Diving into the kaleidoscope of queer stories, amplifying LGBTQ+ authors one narrative at a time.
Love is love: an LGBTQ+ rally cry worldwide – from gay romance novels to films and art. And no wonder love is the strongest emotion: it makes us laugh, cry, shout from the rooftops, go crazy and throw things around the room (hopefully just soft toys).
It can be tricky, though, to find a gay romance novel to read that portrays gay love in all its many aspects. That’s why we’ve brought together a list of some of the best books about gay romance that remind us of love’s universal nature.
There’s a little something for everyone here: from historical erotica to love and loss to the intensity of short-lived desire.
Many of our favorite novels have been turned into films because of our favorite gay coming out movies and gay comedy movies – in case even the idea of reading a whole book makes you yawn.
But, in our humble opinion, there is nothing quite like a good book and your imagination – So let’s get reading!
Don't have time to read them all? Why not try listening to them? Audible is a great platform for listening to audiobooks because it offers a wide selection of books, including bestsellers and exclusive content. With Audible, you can listen to your favorite books on-the-go, whether you're commuting, working out, or doing household chores.
The Audible app also has features like adjustable narration speed, a sleep timer, and the ability to create bookmarks, making it easy to customize your listening experience. Additionally, Audible offers a membership program that gives members access to a certain number of audiobooks per month, making it a cost-effective option for avid listeners.
A great resource for people who want to maximize their time and make the most out of their daily activities. Try a free 30-day trial from Audible today, and you'll get access to a selection of Audible Originals and audiobooks, along with a credit to purchase any title in their premium selection, regardless of price (including many of the books on this list!)
For ebook lovers, we also recommend Scribd, basically the Netflix for Books and the best and most convenient subscription for online reading. While they have a catalog comprising over half a million books including from many bestselling authors, for some of the books on this list, you'll still have to purchase individually - either as a paperback or eBook to load on your Kindle - due to publishing house restrictions.
In this article we will cover...
- Call Me By Your Name by André Aciman
- On Earth We’re Briefly Gorgeous by Ocean Vuong
- A Single Man by Christopher Isherwood
- A Gentleman’s Position by K.J. Charles
- For Real by Alexis Hall
- Captive Prince by C.S. Pacat
- Brokeback Mountain by Annie Proulx
- The Men From The Boys by William J. Mann
- Maurice by E.M. Forster
- Beijing Comrades by Bei Tong
- Inertia by Amelia C. Gormley
- Find Me by Andre Aciman
- Days Without End by Sebastian Barry
Call Me By Your Name by André Aciman
The release of the film adaptation of Aciman’s tender novel caused a buzz, so why not go back to the source material? This hazy summer romance perfectly captures the intensity of desire.
Set in Italy in the summer of 1987, Call Me By Your Name is narrated by Elio as he recalls the romance that blossomed when a doctoral student came to spend the summer with his family to work with his academic father.
Oliver’s carefree nature contrasts Elio’s moody introversion; nevertheless, there is an undeniable attraction, and what follows is a beautiful story of a passionate affair never destined to last.
Before even finishing, we booked a flight to Gay Rome and Gay Florence…
No matter your sexuality, this novel will remind you of that time if you’ve ever been in love.
On Earth We’re Briefly Gorgeous by Ocean Vuong
This stunning book by Vietnamese-American poet Ocean Vuong might not be what you typically think of when you search for gay romance novels. It’s emotionally shattering, highlighting the love and trauma passed down through families, and some chapters are poems. This is what makes it so unique.
While the relationship at the heart of On Earth We’re Briefly Gorgeous is that of the narrator Little Dog with his mother, the other relationship that runs like a thread through the novel is his first romance with a young white American working on a tobacco farm.
The depiction of the two boys exploring their emotions and sexuality, as well as the tragic aftermath, is rarely less than heart-rending.
A Single Man by Christopher Isherwood
Another great film with a great book, A Single Man, depicts one day in the life of George, a middle-aged man who has just lost his partner in a tragic accident. Set in Southern California in 1962, the book conveys the heartbreak of loss and the importance of love.
The writing is cool and dispassionate, still managing to help the reader feel the depths of George’s grief and rage. I know what you’re thinking – a gay romance novel about grief? Although we’re stretching the definition a bit, this book will remind you that love is universal and powerful.
A Gentleman’s Position by K.J. Charles
And now for something that will get pulses racing… A Gentleman’s Position is the third in K.J. Charles’ Society of Gentlemen Series: we think it’s the best one. Based in Regency England, the novel follows the desire between upstanding Lord Vane and his trusted valet, David.
Although Lord Vane’s principles forbid him from ‘dallying’ with the servants, his morals are tested when David sets out to seduce him and win his heart.
Will he succeed? You’ll have to read to find out!
This novel is not only great fun; it also makes you root for love against all the odds!
For Real by Alexis Hall
This is a gay romance novel that subverts the conventions of the genre.
Published in 2015, Alexis Hall’s novel For Real is a modern and complex take on love and identity. Yes, it’s sexy, and it’s got BDSM, but it’s also about falling in love with someone no one, including yourself, expects you to fall in love with.
Laurence and Toby have an 18-year age gap, come from completely different backgrounds (Oxford-educated surgeon meets Shoreditch café worker), and live different lives. The power should lie completely with Laurence, yet somehow it shifts throughout their unlikely but affecting relationship. Despite it all, the intimate story of people who are a perfect fit.
Captive Prince by C.S. Pacat
For a bit of good, raunchy fun, there’s nothing like a bit of historical fiction. This gripping book, the first in the Captive Prince Trilogy, is deliciously erotic and addictive. It tells the story of Damen, a man who was once a warrior prince but has been stripped of his power and titles and given as a pleasure slave to an enemy ruler.
In Vere, both his new master and the surrounding court seem dangerous, opulent and corrupt – but nothing is as it seems, and Damen has to work hard to keep his identity secret and figure out what’s going on. There’s lots of kinkiness here, but a rollicking story and a bit of heart back it up!
Brokeback Mountain by Annie Proulx
OK, it’s a short story, not a novel (don’t hate me!) but is any list of gay love stories complete without mentioning Brokeback Mountain?
We would argue not.
When two young men sign up for summer work in the mountains of Wyoming, they don’t expect to be attracted to each other, let alone form an intense emotional bond, but that happens.
For the next 20 years, they continue to meet, despite having families and separate lives. Although the writing condenses the passing of time into short sections, the strength and desperation of Enis and Jack’s love are beautifully told. The readers’ frustration that they can’t be together is enough to make you weep.
After reading this, we did our research, and while, sadly, your chances of finding a gay cowboy of your own in Wyoming are low, there is a great gay scene with cowboy bars in Nashville, Austin, and Denver. You’re welcome!
The Men From The Boys by William J. Mann
This book has garnered classic status in the gay community since it was released in 1997 and for good reason. After all, it deals with coming to terms with the cards life has dealt you and coming to terms with yourself; who among us can’t empathize with these themes? It also reflects on youth and how love can make you feel young again (swoon).
Jeff is in his early 30s when his lover leaves him; he sees his first love dying of AIDs, and his one-night stands feel meaningless. An affair with 22-year-old Eduardo seems to offer passion and salvation – but is it just a summer romance? If you haven’t already read The Men From The Boys, it’s time to do so now!
Maurice by E.M. Forster
A tale of forbidden love in early 20th century Britain: a member of the upper classes begins a passionate affair with an under-gamekeeper on an estate. Their relationship defies the class differences of the time. No, we’re not describing Lady Chatterley’s Lover, but the book some think inspired it: Maurice.
Written in 1913 but published posthumously in 1971, this is a classic masterpiece with piercing insight into human nature. It’s a story of gay romance before this was accepted by society, and what’s more, it has a happy ending. For this reason alone, it’s worth reading this beautiful book.
Beijing Comrades by Bei Tong
A fascinating novel that vividly depicts China in the late 1980s with its political unrest and totalitarian government. Against this tumultuous backdrop, two young men – one a working-class student, the other a son of Communist party officials – meet and instantly connect.
They spend all their time together but soon realize that they are not living under a regime that supports their love, and what’s more, Handong is part of that regime.
Originally Beijing Comrades was published anonymously on a gay website in China but has since been translated, losing none of its impact in translation or over time. Heart-breaking, powerful and riveting, this is one of the gay romance novels you should have read by now!
Inertia by Amelia C. Gormley
A great book for any of us who have ever felt too scared to get involved in case we get hurt.
Detroit handyman Derrick lives a quiet, organized and lonely life; despite being young, he’s determined not to lose anything. When he meets flirty Gavin, that all changes, and he has to decide whether or not to give in.
Inertia is a sweet and sexy story of awakening and two people working through their past challenges to find something real. One of our favorite gay romance novels for its authenticity and for those tender love scenes!
Find Me by Andre Aciman
Naturally, if we’ve got Call Me By Your Name on our list, we wouldn’t want to miss out on the 2019 sequel Find Me. While it doesn’t have the heart-wrenching evocation of first love that the original novel does, it does take a bittersweet look at romance throughout our lives, how love ages and whether we ever forget the first person we loved.
Organized in four short sections, it starts with Elio’s father having a chance encounter before moving to talk about Elio himself and his romance with Michel. Meanwhile, Oliver is in New England, thinking of his past with Elio. Passion, memory and lush European backdrops combine in this tender novel that’s in love with love.
Days Without End by Sebastian Barry
When you first start reading Sebastian Barry’s daring, epic novel set in 1850s America, you might not initially describe it as a romance novel. But the further you get into the story of journeys along the Oregon Trail to California and back, of army life and the intimacy between two soldiers, the more you feel it as a tale of love.
Days Without End is unbelievably beautiful in its writing and can be unbelievably brutal in its depictions of life at the time. We can’t promise you an easy read. But we can promise you a stunning portrayal of love surviving all the chaos life can throw at you.
