Although the age gap between the two protagonists makes some view the book as problematic, its contribution to modern culture cannot be denied. The movie adaptation, directed by Luca Guadagnino, made the book even more popular, especially thanks to actor Timothée Chalamet and his globally famous peach scene. However, you shouldn’t judge all romance books solely based on CMBYN. There are plenty of fish in the sea, and many other excellent books can capture your attention.

Books You Might Have Heard About

Let’s begin with some world-famous books about gay love that you might have missed. If you consider yourself a true veteran of the genre, not knowing one of these might be embarrassing.

Red, White & Royal Blue by Casey McQuiston

It’s hard to love a guy when you’re a guy yourself. It’s even harder when you are the First Son of the United States. And it gets twice as complicated when you fall in love with the Prince of the United Kingdom.

The relationship between Alex and Henry starts as a fake friendship that is beneficial for both, but it soon blossoms into something else — something terrifying. What can two sons of highly respected families do when forbidden love suddenly enters their lives?

This book is a perfect find for hopeless romantics. The way the author writes about love makes your heart burn and your soul rejoice. It is a touching, emotional, and compelling novel that will make you fall in love from the very first page. After finishing it, you’ll probably sit there thinking, “Oh, I want a boyfriend like that too.”

The Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller

Wait, wasn’t Achilles the guy with the weak heel? What does he have to do with a gay romance? When Madeline Miller was young, she became fascinated by the relationship between Achilles and Patroclus, a secondary character from The Iliad. Many progressive historians suspected that these two were more than just friends. Inspired by this, the young writer offered her own interpretation of their relationship.

However, this book is far from lacking seriousness. You will also get a deep and detailed account of Achilles’ original exploits. This is a must-read if you are a fan of ancient Greek mythology. The book introduces Chiron, who trained Hercules, Odysseus, the famous traveler, Apollo, the god of the sun and poetry, and even Zeus, the thunder-wielding king of the gods.

Heartstopper: Volume One (Heartstopper, #1) by Alice Oseman

Another classic of the gay romance books, this story follows two high school students who fall in love and face the challenges of gay life together. This light, heartwarming book offers a perfect escape into a universe where love is tender and sweet, birds are always singing, and autumn leaves are floating in the air.

So, meet Charlie and Nick, two high school boys just beginning to discover their identities. They also struggle with internal demons while learning to accept themselves, but love will conquer all. Experience the thrill and excitement of discovery with them as you dive into the incredible atmosphere of first true love.

Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe by Benjamin Alire Sáenz

No, this is not that Aristotle who invented triangles, nor that Dante who wrote an incredibly unfunny comedy. Returning once again to the theme of first love between two boys, the author tells the story of two Mexican-American teens. They are the opposites, yet, as everyone knows, opposites attract.

The author’s language is deeply poetic, making this book a perfect fit for those tired of bland prose. Readers praise Benjamin Alire Sáenz for his ability to immerse readers in the story. You will literally feel the boys grow, change their perspectives, and develop as personalities. If you’re looking for another great read about teenage love, this is definitely for you!

I’ll Give You the Sun by Jandy Nelson

The main theme of this book is not the love line between two gay men, but rather the relationship between twins Noah and Jude. Once inseparable, brother and sister face a tragedy that separates them forever. It is now up to the reader to figure out what really happened, gaining information from the perspectives of both twins.

But this book wouldn't be in this selection if Noah weren’t gay, you guessed it right. The subplot of this story will tell you about this boy's anguish and his attempts to find himself in this homophobic world. His relationship with his peer Brian is complicated and misunderstood, only adding to Noah's heartache. Can the twins finally reconcile after revealing all their secrets to each other? And will Noah find happiness in a relationship when everything around them is so awful?

For Those Who’ve Read Almost Everything

If you’re a veteran of gay literature, finding a fresh read for the evening can be a challenge. But don’t worry. We’d happily help you with your search and recommend the following books. Choose the book yourself!

Heated Rivalry by Rachel Reid

I know what you’re thinking — it’s time to turn up the spice. This is a book about two hockey players who end up falling for each other. Nothing revolutionary, but still incredibly exciting. Another novel featuring the popular enemies-to-lovers dynamic, it will take you on an emotional rollercoaster. Passion and conflict, romance and rivalry, the struggle to maintain one’s reputation, and societal pressure. No one said it would be easy. But will all of that be enough to stop true love?

Pansies by Alexis Hall

Sometimes, your soul just needs something less serious. And that’s where Pansies by Alexis Hall comes in. This book, filled with humor, takes you through stereotypically familiar situations, where a prince on a white horse sweeps the main character away to his massive castle. Here, you’ll follow the story of Alfie Bell (the prince on the white horse) and Fen, an ordinary guy (who happens to be unbelievably beautiful, though). Due to misunderstandings and complications, they can’t be together… or can they?

Giovanni’s Room by James Baldwin

David, an American expatriate living in Paris, and Giovanni, an Italian bartender. This novel about a same-sex couple was written in 1956 by James Baldwin. The book starts off in a rather humorous way: a young American man, David, finds himself alone in Paris after his girlfriend leaves for Spain to take care of some unfinished business. While she’s gone, David decides to have an affair with a man. However, the story itself is far from funny. It explores themes of gender and sexual identity crisis, masculinity, and the struggles of a bisexual man who is too afraid to accept who he truly is.

All the Way Out by Ingrid Sterling

What should you do if you’re gay but afraid of judgment? That’s right — start dating your crazy Catholic best friend, even though you’re not attracted to her at all. Well, Zach is definitely not the smartest guy out there. Trying to find comfort in a man’s arms one last time, Zach meets Liam. And after their one-night stand, Liam simply can’t go back to his old life. There’s no need for extra words, just grab this book right now to experience a dose of steamy scenes, personal queer struggles, and the blossoming of true love.

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As one Queen once said, “No matter gay, straight, or bi, lesbian, transgender life, I'm on the right track, baby, I was born to survive”. Remember that by being heterosexual and reading a book about the relationship of two homosexual men, you are immersing yourself in someone else's culture, suffering, and hardship. Respect the community and don't treat it as a fetish, and then gays will love you back.

There is nothing more beautiful than love, and so let this selection of books make you feel it. Whether you are new to gay romance or a long-time fan, these books offer something for everyone.