Content levels
Hero archetypes
Protagonist archetypes
Tropes
Themes
Synopsis
SPENCER STARK I have three rules. No kissing. No sleepovers. And absolutely, positively no catching feelings. The rules exist for a reason. I don’t do relationships, I don’t do attachments, and I definitely don’t do straight men looking to take a walk on the wild side. Cue Ryan Buterbaugh walking into my life. A hot, relentless, slutty short-wearing golden retriever of a man that's entirely too good at getting under my skin. He’s everything I avoid. And worst of all? He doesn’t scare off. No matter how many lines I draw, he keeps stepping closer—completely unaware or simply not afraid of what will happen if I let him in. But I know better. I should have known better. Because the second I start breaking my rules for him, I don’t know if I can survive it. What I do know for certain…if anyone hurts him, I will end them. ––––– RYAN “BUTTERS” BUTERBAUGH From the outside, my life is one most men would dream of. America’s number one quarterback with two championship rings. Senator’s son. A respected family dripping in old money. I’m the guy who always says the right thing, does the right thing, is the right thing. But behind the scenes? I’m hiding my true identity. I’ve managed to keep it separate. Anonymous. No strings. No complications. Because no one can know. It works. Until Spencer Stark. He doesn’t care who I am. Doesn’t want anything from me. Keeps me at arm’s length with rules that should align with my own—except I don’t want to follow them. I told myself I could handle it. That I could be near him without revealing too much. But the more he pushes me away, the more I want in. And for the first time…I couldn’t care less if my whole life implodes. As long as I can have him.
Tags
Bone Deep: content & age rating
Intended for adult readers (18+).
This M/M contemporary romance features explicit sexual content, strong language, and mature themes including closeted identity, emotional trauma, and internalized homophobia. The relationship involves a quarterback hiding his sexuality and a man with strict emotional boundaries.
What to know going in
This book has mild violence, explicit sexual content, and strong language. Content notes include internalized homophobia, emotional trauma, and fear of exposure (see the full list above).
Who'll love this
Adult readers will be drawn to the intense emotional push-and-pull between a guarded man with rules and a golden retriever quarterback who refuses to give up on him.