Gay Book reviews from Reddit
Summary
We analyzed 141 Reddit reviews across 16 subreddits and 37 posts to rank the best Gay Book brands recommended by redditors, including communities like r/QueerSFF, r/suggestmeabook, r/gaybros, r/askgaybros, r/AskGaybrosOver30. Top-rated brands include James Baldwin (4.9/5), Adam Silvera (4.5/5), Freya Marske (4.3/5).
Stats
Reviews141
Subreddits16
Posts37
Brands75
Products94
141 reviews from
and
By Brand
/By Product
#1
James Baldwin
4.9
(7)
"Some classics: - Giovanni's Room by James Baldwin"
"Giovanni's Room by James Baldwin."
"A beautiful love story."
"Giovanni's Room is probably my favourite book too."
"Giovanni's Room and Single Man come to mind."
"I'm also half-way through Giovanni’s Room by James Baldwin."
#2
Adam Silvera
4.5
(6)
"My favorite of those was "History is All You Left Me.""
"They both Die at the End by Adam Silvera!!"
"Ooooo also anything by Adam Silvera."
"Is a surprisingly uplifting MM romance."
"History is All You Left Me by Adam Silvera sounds like you might like it?"
"Anything by Adam Silvera; he usually writes speculative fiction"
#3
Freya Marske
4.3
(6)
"I love A Marvelous Light! Definitely second that rec."
"They're both excellent, but overall I think A Marvelous Light is a stronger series."
"The Marvellous Light series (Freya Marske): historical fiction with magic, the first book is IMO the weakest but still does good world-building to set up the other two books."
"A marvelous light is a little smut heavy but does have full world building and established gay men."
"Freya Marske has a trilogy of books. First and last are m/m, the second is f/f"
"You'd probably like Freya Marske's A Power Unbound, A Restless Truth and A Marvellous Light. Historical fantasies, m/m and f/f."
#4
Benjamin Alire Sáenz
5.0
(5)
"Aristotle and Dante discover the secrets of the universe (has a film adaptation on Starz) - Benjamin Alire Saenz."
"Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe."
"Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe by Benjamin Alire Sáenz."
"I really loved this book called _Aristotle and Dante discover the secrets of the universe_."
"Dante and Aristotle Discover the Secrets of the Universe by Benjamin Allier Sáenz"
#5
Eliot Schrefer
5.0
(5)
"The darkness outside us by Elliot Schrefer - sci-fi thriller about gays in space."
"The Darkness Outside of Us is similarly phenomenal (don't be fooled, it isn't a YA Romance! Or ... it is, but it's also a damn good thriller and exploration of what its like to be in space)."
"The darkness outside us by Eliot Schrefer. I promise the cover does NOT do this book justice."
"The darkness outside us - Eliot Scheer."
"The Darkness Outside Us by Eliot Schrefer and Winter’s Orbit by Everina Maxwell are good gay sci fi."
#6
K.D. Edwards
5.0
(5)
"The Tarot Sequence by KD Edwards fits what you're looking for really well. It's urban fantasy with some excellent world building."
"The Tarot Sequence series by KD Edwards."
"The K.D. Edwards Tarot Sequence is also 100% worth checking out."
"The Last Sun by K.D. Edwards (The Tarot Sequence) - our world, but magical beings appeared several decades earlier."
"The Last Sun by K.D. Edwards is really good urban fantasy."
#7
Patricia Nell Warren
5.0
(4)
"The Front Runner, Patricia Nell Warren."
"The Frontrunner by Patricia Warren really left a mark back in the day."
"The Frontrunner, by Patricia Nell Warren. It was the first *gay* book I read."
"The Front Runner by Patricia Nell Warren. It's old (1974), and it features a relationship that might (probably) be considered inappropriate today."
#8
Madeline Miller
5.0
(4)
"I’ve been flying through The Song of Achilles. It’s a retelling of the Iliad, the Greek myth of the Trojan War, basically through the lens of a gay romance between Achilles and Patroclus."
"The song of Achilles by Madeline Miller is a beautifully written book (I've read it twice already) and is also very gay."
"The Song of Achilles by Madeleine Miller."
"The Song of Achilles by Madeleine Miller."
#9
TJ Klune
4.8
(4)
"I'd recommend the majority of TJ Klune's books. I loved How to Be a Normal Person or Bear, Otter and the Kid."
"TJ Klune writes wholesome content about adult men as well. No coming of age or learning they're queer. Try The house in the Cerulean Sea and under the whispering door."
"If you like fantasy and laughing out loud."
"I just started Wolfsong by TJ Klune but it’s the start of a whole series."
#10
David R. Slayton
4.5
(4)
"Adam Binder series by David R. Slayton."
"White Trash Warlock by David R. Slayton (Adam Binder) -- our world, but magic is hidden from non-magical people."
"White Trash Warlock by David R. Slayton!"
"White Trash Warlock series by David R Slayton."
#11
Casey McQuiston
5.0
(3)
"If you want something a little more rom com and fluffy, *Red, White and Royal Blue* by Casey McQuiston is an option."
"Red, White and Royal Blue by Casey McQuiston."
"For adult: Red, White, and Royal Blue"
#12
Rainbow Rowell
4.7
(3)
"Carry On by Rainbow Rowell"
"Carry On by Rainbow Rowell"
"I second Rainbow Rowell"
#13
C.S. Pacat
4.7
(3)
"I will never stop recommending the Captive Prince series by C.M. Nacosta!! Allllllll the trigger warnings, but it is definitely adult. Hands down the best M/M romance I've ever read and the most intense enemies to lovers."
"Fence series by C.S. Pacat (graphic novel, sports)"
"It’s on my TBR still but captive prince by C.S. Pacat sounds like it fits."
#14
Lynn Flewelling
4.3
(3)
"Nightrunner Series by Lynn Flewelling. Gay MC who trains an apprentice in noble thievery and espionage. There is magic but it’s rare and requires strenuous practice. 7 books total."
"Nightrunner series by Lynn Flewelling. It's not particularly steamy, just a nice relationship developing and then continuing to be nice."
"Luck in the Shadows by Lynn Flewelling"
#15
Simon Jimenez
5.0
(2)
"The Spear Cuts Through Water is universally excellent and well-worth your time. It's the best piece of fantasy I've read (perhaps ever)."
"The Spear Cuts Through Water by Simon Jimenez - very original fantasy book with fairytale-like worldbuilding. Both MCs are gay men and it has a happy ending for them."
#16
Bill Konigsberg
5.0
(2)
"Openly Straight by Bill Konigsberg."
"Recently read Openly Straight by Bill Konigsberg, and enjoyed it."
#17
Fonda Lee
5.0
(2)
"Green Bones Saga is one of my favorite book series. Highly recommend it!"
"Green Bone Saga by Fonda Lee - urban fantasy trilogy with good worldbuilding and many interesting characters. One of the MCs is gay."
#18
T.J. Klune
5.0
(2)
"T.J Klune has a couple books, Under the Whispering Door and The House On The Cerulean Sea that are pretty gay."
"They're also extremely wholesome and feel good books."
#19
Everina Maxwell
5.0
(2)
"Also Winters Orbit and Oceans Echo by Everina Maxwell. Again two gay male leads."
"Winter's orbit by Everina Maxwell. The romance is critical to the story but the focus is really more on political intrigue and cultural obligations."
#20
Steve Pickens
5.0
(2)
"I recommend "Final Departure" and "Sinister Justice" by Steve Pickens. Murder mysteries with settled adult gay male main characters, and NOT thinly disguised smut. Same set of main and supporting characters in both books. I enjoyed them both immensely."
"I recommend "Final Departure" and "Sinister Justice" by Steve Pickens. Murder mysteries with settled adult gay male main characters, and NOT thinly disguised smut. Same set of main and supporting characters in both books. I enjoyed them both immensely."
#21
Philippe Besson
4.5
(2)
"Lie With Me by Phillipe Besson. Short novel at least semi-autobiographical about a highschool romance in 1984, France."
#22
Douglas Stuart
4.5
(2)
"Young Mungo by Douglas Stuart is a great read."
"Focuses on a young man in Glasgow who finds friendship."
#23
Doug Henderson
4.5
(2)
"You may enjoy the novel, The Cleveland Heights LGBTQ Sci-Fi and Fantasy Role Playing Club by Doug Henderson."
"You may enjoy the novel, The Cleveland Heights LGBTQ Sci-Fi and Fantasy Role Playing Club."
#24
Mielna McKay
4.5
(2)
"I highly recommend anything by Mielna Mckay but especially The Headmistress."
"Especially The Headmistress and a Whisper of Solace."
#25
Hailey Turner
4.0
(2)
"Soulbound series by Hailey Turner - 7 books. She also has a gay superhero"
"A friend got me into the Soulbound Series by Hailey Turner. It's basically Dresden Files, but instead of being ultra-hetero, it's super gay!"
#26
Julius Eks
4.0
(2)
"There's a good gay plot there too!"
"{{Le Berceau by Julius Eks}} is a pretty great gay book!"
#27
Trip Galey
4.0
(2)
"I second A Market of Dreams and Destiny! Light worldbuilding, but there's some nice depth in there in regards to social classes / industrialization."
"A Market of Dreams and Destiny by Trip Galey."
#28
Julian Winters
4.0
(2)
"As you walk on by by Julian winters (anything by him tbh!)"
"Last night at the telegraph Club is a good YA pick as well."
#29
C.L. Polk
4.0
(2)
"Witchmark by CL Polk features a gay male lead! it’s the first in a series called the Kingston Cycle."
"CL Polk has a trilogy and the first two are gay. First is m/m and second is f/f"
#30
Richard K. Morgan
4.0
(2)
"A Land Fit for Heroes series (Richard K. Morgan). High fantasy, dark. MC is identified as gay and there are a few light se."
"The Steel Remains etc from Richard Morgan is m/m"
#31
Samuel R. Delany
4.0
(2)
"Stars In My Pocket Like Grains of Sand by Samuel Delany is an older book, but sounds up your alley."
"I'd also recommend Samuel Delany's Neveryon series. CW: deals with slavery, including roleplay after neither participant is enslaved."
#32
KJ Charles
4.0
(2)
"I second KJ Charles"
"A Charm of Magpies series by KJ Charles. 3 books, plus two spin-off books and a novella."
#33
Brad Townsend
5.0
(1)
"My most recent favorite was a series called The Order by Brad Townsend."
#34
Jay Bell
5.0
(1)
"Is awesome."
#35
Leigh Bardugo
5.0
(1)
"Six of crows by Leigh Bardugo. You have 4 LGBTQ protagonists."
#36
Kelly Loy Gilbert
5.0
(1)
"*Picture Us in the Light* by Kelly Loy Gilbert is a YA novel featuring a queer Asian teen."
#37
Perry Moore
5.0
(1)
"AND Hero by Perry Moore"
#38
Spencer Thomas
5.0
(1)
"Is really good. Just finished it and recommending to everybody."
#39
Kate Racculia
5.0
(1)
"I loved the book “Bellwether Rhapsody” by Kate Racculia."
#40
Emet North
5.0
(1)
"In Universes by Emet North was my only 5 star book of the year."
#41
Mercedes Lackey
5.0
(1)
"The Last Herald Mage by Mercedes Lackey is the story of a gay man who deals with immense power and responsibility in his culture. The first book of the trilogy is Vanyel's coming of age story."
#42
Mackenzi Lee
5.0
(1)
"The Gentleman’s Guide to Vice and Virtue by Mackenzi Lee is historical fantasy with a bisexual young man MC and his main crush is another man"
#43
Eliot Schaefer
5.0
(1)
"The Darkness Outside Us & The Brightness Between Us by Eliot Schaefer are a great new Sci-Fi series with two gay male leads. Sort of a bit like Seveneves by Neil Stephenson but with a smaller cast. These should be movies they’re so cinematic."
#44
Dean Atta
5.0
(1)
"The Black Flamingo by Dean Atta (contemporary)"
#45
Tomasz Jedrowski
5.0
(1)
"Swimming in the Dark by Tomasz Jedrowski - a tender and passionate story of first love between two young men."
#46
Michael Ausiello
5.0
(1)
"I just read Spoiler Alert: The Hero Dies by Michael Ausiello and would recommend it."
#47
F.T. Lukens
5.0
(1)
"So This Is Ever After by F.T. Lukens"
#48
T. Kingfisher
5.0
(1)
"Paladin's Hope by T Kingfisher is very good. Honestly the whole series is worth reading, even if the romances in the other books are straight."
#49
Storm-Shadows7
5.0
(1)
"I recommend Miran (completed) by Storm-Shadows7, along with their other stories!"
#50
Karla Nikole
5.0
(1)
"Lore and Lust by Karla Nikole is literally this!"
#51
Alice Oseman
5.0
(1)
"The Heartstopper series by Alice Oseman (graphic novel, contemporary)"
#52
Aiden Thomas
5.0
(1)
"Cemetery Boys by Aiden Thomas (contemporary-fantasy)"
#53
Alexis Hall
5.0
(1)
"Boyfriend Material (Alexis Hall): very fun, great audiobook. 3rd book is coming out at some point."
#54
Kevin Panetta
5.0
(1)
"Bloom by Kevin Panetta (graphic novel, contemporary)"
#55
Shaun David Hutchinson
5.0
(1)
"Before We Disappear by Shaun David Hutchinson"
#56
Scott Peck
5.0
(1)
"Scott Peck; it’s a coming out memoir and a true story. Very powerful."
#57
China Mountain Zhang
5.0
(1)
"Also try China Mountain Zhang, which is wonderful and atmospheric and I think achieves a high level of world building in a relatively short book."
#58
Max Walker
5.0
(1)
"I highly recommend anything by Max Walker!!"
#59
Michael Thomas Ford
4.0
(1)
#60
Tom Crewe
4.0
(1)
"Is excellent, well researched historical fiction."
#61
Marion Zimmer Bradley
4.0
(1)
"It’s more like a super amazing gay love story through time."
#62
Jean Genet
4.0
(1)
"It's pretty great."
#63
Megan Erickson
4.0
(1)
"I recently read Hard Wired by Megan Erickson, and it was pretty good."
#64
Edmund White
4.0
(1)
"Has a lot of sex."
#65
Larry Kramer
4.0
(1)
"It's pretty controversial — but awesome!"
#66
Abigail Roux
4.0
(1)
"Pretty dope."
#67
John Rechy
4.0
(1)
"My favorite gay novel is City of Night by John Rechy."
#68
Ben Fergusson
4.0
(1)
"It’s a kind of coming of age story."
#69
Seán Hewitt
4.0
(1)
"A luminous and haunting memoir."
#70
Tasha Suri
4.0
(1)
"Tasha Suri has a trilogy (only two books out so far) an Indian-inspired fantasy setting. F/f."
#71
Addie Tsai
4.0
(1)
"Unwieldy Creatures by Addie Tsai. Queer, multiracial retelling of Frankenstein."
#72
Micah Nemerever
4.0
(1)
"These Violent Delights by Micah Nemerever might fit (NA rather than YA, the characters are in college)."
#73
Charlie Adhara
4.0
(1)
"The Wolf at the Door by Charlie Adhara (Big Bad Wolf) -- our world, but werewolves are hidden from non-magical people."
#74
Jordan L. Hawk
4.0
(1)
"The Whyborne & Griffin series by Jordan L Hawk. Eleven book lovecraftian series."
#75
Ricardo Pinto
4.0
(1)
"The Stone Dance of the Chameleon series by Ricardo Pinto. Very dark, violent world, slow at times, almost like a character study or a cultural study."
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