My Favorite Smart Male/Male Novels of 2015

These recent gems are all as brainy as they are sexy. I enjoyed them all during 2015.

For Real by Alexis Hall. For me, it's always the writing. Even though May/December romances don't usually beckon, and I'm not interested in BDSM novels, this book was one of my favorites of the year. It's that good. 

Unmasking Zach by Edie Danford. This one had me at: sex in a Vermont yurt. Thoughtful college boys in a terrific New England setting? Where do I sign! Loved this gorgeous standalone. My favorite from this author.

Nothing Like Paris by Amy Jo Cousins. I think this is my favorite of the Bend or Break series, not that it's easy to choose. I had to put it down a couple of times because the claustrophobic small town setting pushed a few of my buttons in the best possible way. Gorgeous writing, of course.

Playing for Keeps by Avery Cockburn. I didn't know I wanted to read about Scottish sectarian politics until I picked up this book. It's fabulous.

The Mating of Michael by Eli Easton. Everything about this book (except maybe its title) is awesome. The characters are unique and well-drawn, an odd trope is handled beautifully and there are excerpts from an inventive sci-fi book-within-a-book. Read it.

In the Middle of Somewhere by Roan Parrish is one of those books that everyone was reading. So I put it off a little while, because sometimes I'm stubborn like that. But this book is so smart and appealing that I shouldn't have waited. Fabulous characters and gorgeous storytelling. Don't miss it.