Riptide by Ruthie Luhnow

“The weirdest part about kissing my best friend is that it isn’t weird at all.”

Drew Riordan is excellent at compartmentalization. It’s the only way he’s managed to survive three years at Bellamy university—and on the crew team—and how he’s made peace with staying in the closet for the foreseeable future. But when he and his supposedly straight teammate start hooking up in secret, Drew quickly falls for the more vulnerable side of Andy he sees. But Andy can get any girl he wants—why would he settle for someone as quiet and reserved as Drew?

“I made a mistake. I shouldn’t have let things get this far.”

Spontaneous and sometimes reckless, Andy Craig has always been a bit of a mess. Whether he’s starting an essay the morning it’s due or finding a girl to take home for the night, he still somehow manages to land on his feet. But when a kiss that started as a joke turns into something very real, Andy finds himself getting swept off his feet by Drew, who’s stoic, steady, and seems to have no idea what kind of effect he has on Andy.

“It’s a huge risk, and I’m terrified. But you’re worth it.”

Their relationship in college failed, both of them too afraid to admit how they really felt. But Andy and Drew are given a second chance when they reconnect at a wedding several years later. Though they’re both ready to be open and honest about their feelings, there’s just one problem—now they live hundreds of miles apart and lead completely separate lives. Drew loves his career, but he’s terrified to ask Andy to uproot his entire life to move to be with him. Andy would do anything to make things work this time, but he doesn’t want to come on too strong. Will they be brave enough to ask for what they want before it’s too late?

Riptide is an m/m contemporary romance with second chance, out-for-you, and friends-to-lovers themes, plenty of heat, and a happy ending.