Books like 'Protecting His Past'

Readers who enjoyed Protecting His Past by Elouise East also liked the following books featuring the same tropes, story themes, relationship dynamics and character types.

contemporary  gay romance  age difference  hurt-comfort  friends to lovers  queer  angst  mystery

  • Domestic Animals by Gregory Ashe

    Domestic Animals by Gregory Ashe

    Rated: 4.58 of 5 stars
    · Steam rating: 1 of 5
    Glimpses and kisses [?] · 17 ratings
    Sometimes, the most dangerous animals are the ones you let inside.When a man hires Emery Hazard to track down a teenager who, he claims, robbed him, Hazard isn’t convinced. The story has holes in it, and the client seems eager—too eager—to keep the authorities from getting involved. But Hazard is willing to play along; he suspects something much darker is going on, and he wants to know what it is...
  • Click by Nora Phoenix

    Click by Nora Phoenix

    Rated: 4.45 of 5 stars
    · Steam rating: 4 of 5
    Explicit open door [?] · 20 ratings
    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...
  • Sponsored links
  • Pretty Poison by Aimee Nicole Walker, Tristan James

    Pretty Poison by Aimee Nicole Walker, Tristan James

    Rated: 4.42 of 5 stars
    · Steam rating: 4 of 5
    Explicit open door [?] · 17 ratings
    Redemption seeker. Chameleon. Damaged heart.By day, Rocky Jacobs is a private investigator. By night, he produces Sinister in Savannah, a true-crime podcast, with his two best friends. Rocky’s life revolves around three principles: possessing skill is better than having luck, a man’s reputation is everything, and there’s no sacrifice too great for those you love...
  • Jonty in Russia by Barbara Elsborg

    Jonty in Russia by Barbara Elsborg

    Rated: 4.38 of 5 stars
    · 16 ratings
    When Devan, Best Boyfriend in the Entire World, books them a trip to Russia in February, Jonty’s excitement knows no bounds. There’s packing to do, plans to be made, and places to see.Armed with his smile and a handful of dubious Russian Phrases, Jonty is ready for the delights Vladivostok has to offer—the famous glass beach he’s dreamed about, ice skating on a frozen sea, and snow...
  • Positive Raleigh by Sam E. Kraemer

    Positive Raleigh by Sam E. Kraemer

    Rated: 4.56 of 5 stars
    · 9 ratings
    Raleigh ‘Nemo’ Wallis Positive. One word with a lot of meanings—but not all of them are good.When I remember my time in the Navy as a SEAL, I know one word will define me and shape the course of my life until I die...
  • Old-Fashioned Cupcake by Sagan Sagan

    Old-Fashioned Cupcake by Sagan Sagan

    Rated: 4.32 of 5 stars
    · 23 ratings
    A 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...
  • Starting From The Top by Lane Hayes

    Starting From The Top by Lane Hayes

    Rated: 4.46 of 5 stars
    · 10 ratings
    The guitarist, the dad, and a band on the rise… Johnny A quiet place to live and some time to recharge before my band heads out on the road again sounds amazing. I wouldn’t mind a distraction too, but my new neighbor is off-limits. There are rules about not getting involved with your bandmate’s ex, right? And Sean isn’t my type anyway...
  • 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 ratings
    Jem 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...
  • Keeping Secrets by Alexa Land

    Keeping Secrets by Alexa Land

    Rated: 4.44 of 5 stars
    · 11 ratings
    The truth can cost you everything. Twenty-six-year-old Beck Medina is convinced of that. He’s been abandoned by so many people over the course of his life, including most of his adopted family. Now he’s created a new family for himself at the resort he manages on Catalina Island. But they don’t know the whole truth about him...
  • Rebel by Reese Knightley

    Rebel by Reese Knightley

    Rated: 4.39 of 5 stars
    · 13 ratings
    One man on a journey of redemption and the other out to prove himself.Cohen “Ace” Gray – Pegasus Commander.He’d buried one lover; he wasn’t going to take the chance of that ever happening again. Ace had his own demons to work on, but working closely with Jacob and having his friendship— despite their twenty-year age difference—had made life a bit easier...
  • Forever by Kindle Alexander

    Forever by Kindle Alexander

    Rated: 4.30 of 5 stars
    · 16 ratings
    Dr. Robert Adams grew up with more advantages than most, the son of a former vice president, he had two loving fathers, a twin sister he adores and wonderfully doting grandparents. Life is good until one afternoon when his dreams flat-line. And no scalpel can repair the guilt and grief he carries with him for the first time in his life...
  • Beneath the Stain - Part Five by Amy Lane

    Beneath the Stain - Part Five by Amy Lane

    Rated: 4.50 of 5 stars
    · 8 ratings
    Mackey is great at taking a leap of faith into a crowd—but taking one into a relationship and a future is a totally different animal. When he and Trav decide to take a risk that Mackey's healing can hold up to them together, they know it's going to be a long, difficult road...
  • Jingle Bells & Mistletoe by Sammi Cee

    Jingle Bells & Mistletoe by Sammi Cee

    Rated: 4.50 of 5 stars
    · 8 ratings
    Jonathan watched all of his friends fall in love, get married, and grow their families. All he’s ever wanted is a relationship as wonderful as the one his parents have always had...
  • Enduring Night by John Wiltshire

    Enduring Night by John Wiltshire

    Rated: 4.45 of 5 stars
    · 11 ratings
    The 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...
  • Strut by Jay Hogan

    Strut by Jay Hogan

    Rated: 4.44 of 5 stars
    · 9 ratings
    New Zealand farm boy turns New York fashion model. Fairy tale? Maybe. But it hasn’t been easy. A year in this crazy city, working my tail off just to survive in a ruthless industry where sex sells and boundaries are too readily crossed.A year and a reassuring ocean away from Hunter Donovan—a sexy, humiliating mistake that I’m not about to repeat. Distance is good. Distance is safe...
  • King's Silver Knight by Ki Brightly

    King's Silver Knight by Ki Brightly

    Rated: 4.44 of 5 stars
    · 9 ratings
    The Runaway Rock StarMusic is part of Andy Spire’s soul, but he can’t handle being in a band with his abusive husband anymore. His only option is to give up his career and make a run for it. After years of being belittled, it takes all his nerve to escape the toxic relationship. Andy isn’t sure how he can leave alive. When the tour bus stops to refuel, Andy flees from his soon-to-be ex-husband...
  • Heartstring by Ana Ashley

    Heartstring by Ana Ashley

    Rated: 4.44 of 5 stars
    · 9 ratings
    MikIf I had a dollar for every mistake I made… But there’s only one mistake I regret.Breaking my promise to the only person who ever understood my need to get away from a future I didn’t want…Tyler.I’ve reached many hearts through my music, but the only one I’ve ever wanted might be lost to me forever.TylerFool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice…Mik broke a promise a long time ago...
  • Unfix Me by Emory Weste

    Unfix Me by Emory Weste

    Rated: 4.46 of 5 stars
    · Steam rating: 5 of 5
    Explicit and plentiful [?] · 12 ratings
    At twenty years old, Sen didn't imagine that something could profoundly change his life in a matter of weeks. After he leaves Colorado to attend university, he's forced to face a truth that his parents attempted to bury a long time ago. Every day, he struggles to piece together his fractured identity and confront his past- the haunting memories of a place that was meant to fix him...
  • 'Nother Sip of Gin by Rhys Ford

    'Nother Sip of Gin by Rhys Ford

    Rated: 4.44 of 5 stars
    · 9 ratings
    A Sinners Gin Anthology For Crossroads Gin rock stars Miki, Damien, Rafe, and Forest, life is a Möbius strip of music, mayhem, and murder. Through it all, the sweet, hot moments between tours with lovers, friends, and family keep them sane, healthy, and happy. This Sinners collection features short stories spanning the entire series, from before the first note to after the lights go out...
  • Messy Love by Riley Hart

    Messy Love by Riley Hart

    Rated: 4.23 of 5 stars
    · 12 ratings
    DannyI'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...
  • Thunder and Lightning by Patricia Logan

    Thunder and Lightning by Patricia Logan

    Rated: 4.42 of 5 stars
    · 11 ratings
    Jarrett Evans and Thayne Wolfe have been partnered in the ATF for nearly two years and their love and commitment to each other has grown over time. Now faced with one final challenge, the boys are headed to Arizona to help Thayne’s mom, stumbling headfirst into a brand new case...
    Categorized as:
    mystery  angst  queer  m-m  suspense  contemporary  length-long
  • Hard Ink by Ali Lyda

    Hard Ink by Ali Lyda

    Rated: 4.29 of 5 stars
    · 14 ratings
    I don’t have the best history with older men.When Mateo saw my last relationship implode, he was there to help.He saved me.Hopefully self-defense lessons will keep me from getting hit again.I can’t ask for more of my friend.Even dreaming of keeping him is wrong.But when my ex makes things difficult, Mateo steps up again.I don’t want a protector, but maybe it’s time to accept a little help...
  • Change of Heart by K.M. Neuhold

    Change of Heart by K.M. Neuhold

    Rated: 4.29 of 5 stars
    · 11 ratings
    Does my husband's heart still miss me now that it beats in the chest of another man? Lub-dub A heartbeat more familiar than Easton’s own Lub-dub He vowed to love his husband until death do they part. And then the worst happened. Lub-dub His heart kept another man alive. River. A stranger in the world with Easton's husband's heart pumping the blood that warms his skin...
  • Assisted by Carly Marie

    Assisted by Carly Marie

    Rated: 4.32 of 5 stars
    · 12 ratings
    Foolish is judging a book by its cover… or a hockey coach by his suitAs assistant coach of the Nashville Grizzlies, Imil Bouchard has everything he needs, except maybe a Daddy. On the wrong side of forty and not looking for a traditional Dom, he knows there’s no point wishing for what he can’t have. And of course, he’s drawn to the extra-anxious director who exudes the need for a Daddy not a boy...
  • Old-Fashioned Cupcake with Cappuccino by Sagan Sagan

    Old-Fashioned Cupcake with Cappuccino by Sagan Sagan

    Rated: 4.30 of 5 stars
    · 15 ratings
    Thirty-nine-year-old Nozue went from living a routine, melancholic life of sleep and work to spending his days in bliss with Togawa, his younger subordinate. Now six months into their relationship, the two have graduated from dates at a pancake shop to spending their nights together...
  • Rhythm of Us by Aimee Nicole Walker

    Rhythm of Us by Aimee Nicole Walker

    Rated: 4.20 of 5 stars
    · 24 ratings
    Xavier Cruz has come home after touring with his band for eight years, a life his family and friends would never envy if they knew the truth. Haunted by past decisions, he’s lost himself and his music. Every day is a struggle to recapture them both and forgive the mistakes he’s made. Can Xavier push past his nightmares and hear the melodies all around him again?Ben St...
  • Heal by Nora Phoenix

    Heal by Nora Phoenix

    Rated: 4.28 of 5 stars
    · 19 ratings
    Del 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...
  • Dauntless by Victoria Denault

    Dauntless by Victoria Denault

    Rated: 4.24 of 5 stars
    · 14 ratings
    He’s everything I’ve ever wanted, at the worst possible moment.One and done. That’s always been my motto when it comes to guys, because I’m not about to pull someone else into the closet my parents have locked me inside. I’ve been waiting years to claim my inheritance and live the life I want to live–out, free, and oh yeah, rich...
  • Luke by Con Riley

    Luke by Con Riley

    Rated: 4.32 of 5 stars
    · Steam rating: 4 of 5
    Explicit open door [?] · 14 ratings
    Luke Lawson is committed to one thing—saving his boarding school before a cash crisis sinks it. He’ll do anything to keep it afloat while vulnerable children rely on him, even if that means accepting help from the man who let him down at uni.Nathan’s offer to teach for free could be a blessing as long as Luke can guard his soft heart...
  • Unforgettable by Marley Valentine

    Unforgettable by Marley Valentine

    Rated: 4.31 of 5 stars
    · Steam rating: 4 of 5
    Explicit open door [?] · 16 ratings
    One night with Reeve Hale wasn’t enough. I knew it when I kissed him, I knew it when I slept with him, and I was certain of it when I walked out of his motel room the very next day. So when the shy, gorgeous man is introduced as our newest employee at Vino and Veritas, I can’t help but conjure up all the ridiculous ways to convince him to repeat that unforgettable night...
  • Rules of Engagement by Brigham Vaughn

    Rules of Engagement by Brigham Vaughn

    Rated: 4.21 of 5 stars
    · Steam rating: 4 of 5
    Explicit open door [?] · 18 ratings
    Rule #1: Don't fall in love with your best friend's brotherAfter Anders Lindholm lost his wife and baby daughter in a car accident, he knew he’d never find love like that again.Hockey, routines, and his team are all that have kept him going since.But as he approaches forty, an injury makes him consider what life after retirement will be like...
  • Born Daddy by Morticia Knight

    Born Daddy by Morticia Knight

    Rated: 4.21 of 5 stars
    · 14 ratings
    They both loved an evil man. In a wrenching journey to redemption, leaning on each other will change their lives forever.Grief-stricken Tate Myers can’t believe his Daddy and Master is gone. Reeling from the discovery of his dead lover’s secret life as a serial killer, he seeks answers from the one person who could help heal his heart...
  • Surrender Your Heart by Aimee Nicole Walker

    Surrender Your Heart by Aimee Nicole Walker

    Rated: 4.17 of 5 stars
    · 23 ratings
    ***Surrender Your Heart was originally published in 2015. This second edition has been completely re-edited but does not contain new material. *** Secrets and fears—everyone has them. Some more than others. A heavy secret brought Liam Connelly to DC, but it isn’t the only reason he stays. Hired to tend bar at Bottoms Up, Liam finds himself drawn to his enigmatic boss like a moth to a flame...
  • Fire and Glass by Andrew Grey

    Fire and Glass by Andrew Grey

    Rated: 4.43 of 5 stars
    · Steam rating: 3 of 5
    Open door [?] · 7 ratings
    State Trooper Casey Bombaro works too hard to have time for a love life, never mind a family. But when a missing persons case leads him to three scared kids and eventually their uncle—an old friend from Casey’s college days—all that changes.Bertie Riley hasn’t seen his troubled sister, Jen, or his niece and nephews in years. Now suddenly Jen is gone and Bertie is all the kids have...
  • Ikumen After by Kazuma Kodaka

    Ikumen After by Kazuma Kodaka

    Rated: 4.29 of 5 stars
    · 7 ratings
    This is a really cute, sweet story about two single dads Asakura and Kentarou, whose young sons happen to go to the same daycare...
  • Wonderland by Jude Ouvrard

    Wonderland by Jude Ouvrard

    Rated: 4.29 of 5 stars
    · 7 ratings
    Lucas Colton is far too young to go through all this pain but meeting poetry teacher, Preston Davidson, changed everything. His life went from heartbreak to joyful and then, from friendship to love. The impact Preston had on Lucas’ life was mesmerising...
    Categorized as:
    hurt-comfort  angst  queer  m-m  contemporary  death  christmas
  • Salesman Mateo by Sam E. Kraemer

    Salesman Mateo by Sam E. Kraemer

    Rated: 4.43 of 5 stars
    · 7 ratings
    Mateo Torrente A strong sense of loyalty coursed through the lifeblood of the Torrente family. Anyone who knew any of us would attest to it. We looked out for each other and didn’t take threats against family members for granted. Giuseppe Torrente, my papa, was regarded as the patriarch, not only for his branch of the family but all of its members, in Italy and America...
  • 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 ratings
    I 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...
  • Real Danger by Elle Keaton

    Real Danger by Elle Keaton

    Rated: 4.25 of 5 stars
    · 8 ratings
    How can one man be so incredibly frustrating but so sexy at the same time?Ryder knows two things. Tragedy can strike at any moment so you have to hold tightly to the gifts life gives you. And, Shay is one of those gifts. To Ryder their fifteen-year age difference is nothing, Shay is the man he wants. Now he just needs an opportunity to plead his case with the sexy lawyer...
  • Honestly Yours by Jaime Reese

    Honestly Yours by Jaime Reese

    Rated: 4.38 of 5 stars
    · 8 ratings
    The truth hurts. But in the end, honesty wins. Or does it? Warren Prescott loves a challenge. He knows how to play the game and adapts when necessary to succeed in his cutthroat world. Tired of pining for a man he’s wanted for months, Warren intends to seal the deal. Until that man throws him an endearing curveball…Be honest.Gian Benedetti doesn’t play games...
  • The Ghosts Between Us by Brigham Vaughn

    The Ghosts Between Us by Brigham Vaughn

    Rated: 4.38 of 5 stars
    · 8 ratings
    Dr. Christopher Allen knows how to deal with death. He’s a psychiatrist who works with hospice patients and their families, helping them cope with grief and letting go. But Chris’s job doesn’t prepare him for the sudden death of his devil-may-care brother Cal. At Cal’s funeral, Chris is completely thrown when he meets Elliot Rawlings, an artist Cal has been dating...
  • A Wedding in a Week by Con Riley

    A Wedding in a Week by Con Riley

    Rated: 4.33 of 5 stars
    · 9 ratings
    A 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...
  • Murder in Shades of Wood and Stone by Ripley Hayes

    Murder in Shades of Wood and Stone by Ripley Hayes

    Rated: 4.38 of 5 stars
    · 8 ratings
    An early morning phone call. A dead teenager. A bunch of hostile witnesses with a wedding to attend.Charlie Rees was enjoying the calm after the storm in Llanfair. He thought he and Tom Pennant might get some peaceful time together. Maybe even fall in love. Not a chance.As Charlie battles to get justice for a murdered boy, Tom has his own battle to save the art college and his career...
  • Baby Queen by Charlie Novak

    Baby Queen by Charlie Novak

    Rated: 4.22 of 5 stars
    · Steam rating: 4 of 5
    Explicit open door [?] · 9 ratings
    Note to self: falling for the new queen you're mentoring will only lead to trouble.Being broke, single, and homeless after winning the UK's biggest drag show wasn't how my life was supposed to go. I’m meant to be the one with everything, but thanks to an unscrupulous tour company I've got nothing but my image and a mountain of debt...
  • The Outcast by E.M. Denning

    The Outcast by E.M. Denning

    Rated: 4.25 of 5 stars
    · 8 ratings
    Ethan Bennett is too old for Mickey.Ethan Bennett plays guitar, barbecues as often as possible, and owns a diner. He’s a widower whose life still revolves around his sons, but he wouldn’t have it any other way. When Mickey, a younger man his son Taylor had been helping shows up at the diner, cold to the bone, thin as a rail, Ethan knows he can’t send him away...
  • Knox by Laura John

    Knox by Laura John

    Rated: 4.25 of 5 stars
    · 8 ratings
    Knox Hanes has always kept his feelings for his older brother’s best friend, Gunnar, a secret. When Knox is forced from his home Gunnar invites him to live with him until things are sorted out. Trapped in close quarters, their hidden desires ignite, but the danger around them escalates, forcing them to confront their feelings and protect their newfound love...
  • Love In Slow Motion (Love Beyond Measure) by E.M. Lindsey

    Love In Slow Motion (Love Beyond Measure) by E.M. Lindsey

    Rated: 4.33 of 5 stars
    · 9 ratings
    “Maybe it didn’t end there. Maybe it started with a kiss…”The only thing Ilan Nadav knows about relationships and marriage is that they ruin people. He’s committed himself to the bachelor life, and he’s never been happier—until his best friend had to go and fall in the sort of toe-curling, sonnet-writing kind of love...
  • Dear Mona Lisa... by Claire Davis, Al Stewart

    Dear Mona Lisa... by Claire Davis, Al Stewart

    Rated: 4.22 of 5 stars
    · 9 ratings
    Tom; shy office clerk by day and drawer of foxes by night, wakes up one Monday knowing the most extraordinary week of his life is about to begin. In five days, a lifelong ‘secret’ will be made gloriously public—but will it mean losing the person he loves most?Getting married… It seems only yesterday Tom changed nappies and sang nursery rhymes to a laughing baby...
  • North and Shaw: Out of Office by Gregory Ashe

    North and Shaw: Out of Office by Gregory Ashe

    Rated: 4.22 of 5 stars
    · 9 ratings
    North and Shaw: Out of Office is a collection of short stories. It includes the following: “Bad Boys at the Radio Girls” Radio Girls is a lesbian bar. A group of straight guys thinks it’s funny to crash. North and Shaw are hired to take care of this problem (and they try not to fulfill the white savior stereotype while doing so). This story takes place before Orientation...
  • Definitely Not Meant to Be by A.W. Scott

    Definitely Not Meant to Be by A.W. Scott

    Rated: 4.22 of 5 stars
    · 9 ratings
    “How long have you been in love with your best friend?” Godric I accepted long ago that I couldn’t have all of the things I wanted in life. Growing up in the way I did, I would be a fool to get my hopes up. But even with that knowledge, I couldn’t resist. I was helpless not to fall into the orbit that was my best friend...
Fantastic book recommendations by romance book lovers for romance book lovers.
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

romance book finder

Looking for more inspiration? Enter another book title to get more suggestions on what to read next.


Or - use our amazing romance book finder to get recommendations based on your favorite content tropes and themes. Mix and match at will.