Books like 'The Nerd Jock Conundrum'
Readers who enjoyed The Nerd Jock Conundrum by Hayden Hall also liked the following books featuring the same tropes, story themes, relationship dynamics and character types.
contemporary gay romance funny new adult friends to lovers sports secret-relationship queer queer-awakening anal sex
-
How to Be a Movie Star by T.J. Klune
Sequel to How to Be a Normal PersonA How to Be Novel Josiah Erickson wants to be a movie star. The problem with that is so does half of Los Angeles. But he’s on his way, what with memorable roles as a TV show background cadaver and a guy in a commercial for herpes medication. All he needs is his big break...Categorized as:
friends to lovers forced proximity queer demi-sexual-hero m-m contemporary humor sunny hero -
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...Categorized as:
college new adult athletes friends to lovers nerdy-hero sports queer height-difference -
Right as Raine by Lucy Lennox
Tiller:As the first openly gay professional football player, I can’t afford to make any mistakes, on or off the field. And the absolute biggest mistake I could make right now would be to fall for Mikey Vining, my best friend, employee and, more importantly, Coach’s baby boy. I might fantasize about Mikey at night-—every night—but actually touching him would be a serious personal foul... -
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... -
-
Crankshaft by K.M. Neuhold
I don’t have time for a relationship, not even with the adorably dorky vet I can’t seem to stop bumping into… *sigh * pass the oil and lubeBetween running a garage full of beefed up, gear head mechanics and bailing my idiot brother out of trouble every other week, the last thing I have time for is a relationship...Categorized as:
friends to lovers age difference insta-love height-difference queer m-m contemporary humor -
Limited Edition Husband by Lauren Blakely
One weekend with no strings was supposed to be the plan.After barely escaping my last train wreck of a romance, I’ve got a new dating goal—play it cool.I stick to that strategy when I meet a hunky Brit at a fundraiser and ask him to grab a drink... -
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...Categorized as:
new adult friends to lovers age difference himbo queer queer-awakening contemporary humor -
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...Categorized as:
friends to lovers insta-love age difference queer queer-awakening contemporary m-m humor -
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 college himbo queer neurodivergent queer-awakening forced proximity -
Upside Down by N.R. Walker
Jordan O’Neill isn’t a fan of labels, considering he has a few. Gay, geek, librarian, socially awkward, a nervous rambler, an introvert, an outsider. The last thing he needs is one more. But when he realises adding the label asexual might explain a lot, it turns his world upside down. Hennessy Lang moved to Surry Hills after splitting with his boyfriend... -
My Dearest Patrolman, Vol. 1 by Niyama
Resigned, Shin has to settle for seeing Seiji when they run into each other about town or when Shin makes a point of stopping at his store. Shin believes he's content with that, but one night Seiji changes everything by bemoaning his lack of romantic prospects and mentioning he might as well try his luck with guys... -
Flirt by Lucy Lennox
Rated: 4.18 of 5 stars · 31 ratingsSassy-mouthed Stevie Devore has always had a crush on the local fire chief. Gorgeous silver fox, Evan Paige, is way out of Stevie's league, however, not to mention the chief has always been a ladies' man, but when Stevie turns twenty-one, he decides he's tired of only daydreaming about Evan...Categorized as:
queer age difference friends to lovers insta-love height-difference m-m contemporary humor -
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 new adult college nerdy-hero age difference anal sex forced proximity queer -
Blitzed by S.E. Harmon
NFL tight end Andrew McAdams isn’t thrilled to be sidelined with an injury. He’s even less thrilled about his legal troubles. Community service is the only thing standing between him and jail so...yeah. That’s a no-brainer. It's not all bad news, though. He gets to work with Jesse Fox, who is as gorgeous as he is guarded. And there's no rule saying he can't do his hours and have a little fun...Categorized as:
sports age difference athletes friends to lovers forced proximity queer m-m bisexual -
-
Walk With Me by Cardeno C.
Rated: 4.20 of 5 stars · 20 ratingsA Book in the Home Series When Eli Block steps into his parents' living room and sees his childhood crush sitting on the couch, he starts a shameless campaign to seduce the young rabbi. Unfortunately, Seth Cohen barely remembers Eli and he resolutely shuts down all his advances...Categorized as:
friends to lovers queer queer-awakening age difference contemporary m-m humor length-short -
Uncomplicated Choices by Cara Dee
When life gave you lemons, you learned who stayed and made lemonade with you. Or something to that effect. And the day Ellis Hayes kidnapped me—or, he borrowed a yacht and didn’t know I was on board—he'd definitely been handed too many lemons. We faced a dilemma when I woke up hungover in the middle of the ocean...Categorized as:
friends to lovers age difference queer queer-awakening humor m-m contemporary single-father -
Christmas Bubble by Ana Ashley
Rated: 4.29 of 5 stars · 13 ratingsA Christmas snowstorm. Two opposites that most definitely attract. Only one bed.When the man of your absolute dreams slams their mouth into yours, there is only one course of action. Yours truly–that’s me–has broken it down into four easy steps for your convenience.You're welcome.Step one: make sure he really is attached to you. Lips to lips. You're a clam. Do not let go... -
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...Categorized as:
sports athletes friends to lovers secret-relationship queer queer-awakening humor m-m -
Hopelessly Bromantic by Lauren Blakely, Shane East
Rated: 4.14 of 5 stars · 27 ratingsListening Length 8 hours and 37 minutesAn irresistibly sexy, emotionally charged, forbidden MM romance between a broody American and a charming Brit! My first day in London feels ripped from the pages of a rom com when I meet a charming, witty guy in a quaint bookshop. We vibe like crazy, and our chemistry is almost too good to be true because...It is. Turns out he’s my new roommate... -
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... -
Love Directions by A.F. Zoelle
Rated: 4.31 of 5 stars · 10 ratingsElias ForthwrightHoroscopes always seemed a bit woo-woo to me, but I don't know how else to explain why it feels like the cosmic universe is pushing me in the direction of the mysterious North Easton, who miraculously comes into my life at just the right time. We’re nothing alike, but for the first time since my mom passed away, life is finally fun again thanks to him...Categorized as:
queer insta-love friends to lovers queer-awakening m-m contemporary hurt-comfort humor -
Final Score by Charlie Novak
Rated: 4.33 of 5 stars · 9 ratingsCan one perfect night lead to more?Jordan Green is too busy for a relationship. With the World Cup looming, his focus is on making the England team, not finding someone to spend his life with. His friends may be settling down, but Jordan’s had enough of planning weddings. All he wants is some fun, and Félix is the perfect person for that… even if he is his boss’s brother... -
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... -
Buckeye: An MM Romance by Casey Morales
Rated: 4.50 of 5 stars · 6 ratingsFrom international bestselling author, Casey Morales . . . A traded player, a children's home, and a love to defy all odds. Climbing the ladder of professional baseball is hard. As one of the only openly gay players in the league, Nick Dunlap's path is rockier than most. When Nick is traded mid-season, despite a team-leading batting average, everyone knows his "open secret" is to blame... -
-
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 queer-awakening demi-sexual-hero m-m contemporary humor dual-pov -
Web of Lies by Isla Olsen
JesseMy little brother is getting married and I couldn’t be happier… Well, maybe I could if I hadn’t just been dumped by the boyfriend I thought was about to propose, kicked out of my New York apartment, and, worst of all, lost one of the pediatric patients under my care at the hospital where I work as a nurse...Categorized as:
friends to lovers queer queer-awakening demi-sexual-hero humor m-m from hate to love contemporary -
Beautifully Devoted by Michele Lenard
Forgetting to knock changed everything.CamWhen I was ten, I made a promise. One that I’m still honoring a decade later, even though it means hiding a part of myself from the most important person in my life.My best friend, Jagger. And truthfully, burying that part of me is a small price to pay if it means nothing comes between us...Categorized as:
queer-awakening friends to lovers queer new adult anal sex college football athletes -
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... -
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... -
Tigers and Devils by Sean Kennedy
Rated: 4.06 of 5 stars · 32 ratingsThe most important things in Simon Murray’s life are football, friends, and film—in that order. His friends despair of him ever meeting someone, but despite his loneliness, Simon is cautious about looking for more... -
Schooling the Jock by Tara Lain, Eli Easton
Only an unfair universe makes a guy who’s that gorgeous so damned obnoxious.A-hoe!Poindexter!Snarky, superbrain Dobbs and snooty football star Jesse stare at each other from their rival frat houses on opposites sides of the street -- and opposite sides of everything else.Alpha Lambda Alpha and Sigma Mu Tau have been sworn enemies for decades... -
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... -
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... -
I'll be Boned for Christmas by Katherine McIntyre
Rated: 4.22 of 5 stars · 9 ratingsNothing like getting caught streaking to bring people together for the holidays…JordanI’ve got a rep in town for causing trouble, and it’s well-earned. But when Nick and I get caught streaking after the tree lighting ceremony, we’re in for a messload of community service to get the town ready for the Collier’s Creek Christmas Bash...Categorized as:
friends to lovers queer-awakening queer forced proximity m-m christmas contemporary humor -
-
Side Character by Emma Alcott
Rated: 4.25 of 5 stars · 8 ratingsSawyer Jonathan Aston has an extremely suckable… ahem. We’re talking eight inches of girthy perfection. Two-thirds of a foot of succulent man-meat. A true cornucopia of carnal delights. And tonight, that ahem is going to make my mouth feel like a Tokyo subway car at rush hour. We’re talking crowded. Crammed. Absolutely stuffed...Categorized as:
new adult height-difference queer virgin hero age difference anal sex contemporary humor -
Ikumen After by Kazuma Kodaka
Rated: 4.25 of 5 stars · 8 ratingsThis is a really cute, sweet story about two single dads Asakura and Kentarou, whose young sons happen to go to the same daycare... -
Legally Brawn by DJ Jamison
Rated: 4.25 of 5 stars · 8 ratingsMy boyfriend left me a year ago...but sometimes you have to fight for true love, right?When Clayton breaks off our relationship to find someone more "serious" in law school, I'm devastated but not defeated. I just have to show him I have brains as well as brawn.I study hard to get into law school and prove myself. But when I get there, ready to reclaim my man, he's moved on.. -
My Straight Husband by Spencer Spears
Rated: 3.99 of 5 stars · 14 ratingsA marriage of convenience is one thing. But married to a straight guy? That’s a whole different story…Brooklyn: I’ve got a dissertation to finish and tenure to secure. The last thing I’m looking for is romance. But with my advisor’s charity on the brink of losing funding, I’ve got one shot at saving it...Categorized as:
friends to lovers age difference queer queer-awakening m-m contemporary humor length-medium -
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... -
Playing at Home by Jax Calder
Falling for your kids' nanny? Never a good idea.Jacob Browne comes from rugby royalty but try as he might, he’s never been the same heroic idol his father was on the rugby field. And now he’s failed off the field with the breakdown of his relationship to New Zealand’s favorite ‘It Girl’ Matilda Neilson...Categorized as:
sports friends to lovers athletes secret-relationship queer queer-awakening new adult anal sex -
Music to His Ears by Ariella Zoelle
Rated: 4.33 of 5 stars · 6 ratingsSal and Haverford are forced to live together, but that doesn’t mean they have to like it. Sparks fly between them, but will it lead to love?Sal HenrikComing home from a world tour early to find out my roommate sublet my room sucks. But being forced to share my room with the most annoying attorney on the planet? I’d rather launch myself into the sun, thanks...Categorized as:
age difference new adult insta-love forced proximity queer from hate to love contemporary humor -
No Pucks by J.R. Gray
Finding out the guy I hooked up with is on my team isn’t the way I saw my first week of coaching going.My name is Anthony Hawke, and I used to be a rising star in the NHL until someone purposefully tore my ACL, ending my career. I went from the top of my life to nothing in a matter of months.I take a coaching job a thousand miles away as a fresh start, only to ruin it before I start... -
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...Categorized as:
sports friends to lovers college queer queer-awakening secret-relationship new adult m-m -
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... -
-
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 height-difference queer nerdy-hero -
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... -
Sideline Infraction by Emily Silver
What happens when I find the right guy at exactly the wrong time?I’m Alex Young. Star quarterback for the Denver Mountain Lions. Captain of the team. Son. Brother. Teammate.And I’m gay.No one can know. My secret could destroy everything. I lock myself up in the closet and throw away the key. It’s better this way. I can focus on football and being the best quarterback I can be.Until him... -
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:
age difference friends to lovers new adult queer queer-awakening m-m contemporary grumpy sunshine -
Dad Next Door by Willow Dixon
Moving into my first house is step one in starting my new life. Next is setting up my contracting business. I’m so focused on my future that a relationship is the last thing on my mind. Then I meet Tristan, the single dad next door. He might be my total opposite, but we click in a way I’ve never experienced, and he quickly becomes one of my closest friends... -
Unwritten by J.R. Gray
Success was lonely. I should have been on top of the world but I felt trapped, suffocated by fame. My life wasn’t my own. I belonged to the fans and the media. Too famous to leave my house without attracting a crowd. Like a prince in a palace of glass watching life pass me by...
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.