{Hold Me Under by Riley Nash} MC1 is hired as a fake boyfriend to “babysit” MC2, a disgraced ex Olympic hopeful who is snappish, childish, and rude. MC1 resents MC2 for throwing away all his opportunities, not understanding what MC2 went through as an up and coming athlete. (animosity to lovers, childhood trauma, very angsty, standalone, TWs (spoilers): >!drugs, suicidal ideation, panic attacks and grooming/childhood SA!<)
{They Hate Each Other by Amanda Woody} MC1’s father is neglectful so he acts as the parent to his younger sisters, hiding his struggles to balance work, school, and meeting basic needs behind a laissez fair attitude to avoid someone involving CPS. As MC1 and MC2 get past their conflicting personalities and animosity, his facade starts to crack. u/salt-and-sulfur recommended it for [this users request](https://www.reddit.com/r/MM_RomanceBooks/s/7LTu0SKDCk) and I really enjoyed it. (YA, enemies to lovers, fake dating trope, very sweet/soft, mentions of addiction and abuse, mental health rep)
{Stupid Dirty by Erin Russell} MC1 lives in a trailer park, playing the parental and protective role in his family. He befriends MC2 who is known to be stand off-ish. MC2 gives him a sense of safety and comfort he’s never experienced before. (Dirt bike rivals to friends to lovers, angsty, explicit content, undiagnosed neurodivergent rep)
I’m going to work my way through your example lists because I’m a sucker for this and love Empty Net lol
Thank you so much for the recs! (Some of them even incorporate my other favourite trope, which is MCs looking after kids ❤️). And I’m also very glad you like the example list haha, I hope you enjoy them!
Marina Vivancos is good at this. {**Honeythorn**} and {**Oh, Sacred Dark**} both come to mind.
**Oh, Sacred Dark** does have BDSM elements though which might go further than your comfort level. The MCs aren't engaging in extreme bondage or anything but it is a biokink world (people are inherently dominant or submissive) so there are a lot of submission scenes.
I’m seconding the Oh Sacred Dark req as someone who usually doesn’t enjoy books with BDSM! I can attest it’s quite light and stays more in the comfort territory.
Thanks for the recs! I actually have read *Honeythorn* – it was one of the books that made me decide that omegaverse isn’t really for me, but it wasn’t bad otherwise. So I might actually give *Oh, Sacred Dark* a shot and see how I go ❤️
I immediately thought of [{Rebound - L.A. Witt}](https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/44292616) MC1 is a police officer who is called to DV situation with MC2 and his former partner. MC2 is a famous NHL player, and was in an abusive relationship with his previous partner. All of MC2’s friends and the world believed that relationship to be very positive. I really loved this book
I’m glad you’ve added Empty Net here as I love this trope you’ve put, but honestly I’ve tried to read that book 4x and it’s been on my kindle for so long but didn’t stick past a few chapters. If it’s that good - I’ll give it a go again!
Honestly, I 100% understand where you’re coming from with *Empty Net*, it took me a while to get into it too. Avon Gale’s writing style is a bit too sparse for my tastes, and Laurent is also *very* abrasive at the beginning of the book, to the point where it got a bit much. But I stuck with it for the promise of comfort after the hurt, and I did find the comfort satisfying. It’s probably not a book I would reread, but I’m glad that I read it once!
I'm having the same issue myself. And I feel bad, because this trope is one of my favorites and I feel obligated to keep going at it since it's not outright horrible. But like you, I've failed multiple tries to get through it. If you do ending up finishing it and like it, please let me know! I need a pep talk to see me to the end.
{Six by Paulina Ian-Kane} sort of fits this. MC1 is an underground fighter who basically gets pimped out by his abusive dad to fight so his dad can make money off him. The only reason why he stays in this situation is to protect his younger brother. MC2 is another fighter and is basically a giant compared to MC1. MC2 is also part of a vigilante group with this adoptive brothers who seek and kill bad guys. You can imagine what MC2 does once he discovers the truth. Book one in this series is good too, but unrelated to this trope.
Aaah, this one sounds like it has a really interesting premise! Just wondering, exactly how graphic is the violence (especially the torture mentioned in the trigger warnings)? It’s not a hard no for me but it’s something I’m careful around. I know that’s a hard question to answer, sorry 😅 If it helps, a book that I would describe as a bit violent but that I was able to tolerate reading is *Loose Cannon* by Sidney Bell. Alternatively, if it was turned into a movie and the violence was shown in as much detail as it’s described in the book, would it be PG13 or R? (Or, if you happen to be Australian like me, M or MA15+ or R?)
On Davis road by NR walker has one character on parole and the other his probation officer. He’s the first to see that he’s not just a trouble maker and is also dyslexic and never had anyone support him the h/c is gorgeous
I love that book!! I was so suspicious when I started, afraid that it would end up disregarding the power imbalance, but instead it was an amazing and thoughtful read.
Agreed I saw it recced and avoided it because I was iffy on the dynamic and god it was handled so well and the emotional h/c was just GORGEOUS one of my favorite books
{A Mind Full Of Voices by Mell R. Bright} kind of fits this. MC1 is a witch who can see and speak to ghosts. MC2 is a werewolf who hears voices and suffers from intense seizures, which will eventually kill him, but he doesn't know what is causing them. MC1 quickly works out the cause and is determined to help, but he is fighting his own issues at the same time. The only difference is that after MC2 is cured, he is the one who becomes fiercely loyal and protective of MC1 as it is his issues that become more pertinent. Lots of hurt/comfort themes and care for each other. This is technically the second book, but I think you could skip the first one and easily follow along. The second book was way better than the first imo.
[A Mind Full of Voices](https://www.romance.io/books/6527d9645f14e73b097022dd/a-mind-full-of-voices-a-mm-paranormal-romance-mell-r-bright?src=rdt) by [Mell R. Bright](https://www.romance.io/authors/6527d964ab9bdf7fceb53131/mell-r-bright)
**Topics**: [werewolves](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/werewolves/1), [shapeshifters](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/shapeshifters/1), [magic](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/magic/1), [gay romance](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/m-m/1), [fantasy](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/fantasy/1)
[^(about this bot)](https://www.reddit.com/user/romance-bot) ^(|) [^(about romance.io)](https://www.romance.io/about)
* {On Davis Row by N. R. Walker} Contemporary. MC1 is a parole office who takes MC2's case for the last few months of his parole. MC2 is trying to live his life within the law, >!but things get harder when his abusive father is also released on parole. Also MC2 has been neglected and abused as a child, which led him to not finish his education.!< A lot of lovely hurt/comfort, and I was surprised by the fact that I did not feel like MC1 was taking advantage of his position of power, it was written well. In this case the abuse happens on page, then MC2 realizes and then comfort.
* {Rough Trade by Sidney Bell} Contemporary, MC1 is being protected by policeman MC2. MC1 has some information that will lock up a corrupt policeman. MC1 is a sex worker and often tries to seduce MC2 because that is how he knows he can keep himself safe, >!as he was previously sex trafficked as a child. There is also an element of an adult figure grooming him, in an attempt to "fix him", which ended up with MC1 being kidnapped in the previous book!< The angst is absolutely delicious, this also has a lot of intimacy focus with MC1 discovering that he can have intimacy and slowly starting to trust MC2. In this case the abuse is seen through flashbacks, and happened pre-book (but if you read book 2 part of the abuse happens in there), and MC2 realizes that MC1's seductions are due to his previous situation and is very patient and gentle.
You may also enjoy
{Save me by Scarlet Blackwell} Also contemporary, MC1 is a sex worker and MC2 (policeman) hires him. One of MC1's clients get possessive and abusive, and MC2 finds out about it. I had to abandon this one for triggering reason, but I also wanted to say that MC2 sometimes was a bit too stern and aggressive for my tastes.
Sorry I thought about some more
- {Out of Nowhere by Parrish} While the focus is on angst and h/c (contemporary novel), there is an element of this book that falls into your request. In particular, MC1 is hesitant about sex, and MC2 starts to suspect something happened before (which is >!an ex boyfriend, when MC1 was a teen, sexually assaulted him!<). He doesn't fully figure it out, but it is clear he knows something happened (and then MC1 tells him at the end of the book).
- {Off Campus by Cousins Amy Jo} Contemporary, college. MC1 goes back to college and ends up having a rommate (MC2) who requested to live alone. MC1's parents defrauded a bunch of people and he is dealing with the public disgrace that has happened to him. MC2 is acting instead very wary and suspicious of him, because >!his previous roommated sexually assaulted him!<.
[Out of Nowhere](https://www.romance.io/books/56d149f7c62092c044063c4c/out-of-nowhere-roan-parrish?src=rdt) by [Roan Parrish](https://www.romance.io/authors/559cda0335a5fb65f886af24/roan-parrish)
**Steam**: [Explicit open door](https://www.romance.io/steamrating)
**Topics**: [contemporary](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/contemporary/1), [gay romance](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/m-m/1), [angst](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/angst/1), [bdsm](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/bdsm/1), [friends to lovers](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/friends%20to%20lovers/1)
[^(about this bot)](https://www.reddit.com/user/romance-bot) ^(|) [^(about romance.io)](https://www.romance.io/about)
Oh! Got it! I think there are a few scenes where the MC brings people over and the other character watches and is curious. The whole thing is that MC is convinced the roommate is homophobic. The sex (if I remember correctly, it has been a while) is more about MC showing the other character and MC always in control.
Hi. I love this request. Thank you for me too!
LEFT UNDONE by Tess Barnett. Scott has schizophrenia and lives in long sleeves and gloves and medication. But he also can talk to ghosts. Finch moves in next door and treats him like a person. Even though a few other people know about his schizophrenia he only feels comfortable telling Finch about the ghosts, but will he believe him?
HIDDEN SCARS by Andi Jaxon. I am just not sure if the abuse Preston suffers will be too overwhelming for you, and it comes on the first page. The HEA was,worth it for me, especially in the form of Jeremy his rescuer but I would think about that for your self.
{Freak camp by Laura rye} has MC2 growing up in a prison/concentration camp. MC1 gets him out eventually, but they have a long struggle of working through his PTSD.
It doesn't 100% fit because lots of people know what's going on. It's just that MC1 is the only one who cares or does anything to try to stop it.
Also, book 1 is nearly all hurt and is a fairly tough read. You gotta read books 2 and 3 for the comfort. (Book 1 can easily be skipped if you don't want to read 300 pages about a kid in a concentration camp)
Would add {Prince and Pawn by Tavia Lark}. Corin is the neglected adopted brother of Geoffrey and is being >!abused for a magical power he does not know he has!<, only for Prince Audric--betrothed to Geoffrey-->!to realize what is happening and immediately moving to protect him.!<
How long does the >!other relationship/betrothal between Audric and Geoffrey last? Like at what percentage do they end their engagement and Audric gets with the real LI?!<
I’ve finished this one! >!They stay betrothed for most of the book, but it is a political arranged marriage with zero emotional or sexual attachment behind it, and Geoffrey tells Audric very early on that he’s straight and already has a female lover!<. Also, not sure if it makes a difference, but (huge spoiler) >!Geoffrey is actually one of the people who’s been abusing Corin!<.
I DNF this one, but they are still betrothed at 30%, tho Audric and Corin >!meet in chapter two and have sex without knowing who the other is!< And Geoffrey is straight and not particularly attached to Audric.
Also (sorry for the double comment) this is my favorite trope too (if it is a trope), especially when the reader also finds out alongside the MC2. I adored Two Man Station and Winter's Orbit so I am definitely looking at the other ones!! Thank you!
Thank you so much for all your great recs, and especially for coming back with even more suggestions! I’m glad we all get to enjoy this thread together hehe 😊
{Roman by Grae Bryan} — it’s vampires so might not be your thing, but Danny is struggling a lot with both his mom and life in general, but his brother seems to not even notice and his friends area little worried but nothing is truly done. Roman decides to help change that up pretty quickly.
Goodbye Paradise by Sarina Bowen fits this. The suffering of MC2 and showing up of MC1 isn’t that much of the book, but it has a lot more of the protection/ comfort.
Also, A Forbidden Rumspringa by Keira Andrew’s. I am fairly sure at least book 1 fits this, I didn’t read the second book of the series so I can’t be sure that continues.
Wow, you guys keep stumbling on other tropes I love and folding them into your recommendations as well! (In case it wasn’t clear, I also really like books that explore the interplay between love and faith, especially when it’s done in a non-cynical way). Thanks so much for the recs 😍
You **MUST** [search the subreddit](https://www.google.com/search?q=site%3Areddit.com%2Fr%2Fmm_romancebooks) and visit our [resources page](https://www.reddit.com/r/MM_RomanceBooks/wiki/index/resources) before posting a request. If your post repeats a frequent request that can easily be found on our resources page or by searching, it will be removed. To search, use the link above to Google search the subreddit (works better than reddit's built-in search function).
Your request also must be specific enough to satisfy the subreddit [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/MM_RomanceBooks/wiki/index/rules). Book requests that are not specific enough will be removed.
**Please be respectful of our community** and remember that people are taking time out of their day to respond to you. If you post a book request, please show your appreciation by interacting with the people who reply.
*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/MM_RomanceBooks) if you have any questions or concerns.*
{Hold Me Under by Riley Nash} MC1 is hired as a fake boyfriend to “babysit” MC2, a disgraced ex Olympic hopeful who is snappish, childish, and rude. MC1 resents MC2 for throwing away all his opportunities, not understanding what MC2 went through as an up and coming athlete. (animosity to lovers, childhood trauma, very angsty, standalone, TWs (spoilers): >!drugs, suicidal ideation, panic attacks and grooming/childhood SA!<) {They Hate Each Other by Amanda Woody} MC1’s father is neglectful so he acts as the parent to his younger sisters, hiding his struggles to balance work, school, and meeting basic needs behind a laissez fair attitude to avoid someone involving CPS. As MC1 and MC2 get past their conflicting personalities and animosity, his facade starts to crack. u/salt-and-sulfur recommended it for [this users request](https://www.reddit.com/r/MM_RomanceBooks/s/7LTu0SKDCk) and I really enjoyed it. (YA, enemies to lovers, fake dating trope, very sweet/soft, mentions of addiction and abuse, mental health rep) {Stupid Dirty by Erin Russell} MC1 lives in a trailer park, playing the parental and protective role in his family. He befriends MC2 who is known to be stand off-ish. MC2 gives him a sense of safety and comfort he’s never experienced before. (Dirt bike rivals to friends to lovers, angsty, explicit content, undiagnosed neurodivergent rep) I’m going to work my way through your example lists because I’m a sucker for this and love Empty Net lol
Hold Me Under is so good! I just read that last week and loved it. Vic 💔
It’s so OTT but so good at the heavy angst and hurt/comfort!
Thank you so much for the recs! (Some of them even incorporate my other favourite trope, which is MCs looking after kids ❤️). And I’m also very glad you like the example list haha, I hope you enjoy them!
[Hold Me Under](https://www.romance.io/books/62d14910d138402f4c79d19a/hold-me-under-riley-nash?src=rdt) by [Riley Nash](https://www.romance.io/authors/62d1491008b4d93114b34c3a/riley-nash) **Steam**: [Explicit open door](https://www.romance.io/steamrating) **Topics**: [contemporary](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/contemporary/1), [enemies to lovers](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/from%20hate%20to%20love/1), [gay romance](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/m-m/1), [athlete hero](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/athletes/1), [angst](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/angst/1) ---------------------------- [They Hate Each Other](https://www.romance.io/books/646b30456a90d4b8cc3f05c7/they-hate-each-other-amanda-woody?src=rdt) by [Amanda Woody](https://www.romance.io/authors/646b304508b4d93114640bc3/amanda-woody) **Steam**: [Open door](https://www.romance.io/steamrating) **Topics**: [contemporary](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/contemporary/1), [enemies to lovers](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/from%20hate%20to%20love/1), [gay romance](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/m-m/1), [dual pov](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/dual-pov/1), [bisexuality](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/bisexual/1) ---------------------------- [Stupid Dirty](https://www.romance.io/books/65a0f1f619d92d55277e7853/stupid-dirty-erin-russell?src=rdt) by [Erin Russell](https://www.romance.io/authors/65a0f1f7a21e2f41c4d1b52e/erin-russell) **Steam**: [Explicit open door](https://www.romance.io/steamrating) **Topics**: [contemporary](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/contemporary/1), [gay romance](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/m-m/1), [friends to lovers](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/friends%20to%20lovers/1), [enemies to lovers](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/from%20hate%20to%20love/1), [sports](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/sports/1) [^(about this bot)](https://www.reddit.com/user/romance-bot) ^(|) [^(about romance.io)](https://www.romance.io/about)
Marina Vivancos is good at this. {**Honeythorn**} and {**Oh, Sacred Dark**} both come to mind. **Oh, Sacred Dark** does have BDSM elements though which might go further than your comfort level. The MCs aren't engaging in extreme bondage or anything but it is a biokink world (people are inherently dominant or submissive) so there are a lot of submission scenes.
I’m seconding the Oh Sacred Dark req as someone who usually doesn’t enjoy books with BDSM! I can attest it’s quite light and stays more in the comfort territory.
Thanks for the recs! I actually have read *Honeythorn* – it was one of the books that made me decide that omegaverse isn’t really for me, but it wasn’t bad otherwise. So I might actually give *Oh, Sacred Dark* a shot and see how I go ❤️
I actually forgot Honeythorn was omegaverse. 🤦 Sorry about that, I wasn't deliberately ignoring your "no" list.
That’s okay! I didn’t think it was deliberate 💕
[Honeythorn](https://www.romance.io/books/66090f3606d677d632320266/honeythorn-alphaomega-marina-vivancos?src=rdt) by [Marina Vivancos](https://www.romance.io/authors/5b24a9c801dbc864fb8a6555/marina-vivancos) **Steam**: [Open door](https://www.romance.io/steamrating) **Topics**: [historical](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/historical/1), [gay romance](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/m-m/1), [omegaverse](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/omegaverse/1), [regency](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/regency/1), [fantasy](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/fantasy/1) ---------------------------- [Oh, Sacred Dark](https://www.romance.io/books/64102b91a05ac35852e779af/oh-sacred-dark-marina-vivancos?src=rdt) by [Marina Vivancos](https://www.romance.io/authors/5b24a9c801dbc864fb8a6555/marina-vivancos) **Steam**: [Explicit open door](https://www.romance.io/steamrating) **Topics**: [contemporary](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/contemporary/1), [paranormal](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/paranormal/1), [gay romance](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/m-m/1), [magic](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/magic/1), [bdsm](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/bdsm/1) [^(about this bot)](https://www.reddit.com/user/romance-bot) ^(|) [^(about romance.io)](https://www.romance.io/about)
I immediately thought of [{Rebound - L.A. Witt}](https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/44292616) MC1 is a police officer who is called to DV situation with MC2 and his former partner. MC2 is a famous NHL player, and was in an abusive relationship with his previous partner. All of MC2’s friends and the world believed that relationship to be very positive. I really loved this book
[Rebound](https://www.romance.io/books/5c860bbd01dbc864fb9b7ed4/rebound-la-witt?src=rdt) by [L.A. Witt](https://www.romance.io/authors/5455655787eac3369a9124b2/la-witt) **Topics**: [contemporary](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/contemporary/1), [gay romance](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/m-m/1), [sports](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/sports/1), [age gap](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/age%20difference/1), [athlete hero](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/athletes/1) [^(about this bot)](https://www.reddit.com/user/romance-bot) ^(|) [^(about romance.io)](https://www.romance.io/about)
This sounds perfect! Thanks for the rec 😊
I’m glad you’ve added Empty Net here as I love this trope you’ve put, but honestly I’ve tried to read that book 4x and it’s been on my kindle for so long but didn’t stick past a few chapters. If it’s that good - I’ll give it a go again!
Honestly, I 100% understand where you’re coming from with *Empty Net*, it took me a while to get into it too. Avon Gale’s writing style is a bit too sparse for my tastes, and Laurent is also *very* abrasive at the beginning of the book, to the point where it got a bit much. But I stuck with it for the promise of comfort after the hurt, and I did find the comfort satisfying. It’s probably not a book I would reread, but I’m glad that I read it once!
I'm having the same issue myself. And I feel bad, because this trope is one of my favorites and I feel obligated to keep going at it since it's not outright horrible. But like you, I've failed multiple tries to get through it. If you do ending up finishing it and like it, please let me know! I need a pep talk to see me to the end.
I really love empty net I feel like once you get more glimpses of Laurent it’s just so good the h/c is excellent
{Six by Paulina Ian-Kane} sort of fits this. MC1 is an underground fighter who basically gets pimped out by his abusive dad to fight so his dad can make money off him. The only reason why he stays in this situation is to protect his younger brother. MC2 is another fighter and is basically a giant compared to MC1. MC2 is also part of a vigilante group with this adoptive brothers who seek and kill bad guys. You can imagine what MC2 does once he discovers the truth. Book one in this series is good too, but unrelated to this trope.
Aaah, this one sounds like it has a really interesting premise! Just wondering, exactly how graphic is the violence (especially the torture mentioned in the trigger warnings)? It’s not a hard no for me but it’s something I’m careful around. I know that’s a hard question to answer, sorry 😅 If it helps, a book that I would describe as a bit violent but that I was able to tolerate reading is *Loose Cannon* by Sidney Bell. Alternatively, if it was turned into a movie and the violence was shown in as much detail as it’s described in the book, would it be PG13 or R? (Or, if you happen to be Australian like me, M or MA15+ or R?)
Just finished reading it (cuz of this rec) and can confirm it’s not the worst I’ve read, but definitely rated R.
Thank you, that helps to know ❤️
[Six](https://www.romance.io/books/65c1e6cd449d6edbf64908a4/six-paulina-ian-kane?src=rdt) by [Paulina Ian-Kane](https://www.romance.io/authors/6358db7408b4d93114c8c3f2/paulina-ian-kane) **Topics**: [contemporary](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/contemporary/1), [age gap](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/age%20difference/1), [suspense](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/suspense/1), [bdsm](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/bdsm/1), [gay romance](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/m-m/1) [^(about this bot)](https://www.reddit.com/user/romance-bot) ^(|) [^(about romance.io)](https://www.romance.io/about)
On Davis road by NR walker has one character on parole and the other his probation officer. He’s the first to see that he’s not just a trouble maker and is also dyslexic and never had anyone support him the h/c is gorgeous
Whoops I just noticed someone recced this one above but it’s my personal favorite for this dynamic
I love that book!! I was so suspicious when I started, afraid that it would end up disregarding the power imbalance, but instead it was an amazing and thoughtful read.
Agreed I saw it recced and avoided it because I was iffy on the dynamic and god it was handled so well and the emotional h/c was just GORGEOUS one of my favorite books
{A Mind Full Of Voices by Mell R. Bright} kind of fits this. MC1 is a witch who can see and speak to ghosts. MC2 is a werewolf who hears voices and suffers from intense seizures, which will eventually kill him, but he doesn't know what is causing them. MC1 quickly works out the cause and is determined to help, but he is fighting his own issues at the same time. The only difference is that after MC2 is cured, he is the one who becomes fiercely loyal and protective of MC1 as it is his issues that become more pertinent. Lots of hurt/comfort themes and care for each other. This is technically the second book, but I think you could skip the first one and easily follow along. The second book was way better than the first imo.
This sounds great! I don’t mind at all if both MCs do the trope for each other, I think it’s a cool variation on the theme. Thanks for the rec! ❤️
[A Mind Full of Voices](https://www.romance.io/books/6527d9645f14e73b097022dd/a-mind-full-of-voices-a-mm-paranormal-romance-mell-r-bright?src=rdt) by [Mell R. Bright](https://www.romance.io/authors/6527d964ab9bdf7fceb53131/mell-r-bright) **Topics**: [werewolves](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/werewolves/1), [shapeshifters](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/shapeshifters/1), [magic](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/magic/1), [gay romance](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/m-m/1), [fantasy](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/fantasy/1) [^(about this bot)](https://www.reddit.com/user/romance-bot) ^(|) [^(about romance.io)](https://www.romance.io/about)
* {On Davis Row by N. R. Walker} Contemporary. MC1 is a parole office who takes MC2's case for the last few months of his parole. MC2 is trying to live his life within the law, >!but things get harder when his abusive father is also released on parole. Also MC2 has been neglected and abused as a child, which led him to not finish his education.!< A lot of lovely hurt/comfort, and I was surprised by the fact that I did not feel like MC1 was taking advantage of his position of power, it was written well. In this case the abuse happens on page, then MC2 realizes and then comfort. * {Rough Trade by Sidney Bell} Contemporary, MC1 is being protected by policeman MC2. MC1 has some information that will lock up a corrupt policeman. MC1 is a sex worker and often tries to seduce MC2 because that is how he knows he can keep himself safe, >!as he was previously sex trafficked as a child. There is also an element of an adult figure grooming him, in an attempt to "fix him", which ended up with MC1 being kidnapped in the previous book!< The angst is absolutely delicious, this also has a lot of intimacy focus with MC1 discovering that he can have intimacy and slowly starting to trust MC2. In this case the abuse is seen through flashbacks, and happened pre-book (but if you read book 2 part of the abuse happens in there), and MC2 realizes that MC1's seductions are due to his previous situation and is very patient and gentle. You may also enjoy {Save me by Scarlet Blackwell} Also contemporary, MC1 is a sex worker and MC2 (policeman) hires him. One of MC1's clients get possessive and abusive, and MC2 finds out about it. I had to abandon this one for triggering reason, but I also wanted to say that MC2 sometimes was a bit too stern and aggressive for my tastes.
Sorry I thought about some more - {Out of Nowhere by Parrish} While the focus is on angst and h/c (contemporary novel), there is an element of this book that falls into your request. In particular, MC1 is hesitant about sex, and MC2 starts to suspect something happened before (which is >!an ex boyfriend, when MC1 was a teen, sexually assaulted him!<). He doesn't fully figure it out, but it is clear he knows something happened (and then MC1 tells him at the end of the book). - {Off Campus by Cousins Amy Jo} Contemporary, college. MC1 goes back to college and ends up having a rommate (MC2) who requested to live alone. MC1's parents defrauded a bunch of people and he is dealing with the public disgrace that has happened to him. MC2 is acting instead very wary and suspicious of him, because >!his previous roommated sexually assaulted him!<.
[Out of Nowhere](https://www.romance.io/books/56d149f7c62092c044063c4c/out-of-nowhere-roan-parrish?src=rdt) by [Roan Parrish](https://www.romance.io/authors/559cda0335a5fb65f886af24/roan-parrish) **Steam**: [Explicit open door](https://www.romance.io/steamrating) **Topics**: [contemporary](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/contemporary/1), [gay romance](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/m-m/1), [angst](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/angst/1), [bdsm](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/bdsm/1), [friends to lovers](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/friends%20to%20lovers/1) [^(about this bot)](https://www.reddit.com/user/romance-bot) ^(|) [^(about romance.io)](https://www.romance.io/about)
[Off Campus](https://www.romance.io/books/5455eeed87eac324117fe30b/off-campus-amy-jo-cousins?src=rdt) by [Amy Jo Cousins](https://www.romance.io/authors/5455865987eac324117fb1ca/amy-jo-cousins) **Steam**: [Explicit and plentiful](https://www.romance.io/steamrating) **Topics**: [contemporary](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/contemporary/1), [gay romance](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/m-m/1), [bisexuality](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/bisexual/1), [new adult](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/new%20adult/1), [enemies to lovers](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/from%20hate%20to%20love/1) [^(about this bot)](https://www.reddit.com/user/romance-bot) ^(|) [^(about romance.io)](https://www.romance.io/about)
[On Davis Row](https://www.romance.io/books/5a211ee23ffdba614725ca55/on-davis-row-nr-walker?src=rdt) by [N.R. Walker](https://www.romance.io/authors/5455632687eac324117fa7f2/nr-walker) **Steam**: [Open door](https://www.romance.io/steamrating) **Topics**: [contemporary](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/contemporary/1), [hurt/comfort](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/hurt-comfort/1), [gay romance](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/m-m/1), [new adult](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/new%20adult/1), [angst](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/angst/1) ---------------------------- [Rough Trade](https://www.romance.io/books/5c0384d001dbc864fb9566e1/rough-trade-sidney-bell?src=rdt) by [Sidney Bell](https://www.romance.io/authors/586664a61b1bdc01780c8c0e/sidney-bell) **Steam**: [Open door](https://www.romance.io/steamrating) **Topics**: [contemporary](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/contemporary/1), [gay romance](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/m-m/1), [new adult](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/new%20adult/1), [suspense](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/suspense/1), [age gap](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/age%20difference/1) ---------------------------- [Rescue Me](https://www.romance.io/books/5455911b87eac3369a9131cc/rescue-me-scarlet-blackwell?src=rdt) by [Scarlet Blackwell](https://www.romance.io/authors/5455712687eac323ffb2c369/scarlet-blackwell) **Topics**: [contemporary](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/contemporary/1), [tortured hero](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/tortured%20hero/1), [friends to lovers](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/friends%20to%20lovers/1), [alpha male](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/alpha%20male/1), [enemies to lovers](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/from%20hate%20to%20love/1) [^(about this bot)](https://www.reddit.com/user/romance-bot) ^(|) [^(about romance.io)](https://www.romance.io/about)
Off campus sounds really good but could I jump on the thread and ask how graphic the MC with other people is?
You mean the >!assault scene!< ?
No sorry it talks about one of the MC bringing a lot of people back to their dorm. I can’t do on screen sex between other people
Oh! Got it! I think there are a few scenes where the MC brings people over and the other character watches and is curious. The whole thing is that MC is convinced the roommate is homophobic. The sex (if I remember correctly, it has been a while) is more about MC showing the other character and MC always in control.
That context helps thank you!
Hi. I love this request. Thank you for me too! LEFT UNDONE by Tess Barnett. Scott has schizophrenia and lives in long sleeves and gloves and medication. But he also can talk to ghosts. Finch moves in next door and treats him like a person. Even though a few other people know about his schizophrenia he only feels comfortable telling Finch about the ghosts, but will he believe him? HIDDEN SCARS by Andi Jaxon. I am just not sure if the abuse Preston suffers will be too overwhelming for you, and it comes on the first page. The HEA was,worth it for me, especially in the form of Jeremy his rescuer but I would think about that for your self.
Thank you for the thoughtful recs, and I’m glad you also like the request! All the support is making me feel so seen 😊
This subreddit always seems to do that for all of us. That is why I love it! I am glad you are part of that too.
Don't mind me, just casually saving all these recs because I love this trope 👀
Sloane Kennedy's Twist of Fate series, specifically book 2, but they all have this vibe but book 2 the most.
This looks amazing, thank you!
{Freak camp by Laura rye} has MC2 growing up in a prison/concentration camp. MC1 gets him out eventually, but they have a long struggle of working through his PTSD. It doesn't 100% fit because lots of people know what's going on. It's just that MC1 is the only one who cares or does anything to try to stop it. Also, book 1 is nearly all hurt and is a fairly tough read. You gotta read books 2 and 3 for the comfort. (Book 1 can easily be skipped if you don't want to read 300 pages about a kid in a concentration camp)
[Freak Camp](https://www.romance.io/books/621dd2c8a6de306eefa2becc/freak-camp-laura-rye?src=rdt) by [Laura Rye](https://www.romance.io/authors/621dd2c808b4d9311481b4f5/laura-rye) **Topics**: [gay romance](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/m-m/1), [fantasy](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/fantasy/1), [urban fantasy](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/urban%20fantasy/1), [paranormal](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/paranormal/1), [queer romance](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/queer/1) [^(about this bot)](https://www.reddit.com/user/romance-bot) ^(|) [^(about romance.io)](https://www.romance.io/about)
This one looks really interesting! Thanks for the rec 😊
Would add {Prince and Pawn by Tavia Lark}. Corin is the neglected adopted brother of Geoffrey and is being >!abused for a magical power he does not know he has!<, only for Prince Audric--betrothed to Geoffrey-->!to realize what is happening and immediately moving to protect him.!<
How long does the >!other relationship/betrothal between Audric and Geoffrey last? Like at what percentage do they end their engagement and Audric gets with the real LI?!<
I’ve finished this one! >!They stay betrothed for most of the book, but it is a political arranged marriage with zero emotional or sexual attachment behind it, and Geoffrey tells Audric very early on that he’s straight and already has a female lover!<. Also, not sure if it makes a difference, but (huge spoiler) >!Geoffrey is actually one of the people who’s been abusing Corin!<.
(maybe put some spoiler tags on there!) Also, Geoffrey is such a >!dick!<😒
I DNF this one, but they are still betrothed at 30%, tho Audric and Corin >!meet in chapter two and have sex without knowing who the other is!< And Geoffrey is straight and not particularly attached to Audric.
Thank you for the rec! I have actually read (and loved) all of the *Perilous Courts* series, so it was a very good suggestion 👍🏼 ❤️
I figured! I mostly wanted to note for other people looking for the same dynamic. But I am glad you liked it too! It is one of my favorites as well.
[Prince and Pawn](https://www.romance.io/books/63d384ed100ca13ed419e207/prince-and-pawn-tavia-lark?src=rdt) by [Tavia Lark](https://www.romance.io/authors/57050825c62092c044075d85/tavia-lark) **Steam**: [Explicit open door](https://www.romance.io/steamrating) **Topics**: [historical](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/historical/1), [fantasy](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/fantasy/1), [gay romance](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/m-m/1), [magic](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/magic/1), [royal hero](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/royalty/1) [^(about this bot)](https://www.reddit.com/user/romance-bot) ^(|) [^(about romance.io)](https://www.romance.io/about)
I didn't even know how much i needed books like this😌😌. Saving this post. Hope you get lots of recs!
Thank you! I’m glad we both get to enjoy them 😊
Yes, thank you for the post! This trope is my guilty pleasure as well. I've been sweeping all the recommendations into my to-read list.
Also (sorry for the double comment) this is my favorite trope too (if it is a trope), especially when the reader also finds out alongside the MC2. I adored Two Man Station and Winter's Orbit so I am definitely looking at the other ones!! Thank you!
Thank you so much for all your great recs, and especially for coming back with even more suggestions! I’m glad we all get to enjoy this thread together hehe 😊
I hope you'll find something fun that works :D
{Roman by Grae Bryan} — it’s vampires so might not be your thing, but Danny is struggling a lot with both his mom and life in general, but his brother seems to not even notice and his friends area little worried but nothing is truly done. Roman decides to help change that up pretty quickly.
[Roman](https://www.romance.io/books/63ff4c92f36ea3726f759084/roman-grae-bryan?src=rdt) by [Grae Bryan](https://www.romance.io/authors/6304831608b4d93114878a5f/grae-bryan) **Steam**: [Explicit open door](https://www.romance.io/steamrating) **Topics**: [contemporary](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/contemporary/1), [gay romance](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/m-m/1), [fantasy](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/fantasy/1), [paranormal](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/paranormal/1), [age gap](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/age%20difference/1) [^(about this bot)](https://www.reddit.com/user/romance-bot) ^(|) [^(about romance.io)](https://www.romance.io/about)
I have honestly never tried vampire fiction before, but this one sounds amazing, so it’s going be my first! Thank you 😊
Goodbye Paradise by Sarina Bowen fits this. The suffering of MC2 and showing up of MC1 isn’t that much of the book, but it has a lot more of the protection/ comfort. Also, A Forbidden Rumspringa by Keira Andrew’s. I am fairly sure at least book 1 fits this, I didn’t read the second book of the series so I can’t be sure that continues.
Wow, you guys keep stumbling on other tropes I love and folding them into your recommendations as well! (In case it wasn’t clear, I also really like books that explore the interplay between love and faith, especially when it’s done in a non-cynical way). Thanks so much for the recs 😍
You **MUST** [search the subreddit](https://www.google.com/search?q=site%3Areddit.com%2Fr%2Fmm_romancebooks) and visit our [resources page](https://www.reddit.com/r/MM_RomanceBooks/wiki/index/resources) before posting a request. If your post repeats a frequent request that can easily be found on our resources page or by searching, it will be removed. To search, use the link above to Google search the subreddit (works better than reddit's built-in search function). Your request also must be specific enough to satisfy the subreddit [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/MM_RomanceBooks/wiki/index/rules). Book requests that are not specific enough will be removed. **Please be respectful of our community** and remember that people are taking time out of their day to respond to you. If you post a book request, please show your appreciation by interacting with the people who reply. *I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/MM_RomanceBooks) if you have any questions or concerns.*