Love, Forty
£3.99
Love, Forty: A Novel
Read with pride. A gay romance novel about loss, love, and the courage to come home.
Alessandro Moretti is Italy’s tennis golden boy, destined for glory. But at sixteen, a terrifying secret awakens: his attraction is for the boys he plays against, not the girls who cheer for him. His passionate, secret love affair with artist Matteo leads to a devastating discovery by his traditional family, resulting in a brutal exile that shatters his world.
This emotional MM romance follows Ale as he reinvents himself as “Il Gladiatore,” a cold, untouchable champion who dominates the tennis world for over a decade. His success is a hollow echo of his loneliness. A family tragedy forces him to return to Rome and confront the parents who cast him out. In a hard-won reconciliation with his mother, he discovers that time and loss can change hearts. With the support of a new love, Gabriel, Ale begins to heal the wounds of his past.
The journey culminates in a triumphant final at the Italian Open, where Ale must step onto the court as his authentic self. With his reclaimed family watching, he plays for more than a trophy—he plays for his future.
Love, Forty is a powerful story of self-discovery, the scars and strength of family, and the courage to love against all odds. Perfect for fans of heartfelt LGBTQ+ fiction and emotional gay romance books. Read with pride.
Love, Forty: A Novel
Read with pride. This is a story about courage, heartbreak, and the long road home.
Alessandro “Ale” Moretti has the world at his feet. At sixteen, he is the beautiful, undisputed prodigy of Italian tennis, a rising star carrying the hopes of his nation and the immense pride of his traditional Roman family. With a powerful serve and a killer instinct on the court, his future is a blindingly bright path to glory. But beneath the flawless exterior and the roar of adoring crowds, a terrifying and confusing secret begins to awaken. The electric jolt he feels is not for the girls who cheer for him, but for the boys who stand on the other side of the net.
This gay contemporary romance novel is a powerful, sweeping story of one young man’s arduous journey to claim his identity in a world that demands conformity. We follow Ale as he navigates the first unsettling glimpses of his true self in locker rooms and during intense matches, a truth he desperately tries to ignore. His struggle leads him to Matteo, a charismatic art student in Milan who becomes his first refuge, his first love, and the catalyst for both his greatest joy and his ultimate downfall.
When his double life is violently exposed, Ale is confronted with an impossible choice: deny who he is to keep his family’s love, or embrace his truth and lose everything. The aftermath is brutal. The rejection from his father, Marco, is absolute and shattering, exiling Ale from his home, his funding, and the only life he has ever known. Forced to build a new existence from the ashes, Ale channels his heartbreak and rage into his game, transforming into “Il Gladiatore Solitario”—the Lonely Gladiator. For over a decade, he becomes a cold, untouchable champion who dominates the global tennis circuit, his success a hollow monument to the family and the love he lost.
This MM romance book does not shy away from the pain of rejection, but it also celebrates the resilience of the human spirit. A sudden family tragedy forces the adult Ale to return to Rome, to the parents who cast him out and the ghosts of his past. He must face his ailing father and his grieving mother, Giovanna, in a poignant and hard-won reconciliation that explores the complex, enduring bonds of family. In his mother’s eyes, he finds a love that has evolved, a heart that has finally grown large enough to accept her son for who he is. And in Gabriel, a steady and loving physiotherapist, Ale discovers a chance at a mature, nurturing love he never thought possible.
The story culminates in a breathtaking final at the Italian Open, where Ale must step onto the hallowed clay courts of the Foro Italico not as a weapon, but as a whole man. With his mother, sister, and Gabriel watching from the stands, he plays the most important match of his life. This is not just a battle for a trophy, but a final showdown with his past self. Will he remain the lonely gladiator, or will he finally integrate every part of himself—the champion, the son, the gay man—to claim a victory that goes far beyond any title?
A masterful blend of sports drama, family saga, and a profound exploration of identity, Love, Forty is a tragically romantic, emotionally charged, and ultimately triumphant gay romance book about the courage it takes to live authentically and the enduring power of love in all its forms. Read with pride.
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3 reviews for Love, Forty
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Add to cartRomeo and Julian: A Gay Romance Novel of Sun, Sacrifice, and Second Chances on the Italian Riviera
Romeo escapes his stifling life in Milan for a fresh start in sun-drenched Portofino. There he meets Julian, a free-spirited lifeguard whose joy is as radiant as the sea. Their connection is instant and profound—a whirlwind of intimate moments on hidden nudist beaches, under starlit skies, and within the discreet sanctuary of a men’s sauna.
But their idyllic romance is threatened when Julian’s traditional fishing family forces him to choose between blood and love. Believing he is protecting Romeo, Julian makes a devastating choice, pushing him away with a noble lie that shatters them both.
“Romeo and Julian” is a heart-wrenching story of sacrifice, forgiveness, and the fight for a love that refuses to die. Can their bond survive the ultimate test of faith and family?
This emotional MM romance takes you on a journey from the glamorous parties of the Italian Riviera to the quiet, profound depths of a love reborn. It is a celebration of living authentically, building a chosen family, and finding a happily ever after more beautiful than any dream.
Perfect for fans of gay contemporary romance and lush, setting-rich love stories. If you believe in second chances and love that shines as brightly as the Mediterranean sun, dive into “Romeo and Julian” today. Read with pride.
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Add to cartEvan Reed, St. Clare University’s 23-year-old president, has it all: looks, charm, and a brilliant future. He effortlessly charms everyone, especially women, whom he gently rejects with a vow of chastity until marriage. But his perfect facade hides a devastating secret: he is deeply in love with his best friend, Liam Walsh, the school’s star baseball captain.
Trapped by the expectations of his devout family and a conservative town, Evan believes he must choose between his heart and his entire world. Liam, who shares Evan’s secret but not his patience, yearns for a truth they can never speak aloud. Their forbidden connection plays out in stolen glances and secret meetings, a love so powerful it threatens to destroy everything they’ve worked for—Evan’s presidency, Liam’s athletic career, and their reputations.
From the pressures of a glittering gala to the threat of blackmail, The President’s Secret is a sweeping, emotional saga of sacrifice and resilience. This 55-chapter journey follows two men across five years as they navigate family rejection, public scrutiny, and the agonizing distance between the lives they have and the life they desperately want. It’s a story about the cost of living a lie and the fierce, painful fight to build an authentic life together. A heartfelt, angsty MM romance about finding the courage to choose love, no matter the consequence.
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Add to cartThe Greenwood and the Flame completely redefines the legend of Robin Hood. This is a sizzling, epic historical fantasy romance where the famous outlaw’s greatest rebellion is the love he finds in the heart of Sherwood.
Disgraced and hunted, Robin of Locksley is saved by John Scathlock, a formidable hunter whose silent strength and hidden sanctuary offer a new beginning—and a dangerous, undeniable attraction. As Robin learns to fight as an outlaw under John’s guidance, their budding rebellion is joined by the brilliant, sharp-tongued rogue Will Scarlet. His arrival creates a volatile triangle of desire, strategy, and competition that will forge the legend of The Hood in fire and passion.
Together, this triad must outwit the cruel Sheriff of Nottingham, build a sanctuary for the oppressed, and defend the community they found in the hidden valley of Clun. But their most perilous battle is for their own hearts, as they navigate a love that defies all laws—a deep, polyamorous bond that becomes their greatest strength and most vulnerable secret.
Blending high-stakes adventure with scorching emotional and physical romance, The Greenwood and the Flame is a story of found family, radical justice, and a love so powerful it can build a new world. It’s perfect for readers who crave the rich historical setting of a classic Robin Hood tale, reinvented with the complex character dynamics and intense romance of series like Captive Prince and The Nightingale and the Falcon. Discover the legend you never knew, where the truest aim is for the heart.
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Add to cartSix gay couples. One paradise island. A single rule: don’t break up.
In the ultimate test of love, twelve men from across the globe are isolated on a stunning island for a reality show. The prize is a new home, but the real challenge is resisting the sizzling chemistry with eleven other irresistible men. The rules force them apart all day, pushing them into intimate partnerships with their rivals. Alliances form, passions ignite, and loyalties are shattered.
Witness the dramatic collapse of seemingly perfect relationships and the unexpected birth of new, powerful connections. From the passionate Italians and the stoic Nigerians to the all-American influencers and the rugged Australians, no couple is safe from the temptation and emotional turmoil.
*Global Glue: The 90-Day Test* is a steamy, emotional rollercoaster that explores the raw reality of love under pressure. This is a story of betrayal, desire, and the heartbreaking question: is your bond strong enough to survive paradise?
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Bare Under the Mistletoe
£3.59Add to cartEscape to a holiday romance where the greatest gift is the freedom to be yourself.
Heartbroken architect Liam books a two-week nudist cruise to escape a lonely Christmas. On the sun-drenched MS Odyssey, he forms a life-changing friendship with vibrant Chloe and falls for Mateo, a soulful Spanish artist who sees the real man beneath his carefully constructed walls. Under the stars, they share a Christmas and New Year’s of profound intimacy and liberation, forging a connection that feels destined to last.
When the voyage ends, a surprising offer gives Liam and Mateo a chance to turn their holiday romance into a lifetime: to design and build a revolutionary, clothing-optional eco-resort on a private island. Throwing caution to the wind, they embark on a daring adventure, trading their old lives for the challenge of creating a sanctuary called “Aura.”
“Bare Under the Mistletoe” is a sweeping, sensual, and deeply emotional story about love, courage, and building a legacy. Follow Liam and Mateo as they navigate the storms of creation, defend their utopian vision, and discover that the strongest foundation is the love they build together. It’s a tale of shedding insecurities, embracing authenticity, and discovering that the most beautiful life is the one you build with your own hands and heart.
Ideal for fans of heartfelt LGBTQ+ romance, stories of second chances, and narratives about building a better world.
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Add to cartTwenty years ago, they were a secret. Now, they’re building a forever.
Alex Vance and Liam Hayes were the golden boys of Northwood High—the football captain and the school president. Behind closed doors, they shared a forbidden love: a first kiss full of promise, and a heartbreaking breakup fueled by fear.
Two decades later, a school reunion brings them face-to-face. The successful architect and the driven non-profit president are both single, both scarred by life, and both stunned to find the embers of their first love still burning bright.
Tentatively, they embark on a second chance. But the past holds painful secrets, and the present brings new challenges: small-town gossip, family rejection, and a health scare that tests their commitment. They must learn to love as the men they are now, not the boys they were then.
The Unspoken Chapter is a deeply emotional MM romance about forgiveness, resilience, and the courage to claim a second chance at love. Follow Alex and Liam’s journey as they prove that some loves are worth the wait, and that the most beautiful future can be built upon the repaired foundations of a broken past.
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Add to cartCrushing on My Father’s Best Friend: A Forbidden MM Romance
Leo’s lifelong crush on his father’s charismatic best friend, Gabriel, ignites into a forbidden passion when he moves to San Francisco. For Gabriel, the attraction he’s fought for years is a betrayal of his deepest friendship, but the pull toward Leo is a force he can no longer resist.
Their secret affair is a sanctuary of intense intimacy, but it’s built on a foundation of lies. When a devastating family secret from the past is revealed—a secret connecting Gabriel, Leo’s father, and Leo’s late mother—their hidden world shatters. The confrontation exiles them from the family they cherish, forcing them to face the brutal cost of their love.
This is a sweeping MM romance about the courage to be honest, the long road to forgiveness, and the fight to build a new family from the broken pieces of the old. “Crushing on My Father’s Best Friend” is a deeply emotional story for anyone who believes that the most powerful love is often the one that is hardest to win.
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Add to cartHe was hired to protect a life. He never expected to lose his heart.
Pop superstar Zion Hayes is trapped. A terrifying stalker’s intimate threats have turned his world into a prison. His last hope is Kael Stone, an ex-special forces bodyguard whose icy professionalism is legendary—and whose own heart is sealed off after a past tragedy.
Forced into 24/7 proximity in Zion’s cliffside fortress, their clash is immediate and volatile. Zion is all glittering defiance; Kael is rigid control. But in the quiet, vulnerable hours, they see past the facades: the artist haunted by fear, the warrior burdened by guilt. A spark ignites, then a flame, forging a forbidden love that becomes their secret strength.
As their passion deepens, so does the danger. The stalker, “The Shadow,” strikes closer, leading to a violent confrontation that separates them. Wounded and hunted, Kael must use every skill to end the threat, while Zion must find the courage to face his fears head-on. Their love is no longer just a secret; it’s the motive, the vulnerability, and the only thing worth fighting for.
Guarding Zion is a gripping, emotional gay romance full of suspense, passion, and healing. It’s a story about two broken men who find in each other the safety to be whole—a sanctuary built not just from strength, but from surrendered hearts. This complete novel delivers a thrilling journey and a deeply earned Happily Ever After.
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DUST AND BONE
£3.59Add to cartA romantic detour becomes a descent into hell for Leo and Julian when they are captured by a clan of savage inbred mutants in the desert. Thrust into a nightmare settlement built on dust and bone, they are separated and forced to serve the grotesque chieftain, The Gila.
Leo is broken into a “living sculpture,” a public testament to suffering. Julian, for his artist’s eye, is made the clan’s “scribe,” forced to document their atrocities with his camera. Their love becomes both their tether and their torment. To survive, they must shed their humanity, forging themselves into weapons of rebellion from within.
Caught in a power struggle between the brutish Gila and his cunning lieutenant, Kael, they are offered a terrible choice: die in the pit, or use their skills to build a stronger fortress for their captors. DUST AND BONE is a brutal, unflinching MM dark romance and survival horror novel that explores the devastating lengths love will go to in the face of absolute evil. It’s a story about the cost of hope and the terrifying things we become to protect the one we love.
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Add to cartDeeper Connection Awaits. Dare to Play?
Move beyond small talk and reignite the spark of curiosity with The Intimacy Gambit. This is not a typical book of questions; it’s a guided journey for couples into the heart of intimacy, trust, and desire.
With 52 beautifully crafted chapters, each exploring a unique dilemma of love and connection, this book challenges you and your partner to explore profound themes: the safety of the Anchor vs. the freedom of the Sail, the healing Balm vs. the empowering Catalyst, the planned Map vs. the spontaneous Compass.
Designed to be shared, The Intimacy Gambit fosters conversations that are playful, passionate, and deeply revealing. It’s the perfect tool for new couples building a foundation, long-term partners breaking out of a rut, or any two people who believe their love story has deeper chapters yet to be written.
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Add to cartLove is the ultimate weapon in a forbidden war.
Stationed at a remote Saudi base, Sergeant Alex Vance finds his disciplined life upended by a dangerous attraction to Corporal Khalid al-Faisal. Their secret, passionate affair is a crime in both their armies and a sin in Khalid’s world. But their forbidden bond becomes a fatal liability when they uncover a high-level conspiracy to smuggle missiles, led by the calculating Colonel Hashim.
Blackmailed with exposure, their love is twisted into a chain of silence. Forced apart, with Khalid pushed into a wedding and Alex facing court-martial, their rebellion seems crushed. Yet, from the depths of despair, a desperate plot is born. Transforming from victims to insurgents, they embark on a perilous mission to expose the truth, racing from desert safe houses to stormy seas, hunted by the very powers they swore to serve.
The Sand and the Silencer is a pulse-pounding fusion of military thriller and tragic gay romance. It’s a story of two soldiers who find in each other the courage to defy empires, risking everything for a love that could get them killed—and a truth that could start a war. A tale of sacrifice, unwavering devotion, and the high price of breaking the silence.
admin (store manager) –
Jonathan Myers
Email: jonathan.myers.reads@gmail.com
Review
I finished Love, Forty last night, and I haven’t been able to stop thinking about it. This is not just another gay romance book—it is a powerful, heartbreaking, and ultimately triumphant exploration of what it means to choose authenticity over acceptance.
The protagonist, Alessandro, is one of the most compelling characters I have read in years. His journey from a confused sixteen-year-old prodigy to a cold, successful “Gladiator” and finally to a man at peace with himself is masterfully plotted over 28 chapters. I felt every moment of his pain. The scene where his father disowns him—”No son of mine is a finocchio”—was so raw and authentic that I had to put the book down. The author does not sugarcoat the cruelty of rejection, and that honesty is what makes the eventual reconciliation so powerful.
The romance elements are beautifully handled. The first love with Matteo is passionate, tender, and doomed—exactly as first loves often are. The later relationship with Gabriel is quieter, steadier, and more mature. It shows that real love is not always about fireworks; sometimes it is about someone who simply refuses to leave. The intimate scenes are tastefully written but emotionally charged, adding depth to the characters’ connections.
What truly sets this book apart is the family drama. The relationship between Alessandro and his mother, Giovanna, is the emotional core of the novel. Her journey from silent complicity to fierce maternal defense is heartbreaking and inspiring. The funeral scene and the subsequent conversation where she finally accepts her son (“You are my heart”) brought me to tears.
The tennis elements are also surprisingly well-researched and exciting. The final match at the Italian Open is a nail-biter, and the way the author weaves the emotional stakes into every point is brilliant.
If you are looking for an emotional MM romance book with depth, heart, and unforgettable characters, read Love, Forty. Read with pride. This book deserves a place on every LGBTQ+ fiction shelf.
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Isabella Rossi
Email: isabella.rossi.books@outlook.com
Review
As an Italian reader, I approached Love, Forty with both excitement and caution. So many books get Italian culture wrong, reducing it to caricatures of pasta and passion. This book does not. Dick Ferguson captures the suffocating weight of traditional Italian family expectations, the role of the father as the undisputed patriarch, and the quiet complicity of mothers who love their children but fear their husbands. It is painfully accurate.
Alessandro’s story is one I have seen play out in real life, and that realism is what makes this book so devastating and so necessary. His exile from the family is not melodramatic—it is cold, swift, and brutal. The detail about his father freezing his bank accounts and declaring him “dead” is the kind of precise, lived-in detail that tells me the author has done their research or lived this truth themselves.
The tennis backdrop is thrilling. The descriptions of matches are vivid and kinetic. I could feel the sun on the clay courts of the Foro Italico and hear the roar of the Roman crowd. The author balances sports action with deep emotional beats effortlessly.
I also appreciated that the book does not end with Alessandro finding love. It ends with him finding himself. His reconciliation with his mother is earned, not rushed. She does not magically become perfect; she simply chooses her son over her fear. That is a powerful message.
The supporting characters are also well-drawn. Sofia, the sister, is a quiet hero of the story—the one who never stops believing in her brother. Gabriel, the second love interest, could have been a flat “perfect boyfriend” trope, but he has his own struggles and patience, making him feel real.
This is an award-worthy gay fiction novel. I will be recommending it to my book club. For anyone who loves emotional MM romance with cultural depth and sports drama, this is a must-read. Read with pride.
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David Chen
Email: david.chen.romance@gmail.com
Review
I have read hundreds of MM romance books over the past decade, and Love, Forty stands out as something truly special. This is not a light, fluffy read—it is an emotional journey that will leave you exhausted and exhilarated in equal measure.
The structure of the book is brilliant. Spanning twelve years, we watch Alessandro grow from a terrified teenager to a hardened champion to a vulnerable man learning to love again. The time jumps are handled seamlessly, and each era of his life has a distinct emotional texture. The early chapters capture the breathless terror of first attraction. The middle chapters are suffused with the cold emptiness of chosen isolation. The final chapters glow with the warmth of hard-won peace.
The author does an excellent job of showing, not telling, Alessandro’s internal state. The recurring motif of masks and armor—the Gladiator persona he builds to protect himself—is subtle but powerful. When he finally breaks down in his mother’s lap at the hospital, it feels like a dam breaking after years of pressure. I cried. I am not ashamed to admit it.
The romantic relationships are both handled with care. Matteo is not vilified for leaving; his departure is framed as an act of self-preservation and even love. Gabriel is not a savior; he is a partner. Their relationship develops slowly and realistically, built on mutual respect and quiet understanding rather than grand gestures.
The intimate scenes are sensual without being gratuitous. They serve the story and the characters’ emotional development. This is steamy MM romance done right.
The sports elements are also top-notch. I am not a tennis fan, but I was completely invested in every match. The final championship point, won with a delicate drop volley after a desperate dive, is both a thrilling sports moment and a perfect metaphor for Alessandro’s entire journey.
If you are looking for popular gay books that offer more than just romance, pick up Love, Forty. It is emotional, beautifully written, and deeply satisfying. This is the kind of LGBTQ+ fiction that stays with you. Read with pride.