Books like 'Lex'
Readers who enjoyed Lex by S.K. Logsdon, Anna Coy & Lindsay Errington also liked the following books featuring the same tropes, story themes, relationship dynamics and character types.
contemporary dark romance gay romance cruel hero queer queer-awakening
-
The Bridge of Silver Wings by John Wiltshire
The third book in the series More Heat Than the Sun Ben discovers the truth of the old adage 'be careful what you wish for'. Nikolas has exorcised his demons, but when they end up stranded in Russia, the monster inside needs to be let loose. Siberia in winter isn't a place for good men. There is nothing Nikolas won't do to keep Ben alive... -
A Charm of Finches by Suanne Laqueur
Rated: 4.81 of 5 stars · 15 ratings“I swear. Give me one more chance and I will make the most of it.”Ex-escort Javier Landes is asking for his third chance at love. And the third time is the charm. He meets an art therapist named Steffen Finch and what starts as casual deepens into a passionate relationship—everything Jav has ever wanted, and everything he fears losing. Stef’s business card reads Curator & Sailor... -
Finder Volume 4: Prisoner in the View Finder by Ayano Yamane
Rated: 4.49 of 5 stars · 27 ratings"Don't tell me you actually believe Asami is in love with you?" The gorgeous and devious Fei Long has kidnapped Akihito and taken him all the way to Hong... -
Final Orders by Gregory Ashe
Rated: 4.74 of 5 stars · 13 ratingsAn embattled author. Fanatical parents. A son who can’t stay out of trouble. It’s the last one that’ll probably kill him.When Emery Hazard gets drawn into a brawl at a monthly school board meeting, he knows he’s in trouble; his husband, John-Henry Somerset, is chief of police, and they’re already under enough scrutiny as they try to finalize their foster son’s permanency plan... -
-
Finder, Volume 3: One Wing in the Finder by Ayano Yamane
Rated: 4.38 of 5 stars · 27 ratingsThe Chinese crime lord Fei Long comes to Japan hoping to lure freelance photographer Akihito into his web of intrigue and sex. But when his friends fall prey to Fei Long's diabolical schemes, Akihito has only one person he can ask for help, the person he despises more than anyone else on Earth: the Yakuza boss Asami, who once made Akihito his sex slave... -
Backdraft by Cole McCade
ABOUT THIS EPISODE When a 911 call goes wrong and a young man goes missing, it falls to Malcolm and Seong-Jae to investigate the responding officers when Internal Affairs' internal politics leave the case compromised and the officers aren't willing to talk... -
Crossing Arizona by Bree Wiley
He was my home when I had nowhere else to go.XedMatty's the only person who ever mattered to me. Since we were seven years old, he's been my rock, my anchor, and the light guiding me to safety when the world got too dark.Then Hannah was born, and she became the glue holding us in place. It wasn’t perfect, but it was ours—a life we built with our together...Categorized as:
queer queer-awakening contemporary m-m sports friends to lovers hurt-comfort found-family -
Olive Juice by T.J. Klune
Rated: 4.47 of 5 stars · 15 ratingsIt begins with a message that David cannot ignore:I want to see you.He agrees, and on a cold winter’s night, David and Phillip will come together to sift through the wreckage of the memory of a life no longer lived.David is burdened, carrying with him the heavy guilt of the past six years upon his shoulders.Phillip offers redemption... -
Twisted Fate by R.E. Bond
Even though people fear me, it doesn’t stop any of their torment.I’d always just existed and walked alone, until now.Now? Now I belong.Just because I’d learned to kill, doesn’t mean the Bloody Psychos trust me.Skeeter’s got his work cut out, trying to keep his boss from killing me.Well, the asshole can try.My trigger finger’s getting itchy, and I have a problem controlling it... -
Finder, Vol. 1: Target in the Finder by Ayano Yamane
During a routine journalism assignment, Akihito Takara is captured by the mysterious Asami, a powerful leader in Japan's underworld society... -
The Innocent by C.J. Bishop
Rated: 4.67 of 5 stars · 9 ratingsWhen Clint and the boys “clean house” after discovering a small dangerous operation of child sex traffickers, they find themselves pulled into a nightmare of unparalleled proportions where children are nothing but “merchandise” and the depth of depravity and abuse reaches beyond human comprehension. Note: This is an M/M romance and should be read by readers 18yo and above only... -
Prepared by Cara Dee
Rated: 4.51 of 5 stars · 12 ratingsBook 6 • Family • Humor • Action • Bachelor Party Fun It’s time for the happily ever after Gray and Darius have fought so hard for…once they get out of this darn jungle in Belize. “You have to understand, I thought I wasn’t going to make it. I said goodbye to everyone in my head.” Three years ago, Gray Nolan lost all hope of ever seeing his friends and family again... -
The Golden Ratio by Cole McCade
Rated: 4.50 of 5 stars · 12 ratingsThe boys are back, and an old face from Seong-Jae’s past plunges BPD Detectives Malcolm Khalaji and Seong-Jae Yoon from a two-month suspension right into the depths of hell — and into one of the most horrific, grisly cases of Malcolm’s life. He's never seen anything like it... -
Ignite Me by R.E. Bond
We’re going to be okay. We’re broken, but we’ll rebuild. If we can all get along, long enough to deal with this shit. Who decides to get involved with so many guys and thinks it’s going to be smooth sailing? Spoiler alert, it’s not. The guys are totally going to start killing each other soon. Lukas and Jensen can’t seem to figure their relationship out... -
-
Beautifully Savage Butterfly by K.M. Neuhold
Being savage in the ring is one thing. The way Elio Moretti craves my violence outside the ring is another. I feel like I’ve been fighting my whole life, and tapping out has never been an option. I can live with owing money to the Morettis. I can even live with the constant guilt that my brother is the one paralyzed in a hospital bed while I live his dream... -
Murder Book by Marshall Thornton
Rated: 4.56 of 5 stars · 10 ratingsIn the second of the Boystown mysteries to be a finalist for the Lambda Award, it’s fall 1982 and Chicago is gripped by panic after five people die from poisoned Tylenol capsules. Amid the chaos, the Bughouse Slasher takes his eighth victim, this time striking close to private investigator Nick Nowak. With the Chicago Police Department stretched to its limit, Nick takes matters into his own hands... -
All We Are by Jessie Walker
Rated: 4.47 of 5 stars · 12 ratingsPride.Will and Waylon have been through hell and back—more than once. But they’re still standing, still loving each other, still embracing their found family. And that’s something Will is stupidly proud of. He’s happier than he’s ever been, and more in love than he ever thought possible. He just hopes he can find a way to make Waylon believe in them as much as he does.Pride... -
Twittering Birds Never Fly, Vol. 6 by Kou Yoneda
Rated: 4.46 of 5 stars · 12 ratingsYashiro and Doumeki have finally crossed the line that for so long they dared not. Doumeki confronts the fact that Yashiro is irreplaceable to him, while Yashiro realizes his own contradictory feelings for Doumeki. Because he values him, he can't let him go. Because he values him, he must let him go... -
Divine Proportion by Cole McCade
Rated: 4.56 of 5 stars · 9 ratingsWhile Captain Anjulie Zarate y Salazar faces a crisis of loyalty at home, Malcolm Khalaji faces another crisis in Los Angeles—one that will test him to his absolute limits.And that crisis is named Yoon Eun-Ji... -
Deep Spiral by Cole McCade
Rated: 4.56 of 5 stars · 9 ratingsABOUT THIS EPISODE A deadly, unstable shooter. A trap Malcolm and Seong-Jae can't escape. And more than one life on the line as they find themselves facing down one of the Golden Ratio Killer's proxies in a high-stakes hostage situation that could ramp up the serial murderer's mathematical body counts exponentially. And if Malcolm and Seong-Jae aren't careful, they'll be among the tally... -
Hard Angle by Cole McCade
Rated: 4.56 of 5 stars · 9 ratingsUnsettled tensions from the last case come to a head as Seong-Jae reveals his secrets — but will it be enough to repair the fractures in his relationship with Malcolm?Especially when their only promising lead on the Golden Ratio Killer's identity falls apart, along with any hope of returning home to Baltimore and to their life together.When their primary suspect turns up dead..... -
Savage by Caitlyn Dare
Rated: 4.18 of 5 stars · 30 ratingsA new dark romance from the bestselling author of the Rebels at Sterling Prep series.No one knows the code of the Sinners MC better than me.Born and raised in the club, I’ve spent most of my life rebelling against my daddy’s strict rules and overprotective nature.When an old MC rivalry resurfaces, I find myself with not one, but two surly biker babysitters... -
Torch by Jocelynn Drake, Rinda Elliott
Nine months ago, Rowan Ward thought he had it all. Now he's fighting to pull his shredded life together, buried in work and battling the kind of grief that destroys a man's soul. When fires spring up around Cincinnati threatening Rowe's friends and clients, he's thrilled to find his old Army buddy, Noah Keegan in town... -
Custody Battles by Gregory Ashe
Rated: 4.28 of 5 stars · 16 ratingsSome parents would die for their children. Others will do a whole lot worse.Emery Hazard and his husband, John-Henry Somerset, are settling into their new normal—at home, with the latest addition to their family, and at work, as Somers adapts to his new role and Hazard manages his expanding agency. The only thing Hazard is worried about is getting through dinner with his in-laws... -
-
In These Words, Volume 3 by Kichiku Neko, Guilt Pleasure
Rated: 4.44 of 5 stars · 10 ratingsShinohara Kenji implemented Asano Katsuya's plan to draw out the serial killer who'd been plagueing the police for years. The net was cast. However, Asano was unexpectedly ensnared in it. For six days, as Shinohara searched for him frantically - the doctor was forced to endure the pain of extreme love and hate for the killer. Then on the seventh day - everything crashed down in a devastating end... -
Midnight Target by Elle Kennedy
From the New York Times bestselling author of The Score and Midnight Revenge... Four years ago, Cate’s entire life changed when she discovered she was the daughter of a supersoldier. But Jim Morgan’s overprotectiveness has pushed her away. These days, she’s working as a freelance photographer and living the dangerous life Jim never wanted for her... -
Reigniting Chase by Jeanne St. James
Rated: 4.38 of 5 stars · 11 ratingsAn unexpected collaboration between two authors that’s hot enough to spark a fire... ChaseAfter an excruciating loss, I’m desperate for a fresh start.Away from the painful memories.Away from everyone I know and anyone who knows my story.That’s how I end up in Eagle’s Landing, Pennsylvania... -
Matchstick Men by Adira August
Rated: 4.32 of 5 stars · 13 ratingsSometimes it's the cop who needs to hit the floor... Haunted by the worst case of my career, I knew only one way to exorcise the images from my mind, the victim from my soul ... Inside the club, I scanned the room. He was here—Camden Snow—a sex god in the guise of unpretentious youth... -
Shattered Pieces by K.M. Neuhold
“I was sure my heart had withered away years ago, but then you smiled at me, and I felt it beat again.” ~Gage Years ago, I fell in love with my best friend’s little brother. Then, he took his own life, leaving me shattered and unable to piece my heart back together. I’ve been a zombie for nine long years...Categorized as:
queer m-m contemporary tearjerkers friends to lovers tortured hero dark length-short -
The Wild Charge by Lauren Gilley
Rated: 4.80 of 5 stars · 5 ratingsA storm is brewing, and the Lean Dogs find themselves in the center of it. What at first seemed like a routine clash with a cartel proves to be part of a much more sinister - and more powerful - operation than any of them expected. The Dogs have a choice: back out now, play dumb...or go full-on vigilante. Tennyson Fox has a new name, a new home, a new family.. -
The Interrogation (Hunt&Cam4Ever) by Adira August
Rated: 4.67 of 5 stars · 6 ratingsHunter’s most twisted killer. Cam’s most dangerous case.A STAND-ALONE PSYCHOLOGICAL THRILLERIf you like a master gamesman for a detective and a few twists in your criminal cocktail, you want to read this... -
How Much for a Broken Heart? by R.J. Scott
Rated: 4.50 of 5 stars · 8 ratingsWhen the game turns deadly for a SEAL and his Ranger, love becomes the most dangerous mission of all.In a single devastating morning, August's life crumbles. His covert assignment derails disastrously as the family he's meant to safeguard falls prey to the ruthless Cooper River cartel...Categorized as:
queer-awakening queer hurt-comfort suspense m-m friends to lovers grumpy sunshine dark -
Happy Krampus Xmas & The Meet Not Cute: Two Xmas Novellas by Paulina Ian-Kane
Rated: 4.44 of 5 stars · 9 ratings-Happy Krampus XmasHappy Krampus Day!Krampus who? Santa’s evil brother, duh.The horned demon sort of cursed me, and I need to find a way to appease him.Otherwise, I won’t be able to proceed with my donor initiation: blood, torture, death, screams—not in that order.All I need is to follow my three-step groveling plan... -
Remember Me by Avril Ashton
Rated: 4.29 of 5 stars · 12 ratingsTheirs was a connection that began and ended in the shadows. Secret moments. Missed opportunities and what-ifs. Wanting more than what they had, but grateful with the bits of happiness they snatched.A bullet stole it away, setting two men adrift. One waiting in the darkness for light to shine once again... -
-
Lay Your Sleeping Head by Michael Nava
Rated: 4.29 of 5 stars · 11 ratingsA completely revised edition of the first Henry Rios mystery, The Little Death, Lay Your Sleeping Head introduces Michael Nava’s singular protagonist, gay, Latino criminal defense lawyer Henry Rios... -
The Burning Plain by Michael Nava
Rated: 4.29 of 5 stars · 11 ratingsRios, raw from the death of his lover from AIDS, becomes involved with a young man who is murdered after spending the night with Rios. Rios becomes a suspect in the murder. In the process of clearing himself, he is drawn into the search for a serial killer who preys on young gay men in West Hollywood... -
Demon by Joel Abernathy
Rated: 4.16 of 5 stars · 18 ratingsFalling in love with an obsessive serial killer was the last thing on my to-do list.I was born into a world of villains, so it came as no great surprise when my brothers fell for the most twisted monsters of all. A sociopathic fixer. A psycho sadistic cop whose name belongs in the dictionary next to corruption.Maybe I’m the one who’s crazy, thinking I could have any semblance of a normal life... -
Reinventing Us by Ann Lister
Rated: 4.38 of 5 stars · 8 ratingsAlex-Zander Metcalf knew his life would always be filled with twists and turns, especially living in the public eye while playing the role of front man for his band Ivory Tower. That's what made life interesting and he loved every aspect about his job in the music world. Living in a long-term polyamorous relationship with a husband and a wife also created a fair amount of ups and downs... -
Griffin in Wonderland by Tiffany Reisz
Rated: 4.38 of 5 stars · 8 ratingsHard partying trust fun baby Griffin Fiske wakes up after a hard night with a King's boots on his chest and gets an invitation he can't refuse...This Original Sinners short story takes place approximately six years before The Siren... -
boys for sale 2 by Marc Finks
Rated: 4.38 of 5 stars · 8 ratingsIn this stunning conclusion to the tale first begun in Boys for Sale...Having escaped from Javier and The School House, Tavi is now on the run as he tries to survive on the streets... -
Deadly Obsessions by Chelle Rose, Mia Fury
Rated: 4.38 of 5 stars · 8 ratings𝔻𝕖𝕒𝕕𝕝𝕪 𝕆𝕓𝕤𝕖𝕤𝕤𝕚𝕠𝕟𝕤: A MFMMF Dark Romanceᴛʜʀᴇᴇ ꜱᴛᴀʟᴋᴇʀꜱ. ᴛᴡᴏ ɪɴɴᴏᴄᴇɴᴛ ᴡᴏᴍᴇɴ. ɴᴏ ᴡᴀʏ ᴏᴜᴛ.ꜱᴛᴇʟʟᴀ:As authors of smut we tend to get interesting messages. Think eggplant pictures. So when Van Der Wiener starts chatting with me and sending said images I am not all that surprised. However, every man before him I’ve blocked... -
Triangulation by Cole McCade
Rated: 4.43 of 5 stars · 7 ratingsABOUT THIS EPISODE Less than a day. Less than a day of peace, of calm, of comfort before the white rabbit returns to tear Malcolm and Seong-Jae's lives apart. An eerie video presents them with a deadly ultimatum, which leaves our intrepid pair racing to discover the identity of the latest victim — and desperate to protect their families from the threat hanging over their heads... -
Hazardous by Charity Parkerson
Rated: 4.43 of 5 stars · 7 ratingsWulf and Beau have nothing in common. There’s no reason for them to see each other at all. So why can’t they stay away? Wulf’s friend married Beau’s brother. That’s it. They have no other common ground. Wulf isn’t certain they even like each other. They have nothing to talk about when Wulf finds himself on Beau’s couch. Neither of them calls or sends texts between unexpected visits... -
Filling the Void by Sammi Cee
Rated: 4.50 of 5 stars · 6 ratingsSometimes you have to make deals with the devil to save the people you love.I belong in the shadows. My profession demands it.It’s a risk going to Takoda, where the new Buccelli Boss knows my face, but I’ve gone too long without checking in on a situation that concerns me.I knew better.Now a debt’s been called in, and there’s Cory. Muscular, gorgeous, broken Cory... -
-
Lost in a Moment by Nicky James
When the only person Grayson has to lean on is his straight best friend, what could go wrong? After a horrific accident and an amputation, Grayson isn’t sure where to turn. Not only is he an emotional wreck, but his problems seem to be getting worse, not better. When his childhood best friend insists he come and stay with him for a while, Grayson isn’t sure how to feel...Categorized as:
queer queer-awakening m-m friends to lovers mental illness contemporary bisexual angst -
Dig Your Grave by Avril Ashton
An unanswered phone call. An empty bed. And a loud clock ticking down the seconds before Daniel Nieto’s heart—the one he recently discovered he still possessed—gets broken again. His lover is gone. Taken by an unknown enemy, one who hasn’t yet realized that Daniel would willingly stride into hell to get his Diablo back... -
Black Lies by K.A. Merikan
Rated: 4.24 of 5 stars · 11 ratings"That man is not your fairytale ending." Griffith has spent two of the most amazing years with his boyfriend Mark, who is undoubtedly The One. Mark is everything Griffith could want in a man. Sexy, kind, always there for him, showering him with gifts and anticipating his needs... -
Restricted Area [禁区] by 空菊
Rated: 4.26 of 5 stars · 10 ratingsJiang Chijing had always used surveilling prisoners’ every move to satiate his voyeuristic appetite.Until one day, an extremely dangerous convict entered the prison—and Jiang Chijing was caught spying on him.The watcher became the watched, the hunter became the hunted... -
Freeing by E.K. Blair
Rated: 4.06 of 5 stars · 29 ratingsKnowing who you are and accepting who you are come at different prices. Jase Kinrick grew up in your typical, all-American household. But after the death of his sister, his parents shut down, forcing him to deal with everything life throws his way alone... -
Bloodbath by K.A. Merikan
Rated: 4.22 of 5 stars · 10 ratings“I don’t even know who I am anymore.” “All you need to know is that you’re mine.” Seth would follow Domenico to the depths of hell . He promised to always be at Domenico’s side. But hell becomes all too real when they infiltrate the world of Toro - a notoriously security-obsessed arms dealer, who has eyes and ears everywhere...
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.