Books like 'Headstrong'
Readers who enjoyed Headstrong by Eden Finley also liked the following books featuring the same tropes, story themes, relationship dynamics and character types.
contemporary gay romance funny friends to lovers sports athletes bisexual grumpy sunshine cold hero anal sex
-
Face Offs & Cheap Shots by Eden Finley, Saxon James
JACOBS For the last three years, I’ve lived and breathed hockey with one goal: team captain.There’s only one thing standing in my way. TJ Beckett.Beck is irresponsible and immature, and I’ve hated him since the moment we met freshman year.Yet, the coaches see something in him I obviously can’t, and they refuse to choose between us... -
![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...Categorized as:
friends to lovers queer small town grumpy sunshine anal sex possessive hero cold hero sunny hero -
![]()
![]()
Sponsored links -
![Goal Lines & First Times by Eden Finley, Saxon James]()
Goal Lines & First Times by Eden Finley, Saxon James
COHENIt turns out making out with my best friend in high school could be considered gay. Who knew? Apparently, everyone but me.Now that it’s been pointed out, I can’t help reliving it in my head. Repeatedly. Goodbye Denial Town, hello Confusionville.When my path leads me down the gay dating app route, I don’t expect to meet anyone I like, but then I meet him.He can’t be more opposite than me... -
![Playing Games by Riley Hart]()
Playing Games by Riley Hart
BraxTyson Langley thinks the king in Franklin University Kings is in reference to him. Star lacrosse player and God’s gift to the female and male population, there’s nothing the spoiled jock can’t have.It’s impossible for us to be in the same room without talking crap to each other. But I also have a secret… As much as I despise Ty, I want him too... -
-
![Project Hero by Briar Prescott]()
Project Hero by Briar Prescott
What if you accidentally fell in love with the right guy?Andy:If my life was a movie, I would be the sidekick. Not an especially promising start when my plan is to finally let my best friend know I have a crush on him. No worries, though. I have a plan. I just need a complete makeover... -
![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...Categorized as:
queer slow burn anal sex cold hero sunny hero sweet-hero queer-awakening contemporary -
![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... -
![Just a Taste by Briar Prescott]()
Just a Taste by Briar Prescott
LakeSo... I’m getting married.Just three minor details: my husband-to-be is technically also my step-brother, he’s straight, and we’re absolutely nowhere in the vicinity of being in love.RykerOnly then comes the you-may-kiss-your-husband part. Turns out kissing your husband is a terrible idea because it makes you have strange thoughts you’ve never had before...Categorized as:
queer new adult sports queer-awakening grumpy sunshine college sunny hero small town -
![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...Categorized as:
friends to lovers new adult queer queer-awakening sweet-hero virgin hero bisexual anal sex -
![Learning Curve by N.R. Walker]()
Learning Curve by N.R. Walker
Cobey GreenThere I was, moving into the dorms at Franklin U, and not into the shared party house I’d lived in my freshman year. Last year had been all about football and parties, not schoolwork. Which was why my grades tanked, and why I was one failed class away from being kicked off the team.Why I needed to live on campus, and find myself a tutor... -
![Torn & Bound Duet by K. Webster, Nikki Ash]()
Torn & Bound Duet by K. Webster, Nikki Ash
From USA Today bestselling authors K Webster and Nikki Ash comes an angsty, new adult, poly romance.I’ve spent the past three years in college terrorizing the dean, also known as my father.I’m everything he hates.Troublemaker. Slacker. Gay.But I’m only getting started.I’m about to make Dad really proud with my newest life choices…I fall for my best friend, Mia, who’s a freaking chick... -
![Sagittarius Saves Libra by Anyta Sunday]()
Sagittarius Saves Libra by Anyta Sunday
True love is on the horizon, Sagittarius. It’s a good time to step out of your routine and into the unknown.Jason Lyall wants someone to come home to, someone he can be his most ridiculous self with. Someone who loves him regardless. But no matter how hard he tries, he can never quite make that connection, and now his last girlfriend has moved on—she’s engaged... -
![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:
bisexual slow burn cold hero working class hero small town queer queer-awakening grumpy sunshine -
![Stick Shift by K.M. Neuhold]()
Stick Shift by K.M. Neuhold
Is it possible my straight best friend had a sudden stick shift?I made peace with my hopeless crush on my straight best friend, Journey, years ago. It helps that he’s never in the country long and our relationship consists of sporadic texts and video chats at odd hours.Now Journey is back. Back in the country, in my space, sharing my bed, and something is changing between us...Categorized as:
friends to lovers queer queer-awakening bisexual anal sex small town sunny hero possessive hero -
-
![Pisces Hooks Taurus by Anyta Sunday]()
Pisces Hooks Taurus by Anyta Sunday
It’s a time for searching, and a time for finding, Pisces: keep casting your line and you will hook what you’re looking for.Zane has it all planned out: land the perfect Meet Cute, fall in love, and live happily ever after. Should be simple enough if he put his mind to it. A little creativity and some thinking outside of the box, and voila, he’d be married to the woman of his dreams... -
![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 slow burn sweet-hero queer anal sex new adult grumpy sunshine -
![The Amazing Alpha Tau Self-Improvement Project by Lisa Henry, Sarah Honey]()
The Amazing Alpha Tau Self-Improvement Project by Lisa Henry, Sarah Honey
Dalton Beauregard has a plan, and it involves acing all his exams, making the Dean's List every year he's at Lassiter College, and going to med school and becoming a doctor.Marty O'Brien has a plan too. His is to improve his life by emulating those around him. He's going to need a study plan, a tutor, and... a boyfriend?Dalton can't believe he's even considering this. It's utterly ridiculous...Categorized as:
new adult friends to lovers bisexual college queer queer-awakening sunny hero sweet-hero -
![Method Acting by N.R. Walker]()
Method Acting by N.R. Walker
Chase SoriaEvery budding actor knows acting is a difficult gig. There will be grueling auditions and punishing rejections. If you’re lucky, there’ll be roles that pay the bills and even roles that won’t.Roles we don’t believe in.But that’s what acting is—acting as if we do believe in them.So when the semester’s production project is announced and I’m cast as one of the leads, I’m ecstatic... -
![Not That Ridiculous by Isabel Murray]()
Not That Ridiculous by Isabel Murray
Charlie Galloway is handling it, okay?Yes, he’s been left to run the family coffee shop all on his own, he’s up to his eyeballs in mortgages and loans, and his fixer-upper dream house is falling down around his ears. Big deal. He can handle it...Categorized as:
queer queer-awakening small town sunny hero working class hero new adult grumpy sunshine humor -
![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... -
![Aaron's Awakening by K.C. Wells, Meredith Russell]()
Aaron's Awakening by K.C. Wells, Meredith Russell
Rated: 4.50 of 5 stars · 8 ratingsAaron isn’t looking for love, but it finds him – and it has a few surprises in store…A laidback man who goes with the flowAaron is happy for his friends who’ve found love, but he’s starting to feel as if he’s an endangered species – a single guy. Not that he’s looking for anyone...Categorized as:
friends to lovers bisexual queer queer-awakening m-m humor contemporary length-medium -
![Except You by Cora Rose]()
Except You by Cora Rose
A straight man walks into a gay bar searching for meaning…It sounds like the start of a lousy joke. And honestly, that’s what my life is beginning to feel like. I look back at all the hateful things I’ve said and done—so many things I can’t take back—and I’m not proud. I let my ignorance steal my relationship with my youngest brother, Magnus...Categorized as:
queer friends to lovers queer-awakening bisexual anal sex sunny hero sweet-hero new adult -
![The Flirty Vet by Casey Cox]()
The Flirty Vet by Casey Cox
Rated: 4.44 of 5 stars · 9 ratingsWilby Linfox is the world's biggest flirt…From the moment he stumbles into my life—drunk, singing, and shirtless—I knew he'd be trouble… But I had no idea just how much trouble he'd be.But I'm in Australia to do exactly three things: work, check out some touristy hotspots, and scatter my mother's ashes...Categorized as:
queer grumpy sunshine new adult friends to lovers queer-awakening bisexual contemporary m-m -
![Football Royalty by Eden Finley]()
Football Royalty by Eden Finley
If you never fooled around with someone of the same gender, did you even go to high school?PEYTONMy whole life I’ve had the pressure of being Marcus Talon and Shane Miller’s football prodigy. I’ve been destined to follow in my NFL-playing fathers’ footsteps since the day I was born. I usually thrive under pressure, but as senior year looms, it all gets too much, and I need an outlet... -
-
![The Jock Script by Lane Hayes]()
The Jock Script by Lane Hayes
The nerd, the coach, and the hookup…Asher-Swipe left, swipe left, swipe left. Sure, the idea of a quick, no-strings intimate rendezvous via hookup app sounds oddly thrilling, but it’s simply not me. Or maybe it is me, because it happened…and I liked it. Until I realized he looked familiar for a reason. A bad reason... -
![Matched by Becca Steele]()
Matched by Becca Steele
From USA Today and Wall Street Journal bestselling author Becca Steele comes a new standalone M/M college romance.I signed up for the LSU dating app for a bit of fun. Meet a girl, have a good time… You know the drill.Or that was what was supposed to happen.An error in the app’s code means that my blind date turns out to be a man.Not just any man, either. Nate Glover... -
![Gemini Keeps Capricorn by Anyta Sunday]()
Gemini Keeps Capricorn by Anyta Sunday
Sometimes, one stubborn Capricorn is all it takes… to drive Wesley Hidaka to crazy, flirtatious lengths. Wesley loves annoying his RA Lloyd Reynolds. He just can’t help it. Lloyd is focused, decisive, grounded. He has this amusing ability to follow rules . Of course Wesley wants Lloyd to break one… or three hundred...Categorized as:
new adult friends to lovers college slow burn grumpy sunshine queer m-m contemporary -
![Unrivaled by Ashlyn Kane, Morgan James]()
Unrivaled by Ashlyn Kane, Morgan James
People say there’s a fine line between love and hate. If you ask Grady Armstrong, the line’s as obvious as the one across the middle of a hockey rink.So he can’t explain why he doesn’t walk away when his Grindr hookup—a guy who accused him of impersonating himself—turns out to be Max Lockhart, a rival player Grady once punched in the face... -
![12 Dates of Christmas by Brigham Vaughn]()
12 Dates of Christmas by Brigham Vaughn
Leo Fenner needs a Christmas miracle … Charmed by the small town, and weary the big city dating scene, Leo moved to Christmas Falls in hopes of finding love like his college friend, Hayden.Nick Morgan had the love of his life and lost her, but is determined to help others find their happily ever after with his matchmaking service.His website needs work though, and Leo is just the man for the job... -
![Rules, Schmules! by Becca Seymour]()
Rules, Schmules! by Becca Seymour
The first Zone Defense series spin-off with a rule-following basketball player and an unimpressed twink who thinks rules are made to be obliterated.It’s not my milkshake that brings Kieran Kendall to my yard. Okay, maybe it’s a little bit my milkshake. But I also like to think it’s my dazzling personality and my magical… uhm… you get the idea... -
![Got Me Merry by Casey Cox]()
Got Me Merry by Casey Cox
Rated: 4.27 of 5 stars · 11 ratingsCan my best friend get me to enjoy the holidays? Ho... Ho... Um…No? Christmas just isn't my jam. The crowds. The cold. That Mariah Carey song blasting everywhere I go. Thanks, but no thanks.Don't get me wrong. I'm no Grinch. The holidays are awesome if you have a great family and money to shower them with gifts. Unfortunately for me, I have neither of those things...Categorized as:
friends to lovers grumpy sunshine college queer contemporary humor m-m mature couple -
![24 Dares of Christmas by Lee Blair]()
24 Dares of Christmas by Lee Blair
On the first day of Christmas, my dear aunt sent to me: twenty-four dares in a fugly advent tree…The only way I’m going to survive a month of holly jolly misery post-breakup is to hibernate through the Christmas season before moving away for my new job. Two things blow my straightforward plan to smithereens: 1... -
![Bear's Best Friend by Raleigh Ruebins]()
Bear's Best Friend by Raleigh Ruebins
Rated: 4.29 of 5 stars · 10 ratingsHe’s a ray of sunshine. I’m a loner lumberjack. We don’t make sense……But my straight best friend keeps ending up in my bed.Sawyer Hendricks is the best friend I’ve ever had—the Goose to my Moose, and the shoulder I’ve cried on even though I’m not the crying type. The difference between us? Sawyer brightens any room in an instant, and I’m the gruff guy wearing flannel who’d rather be alone...Categorized as:
friends to lovers queer queer-awakening bisexual grumpy sunshine m-m contemporary humor -
![Scoring the Keeper by Hayden Hall]()
Scoring the Keeper by Hayden Hall
Sawyer Price is the broodiest, most stubborn guy I ever had the joy of tutoring. He is also the sexiest, most irresistible jock at Northwood U. His hockey scholarship depends on passing the general courses and I’m the cleverest physics cog on campus. I’m kind of brilliant. Not that I’m bragging... -
-
![The BAHs by Saxon James]()
The BAHs by Saxon James
Rated: 4.25 of 5 stars · 10 ratingsA short featuring Kole and Asher from Line Mates & Study Dates book four of the CU Hockey by Saxon James & Eden... -
![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... -
![The Gift by May Archer]()
The Gift by May Archer
Daniel I suck at relationships and don’t trust anyone, but there are reasons for that. For one thing, every person I’ve ever cared about has let me down. The only recent exception: O’Leary’s town veterinarian...my new best friend. I came to O’Leary for a fresh start. To pare things down to essentials. To forget about the failures in my past...Categorized as:
friends to lovers small town new adult grumpy sunshine sunny hero queer sweet-hero queer-awakening -
![Heat Stroke by Tessa Bailey]()
Heat Stroke by Tessa Bailey
They can't be together. They won't stay apart. Marcus “Diesel” O’Shaughnessy is a brash, oversized CrossFit enthusiast with a naked lady tattooed on his rippling forearm. Jamie Prince is a private school teacher with an extremely low tolerance for bull. The two men have zero in common. Well, except for three things. They’re both moonlighting as lifeguards for the summer... -
![Horribly Harry by Lisa Henry, Sarah Honey]()
Horribly Harry by Lisa Henry, Sarah Honey
Rated: 4.20 of 5 stars · 10 ratingsBad Boyfriend, Inc—when you can’t find a good boyfriend, why not hire a bad one instead?To supplement his income while he’s completing his Early Education degree, Harry Townsend hires himself out as a terrible date—for a set fee, he’ll horrify parents and family members in all sorts of interesting ways. But when it comes to actual relationships—and sex—Harry doesn’t get the appeal... -
![Waking Up Filthy by R. Cayden]()
Waking Up Filthy by R. Cayden
Rated: 4.22 of 5 stars · 9 ratingsWhy in the hell is there a naked, tattooed man in my bed?I’m a closeted tennis pro, and I’m certainly not accustomed to waking up with strange men.Never mind that Gabriel is a notoriously flirty rock star and, according to the marriage certificate we find in our Vegas hotel room, my new husband.Last night is a drunken blur, but there’s no doubt in my mind what needs to happen this morning...Categorized as:
sports grumpy sunshine friends to lovers athletes queer m-m contemporary lgbtqia hate -
![The Cat Code: Gay Awakening Romance MM Friends to Lovers by Juliet M. Dixon]()
The Cat Code: Gay Awakening Romance MM Friends to Lovers by Juliet M. Dixon
When your cats are the ultimate relationship critics, your love life might just end up in the litter box.Marcus LaFleur is done with dating apps. Between the dick pics, crude propositions, and walking red flags who can't string together a coherent sentence, online hookup culture has become a howling disaster in his otherwise fulfilling life running Happy Paws animal shelter... -
![The Flower Shop Arrangement by R. Cayden]()
The Flower Shop Arrangement by R. Cayden
An opposites-attract M/M romance, full of heart and heat, and set in a little flower shop with enough charm to overcome any scowl. When I inherit a building from a grandpa I’ve never met, there’s only one plan: take the money and run. Enter Nicholas, the florist with the little shop downstairs...Categorized as:
queer friends to lovers grumpy sunshine queer-awakening bisexual anal sex cold hero sunny hero -
![Coaching the Nerd by Eli Easton, Tara Lain]()
Coaching the Nerd by Eli Easton, Tara Lain
Super-bod meets super-brainWhat happens when marshmallow-bodied supernerd Sean volunteers to be on the jocks’ flag-football team? It screws Bubba’s fraternity’s chances at the coveted flag football title, that’s what.Bubba is drafted to be Sean’s personal trainer. He has to whip Sean into shape and make sure he doesn’t F up their team... -
![Suddenly Beck by Vawn Cassidy]()
Suddenly Beck by Vawn Cassidy
A surprisingly sweet, sinfully sexy, and deliciously hilarious romp along the Cornish coast.Nathan Elliott has run away from home at the age of twenty-six. His teenage rebellion may have come ten years late, but better late than never...Categorized as:
friends to lovers small town possessive hero queer sweet-hero humor m-m explicit-open-door -
-
![Puppy Patrol by Gregory Ashe]()
Puppy Patrol by Gregory Ashe
Rated: 4.40 of 5 stars · 5 ratingsShaw and North are going to spend a peaceful weekend at a lakeside cabin. Until, that is, a dog starts barking.This story takes place before Declination... -
![Brighton Rock by Lily Morton]()
Brighton Rock by Lily Morton
Rated: 4.18 of 5 stars · 10 ratingsCharlie Sunshine Short StoryThere is a free short story ‘Brighton Rock’ which is available for subscribers to my newsletter... -
![Power Plays & Straight A's by Eden Finley, Saxon James]()
Power Plays & Straight A's by Eden Finley, Saxon James
FOSTER:“Look out for Zach and don’t hit on him.”My brother’s request sounds easy enough. Keep an eye out for his best friend on campus and keep my hands to myself.Easy.Even if Zach is a quintessential nerd, who I’ve always thought was cute, I don’t have the time to think with my … stick.There’s only one stick I should be focused on this year, and that’s my hockey stick... -
![Regular, Smegular! by Becca Seymour]()
Regular, Smegular! by Becca Seymour
A cheesy game of spin the bottle grabs my interest, but it’s the hot guy with sexy piercings and delectable ink who keeps it.Have I kissed a man before? That’ll be a no.But I’m definitely interested, and by the way Tiller can’t take his gaze off me, he’s hoping the bottle lands on him.Spoiler it does.And holy crap, it’s the hottest kiss I’ve shared with anyone.Now there’s one slight problem... -
![Two Truths and a Lyle by DJ Jamison]()
Two Truths and a Lyle by DJ Jamison
Two Truths and a...wait, what?!What happens when drunken idiots, aka your friends, use a silly drinking game to sideswipe you and your BFF with the truth bomb that you’re actually in love with each other?Truman: You impulsively kiss the best friend you’ve been in love with for ages…then wake up with a hangover—and regrets...Categorized as:
friends to lovers new adult queer queer-awakening bisexual grumpy sunshine slow burn small town -
![Love Fancy by A.F. Zoelle]()
Love Fancy by A.F. Zoelle
Callum O’RourkeSomeone as young and inexperienced as me didn’t stand a chance with a playboy like Rune. Yet despite being total opposites, I’m lucky enough to call him my friend. To want anything more than that would be greedy, but that doesn’t stop me from wishing he would teach me how to satisfy the passionate desire I felt for him...Categorized as:
grumpy sunshine friends to lovers new adult queer queer-awakening m-m contemporary age difference
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.
