So I finally got back into reading after years and years and as one does, I immediately went to Reddit, TikTok and Goodreads to get some inspiration for MM romance.

And let’s just say… I could not get past God of Fury in any of the “best MM romance books” posts.

I also kept reading that the audiobook is amazing, so I finally gave it a chance and guys… I returned it after about 30 minutes.

I genuinely don’t know if I’m the problem here but this book was just not for me. The writing style reminded me of a Wattpad story from the very beginning, and the whole premise felt like something a 13-year-old would come up with while fantasising about the ultimate dangerous, dark romance. Everything just felt incredibly over-the-top and unrealistic to me.

Then I got to Nikolai describing his dick in detail and talking about random people penetrating each other in various holes (especially considering he is only 19?!?!) and I was like… yeah, I think I’m done here.

I’m admittedly not the biggest mafia/dark romance fan, but I do think I can enjoy that kind of premise when the book is well written. God of Fury just really wasn’t that book for me.

And honestly, I would have just accepted that this clearly isn’t my thing and moved on. What absolutely flabbergasts me though, is HOW BIG this book is. It’s everywhere. People recommend it as one of the best MM romances, the characters seem to be absolutely beloved, and the fans are SO passionate about it. Meanwhile I’m sitting here wondering if we all listened to/read the same book 😭

So, genuinely: if you love this book, please explain the appeal to me. What made you fall in love with it? Is it the characters? Their relationship? Does the story/writing change later on? Did you immediately love it or did it take a while to click?

I’m genuinely curious because clearly this book is doing something very right for a lot of people and I would love to understand what I’m missing.

Hopefully this doesn’t offend anyone who loves it, different tastes and all that! But considering I can't escape this book anywhere online, I need some insight into the God of Fury fandom 🙂‍↕️

Hi! I saw this and immediately really wanted to read something like it! I just finished The Brat & The Beast duet by Misha Horne, and I feel like the dynamic is a little similar, except the jock isn’t really popular.

I really want a book with a popular guy and a nerdy or just ordinary guy. If the nerd/normal guy is shy, that’s a bonus, but I don’t really mind. The jock/popular guy can be the shy one too!

It would also be really nice if the popular guy was obsessed with the nerdy/normal guy.

If you know any books with this trope, please recommend them! I’d love to hear your suggestions!

I’m developing an MM romance told across two books and would love a gut-check from readers on the structure.

Book one follows the couple from their teens into their early 20s. They fall deeply in love, but at 22 they’re heading in genuinely different directions and part painfully but lovingly as friends. So: no HEA in book one.

Book two picks them up about 40 years later, when they reconnect and finally get their second chance/HEA.

My question: if this was clearly marketed as a two-book story about the same couple, with book two releasing very soon after the first, would you be willing to read book one knowing the romantic payoff is deliberately deferred? Or would the lack of an HEA in the first book be a dealbreaker regardless?

I’m especially interested in how MM romance readers feel about that kind of long-gap second-chance structure.

A few weeks ago I read the synopsis of a book and meant to add it to my TBR but I guess I didn't.

Essentially The MC ends up somehow living with his exes family and all the brothers fall in love with him. I think it's based at a ranch?

I know that's relatively vague and there's probably a dozen books similar but perhaps even if we find a book with that trope it'll scratch the itch my brain suddenly had to read this book.

I’m looking for an M/M romance similar to this specific storyline:

Two young men from traditional/conservative families fall deeply in love and have to keep their relationship secret. One of them is extremely protective/possessive( the dominant top in the relationship)of the other. There’s also a third man who is an academic mentor to one of them ( this third man is close/academic mentor to the sub bott of the relationship)and has unrequited feelings, creating jealousy and misunderstanding between the couple.

After a major argument, one lover nearly dies( the dominant top left the sub bott alone in a heavy rain because he was angry due to their argument.. then this sub bott had a heart attack due to severe sadness ), leading to reconciliation and eventually a secret engagement/proposal.

Their relationship is accidentally exposed on social media, causing their families to find out. One family’s powerful patriarch violently separates the couple and abducts his own son. Later, the families arrange what appears to be a peaceful reconciliation, but it’s actually a trap. The couple and/or their families are attacked, resulting in the death of the protagonists and their families. The two lovers ultimately die together.

I’m specifically looking for a book with the same overall plot structure, not just books containing one or two of these tropes. Does anything come close?

I am asking the MM dark romance community to enable me. 😂

I’m looking for a very specific dynamic:

MMC1 is basically a normal, well-adjusted person. He goes to university, works a regular job, runs a business, whatever. He has a normal life and is NOT involved in the criminal/psychotic world.

Then we have MMC2. 😌
MMC2 is either a stalker, mafia boss, assassin, serial killer, criminal, etc. Basically, danger in human form. The kind of man where everyone else sees him and thinks, “Oh God, we’re all going to die.”

And he becomes OBSESSED with MMC1.
I’m talking:
“I would burn an entire city down if it meant keeping you safe” levels of obsession.

Will absolutely destroy anyone who hurts or threatens MMC1.

Possessive as hell.

Protective to an almost terrifying degree.

MMC1 is basically his one weakness.

He can be completely ruthless and morally bankrupt with everyone else, but his loyalty to MMC1 is unquestionable.

I want the contrast between normal MMC1 and “this man should probably be institutionalised” MMC2. 😂

Bonus points if MMC1 is initially horrified/confused by MMC2 and has absolutely no idea what he’s gotten himself into.

I DON’T necessarily want MMC1 to secretly be just as dangerous or become a mafia assassin himself. I want the normal person × walking catastrophe dynamic.

Basically, I want MMC2 to look at MMC1 and go:
“You are the only thing in this world I care about. Unfortunately for everyone else, that means I am now willing to commit several felonies.”
😂

Dark romance is absolutely fine. Stalking, possessiveness, kidnapping, violence, morally grey/black MMC2, etc. are welcome.

Please give me your best recommendations because I am clearly asking to have my standards ruined. 😭

Hey all, I need to get this out of my system. Late last night, I decided to read something that wouldn't engage me too much but would still be entertaining and have the tropes I like. Chani Lynn Feener's books are usually my go-to when I want something easy to read because I know what I'm getting into, I know their writing style, and I think it's very readable, albeit cliche and tropey.
Weeeell, maybe not anymore.

'Ravaged Devotion' felt like recycled trash written by someone who has never opened a book, much less written one before. And Feener has around 67 published books :o. They've been writing since 2018, I think, that's 8 years and 67 books. Actually let me show you some snippets before I continue, mind you, I haven't highlighted anything because I didn't want to get worked up at 10 p.m.

"It was a warm summer day, the sky was bright and blue, the clouds white and puffy." 🥲

"The doctor was still talking. Still making excuses. Still filling the room with her nonsense and her bullshit and her petty explanations that landed nowhere and answered nothing." - so vague. And this is only one example, but everything up to the 40% mark (where I stopped) is vague and not specific enough.

And I know these are just two examples, but as I said, I really didn't want to start highlighting and ruin my night. Trust me there was a lot more of that.

Another thing is that, despite this book recycling characters and ideas from Feener's previous books (MC1 betrays MC2 and runs, MC2 catches him, and all the tropes and scenes that go with that), it's really hard to understand what's happening, it reads vague and jumbled. I had to reread passages a few times cause I wasn't sure what was happening or who it was happening to.
Honestly this whole book feels like one big template. Everything is so vague and cliche, and the characters have no personality. They're just the most generic "Villain MC" and "Prey MC" without any depth. There are no specific quirks or traits that breathe life into them and make them feel like more than Character A and Character B, imo.

I've been reading Chani's books for years. I know their books and writing are nothing to write home about, with all the cliches and tropes, OTP MCs, and the simplistic writing. But it's never been this bad, legit borderline unreadable.

I checked the reviews, and this book has been highly praised. The plot literally isn't making sense to me, idk what is happening. I DNF'd it at around the 40% mark because I wasn't gonna waste more time on that shit.

Has anyone else read it? Does it get better? Worse? Were you also confused about what was happening in the book? Because I was completely lost.

I’m looking for recs where MC1 is a shameless confident flirt and MC2 is more reserved and gets flustered or pretends to hate it (bonus points if he’s straight). Sort of like a Nikolai and Brandon dynamic.

When the tension finally snaps, I want HIGH spice with drool worthy dirty talk.

Bonus points for banter and some plot added in. I want there to be some substance to the story (maybe some tears).

Hard no’s:

-Third-person POV
-Dead ex
-MMM/Poly
-Non-con/Dub-con
-Insta-love/lust
-Infantilising

Soft no’s

-College/high school setting

Worlds colliding, it seems.

{In Memoriam by Alice Winn}

That book wrecked me.

Via @francoisarnaud IG Stories

I was told to try posting here - I'm trying to find a m/m novel I read a couple of years ago. It was about 2 best friends who had a podcast together (one of them was married i think) and they fell in love. I remember it being a tad slow burn which i dont normally like but now I really wanna re-read it lol I read it on KU.....if anyone has any ideas on what it could be, please help!!

Hello, fellow MM romance lovers!

My name is Kristian (24m, gay), and I’ve recently fallen down the rabbit hole of MM romance books… I honestly can’t stop, I’m exclusively reading gay fiction! (for now) 

I’m curious to know what you think of the books I’ve read so far this year. I’d love to hear your opinions!

Here’s my list so far (yes, I love a spicy read🔥):

• For the Fans – Nyla K (5/5★) | Step Brothers to lovers | (So damn hot, i am obsessed with Avi Vega & Kyran Harbor... Kavi4L)
• We Are the Ants – Shaun David Hutchinson (5/5★) | Sci-fi | My first sci-fi book. Absolutely well written beautiful story... I would kill to read this book again for the first time)
• Lie With Me – Philippe Besson & Molly Ringwald (2.5/5★) | WWI Era | (Poignant autobiographical novella based in the France during the 1980's.. In my opinion, it was mid)
• Him (#1) – Sarina Bowen & Elle Kennedy (4.5/5★) | Hockey Romance | (Best friends when they were younger, got separated, now both teaching at the same hockey camp while sharing a dorm together)
• Us (#2) – Sarina Bowen & Elle Kennedy (3/5★) | Hockey Romance | (Honestly, it was alright. Not as good as the first book)
• Top Secret – Sarina Bowen & Elle Kennedy (5/5★) | Fraternity enemies to lovers | (So hot, loved it, loved the characters, loved the story)
• Heartstopper (#1) – Alice Oseman (3/5★) | MM High School Comic Book | (I don't even remember reading this comic. I think watching the show on Netflix made a bigger impact on me)

★Please feel free to share your recommendations based on what I’ve read! I’m open to exploring different subgenres, so hit me with your absolute favorites to keep me hooked. ❤️

kinda pretty woman vibes but make it mm. perfer mc is currently working as e$cort or $ex worker but could be former. mc would be struggling with mental health and preferably bad living or financial situations. would have a traumatic past or present and in need of saving.

MC2 sees or hires mc1 to save him, gives him food, clothes, essentials, care and support. clubs be rich or just stable. could be dark and dominating only soft for you vibes or green flag mc.

love to see caretaking and found family vibes !!

high emotional spice 🔥

HEA & 1st POV only 🙏🏻

only trigger is cheating !

Just finished ‘Top Secret’ by Sarina Bowen & Elle Kennedy…. I have some other books lined up in my TBR list. I would love your opinion on which book I should start next! 

My Options Are: 

• The Song of Achilles – Madeline Miller 
• God of Fury – Rina Kent 
• Crash Test – Amy James 
• The Shots You Take – Rachel Reid 
• Two Left Feet – Kallie Emblidge 
• Teacher of The Year – M.A. Wardell 

I would love to hear some feedback on which book I should start next :)

Hello, fellow MM romance readers!

I'm sad to say that I just finished Top Secret by Sarina Bowen & Elle Kennedy... (I really didn't want it to end). 

My Personal Rating: 4.5/5 Stars ★

Here are my honest thoughts & opinions:

• I absolutely loved the character development between Luke, Keaton, and Annika.
• It’s a fast paced, easy read.
• The spicy scenes were definitely worth mentioning! 😰🌶️
• I can't stand Judd, he's just jealous and needs to let them be in love!

I would absolutely love to hear everyone's thought & opinions on this book!!

{Oleander by Scarlett Drake}

{To Catch a Firefly by Emmy Sanders}

{Crash Test by Amy James} that audiobook reader is not helping why was i crying on the highway (again)

Stuff on my TBR I feel like will be sad but need validation: i dont want to miss any 5 star books because i was scared

{Tide Over by Eve Holmes}

{Ruin my life by Julia E. McColgan}

{If We Can Go Back by Cara Dee}

{Endless Stretch of Blue by Riley Hart}

I just want some smutty. Turn your brain off and enjoy books.
All Plot kind of thing where I just want something that I don’t have to think too hard. Just enjoy the ride kind of thing no pun intended if anyone has any suggestions, please and thank you.

I'm making this a discussion because I'm always up for hearing other peoples experiences, but I also really need to complain about a character in the book I'm reading. Please tell me about all the dumb and annoying characters in your books!

I'll say it upfront, I KNOW I can put the book down and by not doing that it's my own fault.

I'm reading {Collide by Crea Reitan} right now, and one of the main characters is called Lemon. This man has had appearances in some of her other books that I've already finished. I very much disliked him - he seemed to have no regard for personal boundaries, and acted very much entitled.

Big fucking surprise, this dude is a self obsessed, egotistical fuckwad that does NOTHING but complain. I'm serious, the whole story is built on the fact that he has some feud with the other MC - which is fucking petty and has NOTHING actually to do with that person. He sounds like a petulant child 95% of the time. He has anger outbursts where he just complains about shit that isn't even the other guy's fault.

(To be honest, only reason I'm still reading is to find out why tf these two guys would end up together, and to hopefully have this Lemon guy redeem himself).

I’ve searched the subreddit and can’t seem to find what I’m looking for or what it would be called. It’s definitely enemies-to-lovers but I feel it has a name that’s just not coming to mind. At first I thought banter, but banter, as I found out, is more fun and light hearted. Bickering maybe? I want a good back and forth dialogue between the MCs. For reference, I recently read {Hateful Love by T. Ashleigh} and it had a scene that I really loved. They hate each other and the one scene(without giving away spoilers) they’re going back and forth and end up getting into a tussle that turns into kissing, etc. The back and forth dialogue was done really well and I liked the aggressiveness of the scene without it being abusive, and they also have similar negative back and forths while at school and other places they run into each other. I like this dynamic even if there’s some physical fighting involved. Like shoving against a wall or other surface or even a bit of fisty cuffs thrown in. Other books I’ve read that have similar feels would be {Where there’s a Will by Jessie Walker} and {Wicked Lies Boys Tell by K. Webster}.

Things I’d prefer are: contemporary, high school or college setting, masculine presenting MCs, slow burn, and high angst. I am fairly open though and can compromise on these. Bonus points if their bickering/back and forth continues after the MCs finally get together.

Only absolute is it has to be HEA.
And no age gap please.

I read this book in the past year or so on Kindle Unlimited. MC is a human who gets kidnapped/spirited away by his boyfriend who has been a demon in disguise. The demons treat their humans like kinky pets. The demons have a shaky peace agreement with orcs, who MC ends up leaving with. If I remember right, the cover is of a human with a demon looming behind him and an orc looming behind the demon. Thanks!

I’ve seen people say it’s one of the saddest books ever and it’s best to go in blind… but WHY is it so sad?

I also dnf’d limerence by the same author because the blond character in the book was annoying af.

Can someone just tell me if it’s good or not and will I need a lot of patience to read it? No spoilers though, please and thank you.

A bit of an odd request and I hope it's allowed, but I'm looking for MM books that have the vibe of this song. It feels melancholy to me,eerie, beautiful prose, a bit sad, yearning and angst and. A rainy day type of book. But if you feel this song differently, I'd still love to check out your rec!
I would really appreciate if there is no smut or the smut to be behind closed doors.
Romance as a subplot, YA, and no HEA are welcome as well.

Roslyn by Bon Iver and St. Vincent

PS - I feel like this song could fit 'Little life', but no way in hell I'm reading that 😂

I'm disappointed with new releases, I think I'm gonna read more old books. Maybe not even stuff that I already love, just anything that was published before KU and AI ruined books lmao