Books like 'King of Pain:'
Readers who enjoyed King of Pain: by J.P. Joseph also liked the following books featuring the same tropes, story themes, relationship dynamics and character types.
contemporary gay romance dark romance sports hurt-comfort queer second chances slow burn possessive hero bad boys
-
Finder Volume 4: Prisoner in the View Finder by Ayano Yamane
"Don't tell me you actually believe Asami is in love with you?" The gorgeous and devious Fei Long has kidnapped Akihito and taken him all the way to Hong... -
Max and Frankie by Elizabeth Dear
One cold December night, I let myself enjoy a beautiful stranger I’d met in the cage at my Family’s seedy fight club. Afterwards, I kissed him goodbye and sent him away, content to cling to memories of the out-of-towner who’d pleased me so thoroughly. Except that beautiful butterfly wasn’t who he claimed to be, and our lives would soon intertwine in a much more permanent way... -
Dissent: A Charity Romance Anthology by Brighton Walsh, Kennedy Fox
For National Read a Book day, DISSENT is available in eBook and paperback!DISSENT is a charity romance anthology with NEW, never before published content from over 150 authors of all romance genres. All proceeds from the eBook and paperbacks will be donated to organizations benefiting reproductive rights in the United States, particularly in areas where people need them more than ever... -
Reluctant Renegade by Garrett Leigh
“I was never scared of dying until I loved you.”The shy single dad and the gentle assassin. Domestic bliss and a bloodthirsty revenge mission battle it out in the emotional fifth instalment of the bestselling Rebel Kings MC series.DecoyI met a dude in a bar once. Tall and strong, he had moon-blue eyes and tawny hair, and he moved with the grace of a lion... -
-
囀る鳥は羽ばたかない 4 [Saezuru Tori wa Habatakanai 4] by Kou Yoneda, ヨネダコウ
Yashiro is the young leader of Shinseikai and the president of the Shinseikai Enterprise, but like so many powerful men, he leads a double life as a deviant and a masochist. Chikara Doumeki comes to work as a bodyguard for him and, although Yashiro had decided that he would never lay a hand on his own men, he finds there's something about Doumeki that he can't resist... -
Final Orders by Gregory Ashe
An embattled author. Fanatical parents. A son who can’t stay out of trouble. It’s the last one that’ll probably kill him.When Emery Hazard gets drawn into a brawl at a monthly school board meeting, he knows he’s in trouble; his husband, John-Henry Somerset, is chief of police, and they’re already under enough scrutiny as they try to finalize their foster son’s permanency plan... -
Love & Power by Elizabeth Knight
Love is what started this whole thing. A man who loved two women. A mother who sacrificed herself for her daughter. A daughter who will stop at nothing to take down those who killed and threatened the ones she loves. I’ve been told all my life that love was a weakness in our world. That couldn’t be further from the truth, but that’s only half of what I need to finish the job... -
Chaos & Carnage by R.A. Smyth
Blood will be shed.Lives will be lost.Freedom will be won.I might have my brother back, but Giovanni still runs free, and his alliance with the Grim Bastards is causing chaos in the streets of Black Creek.Now, more than ever, it is important for us to work as a team, but tensions are at an all time high... -
Never Let Me Go by Lyla Dane
Gavin Beck Bowman was once my best friend in the entire world. No one compared to the kind and gentle boy who stole my heart when we were kids. But that was a lifetime ago, before our friendship was torn to pieces and I became a spiteful, rotten shell of a person...Categorized as:
hurt-comfort sports second chances college queer m-m from hate to love friends to lovers -
Tango Down by Cara Dee
Rated: 4.52 of 5 stars · 16 ratingsThe Renegades #4 Romantic Suspense Enemies to Lovers Action MM“This is it, baby. Run.”The murder in Joel Hayward’s eyes wasn’t merely a reflection of the rage within. It was a promise to the men who had kidnapped his daughter. The one person—this amazing slip of a girl—who showed Joel every single day that there was good left in the world.He was running on fumes. He was desperate... -
Finder, Volume 3: One Wing in the Finder by Ayano Yamane
Rated: 4.33 of 5 stars · 28 ratingsThe Chinese crime lord Fei Long comes to Japan hoping to lure freelance photographer Akihito into his web of intrigue and sex. But when his friends fall prey to Fei Long's diabolical schemes, Akihito has only one person he can ask for help, the person he despises more than anyone else on Earth: the Yakuza boss Asami, who once made Akihito his sex slave... -
Domesticated Beast by Onley James
JAVIER DE LA FUENTE is a criminal, an ex-con with a long line of offenses, atoning for his sins by rescuing abused animals and advocating for child victims. But that doesn’t mean he’s a saint. Javier learned years ago that what’s right and what’s legal aren’t always the same thing. BOWIE BAKER is a ballet dancer, a soloist doing his best to get ahead in his LA dance company... -
Wilder by Leila James
The protector is spiraling, and I’m his anchor.Life at Kingston University has only gotten worse. Secrets, lies, and death surround SIN. But nothing is as it seems.We each have pasts that haunt us; our futures are uncertain.One thing is clear, these brutal boys of SIN will protect me—and Chase—with their lives. But I’m terrified I’ll lose them as our unknown enemy tracks closer...Categorized as:
queer found-family second chances college bad boys possessive hero reverse harem dark -
On the Double by Cara Dee
Rated: 4.46 of 5 stars · 17 ratingsThe Renegades #3 • Romantic Suspense • Action • MMM“It’s a fine line between not revealing your arsenal and creating disorder by showing your strength.”Funny how calm you could feel when someone had ripped the heart out of your chest.River and Reese Tenley had grown up on the fringes of society, spending most of their adult years as private military contractors in places nobody else wanted to go... -
-
The Dangerous Convenience Store Vol. 4 by 945
GONE BABY GONEAfter learning more about Gunwoo’s shrouded past, Eui-joon realizes he’s in love with him. Just as Eui-joon finally decides to tell him how he feels, Gunwoo vanishes. In desperation, Eui-joon goes to Gunwoo’s associate, Chaehyun, to see if he knows where Gunwoo has gone, and if he’s all right... -
Blue on Blue by Dal Maclean
From Lambda Literary Award Finalist Dal Maclean After three years working as a private investigator, newly reinstated Detective Inspector Will Foster still holds himself responsible for the death of an officer under his command. But he’s returned to the Met bent on redeeming himself and that means bringing down gangland boss Joey Clarkson... -
All We Are by Jessie Walker
Rated: 4.31 of 5 stars · 15 ratingsPride.Will and Waylon have been through hell and back—more than once. But they’re still standing, still loving each other, still embracing their found family. And that’s something Will is stupidly proud of. He’s happier than he’s ever been, and more in love than he ever thought possible. He just hopes he can find a way to make Waylon believe in them as much as he does.Pride... -
Twittering Birds Never Fly, Vol. 6 by Kou Yoneda
Yashiro and Doumeki have finally crossed the line that for so long they dared not. Doumeki confronts the fact that Yashiro is irreplaceable to him, while Yashiro realizes his own contradictory feelings for Doumeki. Because he values him, he can't let him go. Because he values him, he must let him go... -
Bitter When He Begs by Avery Collins
LucaI’ve built my life on control. On the field, in my reputation, and in keeping my demons buried where no one can see.Sage Blackwell was never supposed to be a part of that. The nerdy prodigy overheard something that could ruin my entire career, so I do the only logical thing. I don’t threaten him. I don’t scare him off.I claim him.I tell myself it’s about survival, about keeping my secret safe... -
Beautifully Savage Butterfly by K.M. Neuhold
Being savage in the ring is one thing. The way Elio Moretti craves my violence outside the ring is another. I feel like I’ve been fighting my whole life, and tapping out has never been an option. I can live with owing money to the Morettis. I can even live with the constant guilt that my brother is the one paralyzed in a hospital bed while I live his dream... -
Divine Heart by Garrett Leigh
The bestselling Rebel Kings MC series returns with Ranger and Viktor’s long awaited love story. Expect: a damaged Russian mobster and a grouchy nomad. Hurt comfort, second chances, forced proximity. Love ain’t true if it doesn’t hurt.ViktorThe message from my brother lies bold and bright on the screen.This will be it.Four words that could mean the end or the beginning... -
Haven by K.A. Merikan
Rated: 4.67 of 5 stars · 9 ratings— Not the same river, not the same man. —After seven years away, Seth and Domenico are back in Sicily with one goal in mind.Revenge.The man who’d hounded their family is still alive, and as untouchable as he’s always been. While they wait for the right moment to strike, reality clashes with fond memories of home... -
Distraction by Kelly Fox
An MM Murder Swoon RomanceFrom USA Today Bestselling Author Kelly Fox comes a uniquely unhinged Mafia romance.Look, no one's ever accused me of being sane, y'know? So when I say that I am crazy over this RICO agent, know that I mean business.Sure, I'm responsible for getting him fired from the job he's wanted his whole life, but his grandfather just died and left him 13.1 billion dollars... -
The Sin Eater by Onley James
Rated: 4.26 of 5 stars · 10 ratingsWaylon Boone is no stranger to danger. As the headmaster of the Watch, an elite school hidden in the desert where the wealthy send their psychopathic children to become the perfect covert operatives, he's trained killers, spies, and manipulators... -
-
Hide and Seek by Willow Dixon
JaxIt was supposed to be an easy keep an eye on Myles until I’m sure he’s not a threat to us, then forget he exists and go back to living my life.But there’s something different about him. Something that speaks to my dark side and turns an easy job into an obsession. I want things from him I’ve never wanted before, and the more I watch him, the more I’m sure he wants them too... -
The Dangerous Convenience Store Vol. 5 by 945
Rated: 4.30 of 5 stars · 21 ratingsTHE LONG GOODBYEIt's been three years since Eui-joon last saw Gunwoo and there have been a lot of changes. Eui-joon no longer works his punishing graveyard shift at the convenience store, but instead works in sales at a small company where, as the newest employee, he's constantly running errands for his boss... -
Forgive Me Father by Garrett Leigh
Expect: a sizzling hurt/comfort MM romance with a damaged chaplain and a dark-souled enforcer with a tender-hearted secret.“I gave my darkest secrets to a man who doesn’t exist.”Embry"...you don’t understand.”Mateo lowered himself to sit, still vibrating with the need to fix me, the way he always did. “Then tell me. Explain it like I’m the simplest idiot you’ve ever met.”I can’t... -
Bittersweet Revenge by Riley Hart
DeanI’ve been stalking Tiernan O’Shea online for years.After Sloan O’Shea killed my dad, my mom and I spent years in hiding, moving from state to state, changing our names, never drawing attention to ourselves, hoping to never be found.I’ve fed off nothing but vengeance ever since.Tiernan O’Shea is exactly like his father—arrogant, rich, ruthless.The plan is simple: Get accepted to Ashford U... -
Sweet Vengeance by Riley Hart
Cillian I can’t figure out why I’m so intrigued by Ollie Gibson. He’s nothing like me—soft where my world is hard, sweet and kind while I’ve grown up around violence. But there’s a fire to him that sparks the one inside me, loyalty that calls to me, and bravery I respect even if it gets him in trouble... -
WTF by Cambria Hebert
Rated: 4.29 of 5 stars · 21 ratingsI don’t do commitment. And though I swing both ways, I don’t do men either.It’s too messy, too stressful, and just asking for trouble.I’d rather shine bright like the sun than drown in the rain, so I adopt a pounce-and-bounce lifestyle for which my sparkling charm keeps me from being hated.When I show up in Sweden for a semester abroad, I expect a roomie. What I don’t expect is Lars... -
Devil by Silvia Violet
A Dark Mafia Romance Devil is a mobster with a dangerous secret... There's a cop who hates him. A cop he caught and released. A cop he can't get out of his mind after the one forbidden night they shared... -
Pain by E.M. Leya, Kellie Dennis Book Cover by Design
Rated: 4.54 of 5 stars · 10 ratingsWhen his daughter is kidnapped, Matt’s life screeches to a halt. He would do anything to get his daughter back, but first he needs to find her. When the police exhaust all possible leads, Matt does the only thing he can do — he uses his hacking skills to infiltrate the dark web... -
The Dangerous Convenience Store Vol. 5 by 945
THE LONG GOODBYEIt’s been three years since Eui-joon last saw Gunwoo and there have been a lot of changes. Eui-joon no longer works his punishing graveyard shift at the convenience store, but instead works in sales at a small company where, as the newest employee, he’s constantly running errands for his boss... -
Garron Park: Special Edition by Nordika Night
Rated: 4.18 of 5 stars · 35 ratings*This is the same book with the same content as Garron Park [the original] but with special edition formatting and illustrated cover.*Garron Park, where hope dies and no one ever gets ahead. Until… When Devon Sawyer desperately searches for his brother in the middle of the night, beaten and broken, he finds Maddox Kane instead... -
-
Crashing Hearts by K.A. Knight
Rated: 4.56 of 5 stars · 9 ratingsPine Valley is a school that’s both rich in history and legacy, and it’s once more opening its doors to another year of students.Skylar Warren owns the streets of Pine Valley and everybody in it. From cars to people, there is nothing he wants that he can’t get—until now...Categorized as:
sports found-family queer possessive hero grumpy sunshine from hate to love dark mystery -
His Fatal Love by Leighton Greene
Easily bored, completely manipulative, and utterly deadly…and that’s just in bed.As an assassin for the Castellani Family, I live for the thrill of the job. I'm devoted to my Family and my Don, because they keep me safe.To Leo Bernardi, I'm a monster. A killing machine. And a puppet that his Family can use for their own ends. To me, Leo is just a pawn in a game that I'm playing. A means to an end... -
Salvation by Cassie Hargrove, Story Brooks
Rated: 4.16 of 5 stars · 34 ratingsIt started with an Obsession… We knew from the moment we saw her that she would be ours, and we used all of our means of Seduction to prove it to her... However, with our way of life comes trouble. It didn’t matter how much Devotion we had, it wasn’t enough to keep her safe, and now we’re here. We’re fighting for our lives and everything we never knew we’d have... -
Devilish by Ella Frank, Brooke Blaine
Who are we? Nobody really knows. We’re the seven most powerful heirs to empires, ruling Manhattan from our thrones on Park Avenue. By day, we’re the elite, untouchable, and more connected than you could ever imagine. By night, we revel in the darkness of our secrets, pulling strings that make the city bow to our whims.Ruthless.Dangerous.We’re the Park Avenue Kings... -
Matchstick Men by Adira August
Sometimes it's the cop who needs to hit the floor... Haunted by the worst case of my career, I knew only one way to exorcise the images from my mind, the victim from my soul ... Inside the club, I scanned the room. He was here—Camden Snow—a sex god in the guise of unpretentious youth... -
Happy Krampus Xmas & The Meet Not Cute: Two Xmas Novellas by Paulina Ian-Kane
-Happy Krampus XmasHappy Krampus Day!Krampus who? Santa’s evil brother, duh.The horned demon sort of cursed me, and I need to find a way to appease him.Otherwise, I won’t be able to proceed with my donor initiation: blood, torture, death, screams—not in that order.All I need is to follow my three-step groveling plan... -
Rogue Launch by Cara Dee
Rated: 4.26 of 5 stars · 17 ratingsThe Renegades #1 Romantic Suspense Enemies to Lovers Action MM“We will find you, darling. Stay strong. We will find you.”This was exactly what Elliott Jones needed. A nice barbecue with family and friends. The moving trucks were parked outside his new ranch, and he was ready to start fresh. Again. Despite the regrets he lived with, he tried to focus on the good things in life... -
Demon by Joel Abernathy
Rated: 4.22 of 5 stars · 20 ratingsFalling in love with an obsessive serial killer was the last thing on my to-do list.I was born into a world of villains, so it came as no great surprise when my brothers fell for the most twisted monsters of all. A sociopathic fixer. A psycho sadistic cop whose name belongs in the dictionary next to corruption.Maybe I’m the one who’s crazy, thinking I could have any semblance of a normal life... -
Chip's Forever Daddy by Sammi Cee
Rated: 4.39 of 5 stars · 11 ratingsChip’s had a good example of a Daddy—and the absolute worst. Ollie’s determined to give him the best…forever. If Chip didn’t have bad luck, he’d have no luck at all. All he’s ever wanted is a man to see him, truly hear him, and love him. Ollie is the definition of protective, with the muscle to back it up...Categorized as:
queer hurt-comfort found-family m-m contemporary age difference daddy-kink height-difference -
Reigniting Chase by Jeanne St. James
Rated: 4.38 of 5 stars · 11 ratingsAn unexpected collaboration between two authors that’s hot enough to spark a fire... ChaseAfter an excruciating loss, I’m desperate for a fresh start.Away from the painful memories.Away from everyone I know and anyone who knows my story.That’s how I end up in Eagle’s Landing, Pennsylvania... -
-
What We Broke by Marley Valentine
If someone asked me to describe our love story, I would only need to use two words. Before and After. • • • •When I met Leonardo Ricci, he was determined I would only be a fling, while I was certain he was my forever. Seven years later, we're the perfect couple. Happy, married, and in love-in sickness and health, till death do us part. At least until the unthinkable happens...Categorized as:
hurt-comfort second chances queer possessive hero found-family contemporary m-m angst -
Unquiet by Melanie Hansen
Rated: 4.44 of 5 stars · 9 ratingsLoren Smith has been in love with Eliot Devlin almost his entire life. During their turbulent childhood and teen years, Loren didn’t always understand Eliot, and sometimes he could be a challenge, but Eliot was the only one to ever truly ease Loren’s deep loneliness and accept him... -
Deliverance by Garrett Leigh
Banished gangster Benito Martell is living on the edge. An explosive hook-up in a club gifts him the relief he craves, but nothing about his life is ever so simple. Complications abound, and before long, he’s falling for the only man who can save his family from eviction.Recovering addict Mickey Larwood has worked hard to leave his past behind... -
Nevermore by A.K. Graves
Rated: 4.40 of 5 stars · 10 ratingsWhen Leonor died, she didn’t see a light.There were no angels, no pearly gates.She didn’t see anything at all, just a cold, dark void.But she did hear music…Leonor heard her music, the music she made with The Ravens, and she was glad it was waiting for her in the end.Until everything went eerily silent, and she was pulled from the afterlife and thrown into the life after... -
Liar Liar - Part two: D'Arco Mafia Duet by Jaye Pratt
They didn’t come for me.I wanted Killian to be the one to take my life, but five months later, nothing.I’m still alive.They promised they would follow me to the ends of the earth if I left.They lied.Now, I have no choice but to go back and clear my name.I plan to walk in with my head held high and give them evidence that will force them into hearing me out... -
Nightingale by Laura Lascarso
Rated: 4.34 of 5 stars · 11 ratingsAn accountant and an assassin set off on a homicidal mission to avenge the wrongs of the past…Since the moment we met as children at Saint Bernadine’s School for Boys, Julien has held my heart hostage. Now, he’s a ruthless and cunning assassin, known to many only by his code name Nightingale, and I am again at his mercy when he forces me to accompany him on his next hit...
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.

