Books like 'Up in Flames'
Readers who enjoyed Up in Flames by E.M. Denning also liked the following books featuring the same tropes, story themes, relationship dynamics and character types.
contemporary gay romance queer new adult friends to lovers hurt-comfort men in uniform queer-awakening
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#Fate by Cambria Hebert
Rated: 4.61 of 5 stars · 14 ratingsWhat’s meant to be will always find a way. Perfection isn’t an illusion. I met it, held it in my hands. But then it slipped right through. Perfection isn’t an illusion. It’s elusive, cleverly evasive, and, in many ways, a horrible tease. I’m not a man to be toyed with. Quiet, thoughtful, and even sometimes careful, but never someone to taunt... -
Wheels Down by Beth Bolden
Rated: 4.56 of 5 stars · 9 ratingsShaw isn’t his friend—until Ross discovers he’s so much more. Ross Stanton is having a bad week—a bad month—really, a bad year . But the last thing he wants, after the betrayal of his friend and business partner, is for anyone else to know just how much he’s fighting for survival...Categorized as:
friends to lovers hurt-comfort queer m-m forced proximity contemporary length-medium -
The Making of Matt by Nicola Haken, E. Adams
Rated: 4.20 of 5 stars · 22 ratingsMatt Carter, self-proclaimed sex-god and drummer for world renowned Souls of the Knight, didn’t have the time or inclination for planning his future, preferring to fill his days with music, women and alcohol. He didn’t want or need anything else in his life. Until the band parted ways and he found himself no longer living the dream...Categorized as:
friends to lovers new adult queer queer-awakening m-m rockstars musicians contemporary -
Golden Boy and the Two Bears by Nash Summers
Rated: 4.44 of 5 stars · 9 ratingsAsher Williams is obsessed with love. His column is thriving, fellow students trust him with their relationship woes, and he’s on his A-game when it comes to matchmaking. At least, matchmaking other than his own. After a heartfelt letter written to his column, Asher is set on aiding the two love-struck heroes who desperately need his help... -
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The Law of Miracles by K.C. Wells
Rated: 4.39 of 5 stars · 10 ratingsThe sequel to A Christmas Promise… Joshua Trant is doing his best to support his son Micah and Micah’s partner Greg as they approach the trial of Greg’s attackers. This was never going to be easy, especially as Greg wants them prosecuted for a hate crime, but County Attorney Alexander Rycliffe assures them he’ll do his utmost to make sure the perpetrators are held accountable for their actions... -
Love Directions by A.F. Zoelle
Rated: 4.31 of 5 stars · 10 ratingsElias ForthwrightHoroscopes 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 hurt-comfort friends to lovers queer-awakening m-m contemporary insta-love humor -
Free Me by Mia Monroe
Rated: 4.20 of 5 stars · 15 ratingsOnly his ropes can unravel the past. I never thought I’d see him again, but when my former best friend shows up ready to make amends, it becomes clear just how tied to the past I am. He disappeared when I needed him the most, leaving me to navigate my truth alone. Now he’s back.Nixon’s art leaves me vulnerable, defenseless, and I like it... -
Frat Bro by Raleigh Ruebins
Rated: 4.21 of 5 stars · 14 ratingsThis fall, I have one simple rule: don't fall in love with my fake boyfriend.I’m awful at following the rules.One minute I was a nobody in a small Colorado town, getting by on contract work, home renovations, and a dumpster fire of a dating life—and then suddenly, my life was on TV...Categorized as:
friends to lovers hurt-comfort queer queer-awakening m-m age difference contemporary athletes -
Fancy Free by Mia Monroe
Rated: 4.38 of 5 stars · 8 ratingsThe last thing I need is a curious straight guy sniffing around me. So why is he so hard to resist?My life is everything I ever wanted - by design. Being one of the nation’s most sought after wedding planners has led to a life of traveling to glamorous locations, bumping elbows with the rich and famous, and sampling every handsome hunk the world has to offer... -
Somehow Finding Us (Second Chance Sinners) by Claudia Y. Burgoa
Rated: 4.50 of 5 stars · 6 ratingsUSA Today Bestselling Author Claudia Burgoa brings you a MM romance full of angst and tragedy that might turn to hope in a redemption love story that’ll break your heart and mend it all over again. Emotional, endearing, and full of romancePeople think they know me. They only know what I allow them to see. I’ve learned to control the narrative.I have secrets...Categorized as:
friends to lovers hurt-comfort queer queer-awakening contemporary christian m-m found-family -
ChrisMyths by Amy Lane
Rated: 4.50 of 5 stars · 6 ratingsAfter courtship, cohabitation, and learning about love and each other, Andy and Eli face the ultimate test: being separated at Christmas.Eli’s seen the propaganda—the country boy goes home from the city and realizes his heart is back among the snow, trees, and chickens. A big happy family is something Eli, with his demanding job running a shelter for LGBTQ youth, can’t provide... -
New Hope by Annabella Michaels
Rated: 4.15 of 5 stars · 18 ratingsWhat do a city cop who’s never been with a man and an out-and-proud, small-town doctor have in common? Besides being single dads, more than they know.A year after divorcing his wife, Ford Scott leaves his job with the NYPD and moves to a small town in Rhode Island, hoping to get a fresh start for himself and his daughter, Ellie...Categorized as:
friends to lovers men in uniform queer queer-awakening m-m contemporary humor single-father -
Delicious by Sierra Riley
Rated: 4.14 of 5 stars · 17 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... -
Nice Guys & First Times by K.M. Neuhold
Rated: 4.23 of 5 stars · 11 ratingsYou Always Remember Your First…Come along for a sweet, steamy compilation of 4 MM romance novellas by the queen of swoon herself: K.M. Neuhold... -
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The Sweetest Goodbye by Christina Lee
Rated: 4.22 of 5 stars · 9 ratingsBillie Montgomery was always known as the sick kid with the therapy dog. Dylan Bowden never had two nickels to rub together, let alone a true home to call his own. The two have been best friends since high school. They’re always there for each other, so when Billie opens his own bakery called Montgomery’s Sweets no one supports him better than Dylan... -
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... -
A Fool and His Manny by Amy Lane
Rated: 4.25 of 5 stars · 8 ratingsSeeing the truth and falling in love. Dustin Robbins-Grayson was a surly adolescent when Quinlan Gregory started the nanny gig. After a rocky start, he grew into Quinlan’s friend and confidant—and a damned sexy man. At twenty-one, Dusty sees how Quinlan sacrificed his own life and desires to care for Dusty’s family... -
Signs of Love: Winter by Anyta Sunday
Rated: 4.25 of 5 stars · 8 ratingsWhat happens when a clueless hero believes in star-sign compatibility? What happens when there’s only one sign left to try? Capricorn, Aquarius, Pisces, Aries, Taurus, Gemini, Cancer... Caspian’s tried the lot, compatibility nil. Leo is his last hope for happiness. He just has to find one. Maybe his Virgo best friend will help? He should sneak over next door and see.. -
And it Came To Pass by Laura Stone
Adam Young is a devout Mormon whose life is all planned out, by both his strict father and his church. He follows the path theyve established for him, goes off to his mission in Barcelona, Spain, and realizes that his life may not follow the trajectory already chosen for him.His mission companion, Brandon Christensen, is a handsome, enthusiastic practitioner on the surface... -
War Torn by Andria Large
Rated: 4.19 of 5 stars · 10 ratingsMy life has been completely turned around with the help of my boyfriend and best friend, Tucker. My depression is under control. I’m not having nightmares or flashbacks anymore. My sister is having a baby. Life with Tucker is great… Or is it? Everything seems to be going so well, almost too well... -
Alex by S.M. Shade
Rated: 4.13 of 5 stars · 13 ratingsNinety- two days. Thirteen weeks. That’s how long it’s been since I lost my love, my best friend. It’s been everything I can do to drag myself out of bed and get back to work, but I know Cooper would want me to move on. I think he’d even be happy if he knew who I want to move on with. The target of my affection, though, may not be so thrilled about my choice. He’s straight. Or he thinks he is... -
Extended Stay by Mia Monroe
Rated: 4.10 of 5 stars · 15 ratingsI’ve never been interested in a man before. So why do I want to kiss this one?Promising my sick uncle I’d help fix his rundown hotel in San Diego was just the beginning of my problems. I plan to do what I can, convince him to sell, and then take off, returning to my calm and structured existence back east. I double down on that plan when I arrive to find it in worse shape than I expected... -
Don't Leave Me Alone by Jenny Wood
Rated: 4.09 of 5 stars · 12 ratingsAlvin is coming home to bury his family His whole family, all the family that he had left. His mom, dad and twin sisters. The military didn't think he was stable enough to come back but really, he was just worried how he'd get through the days. The first one's at his empty family home especially. Carter is a school teacher going to the funeral of a very well respected family of his community... -
Sexless in Seattle by DJ Jamison
Rated: 4.10 of 5 stars · 11 ratingsMy life is no rom-com movie... Ever since my parents died, I've had one priority, and it isn't romance. Raising my younger brother is a full-time job.I don't have time for a personal life, and I've accepted that I'll be the world's oldest virgin by the time Eric no longer needs me... -
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Don't Leave Me Alone by Jenny Wood
Rated: 4.08 of 5 stars · 12 ratingsAlvin is coming home to bury his family His whole family, all the family that he had left. His mom, dad and twin sisters. The military didn't think he was stable enough to come back but really, he was just worried how he'd get through the days. The first one's at his empty family home especially. Carter is a school teacher going to the funeral of a very well respected family of his community... -
Here We Go Again by Romeo Alexander
Rated: 4.06 of 5 stars · 14 ratingsA second chance to make up for the mistakes of the past. A second chance at love.Troy: I’ve settled in at Fort Dale with a great job at the clinic on base and I’ve even made a few friends. The nearby city offers all I need to enjoy myself on a night off, if you know what I mean. I was just starting to relax and think everything would work out when he walked into the clinic...Categorized as:
men in uniform new adult friends to lovers queer m-m contemporary military second chances -
Love Song by Christina Lee
Thirtysomething bandmates, Nolan Metcalf and Ellis Bloom, have been there for each other through thick and thin. So when a life-changing event sends Ellis to the safety of Nolan’s apartment, he’s grateful for the comfort his best friend provides. They’ve never done anything resembling cuddling and sleepovers before, but Ellis finds he needs it just the same...Categorized as:
queer friends to lovers queer-awakening hurt-comfort m-m contemporary bisexual explicit-open-door -
Liam Davis & The Raven by Anyta Sunday
Rated: 4.11 of 5 stars · 9 ratingsLiam Davis is a serious journalist, and he’s good at it. Or at least, he was...Categorized as:
friends to lovers new adult queer queer-awakening contemporary mystery m-m length-short -
This Isn't Me by T.A. McKay
Rated: 4.13 of 5 stars · 8 ratingsNathan Cooper thought he had everything in life worked out; his own company, a great best friend, and all the women he could want. That is until one night his whole outlook changed. One misunderstanding, a man instead of a woman, and just like that he was looking at guys like he never had before... -
Felix by R.J. Scott, Meredith Russell
Rated: 4.13 of 5 stars · 8 ratingsHiring a fake boyfriend for a school reunion seems to be the only solution, but love was never part of the equation.Felix has enough on his plate looking out for his parents, let alone agreeing to being hired for a date with the friend of a friend. His instant attraction to the scatter-brained scientist has him making impulsive decisions he hopes he won’t regret... -
The Last Summer by Ruthie Luhnow
Rated: 4.14 of 5 stars · 7 ratings"It's not even really a first kiss if you're practicing on a friend." Trapped in a conservative prairie town, Alfie Alder has spent his whole life enduring bullying from his classmates and indifference from his teachers. Only one person has ever seen past Alfie's sarcastic, standoffish exterior—his best friend and the love of his life, Wynn... -
Two Weeks and a Day by R.G. Alexander
Rated: 4.04 of 5 stars · 14 ratingsIt’s either the beginning of a great porno or a disaster waiting to happen. That feeling when you’re a thirty-year-old gay virgin with a little OCD, nosy neighbors and a lot of awkward, secret fantasies revolving around your straight best friend? Yeah, that’s me right now... -
Riptide by Ruthie Luhnow
Rated: 4.17 of 5 stars · 6 ratings"The weirdest part about kissing my best friend is that it isn't weird at all." Drew Riordan is excellent at compartmentalization. It's the only way he's managed to survive three years at Bellamy university—and on the crew team—and how he's made peace with staying in the closet for the foreseeable future... -
Strawberries and Thunderstorms by L. Luther
Rated: 4.17 of 5 stars · 6 ratingsChadHonestly, I never would have come back to this shithole if Pop hadn’t made it clear I wouldn’t get a dime otherwise. And it really isn’t about the money for me. No, I know it’s all about that little girl he adopted and her need for a proper home...Categorized as:
friends to lovers queer queer-awakening m-m contemporary single-father length-medium -
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Sundays with Oliver by Kelly Jensen
Rated: 4.17 of 5 stars · 6 ratingsTwo empty-nesters. Two bruised hearts. One chance to make things right.Oliver expected to miss his daughter when she left for college, but he’s surprised by the size of the hole she leaves. Or maybe he hadn’t expected to spend his days watching grass grow and making sad cookies. Or to lose his job. Meeting Nick—the uncle of his daughter’s roommate—is a bright spot in an otherwise gloomy forecast... -
Hawke (Smokejumpers) by Eve Riley
Rated: 4.17 of 5 stars · 6 ratingsCome on, baby, light my fire…Firefighter Hawke Colton loves his job and hanging with his firefighter brothers. Work is great, but Hawke wants more. He yearns for a life with a husband, kids, a house, even a dog. What he craves is a real family, something he never got to experience growing up. Fire Investigator Tristan Cole lost his parents to an arsonist twenty-one years ago... -
Someday by Sierra Riley, Stella Starling
Rated: 4.00 of 5 stars · 23 ratings“When you’re around, you’re all I can see” “Someday, my prince will come.”Danny is an artist, and he has the best job in the world. He gets to create beautiful things at the bakery his best friend owns. The only thing that would make life better is finding his own personal Prince Charming, but despite a life-long addiction to happily-ever-after, he doesn’t really hold out much hope for that...Categorized as:
queer queer-awakening friends to lovers hurt-comfort m-m contemporary insta-love bad boys -
If You Want Me Close by Skye Kilaen
Rated: 4.20 of 5 stars · 5 ratingsStep 1: Fall for your best friend.Step 2: Support him when tragedy strikes.Step 3: Figure out how you screwed up Step 2.Bisexual event coordinator Simon Novotny thrives on connection. He cherishes his large, queer-friendly family and his friends—especially his cute, brilliant work bestie, gay IT geek Ziah Holdaway.It’s taken forever for Simon to to coax Ziah out of his shell... -
Boyfriend Freeze by DJ Jamison
Rated: 4.03 of 5 stars · 11 ratingsI've made a lot of mistakes, but you can't be one of them...Dear Graham,After crossing too many lines for my self-respect, I made a promise to myself: no hookups for sixty days.But I didn't count on meeting you.Who knew a smart, cardigan-wearing geek would be such temptation? You're all wrong for me, except you're also kind of exactly right... -
Chariots on the Highway by Limor Moyal, Amitai Nissimov
Rated: 4.04 of 5 stars · 10 ratingsEvery year, young men come from all over the world to join the IDF and fight for Israel. They leave everything behind and becoming what known as lone soldiers. Tom, a young man from Kansas, has traveled to Israel to fight for his people. He came to fight, He came to escape. Dan Green has it all...Categorized as:
friends to lovers hurt-comfort queer queer-awakening m-m military contemporary age difference -
Checked Out by Sean Ashcroft
Rated: 4.02 of 5 stars · 10 ratingsLibrarian Charlie Jules really needs to stop falling for straight guys. Every man he’s been attracted to over the past year has turned out to be straight—including Scott, a cute new library patron who comes complete with an adorable puppy. Charlie was almost ready to give up on ever finding love in Hope Springs, but when Scott kisses him… .. -
The Cook by Sasha Avice
Rated: 4.10 of 5 stars · 5 ratingsTim had three rules:Never compromise the quality of the cook. It might be meth, but it was still his name on the product: The Cook.Never use his own gear. Not even to be sure it’s good. Use the tester.And never let Jake—his straight best friend and roommate—find out he’s in love with him and has been since high school.Tim liked his rules. They gave him a feeling of structure and order... -
Always You by K.M. Neuhold
Rated: 4.00 of 5 stars · 10 ratingsA long weekend at my parents’ lake house to celebrate the end of the school year has been a tradition for my friends and me since we were sixteen. But this year it isn’t just any school year ending, it’s our college graduation, and I’ve decided there’s no time like the present to finally tell my best friends the truth I’ve kept from them for years... -
Spark by Posy Roberts
Rated: 4.00 of 5 stars · 8 ratingsNorth Star: Book One In their small-town high school, Hugo and Kevin became closeted lovers who kept their secret even from parents. Hugo didn’t want to disappoint his terminally ill father, and Kevin’s controlling father would never tolerate a bisexual son. When college took them in different directions, they promised to reunite, but that didn’t happen for seventeen years... -
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White Noise by Sophia Soames
Being an actor is not the glamorous life Connor Telford once expected. Now he lives in a budget hotel, spending all his time working…or working out. He’s on friendlier terms with the catering team on set than he is with his co-stars, and his mum keeps telling him to get a life.A real life. Con kind of agrees...Categorized as:
friends to lovers hurt-comfort queer contemporary m-m length-short explicit-open-door -
A Midnight Clear by Kaje Harper
Rated: 4.00 of 5 stars · 8 ratingsCan a painful goodbye become a second chance?Adric's pretty sure his hopeless crush on his roommate Royce has an end date. They'll finish their EMT training course before the holidays and take the exam. When they pass—fingers crossed— he has plans for job hunting, but even when he teases or nags, Royce refuses to discuss anything beyond that looming test date. That has to be a red flag... -
Of Chords and Dreams (Burn to Rise) by L.A. Cannon
Rated: 4.00 of 5 stars · 7 ratings"We don't need to be perfect. Broken chords can also be part of a song."After a decade of friendship and a shared passion for music that is borderline obsessive, Chris had assumed that unless they came to a dead end of irreconcilable differences, nothing would ever change between him and Marc.He couldn’t have been more wrong...Categorized as:
hurt-comfort friends to lovers queer queer-awakening contemporary m-m forced proximity found-family -
Indigo Road by R.J. Jones
Rated: 4.00 of 5 stars · 6 ratingsTwo best friends take a year off to find themselves… and end up finding each other. Joshua Simpson has just finished four years at Purdue University, but that’s not why he’s buzzing with excitement. Once they’ve said goodbye to their families, Josh and his best friend Alex are taking off to discover America in an old but reliable VW van, planning on not seeing snow for an entire year... -
The Fireman in Unit C by Kris Cook
Rated: 4.00 of 5 stars · 6 ratingsJACKSON I'm a bit of a neat freak. I have my reasons. Call it OCD. Call it dealing with the past. Call it whatever you like. I call it keeping life nice and tidy. An act of arson to the hot fireman's unit next to mine makes my life messy. Real messy. What was I supposed to do? He's needed a place to stay and I had a spare bedroom. You see I've been into Eli Grayson for some time... -
MOMENTS IN TIME by Karen Stivali
Rated: 4.00 of 5 stars · 6 ratingsMOMENTS IN TIME: Books 1-3 MOMENT OF IMPACT Beyond Collin Fitzpatrick’s dorm room, the students of his conservative college think he’s straight, as does his Catholic family, who'd disown him if they learned the truth. Inside, he’s safe with his sexy roommate Tanner D’Amico...
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