Books like 'Defender'
Readers who enjoyed Defender by Nicole Dykes also liked the following books featuring the same tropes, story themes, relationship dynamics and character types.
contemporary young adult gay romance new adult sports forced proximity office grumpy sunshine friends to lovers from hate to love
-
Check, Please! Book 1: # Hockey by Ngozi Ukazu
Helloooo, Internet Land. Bitty here! Y’all. .. I might not be ready for this. I may be a former junior figure skating champion, vlogger extraordinaire, and very talented amateur pâtissier, but being a freshman on the Samwell University hockey team is a whole new challenge. It’s nothing like co-ed club hockey back in Georgia! First of all? There’s checking...Categorized as:
sports forced proximity new adult height-difference queer young adult m-m contemporary -
![19 Days by Old Xian]()
19 Days by Old Xian
The cute and funny adventures of a boy and his best friend. Also contains insert art of the characters by the mangaka.Categorized as:
friends to lovers from hate to love new adult queer contemporary m-m humor young adult -
![]()
![]()
Sponsored links / Remove ads -
![Fence, Vol. 6: Redemption by C.S. Pacat]()
Fence, Vol. 6: Redemption by C.S. Pacat
A mysterious new fencer arrives at Halverton in the newest chapter of the GLAAD Media Award-nominated sports comic, perfect for fans of Heartstopper. THE COMPETITION HAS BEEN RESET… EN GARDE! Return to the thrilling world of high-stakes, competitive fencing, with a brand new story featuring the beloved cast of characters from the original hit series...Categorized as:
queer sports from hate to love friends to lovers young adult contemporary found-family m-m -
![Given, Vol. 6 by Natsuki Kizu, キヅナツキ]()
Given, Vol. 6 by Natsuki Kizu, キヅナツキ
Rated: 4.47 of 5 stars · 34 ratingsLove of music unites the four members of the band Given: hotheaded guitarist Uenoyama, playboy drummer Akihiko, gentle bassist Haruki, and Mafuyu, a singer gifted with great talent and burdened by past tragedy. Their struggles and conflicts may drive them apart, but their bond to the music—and to one another—always brings them back together again... -
-
![Impaired Judgement by Youcouldmakealife]()
Impaired Judgement by Youcouldmakealife
It’s kind of a shame someone that talented is that big a douche. -
![Hirano and Kagiura, Vol. 1 by Shou Harusono]()
Hirano and Kagiura, Vol. 1 by Shou Harusono
Rated: 4.42 of 5 stars · 26 ratingsBasketball players. Bad boys who aren’t really bad boys. Roommates. Senpai-kouhai BL romance. It all started when Kagiura moved into the school dorms with what seemed to be a bad-boy upperclassman. But after he’s left in the tender care of his mother hen of a roommate, Hirano, it’s too much to ask for Kagiura not to fall in love…right? ! -
![Given, Vol. 6 by Natsuki Kizu]()
Given, Vol. 6 by Natsuki Kizu
Rated: 4.33 of 5 stars · 33 ratingsNow that Given has an offer to record their debut album, each of the band’s members must decide whether to get serious about trying to go pro. Though Ritsuka doesn’t have a single doubt in his mind, Mafuyu isn’t ready to commit... -
![Check, Please!: Year Four by Ngozi Ukazu]()
Check, Please!: Year Four by Ngozi Ukazu
Rated: 4.58 of 5 stars · 15 ratings -
![시맨틱 에러 1 (Semantic Error (Novel) #1) by Soori Jeo, 저수리]()
시맨틱 에러 1 (Semantic Error (Novel) #1) by Soori Jeo, 저수리
Rated: 4.39 of 5 stars · 24 ratings*시맨틱 에러(Semantic Error): 전산학상의 논리적 오류. 조장: 추상우. 발표자: 추상우. part1 자료 조사: 추상우. part2 자료 조사: 추상우. 자료 취합: 추상우. 발표 자료 제작: 추상우. 참여한 조원 명단: 추상우. 교양수업 과제에서 무임승차 조원들의 이름을 모조리 빼버린 컴공과 추상우. 그 때문에 이상한 선배와 엮이게 된다. 무임승차3: [덕분에졸업못하게생겼네나좀봐요후배님] 20:23. 해외 유명 대학원 유학을 앞둔 디자인과 장재영. 디자인 실력, 외모, 집안, 인간관계, 뭐 하나 빠질 데 없는 그가 추상우만은 어렵다. “사람은 감정의 동물이야. 네가 날 그렇게 무시하지만 않았다면 PPT 같은 건 웃어넘기고 말았을 텐데. ”...Categorized as:
queer from hate to love new adult grumpy sunshine contemporary m-m young adult length-long -
![Restart After Coming Back Home by Cocomi]()
Restart After Coming Back Home by Cocomi
Rated: 4.34 of 5 stars · 27 ratingsHotheaded Kozuka Mitsuomi left his home in the country for a sophisticated life in Tokyo. Unfortunately, at age 25, he’s fired from his job and returns home in disgrace. As he tries to rediscover himself, he meets Kumai Yamato, a man about his age who was adopted into his community while Mitsuomi was away...Categorized as:
queer friends to lovers new adult contemporary m-m young adult length-short first-in-series -
![Ander and Santi Were Here by Jonny Garza Villa]()
Ander and Santi Were Here by Jonny Garza Villa
Rated: 4.39 of 5 stars · 22 ratingsAristotle and Dante meets The Hate U Give meets The Sun Is Also A Star: A stunning YA contemporary love story about a Mexican-American teen who falls in love with an undocumented Mexican boy. Finding home. Falling in love. Fighting to belong. The Santos Vista neighborhood of San Antonio, Texas, is all Ander Lopez has ever known. The smell of pan dulce... -
![Semantic Error (novel), Vol. 1 (Semantic Error (Novel) #1) by J. Soori]()
Semantic Error (novel), Vol. 1 (Semantic Error (Novel) #1) by J. Soori
Rated: 4.34 of 5 stars · 26 ratingsThe heart-pounding novel that inspired the hit BL comic! Computer science major Sangwoo Choo lives by the following tenets: reason, routine, and rules. So when the rest of his groupmates flake on their class presentation, he deletes their names from the project without hesitation—inadvertently destroying one groupmate's plans to graduate and study abroad...Categorized as:
queer from hate to love new adult grumpy sunshine contemporary m-m young adult length-medium -
![The Haircut by Alice Oseman]()
The Haircut by Alice Oseman
Rated: 4.58 of 5 stars · 13 ratingsOnce again we spend some time with 25-year-old Charlie and 26-year-old Nick. .. plus Daisy! -
![Fence #10 by C.S. Pacat, Johanna the Mad]()
Fence #10 by C.S. Pacat, Johanna the Mad
Rated: 4.30 of 5 stars · 27 ratings -
-
![某某 A Certain Someone by Mu Su Li, 木苏里]()
某某 A Certain Someone by Mu Su Li, 木苏里
Rated: 4.51 of 5 stars · 14 ratings盛望搬进了白马弄堂的祖屋院子，一并搬进来的还有他爸正在交往的女人。. 他爸指着那个女人的儿子对他说：叫哥。. 桀骜不驯吃软不吃硬的制冷机（攻）x自认很金贵的懒蛋小少爷（受）. 盛望：我笔直。. 江添：我恐同。. 校园文，1v1+he. Sheng Wang moved into his ancestral home at White Horse Lane, along with the woman that his father was presently seeing. His dad pointed at that woman’s son and said to him: Call him ge (older brother)... -
![Fence, Vol. 4: Rivals by C.S. Pacat, Johanna the Mad]()
Fence, Vol. 4: Rivals by C.S. Pacat, Johanna the Mad
The GLAAD Award nominated series Fence returns as a graphic novel series as best-selling novelist C. S...Categorized as:
sports from hate to love queer young adult contemporary m-m high-school found-family -
![I Hear the Sunspot: Limit, Volume 2 by Yuki Fumino]()
I Hear the Sunspot: Limit, Volume 2 by Yuki Fumino
Rated: 4.29 of 5 stars · 25 ratingsKohei is a college student who, because of his hearing loss, tends to distance himself from others. His attitude starts to change after he crosses paths with an ever-optimistic classmate named Taichi. And over time, the two begin to develop feelings for each other... -
![A Tremendous Amount of Normal by Chase Connor]()
A Tremendous Amount of Normal by Chase Connor
Rated: 4.67 of 5 stars · 9 ratingsNoah is normal. He’s full of normal. His older brother Will tells everyone all of the time. Even if they don’t believe him. Noah doesn’t understand why kids in school call him a “retard. " He’s not intellectually disabled. In fact, he’s very smart. But a lot of people call Will a fag—so maybe it’s kind of like that. Neurotypical people don’t always make sense...Categorized as:
queer new adult friends to lovers m-m young adult contemporary found-family length-medium -
![Fence #11 by C.S. Pacat, Johanna the Mad]()
Fence #11 by C.S. Pacat, Johanna the Mad
Rated: 4.25 of 5 stars · 27 ratingsIt all comes down to this—the final match that will determine who makes the team, and who gets left behind. -
![Fence, Vol. 5: Rise by C.S. Pacat]()
Fence, Vol. 5: Rise by C.S. Pacat
In the highly anticipated next chapter of Fence, Nicholas will stop at nothing until he becomes Seiji's worthy fencing rival! USA Today best-selling author C. S...Categorized as:
sports from hate to love queer young adult contemporary m-m high-school found-family -
![Know Not Why (Know Not Why) by Hannah Johnson]()
Know Not Why (Know Not Why) by Hannah Johnson
Howie gets a job at Artie Kraft's Arts 'N Crafts hoping to score with his lady coworkers. After all, girls love a sensitive guy, and what's more sensitive than dedicating your life to selling yarn and . .. stuff? (Okay, so maybe it'd be a good idea to actually learn what one sells at an arts 'n crafts store. ) But things don't go exactly according to plan...Categorized as:
friends to lovers from hate to love new adult queer queer-awakening contemporary slow burn college -
![Fence #9 by C.S. Pacat, Johanna the Mad]()
Fence #9 by C.S. Pacat, Johanna the Mad
Rated: 4.22 of 5 stars · 27 ratings -
![I Hear the Sunspot: Four Seasons Volume 1 by Yuki Fumino]()
I Hear the Sunspot: Four Seasons Volume 1 by Yuki Fumino
Rated: 4.34 of 5 stars · 16 ratingsKohei Sugihara, college student with hearing loss, and Taichi Sagawa, his ever-optimistic former classmate, met in a chance encounter that ignited an undeniable spark that would eventually blossom into love. Now it’s spring and as Kohei nears graduation, his search for a job begins. Meanwhile, Taichi finds himself in charge of someone new at work... -
![Gay Club! by Simon James Green]()
Gay Club! by Simon James Green
Rated: 4.40 of 5 stars · 13 ratingsA landmark comedic novel about a group of queer teens at their worst - and ultimately their best - from one of the UK's leading writers of LGBTQ+ teen fiction. Barney's a shoo-in for his school's LGBTQ+ Society President at the club's next election. But when the vote is opened up to the entire student body, the whole school starts paying attention...Categorized as:
friends to lovers from hate to love queer young adult contemporary m-m high-school humor -
-
![Flower Shop by Alice Oseman]()
Flower Shop by Alice Oseman
Rated: 4.63 of 5 stars · 8 ratingsA little story set in an alternate universe about how one man asked out a kind florist. .. -
![Boyband Crush by Alice Oseman]()
Boyband Crush by Alice Oseman
Rated: 4.56 of 5 stars · 9 ratingsA little crossover mini-comic between Heartstopper and I Was Born For This. -
![Lane’s by Nash Summers]()
Lane’s by Nash Summers
Rated: 4.37 of 5 stars · 13 ratingsMaps doesn’t believe in growing up. He believes in his experiments, Benji’s new driving skills, Perry’s knowledge of “adult things”, and his interstellar boyfriend, Lane. Maps certainly doesn’t believe in graduating. And he especially doesn’t believe in his friends attending separate colleges. Because if Maps believed in any of those things, it would mean he was growing up. -
![Jackass! by Scarlet Beriko]()
Jackass! by Scarlet Beriko
Rated: 4.18 of 5 stars · 29 ratingsWhen the panty hose go on, all bets are off between these best guy friends! Practical Keisuke’s incredibly handsome best friend Masayuki has always rubbed him just a little bit the wrong way... -
![Something Like Thunder by Jay Bell]()
Something Like Thunder by Jay Bell
Rated: 4.41 of 5 stars · 11 ratingsThis isn’t a coming out story. Nor is it the tale of a lonely heart seeking companionship. This is about how I learned to fight. My name is Nathaniel Courtney and I’m a survivor. I didn’t let the cruelty of others wear me down, and I’ve weathered the more subtle hardships of the heart. Love is a Trojan horse, slipping past your guard and leaving you ransacked and vulnerable... -
![fawn by Nash Summers]()
fawn by Nash Summers
Heaven is rays of sunlight dancing slowly on wheat stalks. It's wind twirling itself around chimes hung from low tree branches, and robust bursts of scent and color, far beyond anything describable with words. Heaven is a flightless crow, a promise of forever tied to a necklace, and hidden love letters tucked away safely inside a tree... -
![Perfectly Us by Jaclyn Osborn]()
Perfectly Us by Jaclyn Osborn
Rated: 4.67 of 5 stars · 6 ratingsOne summer. Two hearts forever changed. Alex is magnetic. His vibrant personality and easy smiles draw people toward him. No one would guess he’s secretly hurting. Shiloh is quiet. His social awkwardness and anxious mind make it hard for him to make connections. He’s always felt different. A little broken. When these two meet, they recognize something in each other...Categorized as:
new adult friends to lovers queer m-m contemporary young adult length-short audiobook -
![The Music of the Spheres by Chase Potter]()
The Music of the Spheres by Chase Potter
Rated: 4.50 of 5 stars · 8 ratingsAn athlete and introvert from a family touched by loss, Ryan Mattson splits his life between reading and spending time with his dad and precocious younger sister. With the wounds of Ryan’s past almost healed, high school is simple, and so is everything else. But that changes when he’s paired with Adam for a class project...Categorized as:
friends to lovers new adult queer queer-awakening m-m young adult contemporary length-short -
![Fake Slackers: Vol. 2 by Mu Gua Huang]()
Fake Slackers: Vol. 2 by Mu Gua Huang
Rated: 4.50 of 5 stars · 8 ratings -
-
![When I Grow Up by John Goode]()
When I Grow Up by John Goode
Rated: 4.44 of 5 stars · 9 ratingsAfter graduation, Kyle Stilleno and Brad Graymark move to California to pursue their dreams. But high school sweethearts are called that for a reason, and their love rarely stands up to the test of time. As money, school, sex, and jealousy test their relationship to the breaking point, Kyle and Brad fight to hold on to the love that brought them together... -
![Fence Challengers: Long Shot #1 by C.S. Pacat, Johanna the Mad]()
Fence Challengers: Long Shot #1 by C.S. Pacat, Johanna the Mad
Rated: 4.25 of 5 stars · 15 ratingsThe Kings Row fencers are fresh off of Halverton Training Camp and ready for the State Championships, bringing with them the burden and blessing of a brand-new reputation as underdog champions. As attraction rises between Nicholas and Seiji, the team will face old training rivals in their first match, but MacRob has a secret strategy that turns the tide…...Categorized as:
queer sports from hate to love young adult contemporary m-m length-novella first-in-series -
![Diamonds by Nash Summers]()
Diamonds by Nash Summers
Rated: 4.27 of 5 stars · 14 ratingsMaps’ kingdom is crumbling before his eyes. His parents are forcing him to get a job, there’s a new kid at school who won’t stop staring at him, and his best friend is too busy thinking about girls to help Maps deal with his real problems. Worst of all,. Maps is lost. And none of the roads on his map are leading to Lane. -
![Fence #8 by C.S. Pacat, Johanna the Mad]()
Fence #8 by C.S. Pacat, Johanna the Mad
Rated: 4.14 of 5 stars · 27 ratings -
![Regretting You by T. Ashleigh]()
Regretting You by T. Ashleigh
Tyler-. Some days I wish I’d never met Gregory Baldwin. Then there are days when I feel like I’ll die if he’s away for too long. It’s like I’m addicted to him. Addicted to the attention he gives me and what he does to me in secret. He has lips made for sin and a body I can’t keep my hands off of, but mostly, I know he has a heart. That’s what keeps me coming back...Categorized as:
from hate to love secret-relationship friends to lovers new adult angst queer contemporary m-m -
![Dekoboko Bittersweet Days by Atsuko Yusen]()
Dekoboko Bittersweet Days by Atsuko Yusen
Tiny and adorable when they first met, Rui—still just as adorable—now looms over his boyfriend, Yuujirou. Though they were little more than best friends at first, the confusion over their true feelings for one another smoldered until they confessed. Now every day passes with such overwhelming sweetness it’s all they can do not to ask themselves, “am I allowed to be this happy? ”...Categorized as:
friends to lovers angst queer contemporary m-m young adult length-medium explicit-open-door -
![Disarmed by Sarah Rees Brennan]()
Disarmed by Sarah Rees Brennan
Rated: 4.11 of 5 stars · 30 ratingsThe boys of Kings Row head to France with exes, rivalries, and secrets in this fun and hilarious novel by a New York Times bestselling author—inspired by the award-nominated comic series by C. S. Pacat and Johanna The Mad...Categorized as:
sports friends to lovers from hate to love queer young adult contemporary m-m high-school -
![Maps by Nash Summers]()
Maps by Nash Summers
Rated: 4.21 of 5 stars · 15 ratingsIf Maps ruled the world, his best pal Benji would be court jester, and every day would celebrate a new experiment. No, scratch that. If Maps ruled the world, his best pal would still be living next door, and there wouldn’t be any gap-toothed new guy staring at him as if he’s bonkers. Pity Maps doesn’t rule the world . . .Categorized as:
friends to lovers new adult sports queer queer-awakening young adult contemporary m-m -
![Cinderella Boy by Kristina Meister]()
Cinderella Boy by Kristina Meister
Rated: 4.28 of 5 stars · 11 ratingsBeing perfect isn't all it's cracked up to be. Sixteen-year-old Declan is the perfect son . . . except for one tiny issue. When his sister Delia comes home to find him trying on her clothes, he fears her judgment, but she only fears his fashion choices...Categorized as:
queer friends to lovers angst young adult contemporary m-m high-school length-medium -
![Shut Your Face, Anthony Pace! by Claire Davis, Al Stewart]()
Shut Your Face, Anthony Pace! by Claire Davis, Al Stewart
Rated: 4.30 of 5 stars · 10 ratingsFirst love - coming of age - family - acceptance. When Charlie was eight years old, his mum bought him a microscope for his birthday. Since then, he's known how he wants to spend his life. There have been trials, and challenges, but now - finally - the day is here for him to start college with his lifelong friend Anthony Pace. Anthony is a red-haired force of nature... -
-
![String Boys by Amy Lane]()
String Boys by Amy Lane
Rated: 4.38 of 5 stars · 8 ratingsSeth Arnold learned at an early age that two things in life could make his soul soar—his violin and Kelly Cruz. In Seth’s uncertain childhood, the kindness of the Cruz family, especially Kelly and his brother, Matty, gave Seth the stability to make his violin sing with the purest sound and opened a world of possibility beyond his home in Sacramento... -
![Loud Places by A.E. Jensen]()
Loud Places by A.E. Jensen
Rated: 4.50 of 5 stars · 6 ratings“You’re my best friend in the whole wide world, Matty. ”. Three years. It’s been three years since Ethan last saw or heard from his best friend. Three years since Matty ran away. Now that high school is over, nothing stands in the way anymore. Ethan is ready to embark on this journey cross country to find Matty...Categorized as:
angst friends to lovers queer m-m hurt-comfort young adult contemporary length-medium -
![Tripping Over You: Volume Two by Owen White]()
Tripping Over You: Volume Two by Owen White
Rated: 4.50 of 5 stars · 6 ratingsGrowing up is an awkward waltz. It's enough of a challenge to balance a relationship between two people. Expect missteps when preparing for university - and accidentally bringing family into the routine. Volume two contains chapters five and six of an ongoing love story about how tense (and amusing) it can be to foster love in an unexpected place. -
![Theory Of Love by JittiRain]()
Theory Of Love by JittiRain
Rated: 4.24 of 5 stars · 12 ratingsWhat kind of situation or time that makes you want to swear “Damn it! ” the most? Is it when you’re walking on the pavement and suddenly getting splashed by a car? Or is it when you watch a movie with high expectations but it turns out to be the other way around? For me, it’s when I discover I’ve given my heart to someone, giving it my all,... -
![My Summer Of You: Vol. 2: The Summer With You (君は夏のなか (Kimi wa natsu no naka) #2) by Nagisa Furuya]()
My Summer Of You: Vol. 2: The Summer With You (君は夏のなか (Kimi wa natsu no naka) #2) by Nagisa Furuya
Rated: 4.09 of 5 stars · 28 ratingsAfter graduating from high school, Chiharu returns to Tokyo to start university, and spend another summer with his now-boyfriend Wataru. The two boys might be busy with their part-time jobs and schoolwork, but they’re living in the same city again at last, which sets off new sparks and adventures... -
![The Two Lions by Nagisa Furuya]()
The Two Lions by Nagisa Furuya
Rated: 4.09 of 5 stars · 28 ratingsTo escape his reputation as a misunderstood loner, Leo attends a university far from home. His attempts at making friends aren't going so well until he meets someone who recognizes him--friendly and laidback Junpei, who went to the same high school as he did...
Fantastic book recommendations by romance book lovers for romance book lovers.
Find out more about romance.io.
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.
