Books like 'As I Am'
Readers who enjoyed As I Am by A.M. Arthur also liked the following books featuring the same tropes, story themes, relationship dynamics and character types.
contemporary romance mlm lgbtq friends-to-lovers dark angst
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Priest by Aiden Bates, Ali Lyda
Rated: 4.50 of 5 stars · 10 ratingsI’m lonely, but am I ready to move on?I’ve been Ankh’s Old Man for as long as Hell’s Ankhor has existed. But Ankh’s been dead for two years, and I need to live my life for me. I love the guys of HAC, but no one’s keeping me warm at night. No one except Mal, and that’s only in my dreams.He doesn’t do long term, and he’s one of my oldest friends... -
Still Beating by Jessie Walker
Rated: 4.50 of 5 stars · 10 ratingsTHE END WAS JUST THE BEGINNING... I thought I was strong enough to say goodbye.I thought I was ready to leave him.It doesn't matter that I'll be seeing him in three days.I just have to get through three more nights.I'm dying now. Shattering. Breaking.I'm determined to show him I can manage on my own.What if he needs me?I need him...What if he doesn't?...but I want to be better for him... -
Censored Soul by Anne Malcom
Rated: 4.50 of 5 stars · 8 ratingsI give myself to strangers. When I'm on stage, and when I'm off it. Whether it's throngs of screaming fans or just one man, it's always outsiders. People who don't know me. Not the real me. It's easier, because then it's not so obvious that there is no real me. Just layers of lies. Then I'm peeled back to the nerve. Showing the world my ugly. Everyone sees me for what I am... -
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... -
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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... -
Messy Ink by Ali Lyda
Rated: 4.33 of 5 stars · 12 ratingsDane Chris is a great doctor, but he can’t heal me… I learned to look out for myself on the streets and in juvie. I’ve cleaned up my act, but it doesn’t mean that I’m about to start trusting a guy to stick around. Especially not a clean cut doctor like Chris. No wonder I ended things between us the first time around. I’m sure it’s for the best... -
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
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
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... -
Jem and Tean: Guys Gone Wild by Gregory Ashe
Rated: 4.50 of 5 stars · 6 ratingsJem and Tean: Guys Gone Wild is a collection of short stories. It includes the following:“First Dates”A prequel to The Lamb and the Lion books, this short story shows Jem and Tean as they are set up on blind dates—with disastrous results.“Cheap Seats”Jem and Tean go to the movies. Jem insists it’s an epic bromance date. Tean insists they’re just casual acquaintances... -
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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... -
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... -
Pretty F*cked by J.R. Gray
Rated: 4.38 of 5 stars · 8 ratingsCaspian LockeI don’t think we even begin to understand love until we’ve lost the one we thought we’d spend the rest of our life with.I don’t think we begin to understand ourselves until we realize that it’s most likely our fault.And I don’t think we begin to understand life until we understand it comes in so many shades of gray.You can be a good person and still do irrevocable harm... -
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Kiss Me Again by Garrett Leigh
Rated: 4.25 of 5 stars · 12 ratingsTree surgeon Aidan Drummond is content with his own company. He works alone, and lives alone, and it doesn’t occur to him to want anything else until a life-changing accident lands him in hospital. Then a glimpse of the beautiful boy in the opposite bed changes everything. Ludo Giordano is trapped on the ward with a bunch of old men. His mind plays tricks on him, keeping him awake... -
Handmade Holidays by 'Nathan Burgoine
Rated: 4.33 of 5 stars · 6 ratingsAt nineteen, Nick is alone for the holidays and facing reality: this is how it will be from now on. Refusing to give up completely, Nick buys a Christmas tree, and then realizes he has no ornaments. A bare tree and an empty apartment aren’t a great start, but a visit from his friend Haruto is just the ticket to get him through this first, worst, Christmas... -
Blooming by Sean Ashcroft
Rated: 4.33 of 5 stars · 6 ratingsInstagram crush. Instant fling.The last thing amateur food photographer Milo expects to find in the sleepy town of Otter Bay is the cute boy he’s been crushing on from Instagram. He’s in town to help his pregnant sister, not to look for a fling, but his best friend is right—it’s been so long since he got laid that they’ll be reissuing his v-card any day now... -
Maddie by Annabella Michaels
Rated: 4.33 of 5 stars · 6 ratingsAfter witnessing firsthand just how dirty and underhanded a life in politics can be, Maddie Vanderhorne steps off the campaign trail to follow his passion. Starting his own event planning business is the best decision Maddie’s ever made, quickly winning over his clients with his vibrant and outgoing personality... -
Second Nature by Alexa Land
Rated: 4.33 of 5 stars · 6 ratingsThe last time I saw Gabriel, he was putting me on a bus and sending me to some relatives I’d never met, with the hope of a fresh start after rehab. That was four years ago. Now he’s back in my life. I’ve wanted him for years, while he’s always thought of me as just a friend. This is my one shot at turning our friendship into so much more... -
Free to Rejoice by Tracey Jerald
Rated: 4.33 of 5 stars · 6 ratingsDr. Jason Ross has an unprecedented week off during the holiday season to spend with his husband and family. Anticipating his greatest challenge will be keeping his husband's gift buying under control, he's excited for the week ahead.But life doesn't take a vacation even when doctors want to.Reality destroys Jason's yuletide cheer leaving him as twisted as some of his family's holiday traditions... -
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... -
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... -
Let’s Bi Curious by Romeo Alexander
Rated: 4.33 of 5 stars · 6 ratingsDalton: It was just a kiss! I didn’t mean anything by it. We’ve always been close, but I’ve barely shown an interest in anyone, and Zane’s only ever chased women. We know what’s what and where we belong. Zane was the one who said we should do it again…just to check…and wow! Now everything’s changing, and it’s great…but it’s terrifying... -
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... -
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Finding Their Balance by M.Q. Barber
Rated: 4.25 of 5 stars · 8 ratingsThree’s the naughtiest kind of crowd. Getting to the one-year mark is hard enough in a relationship between two lovers. For three, just getting through the day can be half the battle. Between Alice’s headstrong insistence on pushing her sexual limits and Jay’s need to confront an abusive former lover, Henry has his hands full keeping both his partners safe and happy... -
Chasing Fate by Mia Monroe
Rated: 4.25 of 5 stars · 8 ratingsHooking up with your friend is a totally acceptable way to pass the time until your soulmate shows up. Right?I’m on a mission - happily ever after or bust. I just know my handsome, successful, bearded prince is out there waiting for me to find him. I’ve had my cards read a million times. This is my destiny... -
Fancy Free by Mia Monroe
Rated: 4.25 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... -
Operation Makeover by D.J. Jamison
Rated: 4.25 of 5 stars · 8 ratingsWill a makeover bring his fantasy to life or lead him to a love he never saw coming? As a professional X-ray tech, Ridley has come a long way from the geeky kid Jace took under his wing in high school. Not that his best friend has noticed. Tired of pining, Ridley decides to show Jace what he’s missing... -
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... -
Heel by K.M. Neuhold
Rated: 4.17 of 5 stars · 12 ratings“I've never thought of calling a man Daddy before, but I can’t think of a word that fits Vale better. He’s my Daddy, and I’m his pup.” Broken and bruised, there’s nothing I won’t do to protect Adrian. I picked him up and made him whole before, and I’ll do it again. Adrian is a sweet pup with a smile full of sunshine and a heart made for love... -
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... -
Wildflowers by Suki Fleet
Rated: 4.17 of 5 stars · 6 ratingsXavi has given up on love, unable to bear the pain he's caused.Sam has given up on living. He only wants one thing—to see Xavi one last time. He doesn’t expect Xavi to drop everything and promise to stay with him. They travel through the countryside in a stolen sea-green Cadillac, both searching for something neither has the courage to admit to... -
Ruin Porn by S.A. McAuley, S.J.D. Peterson
Rated: 4.17 of 5 stars · 6 ratingsThere is underlying beauty in destruction….Miah Thade, Finn Reese, and Ritchie Meyer are Resonator, an indie rock band with an edge—best friends turned rock stars, known as the Detroit 3. When Evin Rene appears in their life none of them can deny he belongs with Rez... -
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... -
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Forever Man by A.J. DeWall
Rated: 4.17 of 5 stars · 6 ratingsA bond forged in Catholic school, an unspoken attraction that outlasts years of separation and other relationships. Ren and Cole never acted on that thing that always bubbled beneath the surface of their friendship, not until a chance encounter in a Santa Fe bar and a song that would tip the scales forced them to confront their feelings... -
Collaring Chaz: A Rock Star Best Friends to Lovers Romance by Joel Abernathy
Rated: 4.17 of 5 stars · 6 ratingsChazRafael is the best friend-with-benefits a guy could ask for, but I had to go and screw it all up by falling in love.Everyone gets sick of me eventually. My birth parents, the endless conveyor belt of foster homes, even the band that became my family... -
Bodies in Space by Shukyou
Rated: 4.17 of 5 stars · 6 ratingsIsaac didn't make mistakes. He was a very thorough and hard worker, and had been praised for that by his supervisor on so many occasions that he'd lost count, and something had to happen very many times before Isaac lost count of it.Words: 21382 in two partsAlso on Ao3:http://archiveofourown... -
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... -
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... -
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
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... -
Always Loyal by Charity Parkerson
Rated: 4.17 of 5 stars · 6 ratingsEvery day Loyal watches him. The desire gets bigger with each passing moment. It’s only a matter of time before it explodes. After an accident left Loyal in a wheelchair, he’s spent his days fighting to regain the freedom he’s lost. As much as he needs help, Loyal doesn’t want to be pitied... -
Too Close to the Flame by Ryan Taylor, Joshua Harwood
Rated: 4.17 of 5 stars · 6 ratingsCan he ever learn to trust again?Brandon Weber’s old boyfriend almost beat him to death. Brandon survived, but still bears the emotional scars. Eighteen months later, he has withdrawn into himself, convinced he’ll never be able to trust another man.Devin Macadam, fresh out of law school, has an exciting new job. He is also on the lookout for just the right guy, someone to take care of and love... -
Breaking the Record by Raleigh Ruebins
Rated: 4.17 of 5 stars · 6 ratings“When will I see him again? And why do I want to so badly?” Ben Lakeland owns a failing record store in small-town Welling, New York, and it's the last place he wants to be. Everything used to be easy: watching football with his frat buddies, drinking beer, and being popular in school. But at 24 years old, everyone else seems to have grown up but Ben... -
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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... -
Paint Eater by Marina Vivancos
Rated: 4.17 of 5 stars · 6 ratingsJay knows that starting up a friends-with-benefits relationship with Logan is a mistake. After all, this is the guy who rejected him in high-school. And Jay hasn’t been pining, okay? He’s just…easily invested. Jay doesn’t need Logan’s approval anymore—he’s happy at his tattoo apprenticeship, with his wild adventures in the city, painting graffiti in the sad and dark places that need it... -
Impossible Things by Beth Bolden
Rated: 4.17 of 5 stars · 6 ratingsImpossible Things is the second book in the Star Shadow series and should be read in order. For the last ten years, Benji and Diego have not only been members of Star Shadow, one of the biggest boy bands in the world, but best friends. During the years of fame and fortune they've also held a front row seat to the callous cruelty of the music industry... -
Make You Mine by E.M. Lindsey
Rated: 4.17 of 5 stars · 6 ratings“To love and be loved, it’s all that matters. In the end.”Socially awkward Noah Leib knows he wants more from life than being a forty-year-old virgin who’s got a failing bakery, a strained relationship with his brother and sister-in-law, and an empty apartment. He just doesn’t know how to change things... -
Couture Crush by Charlie Novak
Rated: 4.17 of 5 stars · 6 ratingsBeau Barrett is about to become Alt. Bride’s first male cover model, but what about his own fairy-tale ending?When Beau Barrett arrives to shoot for alternative bridal magazine, Alt. Bride, the last person he expects to see is Cash, his long-lost childhood best friend. The spark between them is instant, but with Beau’s calendar splitting at the seams, he’s not convinced a relationship is possible... -
Pacies and Photographs by Della Cain
Rated: 4.17 of 5 stars · 6 ratingsStepping out from behind the camera isn’t as easy as it seems. Dax needs cash, and he needs it now since his roommate has moved away without notice. Dax has a week to either make up the difference or break his lease. Both options are out of his price range...
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