Books like 'Playing the Palace'
Readers who enjoyed Playing the Palace by Paul Rudnick also liked the following books featuring the same tropes, story themes, relationship dynamics and character types.
contemporary funny gay romance young adult sports royalty new adult queer
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19 Days by Old Xian
Rated: 4.60 of 5 stars · 19 ratingsThe cute and funny adventures of a boy and his best friend. Also contains insert art of the characters by the mangaka... -
Check, Please! by Ngozi Ukazu
I'm a junior on the Samwell men's hockey team now, and not only do I have new teammates and new responsibilities and new pies to bake... I've got a new beau. ( Remember me ) Believe me: Dating a professional hockey player wasn't anything I expected to do in college. My parents don't know; my teammates have no clue...And Jack and I aren't sure that we want to keep it a secret... -
Check, Please! Book 1: # Hockey by Ngozi Ukazu
Helloooo, Internet Land. Bitty here!Y’all... I might not be ready for this. I may be a former junior figure skating champion, vlogger extraordinaire, and very talented amateur pâtissier, but being a freshman on the Samwell University hockey team is a whole new challenge. It’s nothing like co-ed club hockey back in Georgia! First of all? There’s checking... -
The Art of Breathing by T.J. Klune
Tyson Thompson graduated high school at sixteen and left the town of Seafare, Oregon, bound for what he assumed would be bigger and better things. He soon found out the real world has teeth, and he returns to the coast with four years of failure, addiction, and a diagnosis of panic disorder trailing behind him...Categorized as:
queer men in uniform abuse second chances young adult tearjerkers humor contemporary -
I Hear the Sunspot: Theory of Happiness by Yuki Fumino
Rated: 4.40 of 5 stars · 19 ratingsDue to the overwhelming success of I Hear the Sunspot, the sequel has finally arrived, I Hear the Sunspot: Theory of Happiness! How will this "more than friends, less than lovers" relationship evolve?--he can't hear . . . ?Because of a hearing disability Kohei is often alone. Taichi is outspoken and cheerful... -
My Love Mix-Up!, Vol. 5 by Wataru Hinekure
Rated: 4.48 of 5 stars · 14 ratingsAoki has a crush on Ida, a boy in his class. Aoki is on cloud nine to be dating Ida, but he’s in trouble when it comes to his grades... -
Rock and Riot by Chelsey Furedi
With all the fashion and quirks of the 50's comes the vintage queer love story that you've never heard before. Rock and Riot follows the tales of teenage delinquents learning about gender and sexual orientations while still maintaining their fabulous hair... -
Junjo Romantica, Volume 04 by Shungiku Nakamura
Rated: 4.42 of 5 stars · 16 ratingsA heartfelt Boys' Love manga that follows the passionate affair between a novelist and his student... -
The Guncle by Steven Rowley
Rated: 4.21 of 5 stars · 45 ratingsWinner of the Thurber Prize for American HumorNational Bestseller • Wall Street Journal Bestseller • USA Today BestsellerAn NPR Book of the YearFinalist for the 2021 Goodreads Choice AwardsFrom the bestselling author of Lily and the Octopus and The Editor comes a warm and deeply funny novel about a once-famous gay sitcom star whose unexpected family tragedy leaves him with his niece and nephew... -
Frat Wars: Master of Mayhem by Saxon James
Bro big or bro home. RobbieAs social chair of Sigma Beta Psi, I’m the life of the party. It’s what I’m known for, and if it’s not fun, I’m not interested, simple as that.I’m not someone who overthinks.So when one of my brothers hooks up with a dude from another frat house, it catches me off guard when I can’t stop thinking about them … together... -
My Love Mix-Up!, Vol. 4 by Wataru Hinekure
Rated: 4.33 of 5 stars · 16 ratingsAoki confesses his feelings to Ida and prepares for rejection, but in an unexpected turn of events, Ida asks him if they should try dating... -
Love Stage!!, Vol. 2 by Eiki Eiki, Taishi Zaou
Rated: 4.30 of 5 stars · 18 ratingsIzumi Sena is an average guy born into a family of famous celebrities. A college student and total otaku, he works hard every day with the goal of someday becoming a manga creator. But right now, he’s somehow found himself stuck doing a commercial with popular actor Ryoma Ichijo. To make matters worse, Ryoma makes the situation even more awkward by professing his undying love... -
Love Stage!!, Vol. 3 by Eiki Eiki, Taishi Zaou
Rated: 4.31 of 5 stars · 17 ratingsIzumi Sena is an average guy born into a family of famous celebrities. A college student and total otaku, he works hard every day with the goal of someday becoming a manga creator... -
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How to Be a Normal Person by TJ Klune
Gustavo Tiberius is not normal. He knows this. Everyone in his small town of Abby, Oregon, knows this. He reads encyclopedias every night before bed. He has a pet ferret called Harry S. Truman. He owns a video rental store that no one goes to. His closest friends are a lady named Lottie with drag queen hair and a trio of elderly Vespa riders known as the We Three Queens. Gus is not normal... -
Fence #12 by C.S. Pacat, Johanna the Mad
Rated: 4.27 of 5 stars · 17 ratingsTryouts are coming to a close, and the three available spots on the Kings Row fencing team are almost all locked up. It’s just a question of whether or not Nicholas can push through and earn a spot for himself—or if he’ll have to leave Kings Row altogether... -
Gay Club! by Simon James Green
Rated: 4.39 of 5 stars · 10 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...Categorized as:
queer young adult contemporary m-m high-school friends to lovers from hate to love humor -
Wren Martin Ruins It All by Amanda DeWitt
Now that Wren Martin is student council president (on a technicality, but hey, it counts) he’s going to fix Rapture High. His first order of business: abolish the school’s annual Valentine’s Day Dance, a drain on the school’s resources and general social nightmare—especially when you’re asexual... -
Sasaki and Miyano, Vol. 1 by Shou Harusono
Rated: 4.22 of 5 stars · 20 ratingsIt all started like a typical old-school boys’ love plotline—bad-boy senior meets adorably awkward underclassman, one of them falls in love, and so on and so forth. But although Miyano is a self-proclaimed boys’ love expert, he hasn’t quite realized…he’s in one himself... -
Playing Games by Riley Hart
BraxTyson Langley thinks the king in Franklin University Kings is in reference to him. Star lacrosse player and God’s gift to the female and male population, there’s nothing the spoiled jock can’t have.It’s impossible for us to be in the same room without talking crap to each other. But I also have a secret… As much as I despise Ty, I want him too... -
The Ethics Of Infatuation Dynamics by Lauren James
Rated: 4.50 of 5 stars · 6 ratingsNick and Charlie face some confusion and a little jealousy when Charlie has a celebrity crush.A heartstopper mini comic... -
Love Stage!!, Vol. 4 by Eiki Eiki, Taishi Zaou
Rated: 4.22 of 5 stars · 16 ratingsIzumi Sena is an average guy born into a family of famous celebrities. A college student and total otaku, he works hard every day with the goal of someday becoming a manga creator. Mega otaku Izumi and famous actor Ryoma have finally confirmed their feelings for one another... -
Corrado by Bethany-Kris
The son of a prominent Cosa Nostra Don, Corrado Guzzi’s life should have been all mapped out. He would be what every other Guzzi man was, too—made, mafia. It’s their way. But when given another choice, the chance to be something more, he takes it. Even if it comes with strings. It’s there that he might find where he belongs, and Alessio Sorrento. The man who could change his whole life... -
Heartbreak Boys by Simon James Green
Faking the best summer ever is a lot harder than it looks...At the start of summer, Jack and Nate find themselves dumped as their respective exes, Dylan and Tariq, start up a new relationship together. Not only that, their exes start posting pics on social media, showing the whole world how fabulous their new life together is!Jack and Nate are reeling...Categorized as:
queer contemporary humor young adult m-m friends to lovers grumpy sunshine forced proximity -
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Jackass! by Scarlet Beriko
Rated: 4.20 of 5 stars · 17 ratingsWhen the panty hose go on, all bets are off between these best guy friends!Practical Keisuke’s incredibly handsome best friend Masayuki has always rubbed him just a little bit the wrong way... -
After School Activities by Dirk Hunter
Rated: 4.22 of 5 stars · 9 ratingsTwo guys insist on complicating Dylan O’Connor’s life: one, his bully, and the other, his best friend. It started out simple enough. Step one, outsmart Adam with wit and flair, goad him into doing something stupid, and land him in detention. Step two, play video games with Kai all night and laugh about it. Go to bed. Repeat tomorrow. Only, Adam and Kai are about to change the rules on him... -
Presidential Chaos by Saxon James
Two houses. Two Presidents. One hell of a happy ending. Zeke Being President of a frat house means everything is on my shoulders.Idiot brothers, epic pranks, a list of organizational duties long enough to make my eyes bleed.None of it fazes me.But senior year is almost over, and I’m ready to take a step back.Until the hazing rumors start... -
Always Raining Here 02 by Hazel + Bell
Rated: 4.22 of 5 stars · 13 ratingsAdrian is heartsick, Carter is horny. This is a story about their misadventures as awkward teenagers as they fumble through unrequited romances... -
Red, White & Royal Blue by Casey McQuiston, Ramón de Ocampo
Rated: 4.09 of 5 stars · 48 ratingsWhat happens when America's First Son falls in love with the Prince of Wales?When his mother became President of the United States, Alex Claremont-Diaz was promptly cast as the American equivalent of a young royal. Handsome, charismatic, genius—his image is pure millennial-marketing gold for the White House. There's only one problem: Alex has a beef with an actual prince, Henry, across the pond... -
Don't Let Me Go by J.H. Trumble
Rated: 4.13 of 5 stars · 16 ratingsSome people spend their whole lives looking for the right partner. Nate Schaper found his in high school. In the eight months since their cautious flirting became a real, honest, tell-the-parents relationship, Nate and Adam have been inseparable. Even when local kids take their homophobia to brutal levels, Nate is undaunted. He and Adam are rock solid. Two parts of a whole. Yin and yang... -
Maps by Nash Summers
Rated: 4.16 of 5 stars · 10 ratingsIf Maps ruled the world, his best pal Benji would be court jester, and every day would celebrate a new experiment. No, scratch that. If Maps ruled the world, his best pal would still be living next door, and there wouldn’t be any gap-toothed new guy staring at him as if he’s bonkers. Pity Maps doesn’t rule the world . . -
No More Secrets by Becca Seymour
Some things you can’t just blurt out… right?When you’ve shared a kiss with your best friend and it blows your mind—and other parts of your body—it’s inevitable that everything changes.That’s the way it now is with me and Jayden Moore, my best friend who thought he could rock my world with no consequences, all while throwing me his signature grin.But this is Jayden we’re talking about... -
Fence, Vol. 1 by C.S. Pacat, Johanna the Mad
An alternate cover edition can be found here. Combines Issues #1-4. Nicholas, the illegitimate son of a retired fencing champion, is a scrappy fencing wunderkind, and dreams of getting the chance and the training to actually compete... -
Reaching Rein by M.E. Parker
Rated: 4.29 of 5 stars · 7 ratingsCameron Ansley’s Guide to How to Fake Marry a Not so Straight Billionaire:*Sigh*Just don’t do it. Nothing good can come of it. Trust me.But if you do it, whatever you do, DO NOT have sex with him.But if you accidentally have sex with him, whatever you do, DO NOT fall in love with him.If you accidentally fall in love with him…You know what? Please ignore me. I have no idea what I’m talking about... -
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Where You Are by J.H. Trumble
Rated: 4.13 of 5 stars · 15 ratingsRobert Westfall’s life is falling apart—everywhere but in math class. That’s the one place where problems always have a solution. But in the world beyond high school, his father is terminally ill, his mother is squabbling with his interfering aunts, his boyfriend is unsupportive, and the career path that’s been planned for him feels appealing by the day...Categorized as:
sports new adult queer contemporary friends to lovers forbidden love young adult humor -
Tales from Foster High by John Goode
Rated: 4.18 of 5 stars · 10 ratingsKyle Stilleno is the invisible student even in his nothing high school in the middle of Nowhere, Texas. Brad Graymark is the baseball star of Foster High. When they bond over their mutual damage during a night of history tutoring, Kyle thinks maybe his life has changed for good. But when you’re gay and falling for the most popular boy in school, the promise of love is a fairy tale, not a reality... -
Disarmed by Sarah Rees Brennan
Rated: 4.12 of 5 stars · 16 ratingsThe boys of Kings Row head to France with exes, rivalries, and secrets in this fun and hilarious novel by a New York Times bestselling author—inspired by the award-nominated comic series by C.S. Pacat and Johanna The Mad...Categorized as:
sports queer young adult contemporary m-m friends to lovers from hate to love high-school -
Here's to Us by Becky Albertalli, Adam Silvera
Ben has spent his first year of college working on his fantasy manuscript with his writing partner Mario, who is a great Spanish tutor, and an even better kisser. So why can’t he stop thinking about the fact that Arthur’s back in town two years after they called it quits?Arthur is in New York for a dream internship on Broadway, with a boyfriend back at home that he couldn't be happier with... -
Boy Queen by George Lester
Rated: 4.14 of 5 stars · 13 ratingsLife's a drag until you try . . .Robin Cooper’s life is falling apart.While his friends prepare to head off to university, Robin is looking at a pile of rejection letters from drama schools up and down the country, and facing a future without the people he loves the most. Everything seems like it’s ending, and Robin is scrabbling to find his feet... -
Awkward Silence, Vol. 1 by Hinako Takanaga
Rated: 4.14 of 5 stars · 13 ratingsSatoru Tono is too shy to speak to classmate Keigo Tamiya. Instead he fills his sketchbook with drawings of the boy he likes. But perhaps Keigo has noticed him too.. -
Little Butterfly, Volume 01 by Hinako Takanaga
Rated: 4.12 of 5 stars · 16 ratingsThe cute, outgoing Yuki Kojima and the mature misfit Atsushi Nakahara, are two boys as different as can be - and yet, somehow they are attracted to each other. Kojima seeks to befriend the class outcast and soon learns of Nakahara's troubled family life - the uncaring, abusive father and mentally unstable mother... -
The Invasion of Adam by Claire Davis, Al Stewart
Rated: 4.17 of 5 stars · 6 ratingsCollege life, fun nights out, guys everywhere—Adam thought his life was perfect… Until he met Tork. Green-haired Tork creates origami models and reads Dickens. He lives in supported housing, and he is absolutely not impressed by money. Adam and Tork come from opposite worlds, but even as Adam fights it, the attraction stays strong... -
When Everything Is Blue by Laura Lascarso
Rated: 4.13 of 5 stars · 12 ratingsWhen they were kids, Chris Mitcham rescued Theo from the neighborhood bullies and taught him how to “be cool.” Now, years later, Theo’s developed feelings for his best friend that arise at the most inopportune times. Theo hates lying to Chris, but in coming out, he might lose the one person who understands him best, a risk he’s not willing to take... -
Fence, Vol. 2 by C.S. Pacat
Combines Issues #5-8.Nicholas Cox is determined to prove himself in the world of competitive fencing, and earn his place on the Kings Row fencing team, alongside sullen fencing prodigy, Seiji Katayama, to win the right to go up against his golden-boy half-brother... -
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Coming Out at the Ball Game by Jax Calder
Rated: 4.17 of 5 stars · 6 ratingsFor Elijah, a trip to the ball game with his dad and his ex-friend Jaxon is a special kind of torture. He’s always been a disappointment to his dad, and there’s been an awful awkwardness between him and Jaxon since Elijah came out. Elijah hates that he still cares about what Jaxon thinks of him... -
Second-Best Men by Fearne Hill
Rated: 4.17 of 5 stars · 6 ratingsTwo snowed-in men. 300 cows. And a mangy dog.Tucked away down a rutted dirt track lives a grumpy dairy farmer.He’s firmly in the closet. And he’s desperately lonely.That farmer is me—Rob Langford. I have more meaningful conversations with my prize bull than people. Except, one snowy night, I stumble across a fancy car wedged into a ditch.The driver needs my help.He’s injured. Stranded... -
Honestly Ben by Bill Konigsberg
Rated: 4.05 of 5 stars · 20 ratingsBen Carver is back to normal. He’s getting all As in his classes at the Natick School. He was just elected captain of the baseball team. He’s even won a big scholarship for college, if he can keep up his grades. All that foolishness with Rafe Goldberg last semester is over now, and he just needs to be a Carver, work hard, and stay focused... -
You’re the One That I Want by Simon James Green
Rated: 4.09 of 5 stars · 10 ratingsFreddie has a reputation as a ‘nice guy’ – inoffensive, sweet, kind – and therefore completely un-dateable.As he starts sixth form, Freddie decides that this nice guy isn’t going to finish last any more. No more missing out on parties because he’s got to do his homework. No more saying no when he really wants to say yes... -
The Sky Blues by Robbie Couch
Rated: 4.04 of 5 stars · 20 ratingsSky’s small town turns absolutely claustrophobic when his secret promposal plans get leaked to the entire school in this witty, “earnest, heartfelt” (Becky Albertalli, New York Times bestselling author), and ultimately hopeful debut novel for fans of What if it’s Us? and To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before... -
Blaine for the Win by Robbie Couch
Rated: 4.04 of 5 stars · 14 ratingsAfter being dumped so his boyfriend can pursue more “serious” guys, a teen boy decides to prove he can be serious, too, by running for senior class president in this joyful romp from the author of The Sky Blues.High school junior Blaine Bowers has it all—the perfect boyfriend, a pretty sweet gig as a muralist for local Windy City businesses, a loving family, and awesome, talented friends...
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