By adult I don’t mean sex, basically what I want is a book about two men who fall in love that doesn’t read like a book. Like, when I’m reading it, I don’t feel like I’m reading a romance novel.
I want something that feels real but is also engaging. None of that “I smelled his cologne and instantly jizzed” crap where people get horny but instead of being horny it’s interpreted as love, which the author decides is reasonable and canon.
It’s so hard to explain what I mean, but you know when you’re reading a book and you suspend your disbelief because it’s a book and you know people don’t act that way irl but you ignore that because you crave the whimsy of romantic fiction? Yeah, I don’t want that. I want a book about a man who sort of likes someone but doesn’t get carried away and he knows how to recognise what he’s feeling and put it in the right box until it gets brought up again. Love isn’t sunshine and rainbows and I don’t want to read about a love that is
by Zealousideal_Sea8123
5 Comments
I’d suggest searching “slow burn” in the r/MM_RomanceBooks subreddit, I think you can find things that fit that for sure. I especially think romantic suspense might be your shtick, as it has other plot alongside the romance? Such as something by Gregory Ashe.
“I smelled his cologne and instantly jizzed” made me choke on my bagel oml
Hi, I’m not sure if this’ll work for you or not but Time to Shine by Rachel Reid. Hockey MM romance. I loved it. I loved it especially bc the MMC is a virgin who is exploring his sexuality but always knew he was gay, and is also dealing with grief. Other MMC is bi and dealing with being alone and others making fun of his intelligence. It’s super fun and cute and loving and I think it was favourite book of 2023.
It’s slightly slow burn, character driven, I felt the sport element was realistic (maybe not how open and accepting the team is) and again, I loved it.
The song of Achilles by Madeline Miller.
Best book I ever read. It is primarily about the Trojan war in ancient Greek mythology from the point of view of Achilles Boyfriend Patroclus (who in most other stories is considered to by his cousin because of homophobia lmao). Without wanting to spoil anything I felt a lot of feelings about how their relationship evolved without it being horny or exaggerated or “omg they are gay what a tragedy.” Incredibly realistic and heartbreaking Lovestory while simultaneously super epic.
Call Me By Your Name