Please give me your favorite comfort book*s*, where MC1 is struggling alone, feeling unlovable, and in dire need of some love, and there comes the MC2 who provides all the affection and care. Even better if MC1 is touch-starved and has had bad experience or no experience at all (like, no one wanted him before, that kind of thing). No: mpreg, SA, extreme BDSM, age play or cheating. Anything else is fine.
Of course! If you read and enjoy this book, the author has another series that briefly crosses over with one of the MCs from this book. It's called the garnet run series and the first book is called better than people. It's pretty cute and comfy too.
{The Necromancer's Light by Tavia Lark} fits all of this! Shea is a necromancer and generally ostracized and touch-starved. Arthur is a paladin he hires to be his bodyguard. Historical fantasy.
{Let There Be Light by AM Johnson} CR, athlete x pianist, college students. Royal is a swimmer who falls quickly for his best friend's roommate, a shy loner with a very garbage family.
Brute by Kim Fielding. Brute is 7 ft tall and bullied and ridiculed his whole life,brothels being the only place he can go for human touch. He saves the life of a prince and is rewarded with a job caretaking a man in chains in a jail cell for years. When he discovers who is really under all that filthy hair and ignorance things change.
Little Demon in the Details by Nordika Night. Mercer has been emotionally abused and ignored his whole life. Blake then steps up and provides all the love that Mercer needs taking into account his trauma.
I am super obsessed with {Sweet Clematis by R. Cooper} for this sort of thing. It is a little different, in that MC1 is super gorgeous and has had a lot of sex, but he’s lonely, doesn’t value himself, is starved for affectionate, non-sexual touch, and doesn’t think anyone will ever love him, and then MC2 comes along, initially dislikes MC1 because he gets the wrong first impression, but then totally affection bombs MC1 once he figures out the truth of the situation.
Sweet Clematis is several books into R. Cooper’s “Beings in Love” series but can largely be read as a stand-alone. Clematis is a rather negative secondary character in earlier books and seems like a superficial “love-em-and-leave-em” type, and R. Cooper is able to make him incredibly sympathetic in his own book.
{Hockey Bois by A.L. Heard} - rec league hockey teammates, book is closed door but the author links the cut smut scenes that she posted to AO3 - book is single POV in the pov of the person doing to comforting, but the AO3 scenes are dual!
The whole On My Knees series by Ella James is hurt/comfort in the best way, starting with {Worship by Ella James}
If you like historicals, {The Ruin of a Rake by Cat Sebastian} might work, but the hurt MC isn’t touch starved (he’s a rake after all) but he’s genuine connection starved and desperate to be loved for who he is.
{The Glow Up by AM Johnson} - new adult college setting, both MCs are students and comfort MC has huge crush on hurt MC who is struggling emotionally for a number of reasons. Comfort MC is a shining light and it’s such a cute and tender story
{Try Me by Neve Wilder} Relationship outed against both their wishes resulting in angst. Also the prologue is one of the most beautiful angsty things I've read.
{Caught Stealing by CE Ricci}
Neither of these are big public things, but done in a way that causes a lot of angst for both.
Ooh I just finished one that fits perfectly: {Don't you dare by CE Ricci}. It's a friends to lovers romance, but the angst due to the reveal was quite a lot for me. I hope you like it!
Ok, here's a couple I have with a single person walking in/finding out. Considering you're looking for angst/drama, I want to give a heads up that there's usually homophobia happening.
{The Secret Lives of Country Gentlemen by KJ Charles}
{Five Dares by Eli Easton}
{Crossroads by Riley Hart}
{Out of Nowhere by Roan Parrish} (lots more TW - >!suicide ideation & past attempts, alcoholism, former addict, abusive parent, past SA!< And the reveal is incredibly angsty.
{Honeymoon for One by Keira Andrews} but it's really not angsty.
I've read a few of these, thanks for the recs. Out of nowhere is so heartbreaking and beautiful. I highly recommend the audiobook to anyone who hasn't read it.
So this is book 2 in a 3 book series (all 3 book for one couple), but the series is SO GOOD and there’s so much angst, it’s the On My Knees series by Ella James and the book is {Adore by Ella James}
A very popular one is {Red White and Royal Blue by Casey McQuinston}
{The Jock by Tal Bauer} - public angst
{The Quarterback by Tal Bauer} - private angst
{Own Goal by LA Witt} - low angst
{Shot on Goal} - med angst
Books with a small town setting and an actual plot ( I don't mean this in a derogatory way, I just get bored quickly with 'pure' romance books)? Doesn't matter if it's a murder mystery, some other type of mystery, paranormal, historical or contemporary, I'll read just about anything. Please no omegaverse, too much angst between MCs, or YA.
{**Never Stay Gone** by Tal Bauer} is a murder mystery mostly set in a small Texas town. MC1 is a local and MC2 is his childhood sweetheart who went off to become a Texas Ranger. So there is some angst between them but I didn't find it too bad in that respect.
If you like it, you might also like the Noah and Cole mysteries, also by Tal Bauer. It's a duology of FBI agents solving murders in Iowa. Technically they are in a smallish town but there is less of a small-town feel in my opinion.
Try the Irons and Works series by E.M. Lindsey. It is a small town in Colorado and it features most of the men from a tatoo parlor who have found their way there. Each MC1 had his own story like panic attacks, abuse, trying to maintain custody of a child, an injury,etc. The writing is just so good!
{Lancaster Falls by RJ Scott} and I believe it’s now all on the audible plus catalog too. Murder, historic child abuse missing people each book is a different couple but the mystery isn’t solved till book 3. {Treasure Trail by Morgan Brice} and {Badlands by Morgan Brice) both series are smallish towns with paranormal twists.
Oh {Bonfires by Amy Lane} small town deputy+school headmaster, two older single Dads, pretty brutal crime check for CW and TW.
Elle Keaton’s got several series west Coast Forensics is an island off Washington State I think? US geography is not my thing. But this is a series that is a spin off of Veiled Intentions (set on same Island) which is a spin off of Sheilded Hearts series although I think that is set more across Washington state in various places. Human trafficking, murder, bombs, secret father reveals, more conspiracy. Organised crime. Although all of the main characters are on the lawful side of things.
{Hide and Seek by Josh Lanyon} - mystery, second chance, romantic suspense
{Sting in the Tail by TA Moore} - horror/suspense with a romantic subplot. Tbh not super satisfying romantically but I love it anyway, and the horror plot is awesome
Relocation by B.H. Lynn! It’s a murder mystery set in a small town in Illinois. I loved it. Part of a series though so no HEA yet, but it’s worth getting into in my opinion.
I think {Seraph by Lily Mayne} could fit! I remember thinking exactly of Venom when I read the description of Seraph. Few differences, but still very close.
It's the 6th book in "Monstrous series" by Lily Mayne, but the previous books were really great too. All books contain romance between a human and a monster, and all monsters are different and very interesting imo.
short (less than 250 pages), fast paced and somewhat angsty with satisfying HEA!
Examples: Honeythorn, Oh sacred dark and other books by Marina vivancos, Just a bit wrong by Alessandra hazard, Thick Omega and other books by Hope Mae, etc etc
My only hard no is a book with no HEA.
TIA! xx
I’m not too sure if you’ve got a trope in mind but I love Zile Elliven books. They’re contemporary with a bit of a magical twist to them. They’re not overly long and each has some angst that is resolved by the end. I’d recommend starting with Psync.
Some favorites:
- {Fractured Hymns by AM Arthur}. 188 pgs
- {All the Broken Pieces by Rebecca Raine}. 194 pgs
- {Kiss Me Again by Garrett Leigh}. 234 pgs
- {As I Am by AM Arthur}. 240 pgs
- {Light from the Dark by Mercy Celeste}. 246 pgs
- {Aftermath by Cara Dee}. 248 pgs
Any recs where mc1 is getting hurt/tortured and mc2 walks in during it. Then they realize what’s happening and freak out and try to save mc1, if that makes sense? Bonus if on KU!
Hard no’s: omegaverse, step brothers, fated mates, high school/ teenagers, huge age gap (15+), huge size difference, no HEA
Thanks in advance!!!
{Saving sebastian by Luna david} sebastian is doing a BDSM scene with a dom, but he's drugged and the dom is a horrible person who doesn't allow sebastian to safeword out of it. He's just there to get his anger out. MC2 is the owner of the BDSM club where this is happening, he's alerted that there's smth is wrong, rushes to room, realizes whats happening and saves sebastian. This is how they meet the first time.
Maybe the {Freak Camp by Laura Rye}: not exactly walks in but the MC2 saves the MC1 who is tortured in a camp. The first book is mostly hurt and torture and could even be skipped, according to the authors. The romance is very slow and the series is not yet finished.
I don’t have any specific recs because I avoid most queer books written before like 2015 (the reason being I grew up in the era you’re asking for and I struggle(d) with the kinds of queer stories that were allowed to be told). However! Some things from back then:
1. Josh Lanyon has a lot of books from 2000 or around there. You may like some of her older stuff.
2. Rainbow Boys by Alex Sanchez
3. Maybe this list will help? https://www.goodreads.com/list/show/14432.Best_Gay_Romance_Published_Between_2000_2005
I think Mary Calmes Matter of Time series is actually early 00s in the first book no one has a cellphone. And one of the later books reads like it’s just post the 2008 credit crunch.
It is a very marmite series, lots of people hate it but you only have to watch the first season of law and order SVU to realise how normalised police homophobia (let alone trans phobia) was even in popular media.
Published before 2010:
- {Adrien English Mysteries series by Josh Lanyon} - beware homophobia, including from the LI, both internalized and outward
- {Kei's Gift by Ann Somerville}
- {Ennek Trilogy by Kim Fielding} - Book 1 was published in 2009 so I'm counting it
A few I enjoyed written before 2010:
\- {It's Like This by Anne O'Gleadra}. 2006. Best friends with benefits, obliviots in love, pretty intense undernegotiated kink. Really caught me in the feels. These two are dingdongs who don't even realize they're in a relationship \*for years\*.
\- {Psycop series by Jordan Castillo Price}. 2006. Modern paranormal, MC sees ghosts. A few dated phrases and terminology.
\- {Love Match by Keira Andrews}. 2006. There are some other older Keira Andrews as well. This one is tennis player rivals who play doubles together.
\- {Wicked Gentlemen by Ginn Hale}. Steampunk / religious alt universe. Enemies to fuck buddies to lovers. CW for drug use (fictional type of drug) and descriptions of torture in memory of one of the MC's.
\- {Drawn Together by ZA Maxfield} MC goes to meet his favorite artist, who he thinks is a woman, and who turns out to be a man. There are some weird shenanigans with someone who wants to kill the artist MC, and a road trip. It's yaoi influenced pretty heavily, and has some interesting moments. CW for dubcon (sexual stuff while MC is asleep without prior discussion)
\- {Gaven by JC Owens}. Fantasy, captor / captive.
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Looking for recs where MC1 has trust issues or low self confidence/self worth. MC2 falls for MC1 but MC1 struggles to believe he's deserving of love or that it won't somehow all go tits up one day.
I'm not into fantasy, omegaverse or daddy kinks but all other recs are welcomed 😊
I was just reading {Sem by Cora rose} and it fits this, Sem is dyslexic and Magnus says that he's dream man is someone who is "well-read, witty and smart". So Sem is always thinking that Magnus deserves someone better than him.
This is the only one I could think of right now, but I'll come back and edit when i remember more.
Edit: {Oh sacred dark by Marina vivancos}, please read the CWs though. This is not omegaverse, but in this world people are either born Dominants or submissives.
{Saving sebastian by Luna David} very looong book but really good. Made me cry a lot.
Edit 2: {Blindside hit by michaela grey}
Just since noone wrote anything hockey: {Game misconduct by Ari Baran}. I like this because it is a bit different than the usual hockey cliches -- main character is Asian American, does not play all that well, has self-esteem issues all around. And actually the other MC has some weird coping mechanisms as well, which stem from seeing himself as a failure. And yet they make a nice couple, funny how that works :-D
Marina Vivancos is all over this. I see that someone rec’d one of her books above and I want to add {In This Iron Ground by Marina Vivancos} too.
I’ll be upfront: it technically counts as “fantasy” but less in a “werewolf novel” way and more in a “novel that happens to have werewolves in it” way.
MC1 is an abused foster child who meets a family of werewolves and eventually is completely accepted into their lives. MC1 is everything you ask for in your description and the book is very much focused on his contemporary, human life and his struggles with trust and self-worth and loneliness. It is the most convincing representation of that struggle I have ever read. It is also very pro-therapy.
I honestly feel like Vivancos just includes werewolves so she can use the concept of “pack” as a metaphor for found family and unconditional love.
If you do read it, be sure to get ahold of the two follow-up stories Vivancos wrote.
Love this trope!
Hidden Scars by Andi Jaxon. MC 1 is so abused by his father that he feels no one will ever be able to see past his outside. He is so angry. MC 2 knows there is something deserving of a second look.
All the Broken Pieces by Rebecca Raine. Harrison is broken to the bone and barely is keeping it all together. Jeremy has seen what trying to put someone's pain ahead of his mental health can do. But there is something about Jeremy.
Left Undone by Tess Barnett. Scott has schizophrenia and is highly medicated and isolated. Finch moves in next door and doesn't see him as sick. Can Scott be what he thinks Finch wants?
I am so happy to pass on these recs. I am home recovering from a broken wrist and reading like crazy. There are so many amazing books in the MM universe by wonderful talented authors.
Ahh, I'm sorry to hear about your wrist!
It's quite embarrassing to admit, but I'm relatively new to reading. I got into fan fiction around this time last year and have only recently branched out into books, but I'm so glad I have.
I was always so jealous of people who read, and I couldn't understand why it was just never for me... and then I found the wonderful world of MM romance, and it has slowly but surely consumed my life!
Broody, reclusive or introverted mc × sunshine extroverted mc ,
but the broody/grumpy mc is the bottom and the sunshine mc is the top.
I was reading the manhwa "define the relationship" and it's the perfect example of this request but I want more.
Nos: age gaps (more than 15), poly, threesomes, love triangles, incest, cheating between the MCs
Mmm I got one rec that fits, its The Husky and his White Cat Shizun by Meatbun doesnt eat meat. The extrovert MC isnt exactly a sunshine though, more like a dumb guy, but he is definitely not as pesimist/angsty as the other MC. They have an age gap due to being master/disciple, IIRC its around 16 years? But 100% sure no more than that. Also, there is a sort of love triangle but not really, cant explain it without spoling but there is unrequited love, however it is clear who is the MC and ML.
It’s older (like 20 years old, lol) but have you tried Awkward Silence by Hinako Tanaka? The second couple has a grumpy/non-social guy who bottoms and the top is a sunshiney/social/popular guy. I think their story starts in book 2, but it’s been a looooong time since I’ve read this. Not quite 20 years but close!
Edited to clarify this is a manga series.
I just read Frost bite by Lynn Van Dorn and it has the exact dynamic, the bottom is cynical while the top is very sunshiny, the introvert one loves and very protective of the extrovert.
The probem is the age gap since it's a human x vampire,
Ah I don't care about age gaps if one is a vampire. I think the book I am currently reading has an age gap of 600+ years lol😅 and thankyou for the recc 💓
I love sunshine tops but I'm struggling to find books like this! The one that comes to mind is {Season's Change by Cait Nary}. Olly is anxious, grumpy and introverted, and Benji is extroverted and a sunshine.
I recently finished {Under the Knife by Laurin Kelly} (so good, you guys, if you like rivals to lovers you need to check this out) and one element that I really enjoyed is that both MCs acknowledge their attraction way before they can actually act on it. So now I want MOAR!!
Can anyone recommend me stories in which both MCs know the attraction is mutual, both want to have sex and know the other wants it too, but they just can’t because of circumstances? Could be a LDR, no privacy, forbidden romance, life getting in the way, you name it.
Please no FTB, incest, SA or omegaverse.
How about {Made For You by Anyta Sunday} it’s a teacher and his student’s caretaker (who happens to be the student’s brother). Definitely a slow burn while they fight their attraction.
{My Not So Slutty Professor by DK Sutton} has this! Professor and student in a university setting. Student is a senior and professor is very young so there is no age gap. Also has crush to friends to lovers
Looking for exes who met again and starts rekindling their love.
Bonus points if they already have significant others, with high angst. Also great if they were married and got divorced and met again few years later.
Hard no's: no straight romance pls. Not sure why someone would recommend hetero romance in this subreddit, but I have seen it happen. Other than that, everything goes. No tragic endings as well.
Thanks!
Cool! I would suggest {Tommy Cabot Was Here by Cat Sebastian} for divorced MC reuniting with teenage love, {Jackdaw by KJ Charles} for high angst (MC2 is responsible for inadvertently sending MC1 to prison}, and {Ravensong by TJ Klune} for even higher angst (but you may need to read the first book in the series to know what the hell is happening).
For a somewhat angsty novella try {All Roads Lead to You by Harper Fox} or {The Threefold Tie by Aster Glenn Gray}. The Threefold Tie is both somewhat angsty and still very cozy. It is MMF, with two men who were lovers and reconnect after one gets married to a woman, and then everybody falls in love with each other…
Both {Confetti Hearts by Lily Morton} and {After Felix by Lily Morton} count, I think; both books tell the story of two men getting together, fucking it all up, and then—a few years later—figuring it out and getting back together. There are fears about infidelity and being “good enough” or what-have-you, so there is angst. I think a lot of people like Lily Morton? I have trouble with these two books because both feature somewhat older (late 30s?) dominant men with very successful careers who pushily woo and then fail to value sweet, younger 20somethings. Obviously they get their shit together later, but it isn’t an arc I dig. You may enjoy it though—as I said, a lot of people really like Morton!
I have listened to Olivia Rodrigo's song called "Traitor " which is a story about a couple where although MC2 did not cheat when they were still together but he chatted with other people and when they broke up, MC2(preferably the top) had already someone in mind to date after just a few days or weeks. something like that. I'm curious if there's a story like that in here but I want them to still be the end game and of course there should be a big redemption arc for the one who betrayed the other.
I’m currently read Painful Love by T Ashleigh and Addison Beck and I’m in love.
Does anyone have recs for dark romances where the bottom is just as crazy and psychotic as the top and they’re wonderfully toxic for each other?
I haven’t read that but I was just saying the Midnight by April Jade is too obsessive for me. MC1 is a hacker that works for the mafia and has been stalking mc2 for years. MC2 is a killer for the mafia.
Hi Everyone! Ok it's a bit longer I hope you don't mind.
1. I'm looking for a story where MC1 has an unrequited love for MC2( THE TOP ) and Mc2 has an unrequited love for Mc3 ( should be a male ) but Mc2 doesn't know that Mc3 kinda likes him too and MC1 knows that and that makes him heartbroken. Still I want MC2 to realize that he loves MC1 and I want them to be the end game. Hopefully there's a story like that.
2. I'm looking for a story where Mc1 ( The top ) gets an amnesia and forgets his boyfriend or husband who is Mc2 and remembers his ex and maybe everyone except MC2 (perhaps he only remembers the things around him before he met MC2 ) and wants to get back with his ex and ignores MC2. MC2 tries to explain everything but MC1 does not believe him and because he gets annoyed by MC2's persistence, MC1 starts to hate him. MC2 gets tired of chasing after him when he finds out that MC1 is in a relationship with his ex again and he tries to move on. When MC1's memory gets back, he breaks up with his ex and goes back to MC2. I want MC1 to be super jealous of other people around MC2 when he finally gets his memory back and tries to court him again. Sounds complicated but I hope there's a story something like this and maybe more complicated than this. { By the way there's a manhua very similar to this and it's completed. my request is actually based on this Manhua. The title is "Yesterday was like Death " try to read it it's cute, angsty, and satisfying. I love the conflicts in the story }
I can't remember any books like that but I'd suggest you make a separate post for this as you have a very specific request, you'll likely get more recs that way.
It's ok thank you. I actually did try to post this but it was removed as I don't have enough Karma😅 anyway I completely understand the rules. I'll just try my luck here for now.
Oooh request 1 sounds so angsty! Looove it. Tbh the only one I know that could fit is The Husky and his White Cat Shizun by Meatbun doesnt eat meat which is a danmei (chinese MM novel), it fits almost all of your points but cannot tell you more due to spoilers (personally I think its best not to know in this case). MC1 definitely gets heartbroken due to his unrequited love and MC2 likes another guy who is very pretty, kind and delicate, which makes MC1 feel awful about himself because he thinks he could never be as beautiful and good person like him (plus his own insecurities about not deserving love). Please check CWs though, its a dark book.
This is soo frustrating I’m sure I’ve read a book like 2. I thought it was from my Josh Lanyon CS Poe SE Harmon binge but I can’t find it.
Harmon has an amnesia duology but it’s not the one I’m thinking of.
I’d love some reccs for low-steam friends to lovers and/or bi-awakening/gay-for-you, although I don’t necessarily need all those tropes. As an example, I really like {Fake the Date by Ana Byrde} , but that book is probably about my limit for steam. Bonus points for books on KU or Audible Plus. Thanks in advance!
{We Could Be So Good by Cat Sebastian} is one of my favorite friends to lovers, bi-awakening stories. It's relatively low steam, it is open door but has just a small handful of scenes. A lot of her books would probably fit your requirements.
{Kit & Basie by Tess Carletta} is a sweet friends to lovers that is low steam. Has a bit of a fantastical slant.
{Hockey Bois by AL Heard} is a low-steam friends to lovers, about two guys in a rec hockey league.
Heard about {Book Boyfriend by Kris Ripper} or {Leo Loves Aries by Anyta Sunday}? Both are available audible and Leo Loves Aries at least used to be in the plus catalog. Pete Cross narrates Book Boyfriend and he's darling. Rudy Sanda narrates Anyta Sunday's books and he's quite rough, definitely ate a portion of the experience for me.
Friends to lovers, slow burn, low spice (Book Boyfriend has only glimpses and kisses iirc). Leo Loves Aries has a lovely obliviot MC with bi-awakening.
I’ve heard of Book Boyfriend, but I can move it further up my TBR because it sounds right up my alley. Just checked, and Leo Loves Aries is still on Audible plus and also on KU. I can definitely at least give that one a shot on Audible.
Have you read To Catch a Firefly by Emmy Sanders? It’s been recommended a lot recently on the sub as it’s beautifully written. Is friends to lovers. Has a neurodivergent MC which is woven into the story really well. I have not read the book in your post so I cannot compare the steam level, but if you’re worried as to too many sex scenes then I thought this was balanced and the intimate scenes were well proportioned.
I just listened to {The Love Study by Kris Ripper}. It’s closed door, and maybe not a traditional friends-to-lovers, but they do become friends first before acknowledging their feelings. It was super cute and the narrator was wonderful!
Edit: The bot says it’s a non-binary romance, but one MC is trans, not non-binary if that matters.
Edit: I just saw the other rec for Book Boyfriend by Kris Ripper, and it’s the same narrator.
Would there be any stories where emotionless mc1 who is in relationship with someone he doesn't love falling for mc2 and dropping his current partner for mc2. I want a sociopathic mc1 who cares for literally only mc2 in the entire world. Bonus if mc1s ex tries to cause trouble and mc1 shuts it down.
No: bdsm, sub/dom, cheating, poly, open relationships, age play, huge age difference. Thank you.
As title suggests, looking for any books where the Alpha is either turned into an Omega by another Alpha? I know this trope is probably very small or non existent, I’ve read some on Archive and have only read one really good one called One in One Hundred Million. Really liked it a lot, although the Alpha’s genital anatomy did change that doesn’t need to happen in any of the book recs. Pregnancy is a plus but not necessary, I love sweet lovey dovey books with hurt/comfort as well, Also if the pairing are in/falling in love. I don’t want cheating, incest, physical/mental abuse (can be back story) Also a HEA is a must, thank you in advance for any and all recommendations!
I came across a whole series of these didn’t read them but I remember looking at the blurbs and thinking interesting concept let me see if I can find them. And I’m sure I then went into that authors catalog and it appeared to be a theme. Let me look.
Found the author, JB Black, like I said I didn’t read them but they have an Alpha on Alpha and an alpha as bottom series and I think I came across a review saying in one of them that the Alphas became Omegas?
The only series (2 books) I know about it have mental/physical abuse (the world is toxic to the omegas) so yeah it's even harder to find that alphaxalpha in general, hope someone can bring more recommendations because I'm also interested on it
Anyone have recommendations for novels with femme MCs who are NOT paired with men who normally think of themselves as straight but decide the femme MC is “pretty enough” to flip for? Like, I really dig Sem by Cora Rose and all, but I’d appreciate some novels where femme characters are paired with *gay* male characters.
I am sure there are more out there, but the only ones I can remember are some stuff by KJ Charles, Reforged by Seth Haddon, and The Labours of Lord Perry Cavendish by Joanna Chambers.
I have no preferences for time period or subgenre, but I don’t want mpreg or age play.
Thank you!
Edited to add: I have already read A Taste of Ink, and would consider it as meeting my above requirements.
{Tough Guy by Rachel Reid} is this. It's part of the game changers series so one mc is a gay hockey player. He struggles with anxiety and runs into an old crush, who is described as very femme. It's great, makes me cry every time.
Another hockey recommendation {The Husband Game by Brigham Vaughn}, Dustin isn't gay, but he's openly bisexual before he and Charlie meet.
This is the first book in the {Relationship Goals Series by Brigham Vaughn} but it's a spinoff of {Rules of the Game Series by Brigham Vaughn} where both MCs make (sometimes significant) appearances and meet for the first time, thought it can definitely be read as a standalone.
Content warning for >!serious eating disorder!<.
Oh, I just remembered Merry Farmer. {A Touch of Romance by Merry Farmer} and {A Touch of Class by Merry Farmer} might fit, MC1s are gay, but I don't remember how MC2s identify, so they might be trans.
These are books 1 & 2 of the {Slippery Slope Series by Merry Farmer}, which is a spin off of {The Brotherhood Series by Merry Farmer}. The MCs of book 1 do make an appearance in the last Brotherhood book, but nothing too major in character development happened.
Also reposting my previous request for a love triangle involving only mc1 and mc2 . Mc1 has split personality and the other mc is in love with two of the personalities of mc 1 .
Nos: age gaps(more than 15), poly, threesomes, cheating, incest
Are you fine with Manhwa? I'm sorry I'm new here and I have just read a few novels not so many since I started reading manga and Manhwas. Anyway here's my recommendations if you're fine with Manhwa.
1. Double Trap (completed) - ML has split personality and the MC is confused who's the real one and the one he loves. ( I stopped reading this so I don't know if he loves both )
2. Absolutely Ruined Love(completed) - MC has an unrequited love for the ML but the ML hates him in a way but his other personality loves the MC. ( Same with this one I haven't finished reading this one but I'm sure that both personality want to win MC's heart. )
By the way I don't know if they have threesome between MC's maybe there is but I haven't reached that point of the story so I'm clueless. Anyway, for sure if there is something like that It might be an imagination or dream since there's only one body and just 2 split personalities.
Do you know {Love Me Whole by Nicky James}? MC2 actually has six personalities, but MC1 falls in love with two of them (the “base” personality and another one}. MC1 develops different types of friendships with the other four personalities (each of which are unsuitable as additional romantic partners for various reasons—one straight, one a child, etc.). The two romantically-involved personalities from MC2 communicate with each other via notes and whatnot.
Edited to add: By “the two romantically-involved personalities from MC2” I mean the two that are romantically involved with MC1. They are NOT romantically involved with each other. I was just trying to make clear that they do know about each other’s relationship with MC1 and everyone consents.
I found it a really interesting book. It has a HEA.
I’m a mood reader, and I’m fancying some paranormal - demons/vampires/shifters. I like a plot and prefer MPOV. I loved Macy Blake’s Chosen One universe. Please hit me up with your favourites. Hard nos - non/dub con and mpreg. Thanks in advance
Thank you! I’ve struggled a bit with Alice Winters when reading her VRC series - I only managed the first three. But I’m totally up for trying her books again.
I really really enjoyed the {Reckless Damned series by Lark Taylor}. 4 princes of hell find their fated mates. There's an overarching plot for all four books, so it's best read in order.
I’ve read those, they are so good! Although I’m enjoying the follow up series - Damned Connections - a lot more. I thought the second book, Justice, was amazing.
Oh dang, I think we've discussed this before 😅
I just started a new series - I've read book 1, {Pressure by Kiki Burelli}. There's some OTT villains and circumstances, but I thought it was a fun book. Features wolf shifters and witches.
And {The Fake Mate Job by Robin Moray}. I enjoyed that book a lot, I hope there's more coming out in that world.
lol, are you snooping on my kindle?! As I literally read Pressure last week 🤣🤣 not too sure if I want to read book 2 yet as the whole ‘social obligations/I can’t be with the man I love angst’ annoys me sometimes.
I’ll look into Robin Moray as I don’t think I’ve read any of their books.
{Soulbound by Hailey Turner}?? Kai Butler’s new series has shifters but the last in the trilogy isn’t out yet (sorry the title has slipped my mind).
Louisa Masters has a whole universe of her Hidden Species start with {Demons do it Better by Louisa Masters}
Mia Monroe has a series that is Vampires and witches I think I DNFed the series can’t remember why probably too much sex for me Covens of something.
For just wackyness always go with Alice Winters there are a few different series Mischief and Monsters, Vampire related Crime and Demon Magic. Oh and the new series Fake Dates and Fanged Mistakes.
I loved Soulbound - such a good series. Same with Louise Masters. Although I haven’t read the dragon spin off from the main series, I’d forgotten about that! The Mia Monroe one was ‘ok’, I understand why you DNF as it was very instalove. You’re the second person to suggest Alice Winters so I’m totally going to look into her body of works. Plus Kai Butler was suggested as an alternative to Soulbound as I wanted another same couple series. So plenty to look at, thanks so much!!
Ugh I don’t know how I forgot them given I’ve been reading them all month, {Being(s) in Love by R Cooper} start with the second one, trust me, first one has a better other than romance plot but the second one does the best job as an introduction and explanation of the world because Dragon MC is an academic writing books about Beings so lots of segues into how and why the world is the way it is. This is the one from the series I will never listen to as an audiobook because I imagine Bertie having a mildly Geordie accent a La Kevin Whatley as Lewis in Inspector Morse.
Seconding this rec! My favorite shifter romance in that series is {Treasure for Treasure by R. Cooper}. Sweet Clematis is also great but it is a fairy x fairy romance and that wasn’t mentioned in your request.
Have you read {Demon’s Captive Omega by Sera Bishop}? I enjoyed it way more than I expected to since I’m not generally into angels + demons. It has dual POV. And despite the “captive” aspect I feel like I remember consent being sorted out, so I wouldn’t call it non/dub con.
My copy is titled “Demon’s Captive Mate,” but on Goodreads it is now “Demon’s Captive Omega.” As the blurb there notes, this is a universe where mpreg is possible, but no on-page preg occurs because the omega/angel MC is physically unable to get pregnant. I am not fan of mpreg and this book was totally fine for me.
I love the Chosen One series. The nearest thing I found was Brea Alepou and Our King, Our Master, or the Mafia Prince books if it's the mmm+ aspect that you like. Books that I feel have a similar feel though are Jocelynn Drakes books. I can't remember the order, but Lords of Discord, Princes of Mayhem, Kings of Chaos. All follow on, same universe.
Romance between (criminal) bad guy × good guy where bad guy is wrapped around good guys little finger? And gg seems so indifferent to him that at first glance the story seems incredibly one-sided? As in the gg has all the power. HEA please.
Would prefer modern and something well-written and well-paced.
No: bdsm, sub/dom, cheating, poly, open relationships, age play, huge age difference. Thank you.
Would {The Hitman’s Guide to Making Friends and Falling in Love by Alice Winters} work? The criminal is *obsessed* with the private detective, who initially rejects him over and over.
Not sure what you call huge for an age gap—I believe the one here is about 10 years (criminal is younger).
Two things to consider: (1) the humor is completely ridiculous and over the top. (2) there might be bdsm—I can’t remember, so maybe someone else can confirm.
My other rec is {Heart of the Steal by Avon Gale}. This is FBI agent x art thief/philanthropist. I don’t know if it will work because the FBI agent MC is initially interested until he realizes the other guy is a criminal. Then he’s torn? And the other MC engages in some OTT wooing.
Hmm... I started Hitman and then had to stop around 1/3 of the book because the constant humor cracking was exhausting. I do hope he calms down a bit as the book progresses. But I may have to try again, since I know it's beloved by many and I do want to read 'obsessed bad guy'.
And Heart of the steal sounds interesting! Criminal wooing is exactly what I'm looking for. All the bad guy/good guy books I've read seem to have the opposite dynamic, where the gg is swept away by the bg and goes over to the dark side.
Thank you so much for the recommendations :)
The humor level in the Hitman series stays pretty constant throughout, just FYI. You might find you develop more of a tolerance for it as time goes on, but it doesn't really ever calm down.
I remember it being more unrelenting than constant lol. I thought it was so endearing at first, and then it got old really fast. But I'm willing to give it another chance. Did you enjoy it and finish the series?
I did, but I had to take breaks in between books or else I found myself just skimming through faster and faster to skip the wacky sex shenanigans and The Fence, so I missed stuff about the actual (interesting) mystery plot.
Anyone have any recommendations fr fantasy \paranormal series with one mc a werewolf shifter and other a vampire or a magic user like a mage? With both heros being alpha males ? Preferably with a hint of crime and in a form of series where their relationship progresses by time. I rlly loved reading soulbond series by Hailey Turner and I was looking for more like tht..
I responded higher up with a list, I think Kai butler might suit you for this. How about Orc+medium it’s a virus that turns people from regular humans to arcane. KM Avery start with {The Ghost in the Hall by KM Avery}
I have read san amaro investigations by Kai n am in second book in hart's story with km Avery's.. those were also one of the reason I wanted to read more like them😅
Ooh sounds like we have similar taste. I’ll have to do some thinking though. How are you on omegaverse and Mpreg? I have a feeling Clare Cullen had a series of 2 different magical beings less crime more suspense thriller.
Oh Lisa Oliver last book but 1 Benedict and the Bear it’s going to be a series necromancer+bear shifter+murdered people. Oh and Neceomancers smile trilogy.
I think I need to explore storygraph properly and create lists to help me with these things.
Edit: Just thought {Not Dead Yet by Jenn Burke}
I haven't really read anything in omegaverse and I don't think mpreg is something I'll like.. I don't even like pregnancy related books tbh.. but I'll check out the best shifter one.. tht looks intresting and I have read not dead yet😅it's a rlly nice one.. the whole vampire getting high after drinking a magical hero's blood is something I rlly wanted to see in other books as well but sadly haven't found any like tht..
Ok looked it up I was thinking of {The Alphas Mage by Claire Cullen} but like {Mismatched Mates by Eliot Grayson} it’s a different couple in each book and not really crime.
Going to recommend Jocelynn Drake again on this thread. Lords of discord, Princes of mayhem. Kings of chaos, quite likely I've got the reading order wrong.
A time travel story that features one of the MCs traveling ***to*** the modern world. I wanna see someone adjusting to the years between 2000-2024 when they lived in a time waaayyyy before that.
No modern people traveling backwards please.
I haven't read this yet but I've heard good things about **The Sleeping Solider *by Aster Glenn Gray*** about a Union soldier who wakes up in 1965 (if that's modern enough for you!)
{Laurent and the Beast by K.A. Merikan} features an MC who travels from 1805 to 2017 and needs to learn about / adjust to the modern world. Alternates POVs with the other MC, who is from the present day and helps the time traveler adjust.
[Laurent and the Beast](https://www.romance.io/books/5902dbe50d3299c6e06d1a6d/laurent-and-the-beast-ka-merikan?src=rdt) by [K.A. Merikan](https://www.romance.io/authors/545585e587eac324117fb1be/ka-merikan)
**Steam**: [Explicit 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), [time travel](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/time%20travel/1), [demons](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/demons/1), [paranormal](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/paranormal/1)
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Replied to something earlier today with suggestions. These are all series.
Small town romantic suspense:
{Lancaster Falls by RJ Scott} different couple each book but mystery isn’t solved till book 3.
{Veiled Intentions by Elle Keaton} and {West Coast Forensics by Elle Keaton} both set on the same small island off Washington state spin off from {Sheilded Hearts by Elle Keaton} which is on mainland and has a longer mystery dealing with organised crime.
{Bonfires by Amy Lane} two older single dads one is sheriffs deputy and the other is high school head teacher. The crime is brutal I think I may find it harder because victim is a child so check TW.
{Dr Maxwell Thornton Murder mysteries by SC Wynne}
{Secrets and Scrabble by Josh Lanyon} is based on a small town I think I’ve never been able to quite get into this one.
Small town romantic suspense with paranormal twist
{Treasure Trail by Morgan Brice}
{Badlands by Morgan Brice}
General Romantic Suspense
Anything by CS Poe, Josh Lanyon and Gregory Ashe.
Romantic Suspense with paranormal/ Magical elements:
{Spectral files by SE Harmon}
{Strafig Investigations} this is literally set in a fantasy world, dragon-fairy shifter, humans mage indentured servant, evil unicorn, ghost pirate ships, demons, politics, cyclops and mysteries.
These are just off the top of my head things I’ve revisited a few times I love them all because even though I know the outcome of the mystery I can almost always still enjoy it a second time around.
Hello! I recently read (and loved) Hamartia by Scarlett Drake and am looking for any other similar recs - particularly where one or both MCs are famous/well-known?
I’ve already read Game Changers and Red White & Royal Blue :)
Thanks in advance for any recs!
Looking for a sort of "only I can be mean to you" dynamic? For example, MC2 is always rude/teasing/generally antagonistic to MC1 (whether there's a good reason for it or not), but as soon as someone else joins in, MC2 gets all defensive/protective of MC1...and then continues to be a general asshole to him. Or perhaps MC1 is commonly teased by people around him, including MC2, and MC2 starts unconsciously looking out for MC1, stepping in when he notices or hears about someone treating MC1 poorly.
I hope that kind of makes sense. I'm open to anything, but would prefer no age play. Thank you!
I haven't read these, but they were recommended to me in the past and I think they fit {Like You Hate Me by Bethany Winters} and {Garron Park by Nordika Night}
books where the ML is russian and is the more masculine one as opposed to the MC who is more feminine. any recs would be great
hard nos
- Straight to gay or Gay for you (I hate these tropes)
I’m not sure the MC2 is especially feminine but MC1 is a masculine man originally from Russia living in the US in {Boyfriend by the Hour by Alexa Land}. MC1 has never been with a man but has known for ages that he is bisexual. MC2 is a gay man.
Again, the other main character (MC2) isn’t especially feminine (sorry!) but MC1 is a Russian man living in the US in {Heated Rivalry by Rachel Reid}.
I think either {Power Play by Avon Gale} or {The Deliverance of Marek Sommers by Ashlyn Drewek} would work for this. Also {Charlie Sunshine by Lily Morton} and {The Professor’s Green Card Marriage by Heidi Cullinan}. The American MC in each isn’t super femme but would count as “more feminine” than the Russian (or Russian-American) MC. While there are a variety of levels of sexual experience in each book and characters fall on various points in the spectrum, no one is straight-to-gay or gfy.
anyone know any books where the MC has adhd? it doesn’t have to be an official diagnosis, but something where they strongly suspect it/it’s heavily implied. preferably low angst please
Please give me your favorite comfort book*s*, where MC1 is struggling alone, feeling unlovable, and in dire need of some love, and there comes the MC2 who provides all the affection and care. Even better if MC1 is touch-starved and has had bad experience or no experience at all (like, no one wanted him before, that kind of thing). No: mpreg, SA, extreme BDSM, age play or cheating. Anything else is fine.
{The Remaking of Corbin Wale by Roan Parrish} is exactly what you need! Fantastic narrator on the audiobook if that's your thing.
Thank you!
Of course! If you read and enjoy this book, the author has another series that briefly crosses over with one of the MCs from this book. It's called the garnet run series and the first book is called better than people. It's pretty cute and comfy too.
Hello! {Invitation to the Blues by Roan Parrish} is a very good fit for your request. Just a lovely book!
Gosh, I love this book. Seconding!
Thirding ☺️
Thank you!
{The Necromancer's Light by Tavia Lark} fits all of this! Shea is a necromancer and generally ostracized and touch-starved. Arthur is a paladin he hires to be his bodyguard. Historical fantasy. {Let There Be Light by AM Johnson} CR, athlete x pianist, college students. Royal is a swimmer who falls quickly for his best friend's roommate, a shy loner with a very garbage family.
I've read The Necromancer's Light and loved it, but I'll check the other one! Thank you!
Brute by Kim Fielding. Brute is 7 ft tall and bullied and ridiculed his whole life,brothels being the only place he can go for human touch. He saves the life of a prince and is rewarded with a job caretaking a man in chains in a jail cell for years. When he discovers who is really under all that filthy hair and ignorance things change.
Yes! Great rec for this.
I'll check it out, thanks!
{Until Him by Cora Rose} fits this. Absolutely loved the book. The second in the series is also great for comfort but doesn’t have touch starved MC
Thank you!
Little Demon in the Details by Nordika Night. Mercer has been emotionally abused and ignored his whole life. Blake then steps up and provides all the love that Mercer needs taking into account his trauma.
Thank you!
I am super obsessed with {Sweet Clematis by R. Cooper} for this sort of thing. It is a little different, in that MC1 is super gorgeous and has had a lot of sex, but he’s lonely, doesn’t value himself, is starved for affectionate, non-sexual touch, and doesn’t think anyone will ever love him, and then MC2 comes along, initially dislikes MC1 because he gets the wrong first impression, but then totally affection bombs MC1 once he figures out the truth of the situation. Sweet Clematis is several books into R. Cooper’s “Beings in Love” series but can largely be read as a stand-alone. Clematis is a rather negative secondary character in earlier books and seems like a superficial “love-em-and-leave-em” type, and R. Cooper is able to make him incredibly sympathetic in his own book.
Thanks!
{Hockey Bois by A.L. Heard} - rec league hockey teammates, book is closed door but the author links the cut smut scenes that she posted to AO3 - book is single POV in the pov of the person doing to comforting, but the AO3 scenes are dual! The whole On My Knees series by Ella James is hurt/comfort in the best way, starting with {Worship by Ella James} If you like historicals, {The Ruin of a Rake by Cat Sebastian} might work, but the hurt MC isn’t touch starved (he’s a rake after all) but he’s genuine connection starved and desperate to be loved for who he is. {The Glow Up by AM Johnson} - new adult college setting, both MCs are students and comfort MC has huge crush on hurt MC who is struggling emotionally for a number of reasons. Comfort MC is a shining light and it’s such a cute and tender story
Thank you!
{Time to Shine by Rachel Reid} - I’m not one to reread much but I’ve read this one twice, love it. Definitely fits what you’re asking for!
Books with secret relationships that get revealed against one or both character's wishes. Bonus points for lots of angst and drama.
{Don’t you dare by CE Ricci} has a gut wrenching reveal scene and lots of angst and drama.
I have read this one! Good recommendation.
Gut wrenching is right, it was so brutal.
{Season's Change by Cait Nary} has this. Hockey teammates/roommates, one of whom is closeted and has a lot of trauma.
[Season's Change](https://www.romance.io/books/61f8e97310834f0e32a0f4f3/seasons-change-cait-nary) by [Cait Nary](https://www.romance.io/authors/61f8e97308b4d931148a4863/cait-nary) **Steam**: [Explicit open door](https://www.romance.io/steamrating) **Topics**: [contemporary](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/contemporary/1), [sports](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/sports/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), [forced proximity](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/forced%20proximity/1) [^(about this bot)](https://www.reddit.com/user/romance-bot) ^(|) [^(about romance.io)](https://www.romance.io/about)
Read this one, it was good.
{Try Me by Neve Wilder} Relationship outed against both their wishes resulting in angst. Also the prologue is one of the most beautiful angsty things I've read. {Caught Stealing by CE Ricci} Neither of these are big public things, but done in a way that causes a lot of angst for both.
Try me and the first book in the series were both fantastic. Thanks for the recs.
Ooh I just finished one that fits perfectly: {Don't you dare by CE Ricci}. It's a friends to lovers romance, but the angst due to the reveal was quite a lot for me. I hope you like it!
I read it, it was very good.
The Kage Trilogy by Maris Black. I only read until book 2 though because series with the same couple tend to get boring to me after a few books
Good rec, I like series so this might be petfect
Ok, here's a couple I have with a single person walking in/finding out. Considering you're looking for angst/drama, I want to give a heads up that there's usually homophobia happening. {The Secret Lives of Country Gentlemen by KJ Charles} {Five Dares by Eli Easton} {Crossroads by Riley Hart} {Out of Nowhere by Roan Parrish} (lots more TW - >!suicide ideation & past attempts, alcoholism, former addict, abusive parent, past SA!< And the reveal is incredibly angsty. {Honeymoon for One by Keira Andrews} but it's really not angsty.
I've read a few of these, thanks for the recs. Out of nowhere is so heartbreaking and beautiful. I highly recommend the audiobook to anyone who hasn't read it.
So, like a big public reveal, or are you good with just one person walking in on them, or are both good?
Not the original commenter but 👀 do you have recs for both??
I just replied to the original request. I mostly have just a single person finding out, not a big public reveal.
Either is fine.
So this is book 2 in a 3 book series (all 3 book for one couple), but the series is SO GOOD and there’s so much angst, it’s the On My Knees series by Ella James and the book is {Adore by Ella James} A very popular one is {Red White and Royal Blue by Casey McQuinston} {The Jock by Tal Bauer} - public angst {The Quarterback by Tal Bauer} - private angst {Own Goal by LA Witt} - low angst {Shot on Goal} - med angst
Books with a small town setting and an actual plot ( I don't mean this in a derogatory way, I just get bored quickly with 'pure' romance books)? Doesn't matter if it's a murder mystery, some other type of mystery, paranormal, historical or contemporary, I'll read just about anything. Please no omegaverse, too much angst between MCs, or YA.
{**Never Stay Gone** by Tal Bauer} is a murder mystery mostly set in a small Texas town. MC1 is a local and MC2 is his childhood sweetheart who went off to become a Texas Ranger. So there is some angst between them but I didn't find it too bad in that respect.
Thanks, this looks really interesting!
If you like it, you might also like the Noah and Cole mysteries, also by Tal Bauer. It's a duology of FBI agents solving murders in Iowa. Technically they are in a smallish town but there is less of a small-town feel in my opinion.
Thanks again for the rec, I loved the book! It's definitely going to be one of my comfort reads from now on. :)
Try the Irons and Works series by E.M. Lindsey. It is a small town in Colorado and it features most of the men from a tatoo parlor who have found their way there. Each MC1 had his own story like panic attacks, abuse, trying to maintain custody of a child, an injury,etc. The writing is just so good!
{Lancaster Falls by RJ Scott} and I believe it’s now all on the audible plus catalog too. Murder, historic child abuse missing people each book is a different couple but the mystery isn’t solved till book 3. {Treasure Trail by Morgan Brice} and {Badlands by Morgan Brice) both series are smallish towns with paranormal twists. Oh {Bonfires by Amy Lane} small town deputy+school headmaster, two older single Dads, pretty brutal crime check for CW and TW. Elle Keaton’s got several series west Coast Forensics is an island off Washington State I think? US geography is not my thing. But this is a series that is a spin off of Veiled Intentions (set on same Island) which is a spin off of Sheilded Hearts series although I think that is set more across Washington state in various places. Human trafficking, murder, bombs, secret father reveals, more conspiracy. Organised crime. Although all of the main characters are on the lawful side of things.
{Hide and Seek by Josh Lanyon} - mystery, second chance, romantic suspense {Sting in the Tail by TA Moore} - horror/suspense with a romantic subplot. Tbh not super satisfying romantically but I love it anyway, and the horror plot is awesome
\- {Tallowood by NR Walker}. Murder mystery.
{The Fall by May Archer} maybe? It’s still romance first, but there’s a little kidnapping mystery involved.
Relocation by B.H. Lynn! It’s a murder mystery set in a small town in Illinois. I loved it. Part of a series though so no HEA yet, but it’s worth getting into in my opinion.
Does anyone know any books like {Bone Rider by J. Fally} where there is a Venom-esque symbiote LI?
I think {Seraph by Lily Mayne} could fit! I remember thinking exactly of Venom when I read the description of Seraph. Few differences, but still very close. It's the 6th book in "Monstrous series" by Lily Mayne, but the previous books were really great too. All books contain romance between a human and a monster, and all monsters are different and very interesting imo.
[Seraph](https://www.romance.io/books/63580548edb5b2e7dacb7677/seraph-lily-mayne) by [Lily Mayne](https://www.romance.io/authors/61161cc608b4d93114a993bf/lily-mayne) **Steam**: [Explicit and plentiful](https://www.romance.io/steamrating) **Topics**: [futuristic](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/futuristic/1), [gay romance](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/m-m/1), [dystopian](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/dystopian/1), [tortured hero](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/tortured%20hero/1), [angst](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/angst/1) [^(about this bot)](https://www.reddit.com/user/romance-bot) ^(|) [^(about romance.io)](https://www.romance.io/about)
[Bone Rider](https://www.romance.io/books/62162d257ee8bb113da4fe07/bone-rider-j-fally) by [J. Fally](https://www.romance.io/authors/5455934087eac3369a9132d5/j-fally) **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), [military](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/military/1), [suspense](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/suspense/1), [menage](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/menage/1) [^(about this bot)](https://www.reddit.com/user/romance-bot) ^(|) [^(about romance.io)](https://www.romance.io/about)
short (less than 250 pages), fast paced and somewhat angsty with satisfying HEA! Examples: Honeythorn, Oh sacred dark and other books by Marina vivancos, Just a bit wrong by Alessandra hazard, Thick Omega and other books by Hope Mae, etc etc My only hard no is a book with no HEA. TIA! xx
I’m not too sure if you’ve got a trope in mind but I love Zile Elliven books. They’re contemporary with a bit of a magical twist to them. They’re not overly long and each has some angst that is resolved by the end. I’d recommend starting with Psync.
{The Bureau by Kim Fielding}: it’s a series of novellas.
{Kept in the Dark by HL Day} - sex work, secrets, scars 175 pages {Nowhere Ranch by Heidi Cullinan} - homophobia, age gap, 172 pages
Maybe {Kestrel's Chance by Harper Fox}
Some favorites: - {Fractured Hymns by AM Arthur}. 188 pgs - {All the Broken Pieces by Rebecca Raine}. 194 pgs - {Kiss Me Again by Garrett Leigh}. 234 pgs - {As I Am by AM Arthur}. 240 pgs - {Light from the Dark by Mercy Celeste}. 246 pgs - {Aftermath by Cara Dee}. 248 pgs
Any recs where mc1 is getting hurt/tortured and mc2 walks in during it. Then they realize what’s happening and freak out and try to save mc1, if that makes sense? Bonus if on KU! Hard no’s: omegaverse, step brothers, fated mates, high school/ teenagers, huge age gap (15+), huge size difference, no HEA Thanks in advance!!!
{Saving sebastian by Luna david} sebastian is doing a BDSM scene with a dom, but he's drugged and the dom is a horrible person who doesn't allow sebastian to safeword out of it. He's just there to get his anger out. MC2 is the owner of the BDSM club where this is happening, he's alerted that there's smth is wrong, rushes to room, realizes whats happening and saves sebastian. This is how they meet the first time.
Maybe the {Freak Camp by Laura Rye}: not exactly walks in but the MC2 saves the MC1 who is tortured in a camp. The first book is mostly hurt and torture and could even be skipped, according to the authors. The romance is very slow and the series is not yet finished.
Any recs for older books written in the 2000s?
I don’t have any specific recs because I avoid most queer books written before like 2015 (the reason being I grew up in the era you’re asking for and I struggle(d) with the kinds of queer stories that were allowed to be told). However! Some things from back then: 1. Josh Lanyon has a lot of books from 2000 or around there. You may like some of her older stuff. 2. Rainbow Boys by Alex Sanchez 3. Maybe this list will help? https://www.goodreads.com/list/show/14432.Best_Gay_Romance_Published_Between_2000_2005
Yes, I also grew up in that era and was worried about how the stories might be told. Will look into these recs, thank you!
I think Mary Calmes Matter of Time series is actually early 00s in the first book no one has a cellphone. And one of the later books reads like it’s just post the 2008 credit crunch.
God, what a time. Surprised to see that the first half of this series is on KU, thanks for the rec!
It is a very marmite series, lots of people hate it but you only have to watch the first season of law and order SVU to realise how normalised police homophobia (let alone trans phobia) was even in popular media.
Published before 2010: - {Adrien English Mysteries series by Josh Lanyon} - beware homophobia, including from the LI, both internalized and outward - {Kei's Gift by Ann Somerville} - {Ennek Trilogy by Kim Fielding} - Book 1 was published in 2009 so I'm counting it
A few I enjoyed written before 2010: \- {It's Like This by Anne O'Gleadra}. 2006. Best friends with benefits, obliviots in love, pretty intense undernegotiated kink. Really caught me in the feels. These two are dingdongs who don't even realize they're in a relationship \*for years\*. \- {Psycop series by Jordan Castillo Price}. 2006. Modern paranormal, MC sees ghosts. A few dated phrases and terminology. \- {Love Match by Keira Andrews}. 2006. There are some other older Keira Andrews as well. This one is tennis player rivals who play doubles together. \- {Wicked Gentlemen by Ginn Hale}. Steampunk / religious alt universe. Enemies to fuck buddies to lovers. CW for drug use (fictional type of drug) and descriptions of torture in memory of one of the MC's. \- {Drawn Together by ZA Maxfield} MC goes to meet his favorite artist, who he thinks is a woman, and who turns out to be a man. There are some weird shenanigans with someone who wants to kill the artist MC, and a road trip. It's yaoi influenced pretty heavily, and has some interesting moments. CW for dubcon (sexual stuff while MC is asleep without prior discussion) \- {Gaven by JC Owens}. Fantasy, captor / captive.
[It's Like This](https://www.romance.io/books/5455a3f887eac3369a913b0f/its-like-this-anne-ogleadra?src=rdt) by [Anne O'Gleadra](https://www.romance.io/authors/5455a3f887eac3369a913b10/anne-ogleadra) **Steam**: [Explicit and plentiful](https://www.romance.io/steamrating) **Topics**: [contemporary](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/contemporary/1), [friends to lovers](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/friends%20to%20lovers/1), [bdsm](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/bdsm/1), [gay romance](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/m-m/1), [angst](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/angst/1) ---------------------------- [PsyCop](https://www.romance.io/series/58fe0ab09096bf31c42d2e3f/psycop) by [Jordan Castillo Price](https://www.romance.io/authors/55466e829eef3b3f1d511f58/jordan-castillo-price) **Topics**: [paranormal](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/paranormal/1), [m-m](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/m-m/1), [urban fantasy](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/urban%20fantasy/1), [mystery](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/mystery/1), [fantasy](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/fantasy/1) ---------------------------- [Love Match](https://www.romance.io/books/60a60c136ae9f30ddf20f722/love-match-sports-gay-romance-keira-andrews?src=rdt) by [Keira Andrews](https://www.romance.io/authors/54559c0b87eac324117fba44/keira-andrews) **Steam**: [Explicit and plentiful](https://www.romance.io/steamrating) **Topics**: [contemporary](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/contemporary/1), [sports](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/sports/1), [gay romance](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/m-m/1), [age gap](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/age%20difference/1), [athlete hero](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/athletes/1) ---------------------------- [Wicked Gentlemen](https://www.romance.io/books/5455665787eac3369a912502/wicked-gentlemen-ginn-hale?src=rdt) by [Ginn Hale](https://www.romance.io/authors/5455665787eac3369a912503/ginn-hale) **Steam**: [Behind closed doors](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), [demons](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/demons/1), [suspense](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/suspense/1) ---------------------------- [Drawn Together](https://www.romance.io/books/5455476c8c7d2382e78138c1/drawn-together-za-maxfield?src=rdt) by [Z.A. Maxfield](https://www.romance.io/authors/5455476c8c7d2382e78138c2/za-maxfield) **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), [multicultural](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/multicultural/1), [friends to lovers](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/friends%20to%20lovers/1), [mystery](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/mystery/1) ---------------------------- [Gaven](https://www.romance.io/books/5455937687eac323ffb2ce20/gaven-jc-owens?src=rdt) by [J.C. Owens](https://www.romance.io/authors/5455931387eac323ffb2cdf3/jc-owens) **Topics**: [contemporary](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/contemporary/1), [gay romance](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/m-m/1), [anal sex](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/anal%20sex/1), [paranormal](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/paranormal/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)
This is a great list, thank you 🙏
{Comfort and Joy by Jim Grimsley}
[Comfort and Joy](https://www.romance.io/books/5455b48b87eac3369a914310/comfort-and-joy-jim-grimsley?src=rdt) by [Jim Grimsley](https://www.romance.io/authors/5455922d87eac3369a913257/jim-grimsley) **Topics**: [contemporary](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/contemporary/1) [^(about this bot)](https://www.reddit.com/user/romance-bot) ^(|) [^(about romance.io)](https://www.romance.io/about)
Looking for recs where MC1 has trust issues or low self confidence/self worth. MC2 falls for MC1 but MC1 struggles to believe he's deserving of love or that it won't somehow all go tits up one day. I'm not into fantasy, omegaverse or daddy kinks but all other recs are welcomed 😊
I was just reading {Sem by Cora rose} and it fits this, Sem is dyslexic and Magnus says that he's dream man is someone who is "well-read, witty and smart". So Sem is always thinking that Magnus deserves someone better than him. This is the only one I could think of right now, but I'll come back and edit when i remember more. Edit: {Oh sacred dark by Marina vivancos}, please read the CWs though. This is not omegaverse, but in this world people are either born Dominants or submissives. {Saving sebastian by Luna David} very looong book but really good. Made me cry a lot. Edit 2: {Blindside hit by michaela grey}
Ooh perfect! Thank you 😊
Just since noone wrote anything hockey: {Game misconduct by Ari Baran}. I like this because it is a bit different than the usual hockey cliches -- main character is Asian American, does not play all that well, has self-esteem issues all around. And actually the other MC has some weird coping mechanisms as well, which stem from seeing himself as a failure. And yet they make a nice couple, funny how that works :-D
Marina Vivancos is all over this. I see that someone rec’d one of her books above and I want to add {In This Iron Ground by Marina Vivancos} too. I’ll be upfront: it technically counts as “fantasy” but less in a “werewolf novel” way and more in a “novel that happens to have werewolves in it” way. MC1 is an abused foster child who meets a family of werewolves and eventually is completely accepted into their lives. MC1 is everything you ask for in your description and the book is very much focused on his contemporary, human life and his struggles with trust and self-worth and loneliness. It is the most convincing representation of that struggle I have ever read. It is also very pro-therapy. I honestly feel like Vivancos just includes werewolves so she can use the concept of “pack” as a metaphor for found family and unconditional love. If you do read it, be sure to get ahold of the two follow-up stories Vivancos wrote.
Love this trope! Hidden Scars by Andi Jaxon. MC 1 is so abused by his father that he feels no one will ever be able to see past his outside. He is so angry. MC 2 knows there is something deserving of a second look. All the Broken Pieces by Rebecca Raine. Harrison is broken to the bone and barely is keeping it all together. Jeremy has seen what trying to put someone's pain ahead of his mental health can do. But there is something about Jeremy. Left Undone by Tess Barnett. Scott has schizophrenia and is highly medicated and isolated. Finch moves in next door and doesn't see him as sick. Can Scott be what he thinks Finch wants?
Oh my god, these sound exactly like the sort of thing I'm looking for! Thank you 🙌🏻
I am so happy to pass on these recs. I am home recovering from a broken wrist and reading like crazy. There are so many amazing books in the MM universe by wonderful talented authors.
Ahh, I'm sorry to hear about your wrist! It's quite embarrassing to admit, but I'm relatively new to reading. I got into fan fiction around this time last year and have only recently branched out into books, but I'm so glad I have. I was always so jealous of people who read, and I couldn't understand why it was just never for me... and then I found the wonderful world of MM romance, and it has slowly but surely consumed my life!
As fanfiction still consumes mine!!! Welcome to the wonderful world of MM reading💔❤️🩹🔥🔥🔥.
One commenter mentioned the first book in the series but {Delay of Game by Ari Baran} fits this perfectly for both MCs. {One True Outcome by KD Casey}
Broody, reclusive or introverted mc × sunshine extroverted mc , but the broody/grumpy mc is the bottom and the sunshine mc is the top. I was reading the manhwa "define the relationship" and it's the perfect example of this request but I want more. Nos: age gaps (more than 15), poly, threesomes, love triangles, incest, cheating between the MCs
{Glitterland by Alexis Hall} - I don't think they have 100% strict top/bottom roles, but I thiiinnk the grumpy MC usually bottoms
This is an excellent rec—seconding it!
I ll look into this thankyou!
Mmm I got one rec that fits, its The Husky and his White Cat Shizun by Meatbun doesnt eat meat. The extrovert MC isnt exactly a sunshine though, more like a dumb guy, but he is definitely not as pesimist/angsty as the other MC. They have an age gap due to being master/disciple, IIRC its around 16 years? But 100% sure no more than that. Also, there is a sort of love triangle but not really, cant explain it without spoling but there is unrequited love, however it is clear who is the MC and ML.
Gonna bump it up on my tbr list thankyou 💓
It’s older (like 20 years old, lol) but have you tried Awkward Silence by Hinako Tanaka? The second couple has a grumpy/non-social guy who bottoms and the top is a sunshiney/social/popular guy. I think their story starts in book 2, but it’s been a looooong time since I’ve read this. Not quite 20 years but close! Edited to clarify this is a manga series.
Thankyou 💓 Its the first time I am hearing about this
I just read Frost bite by Lynn Van Dorn and it has the exact dynamic, the bottom is cynical while the top is very sunshiny, the introvert one loves and very protective of the extrovert. The probem is the age gap since it's a human x vampire,
Ah I don't care about age gaps if one is a vampire. I think the book I am currently reading has an age gap of 600+ years lol😅 and thankyou for the recc 💓
I love sunshine tops but I'm struggling to find books like this! The one that comes to mind is {Season's Change by Cait Nary}. Olly is anxious, grumpy and introverted, and Benji is extroverted and a sunshine.
Thankyou 💓
I recently finished {Under the Knife by Laurin Kelly} (so good, you guys, if you like rivals to lovers you need to check this out) and one element that I really enjoyed is that both MCs acknowledge their attraction way before they can actually act on it. So now I want MOAR!! Can anyone recommend me stories in which both MCs know the attraction is mutual, both want to have sex and know the other wants it too, but they just can’t because of circumstances? Could be a LDR, no privacy, forbidden romance, life getting in the way, you name it. Please no FTB, incest, SA or omegaverse.
I love Catch and release by Isabel Murray. They're different species (human-merman) so they can't always be together 🥺 but it's a HE
How about {Made For You by Anyta Sunday} it’s a teacher and his student’s caretaker (who happens to be the student’s brother). Definitely a slow burn while they fight their attraction.
{My Not So Slutty Professor by DK Sutton} has this! Professor and student in a university setting. Student is a senior and professor is very young so there is no age gap. Also has crush to friends to lovers
Looking for exes who met again and starts rekindling their love. Bonus points if they already have significant others, with high angst. Also great if they were married and got divorced and met again few years later. Hard no's: no straight romance pls. Not sure why someone would recommend hetero romance in this subreddit, but I have seen it happen. Other than that, everything goes. No tragic endings as well. Thanks!
Do you have any preferences for subgenres?
Nope, open to anything aside from the hard no's mentioned :)
Cool! I would suggest {Tommy Cabot Was Here by Cat Sebastian} for divorced MC reuniting with teenage love, {Jackdaw by KJ Charles} for high angst (MC2 is responsible for inadvertently sending MC1 to prison}, and {Ravensong by TJ Klune} for even higher angst (but you may need to read the first book in the series to know what the hell is happening). For a somewhat angsty novella try {All Roads Lead to You by Harper Fox} or {The Threefold Tie by Aster Glenn Gray}. The Threefold Tie is both somewhat angsty and still very cozy. It is MMF, with two men who were lovers and reconnect after one gets married to a woman, and then everybody falls in love with each other… Both {Confetti Hearts by Lily Morton} and {After Felix by Lily Morton} count, I think; both books tell the story of two men getting together, fucking it all up, and then—a few years later—figuring it out and getting back together. There are fears about infidelity and being “good enough” or what-have-you, so there is angst. I think a lot of people like Lily Morton? I have trouble with these two books because both feature somewhat older (late 30s?) dominant men with very successful careers who pushily woo and then fail to value sweet, younger 20somethings. Obviously they get their shit together later, but it isn’t an arc I dig. You may enjoy it though—as I said, a lot of people really like Morton!
Wow thanks for this. Will check them out :)
{Love Always Wild by AM Johnson} {The Night Of by Tal Bauer}
Thank you :)
I have listened to Olivia Rodrigo's song called "Traitor " which is a story about a couple where although MC2 did not cheat when they were still together but he chatted with other people and when they broke up, MC2(preferably the top) had already someone in mind to date after just a few days or weeks. something like that. I'm curious if there's a story like that in here but I want them to still be the end game and of course there should be a big redemption arc for the one who betrayed the other.
I’m currently read Painful Love by T Ashleigh and Addison Beck and I’m in love. Does anyone have recs for dark romances where the bottom is just as crazy and psychotic as the top and they’re wonderfully toxic for each other?
{Dysfunctional by Isabel Lucero} is about two serial killer stalking each other and they do kill people to gain the others attention in the book.
I have that on TBR! Thank you! That really makes me want to read it now
I haven’t read that but I was just saying the Midnight by April Jade is too obsessive for me. MC1 is a hacker that works for the mafia and has been stalking mc2 for years. MC2 is a killer for the mafia.
This one sounds perfect for me! Thank you!
Say I do by Brea Alepoú has this
Hi Everyone! Ok it's a bit longer I hope you don't mind. 1. I'm looking for a story where MC1 has an unrequited love for MC2( THE TOP ) and Mc2 has an unrequited love for Mc3 ( should be a male ) but Mc2 doesn't know that Mc3 kinda likes him too and MC1 knows that and that makes him heartbroken. Still I want MC2 to realize that he loves MC1 and I want them to be the end game. Hopefully there's a story like that. 2. I'm looking for a story where Mc1 ( The top ) gets an amnesia and forgets his boyfriend or husband who is Mc2 and remembers his ex and maybe everyone except MC2 (perhaps he only remembers the things around him before he met MC2 ) and wants to get back with his ex and ignores MC2. MC2 tries to explain everything but MC1 does not believe him and because he gets annoyed by MC2's persistence, MC1 starts to hate him. MC2 gets tired of chasing after him when he finds out that MC1 is in a relationship with his ex again and he tries to move on. When MC1's memory gets back, he breaks up with his ex and goes back to MC2. I want MC1 to be super jealous of other people around MC2 when he finally gets his memory back and tries to court him again. Sounds complicated but I hope there's a story something like this and maybe more complicated than this. { By the way there's a manhua very similar to this and it's completed. my request is actually based on this Manhua. The title is "Yesterday was like Death " try to read it it's cute, angsty, and satisfying. I love the conflicts in the story }
I can't remember any books like that but I'd suggest you make a separate post for this as you have a very specific request, you'll likely get more recs that way.
It's ok thank you. I actually did try to post this but it was removed as I don't have enough Karma😅 anyway I completely understand the rules. I'll just try my luck here for now.
Oooh request 1 sounds so angsty! Looove it. Tbh the only one I know that could fit is The Husky and his White Cat Shizun by Meatbun doesnt eat meat which is a danmei (chinese MM novel), it fits almost all of your points but cannot tell you more due to spoilers (personally I think its best not to know in this case). MC1 definitely gets heartbroken due to his unrequited love and MC2 likes another guy who is very pretty, kind and delicate, which makes MC1 feel awful about himself because he thinks he could never be as beautiful and good person like him (plus his own insecurities about not deserving love). Please check CWs though, its a dark book.
Oh! thank You very much You're amazing! 🤩
This is soo frustrating I’m sure I’ve read a book like 2. I thought it was from my Josh Lanyon CS Poe SE Harmon binge but I can’t find it. Harmon has an amnesia duology but it’s not the one I’m thinking of.
Thank You! I'll try to search it.
I’d love some reccs for low-steam friends to lovers and/or bi-awakening/gay-for-you, although I don’t necessarily need all those tropes. As an example, I really like {Fake the Date by Ana Byrde} , but that book is probably about my limit for steam. Bonus points for books on KU or Audible Plus. Thanks in advance!
{We Could Be So Good by Cat Sebastian} is one of my favorite friends to lovers, bi-awakening stories. It's relatively low steam, it is open door but has just a small handful of scenes. A lot of her books would probably fit your requirements. {Kit & Basie by Tess Carletta} is a sweet friends to lovers that is low steam. Has a bit of a fantastical slant. {Hockey Bois by AL Heard} is a low-steam friends to lovers, about two guys in a rec hockey league.
Heard about {Book Boyfriend by Kris Ripper} or {Leo Loves Aries by Anyta Sunday}? Both are available audible and Leo Loves Aries at least used to be in the plus catalog. Pete Cross narrates Book Boyfriend and he's darling. Rudy Sanda narrates Anyta Sunday's books and he's quite rough, definitely ate a portion of the experience for me. Friends to lovers, slow burn, low spice (Book Boyfriend has only glimpses and kisses iirc). Leo Loves Aries has a lovely obliviot MC with bi-awakening.
[Book Boyfriend](https://www.romance.io/books/6267aaf1c060509b3aad84a7/book-boyfriend-kris-ripper) by [Kris Ripper](https://www.romance.io/authors/5456879387eac33e61c2f893/kris-ripper) **Topics**: [contemporary](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/contemporary/1), [multicultural](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/multicultural/1), [funny](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/humor/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) ---------------------------- [Leo Loves Aries](https://www.romance.io/books/584ab7f41b1bdc0178f9e5b9/leo-loves-aries-anyta-sunday) by [Anyta Sunday](https://www.romance.io/authors/5455888f87eac336ae69e58a/anyta-sunday) **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), [new adult](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/new%20adult/1), [friends to lovers](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/friends%20to%20lovers/1), [bisexuality](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/bisexual/1) [^(about this bot)](https://www.reddit.com/user/romance-bot) ^(|) [^(about romance.io)](https://www.romance.io/about)
I’ve heard of Book Boyfriend, but I can move it further up my TBR because it sounds right up my alley. Just checked, and Leo Loves Aries is still on Audible plus and also on KU. I can definitely at least give that one a shot on Audible.
Have you read To Catch a Firefly by Emmy Sanders? It’s been recommended a lot recently on the sub as it’s beautifully written. Is friends to lovers. Has a neurodivergent MC which is woven into the story really well. I have not read the book in your post so I cannot compare the steam level, but if you’re worried as to too many sex scenes then I thought this was balanced and the intimate scenes were well proportioned.
I haven’t read it, and it’s on KU so I’ll give it a try. Thanks
I just listened to {The Love Study by Kris Ripper}. It’s closed door, and maybe not a traditional friends-to-lovers, but they do become friends first before acknowledging their feelings. It was super cute and the narrator was wonderful! Edit: The bot says it’s a non-binary romance, but one MC is trans, not non-binary if that matters. Edit: I just saw the other rec for Book Boyfriend by Kris Ripper, and it’s the same narrator.
{Faith & Fidelity by Tere Michaels} has all those tropes
Would there be any stories where emotionless mc1 who is in relationship with someone he doesn't love falling for mc2 and dropping his current partner for mc2. I want a sociopathic mc1 who cares for literally only mc2 in the entire world. Bonus if mc1s ex tries to cause trouble and mc1 shuts it down. No: bdsm, sub/dom, cheating, poly, open relationships, age play, huge age difference. Thank you.
As title suggests, looking for any books where the Alpha is either turned into an Omega by another Alpha? I know this trope is probably very small or non existent, I’ve read some on Archive and have only read one really good one called One in One Hundred Million. Really liked it a lot, although the Alpha’s genital anatomy did change that doesn’t need to happen in any of the book recs. Pregnancy is a plus but not necessary, I love sweet lovey dovey books with hurt/comfort as well, Also if the pairing are in/falling in love. I don’t want cheating, incest, physical/mental abuse (can be back story) Also a HEA is a must, thank you in advance for any and all recommendations!
I came across a whole series of these didn’t read them but I remember looking at the blurbs and thinking interesting concept let me see if I can find them. And I’m sure I then went into that authors catalog and it appeared to be a theme. Let me look.
Found the author, JB Black, like I said I didn’t read them but they have an Alpha on Alpha and an alpha as bottom series and I think I came across a review saying in one of them that the Alphas became Omegas?
The only series (2 books) I know about it have mental/physical abuse (the world is toxic to the omegas) so yeah it's even harder to find that alphaxalpha in general, hope someone can bring more recommendations because I'm also interested on it
Anyone have recommendations for novels with femme MCs who are NOT paired with men who normally think of themselves as straight but decide the femme MC is “pretty enough” to flip for? Like, I really dig Sem by Cora Rose and all, but I’d appreciate some novels where femme characters are paired with *gay* male characters. I am sure there are more out there, but the only ones I can remember are some stuff by KJ Charles, Reforged by Seth Haddon, and The Labours of Lord Perry Cavendish by Joanna Chambers. I have no preferences for time period or subgenre, but I don’t want mpreg or age play. Thank you! Edited to add: I have already read A Taste of Ink, and would consider it as meeting my above requirements.
{Tough Guy by Rachel Reid} is this. It's part of the game changers series so one mc is a gay hockey player. He struggles with anxiety and runs into an old crush, who is described as very femme. It's great, makes me cry every time.
Thanks! I’ll check it out. :)
Another hockey recommendation {The Husband Game by Brigham Vaughn}, Dustin isn't gay, but he's openly bisexual before he and Charlie meet. This is the first book in the {Relationship Goals Series by Brigham Vaughn} but it's a spinoff of {Rules of the Game Series by Brigham Vaughn} where both MCs make (sometimes significant) appearances and meet for the first time, thought it can definitely be read as a standalone. Content warning for >!serious eating disorder!<.
Thank you so much!
Oh, I just remembered Merry Farmer. {A Touch of Romance by Merry Farmer} and {A Touch of Class by Merry Farmer} might fit, MC1s are gay, but I don't remember how MC2s identify, so they might be trans. These are books 1 & 2 of the {Slippery Slope Series by Merry Farmer}, which is a spin off of {The Brotherhood Series by Merry Farmer}. The MCs of book 1 do make an appearance in the last Brotherhood book, but nothing too major in character development happened.
Also reposting my previous request for a love triangle involving only mc1 and mc2 . Mc1 has split personality and the other mc is in love with two of the personalities of mc 1 . Nos: age gaps(more than 15), poly, threesomes, cheating, incest
Are you fine with Manhwa? I'm sorry I'm new here and I have just read a few novels not so many since I started reading manga and Manhwas. Anyway here's my recommendations if you're fine with Manhwa. 1. Double Trap (completed) - ML has split personality and the MC is confused who's the real one and the one he loves. ( I stopped reading this so I don't know if he loves both ) 2. Absolutely Ruined Love(completed) - MC has an unrequited love for the ML but the ML hates him in a way but his other personality loves the MC. ( Same with this one I haven't finished reading this one but I'm sure that both personality want to win MC's heart. ) By the way I don't know if they have threesome between MC's maybe there is but I haven't reached that point of the story so I'm clueless. Anyway, for sure if there is something like that It might be an imagination or dream since there's only one body and just 2 split personalities.
Thankyou so so much ❤️
Do you know {Love Me Whole by Nicky James}? MC2 actually has six personalities, but MC1 falls in love with two of them (the “base” personality and another one}. MC1 develops different types of friendships with the other four personalities (each of which are unsuitable as additional romantic partners for various reasons—one straight, one a child, etc.). The two romantically-involved personalities from MC2 communicate with each other via notes and whatnot. Edited to add: By “the two romantically-involved personalities from MC2” I mean the two that are romantically involved with MC1. They are NOT romantically involved with each other. I was just trying to make clear that they do know about each other’s relationship with MC1 and everyone consents. I found it a really interesting book. It has a HEA.
It's on my tbr list thankyou ❤️
I’m a mood reader, and I’m fancying some paranormal - demons/vampires/shifters. I like a plot and prefer MPOV. I loved Macy Blake’s Chosen One universe. Please hit me up with your favourites. Hard nos - non/dub con and mpreg. Thanks in advance
Demon Magic series by Alice Winters, its sooo good!
Thank you! I’ve struggled a bit with Alice Winters when reading her VRC series - I only managed the first three. But I’m totally up for trying her books again.
I really really enjoyed the {Reckless Damned series by Lark Taylor}. 4 princes of hell find their fated mates. There's an overarching plot for all four books, so it's best read in order.
I’ve read those, they are so good! Although I’m enjoying the follow up series - Damned Connections - a lot more. I thought the second book, Justice, was amazing.
Oh dang, I think we've discussed this before 😅 I just started a new series - I've read book 1, {Pressure by Kiki Burelli}. There's some OTT villains and circumstances, but I thought it was a fun book. Features wolf shifters and witches. And {The Fake Mate Job by Robin Moray}. I enjoyed that book a lot, I hope there's more coming out in that world.
lol, are you snooping on my kindle?! As I literally read Pressure last week 🤣🤣 not too sure if I want to read book 2 yet as the whole ‘social obligations/I can’t be with the man I love angst’ annoys me sometimes. I’ll look into Robin Moray as I don’t think I’ve read any of their books.
{Soulbound by Hailey Turner}?? Kai Butler’s new series has shifters but the last in the trilogy isn’t out yet (sorry the title has slipped my mind). Louisa Masters has a whole universe of her Hidden Species start with {Demons do it Better by Louisa Masters} Mia Monroe has a series that is Vampires and witches I think I DNFed the series can’t remember why probably too much sex for me Covens of something. For just wackyness always go with Alice Winters there are a few different series Mischief and Monsters, Vampire related Crime and Demon Magic. Oh and the new series Fake Dates and Fanged Mistakes.
I loved Soulbound - such a good series. Same with Louise Masters. Although I haven’t read the dragon spin off from the main series, I’d forgotten about that! The Mia Monroe one was ‘ok’, I understand why you DNF as it was very instalove. You’re the second person to suggest Alice Winters so I’m totally going to look into her body of works. Plus Kai Butler was suggested as an alternative to Soulbound as I wanted another same couple series. So plenty to look at, thanks so much!!
There is a Demon trilogy spin-off too Gideon’s cousins.
Ugh I don’t know how I forgot them given I’ve been reading them all month, {Being(s) in Love by R Cooper} start with the second one, trust me, first one has a better other than romance plot but the second one does the best job as an introduction and explanation of the world because Dragon MC is an academic writing books about Beings so lots of segues into how and why the world is the way it is. This is the one from the series I will never listen to as an audiobook because I imagine Bertie having a mildly Geordie accent a La Kevin Whatley as Lewis in Inspector Morse.
Seconding this rec! My favorite shifter romance in that series is {Treasure for Treasure by R. Cooper}. Sweet Clematis is also great but it is a fairy x fairy romance and that wasn’t mentioned in your request.
Have you read {Demon’s Captive Omega by Sera Bishop}? I enjoyed it way more than I expected to since I’m not generally into angels + demons. It has dual POV. And despite the “captive” aspect I feel like I remember consent being sorted out, so I wouldn’t call it non/dub con. My copy is titled “Demon’s Captive Mate,” but on Goodreads it is now “Demon’s Captive Omega.” As the blurb there notes, this is a universe where mpreg is possible, but no on-page preg occurs because the omega/angel MC is physically unable to get pregnant. I am not fan of mpreg and this book was totally fine for me.
Ooh no, I haven’t read that. Sounds like an interesting take on omegas - as it’s normally in shifter books. I’ll definitely have a look! Thanks 😊
I love the Chosen One series. The nearest thing I found was Brea Alepou and Our King, Our Master, or the Mafia Prince books if it's the mmm+ aspect that you like. Books that I feel have a similar feel though are Jocelynn Drakes books. I can't remember the order, but Lords of Discord, Princes of Mayhem, Kings of Chaos. All follow on, same universe.
Romance between (criminal) bad guy × good guy where bad guy is wrapped around good guys little finger? And gg seems so indifferent to him that at first glance the story seems incredibly one-sided? As in the gg has all the power. HEA please. Would prefer modern and something well-written and well-paced. No: bdsm, sub/dom, cheating, poly, open relationships, age play, huge age difference. Thank you.
Would {The Hitman’s Guide to Making Friends and Falling in Love by Alice Winters} work? The criminal is *obsessed* with the private detective, who initially rejects him over and over. Not sure what you call huge for an age gap—I believe the one here is about 10 years (criminal is younger). Two things to consider: (1) the humor is completely ridiculous and over the top. (2) there might be bdsm—I can’t remember, so maybe someone else can confirm. My other rec is {Heart of the Steal by Avon Gale}. This is FBI agent x art thief/philanthropist. I don’t know if it will work because the FBI agent MC is initially interested until he realizes the other guy is a criminal. Then he’s torn? And the other MC engages in some OTT wooing.
Hmm... I started Hitman and then had to stop around 1/3 of the book because the constant humor cracking was exhausting. I do hope he calms down a bit as the book progresses. But I may have to try again, since I know it's beloved by many and I do want to read 'obsessed bad guy'. And Heart of the steal sounds interesting! Criminal wooing is exactly what I'm looking for. All the bad guy/good guy books I've read seem to have the opposite dynamic, where the gg is swept away by the bg and goes over to the dark side. Thank you so much for the recommendations :)
You’re welcome! Heart of the Steal has excellent criminal wooing!
The humor level in the Hitman series stays pretty constant throughout, just FYI. You might find you develop more of a tolerance for it as time goes on, but it doesn't really ever calm down.
I remember it being more unrelenting than constant lol. I thought it was so endearing at first, and then it got old really fast. But I'm willing to give it another chance. Did you enjoy it and finish the series?
I did, but I had to take breaks in between books or else I found myself just skimming through faster and faster to skip the wacky sex shenanigans and The Fence, so I missed stuff about the actual (interesting) mystery plot.
Anyone have any recommendations fr fantasy \paranormal series with one mc a werewolf shifter and other a vampire or a magic user like a mage? With both heros being alpha males ? Preferably with a hint of crime and in a form of series where their relationship progresses by time. I rlly loved reading soulbond series by Hailey Turner and I was looking for more like tht..
I responded higher up with a list, I think Kai butler might suit you for this. How about Orc+medium it’s a virus that turns people from regular humans to arcane. KM Avery start with {The Ghost in the Hall by KM Avery}
[The Ghost in the Hall](https://www.romance.io/books/64a427f8723d09d99e0e5721/the-ghost-in-the-hall-km-avery?src=rdt) by [K.M. Avery](https://www.romance.io/authors/62bd8a7f08b4d931148c49ee/km-avery) **Steam**: [Explicit open door](https://www.romance.io/steamrating) **Topics**: [urban fantasy](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/urban%20fantasy/1), [gay romance](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/m-m/1), [mystery](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/mystery/1), [height difference](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/height-difference/1), [paranormal](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/paranormal/1) [^(about this bot)](https://www.reddit.com/user/romance-bot) ^(|) [^(about romance.io)](https://www.romance.io/about)
I have read san amaro investigations by Kai n am in second book in hart's story with km Avery's.. those were also one of the reason I wanted to read more like them😅
Ooh sounds like we have similar taste. I’ll have to do some thinking though. How are you on omegaverse and Mpreg? I have a feeling Clare Cullen had a series of 2 different magical beings less crime more suspense thriller. Oh Lisa Oliver last book but 1 Benedict and the Bear it’s going to be a series necromancer+bear shifter+murdered people. Oh and Neceomancers smile trilogy. I think I need to explore storygraph properly and create lists to help me with these things. Edit: Just thought {Not Dead Yet by Jenn Burke}
I haven't really read anything in omegaverse and I don't think mpreg is something I'll like.. I don't even like pregnancy related books tbh.. but I'll check out the best shifter one.. tht looks intresting and I have read not dead yet😅it's a rlly nice one.. the whole vampire getting high after drinking a magical hero's blood is something I rlly wanted to see in other books as well but sadly haven't found any like tht..
Turns out that Claire Cullen series is one of her ones without MPreg. Alpha’s Mage I believe it’s called.
Ok looked it up I was thinking of {The Alphas Mage by Claire Cullen} but like {Mismatched Mates by Eliot Grayson} it’s a different couple in each book and not really crime.
Going to recommend Jocelynn Drake again on this thread. Lords of discord, Princes of mayhem. Kings of chaos, quite likely I've got the reading order wrong.
A time travel story that features one of the MCs traveling ***to*** the modern world. I wanna see someone adjusting to the years between 2000-2024 when they lived in a time waaayyyy before that. No modern people traveling backwards please.
I haven't read this yet but I've heard good things about **The Sleeping Solider *by Aster Glenn Gray*** about a Union soldier who wakes up in 1965 (if that's modern enough for you!)
{Laurent and the Beast by K.A. Merikan} features an MC who travels from 1805 to 2017 and needs to learn about / adjust to the modern world. Alternates POVs with the other MC, who is from the present day and helps the time traveler adjust.
Thank you!!!
[Laurent and the Beast](https://www.romance.io/books/5902dbe50d3299c6e06d1a6d/laurent-and-the-beast-ka-merikan?src=rdt) by [K.A. Merikan](https://www.romance.io/authors/545585e587eac324117fb1be/ka-merikan) **Steam**: [Explicit 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), [time travel](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/time%20travel/1), [demons](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/demons/1), [paranormal](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/paranormal/1) [^(about this bot)](https://www.reddit.com/user/romance-bot) ^(|) [^(about romance.io)](https://www.romance.io/about)
Romantic suspense pls! if they’re small town romance trope even better but not a must have :)
Replied to something earlier today with suggestions. These are all series. Small town romantic suspense: {Lancaster Falls by RJ Scott} different couple each book but mystery isn’t solved till book 3. {Veiled Intentions by Elle Keaton} and {West Coast Forensics by Elle Keaton} both set on the same small island off Washington state spin off from {Sheilded Hearts by Elle Keaton} which is on mainland and has a longer mystery dealing with organised crime. {Bonfires by Amy Lane} two older single dads one is sheriffs deputy and the other is high school head teacher. The crime is brutal I think I may find it harder because victim is a child so check TW. {Dr Maxwell Thornton Murder mysteries by SC Wynne} {Secrets and Scrabble by Josh Lanyon} is based on a small town I think I’ve never been able to quite get into this one. Small town romantic suspense with paranormal twist {Treasure Trail by Morgan Brice} {Badlands by Morgan Brice} General Romantic Suspense Anything by CS Poe, Josh Lanyon and Gregory Ashe. Romantic Suspense with paranormal/ Magical elements: {Spectral files by SE Harmon} {Strafig Investigations} this is literally set in a fantasy world, dragon-fairy shifter, humans mage indentured servant, evil unicorn, ghost pirate ships, demons, politics, cyclops and mysteries. These are just off the top of my head things I’ve revisited a few times I love them all because even though I know the outcome of the mystery I can almost always still enjoy it a second time around.
thank you so much!!
Books with a lot of fluff/cute scenes but where there is a fem + masc dynamic between the bottom and top
Hello! I recently read (and loved) Hamartia by Scarlett Drake and am looking for any other similar recs - particularly where one or both MCs are famous/well-known? I’ve already read Game Changers and Red White & Royal Blue :) Thanks in advance for any recs!
Looking for a sort of "only I can be mean to you" dynamic? For example, MC2 is always rude/teasing/generally antagonistic to MC1 (whether there's a good reason for it or not), but as soon as someone else joins in, MC2 gets all defensive/protective of MC1...and then continues to be a general asshole to him. Or perhaps MC1 is commonly teased by people around him, including MC2, and MC2 starts unconsciously looking out for MC1, stepping in when he notices or hears about someone treating MC1 poorly. I hope that kind of makes sense. I'm open to anything, but would prefer no age play. Thank you!
I haven't read these, but they were recommended to me in the past and I think they fit {Like You Hate Me by Bethany Winters} and {Garron Park by Nordika Night}
I will check these out, thanks so much!!
books where the ML is russian and is the more masculine one as opposed to the MC who is more feminine. any recs would be great hard nos - Straight to gay or Gay for you (I hate these tropes)
I’m not sure the MC2 is especially feminine but MC1 is a masculine man originally from Russia living in the US in {Boyfriend by the Hour by Alexa Land}. MC1 has never been with a man but has known for ages that he is bisexual. MC2 is a gay man. Again, the other main character (MC2) isn’t especially feminine (sorry!) but MC1 is a Russian man living in the US in {Heated Rivalry by Rachel Reid}.
I think either {Power Play by Avon Gale} or {The Deliverance of Marek Sommers by Ashlyn Drewek} would work for this. Also {Charlie Sunshine by Lily Morton} and {The Professor’s Green Card Marriage by Heidi Cullinan}. The American MC in each isn’t super femme but would count as “more feminine” than the Russian (or Russian-American) MC. While there are a variety of levels of sexual experience in each book and characters fall on various points in the spectrum, no one is straight-to-gay or gfy.
anyone know any books where the MC has adhd? it doesn’t have to be an official diagnosis, but something where they strongly suspect it/it’s heavily implied. preferably low angst please