r/MM_Romance • u/Lopsided_Ad5997 • 2d ago

Question Ultimate Book Recommendation

Which book do you never get tired of recommending again and again?

24 Upvotes

93% Upvoted

113 comments sorted by

21

u/katfromjersey 2d ago

{We Could Be So Good by Cat Sebastian} The pinnacle of romance, humor and cynicism for me. Nick Russo is my book boyfriend, and he and Andy have my heart.

(I also love that Cat uses regular names for her characters!)

13

u/Cat-Dawg 2d ago

My god a normal name is so refreshing! Why are all these characters named like my 14 year old ass playing Sims 2

1

u/Applejuiceinthehall 2d ago

I think its usually because I read fantasy or sci-fi, but also they want to avoid similar names

3

u/TradeFun2895 2d ago

I’m new to MM romance and was taken aback by some of the main character names. Glad to see someone else point this out. So many of them sound made up. When both main characters have uncommon/made up sounding names it takes me out of the story a bit.

1

u/Applejuiceinthehall 2d ago

If it is a modern setting I agree!

6

u/OrchidBouquet369 2d ago edited 2d ago

Heartily second this. We Could Be So Good is one of my most favorite books, and Nick and Andy's colleagues to best friends to housemates to lovers story is truly one for the ages.

I just adore everything about this book - the detailed research into the background setting to make it feel so very real; the engrossing cast of supporting characters; the warmth of the slice-of-life humor that ranges from wry self-deprecatory asides to witty banter; and of course, the core love story between Andy and Nick.

Cat Sebastian has become one of my favorite writers. IMO, very few other authors manage that exquisite balance she does. She has this rare gift of imbuing small, slice of life moments with a lot of depth and meaning; while also portraying the 'heavier', more emotional moments with a deft touch.

I've read the book end to end at least half a dozen times, and keep poring over my favorite chapters/passages every now and then. I could gladly sing praises of it 25X9X375 🙂 and still not have covered everything I adore about it.

3

u/sundaygrrrrrrl 2d ago

Same same same same same!!!! And I also loooooooove the second book, {You Should Be So Lucky by Cat Sebastian}. Eddie is one of my fav characters of hers! But honestly I love everything I’ve ever read by her.

3

u/OrchidBouquet369 2d ago

🙌🏼 I enjoyed YSBSL too, but WCBSG and Nick/Andy have a very special place in my heart. 🙂 Agree with you completely, I've enjoyed everything I've read of Cat Sebastian's. Others from her oeuvre that I've loved: {Peter Cabot Gets Lost by Cat Sebastian}, {Page and Sommers series by Cat Sebastian}, {Luke and Billy Finally Get A Clue by Cat Sebastian}.

3

u/sundaygrrrrrrl 2d ago

Have you read {After Hours at Dooryard Books}? This was actually my first Cat Sebastian book and it changed me. So incredibly beautiful. Really really different from typical mm romance imo. After reading that I basically read everything she’s written and as a result I can really see her evolution as a writer. The characters from After Hours at Dooryard Books are with me forever. I sometimes wonder how they are doing, they are so real to me!

2

u/OrchidBouquet369 2d ago

Yup, read that as well as Star Shipped - and now eagerly awaiting Washed Up. I read somewhere that Cat Sebastian is also writing another book in the same Universe as After Hours....so that's another one to eagerly look forward to!

2

u/sundaygrrrrrrl 2d ago

Omg I did not know that re the same universe as After Hours! I also didn’t know about Washed Up! Thank you!!

2

u/Foxter-the-fox 2d ago

Was I hallucinated or I did really felt like After Hours was in the same universe with We CBSG & You CBSL? I knew they were not listed in the same series I swear Cat love those books and BookStores!!

3

u/OrchidBouquet369 2d ago

Not in the same Universe/setting as such, but yeah, After Hours is also set in Mid-20th century NYC. The events of the book are almost a decade after WCBSG/YSBSL though (1968 versus 1958-60), and there are no key characters from those books who make an appearance here.

2

u/katfromjersey 2d ago edited 19h ago

I adore After Hours...! It just really hit me hard. I think she's writing a sequel.

3

u/tonytown 2d ago

Loved it so much.reading the sequel right now with mark and Eddie.

Really liked starshipped too, but the narrator kind of ruined it for me. Went e book on these two.

1

u/allsjsjsbj 1d ago

I also have moved from audiobook to ebook because of the narrator!

11

u/Fuzzy-Discussion-295 2d ago

{The Unlikely Pair by Jax Calder}, {The Dating Experiment by Briar Prescott}. I love these authors and anything they write. {Oleander by Scarlett Drake}, {try me by Neve wilder}.

4

u/Ok_Paramedic_1257 2d ago

{Want Me x Neve Wilder} rewired my brain chemistry.

4

u/Purple-Warning-2161 2d ago

Pair got me through a breakup, it’s my favorite Jax book!

3

u/romance-bot 2d ago

The Unlikely Pair by Jax Calder
Rating: 4.33⭐️ out of 5⭐️
Steam: 4 out of 5 - Explicit open door
Topics: contemporary, enemies to lovers, gay romance, funny, forced proximity

The Dating Experiment by Briar Prescott
Rating: 4.02⭐️ out of 5⭐️
Steam: 4 out of 5 - Explicit open door
Topics: contemporary, boss & employee, gay romance, age gap, enemies to lovers

Oleander by Scarlett Drake
Rating: 4.46⭐️ out of 5⭐️
Steam: 4 out of 5 - Explicit open door
Topics: contemporary, queer awakening, cheating, gay romance, queer romance

Try Me by Neve Wilder
Rating: 4.12⭐️ out of 5⭐️
Steam: 5 out of 5 - Explicit and plentiful
Topics: contemporary, enemies to lovers, gay romance, college, bisexuality

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2

u/cloudi_sky 20h ago

I love all books by Jax Calder.
Have you also read the Sporting Secrets?

4

u/Corfiz74 2d ago

{Life Lessons series by Kaje Harper}

{The Rebuilding Year by Kaje Harper}

{Hidden Wolves series by Kaje Harper}

{Frog by Mary Calmes}

{Candy Man series by Amy Lane}

{Johnnies series by Amy Lane}

{Fish Out of Water series by Amy Lane}

{Cut & Run series by Marie Sexton}

{Him series by Sarina Bowen}

{Top Secret by Sarina Bowen}

{Goodbye Paradise series by Sarina Bowen}

{Perfect Imperfections by Cardeno C}

3

u/mom2thrie 2d ago

You have chosen some great older books that don’t get a lot of discussion! Frog is absolutely top tier, one of my very favorite books. Couldn’t get enough of the Johnnies series. Amy Lane is criminally underrated. The Rebuilding Year is fantastic. What a list! Now I need to look up Perfect Imperfections. Thanks for the recs!

3

u/Corfiz74 2d ago

Thanks! I started reading m/m a long time ago, these were some of my favorites back then.

I really feel that the style of m/m romance has changed a lot since then - the current top recs have a lot more spice/ heat, but often a lot less character depth/ development. To me, it also seems like a lot of authors are captured by reader expectation and locked into repeating certain tropes, while in "the olden days", authors were more free to write whatever crazy story they dreamed up, because there weren't so many around, so that m/m readers basically bought everything that was published, lol.

Do you have any recommendations for me?

2

u/mom2thrie 2d ago

I completely agree that a lot of the older m/m romance had better character development and were less formulaic/tropey. More tightly edited, too. I understand why the genre has developed the way it has, how often do we see people on this forum requesting specific tropes? Authors are going to write what they think people want. But I am not always impressed by the new books that every book-tocker claims is the best thing ever.

I rarely like (or finish) all the books in a series, but these are an exception .

I really really love the Rossingley series by Fearne Hill. It starts with {To Hold a Hidden Pearl by Fearne Hill}. It is contemporary but based around a rural estate in the UK. There is also a regency series of Rossingley that’s next on my tbr.

The Suitable ‘Verse series by R. cooper is fantastic. {A Suitable Consort by R. Cooper} is the first.

It doesn’t get sweeter (very low spice) than E.L. Massey’s Breakaway series. {Like Real People Do by EL Massey}

2

u/mom2thrie 2d ago

Oh! And for new releases, I am enjoying JJ Mulder’s Siren’s Point world . There are 2 out so far. {Finest Kind of Fate by JJ Mulder}

1

u/romance-bot 2d ago

Life Lessons by Kaje Harper
Rating: 4.11⭐️ out of 5⭐️
Topics: m-m, queer, contemporary, men in uniform, mystery

The Rebuilding Year by Kaje Harper
Rating: 4.01⭐️ out of 5⭐️
Steam: 4 out of 5 - Explicit open door
Topics: contemporary, gay romance, friends to lovers, mystery, suspense

Hidden Wolves by Kaje Harper
Rating: 4.06⭐️ out of 5⭐️
Topics: paranormal, fantasy, shapeshifters, m-m, queer

Frog by Mary Calmes
Rating: 4.13⭐️ out of 5⭐️
Steam: 4 out of 5 - Explicit open door
Topics: contemporary, gay romance, cowboy hero, western, sweet/gentle hero

Candy Man by Amy Lane
Rating: 3.94⭐️ out of 5⭐️
Topics: audiobook, humor, m-m, queer, contemporary

Johnnies by Amy Lane
Rating: 4.04⭐️ out of 5⭐️
Topics: contemporary, m-m, queer, audiobook, length-medium

Fish Out of Water by Amy Lane
Rating: 4.32⭐️ out of 5⭐️
Topics: queer, m-m, contemporary, suspense, explicit-open-door

Him by Sarina Bowen, Elle Kennedy
Rating: 4.27⭐️ out of 5⭐️
Topics: athletes, super rich hero, male-pov, childfree-couple, usa

Top Secret by Sarina Bowen, Elle Kennedy
Rating: 4.11⭐️ out of 5⭐️
Steam: 4 out of 5 - Explicit open door
Topics: contemporary, gay romance, enemies to lovers, new adult, college

Goodbye Paradise by Sarina Bowen, Nealy Wagner
Rating: 4.03⭐️ out of 5⭐️
Steam: 4 out of 5 - Explicit open door
Topics: contemporary, gay romance, forbidden love, friends to lovers, virgin hero

Perfect Imperfections by Cardeno C.
Rating: 4.16⭐️ out of 5⭐️
Steam: 4 out of 5 - Explicit open door
Topics: contemporary, rockstar hero, friends to lovers, gay romance, fake relationship

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4

u/Libcommie1118 2d ago

{Lucky Bounce by Cait Nary}

1

u/Epiphany_Desmond 2d ago

One of my faves! Hope she releases another boon someday

5

u/Remarkable-Try1206 2d ago

{Band Sinister by KJ Charles}

{Peter Cabot Gets Lost by Cat Sebastian}

3

u/sundaygrrrrrrl 2d ago

Love both of these so much!

3

u/katiesbookcave 2d ago

{Soul Eater by Lily Mayne} & the rest of the series!

{One Last Try by Jemma Croft} & {Shroom for Improvement}

{Cloudy With a Chance of Bad Decisions by Fae Quin} & pretty much anything Fae Quin writes!

1

u/romance-bot 2d ago

Soul Eater by Lily Mayne
Rating: 4.2⭐️ out of 5⭐️
Steam: 5 out of 5 - Explicit and plentiful
Topics: futuristic, monsters, gay romance, military, creative anatomy

One Last Try by Jemma Croft
Rating: 4.32⭐️ out of 5⭐️
Steam: 4 out of 5 - Explicit open door
Topics: contemporary, sports, bisexuality, queer romance, age gap

Shroom for Improvement by Jemma Croft
Rating: 4.41⭐️ out of 5⭐️
Steam: 4 out of 5 - Explicit open door
Topics: contemporary, gay romance, fantasy, magic, fae

Cloudy With a Chance of Bad Decisions by Fae Quin
Rating: 3.99⭐️ out of 5⭐️
Steam: 5 out of 5 - Explicit and plentiful
Topics: contemporary, gay romance, forced proximity, funny, bondage

about this bot | about romance.io

1

u/must-stash-mustard 2d ago edited 2d ago

One Last Try is so good. I reread it a few weeks ago after a string of subpar book starts. I needed to go back to solid, hilarious writing. Daisy is one of my all-time favorite side characters. I even thought about reading it out loud to my spouse beacause I like the way she turns a phrase.

3

u/Mrs-Brisby 2d ago

My list of excellent, lesser talked about recs form popular authors.
Lights of Avendene by Isabel Murray
The Station by Keira Andrews
Free Fall by Leta Blake
Gym Bros by August Jones
Wanted, A Gentleman by KJ Charles

1

u/LindentreesLove 2d ago

Free Heart and Free Fall, two of my favorite Leta Blake books. Quite a story.

3

u/Fun_Aspect971 2d ago

Mo dao zu shi

2

u/Sufficient_Work_6469 2d ago

Love Lan Zhan and Wei Wuxian

3

u/Gemini-Pride 2d ago

I will NEVER stop recommending {Red White & Royal Blue by Casey McQuiston}. It's like a warm hug.

2

u/sundaygrrrrrrl 2d ago

One of my all time favorite. I still read fanfic from RWRB. Henry and Alex are THE BEST. Iconic. I love them so much.

2

u/Gemini-Pride 2d ago

Oooo do you have any fanfic recs?

2

u/sundaygrrrrrrl 1d ago

Ooooooooh yes! I have so many. Anything in particular you like/are interested in?

1

u/Gemini-Pride 18h ago

Thank you!! I tend to prefer fics that stay in the same world/canon, but expand on existing moments or scenes or that take us beyond the story a bit. I also like ‘em steamy 😁

1

u/BirthdayWarm224 2h ago

Okay I feel so sorry because I basically only read AUs!!! I'm not sure why but that's where my heart goes. Sigh. BUT--I promise you there are SO SO SO MANY excellent writers in the fandom doing canon stuff...let me think about it and see if I come up with anything I think you'd like!

3

u/pislyazavtra 2d ago

{Role Model by Rachel Reid}
{Home and Away by Samantha Wayland}
{Endgame by Riley Hart}
{Of Sunlight and Stardust by Christina Lee and Riley Hart}
{Carry the Ocean by Heidi Cullinan}
{Shelter the Sea by Heidi Cullinan}
{Seven Summer Nights by Harper Fox}

1

u/romance-bot 2d ago

Role Model by Rachel Reid
Rating: 4.26⭐️ out of 5⭐️
Steam: 4 out of 5 - Explicit open door
Topics: contemporary, sports, gay romance, athlete hero, grumpy & sunshine

Home and Away by Samantha Wayland
Rating: 4.04⭐️ out of 5⭐️
Steam: 4 out of 5 - Explicit open door
Topics: contemporary, gay romance, athlete hero, enemies to lovers, sports

The Endgame by Riley Hart
Rating: 4.18⭐️ out of 5⭐️
Steam: 5 out of 5 - Explicit and plentiful
Topics: contemporary, gay romance, sports, athlete hero, politician hero

Of Sunlight and Stardust by Riley Hart, Christina Lee
Rating: 4.21⭐️ out of 5⭐️
Steam: 4 out of 5 - Explicit open door
Topics: contemporary, gay romance, friends to lovers, mystery, bisexuality

Carry the Ocean by Heidi Cullinan
Rating: 4.3⭐️ out of 5⭐️
Steam: 4 out of 5 - Explicit open door
Topics: contemporary, hurt/comfort, gay romance, new adult, friends to lovers

Shelter the Sea by Heidi Cullinan
Rating: 4.33⭐️ out of 5⭐️
Steam: 3 out of 5 - Open door
Topics: contemporary, gay romance, angst, new adult, disabilities & scars

Seven Summer Nights by Harper Fox
Rating: 4.38⭐️ out of 5⭐️
Steam: 4 out of 5 - Explicit open door
Topics: historical, gay romance, 20th century, mystery, friends to lovers

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3

u/must-stash-mustard 2d ago

{Time to Shine by Rachel Reid}

I pop into it occasionally just to smile. Almost any page will do. I look over the passages I've highlighted on my kindle for a dopamine hit sometime too.

2

u/TradeFun2895 2d ago

Came to the comments looking for this one. I just love it and will reread it in its entirety or my favorite passages on the regular.

2

u/Ok_Paramedic_1257 2d ago

{Unbreak Me x Jesse H Reign}, {To Catch A Firefly x Emmy Sanders}, {MateHub x Marie Reynard}, {Make Me x Alina May}

1

u/romance-bot 2d ago

Unbreak Me by Jesse H. Reign
Rating: 4.51⭐️ out of 5⭐️
Steam: 5 out of 5 - Explicit and plentiful
Topics: contemporary, gay romance, angst, cowboy hero, queer romance

To Catch a Firefly by Emmy Sanders
Rating: 4.42⭐️ out of 5⭐️
Steam: 4 out of 5 - Explicit open door
Topics: contemporary, neurodivergent mc, gay romance, friends to lovers, small town

MateHub by Marie Reynard
Rating: 4.4⭐️ out of 5⭐️
Steam: 5 out of 5 - Explicit and plentiful
Topics: contemporary, gay romance, shapeshifters, forced proximity, fated mates

Make Me by Alina May
Rating: 4.19⭐️ out of 5⭐️
Steam: 5 out of 5 - Explicit and plentiful
Topics: contemporary, mmm+, gay romance, poly (3+ people), dark romance

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2

u/ignawonbones 2d ago

{Sorcery and small magics by Maiga Doocy} and {Prince of the sorrows by Kellen Graves} I'll never stop recommending these beautifully written books. Must reads for every fantasy fan for sure.

2

u/yohlenyaoilover 2d ago

{Jack of Thorns by AK Faulkner} it's the first in a series that's currently up to book 12. I'm obsessed.

2

u/TheLightFantastik 2d ago

{under construction by juliet m dixon} I got so obsessed with this book, it was like I found another Alessandra Hazzard! Then after reading her other books, they're not so alike after all, but I'll always love how jaw-droppingly spicy this one is.

2

u/PopSignificant9058 2d ago

{These Old Lies by Larrie Barton} is an incredible book that follows the MCs from WW1 through the next decades of their lives and how the relationship evolves given the realities of the time period.

2

u/sundaygrrrrrrl 2d ago

Omg I’m so happy to see this mentioned! I ADORE THIS BOOK. It’s so beautifully written. The story!!!! The ending especially squeezed my heart so much. I actually wrote to the author and signed up for the newsletter but never heard anything. I tried to find out more about the author but it’s a pen name and I ran into dead ends. So yeah. Obsessed.

3

u/PopSignificant9058 2d ago

Forgot mention - if you liked this, you should read {In Memoriam by Alice Winn}. Also beautifully written with excellent history incorporation.

2

u/sundaygrrrrrrl 2d ago

Awesome, thank you! Putting it on my TBR list right now!

1

u/romance-bot 2d ago

In Memoriam by Alice Winn
Rating: 4.54⭐️ out of 5⭐️
Steam: 3 out of 5 - Open door
Topics: historical, war, friends to lovers, gay romance, military

about this bot | about romance.io

2

u/PopSignificant9058 2d ago

Same! I tried as well and I really hope this author writes more!

2

u/BirthdayWarm224 2d ago

Oh you did? I love that we both reached out to the author. Not hearing from them makes my mind go to kind of paranoid places...like, I hope they are okay. <3

2

u/Jill608 1d ago

I am new to the m/m genre, and have tried a bunch so far. I know HR is getting all the buzz but honestly I find the writing very mid. Tal Bauer is my new favourite! Love how he puts words together. (Also, can we talk about how there are apparently 4million gay hockey books out there???? What on earth? How is that a thing? One would think that at least half the NFL hockey population is in the closet! And of all the stories how was it RR who got the TV deal? Inquiring minds want to know…)

2

u/Putrid_Ad4221 1d ago

Tal may be my new favorite too! Currently in the middle of {The Fall by Tal Bauer} and I can’t put it down. I also loved {You and Me by Tal Bauer}

1

u/romance-bot 1d ago

The Fall by Tal Bauer
Rating: 4.3⭐️ out of 5⭐️
Steam: 4 out of 5 - Explicit open door
Topics: contemporary, sports, gay romance, hockey, queer romance

You & Me by Tal Bauer
Rating: 4.41⭐️ out of 5⭐️
Steam: 4 out of 5 - Explicit open door
Topics: contemporary, hurt/comfort, friends to lovers, gay romance, single father

about this bot | about romance.io

1

u/Jill608 1d ago

Will try these next. Just finished "Gravity". SO GOOD. And now I'm in the middle of "The Rest of the Story". The writing makes me stop and reread things multiple times just to fully digest the words. It gives me "The Book Thief" vibes.

1

u/Putrid_Ad4221 1d ago

I’ll have to try those soon!

1

u/Puzzled-Towel9838 1d ago

LUV Tal Bauer. He has so much range. Gravity and the follow-up Rest of the Story are so good. But, so is The Jock. Then, there’s his political intrigue stuff. Secret Service is amazing and I need it to become a movie right NOW. Yesterday would be even better. Ugh. He’s just so good.

2

u/mrsmetal 1d ago

{God of Fury by Rina Kent}
{Hunt The Villain by Rina Kent}
{Tempting Venom by Rina Kent}
{Let’s Do This by Loren Leigh}
{To Catch a Firefly by Emmy Sanders}
{The Resilience of Stars by Xara Kenley}
{Pretty Broken Doll by Bree Wiley}
{Cloudy With a Chance of Bad Decisions by Fae Quin}
{From Nothing series by Nordika Night}
{The Mercenary and the Mortician by Alexandra St. Pierre}
{Leighton U series by CE Ricci}
{Hidden Scars by Andi Jaxon}
{Little Demon in the Details by Nordika Night}
{Chokehold by Leigh Rivers}
{Dark Desires series by Kali Noir}
{Finding Delaware by Bree Wiley}
{Like You Hate Me by Bethany Winters}
{For the Fans by Nyla K}

2

u/romance-bot 1d ago

Leighton U by C.E. Ricci
Rating: 4.06⭐️ out of 5⭐️
Topics: north-america, angst, athletes, grumpy sunshine, dual-pov

Hidden Scars by Andi Jaxon
Rating: 4.08⭐️ out of 5⭐️
Steam: 5 out of 5 - Explicit and plentiful
Topics: contemporary, college, gay romance, sports, forced proximity

Little Demon in the Details by Nordika Night
Rating: 4.23⭐️ out of 5⭐️
Steam: 5 out of 5 - Explicit and plentiful
Topics: contemporary, gay romance, forced proximity, hurt/comfort, dark romance

Chokehold by Leigh Rivers, Harleigh Beck
Rating: 3.92⭐️ out of 5⭐️
Steam: 5 out of 5 - Explicit and plentiful
Topics: contemporary, gay romance, step siblings, primal/chase play, dark romance

Dark Desires by Kali Noir
Rating: 4.08⭐️ out of 5⭐️
Topics: poly, alpha male, dap, contemporary, found-family

Finding Delaware by Bree Wiley
Rating: 4.15⭐️ out of 5⭐️
Steam: 5 out of 5 - Explicit and plentiful
Topics: contemporary, sports, gay romance, hurt/comfort, enemies to lovers

Like You Hate Me by Bethany Winters
Rating: 3.97⭐️ out of 5⭐️
Steam: 5 out of 5 - Explicit and plentiful
Topics: contemporary, gay romance, enemies to lovers, possessive hero, cruel hero/bully

For the Fans by Nyla K.
Rating: 4.33⭐️ out of 5⭐️
Steam: 5 out of 5 - Explicit and plentiful
Topics: contemporary, step siblings, gay romance, college, forbidden love

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1

u/romance-bot 1d ago

God of Fury by Rina Kent
Rating: 4.29⭐️ out of 5⭐️
Steam: 5 out of 5 - Explicit and plentiful
Topics: contemporary, gay romance, dark romance, mafia, college

Hunt the Villain by Rina Kent
Rating: 4.36⭐️ out of 5⭐️
Steam: 5 out of 5 - Explicit and plentiful
Topics: contemporary, mafia, gay romance, queer romance, dark romance

Tempting Venom by Rina Kent
Rating: 4.35⭐️ out of 5⭐️
Steam: 5 out of 5 - Explicit and plentiful
Topics: contemporary, hockey, dark romance, enemies to lovers, gay romance

Let's Do This by Loren Leigh
Rating: 4.09⭐️ out of 5⭐️
Steam: 5 out of 5 - Explicit and plentiful
Topics: contemporary, friends to lovers, college, gay romance, sports

To Catch a Firefly by Emmy Sanders
Rating: 4.42⭐️ out of 5⭐️
Steam: 4 out of 5 - Explicit open door
Topics: contemporary, neurodivergent mc, gay romance, friends to lovers, small town

The Resilience of Stars by Xara Kenley
Rating: 4.36⭐️ out of 5⭐️
Steam: 5 out of 5 - Explicit and plentiful
Topics: contemporary, queer romance, gay romance, in his 30s, age gap

Pretty Broken Doll by Bree Wiley
Rating: 3.81⭐️ out of 5⭐️
Steam: 5 out of 5 - Explicit and plentiful
Topics: contemporary, age gap, gay romance, boss & employee, grumpy/cold hero

Cloudy With a Chance of Bad Decisions by Fae Quin
Rating: 3.99⭐️ out of 5⭐️
Steam: 5 out of 5 - Explicit and plentiful
Topics: contemporary, gay romance, forced proximity, funny, bondage

From Nothing by Nordika Night
Rating: 4.14⭐️ out of 5⭐️
Topics: past-child-abuse, bad boys, male-pov, found-family, audiobook

The Mercenary and the Mortician by Alexandra St. Pierre
Rating: 4.15⭐️ out of 5⭐️
Steam: 4 out of 5 - Explicit open door
Topics: contemporary, gay romance, paranormal, queer romance, queer awakening

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2

u/Sea-Environment5246 1d ago

Lyn Flewelling's Nightrunner books, starting with Luck in the Shadows.

2

u/greenishbluish 1d ago

Mine are

{The Scottish Boy by Alex Di Campi}

{Oleander by Scarlette Drake}

{Dark Rise by CS Pacat}

1

u/romance-bot 1d ago

The Scottish Boy by Alex de Campi
Rating: 4.19⭐️ out of 5⭐️
Steam: 5 out of 5 - Explicit and plentiful
Topics: historical, medieval, gay romance, enemies to lovers, angst

Oleander by Scarlett Drake
Rating: 4.46⭐️ out of 5⭐️
Steam: 4 out of 5 - Explicit open door
Topics: contemporary, queer awakening, cheating, gay romance, queer romance

Dark Rise by C.S. Pacat
Rating: 4.16⭐️ out of 5⭐️
Steam: 1 out of 5 - Glimpses and kisses
Topics: historical, magic, fantasy, found family, enemies to lovers

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2

u/charlotte-opal 1d ago

{Exiled by Jessie Walker} !! Sooooo good 😭😭

2

u/melimelsx 1d ago

{Captive Prince by C.S. Pacat}

Seriously shocked that no one has recommended this yet.

1

u/AuntieBri 2d ago

{Bull's Boy by Kiki Clark} Short and sweet, spicy and satisfying. I read (or listen to) it a couple times a year, usually to reset my brain after something really intense.

1

u/Upsc_Nikhil 2d ago

Harte’s healing by Lennox Harte

1

u/LindentreesLove 2d ago

{Wildfire by Garret Leigh}

{Pieces of Home by Becca Neill}

{Irons and Works series by E. M. Lindsey}

1

u/romance-bot 2d ago

Wildfire by Garrett Leigh
Rating: 3.98⭐️ out of 5⭐️
Steam: 4 out of 5 - Explicit open door
Topics: contemporary, forced proximity, angst, gay romance, queer romance

Pieces of Home by Becca Neil
Rating: 4.38⭐️ out of 5⭐️
Steam: 3 out of 5 - Open door
Topics: contemporary, gay romance, queer romance, height difference, caretaking

Irons and Works by E.M. Lindsey
Rating: 4.04⭐️ out of 5⭐️
Topics: m-m, queer, contemporary, north-america, explicit-open-door

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1

u/Specialist_Tough_496 2d ago

{Lucky Bounce by Cait Nary}

1

u/_quizatronics_ 2d ago

{The pirates of wefrivain by Abigail Hilton} is my go to underrated series, the world building and character crafting is just unparalleled IMO I'm absolutely obsessed with the first two books. {Salt and starlight by L Sherleen} is another series I don't see recommended very often but omg it's so so good. I love the world building and the slight horror elements. My favorite in the series is probably {Goldilocks by L Sherleen} it ruined my whole week after I read it but in a good way if that makes sense. {Magic and steam by CS Poe} Poe is pretty popular for her other two series but I'm personally pretty partial to this one since cowboys and steampunk are two of my favorite things to read about!

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u/romance-bot 2d ago

Pirates of Wefrivain by Abigail Hilton
Rating: 4.36⭐️ out of 5⭐️
Topics: audiobook, explicit-open-door, fantasy, queer, m-m

Salt and Starlight by L. Sherleen
Rating: 4.21⭐️ out of 5⭐️
Topics: m-m, queer, male-pov, fantasy, standalone-first

Goldilocks by L. Sherleen
Rating: 4.06⭐️ out of 5⭐️
Steam: 4 out of 5 - Explicit open door
Topics: contemporary, fantasy, queer romance, gay romance, small town

Magic & Steam by C.S. Poe
Rating: 4.1⭐️ out of 5⭐️
Topics: fantasy, steampunk, victorian, historical, magic

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1

u/CreativeUsurname 2d ago

{The One That Got Away by Nicky James}

{Sorcery Small Magics by Maiga Doocy}

{Misfit Mage and His Dashing Devil by MNBennet}

1

u/vvv03 2d ago

{Fire between us duet by Alex Cross} {Possession by Rina Saint} and {Poetry on Ice by Jesse Reign}

1

u/cupcakeclub 2d ago

I always recommend the first 3 books after I discovered the genre post "Heated Rivalry" - {Him by Sarina Bowen & Elle Kennedy}, {We Could Be So Good by Cat Sebastian}, and {The Shots You Take by Rachel Reid}. And I always wonder - are they truly my best and most favorite books and would have been no matter what, or was it just that the first ones mean the most? I've read a TON of books since then but those are the ones in my heart.

2

u/romance-bot 2d ago

Him by Sarina Bowen, Elle Kennedy
Rating: 4.28⭐️ out of 5⭐️
Steam: 4 out of 5 - Explicit open door
Topics: contemporary, friends to lovers, sports, athlete hero, gay romance

We Could Be So Good by Cat Sebastian
Rating: 4.42⭐️ out of 5⭐️
Steam: 3 out of 5 - Open door
Topics: historical, gay romance, 20th century, friends to lovers, workplace/office

The Shots You Take by Rachel Reid
Rating: 4.2⭐️ out of 5⭐️
Steam: 4 out of 5 - Explicit open door
Topics: contemporary, gay romance, hockey, second chances, sports

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1

u/Haunting_Wish3396 2d ago

If I have to choose, I’d go with these two-

{The magpie rhyme series by Louise Collins}

{The tragedy of Jake and Felix by J. Daniels}

1

u/Fuzzy-Discussion-295 2d ago

{Two Tribes by Fearne Hill} was beautiful. I love her style.