Books like 'King’s Playground'
Readers who enjoyed King’s Playground by K.J. Thomas also liked the following books featuring the same tropes, story themes, relationship dynamics and character types.
contemporary young adult dark romance dual-pov new adult super rich hero forced proximity from hate to love sports
-
Sinful Knight by Tracy Lorraine
USA Today and Wall Street Journal bestselling author Tracy Lorraine brings you a new dark mafia, high school bully romance story set in the Knight's Ridge Empire world. The night we met, she left behind a lot more than just her shoes on my bedroom floor. She left an impression. A lasting memory burned into my brain. It teases me… tortures me. Months have passed since that night...Categorized as:
new adult super rich hero from hate to love contemporary young adult mafia bad boys dark -
The Complete Twisted Series Set by Ana Huang
Twisted LoveAlex Volkov is a devil blessed with the face of an angel and cursed with a past he can't escape.Driven by a tragedy that has haunted him for most of his life, his ruthless pursuits for success and vengeance leave little room for matters of the heart.But when he's forced to look after his best friend's sister, he starts to feel something in his chest. A crack. A melt...Categorized as:
from hate to love new adult super rich hero young adult contemporary dark suspense multicultural -
Corrupt Knight by Tracy Lorraine
USA Today and Wall Street Journal bestselling author Tracy Lorraine brings you a new dark mafia, high school bully romance story set in the Knight's Ridge Empire world.The night we met, she was just another one-night stand. We were never meant to see each other again, and my best friend certainly wasn’t supposed to go and fall in love with her best friend...Categorized as:
from hate to love new adult forced proximity dual-pov super rich hero college mafia dark -
-
Wicked Princess by Tracy Lorraine
USA Today and Wall Street Journal bestselling author Tracy Lorraine brings you the next installment of her new dark mafia, high school bully romance series.My entire life has been a lie.The one person I've trusted despite all his secrets has shattered my faith, and the men around me have proved just how unworthy they really are... -
The Choice by A. Jade, Ellie McLove
From USA Today and Wall Street Journal bestselling author Ashley Jade comes a gritty, off-limits standalone romance about mistakes, choices, and love conquering all.The world thought I belonged to another man...they were wrong.He was the mysterious dark knight always swooping in to save me when I needed it most.I was the troubled girl with scars and a bleeding heart...Categorized as:
from hate to love new adult forced proximity dual-pov angst contemporary slut-shaming suspense -
Real Girl by Sheridan Anne
Lucien Valentine must die.It’s the thought that’s kept me going for four long years. I’ve imagined it, dreamed about it, relished in it. I want it so bad, but the question is, do I have what it takes to make it happen?Taking a life isn’t for the faint-hearted. Just ask Lucien, he knows.He’s taken me back to where it all started and I know exactly how it’s going to go... -
Legend by Tracy Lorraine
I made one mistake…And she made one phone call that nearly destroyed my life.I’ve spent the past year plotting my revenge and imagining all the wicked things I’d do to her when our paths finally crossed again.I just had no idea it would be so soon.The last thing I expected when I re-entered the world was to find myself right in the middle of hers...Categorized as:
from hate to love sports dual-pov new adult cruel hero high-school dark contemporary -
Lost Girl by Sheridan Anne
Who the f&*k gave Slade Cruz this kind of power over me?I don’t know how it happened. One minute he was the guy I loathed and the next thing I knew, I was waking up beside him desperate to get out of there.When secrets are revealed, Slade and I realize that we are more connected than we could have ever known... -
Deviant Reign by Tracy Lorraine
USA Today and Wall Street Journal bestselling author Tracy Lorraine brings you the next installment of her new dark mafia, high school bully romance series.Watching her walk away for a second time... nearly destroyed me.But it was nothing less than I deserved from the things I put her through.I should have let her go. I’d already caused Emmie enough pain to last a lifetime. But I’m a masochist... -
Savage by Tracy Lorraine
The Rosewood boys are back!Ethan has the perfect life, or so it seems but a shock revelation from his father results in his world crashing to his feet. A new arrival sends his anger and need for justice spiraling out of control. Can he accept his new reality and what he really wants or are his actions going to cause too much pain?Dear Reader,SAVAGE is the third book in my Rosewood High series...Categorized as:
sports new adult from hate to love forced proximity dual-pov high-school young adult contemporary -
Taint Her by Caitlyn Dare
Rated: 4.44 of 5 stars · 19 ratingsHe wants to ruin her. She wants to save him.Hadley Rexford was a distraction I didn’t need. But when she discovers me with blood on my hands, I know I can’t walk away without demanding her silence.I’ll taint her.Torment her.In the end, I’ll ruin her.Cole Jagger was a puzzle I wanted to solve. But he refuses to let me in, and now I’m ensnared in his trap.He’s cold.Immoral...Categorized as:
new adult sports from hate to love dual-pov contemporary young adult suspense cruel hero -
Ride or Die by Sheridan Anne
Rated: 4.33 of 5 stars · 27 ratingsGang life isn't for everyone, but a b*tch in colors always looks good.The West Side Wolves claim to be a brotherhood, but what do they do when a sister walks in demanding their attention?To everyone else, stepping into the Wolf Den was an epic mistake, filled with consequential betrayals...Categorized as:
new adult from hate to love forced proximity super rich hero high-school dark contemporary suspense -
-
If You Dare by Shantel Tessier
The game was over. The dares were getting old, and the secrets were piling up faster than the bodies.But someone had other plans. They wanted to play a new game.Becky Holt was the love of his life until he found out what she was hiding. Now he wants to seek his revenge in the most daring way.Deke Biggs has always been a shark. He's not afraid to kill, and he's about to become her worst nightmare... -
The Retaliation You Deliver by Tracy Lorraine
When something seems too good to be true. It’s usually because it is.A lesson I learned the hard way.Every single fear I had about falling for Leon, has just come true in the most brutal way.The sweet guy act he’s been putting on the past few weeks is over.The cold, hard truth is... he never wanted me. He only wanted retaliation.And like a fool, I played right into his wicked scheme...Categorized as:
from hate to love new adult sports dual-pov contemporary cruel hero college young adult -
Hunter by Tracy Lorraine
I’m a nobody... until everybody realizes who I am and who I’m related to.Then it’s like a giant target is painted on my back. They all think they can use me to climb the Rosewood High royalty ladder.They obviously underestimate me. I won’t cower down or give in.They can’t break me. But he can... without even trying.Zayn Hunter.He doesn’t want to use me..Categorized as:
from hate to love sports new adult cruel hero high-school virgin heroine dark contemporary -
Reckless Dynasty by Tracy Lorraine
USA Today and Wall Street Journal bestselling author Tracy Lorraine brings you the next installment of her dark mafia, high school bully romance story set in the Knight's Ridge Empire world.My life has been full of half-truths tangled in lies—I’d been to hell and back more times than I could count... -
Underneath the Sycamore Tree by B. Celeste
It happened in stages. My father left. My twin sister died of an incurable autoimmune disease. My mother started breaking down. Then I was diagnosed with the very thing that took my other half from me. That was when I realized Mama’s eyes turned gold when she cried. So I moved in with my father and his new family—new wife, new son, new stepbrother. Kaiden Monroe made me feel normal...Categorized as:
new adult forced proximity from hate to love sports dual-pov contemporary young adult stepsibling -
Barbie B*tch by Sheridan Anne
Rated: 4.23 of 5 stars · 30 ratingsCold-blooded murder. Do I have it in me? I’ve watched the people I love commit the worst kinds of crimes and within the blink of an eye, I could be just like them. I feel the jagged glass beneath my fingers, but do I have the strength to follow this through? How much of my soul am I willing to sacrifice to make this right?Nic was supposed to be my rock... -
The Havoc We Wreak by Becca Steele
The final part of Caiden and Winter's story...Secrets and lies are being revealed. Loyalties are being tested, and betrayal cuts deep.My mother needs to be stopped, but at what cost? At the end, who will be left standing? And...WhoWillFall…Eeny, meeny, miny, mo.You underestimated the Four and Snow.You thought you were on a winning streak...Categorized as:
new adult from hate to love super rich hero dual-pov suspense contemporary cruel hero mystery -
Forever Golden by Rachel Jonas, Lessa Lamb
Rated: 4.20 of 5 stars · 33 ratingsWest Golden—Fierce protector. The one.The cocky jock I once wanted to kill with my bare hands is now the only one I trust with my heart.In a city full of corruption and dark secrets, knowing who’s on your side gets harder to determine every day. Especially now that Vin’s on the warpath, passing out threats he fully intends to see through to the end...Categorized as:
sports new adult from hate to love dual-pov high-school contemporary dark young adult -
In Silence by K.G. Reuss
We’re all playing a dangerous game. One where there are no winners. Only survivors. I’m in love with my enemies, but obviously they don’t feel the same way. When their lies and betrayal surface, I have no choice but to leave.They’ve broken my heart, but not my spirit. They think they’ve won. They think they’ve ruined me.The only thing they’ve done is made me stronger...Categorized as:
sports new adult from hate to love dual-pov young adult reverse harem dark cruel hero -
In Chaos by K.G. Reuss
A Dark High School Bully RomanceSome things are better left unsaid. Others demand chaos. Good thing I excel at both.Everything fell apart before we were able to pull ourselves together. When tragedy demands my silence, I have no choice but to give it because losing a life also means saving so many more.I finally have everything I want. Having my best friend back is a dream come true... -
-
Pretty Little Island by Rhea Ryan
Rated: 4.63 of 5 stars · 8 ratingsTorn between two lovers on a pretty but deadly island, London King must survive the ravages of the wilderness and a battle for her heart.My first day at New Ocean Prep was supposed to be a fresh start. A chance to return to my hometown—leaving my ruined life behind me. My goal is simple. Keep my grades up, my head down, and focus on securing my spot in a top journalism program...Categorized as:
new adult from hate to love forced proximity dark contemporary love triangle reverse harem m-m-f -
Naked or Dead by A.E. Murphy
Rated: 4.29 of 5 stars · 18 ratingsSmall town, small-minded people, small expectations, and big A-holes.Lilith Deville is the new enigma at Lakeside Preparatory Academy, a prestigious high school by a river and not a lake, which makes sense, not. Already she hates it despite its beautiful landscape... -
The Devastation You Reap by Tracy Lorraine
He never wanted me. He only wanted retaliation. But I’m not the monster he thinks I am... -
Broken Hate by Thandiwe Mpofu
Rated: 4.26 of 5 stars · 19 ratingsWhat’s wrong Baby Blue? Did you mistake his forced sincerity for love?Every kiss will fade in time.Every memory will fade in time.Every smile, every teardrop, every wound—it’ll all dry up—in time.But every lie? That shit only gets bigger and more devastating with time.In time..Categorized as:
sports new adult from hate to love super rich hero young adult dark cruel hero contemporary -
Touched By The Devil by Angel Lawson, Samantha Rue
Fights, sex, and fast cars. Those are what Sebastian Wilcox is all about.On the outside he’s easy smiles and a quick temper, but on the inside, a war rages on. He told the Devils his biggest secret; during a vicious fight, he accidentally hurt someone who didn't deserve it. For months now, he's been cursed by the memory of her screams. But that’s not his only hidden truth...Categorized as:
new adult from hate to love dual-pov contemporary high-school dark abuse young adult -
The Golden Boys by Rachel Jonas, Nikki Thorne
Listening Length: 10 hours and 33 minutes West Golden - so easy to hate, yet so hard to resist. Don’t let that pretty face of his fool you. He isn’t the boy next door, or the kind you trust with your heart. He’s the devil in designer jeans, with all the charm of a bona fide psycho. Trust me. He swears I did something to cross him before I even stepped foot inside Cypress Prep, but it’s a lie...Categorized as:
sports new adult from hate to love dual-pov super rich hero high-school contemporary dark -
Fall With Me by Lucy Smoke
Rated: 4.35 of 5 stars · 13 ratingsIsaac Icari: The God of Hazelwood University. My stepbrother.My lover.My enemy.It was dangerous to let myself be swept up by him but he’s a drug that I crave.I should have walked away the second I realized what he was involved with, when he revealed who his father truly was.Now it’s too late.We should have known better. Get too close to the sun and you get burned... -
In Ruins by K.G. Reuss
He was my best friend before he was my enemy.I’m a nobody at Black Falls High.When the school’s mean queen forces me to my knees in front of the student body, everything changes.Now, I’m back on my former best friend’s radar.And this time, he has his new crew and “no” isn’t part of their vocabulary.When a night out puts me in a compromising position, I’m at their mercy...Categorized as:
sports new adult from hate to love dual-pov young adult dark contemporary cruel hero -
The Deceit of a Devil by Holly Renee
Sinless. Stunning. Damaged. Tempting. Allie Taylor had been the girl I hated for as long as I could remember. And now she loathed me just as much. It didn’t matter that I betrayed her to save her. Completely devastated and infuriated by my dishonesty, she had no intentions of ever trusting me again. Her trust was shattered, her hate raging on with each second...Categorized as:
new adult sports from hate to love dual-pov contemporary cruel hero high-school young adult -
Without you by Ashlyn Montgomery
Rated: 4.18 of 5 stars · 25 ratingsAubrey Wilson has the heart of an angel. As the type of person to always trust in others, she's admirable to peers.A total darling, but with a sadness that encases her heart.Anyone could shrink down in fright at the receiving end of Luke Taylor's infamous glare. Tall, muscular, dark-haired, and handsome, he's no stranger on or off the field. Not a kind stranger either...Categorized as:
sports new adult from hate to love young adult contemporary high-school grumpy sunshine dark -
-
Royal Elite Epilogue by Rina Kent
All five couples of Royal Elite series come to life again in this long extended epilogue.Levi & AstridAiden & ElsaXander & KimberlyRonan & TealCole & SilverThis epilogue is set after the end of Royal Elite Series so all the previous books need to be read before this...Categorized as:
new adult sports from hate to love young adult cruel hero contemporary dark alpha male -
Finding the Light by C.A. Rene
Travis Greene has lived most of his life shrouded in fear and shadows. Fear of a father’s wrath, a mother’s disdain, and a coach’s attention. Love and intimacy came hand in hand with pain and disappointment, but he hid all of it deep inside the shadows of his damaged heart.Adrianna Hinton was the one bright light in his pitiful childhood, the sunshine to his cloudy days...Categorized as:
from hate to love new adult forced proximity sports dark vengeance praise-kink high-school -
Half Truths by Claire Contreras
You’ve heard of these groups – the secretive ones that only the crème de la crème are invited into, the ones outsiders speculate about for centuries – I’m the second in my family invited to attend, but to them, I’m fresh meat. New blood. New money, too. They think they’ll elbow past me, that I’m here for their amusement, for them to walk all over, they’ll find out soon enough that I’m not...Categorized as:
sports new adult super rich hero from hate to love young adult suspense mystery dark -
Law of Attraction by Raeesah Ambarker
Rated: 4.16 of 5 stars · 28 ratingsNyx just can't seem to escape her eternal night, the very darkness she was named after. Angry at the world, her hatred is ravenous for none other than Beckham Hunt, captain of the ice hockey team. Beckham loathes Nyx Taylor, that much he is certain of...Categorized as:
new adult sports from hate to love forced proximity contemporary friends to lovers young adult dark -
Cruel Legacy by Dakota Lee
A NEW LIFEThat’s what the move to canyon falls was supposed to offer me. A chance to leave my past behind.But day one I manage to paint a target on my back and the vindictive boys who run this school, Pax, Finn and Holdendecide to turn me into their personal punching bag.They try it all. Liquidated accounts. Public humiliation. Every prank and act of horror designed to break me.I’ve endured worse...Categorized as:
new adult from hate to love forced proximity young adult contemporary dark mystery suspense -
Ruthless Saints by Ashlee M. Edmonds
Rated: 4.57 of 5 stars · 7 ratingsSenior year, my fresh start, or so I thought.I was going to put the past behind me and forget about everything that’s haunted me over the last year.But the moment I stepped through the doors at Oceanside High, I knew that was just wishful thinking... -
The Vengeance You Crave by Tracy Lorraine
It’s been almost six years since she ruined what we had. Her lies shattered years of friendship and ripped apart the future we planned. After I called her a liar and revoked my trust, she left town and never looked back. In a cruel twist of fate, she’s returned. But I’m not the wounded boy she left behind. I’m a man now. A man full of anger, resentment and loss... -
Law of Attraction by Raeesah Ambarker
Rated: 4.13 of 5 stars · 30 ratingsNyx just can't seem to escape her eternal night, the very darkness she was named after. She tries to play her cards right, however, the outcome is a paradox. Whilst she obtains the results she wanted, it comes at the expense of some of her relationships. Angry at the world, her hatred is ravenous for none other than Beckham Hunt, captain of the ice hockey team...Categorized as:
new adult sports from hate to love forced proximity contemporary young adult dark abuse -
Never His Girl by Rachel Jonas, Nikki Thorne
Rated: 4.11 of 5 stars · 36 ratingsWest Golden--Football star. Playboy. Dead to me.Nothing puts the final bullet in a girl’s rep like a leaked sex tape. Especially one starring her and the cocky quarterback who’s had it out for her since day one. Yep, you guessed it. That girl is me.At Cypress Prep, West is king, but all I see when I look at him is the wicked prick who gets off on trying to break me.His plaything.Go ahead...Categorized as:
new adult sports from hate to love dual-pov high-school contemporary dark young adult -
Pained by Vera Micic, Vera Hollins
Rated: 4.24 of 5 stars · 16 ratingsTwo months have passed since the day I pushed Hayden away. Two months since I found out he loved me and wanted to be with me. I’ve been trying to move on and forget about him, but my heart refuses to listen. Hayden had almost died saving me. Half of me wants to forgive him for everything and give him another chance...Categorized as:
new adult from hate to love young adult cruel hero dark contemporary cold hero length-medium -
-
F*ck Yeah by Crystal North, Jaye Pratt
Rated: 4.20 of 5 stars · 24 ratingsTragedy draws Amelie back to Australia once again, but this time she’s not alone. It’s been decided that she needs a break, and what better way to do that then with Kalen in her homeland? You can guarantee that with Fairy Bread, kangaroos, mosquitos, and the youngest Knox brother, chaos will ensue. Add in even more secrets, lies and deceit, and Amelie’s in for one hell of a ride... -
Wicked Summer Knight by Tracy Lorraine
USA Today and Wall Street Journal bestselling author Tracy Lorraine brings you a new dark mafia, high school bully romance series.She’s in the wrong place at the right time… Gunshots echo, reverberating through me, allowing me to feel something… anything other than the pain that consumes me. That should be a warning to stay away, but for some reason, she comes closer. Intruding on my silence... -
These Dark Hearts by L.A. Cotton
Rated: 4.28 of 5 stars · 13 ratingsHarleigh Wren Maguire has loved Phoenix Wilder for as long as she can remember.He's everything she isn't.Brave.Reckless.One-hundred percent unapologetic.But it's Halloween... the perfect excuse to dress up and be someone you're not. To step out of your comfort zone and do things you wouldn't usually do.And Harleigh is determined to make her best friend notice her for once.There's only one problem...Categorized as:
new adult sports friends to lovers high-school contemporary dark young adult mystery -
Savage by Caitlyn Dare
A new dark romance from the bestselling author of the Rebels at Sterling Prep series.No one knows the code of the Sinners MC better than me.Born and raised in the club, I’ve spent most of my life rebelling against my daddy’s strict rules and overprotective nature.When an old MC rivalry resurfaces, I find myself with not one, but two surly biker babysitters...Categorized as:
new adult sports from hate to love dual-pov contemporary young adult reverse harem cruel hero -
Yakuza Fiance: Raise wa Tanin ga Ii Vol. 3 by Asuka Konishi
Rated: 4.15 of 5 stars · 23 ratingsYoshino's life with Kirishima grows increasingly heated after he meets her adopted brother Shouma. Kirishima doesn't recognize his own jealousy until Yoshino points it out to him...and soon, he's not the only one burning up. It seems Osaka's temperatures have followed Yoshino up north when she catches her traditional summer cold... -
I Promise You by Shantel Tessier
It was supposed to be a game. I Dare You. We bought her in 'cause I wanted to play with her. Destroy her. But plans change and she got caught in the cross fire. Then I did something far worse. I fell in love with her, but she doesn't know I still have secrets. Ones that could rip us all apart. We're sharks. Raised to hunt and kill. We take what we want without asking...
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.