 ratingsOne thing Liam Turner knows for sure is that he's not gay—after all, his father makes it very clear he’ll allow no son of his to be gay. And Liam believes it, until a chance meeting with James “Jay” Bell turns Liam’s world upside-down. Jay is vivacious and unabashedly gay—from the tips of his bleached hair to the ends of his polished nails...Categorized as:
friends to lovers bisexual queer queer-awakening humor contemporary m-m disabilities and marks -
Drama! by A.J. Truman
My arch nemesis is my new fake boyfriend. Can you say drama? I should be a glitter bomb of excitement about my college friends getting married. But all I can think about is running into my uber-successful ex and his new boyfriend at the wedding…while I’m flying painfully solo. I need a plus one, stat. Enter Raleigh Marshall...Categorized as:
athletes sports friends to lovers bisexual queer first-person-pov new adult from hate to love -
Boyfriend Goals by Riley Hart
MiloUnusual. Quirky. Different. I’ve heard it all. I’ve accepted I’m not for everyone. Maybe not anyone.When I find out I inherited a bookstore and apartment on a small East Coast island, I jump at the chance for a new life.Turns out, I’ve also inherited a sexy, tattooed guy who not only rents the space next to my store for his tattoo parlor but my apartment too...Categorized as:
friends to lovers new adult first-person-pov virgin hero queer anal sex m-m contemporary -
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Pisces Hooks Taurus by Anyta Sunday
It’s a time for searching, and a time for finding, Pisces: keep casting your line and you will hook what you’re looking for.Zane has it all planned out: land the perfect Meet Cute, fall in love, and live happily ever after. Should be simple enough if he put his mind to it. A little creativity and some thinking outside of the box, and voila, he’d be married to the woman of his dreams... -
The Amazing Alpha Tau Self-Improvement Project by Lisa Henry, Sarah Honey
Dalton Beauregard has a plan, and it involves acing all his exams, making the Dean's List every year he's at Lassiter College, and going to med school and becoming a doctor.Marty O'Brien has a plan too. His is to improve his life by emulating those around him. He's going to need a study plan, a tutor, and... a boyfriend?Dalton can't believe he's even considering this. It's utterly ridiculous... -
Musical Mayhem by Alley Ciz
Rated: 4.50 of 5 stars · 6 ratingsHelp Wanted: Producer for the latest album from multi-platinum selling band Birds of Prey.Enter Sammy Rhodes.Famed DJ The Spin Doctor.Musical genius.Fits with the band like he's our sixth member.We hired him on the spot.So what's the problem?He's also all broad shoulders and dazzling smile, and has this flop of hair I constantly yearn to brush away from his handsome face... -
Aaron's Awakening by K.C. Wells, Meredith Russell
Rated: 4.50 of 5 stars · 6 ratingsAaron isn’t looking for love, but it finds him – and it has a few surprises in store…A laidback man who goes with the flowAaron is happy for his friends who’ve found love, but he’s starting to feel as if he’s an endangered species – a single guy. Not that he’s looking for anyone...Categorized as:
friends to lovers bisexual queer queer-awakening m-m humor contemporary length-medium -
Against the Grain: Auckland Med #4 by Jay Hogan
Rated: 4.38 of 5 stars · 8 ratingsI don’t like labels and I’m happy that way, but it’s taken a long time to get here. A jerk of a father, too many bullies to name, and a string of dipshit boyfriends whose interest in me rarely made it past the skirts I sometimes wear. Suffice to say, my faith in men runs a little thin.The last thing I need is a gruff, opinionated, fiery, closeted, Paralympian jock messing with my hard-won peace... -
Pretty Toxic by J.R. Gray
Saint VincentI might be the best-selling solo artist in the world, but my personal life is a disaster. For every number one album, there's a sea of my worsts, all documented in photos.Bad break-ups. Destroyed hotel rooms. Fights. Drugs. And just as many rumors.Every headline reaffirms the walls I’ve built around myself. Fame destroys everything it touches and I can’t let anyone close...Categorized as:
friends to lovers new adult bisexual queer queer-awakening secret-relationship anal sex sweet-hero -
About Last Night by Aimee Nicole Walker
Rated: 4.22 of 5 stars · 13 ratingsThe bicurious cop and his sharp-dressed man… Detective Christopher “Topher” Carnegie is unlucky in love. He either tries too hard, doesn’t try hard enough, or hasn’t found the right person yet. But recently, he’s started seeing Julian Fine, his sister’s best friend, in a new light. If there’s one thing a fabulous tailor knows, it’s how to take a person’s measure...Categorized as:
friends to lovers bisexual queer queer-awakening m-m contemporary humor men in uniform -
Pretty Obsessed by J.R. Gray
Emory KerWho makes out with a random guy at a club while someone else is giving him head? Not me—that's who. I'd never even hooked up with a stranger. Welp, now I had. If you could call what I'd done hooking up. But it was so much more intimate than a hook-up. I'd tasted his lips as someone else made him come. He'd gasped into my mouth...Categorized as:
new adult anal sex possessive hero queer sweet-hero queer-awakening bisexual secret-relationship -
Walk With Me by Cardeno C.
Rated: 4.20 of 5 stars · 13 ratingsA Book in the Home Series When Eli Block steps into his parents' living room and sees his childhood crush sitting on the couch, he starts a shameless campaign to seduce the young rabbi. Unfortunately, Seth Cohen barely remembers Eli and he resolutely shuts down all his advances...Categorized as:
friends to lovers queer queer-awakening contemporary m-m humor age difference length-short -
Foxed by Jay Hogan
Rated: 4.17 of 5 stars · 16 ratingsFOXED: To be thrown into a state of uncertainty—flustered, bamboozled, bewildered, puzzled, vexed.AKA, me. Jed Marshall. 55-year-old successful classic car mechanic; divorced, mostly closeted, and whose wholly inexperienced bisexuality has suddenly awakened after one smouldering look and said, ‘Damn, who’s the hottie?’ Or words to that effect.Cue, Nash Collingwood...Categorized as:
friends to lovers secret-relationship bisexual queer queer-awakening m-m contemporary humor -
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Rules of Our Own by Jessa Wilder
Somehow, I’ve landed myself a do-over and this time we aren’t screwing it up. This time, I don’t want her all to myself. This time we're going to share. The second the Boston Bruins star forward steps out of the villa bathroom, looking like a god in nothing but a low slung towel…I should turn around and beg for a different room...Categorized as:
sports friends to lovers new adult bisexual anal sex alpha male possessive hero super rich hero -
Headstrong by Eden Finley
A straight guy gives gay hookup tips to a virgin. What could go wrong? When I first met Whit, I couldn’t get away from him fast enough. He’s a hockey player, and I hate everything to do with the sport that once broke my heart.But I can’t help feeling sorry for the guy. He’s newly out and desperate to meet someone, but his eagerness seems to scare potential hook-ups away...Categorized as:
sports friends to lovers new adult athletes bisexual anal sex virgin hero first-person-pov -
Horribly Harry by Lisa Henry, Sarah Honey
Rated: 4.40 of 5 stars · 5 ratingsBad Boyfriend, Inc—when you can’t find a good boyfriend, why not hire a bad one instead?To supplement his income while he’s completing his Early Education degree, Harry Townsend hires himself out as a terrible date—for a set fee, he’ll horrify parents and family members in all sorts of interesting ways. But when it comes to actual relationships—and sex—Harry doesn’t get the appeal... -
Project Hero by Briar Prescott
What if you accidentally fell in love with the right guy?Andy:If my life was a movie, I would be the sidekick. Not an especially promising start when my plan is to finally let my best friend know I have a crush on him. No worries, though. I have a plan. I just need a complete makeover...Categorized as:
friends to lovers new adult sports athletes anal sex first-person-pov virgin hero queer -
Waking Up Filthy by R. Cayden
Rated: 4.33 of 5 stars · 6 ratingsWhy in the hell is there a naked, tattooed man in my bed?I’m a closeted tennis pro, and I’m certainly not accustomed to waking up with strange men.Never mind that Gabriel is a notoriously flirty rock star and, according to the marriage certificate we find in our Vegas hotel room, my new husband.Last night is a drunken blur, but there’s no doubt in my mind what needs to happen this morning... -
Bear's Best Friend by Raleigh Ruebins
Rated: 4.33 of 5 stars · 6 ratingsHe’s a ray of sunshine. I’m a loner lumberjack. We don’t make sense……But my straight best friend keeps ending up in my bed.Sawyer Hendricks is the best friend I’ve ever had—the Goose to my Moose, and the shoulder I’ve cried on even though I’m not the crying type. The difference between us? Sawyer brightens any room in an instant, and I’m the gruff guy wearing flannel who’d rather be alone... -
The Jock Script by Lane Hayes
Rated: 4.25 of 5 stars · 8 ratingsThe nerd, the coach, and the hookup…Asher-Swipe left, swipe left, swipe left. Sure, the idea of a quick, no-strings intimate rendezvous via hookup app sounds oddly thrilling, but it’s simply not me. Or maybe it is me, because it happened…and I liked it. Until I realized he looked familiar for a reason. A bad reason...Categorized as:
sports athletes bisexual friends to lovers secret-relationship queer queer-awakening humor -
Rules, Schmules! by Becca Seymour
The first Zone Defense series spin-off with a rule-following basketball player and an unimpressed twink who thinks rules are made to be obliterated.It’s not my milkshake that brings Kieran Kendall to my yard. Okay, maybe it’s a little bit my milkshake. But I also like to think it’s my dazzling personality and my magical… uhm… you get the idea...Categorized as:
sports new adult athletes virgin hero first-person-pov queer anal sex friends to lovers -
Right as Raine by Lucy Lennox
Rated: 4.08 of 5 stars · 32 ratingsTiller:As the first openly gay professional football player, I can’t afford to make any mistakes, on or off the field. 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...Categorized as:
friends to lovers sports athletes class difference secret-relationship queer contemporary humor -
Dad Next Door by Willow Dixon
Moving into my first house is step one in starting my new life. Next is setting up my contracting business. I’m so focused on my future that a relationship is the last thing on my mind. Then I meet Tristan, the single dad next door. He might be my total opposite, but we click in a way I’ve never experienced, and he quickly becomes one of my closest friends...Categorized as:
friends to lovers queer queer-awakening new adult bisexual first-person-pov sweet-hero anal sex -
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Beautifully Devoted by Michele Lenard
Forgetting to knock changed everything.CamWhen I was ten, I made a promise. One that I’m still honoring a decade later, even though it means hiding a part of myself from the most important person in my life.My best friend, Jagger. And truthfully, burying that part of me is a small price to pay if it means nothing comes between us...Categorized as:
friends to lovers queer-awakening new adult queer anal sex first-person-pov bisexual athletes -
Power Play by Avon Gale
A Scoring Chances Novel A freak accident during the Stanley Cup Playoffs put an end to Max Ashford’s hockey career. Despite everything, Max gets back into the game he loves—only this time behind the bench, as an assistant coach of the Spartanburg Spitfires, the worst team in the entire league... -
Change My Ticket by Zarah Detand
Rated: 4.15 of 5 stars · 11 ratingsHollywood heartthrob meets med school dropout in this contemporary British MM romance.When your key credential is looking good in spandex, your first serious role matters. Too bad that Gabe Duke can’t seem to get a proper handle on the molecular biologist he’s meant to portray... -
My Straight Husband by Spencer Spears
Rated: 4.14 of 5 stars · 10 ratingsA marriage of convenience is one thing. But married to a straight guy? That’s a whole different story…Brooklyn: I’ve got a dissertation to finish and tenure to secure. The last thing I’m looking for is romance. But with my advisor’s charity on the brink of losing funding, I’ve got one shot at saving it...Categorized as:
friends to lovers queer queer-awakening m-m contemporary age difference humor length-medium -
Learning Curve by N.R. Walker
Cobey GreenThere I was, moving into the dorms at Franklin U, and not into the shared party house I’d lived in my freshman year. Last year had been all about football and parties, not schoolwork. Which was why my grades tanked, and why I was one failed class away from being kicked off the team.Why I needed to live on campus, and find myself a tutor... -
Flash by K.M. Neuhold
Rated: 4.08 of 5 stars · 16 ratingsLewis tattoos himself on my brain instantly. Too bad this whole situation is about to get messier than spilled ink. LewisClingy, needy, Too MuchJust a few choice words from men who never deserved me anyway.I'm not going to make the same mistakes again though. I plan to ride the motorcycle hottie of my dreams just until we both get bored...Categorized as:
queer new adult anal sex possessive hero first-person-pov m-m contemporary from hate to love -
Grinder by Marie James
Rated: 4.11 of 5 stars · 11 ratingsAn MM Contemporary RomanceSenior year, two hockey championships under his skates, and parents who didn’t freak out when he swung the proverbial closet door open and stepped out... Damon Grant’s life couldn’t get any better. At least that’s what he thought. When Jonah Kingston showed up at the barn as the new hockey coach, Damon couldn’t believe his luck...Categorized as:
athletes sports new adult queer queer-awakening m-m age difference from hate to love -
King Consort by J.R. Gray
Avoiding sleeping with women was my specialty, an art form even. As the future King of England I couldn’t be caught sleeping with men. My whole life played out in front of the paparazzi, and they didn’t miss a thing. I had a carefully crafted womanizing persona to maintain... -
Side Character: A Masters of Romance Prequel by Emma Alcott
Rated: 4.17 of 5 stars · 6 ratingsSawyer Jonathan Aston has an extremely suckable… ahem. We’re talking eight inches of girthy perfection. Two-thirds of a foot of succulent man-meat. A true cornucopia of carnal delights. And tonight, that ahem is going to make my mouth feel like a Tokyo subway car at rush hour. We’re talking crowded. Crammed. Absolutely stuffed... -
No Take Backs by Becca Seymour
Some things you can’t take back. If you say those words, get caught glancing at his bulge, or share a heated kiss, it’s game over. The “no take backs” rule strikes, and there’s no way you can backtrack. That’s the way it’s always been with me and Nate Griffin, my old best friend who thought he could change the rules. It doesn’t matter that time and distance have pulled us apart...Categorized as:
sports friends to lovers secret-relationship athletes queer first-person-pov new adult anal sex -
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You’re My Beat by Zarah Detand
All the world's a stage for this pas-de-deux.Lucas Clarke is fine. Sure, he isn’t exactly dancing on world-renowned stages as he once planned, but he made his choice, and there are far worse places than his hometown of Brighton... -
Adam's Song by Spencer Spears
Rated: 4.14 of 5 stars · 7 ratingsThey say it’s a bad idea to fall for your best friend. But since when do I say no to bad ideas? Adam: It’s not like I wanted to fall in love with Ben. When we first met in college, I thought he’d be like every other hot jock who’d made my life hell in high school. It's not my fault he turned out to be sweet, funny, and insanely talented... -
Choose Me by Beck Grey
Jules:I’ve been in love with my brother’s best friend since I was twelve, and twenty years later, Erik Osouf is still so far out of my league, we aren’t even playing the same sport. Not that I play sports. That means talking to people, and my social anxiety makes that all but impossible...Categorized as:
friends to lovers secret-relationship queer new adult sweet-hero first-person-pov bisexual anal sex -
Regular, Smegular! by Becca Seymour
A cheesy game of spin the bottle grabs my interest, but it’s the hot guy with sexy piercings and delectable ink who keeps it.Have I kissed a man before? That’ll be a no.But I’m definitely interested, and by the way Tiller can’t take his gaze off me, he’s hoping the bottle lands on him.Spoiler it does.And holy crap, it’s the hottest kiss I’ve shared with anyone.Now there’s one slight problem...Categorized as:
new adult sports bisexual secret-relationship athletes friends to lovers queer first-person-pov -
Playing at Home by Jax Calder
Falling for your kids' nanny? Never a good idea.Jacob Browne comes from rugby royalty but try as he might, he’s never been the same heroic idol his father was on the rugby field. And now he’s failed off the field with the breakdown of his relationship to New Zealand’s favorite ‘It Girl’ Matilda Neilson...Categorized as:
sports friends to lovers athletes secret-relationship queer queer-awakening new adult anal sex -
The Best Men by Sarina Bowen, Lauren Blakely
Bestselling authors Sarina Bowen and Lauren Blakely team up for the first time in an enemies-to-lovers, opposites-attract, irresistibly sexy standalone romance between the best man and the other best man! In my defense, I was left alone with a bottle of single-malt and a life-long penchant for protecting my baby sister...Categorized as:
bisexual sports new adult secret-relationship first-person-pov virgin hero queer contemporary
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