Summary: In this article, I've compiled 20 MM romance novels that showcase the genre’s diversity and depth, offering stories that range from lighthearted rom-coms to profound, emotionally charged tales. My top 3:
- Red, White & Royal Blue by Casey McQuiston
- The Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller
- Boyfriend Material by Alexis Hall
TOP 20: best MM Romance Novels
- Red, White & Royal Blue by Casey McQuiston
- The Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller
- Boyfriend Material by Alexis Hall
- Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe by Benjamin Alire Sáenz
- Captive Prince by C.S. Pacat
- In the Middle of Somewhere by Roan Parrish
- Heated Rivalry by Rachel Reid
- A Little Life by Hanya Yanagihara
- Call Me by Your Name by André Aciman
- The Understatement of the Year by Sarina Bowen
- Wolfsong by TJ Klune
- Him by Sarina Bowen & Elle Kennedy
- A Marvellous Light by Freya Marske
- How to Be a Normal Person by TJ Klune
- Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda by Becky Albertalli
- Like Water Catching Fire by E. M. Lindsey
- Only Mostly Devastated by Sophie Gonzales
- All for the Game series by Nora Sakavic
- Conventionally Yours by Annabeth Albert
- The Weight of It All by N.R. Walker
1. Red, White & Royal Blue
- Author: Casey McQuiston
- About: A romance between the First Son of the U.S. and a British prince, full of humor and warmth.
- Style of Writing: Witty, humorous, modern
- Length: ~120,000 words
- Year Written: 2019
- Emotional Impact: Heartwarming, lasting impact
- Difficulty Level: Moderate; modern language, occasional political references
- Why Read It: A refreshing, feel-good romance with compelling characters and social commentary.
2. The Song of Achilles
- Author: Madeline Miller
- About: A mythological retelling of Achilles and Patroclus’s love, set against the Trojan War.
- Style of Writing: Lyrical, poetic, myth-inspired
- Length: ~100,000 words
- Year Written: 2011
- Emotional Impact: Profoundly moving and tragic
- Difficulty Level: Moderate to high; familiarity with mythology helps
- Why Read It: An emotionally powerful, timeless story with mythic resonance.
3. Boyfriend Material
- Author: Alexis Hall
- About: A fake dating romance between a chaotic rock star’s son and a buttoned-up lawyer.
- Style of Writing: Humorous, charming, with British wit
- Length: ~105,000 words
- Year Written: 2020
- Emotional Impact: Lighthearted yet sincere
- Difficulty Level: Moderate; British cultural references
- Why Read It: A feel-good, opposites-attract story with witty dialogue.
4. Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe
- Author: Benjamin Alire Sáenz
- About: A coming-of-age story about friendship and first love between two Mexican-American boys.
- Style of Writing: Thoughtful, introspective
- Length: ~85,000 words
- Year Written: 2012
- Emotional Impact: Gentle, introspective, lingering
- Difficulty Level: Moderate; accessible for young adults and adults alike
- Why Read It: An intimate, poetic exploration of identity and belonging.
5. Captive Prince
- Author: C.S. Pacat
- About: A prince sold into slavery forms a complex bond with his captor in a politically charged kingdom.
- Style of Writing: Dark, intense, fantasy
- Length: ~90,000 words (first book)
- Year Written: 2013
- Emotional Impact: Intriguing, thought-provoking
- Difficulty Level: Moderate; mature themes
- Why Read It: For fans of intricate fantasy with high stakes and morally complex characters.
6. In the Middle of Somewhere
- Author: Roan Parrish
- About: A city man and a reclusive carpenter find unexpected connection in a small town.
- Style of Writing: Warm, detailed
- Length: ~115,000 words
- Year Written: 2015
- Emotional Impact: Comforting and uplifting
- Difficulty Level: Easy to moderate
- Why Read It: For a heartfelt romance about healing, growth, and self-acceptance.
7. Heated Rivalry
- Author: Rachel Reid
- About: A sports romance between two hockey players with a fierce rivalry that turns into something more.
- Style of Writing: Energetic, contemporary
- Length: ~85,000 words
- Year Written: 2019
- Emotional Impact: Exciting, satisfying
- Difficulty Level: Moderate; hockey references
- Why Read It: A passionate enemies-to-lovers story with high emotional stakes.
8. A Little Life
- Author: Hanya Yanagihara
- About: Four friends navigate life, love, and trauma in New York City.
- Style of Writing: Intense, literary
- Length: ~240,000 words
- Year Written: 2015
- Emotional Impact: Deeply affecting, often heartbreaking
- Difficulty Level: High; heavy themes and long
- Why Read It: A raw exploration of friendship and the impact of trauma.
9. Call Me by Your Name
- Author: André Aciman
- About: A passionate summer romance between a young man and his family’s summer guest in Italy.
- Style of Writing: Evocative, literary
- Length: ~80,000 words
- Year Written: 2007
- Emotional Impact: Poignant, lingering
- Difficulty Level: Moderate
- Why Read It: For an intense, beautifully written exploration of first love.
10. The Understatement of the Year
- Author: Sarina Bowen
- About: Two former friends, now on the same hockey team, navigate old feelings and new challenges.
- Style of Writing: Engaging, emotional
- Length: ~85,000 words
- Year Written: 2014
- Emotional Impact: Tender and touching
- Difficulty Level: Moderate
- Why Read It: A compelling sports romance about second chances.
11. Wolfsong
- Author: TJ Klune
- About: A man discovers a supernatural world and forms a deep connection with a werewolf.
- Style of Writing: Poetic, heartfelt
- Length: ~155,000 words
- Year Written: 2016
- Emotional Impact: Heartfelt, with high stakes
- Difficulty Level: Moderate; paranormal themes
- Why Read It: A unique blend of romance and fantasy that’s deeply moving.
12. Him
- Author: Sarina Bowen & Elle Kennedy
- About: Two friends reunite at a hockey camp and rediscover feelings for each other.
- Style of Writing: Fun, romantic, sports-oriented
- Length: ~85,000 words
- Year Written: 2015
- Emotional Impact: Fun, satisfying
- Difficulty Level: Easy to moderate
- Why Read It: A charming, low-angst friends-to-lovers sports romance.
13. A Marvellous Light
- Author: Freya Marske
- About: A magical historical romance with mystery and adventure set in Edwardian England.
- Style of Writing: Lush, historical, fantasy
- Length: ~115,000 words
- Year Written: 2021
- Emotional Impact: Magical, uplifting
- Difficulty Level: Moderate to high; fantasy elements
- Why Read It: For a magical, romantic escape with rich historical detail.
14. How to Be a Normal Person
- Author: TJ Klune
- About: A quirky man falls in love with an asexual hipster and learns about love and acceptance.
- Style of Writing: Humorous, quirky
- Length: ~100,000 words
- Year Written: 2015
- Emotional Impact: Light, heartwarming
- Difficulty Level: Easy
- Why Read It: A unique and uplifting story with humor and heart.
15. Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda
- Author: Becky Albertalli
- About: A high school student navigates coming out and romance after his emails are exposed.
- Style of Writing: Light, young adult
- Length: ~70,000 words
- Year Written: 2015
- Emotional Impact: Sweet, inspiring
- Difficulty Level: Easy
- Why Read It: A charming YA romance that celebrates self-acceptance.
16. Like Water Catching Fire
- Author: E. M. Lindsey
- About: A slow-burn romance between a blind artist and a grumpy fisherman in a coastal town.
- Style of Writing: Gentle, descriptive
- Length: ~90,000 words
- Year Written: 2019
- Emotional Impact: Tender and hopeful
- Difficulty Level: Moderate
- Why Read It: For a heartfelt story about healing, patience, and love.
17. Only Mostly Devastated
- Author: Sophie Gonzales
- About: A contemporary retelling of Grease with a gay twist, exploring high school romance.
- Style of Writing: Humorous, lighthearted
- Length: ~85,000 words
- Year Written: 2020
- Emotional Impact: Fun, uplifting
- Difficulty Level: Easy
- Why Read It: A fresh, fun high school romance with real emotional moments.
18. All for the Game
- Author: Nora Sakavic
- About: A gritty sports series about survival and rivalry with high stakes.
- Style of Writing: Dark, intense
- Length: ~270,000 words (series)
- Year Written: 2013-2016
- Emotional Impact: Intense and gripping
- Difficulty Level: High; complex themes
- Why Read It: A unique, edgy sports story with raw emotional depth.
19. Conventionally Yours
- Author: Annabeth Albert
- About: Two board game rivals go on a cross-country road trip and discover unexpected feelings.
- Style of Writing: Fun, romantic
- Length: ~90,000 words
- Year Written: 2020
- Emotional Impact: Light and charming
- Difficulty Level: Easy to moderate
- Why Read It: A cute enemies-to-lovers road trip romance with relatable characters.
20. The Weight of It All
- Author: N.R. Walker
- About: A man finding self-acceptance and romance after being left by his ex.
- Style of Writing: Warm, relatable
- Length: ~95,000 words
- Year Written: 2016
- Emotional Impact: Inspiring, heartfelt
- Difficulty Level: Easy
- Why Read It: A feel-good story about body positivity, growth, and love.
Conclusion
In my opinion, MM romance novels offer something special for every reader—from playful rom-coms to deeply emotional sagas. Red, White & Royal Blue, The Song of Achilles, and Boyfriend Material are, without a doubt, must-reads. These books have unforgettable characters, fresh takes on love, and a lasting emotional impact that really stays with you. I think they showcase the depth and beauty of the genre perfectly, capturing love in all its forms. Whether you’re new to MM romance or a long-time fan, these three are ideal for diving into stories that are both entertaining and deeply moving.
