Books like 'Cross Checking'
Readers who enjoyed Cross Checking by S.J. Crawford also liked the following books featuring the same tropes, story themes, relationship dynamics and character types.
contemporary gay romance funny sports queer friends to lovers friends-benefits insta-love second chances anal sex
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Davo by N.R. Walker
When Fergus Galloway takes on a research trip to a tiny mining town in the far Western Australian outback, he’s as far from Sydney as he can get. Which is entirely the point. He arrives in Pannalego totally unprepared for the baking heat, unprepared for the people who call it home, unprepared for the craziness and the laughs...Categorized as:
friends to lovers insta-love queer sweet-hero found-family anal sex sunny hero humor -
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... -
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Bromantic Puckboy by Eden Finley, Saxon James
Bilson. The idea of moving away from Seattle was a joke at first. I have too many failed relationships here. Too much baggage. So when I find myself signing with Nashville and leaving everything behind, I’m hopeful a new start will cure me of my attachment problems. I fall fast and hard, and I’m quickly realizing it’s not so easy to escape my emotional damage. That follows no matter where I go... -
Stubborn Puckboy by Eden Finley, Saxon James
Colby. Once upon a time, playing for the NHL was my dream. Then Radimir Novicov skated circles around me and made it clear I’d never be good enough. He was smart, talented, and worst of all–sexy. Every closeted guy knows that you don’t hit on your teammate, even if his gaze lingers longer than it should... -
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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 multicultural queer anal sex found-family sunny hero -
An Unrivaled Off Season by Ashlyn Kane, Morgan James
Any other year, hockey player Grady Armstrong would be licking his wounds after a disappointing playoffs exit. Somehow, this year, he’s in the stands as his rival-turned-boyfriend Max Lockhart competes for the Stanley Cup… and there’s nowhere he’d rather be. Well, except maybe lifting the Cup himself... -
Project Hero by Briar Prescott
What if you accidentally fell in love with the right guy? Andy:. If my life was a movie, I would be the sidekick. Not an especially promising start when my plan is to finally let my best friend know I have a crush on him. No worries, though. I have a plan. I just need a complete makeover...Categorized as:
new adult athletes friends to lovers sports friends-benefits queer anal sex sweet-hero -
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... -
Seth by Carly Marie
Be yourself because everyone else is taken. But what if that risks everything you know? Seth Johnson has worked his entire career to be remembered more for his skill than as an openly gay NHL player. Finding a boyfriend has been pushed to the back burner. As for exposing his softer side, the side that loves lace and lingerie? It’s not happening... -
The World's Greatest First Love, Vol. 3: The Case of Ritsu Onodera (世界一初恋 (The World's Greatest First Love) #3) by Shungiku Nakamura
Rated: 4.35 of 5 stars · 24 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? -
The World's Greatest First Love, Vol. 3 (世界一初恋 (The World's Greatest First Love) #3) by Shungiku Nakamura
Rated: 4.34 of 5 stars · 25 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... -
Felix by Emmy Sanders
What more could an exhibitionist want than a willing voyeur right next door? Emil. I like being watched. I’m not ashamed of it, nor my job at Elite 8 Studios where fans know me as Felix. But when my newest costar turns out to be the very same neighbor I’ve been giving private shows to through the window, I’m thrown for a loop...Categorized as:
found-family queer office anal sex sweet-hero friends to lovers friends-benefits new adult -
You Are Cordially Invited by Jay Hogan
There’s a wedding in the air at Auckland Med, but Reuben wonders if they’ll survive the stress long enough to say, ‘I do’. Cam is directing the entire operation with his combat eyeliner in place, whilst the wedding party is doing its best to ignore him. The pressure is mounting and the cracks are beginning to show. There’s a bachelor party to survive. The paparazzi to outrun... -
The Amazing Alpha Tau Self-Improvement Project by Lisa Henry, Sarah Honey
Dalton Beauregard has a plan, and it involves acing all his exams, making the Dean's List every year he's at Lassiter College, and going to med school and becoming a doctor. Marty O'Brien has a plan too. His is to improve his life by emulating those around him. He's going to need a study plan, a tutor, and. .. a boyfriend? Dalton can't believe he's even considering this. It's utterly ridiculous... -
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The Weight of It All by N.R. Walker
After being dumped by his long-term boyfriend for being overweight, Henry Beckett decides to make some drastic changes. In a vain attempt at getting his boyfriend back, Henry does the most absurdly frightening thing he can think of. He joins a gym. Reed Henske is a personal trainer who isn’t sure he’ll ever be ready to date again... -
Let's Do This by Loren Leigh
Shaw. Ever since we met two years ago, Eden Burkehammer has made everything better. The big defenseman sets me at ease. He’s a beast on the ice—brutal and physical—but when it’s the two of us, he turns to me with these unexpectedly soft brown eyes. This gravelly laugh that makes my whole body smile... -
Try Again Later by Jemma Croft
If hooking up with straight married men was a business, Orlando Oakham-Goodwin would be the CEO. Nepo baby and all round spoilt brat, Lando lives a life most can only dream of. But when his father cuts off his finances and his best friend reveals she’s moving away, Lando must find a way to pull himself up by his designer bootstraps... -
Scoring Chance by A.J. Truman
A totally fake marriage… with very real feelings. I'm a carefree bachelor who never wanted kids. But it seems life has other plans. When my best friend and hockey teammate Tanner Chance finds himself jobless with four kids to support, I suggest a wild marriage. My health insurance can cover Tanner’s family, but to keep nosy coworkers from sniffing out the scheme, the whole Chance clan moves in... -
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... -
Unrivaled by Ashlyn Kane, Morgan James
People say there’s a fine line between love and hate. If you ask Grady Armstrong, the line’s as obvious as the one across the middle of a hockey rink. So he can’t explain why he doesn’t walk away when his Grindr hookup—a guy who accused him of impersonating himself—turns out to be Max Lockhart, a rival player Grady once punched in the face... -
The Trade Deadline by A.L. Heard
After a fleeting encounter when they’re in Juniors, Ryan “RJ” Russell and Lars Nilsson find themselves thrown back together years later when they end up on the same NHL team. Being friendly to a new teammate just got way more complicated. It’s one thing to have a one night stand with someone from another country; it’s a whole other mess to sleep with your teammate... -
Deke by Eden Finley
Ollie. Word of advice: don’t come out to random guys in public restrooms. Even if they’re charming and adorably nerdy and offer to help. My family believe I can’t be happy if I’m not out to the world. I have a bitter ex-boyfriend and an unstable NHL career to show for it. A fake boyfriend seems like an easy and quick solution to get my family off my back, and this guy is volunteering... -
Irresponsible Puckboy by Eden Finley, Saxon James
Tripp. The worst part of being in love with my straight best friend is the fact he’s too oblivious to see it. Years of pining have left me exhausted, and I need a break from Dex. I need space to get over my feelings. But when his relationship falls apart and he turns to me for comfort, I cave immediately. If there’s one thing I hate more than being hurt, it’s seeing Dex struggle... -
Merry Christmas Scott & Kip by Rachel Reid
I have written a little festive epilogue to Game Changer! And guess what? It’s free! It’s my holiday gift to you! Join Scott and Kip as they spend their first Christmas together at Kip’s parents’ house in Brooklyn. -
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Composed at Randy's by Zile Elliven
"How do I tell the guy I like that I’m not homeless, just a dumbass? ". Love beyond the binary, serving up low angst trans romances at Randy's Diner. Composed at Randy’s is a 'dumbasses in love', cis male/trans male pairing with a smooth-brained (not remotely smart) genius, a goth himbo, and all the help they can get to achieve their happily ever after. -
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... -
Spencer Cohen, Book One by N.R. Walker
Spencer Cohen is the guy who gets answers to relationship questions. Playing the role of the new lover, his job is to make his client’s ex realise one of two things: he doesn’t want to break up or he really does. Either way, his client gets answers. The ex would either apologize and beg, or turn and walk. But in the end, Spencer’s client won. If he wanted his ex back and got him, it was great...Categorized as:
friends to lovers new adult insta-love shy-hero queer sunny hero m-m fake relationship -
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... -
TYLER by N. Boeyer
Tyler. I’d found my heart—my everything—but then he got one shot to follow his dream. So he left… and took my heart with him. I love Jace. So freaking much. But hiding our relationship from the public to boost his career is harder than I expected. I get it. He’s following his dreams... -
Unbreakable Stories: Ian by Jocelynn Drake, Rinda Elliott
Unbreakable Stories: Ian is a collection of short stories following the ups and downs of Ian Pierce and Hollis Banner has they navigate their new relationship and the unique complications of dating with a brunch of overprotective “brothers” determined to guard Ian’s heart. This collection is more than 38,000 words and contains short stories such as:. Midnight Perp. No Boyfriends Allowed... -
Awkward Love by Riley Hart
Jameson. Being a twenty-two-year-old virgin was not on my list of life goals. I don't know how it happened. Well. .. I never date, dedicate all my time to college, and I'm awkward with a capital A around hot guys--okay, so I know exactly how it happened. When my best friends come up with a plan to make the most of this summer before grad school, I'm all for it...Categorized as:
new adult friends-benefits queer multicultural office m-m contemporary explicit-open-door -
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 insta-love friends to lovers m-m contemporary hurt-comfort queer-awakening humor -
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... -
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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...Categorized as:
friends to lovers sports athletes found-family second chances queer m-m hurt-comfort -
For Today by B. Cranford
Rated: 4.50 of 5 stars · 6 ratingsSeventeen Years Ago . The first time Aaron Andrews saw Simon Foster smile, he knew he was in trouble. He'd never seen anything--or anyone--like the man who'd stolen his favorite seat in his favorite coffee shop. Six Weeks Ago . The late-night phone call that changed their lives forever was short... -
Buckeye by Casey Morales
Rated: 4.50 of 5 stars · 6 ratingsFrom international bestselling author, Casey Morales . . . A traded player, a children's home, and a love to defy all odds. Climbing the ladder of professional baseball is hard. As one of the only openly gay players in the league, Nick Dunlap's path is rockier than most. When Nick is traded mid-season, despite a team-leading batting average, everyone knows his "open secret" is to blame... -
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... -
The Long Game by Samantha Wayland
You can't change the past but you can choose your future. Jack Chevalier is determined not to let his past define him. He keeps his head down and works hard. He’s not sure how he’s ended up with such great friends, but he’s grateful. Especially for the one man who’s always defied his expectations. Grady McDonnough has been on his own his entire adult life... -
Top Shelf by E.M. Lindsey
No one ever explained to me what to do when the man who took your virginity turns out to be the one in charge of your physical therapy. NHL veteran Quinn Rhodes was supposed to be a one-time thing: just a hookup who kisses like a dream and screws like a god. Then, three weeks later, a freak accident threatens to destroy my debut NHL career before it begins... -
Bad Pucking Roommate by Michele Lenard
Secrets threaten disaster in this bi-awakening, MM romance about two teammates who have chemistry that extends beyond the ice, an unconventional roommate agreement, and a not-safe-for-work pair of dice. Athletes are notoriously superstitious. Some don’t wash their gear. Others sleep with it. I’ve even heard of a guy that peed on the field to ward off evil spirits...Categorized as:
sports friends to lovers athletes new adult queer friends-benefits anal sex found-family -
The Gift by May Archer
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 friends-benefits new adult sunny hero shy-hero queer sweet-hero m-m -
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... -
In the Cards by Charlie Cochet
Rated: 4.10 of 5 stars · 20 ratingsLove is in the air, and what says ‘romance’ more than a Valentine’s Day wedding? Anston “Ace” Sharpe is down in South Florida for his cousin’s wedding, and with his boyfriend Colton accompanying him, Ace has some Valentine’s Day plans of his own... -
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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... -
Horribly Harry by Lisa Henry, Sarah Honey
Rated: 4.20 of 5 stars · 10 ratingsBad Boyfriend, Inc—when you can’t find a good boyfriend, why not hire a bad one instead? To supplement his income while he’s completing his Early Education degree, Harry Townsend hires himself out as a terrible date—for a set fee, he’ll horrify parents and family members in all sorts of interesting ways. But when it comes to actual relationships—and sex—Harry doesn’t get the appeal... -
Love Directions: An MM Shy/Flirt Instalove Romance by A.F. Zoelle
Rated: 4.25 of 5 stars · 8 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... -
The Handy Nanny by K. Sterling
Rated: 4.25 of 5 stars · 8 ratingsThey call Pennsylvania Tucker the human Band-Aid because he can fix just about anything and make anyone feel better, but can Penn mend a broken heart? Reid Marshall thinks so and sends his master nanny on a very important and sensitive mission. A close friend is grieving and caring for his newborn niece after losing his twin sister... -
Love Match by Pandora Pine
Rated: 4.25 of 5 stars · 8 ratingsSix years after a panic attack on stage ended Nero Lombardi’s Broadway career, a comeback is in the wings. Everything’s coming up roses—and second chances—when he’s cast as Sky Masterson in Guys and Dolls, the very role from that fateful night, but when a hotshot Hollywood star blows into town and steals his role, Nero wonders if he’ll ever have that encore he craves...Categorized as:
office friends-benefits second chances queer friends to lovers found-family m-m contemporary -
Scoring Zone by Heather Leighson
Love was never the game plan. Grayson. It only took one night with my “straight” best friend to change everything. I never would’ve crossed the friendship line with Austin, but he blazed over it, and we spent the most incredible night together. Of course, it was too good to be true. He ran from me the next morning, and I’m struggling to navigate my desire and his boundaries...
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