Books like 'Matchup'
Readers who enjoyed Matchup by Ajay Daniel also liked the following books featuring the same tropes, story themes, relationship dynamics and character types.
contemporary gay romance funny sports from hate to love football queer-awakening queer secret-relationship friends to lovers
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Thick as Thieves by Lucy Lennox
Julian:. I've been in love with my best friend since forever. Okay, fine. Like, kindgergarten. It started out platonic, obviously, but then became. .. nope. Still platonic. The problem is that Parker Ellis has been straight since forever. And that makes it difficult to convince him the two of us are meant to be together. And now there's no point. All is lost... -
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:
sports athletes friends to lovers bisexual secret-relationship queer queer-awakening football -
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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... -
The World's Greatest First Love, Vol. 6 (世界一初恋 (The World's Greatest First Love) #6) by Shungiku Nakamura
Rated: 4.39 of 5 stars · 22 ratingsWhen Ritsu Onodera changes jobs, looking for a fresh start, he's not exactly thrilled when his new boss turns out to be his old flame. Ritsu's determined to leave all that in the past—but how can he when his boss is just as determined that they have a future? Masamune Takano is the boss—and first love—of rookie shojo manga editor Ritsu Onodera... -
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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:
from hate to love bisexual slow burn cold hero angst secret-relationship queer queer-awakening -
Limited Edition Husband by Lauren Blakely
One weekend with no strings was supposed to be the plan. After barely escaping my last train wreck of a romance, I’ve got a new dating goal—play it cool. I stick to that strategy when I meet a hunky Brit at a fundraiser and ask him to grab a drink... -
Firecracker by Lucy Lennox, May Archer
There are three kinds of people in Honeybridge, Maine: The Honeycutts, who know a lot about love and loyalty; The Wellbridges, who think they’re the epitome of wealth and refinement; and the rest of the Honeybridgers, who know better than to get in the way of the centuries-old rivalry between the two. There wasn’t a time when I didn't know Flynn “Firecracker” Honeycutt...Categorized as:
from hate to love friends to lovers angst grumpy sunshine queer anal sex contemporary m-m -
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... -
The Gift by May Archer, Alexander Cendese
Rated: 4.21 of 5 stars · 29 ratingsListening Length: 9 hours and 55 minutes. Daniel: I suck at relationships and don't trust anyone, but there are reasons for that. For one thing, every person I've ever cared about has let me down. The only recent exception: O'Leary's town veterinarian. .. my new best friend. I came to O'Leary for a fresh start. To pare things down to essentials. To forget about the failures in my past...Categorized as:
friends to lovers queer queer-awakening m-m contemporary humor length-medium audiobook -
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... -
On or Off, Volume 1 by A1
An alternative cover edition for this ASIN can be found here. Winner of the Ridibooks 2019 BL Awards! Available unabridged and uncensored for the first time in English. They say all's fair in love. .Categorized as:
queer grumpy sunshine from hate to love queer-awakening anal sex cold hero super rich hero bisexual -
The World's Greatest First Love, Vol. 7 (世界一初恋 (The World's Greatest First Love) #7) by Shungiku Nakamura
Rated: 4.33 of 5 stars · 15 ratingsA fresh start turns sour after a manga editor's new boss turns out to be his ill-fated first love! When Ritsu Onodera changes jobs, looking for a fresh start, he's not exactly thrilled when his new boss turns out to be his old flame... -
Be My Endgame by Zarah Detand
Rated: 4.27 of 5 stars · 18 ratingsSometimes the endgame is only the beginning. In the heated world of the Premier League, Earl Alex Beaufort, a charming Liverpool midfielder, collides on-pitch with Lee Taylor, Manchester United’s top striker. But when England’s World Cup dream brings them to sunny Spain, the real game sharing a room... -
Manhandled by Lauren Blakely
A spicy friends-to-lovers standalone sports romance from #1 New York Times Bestselling author Lauren Blakely writing MM romance as L. Blakely. .. My buddies made me do it. I swear. I didn’t plan to bid big on a date with my baseball player best friend at the auction. But he looked really good in that tailored suit, and I can't resist a dare... -
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The Head Game by Brigham Vaughn
Fisher Cats Defenseman Rushed to Hospital After In-Game Fall—Mystery Beau Revealed? The Fisher Cats defenseman is conscious and in stable condition following a seizure that occurred during the recent game against Buffalo. Updates indicate that while still hospitalized, he’s hopeful for a quick return to the ice...Categorized as:
sports angst grumpy sunshine from hate to love athletes queer super rich hero anal sex -
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... -
The World's Greatest First Love, Vol. 8 (世界一初恋 (The World's Greatest First Love) #8) by Shungiku Nakamura
Rated: 4.28 of 5 stars · 14 ratingsA fresh start turns sour after a manga editor's new boss turns out to be his ill-fated first love! When Ritsu Onodera changes jobs, looking for a fresh start, he's not exactly thrilled when his new boss turns out to be his old flame... -
The World's Greatest First Love, Vol. 9 (世界一初恋 (The World's Greatest First Love) #9) by Shungiku Nakamura
Rated: 4.27 of 5 stars · 14 ratingsA fresh start turns sour after a manga editor's new boss turns out to be his ill-fated first love! When Ritsu Onodera changes jobs, looking for a fresh start, he's not exactly thrilled when his new boss turns out to be his old flame... -
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...Categorized as:
friends to lovers slow burn grumpy sunshine secret-relationship queer m-m new adult contemporary -
Hot Wings by Eli Easton, Tara Lain
The alpha meets his match. Most macho of all the super-alpha Canali brothers and proud of it, Donny’s famous for his gorgeous face, his firefighter prowess, and for going through girls his family doesn’t approve of as fast as he changes jeans. Donny’s biggest hero is his fire captain dad, until his life gets saved from the skies by fire pilot Dell Murphy. Dell’s certain about most things... -
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... -
Headstrong by Eden Finley
A straight guy gives gay hookup tips to a virgin. What could go wrong? When I first met Whit, I couldn’t get away from him fast enough. He’s a hockey player, and I hate everything to do with the sport that once broke my heart. But I can’t help feeling sorry for the guy. He’s newly out and desperate to meet someone, but his eagerness seems to scare potential hook-ups away... -
Gym Bros by August Jones
Calyx. If I could teach yoga and never have to walk a runway again, I’d do it in a heartbeat. But tell that to my manager-slash- part-time lover. Eager to get me back to work, but willing to be patient, he asks me to help his son recover from a torn hamstring. I accept the opportunity to use my brain and my body to help get an athlete back on his feet... -
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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 friends to lovers queer-awakening m-m contemporary hurt-comfort insta-love humor -
Waking Up Filthy by R. Cayden
Why in the hell is there a naked, tattooed man in my bed? I’m a closeted tennis pro, and I’m certainly not accustomed to waking up with strange men. Never mind that Gabriel is a notoriously flirty rock star and, according to the marriage certificate we find in our Vegas hotel room, my new husband. Last night is a drunken blur, but there’s no doubt in my mind what needs to happen this morning...Categorized as:
sports grumpy sunshine friends to lovers athletes queer m-m contemporary lgbtqia hate -
Perfect Buddy Vol. 2 by daki, Lash
Rated: 4.30 of 5 stars · 10 ratingsPOINT OF NO RETURN. After seeing firsthand how well-endowed his coworker Baek Youngchan is, Seo Hyunsoo finds himself plagued with the filthiest thoughts imaginable. Clearly the way to rid himself of his insane fantasies is to avoid Youngchan entirely, but Youngchan doesn’t appear to have gotten the memo. No matter where Hyunsoo turns, Youngchan is there, being his annoyingly perky self... -
Harder They Fall by J.D. Light
Rated: 4.38 of 5 stars · 8 ratingsWhen his dad makes it obvious he isn't going to kick the good-for-nothing thief and liar of a son and Branson's brother to the curb, Branson decides he can't sit and watch his father shower undeserved praise on a man who will undoubtedly just steal from him again and leave him swinging in the breeze... -
The Linebacker by Emerson Beckett, Rheland Richmond
Rated: 4.38 of 5 stars · 8 ratingsIs it wrong for me to want the world to know I’m in love with Patrick Griffin and have been since we were eight-years-old? Patrick Griffin. I hurt him. I didn’t mean to. Now he’s gone, and I deserve it. As a linebacker in the NFL, I've never found the right time to come out of the closet. Not even when I promised Cole I would... -
Going Solo by D.P. Clarence
Fame is fleeting. Love is forever. Millions watched as Toby Lyngstad got rejected by his teenage crush on British TV’s most popular talent show, Make Me a Popstar. While Toby’s heartbreak became a viral internet sensation that haunted him for years, his crush, Cole Kennedy, skyrocketed to global superstardom as part of the show’s most successful boy band, The Go Tos...Categorized as:
queer secret-relationship from hate to love contemporary m-m humor length-medium behind-doors -
Bear's Best Friend by Raleigh Ruebins
Rated: 4.29 of 5 stars · 10 ratingsHe’s a ray of sunshine. I’m a loner lumberjack. We don’t make sense……But my straight best friend keeps ending up in my bed. Sawyer Hendricks is the best friend I’ve ever had—the Goose to my Moose, and the shoulder I’ve cried on even though I’m not the crying type. The difference between us? Sawyer brightens any room in an instant, and I’m the gruff guy wearing flannel who’d rather be alone...Categorized as:
friends to lovers queer queer-awakening bisexual angst grumpy sunshine m-m contemporary -
The Jock Script by Lane Hayes
The nerd, the coach, and the hookup…. Asher-. Swipe left, swipe left, swipe left. Sure, the idea of a quick, no-strings intimate rendezvous via hookup app sounds oddly thrilling, but it’s simply not me. Or maybe it is me, because it happened…and I liked it. Until I realized he looked familiar for a reason. A bad reason...Categorized as:
sports athletes bisexual friends to lovers secret-relationship queer queer-awakening humor -
The World's Greatest First Love, Vol. 10 (世界一初恋 (The World's Greatest First Love) #10) by Shungiku Nakamura
Rated: 4.25 of 5 stars · 11 ratingsA fresh start turns sour after a manga editor's new boss turns out to be his ill-fated first love! When Ritsu Onodera changes jobs, looking for a fresh start, he's not exactly thrilled when his new boss turns out to be his old flame... -
Tigers and Devils by Sean Kennedy
Rated: 4.06 of 5 stars · 32 ratingsThe most important things in Simon Murray’s life are football, friends, and film—in that order. His friends despair of him ever meeting someone, but despite his loneliness, Simon is cautious about looking for more... -
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Coaching the Nerd by Eli Easton, Tara Lain
Super-bod meets super-brain. What happens when marshmallow-bodied supernerd Sean volunteers to be on the jocks’ flag-football team? It screws Bubba’s fraternity’s chances at the coveted flag football title, that’s what. Bubba is drafted to be Sean’s personal trainer. He has to whip Sean into shape and make sure he doesn’t F up their team...Categorized as:
sports friends to lovers athletes bisexual queer queer-awakening secret-relationship anal sex -
Delicious by Stella Starling
Rated: 4.10 of 5 stars · 20 ratings“You’re exactly what I never knew I needed. ”. “I don’t have time for love. ”. Gavin Campbell has poured everything he has into starting up his bakery, Delicious... -
Mr. Right Now by Isla Olsen
Right place. Right Time. Right Name. Drew. When my parents decided to name me Andrew I doubt they could have imagined it would lead me here…. Where is here, exactly? The short version—the Wattleglen Inn on Long Island, where my roommate’s billionaire brother has roped me into pretending to be his boyfriend for a family wedding weekend...Categorized as:
super rich hero queer queer-awakening humor m-m contemporary length-novella explicit-open-door -
Jace by N. Boeyer
Tyler. Tyler, a calm and gentle soul, is set out for great things both on and off the field. As the star quarterback of Summerset Shore University’s esteemed football team, he is NFL-bound. With the perfect girlfriend by his side and a tight-knit group of friends who share his love for the game, Tyler is set for a life of success and fulfillment. Until a new voice speaks up. Jace... -
Something New by Harper Logan
Rated: 4.22 of 5 stars · 9 ratingsA marriage of convenience is one thing. But married to a straight guy? That’s a whole different story…. Brooklyn Blackwell’s got a dissertation to finish and tenure to secure - the last thing he’s looking for is romance. But with his advisor’s charity on the brink of losing funding, Brooklyn’s got one shot at saving it... -
Where We Left Off by Romeo Alexander
Rated: 4.22 of 5 stars · 9 ratingsTyler:. Well, I’m back in Port Dale for the summer, staying with Elliot and Clay. Not my original plan, but that got busted. I never expected to run into him. He looked good, even better than before. Nate had been more than just my best friend, he was my ‘almost’ first boyfriend. Then he was suddenly removed from my life... -
Giles Ashby Needs A Nanny by K. Sterling
Sometimes, a simple field trip to the planetarium can be an act of bravery. In Giles Ashby’s case, it could also be a second chance with his lifelong crush. Unbearably awkward and strangled by his anxiety disorder, Giles used surly snarls and abrupt remarks to keep everyone at a distance... -
Rule of Law by Isla Olsen
Lawson. I have one rule when it comes to my sex life: I only hook up with guys who identify as straight. It’s a tried and tested way of avoiding the cling factor, which I’ve found to be a huge problem in the past. A one-night stand with a curious ‘straight’ guy is the perfect situation: no strings, no mess, no dodging unwanted texts and phone calls...Categorized as:
friends to lovers queer queer-awakening humor m-m contemporary explicit-open-door length-short -
It's a Setup by Youcouldmakealife
Rated: 4.33 of 5 stars · 6 ratings“Don’t remember there being a rule that only women could bid,” Scratch says. “Maybe you’ll meet a nice boy. ”. “Oh, fuck off, Scratch,” Joey says when he waggles his eyebrows. Words: 72,532. -
Puppy Patrol by Gregory Ashe
Rated: 4.40 of 5 stars · 5 ratingsShaw and North are going to spend a peaceful weekend at a lakeside cabin. Until, that is, a dog starts barking. This story takes place before Declination. -
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A Million Little Moments by Riley Hart
Sutton. Jasper’s been my best friend my whole life. From losing my family when I was young, to living together and running our business, it’s always been me and Jasp. I feel more for him than I should, but confessing the truth would be the first step to losing him. Our lives are so entwined, it’s hard to tell where one of us ends and the other begins...Categorized as:
friends to lovers secret-relationship angst bisexual queer queer-awakening anal sex slow burn -
Brighton Rock by Lily Morton
Rated: 4.18 of 5 stars · 10 ratingsCharlie Sunshine Short Story. There is a free short story ‘Brighton Rock’ which is available for subscribers to my newsletter. -
Puck Your Feelings: MM Hockey Romance by M.M. Phoenix
Lesson Don't roast your new teammate on a hot mic. Lesson Don't fall for him in a cabin built for one. Becker. Accidentally broadcasting my unfiltered commentary about Kane Marcus's "personality-free" press conference to 700K people wasn't my finest moment. Getting assigned as his roommate immediately after? The universe has a sick sense of humor... -
Matched by Becca Steele
From USA Today and Wall Street Journal bestselling author Becca Steele comes a new standalone M/M college romance. I signed up for the LSU dating app for a bit of fun. Meet a girl, have a good time… You know the drill. Or that was what was supposed to happen. An error in the app’s code means that my blind date turns out to be a man. Not just any man, either. Nate Glover...Categorized as:
sports friends to lovers queer queer-awakening secret-relationship bisexual m-m soccer -
7 Minutes in Kevin by DJ Jamison
7 minutes in. .. holy heck, what have I done? ! What happens when I return early from a work trip to find my son throwing yet another party? Annoyance. Exasperation. Temptation. .. I'm tired, yearning for my bed, but I hadn't counted on the games my son and his friends play--or the one person who'd be waiting in my closet after everyone else is gone... -
Walk With Me by Cardeno C.
Rated: 4.04 of 5 stars · 23 ratingsA Book in the Home Series. When Eli Block steps into his parents' living room and sees his childhood crush sitting on the couch, he starts a shameless campaign to seduce the young rabbi. Unfortunately, Seth Cohen barely remembers Eli and he resolutely shuts down all his advances...Categorized as:
friends to lovers queer queer-awakening contemporary m-m humor age difference length-short
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