Books like 'Defensive Play'
Readers who enjoyed Defensive Play by Jamie Deacon also liked the following books featuring the same tropes, story themes, relationship dynamics and character types.
contemporary gay romance young adult sports high-school queer angst athletes queer-awakening
-
Given, Vol. 5 by Natsuki Kizu
Rated: 4.61 of 5 stars · 33 ratingsThe final round of the music festival tryout is about to begin, but that’s not the only source of tension in the band. Mafuyu, who’s been spending a lot of time at Ugetsu and Akihiko’s place, learns about the complicated history between the two and realizes that Haruki’s heartbreak is part of that romantic tangle... -
Given, Vol. 5 by Natsuki Kizu, キヅナツキ
Rated: 4.58 of 5 stars · 30 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 each other—always brings them back together again... -
Given, Vol. 4 by Natsuki Kizu
Rated: 4.49 of 5 stars · 34 ratingsAs the band focuses on creating new songs and preparing for a music festival tryout, Haruki grows more and more intimidated by the talents of younger members Mafuyu and Uenoyama. Worried that he’s holding them back, he accepts his ex-girlfriend’s request to play in her band...Categorized as:
queer high-school angst queer-awakening contemporary young adult m-m friends to lovers -
My Love Mix-Up!, Vol. 9 by Wataru Hinekure, ひねくれ渡
Rated: 4.52 of 5 stars · 26 ratingsIn this warmhearted romantic comedy, a mistaken identity leads to a blossoming romance between two boys.Aoki has a crush on Hashimoto, the girl in the seat next to him in class. But he despairs when he borrows her eraser and sees she’s written the name of another boy—Ida—on it... -
-
My Love Mix-Up!, Vol. 8 by Wataru Hinekure, ひねくれ渡
Rated: 4.51 of 5 stars · 25 ratingsAoki is dating Ida, a boy in his class. At the end of summer break, Aoki and Ida go watch a fireworks show... -
My Love Mix-Up!, Vol. 8 by Wataru Hinekure, Aruko
Rated: 4.48 of 5 stars · 26 ratingsAoki is dating Ida, a boy in his class. At the end of summer break, Aoki and Ida go watch a fireworks show... -
Given, Vol. 4 by Natsuki Kizu, キヅナツキ
Rated: 4.40 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 each other—always brings them back together again... -
My Love Mix-Up!, Vol. 6 by Wataru Hinekure, ひねくれ渡
Rated: 4.42 of 5 stars · 29 ratingsAoki is dating Ida, a boy in his class. In order to buy Ida a birthday present, Aoki started working part-time, but now it seems Ida doesn’t want Aoki to spend his hard-earned money on him... -
My Love Mix-Up!, Vol. 5 by Wataru Hinekure
Rated: 4.44 of 5 stars · 26 ratingsAoki has a crush on Ida, a boy in his class. Aoki is on cloud nine to be dating Ida, but he’s in trouble when it comes to his grades... -
The Heartstopper Yearbook by Alice Oseman
Rated: 4.29 of 5 stars · 47 ratings*Now an acclaimed live-action Netflix series!* Boy meets boy. Boys become friends. Boys fall in love. This joyful trip into the LGBTQ+ world of Heartstopper is the perfect gift for anyone who loves the graphic novels or Netflix TV series - from Alice Oseman, bestselling author and winner of the YA Book Prize. Now in full colour for the first time!Praise for 'Absolutely delightful... -
Boy Like Me by Simon James Green
Rated: 4.52 of 5 stars · 20 ratingsIn the margins of a book's pages, sparks fly as a teenage romance begins. But in this time and place, sparks like these can only ignite trouble. It's 1994 and thanks to Section 28, there can be no mention of gay relationships in UK schools... -
My Love Mix-Up!, Vol. 6 by Wataru Hinekure, Aruko
Rated: 4.41 of 5 stars · 26 ratingsAoki is dating Ida, a boy in his class. In order to buy Ida a birthday present, Aoki started working part-time, but now it seems Ida doesn’t want Aoki to spend his hard-earned money on him... -
Sasaki and Miyano, Vol. 2 by Shou Harusono
Rated: 4.36 of 5 stars · 31 ratingsDating? Me and Sasaki-senpai…? We’re not like that!At least, those were Miyano’s thoughts until Sasaki gifted him chocolates on Valentine’s Day...Categorized as:
queer high-school contemporary young adult m-m humor friends to lovers length-novella -
Classmates Vol. 1: Dou kyu sei by Asumiko Nakamura
Rated: 4.37 of 5 stars · 29 ratingsThe touching Boys’ Love story that inspired a hit animated film, in an all-new translation for digital and print.Hikaru always thought his classmate Rihito was kind of a snob, until he stumbles across Rihito secretly practicing a song in an empty classroom. Hikaru agrees to become Rihito’s music tutor, and with each lesson the two boys grow closer... -
-
My Love Mix-Up!, Vol. 7 by Wataru Hinekure
Rated: 4.40 of 5 stars · 26 ratingsAoki is dating Ida, a boy in his class. Aoki is shaken when he finds out Ida wants to attend college in Kyoto, so they decide to go to an overnight open-campus event together... -
My Love Mix-Up!, Vol. 7 by Wataru Hinekure, ひねくれ渡
Rated: 4.41 of 5 stars · 25 ratingsAoki is dating Ida, a boy in his class. Aoki is shaken when he finds out Ida wants to attend college in Kyoto, so they decide to go to an overnight open-campus event together... -
Classmates Vol. 1: Dou kyu sei by Asumiko Nakamura
Rated: 4.35 of 5 stars · 30 ratingsHikaru always thought his classmate Rihito was kind of a snob, until he stumbles across Rihito secretly practicing a song in an empty classroom. Hikaru agrees to become Rihito's music tutor, and with each lesson the two boys grow closer... -
Gives Light by Rose Christo
Rated: 4.34 of 5 stars · 31 ratings"Skylar is my name, tragically." Sixteen-year-old Skylar is witty, empathetic, sensitive--and mute. Skylar hasn't uttered a single word since his mother died eleven years ago, a senseless tragedy he's grateful he doesn't have to talk about...Categorized as:
angst high-school queer contemporary multicultural friends to lovers m-m disabilities and marks -
Classmates Vol. 2: Sotsu gyo sei by Asumiko Nakamura
Rated: 4.36 of 5 stars · 28 ratingsSHELTER FROM THE COLDThough Rihito’s always been a loner, lately he’s grown close to his classmate, Hikaru. The two of them have even fallen in love and tentatively started dating. But when Rihito’s mother ends up in the hospital, the stress of it all becomes too much for him... -
Classmates Vol. 2: Sotsu gyo sei by Asumiko Nakamura, 中村明日美子
Rated: 4.37 of 5 stars · 26 ratingsSHELTER FROM THE COLDThough Rihito’s always been a loner, lately he’s grown close to his classmate, Hikaru. The two of them have even fallen in love and tentatively started dating. But when Rihito’s mother ends up in the hospital, the stress of it all becomes too much for him... -
Cherry Blossoms After Winter #1 - Boys Love Comic by Bamwoo, 밤우
Rated: 4.32 of 5 stars · 31 ratings<마지막 좀비> 밤우 작가의 청춘 BL!한 지붕아래에서 사는 것도 모자라같은반 동급생까지...?!부모님이 돌아가신 후, 태성의 집에얹혀살게 된 해봄은 고3이 되면서태성과 같은 반이 된 상황이 난처하기만 하다.24시간동안 함께 생활하면서부터태성과 해봄의 사이는 점차 변해가는데…Ever since his parents passed away, Haebom has been living in Taesung’s house. And now, being a 12th grader, he enters the same class as Taesung, which makes the whole situation way more awkward... -
Hirano and Kagiura, Vol. 1 by Shou Harusono
Rated: 4.39 of 5 stars · 23 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... -
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 high-school queer young adult contemporary m-m from hate to love glimpses-kisses -
Fence Vol. 3 by C.S. Pacat, Johanna the Mad
From the superstar team of C.S. Pacat (The Captive Prince) and fan-favorite artist Johanna the Mad comes the third volume of this acclaimed, dynamic series... -
-
-
佐々木と宮野 1 [Sasaki to Miyano 1] by Shou Harusono, 春園ショウ
Rated: 4.27 of 5 stars · 32 ratingsBL展開断固拒否な"男子高生の日常"(Boys Life)コミック!!pixivコミック週間ランキング、女性向け1位獲得!! 女顔がコンプレックスな腐男子の宮野は、校内で起きた喧嘩をきっかけに、先輩で不良の佐々木に気に入られてしまい――。BL展開断固拒否!な男子高生の日常(Boys...Categorized as:
queer high-school contemporary young adult m-m friends to lovers humor length-novella -
Fence, Vol. 4: Rivals by C.S. Pacat, Johanna the Mad
Rated: 4.24 of 5 stars · 36 ratingsThe GLAAD Award nominated series Fence returns as a graphic novel series as best-selling novelist C.S...Categorized as:
sports high-school queer young adult contemporary m-m from hate to love found-family -
Invisible Boys by Holden Sheppard
Rated: 4.31 of 5 stars · 25 ratingsAn emotional tale of identity, sexuality and suicide derived from personal experience about three teenage boys who struggle to come to terms with their homosexuality in a small Western Australian town. On the surface, nerd Zeke, punk Charlie and footy wannabe Hammer look like they have nothing in common... -
Memorizing You by Dan Skinner
Rated: 4.45 of 5 stars · 15 ratingsTwo high school boys from different walks of life: Ryan, a handsome athlete, and David, an average joe from a blue collar family, discover their desires, stealing their kisses under the cover of an old oak at night. Their love begins a secret life, hidden from their families, friends, and classmates. As their passion grows, so does the danger of their discovery... -
My Love Mix-Up!, Vol. 4 by Wataru Hinekure
Rated: 4.27 of 5 stars · 26 ratingsAoki confesses his feelings to Ida and prepares for rejection, but in an unexpected turn of events, Ida asks him if they should try dating... -
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 #7 by C.S. Pacat, Johanna the Mad
Nicholas pushes himself to be recognised as Seiji's rival, but Seiji is indifferent… or so it seems... -
Go For It, Nakamura! by Syundei
Rated: 4.20 of 5 stars · 34 ratingsNakamura has fallen in love-at-first-sight with one of his classmates, Hirose -- but there's a problem: they haven't actually met yet.. -
-
Darius the Great Deserves Better by Adib Khorram
Rated: 4.20 of 5 stars · 37 ratingsIn this companion to the award-winning Darius the Great Is Not Okay, Darius suddenly has it all: a boyfriend, an internship, a spot on the soccer team. It’s everything he’s ever wanted–but what if he deserves better?Darius Kellner is having a bit of a year. Since his trip to Iran this past spring, a lot has changed... -
-
Cherry Blossoms After Winter: Volume 1 by Bamwoo
Rated: 4.19 of 5 stars · 31 ratingsDespite growing up together, these childhood friends have grown apart. The fan-favorite boys’ love manhwa turned K-drama comes to print for the first time.Seo Haebom was seven years old when his parents died in an accident. With nowhere else to go, he moves in with the family of his childhood friend Jo Taesung, who suddenly grows cold and distant, destroying their friendship... -
The Borrow a Boyfriend Club by Page Powars
A feel-good, coming-of-age rom-com from debut author Page Powars that follows a trans teen who joins a boyfriend borrowing service masquerading as an Italian Club to prove that he’s one of the guys, especially to its frustratingly handsome leader.Noah Byrd is the perfect boy. At least, that’s what he needs to convince his new classmates of to prove his gender... -
151 Days by John Goode
Rated: 4.52 of 5 stars · 10 ratingsSequel to End of the Innocence Tales from Foster High: Book Three With just 151 days left until the school year ends, Kyle Stilleno is running out of time to fulfill the promise he made and change Foster, Texas, for the better. But Kyle and his boyfriend, Brad Graymark, have more than just intolerance to deal with... -
-
Feuds and Reckless Fury by K. Webster
From USA Today bestselling author K Webster comes an angsty and emotional enemies-to-lovers gay romance standalone!The hatred began when my father proposed to another man in a shocking moment that rocked my family to its core...Now I’m on a quest for revenge against my father.That means hitting him where it hurts—the new fiancé and the son he thinks so much of.Alister Sommers... -
Attractive Forces by Jax Calder
LoganEveryone looks at me and thinks I rule Heath Valley High School. All they see is the captain of the champion rugby team, the guy who has got everything.They don’t see my secret, one I’ll do anything to keep.I’m so used to keeping my sexuality buried I’ve never stopped to think about what it’s costing me.Until I need a chemistry tutor, and Jake Stenton waltzes into my life... -
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... -
Deposing Nathan by Zack Smedley
Rated: 4.19 of 5 stars · 24 ratingsNate never imagined that he would be attacked by his best friend, Cam.Now, Nate is being called to deliver a sworn statement that will get Cam convicted. The problem is, the real story isn’t that easy or convenient—just like Nate and Cam’s friendship. Cam challenged Nate on every level from the day the boys met. He pushed him to break the rules, to dream, and to accept himself... -
-
Fence Challengers: Long Shot #1 by C.S. Pacat, Johanna the Mad
Rated: 4.31 of 5 stars · 14 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... -
This Is Why They Hate Us by Aaron H. Aceves
Enrique “Quique” Luna has one goal this summer—get over his crush on Saleem Kanazi by pursuing his other romantic prospects. Never mind that he’s only out to his best friend, Fabiola. Never mind that he has absolutely zero game. And definitely forget the fact that good and kind and, not to mention, beautiful Saleem is leaving L.A... -
Jackass! by Scarlet Beriko
Rated: 4.16 of 5 stars · 27 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... -
Cuckoos Three by Mosskat
Rated: 4.35 of 5 stars · 11 ratingsMurry Summerfield, relentlessly decent son of the farmstead, meets Jacob Durris, charming but troubled new neighbor. When he discovers why Jacob has moved out to the countryside, Murry has his hands full keeping his friend happy and dealing with his own blossoming feelings... -
Fifteen Hundred Miles from the Sun by Jonny Garza Villa
Rated: 4.13 of 5 stars · 30 ratingsA poignant, funny, openhearted novel about coming out, first love, and being your one and only best and true self.Julián Luna has a plan for his life: Graduate. Get into UCLA. And have the chance to move away from Corpus Christi, Texas, and the suffocating expectations of others that have forced Jules into an inauthentic life...
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.