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 -
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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 -
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... -
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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 -
Heart by Jesse H. Reign
The first time I laid eyes on him my heart skipped a beat. My obsession began the way all obsessions do…with a spark. A small, seemingly insignificant flicker that quickly took root. He was pure, liquid light. A sunshine boy with a heart of gold. He turned my world up-side-down. I couldn’t sleep. I couldn’t eat. I couldn’t let him out of my sight... -
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... -
10 Ways to Accidentally Fall in Love by Emmy Sanders
Wingman 101: Make him fall head over heels in love. Brad. What’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 -
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
Bilson. The 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... -
Stubborn Puckboy by Eden Finley, Saxon James
Colby. Once 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
Jeremy. Seeing 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 -
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 -
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 -
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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... -
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:
forced proximity bisexual slow burn angst secret-relationship queer queer-awakening grumpy sunshine -
You Can Count On Me by Fae Quin
They say you should love thy neighbor, but I don’t think they meant it the way I want to love mine. Miles “Rooster” Johnson: As a young single-dad with a teaching job, I haven’t had much opportunity to date. My son is my entire world, and though I would love to have a partner and someone to count on, the passing years have shown that it’s just not in the cards for me...Categorized as:
slow burn hurt-comfort forced proximity friends to lovers anal sex queer sweet-hero found-family -
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 -
Mr. Important by Lucy Lennox, May Archer
One New Year’s masquerade. One anonymous hookup. One billionaire-sized mistake. Once upon a time, someone looked at my scrawny, impetuous eight-year-old self and nicknamed me Mr. Important… and I believed them. That was my first mistake. Two decades, a dozen failed careers, and a thousand meaningless hookups later, I’ve made more mistakes than I can count... -
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...Categorized as:
hurt-comfort angst queer grumpy sunshine grovel anal sex sweet-hero childfree-couple -
Colliding Hearts by Jax Calder
One voice kept me alive in the darkness. One Halloween night changed everything. One secret threatens to destroy it all. When my car plunges into a ravine, a stranger's chocolate-cake voice becomes my lifeline in the endless dark. But after I’m rescued, the mysterious paramedic vanishes without a trace, leaving me with nothing but scars and memories...Categorized as:
friends to lovers queer angst sweet-hero caretaking hurt-comfort tortured hero found-family -
Fandom by Eden Finley
DENVER. Everyone 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 -
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... -
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Shameless Puckboy by Eden Finley, Saxon James
OSKAR:. After a little mishap in an alleyway with CCTV, my public image needs fixing. Oops? It might have been a stunt to get the attention of Lane Pierce, San Jose’s new PR manager, but I didn’t realize what the consequences would be when I did it. I’ve got Lane’s sole focus now in all the wrong ways... -
Playing Dirty by C.E. Ricci
Our rivalry formed long before we became siblings. Madden Hastings has been my nemesis since the day we met. A divide was born from the age-old rivalry between our universities,. but this year, another layer developed. It became personal. Because the captain of Blackmore’s baseball team? He’s also my new step brother. My disdain for the sudden blending of our families leads to more conflict,...Categorized as:
queer-awakening queer new adult bisexual secret-relationship anal sex switch grumpy sunshine -
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... -
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 -
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... -
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 -
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. Rule #3: Don’t Fall in Love with Your Best Friend... -
Spotlight by Eden Finley
Ryder. When 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 -
Change My Ticket by Zarah Detand
Rated: 4.25 of 5 stars · 18 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... -
Not Dating Material by Saxon James
MOLLY. Moving 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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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 -
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 -
Aaron's Awakening by K.C. Wells, Meredith Russell
Rated: 4.44 of 5 stars · 9 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 flow. Aaron 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 -
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... -
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 -
Pushing the Limits by Riley Hart
I was fourteen when my dad married Lane’s mom and our families became one, when my favorite moments were those spent staying up all night, talking or watching Lane create art. There aren’t many things more inconvenient than loving your stepbrother. I know the limits, and that’s pushing them too far. Over the years I’ve pulled away from him... -
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... -
Unbreakable Stories: Snow by Jocelynn Drake, Rinda Elliott
Unbreakable Stories: Snow is a collection of short stories and a novelette set after the events of Shatter, book 2 of the Unbreakable Bonds series and before Torch, book 3. Follow the continuing, passionate and heartfelt romance between Dr. Ashton "Snow" Frost and Jude Torres as they merge their lives together as a couple...Categorized as:
queer anal sex switch found-family grumpy sunshine caretaking alpha male possessive hero -
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... -
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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The Hookup Mix-up by Riley Hart
Perry. I moved to San Luco to get to know my brother, and so far, it’s been great. Working as a bartender at Shenanigans, a bar close to Franklin University, there are beautiful men and women everywhere. When a hot guy falls into my arms at a party, I’m down for some naughty fun. Until I realize he’s way too drunk for anything to happen. Thankfully, we agree to meet up the next day...Categorized as:
new adult queer friends to lovers queer-awakening bisexual anal sex sweet-hero angst -
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. This collection is more than 38,000 words and contains short stories such as:. Midnight Perp. No Boyfriends Allowed... -
Unbreakable Stories: Lucas by Jocelynn Drake, Rinda Elliott
A collection of six short stories following the romantic adventures and misadventures of millionaire Lucas Vallois and Romanian bodyguard Andrei Hadeon. This collection is more than 30,000 words long and contains stories such as:. The Meeting. Perfect. Te Iubesc. I Want More. Homecoming. Thanksgiving...Categorized as:
queer anal sex switch found-family alpha male possessive hero super rich hero bisexual -
Spotlight Illustrated Edition by Eden Finley
Rated: 4.11 of 5 stars · 29 ratingsRYDER. When 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:
queer friends to lovers forced proximity office secret-relationship m-m contemporary single-father -
Love Directions by A.F. Zoelle
Rated: 4.31 of 5 stars · 10 ratingsElias Forthwright. Horoscopes 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 hurt-comfort friends to lovers queer-awakening m-m contemporary insta-love humor -
Jingle Bells & Mistletoe by Sammi Cee
Jonathan 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...Categorized as:
angst friends to lovers hurt-comfort queer slow burn second chances found-family m-m
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