I like steamy ones, but that isn't a requirement. The more heartbreaking the better. I especially like ones where there is a lot of miscommunication and pining before anything really happens romance wise.
Oh my gosh. “I’m in Seattle, Where are You?” by Mortada Gzar. (memoir)
As the US occupation of Iraq rages, novelist Mortada Gzar, a student at the University of Baghdad, has a chance encounter with Morise, an African American soldier. It’s love at first sight, a threat to them both, and a moment of self-discovery. Challenged by society’s rejection and Morise’s return to the US, Mortada takes to the page to understand himself.
In his deeply affecting memoir, Mortada interweaves tales of his childhood work as a scrap-metal collector in a war zone and the indignities faced by openly gay artists in Iraq with his impossible love story and journey to the US. Marginalized by his own society, he is surprised to discover the racism he finds in a new one. At its heart, I’m in Seattle, Where Are You? is a moving tale of love and resilience.
emily9065 on
Red, White, and Royal Blue by Casey McQuiston
The Prospects by KT Hoffman
Fencejumper89 on
Call me by your name
4Librarygal on
Suzanne Brockmann’s Hot Target. It’s a bit dated (published early 2000s), but way ahead of its time. Slow burn, no fluff. She wrote a few others with gay characters too.
Nostalgic_Sava on
It’s a bit of a cliché, but I really like **Maurice** by E.M. Forster.
tragicsandwichblogs on
Not steamy, but Fool’s Errand by Louis Bayard
rebeccarightnow on
Cat Sebastian writes wonderful m/m historical romance. My favourite of hers is The Soldier’s Scoundrel.
Opening_Aardvark3974 on
Little known fact that the book version of Fried Green Tomatoes has a beautiful lesbian love story!
SteMelMan on
Boyfriend Material by Alexis Hall.
This one had me rolling on the floor as the clueless protagonist frets over his famous father, pseudo-job and feckless friends. He eventually gets a fake boyfriend to rehabilitate his social standing and who eventually turns into a real boyfriend.
cdngoody2shoes on
Emma Donahue Pull of the Stars. I wept. Such an amazing story. Can’t recommend it enough!
Grace_Alcock on
Romancing the Werewolf, but you have to read the Parasol Protectorate books before you get there…and the first couple of the Custard Protocol books. Then, Romancing the Werewolf is an epically romantic payoff.
Level_Expression6517 on
The Song of Achilles – ruined me for months
CapitalScarcity5573 on
What if it’s us?
n_bee5 on
The Great Believers – the first book to ever make me sob. Follows a group of friends in the Chicago queer community during the AIDS crisis. It’s written as if these are people you really know and care for and watch how they fall victim to the crisis/how they navigate a culture so hostile towards them/how they navigate relationships. It’s an amazing book that I will never ever stop recommending to people.
My Government Means to Kill Me is another one. Gay for sure, some romance, heartbreaking. More about finding oneself, self acceptance, and is eye opening to the realities of the queer community once again during the AIDS crisis. Less heavy on romance, but it does delve into relationships.
17 Comments
For Real by Alexis Hall
Romance.io
/r/romancebooks
[Older thread](https://www.reddit.com/r/RomanceBooks/comments/kblg7b/all_time_best_mm_romances_that_just_stuck_with_you/). [Another one](https://www.reddit.com/r/RomanceBooks/comments/k9ilil/best_mm_books_written_by_mlm/). [And another one](https://www.reddit.com/r/RomanceBooks/comments/qa7hcj/queer_own_voices_books/). [And another](https://www.reddit.com/r/MM_RomanceBooks/comments/qxwruy/books_written_by_actual_queer_men/).
Oh my gosh. “I’m in Seattle, Where are You?” by Mortada Gzar. (memoir)
As the US occupation of Iraq rages, novelist Mortada Gzar, a student at the University of Baghdad, has a chance encounter with Morise, an African American soldier. It’s love at first sight, a threat to them both, and a moment of self-discovery. Challenged by society’s rejection and Morise’s return to the US, Mortada takes to the page to understand himself.
In his deeply affecting memoir, Mortada interweaves tales of his childhood work as a scrap-metal collector in a war zone and the indignities faced by openly gay artists in Iraq with his impossible love story and journey to the US. Marginalized by his own society, he is surprised to discover the racism he finds in a new one. At its heart, I’m in Seattle, Where Are You? is a moving tale of love and resilience.
Red, White, and Royal Blue by Casey McQuiston
The Prospects by KT Hoffman
Call me by your name
Suzanne Brockmann’s Hot Target. It’s a bit dated (published early 2000s), but way ahead of its time. Slow burn, no fluff. She wrote a few others with gay characters too.
It’s a bit of a cliché, but I really like **Maurice** by E.M. Forster.
Not steamy, but Fool’s Errand by Louis Bayard
Cat Sebastian writes wonderful m/m historical romance. My favourite of hers is The Soldier’s Scoundrel.
Little known fact that the book version of Fried Green Tomatoes has a beautiful lesbian love story!
Boyfriend Material by Alexis Hall.
This one had me rolling on the floor as the clueless protagonist frets over his famous father, pseudo-job and feckless friends. He eventually gets a fake boyfriend to rehabilitate his social standing and who eventually turns into a real boyfriend.
Emma Donahue Pull of the Stars. I wept. Such an amazing story. Can’t recommend it enough!
Romancing the Werewolf, but you have to read the Parasol Protectorate books before you get there…and the first couple of the Custard Protocol books. Then, Romancing the Werewolf is an epically romantic payoff.
The Song of Achilles – ruined me for months
What if it’s us?
The Great Believers – the first book to ever make me sob. Follows a group of friends in the Chicago queer community during the AIDS crisis. It’s written as if these are people you really know and care for and watch how they fall victim to the crisis/how they navigate a culture so hostile towards them/how they navigate relationships. It’s an amazing book that I will never ever stop recommending to people.
My Government Means to Kill Me is another one. Gay for sure, some romance, heartbreaking. More about finding oneself, self acceptance, and is eye opening to the realities of the queer community once again during the AIDS crisis. Less heavy on romance, but it does delve into relationships.
At swim two boys