Books like 'A Better Place'
Readers who enjoyed A Better Place by Mark A. Roeder also liked the following books featuring the same tropes, story themes, relationship dynamics and character types.
contemporary romance mlm lgbtq high-school angst dark cheating domestic-drama coming-of-age
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Explosive Prejudice by Tal Lewin
Rated: 4.67 of 5 stars · 6 ratingsNothing in my life mattered. Just an endless walk through hell, until a stranger in an angel mask gave me a glimpse of heaven.I should have known looks can be deceiving and that this stranger was nothing but the devil in disguise.Yet, by the time I realized it, Shay-Lee Rogers had already burned himself into my skin and taken my heart hostage... -
![MAXWELL 3: Love's Conviction by C.J. Bishop]()
MAXWELL 3: Love's Conviction by C.J. Bishop
Rated: 4.50 of 5 stars · 8 ratingsMAXWELL, Part 3 A tender romance begins to blossom between Savannah and Maddy as darker issues arise when Cole, Gabe and Dane are clued in to Brock Coulson’s intentions to drag Caleb through a vicious court battle. Clint and Cochise return to lend a “helping” hand and Clint finds himself unexpectedly drawn to a least likely candidate for romance... -
![Refrain by Anne Mercier]()
Refrain by Anne Mercier
Rated: 4.50 of 5 stars · 8 ratingsAs a child, I trusted no one. Then I found my best friends. They gave me a family and saved me from a life of abuse that still has me messed up. Then one of those best friends captured my heart. Lincoln, tough yet tender, a walking contradiction. He loves me too—flaws and all. He’s the most patient man on the earth and understands my PTSD... -
![The Journey Home by Kelly Elliott]()
The Journey Home by Kelly Elliott
Rated: 4.29 of 5 stars · 14 ratingsFate has a way of stepping in and righting itself when we least expect it. Maddison Powers has been regretting the biggest mistake of her life when she walked away from the only man who has ever sparked something deep inside her. After comparing every guy she dates to Cale Blackwood, she finally gives up all hope of ever finding him. One dare by Maddison throws Cale back into her life.. -
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![GABRIEL 3: Heroes and Villains by C.J. Bishop]()
GABRIEL 3: Heroes and Villains by C.J. Bishop
Rated: 4.50 of 5 stars · 6 ratingsOne man lost in a dark world. Will a hero arise to bring back the light? His heart and life shattered when Cole learns of his “betrayal”, Gabe is thrust deeper into Quinton’s twisted world of sex and perversion with no lifeline to cling to. Having cut himself loose from his ‘club’ family, Gabe sinks into a dark abyss, believing it will swallow him up... -
![MAXWELL 2: Trial By Fire by C.J. Bishop]()
MAXWELL 2: Trial By Fire by C.J. Bishop
Rated: 4.50 of 5 stars · 6 ratingsMAXWELL, Part 2 As the trial becomes an emotional battle ground – within the courtroom and without – Max struggles to maintain his resolve to resist his heart. But as it becomes more and more evident that Horatio’s heartbreak over losing Max isn’t healing, but in fact growing worse, Max begins to question the choices he made so long ago... -
![Phoenix Rising by C.J. Bishop]()
Phoenix Rising by C.J. Bishop
Rated: 4.50 of 5 stars · 6 ratingsFrom an outsider’s perspective, the Phoenix Club might be just another high-end gay strip club, catering to the taboo desires and fetishes of wealthy men who wish to remain discreet about their preferences. But the Phoenix is so much more than a “workplace” to the owner, Maxwell Raines, and the young men who dance there. Max’s bond with his boys reaches far beyond that of employer and employee... -
![You Are Not Me by Leta Blake]()
You Are Not Me by Leta Blake
Rated: 4.50 of 5 stars · 6 ratingsFollow Peter into the summer following his senior year to face new beginnings, new friends, and old baggage. After a tumultuous final year of high school, Peter Mandel needs a break. It's the summer of 1991, and his secret relationship with his ‘best friend’ Adam Algedi is put on hold as Adam goes away to Italy for the summer... -
![Hiroku by Laura Lascarso]()
Hiroku by Laura Lascarso
Rated: 4.50 of 5 stars · 6 ratingsHiroku Hayashi is just coming into his own when he meets Seth Barrett on the basketball courts in the suburbs of Austin. With his shredded jeans, tousled hair and risky behavior, Seth more than lives up to his bad boy reputation. Seth sees in Hiroku something Hiroku doesn’t see in himself—potential... -
![Beneath the Stain - Part One by Amy Lane]()
Beneath the Stain - Part One by Amy Lane
Rated: 4.38 of 5 stars · 8 ratingsIn one breath of shotgunned pot smoke, Grant Adams breaks every taboo Mackey knows—and Mackey refuses to look back. In the shadows of their small town, Mackey and Grant carry on a precocious affair under the noses and behind the backs of girlfriends, parents, and overprotective older brothers. When Mackey's band finally has a chance to make it big, Mackey and Grant are put to the test...Categorized as:
angst cheating coming-of-age dark domestic-drama friends-to-lovers high-school lgbtq -
![GABRIEL 1: Hostage Hearts by C.J. Bishop]()
GABRIEL 1: Hostage Hearts by C.J. Bishop
Rated: 4.38 of 5 stars · 8 ratingsWhen an old acquaintance from Gabe’s past shows up to collect on an unpaid debt, Gabe is wise enough to the ways of his old world to understand the dangers of refusing to pay up... -
![MAXWELL 1: Not Without Guilt by C.J. Bishop]()
MAXWELL 1: Not Without Guilt by C.J. Bishop
Rated: 4.38 of 5 stars · 8 ratingsMAXWELL, Part 1 While Abel faces trial for the death of Devlin’s brother – Craig Grant – Max and Horatio struggle with memories of the past, and what they still mean to one another. Holding the key that will free their hearts from the chains that have bound them for two decades, Horatio must hide it away and keep it secret now that “new” hearts are involved... -
![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... -
![Aaron's Awakening by K.C. Wells]()
Aaron's Awakening by K.C. Wells
Rated: 4.38 of 5 stars · 8 ratingsAaron isn’t looking for love, but it finds him – and it has a few surprises in store…A laidback man who goes with the flowAaron is happy for his friends who’ve found love, but he’s starting to feel as if he’s an endangered species – a single guy. Not that he’s looking for anyone... -
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![Just Me by L.A. Fiore]()
Just Me by L.A. Fiore
Rated: 4.38 of 5 stars · 8 ratingsLark O'Bannion learned early that life isn't really like a fairy tale. Parents don't always love their children unconditionally, damsels, or even terrified and lonely little girls, are usually left to deal with their distress alone, Prince Charming rarely, if ever, comes riding to the rescue, and happily-ever-afters are a lovely concept but, in reality, are few and far between...Categorized as:
coming-of-age dark friends-to-lovers high-school book contemporary fiction new-adult -
![It Ended with the Truth by Lisa Suzanne]()
It Ended with the Truth by Lisa Suzanne
Rated: 4.38 of 5 stars · 8 ratingsWhen Brian Fox finally tells the truth, it costs him everything. His company. His friends. The girl he loves. He’s forced to start over, and it’s his brother who once again steps in. Working for a record label isn’t how he imagined his life when he owned a successful company, and life on the road only makes him long for everything the truth cost him... -
![Snow Boys by Simon Doyle]()
Snow Boys by Simon Doyle
Rated: 4.38 of 5 stars · 8 ratingsDean O’Donnell is a wallflower with a secret and a voice that could steal the show. Preferring to blend into the background at his high school, his world tilts on its axis when he is chosen for a major solo in the upcoming Christmas choir performance. His quiet life is further disturbed when he receives a Secret Santa gift, and an unexpected friendship forms... -
![Everlasting Light by Shey Stahl]()
Everlasting Light by Shey Stahl
Rated: 4.30 of 5 stars · 10 ratingsWe were two hearts, two souls, devastated by the same loss. I met Beau Ryland where the red clay danced along the water’s edge, and bursts of light rained down on us. A night when the heat couldn’t be escaped. As he whispered against sun-kissed summer-sweet skin, “Baby, look up and get lost on that everlasting light,” it was easy to believe it would last forever. But things changed... -
![Loving Lakyn by Charlotte Reagan]()
Loving Lakyn by Charlotte Reagan
Rated: 4.33 of 5 stars · 6 ratingsLakyn James is sixteen years old and hating every second of it. He was supposed to be done, he'd tapped out. End of story, unsubscribe here. Suicide "attempt", they said. His intentions had no "attempt" in them. Re-entering normal life after ‘trying’ to take his own is weird. Especially when the world keeps going like it never happened... -
![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... -
![Sheets by Sareyen]()
Sheets by Sareyen
Rated: 4.33 of 5 stars · 6 ratings[BxB] Waking up next to someone after having a little too much to drink was no new, riveting story in this day and age. Waking up next to another boy, when you were also a boy, was a little more interesting, but still nothing to write home about. But waking up in Nico Beckett's sheets?To Wesley, it was a nightmare come to life... -
![Wrecked Rose by Leila James]()
Wrecked Rose by Leila James
Rated: 4.33 of 5 stars · 6 ratingsMax SuttonConfident, witty charmer. Out and proud.I never expected him to cross my mind.One kiss wrecked me for anyone else.And now he consumes all my thoughts.If people find out, my world explodes.He doesn’t want to hide us.And I want him … but I might have to choose her.Welcome back to Rosehaven Academy... -
![The Long Way by DomLuka]()
The Long Way by DomLuka
Rated: 4.33 of 5 stars · 6 ratingsNote: Book cover incorrectly titled.After tragedy strikes at home and he loses a special friend, is betrayed by someone he trusts and his father discovers he's gay, Owen Dovan moves in with the brothers he hasn't seen in two years. Even in a loving environment things aren't always easy... -
![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... -
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![Every Mended Heart by Nik Knight]()
Every Mended Heart by Nik Knight
Rated: 4.33 of 5 stars · 6 ratingsTwo broken souls searching for hope. One love that redeems them both.After everything Silas and Ben have fought for, it seems the true battle has only just begun. As rumors spread through the school, Silas's already strained relationship with Ben starts to crack from the added pressure. His personal bully is back and determined to tear Silas down at every turn... -
![Every Hidden Truth by Nik Knight]()
Every Hidden Truth by Nik Knight
Rated: 4.33 of 5 stars · 6 ratingsTwo young men haunted by their pasts. One bond that can save them both. Sarcastic loud-mouth, Silas Brigs is used to taking care of himself. He's done it for years, after all. But the too-perfect Ben Adams has other plans. Against all odds, the California diver has worked his way under Silas's prickly exterior, and Silas is left to wrestle with the simmering attraction building between them... -
![Until Jude by Briar Prescott]()
Until Jude by Briar Prescott
Rated: 4.33 of 5 stars · 6 ratingsI'm the first one to tell you doing the right thing has never been high on my list of priorities.Same goes for respecting the law. And ethics in general.It's more like guidelines anyway.Until him.Jude Riley.I invite myself into his life and refuse to leave. I know it's wrong. I know I shouldn't.I do anyway.It's never meant to turn into anything serious.It's never supposed to matter.Until it does... -
![Fearless by Chris O'Guinn]()
Fearless by Chris O'Guinn
Rated: 4.25 of 5 stars · 8 ratingsAt fifteen, Justin is already a cynic. He’s experienced too many betrayals, too many disappointments. He doesn’t want to be involved in anything. He doesn’t want to be popular. He doesn’t even want friends anymore, since they only ever let you down. He just wants to get through high school and the best way he can come up with to accomplish that goal is to simply be invisible... -
![Escaped by J.P. Barnaby]()
Escaped by J.P. Barnaby
Rated: 4.25 of 5 stars · 8 ratingsFinally together, Brian McAllister and Jamie Mayfield have risked everything in a desperate escape. Jamie is now free of his tormentor, Steven O’Dell... for the moment. But Brian and Jamie know that one wrong choice could lead Steven to their door. With the strength of Brian and his friends to protect him, Jamie hides and finds the one person he is truly afraid of—himself... -
![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 high-school book contemporary fiction new-adult -
![I Loved You More by Tom Spanbauer]()
I Loved You More by Tom Spanbauer
Rated: 4.20 of 5 stars · 10 ratingsTom Spanbauer’s first novel in seven years is a love story triangle akin to The Marriage Plot and Freedom , only with a gay main character who charms gays and straights alike. I Loved You More is a rich, expansive tale of love, sex, and heartbreak, covering twenty-five years in the life of a striving, emotionally wounded writer... -
![Any Given Sunday by Mari Carr]()
Any Given Sunday by Mari Carr
Rated: 4.17 of 5 stars · 12 ratingsWild Irish, Book Seven.The child who is born on the Sabbath day, is bonny and blithe and good and gay. Sean Collins is happy working at the family pub and sharing a house with the woman of his dreams. He and Lauren are equals in every way, including in bed, where they burn the sheets. Life is good. Even if he must hide a couple of secrets to keep it that way.Lauren is madly in love with Sean... -
![Troublemaker by Deborah Bladon]()
Troublemaker by Deborah Bladon
Rated: 4.17 of 5 stars · 12 ratingsTroublemaker, a new sexy friends to lovers standalone novel, from New York Times and USA Today Bestselling Author, Deborah Bladon. Adley York is everything I want in a best friend. She’s honest, kind and speaks her mind. The fact that she doesn’t care that I’m hot as hell and rich as sin makes her the perfect person to hang out with...Categorized as:
cheating coming-of-age domestic-drama friends-to-lovers adult book contemporary fiction -
![Henry Hamlet's Heart by Rhiannon Wilde]()
Henry Hamlet's Heart by Rhiannon Wilde
Rated: 4.17 of 5 stars · 12 ratingsA sparkling queer YA romance set in Brisbane, Henry Hamlet’s Heart follows one guy and his sometimes hilarious, sometimes heartbreaking journey to love.Henry Hamlet doesn’t know what he wants after school ends. It’s his last semester of year twelve and all he’s sure of is his uncanny ability to make situations awkward. Luckily, he can always hide behind his enigmatic best friend, Len...Categorized as:
lgbtq mlm friends-to-lovers coming-of-age high-school romance young-adult contemporary -
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![My Ride, I Love You by Patrick Rangimant]()
My Ride, I Love You by Patrick Rangimant
Rated: 4.20 of 5 stars · 5 ratingsThis is a love story of Mork, who is a motorcycle taxi driver in Bangkok, and Tawan, a junior internal medicine resident doctor in the university hospital. Seems like they both have a small chance to meet, let alone the falling in love, but it did happen... -
![The Dogs of Balboa by Rose Christo]()
The Dogs of Balboa by Rose Christo
Rated: 4.17 of 5 stars · 6 ratingsMichael Mirez witnesses a sexual assault and does nothing to stop it. Torn apart by guilt, Michael sabotages his own life, until one year later, when Michael unexpectedly crosses paths with the victim again. Michael is determined to make it up to Noah, a painfully shy Native American boy whose only ambition is to travel into space... -
![Something to Believe In by Sloan Parker]()
Something to Believe In by Sloan Parker
Rated: 4.17 of 5 stars · 6 ratingsAfter running away from the hatred and abuse of their teen years, Sean and Gavin have been hustling to survive for too long now. When some extra cash lands them alone in a hotel room until Christmas, they can no longer deny their feelings for each other. Now neither one can imagine watching the other walk off with one more trick... -
![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... -
![Second Act by Alexa Land]()
Second Act by Alexa Land
Rated: 4.17 of 5 stars · 6 ratingsAfter pursuing my big break in Hollywood for more than a decade, I’ve finally landed the role of a lifetime. The only downside--it happened just as sweet, gorgeous Lorenzo and I were taking the first tentative steps from friendship to so much more. Our brand-new relationship barely had a chance to get off the ground, and now the pressures of my new-found success are coming at us from every angle... -
![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... -
![Encore by Shira Anthony]()
Encore by Shira Anthony
Rated: 4.17 of 5 stars · 6 ratingsA Blue Notes Novel Cool kid violinist Roger Nelson doesn’t give a damn about anything. Wannabe conductor John Fuchs is awkward, effeminate, and just figuring out he’s gay. Despite their differences, they become friends—then lovers—and after college, they try to make it work. But it’s the 1970s, and Roger can’t bring himself to admit he’s gay... -
![Jericho Candelario's Gay Debut by R. Cooper]()
Jericho Candelario's Gay Debut by R. Cooper
Rated: 4.17 of 5 stars · 6 ratingsJerry Candelario, known as Potts to almost everyone, has spent his entire adult life focused on raising his siblings and his niece. But the home he fought hard to make feels empty since everyone has grown up and moved out, and his precious baby niece is now a teen with a life of her own... -
![Love Me by K.C. Wells]()
Love Me by K.C. Wells
Rated: 4.17 of 5 stars · 6 ratingsTrent Sutton doesn’t ‘do’ monogamy. He spends his days on the road in his truck, and his nights hooking up with anyone who catches his eye. Casual sex, no strings – Trent likes his life just the way it is. He sees what his friend Connor has, but he’s just not interested... -
![Mondays with You by K.J. Lewis]()
Mondays with You by K.J. Lewis
Rated: 4.17 of 5 stars · 6 ratingsHigh-school teacher West Connors struggled to put the pieces of his heart back together after the sudden departure of his best friend, Blake Thomas, from his life ten years ago. While loves have come and gone, West has never quite filled the hole in his heart Blake left behind. Blake Thomas gets things done... -
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![Omitting You by T. Ashleigh]()
Omitting You by T. Ashleigh
Rated: 4.17 of 5 stars · 6 ratingsRhys:I’ve loved him since before I understood what love meant.My best friend, my secret keeper, my defender.The boy with the glasses and quiet temperament.The guy with the sweetest smile, who has the dirtiest mouth.The man who owns me. Mind, body, and soul.I’m ready for the world to know that he’s mine. To love him out loud.The problem? Winston isn’t ready. And I’m not sure he ever will be... -
![Down in Flames by Samantha Conley, Nathan Hainline]()
Down in Flames by Samantha Conley, Nathan Hainline
Rated: 4.17 of 5 stars · 6 ratingsJust when you think you have your life together, a spark ignites with the potential to take everything down in flames. Kristen Daniels worked hard for her career, and when her dream job came to fruition, a sexy rock star won her heart. But one night changed everything, shattering the perfect life she thought she had, and she begins to doubt everything. Brett Ingles is on top of the world...Categorized as:
cheating domestic-drama friends-to-lovers dark romance contemporary stalking betrayal -
![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... -
![Bent Backwards by Jesse H. Reign]()
Bent Backwards by Jesse H. Reign
Rated: 4.17 of 5 stars · 6 ratingsA story retold - straight to gay erotic romance One very average day, Ethan Quinn walks into a pub and in a split second, his entire life is turned upside down. A chance encounter with sexy, sweet Oliver, gives rise to an addiction that can't be ignored or overcome. If you've read Bent, you might have found yourself wondering about what enigmatic and at times, maddening, Ethan was thinking... -
![Theoretically Straight by Alexander C. Eberhart, Amy Bailey]()
Theoretically Straight by Alexander C. Eberhart, Amy Bailey
Rated: 4.17 of 5 stars · 6 ratingsTheo Briggs is a rule follower. A decent student in his junior year, an appeasing son, and a lifelong Christian, just trying to make it through high school unscathed… and maybe create a viral video in the process.Caleb Raynard is a romantic... -
![Heartmates by Marcus Herzig]()
Heartmates by Marcus Herzig
Rated: 4.17 of 5 stars · 6 ratingsAs childhood friends, Lars and Connor were inseparable. Now, in the social gauntlet of high school, neither boy can even muster a single word to the other. When Connor enters a romantic relationship with Jaden-Dominic Choi, the hottest social influencer in school, a barely healed wound is torn wide open again...
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