Books like 'The Real Thing'
Readers who enjoyed The Real Thing by Elle Keaton also liked the following books featuring the same tropes, story themes, relationship dynamics and character types.
contemporary gay romance suspense mystery small town age difference christmas forced proximity friends to lovers boss & employee
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So This is Christmas by Josh Lanyon
God Help You Merry Gentlemen…Arriving home early after spending Christmas in jolly old England, sometimes amateur sleuth Adrien English discovers alarming developments at Cloak and Dagger Books--and an old acquaintance seeking help in finding his missing boyfriend... -
![Click by Nora Phoenix]()
Click by Nora Phoenix
He doesn't just want the friendship or the benefits. He wants it all.Rhett, the White House photographer, is tired of everyone treating him like he’s fragile. He wants a life of his own. Punch his V-card. A boyfriend.Making new friends is a good first step, even if it’s with his boss, Calix, who’s fifteen years his senior. Calix is kind and protective, and he encourages Rhett to spread his wings...Categorized as:
age difference mystery friends to lovers suspense boss & employee queer m-m contemporary -
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![Tied Over by Mary Calmes]()
Tied Over by Mary Calmes
Josiah Redeker has been tied up, tied down, and just plain tied to Bodhi Callahan since the younger marshal was paired with him five years ago. It was an easy slide from partners to best friends, and though Bodhi wanted more, Josiah thought Bodhi could do far better than him...Categorized as:
friends to lovers suspense age difference queer m-m contemporary military length-medium -
![The Magnolia Murders by Aimee Nicole Walker]()
The Magnolia Murders by Aimee Nicole Walker
Everything old is new again in love and murder.Work together, live together, and play together is the name of the game for Royce Locke and Sawyer Key. But one of those things changes when Chief Mendoza taps Sawyer to lead the newly formed cold case unit. His first task: solve the Magnolia Murders that spanned three decades and suddenly stopped in 2000... -
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![Old-Fashioned Cupcake by Sagan Sagan]()
Old-Fashioned Cupcake by Sagan Sagan
Rated: 4.32 of 5 stars · 23 ratingsA visit to a pancake shop leads to an unexpected May-December romance that breathes life into the monotonous routine of an older salaryman.The daily grind both soothes and troubles older salaryman Nozue, until an unexpected visit to a pancake shop with his blunt younger coworker shakes things up!At 39 years old, Nozue lives a routine, if not melancholic, life of sleep and work... -
![Sweet as Honey by Lucy Lennox]()
Sweet as Honey by Lucy Lennox
When I rode my bike into Aster Valley, it was supposed to be temporary. A quick, relaxing visit with friends. No entanglements. Zero drama.But then I saw the bumblebee being harassed on the side of the highway. More specifically, I saw Truman Sweet, Aster Valley’s resident botanist, spice merchant, and bee-costume enthusiast, being harassed... -
![The Spoil of Beasts by Gregory Ashe]()
The Spoil of Beasts by Gregory Ashe
Rated: 4.67 of 5 stars · 9 ratingsA jailhouse slaughter. A relentless killer. And way too much jackassing around. When word comes that two key witnesses in an investigation are dead, North and Shaw are surprised—and pleased—to learn that their friend, John-Henry Somerset, is interested in hiring them as freelance contractors for the Wahredua police department... -
![Shut Up and Drive by L.M. Krier]()
Shut Up and Drive by L.M. Krier
Rated: 4.43 of 5 stars · 14 ratingsA serial sex attacker is spreading fear in Stockport and DI Ted Darling and his team are on the case.The man randomly targets young women and abducts them from busy supermarket car parks. He's armed with a knife and is clearly highly trained in how to handle it.Ever-dwindling police resources make the manhunt harder, even though the attacker clearly doesn't care whether or not he's caught... -
![Somebody to Cherish by April Wilson]()
Somebody to Cherish by April Wilson
Tyler and Ian are embarking on their new venture as private investigators. After they solve their first case, they celebrate by taking a road trip to Key West. Their objective: fun and relaxation in the sun. Unfortunately, fate has something else in store for them. When a guest at the hotel where they're staying goes missing, they can't just sit by and do nothing...Categorized as:
mystery age difference suspense queer m-m contemporary explicit-open-door queer-awakening -
![Rialto by Jocelynn Drake, Rinda Elliott]()
Rialto by Jocelynn Drake, Rinda Elliott
Someone has it out for Rialto. Ian Banner is loving his hectic life. He’s newly married, ready to start a family, and opening a new restaurant. All his dreams are coming true. The last thing he needs is a problem with his restaurant. But when one attack after another comes, he grows convinced he has another enemy... -
![Jem and Tean: Guys Gone Wild by Gregory Ashe]()
Jem and Tean: Guys Gone Wild by Gregory Ashe
Rated: 4.51 of 5 stars · 10 ratingsJem and Tean: Guys Gone Wild is a collection of short stories. It includes the following:“First Dates”A prequel to The Lamb and the Lion books, this short story shows Jem and Tean as they are set up on blind dates—with disastrous results.“Cheap Seats”Jem and Tean go to the movies. Jem insists it’s an epic bromance date. Tean insists they’re just casual acquaintances... -
![Noble Hops by Layla Reyne]()
Noble Hops by Layla Reyne
Everything Dominic Price has worked hard to uphold is about to come crashing down on everything he holds dear. So much for the quiet life. Just as assistant US attorney and brewery owner Dominic Price is settling into a comfy new chapter with his partner, FBI agent Cameron Byrne, the sudden death of Nic’s father puts their happily-ever-after in jeopardy... -
![Heal by Nora Phoenix]()
Heal by Nora Phoenix
Rated: 4.28 of 5 stars · 19 ratingsDel feels broken. Can Issa be the person to help him heal?President Delano “Del” Shafer is grieving the loss of his wife, Sarah. Now that the culprits behind the Pride Bombing and all the killings are caught, everyone has been able to move on…except Del.His friends have all found love. Even his son is happier than Del could have ever imagined...Categorized as:
age difference mystery boss & employee friends to lovers suspense christmas queer m-m -
![Enduring Night by John Wiltshire]()
Enduring Night by John Wiltshire
Rated: 4.45 of 5 stars · 11 ratingsThe supreme art of war is to subdue the enemy without fighting. Nikolas has always liked art. You'd have thought that Ben and Nikolas would have learnt that their romantic holidays inevitably end up as disasters. A short break on the polar ice sees them trapped in a nightmare of murder and deceit... -
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![When I'm Old and Grey by L.M. Krier]()
When I'm Old and Grey by L.M. Krier
Rated: 4.34 of 5 stars · 14 ratingsDI Ted Darling doesn't like coincidences. There are too many for comfort surrounding his latest case. They're spilling over into his private life, too, when some toxic family secrets are uncovered. A serial killer appears to be targeting vulnerable elderly people in care homes and despatching them in the most cynical way. Ted and his team are struggling to get a lead on who the killer really is... -
![Body and Soul by Patricia Logan]()
Body and Soul by Patricia Logan
Rated: 4.46 of 5 stars · 10 ratingsMore than ten years ago, a series of train bombings devastated railways throughout Europe. Strange poetry sent to local newspapers right before each bombing, confounded investigators at the time. In one of only a handful of failed covert missions, Jarrett had been sent into North Korea to take out the bomber... -
![In Dog We Trust by Neil S. Plakcy]()
In Dog We Trust by Neil S. Plakcy
Rated: 4.21 of 5 stars · 23 ratingsan alternate cover edition can be found hereAfter a bad divorce and a brief prison term for computer hacking, 42-year-old Steve Levitan has returned to his home town of Stewart’s Crossing and taken a part-time job as an adjunct professor of English at his alma mater, Eastern College... -
![Indirection by Gregory Ashe]()
Indirection by Gregory Ashe
Rated: 4.31 of 5 stars · 14 ratingsRabid readers. Backbiting authors. A romance convention from hell.Shaw Aldrich and his best friend, boyfriend, and partner, North McKinney, are doing great, thanks. The aftermath of their search for the Slasher has finally settled down. Their private investigation agency is thriving. And after years of missed opportunities, they’re finally together... -
![Ghost of Christmas Present by Pandora Pine]()
Ghost of Christmas Present by Pandora Pine
Rated: 4.67 of 5 stars · 6 ratingsWith only a week until Christmas, Detective Jude Byrne is wrapping up final preparations for his family’s celebration. He’s made a list and checked it twice, bought presents, planned the neighborhood cookie exchange, and hung mistletoe. Jude’s got a handle on everything, that is, until his son asks if his grandfather is coming to celebrate with them—a man Jude hasn’t seen in six years... -
![Cohesion by Aurora Crane]()
Cohesion by Aurora Crane
Rated: 4.44 of 5 stars · 9 ratingsFive men, one love story.None of them knew how many pieces they were missing until they all slot into place.Jericho thinks his life is complete and that he doesn’t need anyone else. Quinn is sure he can never get back what he’d lost. Will wants to be a piece of someone’s heart, the hero of their story... -
![Daddy Detectives Episode 1: A Tyler and Ian Jamison Story by April Wilson]()
Daddy Detectives Episode 1: A Tyler and Ian Jamison Story by April Wilson
Rated: 4.50 of 5 stars · 8 ratingsThis is the first installment in a new series for private investigators Tyler and Ian Jamison. Our heroes are adjusting to life as a married couple and are now parents of newborn twins. While the guys are enjoying paternity leave, their administrative assistant, Kimi, comes to them with a personal emergency... -
![Interwoven by Ripley Hayes]()
Interwoven by Ripley Hayes
Rated: 4.50 of 5 stars · 8 ratingsDaniel Owen has spent the best part of ten years renovating his house when he finds the cellar. By falling into it. The mysterious cellar has a mysterious door, and behind the mysterious door is a mysterious box … and in the box … there are clues to the shocking history of Daniel’s beloved home town. A cold case is occupying Mal Kent’s time. A notorious car thief is released from prison... -
![How Not to Break by Susan Hawke]()
How Not to Break by Susan Hawke
Rated: 4.36 of 5 stars · 11 ratingsTake one former SEAL with a healthy dose of regret… Nick St. Cloud is living with shame from the one time he let his lust override his sense of honor. He’s haunted by the memory of when he made love to his best friend’s eighteen-year-old son. The tragic accident that happened that same night has only compounded his guilt... -
![Diamond in the Rough by Charlie Cochet]()
Diamond in the Rough by Charlie Cochet
When the cards are stacked against you, the Kings will even the odds. For Ward “King” Kingston the role of protector, forged by fire and tragedy, is one he takes seriously. When King is asked to safeguard the son of a four-star general and friend, he is pulled back into the world of government black ops on a mission that raises painful memories from his past... -
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![Somebody to Love by April Wilson]()
Somebody to Love by April Wilson
Rated: 4.24 of 5 stars · 16 ratingsChicago homicide detective Tyler Jamison has accepted that fact that he was born defective. Women just don't do it for him, and he can't contemplate any other option. So, loneliness it is. Ian Alexander has met the man of his dreams, but the guy's in complete denial of his sexuality. Ian's not giving up on Tyler, though. Tyler's a domineering, controlling force of nature.. -
![Roman by Annabella Stone]()
Roman by Annabella Stone
Rated: 4.38 of 5 stars · 10 ratingsFact: Six years ago, former Force Recon Marine Roman Walsh made the biggest mistake of his life and chose duty to his country over love. Fact: He was an idiot. Now the one he loves is missing, and Roman has only one thing on his mind. Get him back alive... -
![Point and Shoot by Patricia Logan]()
Point and Shoot by Patricia Logan
Rated: 4.38 of 5 stars · 10 ratingsThayne Wolfe and Jarrett Evans have been working together for nearly a year. Now, living together as well, their relationship has taken on a whole new meaning for both men. It seems that danger has always been a part of their lives in the ATF but when SAC Stanger sends them to a relatively routine crime scene, things quickly get complicated... -
![Mistletoe Kisses by Lee Blair]()
Mistletoe Kisses by Lee Blair
It’s the most wonderful time of the year…until you get laid off.The fastest way to trigger my anxiety is losing my job at the holidays. Fortunately, I can always count on my platonic bestie to keep me grounded. Except our commiseration drinks lead to planning pre-Christmas vacays for each other, so instead of grounding me, my bestie sends me flying to Dahlia Springs, Oregon...Categorized as:
christmas queer forced proximity suspense m-m contemporary length-medium explicit-open-door -
![Amid Our Lines by Zarah Detand]()
Amid Our Lines by Zarah Detand
Rated: 4.36 of 5 stars · 10 ratingsRealising your new boss is the adult star you fancied as a teenager? Awkward.In the snow-kissed Swiss Alps, Adrian’s world is a high-wire act of old-world charm and new-world problems at the Gletscherhaus Hotel. Enter Eric, an undercover London songwriter, seeking a mental break in a place where the Wi-Fi is as patchy as his past relationships... -
![Without Warning by Reese Knightley]()
Without Warning by Reese Knightley
What the hell do you do when life changes on a dime without warning? Ryder Freeman- His job is to keep Harrison safe from a stalker and one step ahead of the paparazzi. That’s it! The hotter than hell young billionaire is forbidden fruit and crossing that line is not an option...Categorized as:
mystery suspense forced proximity age difference queer m-m contemporary super rich hero -
![A Kind of Romance by Lane Hayes]()
A Kind of Romance by Lane Hayes
Rated: 4.15 of 5 stars · 22 ratingsZeke Gulden is a ruthless Wall Street exec. His hard-edged, no-nonsense attitude has served him well in the cutthroat business world, but less so in his personal life. When he finds out his ex-boyfriend cheated on him with a coworker, Zeke can’t let go—not until he finds a way to get even. However, his meddlesome father has other ideas... -
![A Wedding in a Week by Con Riley]()
A Wedding in a Week by Con Riley
Rated: 4.33 of 5 stars · 9 ratingsA second chance with his brother’s best friend also comes with a deadline. Three years after inheriting his family farm, an accident forces Stefan Luxton to rethink his future. Turning his farm into a five-star wedding venue is one goal. Another is to reconnect with Marc, who Stefan loved but let slip away to the city...Categorized as:
age difference friends to lovers forced proximity queer m-m hurt-comfort contemporary found-family -
![Silent Knight: A Fog City Novel by Layla Reyne]()
Silent Knight: A Fog City Novel by Layla Reyne
Rated: 4.38 of 5 stars · 8 ratingsI won’t let anything happen to you. Fourteen years ago, Braxton Kane’s feelings were forbidden.As an officer, he couldn’t fall for an enlisted… no matter how much he longed for Holt Madigan.Now—as a police chief in love with a digital assassin—his promise to always protect Holt is becoming harder to keep. I’ll protect you... -
![And So We See Darkly by Cole McCade]()
And So We See Darkly by Cole McCade
Rated: 4.38 of 5 stars · 8 ratingsCOP KILLER.That's the accusation scrawled on the home of a dead man, found executed in his own bedroom. That's the tawdry headline thrown around every news channel, every social media feed, every conversation taking over Baltimore.That's the name given to a man who may have been innocent, but never had the chance to prove it — and now Malcolm and Seong-Jae must solve his murder...Categorized as:
mystery age difference suspense friends to lovers queer m-m contemporary men in uniform -
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![Zenith by Eli Easton, R.J. Scott]()
Zenith by Eli Easton, R.J. Scott
Rated: 4.38 of 5 stars · 8 ratingsA killer haunts Prophet, and this time it’s personalThe discovery of a body at the Thompson Cabins sets off a chain of events that hits too close to home for Sheriff Gabriel Thompson. When his brother Sam becomes a prime suspect in the murder investigation, Gabriel is forced to keep secrets from Tiber and call in outside help as he fights to prove Sam’s innocence... -
![The Birthday Manny by Sammi Cee]()
The Birthday Manny by Sammi Cee
Rated: 4.38 of 5 stars · 8 ratingsHere’s the deal, not everyone understands why an almost twenty-eight-year-old man is happy taking care of other people’s children, but I am.Do I love being single? No, but what’s a guy to do?Then I met Kevin Wadsworth. He’s everything I’ve ever wanted in a man. He’s older than me, smaller than me, and needs a little bit of care...Categorized as:
boss & employee age difference forced proximity queer m-m single-father humor contemporary -
![North and Shaw: Out of Office: Volume 2 by Gregory Ashe]()
North and Shaw: Out of Office: Volume 2 by Gregory Ashe
Rated: 4.43 of 5 stars · 7 ratingsShort stories from Borealis: Without a CompassNorth and Shaw: Out of Office Volume 2 is a collection of short stories. It includes the following:“Couple Friends”As a (relatively) new couple, North and Shaw learn what it means to have friends as a couple—and how to be friends in a relationship. This story takes place before Indirection... -
![Kiss Marry Kill by S.C. Wynne]()
Kiss Marry Kill by S.C. Wynne
Rated: 4.50 of 5 stars · 6 ratingsSnakes don’t only crawl in the grass.River Martin has begun to reveal his true motives for being in Rainy Dale, and, shocker, it’s not good news for Maxwell.If Maxwell is going to go to war with River, he’ll need people on his side. In his quest to be more of a people person, he’s roped into attending the wedding of one of his young patients, Janelle Raiden... -
![In Sequence by Cole McCade]()
In Sequence by Cole McCade
Rated: 4.60 of 5 stars · 5 ratingsABOUT THIS EPISODE The Golden Ratio killer resurfaces in California to target a former victim, and this time the case takes Malcolm and Seong-Jae hunting deep into his past, searching for connections between victim and killer that may reveal his identity... -
![Thuggiana by Gregory Ashe]()
Thuggiana by Gregory Ashe
Rated: 4.60 of 5 stars · 5 ratingsPics, or it didn’t happen.Thuggiana is a collection of short stories connected to The First Quarto. It includes the following:“The Slightest Folly”This prequel provides a glimpse into Auggie’s and Theo’s lives in high school. It takes place before They Told Me I Was Everything.“As School-Boys from Their Books”A series of vignettes set shortly after the events of They Told Me I Was Everything... -
![Grinch Kisses by DJ Jamison]()
Grinch Kisses by DJ Jamison
Rated: 4.20 of 5 stars · 14 ratingsI'm the grinch who saves Christmas … Yep, you read that right. Every year I save Christmas--and Christmas Falls--by organizing a massive festival that sustains tourism for our little town. But it turns out when Christmas is your life 24/7, the shine wears off the twinkly lights after a while...Categorized as:
christmas forced proximity age difference queer m-m contemporary grumpy sunshine siblings-bff -
![Sadistic Sherlock by Jocelynn Drake, Rinda Elliott]()
Sadistic Sherlock by Jocelynn Drake, Rinda Elliott
Rated: 4.23 of 5 stars · 12 ratingsTen years ago, Dominic Walsh faked his own death. With no true identity, it wasn’t hard. But if he’d stayed, he would have been drawn further into a life he’d never chosen. He has friends and family at Ward Security now and has managed to escape his dark past. There is only one thing he truly wants. Abraham Stephens... -
![Messy Love by Riley Hart]()
Messy Love by Riley Hart
Rated: 4.23 of 5 stars · 12 ratingsDannyI'm not a guy who's looking for a serious relationship. I love the chase, and the one time I thought I wanted more, the guy bailed. When my buddy Will mentions his recently out, older brother is looking for a place to stay, I offer the spare room in my apartment. It's clear Jonathan's past did a number on him, and he's locked up tight... -
![Killer Bond by Jocelynn Drake, Rinda Elliott]()
Killer Bond by Jocelynn Drake, Rinda Elliott
Rated: 4.22 of 5 stars · 12 ratingsDaniel Hendricks wants a vacation. Ward Security’s accountant and resident code breaker just needs a little R&R from the chaos and usual shenanigans of the office. But what was supposed to be a sexy vacation hook-up explodes in his face when he’s mistaken for a rogue secret agent... -
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![Baby's Got Blue Eyes by L.M. Krier]()
Baby's Got Blue Eyes by L.M. Krier
Rated: 4.15 of 5 stars · 17 ratingsSomeone is dumping bodies on DI Ted Darling's patch and he's not happy. Ted's a good solid copper, in an old-fashioned way, with an excellent clear-up rate. He also happens to be gay and has his own unique way of dealing with any prejudice that brings him. But this killer seems to be running effortless rings round him and every promising lead just takes him up another blind alley... -
![Snowed by R.J. Scott, V.L. Locey]()
Snowed by R.J. Scott, V.L. Locey
Rated: 4.18 of 5 stars · 12 ratingsA second chance at love is all Kyle wants for Christmas, but a dark menace from his past wants him dead, and love is second to staying alive. Kyle Lourenco has carved out a comfortable life and career for himself in Boston. With the holidays quickly approaching, he's heading home for the first time in several years. Home to his loving parents and the small Canadian town where he was raised... -
![A Guy for Christmas by K.C. Wells]()
A Guy for Christmas by K.C. Wells
Rated: 4.15 of 5 stars · 13 ratingsDear Santa,Please can you send me a guy for Christmas? Someone kind, good-looking, sweet… but who knows what he’s doing? ( If you get my meaning ;-) ) You must know SO MANY people. Surely you can give someone a shove in my direction?I’m serious here!I need your help.I’m eighteen and I’m a virgin... -
![Skin and Bone by T.A. Moore]()
Skin and Bone by T.A. Moore
Rated: 4.22 of 5 stars · 9 ratingsDigging Up Bones: Book Two Cloister Witte and his K-9 partner, Bourneville, find the lost and bring them home. But the job doesn’t always end there. Janet Morrow, a young trans woman, lies in a coma after wandering away from her car during a storm. But just because Cloister found the young tourist doesn’t mean she’s home... -
![Help Me Remember by Romeo Alexander]()
Help Me Remember by Romeo Alexander
Rated: 4.22 of 5 stars · 9 ratingsFalling in love while on the run and recovering from amnesia wasn’t the plan.I wake up injured. Unable to remember who I am.A hot stranger with white-blond hair and bright blue eyes says his name is Eric and claims mine is Dylan. Apparently, he was my best friend. The chemistry between us is undeniable. I need help, and Eric seems willing to give it...
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