Books like 'Pretty Toxic'
Readers who enjoyed Pretty Toxic by J.R. Gray also liked the following books featuring the same tropes, story themes, relationship dynamics and character types.
contemporary gay romance funny friends to lovers rockstars angst bisexual queer queer-awakening new adult
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The Long and Winding Road by T.J. Klune
Sequel to The Art of Breathing Family is not always defined by blood. It’s defined by those who make us whole—those who make us who we are. And here, at the end, Bear and Otter will be tested like they’ve never been before. There’s a knock at the door from a little girl who has nowhere else to go. There’s a phone ringing, bringing news they do not expect... -
Fish & Chips by Abigail Roux
This romance is entering rough waters.After almost dying on their hiking trip, Special Agents Ty Grady and Zane Garrett have a moratorium on the word vacation. This makes it hard to discuss their newest case: an undercover operation aboard a cruise ship in the Caribbean...Categorized as:
angst bisexual queer alpha male friends to lovers hurt-comfort office possessive hero -
Until You by Briar Prescott
I’m the first one to tell you I have issues.Trust issues.Family issues.Probably a few others I haven’t discovered yet.Which is why I prefer to keep my life as simple and uncomplicated as possible.Until him.Blake McAdams barrels into my life and refuses to leave...Categorized as:
friends to lovers angst grumpy sunshine sweet-hero queer hurt-comfort tortured hero grovel -
Sober Dope & Sundays by Nordika Night
WHEN ZERO WILLPOWER MEETS AN IRON WILL...Who goes to rehab eight times? Gage does. As a recovering addict fresh out of rehab, moving back in with his mom and starting over in his hometown isn't part of his life goals, but Gage needs all the support he can get. Lost and a little unsure of himself, Gage meets his new sponsor. A sponsor whose son is the perfect sober companion...Categorized as:
queer hurt-comfort friends to lovers bisexual forced proximity found-family angst grumpy sunshine -
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Bear, Otter, and the Kid by T.J. Klune
Three years ago, Bear McKenna’s mother took off for parts unknown with her new boyfriend, leaving Bear to raise his six-year-old brother Tyson, aka the Kid. Somehow they’ve muddled through, but since he’s totally devoted to the Kid, Bear isn’t actually doing much living—with a few exceptions, he’s retreated from the world, and he’s mostly okay with that. Until Otter comes home... -
Marrying Mr. Majestic by Lucy Lennox
I’ve made myself into many things over the years. A Yale graduate. A brilliant corporate strategist. A city boy. And, though no one outside my inner circle knows it, a billionaire. One thing I never expected to be? Accidentally married to a straight, small-town cowboy named Waylon, the pride and joy of… *checks notes*... Majestic, Wyoming... -
Here Comes My Man by Lauren Blakely
A red-hot, enemies-to-lovers, fake boyfriend, second chance romance, and the conclusion to the Hopelessly Bromantic Duet!Let me just say this -- fake dating the cocky movie star was not my idea. Especially since he’s my former roomie and, gulp, my secret ex.But my agent tells me I have no choice since I’m ridiculously overdue with turning in the next big blockbuster love story to my publisher...Categorized as:
second chances angst forced proximity queer friends to lovers fake relationship m-m contemporary -
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... -
Iced Out by C.E. Ricci
All's fair in hate and hockey.My path to success never included an enemy as a teammate, especially one as infuriating as Quinton de Haas.Clawing under my skin is his favorite pastime, only feeding the animosity between us as the years pass.We’re as completely opposite as two people can be; the golden boy and the black sheep.Constantly at odds or at each other’s throats...Categorized as:
bisexual secret-relationship angst forced proximity new adult anal sex queer grumpy sunshine -
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 found-family bisexual sweet-hero anal sex praise-kink -
Hamartia by Scarlett Drake
Raphael We met once two years ago - a few awful moments I’d rather forget - but he’s lived in my head ever since. Lee Jaehyun. K-pop idol and star of every filthy fantasy I have these days. I should be thinking about the fact we just won our first Grammy, I should be focussing on our next album. I should be planning my wedding. But I’m not; I’m thinking about him...Categorized as:
angst rockstars secret-relationship other-man-woman hurt-comfort queer found-family queer-awakening -
Poetry On Ice by Jesse H. Reign
I can’t tell if we’re fighting…or flirting? Being traded to the Seattle Vipers has left me with mixed feelings. On the one hand, they’re my team, the team I’ve loved and supported since I was a kid, but on the other hand, he’s here. Him. Ant Decker. Infamous NHL bad boy. Right wing to my left. A man who’s made it his sole purpose in life to be better than me... -
Stubborn Puckboy by Eden Finley, Saxon James
ColbyOnce upon a time, playing for the NHL was my dream. Then Radimir Novicov skated circles around me and made it clear I’d never be good enough. He was smart, talented, and worst of all–sexy. Every closeted guy knows that you don’t hit on your teammate, even if his gaze lingers longer than it should... -
The End Zone by Riley Hart
JeremySeeing my best friend West, happy with his fiancé opened my eyes to things I’ve been missing in my own marriage. My divorce, which was amicable, followed. Strangely, at West’s wedding, I find myself confiding in Darren, the straight, confirmed bachelor and star quarterback of the Atlanta Lightning...Categorized as:
friends to lovers bisexual secret-relationship queer queer-awakening angst caretaking hurt-comfort -
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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...Categorized as:
new adult bisexual secret-relationship queer queer-awakening anal sex alpha male possessive hero -
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 queer-awakening new adult angst caretaking -
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... -
Their Wicked Ways by Willow Dixon
A year ago I lost everything and moved across the country to try and start over. It wasn’t easy, but I found a job I love, I have friends who’ve become my family, and I’m ready to start exploring my bisexuality. Just when I think things are finally starting to go my way, I show up to work and find out the new guys on the crew are the super-hot couple I hooked up with last weekend. F*ck. My...Categorized as:
new adult queer friends to lovers office hurt-comfort anal sex found-family bisexual -
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... -
Here Comes My Man by Lauren Blakely, Teddy Hamilton
Rated: 4.32 of 5 stars · 26 ratingsListening Length 9 hours and 57 minutesA red-hot, enemies-to-lovers, fake boyfriend, second chance romance, and the conclusion to the Hopelessly Bromantic Duet!Let me just say this -- fake dating the cocky movie star was not my idea. Especially since he’s my former roomie and, gulp, my secret ex...Categorized as:
queer second chances angst forced proximity friends to lovers m-m contemporary from hate to love -
Not That Complicated by Isabel Murray
If this was your classic Cotswolds murder mystery (it’s not) and Ray was an amateur detective (he isn’t) then when he stumbles across something unexpected under his bedroom floor, he’d investigate the hell out of it.Hard pass.Ray’s just a thirtysomething graphic designer with a broken heart who doesn’t much like his life right now.And he’s already having nightmares about the whole thing, come on...Categorized as:
slow burn queer other-man-woman forced proximity hurt-comfort caretaking grumpy sunshine angst -
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 praise-kink queer queer-awakening sweet-hero bisexual caretaking -
Until Jude by Briar Prescott
I'm the first one to tell you doing the right thing has never been high on my list of priorities.Same goes for respecting the law. And ethics in general.It's more like guidelines anyway.Until him.Jude Riley.I invite myself into his life and refuse to leave. I know it's wrong. I know I shouldn't.I do anyway.It's never meant to turn into anything serious.It's never supposed to matter.Until it does...Categorized as:
hurt-comfort angst queer grumpy sunshine grovel anal sex sweet-hero childfree-couple -
Flagrant Foul by Jesse H. Reign
He’s my brother’s best friend. I’m the annoying kid who followed him everywhere. Now we’re playing for the same team.Sev Delorean is an NHL D-man with an excess of swagger and stickhandling techniques that made him world famous. He’s the bane of my existence and my reason for living.He's strictly off limits though. My brother has made that perfectly clear...Categorized as:
queer angst bisexual grumpy sunshine slow burn forced proximity anal sex found-family -
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Fandom by Eden Finley
DENVEREveryone remembers the night the boy band Eleven broke up. Hearts shattered around the world, including my own.I made a mistake, and I’ve been avoiding bandmate Mason Nash ever since.At first it was hard, but eighteen months ago, he made it easier by leaving Hollywood and disappearing.When Eleven reunion talks start, I’m against it completely...Categorized as:
friends to lovers bisexual second chances rockstars secret-relationship queer queer-awakening angst -
On or Off, Volume 4 (On or Off (Paperback Ed.) #4) by A1
Winner of the Ridibooks 2019 BL Awards. Published in English for the first time in full color and fully uncensored! 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:
grumpy sunshine angst new adult queer queer-awakening bisexual caretaking forced proximity -
Goaltender Interference by Brigham Vaughn
The last thing Connor O’Shea needs is more complications … After too much celebrating at his brother’s wedding, Connor wakes up next to cocky Toronto goaltender Jesse Webber—pro hockey’s reigning f*ckboy. With three kids and a failed marriage under his belt, Connor might be ready to admit he’s attracted to men, but that doesn’t mean his life has to change...Categorized as:
forced proximity grumpy sunshine queer queer-awakening found-family bisexual anal sex office -
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... -
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... -
The Complication by Jocelynn Drake
Rated: 4.39 of 5 stars · 16 ratingsIt was just a fling.A bit of fun on the weekends. Definitely not permanent.Not that I wouldn’t love to crack the ice around rich and sexy Declan Foster’s heart.And he was the last person I expected to ride to my rescue when I found myself suddenly homeless and a father.Now he’s spoiling my daughter and me at every turn, offering the perfect life on a silver platter...Categorized as:
office queer found-family forced proximity hurt-comfort super rich hero m-m single-father -
The Flirty Vet by Casey Cox
Wilby 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... -
Finance Bros by August Jones
RyanEver say something you regret? Like regret so hard you get the word REGRET tattooed on your arm? Same. I accidentally told my stepbrother I was in love with him when we were fourteen. In my defense, strong cough syrup was involved, but to my great regret he hasn’t missed a chance to show me how disgusting I am ever since. He damn near ruined my life... -
Rent: Paid in Full by Jesse H. Reign
“You have something I want. Something I’ll happily buy…or rent.”As if my life doesn’t suck enough already, my insufferable new roommate, Miller MacAvoy, seems determined to make things weird. He watches me all the time, grinning at me like a beautiful idiot, eyes boring holes into me every time I turn my back on him.It’s the last thing I need. Things haven’t been going well...Categorized as:
grumpy sunshine forced proximity queer-awakening super rich hero bisexual new adult queer anal sex -
Malicious Compliance by E.M. Lindsey
My life is good. I work from home, I answer to no one, and I pay my rent on time. In short, things are peaceful and solitary—exactly the way I like them. Yes, my apartment might be a dump with paper-thin walls and plumbing issues, but it’s mine all the same. And then he moves in...Categorized as:
angst forced proximity hurt-comfort grumpy sunshine queer m-m from hate to love contemporary -
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Spotlight by Eden Finley
RyderWhen I quit the biggest boy band on the planet, I was supposed to get my life back.It’s not that I wanted to leave the spotlight. I felt like I had to for my daughter. Her picture shouldn’t be splashed all over the tabloids.I thought I could do this parenting thing on my own, but it’s obvious I need help. I just didn’t expect to find it in the form of a gorgeous guy I meet by chance...Categorized as:
friends to lovers rockstars office secret-relationship queer super rich hero bisexual angst -
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:
bisexual friends to lovers grumpy sunshine forced proximity hurt-comfort queer found-family m-m -
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 -
Jingle Bells & Mistletoe by Sammi Cee
Rated: 4.50 of 5 stars · 8 ratingsJonathan watched all of his friends fall in love, get married, and grow their families. All he’s ever wanted is a relationship as wonderful as the one his parents have always had... -
Starts With a Bang by Aimee Nicole Walker
Rated: 4.50 of 5 stars · 8 ratingsThe best way to get over a cheating jerk is to get under someone new. Dominic isn’t looking for love or salvation at the Thirsty Cowboy. He needs a temporary escape from the drudgery his life has become, and the universe provides him with the sexiest distraction he’s ever seen. Sven is a sucker for sad eyes, thick thighs, and a Royal Cosmopolitan...Categorized as:
friends to lovers hurt-comfort found-family queer m-m age difference contemporary humor -
Musical Mayhem by Alley Ciz
Rated: 4.44 of 5 stars · 9 ratingsHelp Wanted: Producer for the latest album from multi-platinum selling band Birds of Prey.Enter Sammy Rhodes.Famed DJ The Spin Doctor.Musical genius.Fits with the band like he's our sixth member.We hired him on the spot.So what's the problem?He's also all broad shoulders and dazzling smile, and has this flop of hair I constantly yearn to brush away from his handsome face... -
Crossroads by Nicole Dykes
EmersonMy mom thinks I’m spoiled. So what does she do? She ships me out to a farm in the middle of nowhere.It’s supposed to teach me some sort of lesson.It won’t.The only thing that’ll come from this will be the small town of Kensley meeting its match.And not just Kensley.Him.Jasper thinks he can best me? Well, he has another thing coming...Categorized as:
office queer queer-awakening bisexual angst childfree-couple caretaking forced proximity -
Composed at Randy's by Zile Elliven
"How do I tell the guy I like that I’m not homeless, just a dumbass?"Love beyond the binary, serving up low angst trans romances at Randy's Diner.Composed at Randy’s is a 'dumbasses in love', cis male/trans male pairing with a smooth-brained (not remotely smart) genius, a goth himbo, and all the help they can get to achieve their happily ever after...Categorized as:
queer new adult caretaking forced proximity found-family sweet-hero possessive hero super rich hero -
Want Me by Neve Wilder
Two roommates. One calculus exam. A whole lot of extracurricular activity. Nate: Living with four other guys, it's bound to happen. Every guy's been caught taking care of business at least once, right? It shouldn't be a big deal. But I don't know Eric as well as my other roommates, and things are a little awkward now. He's a loner. A mystery. Quietly confident. Smart. Sexy as hell... -
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... -
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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... -
Change My Ticket by Zarah Detand
Rated: 4.22 of 5 stars · 16 ratingsHollywood heartthrob meets med school dropout in this contemporary British MM romance.When your key credential is looking good in spandex, your first serious role matters. Too bad that Gabe Duke can’t seem to get a proper handle on the molecular biologist he’s meant to portray... -
Road Rules (Rules of the Game) by Brigham Vaughn
Rule #1: Hockey Comes First As NHL team captain, Zane Murphy’s goal for the upcoming season is simple: take the Evanston River Otters all the way to the Stanley Cup. Rule #2: Only On the Road But an unexpectedly hot night with his best friend and teammate Ryan Hartinger throws Zane’s carefully laid plans and his sexuality into disarray... -
Unbreakable Stories: Ian by Jocelynn Drake, Rinda Elliott
Unbreakable Stories: Ian is a collection of short stories following the ups and downs of Ian Pierce and Hollis Banner has they navigate their new relationship and the unique complications of dating with a brunch of overprotective “brothers” determined to guard Ian’s heart... -
Everything for You by Chloe Liese
Enemies become lovers in this sizzling sports romance about taking a chance on love when life’s taught you it’s a losing game.Oliver Bergman is a beloved rising soccer star, all sunshine smiles and the heart of their team’s spirit. To make matters worse, he’s obscenely attractive. In he’s genetically designed to get under misanthropic, miserable Gavin’s aggravated skin...Categorized as:
queer grumpy sunshine forced proximity office new adult hurt-comfort found-family slow burn -
Not Dating Material by Saxon James
MOLLYMoving to Seattle is supposed to be all about getting a fresh start and leaving the bitter man I was becoming behind.I have new roommates–quirky, sometimes strange, roommates–a nosy, next door neighbor and a grumpy kitty for company, but even surrounded by people, I still don’t feel like I belong...
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