MM Series Recommendations That Will Make You Swoon Part 1
But First, Let Me Share My Book Journey with You!
Up until 2023, I was strictly an MF (male-female) romance reader. I had a special place in my heart for romantic novels, and if you asked me about my favorite author, hands down, it would be Nora Roberts.
I mean, let’s be honest, that woman is a genius when it comes to making us swoon!
Her books never fail to sweep me off my feet, and I’m sure many of you can relate. But, of course, Nora Roberts isn’t the only author that has captured my heart.
There are so many others I absolutely adore—James Patterson, Sandra Brown, Carlene Thompson, and Mitch Albom, just to name a few.
As much as I loved these authors, I’ve always been someone who reads depending on my mood. Sometimes I crave suspense, other times a heartwarming tale, or maybe a deeply emotional story that makes me think. It really all depends on the vibe I’m in.
A Whole New World!
Fast forward to 2023, and I stumbled upon Thai BL (Boys’ Love) books, and let me tell you—I blame TikTok for this!
I never had any real interest in watching or reading any BL stories until I saw a post one day that piqued my curiosity. So, I decided to give it a shot.
Little did I know, that was the moment everything changed. It was all downhill from there—in the best way possible!
I started exploring Thai BL novels on Wattpad, and before I knew it, I was deep in the world of MM (Male-Male) romance. It felt like an entirely new genre to me, and I couldn’t get enough.
I fell down this exquisite rabbit hole of love, emotions, and drama that I never knew I needed in my life.
But then, things took a turn. I came across an author, Paz Iribarne, thanks to a comment on the story I was reading on Wattpad. Naturally, I had to look her up—and once I did, I was hooked.
Paz Iribarne’s books are truly in a league of their own. She writes some of the most amazing stories I’ve ever read. Once I finished one of her books, I had to read them all.
I started with her MMA series (which, by the way, is a must-read!) and quickly moved on to the rest of her saga.
If you speak Spanish, you absolutely must read her books! Her storytelling ability is beyond words. She’ll have you laughing, crying, and getting downright angry—all at the same time!
It’s incredible how she can make you experience so many emotions in such a short span of time. You’ve been warned!
Mind Blown
After reading my first MM romance book, I honestly couldn’t go back to just MF books. In fact, I’ve only read four MF books in the last two years! Crazy, right?
The MM romance genre completely stole my heart, and I’ve made it my mission to read as many MM books as possible.
And trust me, there are a LOT out there, which is great news for me! 😄
Here’s a list of some of my favorite MM book series that I just had to share with you. But before I dive into the recommendations, here’s a little tip: Most of these books are part of a series, so it’s super important to start with book one!
You don’t want to miss out on any important character development or plot twists. And, in many cases, these books exist in larger universes, meaning that the characters from one series might also appear in others—how cool is that?
So, if you’re ready to explore the MM romance world, buckle up because it’s a wild, emotional, and beautiful ride.
I’m so excited to share these books with you, and I hope you enjoy them as much as I did!
These series crossover to others, you must read in order
Eden Finley
Fake Boyfriends (5 book series)
From Book 1: Maddox
The reason I rarely go home is three simple words: I’m a liar.
When the pressure to marry my childhood sweetheart became too much, I told her I was gay and then fled to New York like my ass was on fire.
Now, five years later and after a drunken encounter, I find myself invited to her wedding. And I have to bring my boyfriend—the boyfriend who doesn’t exist because I’m straight.
At least, I think I am. Meeting the guy I’m bribing to be my boyfriend for the weekend makes me question everything about myself.
Damon
When my sister asks me to pretend to be some straight guy’s boyfriend, my automatic response is to say no. It’s because of guys like him people don’t believe me when I tell them I’m gay.
But Maddox has something I need.
After an injury that cost me my baseball career, I’m trying to leave my playing days behind and focus on being the best sports agent I can be. Forty-eight hours with my sister’s best friend in exchange for a meeting with a possible client. I can do this.
I just wish he wasn’t so hot. Or that he didn’t kiss like he means it.
Wait … why is the straight guy kissing me?
*Fake Out is a full-length MM novel with no cliffhanger.*
Novellas that connect
Breakaways is a collection of short stories from Eden Finley’s Fake Boyfriend universe. They all feature side characters from the series but do not contain fake boyfriend tropes.
Rebound (Fake Boyfriend 2.5)Aron and Wyatt have been best friends since college and are both rebounding from bad break-ups. One night of drunken sex makes them question their whole friendship and what they’ve had right in front of them all along.
Best read after Trick Play in the Fake Boyfriend universe.
It’s Complicated (Fake Boyfriend 3.5)Max has been in love with his childhood best friend, Ash, for years. The reason he has kept it a secret is because Ash also happens to be Max’s brother’s ex-boyfriend.
Complicated doesn’t begin to explain their relationship.Best read after Deke in the Fake Boyfriend universe.
Winning You (Fake Boyfriend 4.5)(Previously published in Heart2Heart volume 2. This story has been extended from the original and re-edited.)Marty and Luce win a blind date through a charity raffle.
Marty is young and vibrant. Luce is older and a little bit bitter.
In one night, they manage to change the course of each other’s lives.This is a prequel of Hat Trick in the Fake Boyfriend universe.
It’s a vacation none of them will forget.
Before their futures become the present, Noah convinces his friends they need a group vacation—a final play before they’re all tied down by responsibility and unyielding schedules.
Everything is changing.
Marriage.
Famous (4 book series)
Harley
What happens when the most successful boy band on the planet breaks up? How about twenty thousand fans screaming my name.
But the price of fame comes with an increased risk to my safety. I’ve been avoiding the dreaded B word for as long as I can, but after a close call with a rambunctious fan, I can’t do it anymore.
It’s time to give in. I need to hire a full-time bodyguard.
And when he shows up, he not only screams badass, he’s another B word I try to stay away from: boyfriend material.
Brix
Protecting people is not what my company usually does, but the boss knows I need money, and the pop star is offering an insane amount to live with him and make sure no more crazy fans break into his house.
I’m doing it for the money and nothing else. He may be the prettiest man I’ve ever seen, and I may feel sorry for the celebrity life he’s been forced into since he was a teenager, but that doesn’t mean anything.
Just because he fascinates me, that doesn’t mean I like him.
It doesn’t.
Professionalism. I’m gonna live it. Breathe it. Enforce it … Mostly.
Rockstar Hearts: Cash Me Outside Duet
Locked Heart: Cash & Locke
Ten years ago, I left my heart with a boy when I moved to LA to become a rock star. Eight years ago, his online presence disappeared completely.
We made a pact. If I ever performed at Death Valley Music Festival, he’d come see me play. Now, after a decade of paying my dues, I’ve been booked as a headliner.
Only question is, will he show up or do I need to face the possibility of letting him go forever?
Thorned Heart: Seb & Thorne
Being in love with a client sucks. As Cash Me Outside’s band manager, I’ve been nothing but professional for years. But the lead guitarist tortures me daily just by breathing.
Sebastian Rose has no idea how I feel about him, and I intend to keep it that way. I can’t break my rules. Seb doesn’t do serious, and I won’t risk my job for something temporary.
It takes a leaked nude, an overzealous stripper, and a group winter vacation to change everything.
Contains mature themes.
Mike Bravo Ops (4 book series)
Mike Bravo. Knights in shining … camo.
Iris
I live for adrenaline. The thrill of the chase. And because I work for Mike Bravo, a private black-ops firm, it’s my job to go into dangerous situations.
But when we’re called in to extract a military team from a hostile situation, the thrill is so much better. Because one of those men happen to be the golden boy from my basic training days.
Brock “Saint” Harlow was a walking Captain America in the flesh. The perfect soldier.
Now my boss wants to recruit him, and I can’t wait to rub it in his face that he was rescued by me. The class clown.
I’m not called Iris “I require intense supervision” for nothing.
Saint
Military life is all I’ve known since I was born. I was raised to be a soldier.
But when a top-secret mission fails, I find myself suddenly discharged with nowhere to go.
Mike Bravo saved my life, and they want me to join them, but there’s one small problem.
Isaac “Iris” Griffin.
He’s as irresistibly snarky as he always was, only there’s a big difference this time. I’m no longer closeted or scared to live my truth. And the truth is, I’ve always wanted him.
It’s against Mike Bravo’s rules to fraternize with other team members, and I always follow orders.
But something tells me Iris might be worth the insubordination.
Saxon James
The prequel story to the Divorced Men’s Club: Leif and Barney.
My best friend is the love of my life … he just doesn’t know it yet. Ever since Barney finalized his divorce, I’ve been his biggest support. He needs a shoulder to cry on? I’ve got him covered.
He needs someone to answer his late phone calls? I’m here all night. He needs to be fucked to within an inch of his life? Climb on up, big guy.
But when he mentions he’s finally ready to start dating again, watching him meet up with guy after guy is not on my checklist.It’s time for the best friend gloves to come off.
Divorced Men’s Club (6 book series)
Welcome to the DMC, where life begins at forty.
Payne:
In search of: room to rent.
Must ignore the patheticness of a forty-year-old roommate.
Preferably dirt cheap as funds are tight (nonexistent).
There’s nothing sadder than moving back to my hometown newly divorced, homeless, and lost for what my next move is.
When my little brother’s best friend offers me a place to stay in exchange for menial duties, I swallow my pride and jump at the offer.
I need this.
I also need Beau to wear a shirt. And ditch the gray sweatpants. And not leave his door ajar when he’s in compromising positions …
Beau:
In search of: roommate.
Must be non smoker and non douchebag.
Room payment to be made in meal planning, repairs, and dumb jokes.
Since my career took off, I barely have time to breathe, let alone keep my life in order. I’m naturally chaotic, make terrible decisions, and scare off potential dates with my “weirdness”.
So when Payne gets back into town and needs somewhere to stay, I offer him my spare room with one condition: while he’s staying with me, I need him to help me become date-able.
And while he does that, I can focus on my other plan: ignoring that Payne is the only man I’ve ever wanted to date.
The Anti-Wingman (Accidental Love Prequel)
The short story prequel to the Accidental Love series!
Kai is a boyfriend magnet who just wants to head into his hookup era. Rylan is done with the hookup scene and is ready to settle down.
When they meet on a dating app, Kai comes up with a plan: Rylan helps keep the boyfriends at bay, and Kai will find him the perfect man.
Between smiley face nail polish, a dilapidated house, and a cat named Kismet, they put their plan into action. Because what could possibly go wrong?
Accidental Love (5 books series)
Christian:
Being invited to my cousin’s wedding really shouldn’t be a big deal except, oh yeah, I haven’t seen my family for a decade.
My parents turned their backs on me, and I’ve done everything since to become successful and show them what they’ve lost. Only it’s kinda hard to be a success when you’re a walking trainwreck.
So I’m going to fake it. Hire a guy with an online presence so impressive they’ll be desperate to welcome me back into the elitist fold, and roll into the wedding with the kind of confidence I’ve never felt a day in my life.
The plan’s a knockout.
Until my fake date cancels minutes before the ceremony.
Émile:
One letter from my dearly departed grandfather, and suddenly I’m on a husband hunt.
He’s reworked his entire will so I’m set to inherit far more than I’m entitled to, and all because he’s asked me to use that money for “good.”
In order to get that inheritance though, there’s one stipulation: marriage.
Even with his request, I’m tempted to stick to my original plan of getting as far from my wretched family as possible, and letting them fight it out.
But then I run into a tall drink of scattered mess outside of a wedding who’s in desperate need of a date, and the pieces click into place.
I help him, he helps me.
Marriage, money, then go our separate ways.
Easy.
Now all I have to do is stop myself from actually falling for the guy.
Frat Wars (4 book series)
We’re basically Romeo and Juliet. But dudes. And without all the dying.
Chad
Being VP of Sigma Beta Psi is wild. I get all the benefits of being in charge with hardly any of the responsibility.
Parties, pranks, and frat politics—college life has never been sweeter.
Until I meet Bailey Prince.
He has the face of a goddamn angel. I don’t know where he came from or why I’m so obsessed.
But I do know he’s a Kappa.
And our houses have a rivalry that’s written into legend.
Bailey
At Rho Kappa Tau, I’m a legacy.
It’s a lot of pressure, but I’ve always been responsible, never had that rebellious need to rock the boat, and I like it that way.
But after a party at Sigma—the jock frat—I meet Chad Doomsen, and for the first time in my life I want to step outside my square.
Our houses have always had a rivalry, but some of the guys seem to hate Chad specifically, and I don’t know why.
He’s surprisingly sweet and kind. At least to me.
I need to stay away. A relationship with Chad would be betraying the very legacy that brought me here.
But I can’t help myself. And it seems, neither can he.
Frat Wars is a romance between MCs from rival houses. It has friendly competitions, no hazing, and a swoony romance kept secret.
CU Hockey Series (Eden Finley & Saxon James)
FOSTER:
My brother’s request sounds easy enough. Keep an eye out for his best friend on campus and keep my hands to myself.
“Look out for Zach and don’t hit on him.”
Easy.
Even if Zach is a quintessential nerd, who I’ve always thought was cute, I don’t have the time to think with my … stick.
There’s only one stick I should be focused on this year, and that’s my hockey stick. My goal once I graduate is to get an NHL contract.
The last thing I need is a distraction. On or off the ice.
Only, keeping to the rules is harder than I thought it would be.
ZACH:
People confuse me.
And no one more than Foster Grant.
I’ve barely spoken two words to him in the whole time I’ve known him, but the second I step foot on campus, he’s impossible to shake.
I can never anticipate his next move. And whenever we’re together, my next move is a total mystery as well.
I want to give in to him, but that might mean coming clean about something I’ve never been bothered about before.
I’m still carrying my V-card.
And I think it’s time to turn it in.
Puckboys (8 book series)
EZRA
Partying, dudes, and hockey. What more could a gay NHL player want?
If it weren’t for Anton Hayes, my life would be perfect.
Not that he affects my life in any way. At all. That would imply I care what the winger from Philly thinks of me.
Which I don’t.
Not even a one-night stand with him can thaw his misplaced animosity toward me.
He says I’m the one with the ego, but he can talk. He rivals me for most egotistical puck boy in the league.
I hate him as much as he hates me. Even if I crave a repeat.
ANTON
When it comes to hockey, I’m all about the game.
I’ve worked for years to be one of the best in the league, and l’ve done it without splashing my orientation all over the tabloids.
My hockey image is one I’ve carefully cultivated, and after one night with Ezra Palaszczuk, I risk it all.
He’s cocky, obnoxious, and has an ego bigger than Massachusetts. And okay, maybe he’s the sexiest man I’ve ever known.
We’ll never get along. Not when we sleep together. Not even when my possessive streak awakens.
That doesn’t stop us from falling into bed together over and over again.
Connected Standalones
Sanden
When it’s your job as groomsman to tell the groom his wedding isn’t happening, the smartest thing to do is get it over and done with and then tell the guests to leave.
Yeah, well, I never said I was smart.
I might…accidentally, maybe on purpose, suggest to Remy that the best form of revenge is to have a party anyway. I mean, he’s already got catering, a DJ, and guests, so what better time to throw a petty party?
My loser high school friend never deserved him anyway. If I’d had the chance, I would have locked Remy down years ago.
Only, when the party leads to a drunken kiss, going on their honeymoon, and sharing their marital bed, I have to say, I’m not entirely sad that their wedding went up in flames.
WREN
Moms are good at one thing: the guilt trip. It’s the only reason I’m at the funeral of a man I’ve never had anything to do with.
I’ll show up, make her happy, and get out.
At least that’s what I think until I learn daddy dearest has left me a crap load of money and the obligation to learn about the family business. All from his eldest son who looks nothing like the rest of us.
Darcy is the only Ritcherson who doesn’t treat me like the bastard son that I am. He helps me learn, pushes me to be better, and as we work together, we grow closer.
For a gazillionaire with a media empire at his fingertips, he’s surprisingly humble.
And sweet.
And saying things he shouldn’t be saying.
The thing is, Mom swears she was never a mistress. Swears she was the only one Dad was seeing when she fell pregnant with me. But with Darcy only a few weeks older, there’s no way that can be the case.
Unless …
Unless the things he whispers when he thinks I’m not listening mean something. The guilt in his eyes when he looks at me would make sense.
If Darcy isn’t my father’s biological child, he’s not the Ritcherson heir.
I am.
And everything Darcy holds dear should be mine.
Clueless Puckboy (Puckboys Book 5) (Continue after Up In Flames)
QUINN
Straining my groin is bad enough. It puts my hockey career, my future, but even worse, my dignity on the line.
Having to get massages in that area from Vance Landon, one of the team trainers, is mortifying.
It’s impossible to hide my feelings toward him. If my constant blushing and bumbling doesn’t give it away, my body does.
It’s getting to the point where I wonder if hockey is even worth the embarrassment.
Trying to avoid him only makes him seek me out more. He’s determined to rehab my injury, but all I want is for him to leave me alone.
Or fall for me.
One or the other.
VANCE
Ayri Quinn isn’t your typical jock … except for the fact he refuses to admit when he’s injured.
I’ve seen more than enough professional sportsmen lose the career they love due to injury, and I’m not having it happen again.
Especially not when the guy in question happens to be the sweetest, most awkward, innocent jock I’ve ever met.
When a night out leads to Quinn reinjuring himself, I create a care plan that keeps me hands on, literally. Unfortunately, working with him in close proximity brings all those feelings I’ve been trying to ignore to the surface.
I just need to get him better so he can be back on the ice and out of my bed.
Ah, my massage bed.
Because if this goes on any longer, I might mean my actual bed.
Ayri Quinn is impossible to resist.
Thousands of students on this campus, and I keep being set up with the roommate I can’t stand.
Felix
One date.
That’s how long it takes for Marshall Harrows to end up on my bad side.
Luckily I have no plans to see the giant teddy bear again. Except when he shows up as my new roommate, I can’t escape him, and he’s just as irritating as I thought he’d be.
He leaves cupboards ajar and puts empty milk cartons back in the fridge. His bedroom door is always open, I find his underwear on the laundry floor, and he has this whole bashful sweetheart thing going on that I just … can’t … stand.
But the most completely, horribly irritating thing about him is that he’s totally my type.
And my friends won’t stop setting us up on blind dates.
Marshall
One date.
That’s how long it took for Felix Andrews to steal my heart.
The sparky little spitfire is everything I’m not. Confident, adorable, and completely outspoken.
He also wants nothing to do with me. Which is a real problem when I want to give him everything. Including my virginity.
But the more I try to gain his attention, the more I see the real him. The one who doesn’t feel worthy of being treated like anything other than a one-night stand. So I decide to take matters into my own hands.
A total do-over. One night. One date. Where hopefully I can steal his heart too.
All books in the Franklin U series are low angst fun. They can be read in any order.
Harrison
My life’s goal? Make plants fun!
I’m gonna be fighting for flora when I’m older and it all starts with auditing stats so I can level up for my masters, and lucky for me, the intriguing guy in my class is a math whizz.
He’s standoffish at first, but after a class where I bet my sitcoms can make him laugh, one bet leads to another and we’re hanging out all the time.
Even though I know he’s interested in me, we’re easy friends, until I start to think I might be a little interested in him, too.
The only problem? He seems like a totally different guy in class to when we hang out. I brush it off as him trying to concentrate, but then I spot something I can’t explain away.
A scar. On his palm.
One I’m positive Benny has never had before.
Benny
Since we were little, my twin brother and I have always switched things up–literally. It started as funsies, and now we’re college juniors and still taking each other’s classes.
I suck at Math, he sucks at English, and we both have a rule not to make friends in class as the other person. Our system is perfect.
Only Emmett has the audacity to get sick right before stats and I have to actually show up for my own class–where I meet my future husband.
Harrison is smart, weirdly into plants, and we instantly hit it off like old friends.
Only of course the gorgeous mountain of a nerd is straight.
Just when I’m telling myself to let my dreams of matching rings go, our text messages become constant, flirtier, deeper than I’ve had with any other guy before. My butterflies have butterflies every time we catch up.
And then I get a text from Emmett: I’m so sorry. I think I messed up.
If you never fooled around with someone of the same gender, did you even go to high school?
PEYTON
My whole life I’ve had the pressure of being Marcus Talon and Shane Miller’s football prodigy. I’ve been destined to follow in my NFL-playing fathers’ footsteps since the day I was born.
I usually thrive under pressure, but as senior year looms, it all gets too much, and I need an outlet. The last place I thought I’d find my release is at Levi Vanderbilt’s graduation party. In his bed. With him.
It’s a one-time thing. An experimentation. And while it was fun, we agree that being with guys isn’t for either of us. I’m happy to accept that until he turns up in California.
I haven’t had to think about him for four years, but now I can’t get him out of my head.
LEVI
Coming to Franklin University for grad school to follow a boy I hooked up with once is the stupidest thing I could have done.
We said that high school didn’t mean anything, but the truth is, that night made me realize who I truly am, and since then, I’ve been trying to find that sense of freedom again.
I’m hoping it can be with him, but everything I’ve heard around campus points to Peyton not having the same life-changing revelation I did.
And if that’s the case, did I just move across the country for a straight guy?
Kill me now.
EMMETT
My twin brother and I have gotten ourselves into a lot of messes growing up. We would constantly switch places to escape consequences while protecting each other at every cost.
But sleeping with Ben’s professor is a whole new level of mess, because there’s something Jonah doesn’t know. He might have been Ben’s professor last semester, but the person he was lecturing wasn’t Ben. It was me.
JONAH
From the moment I meet Emmett, I know he looks familiar but I can’t pinpoint where from. It’s not until I see his twin brother in the quad that I put two and two together.
Dating the sibling of one of my ex-students isn’t a huge problem for me, but I can’t help thinking the twins are hiding something.
The more time I spend with Emmett, the more I fall for him, but as my insecurity grows, so does my worry that I’m being played.
When my heart and my gut tell me two different things, I don’t know which to trust. My gut tells me to cut and run, but my heart won’t let me. Even though I’ve been telling myself to hold back, it’s too late. I’m already in too deep.
Brady:
Our quick hellos are followed by drawn out goodbyes.
What started out as one fun night turned into a regular thing none of us ever planned for.
I can’t walk away from Kit and Prescott. Kit is the stern nurturer I need. He’s the caretaker, the solid presence. Prescott enables my wild ways. He’s someone I can have fun with. They couldn’t be more perfect for me.
But come graduation, I have to move across the country, and geography isn’t our only obstacle.
Being in a relationship with two men isn’t good for my public image, my brother’s NFL career, or the media frenzy that surrounds my famously queer family.
We have a plan to meet up once a year, but with every reunion, every brief visit, we fall deeper.
There has to be a breaking point, something that will end it for us, or soon it will be impossible to say goodbye at all.
Thad
Failing to make it in pro ball left me absolutely devastated. Baseball has been my life, my dream, but it’s time to move on.
Becoming a sports agent was always my back-up plan, and now that I’m interning at the biggest queer-focused firm in the country, I’m doing my best not to let my bitterness toward baseball affect my future.
That’s really difficult when I’m assigned to babysit Kelley Afton, hotshot rookie pitcher for Philly. He has everything I ever wanted, and he doesn’t even appreciate it. I didn’t become an agent so I could soothe the ego of diva athletes.
His constant need for validation from others frustrates me to no end, but that’s probably a good thing. Because if he didn’t have that, I’d find him irresistibly my type.
Attraction could lead to crossing lines which would put my position at King Sports in jeopardy, and I can’t have that.
I don’t have a backup for my backup plan.
This will be a very LONG series of posts considering I have way too many series that absolutely love.
Looking for a more easy read? Click here.
