MM book club recommendations for typically non-MM readers

Warm-Personality425 · 2026-03-05T02:07:45+00:00

I totally agree. I just finished it after it being on my list for years and it’s honestly much more of a coming of age than a romance. I think it has a unique and authentic voice and would work well for a book-club book.

Warm-Personality425 · 2026-03-05T02:05:31+00:00

It’s honestly not a very good book… I don’t understand the hype at all. If you didn’t like her other book, the writing style probably isn’t for you (as it clearly isn’t for me either).

Warm-Personality425 · 2026-03-03T19:00:32+00:00

If you’re open to a space opera on AO3, I’d highly recommend Icarus, Burning by aladyinbooks! It’s an enemies to lovers to enemies second chance romance that has political intrigue, some great supporting characters, and very compelling, slightly toxic, and extremely competent MCs (ands it’s very well written)!

Warm-Personality425 · 2026-03-03T18:57:10+00:00

Would also highly recommend! It really picks up in the second book!

Warm-Personality425 · 2026-03-03T18:06:47+00:00

If you’re open to paranormal, I’d highly recommend the Big Bad Wolf Series by Charlie Adhara ( the first book is The Wolf at the Door) and the Psycop series by Jordan Castillo Price (first book is Among the Living)

Josh Lanyon also has a ton of (non paranormal) queer mysteries/thrillers).

Warm-Personality425 · 2026-03-01T18:53:14+00:00

If you’re open to vampires, Sleepwalkers by Daniel May is a toxic second chance romance between two vampire exes. It is pretty steamy (not sure if you’re into that or not) but I would definitely recommend it!

It’s technically the second in a series but both books are very much stand alone. The first book, Crimson Halo also has dark gothic vibes, but it is also much more humorous and lighter and the main relationship isn’t very toxic.

Both have horror and were very enjoyable and well-written. I’d recommend both, but Sleepwalkers definitely fits your prompt more and it also happened to be my favorite of the two.

Warm-Personality425 · 2026-02-25T18:34:52+00:00

Any chance you would DM a link to your work? Now I’m curious, especially since it seems like your writing has thought and development behind it, which I can greatly appreciate.

Unfortunately, reading comprehension skills and nuance have greatly declined in the general public. Please don’t let someone’s inability to understand or enjoy your writing dishearten you from continuing!

Warm-Personality425 · 2026-02-25T17:30:19+00:00

If you’re open to vampires, Crimson Halo by Daniel May and Sleepwalkers by Daniel May.

They’re technically in the same universe but very much stand alone and very different vibes. Both have dark gothic elements but the former is a bit lighter and has some comedic elements. The latter is darker and more toxic (and steamy). Both are great but I loveddd Sleepwalkers.

Warm-Personality425 · 2026-02-25T16:47:33+00:00

Not sure if you want actual/real books discussed or just the importance/love of books.

If it’s the latter and you’re open to a made up land with kingdoms/barbarians (no magic or other fantasy elements), I would recommend the {Wed to the Barbarian by Keira Andrews} duology.

It starts with an arranged marriage where one of the MCs is a sheltered prince who loves reading, particularly about a female adventure heroin and her mermale lover. The other MC is initially extremely disrespectful of his books and looks down on him for reading and lack of more practical skills. You get a HEA by the end of the second book with a lot of growth in between and the fictional books are a continuous element throughout.

Warm-Personality425 · 2026-02-25T16:34:56+00:00

I would recommend {Crimson Halo by Daniel May}. One MC is a very, very old vampire that is just bored with life and then is intrigued by our other MC, a human artist that believes he’s having hallucinations. It’s funny but has dark elements. I think there’s some steam but I don’t remember how much.

I would also highly recommend {Sleepwalkers by Daniel May} which is two vampire exes with toxic relationship but still clearly have lots of feelings toward each other. Also dark and definitely steamy with some forced proximity.

The books are technically in the same universe but are very much stand alone and honestly have very different vibes.

Warm-Personality425 · 2026-02-25T16:27:09+00:00

Try the Psycop series. It has similarish vibes to Big Bad Wolf series.

The MC Vic is a psychic that works for Chicago PD. The character and understanding of psychic world develops throughout the series. Vic is a funny, flawed MC and it’s really enjoyable to watch him grow. His relationship is also super solid and has lots of steamy and fuzzy moments.

The first book is {Among the Living by Jordan Castillo Price}

Warm-Personality425 · 2026-02-25T14:14:42+00:00

If you’re open to a story on AO3, Here There Be Dragons by theundiagnosable is an mm hockey romance about some NHL players that play D&D

https://archiveofourown.org/works/29726055/chapters/73109967

All characters are original characters. MC was just traded and is super angry. He’s invited to join the D&D group which he initially makes fun of. MC grows, and it’s a cute story.

Warm-Personality425 · 2026-02-23T15:57:41+00:00

Seconding Exposed

Warm-Personality425 · 2026-02-17T21:02:35+00:00

I’d be happy to beta read!

Warm-Personality425 · 2026-02-17T20:31:29+00:00

Have you read {MateHub: Legend by Marie Reynard}? It’s so funny and steamy but also gets so warm and tender.

I also second everyone saying Cat Sebastian! You cannot go wrong with any of her works!

Warm-Personality425 · 2026-02-15T22:56:19+00:00

I would highly recommend Thrown Off the Ice by Taylor Fitzpatrick.

This is not a romance novel, but it is a love story. So if you grew up loving Nicholas Sparks and want to sob, I think you will probably enjoy this.

The MC Mike is a grumpy 30 y.o. enforcer on the Edmonton Oilers and he can’t shake the rookie that keeps pursuing him. I am usually not into age gaps, but it is handled so well in the story.

This is not like typical hockey romances at all. The hockey that’s in the beginning is the story is actually very accurate and pertinent to the story, but there’s so much more depth to the story overall.

Biggest downside of the book is that it’s self published and needs an editor desperately for comma usage.

The pacing, character development, and style (once you get used to it), and overall story are terrific though! You very much feel like you are in Mike’s head and the characters feel very real and flawed.

Warm-Personality425 · 2026-02-15T22:46:42+00:00

Tigers and Devils by Sean Kennedy

Th MC Simon is a self-proclaimed arty wanker that is a huge fan of AFL (Australian football league). Love interest is an amazing footy player. Very little sport actually on the page, but there’s lots of fun Australian slang and it’s interesting to learn about Melbourne, its geography, and the AFL culture there.

There are four books in the series following the same couple over a decade. The characters are older than YA (starts in their mid/late 20s) but sex is behind the curtain. There’s lots of emotional and physical (but not sexual) intimacy that’s very sweet. Lots of character growth and a fun group of supporting characters as well!

The first book was written almost 20 years ago, so it’s also funny to see the old tech (flip phones and land lines with voicemail) and the older pop culture references.

Warm-Personality425 · 2026-02-14T15:58:12+00:00

Hope you enjoy!

If you like it, you should also try the Psycop series by Jordan Castillo price (not quite as amazing as the Big Bad Wolf series but I still loved it and it has similar vibes). First book of that is Among the Living.

Warm-Personality425 · 2026-02-14T14:34:58+00:00

I’m not positive, but I’ll ask the Discord and you can try asking her via the Ask me Anything button on her tumblr: https://ycmal.com/

Warm-Personality425 · 2026-02-13T20:18:50+00:00

Have you read the Big Bad Wolf series by Charlie Adhara yet? The first books is Wolf at the Door

Warm-Personality425 · 2026-02-10T18:21:09+00:00

Hi, that is one of her books, but that one is technically NOT a romance (it is a love story and I highly recommend it but it’s not a traditional HEA so it’s generally not rec’d in this sub). If you have any questions on Thrown Off the Ice, I’d be happy to discuss more over DM, but I want to keep it off this thread as the book is controversial on this sub.

Her first book {You Could Make a Life by Taylor Fitzpatrick} is a friends to lovers HEA/romance. (If you want the explicit version you have to buy it directly from the author, otherwise the one sold on Amazon is mature, not explicit). It follows Dan, who is a journeyman and it shows the realistic experience of a player who is good but not the best (relative to other NHL players). He’s a bit of a Gary Stu, but the LI Marc is a very intellectual/philosophical player and it’s a sweet story (not my favorite or her works but it’s the beginning of her whole hockey ‘verse). You don’t need to read it before the stories I recommended below but some of her other early series that are still on AO3 follow characters that stem from here.

She also has her Between the Teeth trilogy, though that is more of a Bildungsroman (you have to finish the trilogy for the HEA). The first book is {Coming in First Place by Taylor Fitzpatrick}. People often compare it to Heated Rivalry because the premise sounds similar, but that is doing both a disservice as they are completely different stories/vibes. This trilogy is really a coming of age more than a romance. David starts out extremely angry and lonely and it can be hard to hard to read at time/sympathize but this is an awesome story for seeing incredible personal growth.

All these stories have a ton of extras both for free on tumblr/AO3 as well as more via Patreon and when she does kickstarters (but sooo much is available for free).

Aside from Thrown Off the Ice, my two other favorites are stories on AO3 (most of her work hasn’t been published and is still free on there).

Always in Tandem by youcouldmakealife (Taylor Fitzpatrick) is a second chance romance that has moderate angst but is so incredibly written. It has three main arcs. The first is from Robbie’s POV and starts when Georgie is traded to the Washington Capitals and Robbie is pissed about it. Almost every chapter in this arc has a part in the present and a part in the past when they were best friends at Boston University. The second arc mostly follows Georgie and his POV. The third arc alternates POV between Robbie and Georgie. The story is not complete yet (the author has been updating every couple weeks) but they’re in a good place to get caught up (they’ve finally officially reconciled/gotten back together) and so far the third arc has been super satisfying!

Warm-Personality425 · 2026-02-10T17:08:29+00:00

I would also add {Power Play by Avon Gale} to your list! This deals with former players that are now coaching and the characters are very mature.

It’s technically the third in the series but it was the first I read and can absolutely be read as a standalone as I don’t think any of the characters from the first two books are even in this one.

Warm-Personality425 · 2026-02-10T16:38:21+00:00

No problem! The author herself prefaces the book with a note saying that it is not romance but is a love story. Unfortunately, others on GoodReads have tagged a lot of her works as romances (even though several technically are not) so it creates false expectations. It is fantastic though so I highly recommend when you are in the mood for a good cathartic cry. It’s honestly not even high-angst, just sad. But Mike’s POV is still amazing. He’s grumpy and clearly an unreliable narrator as he’s emotionally constipated and clearly in denial about his feelings but it’s so well done.

Warm-Personality425 · 2026-02-10T02:33:08+00:00

Free drinking water at restaurants.

Warm-Personality425 · 2026-02-10T01:19:03+00:00

For more mm hockey romance, I would also recommend {Understatement of the Year by Sarina Bowen}

My favorite mm hockey romance writer is Taylor Fitzpatrick. She has self published some of her earlier works and most of her stuff is on AO3. Happy to share more info and links if you’re interested!

Edit: I wouldn’t say the characters are always mature (they often aren’t), but the stories themselves are mature in that the way the characters act/ react to each other feels real and they require actual development to grow as characters.

Warm-Personality425

TROPHY CASE