People often ask, “What are some good romance novels for men?” Some guys actually do read romance—they make up about 15% of the readership, in fact. But if you’re a guy who’s never read the genre and you’re curious, or if you’re a female romance reader who would like to introduce romance to a man in your life, here are some romance recommendations for guys. Some of these are my own choices, and some of them are titles I’ve heard other people recommend for male readers.
I’m not going to put M/M on this list, even though I read and enjoy M/M and gay romance, because I feel like a gay guy would know better than me which gay and M/M romances are the best reads for guys, gay or straight. I am going to put an F/F (or lesbian) romance on the list, though!
The Bromance Book Club, Lyssa Kay Adams
This book actually inspired this post. It’s a little meta for a list like this, because it’s a romance that features tough guys who read romance novels. This book got a lot of buzz as a new release.
And speaking of buzz…this sports romance made everybody’s list. At the time that I’m posting this, it’s in development as a TV series! I’ve heard good things about the next book in the series, Fumbled, too.
Nora Roberts has written approximately 10,000 books, and I’d recommend any of them to a male reader. The romantic suspense category in general is a natural for guys who like thrillers. Roberts also writes as J.D. Robb.
Forgotten Secrets, Robin Perini
Here’s another romantic thriller that’s gripping and well-written. It’s the first in a series, and I’m looking forward to reading the next one!
Thief of Shadows, (Maiden Lane, Book Four), Elizabeth Hoyt
I’m recommending this one because I recommend it almost every chance I get, and because it’s basically a historical superhero story.
Beauty Like the Night (The Spymaster Series Book 6), Joanna Bourne
If you like Jason Bourne, you’ll like Joanna Bourne…or at least, you’ll like this series. This was the first one I read, and then I went back and read book one through book five.
Hungry Like the Wolf, Paige Tyler
This is the beginning of a fun, action-packed shifter series (werewolves, for those of you who don’t read a lot of paranormal romance.) I once met this author and her husband, who is (or was) in the military. I was having a very bad day, and their kindness to me made all the difference.
A Lady’s Guide to Celestial Mechanics, Olivia Waite
I have to admit that I actually bought this book because I thought it was funny that it was #1 in Amazon’s Auto Mechanics category. I imagine some other male readers came across it for that same reason. It’s really good!
A Promise of Fire (The Kingmaker Chronicles Book 1), Amanda Bouchet
A lot of guys love fantasy novels. So do I! I’d recommend this to any fantasy lover. (Here’s the complete trilogy.)
The Phoenix Codex (Knights of Manus Sancti, v. 1), Bryn Donovan
I also recommend this for fantasy or urban fantasy lovers. I’ve gotten great feedback from guys on the book because it’s action-packed and cinematic.
Is there a book you’d like to especially recommend for guys who read? Let me know in the comments—I might add it to the post! Thanks for reading, and happy writing!
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Thank you, Bryn. I suddenly realized I love several romances, but they weren’t “labeled” romances, they were adventure fantasies by Patricia Wrede (Sorcery and Cecilia, or the Enchanted Chocolate Pot, which she wrote with Caroline Stevermer, and Mairelon the Magician, the these book’s sequels), some years ago. I had joined Romance Writers of America as my local chapter is fantastic at teaching writing, and eventually it dawned on me that these favorites met all the demands of the romance genre (of course, had I read the reviews I would have known, but I don’t normally read reviews of the books I already adore). I’m not one of those 15 percent, many romances I can’t “get” (particularly in the old days, I never saw the attraction of a bodice-ripper that seems to glorify rape and non-consentual sexuality). And a great deal of the symbolism some romances depend on passes right by me without my getting it.
But I love some romances. Thank you again.
Hi, Tom! I get why the rape-y bodice rippers were once a thing—I think women felt guilty about wanting sex, and hey, if it was rape, it wasn’t the heroine’s fault (or their fault as readers.) I’m very glad those are so rare today as more women are comfortable with desire. RWA is such an amazing organization! I love getting your recommendations. Some books straddle the line between adventure and another genre, and the ones that overlap with fantasy and adventure are some of my favorites to read (and to write!) Thanks so much!
The Hotter Than Hell series by Holly S. Roberts. This is a self-published series. The heroes are all…well, most of them are street tough with criminal tendencies, lol. Usually they would be villains, but she turns it around. I think they are pretty gritty and enough TV crime drama that a lot of men will probably like them. Disclaimer is that Holly is a dear friend of mine, but I can recommend the books on their own merit. She also has a great sports romance series that I think men would dig. My favorites are the rugby books. 🙂
Hi Pamela! Ooh, I don’t know these stories, but they do sound great (and perfect for guys.) Thanks!
I just finished “The Widow’s Walk” by Robert Barclay. Kudos to the author for writing a love story with a supernatural twist done in such a way to require the minimal suspension of disbelief. I was especially impressed with the emphasis of passion over mere mechanical sex. Let’s hope Mr. Barclay writes more like this!
Books are literally my ultimate solution to every situation. I am currently reading Pink Moment Promises by Patricia Hartmann and it is a beautifully written historic romance fiction. Actually all her books take to another world. You can check out her collection on her site; https://pathartmannbooks.com/