Do you read “Sweet” M/M Romances?

86 comments

• 

  I am one of those readers who definitely wants plot, characterizarion, romance first and if sex is there “in addition” to all of the above, I am fine with it, if not I am totally fine without it. Seriously, I am and I am voting with my vallet. I bought and read probably 95% of the book on your amazing list. Whistling in the Dark – loved. Tigers and Devils – absolutely loved. Now would I shy away from reading hot sex scene if the book manages to combine it with good charaterization and plot like a lot of Z.A.Maxfield books? Of course not, but if I have to choose plot and characters and romance between them versus sex sex sex which takes most of pages, believe me I am not choosing sex sex sex 🙂

  Cut and Run, Sticks and Stones, SHades of Grey you name it, I loved it. Yes, I know these books had sex scenes, but I would first and foremost call those books with amazing characterization and great romance. Sometimes book is simply not large enough to allow author to combine all of it plus sex and then I wish author would spent time allowing me to get to know characters more.

  But you are absolutely right, when I talk to my fellow readers a lot of them want hot sex first and foremost, no statistics or anything just conversations I had online. I am totally aware that my tastes are tastes of minority.

  Oh may I ask you a question? Are two other books y Elen Kushner that you listed sequels to Swordspoint which I loved, or are they stand alones?

  Thanks Wave for this great list, hopefully readers will take advantage of it.

• 

  Sirius
  I’m so glad you like the list and that you have read almost all of the books, which shows that some readers are willing to forego a diet of sex, sex and more sex in favour of great characterization and good writing overall.

  To answer your question, Fall of the Kings is a sequel to Swordspoint and was written years later. The Privilege of the Sword follows after Kings and features some of the same characters. All of the books in this series, while not exactly M/M are wonderful fantasy adventures and I still don’t know which of the three is my favourite. 🙂

  • 

    Thank you Wave, now I will definitely be getting these books.

    Now, I am going to list few more of my favorites which I do not believe were listed yet.

    “Prisoner” by Meegan Derr
    “Admit One” by Jenna Hillary Sinclair
    “Dreamlands” by Felicitas Ivey (her second book “Company man” was I thought a very good example of going where the money is. I mean, I of course cannot read the writer’s mind, but it was amazing how in my opinion the last third of the good story was filled with absolutely unnecessary sex scenes. I kid you not, characters stopped doing what they were doing it felt like and just performed bed room activities lol. It was such a contrast with her first book IMO)

    “Many Roads Home” by Ann Sommerville

    “Urban Shaman” By Lyn Gala.

    I will post more if I remember more, you already listed so many of my favorites 🙂

    On and heat level? Please do not laugh but I learned that it exists while reading your site, so obviously this is not among the reasons I decide to buy the book lol.

    • 

      Hi Sirius
      Thanks for the list – much appreciated. I will be adding recs at the end of my post so that other readers will find them, if they are interested.

      I know what you mean about one of the books (Company Man) turning into almost “streaming” sex with no intention of stimulating any other sense than the one below the belt. Sometimes I love to have my brain stimulated as well. 🙁

      • 

        Hi Wave,

        I hope you do not mind if I add few more of my favorites?

        Jim Grimsley “Comfort and joy”
        Krandall Krauss “Love’s last chance”
        Gordon Merrick “Lord won’t mind”

        Oh and I see you mentioned “Almost like being in love” down thread. I have to say that I picked it up when I read your review last year and it consistently stays on my top ten favorites list no matter how many excellent books I read. Thank you so much for this recommendation.

        • 

          Sirius
          I’ll definitely add your recs to the list when I wrap up this post later in the week. Thank you.

• 

  I buy sweet romances! I’ve read most of the books you listed (except a few of the fantasy ones, because I’m not a big fan of fantasy). Like Sirius mentioned, first and foremost I want good writing, plot, characterization, and romance. If that is present, I don’t really care how much or how little sex there is. Truthfully, for most of my favorite m/m books, I can’t even remember how much sex was in them– I just remember the great storyline and characters. And I don’t ever look at the heat rating when I’m buying books.

  • 

    Hi Nichem

    I know that you love great characterizations and plots. Like you, I look for the story first and the heat level is immaterial.

    Perhaps you could recommend a few of your favourites if they are not on this list, so that other readers who are not as familiar with what’s available could benefit.

    Thanks for dropping by. 🙂

• 

  I like all kinds and while we all want characterization and plot, you can’t ALWAYS tell from a blurb and if you don’t know the author, you really don’t know. I’m not sure I’ve ever turned a book down based solely on heat level (or lack thereof). I just read a cute story from Torquere called Just a Summer Fling by Lily Grace. It’s 41 pages and nothing more than kissing happens. I had no clue when I got it what the heat level was but I liked the blurb. However in this book it makes sense. It’s an 18 year old and a 19 year old who meet on vacation while the 18 year old is getting over his cheating ex. It takes place over about a 10 hour period. I would have been a bit shocked if there had been 20 pages of rampant sex given the scenario, it fit perfectly with the characters and I really enjoyed the story. So it’s not really a deciding factor, the blurb has to make the story sound good and sometimes when I then read it I find lots of sex and sometimes I find none.

  If you like stories about young guys acting like young unsure guys, I think people would enjoy Lily’s story.

• 

  Thanks Tam
  Just A Summer Fling sounds like a really nice story and I will definitely pick it up. I think that the new TQ Charity anthology has many wonderful short stories and I intend to read them all. It’s worth picking up for someone like yourself who loves shorts.

  • 

    Yes, I have all the sips. I am trying to pace myself and do a batch review once or twice a week. I think I’m up to M in the author alphetization. LOL

• 

  Here, here Wave. I fall into the group of those who like good writing, good characterizations, and interesting stories. So the amount of sex isn’t my first thought. As Nichem said, I don’t always remember how much or how little sex there is in a book, but I do remember if I liked the characters, if the dialog was good and if the plot was believable. And that will drive my future purchases.

  As to why the surveys don’t jive with actual purchases, do you think that the large majority of m/m book purchasers are not commenting on any sites, not talking part in any surveys, so they are the silent majority? Perhaps they are a bit uncomfortable revealing their tastes in books? Just a thought.

  • 

    Hi TJ
    I have always wondered who are those readers who consistently claim they want more plot and great characterization, yet they seem to buy books that focus on the sex. According to ARe’s figures, books they categorize as 1 and 2 total less than 3% in sales. Unbelievable!!! I guess we will keep getting what we seem to be buying because the authors have to make a living.

    I do understand that most readers don’t want to say that they buy these books for the sex (although a few of them do). That’s always a problem when people respond to surveys – they don’t always tell the truth. I’m hoping that this list will at least give a few of them the urge to try something different. I also hope that there will be other recs. posted – I know that there are hundreds more M/M books that have lots of plot and great characters. (I hope) 🙂

  • 

    I also tend to think that readers who want sex first and foremost may not have been visiting this site or not wanting to comment. I mean, some of my online buddies certainly not uncomfortable in revealing their reading preferences (and they certainly should not be uncomfortable of course), so I am thinking maybe they just do not express their preferences here?

    Or even in RL one of my friends (although conversation was about het romances) was pretty clear stating that she wants explicit sex and the more the better and anything else after that. I mean, her take on things is that for everything else she can and does read other genres (for characterization, plot, etc).
    But while I understand her take on things, my take is that I treat romance genre exactly the same as I would treat any other genre I read.

    In no other genre plenty of hot sex will be enough for me to qualify the book as good and I do not see a reason to treat it any differently.

    That’s my opinion of course.

• 

  Wave, I guess I fall into the minority in this survey, since I too have read about half of the books mentioned in your post. IMO, you can’t beat a Urban/Roux or a PA Brown book, and these always seem to have very few sex scenes and terrific plot. But then again, I am a big Cameron Dane fan, whose books can have a level 6 heat level. I guess, to me, it all come down to the combo of the two. Sex/Plot.

  • 

    Hi Hope
    I know that many new M/M readers are not familiar with books that have been released a couple of years ago so that was the main reason for this post. I, too, like Cameron Dane’s books and have reviewed a number of them on the site but as you say, the sex is off the chart so they don’t fit into this category

• 

  I don’t buy books based on the heat ratings either. A number of times I get to the end of the book and realise there was no sex, or very little sex, but I hadn’t even noticed at the time because I was so caught up in the story and characterisation. Broken by Dawn Kimberly Johnson was one such book.

  • 

    Jen
    I know you don’t buy according to heat level, but it seems that you’re in the minority if you look at the numbers. Less than 3% of total buyers purchase books that ARe ranks 1 and 2.

    I haven’t read Broken as yet but I’m glad you mentioned it because I have heard good things about this book.

    • 

      It’s not a conscious thing, possibly because I buy books that have been recommended or have been newly released or are by a favourite author rather than look through the listings to find a book. Most of the time I simply don’t know how hot a book is until I start reading, and since it doesn’t bother me either way as long as the book has a great plot and characters, I’m happy with both steamy hot and mild ‘n’ sweet.

• 

  While I am not surprised that people love the sex scenes I will admit to being a little surprised by those actual numbers. I mean I love sex scenes but if that is all the book is then I get bored. But then I love the sweet stuff and I want a little song and dance before characters end up in bed. Those numbers make me worry about the future of sweet m/m books.

  • 

    Amanda
    Thanks for commenting. Those numbers are very revealing and I don’t think a lot of readers realize how much the demand will drive the supply side. If the authors don’t feel there is a market for certain types of books very few of them will continue to write the stories some of us enjoy.

    I love the sex scenes as much as the next reader but, like you, I don’t want to read books where that’s all it is – a bunch of sex scenes with guys jumping in and out of bed. Soon we’ll be saying – Where’s the story? Where’s the anticipation? Where’s the romance?

• 

  I want a strong plot and complex characters, but I admit that I prefer explicit sex scenes.

  If the story is engaging enough, though, I’ll definitely read the sweet romances but I can’t help thinking in the back of my mind, “If only there was a little more explicitness in the sex scenes!” (or sometimes, “If only there was a sex scene in the first place!”).

  Sex scenes are just so revealing of personality, the evolving relationship, and many other things. It always feels like a missed opportunity not to include them in detail. I’d never downgrade a book in a review for its lack of sex scenes (or lack of detail in the sex scenes), but I might be slightly, secretly disappointed as a reader.

  • 

    Val
    You will be pleased to know that most of the books listed have a sex scene or 2 – they just don’t take over the entire book. One of MY disappointments is when the plot and characterizations are sacrificed because the author has to insert another sex scene.

    I love sex in these books – why else do I read M/M/M menage? LOL. But even there I want a strong story (9-1-1 is a good example).

    I think what has been happening is that some authors now are not as concerned with delivering complex characters and plots and seem to be focusing more on the sex scenes, and too many of those get repetitive. Very few authors can write interesting sex scenes that progress the plot so I usually skip them because I find a lot of them boring.

    BTW thanks for all of your great recommendations. 🙂

• 

  Great post Wave! I have read about half the titles on this list and a lot of them that I haven’t read yet I have purchased and they are in the ever-increasing TBR file. About 6 months ago, I caught myself in a pattern of purchasing only high heat level books, and I realized I had gotten in the same rut with m/m books that I had been in while reading m/f: Going for the high-sex content and not looking for plot/character development, etc. While there are many authors in the m/m genre that I read consistently that can do both, I found I wasn’t looking at new (to me) authors or low-level heat ratings. I made a conscious effort to stop looking at the heat ratings, pay more attention to blurbs, look for reviews and just take a chance on something that I would not have before. I ended up purchasing many books on your list, reading them, and enjoying them just as much as I had enjoyed the high-sex books. While I still buy some authors strictly because I *know* the book is sex-filled, I also pay attention to authors in the “sweet” category like you listed. It’s a balance, I think, about 50-50 (at least lately) and I have read some truly amazing books that don’t have a ton of sex. I began reading m/m for the sex content, cause I am a perv *snort*, but I have found I have evolved and I can now appreciate a good romance too….who knew? lol!

  BTW, thanks for the list, there are some on here I don’t have yet, and I know they will be worth the time/investment. But I should probably read a bit more of the TBR before I go shopping, but I know I won’t ;).

  • 

    Elaine
    I really didn’t intend that you should go out and buy a whole bunch of books, especially since you have so many in your TBR pile. LOL But I’m glad that our recs. worked for you – it doesn’t always happen, because there is something called personal taste. 🙂

    One of the reasons I stopped reading het was that many of the books didn’t really have a story – the plots were an excuse for the dashing hero to rescue the trembling heroine from one disaster or another and of course have sex umpteen times in the book. I hope we don’t have the same thing here where sex is a new plot device and it happens over and over again in the books. What makes M/M interesting to me is that the books usually have two strong individuals (doesn’t have to be physical strength) who fall in love and work through their problems. When the sex happens it should be a way to advance the plot.

    50/50 seems to be an excellent balance for you. 🙂 Don’t go out and spend all your money in one place. LOL

• 

  I’m with Val, I like sex in books. I like a meaty story, too, and if I have to choose, I’d choose the story over the sex (and heat level doesn’t factor into my buying decisions as much as a positive review does, actually), but, yeah, I do like a well-done sex scene.

  How are we defining “sweet”? I’ve also read a great number of the books on your list, but most of them I would not categorize as “sweet.” (Zero at the Bone, for example. Really, really great book, one of my favorite m/m books ever in fact, but hardly what I would call “sweet.”) When I think of sweet romances, I think of romance novels that show a nice love story without a lot of conflict, and I’ve liked a few of those, but I generally like more angst and conflict in the stories I read. And a lot of the books you sited have that in spades. (Actually, a number of my favorite m/m novels/authors are on this list. Hmm. I think that speaks more to the quality of writing and storytelling than the amount of sex.)

  So, um, my comment is inconclusive! I like sex in books, but not to the exclusion of a good story, I guess.

  • 

    Hi Kate

    You asked how I defined sweet. This is what I said in the post:

    >> I should mention that while these books have less sex a few of them may not exactly fit the definition of “sweet” because they are dark or angsty and there may be murders from time to time; 🙂 one book, (I’ll Be Your Drill Soldier) might be a little hotter than the others << Abougt 75% of the books should fit "sweet." One of my faves that I think is a true sweet romance is The One That Got Away by Urban and Aile. I do love sex in these books - I just feel that many of the writers forget that there should be a story to go along with the hot sex. I'm hoping that everyone will add a few recs. to the list.

• 

  Since you asked for our picks that weren’t already listed, I’d include
  “The Dark Horse” by Kate Sherwood (m/m/m but really not a lot of sex)
  “Duet” by Eden Winters
  “Truth in the Dark” by Amy Lane
  “A Note in the Margin” by Isabelle Rowan
  “Almost Like Being in Love” by Steve Kluger
  “Comfort and Joy” by Jim Grimsley
  “Fugly” by K.Z. Snow
  “Regularly Scheduled Life” by K.A. Mitchell

  • 

    Thanks so much Nichem. I have read most of these and adore them and I’m sure that other readers would love them as well.

    A Note In The Margin is a book that I reviewed which brought me to tears many times, it was so moving. That was one angsty book that I read time and again and you know I don’t do angst. 🙂 As for Almost Like Being In Love by Steve Kluger, that was my #1 book in 2009 – another keeper. Some of the other recs. are also excellent .

• 

  Thanks for that list! I have read many on it & a few others I avoid because I’ve tried the authors and they just aren’t for me, but I added 10 titles to my buy list. It’s my birthday this weekend so I think I’ll be treating myself to a few.

  • 

    JW
    I’m very glad that you were able to select that many the recommendations off the list. Personal taste counts a lot in reading and this list is made up of recs from almost everyone on the site and we have varied likes/dislikes. 🙂

• 

  I’m all about the writing quality myself. Sure, I love a good sex scene, but for me the story is foremost.

  I’m glad so many others feel the same way, since I’m now halfway through a new novella where my protags don’t even kiss until the 16,000-word mark! 😉

  • 

    Hi Cat
    While my tastes are flexible I prefer books where the characters take time to know each other and the author develops the plot before having them jump into bed. There are some books where lots of sex make a great deal of sense, but again it woould depend on the plot and the characters.

    I’m looking forward to your new release. 🙂

    • 

      Thanks, Wave. Always gratifying to know there’s someone out there waiting for the next book!

      BTW, this one’s about Mike and Ryan, a couple of secondary characters from The First Real Thing. 🙂

      • 

        I was going to ask you whether there would be a sequel to The First Real Thing which is the free book on the site today. 🙂 Now I REALLY can’t wait for the next book. 🙂

        • 

          Heh. No pressure, right? 😉

    • 

      “There are some books where lots of sex make a great deal of sense, but again it woould depend on the plot and the characters.”

      LOL! I agree, Wave. Have you read “The Archer”? A bunch of big, strong, handsome men trying to save the world with bouts of sex in their free time. I’m not big on books with a ton of sex in it, but this one worked. I loved it!! Of course, its Abigail Roux. What do you expect?

• 

  Hi Wave,

  it all comes down to the author’s skill again. From your criteria, I’d define as one of those who reads sweet romances, for at least half of the books you mentioned above are on my favourites shelf, and most of those Nichem mentioned. They have just the right mix of explicite sex and plot for me.

  What is it that makes a book hot? Take “Cut and Run”, for example. It has exactly one sex scene, just one, and a bit of groping and kissing. But isn’t there fire and brimstone in the air right from the first time Ty and Zane meet? The inevitable attraction between those two is vibrating through the pages, even though it is barely consumed, and this is due to the authors’ skill with telling their story, making the reader see and feel what the characters experience. Same is true for “The one that got away” and Josh Lanyon and many of the other books you mentioned. On the other hand, Kushner – good, solid fantasy/ adventure, but the relationship between those two men didn’t become real to me, let alone qualify (in my opinion) as romance at all. Tastes differ.

  In short, no, I don’t buy after heat level. I even tend to avoid “5 flames” or “5 lips” or whatever; I’m an in-the-middle-reader.

  Sex in m/m books is like chocolate: there are your good brands and inferior brands, and there is the rare delicacy you want to savor by the molecule. But however good it is, too much of it at once makes you sick. And, to stay in the picture, chocolate alone isn’t enough.

  To complete your list, I missed Erastes’s books. (where is she by the way? I didn’t see much of her here lately.) Most of them have lots of plot and slow build-up, but aren’t very explicit.

  • 

    Hi Feliz
    I’m with you on all of Urban & Aile’s and Urban & Roux’s books. I didn’t miss the fact that there was only one sex scene in Cut and Run because of the intensity of the attraction. Sometimes sex doesn’t have to be explicit to be a turn on – as a matter of fact I often find it more of a turn on when it’s not explicit. I think authors forget that.

    The fantasy books on the list are like most fantasies – they are not strong on the romance but Val, Jen and I are fantasy readers and we love the world building and other aspects of the “romance” – the adventure.

    Erastes has a few personal family issues right now which I’m not at liberty to talk about but she will be back. As for why her books are not on the list? The list of books was put together early this morning (about 3 A.M.) and many of my favourite authors such as Steve Kluger were left off.

    This is also an opportunity for readers such as yourself to add your recommendations for other readers. Please feel free to add Erastes’s books. Any time I put together a list, it’s only meant to be a sample not a feast. LOL

• 

  I love to read sweet romances intermixed with the hot and heavy sex machine one. 🙂 Thank you for all of the wonderful suggestions!

  • 

    Tracy
    don’t be fooled. These books do have sex but it doesn’t overwhelm the stories. A lot of them have great plots and characters in addition to the sex. I hope you find a few books that you like.

• 

  Hi Wave, I totally agree with you on this topic and “The One That Got Away” is one of my very favorite books. I am also chomping at the bit waiting for “Fish & Chips”! A few of my favorites that I didn’t see on your list are:

  Dash and Dingo – Catt Ford, Sean Kennedy
  Keeping Promise Rock – Amy Lane
  If I Must – Amy Lane
  Curtis Reincarnation – Zathan Priest

  These are books with good solid characters and strong plots that demand you ignore your kids and housework. Well, “If I Must” is just a light, very sweet read, but the other 3 make you forget your own reality.

  I am definitely going to take a look at the books in your list that I haven’t read yet. Thank you Wave!!!

  • 

    Hi Lisa
    There are so many books and we all have our favourite authors and you can tell who are mine. 🙂

    Fish and Chips will be released December 6 and Madeleine and Abigail will be interviewed on the site prior to the book release. I will be asking readers to submit questions to ask them about this series so you will have your chance. 🙂

    Catt and Sean are another favourite pair and I reviewed D & D when it was released and I’m hoping they will release the sequel soon. I read that they were working on it. Amy Lane is another fave and maybe she will also be interviewed here. Just saying. 🙂

    I will add some of the titles to the post that you guys submit so that other readers can have a chance to enjoy your recs.

    • 

      Well, we clearly have similar tastes in books and I have purchased books based on your recommendation many times. You are awesome and so is this site!

• 

  Wave,
  Thanks for this great post. The first four on your list are all personal favorites, so I’d say I’m a Plot before Sex reader. That said, there are occasions when I just want something spicy, but even then I want a good story not just sex (spicy but satisfying). I would add Elle Parker’s Like Coffee and Doughnuts to this list, as a sweet romance with an old-school, Private Eye, “noir” feel to it. Now, I’m really looking forward to reading some of these recommendations that I wasn’t familiar with.

  • 

    Andy B,
    I agree about adding Elle Parker’s book. And the sequel, Like Pizza & Beer, is supposed to be released on 10/4 at Lyrical Press. Yay!

  • 

    Hi Andy
    I guess you can figure out I’m a fan of Madeleine, Abigail and Rhianne. 🙂 Those books that I recommended personally do have sex but they have a plot and characters and I remember them long after I read them which to me is a great indication of what a wonderful read is.

    I’m reading Abigail’s fairy tale right now A Tale from de Rode which I hope to review on Sunday.
    Stories like this are so charming!

    Jen will be reviewing Elle’s sequel to Coffee & Doughnuts – Like Pizza and Beer – soon. The book will be released next week. 🙂

    If you have recs. that you can pass on to other readers I would appreciate your list. 🙂

• 

  Well, sex sells! Always has , but I’m with the majority of the posters here: I need a plot first, romance second, and sex third! Although I definitely need some heat (preferably a 2-3 level). Gotta have some, otherwise the author better kill it with a plot to make up for it, lol! The majority of my money goes towards the books you recommend, Wave, so your list is spot on. I have to add an author one of your readers recommended not that long ago: Desert Dropping and the Log Way by Dom Luka. Fantastic reads!

  • 

    If you can get plot, characterization AND sex, why not go for the triple play? Just sayin’.

    • 

      Treva
      I totally agree that a triple play is the best thing and I love to read books where the sex is an integral part of the plot and characterization. What I don’t like is when the sex takes precedence and the book becomes just a number of sex scenes – very boring and repetitive.

      Everyone says that it’s all about good writing, but I can count on one hand the authors whose books have a lot of sex who can do it well. That takes a great deal of imagination and creativity and even good writers fail when they write sex scenes and do it badly. I’ve mentioned before some of the authors who I think do a bang up job 🙂 of integrating sex in their books so I won’t do it again because I’m sure to forget someone and piss him or her off. 🙂

      What I’m trying here is to offer readers the names of a few good M/M books that do contain sex, but it’s not their single focus.

      • 

        Exactly, it is not as if I would not read good sex scene, but way way too often it is my experience that writer just cannot do triple play so if I see good “double play” – plot, characters, great chemistry and passion I will happily go for it. Somebody (Val I believe?) said that sex can show who characters are too and I agree with it of course, however I do not believe that sex can tell us ALL about who the characters are and if all I see characters doing is having sex all the time I do not believe I am getting to know them well and I would love to.

    • 

      Terrific post, as always, Wave. I’ve read a lot of those listed, but a bunch more just got added to the to-read list!

      >>If you can get plot, characterization AND sex, why not go for the triple play? Just sayin’.<<

      Yes, but can we please get them in this order?

      There are a couple of well-known writers I won't read anymore because their books are 6 parts sex, 1 part plot/characterization. If I want that, I can get it free from Nifty. Just sayin. 😉

      • 

        Hi Buda
        I know exactly what you mean. If I don’t love the characters it’s hard for me to love the books but if they have a great plot then the book could be a wonderful read. In many mysteries I hate the killers but the books sometimes end up as favourite reads because the plots rocked.

        Sex is usually way down on my list of criteria for choosing a book because there has to be something else. I have many books that turned into a sex fest where the authors hadn’t a clue how to make a sex scene exciting and the books ended up as DNF. So yes, we’re definitely on the same page here –

        Triple play but characterization and plot BEFORE the hot sex. Also, as you said Nifty’s is free. 🙂

        BTW a huge omission from the original list which I just corrected – Almost like Being In Love by Steve Kluger. If you haven’t read this book you MUST get it. It was my #1 book in 2009 and I have read it many times and loved it every single time. Truly a keeper.

      • 

        Doing it right — and doing all three at once — is difficult. That’s why it can drive authors crazy when someone says it’s easy — all you write is sex. That’s only when you do it wrong.

        And, btw, Loose Id does go for good plot and characterization and less sex if the situation calls for it.

  • 

    Hi Angel
    First of all, thanks for recommending Dom Luka’s books. I hope that the readers check them out.

    My priority has always been good characters first followed by a credible plot and the sex then adds another ingredient to make the story enjoyable. I can’t remember two days later a story I picked up just for the sex, but I sure can remember years later stories with characters that move me.

• 

  Of course I favour plot and story over sex. But sometimes I just want to read something that excites me. And I know just the writers to go to and the ones to avoid.
  If Evangeline Anderson, JL Langley or Jet Mykles were to write heat level 1 romances I am not sure if I would like them as much as I do now. Their sex scenes are such an integrated part of their books I don’t think they will be the same without them.

  For the record I have read a lot of those books from the list and I never select by heat level. I guess by not checking I read a mix of sweet and hot.

  • 

    Ingrid
    I love those 3 authors you mention and they write wonderful sex scenes. My problem is with authors who try to fill their books with sex but the sex is dull and boring.

    I think when we choose books by the heat level we end up with quite a few duds – my computer is filled with a lot of them that I never finished.

• 

  Hi
  I have just about all the books on your list and I do prefer Sweet to alot of sex scences. It’s great to know other people feel the same way. I find it is difficult sometimes to find the books I love to read, as Sex and BDSM books unfortunately seem to sell better even if the story is poor. I know people enjoy those types of books each to their own.

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    Hi Shirley Ann
    There are many well written books that don’t focus entirely on sex that are around but it takes time to find them. That’s the reason I wrote this post because I know that there are many readers like myself who enjoy a triple play (great characterization, good plot and sex scenes that advance the plot) but have to read a lot of books before they find a few diamonds.

    Sure the other books sell a lot, but if we continue to buy books that deliver on all three counts then the writers will always give us what we want. 🙂

• 

  I’m one of those oddball readers who enjoys the spectrum from sweet to heavily sexed. As long as the book is well-written with a good plot, I am happy =)

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    Hi Kathy

    >>As long as the book is well-written with a good plot, I am happy =) << That is the key isn't it? I think the reason for my and other readers' frustration is that a lot of M/M writers are now sacrificing plot and characterization for sex, sex and more sex. I love well written sex scenes as long as there's a good plot and the characters aren't going at it from beginning to the end of the book. In some of these books the protagonists hardly get out of the bedroom for a breath of fresh air. Which man, gay or straight, has that kind of stamina?

• 

  Like most folks who’ve replied, I’m in for the triple play (great characterization, good plot and sex scenes that advance the plot). I never check the heat level before I buy/read. Sorry to say, but I haven’t even noticed where those levels are indicated on the books I’ve bought. I like a good sex scene as much as the next person, but it has to make sense – too much sex is, well, too much. I like the anticipation of the slow build so that by the time they get to it, its KABOOM! Oh, yeah baby!

  I’m with Kate McMurray, I generally like more angst and conflict. I just finished A Note in the Margin and loved it. Tigers and Devils was another one I loved, but when the first sex scene went off page I felt ripped off. 😉 Got over it quick though. The story was so good I didn’t notice after the initial ‘fade to black’.

  Thanks for the list, Wave. More to add to my TBR stockpile! 🙂

• 

  Well, I write for fun and I have a publisher lucky enough to let me do that.

  Sure, my heat levels are rated in the 4 star range, but hey, you do get character and plot with my books 🙂 And you could most certainly say that my sex scenes are not repetitive. I would get bored writing them if they were. *grin*

  Anyway…just my thoughts.

  *hugs*

  Mark

  • 

    I agree Mark, your sex scenes are never dull or repetitive :).

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    Mark
    I would never say that your sex scenes are dull or boring. They are hot and certainly different. Had to take a couple of cold showers. 🙂

    I don’t want you to get the wrong impression by this post. I think there’s room for both types of M/M romances but my fear is that if sales of books with minimal sex go into oblivion so will sweet romances.

• 

  I’ll read romance at any heat level really. And I’ve found that less explicit sex doesn’t have to mean less sexy in the effect. I’ve read lower heat romances that left me thinking I needed a cold shower, and conversely, highly explicit ones that left me cold. I think that’s all about the emotion and sexual tension in a story, whether we’re seeing the chracters actually getting it on or not. I’m reading Ruth Sim’s the Phoenix right now – though I haven’t actually stopped for a cold shower yet, I just started! 🙂

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    Hi Becky
    Have to get accustomed to the new name. 🙂

    I love both types of romances and I’m only hoping that there’s room for sweet and spicy in M/M. The trend I’m seeing is worrying because if sales of romances with minimal sex continues to tank many authors will stop writing them and readers who love this kind of M/M story will be the losers. I love the anticipation and the touches and the kisses, and then when the characters work themselves up into a lather it makes it more meaningful AND arousing. 🙂 That’s what I absolutely loved about The One That Got Away – I first read the story as a free read on Rhianne Aile’s blog, and every week I would log on for my next ‘fix.’ LOL

    I think that Ruth Sims’ newest book Counterpoint is probably better than The Phoenix so you have a treat coming up if you buy it. 🙂

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  Oops! Must be a romance book reader since I have read 90% of these books. I definetely don’t mind sex but sex without a good story is plain boring.

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    Hi Sunshine
    Thanks for commenting. Like you, I love a good romance where the characters and the plot rock, BEFORE rocking the bed. LOL

• 

  Over the past half year or so, I’ve become increasingly dissatisfied with how most sex scenes are written, so I’ve been gravitating more towards sweet romances. I have not a clue why I’m doing this to myself because I know there will always be more to choose from on the other side of the spectrum. I heartily thank the authors who will still write it (please, please keep writing it!) and look forward to examining this list for any titles I’ve missed.

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    Rigmarole
    I hope you find at least a few books on this list – some are my personal favourites, but I know that the reviewers also tried to give readers their recommendations of what they consider “sweet” romances.

    We all appreciate those authors who continue to write books with a lower heat rating at the expense of their royalties. I salute them!

• 

  Question about heat ratings. Like many people here, I don’t pay much attention to them. They’re never a factor in whether I buy the book or not. But my understanding was that they indicate the explicitness of the sex. Do they also indicate the frequency? Or is it possible to have only one or two sex scenes in a book, which just happen to be level 5?

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    JW
    I don’t know the answer to that question but I’ll ask a couple of publishers and post the response here. Thanks for asking. I think it may be both.

  • 

    JW,

    This is from ARe’s website about their heat levels:

    “1 flame- Stories will either not have consummated love scenes, or if the loves scenes are consummated detail is not given.
    2 flames- Stories will have some love scenes. These will be more sensual then graphic and will mostly rely on euphemism.
    3 flames- Stories will have sensual, yet more explicit love scenes, and the language used to describe them may be more graphic and direct.
    4 flames- Stories have frequent love scenes that are explicit and described using graphic and direct language.
    5 flames- Stories have a high frequency of love scenes that are explicit, described using graphic and direct language, and/or contain subject matter that some readers may consider objectionable.”

    As you can see, both 4 and 5 levels claim ‘frequent’ sex scenes. As far as I recall, most publishers follow a similar rating system.

    • 

      Thanks Lacey
      You saved me a couple of emails.
      I would like to say however that not all publishers use 1 – 5 to rate explicitness or heat levels. For example, Amber Allure’s heat system is from 1 to 3.

    • 

      Ok, good to know. I guess I should pay more attention to them. Maybe I’ll start by going back to check how some of my favorites are rated. Thank you!

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  I agree with most of the things that have already been said. I love to read a good sex scene, but not at the expense of good characters and a good plot.

  But, in my experience, you can’t always go by heat levels anyway. I just finished reading a book (that I absolutely loved) the other day that had zero sex sex in it, not even fade-to-black scenes – the characters simply hadn’t sex by the end. Also, there weren’t any masturbation or oral scenes; yet, the book was given a heat level of 4 at ARe. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not blaming them – they have a statement on their site saying they get heat ratings straight from the publishers. I’m just saying that by just going by the heat levels, you’re sure to be disappointed at some point.

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    Lacey
    Isn’t that amazing? I thought that the information sent by the publishers to ARe was usually correct.

    Perhaps you could post the name of the book so that those of us who like good plots and great characterization could have an opportunity to read this book, since you think so highly of it.

    • 

      The book I mentioned earlier has actually already been mentioned in this post. It was Broken by Kimberly Dawn Johnson.

      • 

        Thanks very much Lacey for following up.

• 

  Heat level makes absolutely no difference to me. I don’t even look at heat levels/ratings when I decide what to read.

  However, following up on what you say to Kate McMurray above, the topics I’m most interested in reading about are often rated at a high heat level by publishers. (You can see that just from the ratings language that Lacey quotes.) There doesn’t seem to be any conception on the part of many publishers that there’s such a thing as a sweet D/s romance, or a sweet prison romance, or anything else that deals with power issues. It’s like the bad old days, when m/m was automatically classified as having a high heat level, simply because it was m/m.

  Most of my reading is online rather than e-books, so maybe I’ve just gotten the wrong impression of the situation. Still, I think it’s worth asking whether some of those Heat Level 5 books that are being snatched up are actually sweet romances.

  Oh, and yay, thanks for the neat list of sweet romances.

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  What an awesome post, Wave!

  FWIW, I prefer to read books that have engaging plots with interesting/complex characters who share lots of cuddling and touching and kissing. Unless the book is a YA, chances are that it will include a sexual situation or two.

  That said, I’m all nod nod nod about what you said here:

  Sure, gay men may have more opportunities for sex than straight men, but it gets tiresome to read book after book where the “romance” doesn’t touch on other aspects of the guys’ lives and seems to focus entirely in the bedroom.

  WORD! Given the choice, I’ll buy a “tamer” book where the protags move with the plot than a book with high heat level where the guys go at it like bunnies.

  Maybe that’s why I don’t buy so many novellas (gauging by what I’ve bookmarked in my TBR list, the average length of the books I’ll be reading in the near future is approximately 50k words minimum.) Because so many of them are about the sex. Sure sometimes a talented writer can come up with a sex scene that will move the reader.

  More often than not, though, I’ll end up going “Really? So they get into bed and that’s it?”

  Anyhoo, there are several titles in your list that I’ve enjoyed time and time again.

  Of course, I also see quite a number of books that I’ll have to my forever-expanding TBR list. 😉

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    Hi Luce
    I’m so happy you found this post and will check out some of the titles. Although not all of them are “sweet,” these books either impressed me or one of the other bloggers. Like you, I prefer to read a book with good characterizations or a plot that makes sense, rather than a story with one sex scene after another, and I hope that when you do read the books you select that you’ll be happy with the majority of them.:)

    I’d like to add a couple – one might already be on the list but the other one is new:

    Boys of Summer by Cooper Davis
    Taking you Home by Cooper Davis

    I’m enclosing a link to Takking you Home since Boys of Summer ia linked in this review (TYH is a sequel of BofS)

    http://www.gayromance.org/?p=37662

    I hope you get both and if you do, make sure you read Boys of Summer first. 🙂

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  I know this is an old post, but I just stumbled upon it. I’m so glad I did. I love sweet books. Of course the MM action is always good, but when love is involved, it makes it so much better!!

  I have read a few books on this list and a they are my favorites. I am definitely coming back to this page before I buy another book!

  • 

    Hi Melissa
    I’m glad you found the post and that you enjoyed those books you read. Many of the books on the list are some of my favourites that I come back to from time to time. 🙂

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