Books like 'Empty Net'
Readers who enjoyed Empty Net by Avon Gale also liked the following books featuring the same tropes, story themes, relationship dynamics and character types.
contemporary gay romance funny athletes from hate to love sports angst hockey friends to lovers new adult
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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... -
![Time to Shine by Rachel Reid]()
Time to Shine by Rachel Reid
A merry and bright hockey romance about finding your place, finding your people and finding your way back to the one you love the most. For Landon Stackhouse, being called up from the Calgary farm team is exciting and terrifying, even if, as the backup goalie, he rarely leaves the bench. A quiet loner by nature, Landon knows he gives off strong “don’t talk to me” vibes... -
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![Heart by Jesse H. Reign]()
Heart by Jesse H. Reign
The first time I laid eyes on him my heart skipped a beat. My obsession began the way all obsessions do…with a spark. A small, seemingly insignificant flicker that quickly took root. He was pure, liquid light. A sunshine boy with a heart of gold. He turned my world up-side-down. I couldn’t sleep. I couldn’t eat. I couldn’t let him out of my sight...Categorized as:
queer tortured hero sweet-hero sunny hero new adult angst hurt-comfort friends to lovers -
![The Rest of the Story by Tal Bauer]()
The Rest of the Story by Tal Bauer
Let me earn it. I keep things simple. I’m a classic one-night wonder. Relationships? Are you out of your mind? No. No way. Not interested. My heart is vulcanized rubber, puck hard, and that’s the way I like it. Then I'm traded to the absolute worst team in the NHL, the Rocky Mountain Outlaws, and I’m hit with a one-two punch...Categorized as:
athletes sports angst friends to lovers forced proximity virgin hero sweet-hero hurt-comfort -
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![Poetry On Ice by Jesse H. Reign]()
Poetry On Ice by Jesse H. Reign
I can’t tell if we’re fighting…or flirting? Being traded to the Seattle Vipers has left me with mixed feelings. On the one hand, they’re my team, the team I’ve loved and supported since I was a kid, but on the other hand, he’s here. Him. Ant Decker. Infamous NHL bad boy. Right wing to my left. A man who’s made it his sole purpose in life to be better than me...Categorized as:
grumpy sunshine from hate to love hockey queer-awakening cold hero forced proximity queer sports -
![How to Be a Movie Star by T.J. Klune]()
How to Be a Movie Star by T.J. Klune
Sequel to How to Be a Normal Person. A How to Be Novel. Josiah Erickson wants to be a movie star. The problem with that is so does half of Los Angeles. But he’s on his way, what with memorable roles as a TV show background cadaver and a guy in a commercial for herpes medication. All he needs is his big break...Categorized as:
friends to lovers sunny hero forced proximity queer found-family demi-sexual-hero m-m contemporary -
![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...Categorized as:
angst friends to lovers sports athletes queer queer-awakening anal sex demi-sexual-hero -
![And Then You by Briar Prescott]()
And Then You by Briar Prescott
Here’s the thing: I am not—I repeat not—boyfriend material. I’m a good time for one night, and that’s it. Figures I manage to get myself into a situation where I have to pretend to be in a relationship. Ah, well. Not much else to do now than suck it up and get it over with. I’m in. I’m out. I’m done. But then. .. Quinn says he’s curious. He says I’m a liar. He says he wants to see the real me... -
![On or Off, Volume 2 by A1]()
On or Off, Volume 2 by A1
Yiyoung and his college friends have formed a startup company together, and even managed to score a proposal meeting with the illustrious SJ corporation. But when he meets Kang Daehyung, a handsome corporate big shot that's just his type, can Yiyoung keep his cool long enough to succeed in both his love life and his career?Categorized as:
queer office height-difference anal sex cold hero sunny hero sweet-hero queer-awakening -
![On or Off, Volume 3 by A1]()
On or Off, Volume 3 by A1
Winner of the Ridibooks 2019 BL Awards. Published in English for the first time in full color and fully uncensored! Yiyoung and his college friends have formed a startup company together, and even managed to score a proposal meeting with the illustrious SJ corporation...Categorized as:
queer grumpy sunshine office queer-awakening height-difference anal sex cold hero sunny hero -
![Sem by Cora Rose]()
Sem by Cora Rose
Sometimes your dream guy isn’t who you think he is. Sem has been stalking me for months. He shows up everywhere I am and lurks in the background, his eyes always on me. I don’t understand his fascination with me, but he won’t leave me alone. He’s definitely not my type. He’s too big, too reckless, and too feral...Categorized as:
height-difference grumpy sunshine anal sex sunny hero queer-awakening new adult angst caretaking -
![Semantic Error, Vol.1 (Semantic Error (Novel) #1) by Soori Jeo]()
Semantic Error, Vol.1 (Semantic Error (Novel) #1) by Soori Jeo
Computer science major Chu Sangwoo is the epitome of an inflexible and strict rule-abiding person. While working on a liberal arts group project with freeloaders who don’t put in any effort, Sangwoo reasonably decides to remove their names from the final presentation. But he didn’t imagine how involved he would become with the person whose study-abroad plans were messed up because of that project... -
![Stubborn Puckboy by Eden Finley, Saxon James]()
Stubborn Puckboy by Eden Finley, Saxon James
Colby. Once upon a time, playing for the NHL was my dream. Then Radimir Novicov skated circles around me and made it clear I’d never be good enough. He was smart, talented, and worst of all–sexy. Every closeted guy knows that you don’t hit on your teammate, even if his gaze lingers longer than it should...Categorized as:
queer hockey sports new adult athletes grumpy sunshine found-family friends to lovers -
![The End Zone by Riley Hart]()
The End Zone by Riley Hart
Jeremy. Seeing my best friend West, happy with his fiancé opened my eyes to things I’ve been missing in my own marriage. My divorce, which was amicable, followed. Strangely, at West’s wedding, I find myself confiding in Darren, the straight, confirmed bachelor and star quarterback of the Atlanta Lightning...Categorized as:
sports athletes friends to lovers queer queer-awakening angst caretaking hurt-comfort -
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![An Unrivaled Off Season by Ashlyn Kane, Morgan James]()
An Unrivaled Off Season by Ashlyn Kane, Morgan James
Any other year, hockey player Grady Armstrong would be licking his wounds after a disappointing playoffs exit. Somehow, this year, he’s in the stands as his rival-turned-boyfriend Max Lockhart competes for the Stanley Cup… and there’s nowhere he’d rather be. Well, except maybe lifting the Cup himself... -
![Drilled by K.M. Neuhold]()
Drilled by K.M. Neuhold
A month in a remote cabin with the last man I ever expected to see again? I can’t decide if I should punch him or drill him. It might end up being both. After more than a decade, the last person I expected to see walk into the Four Bears Construction offices as a new hire was Ridge. He was my first crush, and my first heartbreak when he started dating my sister... -
![Ranger by K.M. Neuhold, Nora Phoenix]()
Ranger by K.M. Neuhold, Nora Phoenix
I’ve been living under storm clouds since my honorable discharge, but Julian’s the sun. I’ve tried everything to deal with my PTSD from yoga to sunning my butthole, but nothing seemed to help. So when my brother suggests a therapy dog, I figure I don’t have anything to lose. The last thing I expect is for the dog to come with a cheerful, quirky trainer I can’t get out of my head…...Categorized as:
angst friends to lovers queer grumpy sunshine anal sex caretaking disabilities and marks small town -
![Handy by K.M. Neuhold]()
Handy by K.M. Neuhold
My new neighbor may be grumpy but he's also hot, and. very. good with his hands…. I definitely overestimated my own handyman skills when I bought this fixer-upper. I have to say, the view from my new place is worth it though. Especially around seven o'clock every morning when my big, furry bear of a neighbor drinks his coffee shirtless on his back porch. He's dedicated to the bear thing too...Categorized as:
queer small town grumpy sunshine anal sex forced proximity sunny hero cold hero hurt-comfort -
![Holiday Heart Strings by N.R. Walker]()
Holiday Heart Strings by N.R. Walker
Hartbridge Christmas Series - Book Four. Englishman 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...Categorized as:
hurt-comfort queer height-difference caretaking anal sex found-family small town sweet-hero -
![You Are Cordially Invited by Jay Hogan]()
You Are Cordially Invited by Jay Hogan
There’s a wedding in the air at Auckland Med, but Reuben wonders if they’ll survive the stress long enough to say, ‘I do’. Cam is directing the entire operation with his combat eyeliner in place, whilst the wedding party is doing its best to ignore him. The pressure is mounting and the cracks are beginning to show. There’s a bachelor party to survive. The paparazzi to outrun...Categorized as:
sports queer height-difference sweet-hero sunny hero athletes found-family hurt-comfort -
![On Board by Jay Hogan]()
On Board by Jay Hogan
Leroy Madden is in trouble. Big, handsome, Fox Carmody trouble. Leroy has buried his attraction to the enigmatic fisherman in irritation and pointless bickering, keeping Fox at a safe distance. But with the troublesome man now living in Leroy’s house, it’s becoming impossible for Leroy to keep his true feelings hidden, or the fact that Leroy maybe isn’t so straight, after all...Categorized as:
forced proximity from hate to love cold hero angst small town queer queer-awakening grumpy sunshine -
![A Ginger for Kinkmas by Chara Croft]()
A Ginger for Kinkmas by Chara Croft
Flynn Morris needs a Daddy. At least, that’s what his flamboyant and highly opinionated best friend, Tate, has decided. Flynn himself isn’t so sure. He’s never had a boyfriend, much less considered something as kinky as having a Daddy. In fact, he’s been perfectly happy with his life exactly as it is... -
![I've Been Careless With a Delicate Thing by Marina Vivancos]()
I've Been Careless With a Delicate Thing by Marina Vivancos
Silas meets gorgeous, grumpy-looking Oscar at a bar. He’s never had sex with a guy, and what better place is there to find someone to pop that particular cherry? He knows what he’s getting with the broad-shouldered, I-can-pummel-you-with-one-look Oscar: getting bent over a hard surface and satisfied until he’s blaspheming. Turns out, though, there’s a lot more to Oscar that meets the eyes...Categorized as:
queer anal sex caretaking height-difference queer-awakening sunny hero cold hero grumpy sunshine -
![Not That Complicated by Isabel Murray]()
Not That Complicated by Isabel Murray
If this was your classic Cotswolds murder mystery (it’s not) and Ray was an amateur detective (he isn’t) then when he stumbles across something unexpected under his bedroom floor, he’d investigate the hell out of it. Hard pass. Ray’s just a thirtysomething graphic designer with a broken heart who doesn’t much like his life right now... -
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![Right as Raine by Lucy Lennox]()
Right as Raine by Lucy Lennox
Tiller:. 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 forced proximity office class difference height-difference queer -
![The Weight of It All by N.R. Walker]()
The Weight of It All by N.R. Walker
After being dumped by his long-term boyfriend for being overweight, Henry Beckett decides to make some drastic changes. In a vain attempt at getting his boyfriend back, Henry does the most absurdly frightening thing he can think of. He joins a gym. Reed Henske is a personal trainer who isn’t sure he’ll ever be ready to date again...Categorized as:
friends to lovers athletes sweet-hero height-difference queer anal sex new adult class difference -
![A Long Way Back by Barbara Elsborg]()
A Long Way Back by Barbara Elsborg
A serious accident may have left Tay’s body broken, but he’s determined to live an independent life at any cost. Except he’s barely coping. Alone and isolated in London, his only solace comes from the pain numbing drugs he’s become addicted to. Ink’s on the run. He keeps his head low, but London streets don’t feel safe... -
![Missed Steps by L. Sherleen]()
Missed Steps by L. Sherleen
Kyle lost part of his leg during the summer, and with it, the rivalry with his college-long crush Mark ends in a loss. Except. .Categorized as:
sports queer from hate to love new adult tortured hero caretaking sweet-hero anal sex -
![Waiting for Ru by Barbara Elsborg]()
Waiting for Ru by Barbara Elsborg
Ruari Byrne may not have had an easy life, but now he’s determined to live in the present, not his past. Trouble is, it’s hard to be independent when you’ve no money and no qualifications. All Ru knows is horses, and when he finds out that his beloved Joni and Cookie are off to auction, his heart is in his throat...Categorized as:
sports queer angst class difference height-difference caretaking hurt-comfort anal sex -
![On or Off, Volume 1 by A1]()
On or Off, Volume 1 by A1
An alternative cover edition for this ASIN can be found here. Winner of the Ridibooks 2019 BL Awards! Available unabridged and uncensored for the first time in English. They say all's fair in love. .Categorized as:
queer grumpy sunshine office from hate to love queer-awakening height-difference anal sex cold hero -
![The Remarkable Lover by Maya Jean]()
The Remarkable Lover by Maya Jean
Jackson. Dreams collapse in the blink of an eye, I know that better than anyone after losing my career as an athlete. Now I spend my days giving people pleasure for pay and playing with stocks. Most of my friends have settled in Clay Springs, Florida. A sleepy little town that moves slower than molasses... -
![The Poster Boy by E.M. Denning]()
The Poster Boy by E.M. Denning
One goal to make a career. One kiss to derail a life. Marek Myers is an up-and-coming goalie, but he's also not out. At least, he wasn’t. Because one kiss with the wrong man slams Marek out of the closet and into the spotlight. Determined to the make the best of a bad situation, Marek goes on the offensive, charming the media one interview at a time, happy to be the poster boy the media is after...Categorized as:
sports queer athletes cold hero sunny hero grumpy sunshine from hate to love anal sex -
![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 grumpy sunshine forced proximity hurt-comfort queer found-family -
![Scoring Chance by A.J. Truman]()
Scoring Chance by A.J. Truman
A totally fake marriage… with very real feelings. I'm a carefree bachelor who never wanted kids. But it seems life has other plans. When my best friend and hockey teammate Tanner Chance finds himself jobless with four kids to support, I suggest a wild marriage. My health insurance can cover Tanner’s family, but to keep nosy coworkers from sniffing out the scheme, the whole Chance clan moves in... -
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![Against the Grain by Jay Hogan]()
Against the Grain by Jay Hogan
I 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...Categorized as:
sports queer disabilities and marks sweet-hero cold hero athletes hurt-comfort height-difference -
![Easy Does It by K.M. Neuhold]()
Easy Does It by K.M. Neuhold
I've never shied away from the hard things in life. But falling in love with Lux… EASY has never felt so good. Most of the guys on Palm Island call me the token straight guy. The truth is, I'm not so much straight as I'm just… nothing. Asexual, demi, the label doesn't make much of a difference to me...Categorized as:
friends to lovers queer found-family demi-sexual-hero sunny hero small town sweet-hero virgin hero -
![Malicious Compliance by E.M. Lindsey]()
Malicious Compliance by E.M. Lindsey
My life is good. I work from home, I answer to no one, and I pay my rent on time. In short, things are peaceful and solitary—exactly the way I like them. Yes, my apartment might be a dump with paper-thin walls and plumbing issues, but it’s mine all the same. And then he moves in...Categorized as:
from hate to love angst forced proximity hurt-comfort grumpy sunshine queer m-m contemporary -
![The Revenge Game by Jax Calder]()
The Revenge Game by Jax Calder
Rule #1 of Revenge Club: Don't fall for your target. Andrew. I’ve come a long way since being the gawky, geeky, gay kid who was constantly picked on growing up. Having just sold my tech start-up for so much money it broke my phone calculator, I’m now at a loose end wondering what to do next in my life. Then I run into Justin. Justin, the golden boy from high school...Categorized as:
queer from hate to love tortured hero cruel hero sweet-hero office hurt-comfort angst -
![Spotlight by Eden Finley]()
Spotlight by Eden Finley
Ryder. When I quit the biggest boy band on the planet, I was supposed to get my life back. It’s not that I wanted to leave the spotlight. I felt like I had to for my daughter. Her picture shouldn’t be splashed all over the tabloids. I thought I could do this parenting thing on my own, but it’s obvious I need help. I just didn’t expect to find it in the form of a gorgeous guy I meet by chance...Categorized as:
friends to lovers office class difference queer cold hero angst sunny hero new adult -
![Not Dating Material by Saxon James]()
Not Dating Material by Saxon James
MOLLY. Moving to Seattle is supposed to be all about getting a fresh start and leaving the bitter man I was becoming behind. I have new roommates–quirky, sometimes strange, roommates–a nosy, next door neighbor and a grumpy kitty for company, but even surrounded by people, I still don’t feel like I belong... -
![The Head Game by Brigham Vaughn]()
The Head Game by Brigham Vaughn
Fisher Cats Defenseman Rushed to Hospital After In-Game Fall—Mystery Beau Revealed? The Fisher Cats defenseman is conscious and in stable condition following a seizure that occurred during the recent game against Buffalo. Updates indicate that while still hospitalized, he’s hopeful for a quick return to the ice... -
![The Pretenders of Copper County by May Archer]()
The Pretenders of Copper County by May Archer
It was supposed to be a straightforward protection job. Remove the target from Vermont, get him to the safehouse, keep him there until his mafia uncle testifies, get back in my employer’s good graces. Boom, done. Easy...Categorized as:
queer grumpy sunshine virgin hero forced proximity sunny hero sweet-hero small town m-m -
![Irresponsible Puckboy by Eden Finley, Saxon James]()
Irresponsible Puckboy by Eden Finley, Saxon James
Tripp. The worst part of being in love with my straight best friend is the fact he’s too oblivious to see it. Years of pining have left me exhausted, and I need a break from Dex. I need space to get over my feelings. But when his relationship falls apart and he turns to me for comfort, I cave immediately. If there’s one thing I hate more than being hurt, it’s seeing Dex struggle...Categorized as:
sports athletes friends to lovers sunny hero anal sex sweet-hero queer-awakening hockey -
![Starts With a Bang by Aimee Nicole Walker]()
Starts With a Bang by Aimee Nicole Walker
Rated: 4.50 of 5 stars · 8 ratingsThe best way to get over a cheating jerk is to get under someone new. Dominic isn’t looking for love or salvation at the Thirsty Cowboy. He needs a temporary escape from the drudgery his life has become, and the universe provides him with the sexiest distraction he’s ever seen. Sven is a sucker for sad eyes, thick thighs, and a Royal Cosmopolitan...Categorized as:
friends to lovers hurt-comfort found-family queer m-m age difference contemporary humor -
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![Family First by R.J. Scott, V.L. Locey]()
Family First by R.J. Scott, V.L. Locey
Rated: 4.50 of 5 stars · 8 ratingsAn injury threatens to end Stan’s career. Will he choose to fight for his beloved hockey, or put his family first? Few goalies are as dedicated as Stan Lyamin, known for his resilience on the ice, talking to his pipes, and his love of Elvis. Add in his adoration of his family and his life has been filled with all the things that bring him joy... -
![Everything for You by Chloe Liese]()
Everything for You by Chloe Liese
Enemies become lovers in this sizzling sports romance about taking a chance on love when life’s taught you it’s a losing game. Oliver Bergman is a beloved rising soccer star, all sunshine smiles and the heart of their team’s spirit. To make matters worse, he’s obscenely attractive. In he’s genetically designed to get under misanthropic, miserable Gavin’s aggravated skin...Categorized as:
queer from hate to love sports grumpy sunshine forced proximity office new adult hurt-comfort -
![Unbreakable Stories: Snow by Jocelynn Drake, Rinda Elliott]()
Unbreakable Stories: Snow by Jocelynn Drake, Rinda Elliott
Unbreakable Stories: Snow is a collection of short stories and a novelette set after the events of Shatter, book 2 of the Unbreakable Bonds series and before Torch, book 3. Follow the continuing, passionate and heartfelt romance between Dr. Ashton "Snow" Frost and Jude Torres as they merge their lives together as a couple... -
![TYLER by N. Boeyer]()
TYLER by N. Boeyer
Tyler. I’d found my heart—my everything—but then he got one shot to follow his dream. So he left… and took my heart with him. I love Jace. So freaking much. But hiding our relationship from the public to boost his career is harder than I expected. I get it. He’s following his dreams... -
![Headstrong by Eden Finley]()
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 grumpy sunshine cold hero anal sex sunny hero -
![Unbreakable Stories: Ian by Jocelynn Drake, Rinda Elliott]()
Unbreakable Stories: Ian by Jocelynn Drake, Rinda Elliott
Unbreakable Stories: Ian is a collection of short stories following the ups and downs of Ian Pierce and Hollis Banner has they navigate their new relationship and the unique complications of dating with a brunch of overprotective “brothers” determined to guard Ian’s heart. This collection is more than 38,000 words and contains short stories such as:. Midnight Perp. No Boyfriends Allowed...
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