Book Recommendations: M/M Romance Novels
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Since I started reading romance, I have gravitated towards M/M romances. There is something unique about having two heroes in their journey to falling in love. Sometimes both heroes are alpha other times, we have a cinnamon roll as a hero.
Today I want to share four book series you can binge on and a couple of stand-alone.
Fake Boyfriend series by Eden Finley (KU, 5 books)
Books in the series:
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Fake Out by Eden Finley (Trope: Fake Relationship/Just One Bed)
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Trick Play by Eden Finley (Trope/Genre: Football, Fake Relationship)
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Deke by Eden Finley(Trope/Genre: Fake Relationship, Hockey)
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Blindsided by Eden Finley(Trope/Genre:: Friends to Lovers, Football)
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Hat Trick by Eden Finley(Trope/Genre: Rockstar, Best Friends Little Brother)
Synopsis of Fake Out (Book 1 in the series):
The reason I rarely go home is three simple words: I’m a liar.
When the pressure to marry my childhood sweetheart became too much, I told her I was gay and then fled to New York like my ass was on fire.
Now, five years later and after a drunken encounter, I find myself invited to her wedding. And I have to bring my boyfriend—the boyfriend who doesn’t exist because I’m straight.
At least, I think I am. Meeting the guy I’m bribing to be my boyfriend for the weekend makes me question everything about myself.
Damon
When my sister asks me to pretend to be some straight guy’s boyfriend, my automatic response is to say no. It’s because of guys like him people don’t believe me when I tell them I’m gay.
But Maddox has something I need.
After an injury that cost me my baseball career, I’m trying to leave my playing days behind and focus on being the best sports agent I can be. Forty-eight hours with my sister’s best friend in exchange for a meeting with a possible client. I can do this.
I just wish he wasn’t so hot. Or that he didn’t kiss like he means it.
Wait … why is the straight guy kissing me?
What you should know about this series?
All of the books are available on KU. These series is steamy and for the most part have some sort of sports and fake relationship.
Dreamers Series by Adriana Herrera (Book 1-3 are MM)
Books in the series:
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American Dreamer by Adriana Herrera (Heroes are Food Truck Owner and Librarian; Set in Ithaca, NY)
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American Fairytale by Adriana Herrera (Heroes are Social Worker and a Billionaire; Set in New York, NY)
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American Love Story by Adriana Herrera (Heroes is Black Academic and District Attorney; Set in Ithaca, NY; Black Lives Matter storyline)
Synopsis of American Dreamer by Adriana Herrera (Book 1 in the series)
No one ever said big dreams come easy
For Nesto Vasquez, moving his Afro-Caribbean food truck from New York City to the wilds of Upstate New York is a huge gamble. If it works? He’ll be a big fish in a little pond. If it doesn’t? He’ll have to give up the hustle and return to the day job he hates. He’s got six months to make it happen—the last thing he needs is a distraction.
Jude Fuller is proud of the life he’s built on the banks of Cayuga Lake. He has a job he loves and good friends. It’s safe. It’s quiet. And it’s damn lonely. Until he tries Ithaca’s most-talked-about new lunch spot and works up the courage to flirt with the handsome owner. Soon he can’t get enough—of Nesto’s food or of Nesto. For the first time in his life, Jude can finally taste the kind of happiness that’s always been just out of reach.
An opportunity too good to pass up could mean a way to stay together and an incredible future for them both…if Nesto can remember happiness isn’t always measured by business success. And if Jude can overcome his past and trust his man will never let him down.
What do I love about this series?
This is an afro-Caribbean diverse romance. There is a strong friendship that connects each book. My favorite in the series is American Fairytale. This book spoke about anxiety, consent and what it’s like to be a Latinx in the US.
Check out an Author Interview with Adriana Herrera
Click here to listen for an author interview with Adriana Herrera.
Arden St. Ives Trilogy by Alexis Hall (3 books)
Books in the series:
This series follows one couple and be forewarned there are cliffhangers. The series is complete. This series is a take on the Fifty Shades trilogy but within M/M
Synopsis How to Bang a Billionaire by Alexis Hall (Book 1 in the series)
If England had yearbooks, I’d probably be “Arden St. Ives: Man Least Likely to Set the World on Fire.” So far, I haven’t. I’ve no idea what I’m doing at Oxford, no idea what I’m going to do next and, until a week ago, I had no idea who Caspian Hart was. Turns out, he’s brilliant, beautiful . . . oh yeah, and a billionaire.
It’s impossible not to be captivated by someone like that. But Caspian Hart makes his own rules. And he has a lot of them. About when I can be with him. What I can do with him. And when he’ll be through with me.
I’m good at doing what I’m told in the bedroom. The rest of the time, not so much. And now that Caspian’s shown me glimpses of the man behind the billionaire I know it’s him I want. Not his wealth, not his status. Him. Except that might be the one thing he doesn’t have the power to give me.
What do I love about this series?
I will be honest I haven’t read this series but it was recommended by Jenny Holiday. I am curious on what is the take on the billionaire/ingenue relationship. I do love books that dive into BDSM.
Boyfriend Material by Alexis Hall (forthcoming; romcom; standalone)
Synopsis:
Wanted:
One (fake) boyfriend
Practically perfect in every way
Luc O’Donnell is tangentially—and reluctantly—famous. His rock star parents split when he was young, and the father he’s never met spent the next twenty years cruising in and out of rehab. Now that his dad’s making a comeback, Luc’s back in the public eye, and one compromising photo is enough to ruin everything.
To clean up his image, Luc has to find a nice, normal relationship…and Oliver Blackwood is as nice and normal as they come. He’s a barrister, an ethical vegetarian, and he’s never inspired a moment of scandal in his life. In other words: perfect boyfriend material. Unfortunately apart from being gay, single, and really, really in need of a date for a big event, Luc and Oliver have nothing in common. So they strike a deal to be publicity-friendly (fake) boyfriends until the dust has settled. Then they can go their separate ways and pretend it never happened.
But the thing about fake-dating is that it can feel a lot like real-dating. And that’s when you get used to someone. Start falling for them. Don’t ever want to let them go.
What do I love about this book?
This was my first Alexis Hall and it was perfect. This is an opposites attract, fake relationship romantic comedy. There are pop-culture references. This book did have some depth as there are conversations of emotional abuse and homophobia.
Check out Author Interview with Alexis Hall
Click here to listen for an author interview with Alexis Hall.
Game Changer series by Rachel Reid
Books in the series:
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Game Changer by Rachel Reid (Professional Hockey Player and Smoothie Maker. Secret relationship)
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Heated Rivalry by Rachel Reid (Professional Hockey players who are rivals on the ice but have a secret relationship)
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Tough Guy by Rachel Reid (Professional Hockey Player and blast from the past musician; deals with anxiety)
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Common Goal by Rachel Reid (Loose sequel of Game Changer. Retired professional hockey player and bartender)
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Role Model by Rachel Reid (Loose sequel of Tough Guy, traded hockey player falls in love with the teams Social Media Manager. Apple Farmer alert!)
Synopsis of Game Changer by Rachel Reid (Book 1 in the series):
Pro hockey star Scott Hunter knows a good thing when he sees it. So, when a smoothie made by juice bar barista Kip Grady precedes Scott breaking his on-ice slump, he’s desperate to recreate the magic…and to get to know the sexy, funny guy behind the counter.
Kip knew there was more to Scott’s frequent visits than blended fruit, but he never let himself imagine being invited back to Scott’s penthouse. Or kissed with reckless abandon, never mind touched everywhere all at once. When it happens it’s red-hot, incredible and frequent, but also only on Scott’s terms and always behind his closed apartment doors.
Scott needs Kip in his life, but with playoff season approaching, the spotlight on him is suddenly brighter than ever. He can’t afford to do anything that might derail his career…like introducing the world to his boyfriend. Kip is ready to go all-in with Scott—but how much longer will he have to remain a secret?
What do I love about this series?
These books are steamy and they don’t hold back. There is emotion and you feel for the characters. The stories are fresh and unique.
Check out Author Interview with. Rachel Reid
The Charm Offensive by Alison Cochrun
Synopsis
In this witty and heartwarming romantic comedy—reminiscent of Red, White & Royal Blue and One to Watch—an awkward tech wunderkind on a reality dating show goes off-script when sparks fly with his producer.
Dev Deshpande has always believed in fairy tales. So it’s no wonder then that he’s spent his career crafting them on the long-running reality dating show Ever After. As the most successful producer in the franchise’s history, Dev always scripts the perfect love story for his contestants, even as his own love life crashes and burns. But then the show casts disgraced tech wunderkind Charlie Winshaw as its star.
Charlie is far from the romantic Prince Charming Ever After expects. He doesn’t believe in true love, and only agreed to the show as a last-ditch effort to rehabilitate his image. In front of the cameras, he’s a stiff, anxious mess with no idea how to date twenty women on national television. Behind the scenes, he’s cold, awkward, and emotionally closed-off.
As Dev fights to get Charlie to connect with the contestants on a whirlwind, worldwide tour, they begin to open up to each other, and Charlie realizes he has better chemistry with Dev than with any of his female co-stars. But even reality TV has a script, and in order to find to happily ever after, they’ll have to reconsider whose love story gets told.’
What do I love about this book?
This is my favorite book of 2021. If you are a fan of reality TV dating shows then this book is for you. I love the mental health representation as it features neurodivergent characters who are falling in love. This book was hands down a 5 star read!
Have you read any of these books? If so, what are your thoughts? Do you have any other M/M romance novel recommendations that you can share?
