Books like 'The Initiation'
Readers who enjoyed The Initiation by John Shepherd also liked the following books featuring the same tropes, story themes, relationship dynamics and character types.
contemporary gay romance suspense bdsm queer queer-awakening
-
Dirty Laundry by Rhys Ford
Rated: 4.44 of 5 stars · 26 ratingsFor ex-cop turned private investigator Cole McGinnis, each day brings a new challenge. Too bad most of them involve pain and death. Claudia, his office manager and surrogate mother, is still recovering from a gunshot, and Cole’s closeted boyfriend, Kim Jae-Min, suddenly finds his teenaged sister dumped in his lap... -
![Christmas in Suite 37A by Tiffany Reisz]()
Christmas in Suite 37A by Tiffany Reisz
Rated: 4.55 of 5 stars · 13 ratingsOriginally available as a rough draft on Tiffany's website, this short story has now been fully revised and is now collected in the print, ebook, and audio collection Michael's Wings... -
![]()
![]()
Sponsored links -
![The Magnolia Murders by Aimee Nicole Walker]()
The Magnolia Murders by Aimee Nicole Walker
Everything old is new again in love and murder.Work together, live together, and play together is the name of the game for Royce Locke and Sawyer Key. But one of those things changes when Chief Mendoza taps Sawyer to lead the newly formed cold case unit. His first task: solve the Magnolia Murders that spanned three decades and suddenly stopped in 2000... -
![Attraction by Carly Marie]()
Attraction by Carly Marie
An M/M Neighbors to lovers Romance. Could satin, lace, and sass be enough to break through the ice? Dexter has never hidden his sexuality, and doesn’t blend into the background. From his fiery red hair to the panties he likes to wear, everything about him is vibrant. He’s the complete opposite of his new neighbor, and shouldn’t care if the grouchy man likes him… but he does...Categorized as:
bdsm queer queer-awakening contemporary m-m age difference length-medium explicit-plentiful -
-
![The Confession of Marcus Stearns by Tiffany Reisz]()
The Confession of Marcus Stearns by Tiffany Reisz
Rated: 4.67 of 5 stars · 9 ratings**No longer available - republished as part of "The Confessions"**THE CONFESSION OF MARCUS STEARNS takes place during the time of THE SAINT when Søren/Marcus Stearns is twenty-nine years old and has just met Eleanor/Nora.Limited-edition promotional giveaway at the RT Booklovers conference in 2014, but now included within The Confessions... -
![The Spoil of Beasts by Gregory Ashe]()
The Spoil of Beasts by Gregory Ashe
Rated: 4.67 of 5 stars · 9 ratingsA jailhouse slaughter. A relentless killer. And way too much jackassing around. When word comes that two key witnesses in an investigation are dead, North and Shaw are surprised—and pleased—to learn that their friend, John-Henry Somerset, is interested in hiring them as freelance contractors for the Wahredua police department... -
![Shut Up and Drive by L.M. Krier]()
Shut Up and Drive by L.M. Krier
Rated: 4.43 of 5 stars · 14 ratingsA serial sex attacker is spreading fear in Stockport and DI Ted Darling and his team are on the case.The man randomly targets young women and abducts them from busy supermarket car parks. He's armed with a knife and is clearly highly trained in how to handle it.Ever-dwindling police resources make the manhunt harder, even though the attacker clearly doesn't care whether or not he's caught... -
![Somebody to Cherish by April Wilson]()
Somebody to Cherish by April Wilson
Tyler and Ian are embarking on their new venture as private investigators. After they solve their first case, they celebrate by taking a road trip to Key West. Their objective: fun and relaxation in the sun. Unfortunately, fate has something else in store for them. When a guest at the hotel where they're staying goes missing, they can't just sit by and do nothing...Categorized as:
suspense queer queer-awakening m-m mystery age difference contemporary explicit-open-door -
![Rialto by Jocelynn Drake, Rinda Elliott]()
Rialto by Jocelynn Drake, Rinda Elliott
Someone has it out for Rialto. Ian Banner is loving his hectic life. He’s newly married, ready to start a family, and opening a new restaurant. All his dreams are coming true. The last thing he needs is a problem with his restaurant. But when one attack after another comes, he grows convinced he has another enemy... -
![When I'm Old and Grey by L.M. Krier]()
When I'm Old and Grey by L.M. Krier
Rated: 4.34 of 5 stars · 14 ratingsDI Ted Darling doesn't like coincidences. There are too many for comfort surrounding his latest case. They're spilling over into his private life, too, when some toxic family secrets are uncovered. A serial killer appears to be targeting vulnerable elderly people in care homes and despatching them in the most cynical way. Ted and his team are struggling to get a lead on who the killer really is... -
![Body and Soul by Patricia Logan]()
Body and Soul by Patricia Logan
More than ten years ago, a series of train bombings devastated railways throughout Europe. Strange poetry sent to local newspapers right before each bombing, confounded investigators at the time. In one of only a handful of failed covert missions, Jarrett had been sent into North Korea to take out the bomber... -
![Protecting the Soul by Annabella Michaels]()
Protecting the Soul by Annabella Michaels
Rated: 4.33 of 5 stars · 14 ratingsFor Landon Greene, managing the band Carter’s Creed is more than just a job. It also means being there to keep his brother safe. When someone begins sending threatening letters to Carter, Landon feels overwhelmed with the need to protect him... -
![In Dog We Trust by Neil S. Plakcy]()
In Dog We Trust by Neil S. Plakcy
Rated: 4.21 of 5 stars · 23 ratingsan alternate cover edition can be found hereAfter a bad divorce and a brief prison term for computer hacking, 42-year-old Steve Levitan has returned to his home town of Stewart’s Crossing and taken a part-time job as an adjunct professor of English at his alma mater, Eastern College... -
![Ghost of Christmas Present by Pandora Pine]()
Ghost of Christmas Present by Pandora Pine
Rated: 4.67 of 5 stars · 6 ratingsWith only a week until Christmas, Detective Jude Byrne is wrapping up final preparations for his family’s celebration. He’s made a list and checked it twice, bought presents, planned the neighborhood cookie exchange, and hung mistletoe. Jude’s got a handle on everything, that is, until his son asks if his grandfather is coming to celebrate with them—a man Jude hasn’t seen in six years... -
-
![Daddy Detectives Episode 1: A Tyler and Ian Jamison Story by April Wilson]()
Daddy Detectives Episode 1: A Tyler and Ian Jamison Story by April Wilson
Rated: 4.50 of 5 stars · 8 ratingsThis is the first installment in a new series for private investigators Tyler and Ian Jamison. Our heroes are adjusting to life as a married couple and are now parents of newborn twins. While the guys are enjoying paternity leave, their administrative assistant, Kimi, comes to them with a personal emergency... -
![Interwoven by Ripley Hayes]()
Interwoven by Ripley Hayes
Rated: 4.50 of 5 stars · 8 ratingsDaniel Owen has spent the best part of ten years renovating his house when he finds the cellar. By falling into it. The mysterious cellar has a mysterious door, and behind the mysterious door is a mysterious box … and in the box … there are clues to the shocking history of Daniel’s beloved home town. A cold case is occupying Mal Kent’s time. A notorious car thief is released from prison... -
![Somebody to Love by April Wilson]()
Somebody to Love by April Wilson
Rated: 4.24 of 5 stars · 16 ratingsChicago homicide detective Tyler Jamison has accepted that fact that he was born defective. Women just don't do it for him, and he can't contemplate any other option. So, loneliness it is. Ian Alexander has met the man of his dreams, but the guy's in complete denial of his sexuality. Ian's not giving up on Tyler, though. Tyler's a domineering, controlling force of nature..Categorized as:
suspense queer queer-awakening m-m mystery contemporary age difference class difference -
![Point and Shoot by Patricia Logan]()
Point and Shoot by Patricia Logan
Thayne Wolfe and Jarrett Evans have been working together for nearly a year. Now, living together as well, their relationship has taken on a whole new meaning for both men. It seems that danger has always been a part of their lives in the ATF but when SAC Stanger sends them to a relatively routine crime scene, things quickly get complicated... -
![A Foreign Love Affair by Ayano Yamane]()
A Foreign Love Affair by Ayano Yamane
Japanese yakuza clan heir Ranmaru just got married on a lavish cruise ship, but things aren't as they seem. The marriage is just for the appearances, and he ends up getting drunk and spending the night... not with his bride, but with the sexy ship captain! When the two men meet again in Italy, it is the start of a spectacular love story... -
![Extended Stay by Mia Monroe]()
Extended Stay by Mia Monroe
Rated: 4.10 of 5 stars · 15 ratingsI’ve never been interested in a man before. So why do I want to kiss this one?Promising my sick uncle I’d help fix his rundown hotel in San Diego was just the beginning of my problems. I plan to do what I can, convince him to sell, and then take off, returning to my calm and structured existence back east. I double down on that plan when I arrive to find it in worse shape than I expected... -
![King's Criminals by Ki Brightly, M.D. Gregory]()
King's Criminals by Ki Brightly, M.D. Gregory
Rated: 3.94 of 5 stars · 12 ratingsFresh Meat In Prison Charley Hughes never imagined he would find himself in lockup, but when King promises that his brothers-in-arms will protect him, Charley expects his time on the inside to be easy. He doesn't factor in Scar, his mean as hell—and handsome—cellmate. Scar seems to have one goal only, to get into Charley’s pants. Charley has never been with a man before and doesn’t plan to start... -
![Free Me by Mia Monroe]()
Free Me by Mia Monroe
Rated: 4.20 of 5 stars · 15 ratingsOnly his ropes can unravel the past. I never thought I’d see him again, but when my former best friend shows up ready to make amends, it becomes clear just how tied to the past I am. He disappeared when I needed him the most, leaving me to navigate my truth alone. Now he’s back.Nixon’s art leaves me vulnerable, defenseless, and I like it... -
![In Plain Sight by Willow Dixon]()
In Plain Sight by Willow Dixon
Zander The last thing I expect when I meet the new guy at work is for my life to be thrown into chaos. I’ve spent years hiding my attraction to men, but Luka is funny, outgoing, and for reasons I can’t explain, he sees past my introverted nature and wants to be friends. I’ve never felt a connection with anyone like I do with Luka... -
![Easton's Lost Otter by Della Cain, Kaytea Kat]()
Easton's Lost Otter by Della Cain, Kaytea Kat
Rated: 4.33 of 5 stars · 9 ratingsTraveling is the worst. I love being in my own house, in my own room, with my own things, and snuggling under my favorite blanket with my otter stuffie, Charlie. When my boss asks me to go to a week-long conference in Las Vegas, it is crystal clear that the options I have are to go or be denied the promotion I’ve been working so hard for. I choose to go. It’s Vegas. How bad can it be? Awful... -
-
![Peacocks by Lucy Lennox, May Archer]()
Peacocks by Lucy Lennox, May Archer
Rated: 4.25 of 5 stars · 10 ratingsLane’s Tips for Licking Thicket NewcomersIf at all possible, find yourself a hot and helpful landlord like Jaybird Proud who mows the lawn shirtless… and hope your grass grows quickly.Expect the unexpected at work. If you’re a veterinarian, this might mean letter-cows, pet pigs that aren’t pets, and Butterscotch the Pomeranian, who has Strong Feelings about his glands... -
![One by E.S. Carter]()
One by E.S. Carter
Rated: 4.38 of 5 stars · 8 ratingsOne click. One perfect frame. That's all it takes to capture an eternal moment; although most people let them pass by without acknowledgement. I don't waste any. Not a single one. If I see something of beauty, I want to experience it, feel it and immortalise it. If I see someone of beauty, I want to taste them, worship them and memorise them... -
![Fancy Free by Mia Monroe]()
Fancy Free by Mia Monroe
Rated: 4.38 of 5 stars · 8 ratingsThe last thing I need is a curious straight guy sniffing around me. So why is he so hard to resist?My life is everything I ever wanted - by design. Being one of the nation’s most sought after wedding planners has led to a life of traveling to glamorous locations, bumping elbows with the rich and famous, and sampling every handsome hunk the world has to offer... -
![Becoming the Owners by Shaw Montgomery]()
Becoming the Owners by Shaw Montgomery
Rated: 4.38 of 5 stars · 8 ratingsAll it took was one look for Ben to know he’d found his forever.He just needs to figure out how to get the enchanting man to come down from his gilded cage and see what is waiting for him down below. But when the stunning dancer in the cage spends more time hiding from the world than embracing it, Ben knows he’s going to have to get creative if he wants to catch the pretty bird’s attention... -
![Zenith by Eli Easton, R.J. Scott]()
Zenith by Eli Easton, R.J. Scott
Rated: 4.38 of 5 stars · 8 ratingsA killer haunts Prophet, and this time it’s personalThe discovery of a body at the Thompson Cabins sets off a chain of events that hits too close to home for Sheriff Gabriel Thompson. When his brother Sam becomes a prime suspect in the murder investigation, Gabriel is forced to keep secrets from Tiber and call in outside help as he fights to prove Sam’s innocence... -
![Better Than Beginnings: A Better Than Good Short Story Collection by Lane Hayes]()
Better Than Beginnings: A Better Than Good Short Story Collection by Lane Hayes
Rated: 4.50 of 5 stars · 6 ratingsMatt Sullivan knows he met someone special the night he spots the sexy man on the dance floor. However, he doesn’t know his life is about to change forever. First of all, Matt is straight. Okay, maybe not, but he doesn’t think falling in love and spending the rest of his life with a hotheaded, unapologetically fabulous diva is an option... -
![Finding Ky by Luna David]()
Finding Ky by Luna David
Rated: 4.50 of 5 stars · 6 ratingsPartners in every sense of the word, Sawyer and Jackson have been a unit since they were young teenagers. Growing up together in the same foster home, they learned they could depend only on each other. But when Kyler—a boy barely half their age—arrived heartbroken and scared, the young men took him under their wings, vowing to take care of him and protect him... -
![Kiss Marry Kill by S.C. Wynne]()
Kiss Marry Kill by S.C. Wynne
Rated: 4.43 of 5 stars · 7 ratingsSnakes don’t only crawl in the grass.River Martin has begun to reveal his true motives for being in Rainy Dale, and, shocker, it’s not good news for Maxwell.If Maxwell is going to go to war with River, he’ll need people on his side. In his quest to be more of a people person, he’s roped into attending the wedding of one of his young patients, Janelle Raiden... -
![Charisma Check by Katherine McIntyre]()
Charisma Check by Katherine McIntyre
Rated: 4.50 of 5 stars · 6 ratingsNever fall for the straight guy—Jasper knows better. At least until his straight guy crush starts crushing back…Jasper Tanaka has made an art form out of avoiding commitment. Which is why his crush on a nearby café owner, Matt, has been perfect—the guy is straight, vanilla, and far too sweet—everything that puts him out of Jasper’s reach...Categorized as:
queer bdsm queer-awakening m-m contemporary friends to lovers bisexual length-medium -
![In Sequence by Cole McCade]()
In Sequence by Cole McCade
Rated: 4.50 of 5 stars · 6 ratingsABOUT THIS EPISODE The Golden Ratio killer resurfaces in California to target a former victim, and this time the case takes Malcolm and Seong-Jae hunting deep into his past, searching for connections between victim and killer that may reveal his identity... -
-
![When Stars Align by Denver Shaw]()
When Stars Align by Denver Shaw
Rated: 4.60 of 5 stars · 5 ratingsScarred by the past. Terrified to love again. SavionOnce upon a time, my life was a fairytale. Engaged to a beautiful woman, we were planning our perfect future. Then, the sick act of an obsessed man ruined everything. Alone, disfigured, and betrayed, I fled to LA to focus on my work as a paleontologist.It was there I met Declan... -
![Cinnamon Roll by Anna Zabo]()
Cinnamon Roll by Anna Zabo
This cinnamon roll has plenty of bite!Maxime Demers has had an eye on Tom Cedric for a while, watching him flit from one awful man to another. So when Tom pins an ad to the community cork board at Bold Brew, Max can’t resist reading it. Tom’s looking for a play partner—someone who’s not a jerk—and Max knows he could give Tom what he needs. But first he’ll have to get the man to talk to him... -
![Killer Bond by Jocelynn Drake, Rinda Elliott]()
Killer Bond by Jocelynn Drake, Rinda Elliott
Rated: 4.22 of 5 stars · 12 ratingsDaniel Hendricks wants a vacation. Ward Security’s accountant and resident code breaker just needs a little R&R from the chaos and usual shenanigans of the office. But what was supposed to be a sexy vacation hook-up explodes in his face when he’s mistaken for a rogue secret agent... -
![Baby's Got Blue Eyes by L.M. Krier]()
Baby's Got Blue Eyes by L.M. Krier
Rated: 4.15 of 5 stars · 17 ratingsSomeone is dumping bodies on DI Ted Darling's patch and he's not happy. Ted's a good solid copper, in an old-fashioned way, with an excellent clear-up rate. He also happens to be gay and has his own unique way of dealing with any prejudice that brings him. But this killer seems to be running effortless rings round him and every promising lead just takes him up another blind alley... -
![Leo by Silvia Violet]()
Leo by Silvia Violet
Rated: 4.22 of 5 stars · 12 ratingsI used to be CIA. Now I'm a tattoo artist and a vigilante.When a new hire at my shop gets too curious about my less-than-legal activities, he needs all the protection I can give him.He wants a lot more. More than I should be willing to give. And yet, the longer I keep him close for his own safety... the more I want him in my bed... -
![Delicious by Sierra Riley]()
Delicious by Sierra Riley
Rated: 4.14 of 5 stars · 17 ratings“You’re exactly what I never knew I needed.” “I don’t have time for love.” Gavin Campbell has poured everything he has into starting up his bakery, Delicious... -
![Something New by Harper Logan]()
Something New by Harper Logan
Rated: 4.22 of 5 stars · 9 ratingsA marriage of convenience is one thing. But married to a straight guy? That’s a whole different story… Brooklyn Blackwell’s got a dissertation to finish and tenure to secure - the last thing he’s looking for is romance. But with his advisor’s charity on the brink of losing funding, Brooklyn’s got one shot at saving it... -
![Running Blind by S.E. Jakes]()
Running Blind by S.E. Jakes
Rated: 4.20 of 5 stars · 10 ratingsAn ATF agent who lives for danger finds what he craves from an outlaw biker. It’s impossible for a one-percenter motorcycle club member to simply walk away—and no one knows that better than undercover agent Bram, who’s almost killed for trying. His cover isn’t blown—yet—but it’s only a matter of time. The Heathens won’t be satisfied until he’s dead, so he decides to lay low and heal... -
![Skin and Bone by T.A. Moore]()
Skin and Bone by T.A. Moore
Rated: 4.22 of 5 stars · 9 ratingsDigging Up Bones: Book Two Cloister Witte and his K-9 partner, Bourneville, find the lost and bring them home. But the job doesn’t always end there. Janet Morrow, a young trans woman, lies in a coma after wandering away from her car during a storm. But just because Cloister found the young tourist doesn’t mean she’s home... -
![Beautiful by Jason Collins]()
Beautiful by Jason Collins
Rated: 4.22 of 5 stars · 9 ratingsHARRISON:I think I’m falling for a gay guy.What started as a meeting about my sister’s wedding plans changed when our caterer walked in. A man has never stirred me like this—or made me wonder how his lips taste.The sparks with Morgan are undeniable.Friends with benefits should be a win-win for us both. But when the wedding day draws close, I’m drawing Morgan closer... -
-
![The General and the Elephant Clock of Al-Jazari by Sarah Black]()
The General and the Elephant Clock of Al-Jazari by Sarah Black
Rated: 4.25 of 5 stars · 8 ratings"The General and the Horse-Lord: Book Two" "Sequel to The General and the Horse-Lord" Fresh out of the closet, General John Mitchel and Gabriel Sanchez are settling into their new life together when an old army colleague taps them for a rescue mission to Tunisia. Eli and Daniel, two former Rangers working security, have been arrested in Carthage, charged with blasphemy and thrown into prison... -
![Vanished by Carter Quinn]()
Vanished by Carter Quinn
Rated: 4.25 of 5 stars · 8 ratingsHenry Cooley has good friends and a good life. He’s secure in his job and his relationship. He and Tom, the love of his life, are about to celebrate their twenty-first anniversary as a couple. Their son, CJ, is in his second year at Cal Arts. Henry's only problems are his growing dissatisfaction with his job and the fact that Tom's parents still hate him, even after all these years... -
![Restitution: A Love Story by Aubrey Cullens]()
Restitution: A Love Story by Aubrey Cullens
Rated: 4.25 of 5 stars · 8 ratingsNate Parker has spent the last few years imprisoned for a crime he didn’t commit. His wrongful conviction cost him his job, his fiancée, his reputation, and his hope for the future. His name has been cleared, but after everything he’s lost, he doesn’t know how to find his way back to the life that was taken from him. Parker Campbell is raising his 9-year-old niece, Emma, on his own... -
![Breathe by Piper Scott]()
Breathe by Piper Scott
Rated: 4.25 of 5 stars · 8 ratingsAtop an empire of his own design lives an alpha waiting to die. CEO Marshall Alcrest has the financial world at his feet, but it’s been years since he’s made an omega kneel… and he’s come to terms that it’s too late to ever see it happen again... -
![A New Empire by Layla Reyne]()
A New Empire by Layla Reyne
Rated: 4.25 of 5 stars · 8 ratingsLegacies were made to be rewritten. Assassin Hawes Madigan wants to do right—by his family, his organization, his city, and the man he’s falling for, ATF agent Christopher Perri. But Hawes’s rules are being challenged by someone willing to kill for the old ways... -
![The Jock by E.M. Denning]()
The Jock by E.M. Denning
Rated: 4.25 of 5 stars · 8 ratingsColby Bennett is straight.At twenty-five, he’s the middle of three boys raised by a single father. He’s always been a jock, so managing a gym feels like his calling. If only being a big brother were as easy. When Colby stumbles on his younger brother trying on feminine clothing, Taylor is angry and embarrassed...
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.
