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
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Him by Sarina Bowen, Elle Kennedy
They don’t play for the same team. Or do they? Jamie Canning has never been able to figure out how he lost his closest friend. Four years ago, his tattooed, wise-cracking, rule-breaking roommate cut him off without an explanation. So what if things got a little weird on the last night of hockey camp the summer they were eighteen? It was just a little drunken foolishness. Nobody died... -
![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...Categorized as:
sports athletes dual-pov friends to lovers sunny hero sweet-hero bisexual virgin hero -
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![10 Ways to Accidentally Fall in Love by Emmy Sanders]()
10 Ways to Accidentally Fall in Love by Emmy Sanders
Wingman 101: Make him fall head over heels in love. BradWhat’s a straight guy to do when he accidentally goes on a date with his brand new gym-bro? Offer to be the best wingman ever, of course! It’s foolproof.Joey needs a man? I’ll find him one.He wants someone who looks, well, kind of like me? No problem!Not into watersports? I’ve got him covered...Categorized as:
queer-awakening friends to lovers queer bisexual sweet-hero anal sex sunny hero first-person-pov -
![Beautifully Unexpected by Lily Morton]()
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 sunny hero slow burn queer first-person-pov mature couple m-m -
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![Line Mates & Study Dates by Eden Finley, Saxon James]()
Line Mates & Study Dates by Eden Finley, Saxon James
ASHER Hockey, studying, and school runs. That’s my life now. After a tragic accident that took our parents’ lives, it’s up to me and my big brother to take care of our five younger siblings. In between burning their meals and keeping them from killing each other, I’m supposed to get a college degree...Categorized as:
college athletes sports friends to lovers dual-pov new adult grumpy sunshine cold hero -
![Face Offs & Cheap Shots by Eden Finley, Saxon James]()
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... -
![Davo by N.R. Walker]()
Davo by N.R. Walker
When Fergus Galloway takes on a research trip to a tiny mining town in the far Western Australian outback, he’s as far from Sydney as he can get. Which is entirely the point. He arrives in Pannalego totally unprepared for the baking heat, unprepared for the people who call it home, unprepared for the craziness and the laughs...Categorized as:
friends to lovers small town working class hero queer sweet-hero anal sex first-person-pov male-pov -
![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:
bisexual grumpy sunshine possessive hero anal sex sunny hero queer-awakening new adult dual-pov -
![Presidential Chaos by Saxon James]()
Presidential Chaos by Saxon James
Two houses. Two Presidents. One hell of a happy ending. Zeke Being President of a frat house means everything is on my shoulders.Idiot brothers, epic pranks, a list of organizational duties long enough to make my eyes bleed.None of it fazes me.But senior year is almost over, and I’m ready to take a step back.Until the hazing rumors start... -
![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... -
![Bromantic Puckboy by Eden Finley, Saxon James]()
Bromantic Puckboy by Eden Finley, Saxon James
BilsonThe idea of moving away from Seattle was a joke at first.I have too many failed relationships here. Too much baggage.So when I find myself signing with Nashville and leaving everything behind, I’m hopeful a new start will cure me of my attachment problems.I fall fast and hard, and I’m quickly realizing it’s not so easy to escape my emotional damage. That follows no matter where I go... -
![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... -
![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...Categorized as:
college dual-pov sports bisexual friends to lovers athletes anal sex first-person-pov -
![Let's Do This by Loren Leigh]()
Let's Do This by Loren Leigh
ShawEver since we met two years ago, Eden Burkehammer has made everything better.The big defenseman sets me at ease. He’s a beast on the ice—brutal and physical—but when it’s the two of us, he turns to me with these unexpectedly soft brown eyes. This gravelly laugh that makes my whole body smile... -
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![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... -
![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... -
![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 -
![King of Thieves by Saxon James]()
King of Thieves by Saxon James
We’re basically Romeo and Juliet. But dudes. And without all the dying. ChadBeing VP of Sigma Beta Psi is wild. I get all the benefits of being in charge with hardly any of the responsibility. Parties, pranks, and frat politics—college life has never been sweeter. Until I meet Bailey Prince.He has the face of a goddamn angel. I don’t know where he came from or why I’m so obsessed... -
![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... -
![On the Run by May Archer]()
On the Run by May Archer
I was supposed to be partying with a bunch of celebrities in paradise this week, okay?But then I made one teeny, tiny error in judgement before leaving New York, and suddenly the paparazzi expected me to give a command performance as “the other man” in their straight celebrity “outing” of the week.Um, no, precious. So much no...Categorized as:
grumpy sunshine queer new adult small town sunny hero sweet-hero working class hero male-pov -
![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... -
![Pretty Obsessed by J.R. Gray]()
Pretty Obsessed by J.R. Gray
Emory KerWho makes out with a random guy at a club while someone else is giving him head? Not me—that's who. I'd never even hooked up with a stranger. Welp, now I had. If you could call what I'd done hooking up. But it was so much more intimate than a hook-up. I'd tasted his lips as someone else made him come. He'd gasped into my mouth...Categorized as:
new adult anal sex possessive hero queer sweet-hero queer-awakening bisexual grumpy sunshine -
![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...Categorized as:
friends to lovers queer grumpy sunshine anal sex small town sweet-hero virgin hero dual-pov -
![Don't You Dare by C.E. Ricci]()
Don't You Dare by C.E. Ricci
It was never meant to be more than a dare.A party game. A dare. A single kiss.That’s all it took to flip my world upside down.I’ve always classified myself as straight, and as far as I can tell, so has he.I didn’t think one kiss would change that, but I was so wrong.Now, I can’t stop thinking about him. In all the ways I shouldn’t.My best friend.Aspen... -
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![Deke by Eden Finley]()
Deke by Eden Finley
Ollie Word of advice: don’t come out to random guys in public restrooms. Even if they’re charming and adorably nerdy and offer to help. My family believe I can’t be happy if I’m not out to the world. I have a bitter ex-boyfriend and an unstable NHL career to show for it. A fake boyfriend seems like an easy and quick solution to get my family off my back, and this guy is volunteering... -
![Seth by Carly Marie]()
Seth by Carly Marie
Be yourself because everyone else is taken. But what if that risks everything you know? Seth Johnson has worked his entire career to be remembered more for his skill than as an openly gay NHL player. Finding a boyfriend has been pushed to the back burner. As for exposing his softer side, the side that loves lace and lingerie? It’s not happening... -
![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 male-pov dual-pov first-person-pov -
![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 -
![Dare You by Ella Frank, Brooke Blaine]()
Dare You by Ella Frank, Brooke Blaine
From Ella Frank’s Prime Time series and Brooke Blaine’s South Haven series comes an explosive spin-off of both worlds. Sebastian “Bash” Vogel, the magnetic, cross-dressing CEO of AnaVoge, has long been a lone island when it comes to his personal life. Self-assured and playful, he’s never left wanting for suitors—but Bash isn’t looking for something permanent...Categorized as:
bisexual friends to lovers queer queer-awakening new adult slow burn sunny hero sweet-hero -
![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... -
![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... -
![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... -
![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 first-person-pov male-pov -
![Between the Pipes by J.J. Mulder, Ivanna Nashkolna]()
Between the Pipes by J.J. Mulder, Ivanna Nashkolna
Nico Mackenzie is angry and argumentative— in every way, he is the exact opposite of NHL goaltender Anthony Lawson. Thrown together for a summer of coaching college hockey at South Carolina University, Anthony makes every effort to be friendly; Nico, on the other hand, seems intent on being infuriating and keeping the other man at arm’s length... -
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![Pretty Toxic by J.R. Gray]()
Pretty Toxic by J.R. Gray
Saint VincentI might be the best-selling solo artist in the world, but my personal life is a disaster. For every number one album, there's a sea of my worsts, all documented in photos.Bad break-ups. Destroyed hotel rooms. Fights. Drugs. And just as many rumors.Every headline reaffirms the walls I’ve built around myself. Fame destroys everything it touches and I can’t let anyone close...Categorized as:
friends to lovers new adult bisexual queer queer-awakening anal sex sweet-hero dual-pov -
![Boyfriend Goals by Riley Hart]()
Boyfriend Goals by Riley Hart
MiloUnusual. Quirky. Different. I’ve heard it all. I’ve accepted I’m not for everyone. Maybe not anyone.When I find out I inherited a bookstore and apartment on a small East Coast island, I jump at the chance for a new life.Turns out, I’ve also inherited a sexy, tattooed guy who not only rents the space next to my store for his tattoo parlor but my apartment too... -
![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... -
![Hail Mary by Nicole Dykes]()
Hail Mary by Nicole Dykes
BennyBig Bend is my home. I love it here. I love everything about it.It’s my senior year, and I’m determined to have the best one yet. Of course, that’s when life gets confusing.I think I may have a little bit of a crush on my nemesis.Something I never saw coming... -
![From Coast to Coast by J.J. Mulder]()
From Coast to Coast by J.J. Mulder
NHL forward Remy Stone steps off the plane in Calgary a newly divorced man. While he doesn’t necessarily want to live in Canada, the trade offered a good excuse for a fresh start and he means to capitalize on it.Defenseman Grayson Brody has played most of his career with Calgary, but has long fallen out of love with his team...Categorized as:
sports hockey queer friends to lovers athletes queer-awakening sunny hero sweet-hero -
![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 dual-pov friends to lovers queer-awakening bisexual first-person-pov anal sex sunny hero -
![Flash by K.M. Neuhold]()
Flash by K.M. Neuhold
Lewis tattoos himself on my brain instantly. Too bad this whole situation is about to get messier than spilled ink. LewisClingy, needy, Too MuchJust a few choice words from men who never deserved me anyway.I'm not going to make the same mistakes again though. I plan to ride the motorcycle hottie of my dreams just until we both get bored... -
![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 first-person-pov sunny hero working class hero male-pov humor -
![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 sunny hero working class hero cold hero male-pov -
![Never Have I Evan by DJ Jamison]()
Never Have I Evan by DJ Jamison
Never Have I Ev... Wait, what was the question again?!What happens when an ill-advised party game makes it obvious I've still got my V-card?Embarrassment. A lot of embarrassment.Especially when the sexy, older guy at the party who witnessed the whole thing turns out to be someone I have to see every week. Not to mention my best friend's cousin.He's not only straight, but way out of my league...Categorized as:
sports new adult friends to lovers athletes queer-awakening queer virgin hero bisexual -
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![Bossy by N.R. Walker]()
Bossy by N.R. Walker
Michael Pietersen isn’t up for complications. He’s one of Sydney’s fastest-moving career-focused corporate realtors, and the only thing he has time for is one-night stands with zero fuss.Bryson Schroeder’s back home from two years overseas with plans to leave his family’s hotel empire and begin his own business ventures... -
![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 dual-pov sweet-hero queer-awakening -
![Dirty Trick by K.M. Neuhold]()
Dirty Trick by K.M. Neuhold
Can you be friends with benefits with a guy who hates you? What about enemies with benefits instead?My plan to lick every cupcake Boston wants until he realizes I’m his only option might actually work out…Was pretending to sleep with tons of men to keep my crush from hooking up with them a Dirty Trick? Sure. Do I regret it? Not one bit...Categorized as:
grumpy sunshine friends to lovers queer anal sex first-person-pov dual-pov male-pov possessive hero -
![Charlie Sunshine by Lily Morton]()
Charlie Sunshine by Lily Morton
Sometimes love is a lot closer to home than you think.Charlie Burroughs can’t keep a man. All he wants is a good relationship like the ones he sees his friends having, but none of the men he picks ever work out. Despite him trying to be the perfect boyfriend, the men are either threatened by his looks or his epilepsy or a combination of the two...Categorized as:
friends to lovers new adult grumpy sunshine slow burn sunny hero first-person-pov dual-pov queer -
![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 -
![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...
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