When it comes to books for men, you might not think that romance was exactly the best genre. However, there are romance books that are aimed at men, hopefully unlocking the hidden mushy side that all men have.
Sometimes these might not always be straight romance books of the kind that women might like. Men’s romance books mix the classic tropes of the genre with other genres like comedy or thrillers. If you are a man, it might be quite unlikely that you’ll just be interested in straight romance.
So, what are the best romance novels for men? What genres do they mix? How long are they? Are they written by popular authors?
Well, we have compiled a list of some of the best romance books for men that you can currently find on the market, so have a box of Kleenex ready and let’s dive right in.
12 Best Romance Novels For Men
1. The Bromance Book Club
This first novel is one that fuses elements of comedy with romance to make a book that will have you laughing as well as crying. It also contains a lot of themes like sexual anxiety and masculinity that some men might actually relate to.
This story is about Gavin Scott who is suffering from some serious marital difficulties when he finds out that he has never really been able to satisfy his wife in the bedroom.
This is when he joins a book club, a place where men can not only analyze their favorite books, but they can also get in touch with their feelings, which is exactly what Gavin needs to save his marriage.
2. Intercepted
This next romance novel is one that combines serious competitive sport with romance, which might really hit home with male readers.
This is a novel about Marlee, who has been hurt by her cheating ex, and Gavin, who is looking to woo Marlee by proving she is nothing like her old lover.
This is a tumultuous novel with plenty of twists and turns. It has also won many literary awards, which certainly might appeal to any man who likes words and a touch of drama. This book has also received nearly 1,000 rave reviews from both male and female readers alike.
3.Under Currents
This next novel mixes romance with some gritty thriller elements, creating a story that will take you on a roller coaster ride through the main character’s tumultuous past. This is a New York Times bestselling novel, so you can be sure that the standard of the writing is very high.
This is the story of Zane and Darcy, who have grown up in the same town, a town with a very dark past. This novel interweaves the story of them coming together with a larger plot about family and how childhood secrets never leave you.
4. Forgotten Secrets
This is another novel that mixes the elements of thriller and romance to create a novel that will disturb as well as tug on the heartstrings.
This is the story of Riley Lambert, whose sister was kidnapped when she was 10 and now helps to solve similar mysteries as a member of the FBI.
5.Thief Of Shadows
A lot of men like superhero tales and this is a novel about a superhero that is set in Victorian England. This is the story of Winter Makepeace, who lives a double life as a headmaster and a vigilante called the Ghost of St. Giles. However, when Winter and Lady Isabel Beckinhall meet, it’s both a battle of wits and passion.
For those who might not be too keen on the romance element, this story has plenty of action and adventure to keep you entertained. It also has hundreds of fans and comes as part of a series that has lots of fans around the world.
6. Beauty Like The Night
This next novel is great for those who like the taste of period drama with a little dash of espionage thrown in. It is the story of the spy Severine De Cabrillac, a former spy who is trying to put her days working as a secret government agent behind her.
However, when an enigmatic Spanish man enters her life asking for assistance to find the killer of his estranged wife, she decides to help him.
But she soon starts to regret her decision when a growing attraction between them threatens to scupper the whole operation.
7. Hungry Like The Wolf
This novel is a rip-roaring modern thriller that has added a few sexy thrills in with its tale of secretive sharp-shooters called SWAT (Special Wolf Alpha Team).
The novel follows the story of Mackenzie Stone, a journalist who investigates the team but ends up getting close to Gage Dixon, a handsome member of SWAT who finds her irresistible.
This novel is one that has been described as raunchy, with plenty of sexual tensions to counteract some of the more action-packed scenes.
This comes with hundreds of amazing ratings online, with plenty of people praising the action-packed narrative and the characters.
8. A Lady’s Guide To Celestial Mechanics
Now some men might have their heads turned by the reference to ‘mechanics’ in the title, but unfortunately, this is not about fixing up a car engine, rather it is a gripping period drama about women who fall in love.
Catherine St Day has just been widowed and she wants to fulfill her late husband’s scientific legacy and has hired a young woman called Lucy to do the job.
However, things get complicated as Catherine falls in love with Lucy, but with a lot of issues from their past, are they doomed to be apart forever?
9. A Promise Of Fire
Now there aren’t many men out there who do not like fantasy novels, so why not buy a gift for a male reader that combines the fantastical with the romantic? This novel is part of the Kingmaker Chronicles and is great for any man who likes Game Of Thrones.
This is the story of Cat Fisa, who is a kingmaker, which basically means that she has the power to tell truth from a lie.
However, she no longer wants to wield her powers and wants to take what she sees as the family curse with her to the grave. But when she meets an ambitious warlord who wants to use her powers, a fiery attraction is unlocked between them.
10. The Pheonix Codex
This is another novel that mingles fantasy elements with some action and a little bit of romance. This is a novel that involves Jonathan West, a warrior who works for a secret society that is charged with executing witches, who go out to take down another.
However, when he meets this witch he discovers that he has a strange attraction to her and soon begins to submit to her charms.
But the society still has other plans for her. This is a thrilling romance novel set against the backdrop of a magical world of sorcery and spells.
11. Against The Tide
This is another story that involves great mystery and intrigue that both men and women won’t be able to put down. In this book, the heroine Liv Chandler is escaping a threat to her life, and it is only the rugged charter boat captain Rafe Brodie who is willing to save her.
When Rafe and Liv get entangled, they try to flee to the wilds of Alaska, but Liv’s dangerous past soon catches up with her. This is a novel with plenty of murder and intrigue, perfect for men who might like their romance novels a little more rugged.
12. A Perfect Knight For Love
This final romance story is set in the Highlands of Scotland, with clan warfare and internecine conflict mingled in with forbidden love and the ghost of heartbreak past.
This novel comes with a lot of sexual tension and plenty of action, which is great for men who like to temper their love stories with bouts of manly conflict.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are Romance Novels Only Aimed At Women?
A: Traditionally, romance novels are associated with women, and the market has really honed in on them as an audience over the last few years. However, there is a growing trend of men starting to like romance literature.
What Are The Tropes Of The Romance Genre?
A: There are a few storyline types that are associated with the romantic genre. Here are just a few of them:
- The Meet-Cute
- Enemies To Lovers
- Forced Proximity
- Destiny
- Childhood Sweethearts
- Forbidden Love
- Impossible Love
- Second Chance Love
- Love Triangle
- Fake Relationship
Conclusion
We hope that our guide to romance novels for men has given male readers some pointers as to which books they can pick up to engage their sentimental side.
There are plenty of romance books that combine many different genres with romance, including thriller, mystery, science fiction and fantasy.