I’m pretty new to reading as a hobby so I am not very experienced in knowing specific authors. However here’s my dilemma that i’m sure some of you will agree on. I find that a lot of gay/queer books are either YA or horrifically sad. The YA books are cute but they’re too adolescent for me and very cheesy. If it’s not YA, they’re very well written but they leave me feeling so hopeless and sad. The third option is just straight up smut with no depth or plot just sexy vibes which is fine but gets old. And i’m getting a bit frustrated. So, any recommendations? I am open to any genre! Something with mature themes (some spice is totally okay) and has depth and is well written. I do have a bias towards romance/historical fiction but not required. I am also totally okay with sad / tough themes but as long as I don’t want to rip my heart out after i’m done reading. Maybe i’m reaching for the stars but I figured i’d give it a shot here. Thank you!
by mcnaughtydan
7 Comments
Less by Andrew Sean Greer
Cat Sebastian has written some great mlm romance novels, mostly historical romance. I quite enjoyed The Queer Principles of Kit Webb as well as You Should Be So Lucky (which is a little on the sad side but absolutely has a happy ending).
You might check into TJ Klune. He writes fantasy and he writes it well. He does do some YA. A quick google of him might help you decide.
If you’re down for some beautifully-written fluff, give Casey McQuiston’s books a shot! For mlm, start with Red, White, and Royal Blue. I was put off by the hype for the longest time, but it’s actually a gorgeous love story. And if you’re down for wlm, One Last Stop (same author) is also brilliant.
Not specifically mlm (or not only mlm) but some enjoyable queer literary fiction I’ve read recently
Evenings and Weekends by Oisin McKenna
Greta and Valdin by Rebecca K Reilly
Both debut novels so defo authors to watch!
It’s been a while since I read it, but I think Aristotle and Dante Discover the Universe is sweet and not sad.
Not mlm, but if you like sci-fi, The Doors of Eden by Adrian Tchaikovsky has a lesbian couple and trans woman saving the multiverse. It’s an insanely good book where there are different Earths, all with an alternate evolutionary trajectories.