Books like 'The Linebacker'
Readers who enjoyed The Linebacker by Emerson Beckett & Rheland Richmond also liked the following books featuring the same tropes, story themes, relationship dynamics and character types.
contemporary gay romance funny football found-family friends to lovers dual-pov sports athletes angst
-
The Long and Winding Road by T.J. Klune
Sequel to The Art of Breathing Family is not always defined by blood. It’s defined by those who make us whole—those who make us who we are. And here, at the end, Bear and Otter will be tested like they’ve never been before. There’s a knock at the door from a little girl who has nowhere else to go. There’s a phone ringing, bringing news they do not expect... -
![Misdirection by Gregory Ashe]()
Misdirection by Gregory Ashe
Finding a missing boy will be hard. Dinner with Shaw’s parents might be murder.When a rising star in the state senate asks Shaw Aldrich and North McKinney to transport her son, Flip, to and from his drug testing appointments, they’re not happy—they don’t do babysitting jobs... -
![]()
![]()
Sponsored links -
![The Former Assassin's Guide to Snagging a Reluctant Boyfriend by Alice Winters]()
The Former Assassin's Guide to Snagging a Reluctant Boyfriend by Alice Winters
Rated: 4.45 of 5 stars · 12 ratingsCasselWhen I gave up life as a hitman, I thought everything was going to be better. I was going to become a PI, help people, and live normally… and then I met Jeremy, the most perfect man to have ever saved my life (I mean, he might be the only one who has saved my life, but he’s still the best at it). From that point on, it was all over for me—I knew we were meant to be... -
![Seth by Carly Marie]()
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... -
-
![Cherry Picked by May Archer]()
Cherry Picked by May Archer
Never ask your brother’s best friend to… pick your cherry. When I asked Jack Wyatt to help me lose my pesky v-card, I didn’t expect him to keel over in shocked disapproval and nearly tumble us down a mountain... -
![Cherry Picked by May Archer]()
Cherry Picked by May Archer
Never ask your brother’s best friend to… pick your cherry.When I asked Jack Wyatt to help me lose my pesky v-card, I didn’t expect him to keel over in shocked disapproval and nearly tumble us down a mountain... -
![Jonty in Russia by Barbara Elsborg]()
Jonty in Russia by Barbara Elsborg
Rated: 4.38 of 5 stars · 13 ratingsWhen Devan, Best Boyfriend in the Entire World, books them a trip to Russia in February, Jonty’s excitement knows no bounds. There’s packing to do, plans to be made, and places to see.Armed with his smile and a handful of dubious Russian Phrases, Jonty is ready for the delights Vladivostok has to offer—the famous glass beach he’s dreamed about, ice skating on a frozen sea, and snow... -
![Holiday Heart Strings by N.R. Walker]()
Holiday Heart Strings by N.R. Walker
Rated: 4.37 of 5 stars · 13 ratingsHartbridge Christmas Series - Book FourEnglishman Braithe Branson arrives in Hartbridge, Montana, to take on a brief substitute kindergarten teacher position. His introduction to the sleepy town is being pulled over for speeding. Not an ideal start, but at least the deputy was cute.Colson Price takes being a deputy very seriously. After all, his job is all he has... -
![Not a Day Goes By by E. Lynn Harris]()
Not a Day Goes By by E. Lynn Harris
Rated: 4.29 of 5 stars · 19 ratingsJohn "Basil" Henderson has always played the field, both as a professional football player and as an equal opportunity lover. After retiring his jersey for a career as a sports agent, the dashing playboy is surprising everyone--including himself--by deciding to settle down and commit to his new love, Yancey Harrington Braxton... -
![Thick as Thieves by Lucy Lennox]()
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... -
![Sober Dope & Sundays by Nordika Night]()
Sober Dope & Sundays by Nordika Night
WHEN ZERO WILLPOWER MEETS AN IRON WILL...Who goes to rehab eight times? Gage does. As a recovering addict fresh out of rehab, moving back in with his mom and starting over in his hometown isn't part of his life goals, but Gage needs all the support he can get. Lost and a little unsure of himself, Gage meets his new sponsor. A sponsor whose son is the perfect sober companion...Categorized as:
queer hurt-comfort friends to lovers found-family dual-pov angst m-m substance abuse -
![Stud by K.M. Neuhold]()
Stud by K.M. Neuhold
Stud: A boss, knob, or nail head...or, you know, the hot guy who’s way too young to keep asking me out with that adorably earnest smile …It’s been three years since West walked into my bar and asked me out for the first time. I was relieved he stopped asking after the first few “no”s and a way-too-good-to-be-real kiss. He’s fifteen years younger than I am; it can only lead to trouble...Categorized as:
friends to lovers queer found-family contemporary m-m age difference explicit-open-door humor -
![Hopelessly Bromantic by Lauren Blakely]()
Hopelessly Bromantic by Lauren Blakely
A sexy, passionate, utterly addictive, roomies-to-lovers MM romance from #1 NYT Bestseller Lauren Blakely!Look, when I met the sexy, witty Brit on the streets of London last night, I had no idea who he was. He was just that hot guy I wanted to have a drink with so I asked him out for my first evening in town. One thing almost led to another... -
![Drama! by A.J. Truman]()
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... -
-
![Here Comes My Man by Lauren Blakely]()
Here Comes My Man by Lauren Blakely
A red-hot, enemies-to-lovers, fake boyfriend, second chance romance, and the conclusion to the Hopelessly Bromantic Duet!Let me just say this -- fake dating the cocky movie star was not my idea. Especially since he’s my former roomie and, gulp, my secret ex.But my agent tells me I have no choice since I’m ridiculously overdue with turning in the next big blockbuster love story to my publisher...Categorized as:
second chances angst dual-pov queer m-m contemporary from hate to love forced proximity -
![Milo by Lily Morton]()
Milo by Lily Morton
Once upon a time a brave knight rescued a young man. Unfortunately, he then spent the next few years bossing the young man around and treating him like a child. Milo has been burying himself at Chi an Mor, hiding from the wreckage of his once promising career and running from a bad relationship that destroyed what little confidence he had...Categorized as:
friends to lovers hurt-comfort queer found-family m-m humor contemporary age difference -
![Firecracker by Lucy Lennox, May Archer]()
Firecracker by Lucy Lennox, May Archer
There are three kinds of people in Honeybridge, Maine: The Honeycutts, who know a lot about love and loyalty; The Wellbridges, who think they’re the epitome of wealth and refinement; and the rest of the Honeybridgers, who know better than to get in the way of the centuries-old rivalry between the two. There wasn’t a time when I didn't know Flynn “Firecracker” Honeycutt...Categorized as:
friends to lovers angst second chances dual-pov queer contemporary m-m from hate to love -
![Fearless by Nicole Edwards]()
Fearless by Nicole Edwards
Rated: 4.30 of 5 stars · 12 ratingsHe’s the one who walked away... Dare Davis, one of the four owners of Pier 70 Marina, has been living the past fifteen years of his life not taking risks. He considers himself fearless because he refuses to let anyone close enough to hurt him. He’s had his heart broken before, he’s not looking for it to happen again. He’s the one who let love slip through his fingers.. -
![Musical Mayhem by Alley Ciz]()
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... -
![Jingle Bells & Mistletoe by Sammi Cee]()
Jingle Bells & Mistletoe by Sammi Cee
Rated: 4.50 of 5 stars · 6 ratingsJonathan watched all of his friends fall in love, get married, and grow their families. All he’s ever wanted is a relationship as wonderful as the one his parents have always had... -
![Blitzed by S.E. Harmon]()
Blitzed by S.E. Harmon
NFL tight end Andrew McAdams isn’t thrilled to be sidelined with an injury. He’s even less thrilled about his legal troubles. Community service is the only thing standing between him and jail so...yeah. That’s a no-brainer. It's not all bad news, though. He gets to work with Jesse Fox, who is as gorgeous as he is guarded. And there's no rule saying he can't do his hours and have a little fun...Categorized as:
sports athletes friends to lovers hurt-comfort queer found-family m-m age difference -
![Addicted to Ellis D by S.E. Harmon]()
Addicted to Ellis D by S.E. Harmon
Chef Luca Alessi’s life is barely recognizable these days. He used to spend his days in the kitchen creating cutting-edge cuisine. Now he’s trying to keep his family's restaurant and legacy alive. It doesn't help that his father was keeping secrets before he passed. On the relationship front, his ex, Colin, assured him that their divorce would be simple. And now? Not so much... -
![Damage Control by Lynn Van Dorn]()
Damage Control by Lynn Van Dorn
Rated: 4.33 of 5 stars · 9 ratingsEverything to lose. Tyler’s worked hard to kick the dust of the Chicago suburbs off his heels and move on with his life as Hollywood’s newest up-and-comer, burying his demons and hiding his scars from the world. Just as everything seems to be going his way, a scandal from his past threatens everything he’s worked for... -
![Limited Edition Husband by Lauren Blakely]()
Limited Edition Husband by Lauren Blakely
One weekend with no strings was supposed to be the plan.After barely escaping my last train wreck of a romance, I’ve got a new dating goal—play it cool.I stick to that strategy when I meet a hunky Brit at a fundraiser and ask him to grab a drink... -
-
![Dealing Him In by Charlie Cochet]()
Dealing Him In by Charlie Cochet
Rated: 4.24 of 5 stars · 11 ratingsPlay with fire, and you’ll get burned. Santos “Saint” Cavallero had his life all figured out when he married his high school sweetheart, joined the Navy, and became a SEAL. After years of being deployed, Saint comes home for good, only to discover his wife has fallen for another man. Now divorced and a bodyguard for Four Kings Security, Saint loves his job and his found family... -
![Indirection by Gregory Ashe]()
Indirection by Gregory Ashe
Rated: 4.24 of 5 stars · 10 ratingsRabid readers. Backbiting authors. A romance convention from hell.Shaw Aldrich and his best friend, boyfriend, and partner, North McKinney, are doing great, thanks. The aftermath of their search for the Slasher has finally settled down. Their private investigation agency is thriving. And after years of missed opportunities, they’re finally together... -
![Hannah's Big Night by Mary Calmes]()
Hannah's Big Night by Mary Calmes
Rated: 4.22 of 5 stars · 11 ratingsA Jory and Sam Thanksgiving... -
![Suddenly Beck by Vawn Cassidy]()
Suddenly Beck by Vawn Cassidy
A surprisingly sweet, sinfully sexy, and deliciously hilarious romp along the Cornish coast.Nathan Elliott has run away from home at the age of twenty-six. His teenage rebellion may have come ten years late, but better late than never... -
![Horribly Harry by Lisa Henry, Sarah Honey]()
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... -
![Ikumen After by Kazuma Kodaka]()
Ikumen After by Kazuma Kodaka
Rated: 4.40 of 5 stars · 5 ratingsThis is a really cute, sweet story about two single dads Asakura and Kentarou, whose young sons happen to go to the same daycare... -
![Forever Finn by Vawn Cassidy]()
Forever Finn by Vawn Cassidy
Rated: 4.40 of 5 stars · 5 ratingsFinn Gallagher has it all, a beautiful girlfriend, a successful Hollywood career, a condo in Malibu and more money than he knows what to do with. He should be happy, but there’s just one problem, he’s gay and he’s been lying to the entire world... -
![Harder They Fall by J.D. Light]()
Harder They Fall by J.D. Light
Rated: 4.33 of 5 stars · 6 ratingsWhen his dad makes it obvious he isn't going to kick the good-for-nothing thief and liar of a son and Branson's brother to the curb, Branson decides he can't sit and watch his father shower undeserved praise on a man who will undoubtedly just steal from him again and leave him swinging in the breeze... -
![A Gift-Wrapped Holiday by Amy Aislin]()
A Gift-Wrapped Holiday by Amy Aislin
Rated: 4.33 of 5 stars · 6 ratingsMal's first priority is giving his six-year-old son the best Christmas ever, a goal made trickier by a recent move to New England after losing his job. As a single dad, he's not looking for romance—especially not with a blond California boy ten years his junior...Categorized as:
friends to lovers hurt-comfort queer found-family age difference christmas contemporary m-m -
![Waking Up Filthy by R. Cayden]()
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]()
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... -
![Against the Grain: Auckland Med #4 by Jay Hogan]()
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... -
![Where We Left Off by Romeo Alexander]()
Where We Left Off by Romeo Alexander
Rated: 4.29 of 5 stars · 7 ratingsTyler: Well, I’m back in Port Dale for the summer, staying with Elliot and Clay. Not my original plan, but that got busted. I never expected to run into him. He looked good, even better than before. Nate had been more than just my best friend, he was my ‘almost’ first boyfriend. Then he was suddenly removed from my life... -
![Just for Me: A Rugby Romance by Rosalind James]()
Just for Me: A Rugby Romance by Rosalind James
Rated: 4.29 of 5 stars · 7 ratingsLuke Armstrong doesn’t want to be a pioneer or an inspiration. He just wants to be a prop.What’s it like to be the first All Black to come out while he’s still playing rugby? Luke has spent over thirty years not wanting to find out, but hiding has become so hard. He’s a man who doesn’t get tired, but now, he’s soul-weary... -
![North and Shaw: Out of Office by Gregory Ashe]()
North and Shaw: Out of Office by Gregory Ashe
Rated: 4.29 of 5 stars · 7 ratingsNorth and Shaw: Out of Office is a collection of short stories. It includes the following: “Bad Boys at the Radio Girls” Radio Girls is a lesbian bar. A group of straight guys thinks it’s funny to crash. North and Shaw are hired to take care of this problem (and they try not to fulfill the white savior stereotype while doing so). This story takes place before Orientation... -
![Something Good by Melody Claire]()
Something Good by Melody Claire
SammyHe was never meant to be mine, the all-american boy with the pretty eyes and perfect life. But my golden boy was determined to break down my walls and soothe the hurts no one else took the time to see. As my world caved in around me, he became my light in the darkness, and against my better judgment, I fell for him...Categorized as:
hurt-comfort friends to lovers second chances angst dual-pov queer grumpy sunshine m-m -
![Declination by Gregory Ashe]()
Declination by Gregory Ashe
Shaw and North are together. Finally. After eight years of knowing each other and loving each other and slipping past each other, they’ve finally told each other how they feel. Borealis Investigations is growing, and they have a major prospective client on the line. Everything is finally moving the way it should... -
![Wild at Heart by Christina Lee, Riley Hart]()
Wild at Heart by Christina Lee, Riley Hart
Rated: 4.19 of 5 stars · 11 ratingsBISHOP SULLIVANI’ve always known what my future had in store: inheriting the family ranch and having myself a wife and kids to carry on the Sullivan name. Porter Dixon never factored into those plans. We may have spent our teenage years sneaking away to lose ourselves in each other, but he always held me at arm’s length…until the day he up and left without so much as a goodbye... -
![The Jock Script by Lane Hayes]()
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... -
![Web of Lies by Isla Olsen]()
Web of Lies by Isla Olsen
Rated: 4.22 of 5 stars · 9 ratingsJesseMy little brother is getting married and I couldn’t be happier… Well, maybe I could if I hadn’t just been dumped by the boyfriend I thought was about to propose, kicked out of my New York apartment, and, worst of all, lost one of the pediatric patients under my care at the hospital where I work as a nurse...Categorized as:
second chances friends to lovers queer humor m-m from hate to love contemporary queer-awakening -
-
![Off Balance by Jay Hogan]()
Off Balance by Jay Hogan
When JUDAH MADDEN flees his tiny suffocating home-town in New Zealand, for the dream of international ballet stardom, he never intends coming back. Not to Painted Bay. Not to his family’s struggling mussel farm. Not to his jerk of a brother. Not with his entire life plan in shreds... -
![Right as Raine by Lucy Lennox]()
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... -
![The Happy List by Briar Prescott]()
The Happy List by Briar Prescott
GrayThere are some things I excel at:- Exercising rigid control over every aspect of my life- Making sensible decisions at every turn- Being organized, predictable and responsible to an abnormal degreeIn short, I’m boring as hell and in desperate need of a change.Luckily I have my best friend by my side and a newly written to-do list to guide my way through the murky waters of finding happiness...Categorized as:
friends to lovers queer dual-pov m-m contemporary humor queer-awakening demi-sexual-hero -
![Be My Endgame by Zarah Detand]()
Be My Endgame by Zarah Detand
Rated: 4.17 of 5 stars · 12 ratingsSometimes the endgame is only the beginning. In the heated world of the Premier League, Earl Alex Beaufort, a charming Liverpool midfielder, collides on-pitch with Lee Taylor, Manchester United’s top striker. But when England’s World Cup dream brings them to sunny Spain, the real game sharing a room... -
![Pick One by May Archer]()
Pick One by May Archer
I once lived a fairly quiet existence as a math professor. Then Teagan Donahue crashed into my life like a shooting star. Now every day's a holiday, and my very best friend is also the guy I can't stop fantasizing about.The guy I'm madly in love with.The guy I'm ready to turn down my dream job for... -
![The Twelve Dates of Christmas by Andi James, Lila Wilde]()
The Twelve Dates of Christmas by Andi James, Lila Wilde
Rated: 4.16 of 5 stars · 10 ratingsOne lonely lawyer. Twelve blind dates. Finding his special someone will take a Christmas miracle. Aiden would rather eat an entire fruitcake than face his ex and his ex’s new boyfriend at their company holiday party — especially by himself. So when his best friend suggests he find some arm candy, Aiden reluctantly agrees to a few blind dates...
Fantastic book recommendations by romance book lovers for romance book lovers.
Find out more about romance.io.
Find out more about romance.io.
Get recommendations by genres & tropes
Use the romance book finder to mix and match over 100 content keywords to find the books that match your preferences
Or - use our amazing romance book finder to get recommendations based on your favorite content tropes and themes. Mix and match at will.
