Books like 'The One That Got Away'
Readers who enjoyed The One That Got Away by Nicky James also liked the following books featuring the same tropes, story themes, relationship dynamics and character types.
contemporary gay romance dark romance tortured hero suspense men in uniform virgin hero class difference shy-hero nerdy-hero
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The Keeper of Bees by Gregory Ashe
Emery Hazard has pretty much everything under control. He and his fiancé, John-Henry Somerset, are more in love than ever, despite the stress of wedding preparations hanging over them. His business as a private investigator is growing. He’s even enjoying time with his growing circle of friends... -
The Rational Faculty by Gregory Ashe
Three months have passed since Emery Hazard and John-Henry Somerset faced a madman and lived to tell about it. Three months have passed since Emery Hazard resigned from his job as a detective. Three months can be too long and too short, all at the same time. On Halloween, a professor at the local college is murdered in his apartment, in front of dozens of witnesses. Then the killer disappears... -
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Transactional Dynamics by Gregory Ashe
Emery Hazard is ready for Valentine’s Day. He’s made reservations months in advance, he’s ordered flowers, and he’s got a boyfriend he wants to treat right—even if John-Henry Somerset occasionally lets the dishes sit in the sink a little too long. They even have an extra reason to celebrate this year: Somers has received a special commendation for his police work... -
Unbroken by Sloane Kennedy
Rated: 4.42 of 5 stars · 32 ratingsEverything was supposed to go back to normal when I was rescued. It hasn't. And I'm starting to think it never will because I don't even know what normal is anymore. .. It's been two years since Aleks Silva was rescued by his older brother from the dark underworld of sex trafficking and every day since then has been a battle... -
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Relative Justice by Gregory Ashe
An impossible son. An impossible murder. The honeymoon is definitely over. When Emery Hazard and his husband, John-Henry Somerset, arrive home from their honeymoon, they’re shocked (understatement of the year) to find a boy waiting for them on their doorstep. Colt, fifteen and eager to pick a fight, claims to be Hazard’s son... -
Police Brutality by Gregory Ashe
For the first time in a long while, Emery Hazard’s life is good. His new business as a private detective is taking off. Things are good at home. He loves his boyfriend, John-Henry Somerset; he loves their daughter. He might even love the new friends they’ve found. There’s only one problem: Somers has been talking about marriage... -
Triangulation by Gregory Ashe
After a recent case with a treacherous client, North and Shaw are ready to go back to work building Borealis Investigations. They’re also ready to go back to dodging their feelings for each other, with neither man ready to deal with the powerful emotions the Matty Fennmore case stirred up... -
Final Orders by Gregory Ashe
An embattled author. Fanatical parents. A son who can’t stay out of trouble. It’s the last one that’ll probably kill him. When Emery Hazard gets drawn into a brawl at a monthly school board meeting, he knows he’s in trouble; his husband, John-Henry Somerset, is chief of police, and they’re already under enough scrutiny as they try to finalize their foster son’s permanency plan... -
A Fault Against the Dead by Gregory Ashe
Drugs. Sex. Murder. And, if they can squeeze it in, graduation. When Auggie Lopez returns to Wahredua for his senior year of college, he’s excited about the future: he’s growing his brand as an influencer, he’s almost done with school, and he’s building a life with his boyfriend, Theo... -
Cash Plays by Cordelia Kingsbridge
Book three in the Seven of Spades series. In this game, the stakes are life or death. The Seven of Spades is back with a vengeance — the vigilante serial killer has resumed their murderous crusade, eluding the police at every turn. But a bloodthirsty killer isn’t the only threat facing Sin City... -
Backdraft by Cole McCade
ABOUT THIS EPISODE. When a 911 call goes wrong and a young man goes missing, it falls to Malcolm and Seong-Jae to investigate the responding officers when Internal Affairs' internal politics leave the case compromised and the officers aren't willing to talk...Categorized as:
mystery suspense angst queer multicultural hurt-comfort tortured hero men in uniform -
Deep Spiral by Cole McCade
Rated: 4.50 of 5 stars · 17 ratingsABOUT THIS EPISODE. A deadly, unstable shooter. A trap Malcolm and Seong-Jae can't escape. And more than one life on the line as they find themselves facing down one of the Golden Ratio Killer's proxies in a high-stakes hostage situation that could ramp up the serial murderer's mathematical body counts exponentially. And if Malcolm and Seong-Jae aren't careful, they'll be among the tally... -
Olive Juice by T.J. Klune
Rated: 4.45 of 5 stars · 18 ratingsIt begins with a message that David cannot ignore:. I want to see you. He agrees, and on a cold winter’s night, David and Phillip will come together to sift through the wreckage of the memory of a life no longer lived. David is burdened, carrying with him the heavy guilt of the past six years upon his shoulders. Phillip offers redemption. -
Ex Meridian by A.E. Via
Police Lieutenants, God and Day are under intense pressure from the chief to take back control of Atlanta’s streets. The last thing their task force needs is a pair of trained killers in town with a personal score to settle... -
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Three for a Girl by Louise Collins
If they can get through the first case, they’ll get through any—that’s what Chad tells himself. But juggling his career and his relationship isn’t easy. The monstrous part of Romeo gnaws away under the surface. His dark moments leave Chad uncomfortable, and when they accumulate into an attack, it leaves Chad shaken... -
One-Eyed Royals by Cordelia Kingsbridge
Spoiler Alert! The following blurb contains spoilers for Cash Plays, book three of Seven of Spades. Shattered by their devastating breakup, Detective Levi Abrams and PI Dominic Russo find themselves at war right when they need each other most. While Dominic is trapped in a vicious cycle of addiction, Levi despairs of ever catching the Seven of Spades... -
Divine Heart by Garrett Leigh
The bestselling Rebel Kings MC series returns with Ranger and Viktor’s long awaited love story. Expect: a damaged Russian mobster and a grouchy nomad. Hurt comfort, second chances, forced proximity. Love ain’t true if it doesn’t hurt. Viktor. The message from my brother lies bold and bright on the screen. This will be it. Four words that could mean the end or the beginning...Categorized as:
hurt-comfort forced proximity queer suspense angst caretaking multicultural cold hero -
Fracture by Jocelynn Drake, Rinda Elliott
After three years, Snow and Jude’s relationship is still passionate and strong. They’re getting ready for a romantic vacation at home when Jude receives a horrifying call no one wants to receive. His youngest brother was found barely clinging to life. While Jude’s family is rallying around Jordan, Jude is determined to find out what happened to him... -
The Tin Box by Kim Fielding
William Lyon's past forced him to become someone he isn't. Conflicted and unable to maintain the charade, he separates from his wife and takes a job as caretaker at a former mental hospital. Jelley’s Valley State Insane Asylum was the largest mental hospital in California for well over a century, but it now stands empty... -
Enemy Combatant by Cara Dee
Rated: 4.42 of 5 stars · 16 ratingsThe Renegades #2 • Romantic Suspense • Stockholm Syndrome • Hurt Comfort • Action • MM. “The best intelligence is the knowledge that your enemy doesn’t know you have. ”. Crew Finlay’s ego had taken a hit or two. He couldn’t lie. As a Marine, he’d been one of the best. As a private military contractor, he’d…messed up a bit. Or failed spectacularly. Whatever... -
The Dangerous Convenience Store Vol. 5 by 945
THE LONG GOODBYE. It’s been three years since Eui-joon last saw Gunwoo and there have been a lot of changes. Eui-joon no longer works his punishing graveyard shift at the convenience store, but instead works in sales at a small company where, as the newest employee, he’s constantly running errands for his boss... -
Hard Angle by Cole McCade
Rated: 4.60 of 5 stars · 10 ratingsUnsettled tensions from the last case come to a head as Seong-Jae reveals his secrets — but will it be enough to repair the fractures in his relationship with Malcolm? Especially when their only promising lead on the Golden Ratio Killer's identity falls apart, along with any hope of returning home to Baltimore and to their life together. When their primary suspect turns up dead. .. . . -
What We Broke by Marley Valentine
If someone asked me to describe our love story, I would only need to use two words. Before and After. • • • •. When I met Leonardo Ricci, he was determined I would only be a fling, while I was certain he was my forever. Seven years later, we're the perfect couple. Happy, married, and in love-in sickness and health, till death do us part. At least until the unthinkable happens... -
Murder Book by Marshall Thornton
Rated: 4.56 of 5 stars · 10 ratingsIn the second of the Boystown mysteries to be a finalist for the Lambda Award, it’s fall 1982 and Chicago is gripped by panic after five people die from poisoned Tylenol capsules. Amid the chaos, the Bughouse Slasher takes his eighth victim, this time striking close to private investigator Nick Nowak. With the Chicago Police Department stretched to its limit, Nick takes matters into his own hands... -
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The Man with the Glass Eye by Cole McCade
ABOUT THIS EPISODE. Multiple execution-style murders hint at a mob hit, but when Malcolm and Seong-Jae follow the clues the last thing they expect is a host of very familiar--and very dead--faces. They say dead men tell no tales, but if Malcolm and Seong-Jae can't even trust the words of the living, they'll never catch a hit man dead set on burying every trace of an underworld secret. .Categorized as:
mystery suspense angst men in uniform queer multicultural forced proximity cold hero -
Pain by E.M. Leya, Kellie Dennis Book Cover by Design
Rated: 4.54 of 5 stars · 10 ratingsWhen his daughter is kidnapped, Matt’s life screeches to a halt. He would do anything to get his daughter back, but first he needs to find her. When the police exhaust all possible leads, Matt does the only thing he can do — he uses his hacking skills to infiltrate the dark web... -
A Forgotten Mistake by Alice Winters
Liam. Despite winning Gabriel’s heart, my trials are not yet over when I’m stuck competing with Gabriel’s cat for his affection (why is she only evil when he’s not looking? ), dealing with coworkers trying to befriend me (I should have blackmailed more of them), and worst of all. .. meeting Gabriel’s parents (whose affection I will win with lavish presents). Oh, and hunting down another killer... -
White Rabbit, Part II by Cole McCade
Rated: 4.56 of 5 stars · 9 ratingsThe white rabbit crashes storytime with Sila, Malcolm, and Seong-Jae — a little too literally, leaving our intrepid detectives battered but not broken. Yet what they find with the white rabbit's arrival could destroy even the strongest man: a diabolical game with over two dozen lives at stake, turning their final showdown into a macabre stage play with the white rabbit as its star... -
Divine Proportion by Cole McCade
Rated: 4.50 of 5 stars · 10 ratingsWhile Captain Anjulie Zarate y Salazar faces a crisis of loyalty at home, Malcolm Khalaji faces another crisis in Los Angeles—one that will test him to his absolute limits. And that crisis is named Yoon Eun-Ji... -
His Fatal Love by Leighton Greene
Easily bored, completely manipulative, and utterly deadly…and that’s just in bed. As an assassin for the Castellani Family, I live for the thrill of the job. I'm devoted to my Family and my Don, because they keep me safe. To Leo Bernardi, I'm a monster. A killing machine. And a puppet that his Family can use for their own ends. To me, Leo is just a pawn in a game that I'm playing... -
Blue on Blue by Dal Maclean
From Lambda Literary Award Finalist Dal Maclean. After three years working as a private investigator, newly reinstated Detective Inspector Will Foster still holds himself responsible for the death of an officer under his command. But he’s returned to the Met bent on redeeming himself and that means bringing down gangland boss Joey Clarkson... -
A Single Bright Candle's Flame by Cole McCade
ABOUT THIS EPISODE. Detective Malcolm Khalaji is at a loss. For the second time in his life, he wasn't there when his lover needed him. And with Seong-Jae Yoon on leave pending an internal investigation, Malcolm doesn't know what to do with a shattered partner and boyfriend who's retreated from him into a dark and broken place. It's Gabrielle all over again. . -
His Brutal Heart by Leighton Greene
The ultimate forbidden love: a Mafia Boss and his captive. I'm a man without mercy. A Mafia heir. Brutality was all that ever made sense to me. .. Until I saw him. Unfortunately, he happens to be the sole witness to my latest crime. That should mean one thing. Elimination. But one look into those pleading blue eyes, and I lost myself. I let a beauty live…...Categorized as:
mystery suspense hurt-comfort queer virgin hero abduction disabilities and marks shy-hero -
Rogue Launch by Cara Dee
Rated: 4.26 of 5 stars · 17 ratingsThe Renegades #1 Romantic Suspense Enemies to Lovers Action MM. “We will find you, darling. Stay strong. We will find you. ”. This was exactly what Elliott Jones needed. A nice barbecue with family and friends. The moving trucks were parked outside his new ranch, and he was ready to start fresh. Again. Despite the regrets he lived with, he tried to focus on the good things in life... -
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Pretty Policeman by Fifer Rose
Detective Micah Hart wasn’t sure when his fairly safe, predictable life became something more closely resembling a dumpster fire. But if he had to pinpoint an exact moment, he would say it was the first time he went undercover as a prostitute in an attempt to bait the notorious serial killer who was stalking New York City’s streets – the media-dubbed Hooker Hunter... -
Hot Pursuit by Suzanne Brockmann
Alyssa Locke is no stranger to dealing with danger. As team leader of the nation's number one personal security company, Troubleshooters Inc. , she's seen more than her share of action, survived plenty of close calls, and holds her own with the best of them-and against the worst of them. Guarding lives is her game, and no one plays it better... -
The Interrogation (Hunt&Cam4Ever) by Adira August
Rated: 4.67 of 5 stars · 6 ratingsHunter’s most twisted killer. Cam’s most dangerous case. A STAND-ALONE PSYCHOLOGICAL THRILLER. If you like a master gamesman for a detective and a few twists in your criminal cocktail, you want to read this. -
How Much for a Broken Heart? by R.J. Scott
Rated: 4.50 of 5 stars · 8 ratingsWhen the game turns deadly for a SEAL and his Ranger, love becomes the most dangerous mission of all. In a single devastating morning, August's life crumbles. His covert assignment derails disastrously as the family he's meant to safeguard falls prey to the ruthless Cooper River cartel... -
Unquiet by Melanie Hansen
Rated: 4.44 of 5 stars · 9 ratingsLoren Smith has been in love with Eliot Devlin almost his entire life. During their turbulent childhood and teen years, Loren didn’t always understand Eliot, and sometimes he could be a challenge, but Eliot was the only one to ever truly ease Loren’s deep loneliness and accept him...Categorized as:
angst disabilities and marks hurt-comfort queer m-m contemporary friends to lovers dark -
Cold Calculation by Cole McCade
Rated: 4.44 of 5 stars · 9 ratingsHow do you profile a serial killer who keeps changing his pattern? A body encased in ice and a cryptic message make Malcolm, Seong-Jae, and Aanga Joshi question everything they thought they'd learned about the Golden Ratio Killer. If their suspect can change his methods and alter his patterns, he could easily disappear. .. . . -
Boxed In by Rachel Haimowitz, Heidi Belleau
Rated: 4.36 of 5 stars · 11 ratingsIn the exciting final season of the Flesh Cartel . . . With the help of the FBI, Mat Carmichael has let himself be re-taken by the Flesh Cartel. Objective? Rescue his brother, exact revenge, and destroy the entire organization from the inside... -
Twenty-Five by Rachel Haimowitz, Heidi Belleau
Rated: 4.36 of 5 stars · 11 ratingsIn the exciting final season of the Flesh Cartel . . . With the help of the FBI, Mat Carmichael has let himself be re-taken by the Flesh Cartel. Objective? Rescue his brother, exact revenge, and destroy the entire organization from the inside... -
Independence Day by Rachel Haimowitz, Heidi Belleau
Rated: 4.36 of 5 stars · 11 ratingsMat and Douglas’s time as Nikolai’s wards is finally drawing to a close. Though torn apart by Nikolai’s machinations, their fates are still inextricably entwined: they’ve been sold to the same cruel master, and are united in their desire to go home... -
Psycho Romeo by Jocelynn Drake, Rinda Elliott
Geoffrey Ralse is known for being the life of the party. He loves the club scene, hanging with his friends, and flirting with whomever catches his eye. He certainly isn’t going to stop living his life just because some would-be stalker starts sending him threats. But it all changes when Geoffrey is drugged and wakes up half naked in his own home with a new message from his stalker...Categorized as:
suspense mystery queer bodyguard-hero nerdy-hero caretaking forced proximity sweet-hero -
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Stalked But Not Afraid by Nicole Dykes
Roman. He’s an influencer—whatever that means. He’s also stunningly beautiful with a feisty attitude I can’t deny intrigues me. But more importantly, he’s in trouble. I’m not like my brother. Except for being a cop, I don’t strive to save the entire world. However, I find myself compelled to save him. If he’ll calm down and just let me. Brooks. He’s everything I despise. He’s a cop...Categorized as:
suspense angst forced proximity mystery men in uniform queer caretaking hurt-comfort -
Unmask You by Avril Ashton
Rated: 4.22 of 5 stars · 17 ratingsTheirs is a perfect marriage. Until a home invasion exposes secrets, lies, and shatters everything Elias and Lucky hold dear. Too many bodies. Rivers of blood. Elias Kote sees them all in his sleep. Only the love of his husband and daughter keeps him alive and fighting. This contract killer is exhausted and weighed down by all the lies he tells every day. Who he is. What he does... -
Where Death Meets the Devil by L.J. Hayward
Jack Reardon, former SAS soldier and current Australian Meta-State asset, has seen some messy battles. But “messy” takes on a whole new meaning when he finds himself tied to a chair in a torture shack, his cover blown wide open, all thanks to notorious killer-for-hire Ethan Blade. Blade is everything Jack doesn’t believe in: remorseless, detached, lawless...Categorized as:
suspense multicultural mystery forced proximity cold hero tortured hero queer men in uniform -
Save Me by Ariana Nash
Rated: 4.29 of 5 stars · 16 ratingsThe third and final book in the outstanding mafia/priest MM Forgive Me series. Vitari Angelini knows selling a cache of Battaglia guns to a drug lord is not what Francis would call legal, but he’ll never find out. Besides, it’s for a good cause: Francis’s happy ever after... -
Santino by Linden Bell
Rated: 4.17 of 5 stars · 6 ratingsEveryone says that Hayden is a fun, easy-going guy. But when I move into the empty room in his apartment, he's the opposite of friendly. Grumpy and fussy, he's always nagging me about where I leave my stuff, how loud I play my music, how long I take in the shower, and the list goes on. I can't seem to do anything right. So I won't even bother...Categorized as:
hurt-comfort forced proximity queer found-family m-m dark contemporary length-medium -
King's Virtuous Son by Ki Brightly
Rated: 4.32 of 5 stars · 11 ratingsThe “Innocent” Twin. Hunter Tanner is a prospect for the Kings of Men MC. The club president, King, shocked Hunter with the news that he is Hunter’s biological father. King was the only man who had ever kept Hunter safe, and he’d taken King’s attention the wrong way—only to be devastated to learn they were related. Now he’s pissed off...
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