We’ve got a few resident M/M romance lovers right here in our reading group, and Fabi is one of our biggest! I think she actually started her M/M kick with us (slowly, at first) and now she’s going full-steam ahead! She is well-versed, now and has found some fantastic books for us to fall in love with! For those that love Fabi’s “book-style” (we do!! :D) also check out her Fabi’s Top Favorite Books List (<— all genres in this one!)
Here’s a little M/M & Fabi history. 😉
“Myself, I think I’ve developed a liking for M/M books. Don’t know why since I’m a hetero female. But whatever, I like them and that’s that.”
“…the one that kicked off my mm reading journey is on super sale. Lover at Last. *sigh* I have that one on Audible, hardback and Kindle. I’ve lost track of how many times I’ve read it. It introduced me to a genre I fell in love with.”
“I guess these mm books is where I’m getting my angst fix lately. Every one of them ties me up in knots. All are hard won love stories. …I’m building a pretty decent list of mm I’ve read.”
I’m right there with you, Fabi. I don’t read a TON of M/M (*yet*) but everyone I have read, I have fallen absolutely in love with.
Ready for Fabi’s awesome list?
“Here is my fav mm list. I’ve read about 50 of them and these are my top 20. They’re listed alphabetically by author last name – not by my like rating. These are almost all 5* for me. Most of them are break your heart romances…”
1.) Kick at the Darkness by Keira Andrews <— “…guys, its really good. An MM erotic romance in the middle of a Zombie apocalypse. Throw in shifters and an evil scientist and..well, it works. It really does. The characters are awesome… This was one of the most enjoyable books I’ve read in awhile. This story had a bit of everything in it. It was funny in places, had action & adventure, had a really sweet mm love story and had some hot, dirty sex scenes. I’ll be honest. I wasn’t 100% sure this plotline could be pulled off. I mean zombies AND shifters? Well my fears were for nothing. This author hit it out park.”
2.) Him by Sarina Bowen and Elle Kennedy <— “…Him which is really good…”
3.) Nowhere Ranch by Heidi Cullinan <— “an mm BDSM erotica romance with so much heart mine clenched and enough steam to curl the virtual pages on my Kindle.”
4.) Measure of Devotion (Measure of Devotion Trilogy Book 1) by Caethes Faron <— “You guys that liked Captive Prince should try Measure of Devotion. It’s different but similar. If you know what I mean. Like CP, each book gets better and better… its the only other one I’ve read with the same feel as this one. It’s maybe a bit darker and more gut wrenching in places but I loved it. It was hoping for something similar to it that convinced me to read Captive Prince. historital in fantasy kind of way, mm, love story, really different and really good. It’s angsty. It gutted me with the story of selfless love. …one of my all time favorite reads.”
5.) In Distress by Caethes Faron
6.) Try (Temptation Series Book 1) by Ella Frank <— “Tate and Logan’s story is fantastic. A really beautiful love story. While there is steamy and descriptive sex scenes, they are so much a part of the story that they only add to the plot. I’m hooked for sure. These guys are awesome. I’m in love with both of them. So glad there’s a 3rd book coming out. So sad I have to wait for it. But maybe good since maybe I’ll catch up on the sleep I missed the past two nights. …”
7.) Take (Temptation Series Book 2) by Ella Frank <— “Try and Take are amazing books. …I hope the one who recommended Take remembers doing so cause this big ol’ thank you is for you girl. 
”
8.) For Real: A Spires Story by Alexis Hall <— ” was blown away. 5+++ stars, book fog. Brilliant writing combined with a powerful, heartfelt romance in an unusual portrayal of m/m BDSM. This isn’t your standard, violent dom/sub story. This is romance at its finest. Romance that blurs the lines, crosses boundaries and leaves you breathless.”
9.) Collide (Blackcreek Book 1) by Riley Hart <— “I was superglued to that book from page one. I couldn’t put it down until I finished. Wow! Hot, steamy, romantic, it had it all.”
10.) Atom Heart John Beloved by Luke Hartwell <— “This is one crazy, messed up page turner…”
11.) Nathan’s Story by Luke Hartwell <— “I finished Atom Heart John Beloved and its sequel, Nathan’s Story and I feel completely wrung out.”
12.) Sunset Park (Five Boroughs) by Santino Hassell <— “I finished the Sunset Park in, like, a day because I couldn’t put it down. I’m not sure I got any work done today at all. I’m in a total book fog. This next one needs to either blow it out of the park or be cute and funny. It’s really hard to read that next book after finishing an awesome one.”
13.) Sutphin Boulevard (Five Boroughs) by Santino Hassell <— “I have loved every book by Santino Hassell I have read. …daayyyaamm, that man can write. His books suck me right in and I’m immediately connected to the characters. If you like mm stories, try some of his.”
14.) Stygian by Santino Hassell <— “The title and cover are what drew me to the book. It’s a new author for me and I’m pleasantly surprised at the quality of the writing. I can’t keep highlighting or my whole book is going to turn yellow. :-/ … Stygian is M/M PNR. I wouldn’t call it a “dark” read, although it does have it’s deep topics. I finished it last night and I’m still reeling from it. (from part of my review—> It is a brilliant story expertly executed. I took my time reading the book. The characters are so real that I feel like I met and got to know them in real life. I finished reading last night and I know that Watts, Kennedy, Quince and Jeremy will remain in my heart forever.”
15.) Bad Things by Varian Krylov <— “Its dark. I loved it. *snort*” …Michelle, I can’t wait to see if you’ll be the one to predict the twist. I’m just sitting on the sidelines with this one, eating popcorn while watching everyone’s reactions. 
”
16.) Dangerously Happy by Varian Krylov <— “Dangerously Happy was a 4.5 star read for me. …a semi-darkish m/m love story… If you want a dark read, get Bad Things. If you want a love story, get Dangerously Happy. More than likely, once you read one of them, you’ll want to read the other to learn more about the characters. (The main character of BT makes a cameo in DH. The main characters of DH make a cameo appearance in BT). They are both stand alone books. Neither are part of a series nor require reading both. …I’ll jump in to ANY buddy read of Bad Things and/or Dangerously Happy. Even though I’ve read both (BT several times!)… I think I’ve become one of Krylov’s biggest fans.”
17.) The Locker Room by Amy Lane <— “I am absolutely heartbroken at 40%. I only thought I was heartbroken at the beginning. Man, where this has gone and is going. I’m not sure I can take it. What is it with you ladies loving these heart shattering stories? They break me. Just…break me. …My gut still clenches tight thinking about Xander and Christian.”
18.) Kings Rising: Book Three of the Captive Prince Trilogy by C.S. Pacat
19.) Tonight by Karen Stivali
20.) Lover At Last (Black Dagger Brotherhood, Book 11) by J.R. Ward <— “Lover at Last is the one that had me rereading. I think I read it 3-4 times. …it was just explosive. M/M at its best imh…how can you beat two alphas? …the main attraction in Lover at Last was spectacular.
Thank you Fabi! This list looks AWESOME!!!!
AND for those looking for even more M/M, check out our multi-reader-recommended list ➜ Recommended M/M Reads
Hi Fabi! I think you would really like M.Q. Barber’s Becoming His Master. It is a beautifully written and gorgeous story. It is a prequel to a series. The series is ménage about the same two men and their neighbor and it is my all time favorite. I hope you give it a try.
Hi Fabi, you should give More Heat than the Sun by John WIlstshire a try…it’s my favorite MM series ever! so much depth his writing is absolutely amazing
Thank you Melissa and Lori. I’m always looking for recommendations in this genre. I’ll add them to my tbr.
Maryse *blush* I can’t believe you put my guilty reading pleasure up there in stand out mode. I’m really a shy person IRL and I always cringe a little when a spotlight catches me. lol Thank you for posting my favs.
Aww Fabi your reactions to each of these books are priceless and so perfect for those of us looking for that same thrill, ya know?
I hope it’s okay… (let me know if you want me to privatize<---?? it). 😉
lol No No It’s all good. I love sharing my book love. That’s why this is my favorite hang out. We all love books and don’t mind getting silly over them. In fact, it’s so much FUN to get silly and share.
Great list Fabi! Can’t wait to read the ones on your list I haven’t tried yet.
Great list Fabi….I know who to come to for M/M recs.
Hi Fabi! I love your m/m list and have read about half of them. One-clicked Measure of Devotion for that Captive Prince feel. 😉 Thanks a bunch!
I love m/m!!!! As a hetero female, m/m should be right up our alley . . . . We love men
I really love anything by TJ Klune . . . Bear, Otter and the Kid is awesome
I have read 6 of the twenty, keeping up the the gang. But no Ty and Zane, and no Mary Calmes, Jori rocks. And who can forget Josh Lanyon the M/M author that was the first for me.
P.S. And no Rhys Ford. We all have the books we love, I do a lot of books on tape and the spoken words works in these books for me.
Thank you ladies.
*high-fives Christine* *snicker*
Catherine I’m looking up Josh Lanyon along with the other recs I’ve gotten here.
Keep the recs coming, if I haven’t read it, I’ll add it to my tbr.
Katie, if you read the Measure of Devotion trilogy or even just the first one, I’d love to get your feedback. Even if you hate it. I tend to push that book a lot and it’ll let me know if I should quit doing that or keep at it until more people read it. It’s such a huge favorite of mine but you know that can be so much personal taste or mood when someone reads a book.
Catherine, I listen to audio books too and a narrator can make or break a book for me.
I’ve only listened to 1 or 2 mm on audio. I have one lined up for my next listen.
I don’t know what you’re referring to when you say no Ty and Zane and no Mary Calmes, Jori rocks and no Rhys Ford. Are these characters, authors, narrators?
I have read Him and Dangerously Happy. Those two books were amazing so I have added the rest of your books to my wish list! Thanks for putting the list together. Have you read R.G. Alexander’s The Finn Factor Series? I just finished the 4th book and I think you might like this series!
Hi Kathy, no I haven’t so I’m off to Amazon to download a sample.
The recs are adding up. Yea me. I think I’m going to have to add a collection to my Kindle called mm recs. I’m just giddy right now. Recs are always my best reads. I mean, if someone likes a book enough to recommend it, I feel like I’m batting a thousand before the game even starts.
Fabi, Ty & Zane are characters from a series. I’ve had the first book for ever, just need to read it. Also, have and unread books from Kindle Alexander & KJ Charles based on how much others love them. Strawberries for Dessert was one of my favorites last year.
Fabi, I have not read any of these and haven’t ventured into this genre, yet. Now I have many excellent reading rec’s to choose from. 😉
I’ve read a couple but whoa I’ve got a list now…and helllloooooo #1 *click*
Bev I think I have Strawberries for Dessert on my tbr already. Thanks for the reminder. I’m moving it to my mm recs collection.
Was Zane from The Locker Room? I am so awful with names. I remember everything about characters, except their names.
It’s too bad Amy doesn’t read mm because if there’s one person who would appreciate The Locker Room it would be her. I swear that book broke me.
In fact, several mm reads gutted me. I guess I’m a little picky as to where I get my angst fix. I tend to shy away from it in MF romance but love it in my mm reads.
Cut and Run series. Cut and Run is the title of the first book. He is one of the two fbi agents. I believe its FBI. I believe the series just completed. Lots of blog talk about it ending.
Mary Calmes & Rhys Ford are authors too. Never read them though.
Ok, cool. I read the first book in that series.
They kind of ring a bell. I guess I’ll see if I’ve read any of their work. Thanks.
Strawberries for Dessert is part of the Coda series. I haven’t read it. There are many I’ve bypassed because they are part of a series I haven’t started yet.
Maryse, I just looked at your 2013 blog post of favorite mm reads (linked above). I’d never seen that post! With over 100 comments and tons of recs. I’m in book heaven right now. 🙂
Eh, I read it as a stand alone, lol.
YAY Fabi!!! I’m so glad it helps!! I have enjoyed a few myself, and am craving a couple of these on YOUR list.
So many books, so little time. It’s a common enough saying nowadays. But I swear it was only a few short years ago (before I found your blog) that I’d spend an entire afternoon, if not an entire day, trying to find my next read. It is amazing the difference your blog has made in my life.
Awww Fabi. You just made my YEAR saying that. <3 😀 And you guys in MY life, suggesting so many awesome reads thrills me to no end.
This list is just what I have been looking for 🙂
The books by Sarina Bowen, Ella Frank and Varian Krylov have been on my tbr for a long time. Maybe I should look into these next.
Thanks Fabi for a great list.
“I have read 6 of the twenty, keeping up the the gang. But no Ty and Zane, and no Mary Calmes, Jori rocks. And who can forget Josh Lanyon the M/M author that was the first for me.”
Josh Lanyon is an Author, and has been writing MM for years
Rhys Ford ia an Author
MaryCalmes is an Author Jor is, just one of hers
Ty and Zane are in Abigail Roux and her former Partners book
Sorry I get carried away and my fingers move faster than my mind sometimes.
Hey, I’m a huge MM fan! I’ve read some on the above list – and plan to check out what I haven’t.
Wondering if you have read any of the Something Like series? By Jay Bell
Something Like Summer is the first. Told from one of the main characters POV, the second book Something like Winter is the same timeline, told from the other main characters POV. I’ve started the 3rd and plan to continue on.
The first book is currently being made into a movie.
I haven’t Carol, but I’ll add it to my tbr. Thank you.
I’m so excited to see others posring who love this genre too.
Rough Canvas by Joey W. Hill was the most Beautiful, Soul Touching M/M book I have ever read. In fact, it is one of my favorite books of Any kind. The love story of Marcus & Thomas is something I will remember forever. Just Beautiful
Thank you Lynne. I’m adding it now.
Great list Fabi!! I agree about Rough Canvas. I loved that book!
Thanks Anne. It’s already on my tbr.
Oooo oooo. *waves hand in the air* Fabi. Leveled by Jay Crownover.
Awesome Lisa. These are all new to me so I’m adding it now. Thanks.
I, too, am a hetero female that loves men so much that two together is a win-win for me!!! What’s not to love?
I have read (from your list, 4,6,7, 15, 16, 20). Blay and Quinn hold a special place in my heart because it was a slow build, kind of like Thomas & Eddie from Scansguard’s Vampires (Thomas’ Choice). I might even like them better (GASP! I know). But Thomas is just so….. well, Thomas. He reminds me of “V” in BDB. Super smart and cool. And V has those tendencies too. Anyone ever read the BDB fan fiction with Butch and V?
There’s also my recent fave, Simon vs. The Homo Sapiens Agenda (coming of age m/m). It was Bev’s recommendation and I LOVE IT. Such a sweet story. And so funny. I fell in love with both those guys.
And another one I liked was Sinners on Tour (Double Time) where Trey falls hard for his girlfriend’s ex. Yup. Super sexy that one.
But, I have to say my ALL TIME FAVORITE m/m couple or scene ever in the history of ever is…… okay, it’s a tie….. drum roll…..
Jean-Claude and Asher (Anita Blake series) – wowza – super sexy those two
Sir John and Jamie Frasier – because poor John would, and does, anything for Jamie because of how much he cares for the guy!!!
I know they are not m/m books, but they are m/m moments.
MichelleS leave it to you to flood my mm recs tbr — hahaha I’m off to Amazon. I’ll be back in a while…
Those you mention in series above. Does the while series have to be read, like the BDB, in order to get the full feels?
Fabi – I have a secret love for this genre too. Don’t read it often, but love it every single time I do. One book that comes up OVER and over on the best of m/m/ lists is Hot Head. Did you ever read it or hear about it?
The Scansguards Vamps series – I’d say, yes, in order to really love Thomas’ story it would be best to have read the previous books. By then you are so thrilled when he gets his chance. Not sure you’d react the same way if not. That one I leave up to you, but they are a favorite m/m paranormal couple for me. I just really like Thomas, and I never liked Blay or Quinn as much as I liked Thomas. He’s just so cool.
I’ve read Hot Head. What about Jean-Claude and Asher? They’re in a series? Do I need to read the whole series?
IDK why I haven’t read Bev’s rec yet. I have it on my tbr. I guess the fact that it’s very YA is holding me back somewhat in spite of all the rave reviews.
Fabi – Jean Claude and Asher are vamps in the Anita Blake series. There are 22 million books in that series, so probably not worth it. But they stand out in my head as THE hottest two men ever to grace the sheets of a novel for me. Google those two sometime. Hummunnahummunna (spelling?).
“The sheets of a novel” hahaha I love it!
Crikey – anyone else remember when Jean Claude calls Asher “Mon Chardonneret “? (my goldfinch?)…… the good old days – I used to gobble this stuff up. Someday, Fabi, when you have absolutely nothing let to read, you know, like when you’re 80 and the internet blew up – read Anita Blake series just to experience these amazing characters.
You know what’s sad? I tried to start her first in the series 2-3 years ago but I couldn’t get into it. 🙁
I read it a long time ago – then I stopped for the last couple – it’s a series that long ago should have been wrapped up. These two are stand out characters for me. There are a few others, but the main character, Anita, is so very unlikable. I think because I liked the interaction between characters like these so much is why I ever read a m/m book in the first place.
i’m in the middle of book two of the Captive Prince trilogy and LOVING it so much