Books like 'Too Close to the Flame'
Readers who enjoyed Too Close to the Flame by Ryan Taylor & Joshua Harwood also liked the following books featuring the same tropes, story themes, relationship dynamics and character types.
contemporary gay romance queer caretaking friends to lovers hurt-comfort sweet-hero tortured hero dual-pov slow burn
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Beautifully Unexpected by Lily Morton
Sometimes love comes when you least expect or want it.Magnus Carlsen is determined to grow old disgracefully. At fifty-two, he doesn’t believe in keeping anything. Men, sofas, books—everything gets jettisoned, eventually. He’s divided his life into happy compartments. A successful trial lawyer, he spends his days lecturing jurors, exasperating judges, and striding arrogantly around courtrooms...Categorized as:
friends to lovers dual-pov slow burn forced proximity queer first-person-pov mature couple m-m -
![Touch the Lightning by N.R. Walker]()
Touch the Lightning by N.R. Walker
Without a working office, Jeremiah is tasked with repairing the automated weather station on Oxley Island. It’s remote, only accessible by boat, and with there being a good chance of crocodiles, he’s dreading it. Tully, on the other hand, can’t wait. With a boat licence, his dad’s boat, and two days alone with Jeremiah—and with thunderstorms likely—to Tully, it’s another perfect adventure... -
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![Pieces of You by N.R. Walker]()
Pieces of You by N.R. Walker
Dallas Muller has everything he never expected he’d have. He owns a successful motorbike mechanic shop in Newcastle, and he’s madly in love with his boyfriend of four years, Justin Keith.Justin has always struggled to find where he fit in, never realising his true worth or what it means to be loved—until he met Dallas... -
![Long Way Home by Nicky James]()
Long Way Home by Nicky James
It was love at first sight. They were soulmates. It was forever. But they were only sixteen. Too innocent. Too naïve. Too ignorant about the world around them. Besides, nothing lasts forever. With their fairy-tale future torn to shreds, both boys need to learn to find their own way in an unforgiving world. Gavin Buchanan is thrown into a life he didn’t want, molded to do a job he always feared...Categorized as:
hurt-comfort dual-pov friends to lovers tortured hero queer m-m contemporary military -
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![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... -
![Into the Tempest by N.R. Walker]()
Into the Tempest by N.R. Walker
Rated: 4.33 of 5 stars · 21 ratingsJeremiah Overton is now in charge of Darwin’s Bureau of Meteorology, and his storm chaser boyfriend, Tully Larson, couldn’t be happier. For Tully, it means watching summer storms with the love of his life but for Jeremiah, it means relearning everything on equipment that’s older than he is. But summer storms also mean it’s cyclone season...Categorized as:
tortured hero forced proximity hurt-comfort queer dual-pov first-person-pov m-m suspense -
![Remember Me When by Brooke Blaine]()
Remember Me When by Brooke Blaine
Remember Me When is the second and final book in the heart-rending and passionate Unforgettable Duet from USA Today Bestselling Author Brooke Blaine. My worst nightmare and your greatest fear became a reality: You don’t remember me. You don’t remember the accident, or the weeks afterward. You don’t remember my bed as your safe place, or when, against all odds, you fell for me...Categorized as:
friends to lovers queer first-person-pov dual-pov m-m contemporary second chances height-difference -
![The Layover by Roe Horvat]()
The Layover by Roe Horvat
Eight years ago, Ondro Smrek fled Slovakia and the bigotry that drove his first lover to take his own life, but the demons proved impossible to outrun. Desperate for somewhere to belong, Ondro is returning to start over. During a layover in Basel, Switzerland, he meets Jamie, an American living in Scotland who is as brilliant as he is beautiful... -
![The Charmer by Riley Hart]()
The Charmer by Riley Hart
If you listen to The Vers, a queer podcast I host with my three best friends, you know me as The Charmer. I’m always happy, flirting, and trying to win everyone over. I think most people would be surprised to learn I have a lot more going on beneath the surface... -
![Lost and Found by Lucy Lennox, Sloane Kennedy]()
Lost and Found by Lucy Lennox, Sloane Kennedy
He promised to never leave me. But when I needed him the most, that was exactly what he did… From Bestselling Authors Sloane Kennedy & Lucy Lennox comes an exciting new series about how a twist of fate can change everything... He promised to never leave me...Categorized as:
friends to lovers forced proximity dual-pov first-person-pov queer m-m angst from hate to love -
![Wheels Down by Beth Bolden]()
Wheels Down by Beth Bolden
Rated: 4.56 of 5 stars · 9 ratingsShaw isn’t his friend—until Ross discovers he’s so much more. Ross Stanton is having a bad week—a bad month—really, a bad year . But the last thing he wants, after the betrayal of his friend and business partner, is for anyone else to know just how much he’s fighting for survival...Categorized as:
friends to lovers forced proximity hurt-comfort queer m-m contemporary length-medium -
![Bean by Nora Phoenix, E.M. Lindsey]()
Bean by Nora Phoenix, E.M. Lindsey
After my medical discharge from the Army due to a brain injury, I’ve had to reinvent myself. Not easy when I can’t even remember what I ate for breakfast. Or the hot, older guy I went home with. Oops.When I run into him a second time and hit him up as if we’ve never met before, Jarek’s a little insulted. I can’t exactly blame him...Categorized as:
queer hurt-comfort friends to lovers sweet-hero first-person-pov dual-pov military m-m -
![A Flowering of Ink by K.L. Noone]()
A Flowering of Ink by K.L. Noone
One misdirected card ... and a chance at love.Professor Burne Cameron loves his job and his environmental research. Unfortunately, three months of field work on a tiny island can get pretty lonely, especially when even his brother forgets his birthday. That is, until an unexpected letter arrives ... and Burne finds himself fascinated by the mysterious sender...Categorized as:
queer friends to lovers hurt-comfort sweet-hero dual-pov m-m contemporary length-novella -
![The Idiot by Dianna Roman]()
The Idiot by Dianna Roman
You can't pick who you love...nor can you run from them.Murphy Malone loves his orchard, his mother, and his dog. Life is great until he can't stop thinking about what he's missing—someone to share it all with. When he realizes that his love for his best friend, Jesse Carver, runs deeper than the bonds of friendship, it just makes things worse... -
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![Rhythm of Us by Aimee Nicole Walker]()
Rhythm of Us by Aimee Nicole Walker
Rated: 4.20 of 5 stars · 24 ratingsXavier Cruz has come home after touring with his band for eight years, a life his family and friends would never envy if they knew the truth. Haunted by past decisions, he’s lost himself and his music. Every day is a struggle to recapture them both and forgive the mistakes he’s made. Can Xavier push past his nightmares and hear the melodies all around him again?Ben St... -
![Indirection by Gregory Ashe]()
Indirection by Gregory Ashe
Rabid 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... -
![Chasing You: A Single Dad Romance by E.M. Lindsey]()
Chasing You: A Single Dad Romance by E.M. Lindsey
“Playing house-husband to my best friend isn’t weird, right? Even though I’m head over heels in love with him and he doesn’t have feelings for me?”Adele is a caretaker. Always has been, always will be. So when his lifelong best friend comes home after losing his job to a nervous breakdown and chronic illness, Adele steps in...Categorized as:
friends to lovers queer caretaking hurt-comfort sweet-hero dual-pov men in uniform contemporary -
![The Law of Miracles by K.C. Wells]()
The Law of Miracles by K.C. Wells
Rated: 4.39 of 5 stars · 10 ratingsThe sequel to A Christmas Promise… Joshua Trant is doing his best to support his son Micah and Micah’s partner Greg as they approach the trial of Greg’s attackers. This was never going to be easy, especially as Greg wants them prosecuted for a hate crime, but County Attorney Alexander Rycliffe assures them he’ll do his utmost to make sure the perpetrators are held accountable for their actions... -
![Surrender Your Heart by Aimee Nicole Walker]()
Surrender Your Heart by Aimee Nicole Walker
Rated: 4.17 of 5 stars · 23 ratings***Surrender Your Heart was originally published in 2015. This second edition has been completely re-edited but does not contain new material. *** Secrets and fears—everyone has them. Some more than others. A heavy secret brought Liam Connelly to DC, but it isn’t the only reason he stays. Hired to tend bar at Bottoms Up, Liam finds himself drawn to his enigmatic boss like a moth to a flame...Categorized as:
queer friends to lovers hurt-comfort m-m contemporary military age difference length-short -
![The Romantic by Riley Hart]()
The Romantic by Riley Hart
ParkerWhen it comes to The Vers, the queer podcast I host with my best friends, I’m The Romantic. The one who’s looking for love in all the wrong places. If there’s a jerk close by, I’ll find him. I’m beginning to think my Mr. Right doesn’t exist.It’s definitely not Elliott Delgado Weaver, the shameless flirt who keeps asking me out...Categorized as:
forced proximity hurt-comfort friends to lovers queer dual-pov first-person-pov contemporary m-m -
![Endless Stretch of Blue by Riley Hart]()
Endless Stretch of Blue by Riley Hart
Lorenzo Moretti and Damon Blackwell have never met, but they're tied together by the same tragedy. They were both there that night . They each lost someone they loved. They've been living as shells of their former selves ever since. Running into each other and realizing their shared pasts? Pure serendipity... -
![Relief Pitcher by Lee Blair]()
Relief Pitcher by Lee Blair
I thought I was helping him get his groove back. Turns out he’s helping me fall in love.TylerI have one rule when it comes to matters of my one and done. Consensually, of course. Fun with no complicated romantic feelings. Not that I’m built to experience those, anyway.After my car breaks down on a remote road, I follow a lumbersnack back to his creepy cabin for the cell service...Categorized as:
forced proximity hurt-comfort friends to lovers queer sports exhibitionism m-m contemporary -
![Next Season by Lane Hayes]()
Next Season by Lane Hayes
Rated: 4.30 of 5 stars · 12 ratingsThe injured hockey player and the grumpy chef…RileyMy time playing pro hockey will be up soon. I can feel it. And I’ve heard the he’s too old, he’s had too many injuries, he’s lost his edge. I don’t want to admit it, but they could be right. Next season might be my last.Or this season. Because of course, this is when the universe decides I need another concussion... -
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![By the Numbers by K.M. Neuhold]()
By the Numbers by K.M. Neuhold
Two hot roommates, minus clothes, plus a drawer full of debauchery, and a WHOLE lot of tension. You don’t have to be a math genius to figure out the sum of that equation...Categorized as:
friends to lovers first-person-pov dual-pov forced proximity queer contemporary m-m new adult -
![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... -
![Messy Ink by Ali Lyda]()
Messy Ink by Ali Lyda
Rated: 4.23 of 5 stars · 14 ratingsDane Chris is a great doctor, but he can’t heal me… I learned to look out for myself on the streets and in juvie. I’ve cleaned up my act, but it doesn’t mean that I’m about to start trusting a guy to stick around. Especially not a clean cut doctor like Chris. No wonder I ended things between us the first time around. I’m sure it’s for the best... -
![Angel by Linden Bell]()
Angel by Linden Bell
Rated: 4.30 of 5 stars · 10 ratingsHe was only supposed to be gay for pay. Angel I’ve never had sex before. And I've definitely never looked at a guy that way before. But with his brightly-colored hair and beautiful outfits, Rhys is hard to ignore--especially after I learn what he does for a living...Categorized as:
queer friends to lovers sweet-hero first-person-pov dual-pov m-m length-medium contemporary -
![A Wedding in a Week by Con Riley]()
A Wedding in a Week by Con Riley
Rated: 4.33 of 5 stars · 9 ratingsA second chance with his brother’s best friend also comes with a deadline. Three years after inheriting his family farm, an accident forces Stefan Luxton to rethink his future. Turning his farm into a five-star wedding venue is one goal. Another is to reconnect with Marc, who Stefan loved but let slip away to the city...Categorized as:
friends to lovers hurt-comfort forced proximity queer m-m age difference contemporary found-family -
![Dipped in Sunshine by Fearne Hill]()
Dipped in Sunshine by Fearne Hill
“You think you can do the jiggy with my baby brother, without wooing him for approximately three years first? Hah! I hope you weren’t too attached to your toenails.”Fifty is a simple man. He doesn’t know much, but he knows this: to stay well clear of Otto Eggebraaten. The nineteen-year-old is cute, blond, and trouble. His overprotective big brother, Eggy, hounds Otto’s every move...Categorized as:
sweet-hero friends to lovers forced proximity queer contemporary humor m-m age difference -
![Starting Over by Alexa Land]()
Starting Over by Alexa Land
Rated: 4.38 of 5 stars · 8 ratingsColt Matthews is trying to find his way in the world. His friends are getting married, finding rewarding careers, and moving forward with their lives. Meanwhile, twenty-one-year-old Colt is still trying to figure out who he is and what he wants out of life. About the only thing he knows for sure is that he’s undeniably drawn to his friend Ren, despite their age difference...Categorized as:
queer first-person-pov dual-pov friends to lovers m-m age difference contemporary new adult -
![Back to Center by Ryan Taylor, Joshua Harwood]()
Back to Center by Ryan Taylor, Joshua Harwood
Rated: 4.38 of 5 stars · 8 ratingsEckieThere are ways to get ahead in college hockey, but having a meltdown, trying to get rid of your coach, and stalking his boyfriend isn’t one of them... -
![Game On by Amy Aislin]()
Game On by Amy Aislin
Rated: 4.38 of 5 stars · 8 ratingsWhen he broke off his engagement to his team captain's brother the day before their wedding, Jamie Jamieson swore he'd never get involved with anyone associated with a teammate again. Getting traded to the Orcas is a chance at a fresh start, but one glance at his new housemate, and Jamie knows he's in way over his head.Dorian is his new coach's cousin. And his team's social media coordinator...Categorized as:
friends to lovers forced proximity hurt-comfort dual-pov queer m-m sports height-difference -
![Scene Queen by Charlie Novak]()
Scene Queen by Charlie Novak
Rated: 4.38 of 5 stars · 8 ratingsNote to self: just because he's hot and funny doesn't change the fact he's annoying AF.Hooking up with my irritating as hell neighbour wasn't on my agenda for the week, even if he is ridiculously gorgeous with a smile that lights up my life. His music is too loud, he’s too nosy… but I can’t stop myself from wanting more than a taste...Categorized as:
hurt-comfort forced proximity queer m-m grumpy sunshine contemporary sports length-medium -
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![Kiss My Axe by R.M. Neill]()
Kiss My Axe by R.M. Neill
Rated: 4.38 of 5 stars · 8 ratingsPerryYou know that saying, keep your friends close and your enemies closer? Well, whoever said that never had the misfortune of meeting Roman Auclair.Sure, he’s sexy and wears a corset like nobody’s business, but he’s arrogant, entitled and so damn judgemental he should sit on the Supreme Court.I’d rather sleep with a porcupine than bunk with him...Categorized as:
queer forced proximity first-person-pov dual-pov contemporary m-m humor length-medium -
![Fire and Glass by Andrew Grey]()
Fire and Glass by Andrew Grey
State Trooper Casey Bombaro works too hard to have time for a love life, never mind a family. But when a missing persons case leads him to three scared kids and eventually their uncle—an old friend from Casey’s college days—all that changes.Bertie Riley hasn’t seen his troubled sister, Jen, or his niece and nephews in years. Now suddenly Jen is gone and Bertie is all the kids have... -
![ChrisMyths by Amy Lane]()
ChrisMyths by Amy Lane
Rated: 4.50 of 5 stars · 6 ratingsAfter courtship, cohabitation, and learning about love and each other, Andy and Eli face the ultimate test: being separated at Christmas.Eli’s seen the propaganda—the country boy goes home from the city and realizes his heart is back among the snow, trees, and chickens. A big happy family is something Eli, with his demanding job running a shelter for LGBTQ youth, can’t provide... -
![Co-Star by Ava Olsen]()
Co-Star by Ava Olsen
Rated: 4.50 of 5 stars · 6 ratingsReed: Tate Aduma is a Hollywood actor that everyone wants and no one really knows. Our first meeting as young dreamers sparks a decade of incredible highs and lows. I’ve loved him, I’ve hated him, and I can’t live without him. But I know that love in the spotlight is not made to survive. Will we?Tate: Reed Larkin is the only constant in my chaotic life of movie sets, parties, and nameless lovers...Categorized as:
hurt-comfort friends to lovers dual-pov queer m-m grumpy sunshine contemporary from hate to love -
![Heal Me by Beck Grey]()
Heal Me by Beck Grey
Rated: 4.50 of 5 stars · 6 ratingsA lawyer and an architect walk into a bar…Jocelin:What do you do when your boss’s pushy nephew repeatedly asks you out and won’t take no for an answer? You create a fake boyfriend. One who works a lot, so he never comes to office functions or meets you for lunch. It works well until le salaud calls my bluff...Categorized as:
hurt-comfort friends to lovers queer m-m contemporary found-family death length-medium -
![Sapphire Dawn by C. Travis Rice, Christopher Rice]()
Sapphire Dawn by C. Travis Rice, Christopher Rice
Rated: 4.50 of 5 stars · 6 ratingsUnder his pen name, C. Travis Rice, New York Times bestselling author Christopher Rice offers tales of passion, intrigue, and steamy romance between men. The fourth novel, SAPPHIRE DAWN, once again transports you to a beautiful luxury resort on the sparkling Southern California coast where strong-willed heroes release the shame that blocks their hearts’ desires...Categorized as:
queer hurt-comfort forced proximity contemporary m-m fated-mates office length-medium -
![Sapphire Dawn by C. Travis Rice]()
Sapphire Dawn by C. Travis Rice
Rated: 4.50 of 5 stars · 6 ratingsUnder his pen name, C. Travis Rice, New York Times bestselling author Christopher Rice offers tales of passion, intrigue, and steamy romance between men. The fourth novel, SAPPHIRE DAWN, once again transports you to a beautiful luxury resort on the sparkling Southern California coast where strong-willed heroes release the shame that blocks their hearts’ desires... -
![Never Have I Ever: Wanted My Brother's Rival by Willow Dixon]()
Never Have I Ever: Wanted My Brother's Rival by Willow Dixon
“Why is the one person I hate the only guy I can’t stop thinking about?”West, my older brother’s high school rival. The rich kid who has it all. The guy who disappeared six years ago and destroyed my brother’s life.I thought West and I were friends. I trusted him, but he showed me I was nothing more to him than a means to an end.Being twenty and in my last year of college isn’t easy... -
![Morgan by Riley Hart]()
Morgan by Riley Hart
MorganWhen I left Birchbark angry and broken-hearted, I vowed never to return.Fate had other plans.The father I hate had a stroke. Now, at thirty-five-years-old, I’m back in the upper peninsula to take care of him. Being a Swift has never been easy. The locals treat Dad like royalty, while Dad vacillates between open anger and flat-out ignoring me...Categorized as:
friends to lovers queer tortured hero first-person-pov dual-pov hurt-comfort m-m contemporary -
![Christmas On Stardust Lane by Garrett Leigh]()
Christmas On Stardust Lane by Garrett Leigh
A scarred ex-biker with a hardened soul. The hot new nurse in town guarding his own bruised heart. Tam Dubois is used to being alone. With a body that bears the marks of his mistakes, he’s grown to like it. But scratching out a living with pen and ink is tough, the numbers don’t work, and the only solution he can think of gives him the opposite of Christmas cheer.A lodger...Categorized as:
forced proximity hurt-comfort queer caretaking friends to lovers slow burn sweet-hero dual-pov -
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![Fly Away Home by Felice Stevens]()
Fly Away Home by Felice Stevens
Rated: 4.26 of 5 stars · 10 ratingsMaybe Colson Delacourt teasing those nosy ladies in the coffeeshop with the plot of his next murder mystery was a bad idea. But does that mean he deserves to be arrested for attempting to kill his elderly neighbor? Why won’t the police believe he has nothing to do with her getting hurt? That detective Harper Rose won’t listen to him—he’s so annoying and arrogant. And sexy and gorgeous...Categorized as:
queer hurt-comfort forced proximity dual-pov m-m contemporary humor from hate to love -
![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 first-person-pov m-m contemporary humor queer-awakening -
![Seaworthy by K.L. Noone]()
Seaworthy by K.L. Noone
An epic motion picture! A gay Napoleonic War love story! Ballrooms and battles at sea! Romantic happy endings on the silver screen! And a film that’ll change everything for its stars ...Jason Mirelli can’t play adrenaline-fueled action heroes forever. He’s getting older, plus the action star parts have grown a little thinner since he came out as bisexual...Categorized as:
forced proximity slow burn tortured hero queer friends to lovers dual-pov hurt-comfort sweet-hero -
![Unwanted by Marley Valentine]()
Unwanted by Marley Valentine
Two halves of a whole, Arlo Bishop and I were both unwanted kids brought together by the foster system. Dealing with the aftermath of neglect and abandonment, we grew up side by side and found solace in one another.We wanted.We needed.We loved.Desperately.But somewhere along the way, Arlo wanted and needed and loved drugs more. So, I did the only thing I could and broke my own heart to save his...Categorized as:
friends to lovers forced proximity tortured hero queer m-m contemporary substance abuse angst -
![Forgotten Romance by Saxon James]()
Forgotten Romance by Saxon James
Davey: In a list of what’s most important to me, three things are right up there at the top. My kids, my husband Mack, and my career I’ve spent my life building. Unfortunately that career has me away from home more than I'd like, and when I refuse to walk away from it, my husband walks away from me instead...Categorized as:
queer friends to lovers forced proximity first-person-pov dual-pov contemporary m-m mature couple -
![The Note by May Archer]()
The Note by May Archer
I was one of the lucky ones. I found my soulmate back in high school, when my next door neighbor wrote me a love note that changed my life -- a love note that promised me "always." But apparently "always" ain't all it's cracked up to be, because here I am, a mere eight years later, planning my soulmate's dream wedding -- the most romantic Valentine's Day wedding in O'Leary's history...Categorized as:
friends to lovers slow burn first-person-pov queer sweet-hero m-m contemporary open-door
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