Dick Ferguson writer

Name: Jordan Lee Email: jordan.lee@rainbowreads.org ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (5/5) Title: “A masterpiece of MM speculative romance” Where do I even begin? MINDCAPE is that rare book that fires on all cylinders: romance, thriller, found family, and a genuinely original supernatural concept. Leo Valenti is a hero for the ages—damaged, powerful, and achingly lonely. Roberto Castellano is the perfect love interest: charming, mysterious, and hiding his own trauma. Their chemistry is off the charts, but the author wisely makes them work for it. The 56-chapter structure allows for deep exploration of their relationship. We see them go from strangers to allies to lovers to husbands. The trust issues are real—Leo can’t read Roberto’s mind, and that terrifies him. Roberto has been running from his criminal twin for years. Watching them learn to trust each other without psychic shortcuts is beautiful. The action sequences are top-notch. The battle of minds in Chapter 22 (the warehouse) is intense and inventive. The rescue of the psychics from Alistair Thorne’s facility is harrowing. And the final confrontation with the true villain, August (Prometheus), sets up a larger world that I hope the author continues in a sequel. The epilogue, “The Silence We Choose,” is one of the most satisfying endings I’ve read in gay fiction. Leo finally finds peace—not by silencing the voices, but by learning to listen differently. With his husband and adopted son, he stands at Griffith Observatory and hears the symphony of LA as music instead of noise. This book is 18+ for adult themes, violence, and explicit sexual content (handled with care). If you love MM romance, psychic thrillers, and stories about overcoming trauma through love, buy this book. It deserves a place on every “best gay books 2027” list.

Name: Alex Harrington Email: alex.harrington@booklover.net ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (5/5) Title: “The best MM romance thriller I’ve read in years” I picked up MINDCAPE expecting a simple gay romance with a paranormal twist. What I got was a 56-chapter epic that consumed my entire weekend. Leo Valenti is one of the most compelling protagonists I’ve ever encountered—a man cursed with the ability to hear everyone’s thoughts, which sounds cool until you realize it means he can never trust anyone. The way the author portrays his loneliness, his headaches, his desperate need for silence, is so authentic it hurt to read. And then Roberto enters. Their first meeting at the art gallery gave me chills. The concept of a mind-reader meeting someone whose thoughts he cannot hear—and falling in love with that silence—is brilliant. The slow-burn romance is masterfully paced over the first half of the book. Every stolen glance, every late-night walk, every almost-kiss had me holding my breath. The thriller elements are just as strong. The Ghost (Vittorio) is a terrifying antagonist with psychic projection abilities, and the action scenes—especially the warehouse confrontation and the bunker raid—are cinematic. I also appreciated how the author handled the resolution: no easy fixes, real losses, and a final sacrifice that made me cry. The epilogue, with Leo, Roberto, and their adopted son Matteo at Griffith Observatory, was perfect. This isn’t just a romance; it’s a story about found family, about choosing love over fear, and about learning to hear the good in the noise. Highly recommended for fans of gay romance, psychic thrillers, or anyone who wants to read with pride. 10/10.

Sarah Chen Email: sarah.chen.writes@gmail.com Rating: ★★★★★ As someone who has followed competitive chess for years, I was initially skeptical of a romance novel set in that world. I feared the chess would be window dressing, full of inaccuracies that would pull me out of the story. I was wrong. The author clearly knows the game. The descriptions of openings, tactics, and the psychological intensity of high-level competition are spot-on. The King's Gambit sequence, in particular, is brilliantly rendered—I could feel the recklessness and beauty of that move through the prose. But the chess is only the beginning. At its heart, this is a novel about identity, courage, and the price of authenticity. Leo and Alexei's journey from secret rivals to secret lovers to public outcasts is a masterclass in character development. I especially appreciated how the author gave equal weight to the fallout in both men's worlds. Leo's American experience—the lost sponsors, the media circus, his father's disappointment—is contrasted so effectively with Alexei's Russian nightmare of state-sanctioned persecution and family disownment. It highlights how coming out is not a universal experience. For some, it costs a career. For others, it costs everything. The supporting characters are also well-drawn. Chloe and Anastasia are not just obstacles; they are fully realized women who suffer their own quiet tragedies. The scene where the two women share tea and recognize their shared loneliness was heartbreaking. This is a MM romance for readers who want their love stories to earn their happy endings. Nothing comes easy for Leo and Alexei. Their final peace is hard-won, fragile, and all the more beautiful for it. I finished this book feeling like I had lived through something. That is the mark of great storytelling. Read with pride.

Elena Rodriguez Email: elena.romance.reads@gmail.com Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Title: "The most honest portrayal of a modern relationship I've ever read" As someone who has been in a similar relationship dynamic, I cannot express how validating it was to read Benidorm Sun, Shared Secrets. This book does not shy away from the hard parts. The jealousy chapter (19) is brutal and honest. Clara's confession in the shower stall (Chapter 20) made me sob because I have felt that exact fear. But the book also shows the incredible rewards of doing the work. The chapter titled "The Gift of Sight" (29) is one of the most beautiful passages I have ever read about how attraction to others can actually deepen appreciation for your partner. That was a revelation for me. The LGBTQ+ romance genre needs more books like this. Books that acknowledge that bisexuality does not disappear when you enter a heterosexual partnership. Books that show couples navigating desire together instead of hiding it. Books that treat trust as an active, daily practice. The writing is clean and evocative. The Spanish setting is vivid—I could feel the sun on my skin and taste the salt on my lips. The pacing never drags. The 39 chapters are perfectly structured, each one ending with a hook that made me say "just one more chapter" until 3 AM. This is now one of my top gay book recommendations for anyone exploring open communication in relationships. It is 18+ for explicit content, but it is never gratuitous. Every intimate scene serves the emotional journey. Read with pride. This book is a gift.

Sarah Mitchell Email: sarah.mitchell.reads@gmail.com Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Title: "Finally, a romance that takes bisexual identity seriously" I have read hundreds of romance novels, but I have never encountered anything quite like Benidorm Sun, Shared Secrets. This book does something remarkable: it centers a bisexual man's identity without making it a tragedy, a secret affair, or a stepping stone to a "gay awakening." Leo is a man who loves his wife and is also attracted to men. That is not a contradiction. That is his truth. What makes this book extraordinary is Clara. She is not a passive victim or a saint. She is terrified, jealous, insecure, and absolutely determined to understand the man she loves. Watching her journey from panic in a bathroom to confidently leading their exploration was one of the most satisfying character arcs I have ever read. The authors handle the lifestyle elements—the nudist beach, the swinger parties, the sauna—with surprising tenderness. These are not gratuitous scenes designed for titillation. They are settings for emotional growth. The pact they make (total honesty, veto power, staying together) becomes the backbone of every decision they make. I cried multiple times. I laughed. I felt genuinely invested in whether these two would make it. The ending is not a fairy tale—they acknowledge that the work continues at home—but it is deeply hopeful. If you are looking for a gay romance book that also honors a heterosexual partnership, or an LGBTQ+ fiction novel that takes bisexuality seriously, buy this book. Read with pride. This is what representation looks like.

Sarah O'Connor Email: sarah.oconnor.books@yahoo.com Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Title: "Steamy, smart, and utterly unputdownable." Let me start by saying I am a picky reader of MM romance books. I've read hundreds, and I can spot lazy writing from a mile away. The Protocol of Passion is anything but lazy. The premise—rivals forced to share a bed—is a classic trope, but this author reinvents it. Sven and Tim's dynamic is fresh and electric from their very first exchange. The dialogue crackles. You can feel the tension radiating off the page. I found myself holding my breath during their arguments, literally leaning into my Kindle. The steamy MM romance scenes are, frankly, spectacular. They're hot—make no mistake—but they're also character-driven. Every kiss, every touch, advances the emotional plot. The sauna scene in Chapter 25? I had to fan myself. The morning after scenes (all three of them!) are tender and raw and beautifully varied. But what elevated this book for me was the supporting cast. Maggie is a treasure—a queer boss who sees everything and protects her people without fanfare. Raj provides comic relief without becoming a caricature. Even the brief appearance of Eleanor Ashworth (Tim's mother) is perfectly pitched. The international crisis arc in the final third of the book raises the stakes beyond the personal. Watching Sven and Tim function as a team under pressure, watching them hold each other up when everything is falling apart—that's when I knew this wasn't just a romance. It's a story about partnership. About what it really means to have someone's back. Read with pride, indeed. This is LGBTQ+ fiction at its finest. Five stars. I'm already recommending it to my book club.

Sarah Okonkwo Email: sarah.okonkwo.reads@outlook.com Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Title: "A masterpiece of emotional, heartfelt gay fiction" As someone who has been reading MM romance for over a decade, I've developed a discerning eye. Many books in the genre rely on tropes without substance. "The Campaign for Us" is the opposite: a trope-rich story that uses every familiar beat to explore something deeper about love, ambition, and authenticity. The enemies-to-lovers arc between Andrey and Sam is expertly crafted. Their early clashes feel genuine—rooted in real creative differences, not manufactured conflict. Andrey's need for control clashes beautifully with Sam's refusal to be contained. The scene in Chapter 33 where they have their first real fight as partners is raw and painful and so, so real. I felt their fear that they were repeating old patterns. The advertising setting is used brilliantly. The authors clearly understand the industry—the client politics, the creative pressures, the exhausting performance of professionalism. The Aura campaign subplot is fascinating and serves as a perfect metaphor for their relationship: something bold, emotional, and risky that succeeds precisely because it refuses to play it safe. The secondary characters are wonderful. Clara is the best friend everyone deserves. Ben Carter is a client who becomes a believer. Even Brenda, the antagonist, has understandable motivations. The world feels lived-in and authentic. What I will remember most is the ending. No rushed "happily ever after" here. Instead, we get a quiet, earned happiness—a sense that these two will continue to fight for each other, but that the hardest battles are behind them. The final chapter, back in the speakeasy, is perfection. This is emotional MM books at its finest. If you love gay love stories that make you cry, laugh, and believe in the power of choosing love, do not miss this one. Read with pride, absolutely.

Michael Torres Email: michael.torres.reads@protonmail.com Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Title: "Finally, a gay romance that understands both passion AND partnership" I've read dozens of MM romance books, and so many of them focus either entirely on the physical heat (which is great, don't get me wrong) or on the angst of coming out. "The Campaign for Us" does something rare and beautiful: it gives us a love story between two successful, driven men whose main obstacle isn't their sexuality, but themselves. Andrey and Sam are both fully realized characters with flaws, ambitions, and real emotional depth. Their journey from professional rivals to secret lovers to true partners is absolutely gripping. The advertising world setting is fresh and glamorous without being shallow. I could practically see the Manhattan skyline and feel the tension in those glass-walled conference rooms. The authors clearly understand corporate politics and how suffocating it can be to hide who you are. The heat level is perfect—steamy enough to satisfy but never gratuitous. Every intimate scene advances their emotional connection. The chapter where they dance at the Apex Awards made me tear up. It's such a quiet, powerful moment of defiance. What I loved most was watching Andrey grow. He starts as this controlled, almost cold figure, and watching him learn to be vulnerable—to truly partner with Sam rather than manage him—is a beautiful arc. Sam, meanwhile, never loses his spark. He's fierce and talented and refuses to be diminished. If you're looking for gay contemporary romance that will make you feel, swoon, and cheer, buy this book. I finished it in two days and immediately wanted to read it again.

Marcus Chen Email: marcus.chen@literarywanderer.com Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Title: Finally—a gay romance that respects both the heat AND the heart As someone who reads a lot of MM romance books, I've become frustrated with stories that either shy away from explicit content entirely or use it as cheap filler. The Manhattan Glimmer strikes a perfect balance. The steamy scenes are genuinely hot (the pool room chapter, anyone?), but they always serve the story and the characters' emotional arcs. Felix's journey from quiet observer to confident partner is beautifully rendered. Watching him claim his own desires—both with Leo and on his own terms—was deeply satisfying. Leo, meanwhile, learns that protecting someone isn't about controlling them, but about creating a safe space for them to fly. Their growth feels earned, never rushed. The structure of the book, with its 41 chapters, gives the story room to breathe. Each party, each encounter, each quiet morning-after conversation builds toward something meaningful. The "line in the sand" chapter (34) is a masterclass in showing rather than telling what a healthy, boundary-respecting relationship looks like. I also appreciated the bisexual representation. As a bi man myself, I'm tired of stories that treat bisexuality as confusion or a phase. Here, it's simply a fact of these characters' lives—beautiful, normal, and celebrated. The "Bisexual Bonanza" chapter made me tear up with its joy and validation. Read with pride, indeed. This is top LGBTQ+ books material. I'll be watching for more from this author.

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.