Books like 'The Thing I Didn't Know I Didn't Know'
Readers who enjoyed The Thing I Didn't Know I Didn't Know by Brent Hartinger also liked the following books featuring the same tropes, story themes, relationship dynamics and character types.
contemporary romance lgbtq mlm coming-of-age cheating domestic-drama realistic slow-burn
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Never Again by Julia Wolf
Rated: 4.50 of 5 stars · 8 ratingsThey were a perfect storm of bad decisions and tragedy...We thought our forever kind of love would protect us.We thought we were strong enough to withstand any storm.But we were so young then. We couldn't have known what was coming."First loves will mess you up until the end of time if you let them."Older now, we're both stronger than we've ever been... -
![One Night to Fall by Kelsey Kingsley]()
One Night to Fall by Kelsey Kingsley
Rated: 4.40 of 5 stars · 10 ratingsDo we choose love? Or is it something decided by fate? To Kinsey McKenna, Patrick Kinney was a persistent glob of sticky peanut butter. He had been stuck to the roof of her mouth, since they were both three years old, when fate seemed to send his family next door to hers. All the way from the coast of Ireland to River Canyon, Connecticut... -
![The Influencer by August Jones]()
The Influencer by August Jones
Rated: 4.50 of 5 stars · 6 ratingsIf you’re looking for a classic case of opposites attract—look no further.There’s Pretty. Flamboyant. Extra. Some even say ridiculous. I’m a tour dancer for the biggest pop star in the world with an exploding social media platform and a constant need for attention...Categorized as:
mlm cheating domestic-drama lgbtq romance contemporary mental-illness forced-proximity -
![Pride High : Book 1 - Red by Jay Bell]()
Pride High : Book 1 - Red by Jay Bell
Rated: 4.50 of 5 stars · 6 ratingsWhat’s it like being a teenager in the 90s? Let’s ask the characters of Pride High:Anthony Cullen: My life would be perfect, if I wasn’t in the closet. And in love with my straight best friend. Do you think he’ll ever notice me?Omar Jafari: Dude! I’m flunking out of most of my classes, but you know what really matters? A girl talked to me... -
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![Reinventing Us by Ann Lister]()
Reinventing Us by Ann Lister
Rated: 4.38 of 5 stars · 8 ratingsAlex-Zander Metcalf knew his life would always be filled with twists and turns, especially living in the public eye while playing the role of front man for his band Ivory Tower. That's what made life interesting and he loved every aspect about his job in the music world. Living in a long-term polyamorous relationship with a husband and a wife also created a fair amount of ups and downs... -
![Gay Club! by Simon James Green]()
Gay Club! by Simon James Green
Rated: 4.38 of 5 stars · 8 ratingsA landmark comedic novel about a group of queer teens at their worst - and ultimately their best - from one of the UK's leading writers of LGBTQ+ teen fiction. Barney's a shoo-in for his school's LGBTQ+ Society President at the club's next election. But when the vote is opened up to the entire student body, the whole school starts paying attention... -
![The Gardener by Charles Reeza]()
The Gardener by Charles Reeza
Rated: 4.38 of 5 stars · 8 ratingsAdam is an introvert. He lives alone and he's doing everything he can to keep it that way. "I prefer plants to people," he tells his only friend, Donna. "It's just the way I am." An accountant by day, he spends his free time tending his impressive garden and reading grim 19th century novels from the private library in his Victorian house... -
![Skater Boy by Anthony Nerada]()
Skater Boy by Anthony Nerada
Rated: 4.36 of 5 stars · 7 ratingsIn this YA pop-punk debut about queer romance and destroying labels, a teen risks everything to write his own story. Perfect for fans of Sonora Reyes and Adib Khorram. Stonebridge High’s resident bad boy, Wesley “Big Mac” Mackenzie, is failing senior year—thanks to his unchecked anger, rowdy friends, and a tendency to ditch his homework for skateboarding and a secret photography obsession... -
![Gravity: Written in the Stars Book 2 by Mia Monroe]()
Gravity: Written in the Stars Book 2 by Mia Monroe
Rated: 4.33 of 5 stars · 6 ratingsHe was only meant to be a hookup. Until he became my coworker.Only I could ruin the hottest potential hookup ever. One look at the gorgeous ginger, and I was done for. I summoned every bit of courage I had, then panicked. As is my way. I managed to put it behind me until he became my new coworker. Now, every day is a reminder of my insecurities and what might have been... -
![A Little Christmas: Jacob by T.L. Travis]()
A Little Christmas: Jacob by T.L. Travis
Rated: 4.33 of 5 stars · 6 ratingsFor Jacob Shelton, life was anything but conventional, having been born with a silver spoon in his mouth even though it was a loveless existence.Jacob hoped there was more to life than money and was about to find out the hard way.Richard Worthington longs for a boy of his own. One to nurture and care for, pamper and spoil... -
![Close Protection Ficlets (Close Protection) by Cordelia Kingsbridge]()
Close Protection Ficlets (Close Protection) by Cordelia Kingsbridge
Rated: 4.33 of 5 stars · 6 ratingsA collection of ficlets set in the Close Protection universe... -
![Division Bells by Iona Datt Sharma]()
Division Bells by Iona Datt Sharma
Rated: 4.33 of 5 stars · 6 ratingsIn politics, love is a stranger…It’s a bitterly cold winter in London and Jules Elwin has no idea what he’s doing. As the newest special adviser to a government minister, he’s drowning in arcane procedures and party politics, and the civil servant who’s supposed to be helping him is doing nothing of the sort... -
![A Little Christmas: Morrie by B. Ripley]()
A Little Christmas: Morrie by B. Ripley
Rated: 4.33 of 5 stars · 6 ratingsI’ve never made a Christmas wish, but if I could, I’d ask Santa for a Daddy who understands me.I learned early on in life that gentle hands and friendly smiles can hide darkness underneath. I shy away from cuddles and hugs and refuse to let anyone get too close to me. It’s safer if they stay away and I don’t mind putting up as many barriers as I can to keep everyone out of my space... -
![The Lost Prince by Harper Fox]()
The Lost Prince by Harper Fox
Rated: 4.33 of 5 stars · 6 ratingsLaurie and Sasha have built a bright new world. It’s taken two years, but now Sasha is working for the Romanian embassy, and Laurie is landing theatre roles he once could only have dreamed of. Best of all, they’ve spent each day of those two years enjoying the love they snatched from the jaws of Sasha’s dangerous, violent past... -
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![Easy by Kiki Clark]()
Easy by Kiki Clark
Rated: 4.33 of 5 stars · 6 ratingsWho knew a chipped tooth could lead to love?Simon is ready for the real deal when it comes to relationships—unfortunately, his libido hasn’t gotten the message. After string of disastrous hookups, he finds himself frustrated, annoyed, and missing part of a tooth.Enter Dr. Jackson Allbrook.Simon is pretty sure dentists aren’t supposed to be as good-looking as Jackson is... -
![Lovely Allergen by Zhichu, 稚楚]()
Lovely Allergen by Zhichu, 稚楚
Rated: 4.33 of 5 stars · 6 ratingsSong Yu has three requirements for Yue Zhishi:– You cannot call me gege in public.– We won’t do anything together in public.– You cannot let other people know you live with me.Yue Zhishi has always been obediently following these rules. They were practically strangers at school. At the opening ceremony, he suddenly collapsed due to an allergy-related asthma attack, sending everything into chaos... -
![过门 - Guomen by Priest]()
过门 - Guomen by Priest
Rated: 4.33 of 5 stars · 6 ratings“Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.” -Matthew 7:14Guomen, 過門/过门, meaning marriage in Chinese. If explained literally, it means going past the gates/door-a reference to the Bible(see above).“Through the Strait Gates”: to me, it’s the best way to explain it.The gate’s narrow, the road small for them... -
![Tequila Haze by Melissa Toppen]()
Tequila Haze by Melissa Toppen
Rated: 4.25 of 5 stars · 8 ratingsIt was destiny-- the night I met Hudson Demasi. I remember how effortlessly he stole my heart- his dark eyes and quick smile forever etched into my mind. We spent one incredible night together under a haze of tequila- a perfect night. And when I woke the next day, he was gone… I never expected to see him again. Years passed and with it, life went on... -
![Love & Other Inconveniences by Catherine Cloud]()
Love & Other Inconveniences by Catherine Cloud
Rated: 4.25 of 5 stars · 8 ratingsMorgan Boyle wants two things in life: to play hockey and to be left alone. Noah Andersson is loud, outgoing and probably hasn’t stopped talking since he learned how to say words. When Morgan ends up on a team with Noah at the Olympics, they get closer than either of them expected, and even when they’ve returned home Morgan still finds himself drawn to Noah... -
![Double Threat My Bleep by Julie Prestsater]()
Double Threat My Bleep by Julie Prestsater
Rated: 4.20 of 5 stars · 10 ratingsMegan Miller's someday came and she and Alex Aguilar are a couple. She nabbed her dream guy and couldn't be happier. The only problem is, he is miles away in college and Meg is stuck at Carver High dealing with girl drama, boy problems and the fact that Alex is constantly surrounded by half naked girls...Categorized as:
cheating coming-of-age domestic-drama book contemporary fiction high-school new-adult -
![Undescribable Box Set by Shantel Tessier]()
Undescribable Box Set by Shantel Tessier
Rated: 4.20 of 5 stars · 10 ratings**ON SALE FOR .99 CENTS UNTIL JAN 19TH. REGULAR PRICE WILL BE 5.99** The Undescribable Box Set is three books in one. Undescribable, Unbearable and Uncontrollable. Burned by her past, Samantha begins to build a new life for herself. Focusing on her new friends and rebuilding her broken life, Samantha is content...Categorized as:
cheating coming-of-age domestic-drama contemporary female-mc fiction insta-love romantic-love -
![Spreadsheets by Jaclyn Quinn]()
Spreadsheets by Jaclyn Quinn
Rated: 4.20 of 5 stars · 10 ratingsCan one night change your whole life? When Jeremy Anderson goes into Ace’s Wild, it takes him completely out of his comfort zone. So, he is in no way prepared for the gorgeous, raven-haired man who walks through the doors. A chance encounter turns into an amazing night he’ll never forget, with a man he’ll never see again... -
![What He Learns by E.M. Denning]()
What He Learns by E.M. Denning
Rated: 4.20 of 5 stars · 5 ratingsA new dominantA jaded submissiveWhat could possibly go right?Sterling's plan is simple. Learn how to be dominant, woo his crush. The only problem is he doesn't know how to do either of those things. Getting a job at the local kink club seems like a good place to start. Meeting a kind and older submissive on his first night on the job throws a wrench into his plans... -
![Beautiful Thing (Modern Classics) by Jonathan Harvey]()
Beautiful Thing (Modern Classics) by Jonathan Harvey
Rated: 4.17 of 5 stars · 6 ratingsBeautiful Thing explores pre-teenage homo-erotic sensuality and the frictions and intimacies of living cheek by jowl on a Thamesmead housing estate... -
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![The Art of Dying by Josh Lanyon, Jordan Castillo Price]()
The Art of Dying by Josh Lanyon, Jordan Castillo Price
Rated: 4.17 of 5 stars · 6 ratings#4 in the PARTNERS IN CRIME SERIES! Lovers and Other Strangers by Josh Lanyon Recovering from a near fatal accident, artist Finn Barret returns to Seal Island in Maine to rest and recuperate. But Seal Island is haunted with memories, some sweet, some sad; three years ago Finn found his lover in the arms of Fitch, Finn's twin brother. Since that day, Finn has seen neither Conlan nor Fitch... -
![Social Sinners: Behind the Lights by T.L. Travis]()
Social Sinners: Behind the Lights by T.L. Travis
Rated: 4.17 of 5 stars · 6 ratingsJoey Hayes and his best friend Ricky Branson have been together through the good times, as well as the bad. Attending their first concert as teens set the path for their futures in motion. Shortly after, the pair joined band class where they meet Ethan and Mick and the foursome formed the metal band, Social Sinners... -
![A Boy Like Me by Jennie Wood]()
A Boy Like Me by Jennie Wood
Rated: 4.17 of 5 stars · 6 ratingsBorn a girl, Peyton Honeycutt meets Tara Parks in the eighth grade bathroom shortly after he gets his first period. It is the best and worst day of his life. Determined to impress Tara, Peyton sets out to win her love by mastering the drums and basketball. He takes on Tara’s small-minded mother, the bully at school, and the prejudices within his conservative hometown... -
![A Different Kind of Love by Nicola Haken]()
A Different Kind of Love by Nicola Haken
Rated: 4.17 of 5 stars · 6 ratingsLove is simple. People are not. Despite growing up without it, William Walker knows all about love. He loves his wife. He loves his children. He loves the cat. He has the perfect family, and all he had to do to get it was push aside one pesky little feeling.Unfortunately, love doesn’t pay the bills... -
![Who We Were by E.M. Lindsey]()
Who We Were by E.M. Lindsey
Rated: 4.17 of 5 stars · 6 ratings"Don't leave the house, don't talk to the paparazzi, don't answer your phone unless it's me, and do not- whatever you do- attempt to post about this on social media." Life isn’t supposed to be this complicated when you’re an Oscar winner…right? So what if he has two names, and straddles the line between two worlds... -
![Finding the Grain by Wynn Malone]()
Finding the Grain by Wynn Malone
Rated: 4.17 of 5 stars · 6 ratingsWhen Augusta "Blue" Riley's parents are killed by a tornado in her last month of high school, Blue is thrown into a world where nothing is what she expected. She moves from her farm in Alabama to North Carolina to be near her aunt and attend college. Interesting classes and the love of sorority girl Grace Lancaster help Blue let go of her grief... -
![Part-Time Daddy by B. Harmony]()
Part-Time Daddy by B. Harmony
Rated: 4.17 of 5 stars · 6 ratingsExhausted, overworked, underpaid, and for damn sure underappreciated.Struggling to find a balance between the career I’ve always wanted and the desire to have someone to take care of me, I agree to join an exclusive event at The Garden.A couple of hours to let go with Dean Nash, the Daddy of my dreams, then it’s back to the grind.As head of security at The Garden, I’m content with my single life... -
![Afterglow by Phil Stamper]()
Afterglow by Phil Stamper
Rated: 4.17 of 5 stars · 6 ratingsAfter a summer of life-changing, these four friends are finally ready for senior year.Gabriel is thrilled to create his school's first LGBTQ+ advocacy group, but his long-distance relationship is fading from summer love to something else... Heath feels secure for the first time in years, but with his future riding on a baseball scholarship, each pitch triggers his anxiety.. -
![Wishing on a Star by Terri Osburn]()
Wishing on a Star by Terri Osburn
Rated: 4.17 of 5 stars · 6 ratingsWall Street Journal bestselling author Terri Osburn brings you the third installment in the Shooting Stars Series, featuring the dreamers and hopefuls who pass through the doors of the hottest new label in town, Shooting Stars Records.Jesse Gold is teetering on the edge. Her duet partner defected to go solo... -
![Queerceañera by Alex Crespo]()
Queerceañera by Alex Crespo
Rated: 4.17 of 5 stars · 6 ratingsThis irresistible and hilarious rom-com from acclaimed author Alex Crespo is a whirlwind of telenovela-level drama and hijinks when Joaquin Zoido finds himself fake-dating his childhood crush and newly minted date to his queerceañera.Joaquin Zoido is out and proud of it... -
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![Paper Snowflakes by Sammi Cee]()
Paper Snowflakes by Sammi Cee
Rated: 4.13 of 5 stars · 8 ratingsWho knew a white-out could bring two men clarity? Cameron - There’s something about an older man that drives me wild, but when he’s an amazing father too... swoon-worthy... -
![Good Girl by Erica Chilson]()
Good Girl by Erica Chilson
Rated: 4.13 of 5 stars · 8 ratingsGood Girl, Blended #1 *Revamped Edition* Good Girl, Playroom #1 *Erotic Romance* Willow, the wayward, is just another disillusioned teenager with no path in life. She spends her days haunting Revamped and her nights taunting her family. Willow’s high school diploma didn’t make her feel like and adult, nor did the eve of her 18th birthday... -
![Enlightened by J.P. Barnaby]()
Enlightened by J.P. Barnaby
Rated: 4.08 of 5 stars · 12 ratingsLittle Boy Lost is the story of Brian McAllister, the boy next door. Brian goes to school, does his homework, and helps his foster parents around the house. Brian also has a secret: he is in love with his best friend, Jamie. But in Crayford, Alabama, being in love with another boy is the worst kind of sin. Brian and Jamie will discover just how deep their emotional bond runs, and at what cost... -
![Becoming His by Mariah Dietz]()
Becoming His by Mariah Dietz
Rated: 4.08 of 5 stars · 12 ratingsSometimes life’s unforeseen paths lead us to discovering sides of ourselves we never knew existed. Home has always been Ace Bosse’s place of solace, but returning home for the summer from college, she finds herself building an unexpected relationship with Max Miller, who’s recently returned home from Alaska... -
![Anything But Fine by Tobias Madden]()
Anything But Fine by Tobias Madden
Rated: 4.00 of 5 stars · 16 ratingsAll it takes is one missed step for your life to change forever.Luca Mason knows exactly who he is and what he In six months, he’s going to be accepted into the Australian Ballet School, leave his fancy private high school, and live his life as a star of the stage―at least that’s the plan until he falls down a flight of stairs and breaks his foot in a way he can never recover from... -
![Between Perfect and Real by Ray Stoeve]()
Between Perfect and Real by Ray Stoeve
Rated: 4.00 of 5 stars · 14 ratingsA moving YA debut about a trans boy finding his voice—and himselfDean Foster knows he’s a trans guy. He’s watched enough YouTube videos and done enough questioning to be sure. But everyone at his high school thinks he’s a lesbian—including his girlfriend, Zoe, and his theater director, who just cast him as a “nontraditional” Romeo... -
![Desert Sons by Mark Kendrick]()
Desert Sons by Mark Kendrick
Rated: 4.00 of 5 stars · 12 ratingsA coming-of-age novel for gay males ages 15-30. Scott Faraday is 16, gregarious, talented, never been in a relationship, and is out to only a select few. Ryan St. Charles is 17, hot-tempered, has already has been in a long relationship, yet is barely out to himself. Behind Ryan's carefully fashioned façade is emotional scarring from a past he's never been able to reconcile... -
![Every Time I Think of You by Jim Provenzano]()
Every Time I Think of You by Jim Provenzano
Rated: 4.00 of 5 stars · 8 ratingsAfter an abrupt encounter in a small woods of Greensburg, Pennsylvania, Reid Conniff, a shy and studious high school distance runner, becomes swept up in the adventurous world of Everett Forrester, a privileged and capricious charmer... -
![Into This World We're Thrown by Mark Kendrick]()
Into This World We're Thrown by Mark Kendrick
Rated: 4.00 of 5 stars · 8 ratings“While Desert Sons deftly handles the difficult and sometimes dangerous coming out process of young lovers Ryan and Scott, the sequel finds that lingering tensions remain, while new challenges continue to surface. Infidelity, jealousy, town gossip, and buried feelings threaten to destroy their relationship. Worse yet, the threat of violence looms constantly in their lives... -
![Barefoot in the City of Broken Dreams by Brent Hartinger]()
Barefoot in the City of Broken Dreams by Brent Hartinger
Rated: 4.00 of 5 stars · 8 ratings“There was no way moving to Los Angeles was going to make me give up my soul. After all, I’d already seen all the movies about Hollywood. I knew how things worked.” Twenty-four year-old Russel Middebrook and his boyfriend have moved to Los Angeles so Russel can try to make it as a screenwriter... -
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![The Handy Nanny by K. Sterling]()
The Handy Nanny by K. Sterling
Rated: 4.00 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... -
![The Liar's Reckoning by August Jones]()
The Liar's Reckoning by August Jones
Rated: 4.33 of 5 stars · 6 ratingsThe lies we tell ourselves are the worst lies of all.Silas Doorman at Hanover Gardens on the Upper East SideSenator Graham Lather is the client I can’t shake. The bane of my existence. My opposite in every way. He’s my soulmate.He came into my bed the way most men do, but he wouldn’t go away like the rest. When he infiltrates every corner of my life, resisting him is futile... -
![The Rebel's Guide to Pride by Matthew Hubbard]()
The Rebel's Guide to Pride by Matthew Hubbard
Rated: 4.33 of 5 stars · 6 ratingsWhen the mayor of a small Alabama town starts targeting Pride events, bad boy Zeke begins hosting a series of “Pride Speakeasies” in this joyful queer coming-of-age!There’s nothing Zeke Chapman wants more than to tarnish the perfect reputation his father is so obsessed with. He quit the baseball team, started fighting at school, and nearly flunked junior year... -
![The Heart Heist by Elle Keaton]()
The Heart Heist by Elle Keaton
Rated: 4.33 of 5 stars · 6 ratingsWhen a gorgeous stranger wanders into his life one summer night he knows he's in trouble; he's going to break all his rules and probably his heart.Duff Cleveland knows better than to open himself to love, that’s how you get hurt.Jacob De Rossi is a family guy; he’s got the house and the picket fence he's just missing the man... -
![Here's to You, Zeb Pike by Johanna Parkhurst]()
Here's to You, Zeb Pike by Johanna Parkhurst
Rated: 4.00 of 5 stars · 6 ratingsFact: When Zebulon Pike attempted to climb what is now known as Pikes Peak, he got stuck in waist-deep snow and had to turn back.That's the last thing Dusty Porter learns in his Colorado history class before appendicitis ruins his life... -
![Girl Most Likely To by Barbara Elsborg]()
Girl Most Likely To by Barbara Elsborg
Rated: 4.00 of 5 stars · 6 ratingsWren doesn't feel like the girl most likely to end up living happily ever after. Especially when Adam, aka THE BIG MISTAKE, comes back into her life. He wants a second chance but Wren's afraid to risk another dent in her battered heart. When Adam reconnects with Wren, he's torn between wooing her and pursuing Tomas, the sexy guy in the flat next door...
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